Michigan Restaurant Ranked Best for Pasta Has Closed

Pasta is simply the perfect comfort food. Sitting down with a big bowl of zesty, tasty pasta and digging in is pure bliss, especially if it's from a Michigan restaurant. Luckily, Michigan has plenty of delicious pasta places that I enjoy. Sadly, however, one Michigan pasta restaurant that was recently ranked one of the best in the country for pasta has permanently closed.

MSN.com's travel section has a new feature up about the best places to get pasta in America. "Who doesn't love diving into a plate of perfectly prepared pasta?" they explain. True. "Whether it's pesto-stuffed ravioli, spaghetti in a deep red sauce, an inventive, handmade creation, or a whole new take on a classic, sometimes nothing else will do." So, their food experts looked for the top places across America to get that oh-so delicious bowl of Italian food. They also picked restaurants based on real "user reviews," as well as awards and accolades and the "first-hand experience of our team." They also check and update these best-of tallies regularly, so it's up-to-date with the top places.

Looking across the country at a few choice places, if you're traveling to New York, they suggest to try Italian-American restaurant Carbone, which MSN calls "a star of the New York food scene." Their specialty, according to MSN, is spicy rigatoni vodka. "House-made pasta is tossed in a delicious take on vodka sauce that incorporates onions, tomatoes, and cream, and the taste is nothing short of luxurious," they state. On the other hand, if you're visiting California, they suggest trying Marugame Monzo, and especially the fusion dish of miso carbonara udon. They rave about this dish's thick udon noodles and incredible creamy carbonara sauce, which is spiked with a little miso. It's apparently such a unique carbonara dish that you won't find anything like it anywhere else.

Looking at all these delicious Italian food spots across America, I was excited to see what Michigan restaurant made the cut as one of America's best for pasta. It was Bacco Ristorante in Southfield. Sadly, that restaurant closed earlier this year. A message on their site states, "With heartfelt sincerity, we announce the closure of Bacco Ristorante after an incredible 22-year journey serving our Detroit community. We extend deep gratitude to all of our guests for your unwavering support, loyalty, and cherished memories. We bid farewell with immense gratitude for the opportunity to share our passion for authentic Italian cuisine." They add, "To our dedicated staff, past and present, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment. You have been the heart and soul of Bacco Ristorante, and we are forever grateful." It's definitely heartbreaking. I hope Bacco resurrects at some point.

Some people can’t live without their air fryers, while others consider them to be glorified convection ovens. First things first, air fryers aren't deep fryers. Many people use them as an alternative that can have similar results, but they’re just not the same. Air fryers circulate very hot air around your food, and that heat penetrates the food, achieving crispiness without a lot of or any oi at all.

Some experts have identified cancer risks related to high levels of certain chemicals found in some air fryers. Consumer Notice reported that Several models of air fryers contain polyfluorinated molecules, also known as "forever chemicals," in the nonstick coating of the basket. They also mention that scientific studies have established the health risks of exposure to high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), showing links to health problems including infertility, hormone disruption, and some types of cancer.

They do suggest purchasing an air fryer with stainless steel or glass coatings to reduce PFAS exposure.

WebMD reported that in one study air frying fish raised the amount of a substance called "cholesterol oxidation products" (COPs). COPs form when the cholesterol in meat or fish breaks down during cooking. Studies connect these substances to coronary heart disease, hardening of the arteries, cancer, and other diseases. But there is a workaround. You can lower the amount of COPs when air frying fish by adding fresh parsley, chives, or a mixture of the two. They said that these herbs act as antioxidants to reduce the COPs in air-fried foods.

Then some people may avoid air fryers altogether due to mess and buildup that’s hard to clean or get to, uneven cooking, limited food space, or the fact that there are better or more efficient ways to cook.

On the other hand, many people love air fryers because they are quick, easy to use, and use less oil than deep frying.

If an air fryer is the latest addition to your kitchen appliance lineup, you may want to skip using it with certain foods.

We're not talking about chicken wings here, we're talking about large whole chickens. You're better off sticking to an oven when it comes to cooking them. If you're wondering why, chicken must be cooked to a specific temperature internally before being consumed. According to the USDA, all poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.  Unfortunately, air frying this food item doesn't guarantee an even cook. But hey, at least chicken wings are small enough to get an even crisp. Just make sure you line the air fryer basket first if it's raw meat.

An air fryer is not a deep fryer. So, if you're looking to toss battered fries, meat cutlets, or battered veggies, think again. There's a big chance the batter will drip down the base of the machine, causing a big mess and major cleanup after. Bad enough, some people didn't know you even had to clean an air fryer regularly. No really, someone on Reddit shared that they didn't wash their air fryer basket after each use. "I don’t think I’ve ever washed it lol. I’ve had it for 8 months and decided to finally wash it today," they wrote. They continued to say how there was a bunch of "solidified juices" and "fat/ grease" from steak and chicken.

It's possible to make your favorite cheesy snacks in an air fryer. But it can get messy. AllRecipes cautions against air frying cheese. This isn't because of health reasons but for cleanup purposes. They point out that cheese melts fast. The outlet suggests sticking to foods that effectively hold the cheese in place. Maybe, just stick to frozen cheeses like mozzarella sticks.

Sure you can go ahead and put those Brussels sprouts or broccoli in the air fryer. But skip putting spinach, collard, or chard leaves in. If you haven't tried it already, light leaves might move and shift around during the cooking process. You may also come across a fairly dry vegetable if you don't put a little oil with it. And, of course, you don't want to forget the seasonings.

Some people have tried it but you probably shouldn't. Most air fryer models won't reach the required temperature to pop the kernels. According to Jolly Time Pop Corn, the best popping temperature is between 400 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, popcorn kernels can become lodged within the air fryer's heating element, which can potentially cause it to short.

Some grains like bread can be cooked in an air fryer. However, it can get a little tricky with lighter breads like toast and English muffins due to the air making them fly around. But anything like pasta, quinoa, and rice doesn't do too well. Raw grains need to absorb water to cook. But there is some good news. If you have rice that's already cooked, just add a little oil to reat in the air fryer.