Hour Detroit | April 2025

THE CITY GUIDE ISSUE

Tarik Skubal

new Game 5 of

The Cy Young winner talks about the Tigers’ n season, family life in metro Detroit, and Game 5 the ALDS

Try

Luxury Innovation

Luxury and innovation with our state of the art facilities located in Michigan and Florida.

Cutting-Edge Care

Highest standards of care by integrating the latest medical techniques and technology

DRS. VIKRAM AND CHETHANA GOTTAM

ART OF DERMATOLOGY

FOUNDERS OF PREMIER DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE

At Art of Dermatology, our Board Certified Providers are dedicated to offering exceptional care for the diagnosis, treatment, and enhancement of your overall skin health. We understand how important it is to look and feel your best. That’s why our team of highly experienced providers are dedicated to enhancing your natural beauty.

With several locations to serve you, trust us as your go-to dermatology practice, providing you with everything you need in one convenient place.

From personalized consultations to state of the art procedures, our promise is to provide the highest standard of care backed by expertise and compassion. We serve to be a one stop shop for all of your dermatology and aesthetic services.

Art of Dermatology is dedicated to offering exceptional care for the diagnosis, treatment, and enhancement of your overall skin health. Experience the art of beautiful, healthy skin at Art of Dermatology.

Ready to live out ? We’re

wish you were here.

It’s not just a destination – it’s the destination.

See why The Wall Street Journal featured Traverse City as one of “The 10 Best Places to Go in 2025”.

Elevating expectations.

The kitchen. It’s where we strive to delight the people we love with the freshest food, exquisitely prepared and beautifully presented.

In The Living Kitchen Experience, we invite you to envision a higher standard for your own home. Featuring stunning vignettes designed around Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances, this curated environment will inspire a wealth of new ideas to elevate your kitchen and bring joy to your life.

Stop by our Macomb location for a Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Living Kitchen Experience.

Modern Living in Historic Detroit

New Apartments Starting at $1,610 per Month

Centrally located in the Brush Park neighborhood, City Modern is a vibrant community celebrating visionary design and historic preservation. Residents enjoy urban living just blocks away from the best shopping, dining and entertainment downtown Detroit has to offer.

One-, Two- and Three-Bedroom Units Available for Lease

31 City Guide

With its extraordinary history and present-day allure, Detroit is a one-ofa-kind place to explore, whether you live within city limits or on the other side of the world.

 This photo, taken in downtown Detroit sometime between 1900 and 1910, shows Gratiot Avenue Avenue from Woodward. To learn more about the history of America’s first concrete-paved road, flip to page 43.

As the #1 state for energy-sector job growth and climate preparedness, Michigan is the ideal location for businesses looking to maximize sustainability. Join the ranks of top companies that are taking advantage of clean energy initiatives as we lead the charge toward carbon neutrality by 2050. Seize your opportunity at MICHIGANBUSINESS.ORG

Up Front

PROFILE

Tarik Skubal on baseball, family, and community.

MADE IN MICHIGAN Award-winning poet Victoria Chang grew up in metro Detroit.

LOCAL LANDMARKS

A tree at Auburn and Livernois may be older than the U.S.

EDUCATION

Students learn by doing at these two local schools.

24/Seven

SUSTAINABILITY

This childhood dream come true was built with reclaimed materials.

FASHION

Get your dose of spring fashion inspiration from these runway looks.

DESIGN

A couple restored this 1913 Indian Village home’s Old World charm.

CULTURE CONVO

Detroiters make Detroit Detroit.

LISTINGS

Live music, theater, comedy, and more this month.

PROFILE

Ann Arbor musician Nadim Azzam talks about his new EP.

SPORTS

Detroit City FC kicks off its new season with some major changes.

Food&Drink

DRINKS

Are robots invading our watering holes?

COOKING

Michigan’s premier cannabis chef teaches us how to cook with her favorite herb.

FOOD FOCUS

This garlic sauce has a stronghold in metro Detroit.

RESTAURANT REPORT

We examine the state of Michigan’s highest restaurant with great eats along the way.

RESTAURANT LISTINGS, RECIPE

EDITOR’S

EDITOR’S LETTER

Before we made the final decision

to put Tigers ace Tarik Skubal on our cover, I did some digging in the Hour Detroit archives (after all, baseball is a game of stats). First, I wanted to see how many times a Tiger had graced our cover. The answer? Five. Interestingly, two of the covers were fashion-focused …

The baseball-related covers featured Bobby Higginson in April 1999 ( “a fiery force” on a struggling team), Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez in April 2004 (his first year with the Tigers), and Jim Leyland in May 2008 (at the start of his third season as manager).

This research led me to another question: How did the Tigers perform after appearing on the cover? In other words, was there a cover curse?

Fortunately, my findings were reassuring. The cover players remained healthy, and for the most part, the teams improved, meaning that Tarik Skubal — 2024’s American League Cy Young Award winner — was in the clear. You’ll find our interview with him on page 18.

In recent years, our April cover image has aligned with our annual City Guide. Until last year, the audience for the feature was primarily metro Detroiters. However, with the NFL Draft coming to town in 2024, we shifted the focus to out-of-town visitors.

VOLUME THIRTY ISSUE FOUR

PUBLISHER: Jason Hosko

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Kate Walsh

DIGITAL EDITOR: Christina Clark

COPY EDITOR: Olivia Sedlacek

ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Juliana Lumaj, Jack Thomas

CONTRIBUTORS: Ronald Ahrens, Bill Dow, Natalia Holtzman, Ryan Patrick Hooper, Michelle Kobernick, Geoff Koch, Mickey Lyons, Jim McFarlin, Danny Palumbo, Seth Schwartz, Lauren Wethington, Dana White, Khristi Zimmeth

INTERNS: Blake Clark, Angela Martinez

DESIGN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Lindsay Richards

SENIOR PRODUCTION ARTIST: Stephanie Daniel

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR: Steven Prokuda

CONTRIBUTORS: Rachel Idzerda, Jacob Lewkow, Giuseppa Nadrowski, Rebecca Simonov, Joe Tiano

ADVERTISING

MEDIA ADVISORS: Samantha Alessandri, Cynthia Barnhart, Hannah Brown, Karli Brown, Sarah Cavanaugh, Cathleen Francois, Donna Kassab, Lisa LaBelle, Carol Lawrence, Mary Pantely & Associates

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION MANAGER: Crystal Nelson

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Amanda Kozlowski

ACCOUNT MANAGER: Elizabeth Kowalik

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joe Salafia

SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR: Emily Doran

IT

IT DIRECTOR: Jeremy Leland

DIGITAL

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY: Travis Fletcher

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Matt Cappo

SR. DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: Luanne Lim

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: Izak Geisler CIRCULATION

CIRCULATION MANAGER: Riley Meyers

CIRCULATION COORDINATORS: David Benvenuto, Cathy Krajenke, Rachel Moulden, Michele Wold

MARKETING & EVENTS

MARKETING & EVENTS MANAG ER: Lyndsay Zelenak

COMMUNICATIONS & PR LEAD: Regan Wright

WEDDINGS ACCOUNT MANAGER: Karen Wilkie

MARKETING AND EVENTS COORDINATOR: Maya Stephenson

MARKETING AND EVENTS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Isabella Amadori

MARKETING AND EVENTS INTERNS: Zeinab Beydoun, Olivia Clark

MARKETING RESEARCH

The draft ended up exceeding expectations — drawing 775,000 people, more than double the original projections. The city also landed on Travel + Leisure’s and The New York Times’ lists of must-visit destinations for 2025.

Given this momentum, we are continuing with a visitors component and are also including articles for longtime residents — such as a history of Woodward Avenue, an interview with returning Detroiter Emily Gail, and much more.

I hope you enjoy the issue. Now, let’s play ball!

KATE WALSH, EDITOR KWALSH@HOUR-MEDIA.COM

MARKETING RESEARCH DIRECTOR: Sofia Shevin

MARKETING RESEARCH COORDINATORS: Kristin Bestrom, Alyssa Fueri

MARKETING RESEARCH SALES COORDINATOR: Alexandra Thompson

MARKETING RESEARCH SALES ASSISTANT: Theresa Lowery

PRS GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Kendra Okamoto

MARKETING RESEARCH INTERNS: Alyssa Dunson, Alli Garpow

BUSINESS

CEO: Stefan Wanczyk

PRESIDENT: John Balardo

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS: Kathie Gorecki

PUBLISHING & SALES ASSISTANT: Logan Neaton

SENIOR ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE: Andrew Kotzian

ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE: Austin Schmelzle, Jenna Glod

DISTRIBUTION: Target Distribution, Troy

5750 NEW KING DRIVE, TROY, MI 48098

TELEPHONE: 248-691-1800 FAX: 248-691-4531

EMAIL: EDITORIAL@HOURDETROIT.COM ON

Refresh Your Look with Eyelid Surgery – A Youthful Transformation Awaits!

Tired eyes can make you look older than you feel. Eyelid surgery, forehead and brow lifting, and under eye “bag” treatment are popular cosmetic procedures which rejuvenate the appearance of your face. Our minimally invasive procedures will give you a more youthful and refreshed look with natural, lasting results. Performed by our experienced board-certified surgeons, eyelid surgery is an effective way to enhance your natural beauty. With seven locations across mid and southeast Michigan, scheduling a consultation is easy. Let’s work together to create positive changes.

Up Front

An interview with the Tigers’ not-so-secret weapon, Tarik Skubal p. 18

THE IMPROBABLE JOURNEY and accomplishments of the Detroit Tigers and their ace, Tarik Skubal, in 2024 will no doubt be remembered for years to come.

Not only did one of MLB’s youngest teams come out of nowhere to win 31 of their last 44 games to make the playoffs, but Skubal, a 2018 ninth-round draft pick who overcame two arm surgeries, became a first-time All-Star and was baseball’s best pitcher.

In fact, it was on his 28th birthday, Nov. 20, that Skubal learned he had won unanimously the 2024 American League Cy Young Award after leading the league in wins (18), ERA (2.39), and strikeouts (228) and becoming the first AL starter to win a pitching Triple Crown in a full season since former Tiger Justin Verlander in 2011.

“It was a pretty cool day and surreal when you put in perspective the journey I’ve had in achieving something like that,” Skubal said in a phone interview from Lakeland, Florida, in mid-February on the eve of spring training. “If you had put me back in college [tiny Seattle University] as a sophomore when I had Tommy John surgery [2016] and told me that years later I would win the Cy Young Award, I probably would have called you a liar.”

Skubal, who in January avoided arbitration when he earned a $7.5 million raise upon signing a one-year, $10.15

million contract, was champing at the bit to start spring training and the new season. “It was a pretty motivating offseason for me personally since we were sent home after I gave up five runs to Cleveland in Game 5,” he said.

“We’re all excited about making another run at it again.”

He’s also pleased that the team acquired former teammate Jack Flaherty and signed the Yankees’ All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres and pitcher Tommy Kahnle, as well as pitcher Alex Cobb from the Guardians.

“We’re young and hungry with new veteran leadership, and we know what it’s like in the postseason. Tiger fans are great, and down the stretch at our park last year, it was packed and loud. I feed off the fans’ energy.”

ARMED AND READY

Tarik Skubal, the Tigers’ Cy Young Award-winning pitcher, is excited to play ball with some old and new teammates and get back to the postseason

BY BILL DOW



Skubal threw just 19 pitches during spring training this February, including a 100.1 mph fastball.



On Aug. 31, 2024, the lefty allowed just one run in eight innings and struck out eight batters, in the Tigers’ 2-1 win over the Red Sox.

PROFILE

Following two seasons in the minor leagues, Skubal made his MLB debut in August 2020. The next year, in his first full MLB season, he finished with an 8-12 record and a 4.34 ERA and impressively struck out 164 batters in 149 1/3 innings, though he surrendered 35 home runs.

But in August of 2022, after he posted a 7-8 record with 117 strikeouts in 117 2/3 innings, his career was in jeopardy as he underwent flexor tendon surgery. He then began an arduous 11-month rehabilitation period under the guidance of pitching coach Chris Fetter along with assistant coaches Robin Lund and Juan Nieves.

When Skubal was activated in July 2023, he had established a new five-day routine, tweaked his delivery, and developed a nasty changeup to go along with his devastating 97 mph fastball, slider, and occasional curveball. He also commanded the strike zone and was getting ahead of the hitters early in counts. Skubal won the AL Pitcher of the Month Award that September after going 4-0 with a .090 ERA over his last five starts and finished his shortened season with a 7-3 record and a 2.80 ERA.

“My biggest takeaway from the rehab was finding a routine that works for me that keeps me fresh for a long season. That way, I don’t get run-down, because that’s when injuries happen,” Skubal said. “From 2021 to now, I’m probably a completely different pitcher in terms of how I attack batters.”

Instead of isolating himself with headphones for four hours before a start, he is now more relaxed and interacts with teammates up until the hour before, when he puts on headphones to help “dial it in.”

Last year, he started bringing in doughnuts from the Apple Fritter Donut Shop in Ferndale for his teammates before day games at Comerica Park.

“I started doing it when we were scuffling a bit, and we ended up turning it around and going on a run, so I became the doughnut guy,” Skubal said. “It then kind of became an expectation from the team. I didn’t bring them in one day, and it was like, ‘Why didn’t you bring in doughnuts?’ I will do it again this year, and it will be a ton of fun.”

“The community we live in has a familyoriented vibe and is really fun,” he said. “I like to come home after games and see kids playing Wiffle ball in the street. That’s really cool.”

He also relishes numerous restaurants in the area.

“I enjoy eating in places in downtown Birmingham like 220 Merrill, and in Detroit, Prime + Proper and Grey Ghost are really good,” he said.

 The Tigers celebrate after clinching their first playoff berth since 2014 last September. Skubal said that he and his wife, Jessica, (high school sweethearts from Kingman, Arizona) and their young son have enjoyed living in metro Detroit, where they “have been treated well.”

all household essentials for individuals and families who move into its new housing unit, Dr. Maya Angelou Village.

“It is really cool to see how the money is making a big impact and helping to give people a fresh start, be resilient, and bounce back,” said Skubal, who was the Tigers’ 2024 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. “I look forward to doing it again this year.” (The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to a player who “best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.”)

Skubal and his wife also discovered the satisfaction of supporting the community, especially through their work with Alternatives for Girls, the Detroit-based multiservice agency dedicated to empowering homeless and at-risk young women.

“The Tigers asked if I wanted to do any charity work, and at the time, I really didn’t have anything in mind, but my wife is pretty passionate about the problem of domestic abuse and the challenges of single moms since she grew up with a single mom, so we linked up with Alternatives for Girls.”

According to MLB, through a generous donation by the Skubals, the nonprofit organization was able to cover the cost of

Only time will tell how far the Tigers will go this new season and whether the team can eventually secure for the long term the services of Skubal, who, assuming his success continues, may eventually command the biggest contract ever given to a pitcher.

Tarik Skubal will be eligible for salary arbitration for the final time after the 2025 campaign, but after the ’26 season, unless the Tigers sign him to a very expensive extension, he’ll become a highly sought-after free agent.

Meanwhile, fans can continue to appreciate and enjoy watching the lefty kick up his leg and empty the tank as he mows down wideeyed opposing hitters while trying to lead the Tigers back to the playoffs.

MADE IN MICHIGAN

Victoria Chang

The internationally recognized poet has traveled from West Bloomfield High to the heights of poetry

BY GEOFF KOCH

ILLUSTRATION BY RACHEL IDZERDA

CONSIDER PROMINENT poets with ties to Michigan. There’s Philip Levine and Robert Hayden, both U.S. poet laureates, though Hayden served long enough ago, in the 1970s, that the role was called something else. Internet lists include Toni Morrison and Joyce Carol Oates, a pair surely more famous for their novelistic exploits. But where, Google and ChatGPT, is Victoria Chang? National Poetry Month is a useful excuse to note that search algorithms and chatbots aren’t yet the arbiters of much about poetry, including success in the field, which Chang, who grew up on Cass Lake and now resides in California, has lately experienced in waves. Her latest book, With My Back to the World, inspired by the visual artist Agnes Martin, won the prestigious U.K. Forward Prize, putting her in company with past winners Jorie Graham, Seamus Heaney, Ted Hughes, and other poetry heavyweights. In a recent interview, we discussed her home state recollections and what verse and creativity are good for anyway.

What’s your earliest Michigan memory?

Snow. No matter what, I wanted to go outside, and those impressions and imagery shaped me as a writer, I guess, since they still make it into my work. I remember going out one day that was so cold and still. Nobody else was around, and it looked like the smoke from the chimneys wasn’t even moving. It just seemed like a painting.

How was poetry part of your childhood? I went to West Bloomfield High School and had a few amazing English teachers. One was Ruth Leinweber. She had us reading so much poetry and would sort of prance around the room and recite Emily Dickinson. We had to memorize, too, and I can still hear some of these lines in my head today: “Because I could not stop for Death / He kindly stopped for me.” I can’t say that I liked poetry much at the time, but she introduced it, and her passion just sort of carried me on and I kept doing it.

What did your parents make of your interest in poetry?

They were immigrants … math and science people. Their opinion was “As long as you can feed yourself, you’re free to do what you want.” I liked math, too, and for years always had practical jobs with regular paychecks. I was able to follow through on what they wanted, at least at a minimum, and otherwise had all the freedom in the world.

You have an MBA from Stanford University and worked in business for a stretch. How did this affect you as an artist?

Sometimes, you can learn what you want to do and who you want to be by opposition. I had a bunch of classmates in business school who wanted to start companies and be venture capitalists. They wanted to make a ton of money — I found I just wasn’t interested in that, though I was in the people. Poetry is really about creation. So is starting a company; it’s just that the focus of the creative energy is totally different.

So why poetry for you?

I also write children’s books and make visual art for fun. Poetry just happens to be the medium in which I’m working and teaching. In the classroom [at Georgia Tech], I teach technical things, such as how and why line breaks are used and so on. But mostly, I’m teaching how to live truthfully, emotionally, and authentically in the world. And to wake up our dead emotions and our dead selves, which is how most of us live most of the day. Poetry is a means to live a really rich and colorful life through your perception.

Which poets do you read?

I like poets and writers who ask big metaphysical questions: What are we doing here? Is it just random chance? Can we seek more spiritually by exploring beauty and truth? At the moment, The Book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa is always nearby, as well as Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino. Larry Levis, Charles Wright, T.S. Eliot, Elizabeth Bishop, Sylvia Plath … there are just so many. I read all the time.

Any advice for someone who might want to try their hand at poetry? For me, anyway, when I’m writing and making art, that’s what shapes my days and how I arrange my calendar. I’m always trying to get back to it. As for subjects, think about the hundreds of interactions you have in a week with books, language, media, and people. What sticks? What haunts you? I like to be struck by something rather than having a rote daily practice.

View a video of Victoria Chang reading her poetry at hourdetroit.com/victoriachang

The Bebb oak is depicted on the city of Rochester Hills’ logo.

Michigan Champion Bebb Oak

The tree at Auburn and Livernois has seen a lot

BY JACK THOMAS

Near the busy intersection of Auburn and Livernois in Rochester Hills is a massive tree. A sign nearby reads: “Michigan Champion Bebb Oak — Our Bebb Oak is over 200 years old and may be the largest in America!”

Intrigued by this sign, we contacted Rochester Hills Museum Manager Pat McKay for some facts and figures.

Bebb oak trees are a naturally occurring hybrid of two different oak species — white oak and bur oak. Hybrid trees are no longer eligible for the National Register of Champion Trees, but back when they were, the last Bebb oak to be declared America’s

largest scored 270 on the ratings scale. Due to its size, the one in Rochester Hills would score 319 to take the top spot. We can confidently call it the state’s largest Bebb oak, according to the 2025 Michigan Big Tree Register, which measured it at a girth of 245 inches, a height of 78 feet, and a crown spread of 122 feet. The acorn that produced the Michigan champion Bebb oak germinated as early as 1650. The tree itself may have sprouted as long as 250 years ago, making it slightly older than this country. Once, it was part of a massive oak forest. The first pioneers came to the area in 1817 to

cut down trees, but they spared this one. So did Albert Terry, who used to live in the nearby brick house at 1110 Auburn Road. Terry was Avon Township supervisor from 1862 to 1876, and the Bebb oak was located on his farm. Later, both Auburn and Livernois roads were built around the tree. Over time, the weight of Livernois and the nearby sidewalk cost it about half of its roots. Today, amid the suburban sprawl, the tree remains firmly where it was planted, still living and breathing.

LOCAL LANDMARKS

EDUCATION

Big Boosts for Hands-on Learning

A new STEM center in Novi and a $1 million gift to a Detroit learning center enhance high school students’ educations

BY ANGELA MARTINEZ

MUCH HAS been written about the benefits of experiential learning. It can provide students with a better understanding of course materials, as well as further their skills, interests, and values — which in turn builds confidence. Within the past year, a suburban high school and city school district have made significant investments in providing their students with this type of learning environment.

Detroit Catholic Central’s New STEM Center

When you drive onto Detroit Catholic Central’s campus in Novi, you’ll notice its brand-new science, technology, engineering, and math center, the George and Mary Turek Hall of Science. Not only does the facility have floor-to-ceiling windows, but through those windows you can see a U.S. Navy Blue Angels jet suspended from the ceiling.

The 57,000-square-foot facility at this 97-year-old all-boys private school offers much more than a flashy first impression. The center helps students develop hands-on skills that will prepare them for college and STEM-related jobs, including in aviation.

Some features include a 4.3-meter Observa Dome with a digital Celestron telescope that rotates 360 degrees and can observe stars during the daytime; a FIRST

Robotics Competition field with access to the Haas VF-2YT CNC machinery that creates custom parts for robots; and aviation programs with high-tech equipment like the Redbird 180-degree flight simulator, which allows students to practice flying and accumulate flight hours toward a pilot’s license with a certified flight instructor.

“Any field that has a STEM representation … we are preparing our guys [for it], and we’re doing it at a level that is university standard, not just high school standard,” says Amy Ely, the director of STEM at Catholic Central. Ely says that last year the school gave out over a million dollars in tuition assistance so that this level of education is “available for anyone that has the desire to try.”

The $61 million center was made possible through donations — and not a cent of tuition money. George Turek, an alum who graduated in 1966, was the primary donor responsible for the center, which was named after his parents.

More Automotive Programming at Detroit’s Breithaupt Career and Technical Center

In the Detroit Public Schools Community District, more opportunities are available for high schoolers interested in automotive

careers. That’s thanks to a $1 million donation last December from the Joel Landy Foundation, a charity honoring the late Cass Technical grad known for his restoration work in Midtown.

The donation went toward the newly renamed Joel Landy Automotive Training Lab at the Herman A. Breithaupt Career and Technical Center, which offers handson career instruction to DPSCD students.

“The program itself trains 10th through 12th grade students in automotive services, collision repair, and connects them to paid internships and local car dealerships so students can earn money while they gain skills and receive high school credit,” says Kerrie Mitchell, president and CEO of the DPSCD Foundation.

The donation will also cover new equipment and field trips that expose students to real-world experiences before they start an internship. Students who complete the automotive course earn an Automotive Service Excellence certification, which validates their skill set to employers. Students who excel at their internships are often hired after graduation, Mitchell says.

“We [the DPSCD Foundation] try to create these opportunities to ensure that our students are career or college ready once they leave our high school,” Mitchell says.

A U.S. Navy Blue Angels jet greets students at Catholic Central each day; high schoolers in Detroit can earn credits and income while gaining automotive services skills.

A California couple’s search for a historic home in a new city led them to this fixer-upper in Detroit’s Indian Village p. 28

FOND MEMORIES of her own childhood treehouse prompted designer Martine Ilana, of Temescal Creative in Franklin, to design and build a backyard getaway for her 7-year-old twins, Opal and Oscar. “I absolutely loved my treehouse,” she reminisces. “It was a calm, comfortable, and simple space — close enough to my family’s house so that I was safe, but it also gave me room to be creative and enjoy nature. I believe the time spent outdoors in my treehouse during my childhood gave me a heightened appreciation for the natural world. My treehouse was where I could do a million different craft projects, and it was a fun place to bring friends, too.”

While she had the same goals in mind for the outdoor space she envisioned for her twins at their Bloomfield Hills home, that’s where the similarities end. “My goals were to push the reclaimed treehouse concept, its design, and eventual sourcing of the materials to be as sustainable as possible,” she explains. “I wanted the space to connect the twins to nature and make sure it was designed and created in a sustainable way — not only with the material selections [reclaimed and recyclable materials] but also to allow [their treehouses] to grow with them as they got older, instead of growing out of them, as they do with many of their toys.”

SUSTAINABILITY

Magic Treehouse

A

Bloomfield Hills designer and mom imagined and built this year-round backyard retreat

BY KHRISTI ZIMMETH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTA XOCHILT PEREZ

When she couldn’t find anyone whose products met her criteria, she decided to do it herself. “I wanted to personally design, draw the plans, and source every component,” she explains. “My intention was for 85% of the materials to be sourced locally and then for the 15% that was not locally sourced to be recyclable. Nontoxic materials include salvaged woods, metal roofing, and low-VOC [volatile organic compounds] paints.”

Set inside a circle of 100-year-old maple and oak trees near Sodon Lake, the two A-frame structures are connected in the middle by a large swing bar. “This visually represents the unique relationship of twins,” Ilana explains. “[They’re] separate but always connected.” Her hope was to have the treehouses be a visually appealing addition to the landscape and look like sculptures in the backyard.

Constructed with the ability for the parts to be disassembled and then reassembled into different forms as the twins grow, the design allows for a Phase 2 that might 

involve taking the slide off and adding a second room off the back, or even a Phase 3, which could transform the space into an accessory dwelling unit for an additional onproperty living space. “I [purposely kept] the design modular and easy to work with in the future,” she adds.

Accessible year-round, the structures are used in both sunshine and snow. “This is where they go to play charades, bring their friends, dance, read books, color, and have snacks,” she says. “It’s their calm space, where they can regroup and relax after racing around our backyard.”

The designer would welcome the opportunity to create similar projects for other homeowners. “It was incredibly fun and rewarding,” she says, adding that the twins are fans, too. She and her children “watch a lot of Treehouse Masters with Pete Nelson,” Ilana says, referring to the Animal Planet series. “[We] get inspiration, and [Nelson] offers many Phase 2 construction ideas.”

Encircled by 100-year-old trees, two A-frame structures are connected by a swing bar.

For Gucci, former Creative Director Sabato De Sarno used a palette of neon green, deep burgundy, and sunny orange to electrify looks in his spring/summer ’25 collection.

FASHION

GO BOLD

Where to get this spring’s brightest looks

BY GIUSEPPA NADROWSKI

FROM COBALT blue to pistachio green, canary yellow, cardinal red, powder pink, and so many more, when it comes to picking a color to wear this spring, the brighter the better. What we love about this trend is that you can choose to take the monochrome route, wearing a singular pop-bright shade from head to toe, as seen both at Ferragamo and Gucci. Or instead, you can decide to style a paint-box-ready mix of pigments into one eye-catching ensemble, as demonstrated at Prada, Tory Burch, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. Our favorite way to wear the look is by mixing a few contrasting hues with classic denim for a look that’s casual, cool, and colorful.

Troy,

Clockwise from top left: Firefly Green Silk Carré with Flora Print, $520, at area Gucci boutiques, gucci.com; Gabardine Top, $1,500, at area Gucci boutiques; Street Skateboard in Maple, Steel, and Aluminum, $5,550, Hermès at Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 947-218-0740, hermes.com; ’70s Jeans in Authentic Medium Blue Denim, $1,020, Saint Laurent at Somerset Collection, 947-237-3088, ysl.com; Short Double-Faced Wool Coat, $1,590, Max Mara at Somerset Collection, 248-637-3073, maxmara.com; Shoulder Bag, price upon request, Ferragamo at Somerset Collection, 248-643-4515, ferragamo.com; Tory Burch Lucky Duck Tank Swimsuit, $198, Tory Burch at Somerset Collection, 248-458-1307, toryburch.com; Sandal in Calfskin and Nappa, $2,025, Hermès at Somerset Collection, 947-2180740, hermes.com; Projekt Produkt Cat Eye Sunglasses in Red, $285, Coup D’état, 9301 Kercheval Ave., Suite 6, Detroit, 313-782-4480, shopcoupdetat.com.

Gucci

Gucci

Planting Roots

After researching cities throughout the U.S., a Northern California couple found their dream home and neighborhood in Detroit’s Indian Village

BY SETH SCHWARTZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSEPH TIANO

LIKE MANY FOLKS around the world, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mike Wong and Tammie Soto realized remote work offered the opportunity to live anywhere. They had been residents of Oakland, California, for 15 years, and the high cost of living in their two-bedroom, 1,100-square-foot apartment propelled them to look elsewhere.

Determined to find a historic home, they scheduled trips to Omaha, Nebraska; Indianapolis; Chicago; and Detroit. Detroit real estate agent Austin Black II helped them to view Boston-Edison, Sherwood Forest, Palmer Woods, and Indian Village in May 2023. He set up a tour with City Institute.

“The tour gave us a great understanding of Detroit’s history,” Soto says. “We saw a few homes in Indian Village, which we liked the most because of its walkability, community, and proximity to downtown. We agreed to keep an eye out for any new listings in the neighborhood.”

The renovated kitchen features an antique chandelier, a cherrywood butcher-block island, and bronze tile over the stove.



The couple loves being part of a community with young families.



A window bench and a velvet valance Victorian window treatment/curtains give color to the dining room.

Early that June, the listing for a home on Iroquois Ave. came on the market. Architects Malcomson & Higginbotham designed the residence built in 1913.

“We knew we had to act quickly because this is a very sought-after neighborhood,” Soto says. “We contacted Austin immediately, and he FaceTimed us to tour through the home. It needed a lot of work, but it had good bones and much of the original woodwork was preserved. We made an offer the same day.” They closed on the property in July and moved into the home in September.

Without a functional kitchen, “I had the unique opportunity to design the entire kitchen from scratch,” Soto says. “I selected copper-colored art deco tiles for the hearth and carefully integrated the original cabinets into the design to honor the home’s history. We refinished the pine floors, updated the hardware, added a butcher-block island along with new cabinetry, modern appliances, and a butler’s sink. We also renovated the adjoining nook to create a seamless flow. The result is a harmonious blend of Old World charm and contemporary functionality.”

The couple also refinished the oak floors on the first and second levels and reimagined the master bathroom, pulling inspiration from Maison Athénée, a Parisian boutique hotel with sentimental value for the couple. They extended

the space, installed a claw-foot tub, and added tile with copper accents, while also upgrading the electrical components.

Soto and Wong converted one of the six bedrooms into a nursery and playroom for their year-old twin daughters. Another room was opened into an office for two.

After years of neglect, each room needed to be replastered. Soto and Wong painstakingly sourced 24 new sconces to bring light back into dim spaces; they bought three chandeliers and installed door hardware — over 60% of which was missing — ensuring the home’s charm was revived. In the basement, fresh concrete was poured, and DTE Energy completed an overhead-to-underground conversion for the electrical equipment. The front door, a centerpiece of the home’s facade, was completely rebuilt, restoring the entryway to its original grandeur.

In January 2024, Soto’s parents also moved to Detroit from California into the 1,200-square-foot carriage house. Plans for brick masonry and balcony repairs are underway.

“The move has been transformative for us,” Soto shares. “We love being able to walk through the neighborhood with our girls, grab coffee, and run errands nearby. It was important to us to maintain the sense of diversity we cherished in Oakland, and Detroit offers that and so much more. The energy here is unmatched. The pride, the sense of community, the warm and welcoming spirit make it a truly special place. Detroit stands out as one of the rare big cities in the U.S. where you can feel this kind of connection and belonging.

“From celebrations to casual gatherings, there’s always something bringing neighbors together. The neighborhood’s resurgence is tangible, with young families breathing new life into historic homes and filling the streets with laughter, fostering a sense of safety and warmth.”

Last November, Soto’s sister Vickie and her husband closed on a home within walking distance.

“I always envisioned a multigenerational home where my family could be close,” Soto says. “Now, that dream has come true.”

The sink, backsplash, and mirror were sourced in Michigan 

This water-damaged room needed replastering

The hand-paneled foyer has oak doors and a Victorian settee.

SPONSOR

BY EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE NOW — DON'T MISS OUT —

THURSDAY | JUNE 26, 2025

SPONSORS

SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS

BY

City Guide

OUR ANNUAL GUIDE TO DETROIT HAS TAKEN A NEW TURN. OUR MISSION IS NO LONGER TO APPEAL JUST TO NEW AND LONGTIME RESIDENTS — BUT ALSO TO VISITORS FROM NEAR AND FAR. WITH RECENT MENTIONS IN NATIONAL MEDIA AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN 2025, DETROIT IS NOW A CONSIDERED A HOT DESTINATION TO THE REST OF THE WORLD. (WE ALWAYS KNEW IT WAS WORTH VISITING.) WHAT FOLLOWS IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, FROM A NOSTALGIC LOOK AT WOODWARD AVENUE TO THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN THE MOTOR CITY AND SO MUCH MORE.

RONALD AHRENS, JIM MCFARLIN, DANA WHITE, AND THE HOUR DETROIT STAFF

ON THE FIRST MORNING

of my second trip to Detroit, I opened the curtains of my 29th-floor hotel suite to a wide-screen view of skyscrapers and parking structures glowing under a rising sun. The funny thing about second trips to new places is you are sort of familiar, but still a stranger; I could name many of the skyscrapers: Ally, Penobscot, and the shiniest of them all, the 49-story, glass-sided Hudson’s Detroit, topped off last spring. But much was still a mystery at street level — so much to discover.

This visit, I wanted to see what I missed the first time and revisit some favorites — the Guardian Building, the Detroit Institute of Arts’ Rivera Court. I wanted to experience the entertainment district, to see a concert or even go to a Lions game. I wanted to sample the diverse and evergrowing collection of hotels. Most of all, I wanted to go off the beaten path — or at least to the last stop on the QLine — to see parts of the city that were less shiny but no less compelling and themselves on the cusp of change.

A lot had happened in the year between my autumn visits in 2023 and 2024, from the NFL Draft to Michigan Central Station’s grand reopening to the Tigers’ and the

On Second Look ...

IN LATE 2023, A NEW YORKBASED WRITER TRAVELED TO DETROIT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WROTE ABOUT IT IN OUR CITY GUIDE. SHE LIKED IT SO MUCH SHE CAME BACK FOR MORE.

BY DANA WHITE

Lions’ playoff runs. Even Isamu Noguchi’s futuristic Dodge Fountain in Hart Plaza was gushing again after almost 10 years’ dormancy, this time with LED lights that change color. The restaurants and bars that had been barely open a year ago were now packed. The streets were busier, too, with shoppers and tourists checking the sights off their lists, carrying shopping bags that read “Lululemon” and “Nike.” Was that Gucci store there last year? And where was my favorite mural? Save the whales!

Against all odds, Detroit has become a tourist destination. Just recently, The New York Times named it one of its “52 places to go in 2025.” (It’s No. 39, after Osaka, Japan.)

Last October, Michelin released a Detroit edition of its coveted Green Guide, originally in French — appropriate, given the city’s French colonial origins — followed by an English version two months later.

You can see pretty much all the main sights from the QLine, the free light-rail streetcar that travels up Woodward Avenue, and it lets you brag that you visited the city that birthed the automobile without actually driving.

I can’t explain my affinity for a city I previously knew only through music; my family lived in France when I was a child, a perk of my father’s military service, so perhaps the Gallic perfume that wafts over everything strikes an emotional chord in me. Whatever the case, this is the only version of Detroit I know, and I love getting to know it better.

GREEKTOWN TO ME

Downtown Detroit has three casinos, greenlighted in 1996 to boost tax revenue to the city. One of them sits on the northeastern edge of downtown, yards from Ford Field, in a historic district called Greektown. I read somewhere that “Detroit was founded so King Louis XIV of France could wear a beaver hat.” I can’t prove that this is true, but I do know that this area was the center of the local fur trade in the early 18th century, during his reign. Next came the Germans, who built the beautiful Victorian brick buildings that still exist today, followed in the late 19th century

The QLine streetcar runs 3.3 miles with 12 stops from downtown to New Center.

by Greek immigrants who lived, worked, played, and prayed in the neighborhood.

The Greektown Casino (now Hollywood Casino at Greektown) arrived in 2000, the 30-story hotel seven years later. It shimmers iridescent green and hot pink on the skyline, making it a handy landmark to navigate by.

For nongamblers, the nice thing about staying at the Hollywood is that it doesn’t feel (or sound) like a casino hotel. All the gaming rooms lie across the street in historic brick buildings that include a former Catholic girls’ school and a 19th-century tannery. A skyway across Monroe connects the casino to the hotel, which means the lobby itself — which was part of the hotel’s $30 million renovation in 2022 — is calm, quiet, and urban-chic, with no casino jangling and hubbub. It’s close to all the fun, and the rooms are a relative bargain.

Today, the casino and old Greektown compete for attention. Several blocks of Monroe Street feature street-strung lights and piped-in Greek music, a handful of authentic Greek restaurants with retro neon signs, a few bars, a delectable-looking bakery, and a liquor store called Athens, with a mural to match. French street names are painted in Greek on the buildings. It’s a district in transition, about to undergo a $20 million makeover to make it safer and more pedestrian-friendly and create a more “Athens-like experience in downtown Detroit.”

I got my Athens experience at the Golden Fleece, a Greektown mainstay for more than 50 years. There, I enjoyed the best Greek meal of my life: dolmathakia in lemon sauce and moussaka with beef and tomato and a glass of rosé, which I raised to my maternal grandfather, who emigrated from Greece in the 1930s.

BRONZE IS BEAUTIFUL

I missed something big on my first visit, and I had to make up for it. My plan was to jump on the People Mover at the Greektown station and take it to the Renaissance Center stop, but the system was closed for track repairs, so I ended up hoofing it for much of my stay. Which was a blessing in

a way, for the city reveals more of itself at sidewalk level. How did I miss this the first time?

I hoofed it a mile up Beaubien Street to Jefferson and Woodward to the Monument to Joe Louis, nicknamed “The Fist.” You have to stand under this 24-foot-long bronze forearm, painted black and hung from cables, thrusting a clenched fist toward the Detroit River, to feel its full power. Pictures do not do it justice.

Though several chains have popped up in recent years, a few of Greektown’s older establishments remain, such as Golden Fleece, which at age 55 is the district’s longewst-operating restaurant.

Joe Louis Barrow won his first fights as a Detroit teenager and famously defeated Hitler’s favorite boxer, Max Schmeling, in 1938. Louis was world heavyweight champion for the next 12 years and was the first Black athlete of the 20th century to win mainstream adulation.

For its 100th anniversary in 1986, the Detroit Institute of Arts teamed up with magazine publisher Time Inc. to sponsor

events round the city; Sports Illustrated, then a Time Inc. magazine, paid $350,000 for the new monument honoring Louis. An island in the middle of a busy eight-lane avenue may seem like an odd location, but when the acclaimed Mexican-born artist Robert Graham received the commission in 1983, he chose this spot in the shadow of the Renaissance Center because “this kind of movement, … that kind of life is important to the image.”

“The Fist” has been vandalized and scandalized, yet it remains a provocative symbol of “Detroit vs. Everybody” energy. It’s also a gritty counterpoint to “The Spirit of Detroit” across the street at the foot of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. Detroit sculptor Marshall Fredericks created this midcentury-modern man in the late 1950s to symbolize hope and progress. At 26 feet

tall, it has a lightness to it despite being the largest bronze sculpture cast since the Italian Renaissance. Like Michelangelo’s “David,” this benevolent green giant with the “Mona Lisa” smile is mostly unclothed, except when wearing his custom-made XXXXXL Lions jersey. Football fever had the city in its grip, and I had a ticket to that Sunday’s game.

soothing neutrals and clean lines. With 17 meeting rooms, three ballrooms, and a serene heated indoor pool, the Westin Book Cadillac has a big-hotel feel with a vibe that’s more Canyon Ranch than postindustrial Detroit. And just as in the olden days, the bathrooms are special — with bathtubs, a rarity it seems in new hotels these days.

ROOMS WITH A VIEW

The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit at the corner of Washington and Michigan is another comeback story. It was completed in 1924, replacing an older hotel called the Cadillac. This Book brothers-owned and Louis Kamper-designed 33-story skyscraper was the tallest hotel in the world (briefly) and had all the latest amenities, like a telephone and a bathroom in each of its 1,500 rooms. No one wanted to share a sink with strangers anymore.

Before closing in 1984, the Book-Cadillac was the hotel of choice for Presidents Hoover and Taft, Babe Ruth, and Elvis Presley. The hotel reopened in 2008 under Marriott’s Westin brand. The landmark exterior, featuring Kamper’s trademark Italianate frills and statuary, is original to 1924, but the interior is all new, with

The Shinola Hotel at Woodward and Grand River avenues has only been around since 2019, but it helped make downtown Detroit a leader in clever and creative boutique hotels. Known for its luxe leather goods and timepieces, Detroit-based Shinola carved a 129-room hotel and its matching store out of two blighted 19th-century buildings, one a former Singer sewing machine store and the other an eight-story terra-cotta beauty that once housed a hardware company and that shares an architect with the Guardian Building.

Last year, Michelin gave the Shinola a coveted Michelin key, the hotel equivalent of its Michelin star for restaurants. Indeed, the hotel runs like a fine watch, all the parts ticking off an experience that feels swanky yet not showy. Guests are offered a glass of Champagne, which I recommend

sipping in the high-ceilinged lobby, hung to the ceiling with eclectic artwork. Guest rooms are stocked with luxe items — like an alpaca blanket — you can buy at the adjoining Shinola boutique. The vibe is cheeky and hip, and some corner rooms look out over Woodward’s shopping district and the Hudson’s Detroit project, the future home of General Motors Co. — and yet another new hotel.

The historic Westin Book Cadillac completed a $23 million makeover in 2023.

Toward the river, the Courtyard Detroit Downtown is the place to stay if you have kids — or are anyone who likes a hotel with a massive fitness room and a pool. Recently renovated, the 260-room hotel also has its own People Mover station in the Millender Center, and the world’s first IHOP-Applebee’s “joint concept.” The rooms are spacious, and some have views of the Renaissance Center across Jefferson Avenue.

HITTING THE TOWN

In her classic 1961 book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs called downtown Detroit “dispirited and dull, and almost deserted by seven o’clock.” She should see it now.

Detroit is the only city in the U.S. with four professional sports teams playing within its city limits, which brings people from all over — not only to the games and concerts but to the social hot spots that surround them. The Red Wings were hosting a Star Wars Night, and I found myself in a herd of fans dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker. Detroit Opera is here, as are classic concert venues like The Fillmore and the Fox Theatre. The Fox is the grandest of the Detroit movie palaces designed by C. Howard Crane in the early 1910s and ’20s, a survivor from a time when these escapist pleasure domes lined the streets of Grand Circus Park. The biggest acts in the world play the Fox, and luckily, Cyndi Lauper and I were in town at the same time.

I had a preconcert dinner at San Morello, the Shinola Hotel’s signature eatery, serving up southern Italian dishes and

a date-night atmosphere. I opted for the homemade focaccia, mezzi rigatoni with veal and peppercorn, and a vodka cocktail appropriately named Sweater Weather. OK, I had two, which made the walk to the Fox all the more fun. I joined Lauper fans bedecked in rainbow wigs and tulle skirts, but it was hard not to ogle at the Fox’s lavish décor, a hallucinogenic mélange of Asian motifs gilded and carved to the nth degree, with marble columns and lion statues and a gilded Hindu elephant on the proscenium arch. The concert was terrific, and my head swiveled between Lauper, a legend still rocking in her 70s; the adoring crowd; and the mind-boggling theater. You can tour the Fox for $20, but the best way to experience it is with 5,000 like-minded strangers. I had big plans for Friday night. My partners in partying were Kaja and Ken, New York friends who had retired to Toledo, Ohio. We started with dinner in the Book Tower, another reborn Book brothers property across the street from the Westin Book Cadillac. Its soaring glass-domed lobby is tied with the DIA’s Rivera Court and Michigan Central Station for my favorite space in Detroit. Le Suprême, the Book Tower’s highly rated French restaurant, had just opened during my first trip in 2023, and a year later, it was packed and abuzz with joie de vivre. Escargots, a craft cocktail with gin and pear eau-de-vie, brook trout, quality

time with people I’d missed, crème brûlée, and a charming waiter: “Another Parisian Laundry? Mais bien sûr!”

Cliff Bell’s regularly features live jazz and has hosted notable performers in recent years like André 3000 and Miles Davis collaborator Marcus Miller.

After dinner, we spontaneously headed up to Kamper’s Rooftop Lounge and hung out with the beautiful people, admiring the glowing skyline at night, before walking to Cliff Bell’s. I’d stumbled across this iconic jazz club while walking back from the Cyndi Lauper concert. Named for a bootlegger turned club boss, the legendary venue has a vintage, black-and-white movie feel (without the cigarette smoke).

The Sean Dobbins Organ Trio featuring Luke Sittard on guitar commanded the stage. It felt like a quintessential Detroit night: boozy, sexy, and joyous. The next morning, a breakfast sandwich from Iggy’s Eggies, a window in a wall on Grand River from which savory delights emerge, was just what my hangover ordered.

MORE MUST-SEE MUSEUMS

The People Mover goes in a circle downtown, while the QLine goes straight up Woodward 3.3 miles, passing through Midtown, the museum district, and the everexpanding Wayne State University universe. At Ferry Street, I disembarked and walked

Helmed by executive chef Cory Barberio, San Morello in the Shinola Hotel features a modern Italian menu with pizzas and pastas.

a few blocks to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, next to the Michigan Science Center. The museum was the passion project of Dr. Charles Wright, an OB-GYN who started what was first named the International Afro-American Museum in 1965, using many of his own artifacts collected on trips to Africa. It moved twice before settling in a magnificent new building in 1997, designed by the Black architectural firm of SimsVarner & Associates (now SDG Associates).

The massive Ford Freedom Rotunda is jawdropping; the 92 flags around its perimeter represent nations where large numbers of the African diaspora live. During my visit, there were exhibits on the Tuskegee Airmen and James Baldwin, but the core exhibit is And Still We Rise, a more than 20-gallery saga documenting the Black journey in America, from slave ships to civil rights to the mayor’s seat in Detroit. It is unflinching and utterly necessarily, especially now.

A few blocks from the Amsterdam Street QLine stop stands arguably the most important automobile heritage site in the world, the Ford Piquette Avenue

Plant Museum. Talk about an innovation hub. In 1904, Henry Ford built this handsome threestory brick factory and with his team churned out a series of automobiles culminating with the first Model T, the car that changed the world. Owned by a nonprofit and run by volunteers, who saved the building from demolition in 2000, the Piquette Plant remains much as it was in the early 1900s, raw and unvarnished, with creaky floors and large factory rooms filled with over 65 rare Fords, including an almost-full set of “alphabet cars”: B, C, F, K, N, R, and T.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?

On Sunday, I was traveling on the QLine from a museum visit to Grand Circus Park for the Lions game when people in Honolulu blue jerseys began boarding at Midtown. Looking down at the cars driving along beside us, I noticed all the occupants were wearing blue Lions jerseys and big Lions chains. The trickle of Honolulu blue became a torrent at Ford

Field’s lively pregame festival, with food trucks and beer and selfies at the new Barry Sanders statue. My press pass took me to an area high above the action with rows of very serious sports reporters, and I felt like a Roman at the Colosseum watching the game unfold, though it’s really a spectacle. I have loved football all my life, and I remember when there were two halves, someone twirled a baton, and you went home either happy or sad. This was a whole other level. There was a very exciting football game, of course, in which the Lions crushed the Tennessee Titans 5214, but also a halftime corgi race and the best part, coach Dan Campbell stalking the sidelines. I challenge anyone to find a more stirring sound than the united roar of 65,000 Lions fans. The team’s run to greatness was always the fairy tale part of the comeback story, but if anyone knows that the happy ending comes only after adversity and heartbreak, it’s the good people of Detroit.

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is among the world’s oldest independent museums dedicated to Black history and culture.

Color WorldMy

A GLIMPSE INTO SOME OF DETROIT’S MOST BEAUTIFUL AND INSPIRATIONAL MURALS

COMPILED BY JULIANA LUMAJ

WITH SOME of the best museums in the country, like the Detroit Institute of Arts (named the best art museum in the country by USA Today readers two years in a row), countless art festivals throughout the year, and many monuments to admire, the city of Detroit is every art enthusiast’s dream. With color and passion, artists who’ve participated in annual events and programs like Murals in the Market and City Walls, which was launched in 2017 to tackle the city’s blight problem, have skillfully used Detroit as their canvas and painted over 700 murals across the area. Whether on a restaurant, abandoned structure, or apartment building, there’s something beautiful to discover at almost every turn.

“GIRL WITH THE D EARRING”

By Sydney G. James 2937 E. Grand Blvd., completed: 2020

“RoboCop

is Detroit’s superhero, and we should continuously celebrate the idea of life and rebirth after trauma and value strong convictions for social justice.”

“J DILLA” By Tylonn Sawyer, 2638 Orleans St., completed: 2016

“DETROIT MOVES PEOPLE” By Nick Pizaña, 600 Civic Center Drive (at West Riverfront Station), completed: 2024

“DETROIT’S FINEST” By Tony Lee 2930 E. Grand Blvd. Completed: 2015 (the image above shows only part of the mural)

“ROSA PARKS” By Kevin Ledo, 1461 Gratiot Ave., completed: 2019

“The inspiration for this piece was Detroit, of course, but also my experiences growing up in the city. I was raised by a single Black woman, and everywhere I went in the city, I saw the contributions of Black women keeping the city afloat. I thought it fitting to represent ‘The Spirit of Detroit’ as a Black woman in honor of those contributions.”

Waleed Johnson

7930 Mack Ave. (at Van Dyke) Completed: 2021

“THE SPIRIT”

“DETROIT IS THE FUTURE!” By Daniel Bombardier, 6500 Charlevoix St., completed: 2023

“LAS FLORES ON THIRD” By Ivan Montoya, 700 Selden St. (at Third St.), completed: 2023

“Since I am a native Detroiter, I wanted to highlight the beauty in Detroit’s residents.”

14383 Gratiot Ave.

Completed: 2024

“SPREADING

“GREATNESS ON GRATIOT”

By Torrence Jayy Jackson

THE SEEDS FOR A MORE EQUAL FUTURE”

By Carlos Alberto GH, Frank Murphy Hall of Justice (near Gratiot and Raynor St.), completed: 2021

“DETROIT NEVER LEFT”

By Sheefy McFly, Gratiot and St. Aubin, completed: 2018

“LOCALLY SOURCED LOVE” By Bakpak Durden, 8066 Kercheval Ave. (at Sister Pie), completed: 2019

2017

“Charles and Naomi have both passed away since I painted this mural. The families have embraced the painting as a way to honor their memory.”

“CHECKERED PAST” By Nathan Bell, 2520 Orleans St., completed: 2018

“What makes me proud of these murals is the love that they receive from the city. Each one specifically speaks to the neighborhood it resides in. After years of the murals standing there, they’ve became local monuments. They almost feel alive sometimes.” —SHEEFY

MCFLY

“GUARDIANS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD”

By Pat Perry Mitchell Street and Gratiot Avenue Completed:

“THE SPIRIT OF SOUTHWEST DETROIT”

By Sheefy McFly and Freddy Diaz 1920 25th St. Completed: 2023

FOR 30 YEARS, Emily T. Gail has thrived in paradise: Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. While her address has been in the Aloha State, however, her heart has remained in Detroit.

As have several of her possessions.

“I’ve kept a storage unit here for 30 years!” says Gail, the perpetually grinning entrepreneur, race organizer, columnist, sports broadcaster, real estate agent, and beloved gift shop owner who made “Say Nice Things About Detroit” an eternal part of this city’s emotional psyche, over lunch at a Corktown deli. She’s in town to attend her 60th class reunion at Grosse Ile High School and the annual, invitation-only Detroit Homecoming event she helped create. But she’s never needed a special occasion to return home.

“I’d come a month at a time,” she reveals. “Stay at the same motel. Room 129. Then fly back to Hawaii.” Her frequent flyer miles are about to decrease, however, because Emily Gail is returning to Detroit for good.

She’s coming home to stay.

A recent auto accident has slowed her timetable, but Gail hopes to be a full-time Motor Citizen sometime this year. “I’m a paper hoarder,” she confesses. “I’ll probably need to shovel out my condo.”

In in the early ’80s, she and her partner, the late Herb “Pooh” Squires, became one of the first couples to participate in the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. Then in 1986, they were recruited to organize the race due partly to the success of the Emily Detroit Run, a footrace they founded — the first ever held on our downtown streets — which took place from 1975 until the late ’80s and had swollen to 20,000 participants by that time. They never returned. So why move back now?

Two big reasons. Though she says she’s in excellent health, she’s 78 and believes the quality of care in metro Detroit would be superior to Hawaii’s going forward. And she feels the need to be closer to family.

Gail says she’s spending time with her twin sister, Edee, and her brother Max (yes, that Max Gail, forever in our TV hearts as Wojciehowicz from Barney Miller), who has four kids and grandchildren. Most of her four other siblings and relatives are scattered

Aloha, Detroit!

EMILY GAIL, THE WOMAN WHO STARTED THE “SAY NICE THINGS ABOUT DETROIT” MOVEMENT NEARLY 50

YEARS AGO, RETURNS TO MOTOWN

BY JIM MCFARLIN

Emily Gail (right) sitting and holding hands with her twin sister, Edee, at Spencer Beach, located at the Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site in Hawaii.

across the U.S. Living on the mainland will make travel easier, and there’s nowhere she’d rather reside than here.

Detroit history even lives in her name.

“[Veteran Detroit business editor] R.J. King was writing his book Detroit: Engine of America and told me, ‘Your relative was one of the first mayors of Detroit,’” Gail relates. “Charles Trowbridge. My middle name is Trowbridge. That’s what the ‘T’ stands for. The Trowbridge House on Jefferson? That’s my family.”

She felt tied to Hawaii because one of her cats, Pono Boy, had diabetes and needed continuous care; he died last year at 18. Meanwhile, she had “Say Nice Things About Detroit” copyrighted after Shinola, among many others, took liberties with the phrase. (They subsequently named a watch after her, “The Gail.”)

However, Gail now thinks she may have “adapted” the line from an old campaign to “Say Nice Things About Hawaii.” Uh … who doesn’t? “You’d be surprised,” she says. “‘We didn’t like our hotel,’ or ‘The waves were too high — we couldn’t swim.’ People are people.”

Detroit’s Main Street

OFTEN SCARRED, USUALLY TOO NARROW, WOODWARD AVENUE WEATHERED THREATS FROM ABOVE AND BELOW TO BECOME MICHIGAN’S MAIN STREET

BY RONALD AHRENS

1917 view up Woodward

LIKE THE GRISTLY patellar tendon that obstructs Dan Campbell’s kneecap theory of football, Woodward Avenue is Detroit’s inescapable, ungnawable sinew. Since 1805, it has bound the city through dire challenges and moments of glory. From Isamu Noguchi’s “Pylon” at Hart Plaza to the grand-finale Pontiac loop, a distance of 27 miles, Woodward Avenue has served as not only a transportation corridor but also a nexus for social activities. It has fostered industrial innovation and production as well as becoming the location of monuments and landmarks.

The name came about because Elias B. Woodward, who was born in New York in 1774, studied too much Latin and renamed himself after an emperor. While starving in a private Washington, D.C., law practice, Augustus B. Woodward became friends with

President Thomas Jefferson, passing along to him a pamphlet called Considerations on the Substance of the Sun. Dazzled, Jefferson appointed Woodward, then 30 years old, as a justice of the new Michigan Territory. Woodward arrived in Detroit less than three weeks after the Great Fire of 1805. The gangly, hawk-nosed judge set to work as caesar. According to writer Malcolm Bingay’s rancorous take, he “pushed the other two judges out of the picture and decreed himself the chief

justice, without warrant in law.” Adapting Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s radial plan for Washington, D.C., Woodward transposed the hub-and-spoke pattern over a pleasant but gridded peninsula. Name-checking Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe with new byways, he christened the main drag after himself. The Roman obsession showed with his incorporation of the “circus.” This ambitious ring at the intersection of streets was ideal for chariot racing if ultimately not for strip malls.

“Uniformity of plan, amplitude of avenue, of square, of circus, free circulation of air,” Woodward expounded, “are not to be hoped for if one age shall determine on its limited and contracted view of things that a city can never reach beyond a certain limit.”

All along the avenue’s route, squareminded landowners snubbed circuses — and prevailed in thwarting their construction, except for Grand Circus. The Detroit Gazette taunted Woodward upon his 1824 farewell, calling him “disgusting” and stating, “It is really a matter of curious

Augustus B. Woodward

Thomas Jefferson

Vernor’s bottling plant

Grand Circus Park in 1929

WORSHIP

After bustling with traffic all week, Woodward Avenue murmured with reverent comings and goings on the Sabbath. Two dozen big, important houses of worship — churches, cathedrals, and temples — were established on Woodward over a period of seven decades. Catholics, Jews, and Protestants ranging from Baptist to Unitarian had their choices. First on the scene, in 1849, was Mariners’ Church. After 106 years at the foot of Woodward, it was moved 880 feet on steel rails to the present location, 170 E. Jefferson Ave., making way for a new civic center, now known as Hart Plaza. The National Register of Historic Places has compiled a master list of Woodward sanctuaries; on this, the most recent construction, in 1929, was Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church — today’s Prayer Temple of Love Cathedral at 12375 Woodward Ave. in Highland Park. Farther to the suburban north, in Royal Oak, the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica was completed in 1936. It isn’t listed by the National Register but has a place in American history thanks to its founding pastor, Father Charles Coughlin, whose fractious radio broadcasts commanded an audience of millions and eventually got him taken off the air in 1939 due to his antisemitic and pro-fascist speech.

STATE FAIR

In 1904, J.L. Hudson led the acquisition of 135 acres east of Woodward Avenue near Eight Mile, and fairgrounds were organized. The Michigan State Fair settled here in 1905 and came to include a 5,600-seat coliseum and 1-mile racetrack. NASCAR came to town twice in the early 1950s for 250-lap races. On June 29, 1952, Tim Flock swept to victory in his No. 91 “Fabulous Hudson Hornet” to win the top prize of $5,000 — a nice posthumous tribute to Hudson, who had died 40 years earlier.

Central Methodist Church in 1910

St. John’s Episcopal Church, near Comerica Park

Michigan State Fair in 1950

speculation how or by what strange fatality such a man should have been palmed off on this territory.”

Despite ill will toward the tyrant, his plan (minus the circuses) proceeded. The right-of-way to Pontiac — laid out in 1817 — followed the path of a Native trail named the Saginaw Trail by settlers. Logs were placed together, with sand and clay filling the gaps. In his book Magic Motorways, industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes records, “By mid-century it had become a plank toll road for horses and buggies.” The roadway remained narrow, just 16 feet wide.

Despite the avenue’s inadequacies, it was the natural location to establish a business. In 1866, Hervey Parke joined Dr. Samuel Duffield in a small drugstore at the corner of Gratiot and Woodward avenues, with George Davis stepping in the next year. Duffield eventually bowed out of the picture, and Parke-Davis and Co. became for a time the world’s largest pharmaceutical company. When James Vernor returned to Detroit from the Civil War, he opened a pharmacy with Charles L’Hommedieu at 235 Woodward Ave. and resumed experiments interrupted by war. The scientific breakthrough was Vernor’s ginger ale, otherwise known as “Detroit’s Drink.”

The transition from cedar planks to other paving materials — bricks, stone blocks, concrete — first culminated in asphalt.

SHOPPING

A classified ad of May 24, 1927: “Glasses, lady’s, lost in Kresge’s dollar store or on Woodward Ave. Reward. Hickory 1956-R.” And who wouldn’t search diligently in the center of everything? The J.L. Hudson Co. occupied 2.1 million square feet and cast a shadow to the east over Crowley, Milner & Co. (“Detroit’s Friendly Christmas Store, Where It’s Easy to Shop”). A block away, the Ernst Kern Co. (known as Kern’s) with its famous clock was a traditional meeting point on retail rendezvous and first dates. Amid fierce competition, J.L. Hudson outdid them all by funding a namesake car company in 1909.

PARADES AND DEMONSTRATIONS

Oh, the parades on Woodward Avenue! Victory in Europe. The Automotive Golden Jubilee. Thanksgiving. And civil demonstrations like the one in 1938 at the German consulate, located in the Hammond Building looking onto Campus Martius. The march broke up when mounted police “rode down upon demonstrators and unconcerned pedestrians alike,” the Civil Rights Federation chairman claimed in a letter to the mayor. Much uglier scenes followed during insurrections in 1943 and 1967. Cars were Detroit’s most prestigious product, yet some people who were against desegregation turned them over and set them afire.

The contractors were accused of colluding on rates while delivering an inferior product. Chuckholes appeared in 1893 just months after a Woodward paving project. “And yet this is the quality of pavement which is submitted to the consideration of Detroiters,” the Free Press lamented. By some miracle, on March 6, 1896, the surface met the purpose of test track when Charles Brady King grasped the tiller of his homebuilt, gas-powered wagon and made the first demonstration of an automobile in Detroit after officials restricted his secret tests on Belle Isle.

Kern’s clock in 1952

Bicentenary Celebration Parade in 1901

At this time, streetcars had operated for decades. When the Detroit United Railway consolidated existing companies in 1900, it offered 187 miles of local and more than 400 miles of interurban lines, including the journey over Woodward Avenue to Pontiac. Thanks largely to the output of Ford Motor Co.’s Highland Park assembly plant after 1910, motor vehicles clogged the avenue and jitterbugged around weaving streetcars.

It was a circus of immobility at Grand Circus Park. The city commissioned a 1915 feasibility study for a subway beneath the avenue, but investigation showed Detroit was “peculiarly a city of individual homes” and the low population density couldn’t support a subway.

One mile of avenue got paved with concrete in 1909, a national first. (Another first was the three-color stoplight, installed at Woodward Avenue and Fort Street in 1920.) Even with uniform paving, the budding superhighway still got snarled. Into the scene stepped Joseph Bower, the magician who was just finishing up the Ambassador Bridge. Bower now promoted, as a parallel route, an elevated, high-speed, four-lane toll road over the Grand Trunk Railway right-of-way. It would postpone the avenue’s widening, Deputy Police

Commissioner Daniel Crowley told a WJR Radio audience, not to mention adding $250,000 in tax revenue for Hamtramck and Detroit “without one cent of expenditure by the people.” The ordinance won approval in the 1930 November election by 105,058 to 56,478, but the Detroit El received little mention after the Great Depression suppressed funding for science fiction projects.

In the early 1920s, Gov. Alex Groesbeck and various real estate developers

CRUISING

Two factors make the Woodward Dream Cruise a global icon. One is the desire to show off a great car, preferably with a loud overhead-valve V-8 engine. The Michigan left is the other. Since the 1960s, this much-safer way of turning has nixed the left-hand blind side maneuver in favor of continuing straight through the intersection — or turning right (depending on which direction you are coming from) — then making a U-turn at a median crossover. While waiting for traffic to clear, people admire the median’s pastoral landscaping.

expressed support for widening the avenue and placing streetcar lines in the center, as then demonstrated in orderly fashion between Six and Eight Mile roads. The widening project went on through the 1930s, when buildings such as Temple Beth El (today’s Bonstelle Theatre) were mutilated and reduced in size to make space for traffic. With motor buses and private flivvers giving more service, the streetcars started to lose money and were out of action by 1956. Improvements to Woodward Avenue helped to realize the homebuilders’ dreams in Royal Oak, Birmingham, and other suburban towns. Writ large with this expansion, automotive culture trended to new social customs in cruising, the rise of local radio, and the tailoring of Motown’s music to sound just so in a car.

Woodward Dream Cruise View down Woodward

“You’ll often find me at Capital Grille [in Troy] for a good lunch meeting. I can never resist crab legs at O’Brien’s Crabhouse or grabbing popcorn at Emagine theaters. Honestly, everything I do tends to weave in food somehow — and I’m perfectly OK with that!”

JAY TOWERS

Radio and TV host

(100.3 WNIC and Fox 2)

“I enjoy spending time with my family at home and around town in Royal Oak. I always get my bread from Crispelli’s, go to Frentz & Sons Hardware for home improvement needs, and my wife and I love English Gardens since we love landscaping and spending time in our garden.”

CORY BARBERIO

Executive chef/managing partner of

“I like to swing by Main Street in downtown Clarkston for a bite to eat and a beverage on a weeknight out, [for] dinner with friends, or before a concert at DTE [Pine Knob Music Theatre]. Red wine pairs well with mac and cheese.”

Suburbia

WE ASKED NOTABLE DETROITERS HOW THEY SPEND THEIR TIME OUTSIDE THE CITY

“My favorite thing to do has to be visiting my old stomping grounds at Southfield High School, now called Southfield A&T. Going to the movies is also a favorite. Detroit doesn’t have movie theaters, so I love going to the Emagine Royal Oak and Birmingham 8.”

“Fishing in one of the many beautiful waterways around metro Detroit. They’re very accessible for fishing by shore or by boat, and there are so many species to target. Some favorites are targeting smallmouth bass on the Huron River, smallmouth bass or pike on Lake St. Clair, and walleye on the Detroit River. It can be very kid-friendly as well. My 3-year-old son is a frequent companion on fishing adventures!”

PATRICK JOBST

Assistant director of food and beverage

“I am usually in Grosse Pointe. I spend time on The Hill on Kercheval, starting with a coffee at Morning Glory, pop into Pearl to shop for clothing, and then Flyleaf for a book. In the evening, I [like to] go to the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe for dinner and live music.”

GRETCHEN

for Method Co. (Book Tower restaurants Le Suprême, Hiroki-San, and more)

R. VALADE Director of sustainability at Carhartt; owner of Eugenie Detroit

the Shinola Hotel

LAWRENCE LAMONT

Movie director, One of Them Days (now residing in Los Angeles)

CRISTY LEE

HGTV star

“I consider Linden Park in Birmingham to be very special. It’s a wooded oasis where I go weekly just to connect with the beauty of nature (I basically grew up in a forest in Finland). For food, you can’t go wrong with Phoenicia — a great spot to eat and people-watch.”

“I go to the grocery store, because there seems to be better produce available there. I love being in the city and will always love being from the city; however, Detroit is still largely a food desert, so I shop in the metro area.”

MELISSA BUTLER CEO and founder of The Lip Bar

“I like going to any place that my 2- and 3-year-old grandchildren like, such as the Detroit Zoo, Rainforest Cafe, the Belle Isle Aquarium, or an Emagine theater.”

PAUL GLANTZ Chairman and CEO of Emagine Entertainment

“Franklin Athletic Club is my goto spot for workouts and playing tennis in the colder months. Great mix of people and wide variety of programs and amenities. [For dining, I go to] Casa Pernoi, Phoenicia, Wilder’s, Forest, and Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse in Birmingham and Joe Muer Seafood in Bloomfield Hills.”

VEN JOHNSON

Attorney and founder of Ven Johnson Law

AKI CHOKLAT

Linda Dresner endowed chair in fashion design at the College for Creative Studies

By Mike Lerchenfeldt

GNavigating the College Maze: An Overview for Parents

oing to college is a significant milestone for both students and parents. As your child prepares to embark on this new chapter, you will need to navigate a complex landscape of decisions, from choosing the right institution to managing finances and emotional readiness.

“Remember that it is your kid who is going to have to live with the choice or to take corrective action later,” says Timothy Shanahan, distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Chicago. “ at does not mean you cannot be a big help. Ask questions rather than giving advice.”

Shanahan says parents should ask their high schoolers the following: How far away from home do you want to be? How big a school do you want to attend? What do you want to study? What extracurriculars do you think you will be interested in? What did you like about that campus when you visited? e first step is to find colleges that align with your child’s academic aspirations, personal preferences, and career goals. Look beyond rankings and dive into faculty ability, research opportunities, and curriculum specifics.

“Kids often try to make this big decision based on very narrow criteria: My friend is going there, I met somebody I liked when I visited, the cafeteria food was good,”

Shanahan says. “All those are reasonable considerations, but none should be the determining factor. Asking questions can help your student to consider everything that matters.”

Choosing a college is not just about academics; it is about finding a place where your child will thrive personally and intellectually. Encourage your child to visit campuses, talk to current students, and envision themselves in that environment. Consider the size of the student body, the social scene, the overall atmosphere, the travel costs, the distance, and accessibility.

“College is a time to experiment, to meet kids who are different, to take on new ideas, to have new experiences,” Shanahan

PARENTS’ GUIDE TO COLLEGE

says. “When talking to college students, ask whether they were happy with their choice; find out what they like best about their college as well as what they would change.

eir important insights may suggest aspects of the college experience that you never thought of.”

Weighing the Costs

Since college affordability is crucial, explore tuition fees, financial aid options, and potential scholarships. e cost of college can be daunting, but with careful planning, you can make it manageable.

“Look into work-study programs at the university, which can offer ways to work on campus that will not interfere with class and

study time,” says Lynn Dawson, a Chippewa Valley Schools counselor in Macomb County. “ e internet is full of scholarships just waiting for applications.”

Dawson says parents need to encourage their child to research and apply for scholarships, setting a goal to apply for a certain number of scholarships per week and actually scheduling time to make that happen. Organizations offer scholarships based on academic merit, extracurricular involvement, or specific interests.

e Free Application for Federal Student Aid (more commonly known as the FAFSA) decides students’ eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs. A significant number of students are eligible for aid and grants after completing those forms.

Creating a realistic budget that includes tuition, fees, housing, books, and living expenses is essential, too.

“Do not assume you won’t qualify for financial aid,” Dawson says. “ e FAFSA considers various factors, and you might be surprised at the assistance you can receive. Also, explore scholarships beyond the well-known ones; there are niche scholarships available.”

Transition Tactics

Dawson says sending your child off to college is an emotional experience for both of you. Talk openly about expectations, concerns, and anxieties. Encourage your child to express their feelings and offer your support.

Foster independence by teaching essential life skills such as time management, budgeting, and problem-solving. Recognize that your role is shifting from a primary caregiver to a supportive mentor and allow your child to navigate their college experience with increasing autonomy.

“ e transition to college can be challenging emotionally,” Dawson says. “Students may experience homesickness, anxiety, or academic pressure. Encourage them to seek support from campus resources like counseling services and student support groups.”

Dawson says parents should remind their child that it is normal to feel mixed emotions, from excitement to homesickness. Having a plan for connection to family, such

as a set time for calls and visits, will help students continue to foster relationships at home and feel secure while they’re away.

As the departure date approaches, focus on practical preparations. Create a packing list that includes essentials like clothing, toiletries, electronics, and personal items.

“Practical preparations can alleviate stress during the transition,” Dawson says. “Encourage your child to connect with their roommate beforehand, familiarize themselves with the campus layout, and know where to find essential services like the library and health center.”

Dawson says to make sure your child’s health records are up to date and discuss health insurance coverage. Help your child familiarize themselves with online learning platforms and ensure they have a reliable laptop and internet access. Discuss campus safety measures and encourage your child to be aware of their surroundings.

Your support does not end once your child is on campus. Maintain regular communication through calls, texts, or video chats, but respect their need for space and independence.

“Be available to offer advice and support when needed but encourage your child to seek solutions independently,” Dawson says. “Plan occasional visits to show your support but avoid overwhelming your child with frequent presence. e parent-child relationship evolves during college.”

It is about finding a balance between offering support and allowing your child to grow into their own. Trust that you have equipped them with the tools they need to succeed. Sending your child to college is a momentous occasion that marks the beginning of their independent adult life.

You can help your child navigate this transition successfully and embark on a fulfilling college experience. Your role as a parent evolves, but your support stays crucial as your child takes their first steps into adulthood. ■

A Career-Focused Education Affordable. Flexible. Achievable.

At Baker College, we provide an educational experience designed to help you succeed. With in-demand programs, affordable tuition, abundant scholarships, flexible learning options, and multiple locations, we make it easy to reach your goals with confidence.

Explore programs and apply today at baker.edu

Kendall College of Art and Design

17 Fountain St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | Enrollment Information: 616-259-1118 | kcad.ferris.edu

Ferris state University’s Kendall College oF art and design offers a worldclass art and design education complemented by university resources and support systems. And while Ferris State is known for its careeroriented majors, at KCAD you’ll find that the career-oriented and the creative intersect in powerful ways.

KCAD’s immersive creative learning environment offers a wide range of specialized degree programs in design, fine art, and art history. Students in these programs receive a quality Ferris State education while getting the expert instruction and personalized support they need to transform their creativity into a marketable skill set — and from there, a dynamic career.

In the heart of downtown Grand Rapids on a resource-rich campus, KCAD students’ educational experiences are more handson than those typically found in creative degree programs within other larger universities. ■

THE STATS: Year founded: 1928 // Current enrollment: 595 // Student-faculty ratio: 7.5:1 // Number of undergraduate degrees offered: 14 // Number of master’s degrees offered: 2 // Subject matter expertise: Architecture, art history, collaborative design, digital art and design, fashion studies, graphic design, illustration, interior design, life sciences and premedical illustration, photography, product design, and studio arts. // In-state and out-of-state tuition: $24,812 // Percentage of students on financial aid: 90%

Baker College

420 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48067 | Enrollment Information: 855-487-7888 | baker.edu

For more than a century, Baker college has empowered students through a transformative, student-centered education that opens doors to lifelong academic and professional success. As one of Michigan’s private, nonprofit colleges, we foster an inclusive, innovative environment for those pursuing degrees from associate to doctoral levels. With degree programs in the fields of health sciences, nursing, computer science, information technology, education, and business, you can achieve your career goals. Built with flexible learning options, distinct Michigan campuses (Cadillac, Jackson, Owosso, Muskegon, Port Huron, Royal Oak, or online), a transparent tuition structure, and generous scholarship opportunities, Baker College makes it easy to find your fit. ■

THE STATS: Year founded: 1911 // Current enrollment: 3,898 // Student-faculty ratio: 8:1 // Number of undergraduate degrees offered: 37 // Number of master’s degrees offered: 5 // Number of doctoral degrees offered: 2 // In-state and out-of-state tuition: $13,500 // Percentage of students on financial aid: 88% // Awards/recognitions: 2024 Best Regional Universities Midwest Rankings, USNews.com Recognized as one of America’s Top Online Colleges 2025, Newsweek.com. Best Online Marketing Degrees of 2023, Forbes. Gold Status for Veteran-Friendly Support, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. // Affiliated colleges/satellite campuses: Baker College of Cadillac, Baker College of Muskegon, Baker College of Jackson, Baker College of Owosso, Baker College of Royal Oak, Baker Online, The Culinary Institute of Michigan — Muskegon, The Culinary Institute of Michigan — Port Huron, The Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan, St. Francis School of Law — California

University of Detroit Mercy

4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221 | Enrollment Information: 313-578-0339 | udmercy.edu

For 2025, The Wall ST ree T Journal/College PulS e ranked the University of Detroit Mercy among the nation’s top 50 universities. UDM ranked No. 43 and is the top-ranked Catholic university in Michigan and the No. 2 Catholic university in the Midwest. Additionally, three UDM online programs are ranked among the top in the nation in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs ranking. UDM’s online MBA in management program was ranked No. 13. In the College of Health Professions, the McAuley School of Nursing’s online master’s in nursing program was ranked No. 58. UDM’s commitment to health care education was also strengthened in 2024 by its new School of Optometry and Detroit Mercy Eye Institute. It is just the second school of optometry in Michigan. ■

THE STATS: Year founded: 1877 // Current enrollment: 5,587 // Student-faculty ratio: 12:1 // Number of undergraduate degrees offered: 106 // Number of master’s degrees offered: 43 // Number of doctoral degrees offered: 9 // Subject matter expertise: College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences; College of Business Administration; College of Engineering & Science; College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing; School of Architecture & Community Development; School of Optometry; School of Dentistry; School of Law. // In-state and out-of-state tuition: $33,000 // Percentage of students on financial aid: 98% of undergraduates // Awards/ recognitions: The 2025 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranking has put UDM at No. 43 in the nation, nine places higher than last year. Three UDM online programs are ranked among the top in the nation in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs ranking.

Grand Valley State University

1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401 | Enrollment Information: 616-331-5000 | gvsu.edu

Grand Valley State UniVerSity prepareS itS more than 22,000 students for a fulfilling career and a life of impact. It starts with more than 300 areas of undergraduate and graduate study and outstanding faculty members who focus on individual student achievement. Unique learning opportunities include studentdirected research projects, in-the-field training, and a study abroad program that’s one of the best in the nation.

The main campus in Allendale is home to modern classrooms and labs, outstanding fitness and sports facilities, a comprehensive library, and more. The Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus and the growing Health Campus put students in the heart of Grand Rapids’ central business district and along the Medical Mile. Finally, GVSU’s graduation rate and job placement rates are consistently among the highest in the state. ■ THE STATS: Year founded: 1960 // Current enrollment: 22,011 // Student-faculty ratio: 15:1 // Number of undergraduate degrees offered: 102 // Number of master’s degrees offered: 45 // Number of doctoral degrees offered: 4 // Subject matter expertise: Business, nursing, psychology, education, criminal justice, computer science, exercise science, engineering, marketing // In-state tuition: $15,140 // Out-of-state tuition: $21,548 // Percentage of students on financial aid: 96% // Awards/recognitions: Named to Forbes’ most recent list of America’s Top Colleges; No. 99 in the Midwest. Named one of the Best Colleges in the Midwest for 2025 by The Princeton Review. Named one of the Best Colleges in America 2024 by Money magazine.

WHATEVER IS NEXT

The College Application Timeline

By Mike Lerchenfeldt

This timeline outlines a suggested schedule for parents and students navigating the college application process.

Freshman Year (Grade 9)

“ e College Board recommends an exceptionally long list of books that are sufficiently challenging to help students to prepare for academic success,” says Timothy Shanahan, distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Chicago. Every high school student should read a couple of these books each year.

Begin informally visiting local colleges to get a feel for different campus environments. is is about exposure, not serious evaluation.

After focusing on academics with your child first, encourage participation in extracurricular activities aligned with their interests. Begin exploring potential career paths and college majors.

Kalamazoo College

Sophomore Year (Grade 10)

“Start early,” says Lynn Dawson, a Chippewa Valley Schools counselor in Macomb County. “Plan and begin more-focused college visits.” Target colleges that align with your child’s academic profile and interests. Attend college fairs and information sessions with your child. Sign them up to take the PSAT to get familiar with the standardized testing format.

Junior Year (Grade 11)

Have your child meet with their high school guidance counselor to discuss college planning. Research standardized testing requirements for target colleges.

“Take the SAT or ACT for the first time,” Dawson says. “Analyze the results. Continue visiting colleges, focusing on schools of serious interest.”

Dawson says students should develop

a preliminary list of colleges, refining this list based on test scores, academic fit, and financial considerations.

Senior Year (Grade 12)

Finalize the college list and send in test scores. Request letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors. Work on college essays and supplemental materials. Focus on early application deadlines first. Continue sending applications for regular decision deadlines, typically Jan. 1.

“To start managing college costs, apply to schools during the month that the Common Application is free,” Dawson says. “Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA] to apply for financial aid.”

May 1 is National College Decision Day. Submit your enrollment deposit to your child’s college of choice by that date. ■ Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

NatioN ally reN owN ed a N d globally orieN ted , Kalamazoo College is the home of the K-Plan , an individualized and integrated approach to the liberal arts and sciences. The K-Plan combines exceptional scholarship, study abroad, career development, civic engagement, and independent research in a flexible curriculum that allows students to make the most of their unique interests and gifts. At K, administrators and faculty embrace the college’s motto — “More in Four. More in a Lifetime.” — by offering students more opportunities to explore, more faculty and staff mentorship and support, and more preparation for meaningful careers that make a positive impact on the world. Wherever students want to go in life, their K-Plans can take them there. ■

THE STATS: Year founded: 1833 // Current enrollment: 1,335 // Student-faculty ratio: 10:1 // Number of undergraduate degrees offered: 32 majors, 22 minors, and 13 concentrations // Subject matter expertise: Nationally known for the K-Plan , which integrates a flexible curriculum with study abroad, experiential education, career preparation, and a senior integrated project. // In-state tuition: $63,276 // Out-of-state tuition: $63,276 // Percentage of students on financial aid: 98% // Awards/ recognitions: Named a Best Value College by The Princeton Review . Fulbright Top Producing Institution for U.S. Student Scholar Program. Listed among the 45 Colleges that Change Lives.

1200 Academy St., Kalamazoo, MI 49006 |

It’s not about where you start. It’s about where you’re going.

Imagine a place where curiosity drives learning, the world is your classroom, and the friendships you make last a lifetime. Whether you have a path in mind or you’re still figuring it out, you’ll feel at home at K.

Explore your interests with our flexible curriculum, experience new cultures through our nationally recognized study abroad program, and gain realworld skills through research, civic engagement or an internship. Faculty and staff mentors will be your guides as you navigate toward a meaningful career.

At K, college is more than a degree. It’s an adventure.

Tom ’27

MAJOR: Business/Psychology

STUDY ABROAD PLAN: Athens, Greece

“I’ve been able to take classes in Spanish, philosophy, religion, history, business, psychology and classics. I’ve been able to figure out what I like—and what I don’t—which is a great part about waiting to declare your major.”

This Is Your Proving Ground

Kettering is more than you think— it exceeded my expectations. I had hands-on work, business work at the computer, and real responsibilities beyond training. You can’t really see the full value until you come here and make that jump.

CHRISTIAN LOPEZ ’25

HOMETOWN: Canton, MI

CO-OP: BorgWarner/PHINIA

MAJOR: Industrial Engineering

$50K-$75K EARNED IN CO-OP OVER 4.5 YEARS 10 FOR CAREER PREPARATION TOP The Wall Street Journal, Best Colleges 2025 #1 STARTING SALARIES IN MICHIGAN SmartAsset

Christian Lopez’ Kettering experience unlocked incredible opportunities: a full-ride BorgWarner scholarship with a Co-op offer, hands-on experience designing assembly line parts and optimizing a warehouse, and Co-op roles that took him from Dearborn, MI to Ithaca, NY—to Blois, France.

BorgWarner sent Christian to Europe, expenses paid, where he gained valuable insights into global operations. This is the advantage of Kettering: meaningful connections, hands-on learning, and opportunities that open doors worldwide.

One-Of-Its-Kind Co-op Program

Scan the QR Code to learn more about Kettering and our unique Co-op program and research initiatives that prepare students to lead in industry.

Kettering University

1700 University Ave., Flint, MI 48504 | Enrollment Information: 810-762-9500 | kettering.edu

This is your proving ground At Kettering, you won’t have to go looking for challenges that test your skills — we’ve got them right here. Your innovations won’t stop in the lab or the Learning Commons. With a 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and paid coop employment, Kettering is the place where you’ll work shoulder to shoulder with professors and industry leaders, proving what you’re made of. You’ll solve manufacturing problems on a deadline. You’ll remake the drivetrains, solar panels, drones, security code, medical devices, and EVs that impact lives everywhere. You’ll be more prepared, more connected, and better equipped than your peers. And they never catch up. ■

THE STATS: Year founded: 1919 // Current enrollment: 1,279 // Student-faculty ratio: 11:1 // Number of undergraduate degrees offered: 8 with a bachelor’s/master’s degree pathway // Number of master’s degrees offered: 17 // Subject matter expertise: Engineering, computer science, business, advanced mobility, artificial intelligence, intelligent manufacturing, new energy vehicles, sustainability, cybersecurity // In-state and out-of-state tuition: $48,470 // Percentage of students on financial aid: 100% // Awards/recognitions: No. 1 — Graduates’ starting salaries in Michigan by SmartAsset in 2025. No. 10 — Preparation for Career by The Wall Street Journal /College Pulse in 2025. No. 6 — Most Innovative Schools, Regional Universities Midwest, by U.S. News & World Report in 2024.

Detroit College Access Network

163 Madison St., Detroit, MI 48226 | Information: 313-322-6313 | detroitcan.org

NavigatiNg the path to college can be overwhelming, but the Detroit College Access Network is here to help! As the city’s leading college access organization, we provide free resources, expert guidance, and one-onone support to ensure every Detroit student has the opportunity to pursue higher education. From FAFSA completion and post-secondary pathway exploration to campus visits and more, DCAN is committed to making the dream of college a reality.

Parents, you don’t have to do it alone. Join us in empowering your student’s journey to success. Visit detroitcan.org to explore our resources and upcoming events. Let’s build a future where every Detroit student thrives in college, career, and beyond!

Detroit College Access Network — your partner in postsecondary success. Who can? DCAN! ■

THE STATS: Year founded: 2013 // Subject matter expertise: College access and success

SOMETIMES IN LIFE, WHERE YOU’RE GOING

DEPENDS

WHERE

The University of Michigan-Flint

303 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48502 | Enrollment Information: 810-762-3300 | umflint.edu

Go Blue! one of three campuses in the university of michiGan system, UM-Flint offers students the opportunity to earn a globally recognized Michigan degree in a vibrant urban setting. UM-Flint has transformed its campus and degree offerings and is now the fastest-growing public university in the state. The campus has earned multiple national rankings from Forbes and U.S. News & World Report, among others. Recently, UM-Flint received the most significant research grant — $3.3 million — in its history courtesy of the National Science Foundation. UM-Flint offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing, health sciences, management, and innovation and technology, as well as arts, sciences, and education. Our campus also boasts one of the state’s lowest tuition rates among public universities. Learn more at umflint.edu ■

THE STATS: Year founded: 1956 // Current enrollment: 6,529 // Student-faculty ratio: 14:1 // Number of undergraduate degrees offered: 115 // Number of master’s degrees offered: 35 // Number of doctoral degrees offered: 12 // Subject matter expertise: STEM, nursing, health sciences, management, arts/sciences/education // In-state tuition: $14,000 // Out-ofstate tuition: $28,000 // Percentage of students on financial aid: 81% // Awards/recognitions: No. 1 ranked online business degree in Michigan five years in a row by U.S. News & World Report. UM-Flint received the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Civic Engagement. Named one of the top online universities in Michigan by Forbes Advisor. // Affiliated colleges/satellite campuses: Ann Arbor, Dearborn

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 | Enrollment Information: 877-437-2022 | cuaa.edu

ConCordia University ann arbor was foUnded in 1963 as ConCordia Lutheran Junior College with a mission to provide Christ-centered education. It grew steadily into a four-year institution in 1976, when it became Concordia College. In 2001, the school adopted its current name, reflecting its expanded academic offerings and commitment to preparing students for meaningful vocations.

In 2013, CUAA merged with Concordia University Wisconsin, leading to significant enhancements in academic programs, campus facilities, and student opportunities. CUAA remains dedicated to developing students in mind, body, and spirit, equipping them for service to Christ in the Church and the world. Through a focus on faith, learning, and leadership, CUAA fosters a welcoming environment where students grow academically and spiritually, embracing their callings to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. ■

In-state tuition: $34,950 // Out-of-state tuition: $34,950 // Percentage of students on financial aid: 99% // Awards/recognitions: JRC-DMS accredited diagnostic medical sonography degree. JRCERT accredited radiologic technology degree. ACOTE accredited occupational therapy doctorate degree. // Affiliated college/satellite campus: Concordia University Wisconsin

This Ann Arbor native has carved out a space for himself in the music industry p. 66

CULTURE CONVO

Defining ‘Detroiter’

We’re a complicated bunch. But whatever we are, it’s special.

BY RYAN PATRICK HOOPER

IF YOU DON’T feel confident as a Detroit sports fan, I don’t blame you. It’s been a while since we’ve been world champions … since our jersey has hung on “The Spirit of Detroit” in true victory, not just as a prop.

In the meantime, the Detroit Lions have taken us to the edge — and ultimately didn’t deliver (but don’t say that to Dan Campbell’s face). I do think we’re awfully close with this team.

The Detroit Tigers were a miracle team. Pitching chaos under skipper A.J. Hinch? That’ll never happen again, but I skipped work to watch every game of their playoff run. Did you? It was thrilling and fun and everything we needed to get our mojo back. The Detroit Pistons have a new coach and a star in Cade Cunningham and are showing signs of life. The Detroit Red Wings are the same, but with an even newer coach and a new vibe. I’d give most credit to hockey fans ’cause y’all continue to go to those games, even when times are tough.

So what does this mean for us as Detroiters?

I’ve always felt like we’ve got a chip on

our shoulder. People always talk about Detroit in terms of people, not places. So often, when they talk of us as a place, it’s about crime. Goofy politics. How it’s hard to open a business here.

But beyond that, people ask me:

“What makes Detroit so special?”

“Well, it’s the people,” I’d say.

And for so long, I thought that was just a terrible cop-out of an answer.

Because we’re not other cities, we have to fill the gap with our personalities. Like, “You’re not tall enough to date the person you want, but you’ve got a big personality.” That feels cold sometimes, doesn’t it?

But as time goes on, I realize that the people actually do make this city.

Maybe it’s that I’ve traveled more and seen more of the world. Maybe it’s that the sports teams have started to plug in and get the work done and get glowing national attention.

At the end of the day, however, it is the people who make Detroit so special.

We are sarcastic, tough, forgiving, inquisitive, sweet, ugly, beautiful, and everything in between.

And when someone comes to town and asks, “What’s cool?,” we go out of our way to deliver — because the chip on our shoulder ensures that you have a great time while we figure out the dirtier details.

We make sure people coming here for the first time, the second time, whichever time, have the best time. Because we have something to prove.

And that’s a mighty beautiful thing. There’s something to prove in the year ahead. We have to finish strong (looking at you, Red Wings and Pistons). We have to find our rhythm (looking at you, Tigers).

And because football is king, we need the Detroit Lions to win a Super Bowl next year.

But in the meantime, tourists will continue to be curious about us regardless of the score — on the field of play or in the national news.

And I know that Detroiters are finding our confidence in knowing we’re just as good as the rest of the country.

Ryan Patrick Hooper is the host of In the Groove on 101.9 WDET, Detroit’s NPR station (weekdays from noon to 3 p.m.).

APRIL 1

MUSIC

Deftones: The Grammy Award-winning alternative metal band will embark on its first headlining tour since 2023 following a successful festival run in 2024, which included performances at Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Primavera Sound. The band’s most recent release — 2020’s Ohms — was praised by critics and fans alike as a return to form, characterized by a densely layered sound and emotionally heavy themes. Boston-based rockers Fleshwater and experimental art-rock project The Mars Volta will open the show. $61+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

APRIL 1-6

THEATER

The Book of Mormon: This groundbreaking musical comedy from the creators of South Park follows an odd couple of naive Mormon missionaries as they journey to a small

ARTS & CULTURE

DON’T-MISS EVENTS

The Book of Mormon at the Fisher Theatre April 1-6.

APRIL 11 COMEDY

Nikki Glaser: The comedian, actor, and television host had a big year in 2024: She racked up viral views of her performance on Netflix’s The Roast of Tom Brady, co-hosted the new CW reality dating series Lovers and Liars, and received her first Emmy Award nomination for Someday You’ll Die, her second stand-up special for HBO. Hot off a wildly successful gig as host of the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, Glaser will make a stop at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre as part of her newly extended “Alive and Unwell” tour. $100+. Fisher Theatre, Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com

Ugandan village to spread the word of God. Overwhelmed by poverty, disease, and oppressive rule by a violent warlord, the villagers are less than enthusiastic about receiving the missionaries’ message. Boasting nine Tony Awards, including one for best musical, the show has been viewed by more than 20 million people around the world since its Broadway debut in 2011. $50+. Fisher Theatre, Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com

APRIL 2

MUSIC

Explosions in the Sky:

The Texas-based instrumental band known for bold, cinematic sounds has blazed a trail over the course of its 24-year career: eight studio albums, soundtracks for prestige TV shows like Friday Night Lights and American Primeval, and headlining performances at iconic venues like Royal Albert Hall

and the Sydney Opera House. Expect to hear tracks from its critically acclaimed 2023 album End when the band performs at Ann Arbor’s Michigan Theater this month. $39.50+. Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor; theark.org

APRIL 5, 11, 13

THEATER

Così Fan Tutte: Mozart’s classic comedic opera about romantic entanglements and mistaken identities gets a 21st-century spin in this brand-new production by Detroit Opera Artistic Director Yuval Sharon. Protagonist Don Alfonso uses artificial intelligence to bring his robotic inven-

tions to life (and love), but he soon becomes obsessed with developing deeper spiritual connections between his machines, leading the inventor to question what it truly means to be human. $30+. Detroit Opera House, Detroit; detroitopera.org

APRIL 6-MAY 4

ART

Cranbrook Academy of Art’s Graduate Degree Exhibition: Explore innovative and captivating creative works by the Cranbrook Academy of Art’s graduate-level students at this annual exhibition. The pieces represent two years of studio work by the graduates, whose areas of study range from architecture to art to design. No cost with general museum admission. Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills; cranbrookartmuseum.org

Club Songs chart and was later nominated for a Grammy Award. Known for a versatile sound that blends emotionally tender vocals with soft, ambient beats, Elderbrook has collaborated with some of the best-known artists in dance music, including Diplo and Bob Moses. $30.50+. Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak; royal oakmusictheatre.com

APRIL 22-27

THEATER

APRIL 11

COMEDY

Luenell: After more than 30 years on the comedy scene, comedian and actor Luenell Campbell is well known for her small stature and big personality. She boasts dozens of television and film appearances, including roles in Borat, Dolemite Is My Name, and Coming 2 America. She’s set to appear in Jamie Foxx’s sports comedy-drama film All-Star Weekend later this year. $39+. Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, Detroit; 313presents.com

APRIL 19

MUSIC

Elderbrook: The London-based electronic musician and singer shot to large-scale fame in 2017 when he collaborated with production duo CamelPhat on the track “Cola,” which reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Dance

The Addams Family: America’s favorite spooky family takes their macabre antics to the stage in this Tony Award-nominated musical comedy. Wednesday Addams has fallen in love with her dream man, but now he must clear one big hurdle: meeting her family. Hilarity ensues when Morticia and Gomez host a dinner for the new beau and his “normal” parents, complete with a fateful game of truth or dare that will change both families forever. $30+. Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents.com

APRIL 26-27

DANCE

Malandain Ballet

Biarritz: Led by director and choreographer Thierry Malandain, this influential contemporary ballet company is one of 19 government-designated National Choreographic Centres in France. The company’s 22 dancers will perform an original production that combines Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with lesser-known works by his baroque contemporary Giovanni Antonio Guido, communicating the contrast in sounds through different styles of dance. $30+. Detroit Opera House, Detroit; detroitopera.org

MUSIC

The Life You’re Asking For

This Ann Arbor musician got a taste of fame at an early age. His latest EP shows how he’s grown as an artist.

BY NATALIA HOLTZMAN

“I LOVE HIP-HOP THE MOST, ” says Nadim Azzam, “but people seem to like when I sing.”

Azzam, an Ann Arbor musician who describes his sound as “alternative soul,” performs with a collection of Detroit-based musicians who grew up playing gospel. As influences, he cites acts as varied as Tyler, the Creator; the Red Hot Chili Peppers; and Kendrick Lamar.

“I try to absorb a little bit of something from every genre that I listen to. It’s all just good music,” he says.

In 2016, Azzam’s career received a jump start when he embarked on a tour of college campuses with Matisyahu, the internationally known Jewish American rapper. The tour promoted unity and empathy through music and encouraged dialogue about conflict in the Middle East.

“It was a really amazing opportunity to both grow as an artist … and as a human being who cares about these issues,” says Azzam, whose mother is a Jewish American professor focused on the Palestine-Israel conflict and whose father, an Egyptian Palestinian, has long worked as a peace activist devoted to the same area.

Still, Azzam was only 20 years old when he set out on the 12-stop tour (which included the University of Michigan). “It wasn’t like all of a sudden my whole life changed,” he says. “I think I still had a lot of growing to do as a person and as an artist.”

When the tour ended, Azzam says, he faced a jarring transition: Within the span of a week, he went from performing for 700-person crowds to playing for a handful of faces at the local bar. On tour, he’d earned enough money to build a studio and furnish it with



Ann Arbor musician Nadim Azzam got his first taste of fame in 2016 on tour with Jewish American rapper Matisyahu.

 Azzam says he plans to “hit the road” to promote his new EP and is focused full time on marketing, recording, and maximizing opportunities “to share my artistry via shows and online.”

equipment, but he wasn’t done paying his dues.

“When I got home, I was like, ‘Oh, I’m just me again, back in my life.’ I had this realization that if I’m going to rely on external situations and external validations for my happiness, I’m never going to be happy — because it’s always going to go up and down. I’m the same person I was on that tour bus and on the stages as I am at home. I need to learn how to manage that before I try to go do anything anywhere [else].”

He was still developing as an artist, Azzam says, still “exploring new sounds and new topics,” and when he got back home, he found himself wondering, “What do I really have to say? What do I want to talk about?”

Today, Azzam is supporting himself as a musician. In March, he released his latest project, an EP titled DNA Vol. 2, which he describes as an “amalgamation” of “all the things I’ve learned.”

Even more importantly, “I no longer feel like I have to prove myself in any area — so I can create freely,” Azzam says.

As for commercial success, “I really feel that it’s better to get it when you’re ready than to have something too soon,” Azzam says. “It’s really important to grow into the person who’s ready for the life you’re asking for. I do my best to focus on that.”

NEW SEASON. NEW CITY.

Detroit City FC kicked off its 2025 season with big lineup changes and plans to build a new stadium

BY CHRISTINA CLARK

SPRING HAS ARRIVED in Hamtramck, and with it returns the echo of familiar drum beats and the lingering scent of Enola Gaye smoke bombs — Detroit City Football Club is back for its 2025 season at historic Keyworth Stadium.

Ahead of the new season, which started on March 8, Hour Detroit compiled these notable club announcements you may have missed.

Player Changes

At the end of 2024, the club, which plays in the Division II professional USL Championship, confirmed the departure of several of its longtime men’s-side players.

Detroit City FC is expected to open a soccer-specific stadium at the former site of Southwest Detroit Hospital for its 2027 season.

Keeper Nate Steinwascher, who began training with the club during its inaugural season in 2012, has retired from professional soccer, and Maxi Rodriguez, who joined City ahead of the 2021 season, has moved to Rhode Island FC following the expiration of his contract. The club has also parted ways

March to the Match

The Northern Guard Supporters, an independent supporter group of the club, hosts its March to the Match approximately one

with Yazeed Matthews, who played forward, and defender Brett Levis.

Familiar faces including captain Stephen Carroll, defender Devon Amoo-Mensah, forward Ben Morris, midfielder Abdoulaye Diop, defender Michael Bryant, and defender Matt Sheldon have all signed contract extensions with the club and will appear on the 2025 roster alongside the following newcomers:

FORWARD Sebastián Guenzatti, the league’s 8th place all-time goal-scorer who most recently played with Indy Eleven, on a one-year contract with 2026 option.

MIDFIELDER Jay Chapman, via transfer from Hartford Athletic.

MIDFIELDER Haruki Yamazaki, on a one-year contract with 2026 option from Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC of USL League One.

FORWARD Darren Smith, on a two-year contract from FC Inter Turku of Finland’s Veikkausliiga league.

MIDFIELDER Marcello Polisi, on a two-year contract from Valour FC of the Canadian Premier League.

KEEPER Carlos Herrera, on a two-year contract from the Western Conference’s Monterey Bay FC.

DEFENDER Morey Doner, via transfer from Monterey Bay FC.

DEFENDER Shane Wiedt, on a two-year contract from Western Conference-side Sacramento Republic FC.

FORWARD Ates Diouf, on a season-long loan from Lexington SC.

Coaching and Front Office

David Dwaihy returns to his post as the head coach of City’s USL W League, USL’s preprofessional women’s league. One of the club’s five founders, he will be starting his third year at the helm of the club’s women’s side. Under his leadership, the team played its best season last year with a record of 12-2-1.

Former midfielder Brad Dunwell and defender Elisa Baeron, who, as of last year, played on City’s USL W League, have also accepted positions with the front office. Dunwell serves as the first-ever full-time head coach of Detroit City FC II (the club’s reserve team), and Baeron is the new sports performance coach for the USL Championship league.

The New Stadium

Last May, Detroit City FC dropped the huge news that it had acquired land in Corktown with the goal of building its own soccer-specific stadium. Currently, the club plays at historic Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, which is where it moved after originally playing at Cass Technical High School.

The new open-air stadium, which will be located at the former site of Southwest Detroit Hospital, is expected to open for the club’s 2027 season and will feature real grass along with space for around 14,000 supporters, nearly double that of Keyworth, which can hold 7,933.

hour prior to kickoff at most DCFC home matches.

It steps off at New Dodge Lounge and features drumming, chanting, and singing as it makes its way through

the streets of Hamtramck before ending at Keyworth. Here are some upcoming home matches.

USL Championship

April 5: vs. Monterey Bay FC, 4 p.m.

April 19: vs. Rhode Island FC, 4 p.m. (Earth Day) April 26: vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, 4 p.m. (Arab American Heritage Night)

USL W May 24: vs. Union FC Macomb, 7 p.m. (AAPI Night)

May 28: vs. Toledo Villa FC, 7 p.m. (K-9s at Keyworth)

May 31: vs. Midwest United FC, 7 p.m.

Detroit City FC’s USL Championship team plays in front of the Northern Guard Supporters at historic Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck.

Private Schools & