0 0 0 8B - The Michigan Daily - Weekied Magaie - Thursday, April 10, 2003 The Michigan Daily - WeCkIld Meilie -1T Come Sushi for yourself By Rebecca Ramsey Daily Weekend Editor Chances are, if you wanted to enjoy dinner last year at Sushi.come on a Saturday night, you probably had to wait awhile with other hun- gry customers. Since its inception in late 2001, business has flourished as droves of sushi connoisseurs rushed to indulge in the finest and most affordable sushi around. Besides Economics 401, there may have been nothing more diffi- cult to endure in Ann Arbor than to wait outside the windowed walls of the restaurant and see the wait staff flutter by with a tray full of yellow- tail, shrimp tempura and eel. Like an act of self-masochism, it hurt to drool over the sushi, but at the same time, it felt so good. Such may have been the case last year, when Sushi.come's decor con- sisted of only ten tables and a small sushi bar, but the recent expansion into the adjoining restaurant provides for a roommier, more customer- friendly environment. Now, with over 30 tables to accommodate more cus- tomers, and with good word-of- mouth consistently spreading, busi- ness has been busier than ever. One would think that owner Chan Marathon wins best group race G ood w ings, bad. yCaredaads -a Daily Weekend Editor" s By Ellen McGarrlty Daily Arts Writer TONY D As Best New Business, Sushi.come aims to please those with good taste. Lee, who moved from New York to Michigan, would enjoy a relaxed Midwestern atmosphere, free of the demands of a bustling city. Yet, Lee explains that more people are start- ing to see sushi as relatively com- mon fare, rather than a chic and exotic delicacy. "I came to Ann Arbor because it is a popular city and since the younger generation is starting to like sushi more, it was a good place," said Lee. "We want to make sure that our business keeps up, so we serve only the freshest fish." Another good reason to dine at Sushi.come is the free soup and salad for customers who dine in. Unlike other Ann Arbor sushi restaurants that charge patrons for their small salads, Sushi.come's philosophy affirms that customers should be able to get the most out of their feast- ing experience, including compli- mentary starters. It is this courteous manner that which Sushi.come bestows on its customers that justifies the restau- rant as the Best New Business. Not only is it a good'place to satisfy your palate, it is a comforting venue that succeeds at putting it's diners at ease. But the success does not stop in Ann Arbor. The future holds much entre- preneurial optimism for Lee and his establishment, for Lee hopes to open another location in California or Ohio. And it's a good decision. From the mouth-watering hand rolls and nigiri to the way the Ann Arbor restaurant is usually packed, Ohio doesn't really seem too far of a drive. There are hundreds of student organizations on campus, but few are known by and involve as many peo- ple as Dance Marathon. "Dance Marathon is in its sixth year here at the University of Michigan," said LSA junior Michael Mayer, who was executive director of this year's Dance Marathon. "We are the fastest- growing Dance Marathon in the coun- try and have grown each year in terms of money made and participants." This year topped all others when the event's donation totaled a stun- ning $197,397 - which was all con- tributed to the University's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Beaumont Hospital of Royal Oak. It all starts when dancers sign up in the fall, each promising to raise at least $250 throughout the year. Most participants ask for donations on the Diag to reach this goal. Mayer reported that one student raised over $2000 this year. Dancers are also given a chance to bond with their fellow marathoners during the many Dance Marathon sponsored activities during the year. "These include Rick's Bar night, Yost skate night, a pumpkin carving event and pajama party with our Dance Marathon families, dinner at Rio Bravo, Standing Room Only (a cam- pus-wide variety show), Charity Ball and much more," Mayer said. It ends with the dancers' participa- tion in the actual Dance Marathon. During the 30-hour marathon held at the Michigan indoor track building, dancers cannot sit down or fall asleep. Their challenge is lightened though as they are provided with abundant amounts of food from Ann Arbor restaurants as well as activities to do during their day and a half of duty. And of course there is a lot of dancing. Participants learn a huge dance routine in segments throughout the marathon. And for those who want to still be part of the Dance Marathon experi- ence, but with less responsibility, there is the option of being a "moraler." Moralers participate only on marathon day in five-hour shifts. During these shifts, they talk to dancers and keep them going, as well as get to enjoy the experience. "This year's marathon was truly remarkable," said LSA junior Chris Grapes, who was local marketing chair of this year's Dance Marathon. "Not only was the marathon itself hugely successful, but many events we had leading up to the marathon also went really well. I mean, how - many times does Rio Bravo run out of food because they have too many peo- ple coming to their restaurant?" If you are interested in being a dancer, moraler or event planner for next year's Dance Marathon, e-mail dm.info@umich.edu. BRETT MOUNTAIN/Daily Mmmmm this cup of Starbucks' coffee tastes exactly like every other cup of Starbucks coffee. Starbucks is great if you have no taste As the credits for "Friends" begin to roll, you click off your television and realize the dull rumble you thought was coming from your roommate's subwoofer is actually your stomach growling. After debating your options you and your roommates decide to go for some cheese steaks and wings. You dial up Mr. Spot's, and as the employee curtly takes your order, you are satisfied that your hunger will soon be satiated. Little