Metro Times Eat2013

Inside: — What The Pho? — Culinary Classes — Restaurant Guide ... and more

Dining Guide | Summer 2O13 | metrotimes.com | Free

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A Night Out On The Town?

Paint It Red.

Rochester Hills

6870 N. Rochester Rd. Rochester Hills, MI 48306 (PAPA JOE’S PLAZA) 248-266-6370

Grand Blanc 12793 S. Saginaw St.

Grand Blanc MI, 48439 810-603-0380

www.lucaschophouse.com

Dining Guide Summer 2O13

metrotimes

733 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48226 313-961-4060

Chris Sexson, Publisher Bryan Gottlieb, Editor Editorial

Managing Editor: Michael Jackman News Editor: Curt Guyette Web Editor: Katherine Montalto Staff Writer: Brett Callwood Contributing Editors: Larry Gabriel, Jack Lessenberry Proofreader: Dennis Shea Editorial Interns: Jason Singer, Thomas Zimmer Contributing Writers: Judy Adams, Sean Bieri, Rob Brezsny, Jeff Broder, Lee DeVito, Cornelius Fortune, Corey Hall, Charles L. Latimer, Noelle Lothamer, Jim McFarlin, Jeff Meyers, Jeff Milo, Beth Robinson, Dan Savage, Jane Slaughter EAT Photographer: Rob Widdis Contributing Photographers: Hassaan Bey, David Burley, Cybelle Codish, Doug Coombe, Esther Rubyan, Marvin Shaouni, Krysti Spence, Walter Wasacz, Rob Widdis Contributing Illustrators: Sean Bieri, Justin Rose

We saved you the best spot in the house.

Business & Operations

Event and Marketing Manager: Maggie Battjes Business Manager: Tara Yenglin Administrative Assistant: Brett Callwood

Good Eating, Vietnam

Come on a fast tour of the Far East as writer Katherine Montalto acquaints you with Detroit’s culinary Asian tiger.

Retail Advertising 313-.961-.4060

Retail Sales Manager: Kimberly Jones Senior Account Executive, Major Accounts: Jim Cohen Senior Account Executive: Danielle Smith-Elliott

Classified Advertising 313.-962.-5277

Classified Manager: Tony Petz Account Executive(s): Stephenie Borland

Design Manager: Robert Nixon Production Manager: Desiree Kelly Graphic Designer: Kristin Borden

Circulation

2013

12

What’s better than savoring a great meal? Learning how to make it by yourself! Lynne Konstantin explores the best culinary classes.

Keeping it Light

20

Entertaining … The Highlife

24

Restaurant Map & Listings

26

Check out the editor’s must-have picks when entertaining and tending bar this summer.

Circulation Manager: Justin Hatch

8

Culinary Classes for the Masses 14

The downside of loving food: good things tend to stick around — your middle, your thighs and other jiggle-prone regions. Nutrition expert Julie Feldman shares her tips.

Production

6 | metrotimes | eat | Summer

Welcome To Eat

On The Cover

The delicious chops featured on the cover of Eat this year were effortlessly prepared by Chef Christian Borden of Brizola steakhouse in the Greektown Casino-Hotel. Borden is a veteran of Detroit’s upscale downtown eateries, having previously held positions at Atlas Global Bistro and the Westin Book Cadillac’s 24Grille. As Brizola’s head chef, Borden says he has his finger in every pot (but not literally), which guarantees the chops on the cover taste as good as they look.

We Detroiters love to eat — (no, that’s not a fat joke). It seems to us at Metro Times that, year over year, the area’s restaurant choices continue to grow.

Our annual dining guide, Eat, is the staff’s bold attempt to comb through thousands of listings and reviews, collected over 30-plus years, and bring you the best our metropolis has to offer.

This year, writer Katherine Montalto takes readers on a swift tour of Detroit’s new culinary Asian tiger: Vietnamese cuisine. Long overshadowed by geographic brethren, this former French colony — and one-time American foe — is seemingly poised to overtake its Thai, Japanese and Cantonese cousins as summer’s hot ticket in Far East fare.

When putting together the

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2013

2013 issue, we sought to offer those seeking more than the traditional dining milieu an opportunity to feed their inner foodie.

We asked writer Lynne Konstantin to head up an expedition of the area’s best culinary cooking classes — designed for both cooking novices and the kitchen proficient. Her finds are, as we expected, mouthwatering.

Circling back to the notion of expanding waistlines, we asked nutrition expert and author Julie Feldman to tender a few tips on better eating when dining out — as well as dining in.

From portion control to preparation, these suggestions may help you stay in the same sized bikini all season long.

In its third iteration, Eat has also made a few structural

improvements for your convenience.

This year’s listings, starting on page 26, have been organized in regional blocks.

We‘ve also increased our suggestions and highlighted those restaurants MT readers voted as “Best Of” picks.

Lastly, but no less important, you know the MT staff operates as if each day is our last — and we won’t bullshit you about the places that are good but can be improved.

Eat is your best source for unique, delicious and wideranging suggestions to satisfy your hunger. Flip through the pages and take a bite.

Bryan Gottlieb Editor

THE MOST

MACKED MAC & CHEESE

CAFE SUSHI OF TROY | 1933 WEST MAPLE ROAD | TROY, MICHIGAN 48084

248.280.1831 | www.CafeSushiTroy.com

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2013

Good Eating,

Vietnam Increasingly popular, Vietnamese cuisine is a complex stew.

At our last count, there were at least seven Vietnamese restaurants in metro Detroit, with more on the way. Given the area’s growing Vietnamese population, it was bound to happen. The great dishes of Vietnamese cuisine, and the wonderful restaurants and grocers in the area, guarantee this trend is bound to sustain itself for a long time.

History and geography have enriched the country’s cuisine. Vietnam borders China to the north, Laos on the northwest and Cambodia to the southwest, with an eastern coast that snakes along the South China Sea, placing it at the center of many regional influences. Also consider that the French colonized Vietnam from the mid-19th century until 1954, which adds another layer of complexity to Vietnamese fare. The tropical climate sustains the makings of many exotic ingredients — think rice paddies, coconut groves, jackfruit trees and herb gardens — and the coast provides seafood found in many dishes of Vietnam. Over the Chinese border came stir-fries and noodle-based soups, from

Thailand and Cambodia came fiery hot spices, and from the French came crusty baguettes and meat-based broths.

Vietnamese cuisine is a balance of herbs, heat, sweetness, sourness and bitterness.

That equilibrium is provided by such ingredients as mint, cilantro, lemongrass, garlic, star anise, ginger, citrus, long-simmered beef bones, tear-inducing chilies and the all-powerful fish sauce. On most Vietnamese menus you’ll find noodle dishes such as bun thit nuong, which translates to grilled meat on noodles, and is served with fresh herbs and vegetables, as well as rice dishes such as com ga rau thom, topped with fried then shredded chicken, and mint and other herbs. Many of the Vietnamese restaurants in the area also have Chinese, Thai, and even Hmong dishes on the menu. Pho is a trademark dish of Vietnamese cuisine; like sushi and pad Thai, it is the Vietnamese dish that is taking the leap into mainstream popularity.

Pho is a soup made with rich long-simmered meat broth

by Katherine Montalto

and rice noodles, topped with fresh herbs, vegetables and thin slices of meat. It is served with hoisin, spicy chili, and fish sauce for seasoning. Most Vietnamese restaurants have a beef and chicken version of the soup, some may even have a vegetarian style as well. Every restaurant will claim to have the best Pho in the area and most Vietnamese cuisine fans will have their favorites. Pho has become popular enough to start showing up on the menus of other kinds of restaurants such as Thai, Chinese, and even

American-fusion eateries.

With its many influences, simple balance of flavors, and variety of dishes, Vietnamese cuisine is a crowd-pleaser bound to include at least one dish that diners will enjoy. With all the wonderful restaurants in the area it’s easy to get an introduction into Vietnamese food and to find a new favorite spot and new favorite dish.

Katherine Montalto is the Web editor at the Metro Times.

Send comments to her at eat@metrotimes.com.

Summer 2013 | eat | metrotimes | 13

The Best Sushi In The Pointes Take home Sake, Wine & Beer to go!

Happy Hour Mon-Sat 2:30pm-5:30pm & 9:00pm-close 18584 Mack Ave • Grosse Pointe Farms • blufinsushigp.com • 313.332.0050 • f Mon-Thu 11:30am-10pm • Fri&Sat 11:30am-11pm • Sun 3pm-8pm

New

Bring out your inner chef with these hands-on classes.

Directions

by Lynne Konstantin

Being a foodie doesn’t necessarily mean you are born with culinary skill. You may, as linguist William Safire put it, have “taste buds attuned to the calibrations of deliciousness,” but you may not know how sushi differs from ceviche.

Or, perhaps you are a skilled at-home chef, but still crave more technical know-how. For both the novice and the advanced, there are a handful of highly praised and nationally renowned venues offering culinary classes in every genre from Thai lemongrass chicken (at Sur la Table) to farm bread and whoopie pies (at Bake!) right in our backyard. Read on for three of our favorites:

Sur La Table Sur la Table’s shops are a culinary connoisseur’s candyland. For almost 40 years, the Seattle-based company, founded in the famed Pike Place Market, has been a go-to for authentic and exclusive cookware and serving pieces — walking through the doors, you can’t help but want to learn to cook. So in 1996, the first in-store culinary program was

introduced, and the popular classes have branched to include the Sur la Table at the Somerset Collection in Troy, where an on-site teaching kitchen was added in 2010.

“Great cooking isn’t about recipes,” says Sephi Coyle, director of culinary programs at Sur la Table. “It’s about techniques.” To that end, classes taught by Somerset’s resident chef Nicholas Cornfield and his staff of instructors

Grilled Spiced Salmon with Kale and Apple Slaw, from Sur la Table’s Easy, Light and Delicious Cooking Class

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include Baking with Ratios Not Recipes (based on Michael Ruhlman’s book, Ratio) and lessons such as creating the perfect pasta dough by hand: Once you create the dough, you can apply it to a variety of shapes and learn to complement it with flavorful sauces at home. Other classes on the calendar include Souffles Mastered (whip whites, fold into batter and know the perfect done time), Culinary Tour of New Orleans (experience the South’s distinct Creole and Cajun flavors while creating your own chicken and sausage gumbo and bananas Foster), Fish 101 (learn to choose the best options at the market, achieve the perfect sear and enhance with seasonings and sauces) and a Chocolate Workshop (chocolate espresso pots de creme and chocolate caramels are easier than one would think).

Considering the classes’ inspiration, there are often many bonuses to a class at Sur la Table, like a cookbook, knife or other cooking essential.

Popular classes include Date

Grilled Fish Tacos with Citrus Slaw from Sur la Table’s Seafood Grilling Workshop

Night, where couples can discover new recipes and techniques to try at home.

Private events, from birthday parties to corporate outings, can also be arranged.

Sur la Table, the Somerset Collection, Troy (248-283-1057; surlatable.com).

Colorful and delicate French macarons, at Sur la Table

Mirepoix A family’s shared passion for fantastic cheeses, perfect cuts of meat and fresh seafood has inspired almost 60 years of bringing metro Detroit the highest quality of premium foods and customer service possible.

Founded by Tom and Janet Violante, Royal Oak’s Holiday Market has grown from a modest 2,500-square-foot butcher shop and specialty grocery to

a gleaming 60,000-squarefoot expansion that allows the family to offer that much more premium foods, imported wines, fresh-baked breads and spectacular customer service.

Part of that customer service is rooted in educating the customer. So five years ago, the Violantes’ son, Tom Jr., developed the idea to create an on-site cooking school and entertaining space, called Mirepoix — French for carrots, celery and onions, the base for stock.

“It’s a fun night out with instruction,” says Eric Blotkamp, director of Mirepoix.

Each four-hour class focuses on techniques, rather than recipe adherence: “Rather than teaching a specific vinaigrette for a certain kind of salad, our goal is to teach a general vinaigrette so that students can go home, play with ingredients with confidence and make any kind of vinaigrette they want,” Blotkamp says. “A recipe is a guideline, and we encourage people to

make changes.”

Although classes are designed for the novice, each class may have 10 people at 10 different skill levels, so each class can be personalized to the individual’s needs and de-

sires. From Knife Skills (where students learn their way around the most important cooking tools by chopping various vegetables to make a soup, or processing an entire chicken to end in chicken tacos) to specific dietary needs, including a gluten-free series and low-sodium classes to vegetarian meals, mostly as requested by guests.

In addition to scheduled classes, Mirepoix also offers its own popular Date Night, wine tastings (paired with food stations to complement the wines) and allows guests to create their own classes, schedule cooking parties and duels (groups are split into teams and guest judges are brought in).

Mirepoix, the Holiday Market Cooking School, Royal Oak (248-543-4390; mirepoixcookingschool.com).

Summer 2013 | eat | metrotimes | 17

Bake! At Zinger� man’s Bakehouse Tucked between Zingerman’s Bakehouse and the Creamery, and a hop away from the deli, Ann Arbor’s Bake! classes can’t help but be inspired by the exquisite bread and baking confections created at every turn.

An instant favorite when it opened in 1982, Zingerman’s Delicatessen has become an institution to fans across the country, including Mario Batali, who called it his “temple of deliciousness.” In 1992, the Bakehouse was added, and a few years later they began to offer a once-a-month two-hour bread class, whose proceeds were donated to a local food bank. “We could take 40 people at a time, and there was always a waitlist,” says Amy Emberling, co-managing partner of the Bakehouse with Frank Carollo. As the Bakehouse grew in popularity, the classes were held on the backburner until seven years ago, when a teaching kitchen was built and a

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handful of bakers were asked to become full-time instructors.

“Education is a huge part of the Zingerman’s experience, and we wanted to do it right,” says Emberling. “We spend a lot of time finding foods and recipes that customers may not be familiar with, as well as educating ourselves with internal classes and seminars on different regions, ergonomic workplaces, being green and other topics.” After years of research on Western baking, for example, the Bakehouse staff has recently been investigating the baking traditions of Hunga-

ry, and bring the cultural history and traditions to the classes at Bake! To that end, Bake! has a mission: “We want to share all of our knowledge and what people consider to be baking secrets around the world and teach them so they can successfully bake at home. People will send us pictures with a note saying ‘It really works!’ says Emberling. “There are no secrets — everyone can learn to make what we make.”

Among the most popular classes at Bake! are pie making (“because many Americans want to make a really good pie crust and find it challenging”), traditional French baguettes (“because lots of people just really love them”) and pizza making (“it always sells out”).

And because 90 percent of the recipes taught at Bake! are items that the Bakehouse bakes and sells, the staff can choose a variety of products based on the techniques that people want to learn. A cookie class can teach how to properly

cream butter and sugar in cookies, or the correct way to use a rolling pin. Croissants, Danish and puff pastry will result in learning how to laminate dough.

Or practice classic buttercream piping and fondant covering while creating (and stuffing) your own cupcakes. Guests can also simply choose according to how much their mouth waters: Bring on the Brioche, French Macarons, Chocolate Treats, Legally Magic Brownies, Pick Me Up Tiramisu, Marshmallows and Graham Crackers are among the options.

In addition to classes for adults, children and families, Bake! also offers Bake-cation, a fantasy camp for home bakers.

Bake! at Zingerman’s Bakehouse, Ann Arbor (734-761-7255; bakewithzing.com).

Lynne Konstantin is a freelance writer living in metro Detroit.

Send comments to her at eat@metrotimes.com.

Pi g an d Whi sk ey BBQ •Whiskey •Beer •Music

July 19-21, 2013

Keeping it

Light

You can dine out and keep your figure with these helpful hints.

The feeling that comes over me when my husband offers dining out as an option for dinner — instead of me cooking — is a similar feeling to finding out the dress that I want has gone on sale. Don’t get me wrong: I love to cook. I mean what dietitian doesn’t enjoy long hours in the kitchen creatively crafting a Monday night feast, but the reality of cooking dinner following dance and tennis carpool, homework and play dates is not always as appealing as it may sound. No matter what keeps you from the kitchen, and undoubtedly it is something many times during the week, the dietitian in me wants you to know that nothing has to keep you from following a healthy way of living. With nearly 16,000 establishments throughout the state dedicated to serving you food and drink, it is effortless to seek out the ease and comfort of dining away from home. Most of us dine out somewhere between two and five times each and every week, the health implications of which are significant. Dining out smartly is a skill that requires coaching and direction. After all, it is typically not our first inclination to reach for the kale when the French fries are just a request away. Learning a few key skills will allow you to dine out without ditching your diet.

Size does matter! (And whoever said it didn’t was just kidding themselves.) Most restaurant portions provide twice the number of calories that we should eat at

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any one meal. The amazing Michigan salad with salmon that I so look forward to ordering typically rings in at 1,000 calories per serving. With total daily calorie guidelines hovering between 1,500 and 2,500 total calories each day, it is no wonder that portion size becomes an issue for many. Simple steps to cut back on portion size include: 1. Share a main dish.

2. Have half of your meal wrapped to go before it even makes it to the table.

(Perhaps skip this step on a first date!)

3. Fill up on vegetables (large salads, stir fries, steamed vegetables).

4. Keep a watchful eye on high-calorie condiments (salad dressing, oil, butter and mayonnaise.) A large salad by itself is usually a great choice, but 400 calories of salad dressing is not.

Perfect Preparation! If the tilapia you order at a restaurant tastes like fettuccine Alfredo, then it is probably not prepared in the most healthful of ways. Each and every teaspoon or pat of butter used to prepare your meal adds 50 calories of saturated fat. If your hamburger bun is buttered and your vegetables are buttered, a seemingly healthy meal of

by Julie Feldman

a burger and vegetables can have quite the opposite impact on your health. Bottom line: Speak up!

1. Ask for things to be made dry. While many restaurants will say they need to use some oil in cooking, the simple request of asking for as little oil as possible is likely to shave 200-400 calories off many entrées.

2. Ask for foods to be baked, broiled or grilled instead of sautéed or fried. One study indicates that the calorie savings of baking versus frying is close to 450 calories per meal.

3. Ask for sauces and dressings on the side. Most dressings have around 75 calories per tablespoon and 8 grams of fat, and most salads are dressed with about 4 tablespoons of dressing. Those

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2030 Park Ave. Detroit, MI 48226 313.961.2543 www.cliffbells.com

Sizing Up YoUr portionS Tricks to determine appropriate portions for your favorite foods.

300 calories can be cut in half by using the fork dip method, or by choosing a light salad dressing in place of your usual favorites.

4. Advocate for yourself. You are not the first, and you won’t be the last customer to ask for food to be prepared in a unique way. Your fellow diners and the waitstaff will be impressed with your dedication to wellness.

Don’t be gullible! Too many consumers fall for the same traps over and over when it comes to dining out. They think a salad sounds like a healthy choice even though it is doused in salad dressing, crumbled cheese, nuts, dried fruit and fried chicken. Each ounce of cheese, ounce of nuts and tablespoon of dressing adds 100 calories to your meal. The moral of that story is to pay attention to the ingredients in the meals that you choose.

Don’t choose things simply because they are “local,” “organic” or “homemade.” While those terms tend to make us feel warm and fuzzy inside, they do not necessarily speak to the healthfulness of that particular meal. Locally sourced ice cream from the farm down the road still has the same amount of calories and saturated fat as the kind that comes from across the country.

Safe Bets! I am the first to jump at the opportunity to dine away from home. By relying on safe choices, I can enjoy my meal and feel confident about the

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choices that I am making. Tips to ensure you are making a safe choice include: 1. Choose items with simple ingredients. Egg white omelets, simple salads, grilled chicken, fish or beef, stir-fries made with light oil, foods made with whole grains including brown rice sushi, and other unadulterated goodies like plain baked potatoes, steamed vegetables and fruit cups are all pretty hard to mess up.

2. Avoid casseroles, fried foods, creamy soups and sauces. These types of choices are never low in calories or fat.

Putting it all together. Whether you are eating at your local Coney Island or enjoying a special meal at your favorite steak house, it is always possible to make choices that honor your commitment to good health. By choosing plenty of vegetables (prepared safely), adding in a delicious source of protein (baked chicken, broiled fish, grilled tofu or steak, scrambled egg whites, beans, or low-fat tuna salad), and choosing a whole grain or complex carbohydrate (whole wheat bread, brown rice, quinoa or a baked potato) you can create a nutritional oasis on any table in any restaurant in the world.

Julie Feldman is author of Grocery Makeover: Small Changes for Big Results available online and in bookstores now. Send comments to her at eat@metrotimes.com.

One fist is approximately 8 fluid oz. of cold and hot beverages or; 1 cup of broccoli or mashed potatoes .

=

One hand, cupped, is about ½ cup of pasta, rice, polenta, hot cereal, grits, fruit salad, beans, okra, tofu or cottage cheese; or 1 oz. of nuts.

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Two hands, cupped, is about 1 cup of cold cereal, soup, salad; and mixed dishes, like casseroles.

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A deck of cards (or the palm of your hand) is about 3 oz. of cooked meat, chicken breast or fish filet.

=

A medium orange or other fruit is about the same size as a tennis ball.

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1 oz. of cheese is about the size of four dice.

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½ cup of ice cream or frozen yogurt is about the size of a tennis ball.

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1 tsp. of butter or peanut butter is about the same size as your thumb.

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Two thumbs together is about 1 tbsp. of peanut butter, salad dressing, sour cream, mayonnaise or dip.

=

The Highlife

Entertaining ...

Ease of Use

Silly Rabbit Pulling this rabbit out of one’s hat says, “I mean business,” when it comes to uncorking the hooch. As the expression goes, the Rabbit is the Cadillac of corkscrews. Save the straining for other activities (Vertical Rabbit, metrokane. com; $50).

Plug it Up Alas, all good parties must end. But that shouldn’t mean no liquid leftovers.

Keep the contents of those open bottles fresher, longer, with Vacuvin stoppers (vacuvinusa.com; two for $4.95 or buy them with the required pump for $19.95).

Squeeze This The Chef’n Fresh Forcer juicer well may be the first manual machine to squeeze blood out of a rock — it’s that good.

It strains out pulp and seeds, and has double gears to help extract every last ounce of life from the citrus du jour.

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There’s nothing like infusing your favorite libations with fresh-cut fruits. To have them in a carafe with an opening half the diameter is like a parlor trick.

“It’s the greatest invention,” says Joe Posch, owner of über-hip retailer Hugh on Cass Avenue in midtown. “The bottom unscrews and lets you put just about anything in there.” The top opening of the Nuance Multi-Carafe is designed so it holds ice cubes and fruit in place (4240 Cass Ave., Detroit; thankhugh.com; $36). We say, nicely played, Hugh.

Please drink Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Responsibly.

Come visit us at www.jdtnhoney.com or find us on

The List Northeast

Northwest

City

West & Southwest

Denotes Metro Times’ Best Of Detroit

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Northeast Detroit Metro

AUBURN HILLS B.D.’s Mongolian Barbeque 3325 University Dr.; 248-364-4200; gomongo.com; $: The “natural-born grillers” of this mix-your-own-stir-fry place have made it a neighborhood classic.

Lelli’s 885 N. Opdyke Rd.; 248-3734440; lellisrestaurant.com; $$$: An Italian dining tradition since 1939, famous for its filet mignon with “zip” sauce. Owned and operated by the second and third generations of the Lelli family.

O’Brien’s Maryland Crabhouse 621 S. Opdyke Rd.; 248-332-7744; obrienscrabhouse.com; $$: Where spiced crabs are served six to eight in an order, including potatoes, coleslaw or salad, shelled by diners on papercovered tables. The menu also includes burgers, sandwiches and ribs.

