Hour Detroit // August 2021

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT

A NEW ARETHA BIOPIC HAS ITS WORK CUT OUT FOR IT

HATE CRIME OR HOAX?

How a small-town LGBTQ hero became Suspect No. 1

HE'S ON TOP OF THE WORLD

SINGER-ADVENTURER MIKE POSNER SCALED EVEREST. NOW WHAT?

AUGUST 2021

the

Taste 2021

FOOD ISSUE

Makers 11 culinarians who are taking 'Made in Michigan' to the next level

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Meet the

Forager, Cattleman, Viticulturist, Kombucha brewer … and others

Mark Zerefos of Judd Organic Angus Farms

BACK-TO-WORK BLUES?

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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.

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HOUR D E T R O I T

VOLUME THIRTY

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ISSUE EIGHT

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

Must See Developments September 10 – 12, 2021

CONTRIBUTORS: Joe Alisa, Trevor Bach, Gerard+Belevender, George Bulanda, Jennifer Conlin, Tammy Coxen, Heather Gatley, Sarah Gudenau, Madeline Halpert, Ryan Patrick Hooper, Kailey Howell, Rachel Idzerda, Jim McFarlin, Justin Milhouse, Jennifer McKee, Rebecca Simonov, Mark Spezia, Hayden Stinebaugh, Megan Swoyer, Joe Tiano, Joe Vaughn

Join Hour Detroit for the DOWNTOWN LIVING TOUR, showcasing developments throughout the city.

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Jason Hosko ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Cynthia Barnhart, Karli Brown, Lauren DeBano, Donna Kassab, Mary Pantely & Associates, Angela Tisch ADVERTISING SALES INTERN: Grace Kanehann 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 ARTISTS: Stephanie Daniel, Robert Gorczyca INTEGRATED DESIGN LEAD: Alex Shammami ADVERTISING COORDINATORS: Amanda Zwiren, Ava Majoros ADVERTISING DESIGNER: Amanda Zwiren PRS GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Jim Bibart, Julia McGillicuddy DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT: Michelle VanArman CIRCULATION MANAGER: Riley Meyers CIRCULATION COORDINATORS: Barbie Baldwin, Elise Coyle, Cathy Krajenke, Rachel Moulden MARKETING & EVENTS ASSISTANT: Drake Lambright 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: Shekinah Adams, Katherine Donnelly, Celeste Janson, Maryan Toma DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS: Kathie Gorecki SALES ASSISTANT: Danielle Szatkowki PUBLISHING AND SALES COORDINATOR: Kristin Mingo ASSISTANT OFFICE MANAGER: Natasha Bajju ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES: Andrew Kotzian, Katie West 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

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

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HOUR DE T RO I T

Thank you to all our loyal guests for your votes!

We owe all our success to you.

Best Restaurant (1st place) Best Place to Take a Client (1st place) Best Italian Restaurant (2nd place) Best Romantic Dining (3rd place) Best Takeout (3rd place)

Best Seafood Restaurant—9th year in a row! (1st place) Best Restaurant with a View—Detroit (1st place) Best Special-occasion Restaurant (1st place) Best Place to Take a Client (3rd place)

Best Fast Casual Restaurant (1st place)

V I C A R I R E S TA U R A N T S . C O M

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

26 On Top of

the World Where do you go after being nominated for a Grammy, walking across the U.S., and scaling Mount Everest?

Southfield native Mike Posner’s not quite sure, but he knows his days of adventure aren’t over.

30 Hate Crime

or Hoax?

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An LGBTQ activist and local hero in small-town Jackson becomes a suspected hoaxer charged with arson when his house burns down under mysterious circumstances.

Mike Posner makes his way toward the top of the world with one of the Sherpas who helped his team reach Everest’s summit — the latest, but surely not the last, of the Grammy-nominated Southfield native’s adventures.

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COVER JUSTIN MILHOUSE HIKING DR. JON KEDROWSKI

7/9/21 8:36 AM

A hometown dining experience designed to tempt every taste and satisfy every expectation. Discover a deliciously diverse menu, outstanding handmade cocktails, craft beer, not your everyday wine, and crafted coffee concoctions.

125 W. Shiawassee • Downtown Fenton lunchandbeyond.com • 810.629.8852

Latin American street food inspired dishes made with locally sourced products and delicious fresh vegetables.

113 Mill Street • Downtown Fenton eltopofenton.com • 810.215.1024

Fenton’s favorite secret!

We are a neighborhood speakeasy serving classic and original cocktails made to order, an extensive collection of allocated and rare libations, a remarkable rotating list of charcuterie and delicious tacos from our cover business. Age 21 and over, please.

113½ Mill Street • Downtown Fenton reliefandresource.com • 810.215.1100

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08.21

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

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Up Front MADE IN MICHIGAN: 12 AISHA BOWE

In high school she was told to stick to cosmetology. Instead, she reached for the cosmos.

WHY DIVERSITY 13 EQUALS PROFITS

Agenda 38 CULTURE CALENDAR

A 40-year-old Midwest art competition crowns a winner — plus August’s other can’tmiss arts offerings.

39 SEND IN THE CLONES

With Respect, Jennifer Hudson follows the impressive Cynthia Erivo in bringing the inimitable Aretha Franklin to the screen.

Hard Reset makes the case that corporate workplace equity is good business.

(UNIDENTIFIED FLYING) 14 OBJECT LESSON

40 CRISTY LEE’S JUST ENJOYING THE RIDE

BA D B R E AT H 15

41 GET INTO VAN GOGH

Fifteen years later, Patty’s Triangle remains one of Michigan’s most baffling sightings.

The celebrity mechanic’s latest gig has her rubbing elbows with A-List stars in need of an auto overhaul.

Oakland and Macomb counties join Wayne in failing a key air quality test. Now what?

Why immersive shows of the Dutch master’s works are so hot here and around the U.S.

YES, CANCEL BO 16

42 YEAH, BEACHES!

Schembechler’s silence in the face of molestation accusations is unforgivable.

Michigan is loaded with great stretches of sand — many of them nearby. Here are the best places to dip your toes without a daylong drive.

24/Seven

Food&Drink

I NEED MY SPACE: 18 A STELLAR CELLAR

Forget that dark, hidden basement. This stylish wine room is meant to be seen.

CRÈME OF THE CROP 19

This new, multicultural salon serves up dreamy (and totally next-level) spa getaways.

45 THE TASTE MAKERS

This year’s Food Issue looks at metro Detroit’s food industry through a hyperlocal lens — the farmers growing our produce and raising our livestock, the chefs serving farm-fresh meals, and the entrepreneurs creating tasty snacks with ingredients sourced from right here in southeast Michigan. Meet the 2021 Taste Makers.

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BACK TO BUSINESS 20

Dressing for the post-COVID workplace doesn’t have to be a drag. We’ll show you how.

MI STYLE: PAGEANT 24 B. ATTERBERRY

8 E D I TO R’ S L E T T E R

She trains the next generation in the performing arts — and looks great while doing it.

113 R E STAU R A N T L I ST I N G S

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136 T H E WAY I T WA S

Rambler American, 1962

MEAT GERARD + BELEVENDER TRUCK JOE VAUGHN SALON HAYDEN STINEBAUGH

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08.21 From Our Readers

E D I T O R’ S L E T T E R

Tastes Like Home

WHEN WE LAUNCHED OUR FIRST TASTE MAKERS package three years ago, the intention was to celebrate metro Detroit’s culinarians — to honor the passionate people who toil selflessly to feed us day after day. And not just the chefs who are most often the faces of the restaurant industry, but also the farmers, the food entrepreneurs, the servers, and the activists.

Last year, when the pandemic exposed the cracks in the food and beverage industry and we saw the toll it took on food industry workers, many of us joined the push to support local establishments even more than ever. We bought swag and tipped well. We even chipped in to GoFundMe campaigns to support our favorite spots. So this year, to make sure no sector of the food system was left without a little TLC, dining editor Lyndsay Green wanted to take the concept of supporting local businesses to the next level. This Taste Makers package (beginning on page 43) is intended not just to shine a spotlight on local culinarians, but to highlight specifically the folks who are growing, cooking, and selling foods that are all grown in Michigan — and in most cases, right here in metro Detroit.

I asked Lyndsay to elaborate on what she learned while putting this package together:

What stood out to you as you learned more about all these local producers?

It was really nice to see the range in food producers here in metro Detroit. Never in a million years did I think we’d find a cattle farmer raising Angus cows on 86 acres just outside of Detroit!

What do you want readers to think about as they read these pieces?

I’d love for people to fall in love with Michigan all over again, to appreciate it for its rich agricultural landscape, and to support the people who are honoring the land by nourishing us with fresh foods sourced from our bountiful backyard. More and more restaurants are sourcing ingredients from local farms, which is beneficial for everyone involved. By supporting an eatery that serves farmfresh ingredients, you’re supporting the restaurant industry and the urban farm it gets its fruits, herbs, and vegetables from.

Are there practical steps people can take to support Michigan’s producers?

A lot of businesses are being far more transparent about where ingredients are sourced from these days. Take a look at menus before dining at a restaurant; take a quick glimpse at a label to read the origin story of your next snack food. If you can support two or more local businesses with just one purchase, you’re taking a great step toward supporting our food economy.

Did any one comment really stand out to you?

Indigenous farmer and chef Kirsten Kirby-Shoote left me with a profound sentiment, which I think sums this package up nicely. “We’re here because a seed cared for us,” they told me. “The seed cared enough to produce food for us, and that’s our relationship: We give them water and preferential sun, and they in return nourish us.”

Here’s to the culinarians who tend to our seeds.

DA N CACCAVA RO, ED I T OR

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“OMG. I just finished reading this month’s magazine (Hour Detroit, June). Wow, it was emotional thinking about all the things I’ve missed.

Great letter from the editor, fantastic article written by Stephen Henderson, and great food spots covered like [Baobab Fare]. Thanks for such a great magazine!”

—@fsalman100, Instagram “Really good write-up (‘What Have I Missed Most About Detroit? Detroiters,’ by Stephen Henderson, June).

Made me tear up!”

—Mike Rudell, Facebook “Well, alrighty then! Such a well-deserved acknowledgment of a woman full of style, grace, talent, and humility (‘Best of Detroit 2021,’ June).

Bravo, [style Instagrammer] Tamela Clarke. Well done!”

—@tmass_88, Instagram “This is on my list of restaurants for me and my partner to try in Detroit (‘Baobab Fare Brings East African Cuisine to New Center,’ June)!”

—@hordiinerd, Instagram “OMG! I’m salivating looking at those pizza pics (‘Val’s Pizza Serves up Perfect Pies,’ June)!”

—Katie Javit Isenberg, hourdetroit.com

Hourdetroit.com Digital Extra

Is it possible to create a safe social media space where people can express how they’re feeling without ridicule? Local entrepreneur Ziarekenya Smith believes so and is trying to do it through a forthcoming wellness app called Inpathy. The app will allow folks to choose what mood they’re in (e.g., uplifted, relaxed, hurt, etc.) and share audio and video clips with other users. Find our chat with Smith at hourdetroit.com.

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

PHOTO BRAD ZIEGLER

7/12/21 3:57 PM

YOUR TRAVEL COMPANIONS WILL DEVELOP NEW EXPECTATIONS.

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

Proud Winner of

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On behalf of three generations of family management, we offer thanks to each and every customer for your loyalty and patronage. And to all of our associates, thank you for the caring and dedication that made this honor possible!

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6

Best of Detroit Awards

YS 79 IN C E 19

Nino Salvaggio Has Detroit’s Best Bakery • Butcher • Flower Shop Gourmet Foods • Wine Store • Caterer

W W W . N I N O S A L VA G G I O . C O M Bloomfield Twp • Clinton Twp. St. Clair Shores • Troy

7/6/21 10:32 AM

08.21

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.

CHRIS SOUTHERN OF DETROIT VINEYARDS has a barrel of fun with photographer Brad Ziegler. Housed in a stunning space in the former Stroh’s factory near Eastern Market, the winery sources its grapes from all across the state. Detroit Vineyards is featured in this year’s Taste Makers package, our tribute to the many passionate makers who are taking Michigan ingredients to the next level.

CONTRIBUTORS

Heather Gatley

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

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ILLUSTRATED OUR MAP TO NEARBY BEACHES ON PAGE 43 “Here in Germany, we still have quite a few restrictions in place, but things are opening up again slowly. It was amazing to finally go back to the cinema again, especially the outdoor cinema. Watching movie classics under the stars is one of my most beloved things in summer. I’m so happy it’s back!” Gatley is a British illustrator who is based in Berlin. During her 15 years in the business, she’s been commissioned by clients ranging from Louis Vuitton and The New York Times to Penguin Random House and Vanity Fair.

In regular times she can be found exploring the hidden spots of her adopted city or traveling in between projects to have adventures in other parts of the world.

Jennifer McKee

WROTE ‘EVERYONE’S INTO VAN GOGH’ ON PAGE 41 “Honestly, one of the things I’ve enjoyed most post-pandemic is casually hanging out with (and hugging!) neighbors and friends. Farmington is a notoriously chatty and warm small town, so it kind of feels like we haven’t been able to be ourselves for this past year. But I’m also really excited to travel and see live local theater and concerts again.” After growing up in Brighton and meeting her future husband while playing in the Michigan Marching Band’s trombone section, McKee earned an MFA in creative writing and worked for more than a decade as a staff arts reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Her freelance work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, American Theatre magazine, Michigan Alumnus, Scary Mommy, and Your Teen.

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’VE RECENTLY DONE THAT MADE LIFE FEEL NORMAL AGAIN?

Trevor Bach

WROTE ‘HATE CRIME OR FALSE FLAG?’ ON PAGE 30 “The obvious thing was to eat in restaurants again. I’m a big fan of going out to breakfast, in particular — just simple diners or local spots that are relatively cheap and have some kind of atmosphere.

But I’ve also really missed swimming in pools, and lately, after outdoor mask guidelines were relaxed, it’s also been nice just walking and wandering around outside with a little more freedom.”

Bach is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in various regional and national outlets. He grew up in Washtenaw County and now lives in Los Angeles.

BTS BRAD ZIEGLER JENNIFER MCKEE MYRA KLARMAN PORTRAITS COURTESY OF CONTRIBUTORS

7/12/21 10:40 AM

08.21 NEWS, NOTES, AND PERSONALITIES

Up Front EN VI RO N M EN T

BREATHING UNEASY Macomb and Oakland join Wayne County in flunking a major air quality rating. Now what? p. 15

M A D E I N M I C H I GA N p. 12 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION p. 13 O B J E C T L E S S O N p. 14 E N V I R O N M E N T p. 15 E S S AY p. 16

SMOKE ISTOCK/CHUCKSCHUGPHOTOGRAPHY

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Up Front

STEMBoard, a tech company that collaborates with historically Black colleges and universities to expose more students to STEM. Her latest endeavor, Lingo, is an at-home coding kit for students. The packaging, bathed in maize and blue, is a nod to her alma mater.

Bowe spoke with Hour Detroit about how her Michigan education and upbringing influenced her career trajectory in STEM and how she’s working to encourage other young women and people of color to join a field long dominated by white men.

Did you always want to be an engineer?

In high school, I was unfocused and lacked confidence, which is perhaps why my guidance counselor suggested cosmetology. I mention this not because there’s anything wrong with that field. But I like to make people aware that younger individuals — especially children — will internalize what adults think their future looks like. I have spent years urging others not to place limitations on the boundaries of someone’s future based off what you see solely before you on paper. Oftentimes, paper is only part of the story.

MADE IN MICHIGAN

FULL STEM AHEAD Ann Arbor native Aisha Bowe was told in high school to stick to cosmetology.

She reached for the cosmos instead.

BY MADE LINE H A L PERT ILLUSTRATION BY RACHE L I D ZER DA

BY THE AGE OF 35, Aisha Bowe had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, worked as an aerospace engineer for NASA, and founded a tech company.

The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce named her an “emerging star” and lauded her efforts to fight to encourage women and people of color to go into STEM — science, technology, engineering, and math — fields.

Not bad for an Ann Arbor kid whose lessthan-perfect academic performance prompted a guidance counselor at Pioneer High School to suggest she pursue a career in cosmetology.

Bowe’s father, a Bahamian who paid for his own engineering degree by driving a taxi, encouraged her to imagine something more.

She did. She earned an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering and a master’s degree in space systems engineering at the University of Michigan, worked for NASA for a few years, and then launched

Were others in Michigan more encouraging of your career path?

After I graduated from Pioneer, I went to Washtenaw Community College. The guidance and support I received at Washtenaw really challenged me to say, “Hey, you’re good at this work.” They believed I could do it and provided me with the support network to transition to the University of Michigan and really take hold of my life.

Not too long after that, you were at NASA.

If you told me 10 years ago that I would have had the joy of being a NASA aerospace engineer working to make the National Airspace System safer and more efficient for the flying public, I would have been like, “Wow.” But then I decided to take that expertise and found the organization I’ve now operated for eight years. Before, I would have just thought that was a dream. “There’s no way,” I would’ve said.

CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 1 28

SCIENCE MITTEN

Intriguing findings from researchers across Michigan

By Steve Friess DARKEN A WINDOW, SAVE A BIRD: Turning off half the lights at Chicago’s McCormick Place convention center resulted in dramatically fewer birds slamming into the buildings during spring and fall migration periods, according to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and

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co-authored by University of Michigan evolutionary biologist Benjamin Winger.

Winger and researchers from Cornell University and Colorado State University teamed up to study what influenced the number of bird collisions and found the amount of lighting at the mammoth convention center was the biggest determinant. On nights when the lighting was cut by half, the scientists assert, they observed 11 times fewer collisions during spring migration and six times fewer in the fall.

BABIES FOLLOW THEIR GUT, LITERALLY: An examination of what’s in the belly of your infant or toddler may explain how their brain reacts to perceived danger and whether they experience excessive anxiety, a study by Michigan State University and University of North Carolina researchers says.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, assert that the composition of microorganisms in babies’ stomachs can impact

neurological development.

The scientists analyzed babies’ stool samples and assessed their reaction to a stranger entering a room wearing a Halloween mask. More fearful kids had more of certain bacteria in their guts than the calmer children.

THE LIMITS OF CAFFEINE: Those cups of coffee or cans of Red Bull only go so far in helping sleep-deprived people function properly, according to a Michigan State University study published in the Journal of

... CAFFEINE DOES HELP PEOPLE STAY AWAKE BY INCREASING ENERGY, BUT IT DIDN’T HELP SIMILARLY TIRED PEOPLE TO EFFICIENTLY OR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE A SERIES OF TASKS

Experimental Psychology.

MSU researchers say caffeine does help people stay awake by increasing energy, but it didn’t help similarly tired people to efficiently or successfully complete a series of tasks in a study of 276 participants at the school’s Sleep and Learning Lab. Psychology professor Kimberly Fenn, the lead researcher, says caffeine may help you not fall back to sleep, but it doesn’t “prevent the sort of procedural errors that can cause things like medical mistakes and car accidents.”

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

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Up Front

DETROIT DIGITS

10.3%

The share of metro Detroit residents who pay homeowners association fees, which average $230 per month, according to InspectionSupport.com.

Honolulu led the list with the highest average HOA fee, $520, and the top percentage, 29.9.

Statewide, 7.1 percent of Michiganders pay an HOA fee.

1.3M

The number of living alumni worldwide with degrees from the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, or Wayne State University. More than half, 690,000, live in the state and account for 10 percent of the population over age 24.

$547

The average amount by which metro Detroit residents have paid down their credit card debt during the first quarter of 2021, the least of 182 cities analyzed by WalletHub. com. Residents in Santa Clarita, California, topped the list with $1,248 less credit card debt per household over that period.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Why Diversity Equals Profits A new book

by Detroit authors argues that corporate workplace fairness can be lucrative

BY ASHLEY WINN

$77,996

The median annual wage for plumbers in metro Detroit adjusted for cost of living, the fifth highest for a major U.S. city, according to data compiled by ConstructionCoverage. com. The Chicago area was No. 1 with a median adjusted annual wage for plumbers of $94,270.

Sources: Anderson Economic Group, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow Home Value Index.

AUTHORS, BOOK COURTESY OF ROBIN SCHWARTZ PR

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DIVERSIT Y AND INCLUSION aren’t just important values because they’re morally good — they are vital to a productive workplace and pay dividends to companies’ bottom lines, according to the Detroit-based authors of a new book. In Hard Reset: Framing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as the New Normal, Marlin Williams and Marlo Rencher argue that the economy’s reignition in the Black Lives Matter and post-COVID-19 era provides an important opportunity for a range of organizations to reimagine how they approach these often-thorny issues.

“Embracing inclusion and equity is not an act of weakness or surrender,” write Williams, vice president of global diversity and inclusion at StockX, and Rencher, the director of technologybased programs for TechTown Detroit and founder of Tech Founders Academy, in their opening chapter. “It’s a business imperative rooted in common sense. Strategic fairness profits all.”

The authors self-published this slim volume of case studies, they say, because both the pandemic and the national reckoning on racial disparities jumpstarted by the murder by police of George Floyd illuminated the importance of a fairer society and more inclusive work culture.

“Workplaces around the world, from momand-pop establishments to global enterprises, are facing a hard reset on their relationships with their employees,” they write early on. Frontline workers during the pandemic — health aides, nurses, cashiers, utility staff — have often been underpaid, which creates a ripple effect of problems for the economy writ large, they note. “In terms of pay and quality-of-life inequities, all those things happen on systemic and organizational levels,” Rencher says.

“There’s a perception this change can be addressed solely on the individual level, but organizations are where inequities are structurally embedded.”

Rencher and Williams offer Hard Reset as a guidebook of sorts to organization leaders reluctant to spend big on this pursuit as well as to those eager to do so but unsure about how to start. In Hard Reset, Rencher and Williams recite case studies and recall their own personal workplace experiences to assert the need for a top-to-bottom review of whether companies are doing the best for all employees. Their advice can be useful not only for for-profit businesses but “all the places you’re socially working with other folks,” including church and social clubs.

Yet the most provocative notion is that a lack of inclusion and diversity can hurt profits and diminish an organization’s ability to retain talent.

“Upcoming generations are much less inclined to accept the status quo,” Rencher says. “Your top talent is not going to want to work somewhere people aren’t treated fairly.”

They’re also often adept at seeing through cosmetic changes that are unsupported by substance. Rencher says many organizations present a sympathetic facade on social media, but that’s as far as it goes. “I’m not saying don’t put your efforts out there,” Rencher says. “But most companies are not structured for inclusion, so there’s a great deal of deeper, more strategic work to be done. You need to have not only a plan, but also actual resources behind it.”

Marlin G. Williams (left) and Marlo Rencher (right) co-wrote the book on how the postCOVID workplace can do better on inclusion and equity.

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Up Front

What am I looking at?

Nobody really knows.

Unofficially, it’s called Patty’s Triangle because a woman named Patty Blackburn caught it on camera on June 14, 2006, near Lansing. In 24 seconds of video, Patty captured an unexplainable triangular configuration of lights that jerked around the sky. Maybe it’s a military aircraft that nobody’s seen before, or maybe it’s extraterrestrial beings from galaxies far, far away accidentally giving Earthlings a glimpse of themselves while surveilling humankind. Those, it seems, are the two most likely options to longtime aficionados of unidentified flying objects or, as the U.S. government has rebranded them, “unidentified aerial phenomena.”

OBJECT

LESSON

W A S E SH HING. T SOMEW ?

T A H B UT LYING) TIFIED F

(UNIDEN

ars later, Fifteen ye iangle Patty’s Tr ong m remains a most Michigan’s ngs O sighti baffling UF R IE S S EF

BY S T EV

Why are you showing me this particular blur?

Mostly because, as obscured and fuzzy as it is, it’s the best available image of a UFO from a Michigan sighting.

Hundreds of sightings are reported each year to the Michigan chapter of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), but the vast majority are resolved as something of clearly human origin. Patty’s Triangle is among the few that remain unexplained, says Michigan MUFON State Director Bill Konkolesky.

OK, but why should I care about something someone saw 15 years ago?

Because UFOs, once relegated to the province of crackpots, are having a big moment. The federal government, partly prompted by videos shot by U.S. Navy sailors of airborne objects moving in erratic manners that defy the understandings of modern physics, even released a report in June from the Defense Department’s Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force that can be summed up thus: That is, no evidence that E.T. is phoning home but no earthly ideas, either. Of 144 sightings involving military aviators, the task force was able to explain just one —

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it was a deflating balloon.

The other 143 remain a mystery. The feds have been taking the matter seriously for more than a decade now. Then-Sen. Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, secured $22 million for UFO research in 2007, and more recently Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, told 60 Minutes this spring that he wants answers, too. Last year, former CIA Director John Brennan told a podcaster these incidents “could involve some type of activity that some might say constitutes a different form of life.” And former President Barack Obama sent speculation into hyperdrive by telling TV’s James Corden recently there are “objects in the skies that we don’t know exactly what they are.”

Whoa! Obama believes in little green men?

Not exactly. You don’t have to think a slow-moving alien invasion is underway to accept that there’s weird stuff in the air that defies explanation. But many avid ufologists — yep, that’s a legit word — reason that astronomers claim there are possibly millions of inhabitable planets and moons in the Milky Way or other galaxies. “If life happened somewhere else and they’re even just a couple hundred years more advanced than we are, they probably have the ability to visit us,” says Konkolesky, who notes MUFON officially has no position on the existence of extraterrestrial sentient life. Either way, Konkolesky says interest from credible leaders makes the topic “a lot easier to talk about now.

Some neighbors and family members who used to treat it with a giggle now ask with sincere interest. It takes a very short time, when you’re a dedicated, sincere UFO investigator, to conclude something really unusual and unexplainable is happening.”

Are there lots of UFO sightings in Michigan?

What’s this Konkolesky guy’s deal, anyway?

He’s a 50-year-old father of two who works in the Academic Support Center at Oakland Community College and found a kinship when he discovered MUFON. He’s also a Michigan native who says that as a high school senior in February 1989, he and some buddies saw a blue football-shaped, car-sized ball of light the height of two telephone poles arching over their Chevette.

Then it morphed into a display of white lights that “ping-ponged all over the sky,” followed by a red ball of light the size of a full moon. “We all saw the same thing,” he says. “It took a few years for me to find a group that actually investigates such things.”

Michigan’s MUFON chapter received 2,789 sightings from 2010 to 2020, of which 80 to 95 percent turned out to have easy, earthly explanations, Konkolesky says. In 2019, for instance, a third of the reports turned out to be sightings of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, a stream of thousands of machines floating in a line in low-Earth orbit that aims to provide low-cost internet access the world over. There are four still-unexplained sightings that stand out — a 1953 sighting of disc-shaped objects darting across Lake Superior over the Soo Locks; a cluster of sightings in 1966 in which “many hundreds of witnesses” saw UFOs across southeastern Michigan, capped by a claim by a Dexter man of a landing in his backyard; a 1975 incident in which people at four Air Force bases where nuclear weapons were stored around the U.S., including Wurtsmith in Iosco County, saw a white disc descend for a bit before flitting off; and a 1994 sighting outside Grand Rapids that prompted a flood of calls to 911 and front-page coverage in the Detroit newspapers.

What do I do if I see something?

You can call the police, the military, or your shrink, as many people do. Or you can contact Konkolesky via mufon.com. Be aware, though, that Konkolesky offers this caveat: “If they’re saying something landed in their backyard, there’s not a lot we can do for them.”

UFO COURTESY OF MICHIGAN CHAPTER OF MUFON SIGN ISTOCK/JEREMKIN

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Up Front

Particulate pollution from heavy industry is partially to blame for high rates of asthma hospitalization in metro Detroit.

ENVIRONMENT

Bad Breath

Macomb and Oakland join the dirty-air club

BY ASHLEY WINN

WAYNE COUNT Y’S TOXIC AIR QUALIT Y is no surprise. Between its busy roadways and heavy industry, a dangerous level of pollution has blanketed the region for decades and plagued residents with higher rates of asthma and lung disease. But when the American Lung Association announced this spring that less dense, more suburban Macomb and Oakland counties have it almost as bad, the folks who dismissed the matter as an urban problem were forced to take notice.

The ALA gave all three counties glaring F’s for the high levels of ozone emissions over a period between 2017 and 2019, and Wayne got a D for particulate matter. These outcomes were not surprising to environmental watchdog groups that long have sounded the alarm on the problem. It’s so bad, in fact, that the Environmental Protection Agency may force the state to enact a six-year mitigation plan next year for metro Detroit.

“Ozone pollution is a regional issue that cuts across several counties, so

Biden’s Eco Turnabout What his policy changes will mean for the Mitten

BY STEV E F RIE S S

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In the eight months since President Biden took office, he’s made quick work of reversing many Trump-era environmental policies which were, to be fair, reversals of Obama-Biden policies. Some of the changes have important ramifications for Michigan. Here’s a primer: Auto Standards: The

Environmental Protection Agency plans to require new passenger cars to get an average of 51 mpg by 2026, up from the 44 mpg that Trump envisioned. This would force automakers to sell more electric cars to boost the mpg averages across their product lines.

Line 5: The Biden administration, which angered Canada by canceling

it’s difficult for local governments to address,” says Nicholas Leonard, executive director of the nonprofit Great Lakes Environmental Law Center. Ever since the EPA raised ozone air quality standards in 2015, he says, all three counties have lagged. “We’ve known about this problem for several years now, and we haven’t taken any meaningful steps to address it.”

Some of Macomb and Oakland’s smog problems come from emissions wafting over from Wayne, but motorists in those counties also drive many miles and spew plenty of ozone emissions on their own, Leonard says. Particle pollution is more typically a product of heavy industry emissions, which Wayne County has in abundance. It can sometimes be observed as a fine coating of dust on outdoor surfaces and can trigger breathing and heart ailments as well as cancer. Detroit’s ZIP codes tend to see three to six times more hospital admissions than the state as a whole, according to a 2014 study of asthma hospitalization in Wayne County.

Both types of pollution contribute to the region’s sickening air quality problem, says Ken Fletcher, director of advocacy for the ALA. “Just because we don’t currently suffer from a condition doesn’t mean exposure to these pollutants can’t cause one,” he says.

“Asthma, cardiovascular damage, developmental and reproductive harm, and premature death have all been linked to air pollution.”

Fletcher says transitioning the public to electric cars is one of the most significant ways to address the problem, but widespread adoption is expected to take years, if not decades, in part because the cars tend to cost more than gas-powered options.

In the short term, government at every level is trying — with mixed results — to address the problems. In Detroit and Dearborn, local councils have enacted dust ordinances to curb particle pollution.

And U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, state Sen. Stephanie Chang, and state Rep. Abraham Aiyash all are pushing measures aimed at reducing air pollution.

Leonard, however, isn’t confident about legislative prospects and believes regulatory agencies — the EPA and Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy — need to step in. “The political realities of both the federal and state legislatures make it highly unlikely any significant air pollution legislation will get anywhere,” he says.

the Keystone XL oil pipeline in January, is in bilateral talks on how to proceed with Line 5, the twin oil pipelines that cross the Straits of Mackinac. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants it shut down yesterday, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it’ll conduct a study of Enbridge’s plan to build a tunnel to contain the pipelines, which may delay a

resolution of the matter for years.

PFAS: EPA announced in June that it would classify the cancercausing industrial runoff chemicals as toxic and is planning to require monitoring of 29 PFAS in drinking water. Michigan leads the U.S. with more than 11,300 sites where PFAS have been used and contaminated water.

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Up Front

ESSAY

Yes, We Have to Cancel Bo Schembechler’s silence in the face of molestation accusations against U-M’s team doctor is unforgivable

BY STEVE FRIESS

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THE SPEECHES AT the microphone were hardly the saddest part of the mid-June press conference in Ann Arbor attended by dozens of middle-aged and elderly men and women who say they suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Dr. Robert Anderson. The three survivors who spoke in the organized portion of the event offered devastating accounts, to be sure. Two were once big-time University of Michigan athletes — a football player and a wrestler — and the third was a student sports broadcaster embedded with the football team.

But it was the broader path of horror that Anderson blazed through the decades represented by all the other people present that was so crushing.

Stories like that of a 65-year-old woman who recalled being fondled during a routine pelvic exam as an undergraduate in the 1970s, or the 77-year-old who, as a local in his mid-30s, saw Anderson for a physical in 1980 to participate in a local rowing club and wound up emotionally scarred for life.

These people were the collateral damage of the failure by iconic U-M football coach Bo Schembechler to strip this monster of his most important credential: his status as team doctor.

