Hour Detroit // July 2021

ASIAN DESTINATION

ISLA BRINGS FILIPINO FARE TO STERLING HEIGHTS

PEDAL YOUR WAY ACROSS THE U.P.

MEET THE EXTREME CYCLIST BEHIND THE 1,200-MILE TOUR DA YOOP, EH

JULY 2021

PLUS

DETROIT'S LAST DIVA

Martha Reeves

DIVE RIGHT IN

A CURE FOR POOL ENVY UN-REAL ESTATE

WHY THE MARKET IS ON FIRE

At 80, the Motown great pauses (briefly) to reflect on a career that's far from over

C1_Cover.HOUR0721.indd 2

6/10/21 1:22 PM

we’re here to help you move forward.

Tara Bunn, area retail leader, David Mannarino, market president, Vito Gioia, wealth management leader, and Chris Fox, business banking leader, manage talented teams dedicated to providing expertise and KeyBank’s mission is to empower our clients, communities, and employees to thrive.

No matter who you are, where you are on your financial journey, or what barriers are ahead of you, KeyBank will help you move forward.

4000 Town Center, Suite 1260 • Southfield, MI 48075 248-204-6550 Investment products are: NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT BANK GUARANTEED

•

MAY LOSE VALUE • NOT A DEPOSIT

• NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY

©2021 KeyCorp. KeyBank is Member FDIC. 210303-974031.02

KeyBank_FP_HD_0721.indd 1

4/15/21 11:26 AM

PetoskeyAreaVisitorsBureau_FP_HD_0721.indd 1

4/23/21 3:23 PM

e up l se r v n efs wil Showdow h c p ck! To oit’s Savor er Institute e a b is ght Detr nos Canc fs will fac Hour food fi e a imate e dishes at Ann Karm ach day, ch panel of lt u e A r a E r d Th u l. . t a r a a b e e ho ha ent Ba r em sign their ted by the Culinary C four-cours u decide w o s n y y prese reat Lake raordinar team and G xt at the reate an e he winning GHT. c n o t OD FI w O o t r F off c S l il sw I CI O U judge t dish!

E D EL s S. ON F E the be H YC WENT YS . T A D E FIV

HOUR D E T R O I T

VOLUME THIRTY

|

ISSUE SEVEN

PUBLISHER: John Balardo EDITOR IN CHIEF: Dan Caccavaro SENIOR EDITOR & DIGITAL CONTENT COORDINATOR: Emma Klug NEWS & FEATURES EDITOR: Steve Friess DINING EDITOR: Lyndsay Green EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: Rachael Thomas, Ashley Winn COPY EDITOR: Olivia Sedlacek EDITORIAL INTERNS: Katlyn Holtvluwer, Emma Kowalczyk, Lauren Wethington CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Lindsay Richards ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR: Keagan Coop GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Robin Vargo CONTRIBUTORS: Dalia Adillion, Joe Alisa, Gerard+Belevender, Zach Brooke, George Bulanda, Jennifer Conlin, Tammy Coxen, Kevin Fales, Ryan Patrick Hooper, Kailey Howell, Rachel Idzerda, Matt LaVere, Jacob Lewkow, Jim McFarlin, Jennifer McKee, Justin Milhouse, Brian O’Connor, Ryan Olbyrsh, Christopher Porter, Rebecca Simonov, Omar Sofradzija, Mark Spezia, Hayden Stinebaugh, Megan Swoyer, Joe Vaughn, Martin Vecchio, Brad Ziegler ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Jason Hosko ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Cynthia Barnhart, Karli Brown, Lauren DeBano, Donna Kassab, Mary Pantely & Associates, Angela Tisch IT DIRECTOR: Jeremy Leland DIGITAL DIRECTOR: Nick Britsky WEB PROJECT LEAD: Matthew Cappo WEB PROJECT ASSISTANTS: Mariah Knott, Luanne Lim, Bart Woinski DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR: Travis Cleveland VIDEO PRODUCER: Ken Bowery PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Jenine Rhoades SENIOR PRODUCTION ARTIST: Robert Gorczyca

SAVE the DATE

PRODUCTION ARTIST: Stephanie Daniel ADVERTISING COORDINATORS: Amanda Zwiren, Ava Majoros ADVERTISING DESIGNERS: Daniel Moen, Amanda Zwiren PRS GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Jim Bibart, Julia McGillicuddy DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT: Michelle VanArman

August 4-8

CIRCULATION MANAGER: Riley Meyers CIRCULATION COORDINATORS: Barbie Baldwin, Elise Coyle, Cathy Krajenke, Rachel Moulden MARKETING & EVENTS ASSISTANT: Drake Lambright

Learn more at SavorDetroit.com

MARKETING & EVENTS COORDINATOR: Kelsey Cocke MARKETING & EVENTS INTERNS: Kaitlin Howell, Michelle Kaljaj, Cassandra Morris MARKETING RESEARCH MANAGER: Ana Potter MARKETING RESEARCH ASSISTANT: Gabby Hejnar MARKETING RESEARCH SALES COORDINATOR: Hannah Thomas MARKETING RESEARCH COORDINATOR: Georgia Iden MARKETING RESEARCH INTERNS: Alexis Boeskool,

Event plans will be in accordance with all state COVID-19 protocols and recommendations.

Maggie Floyd, Keely Hinchen, Isabella Mitchel DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS: Kathie Gorecki SALES ASSISTANT: Danielle Szatkowki PUBLISHING ASSISTANT: Kristin Mingo ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES: Natasha Bajju, Andrew Kotzian, Katie West

PRESENTED BY

EVENT SPONSOR

DISTRIBUTION: Target Distribution, Troy HOUR MEDIA CEO: Stefan Wanczyk | PRESIDENT: John Balardo 575 0 N E W K I N G D R I V E , T R OY, M I 4 8 0 9 8 T E L E P H O N E : 2 4 8 - 6 9 1 - 1 8 0 0 FA X : 2 4 8 - 6 9 1 - 4 5 3 1 E M A I L : E D I T O R I A L @ H O U R D E T R O I T.C O M O N T H E W E B : H O U R D E T R O I T.C O M To sell Hour Detroit magazine or for subscription inquiries: 248-588-1851

2

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

002.Masthead.HOUR0721.indd 2

6/10/21 2:35 PM

LET US CREATE YOUR BEAUTIFUL SMILE Breakthrough Techniques and Impeccable Care for Gum Disease and Recession, Gummy Smile and Missing Teeth

Minimally Invasive LANAP Laser Treatment for Gum Disease The laser alternative to traditional gum surgery for treating gum disease using safe and proven laser technology to remove harmful bacteria and diseased gum tissue gently.

Minimally Invasive Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Technique™ The Pinhole Technique™ gives our patients a minimally invasive option to treat gum recession and the results are immediate, long lasting and can be life-changing. Pinhole eliminates discomfort and improves the smile.

The Crown Lengthening Procedure Cosmetic Crown Lengthening is a procedure that improves a “gummy” smile by removing excess gum tissue and results in an aesthetically pleasing, natural-looking smile.

Dental Implants An implant is a man-made replacement for a natural tooth root. Once an implant and crown are placed, the resulting tooth has the same function, permanence, and appearance as a natural tooth.

Bad Breath Treatment Chronic Bad Breath impacts a large portion of the world’s population…and nearly everyone has bad breath sometimes, especially in the morning.

We have a quick and painless treatment that will eliminate your chronic bad breath forever!

Before

Before

After

After

®

www.drnemeth.com 248.357.3100 | 29829 Telegraph Road, Suite 111 | Southfield, Michigan 48034

JosephNemeth.fp.HD.0721.indd 1

5/28/21 11:40 AM

07.21

CONTENTS I S S U E T WO H U N D R E D N I N E T Y T WO

30 She Puts

‘The D’ in Diva

Motown great Martha Reeves is about to turn 80. As she does, she’s taking time to reflect on her journey so far before busting out of pandemic isolation to do what she loves best — entertain her still-loyal global fan base. .

36 Bidding

Wars and Bitten Nails

30

As anyone who’s looking to buy a house knows, the metro Detroit real estate market is on fire, with inventory low, demand high, and prices through the roof. What’s behind the frenzy — and how long will it last?

Martha Reeves says being cooped up and off the road during the pandemic has left her in a bit of a fog and itching to get back to normal. That means getting back out on the road and in front of fans worldwide.

4

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

004-6.TOC.HOUR0721.indd 4

COVER BRAD ZIEGLER THIS PAGE COURTESY OF MARTHA REEVES

6/9/21 3:57 PM

M O D E R N F L AV O R .

DETROIT VIBE. Meet Detroit’s newest modern steakhouse and lounge, crafted with a downtown vibe in mind.

For reservations: 313.465.1645 or visit mgmgranddetroit.com/dprime Only at

21+. Excludes Michigan Disassociated Persons MGMGrandDetroit_FP_HD_0721.indd 1

5/13/21 5:16 PM

07.21

CONTENTS I S S U E T WO H U N D R E D N I N E T Y T WO

Up Front

Agenda

MADE IN MICHIGAN: 14 RENEÉ HALL

46 CULTURE CALENDAR

The puppet mastery of Jim Henson — and the month’s other can’t-miss offerings

The ex-Detroit cop and Dallas’ first female chief talks BLM, Benny Napoleon, and maybe succeeding Chief Craig

47 YOOP, THERE IT IS!

Inside one man’s quest to create an epic Upper Peninsula bike tour

DUAL DOCS 15

Working together during COVID taught twin doctors the true power of their bond

50 A COLLECTION WITH A CALLING

SO CLOSE, YET SO FAR 16

Flint’s MW gallery marks its fifth anniversary with a star-studded exhibit

A prolonged border closure has Michiganders and Canadians frustrated

52 RAW BROOKS

OBJECT LESSON: 18 THE $1,04 5 MILKSHAKE

Understanding spotlights the artistry, not the tragedy, of a troubled Detroit jazz great

Garrido’s Bistro sold a virtual version of a very real confection as an NFT. WTF?

Food&Drink

BOOKS: UNFAIR ON 19 ALMOST ANY PAGE

The Sack of Detroit blames decades of GM blunders on 1960s regs and Ralph Nader

DELAYED DREAMS 20

Three Michigan athletes on finally (hopefully) heading to the postponed Olympics

24/Seven

74 HE’S GOT DRIVE

Meet the former tank driver now serving sweet treats from his ice cream truck’s window

78

75 RESTAURANT REPORT

When Fort Street Galley closed, the popular Filipino food stall Isla found a new home in Sterling Heights

80

I NEED MY SPACE: 22 THE ERA OF HER WAYS

An early 1900s-themed room puts author Danelle Zurek in the write state of mind

Motor City Gas acquires new digs — 15 acres of farmland to be precise

MAKE A SPLASH 26

So you wanna put in a pool?

Pros suggest getting your feet wet with these planning tips.

6

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

004-6.TOC.HOUR0721.indd 6

79 UNDERCOVER DRIVER

80 FROM GLASS TO FARM

The in-demand Detroit photographer unpacks his ‘relaxed, comfy-cozy’ vibe

A mutual childhood passion for architecture still drives the founders of Five-Eighths studio

Locally crafted condiments, dressings, and marinades that are perfect for grilling An acclaimed Detroit bakery owner chronicles her time delivering food for DoorDash

MI STYLE: 24 JUSTIN MILHOUSE

THE SPACE MEN 28

78 LICENSE TO GRILL

8 E D I TO R’ S L E T T E R

47

81 R E STAU R A N T L I ST I N G S 104 T H E WAY I T WA S Bicycling circa 1895

CONDIMENTS GERARD + BELEVENDER BICYCLE JACOB LEWKOW LIQUOR JOE VAUGHN

6/10/21 2:36 PM

. n o i t a i c e r app

What will you find in Ohio?

Art and nature create a spectacular sight in Ohio’s Appalachian Country. Travel the Ohio Art Corridor to see more unique sites.

Ten perfect road trips await you at Ohio.org Open Air Art Museum at The Inn at Honey Run in Millersburg

OhioDivisionOfTravelAndTourism_FP_HD_0721.indd 1

5/18/21 3:28 PM

07.21 From Our Readers HOUR DETROIT

SUMMER TRAVEL

BOOK A STANDOUT STAY

9 UNIQUE GETAWAYS THAT DON'T REQUIRE AIRFARE

MAY 2021

WANNA BET?

OUR GAMBLING APPS ROUNDUP

TRIPS AHOY!

THE PUSH TO LEGALIZE ’SHROOMS

BEER 05.21 H O U R D E T R O I T. C O M

E D I T O R’ S L E T T E R

So This Is Normal?

JUST LIKE THAT, we’re back to normal. Or at least normal-ish. And also just like that, we find ourselves remembering en masse that normal, if we’re completely honest, wasn’t altogether awesome.

I don’t know about you, but for me the sudden lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in late May brought a mix of conflicting emotions. Yes, of course, there was relief. Gone in an instant was the miasma of worry and uncertainty that had hung over us for so long like the gray of a Michigan winter. Then there was the almost subversive joy of walking maskless into a Meijer — it felt a little like skinny-dipping. There was the thrilling confusion upon seeing a professional acquaintance extend a hand as we met for an in-person lunch. Shake it? Don’t shake it? Kind of a work-world version of the first-date kiss conundrum. And overall, it just felt damn good to know we’d made it to the other side of our 15-month-long tightrope walk. Yay, us!

But then came the reality of normal. Normal, for many of us, means returning to work. In an actual workplace. No more 15-foot commute to the “office.” No more tossing in a load of laundry between Zoom calls. Normal means wearing shirts with buttons and pants with zippers. Normal means making small talk in the lunch room. It’s fighting traffic on I-75. And crowds of humans who make you long for a bit of social distance. Being cooped up at home suddenly doesn’t sound so bad.

Pandemic nostalgia — it’s a weird but real phenomenon.

But let me get off my cynic’s soapbox and focus on the positives. The unfolding return to normal is an unequivocally good thing for people who’ve been kept for too long from doing what they love most — people like Motown great Martha Reeves. When I spoke to her back in April, with pandemic restrictions still in place but light at the end of the tunnel, Reeves had just booked her first live performance — a gig in Mississippi — in more than a year and couldn’t have been more thrilled. The pandemic, she told me, had been a real blow for someone who has spent most of her 80 years in front of fans. At a time when we’re rapidly losing the divas of her era, Jim McFarlin writes in this month’s cover story (page 30), it’s more important than ever that we celebrate this hometown heroine who’s still going strong.

Also eager to get back to what they love are three Michigan Olympians whose stories we first told last September, after the 2020 Olympic Games had been postponed. As I write this, the rescheduled Tokyo games are expected to begin as planned later this month, but with COVID-19 still raging in Japan, there’s a chance these Olympians’ already-delayed dreams could be deferred once again (page 20).

And, lest we the grumbling masses feel too sorry for ourselves, let’s remember that normal hasn’t returned for everyone — around the world or even here at home. As our piece about the still-closed Canadian border shows (page 16), life remains abnormal for metro Detroiters whose relationships extend across the river.

They’ll have to wait a little longer, it seems, to enjoy the mixed blessings of our new-old reality.

DA N CACCAVA RO, ED I T OR

8

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

008.EditorsLetter.HOUR0721.indd 8

BEER

for everyone Detroiters are leading the way to a more diverse and inclusive future for the craft brewing industry

+

Plus, chill out with these 10 Michigan-made summer brews

“I’m glad to hear [the Detroit Parks and Recreation Department is] going to help bring it back (‘Detroit Gets Creative in Its Quest to Breathe New Life Into Historic Fort Wayne,’ May).

I was there last summer and things looked bleak for it.”

—Jill Moyer, Facebook “Thanks for memorializing an incomparable artist and a very fine person (‘The Way It Was — Charles McGee, 1975,’ May).”

—David Harold, hourdetroit.com “We wanted to respond to your June Object Lesson feature on the landmark Penobscot Building. We were dismayed by the misleading headline, ‘Faulty Tower.’ We don’t disagree that this iconic, art deco building deserves loving care, and would like existing and potential tenants to understand the investments we’ve made — and continue to make — in the 93-year-old building. The Penobscot was acquired out of foreclosure by Triple Properties in 2012, after more than a decade of neglect by its previous owners. Triple Properties has begun an aggressive campaign to repair neglected portions and to upgrade and renovate for new and existing tenants. Triple Properties has invested millions to upgrade, repair, and maintain this majestic structure. We would have appreciated an opportunity to set the record straight.”

—Glenn Oswald, for Triple Properties

Hourdetroit.com Digital Extra

ObservaMé is a new athletic apparel brand launched by Detroit native Karen D. FultzRobinson. The line offers signature shirts, performance pants, compression sleeves, and more.

A marathon runner herself, Fultz-Robinson was on a 15-mile run when she came up with the idea for clothing that allowed easier access to personal fitness devices while training.

Head to hourdetroit.com to learn more about the brand.

Follow us online at hourdetroit.com or on social media: @hourdetroit @hour_detroit @hourdetroitmagazine

PHOTO BRAD ZIEGLER

6/8/21 1:32 PM

Proud Sponsor of PetFest - Cutest Pet Contest -

A healthy choice in value for dogs, made with wholesome ingredients.

Offering a full range of dog & cat food for all ages & sizes.

Limited ingredient diets with single source proteins for dogs & cats.

Our newest line offering high animal protein diets for dogs.

NOW AVAILABLE!

www.nutrisourcepetfoods.com NutriSource_FP_HD_0721.indd 1

5/27/21 1:39 PM

07.21

LOOKING FOR A

REAL ESTATE AGENT?

Behind the Scenes

L U X U R Y R E A L E S T A T E. R E D E F I N E D.

MOTOWN GREAT MARTHA REEVES is turning 80 this month, and she’s eager to get back on tour after being pent up by the pandemic. For this month’s cover, she dressed to go “Dancing in the Street” for a studio shoot with photographer Brad Ziegler.

CONTRIBUTORS

Brian O’Connor

248.289.0660 tushar@tvahomes.com www.tusharvakhariya.com 210 S. Old Woodward Suite 200 Birmingham, MI 48009

10

WROTE OUR OBJECT LESSON ON NFTS ON PAGE 18 “My best summer job was the year Jimmy Hoffa disappeared. I was a 15-year-old intern at the Birmingham Observer & Eccentric. Because of layoffs and vacations, the staff was shorthanded, so I was sent to photograph Hoffa’s car at the police garage. I got the shot and the college intern picked me up. I overheard a rumor that the cops were dragging lakes in West Bloomfield, so we hopped into her VW bug and drove aimlessly, looking for the big scoop. Three things have remained constant throughout my career: Hoffa’s still missing, I’m still looking for a scoop, and newspapers are still laying off good journalists.”

O’Connor is an award-winning author and former Detroit newspaper columnist who contributes to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and various freelance clients.

Jim McFarlin

WROTE OUR COVER STORY ON MARTHA REEVES ON PAGE 30 “Working at my local AM-FM radio station, WGHN in Grand Haven. Why the station owner, Doug Tjapkes, decided to entrust his livelihood to a scrawny Black high school kid with no experience baffles me to this day, but I learned the basics of broadcasting under his guidance. At one point he even let me host my own Saturday night R&B program!

He ignited the spark that inspired my fascination with media.” McFarlin has had a multi-decade career as an author, journalist, columnist, critic, radio and TV host, and screenwriter and blogger. His work has appeared in publications nationwide, including People, USA Today, The Huffington Post, Men’s Book Chicago, Black Enterprise, Hour Detroit, and the Detroit Metro Times.

Dàlia Adillon

WHAT WAS YOUR BEST SUMMER JOB EVER?

ILLUSTRATED OUR UNDERCOVER DRIVER STORY ON PAGE 79 “I will always remember the summers I worked at a fruit market stall in the square in Barcelona. My grandmother also worked there, and I got to know her better. It was my first job. I learned to return change faster. I also learned to buy the best fruits and vegetables of the time — and I learned delicious recipes!” Adillon is an illustrator from Barcelona, and everything she touches turns into art. She studied fine arts at the University of Barcelona and illustration at the Massana School, and she completed her final degree project at ISIA Urbino in Italy. For her, illustration is her way of communicating — her mother tongue. Adillon has been recognized with several national and international awards, and her work has been exhibited worldwide.

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

010.BTS.Contribs.HOUR0721.indd 10

6/17/21 11:46 AM

“I want patients to know it’s all about them,” - Aziza Askari DMD, MAGD, MBA

smile2 Worth?

IF A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS, What is a

Smile Makeover:

Convenient:

Dr. Askari uses modern proven tools and techniques for radiant smiles!

Prompt response, concierge services, OneVisit Dentistry, advanced Quality Systems all together make it very convenient!

Dearborn Family Smiles 313-251-3518 | 5005 Schaefer Rd, Dearborn, MI 48126

Comfort Dental Spa 248-306-8907 | 33966 W 8 Mile Rd, Ste 104, Farmington Hills, MI 48335

www.DearbornFamilySmiles.com

www.ComfortDentalSpa.com

ComfortDental_FP_HD_0721.indd 1

2009 – 2018, 2021

Livonia Family Smiles 734-338-7140 | 16979 Farmington Rd, Livonia, MI 48154

5/28/21 1:06 PM

IS YOUR PET

cuter than the rest?

PRESENTED BY

Cast your vote at PetFestDet.com from July 5 - to August 2.

Share with your family, friends and peers and win a photoshoot and a feature in Hour Detroit of your pet.

BENEFITING

MAJOR SPONSOR

Online Voting: July 5 - August 2, 2021

PetFestDet.com

PetFest_FP_HD_0721.indd 1

6/8/21 4:42 PM

07.21 NEWS, NOTES, AND PERSONALITIES

Up Front O BJ EC T L E S S ON

WTF IS AN NFT?

It stands for ‘non-fungible token.’

Still confused? Maybe the story of Garrido’s Bistro and the $1,045 digital milkshake will help.

M A D E I N M I C H I G A N p. 14 M E D I C I N E p. 15 T R AV E L p. 16 O B J E C T L E S S O N p. 18 R EV I EW p. 19 S P O RT S p. 20

p. 18

ILLUSTRATION RYAN OLBRYSH

013.UpFront.Opener.HOUR0721.indd 13

J U LY 2 0 2 1

13

6/9/21 3:57 PM

Up Front

go for the job, which would require her to compete with interim chief and declared applicant James White. Since leaving Dallas, the ninth-largest police department in the U.S., in December 2020 amid rising violent crime and criticism of her handling of Black Lives Matter protests, she’s moved to Washington, D.C., and has focused on consulting and public speaking gigs.

She spoke to Hour Detroit about Napoleon, Craig, leaving Dallas, returning to Detroit, and more.

First things first. Chief Craig has resigned and is expected to run for governor. Do you want to be the police chief in Detroit?

MADE IN MICHIGAN

BLACK AND BLUE

Ex-Detroit cop Reneé Hall, Dallas’ first female police chief, talks about BLM, Benny Napoleon, and maybe succeeding Chief Craig

BY STEVE FR I ES S ILLUSTRATION BY RACHE L I D ZER DA

WITHIN HOURS OF the announcement that Detroit Police Chief James Craig would retire in June after eight years at the helm, a short list of prominent potential replacements emerged. One particularly intriguing name to surface was Ulysha Reneé Hall, now seven months removed from a tumultuous three-year stint as chief of the Dallas Police Department.

Hall, a protégé of the late Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon, certainly has the Motor City cred.

The 50-year-old is a city native and a 19-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department, having left a post as one of Craig’s deputy chiefs to be Dallas’ first female top cop. She also is the daughter of a Detroit police officer who was shot to death while investigating a prostitution ring when she was 6 months old.

As of early June, Hall was unsure whether she’d

I have not decided. I admire Chief Craig; I truly respect him as a leader. After rising through the ranks and becoming a deputy chief, I learned so much from him and went on to lead my own police department in Dallas. I am excited for what’s happening for him next and his life. But right now, God has me on a journey here in Washington, D.C. And so I am currently praying about whether that is an opportunity for me. When I see my name printed in the newspaper and see that people would love for me to come back and be the chief of Detroit, I’m honored and I’m truly blessed.

Have you heard from anybody in Detroit about applying for or being considered for this job?

Yeah, a lot.

Have you spoken to the mayor?

I’m not going to tell you who has called me. Just know that there’s been a lot of individuals reaching out.

It seems logical that if you were open to becoming a police chief again anytime soon, it would probably be in your hometown.

That’s a theory. Right now, I’m just praying and fasting about it. I’m very happy with where I am. I’m CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 1 00

SCIENCE MITTEN

Intriguing findings from researchers across Michigan

By Steve Friess SYNDROME PREDICTS COVID OUTCOME We’ve known since the pandemic’s early days that people with “underlying conditions” were at risk of more severe cases and death, but the term was so broad as to be useless.

Now, Wayne State University researchers have zeroed in on one cluster of ailments known as metabolic syndrome that can predict

14

coronavirus outcomes, according to a paper published in the Journal of Diabetes. Studying 1,871 patients beset by COVID-19 in Detroit-area hospitals at the outset of the crisis, WSU School of Medicine professor Prateek Lohia, an internist, found patients who had a combination of diabetes, obesity, hypertension, high triglycerides, and high cholesterol suffered “significantly higher mortality, increased ICU admissions, and need for mechanical ventilation” than COVID-19 patients with any of those conditions alone.

COOL BEANS, LITERALLY With climate change creating new challenges for agriculture, Michigan State University researchers are gleaning genetic information from a heatresistant legume, the tepary bean, to re-engineer common beans that currently struggle to grow in warmer locales. The tepary is a relative of the kidney, pinto, and navy bean, all of which are critical to providing nutrition in farflung parts of the world where the air and land are getting increasingly drier and hotter. The genes

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS ARE GLEANING GENETIC INFORMATION FROM A HEAT-RESISTANT LEGUME, THE TEPARY BEAN, TO REENGINEER COMMON BEANS THAT CURRENTLY STRUGGLE TO GROW IN WARMER LOCALES.

that make tepary beans thrive in desert conditions could be transferred to more common legumes, according to MSU plant biologist Robin Buell’s report in the journal Nature Communications. Michigan, MSU says, is the No. 2 bean producing state, just behind North Dakota.

WHY DID THE BEE CROSS THE ROAD? IT DIDN’T. It makes sense that turtles, rodents, and even large predators might be deterred from crossing areas of paved asphalt, but now University of Michigan

researchers have observed that bees try their best to remain on one side of a road, too. That has significant consequences for pollination and the proliferation of various plant species, according to Gordon Fitch, a U-M biology doctoral candidate who co-published the research in the Journal of Applied Ecology. With bee populations dwindling for various other reasons, and road construction continuing to increase around the world, the findings portend increasing threats to plant life.

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

014-100.101.UpFront.MIM.HOUR0721.indd 14

6/8/21 3:46 PM

Up Front

WITH THEIR NOTORIOUSLY busy schedules, many medical professionals likely wish on occasion that they could make a copy of themselves.

Detroit Medical Center family physicians Lauren and Adriane Marchese, who are twins, don’t have to.

The Marchese sisters have done everything together. They attended Michigan State University College of Human Medicine together and have worked at the same facilities ever since. Because they were always on different rotations, though, they’d never managed to actually work together until last spring, when they volunteered in the COVID-19 units at McLaren Flint Hospital. There they discovered that, yes, having an additional set of trusted hands, an automatic second opinion, a built-in support system is pretty great.

“We get to work alongside our best friend, but it also benefits our patients,” Adriane says. Whenever one sister is dealing with a particularly complicated patient case or performing a difficult procedure, she’ll often seek help from the other. “Sometimes it’s like our patients have the care of two doctors, because we’re both putting our expertise into some of these more challenging cases.”

The benefits to their patients aren’t just practical; they’re also emotional. “The reaction from the majority of patients when they first see us together is pure laughter,” Lauren says. When the twins team up to perform a procedure, such as a biopsy or a joint injection, they find that their striking resemblance and entertaining synergy tend to distract the patient, helping to put them at ease. “It’s a wonderful thing we’re able to do for our patients. Nobody wants to go see a doctor — we know that. But if we can make it a more positive experience, that warms our hearts.”

Working together has emotional benefits for the sisters as well, which were never more needed than during their time treating COVID patients.

“It was devastating,” Lauren says. “We saw some of the worst outcomes of this illness, and we lost a lot of patients.”

It took a toll that didn’t stop at the end of their shifts. “It’s hard to compartmentalize — to leave work and just go about your life,” Adriane says. “The pandemic affects us 24 hours a day.”

Knowing they were never alone helped the sisters get through that challenging time. “Others may not be able to fully understand what I’ve experienced going through this, but I know for a fact that my sister has gone through the same exact thing,” Adriane says. Both sisters, who have watched other medical professionals shoulder the burden alone, say they’re grateful to have each other to lean on.

Lauren and Adriane made such a great team, in fact, that in January they started their own practice. The Grand Blanc residents now run a Commerce Township family medicine clinic called Michigan Primary Care and Rheumatology Associates, where they treat patients of all ages with a variety of conditions.

While they may have ended up in the same place,

MEDICINE

When Two Docs Are Better Than One The pandemic gave twin physicians Lauren and Adriane Marchese the chance to work side by side.

It went so well they’ve gone into practice together.

BY ASHLEY WINN | PHOTO BY MATT LAVERE

each twin says she fell in love with medicine on her own. “Of course, Adriane likes to say I copied her.

But I think I came to the conclusion on my own,” Lauren says.

“We get to work alongside our best friend, but it also benefits our patients.”

—ADRIANE MARCHESE

Growing up with her sister in Huntington Woods, Lauren had initially hoped to follow in her parents’ footsteps and become an attorney. But as she grew older, she found herself drawn more to her science classes, and by the end of her high school anatomy class, she was hooked. That’s when she decided to pursue a career in medicine.

Adriane, on the other hand, had wanted to become a doctor since early childhood, thanks to her pediatrician, the late Dr. Jiniah Dimaso. “He was always able to come in and make you feel better,” she says. “I looked at him as a superhero. I wanted to be just like him.”

Drs. Lauren (left) and Adriane Marchese had worked at the same places but not actually together until the pandemic.

J U LY 2 0 2 1

015.UpFront.Medicine.HOUR0721.indd 15

15

6/8/21 11:07 AM

Up Front

Toronto in May canceled all major in-person events this summer, an indication of how cautiously the country is stepping as it emerges from the pandemic.)

The prolonged, unprecedented shutdown at the border is “social, it’s cultural, and it’s economic,” says Glenn Stevens, vice president of mobility for the Detroit Regional Chamber, the city’s business association. The Ambassador Bridge alone carries about $100 billion in goods each year, representing about a quarter of all trade between Canada and the United States. Much of that commerce has continued, but human beings have not had the same ease of access as parts and packages.

During the closure, crossings have been restricted to workers deemed “critical,” a definition that initially included healthcare and infrastructure workers but expanded over time.

That resulted in a 90 percent reduction in noncommercial land crossings, according to the Canadian Border Services Agency. Some 6,000 Canadians have jobs in Southeast Michigan; most of them did not qualify as essential, Stevens says.

It has also cut off Canadian customers from Motor City offerings. About half of the 12,000 vehicles that used the tunnel daily before the closure were “going to the games, going shopping at Somerset, going to shop at you name it in the metro Detroit area” or seeking entertainment, says Carolyn Brown, CEO of Windsor Detroit Borderlink Ltd., which manages the DetroitWindsor Tunnel. The economic impact has been less severe in the reverse direction, she says, because most spenders are U.S.-bound and many popular Canadian draws, including the Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino, have been closed.

None of that mitigates the pain endured by those trapped on one side or the other, says Devon Weber, a New Yorker living in Canada and the founder of the open-border advocacy group Let Us Reunite. The organization represents more than 2,400 families nationwide who have been split by the closure.

“We understand this has been a hard year for everyone, and many made sacrifices, but imagine going through the hardest year of your life and being legally banned from traveling 20 minutes over the border to be with your wife when she gives birth, or to take care of your husband after he’s had a stroke,” Weber said via e-mail.

The mandate also turned the 21st of each month into a cruel and arbitrary dividing line between hope and disappointment. The Canadian border closure is really a series of one-month orders issued out of Ottawa that have been extended, month by month, for more than a year. “It’s been tough for me, and it’s caused a lot of stress,” says Jillian Morand, 27, from across the border in Windsor. Her husband, Eric Ratkowski, 28, is in Ferndale. “Right around that time I hold on to a tiny bit of hope that they will be able to open it and then, obviously, they don’t. It does affect my day.

It’s stressful. It’s a lot of anxiety.”

Morand and Ratkowski got engaged right around the time the closure began. They eventually postponed a hoped-for wedding

ceremony to 2022 but went ahead with a courthouse wedding in Michigan this past spring.

The latter was enabled by one of the seemingly nonsensical inconsistencies of the shutdown: While land access was denied, the skies were wide-open.

For the nuptials, Morand’s father drove her four hours to Toronto, where she caught a flight to Detroit. When she returned to Canada, she had to quarantine for 14 days. “So, basically to see him for two weeks, I had to make adjustments in my life for a month,” she says. “A lot of planning went into that trip for something that we wouldn’t have thought twice about before the pandemic.”

All of this should return to normal in coming months; Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hinted at that in mid-May, saying “there is hope” for a “slightly better summer.”

Even when it ends, though, the separation will endure as a landmark in Moshier’s relationship.

He’s eager for the day, he says, when he can quit his downriver drives and join his girlfriend for bike rides, hikes, kayaking trips, cabin getaways, and to “just do what normal couples do.”

ILLUSTRATION ISTOCK

J U LY 2 0 2 1

016-17.UpFront.Travel.HOUR0721.indd 17

17

6/9/21 3:56 PM

Up Front

OK. So, what’s this got to do with that milkshake?

Many people believe NFTs will revolutionize the art world.

The Supreme Strawberry is an original piece of digital art embedded with unique code that only the person who buys it has. Buyers get bragging and property rights. The copyright or trademark can stay with the creator, and the artists may get royalties on re-sales.

Garrido’s has “minted” 100 of this milkshake NFT for sale on the blockchain, so they probably won’t sell for as much as their first foray.

What am I looking at?

Just what it looks like — a milkshake piled high with cake, ice cream, and more.

But it’s also a still image taken from a 3D rendering created using 300 highres images of the Supreme Strawberry Rare Token from Garrido’s Bistro in Grosse Pointe Woods. Garrido’s sold a similar shake as an NFT on April 1 for .25 Ethers.

That equaled $497 that day, and it hit a value of $1,044.95 in late May. Coowner Vanessa Gonzalez says the NFT cost thousands in equipment to make.

But it’s also a real milkshake?

Well, it was, but it melted long ago. Making NFTs of the shakes was a publicity stunt — hey, look, it worked! — for an eatery known for such wacky desserts and hard-hit by pandemic restrictions.

It’s also worked for Pizza Hut Canada, which sold an NFT of a pizza for nearly $9,000. Garrido’s is exploring ways to make buying NFTs the equal of prepaying for a real-world milkshake to drive diners to the restaurant, Gonzalez says.

A what?

NFT stands for “non-fungible token,” a bit of jargon that just means that something is a one-of-a-kind digital item (“non-fungible”) represented by a piece of blockchain technology (“token”). Think of it this way: The “Mona Lisa” is non-fungible, whereas the breakroom’s “Hang in There” poster of a dangling kitten is as fungible as it gets. The token is how you prove your “Mona Lisa” is the original, not a copy.

Why pay so much money when you can copy an image yourself?

Because some people want the original. It’s the difference between owning a mint condition 1954 Al Kaline Tigers baseball rookie card worth $192,000 or getting the copy of a reprint for $2.83 on eBay.

Right, right.

Uhh, what’s blockchain?

This is the really complicated part, and if you don’t get it, you’re definitely not a dummy, but you’ll just have to trust us that it’s a really important way of keeping track of ownership of virtual possessions and the exchange of money.

Blockchain is a system of shared digital ledgers. When a new transaction is created, it contains a code (called a “hash”) that includes all previous blocks in the chain to prove its unique origin and chain of ownership.

Because all of this code is specific and unique to the transaction in question, it is impossible to create a fraudulent transaction — making it the most secure means of exchange online.

If you own an NFT, that unique code is a rock-solid receipt of ownership.

18

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

018.Upfront.ObjectLesson.HOUR0721.indd 18

OBJECT LESSON

THE $1,045 MILKSHAKE Garrido’s Bistro in Grosse Pointe Woods sold a virtual version of a very real, very caloric confection as an NFT. WTF?

BY BRIAN J. O’CONNOR

Are NFTs a fad?

Or, like Twitter circa 2010, must I really get what you’re going on about?

That’s your call, but many people believe NFTs will revolutionize the art world.

NFTs are springing up in many forms, from X-rays of William Shatner’s teeth to a column from The New York Times. The website Crypto Art reported nearly $200 million of NFTs sold in March, an impressive surge given that the total sale of NFTs since 2018 was $679 million at that point. Ignore this trend at your own risk.

MILKSHAKE COURTESY OF GARRIDO’S BISTRO

6/8/21 11:04 AM

Up Front

Author Kenneth Whyte’s revisionist history of the crash of the domestic auto industry argues that the rise of widespread consumer protection regulation is bad, unnecessary, and perhaps anti-American. 

REVIEW

UNFAIR ON ALMOST ANY PAGE A new history of Detroit attempts to blame decades of GM blunders on 1960s regulation and Ralph Nader

BY STEVE FRIESS

“IT CAN’ T BE SAID OFTEN enough,” historian Kenneth Whyte says infrequently in his new history of auto regulation, “that 40,000 or more people dying on American highways every year was a tragedy and a colossal waste of human potential.” This specific version of this declaration, saved for the epilogue of The Sack of Detroit: General Motors and the End of American Enterprise, is intended to show the author is not unsympathetic to the road carnage that preceded the 1960s and the advent of carmaker accountability.

Yet he also spends an exhaustive, exhausting, and often lumbering 345 pages building a case that the efforts by a feckless and/or misguided activist Congress, led by the nose by the vainglorious consumer advocate Ralph Nader,

destroyed the U.S. car industry and forever poisoned all of American capitalism.

In Whyte’s version of the story, General Motors’ decline from the mightiest, most profitable corporation in human history at the middle of the 20th century to a beggar panning for bailouts in the late Aughts occurred primarily because Washington, D.C., sought to protect public safety at the same time that personal-injury attorneys hit upon a good business model in helping crash victims get compensation for misfortune resulting from malfeasance or negligence. Per Whyte, we’re supposed to see those elements as bad, unnecessary, even anti-American.

“The regulatory state expanded into food, cosmetics, credit instruments, packaging and advertising, monopolies and pricing practices, and air and water pollution,” he bemoans. “Additionally, all fifty states had by 1975 created consumer protection agencies and thirty-nine had passed consumer protection statutes. The victimized consumer was all the rage.” He’d prefer, it seems, we have more empathy for victimized, tragically abused multibillion-dollar corporations.

Whyte, whose acclaimed revisionist biography of President Herbert Hoover (Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times) was a 2017 finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, returns here to offer up another retelling of a chapter of the past in which he acquits the excesses of unrestrained capitalism and crafts a kinder narrative about those conventionally viewed as having been on the wrong side of history.

“If, in 1966, Congress had told the public to sober up, buckle up, and drive right rather than scourging Detroit, the fatality rate would have fallen significantly faster and further.”

—KENNETH WHYTE

Like so many anti-regulation purists, Whyte is confident that the Big Three — and just about any other manufacturer upon which the government has imposed rules to protect consumers — would have made necessary adjustments and fixes on their own. “The fact is that Ralph Nader and the federal government harmed the cause of traffic CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 1 01

BOOK, KENNETH WHYTE COURTESY OF KNOPF DOUBLEDAY PUBLISHING GROUP

019.UpFront.Book.HOUR0721.indd 19

J U LY 2 0 2 1

19

6/8/21 11:03 AM

Up Front

Myles Amine

Kate Nye

Age: 22 From: Berkley Sport: Weightlifting, 76-kilogram weight class Olympic resume: International Weightlifting Federation Female Lifter of the Year for 2019; gold medalist at the 2019 World Weightlifting Championships, Pan American Weightlifting Championships, and Junior World Weightlifting Championships; 2021 silver medal at the Pan American competition.