Rainforest Cafe 4310 Baldwin Rd.; 248333-0280; rainforestcafe.com; $$: The menu’s deep-fried offerings cater to Midwestern tastes, and children like the show: Elephants roar, butterflies flap their wings, and there’s lightning and thunder every 20 minutes. Expect waits on weeknights.

Rangoli Indian Cuisine 3055 E. Walton Blvd.; 248-377-3800; detroitrangoli. com; $$: Entrées come in small copper bowls, including chicken tikka masala (roasted breast meat in a thick and luscious sauce) and spicyhot chettinadu pepper chicken (fiery peppers in a coconut curry). Lunch buffet is just $8.95 on weekdays, $9.95 on weekends.

Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill 4698 Baldwin Rd.; 248-454-8629; countrybarmi.com; $$: With live music, “whiskey girls” and beer in mason jars, this would seem ground zero for rednecks, white socks and blue ribbon beer. What’s more, the food is nothing to sniff at, with Asian grilled salmon and chimichurri tenderloin grilled medallions.

CLARKSTON Union Woodshop 18 S. Main St.; 248625-5660; unionwoodshop.com; $$: Heaping platters of meat, big bowls of mac and cheese, and pizzas that spill over the edge of your plate have created almost unreasonable demand for seats here, even after a few years in business.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP The Brewery Restaurant 39950 Hayes Rd.; 586-286-3020; thebreweryonhayes.com; $$: Neighborhood restaurant offers fare from land and sea in an inviting atmosphere, with classic beers, extensive wine list and top-shelf spirits. Generously proportioned mains.

Great Baraboo Brewing Co. 35905 Utica Rd.; 586-792-7397; greatbaraboo.com; $$: Great Baraboo is a lively, familystyle microbrewery in the heart of Budweiser country. Check the website for offers and events.

Hankuk Oriental and Korean Market 33717 S. Gratiot Ave.; 586-791-8877; $: Although the setting is diner-plain, the Korean cuisine is authentic, making few compromises for the American palate. Garlic is a key ingredient in at least half of the aromatic dishes.

J. Baldwin’s Restaurant & To Go 16981 18 Mile Rd.; 586-416-3500; jbaldwins.com; $$$: Despite its simple furnishings, casual dress policy and reasonable pricing, J. Baldwin’s fare is decidedly uptown. Entrées include chicken options, several steaks, a good number of seafood items. A full array of imaginatively dressed, round and deep-dish designer pizzas that can be eaten in-house or ordered in a halfbaked state to cook at home.

Luciano’s 39091 Garfield Rd.; 586-2636540; $$: Located in a prosaic strip mall, Luciano’s is opulently decorated and big enough for an Italian wedding party. Pasta specialties average around $16, and come with soup or salad. The respectable wine list is a mix of Italian and New World vintages.

Luigi’s 44905 Morley Dr.; luigisdowntown.com; $$: Traditional Italian fare: pasta, fish, chicken, veal, lamb beef — nary a disappointment among them. Pizzas are the gooey gourmet kind.

Smokin’ BBQ 37310 Gratiot Ave.; 586469-3000; smokinbarbq.com; $$: Unpretentious joint with fast barbecue (most orders served within 10 minutes), whether it’s a hunk of meat or smaller portions in sandwiches. A quick fix of protein with the undeniable flavor of real hardwood smoke.

EASTPOINTE Big Top Popcorn Cafe 22511 Gratiot Ave.; 586-350-0388; bigtoppopcorncafe.com; $: For the lover of all things popcorn, expect freshly made popcorn, cotton candy, frozen drinks and more.

Cloverleaf 24443 Gratiot Ave.; 586-7775391; $$: Some of the best pizza on Gratiot, one of many “original” deepdish spots.

Villa Restaurant 21311 Gratiot Ave.; 586-778-1780; $$: Italian dining includes pasta, pizza and more, all at bargain prices.

Weekday Cafe 16749 E. Nine Mile Rd.; 586-778-6443; $$: Neighborhood joint has received honors for being, well, a solid neighborhood joint.

THE GROSSE POINTES Antonio’s in the Park 15117 Kercheval St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-821-2433;

$$: Although the dishes are authentic Italian ones, mostly, they bow to American preferences. Nice space and a long and varied menu whose simplest choices are best.

Ferlito’s 20745 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-882-1600; $: Neighborhood pizza joint’s selections range from a variety of pies to noodles to barbecue.

Blufin Sushi 18584 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-332-0050; blufinsushi.com; $$: Sushi dominates the offerings, but a glance at the other side of the menu shows pan-Asian influences, and a general Pacific Island sensibility carries through to the decor.

Fou d’Amour 15110 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-823-8425; $$: Fou d’Amour is a sweet little shop with a pillow-strewn, coral-colored banquette. Dinners are served on Wednesdays only. The menu is always changing, but classy.

Bucci Ristorante 20217 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-882-1044; ristorantebucci.com; $$: Elegant, spacious, comfortable and relaxing surroundings, open kitchen. Dishes are anything but staid, including Gnocchi Lela, “hot-hot” spaghetti and penne monteleone, as well as old classics.

Closed Mondays.

Green Zone Pizza 17008 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe; 313-332-0559; greenzonepizza.com; $$: Planetfriendly and palate-friendly pies and sandwiches, with organic ingredients, whole-wheat options, and an inventive wine dispenser.

Buddy’s Restaurant & Pizzeria 19163 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-884-7400; buddyspizza.com; $$: Buddy’s, a former speakeasy, only started pumping out its award-winning pizza in 1946. It has now expanded to nine locations all over southeastern Michigan.

Burrito Mundo 19459 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-884-2028; burritomundo.com; $: Not authentic, but still exciting, the inexpensive fare is a pleasant experience for any burrito lover. The build-your-own burrito is a good choice for beginners, allowing diners to attune these baby-head-sized creations to the proper spice level.

City Kitchen 16844 Kercheval St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-882-6667; city-kitchen.com; $$$: Just about everything at City Kitchen merits praise. The individual pizzas, baked in a wood-fired oven, are well worth a try, and the generously proportioned mains, most of which are priced in the mid-20s are served with creative pairings of vegetables and starch, are among other maritime offerings.

Cotswold Café 1100 Lakeshore Rd., Grosse Pointe Shores; 313-884-4222; fordhouse.org; $$: An airy, solarium-like space, the café seats 54 at its whiteclothed tables and an additional 20 at a lovely outdoor patio. A grounds pass costs $5, but restaurant guests can explore the forests and lush greenery of the Ford house at no charge.

Da Edoardo Ristorante & Trattoria 19767 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-881-8540; daedoardo.com; $$: Specializing in superb entrées, and featuring both a romantic and formal dining room as well as a more casual side, Da Edoardo has been a Gross Pointe fixture since 1978.

Dirty Dog Jazz Café 97 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-882-5299; dirtydogjazz.com; $$: Open since February 2008, jazz has a home on the east side in this pub-like setting. Good jazz performed in an upscale setting with fine food.

Harvard Grill 16624 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-882-9090; $: You can create your own omelet here, piling items on until you’ve created a 2,000-calorie breakfast bomb. All omelets come with hash browns and toast.

The Hill Seafood & Chop House 123 Kerchaval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-886-8101; thehillgrossepointe. com; $$$: Many of the Hill’s “signature dishes” cater to a Reagan-era notion of good eating — surf and turf, lots of blue cheese and bacon in the house salad. Seafood is a strong point.

Janet’s Lunch 15033 Kercheval St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-331-5776; $: Founded in 1938, Janet’s still serves such diner mainstays as hot beef, hot pork, hot turkey, mashed potatoes, from-scratch soups and homemade pies.

Jumps 63 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-882-9555; jumpsrestaurant.com; $$: The best choices, and best deals, are the appetizer samplers. The soups are reliable, and can include a big bowl of cream of asparagus or sweet roasted corn chowder. Excellent service.

Mack Avenue Diner 19841 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-886-0680; mackavenuediner.com; $: Friendly diner, menu of down-to-earth dishes such as bean and chicken noodle soups, roast turkey, pastas and more.

Popular, unpretentious.

Morning Glory Coffee and Pastries 85 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-647-0298; $$: Cozy joint where baked goods are made fresh daily: giant cupcakes, fresh fruit tarts, croissants, scones, brownies, cannoli, muffins, beignets, lemon bars and raspberry ganache tarts. Almost everything is made in-house.

Noble Pig Café 19222 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-640-4115; noblepigcafe.com; $$: The chewy andouille, from Dearborn Sausage, is a princely effort, quite large, and served with Creolaise sauce (Hollandaise plus Creole mustard). Sides go for $2.25 piece. Go for the baby-back ribs.

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Original Pancake House 20273 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-8844144; originalpancakehouse.com; $: Do not confuse this with chain pancake house. This one makes everything from scratch, and adheres to truth-inmenu honesty.

former corner store has been lovingly restored with the period details that now make it such an appealing coffeehouse. Art exhibits are showcased along the walls featuring local artists. In fair weather, their back yard is a sun-splashed delight.

Red Crown 15301 Kercheval St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-822-3700; redcrowngp.com; $$: With healthy fare like kale and quinoa to upscale “comfort food,” like shrimp and grits, Red Crown is a great place to get your food and drink on. The extensive cocktail menu and retractable garage bay doors help make it an ideal location on a warm night to let the summer in.

Living Zen Organics at the Detroit Zen Center 11464 Mitchell St.; 313-3667738; detroitzencenter.org/livingzen. htm; $$: A cafe operated by Zen monks and volunteers as a means to fund the nonprofit spiritual center and community projects. Food served is live, organic and vegan, with different juices and elixirs. Open 5-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sunday.

HAZEL PARK

Sanders Candy & Dessert Shop 16837 Kercheval St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313882-4966; sanderscandy.com; $: You’ll find plenty of flavors of ice cream here, and it all can be made into sundaes, shakes, sodas, malts or “coolers.”

Maine Street 11650 Joseph Campau; 313-368-0500; mainestreetrestaurant.com $: Diner serving stickto-the-ribs diner fare (daytime only; closed Sundays).

Boodles 935 W. 11 Mile Rd.; 248-3995960; $$: Steak dominates herre.

Six dishes under the heading “VIP” are flambéed at two stations in the dining room. Soup or salad comes with entrées.

SideStreet Diner 630 St. Clair.; 313-8846810; sidestreetdiner.com; $$: Calling itself “a finer diner,” SideStreet has an enormous menu of selections that are all excellent, from soup to nuts.

Sprout House 15233 Kercheval St., Grosse Pointe; 313-331-3200; $: A sort of organic grocery, with produce, vitamins and health and beauty products, this place does a thriving carryout business in sandwiches and refrigerated prepared dishes. Closed Sundays.

TN Thai Bistro 17100 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe; 313-885-2695; $$: Dependable Thai food, sushi options, friendly service.

Trattoria Andiamo 20930 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-886-9933; $$: Reminiscent of a home-style restaurant in Italy, this friendly trattoria is just right for casual, family dining. Reservations accepted, extensive wine list, cigar-friendly bar, disabled accessible.

Village Grille and Bar 16930 Kercheval St., Grosse Pointe; 313-882-4555; $: This small neighborhood joint’s reliable food, friendly service and location, location, location often keep it full during the lunch hours.

HAMTRAMCK Aladdin Sweets & Cafe 11945 Conant St.; 313-891-8050; alladinsweet.com; $: If you’re cool with plastic cutlery and polystyrene plates, prepare yourself for some of the best Indian-influenced food you can buy with the coins under your car seat.

Polish Village Cafe 2990 Yemans St.; 313-874-5726; thepolishvillagecafe. com; $: During peak dining hours there’s a steady flow of waiting customers first lining up at the bar and sometimes winding up the stairs and out the door. In a space with old-style character, Polish Village serves a few pages of meat-and-potatoes Polish dishes and their accompanying sides.

Most entrées run around $8.

Polonia Restaurant 2934 Yemans St.; 313-873-8432; polonia-restaurant. com; $: A menu of traditional Polish food, heavy on the meat and potatoes, but without gargantuan serving sizes.

Monday through Saturday, there are several daily specials. Open Sundays 1-7 p.m.

Royal Kabob 3236 Caniff St.; 313-8729454; $$: Short menu has everything from an ambitious platter to a humble, wax-paper-wrapped falafel sandwich.

Brisk take-out business, bright and commodious interior.

Sheeba Restaurant 8752 Joseph Campau; 313-874-0299; $$: Sheeba prepares Yemeni cuisine in a small building where little English is spoken, but the food is good. Order the lamb Haneeth, which is succulent, deeply flavored and falling apart, with some tannour, an excellent flat bread.

Yemen Café 8731 Joseph Campau; 313871-4349; $$: Yemen Café is a no-frills restaurant where little English is spoken. Favorites include agaddah, in which pieces of fatty lamb are cooked with tomatoes, zucchini and onions and served with a Yemeni spice mix.

ZamZam 11917 Conant; 313-893-9902; zamzamcafe.com; $: Full menu of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian cuisine from lunch through the late evening. Open 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.

Al-Yemen Al-Saeed 9000 Joseph Campau; 313-638-2501; alyemenalsaeed.com; $: Little Yemeni joint in the former home of Under the Eagle.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP

Café 1923 2287 Holbrook, 313-319-8766; cafe1923.com; $: Built in 1923, this

Luigi’s 36691 Jefferson Ave.; 586468-7711; luigisoriginal.com; $$$:

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Somewhat kitschy setting doesn’t prepare you for the quality of the efficient waitstaff. Typical Italian fare done well, and such seafood options as whitefish, steamed mussels, Cajun crawfish, and fish and chips.

Exceptional pizzas.

Loui’s Pizza 23141 Dequindre Rd.; 248547-1711; $: The quintessential pizza joint, with food is served on plain plastic tableware. Aficionados flock to Loui’s for the uniquely charred, thickcrust, deep-dish pizza.

MADISON HEIGHTS

The Breakfast Club 30600 John R Rd.; 248-307-9090; thebreakfastclubrestaurant.com; $: Fresh orange juice and fresh daisies on the tables, delicious breakfast, quick service and a kids menu. Just eight tables and four stools at the counter mean it’s usually crowded. Open daily 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Fuji Japanese Buffet 32153 John R Rd.; 248-616-8868; fujibistro.info; $$: Make sure not to put hot and cold dishes on the same plate. Buffet costs range from $10.99-$23.99 depending on the day. Seasoned sushi-lovers will likely pass the sushi rolls for the spicy salmon skin rolls or a few choice creations drizzled with special sauces.

Grand Azteca 321 W. 14 Mile Rd.; grandazteca.com; 248-733-9662; $$: The menu at this kitsch-clogged Mexican restaurant is dominated by tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos and fajitas with the spice and fire level toned down for tender Midwestern palates.

Green Lantern Lounge 28960 John R Rd.; greenlanternlounge.com; 248541-5439; $$: Thin-crusted round pies and deep-dish pies come in four sizes from 10 inches to 16 inches.

Reasonable prices.

Juan’s Hacienda 31313 Dequindre Rd.; 248-583-9792; $$: The home of the flaming fajita? Yes, it’s excellent, and comes with three small tortillas and a plate of beans and rice. And they really do set it on fire.

Pho Hang 30921 Dequindre Rd.; 248-583-9210; $: Diners find the real deal at Pho Hang, where they’ll get the lightness and, yes, grace of Vietnamese soups, with their strong yet clear broths and arrays of fresh garnishes.

Phulkari Punjabi Kitchen 27707 Dequindre Rd.; 248-541-3562; phulkarikitchen.com; $: Nothing exceeds $10 and there’s quite the

unique selection. They’ve toned down the spice but the food is still spiffy to keep you coming back.

QQ Café and Bakery 30941 Dequindre Rd.; 248-588-9899; $: In lieu of an expedition to Southeast Asia, local food enthusiasts can visit the southwest corner of 13 Mile and Dequindre roads. Perhaps best is their extraordinary sponge cake: Airy, moist and lightly sweetened, each bite is a delicate morsel that practically dissolves on the tongue.

Thang Long 27641 John R Rd.; 248547-6763; $$: Delicious pho: A large bowl of clear beef broth, beef and rice noodles, with scallions and herbs added as the chef and the diner decide, gets added complexity from charred onion and ginger.

Satay House 31101 Dequindre Rd; 248-588-1738, $: Flavors of East Asia for cheap, Satay House offers a large portion of hot Phad Thai or coconut curry for a very good price.

If you are craving an authentic Asian dining experience, with influences from various countries like Malaysia or Thailand, Satay House is the right stop.

MOUNT CLEMENS Bath City Bistro 75 Macomb Place; 586-469-0917; bathcitybistro.com; $$: Expect bar appetizers, Belgian-style mussels, specialty steaks and Belgian trough bowling.

UTICA Buca di Beppo 12575 Hall Rd.; 586-8039473; bucadibeppo.com; $$: Part of a fast-growing chain that attempts to re-create the Southern Italian immigrant experience of the 1950s.

Good, inexpensive food, right down to the dense tiramisu.

Dave & Buster’s 45511 Park Ave.; 586930-1515; $$$: Chuck E. Cheese for grown-ups serves up big portions of tender ribs, good half-pound burgers, broccoli-and-cheddar soup and overthe-top desserts.

WARREN Andiamo Italia 7096 E. 14 Mile Rd.; 586268-3200; andiamoitalia.com; $$: The flagship of the Andiamo mini-chain, with the kitchen led by chef Pete Lech.

Their newly expanded banquet facility can cater parties or business functions from 50 to 650 people in “luxurious splendor.”

The Chocolate Gallery Cafe 3672 Chicago Rd.; 586-979-1140; chocolategallerycafe.com; $: A breakfast and lunch place built on desserts. Breakfast choices include eggs and omelets, pancakes (buttermilk, chocolate chip or potato), French toast and eggs Benedict. The prices are sweet too. Open 8 a.m.2 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

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Golden Harvest 6880 E. 12 Mile Rd.; 586-751-5288; goldenharvest.co; $$: Specialty is seafood and daily dim sum.

Quiet, soothing decor.

Open 11 a.m.-midnight daily.

Grand Azteca 3241 W. 14 Rd.; 586-5587373; grandazteca.com; $$: Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos and fajitas with the spice and fire level toned down.

Pho Viet 3854 E. 13 Mile Rd.; 586-5588115; $$: There are nearly 20 ways to order pho at Pho Viet. Most are some combination of proteins — rare beef, well-done flank, brisket, tendon, tripe, beef meatballs, or all of the above.

With tall ceilings and a wide, open floor plan, the dining area feels enormous.

Superior service.

Zack’s Hot Dogs 28650 Dequindre Rd.; 586-751-3647; $: Hot dogs, burgers, sausages, footlongs, all under the slogan, “Hot dogs with attitude!”

ROCHESTER/ ROCHESTER HILLS Blackbird Bistro 334 S Main St., Rochester; 248-651-4660; $$: Enjoy classic American fare like a grilled honey lime sandwich or meatball sub — or one of their pizzas — to fill you up and make you feel good.

CK Diggs 2010 W. Auburn Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-853-6600; ckdiggs.com; $$: Beer galore at this sports pub, where you can learn the difference between lagers, ales, porters and stouts on their “beer definition” menu. Lunch and dinner menu offers traditional bar fare.

Crust Pizza & Wine Bar 2595 Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-844-8899; crustpizza.net; $$: The flavors at Crust are a revelation — not to mention the wines chosen to go along with them.

Dublin Fish & Chips 417 Main St., Rochester; 586-651-3474; dublinfishandchips.com; $$: Friendly spot with mahi mahi, catfish, tilapia, smelt and butter breaded mushrooms.

Fresco Wood Oven Pizzeria 1218 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 248841-1606; frescowoodoven.com; $$: Fresco takes inspiration from Italy’s Napoletana-style pizza, serving up thin, crispy pies in a cozy space. Hot sandwiches include prosciutto and pickled pepper, meatballs with tomato and cheese, and chicken Parmesan.

Hibachi House 335 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-266-6055; $$: Teppanyaki dining joint where the chef prepares your meal theatrically, perhaps juggling knives and tossing food. Full bar also has Japanese beer and sakes and sake cocktails.

Kruse and Muer on Main 327 N. Main St., Rochester; 248-652-9400; kruseandmuerrestaurants.com; $$: American-style steak and seafood restaurant has pastas, char-broiled

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fish and chicken, and pizza bread. Park on the east side of Walnut Boulevard, between Third and Fourth Street.

Luca’s Chophouse 6870 N Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-266-6370; lucaschophouse.com; $$$: As steakhouses go, Luca’s easily holds its own with the more expensive national chains. In the protein realm, try the filet Oscar or the herb-crusted rack of lamb. The Chilean salmon and Walleye are winners too; the wide selection of wines helps wash down the flesh-filled bacchanal.

Miguel’s Cantina 870 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-453-5371; eatatmiguels.com; $$: Miguel’s delivers energetic ambience, friendly service and quality fare. The atmosphere is a mash-up of sports bar and casual family dining. Entrées range from several traditional tamales to tacos “Americanos” for the less adventurous.

Mitchell’s Fish Market 370 N. Adams Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-340-5900; mitchellsfishmarket.com; $$: Fresh seafood, ever-changing menu (printed twice daily) can include fish from the Chilean coast, Bering Strait, Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, and beyond.

Paint Creek Tavern 613 N. Main St., Rochester; 248-656-2322; paintcreektavern.com; $: Serving appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and specialty pizzas. In the summer, the patio, with its irresistible view, beckons.

Red Knapp’s Dairy Bar 304 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-651-4545; redknapps. net; $: Thick malted milkshakes made from hand-dipped ice cream and chrome stools around two U-shaped bars. The burgers are big and simple half-pound, hand-formed patties on bakery-fresh buns.

Rochester Mills Beer Company 400 Water St; 248-650-5080; beercos. com; $$: Large variety of local and Michigan brews go hand-in-hand with a Thai chicken pizza or lobster mac ‘n cheese. Friendly service, laid back atmosphere and beers that will make you spoiled — and gassy.

Silver Spoon 6830 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-652-4500; silverspoonristorante.com; $$$: This white-linen operation doesn’t feel overly formal or stiff, serving a long, diverse Italian menu with wide culinary influences.

Sukhothai 54 W. Auburn Rd.; Rochester Hills; 248-844-4800; sukhothaithaicuisine.com; $$: Quality Thai fare in a friendly, casual setting.

Take Sushi 1304 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 248-652-7800; takesushimichigan.com; $$, Take Sushi is tiny and busy, serving several varieties of Japanese beer, offering sushi to eat in or to go.

The Meeting House 301 N. Main St., Rochester; 248-759-4825; themeetinghouserochester.com; $$: American food in a comfortable, modern setting. The Meeting Room offers an assortment of curated wines, which pair nicely with the selection of proteins, fish and lighter fare.

The Hills Bar & Grille 6810 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-652-4455; thehillsbar.com; $$: For some classic Americana — food and sports, The Hills Bar provides a central location for easy access to a quick bite; fish and chips, mac n cheese, 12 oz. Ribeye and more.

ROSEVILLE Lazybones Smokehouse 27475 Groesbeck Hwy.; 586-775-7427; lazybonessmokehouse.net; $$: From the smiling pig mascot to the piledhigh portions, this is the east side’s beefiest bone yard.

Mr. Paul’s Chop House 29850 Groesbeck Hwy.; 586-777-7770; mrpaulschophouse.com; $$: A good old steakhouse in a dimly lit, lowceilinged, brick-walled structure can seat 200. Most diners come for the beef dishes that average a reasonable $25. Leave room for dessert; Mr. Paul’s cherries jubilee is a tasty treat.

ST. CLAIR SHORES Blue Goose Inn 28911 E. Jefferson Ave.; 586-296-0950; bluegooseinn.com; $$: Billed as “the place for great food, cold drinks, fun times and rockin’ music on the east side!” the bill of fare includes appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pizza and a variety of seafood and steaks.

