I’m a sucker for a good salad — something really special, with fresh, crunchy vegetables; little treats like candied nuts, dried cranberries or goat cheese croquettes; a nicely seasoned, … more

Jimmy’s Pub 16830 Chandler Road, East Lansing 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday Noon-8 p.m. Sunday (517) 324-7100 jimmyspub.net more

It happens each spring. You cut into a clove of garlic to find its lily-white interior tainted by the green stripe of a developing shoot. A few weeks later, sprouts emerge from the tips of every … more

The tofu rice plate from Capital City BBQ never fails to provide the perfect mix of savoriness, crispiness, saltiness and freshness. When paired with a duo of shrimp spring rolls, this dish makes a perfect weeknight dinner. more

“Quién corta el jamón en tu casa?” asked the butcher, his breath smelling of wine. “Who cuts the ham in your house?” more

The tofu rice plate from Capital City BBQ never fails to provide the perfect mix of savoriness, crispiness, saltiness and freshness. When paired with a duo of shrimp spring rolls, this dish makes a … more

“Quién corta el jamón en tu casa?” asked the butcher, his breath smelling of wine. “Who cuts the ham in your house?” “Yo,” I said, raising my … more

Every October, I make Concord grape juice and seal it away in jars. I hoard these sweet vessels until the following summer, when I mix a chilled beverage called spicy grape juice. I don’t … more

A good breakfast is hard to find, and there’s nothing more disappointing than dragging yourself out of bed, putting on real clothes and going out to pay for a bad one. After my inaugural visit … more

In fall 2022, Abigail Stellern’s father, Michael Purdum, brought his Columbus, Ohio-based restaurant chain, Old Bag of Nails, to Lansing’s Red Cedar Development. It was the first of the family’s 19 restaurants to open outside of the Buckeye State. On April 17, Stellern launched the second, HobNob Pizza, in a 2,500-square-foot space on the first floor of the University Edge apartments, also in the Red Cedar Development. more

Lovers of strong Arabic coffee in Okemos will be happy to know they can now pick one up close to home. After opening its East Lansing location in December, Moka & Co. brought another location to … more

Who among us doesn’t have a trick or two up their sleeve for making instant ramen? A vegetable or egg in the pot, your special sauce or powder and, if you’ve got some game, perhaps a … more

Toscana 3170 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday 4-10 p.m. Friday 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 4-10 p.m. Saturday 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 4-9 p.m. Sunday (517) 246-4980 toscanalansing.com more

I’m often guilty of eating an incredible meal somewhere but failing to return for extended lengths of time due to matters of convenience or budget, even while remembering the meal often and with great longing. more

Bread Bites Mediterranean 5100 Marsh Road, Okemos 11:30-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday noon-7 p.m. Sunday (517) 708-7112 more

600 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-midnight Friday Noon-midnight Saturday Noon-8 p.m. Sunday (517) 882-7500 theczlounge.com more

Corey’s Lounge 1511 S. Cedar St., Lansing 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-midnight Friday Noon-midnight Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday (517) 482-3132 coreyslounge.com more

Fuel’d 1500 W. Lake Lansing Road, East Lansing 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily 517-220-4983 fueldfoods.com more

Last week, I read a bizarrely mean-spirited and pointless editorial in the Detroit Free Press, bemoaning the fact that Lansing is the capital of Michigan and generally expressing how terrible our city is. Obviously, I disagree vehemently. more