Her COVID Year: Beyond the cancellation of some competitions, Nye’s routine of working out in her home gym continued impeded.

She did not contract the virus. She did, however, suffer a back injury that halted her training in February.

Fun Fact: Nye is an Instagram star (@katherinenye) with 110,000 followers.

How she’s prepping: In March, Nye hired a new coach, Spencer Arnold. Nye had to re-qualify for Team USA in May because of the much-delayed Olympics and is one of four women on the squad. She also expects to compete in USA Weightlifting’s National Championships from June 25 to July 4 in Detroit before leaving for Tokyo.

How she’d feel if the Games are canceled again: “Personally, I don’t think it will be postponed or canceled again. Full preparations are in effect and the guidelines for a safe and healthy Olympic Games are in place. It won’t be a normal Games experience, but I’m confident they will go on as scheduled. We’ll be tested every four days and must use a phone app that will track our movements, but American weightlifters will be staying at a different location than the Olympic Village, which will be nice.”

20

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

020.UpFront.Sports.HOUR0721.indd 20

SPORTS

Delayed Dreams

The postponed 2020 Summer Games are (for now) set to start this month.

Three Michigan athletes are eager to finally have their one moment in time.

BY MARK SPE ZI A

THE 2020 SUMMER Olympics were tantalizingly close when the pandemic hit last spring. Softball standout Amanda Chidester, wrestling star Myles Amine, and world-champion weightlifter Kate Nye could think of nothing but the chance to win gold in Tokyo. And then, all of a sudden, the world could think of nothing but how to wrestle with and crush COVID-19.

Now, at long last, the three Michigan athletes are ready to shake off the agonizing delays and public health restrictions that forced them to reinvent training regimens. They all head to Japan ready for the postponed Summer Games to begin on July 23. (At press time, the Games were still on, but cancellation remained a possibility.) It won’t be the same, of course — fans aren’t allowed, so family members won’t be there in person, and other COVID-related protocols remain in effect.

Regardless, they’re ready to compete in a round of international competition that may represent a key turning point in the world’s effort to move past the COVID crisis. Here’s what you need to know about the three athletes, who were profiled in the September 2020 issue of Hour Detroit, as you prepare, at long last, to cheer on Team USA.

Age: 24 From: Brighton Sport: Wrestling, 86-kilogram freestyle category Olympic resume: Twotime state champion at Detroit Catholic Central High School; four-time AllAmerican at the University of Michigan, where he has a 95-19 lifetime record; fifth-place finish at the 2019 World Championships; silver medal at the European Championships in Rome in February 2020 followed by a bronze at the same competition in April 2021.

His COVID Year: Amine trained during the lockdowns with his brother, Malik, a former U-M wrestler, at his parents’ home in Brighton as well as in the garage of a cousin who was also one of Amine’s U-M teammates. The pandemic took a toll on the family, though; he and several relatives tested positive, and an uncle died from the disease. In December, NCAA wrestling competitions resumed; Amine amassed an 11-1 record.

Fun facts: Amine is a dual citizen of the U.S. and San Marino and will represent the tiny European country in Tokyo.

How he’s prepping: Amine competed in a pre-Olympic tournament in Warsaw in June before heading to Japan in early July.

How he’d feel if the Games are canceled again: “That is something that is out of my control, and life goes on. Obviously, I would be disappointed but I know my journey is bigger than one wrestling competition. With that being said, this is something I’m really looking forward to and I know my preparation will pay off when the time comes.”

Amanda Chidester

Age: 31 From: Allen Park Sport: Softball Olympic resume: Three-time All-State team at Allen Park Cabrini, two-time University of Michigan All-American, and a combined 10 World Championship, World Cup, and Pan American Games medals for Team USA. Her COVID year: Chidester, in Seattle on a pre-Olympic tour when the pandemic hit, lived for three months at her brother’s home in California and in July moved to Chicago to join a new pro softball league, Athletes Unlimited.

After the season — interrupted for her by a quarantine amid an asymptomatic bout with COVID-19 — ended in October, she and girlfriend Anissa Urtez moved to Draper, Utah, and later announced their engagement on Instagram.

Fun fact: Urtez is on Mexico’s Olympic softball squad, so they may compete in Tokyo.

How she’s prepped for Tokyo: Team USA resumed its training in early 2021 and held exhibition games in Florida this spring against other national teams, including Mexico’s. Team USA went 7-0, with Chidester batting an impressive .409.

How she’d feel if the Games are canceled again: ”Our mindset is that they are full go. No room for what ifs at this point. We are all in, working hard and ready to play in Tokyo.”

WEIGHTLIFTING COURTESY OF USA WEIGHTLIFTING WRESTLING SAM JANICKI SOFTBALL COURTESY OF USA SOFTBALL

6/9/21 4:01 PM

07.21 MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE IN METRO DETROIT

24/Seven I N E E D M Y S PAC E p. 22 M I ST Y L E p. 24 O UTD O O R S p. 26 D E S I G N p. 28

DESI GN

SPACE MEN

The cousins behind Ferndale’s Five-Eighths studio are living their childhood dream p. 28

PORTRAIT MARILYN & OLIVE MEDIA

021.247.Opener.HOUR0721.indd 21

J U LY 2 0 2 1

21

6/8/21 10:44 AM

24/Seven

“The plot was directly inspired by my surroundings at home.”

—DENELLE ZUREK

22

Speaking of vintage: Zurek is fascinated by the circa-1939 Shure Unidyne 55 microphone she keeps atop her radio.

Her partner picked it up at an estate sale.

Write here: The writer’s desk is a simple teak table that she bought at Crate & Barrel 10 years ago. “I like it … it’s a solid slab of teak and it’s big, so I can spread out lots of things on it.”

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

022-23.247.INMS.HOUR0721.indd 22

6/8/21 10:44 AM

24/Seven

Color inspiration: The walls are awash in Billiard Green, a Sherwin-Williams paint. “It goes with the hardwood floors and the antiques,” Zurek says.

Mane attraction: A colorful carousel horse from HerschellSpillman, an American carousel manufacturer of the early 20th century, rests in front of a bay window. “I purchased that at an antiques auction in New Jersey.

The horse was made around 1910.”

Crank the tunes: Singers and musicians ranging from Doris Day and Gene Autry to Tommy Dorsey and Cab Calloway provide the soundtrack for plot creation. “I play them on the Victrola.”

Zurek tracks her large collection of records on a spreadsheet.

Just her type: Zurek adores her vintage typewriters.

“I clack away on them.

Typewriting itself is an important part of my writing process.

There’s something about that finality of the word on a typewritten sheet of paper. That drives me to put the best word down. It never goes away.” She owns a couple of antique Underwoods from around 1897, and a 1907 Smith Corona, which she uses for writing her novels. She then re-types her work into her computer.

The hot seat: Zurek’s chair is a simple wooden design because she says she needs a solid back. “I like the hard back. I don’t want to get comfortable writing. The more uncomfortable I am, the better I write.”

Dialed in: The first antique Zurek owned was a Silvertone radio, given to her by her father.

(Silvertone is a brand that was introduced

by Sears in 1915.)

Coffee, tea, or whiskey?

“Whiskey!” she says. “My go-tos are Macallan 12 and Writer’s Tears, an Irish whiskey. They’re lovely. They do help me at times. Writing is a process.” She keeps her whiskey in a Waterford crystal whiskey decanter, a Christmas gift from her partner.

I NEED MY SPACE

THE ERA OF HER WAYS This early 1900s-inspired room puts author Denelle Zurek in the write state of mind

BY MEG A N SWOY ER PH OT O BY MA RTI N VECC H I O

AUTHOR DENELLE ZUREK’S home office actually inspired her next novel. The intriguing room in her Bloomfield Hills home features everything from old typewriters to a vintage carousel horse. “My next story is set in the 1930s to about 1955,” she says. Fittingly, her home was built in 1935, and her workspace is adorned with a wide range of vintage pieces.

“I’ve never thought to write anything from this time period,” says Zurek, whose current novel is about 60 percent complete and will be available through Amazon and on her website, denellezurek.com. “It’s about a young boy who was born before The Great Depression, and his parents live in poverty. They pass away and he’s sent to live with his wealthy aunt. The plot was directly inspired by my surroundings at home.”

Zurek’s previous novel, Inventing Character, was published in 2020. (It follows the lives of three strangers with parallel stories and the coincidences that bring them together.)

An antique typewriter, which she often puts to use, especially when she’s trying to get into the mindset of yesteryear, sits on her work table, while a music niche features a 1921 Victrola and a vast collection of records featuring songs from the 1920s to 1950s. A Wm. Knabe & Co. parlor grand piano, circa 1915, also ignites her creativity. (“I play it now and then,” Zurek laughs, “banging on the keys in the opposite way that I use the typewriter.”)

With three children ages 10 to 13, there’s never a dull moment for the author, whether she’s imagining character profiles or running her kids to school outings. When not piecing together plots, Zurek, who studied creative writing and screenwriting while majoring in social anthropology at the University of Michigan, works in the advancement office at Detroit Country Day School.

Sitting in a nook off her kitchen, the author tells us all about her special place.

J U LY 2 0 2 1

022-23.247.INMS.HOUR0721.indd 23

23

6/10/21 2:36 PM

24/Seven

“I do really enjoy capturing everything. I don’t like to put myself in one box — I want to shoot it all.”

—JUSTIN MILHOUSE

Justin Milhouse at his Detroit loft wearing a Distinct Life shirt, Bird Brain shorts, and Adidas Yeezy shoes.

MI STYLE

EVERYDAY MOMENTUM

Busy photographer Justin Milhouse on his creative influences — and his ‘relaxed, comfy-cozy’ aesthetic

BY R AC H A E L T H O M A S P H O T O BY J U S T I N M I L H O U S E

JUSTIN MILHOUSE is always working — he says he feels weird if two days go by and he hasn’t created something. But for the 32-year-old photographer and videographer, it never feels like work; he’s just doing what he loves.

It all started as a creative outlet when he was in college. He picked up a camera and began showcasing his own projects and collabs with friends on his website, then known as Fresh-Cool-Dope. More than a decade later, Milhouse has made a career of producing eye-catching content. His lens has captured experiences in Morocco, Italy, Cuba, and Bali.

He’s documented NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago; snapped photos of Lil Wayne, Travis Scott, and 2 Chainz; and partnered with Budweiser, General Motors, and David Yurman.

24

But Detroit is still home base. It’s where he’s shot colorful and moody portraits of local creatives from his home studio; the Pistons in action at Little Caesars Arena; and Tommey Walker’s Detroit Vs Everybody collaboration with Gucci. It’s where he’s made art of everyday moments, such as fresh snowfall on Woodward Avenue and the skyline at sunset, and created touching short films about his strongest support system — his family.

Here, we ask the photographer to turn the lens on himself and share a bit about what fuels his creative spirit.

My style is … Kind of a streetwear, relaxed, comfy-cozy style. But kind of tailored, too. I wear a lot of my friends’ clothes that they make — so, like, Detroit Vs Everybody, I support them. I got a lot of friends that make their own clothes or create their own things. I do like Pyer Moss and [Fear of God’s] Essentials.

I can’t leave home without … These brass bracelets from Morocco. I always like to have something on my wrist, and looking at them always reminds me of Morocco and the time I had.

That, and the camera — if I’m leaving the city, I gotta have my camera with me.

My favorite place is … Morocco was just amazing to me. It was just like something out of a movie, for real. Just the people, the energy — it was just a good time out there. We drove like eight hours through the Atlas Mountains to go to the Sahara Desert. Morocco is where I felt like I probably connected with individuals the most that were from there.

On my playlist: I’ve been listening randomly to Jay-Z’s “Can I Live.” But it goes all over the place.

I’ll go from rap to some jazz music to some alternative music. Even when I’m editing, I got an editing playlist and it’s a lot of mellow, slower songs, even some jazz in there. And I got my driving playlist, where it’s all the rap.

My summer in the city: I really enjoy going to Belle Isle in the summertime with a few friends.

I’m about to pick up biking this year, too. I plan on biking back and forth to Belle Isle this year. So, that’s kind of my thing to do. Even if it’s just by myself, I just go out there to relax, think about things, and enjoy nature.

You should never … Let others dictate how you create and how you do things. As long as you’re happy with it and you’re satisfied, that should be enough.

View Milhouse’s work at jmilhouse.com

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

024.247.MIStyle.HOUR0721.indd 24

6/9/21 4:01 PM

DO YOUR FLOORS LOOK THIS GOOD?

- Epoxy Flooring Experts in Business 20+ years

- Specializing in

Residential, Commercial & Industrial Epoxy Floors

Showroom: 363 East Maple Road, Birmingham, MI 48009 1-877-4-EPOXY-1 — 248-990-0152 — AmericanEpoxySystems.com — American_Epoxy

YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY SHOULD TRAVEL SAFE AND SECURE.

The Corporate Eagle team takes customizing your flight experience with the utmost attention to detail.

Our members always enjoy their favorite treats and the ultimate in first-class luxury comfort and convenience.

CONTACT MATT BRENNAN FOR DETAILS 248-461-9012 / mbrennan@corporateeagle.com

025_HD0721.indd 1

6/8/21 2:35 PM

24/Seven

OUTDOORS

Make a Splash

Want a pool in your back yard? Experts advise getting your feet wet with these preparation tips.

BY MEG A N SWOY ER

Sam Marino, owner of Marino’s Landscape, says he loves taking a dip in his Detroit Design Awardwinning pool at his Washington Township home after a long day at work. The entertainment area at the far end is a favorite spot for family and guests come party time.

POOL ENVY. It hits many of us this time of year, when a visit to those fortunate friends with a watery oasis in their yard kindles fantasies of installing a pool of our own.

The dream can become a reality — if you have patience, and if you’re willing to go through the required steps. That’s what Sam Marino of Washington Township did when his wife, Nina, started talking about a pool, and today, his “chill time” is literally “chill time.” “It’s nice after a long day of work in the hot months to jump in after dinner to unwind,” he says.

The Marinos’ pool is one of some 5.2 million installed residential inground pools in the U.S., says Sabeena Hickman, president and CEO of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, a Virginia-based organization that tracks pools and pool safety. Her organization reported a large jump in pool installations in 2020, likely a consequence of COVID-19 lockdowns. “The pool industry as a whole experienced 24 percent growth in 2020, which is the largest period of

26

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

026-27.247.OutdoorDesign.HOUR0721.indd 26

Various pool elements and considerations include everything from plantings and hardscape to drainage and what homeowner and landscaper Marino calls “earthwork.” A hidden electronic pool cover ensures safety.

POOLS ADRIAN KIZY

6/8/21 1:34 PM

415 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, MI 48009

growth for the industry since 1983,” she says.

“Our members are contracting into 2023 right now.”

The Marinos didn’t have kids when they started thinking about putting in a pool. Now they have two young sons. “Nina said that as a future stay-athome mom, if we had a pool, then we as a family would stay home more and have a place to entertain during summer months instead of constantly trying to find places to go, like malls or water parks,” says Marino, president of Marino’s Landscape in Shelby Township.

He, of course, was deeply involved in designing the pool.

As a professional landscaper, he knew what it would take to create a gorgeous design that blended well with their landscaping.

Positioning the pool house at the rear of the site created a beautiful and functional screen, while evergreen plantings block the side road, Marino says. It’s designed so that the shallow end of the pool greets those exiting the home into the yard; the design keeps children closer to the house for safety. The linear lines of the pool, with the backdrop of the pool house, result in a unique and sophisticated backyard paradise.

Before dialing up a pool company, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the process that lies ahead of you. Here, we wade into Pool Planning 101: POOL ADRIAN KIZY

026-27.247.OutdoorDesign.HOUR0721.indd 27

Don’t (necessarily) fence me in: “Pools have great benefits, like health, wellness, togetherness — definitely. But it is also extremely important to ensure families are taking the necessary precautions to prevent drowning,” says Hickman, of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.

Very true, says Marino, who bought an autocover (controlled

Know your materials: There are three main types of pools: concrete (gunite or shotcrete), vinyl, and fiberglass. Fiberglass offers an attractive alternative to concrete and will continue to see high demand in 2021, thanks to several key factors, including price point, availability, and completion time, Hickman says. Fiberglass is

a pool in, especially as it’s backed up right now.”

Plan your plants: Marino’s favorite poolarea plant is the tall and narrow Degroot’s Spire arborvitae: “It can provide privacy or be decorative, like near a pool corner. The leaf has a nice texture to it, too.”

Who’s the boss?

Every project is different, so it’s good to

Licensed & Consulting with Sellers & Buyers in Michigan and Florida for Residential & Commercial.

Jodi (Barnett) Tippins Marino’s favorite pool-area plant is the tall and narrow Degroot’s Spire arborvitae, which looks great at night, too, when the landscape lighting is on.

electronically by a special code), which can “close the pool 100 percent, so in the event kids want to play in the back yard without supervision, the pool can be closed with peace of mind that no children are at risk. This is my best investment for safety.”

Be money-smart: “The pool is not the total cost; the pool is a portion of the cost.

All the items that go around the pool add up, and the cost often surprises people,” Marino says. Adds Todd Nicholson, cofounder of All Around Pools in Sterling Heights, “Do not lose sight of your main goal of getting a pool; you don’t need to have all the bells and whistles.”

Residential

less expensive than concrete. “This makes having a pool more accessible to people who may not have considered having one before. The manufacturing process is faster, too.”

Pack your patience: If you were to order a pool today, it will probably be 2022 by the time you take your first dip. Continued high demand is extending lead times industry-wide, from manufacturers and retailers to builders and service technicians, Hickman says. Adds Marino: “From the time of starting to dig the pool to having the water in the pool, well, it can be several months.

We suggest calling the season before you want

have one point person overseeing all the different trades. “As the landscaper, we usually will be the one to oversee the job and run all the trades,” Marino says. Sometimes an architect quarterbacks, he adds, and that can be efficient, too.

It’s the law: Don’t forget about city ordinances and homeowners association bylaws, Marino says.

“Municipalities can sometimes take eight weeks to review a plan and issue a permit to start construction.

And the HOA needs to approve a plan, as they may have bylaws that homeowners do not know about that may require design changes.

That can be lost time.”

Connecting sellers and buyers, exchanging information on market values and advising clients through the listing process or buying process to yield best price on either side of the transaction.

Commercial

Consulting with building owners and purchasers to discuss needs, goals, building evaluations, business evaluations, multiples, zoning requirements to buy and sell buildings or buildings with businesses or business needs.

Contact the TIPPINS TEAM. Referral fees paid to licensed agents with clients in Florida.

Jodi Tippins 248.463.8366 jb@signaturesothebys.com J U LY 2 0 2 1

27

6/8/21 1:55 PM

24/Seven

DESIGN

THEY GREW INTO IT

A mutual childhood passion for architecture still drives the cousins behind Five-Eighths studio

BY ASHLEY WINN

When designing your own space, the duo behind the design studio Five-Eighths recommend abiding by these rules

28

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

028.247.DesignDecor.HOUR0721.indd 28

Brad DeVries (top) and Grant Jeffries shared a love of design as kids. Now their Five-Eighths studio is crafting the looks for some of the area’s most popular spots, including the burger joint Lovers Only (above).

1. Build your space around a neutral and natural color palette. Bold patterns and pops of color should be isolated to easy-tochange accessories, such as rugs and throw pillows.

2. Determine which design feature(s) is/are most important to you. Splurge on those, and practice frugality with the rest.

their current Ferndale studio. The 35-year-old Jeffries and the 34-yearold DeVries now sit comfortably at the helm of a company whose portfolio features some of metro Detroit’s most popular and most Instagramable spaces. Among them are Michigan and Trumbull Pizza, seafood restaurant Voyager, and the downtown burger joint Lovers Only.

Despite their progress, there’s much Jeffries and DeVries still hope to achieve. “We’re just now getting a handle on what we want this business to be and starting to establish more curated business practices,” Jeffries says.

One of their immediate goals is to become more selective about the projects they take on, accepting only those that offer maximum design potential. “We want to push the envelope of what design can do,” he says.

But they aren’t stuck on a single aesthetic. While their preferences skew modern and Scandinavian, DeVries says, “We don’t have an overarching style.”

Recurring details — such as clean lines, pops of color, and graphic elements — permeate their work, but it’s their faithfulness to each project’s distinct character that’s the hallmark of their vision, Jeffries says.

Their ongoing renovation of a 110-year-old Detroit firehouse — soon to be Ladder 4 wine bar — offers a prime illustration. The pair has opted for a minimal approach, drawing inspiration for each design choice from the existing structure. The result features various reclaimed elements and French pivot doors that nod to a firehouse aesthetic. This stylistic flexibility is one aspect of Five-Eighths that Jeffries and DeVries have no desire to update. Another is the surprisingly small size of their staff — just two additional employees — which they say has proved ideal for the volume and scale of their projects.

The cousins are enjoying both business success and the kind of deep satisfaction that comes with fulfilling a childhood dream. “After six years, I can count maybe three days I didn’t wake up super excited to work,” DeVries says. “I’m just thankful there are people who actually want to pay us to do what we love.”

3. Establish a single overarching theme or idea, which you’ll reference for each design decision.

4. Coordinate metal finishes on all hardware throughout a space, including plumbing and light fixtures.

Don't

Design Dos and Don’ts

Do

ASK MOST 6-YEAR- OLDS what they want to be when they grow up, and their answers will be fairly predictable — “astronaut,” “veterinarian,” “police officer.” And then there were young Grant Jeffries and his cousin Brad DeVries, who’d have answered with the same unlikely reply: “architect.”

Jeffries discovered the field while watching Steve Martin play architect Newton Davis in 1992’s Housesitter. When he asked his parents about Martin’s role, they told him an architect’s job was to design buildings. “At that moment, something clicked,” he says. “I knew that was what I wanted to do.” Before long, his growing fascination had rubbed off on cousin Brad, his now-partner in the Ferndale architecture and design studio Five-Eighths.

Because their mothers were quite close, the boys saw each other regularly as kids growing up in Oakland County and came to feel more like brothers than cousins. Naturally, DeVries looked up to Jeffries, whose one-year seniority made him the big brother. When Jeffries introduced him to design, DeVries quickly took to the idea. “He wanted to be an architect, so I wanted to be an architect,” DeVries says. “Luckily, it suited us both.”

The cousins spent entire weekends erecting Lego monuments together in their basements. By 12, they were fantasizing about co-founding a firm. After going on to study together at the University of Michigan, they went their separate ways. DeVries left for a job in Los Angeles, while Jeffries found work at a firm in Royal Oak. But before long, Jeffries had earned his architect license, and DeVries had outgrown his position in California. So, just five years into their careers, they decided to take the leap together.

The cousins launched Five-Eighths from Jeffries’ dining room table in 2015 and soon began leasing

1. Use imitation materials if you can avoid it.

2. Start tiling from the edge of a room. Instead, begin by aligning the center of the floor with a grout line or with the center of a tile.

3. Be afraid to use standard building materials as finished surfaces, such as walls and floors.

Think sealed oriented strand board (OSB), which lends warmth and texture to a space — plus it’s wallet-friendly.

4. Mix multiple flooring materials within a single level. The entire main floor should be done in tile, for example, while the stairs or second level may be hardwood, carpeting, etc.

BRAD DEVRIES, GRANT JEFFRIES MARILYN & OLIVE MEDIA LOVER’S ONLY KAYLA HAVENS PHOTOGRAPHY

6/9/21 4:01 PM

The Novel Economy:

Presents

Thriving in a Digital Environment Go to: businessforumusa.com/detroit

BRIAN SOLIS

Join Jon Gordon as he hosts this monthly webcast featuring America’s top business minds and thought leaders.

BE OUR GUEST. REGISTER FREE.

029_HD0721.indd 1

This eight-time bestselling author and international keynote speaker is a world-renowned digital anthropologist and futurist who serves as the Global Innovation Evangelist at Salesforce.

Forbes described him as “one of the more creative and brilliant business minds of our time.” ZDNet labeled him “one of the 21st century business world’s leading thinkers” and he was recently named a “Top Futurist Speaker” by Read/Write.

JULY 14 12 P.M. EST

6/8/21 2:37 PM

D IS FOR DIVA

As she turns 80, made-by-Motown local legend Martha Reeves pauses to reflect on her journey so far, on friends she’s lost, and on finally getting back to doing what she loves most after being sidelined by the accursed pandemic

B Y J I M “J I M M Y M A C K ” M C F A R L I N PORTRAIT BY BRAD ZIEGLER

30

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

030-35.FEA.MarthaReeves.HOUR0721.indd 30

6/8/21 10:40 AM

J U LY 2 0 2 1

030-35.FEA.MarthaReeves.HOUR0721.indd 31

31

6/8/21 10:41 AM

T’S CIRCA 1956. Young Martha Reeves, her 10 brothers and sisters, and all the other youngsters up and down Riopelle Street are united in a single goal: to enjoy Saturday night to the fullest in advance of Sunday’s allday repentance.

“In my day,” Reeves recalls, “if you saw a bunch of Black folks standing on the street corner, they were trying to learn how to sing doo-wop. And doowop meant when somebody hit a bad note singing harmony, you’d wop ’em.”

Eventually, the notorious Detroit Police “Big Four” unit would arrive to break up the “disturbance,” and not always pleasantly. Incensed by this treatment, Reeves’ father, Elijah, and another neighborhood dad appealed to the City Council for relief. Surprisingly, the Council granted them permission to block off a small

32

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

030-35.FEA.MarthaReeves.HOUR0721.indd 32

section of Riopelle every Saturday night so the neighborhood teens could sing and dance freely from sunset to midnight.

So, yes, that means Martha, her family, and friends were all … dancing in the street!

She couldn’t possibly have known her dad’s bold gambit would produce the title of one of her greatest Motown Records hits with the Vandellas in 1964. Or could she?

Reeves says her aunt Bernice offered visions of her future early on. “She pierced my ears and prophesied,” she recalls. “She told me at age 11, ‘You’re going to be famous one day. You need to call yourself ‘Martha LaVelle.’”

She might have been at least half right about that sultry stage name, too, as we’ll explain later. As far as Reeves’s own predictions went, however, she missed one by a Motown mile: “I thought I wouldn’t be here past 35.”

She was off by 45 years and counting. And now, as her close friends and relations prepare to serenade her on her 80th birthday (it’s July 18) with a lavish, invitationonly soirée in Detroit, Reeves is taking time to reflect on her journey so far.

“The route leading up to 80 has been really rough,” she says, “but I’m glad to see it.”

She’s seeing it, yes. But she’s seeing it through a fog these days — and that has absolutely nothing to do with the passage of time.

“I’m sort of messed up now because the COVID, pandemic, or whatever you want to call it, has put me in a twilight zone,” she says. “I feel like I’m living in a science-fiction movie. As everything is so strange, I’ve still been getting over 10 fan letters a week, so people haven’t forgotten. Most of them just want free pictures, or for me to autograph pictures they took off the internet.”

As fellow Motown immortal Abdul “Duke” Fakir lamented in a 2020 interview with Hour Detroit, the coronavirus deprived many popular musical acts of their prime source of relevance and revenue: touring.

“I employ eight people,” Reeves says, including her sisters Lois and Delphine as the current Vandellas.

“It’s very discouraging.”

“We were going to China! We had gigs planned for England. Six months of planning canceled in a day, just tossed into the shredder. It was mind-blowing for the world to just stop like that. I hope that everybody gets their shot.

Somehow we have been blessed to hold on and plan to work this year.” Dates are

Come and get these memories: At left, Martha with the original Vandellas (Rosalind Ashford, left, and Annette Beard, center). At right (clockwise from top) Reeves performs in Barcelona in 2018; The Vandellas looking groovy in 1970; Reeves charms Mike Douglas and Peter Lawford during a TV appearance; and a shot from her post-Motown stint with MCA.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTHA REEVES

6/9/21 4:00 PM

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES AND MARTHA REEVES

030-35.FEA.MarthaReeves.HOUR0721.indd 33

J U LY 2 0 2 1

33

6/8/21 10:41 AM

Talk about nowhere to hide.

Ford workers keep at it as Martha and the Vandellas sing “Nowhere to Run.”

DANCING IN THE … FORD PLANT? A classic Martha and the Vandellas performance from the ’60s popped back into pop culture prominence this spring: a music video for the song “Nowhere to Run,” performed as the trio romped among Mustangs being made at Ford Motor Co.’s Dearborn assembly plant.

34

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

030-35.FEA.MarthaReeves.HOUR0721.indd 34

The song was recorded as part of It’s What’s Happening Baby, a national TV special that aired June 28, 1965, on CBS. The show, hosted by fabled New York disc jockey Murray the K, featured both Black and white recording stars and was conceived as a means to help foster racial harmony through music.

Only brief clips of Martha and the Vandellas’ Mustang escapade had been seen over the past 56 years. But that changed in March, when the original, low-grade copy was recovered, remastered, and aired on PBS stations nationwide, including on WTVS here in Detroit.

They might as well have included Smokey Robinson’s group, too, because the video’s creation was nothing short of a miracle. It’s fair to say there is absolutely no way that video could be made today. In fact, it’s not completely clear how it came to be back then — how Ford allowed a camera crew free access to shoot amid an active assembly line inside its plant, now known as the Rouge Complex.

“The crazy thing is, I can’t find anything in our files today about why we participated or how they did it,” says Ted Ryan, archives and heritage brand manager for Ford.

“Apparently [Motown’s] Berry Gordy called in some favors, having worked at a Ford plant, and eventually

[then-Ford Vice President Lee] Iacocca said, ‘As long as it’s going to support the Mustang, let’s let them do it.’”

The Mustang was brandnew in 1965. It was Iacocca’s baby and a huge gamble for the automaker. The lure of free publicity on a show aimed at America’s youth market apparently was too much to refuse.

So, Martha and her Vandellas — Rosalind Ashford and Betty Kelly — were allowed to prance through an open painting area wearing no protective clothing, dance among metal quarter panels drying on the line, and sit atop the back seat of an unfinished Mustang convertible as the car’s engine was being installed. OSHA probably couldn’t print citations fast enough today — and the UAW might declare a work stoppage.

“You know, there was no OSHA around back then, so they didn’t have as many rules to comply with,” notes Wendy Burkett, Ford’s director of global safety. “Certainly today we introduce our new beautiful and exciting vehicles in much different ways, and they all happen outside. We finish our vehicles first, then we highlight them. In this case, I don’t think the workers knew what was going to happen, and I don’t think they were prepared for it.”

Reeves seconds that emotion. “The men were shouting, ‘Get those people out of here! Can’t you see we’re trying to work?’” she recalls. “You can see the anger on their faces when you watch the video.”

Reeves remains proud to have taken part in a sliver of pop music history. “That Murray Kaufman came all the way from Brooklyn, New York, to our Ford Motor Company people and allowed us to be the ladies who did the first music video ever done,” she says.

Her claim doesn’t take into account the other performances recorded for the CBS special, or the fact that some music historians note that boogie-woogie saxman Louis Jordan was creating mini-videos to accompany his songs as far back as the 1940s. But, hey: It was certainly a once-in-a-Detroitlifetime experience.

—JM The remastered version of “Nowhere to Run” can be seen on YouTube.

slowly being booked for the latter half of 2021.

And that’s a very good thing, because the sad reality is that we are slowly losing our divas.

Aretha, of course. But the sudden death of original Supreme Mary Wilson in her sleep on Feb. 8 rocked the Motown family and the pop music world at large. Reeves took the loss particularly hard since she and Wilson, a fellow Northeastern High School alum, had performed together on numerous occasions over the past 10 years as The Legendary Ladies of Motown.

“We toured all over the world,” Reeves recalls, making no attempt to hold back the tears. “We were very close. I loved her dearly. I wanted us to sing, ‘Mary, Don’t You Weep (Oh, Martha, Don’t You Moan),’ the Aretha Franklin version [from her Amazing Grace live LP], and I’ve got a letter that Mary wrote to me that said, ‘Yes, we will sing that.’

I’ve got it in my scrapbook now.

“I got over 100 calls the day she passed. The first set of calls offered condolences, but the next bunch were people asking, ‘What was she like?’ ‘Did you have a camaraderie?’ ‘Were you adversaries or good friends?’ I tried to answer all of them, but it almost made me sick, the ignorance. People who think we were all enemies at Motown. We were made together. We all loved like sisters. I miss Florence [Ballard, of the Supremes]. I miss Mary Wells. A lot of us are gone.”

But not our newest octogenarian, made-byMotown local legend Martha Reeves, who could outlive us all. She has been ours since she and her family made the great migration from tiny Eufaula, Alabama, to join her grandfather, the Right Rev. Elijah Reeves of Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Detroit, in search of a brighter future.

You may already know all or part of the backstory: Reeves gained her love of music early on from her mother, Ruby, and from her guitar-playing father, and later learned poise and presence from the fabled Motown etiquette coach Maxine Powell.

After winning singing contests at the Graystone Ballroom and other local stages — yes, performing as Martha LaVelle — she landed a gig singing during happy hour at the old 20 Grand nightclub.

She was heard there by William “Mickey” Stevenson, the dapper young A&R executive for Berry Gordy’s then-fledgling Motown record label.

“This good-looking man, he was finer than anyone I ever hit on,” Reeves recalls with a laugh.

Stevenson gave her his business card and invited her to come down to Motown’s West Grand Boulevard headquarters and audition sometime.

Viewing that card as her Willy Wonka golden ticket, Reeves raced down to Motown the next morning, blew past the line of hopefuls, and insisted upon seeing Stevenson. A shocked Stevenson asked her to sit at a desk and answer phones while he took care of some business.

He left her there. She didn’t leave. Reeves went on to make herself indispensable in the STILLS COURTESY OF MARTHA REEVES

6/8/21 10:41 AM

A&R department — under her real name — and whenever a singer missed a recording session or an extra voice was needed for harmony, like for that dashing up-and-comer Marvin Gaye, she would race into Studio A within seconds.

“I was not a secretary,” she has often said. “I was a singer who could type.”

Persistence pays. When Mary Wells couldn’t make a session one day, Reeves quickly called her vocal mates Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard, with whom she had been performing around town as the Del-Phis and later the Vels, and told them to come running. Their collective talent impressed Gordy enough that he signed them to a contract in 1963, renamed them Martha and the Vandellas, then applauded his decision as a string of hits — “Come and Get These Memories,” “Dancing in the Streets,” “Nowhere to Run,” “Jimmy Mack,” and the million-selling “(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave” among them — ensued.

The Vandellas have undergone numerous personnel changes over the decades, but Reeves has remained the constant star presence, catapulting the group into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Her desk remains a prominent part of the exhibits at Detroit’s Motown Museum to this day.

She moved to Los Angeles for 14 years upon the expiration of her Motown recording contract and released albums on MCA Records and several other labels, but moved back to Detroit when both of her parents fell ill, and reclaimed the city as her home.

Along her journey she gave birth to a “love child,” Eric (“I asked for a baby, not a man, and that’s what God gave me,” she says), now a successful labor executive. She was introduced to cocaine by her LA dentist, attempted suicide, and was born again through the guidance of LA minister the Rev. E.V. Hill. “He baptized me and told me God loves me and has a plan for my life,” she says. “I didn’t know that until then.”

Over eight decades, Martha Reeves has become deeply ingrained in the fabric of Detroit. As a natural headline magnet — not always for the most positive news — she so engages Detroiters that when she ran for a seat on the Detroit City Council in 2005 with virtually no political experience, she was elected to a four-year term — her “second job,” as she refers to it.

“That’s a part of my life that I want to give back,” she says with a laugh. “Because they scrutinized me, they followed me around. I’ll never forget, an investigative TV reporter from Detroit came all the way out to San Francisco, where I was performing.

We were on recess at the time, and I had to keep doing gigs because I couldn’t afford to live if I had to depend on the little money they pay the City Council every two weeks.”

“So, I was in my meet-and-greet line after the show and this man ran up into my face with a microphone and said, ‘Do you think you should be here in San Francisco having this much fun while PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTHA REEVES

030-35.FEA.MarthaReeves.HOUR0721.indd 35

Reeves has toured in recent years with her sisters Lois and Delphine Reeves performing as the Vandellas.

Detroit is suffering an economic crisis?’ I said, ‘We’re on recess.’ But he asked the question again.

Finally, I just said, ‘This, too, shall pass,’ and walked to my dressing room.

“They put me under such scrutiny. They didn’t catch me in somebody’s house with their husband, they didn’t catch me in a drug den. I was just trying to entertain my fans and make a living. They always made it seem like I was doing something wrong.”

She left the council after a single term, but thankfully city government isn’t where her legacy rests. Martha Reeves became a breakout Motown

diva years before Diana Ross and gave the label its first Grammy nomination, and her urgent, gospelpowered vocals will be part of pop music history forever.

“They called it ‘The Sound of Young America,’ but we made the sound of America, England, Europe, and every other place where we were known,” she says. “Our music has been glorified, and I’m so excited. I’m thrilled. Berry Gordy, I praise him, because had it not been for him, I never would have been famous.”

Aunt Bernice might disagree.

J U LY 2 0 2 1

35

6/9/21 4:00 PM

36

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

036-40.FEA.RealEstate.HOUR0721.indd 36

6/8/21 10:30 AM

With demand high and supply low, Southeast Michigan, like much of the country, is in the grips of a real estate frenzy that has home-buyers frantic and sellers sitting pretty

BY JENNIFER CONLIN ILLUSTRATIONS BY KEVIN FALES J U LY 2 0 2 1

036-40.FEA.RealEstate.HOUR0721.indd 37

37

6/8/21 10:30 AM

W Winter in Michigan isn’t usually the

best time to show a house, let alone sell one, even without a pandemic raging. But neither COVID-19 nor a snowstorm could keep buyers from looking at the five-bedroom Ann Arbor home of Sarah Calderini and her husband in mid-February.

Confirming what many industry experts are saying is the strongest seller’s market in more than a decade, the couple received multiple offers within days. “We put it on the market on a Friday and it was sold by Wednesday, despite salt and snow everywhere,” Calderini says of her former 3,500-square-foot home on the banks of Barton Pond. What’s more, every offer came in over the listing price of $1,785,000, and most prospective buyers didn’t care if the appraisal came in at less than the offer. They would simply make up the difference.

The offer they ultimately accepted wasn’t just the highest — $1,875,000 — but also the one with the best conditions. Buyers Amy and Bryan Pritchard waived the appraisal contingency, included an escalation clause to beat any competing offers, and told Sarah the family could stay in the house at no cost for a month following the closing. What’s more, while waiting to see if their offer would be accepted, the soon-to-be new owners wrote a heartfelt email to share a personal promise. “I know it’s a cliché,” Amy wrote, “but this is our family’s dream home.

Know you can expect smooth sailing if you should choose to work with us.”

The Pritchards, who were relocating from Chicago, both have professional real estate experience and knew they had to pull out all the stops to get their dream home in such a white-hot market. Amy Pritchard, vice president of sales at Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty, and her husband, Bryan, founder and CEO of the real estate firm Tricap Residential Group, relocated from a Chicago townhouse to a rental home in Ann

38

Arbor in June 2020 with their two sons, yearning for a lifestyle change, spurred by the pandemic and a new puppy.

“It was an amazing offer, and the email was a nice touch,” Calderini says. But it also was probably necessary: Calderini, who serves as the chair of the University Musical Society Board of Directors, had also fielded a cash offer of $1,825,000.

It’s not just the highest end of the market that’s on fire right now, either. The median sale price for existing homes in metro Detroit sat at $267,824 in April 2021, up 14.3 percent over the median price in April 2020, according to a monthly report from RE/MAX of Southeastern Michigan. The number of homes sold in metro Detroit was up nearly 55 percent in the same period.