Brownie’s on the Lake 24214 Jefferson Ave.; browniesonthelake.com; $$: Waterfront restaurant has a good bar with great lake views.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Cafe 23722 Jefferson Ave.; 586-498-3000; fishbonesusa.com; $$: What began as a Creole-Cajun sort of establishment has now branched out in all directions, offering not just Nawlins-influenced fare but American and sushi as well.

Gim Ling Restaurant 31402 Harper Ave.; 586-296-0070; $: On a typical Saturday night, you’ll find a substantial line of folks waiting on carryout. Besides the food being artfully presented on plates and in bowls of contemporary shapes, many times garnished with an edible flower, the food itself is attended to with extra attention.

Golden Chopsticks 24301 Jefferson Ave.; 586-776-7711; $: Food quality varies widely, with sizzling rice soup and non-greasy potstickers a definite yes. Familiar Chinese menu. Low sodium or low oil on request; some vegetarian dinners.

Little Z’s 22428 Greater Mack Ave; 586585-1000, $$: For some juicy barbeque and a homey feel, this is the place to be. Try some succulent ribs which fall of the bone or pulled pork to satisfy your needs for some real comfort food.

Moy’s 21425 Greater Mack Ave.; 586-772-6662; $: The friendly neighborhood Chinese takeout joint.

Nautical Deli 23839 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-776-9898; $$: With everything baked, prepared and mixed every morning, the emphasis is on freshness.

River Crab and Blue Water Inn 1337 N. River Rd.; 810-329-2261; $$: Lakefront restaurant specializes in seafood, and also runs the 21-room inn, which has terrific water views.

Shogun Chinese & Japanese Bistro 23195 Marter Rd.; 586-350-0927; $$$: Chinese fare is of the Americanfriendly chop suey and chow mein variety, but the Japanese teppanyaki show, with performing chefs and giant griddles, entertain as well as nourish.

Shores Inn 23410 Greater Mack Ave.; 586-773-8940; shoresinn.com; $$: Shores Inn specializes in regional and creative American cuisine. Featuring a huge dark wood bar. Enjoy one of more than 150 beers from around the world (ask about their “Hall of Foam”).

Outdoor dining area.

Steve’s Back Room 24317 Jefferson Ave.; 586-774-9337; stevesbackroom. net; $: The house specials feature what is best about Middle Eastern food: the sprightly flavors of lemon, garlic, parsley and olive oil, vegetables used in inventive ways, meat as a minor player.

Sy Thai Shores 23519 Nine Mack Dr.; 586-776-8424; sythaishores.com; $$: Award-winning and authentic Thai cuisine with a broad menu of choices; dine-in or carryout.

Travis Restaurant 23500 Greater Mack Ave.; 586-778-0101; $: Quirky corner diner that, in the wee hours, hostels the night owls of the Nautical Mile bar scene intermingled with the locals grabbing a late night snack. Open 24 hours daily.

Waves 24223 Jefferson Ave.; 586773-3840; waveschillgrill.com; $: Join other revelers slurping their tsunamis and clams on the half-shell, or try the Montego Bay calamari, sautéed in butter with tomatoes, capers and white wine.

STERLING HEIGHTS Andiamo Italian Bistro 14425 Lakeside Circle, at Lakeside Mall; 586-5328800; andiamoitalia.com; $$: This spot, part of Detroit’s dominant minichain, specializes in upscale Italian cooking under the leadership of chef Quirt Edwards.

Bangkok Cuisine 2149 15 Mile Rd.; 586-977-0130; bangkokcuisine.net; $$: Beef, pork, chicken, vegetable and seafood entrées come in various, delicious, spicy styles. Also, unlike a lot of Thai restaurants this one offers beer and wine.

Seoul Garden 2101 15 Mile Rd.; 586264-4488; $$: Seoul Garden holds down the basics of Korean cooking: garlic and sesame. A horizonbroadening selection of 10 side dishes in wee white bowls accompanies every dinner. Alcohol is served.

Cheeseburger in Paradise 13883 Lakeside Circle, at Lakeside Mall; 586532-9828; cheeseburgerinparadise. com; $: Inspired by the Jimmy Buffett munchies anthem, the place is suitably decked out for “parrotheads.” The food is just the foundation for all manner of fun boat drinks, made with Hershey’s syrup, lots of flavored vodkas, rums and sticky liqueurs. Open for dinner only.

Sterling’s Bistro 13905 Lakeside Circle; 586-566-0627; sterlingsbistro.com; $$: A haven from the hectic speedway that is Hall Road, Sterling’s aspires to fresh food, reasonable prices and a friendly, “neighborhood” feel, serving upscale American fare.

Chung Ki Wa 2101 15 Mile Rd.; 586-2644488; $$: Fast and impeccable service, there’s a mix of Japanese and Korean fare offered, with highlights like kimchi jigae and the kimchi stew.

BERKLEY

Ike’s Restaurant 38550 Van Dyke Rd.; 586-979-4460; ikesrestaurant. com; $$: The huge menu meanders through steaks and seafood to Italian and Greek dishes before it gets to its gastronomic raison d’etre: specialties from Lebanon, with hefty portions averaging around $12.

Joe Bologna Trattoria 2135 17 Mile Rd.; 586-939-5700; joebologna.com; $$: Cuisine that scores well on the cost-benefit scale, with none of their substantial main courses costing more than $20; even better, the reasonably priced wine list is buttressed by periodic specials. The usual Italian fare: pasta, chicken, veal, pizza and more.

Korea Palace 34744 Dequindre Rd.; 586978-0500; $$: Simple, warm decor in a modest strip mall location serves an exhaustive, four-page menu with about 50 main dishes, each generous with regard to portion size. Choose among broths and noodles or entrées of fish and protein.

La Saj Lebanese Bistro 13776 Southcove Dr.; 586-566-6600; lasaj.com; $$: As with most Middle Eastern spots, La Saj is vegetarian-friendly. One of the best bets is madjara, an earthy mélange of lentils and cracked wheat. Kid-friendly, small wine list.

Loon River Cafe 34911 Van Dyke Rd.; 586-979-1420; sterlinginn.com/loon; $$: Attached to a Best Western Hotel, the lodgelike dining room succeeds nicely in its woodsy up-North feeling.

The fare is in keeping with the rural Michigan theme, with such dishes as rainbow trout, beef pasties, venison steak, buffalo burgers, roast duck and stew of the day.

The Pantry 34220 Van Dyke Ave.; 586-939-1370; thepantryrestaurant. com; $$: For more than 30 years, the Moceri family has provided quality fare, especially their extensive breakfast selections, which include not just pancakes and Belgian waffles, but crêpes as well. See website for other locations in Clinton Township and Washington.

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Northwest

Amici’s Pizza and Living Room 3249 W. 12 Mile Rd.; 248-544-4100; amicispizza. com; $$: Pizza crust made with bran?

Biodegradable dishes and soy candles?

No TV? Gluten-free beer? Even a couple of organic vodkas? Amici’s manages both to be virtuous and to pull it off without a hint of self-righteousness. It is a bar, after all. Open daily at 4 p.m.

Bagger Dave’s 2972 Coolidge Hwy.; 248-543-3283; baggerdaves.com; $$: Bagger Dave’s is more a fullservice restaurant than its fast-food competitors, even if the burgers, fries and sandwiches are often delivered to the table wrapped in paper bags.

Affordable bottled beer and wine by the pour, sophisticated jazz playlist and woodsy Up-North interior. See website for locations in Ann Arbor, Brighton and Novi.

The Berkley Front 3087 W. 12 Mile Rd.; 248-547-3331; $: Patrons can choose to enjoy the Old World charm, laidback style and great beer selection downstairs or to chill out in the ‘50s-style lounge upstairs, where live music plays every weekend. Open 4 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Monday-Tuesday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesdays, noon-2 a.m. Thursday-Friday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m.

Saturdays, 3 p.m.-midnight Sundays.

Blarney Stone Pub 27253 Woodward Ave.; 248-541-1881; $: The Blarney Stone’s everyday menu is all-American pub grub, with familiar deep-fat fried items, “pizza dip,” and a five-slider plate. Plenty of beers either on tap or bottled.

CK Mediterranean Grille 3372 Coolidge Hwy.; 248-545-4000; $: Located inside a Sunoco station at the corner of 12 Mile and Coolidge, you hardly expect the restaurant-quality cuisine you’ll find here. Fourteen entrées average around $7 for lunch and $10 for dinner. Open Monday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-8:45 p.m., noon-8 p.m. Sundays.

Crispelli’s Bakery & Pizzeria 28939 Woodward Ave.; 248-591-3300; crispellis.com; $: Offers up typical pizza selection but the main draw is the breakfast pizzas. Cooked super-fast in a 500-degree stone oven. Consider bacon, ham and Italian sausage with cheddar and scrambled eggs, or hash browns, caramelized onions, bacon and

Swiss with scrambled eggs.

Ellie’s Grill 2033 Coolidge Hwy.; Berkley 248-691-4441; $: Ellie’s offers up comfort food, including a tuna melt, fish and chps but takes it up a notch with Raznichi, pork on a skewer, which is served with excellent grilled zucchini over djuvech rice cooked in a tomatobased broth.

Hogger’s 2959 W. 12 Mile Rd.; 248-5482400; eatathoggers.com; $$: Good food, fresh ingredients, affordable lunch specials, community-oriented management, friendly staff. Orders to go.

Mazza Indian Cuisine 3354 W. 12 Mile Rd.; 248-543-6299; mazzaindiancuisine.com; $$: In the heart of Berkley, Mazza serves contemporary Indian cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

O’Mara’s Irish Restaurant 2555 W. 12 Mile Rd.; 248-399-6750; omaras. net; $$: Traditional Irish fare, such as succulent shepherd’s pie, as well as good renditions of classic American food in a welcoming atmosphere.

Panini Press 28983 Woodward Ave.; 248-547-7377; thepaninipress.com; $: Small, mostly takeout place with eight small tables and free Wi-Fi. White, multi-grain and gluten-free panini, as well as roll-up wraps and lettuce wraps.

Vinsetta Garage 27799 Woodward Ave.; 248-548-7711; vinsettagarage. com; $$: Former car repair spot now a successful eatery and bar. If the twohour wait times are any indication, this place is all revved-up and a-going.

BEVERLY HILLS Beverly Hills Grill 31471 Southfield Rd.; 248-642-2355; beverlyhillsgrill. com; $$: Unpretentious exterior and complex, superlative food (think peppercorn boursin or tomato-gingercashew chutney). No reservations, worth the wait.

Brady’s Tavern 31231 Southfield Rd., Beverly Hills; 248-642-6422; welcometo-bradys.com; $$: With 20 years in business, Brady’s Tavern offers a stomach-filling, thirst-quenching menu and daily lunch and dinner specials.

food is excellent, the ingredients are top-notch, the wine list is inspired, the service is knowledgeable — and the prices, of course, reflect that.

Big Rock Chophouse 245 S. Eton St.; 248-647-7774; bigrockchophouse.com; $$$: Oozes northern lodge appeal, with a variety of dining rooms, an outdoor patio, and skillfully crafted menus. Tours are available of the 2,000-square-foot brew house. Happy hour 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday in main restaurant, till 7 in bar.

Brooklyn Pizza 111 Henrietta St.; 248258-6690; brooklynpizzaonline.com; $: New York-style pizza cooked in a brick oven, fueled by coal or wood, available by the slice or pie.

Cafe Via 310 E. Maple Rd.; 248-6448800; cafevia310.com; $: Inspired by Europe’s elegant cafes, Café Via has just 15 tables inside, a tiny bar and a few seats for drinks. All dishes are lovely to look at.

Commonwealth 300 Hamilton Row; 248-792-9766; gocommonwealth. com; $$$: A hip addition to Birmingham’s dining scene where the coffee ranks among the best in the area, the decor is handsome, and the food is prepared well to delicious results.

Dick O’Dow’s Irish Public House 160 W. Maple Rd.; 248-642-1135; $$: Birmingham’s most popular unpretentious watering hole is a dimly lit pub, and the menu is expansive with such bar food as pizza, burgers, sliders, wings, and even “Irish nachos.”

Elie’s Cafe & Fresh Juice Bar 263 Pierce St.; 248-647-2420; $: Has inventive daily specials, but even the standard menu has unusual Middle Eastern delicacies and a dozen vegetarian entrées.

Forest Grill 735 Forest Ave.; 248-2589400; theforestgrill.com; $$$: Brian Polcyn’s stylish bistro is a handsome, long, narrow room, with huge windows and a bustling open kitchen. The mains are anchored by an admirable steakfrites platter, plus abundant skinny, crunchy fries. A Mecca for oenophiles.

Closed Sundays.

BIRMINGHAM

Frank Street Bakery 420 E. Frank St.; 248-792-5192; frankstreetbakery. com: $: A tiny soup-and-sandwich joint features inventive pressed sandwiches and wraps, ranging from a meaty Cuban sandwich to fresh vegan fare.

Amici’s Gourmet Pizza To-Go 1160 Grant St.; 248-723-2900; amicispizza. com; $$: Amici’s made its name serving dietary-friendly pizzas made with bran crusts or gluten-free doughs. This location in Birmingham offers carryout and delivery options.

Hunter House 35075 Woodward Ave.; 248-646-7121; $: The white enamel steel, stainless steel counters, the black-and-white tile floor, old details like Pepsi-Cola signage and parking meters seem to draw lots of families bringing their kids in for a taste of the past.

Bella Piatti 167 Townsend St.; bellapiattirestaurant.com; $$$$: Shareable dishes and upbeat social dining in an energetic space with exposed metal ceilings and a layout designed to foster conviviality. The

Luxe Bar & Grill 525 N. Old Woodward Ave.; 248-792-6051; luxebarandgrill. com; $$$: With great renditions of classic fare. Better still, two of the Luxe’s burgers and four salads are less than $10. Drawing a multigenerational

Summer 2013 | eat | metrotimes | 33

crowd, it’s a good-looking place to chow down on Caesar salads, burgers, even wings, chili or fried fish — or splurge on an expensive bottle of wine and an entrée in the high 20s.

Mitchell’s Fish Market 117 Willits Rd.; 248-646-3663; mitchellsfishmarket. com; $$$: This chain is an upscale take on the “you buy, we fry” joint: You choose the freshly flown-in fish from the ice-filled display case and its style of preparation.

New Bangkok Thai Bistro 183 N. Old Woodward; 248-644-2181; $$: This is one place diners should take spice levels seriously. “Medium” will be hot enough for most, and entrées can be ordered with chicken, beef, pork, tofu, shrimp, scallops or squid.

Original Pancake House 33703 Woodward Ave.; 248-642-5775; theoriginalpancakehouse.com; $: Breakfast served all day. Not a chain pancake house. Original makes everything from scratch, with no mixes or ersatz ingredients. Often a wait, but worth it.

Phoenicia Restaurant 588 S. Old Woodward; 248-644-3122; phoeniciabirmingham.com; $$$: Proprietor Sameer Eid has been serving meticulously prepared Middle Eastern food to the locals since 1970.

Seafood dishes and ribs are also specialties.

Rugby Grille 100 Townsend St.; 248642-5999; townsendhotel.com/ rugby-grille.html; $$$: The Grille, which opened in 1988, is located in the Townsend, a boutique hotel in downtown Birmingham favored by visiting athletes and rock stars.

Social Kitchen & Bar 225 E. Maple Rd.; 248-594-4200; socialkitchenandbar. com; $$$: The odd choice to couple ever present electronic music with a staff universally dressed in flannels may be offputting at first, but other than that Social Kitchen does a hell of a job. Pleasant atmosphere and outstanding upscale American fare make for an overall enjoyable experience.

Streetside Seafood 273 Pierce St.; 248645-9123; streetsideseafood.com; $$: Just 60 seats and a well-deserved reputation for wonderful fish; fills up fast every day of the week.

Sy Thai 315 Hamilton Row; 248-2589830; thesythaicafe.com; $: Very hot, peppery Thai fare. A busy, noisy, friendly place, also doing a brisk takeout business.

Tallulah Wine Bar 155 S. Bates St.; 248-731-7066; tallulahwine.com; $$$: A commitment to fresh, local produce guides the menu, from Indiana Amish chicken to Michigan pork and Detroit’s celebrated Avalon Bakery. The kitchen eschews heavy sauces and oils, opting for cleaner and simpler preparations.

Intelligent wine list is a winner.

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Toast Birmingham 203 Pierce St.; 248258-6278; toastbirmingham.com; $$: Great food and wine “with humor in a fun, casual environment,” serving firm favorites and less-common options, such as duck pie and venison sausage.

Serving food 7 a.m.-10 p.m. MondayTuesday, 7 a.m.-midnight WednesdayFriday, 8 a.m.-4 midnight Saturday, and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday; bar open till 1 a.m. Monday-Thursday, till 2 a.m.

Friday-Saturday.

Townhouse 180 Pierce St.; 248-7925241; townhousebistro.com; $$$: Elevated comfort food includes chile relleno-style poppers, mac and cheese with smoked chicken, and a burger made from 28-day-old dry-aged beef topped by bourbon glazed onions, accented with aged cheddar, and placed on a fluffy brioche bun. The quality is reflected in the prices.

What Crepe 172 N Old Woodward Ave; 248-792-5634; whatcrepe. com; $$: For a taste of Europe and a quaint environment, What Crepe offers a delectable meal — from the savory crepes, like the brie and basil to the honey bear, for those craving something sweet.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP/HILLS Andiamo Italia West 6676 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Twp.; 248-865-9300; andiamoitalia.com; $$: The sunfloweryellow-and-purple color scheme and huge tilted mirrors give the space a slick, contemporary look. The food, in contrast, is the solid Italian fare of old master Aldo Ottaviani interpreted by a crew of young chefs in the open kitchen. Lively bar action is in an adjoining room.

Moose Preserve 43034 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-858-7688; moosepreserve.com; $$: Moose Preserve is now in its 23rd year. Knotty pine walls, lots of duck prints and taxidermy on display. To eat, there’s a forest full of critters: emu, elk, buffalo, rabbit, duck, quail, wild boar, deer plus fried cheese sticks. Great salads too.

Northern Lakes Seafood Company 39495 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-646-7900; theepicureangroup.com; $$$: Sprawling establishment can seat 300 in its main dining areas, tavern and cozy private dining room. Offers 10 fresh catches nightly, ranging from Lake Superior whitefish to Idaho rainbow trout to Key West black grouper. Professional service. Serves dinner only on the weekends.

Pasta Fagioli 2398 Franklin Rd., Bloomfield Hills; 248-332-1111; pastaf. tripod.com; $$: A modest place in a suburban strip mall, what’s on the small menu is very good.

Roadside Bar & Grill 1727 S. Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Hills; 248-858-7270; roadsidebandg.com: $$$: Casual space shoots for Up North appeal, with such upscale American fare as lobster mac

and cheese, short rib tacos, Kobe meatloaf and more.

Steve’s Deli 6646 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Hills; 248-932-0800; stevesdeli.com; $$: World-class chicken-noodle soup. Terrific pastrami sandwich, the meat coated with spices, smoked, sliced and served on hand-cut rye bread with a crunchy crust.

CLAWSON Black Lotus Brewing Company 1 E. 14 Mile Rd.; 248-577-1878; blacklotusbrewery.com; $$: A laidback, airy high-ceilinged space, the open “kitchen” at one end of the horseshoe-shaped fieldstone bar is small, but churns out generously proportioned starters.

Clawson Steakhouse 56 S. Rochester Rd.; 248-588-5788; clawsonsteakhouse.com; $$$: The roadhouse-nightclub on Rochester Road opened in 1958 and has remained in that decade for several generations.

Dine on beef washed down with highballs or red wine, and dance the night away. Closed Sundays.

Da Nang 1 S. Main St.; 248-577-5130; danangrestaurant.com; $$: Great Vietnamese cuisine. Catering to mainstream Anglo diners, the spice levels are very low. They can, of course, be ramped up to the incendiary with the addition of hot chili sauce served on the side. Great pho options.

Due Venti 220 S. Main St.; 248-2880220; dueventidining.com; $$$: A sedate trattoria with a sophisticated Northern Italian kitchen. Emphasizes local produce and prepares everything from scratch, including the pasta.

Frittata 236 S. Main St.; 248-280-2552; $: Serving the omelet’s open-faced Mediterranean cousin, which is finished under the broiler and served unfolded, Frittata is upscale and family-friendly. Open 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday.

Noble Fish 45 E. 14 Mile Rd.; 248-5852314; noblefish.com; $$: An authentic sushi bar is hidden in the back of this small Japanese grocery, often crowded at lunchtime, with a clean, efficient no-nonsense atmosphere and sushi of excellent quality.

Renshaw Lounge 210 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson; 248-616-3016; $$: Like a classic pub, but with all the boozy fellowship of a dive. Locals will tell you Renshaw serves the best pizza in town. Wash it down with drink specials and cold beer.

Royal Kubo 27 E. 14 Mile Rd.; 248588-2300; $: A Filipino karaoke bar and restaurant. Filipino food is a mix of native methods and ingredients, influenced by Chinese customs and then again by the Spanish colonizers.

A good place to start is the combo dinner.

Shilla 1119 W. Maple Rd.; 248-655-0120; $$: Shilla’s menu combines Korean with Japanese, two cuisines that complement each other. Begin with the more austere Japanese selections, they suggest, and then go on to a more robust Korean entrée.

FARMINGTON/ FARMINGTON HILLS 2Booli Fresh Mediterranean Eats 37610 W. 12 Mile Rd.; 248-994-0614; 2booli. com; $$: For many diners, the lack of a liquor license is a deal-breaker.

Farmington Hills’ 2Booli addresses the problem with not only a full bar but a happy hour that lasts all weekday evening.

Bangkok Sala Cafe 27903 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-553-4220; bangkoksalacafe.com; $: Attractive, good entrées (gingery pad king is great) and dreamy house-made coconut ice cream.

Basement Burger Bar 33316 Grand River Ave, Farmington; 248-957-8179; basementburgerbar.com; $$: Owners Jamil and David Azar let their patrons have it their way with a DIY burger concept. Choose among buffalo, Angus and Kobe patties, and such sides as spring mix, mozzarella sticks and sweet potato fries.

The Breakfast Club 38467 W. 10 Mile Rd., Farmington; 248-473-0714; thebreakfastclubrestaurant.com; $: Serious breakfasts: Eggs include omelets and quiche; carbs embrace pancakes, waffles, French toast and crepes; potatoes can mean jacketstuffed, hash-browned and even potato pancakes with sour cream.

Open daily 7 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Camelia’s Mexican Grill 30701 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-4740902; cameliasmexicangrill.com; $$: Mexican food made from fresh ingredients, with a wide gamut of heat levels. Not just tacos, fajitas and burritos, but steaks, sandwiches and even some vegetarian choices.

Culinary Studies Institute at Oakland Community College 27055 Orchard Lake Rd., at I-696, Building J, Farmington Hills; 248-522-3700; oaklandcc.edu/culinary; $: The Culinary Studies Institute at Oakland Community College does more than churn out aspiring chefs; it offers the lunch-loving public bargain meals that will effectively derail productivity for the rest of the afternoon.

Empire Dynasty 29505 W. Nine Mile Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-888-6866; empiredynastymi.com; $$: Although they serve American-friendly Chinese fare, order from their authentic menu for such delicacies as Szechuan-style boiled fish, mutton with fennel seeds, and on to such curiosities as “basil intestines” and “pork stomach with celery.”

