Restaurant Review Assumptions and Expectations

I chose to go to a place in downtown Kalamazoo called The Union Cabaret & Bar. Folks call it The Union for short. This restaurant also has a full bar and often hosts live performances by local and small touring musicians in multiple genres. While walking through downtown Kalamazoo, I've been attracted to this restaurant before but never had the opportunity to go inside. They have funky gold lettering spelling out 'Union' on their storefront that draws me in.

Price is a factor I am very aware of right now, and so I've decided to try an array of the small plate appetizer options on this trip, rather than trying to get a taste of their entire menu. I was considering going to a pub, because those prices are typically pretty inexpensive, but I am familiar with bar fare, and at The Union I am able to take some risks in what I choose to eat.

They have items like Gator Balls, which consist of blackened alligator, grit, jalapeno bacon topped with smoked gouda and cornbread fritters, all served hot with a side of bistro sauce. Never in my life have I had Alligator before, and this description leads me to believe it is an experience I don't want to miss out on. Personally, I am not sure if I can handle the amount of heat this dish will pack, but I'll taste it and find out!

In regards to this alligator dish, it brings Hessler's piece, "A Rat in My Soup" to mind. To think a rat can be clean makes sense, but was something I haven't encountered. To think people eat alligator quite a bit in America makes sense, too, but I am nervous to do so myself. I am from South East, Michigan. I have lived in two different Metro Detroit suburbs all my life until coming to college. My family eats a lot of chicken and beef, and we have occasionally had lamb. This will be a new experience for me.

I"m thinking of the movie "The Waterboy" and how Adam Sandler ate rats and gators a lot, and enjoyed them. I was revolted. I think that was because they didn't have much artistry in how the food was prepared. They looked the same before they were cooked as they did after, but charred. Now I assume that The Union will take care in how they present this dish, and every dish they serve, as they are among one of more popular restaurants in downtown Kalamazoo. They claim to serve foods from the great states like Kansas, Texas, and The Carolinas. All places with lots of barbeque, a style of cooking that I haven't had much of.

I hope to be pleasantly surprised, although I am pretty apprehensive about the levels of heat in their cooking. I am excited to try a new place with some friends, either way.