“This is the Wild West,” says Jeffrey Post, a Berkshire Hathaway real estate agent in metro Detroit, who says the region has just two months’ worth of inventory, a startling low that means there’d be nothing left to sell if no new listings came on the market in eight weeks. A buyer’s market, when prices fall or don’t rise so fast, would typically see a six-month inventory. “The market is so hot right now. Unless you make a very aggressive offer within the first 48 hours a house is listed, you won’t stand a chance. There are no tire-kickers out there.

These are serious buyers, ready to go.” Offering cash or more than the list price is now simply the norm, Post says.

Part of what makes this housing market unusual is how COVID-19 has affected it. In many cases, would-be sellers refused to do open houses in the era of social distancing, but that didn’t harm their prospects. Spending so much time at home had a dual effect: Sellers realized it was time to downsize, especially if they took a pandemic-recession economic hit, while many people who’d kept their jobs wanted more space. “People want bigger homes where they can entertain, work remotely, learn virtually, and exercise,” Post says. “Every inch of space counts.”

Ryan Cooley, owner of O’Connor Real Estate and Development in Detroit, is seeing a similar trend: Condo sales are cooling as single-family home sales heat up. “Single homes have increased in value, but we have very little inventory,” Cooley says.

“It’s actually not a fun way to sell real estate. There is very little to buy, and you see how hard it is for people to succeed in this market. ” One issue Cooley has encountered in the Detroit market in particular has been that the market has been so slow for so long that there are often few comparable sales for homes upon which to base a price for something new to the market.

Cooley knows that problem first-hand, having tried to get his own renovated Corktown home appraised accurately when there has been little turnover of fixed-up homes in recent years.

That began to change this past winter, though, when O’Connor Real Estate sold a row of seven historic brownstones on Leverette Street in Corktown in 10 days for about $600,000 each, far beyond the asking price of $530,000. Suddenly, Cooley had some comparable sales figures for an appraisal of his own home. The Leverette developer spent big on top-to-bottom renovations of the twobedroom townhouses, from kitchens with stainless steel appliances to fireplaces, floating staircases, and plumbed basements that can become separate one-bedroom apartments.

Trevor James, general manager and head coach of Detroit City Football Club, and his wife, Tiffany Ebert, bought one of them in May after James extended his contract with the soccer team for three years. They put in a reservation on the 2,100-square-foot house they ultimately bought following a tour that took place before the renovations were completed, paying a fee to have first dibs on the property when it was finished. “We wanted a single-family home, and that is so hard to find, as most new builds in Detroit are condos,” Ebert says. “Detroit is a unique housing market, and we were just so lucky we got in early and did not have to fight off other buyers.”

That’s no longer the case, Cooley says. In April, he sold a three-bedroom house in Corktown that had been vacant for 30 years before its owners, one an interior decorator, performed an extreme makeover on it that included adding a half-bath, a laundry and mudroom, and a porch. It went on the market at $385,000 and sold four days later after 13 offers and 40 showings for $478,000.

More diverse suburbs like Ypsilanti, where few houses are on the market, are seeing a similar mania. “I’ve been in the business for 28 years and sold more than 5,000 houses totaling more than $1 billion, and Ypsi is the hottest it has ever been,” says David Mueller, who runs DMA Real Estate in Washtenaw County. One house priced at $249,500 had 49 offers and ended up going for $300,000 cash, he says. “The last three houses I’ve sold went for 20 to 25 percent over asking.”

To find more inventory, Mueller dropped off hundreds of postcards in mailboxes in Ypsilantiarea ZIP codes asking homeowners if they might sell given the “Extreme Seller’s Market.” He also offered a free home valuation. “Typically, I would have 70 to 200 houses on the market at this time of year,” he says. “Instead, I only have 11.”

Unlike some competitors, he doesn’t mind the fact that buyers are willing to make up the difference between the appraised valuation and the sale price, because the price “should really be what someone is willing to pay for it. If you have 40 offers at one price and the appraisal comes in much lower,

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

036-40.FEA.RealEstate.HOUR0721.indd 38

6/8/21 10:31 AM

PHOTOS COUTESY OF MARTHA REEVES

036-40.FEA.RealEstate.HOUR0721.indd 39

J U LY 2 0 2 1

39

6/8/21 10:31 AM

is it even accurate? And with interest rates so low, it feels like Monopoly money.”

Realtor Kate Hayman of Hayman Property Group in Birmingham says houses in her area sell for anywhere from $300,000 to $3 million. Many homebuyers, she says, are looking to buy homes with exactly what they want, as opposed to paying less for something to renovate. “They don’t want to spend $70,000 on a new kitchen when they can borrow money at such low rates to buy the house that already has that great kitchen,” she says, adding that outdoor entertaining space is also at a premium, particularly backyards with fire pits and pools. “One buyer made it a condition of purchase that the seller, who had planned to put in a pool this spring, keep the appointment with the contractor, as there is a backlog to get pools installed here.”

Mueller believes this seller’s market could extend as far as 2023, although he’s cautious about the future after enduring the housing market crash during the Great Recession. He takes comfort, however, in the fact that, thanks to post-crash regulations, lenders are increasingly cautious about offering loans to customers who can’t really afford to pay for them over the long term.

Unlike in the 1990s and 2000s, when banks gave

Is This Boom a Bubble?

We asked Jeff Tucker, senior economist at Zillow, for answers to some of the most pressing questions about this wild real estate market How is this housing boom different than the bubble that burst so disastrously in the early 2000s?

Both today’s market and the market in the early 2000s saw extreme price growth, but that’s where the similarities end. Today’s market is built on strong fundamentals, with well-qualified buyers locking in traditional, fixed-rate mortgages. Price growth is being driven largely by a simple supply and demand imbalance. The historically big millennial generation is reaching

40

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

036-40.FEA.RealEstate.HOUR0721.indd 40

prime home-buying age, and low mortgage rates and remote work options are supercharging demand.

Home shoppers are fired up to buy now, but are encountering historically low inventory, thanks in part to a deficit of new home construction ever since the Great Recession.

What should people be wary of as they consider buying right now?

Buyers should focus on finding a home where they know they can afford the monthly payments and the cost of upkeep and a place they plan to live for at least a few years — ideally five or more. They should enlist a trusted agent to advise on local trends and be sure to inspect homes before committing to buy one.

Mortgage rates are low, which helps keep monthly payments very affordable, and expectations for continued home value growth should mean those who are able to get into the market now will see a return on their investment. But buyers should be realistic about the market they’re walking into.

Buyers outnumber sellers

out loans to people with poor credit, and many of those loans were designed to keep monthly payments low for a few years before they spiraled up, most of the mortgages issued now involve a more careful review of a buyer’s ability to pay to reduce the foreclosure risks. “We always have new families moving here,” Hayman says, noting the housing demand should remain steady for a while, especially with the expected economic uptick of the post-pandemic era.

Average Home Prices by County

$350k

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

$300k $250k $200k $150k $100k $50k

Wayne County Oakland County Macomb County Washtenaw County Livingston County Saint Clair County Lapeer County

Cooley, whose focus is the city of Detroit, is more circumspect, given that many parts of the city remain blighted or stigmatized. “The news is more positive than negative with interest rates low and a moratorium on foreclosures for the moment,” he says, adding that an increase in the cost of building supplies means there also won’t be a flood of new properties arriving any time soon. “In the last five years, downtown Detroit rose. But much of the city still has more of a preconceived risk. We also don’t know what office culture will look like. Does that come back? The good news is, we are still a destination for young people.”

The tough part, as Sarah Calderini discovered, is that once you sell your old home, you have to find a new one. In April, when she spotted a twobedroom condo for sale, she knew she “had to put forward an aggressive offer that day.” She offered more than the $399,900 asking price, added an early acceptance bonus of $14,000, and let the seller stay for free for six weeks after closing. Shortly after her offer was accepted, she learned there were two other competitive offers on the table.

The family was due to move into the new home on June 30. “I just feel super lucky to have gotten a place at all in this crazy market,” she says. “At this age, I feel too old to couch-surf.”

and the market is very competitive in much of the country. Half of U.S. homes are selling within a week, and home sellers are typically accepting an offer after just five days in Detroit, Flint, and Saginaw.

Agents Zillow surveyed this spring said they submit an average of four offers per client before one is accepted. With the market this competitive, buyers should be prepared for a bidding war and perhaps look for homes with list prices below their max budget to provide some breathing room to offer above list if needed.

It’s also helpful to be preapproved for a mortgage so you can move quickly when you find a home you like.

Will the end of COVID-era eviction moratoriums and enhanced unemployment payments set off a wave of evictions and home foreclosures?

There is still a lot of uncertainty about what the eventual level of evictions will be, as some local moratoriums remain in place. Many landlords are likely to work with tenants on mutually beneficial repayment plans rather

than evicting, and the pace of the economic recovery remains unclear. There will likely be an uptick in the number of evictions for renters after the national moratorium ends because of the backlog that has built up over the past several months.

We know that many renters were impacted financially during the pandemic, but it’s too soon to say how many people that could affect. For homeowners, something like the foreclosure crisis seen in 2008 is extremely unlikely today. The rapid rise in home values even in just the past few years means most homeowners who can’t afford their mortgage payment could sell in a traditional sale at a profit and pay off the loan without entering foreclosure.

Is the surge in prices we’re seeing in Michigan bigger or smaller than elsewhere?

Michigan is right in the middle of the U.S. when it comes to home value growth. Home values across the state are up 11.5 percent, which is almost exactly the national average and ranks 24th out of the 50 states.

–Steve Friess

CHART DATA PROVIDED BY ZILLOW

6/9/21 4:05 PM

promotional content

Travel Destinations

Marvelous Michigan

Your 2021 road trip begins at home!



TravelDestinations_Section_HD_0721.indd 41

6/7/21 3:23 PM

promotional content

Travel Destinations TRAVERSE CITY

Guest Information: traversecity.com Whether it’s a long weekend or a long vacation, Traverse City is ready for you to explore or escape. Your perfect getaway could be to escape the mundane and look for a place of solitude. Find a hiking trail along the Sleeping Bear Dunes, take in a sunset at Frankfort beach, float along crystal-clear waters in a kayak, or find a secluded beach along Grand Traverse Bay. Maybe you’re looking for a reawakening. If that’s

the case, get out and explore the Traverse Wine Coast, find a unique brewery that helps make this region one of the top craft brew scenes in the country, discover the wide array of restaurants in this Foodie Town, or mix art and hiking at the Michigan Legacy Art Park. Do you want to explore, or escape? Traverse City has your perfect vacation — which makes it a Pretty Great Place!

KIDD & LEAVY REAL ESTATE

Guest Information: 231-838-6700 | patleavy@kiddleavy.com | patleavy.com

Making Cottage Memories. Pat Leavy has been helping southeast Michigan families create memories in beautiful Northern Michigan for over 21 years. With boundless energy, perseverance, humor, dogged persistence, and a great staff, Pat works harder than any other agent to achieve his clients’ goals. He was the #1 real estate agent in the state of Michigan in 2020 with over $137 Million sold.

Pat believes buying a home in northwest Michigan is more than square footage and a floor plan. With its blue lakes, miles of shoreline, fresh air, rolling hills, undisturbed woods, vibrant towns, and friendly people, it’s an extraordinary opportunity to experience and share a real treasure. Clearly, it is Pat’s enthusiasm for the area’s lifestyle that translates into results for you, whether you are a buyer or a seller.

As your Buyer’s Representative, Pat can make the process of house hunting much easier and more efficient than if you did it all yourself. He can help you get financing, guide you to local neighborhoods, help you determine your budget, and prioritize a list of essential features that you need in your next home. He’ll save you valuable time by finding the properties that best suit your requirements, and will show you only the most promising ones. Once you’ve found a place that catches your eye, he’ll look at comparable properties in the area to help determine a purchase offer. Then he’ll negotiate on your behalf with the seller to make sure you get the most favorable terms.

Pat would consider it a privilege to work with you. Call him today to begin your search for your vacation home or vacation rental.

TravelDestinations_Section_HD_0721.indd 42

6/7/21 3:24 PM

promotional content

Travel Destinations Visit the

Flint Institute of Arts

for Exhibitions, Films, & Art Classes

1120 E Kearsley St, Flint 810.234.1695 flintarts.org

FLINT INSTITUTE OF ARTS

Guest Information: 1120 East Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48503 810-234-1695 | flintarts.org The Flint Institute of Arts is the second largest museum in the state of Michigan, and one of the largest museum art schools in the country.

For more than 90 years, it has been committed to making art available, approachable, and accessible to all. This is accomplished through a broad range of exhibitions, programs, and events designed so visitors and patrons can enjoy artwork in the galleries and art studios.

Visitors come to the FIA for many reasons: fun, relaxation, socialization, reflection, and intellectual stimulation. Through Huntington Free Saturdays, guests have the opportunity to visit free of charge and see firsthand what makes the FIA so special, including free glass-blowing demonstrations every Saturday and Sunday, sponsored by McLaren Healthcare.

The FIA is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

TravelDestinations_Section_HD_0721.indd 43

6/7/21 3:24 PM

promotional content

Travel Destinations OHIO. FIND IT HERE. Guest Information: ohio.org

Art in the Open Air. Set amid lush forests and rolling hills, Holmes County’s Open Air Art Museum presents works by local and regional artists. Highlights include Cleveland artist Lauren Skunta’s “Archer’s Roost,” made of more than 12,000 hand-dyed paint sticks, and “Around the Bend,” a tree made of recycled glass and steel created by artists Brian Sell, Joel Burke, and Jim Lehnert. Be sure to take a stroll along a path in the woods, where you can read haikus on 30 stones.

After exploring the museum, you can stay the night in one of The Inn at Honey Run’s luxurious honeycomb rooms, built into the hillside. Admire the natural beauty over a meal at Tarragon, an upscale restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows looking into the trees.

While in Amish Country, be sure to experience the simple life by dining in an Amish home, sampling the cheese and baked goods, and visiting shops showcasing quilts and furniture crafted by the locals.

MGM GRAND DETROIT

Guest Information: 1777 Third St., Detroit, MI 48226 1-877-888-2121 | mgmgranddetroit.com The Only Forbes Four-Star Resort in Detroit Award-winning experiences are waiting for you day and night at MGM Grand Detroit. From the moment you step into this magnificent MGM Resorts International destination, you’ll enjoy a safe escape that’s undeniably exciting and absolutely unforgettable. The truth is, MGM Grand Detroit has worked tirelessly to build an experience that will truly make a lasting impression. From dining to gaming and spa treatments at IMMERSE spa, there’s always a reason to celebrate.

crafted with a downtown vibe in mind, while Detroit’s best sports pub, TAP at MGM Grand Detroit, has become a game-changer for local sports fans. Bet on your favorite sports and never miss a play with wall-to-wall game-day coverage at BetMGM Sports Lounge. Elevate your golf game with cutting-edge virtual technology at the Topgolf Swing Suite, or kick back at AXIS Lounge. Of course, the 100,000-square-foot casino — equipped with Detroit’s premier poker room and the best table games, slots, and video poker — is always open and ready to play. 21+

Vacation or Staycation?

Whether you live in the great city of Detroit or you’re stopping by on your way through town, MGM Grand Detroit is the ideal place to settle in for a bit. This is the only hotel in Detroit to receive four stars from the Forbes Travel Guide, as well as AAA’s coveted Four-Diamond Award. Each of the 400 stylish rooms offers marble showers, pillow-top beds with plush down comforters, and 50-inch HD televisions. Want more? As a hotel guest, you’ll enjoy a dedicated entrance, a private lobby living room, and access to the luxury spa and fitness center.

It’s All About the Entertainment MGM Grand Detroit is home to an impressive collection of “must-do’s.”

D.PRIME Steakhouse is Detroit’s newest modern steakhouse and lounge,

TravelDestinations_Section_HD_0721.indd 44

6/7/21 3:25 PM

07.21 ARTS, CULTURE, AND OTHER THINGS TO DO

Agenda C U LT U R E CA L E N DA R p. 46 R E C R E AT I O N p. 47 A RT S p. 50 M U S I C p. 52

CU LTU R E CALEN DAR

LISTEN HERE

Why you should put Olivia Dear’s ‘Halfway’ on repeat — and other arts and cultural musts for the month ahead p. 46

PORTRAIT COURTESY OF OLIVIA DEAR

045.Agenda.Opener.HOUR0721.indd 45

J U LY 2 0 2 1

45

6/8/21 10:25 AM

Agenda

Olivia Dear’s track“Halfway” is wholely engrossing.

JULY 2021

Culture Calendar

Our carefully curated guide to the month in arts and entertainment

BY RYA N PATRICK HOOP E R

Jim Henson with puppets from Fraggle Rock.

Learn all about his puppet mastery at The Henry Ford.

NEW EXHIBIT

The genius of Jim Henson

If anyone in your life isn’t interested in seeing an exhibit dedicated to the life and work of Jim Henson, you should reevaluate your relationship. The touring exhibit The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited is on view now through Sept. 6 at The Henry Ford. It brings storyboards, iconic costumes, 25 puppets, and — most important — a behind-the-scenes look at how Henson and his team brought The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Labyrinth (David Bowie’s codpiece not included), and other projects to life. It also weaves Henson’s early work and experimental film projects into the larger narrative of his life as a creative force, technical pioneer, and beloved pop-cultural

46

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

046.Agenda.Calendar.HOUR0721.indd 46

influence. Interactive elements — like trying your hand at puppeteering on camera or designing your own puppet — make it perfect for all ages, including adults who still haven’t outgrown their kid-like imaginations.

For details and tickets, see thehenryford.org.

ART EXHIBIT

Making art out of chaos

There’s been plenty of time for personal reflection since 2020 crashed into our collective windshields and shattered our view of the future. Such times of incredible change are often captured best by the artists of the day. So the Carr Center is asking local artists, “What did you create out of the chaos?” The center is dedicated to supporting Black artists in Detroit

as the front-facing arm of the Arts League of Michigan. With its latest show, With All Our Might, curators Erin Falker-Obichigha and Carl Wilson have put together a juried exhibition of visual artists to reflect on the “immeasurable loss, struggle, racism, and inequality” revealed in 2020. Artists on display include Taurus Burns, Brandon Sward, Desiree Kelly, Diamante Lavendar, and many others.

On display through July 17. Schedule a visit at thecarrcenter.org.

ever-evolving Halal Metropolis, now on view at the University of Michigan’s Stamps Gallery in Ann Arbor.

Consider it a banner name for a traveling exhibit that explores topics related to the Muslim populations of southeast Michigan. It aims to broadcast a Muslim narrative that, as its organizers say, has been “unusually silent in the larger Detroit story.” The work is put together by artist Osman Khan, photographer and documentary filmmaker Razi Jafri, and historian Sally Howell. Their latest iteration brings

together all of their skill sets, using archival materials, photography, and art to explore the aesthetics, impact, and identity of Muslims in metro Detroit.

On view through July 17. COVID restrictions may apply. For details, visit stamps.umich.edu.

Ryan Patrick Hooper is the host of CultureShift on 101.9 WDET Detroit’s NPR station (weekdays from noon to 2 p.m.).

ART EXHIBIT

Halal Metropolis lands at Stamps Gallery

One of the most culturally significant art projects to emerge in metro Detroit over the past few years is the

On My Playlist The sonic heartbreak of Olivia Dear I have an addictive personality when it comes to music. I get so obsessed with a certain song that I end up listening to it multiple times a day until I’ve burned a hole through it. Then I move on to something new.

But I just can’t quit Olivia Dear’s “Halfway,” a sonically subtle ode to a relationship breaking down instead of breaking up. The Rochester Hills singersongwriter lets her voice and storytelling be the stars on the track, integrating some clever samples of a phone disconnecting along the way. “There’s a lot of beauty and self-love in going all in for the people you love and, similarly, letting go … of the people who can’t go all in for you,” Dear has said of the song. Watch for a new single from Dear this month and an EP in the fall. In the meantime, I recommend putting “Halfway” on repeat — and supplementing it with her single “Better,” too. —RPH Hear Olivia Dear via Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services.

The Carr Center gathered art inspired by the turmoil of 2020, including Ian Machett’s “Shoulder to Shoulder.”

JIM HENSON COURTESY OF THE JIM HENSEN CO./MOMI OLIVIA DEAR COURTESY OF OLIVIA DEAR ART COURTESY OF THE CARR CENTER

6/8/21 10:24 AM

Agenda

Yooper-in-chief: Four years ago, James Studinger invited strangers to join him on a bike trek in the U.P., giving birth to what’s now known as the annual Tour Da Yoop, Eh. 

R E C R E AT I O N

Yoop, There It Is! Inside one man’s quest to create an epic Upper Peninsula bike tour

BY ZAC H BROO KE | PH OT OS BY JACOB L EWKOW

J U LY 2 0 2 1

047-49.Agenda.Recreation.HOUR0721.indd 47

47

6/8/21 10:23 AM

Agenda

IN 2018, JAMES STUDINGER received some bad news and needed to get away from it all.

Ironically, he turned to Facebook.

“I literally just threw an invite that said, ‘Hey, I’m gonna go bike 1,200 miles around the U.P. Anybody want to come join me?’” Studinger recalls. “A bunch of strangers did.”

The challenge was not unusual for Studinger, 49, who has long pushed himself up against his physical limits while being gnawed on by a deep-rooted desire to explore. Nor was the location a strange choice. A native Yooper, Studinger is more at home in the Upper Peninsula than anywhere else on earth. What was out of place was the method.

“I was the only one that wasn’t really a biker,” he says. “And that was probably to my advantage.”

While not starting entirely from scratch — he had already completed a few Ironmans — he had not participated in a multi-day bike tour. If he thought the strangers who responded to his impromptu Facebook invite were a little odd, the feeling was mutual.

“These people biked a lot,” Studinger says.

“They knew what they were doing. They thought I was crazy.”

What followed was 10 straight days of cycling — the equivalent of a ride from Detroit to Orlando.

No other biker joined Studinger for the full tour, but a few rode along for multiple days. And everyone urged him to do it again the next year.

Four years later, Studinger’s throwaway Facebook post continues to shape his life. His original circuit is now cemented as the annual Tour Da Yoop, Eh (TDY), and draws cyclists from as far away as Europe and Hawaii. This year’s TDY runs from Aug. 6 to 15, beginning and ending in St. Ignace.

To call Studinger an outdoorsman is an understatement. Some of his fondest childhood

48

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

047-49.Agenda.Recreation.HOUR0721.indd 48

“I’ve just always been drawn to seeing what’s around the bend of the river, or over the hill.”

Rider at rest: TDY fits James Studinger’s pattern of pushing himself to the extreme. “We don’t always know what we’re capable of,” he says.

—JAMES STUDINGER

Roll call: TDY attracts riders from as far away as Europe and Hawaii, who tackle all or part of the 1,200-mile route. 

memories involve U.P. hunting or fishing trips with his dad. He grew up in tiny Manistique, where one need venture only 10 miles outside of town to experience wilds unmatched elsewhere in the state.

“We’ve got this pond that’s crystal clear. It’s like 50 feet deep. It’s got tons of big fish in it, and you take a raft across,” he says of Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan’s largest freshwater spring.

But to see the TDY as an inevitable extension of lifelong patterns misses critical details.

“A decade ago, I went blind in my right eye,” he says. “I vowed at that time to see more with one eye than I ever did with two. That became my motto, and I can definitely say I’m living up to it.”

Since then, he’s run triathlons, trekked up Washington state’s Mount Rainier, and sprinted the 24-mile staircase that is the Grand Canyon’s Rim-toRim trail. He also experienced another health scare.

Shortly before his first 1,200 bike ride, he learned he has acoustic neuroma, the same type of brain tumor that Kelly Stafford, wife of former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, suffered from.

“It’s why I was so committed to finishing all 1,200 miles in a row,” he says. “I feared the tumor would grow and take away my balance.”

Fortunately, the tumor hasn’t grown since then and Studinger can still maintain his extreme lifestyle. He prefers no single sport over any other, he says, just whatever can take him somewhere new.

“I’ve just always been drawn to seeing what’s around the bend of the river, or over the hill,” he says.

Many people can relate to the wanderlust, but they tap out at the feats of endurance. Studinger views those challenges as just another journey into a different sort of undiscovered territory.

“Fifteen years ago, if somebody told me they biked 100 miles, I couldn’t believe it,” he says. “We don’t always know what we’re capable of sometimes.”

CYCLING COURTESY OF TOUR DA YOOP, EH

6/8/21 10:23 AM

Agenda

Tour Da Right Here Itching for a summer bike tour, but not quite ready for a 120-mile-aday adventure? You’re in luck. Southeast Michigan is blessed with an abundance of trails that can challenge riders — and still be tackled in a single day.

River Raisin Heritage Trail (7.5 miles) A short route that connects two parks in Monroe, linking up with the downtown Riverwalk and passing beside the Raisin River National Battlefield along the way.

Kiwanis Trail (8 miles) Another shorter trail, running between Tecumseh and Adrian, that is concentrated in woods and fields rather than a city center, though bikers who are in the zone can easily extend the ride through Adrian, a picturesque college town in miniature.

Border-to-Border Trail (20 miles) This year the unfinished B2B trail comes 4 miles closer to its goal of 35 uninterrupted miles connecting Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, and Dexter along the Huron River. Additional goals include eventually growing the trail into a 70mile artery of the statewide Iron Belle Trail, which is intended to connect Detroit to the U.P. by bike path. For now, riders can start on the southeast side of Ford Lake and make their way to Bird Hills Nature Area to the northwest of Ann Arbor.

Lake Erie Metropark to Lower Huron Metropark (20 miles) This path is technically a series of loosely linked separate trails, but they

easily blend into a seamless ride. The trail originates in marshy shores of Lake Erie Metropark, and crosses an urban environment (with a defined bike trail), before bisecting two scenic Metropark landscapes.

North Coast Inland Trail (28 miles) At more than an hour outside Detroit, this northcentral Ohio trail is a bit of a drive, but worth it to cyclists looking for a smooth, spacious journey dotted with historical landmarks.

Highlights include a swing by the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Home and Library in Fremont and a journey through the heart of Clyde, which served as model for hometown writer Sherwood Anderson’s book Winesburg, Ohio.

Bridge to Bay Trail (37.5 miles) This distance marks the finished portion of a planned 54-mile route from Blue Water Bridge at the bottom of Lake Huron to Anchor Bay and the top of Lake St. Clair. Going north to south, riders can take a mostly intact trail as far as Marine City, hugging the St. Clair River the entire way.

Check out traillink.com for more information about these and other trails around Michigan.

Safety First The TDY was birthed out of one man’s singular experience, but it lives now for everyone who wants to experience its rewards. “When people get exposed to nature, it’s like hitting the refresh button,” Studinger says.

Never a lone wolf, Studinger left the U.P. twice, first for college, and then again to build a life, eventually settling in Bloomfield Hills, where he now owns a financial planning firm. But he also never really left, still enmeshed in the tight-knit Yooper community. Through the years he returned often to visit friends and family, volunteering for local charities and to help create a network of Manistique school alumni. It was on one of these trips back home that the thought of a bike tour first occurred to him.

“When I drive up there, I’d see people biking on these busy roads,” he says. “I thought they just don’t know where to go, otherwise there’s no way in their right mind they’d ever bike alongside U.S. 2 or M-28.”

Almost 90 percent of the TDY route stays off the main highways. There are a few gravel sections, but nearly all 1,200 miles are on paved roads. Along the way, Studinger has arranged for riders’ luggage to be transported between hotels.

The event is broken into 10 segments of roughly equal distances and widely varying elevation. Riders ease into the tour gently over the first two days by gradually rising 2,000 feet. The greatest challenge comes on Day 4 and requires an ascent of 6,000 feet from Iron Mountain to Ironwood, plus some mystery obstacles.

“I throw a few surprises there at the end,” Studinger says. “When people get done with those surprises, they feel like a million dollars.”

Riders can also choose their segments a la carte in lieu of completing the entire circuit. Section 6, from Holden to Marquette, is Studinger’s favorite this year. “I have completely eliminated U.S. 41, which is very hard to do,” he says.

“It’s going to be a gorgeous ride. I cannot wait to have the people back.”

The deadline to register for this year’s Tour Da Yoop, Eh is Aug. 5.

Visit tourdayoopeh.com for details.

It’s no stretch to say the Tour Da Yoop, Eh was conceived in part as a safer alternative to biking in the Lower Peninsula. Founder James Studinger is a stickler for safety and, unsurprisingly, has recommendations for riders everywhere. He touts a product called Cat-Ears — fuzzy cylinders that attach to helmet straps — to reduce wind noise and allow riders to hear nearby sounds with more clarity. He also advises using flashing lights attached to both the front and rear of a bicycle.

J U LY 2 0 2 1

047-49.Agenda.Recreation.HOUR0721.indd 49

49

6/9/21 4:04 PM

Agenda

“Painful, the appearance of a dime in the cling (after Yoshitoshi’s painful, the appearance of a prostitute of the Kansei era),” by Rozeal (formerly known as Iona Rozeal Brown), reimagines an iconic Japanese woodblock print.

Amy Sherald’s “Handsome” (far right), embodies the artist’s mission to “paint Black people just being people.”

ARTS

A COLLECTION WITH A CALLING MW Gallery marks its fifth anniversary with a star-studded exhibit of new acquisitions and rarely seen gems

BY RYAN PATRICK HOOPER

50

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

050-51.Agenda.Flint.HOUR0721.indd 50

ON THE EDGE OF Flint’s downtown strip, a gallery dedicated to one of the largest private collections of African American art in the country sits in unassuming digs that you’ll drive right past if you’re not paying attention.

But no one is here for the exterior. It’s what’s hanging on the walls inside that matters.

The MW Gallery is the public-facing gallery for the vast Mott-Warsh Collection, encompassing more than 800 pieces of contemporary art by African American artists across sculpture, videos, mixed media, photographs, paintings, and beyond.

There are works by white artists, too, who focus their artistic gaze on Black subjects, including

work by contemporary name brands such as Robert Mapplethorpe.

Maryanne Mott — the daughter of General Motors mogul and former Flint Mayor Charles Stewart Mott — and her late husband, Herman Warsh, started the collection from scratch around 2001 after watching funding for the arts evaporate from public schools in Flint and around the country.

In 2012, the U.S. Department of Education released a report showing the largest decline in arts education for students happening in low-income communities such as Flint. Then-U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan described the gap as a “civil rights issue.”

“They wanted to fill the void of art education not taking place in public schools, but also the idea that there are many audiences who don’t necessarily frequent museums,” says Stephanie James, the director and curator of the Mott-Warsh Collection. The collection also lends out its works to other cultural institutions, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and many others.

This mission has led the gallery and collection to bring the art to the people of Flint, positioning artwork in local libraries, hospitals, and other public facilities. It’s a similar concept to the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Inside Out program, which brings reproductions to outdoor venues throughout metro Detroit. The MW Gallery, however, is doing one better by bringing original artworks to public areas.

“The initial focus was to place art in public spaces in and around Flint to make art more accessible,” says James, who previously worked as an assistant curator for the General Motors Center for African American Art at the DIA. “As a curator, it goes against what any museum curator practices.

But this is what we do here.”

Why take such a risk?

“Because we feel it’s that important to place art in the community,” James says.

To celebrate the five-year anniversary of the ROZEAL COURTESY OF ROZEAL/POP MOD PHOTO GALLERY COURTESY OF MW GALLERY

6/9/21 4:04 PM

Agenda

While in Flint …

If you’re making the quick drive to Flint from metro Detroit, you’ll want to plan out your trip — there’s more to do than you’re probably thinking The wood and paint assemblage “Number 218” embodies artist Leonardo Drew’s interest in lifecycles.

MW Gallery this year, James curated a show called First Look: Recent Acquisitions and Rarely Seen Gems.

It spans 56 works, celebrating work from artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. It’s on view now through Aug. 21.

The show features early wood sculptures by El Anatsui, a Ghanian sculptor who now lives and works in Nigeria. He’s now known for his metal tapestries, which are also on display at First Look.

Jack Whitten’s “Black Monolith” is a standout of the show, a stunning sculptural painting that uses paint chips to create his unique take on a mosaic.

The show also includes contemporary artists such as Bisa Butler, Leonardo Drew, Rozeal, and Amy Sherald, who created the groundbreaking official portrait for first lady Michelle Obama. Mid-career and established artists such as Kerry James Marshall and Howardena Pindell round out the show.

“It gives us a chance to show off some of the things that we’ve acquired in the past five years,” James says, adding that this show has a lighter subject matter than some of the more serious, social justice-themed shows that the gallery has recently hosted, which were direct reflections of how art institutions locally and nationally are responding to the contemporary civil rights movement.

LEONARDO DREW COURTESY OF GALERIE LELONG & CO., NEW YORK BREWERY COURTESY OF TENACITY BREWING

050-51.Agenda.Flint.HOUR0721.indd 51

For anyone who misses pre-bankruptcy Detroit — no Quicken Loans employees taking over your favorite dive bar, no small plates, all potential — you’ll find yourself right at home in Vehicle City, which is experiencing a wave of renewed interest from locals and outsiders alike but still feels raw, real, and like you’re discovering something for the first time. Just remember you’re not actually discovering something new — it’s just new to you.

Here are three stops worth working into your day-trip itinerary.

1

An Abundance of Art The Flint Institute of Arts is the second-largest art museum in Michigan. The Detroit Institute of Arts is obviously first, but don’t count out the small-butmighty FIA. The museum’s collection is extensive, with more than 8,500 pieces, and — like most American museums — focuses largely on European and American art traditions.

It also packs a massive educational punch with one of the largest museumconnected community art schools in the country, offering classes seven days a week. Coming up this month: Glass artist John Miller, whose greasy spoon-inspired exhibition Blue Plate Special is on view through Sept. 19, offers a two-day glassblowing workshop on July 24 and 26, and free public demonstrations on July 24.

See flintarts.org for registration details.

2

So Much Cider Flint loves its cider. It truly seems to be on tap at every place in the city. And you know a neighborhood is changing when a brewery opens in a revamped firehouse and offers some of the best cider in the city. Tenacity Brewing (which recently opened a location just north of the New Center neighborhood in Detroit, too) makes the stellar Bone Dry cider, which is exceptionally crisp and clean. Tenacity also boasts an award-winning scotch ale and an easy-to-drink Kolsch called Jeff in Sweatpants, which just sounds right.

Grab a pint and head outside into the massive back yard. Eat from a food truck. Watch awkward young professionals on first dates. Take a deep breath and say, “This is Flint, baby, and I like it.”

3

Get Outside Walk off the cider and foodtruck fare with a trip around the trails at the nearby ForMar Nature Preserve and Arboretum. The former dairy farm is now acres of wildlife, wetlands, meadows, forests, and hiking trails.

Like many things in Flint, the land was donated by former dairy farmers — in this case Forbes and Martha Merkley, who owned a vast amount of land in Genesee County. It’s one of those reminders of just how much wealth and innovation have come out of Vehicle City — and a refresher that there’s still plenty left from that gilded age to enjoy in a new context today.

2142 N. Genesee Road, Burton; geneseecounty parks.org —RPH

119 N. Grand Traverse St. Ste. 5620; 810-339-6676; tenacitybrewing.com

J U LY 2 0 2 1

51

6/10/21 2:37 PM

Agenda

MUSIC

RAW BROOKS

A new release spotlights the artistry, not the tragedy, of a Detroit jazz great

BY CH R I ST OPHE R P ORTE R

ROY BROOKS WAS A MONSTER with a pair of drumsticks in his hands. Born in Detroit in 1938, the percussionist played with the intensity of Elvin Jones and the strength of Max Roach.

But Roy Brooks was a different sort of monster the day he held a machete in one hand and a bullwhip in another as he threatened yet another neighbor in the old West Side neighborhood where he grew up.

Unlike the floating triplets and off-beat accents that he played with precision and control, Brooks could not control the demon that first started roaring inside him in the early 1960s, when he played in pianist Horace Silver’s bands and recorded for Blue Note Records. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Brooks would go on and off medications for the rest of his life.

After joining Silver’s band in 1959, Brooks was a mainstay on the New York City jazz scene through the early 1970s, featuring in the bands of saxophonistflutist and fellow Detroit native Yusef Lateef (19661969) and bassist Charles Mingus (1971-1973) and Roach’s percussion ensemble M’Boom (1970-1992), as well as on records with trumpeter Chet Baker and saxophonists Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt.

Brooks moved home to Detroit in 1975 to take care of his ailing mother, and while his national profile took a hit, he continued to be a creative force on the local music scene. But by 1999, the time of the machete and whip incident and the year after he brandished an unloaded gun at another neighbor, Brooks’ mental health was in disarray. He was sent to prison for 32 months, and while he was able to stabilize there with medication, the experience aged his already ravaged body, and he passed away in 2005.

While Brooks recorded several albums as a band leader, all for small labels, a recently unearthed 51-year-old live recording will give more listeners a chance to hear Brooks as a leader at the height of his musical powers, pushing aside the salaciousness of his tragic personal life for an unadulterated view of his artistic prowess.

The music on Understanding, which was issued by the Reel to Real label as a special release for Record Store Day on July 17, comes from a Nov. 1, 1970, concert recorded at the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore and sponsored by the Left Bank Jazz Society. Many concerts promoted by this organization were recorded and have come out over the years, and Brooks’ album is another archival gem.

Brooks, then 32, led a band with pianist Harold

52

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

052.Agenda.Music.HOUR0721.indd 52

Live Music Is Back Dive into it with these key concert dates July 9: Billy Joel Comerica Park Because among the things you’ve missed is singing “Piano Man” with thousands of strangers.

Aug. 1: Pink Martini Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre This super-chic and cheeky “little orchestra” from Oregon will bring its multilingual brand of cool back to Michigan. Make ours a double!

Aug. 1: James Taylor and Jackson Browne DTE Energy Music Theatre Detroit will be one of the first tour stops for these iconic singer/songwriters, both of whom have earned a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Aug. 6 and 7: Chris Stapleton DTE Energy Music Theatre The country superstar’s songwriting prowess is just as epic as his beard.

Aug. 10: Green Day/ Fall Out Boy/Weezer Comerica Park Here’s a chance to get your mosh pit on — or at least expend some of that pent-up energy from staying home for months.

—Jenn McKee

Roy Brooks was a mainstay on the New York City jazz scene of the 1960s and early ’70s.

Understanding, capturing the intensity of a 1970 performance in Baltimore, will be available on Record Store Day, July 17.

Mabern, 34; trumpeter Woody Shaw, 25; tenor saxophonist Carlos Garnett, 31; and bassist Cecil McBee, 35, that sizzled through two hours of music covering just six songs: Miles Davis’ “The Theme” closes the concert at a concise four and a half minutes, but the other five tracks clock in at 20-plus minutes each, and Garnett’s “Taurus Woman” maxes out at nearly 33 minutes.

The recording is hot but not distorted, and it captures the band in tremendous form, playing off modal forms that swing hard but that touch on some of the fire and fury ignited by free jazz. Shaw, in particular, sounds like he’s wielding a flame thrower, and Brooks is always there to support the trumpeter’s excursions with an elastic push-and-pull that propels the music. Shaw throws down a nearly 11-minute solo on the opening track, “Prelude to Understanding,” and it’s likely that listeners — then and now — had to catch their collective breath even more than the trumpeter did.

Proceeds from Understanding benefit the Detroit Sound Conservancy, which works to conserve artifacts from the city’s musical past and educate the public about its history, and the whole reissue stresses Brooks’ connection to his birthplace and the jazz explosion that happened here in the 1950s. The drummer’s fellow Motor City musicians Louis Hayes, who preceded him in Silver’s band, and saxophonist Charles McPherson, Brooks’ Northwestern High School classmate, are interviewed; another classmate, journalist and educator Herb Boyd, contributes a short reminiscence of his friend, as does Detroit Sound Conservancy Executive Director Michelle Jahra McKinney, who’s an archivist at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History; and former Detroit Free Press jazz and classical critic Mark Stryker, author of the book Jazz From Detroit, did the excellent liner notes, which really help listeners understand the mechanics of the music on Understanding. (McBee is also interviewed.)