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Summer 2013 | eat | metrotimes | 35

Greene’s 24155 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington; 248-474-7980; $: The menu tops out at $2.49 for a double cheeseburger. The hamburgers are small and very greasy, but flavorful.

Hong Hua Fine Chinese Dining 27925 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-489-2280; honghuafinedining. com; $$: More like fine-dining than authentic Chinese, Hong Hua is elegant. Excellent eggplant in chili sauce, and tasty, slightly sweet and crisped mu-shu pork. A full complement of fried rices, chow meins and lo meins.

House of India 28841 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-553-7391; houseofindiami.com; $: A four-course meal for less than $13? Yes, it can happen here. For mild, try lamb dopiyaza (with whole onions); for hot, stuffed bhindi (okra and onions). Best bet: mango lassi (with buttermilk).

John Cowley & Sons 33338 Grand River Ave., Farmington; 248-4745941; johncowleys.com; $$: Nestled next to an old theater in downtown Farmington. Most of the customers during the week seem to be dining rather than just drinking, and there is a lengthy menu ranging from salads and starters to traditional Irish fare and American entrées.

Kabuki 28972 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-538-0664; $$: Japanese and Korean specialties, including shabu-shabu and bibimbap).

A wide assortment of sushi and sashimi is also offered.

New Sahara 29222 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-8511122; newsahara.com; $$: Chaldean restaurants are subtly different.

Expect pickled cabbage as a starter, plus some tomato-based stews. And their daily specials are Iraqi favorites.

Priya 36600 Grand River Ave., Farmington Hills; 248-615-7700; priyacuisine.com; $$: A sister restaurant to Priya in Troy, chef Sukhdev Singh specializes in various Indian dishes, but is especially talented with northern Indian dishes. Daily lunch buffet.

Ristorante Cafe Cortina 30715 W. 10 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-4743033; cafecortina.com; $$$$: The fresh pastas and veals are the real thing and the setting, aiming for elegance, does not disappoint.

Shangri-la Garden 27626 Middlebelt Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-474-8183; ordershangrila.com; $$: Large parties fill the round tables, scattered across several rooms. They do serve plenty of dishes cooked to American taste, but less familiar dishes to Chinese taste abound as well. Try the chef’s specials and the dishes labeled Shanghai-style.

Tomatoes Apizza 24369 Halsted Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-888-4888; tomatoesapizza.com; $: Thin-crust, fresh-tasting, naturally cooked,

36 | metrotimes | eat | Summer

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garlicky, made-with-high-art pizzas rank with the best in the area.

Pepperoni, salami, sausage, ham, crab, anchovies and bacon? Oh, man.

The Treehouse for Earth’s Children Health and Holistic Center 22906 Mooney St., Farmington; 248473-0624; $$: Despite its shabby appearance, the Treehouse is a good place for some tasty, inexpensive, organic meals. It’s known for its Sunday all-you-can-eat, which involves a movie, short lecture or live music.

Udipi 29210 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-626-6021; udipirestaurantonline.com; $$: The only vegetarian restaurant along a stretch of Orchard Lake Road that is home to several Indian places. Unusual and delicious dishes, including vada, a savory donut made of lentil flour and dotted with bright green cilantro, and dosa, a crêpe made of rice flour, filled to overflowing with tomatoes, potatoes and onions.

FERNDALE Anita’s Kitchen 22651 Woodward Ave.; 248-548-0680; anitaskitchenonline. com; $$: In warm weather, a large, covered outdoor dining area allows outside dining. The bar serves beer, wine, juice, smoothies and wine and craft brews. Salads, veggie-intensive appetizers, pita pizzas, kebabs or shawarma, lamb chops, shanks and kibbeh dazzle the palate.

Assaggi Mediterranean Bistro 330 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-584-3499; assaggibistro.com; $$$: Attractive atmosphere, creative menu of Mediterranean dishes influenced by Italian, French, Middle Eastern and Spanish cuisines. Full wine list, sangria and a full bar. Seating for 80 in the courtyard patio in fair weather. Closed Mondays.

Blue Nile 545 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248547-6699; bluenilemi.com; $$: At this Ethiopian joint, you get to eat with bread, choosing from two all-you-caneat choices: four meats and seven vegetables for $17.90, or all-veg for $15.90 (kids eat for half price). In a nod to the West, a full bar.

Buffalo Wild Wings 280 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-744-4470; buffalowildwings. com; $$: The nation’s leading chain sports bar offers its winning formula; see website for dozens of Michigan locations.

Dino’s Lounge 22740 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-591-3466; dinoslounge. com; $$: Go for breakfast, lunch, or a late dinner, Dino’s has a vast menu ranging from burgers to chocolate chip pancakes. Good for food and entertainment; their motto is “Upscale, not uptight.”

Easy Like Sundae 172 W. Nine Mile Rd; 248-591-4967; $: Frozen yogurt that encompasses a wide range of flavors and toppings.

The Emory 22700 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-546-8202; theemory. com; $$: This tasteful spot, a combination of an upscale bar and a relaxed eatery, offers a menu of crowd-pleasing delights.

The Fly Trap 22950 Woodward Ave.; 248-399-5150; theflytrapferndale. com; $: You can get a burger and fries, or bacon and eggs, but after that the menu goes in all sorts of interesting directions, including sandwiches with such names as the Pea Patch or the charmoula chicken. Closed Mondays.

Howe’s Bayou 22848 Woodward Ave.; 248-691-7145; howesbayouferndale. net; $$: Cajun and Creole food pleases those seeking a bit of Nawlins living.

Full bar. Great sweet potato fries and bread pudding.

Imperial Taco Bar 22828 Woodward Ave.; 248-850-8060; facebook.com/ imperialonwoodward; $$: Husband and wife Perry and Sharon LaVoisne have brought a bit of L.A. back to metro Detroit in the form of this convivial restaurant specializing in tacos and cocktails.

Inyo Restaurant & Lounge 22871 Woodward Ave.; 248-543-9500; inyorestaurant.com; $$$: Wideranging menu, striking presentations, pleasing texture contrasts within a dish and excellent sushi and specialty cocktails.

John D Bistro 22726 Woodward Ave.; 248-398-4070; johndbistro.com; $$$: In addition to cocktails and live music (see online for scheduled acts), inventive menu offers chicken “lollipops,” upscale sliders, curried mussels and more. Excellent service.

Local Kitchen & Bar 344 W. 9 Mile Rd.; 248-291-5650; localkitchenandbar. com; $$: Local may seem serious about comfort food — Southerninspired plates, burgers, mac ‘n’ cheese, and so on. The $24 pig platter will satisfy any serious hedonist.

Omega Hawg & Dawg Deli 2100 Hilton Rd.; 248-548-5700; $: Minimalist diner decor and “coney” fare. But expect inventive twists, such as a bag of sliders, “chilly dilly” (chili with all the fixings) and all-day breakfast. Cash only.

One-Eyed Betty’s Beer Bar & Kitchen 175 W. Troy St.; 248-808-6633; oneeyedbettys.com; $$: With dozens of craft beers on tap, and almost 100 more in bottles, One-Eyed Betty’s has suds covered. Menu has fortifying, beer-oriented choices that are luscious, filling, fattening and inexpensive.

Red Hook Coffee Shop 220 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-398-8018; theredhookdetroit. com; $: It’s a cozy neighborhood coffee shop serving made-from-scratch delights from the Pinwheel Bakery in the back.

Sakana Sushi Lounge 22914 Woodward Ave.; 248-336-2555; sakanasushilounge.com; $$$: Upscale sushi lounge, lush electro-acoustic lounge and raw fish artfully prepared.

Good sake selection.

Star of India 180 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-546-5996; $: Classic Indian menu includes two variations on korma, a creamy, yogurt-based sauce with a mild blend of spices punctuated by yellow raisins and slivers of almonds.

Toast 23144 Woodward Ave.; 248-3980444; eatattoast.com; $: Beautiful to look at. Weekday egg-fests include some pretty fancy fixings along with more regular fare, but it gets more lavish on the weekend (think wild mushroom or French omelets and challah French toast).

Torino Espresso + Bar 201 E. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-247-1370; torinoespressobar. com; $$: A modern urban twist on the authentic Italian café, with select coffees and espressos, breakfast items, sandwiches, small appetizers.

Wine and signature spirits too. Open 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 6 a.m.-2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday. Free WiFi. Treat Dreams 22965 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-3440; treatdreams.com; $: Read the flavor board in Scott Moloney’s Ferndale bakery and micro-creamery and you might believe that you’ve somehow entered a fantasy world where anything can be made into a dairybased dessert.

Christine’s Cuisine 729 E. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-584-3354; $$: A casual, comfortable place to dine, whose menu dances from Eastern European into Italy, America, France, and burritoville. Daily house specials.

Maria’s Front Room 215 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-542-7379; mariasfrontroom. com; $$: Old-line Italian classics and some new lighter fare. Full liquor license.

Valentine Vodka 161 Vester St.; 248629-9951; valentinevodka.com; $: Not a dine-in spot — in fact, there’s no food — but a good jumping-off point for an evening after sampling some of the best locally produced small batch vodka going.

Como’s 22812 Woodward Ave.; 248548-5005; $$: Though they do serve pizzas and pastas, Como’s is best-known as a lively bar scene, particularly on their commodious tent patio, even on a frigid night.

MiChigo Pizza 255 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-439-6195; michigopizza.com; $$: Chicago-style deep dish pizza even diehard Chicagoans can appreciate.

Sumptuous desserts and locally roasted coffee.

Woodward Avenue Brewers 22646 Woodward Ave.; 248-546-3696; thewabsite.com; $: Dubbed, “a neighborhood bar with lots of style,” the top floor has huge windows overlooking Woodward Avenue.

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Downstairs has a sidewalk café and lounge with a view of the brewhouse.

FRANKLIN The Franklin Grill 32760 Franklin Rd.; 248-865-6600; thefranklingrill.com; $$: Seasonal menus, fresh ingredients, historic neighborhood. Housed in an original 1840 building, serving lunch, dinner, appetizers and drinks.

KEEGO HARBOR Jeremy Restaurant and Bar 1978 Cass Lake Rd.; 248-681-2124; jeremysrestaurantandbar.com; $$$: Frequently changing, seasonal menu has only a few entrées, so you can have confidence that anything you order will be done right. A lovely, stylish place. Open 5:30- 10 p.m.

Tuesday- Saturday, 5:30- 9 p.m.

Sunday.

OAK PARK Bread Basket 26052 Greenfield Rd.; 248-968-0022; breadbasketdelis. com; $: A favorite local deli with fourdeckers, cold beet borscht, cheese blintzes and stuffed cabbages. For breakfast, try the Nova Scotia lox platter, omelets or fried matzo.

Full kids menu; open 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Monday-Saturday, closed Sundays.

Several locations.

Eddie’s Gourmet 25920 Greenfield Rd.; 248-968-4060; $$: At the former Giorgio’s, you can still get a wide range of food, from humble sandwiches to steaks, but all done well.

Ernie’s Market 8500 Capital St.; 248541-9703; $: Ernie himself slices meat, adds toppings and gives your sandwich “the love,” telling stories and spreading happiness.

Peteet’s Famous Cheesecakes 13835 Nine Mile Rd.; 248-545-2253; peteetscheesecakes.com; $$: Yes, it’s just cakes, but they’re pretty darn good, and quite a variety. Seating for six allows you to dine in if you like.

Pita Cafe 25282 Greenfield Rd.; 248968-2225; thepitacafe.com; $$: Busy place serves the familiar (baba, shawarma, roasted veggies) and the less-so (arayis, ghallaba). Excellent food, and the Caesar salad and the grapefruit juice are best ever.

Sukhothai 25226 Greenfield Rd.; 248968-9495; sukhothaioakpark.com; $$: Strip mall location conceals quality food. Best appetizer: koong houm pa, in which a spring roll wrapper is folded into a triangle around ground pork and a jumbo shrimp, with the shrimp tail forming a handle, before being deepfried and served with a sweet plum dipping sauce.

PLEASANT RIDGE Cork Wine Pub 23810 Woodward Ave.; 248-544-2675; corkwinepub.com; $$:

38 | metrotimes | eat | Summer

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Decorated in an eclectic, contemporary kitsch. The menu showcases about 18 small plates, which range from salads and bar snacks to sandwiches and bigger bites. In wine and spirits, Cork really shines.

Mae’s 24060 Woodward Ave.; 248548-5355; maesdetroit.com; $$: Open until 3 p.m. every day except Mondays, Mae’s menu is naturally focused toward breakfast and sandwiches.

The highlight on the breakfast side is aebleskievers, Scandinavian spherical pancakes crossed with a popover.

ROYAL OAK 212 212 W Fifth; 248-591-4789; 212royaloak.com; $$$$: Dining on wild boar carpaccio or butternut squash risotto in this elegant environment leaves diners feeling like they are out West. Try some of their signature cocktails or various wines to complement a well-crafted meal.

526 Main 1526 Main St., first floor; 248591-9000; 526main.com; $$: Piano bar with dueling piano players and an American menu; upstairs is Mexican fare at Tequila Blue.

Al’s Famous Deli 32906 Woodward Ave.; 248-549-3663; alsfamousdeli. com; $: Local deli for locavores, buying and selling only Michigan-based products, including corned beef, pickles, breads, rolls, chips and more.

See breadbasketdelis.com for more locations.

Andiamo 129 S. Main St.; 248-5829300; andiamoitalia.com; $$: Unquestioned master of the Best Italian Chain category in our annual readers’ poll, the many iterations of Andiamo’s are part of an Italian chain, all right, but they have different styles and menus. In the Royal Oak kitchen, Stephen J. Kuclo Jr. has helped add a few specialties to the menu of old reliables.

Antica Pizzeria Fellini 415 S. Washington Ave.; 248-547-2751; $$: Fellini’s seating centers around its massive wood-burning oven, where pies are cooked to perfection. Each pizza is made with fresh ingredients imported from Italy.

Bastone 419 S. Main St.; 248-5446250; bastone.net; $$: Belgian brewpub is unpretentious, quirky and interesting, with fare heavily influenced by Germany and France.

Beirut Palace 105 S. Main St.; 248-3994600; beirutpalace.com; $: Just across the street from the Main Art Theatre, Beirut makes a great start to a night at the movies. All food is very fresh, and they make a great Turkish coffee.

BlackFinn 530 S. Main St.; 248-5829460; blackfinnroyaloak.com; $$: Referred to instead as “an American saloon,” the sprawling, boisterous lounge has great standards, including steaks, but also hosts a lively singles

scene. The 25-bottle wine list has some bargains.

Cacao Tree Café 204 W. Fourth St.; 248-336-9043; cacaotreecafe.com; $: “Detox cuisine” and “miracle foods” aside, Cacao Tree serves food that’s vegan-friendly, with a kitchen eager to accommodate those with food allergies or other intolerances.

Cafe Muse 418 S. Washington Ave.; 248-544-4749; cafemuseroyaloak. com; $$: You won’t find “omelets” on the menu, as the kitchen has chosen to serve scrambled eggs instead, and ingredients can include truffle oil, Boursin cheese and shredded basil.

Camelia’s Mexican Grill 1304 E. 11 Mile Rd.; 248-544-8900; cameliasmexicangrill.com; $$: Mexican food made from fresh ingredients, with a wide gamut of heat levels. Not just tacos, fajitas and burritos, but steaks, sandwiches and even some vegetarian choices.

Cantina Diablos 100 S. Main St.; 248543-4300; cantinadiablos.com; $$: Expect Tex-Mex fare, tequila-laden drinks and ice-cold beer.

Green Lantern Lounge 4326 Rochester Rd.; 248-298-3005; greeenlanternlounge.com; $: The price structure here and throughout the menu is quite reasonable, and, best of all, they use the pepperoni that curl up into little “grease cups.”

Hippies Pizza 121 E. 13 Mile Rd.; 248-733-1111; eathippiespizza.com; $$: Pizza shop, open 4 p.m.-2 a.m.

Sunday-Thursday and 4 p.m.-3 a.m.

Friday-Saturday.

Inn Season Café 500 E. Fourth St.; 248547-7916; theinnseasoncafe.com; $$: Fine, organic ingredients have always been this vegetarian restaurant’s hallmark, but the health food nature of the cooking has been eclipsed; now you are eating vegetarian haute cuisine.

Katana Nu-Asian Steakhouse 111 S. Main St.; 248-591-9900; katananuasiansteakhouse.com; $$$: Katana offers the fine art of teppanyaki, or grilling. Expect to pay extra for this dinner-and-a-show, or take the booths and tables for those who prefer the bistro and sushi menu.

Chicken Shack 1320 E. 11 Mile Rd.; 248541-5100; chickenshack.com; $: Since starting in Royal Oak in 1956, Chicken Shack has been selling “broasted” chicken, pressure cooking birds in their own juices. It’s been wildly successful, with 18 locations listed at its website.

Kouzina 121 N Main St; 248-629-6500; gokouzina.com; $: With a simple and delicious variety of Mediterranean food, Kouzina is a great place to take break from the office. Enjoy its unique Gyro bowl or a spinach pie; if you have a sweet tooth then there’s no better cure than the homemade baklava.

Comet Burgers 207 S. Main St.; 248414-4567; $: Quirky decor includes pink vinyl, stainless steel chairs, Formica tabletops and album covers on the walls. The sliders and malts are worth the trip.

Leo’s Coney Island 110 S. Main St.; 248-336-8093; leosconeyisland.com; $: Chances are that if you’re walking out of a bar in metro Detroit, there’s a Leo’s location within striking distance.

They’re all classics.

D’Amato’s 222 S. Sherman Dr.; 248-584-7400; damatos.com; $$: Neighborhood Italian joint has eclectic and “from scratch” fare. Plenty of beef, chicken and seafood entrées, and 30 glasses and 60 bottles of wine to wash them down. Connected to the Goodnight Gracie martini bar.

Lily’s Seafood 410 S. Washington Ave.; 248-591-5459; lilysseafood.com; $$: Stunning interior, friendly service and a kitchen that believes homemade is best, down to the house-made root beer, cream soda and four varieties of house-made beer.

Falaffel King 32748 Woodward Ave.; 248-554-9881; falafelking.us; $: Inexpensive Middle Eastern standards served in a plain, tiny storefront that can accommodate 10 diners at the narrow counters along the walls and windows.

Five15 515 S. Washington St.; 248-5152551; five15.net; $: Short menu of coffee drinks, books and magazines, and live entertainment, including “drag queen bingo” on Fridays and Saturdays.

Gemmayze 310 S. Main St.; 248-3994900; gemmayzemichigan.com; $$$: Gemmayze [je-MAY-zee] calls itself “a spirited restaurant,” and it is. It serves wine, beer, house-made sangría and cocktails, thus distinguishing itself from most Lebanese places, and it has an assured, cool ambience that’s undeniably attractive.

Lockhart’s BBQ 202 E. Third St.; 248584-4227; lockhartsbbq.com; $$: In Lockhart’s stainless-steel open kitchen, they turn out reasonably priced, hefty portions, with appetizers averaging around $9, sandwiches with one side around $10 and barbecue plates with two sides around $14.

Maria’s of Royal Oak 112 Catalpa Dr.; 248-439-6645; $$: Hand-tossed round pizza and more than a dozen pasta dishes, Maria’s is a restaurant reborn – a concept derived 30 years ago by owner Buddy Orlando’s parents that he has revived.

Monk: Belgian Beer Abbey 419 S. Main St.; 248-544-6255; $$: Formerly Café Habana, Monk celebrates the trappist ales of Belgium and, increasingly, our own country.

Moti Mahal 411 S. Washington Ave.; 248-298-3198; motimahalroyaloak. com; $$: Plenty of vegetarian and

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vegan dishes, most “mild”or “very mild” kormas. Entrées tend to the rich side (lots of ghee?), adding warmth to sag muttar paneer — peas and spinach with firm cubes of Indian farmer cheese, quite buttery tasting.

Affordable buffets; call for details.

Monterrey Cantina 312 S. Main St.; 248-545-1940; $$: Young, friendly staff, big portions, colorful setting, serving burritos, quesadillas, tacos and enchiladas and some fun drinks, such as the “Iguana” margarita.

Mt. Chalet 32955 Woodward Ave.; 248-549-2929; $$: It’s both a fullservice restaurant with pretensions of culinary respectability and a boisterous watering hole with sports featured round-the-clock on multiple screens.

National Coney Island 1812 N. Main St.; 248-398-6111; see nationalconeyisland.com for all locations; $: Year after year, Metro Times readers name National the best coney chain, and with good reason.

You simply can’t expand to more than 20 locations without upholding standards of quality. See website for a spot near you, from Clawson to Waterford; many even offer beer and wine.

Noodles & Company 470 S. Main St.; 248-548-7700; noodles.com; $: Noodles & Company’s fast food is made with fresh vegetables and organic tofu. The menu is internationally inspired, and includes specialties from China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Russia and, of course, Italy.

Oak City Grille 212 W. Sixth St.; 248556-0947; oakcitygrille.com $$$: Menu spills over with filet mignon and peppercorn sirloin at reasonable prices.

Live music most nights.

Pasquale’s 31555 Woodward Ave.; 248-549-4002; pasqualesrestaurant. com; $$: Try “Brown’s special,” and it’s loaded with cheese, pepperoni, bacon, ham, onions, green peppers, green and black olives, and mushrooms, $12.79 for a small, $16.39 for a medium and $20.79 for a large.

Peter’s Restaurant 1307 E. 11 Mile Rd.; 248-543-2773; $: The old Delmar Family Restaurant received a new name and a facelift. Most of the omelets are less than $6, and they’re all classics.

Pizza Paesano 415 S. Washington Ave.; 248-547-2751; $: Open late for Royal Oak hanger-outers, Pizza Paesano serves more than pies, including marvelous gyros, calzones, a spinach pie and a spicy meat pie.

Pizzeria Biga 711 S. Main St.; 248-544-2442; pizzeriabiga.com; $$: Biga is a pizzeria plus — pizza is the only main course, but Del Signore’s menu includes home-fashioned charcuterie and cheeses, six attractive salads and a handful of small-plates palate-teasers.

40 | metrotimes | eat | Summer

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Pronto! 608 S. Washington Ave.; 248-544-7900; $: If you want to avoid the pricey, overcrowded Main Street restaurants, go to Pronto! Brightly colored walls, a lively feel, a creative and fun sandwich menu and sidewalk seating in the summertime.

Red Coat Tavern 31542 Woodward Ave.; 248-549-0300; $$: Red Coat offers its famous hearty half-pound hamburger with sides like chicken tenders and onion rings, alongside its signature salad featuring Port-poached pear and a Stilton-hazelnut terrine. The Red Coat has been around for over 40 years and it’s the place where the upscale chefs of Royal Oak go after work to get a burger.

Ronin 326 W. Fourth St.; 248-5460888; roninsushi.com; $$$: In a stylish setting, bandana-clad sushi chefs vigorously chop and slice at the sushi bar turning out first-rate sushi and sashimi, but entrées include fish, fowl and beef. Six beers on tap, including Kirin Ichiban, and a wellstocked sake bar.

Sangria 401 S. Lafayette Ave.; 248543-1964; sangriaroyaloak.com; $$: The featured dishes, tapas and paella, require a leisurely schedule.

With a pitcher of sangria and a good friend, you have the ingredients for an enjoyable evening.

Tequila Blue 1526 Main St., second floor; 248-591-9000; 526main.com; $$: Mexican fare and flair, serving enchiladas, tamales, tostadas, tacos and more, upstairs from 526 Main, a sophisticated piano bar.

Tokyo Sushi & Grill 315 S. Center St.; 248-284-0165; $$: Offers more than 100 items just in the “rolls” category.

