Food on the move in Detroit

Food trucks and innovative food concepts have been sweeping the country and for a while, it looked like Detroit would be left behind. The taco trucks of Mexicantown have been around for quite some time but in 2010 food took to the streets of Detroit.

Both Jacques’ Tacos and the Pink FlaminGO! operate in kitchens with four wheels and motor around town. Jacques’ uses social media sites Facebook and Twitter to announce its location. The Pink FlaminGO! is a bit harder to find since they haven’t updated their Facebook page since September.

The PinkFlamingo Mobile Restaurant: MyFoxDETROIT.com

Neighborhood Noodle started out in Woodbridge but is moving its Asian-inspired noodles to Supino Pizzeria for a test-drive for five nights in 2011. Their long-term goal is to have a fleet of food trucks throughout metro Detroit.

Two new kids on the block:

Detroit Brunch is bringing fresh, homemade, vegan dishes to the Cass Corridor. The concept is similar to how Neighborhood Noodle started out; you can order by email up to Friday night and then pick up your brunch on Sunday. I’m not a vegan or vegetarian but their menu looks absolutely delish! And they use Avalon bread.

Wine man about town, Putnam Weekley, has started the Detroit Wine Truck. Weekley knows his vino and offers six prix fixe wine packages with free delivery to any Detroit address.

In other food and restaurant news:

• Slows To Go opened last week in Midtown.

• Model D reports that Mudgie’s Deli is moving from Corktown to Downtown.

• The London Chop House will reopen in 2011 after a 20-year hiatus.

Food (and drink) options in Detroit are on the rise and 2011 looks to be a great year for the foodie in all of us. So instead of making a New Year’s resolution to go on a diet, I suggest to instead eat healthy and thoughtfully.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

I’m hoping you all made it through our recent Snowmageddon unscathed and safe. The upside is that I’m pretty sure that we’re going to have a white Christmas here in Detroit.

So, now that the roads are plowed we can all get back out there and enjoy the many fun things going on in Detroit. Oh, and I finally purchased my first Christmas present yesterday. I hope the recipient loves it as much as I do!

Weekend Roundup

1. Holiday Baar Bazaar 2010 - Head down to the Majestic Theater and listen to live bands while shopping for last minute handmade and vintage gifts from Michigan based businesses. December 17th.

2. White Christmas - See this holiday classic on the big screen at The Redford Theater. There is a 30 minute pipe organ concert before each show and word on the street is that Santa will be there too! December 17-18.

3. Earthworks Christmas Open House - The Capuchin Kitchen's Earthworks Urban Farm will have its honey and jams available for purchase. Take a look at the garden in winter and find out more about Detroit's only certified organic urban farm. Through December 18th.

4. The School of Rock and the Family Hootenanny present Kids Rock Kids - This free event at MOCAD is filled with family fun. Crafts for the kids, music intruments provided by MOCAD, and live music. December 19th.

5. Puppet Scrooge - The Matrix Theatre Company presents their take on the classic. This version has a Southwest Detroit flavor and Pecunia Scrooge is a selfish and mean spirited check cashing store owner. December 18-19.

Bonus: If you're up for more of a journey head out to Saginaw County Fairgrounds and Santa's Village. The daily visits from the North Pole Express, the steam engine made famous in the movie Polar Express, is sure to delight both kids and adults.

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

Make/Shift Detroit moves into Corktown

There is a lot of talk about ‘brain drain’ and smart, young people leaving Detroit and Michigan. Today, I want to introduce you to four people who just moved to Detroit, their excitement and energy is contagious.

The Make/Shift Detroit Project combines the love of a city with entrepreneurship and giving back to the community.

From their blog:

What if we took four like-minded people, put them in the city they love, and see what happens to their lives, their businesses, and their community over the course of a year?

Meet the people:

I first met Sabrina Fitzwilliams and Mike Holtzman when Banksy was tagging Detroit. They are the two faces behind the BareBones Detroit camera lens.

Cory Coffey recently moved to Detroit from California. She’s a BMX’er who has won world championships and was the first female to do a backflip on a bike.

Kimo Frederiksen is a personal trainer from Howell, Michigan. He’s moving his business, True Body Fitness, down to Corktown.