Understanding is more potent than a machete, a bullwhip, an unloaded pistol.

Those episodes were aberrations in a creative life; Understanding displays the bigger picture, the life for which Roy Brooks should be most remembered.

ROY BROOKS, ALBUM COURTESY OF FULLY ALTERED MEDIA

6/8/21 10:30 AM

promotional content

»

Top Dentists

Top Dentists

«

Hour Detroit’s Top Dentists D e d i c a t e T h e i r L i f e t o K e e p i n g Yo u S m i l i n g

This will make you smile: Hour Detroit has gathered a list of some of the best dentists, orthodontists, periodontists, and prosthodontists in Michigan. These professionals can help reduce the stress that often accompanies you to the dentist and will put you in a chair of comfort, commitment, and results.

With the help of Professional Research Services, a list was compiled of top dental professionals in metro Detroit. These individuals devote their career to providing patients with the best possible care.

Let’s brush up on some facts.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay, and nearly half of all adults aged 30 or older show signs of gum disease. Also, about 1 in 5 children aged 5 to 11 have at least one untreated decayed tooth, and 1 out of 7 adolescents aged 12 to 19 have at least one untreated decayed tooth.

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 53

These numbers are concerning, but they don’t have to be. You’ll find answers and solutions for these and other dental needs in this special section.

Hour Detroit’s top dentists are all fully licensed, board-certified, and have trained and continue to train at the top schools and universities in the country. They utilize the latest and safest technology and treatments to renew your oral health and create beautiful, naturallooking, revitalized smiles.

On the following pages, you’ll find the survey results based on the subjective judgment of licensed general dentists and dental specialists in the community. Once the surveys were returned, each nominee was carefully evaluated on the basis of the survey results, the legitimacy of their license, and their current standing with the Michigan State Dental Board and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

So, go ahead and read on — with a smile! ■

6/8/21 1:50 PM

promotional content

»

Top Dentists

Endodontics Sarmad M. Alyas-Askar, D.D.S. Livonia Ali Aminlari, D.D.S., M.S. Ann Arbor Jeffrey L. Ash, D.D.S., M.S. Ann Arbor Vajra Bentur, D.D.S. Southfield

Matthew G. Healy, D.D.S., M.S. Dexter

Rachel Stockhausen, D.D.S. Livonia

Bradley A. Hirschman, D.D.S. Novi

Andrea Tory, D.D.S. Plymouth

Erika M. Johnson, D.D.S. Hartland

Steven J. Vlahakis, D.D.S Plymouth

Jay Lang, D.D.S. Shelby Township

Dmitry Vodopyanov, D.D.S., M.S. Ann Arbor

Jeffery Marderosian, D.D.S. Southfield

Thomas Vokal, D.D.S., M.S. Chesterfield

Carl Botvinick, D.D.S. Waterford

Stephen T. McInerney, D.D.S., M.S.

Kari Brodsky, D.D.S., M.S. Eastpointe

Root Canal Specialists 31100 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 120 Bingham Farms, MI 48025 248-540-9191 info@rootcanalspecialistspc.com rootcanalspecialistspc.com

Dominic Calek, D.D.S., M.S. Dearborn Heights Tiffeny Chimelak, D.D.S. Commerce Township

Lawrence C. Walsh, D.D.S. Warren Daron Yarjanian, D.D.S. Dearborn Hassan Yehia, D.D.S., M.S. Royal Oak Martha Zinderman, D.D.S., M.S. Livonia Michael Zuroff, D.D.S. Dearborn

Ashley Coulter, D.M.D. St. Clair Shores Nils E. Danielson, D.D.S., M.S. Clawson Timothy Daws, D.D.S. Shelby Township Gianni DeCarolis, D.M.D. Dearborn Derik P. DeConinck, D.D.S. Warren Clay C. Dietz, D.D.S. Troy

M. Kay McNeight, D.D.S. St. Clair Shores Christopher McWatters, D.D.S., M.S. Livonia

General Dentistry

Kimberly K. Melegari, D.D.S. St. Clair Shores

Natasha Aazami, D.D.S. Roseville

Jeremy Michaelson, D.M.D. Dearborn

Al Abdelnour, D.D.S. Livonia

Drew Moeller, D.D.S. Lake Orion

Aziza Askari, D.D.S., M.B.A., M.A.G.D.

Stephen Navarre, D.D.S. Clinton Township

Gerald Dietz Jr., D.D.S. Bloomfield Hills

Comfort Dental Spa 33966 W. Eight Mile Rd., Ste. 104 Farmington Hills, MI 48335 248-306-8907 concierge@comfortdentalspa.com comfortdentalspa.com

Gabrielle Noory, D.D.S. Southfield

Craig Duhaime, D.D.S. Clarkston Steven Edlund, D.D.S., M.S. Ann Arbor Todd V. Ester, D.D.S. Southfield Steven E. Fegan, D.D.S., M.S. Warren Richard Gardner, D.D.S. Ann Arbor

James Nowicki, D.D.S. Bloomfield Hills Eric Richardson, D.D.S., M.S. Southfield Mark Robinson, D.D.S. Ann Arbor

Dolores Baran, D.D.S. Royal Oak Dentist 1103 N. Main St. Royal Oak, MI 48067 248-548-1440 drbarancommunications@gmail.com royaloaksmiles.com

Richard Rubinstein, D.D.S. Farmington Hills Ross Ryan, D.D.S. Rochester

Michael Glass, D.D.S. Rochester

Robert M. Rybicki, D.D.S., M.S. Novi

George T. Goodis, D.D.S., M.S. Goodis Endodontics 20175 Mack Ave. Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 313-886-4040 gtgoodis@endodoctors.com endodoctors.com

Brad G. Griffin, D.D.S. Southfield Gerald J. Halk, D.D.S., M.S., J.D., L.L.M. Sterling Heights

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 54

Andrew Schoelch, D.D.S. St. Clair Shores Michael Shapiro, D.D.S., M.S. West Bloomfield Louis Shoha, D.D.S., M.S. Clinton Township Steven Shoha, D.D.S. Clinton Township Chad Speirs, D.D.S. Farmington Hills

Murray S. Baruch, D.D.S. West Bloomfield William G. Bender, D.D.S. Grosse Pointe Woods Richard S. Bernstein, D.D.S., M.S. Farmington Hills Mark Birnholtz, D.D.S. Farmington Hills Warren Black, D.D.S. Keego Harbor Daniel R. Blazo, D.D.S. Dearborn

6/8/21 1:50 PM

promotional content

Top Dentists

«

Dr. Dolores Baran, D.D.S. and Associates 1103 N. Main St., Ste. A, Royal Oak, MI 48067 | 248-548-1440 | 248-548-3880 (fax) | royaloaksmiles.com A highly skilled and experienced dentist, Dr. Dolores J. Baran is dedicated to providing excellent and compassionate dental care for her patients. A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, her career in the dental field spans more than 35 years.

“We have a full-service dental office offering everything from general dentistry services to surgical procedures, cosmetic dentistry, root canals, gum treatments, sedation (sleep), implant placement and final restoration, Botox treatments for migraines, and cosmetics,” she says.

Dr. Baran also invested in a CEREC machine, so she can quickly and easily make crowns in the office without messy impressions, temporaries, and second visits.

Dr. Baran takes an aesthetic approach to all of her work, creating healthy smiles that are beautiful and natural-looking. It’s no wonder that three and four generations of family members call Dr. Baran their dentist — and their friend.

Along with her many accolades as a dentist, Dr. Baran has been active with charities over the years. She brought life-changing smiles and dentistry to women who were victims of Hurricane Katrina, and to those seeking shelter and support through Lighthouse in the wake of domestic abuse or displacement. She has been, and continues to be, involved with the Judson Center of Royal Oak, helping children with special needs.

Patient comfort and safety are a priority. With the advent of COVID-19, Dr. Baran has implemented protocols above and beyond the requirements of the CDC and ADA guidelines for patient and staff safety. This includes UVC lights in the HVAC system; hospital-grade plasma air filtration units in treatment rooms and the waiting room, to kill viruses and bacteria; sneeze shields at the front desk; and the use of an organic solution that kills viruses and bacteria.

Call today for a consultation. If you prefer, tele-consultations are also available. ■

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 55

6/8/21 1:50 PM

promotional content

»

Top Dentists

Oakland Family Dental 4626 W. Walton Blvd., Waterford, MI 48329 | 248-674-0384 | oaklandfamilydental.com

Amanda M. Sheehan, D.D.S., DICOI, MAGD, D. ABDSM

Dr. Amanda M. Sheehan takes great pride and satisfaction when one of her patients walks out the door of Oakland Family Dental with a life-changing smile. “Our smiles are the gateway to our souls,” she says. “When someone isn’t comfortable with their smile, it can really affect their overall confidence and ability to reach their maximum potential. I’m proud to help patients regain their confidence so they can be the best version of themselves.” Dr. Sheehan also believes the road to a new smile is just as important as the end result. “I treat the person, not just the teeth,” she says.

Dr. Sheehan, who opened Oakland Family Dental in Waterford in 2016, has made it her

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 56

mission to treat patients with care and compassion from the time they first walk in the door until they flash that new, confident smile.

“I feel we owe it to our patients to be our best and offer them the best treatment options out there,” she says, “and to treat them the same way we would if they were our family.”

Dr. Sheehan is known for her relentless dedication to education; she graduated summa cum laude from Franklin Pierce College and received her doctorate from SUNY at Buffalo, with many honor awards. She went on to earn her certificate in dental oncology from Roswell Park Cancer Institute in 2012.

Dr. Sheehan believes in continuing her education and constantly improving her

knowledge in an ever-changing and evolving field. To date, she has earned nearly 3,000 hours of continuing education, and is the recipient of a Diplomate in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a Diplomate in the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. A Diplomate holds the highest standards of competency in diagnosis and treatment in a field of dentistry. Dr. Sheehan, one of only 2 percent of dentists in North America to achieve a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry, also is a faculty member at the prestigious Misch Resnik Implant Institute, where she mentors colleagues on implant surgery and prosthetics.

“The more I learn, the more I realize there

6/8/21 1:50 PM

promotional content

Top Dentists

is to learn. I’m absolutely fascinated with dentistry and all it has to offer,” Dr. Sheehan says. “It constantly amazes me how patients’ dental symptoms are interrelated and connected to many different facets of not only dentistry, but medicine in general. I’m passionate about treating the root cause of their problems, which gets more involved the more that I study.”

Oakland Family Dental offers life-changing, patient-centered dental health care that includes a full slate of services such as general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and dental implants. They do this with the latest technology the dental field has to offer.

Dr. Sheehan and her team at Oakland Family Dental are known throughout Oakland

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 57

«

County for their charitable efforts, donating smiles to local veterans and other deserving members of the community. Dr. Sheehan also believes in supporting local businesses, and recently received the Spirit Award from the Waterford Chamber of Commerce.

A WJR Women Who Lead honoree in 2018, Dr. Sheehan believes there’s nothing more rewarding than helping others and giving them the confidence and pride to smile again. “Our patients trust us to treat them like we would treat our family members,” she says. “I love that I get to come to work, enjoy what I’m doing, and give patients smiles they can wear proudly.” ■

6/8/21 1:51 PM

promotional content

»

Top Dentists

I. Bohay, M.S., D.D.S. Warren

Kevin Groth, D.D.S. Bingham Farms

Terrance H. Moore, D.D.S. Dearborn

Gregg S. Bonamici, D.D.S. Dearborn

Steven D. Gustafson, D.D.S. Royal Oak

Robert G. Nakisher, D.D.S. West Bloomfield

Edward A. Borio, D.D.S. Bloomfield Hills

Nancy Hartrick, D.D.S.

Ana Brajak, D.D.S. Eastpointe

Hartrick Dentistry 32609 Woodward Ave. Royal Oak, MI 48073 248-549-0950 frontdesk@hartrickdentistry.com hartrickdentistry.com

William Carmody, D.D.S. Troy Sam Cohen, D.M.D. Westland Steven Cohen, D.D.S. Westland

Brian J. Hunt, D.D.S.

Paul Darmon, D.D.S. Beverly Hills

Dr. Brian J. Hunt, D.D.S. 24641 Jefferson Ave. St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 586-772-7373 info@brianjhuntdds.com brianjhuntdds.com

Jeffrey S. Dillingham, D.D.S. Bloomfield Hills Robert DiPilla, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Detroit Michelle C. Dziurgot, D.D.S. Shelby Township James A. Everett, D.D.S. Grosse Pointe

Jon Hurst, D.D.S. Grosse Pointe Woods Stephen E. Jacobson, D.D.S. Walled Lake

Horacio Falcón, D.D.S. Falcón Dental Group 20690 Vernier Rd. Harper Woods, MI 48225 313-884-3050 info@falcondentalgroup.com falcondentalgroup.com

Shahrzad “Shad” Orenduff, D.D.S. Roseville Paula Ottaway, D.D.S. Grosse Pointe Woods William Palm, D.D.S. Huntington Woods Alexandra Peri, D.D.S. Bloomfield Hills

Alex Hunt, D.D.S. Brighton

Joseph L. Colon, D.D.S. Roseville

Melissa Novetsky, D.D.S. Garden City

Steven P. Jaffe, D.D.S. Novi Jeffrey Jaghab, D.D.S. Northville Stephanie Jaghab, D.D.S. Northville

Milad Rabban, D.D.S. Clinton Township Nicholas Reid, D.D.S. Farmington Hanan Kazbour Rizk, D.D.S. Ann Arbor Jeffery L. Roeser, D.D.S. Clarkston Russell A. Sassack, D.D.S. Sterling Heights Tim J. Schafer, D.D.S. Canton Kevin Schierlinger, D.D.S. Troy B. Sedki, D.D.S. Commerce Township Sanjiv Shah, D.D.S. Novi

Amanda Sheehan, D.D.S., M.A.G.D., DICOI, D. ABDSM

David Kam, D.D.S. Canton Bruce Fisher, D.D.S. Plymouth

Oakland Family Dental 4626 W. Walton Blvd.

Waterford, MI 48329 248-674-0384 sheehandds@gmail.com oaklandfamilydental.com

Richard Klein, D.D.S. Warren

Dale Garber, D.D.S. Dearborn

Lois Kovalchick, D.D.S. Grosse Pointe Woods

Danielle Gehlert, D.D.S. Clairpointe Family Dental 23995 Greater Mack Ave. St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 586-775-1040 clairpointe@hotmail.com clairpointefamilydental.com

Eric M. Kruske, D.D.S. Bloomfield Hills Dennis Laurich, D.D.S. Livonia

Alan M. Simons, D.D.S. Farmington Hills

Matt Laurich, D.D.S. Farmington Hills

Matthew J. Smith, D.D.S. Huntington Woods

Michelle Maltese, D.D.S. Rochester

Craig Goldin, D.D.S. Troy

Christopher J. Manduzzi, D.D.S. Utica

Marcy Goldin, D.D.S. Troy

Michael J. Marderosian, D.D.S. Bloomfield Hills

Raphael V. Goldstein, D.D.S. Novi

Scott Meldrum, D.D.S. Bloomfield Hills

Linda Goodman, D.D.S. Farmington Hills

Renee Miller, D.D.S. Bingham Farms

Jeffrey Grabiel, D.D.S. Birmingham

Andrea B. Monkman, D.D.S. Madison Heights

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 58

David Sorial, D.D.S., FICOI, PC Smile Farmington Hills, PC Drs. Birnholtz, Sorial & Steiner 32931 Middlebelt Rd. Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-626-9915 docsorial@gmail.com smilefarmingtonhills.com Marianne F. Stefan, D.D.S. Huntington Woods

6/8/21 1:51 PM

promotional content

Top Dentists

«

Spillane & Reynolds Novi, Rochester Hills, Troy, and West Bloomfield | 248-344-8400 | myamazingsmile.com

Top row, left to right: Dr. Jamie Reynolds, D.D.S., M.S.; Dr. Jeff Heinz, D.D.S., M.S.D. Bottom row, left to right: Dr. Leah Vernacchia, D.D.S., M.D.S.; Dr. Jennifer Bonamici, D.D.S., M.S.

Dr. Jamie Reynolds believes there’s more to orthodontics than straightening teeth. In his 19 years at Spillane & Reynolds — the Novi, Rochester, Troy, and West Bloomfield offices he shares with Dr. Jeff Heinz, Dr. Leah Vernacchia, and Dr. Jennifer Bonamici — he has seen the bigger picture. “If we can change the way someone feels about their smile, it will have an impact on how confident they are,” he says. “That opportunity to change lives is what makes our job really special.”

“We treat each patient like they’re a member of our own family,” Dr. Vernacchia adds. “We’re honest about what needs to be done and the time it takes to do it.”

High on the list of priorities at the practice is avoiding unnecessary or invasive

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 59

procedures. Dr. Vernacchia cites a study of national averages that reported 40 percent of orthodontic cases nationwide have at least two teeth removed. “In our office, it’s about 1 percent,” she says. She partially credits the Damon Braces System, a cutting-edge combination of a special brace design and wire technology that allows orthodontists to wield gentler forces with greater comfort.

Looking to avoid traditional braces?

Spillane & Reynolds is among the top 1 percent of providers in North America of Invisalign, which uses removable, clear aligners. “It’s a great way for those who aren’t keen on the idea of braces to get a beautiful, healthy smile,” Dr. Bonamici notes. While great attention is paid to the health of their

patients’ bites to ensure the overall lifespan of the teeth, Dr. Reynolds says they balance this with aesthetics. “We want to make sure we give each individual the most aesthetically pleasing smile possible,” he explains.

The doctors invite you to schedule a complimentary smile assessment at any of their four state-of-the-art locations. ■

6/8/21 1:51 PM

promotional content

»

Top Dentists

Stephanie Stephan, D.D.S. Auburn Hills

Norman Betts, D.D.S., M.S. Plymouth

Anthony Kasper, D.D.S., O.M.F.S. Clinton Township

Jay Stone, D.D.S. Birmingham

Chad E. Betz, D.D.S. Livonia

P. Andrew Kissoondial, D.D.S. Sterling Heights

Thomas Bolten, D.D.S., M.D. West Bloomfield

Jeffrey C. Knorr, D.D.S., MSBA New Baltimore

Nicholas Bournias, D.D.S. West Bloomfield

Michael Kraemer, D.M.D., M.D. Warren

Henry G. Bryan, D.D.S. Roseville

Vejayan Krishnan, D.D.S. Farmington Hills

Thomas Butts, D.D.S. Brighton

Arshi Lehal, D.D.S., M.D. Warren

Ronald L. Sudomir, D.D.S. Sterling Heights

Robert N. Chames, D.D.S. Livonia

Claude LeRose, D.D.S., M.D. Warren

Kenneth D. Thomas, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Clarkston

Jeffrey S. Cohen, D.D.S. West Bloomfield Township

Paul C. Lopez, D.D.S., M.D. Ann Arbor

Matthew B. Thomas, D.D.S. Clarkston

Sean P. Edwards, D.D.S., M.D. Ann Arbor

Jeffery A. McFadden, D.D.S. Livonia

Mary Sue Stonisch, D.D.S. Faircourt Dental Smile Studio 20040 Mack Ave. Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 313-882-2000 thesmileartist@comcast.net faircourtdental.com

Doug G. Thompson, D.D.S. Bloomfield Hills

Yuksel Erpardo, D.D.S., Ph.D. Center for Implant Dentistry & Oral Surgery 28124 Orchard Lake Rd., Ste. 100 Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-702-6622 info@c4implantdentistry.com drerpardo.com

Ben Underwood, D.D.S. Warren Suela Veizaj, D.D.S. Wyandotte P. Steven Wainess, D.D.S. St. Clair Shores Gary J. Warr, D.D.S. Southfield Jeffrey E. Watzman, D.D.S. Madison Heights Jeffrey L. Weinfeld, D.D.S. West Bloomfield David Whalen, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Troy Mark Wolowiec, D.D.S Bloomfield Hills Robert W. Wood, D.D.S. West Bloomfield Krista Wortman, D.D.S. Shelby Township Mark Wortman, D.D.S. Shelby Township David R. Zamler, D.D.S. Royal Oak

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Zaid Abu-Seir, D.D.S. Farmington Hills Joe Alamat, D.D.S., M.D. Shelby Township Jonathon Anderson, D.D.S. Birmingham Mark A. Azzopardi, D.D.S. Novi

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 60

Anthony C. Fasi, D.D.S., M.D. Ann Arbor Robert B. Felsenfeld, D.D.S. Dearborn Norbert E. Fernandez, D.D.S. Ann Arbor Adam Fisher, D.M.D. Eastpointe Dexter K. Flemming, D.D.S., M.S. Southgate Gary Forgach, D.D.S. Shelby Township Arvind Gulati, D.D.S. Novi Anish A. Gupta, D.D.S., M.S. Southgate John Hackenberger, D.D.S. Grosse Pointe Woods Curtiss P. Haskins, D.D.S., M.D. Livonia Joseph M. Hildebrand, D.D.S. Shelby Township Paul Ho, D.D.S. Brownstown Marvin Jabero, D.D.S. Hartland Robert C. John, D.D.S., M.D. Oxford Bryan Johnson, D.D.S. Clarkston

Maurizio Mirabelli, D.D.S. Chesterfield Jack F. Moores, D.D.S. Livonia Ronald P. Morris, D.D.S. Wyandotte Brian C. Murphy, D.D.S. West Bloomfield Gregory M. Nielsen, D.D.S., M.S. Huntington Woods Derek Nykiel, D.D.S., M.D. Bingham Farms Leslie Orzech, D.M.D. Waterford Aaron M. Pokorny, D.D.S., M.D. Rochester Hills Carlos Ramirez-Neyra, M.D., D.D.S. Warren Paul A. Renke, D.D.S. Rochester Hills David M. Rombach, D.D.S., M.D. Huntington Woods Aaron Ruskin, D.D.S. Farmington Hills William Ruskin, D.D.S. Farmington Hills Omar Salamen, D.D.S. Dexter Christopher R. Sanker, D.D.S., M.D. Ann Arbor Timothy Schmakel, D.D.S., M.D. Bingham Farms Russell Sclafani, D.D.S., M.D. Macomb Kathryn A. Sonpal, D.D.S. Rochester Hills Gregory Thomas, D.D.S., M.S. Rochester Hills

6/8/21 1:51 PM

promotional content

Top Dentists

«

Faircourt Dental Smile Enhancement Center 20040 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 | 313-882-2000 | faircourtdental.com It reveals emotions, and communicates health and overall well-being. In other words, a smile is powerful. What does yours say? For more than 35 years, Dr. Mary Sue Stonisch has worked hand-in-hand with her patients to answer this question positively. She’s earned numerous accolades for her work, including recognition from prominent organizations like the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

From her Faircourt Dental Smile Studio and Dental Implant Center, located in Grosse Pointe Woods, Dr. Stonisch provides services ranging from general dentistry to fillings and crowns, basic cleanings, extensive gum care, drill-less veneers, securing dentures with implants, and so much more. Her health-centered approach to dentistry leads to whole-body wellness. Specific treatment plans are tailored to meet each patient’s goals, and their overall health is prioritized every step of the way.

More than 30 years ago, Dr. Stonisch was the first dentist in the tri-county area to be fully accredited in the practice of cosmetic dentistry, making her a true pioneer. She’s a lecturer, author, key opinion leader for firms such as Kettenbach Dental products, and an innovator who holds three dental patents. Dr. Stonisch utilizes the XNAV dental implant system, which aids in the placement of implants with precise robotic guidance. Always top of mind for Dr. Stonisch is providing her patients with the best care possible.

Schedule a free, personal, digital consultation with Dr. Stonisch today at faircourtdental.com, and experience the difference modern dentistry can make! ■

Mary Sue Stonisch, D.D.S.

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 61

6/8/21 1:51 PM

promotional content

»

Top Dentists

William L. Thompson, D.D.S., M.D. Commerce Township

Thomas Gebeck, D.D.S., M.S. Birmingham

Jennifer K. Mertz, D.D.S., M.S. Grosse Pointe Woods

Jeffrey Topf, D.D.S. West Bloomfield

Christian G. Groth, D.D.S., M.S. Birmingham

Charles F. Munk, D.D.S. Clarkston

Jeffrey Wasielewski, D.D.S., M.D., MBA Plymouth

Michael R. Hardy, D.D.S, M.S. Waterford Township

Charles W. Munk, D.D.S., M.S. Clarkston

James D. Williams, D.D.S. Clarkston

Aaron Havens, D.D.S., M.S. St. Clair Shores

Andrea Nakisher, D.D.S. Farmington Hills

Steven Wolf, D.D.S. Warren

David Havens, D.D.S., M.S. St. Clair Shores

Patrick J. Nolan, D.D.S., M.S. Canton

Jeevaka Yapa, D.D.S. Southfield

Jeffrey Heinz, D.D.S. Novi

Kenneth A. Norwick, D.D.S. Dearborn

Nelson “Nick” Hersh, D.D.S., M.S. West Bloomfield Township

Nick S. Palmer, D.D.S., M.S., PC Sterling Heights

Gregory Hummon, D.D.S., M.S. Birmingham

Valmy Pangrazio-Kulbersh, D.D.S., M.S. Sterling Heights

Rodney Hyduk, D.D.S., M.S.D. Troy

Niyati Patel-Parekh, D.M.D., M.D.S. Troy

Amy Isenberg, D.D.S., M.S. West Bloomfield Township

Jerek Petrous, D.D.S., M.S. Royal Oak

Orthodontics Susan H. Abed, D.D.S., M.S. Brownstown Philip Badalamenti, D.D.S. St. Clair Shores Edward D. Bayleran, D.D.S. Bingham Farms

Nicole M. Jane, D.D.S., M.S.

Marsha Beattie, D.D.S., M.S. West Bloomfield Township

The Big Smile Orthodontics 33627 Seven Mile Rd. Livonia, MI 48152 248-471-1555 scheduling@thebigsmile.com thebigsmile.com

Mark Berkman, D.D.S., M.S. Commerce Township Mark A. Bieszki, D.D.S., M.S. Macomb Township Jennifer Bonamici, D.D.S. Novi Thomas Borgula, D.D.S., M.S. Shelby Township Richard Bruno, D.D.S., M.S. Clawson

Kabot Orthodontics 655 W. 14 Mile Rd., Ste. 200 Clawson, MI 48017 248-280-2944 kabotoffice@sbcglobal.net kabodontics.com

Bridget Bushon-Miller, D.D.S., M.S. Sterling Heights Andrew DeHaan, D.D.S. Lake Orion John J. Dumas, D.D.S. Birmingham Zvi Kennet, D.M.D., M.S. Macomb Township Alan J. Ker, D.D.S., M.S. Clinton Township

Comfort Dental Spa 33966 W. Eight Mile Rd., Ste. 104 Farmington Hills, MI 48335 248-306-8907 concierge@comfortdentalspa.com comfortdentalspa.com

Cynthia L. Fee, D.D.S., M.S. Plymouth Richard Friedman, D.M.D. Royal Oak

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 62

Spillane & Reynolds Orthodontics 4299 Orchard Lake Rd., Ste. 196 West Bloomfield, MI 48323 248-344-8400 info@myamazingsmile.com myamazingsmile.com

Jacob G. Schering, D.D.S., M.S. Birmingham

Thomas D. Jusino, D.D.S. Farmington Hills

G. Michael Kabot, D.D.S., M.S.

Edward Essayan, D.D.S., M.S.

James Reynolds, D.D.S., M.S.

Brynn Jezdimir, D.D.S. St. Clair Shores

Eric Brust, D.D.S., M.S. Taylor

Laura Edwards, D.D.S., M.S. Ann Arbor

Nicholas Rafaill, D.D.S. Shelby Township

William Krieg, D.D.S. St. Clair Shores Maureen Kuhta, D.M.D. Bloomfield Hills Michael L. Lanzetta, D.D.S. Taylor John A. Lazarus, D.D.S., M.S. Waterford John J. Lupini, D.D.S, M.S. Wyandotte Nawaf Masri, D.D.S., M.S. Livonia

Lainie Shapiro, D.D.S., M.S. Commerce Township Randall L. Shaw, D.D.S., M.S. Southfield Prasanna-Kumar Shivapuja, B.D.S., M.D.S., D.D.S., M.S. Roseville Brandon Shoukri, D.D.S., M.S. Dexter Mamnoon Siddiqui, D.D.S., M.S. Dearborn Lawrence M. Spillane, D.D.S., M.S. Novi Bradley Stieper, D.D.S. Taylor Ari G. Thanasas, D.D.S., M.S. Clinton Township Howard L. Tingling, D.D.S., M.S. Southfield Scott A. Tyler, D.D.S., M.S. Birmingham Algirdas Vaitas, D.M.D. Birmingham Gerald M. Wesley, D.D.S., M.S. Chesterfield

6/8/21 1:51 PM

promotional content

Top Dentists

«

G. Michael Kabot, D.D.S., M.S. 21890 Farmington Rd., Farmington, MI 48336 | 248-888-1252 655 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., Clawson, MI 48017 | 248-280-2944 | kabodontics.com

Dr. G. Michael Kabot is celebrating 33 years in private orthodontic practice this year, and when he says that the critical years for dental health are before a child reaches 10, he knows of what he speaks.

From his Farmington and Clawson locations, Dr. Kabot has watched many patients grow from children to young adults who now bring their children to him for dental care. While 20 percent of his practice is adult patients, his primary audience is children ages 7 to 10. Dr. Kabot’s exuberant personality and colorful neckties immediately squash any trepidation young clients may feel on their first trips to the orthodontist.

The reason why the first decade is so critical for lifelong dental health is because when growth and development problems are addressed early, it lessens the likelihood of needing extractions, jaw surgeries, headgear, and three- to four-year treatment plans. It’s definitely a money-saver, too.

“With functional orthodontics, functional jaw orthopedics, and interceptive and early orthodontics, many of these young children won’t even need braces,” Dr. Kabot says.

His family practice is one where everyone feels welcome — and you’re likely to meet some of Dr. Kabot’s family, as well. His wife, Christina, manages the offices and runs the orthodontic laboratory, and all three of his sons have worked there at various times. A featured Hour Detroit Top Dentist for many years, Dr. Kabot says he simply abides by the rule that all patients receive individual attention and treatment. “I treat every patient exactly as I would treat my own children,” he says.

Deeply involved with community, school, and church activities, Dr. Kabot is also a mentor. More than 16 of his patients have become dentists over the past 30 years; one is even an orthodontist.

Once again featured this year in Hour Detroit as a Top Dentist, Dr. Kabot provides the highest quality orthodontics for a very fair price in a friendly and fun environment. A graduate of Albion College and the University of Detroit School of Dentistry, Dr. Kabot completed a general practice residency at Sinai Hospital, where he worked with many different dental and medical specialists prior to his orthodontic residency. He is proud to be a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. ■

G. Michael Kabot, D.D.S., M.S.

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 63

6/8/21 1:51 PM

promotional content

»

Top Dentists

Robert K. Wesley, D.D.S. Richmond

Swati M. Rastogi, D.D.S. Novi

Nicole S. Wright, D.D.S., M.S. Plymouth

Jocelyn M. Robelli, D.D.S., M.S., PLLC Roseville

Robert Ziaja, D.D.S., M.S. Macomb

Angela M. Rogers, D.D.S., M.S. Southfield

Pediatric Dentistry Samuel Blanchard, D.D.S. Taylor James R. Boynton, D.D.S., M.S. Ann Arbor Daniel Briskie, D.D.S. Rochester Hills Andreina Castro, D.D.S., M.S. Taylor Natalie Datien, D.D.S. Southgate

Hana Gadalla, D.D.S., M.S. Comfort Dental Spa 33966 W. Eight Mile Rd., Ste. 104 Farmington Hills, MI 48335 248-306-8907 concierge@comfortdentalspa.com comfortdentalspa.com

Megan E. Stowers, D.D.S. West Bloomfield Stacy Sullivan, D.D.S., M.S. Chesterfield

Michael Haddow, D.D.S. Lathrup Village

Arnold Tracht, D.D.S. Rochester Hills

Shelia Kennebrew Horton, D.D.S., M.S. Southfield

Joseph C. Tuazon, D.D.S. Sterling Heights

Mark S. Isler, D.D.S. Farmington Hills

David Vazquez, D.D.S. Dearborn

Darnell Kaigler Jr., D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D. Detroit

Christopher Walsh, D.D.S. Clarkston

Mitchell D. Kaplan, D.D.S., Ph.D. Ann Arbor

Cari M. Zupko, D.D.S., M.S. Beverly Hills

Amar Katranji, D.D.S., M.S.

James Delaney III, D.D.S. Waterford Molly Doyle, D.D.S. Dearborn

Joseph R. Nemeth, D.D.S. & Associates 29829 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 111 Southfield, MI 48034 248-357-3100 info@drnemeth.com drnemeth.com

Periodontics

Naila Farooq, D.D.S. Commerce Township

Patrick Ainslie, D.D.S., M.S. Bloomfield Hills

Renee Fraser, D.D.S. Clinton Township

A. G. Alsaidi, D.D.S., M.S. Southfield

Jason Golnick, D.D.S. Taylor

Lauren Anderson, D.D.S., M.S. Bloomfield Hills

Bassam M. Kinaia, D.D.S., M.S., DICOI Sterling Heights

Noam Greenbaum, D.D.S. Taylor

Shabnam Behdin, D.D.S., M.S.D. Eastpointe

Shilpa Kolhatkar, D.D.S., M.D.S. Plymouth

Kerri S. Gustafson, D.D.S. Roseville

Monish Bhola, D.D.S., M.S.D. Plymouth

Lloyd W. Lariscy, D.D.S. Dearborn

Dawn Yuen Harvey, D.D.S, M.S. Grosse Pointe Woods

Suheil Michael Boutros, D.D.S., M.S. Clarkston

Peter Leone, D.D.S, M.S. Clinton Township

Danny Kalash, D.M.D. West Bloomfield Township

Julius Bunek, D.D.S., M.S. Ann Arbor

Thomas McLean, D.D.S. Farmington Hills

Kara Lehal, D.D.S. Clarkston

Leyvee Cabanilla-Jacobs, D.D.S., M.S.D. Plymouth

Stephen J. Meraw, D.D.S., M.S. Warren

Martin Makowski, D.D.S. Clinton Township

Sandra S. Chang, D.D.S., M.S. Canton

Kelly A. Misch, D.D.S., M.S. Ann Arbor

Sam Malcheff, D.D.S. Canton

David G. Darany, D.D.S., M.S. Dearborn

Anthony L. Neely, D.D.S. Southfield

Ray Maturo, D.D.S. Ann Arbor

Linda L. Dobis, D.D.S. Dearborn

Amy B. Maxwell, D.D.S. Novi

Omar El-Banhawy, D.D.S., M.S., FICOI Royal Oak

Amy C. Parker, D.D.S., M.S. Southfield

Mark E. Frenchi, D.D.S., M.S. Clarkston

Dana Radtke, D.D.S., F.A.A.P.D. Brighton Curt Ralstrom, D.D.S., M.S. Clinton Township Elizabeth Ralstrom, D.D.S., M.S. Clinton Township

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 64

Joseph R. Nemeth, D.D.S., M.A.C.S. Joseph R. Nemeth, D.D.S. & Associates 29829 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 111 Southfield, MI 48034 248-357-3100 info@drnemeth.com drnemeth.com

Alexandra B. Plonka, D.D.S., M.S. Grosse Pointe Woods

6/8/21 1:51 PM

promotional content

Top Dentists

«

Nicole M. Jane, D.D.S., M.S. 33627 Seven Mile Rd. Livonia, MI 48152 | 248-471-1555 31370 Telegraph Rd. Bingham Farms, MI 48025 | 248-645-5340 | thebigsmile.com

Nicole M. Jane, D.D.S., M.S.

A family-oriented practice that has been transforming smiles since 1961 with advanced braces and clear aligners, The Big Smile Orthodontics strives to treat every patient as an individual, with personal and customized treatment.

“The confidence a person exhibits with a beautiful smile and well-aligned teeth is an amazing thing, and I enjoy helping each of my patients achieve this,” says Nicole M. Jane, D.D.S., M.S. “Our doctors and staff work hard to ensure our patients are treated with compassion and respect, in order to deliver the best treatment and experience around.”

Dr. Jane wanted to differentiate her practice and looked for a process that would allow her to perform orthodontics with a system and technology that would enhance what she does. In 2005, she adopted SureSmile, which enables optimal

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 65

and efficient planning and control for the best esthetics, as well as dental and bone health.

The Big Smile also incorporates Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) radiography, which allows the doctor to see the actual bones and skeleton of the patient, and improves the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment.

More than one-third of the patients at The Big Smile are adults. “Adult orthodontics can help with sleep apnea, severe snoring, and chronic pain due to TMJ,” Dr. Jane says.

Every treatment plan at The Big Smile is made in consideration of the individual, and every staff member knows and respects the high standards of care demanded by their patients.

Many of the team members have been at the practice for over 20 years.

“We’re all driven by the happiness and self-confidence a new smile creates in our

patients, and want to give everyone who walks through our door that life-changing experience,” Dr. Jane says. “You deserve it, you’re worth it, and I want your orthodontic experience to be the best part of your day.” ■

TheBigSmile.com

6/8/21 1:53 PM

promotional content

»

Top Dentists

Michael Ramos, D.D.S. Rochester Hills

Samir F. Zakaria, D.D.S, M.S.D.

Abdullah Sayed, D.D.S., M.S. Birmingham

Periodontics & Dental Implants Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology 37619 Pembroke Ave. Livonia, MI 48152 734-542-9904 zakariaperio.com

Lindsey Steele, D.D.S., M.S. Farmington Hills Jacob Steiger, D.D.S., M.S. Farmington Hills Patrick L. Sweeney, D.D.S., M.S. Eastpointe

Furat M. George, D.D.S. Farmington Hills Emily Giroux, D.D.S. Sterling Heights Michael P. Girskis, D.D.S., M.S. Livonia Douglas A. Henke, D.D.S., M.S. Farmington Hills Rami Jandali, D.M.D., M.S. Southfield

Lauren M. Syrowik, D.D.S., M.S. Dearborn

Aaron Zeevi, D.D.S, M.S. Huntington Woods

Darnell Kaigler Sr., D.D.S., M.S. Detroit

Paul VanRaaphorst, D.D.S. Rochester Hills

Laura Zetu, D.D.S., M.S. Rochester Hills

Jesse Kane, D.D.S., M.S. Ann Arbor

Whitney D. Weiner, D.D.S., M.S. Eastpointe Michael S. Wojcik, D.D.S., M.S. Clinton Township

Prosthodontics

Lisa Kane, D.D.S., M.S. Bloomfield Hills Neil L. Matthews, D.D.S., M.S. Rochester Hills

Steve L. Wolf, D.D.S., F.A.C.S. Novi

Yasser Alali, D.D.S. Dearborn

Fredrick Matvias, D.M.D, M.S. Troy

Joanne Yihan, D.D.S., M.S. Rochester Hills

David Bartolovic, D.D.S., M.S.D. Ferndale

Ajay Ojha, D.D.S. Sterling Heights

Mark D. Zahn, D.D.S., M.S. Ann Arbor

Benjamin Czerniawski, D.D.S., M.S. Grosse Pointe Woods

Richard J. Persiani, D.D.S. West Bloomfield

Andrew N. Dill, D.D.S., M.S. Ann Arbor

Jennifer Wiens Priebe, D.D.S., M.S., F.A.C.P. West Bloomfield

Chady A. Elhage, D.D.S., M.S. Royal Oak

Stephen J. Riedy, D.D.S., M.S., F.A.C.P. Plymouth Robert Stewart, D.D.S., M.S. Grosse Pointe Woods

Karen P. Meyers, D.D.S.

