Prior to checking out the Ann Arbor Art Fair, we had lunch at the Jolly Pumpkin Cafe & Brewery. My husband and I had visited this pub once previously a few months back where I had an excellent pancake brunch and Garrin enjoyed a burger and beer. This time, we both decided to order individual pizzas. I tried the Marghertia with oven dried tomatoes, housemade mozzarella and fresh basil and Garrin had the Carvinores with pepperoni, fennel sausage, applewood smoked bacon, charred tomato sauce and mozzarella. The crust of the pizza is really wonderful made from a 100 year old sourdough starter. The cheese, sauce and flavors were very tasty so I highly recommend the pizza here.
The restaurant itself is a rustic pub with intimate lighting and wood through-out. It evokes a cozy welcoming feeling when walking through the door. The menu is fairly robust and the staff was friendly and expedient during both visits. Lunch menu items range $9.00-$14.00 with an average around $12.00.
The brewery, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, is based out of Dexter, MI since 2004. The founder is Ron Jeffries. There are three pub locations, Ann Arbor, Detroit and Traverse City. The Ann Arbor location opened in 2009. Jolly Pumpkin is best know for the variety of unfiltered and unpasteurized beers on their menu.