did you know that the $15 order would become an hour-long ordeal as Mr. Spot's once again fell through on the delivery front. Moral of the story: Good wings don't guarantee good delivery. Located on South State Street by the corner of Hill Street, Mr. Spots has one of the best locations on campus - they are close to everyone. With delivery service available at most competing food providers, it is no wonder that Mr. Spot's feels compelled to deliver to remain competitive in the late night drunk/stoned munchy department that characterizes the life of so many college students. But there comes a point where one must say enough is enough, and to Spot's I must say, "If you hate delivery so much, don't do it." Though Mr. Spot's is the hands down undisputed champion of the chicken wing, the perennial winner of Best of Ann Arbor's best wings award is no one trick pony. Mr. Spot's offers a wide variety of food, including some of the best cheese steaks this side of Philly. While the rest of the food deserves its due, people stop in Spot's for one thing - wings. These infamous nuggets of saucy goodness have netted Spot's the award for best wings since 1989, a tradition that is older than some of those skateboard punks in the Diag. The wings come in three flavors: suicide, original buffalo and Spot's own, or as normal people call it, barbecue - that crafty cat. They come in orders of a half dozen, dozen, two dozen or the bucket of 50. Dine-in or carry-out, you would be hard pressed to find a better combination of ambience, service and cuisine. The dorm room-sized dining area possesses a homey quality with 1 a02 - i ". Easily the best wings In to its Formica tables and co meal in your kitchen as a fi It is a shame that a resi other facet of the busines such as delivery, an opti customers. With a well es der to the masses by motc streets of Ann Arbor to de But subtracting the tw seven minutes of preparat finds ways to waste at lea allotted "hour" of deliver calling on a big gameday game don't even bother, t phone or completing your is about as good as one c address and bringing food All in all Spot's is or rants. Its delivery servi nobody is perfect. By Jess Piskor Daily Arts Writer h I r t g lrich's #1 for BEST Art Supplies & Textbooks Stop by eitheriich's or Michigan Book & Supply forOH[ Aftlearnce Sale orr Aso rlo molr cash and sell your books back to lch's and Michigan Book & Suppl Ulrich's I5A I SPO f letOf Ann °v Voted "Best Wn " since 1989!! Suicide Sauc S di. riginal Buffalo Style III Dozen Win, Fries and a Drink For $10.25 11 With this coupon. Exp. 4/30/03 11 = '-== 4='= "J. 810 South State St. " Ann Arbor, Michigan 0 (734) 747-SPOT Coffee is the lifeblood of both late-night studiers and early-morn- ing go-getters, so it should come as no surprise that Ann Arbor is graced with dozens of coffee shops. Indeed, with so many choices, students can easily find exactly the coffee shop to suit their tastes. Some people get their caffeine fix from Cafe Verde, which in addi- tion to the best tasting fair trade organic coffee in Ann Arbor, has a mouth watering bakery attached to the People's Food Co-op. Others prefer the lively, diverse atmos- phere and accommodating ameni- ties available at Rendezvous Cafe. Those seeking solitude and a more cozy ambiance might seek to fill their mugs at Cafe Ambrosia. However, despite the abundance of better and unique options, Uni- versity students have resoundingly chosen Starbucks as their favorite coffee shop. This corporate monoculture has infested Ann Arbor with five stores, two of which are easily accessible on foot. Starbucks attracts easily beguiled students with canned atmos- phere and focus-group designed fur- niture and artwork. Although by no means a connois- seur's cup, Starbuck does boast cof- fee a grade above the average brew found at the local Tim Horton's. However, at upwards of $4 per dis- posable cup, one would expect some- thing a little finer. Its overpriced coffee notwithstand- ing, Starbucks features poorly cleaned bathrooms, tired music, weak food options, corporately trained robot employees and exceedingly hip decor, not to mention a tragically banal clientele. No doubt this is the same unimaginative crowd that would have voted McDonalds as Ann Arbor's best restaurant and Bud Light as best beer. The mighty elm tree graced nearly every street in America 50 years ago. With the spread of Dutch Elm Disease, these behemoths were nearly wiped out. While many regret the demise of that monocul- ture, one can only hope that Star- bucks will meet a similar fate. ________________m' Thanks Daily CHINESE FOOD FO ET 1 Congratulations to Chef Jan ~V~M Winner Gold Medal Award (first prize)Best Me in New York City International Professional Culinary Comptetition (11-11-2001) s e Sponsored by Societe Culinaire Philanthropique, International Chef Association & The Chefs de Cuisine Association of America " " 1999: Top Gold Medal Special Grand Prize - Forte Cup 20th Century Asian Pacific Art Competition *"1999: Chef Jan Awarded 1st Prize - The French, King of the Chef, Auguste Escoffier Medaile D'Honneur * 1998 & 1997: Top Gold Medal - Award Winner 0rQ i * 96&18:TpGl ea inr-TeDtotAInternational Professional Culinary Competition in New York City 5 a " 1996 & 1983: Top Gold Medal Winner - The Detroit -, Chef Jan National Professional Culinary Competition. , 35 Years experiences.4ALM . * 1978: Winner of the Washingtonian &.xr est s Eto is " Best Chef Award - in Washington, D.C. ar" t ,et et i 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 & 1998: Voted Ann Arbor's Best Chinese Food- Sh y very by Michigan Daily, 2003 & 2001 by Current Magazine- Grot 1201 S. University * Ann Arbor Gr&, (Between Church & S. University) (734) 668-2445 * DINE-IN OR TAKE-OUT SERVICE 1.1M hg U40 C L. University 662-3201 Hours: M-F 9-6 Sat. 10-5 Sun. 12-5 www.ulfichs.com Michigan Book & Supply 317 S. State St. 665-4990 Hours: M-Th 9-7 F 9-6 Sat. 10-5 Sun. 12-5 www.michhook.com ELM m -J -Y - - -