Sharitha V. Uchil, B.D.S., M.D.S. Livonia

1875 Southfield Rd., Birmingham, MI 48009 248-646-2450 | kmeyersdds@gmail.com | karenmeyersdds.com

Jonathan P. Wiens, D.D.S. M.S.D., F.A.C.P. West Bloomfield

Dr. Karen P. Meyers has been practicing dentistry for more than 30 years. Dr. Meyers takes a practical approach to her patients’ oral health and care. The practice’s philosophy is built around a straightforward outlook that always aims for what’s for the patient in the short and long term. As an experienced doctor who knows the field and can effectively diagnose and treat all of your dental and oral health conditions, Dr. Meyers is a friendly dentist who counsels you on the best ways to maintain and improve your health. It’s her belief that informed patients are better prepared to make decisions regarding their health and wellbeing. Dr. Meyers is always available to consult, educate, and advise you about your oral health decisions. ■

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 66

6/8/21 1:54 PM

promotional content

Top Dentists

«

Brian J. Hunt, D.D.S. 24641 E. Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 | 586-772-7373 | brianjhuntdds.com “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your Smile can be the source of your Joy.” Dr. Brian J. Hunt provides the latest advancements in dental care in a safe and comfortable environment.

He ensures that his patients receive the most effective and efficient care possible by using advanced technologies for diagnostics and treatment planning.

“Every patient has a unique smile and different needs, so we create personalized treatment plans, thereby providing the best solution for each individual,” says Dr. Hunt. “We offer general, implant, and cosmetic dentistry for the whole family. We can complete your entire treatment in our office with the one team you know and trust.”

Since a healthy smile begins with good oral health, Dr. Hunt focuses on preventive care to keep your smile beautiful inside and out. Starting with regular checkups and cleanings, he will help maintain, diagnose, and provide treatment including white fillings, crowns, root canals, and more.

“We want to help our patients achieve the best smile possible,” says Dr. Hunt. That’s why he specializes in comprehensive dental care — to maintain the health and beauty of your teeth. ■ Call the office today to start your smile transformation.

Falcon Dental Group 20690 Vernier Rd., Harper Woods, MI 48225 | 313-884-3050 | falcondentalgroup.com “Never underestimate the power of a healthy beautiful smile.” – Dr. Horacio E. Falcon Dr. Horacio E. Falcon, a Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry graduate and owner of Falcon Dental Group in Harper Woods, has years of experience in both general dentistry and comprehensive dental treatments. Dr. Falcon has been recognized over the years for his clinical and leadership excellence, and has extensive training in dental implants and aesthetic dentistry. Still, nothing puts a bigger smile on his face than seeing his patients flash a healthy, beautiful, confident smile.

“Falcon Dental Group is all about the patient experience,” says a member of Dr. Falcon’s team. “We provide a relaxing and comfortable environment, with state-of-the-art technology, from digital impressions to 3-D CBCT radiographs.”

Falcon Dental Group offers general dentistry including aesthetic, sedation, and implant dentistry.

“I look forward to the personal relationships I develop when treating people, and strive to provide patients with the best experience,” Dr. Falcon says. ■ Horacio E. Falcon, D.D.S.

TopDentist_Section_HD_0721.indd 67

6/8/21 1:54 PM

FOR DIGITAL ADVERTISING SOLUTIONS CALL 248-268-8026 COMPASSMEDIA.COM CompassDigital_FP_HD.indd 1

6/9/21 10:38 AM

promotional content

PAIN MANAGEMENT Q&A

Advanced Treatment Options Turn Painful into Pain-free What does a perfect day feel like? Waking up rested and feeling energetic and strong? Engaging in your everyday activities with ease? Enjoying the day without tingling, shooting, or aching pain? Unfortunately, for many people who live with pain, a perfect day is only a dream.

You may think that pain is a normal part of aging; it’s something you must put up with or ignore. Actually, most pain can be managed. Metro Detroit pain management specialists and other health providers offer a wide range of the latest pain-relieving treatment options to restore functioning for an improved quality of life.

Some people who have pain use medication as their

Q:

go-to treatment. However, in some cases, popping pills may lead to addiction. Rehabilitation therapies, Pilates, and chiropractic provide solutions to help relieve pain without surgery or long-term medication. Other types of noninvasive, pain-relieving therapies include massage, deep heat treatments, infrared sauna, electrical stimulation, yoga, and meditation.

If throbbing pain takes root in your mouth, you don’t want your treatment to hurt, too. Metro Detroit dental professionals provide a comforting environment, sedation options, and minimally invasive treatments so you feel little to no discomfort in the dental chair. ■

I’m feeling pain in my teeth and sometimes in my jaw, especially when I’m chewing. What could these symptoms mean and can orthodontics help me?

A: You may have an uneven bite, or what is called a malocclusion. When teeth are aligned properly, the biting forces in the mouth are distributed evenly across all the teeth. If only a few teeth are touching and bearing all the biting forces, it can lead to tooth pain and other problems.

One common problem is the breakdown of the teeth and gums.

This can lead to gum recession, and your protective layer of tooth

PainManagementQ&A_Spread_HD_0721.indd 69

enamel could wear away. When your bite is uneven, you also may experience temporomandibular joint disorder symptoms.

When patients come in for a consultation, extraoral and intraoral photographs, a panoramic X-ray, and 3-D scans of the teeth are taken.

These images are used to formulate a diagnosis for the patient’s tooth position and bite. Finally, a plan is devised to fix the malocclusion.

Orthodontic treatment typically involves braces and wires, with the use of rubber bands, to move the teeth into an appropriate position.

Clear aligners can also be used to treat an uneven bite. Treatment can take six to 24 months, depending on the severity of the malocclusion.

Patients are seen every six to eight weeks, to ensure everything is progressing toward achieving a well-balanced bite.

Spillane & Reynolds Orthodontics Dr. Jennifer Bonamici Novi, Rochester, Troy, West Bloomfield 248-344-8400 myamazingsmile.com Advertisement on page 59

6/7/21 4:32 PM

promotional content

PAIN MANAGEMENT Q&A Q:

My eyes are sore. I’ve used drops, but they only help for a short time. What could be causing my eye pain?

A: The most common cause of eye pain is dry eye. There are many different reasons for dry eye, including poor tear film, inadequate protection from the eyelid, chronic inflammation of the ocular surface or the eyelid, a low-grade infection, or an inflammatory condition.

Dry eye might feel like sandpaper.

Your eyes may be red or irritated, and your vision may be off. Some patients with dry eyes have tearing, as their glands produce excessive tears.

Q:

of how we move through the day.

From working out and walking, to sitting and even sleeping, this lack of awareness can lead to too much pressure on the spine and can throw off muscular strength in the rest of the body. Add in a weak core, and muscle imbalances are even more pronounced. The end result? Pain.

“Pilates is ideal for those struggling with chronic pain as a

Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery, PC Alon Kahana, M.D., Ph.D. Oculoplastic & Orbital Surgery 248-357-5100 facialworks.com Advertisement on page 102

result of a weak core,” says Ron Jegadeesh, owner, instructor, and physical therapist at Pilates Fitness and Physical Therapy center in Southfield. “Pilates movements aim to rehabilitate and retrain the deep abdominal, pelvic, and spinal stability muscles so they can dynamically support the spine, offloading the joints and ultimately leading to a reduction of pain.” In addition, the focus on breath draws

attention from the painful areas of the body, while the low-impact movements increase muscle strength and can be tailored to fit different ability levels.

Given all of this, it’s no wonder that doctors and physical therapists are recommending Pilates to their patients. The ease and effectiveness of Pilates makes it an essential part of any comprehensive pain management program.

Pilates Fitness & Physical Therapy Center Ron Jegadeesh, PT, MBA Certified PMA, Polestar Pilates, Stott Pilates, Gyrotonic, and Gyrokinesis Instructor 17418 W. 10 Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075 248-552-1012 pilatesfitnessevolution.com ron@pilatesfitnessevolution.com Advertisement on page 103

I’m extremely afraid of going to the dentist, but I need dental work! What are my best options?

A: With sleep dentistry, you can put aside your fear of the dentist.

“We provide IV sedation, where the patient is in a twilight sleep — they don’t feel any pain or remember the experience,” says Dr. Dolores Baran.

“There are also other methods for relaxation that are tailored to the patient’s specific needs.”

Dr. Baran and her team provide all phases of dentistry and use advanced technologies such as the CEREC

Q:

autoimmune condition. Patients can find relief at the Michigan Center for Thyroid Eye Disease & Orbital Surgery, which is part of Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery. Oculoplastic surgeons and specialized physician assistants offer unmatched supportive care and customized treatments for this vision-threatening disease.

For an evaluation of dry eyes, excess tearing, eye pain, or thyroid eye disease, call to schedule a consultation.

Can Pilates help with pain management?

A: Most of us have little awareness

Q:

Treatment for the inflammatory aspect of dry eyes may include topical or oral steroids, steroid injections, or intense pulsed light to address inflammation in the eyelid margin. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea can develop floppy eyelid syndrome. Tightening the loose eyelids addresses dryness and improves ocular protection.

People with thyroid issues who experience eye irritation or pain may have thyroid eye disease, an

CAD/CAM machine, which creates crowns and caps in a single office visit without messy impressions or painful temporaries. “All dental procedures are performed in our office, so there’s no need for an outside referral,” Dr. Baran says.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Baran has implemented protocols for the safety of patients and staff. These protocols include pre-screening of patients; touchless

temperature readings; personal protection equipment for staff, such as face shields, special clothing, and sneeze guard panels at the front desk; and isolated treatment rooms.

The practice has hospital-grade plasma air filtration units in each treatment room, and UV lights in the HVAC systems to kill viruses and bacteria. Other protocols include fogging.

Call today for a consultation.

Dolores J. Baran, D.D.S., PC & Associates General and Cosmetic Dentistry 1103 N. Main St., Ste. A Royal Oak, MI 48067 248-548-1440 248-548-3880 (fax) royaloaksmiles.com Advertisement on page 55

How is pain managed for patients and residents at Advantage Living Centers?

A: The team at Advantage Living Centers takes an individualized approach to pain, because each person reacts differently. They start with a nonmedication approach, when possible, to address residents’ pain. They also work closely with a pain physician, to help patients achieve their highest level of comfort with the least risk of side effects.

Some people fear becoming

PainManagementQ&A_Spread_HD_0721.indd 70

addicted to pain medication. At Advantage, pain relief alternatives include massage, deep heat treatments (Diathermy), music therapy, aroma therapy, and electrical stimulation (TENS). The TENS machine helps decrease pain and stimulates the body to release natural pain-relieving endorphins.

Typically, people recovering from surgery will experience pain.

Pain management modalities help patients participate fully in rehabilitation therapy. Skilled therapists use advanced techniques to help patients recover and get back home as soon as possible.

Advantage Living communities offer personalized, state-of-the-art health and wellness care. Call to learn more about the services they provide.

Advantage Living Centers Ali Salami, RN, NHA Chief Clinical Director 25800 Northwestern Hwy., Ste. 720 Southfield, MI 48075 248-569-8400 advantageliving.net Advertisement on page 29

6/7/21 4:32 PM

promotional content

PAIN MANAGEMENT Q&A Q:

Can a comprehensive Return to Work program help minimize pain?

A: Team Rehab’s Return to Work program minimizes pain and maximizes recovery using a variety of techniques and exercises, including mobilization of joints and soft tissues, to help gain better range of motion and ease of movement. The program at Team Rehabilitation clinics focuses on strengthening and stabilizing exercises that improve the mechanics of moving, lifting, and performing the functional and routine aspects of any job. A physical

Q:

Nutrition education helps individuals reach their optimal weight and reduce the stressors that are often created by being sedentary after an injury. The comprehensive program maintains communication between all involved parties. Team Rehab’s goal is to provide the treatment and confidence needed to reach the best possible outcome and achieve an unrestricted return to work in the quickest — and safest — time frame possible.

Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Jon Nettie, PT, MPT Clinic Director, Livonia 4 - Return to Work We have a clinic near you! team-rehab.com Advertisement on page 99

I have pain in my tooth, but I’m nervous about going to the dentist. How does Comfort Dental Spa manage and eliminate dental pain for patients?

A: The team at Comfort Dental Spa takes pride in going above and beyond to prevent and relieve dental discomfort, whether it’s related to an infection that’s being managed by a proper diagnosis and the use of antibiotics and pain pills, or controlling pain during a procedure.

Managing painful procedures is where a dentist stands apart from others. Comfort Dental Spa uses both topical anesthetic and nitrous

Q:

therapist works with the employee to create specific exercises that mimic the exact movements and patterns associated with that employee’s profession. Treatments may be used at the end of a session to reduce symptoms and speed healing.

Education is a critical component, and physical therapists work on the specific mechanics that relate to the demands of a patient’s job so they can maximize productivity while minimizing the risk of injury.

oxide, or laughing gas. For patients who are highly anxious, oral or IV sedation is available, depending on the severity of the anxiety.

Oral sedation using pills produces a twilight state, where patients have a faint memory, if any, of the procedure, and they’re completely relaxed. IV sedation, or sleep dentistry, lets patients relax and sleep through the procedure. They have no memory of the treatment.

A high level of anxiety can make you more sensitive to pain, and it’s a major reason why people avoid the dentist. Some patients are anxious because of a past traumatic dental treatment, or they expect a painful procedure. Comfort Dental Spa handles both their pain and anxiety.

Their care providers are gentle, compassionate, and focused on each patient’s comfort in their relaxing, spa-like environment.

Comfort Dental Spa Aziza Askari, D.M.D. 33966 West 8 Mile Rd., Ste. 104 Farmington Hills, MI 48335 248-306-8753 comfortdentalspa.com info@ComfortDentalSpa.com Advertisement on page 11

How do I know if I’m losing bone in my jaw, and is it possible to regrow jaw bone lost to gum disease?

A: When you have gum disease, you start to lose the bone that supports the teeth. Periodontitis is the No. 1 cause of tooth loss, so if gum disease is treated, many times loose teeth can be saved.

Periodontitis is a silent killer.

When you have gum disease, you often don’t even know it.

Sometimes you can’t tell by looking

at your teeth and gums. That’s why Dr. Joseph Nemeth and his team look at your X-rays to examine the true damage that’s occurring underneath the surface.

Bone growth is possible using LANAP (the Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure). Many dentists or periodontists would claim that severely loose teeth are hopeless and

need to be pulled out, but Dr. Nemeth tries to save every tooth he can.

You can now save your loose teeth with LANAP, a safe, painfree laser alternative to gum surgeries of the past. Not only do many patients claim to return to work the very next day, but you’ll experience a much healthier mouth — and a healthier body, too!

Joseph R. Nemeth, D.D.S. & Associates Joseph R. Nemeth, D.D.S. Amar Katranji, D.D.S., M.S. Periodontics, Dental Implants, Advanced Grafting 248-357-3100 The Richter Center – Halitosis Treatment 248-357-3213 Toll-free: 877-783-7374 29829 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 111 Southfield, MI 48034 drnemeth.com jrn@drnemeth.com Advertisement on page 3

Q:

What are the benefits of infrared sauna therapy?

A: Infrared sauna uses light to

heat penetrates joints, muscles, heat the body, raising your core body and tissues, increasing blood circulation and speeding oxygen temperature to produce a deep, detoxifying sweat at a cellular level. flow. The therapeutic heat offers It’s highly effective in cleansing the natural pain relief and healing for body to remove pesticides, metals, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, and and other toxins. Infrared sauna

other chronic pain conditions.

This relaxing sauna can ease stress, burn calories, promote healthy blood pressure, and increase overall well-being and vitality.

Schedule Infrared sauna therapy sessions to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

Chiropractic Works, PC Dr. Duncan Mukeku Bsc., D.C., DAAMLP 21790 Coolidge Hwy., Ste. A Oak Park, MI 48237 248-398-1650 248-398-1653 (fax) chiropracticworksforyou.com Advertisement on page 95

PainManagementQ&A_Spread_HD_0721.indd 71

6/7/21 4:32 PM

07.21 AN EPICUREAN’S GUIDE TO THE REGION’S DINING SCENE

Food&Drink DRINKS

SEEDS TO SPIRITS

Motor City Gas plans to harvest its own ingredients, elevating the whiskey distillery to a farm-to-glass operation p. 80

P R O F I L E p. 74 R E STAU R A N T R E P O RT p. 75 R E TA I L p. 78 E S S AY p. 79 D R I N K S p. 80

LIQUOR JOE VAUGHN

073.FD.Opener.HOUR0721.indd 73

J U LY 2 0 2 1

73

6/8/21 10:29 AM

Food&Drink

Hello!

To drown out the monotonous instrumentals that blare from the ice cream truck’s speaker, John Ford says he listens to motivational tapes and gospel messages.

“Just something to pump me up while I’m out there,” he says. “That music from the ice cream truck wears on you!”

Eventually, Ford sought refuge at the Vet Center, where he was given a cot. He slept in the hallway until a room opened up.

It’s been more than a decade since Ford first sat behind the wheel of an ice cream truck, and he still revels in the response his arrival generates — the crying child who lights up when handed a cool treat, the joyous block parties anchored by his musical truck. “That’s the thrill of the whole job. Being in the service was rough, because you had to show up somewhere for guard duty. Even as a security manager, if I had to show up, that meant something went wrong — they weren’t happy to see me,” he says with a laugh. “But everybody’s happy to see an ice cream truck.”

“You have a grown man that never got something out the ice cream truck in a truck full of ice cream — I had a field day!”

—JOHN FORD PROFILE

HE’S GOT DRIVE As a peacetime Marine in the ’80s, John Ford drove a tank. Today, he drives an ice cream truck, serving sweet treats to Oakland County communities.

BY LYNDSAY GREEN | PHOTO BY REBECCA SIMONOV

WHEN THE OWNER of Maven IT Inc., the parent company of Roseville-based Captain Kool Ice Cream, stopped into the Detroit Veterans Center seeking potential drivers, John Ford, a Marine veteran, stepped forward without hesitation. Before long, he was on the road handing out ice cream sandwiches dotted with crunchy chocolate chips, frozen fruit pops, and ice cream bars coated in hard chocolate shells. Within a year, he’d moved out of the Vet Center and into a rental home in Southfield, all thanks to a job he finally felt good at — the irony not lost on him. “I tell people: I used to drive a tank and now I’m driving a truck!”

Back in the old days, Detroit truly lived up to its reputation as one of America’s great industrial cities. It would seem then that a guy named Ford — a veteran with experience operating an M60A1 tank — would be able to find work operating heavy

74

machinery, or at the very least land some autorelated role, here in the Motor City. “I couldn’t even find a job driving a forklift,” he says.

Military officials had led him to believe that tank drivers would easily secure work as heavy machinery operators after leaving the service, but in 1985, when Ford returned to his hometown of Detroit, those opportunities had dried up. Instead, he made a living as a freelance security officer, guarding churches and block clubs around the city.

In the late 2000s, Ford fell on hard times and found himself homeless for a brief spell. It was just two days, but nevertheless, “it was a rough two days” of hunting for shelter and food. “I asked a worker at a bread shop in the area for the ends of the bread,” he recalls. “He told me, ‘No!’ I’m seeing all these racks full of bread, and all I wanted was the ends of a loaf. But no.”

At the start of his career over a decade ago, Ford says, even he was thrilled by his inventory of frozen desserts. He’d never had the privilege of devouring sweet treats from an ice cream truck as a kid. “You have a grown man that never got something out the ice cream truck in a truck full of ice cream — I had a field day!” Though overindulgence has dulled his ice cream appetite over the years, creamy Strawberry Shortcakes are still a favorite. And on very hot days, he says, “You can’t go wrong with a lemon pop to cool you off.”

On occasion, Ford finds ways to give back to the veteran community. After working at special events, he’ll sometimes donate leftover ice cream bars to the Vet Center. He hopes his example can show fellow veterans that a career as an ice cream truck driver has life-changing potential. Ford now owns a car, and his suburban home is just steps from a serene lake where he often drops a line to fish. Pride, he cautions those who might shun a job like his, tends to stand in the way of progress.

Still, Ford’s visits to the Vet Center bring together an otherwise isolated population. “Once they get back inside, everybody goes to their own corner or their room,” he says. “But while they’re eating ice cream — gathered around the ice cream truck — they’re together again.”

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

074.FD.Profile.HOUR0721.indd 74

6/8/21 10:29 AM

Food&Drink

Isla’s Kamayan Platter, available for pre-order, features an assortment of traditional Filipino dishes, including Grilled BBQ Pork Steak, Garlic Adobo Fried Rice, and Garlic Head-On Shrimp.

R E STAU R A N T R E P O RT

Finding Home When Fort Street Galley’s doors closed, another door opened for Isla, the former Detroit food hall’s popular stall. Today, the husband-and-wife chef co-owners are serving their sought-after Filipino dishes out of a former bakery in Sterling Heights.

BY LY NDSAY G R EEN | PH OT O S BY H AY D EN STI NEBAUG H

J U LY 2 0 2 1

075-77.FD.RestaurantReport.HOUR0721.indd 75

75

6/8/21 10:28 AM

Food&Drink

(Clockwise from top) Chef JP Garcia ladles spiced vinegar over Chicken Inasal; Ube is the star of Isla’s Buko Halo-Halo with housemade ube ice cream and shaved ice, and toppings such as ube pinipig (or puffed rice) and ube jam; Vibrant ingredients, like purple cabbage brighten up dishes at Isla.

IN THEIR QUEST FOR a new home for Filipino restaurant Isla, formerly sheltered at the late Fort Street Galley, JP Garcia and Jacqueline Joy Diño had their eyes set on Midtown Detroit.

The walkable college neighborhood encompassing Wayne State University seemed ideal to the husband-and-wife chefs and co-owners, who were looking to capture diners seeking business lunches and evening dinners.

It would seem unexpected, then, to arrive at the restaurant’s new digs instead in a Macomb County strip mall with signage for Target and Lowe’s at the entrance.

The departure from the Detroit scene, however, is brilliantly intentional. Situated in Sterling Heights, adjacent to neighborhoods with dense Asian American populations — and therefore a thriving Asian dining scene — Isla’s new Metro Parkway eatery fits right in. And as the area’s first made-to-order, dine-in Filipino restaurant, it unequivocally stands out.

Among myriad Cantonese takeout joints, Thai restaurants, Japanese sushi bars, and Asian

76

“The experience [at Fort Street Galley] led us to think we could do our own thing.”

—JP GARCIA

markets in neighboring Oakland County, Filipino cuisine is familiar enough to those who’ve developed a palate for noodle and rice dishes, yet eclectic enough to diversify the landscape with new flavors.

The Southeast Asian archipelago’s cultural influences show up in its colorful cuisine. Umami flavors from soy and fish sauces draw from neighboring Asian nations while Spanish terms and preparations typify the region’s European history. Tropical ingredients, such as coconut and papaya, and an abundance of seafood speak to its geographic setting surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.

Natives of Iloilo City, the capital of the Province of Iloilo on Panay Island, Garcia and Diño say dishes at Isla are reflective of the culinary traditions of their hometown. Annatto is used to punch up the color of Chicken Adobo, the unofficial dish of the Philippines,

made hundreds of ways across the stretch of islands.

And juicy, saccharine mangoes complement sweet and savory dishes as they would in the beach town.

Though running the risk of competition, the juxtaposition of Isla among other Asian restaurants proved to be a successful approach for Garcia and Diño during their time at Fort Street Galley.

Alongside Pursue, a former Korean seafood stall at Fort Street Galley, and Maru Sushi and Grill, the Japanese spot just next door, Isla thrived. The stall drew herds of diners and consistently sold out of dishes daily. “Since we were really doing something unique in there, we were always the busiest stall,” Garcia says. “The experience led us to think we could do our own thing.”

The duo, both technically trained — Garcia at The Art Institute of Michigan in Novi and Diño at The French Pastry School in Chicago — excels at creating abstract versions of Filipino dishes in ways that appeal to discriminating palates. There’s Pinoy Baked Spaghetti and Wings inspired by a fast-food chain in the Philippines known for its crispy fried chicken and spaghetti pairing. “People love that,” Garcia says. “It’s something that’s different but approachable.” Desserts are imaginative, too. Now a ubiquitous ingredient showing up in places like Huddle Soft Serve’s creamy custards, ube, featured in a confection designed by Diño, wins the hearts of curious diners. The Tropical Ube Cake is moist — a dense moisture achieved by a blend of the purple yam and almond flour — mildly sweet, and tangy with its gelatinous layer of mango gelee. A thin coating of coconut mascarpone, three dollops of mango gelee resembling a trio of firm egg yolks, and a pair of vibrant violet flowers as a garnish make an artful presentation.

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

075-77.FD.RestaurantReport.HOUR0721.indd 76

6/9/21 4:04 PM

Food&Drink

(Clockwise from left) As metro Detroit’s only made-to-order Filipino restaurant, all dishes are cooked fresh; Pancit Palabok, rice noodles slathered in a shrimp-based sauce, showcase the maritime flair of Filipino cuisine, while dishes such as Lechon Kawali, crispy pork belly with a pork blood stew, highlight the region’s penchant for pungent vinegar flavors. 

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Garcia and Diño to alter their methods. Though they continue to serve many of the same dishes that were introduced at Fort Street Galley, the presentation at the casual Sterling Heights location is decidedly more relaxed. Whereas dishes were once served atop poppy smears of jam and drizzles of sauce on glossy pure white ceramic plates, today, all dishes at Isla are served in takeout containers to create a less interactive, more disposable experience. “We’re taking the proper steps to make sure everyone is safe — and that we’re safe also,” Garcia says.

Safety is key for Garcia and Diño. They’re parents to four children ages 15, 12, 7, and 9 months — “We have a pandemic baby!” Diño laughs — and share their home with Garcia’s mother. Maintaining their health, for the sake of their family, is of utmost importance — as is their sanity. As the sole employees at Isla, Garcia and Diño are slowly rolling out offerings in ways that are manageable. They’ve held off on reintroducing the appetizer menu that was available at Fort Street Galley. Turns out their finger foods, such as Beef Lumpia, spring rolls filled with minced beef, can take eight hours to hand-roll individually — “and they sell like hot cakes,” Diño says. The new space, a former bakery that shuttered during the pandemic, accommodates space for a panaderia, where Diño will soon introduce Filipino breads and pastries in the mornings. Plush sweet bread rolls called pan de sal and Filipino brioche buns called ensaymada will be on the menu.

Sundays for Garcia and Diño are reserved for quality time with family. Brunch hours are limited to 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — or as long as the bold purple ube waffles topped with ube butter, crunchy fried chicken, and rich coconut muscovado syrup last.

Today, all dishes at Isla are served in takeout containers to create a less interactive, more disposable experience.

“We’re taking the proper steps to make sure everyone is safe — and that we’re safe also.”

—JP GARCIA

JP Garcia (left) and wife Jacqueline Joy Diño comprise Isla’s full team.

J U LY 2 0 2 1

075-77.FD.RestaurantReport.HOUR0721.indd 77

77

6/8/21 10:29 AM

Food&Drink

Make any sauce a barbecue sauce this summer with flavorful dressings found around town.

Scotty O’Hotty Hot Sauce BeerBacon Chipotle

Beer and bacon are two trusted ingredients for amplifying the flavor of a great grilled burger. Scotty O’Hotty Hot Sauce does the leg work for you with its BeerBacon Chipotle sauce. Slather meaty beef burgers with the rich sauce for a robust, smoky flavor — then top them off with a few thick slabs of bacon for the finishing touch.

Scotty O’Hotty Hot Sauce Beer-Bacon Chipotle, $7, at shop.scottyohotty.com

French Pantry Artichoke Tapenade

From Birmingham cookware shop Bon Cook, French Pantry is a line of housemade condiments inspired

by French culinary traditions.

Pair the Artichoke Tapenade with a griddled fish, such as a salmon filet or dover sole, for a tangy Provençal flair.

There are also herb blends that make for verdant rubs and fruit-infused balsamic vinegars to top off charred cheese. French Pantry Artichoke Tapenade, $15, at Bon Cook, 34901 Woodward Ave., Ste. 201, Birmingham; 888-838-1998; boncook.com

The Original Zip Sauce

Are you even a Detroiter if your steak isn’t drenched in Zip Sauce? Earn your street cred by keeping a bottle of The Original Zip Sauce in your barbecue toolkit this summer. There’s only one rule for taking the spice and Worcestershire blend to the next level: Just add butter.

The Original Zip Sauce, $6.50, at meijer.com for stores

RETAIL

License to Grill

Redefine the traditional barbecue sauce with locally crafted condiments, dressings, and marinades that are perfect for grilling

BY LYNDSAY GRE E N | PH O T O BY G ER A R D + BEL EVEND ER

78

Bombanana Original

In an effort to drum up an alternative to the refined sugars traditionally used in most hot sauces, a team of then-University of Michigan students substituted bananas to round out the bite in this blend of de árbol and chipotle chilies. What results is a fiery sauce with a mild sweetness ideal as a marinade for grilled chicken, ribs, or even fresh fruit for a savory kick.

Bombanana Original, $8, at seekthespice.com for retailers

Food for Thought Truly Natural Maple Cream Mustard

Honey mustard is an obvious choice for wings and various chicken dishes. Food for Thought, however, reimagines this household staple with a Michigan-made ingredient: maple syrup. The creamy topping is best used for grilling root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, or turnips. Food for Thought Truly Natural Maple Cream Mustard, $8.50, at foodforthought.net for retailers

Fustini’s Habanero Agave Agrodolce

Perfectly linear grill marks on peach slices and thick pork chops are like summertime works of art.

Make the dish a masterpiece with the glisten of a sweetand-sour glaze. Fustini’s Habanero Agave Agrodolce does the trick with its blend of white balsamic vinegar, habanero peppers, and agave nectar. Fustini’s Habanero Agave Agrodolce, $16, at fustinis.com for locations

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

078.FD.Retail.HOUR0721.indd 78

6/9/21 4:07 PM

Food&Drink

MARCH 2020 FEELS LIKE forever ago. I remember Big Gretch shut everything down. As a food-based business, Sweet Potato Sensations was allowed to stay open for delivery and takeout, but our sales plummeted. The next day, we made $100 in five hours. Normally, we make that in the first 20 minutes. I said to my mom and my sister Jennifer, “This is scary. We need to figure out what we’re going to do.” We let our 15 staff members go that day so they could collect unemployment. We wanted to do the right thing.

We were closed for two months. In the 33 years since my parents opened the business, we had never closed except for two weeks every January for vacation. Jennifer and I both work in the business. I handle the front end, curating the look and feel of the bakery, hiring and training staff, and handling any public speaking events. Jennifer does the back end, cooking and baking, and product formulation. We live together, too, and suddenly we were just sitting at home, not even seeing our parents for the first month.

Other businesses were pausing and pivoting. We needed the pause — I did not know how to safely pivot. Friends were dying, and Instagram felt like reading the obits. We were overwhelmed, anxious about the state of the world and the civil unrest. It was just a lot.

My sister and I started having food delivered through DoorDash. It was shortly after we reopened in May 2020 that a Door-Dasher told me in the bakery that he had made $1,500 in a week. Since it was just me, Jennifer, and my mom working at the business, and we were now only open weekends, my sister and I decided to DoorDash. We weren’t doing it for the money, though it helped pay household expenses. We were doing it to learn how other businesses were navigating this time. I didn’t think we had all the answers.

We’ve been around for a long time, but I still take business classes, I still ask questions, and I like to stay relevant. I was curious as a person who owns a substantial business in the city to drive for DoorDash and conduct a sort of undercover marketing study. By Door-Dashing, we could learn what other restaurants were doing to stay safe and how the food delivery was handled to make our bakery better. I’m all about food safety.

We downloaded the app, signed up, and after a background check, started driving.

DoorDash is kind of like Super Mario Kart. The app lets you know the hot spots where you can make the most deliveries in an hour and offers surge prices to drivers, like an extra $200 if you make 10 deliveries by a certain time. It keeps you motivated. But Dashing was especially nice for us because it was kind of mindless and kept us from worrying about the business. We would listen to music in the car and laugh between checking out restaurants and delivering food.

We ended up Door-Dashing for around three

ESSAY

My Life as a Delivery Driver

An acclaimed Detroit bakery owner chronicles her time as an undercover food delivery service driver

BY ESPY TH O MAS AS T OL D T O JENNI FER CONL I N I L LU STR ATI ON BY D À L I A A D I L L ON

months, driving around 15 hours a week, maybe more, and made a couple of hundred bucks a night with tips. We would plot out where to go and when to go. While Jennifer circled the block, I would pick up the deliveries and see if they were using plexiglass and wearing PPE, and how they were packaging food and treating drivers. And

we saw the difference in the food available in the suburbs and city. Late at night, there is only fast food in the city.

At the height of the pandemic, you didn’t know what the person you were dropping the food off for might be suffering from or dealing with. We also learned some places don’t package the food very well. I always wore a mask and gloves and called people if a substitution was needed, and would text when their food had arrived saying, “This is Prancer, your Dasher.” I would touch the box or bag to give it good energy, and always make sure the bags were secure.

Now our bakery is open again, and when a bag goes out the door, I make sure it’s stapled or sealed with tape. I also can always tell when a Dasher is in the bakery by the way they stare at their phone and the exits, trying to get to the next delivery fast. I try to get them out the door quickly because they earn more if they can make more deliveries per hour.

Once, when a friend heard I was Dashing, she asked me if everything was OK. I told her we were fine. But for a lot of Dashers, this is how they’ve been feeding their families through the pandemic.

Espy Thomas is co-owner of Sweet Potato Sensations.

17337 Lahser Road, Detroit; 313-532-7996; sweetpotatosensations.com

J U LY 2 0 2 1

079.FD.Essay.HOUR0721.indd 79

79

6/8/21 1:33 PM

Food&Drink

DRINKS

FARM TO GLASS Motor City Gas acquires new digs — 15 acres of farmland to be precise

BY TA M MY COXE N | PHOT OS BY JOE VAUGHN

HOMEBREWERS ARE some of the most creative people. No two of their batches are alike, and they’re always playing with different grains, different yeasts, different flavorings — which explains a lot about Motor City Gas. This Royal Oak-based whiskey distillery was started

by Rich and Tonya Lockwood in 2015. Rich is a homebrewer, and he brings that inventive spirit to his whiskey-making.

So, what does that mean? It means that at any given time, Motor City Gas has 12 to 20 whiskeys available for sale at its Royal Oak tasting room, and dozens more barrels aging as well. Every barrel is unique. Last May, Motor City’s offerings included Roughneck, a 5-year-old rye whiskey finished in apple brandy barrels; Jackknife, a 2-year-old peat-smoked wheat whiskey aged in chocolate malt whiskey barrels; and Hot Mess Reserve, a 4 1/2-year-old double-oaked, 12-grain malt whiskey. But don’t get too excited about any of those, because once a barrel is gone, it’s gone. The exceptions are two whiskeys that the distillery tries to keep on hand at all times: Belly Up Bourbon, finished in Caribbean rum barrels, and Royal Oaked Rye, a corn-heavy rye whiskey.

Motor City Gas is a grain-to-glass distillery, meaning that all stages of the whiskey-making process are done in-house, from the milling and

Creativity at Motor City Gas shines even in the names of spirits, like Royal Oaked Rye (left) and Belly Up Bourbon.

mashing of the grains to fermentation, distillation, barrel aging, and even bottling and labeling. And now the distillery is taking things a step further. In 2020, Motor City Gas acquired 15 acres of farmland near Ann Arbor, which will take the business from a grainto-glass to a farm-to-glass operation. The distillery was already buying most of its grains in Michigan, but as Rich began to explore using various kinds of grains, including older heirloom varieties, that became more difficult.

Motor City Gas owner Rich Lockwood in his field of grains.

80

“The problem we were running into,” Rich says, “was that it was hard to find a lot of those grains here in Michigan, either because farmers choose not to grow those types of crops because they’re not profitable, or because for certain styles they just won’t grow well in this region of the country.”

Having their own land will allow Rich and his team to plant these grains themselves, on a certified-organic farm, which will help achieve Rich’s long-term goal of becoming a certified organic distillery. He’s even hoping to coax some of those harder-to-grow grains to flourish on the farm. Last fall, they planted Danko rye from Poland. After lying dormant through the winter, the rye is now growing and should be ready for harvest and distillation this summer. Then comes the hard part — waiting while the whiskey ages in the barrel to see how it will turn out. Also in the works is a 19th-century heirloom English corn, popularly used in Italy to make polenta. Rich and the farmer managing the property are hard at work turning the small batch of seed they acquired into a harvest large enough to plant on 8 or 15 acres of land next year.

For now, you’ll have to head to the tasting room in Royal Oak to try any of Motor City Gas’ unique selections. Go in expecting an adventure for your tastebuds and you’ll be rewarded. “If consistency is your thing, we’re probably not the distillery for you,” Rich says. “But if creativity and innovation is, you’re probably going to have a good time here.”

And the good news for far-flung whiskey lovers is that Motor City Gas has signed a distribution deal and its spirits should soon be heading to a liquor store near you.

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

080.FD.Drinks.HOUR0721.indd 80

6/8/21 10:35 AM

Restaurant Guide Wayne Al Ameer $$ LEBANESE • This Lebanese restaurant is a recipient of the prestigious James Beard America’s Classics Award.

The Al Ameer platter is perfect for sharing: two grape leaves, two fried kibbeh, chicken shawarma, tawook, kabob, kafta,and falafel. 12710 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn;313-582-8185. 27346 Ford Road, Dearborn Heights; 313-565-9600 L,D Mon.-Sun. Amore da Roma $$ ITALIAN • Guy Pelino, Roma Café’s chef, took over the ownership reins of this restaurant on the edge of the Eastern Market. He retained the menu, adding a charcuterie board and updating the wine list, and didn’t change the character of the old-school restaurant, known for its steaks and pastas. 3401 Riopelle St., Detroit; 313831-5940. L,D daily.

COVID-19 UPDATE

Many establishments are still adjusting to the latest changes in safety protocols.

Please call the numbers listed here to verify hours and space availability.

Antonio’s Cucina Italiana $$ ITALIAN • The Rugieros have impressed restaurant guests for decades with authentic cuisine. Signature dishes include Gnocchi Rita and Chicken Antonio.

There’s a full bar and a very extensive wine list. 2220 N. Canton Center Road, Canton; 734-981-9800. 26356 Ford Road, Dearborn Heights; 313-278-6000. 37646 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills; 248-994-4000. L,D Mon.-Fri., D Sat.-Sun.

Baker’s Keyboard Lounge $$ SOUL FOOD • This iconic lounge serves soul food: beef short ribs with gravy, creamy mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet cornbread muffins. 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-345-6300. L Tue.-Fri., D daily.

Café Nini $$$ ITALIAN • This intimate spot offers well-prepared food that includes eight appetizers, a half-dozen pasta dishes, and five main plates, notable among which are tournedos di vitello — medallions of veal filet in a fresh mushroom sauce. The wine list is impressive as well. 98 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-308-3120. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

Bash Original Izakaya $ JAPANESE • From the proprietor of Canton’s popular Izakaya Sanpei, comes a Japanese pub located in Woodbridge. Occupying the former home of Katsu, Bash maintains much of that eatery’s Asian-inspired décor, such as hanging lanterns and bamboo shades.

Bash’s drink menu focuses on Japanese craft beer, while the food menu of small plates and sashimi includes Gyoza, Tempura Udon, and fried octopus balls called Tako Yaki. 5069 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-7887208; D Tue.-Sun.

Brome Modern Eatery $ BURGERS • This healthy spin on a classic serves neverfrozen, grass-fed, antibiotic-free, organic burgers. There’s beef, chicken, haddock, and vegetarian dishes — but no pork, as the restaurant is halal. There’s also a coldpressed juice bar. 22062 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313996-5050. L,D Mon.-Sun.

Avalon Café and Bakery $$ ORGANIC BAKERY • The bakery’s mini-empire includes a café on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Its bread is also the basis for dishes such as Avocado Toast with tahini, thinly curled cucumbers, lime, and chili flakes. Vegetarian fare includes a frittata oozing with goat cheese. Meatier highlights include the pork shoulder, a steak sandwich, and a trout Reuben. There’s also a handful of thin-crust pizzas. Salads are sized to be main dishes. Beer and wine are part of the package (there or to go). 1049 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-2858006. B,L,D daily.

