Over the past 17 years I've been asked that dozens of times. In our new staff orientation we talk about it so the new hires can answer THE question 'Food Dance. Where's the dancing?'

I really wish I had a better story. I have thought about just making something up, but over the past decade people have come up with their own stories, or theories, about what the name, Food Dance, means and where it came from.

I've heard 'food dances on your tongue' which was once quoted in a review, 'because there is this big dance floor somewhere in the building,' or my favorite 'there's a special dance the staff does if you ask'. All are theories I've heard over the years. None of which are true but I'll give them points for creativity.

Just this past weekend I heard a true story from guests. They were telling me about how their adult children were coming to visit them in Kalamazoo, and that these children live in some urban city where they can choose from 1,000s of great restaurants but that when their children know they will be coming to Kalamazoo for a visit they start doing the "Food Dance Dance." That's how excited they are to eat here. The mother, who was telling me this story, then imitated her daughter by putting her hands in the air and kind of swaying and rockin' her hips from side to side and smiling said in a singsong voice, "I'm doing the Food Dance" all while seated at our bar. That topped them all. I think I will use this story from now on to answer the question, "What's up with the name Food Dance?"

Oh, you really want to know the real story-forgot about that part for a minute... So here it is. As I was getting ready to sign the lease for our original location at 161 East Michigan Ave., only a couple blocks from where we are now, I had to, of course, have a name. My friends and I threw around names with historic links like Haymarket CafÄ, Ghosts of Restaurants Past but nothing felt right. Then my ever so dear and highly creative friend, Chris, pipes in, "Food Dance." I don't know... it felt right, so it stuck.

I would love to hear your stories about Food Dance and it doesn't have to be about the name, since we've solved that mystery.

—Julie