Mike Barnaart is a classically trained chef who spent many years pleasing palates, most recently as the executive chef at Michigan State, but he never forgot his first job out of high school washing dishes at the then-brand-new Arcadia Brewing Company in 1994. This was where he was first introduced to the craft beer scene, and it stuck with him.

The people over at West Michigan Beer Tours love The Big Lebowski. They love it so much that they have created a beer tour around the Kalamazoo area that is directly inspired by The Dude himself. But you’re probably asking yourself, why beer? Why not a White Russian tour? Well, while on The Big Lebowski Beer Tour, you’ll get the best of both worlds including a specially made White Russian-inspired beer just for the tour.

If you're following a gluten free diet, one thing you might not get enough of is quality bread. At Green Restaurant, located on the East Beltline between Biggby Coffee and Noodles & Company, the homemade bread is so tasty that owner Mike Meyer sells it by the loaf. At $7.99, it's gluten, dairy and egg free, making it ideal for vegans, too.

Brunch isn't typically the first word that comes to mind when one thinks of traditional Ethiopian fare—but that's exactly what's being served up these days at Gojo, Eastown's hidden gem of a restaurant. You might have stopped into Gojo for a lunch or dinner, or you may not have even been aware of this culinary spot at all.