Anderson, who died 13 years ago, is accused of sexual assault by hundreds of former patients — students and townies, men and women — over his 37-year U-M career.

Bo knew. An external investigation by the law firm WilmerHale said so, noting that Schembechler’s reply to players who said Anderson had penetrated their anuses with his fingers was to “toughen up.” Most damning, Schembechler’s own son, Matt, who suffered abuse, says Bo knew.

Lots of folks are rallying to Bo’s defense. Other Schembechlers and other former players say he didn’t know. Current coach Jim Harbaugh says he can’t imagine Bo being so dismissive. And Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom wrote that the focus on Bo distracts from the real villain here, the actual sexual predator. Tainting Bo’s legacy when he’s been dead for 15 years and can’t respond is unfair, they say.

Yet that overlooks the worst truth: Bo alone could have stopped it. Technically, Athletic Director Don Canham, leaders of the University Health Service, and other U-M administrators also could have. In reality, though, Anderson, a football team fixture, was untouchable unless and until the Biggest Man on Campus, the coach, ceased to protect him.

Then, as now, U-M football’s head coach earned more than almost anyone else on campus.

Players came and went, but Bo was the brand.

He’s the guy whose skills at recruiting and organizing a team filled the world’s largest football stadium fall after fall, decade after decade.

Some victims, even now, seek to soften the focus on Bo’s culpability. Richard Goldman, the student broadcaster who spoke during that press conference about three incidents of Anderson’s

attempted molestations, says Bo directed him each time to report the abuse to Canham. On the last occasion, he claims Bo went to Canham and screamed, “This is the third time that this has happened. Why have you done nothing?”

“In reality, though, Anderson, a football team fixture, was untouchable unless and until the Biggest Man on Campus, the coach, ceased to protect him.”

This account makes little sense, actually.

Goldman’s incidents took place in the early 1980s.

By then, WilmerHale says, other victims had complained to Bo, too. How could it be only the third time Bo had heard such stories? Goldman clearly feels he has to offer Bo’s legacy some protection despite everything — including the fact that Bo succeeded Canham as athletic director in 1988 and still didn’t fire Anderson, who had more than a decade of molesting yet to do. That’s the power of the myth of Bo Schembechler.

Bo could have done much more long before he became AD. Does anyone think Canham or the university president would have ignored Schembechler if he demanded Anderson’s dismissal in 1975? In 1980? In 1985? Why is it OK to Goldstein or anyone else that Bo kept sending students to Anderson year in and year out?

It’s not. That’s why his name and his statue must come down at the Big House. That’s why his most famous quote, emblazoned on all manner of U-M swag — “Those who stay will be champions” — now reverberates with horrific connotations. In the wake of the Anderson scandal, those abused by Anderson must have heard that axiom of endurance as: “Even if you’ve been sexually assaulted and the person you trust most in the world tells you to grin and bear it, you’re a quitter or a betrayer unless you stay put, play the game, and help us win.”

“This is hard for me,” says the 77-year-old Ann Arbor man whose price of admission to the rowing club 40 years ago was being fondled and subjected to a prolonged, unnecessary “prostate exam” by a predator. “I was at the Michigan-Ohio State game in 1969 when Bo was a rookie coach.

My blood is blue. I have no joy in being a part of something that’s going to tarnish an institution that I’ve lived around all my life.”

No victim should feel the need to apologize for impugning Bo’s reputation. It’s not their fault; it’s his. And for that, there must be consequences.

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08.21 MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE IN METRO DETROIT

24/Seven I N E E D M Y S PAC E p. 18 S P OT L I G H T p. 19 FA S H I O N p. 20 M I ST Y L E p. 24

I N EED M Y SPACE

PUT SOME CORKS IN IT Forget dark and hidden downstairs.

This stellar wine cellar is something to see. p. 18

WINE CELLAR JOE TIANO

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Collection selections: “I have a lot of 1995s and 1998s, which were good years for wine,” DelGrosso says of bottles he bought to mark the years his two children were born. After calling it a day, he can often be found sipping an “everyday wine, which falls in the $20 to $30 range — unless it’s a special occasion.” He’s a fan of red Bordeauxs, but California Cabernets are his go-tos.

“I’ll also drink Michigan Pinot Gris varieties.

Michigan does well with the dry white wines.”

All in full view: “When you’re in the sitting area, you kind of have a bird’s-eye view of the home,” Kessler notes. “It’s not buried in a cellar or out of reach. It’s private, but you can still feel a part of the home. Also, the large glass wall and door make you feel as though there’s no barrier between the sitting area and the temperature-controlled wine room.” 

Hold everything!

The wine rack system is by VintageView. “They’re standard racks, but then we had to adjust them and customize them because they needed to fit properly,” DelGrosso says. “An open-rack system is different than a conventional racking system where the bottle is encased. An open rack suspends the bottle from the wall with hooks.” 

Material girl: Kessler chose a horizontal dark gray slate for the walls. A band of blue and a band of green highlight one wall. “Douglas loves color, so these colors that he chose provide some excitement.” The bands are made of little glass mosaic tiles by Bisazza in Italy, with gel grout to match. 

Looking up: The ceiling is made of stained cedar, which holds up well to various temperatures and is a good wood for various climates. “And I like the beautiful warm look of cedar,” Kessler adds.

The art part: An oil painting of a porch looking out to a vineyard (titled View of Far Niente Winery, by Leon Roulette) is a main wall attraction.

“It’s a perfect fit for this room,” DelGrosso says.

Sipping seats: Le Corbusier leather and chrome chairs are both comfy and contemporary.

They’re complemented with glass side tables from Baker Furniture.

I NEED MY SPACE

WINES BY THE GLASS Forget about a dark cellar for this oenophile’s vast collection. Cheers to this bright, loft-area storage and tasting retreat.

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DOUGLAS DELGROSSO HAD BEEN collecting wine for more than 25 years when he moved to his home on Sylvan Lake in Keego Harbor six years ago.

One of his first thoughts was: Where do I store my wine? “I used to have 1,000 bottles but have narrowed it down to about 300,” he says. “I needed a space or would need to buy a refrigeration unit that could hold that much.”

Although the home has an adequate basement, when his clever interior designer, Tami Kessler of Tamara Kessler and Associates Inc. in Grosse Pointe Woods, was reviewing the home’s layout, she suggested using a loft area where the former owner once kept his model train collection. Situated off the stairs to the second floor, the space is about 30 feet by 10 feet. “We couldn’t figure out what to do with it, and then Tami said, ‘Why don’t we transform this into your wine room?’”

They had glass doors installed, created a seating area for tastings, and, of course, added refrigeration, which is “mainly for reds,” DelGrosso, the president and CEO of automotive seating maker Adient, notes. They also updated the cabinetry and countertops and used unique materials and colors that flowed with the rest of the home’s contemporary vibe. To the left as you enter is the

wine storage area, and to the right is the sitting area. “The open-rack system is brilliant,” DelGrosso says. “It all came out so cool.”

Today, when the oenophile enjoys the space with his wife, Paula, and their guests, they can look through the huge glass doors to keep an eye on their beloved labradoodle/golden retriever mix, Cardi.

Growing up in an Italian family, DelGrosso says his father always had an “inexpensive red at the dinner table,” but when DelGrosso reached his late 20s, a friend in Toronto introduced him to a whole new world of wine. “I’d never tasted good wine until he exposed me to a better class of wine. I became intrigued with it. Then I’m reading about it, going to Napa Valley, and Oregon. It became a hobby. Once you start tasting the nicer wines, the others aren’t nearly as satisfying.”

Here, a few minutes before uncorking a rich, fruity-spicy Cabernet, DelGrosso spills details about his special space. Kessler, meanwhile, offers a few tips about the design. (Incidentally, we caught up with Kessler while she was vacationing in Michigan’s Leelanau County — a wine lover’s paradise.)

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“The beauty industry is so segregated, and I just wanted to stop that.”

SPOTLIGHT

Crème Rises

—KATRINA WILSON

This new (and completely next-level) multicultural salon in Detroit aims to deliver a barrier-free spa getaway

BY RACHAEL THOMAS | PHOTO BY HAYDEN STINEBAUGH

A LUXURY BEAUT Y AFFAIR has come to Detroit. That’s how 33-year-old entrepreneur Katrina Wilson describes Crème Brûlée, her new full-service, multicultural salon in the city’s Milwaukee Junction neighborhood.

It was a spoiled spa day in Los Angeles back in 2014 that sparked the idea for Crème Brûlée. Wilson and each of her friends had to go to separate salons

Katrina Wilson poses inside Crème Brûlée salon in Detroit.

She says it was her determination that got her here — after receiving 23 no's from lenders and after the salon's opening was delayed for a year by the pandemic. 

to get the proper care for their various hair textures.

“I wanted to just go out and do a girls’ spa day. And it was almost impossible because I had so many female friends from different races and different ethnicities, and we could not go to one place,” Wilson says. “I was like, ‘You know what? I want to create a space that can service women or any individual regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender preference. I want to create a space where you can go with all your friends, have a great time, and not feel like you have to be segregated.’”

The $800,000 salon, tucked inside The Platform’s Baltimore Station mixed-use development on Woodward, was made possible in part by grants from Motor City Match, Midtown Detroit, Inc., Michigan Women Forward, and others.

Crème Brûlée truly is a one-stop shop. Customers can take their pick from an extensive selection of hair services, including blowouts, coloring and cuts, extensions, hair strengthening treatments, and bridal styling. Nail and makeup services are available, and the spa menu includes facials, massages, eyelash extensions, waxing, and laser hair removal. Premium cocktails will be available, and a selfie station is there for folks to snap their best pics. And get this — there’s a designated area for celebrity clientele and a secret entrance for discretely letting them in.

And it gets even better. Crème Brûlée doubles as an event space for bachelorette parties, bridal showers, and other special occasions — and the salon itself is only one of three levels. Above the salon, Wilson is using one of Baltimore Station’s apartments as a stylishly decorated Airbnb that’s open to everyone, not just Crème Brûlée customers. In the basement, meanwhile, is the Beauty Lounge, a rentable space to chill, enjoy complimentary drinks, and play games.

Wilson’s journey in the beauty industry began at age 13 when she started doing people’s hair at her grandmother’s home. The Detroit native graduated at age 16 with both her high school diploma and her cosmetology license. A couple years after graduating from college, she completed another rigorous cosmetology program at Paul Mitchell The School Michigan, where she says she learned how to care for various hair textures. Over the past decade, Wilson has traveled the country as a celebrity stylist, working with artists including singer Rita Ora and rapper 2 Chainz, and on the sets of TV shows including Real Housewives of Atlanta and Nashville.

As a dream nearly 10 years in the making finally comes true, Wilson says the achievement is about more than making money; it’s about creating a cultural hub, bringing a luxury experience to Detroit, and opening doors to the beauty industry for others.

“It’s about those that are coming up behind me,” she says. “I want them to feel that no matter what area you come from, no matter what walk of life you have, you can do anything you set your mind to.”

For more information, visit cremebruleedetroit.com.

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Capsule Time FASHION

THE TIME FOR RETURNING TO THE OFFICE is upon us. And whether that’s cause to celebrate — or something you dread — you’ve most likely looked at your closet and wondered, What the hell am I going to wear? After all, your online purchases over the past year probably consisted mainly of cozy sweatsuits, fuzzy slippers, some outfits for working out, and maybe a dressy silk pajama-but-doesn’tlook-like-pajamas set for when you wanted to feel put-together-ish on those infinite Zoom calls.

Workwear may be the last thing you want to think about right now, so to make things a little easier on you, we’ve talked to several local stylists, shop owners, and other pros and collected their tips for getting your workplace wardrobe back in order. The consensus: Dressing for work in this postwork-from-home world doesn’t have to be a drag. Detroit-based wardrobe stylist and creative director Marv Neal summed up the new thinking on office attire this way: “I’m here. I’m healthy. I’m here to work. But I'm not putting on my St. John knit suit today.”

Felis Bellz in Red, $135, at RocknRemix; rocknremix.com

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THE ULTIMATE

Back-to-Work STYLE GUIDE Dreading your return to a real-world workplace? Local stylists, shop owners, and other pros are here to make dressing for it less of a drag.

BY RACHAEL THOMAS

Level Up Your Loungewear The dream would be to wear hoodies and sweatpants to work. That’s probably not happening. But apparel should adapt to new ways of working.

“The new primary charm of workwear is its functionality — workwear pieces should now allow for movement and versatility,” says Caitlin Riney, owner of Detroit-based menswear shop George Gregory. “We are no longer sitting at a desk for hours on end. Days are split up, weeks are hybrid, and business is done a lot more on the go.”

Our experts shared a few ways to stay comfy while looking stylish.

YES, YOU CAN MAKE A T-SHIRT WORK. It’s just all about how you style it.

“I might wear a pair of jeans with a T-shirt, a linen blazer, and a great pair of loafers,” says Jon Jordan, WDIV Local 4’s style editor. “That’s a way that you can elevate something.”

JUMPSUITS ARE YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND. A top-tier, year-round item, they’re great for warm weather and easy to layer for the colder months. “Finding a jumpsuit that fits your body type or tailoring one to fit gives you that comfort of a onesie at work,” says Aarika Lauryn, a Detroit-based personal and editorial fashion stylist.

The only downside is when it’s time to use the bathroom — but you can cross that bridge when you get to it.

TRY SOME RELAXED SILK TROUSERS. “Paired with a blouse or fitted, sleeveless top, and a mule, they can be just as polished as a traditional trouser,” Lauryn says. Hey, anything that will look nice and feel like pajamas is a win in our book.

OR TRY THE FELIS BELLZ PANTS. Neal highly recommends these pants from online apparel brand RocknRemix, created by Detroit native and Project Runway veteran Char Glover. The shop’s signature pants are versatile, high-waisted, and stretchy. They’re also supermodel-approved — Tyra Banks sported a red pair in 2019.

Having a few quality basics is key to putting together effortless outfits.

A great way to achieve that is by starting a capsule wardrobe, which is a small collection of essential garments that never go out of style.

Jordan shares a few pieces you can’t go wrong with:

• • • • • (“Think trench coat with a zip-out lining that works for both cold and warm weather,” Jordan says.)

And what’s great about these items is they can be mixed and matched, and you can easily dress them up. “You can wear a beautiful white blouse with a black skirt and wear leopard print shoes or red shoes,” Jordan says. “There are ways that you can take those basic pieces and make them so interesting.”

COLOR

OF THE SEASON While we’re not the professionals over at Pantone who annually announce the highly anticipated Color of the Year, a couple of our experts did agree: Lavender will be a hit this fall. It’s a great way to add color to your work wardrobe.

Tory Burch Kira Patchwork Small Camera Bag, $428, and Tory Burch Jessa Pointed Loafer, $248, at Tory Burch at Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Road, Ste. 153, Troy; 248-458-1307; toryburch.com

PANTS ROCKNREMIX BLOUSE ISTOCK/KATYA GOLOVCHYN SHOE, BAG TORY BURCH

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These are the fibers and fabrics to keep in mind while shopping for new threads or looking through what you already own. Fibers like polyester and nylon have wrinkleand water-resistant properties, while linen, bamboo, and fabrics made of cotton blends are comfortable and breathable. To add some texture to your look, consider garments made with tweed, Merino wool, and corduroy.

Dye and Go to Heaven Are you itching to try a new hair color before you go back? Shvonne Perkins, manager of training and education at the hair care company Madison Reed, shares colors you can try and tips for applying them. The company’s products are free of ammonia, parabens, phthalates, and gluten and feature such nourishing ingredients as argan oil, keratin, and ginseng root extract.

POLYESTER Wrinkle- and water-resistant

NYLON Wrinkle- and water-resistant

LINEN Breathable and highly absorbent

BAMBOO Eco-friendly and hypoallergenic

TWEED Warm, durable, and comfortable

COTTON BLENDS When cotton is mixed with other fibers like polyester, you get the breathability of cotton and the durability and water/wrinkle resistance of polyester.

PLISSE This type of cotton fabric features a crinkled or pleated striped texture, adding a fun touch to your look.

DENIM Truly a staple fabric — you really can’t go wrong with a denim garment.

MERINO WOOL This natural fiber from Merino sheep is thinner and softer than regular wool and regulates your body temperature, making it ideal for both cooler and warmer months.

CORDUROY Another type of cotton fabric that is both durable and adds texture to your outfit.

TRY UNDERLIT BRUNETTE. “This warm brown shade is all about playing up natural undertones,” Perkins says. “We love how natural and effortless this light brown shade of hair color looks, particularly when it’s casually tousled and not styled.” To achieve this shade, try Madison Reed’s Umbria Light Brown 7.5 NNA, which Perkins recommends for resistant gray hairs.

TRY BABYLIGHTS. Perkins says this is the easiest way to have subtle, low-maintenance highlights. “We recommend asking your stylist for a few piecey pops of color threaded through mid-lengths and ends in a shade just slightly lighter than your natural hair color,” she says. To achieve this at home, you can try Madison Reed’s Light Works Balayage Highlights in Palmi Warm Honey.

FABRICS ISTOCK HAIR ILLUSTRATION ISTOCK HAIR PRODUCTS MADISON REED

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You can also use a Madison Reed Color Therapy Color Depositing Hair Mask (pictured here, $20 each) to touch up your color and condition your hair.

DO protect your hair after dyeing. Washing, sun exposure, swimming, and tight hair ties can be rough on color-treated hair. “If you can, wait a full 72 hours after the initial postcoloring wash to lather and rinse your newly colored locks,” Perkins says. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to lock in color and prevent fading. Also, deep condition your hair weekly to keep your hair hydrated.

TRY A COPPER COLOR. “This is a warmer hair color look for medium and darker shades of hair color that really brings out a summer glow and adds brightness to your face while still looking natural,” Perkins says. Check out Madison Reed’s Color Reviving Gloss in Canella, a semi-permanent color that adds copper tones to red or brunette hair.

DO wash your hair the day before coloring. Make sure you don’t have any products in your hair, such as root touchup powders, hair spray, or gels, which can block the color, Perkins says.

SO, WHAT IF I WANT TO TRY THESE PRODUCTS AT HOME? DON’T color your entire head with permanent color each time you dye your hair.

“This can eventually make your color look too dark and dull,” Perkins says. “You really only need to color your entire head of hair with permanent color if you’re coloring for the first time, or if you’re drastically changing your hair color. Otherwise, just color your roots.”

If you need more help, head to the Madison Reed Mini Bar at Somerset Collection in Troy, where you can buy these products and chat with a colorist who’ll find the right shade for your hair and share application tips.

Madison Reed Mini Bar, 2800 W. Big Beaver Road, Space S-216, Troy; 248-247-7188; madison-reed.com

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LAYER UP FACE FACTS ADD A TOP. “Adding a blouse or lightweight turtleneck under your favorite sleeveless dress is a cute way to make a less office-ready dress more work appropriate and fashion forward,” Lauryn says.

Everything Must Go! Do you just feel like purging your entire closet and starting fresh? Go for it. Here are some tips to get you started.

ADD A DUSTER. “I am obsessed with dusters and lightweight trenches,” Lauryn says. “Long dusters elongate your shape if you’re petite and create more balance for curvy or inverted-triangle shapes.” Wear one over a dress or with a top and pants.

ADD A SLEEVELESS BLAZER VEST. “They’re great pieces that don’t add bulk to your arms or hide the rest of your outfit,” Lauryn says. And when it gets cold, they fit well under jackets.

DO SOME RESEARCH. Lauryn suggests looking at blogs, Instagram, or Pinterest for inspiration for your new look. Riney concurs. Start by “talking to your local small-business owners who study trends for a living, screenshotting images online of looks that inspire you, and talking to individuals on the street whose looks make you do a double-take,” Riney says.

WORK WITH PERSONAL SHOPPERS. Jordan recommends using personal shopping resources available at department stores, especially if you’re interested in creating a capsule wardrobe.

“They’re a free service — no minimum investment, no tipping, no hassle,” he says.

“The Somerset Collection has a complimentary personal shopping service.”

(If you’d like to try it, visit thesomersetcollection.com/ personal-stylist.)

ADD JEWELRY. “In my day-to-day, I like thin pieces that I can layer,” Lauryn says. “I think varying thicknesses can add texture and a chic style to your look.”

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1 3 2 SKIN IS IN. Effortless makeup that keeps your skin healthy is what most people are looking for.

“Right now, makeup has become more skin driven; even prior to the pandemic women were wearing less,” Fields says. “Makeup wearers are opting for lighter-coverage complexion products and are also more interested in beauty products that are ingredient driven.”

EXPERIMENT IF YOU LIKE! Fields recommends deciding which feature you’d like to accentuate the most and having fun with that by, for

instance, putting a pop of color on your lips or eyes.

If you’d like to stay true to what you know, she suggests trying different textures of products. “For instance, if lip products and colors are your comfort zone, switch things up by trying a liquid matte versus gloss, or vice versa,” Fields says.

“Consider your beauty bottom line, and focus on things that will get you out of the door with minimal effort.”

BUT YOU DON’T NEED TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE TRENDS. “Try to avoid going productcrazy as you get back in the swing of things,” Fields says.

“Ignore all the TikTok beauty craziness and focus on what works for you.”

—KORI FIELDS

These are the pieces you need to level up your look.

THE HIGH-END SNEAKER If you’re serious about your shoe game, Neal suggests going for a Louis Vuitton or Gucci sneaker.

If designer shoes with logos all over aren’t your thing, a classic white Adidas will do the trick.

CHAT WITH LOCAL RETAILERS. The options are endless, but Jordan recommends these shop owners for additional oneon-one wardrobe help.

Deron and Tina Washington of Shops on Top 2362 Russell St., Ste. 200, Detroit; 313-974-6898; shopsontopdetroit.com

ADD OUTERWEAR. “Oversized outerwear leaves lots of room to get inventive with your base pieces, building plenty of depth with varying textures and tones,” Riney says.

All those who spent endless hours watching makeup tutorials on YouTube this past year just to feel fabulous around the house, say, “Aye!” If that wasn’t your life and you need a little beauty refresher, Kori Fields, product development coordinator for The Lip Bar, shares some tips to put your best face forward. If you ditched the makeup during quarantine, start small and build your way back up. “Consider your beauty bottom line, and focus on things that will get you out of the door with minimal effort,” Fields says. “For me, that consists of a good, tinted moisturizer, concealer, brow, and lip.”

Sharon Eisenshtadt of She 6400 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills; 248-385-5502; shestores.com Jenny Ouliguian of Dolce Moda 323 E. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-399-6200; dolcemoda.com Erik Miller of Untied on Woodward 223 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-792-6828; untiedonwoodward.com

THE MAN BAG “It’s essentially a fashionable way to give men the same convenience of a tote bag that women have had,” Lauryn says.

She recommends Shinola and Tote&Carry for laptop cases and messenger bags.

Shinola Canfield Relaxed Messenger, $595, at Shinola; shinola.com for locations

THE MULE “Open-toe or closed-toe mules are a comfortable and a chic style for the workplace,” Lauryn says.

And you can’t go wrong with a flat or heeled pair.

Gucci Basket Sneaker, $950, at Gucci at Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy; 248-643-7630; gucci.com

THE KITTEN HEEL This shoe rose to popularity in the ’50s and ’60s and made a comeback in the ’90s. Since fashions always repeat themselves, the kitten heel has once more become a hot commodity.

“It’s kind of back to like 1999,” Neal says. “A lot of little bitty kitten heels.”

LAYER ILLUSTRATIONS ISTOCK/KATES_ILLUSTRATIONS BEAUTY ISTOCK/FRANTIC00 MAN BAG SHINOLA SNEAKER GUCCI

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Um, no.

There are limits to elevating casualwear for the office. Case in point: Balenciaga’s $1,000 Crocs stilettos from the brand’s spring 2022 collection. (This isn’t the first Balenciaga x Crocs collab; the luxury brand debuted platform Crocs during Paris Fashion Week in 2017.) Neal isn’t a fan, either. “I don’t know how that’s functional,” he says of the heeled clog. And as The Cut hilariously put it, they’re “either an atrocity to humankind or a very good prank on rich people.” Maybe you should stick to your trusty tie-dye Crocs — sans stiletto — and leave them at home.

LINGERIE

Well, being free to go braless as we hunkered down at home was fun while it lasted. If it’s time for you to buy more of these undergarments, Rebecca Aughton, owner of upscale lingerie store Bra-Vo Intimates in Royal Oak, is here to help with answers to some common questions.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M WEARING THE WRONG SIZE? You’ll notice grooves in your shoulders from the straps sitting incorrectly, and the underband will sit uncomfortably. If your breasts are spilling out, you’re wearing the wrong cup size.

But Aughton says the wires are often the main source of discomfort.

“If your wires are popping forward, poking you, breaking in half, coming out of the bra — you're wearing the wrong size,” she says, adding that the right size will have your bust sitting between your shoulder and elbow.

CAN’T I JUST MEASURE MYSELF FROM HOME? Probably not — if you measure yourself incorrectly, you’re just

THE SCARF Virtual meetings will still be a thing in the office, and scarves are a nice accessory that frames your face and will keep you sharp for your video call.

“Scarves can be year-round,” Jordan says. “They can be sheer in warm weather and have a little bit more substance during colder weather.”

wasting money on the wrong size bras. (Studies show 80 percent of women are wearing the wrong size.) Aughton encourages women to get professionally fitted. “You’re worth the comfort,” she says.

Wearing the incorrect size can cause pain in your breasts, back, and ribs as well as poor posture!

WHAT’S WRONG WITH BUYING BRAS FROM A DEPARTMENT STORE? They carry limited options. “A lot of your Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Targets maybe carry 20 sizes,” Aughton says.

“So, if you think about our population, we have the largest size variants in the world — and we think we’re going to fit into 20 sizes? No, we’re not.” In fact, she recommends going to a shop that carries at

Tory Burch Double Sided Hibiscus Silk Square, $198, at Tory Burch

THE LOAFER “Men should stick to more of a loafer with elongated toes and not the short, square penny loafer look,” Lauryn says. “If you’re looking to incorporate more street style or loungewear, try a short creeper sole loafer!”

Suede Loafers with Tassel in Grey, $190, at Dolce Moda, 323 E. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-399-6200; dolcemoda.com CROC HEEL BALENCIAGA BRA ILLUSTRATION ISTOCK/ALYSANTWANET SCARF TORY BURCH LOAFER DOLCE MODA BOOT DOLCE MODA

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

least 80 sizes. Bra-Vo carries cup sizes all the way to a U.K. size K, which translates to a U.S. size O. OK, SO IF I GET FITTED, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW BEFORE I GO? Just a few more tips!

Aughton says to see a professional who’s been fitting on the shop floor for at least two years. Bring two or three tops to your fitting that you regularly wear to learn which bras work best for your clothes.

And whichever shop you go to, they will educate you on how to correctly put on a bra and properly care for it.

Jodi (Barnett) Tippins

Residential

Find Bra-Vo Intimates at 29732 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-582-7286; bravointimates.com.

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.

THE CHELSEA BOOT “They continue to improve every look,” Riney says.  Suede Chelsea Boot in Navy, $250, at Dolce Moda

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

THE GLAM-AHOLIC LIFESTYLE BAG These bags by Glam-Aholic Lifestyle founder and Detroit native Mia Ray have become a staple for the on-the-go woman, “if you can get your hands on one — they sell out pretty fast,” Neal says.

It’s true — the brand made $700,000 in sales in less than 10 minutes during a travel collection launch in February 2020.

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 AU G U ST 2 0 2 1

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“My personal style is … comfort glam. Because I have to be comfortable, I have to be glamorous.”

—PAGEANT B. ATTERBERRY

PAGEANT B. ATTERBERRY’S LIFE revolves around providing arts education for Detroit’s youth.

The 31-year-old native Detroiter has worn many hats — she worked as a political journalist; was the director of communications for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office under the late Benny Napoleon; and was a producer for local TV and radio stations — but the performing arts have always been her calling.

Atterberry founded the nonprofit PBA Royal Performing Arts and Training School in Southfield in 2008, when performing arts programs were scarce in local schools, and later moved PBA Royal to its current home in Detroit. Kids ages 4 through young adulthood turn to PBA Royal for training in music, dance, theater, pageantry, competitive cheerleading, media production, and other fields. This summer, the nonprofit expected to teach about 7,000 students through its summer enrichment programs.

Atterberry also co-owns her family’s daycare, New Beginnings Child Care and Academy.

Here, she takes a break from her busy schedule to share what goes into her effortlessly chic style.

Atterberry poses inside her closet at her Detroit home, wearing a top from Neiman Marcus and Lapointe pants. “I call this my dollhouse,” she says of the space.

MI STYLE

STAGE RIGHT Detroit’s Pageant B. Atterberry is training up a generation of local kids in the performing arts — and looking great doing it

BY R AC H A EL TH O MAS | PH O T O BY JOE A L I SA

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My personal style is … Comfort glam. Because I have to be comfortable, I have to be glamorous. I like couture pieces, some vintage, and my favorites are Alice + Olivia and Versace. My on-the-go look: I’ll wear a dress every single day, and it will be with flats or heels. I make sure I keep a pair of heels with me in case I have to go somewhere. But my everyday look is probably my Harvard collegiate shirt with some easy pants or a cute dress to throw on. Speaking of dresses, my favorite is … A hot-pink A-line by Balmain. It was created during a collaboration with H&M. It’s sleeveless and very, very heavy — maybe 10 pounds. This dress is composed of a quilted pattern with bright sequins, patent leather patches, and hot pink diamond-, triangle-, and circle-shaped stones. There are small Swarovski crystals sewn intricately between each quilted pattern of hot pink stones. My beauty routine: I use a lot of these hyaluronic acid drops. I use a lot of serums — serums are my thing. Facial brush, of course, and then boatloads of collagen sprays and toners. And then of course, you know, when things get a little tricky, I have my acne washes. I use a lot of Valjean Labs and this brand Pearlessence — that’s like my main go-to. And right now, I love English Laundry’s Oxford Bleu Femme fragrance. It goes with my chemistry well. It just feels like gold to me. I can’t leave the house without … A ring on my finger because I’ll just feel so naked and awkward. This one my mom gave me was the first diamond ring she got when she was 17.

When I have downtime … I’m a homebody. I go for walks, but otherwise I will not leave this house.

I’m always listening to … [English musician] Tom Misch. He’s amazing. The advice I would give my younger self is … It’s OK to say no.

Learn more about Atterberry at pbaroyal.com

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The

Seen

Grand Opening of SkinCeuticals by Legacy Dermatology Group Photographs by Chris M.J. Hathaway

Deanna Snyder, Kris Miron, Denice Wagner, Marilyn Legacy, Dr. Michelle Legacy, and Jami Wall

Dr. Michelle Legacy, Mathew Brownfield, Katie Fisher, and Dr. Lynn Sikorski

Laura Randazzo, Michelle Baiocco, and Nita Pyles

Sarah Zengerle, Curt LaMotte, and Jaime Gillick

The Silver Spoon: Ristorante Italiano’s 10th Anniversary Photographs by Carrie Hall

Antonia Lisi, Rito Lisi, and Julia Lisi

Jimmy and Stephanie Zaki, and Matt and Nicole Szura

Matt Lawrey, Andrea Delisi, Andrea Delisi, and Kristen Delisi

Daniele Dell’Acqua, Rito Lisi, and Joe Nirta

City Club Apartments CBD Detroit Grand Opening Photographs by Lindsay Schweickert

Joe Vicari, Joe Vicari, Conrad Mallett, Jonathan Holtzman, and Mike Palmer

Kelly Naylor, Chelsey Maldonado, Rob Platt CIO/COO City Club Apts, Jordan Roman Palmer, Rita Palmer, Fiona and Julie Zimmerman Friedman, David Friedman, Jonathan Holtzman, Palmer, Brooke Palmer, and Mike Palmer Angela Baldwin, and Butch Hollowell (Owner Premier Pet Supply)

Butch Hollowell, Jonathan Holtzman Founder & CEO City Club Apartments, and Angela Baldwin

Dave Contesso, Andrew Altemann, Jason Gelsey, Alven Littell, Lindsey Vlassis, Jake Vella, Chase Robison, and Jesse King

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Ginger Brimer, Lauren Woodson, and Alyssa Galas

Jonathan Sherman, Mike Palmer, and Dan Wysocki

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BY MARK SPEZIA

Where do you go after being nominated for a Grammy, walking across the U.S., and scaling Everest? If you’re Mike Posner, you seek inner peace at a monastery — then, the sky’s the limit.