Brooklyn Street Local $ BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • This Corktown spot serves breakfast, lunch, and brunch with fresh, locally grown, and organic ingredients. It lists its sources on a chalkboard and offers plenty of dishes that are vegan and vegetarian-friendly. Poutine — hand-cut fries, cheese curds, and mushroom or beef gravy — is the tip-off that the proprietors are from Canada. 1266 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6547. B,L Tue.-Fri., BR Sat.-Sun. Bucharest Grill $ MEDITERRANEAN-AMERICAN • This bustling sandwich shop, now with six locations, is a cult favorite with its fresh Mediterranean fare, notably the best chicken shawarma wrap sandwiches in town. We’re serious. See bucharestgrill.com for locations and hours.

Babo $ NEW AMERICAN • This all-day café settled into the Midtown Park Shelton building in July 2019, serving ele-

Dog-friendly

Cadieux Café $$ BELGIAN • This eastside institution was like a slice of home for early Belgian immigrants. They serve up four varieties of mussels, and a wide range of hearty dishes such as Belgian Rabbit, but there also are classic sandwiches. 4300 Cadieux Road, Detroit; 313-882-8560.

D daily.

Bobcat Bonnie’s $ GASTROPUB • The menu is eclectic, with fried goat cheese, Korean beef bowl, vegan tacos, and chicken fingers coated with Cap’n Crunch. The weekend brunch with a Bloody Mary bar and all the classics is a hit. See bobcatbonnies.com for locations and hours.

Atwater in the Park $ GERMAN • At this casual spot, traditional German-style beer is the beverage of choice. Chef Chris Franz’ noteworthy menu is compatible with such additions as a platter of local bratwurst and other sausages teamed with housemade red cabbage and sauerkraut, plus amazing potato pancakes and daily soups. 1175 Lakepointe St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-344-5104. L,D daily.

Family-friendly

vated comfort food made from local, small-batch producers. The self-described gourmet diner offers espresso drinks and such dishes as Avocado Toast, Chilaquiles, Pasta al Limone, and the Babo Burger, which features a challah bun from Avalon Bakery.

15 E. Kirby St., Ste. 115, Detroit; 313-974-6159. B,L, D daily.

Besa $$$ EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • This modern fine-dining eatery takes its name from Albania — where the owners trace their heritage — and means “pledge of honor.” Choose from starters suchas honey-roasted rutabaga, pastas like ramen noodle raviolo, and entrees like Michigan-raised lamb belly porchetta. 600 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313315-3000. D Mon.-Sat.

Apparatus Room $$$$ NEW AMERICAN • The Foundation Hotel’s restaurant, the Apparatus Room, once housed the Detroit Fire Department headquarters. The cooking of chef Thomas Lents, who earned two Michelin stars while at Chicago’s Sixteen, is refined and highly skilled. A separate Chef’s Table restaurant offers a pricey but delicious option.

250 W. Larned St., Detroit; 313-800-5600. B,L,D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Valet

Reservations

YO U R C O M P R E H E N S I V E RESOURCE FOR DINING OUT IN METRO DETROIT

E N T R É E P R I C ES

Cantoro Italian Market and Trattoria $$ ITALIAN • A restaurant inside the market serves great traditional Italian food. Do not miss the tagliatelle alla Bolognese: wide pasta with a meat sauce made of ground veal, beef, sausage, and pancetta. A delicious Italian feast you can conveniently pick up on your way home.

15550 N. Haggerty Road, Plymouth; 734-420-1100. L,D Mon.-Sat., L Sun. Capers $ STEAKHOUSE • This is the type of place longtime Detroit natives describe like an old friend. On Gratiot Avenue between Seven and Eight Mile roads, this place has been packing them in for nearly 40 years. There’s a massive a-la-carte menu items such as BBQ babyback ribs and potato skins, but the main draw is steak by the ounce, at market price. 14726 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313527-2100. L,D Mon.-Sat., D Sun. Caucus Club $$$ TRADITIONAL AMERICAN • The reborn spot emphasizes service and a traditional steak and seafood theme, with such tasty signature dishes as dry-rubbed and wood-grilled ribs, prime rib, and steaks.150 W. Congress, Detroit; 313-965-4970. L,D Mon.-Fri., D Sat. Central Kitchen & Bar $$ CREATIVE COMFORT • The space facing Campus Martius is done up in gray and white under industrial light fixtures. Crowd-pleasers include buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp and grits, burgers, and salads. 660 Woodward Ave., Ste. 4A, Detroit; 313-963-9000. L,D Mon.-Fri., BR, D Sat., BR Sun. Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails $$ NEW AMERICAN • Generally, there are five “cold” starters, five offerings from the “vegetables”category, and six “hot” items that could be considered main dishes, including duck confit and Lake Superior whitefish. The wine list is brief and esoteric. 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 313-818-3915.

L,D Tue.-Fri., D Sat.-Sun. Chili Mustard Onions $ VEGAN • This is Detroit’s only Coney Island with a plantbased menu. Choose from a selection of traditional favorites including the Coney Dog, Southwest Nachos, and chili fries, all complete with owner Pete LaCombe’s secret vegan “cheeze” sauce. 3411 Brush St., Detroit; 313-4624949. L Mon.-Sat.

$ Affordable (less than $12)

$$ Moderate ($13 to $20)

$$$ Expensive ($21 to $30)

$$$$ Very Expensive (more than $30)

J U LY 2 0 2 1

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 81

81

6/8/21 10:32 AM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

Ingredients:

Ancho Chili Rub* Rye Glaze** 4 6-8 oz. flank steaks 1 cup olive oil ¼ cup minced garlic 20-24 oz. broccolini, blanched 8 pearl onions, peeled and halved 8 peeled garlic cloves 1 lemon Pinch chili flakes Salt and pepper *Ancho Chili Rub 1 ½ Tbsp. cayenne pepper ¼ cup ground ginger ¼ cup kosher salt ½ cup Ancho chile powder, dark 2 cups brown sugar 1 cup granulated sugar ½ tsp. ground cloves

RECIPE

V I N S E T TA G A R A G E ’S

CHILIRUBBED FLANK STEAK

Backyard rye packs a flavorful punch in this hearty steak dinner R EC I PE FRO M VI NSET TA G A R AG E PH O T O BY KA I L EY H OWEL L

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. **Rye Glaze 1 cup rye whiskey ½ cup brown sugar 1 cup ketchup 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ¼ cup white wine vinegar 1 Tbsp. lemon juice ½ tsp. dry mustard 1 tsp. Ancho Chili Rub Salt and pepper to taste Combine all ingredients and whisk thoroughly.

Directions:

Flank Steak: Rub steak with Ancho Chili Rub, oil, and minced garlic. Let marinate in refrigerator for at least 4 hours — overnight preferred.

Baste with bourbon glaze and grill over medium-low heat. Cook to desired preparation, basting again with every flip.

Finish on hot spot to caramelize glaze.

Broccolini: Divide blanched broccolini into 4 portions.

Combine broccolini, 2 halved pearl onions, and 2 peeled garlic cloves in a tin foil pouch. Season with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Add a couple tablespoons of water and seal pouch.

Grill for a total of 12-15 minutes. When finished, remove broccolini and onion halves and toss on hot spot to lightly char for added flavor.

82

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 82

6/9/21 4:03 PM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

City Kitchen $$ AMERICAN • The emphasis is on fresh fish and seafood here, but also on the locals — especially lake perch.

There are also such dishes as Cajun tenderloin tips and a few good angus burgers. 16844 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe; 313-882-6667. L Mon.-Fri., D nightly.

Detroit Vegan Soul $ VEGAN • The popular spot offers your classic soul food favorites but with plant-based twists — mac and cheese, maple-glazed yams, collard greens, and interpretations of catfish and pepper steak. 8029 Agnes St., Detroit; 313649-2759. L Tue.-Sun., D Wed.-Sat. 19614 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-766-5728. BR Sun.

Cliff Bell’s $$ EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • This restored Art Deco hotspot offers small plates such as duck wings “a l’orange,” and savory merguez meatballs and artisinal burrata. Large plates include shrimp and grits and steak frites. Jazz prevails on the bandstand. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-961-2543. D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun.

Dime Store $ BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • This popular breakfast and lunch spot adds just the right retro touch to a contemporary American menu typified by fresh, hearty omelets and Benedicts early in the day. 719 Griswold St., Ste. 180, Detroit; 313-962-9106. B,L Mon.-Sun.

Common Pub $ GASTROPUB • Fans of Atlas Global Bistro, which shuttered in 2013, should be happy to learn that some of the principals may be found at this spot in the Belcrest Apartments. The well-edited menu includes duck rangoon and a burger. 5440 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-2858849. L,D Tue.-Fri., D Sat.

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe $$$ GASTROPUB • A jazz club with top guest musicians and an American bistro menu in a traditional interior. Starters include crab and salt cod cakes, pan-fried calamari with chorizo and Korean beef rib. 97 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-882-5299. L Tue.-Fri., D Tue.-Sat. Eatori Market $-$$ SPECIALTY GROCERY • This stylish spot overlooking downtown’s Capitol Park. The menu has steamed mussels with leeks, garlic, and fresh oysters. International flourishes abound with truffle aioli for the burger. 1215 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-395-3030. L,D daily.

Cork & Gabel $$$ EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • This Corktown eatery takes the form of a 4,450-square-foot renovated beer hall and is an ode to filling European staples. Try the crispy braised chicken wings slow-cooked in house spices and served with blue cheese. Simply delicious! 2415 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-638-2261. D daily.

Cuisine $$$ EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • Cuisine offers a romantic, white-linen experience with the level of food, service, and ambience one might call more “timeless” than “trendy.”

Examples of the expertly prepared fare include lobster bisque with lump crab and variations on duck — a coriander honey roasted breast is served with a confit leg.

670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit; 313-872-5110. D Tue.-Sun. (Note: not wheelchair accessible.)

Dakota Inn Rathskeller $ EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • The sausages are the kind that snap when you cut them. The combo plate features one bratwurst and one knack-wurst, served with hot German potato salad and sauerkraut. And yes, sing along with the schnitzelbank song. 17324 John R St., Detroit; 313-867-9722.L Wed.-Fri. D Thu.-Sat. Detroit Club $$$$ FRENCH-AMERICAN • The formerly shuttered Detroit Club was magnificently restored before reopening in 2018 — and now, the public is invited. It now operates as a boutique hotel, serving a light breakfast and full lunch and dinner. The old dining room, known as the Grille Room, looks very much as it did more than three decades ago. The food is excellent, as is the service. 712 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-338-3222. L,D Daily.

Detroit Shipping Company $ FUSION • This bi-level destination, created out of shipping containers, offers a variety of food options ranging from the Caribbean-fusion dishes at Coop to chipotleroasted grasshopper at Brujo Tacos + Tapas to Thai fare from Bangkok 96 and more. 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-462-4973. L,D daily.

Detroit Soul $ SOUL FOOD• A hidden gem on the city’s East Side.

Detroit Soul serves its namesake with a healthy twist.

Owners Sam Van Buren and Jerome Brown draw from the recipes of their grandparents, who relocated to Detroit from Alabama in the 1940s. The turkey and collard greens are savory standouts and yams are a sweet treat. This is the kind of place that every soul-food lover must visit. 2900 E. Eight Mile Road, Detroit; 313-3665600. L,D Tue.-Sun.

SPOTLIGHT

Evie’s Tamales

MEXICAN This Mexicantown restaurant makes some of the best tamales around.

Pork or chicken is jacketed with sturdy masa, a dough of ground corn, and then wrapped in a corn husk and steamed. Eat in or order a dozen to savor for days.

3454 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-8435056. B,L,D Mon.Sat., B,L Sun.

El Asador Steakhouse $$ MEXICAN • A concentrated cuisine with little modern flairs that also stays faithful to traditional Mexican cooking. Don’t miss the Camarones en Salsa de Langosta: breaded shrimp stuffed with cheese, fried to a golden dark brown, and topped with a lobster cream sauce. It’s a delicious dinner spot you don’t want to miss and an unassuming Latin-American find in Detroit’s Springwells Village.

1312 Springwells St., Detroit; 313-297-2360. L,D Tue.-Sun. El Barzon $ MEXICAN-ITALIAN • Norberto Garita prepares Italian and Mexican cuisines alongside his wife, Silvia Rosario Garita. Authentic Mexican entrees include mini tacos with beef, chicken, steak, barbecued goat, or sausage, and mole poblano, while the Italian influence takes the form of spaghetti carbonara and Suppa di pesce (seafood soup).

3710 Junction Ave., Detroit; 313-894-2070. D Tue.-Sun. Empire Kitchen and Cocktails $$ NEW AMERICAN • This relaxed Cass Corridor eatery with patio seating serves artisan pizzas and new American bistro fare. Highlights include scallops, Empire Burger, and white pizza. A range of inventive craft cocktails abound here, too. 3148 Woodward Ave.,Detroit; 313-3153131. empirekitchenandcocktails.com Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café $$ NEW ORLEANIAN • New Orleans dishes including jambalaya, and fried catfish beignets. Come for breakfast, lunch, dinner, happy hour, or carry-out. 400 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-965-4600. 29244 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-351-2925. 23722 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-498-3000. B,L,D (downtown), L,D Southfield and St. Clair Shores. BR at all three.

Flowers of Vietnam $$ VIETNAMESE • Chef and owner George Azar transformed a former Coney Island into an industrial-cool destination, but the neighborhood joint vibe remains.

The menu is shaped around Azar’s appreciation of Vietnamese food, with a very personal twist. 4430 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-2085. D Wed.-Sun. Folk $ AUSTRALIAN • A charming Corktown storefront dishing up an all-day brunch menu. It’s an offshoot of the Farmer’s Hand grocery and farmers market. The menu focus-

J U LY 2 0 2 1

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 83

83

6/8/21 10:33 AM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

Highlands $$$ STEAKHOUSE/NEW AMERICAN • Occupying the top two floors of the Renaissance Center, Highlands comprises three separate concepts. A steakhouse of the same name provides a high-end dining experience, while the more casual Hearth 71 serves locally sourced dishes cooked over an open fire. The third concept within the space is the appropriately named High Bar, where guests can choose from a vast collection of spirits and decadent desserts. 400 Renaissance Center, Floors 71 and 72, Detroit; 313-567-3126; D Mon.-Sat.

es on beautifully plated dishes like salads, quiche, meat pies, all beautifully plated and nutritious. Infused milks and frothy lattes are well sought after, too. 1701 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-290-5849. BR Wed-Mon. Ford’s Garage $$ BURGERS • Henry Ford’s legacy is celebrated on Dearborn’s main thoroughfare. There are at least 12 variations on the classic American burger here. Try the Ford’s Signature, featuring a half-pound of grilled black angus beef, aged sharp cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon, and bourbon BBQ sauce. Other appealing dishes include lobster mac and cheese, and chicken wings. 21367 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-752-3673. L,D daily.

Frita Batidos $ CUBAN • Since opening in 2010, Ann Arbor’s Frita Batidos has been cherished for its spicy Cuban-influenced chorizo burgers and tropical milkshakes made with fresh fruit. Now owner and Top Chef: Las Vegas alum Eve Arnoff has opened a second location in downtown Detroit. The casual eatery is the mirror image of its older sibling — bright and urban, with white walls, picnic tables, and exposed ductwork. Also featuring a full bar, the restaurant offers local craft beers, tropical cocktails, and the option to add a splash of rum to your milkshake. 66 W. Columbia St., Detroit; 313-725-4100. L,D daily.

Giovanni’s Ristorante $$$ ITALIAN • This old-school Italian restaurant offers housemade pastas, including an outstanding lasagna.

Elaborate veal and seafood dishes and desserts like orange Creamsicle cheesecake round out the delicious menu. 330 Oakwood Blvd., Detroit; 313-841-0122. L,D Tue.-Fri., D Sat. Grandma Bob’s $ PIZZA • If you’re wondering what that psychedelic building on Corktown’s Michigan Avenue is, it opened last March as a pizzeria known as Grandma Bob’s.

Executive chef Dan De Wall, previously of Wright and Co., offers a small, delicious menu of pies, including sausage and pistachio with mascarpone cheese and thyme. Or try the Big Mack — the vegan pizza version of the popular burger. 2135 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3177. L,D Wed.-Sun. Grand Trunk Pub $ NEW AMERICAN • Breads from Avalon Bakery and meats from Eastern Market anchor the hearty fare, which pairs well with a selection of Michigan beers. Staples include a reuben with Poet Stout Kraut and the Ghettoblaster beer-battered fish and chips. 612 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-3043.; L,D daily, BR Sat.-Sun. The Greek $ GREEK • Plaka Café was a presence on Monroe Avenue for years, and now its space is in the hands of the founders’ children. Notable dishes include spinach pie, grilled salmon, lamb chops, and New York strip steak. 535 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-209-6667. L,D daily.

SPOTLIGHT

Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles

SOUTHERN COMFORT Several recipes, including a signature thin waffle, are familyowned at ex-NFL player Ron Bartell’s spot. Think comfort food kicked up a notch: fried catfish, salmon croquettes, shrimp and grits, and biscuits. Go ahead and drink the Kool-Aid, too.

19345 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-8610229. B,L,D Tue.-Sat., B,L Sun.

The Hill Seafood & Chop House $$ TRADITIONAL AMERICAN • The menu is balanced between seafood and meat, with an emphasis on premium ingredients and organic produce. Swordfish, prime New York strip, and Colorado lamb chops are signatures.

123 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-886-8101.

L,D Mon.-Sat. The Hudson Cafe $ BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • The fresh, well-prepared fare from the kitchen of this breakfast/lunch spot has creative takes on the eggs Benedict theme, pecan-banana pancakes, and apple-walnut stuffed French toast, as well as lunchtime sandwiches and salads. 1241 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-237-1000. B,L daily.

Hungarian Rhapsody $$ HUNGARIAN • This Downriver restaurant offers authentic Hungarian dishes, such as chicken and veal paprikas, beef goulash, and palacsinta (crêpes). 14315 Northline Road, Southgate; 734-283-9622. L & D Tue.-Sun. Ima $ JAPANESE-INSPIRED • Japanese-inspired fare with a Midwest emphasis. Ima tacos trade the traditional shell for a slice of jicama-stuffed spicy shrimp, roasted tofu, or garlic chicken. Appetizers include edamame, dumplings, and clams. 2015 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-502-5959.

4870 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-883-9788. 32203 John R Road, Madison Heights; 248-781-0131. L&D Daily Ivy Kitchen and Cocktails $$$ NEW AMERICAN • This Black-owned restaurant was founded by Nya Marshall to bring fine dining to the East Jefferson Corridor where she grew up. The spot serves New American fare with international influences in a modern, elevated space bathed in neutral tones. The Mezcal Wings with pickled jalapeño and cilantro bring a Mexican kick, while dishes like the Shrimp Linguine Pomodoro contribute European flavors. 9215 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-332-0607; D Daily

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2012

Green Dot Stables $ NEW AMERICAN • The menu of sliders — with 20-plus eclectic bun toppings, including Cuban, Korean, and “mystery meat” — packs in fans. Local beers are spotlighted along with chicken paprika soup, a nod to the neighborhood’s Hungarian origins. 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-962-5588. L,D daily.

Joe Muer Seafood $$$$ SEAFOOD • This reborn Detroit legend is stellar for a romantic evening or a quiet business lunch or dinner.

Located on the main floor of the GMRenCen, it has sweeping views of the Detroit River and a menu that walks the line between old-time favorites and hipper Asian-influenced seafood, sushi and raw bar. There’s also a Bloomfield Hills location. There are reminders of the past as well: white-bean relish, smoked fish spread, creamed spinach, and stewed tomatoes. A true Detroit classic. 400 Renaissance Center, Ste. 1404, Detroit; 313-567-6837. L Mon.-Fri., D daily, BR Sun. 39475 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-792-9609. L,D Mon.-Sat., BR,D Sun.

Grey Ghost $$ NEW AMERICAN • The cuisine at this Brush Park hotspot isn’t easily defined, but the results are original and wellprepared. For example, the miso glazed cedar plank salmon, and lump crab cake served with a honey mustard remoulade sauce from their Ghost To-Go pickup menu. 47 Watson St., Detroit; 313-262-6534. D daily. BR Sun.

Johnny Noodle King $ JAPANESE-INSPIRED • This noodle shop offers bowls topped with pork belly, confit chicken, and tofu as well as seaweed salad and gyoza. There are several fusion bowls as well like the Southwest topped with shredded chicken and housemade crema. 2601 W. Fort St., Detroit; 313309-7946. L,D Tue.-Sun.

84

Jolly Pumpkin $$ BREWERY • Jolly Pumpkin’s brews rule the offerings, along with other Northern United Brewing Co. beverages, such as North Peak and Grizzly Peak beers and “Civilized Spirits.” Pizzas with creative toppings abound. 441 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-262-6115. 419 S. Main St., Ste. 9, Royal Oak; 248-544-6250. L,D daily.

Karl’s $$ AMERICAN • The luncheonette is part two of the Siren Hotel’s partnership with Lady of the House Executive Chef Kate Williams. Inspired by the East Side bakery of the same name that Williams’ great-great grandparents once owned, the menu features diner staples. 1509 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-855-2757. B,L,D daily.

Karl’s Cabin $$ AMERICAN • Dishes from their currently rotating drivethrough menu such as pecan crust whitefish and beef tenderloin medallions with sautéed shrimp and bearnaise sauce surpass typical roadhouse food. 6005 Gotfredson Rd., Plymouth; 734-455-8450. L,D daily.

The Kitchen by Cooking with Que $$ VEGAN • This eatery created by Detroit-based cooking blogger Quiana Broden serves lunches of smoothies, salads, and sandwiches. Broden also often offers live cooking demonstrations. 6529 Woodward Ave., Ste. A, Detroit; 313-462-4184. L Tue.-Sun. La Dolce Vita $$$ ITALIAN • Traditional Italian cuisine is key at this Palmer Park hideaway. Recommended is the lake perch in white wine sauce, the veal scaloppine with artichokes, and the lasagna. 17546 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-865-0331.

L,D Tue.-Fri., D Sat., BR,D Sun. La Lanterna $$ ITALIAN • The founder of Da Edoardo, the first Edoardo Barbieri, started it all in 1956 with a restaurant called La Lanterna. Now his grandchildren have revived it. Although the white and red pizzas — like Margherita, Liguria, and Bellagio — dominate, there’s more, including a number of elegant pastas like the Lasagna Alla Bolognese. 1224 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-962-8821.

L,D daily.

Le Culture Cafe $$ SOUL • Eastern Market’s Le Culture Cafe is bridging finedining with comfort food. Start with the Maryland crab cakes, then the Mamba Chicken Pasta or the Lobster & Crab Grilled Cheese. 1452 Brush St., Detroit; 313-2858137. D Tue.-Sun. Leila $$$ LEBANESE • The restaurant from the proprietors of Birmingham’s Phoenicia is named after the owner’s mother — just one facet of the establishment that pays homage to family traditions and heritage. The menu includes various Lebanese dishes, from falafel to Leila’s Bolognese, featuring spaghetti, pine nut, and basil. Other menu items include sujuk — a spicy Armenian sausage — and tabbouleh made of parsley, cracked wheat, and spices. The beer and wine lists offer plenty of options to accompany any meal. 1245 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-816-8100; D Sun., L&D Mon.-Sat. London Chop House $$ STEAKHOUSE • The kitchen turns out classics like oysters Rockefeller, French onion soup, and sautéed perch.

This is the place to come when you need to satisfy a craving for steak in elegant surroundings with hospitable service. 155 W. Congress St., Detroit; 313-962-0277. L Mon.Fri., D Mon.-Sat. Lovers Only $ BURGERS • The star at Lovers Only, located in downtown Detroit’s Capitol Park, is pasture-raised beef from

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 84

6/8/21 10:32 AM

D

DINING & NIGHTLIFE Marketplace

Best

Detroit

special special advertising advertising section section

of

gift box

PRODUCTS. SAMPLES. OFFERS. FROM THE BEST OF DETROIT! Experience and support local businesses with the first-ever Best of Detroit Gift Box! The Box features products, samples, and offers curated from the best businesses in Detroit.

Purchase today at hourdetroit.c om/best-of-detroit-gif t-b ox/ BODBox_1.2H ss_HD_0721.indd 1

085_HD0721.indd 1

6/7/21 8:46 PM

6/8/21 2:52 PM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

Ferndale’s Farm Field Table, used to make its standout burgers. Other key ingredients, including baked goods, are local as well. There’s also craft cocktails and beer. 34 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-986-1174. L,D daily.

Lucy & the Wolf $$ SPANISH • This Anglo-sounding restaurant offers very good Spanish-inspired tapas dining. Standouts include ceviche, double charred chicken wings, and a grilled flank steak in chimichurri sauce. 102 E. Main St., Northville; 248-308-3057. D Mon.-Sat. Lumen Detroit $$ NEW AMERICAN • A contemporary American menu and a Victor Saroki setting make the restaurant overlooking downtown’s Beacon Park one of the best of recent entrants onto the scene. Appetizers such as freshly made pretzels prelude main courses such as salmon with chimichurri herb sauce. 1903 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-626-5005. L,D. Closed Mon. Mario’s $$$ ITALIAN • This Midtown Detroit classic dates to 1948.

Linen-covered tables, framed paintings on wood-paneled walls, expert waiters clad in black tie, and tableside preparation survive here. Italian dinners always begin with an antipasto tray and continue through soup, salad, pasta, and entree. 4222 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-832-1616.

L,D daily.

Marrow $$ NEW AMERICAN • This West Village restaurant and butcher shop hybrid is an ode to meat, especially unusual cuts. Diners must walk through the butcher shop, bypassing cases of pastrami and sausage, before entering the restaurant. Offerings include seasonal pork yakitori and local duck breast as well Mapo Mushroom. 8044 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-652-0200. D Wed.-Mon. Maty’s African Cuisine $$ WEST AFRICAN • A small storefront in the Detroit Old Redford neighborhood is decidedly Senegalese. Fataya, a deep-fried pastry with savory fillings, are reminiscent of an empanada. The star of the show is the whole chicken with yassa. 21611 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-4725885. L,D daily.

M Cantina $ MEXICAN • Nuevo Latino street food is the premise at this surprising spot where everything from the tortilla chips to the salsas are made in-house in the open kitchen. Juices are freshly squeezed and the menu of tortas, tacos, tapas, and salads from the kitchen of Heidi and Junior Merino from Hawaii and Mexico is distinctive. 13214 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-3999117. B,L,D daily.

Mercury Burger & Bar $ BURGERS • This Corktown joint seats 70 around the zinc-covered bar set with Mercury (Liberty) dimes. The burger is available in a variety of iterations, such as Southwest Detroit with a chorizo slider, jalapeno, Müenster cheese, tortilla strips, avocado, and pickled spiced carrots. 2163 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-5000.

L,D daily.

Michigan & Trumbull $$ ITALIAN-AMERICAN • After a successful four-month run at Fort Street Galley, Michigan and Trumbull left the nest in January, making it the latest in a long line of Detroit-style pizza joints to open in the area. Not your traditional carryout joint, Michigan and Trumbull is housed in a sleek, refurbished car-repair garage. The menu features square, deep-dish pies with Detroitinspired names, such as Packard Pepperoni and Vernor Vegan. 1441 W. Elizabeth St., Detroit; 313-637-4992; L&D Mon., Wed.-Sat.; D Sun.

86

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

Mi Lindo San Blas $$$ MEXICAN • Heaping platters of seafood such as shrimp, octopus, and scallops, tell the story at this spot that brings a corner of Mexico’s seaside Nayarit region to southwest Detroit. On weekends when live music is added, the tables are often pushed back to create a dance floor. 1807 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313789-5100. L,D daily.

Monarch Club $$$ NEW AMERICAN • At the 14th floor of the revamped Element Detroit Hotel located at the Metropolitan is the Monarch Club. It’s one of the most recent rooftop bars to open in metro Detroit and serves a variety of delicious small plates along with classic cocktails. 33 John R St., Detroit; 313-306-2380. D daily.

Motor City Brewing Works $ BREWERY • Just 10 mostly nontraditional pizzas on excellent, chewy crust, and the option to build your own pie with various toppings. Plus, salads from locally grown greens to accompany the house-brewed beers. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-832-2700. L,D daily.

Park Grill $$ MEDITERRANEAN • Mediterranean fare gets a Balkan spin. The menu offers tasting plates, pita-wrapped sandwiches, and salads, as well as entrees including chicken and beef shawarma, beef and pork kafta, lemon-pepper pork tenderloin, and lamb chops. Service is friendly and informal. 15102 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Park; 313264-1997. L,D daily.

Mudgie’s Deli $ DELI • Seats are often filled in search of the O’Leary (pastrami, Swiss, and greens) or the Brooklyn (beef brisket, bacon, and beer cheese). The dinner menu features meat and cheese boards as well as build-your-own pasta and meat and potato options. It’s a delicious place for a meal any time 1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit; 313-961-2000.

L,D Mon.-Sat., BR Sun. Nico & Vali $$ ITALIAN • This eatery offers favorites with unexpected twists. The artichokes and chilies appetizer boasts battered and fried artichokes with Fresno and jalapeno peppers, tossed with fresh basil in white wine. Popular choices include Vermouth Lamb Porterhouse. It’s a classic Italian spot with an update that’s worth a visit. 744 Wing St., Plymouth;734-207-7880. L,D daily, BR Sun. Norma G’s $ CARIBBEAN • Lester Gouvia, the Trinidadian chef who brought us the famed food truck, opened a fullservice restaurant under the same name. Stop in for a plate of Chicken Pelau: a tasty blend of rice, diced chicken, squash, peppers, and golden-brown baked chicken. 14628 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-290-2938.

D Tue.-Sat. Nosh Pit $ VEGAN • This vegan staple has been dishing up delicious plant-based takes on classic deli sandwiches for years. Try the latkes with banana jam, the housemade Coney Carrot Dog with all the traditional toppings, like diced onion and yellow mustard. It just might best the original! A new location is slated to open this spring. noshpitdetroit.com for locations. Tue.-Thu., L,D Fri., B,L Sat. Ottava Via $$ ITALIAN Chef Ariel Millan sends out great thin-crusted pizzas as well as interesting small plates typified by bruschetta, calamari, roasted garlic, and whipped goat cheese to be spread on paper-thin crostini. 1400 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-5500. L,D daily.

Pao Detroit $$$ FUSION • Visit this upscale Pan-Asian fusion restaurant for Asian-themed cocktails and dishes, such as fried oyster, charred octopus, filet mignon, and Alaskan king crab legs. Based in the former Michigan Oriental Theater, the interior combines new and old. 114 W. Adams Ave., Ste. 200, Detroit; 313-816-0000. D Mon.-Sat.

2018

Parc $$$ NEW AMERICAN • Excellent food, exceptional service, and a crisp and formal but distinctly unstuffy atmosphere set this Campus Martius gem apart. Appetizer highlights include a bright and fresh tuna tartare and wood-roasted oysters. Mint gremolata and lemon chili oil add a zippy touch to oysters on the half shell. Main courses are exceptional, including an interesting blend of Italian food, wood-grilled whole fish, and organic Scottish salmon. There’s also a large selection of dry-aged gourmet steaks, wood-grilled and served tableside. The wine selection is impressive and caters to a diverse set of price ranges and wine drinkers, so you won’t be disappointed with any bottle here. 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313922-7272. L,D daily. BR Sat.-Sun.

SPOTLIGHT

Mootz Pizzeria & Bar

ITALIAN-AMERICAN Bruno DiFabio, a sixtime World Pizza Games champ, rejects the label New York-style for his fare. “It’s authentic New York pizza,” he says. In a hurry?

Grab a slice from Side Hustle, Mootz’s by-the-slice counter next door.

1230 Library St., Detroit; 313-243-1230.

L,D daily.

Pegasus Taverna $$ GREEK • The cry of “opa!” resounds in St. Clair Shores at the second edition of the longstanding Greektown restaurant. The resturant boasts an extensive menu, from moussaka and spinach pie to gyros and roast lamb.

24935 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-772-3200. 558 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-964-6800. L,D daily.

The Peterboro $$ ASIAN-FUSION • A contemporary take on AmericanChinese fare gives new life to the cuisine with robustly spiced dishes, including an “absurdly delicious” cheeseburger spring roll and a take on almond boneless chicken. 420 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-833-1111. D daily.

Pho Lucky $ VIETNAMESE • This charming Midtown Vietnamese spot serves authentic fare emphasizing pho. Bowls of spicy broth with noodles, round steak, and meatballs come in several variations. Other noteworthy dishes here include summer rolls and crisp spring rolls. Look for Asian beers and robust Vietnamese coffee. 3111 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-338-3895. L,D daily except Tue. when it’s L only.

PizzaPlex $ ITALIAN • This pizza isn’t just authentic, it’s certified.

PizzaPlex earned the title of Vera Pizza Napoletana, or real Neapolitan pizza, from Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana in Naples. Try the Margherita. Topped with mozzarella, basil, and EVOO, there’s nothing like a classic.

4458 Vernor Highway, Detroit; 313-757-4992. D Wed.-Sat. Polish Village Café $ POLISH • The “Polish plate” includes stuffed cabbage, pierogi, kielbasa, sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes and gravy. The dill pickle soup and city chicken are standouts, too. A Polish staple in Detroit, where there aren’t too many. 2990 Yemans St., Hamtramck; 313-874-5726. L,D daily. Not wheelchair accessible.

Portofino $ ITALIAN • This big waterfront spot in Wyandotte is both a local hangout and a restaurant with a menu that’s surprisingly ambitious. It offers a number of fish and seafood dishes, from lake perch to coconut shrimp and fried calamari, as well as steaks. Nearly every table in the restaurant has a river view. 3455 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-281-6700. L,D daily. Br. Sun.

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 86

6/8/21 10:33 AM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Voted The Best

BEST SPA • BEST MASSAGE • BEST MANI-PEDI Thank you Hour Magazine for the wonderful recognition. We are so fortunate to have such hardworking, outstanding staff, and dedicated, supportive clients who have continued to trust us in providing the best spa experience.

rivagedayspa.com

210 S. Old Woodward, Ste. 250 | Birmingham, MI 48009 | 248.839.2021

087_HD0721.indd 1

6/8/21 3:00 PM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2019

towns of Southern Italy and Sicily out of the Shinola Hotel. Think Tartufi Pizza with fontina and black truffle, handcrafted by James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini. 1400 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-209-4700.

D daily.

Prime + Proper $$$$ STEAKHOUSE • Downtown Detroit dining gets a major shot of glamour with this over-the-top steak and seafood emporium on the corner of Griswold and State streets. Although red meat, from prime dry-aged Tomahawk ribeye to Wagyu strip is the focus — and yes, there’s a burger made with a dry-aged butcher’s blend — oysters, king crab, and caviar are not far behind. An elegant white and gold setting backgrounds it all. The niceties are maintained by an impeccably dressed staff. 1145 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-636-3100. D daily.

The Sardine Room $$$ SEAFOOD • A seafood restaurant and raw bar, The Sardine Room is fresh, fun, and energetic, with a cleanline décor and a menu full of surprises. For starters, there are New England lobster, oysters, sashimi tuna, and shrimp cocktail. Worthwhile is a porchetta slider of slow-cooked pork served on a brioche bun with arugula, pickled onions, and a salsa verde. And don’t forget the signature fresh Portuguese sardines grilled in butter. 340 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-416-0261. D daily, BR Sun.

Prism $$$ NEW AMERICAN • Greektown Casino-Hotel’s renamed eatery is located off the main casino. ,The menu features local ingredients, steaks, and fresh seafood. 555 E. Lafayette St., Detroit; 313-309-2499. D Tue.-Sat.

SavannahBlue $$ SOUL FOOD • Highlights at this upscale soul food restaurant include the twice-dredged fried chicken and the shrimp and grits. Accompaniments and appetizers include yam casserole, catfish fritters, and a Georgian Hummus that substitutes black-eyed peas for chickpeas.

There’s also a great bar. 1431 Times Square, Detroit; 313926-0783. D Mon.-Sat., BR Sun.

Rattlesnake Club $$$$ NEW AMERICAN • This restaurant on the river remains one of the most appealing spots in town. The casually elegant space offers a range of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Dishes that typify its style include seared diver sea scallops, an 8-ounce filet, and a 24-ounce porterhouse. 300 River Place, Detroit; 313-567-4400. L,D Tue.Fri.,D Sat. Red Smoke Barbeque $$ BARBEQUE • At Red Smoke, hickory and applewoodsmoked ribs, pulled pork, Amish chicken, and an array of classic sides are served out of one of the most attractive two-story buildings that are still standing on Monroe Street. 573 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-962-2100. L,D daily.

Roast $$$ STEAKHOUSE • Meat is the main focus at chef Michael Symon’s restaurant at the famous Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, as underscored by the rotisserie slowly roasting the “beast of the day.” There’s much more on the a la carte menu, including dry-aged steaks, branzino, pork, and reginette. 1128 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313-9612500. D daily.

Rocky’s of Northville $$ NEW AMERICAN • Menu includes sea scallops and Gulf shrimp. At dinner, look for grilled rainbow trout.

41122 W. Seven Mile Road, Northville; 248-349-4434.

L,D daily.

Roman Village $ ITALIAN • The Rugiero family has been serving authentic Italian cuisine since 1964. They’ve launched three additional Antonio’s Cucina Italiana locations. Roman Village is the original and features their signature gnocchi Rita. 9924 Dix Ave., Dearborn; 313-842-2100. L,D Mon.Fri., D Sat.-Sun. Rose’s Fine Food $ BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • The menu is straightforward, based mainly on fresh ingredients and fromscratch preparation. Breakfast eaters can choose from a variety of egg dishes, such as the ESD (egg sandwich of the day). For lunch, there’s a selection of creative sandwiches. 10551 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-8222729. B,L daily.

Rusted Crow $$ ECLECTIC AMERICAN • Mussels marinated in white wine and lemon sit alongside spinach artichoke dip. Craft cocktails utilize house spirits. Try the Rosemary’s Baby, made with Detroit Steam vodka and ginger beer. 78 W. Adams Ave., Detroit; 313-782-4751. L Tue.-Sun., D daily.

San Morello $$$ ITALIAN • This Italian gem serves pizzas, pastas, and wood-fired dishes that draw inspiration from the coastal

88

SPOTLIGHT

Red Dunn Kitchen

NEW AMERICAN The Trumbull and Porter Hotel’s spiffy restaurant is an ambitious undertaking, offering three meals a day. Chef Jay Gundy’s style is best experienced at dinner, with à la carte offerings such as foie gras-stuffed quail, smoked and marinated salmon collars, braised lamb leg, and bacon-wrapped duck breast with polenta 1331 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-8879477. B,L,D daily.

Savant $$$ FRENCH • This addition to the Midtown restaurant scene made headlines with its “caviar bumps” — bitesized portions of caviar intended to be eaten off the back of one’s hand — when it opened in September. In a cozyyet-upscale interior with leather couches and an open kitchen, Jordan Whitmore and Rebecca Wurster, formerly of Apparatus room, serve up rotating Europeaninspired menu items, including Champagne Chicken, Foie Gras Clair, Calamari, and — for vegan diners — Ratatouille Confit. 51 W. Forest Ave., Detroit; 313-285-9294.D Tues.-Sat., L Sun. Scotty Simpson’s Fish & Chips $ SEAFOOD • Head to this Brightmoor spot for perfectly prepared fish and chips. The key to Scotty’s longevity is the batter that coats the cod, perch, shrimp, chicken, onion rings, and frog legs. 22200 Fenkell St., Detroit; 313533-0950. L,D Tue.-Sun. Second Best $ RETRO AMERICAN • The talents behind nearby Grey Ghost have unveiled a second, more casual spot with a retro spin in Brush Park. The menu of lighter dishes includes deviled eggs, ramen noodle salad, and fried chicken sandwiches that accompany drinks that were popular more than a few years back. 42 Watson St., Detroit; 313-315-3077. D nightly.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2016

Selden Standard $$$ NEW AMERICAN • What sets Selden Standard apart is that it is moving Detroit into a new era in which upper-end dining with starched linen and tuxedoed waiters doesn’t hold much interest anymore. Chef Andy Hollyday, a multiple James Beard semifinalist, does farm-to-table scratch cooking with ideas borrowed from around the world. A key to his cooking is the wood-fired grill. This spot has garnered national attention. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-438-5055.D daily, L Mon.-Fri., BR Sat.-Sun. Seva Detroit $$ VEGETARIAN • Seva offers such dishes as black bean and sweet potato quesadillas, gluten-free options, and colorful stir-fries — some vegan as well as vegetarian.

