Plymouth’s city center has enjoyed the arrival of many new restaurants and bars over the past several years. But just outside of downtown along Main St. at the level crossing, you’ll find the Markham Building and Plymouth Crossing Restaurant.
The Building dates from 1885 when the Markham Manufacturing Company began producing wooden tanks and cisterns. The company soon switched to manufacturing wooden air rifles while across the tracks, the Plymouth Iron and Windmill Company began producing a metal BB gun known as the ‘Daisy’. And so began Plymouth’s page in history as the birthplace of the Daisy Air Rifle. Ultimately, the two companies became one and while the Daisy Buildings are gone save for a section of wall, the Markham Building remains.
The restaurant itself is a calming, traditional setting with a fireplace and plenty of wood tones, exposed brick walls, brass, and red, tufted leather booths. The service is friendly and relaxed. And the food is hearty and satisfying. For a dining experience unique in the City, Plymouth Crossing is definitely worth a visit.
So what is a Pasty you are wondering? This Upper Peninsula speciality is pronounced “PASS-tee” and not “Paste-tee”. It’s essentially a savory meet pie packed with selected meats and vegetables. They come in diffferent sizes as well. We’ve tried them and the food is wholesome, simple, filling, and well worth a taste. Owned and operated by a local couple, UP Pasties is located at 810 S Main St in downtown Plymouth. 734-927-4422.
(Update – Zin has closed 
Update – the Sardine Room is now officially open for business just in time for summer. All reports so far are very positive! We’ve had the opportunity to go there a couple of different times and were impressed by the food, interior, and service.
We finally managed to try out Brick’s in downtown Northville and came away with a fairly positive first impression. The design, service, and food were all quite good and appropriate to the sports bar genre in this downtown location. For warmer months, there’s a spacious elevated, outdoor seating area as well. Inside, there’s plenty of TVs which provide the ‘ambiance’.
Ground has been broken on the new commercial building at the intersection of Main St. and Ann Arbor Trail. Located at one of the town’s main intersections, this prime piece of real estate and former gas station will now to be home to a number of restaurants and retail spaces on 2 floors.
I attended a highly charged Planning Commission meeting last night at Plymouth City Hall. The developers of the above new construction commercial building presented their plans while the residents and business owners of Plymouth voiced their concerns. The corner of Ann Arbor Trail and Main Street where the old Amoco gas station used to be has been vacant for some time. The old station has just been demolished and the new building above is planned. The space will be used for restaurants and potential retail too. Some of the issues raised include the size and density of the building and the split level concept of the interior. A motion was passed to postpone further discussions until the applicant decides to resubmit updated plans. There was a lot of emotion and passion about the project – all part of the give and take required to preserve and grow a vibrant downtown of a great American small town!
Update April 10th, 2010: We took the family there last weekend and although the place was a little under-staffed, the food did deliver on the promise of the exotic. As a new restaruant, we like to reserve judgement until things settle down.
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