It was another cold, cloudy, snowy day last week when I walked in to Hiller's Market on Center Street and came across something I had only heard about but never really saw in person – Meyer lemons. They were so vibrant, yellow and pristine-looking that I had to buy them hoping they would brighten my day. I took them home and admired their flawlessness, still not quite sure what to do with them. Then it hit me: if life (or Hiller's) gives you Meyer lemons, then make Meyer Lemon bundt cake! Meyer lemons are said to be a cross between a lemon and some type of orange but they're much sweeter …

Thursday is National Coffee Break day, commemorating coffee’s iconic place in U.S. history and our culture. For some people it's a way to wake up or caffeinate themselves, but for many people like me it's an experience – preferably enjoyed in the company of family or friends. The coffee break dates back to the 1880's and has been bringing people together for centuries, according to The National Coffee Association Web site. There are six location participating in the Detroit are with two locations in Northville: Solid Grounds Coffee House, where for coffee day small cups of coffee are $1 and …

If you're on a budget but still like to go out, check out Thursday night at Wine Sync on the west end of downtown Northville on Main Street. Every Thursday night you can get a glass of wine and your choice of flatbread for twelve dollars. You choose a glass from the specials listed on a giant blackboard behind the bar and then pick from a number of different flatbreads. The flatbread at Wine Sync is sort of like a mini pizza, but more oblong and typically without sauce. Now that I think of it, the only similarity is that it's flat and has cheese! Wine Sync owner Alan Verstraete says they try …

Food has heritage and history. The mushroom soup at Rocky's of Northville is one of those foods. The recipe comes from the Golden Mushroom restaurant, a Metro Detroit landmark that closed in 2002 after a nearly 30-year run. Rocky's owner, Chef Chuck "Rocky" Rachwitz, said he brought the recipe to the Northville Township restaurant on West Seven Mile Road where it remains a popular choice. Anxious to refresh my palate, I was excited to be seated in the warm and relaxing main dining room with the mood set by Christmas lights and a cozy fireplace. I was sure that Rocky himself had told me …

When most people hear the word "whoopie" they typically think cushion or Goldberg, the actress. I think of Edwards Cafe and Caterer on Main Street in downtown Northville, and their delicious pumpkin Whoopie Pies. Two mounds of rounded cake pieces held together by a delicious frosting or filling, Whoopie Pies are said to be a Pennsylvania Amish tradition in which women would put them in the farmers' lunchboxes and they would shout "Whoopie!" when they saw the treat. Edwards is primarily a catering business according to Sarah Kennedy who is the catering manager. She says the cafe has been …

I am a soup person. It feeds my stomach and my soul and comes in so many different varieties that it never gets boring. For over 30 years Genitti's Hole In the Wall on Main Street in Downtown Northville has featured Italian wedding soup as the starter of its seven course family-style dinner. Genitti's started out as a meat and grocery store in 1971. Eight years later a hole was knocked out of one of its walls to expand the store into a restaurant. And that's where the name came from. It's a family venture now. Andy Genitti, son of owners John and Toni, says the soup is an old family recipe …

Who doesn't love pizza? When I grew up it was a treat rather than a convenience and I had it every year on my birthday. I loved it so much my friends called me "Lisa-Pizza." (It works better if you slur the s to sound like a z!) Now with so many places and types of pizzas to choose from it's hard to pick just one. But in Northville everyone agrees one of the best pizzas in town comes from the Starting Gate Saloon. The Starting Gate on Center Street opened it's doors in 1984 with a horse racing theme, when there were races six nights a week at nearby Northville Downs. Pizza was their most …

It's that time of year when everyone sings, talks and gives away their "favorite things." So I thought I would kick off this column telling you some of my favorites in Northville. I've been eating my way around this community for a couple of decades – and have the stretch pants to prove it! Each week for the next few weeks I will run down the list (seen below in no particular order!) And I'll tell you about each item and why they are so delicious and some details about how they are made or where they came from.   Perhaps you've had them yourself or maybe you think a "Whoopie Pie" is …