I came up with my top 5 Art of the Table choices for gifts (seriously if the ladies in my life see this the surprise is done for):

1. Cucina products - these lotions and soaps and room sprays have been popular since the day we opened, a new scent “Sanguinelli Orange & Rose” has been a hit.

2. Patricia’s Chocolates - So we might dwell on these more than we should, but isn’t it great that you can give your mom some art mixed with chocolate in a beautiful package for her day?

3. Reisenthel bags & baskets - This is the year of the “green” grocery bags. Our selection is amazing and fun, you can outfit that lady with stylin’ bags to head to the market or the grocery store with. I’m even taking one to Italy next week.

4. Coasters - I’ve never stocked so many coasters before! People have been absolutely begging us for coasters. We now have an ample sampling of coasters of all kinds. Help mom keep that coffee table clean with a set of cool coasters.

5. Aprons - It may sound a bit passe, those aprons. But don’t moms always love them? Some moms just plain wear them out! We just rearranged the linen section, adding a rack just for aprons, mitts & potholders. There are towels and other table linens to match many.

There are more ideas where they came from - stop by this week, we’ll even wrap it beautifully. Ready to give.

…Try Rinaldi’s Pizza on Diamond & Fulton (especially if you need a quick slice!) I honestly live less than a mile from it and (shame on me!) have never tried it! That’s on my future pizza short list…

…Go to Big Bobs (in EGR)! I’m a big fan of Big Bob’s calzone - it’s really not good for you to try to eat a whole thing in one sitting. It’s gigantic! But it sure is yummy when it’s piping hot and it’s not bad for leftovers either. Everyone who wrote mentioned meatballs as their favorite topping. So to me in order of importance, I would rate this one sauce, crust, toppings. But it sounds like I should try the meatballs and I may rearrange the importance!

And it’s been mentioned that ice cream is the perfect chaser for pizza and Jersey Junction IS right across the street!

The only reason I didn’t review Big Bobs in my article was that I’m consistently frustrated with their wait staff. They are really lackadaisical - they really don’t seem to care whether I’m there or not. And when I called to order ahead yet eat in there - in a time crunch - one night last month, they wouldn’t simply put a pizza in the oven for me to have ready when I arrived - even with my credit card!

Truly I can’t handle hassle when I order food from a local place. That’s one of the reasons that local places are my choice - I like that they’re flexible, they’re fun-loving, care that they’re at work. If an employee at my place acts like they don’t want to be here, I’ll send them home. It’s a good reason for owners and managers to be around and aware and willing to say “what’s up today” or if it’s a chronic problem, get rid of them. No small business can afford staff that doesn’t care. Anyway, enough of my service rant, they’re lucky that they have good food…

We also landed at Lush, a wine store in the Roscoe Village neighborhood that got written up in Time Out Chicago (a great source of foodie and chicago fun event information). Here’s what they said about Lush that made me smile. “Yes, Nancy Pelosi and Condi Rice have charted new territory for women in this country. But in the wine world, it’s still the 1920s: Women struggle to be taken seriously by the industry, which insists on putting out “wines for women”—pretty rosés with flowery labels. Thankfully, things have progressed at Lush. Though owned by the Einhorn Brothers (the gearheads behind Twisted Spoke), Lush is largely in the hands of a fantastic female staff—tough broads who know their single malts from their Super Tuscans, and who aren’t shy about teaching you a thing or two (yes, guys, even you)”. You go girls!

And I truly hope it’s not another three years before I enjoy time in Chicago again! And I encourage all of you to spend some time there. It’s a close, fun city to spend some time in…and don’t just stay on Michigan Avenue. There are super great neighborhoods. Find them and walk them! And then come home and enjoy your neighborhoods here too - they’re really sprouting up all over! Shop Local!

Since my writing, I’ve received e-mails from several people encouraging me to include more places on my “map to the mac”. First of all, I’ve been back to the Green Well (not a surprise for the people who know me) and they changed their mac’n'cheese the week the article was photographed but I wasn’t made aware. To me it’s a huge bummer, it used to be made with orzo pasta and now it’s made with corkscrew pasta! But upon trying a bite from my sister’s plate and talking to the owners, I’ve heard that there’s great support for the new ‘format’. If you have tried it before and you don’t like it as much, tell them! That’s the only way those of us in the service world know how to fix things.

And with all the e-mails, I just had to try some more dishes…

I’ve since had the honor of trying the Mac’n'Cheese from Hopcat. Traditional straightforward mac for the most part but really really creamy and topped with the crunchiest of bread crumbs! I haven’t made it to some of the other suggested locales but I word has it that the Red Ball Jet Cafe has mac’n'cheese packed with blue cheese (on special, not always on the menu as I hear it).

Further, I was surprised (and encouraged) to find out that many locals have actually eaten at the new and improved Mariott Courtyard restaurant, The Blue Plate. They have a neat looking menu including a Lobster Morel Mac’n'Cheese. I’ll have to try it sometime!

Now I’m on to my second article with local GR pizza joints as my inspiration! Watch for it next week in Rapid Growth. And if you don’t have a subscription to Rapid Growth, you should, it’s free! And a great way to keep in touch with Grand Rapids happenings!

I’ll have an article in Rapid Growth on a monthly basis, so if you have any ideas for articles, let me know!

Whenever (and i mean each time!) Jon comes to Grand Rapids, we can be found pouring over Thai cookbooks though seriously 95% of our choices end up coming from the Quick & Easy Thai book by Nancie McDermott. After the recipe study, you can find us over at one of the Asian markets on Division near 36th picking out our ingredients. We make a great team, chopping & blending and then everyone in the family gets to enjoy our authentic delights.

One of my favorite wines to pair with Thai food is Gewurtztraminer. German or Austrian or even some great dry Rieslings are fantastic companions. Try the Thomas Fogarty Gewurtz @ $17.50 for a treat!

Next time you’re inspired to make a fun meal with friends, or for friends, try Thai, it’s easier than you think, especially after you pick up the Quick & Easy Thai book from us!