Many of my friends have been using their Facebook status updates this month to celebrate the things for which they are grateful.

I started thinking about the things that I'm thankful for, and realized that much of what I came up with centers around how lucky I feel to live in Ann Arbor.

Yes, the Ann Arbor food scene does not compare to Chicago's. But as I like to remind my friends who are fond of pointing this out, neither does Ann Arbor's population. For a town its size, Ann Arbor has a lot to brag about.

So here, for Thanksgiving, are just a few of my favorite things.

Bread from Zingerman's. Farm loaf, rustic Italian, paesano, sourdough, parmesan peppercorn, pecan raisin. We bring it with us on car trips and mail it to friends as thank-you gifts. Occasionally we'll try going on an austerity budget and decide to switch to cheaper bread for a while. We last one loaf, and then it's back to the Bakehouse for our ultimate comfort food.

Lobster bisque from Le Dog. Owner Jules Van Dyck-Dobos is passionate about his soups, and it shows. You can always find a great selection of homemade soups at his East Liberty Street hot dog stand, but Thursdays and Fridays are the only days you can find his extraordinary lobster bisque. Be warned, though: Jules hasn't been compared to a certain Seinfeld soupmaker for nothing. Follow ordering protocol or be prepared to move along sans soup.

Cappuccinos from Lab Cafe, Comet, Mighty Good Coffee Cafe and Morgan & York. I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge how lucky we are to have so many options for a well-made coffee drink. These shops all employ well-trained baristas who can concoct a cappuccino worthy of a cafe in Rome. Next time you have the urge to hit one of those ubiquitous coffee chains, try heading down the block a bit instead to one of these cafes. You will be glad you did.

Inspired nachos from eve the restaurant. Our dining-out budget doesn't often allow for dinner at chef Eve Aronoff's eponymous restaurant. Drinks and appetizers, however, are definitely doable — which is good, because I often find myself craving her delicious fried wontons topped with black beans, gouda, avocado, cilantro-lime salsa and creme fraiche.

Potato croutons from Jolly Pumpkin. How do you make an amazing grilled romaine and chicken salad even more delicious? Top it with potato croutons. What are potato croutons? Only little mini fried stacks of potato and cheese, like tiny potatoes au gratin scattered over your salad. Who even thought of this? Seriously, please tell me. I want to buy them a drink.

Panang chicken from Marnee Thai. This Main Street restaurant gets it just right for my taste: nice and spicy but not burn-your-tongue spicy. This dish is just a deeply satisfying red chili and coconut milk sauce with chicken and vegetables. I order it frequently enough that the staff there greets me by name when they hear my voice on the phone.

There's so much more, of course. Pimento cheese from Zingerman's. Chicken fattoush from Jerusalem Garden. The Sidetrack's mammoth strawberry shortcake (when it's in season). The Morning Eggdition breakfast sandwich from the Northside Grill. I could go on and on. Yep, I'm grateful I get to live in Ann Arbor.

Jessica Webster leads the Food & Drink section for the AnnArbor.com community team. You can reach her at jessicawebster@annarbor.com.