More Than Just A Market

Kurren Bafna  

It started with just a, “C’mon! I promise you’ll love it!” I had no interest in walking with my friend all the way to Babo Market, located at 403 Washington Street down by the 411 Loft apartments. But much to my surprise, I found that Babo is a quaint little deli/market with nearly every food you could imagine. From the mouthwatering display of hot and cold prepared meals to the never-ending line of cheeses and wines, Babo Market has it all.

My disgruntled attitude toward being dragged to Babo was immediately reversed when I walked inside the shop. The glass windows, metallic-silver shades, and unfinished pipeline ceiling create a contemporary atmosphere. At the front of the store are racks of organic, locally grown produce. Healthy! Babo prides itself on the freshness of its produce as it also supports a local economy.

As I made my way further into the store, I saw a complete selection of hot and cold foods. This is really the best part. The delectable section of hot and cold foods has an eclectic variety of meats and other prepared dishes. I’m a vegetarian so I stuck to the salads of the cold side. After taste testing a few different ones, I chose to go with the “roasted cauliflower with lentils” and the “southwest quinoa.” The sweet roasted cauliflower mixed with spiced lentils and onions, which was garnished with coriander and lemon, tasted stupendous. The big crunchy chunks of cauliflower went well with the soft chewy lentils to create a burst of flavor.

Meanwhile, the southwest quinoa with peppers, tomatoes, corn, and beans was more of a standard, refreshing salad. It was not nearly as exciting as the cauliflower salad, but it was certainly delicious. Once past the prepared food, there is a rack of different deli meats and cheeses to take back home. They also have a rack of wine near the cheeses (surprise, surprise). While I’m no connoisseur in that field, I can certainly say that they have all kinds of excellent wine and cheese combinations.

A unique specialty of Babo is the “juicery.” They’ve crafted a series of TASTY smoothies that each contains the healthiest of fruits and vegetables. Could you imagine eating a pound of ginger with four bananas? This combination is made possible except with even more goodies inside. I haven’t tried it yet, but definitely next time.

If you’re looking for a place to shop for fresh items, there is nothing better than Babo. While it is a bit expensive, you’re also paying for the top grade. Definitely a place to keep on the top of your list for new places to try! Bundle up and head over on a Saturday afternoon for a nice lunch.

A Tea Escape

Bianka Kristen  

When Bubble Island on South University closed over winter break, the world seemed to come to a standstill for several Michiganders. Many mourned the loss of this beloved hang out, forgetting that just across the street is Momo Tea, a quaint Taiwanese teahouse that is often underrated. After venturing over there I realized just how much more authentic and refreshing it is than Bubble Island. While Bubble Island caters more to the ever-growing bubble tea craze, Momo Tea revives the roots of bubble tea by embracing the Taiwanese culture.

Upon walking into Momo Tea, the aromas of exotic foods envelope you, immediately creating the sense that you’ve entered a completely different environment. The teashop doesn’t just have the bubble tea that everyone is craving; it also offers a wide variety of Taiwanese delicacies— all freshly made using ingredients imported straight from Taiwan! From a tea egg—where a boiled egg is boiled yet again in tea— to marinated eel rice, Momo Tea has the perfect foods for an adventurous spirit. Not feeling so adventurous? They also have shaved ice and standard sandwiches to satisfy your grumbling stomach’s needs.

Since Momo Tea is in fact a teahouse, it specializes in a variety of beverages. From milk teas to flavored teas to smoothies, you can visit Momo everyday for a few months before being able to try everything on their menu. For those needing their bubble tea fix, Momo has all the flavors you could possibly want with an abundance of bubbles. In my experience they definitely don’t skimp on the bubbles— or as they call them, the bobas— so your time there will never not be bubbly.

During this cold winter Momo Tea will transport you to somewhere far away, giving you that fresh outlook that only new experiences can give you. Whether it is to eat, drink, study or all of the above, I highly recommend making Momo Tea your next destination.