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PHOTOS (BOTH PAGES) SANDRO GROMEN-HAYES

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A s evening settled over Mount Everest on May 31, Mike Posner sat in his tent at the 26,000-foot altitude of Camp 4, consuming a dinner of dehydrated Teriyaki chicken and contemplating the undertaking before him.

There would be no more meals for the next 18 hours, only snacks and water.

After 20 months of exhaustive preparation that took the Grammynominated Southfield native to the tops of 70 mountains in several countries, Posner was 3,032 feet from the summit of Earth's tallest peak. That's less than three-quarters of a mile, but covering that vertical distance at such an altitude usually takes more than eight hours.

The journey happens entirely in what's known as the Death Zone — the altitude at which the concentration of oxygen is insufficient to sustain human life for an extended time span.

By 8:30 p.m., Posner had donned his boots, crampons, and backpack and turned on his headlamp. It was go time.

He began pushing toward the top of the world with Dr. Jon Kedrowski, the Colorado-based guide who had climbed Everest twice before and had prepared Posner for this moment, and with their Sherpas (gear-handling Nepalese assistants) — AU G U ST 2 0 2 1

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Dawa Chirring and Dawa Dorjee. They were one of the first groups to depart Camp 4, and Posner soon settled into a pattern of taking one step followed by three breaths, all the while clutching pre-fixed ropes.

“There were probably about 100 people climbing to the top that day, so it was nice to get in front of everybody and not have to worry about running into a bottleneck of slower climbers,” Posner recounts during an interview 10 days later.

The sky began to brighten as the foursome cleared Hillary Step, less than 200 feet from the summit. The sun was at their backs, reflecting off the clouds below them and illuminating that summit when they finally arrived just after 4:30 a.m.

Then a dam of emotion burst.

“A lot of emotion, man, a lot of tears while looking into the eyes of the guys who helped me get to this incredible place. And the timing was perfect, with a brilliant sunrise,” says Posner, who coincidentally recorded the song “Top of the World” with Detroit rapper Big Sean in 2013. “Of course, I have a lot of gratitude and humility toward Dr. Jon and the two Sherpas. Without them, there is no Everest for me, not a chance.”

The team was soon joined by recordsetting adventurer Colin O'Brady, the mutual friend who had introduced Posner to Kedrowski. With sunshine reflecting off his shoulder and Kedrowski smiling behind him, Posner took a seat

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Star’s trek: Mike Posner pauses to enjoy the view during an early stage of his Everest climb (opening page) and hikes near camp with partner Jon Kedrowski.

Posner (above) climbs with one of the team’s Sherpas, who were essential to the their success.

in the snow and shot a fist into the air as one of the Sherpas snapped a photo. The pair were determined to soak in every bit of the mere 20 minutes they would spend atop Mount Everest.

“The conditions were pretty good on that final summit push with a good night moon, and when I saw the sky getting lighter, I knew we had it,” Kedrowski says. “Such a wonderful moment at the top. It felt like a graduation for Mike as the student and me as the teacher.”

The inner journey Posner and Kedrowski were back at Kedrowski's Vail, Colorado, home by June 6. By then, Kedrowski had begun to see how the experience had changed Posner.

“I think Mike came back from Everest with tons of gratitude for what he has in life, especially after seeing how simply, but fully some of the people in Nepal live their lives,” Kedrowski says. “It was cool to see how super humble, kind, and grateful Mike was when people in villages we passed through recognized him. He's just really happy with how life is for him.”

Posner started preparing for Everest almost immediately after completing a 2,851-mile, seven-month walk from New Jersey to California in October 2019. He had decided to embark on the cross-country trek for several reasons, one being his newfound consciousness of life’s fleeting nature, prompted by the

death of his father, Jon, in 2017 and the 2018 suicide of friend Tim Bergling, a Swedish DJ better known as Avicii.

Posner had also become disillusioned with the way Island Records was promoting his album A Real Good Kid, which was released in January 2019.

The walk had also been on Posner’s bucket list since he heard about someone else doing it while he was living in Los Angeles a few years earlier. Along the way, Posner spent 20 days in a Colorado hospital after being bitten by a rattlesnake.

From the beginning of his walk in the spring of 2019 until returning from Everest, Posner’s life was a constant whirlwind. He had more than earned the right to decompress, but that was not going to be easy given his exuberant personality and high energy level.

On June 12, he began three weeks off the grid at a monastery in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

“I've basically been gone for nearly three years, and I'm just going to take some time to do nothing,” Posner says three days before departing. “It's going to be hard, but I need to do it. I'm going to reflect on this whole experience. How can you not grow from it? I don't know of anyone else who walked across America, climbed Everest, and been nominated for a Grammy. That perspective is going to help me in every future creative thing I do.”

Clearly, the magnitude of what he accomplished is not lost on Posner, whose 2015 smash, “I Took a Pill in Ibiza,” earned a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year and reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Nearly 70 years after it was first climbed, fewer than 6,000 people have stood atop Everest and returned safely.

Posner is only the fourth metro Detroiter who’s done it in the past decade, joining University of Michigan doctor Rock Patel, Grosse Pointe Woods native Vanessa PHOTOS (BOTH PAGES) DR. JON KEDROWSKI

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camp as well, playing some guitars provided by the camp.

“I have so many great little memories — just of playing games like Ludo [similar to Sorry] with local guides on our phones and learning some funny things to say in their language,” Posner says. “It was like touring, where you get these inside jokes based on other inside jokes that would not make sense to anyone else.”

Posner's most harrowing memory is of the night a nearby avalanche triggered a powerful air blast that ripped a hole in his tent while the group was stopped at Camp 2 during their eight-day final summit push. “You hear avalanches nearly every day, so they become background noise, but this one and the air blast scared me to death, and I thought that might be the end for me right there, honestly,” he says. “It was shaking my tent so much and destroyed the camp next to us.”

O'Brien, and Birmingham native Sam Elias.

While standing atop Mount Everest was an almost indescribable feeling for Posner, what he experienced on the journey to get there is equally special to him.

Those memories include his first glacier climb, on Washington state's Mount Rainier; trekking in Poland; climbing above 20,000 feet for the first time on a dormant volcano in Ecuador; a winter ascent of Mount Elbert (14,440 feet), Colorado's highest peak; and daring to sit in a frigid Montana stream surrounded by snow.

Last winter, Posner and Kedrowski made the arduous, 56-mile journey over glaciers to base camp at K2 in Pakistan, the world's second-highest mountain (28,251 feet), and were there when a 10-person Nepalese team pulled off the first-ever winter ascent of K2 on Jan. 16. Posner used the trip to further prepare for Everest while Kedrowski, who climbed as far as Camp 2 (22,000 feet) assisted other climbing teams there who ultimately were unsuccessful in their quest to reach the summit.

The pair also climbed many of Colorado's 55 peaks of 14,000 feet and above.

“I love training. Without the struggle, the goal would mean nothing. KEEP GOING,” Posner exclaimed in an Instagram video from Colorado’s 14,265-foot Quandary Peak.

During the eight-day, 80-mile trek to Everest base camp, Posner gave several impromptu performances.

The most memorable was a set with renowned Nepalese singer Raju Lama after running into him at the world's highest coffee cafe (15,400 feet). “This was a moment I won’t soon forget,” Posner posted on Instagram. “We were passing the guitar back and forth. This was truly a great honor to sing with this great artist in this great country.”

Posner frequently broke into song while at base

Without them, there is no Everest for me, not a chance.”

—MIKE POSNER

‘My next big thing’ As with his walk across the U.S., Posner’s motivation for thrusting himself into an undertaking as extreme as climbing Mount Everest was about more than simply testing his limits.

As soon as he decided to do the climb, he began looking for a cause he could help in the process. He found that in the Detroit Justice Center, a nonprofit law firm that describes its mission as “working alongside communities to create economic opportunities, transform the justice system, and promote equitable and just cities.” Posner felt helping the DJC was also the perfect tribute to his father, a criminal defense attorney for more than 40 years. As of July 6, the GoFundMe page Posner set up had attracted more than $252,000 in donations, surpassing its $250,000 goal.

“I'm honored they wanted to be part of this wacky idea I had to raise funds for their organization and honor my dad’s legacy,” he says.

Posner’s passion for endurance sports was ignited by climbing Colorado's 14,321-foot Uncompahgre Peak at age 14 and lettering in cross-country and track at Birmingham’s Groves High School.

It only makes sense, then, that Posner began pondering Everest as he passed through the Rocky Mountains during his cross-country walk.

Soon after the walk ended, Posner shared those thoughts with O'Brady as the two climbed Oregon's Mount Hood.

High point: Posner (left) celebrates with Jon Kedrowski and their teammates after reaching Everest’s summit.

Among other achievements, O'Brady holds the record for reaching the high points of all 50 states in the shortest amount of time (21 days). O'Brady suggested that if Posner was truly serious, he should contact Kedrowski, who could prepare him for such a monumental task. Kedrowski could immediately tell that Posner was all-in and agreed to train him.

In addition to rigorous conditioning and ascents of 71 peaks of at least 13,000 feet, the training included rope and ladder courses as well as indoor gym climbing.

“I had a good feeling after we first met and told Mike I would create the right training program for him,” Kedrowski says. “I also told him we won't go if I have the slightest doubt about his readiness.”

It’s clear from the enthusiasm in Kedrowski’s voice that he’s also thankful the two have formed a lifelong friendship as a result of their experience. They plan to collaborate in other ways in the future, he says, including on a “secret project I have to be quiet about.”

What could possibly be next for a guy who’s been nominated for a Grammy, walked across the country, and stood on top of the world? For now, it’s spending some time back home. Posner planned to return to Michigan following his monastery retreat to reconnect with family while pondering his next big move.

“I want to do a lot of things in my life, probably more things than I can fit into one life,” he says. “My next big thing might be athletic, but could also be intellectual, artistic, or musical.

Whatever it is, I will go straight at it with a single-minded focus. Doing one major thing at a time has been working out pretty well for me."

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HATE CRIME or FALSE FLAG?

By Trevor Ba ch

What happens when a local hero becomes a suspected hoaxer?

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N I K K I J O LY spent the morning of Aug. 5, 2017, in downtown Jackson checking on last-minute arrangements. The city’s first Pride parade would kick off at noon, and Joly, the event’s founder and director, was grand marshal. That was fitting: For months he’d served as the face of a bruising, ultimately successful battle for a local LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinance, then gone on to orchestrate the parade. In less than a year, Joly, a soft-spoken 52-yearold transgender man with no prior history of social activism, had become the highest profile LGBTQ activist this rural southcentral Michigan county had ever seen.

Leading up to the event, he still doubted anyone would show up. “At various points,” he said, “I may have had visions of walking back downtown by myself.” He first saw the blur of rainbow flags and costumes when he approached St. John’s United Church of Christ, the parade kickoff point — more than 1,000 people had shown up to line the route.

A white Jackson Police Department SUV led the procession. Joly, carrying a large rainbow flag and wearing a white T-shirt and loose jeans, walked close behind, followed by the parade’s other grand marshal, Karyl Baker, who rode atop the back of an open cherry-red Camaro convertible wearing short purple hair and her sash. Baker is a middle-aged lesbian who grew up in Jackson but left for fear of being openly gay there; decades later, riding down the town’s main drag like a prom queen ranked among the proudest moments of her life, she said.

Yet she was also terrified. Days earlier the City Council had received a menacing email from Robert Tulloch, president of the Jackson Area Landlords Association, warning that the parade was “an in-yourface declaration of war and will be met with a violent response. This IS the queer agenda.” A local Baptist preacher had also allegedly made comments condoning the killing of LGBTQ people, and rumors

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Firefighters in Jackson, Michigan, work to douse the stubborn fire that razed Nikki Joly’s home on Aug. 10, 2017. Investigators found accelerant residue in five locations and determined the fire was intentionally set and later charged Joly with arson.

had spread of a possible sniper on the roof of the Consumers Energy building, Jackson’s tallest structure. “Yep, I’m going to get shot here,” Baker recalled thinking, “but it’ll be worth it.”

No violence came that day. The celebration, down to the Miss Jackson Gay Pride drag pageant, went off largely flawlessly; at one point a RuPaul impersonator in leopard print led the crowd through a “drag queen workout,” inspiring Joly to bend and snap along. “Jackson Pride!” one speaker marveled. “How many of you thought this day would never come?”

Five days later Joly called Baker and told her his house was on fire. Baker rushed to Pringle Avenue and found the two-story wooden-frame home already engulfed in orange and black, smoke and flames gushing out the roof. Baker joined Joly and his wife, Christina Moore, who were watching the blaze from across the street. Even there the smell of gasoline was overwhelming. “We assumed it was arson right from the start,” Baker said. “Like, OK, is this what they meant? Is this payback?”

The police would ask a different, equally troubling question: Did Joly set the fire himself?

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O N E A F T E R N O O N T H I S S P R I N G I called a number listed for a house in Macomb County.

An elderly woman answered, and I asked if she was related to someone named Nikki Joly.

“I might be,” Jeanette Joly responded. Her husband’s father had a second wife, she said, who might have had a daughter named Nicole. But Jeanette’s voice dripped with hesitation. Was she sure she didn’t know another Nikki Joly?

“Oh, wait a minute, maybe I did. We had a daughter whose name was Nikki as well.” Jeanette continued, “We had a daughter who left us and basically left all the things that we lived by. So we really didn’t know her.” Jeanette quickly ended the call, and I was never able to reach her again.

Nikki Joly was born in Detroit and raised female.

The child bounced around foster homes before being adopted at age 6 by Jeanette and George Joly, who lived in Clare, a rural town smack in the middle of the Mitten, and raised Nikki and two adopted boys as strict Jehovah’s Witnesses. By Joly’s own account, he never fit their expectations — a rambunctious child who despised anything feminine, especially the dresses young Nikki was forced to wear to church.

Gender identity was never discussed, Joly said; homosexuality, of course, was considered a major sin.

At 15, Joly left the family home and began couchsurfing with friends. Three years later, after graduating high school, Joly enlisted in the Army and

“ I ’ D WA L K I N W I T H M Y WIFE, AND I GUESS I look the part of what they would c a l l dy k e O R W H AT E V E R . ” — N I K K I J O LY

relocated to Fort Dix, New Jersey. As a new soldier, Joly, who was still identifying with his birth sex, quickly found a supportive crowd and began dating a female soldier. “We were not out,” Joly said — it was the early 1980s and the military enforced a ban on same-sex relationships — but the two were happy nonetheless, frequently spending leave time together.

“Everything just kind of started falling into place.”

Within months Joly’s military career would end. One night a higher-ranking male officer, after driving Joly to his residence, beat and “had sex” with Joly, according to military criminal records, resulting in the offender being knocked down three pay grades. Decades later Joly would attribute the rape to homophobia, telling the Jackson Citizen Patriot in 2017 that the assailant “had decided he was going to change me.”

It didn’t work, of course, but the sexual assault resulted in a pregnancy and an honorable

Nikki Joly (right) and his wife, Chris Moore, speak at a fundraiser after their home was destroyed by a fire that Joly is now accused of setting.

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discharge, Joly said. (The military report did not indicate Joly’s discharge status.) Soon he would return to central Michigan to raise a daughter, Amanda, embark on a nursing career, and embrace his masculine identity. “Just came back,” Joly said. “Went back to work. Went to school.”

Around 2012, he moved to Jackson with Moore, a brown-haired woman with gentle features from small-town Georgia who also worked in healthcare.

The two met through mutual friends and had known each other for years; once they began a serious relationship — the two pledged themselves married in 2009, years before the state would recognize their union — they built a seemingly typical small-town life together, with visits from grandchildren and a house full of baked goods and pets. One Easter they dressed Tripp, a beloved German shepherd, in a pair of fuzzy brown bunny ears. The couple legally married after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed gay marriage in 2015 because Joly was still considered female by the state. At the small indoor ceremony, the groom wore a simple black suit and tie, and the bride sparkled in an elegant silver dress.

Jackson, however, was still a difficult place for a queer couple. A once prominent railway hub and factory town, with an auto industry that predated Detroit’s assembly lines, the town began shedding jobs and population in the mid20th century. The area, especially rural Jackson County, remains blue-collar and firmly white, Christian, and conservative: In both 2016 and 2020, Republican Donald Trump won it by about 20 points. “Jackson is the weirdest place I’ve ever lived,” said Barbara Shelton, a longtime resident and former state House candidate.

“They are like 20 years behind everybody else.”

Local anti-LGBTQ sentiment also occasionally made the news. In 2000, when Jackson High students started a gay-straight alliance, Bishop Ira Combs, a Pentecostal pastor, held a news conference to oppose it; in 2007, Spring Arbor University, a local Christian college, drew national headlines for firing an associate dean who came out as transgender. More quietly, local LGBTQ residents sometimes faced explicit harassment or housing, job, and business discrimination; Joly recalled silently suffering coded comments upon entering stores and one occasion when he and Moore, new to town and looking for a burger, were flatly ignored by multiple servers at a local bar.

“I’d walk in with my wife, and I guess I look the part of what they would call dyke or whatever.”

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Still, the couple found their place. Moore took a job at a local nursing center. Joly, who suffers from glaucoma that blinded his right eye, gave up professional nursing but found purpose as a volunteer for the Red Cross. He joined the organization’s Disaster Action Team, and traveled to help victims of Hurricane Katrina and other weather disasters. Other times he stayed closer to home, assisting local families who had suffered house fires.

O N E S U N D AY I N AU G U S T 2 0 1 6 , some 100 LGBTQ people and allies gathered at Cascades Park, a popular picnic spot with a large fountain and grassy areas surrounded by white pine trees.

The event was a church service, but really it was a coming out party: While most of Jackson’s 113 Christian churches still opposed homosexuality, three LGBTQ-inclusive congregations hosted the event to show support. “It was good to see movement in the faith — movement for change,” said Universalist Unitarian minister Cynthia Landrum, one of the organizers. “We said, ‘Let’s do a service celebrating this.’”

Among the attendees was Derek Dobies, a tall, bespeckled and baby-faced city councilman who is straight. A former Eagle Scout, Dobies, then 30, was a rising Democratic star who had worked as an aide to multiple state senators and served as the late U.S. Rep. John Dingell’s campaign manager. In 2011, he’d been elected to Jackson City Council and proved a strong ally: Over the next few years, when a local group twice pushed for a city nondiscrimination ordinance, or NDO, to protect LGBTQ housing and employment rights, Dobies had supported the efforts but failed to convince his fellow councilmembers. Inspired by attending the Cascades Park service, he vowed to try again.

In the ensuing weeks, Landrum persuaded other pastors to join the cause, and other activists began recruiting local businesses. But it was Joly, named director that fall of the nascent Jackson Pride Center, who became the face and relentless driving force of the effort, canvassing neighborhoods, organizing phone-banking teams, and leading rallies.

Previously unknown to many in Jackson’s LGBTQ community, he now emerged as a natural leader for the burgeoning movement, with a personality that could be at turns patient and cajoling or demanding and fiery. “My impression was that Nikki had been cut loose upon this world to change Jackson,” said the Rev. Daniel Kidder-McQuown of the Arbor Grove Congregational Church, who supported the movement. “He was a fireball.”

The effort landed a major coup in November when Consumers Energy, the county’s second-largest employer, announced its support. Opponents, led by the area’s conservative Christian churches, also began lining up, arguing the effort was part of a larger LGBTQ threat to the rights of Christians and business owners. “Discrimination is a funny thing,” said the Rev. Timothy Nelson, a local Catholic priest DOCUMENTS STATE OF MICHIGAN COURTS

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Joly’s trial on arson charges has been delayed by a successful appeal to throw out key evidence based on a prosecutorial violation of Joly’s lawyerclient privilege, as seen in these documents. With that issue now resolved, the trial is expected to be scheduled soon.

and leading opponent, “and it can go both ways.”

The matter reached a crescendo one night in January 2017 when Dobies finally succeeded at putting the NDO on the council’s agenda. So many people showed up for the meeting that it was relocated from City Hall to the town’s largest venue, the historic Michigan Theatre. That night more than 500 people filled the theater, and dozens of supporters gave impassioned speeches arguing for the law. The crowd remained mostly silent, waving their hands instead of clapping.

At the beginning of the meeting, then-Mayor Bill Jors, a Republican who opposed the NDO, had sensed potential chaos and banned applause.

The City Council voted 4-3 in favor, the first of two successful votes required for the proposal to become law. “I just believed what I was doing was the right AU G U ST 2 0 2 1

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thing,” said City Councilman Freddie Dancy, who had once opposed the effort on religious grounds but changed his mind after deep conversations with his pastor. Yet the debate was far from over: Even as she voted in favor, another councilmember, Arlene Robinson, said she was still concerned about legal ramifications for the city and might change her vote at the next reading, scheduled for two weeks later.

At 5 p.m. on Feb. 7, an hour and a half before the second vote, 200 supporters crammed into the basement of Jackson’s First Congregational Church.

At one point Joly, wearing glasses and a dark suit jacket with a white shirt and skinny rainbow tie, spoke of the historic nature of the moment and the need for concrete steps toward justice. “This is our civil rights movement,” he told supporters. “This is our time.” Moments later the group marched four blocks through a light rain to the Michigan Theatre.

“There was a sense that we were at a turning point,” Landrum said, “changing the course of history for this town” — but also, she added, a deep uncertainty over what would come next.

What came next was extraordinary: an engrossing, unfiltered demonstration of one community’s reckoning with both its own identity and the larger forces of social progress — as if decades of America’s culture wars could be crammed into one marathon small-town council meeting. Over six hours, with nearly 700 in attendance, more than 150 Jackson-area residents of all ages and stripes walked up to a podium set up in an aisle of the theater, with 88 speaking in favor and 66 against.

Residents referenced past traumas and hate crimes, their LGBTQ relatives, the Golden Rule, Christian persecution, bathrooms, wedding cakes, Sodom and Gomorrah, gay recruitment, Maya Angelou, Thomas Jefferson, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Civil Rights Act, the Constitution, Sharia law. The new ordinance, they argued, was a powerful symbol of equality that would bring Jackson into the modern era. Or it was a reactionary, Big Government stick-in-the-eye that would drive people away. The Bible came up frequently. At one point a half an hour in, a local Baptist pastor, citing Leviticus, asserted that “homosexuals are not a race of people that deserve minority status.”

Joly approached the podium next. “Those of you who choose to stand behind me may come up now while I’m speaking,” he began in a soft, deliberate voice, prompting about a dozen people to walk down the aisle to the podium and form a human wall behind him. “Since folks are going to mix religion with their politics,” he went on, “if your religion requires you to hate, you’re doing it wrong.

Religion is about love.” When he finished, hundreds of hands shot up, frantically waving their approval.

The ordinance passed 5-2 — the Joly-led activism brought another vote to their side. Joly, hugging supporters in the aisle, had tears in his eyes.

Days later the Jackson Pride Center held a grand opening, moving into the expansive red-brick St. John’s Church, and Joly delivered another speech.

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Soon he threw himself into a different mission: winning council approval for — and then diligently planning — Jackson’s first LGBTQ Pride festival.

T H E F E S T I VA L T O O K P L A C E on Aug. 5, a Sunday. Four days later, on Thursday morning, Joly dropped Moore off at work, returned home, smoked a cigarette on the porch, and pulled out his mower to cut his yard. Around 11:30 a.m., he drove a half-mile to a Marathon station and bought more cigarettes, a drink, and a 5-gallon can of gasoline. He returned home and began mowing but soon stopped, leaving the job unfinished. He left the mower outside and drove to St. John’s to do some paperwork.

At 1:02 p.m., Moore called Joly to ask him to run back home and bring her the lunch she had forgotten. He would later tell investigators he was inside their home for about 90 seconds, just enough time to grab Moore’s leftover pasta from the refrigerator and check on Tripp and Nettie, the couple’s German shepherds. The dogs were happy in their kennels, Joly later told investigators.

The first 911 call came in at 1:16 p.m. A woman across the street had been outside and smelled smoke, then noticed flames around Joly’s front porch. She ran toward the blaze, thinking of the dogs, only to find two other neighbors were already there, kicking down the front door.

Joly, meanwhile, delivered the pasta with a kiss.

He was driving home when Bobby James, the church’s office manager, called and told him his house was on fire. On the phone, Joly burst into tears, James would later tell police. Once he made it to Pringle Avenue, he ran toward his burning house screaming, “The dogs! The dogs! The dogs!”

Joly was too late. The first fire team had arrived at 1:20 p.m. to find the burning house was already “fully involved,” according to an incident report, with the home’s ground floor consumed by the inferno. Some flames had also climbed the walls up to the attic; clouds of thick black smoke choked the neighborhood. Assistant Fire Chief Chris Ermatinger walked to the rear of the house, intending to open the back door for ventilation. The door was unlocked but would only open halfway. When Ermatinger looked down, he saw the dead body of a German shepherd.

Two crews entered the house and began attacking the blaze — one on the ground floor, one upstairs — but after nearly an hour, Ermatinger called a retreat; the house was too hot, and firefighters’ oxygen tanks were depleted.

That afternoon firefighters would discover four more dead animals: the other dog and the couple’s three cats. The ground floor crew also reported something strange: They had started their attack at the front of the house, where the fire was concentrated, but as they moved toward the back, they noticed certain spots they had already extinguished kept reigniting, forcing them to turn around and try again. A state police investigator

arrived with a K-9 trained to smell accelerants and began combing through the wreckage even as crews worked to put out the last flames. The police dog hit on five different locations, all on the first floor, including a clothes hamper in the bathroom and a pile of boxes in the kitchen. Another investigator also noticed that no pictures were hanging on any walls.

Within hours the region’s LGBTQ community sprang into action, offering Joly and Moore food, clothes, a place to stay. Soon, the charred front porch filled with rainbow flags — and money also poured in. One Ann Arbor church gave $2,500, and St. John’s donated an initial $13,000. Two online crowdfunding campaigns brought in more than $20,000. Everyone suspected arson, and many in the local LGBTQ community believed Joly had been targeted because of his activism. Some feared they, too, might now be in danger. Others were furious.

“It’s time to take to the streets,” one resident told Between the Lines, metro Detroit’s main LGBTQ publication. “We’ve been complacent for too long.”

Joly pleaded for calm, writing on Facebook that he was “devastated that someone could do something like that with my babies in there.

Please do not threaten violence. Yes, be angry, be very angry. Use that anger to force good! … Love will win!” He also bought a gun.

On Aug. 15, more than 200 people attended an evening fundraiser at St. John’s, with supporters raising another $20,000 in a silent auction to help Joly and Moore buy a new home. Joly expressed gratitude, then urged the group not to be scared.

“Tomorrow we begin rebuilding,” he declared, and a chant rose from the crowd: “Love wins! Love wins!”

Eight days later, when Joly arrived at St. John’s for his volunteer job, James, the office manager, asked how he was doing, according to a police report.

Joly’s reply was surprising.

“I’m the No. 1 suspect,” he responded.

F O R M O N T H S A F T E R T H AT, the outpouring of goodwill and civic concern continued. The Jackson City Council quickly passed a resolution condemning hate crimes, and progressive advocates pointed to the arson to bolster their arguments for adding LGBTQ protections to Michigan’s civil rights law. A state LGBTQ group honored Joly and Dobies, the pro-NDO councilman, at a Detroit awards gala. Joly was also invited to Scottsdale, Arizona, for a leadership conference and appeared on a panel about diversity at Jackson College.

That October, Joly and Moore bought a new house, paying $45,000 for a five-bedroom, onebathroom home a block from the site of the fire.

Dobies also rode a wave of good political fortune.

Earlier that year, conservative activists, incensed over the NDO movement, had collected the necessary signatures to force a recall election on his council seat. Dobies decided to forgo the recall and run for mayor. His campaign, bolstered by the LGBTQ community, progressives, and unions, raised

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$45,000 — a record for a Jackson mayoral candidate and more than his 11 opponents combined. The NDO was the race’s defining issue. Jors, the incumbent, had twice voted against it, arguing the ordinance was an unnecessary intrusion on local businesses.

But the week before the vote he seemed to claim credit for it, telling a local TV reporter he was “the first mayor to allow that process to happen.”

Dobies won by 10 points. “Tonight vindicates that the city views diversity as a strength,” he crowed at the victory party, held inside a local brewery.

The mayor-elect also pointed to his wrist, which was adorned with a bracelet given to him by Joly. “I wore it every day throughout the campaign,” he told supporters, “to remind me who we were fighting for.”

On New Year’s Eve, the Jackson Citizen Patriot named Joly its 2018 Citizen of the Year. “He knows that he is a target,” a friend, Kim Cwynar, told the paper. “And that is a hard way to live.”

H O L LY R O S E , A V E T E R A N Jackson police detective, had been assigned to the Pringle Avenue arson case before the flames were out. She spoke briefly with Joly and Moore the afternoon of the fire and returned the next morning to knock on neighbors’ doors.

The following week, according to a detailed investigation report, Rose and an FBI agent met with Joly again at the local police headquarters.

The detective spoke cordially, asking about the home’s insurance, Pride, threats Joly had faced, his schedule on the day of the fire. Joly answered the questions. The insurance was in their landlord’s name, he explained. Pride had gone well, except for a minor incident with a drag queen. There were threats, but they had been directed at the City Council, not at him personally. The day of the fire, Joly had stopped mowing because it was too hot, he told Rose. Then he had gone to St. John’s. Then he returned home briefly to retrieve Moore’s lunch.

Rose also questioned Moore, who emphasized the vicious anti-LGBTQ hate that had been swirling around town. Moore also pointed a finger at Tulloch, the landlord association president who had sent menacing emails protesting the Pride festival. Rose noted Moore’s comment in her report: “If [Tulloch] set it, he wouldn’t do it himself, he wouldn’t dirty his hands.”

Rose followed up on that. Tulloch, interviewed at his home, acknowledged the threatening email but insisted he didn’t know where Joly lived. The 76-year-old added that at the time the fire began, he was at a Farmers State Bank in Munith, a 25-minute drive from Pringle Avenue, and later provided Rose with a deposit slip.

The detective also spoke to Joly’s landlord, Stephen Carlson, who relayed that Joly had been a delinquent renter. In June 2015, Carlson and Joly had entered a rent-to-own agreement for $57,000 in which Joly provided a $5,000 down payment. After that, though, he only made one monthly payment and BURN ISTOCK

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fell deep into arrears. When Carlson initiated eviction proceedings the next year, he was met in court by a St. John’s representative who offered a deal where the church would help Joly catch up on rent. By August 2017, when the fire occurred, Joly had, in fact, caught up. Carlson, who received a $60,000 insurance payout for the Pringle Avenue house, had an alibi for the arson; a Meijer credit card statement showed he’d been out running errands that day.

A week after their first interrogation, Joly and Moore returned to the police station. For four hours Joly, grilled by an FBI agent, remained impassive, rarely speaking except to deny involvement. Rose then took over and, according to her report, directly accused Joly of setting

oblivious to that fact, for months kept insisting Joly had been targeted for his gender identity.

BY T H E T I M E he was arrested, Joly’s relationship with Jackson’s LGBTQ community had already begun to fray. Seven months earlier, in February 2018, St. John’s church had abruptly announced that the Jackson Pride Center was relocating out of the church building. Church officials told MLive it was an amicable parting — Joly simply sought more autonomy for the organization. In reality, it was an ugly split.

Although Joly served as the Pride Center’s first director, the organization had been founded by

“PLEASE DO NOT T H R E AT E N V I O L E N C E .

Ye s , b e a n g r y , b e v e r y a n g r y .

U S E T H AT A N G E R T O F O R C E GOOD! … Love will win!”

— N I K K I J O LY

the fire. The suspect just stared at the ground.

The investigators also questioned Moore again. She denied a conspiracy but described a car break-in several weeks earlier where Joly’s house key had been stolen. Perhaps someone had broken in? The detectives also tried lying, telling Moore that Joly had already confessed. “Chris said she would never believe it,” Rose noted.

More than a year later, Jackson police arrested Joly. The charge was first-degree arson, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; prosecutors later added multiple counts of animal torture and killing. The oncefeted activist spent a night in county jail before being released on $25,000 bail. Joly, police would later say, had always been the main suspect.

The FBI had also quickly shuttered its hate crimes probe even as activists and supporters,

Barbara Shelton, the former state House candidate, who worked with the church and secured various grants. In the aftermath of the fire, Joly changed, Shelton said. He became more combative, and at one point accused church members of hating gay people. In what felt to church officials like a coup, he then secretly registered the Jackson Pride Center name with the state and formed a new board.

