Terri Wilkerson Realty - My Favorites...

It is very easy for me to share the excitement of the area. Once while doing so, a relocating customer of mine said, "These are the kinds of things you don't readily know, the insiders view that adds texture and depth to the area! Thank you for sharing some of your favorites". Thus came the idea for this page. Please keep in mind that this represents a very small taste of the Ann Arbor area.

Try lunch at Bell's Diner on Stadium Blvd., just east of Liberty. It is a longtime, local hangout. It is very casual and usually pretty quick. My favorite is the Bi Bim Bob in a bowl with sauteed chicken which is not actually on the menu, but very good.
Another great restaurant in that area (just west of Liberty) is Gourmet Garden. This is my favorite place to go for Chinese food (and get take out, though check your order before leaving). The pleasing interior is proof positive that most anything is possible with imagination - it was once a Ponderosa! My favorite dish here is the Golden Crispy Shrimp. Even though I typically don't like breaded and fried food, this is not typical. It is has just a bit of fire to it and is served with glazed walnuts on a bed of brocolli. I also like the vegetiarian pot stickers with their ginger/soy dipping sauce. My husband likes their rib appetizer..
Two of my favorite restaurants are downtown. I love the Indian food at Shalimar (which is now on Washington Street). I also love the lobster bisque at the very upscale Chop House which is on Main Street. While this is one of the most expensive (and very high quality) restaurants in town, it is also a delightful surprise for those of us who don't eat beef! While my husband orders a steak, I am completely happy to order the lobster bisque and their dreamy garlic spinach. If I am really hungry I will also order one of the potato sides and plan on sharing it. I have tried a variety of their non-beef entrees, but I like their appetizers and sides the best.
If you like Japanese food, also try Yotsuba on Hogback just off of Washtenaw, and east of US 23. Their California rolls have become my gold standard.
Further east on Washtenaw you'll find great barbeque at Smoke House Blues, as well as lovely Thai food at Tuptim's.
La Fiesta Mexicana on Cross Street in Ypsilanti across from EMU is THE place to go for tamales. I can only speak for the vegetarian version, but let me speak! They are mouthwatering and they save well, so you can get an extra side to go. Because they are fresh, they are not always available so you might want to call ahead to make sure that they have them, and that they are open.
Rent a kayak or canoe from Skip's Huron River Canoe Livery on Delhi. The Huron River is lovely, and probably my favorite stretch of the river is from Hudson Mills Park to Delhi which is one of Skip's regular runs.
Go to Stadium Hardware or Ace Hardware if you are on the westside of Ann Arbor and need something for the house. While both are great hardware stores, Ace also has "soft ware" with its many household accessories. It is also a great place to find a wide variety of kitchen ware. Stadium is my absolute favorite for hardware. Go back a few times and you will feel like family - especially if Mike is there to tease you!
If you have some film or photo work that is very dear to you, go to Ivory Photo on Main Street or Foto 1 in Westgate Plaza (corner of Maple and Jackson) or on Oak Valley Drive behind Target. They tend to be pricey but they do a great job. You can also set up a business account and have them deliver your order.

Terri Wilkerson Realty
Phone: 734.665.4663
Fax: 734.369.2134
Email: terri@twilkerson.com