Bites

FOOD

Detroit City Distillery’s tasting room is now a ‘Whiskey Winter Wonderland’

By Lee DeV ito

FANS OF DETROIT City Distillery’s award-winning spirits can now enjoy them in a cozy holiday-themed setting the Eastern Market company is calling a “Winter Whiskey Wonderland.”

Beyond the festive lighting, the distillery’s tasting room has also released a new holiday menu with 15 new craft cocktails.

“Think of this as a personal invitation to a fantastic Christmas house party with way better booze,” Detroit City Distillery co-owner Michael Forsyth says. “Our bartenders really pushed themselves to create some inventive and creative cocktails for the occasion. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but right now, my two are the Claus for Vacation and Fizzions of Sugar Plums, and pretty much everything on the whiskey side of the menu. Grab your friends for a drink and revel under the lights ”

Claus for Vacation features Gilded Age Vodka infused with peppermint and almond tea, strawberry, fernet, and heavy cream, while Fizzions Of Sugar Plums includes Shopkeeper’s Gin, aperol, lemon, honey-plum tea jelly, and bubbly.

Other new menu items include the Coquito, a frozen drink with Puerto Rican egg nog with Summer Rum, coconut, sweet condensed milk, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon, as well as the 40 Thieves, a mix of Four Grain Bourbon, hot apple cider, thieves spice blend with rosemary, cassia, clove, and lemon peel served hot.

The distillery also says the space will host pop-ups from local chefs. DCD’s award-winning bourbon, whiskey, rye, gin, and vodka will also be on sale for holiday gifts.

Detroit C ity Distillery’s Tasting R oom is located at 2462 R iopelle St. More information is available at detroitcitydistillery.com

Karl’s closes doors ‘for now’

SO MUCH FOR brunch at Karl’s. The popular throwback diner inside Detroit’s Siren Hotel has closed its doors.

Karl’s had been operating inside the hotel for three years and was known for its retro vibes, including a vintage Wurlitzer jukebox.

It was founded by two-time James Beard Award semifinalist Kate Williams. Williams also ran Corktown spot Lady of the House, which closed in early 2021.

WDIV reports Karl’s last day was Tuesday, Nov. 29.

The restaurant confirmed the closure in an Instagram post on Monday.

“Detroit: After three years of tunes on the Wurlitzer, and too many coffee refills to count, Karl’s is closing up shop at The Siren Hotel for now,” the restaurant said. “We want to thank every guest who has made one of Karl’s booths a home over the years. Stay tuned for updates and in the meantime: See you this season at Candy Bar, The Siren Caf , Albena, Paramita Records, and Sid Gold’s?” —R andiah C amille Green

New Order Coffee reopens with new location and owner

AFTER CLOSING DURING the pandemic, New Order Coffee Cafe has made its return to metro Detroit by way of St. Clair Shores.

New Order Coffee’s “cereal milk lattes,” cold brews, and electric-roasted coffee are being served at a new location at 25107 Jefferson St. The company originally opened stores in Detroit in 2017 and in Royal Oak in 2019 before shuttering in 2020.

The cafe’s original owner, Liz Rose, has passed the ownership baton to Patrick Seeney, who has been part of the company since its inception. Seeney has continued to sell the cafe’s roasted beans at local farmer’s markets and online after the physical shops closed.

“Since New Order first came to fruition, it has built such a fiercely loyal customer base. I’m so thankful we’ve been able to keep the business going by selling our custom roasted coffee beans,” Seeney said in a press release. “I’m even more thrilled to bring back the in-person New Order experience back to Metro Detroit this winter.”

The new St. Clair Shores location features walk-up coffee service and patio seating, in partnership with its neighbor Baffin Brewing. In addition to lattes, espresso, and fresh-roasted coffee, the cafe features pastries by local baker Kristen Berger Martinez and Detroit Cookie Co.

New Order Coffee is open from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. from Tuesday-Sunday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. More info is available at newordercoffee.com.

—R andiah C am ille G reen