Haab's restaurant wins 'must-see foodie destination' title in QVC competition
Ypsilanti’s historic Haab’s restaurant was announced Sunday as being the winner of the June Road Trip Contest put on by “In the Kitchen with David”.
Haab's was announced the winner of the June Road Trip Contest.
Competing with four other eateries from Florida, Virginia, California and Wyoming, Haab’s was selected to be featured on one of QVC’s most popular shows.
David from “In the Kitchen with David” will eat a meal at Haab’s with Dwight Burdette, the Ypsilanti resident who nominated the restaurant for the competition, sometime next week, co-owner Mike Kabat said.
Viewers of the show were asked to submit a restaurant they believe makes their hometown worthy of being called a “must-see foodie destination.”
Haab’s was nominated by Burdette who co-owner David Kabat refers to as a ‘restaurant regular’.
Restaurant owners were informed of their nomination and spot as a finalist in early July.
“It came up so quick for us,” Mike said. “We didn’t know what the criteria was or what qualified us as a finalist so when we won we were shocked and definitely excited.”
“In the Kitchen with David” announced Haab’s as the winner and featured the restaurant’s Facebook page in their show Sunday.
“Within three hours after the announcement we had 400 new people on our Facebook page and our phone has been ringing off the hook with people asking when the show is coming,” Mike said.
Mike said he thinks the competition will be a positive thing for Haab’s.
“I don’t know how many viewers QVC has in the geographical area, but there are worse things that could happen to you than winning a contest like this,” Mike laughed.
Chelsea Hoedl is an intern reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at choedl@mlive.com.
Comments
Deborah Gibson
Sun, Jul 21, 2013 : 9:02 p.m.
i want to take pictures.
K Thompson
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 6:24 a.m.
Reporter: "...David from 'In the Kitchen with David' " -David WHO? Can we get his name? Background? Info about him or the show ? When is the show on? Not specifically the Haab's edition but in general? How long has Hasb's been there? Founded by whom? What are their specialties. Could explain more in your article.
Chelsea Hoedl
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 7:12 p.m.
David's full name is David Venable. According to his profile on QVC, he is not a chef, but is known as a "foodie", loves to cook and wrote a cook book, which was published in October 2012. According to QVC, "In the Kitchen with David" will be on Sunday, July 21, 2013 from Noon – 3 p.m. ET and Sunday, July 28, 2013 from Noon – 3 p.m. ET. Here's a link for information about Haab's history: http://www.haabsrestaurant.com/ Hope that helps!
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 4:52 p.m.
Good news: a tv network wants to spotlight your restaurant! Bad news: the network is QVC
rick
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 4:13 p.m.
Congrats to Mike Kabat and the staff at Haab's......
coolretiree
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 3:47 p.m.
This discussion with HAAB's really bring back memories when Ypsilanti was such a wonder town. When we had Green's Jewelry store, The Dixie Shop, Kresge Dime Store, Cunningham Drug Store. Congrats to Haabs for the many years you have served Ypsilanti and for bringing back my teenage memories.
Dos
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 2:19 p.m.
My husband swears by the ramoki (sp?) I love the filet, chicken in basket and great service
Chelsea Hoedl
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 7:19 p.m.
I tried Haab's for the first time a few weeks ago and had the chicken in a basket. It was great! I'll have to try the Ramaki next time I go.
Soothslayer
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 11:43 a.m.
Been going to Haab's for years and stopped a few years ago. They're not even trying anymore, coasting on former glory. There are much more interesting dining choices available now, so much so that you'd never have to put up with this mediocre fare again.
Greggy_D
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 3:38 p.m.
Remember another mother's saying, "You may not agree with someone, but respect their opinion."
YpsiLivin
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 3:38 p.m.
I have dined at Haab's for more than 20 years. I would never hesitate to order anything off of their menu; their food is excellent. The prime rib, steaks and pork chops are awesome. Their soups are good, as are their appetizers. I hesitate to go there too often however, because their service is slow. We were there most recently on the day before Fathers Day, and even though the dining room wasn't exceptionally busy, the gap between placing our order and receiving it was about 30 minutes. That's not a one-time occurrence. It's been the standard service there for about the last four or five years, and it diminishes the experience of dining there.
MI4Me
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 12:52 p.m.
So you just had to add that on the article about their winning an award? Remember when your mother said "if you don't have something nice to say..." well she meant that for occasions like this.
brian
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 4:21 a.m.
you go Ypsi
Indymama
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 2:59 a.m.
CONGRATULATIONS!! Haab's has been around a very long time and is a favorite destination for many people. I don't think there is anything that could be considered "not a good choice"!! ..and they are very community minded.
An Arborigine
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 2:32 a.m.
When did a home shopping network get dubbed restaurant critic anyway?
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 4:51 p.m.
They are probably trying to increase their food cred to spur sales of processed food products to their customer base.
Soothslayer
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 2 p.m.
The same time CVS was associated with junk people just must have. Mediocrity on all accounts. Preserve the status quo!
Cash
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 1:21 p.m.
David Venable (show host) is a food fan. He has a large audience who watch and don't always shop. He cooks and gives recipes as well as selling. I don't need a fancy chef to tell me what's good. I think we are ALL restaurant critics. Everyone gets up for the table with SOME comment good or bad.
mickey ichesco
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 1:40 a.m.
Congratulations to Mike David and Staff........great restaurant great food and great staff
seldon
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 12:56 a.m.
So, what's especially good at Haab's?
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 4:50 p.m.
I didn't vote you down, until you complained about being voted down. Anyone who complains about downvotes must get a downvote. It's a rule on forums.
Ignatz
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 3:19 p.m.
Happy Hour.
Dos
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 2:20 p.m.
butternut squash soup
CountyKate
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 11:53 a.m.
They do both beef and fish very well. Depends on what you like. I love the seafood chowder on Fridays, but all the soups are great. The whitefish is wonderful. They take even the ordinary grilled cheese sandwich to a new height. Give it try.
Resident A2
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 10:37 a.m.
Seldon, I think people misunderstood your question. I think that it was taken to mean "what's so good about Haabs that they would get the nomination", rather than you trying to find out what would be good to order at Haabs.
Jonathan Blutarsky
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 3:07 a.m.
Actually just about everything is good there if you like the dish. About the only thing I don't care for is the shoestrings. They just don't work for me. My personal favs are the chicken livers and the strip steak and I've never been disappointed by their 'catch of the day'.
Ypsi-Arbor Girl
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 2:39 a.m.
I love the fried mushroom appetizer and I like the "chicken in a basket." The "indoor picnic" is wonderful.
seldon
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 2:19 a.m.
Um, I ask for recommendations of what to try, and I get voted down? That's really weird.