For those who fear the raw, there are plenty of tempura items in the rolls, or the whole roll can be deep-fried. Hot appetizers are also done well.

Tom’s Oyster Bar 318 S. Main St.; 248541-1186; tomsoysterbar.com; $$: Right across from the RenCen, noisy and cheerful at lunchtime and after work, Tom’s gives a very convincing impression of a well-preserved 19th century pub.

Town Tavern 116 W. Fourth St.; 248544-7300; towntavernroyaloak. com; $$: Elegant (mohair booths and bentwood chairs) 21st century bistro.

Grazers can easily make a hearty meal of the “bar-plate” appetizers. Bustling, noisy, with a train passing through the heart of downtown Royal Oak a block away now and then.

Vinotecca 417 S. Main St.; 248-5446256; vinotecca.com; $$: Patrons can learn from knowledgeable waiters, and they can relax as much as their party’s designated-driver policy will allow. Eclectic wine list is well-balanced among vineyards around the globe. The restaurant opens at 4 p.m. every day.

Vinsetta Grill 28028 Woodward Ave.; 248-543-2626; vinsettagrill.com; $$:

Build your own burger of beef, turkey or veggie with a dazzling array of choices. The perfect accompaniment would be the grill’s signature French fried sweet potatoes, cooked without trans fats.

What Crêpe? 317 S. Washington Ave.; 248-629-9391; whatcrepe.com; $: Another crêpe spot? We can dig it.

The little French food pocket is a hit because it’s all fresh, it cooks in a flash, and it doesn’t break the bank. And What Crêpe? has 50 to choose from.

Zumba Mexican Grille 121 N. Main St.; 248-542-1400; zumbagrille.com; $: Modeled after taco stands popular in the Southwest. The entrées are familiar: burritos, tacos, quesadillas and tacos. But you get your choices of meats and toppings as it’s built, then eat in or take out.

SOUTHFIELD Athens Souvlaki 21738 W. 11 Mile Rd.; 248-356-6463; $: Little Greek diner that’s home of the most consistently satisfying gyros in Michigan. Jammed at lunch, but that lovely lamb sandwich is worth braving the throng.

Bacco Ristorante 29410 Northwestern Hwy.; 248-356-6600; baccoristorante. com; $$$: Glitzy crowd. Menu focuses on light, contemporary Italian.

Seafood, pasta, and veal.

Beans and Cornbread 29508 Northwestern Hwy.; 248-208-1680; beansandcornbread.com; $$: Busy, colorful dining spot features bright artwork and a bustling open kitchen.

Upscale soul food fare with a fresh twist includes excellent meat loaf, barbecue-style chicken and a dreamy sweet potato cheesecake.

Copper Canyon Brewery 27522 Northwestern Hwy.; 248-223-1700; coppercanyonbrewery.com; $$: The menu encompasses everything from cheese sticks, onion rings and wings through pizza, burgers and filet mignon.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Cafe 29244 Northwestern Hwy.; 248-3512925; fishbonesusa.com; $$$: The Fishbones formula is simple: rich Cajun food, more food and a lively, fun setting.

(ditto) country-fried steak, catfish, perch, wing-dings, shrimp, meat loaf and ribs.

Meriwether’s 25485 Telegraph Rd.; 248-358-1310; $$$: Comfortable, down-home ambience, English country inn-style, complete with architectural features. Fresh fish and seafood delicacies plus steaks, pastas, sandwiches and salads.

Mi Loc 23043 Beech Rd.; 248-356-2155; $$: Korean restaurant also serves Japanese food, but the specialty is Korean barbecue, where thin-sliced marinated beef is prepared on gas grills built into the tables, then eaten with sticky rice, lettuce and a variety of sauces.

New Seoul Garden 27566 Northwestern Hwy.; 248-827-1600; newseoulgarden. com; $$$: New Seoul Garden serves both Japanese and Korean food, including a grand “barbecue combination special” that comes with soup, appetizer and dessert.

Original Pancake House 19355 W. 10 Mile Rd.; 248-357-3399; originalpancakehouse.com; $: The quintessential breakfast, served all day, with the titular pancake still supreme and the omelet a close second.

Plaza Deli 29145 Northwestern Hwy.; 248-356-2310; theepicureangroup. com; $$: Styled in the fashion of a traditional New York deli, a sit-down area beckons diners who aren’t on the go.

Sweet Lorraine’s Cafe 29101 Greenfield Rd.; 248-559-5985; sweetlorraines. com; $$: Casual, fun and sophisticated, award-winning chef Lorraine Platman’s fusion joint has not only marked 25 years, it has prospered and grown.

Taste of Ethiopia 29702 Southfield Rd.; 248-905-5560; tasteofeuthiopia.com; $: Avoid the temptation is to dwell on the delicious Ethiopian bread, injera; it’s simply the vehicle for delivering the various we’ts (stews) and t’ibs (sautes) to your mouth. Deep, true flavors, unbeatable prices. No booze, though.

Zoup! 29177 Northwestern Hwy.; 248-799-2800; $: All-soup, nothingbut-soup, and a rotating list of 200 varieties at that.

Gastronomy: A Modern American Bistro 1 Town Square; 248-646-0370; theepicureangroup.com; $$$: Opening this summer and promising and up-todate culinary technique, Gastronomy says no ingredients in the kitchen, or wines on the list, will come from foreign soil — even down to staple items like salt, olive oil or coffee.

Locavores welcome.

WALLED LAKE

Irene’s Southern Cookin’ 18680 W. Eight Mile Rd.; 248-423-0988; $: A little neighborhood place with all the virtues and vices of down-home cooking. Entrées include chicken (fried, smothered or barbecued), pork chops

Uptown Grille 3100 E. West Maple Rd.; 248-960-3344; uptowngrille. com; $$: Fun environment, often with live entertainment, full bar, specialty drinks, kid-friendly, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, steaks and seafood.

Ziggy’s Cheesesteaks 30140 Southfield Rd.; 248-594-3890; ziggyscheesesteaks.com; $: Ziggy’s slogan? “We have a Ph.D. in Steakology.”

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WATERFORD Bread Basket Deli 101 N. Telegraph Rd.; 248-683-2244; breadbasketdelis. com; $: Local chain now has its newest location in Waterford; see website for all seven locations.

Chung’s of Waterford 4187 Highland Rd.; 248-681-3200; $$: Glamorous setting for old favorites, including the famous Chung egg roll, filled with cabbage, shrimp, pork and bean sprouts, along with Cantonese, Szechuan and Hunan dishes.

WEST BLOOMFIELD Allegro 7295 Orchard Lake Rd.; 248737-3071; $$: Though the menu bills the place as “European,” Allegro is patronized mostly by people from the former Soviet Union. Expect herring and potatoes, blini with caviar, pilimeni, smoked fish, sturgeon, and lamb, chicken or pork shashlik.

Deli Unique 6724 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield; 248-737-3890; theepicureangroup.com; $$: Recently remodeled, Deli Unique shows that classic New York style doesn’t mean you can’t shoot for low-sodium, health-conscious menus as well. See website for locations in Bloomfield Hills and Novi.

D’Pauli’s Gourmet Diner 6215 Orchard Lake Rd.; 248-737-3636; $$: A mix of traditional diner fare with gourmet Italian dishes, running from hamburgers and fries to steak au poivre flambéed with cognac.

Eurasian Grill 4771 Haggerty Rd.; 248-624-6109; eurasiangrill.com; $$: Asian-based, new-American cooking is traditional American cooking with Asian spices to give it a new flavor.

Spotlight dishes include the duck Macao and tomato soup.

Kitchen Hanzo 6073 Haggerty Rd.; 248-624-8666; $$: This is the type of place where Japanese salarymen go out after work — and there’s a large enough clientele to keep this izakaya (pub) thriving.

The Lark 6430 Farmington Rd.; 248661-4466; thelark.com; $$$$: Begin your leisurely meal with hors d’oeuvres served from a rolling cart, followed by a choice of main course, soup and salad. This tile-lavished country inn with just a dozen tables is charming, as it should be, given the prices.

Maria’s Restaurant 2080 Walnut Lake Rd.; 248-851-2500; mariaswestbloomfield.com; $$$: Maria’s leans towards traditional, heavily sauced Italian dishes, but often with unexpected and welcome touches. This won’t be a low-carb adventure. Long, intelligent wine list.

Mene Sushi 6239 Orchard Lake Rd.; 248-538-7081; $$: The multi-course “Bento Box for Two” is an unbelievable bargain. The $30 tab is for both diners.

42 | metrotimes | eat | Summer

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The long, complex menu includes Korean specialties, such as bimbimbap and bulgogi.

Milk & Honey 6600 W. Maple Rd.; 248-661-2327; theepicureangroup. com; $$: Located inside the Jewish Community Center, Milk and Honey is a gourmet restaurant that just happens to be kosher. The menu is seafood and vegetarian, and the food is as good and as varied as at any comparable restaurant.

Red Coat Tavern 6745 Orchard Lake Rd.; 248-865-0500; $$: Northern outpost of the famous Red Coat in Royal Oak, serving some of the most famous burgers in metro Detroit.

Shangri-La 6407 Orchard Lake Rd.; 248-626-8585; ordershangrila.com; $$: Dim sum is the Chinese equivalent of Sunday brunch; carts rolling from table to table, diners pointing to what they want, little dishes piling up on the table, which are later counted to calculate the bill.

Sharaku Sushidokoro 6159 Haggerty Rd.; 248-960-1888; $$: The most authentic Japanese restaurant in metro Detroit, offering 25 dailychanging appetizers, including catches of the day, and a relatively short list of entrées.

Stage Deli 6873 Orchard Lake Rd.; 248-855-6622; thestagedeli.com; $$: Proprietor Steve Goldberg has added everything but his bubbe’s kitchen sink to the menu — from salmon teriyaki to Cajun-blackened chicken to Englishstyle fish and chips.

Uptown Parthenon 4301 Orchard Lake Rd.; 248-538-6000; $$: The menu doesn’t pretend to be the world’s most authentic Greek fare, but it does include some unusual dishes, such as baby octopus in a wine sauce and lamb riganato.

Yotsuba Japanese Restaurant and Bar 7365 Orchard Lake Rd.; 248-7378282; yotsuba-restaurant.com; $$: The restaurant, which has a twin in Ann Arbor (2222 Hogback Rd., 734971-5168), serves both sushi and an extensive menu of cooked foods.

Everything is lovely to look at.

West, South West

ANN ARBOR Afternoon Delight 251 E. Liberty St.; 734-665-7513; afternoondelightcafe. com; $: Open every day until 3 p.m., serving a variety of creative breakfast and lunch plates to an often — particularly on Sundays — out-the-door crowd. Catering service available.

Anthony’s Gourmet Pizza 621 S. Main St.; 734-971-3555; anthonysgourmet. com; $$: The closest thing to Chicagostyle deep dish in Ann Arbor, also serving Sicilian and “gourmet” deep dish (with a vegetarian option).

Aut Bar 315 Braun Court; 734-9943677; autbar.com; $$: Gay-friendly restaurant and a bar. Serves a popular weekend brunch, Saturday brunch (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) and Sunday brunch (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) Open at 4 p.m. on the weekdays. In warmer months, access to a quiet courtyard.

Amadeus Cafe & Patisserie 122 E. Washington St.; 734-665-8767; amadeusrestaurant.com; $$: Like an old-world Vienna café serving a variety of traditional dishes from Central Europe, desserts, and a unique list of wines and beers. Candlelit dinners and live classical music on weekends make for romance. Closed Mondays.

Arbor Brewing Company 114 E. Washington St.; 734-213-1393; arborbrewing.com; $: Award-winning brewpub’s drinkable house brews complement a menu of “upscale pub food.” Hosts regular beer tastings.

Ashley’s Restaurant and Pub 338 S. State St.; 734-996-9191; ashleys.com; $$: Upscale but casual, with dozens of beers on tap, a massive menu of bottled beer, and scores of single-malt scotches and small-batch bourbons.

B.D.’s Mongolian Barbeque 200 S. Main St.; 734-913-0999; gomongo. com; $: Open kitchen, with a massive grill in the center of the dining room, whipping up an endless array of meat, vegetables and spices. You choose the raw meat and accompaniments from the buffet. They grill it. Very high energy on the weekends.

Bell’s Diner 2167 W. Stadium Blvd.; 734-995-0226; $: Bell’s seems to be a normal American diner — and, especially at breakfast, it’s much like one. But its kitchen also excels at producing the Korean items on the menu, giving you a choice of bacon or bulgogi.

Ben and Jerry’s 304 S. State St.; 734-665-4440; benjerry.com; $: In progressive Ann Arbor, it’s a given that the hippie-founded ice cream empire has a location.

Big City Organic Coffee 2370 E. Stadium Blvd.; 877-822-8772; bigcitycoffee.com; $$: Progressive caffeine aficionados in Ann Arbor will enjoy BC’s pledge to brew and distribute only certified organic, fairtrade, ethically sourced beans from around the world. Stop in to buy a bag or have it delivered to your door.

Black Pearl 302 S. Main St.; 734-2220400; blackpearlonmain.com; $$$: A seafood and martini bar that aims for “comfortable and cool,” well-suited for socializing and entertaining. Opens every weekday at 5 p.m. Becomes a lounge after 9 p.m. Now open for lunch from noon – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Blue Nile 221 E. Washington St.; 734998-4746; bluenilemi.com; $$: Familyowned and operated, this western outpost of the Blue Nile Ethiopian dining mini-chain offers the unusual

experience of sponging up your meal with bits of bread called injera.

Blue Tractor BBQ &Brewery 207 E. Washington St.; 734-222-4095; bluetractor.net; $$: Part brewpub and part barbecue joint, Blue Tractor will satisfy lovers of ‘cue and suds. Entrées include catfish, mac and cheese, moist spare ribs or baby backs with fries, pulled pork, and beer-can chicken.

Brown Jug 1204 S. University Dr.; 734-761-3355; brownjug-annarbor. com; $: In the heart of U-M’s campus since 1938, with walls festooned with Wolverine history and football memorabilia. Catch the game while enjoying more than nachos and cheese sticks, even Greek sausage and calamari.

Cafe Felix 204 S. Main St.; 734-6628650; cafefelix.com; $$: The tradition of a European café holds true to form, with a prime wine assortment, coffee drinks and delicious food. Every finishing touch within the buttercolored walls is on point.

Cafe Habana 226 S. Main St.; 734-9710484; $$: Stylish new location for Cuban outpost, serving the traditional drinks and cuisine of the island nation.

Cafe Zola 112 W. Washington St.; 734769-2020; cafezola.com; $$$: One of the more comfortable restaurants in Ann Arbor. Mains have included lamb chops a la Turque, Muscove duck leg confit with juniper berry, and fillet of Loch Duart salmon with leeks. The wine list is thoughtful if somewhat pricey. In season, a sizeable outdoor patio beckons.

Carson’s American Bistro 2000 Commonwealth Blvd.; 888-456-3463; $$$: Good, solid American fare such as steaks and chops, but with glutenfree options too. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Friday; 4 p.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; noon9 p.m. Sunday.

Casey’s Tavern 304 Depot St.; 734-6656775; caseys-tavern.com; $$: Thick burgers with a slew of topping choices (think grilled mushrooms, guacamole and bleu cheese) are Casey’s signature, courteously offered as either turkey, veggie or beef burger. Closed Sundays.

The Chop House 322 S. Main St.; 734669-9977; thechophouserestaurant. com; $$: Luxurious, comfortable and pushily elegant, serving prime beef, fine grain-fed protein and exceptional premium wines. Open 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Crazy Wisdom Tea Room 114 S. Main St.; 734-665-2757; crazywisdom. net; $: The ground floor twinkles wholesomely with spiritual paraphernalia. Upstairs, enjoy a pot of tea or coffee with a view of Main Street. Live acoustic sounds some nights. Call or check the website for details.

SUNDAY BRUNCH

•

DINNER

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FERNDALE’S NEWEST CULINARY GEM

22726 Woodward | Ferndale | 248.398.4070 View our full menu and wine & craft cocktail list online

www.JOHNDBISTRO.com

Summer 2013 | eat | metrotimes | 43

Dominick’s 812 Monroe St.; 734662-5414; $$: Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, with ample outdoor seating, Dominick’s porches, balconies, courtyards, and outdoor fountain welcome those who love fair weather March though November. Delightful, cafeteria-style afternoon spot. Closed Sundays.

The Earle 121 W. Washington St.; 734994-0211; theearle.com; $$$: The vault-like Earle is an Ann Arbor legend, with its candlelit tables, imaginative kitchen and live jazz. Start in the elegant wine bar with its daily specials or check the 30-page wine list. Happy hour 5 -8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Open 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Fridays; 5:45-11 p.m. Saturdays; 5-8 p.m. Sundays. Closed Sundays during summer.

Earthen Jar 311 S. Fifth Ave.; 734-3279464; earthenjar.com; $: Catering to vegetarian tastes, their signature “mostly vegan buffet” is heavily Indian influenced, with hints of Pakistani (yellow lentil dal moong), Italian (tofu lasagna) and even dishes of the American South (turnip greens).

Fleetwood Diner 300 S. Ashley St.; 734995-5502; $: The only 24-hour diner in downtown Ann Arbor, this is genuine greasy spoon eating. The Fleetwood looks like a small trailer propped atop the hill at Ashley and Liberty, packing in cheap-breakfast seekers on a dozen bar stools and at a handful of tables.

Frita Batidos 117 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-761-2882; fritabatidos. com; $: Chef Eve Aronoff’s new casual restaurant serving Cuban fare, serving a frita — “a Cuban burger made from spicy chorizo served with shoestring fries on top in a soft egg bun” — and batidos — “tropical milkshakes made with fresh fruit, crushed ice and a drop of sweetened milk.”

Gandy Dancer 401 Depot St.; 734-7690592; muer.com; $$$: One of Ann Arbor’s most popular restaurants offers a daily menu of fresh fish, seafood, steaks, and pastas in a historic brick and granite structure.

Live jazz during the 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sunday brunch. Known to U-M students as the place to take Mom and Dad (when they’re picking up the tab, that is).

Gourmet Garden 2255 W. Stadium Blvd.; 734-668-8389; gourmetgardenmi.com; $$: Start with a steamed vegetable dumpling, move on to the cold smoked duck, then try the scallops with garlic sauce. Not overly Americanized.

Grange Kitchen & Bar 118 W. Liberty St.; 734-995-2107; grangekitchenandbar. com; $$: Located in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor and open to the public for a little more than a year, Grange offers food sourced from more than a dozen local farms, creameries and orchards — and with details on each available on the menus and website.

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Gratzi 326 S. Main St.; 734-663-5555; gratzirestaurant.com; $$$: Crowdpleasing bastion of (mostly) northern Italian cuisine served in the former Orpheum Theatre. Fresh ingredients, lush and lively setting, extensive Italian and American wine list. Lots of gluten-free options.

Lena 226 S. Main St; 734-994-2773; lena-annarbor.com; $: Bringing some Latin flavor to the city, Lena fills the void left by Ann Arbor stalwart The Parthenon. Check out the Spanish yapingacho: Potato cakes stuffed with queso blanco, avocado, peanut sauce and chorizo.

Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. 120 W. Washington St.; 734-741-7325; grizzlypeak.net; $$: Restrained hunting lodge feel (you’ll find a mounted buck or two) gives way to award-winning beer, including several on-tap Weissbiers and ales during the summer months.

Logan 115 W. Washington St.; 734327-2312; logan-restaurant.com; $$$: Eclectic fare emphasizes Asia and the Caribbean, as reflected in such appetizers as a platter of four crispy Chinese pork dumplings atop cilantro, perked with a subtle, tamarindinfused tomato sauce ($9).

Heidelberg Restaurant 215 N. Main St.; 734-663-7758; $$: Has three floors and three bars. With more than a half-century of keeping Ann Arbor’s German roots alive, it boasts a genuine rathskeller (a German-style basement bar) complete with German wheat beers and lagers. The dining room offers schnitzels, wursts and other German plates.

Mani Osteria & Bar 341 E. Liberty St.; 734-769-6700; maniosteria.com; $$$: An Italian restaurant embracing the national trends toward comfortable dining and shareable plates, the bar offers creative cocktails to wash it all down.

Hut-K Chaats 3022 Packard Rd.; 734786-8312; $: Indian food with an emphasis on health. Hut-K Chaats won the most votes at a competition sponsored by Ann Arbor’s Mark’s Carts, a collection of eight food wagons downtown “with a vegan dish!” owner Swaroop Bhojani exclaims.

Jamaican Jerk Pit 314 S. Thayer St.; 734-585-5278; irierestaurant.com; $$: Serving jerk chicken, jerk pork and various other Caribbean delicacies under the guidance of chef Robert Campbell.

Jerusalem Garden 307 S. Fifth Ave.; 734-995-5060; jerusalemgarden.net; $: The brick garden patio is the perfect accompaniment to Jerusalem Garden.

It covers the basics for less than $5 or $6: falafel with baba ghanouj and hummus options, shawarma and kebabs.

Jolly Pumpkin Cafe and Brewery 311 S. Main St.; 734-913-2730; jollypumpkin. com; $$: Pub-like in atmosphere, with food that’s a bit more up-to-date (tofu cracklings, French fries flavored with rosemary and truffle salt, and a butcher’s snack board of cured meats and more). See website for main floor and upstairs hours.

Kai Garden 116 S. Main St.; 734-9951786; kaigarden.com; $$: Kai Garden features a menu of more than 180 items. They include the standards — pork fried rice, sweet and sour chicken — as well as more interesting dishes such as catfish hot pot, rose scallops, and spicy pig ears.

La Dolce Vita 322 S. Main St.; 734669-9977; $: Located inside the Chop House restaurant. Offering the finest in after-dinner pleasures, including chocolaty cakes, fruity tortes, mousse parfait and more.

Mark’s Carts 211 W. Washington St.; markscartsannarbor.com; $: Not a restaurant, but a food court filled with food carts. Last year saw six carts up and running, serving Mexican, Spanish, global fusion, Asian and vegan fare.

Mash 207 E. Washington St.; 734-3326046; $$: A “bourbon, whiskey and beer bar,” with beer made in-house, along with whiskey and bourbon from distillers around the country.

Melange Bistro Wine Bar 314 S. Main St.; 734-222-0202; melangebistro. com; $$: Unique dining experience, casual, sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere in a contemporary, subterranean bistro. Eurasian eclectic cuisine infused with worldly ingredients. Happy hour 4-6 p.m. weekdays. Closed Sundays except for special events.

The Melting Pot 309 S. Main St.; 734622-0055; meltingpot.com; $$$: A new way of dining mixed with an old favorite, the Melting Pot brings back the fun of fondue. Dipping an assortment of breads, vegetables and apples in your choice of cheese fondue allows you to dictate your desired taste.

Old Town Tavern 122 W. Liberty St.; 734-662-9291; oldtownaa.com; $$: A tavern since 1867, the brick walls are covered in old photos and playbills, and the wood floor and tin ceiling radiate history. Reliable menu, always a Bell’s beer on tap, and window tables excellent for people-watching.

Palio 347 S. Main St.; 734-930-6100; paliorestaurant.com; $$$: Italian fare in a convivial setting, with the usual pastas, lasagnas and chicken, veal and fish options. High culinary standards.

Pizza Bob’s 814 S. State St.; 734-6654517; pizzabobs.net; $: It’s about $7 for a 10-incher with pepperoni. Kinder still, you can share a 16-incher with same for $6 each. Lunch, dinner, takeout and delivery.

Prickly Pear Southwest Café 328 S. Main St.; 734-930-0047; pricklypearcafe.com; $$: Unique Southwestern dining in a lively decorated and casual atmosphere, serving scallop quesadillas, sweet potato enchiladas and sought-after margaritas.

