Tag: Mackinac Island

Pink Pony Bar – Mackinac Island, MI

Mackinac Island, Michigan is a really special place. It is located in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsula. What makes this place so special? There are no cars on this island. You can only get there via ferry or seaplane. To get around the island you can walk, ride a bike, or take a horse drawn carriage. It really takes you back to a simpler time.

There are many things to do around the island. This includes eating and drinking. That is exactly what I decided to so when I visited the Pink Pony Bar. It is located inside the Chippewa Hotel. This pink themed restaurant has been around since 1948.

There are pink pony painted murals around the bar. There are pink lights and accents everywhere as well. Since pink is my favorite color I loved it all.

I started at the bar for a snack and a beer. They had a nice selection of craft beers to choose from. I went for the Pink Pony Ale, the namesake of the bar.

For my snack I got the soft pretzel sticks. They were served with a side of homemade cheese sauce for dipping. And they had whole grain mustard. The pretzels were nice and soft. The dough was sweet and it was accented by the salt coating the outside. The cheese sauce was fantastic. It was so creamy. It tasted perfect with the pretzel.

After a little while I met up with the group I was with and we grabbed a table for dinner. Out table had a great view out the large windows overlooking the water.

We got a few appetizers to share. The onion rings came out in a pretty cool basket. They were stacked on top of each other, creating a tower. The outside coating was super crunchy. The onion on the inside was soft and sweet. These were perfect for sharing.

The fried calamari was good to share as well. Each piece was also really crispy. They put a generous amount of parmesan cheese on top which was a nice addition.

The flatbread was the perfect size for an appetizer. The dough was slightly sweet with a little smoky taste. The fresh mozzarella was slightly melted and still in large chunks. They had great roasted tomatoes spread around which added a slight acidic taste to the creamy cheese.

Because of all the appetizers I filled up on, I ended up only ordering the French onion soup for dinner. The crock came out with a huge slice of provolone cheese melted on top of two slices of bread. The bread had soaked up the broth so well that it easily broke apart with my spoon.

The caramelized onions in the soup were so sweet. I loved how many onions they used too. The broth itself was sweet and savory. Sometimes the broth of onion soup can be really salty, this was perfect.

The food was great at the Pink Pony Bar. It was a great place to grab a drink or stay for a meal. Add this place to the must visit list if you are in Mackinac Island.

Check them out at www.pinkponybar.com or www.pinkponymackinac.com

Enjoy!

T

Murdick’s Fudge – Mackinac Island, MI

When I told people I was going to visit Mackinac Island in Michigan, they all said I had to make sure to get some fudge. That is what they are famous for. There are a few places to go but visiting Murdick’s is a must.

Murdick’s Fudge is the original fudge shop. They have been making the creamy treat for over 125 years.

Before I even opened the door, I could smell the chocolate fudge being made. When I opened the door, the sweet aroma just hit me. I was in heaven.

As I walked around the shop I was able to watch them make the fudge from start to finish. It all started with the copper pots. All the ingredients were mixed in these huge pots over an open flame.

Once the liquid chocolate mixture was ready, they poured it onto a marble table that had a wooden frame around the edges. This prevented the liquid chocolate from spilling onto the floor.

Then they worked the fudge with an oversized spatula like item. They pushed it and turned it across the table.

As I watched them do this I could see that the chocolate mixture was starting to cool. As it cooled it started to become firmer. They continued to push and turn the chocolate.

Eventually they removed the wooden frame. They then started folding the chocolate and I could see it starting to form the texture of fudge.

They continued to fold it until they created a really long log.

After it cooled, they came through and started cutting the fudge into small slices. Some went into the cases to be sold and others were packed into boxes.

They had so many varieties of fudge to choose from.

I had to at least try the chocolate since I watched them make it. It was creamy and smooth. It melted in my mouth. It had such a rich taste and it was extremely sweet. It is exactly what fudge should be.

I also got some peanut butter fudge to go. I figured I could enjoy it on my trip back home. It too was smooth and creamy. The flavor and aroma of the peanut butter was amazing. It was as if I opened a jar of it and took a deep breath.

You must go see them make fudge at Murdick’s. They do it the traditional way and they put so much care and love into it. You will definitely want to buy some, you will not be able to stop yourself.

Check out their rich history as well as all their flavors at www.originalmurdicksfudge.com. Plus, you can order online and have it shipped throughout the US and Canada.

Enjoy!

T