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Our downtown features took a brief hiatus, but the series continues today with one of my personal favorite areas—Downtown Plymouth, or DTP, as us cool kids call it. I’m sure you can tell I am a fan based on the volume of restaurants and businesses from this town I have included in previous articles, but it is for good reason.
DTP is a quaint, intimate and festive town. No matter the time of year, it is always decorated for whatever season or holiday is approaching (though, I am fairly certain that there are Christmas lights in trees that stay up all year long, but hey, it looks nice). In all seriousness, whether it is fall, winter, spring or summer, DTP is beautiful. For instance, Scarecrows in the Park started on Friday, Sept. 19 and runs until Saturday, Nov. 1. During the duration of this attraction, scarecrows made by residents or companies of Plymouth and surrounding areas line the sidewalk of Kellogg Park along Main Street. It is a nice touch and really brings out the fall spirit, so make sure to check it out.
(Photo courtesy of Plymouth Mich Facebook)
Another big event during the fall is Plymouth Restaurant Week, which began on Friday, Sept. 26 and runs until Saturday, Oct. 4. Plymouth has ten establishments participating. I detailed this in an article earlier this month, so you can check that out for more information. You’ll want to take advantage of this week of special deals!
Let’s talk specific restaurants. Plymouth and its downtown area offer delicious food, classy indoor/outdoor (here’s to hoping the weather stays nice) dining areas and great atmospheres. Here are just a few to consider:
Fiamma Grill, 380 Main St., is absolutely fantastic. I won’t lie, I don’t have a big budget that allows me to go out for fancy steak dinners often, but one of (if not) the best filet mignon I have ever eaten was at Fiamma Grill. I also discovered one of my favorite beers here, Hideout Brewery’s Hired Gun Red ale. Here is the full menu. Frankly, my experience was fantastic and I can’t wait to go back. Chances are high you will enjoy this place as well.
Barrio Cocina y Tequileria is located at 555 Forest Ave. It just opened a couple of weeks ago, so I have not been yet, but the menu sure looks enticing if you’re into street tacos, salsa flights and Sonoran hot dogs. The margarita and craft cocktails also seem to be something that must be investigated, responsibly of course.
Penn Grill and Bar resides at 820 Penniman Ave., and is a great choice if you are looking for some bar food. I recommend the pulled pork or one of the calzones, but you can view the full menu if your little heart desires. The beer selection is definitely good too. You can order a pumpkin beer with brown sugar around the rim, which my girlfriend adores.
If you have a sweet tooth after dinner, DTP is not lacking in that department either. Ice cream, frozen yogurt, fudge, candy and more are all offered.
The Cupcake Station, has a Plymouth location at 318 S. Main St. The cupcakes here are made fresh daily and there are a plethora of flavors. If for some odd reason cupcakes aren’t your thing, the store offers other baked goods as well. Keep an eye out for the featured cupcakes each month.
The Candy Trail, 942 Ann Arbor Trl., has an incredible candy list and carries a lot of nostalgic candies from your childhood. This may be a good place to take a date after dinner and make him or her feel like, well, a kid in a candy store again. Gummy worms, jaw breakers, candy necklaces, you name it and Candy Trail probably has it.
Yogurt Palooza sits at 416 S. Main St., and offers up to 14 frozen yogurt flavors at a time for its patrons. Couple that with the 40 toppings to cover your frozen treat with and you’re in business. It is like eating ice cream with half the guilt. Seriously, “froyo” is both nutritious and delicious.
OK, enough about food and dessert. Maybe you want to catch a show or are looking for entertainment. What is there to do in DTP for that, you ask? I have some answers, my dear readers.
(Photo courtesy of Plymouth Mich Facebook)
The Penn Theatre is located at 760 Penniman Ave., and is a single-screen movie theater playing current second-run movies, classic films and independent films. It sometimes participates in film festivals and brings classes in for school field trips as well. “The Hundred Foot Journey” plays tomorrow at 7 p.m. After that, “And So It Goes” plays throughout the weekend.
3 & Up, 630 S. Main St., is a bit of different entertainment than you may be used to. It attempts to bring back board games for a night out, which I think is an awesome idea! I would like to visit this place. It is open seven days a week, until midnight from Sunday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The store offers more than 1000 board games and is an “electronic free zone.” Maybe that is what we all need.
The 4th Annual Pumpkin Palooza returns on Sunday Oct. 19 from noon until 3 p.m. Bring the kids, as the streets will be closed and games, candy, costume contests (by age group) and more will take place. Take the young ones and have a good time.
Also, several bars in DTP have live music, dancing and of course great drinks. Make sure to check out 336 Main, Ironwood Grill and the Box Bar.
There you have it, Downtown Plymouth in a nutshell. A lot of businesses and restaurants are within walking distance of each other, so you can bar hop, walk around and take in the scenery, enjoy a delicious meal, or all of the above. Either way, get to DTP and you will have fun.