The Ravens Club 207 S. Main St.; 734214-0400; theravensclub.com; $$: Ravens combines the ornate aesthetics of the pre-Prohibition United States with a contemporary flair, serving confit of rabbit, savory chicken pastry, prairie game chili, and other items that are not standard in most of today’s restaurants.

Real Seafood Company 341 S. Main St.; 734-769-7738; realseafoodcorestaurant.com; $$$: Comfortable, casual and sporting a great seafood menu, this “unchain” does it all, from fresh pastas to raw bar delicacies.

Red Hawk Bar & Grill 316 S. State St.; 734-994-4004; redhawkannarbor.com; $: A nice stop for a hot sandwich or a glass of uptown brew after scoring at the bookstores on Liberty Street. The burgers are 7-ounce wonders, available with more than a dozen toppings, some unusual, like dill pickle chips.

Seva 314 E. Liberty St.; 734-662-1111; sevarestaurant.com; $$: Eclectic dishes change weekly and range the globe, converting traditional meat-based fare into vegetarian or vegan. All made inhouse, but the most expensive entrée is less than $14. Full bar; extensive wine list; brunch Saturdays and Sundays.

Silvio’s Organic Ristorante and Pizzeria 715 N. University Ave.; 734-214-6666; silviosorganicpizza.com; $$: Italian restaurant, with pastas, salads, pizza and desserts, but since it’s Ann Arbor, expect gluten-free, whole wheat, vegan and vegetarian options, with an emphasis on organic, local ingredients.

Sweetwater’s Cafe 123 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor, 734-769-2331; 407 N. Fifth Ave.;734-622-0084; 3393 Plymouth Rd.;734-327-6330; sweetwaterscafe.com; $$: Three clean-lined, wood-floored, priceybaked-good-stocked locations position Sweetwater’s as the sophisticated café choice in Ann Arbor.

Vinology 110 S. Main St.; 734-222-9841; vinowinebars.net; $$$: The Jonna family’s Ann Arbor wine shop aims to educate people about wine. And flights of wine are paired with delicate small plates to heighten everybody’s enjoyment.

Weber’s Restaurant 3050 Jackson Rd.; 734-769-2500; webersinn.com/ restaurant; $$: Fitted inside this deluxe, full-service hotel, founded in 1937 by Herman Weber, this restaurant is still owned and operated by the Weber family. Sunday brunch.

Zingerman’s Delicatessen 422 Detroit St.; 734-663-3354;

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zingermanscommunity.com; $$: Opened in March of 1982 by Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig, the deli served as the foundation for the extended Zingerman’s kingdom of today, which includes Zingerman’s Next Door (422 Detroit St.; 734-663-5282; $$), as fine a deli as anyone could wish for, and Zingerman’s Roadhouse (2501 Jackson Ave.; 734-663-3663; $$$) American food served in a sprawling setting with a semi-open kitchen, full bar, two dining rooms and outdoor seating.

BELLEVILLE Bayou Grill 404 Main St.; 734-6972300; bayougrill.net; $$: Carefree environment features New Orleansstyle dishes (if the alligator on the roof weren’t enough of a hint). Professional staff and good food.

Johnny’s Bar on the Lake 146 High St.; 734-699-1777; $$: Remodeled grander than ever after a recent fire. The bar wraps around the patio and banquet hall downstairs and offers an amazing view of Belleville Lake.

Dos Pesos Mexican Restaurant 11800 Belleville Rd.; 734-697-5777; dospesosmexicanrestaurant.com; $$: Dos Pesos serves meaty, Americanfriendly Mexican fare, including broiled, marinated chicken breast with pico de gallo.

CANTON Carrabba’s Italian Grill 1900 N. Haggerty Rd.; 734-844-7400; carrabbas.com; $$: Fresh, flavorful Italian dishes made from scratch daily using fine, fresh ingredients flown in from around the world.

Chopstick House 3500 N. Lilley Rd.; 734-983-9288; thechopstickhouse. com; $: Casual, fast service, low prices, with Chinese fare that spans Sichuan to Hunan, all fresh and cooked to order.

Delivery available.

Max & Erma’s 2240 N. Canton Center Rd.; 734-981-3370; maxandermas.com; $$: Gourmet hamburgers, steaks, chicken, pasta, salads and sandwiches.

Neehee’s Indian Vegetarian Street Food 45656 Ford Rd.; 734-737-9777; neehees. com; $$: You can get Indian street food in Michigan! There’s no street, of course, but 96 dishes — not counting the drinks and house-made ice creams — are a bewildering array, incorporating street snacks from all over the subcontinent.

Thai Bistro 45620 Ford Rd.; 734416-2122; $$: Affordable Thai food, with fire levels may dialed down to accommodate those new to the fare.

Closed Sundays.

DEARBORN AND DEARBORN HEIGHTS Al-Ajami 14633 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn, 313-846-9330, $$: Al-Ajami is a bit more affordable than the other

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Middle Eastern restaurants around it. Chef and co-owner Stephan Ajami offers chicken lemon, a terrific chicken rice soup and 15 seafood dishes.

Servings are enormous.

Al-Ameer 12710 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-8185; and 27346 Ford Rd., Dearborn Heights; 313-5659600; amanilebaneserestaurant.com $: Menu is loaded with choices, and portions are gargantuan. A group of four could do quite well by sharing and splitting the cost of a plate of moujadara and a small baked eggplant salad and paying less than $15.

Amani’s 13823 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-584-1890; $: Amani’s is a halal neighborhood place, across from Dearborn City Hall, that serves all the tried-and-true dishes of Lebanese cuisine that Westerners tend to order — hummous, kebabs, tawook, shawarma — plus some that deserve to be more widely known.

Andiamo Dearborn 21400 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-359-3300; andiamoitalia. com; $$: The Dearborn outpost of the Andiamo mini-chain is led by executive chef Mike Osinski, ever so lightly tweaking the old-line cuisine that’s made Andiamo a regional success.

Bangkok 96 2450 S. Telegraph Rd.; 313730-8161; bangkok96restaurant.com; $$: Open since 1996, this bright, warm space decorated with wall hangings and elephant imagery enjoys a steady stream of loyal dine-in and take-out customers.

B.D.’s Mongolian Barbeque 22115 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-7929660; gomongo.com; $: You pick out what you’d like in your stir-fry, then the grillmasters in the open kitchen cook it for you in a flash.

Big Fish Seafood Bistro 700 Town Center Dr., Dearborn; 313-336-6350; muer. com; $$$: Located on Fairlane Town Center’s Circle Drive. One of the Muer family restaurants, there’s plenty of fish bric-a-brac about, some lovely, some kitschy.

Bistro 222 22266 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-792-7500; bistro222. com; $$: Reasonable prices, stylishly retrofitted space and imaginative Californian-Italian cuisine. Assertively spiced fare is cleverly presented, ranging from affordable individual pizzas to thoughtful entrées, all less than $20.

Cariera’s 6565 Telegraph Rd., Dearborn Heights; 313-278-4060; carieras.com/ Dearborn; $$: Family- owned charming little Italian restaurant with authentic Italian cuisine and portions big enough for two. Two cozy rooms, with bare wooden tables and thick cloth napkins and walls full of family photographs and wine and oil bottles.

Cedarland Restaurant 13007 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-5824849; cedarlandrestaurants.com; $$: Whether eating in or taking out,

quality Middle Eastern food. The baba ghanouj is creamy, with a roasted, earthy aroma and just the right bite.

Drive-through window for quick orders.

Cheli’s Chili Bar 21918 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-274-9700; chelischilibar. com; $$: Owned by former Red Wings’ Hall of Famer Chris Chelios, Cheli’s is not for hockey agnostics, but with 14 TVs in one room, for red-and-whitejerseyed boosters it’s a place to exult in pure hockey-ness.

Country Chicken 5131 Schaefer Rd., Dearborn; 313-582-6677; $: This tiny Lebanese storefront serves mammoth portions, so prepare to share. No alcohol.

Crave Lounge 22075 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-277-7283; cravelounge. com; $$$: The food emphasizes Japanese cuisine but successfully incorporates Mediterranean flavors.

Great sushi bar. At night, Crave the restaurant morphs into Crave the lounge, with DJs and a bar scene.

Deliziosa 22439 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-277-4990; deliziosabistro.com; $$: Traditional Italian cuisine with a few unconventional twists. Gargantuan portions, mains that come with soup or salad, and no wildcards among the diverse pasta dishes.

Edison’s 20301 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-271-2700; $$$$: Quietly elegant restaurant graced by rich early American atmosphere. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; dress code (shirt, slacks).

Famous Hamburger Grill & Cafe 5808 Schaefer Rd., Dearborn; 313-9450002; famoushamburger.com; $: Come for the fries or for the bargain steak (a special), or because the meat is halal. Or, come just because it’s a friendly place with a dizzying variety of options.

Fuego Mexican Grill 7040 Schaefer Rd., Dearborn; 313-581-9800; fuegogrilldetroit.com; $:The Mexicangone-halal restaurant has an upscale feel to it. You can design your own taco or tostada with two toppings of your choice. Chicken glazed with mangochipotle is tempting.

Habib’s Cuisine 14316 Michigan Ave; 313-584-1515, $$: For a taste of the Middle East, try a shwarma sandwich or some of their seasoned lamb to mix up your lunch or dinner menu.

Kiernan’s Steak House 21931 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-565-8975; $$: Atmospheric room with fringed red lamps and leather booths, almost dark enough for you to feel around for the silverware. Expect surf and turf, with choices including steak, lobster tail and lamb chops. Fully stocked martini bar.

Kowloon Restaurant 22905 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-565-4521; kowloondearborn.com; $$: Park-infront Chinese eatery is dependable,

but, to those who would know the pleasures of boneless almond chicken, this is your perfect introduction.

L.A. Express Mediterranean Bistro 22018 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313277-5999; $$: Lunch options include “philly bello” sandwiches and shrimp burgers, while the dinner menu offers dishes such as chicken scallopini and pasta aioli.

La Shish 12918 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-8400: Quality is outstanding and portion control nonexistent.

The menu is long and includes lamb chops, quail and seafood. Great for fans of Middle Eastern food and those wanting to learn more.

M&M Cafe 13714 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-581-5775; $$: Tender loving care, dished up along with great food, and served in spacious and attractive digs. The menu is a mix of American and a smattering of Lebanese choices: hamburgers, chef salad and turkey sandwiches, kafta, hummus and laban. A clever cook, Maurice Lteif does equally well whatever continent he’s cooking from.

Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Miller’s Bar 23700 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-565-2577; millersbar. com; $: Consistently rated as one of the best burgers in the region. Don’t let the spartan setting and limited menu options fool you.

New Yasmeen Bakery 13900 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-6035; yasmeenbakery.com; $: This deli and bakery serves exceptional, unusual Lebanese dishes, usually hand-made by old ladies who skew traditional.

Richter’s Chalet 23920 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-565-0484; richterschalet.com; $$: A throwback to those days when two people could enjoy dinner and drinks for $40.

German-born Roland Richter Sr. founded his half-timbered restaurant a generation ago, the chalet seats 150 and serves a dozen German dinners, supplemented by several daily specials, both of which include soup or salad. Closed Mondays.

Ristorante Ciao 22023 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-277-2426; $$: Enter Ciao and emerge in a bath of cream.

Of 14 pasta dishes, only five include a tomato sauce. Sun-dried are used in the linguine alla vodka e salmone, where the sweet flavor marries perfectly with that of asparagus, spinach and salmon in a “creamy, spicy vodka sauce.”

Roman Village 9924 Dix Rd., Dearborn; 313-842-2100; antoniosrestaurants. com; $$: This is the real deal: housemade pasta, fresh sauces, traditional dishes at reasonable prices; you can imagine somebody’s mama in the kitchen. The garlic bread is yummy.

Highest praise must go to spaghetti carbonara “alla Bocelli,” osso buco and gnocchi Rita.

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Summer 2013 | eat | metrotimes | 47

Shatila Bakery & Café 14300 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-1952; shatila. com; $: Shatila combines fruit purees with butterfat to produce that rich taste and velvety texture that only cream can bestow. Non-fruit ice creams are equally inspired. Chaotically busy on Muslim holidays and the weekends. Be sure to grab a number.

Ten Eyck Tavern at the Dearborn Inn, 20301 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313271-2700; $$: American home-style fare in a charming, casual and relaxing atmosphere. Open for dinner.

Tria Inside the Henry Hotel, 300 Town Center Dr., Dearborn; 313-253-4475; $$$: Elegant, yet approachable, Tria serves affordable small plates. The food is amazingly good. Desserts come as “small bites” or “big bites,” and include a Key lime tart and a coffeesoaked tiramisu.

Xushi Ko Hibachi Grille and Sushi Bar 16351-C118 Ford Rd., Dearborn; 313982-1730; $$: Where Japanese food meets halal, there’s a lot here offered with high fat content, presumably to adhere to a typical Western diner.The Hibachi Salmon and Steak Teriyaki combo is great with grilled vegetables.

DOWNRIVER (ALLEN PARK, ECORSE, LINCOLN PARK,SOUTHGATE, WYANDOTTE, TRENTON) Angelina’s Mexican 8425 Allen Rd., Allen Park; 313-216-7181; angelinasfreshmex.com; $: Warm service, colorful dishes, generous cheese-to-tortilla ratio, and a lunch menu with prices hovering around $5 per meal make this authentic eatery a prime location in the constellation of metro Detroit’s Mexican restaurants.

Auburn Cafe 3520 W. Jefferson Ave., Ecorse; 313-381-8133; $$: Brick archways and a pretend grape arbor overhead contribute to the atmosphere, but it’s basically your family bar scene. Both lamb and chicken gyros are nicely done.

Black Pine Tree 18700 Eureka Rd., Southgate; 734-284-8700; blackpinetreesushi.com; $$: Lunch and dinner for dine-in or carry out, serving authentic Japanese cuisine, including sushi.

The Broadcast Booth 6550 Allen Rd., Allen Park; 313-389-5050; thebroadcastbooth.com; $$: More a restaurant than a sports bar, yes, the lounge is dominated by a huge U-shaped bar and scores of TVs, but other areas are sedate.

Café West 2775 W. Jefferson Ave., Trenton; 734-676-2233; cafewest.biz; $$: Fresh seafood, steaks, chicken, entrée salads and lots of appetizers.

Full bar.

Fort Street Brewery 1660 Fort St., Lincoln Park; 313-389-9620;

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fortstreetbeer.com; $$: Brewpub and restaurant with a friendly atmosphere, games, and a large beer list, including house-brewed suds.

Hunan Hunan 4327 Allen Rd., Allen Park; 313-389-0939; $: Offering traditional Chinese fare, plus Cantonese and Mandarin dishes that are particularly well-done.

Hungarian-American Cultural Center 26257 Goddard Rd., Taylor; 734-9466261; hungariandetroit.com; $: Good, solid meals, mostly in the $7 range.

Portions are generous. Made-fromscratch dishes, open only on Friday 5- 9 p.m., Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Hungarian Rhapsody 14315 Northline Rd, Southgate; 734-283-9622; therhapsodyrestaurant.com; $$: Authentic Hungarian cuisine like chicken paprikas with dumplings, stuffed cabbage, and Hungarian goulash.

Joey’s Famous Philly Cheesesteaks 14625 Northline Rd., Southgate; 734281-4444; joeysfamousphilly.com; $: Welcome to hoagie heaven. The term “cheesesteak” is misleading, since the sandwich is mostly meat. As tradition dictates, three cheese choices are offered: the Whiz, American or provolone.

Magdaleno Italiano 962 Dix Hwy., Lincoln Park; 313-386-0260; $: Perhaps not the type of culinary ambition to be expected in Lincoln Park, except there’s quite the offering – especially the house made pastas.

Try the Gemelli Norcina, imported pasta, house-made Italian sausage, truffle oil, tomato cream sauce.

Michelangelo’s Italian Bistro 152 Elm St., Wyandotte; 734-283-8200; michelangelositalianbistro.com; $$: Lunch and dinner menus; serves “true Italian cuisine.”

Moro’s Dining 6535 Allen Rd., Allen Park; 313-382-7152; morosdining. com; $$: Time warp! Old-fashioned (tuxedoed) professional service. Most entrées cost around $12 and include everything from soup to nuts. Owner Thomas Moro butchers his own veal, the house specialty.

O’Samurai Japanese Steakhouse 23471 Eureka Rd., Taylor; 734-287-8868; osamurairestaurant.com; $$: The full sushi bar serves traditional rolls as well as the chef’s own creations. If you’re in the mood for something cooked, the teppanyaki chefs grill hibachi-style.

Portofino 3455 Biddle Ave.; 734-281-6700, Wyandotte; portofinoontheriver.com; $$$: The main reason to visit Portofino is its water views. In fine weather, boats even tie up at Portofino’s dock.

Seafood appetizers and pasta choices are consistently excellent.

Real BarBQ 42452 Ford Rd., Canton; 734-667-3996; realbarbq.com; $$:

2013

Good fast-food-style barbecue, with a competitive-eating offer: Anybody who dares order “Paul Bunyan’s Daddy” gets a free shirt and a picture on the wall of fame.

Round House BBQ 2760 W. Jefferson Ave., Trenton; 734-671-6100; roundhousebbq.com; $$: Another new entry in the barbecue column, expect ribs, brisket, pulled pork, slow-smoked chicken and more.

R.P. McMurphy’s 2922 Biddle Ave.; 734-285-4885; Wyandotte; rpmcmurphys.com; $$: There are more than a dozen sandwiches on the menu at this eclectic neighborhood gathering place, including several vegetarian choices. Full bar, brief wine list and quality beer on tap.

Tijuana’s Mexican Kitchen 1679 Dix Hwy., Lincoln Park; 313-383-9100; tijuanasmexicankitchen.com; 13312 Fort St., Southgate; 734-285-6430 $: Once the famed restaurant in Dearborn, there are now two locations serving Downriver. Expect Tex-Mexleaning fare.

TV’s Deli & Diner 2441 Fort St., Trenton; 734-671-9005; tvsdelidiner.com; $$: Diner drawing inspiration from the Golden Era of TV — the 1950s. Quite a pedigree too: The owners met while working for Rattlesnake Club’s Jimmy Schmidt.

LIVONIA Buca di Beppo 38888 Six Mile Rd.; 734462-6442; bucadibeppo.com; $$: Part of a fast-growing chain that attempts to re-create the Southern Italian immigrant experience of the 1950s.

Good, inexpensive food, right down to the dense tiramisu.

Claddagh Irish Pub 17800 Haggerty Rd.; 734-542-8141; $$: Attempts to recreate the rich traditions of the great pubs of Ireland with an authentic “pub house” experience. Fun, friendly and exuberant atmosphere. Traditional Irish fare.

Giulio’s Cucina Italiana 31735 Plymouth Rd.; 734-427-9500; giuliositalian.com; $$: Great “al pesto” pizza and four veal dishes plus a braised veal roast and some American-sounding steaks.

J. Alexander’s 19200 Haggerty Rd.; 734-464-9220; jalexanders.com; $$: J. Alexander’s is the kind of place where chicken fingers and coleslaw get all the attention that fillet mignon might get at some gourmet joint. You eat all of it and leave feeling uncommonly satisfied.

Macaroni Grill 39300 Seven Mile Rd.; 734-462-6676; macaronigrill.com; $$: The popular chain translates momand-pop Italian into a slick production.

The winning concept emanates from San Antonio.

Szechuan Empire 29215 Five Mile Rd.; 734-458-7160; szechuanempire.

com; $$: This is a busy little place, but the staff is friendly and attentive.

Authenticity has been subjugated to American tastes, but everything gets a special touch.

NORTHVILLE Deadwood Bar & Grill 18730 Northville Rd.; 248-347-4353; deadwoodbarangrill.com; $$: Casual, comfortable atmosphere, magnificent hunting-lodge interior, varied menu offerings, outdoor terrace.

Gaucho Brazilian Steak House 39550 W. Seven Mile Rd.; 248-380-7770; gauchosteakhouse.com; $$$: Lovers of excess: the Brazilian churrascaria (steakhouse) is your type of restaurant. At Gaucho, it’s rodizio style, meaning all you can eat, and you don’t even have to get up from your chair.

Genitti’s Hole in the Wall 108 E. Main St.; 248-349-0522; genittis.com; $$$: Originally a meat and grocery store, it’s now a restaurant that adjoins a small theater. Good Italian food, comfortable environment.

Guernsey Farms Dairy Family Style Restaurant 21300 Novi Rd.; 248349-1466; guernseyfarmsdairy. com; $: Go for an ice cream cone, or dairy products, or a meal of broasted chicken (the specialty).

Koji Japanese Restaurant 146 Mary Alexander Court; 248-344-0888; kojisushi.com; $$: Family-owned Japanese restaurant committed to high quality, natural ingredients and no MSG. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro 17905 Haggerty Rd.; 248-675-0066; pfchangs.com; $$: Blends traditional Chinese cuisine and American hospitality in an upbeat bistro setting.

Moderate prices.

Poole’s Tavern 157 E. Main St.; 248349-1715; poolestavern.com $: A tavern since the early 1900s, now it’s an updated, fun bar and grille, serving baby-back ribs and inventive daily specials.

Rocky’s Northville 41122 W. Seven Mile Rd.; 248-349-4434; rockysnorthville. com; $$: Founded in 1992, the awardwinning restaurant prepares its dishes fresh and changes menus daily.

Rusty Bucket Corner Tavern 15400 Sheldon Rd.; 734-254-9699; myrustybucket.com; $$: Midwestern mini-chain offers an “unpretentious, friendly, and approachable place to dine, celebrate or just hang.”

Sizzling Sticks Cafe 144 Mary Alexander Court; 248-380-9400; sizzlingsticks. com; $$: You select the combo of ingredients, from meat to nuts, being as conservative or as innovative as you choose, and the agile young cooks wok it before your eyes.

Tuscan Cafe 150 N. Center St.; 248-3058629; thetuscancafe.com; $$: Freshly brewed coffees, high quality pastries, giant grilled sandwiches, friendly service, casual atmosphere.

Zoup! 20065 Haggerty Rd.; 248-3741000; zoup.com; $: Zillions of varieties of soups that rotate on a daily and seasonal basis.

NOVI Ajishin Sushi & Noodle 42270 Grand River Ave.; 248-380-9850; $$: Yes, there’s excellent sushi and even grilled fish, but soup lovers may rejoice! Ajishin’s hearty soups are extraordinary. Their udon’s base broth is developed from seaweed and fish and has so much umami flavor going on it’s like a black hole for hangovers.

Andiamo Novi 42705 Grand River Ave.; 248-348-3838; andiamoitalia.com; $$$$: Not only does this spot offer the award-winning cuisine that has propelled the Andiamo mini-chain to its current success, it offers dinner theater as well. Call for upcoming shows.

B.D.’s Mongolian Barbeque 43155 Main St., Suite 200; 248-735-1900; gomongo.com; $: You pick it, they wok it, you eat it. A winning formula that’s fun for everyone.

Cherry Blossom 43588 W. Oaks Dr.; 248-380-9160; cherryblossom.biz; $$: Marble-topped sushi and yakitori bars, tatami rooms and conventional tables with settings in shades of blue, green and brown.

Don’s of Traverse City 48730 Grand River Ave.; 248-380-0333; donsoftraversecity.com; $: A spinoff of the original Don’s in Traverse City, this wannabe ’50s diner serves handpatted burgers, shakes and malts, all accompanied by Elvis on the jukebox.

