Like any good reporter, WSV staff writer and food columnist Beca Welty does thorough research for her stories, especially when the story is about ice cream. Beca recently headed to Sturgis’ brand new ice cream shop, The Parlor, to get the scoop.
Beca Welty
Watershed’s resident taco aficionado Beca Welty writes, “There is just something magical about the impending summer heat and the way it compels me to track down the nearest taco truck in order to satiate my cantina cravings. On a picture-perfect Memorial Day weekend I was struck by this exact desire and vamos’d my way to Taqueria El Tejano.”
In this edition of “Bites with Beca,” Watershed’s resident food critic writes, “In searching for the ideal restaurant to celebrate my father’s birthday this year I was on the hunt for ‘a place of perfect happiness’ and just so happened to find that exact definition in Kalamazoo’s Elysium (505 E. North St.).”
Watershed Voice (WSV) was awarded a $25,000 community impact grant on Thursday, April 13 from the Sturgis Area Community Foundation (SACF) for Watershed’s Community News Coalition project.
In this week’s Bites with Beca, Watershed Voice’s resident food critic Beca Welty takes on Toba Sushi for a second time after visiting in the first few weeks of its opening a year ago. To hear her verdict, and for a quick preview of what Toba has to offer, check out Beca’s latest local review.
In this week’s Bites with Beca, Beca Welty writes, “By the time we were rolling ourselves out the front door, Maria’s was bustling with energy with every table occupied and a line queuing near the entrance. It seemed Sturgis already knew what we had only just discovered — Maria’s Mexican Restaurant is a true gem in the crown of Mexican restaurants in the community, and we will absolutely be back soon…sunny day or not.”
Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes, “Because ChatGPT can write essays, I thought it would be interesting to ask it to write a couple of essays for Watershed Voice about recent issues we’ve reported on. (The following) is an edited transcript of my conversation with ChatGPT, along with ChatGPT’s first work for Watershed Voice.”
Alek and Doug are joined by Watershed Voice’s new staff writer and longtime food columnist Beca Welty to discuss her new role, her journey from “Judge Welty’s kid” to super mom and super baker to community journalist, and her thoughts on the maddening, yet highly entertaining third season of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime.
“While it does seem unclear the direction The Kent will decide to go as far as a theme, decor, or permanent menu, it does seem obvious that it is operating under the guidance of a chef who is comfortable in the kitchen and confident in his skills. It would be a mistake to attempt to compare this new establishment to the one previous, because the Miller family is here to leave their own memorable mark on Main Street.”
JungleBird, located on the ground floor of the Exchange Building on Michigan Avenue in Kalamazoo, opened its doors to the public in September and has quickly built a reputation thanks to an extensive, exciting cocktail menu, and a menu that is rooted in Caribbean fare.
The past year for Watershed Voice was eventful to say the least, and while we plan to have more on that later with some Year in Review pieces to start 2023, our staff needs a break to rest, recharge, reflect, and refocus in anticipation for the year to come.
Watershed Voice’s resident food reviewer Beca Welty returns with a look at downtown Three Rivers’ newest addition, Useless Creatures Brewing Company.
WSV’s Beca Welty writes, “If Bird Dog isn’t already on your list of Southwest Michigan restaurants to frequent, make note now. This establishment is busier than ever with their tantalizing brunch, lunch, and dinner menu and their options of dine-in or reservations for an igloo. Their dessert menu is also constantly updating and their social media presence is an excellent place to stay well informed on all new additions to their offerings. Pack up your appetite and head to Bird Dog in Mattawan for an unforgettable dining experience!”
WSV’s Beca Welty writes, “February in southwest Michigan might seem like an impossible time to enjoy your favorite meal on the deck of your ideal restaurant, but Martell’s in Kalamazoo has transformed that dream into a reality. Like a few of their sister restaurants in the Millennium group, Martell’s has installed cozy igloos for outdoor dining, and I was one of the lucky few to indulge in the experience.”