“I don’t know if it was the stress, but he was just a lot angrier, and I think Nikki had a lot of anger toward the church,” Shelton added.

The news of Joly’s charges landed with a shock.

Many friends and neighbors stood by the activist — “To be honest, I thought it was bullshit. I thought it was them taking the easy way out,” said Baker, the 2017 Pride co-grand marshal — but others were infuriated, or even embarrassed, that they might have been scammed by Joly. Many also feared AU G U ST 2 0 2 1

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In a Dec. 11, 2018, file photo, Nikki Joly (right) appears for a preliminary examination in Jackson County District Court in the arson case against him.

irreparable damage to the community’s reputation and, especially, the city’s LGBTQ progress. “I was really, really scared that was going to be all undone,” said Travis Trombley, a gay Jackson resident.

The Jackson Pride Center sent mixed messages.

In a statement, the organization called Joly “a strong voice within the community” who “helped lay the foundation on which we continue to build on as an LGBTQ community” — while also asserting that he had not been officially affiliated with the center since mid-August 2018, just a few weeks earlier. “You learn about damage control real quick,” Baker said.

City Hall also distanced itself, with a spokesperson declaring that Joly had no “official ties” to the municipality. Mayor Dobies, who less than a year earlier had credited Joly at his electionnight party, has never made public statements about the arson charges and did not respond to multiple interview requests for this story.

Still, for months, the story seemed contained to Michigan. Then, in January 2019, the actor Jussie Smollett, who is gay, claimed he’d been assaulted in Chicago by two masked men yelling homophobic slurs. Smollett’s story quickly fell apart, but the topic of hate crime hoaxes suddenly dominated the national discourse.

Media outlets around the world discovered Joly’s case and invariably linked Joly and Smollett, prompting new headlines from the Associated Press (“Gay rights activist accused of setting own home on fire”) to the tabloid The Scottish Sun (“Blazing Idiot”). Right-wing culture warriors also did their best to transform the small-town activist into a global pariah. Pamela Geller, a blogger known for propagating Barack Obama birther conspiracy theories, accused Joly and Smollett of attempting to start a new Reichstag fire, the 1933 German parliament blaze that Hitler used as propaganda shortly before establishing concentration camps.

On Fox News, before more than 3 million viewers,

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Tucker Carlson sneered at Joly in between segments on “Comrade Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez” and the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. I N M A R C H 2 0 1 9, Joly, who later stopped cooperating for this story, said the attention had been brutal. His email and social media accounts had flooded with vulgar, bigoted hate mail and death threats. In response to the backlash, he lowered his profile, stepping down from his volunteer role with the Red Cross and maintaining distance from the Pride Center. But he was otherwise attempting to keep up normal routines; that day he had gone to the dentist, worked in the yard, lunched with a friend. He and Moore had also taken in a new puppy, another German shepherd.

But Joly was obviously weary. “Even the positive things in my world have been twisted and colored with a negative slant,” he wrote to me in a Facebook message.

He also said he was ready for his criminal case to be done. But as the fourth anniversary of the fire approaches this month, the legal case remains unresolved after stalling for years over an evidence issue. In early 2018, police had executed a search warrant on Joly’s tablet and found an email from Joly to his lawyer describing how one neighbor had “secured the gas can” and another “has the mower.”

One of the neighbors, Joly added in the email, also believed he saw someone on the porch immediately before the fire but was being ignored by police.

Detectives then used the email to track the items down, which Andrew Abood, Joly’s defense attorney, subsequently argued amounted to a violation of attorney-client privilege. In March of this year, a state appeals judge finally agreed, ruling that the gas can and mower are inadmissible. No trial date has been set.

Still, the prosecution’s case appears strong. Barring an earlier break-in that went

unnoticed, even a generous interpretation of the day’s timeline “shows a window of less than five minutes for another person to enter the residence, splash gasoline around, ignite the fire, and then leave without being seen,” wrote Aaron Grove, a Jackson detective who took over the case from Rose, in a 2018 report.

A neighbor also told police that ahead of the fire, Joly made a comment about potentially expensive home repairs; one fire investigator commissioned

by Carlson’s insurance company also told police he found it strange when Joly commented that the person who set the fire must have been inside the residence at the same time Joly was.

Abood maintains that Joly had no motive to burn down the house and kill his pets. “They have a case based on coincidence, and not on facts, and coincidence certainly isn’t beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said. He added that Joly was “a hardworking, salt-of-the-earth-type person” who had gotten caught up in a larger, contrived narrative — “sort of a poor man’s Jussie Smollett sort of thing. And the thing about Smollett is that he brought that on himself, right?”

The suspect also maintains his innocence. “I know what I did and didn’t do,” Joly told me in 2019.

In Jackson, opinion remains sharply divided.

Trombley, the resident who worried about the charges’ impact on LGBTQ progress, said liberals tend to believe Joly and conservatives cry, “‘Lock him up,’ that kind of thing — only using the wrong pronouns.” On Facebook earlier this year, Jors, the ex-mayor, posted: “I gave her plenty of opportunities to demonstrate the hate she claimed Jackson has toward LGBTQ community. She never [provided] any, so she manufactured it herself.”

The region’s LGBTQ community remains conflicted. “It’s hard,” Baker said, “because I was a friend. I don’t know if he did it or not. I hope he didn’t. I don’t really think he did. My inclination is that he didn’t.”

But the progress Joly fought for has not, despite fears, been reversed. Dobies — now nearing the end of his second two-year term and not seeking reelection — has been a forceful advocate, pushing county commissioners to expand LGBTQ employment protections. He’s appointed two city LGBTQ liaisons and celebrated four consecutive Pride festivals, including with a virtual event last year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, the city also raised its first transgender flag.

The nondiscrimination ordinance that conservatives once warned was a mortal danger to the city’s social and economic fabric has generated little drama since its passage.

“To be honest,” said Nelson, the Catholic priest who staunchly opposed it, “I can’t discern any difference.”

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08.21 ARTS, CULTURE, AND OTHER THINGS TO DO

Agenda C U LT U R E CA L E N DA R p. 38 F I L M p. 39 T E L EV I S I O N p. 40 A RT S p. 41 O U T D O O R S p. 42 OU TDO O R S

YEAH, BEACHES!

It’s August. In Michigan. What are you doing indoors?

Get out and get wet at these awesome stretches of sand. p. 42

BEACH COURTESY OF MICHIGAN DNR

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AU G U ST 2 0 2 1

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Agenda

Chicago artist Adeshola Makinde’s first solo show, Relevant, explores what has and hasn’t changed in the social justice movement since the ’60s.

AUGUST 2021

Culture Calendar

Our carefully curated guide to the month in arts and entertainment

BY RYA N PATRICK HOOP E R

Frank Ocean,

by St. Clair Shores artist Libby Anderson, is among nearly 90 works by Midwest artists now on view at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center.

LAST CHANCE/ ART EXHIBIT

40-Year-Old Juried Art Exhibit Crowns a Winner

The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center is displaying work from a wide range of Midwest artists as part of its 40th annual Michigan Fine Arts Competition.

The regional nonprofit art center has already crowned Candice Grieve of Oak Park the winner, putting her figurative pastel paintings onto a pedestal all their own — figuratively speaking.

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In total, this massive show brings together 88 works by 81 artists (more than 450 entries were received from five states). The most thrilling thing about this show is viewing works by artists who might not otherwise be seen in Detroit’s hypercompetitive contemporary art scene. Discover your new favorite local artist at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center before this show wraps on Aug. 19.

1516 S. Cranbrook Road, Birmingham; 248-644-0866; bbartcenter.org

ART EXHIBIT

Civil Rights Redux at Playground Detroit

Chicago-based artist Adeshola Makinde makes his debut solo exhibition at Playground Detroit on the city’s east side this month in Relevant, a show curated by noted Detroit curator/ writer Juana Williams.

In it, Makinde explores two eras of the U.S. civil rights movement — the activism of the mid-20th century and the current push for social justice.

Makinde uses a minimalist, white-typeon-black approach to

On My Playlist creating protest signs bearing the messages of both eras. It’s within that space that Makinde thrives, implicitly making clear what has changed (our font choices and language) and what hasn’t (systemic racism). “The social justice themes found throughout my work [are] my way of advocating for those without a voice,” Makinde writes.

Limited viewing hours and viewings by appointment are available through Aug. 28. 2845 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-649-7741; playgrounddetroit.com

accurate details, bringing to life the immigrant experience in Detroit through the Great Depression, violent labor riots, and hunger strikes.

Weaving in Mary’s parents’ narratives and perspectives on their childhoods in Greece and northern France, the book explores how cultural traditions travel with us overseas and in our hearts.

Call Me Athena: Girl From Detroit will be available Aug. 17.

The single ‘I’m Away’ shows why Detroit indie rockers Handgrenades are ready to explode Detroit indie rock stalwarts Handgrenades have put that end-ofsummer feeling into song form with the single “I’m Away,” a radio-ready pop jam that will get stuck in your head until the end of days. It’s the second piece of music from the band since 2018.

Handgrenades are no doubt locals by ZIP code, but they’re rock stars in their minds, on stage (a kick-ass show to catch if you enjoy the idea of supporting local musicians — which, of course, you should), and in the studio. In other words, we can probably count on one hand the years it’ll take them to find a larger national audience.

In the meantime … “I’m Away” listening to their latest gem.

Hear them through Spotify, Bandcamp, and other streaming services.

READING LIST

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

The award-winning poetry of Colby Cedar Smith has found its way into a debut novel, Call Me Athena: Girl From Detroit ($22, Andrews McMeel Publishing).

Set in the city in the 1930s, the novel in verse explores the life of a young woman named Mary, born to Greek and French immigrants, struggling to find her identity and independence. Smith’s style — loose, fluid, and descriptive without lofty word choices — blends with historically

“I’m Away,” the first new music from local indie rockers Handgrenades since 2018, is sure to lodge itself in your brain. And that’s a good thing.

A Young Adult Stunner Lands in Detroit

PAINTING COURTESY OF BIRMINGHAM BLOOMFIELD ART CENTER RELEVANT COURTESY OF PLAYGROUND DETROIT HANDGRENADES COURTESY OF HANDGRENADES

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Agenda

“Her life had so much depth to it, and it came through the music.”

—JENNIFER HUDSON

FILM

SEND IN THE CLONES On the heels of the outstanding biopic Genius: Aretha comes Respect, Jennifer Hudson’s homage to the Queen of Soul

BY JIM McFARLIN

IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE it’s been three years this month since Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, succumbed to pancreatic cancer high atop Detroit’s Riverfront Towers, surrounded by her closest friends and family.

Of course, her voice — that incomparable instrument, the sound the state of Michigan once declared a prized “natural resource” — will never be forgotten.

In her 76 years and beyond, the diva amassed the kind of accolades befitting American royalty. Eighteen Grammy Awards. The Presidential Medal of Freedom. A posthumous citation from the Pulitzer Prize jury for “her indelible contribution to American music and culture.” She was the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Ponder that for a moment.) And no less an authority than Rolling Stone magazine named her No. 1 among the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.”

Now, however, comes the sincerest form of flattery: imitation.

In March, National Geographic presented an eight-hour, four-night docudrama, Genius: Aretha, featuring British actress Cynthia Erivo in the title role. And a new major motion picture, Respect, starring Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson as Aretha, is set to open in Detroit

and elsewhere during the anniversary week of her passing this month.

CYNTHIA ERIVO COURTESY OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC/RICHARD DUCREE JENNIFER HUDSON COURTESY OF MGM

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Dueling divas: Cynthia Erivo in Genius: Aretha (above) and Jennifer Hudson in Respect (top left).

There is no lipsyncing in either production. Both Hudson and Erivo were encouraged to use their own voices to bring the Queen to life.

A preview screening of Respect was not available to Hour Detroit prior to publication.

But judging by the multiple trailers online, it’s clear that Hudson, a close friend of Franklin’s and handpicked by Aretha to portray her, pours everything she’s got into the role. “We know her as this legend, but there is a story to everyone,” Hudson told Rolling Stone. “Her life had so much depth to it, and it came through the music.”

Hudson is as obvious and natural a choice to play Franklin as Erivo was inconceivable. Best known for her Tony-winning role in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple and as abolitionist Harriet Tubman in the biopic Harriet, the petite South London native of Nigerian descent bears little resemblance to the Queen. And prior to the miniseries’ release, she expressed anxiety over how American audiences would react to a Brit portraying one of their musical idols.

“Can’t help being nervous,” she confessed to the Los Angeles Times. “When you put your heart and soul into something, you hope that when people watch it, that’s what they get.”

She needn’t have worried. When two biographies of the same person are released the same year, there is an inescapable urge to compare. And Respect will have to be Oscar-worthy to outdo the depth and brilliance of Genius: Aretha.

As a big-screen release, Respect boasts a more impressive cast overall. In addition to Hudson, there’s Forest Whitaker as Aretha’s father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin; Marlon Wayans as ex-husband Ted White; and Mary J. Blige, Audra McDonald, and Marc Maron in supporting roles. However, with nearly eight hours as opposed to the movie’s two hours and 42 minutes, Genius: Aretha has far more real estate in which to explore the details of her story, from her traumatic childhood and early CO N T I N U E D O N PAG E 1 28

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Mechanic to the stars Cristy Lee perches atop her 1972 Chevy Cheyenne outside her home garage in Clarkston.

TELEVISION

Cristy Lee’s Just Enjoying the Ride The All Girls Garage star’s newest gig has her rubbing elbows with A-List celebs in need of an automotive overhaul

BY JENNIFER McKEE | PHOTO BY JOE VAUGHN

CARS DRIVING THROUGH the quiet, modest Clarkston neighborhood where TV star mechanic Cristy Lee lives are slowing down.

These rubberneckers aren’t just staring at the photography equipment spread across the driveway, but also at Lee, pushing up the sleeves on her leather jacket; at three showy motorcycles that she’s wheeled out of her spotless, neatly organized home garage; and at a 1972 two-tone Chevy Cheyenne truck that Lee uses for errands around town.

What grabs Lee’s attention, though, is a stopped FedEx truck. When the driver delivers a package across the street and takes off, she jokily pouts: “We’ve become big online shoppers here. Every time we see the truck, it’s like, ‘Ooh, what’s coming today?”

Stars — they’re just like us!

And according to Lee, that’s one thing that comes across in her newest (and biggest) TV venture, Celebrity IOU: Joyride, which will debut later this month on Discovery+. A spinoff of the Property Brothers’ (Drew and Jonathan Scott) Celebrity IOU show, Lee’s Joyride follows her and co-host Ant Anstead as they work with celebrities (including Renée Zellweger, Mary J. Blige, Octavia Spencer, and Tony Hawk) to design and execute a tailormade car transformation for a loved one.

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“These are meaningful people in the celebs’ lives — people they’ve always wanted to give back to, but maybe didn’t know how,” says Lee, now seated at her small kitchen table while her beloved rescue pit bull barks to come inside. “We’re relying on the celeb to give us info on this person, because we don’t meet them. Essentially, we’re working for a client we don’t know.”

Of course, some of the show’s builds are more challenging than others. For one celebrity (Lee couldn’t share specifics), she and Anstead worked on two cars, and for another, they electrified a vehicle. “We did a lot,” she says.

“We’re not just putting on new tires and polishing it. … We’ve had some pretty extreme mechanical modifications to the engine, the chassis, the suspension — it’s a lot, and it’s obviously not something that just Ant and I can do on our own, so we reached out and asked for help from some very talented

people in the automotive industry.”

Was Lee starstruck when she suddenly found herself hanging with Oscar winners?

“I’m so not that person,” she says, smiling and shaking her head. “They’re people, and this just happens to be their job — being in a movie or TV show, or being a multi-Grammy-winning artist, or whatever their role is.”

Lee’s no-frills nature may make her seem like a natural-born Midwesterner, but she spent the first half of her life in Daytona Beach, Florida, learning about motorcycles (her first love) and cars in her mechanic father’s garage while also training as a dancer. “I was into a little bit of everything,” she says of her upbringing. “I had Barbies and a dollhouse, but I think I enjoyed building the dollhouse more than I enjoyed playing in it.”

So, what inspired her, at age 19, to make the move to Detroit? “That’s just what stuck at the time,” she says. “It was like, ‘Hey, I’m going to move to Detroit, and I’m going to buy real estate and flip houses.’”

Perhaps not surprisingly, Lee experienced a protracted period of adjustment after the move.

“It’s funny, because the first winter I moved here, I couldn’t shake wearing tank tops and flip-flops,” she says. “It was just in my DNA, and so, for probably the first five years I lived here, it was like, ‘Is it really that cold outside? … Do I really need to put boots on?’ … But Michigan has just grown on me. I can’t imagine not living here now.”

Lee also had to shift gears professionally, since the 2009 recession turned the young real estate investor into a reluctant landlord. Though she made the situation work for a while, she eventually let the properties go. “I always had 10 different jobs anyway,” she says. “Even when I was in real estate, I was working as a waitress, and I probably had four other jobs beside that, too.”

Among those other gigs were: Automotion dancer (for the Pistons), WRIF radio personality, game show host at a Detroit casino, auto show narrator, and in-arena host for the Detroit Red Wings.

Her stint on MotorTrend Network’s All Girls Garage lasted from 2012 to 2020, and she joined the network’s Garage Squad crew in 2019.

Because pandemic-delayed production of Joyride in California conflicted with Garage Squad’s most recent filming schedule in Chicago, though, Lee had to leave the Squad. Joyride, she says, was an opportunity she just couldn’t pass up.

“It was a pretty quick phone call,” she says. “Like, ‘I’m in. I —CRISTY LEE don’t even know anything about it, but I’m in.’”

“We did a lot [to each vehicle].

We’re not just putting on new tires and polishing it.”

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ARTS

EVERYONE’S INTO VAN GOGH Why immersive showings of the Dutch master’s works are a hot ticket here and around the country

BY JENNIFER McKEE

MUSEUMGOERS HAVE BEEN losing themselves in Vincent van Gogh’s distinctively bold and colorful works for more than a century. But these days — thanks to an explosion of immersive installations that feature floor-to-ceiling, animated projections — art lovers can quite literally lose themselves in the world of the Dutch master’s paintings.

The popularity of these immersive Van Gogh shows — fueled in part by a scene in the Netflix show Emily in Paris — has spawned no fewer than five different (but very similarly named) offerings within the U.S. That’s caused more than a little confusion, including here in Detroit, where two immersive Van Gogh shows are making stops: Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which will end its run at the TCF Center on Aug. 15 (tickets range from $24 to $94); and Immersive Van Gogh, which will run from Oct. 21 through Feb. 6 at an as-yet-undetermined location (tickets cost $30 to $100).

In the mood for a more intimate, analog Van Gogh experience?

There’s nothing like standing in the presence of the real thing. As a kind of appetizer for the veritable Van Gogh feast coming to the Detroit Institute of Arts in October 2022, check out these four paintings on display as part of the DIA’s permanent collection:

“Portrait of Postman Roulin” (1888)

“The Diggers” (1889)

“Bank of the Oise at Auvers” (1890)

“Self-Portrait” (1887)

Beyond Van Gogh is one of a host of immersive exhibits that invite fans of the Dutch master to wander within the vibrant world of his paintings.

EXHIBITS COURTESY OF BEYOND EXPEDITIONS ARTWORK COURTESY OF DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS

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Next year’s big Van Gogh exhibit will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the DIA’s purchase of SelfPortrait — a purchase that, it’s worth noting, marked the first purchase of a Van Gogh painting by an American museum. Well done, DIA. Well done.

—JM

So, what are the differences between them?

Immersive Van Gogh is the one with direct creative ties to the Emily in Paris scene. The exhibit’s creator, film producer Massimiliano Siccardi, and composer Luca Longobardi, designed Van Gogh, Starry Night for Paris’ L’Atelier des Lumières. That’s where the titular Emily strolls around with her hunky neighbor and his girlfriend. Immersive Van Gogh uses 100 projectors to cover more than 500,000 cubic feet, features experimental electronic music, and offers visitors an hourlong experience.

Beyond Van Gogh, meanwhile, is the brainchild of Mathieu St-Arnaud and Montreal’s Normal Studio. Beyond features 300 of Van Gogh’s works, accompanied by an eclectic mix of music and excerpts from the artist’s personal writings.

“At one point, we started talking about the easy archetype of the tortured artist, and I found it kind of sad, because we focus a lot on [Van Gogh’s] earcutting, and his suicide, and all his problems,” St-Arnaud says. “I wanted to really see Vincent and look beyond that archetype. And that’s when the word ‘beyond’ started coming up. … We started talking about going beyond the frame, beyond the image, and entering the painting.”

Tickets for both Van Gogh shows in Detroit have been in high demand, but of course, not everyone’s enamored with the immersive concept.

“It’s digital imagery of beautiful paintings,” shrugs Detroit-based artist/designer Moníka Essen. “One is missing out on the masterful technique of the layers of color, the quality of paint and brushstrokes, and the emotional response one gets when you see one of [Van Gogh’s] real paintings in person. The intimacy of one person to one painting.”

Those in Essen’s aesthetic camp (or those who simply can’t snag tickets) can take heart — a far more traditional exhibit, Van Gogh in America, is scheduled to open at the Detroit Institute of Arts in October 2022. That exhibition will track, nearly 60 of Van Gogh’s works, the evolution of the artist’s popularity during the first half of the 20th century.

St-Arnaud believes conventional museum experiences go hand-in-hand with shows like Beyond Van Gogh. “When you go to a museum and you see the paintings there in front of you, there’s something almost mystical about that,” he says. “We just offer the audience another perspective, or a new way to look at his work. It’s complementary.”

And maybe more important, after more than a year of being cooped up, it offers a unique outing. “It’s Instagramable, a spectacle, like an IRL virtual reality experience that people can roam through,” says Scott Northrup, a film and photography professor at the College for Creative Studies. “It’s something big and bright and in-the-world, an amusement. After a year in smaller spaces, accessing other people and places via Zoom and FaceTime, I assume it feels freeing, in a way, to walk through [these paintings].”

Just make sure you know precisely which show you aim to, well, Van Gogh to.

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Up Front

Michigan has an abundance of spectacular beaches — and many of them are closer than you might think.

KID-FRIENDLIEST

Worth the drive Not in a hurry?

Consider these day-trip options.

OUTDOORS

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE …

Up North and west-side beaches are all well and good, but there are plenty of places to dip your toes closer to home

BY M AR K SP E ZIA | ILLUSTRATION BY HE ATH ER G ATL EY

MICHIGAN’S FUN WATER FACTS are simply staggering: No other state touches four Great Lakes, and only Alaska boasts more than Michigan’s nearly 3,300 miles of shoreline, meaning you are never more than 85 miles away from at least one shore. Add in roughly 11,000 lakes of at least 5 acres and more than 51,000 miles of river, and anyone in the Mitten State is always within 6 miles of a body of water. On those bodies of water are 1,224 public beaches.

The state’s Up North beaches, with their sweeping sand dunes, scenic vistas, rocky shores, and crashing waves, tend to share most of the glory, along with beautiful west-side beaches in spots like South Haven, Saugatuck, Grand Haven, and Ludington. But most of those beaches require a long drive or even an overnight stay. When it comes to a one-day getaway or just a few hours of swimming and sunbathing, metro Detroit and its vicinity offer plenty of can’t-miss options. Here are some of the best:

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Tierney Park Looking for a beachtown experience without the long drive?

Lexington, about 90 miles northeast of Detroit, is it. This beach on the shore of Lake Huron at Tierney Park is the main attraction.

It features a paved pier that extends well into the water, plenty of room in the sand, fishing from a break wall, beach volleyball, playground equipment, and even a butterfly garden. Quaint shops and lively restaurants and bars are nearby.

And speaking of bars — Lexington hosts its Margarita Fest Aug. 20-21.

7411 Huron Ave., Lexington. Admission is free. Leashed dogs are permitted on the grass only. Visit mymichiganbeach.com/ lexington.

Sterling State Park Michigan’s largest public beach on Lake Erie is less than 45 minutes from Detroit and features more than a mile of sand.

The water is usually warmer compared to beaches on other Great Lakes because Lake Erie is the smallest and shallowest of the bunch.

The shady, grassy section has picnic tables, grills, and a shelter. There is even a designated metal-detecting area.

“Sterling State Park is the closest true Great Lakes experience to Detroit with water that warms up more quickly than lakes Huron, Michigan, or Superior,” says Jill Halpin, of mymichiganbeach.com.

2800 State Park Road, Monroe, A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for entry.

Leashed dogs are allowed on grassy areas only. Visit dnr.state.mi.us.

Belle Isle State Park Location: Belle Isle has two beaches for Detroit River swimming: the main beach at 7845 Riverbank Drive and a smaller beach at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum (100 Strand Drive).

Beach basics: Belle Isle’s main beach provides a halfmile of sandy shoreline and is Michigan’s only beach with a full view of Detroit’s skyline.

The zero-depth entry, gradual depth increase, and usually tame waves make it ideal for families. Watercraft and kayak rentals are available at Flynn Pavilion. Food trucks are often near the beach. The popular Kids Row Playground and Giant Slide are close by as well. On the island’s opposite side, the smaller beach at Dossin Museum offers a view of the Canadian shore and another place to launch a kayak, splash around, or soak up the sun.

“What’s not to love about a beach in the city — the Detroit skyline at the forefront and Ontario at your back?” says Jill Halpin, chief beach officer at mymichiganbeach.com. “Belle Isle Beach is a must-visit.”

Know before you go: A Michigan State Parks Recreation Passport is required for entry by car, but those who walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation are admitted free. Dogs are not allowed on the beach.

Visit belleisleconservancy.org or call 313-821-9844 for more information.

Lake St. Clair Metropark Location: 31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township Beach basics: Arguably metro Detroit’s best spot for swimming in Lake St. Clair, the park has endless family entertainment options. The mile of shoreline features a 600-foot beach and 1,600foot lakeside boardwalk.

Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available to rent. But that’s not the only swimming option. An Olympic-size pool features two waterslides with 120-foot flumes and 17-foot vertical drops. (Pool sessions run from

11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission is $4.)

Also nearby are climbing walls and an inflatable obstacle course, a beach house with heated showers and lockers, and a concession stand. There’s also an 18-hole miniature golf course (admission is $5) and a sprawling, 40,000-squarefoot playscape with a separate toddler play area.

“This fun spot definitely has a resort-like feel,” Halpin says. “There is generous space for changing and restrooms which are clean and comfortable, making a beach day so much easier.”

Know before you go: Admission is $10. Swimmers must be at least 7 years old and pass a swim test to use the pool’s obstacle course and climbing walls. Dogs are not permitted in the beach area. Visit metroparks.com or call 586-463-4581 for more information.

TWO PARKS, FOUR BEACHES Kensington Metropark & Island Lake Recreation Area Locations: Kensington Metropark is at 4570 Huron River Parkway in Milford.

Island Lake is at 6301 Kensington Road in Brighton, but the parks border each other on each side of I-96.

Beach basics: The two parks feature a total of three beaches on Kent Lake, while Island Lake also has 100 feet of beach at spring-fed Spring Mill Pond.

Kensington has Martindale and Maple beaches. Martindale is the larger of the two and boasts a pair of 240-foot water slides and the Splash-N-Blast spray park. There’s a concession stand, picnic shelters, a playscape, and a large grassy area for spreading out. Maple Beach also has a concession stand, picnic area, and playscape. Paddleboats, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and rowboats are available for rent.

The beach on Kent Lake is the larger of the two at Island Lake and features a large lawn

BEACH ISTOCK/GRANDRIVER LAKE ST. CLAIR, KENSINGTON COURTESY OF HURON CLINTON METROPARKS

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Up Front

area with picnic tables and grills and a large playscape.

Canoes, paddleboats, and rowboats are available to rent near Maple Beach.

Meanwhile, “you’ll be hardpressed to find a beach with better water than Spring Mill Pond because the water stays crystal clear and cool,” Halpin says.

Know before you go: A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for entry to Island Lake. Admission at Kensington is $10. Splash-N-Blast is open 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. Admission is $4. Leashed dogs are permitted only in grassy areas of both parks.

For more information on Island Lake, visit dnr.state. mi.us or call 810-229-7067.

See metroparks.com or call 810-227-8910 for further Kensington information.

BOUNCIEST BEACH Brighton Recreation Area Location: 6140 Bishop Lake Road, Brighton Beach basics: The Brighton Lake beach’s main attraction is Jump Island, Michigan’s first outdoor inflatable water park, which opened in 2016. Slides, a rock wall, an inflatable iceberg, and a trampoline are some of its features.

Admission ranges from $15 to $60 per person, with options for purchasing one, two, or three 45-minute sessions or an all-day pass. Life jackets are required and provided.

Users must be at least 48 inches tall. A smaller Splash Island inflatable structure is for children 44-48 inches tall.

Admission to Splash Island is $9 for a 45-minute session and $15 for two 45-minute sessions. The beach itself has a beach house with vending machines, picnic shelters, and a sand volleyball court. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent.

“If you really want to feel like you’ve gotten away from it all, Bishop Lake is the spot,” Halpin says. “There’s a nice, clean beach and clear water with lots of shady lawn for spreading out your blanket.”

Know before you go: A Michigan Recreation

Passport is required for entry. Visit dnr.state.mi.us or call 248-303-4488 for more information. Reservations are recommended for Jump Island. See jumpislandmi. com for details. A pet-friendly section of shoreline is available for leashed pets.

PET-FRIENDLIEST Dodge #4 State Park Location: 4250 Parkway Drive, Waterford Beach basics: Dodge is one of 27 state parks with a pet-friendly shoreline. That

BRIGHTON, DODGE #4, PINCKNEY COURTESY OF MICHIGAN DNR STONY CREEK COURTESY OF HURON CLINTON METROPARKS

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means pets are allowed along the shoreline with the exception of designated swimming areas and must be kept on a leash at all times, even when in the water. (The designated shore area for dogs is to the right of the fishing pier and swimming area.) The day-use-only park boasts 1 mile of shoreline on 1,280-acre Cass Lake, including a sizable stretch of beach. A concession stand and boat rentals are available along with a shady picnic area, grills, picnic shelters, sand volleyball, and a swing set. Plus, there are very few ouchy rocks to step on in the beach area.

Know before you go: A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for entry. Visit dnr.state.mi.us or call 248-682-7373 for more information.

Lake beach. Halfmoon Lake has picnic shelters, a playground, trail access, and a volleyball court. A chain of seven lakes can also be accessed from there.

Know before you go: A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for entry. Leashed dogs are allowed on grassy areas only. Visit dnr.state. mi.us or call 734-426-4913.

BEST OF THE REST Pinckney Recreation Area Location: 8555 Silver Hill Road, Pinckney Beach basics: Day-use beaches are at Silver Lake (off Dexter Townhall Road, north of Territorial Road) and Halfmoon Lake (off Hankerd Road, north of Territorial). Concessions, a playground, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, a fishing pier, and a shady picnic area with grills are available at the Silver

Stony Creek Metropark Location: 4300 Main Park Road, Shelby Township

Beach basics: There are two beaches on opposite sides of 500-acre Stony Creek Lake.

Eastwood Beach features a 50-foot-tall, 230-foot-long waterslide. Plenty of facilities are close by, including a volleyball court, a fitness trail, basketball courts, playground equipment, and a disc golf course. There are picnic facilities, including reservable shelters, and a concession stand. Standup paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and rowboats are available for rent. Baypoint Beach has a sloping lawn leading to the sand. It features a concession stand, volleyball court, and watercraft rental. A new restroom/changing building recently opened with an outdoor shower.

Know before you go: There is a $10 admission fee and dogs are not permitted on the beach. Visit metroparks.com or call 586-781-4242 for more information.

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BEAUMONT HEALTH FOUNDATION | FELDMAN AUTOMOTIVE CHILDREN’S MIRACLE CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL Feldman Automotive Children’s Miracle Celebrity Invitational is a new, unique golf experience where every foursome enjoys an up-close and personal celebrity pairing. This event, which benefits the Children’s Miracle Network at Beaumont Children’s Hospital and the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, will showcase dozens of local/national celebrities from the entertainment world, as well as professional sports. It provides a full day of hospitality on the premier Detroit Golf Club courses, with live and silent auctions featuring over-the-top celebrity encounters plus signed memorabilia. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place. For event details, registration information, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit beaumont.org/cmci.

HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM | MACOMB GOLF CLASSIC Henry Ford Health System Macomb Golf Classic takes place on Monday, Aug. 2, at Pine Knob Golf Club. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and a shotgun start time of 12:30 p.m. Cocktails will be served with a strolling dinner. Proceeds benefit the North Tower Expansion Project at Henry Ford Hospital in Macomb. For golf, sponsorship, or ticket information, please call the Henry Ford Macomb Development Office at 586-263-2968 or visit henryfordmacomb.com/golf.

PATHWAY STAFFING | SWING FOR A CURE CELEBRITY CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC Pathway Staffing hosts the fourth annual Swing for a Cure Celebrity Charity Golf Classic on Monday, Aug. 16 at the notable Cherry Creek Golf Club in Shelby Township and Greystone Golf Club in Washington. This is our largest annual fundraiser, benefiting local charities Neway Works and Walk to End Alzheimer’s Detroit. It will feature a continental breakfast, lunch at the turn, celebrity putting contest, “Beat the Pro” competition, steak dinner awards ceremony, and more! Confirmed guests include: Kenny Allen, Kurt David, Andy Dirks, Braylon Edwards, Allyson Green-Park, Anthony Grupido, Tommy Hug, Shawn McClain, Steven Oleksy, and Darrin “Boomer” Williams, Jr. To ensure the success of this fundraiser, we are seeking generous partners who are the key to our community’s success. Early Bird golfer registration is suggested and available online. For additional information, please visit eventregisterpro.com/event/pathwaystaffing.

MCLAREN MACOMB FOUNDATION | THE CRYSTAL BALL McLaren Macomb Foundation presents the annual Crystal Ball: A Time to Celebrate! on Saturday, Aug. 28, at the MGM Grand Detroit, commemorating the 75th plus-one anniversary of McLaren Macomb. This year’s black-tie gala will be hosted by Channel 4 on-air celebrity, Nick Monacelli, and features a cocktail reception before the gourmet dinner. Guests will dance until midnight to the contemporary sounds of Nouveauté. The expected crowd of more than 600 will honor the long-term medical staff, while recognizing exemplary work by Daisy Award nurse recipients. Proceeds benefit McLaren Macomb Hospital. Tickets are $275 per person, and a special $1,000 VIP couples’ ticket includes an overnight room. Guest rooms are available at a special rate for a limited time. For more information, call the Foundation at 586-741-4330 or email kimberly.jarvis@ mclaren.org.

Learn about local non-profits, the work they are doing in our community, and ways you can help their causes in the digital edition of Give Detroit: A Charitable Registry at hourdetroit.com.

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TURNING POINT INC. | STEPPING OUT WITH THE STARS Turning Point Macomb, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, will co-host its fifth annual fundraiser, Stepping Out with the Stars, in partnership with the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Sterling Heights. Please join us on Thursday, Aug. 19, at The Palazzo Grande banquet and event center, 54660 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and event start time is 6 p.m. WDIV news anchor, Evrod Cassimy, will be the evening’s emcee. Look for Stepping Out with the Stars on Facebook. Advance ticket purchase is required. The cost is $100 per person; a table of 10 is $900. For tickets or more information, please call 586-463-4430 or visit turningpointmacomb.org/events.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOUR MEDIA SPONSORED EVENTS AND SEE PHOTOS FROM THOSE EVENTS, VISIT

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Food&Drink 2021

FOOD ISSUE

TASTE MAKERS 11 Detroit-area culinarians cultivating local foods made with local ingredients

PORTRAITS JUSTIN MILHOUSE

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Mark Zerefos stands by his beloved cattle, which are born down in cow country and raised right in the heart of metro Detroit.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, there’s been a collective sense of responsibility to help revive a local economy that has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic — it’s become a civic duty, if you will.

The data makes it hard not to be inclined to step in. Since March 2020, more than 3,000 Michigan eateries have permanently closed. If purchasing a beanie in the winter could help keep your favorite coffee shop open, you’d likely buy five. For a time, that’s what we did. We bought beanies and other swag, ordered takeout, and contributed to crowdfunding campaigns established to support food workers who’d been laid off. But now, nearly a year and a half since the first shutdown, businesses are rising from the ashes. Though bearing scars — staffs are skeletal, some hours are still limited, and supply shortages may be the reason your nearby barbecue joint is out of ketchup — food businesses are resurfacing. They’re inviting people inside their establishments and welcoming mask-free smiles. These eased restrictions create new opportunities for us to support struggling food businesses by eating and shopping local. This year’s Food Issue takes the concept to the next level. Hour Detroit introduces hyperlocal culinarians who aren’t just based in metro Detroit ZIP codes but are also growing here, sourcing here, producing here, and preparing foods made with ingredients grown right here in southeast Michigan. The 2021 Taste Makers are the farmers, the chefs, and the entrepreneurs doing their part to support metro Detroit’s local food economy one dish, snack, tincture, and condiment at a time.

—Lyndsay Green

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The Cattle Farmer Cattle farming? Less than 30 miles outside of downtown Detroit? This rancher is doing it, and doing it big — on 86 acres to be precise.

BY SA R A H G U D ENAU | PH O T O BY JU S T IN MIL H OU S E

MARK ZEREFOS, owner of Judd Organic Angus Farms, is dedicated to providing a healthy alternative to industrial-raised meat. His cattle are raised on 86 acres in a free-range environment in Sumpter Township and are fed organically — no preservatives, no antibiotics, no growth hormones.

The farm also aims to educate the public on cattle farming. Zerefos offers free, family-friendly farm tours that show off the cows, explain their history, and demonstrate how they’re cared for. Here, he takes a few minutes away from his herds to tell us why his cows are outstanding in their field.

What’s Judd Organic Angus Farms’ origin story? I’ve only been doing this for

them. I feed them cracked corn mixed with mineral, hay, and grass. Some people like grassfed farms, but I kind of frown on it and so do most farmers I know. It sounds great, but corn with a little bit of mineral mixed in it makes the cows happier. It also makes the meat taste better — it’s more marbled. I use local corn, and the mineral is like vitamins for the cows.

In Michigan, the ground doesn’t have a high source of minerals in it like other places in the country, so the added mineral gives them some of the nutrients they need. And because the stock is all from Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri, I’d say I’ve got the prettiest cows — maybe in the state of Michigan, I think!

They’re purebred Angus.

maybe 14 years. Before I was a cattle farmer, I was actually a stockbroker. Then I managed and owned a security guard company and a gun What’s it like raising cattle just outside of an store. But I always had an interest in farming, urban environment like Detroit? For one, I’m specifically cows. That was always at the back sold out every year. I can reach more customers of my head. When I moved to Sumpter from Redthan if I were in a more rural area. It works out ford — in Sumpter, the land is a little bit cheaper well because I have a website where people can than, say, in Brighton — I had the opportunity to place orders and specify how they want their get some animals. My neighbor across the street meat cut. I charge by the hanging weight, and had a daughter who was a veterinarian in they can pick up their orders from the farm or Nebraska, which was my connection from our processor, Jerome Country to buy some cows. When I started, I Market near Jackson, Michigan. (I had pretty much learned as I went. Now, to shop around for a new processor all my cows are from Nebraska, Kanbecause mine shut down during the Get this — ironically, sas, or Missouri, close to Oklahoma pandemic. While it’s a bit farther, I Zerefos is a vegetarian! down in cow country. I currently have prefer the quality of Jerome’s.) I also “I became a vegetarian three herds over on Judd Road, Wear personally just like living near and by accident,” he laughs.

“And now that it’s Road, and Oakville Waltz Road in visiting Detroit. been so long — 15, 16 Carleton, Michigan. years — I can’t go back.

Fun Fact!

Why cow country and not here in Michigan? It’s just cow heaven there.

As far as nature and sustainability goes, though, I’m pro-cow.”

That’s where the expert cow guys are.

They have the best-looking cows, and they’re just better overall. When it comes to calving, I tried to make my own bulls and I had a hard time. Getting them from cow country makes easier calving. Their bulls are bigger and have great genetics. You know, I never really know the total amount of cows that I have, but it’s over 70, and when calves are born, it might be over 90.

What makes Judd Organic Angus Farms stand out from other cattle farms? Just that

I really like my cows and I baby the heck out of

What else changed for you during the pandemic? For a few days there

a year ago, my phone just wouldn’t stop ringing! People were worried that the food supply might get in trouble because of the pandemic, and they wanted to fill their freezers, so I had an increase in customers.

Now, I’m already sold out.

Do you sell to any local restaurants or grocery stores? I don’t. At Jerome’s, you can get meat

that’s approved for USDA resale, but right now I just sell to my customers. I have enough customers that I don’t really need to, but if someone wants to call me, I’d love to expand!

Visit juddfarms.com to shop.

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Shiloh Maples wears an antique pack basket, a traditional tool used for foraging and harvesting.

Kirsten KirbyShoote (right) grows a range of ancestral foods in Highland Park.

TA ST E M A K E R S

The Indigenous Culinarians

Kirsten Kirby-Shoote and Shiloh Maples are preserving ancestral foodways as a means of getting back to their Native roots

BY LYNDSAY GREEN | PH OT O S BY JU STI N MI L H OU SE

THERE’S NO WAY to explore local foods and ingredients without including Michigan’s Indigenous history. As the original inhabitants of this land, the Anishinaabe and Wyandot people were the first cultivators of crops in Michigan, and had mastered the art of foraging and hunting over centuries. For a time, the Ojibwe, Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Wyandot tribes had the most intimate understanding of — and relationship with — Michigan-native foods. Colonization and the Indian Removal Act in the 1800s eventually segregated American Indian tribes, separating them from the land and foodways that are central to aboriginal culture.

Today, local Indigenous food sovereignty activists Kirsten Kirby-Shoote and Shiloh Maples

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are reclaiming ancestral food knowledge for future generations.

“Moving us off of our lands onto reservations was hugely impactful for our food,” says KirbyShoote, an Alaska Native with roots in a small town just outside Portland, Oregon. “The government knew that the best way to eradicate a people and a culture was to forcibly relocate them to lands that were barren and low in natural resources.” Once separated from the lush Michigan forests from which they typically sourced nutrient-rich grains, berries, herbs, and wild game, Natives were instead provided commodities. Foodstuffs such as flour, lard, canned goods, and processed cheese were introduced into Native communities by federal authorities.

As culinary innovators, Natives spun these ingredients into gold. Dishes such as frybread — the chewy, greasy fried dough made with shortening, flour, salt, and sugar — became staples in the Indigenous diet. However pleasing the dishes may be to the taste, they’ve become detrimental to Natives’ health. “People survive off of these rations for generations and that causes so much trauma to our bodies,” Kirby-Shoote says. “We’ve become susceptible to diabetes, heart disease, and a whole host of other things like allergies. That’s deeply traumatic for every tribe and that’s why food sovereignty is so important to us now.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Indians and Alaska Natives have higher rates of chronic diseases than other ethnic groups in the country. They’re also twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and have a greater prevalence of obesity. In Michigan, nearly 44 percent of the Native American population is obese. That’s just around 12 percentage points above the state average.

For Kirby-Shoote, the statistics hit home when their father died of heart disease. In part, they say their relocation to Detroit almost six years ago was an effort to escape their feelings of grief. But it also presented an opportunity for them to work toward fixing a system that was leading to the demise of Native American people like their father. They packed up for a volunteer opportunity to work on an organic farm in Brightmoor, and eventually landed a job as a coordinator at Brightmoor Youth Garden. During their time at the garden, they

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Food&Drink

began to uncover a vast Indigenous population in metro Detroit and thought the best way to engage fellow Natives would be to grow and cook healthy, traditional foods that would be beneficial for the community. In 2020, they moved to Highland Park where they grow a host of ancestral crops on nearly one full block of land. They provide fresh foods grown on the land to the Indigenous community and people of color at no cost.

“Growing indigenous foods for me is healing,” Kirby-Shoote says. “My ancestral memory, on a cellular level, recognizes that and accepts it as medicine — and that’s a gift.”

Maples’ trajectory into the ancestral food space was similarly influenced by both a desire to improve the health of southeast Michigan’s Native community, and to learn more about her Ojibwe and Odawa heritage. “The Relocation really created a lot of social and health disparities and I wanted to, one, prevent that from continuing, and two, learn my own history — because we know most schools don’t give Indigenous peoples’ history,” Maples says.

As an undergrad in social work at Eastern Michigan University, Maples accepted an internship at a nonprofit in England where she managed volunteers in the garden. “That was the first time that I saw the healing potential that growing and sharing food has both for individuals and communities. I wanted to think about that deeper.” She went on to earn her master’s degree in social work at the University of Michigan with a concentration in food justice and food systems.

“I could see that talking about issues around land access and the Native community’s ability to continue their land-based life was a large part of our story. It made complete sense to me that food justice and food systems would be a prime place for all sorts of change — not just in Native communities, but all communities,” she says.

For just under a decade, Maples worked at American Indian Health and Family Services in Detroit, where she developed Sacred Roots, a program that works to help Native people practice, preserve, and revitalize their foodways.

Maples led food-processing workshops, cooking lessons on traditional dishes made with seasonal metro Detroit-grown ingredients, and language courses that taught community members the names of Indigenous foods. “The purpose was to improve nutritional health, but we noticed that the program was doing a lot more for community members,” she says. “It was reconnecting people to their culture in really profound ways.”

Today, Maples is a program manager at Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance, where she serves the greater southeast Michigan region with similar programming.

Kirby-Shoote was successful in drawing the Indigenous community near through their Highland Park homestead. There, they grow the three sisters — corn, beans, and squash — FOOD/PREPARATION REBECCA SIMONOV

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along with raspberries and strawberries, ground cherries, and sunchokes, among many others, including medicinal plants, such as tobacco, sage, and cedar. They also cultivate okra, collard greens, and other crops to share with other people of color in the community. “Being a part of the BIPOC community, we’re able to recognize each other’s struggles — even if that struggle is different from yours,” they say. “It’s still something that is trauma-causing at the end of the day, and having a small fraction of knowing how to heal that is something I’m invested in.”

The healing power of the foods Kirby-Shoote grows is free of charge to their community.

“People ask why I don’t do this for money, but the price of healing is nonexistent. It so outweighs any monetary price you can put on something.”

Locals looking to support Kirby-Shoote’s work financially can book a seat at one of their pop-up dinners, where they serve ancestral dishes to a wider audience for a fixed price.

These dinners provide a platform to educate guests about Indigenous foods and Native food sovereignty. “I put a lot of trust into the food and hope that the information and the blessings that the food carries make their way into people’s consciousness so that they have a greater appreciation for where their food comes from.”

Kirby-Shoote’s seated dinners feature elevated dishes starring wild-caught proteins and locally grown produce. Here, octopus and sunchokes glimmer in wild bergamot oil.

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The Fermentation Specialists Meet the business owners turning local produce into delicious, gut-friendly foods

BY ASH L EY WI NN | PH OT O S BY JU STI N MI L H OU SE

AS A YOUNG AGRICULTURIST working on Tantré Farm in Chelsea, David Klingenberger was interested in all forms of traditional food preservation. So, when a friend and fellow farmer was struggling to sell a surplus of cabbage, Klingenberger didn’t hesitate to step in with a creative concept. He helped his friend avoid financial loss by turning the excess product into tasty sauerkraut, and in the process, he fell in love with fermentation.

Klingenberger went on to develop a unique fermentation technique that uses a natural salt brine to greatly extend the shelf life and nutrientretention capabilities of farm-fresh produce.

He began using this method to craft his own

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sauerkraut to sell at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, and in 2010, The Brinery was born.

The brand has since experienced considerable growth, expanding its product range to include five flavors of kraut, as well as kimchi and four hot sauce varieties. These products are still available at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market yearround, but now they can also be found in more than 700 stores across the Midwest.

The Brinery, like many small businesses, was hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The past year brought us closer to the brink of financial ruin than we had ever been as a business,” Klingenberger says. But the brand came out of the crisis stronger than ever. He attributes this in part to The Brinery’s

foray into one of the fastest growing food categories: plant-based proteins. In September, Klingenberger and his team launched a retail line of tempeh.

Made from fermented soybeans, the traditional Indonesian food is high in protein, fiber, and an array of vitamins and minerals. This range currently consists of Original, Burger Patties, Bacon Style Strips, and Chorizo Crumbles.

Klingenberger says customers should expect to see more tempeh products from The Brinery, as growing this line — and plant-based proteins in general — has become a central focus for the brand. “I believe increased consumption of plantbased proteins is important to our own health as well as the planet’s.”

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Jenna Blackson crafts Marymai Kombucha with locally sourced ingredients, organic cane sugar, live cultures, and “Detroit love.”

Chief Fermentation Officer David Klingenberger oversees operations at The Brinery, which works with more than 200,000 pounds of local family-farmed vegetables annually. 

IT WAS LOVE at first sip when Jenna Blackson tried kombucha during a trip to Thailand in 2016. She enjoyed it so much, in fact, that upon returning to the U.S., she enlisted her friend and nowbusiness partner, Mary Srabian, to help her learn the art of crafting the fizzy beverage out of her own kitchen. In less than a year, Blackson had become a master brewer and was eager to share her creations.

In 2017, she launched Marymai Kombucha, a smallbatch line of organic, fermented teas, made solely from whole fruits and herbs — no juices or added sugars. But it’s Blackson’s penchant for experimental flavor combinations that truly drives the brand. Marymai Kombucha has become known locally

for its rotating cast of fun varieties, from refreshing Strawberry Mint, Grapefruit Thyme, and Orange Ginger, to the less conventional Dill Pickle and Southwest Special — a piquant medley of pineapple, jalapeño, and cilantro.

While Blackson relishes the creative freedom that comes with owning a business, she’s even more grateful for the opportunities it provides. “Community is huge for me, so running a business that allows me to build relationships with other Detroit creatives and entrepreneurs has been incredible,” she says.

For all its trials and tribulations, the past year and a half has only highlighted the value of these connections. “Seeing the community

bounce back from the pandemic and start to thrive again is so inspiring, and honestly, it has lit a fire under my ass.”

She says the display of entrepreneurial spirit by her peers has renewed her motivation to take her business to the next level.

Metro Detroiters should prepare to see much more of Marymai Kombucha.

“Big things are in the works,” Blackson says.

“I want our product to be available at coffee shops, yoga studios, and bars across the city.” She’s also working to make tapped kombucha a more readily available beverage option in Detroit and beyond.

“My overall goal is to keep growing and sharing this product, that is made with my heart and soul, with the community I love so dearly.”

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Fermentation Factories Shop more local brands fermenting locally sourced ingredients

BY EMMA KOWA L CZ YK A N D K AT LYN H O LT V LU W ER PH O T O BY GERA RD + B EL EV EN D ER

Fluffy Bottom Farms Yogurt

From a family-run farm and creamery in Chelsea comes a line of fresh yogurt made with milk from pasture-fed Jersey cows. A landmark product of Fluffy Bottom Farms, the creamy yogurt is cultivated carefully in small batches and blended with imported French cultures and natural ingredients, such as Madagascar vanilla and organic sugar. Fluffy Bottom Farms Pure Vanilla Yogurt, $7, at Fluffy Bottom Farms, 10750 Jerusalem Road, Chelsea; 734-548-0234

The Brinery Storm Cloud Zapper

The Brinery’s mission is to preserve vegetables as naturally as possible. That’s why the brand ferments its ingredients with just filtered water, salt, and a blend of fresh vegetables to create a savory brine. The Storm Cloud Zapper elevates traditional sauerkraut by punching up red cabbage with beets and fresh ginger for a topping that’s vibrant in color and flavor. The Brinery Storm Cloud Zapper, $44 for pack of four, at The Brinery, 4175 Whitmore Lake Road, Ann Arbor; thebrinery.com

Marymai Kombucha in Blueberry Lemon Ginger and Strawberry Basil From the whole fruit and herbs featured in each of its beverages to the glassware they’re served in, Marymai Kombucha’s mission is to source all elements of the fermented drink locally. Each handmade kombucha is infused with natural probiotics that aid in digestion and offer an energy boost. Try refreshing flavor combinations, such as Blueberry Lemon Ginger and Strawberry Basil. Marymai Kombucha in Blueberry Lemon Ginger and Strawberry Basil, $10, at Marymai Kombucha; 734-756-7239

The Mushroom Factory Miso

Based out of a Detroit warehouse, The Mushroom Factory explores the possibilities of fermentation with one specific ingredient — mushrooms. The brand creates mushroom-based misos in unexpected flavors, such as sweet potato and orange spotted beans. It experiments with soy-free tempeh, too. The Mushroom Factory Miso, $12+, at The Mushroom Factory; themushroomfactory.com for retailers

Kimchi Box Kimchi

Few restaurants specialize strictly in fermented products, making this Sterling Heights eatery one of a kind. Opened this spring, Kimchi Box debuted a menu of Korean specialties, many topped with the salty, tangy, crunchy vegetable medley from which it gets its name. Try the Kimchi Chicken Sandwich, or simply order a side of kimchi for the best part of the dish. Novi residents, rejoice. A location near you is coming soon.

Kimchi Box Kimchi, $2, at Kimchi Box, 13937 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights; 586991-6907; kimchiboxusa.com

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The Mill Operator Leandra King, founder of Detroit’s first cider mill, aims to bring accessible produce and the healing power of nature to the city

BY RACHAE L THOMAS PHOT O BY J USTIN MILH OU SE

An Outstanding Event

The ubiquitous Outstanding in the Field dinner series makes a stop at Detroit Farm and Cider

WHEN LEANDRA KING was a child, she always found solace in nature. She’d ground herself in the soil by taking off her shoes and rolling around in the mud. It didn’t matter that she was outfitted in one of the expensive pearly white dresses her grandmother made her wear. Feeling the earth against her skin relieved the anxiety she experienced as a result of childhood trauma.

“Nature was always in the process of healing me and taking me through this journey,” says the 33-year-old Detroit native who’d spent time in the juvenile system in her youth. As an adult, King has made it her life’s work to share nature’s healing power with others.

In 2015, she started a community garden on 2 acres of land on the grounds of the former Peck Elementary School on Detroit’s west side and began providing fresh produce to neighborhood folks who would soon feel like family. Today, King’s venture, known as Detroit Farm and Cider, located between Lawrence and Woodrow Wilson streets, occupies 4 acres of land and features a solarpowered farm, three greenhouses, and 139 fruit trees, including pear, plum, peach, apple, cherry, and apricot. The cider mill is also home to a range of livestock, including goats, horses, and chickens.

Visitors can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, honey, and jams sourced from the property, and in an effort to make her produce accessible for all, King accepts Electronic Benefit Transfer cards and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for payment.

When King opened Detroit Farm and Cider last fall, the property became the first cider mill in the

city of Detroit. Initially, cider and donuts were sourced from Parmenter’s Cider Mill in Northville as late frosts caused delays in the mill’s own production. When it reopens this month, though, the mill will press its own cider. Visitors will be able to watch the sweet elixir being pressed from apples grown in Detroit Farm and Cider’s own orchard and buy goodies from a new retail space.

“The difference between us and other traditional cider mills is that we’re focusing on a more holistic approach,” King says, noting Detroit Farm and Cider’s range of experiences beyond the orchard.

In addition to the activities debuted during the mill’s first year in operation — hayrides, a rock wall, zip lining, and live music performances — King is taking the fun a step further this year with activities such as archery, goat yoga, sack racing, and horseback riding.

King — joined by her daughters, ages 7 and 8 — typically gets up before dawn to prepare for Detroit Farm and Cider’s reopening. Together, they handle everything from harvesting plants to feeding the animals. While the mill has been closed, she’s also worked to connect with the community by donating free produce to people in need every Monday.

“Ultimately, my hope is to create something that matters and has an impact,” King says. She wants people, including her own daughters, to experience the same peace she felt when she visited cider mills as a child. “I’d love to see the impact that this has on the community and enable people to experience something that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience if this wasn’t in the city.”

Leandra King’s unofficial farmhands, her daughters Crystal (left) and Lauryn, help with day-to-day tasks at Detroit Farm and Cider.

Not only can metro Detroiters look forward to Detroit Farm and Cider’s reopening this month, but on Aug. 17, you’ll have the opportunity to break bread at the mill with owner Leandra King, Marrow Executive Chef Sarah Welch, and organizers of the traveling food tour Outstanding in the Field.

The wildly popular popup dinner series traverses from coast to coast, hosting events at farms, vineyards, and beaches across the country and beyond. Outstanding in the Field has even crossed international waters to feast in 16 countries around the globe. Wherever the pop-up goes, a communal table is beautifully designed for guests to enjoy meals made by renowned culinary artisans. Dinners also offer a lesson in the origins of the dishes plated by the chefs, farmers, brewers, and other culinarians who make them.

When Outstanding in the Field stops at Detroit Farm and Cider this month, King will serve as host farmer as Welch prepares the dishes of the evening. Guests will enjoy a welcoming reception with appetizers, a tour of the farm, and a four-course dinner with wine pairings.

Outstanding in the Field, Aug. 17, $285+ while tickets last, outstandinginthefield.com AU G U ST 2 0 2 1

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Food&Drink Matt Robinson likes his dishes topped with farm-fresh ingredients, like this Jolly Pumpkin pizza garnished with leafy greens sourced from Frog Holler Produce. 

TA ST E M A K E R

The Distributor Frog Holler Produce is a leader in local produce distribution — and Matt Robinson is the guy in charge

BY J E NNIF E R CONL I N P HOT O BY J USTIN MI L H OU SE

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ONE OF MATT ROBINSON’S favorite tasks as general manager of Frog Holler Produce — a role he has now held for 20 years — is to fulfill unusual requests from the many chefs who buy from the Ann Arbor-based wholesaler. One time a chef needed 10 pounds of red seedless grapes, then out of season. Robinson drove 2 1/2 hours to an orchard that found some in its cooler. On another occasion, a caterer called, asking for bananas still on the stalk. It took three days, but Robinson finally located a supplier, only to have the buyer say he was just testing whether Robinson could find them. But what Robinson is most proud of is the business’ reputation.

When the national steakhouse Ruth’s Chris was preparing to open in Ann Arbor in 2015, the chef called a number of colleagues in the area, asking for the name of the best produce supplier. Three chefs said they used and loved Frog Holler; the fourth was bound by contract to another vendor.

The wholesaler currently sells to the best restaurants everywhere from Saugatuck and Toledo to Flint, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Ann Arbor. (One new Detroit client is Oak & Reel, the recent addition to the city’s Milwaukee Junction neighborhood, helmed by two-Michelin-Star chef Jared Gadbaw.) “We prioritize local businesses, as we want to support the community,” says Robinson of Frog Holler, which was founded in the ’70s by restaurant food purchaser Rick Peshkin and is now owned by Van Eerden Foodservice in Grand Rapids.

Much of the company’s produce — think corn, tomatoes, cabbage, pickles, and cucumbers — is purchased daily from local growers at the Detroit Produce Terminal. Given Michigan’s limited growing season, Frog Holler also sources product directly from other growing regions.

Given that 98 percent of the business is servicing restaurants, Robinson says, the COVID-19 pandemic devastated the operation. “Prior to COVID, we never had a down year,” says Robinson, who has spent nearly his whole life in the business, starting with a job in high school unloading produce trucks in Flint. Early in the pandemic, Frog Holler donated all the food in its warehouse to various charities.

To help growers, Robinson and his team then started a consumer delivery/carryout program of boxed fresh vegetables that has since ended. “Now all our staff is back working and we’re looking at the future again,” he says. “I would like us to be the produce company that other companies compare themselves to. We need to be the best because that is what our customers deserve.”

Sava’s Smoked Salmon Summer Salad Smoked salmon pairs with creamy burrata, tart sourdough, crunchy croutons, and sweet stone fruits for a medley of flavors and textures

A frequent customer of Frog Holler Produce is Sava’s, the posh New American restaurant in Ann Arbor that centers on fresh ingredients. Sava’s Smoked Salmon Summer Salad — try saying that three times fast! — features seasonal fruits and vegetables distributed by Frog Holler and sourced from Michigan farms.

“I sometimes look at things a bit differently in pairings such as this composed vegetable and smoked salmon plate,” says Sava’s Michelin star Chef/ Partner Louis Maldonado. “I saw the fruit and vegetable pairing as highlights of a classic fish dish — gooseberries for acidity, cherries to pair with the smokiness of the fish, radishes for heat, cilantro for freshness.”

Maldonado says the burrata can be easily replaced with cream cheese or creme fraîche but in this case — and in all cases in our humble opinion — burrata is better.

SALAD REBECCA SIMONOV

7/12/21 3:59 PM

Food&Drink

something that can be handed down and built upon through future generations.

How have the events of the past year and a half affected Teffola?

Ingredients: 12 oz. high-quality smoked salmon 2-4 oz. balls of burrata 8 cherries 8 gooseberries Assorted radishes (French, cherry belle, and watermelon), all shaved thinly Baby carrots, pickled or lightly steamed Fresh herbs (cilantro, chives, parsley, and chervil pictured) 1 Fresno chili, deseeded and finely julienned 2 cups high quality sourdough or rye bread, cut ¼-in. thick and diced into small cubes Olive oil Fresh lemon juice Maldon salt Aleppo pepper Fresh ground black pepper Directions: Start by curling the smoked salmon slices and placing them in small piles across a large platter. Tear the balls of burrata apart and gently cut them into quarters. Season the burrata lightly with olive oil and Maldon salt and place near each pile of smoked salmon. Cut the baby carrots into quarters and place throughout the platter along with radishes. Cut the cherries into halves and deseed, then lightly torch the skin of the gooseberries and season both fruits with olive oil and place onto platter.

Lightly drizzle olive oil over the platter and sprinkle with Aleppo pepper, black pepper, and lemon juice.

In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add a quarter of a cup of olive oil and the diced bread and toast until bread gets golden — but not completely toasted and crunchy. Season the bread cubes with Maldon salt, place throughout the smoked salmon platter, and enjoy.

TA ST E M A K E R

Claire Smith developed a way to mill Michigan-grown teff from her family’s farm for crunchy, hand-crafted granola.

The Grain Cultivator A Troy business owner in her 20s brings a taste of East Africa to metro Detroit

BY AS H L EY W IN N PH OT O BY B RA D Z IEGL ER

CLAIRE SMITH was raised on the Addison, Michigan, corn and soybean farm her family has tilled since 1838. But after corn prices plummeted in 2013, they found themselves struggling just to break even. In hopes of leveraging the growing gluten-free market to save the family business, the Smiths began growing teff — a gluten-free ancient grain native to East Africa. But the real breakthrough came when Smith added whole-grain teff to her homemade granola, and happened upon a delicious creation.

In 2016, she founded Teffola. Now sold at local farmers markets and grocery stores, and through online retailers, the

brand creates unique granola flavors by layering the teff Smith grows with such ingredients as lemon, lavender oil, vegan chocolate, and almond butter. And she does it all out of the Teffola HQ in Troy. Here, Smith shares her story.

Teff is native to East Africa — how were you introduced to it?

When the farm was struggling, we began looking to grow something else. A friend who works in Africa suggested we try teff because it’s gluten-free and not super well-known in the states.

You’re just 29. What’s it been like starting a business at such a young age?

Easily the most

challenging and rewarding process of my life. Going into this, I knew nothing about the food industry, so I’ve worked that much harder to learn every aspect of it. But I’ve been hugely surprised to find I do have a gut instinct when it comes to building a business.

How has your family’s farming legacy shaped your new business venture?

For seven generations, my family grew exclusively livestock feed. What we’re doing now is vastly different from what our ancestors did, but the values they passed on to their children are the same ones I want to pass on to mine. It’s important to me to lay strong foundations, to create

Things slowed down massively. There were many days I didn’t know how we’d pull through. But the amount of support we received from family, friends, customers, retailers, suppliers, and vendors showed me that Teffola has grown beyond just me, and that what we have to offer is still needed.

What is your proudest moment working with Teffola?

In April, we partnered with local smoothie brand The Purple Beet for our Bowls for the Brave initiative and asked the community to help us donate Teffola-topped acai bowls to frontline workers. Our initial goal was 75, but we ended up donating 1,000 bowls to four metro Detroit hospitals.

What’s next?

We’re focused on dreaming up exciting products, like the new, limited-edition flavor we’ve co-developed with Zingerman’s!

It combines cherry, pecan, and cacao, and will be sold exclusively through Zingerman’s, starting this month.

Visit eatteffola.com for retailers.

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Food&Drink Lottie V. Spady’s Clarkston food forest boasts 3 acres of fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs.

Name That Plant!

