Trains, Antiques and Fantastic food- Clara's Lansing Station

We gave our kids the choice of where to eat in downtown Lansing and they of course chose the train. Where can you eat in a train car? Clara's Lansing Station, on Michigan Avenue, just a few blocks from the Capital building. Clara's was once a train depot built in 1903 when Lansing was the hub of the Oldsmobile industry. The Depot closed in 1972. The station was purchased by restraunteurs in 1978 and with the collaboration of the Wooden Skate Antique Shop they have created a beautiful and fun place to eat.

They have even converted an old train car into part of the eating space.   This is the best place to sit if you have small children.  They can watch the train cars out the window.



Clara's has one of the most eclectic menus I have come across.  You can choose from classic bar and grill food, Tex-Mex, salads, and seafood meals.  They have a great kids menu too! And of course they have a fantastic cocktail and beer menu.

We chose the triple play combo appetizer.  You can choose three of the items listed (onion rings, bacon and cheddar potato skins, fried mozzarella wedges, chicken tenders,  and spinach and artichoke dip).  We chose the wedges, onion rings, and spinach artichoke dip.  It looked so good that half was gone before I could take a shot but here is what I got.  The onion rings were huge, and very crispy.  The spinach artichoke dip was very good and it even had crab in it!  The chips were fresh and warm.  

The Chicken Fajita salad was calling my name and I am glad I answered the call! There was a full moist chicken breast atop lettuce, cheese, grilled peppers and onions and tomatoes,   There were two fresh green avocado slices on side and it came with sour cream and salsa! It was so yummy!!! 

It comes in full and half sizes.  This is the half!!!

My husband ordered the BLT.  Bacon, lettuce and tomato between two thick buttery toasted bread.  My son proceeded to steal the plate from my husband and leave him with the kid's burger.  He was kind enough to give me a bite and it was DElicious!
My husband was not disappointed though. The kids meals are really good.
The burger is really big for a kid's meal and has real cheddar cheese and as my daughter puts it is "not a hockey puck".  This means unlike a lot of kids meals it is cooked well but not overcooked.  My husband enjoyed his burger.  (even though that is not what he ordered).  The macaroni and cheese creamy and comes with a cup of fresh fruit.  We were all happy with our meals at Clara's.  

Fantastic Mexican Tapas- Isalita-Ann Arbor

One of my biggest problems when I go to Mexican food is deciding what to eat.  Luckily, when the Mexican food is tapas style I can have many options.  Isalita in Ann Arbor on Liberty has an amazing and creative menu that will have you wanting more.  And more and more!
I love so many things about this restaurant.  First of all, the restaurant sign is strung across a line like a Happy Birthday sign.  So fun!!!

The restaurant has two floors, with main dining on the first floor and overflow and party rooms on the lower level.  We were sat on the lower level that connects to Isalita's sister restaurant, Mani Osteria, both owned by Adam Baru. There is an amazing mural on the wall above the staircase that I love.  It adds a classic authentic feel.

Isalita has a very simple menu with drinks on one side and food on the other.  We started our meal with margaritas of course.  They offer your classic house or upgrade, as well as, specialty drinks.  I ordered the classic with a float (an extra shot of tequila, why not).

We got chips right away that were warm and thick and gone in a flash.  For starters, we ordered the guacamole.  Okay I love guacamole, but guacamole with crab on top??!! Wow!!!!  You really need to try it!


We also ordered the queso fundido.
You have the option of house-made chorizo or forest mushrooms.  We, of course, ordered the chorizo.

It was hot and bubbly and fantastic!!!  My husband and I devoured it.


Luckily, they brought out the kids food next.  The children have an option of cheesy nachos or quesadillas with or without chicken.  Of course with three kids we ordered one of each.  Look at those nachos!  Crispy and gooey.  They were really good (unfortunately they were not mine).  The quesadillas were filled with chicken and cheese and nice and crispy.

Then the plates started flowing!  My sister-in-law ordered the tuna tartare.  It was gorgeously presented.  The tuna was mixed with jicama, mango, avocado, onions and spices and surrounded with crisp fried plantains.  It was light and refreshing, a perfect summer dish.

She also ordered the
Al Pastor taco, pork belly glazed with guajillo and topped with pickled pineapple. I tried it because I wanted to blog about it but it was so good!!  The pickled pineapple married the spicy guajillo perfectly.

My husband, son, and I ordered the Carnitas Tacos, the Hanger Steak Tacos and the Baja Fish Tacos.

The Carnitas were smothered in salsa verde and onions.  The pork was moist and perfectly seasoned and the salsa verde added a great kick.

The Baja Fish Tacos were awesome!  Mahi Mahi breaded and lightly fried with a chipotle remoulade it was super yummy and spicy.  My son was so excited about them that he took, and was almost done with, it before I was able to snap a picture of it.  

The Hanger Steak taco was a table favorite.  It comes in pieces as a make your own.  Perfect for my son!  He was able to add as mush steak as he wanted without the onion.  My husband loved them!  Needless, to say we did not have much left over from our meal.  The art of Tapas is a great way to have a family meal and make everyone happy.  We were all happy after our visit to Isalita!

Sharing the secret: My homemade marinara sauce and chicken parmesan

I am part Italian, and have always eaten homemade marinara sauce.  My grandfather made his own sauce, my mom made her own sauce, and so I created my own sauce.  As I have mentioned before, my husband likes my sauce so much, he does not like to got to Italian restaurants because their sauce isn't as good as mine.  Therefore, I thought it would be fun to share my secret recipe with you.  The trick is to make a large batch so that you can freeze some for later meals.  This way you can have pasta marinara one night, add some ground beef for bolognaise for another night, and have some left for chicken parmesan.   I usually get three to four meals worth from one batch.  

Here is what you need:

• A large stock pot
• 4 tablespoons of olive oil
• 12 lbs of Roma tomatoes, (fresh not canned) washed and diced (leave the skin on)
• 1 large green pepper (diced)
• 2 medium onions (diced)
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 1/2 tbls black pepper
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 2 tablespoons basil
• 8 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 large cans of tomato paste

Add the olive oil to the bottom of the pot.  Add the tomatoes, green peppers, onions and garlic.  Simmer for one hour, then add the salt, black pepper, oregano, and basil. Simmer for another hour then add the two cans of tomato paste and simmer for and additional 1/2 hour.   

For Chicken Parmesan:

• 3 large chicken breast cut in half and pound to 1/2 inch uniform thickness
• 1 cup dry bread crumbs (you can use your own but make sure they are dry)
• 2 eggs
• 1 ball of buffalo mozzarella (7-8oz) or one bag of shredded mozzarella (8 oz)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat

Whisk the eggs in a small bowl.  Place the bread crumbs evenly on a large plate or board.  

When the oil is hot, dip the chicken pieces (one at a time) in the egg wash, and then coat them with the bread crumbs and place in the oil. (Repeat with each piece of chicken).

Heat the chicken about 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.

Top the chicken with a small amount of sauce and then even parts of the mozzarella and a sprinkle of grated parmensan.  The heat of the chicken and sauce will melt the cheese. 

Serve with your favorite pasta and top with the sauce, add a little more Parmesan cheese and Mangia! 

This meal always makes me a happy girl!