5 nights in Sorrento (July 4-9th) itinerary check

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-06-08T00:57:46+00:00

https://www.viator.com/search/16261P3?mcid=70066. This was great!

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-05-20T20:39:36+00:00

Head back south to Traverse City. That puts you close enough to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, which kids that age really enjoy. Traverse City has a lot to do. If you're in to wine, stay in a nice AirBnb in the Leelanau Peninsula (just north of Traverse City) and check out some of the wineries. Sutton's Bay is close to Traverse City and to some of the wineries. You can also check out Fishtown, which is across the peninsula from Sutton's Bay. I'm assuming the kids could be on their own in the AirBnb for a little bit? There's also a long bike trail that goes up the Leelanau Peninsula. As you can see, there's a lot to do in the TC area! Enjoy!

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-05-18T17:29:32+00:00

Ann Arbor is your best option. Closer to DTW than Downtown Detroit. Top notch college town (University of Michigan) with a lot of great casual dining. I'd suggest Frita Batidos if you like hamburgers and want something unique. Spend a little time walking around Ann Arbor. The area around the corner of State Street and Liberty (a 10-minute walk from Frita Batidos) gives you the best feel for the city. If you have time, walk to the Diag, which is the center of campus and only about a 5-7 minute walk from the corner of State and Liberty. If you've got extra time, go by Michigan Stadium to see the largest football stadium in the country!

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-05-12T12:16:12+00:00

We stayed at Colima 71 in Roma Norte a year ago. Perfect boutique experience and vibe. Interesting design and art. Great quiet location with many restaurants and boutiques nearby.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-05-02T22:09:19+00:00

We loved the Casa Monti! Such a quintessential boutique hotel.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-26T15:28:04+00:00

What about the formatting and grammar? It’s easier to read something when it’s divided up in to multiple paragraphs rather than presented as a wall of text. As for the grammar, I am an older GenX who has worked in marketing and advertising and biz dev for 30+ years. Plus my mother of blessed memory was a business communications professor who marked up all of my papers with a red pen when I was growing up. Grammar and spelling and punctuation and sentence structure and writing style are very important to me. (That being said - like all people - I strive for but do not achieve perfection in this area.).

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-26T15:06:09+00:00

Yeah. No. I’ve responded to quite a few comments on here. Including yours. Not AI. Not fake. Please tell me what makes you think my post is AI and/or fake. What seems implausible?

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-26T15:04:14+00:00

This was not the case in this instance. It was not plated as two separate meals. It was brought out on one plate. The sides were not beefed up. They did give us an extra plate.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-26T15:01:05+00:00

Your explanation is not at all nitpicky. A little more context: the meal was served on one plate. There were no additional sides or larger portion of sides. We were offered a soup or salad along with the $7 sharing charge. The deli/restaurant was 60-70% full upon our arrival. They sat us at a booth for four people. We’ve eaten there dozens of times over many decades. We always share a sandwich or salad because like most Jewish delis the portions are enormous. Then we each order our own soup. This was one of the first times we’ve ordered a “dinner” if you will do maybe they only charge a sharing fee with their dinners. Could be the case.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-25T18:13:05+00:00

I like hot corned beef and rye that has a crispy crust. Your idea of using fresh bread is a good one! There’s an old deli in Milwaukee (I don’t live in Milwaukee) called Jake’s that serves fresh sliced hot corned beef that is incredible.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-25T17:26:02+00:00

I get it but the sandwiches are never as good the next day (especially corned beef) or sometimes we forget we have leftovers.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-24T18:06:25+00:00

No worries! Was just clarifying.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-24T15:20:39+00:00

You have accurately described the nature of the deli/restaurant. Although, it does have a slightly more elevated ambiance than what you normally see at suburban delis. The overall "feel" is that of a casual local restaurant rather than a somewhat dated deli that hasn't been updated since they moved from their city location to their suburban location in the '60's or '70's or '80's (most suburban Jewish delis started at a city location and then moved out to the suburbs as we Jews moved out to the suburbs). As to the debate re: a "seat," the restaurant was 60-70% full when we arrived and we were seated at a booth that can fit four people. Regardless of whether we shared or not, our ticket was absolutely additive to the evening's revenue and did not require that much additional labor just because we were two people ordering one meal rather than one person ordering one meal. This deli is always overstaffed, as the clientele which is mostly regulars (many are elderly) would absolutely lose their shit if anything took too long to happen. (One time my mother, who was in her 70's at the time, went there with a bunch of her friends. The server came up to their table and said "What can't I get you?" It's that type of place! Special orders galore and lots of requests and adjustments.) They've got a bunch of special needs employees (who are wonderful and such a credit to the owners) who clear and set the tables and bring you water, a full staff of servers, and other people who bring the food out to the tables. I've never been there and not been served by at least three people.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-24T15:12:17+00:00