TA ST E M A K E R

The Forager Lottie V. Spady sources wild ingredients from her own backyard — and she invites guests to, too

BY LYNDSAY GRE E N | PH OT O BY JU STI N MI L H OU SE

“I WANT TO be a fairy,” says Lottie V. Spady. From her 3-acre edible forest garden in Clarkston, where she whips up tinctures and teas, and syrups and smoothies from medicinal herbs picked fresh from her enchanting land, it appears as though the herbalist and homesteader is living out her dreams.

Spady, a Detroit native, says she’s always been a “hippie at heart,” but she still marvels at the drastic turn her life has taken since she traded city life for a more rural

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experience nearly seven years ago. For more than a decade, Spady leveraged her background as a multimedia specialist to innovate ways to teach inner-city youth about environmental and food justice. As an associate director at East Michigan Environmental Action Council in Detroit, she founded ReMedia, a program that gave children hands-on experience in covering environmental and food issues through filmmaking. “My theory was that they may not care about

composting — but I bet they’d love to make a movie about composting,” she says with a laugh.

In 2014, in the wake of the Detroit bankruptcy, Spady’s professional life took a turn when she was laid off from her role at the Action Council.

Her personal life began to unravel as well. “Both of my parents passed away within a few years of each other, and I was their caregiver,” she says. Intrigued by natural ingredients with medicinal properties, Spady would create fresh

juices to help her mother’s digestion issues. Her take on a lemonade was made with aloe vera and stevia. “One day, before she passed, she wheeled over to me and said, ‘You know that stuff is healing me from the inside out?’ I felt so empowered.”

After the layoff and her parents’ deaths, Spady says she sought out herbalism practices for her own healing. She enrolled in an herbalism intensive in Clarkston and began testing out recipes to help end a yearslong battle with sinus-related migraines. She’d blend ingredients, such as hyssop and rose petals, to make a soothing daily tea, and slowly, she healed her physical symptoms as well as her emotional and spiritual afflictions.

“Herbalism just opened up a whole new world for me.”

Today, Spady bridges her work as an herbalist with her passion for food justice through partnerships with local nonprofits, such as Keep Growing Detroit, FoodPlus Detroit, and various Black-owned urban farms. Leading courses on plant identification, herbal education, and growing medicinal gardens through her company Earthseed Detroit allows Spady to support marginalized communities with the information needed to promote

Lottie V. Spady identifies five edible plants growing at her Clarkston homestead

Chickweed

A number of edible plants grow right on the lawns of many Michigan homes. Chickweed, for example, is a wild ground cover named after its appeal to grazing chickens. “Chickweed is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals,” Spady says. “Its name actually comes from the fact that chickens have much better shell production when they eat this plant, so you can imagine that it’s rich in calcium and magnesium.” Spady suggests infusing it with apple cider vinegar to make healthy tonics or vinaigrettes for roasting fresh vegetables.

Monarda

“Monarda is a great respiratory herb,” Spady says. She infuses the peppery leaf into raw honey to create a sweetand-spicy concoction perfect for medicinal teas. We bet it would work just as well as a great marinade or dipping sauce for a chicken dish.

food sovereignty. “My tagline, ‘do-it-yourself community health,’ is about putting practical tools into people’s hands. I look at herbalism and foraging as something you can do for your family right now,” she says. “I know nature saved my life.”

Mountain Mint

This invigorating plant grows wild on Spady’s land, offering an abundance for mint tea.

All it takes is a moment in a dehydrator, then it’s ready for steeping.

If she’s experimenting, Spady will test the mountain mint in a new recipe. “One thing I like to experiment with is herb salts,” she says.

“I’ve never made a mint sugar, though, so that might be cool. I’d just throw it in a clean coffee grinder with organic sugar to pulverize it.”

Spruce

Spady says fresh tips of the spruce tree yield citrusy notes that work well for cocktail syrups.

“I just add a handful of the tender spruce tips to a mason jar with organic raw sugar, seal the jar, and sit it in a sunny windowsill for a couple months,” she says. “Once I strain it, I’ll probably end up with about a quarter of a cup, and it’ll be really concentrated.”

For a savory alternative, Spady says spruce tips can be macerated for salad dressings, as well.

Stinging Nettle

“When people come to me for an herbal consultation, no matter what, I recommend drinking a quart of nettle tea every day for 30 days.

That alone will help fill in any nutritional gaps that you have,” Spady says.

She recommends placing the leaves in boiling water and letting them steep overnight. “There’s pleasure tea, and there’s medicinal tea. Your 3-to 5-minute tea bag steep is really only unlocking that first layer of constituents.

The overnight steep brings a whole other level of nutrients out of the plant.”

ILLUSTRATIONS ISTOCK

7/9/21 5:33 PM

Food&Drink

CO - OWNER JOE KINVILLE wants to make one thing perfectly clear about Guernsey Farms Dairy. His whole family — not just him — deserves credit for the success of everything, from the buttermilk and hot fudge sauce to the ice cream and newly renovated restaurant at the dairy.

A dozen family members spanning three generations, including the direct owners, work in the business. “This morning, all five co-owners helped unload the truck,” he says, referring to himself, his mother, and three first cousins. Though none of them have official titles, Kinville generally handles sales, marketing, and publicity, and acts as the official spokesman. In that role, his first job is to clear up a common misconception about the dairy’s name.

“Everyone thinks our family name must be Guernsey, but it is the breed of cows my grandfather first used because their milk had high butterfat,” Kinville says of his mother’s father, John McGuire, who started the dairy in 1940 in Northville. Originally called the Red Rose Dairy and located a few miles from Guernsey’s current location, it was bought by McGuire, who promptly changed the name to honor his revenue source. Decades later, the name remains, but the Guernseys are gone. It turns out, they didn’t produce much milk.

In fact, the dairy no longer has any cows. Instead, all of the dairy’s milk (2 million gallons a year) comes from Walnutdale Farms in Wayland, Michigan, a fourth-generation family-owned and -operated business. “They are awesome and totally focused on quality,” Kinville says. “Walnutdale is truly aligned with our brand. … Our brand is all about quality and connection.”

What began as a simple dairy — delivering milk locally to people’s doorsteps in glass bottles for two decades — is now a national operation. Guernsey’s milk, ice cream, and specialty products (toppings, lemonade, and a honey vanilla chai) are now sold in 750 to 800 restaurants, grocery stores, and various retail outlets across the country. “Six or seven years ago, you could not find our products outside of a 60-mile radius, and we had only five delivery vehicles,” Kinville says. “Now, we have 11 vehicles and are in 20 states.” The confectionery company Sanders now uses only Guernsey’s half-and-half (processed with no preservatives or stabilizers) to make its caramels, he says.

As of last year, the dairy also now has a full-service restaurant with a bar that resembles the original soda fountain shop where Kinville’s grandfather once served milkshakes and ice cream scoops to

Pictured, four generations of family members continuing the Guernsey legacy.

(From left) Austin McGuire, Stacy McGuire, Joe Kinville, Karen Kinville, Chris McGuire, Greg McGuire, and Colleen McGuire.

TA ST E M A K E R S

The Dairy King At Guernsey Farms Dairy, it’s a family affair

BY JENNI FER CO NL I N | PH O T O BY JU S T IN MIL H OU S E

Northville residents. In the 1970s, when the dairy stopped its home delivery service and moved to its current location in Novi, it added retail space for consumers. In 1985, it added a restaurant to accommodate the many construction workers building homes in the area requesting a hamburger to go with that milkshake. Now, in the newly renovated, 100-seat space, patrons can indulge in fried chicken made with Guernsey buttermilk batter, along with ice cream cocktails.

Renovating the restaurant in 2020 was intended to be a celebration of Guernsey turning 80 years old. But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, delaying the reopening to May 2020 and making a launch party impossible. Little else, however, affected the

dairy during the pandemic. “Our regulations are all about stopping the spread of contamination, so we were in good shape to handle the pandemic,” Kinville says, adding that the family did not need to furlough or let any staff go. “People always want milk and ice cream.”

Perhaps Guernsey’s resilience can best be traced to a tree and slate of rocks in front of its building.

The oak tree is 200 years old, and the large rocks that customers lean against while licking ice cream were found during the building’s construction.

Kinville’s grandfather, who died in 2011 at age 103, asked the workers to save the boulders. To this day, Kinville says, “the tree represents our strong roots, and the rocks our strong foundation.”

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Food&Drink

(Clockwise from top left) Guernsey Farms Dairy Restaurant specializes in comfort food classics like Sweet Potato Fries, Nashville Hot Style Chicken, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Buttermilk Whipped Potatoes, Fried Pickles, Braised Mushrooms, House Made Baked Beans, and Baked Mac + Cheese.

Guernsey Gets Around

Since 1940, local restaurants have sourced fresh milk and dairy products from Guernsey Dairy Farms for their most sought-after dishes. Let us name a few.

BY K AT LYN H O LT V LU W ER PH O T O BY REB ECCA S IMO N OV

Guernsey Farms Dairy Restaurant

With its own dairy products produced just on the other side of the wall, it’s hard to get a fresher buttermilk fried chicken dish than the one served at Guernsey Restaurant. Get up to eight pieces drenched in Guernsey buttermilk and broasted for tender meat with a delightful crunch. There’s also a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and Guernsey Wings served with buttermilk ranch fresh off the farms. Guernsey Farms Dairy Restaurant, 21300 Novi Road, Northville; 248-349-1466; guernseyfarmsdairy.com

Mabel Gray

Summer’s here and the time is right for creamy seafood chowder. Chef James Rigato of Mabel Gray has featured the perfect recipe on his menu. Guernsey Heavy Whipping Cream lends for a rich base, while hunks of meaty seafood, fresh-cut celery, onions, soft potatoes, and crunchy oyster crackers create a medley of textures. Herb oil and jalapeños add verdant flavor and a spicy kick. Mabel Gray, 23825 John R Road, Hazel Park; 248-398-4300; mabelgraykitchen.com

Pump 5 Grille

Guernsey milk adds a special touch to the one sweet treat on the menu at Pump 5 Grille, the eatery slinging chicken sandwiches and halal burgers out of an unassuming Livonia gas station. Cooked in a Detroit deep-dish pizza pan to achieve its golden-brown tone, Pump Grille’s housemade bread pudding is the newly opened restaurant’s only dessert option and already a diner favorite. Buttermilk from Guernsey Farms is blended into the egg mixture to add a distinctive tang to the decadent dish. Pump 5 Grille, 29401 Five Mile Road, Livonia; 313-413-3709; pump5grille.com

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Food&Drink

TA ST E M A K E R

The Wine Maker Chris Southern leads the program at Detroit Vineyards, the city’s only winery

Pick Your Varietal Explore some of Detroit Vineyards’ expansive offerings

BY TAMM Y COXEN P HOT O BY BRAD ZIEG L ER

WINE IS NOT high on the list of things people think of when they think, “Made in Detroit.” But thanks to Chris Southern, general manager and head winemaker at Detroit Vineyards, it should be. Born in Michigan, Southern stumbled into winemaking while in California, and then spent 10 years working in wine there and during stints in Washington, New Zealand, and South Africa. In 2019, he was lured back to Detroit to take over the fledgling Detroit Vineyards operation.

Detroit Vineyards is situated in a stunning post-industrial space in the former Stroh’s factory near Eastern Market. Stroh’s made ice cream there until the 1980s, after branching out from beer during Prohibition. But before all of that, it was the original St. Julian Winery, making it the perfect home for one of the state’s most exciting new wineries.

There are no actual vineyards at the building that bears the Detroit Vineyards name. In a style of winemaking Southern is familiar with from California, the winery purchases its grapes from expert growers at vineyards all over the state. “Michigan has a lot of microclimates, and they’re different from those I was used to in California, so they offer a lot of opportunity to be creative,” Southern says. In doing so, he draws on the best grapes from the various wine growing regions, such as Lake Michigan Shore, Leelanau, and Old Mission Peninsula.

Soon, though, Detroit Vineyards will be bottling its own grapes. In 2018, the winery planted a vineyard in Detroit’s Morningside neighborhood. Vineyards take an average of four to five years to become productive, but Southern is hopeful the site could produce some grapes this year — although “it might just be a bucket’s worth,” he says.

At full production, the 1-acre vineyard could produce up to 3 tons of Marquette grapes, a hybrid varietal that the winery will be able to turn into 1,500 bottles of wine. But for now, Southern and his team are working on coaxing the vines into the best fruiting positions. If the Morningside vineyard is successful, the winery may expand to additional sites in the city.

BY EMMA NICOLE KOWALCZYK PHOTO BY GERARD + BELEVENDER

Raspberry Melomel

A unique pick from Detroit Vineyards, the Raspberry Melomel ($30) is a fruity take on a classic mead. The sweet wine combines fresh-picked raspberries with honey sourced from the vineyards’ own apiary and is fermented to create a crisp, fruity mead. Enjoy it chilled on a warm summer day. Plus, you can buy Detroit Vineyards Pure Honey ($5+) online or at the winery.

2019 Detroit Vineyards Rose

When Detroit Vineyards opened in 2019, the focus was on the space itself as a destination.

Saturday afternoons would find the room packed with people finishing up their shopping at Eastern Market. That model wasn’t going to work in 2020, due to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, so instead, Southern spent the year focusing on quality.

He also introduced a second label. The Detroit Vineyards label features well-executed versions of well-known varietals, such as a bright and fresh Chardonnay aged in 40 percent stainless steel and 60 percent second-fill French oak barrels. The newer Woodward & Vine label is where Southern goes to play, drawing on his solid winemaking education and experience but injecting that independent Detroit spirit. CV is a Chardonnay-Vignole blend with a tropical nose, bright acidity, and rich finish. ¡Blau! is a veritable explosion of fruit made from Blaufränkisch, a traditional Austrian grape variety that grows particularly well in Michigan.

As the state has opened up again, so too has the tasting room. Guests can sample wine, enjoy cheese and charcuterie, and even book a tour of the winemaking facility. They can also join Detroit Vineyards’ Wine Club for access to limited releases, special events, and year-round discounts. It’s a little taste of wine country right in the middle of Detroit.

Detroit Vineyards barrels stack up against some of the best wines in the state, thanks to head winemaker Chris Southern.

The 2019 Detroit Vineyards Rose ($22) is a fruit-forward, 100 percent merlot, which has been fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks to produce this bone-dry wine. The newest addition to the Detroit Vineyards menu incorporates notes of citrus, hibiscus, and berries. It’s fitting for all occasions and sure to become a crowd favorite.

Sweet Red

The Vineyards’ Sweet Red ($14) is a daring, medium- to heavy-bodied wine that features notes of black cherry and currant. It’s made from a blend of hand-selected Chambourcin, Marechal Foch, and Chancellor Noir grapes grown near the shores of Lake Michigan. Pair this affordable bottle with a charcuterie board loaded with cured meats and cheese, or with a chocolatey dessert.

Sweet White

One of the most popular wines at Detroit Vineyards, the Sweet White ($14) is a blend of Riesling, Seyval Blanc, and Vidal Blanc. Subtle tropical notes and a lightly sweet finish make this the perfect pairing for a refreshing summer salad.

2018 Woodward & Vine EMCEE

From Woodward & Vine, a line developed by Detroit Vineyards, the EMCEE ($30) is a blend of 60 percent Merlot grapes and 40 percent Cabernet Franc grapes. Aged more than a year in twice-filled French and Michigan oak barrels, the EMCEE is a dry, subtly sweet red with hints of eucalyptus and fruit.

Detroit Vineyards, 1000 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-784-9726; detroitvineyards.com AU G U ST 2 0 2 1

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Named by Forbes magazine as “one of the most advanced medspas in the country,” FACE Skincare~Medical~Wellness has gone to where less than 1 percent of medspas have gone before.

Its founder, Holly Cutler — aka America’s Skin Saint™ — created an award-winning rejuvenation clinic that offers over 45 laser and facial technologies, injectables, non-surgical face-lifts, body makeovers, naturopathic medicine, and IV nutrient therapy. The clinic is headed by naturopathic physician Dr. Doug Cutler, who rejuvenates patients from an internal root-cause perspective versus merely trying to suppress symptoms.

Holly Cutler has been a guest expert on FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC, and “The Doctors.” She’s also been featured in several national publications, and is a speaker for the laser and aesthetics industry. She launched an innovative skincare product line, The Skin Saint™, and her company is the first national virtual skincare consulting company to help people all over the country who may not be able to visit her clinic.

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ARCHITECTURE MIRA — MICHIGAN RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTS PARTNR HAUS, 2139 COLE ST., BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 | MICHIGANRESIDENTIALARCHITECTS.COM

Michigan Residential Architects (MIRA) is a groundbreaking community of design professionals. Its purpose is to support and inspire quality design work with the most influential and talented professionals and industry partners in Michigan.

MIRA partners include: (1) John Allegretti FAIA, LEED-AP, Allegretti Architects; (2) Kevin Akey, AZD Associates Architects; (3) Alexander Bogaerts, Alexander V. Bogaerts + Associates; (4) Sarah Bourgeois AIA, Sarah Bourgeois Architects; (5) Louis DesRosiers AIA, DesRosiers Architects; (6) Elaine Keiser AIA, NCARB, Elaine Keiser Architect Inc.; (7) Eric

De Witt AIA, Lucid Architecture; [(8a) Thomas R. Mathison FAIA, (8b) Evan T. Mathison, Mathison Mathison Architects;] (9) Michael Poris AIA, McIntosh Poris Associates; (10) Joseph Mosey RA, Joseph Mosey Architecture Inc.; (11) Brian Neeper AIA, Brian Neeper Architecture; (12a) Victor Saroki FAIA, (12b) Alexander Saroki AIA, Saroki Architecture; (13) Robert Sears, Sears Architects; (14a) Nick White AIA, LEED-AP, (14b) Nick Liebler AIA, LEED-AP, White and Liebler Architects; (15a) Don Paul Young AIA Emeritus, (15b) Todd Mitchell Young AIA, Young & Young Architects. Background photo: James Haefner. Michigan State Historic Preservation Office.

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THE FACE OF

APPAREL FOR PET PEOPLE TEMERIA HEARD — SWAGGLES 3031 W. GRAND BLVD., STE. 505B, DETROIT, MI 48202 | 313-259-2800 | SWAGGLES.COM

Founded in 2019 by Temeria Heard, Swaggles supports organizations that provide protection, compassion, and forever homes to dogs in need. Swaggles offers unique apparel and accessories, and donates a percentage of its profits to anti-cruelty and anti-animal abuse causes.

Swaggles’ core mission is to support organizations and causes that are dedicated to animal rescues. The company believes it’s important for dogs to have the compassion and protection that’s needed for

their overall healing.

Because Heard believes so much in the brand, Swaggles has trademarked its paw image and the words featured on the company’s initial three designs: “Compassion,” “Protect,” and “Detroit.”

Heard and her team like to say “The paw is the brand.”

Please join Swaggles’ efforts in supporting organizations that rescue dogs all over the world. Visit swaggles.com today!

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THE FACES OF

CANNABIS LIV CANNABIS COMPANY 2625 HILTON RD., FERNDALE, MI 48220 | 248-420-4200 | LIVCANNABIS.COM | INFO@LIVCANNABIS.COM

At LIV, whether you’re shopping for recreational or medicinal products, you’ll be kindly greeted at the front desk. At the beginning of your visit, LIV’s budtenders will warmly welcome you to the flower room. Their goal is to ensure that you have a unique experience with the company’s state-licensed, high-quality products.

Before shopping, all guests are invited to browse LIV’s product menus from the iPad bar and shop in the LIV Glass shop, which is located in the main lobby of the spacious facility. The LIV

Glass shop contains a full array of products, ranging from CBD items to accessories.

The mission at LIV is to offer guests a comfortable place to learn, ask questions, and receive the highest quality products the market has to offer. LIV’s team members are proud to provide each and every guest an experience in cannabis that’s unique and second to none.

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THE FACES OF

BIRMINGHAM

PAM STOLER & ASHLEY MANN 442 S. OLD WOODWARD AVE., BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 248-840-0044 (PAM STOLER) | 248-721-0987 (ASHLEY MANN) PAMANDASHLEY.COM

Experience makes the difference, especially when you leverage the latest technology and trends. In today’s high-intensity real estate market, you get it all with Pam Stoler and Ashley Mann, Oakland County’s premier luxury real estate team at Hall and Hunter Realtors.

Pam’s experience in the market, coupled with Ashley’s creative energy and marketing savvy, is a win for any buyer or seller, regardless of their unique needs, concerns, or level of comfort with the process.

Pam and Ashley have a fresh perspective on marketing. Maybe it’s because they’ve been working together for a long time; Ashley understands what Pam is saying, Pam knows what Ashley is saying, and they both have the ability to explain things to people and approach things in different ways, to please a broad audience. This team is definitely better together!

“We enjoy helping people sell and find a new home,” Pam says. Adds Ashley: “We laugh a lot!”

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THE FACES OF

CONTEMPORARY CUSTOM BUILDING NOSAN SIGNATURE HOMES 30600 NORTHWESTERN HWY., STE. 400, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334 | 248-538-1549 | NOSANSIGNATUREHOMES.COM

Nosan Signature Homes has grown out of decades of traditional home-building projects. Their team is dedicated to simplifying the home-buying and building process, and providing a 5-star client experience. They understand you want your home to reflect your personal style and taste, so you describe what you want, their design team draws it, you approve it, and they build it.

The firm assembles a team for each project based on longstanding relationships. They collaborate with top design professionals and

the best subcontractors and suppliers to guarantee the highest quality construction and client experience.

Nosan Signature Homes expects the best and refuses to take risks to cut costs. Their attention to time, design, craftsmanship, schedule, and budget ensures the flawless execution of your project. Years of experience have increased their expertise and ability to achieve practical solutions to construction and design challenges and to integrate stateof-the-art systems into your new home.

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BIRMINGHAM REAL ESTATE JAMES DANLEY & ASSOCIATES 210 S. OLD WOODWARD, STE. 200, BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 | 248-671-3092 | JDALUXURY.COM | JAMES@JDALUXURY.COM

James Danley is the leading market expert in Birmingham, MI. His attention to detail regarding market value, trends and analysis stems from an experienced background in flipping/building homes for resale. He focuses on providing excellent customer service and is a proven top negotiator for his clients.

JDA’s approach to real estate is to focus on a few of the highest demand communities in Michigan, in order to be absolute market

experts. Because Danley spent the first seven years of his career in real estate, buying and selling homes for himself and his business partners, he and his team handle every transaction as if it was their own acquisition or sale; going above and beyond to understand the needs of each client.

Danley has been an Hour Detroit Real Estate All-Star from 2019-2021 and ranks in the Top 1% of Realtors in Michigan.

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THE FACES OF

DETROIT NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES THE LOFT WAREHOUSE 3434 RUSSELL ST., STE. 101, DETROIT, MI 48207 313-658-6400 | THELOFTWAREHOUSE.COM

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices|The Loft Warehouse are the experts in residential development sales, support, analysis, and marketing. Their proven methodology is data-intensive, team-oriented, and starts early in conceptual design. They invite you to “Develop with Confidence,” using the team experience that has led to the success of their many completed Detroit-area projects.

This year’s 100 percent sold out projects include EcoHomes, Research Lofts, and North Corktown 11. In the pipeline of new development are projects such as CODA Detroit in Brush Park, Petit Bateau, The Abington, Pallister Gardens, and several others yet to be announced.

Twice a year, BHHS – Loft Warehouse publishes a comprehensive, proprietary Detroit Condo Market Report, showing data on local buyer trends, price evolution, and absorption rates. It’s an essential tool for developers, investors, and banks.

Whether you’re a developer/ investor, buyer, or seller, consult with the BHHS – Loft Warehouse team early in your planning.

Visit theloftwarehouse.com.

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THE FACE OF

CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING PATRICK A. RUGIERO, CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN — BASILICA OF STE. ANNE DE DETROIT 1000 SAINTE ANNE ST., DETROIT, MI 48216 | 313-539-5000 | STE-ANNE.ORG

Patrick A. Rugiero, a Detroit-area philanthropic fundraiser, understands the responsibility leaders like himself have to invest in their communities. With strong relationship-building skills and a vast network of contacts, he leverages his commitment and connections to achieve his charitable goals.

Rugiero is a passionate, devoted advocate for important causes, and serves on several local boards including the National Kidney Foundation, Beaumont Hospital, Life Directions, Beyond Basics, and the Metropolitan

Detroit Council of the Navy League of the United States. His largest campaign yet is the $26 million capital initiative to restore the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit. Founded in 1701, it’s the second oldest parish in the U.S. and the only basilica in Detroit. The impressive structure honors the city’s past, and its restoration will be a promise to future generations.

Rugiero encourages community members and corporations to give generously to this monumental endeavor, solely dedicated to this iconic landmark’s restoration.

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THE FACES OF

GROSSE POINTE REAL ESTATE HIGBIE MAXON AGNEY INC. 83 KERCHEVAL, GROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI 48236 | 313-886-3400 | HIGBIEMAXON.COM

As Grosse Pointe’s premier independently owned real estate company, Higbie Maxon Agney offers an experienced, informative, and personalized approach to buying or selling a home.

Continuing a tradition that spans more than 90 years, HMA’s dedicated agents are involved in the sale of some of the most stunning residences in the area. The team is committed to providing the kind of service that guarantees successful real estate

transactions and an unparalleled level of assistance to every client.

Higbie Maxon Agney prides itself on helping families discover the home and the community that’s perfect for their lifestyle, whether it’s a lakefront estate, a cottage, or a castle. Discover what’s right for you with HMA, your trusted real estate partner.

Left to right: Kay Agney, Jaime Rae Turnbull, Melissa Singh, Paula Draper Not pictured: Darlene D’Amico

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THE FACES OF

EYELID SURGERY CONSULTANTS IN OPHTHALMIC & FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY, PC 29201 TELEGRAPH RD., STE. 324, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034 | 248-357-5100 | FACIALWORKS.COM

The physicians at Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery — Drs. Nesi, Gladstone, Black, Nesi-Eloff, Schlachter, Kahana, and Beaulieu, and physician assistants Lindsay El-Awadi and Sara Turner — are proud to be known as the “Eyelid Experts.”

Representing the gold standard in eye plastic surgery, these doctors have developed and improved techniques to provide the results patients seek when it comes to plastic surgery in the delicate areas around the eyes and forehead. Their advanced training, together

with the personal care and attention provided to patients, is obvious from your first visit.

Outstanding results, faster healing, long-lasting benefits, and happy patients are what the team strives to achieve. They offer upper and lower eyelid surgery and the removal of eyelid “bags.” State-of-theart endoscopic brow- and forehead-lift procedures accomplish the rejuvenation many patients can’t get from eyelid surgery alone.

When you choose the Eyelid Experts, you’ll “see” the difference!

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THE FACES OF

DOBI REAL ESTATE DOBI REAL ESTATE 2211 COLE ST., BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 | 248-385-3350 | HELLO@WEAREDOBI.COM

The growth and sales volume of the agents at DOBI is unrivaled.

When DOBI Real Estate was launched in the summer of 2018, the vision was to offer Realtors the services needed to enable growth and give the agent, the buyer, and the seller the best experience.

In less than three years, DOBI grew its sales volume by 300 percent and broke through the Top 10 in Realcomp’s brokerage rankings. Along with its expansion to include 80 agents and 13 staff

members, DOBI is physically growing in Birmingham, and plans to add another 4,000 square feet to its office by the end of 2021.

The above photo was shot in DOBI’s newly demolished space in Birmingham. Left to right: Jordan Goodman, Thomas Holzer, Joey Mattia, John Lionas, Steve Kay, Craig Joeright, George Thomas, Ross Rossan, Mark Kattula, Vic Simjanoski, Ryan Nelson, Scott Nelson, Scott Pulus, Chris LeBlanc, and Nicholas Seman.

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THE FACE OF

INTERIOR DESIGN DANA VAGNETTI — VALIA DESIGN 248-205-6690 | VALIADESIGN.COM

Authenticity is at the heart of Dana Vagnetti’s success. As owner of Valia Design, she’s devoted to designing spaces reflective of each client. “We begin each project with a clean slate,” she says. “Repetition is never part of what we do.” Vagnetti’s naturally-developed design approach was honed by working with leading Chicago firms and spending 10 years as an award-winning design educator.

In business in the metro Detroit area for eight years, Valia Design has become one of the region’s top interior design firms, earning

accolades locally and nationally. This year the firm announced the launch of MonoBuild, LLC, which is a full-scale contracting company. “We’ve used 2021 as a catalyst for new beginnings, growth, and positive change,” Vagnetti says.

Valia Design is a full-scale interior design firm that provides commercial and residential services of any scope. Focusing on client collaboration, Vagnetti exceeds expectations, delivering uniquely functional and beautiful spaces.

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THE FACES OF

DOWNTOWN DETROIT REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT MATT O’LAUGHLIN & HANNAH HOPPOUGH, @PROPERTIES DETROIT 3100 WOODWARD AVE., STE. 102, DETROIT, MI 48201 | @PROPERTIES.COM

@Properties Detroit is a boutique brokerage in Midtown Detroit that became the No. 1 brokerage in the city after launching in 2018.

Looking for your next Detroit space, investment opportunity, or piedà-terre? Matt O’Laughlin and Hannah Hoppough have been the #1 sales team in the city by sales volume since 2014! They specialize in new construction and redevelopment condos, penthouses, offmarket listings and buildings, and has recently grown to include Apryl Sumners and Melissa Petrillo. The team’s unique approach

to sales and marketing makes them the developer’s choice in the city of Detroit, from conception all the way to selling out the end product. With more than 200 current condo listings in Detroit, they’re sure to have something for you! Check out their signature events — CONDOS & Cocktails, artHouse, and First Look — hosted at some of Detroit’s hottest addresses! Be sure to stay in the know by following them on social media: @DowntownMattO (O’Laughlin) and @HannahAtProperties (Hoppough).

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THE FACES OF

INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS FRANCO 400 RENAISSANCE CENTER, STE. 1000, DETROIT, MI 48243 | 313-567-2300 | FRANCO.COM

Franco has been a leader in Detroit public relations since 1964. While the agency is rooted in PR, its approach has evolved to combine marketing, social media, digital, design, video, and analytics to deliver integrated communications programs that drive organizational performance. The agency works with clients in various industries, from award-winning pizza and changemaking nonprofits to global automotive suppliers and leading professional service firms.

Franco utilizes a unique approach that combines analytics and insights with relationships and instincts to produce meaningful results for clients. The Franco team delivers “big agency” programs while simultaneously being attentive, nimble, and cost-efficient. Clients say Franco is a “true partner” that’s reliable, accessible, and resultsdriven. Why does Franco do what they do? Because its team has an unwavering commitment to people, clients, and the community.

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THE FACE OF

INVESTIGATIONS & BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE KEVIN M. CRONIN, PRINCIPAL, FORTARIS CAPITAL ADVISORS 6632 TELEGRAPH RD., STE. 245, BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48301 | 248-410-3839 | FORTARISCAPITAL.COM

Kevin M. Cronin is a highly credentialed business and security executive who provides his clients with best-in-class corporate investigations, business intelligence, and security advisory services.

After more than 20 years of government service, Cronin transitioned his law enforcement career to the private sector, specializing in risk management and corporate security including corporate whitecollar investigations, business intelligence, crisis management, threat

and risk assessments, surveillance, counter-surveillance measures, executive protection, and security services for domestic and global clients. He has successfully led numerous criminal and corporate fraud, espionage, embezzlement, theft, insider trading, and cyber security investigations, assuring his clients access to world-class expertise to help mitigate the significant risks of today’s volatile business environment.

Cronin holds an MBA from Michigan State University.

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THE FACES OF

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MICHAEL J. DUL & ASSOCIATES, INC. 212 DAINES ST., BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 | 248-644-3410 | MJDUL.COM

The team of landscape architects at Michael J. Dul & Associates has created memorable residential and commercial outdoor spaces for more than 40 years. Their designs let each project speak for itself: simple, subtle, impactful.

They begin by actively listening to obtain a clear understanding of clients’ wants and needs. They then develop a Program Statement.

The team’s passion for design helps solve each owner’s challenges in unexpected ways.

MJD&A integrates architecture with the site, for seamless and comfortable transitions. An understanding of site engineering, a wide

range of materials, and the latest technologies contribute to each project’s success.

Many local and regional organizations and publications have recognized MJD&A’s creativity with design awards. Above all, the company takes care of their clients and projects step by step. The result? Referrals and recommendations have sustained the firm, allowing them to give more clients interesting design solutions.

