Bites

FOOD

Ferndale’s Tigerlily opens in former Antihero space

A RESTAURANT CALLED

Tigerlily is set to open in the former Antihero space in downtown Ferndale after a major overhaul under new owners Hometown R estaurant G roup.

The restaurant, located at 231 W. Nine M ile R d., Ferndale, opens on Wednesday, Aug. 10.

Tigerlily maintains the Asian influence of the izakayathemed Antihero, with a menu featuring sushi and small plates shareables. It also has kept the murals painted by Detroit-area pop artist Glenn B arr.

B ut the new restaurant also touts an authentic Japanese robatayaki or robata grill, a cooking style similar to barbecue that uses white oak, binchotan charcoal. The sushi menu is also unique, says executive chef Chris asquez.

“This is a new kind of sushi that Detroit hasn’t seen,” asquez says in a statement. “We are taking an Edomae style of sushi and bringing in different contemporary flavors and techniques. We are creating a new style — not like New York sushi, but fusing it with different cultures while still being authentic to what sushi is. It’s really an expression of a fun new concept that’s a bit more sophisticated and unique.”

A metro Detroit native who has worked at local spots like M aru Sushi and Nippon Sushi Bar, asquez returns to Michigan following a stint working as head sushi chef at Chicago’s acclaimed M omotaro restaurant.

The 4,000-square-foot Tigerlily space was redesigned by B irmingham architects R on & R oman, including a marble sushi bar and a bamboo countertop. The new restaurant also includes a private “omakase” room where guests can dine on a multi-course meal designed by the chef.

An attached tiki bar called Mai Tiki is also planned to open in the near future, but an opening date has not been set.

Formerly owned by Working Class O utlaws, the restaurant group that owns Ferndale taco spot Imperial, Antihero has been closed since 2020. The restaurant was acquired by Hometown R estaurant G roup in 2021, which also owns and operates Ferndale’s Public House, One-Eyed Betty’s, Pop’s For Italian, and the former R osie O ’ G rady’s.

Tigerlily will be open 4-10 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday, and 3-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

M ore information is available at tigerlilyferndale.com.

—Lee DeVito

DANI MACHLIS / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Eastern Market fave Bert’s gets concession stand at Detroit’s Comerica Park

EASTERN MARKET FAVE Bert’s Market Place is bringing the meat to Comerica Park.

The Black-owned staple will be serving its mouth-watering, barbecue sauce-slathered ribs, pulled pork, and sausages at a concession stand during weekend Detroit Tigers games and special events.

Bert’s Oh My Good Burger, a one-pound sirloin patty with a heap of pulled pork and barbeque sauce on top, is also on the menu — along with Bert’s spicy Kickn’ chicken sausage, mac and cheese, baked beans, cole slaw.

You’ll find Bert’s concession stand near the Fly Ball Ferris Wheel.

The new food offering comes after Bert’s did a weekend pop-up at Comerica Park in June that proved to be widely popular, the D etroit Free Press reports.

Several other local Black-owned businesses are slated for weekend appearances at the baseball stadium, including keto-friendly Breadless on Aug. 5-7 and Shell Shock’d Tacos from Aug. 19-21.

Yum illage’s Afro-Caribbean eats will be on-site two weekends, Sept. 2-4 and Sept. 30-Oct. 1.

—Randiah Camille Green

Michigan’s rst Dick’s Last Resort restaurant is coming

IF YOU’RE IN the mood to be insulted and berated by waiters, the latest chain restaurant coming to M ichigan may be for you.

We don’t know why you’d be in the mood for those things, but that’s what Dick’s Last Resort will be serving up at its new location in Saginaw. The restaurant will open at 8845 G ratiot Ave. on Aug. 8, and is Dick’s first Michigan outpost.

The restaurant is known for waiters who purposely provide bad service and make customers wear hats with hand-written insults on them. Its slogan is “Putting the F.U . in Fun since 1985.”

We honestly can’t fathom eating at this place, as it sounds like a fight waiting to happen. It’s probably a good thing Dick’s is opening in Saginaw and not Detroit, because we don’t play that over here. However, someone is obviously into it, as Dicks’s has 11 locations across the country, including one at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las egas.

The menu includes typical American fare like burgers, salads, tacos, and Dick’s Huge 12” Weiner. More info is at dickslastresort. com.

—Randiah Camille Green

Former Erwin Orchards cider mill to reopen as Blake’s South Lyon

JUST AHEAD OF autumn, the former Erwin Orchards cider mill will reopen on Saturday, Aug. 20 under new management as Blake’s South Lyon.

The family-owned, Armada-based Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill purchased the 104-acre site at 61475 Silver Lake Rd., South Lyon in July from developer Lombardo Homes.

In a press release, the company says it will continue Erwin’s traditions like its signature doughnuts and cider, a petting zoo, u-pick apples, and tractor rides.

New additions will include a hard cider and wine bar, live music on the weekends, expanded baked goods, and a fresh produce farm stand.

That’s in addition to seasonal favorites like corn mazes, haunted houses, hayrides, a hard cider bar, and more.

“We are proud to carry on the Erwin’s traditions that have been part of South Lyon for so many years, maintaining that culture and bringing in several enhancements to create an unforgettable experience for all,” Blake’s Family of Companies president Andrew Blake said in a statement. “The Blake family and our team of dedicated employees look forward to being part of the South Lyon and surrounding communities and welcoming new and returning guests this season.”

The company says it will employ 60 seasonal workers, including many returning staff.

Blake’s South Lyon will hold a “Welcome Weekend” on Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28 with free cider and doughnuts, live music, family activities, and more.

Proceeds will go toward the South Lyon-based Active Faith Community Services food pantry.

Blake’s South Lyon will be open seven days a week 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, through Halloween.

More information is available at blakefarms.com.

—Lee DeVito

The Whitney launches limited-time seafood boil

THE WHITNEY RESTAU-

RANT in Detroit is joining the trendy seafood boil craze this summer.

For a limited time, the upscale restaurant is offering what it calls the Canfield Seafood Boil.

The item costs $49.95 and includes crab legs, jumbo shrimp, mussels, and littleneck clams.

It also comes with Yukon Gold potatoes and a M ichigan sweet corn cob, flavored with Old Bay, garlic, and butter brother, as well as a side of house-made vinaigrette cole slaw.

The seafood boil is only available for guests in the restaurant’s outdoor garden by reservation only from Wednesday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Aug. 14.

Based on the iet-Cajun seafood boil that originated in Houston about 20 years ago, the seafood boil trend has flourished in metro Detroit in recent years, with dozens of spots cropping up and local chefs putting their own spin on the dish.

—Lee DeVito