As University of Michigan 2002 and 2005 Alumni, no fall goes by without a visit to our beloved Ann Arbor for a Michigan Football game, now 9 and 6 years since our respective commencements. The trips are always planned several months in advance, allowing for ample time to anticipate not only a wolverine victory, but an eagerness for a nostalgic taste of college as well. There are those few spots that simply can not go unvisited, and since a weekend consists of only two days and a minimal number of meals, its always a cramped schedule getting every bite in. As we return back from yet another unforgettable weekend, nothing can top the memories of watching Michigan defeat Notre Dame under the lights, for the first time in Big House history.

A college town, Ann Arbor is also a city of high end restaurants among the otherwise pizza and sandwich shops. Taking advantage of this scene, we kicked off the weekend with a dozen oysters at favorite “special occasion” restaurant, Real Seafood Company, on Main Street. Taking seat at the bar, our server James could not have been more accommodating to our bivalve craving needs. After some drinks, a lot of college football talk, lobster and king crab legs, we were off to get a good nights sleep for what was a long day of game preparation ahead.

Football Saturday, we tuned in to ESPN for their Game Day coverage on our very own University of Michigan campus. All pumped and ready to go, we headed to our number one spot, Dominick’s. A house turned restaurant, their enormous garden with an over the top fountain, is the place of many out door drinking memories. And although the sangria is unlike any, their quesadillas, among the many other items they offer, are a happy memory as well. A crispy tortilla, and just the right amount of cheese, it is the perfect dish to soak up all those pitchers of our favorite libation. Lots of catching up with friends in town for the weekend, and many glasses of sangria later, we were ready to stroll through campus, making a few house stops and grabbing a quick bite of pepperoni sticks at Good Time Charlie’s. The day flew by and it was time to make our way over to the Big House. Taking that familiar route, we were among the record breaking crowd of 114,000 other fans, all eager to see a game under the big lights for the first time in Michigan Football history. A tradition, among many others, a game would not be a game without a large bag of stadium kettle corn. Made to order, the aromas of this treat lingers way passed the gates, with each kernel the perfect sweet to salty ratio. And as tradition, the bag is always shared with our newly made friends cohabiting the section we call home for the next four quarters of the game.

The energy at its peak, it only increased as the Wolverines defeated the Irish, making that finally catch in the end zone, to score the winning touchdown with only 2 seconds left in the game. The Big House turned into a disco party, as everyone in the stands danced to the newly placed speakers. Rounding out our amazing day, we stopped at yet another favorite spot, Pancheros, where after a 45 minute wait, we directed in the creation of our made to order burritos. What a day!

Sunday, after a stop at M Den to load up on Michigan apparel, we were ready to pick up what is our traditional airport meal before heading back to NY. The perfect sandwich, to which a comparable one has to be found in NY, Madonna’s Top Hit at Maize and Blue, is the over abundance of smoked turkey, cabot cheddar, lettuce, cucumber, vinegar,and oregano, on grilled honeycup mustarded smothered pumpernickel bread, and the ultimate last taste of Ann Arbor.

Until next Fall. Go Blue!!