There’s also a full bar as well as a juice bar. 2541 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-662-1111. 66 E. Forest Ave., Detroit; 313-974-6661. L,D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2020

SheWolf Pastificio & Bar $$$ ITALIAN • Chef Anthony Lombardo takes fresh and housemade to a new level with this Midtown restaurant that serves only dinner from a menu inspired by Italian cooking specific to Rome. Milling all of his own flour for his pastas, breads, and polenta in house, Lombardo, well known as the former executive chef at Bacco, serves a selection of simple but elegant regional Italian dishes.

438 Selden St., Detroit; 313-315-3992. D Tue.-Sun. Slows Bar BQ $$ BARBEQUE • The brick-and-wood original in Corktown gained a following for its pulled pork, ribs, and chicken.

They expanded with a “to go” spot in Midtown, as well.

This is a true Detroit classic in every sense of the term.

Corktown location: 2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-9629828. L,D daily. Slows To Go in Midtown: 4107 Cass Ave., Detroit; 877-569-7246. L,D daily.

Smith & Co. $$$ NEW AMERICAN • This Cass Corridor bar and restaurant is housed in the old Smith Welding Supply & Equipment Company building — hence cement ceilings and exposed brick that evoke an industrial vibe.

The menu features small plates, sandwiches, and entrees such as Mushroom Toast; Michigan Pork Belly; the Fried Chicken Bowl with sweet sesame sauce and kimchi; and the Smith Burger, soy-ginger marinated and topped with a fried egg. Beverage options include craft beer, wine, and fresh takes on classic cocktails.

644 Selden St, Detroit; 313-974-7100. L&D Mon-Sat., B,L,&D Sun. Standby $$ NEW AMERICAN • The libation menu — categorized by spirit — is longer than the food menu, but both food and drinks are equally emphasized. The fare ranges from small plates of chicken liver mousse and duck confit ravioli to entrees such as a waygu strip steak and red duroc pork belly. 225 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-736-5533. D daily.

Not wheelchair accessible.

Street Beet $ VEGAN • The popular vegan pop-up Street Beet has landed a permanent spot at Midtown’s 3rd Street Bar, serving up plant-based riffs on quintessential fast foods. Try the Kentucky Fake Chicken sandwich, with fried tofu, pickles, and spicy mayo, or the Taco Hell Crunchywrap, with walnut chorizo and cashew nacho cheese. These faves and additions like the Phony Cheesesteak are available via counter service, carryout, and online ordering. 4626 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-312-4669; L&D Sun., D Mon., D Tue.-Sat. Supino Pizzeria $$ ITALIAN • Relax with one of the town’s best thin-crust pizzas — they come in more than a dozen variations, with or without red sauce. A few dishes from the La Rondinella menu made the list as well, such as paninis, salads, and small plates such as polpette and fagioli. Beer, wine, and cocktails add to the appeal. 2457 Russell St., Detroit; 313567-7879. L,D Tue.-Sat. Sweet Soul Bistro $ SOUL FOOD • The large menu includes homages to Detroit musicians, from Stevie Wonder Wonderful Wings to Aretha Franklin Catfish Bites. Also notable are the crab cakes. In the evening, the bistro transforms into a club.

13741 W. McNichols Road, Detroit; 313- 862-7685. L,D daily.

Takoi $$ THAI • Thai-Laotian fare might seem out of place in Corktown, but virtually everything on the menu has distinction. There’s a depth, concentration, and balance between heat and coolness, the range of spices, the delight of moving from one superb bite to the next. 2520 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-855-2864. D Mon.-Sat.

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 88

6/8/21 10:33 AM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

RECIPE

S O C I A L K I T C H E N + BA R’S

UP ROOTED COCKTAIL

A sweet-and-spicy libation that duals as an energy booster R ECI P E F RO M SOCIAL K ITCHE N + BAR | P HOT O BY KA I L EY H OWEL L

Ingredients:

Fresh mint leaves 2 oz. Redemption Rye Pom Wonderful Pomegranate Blueberry Juice Splash of agave Splash fresh Key West lime juice

Ingredients:

1 ½ oz. gin ½ oz. organic lime ¾ simple syrup 1 ¼ oz. GingeRx Apple Organic turmeric and organic cane sugar blend

Directions:

Rim a chilled coupe glass with turmeric sugar blend. Add all remaining ingredients to a shaker tin with ice, shake, and strain into a glass.

Directions:

Muddle mint. Add all ingredients to shaker tin and dry-shake well. Clap a bunch of mint leaves and garnish.

Shop Local!

GingeRx is a Michigan-made line of organic juice shots.

This recipe calls for GingeRx Apple, a blend of apple, ginger, turmeric, and lime. GingeRx Apple, $45 for pack of 12; gingerxshots.com for retailers

90

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 90

6/8/21 10:33 AM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Marketplace WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU WORK WITH US. After signing with most contractors, all you seem to hear are crickets. Sign with Performance Remodeling and we’ll be in contact every step of the way. Delivery dates won’t be a surprise and neither will the installer. You’ll be meeting him when he comes out to measure. He’ll also be there to adjust to your special needs such as pets, landscape/property instructions and any other concerns.

Our workmanship is Lifetime Guaranteed… as are the multitude of premium products we install. This of course requires your complete satisfaction before we call the job complete. We also have a full-time service department to troubleshoot any problems that might arise later. Does that sound like the kind of home improvement company you’d like to hire? Great. Call us for a quote that is ‘to-the-penny’ accurate and Free.

Perfectly Installed Performance Guaranteed

ROOFING ATTIC INSULATION

WINDOWS

GUTTERS

SIDING

ENTRY DOORS

GARAGE DOORS (586) 540-6000 14017 23 Mile Road Shelby Township, MI 48315 windowsroofingsiding.com

091_HD0621.indd 1

6/8/21 3:14 PM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

Tap at MGM Grand $ SPORTS BAR • More than 40 HD flatscreen TVs for sports fans, plus sports memorabilia. The menu features comfort food and pub classics: burgers, wings, and fried mac and cheese. Pizza and more upscale entrees are also available, as are more than 50 beers. Bring your family and friends for a very entertaining night on the town.

1777 Third St., Detroit; 313-465-1234. B,L,D daily.

They Say $$ GASTROPUB • Many folks pass right by on their way to Atwater Brewery, Andrews on the Corner, or the Rattlesnake Club. But Chene Park regulars know They Say does triple duty as a great place to grab dinner before a show. The food is grouped into “opening acts, intermission, and encores.” 267 Jos Campau Ave., Detroit; 313446-4682. L,D daily.

Traffic Jam & Snug $ GASTROPUB • Michigan’s first officially designated brewpub is fresh and eccentric. The menu is diverse, and somewhat slanted toward vegetarian diners with such veggie-forward dishes as spinach lasagna, quiche, and portobello mushroom soup. No worries, there’s meatloaf and crabcakes, too. 511 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-8319470. L,D daily.

Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine $$ CUBAN • An evening at this lively spot is more than just Cuban and Spanish dining. Appetizers and tapas include the outstanding Tapa de la Casa, pork leg marinated in mojo; a Spanish chorizo and fresh mushrooms concoction with flambéed sherry wine; and empanadas, a Cuban turnover filled with ground beef or chicken. 1250 Library St., Detroit; 313-962-8800. L,D daily.

Vivio’s Food & Spirits $ SANDWICH/DELI • This Eastern Market classic has been run by the Vivio family for more than 40 years.

Sandwiches and burgers are mainstays, but diners also appreciate the steamed mussels. 2460 Market St., Detroit; 313-393-1711. L,D Mon.-Fri., BR,L,D Sat., L,D Sun.

92

Wine Dotte Bistro $$ WINE BAR • This interesting wine bar and restaurant offers a view of the Detroit River. The menu includes shrimp scampi, lobster tails, tenderloin medallions, and lamb chops. The wine is displayed in a cabinet across one wall and it’s the main focus. 2910 Van Alstyne St., Wyandotte; 734-556-3195. L,D Tue.-Sat., BR Sun.

Antihero $$ JAPANESE-INSPIRED • This Izakaya — a Japanese pubstyle bar or eatery — opened in fall 2018. Its food is focused on small plates along with an endless array of craft cocktails, beers, and more. 231 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-307-7383. D Wed.-Sun.

Yum Village $ AFRO-CARIBBEAN • The former food truck opened a full-service restaurant in the North End in April. The space is bright and fun with wooden tables, mismatched chairs, and a colorful, geometric paint job. And the food is just as bold. The restaurant serves up piquant dishes like Lemon Pepper Jerk Chicken. 6500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-686-2839. L,D Tue.-Sat.

Union Street $$ NEW AMERICAN • The extensive dinner menu includes such tasty highlights as fried calamari, pistachio-encrusted salmon, a J.L. Hudson Maurice salad, filet mignon, beer-steamed mussels, fish tacos, chicken wings, and several vegetarian options. 4145 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-831-3965. L,D daily.

Vertical Detroit $$$ WINE BAR • This wine-centric restaurant puts the focus on pairing Chef Matt Barnes’ innovative cuisine with owners Jim and Rémy Lutfy’s nationally recognized wine program. The menu emphasizes locally sourced protein, seafood, and produce. A must-try for any wine enthusiast. 1538 Centre St., Detroit; 313-7329463. D nightly. Not wheelchair accessible.

Andiamo Restaurants $$ ITALIAN • Steak and Italian pasta are the focus, but dessert is also impeccable. The more casual but as just delicious spots are known as Trattorias. Flagships: 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit; 313-567-6700. 21400 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-359-3300. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township; 248-865-9300. 7096E. 14 Mile Road, Warren; 586-268-3200. Fenton Trattoria. D daily.

Wright & Co. $$ NEW AMERICAN • The collaboration between chef Marc Djozlija and Dave Kwiatkowski of the popular Corktown craft cocktail bar Sugar House gives new life to the second-floor space in the vintage Wright Kay building. Small plates such as tuna tartare with pickled pears and wontons, and pork tenderloin with goat cheese purée are the focus. 1500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-962-7711. D Mon.-Sat., BR Sun.

Trattoria Serventi $$ ITALIAN • The brick pizza oven turns out an array of thin-crust pizzas and there’s an interesting daytime menu that offers a real bargain. In the evening, such dishes as veal Tosca, and manicotti alla trattoria, recalling chef Aldo Ottaviani — who was instrumental in setting up the original Andiamo menu — typify the style. 20930 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; 313-886-9933. L,D daily.

Urban Ramen $$ JAPANESE-INSPIRED • Urban Ramen serves bowls of steaming broth filled with house-made, springy ramen noodles topped with fixings like bamboo, egg, pork chashu, and sesame seeds. The menu also includes sushi, poke, and sides such as garlic edamame and Japanese fried chicken. 4206 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313285-9869. L,D Mon.-Sat.

The Whitney $$$$ NEW AMERICAN • The historic 1890s mansion is still going strong. The menu is typified by classic beef Wellington, wrapped in spinach, prosciutto, and pastry; and pan-roasted Scottish salmon. Tableside cooking, by reservation only, is an optional feature. Don’t forget The Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor for a sweet treat.4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-5700. L Mon.-Fri., D and high tea daily, BR Sun.

Oakland SPOTLIGHT

Anita’s Kitchen

LEBANESE With pita pizzas and lamb chops, the Lebanese food here is some of the best around. And there’s vegetarian and gluten-free fare, too.

Healthy, nutritious, and delicious. anitaskitchen.com for locations

168 KTV Bistro $$ PAN-ASIAN • Don’t judge by 168 KTV Bistro’s unassuming strip mall location. It’s a unique experience that meshes food, karaoke, and pop party culture into a onestop destination. The dining room offers dishes blurring the lines. Standouts include stir-fried snow pea leaves with garlic and stir-fried udon. The traditional Korean noodle dish chap chae is a strong option. 32415 John R Road, Madison Heights; 248-616-0168. D daily.

220 Merrill $$$ NEW AMERICAN • The menu includes apps and small plates as well as crispy Key West shrimp, pan-roasted sea bass, and fried calamari. There are heartier entrees as well, like the braised beef short ribs. 220 Merrill St., Birmingham; 248-646-2220. L,D Mon.-Sat. BR Sun. Adachi $$$ JAPANESE-INSPIRED • Heading the kitchen is Lloyd Roberts, who has trained in the kitchens of celebrity chefs such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Nobu Matsuhisa. Here, soy truffle broth is ladled over pork dumplings reminiscent of coin purses, and miniature tacos are filled with lobster, tuna, or vegetable pickings. 325 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham. D daily, L Mon.-Fri. Ale Mary’s $$ GASTROPUB • The name of the game here is beer, and the bartenders can help with narrowing down the options. There’s a separate vegan menu, plus such highlights as Cajun shrimp tacos, Southern fried chicken, creative burger options such as one with a mac-and-cheese bun, and a lot of whiskey. Come hungry and ready to drink, and you will not be disappointed. 316 S. Main St., Royal Oak;248-268-1939. L,D daily. BR Sat.-Sun.

Assaggi Bistro $$$ ITALIAN • Seasonal offers encompassing rustic Italian, country French, and authentic Lebanese are all created in the open kitchen. Standouts include Moroccan duck legs, porcini-dusted day boat sea scallops, and cioppino (seafood stew). 330 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-5843499 D Tue.-Sun. Bacco $$$ ITALIAN • Chef-owner Luciano Del Signore’s pastas are like pure art. Try the Strozzapreti Norcina: Italian sausage, truffles, tomato, and white wine, tossed in handrolled pasta. From local grass-fed beef to sustainably farm-raised sea bass to a fresh caprese, the ingredients are top-end. Based in the heart of Southfield, Bacco is a true Italian gem in the suburbs. And the desserts, are not to be missed. 29410 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-356-6600.L Mon.-Fri., D Mon.-Sat. Beans & Cornbread $$ SOUL • Upscale soul food is the premise at Beans & Cornbread: wings, Hoppin’ John, catfish, and a gravysmothered pork chop. Tempura-battered fried shrimp comes with a choice of cocktail or spicy BBQ sauce, and there’s a notable Louisiana-style gumbo to boot. 29508 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-208-1680. L,D Tue.Fri., D Sat.-Sun. BR Sun. Bella Piatti $$ ITALIAN • The location right across from the Townsend Hotel has inspired a number of visiting celebrities, professional athletes, and film crews who stay there to check out the Italian fare at this restaurant. The menu of such dishes as Gemelli pasta with fresh tomato sauce, salmon baked with spinach, kalamata olives, white wine, and tomatoes, and tagliatelle Bolognese stands on its own. It’s one of our true favorites in the area in terms of Italian restaurants. 167 Townsend St., Birmingham; 248494-7110. L,D Tue.-Fri., D Sat. Beverly Hills Grill $$$ NEW AMERICAN • Breakfast near noon is compatible with the Grill’s dawn-to-dark schedule. Fare includes crab cake Benedict, corned beef hash with poached eggs, and omelet du jour. There are plenty of lunch and dinner options, typified by black bean chili, Caesar and spinach salads, and a notable burger. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills; 248-642-2355. B,L,D daily.

Bi Bim Bab $$ KOREAN • Though sushi and a small selection of Japanese entrees share the bill here, it’s Korean food at center stage — on barbecue grills, on which meat and seafood are grilled to order. Or come for the restaurant’s namesake. 43155 Main St., Novi; 248-348-6800. L,D daily.

Bigalora: Wood Fired Cucina $$ ITALIAN • The pizza concept from chef Luciano Del Signore, a four-time James Beard Award nominee, features small plates, fresh pastas, wood-roasted meats,

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 92

6/8/21 10:33 AM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

and a range of distinctive Neopolitan pizzas. See website for locations; bigalora.com

Peruvian dipping sauces. 22939 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-632-1055. L,D daily.

Big Rock Chophouse $$$ STEAKHOUSE • This old railroad station is a great setting. Portions range from a dainty filet to a huge porterhouse. There are also a variety of small plates to choose from, including tuna tartare, crab cakes, mac and cheese, and more. 245 S. Eton, Birmingham; 248-647-7774. L,D Mon.-Sat.

Diamond’s Steak & Seafood $$$ STEAKHOUSE • Now with a second location in Royal Oak, this Howell-based restaurant is the perfect location for New York strip steak, fresh gulf shrimp, or a classic cheeseburger. The Royal Oak location also sports the highly anticipated lush rooftop bar called Pinky’s that opened this spring. Aptly named, it’s painted in rosy hues and features a whimsical floral mural. There’s a buffet-style brunch at both Diamonds locations on weekends. 100 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-291-5201. D daily; 101 W. Grand River Ave., Howell; 517-548-5500. D daily.

Bistro Joe’s $$$ GLOBAL • Part of Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market, Bistro Joe’s is in a mezzanine overlooking the open kitchen and market. There is an eclectic list of dishes like Spicy Tuna “tacushi,” steamed mussels, and tasty flatbread pizzas.

34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-594-0984. L,D Tue.-Sun., BR Sat.-Sun. Café Cortina $$$ ITALIAN • Selections include prosciutto di Parma stuffed with greens and mozzarella; squid sautéed with fresh pomodori; gnocchi with porcini mushrooms; and meaty prawns finished with lemon, white wine, and herbs. For dessert, try the crepes 30715 W. 10 Mile Road, Farmington Hills; 248-474-3033. L,D Mon.-Fri., D Sat. Café ML $$ NEW AMERICAN • Café ML is contemporary, both in décor and its “globally inspired food.” Such dishes as short rib steamed buns, Chinese chicken salad, Singapore street noodles, and Korean fried chicken share the menu with burgers, steak frites, and fresh seafood.

Garage door-style windows open onto the patio on warm days. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township; 248642-4000. D daily.

Capital Grille $$$ STEAKHOUSE • Hand-cut, dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood dishes are the stars at Capital Grille. The restaurant’s outstanding wine list features over 350 labels. The setting is appropriate for both business lunches and social events and includes well-appointed private dining rooms. 2800 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy; 248-649-5300.

L,D Mon.-Sat., D Sun. Churchill’s Bistro & Cigar Bar $$$ TRADITIONAL • You can buy your cigar and smoke it, too.

Plus, there are dry-aged steaks, pan-roasted sea bass, seasonal East Coast oysters, and lamb chops, among other options. A full bar boasts a large selection of whiskey, scotch, and bourbon — and plenty of wine. 116 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham; 248-647-4555. L Mon.-Sat. D daily.

Como’s $$ NEW AMERICAN • This Ferndale favorite reopened in May 2019 under the ownership of Peas & Carrots Hospitality with a trendier, fresher look. The warm, homey feel is still intact, but it’s ditched the old menu for — among other things — chef Zack Skylar’s square, deep-dish, Detroit-style pizza that’s leavened from a sourdough starter as opposed to commercial yeast. 22812 Woodward Ave., Unit 100., Ferndale; 248-677-4439. L,D daily.

Crispelli’s Bakery Pizzeria $ ITALIAN-INSPIRED • This hybrid offers artisanal pizzas from a brick oven, salads, paninis, and soups. A bakery offers crusty breads, desserts, and meals to go. Two patios add to the appeal. See website for locations; crispellis.com Culantro $$ PERUVIAN • Native Peruvian Betty Shuell brings a taste of her home to Ferndale. The casual, homey, seat-yourself establishment is named after an herb that is often used in preparation with the more familiar cilantro. An especially notable dish is Pollo a la Brasa, marinated chicken served with French fries, rice, and a variety of

Hazel, Ravines & Downtown $$ ECLECTIC • This is an inventive, casual and fine-dining eatery, grab-and-go market, and bar all in a 10,000-square-foot space in downtown Birmingham.

The restaurant itself offers three menus. Hazel focuses on comfort food. Ravines is for the seasoned traveler.

While Downtown appeals to food-trend-followers. HRD is the ultimate neighborhood hangout. 1 Peabody St., Birmingham; 248-671-1714. B,L,D daily.

Honcho $ LATIN FUSION • From the owners of Vinsetta Garage and Union Woodshop, this restaurant can be described as “Latin food that speaks with an Asian accent.” Menu items include a chicken burrito fried and tossed in a soy fish sauce and Korean pork tacos, featuring Woodshop pulled pork tossed in Korean BBQ sauce and topped with toasted sesame seeds and Malay radish slaw. 3 E. Church St., Clarkston; 248-707-3793. L,D daily.

Due Venti $$ ITALIAN • Everything is precise and balanced at this northern Italian gem: food, service, and atmosphere. Try the “fritelle” of sliced cauliflower fried in olive oil or the gnocchi with 14-hour braised lamb shank ragu. Desserts include affogato, a flourless torta with chocolate cake and raspberry mousse, and biscotti — everything is completely delicious. 220 S. Main St., Clawson; 248-288-0220. D Tue.-Sat. Eddie’s Gourmet $$ NEW AMERICAN • Chef Eddie Hanna’s gourmet diner is a simple concept that works to perfection. The menu offers standard selection of breakfast items, burgers, sandwiches, and lunch specials, but the real draw is the counter-side gourmet and pasta specials. Offerings include Veal Marsala and Chicken Milano 25920 Greenfield Road, Oak Park; 248-968-4060. L,D Mon-Sat. Elie’s Mediterranean Grill/Bar $$ LEBANESE • The lamb and chicken shawarma, shish kafta, kibbee nyeh, and other Lebanese dishes are emphasized by the décor, including photomurals of old Beirut and strings of blue beads cascading from the ceiling. A fun place to frequent for a quick lunch or a night out with friends. 263 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-6472420. L,D Mon.-Sat. The Fed $$ GASTROPUB • An attractive restaurant with great food and a delightfully refreshing atmosphere. The menu crosses boundaries, from tacos and wood-fired dishes to assorted flatbreads and fresh sushi rolls. The bright and airy bohemian-chic interior is also Instagrammably beautiful. 15 S. Main St., Clarkston; 248-297-5833. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun. Forest $$$ EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • The menu is brief but designed to let the kitchen assemble sharp flavors from various farm and market ingredients. Try the delightful Mandilli pasta with pistachio pesto and Tuscan kale, and the understated “Farm Egg.” 735 Forest Ave., Birmingham; 248-258-9400. D Mon.-Sat. BR Sat. Garage Grill & Fuel Bar $$ NEW AMERICAN • The car-themed rooms of a former 1940s gas station are as fresh and appealing as the dishes themselves. The kitchen serves up a variety of seafood starters and “full-size sedan” entrees, as well as pizzas. 202 W. Main St., Northville, 248-924-3367. L,D nightly, BR Sat.-Sun. Gran Castor $$ LATIN STREET • From the duo behind hit spots like Vinsetta Garage and Union Woodshop comes this vibrant Latin-American café and restaurant.Diners can choose to sit behind one of the two bars, a cozy café, or in the 245seat dining room all decked in colorful textiles. At Gran Castor, the dining room is equally as decadent as the food and drinks served. Grab a $5 margarita between 4 p.m.-6 p.m. daily. 2950 Rochester Road, Troy; 248-2787777. D Mon-Sun.

SPOTLIGHT

The Fly Trap

ECLECTIC AMERICAN This “finer diner” typifies fashionable Ferndale with its tin ceiling, red-topped tables, and counter with swivel stools.

It offers sandwiches, salads, pastas, and omelets.

22950 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248399-5150. B,L Tue.Sun., D Tue.-Fri.

Hong Hua $ CHINESE • One of the best area restaurants dedicated to Asian food offers some rare delicacies — shark’s fin and bird’s nest soups, fresh abalone — as well as more customary items. One signature dish is stir-fried yellow grouper fillet with vegetables. 27925 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills; 248-489-2280. L,D daily.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse $$$$ STEAKHOUSE • This plush modern steakhouse offers dry-aged prime and Kobe-style wagyu beef in a fun, clubby setting. An extensive wine list accompanies the restaurant menu that also features platters of chilled fresh seafood. 201 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-594-4369. D daily. 17107 Haggerty Road, Northville Twp.; 248-679-0007. D Tue.-Sat. Imperial $ MEXICAN-INSPIRED • The menu offers Californiastyle tacos on soft tortillas, including lime-grilled chicken, carnitas, and marinated pork, as well as slow-roasted pork tortas, and guacamole, 22828 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 248-850-8060. L,D daily, BR Sun. J-Bird Smoked Meats $$ BARBEQUE • Offering wood-smoked meats served with the traditional sides of cornbread, buttermilk slaw, and mac and cheese, popular dishes include the Three Meat Sampler and JBird Gumbo, as well as St. Louis Ribs and old-fashioned JBurgers. If you love meat, this is your place. 1978 Cass Lake Road, Keego Harbor; 248681-2124. D daily. BR Sat.-Sun. Kaizen Ramen $ JAPANESE • A downtown Royal Oak space with exposed ductwork, orange booths, and a lively, floor-toceiling, black-and-white robot mural may not seem like the obvious choice for authentic Asian noodles. But this casual spot offers a variety of vegan and meat-based ramen dishes, as well as gyoza, poke, spring rolls, and karaage — Japanese-style fried chicken. Don’t skip out on desserts like mochi ice cream and cheesecake tempura. 411 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-677-1236.

L,D Mon.-Sat. Kruse & Muer $$ SEAFOOD • The menu features seafood — lobster and shrimp in saffron cream — and pastas, pizzas, and sandwiches. There’s also beef, chicken, and a children’s menu. 327 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-652-9400. L,D daily, BR Sun. There’s also: Kruse & Muer Roadhouse, 801 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion; 248-814-9500. L,D daily; Kruse’s Deer Lake Inn, 7504 Dixie Hwy., Clarkston; 248-795-2077. 134 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills; 248375-2503. L,D daily; and the latest addition, Kruse & Muer on Woodward, 28028 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-965-2101. L,D daily.

J U LY 2 0 2 1

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 93

93

6/8/21 10:33 AM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

RECIPE

N I C O + VA L I ’ S

LEMON SHRIMP

Simple and savory wins the race

RE CIP E FROM NI CO + VA L I | PH O T O BY KA I L EY H OWEL L

94

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 5-7 raw shrimp, peeled and deveined ¼-½ cup fresh heirloom tomato, medium dice ½ cup fresh spinach 1 ½ tsp. garlic, minced 1 ½ tsp. lemon juice 1 oz. white wine

Directions:

Heat olive oil in sauté pan until sizzling hot and sear shrimp. Add garlic and tomato until lightly toasted. Deglaze pan with white wine. Add lemon juice and spinach and toss to wilt spinach. Plate and serve hot.

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 94

6/8/21 10:33 AM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Marketplace Yo u r Tr u s t e d , Lo c a l J e w e l e r S inc e 1 9 6 2

Financing Now Available

25766 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48067 (1/2 Mile North of I-696)

(248) 968.3010

info@KramarJewelry.com www.KramarJewelry.com

FINE DIAMOND SETTING • EXPERT JEWELRY REPAIR

THE ULTIMATE BOOK ABOUT DETROIT’S HISTORY

Explore the latest book from award-winning journalist and DBusiness magazine editor R.J. King. “Detroit: Engine of America” is the real life story of how the city grew, step by step, from a French fort on the riverfront in 1701 to become the world’s largest manufacturing economy in 1900.

To purchase copies of “Detroit: Engine of America” personally signed by the author, visit DetroitEngineofAmerica.com.

Audiobook Now Available on Audible

095_HD0621.indd 1

6/8/21 3:38 PM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

La Strada Dolci e Caffé $ ITALIAN • A slice of European elegance offers an impeccable little menu of Italian dishes and rich coffees and espresso. Paninis, delicious fresh green salads, hearty minestrone soup, pastas, pizzas, and decadent and artistically crafted pastries are prettily served and very tasty. 243 E. Merrill St., Birmingham; 248-4800492. B,L,D Tue.-Sat., L,D Sun.

restaurants, Salvatore Scallopini and Luxe Bar & Grill. It represents a younger, casual alternative with a serious kitchen that offers American dishes with hints of global influences. 474 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248712-4953. L,D daily.

The Meeting House $$ ECLECTIC AMERICAN • This eclectic American menu includes lobster fettuccini, steak frites remarkably close to those at Paris bistros, and housemade potato chips with a hot Jarlsberg dip. Or, try the roasted carrot risotto made with house labneh, pistachio, pomegranate gastrique, and Za’atar. 301 S. Main St., Rochester; 248759-4825. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Lelli’s Inn $$ ITALIAN • Dinners begin with an antipasto tray, creamy minestrone, salad, side dish of spaghetti, and then — nine times out of 10 — a filet mignon with zip sauce. 885 N. Opdyke Road, Auburn Hills; 248-373-4440. L Mon.-Fri. D daily.

Loccino Italian Grill $$ ITALIAN • Loccino is a “family-friendly” yet upscale Italian restaurant. Choose from fresh seafood, steak, chicken, and veal dishes, plus traditional pastas, pizzas, salads, and more. They also offer happy hour specials from 3-7 p.m. weekdays. A great special occassion place or delicious workday lunch spot for whevener you need a break from the office. 5600 Crooks Road, Troy; 248-8130700. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

Lockhart’s BBQ $$ BARBEQUE • The heart of this joint’s authentic barbecue is the dry-rubbed meat smoker, which can smoke up to 800 pounds of meat at a time. Choices such as pork ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, burnt ends, and chicken are served atop butcher paper on metal trays for the true experience. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak; 248584-4227. L,D daily. BR Sun. Loui’s Pizza $ ITALIAN • Sure, you can now get a Michigan craft beer, but not much else has changed. And that’s a good thing.

Parties dine on square pizzas with crisp crust that’s faintly charred around the edges. Hailed by food critics and Detroiters alike as arguably one of the most classic Detroit style pizzas in the city — so it’s well worth a trip.

23141 Dequindre Road, Hazel Park; 248-547-1711. L, D Wed.-Sun. Luxe Bar & Grill $$ NEW AMERICAN • The simple menu at this Grosse Pointe Farms joint offers burgers on brioche buns and interesting salads and sides, as well as entrees typified by wild-caught salmon, prime filet, and Greek-style lamb chops. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-792-6051. 115 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-924-5459. L,D daily.

Mabel Gray $$$ NEW AMERICAN • Chef James Rigato produces some masterful dishes on this tiny menu, which does not miss a beat. The menu includes a multi-course tasting option, as well as a daily listing of changing items that never disappoint. It’s a fine dining experience that is certainly worth a visit. 23825 John R Road, Hazel Park; 248-3984300. D Tue.-Sat. Mad Hatter Bistro, Bar & Tea Room $$ ECLECTIC AMERICAN • The whimsical setting inspired by Alice in Wonderland welcomes far more than the tea-sipping set with burgers and sandwiches, rabbit Porchetta, truffle risotto bites, and baked brie with pistachio, honey, and pomegranate. There are also pastries and other sweets, of course. 185 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-540-0000. L,D daily, BR Sat.-Sun. Tea by reservation. Lower level not wheelchair accessible.

Market North End $$ AMERICAN • Joe and Kristin Bongiovanni opened this eatery just across the street from the family’s other two

96

SPOTLIGHT

Lao Pot

CHINESE In early December, the owners of Madison Heights’ international market 168 Asian Mart opened Lao Pot, which specializes in Chinese Hot Pot cuisine. Hot Pot is a traditional method of cooking, using a pot of simmering broth, which sits in the center of the dining table. Lao Pot allows diners to customize and cook their meals right at their tables, combining great food and a memorable experience.

32707 John R. Road, Madison Heights; 248-689-9888.

L,D daily.

Mesa Tacos And Tequila $ MEXICAN-AMERICAN • The two-story setting includes balcony seating in a big, open room where the bar gets equal time with the kitchen. The pop-Mexican menu — which includes gua- camole, burritos, and the titular tacos — is backed up with an array of tequilas. 312 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-545-1940. L & D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

made with Italian sausage and shredded boar. There’s also a concert venue called The Parliament Room. 345 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-291-6160. D Mon.-Sat. O.W.L. $ MEXICAN-AMERICAN • This Royal Oak spot offers 24 hours of sustenance. Step up to the counter and order from the letterboard menu before grabbing a stool at the counter or along the window ledge. Dishes here include such diner musts as eggs, sausage and potato hash, burgers, and chicken wings as well as tacos and nachos served from the open kitchen. 27302 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-808-6244. B, L,D daily.

Park 600 Bar + Kitchen $$ EUROPEAN INSPIRED • Seating includes the central bar, in front of the blazing pizza oven, at a communal table and conventional tables, and on the terrace overlooking Paint Creek Trail. The menu has an array of small plates and sandwiches at lunch along with intriguing dinner entrees. Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Drive, Rochester; 248-453-8732. B,L,D daily and afternoon tea ($39 per person) Thurs.-Sun. by reservation.

2008

Mon Jin Lau $$ ASIAN-FUSION • Explore such dishes as Singapore noodles, combining chicken, shrimp, chilies, and curry with angel-hair pasta; Mongolian beef; or seared scallops with corn chili sauce and a side of fried taro. The patio opens up and the dining room transforms into a dance floor for weekly events. 1515 E. Maple Road, Troy; 248-689-2332. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

The Morrie $$ NEW AMERICAN • Music and munchies can be a great combination when served in the right proportions. Such offerings as the smoked chicken wings, Teriyaki salmon and Baja sweet potato tots, as well as the requisite burger and steak, appeal to a wide demographic. The rock’n’roll-themed eatery also brought its much-loved American dishes and cocktails to Birmingham in 2019.

511 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-216-1112. D daily. 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-940-3260. L,D Mon.-Fri., B,L,D Sat.-Sun. BR Sat.-Sun. Oak City Grille $ NEW AMERICAN • This downtown Royal Oak spot bridges the gap between bar food and upscale dining.

Order a dressed-up sandwich or burger, or elevate your dining experience with an 8-ounce filet mignon or lamb chops. The friendly price range makes anything possible. 212 W. Sixth St., Royal Oak; 248-556-0947. D daily.

Ocean Prime $$$$ SEAFOOD • An upper-end steak-and-fish place and a popular business lunch site. The menu features naturally harvested fresh fish and prime aged beef. Don’t miss the chocolate peanut butter pie or the carrot cake. A tried-and-true metro Detroit spot. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy; 248-458-0500. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

Phoenicia $$$ LEBANESE • This long-standing upscale Lebanese eatery has clean, contemporary lines that complement the French door-style windows. Don’t miss the morel mushrooms or roasted garlic cloves with tomato and basil as an appetizer. The menu expands to unexpected items such as baby back ribs and single-serving-sized local whitefish. 588 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248644-3122. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

Polka Restaurant & Beer Café $$ POLISH • Servers in traditional garb greet you near original murals, and light woodwork is enhanced with painted floral panels. Try the dill pickle soup, city chicken, and beef short rib, plus other favorites like pierogis, schnitzel, stuffed cabbages, and several kielbasa styles.

2908 E. Maple Road, Troy; 248-817-2601. D Tue.-Sun. Pop’s For Italian $$ ITALIAN • It doesn’t sound fancy, but this Ferndale restaurant serves well-prepared, Italian dishes paired with an ambitious wine program. The fairly brief menu starts with a list of Neapolitan pizzas, then moves to pastas, but has all the classics to hit the spot. There are charcuterie boards and Italian desserts, too. 280 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-268-4806. D Tue.-Sun. Prime29 Steakhouse $$$$ STEAKHOUSE • The 29-day aged prime beef, including the 24-ounce tomahawk bone-in rib-eye, still stars here.

There’s also Chilean sea bass, Loch Duart salmon, and lamb chops with lobster fried rice. The service is notable, as is the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.

6545 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield; 248-7377463. D daily.

One-Eyed Betty’s $$ ECLECTIC AMERICAN • Picnic-style tables and blackboards lettered with scores of brew choices add a beerhall sensibility to this popular spot. The kitchen delivers New Orleans-themed dishes such as po’boy sandwiches and Cajun chicken and sausage as well as a mouthwatering bacon burger. Weekend brunch features delicious housemade doughnuts. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale; 248-808-6633. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Public House $$ SMALL PLATES • This Ferndale classic once known for its sliders recently received a menu update courtesy of executive chef Nick Erven and head chef Jasmine Hughes. While old favorites like deviled eggs are still present, they’ve been updated with pork rind, and the restaurant now offers “Fancy Ass Hash Browns” with caviar and fried chicken with spicy tomato ranch. The desserts are really worth a try. 241 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-850-7420. L,D Mon.-Fri, B,L,D Sat.-Sun.

Otus Supply $ NEW AMERICAN • This Ferndale stunner has delightful food, superb service, and one wild look. The menu offers eight main courses and shared plates, as well as pizza and sandwiches. Can’t-miss: The housemade rigatoni

Quán Ngon Vietnamese Bistro $ VIETNAMESE • This gem of a bistro in a hand-some space adds to the local Vietnamese offerings. Dishes such as cha gio (elegant little eggrolls), bun bo nuong sa (grilled steak atop angel-hair rice noodles), and banh mi

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 96

6/8/21 10:33 AM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

made with fresh ingredients. 30701 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights; 248-268-4310. L,D daily.

Redcoat Tavern $ BURGERS • The half-pound choice beef hamburger is always atop the list of local favorites. But a low-fat, high-flavor Piedmontese beef one is tastier than the original. This is the place for your burger craving. 31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-549-0300. 6745 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township; 248865-0500. L,D Mon.-Sat. Rochester Chop House $$ NEW AMERICAN • Two restaurants in one; Kabin Kruser’s and the Chop House. There’s a throwback roadhouse-style feeling about the Chop House, which has a menu divided between red meat and fresh fish and seafood. Signature dishes include calamari, Maryland jumbo lump crabcakes, and a large selection of aged steaks, rack of lamb, and steak/seafood combinations. 306 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-651-2266. L Mon.-Fri., D daily Ronin $$ JAPANESE • The sushi menu, ranging from spicy tuna rolls to yellowtail and salmon eggs and well beyond, is augmented by a concise menu of cooked fare. Front windows open onto the sidewalk, making the cocktail lounge open-air during the warm months. 326 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-546-0888. D daily.

Rugby Grille $$$$ NEW AMERICAN • At the Townsend Hotel’s upscale restaurant, the classics remain, including boned-at-thetable Dover sole and hefty steaks. The eatery also introduced a new menu last year. Michigan-produced ingredients from local farmers and ranchers are still a focus here. 100 Townsend St., Birmingham; 248-642-5999.

B,L,D daily.

Sal’s $$ ITALIAN • Formerly known as Salvatore Scallopini, this old-school Italian eatery in Birmingham has long been known for its classic handmade pastas. Still, more recent menu additions — bold seafood dishes that reflect the Bongiovanni family’s Sicilian heritage —hold up just as well. 505 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-644-8799. L,D daily.

Silver Spoon $$ ITALIAN • This quintessential slice of Italy features excellent food, knowledgeable staff, and friendly service. Try the bucatini made with pancetta, onion, red wine, and fresh tomato sauce. Also worth trying: saltimbocca alla Romana, or veal scaloppini sautéed in white wine. A truly delicious place for any kind of outing. 543 N. Main St., Rochester; 248-652-4500. D daily.