Team members Left to right: Michael Jacobs, Tim Shoemaker, Brooke Shevela, Patrick Funke and Michael Dul

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INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN AESTHETICS MIRA — MICHIGAN RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTS HOLLY CUTLER — FACE SKINCARE ~ MEDICAL ~ WELLNESS

MIRA OFFICES AT PARTNR HAUS, 2139 COLE ST., BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 | MICHIGANRESIDENTIALARCHITECTS.COM 31350 TELEGRAPH RD., STE. 102, BINGHAM FARMS, MI 48025 | 248-663-0161 | FACEBEAUTYSCIENCE.COM

Michigan Residential Architects is a groundbreaking community of Almost two decades ago, Holly Cutler — also known as America’s design professionals. Its purpose is to support and inspire quality design Skin Saint™ — rebuilt her own skin, which had been disfigured work with the most influential and talented professionals and industry by cystic acne. In the ensuing years, Holly has created one of the partners in Michigan. most award-winning rejuvenation clinics in the country, offering MIRA interior designers include: 1) Molly Thomas and Caryn Satovsky40 laser and facial technologies, injectables, nonsurgical faceSiegel (R), Alexander V. Bogaerts + Associates; 2) Amy Miller Weinstein, lifts, body makeovers, naturopathic medicine, and IV nutrient AMW Design Studio; 3) Armina Kasprowicz, Armina Interiors; 4) Barbi therapy. The clinic is headed by renowned naturopathic physician Stalburg Kasoff, Stalburg Design; 5) Jimmy Angell, James Douglas Dr. Doug Cutler, who rejuvenates patients from an internal rootInteriors, LLC; 6a) Howard Davis, 6b) Michelle Davis, 6c) Jamie Jordan,

Davis & Davis Interiors; 7a) Heather Duggan, 7b) Kristin Smith, Heather cause perspective, versus solely trying to suppress symptoms. His Duggan Interiors; 8) Jennifer Butler, Jennifer Butler Design; 9) Shelley technique maximizes patients’ health and youth.

Knudson and Kali Weber (R), Chatham House Interiors; 10a) Rita O’Brien, With her innovative Skin Management Model™ and her one-hour 10b) Colleen O’Brien-Seitz, Rita O’Brien Design Group; 11) Merien Daka, transformations, Holly Cutler has made a difference in the lives of Merien Daka Design Group; 12) Jane Synnestvedt, Jane Synnestvedt thousands of patients who have not been helped elsewhere. She has Design Group; 13) Kevin Serba, Serba Interiors; 14) Marianne Jones, been a featured expert on television networks including FOX, CBS, Marianne Jones Interior Design Services; 15) Cheryl Nestro, Tutto NBC, and ABC; has been seen on “The Doctors” and on magazine Interiors. Background photo: James Haefner. Michigan State Historic covers; and has been written about Preservation Office.

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THE FACES OF

LINGERIE LISA HARDY HAMILL & KIM HARDY HICKSON — HARP’S LINGERIE 265 S. OLD WOODWARD AVE., BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 | 248-642-2555 | HARPS-LINGERIE.COM

A customized fit and extraordinary lingerie are the secrets to a happy customer. The granddaughters of Betty Harp, founder of Harp’s Lingerie — Lisa Hardy Hamill and Kim Hardy Hickson — know that what you wear underneath your outfit is just as important as the clothes themselves.

Lingerie determines your silhouette and your comfort, ensuring you’ll look and feel your best. At Harp’s Lingerie, you’re showered with excellent customer service and fit perfectly for

undergarments that will accentuate your figure. Harp’s carries a wide variety of intimate apparel for your everyday, bridal, and special occasion needs.

Hard-to-fit sizes are Harp’s specialty; they carry band sizes 32-54 and cup sizes AA-N. Experience the Harp’s difference and see why, for more than 70 years, they’ve earned the loyalty of generations of customers. Harp’s strives to make everyone feel beautiful and special when they walk out the door, just as Mrs. Harp did so well.

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THE FACE OF

KITCHEN DESIGN NICHOLAS VANDERHOVEL — KITCHEN NV 810-923-8792 | NICK@KITCHEN-NV.COM

Kitchen NV was born out of the belief that the kitchen is a space unlike any other. It’s where we prepare meals, entertain guests, and discuss career opportunities with our spouses. It’s where we spend many of our most precious moments with our families. The kitchen is truly the heart of your home, and should be designed that way.

Nicholas Vanderhovel is the N and V in Kitchen NV. His curiosity for knowledge has led him to become one of the youngest Master Kitchen and Bath Designers in the country, and one of only seven in the state. “At the end of the day, there are two things that matter to me,” Vanderhovel says. “That my clients are unbelievably happy, and that I was able to create Kitchen NV.” A rising star in the industry, he’s on a mission to save the world, one kitchen at a time.

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THE FACE OF

LUXURY DAY SPAS ANJU CHANDRA BRODBINE — THE WOODHOUSE DAY SPA ROCHESTER HILLS 364 NORTH ADAMS RD., ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48309 | 248-564-9577 | ROCHESTERHILLS.WOODHOUSESPAS.COM

As owner of the Woodhouse Day Spa Rochester Hills, Anju Chandra Brodbine is proud to have opened the ultimate luxury spa experience, with a focus on holistic wellness.

Located in the beautiful Village of Rochester Hills, the 6,500-squarefoot, full-service spa has been featured in Hour Detroit and various other publications, and on Channel 7, for its unique signature services. The Woodhouse has become an icon in the community by providing a sanctuary for rejuvenation, creating an unparalleled

guest experience, and giving back through community and charity involvement. But the biggest reason for their success is the staff of dedicated, friendly professionals who strive to make each guest experience unforgettable.

“I’m so honored to work with a team that cares so much and gives 110 percent of themselves every day!” Brodbine says.

The Woodhouse Rochester Hills offers massages, facials, body treatments, Vichy shower treatments, tub treatments, and nail services.

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THE FACES OF

LOBBYING GCSI - GOVERNMENTAL CONSULTANT SERVICES INC., MICHIGAN’S LOBBYING POWERHOUSE 120 N. WASHINGTON SQUARE, STE. 110, LANSING, MI 48933 | 517-484-6216 | GCSIONLINE.COM

Governmental Consultant Services Inc. is Michigan’s premier government affairs firm and has been the industry leader since 1983.

Voted the state’s most effective multi-client lobbying firm for nearly two decades, GCSI is widely recognized as a peerless resource before the Michigan executive and legislative branches.

GCSI professionals tout more than 100 years of combined bipartisan advocacy, and collaborate with clients to develop a

sophisticated road map in pursuit of their public-policy objectives.

From Fortune 500 companies to cutting-edge businesses, multisized municipalities, associations, schools, and nonprofits, GCSI teams with assorted enterprises that contribute mightily to the growth, health, and vibrancy of Michigan communities.

The bottom line is this: GCSI gets you the representation you want and the results you need 87 1

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2021

THE FACES OF

LUXURY MEN’S CLOTHING MANNO CLOTHING & TAILORING 23810 MICHIGAN AVE., DEARBORN, MI 48124 | 313-561-1419 | MANNOCLOTHING.COM

With five decades in the luxury clothing industry, Manno Clothing & Tailoring is one of the finest menswear stores in the Midwest. Started in 1971 by Leonardo and Lilla Manno, the once small tailoring shop now boasts more than 5,000 square feet of retail space housing thousands of garments from Italy, Canada, and the United States.

Second- and third-generation family members Pat and Anthony Manno have crafted a clothing niche by building trustworthy relationships with their clientele including local and national celebrities.

Perhaps the most unique offering of the store is the tailoring workshop positioned directly in the middle of the retail space, so you can watch one of six expert tailors alter your garments in real time.

Whether you’re looking for ready-made garments or custom clothing, Manno Clothing’s authentic service, masterful tailoring, and superior quality will exceed your expectations and turn you into a loyal clothing connoisseur.

Follow Manno on social media: @mannoclothing.

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2021

THE FACES OF

LOVING YOUR SMILE MICHAEL SIMONY, D.D.S 41700 HAYES RD., STE. D, CLINTON TWP., MI 48038 | 586-263-9300 | WWW.DRSIMONY.COM

There’s always something new happening with smiles. Smiles, however, require a healthy and strong foundation before they can be created. At Simony Dental Group, Dr. Michael Simony and Dr. David Maceroni have a notable specialized skill for making that happen.

This office builds smiles from the foundation up. It’s a skill set that requires specialized talent and knowledge of microbiology, as well as the physiology and anatomy of each of their patients. “Beauty is in the eyes

of not just the beholder, but the creator of that smile,” Dr. Simony says.

“In this office, we recognize there’s an artistic formula for what makes smiles look esthetically pleasing. It’s what makes a smile look amazing, and that’s what I’ve come to master.”

In a nutshell, that’s the secret of Simony Dental Group. The entire staff educates you and cares thoroughly about your health, so you can begin loving your smile.

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2021 THE FACE OF

MARKETING HIGH-END APOTHECARY CANNABIS BRITTANY YAFFA — PURE ROOTS, LLC 3430 WASHTENAW AVE., ANN ARBOR, MI 48104 | 844-325-3900 | INFO@PUREROOTSMI.COM | FOLLOWPUREROOTS.COM

Brittany Yaffa is on a mission to build brand awareness for Pure Roots, LLC by educating customers. “Our customized experience begins with a brief digital questionnaire to determine how the product will be consumed. Our cannabis products are tested for terpenes and divided into four types of ‘feels’: rest, relief, revive, and reflect. Knowing how you want to use the product helps our budtenders determine what cannabis fits you best,” she says.

Pure Roots ensures that its cultivators produce premium, non-

remediated cannabis. Its products — flowers, edibles, novelty, transdermal, and CBDs — are exclusive and high-quality.

The Ann Arbor store celebrated its one-year anniversary in June. Stores in Centerline, Battle Creek, and Lansing will open this fall. Even before the pandemic, Pure Roots had introduced an innovative contactless point-of-sale kiosk. While customers can once again visit the showroom, Yaffa says the easy-to-use flow POS cash payment kiosk is here to stay.

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2021

THE FACE OF

LUXURY CONCRETE COATINGS AMERICAN EPOXY SYSTEMS 363 EAST MAPLE RD., BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 248-990-0152 | AMERICANEPOXYSYSTEMS.COM

It was 1995, and Dan Bowman never imagined that taking a summer job installing epoxy, a new process started by his mentor, would result in a successful lifelong career in concrete coatings. Soon after launching American Epoxy in the Detroit market in 1999, Bowman expanded the company’s offices to the South Florida/Miami market, where he challenged the belief that epoxy is just for garages.

Engineered with additives that create a dynamic color changing effect, metallic epoxy has transformed the concrete coating industry. Although epoxy is in the midst of a viral moment, American Epoxy stands out among its competitors with more than 25 years of experience and a brick-and-mortar showroom.

American Epoxy’s vast array of industrial, commercial, and residential clientele can attest to the high level of precision and detail that are applied to every job. Bowman has just one question: Do your floors look this good?

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2021

THE FACE OF

METRO DETROIT HOME LOANS MARIA LABIE — INDEPENDENT BANK 201 WEST BIG BEAVER RD., TROY, MI 48084 | 248-952-4914 | MORTGAGEMADESIMPLE.NET

A moment with Maria Labie will define the moment you can achieve more. Whether you’re in Birmingham, Midtown Detroit, or Macomb Township, Maria is opening doors and creating opportunities for her clients.

As an accomplished mortgage and home loan executive, Maria has assisted thousands of homebuyers, families, and investors in finding the perfect loan product for their long-awaited property.

From new construction financing, to medical professional loans;

from first-time buyers to lending for vacation homes, Maria and her team have the experience and dedication to ensure that your home purchase is aligned with the best loan program to suit your individual needs.

Maria is always a call or click away. Get in touch today, so she can assist you with a loan product that personally serves you.

Maria Labie can be reached at 248.952.4914 mlabie@ibcp.com Mortgagemadesimple.net

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2021

THE FACE OF

MICHIGAN LUXURY REAL ESTATE TUSHAR VAKHARIYA — KW DOMAIN 210 S. OLD WOODWARD AVE., STE. 200, BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 | 248-289-0660 | TUSHARVAKHARIYA.COM

With over half a billion dollars in career sales, Tushar Vakhariya ranks in the top 1 percent of Realtors nationwide. A lifelong resident of Bloomfield Hills, he’s confident that suburban Detroit will continue to thrive.

Vakhariya has more than 26 years of real estate experience, and is a co-owner of KW Domain in Birmingham. He recently teamed up with other KW Domain investors to open a brand-new, sleek office in Bloomfield Hills.

With his ability to anticipate market trends, Vakhariya wisely advises his buyers and sellers to make sound financial decisions.

He’s made the transition to the area seamless for luxury buyers, high-net-worth individuals, professional athletes, and homebuyers looking for a family home. His savvy and relentless style gives his clients confidence when they’re ready to sign on the dotted line.

Vakhariya’s uncompromising professionalism and drive have led to his success as one of the nation’s top producers.

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2021

THE FACES OF

MORTGAGE BANKING HARRY GLANZ & DAN BURKE — CAPITAL MORTGAGE FUNDING 17170 W. 12 MILE RD., SOUTHFIELD, MI 48076 | 248-569-7283 | CAPITALMORTGAGEFUNDING.COM

Since 1992, Capital Mortgage Funding has been a leader in Michigan’s mortgage banking industry. Led by Harry Glanz and Dan Burke, two of the state’s most well-respected mortgage banking luminaries, the company is driven by a simple but effective philosophy. “We’re a relationship-driven organization; our focus is on our clients’ experience and making the process as smooth as possible,” says Glanz, who brings more than 30 years of experience to the business, as does Burke.

“We have some of the most experienced mortgage bankers,”

Glanz adds. “We’re proud of our award-winning mortgage team and state-of-the-art process that customizes and efficiently completes the right mortgage for each client.”

CMF specializes in residential loans, and proudly celebrates its 29th anniversary in 2021. Capital Mortgage Funding is powered

by Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. NMLS No. 2289. Equal Housing Lender. Harry Glanz, president/co-founder NMLS No. 61034. Dan Burke, VP area manager/co-founder NMLS No. 61101.

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2021

THE FACE OF

MODERN MANNERS

DANIELLE KOVACHEVICH, — FOUNDER OF DAE 734-718-5939 | DETROITACADEMYOFETIQUETTE.COM

Some say etiquette and manners are old fashioned.

Danielle Kovachevich, certified etiquette instructor and founder of the Detroit Academy of Etiquette, would like to politely disagree. Kovachevich says having good manners and knowing how to create positive social interactions with others are more important than ever; in fact, impeccable manners will automatically set you apart from your competition.

DAE offers programs that educate and engage people of all ages, from children to top-level executives.

Kovachevich specializes in helping her clients navigate the modern business world, and gives them the tools and confidence needed to achieve a new level of success, both professionally and personally.

Her client list includes multiple national and international corporations, and is a “Who’s Who” of Detroit’s top executives. DAE offers programs for entry-level professionals, graduates, children, or anyone looking to level up and outclass the competition.

Shoot was photographed in the Parlor at Daxton Hotel.

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2021

THE FACES OF

ORTHOPEDIC EXCELLENCE THE CORE INSTITUTE 26750 PROVIDENCE PKWY., STE. 200, NOVI, MI 48374 | 248-349-7015 | THECOREINSTITUTE.COM

Superior outcomes, proven results, and a world-class team that cares about each and every patient. That’s what makes The CORE Institute one of Michigan’s leading orthopedic practices, and it’s why they have five stars — the top rating from The Physician Alliance — to prove it.

The CORE Institute’s physicians are recognized nationally as

leaders in specialties ranging from total joint replacement to sports medicine, spine care, pain management, and rehabilitation.

Patients know that The CORE Institute delivers quality care, which is why they choose them when they want to Keep Life In Motion®.

Visit their locations in Novi, Brighton, Howell, and Southfield.

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2021

THE FACE OF

NORTHERN MICHIGAN REAL ESTATE PATRICK LEAVY — KIDD & LEAVY REAL ESTATE 325 E. LAKE ST., PETOSKEY, MI 49770 | 231-838-6700 | PATLEAVY.COM

For more than 22 years, Pat Leavy has been helping families create memories in beautiful northern Michigan. With boundless energy, perseverance, and a great staff, Leavy has become the No. 1 agent in the state of Michigan, with more than $137 million in sales in 2020.

Leavy doesn’t just show houses; he introduces clients to the sandiest waterfront, the cottage on Walloon Lake with a storied history, his secret morel hunting ground, or his favorite bartender.

He believes a home Up North is a lifestyle, not just a house. If your objective is to sell your property, Leavy has attained the leading position as the Realtor of choice for top properties in Petoskey, Bay Harbor, Walloon Lake, Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, and Boyne City.

Whether you’re looking for a home Up North or selling a property, begin your conversation with Pat Leavy, a true expert in northern Michigan real estate.

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2021

THE FACE OF

PLASTIC SURGERY DR. ELAN REISIN — STAR PLASTIC SURGERY 44050 W. 12 MILE RD., NOVI, MI 48377 | 248-735-3800 | MYSTARDR.COM

Your health and beauty are in exceptional hands with Star Plastic Surgery in Novi. Dr. Elan Reisin, M.D., F.A.C.S., and his team of surgeons have completed more than 15,000 cosmetic surgeries. Dr. Reisin, medical director at Star Plastic Surgery, is a multiyear Hour Detroit Top Doc honoree. Dr. Reisin is board-certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and has received numerous national awards. After five years of serving as an attending physician and teaching surgical residents at

the prestigious Georgetown University Hospital Department of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Reisin decided to create Star Plastic Surgery, a preeminent, state-of-the-art AAAHC surgical center and medical spa.

As a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Dr. Reisin has traveled internationally to learn from top plastic surgeons. He has also given back through philanthropic trips to the Dominican Republic to treat children with congenital and traumatic deformities.

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2021

THE FACE OF

ORTHODONTICS

SPILLANE & REYNOLDS ORTHODONTICS NOVI | ROCHESTER HILLS | TROY | WEST BLOOMFIELD | 248-344-8400 | MYAMAZINGSMILE.COM

When you recall the best customer experience you’ve had, a trip to the orthodontist might not be what comes to mind — but Dr. Jamie Reynolds aims to impress with his innovative views on patient care and customer experience.

A nationally recognized orthodontic teacher, Dr. Reynolds and his team provide world-class orthodontics using cutting-edge Damon System braces and Invisalign aligners that increase comfort and

aesthetics, and provide dramatic, life-changing results in fewer visits.

The practice prides itself on never allowing finances get in the way of quality orthodontic treatment. Dr. Reynolds co-founded OrthoFi, a national company whose mission is to make orthodontic treatment more affordable for patients by providing flexible financing options, and the metro Detroit chapters of Smiles Change Lives and Smile for a Lifetime, two charities that provide smile scholarships for people in need.

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2021

THE FACE OF

PERIODONTICS JOSEPH R. NEMETH, D.D.S. & ASSOCIATES

29829 TELEGRAPH RD., STE. 111, SOUTHFIELD, MI 48034 248-357-3100 | DRNEMETH.COM

For more than 25 years, Dr. Joseph Nemeth, a worldrenowned periodontist practicing in metro Detroit, has been committed to providing exceptional care.

As one of the area’s foremost experts in periodontics, Dr. Nemeth has played a major role in applying in-novative technological advances to current periodontal practice. He treats gum disease and other gum issues using minimally invasive procedures, so his patients experience less pain and downtime. He works tirelessly to maintain a standard of excellence and is dedicated to helping patients enjoy long-term success in their dental comfort, appearance, and function.

Dr. Nemeth is passionate about informing his patients about the systemic links between gum disease and other diseases. Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and many forms of cancer are just a few of the health issues that can come from untreated gum disease. Dr. Nemeth believes that if you have a healthy mouth, you’ll have a healthier body.

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PERFECTLY INSTALLED, PERFORMANCE GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE REMODELING 14017 23 MILE RD, SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI 48315 | 586-540-6000 | WINDOWSROOFINGSIDING.COM

After signing with most contractors, all you seem to hear are crickets.

On the other hand, what should you expect when you work with Performance Remodeling? Sign with Performance Remodeling, and they’ll be in contact every step of the way. Delivery dates won’t be a surprise, and neither will the installer. You’ll meet him when he comes out to measure, and he’ll also be there to adjust to your special needs such as pets, landscape/property instructions, and any other concerns.

Performance Remodeling’s workmanship is lifetime-guaranteed, as are the multitude of premium products they install. This means you must be completely satisfied before the job is complete.

Performance Remodeling also has a full-time service department to troubleshoot any problems that might arise later.

If that sounds like the kind of home improvement company you’d like to hire, call Performance Remodeling for a quote that’s to-thepenny accurate and free.

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2021

THE FACE OF

POWERHOME SOLAR JAYSON WALLER 500 STEPHENSON HWY, TROY, MI 48083 | 248-479-3339 | POWERHOME.COM

When Jayson Waller became an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award winner in 2019, he was encouraged to write a book or start a podcast. Those were good ideas, given his inspirational story of growing up in a trailer park, never attending college, and selling his home to save his company, POWERHOME SOLAR, from growing pains and cash flow problems.

Today, Waller has accomplished both. With a top-3 ranking among Apple entrepreneurship podcasts, True Underdog is one of

the fastest-growing podcasts in the nation. This fall, he will release his first book, “Own Your Power,” which shares stories about the experiences that have shaped his entrepreneurial success. Waller is leading a movement encouraging Americans to live a life powered by the sun.

POWERHOME SOLAR, one of the fastest-growing energy companies in the country, employs more than 2,000 people and has nearly 30,000 customers in more than 15 states.

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REAL ESTATE EXCELLENCE CINDY KAHN — HALL & HUNTER REALTORS 442 S. OLD WOODWARD AVE., BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 248-568-7309 | CINDYKAHN.COM

Cindy Kahn has lived in Michigan most of her life. In fact, she and her husband raised their daughters in the same community where she has dedicated her life to selling the finest residential properties in southeast Michigan.

Kahn leverages a wide network that acknowledges her as an expert in the field. Clients appreciate her attention to detail, local expertise, and strong sense of discretion.

Kahn’s dedication to her clients is shared by her assistant, Elaina Ryder, who brings energy to every transaction. Now Emily Kahn, Cindy’s daughter joins the team bringing a fresh approach to the core principles of real estate and progressive marketing strategies.

With a tenacious and personable approach to each interaction, Kahn’s greatest sense of pride is in connecting clients with properties that complement their goals and aspirations. It’s why she’s been Hall & Hunter Realtors’ Top Producer from 2016-2020, and is among the top 1 percent of Realtors nationwide. Cindy Kahn is an extraordinary agent who provides extraordinary results.

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2021 2021

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PAIN MANAGEMENT

PAIN FREE LIFE CENTERS

TROY, MI | 248-879-1100 | PAINFREELIFECENTERS.COM

With a decade of experience in Laser Therapy, Jeff Morton and Pain Free Life Centers in Troy have been the pioneers in noninvasive, drug-free pain management. “We’ve focused exclusively on Laser Therapy from Day One. We’re the only center that’s dedicated to High Intensity-High Dose Laser Therapy. Other pain management centers using low-level lasers simply don’t have the equipment or experience to generate photobiomodulation, the key requirement necessary to yield effective results,” Morton says.

Pain Free Life Centers’ results speak for themselves. “The thing that gets

me out of bed in the morning is the fact that I know I’m going to help provide somebody a better quality of life. That’s what drives me — every patient, every time,” he says.

As director of Pain Free Life Centers in Troy, Morton is uniquely aware that pain never takes a day off. That fact was driven home with the recent COVID-19 crisis. Morton is so confident in what they do, the initial consultation and first treatment are free. “You have nothing to lose but your pain,” he says.

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2021

THE FACES OF

REMODELING RENOVATION BY DESIGN 2516 S. ADAMS RD., ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48309 | 248-260-7639 | RENOVATIONBYDESIGN.ORG

Established for almost two decades, Renovation By Design’s expert team has 50 years of combined experience. The expertise of RBD’s designer, aligned with the precision of the company’s construction personnel, allows the design + build team to execute any size project so that it meets the highest standards.

Whether they’re per forming kitchen or bathroom remodels, additions, basement remodels, or whole-house reconfigurations, RBD offers full-service, start-to-finish comprehensive solutions.

Their most rewarding moments come from bringing their clients’ dreams to life! At Renovation By Design, their designs make the everyday extraordinary.

“The biggest compliment is when a client tells us they love their new space so much, they don’t feel like going out.

That’s undoubtedly what makes all the time and hard work worthwhile.” — Renovation By Design

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2021

THE FACES OF

YOUR MORTGAGE AND REAL ESTATE ADVOCATES MUTUAL OF OMAHA MORTGAGE

SINE & MONAGHAN

TONY GATLIFF | TGATLIFF@MUTUALMORTGAGE.COM | 313-205-5609

PATTY VASILOS | PATTYVASILOS@GMAIL.COM | 313-477-3124

With so many options in the real estate and mortgage business – it can be tough for a prospective client to know where to start. There are many people in these fields who can complete your transaction.

The question is: Do you want someone who can just “complete a transaction”, or do you want more than that?

The same words constantly come up when you ask past and current clients about Patty Vasilos, of Sine and Monaghan Realtors, and Tony

Gatliff, of Mutual of Omaha Mortgage: Professionalism, knowledge, experience, customer service, responsiveness…just to name a few.

This top-producing pair is making waves in Grosse Pointe, Birmingham, Royal Oak and all across the Detroit metro area. These two – to their clients – are so much more than just a Realtor or Loan Originator. They are experts, advisors, friends, confidants and staunch advocates - all rolled into to one…and always available for you.

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THE FACE OF

SAME-DAY CROWNS DR. DOLORES J. BARAN, D.D.S. AND ASSOCIATES 1103 N. MAIN ST., STE. A, ROYAL OAK, MI 48067 | 248-548-1440 | ROYALOAKSMILES.COM

Cerec Technology is a CAD system that can make a crown or cap for patients in the same visit, meaning there’s no need for messy impressions or painful temporaries. Dr. Dolores J. Baran has been using this technology for more than 15 years. Dedicated, innovative, and astute are words that patients have used to describe Dr. Baran.

A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Dr. Baran and her team perform all dental procedures (including sleep dentistry, dental implant placement and restoration, and root canals) in-office. She’s also well known for her cosmetic work, including veneers and Invisalign. Call for a consultation.

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2021

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YOUR NEXT REALTOR LOGAN WERT — INDULGE PROPERTY GROUP 210 S. OLD WOODWARD AVE., STE. 200, BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 | 248-590-0117 | INDULGEPROPERTYGROUP.COM

Logan Wert and his team, Indulge Property Group, have a slogan they live by and want everyone they work with to live by: “Treat yourself to the best, you deserve it.”

With his focus on looking out for his clients’ best interests and giving them the best possible service, Wert has built his entire business solely on referrals.

Once you work with Wert and his team, it’s hard to imagine working with another real estate agent. His professionalism, market knowledge, and desire to be the best in the business have landed him in the top 1 percent of all agents in metro Detroit.

In his own words, “this is just the beginning.” Wert has consistently doubled the number of families he’s helped buy and sell homes every year. With a goal of helping 200 families this year, odds are he’ll be your next agent.

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2021

THE FACES OF

WATERFRONT REAL ESTATE RENEE & TONY DEKROUB — RE/MAX PLATINUM 108 W. GRAND RIVER AVE., HOWELL, MI 48843 | 517-404-4270 | RENEE@THEDEKROUBTEAM.COM

Renee and Tony DeKroub are top Realtors in Livingston County and successful business entrepreneurs.

Renee is a Real Estate All-Star — one of the top 5 percent of Realtors in metro Detroit — and is prepared to make your next move flawless. The team’s energy, easygoing style, knowledge of the area, and real estate expertise make them the ideal choice. Renee watched her parents build dynamic real estate careers, and it was her dream

to one day follow in their footsteps, continuing the family legacy.

Tony has been in the hospitality industry more than 25 years and watched his father, Joe DeKroub, build a successful real estate company. Their combined knowledge of real estate, and passion for service and people, has allowed The DeKroub Team to become the No. 1 producer at RE/MAX Platinum. Renee and Tony DeKroub would be honored to have the privilege of handling your next home!

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WEALTH MANAGEMENT RENEE KITCHENS — WALDRON PRIVATE WEALTH 313-408-0855 | RKITCHENS@WALDRONPW.COM | WALDRONPRIVATEWEALTH.COM

Midwest native Renee Kitchens (Mendelssohn) is taking the financial planning field to new heights as she joins Waldron Private Wealth.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., Waldron is an independent wealth management firm catering to high-net-worth individuals and families.

A highly credentialed specialist, Kitchens will lead and expand the firm’s operations in the Midwest.

What makes Waldron different? The firm is known for its low client-to-staff ratio, which is currently better than 5:1. This key differentiator allows Waldron advisers to customize planning and

investment solutions for each client’s situation.

Prospective Waldron clients are also offered the firm’s unique GAP process. This three-step process involves Gathering information, an integrated Analysis, and the Presentation of the team’s preliminary planning and investment recommendations. Waldron invests 30 to 50 hours of time into GAP for each prospect without any obligation to the client, so they can experience the firm’s customized approach to wealth management firsthand.

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DBusiness Breakfast Series

| Presented by UHY | Tickets $75 | DBusiness.com

WEDNESDAY

Join DBusiness for a panel discussion featuring the honorees from the July/August issue’s Powered by Women list.

This list recognizes the female business leaders who are driving profits, adding employees, and opening new opportunities in the region.

Limited tickets available at DBusiness.com

8/25 AUGUST 25

panel discussion

Powered by WOMEN Carrie Jones-Barber, Dawn Foods Susan Koss, O’Keefe Collette ‘Coco’ Champagne, Hagerty Insurance

7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Olivia Jackson, Accenture Deborah Wahl, General Motors Lisa Drake, Ford Motor Co. Marissa Hunter, FCA-North America Denise Brooks-Williams, Henry Ford Health System

The Icon 200 Walker St., Detroit PRESENTING SPONSOR MAJOR SPONSORS GOLD SPONSOR SILVER SPONSORS

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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)

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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; 313-9612543. 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 $$$ GASTROPUB • A jazz club with top guest musicians and an American bistro menu in a traditional interior. Starters include crab and salt cod cakes, pan-fried calamari with chorizo and Korean beef rib. 97 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-882-5299. L Tue.-Fri., D Tue.-Sat. El Asador Steakhouse $$ 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.

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; 313-8679722.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.

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SPOTLIGHT

Eatori Market

SPECIALTY GROCERY This stylish spot overlooks 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. $-$$

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 $$ NEW AMERICAN • This relaxed Cass Corridor eatery with patio seating serves artisan pizzas and new American bistro fare. Highlights include scallops, Empire Burger, and white pizza. A range of inventive craft cocktails abound here, too. 3148 Woodward Ave.,Detroit; 313-3153131. empirekitchenandcocktails.com Evie’s Tamales $$ 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 for later. 3454 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-843-5056.

B,L,D Mon.-Sat., B,L Sun. 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 Farm-

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RECIPE

THREE CATS R E STA U R A N T ’S

CRAB CAKES

Sweet, fresh crab and pungent herbs make a summertime favorite on the Clawson restaurant patio

RECIPE F RO M T H REE CAT S RES TAU RA N T PH O T O BY K A IL EY H OW EL L

Ingredients:

1 egg 1 cup mayonnaise 2 Tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice 1/4 cup parsley, chopped 1 1/2 cup panko crumbs Salt and pepper to taste 1 lb. fresh crab

Directions:

Combine egg, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice in a medium-sized bowl and mix until well incorporated.

Then, add in Old Bay Seasoning, parsley, and salt and pepper. Mix in panko crumbs until the mixture — which will be a panade — is firm but not dry. Gently fold in crab with your hands. Refrigerate the mixture for about an hour so that it cools and becomes easy to mold the cakes.

Form cakes into small rounds about the size of golf balls. Arrange on a lightly greased sheet pan and cook at 350 degrees for approximately 9 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with any seafood dressing or cocktail sauce — or simply a squeeze of lemon.

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er’s Hand grocery and farmers market. The menu focuses 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.

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.

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. 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.

Grey Ghost $$ NEW AMERICAN • The cuisine at this Brush Park hotspot isn’t easily defined, but the results are original and wellprepared. For example, the miso glazed cedar plank salmon, and lump crab cake served with a honey mustard remoulade sauce from their Ghost To-Go pickup menu. 47 Watson St., Detroit; 313-262-6534. D daily. BR Sun. Highlands $$$ 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,

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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.

