The Best Local Eats for Touring Musicians
Finding good food is one of the most frustrating challenges that bands face while on the road. Indie bands My Brightest Diamond and Clare and the Reasons are currently on a three month national tour (following their recent European tour) and write to us with a list of healthy restaurants that they have found along the way.
Happy Thanksgiving!
We are a van of six lovers of the healthiest food available. After two months of culinary glory in Europe we came to the states with gastronomical trepidation. With our mighty van internet and a lovely network of like-minded food-lovin’ friends and a healthy portion of each morning dedicated to research, we found and would like to share our little wealth of health and tastiness.
| City | Local Eats | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO List of Local Venues |
Vietnam Cafe | This is a small family-owned place with very little atmosphere but the best egg rolls this side of the Pacific and extra close to US70. The ice coffee is delicious too. |
| Grand Rapids, MI List of Local Venues |
Restaurant Bloom | This extraordinary place is totally unexpected in a little strip of decent-enough looking eateries. The menu is mouth-watering and every dish delivers. As New York based foodies we would like to say that with such spectacular ingredients and overall sophistication this place could easily hold it’s own in the Village. Good brews too. |
| Portland, ME List of Local Venues |
The Green Elephant | Super clean, modern, friendly veggie joint sporting bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Our resident meat-loving Frenchman totally approved. |
| St.Louis, MO List of Local Venues |
Local Harvest | Local laptoppers gather in small numbers in this sunny, friendly sandwich and more mecca. They have kombucha tea and eggs all day. |
| Madison, WI List of Local Venues |
Chautaura | This jewel in the crown of the mid-west’s reigning hipster heaven calms the spirits and satisfies the senses. Himalayan cuisine prepared beautifully and a chia tea not to miss. |
| Minneapolis, MN List of Local Venues |
French Meadows Bakery | Fresh, organic, locally grown and tons of options in this beyond-a-bakery owned by MBD candyman, Zac Rae’s uncle. Makin’ the family proud. |
| Denver, CO List of Local Venues |
Parsley | A friendly earth-counscious ex-corporate dude runs this small bright and stunningly delicious little shop. The smoothies will blow your mind. Seriously. |
| Salt Lake City, UT List of Local Venues |
Raw Bean | Perfectly roasted beans with no trace of burning and completely lacking any trace of bitterness. An overall perfect shot of espresso. |
And now, just a few words about some non-restaurant situations….
The promoter at the Royal Theater (Danvile, IN) has an apartment for the bands that is marvelous! The apartment is gorgeous and stocked with lovely local edibles that kept us happy for several meals.
The tiny town of Paonia, CO was a wonderland of healthy eating. Our fantastically delicious dinner was made by the woman who had grown the ingredients. The local greens were tear-renderingly flavorful and the local wine was so good we sang it’s praises from the stage. After the show the town was so revved up that “Linda’s”, which only opens on the whim of it’s owner, threw open its doors and we experienced what felt like a happy-go-lucky brothel/speakeasy. There were drinks, girls dressing up in lingerie and antique Betty Boop dolls in every corner. It felt like a dream and very well may have been. On our way out of town we stopped at the Homestead Market which is a part of Big B’s Apple Orchard. Local produce, wine, cheese, meats, pottery and the best cider we’ve ever had got us up early on a long drive day and it was worth every minute. None of us had heard of Paonia and now we will certainly never forget it.
Do you have a favorite place to eat on the road? Join the discussion in our forums. Click here for the thread.
About the author
Where did you eat in Chicago?
12/3/2008
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