Social Kitchen & Bar $$$ NEW AMERICAN • The energetic Birmingham spot allows guests a view of the kitchen action. It has a creative and varied menu typified by falafel lettuce wraps, fried chicken sandwiches, crispy Brussels sprouts, and salmon with braised lentils, crispy kale, and a mustard vinagrette. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-5944200. L Mon.-Fri., D daily, BR Sat.-Sun. Streetside Seafood $$ SEAFOOD • Small and cozy yet sophisticated, the restaurant has a pared-down menu of fresh fish and seafood on a seasonal menu. There are always two soups: a bisque and a chowder. Favorites include the smoked whitefish melt at lunch. A delicious restaurant for all palates to enjoy and feel comfortable in. 273 Pierce St.Birmingham; 248-645-9123. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

Take Sushi $$ JAPANESE • Crisp salads, miso soup garnished with

the tiniest dice of tofu, sashimi and sushi, oversize bowls of soba or udon noodles, and all the familiar — and some not-so-familiar — entrees, combine together to make this spot special. 1366 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 248-652-7800. L Mon.-Sat., D daily.

loyal following for his precise nigiri rolls. There are also tatami rooms and conventional seating. 7365 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township; 248-737-8282.

2222 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor; 734-971-5168. L,D daily.

Zao Jun $$ ASIAN FUSION • Adachi chef Lloyd Roberts has brought his refined yet imaginative Pan-Asian cuisine to Bloomfield Township. More casual than Roberts’ first local outpost, Zao Jun boasts an eclectic menu, influenced by traditional East Asian traditions as well as New Age techniques. Alongside an extensive drink menu of wine, beer, sake, and Asian-inspired cocktails, Zao Jun offers creative dishes such as Duck Macao, Kani Crab and Green Apple salad, and Mongolian Beef. 6608 Telegraph Road., Bloomfield Twp.; 248-949-9999. D daily.

Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro $$ WINE BAR • Understated décor and a pared-down menu of seasonal dishes make this spot a Birmingham classic. The kitchen turns out dishes like Lamb Belly Ragu with housemade pasta; and Alaskan Halibut with mushroom ragu and asparagus. Wine is served by the glass, the pitcher, or bottle. 155 S. Bates St., Birmingham; 248-731-7066. D Mon.-Sat. Toast, A Breakfast & Lunch Joint $ BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • It’s fun, it’s breezy, and the food at Toast, A Breakfast & Lunch Joint is very, very good. The house specialty smothered burrito has plenty of fans, as does huevos rancheros: fried eggs upon corn tortillas, pintos, and cheese. Toast, a Neighborhood Joint, the spinoff of the Ferndale original has a more elaborate setting pairing ’50s retro with sleek contemporary in a pair of rooms. The new menu features twists to comfort food. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-398-0444. L daily, B Sat.-Sun. 203 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-258-6278. B,L Mon.-Sat., B,L Sun. Toasted Oak $$$ BRASSERIE • The menu revolves around the charcuterie sold in the market next door and a list of hot grill items, such as grilled steaks with béarnaise sauce. In 2019, the restaurant earned a Wine Spectator magazine award for its outstanding wine program. Plus, just across the lot is Twelve Oaks Mall, should you fancy an evening of shopping and dinner. 27790 Novi Road, Novi; 248-277-6000. B,D daily, L Mon.-Fri. Townhouse $$$ NEW AMERICAN • This popular Birmingham spot has several exceptional offerings on its menu, such as the specialty 10 ounces of 28-day dry-aged beef hamburger on brioche. 180 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-792-5241.

L,D daily, BR Sat.-Sun. 500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313723-1000. L,D Mon.-Sun. BR Sun. Union Woodshop $$ BARBEQUE • Part of the ever-growing Union Joints restaurant group, this is a self-described wood-fired joint, where pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and beef brisket come from the smoker, and Neapolitan-style crispcrusted pizzas from the wood-burning oven. And definitely check out the mac and cheese. There’s also a delicious kid’s menu for any youngsters in your party.

18 S. Main St., Clarkston; 248-625-5660. D Mon.-Fri., L,D Sat.-Sun. Vinsetta Garage $$ NEW AMERICAN • This restaurant in a vintage carrepair shop offers well-prepared comfort-food classics such as burgers on pretzel buns, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, pizzas, and roast chicken. A restaurant that pays true homage to Detroit. 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248-548-7711. L,D daily.

Voyager $$ SEAFOOD • Fresh seafood with emphasis on oysters is the premise in this hard-to-find location. The space entails convivially close quarters for such dishes as peel-n’-eat shrimp, chili crab spaghetti and grilled swordfish. The premium bar offers short but notable lists of beer and wine as well as craft cocktails. 600 Vester St., Ferndale; 248-658-4999. D Tue.-Sat. Yotsuba Japanese Restaurant & Bar $$ JAPANESE • The semi-circular sushi bar is the center of this restaurant. Sushi chef Bobby Suzuki has a

Macomb SPOTLIGHT

Three Cats Restaurant

BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH Formerly a small café serving customers of the boutique Leon & Lulu, Three Cats is now a full-fledged restaurant and bar.

Located in the former Clawson movie theater next door to the shop, the spot serves small, simple plates, including vegetarian and vegan options for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The beverage menu features local selections, such as vodka from Ferndale’s Valentine’s Distilling Co. and wines from grapes grown on the Leelanau Peninsula.

Patrons can even take home the colorful, quirky chairs or tables they’re dining at, as most of the furniture at Three Cats Restaurant is available for purchase.

116 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson; 248-2884858. L,D Mon.-Fri., B,L,D Sat.-Sun.

Bad Brad’s $$ BARBEQUE • The rustic setting at Bad Brad’s is just right for the hearty menu of fall-off-the-bone St. Louis ribs, juicy brisket, and tender pulled pork. See website for locations; badbradsbbq.com Butter Run Saloon $ GASTROPUB • Solid American fare that’s beyond bar food (although their burgers are certainly noteworthy).

There’s escargot, perch, steaks, and a huge whiskey selection — 900 at last count. 27626 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-675-2115. L,D daily.

Da Francesco’s Ristorante & Bar $$ ITALIAN • Da Francesco’s has been around for more than 15 years, but its massive new facility is packing in the crowds offering an upbeat modern twist to traditional Italian dining. 49521 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586-731-7544. L,D Tue.-Fri., D Sat., L,D Sun. Detroit Fish House $$ SEAFOOD • This restaurant feels like a true coastal eatery, serving an extensive menu of fresh fish and seafood in a well-designed setting. Choose from a wide variety of fresh fish and meaty seafood, ranging from salmon to Lake Superior whitefish. 51195 Schoenherr Road, Shelby Charter Township; 586-739-5400. L,D Mon.-Sat., D Sun. Gaudino’s $$ ITALIAN • The trend toward combining a food market with a restaurant has a good example at this spot. It offers imported pastas and sauces, plus a butcher counter with sausages and a wine assortment. The menu offers pasta and pizza, salads, and entrees, including a Chicken Milanese. 27919 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-879-6764. L,D Tue.-Sun. J. Baldwin’s Restaurant $$$ NEW AMERICAN • The menu showcases talented chef Jeff Baldwin’s contemporary American food: cedar-planked salmon, chicken fettuccini alfredo with pesto, and herb-crusted chicken, with housemade breads. The desserts include chocolate bumpy cake, spiced carrot cake, apple cobbler, chocolate mousse layer cake, and banana foster bread pudding. 16981 18 Mile Road, Clinton Township; 586-416-3500. L,D daily, BR Sun. Mr. Paul’s Chophouse $$$ STEAKHOUSE • This bastion of red meat as well as classic dishes is still going strong. Try old-school tableside presentations such as Chateaubriand and Caesar salad. There’s a solid selection of fresh seafood and pasta, too. The founding family still runs the place and emphasizes great hospitality and a heckuva good time.

J U LY 2 0 2 1

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 97

97

6/8/21 10:33 AM

R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 0 7. 2 1

the Grammy-nominated Ravi Coltrane Quartet, but stay for Chef Louis Goral’s delicious food. Try the crispy foie gras PB&J with Marcona almonds and strawberry jam. There is also a delicious Sunday brunch with decadent orange blossom beignets and strawberry pancakes. 314 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-372-3200. D Wed.-Sat., BR Sun.

29850 Groesbeck Hwy., Roseville; 586-777-7770. L,D Mon.-Fri., D Sat. Sherwood Brewing Co. $ GASTROPUB • Quality local ingredients raise Sherwood’s fare to well above “elevated pub grub.”

Some notable choices include the hearty House Beer Chili, savory Better Made-crusted fish and chips, and spicy Buffalo Mac. Homemade extends to dessert, including Cashew Outside Cookies. This isn’t just bar food,it’s elevated bar food. 45689 Hayes Road, Shelby Township; 586-532-9669. L,D daily.

The Blue Nile $$ ETHIOPIAN • The real treat of the meal at this Ferndale restaurant is that it’s scooped up with a spongy bread called injera, and all the lentils, often seasoned with an Ethiopian spice mixture known as Berber, and vegetables are equally delicious. 221 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-998-4746. D Tue.-Sun.545 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-547-6699. D daily.

Steakhouse 22 $$ STEAKHOUSE • The late Nick Andreopoulos once spent time as a “broiler man” at London Chop House.

His family stays true to those roots at this American steakhouse with a casual, neighborhood feel. They offer an array of well-prepared angus steaks, plus seafood and pasta dishes. With the sizable lunch and portions offered at Steakhouse 22, good luck saving room for dessert! 48900 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586731-3900. L,D daily.

Testa Barra $$ ITALIAN • The newest spot from talented chef and restaurateur Jeffrey Baldwin and his wife, RoseMarie, offers modern Italian fare in a lively, upbeat setting. Pastas are made in-house. 48824 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb Township; 586-4340100. D nightly D Tue.-Sun. Twisted Rooster $$ SPORTS BAR • This “Michigan-centric” chain (Chesterfield Township, Grand Rapids, and Belleville) has takes on classics, with mac & cheese variations and steaks with “zip” sauce. 45225 Marketplace Blvd., Chesterfield; 586-949-1470. L,D daily.

Vast Kitchen and Bar $$ NEW AMERICAN • Chef Nicole Justman heads the kitchen at this fresh spot that brings a touch of Birmingham to Shelby Township. A contemporary menu at Vast Kitchen and Bar includes ginger-crusted salmon and filet mignon. 52969 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586-991-6104. L,D Mon.-Sat. Waves $$ SEAFOOD • Seafood covers most of the menu at this Nautical Mile favorite. It’s a tough task choosing between such popular appetizers as Cuban-spiced crawfish tails, crispy grouper nuggets, and plump steamed mussels. Entrees include al dente pastas and several choices from “over the wave,” such as lamb chops and New York strip steak, plus lump crab cakes, and beer-battered cod. 24223 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-773-3279. L,D daily.

Washtenaw Black Pearl $$ SEAFOOD • This seafood and martini bar is especially popular during patio season. But step inside for a host of craft cocktails, then stay for dinner. A seafood-dominated menu includes a notable roasted scallop dish.

The Pasta Gone Bayou is also worth a try, with shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage, and a Cajun cream sauce.

And make sure to order dessert. The Sweet Potato Beignets and gluten-free Black Pearl Molten Cake are exceptional. 302 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-222-0400.

D daily.

Blue LLama Jazz Club $$ CREATIVE AMERICAN • Come to this swanky jazz club for the music, which includes headliners such as

98

Cardamom $$ INDIAN • Check out the Hyderabadi Biryani — chicken, goat, and vegetable dishes, in which the rice is first cooked then baked. All the Indian favorites are available at Cardamom, such as Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Rogan Josh, and warm, fluffy, made-fresh garlic naan.

It’s the ideal spot for those times when you’re craving the classics. 1739 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor; 734-6622877. L,D Tue.-Sun.

SPOTLIGHT

Shalimar

INDIAN Offering North Indian, Tandoori, and Mughlai dishes, Shalimar is suitable for carnivores and herbivores alike.

Standouts include the Tandoori Lamb Chops marinated in yogurt, ginger, and garlic, which is best eaten with the restaurant’s flavorful garlic naan served fresh and hot.

307 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-1500.

L, D daily.

have included the pasta carbonara, featuring shrimp, duck bacon, and Italian greens, as well as beet and ricotta gnocchi with brown butter. 3411 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-971-0484. L,D daily.

Seva Ann Arbor $$ VEGAN • Seva offers such dishes as black bean and sweet potato quesadillas, gluten-free options, and colorful stir-fries — some vegan as well as vegetarian.

There’s also a full bar as well as a juice bar serving smoothies and shakes, fresh-squeezed juices, and mocktails. Choose from one of the most extensive vegetarian menus in the area. 2541 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-662-1111. L,D daily.

Slurping Turtle $ JAPANESE • This fun, casual Ann Arbor restaurant owned by celebrity chef Takashi Yagihashi offers plenty of shareable dishes, such as hamachi tacos and duck fat fried chicken. But the star at Slurping Turtle is the noodle (Yagihashi’s “soul food”), which is made in-house daily on a machine imported from Japan. 608 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-887-6868. L,D daily.

The Common Grill $$ SEAFOOD • Owner and chef Craig Common’s skilled work has drawn the attention of the now shuttered Gourmet magazine and the James Beard House — as well as the Purple Rose Theatre crowd. This mainstay is best known for fresh oysters and seafood, but all the fare at The Common Grill is expertly prepared. A tried-and-true foodie destination with a range of desserts, including coconut cream pie, lemon pudding cake, and cherry cobbler. 112 S. Main St.,Chelsea; 734-475-0470. L,D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun.

Vinology $$$ ECLECTIC • Natural brick walls blended with darkwood booths and tables lend warmth to the dining room at Vinology, while tall ceilings contribute to the restaurant’s spacious feel. The menu draws on assorted cuisines to produce dishes such as Vegan Dumplings, Short Rib Tacos, Fig and Gorgonzola Flatbread, and Filet Mignon with black truffle garlic butter and burgundy reduction. As implied by the name of the venue, the wine list here is incredible.

Try a bottle off of its New or Old World Cellared Collection. 110 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-222-9841.L Mon.-Fri. D daily.

Grange Kitchen and Bar $$$ NEW AMERICAN • If the charm of the brownstone storefront brought you in, regionally sourced ingredients will make you stay. From fried pig head to pig-ear salad, every scrap of the hog is used, reflecting a philosophy of sustainability. 118 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734995-2107. D Mon.-Sat., BR Sun.

Zingerman’s Delicatessen $ SANDWICH/DELI • Zingerman’s Delicatessen is a must-try staple in Ann Arbor. The temptations at Zingerman’s are endless: fresh breads and a menu of filling sandwiches, olive oils and housemade balsamic vinegars, chilies, and mustards. 422 Detroit St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-3354. B,L,D daily.

KouZina Greek Steet Food $ GREEK • The Greek “street food” at this popular Ann Arbor spot comes in lamb and beef, and chicken. Try the lentil soup for a delicious lunch or go for something more filling like falafel. Either way, you can’t go wrong with this excellent spot. 332 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734997-5155. L,D daily.

Zingerman’s Roadhouse $$$ CLASSIC COMFORT • This eatery celebrates American food from various cities across the country. From fresh Maryland crab cakes to the delicious delicacies of New Orleans, every last bite of the country is represented here. The buttermilk biscuits are beyond-thisworld. 2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-663-3663.

B,L,D daily.

Mani Osteria & Bar $$ ITALIAN • This popular casual restaurant infuses freshness with lower prices than most osterias. It’s a well-rounded blend of modern, eclectic Italian with classic standbys. The pizzas are hot, fresh and perfectly executed to suit your tastes. 341 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-769-6700. L Tue.-Fri., D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun. Miss Kim $$ KOREAN • This spinoff from the Zingerman’s mini empire comes courtesy of chef Ji Hye Kim and is a go-to spot for healthy Asian eats. Kim often incorporates ancient Korean culinary traditions, such as rice syrup and plum extracts, into her dishes. Some of the restaurant’s standouts include the Wasabi Sugar Snap Peas and Korean BBQ Ssam Plate — just to name a few of them. 415 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-275-0099. L,D Tue.-Sun. Paesano $$ ITALIAN • With a friendly waitstaff and decked in vibrant colors, this lively restaurant is not to be missed.

The innovative menu changes seasonally. Must-tries

All restaurants are reviewed anonymously, all expenses are paid by Hour Detroit, and the listings have no relationship to advertising in the magazine.

All restaurants are handicapped accessible unless otherwise noted.

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

081-98.FD.Listings.HOUR0721.indd 98

6/8/21 10:34 AM

promotional content

PROFESSIONALS

Team Rehabilitation’s Post COVID-19 Recovery Program Strengthens Respiratory Function

R

esponding to the COVID-19 crisis has been a challenge for all areas of medicine, and it’s no different for the outpatient physical therapy clinics of Team Rehabilitation. For Jeffrey Dehn, PT, OMPT, and Clinic Director of the Livonia 2 Clinic, the past few months have been like no other. In 2020, he began experiencing a sore throat, cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Before feeling ill, Dehn — who exercises regularly, runs marathons, and plays indoor soccer — was in great shape.

“While I was sick I did breathing exercises, because I could feel that my right lung wasn’t functioning well. After recovering from the initial symptoms, I still felt really tired,” says Dehn, who has been a certified orthopedic manual physical therapist — a concentration that focuses on improving rib mobility, thoracic mobility, and breathing — since 2008. He became a Tai Chi instructor two years ago, and says that discipline also emphasizes breath control.

As Dehn was coping with his own lung function challenges, and as those infected with COVID-19 continued to increase, he and fellow Team Rehab physical therapists joined together to establish a specialized program to aid in improving strength and respiratory function for those recovering from the virus.

“I thought that for patients who may have started out deconditioned, or for clients who were hospitalized, they would need a recovery plan,” Dehn says. Under the guidance of Gwynne

TeamRehabPhysicalTherapy_FP_HD_0621.indd 2

Waters, PT, DPT, OMPT, SCS, Vice President of continuing education at Team Rehab, the Post COVID-19 Recovery Program was established.

The team consulted with expert physicians and respiratory therapists to develop the program, which was designed so it can be implemented via telemedicine or in the clinic, and then tailored to the needs of individual patients.

The virus’s effect on the body is extensive, and while it targets the lungs, a lack of oxygen and widespread inflammation throughout the body can harm the kidneys, liver, heart, brain, and other organs. For patients who have fought the virus, the recovery process and road to wellness can be long.

“We really thought there would be a need, and as it turns out we have more than hundreds of thousands of people in Michigan alone who have recovered from COVID-19,” Dehn says.

“Team Rehab’s Post Covid-19 Recovery Program” aims to help patients restore their strength, endurance, and normal breathing capacity; help people resume their participation in activities of daily living and recreational activities; and resolve new issues with pain, stiffness, or weakness. The program utilizes breathing exercises as well as strength and endurance exercises, and monitors vitals. Although Dehn initially thought patients would mostly be elderly, as the illness is skewed toward impacting this population, his first client was in her 30s and wanted to improve her strength and stamina in order to go back to work.

Team Rehab screens every patient and staff member every day, utilizing a series of questions and monitoring temperatures. All staff and patients are required to wear masks, which are provided if needed.

Each Team Rehab clinic has also made a significant reduction in the number of patients in the clinic at any one time, to allow greater physical distancing. Clinics have been encouraged to create more space or put barriers between treatment tables. The treadmill may be in an area where it can be blocked by a curtain, and anything touched is sanitized prior to patient use.

Hand sanitizers are located throughout the clinic, and staff and patients are encouraged to offer any other ideas about ways to maximize safety.

“Things changed so quickly throughout this crisis. Fortunately, we’ve been able to continue to adhere to our core principle: Do what’s best for our patients,” Dehn says.

Team Rehab Physical Therapy We have a location near you! team-rehab.com (See website for convenient locations and phone numbers.)

5/20/21 4:04 PM

CO NTIN U ED FROM PAGE 14

very comfortable in my current position. I’m living in a city where I’ve always wanted to live.

If you took over any large police department, but ours in particular, what is your recipe for fixing or improving it?

The chief would have to get in and see what the issues are. Everyone has to be able and willing to look at their organizations with a fine-tooth comb and see, what are we doing that can be adjusted? What practices or what protocols are causing some challenges in the community? The other part of any recipe is going to be bringing the police officers to the table. We say in law enforcement: “Police officers hate change.” I don’t think they hate change. We don’t include them enough in the change, in understanding why we need to do things differently today than we did them two years ago or five years ago.

You left Dallas amid controversy over the response to the Black Lives Matter protests last summer and dissatisfaction over rising violent crime rates. Would that make it harder for you to get the Detroit job?

The politics in Dallas have absolutely nothing to do with my decision to be a police chief anywhere else in the country. The politics in Dallas are politics that exist everywhere in law enforcement. I always say that we hire plumbers to come to our homes and we dare not assist them or offer any suggestions on how to unclog the toilet. Yet everyone has the answers and the solution on how to run a police department better than the police. Dallas was a great opportunity and a great experience.

OK, but the City Council was unhappy with you, there was controversy surrounding the use of pepper spray during a BLM event. You even gave yourself a C-minus for handling certain things. Why would that not affect your prospects for running another police department?

Well, if you look across the country, every police department was criticized for the exact same things. We all used tear gas — it was tear gas, not pepper spray — and we used less-than-lethal ammunition. Most of us ended up with community members who were injured as a result of the response. When I gave myself that letter grade, it was not about a failure. It was telling the truth. We made a lot of mistakes, as most police departments did across the country. We had never seen the kind of civil unrest that we were experiencing. We were outnumbered. We had Molotov cocktails being thrown at the officers; they trapped officers in vehicles and tried to set the vehicles on fire. All of these things were happening simultaneously in multiple areas. That is not an excuse. There were a lot of mistakes made, not because I was an incompetent chief but because when you have this level of civil unrest take place in multiple areas throughout

10 0

your city, even the best of plans get destroyed. I didn’t wait for anyone to do an assessment, we did an assessment of ourselves, we did an after-action report that I presented to the council with everything we did right and everything that we did wrong. That shows my integrity.

When you went to the police academy in 1999, were there other Black women?

Yeah. Maybe eight to 10. Detroit historically — and you can credit Benny Napoleon for this — always saw a great representation of women both in leadership and throughout the ranks. Under Benny Napoleon’s reign, there were so many women and so many Black women that were deputy chiefs and commanders.

Your mother was against you being a cop because of what happened to your father. What persuaded you?

It wasn’t my first love, but it truly did become my passion. I always wanted to be a lawyer. I was supposed to be a Supreme Court justice in my mind.

So, I finished my criminal justice degree at Grambling State University and I wanted to go to law school, so I was doing some clerking at a law firm in downtown Detroit. The goal was to get a master’s and a juris doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy, and I met Sheriff Benny Napoleon, may he rest in peace. He was teaching class and we would have these discussions about law enforcement, community, race, and he was very intrigued. He said, “You really need to join my police department.” And I bantered back and forth with him for an entire semester saying, “I don’t want to be the police.” And then I told him the story about my father. He said, “You are so sharp, you’ll be a lieutenant in seven years. If you join the police department, I guarantee you you’ll be a chief. I can see it in you.” So, he finally talked me into it, and from that point, it seemed like everything I touch, I was very successful.

You must miss Sheriff Napoleon a lot.

Yeah. Outside of God and my mom and grandmother, I credit him with my success in law enforcement.

He always was there whenever I had challenges, even in Dallas. I always called him and made sure that he knew and could provide me the best information and advice that one could have.

You became deputy chief under Chief Craig in 2014. What did you learn from him about managing Black Lives Matter issues that you took with you to Dallas in 2017?

Chief Craig was very intentional about meeting with individuals who were antagonistic and adversarial.

He wanted to meet with those individuals before there was any challenges. He came into the city asking who we had challenging relationships with. He wanted to bring those individuals to the table, create advisory boards with them, give them an oppor-

tunity to work alongside of the police department so that when a situation arises, you’re not trying to build relationships. I learned that very quickly from him because whenever there were challenges across the country, and protests happen, whether it was Black Lives Matter or any other group, usually they had an opportunity to sit down with Chief Craig as well as myself and the rest of the command staff and air their differences, and we had an opportunity to make some concessions. That was definitely something I took to Dallas. One of the first things that I did while I was there was meet with the people we had challenging relationships with and create an oversight board.

Was being a Black woman running a law enforcement agency at a time when law enforcement is under a great deal of criticism difficult or challenging for you?

I am Black and I am blue. What we saw with George Floyd was absolutely tragic and should never happened. I was embarrassed, I was broken and hurt to be a law enforcement officer and executive and watch someone wearing the same uniform that I put on every day kneel on a man’s neck and murder him. But he does not represent all of law enforcement. And if we are truly honest with ourselves, this is not new. Although I’ve been blue for 23 years, I’ve been a Black woman for 50 years. There has been so much work done by law enforcement leaders over the years to change the culture of law enforcement, to change the history of what happened, but it’s still not enough. Still, to create a dichotomy — that if you are a police officer you can’t support Black Lives Matter and be pro-Black — is ludicrous.

I love police officers, but also love my community.

We have to address the issue that somehow Black individuals encountering police is more deadly than any other race that encounters the police. There are nearly 18,000 police departments in this country, and no two are the same, so you have to examine your police department, your hiring practices, your training practices, and all the things that are going on in your agency and identify those things that don’t look like a great partnership between the police in the community.

Do you think, particularly the past year, that the BLM protests have accomplished anything?

I would ask you. What do you think they’ve accomplished?

I’m not an expert. You are.

I respect the fact that a social movement has brought forth a conversation that has to be had. It’s also brought to light the fact that police chiefs have a challenge. They’re fighting these things on the inside of their police departments where there’s a political force and a unionized effort that pushes out a police chief that identifies too many problems in a police agency.

H OUR DE T R O I T.C O M

014-100.101.UpFront.MIM.HOUR0721.indd 100

6/8/21 11:04 AM

CON T IN U E D F ROM PAG E 19

Black Lives Matter has had the opportunity and they’ve accomplished the conversation and the dialogue and getting that platform to the White House.

Are the phrases “defund the police” or “abolish the police” counterproductive?

What is challenging is, what do those phrases mean? These things need to be defined because they mean different things to different individuals.

When I was a police chief, 88 percent of my budget was salaries and benefits. And the other 12 percent of my budget was the operational costs to run the police department. Police officers are doing so much more than they should be — handling homelessness, handling mental health calls, parking enforcement. Those are the kinds of things that should be shifted to other individuals to do that work. Should there be money associated with that to help a city to pull those resources away from the officers and make sure that someone else is responsible for doing those things? If that is what we’re discussing, we’re not defunding the police, we’re shifting responsibilities and the allocated resources. But if you’re saying take money from the police department and decrease the number of officers, I don’t agree with that. And a lot of people do not feel they need less police officers. In some instances, they feel that they need more.

Why didn’t Detroit explode in violence the way many other cities did last year?

A lot of it has to do with who Detroit is. Detroit is a city that is resilient — a comeback city. I love the city of Detroit. Detroit burned its own city down in the 1960s and I watched it struggle to be rebuilt. So, there may have been some lessons learned. I don’t want to take anything from Chief Craig because I believe the relationships that he had built with the community with the activist groups played a large role. But Detroit is a predominantly Black city. I spent almost 19 years in the Detroit police force, and we just did not have those kinds of racial issues that other cities have had over and over and over again.

Do you empathize with the perspective of other non-police Black people? Were you ever profiled or mistreated by police?

I am a Black woman in America, so I understand Black people are treated differently. While being in the police, I bought my first home on the border of Livonia and Detroit. At the time, very few Blacks lived in that area. Police used to follow me in my vehicle until they stopped me one day and found out that I was a police officer. But they were following me because of the kind of vehicle that I was driving, the fact that I was a Black woman, and the fact that I was in an area where very few Black people were.

So, do I know that there are some legitimate concerns between Black people in law enforcement? I absolutely do.

safety,” he writes. “If, in 1966, Congress had told the driving public to sober up, buckle up, and drive right, rather than scourging Detroit for its failure to protect people from their own recklessness, the fatality rate would have fallen significantly faster and further.”

Oddly, in other places Whyte complains that the problem wasn’t regulation per se but the wrong regulation, that the government should have known well in advance exactly what laws and rules it needed to balance enterprise and safety. He seems to play both sides here, but later the attentive reader realizes he’s doing so to bolster the notion that government is inept, ineffectual, and easily misled. His worship of captains of industry is explicit, as when he writes of one particularly contentious hearing: “The leaders of the Big Three, some of the highest-achieving businessmen on the planet, accustomed to reverential or, at least, friendly reception on Capitol Hill, were being hounded with the hostility and cheap tactics usually reserved for suspected communists.”

You know what you’re in for early on if you spot the buzzwords. Whereas most historians favorably view President Franklin Roosevelt’s efforts in the 1930s to create a social safety net and rein in the excesses of capitalism that led to the Great Depression, Whyte calls FDR’s legislative agenda “assaults on capital and capitalists” and claims it ushered in the advent of a “militant federal government.” President John Kennedy’s efforts to shame Big Steel into not raising prices are, too, an “abuse of power.” This is not a guy, then, who is going to look kindly on the creation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and oversight that forced carmakers to add better seat belts, air bags, and other modifications.

Yet Whyte is guilty in The Sack of Detroit of precisely what he accuses Nader of: overemphasizing data points that support his thesis while encouraging readers to dismiss ones that don’t. In his telling, Nader got his hooks into GM by improperly and opportunistically vivisecting the safety record of the rear-engine Corvair in his seminal 1965 best-seller Unsafe at Any Speed at the same time certain D.C. figures — including then-Sen. Robert Kennedy and future Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan — were looking to gore a bigbusiness ox. Whyte cites a litany of data suggesting the Corvair’s safety record wasn’t really that bad, ignoring entirely that with 60 years’ hindsight we know — because, among other reasons, auto insurers charge more for them — that rear-engine vehicles really are inherently less safe.

In Whyte’s epilogue, he makes it clear which part of the automaker’s downfall was its own fault: “None of this is to excuse General Motors’ conduct.

The company had a history of bullying, predatory behavior. Its definition of the public good, while

broader than recognized at the time, was too narrow for its own good. It could have done more for automobile safety.” You’re excused if you read that and wonder how he managed to put together a massive treatise in the previous hundreds of pages that paints GM as a well-meaning, unlucky victim.

Prior to this, the worst he lays on GM is an episode where the company was exposed for having sent private investigators to (unsuccessfully) dig up dirt on Nader. From this specifically stupid decision, which generated some of the worst public relations damage ever self-inflicted by a major company, Whyte seems to believe the broader chain of events was set in motion.

Of course, the reason GM created the compact Corvair in the first place tells a lot about what happened. Smaller, more economical foreign imports were gaining a foothold in the U.S. car market, signaling the end of the tail-finsand-chrome-for-days era of the 1950s. Other automakers brought compacts to the market at the same time; Ford’s Falcon and AMC’s Rambler were more popular than the Corvair. What’s more, in the subsequent decades, foreign automakers went on to do a far better job of building products that American motorists wanted and could afford.

They were subjected to the exact same safety standards and regulations as the Big Three — albeit with cheaper labor costs, to be fair — but they offered superior products and won more customers. Capitalism, amirite?

Alas, Whyte’s agenda is given away in a subtitle that declares that regulations had brought an end to “American enterprise.” It’s the same dirge the Hooverites sang in the 1930s, a prediction that never comes true even as it’s dusted off in every progressive era. Indeed, Whyte’s epilogue points to the coming reckoning of internet giants like Google, Amazon, and Facebook without ever even noting the irony that the 1960s regulations and the rise of personal-injury litigation that he claims strangled Detroit did not, in fact, prevent all the technological innovation that let the likes of Brin, Zuckerberg, and Bezos amass their unimaginable wealth.

The Sack of Detroit will thrill, or at least comfort, GM partisans and other apologists for industries that run afoul of the public good. And Whyte actually provides a lot of even-handed retellings of the history of the auto industry, although there are more accessible and engaging books on a story told aplenty and to which little is added here. This version drives to a destination and uses plenty of sleight of hand to get there. “Estimates of the cost of regulation are fraught,” he writes in the epilogue. “The case of General Motors suggests that these additional costs can be enormous and lasting, and are largely untracked.”

Translation: Nobody knows what any of this cost, but I just spent 350 pages telling you how expensive, unproductive, and misguided it all was anyway.

J U LY 2 0 2 1

014-100.101.UpFront.MIM.HOUR0721.indd 101

101

6/8/21 11:04 AM

promotional content

PROFESSIONALS

Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery, PC

W

hen it comes to cosmetic and reconstructive surgery around the eyes, it’s best to consult the experts. Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery, PC, consists of seven doctors with advanced training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. Each doctor specializes in procedures of the eyelids, brow, and forehead, which is why they’re called The Eyelid Experts. The doctors — Frank Nesi, Geoffrey Gladstone, Evan Black, Francesca Nesi-Eloff, Dianne Schlachter, Alon Kahana, and Robert Beaulieu — treat patients for a variety of concerns related to the eyelid and face. These issues can involve eyelid tumors, including cancer, and upper and lower eyelid malpositions that affect a patient’s day-to-day activities. Surgical treatments can impact not just a patient’s quality of life, but also their confidence and appearance.

Each doctor takes the time to develop a unique plan that considers a patient’s appearance, functionality, and individual needs. Ophthalmic plastic surgery is a subspecialty of ophthalmology involving extensive training in the delicate areas around the eyes. “This is essential because the eyelids are not only important aesthetically, but their proper functioning is crucial to the health and performance of the eyes,” says Dr. Black, who, along with his colleagues, has completed fellowships in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery as part of his medical training.

In some people, largely due to genetics, upper

ConsultantsInOphthalmic&FacialPlasticSurgeryPC_FP_HD_0721.indd 2

eyelids droop — sometimes so severely that peripheral vision is impaired. This can result in fatigue and always creates a tired, aged visage.

This condition is commonly corrected with a ptosis repair and/or endoscopic forehead-lift.

Blepharoplasty can correct vision by removing the folds of skin to allow more light to enter the eye, and it gives a more pleasing, less aged look to the face. In some cases, patients decide on a combination of these procedures for the best functional and aesthetic outcome, with overall reduced healing time.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery offers nonsurgical interventions such as Botox and fillers that reduce the signs of aging.

Patients may also be recommended for IPL or ResurFx treatments, which can improve dry eye, skin texture, and rosacea. Deciding between surgical and nonsurgical treatment requires a great deal of thought and discussion between the patient and doctor. “It’s a balance between what the patient would like to do, what their expectations are, and what the physician is able to accomplish with nonsurgical, surgical, or combination techniques,” Dr. Black says.

Along with their cosmetic and functional surgeries, Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery specialize in the treatment of thyroid eye disease, or Graves’ disease. Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune condition in which

the immune cells attack the thyroid gland. This can cause swelling of the eyes, eyelid retraction, dry eye, sensitivity to light, and more. The doctors of the practice take an inclusive approach to treatment of this often debilitating condition, considering a patient’s lifestyle and diet along with surgical intervention.

Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery, PC, has 10 locations across mid and southeast Michigan, and performs thousands of successful procedures each year. All physicians hold affiliations with only the top-accredited hospitals, and all are experts in the field of oculoplastics.

Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery, PC 800-245-8075 theeyelidexperts.com

6/3/21 11:53 AM

promotional content

PROFESSIONALS

The Benefits of Pilates After Knee Surgery

C

hronic knee pain can be debilitating. If the pain is severe enough to hinder your daily living or rule out an active lifestyle, then you’ve likely visited an orthopedic surgeon who’s recommended surgery. While the objective of surgery is to increase your mobility, engaging in Pilates after knee surgery can help aid in quicker and more effective recovery.

The knee is a hinge joint and, as such, its main function is flexion and extension — but it lacks what’s known as intrinsic stability. That’s why the ligaments and muscles around the joint provide support. If there’s an imbalance in the ligament and/or muscle strength, it can affect the knee’s functionality. Four primary muscles support the knee: the quadriceps, hamstrings, hip abductors/ adductors, and external rotators in the lower leg muscles. Keeping these muscles working in harmony is key to minimizing injury or pain.

That’s the objective of Pilates.

PilatesFitness&PhysicalTherapyCenter_FP_HD_0721.indd 2

While there are many reasons for knee pain, three conditions commonly occur. The first is a meniscus tear, which can happen with something as simple as a sudden twist or turn that causes the knee cartilage to tear. This type of injury is more common in older adults.

Another common condition is a torn ligament.

There are four major ligaments in the knee that connect the thigh bone to the lower leg bones and keep the knee stable. Torn ligaments are more often seen in athletes or people who are very active.

The third most common reason for knee pain is arthritis, and there are different types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the progressive wearing of the cartilage in the knee joint. It occurs more frequently in people over the age of 50, but can also be caused by weight, genetics, previous injuries, infections, and illness. With rheumatoid arthritis, the tissue around the joint becomes thick and inflamed. Posttraumatic arthritis can result after a serious knee

injury such as a bone fracture or ligament tear.

Whatever the reason for your knee surgery, Pilates before surgery is a safe and effective way to prepare your body for surgery and can lend to the overall success of the procedure. Many Pilates exercises focus on maintaining range of motion in the knee to strengthen the surrounding tissue.

In addition, core-strengthening exercises will improve your balance to increase stability postsurgery. Once your doctor gives you the go-ahead, practicing Pilates will make a big difference in your recovery. Working on machines such as the Reformer, an instructor can increase or decrease resistance and range of movement to ensure safety in knee flexion and extension exercises. “Bridging on the Reformer will strengthen the gluteal muscles and hamstrings while stabilizing the back of the knee,” says Ron Jegadeesh, Pilates instructor, physical therapist, and owner of Pilates Fitness & Physical Therapy Center in Southfield. The initial focus during rehab will be on working from the core with slow and controlled movements that incorporate proper breathing, he says. As you continue to heal, additional exercises will be added that target range of motion in the knees, as well as strength and muscle memory development, and the improvement of knee flexors and extensors. Finally, you’ll develop and establish a long-term regime so you can continue your rehabilitation while fostering optimal health and fitness.

Plenty of research shows that using Pilates as a rehabilitative exercise post-knee surgery is highly effective. In one study, orthopedic surgeons worked alongside a trained Pilates instructor to create a specific protocol for 38 patients. The patients performed a series of Pilates exercises for at least one hour, three to four times per week. After one year, all 38 of the patients reported they were satisfied — 25 of them said they were extremely satisfied — with the exercise protocol. Not a single patient reported dissatisfaction. Seventy-three percent of them went on to practice Pilates on a regular basis.

If knee surgery is in your future, now’s the time to get connected with a qualified Pilates instructor who can get you started on presurgical exercises. If you’re currently recovering from knee surgery and would like to explore Pilates for rehabilitation, you can do so at any time. You’ll be glad you did.

Ron Jegadeesh, PT, MBA Certified PMA, Polestar Pilates, Stott Pilates®, Gyrotonic®, Gyrokinesis® Instructor 17418 W. 10 Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075 248-552-1012 | 248-552-0657 (fax) pilatesfitnessevolution.com info@pilatesfitnessevolution.com

5/21/21 5:01 PM

The Largest 30-Inch

Steam Oven Capacity on the Market* Give Your Project the Statement it Deserves. *According to AHAM Standards

Cook More with Steam

Broil to Perfection

True Convection for Authentic Taste

Wifi-Enabled with Home Connect™

www.sargentappliance.com

Three Locations

SARGENT APPLIANCE IS YOUR PREMIER APPLIANCE DEALER

600 N Main St, Rochester | 248.652.9700 35950 Gratiot Ave, Clinton Twp. | 586.791.0560 20201 Hall Rd, Macomb | 586.226.2266

©2021 BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 21-THD-1071

SargentAppliance&Video_FP_HD_0721.indd 1

5/21/21 1:17 PM

I know Northern Michigan and I’m happy to partner with agents in Southern Michigan to serve their clients.

1167 Autumn Lane Petoskey, MI

$939,000

325E. E.Lake Lake St. St. • Petoskey, MI 49770 •• 231-838-6700 325 Petoskey, MI 231-838-6700••Patleavy@kiddleavy.com Patleavy@kiddleavy.com••patleavy.com patleavy.com

KiddLeavy_FP_HD_0721.indd 1

6/3/21 1:56 PM