They have moved into the historic Dime Savings Bank in Corktown and, along with their creative director Stephen McGee, will be documenting their year. Follow them on their blog and check out the first installment of the 12 part series:

The MakeShift Detroit from Stephen McGee on Vimeo.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

The holiday season is upon us and there are a gazillion things to do in Detroit to keep you busy. Bundle up and get out there and enjoy Detroit!

Detroit Tiger all bundled up in his Carhartt Coat.

Weekend Roundup

1. An Evening with Crispin Glover - The eccentric actor will perform an hour long narration followed by a screening of two of his movies and a question and answer session. December 10th.

2. Detroit Holiday Food Bazaar - Detroit's first underground food fair is a must for area foodies. Artisanal foods from Beau Bien Fine Foods, Corridor Sausage Co., Neighborhood Noodle, and more. December 10th.

3. Open Skate at the Big House - Tickets to the Big Chill hockey game are sold out but you can still strap on your skates and try your moves on the ice. December 12th.

4. Winter Fling ...A Craft Thing - An indie art & craft fair in Ferndale complete with DJ's spinning and raffles. December 11th.

5. Frankencritters: Basic Sewing & Soldering With LED's - Check out the Omnicorp Detroit hackerspace, learn to stitch, and walk away with your own Frankencritter complete with glowing eyes. December 11th.

6. The Great Train Expo - The travelling train show pulls into Rock Financial Showplace with model railroads, hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, and more. December 11-12.

7. Shop Detroit 2010 - Join Detroit Synergy & Inside Detroit on this urban shopping experience. December 11th.

Do you know of a great event going on in Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

Detroit Holiday Gift Guide 2010

Stocking stuffers? Hostess gifts? Prezzies for the Detroit lover in everyone? Check, check, and check! Detroit Moxie brings you a few of my favorite things to help with your holiday shopping, all with a bit of Detroit flair.

Whether you’re sending something to your Detroit expat loved one or running out the door on the way to a Christmas party, I’ve got you covered!

Bonus: All but two of these gift suggestions are less than $40! Yes, there are two splurges that I couldn’t resist.

City Slickers: How cool are these tee’s from the Detroit City Futbol League? Find them at Bureau of Urban Living on Canfield. ($24) ~ Perfect for the book hound, Reimagining Detroit by John Gallagher looks at our city from a different perspective. ($20) ~ Not all toys have to be for the little ones! Pick up this Detroit-themed figurine at Lift Designer Toys & Gallery in Royal Oak. ($38)

Adventure: “I’m FLYING a plane” will be the new “I’m on a boat!” Experience Detroit from above while manning the controls with a 30 minute flying lesson. ($129) ~ Pop open a bottle of Sex or Detroit from the M. Lawrence line from L. Mawby and start celebrating. Find the bottles at your local shop. ($15) ~ Flip through the pages of “Lost Detroit: Stories Behind the Motor City’s Majestic Ruins” and take a glimpse into Detroit’s past and present. ($25)

Pure Class from Etsy: No more naked walls! Detroit’s motto, “We hope for better things; it shall rise from the ashes” is just as appropriate now as it was after the fire. Hand pulled screen print from Perfect Laughter. ($15) ~ This Detroit Typewriter photograph on metallic paper from LilacPOP Photography is sure to spruce up any wall. ($30) ~ Style makes the man and this snazzy bow tie from toybreaker is silkscreened with a blueprint of Cass Tech High School. ($40)

Baby Blues: I can haz football team? Our Lions continue to break our hearts; it’s time to send the kitties out on the field! Detroit Kittens Football t-shirt from Café Press. ($23) ~ Tune into the Horse Power EP by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and prepare for hypnotic jams. ($4-$6) ~ Hang a bit of Twitter on your Christmas tree with this tweetable bird ornament from Bronner's. ($7)

Red-Blooded: Add some zip to your festivities! McClure’s Spicy Bloody Mary Mix is the perfect cure to your holiday hangover. ($10) ~ What Motor City gal wouldn’t love this large tote made of seatbelts from Pure Detroit? Plenty of room to stash all your gifts! ($115) ~ Lather up in city style with these ultra cute Detroit map soaps from City Bird. ($6)

If you still haven’t found that perfect gift for all that are on your list check out The Detroit Shoppe at Somerset and Goods in Midtown.

Happy shopping!