SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2013 THE LONDON FREE PRESS

TRAVEL

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The Big House at the University of Michigan becomes the worlds largest outdoor rink on Jan. 1, when more than 100,000 fans will watch the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Detroit Red Wings in the NHLs Winter Classic. Facing off will be from left, Leafs Phil Kessel, Red Wings Pavel Datsyuk and London native Nazem Kadri.

Big times at Big House

More than 100,000 fans are expected to attend the NHLs Winter Classic on New Years Day
brew pubs and a surprisingly broad array of restaurants, from Ethiopian and Cuban to deli and American roadhouse. On New Years Eve, Ann Arbors downtown Bob Seger sang about it in his song Main Street will be closed off for a six-hour party with live bands featuring Michelle Chamuel of The Voice and a midnight dropping of a large, specially constructed giant illuminated puck. We know football fans can bring the noise and weve experienced one other outdoor hockey game at the Big House, Kerr said. However, everyone is anticipating a record-breaking event on Jan. 1 and we couldnt do it without the 45,000 Toronto Maple Leafs fans joining us for the main event. For many of them, this will be the first time theyve visited Ann Arbor and were excited to showcase our amazing, unique city. We hope they will return for years to come. Main, Washington and Liberty streets should all be hopping. A good starting point for hockey fans might be Arbor Brewing Company at 114 E. Washington St. where the go-to order for first timers is a 10-flight sampler to please the palate of craft beer aficionados or satisfy the thirst of Leafs fans. Nearby there are several restaurants which offer usual fare and are popular with locals. A top choice for casual and quick is Frita Batidos at 117 West Washington St., where they serve Cuban-inspired street food such as lemongrass roast pork and cilantro fries. The fritas are Cuban burgers with fries served on top. Meal combos are about $13. Ann Arbors most social restaurant might be the Blue Nile, at 221 East Washington St., where Ethiopian meals are served on one giant platter with everyone at your table digging in with their hands using Ethiopian bread. The doro wat chicken is legendary and platters can be ordered with lamb and vegetables ranging from roasted yellow split peas to jalapeno peppers. Meals cost about $20. Amadeus, at 122 East Washington St., is an Eastern European restaurant where reservations are recommended. Theyre known for their selection of European beers and wines and desserts. Lunch entrees start at about $7. No restaurant brand defines Ann Arbor like Zingermans, both its original deli location which is a 10-minute walk from downtown or its sister roadhouse location at 2501 Jackson Ave., closer to the Big House. The deli at 422 Detroit St. is where the local Zingermans food empire began. Its recently expanded from the original store to give more elbow room and less reason to keep the elbows up in the competition to place orders. Zingermans Delicatessen is a favourite among University of Michigan students. Zingermans Roadhouse, located a 10-minute drive from the Big House, should be hopping for the Winter Classic, as its all-American menu is shaped for the sports fan, although not all of them will get off on the thousands of salt and pepper shakers on display. Not just for Canadians, Zingermans Roadhouse has Wisconsin cheese curd poutine, and pasture-raised beef burgers cooked over an oak fire. Burger and sandwich plates start at $13.

WAYNE NEWTON Special to QMI Agency Times Square might get all the New Years Eve TV coverage, but if youre a hockey fan wanting to greet 2014 by seeing a giant puck drop from the sky, then Ann Arbor, Mich., is the place to be. Ann Arbor was stymied last year when the NHL lockout caused the Winter Classic at the University of Michigans Big House to be cancelled. But its game on for the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs ono Jan. 1, in what may be a world record crowd for a hockey game of more than 100,000 fans. We were all disappointed after last years postponement, said Mary Kerr, president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in an e-mail. However, were thrilled for the opportunity to host the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic instead. The $15 million estimated impact will be a great boost to our economy, but its more about sharing our city and its attractions with an international audience. The party will undoubtedly start early as Ann Arbor is a huge college town packed with

Flights of beer are a popular way to sample beers at Arbor Brewing Company, one of Ann Arbors popular brew pubs. The original Zingermans Deli is an Ann Arbor institution.

On the web

Visitor info: Visitannarbor.org Arbor Brewing: arborbrewing.com Zingermans Deli: zingermansdeli.com Zingermans Roadhouse: zingermansroadhouse.com

PhoToS by WAYNE NEWTON /SpECIAl tO QMI AGENCY

Outstanding cast brings Elf to life

BY JOE BELANGER joe.belanger@sunmedia.ca
Tickets are tough to come by but are still available for the Grand Theatres surprise hit of the year, Elf. Playing to mostly sold-out crowds since opening in late November, Elf stars Liam Tobin as Buddy, one of Santas favourite elves who discovers hes human and embarks on a quest to nd and reunite with his father. The Grands production, directed by Susan Ferley, with musical direction by Ryan deSouza and choreography by Kerry Gage is outstanding with a delicious set and costumes designed by the venerable Bill Layton. It is one of those shows that will delight audiences of all ages Tobins performance is one of the best this reviewer has seen on a London stage. With plenty of tickets available for January shows, think stocking stuffers. Tobin is backed by strong performances from Neil Barclay, who plays Santa and the Scroogelike Mr. Greenway, with Ian Simpson playing Buddys dad, Walter Hobbs, Ingersoll-born actress Anwyn Musico playing Buddys love interest, Jovie, and 14-yearold Londoner Justin Eddy playing Buddys stepbrother, Michael. THE DETAILS: Elf, the musical, is scored by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin with the book adapted by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan from the 2003 lm of the same name. The production is playing at Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond St., until Jan. 4. For show times and ticket prices visit the box office, call 519-672-8800 or toll free 1-800-265-1593 or go to grandtheatre.com.

From left, Michael Lamont-Lytle, Christopher Wilson, Matthew Nethersole, Liam Tobin, Anwyn Musico and Ryan Kelly perform in Elf at the Grand Theatre. The play runs through Jan. 4.
DEREK RUTTAN /THE LONDON FREE PRESS