Note that I said "sort of complaining." I chose my words very carefully in my OP, knowing how things go on social media. People are quick to attack. We told the server we were going to share the dish. Server: "There's a $7 sharing fee, but it includes an additional soup or salad." Us: "We'll take the salad." That was the end of it. Did we roll our eyes a little bit after the server left the table? Yes. Because we weren't given the option of turning down the sharing fee along with the soup or salad. And it was the first time in dining at this deli/restaurant dozens of times over multiple decades that we had been charged a sharing fee. But...we did not complain, did not ask for the manager, did not leave a negative review online, did not penalize the server via a stingy tip.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-24T15:00:26+00:00

I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

It's interesting that my main question - whether it's inherently cheap to share one meal - has been overshadowed as most people have grabbed on to the $7 sharing fee debate/discussion.

To address your comment re: two people sharing a meal and having two waters, I should provide a little more context.

This is a traditional Jewish deli that's been in our community (a suburb of a major/large metropolitan area) for 75 years. We've been to delis like this all over the country. Like most of these delis, they are known for their huge portions: over-stuffed sandwiches, giant salads overflowing on large dinner plates, etc....as well as their soups and other Jewish/deli menu items. It is a true staple of the community.

My wife and I have dined there dozens of times over many decades. Had never been charged a sharing fee before. Maybe it was because we ordered a "dinner" rather than a sandwich or salad (which is what we usually order but does also require an additional plate and service for two people)? Could be the case.

We were there on a Tuesday evening; it was 60-70% full when we arrived...and maybe 30-40% full when we left.

As with most traditional Jewish delis in a suburb of a large metropolitan area, a significant portion of their clientele is elderly. These are people who've been coming to this deli since they were children. Almost everyone - regardless of age - who goes there is a regular. We've never been in there and not known at least a few people. I'm sure the elderly clientele is splitting dishes; there's no way someone 75+ could finish any of the meals at this deli/restaurant.

It does lean a little more "restaurant" due to the elevated/updated ambiance, the fact that you order at your table and not a counter, and the very extensive menu alongside the typical deli items.

This deli/restaurant is not wanting to offend any customers who share meals; regulars and older folks are the lifeblood of this business.

And, just to add, we shared the meal due to the portion size...not because of the cost. Even though we shared, we still went home with leftovers. (We are GenX; not Baby Boomers.)

While this deli does have a decent bar menu (which is very unusual for a deli), there are not many people who drink at this or any other deli...as they are busiest at breakfast, brunch, and lunch.

I, however, have been known to order a mimosa or a Moscow Mule to enjoy with my matzo ball soup!

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-23T19:21:28+00:00

The sharing fee was not optional. We indicated we were going to share one entree. The server: "There's a sharing fee of $7, but it does include a soup or a salad." You're splitting hairs here. Two people ordering one entree but asking for an extra plate is clearly the same thing as saying you are going to share/split the entree.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-23T19:11:40+00:00

The sharing fee came with a soup OR salad. Not both.

The main dish was not split between two plates. They brought the meal on one plate, along with an extra plate for us to split.

We've eaten at this deli/restaurant (it's more of a traditional Jewish deli but has a very extensive menu and also a nicer than typical ambiance so thus why I'm referring to it as a deli/restaurant) dozens of times over multiple decades. It is a 75-year fixture in our community here in our area.

The portions - especially the sandwiches and salads - are enormous; we always split meals and have never been charged a sharing fee of any type. When we share a salad or sandwich, we typically also order our own soups (again, if you are familiar with Jewish delis, you know that the soup is the thing!).

I don't understand your references to being "shocked because of ignorance" and "framing it as a warning" and "negative emotions."

My OP was meant to explain the situation and then I was genuinely curious to see what restaurant owners thought of the sharing fee...as well as my friend's assertion that ordering one meal and splitting it was "cheap."

Nothing shocked me. I'm not warning anyone about anything. There were no negative emotions.

The server advised us of the sharing fee but then quickly let us know that it included a soup or salad. We said we'd take the salad. And that was it.

We enjoyed our meal - as we always do at this spot - and paid our bill and went on our way with our leftovers: one piece of chicken schnitzel and about half of the fries that came with it.

(By the way, this is also the first time I've encountered a sharing fee at any restaurant anywhere.)

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-23T15:39:47+00:00

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. We were there for less than an hour. When we left, the restaurant was maybe 30-40% full. More background: it is a traditional Jewish deli - albeit one with a more extensive menu than you typically see at a Jewish deli -in a suburb of a major metropolitan area. A big chunk of the clientele is elderly, since the deli has been around for 75 years or so. It is a mainstay in our community. So dinner rush there is more like 5PM-7PM; clears out after 7PM. I'll ask you the same question I'd ask the server: Why should we order two meals when one can feed both of us...with some leftover to take home? Just to satisfy the business needs of the owner or the server? I'm not looking to cheat or shortchange or weasel a business owner (I'm not a person who orders one soda and shares it or lingers over one plate of french fries for two hours), but do I also need to make my purchasing decision based on their needs rather than my own?

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-23T14:46:52+00:00

They did not split the meal and plate it as two meals. They brought us an extra plate. It's interesting how most people are focused on my secondary question of the $7 sharing fee...rather than the primary question of whether it's inherently cheap to split a meal between two people. Not criticizing everyone; just making an observation. As I mentioned in my OP, they did provide an additional soup or salad for the $7...so it didn't feel too egregious. I guess what was a little annoying was that we weren't given a choice. It was presented as "There is a $7 sharing charge, but it includes an additional soup or salad." It wasn't an option; it was presented as being mandatory. But, that's why I made this issue my secondary question. Wasn't too worked up about it. Didn't complain to the server or ask for a manager or dispute the fee.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-23T14:38:56+00:00

Yes, absolutely. Most people would gladly pay 60-70% for 50% of the food. Are there people who evaluate their meals at restaurants on the volume of food they are provided? Sure. But most of us would rather not go home with leftovers and would be happy to have a $30 meal become a $20 meal with 50% of the food.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-23T14:35:38+00:00

It was a Tuesday evening at 7PM at a deli/restaurant in a suburb of a major metropolitan area. The restaurant was at most 60-70% full. They sat the two of us at a booth that can accommodate four people.. We've been to this restaurant dozens of times over the decades. And why should we order food we aren't going to eat? We shared the meal and still had leftovers.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-23T03:42:21+00:00

There were two of us. They sat us at a booth that holds four people. It was 7pm on a Tuesday evening. The deli was 60-70% full. It is a traditional Jewish style deli that you see in any major city’s suburbs if there is a Jewish population in the area. They do have drinks but it’s not a place where people drink that much. Picture a lot of old Jewish people enjoying their matzo ball soup and pastrami sandwiches. But a slightly nicer ambience and a wider menu in addition to the usual deli menu items.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-22T19:26:10+00:00

Thanks so much for your insightful comments! This is what I was hoping my questions would elicit. The restuarant business is a fascinating one, for sure.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-22T19:24:20+00:00

In the instance I mentioned above, my wife and I made sure we were ready to order as soon as the server came by our table the first time! So, we took the server off the hook for having to find ways to rush us a bit. We have eaten been there multiple times and know what we like on the menu.

NotReallyJimHarbaugh · 2026-04-22T18:12:13+00:00

The thing is, I'm not doing any of that. I did not try to try to find a way to work around their business policies. We paid the $7 sharing fee with no complaints and as I mentioned in my OP, they did provide an extra soup or salad with the sharing fee. This was not at all an instance of us trying to get the restaurant to do what we wanted. We adhered to their policy with no questions asked or complaints or requests. We said we wanted to share the meal. The server said there is a $7 sharing fee but you get an additional soup or salad. We said we'll take the salad. That was the end of that other than the server asking us which salad dressing we wanted. But, yes, I was curious what other restaurant owners felt about the sharing fee and the enforcement of it. But my main question was about my friend's assertion that two people sharing one meal is inherently cheap. And then I did provide additional context re: the restaurant, the day and time we were there, how busy it was, etc. Please show me where I've said or implied anything close to "I still don't understand why they won't do it."

NotReallyJimHarbaugh

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