SPOTLIGHT

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; 313-2096667. L,D daily. $

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 

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 $$ VEGAN • This eatery created by Detroit-based cooking blogger Quiana Broden serves lunches of smoothies, salads, and sandwiches. Broden also often offers live cooking demonstrations. 6529 Woodward Ave., Ste. A, Detroit; 313-462-4184. L Tue.-Sun. Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles $ SOUTHERN COMFORT • Several recipes, including a signature thin waffle, are family-owned at ex-NFL player Ron Bartell’s spot. Think comfort food kicked up a notch: fried catfish, salmon croquettes, shrimp and grits, and biscuits. Drink the Kool-Aid, too. 19345 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-861-0229. B,L,D Tue.-Sat., B,L Sun. La Dolce Vita $$$ 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.

2012

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. 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. 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

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.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Marketplace

Your Dream Kitchen

Full remodeling services • free in-home estimates www.lafata.com 586.247.1141 sHELBY tOWNSHIP wEST bLOOMFIELD

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Lovers Only $ BURGERS • The star at Lovers Only, located in downtown Detroit’s Capitol Park, is pasture-raised beef from 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 Detroit-

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inspired names, such as Packard Pepperoni and Vernor Vegan. 1441 W. Elizabeth St., Detroit; 313-637-4992; L&D Mon., Wed.-Sat.; D Sun.

chetta, calamari, roasted garlic, and whipped goat cheese to be spread on paper-thin crostini. 1400 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-5500. L,D daily.

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.

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.

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.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

Mootz Pizzeria & Bar $$ ITALIAN-AMERICAN • Bruno DiFabio, a six-time 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; 313-2431230. L,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.

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 brus-

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

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; 313-7574992. D Wed.-Sat. $

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.

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.

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

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RECIPE

BIGAL OR A WOOD FIRED CUCINA’S

BIGA SPRITZ

Crisp, citrus-forward, and slightly bitter, this refreshing cocktail offers all the benefits of an Aperol spritz with a saccharine twist RE C I PE FROM BI G A L OR A WO O D FI R ED CUC I NA | PH OT O BY KA I L EY H OW EL L

Ingredients:

Fresh mint leaves 2 oz. Redemption Rye Pom Wonderful Pomegranate Blueberry Juice Splash of agave Splash fresh Key West lime juice

Directions:

Muddle mint. Add all ingredients to shaker tin and dry-shake well. Clap a bunch of mint leaves and garnish.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 oz. Cappelletti Aperitivo 1 oz. Sprtiz Mix (50/50 Cocchi Vermouth di Torino and Cocchi Barolo Chinato) 4 drops Bittermens Orange Bitters 3 oz. Baia Bubbs Sparkling Riesling Half wheel slice of orange for garnish Rocks ice

Directions:

Fill a wine glass with ice, then add Cappelletti, Spritz Mix, and bitters. Top with Sparkling Riesling and garnish with orange slice.

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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.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

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 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.

2019

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 a 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; 313-887-9477.

B,L,D daily.

Savant $$$ FRENCH • This addition to the Midtown restaurant scene made headlines with its “caviar bumps” — bite-sized portions of caviar intended to be eaten off the back of one’s hand — when it opened in September. In a cozy-yetupscale interior with leather couches and an open kitchen, Jordan Whitmore and Rebecca Wurster, formerly of Apparatus room, serve up rotating European-inspired 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.

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.

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,

SPOTLIGHT

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; 313961-2500. D daily. $$$

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.

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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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Urban Ramen $$ JAPANESE-INSPIRED • Urban Ramen serves bowls of steaming broth filled with house-made, springy ramen noodles topped with fixings like bamboo, egg, pork chashu, and sesame seeds. The menu also includes sushi, poke, and sides such as garlic edamame and Japanese fried chicken. 4206 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313285-9869. L,D Mon.-Sat. Vertical Detroit $$$ 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.

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.

12 2

SPOTLIGHT

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; 313-446-4682. L,D daily. $$

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.

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.

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.

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. See website for locations; anitaskitchen.com

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. 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.

Oakland 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.

Antihero $$ JAPANESE-INSPIRED • This Izakaya — a Japanese pubstyle bar or eatery — opened in fall 2018. Its food is focused on small plates along with an endless array of craft cocktails, beers, and more. 231 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-307-7383. D Wed.-Sun. Assaggi Bistro $$$ 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

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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 $$ ITALIAN • The pizza concept from chef Luciano Del Signore, a four-time James Beard Award nominee, features small plates, fresh pastas, wood-roasted meats, and a range of distinctive Neopolitan pizzas. See website for locations; bigalora.com Big Rock Chophouse $$$ 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. 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 Peruvian dipping sauces. 22939 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-632-1055. L,D daily.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

SPOTLIGHT

Imperial

MEXICANINSPIRED The menu offers California-style 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, 248-8508060. L,D daily, BR Sun. $

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.

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 $$$$ STEAKHOUSE • This plush modern steakhouse offers dry-aged prime and Kobe-style wagyu beef in a fun, clubby setting. An extensive wine list accompanies the restaurant menu that also features platters of chilled fresh seafood. 201 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-594-4369. D daily. 17107 Haggerty Road, Northville Twp.; 248-679-0007. D Tue.-Sat. J-Bird Smoked Meats $$ 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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RECIPE

HONCHO’S

SALCHIPAPAS

Sub out your traditional chili cheese fries for a Peruvian delight RE CIPE FROM H O NC H O | PH OT O BY KA I L EY H OWEL L

124

Ingredients:

7 oz. cooked French fries (or one handful) 3 oz. Peruvian chili sauce 2 1/2 oz. smoked sausage (about 1 1/2 links, cooked) 3 oz. Monterey Jack cheese blend 1 large egg 1 oz. scallions

Directions:

Layer your favorite French fries onto a baking pan and drizzle with Peruvian chili sauce. Top with cooked smoked sausage and Monterey Jack cheese. Broil for 3 minutes at 325 degrees or until cheese is melted. Top with a fried egg and garnish with freshly chopped scallions.

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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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

SPOTLIGHT

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; 248268-4806. D Tue.Sun. $$

Market North End $$ AMERICAN • Joe and Kristin Bongiovanni opened this eatery just across the street from the family’s other two 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. 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 

ly 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.

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. 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 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.

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.

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.

Mabel Gray $$$ NEW AMERICAN • Chef James Rigato produces some masterful dishes on this tiny menu, which does not miss

Ocean Prime $$$$ SEAFOOD • An upper-end steak-and-fish place and a popular business lunch site. The menu features natural-

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. 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.

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

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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. 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 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.

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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.

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. 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; 248-288-4858. L,D Mon.-Fri., B,L,D Sat.-Sun. 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.

SPOTLIGHT

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 peeln’-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 loyal following for his precise nigiri rolls. There are also tatami rooms and conventional seating. 7365 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township; 248737-8282. 2222 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor; 734-9715168. 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.

Macomb 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,

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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: cedarplanked 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.

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.

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.

29850 Groesbeck Hwy., Roseville; 586-777-7770. L,D Mon.-Fri., D Sat.

Blue LLama Jazz Club $$ CREATIVE AMERICAN • Come to this swanky jazz club for the music, which includes headliners such as 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.

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.

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.

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.

SPOTLIGHT

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. $$

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. The Common Grill $$ SEAFOOD • Owner and chef Craig Common’s skilled work has drawn the attention of the now shuttered Gourmet magazine and the James Beard House — as well as the Purple Rose Theatre crowd. This mainstay is best known for fresh oysters and seafood, but all the fare at The Common Grill is expertly prepared. A tried-and-true foodie destination with a range of desserts, including coconut cream pie, lemon pudding cake, and cherry cobbler. 112 S. Main St.,Chelsea; 734-475-0470. L,D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun. Grange Kitchen and Bar $$$ 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. 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.

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 per-

fectly executed to suit your tastes. 341 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-769-6700. L Tue.-Fri., D Tue.-Sun., BR 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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What does STEMBoard do?

The company is broken into two parts. We provide engineering services for the federal government in data analytics, geospatial visualizations, and IT services. We also work with academic institutions, universities, and national nonprofits to cultivate the emerging workforce, which is essentially STEM outreach, advocacy, and curriculum development.

On our staff, we have historically Black colleges represented; we have Ivy League institutions represented. I recognize that what I’m trying to do is a hard thing. And it’s impossible to do hard things without the diversity of input.

Have you seen advancements in diversity in STEM during your time in the field?

When I was younger, I never saw women — let alone women of color — in technical careers. For me now, every day, I wake up and I can look on Instagram, or I can turn on a channel on TV, and I can see women and minorities represented in the STEM field. That alone represents progress.

Last year, after the killing of George Floyd, followed by a summer of Black Lives Matter protests, the country began a new reckoning with racism. Many companies have since pledged to improve diversity in hiring practices. Will this make a difference?

Presents

It’s really powerful to start to have the conversation around what is needed in order to get to a more inclusive environment. When I think about diversity, I really like to take a step back. Let’s just take race and gender out of it for a moment, and let’s talk about what we experienced in the pandemic. We need more doctors to work on vaccines. We need more scientists to tackle issues like infrastructure and climate change challenges. We traditionally have seen individuals of only one part of society participate in these fields. But if you need more people, do you continue to go back to that same group, or do you try to bring more people in by encouraging new groups? You bring in new groups.

What are your ties to Michigan nowadays?

Well, my dad still lives there, and I donate quite a bit of my time to mentorship for the University of Michigan College of Engineering. I also recently announced an endowment for a Washtenaw Community College scholarship in my name designed to support students who want to pursue engineering at the University of Michigan. I’m a huge advocate of Washtenaw Community College.

I’m so excited by the opportunity that community college provides, regardless of where you are in your career. So my heart is just so full to be able to do all these things.

pregnancies to her abusive relationships and ongoing battles to control her musical destiny.

Members of Franklin’s family vehemently disapproved of Genius: Aretha without having seen it. Had they watched, they might have been astounded: Erivo transforms herself into Franklin, becoming totally believable and capturing the diva’s combination of strength and vulnerability. Whitaker, a renowned actor in his own right, will have to go some lengths to match Detroit native Courtney B. Vance as the Rev. C.L. Franklin — equal parts religious dynamo and philandering devil.

On a personal level, it’s one of the great voids in my professional life that, despite having worked as a pop music critic at one of Detroit’s two major dailies for a decade and having lived near Franklin’s original home on Sorrento Street, I never got the opportunity to interview her.

To make a very long story short, I gave her a negative review after one of those multi-act Cobo Center R&B concerts in the 1980s. She headlined it and came on after midnight, clearly weary and exasperated. I thought the criticism was warranted; Cecil Franklin, her brother, manager, and protector, did not. Access denied.

So, I will have to content myself by watching these fascinating re-creations and wondering, What if?

The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen clones.

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CHEF’S TIPS & TECHNIQUES Q&A

Before You Can Cook, You Need Ingredients!

If you want to elevate your culinary skills, look for the freshest, highest-quality ingredients available. August is the best time of year to visit farmers markets and family farms, where you can pick up seasonal fruits and vegetables, herbs, and other natural, locally sourced products. Your favorite grocery store will likely have the other ingredients you want to use in your dishes.

Choose a classic recipe or a simple dish, and experiment with new flavors or textures. Don’t be afraid to substitute ingredients — for example, try quinoa or riced cauliflower as an alternative to white rice. Change the seasoning in the dish for a different flavor profile.

Be creative. It can be fun to try new ingredients when you’re cooking. Remember that the most expensive ingredients aren’t always necessary, but using the best products available will produce the best results. ■

Q:

What are some guidelines when using beer as an ingredient?

A: When cooking with beer, cook with what you would drink. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive, but it should be something you enjoy. Avoid super high alcohol content or very hoppy beers, as they may impart bitterness to your dishes.

For salad dressings, use lighter wheat beers. Fruity

Q:

beers are perfect for sweeter fruit sauces and dressings where fruit is the star.

For chicken and seafood, stick with lighter-bodied and flavored beer. Mussels are fabulous in a Belgian-style ale or pilsner.

Another favorite is roasted chicken thighs with a lager-infused mushroom sauce.

Braises for stews, pot roast, and short ribs are best with a nice stout, porter, or brown ale.

For chocolate sauces, brownies, and cakes, use stouts and porters, as they help develop the depth of flavor and bring out the chocolate flavor. A peanut butter stout is a fantastic choice to experiment with.

Founders Brewing Co. Detroit Jason Belhart, Kitchen Manager 456 Charlotte St. Detroit, MI 48201 248-220-6939 313-335-3440 foundersbrewing.com

Why is freshly made pasta so much better than store bought?

A: The first reason has to do with the quality of the ingredients in handmade pastas. Joe Vicari says his restaurants all start by using the highest quality durum wheat flour, which is high in protein.

This flour is processed and produces semolina flour, which is then ground further to produce a finer, stronger product. Most commercial pastas, on the other hand, are made with one standard flour, and lack the texture found in handmade pastas.

Vicari says his restaurants also

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use fresh eggs in their pasta, to provide strength and texture; store-bought pastas don’t typically contain any egg products.

To balance the strength and texture, handmade pastas add the finest olive oil to the dough, which creates flavor and allows the proteins to soften and relax.

The natural proteins found in the flours don’t develop until they’re in the presence of friction (heat) and moisture. Thus, Vicari says, the mixing and handling of the pasta dough is maybe the most important

part of the process. “When our pasta ladies make the pasta, the feel they have of working the dough, and being able to tell when just enough gluten development is occurring, is important,” he says. “This is one of those things you can’t learn anywhere except from a true artisan.”

Finally, Vicari says to cook the pasta correctly. Use four quarts of boiling water for one pound of fresh pasta, salt the water so it tastes like the ocean, don’t add oil to the water, and stir the pasta frequently.

Chef James Oppat Andiamo 7906 E. 14th Mile Rd Warren, MI 48092 586-268-3200 vicarirestaurants.com Advertisement on page 3

7/6/21 4:08 PM

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TRUSTED ADVISERS Q&A

Trusted Advisers Offer Valuable Insight and Sound Advice The summer is nearly over and if your to-do list isn’t finished, you may want to talk to an expert who can help you reach your goals. Whether you wanted to remodel your kitchen or bath, or add a family room, design and remodeling experts can help you through the process, step by step.

These trusted advisers listen to their clients and ask questions to learn each client’s needs, design styles, and

Q:

budget. They offer solutions, help their clients select materials and products for the job, and establish a timeline for the project.

If you’re planning to buy a new home, working with a knowledgeable and experienced Realtor who has your best interests at heart can make the process easier and more efficient. As families have been spending more time at home, they’ve discovered they want more space —

whether that’s a larger kitchen, a home office, a yard, or a pool. Homes up north are selling fast, so working with an expert team can help you get an edge over other potential buyers.

The trusted advisers in this section provide information that will save you time and aggravation. ■

Once we sign the contract and put down a deposit for our home remodeling project, what will happen next?

A: Good communication is one of the cornerstones of a stressfree project. At Performance Remodeling, they’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

• The first step is to order customized materials. Performance Remodeling gives you an accurate estimate of when the materials will arrive. You’ll also be given the project manager’s name and contact information.

• Unlike other home remodeling contractors, the person who will

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do the measurements for ordering materials will also be your installer for the job. You can get to know the installer ahead of time and can talk about any special needs or instructions for your job.

• Once the materials are in, they’ll call to schedule an installation day or days that work for you.

• When installation day arrives, you will already have met your installer and will feel comfortable having them in your home.

• There’s no worry that you’ll be left with a mess, because Performance Remodeling follows this rule: Leave it cleaner than you found it. You must be satisfied with the work before the installation is deemed complete.

Performance Remodeling has the best lifetime guarantee in southeast Michigan. Call to get a free “to-the-penny” quote on any remodeling needs you have.

Performance Remodeling Rich Hotea, President 14017 23 Mile Rd. Shelby Township, MI 48315 586-540-6000 windowsroofingsiding.com info@pr2.global Advertisement on page 101

7/6/21 4:41 PM

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TRUSTED ADVISERS Q&A Q:

As companies are resuming operations, businesses are experiencing new risks. What precautionary steps should be taken to help reduce potential risks to an organization and its employees?

A: Kevin M. Cronin, principal at Fortaris Capital Advisors, recommends conducting a comprehensive risk and threat assessment to identify and mitigate potential security risk factors that may disrupt business continuity.

A thorough risk and threat assessment provides a detailed outline of the security risks facing an organization, including risks of violence, theft, fraud, cyber, and other threats. The assessment also includes the potential impact these

Q:

Fortaris Capital Advisors Kevin M. Cronin, Principal 6632 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 245 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 248-410-3839 fortariscapital.com Kevin.Cronin@fortariscapital.com info@fortariscapital.com Advertisement on page 81

longer to attract a buyer; and you’ll eventually sell your home for less than you would if it had been priced correctly to begin with.

Never fear underpricing a home.

Underpricing will lead to multiple offers and more action, because that’s what the market will dictate.

Depending on the property,

underpricing can be a good strategy, but your agent must go “highest and best” and strategically pull the strings of the buyer’s agent to net you the highest possible dollar amount for your home.

To read about the other three pillars in a real estate transaction, visit jdaluxury.com.

James Danley & Associates 210 S. Old Woodward, Ste. 200 Birmingham, MI 48009 248-671-3092 jdaluxury.com james@jdaluxury.com Advertisement on page 71

How can an architect help you site your home, save you money, and develop a plan that functions efficiently while addressing the site views?

A: The natural environment is the architect’s palette. Just as solar angles change throughout the year, the placement of a structure will change to be effectively in harmony with the natural as well as the manmade environment. The placement of passive solar daylight spaces and ambient temperature spaces such as garages, storage, and/or vegetative

Q:

company. Proper due diligence can avert countless cases of fraud, asset protection, security breaches, and supply chain breakdowns, among others.

Finally, evaluate your cyber security and data management plan, and adjust procedures and policies as needed to ensure employees, data, and devices are protected, both while working remotely and upon return to the workplace.

What’s the worst thing you can do when listing your home for sale?

A: There are four pillars to reference when listing your home.

The most important and critical pillar is making sure you’re never overpriced. If you overprice, your listing will become stale; buyers will wonder why no one wants it, and they’ll always assume the worst; it will take substantially

Q:

risks have on a business.

It’s also a good idea to create a robust crisis management plan that anticipates various situations that could disrupt operations.

This plan needs to be developed and reviewed by all key decisionmakers within the organization and updated regularly.

Perform your due diligence with comprehensive background checks on all employees, new hires, vendors, and any other third-party associates with influence over the

wind buffering trees can maximize heat loss or natural seasonal heat gain.

The best way to get to know your site is by having an architect walk it with you. An architect will listen to what you’re trying to accomplish while studying the surroundings and envisioning your home on the site. It’s also a good practice to take

plenty of photographs, work with the aid of a quality topographic survey, and record locations of adjacent structures, sand dunes, trees, water features, and sunrise and sunset locations.

Once you understand the site and the views that are present, it will open your mind to site opportunities and floor-plan strategies.

John W. Allegretti, FAIA, LEED AP+ BD+C Allegretti Architects Inc. 500 Main St. St. Joseph, MI 49085 269-983-1100 allegrettiarchitects.com john@allegrettiarchitects.com Advertisement on page 66

Has the remodeling industry changed since the beginning of the pandemic?

A: They say that remodeling is one of the top five most stressful situations a person can go through in their life. Combine that already stressful situation with the current industry climate of inflated prices, outrageous lead times, and labor shortages, and it’s extremely easy to feel overwhelmed.

That’s why it’s imperative to work with a professional who can guide you through the process and help

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you navigate these troubled waters.

Nicholas Vanderhovel, owner of Kitchen NV, says: “We used to count the number of weeks needed to complete a project, and now we’ve switched to months. We have to order materials quickly, so we don’t face discontinuations, extended lead times, or unexpected price increases.”

At Kitchen NV, Vanderhovel says the focus isn’t just on the finished

product, but the journey getting there. He serves his clients by helping to set realistic budgets, timelines, and expectations of what remodeling will look like for their project. “If you’re thinking of remodeling, search for a partner you can trust to have your back, and who’s looking out for your best interest,” he says. “Not just through the initial design phase, but all the way through to completion.”

Kitchen NV Nicholas Vanderhovel, Owner 810-923-8792 kitchen-nv.com nick@kitchen-nv.com.

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TRUSTED ADVISERS Q&A Q:

We’re planning on building our next home. When is the best time to get an interior designer involved?

A: According to Merien Daka, the best time to get an interior designer involved is during the beginning architectural phases. Daka says her company, Merien Daka Design Group, classifies itself as interior architects. “Architecture has a significant meaning to us because, as the designer on a project, we’re visualizing the final product and each individual detail,” she says. “(Being involved from an early stage) enables us to make proper adjustments, whether they’re

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Merien Daka Design Group

Swaggles trademarked its paw image and the words with its initial three designs: “Compassion,” “Protect,” and “Detroit.” Heard likes to say that “the paw is the brand.”

Please join Swaggles’ efforts in supporting organizations that rescue dogs all over the world.

Visit swaggles.com today!

Swaggles

Merien Daka 187 S. Old Woodward Ave., Ste. 250 Birmingham, MI 48009 248-804-1411 meriendakadesigngroup.com merien@mdakadesigngroup.com Advertisement on page 83

is to support organizations and causes that are dedicated to animal rescues. Swaggles believes it’s important for dogs to have the compassion and protection that are needed for their overall healing and wellbeing.

Because the organization believes so much in its brand,

Temeria Heard, Founder 3031 W. Grand Blvd., Ste. 505B Detroit, MI 48202 313-259-2800 877-528-0884 swaggles.com Advertisement on page 67

Is it important to have a trusted relationship with a mortgage lender?

A: The mortgage environment and the mortgage process can be challenging to navigate for someone with no proficiency in the field.

For many clients, their home is the largest investment they’ll make in their lifetime, so it

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to gain an understanding of how each space will be utilized. This helps them put together an overall conceptual design, including all exterior design selections and interior design choices.

“We take full responsibility over managing each subcontractor and vendor, to ensure our designs are being executed as specified.

We oversee the entire installation — from furniture, rugs, art, and wall décor pieces to the final accessories,” Daka says.

What’s the mission of Swaggles?

A: Founded in 2019 by Temeria Heard, Swaggles supports organizations that provide protection, compassion, and forever homes to dogs in need.

Swaggles donates a percentage of its profits from the sale of unique apparel and accessories to anti-cruelty and anti-animal abuse causes, as its core mission

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related to window placement based on custom built-ins, wall buildout accents, niches, or furniture locations that are used to determine electrical locations, specialty electrical location callouts, corridor widths, or ceiling details.”

Daka Design Group breaks the design process into four different steps: pre-design, design, project management, and installation.

They begin by learning about their client’s needs, wants, lifestyle, personal style, and aspirations,

should be handled with the utmost care. As much as we live in a digital world, there’s still no substitute for personalized, attentive, and professional service from a true expert.

Having someone in your corner who’s looking out for your best

interests while providing proper, responsible advice is worth everything when it comes to deciding where to secure your mortgage.

Mutual of Omaha Mortgage Tony Gatliff SVP of Mortgage Lending and Corporate Outreach 401 S. Old Woodward, Ste. 457 Birmingham, MI 48009 313-205-5609 tonygatliff.com Advertisement on page 107

What are you starting to see post-pandemic in the southeast Michigan real estate market?

A: “I’ve never seen anything like this in nearly 20 years in real estate,” says Realtor Cindy Kahn.

“It was difficult to sell homes during the height of the pandemic, although at Cindy Kahn Real Estate, we had a record-breaking year. But the market we’re seeing now is stunning. Low inventory and low interest rates are causing the craziness.”

Kahn says many people have been

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working from home, and they want a house to be conducive to that.

“Families have been together a long time this past year, and they want a home that offers more amenities such as more space, pools, home offices, bigger kitchens, and yards,” she says.

Lately, potential buyers are up against multiple offers. They write “love letters” saying they fell in love with the seller’s home, offer more

than the asking price, and still don’t get the home. On the other side, sellers can’t just throw their home on the market without it looking good and well-maintained. Offers are coming in over the asking price, but houses still need to be priced right.

It’s important to have a professional and knowledgeable real estate agent such as Cindy Kahn Real Estate to guide you through this process.

Hall & Hunter Realtors Cindy Kahn, Realtor 442 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, MI 48009 248-568-7309 cindykahn.com Advertisement on page 104

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TRUSTED ADVISERS Q&A Q:

How do you evaluate a city for a potential move?

A: There are a number of factors that come into play that can affect your quality of life and overall happiness.

• Potential and future job opportunities are crucial. Research companies in the area that offer employment in your field, and look for professional and social networks you can connect with.

• If having friends and family nearby is a priority, you should consider moving to a city that isn’t

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The DeKroub Team RE/MAX Platinum, Renee DeKroub 108 West Grand River Ave. Howell, MI 48843 866-945-1920 thedekroubteam.com Advertisement on page 110

cost of the items. Making selections before the contract is finalized helps to ensure the products will be available when they’re needed.

Since appliances have the longest lead time, the first thing to do in a kitchen remodel is to choose your appliances. Once the team at Renovation By Design knows the lead time, they can start working on your cabinetry selections, countertops, and tile.

While some companies have raised prices during the pandemic, it’s likely that supply costs will come down in 2022. RBD is busy, but they’re never too busy for their clients. Whether you want a kitchen, bath, or basement remodel, a family room addition, or a second story, they’d be happy to work with you to bring your design dreams to life.

Renovation By Design Tom Inger/Jon Ropes, Owners 2516 S. Adams Rd. Rochester Hills, MI 48309 248-260-7639 renovationbydesign.org info@renovationbydesign.org Advertisement on page 106

My family would like to buy a home in northern Michigan. When we find properties we love, the homes are already under contract. What will give us an edge over other potential buyers?

A: It’s an extremely competitive housing market in northern Michigan. Houses are selling super fast, and if families wait for the perfect house to come up for sale, they’re going to miss out. Once the property hits the internet, it already has a contract.

• You need to get your ducks in a row when it comes to purchasing a home up north.

• Know exactly what you can

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time there to see what it feels like on a Saturday morning or during your commute, to see what traffic’s like during rush hour. Just by walking in the city, you’ll know if it feels right to you.

Renee and Tony DeKroub believe your needs and concerns are the absolute No. 1 priority. The DeKroub Team’s knowledge of the area, dedication, and expertise make them the ideal choice when buying or selling your home.

Has the pandemic affected the remodeling industry?

A: Supply shortages and delays have been the most challenging issues at Renovation By Design.

Fortunately, the policies and procedures established prior to the pandemic helped them meet their clients’ expectations.

For instance, everything required for a project is selected prior to signing a building agreement.

This allows RBD to order product immediately, so they can secure the

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too far from them.

• Search local media to find what types of entertainment, festivals, and sporting events are happening nearby.

• Scout out restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses that you’re interested in.

• If you have children, consider the local education system in the city before starting them in a new district.

• Test-drive the city by spending

afford. You can show the seller that you’re pre-approved if you aren’t going with cash.

• Inventory is tight. You need to form a relationship with a really good agent who has knowledge of the market in the area you’re thinking about. Ask the agent if you can have one of the first looks at a property before it comes on the market.

• Don’t be afraid to buy a house

sight unseen. Have your agent FaceTime you through the house.

You can see every room and every feature indoors and outside the property. You can make a decision using FaceTime and lock that house up!

Working with the expert team at Kidd & Leavy can make the process of finding your up north dream home much easier and more efficient.

Kidd & Leavy Real Estate Pat Leavy, Owner 325 E. Lake St. Petoskey, MI 49770 231-838-6700 (mobile) 231-439-2800 patleavy.com patleavy@kiddleavy.com Advertisement on page 97

What qualities should I look for in a real estate agent or broker?

A: Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, it’s critically important to choose an experienced Realtor who will be your advocate and will focus on your specific needs. The agent should be a good listener, a problem-solver, and your negotiator throughout the entire

process. With an expert by your side, especially one who has legal real estate knowledge, you can feel confident if title issues, inspection concerns, or occupancy disputes arise.

Loyalty is also an essential trait in an agent or broker. Patty Pozios

Vasilos, of Sine & Monaghan Realtors, is extremely loyal to her clients. As an attorney and an associate broker, she does her best to help every client successfully reach their goals.

Sine & Monaghan Realtors Patty Pozios Vasilos, Esq. Associate Broker 18412 Mack Ave. Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 313-884-7000 313-477-3124 (cell) pattyvasilos.com pattyvasilos@gmail.com Advertisement on page 107

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TRUSTED ADVISERS Q&A Q:

What makes a project designed by Michael J. Dul & Associates stand out from the others?

A: Michael J. Dul, president and owner of Michael J. Dul & Associates, says there are six principles that make his company stand out from the competition: • Active listening. They begin by communicating with clients to understand their point of view, including design preferences, budget, and schedule.

• Design concept. Visuals are used for client review and feedback, blending a customer’s wants and needs with the

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Michael J. Dul & Associates Inc.

Nosan Signature Homes is taking lot reservations on a new boutique development on Franklin Road between 14 Mile and Maple.

You can work with Nosan or a builder of your choice. This development features 11 half-acreplus lots on the west and east side of Franklin in Bloomfield Hills, with Bloomfield Hills schools, city sewer and water, and walking distance to downtown Franklin, the cider mill, shops, and parks.

Nosan Signature Homes

Michael J. Dul, President/Owner 212 Daines St. Birmingham, MI 48009 248-644-3410 mjdul.com Advertisement on page 82

boutique developments, ranging from two to 10 homesites in infill areas. These smaller communities typically meet modern requirements for sewer/water/ storm drainage, and will likely have a homeowner’s association to allow for uniform and cooperative upkeep of homesites. With a completed boutique development, you have a number of homes that tend to bolster value, so you’re not the most expensive home on the block.

Terry Nosan, Pricipal Building and Real Estate 30600 Northwestern Hwy., Ste. 400 Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-538-1549 nosansignaturehomes.com tnosan@nosan.net Advertisement on page 70

With the market so hot right now, can’t anyone sell a house?

A: That’s a great question. The market is super hot right now, and it’s more important than ever to have a great agent working on your behalf. Buyers are struggling to get offers accepted, and sellers are often leaving a lot of money on the table. With the high frequency of multiple offer situations

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specifications above industry standards, promoting accurate implementation and anticipation of project costs.

• Project management. Talented project managers guide the client through each step of the design and construction.

• A custom look and feel. Dul says he and his team believe the best results mean long-term enjoyment of a personalized space by its owners and everyone who sees it.

What are the benefits of a boutique development?

A: In recent years, the most desirable residential areas tend to be infill areas close to established walkable communities. You might think your only choice is an older home that needs a lot of remodeling, or tearing down an older home and building new.

While those are good options, most people don’t want to have the most expensive home in an older community.

Nosan Signature Homes has found a successful solution:

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architecture and qualities/ challenges of the site itself. All of this is done with a creative touch.

• Full-cycle experience. No matter what the design, the team at Michael J. Dul & Associates applies their knowledge and skills related to plants, products, technologies, and materials. They know qualified contractors and local ordinances.

• Construction documents.

Michael J. Dul & Associates provides drawings and

occurring at the moment, having an experienced agent who can help guide you through that process and negotiate on your behalf can save you tens of thousands of dollars or more.

Logan Wert and the team at Indulge Property Group invests heavily in marketing each and every one of their properties, to

ensure they maximize clients’ profits on the sale of their homes.

Whether it’s a $50,000 home or a $5 million home, they believe everyone deserves their luxury experience. That’s why their motto is this: “Treat yourself to the best.

You deserve it.”

Indulge Property Group at KW Domain Logan Wert, Owner/Realtor 210 S. Old Woodward Ave., Ste. 200 Birmingham, MI 48009 248-590-0117 indulgepropertygroup.com logan@logansells.com Advertisement on page 109

Can I determine how much my home is worth from internet websites such as Zillow and Trulia?

A: The answer is no! It’s not possible for a third-party website headquartered in California or New York to provide an accurate value for a home located in Oakland County.

Websites like Zillow and Trulia use computer-generated home values based on calculations and

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determined by a top Realtor in algorithms. They don’t consider your area who knows the market what’s going on in your area (neighborhood preference, school — not an internet website! districts, etc.). By providing inaccurate estimates, these websites can create a false sense of hope that leads to frustration.

It’s critical that when you’re selling a home, the value is

Tushar Vakhariya KW Domain Luxury Homes International 210 S. Old Woodward Ave., Ste. 200 Birmingham, MI 48009 248-289-0660 tusharvakhariya.com tushar@tvahomes.com

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