Indo Fusion 44175 W. 12 Mile Rd., Suite F-143; 248-946-4804; indofusionmi. com; $: Serves the the food of Goa, the tiny seaside Indian state that was ruled by Portugal for about 450 years, with a menu encompassing both “Catholic” and “Hindu” fare.

The Melting Pot 26425 Novi Rd., Novi; 248-347-6358; meltingpot. com; $$$: A night of fondue can be a romantic experience, sensually dipping an assortment of breads, vegetables and apples in your choice of fondue sauce. The dessert experience is incomparable, with fruit dipped in chocolate fondue.

Moe’s on Ten Seafood Grill 39455 W. 10 Mile Rd.; 248-478-9742; moeson10. com; $$: A simple formula: Take the freshest possible fish, complement it with a light salsa that doesn’t mask the flavor.

No. VI Chop House & Lobster Bar 27000 Karevich Dr.; 248-305-5210; theepicureangroup.com; $$$: As plush

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a steak and seafood house as can be found in the area, serving top-ofthe-line fare in a darkly sophisticated setting.

Rojo Mexican Bistro 44375 12 Mile Rd., Suite G-147; 248-374-4600; rojomexicanbistro.com; $$: Not just beans and rice here: They’re skillfully mixing contemporary and classic Mexican dishes with an eye toward freshness and flavor.

Shiro 43180 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248348-1212; shiro-restaurant.com; $$: The cuisine of Japan, from sushi and sashimi to soups and teriyakis.

has steaks and seafood dishes to boast about.

La Bistecca Italian Grille 39405 Plymouth Rd.; 734-254-0400; labistecca.net; $$$: Serving certified Piedmontese beef that’s low in fat and cholesterol, as well as fresh seafood, veal and chops. Extensive wine list, live music.

Little Bangkok Cuisine 545 Forest Ave.; 734-414-8696; littlebangkokcuisine. com; $$: The Von Bondies’ Jason Stollsteimer adores this Thai place in downtown Plymouth, where he orders the same meal, pad see ew, at least once a week.

Steve & Rocky’s 43150 Grand River Ave.; 248-374-0688; steveandrockys. com; $$: Desserts are some of the best features of this upscale yet casual fish place. Try the warm chocolate cake with ganache if you’ve got time to wait — it takes 25 minutes to prepare.

Excellent salads. A lower-priced lunch menu makes it an affordable treat.

Omelette & Waffle Cafe 580 Forest Ave.; 734-454-6510; omelettewafflecafe.com; $: Don’t entrust your breakfast to people who only do it part time. O&W’s slogan? “Breakfast is our specialty!”

Open Tuesday-Friday 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Saturday-Monday 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Toasted Oak Grill & Market at the Baronette Renaissance, 27790 Novi Rd.; 248-277-6000; toastedoak.com; $$: A hotel restaurant that’s a cut above, such charcuterie as terrines, patés and rillettes are excellent, served among bare tables, a mirrored ceiling, vintage signs and posters.

Panache 447 447 Forest Ave; 734386-8447; panache447.com; $$$: Everything from rustic tomato soup to a creative take on the B.L.T, titled The Piglet; beautiful sushi and an eclectic wine list make it an all-around winner.

Perfect for lunch, dinner, a nice date or special event.

WESTLAND

Penn Bar & Grill 820 Penniman Ave.; 734-453-3570; penngrill.com; $$: Serving American pub fare for lunch and dinner in a bustling environment.

Kitchen open until 1 a.m. weekend nights.

Ashley’s 7525 Wayne Rd.; 734-5251667; ashleys.com; $$: Another iteration of the successful Ann Arbor multi-tap pub. Burgers, pizzas, pastas, steaks and more.

Beaver Creek Tackle & Beer 1609 N. Wayne Rd.; 734-722-5330; tackleandbeer.com; $$: A menu with lots of meaty classics, running from wings to even game (their “Road Kill Grill” offering includes venison, quail, boar sausage and game gravy, for instance).

PLYMOUTH Addis Ababa 273 N. Main St.; 734-4149935; addisababaplymouth.com; $$: At dinnertime, there’s just one way to order: the all-you-can-eat platters.

Little heaps of fabulous dishes are placed on a giant circle of spongy injera bread, which everyone shares. More injera is alongside, folded like napkins, to use as your eating utensil.

Compari’s on the Park 350 S. Main St.; 734-416-0100; comparisdining. com; $$: Authentic Italian fare, with outdoor dining on a good summer day.

Several tables take over a generous portion of the downtown sidewalk during lunch or dinner, shaded beneath white umbrellas.

Fiamma Grille 380 S. Main St.; 734416-9340; fiammagrille.com; $$$: Right next door to Compari’s on the Park, and boasting a sleek and retroaccented ambience, with art on the walls that’s better than most, Fiamma

Sardine Room 340 S Main St; 734-416-026, $$: Despite the name, you don’t have to like sardines to have a great food experience here. From roasted bone marrow, to frog legs, or juicy prawns, Sardine House provides diners with an elegant setting to have a deliciously unique meal.

YPSILANTI Abe’s Coney Island 402 W. Michigan Ave.; 734-485-2008; $: Popular afterbar stop is a cheap place to sop up booze or have a darn good breakfast.

Open 24/7.

Aubree’s Saloon 39 E. Cross St.; 734-483-1870; aubrees.com; $: Friendly joint in Depot Town with pizzas and beer, warm hospitality and family ownership.

Beezy’s Coffee and Café 20 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti; 734-485-9625; beezyscafe.com: Coffeehouse also serves fresh soups, salads and sandwiches.

Ben and Jerry’s 4100 Carpenter Rd.; 734-973-6360; benjerry.com; $: The go-to spot for “super premium ice cream, light ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt and novelties.”

Bentley’s American Grille 1274 S. Huron St.; 734-821-6116; $$: A restaurant inside the Ypsilanti Marriott serving American grill cuisine, with a view of an 18-hole golf course and Ford Lake.

Dalat Vietnamese Restaurant 100 W. Michigan Ave.; 734-487-7600; dalatcorestaurant.com; $: Named among the “healthiest cuisines on the planet,” This is Ypsi’s outpost for the famed Southeast Asian cuisine.

Golden Wall 421 W. Cross Ave.; 734-482-7600; $: The menu combines Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine in an ambitious list of entrées, adapted to Midwestern tastes.

Harvest Moon Cafe 5484 W. Michigan Ave.; 734-434-8100; harvestmooncafe.biz; $$: Home-style country cooking, extensive kids’ menu, many choices when it comes to beer and wine.

Sweet Afton Tea Room 450 Forest St.; 734-454-0777; sweetaftontearoom. com; $$: Home-cooked savories, desserts and heartier fare in a British tradition. Extensive selection of teas from London served in your own personal teapot. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Monday-Saturday.

Red Rock Barbecue 207 W. Michigan Ave.; 734-340-2381; redrockypsi. com; $$: When Red Rock isn’t busy serving you beer, it’s busy serving you meat, and lots of it. Even the starters are heavy on the protein. Four homemade sauces adorn the table, all straightforward but made very well.

The Plymouth Crossing 340 N. Main St., #100; 734-455-3700; plymouthcrossing.com; $$: Steaks, chops, veal, chicken and pasta. Extensive wine list, good service, relaxed atmosphere, formal dining room, bar, banquet center, open-air patio.

Sidetrack Bar and Grill 56 E. Cross St.; 734-483-1490; sidetrackbarandgrill. com; $$: Not a hangout for student swillers from Eastern Michigan University the specialty is interesting beers, and the undisputed star of Sidetrack’s extensive menu is the burger. Five years ago, GQ magazine called it one of “the 20 hamburgers you must eat before you die.”

Zin Wine Bar & Restaurant 555 Forest Ave., 734-455-9463; zinwinebar.com; $$: The pizza falls on the inexpensive side of the menu, as most dishes range from $16-$25. The salmon and duck confit risotto is a favorite among most guests. The huevos rancheros are more omelette-like, smoky and generous. Open for Sunday brunch 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tap Room 201 W. Michigan Ave.; 734-482-5320; taproomypsi.com; $$: Downtown Ypsilanti’s oldest drinking establishment has atmosphere, live music and a good menu: broiled 1/3-pound burgers, fresh soups, salads and subs.

Ugly Mug Cafe & Roastery 317 W. Cross Ave.; 734-484-4684; uglymugcafeandroastery.com; $: Hip, artisan coffee shop uses “scientific theory and culinary execution” to brew its coffee. Smart!

The Wurst Bar 705 W. Cross St.; 743-485-6720; wurstbarypsi.com; $$: Where thirsty, hungry twenty- and thirtysomethings go to drink cheap beer and indulge in gourmet burgers and sausages.

The City

DETROIT — DOWNTOWN 24 Grille inside the Book-Cadillac Hotel, 204 Michigan Ave.; 313-964-3821; spa1924grille.com; $$: Dark and sexy, with cushioned stools, Swarovski crystal and more create a sumptuous interior. Various nods to industrial design, right down to an exposed 1920s I-beam. Outdoor patio.

American Coney Island 114 W. Lafayette Blvd.; 313-964-6542; americanconeyisland.com; $: Second banana to next-door Lafayette Coney Island, American still does a good job serving Detroit’s classic frank, topped with chili, showered with raw onion and drizzled with mustard. Open 24/7.

Anchor Bar 450 W. Fort St.; 313-9649127; anchorbardetroit.com; $: Enjoy waxed-paper-wrapped burgers, sandwiches and bar food with chunky crisp steak fries and creamy coleslaw sides in a room that will collapse if one more piece of Detroit history goes on the walls.

Andiamo Detroit Riverfront 400 Renaissance Center; 313-567-6700; andiamoitalia.com; $$$: Right on the river off the redesigned RenCen’s sunny Winter Garden, with seating areas that are spacious or intimate.

Upscale Italian cuisine in luxurious atmosphere, often with live music.

Angelina Italian Bistro 1565 Broadway, at Grand Circus Park; 313-962-1355; angelinadetroit.com; $$$: Italian food (and some extras) at “prices that reflect the new reality” — at least when it comes to the entrées and the wines. Closed Mondays.

Astoria Pastry Shop 541 Monroe St.; 313-963-2530; astoriapastryshop.com; $: Classic Greektown sweets shop, with pastries to please all.

Atlas Global Bistro 3111 Woodward Ave.; 313-831-2241; atlasglobalbistro. com; $$$$: At Atlas, you’ll find Carolina catfish, pork taquitos, short ribs, ravioli and polenta, Hawaiian shrimp and Moroccan beef. Ingredients — which don’t necessarily remain with their cuisine-of-origin — include lemongrass, cactus, Gorgonzola, wasabi, coconut, pancetta, caviar and black-eyed peas. Brunch until 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Bangkok Crossing 620 Woodward Ave.; 313-961-3861; bangkokcrossingthaifood.com; $$: Tasty and enjoyable pla dook pad ped (crisp red snapper stir-fried with mushrooms, peppers and eggplant), pad ma kher (fried eggplant), as well as a few concessions to the American palate. Crowded at lunchtime weekdays.

Ben and Jerry’s 1014 Woodward Ave.; 313-964-2185; benjerry.com; $: The incomparable progressive kings of oldfashioned yet new-fangled ice cream now have an outpost in downtown Detroit.

Bert’s on Broadway 1315 Broadway, Detroit; 313-220-7150; bertsentertainment.com: Lively lounge with entertainment that’s heavy on jazz.

Bistro 555 inside Greektown Casino and Hotel, 555 E. Lafayette Blvd.; 313-2232999, ext. 3100; $$: Offering flavorful, budget-friendly offerings that don’t lack originality or flair. Extensive breakfast buffet, with lunch and dinner menus featuring burgers, steaks, pasta, seafood and more.

Bookies Bar & Grille 2208 Cass Ave.; 313-962-0319; bookiesbar.com; $$: A downtown fixture for years, Bookies’ new home is on Cass Avenue, out among the parking lots tailgaters often take over. But don’t let the remove fool you: On game days, it’s right in the heart of things, sporting enough plasma screens to warm the heart of any sports fan.

Bucharest Grill 2040 Park Ave.; 313965-3111; bucharestgrill.com; $: The minimal and inexpensive menu is a loose blend of Eastern European and Middle Eastern, with an emphasis on ground pork dishes. In fact, more than half of the menu items contain ground pork in some form or another.

Carnival Fresh Mex 645 Griswold St; (313) 223-1400, $: An easy, quick-fix for authentic Mexican food for the businessman or woman on the go. Try a delectable taco, burrito, or tostada made with freshest ingredients that will make your afternoon the perfect ciesta.

Cafe D’Mongo’s Speakeasy 1439 Griswold St.; cafedmongos.com; $$: Open Friday nights only, this is the quirkiest little hipster hangout in downtown Detroit.

The limited soul food menu features some very fine sides at $3 a la carte.

Centaur Bar 2233 Park Ave.; 313-9634040; centaurbar.com; $$: This sophisticated setting for an after-work nip garners a diverse clientele.

Century Grille (open for events only) 333 Madison Ave.; 313-963-9800; gemtheatre.com; $$: The menu features solid favorites, heavily weighted toward meat-lovers, as well as vegetarian crepes and two fish entrées.

Open Monday- Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Cheesecake Bistro 1045 Brush St; 313-

962-4061, $$$: Comfort food with Southern influences ranging from their mouth-watering chicken and waffles to their endless varieties of homemade cheesecakes.

CK Grille 119 Monroe St.; 313-4966666; $$: a healthful menu of Mediterranean-influenced dishes, including hummus, salads, mujadra, ghallabas and more, with vegetarian choices and some meatier ones as well.

Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Ave.; 313-9612543; cliffbells.com; $$: The gloriously art deco splendor of Cliff Bell’s recalls the 1930s, smacking of a more sensuous era. With its nattily attired staff and live jazz, it’s hard to not get lost in the illusion of Detroit’s bustling past. With everything from a standard fillet of beef tenderloin to cassoulet, the French-inspired eclectic food menu speaks for itself. Now open for lunch.

Coach Insignia 200 Renaissance Center, 72nd Floor; 313-567-2622; theepicureangroup.com; $$$: Coach Insignia, perched spectacularly on the 71st and 72nd floors of the Marriott Hotel in the Renaissance Center, is the second highest restaurant in the United States. Only open for dinner.

The unsurpassed view, mostly of the Detroit River and Windsor, Ontario, is of considerable value. Closed Sundays.

COLORS 311 E. Grand River Ave.; 313-962-5020; www.colors-detroit. com; $$: Not only is this restaurant, sponsored by the labor-oriented Restaurant Opportunities Center, doing good work by training folks and paying a living wage, the food is healthful and tasty too. Eat well with a side of social justice.

Da Edoardo Foxtown Grille 2203 Woodward Ave.; 313-471-3500; daedoardo.com; $$$: With this premier location, across from Comerica Park in the same gloriously restored building as the Fox Theatre, it’s a natural destination for theatergoers.

Most menu offerings are simple and grilled, including three steaks, lamb chops, veal chops or char-grilled tuna.

Closed Sunday and Monday except for special events.

Detroit Beer Co. 1529 E. Broadway; 313-962-1529; detroitbeerco.com; $$: Across from the opera house, this fullservice restaurant and microbrewery offers a half-dozen unique quaffs.

Along with traditional pub grub, some dishes transcend the genre.

Detroit Seafood Market 1435 Randolph St.; 313-962-4180; thedetroitseafoodmarket.com; $$$: Filling a void in the downtown dining scene, this airy, open restaurant serves the fruit of the sea in a stylish old building. Adjoining PV Lounge gets bumping at night.

Elwood Bar & Grill 300 Adams St.; 313-962-2337; elwoodgrill.com; $$: This charming little art deco diner was slated for demolition to make way for Comerica Park, so its owner picked up

the building and moved it right behind the ballpark’s scoreboard. Closed Sundays.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Cafe 400 Monroe St.; 313-965-4600; fishboneusa.com; $$$: Fishbone’s has earned its reputation for doing things in a big way. Belly up to one of the two bars for drinks, or sit in the spacious main dining area. Its Cajun and Creole dishes go beyond jambalaya and fried catfish. But the main event is their huge weekly brunch.

Flood’s Bar & Grille 731 St. Antoine St.; 313-963-1090; floodsdetroit.com; $$: You can tell by the bottlenecked line of glimmering Jags, Beemers, Mercedes and SUVs lined up for valet parking that this is a nightspot where the Motor City’s elite come to meet. The food’s OK, but that ain’t the point; it’s the tailored clientele and top-shelf booze that really sets Flood’s apart.

Fountain Bistro Campus Martius; 313-237-7778; fountainbistro.com: Fountain Bistro is an indoor-outdoor restaurant with affordable prices and an expansive happy hour.

Gateway Deli Café 333 W. Fort St.; 313-256-1900; $$: Below street level in Detroit’s finance district, quality sandwiches and soups.

Good People Popcorn 633 Beaubien St.; 313-963-2499; goodpeoplepopcorn. com; $: A family-owned gourmet popcorn shop with seasonal flavors, fresh squeezed lemonade and hot apple cider.

Grand Trunk Pub 612 Woodward Ave.; 313-961-3043; grandtrunkpub.com; $$: There’s been a buzz building about the renamed (formerly Foran’s) pub on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit — and with good reason: The food is good, the ambience is one-ofa-kind and the beer selection kills. And don’t forget the appealing weekend breakfasts.

Harbor House 440 Clinton St.; 313-9679900; harborhousemi.com; $$: Tableserved, all-you-can-eat bar and grill specializing in quality seafood.

Hard Rock Cafe 45 Monroe St.; 313964-7625; hardrock.com; $$: The food and drinks are American classics done well. Portions are generous. Call for live music info.

Harry’s Detroit Bar & Grill 2482 Clifford St.; 313-964-1575; harrysdetroit.com; $$: Quirky space, 10 TV monitors tuned to sports, a 30-yard-long bar, serving burgers, chili, sandwiches and drafts.

But the oversized appetizers, hefty a la carte salads, and generous entrées merit a closer look.

Hockeytown Cafe 2301 Woodward Ave.; 313-965-9500; hockeytowncafe. com; $$: Offering snazzy dinners, upscale atmosphere and a Zamboni in the lobby, the Red Wing-mementoed watering hole draws the theatre crowd.

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Hot Taco 2233 Park Ave.; 313-963-4545; hottacodetroit.com; $: Downtown taco joint is a no-frills spot with floor-to-ceiling windows and quickly prepared tacos.

Niki’s Pizza 735 Beaubien St.; 313-9614303; nikispizza.com; $: Just outside of Greektown, Niki’s Pizza offers a full menu of Greek foods and square pizzas. Completely remodeled interior.

Hudson Cafe 1241 Woodward Ave.; 313-237-1000; hudson-cafe.com; $$: Cheerful decor, bare tables and lots of light, this downtown spot on the main drag focuses on breakfast. It’s a bit pricier, but it’s no greasy spoon.

Their chef prepares several Benedicts, challah French toast and many other upscale creations.

Orchid Thai 115 Monroe St.; 313-9620225; $$: Good renditions of Thai food at reasonable prices, including soups with that unusual combination of sweet, sour and spicy. Bubble drinks are fun too.

International Buffet inside Greektown Casino and Hotel, 555 E. Lafayette Blvd.; 313-223-2999, ext. 3100; $$: Everything is bigger and better in casino-land. Expect an omelet station, a pasta station, rich roasted duck, fresh cookies and pastries, milkshakes, deep-dish pizza, fresh-cut gyros and more.

Jacoby’s German Biergarten 624 Brush St.; 313-962-7067; jacobysbar.com; $: This narrow bar on Brush Street is one of the oldest establishments in Detroit, but its kitchen draws a good lunch crowd too.

Joe Muer Seafood 400 Renaissance Center, Suite 1404; 313-567-6837; joemuerseafood.com; $$$: An established Detroit brand revived after a hiatus, expect a blend of classic surf-and-turf (and such original Muer choices as shrimp Ilene) with newer seafood choices (from sushi to ahi tuna) in a big, plush space.

Lafayette Coney Island 118 W. Lafayette Blvd.; 313-964-8198; $: Simply put, the most notable little diner in the city. Open 7:30 a.m.-4:30 a.m., but never more interesting than at 2:30 a.m.

Loco Bar & Grill 454 E. Lafayette Blvd.; 313-965-3737; locobarandgrill.com; $$: Tex-Mex restaurant in Greektown featuring homestyle cooking, salsa music and tequila mixes.

Lunchtime Global 660 Woodward Ave., Suite 110; 313-963-4871; lunchtimeglobal.com; $: Joint has built a loyal clientele of downtown workers partial to the six soups a day and to the house rules: everything from scratch and made in-house. Open 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

MGM Grand Palette Dining Studio 1777 Third St., (inside MGM Grand Detroit); 313-393-7777; mgmgranddetroit. com; $$: Think of the food court at your local mall. Now ratchet up several notches, because everything is done to excess in casino-land.

Mudgie’s 1300 Porter St ; 313-9612000, $$: People swear by Mudgie’s and for good reason, with their grassfed brisket that melts in your mouth to their famous $45 Mudgie Sandwich which could feed a family for a week.

If you like deli meats and sandwiches, Mudgie’s is one place that you shouldn’t pass up.

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Parrilladas Patagonia 4314 W Vernor Hwy ; 313-551-0235, $$: Located in the heart of Mexicantown, you won’t find tacos or burritos here. With its Argentinian inspired menu steak is the centerpiece of the menu, with beef chorizo that will leave you craving more.

Pizza Papalis Taverna 553 Monroe St.; 313-879-0038; pizzapapalis.com; $$: When Pizza Papalis first opened in Greektown in the 1980s, Chicagostyle pizza was a gamble. Having now outlasted several neighbors, Papalis’ several locations are a sure thing.

Plaka 535 Monroe St.; 313-962-4687; $: Who knew that a tiny 24-hour diner in Greektown would have not only the best French toast in the city, but in the entire universe? Lively at 2:30 a.m.

Purple Door Tea Room 35 E. Grand River Ave.; 313-961-0634; $$: An oldfashioned tea room, awash in florals, where one can sip, knees together, and enjoy a ladies’ afternoon out. Open noon-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.

Red Smoke Barbeque 573 Monroe St.; 313-962-2100; redsmoke.net; $$: Somewhat upscale barbecue? Well, the decor is clean and modern, where black cloth napkins rest on varnished wood tables. The pork ribs are dryrubbed and tasty, with meat that had just enough connective tissue left to keep it attached to the bone but to came right off in the teeth, perfectly cooked.

Roast 1128 Washington Blvd.; 313961-2500; roastdetroit.com; $$$$: No ordinary steakhouse or barbecue joint, with all meat naturally raised and dry-aged for a minimum of 21 days.

The same amount of gastronomic attention is paid to the poultry and seafood dishes.

Rowland Cafe 500 Griswold St.; 313964-1928; therowlandcafe.com; $: Sandwiches and coffee are first-rate, but take a back seat to the setting: the magnificent arched mezzanine of the 1929 Guardian Building, an Art Deco wonder.

Rub Pub BBQ 18 W. Adams St.; 313964-0782; rubbbqdetroit.com; $$: A big drawing card is the dozens of beers on tap and scores of domestic and international bottles. The stars are the meats and sides, and Rub’s babybacks have meat that splits down the middle, leaving some shreds for gnawing.

Small Plates 1521 Broadway; 313963-0702; smallplates.com; $$: The diminutive dishes here run the gamut from hand-cut fries to pan-seared scallops. And they make almost everything in-house, including their own mayo and ketchup!

TAP 1777 Third St.; 313-465-1234; mgmgranddetroit.com/tap; $$: Bets on being a better sports bar and succeeds; there’s room for more than 300 people matched by a gazillion TVs. Open 4 p.m.-2 a.m. daily.

Texas de Brazil 1000 Woodward Ave; 313-964-4333, $$$$: If you have a big appetite and are a meat lover, this is the place for you! The cold table alone is worth a visit, with a great mixture of fresh salads, fish, and appetizers.

But save room for the endless skewers of Brazilian-style meats from lamb to steak to bacon-wrapped chicken.

Tom’s Oyster Bar 519 E. Jefferson Ave.; 313-964-4010; tomsoysterbar.com; $$: Right across from the RenCen, noisy and cheerful at lunchtime and after work, Tom’s gives a very convincing impression of a wellpreserved 19th century pub.

Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine 1250 Library St.; 313-962-8800; vicente.us; $$: Familiar elements from the Caribbean are here — plantains, yuca, papas rellenas, thin beefsteak and lots of black beans and rice. Come for dinner, stay for dancing lessons.

Wah-Hoo 536 Shelby St.; 313-3248700; wah-hoo.net; $$: Art deco sconces and the large ceiling fans offer hints of the quintessential Hollywood Shanghai dive of the 1930s. Apps and lunches are affordable, and entrées are stylishly divided into Garden, Sky, Ocean, and Land.

Wolfgang Puck Steakhouse 1777 Third Street; 313-465-1644; $$$: For some good ole American cuisine with an elegant ambience, famous chef Wolfgang Puck creates a varied menu with dishes like the crisp tuna tartare to the roasted prime rib. A perfect place for a date or celebratory dinner.

DETROIT — MIDTOWN Avalon International Breads 422 W. Willis St.; 313-832-0008; $: A Cultural Center fixture, Avalon has branched out from the baguettes and crusty peasant loafs that have brought bread-starved customers flocking years ago, today offering brioches, scones and cinnamon rolls.

Bottom Line Coffee 4474 Third St; 313-638-2759; $: New coffee shop in a space in the historic Beethoven apartment building.

Byblos Cafe and Grill 87 W. Palmer St.; 313-831-4420; 4830 Cass Ave.; 313292-5678; bybloscafeandgrill.com; $: Wayne State Students enjoy the huge menu (which offers more than 90 dishes and includes Middle Eastern

fare, quesadillas, Cajun salmon, fettucine Alfredo, and fish and chips) and the bargain prices of $3.75-$5 for wraps and sandwiches.

Cass Cafe 4620 Cass Ave.; 313-8311400; casscafe.com; $$: The lofty open space on two floors can accommodate intimate or large groups, and can cater to veggies and non-veggies. Kitchen creates inventive daily specials, never more than $16, and the varied beer and wine list, rotating art installations and chatty neighbors always add something.

Circa 1890 Saloon 5474 Cass Ave.; 313831-1122; $: An “old reliable” for WSU faculty and students, Circa features homemade soups, “Greek” pizza, and their famous burgers, as well as daily drink specials.

Cuisine 670 Lothrop Rd.; 313-872-5110; cuisinedetroit.com; $$$: In the shadow of the Fisher Building, Cuisine attracts a bustling theater crowd. Inside a 1920s house is a simple but elegant space. Ambitious French-American cuisine is creative, sophisticated and memorable.

Good Girls Go to Paris Crepes 15 E. Kirby St.; 877-727-4727; goodgirlsgotopariscrepes.com; $: The traditional French pancake gets an American treatment at this miniature eatery. Don’t call ahead. Your crêpe does need to be made to order, and it’ll be much better if you eat it right then.

Harmonie Garden 4704 Third St.; 313-638-2345; $$: Low prices, huge servings, a Wayne State location, topnotch falafel, all courtesy of Wayne State grad and owner Taher Jaber. A great value: quality, quantity, price and friendly service.

Honest John’s Bar and No Grill 488 Selden St.; 313-832-5646; $$: Cheap eats and drinks, including local microbrews, a great jukebox and loyal regulars.

International Mini-Cafe 111 E. Kirby St.; 313-874-2103; $: Mini-Café serves dishes from around the world. Each day, a different soup, three Indian dishes, two of them vegetarian, a hommous, tabouli and falafel, a veggie quesadilla, a pasta dish, nachos, three pizzas, Greek salad and three American-style sandwiches.

Lefty’s Lounge 5440 Cass Ave.; 313831-5338; leftysloungedetroit.com; $$: Sports bar on the ground floor of the Belcrest with a patio overlooking the Belcrest’s art-deco swimming pool.

Primarily a watering hole, but with many first-rate dishes.

Majestic Café 4140 Woodward Ave.; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com/ majestic-café; $$: Majestic Café’s menu takes its inspiration from all over the map. Entrées are large, and there’s a shared plate charge of $2. The café is only one aspect of the Majestic entertainment complex, which offers music, bowling, a pizzeria and more.

Mario’s Restaurant 4222 Second Ave.; 313-832-1616; mariosdetroit.com; $$$: Inviting Italian spot where generations of theatergoers have enjoyed multicourse meals before walking to the Hilberry Theatre.

Traffic Jam & Snug 511 W. Canfield St.; 313-831-9470; trafficjamdetroit.com; $$: Serves interesting food, much of it is made in-house, brewing their own beers, baking their own bread, even making their own ice cream.

Motor City Brewing Works 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit; motorcitybeer. com; 313-832-2700; $$: This brewpub has a quirky tiled interior, affordable Wednesday-night art shows, and a sturdy menu of pizzas and small plates.

Union Street 4145 Woodward Ave.; 313-831-3965; unionstreetdetroit.com; $$: Art Deco decor, eclectic crowd.

Menu ranges from chicken wings to homemade pastas to filet mignon.

More than 100 beers; excellent wine list. Sunday brunch, noon-8 p.m.

Motor City Wine 608 Woodward Ave; 313-483-7283; motorcitywine.com; $$: If you like wine and jazz, or even just wine, this hole-in-the-wall is a must-see for enthusiasts. Reasonably priced, friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere create a memorable experience.

White Castle 6364 Woodward Ave.; 313-972-5556; whitecastle.com; $: Yes, the classic crave stop, helping cure booze-induce hunger pangs since time immemorial. See the website for dozens and dozens of area locations.

Northern Lights Lounge 660 W. Baltimore St.; 313-873-1739; $: A stylish bar and performance venue, but for several years the nightspot has kept its kitchen open Monday through Friday in a bid for weekday lunch and dinner crowds.

Rice Bowl Asian Kitchen New Center One Building, 3031 W. Grand Blvd.; 313-871-7000; ricebowlasiankitchen. com; $: Rice Bowl is open in three spots in Detroit. Though the menu varies at each location, this growing local chain offers healthful food at reasonable prices.

Rodin 15 E. Kirby St.; 313-285-9218; $: Rodin translates continental cuisine into an accessible delight. Delivers an all-French wine list. Try the Coq au vin or “chicken wings.”

Seva Detroit 66 E. Forest Ave.; 313974-6661; sevarestaurant.com; $$: Detroit outpost of the fabled Ann Arbor eatery that pioneered vegetarian and vegan food. Menu choices are perhaps more accessible to those new to vegetarian dining, including mac and cheese, yam fries, a veggie Reuben, as well as salads, hummus, etc.

Shangri-La 4710-12 Cass Ave.; 313-9747669; midtownshangri-la.com; $$: Quirky interior, extremely attentive servers, and excellent dim sum, those small plates that are something like Chinese tapas. Most dim-sum is $2.95 to $3.50, and most offer a bite or so for at least three diners.

Slows to Go 4107 Cass Ave.; 877-5697246; $$: Hey, none of the great beers on tap at the actual Slows in Corktown, but you can pick up Slows low-andslow barbecue without the two-hour wait.

Temptations 5260 Anthony Wayne Dr.; 313-832-4449; mitempt.com; $: Both prices and spices are quite mild at Temptations, as if the target customer were a penurious student who needs to be introduced to the food of the subcontinent gradually (given its Wayne State location, not a bad assumption).

The Whitney 4421 Woodward Ave.; 313-832-5700; thewhitney.com; $$$$: With its 52 rooms, 10 bathrooms and 20 fireplaces, the three-story pinkgranite edifice built for a lumber baron in 1894 has been one of Detroit’s most celebrated restaurants since 1986.

Woodbridge Pub 5169 Trumbull St.; 313-833-2701; $$: Open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day, serving inventive burgers including a halfpound certified Angus and a vegan black-bean patty. Hip setting, friendly service.

Wasabi Korean & Japanese Cuisine 15 E. Kirby St., Suite E; 313-870-9355; wasabidetroit.com; $$: Wasabi’s bibimbab is best served in a heated stone bowl; it’s huge and infinitely satisfying on a cold night. Sushi in all the usual varieties is offered, artfully done and of excellent quality.

DETROIT — MEXICANTOWN Armando’s 4242 W. Vernor Hwy.; 313-554-0666; $: A modest, cheerful and very affordable cantina with tile-topped tables; offers enchiladas, tacos and burritos, plus a few Cuban touches.

Duly’s Place 5458 W. Vernor Hwy.; 313554-3076; $: The little, popular allnight diner with the big heart serves inexpensive, tasty food.

El Barzón 3710 Junction St.; 313894-2070; $: The Italian- Mexican place offers a variety of excellent house-made moles, a sauce made with chocolate that is unusually rich and fruity, and soups of all kinds.

Exceptionally friendly wait staff.

El Zocalo 3400 Bagley St.; 313841-3700; elzocalodetroit.com; $: Established Mexicantown restaurant with a friendly, attentive waitstaff.

House specialties include queso flameado, chili relleno and the Mexican sandwich. Check the website for generous coupons.

Giovanni’s Ristorante 330 S. Oakwood Blvd.; 313-841-0122; giovannisristorante.com; $$$:

Handmade pastas, the best veal Marsala around, as well as chicken and seafood dishes. The mostly Italian wine list is the perfect accompaniment. Closed Sundays.

Las Brisas 8445 W. Vernor Hwy.; 313-842-8252; lasbrisasindetroit. com; $: Neighborhood spot west of the mainstream cantinas has peasant exuberance. The menu and atmosphere come alive on weekends, when specialty dishes (think birria or carnitas) are added.

La Terraza 1633 Lawndale St.; 313-8431433; $$: A bit off the beaten path, La Terraza focuses on Mexican seafood, in addition to the usual pleasing classics.

Los Altos 7056 W. Vernor Hwy.; 313841-3109; $: Unpretentious, friendly spot off the beaten path, Metro Times critics awarded them “Best Tacos al Pastor” last year. A cousin to gyros, pork cooked al pastor is marinated in an adobo mixture, then slowly cooked on a vertical spit, then thinly shaved.

They’re topped, as tradition demands, with heaps of chopped onion and cilantro, and stuffed very, very full.

Los Corrales 2244 Junction St.; 313-8493196; $$: One of several, less-touristy establishments that seem to cater to the local population, the atmosphere is warm and laid-back. Menu includes everything from chiles rellenos to TexMex inventions. Seafood dishes seem to be the anchor.

Los Galanes 3362 Bagley St.; 313554-4444; losgalanesdetroit.com; $: The expected enchiladas, tacos and burritos, as well as specialties. Outdoor seating on the side street offers great people-watching.

Mariscos, El Rincon Taraxco 1414 Junction St. (at Porter); 313-843-6595; $$: High-quality Mexican seafood, particularly seafood stews, plus a charming mural of Selena as a sultry mermaid.

Mexican Village 2600 Bagley St.; 313237-0333; mexicanvillagefood.com; $: Michigan’s oldest Mexican restaurant has a warm atmosphere, a “history of Mexico” mural, and authentic Mexican cuisine. Full bar and ample and secure parking.

Pollo Chapin 2054 Junction St.; 313554-9087; $: Pollo Chapin serves black beans, store-bought tortillas, and chicken, chicken, then eggs and then more chicken (100 pieces for $92), but if you really want to scrimp, breakfast is available any time.

Senor Lopez Taqueria 7146 Michigan Ave.; 313-551-0685; $: The menu ranges from the standard Mexicanjoint fare of cheese quesadillas, carne asada, beef tacos, and cheese enchiladas to less common dishes like a whole tilapia, served in the crispy, crusty, down-home Mexican style.

Hwy.; 313-554-1790; $$: Inexpensive tacos and burritos are available with the usual authentic fillings. Dessert choices include such classics as flan and a dense tres leches.

Taqueria Lupita’s 3443 Bagley St.; 313-843-1105; $: Smack dab on Mexicantown’s gringo-frequented strip, Lupita’s caters to a back-home crowd. Prices are rock-bottom and vegetarians are out of luck. The pinto beans — not refried — are the best in the city. Carne asada or al pastor are tangy and delicious. No plastic, no alcohol.

Taqueria Mi Pueblo 7278 Dix Rd.; 313841-3315; mipueblorestaurant.com; $$: Although it’s large, with three levels, Mi Pueblo is a pretty place, with frescoes of Mexican scenes and arched windows outlined in brick. And the Tamal dinner special is a tasty deal.

Vince’s Italian Restaurant 1341 Springwells St.; 313-842-4857; vincesdetroit.com; $$: A dose of ‘50s-era Italian-American spaghetti served by waitresses who call you “honey” can be calming and restorative.

Xochimilco 3409 Bagley St.; 313-8430179; $$: On a normal evening, this popular Mexicantown eatery often has a dining crowd filling its three rooms downstairs, spilling over onto the second floor, drawn by its large portions and inexpensive menu.

DETROIT — EASTERN MARKET Butcher’s Inn 1489 Winder St.; 313-3940120; $$: Perhaps among Detroit’s oldest establishments serving food in the same space, this big spot is open Friday afternoons and Saturdays 7:30 a.m.-midnight to cater to market crowds.

Cutter’s Bar & Grill 2638 Orleans St., Detroit, 313-393-0960, $: Cutter’s has good-size burgers for $6 with cheese, gigantic and hearty, or choose among stuffed chicken breasts, baby back ribs and whitefish.

Farmer’s Restaurant 2542 Market St., Detroit; 313-259-8230; $$: When Eastern Market is full of local bounty it’s a good idea that you fill your belly. A massive plate of Farmer’s Restaurant corned beef hash should more than suffice: Hash browns, grilled onions and thinly sliced corned beef are piled high beneath two eggs cooked to order.

Mootown Creamery and More 2461 Russell St.; 313-393-6016; $$: A family-owned and -operated ice cream shop serving such Detroit staples as Hudsonville Ice Cream, Better Made potato chips and Faygo soft drinks.

Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, closed Sundays.

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Roma Cafe 3401 Riopelle St.; 313-8315940; romacafe.com; $$: One hundred years old and counting, with formal servers proffering Italian classics in the bar and main floor dining room. On a Saturday night, don’t go without a reservation.

Russell Street Deli 2465 Russell St.; 313-567-2900; russellstreetdeli.com; $: This chattery Eastern Market deli serves lunch on weekdays and lunch and breakfast on Saturdays to a loyal crowd. Closed Sundays.

Sala Thai 3400 Russell St.; 313-8311302; salathaidetroit.com; $$: Curries, fried rice, Thai salads and noodles all done in authentic Thai style.

Extensive appetizer selections, sushi service and tasty soups. Vegetarian entrées too. Lively setting.

Supino Pizzeria 2457 Russell St.; 313-567-7879; supinopizza.com; $$: Brilliant thin-crust pizza with imaginative fresh ingredients and a delectable thin crust that’s not too chewy. Also excellent is the housemade manicotti.

Vivio’s 2460 Market St.; 313-393-1711; viviosbloodymary.com; $$: Decked out in historic ads and posters, Vivio’s is the place to get a 20-ounce porterhouse, a full pound of crablegs, “pub style” mussels or a great Bloody Mary.

DETROITWIDE

and offer up a sound breakfast menu.

Open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, closed Mondays.

Buddy’s Restaurant & Pizzeria 17125 Conant St.; 313-892-9001; buddyspizza.com; $$: Our readers love Buddy’s, perennial winner of Best Neighborhood Pizza. Enjoy the greasy, meaty square-cut pizza in its original setting. Secure parking. See website for scads of locations.

Cadieux Cafe 4300 Cadieux Rd.; 313882-8560; cadieuxcafe.com; $$: The french fries (called “pomfrites”) are essential eating, along with another core element of Belgian cuisine: mussels steamed in white wine and vegetables and accompanied by both clarified butter and a mustard-andvinegar sauce. Live bands play many of the weekends. Kitchen is open 4-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 4 p.m.midnight Friday and Saturday. Bar open until 2 a.m. every night. Latenight menu is served until 1:30 a.m.

Features Belgian feather bowling.

Cafe Sonshine 8902 Second Ave.; 313873-9330; $: Run by Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation, Cafe Sonshine is a family-friendly restaurant providing healthful food (including diabeticfriendly options at inexpensive prices, while supporting a great ministry, and employing and job training at-risk teens and young adults.

Assembly Line Buffet inside MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave.; 313-237-7711; motorcitycasino.com; $$: All-you-can-eat fare, meat being the main attraction. The desserts, however, are all above average or better.

City Wings 2896 W. Grand Blvd.; 313-871-CITY; citywingsinc.com; $$: With 14 different kinds of wings, only Amish varieties. They come mild, medium, hot, “KO,” lemon pepper, Parmesan-garlic, teriyaki, teri-que, Cajun, honey mustard, curry and more.

Staff is super-friendly and welcoming, and prices are inviting.

Astro Coffee 2124 Michigan Ave.; 313638-2989; astrodetroit.com; $$: Astro is a comfortable neighborhood café known for its superb coffee. Dishes are handmade from mostly local ingredients. Breakfast and sweets.

Closed Mondays.

The Crabhouse 19721 W. Seven Mile Rd.; 313-535-1400; $$: Down-home seafood and soul food joint offering sit-down service, take-out and some delivery.

Atwater Block Brewery 237 Joseph Campau; 313-877-9205; atwaterbeer. com; $: Housed in Detroit’s Rivertown district, the focus is on German lager styles, but Atwater also serves homegrown styles brewed with fresh American hops. Tap room is open 4-11 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.

The Dakota Inn Rathskeller 17324 John R St.; 313-867-9722; dakota-inn.com; $$: With more than 70 years logged, the Dakota Inn is best at seven on a Saturday night, when the fenced parking lot will likely be full. See the din of mirth as diners accompany German singing, or just grab a beer and sausage platter.

Baker’s Keyboard Lounge 20510 Livernois Ave.; 313-345-6300; bakerskeyboardlounge.com; $$: The oldest jazz club in the United States kicked off a new era last year, under new ownership. Jazz-heads and culture mavens alike shouldn’t miss this historic bar or its menu of classic fare.

Gracie-See 6889 Greenfield Rd.; 313581-8070; graciesee.com; $$: This neighborhood pizzeria has hung in there for more than 30 years thanks to the faithful who flock there nightly.

The pizza is thin-crust and soft, laden with cheese. Homey atmosphere, friendly service.

Brooklyn Street Local 1266 Michigan Ave.; 313-262-6547; brooklynstreetlocal.com; $: The owners are big proponents of urban farming and the local food movement,

Grand River Deli inside MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave.; 313-237-7711; motorcitycasino.com; $: Serving up a variety of traditional Detroit sandwiches on homemade artisanal bread, along with fresh

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salads, and scrumptious made-fromscratch desserts.

Green Dot Stables 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd.; 313-962-5588; greendotstables. com; $$: Racing to the lead among Detroit’s budget dining options, the Green Dot Stables recently reopened after a yearlong closure and change of ownership, with a bang-up menu of $2 and $3 gourmet sliders, salads and soups.

High Octane inside MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave.; 313237-7711; motorcitycasino.com; $: A “modern American café” with custom-made and bottled beverages, gourmet sandwich melts, handdipped ice cream, and pastries. Open 5 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5 a.m.9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Hygrade Delicatessen Restaurant 3640 Michigan Ave.; 313-894-6620; $: Time warp! Motherly and wellinformed waitresses preside over an eclectic crowd. If you order corned beef with sauerkraut, house-made soups, or a traditional breakfast, you won’t go wrong. Open 7:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Monday- Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Iridescence 2901 Grand River Ave.; 313237-7711; motorcitycasino.com; $$$$: MotorCity Casino Hotel’s top-of-theline restaurant. The menu emphasizes game and fish, which change monthly.

For desserts, Key lime Florentine is recommended. The atmosphere is comfortable, dark and elegant, and the service above reproach. Closed Mondays.

La Dolce Vita 17546 Woodward Ave.; 313-865-0331; $$: A little hidden jewel behind a devastated-looking stretch of Woodward holds a garden-court restaurant with pastas, dessert-tray gems, and refreshing sorbets. In warm weather, spending a brunch in the inviting little courtyard is the ultimate in al fresco dinning. Sunday brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Lady Louisa’s Place 15535 W. McNichols Rd.; 313-273-3663; ladylouisas.com; $$: “Slow Cooked Ribs and Comfort Food” is the motto.

All meats, even turkey, are smoked before cooking. Long, long sides list.

Le Petit Zinc Creperie & Cafe 1055 Trumbull St.; 313-963-2805; lepetitzincdetroit.com; $$: Charles Sorel, raised in France but with the Caribbean personality of his native Martinique, is providing a splash of sunlight at his breakfast-and-lunch spot in Corktown. Excellent crepes range from simple to sweet to savory.

Mercury Burger & Bar 2163 Michigan Ave.; 313-964-5000; mercuryburgerbar.com; $: Rehabbed bar in the shadow of Michigan Central Station now sells all sorts of burgers, with cheddar, bacon, portobellos, and jalapeños and chorizo, as well as breakfast in the morning.

Northern Lights 660 W. Baltimore St.; 313-873-1739; $$: Stylish bar and performance venue keeps its kitchen open Monday through Friday in bid for weekday lunch and dinner crowds.

Very snazzy interior with solid bar fare from burgers to salads to calamari.

Kitchen closed on weekends.

Pit Stop inside MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave.; 313-237-7711; motorcitycasino.com; $$: Serving burgers made fresh from 100 percent certified Black Angus beef, MotorCity fries, and milkshakes. Open 11 a.m.midnight Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-4 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

PJ’s Lager House 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-4668; pjslagerhouse. com: Pleasant old-time dive pub near downtown with live, local music in an intimate side room, but with an upgraded kitchen that serves surprisingly good food.

Rattlesnake Club 300 River Place Dr.; 313-567-4400; $$$: The name was chosen to denote energy and this place hums with it. Fresh, seasonal, simple menu: grilled fish, steaks and chops as well as imaginative dishes.

Airy and sophisticated riverfront setting. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Roostertail 100 Marquette Dr.; 313822-1234; roostertail.com; $$$: For almost a half-century, the Roostertail has been synonymous with snazzy, riverfront fine dining and entertainment.

Sindbad’s 100 Saint Clair St.; 313-8228000; sindbads.com; $$: Roadhouse fare with an emphasis on steaks, chops and fish. The all-you-can-eat brunch buffet makes a great Sunday morning.

Slows Bar BQ 2138 Michigan Ave.; 313962-9828; slowsbarbq.com; $$: In a meticulously revamped 1880s building, Slows caters to a mix of hipsters, folks from area businesses, and suburban brewheads. Excellent barbecue and amazing beer selection.

Southern Fires Restaurant 575 Bellevue St.; 313-393-4930; southernfiresrestaurant.com; $$: Considered the staple soul food restaurant in Detroit, Southern Fires packs ’em in, particularly the Sunday after-church crowd. lots of food at low cost, your entrée comes with cornbread and the traditional choice of two sides (mac and cheese, collard greens, yams, mashed potatoes and baked beans). No alcohol.

St. Cece’s Pub 1426 Bagley St.; 313-9622121; saintceces.com; $: Inexpensive fare, vast drink menu and delicious food. The work of a WSU English major, this new Corktown staple’s menu is full of surprises.

Denotes MT’s Best Of Detroit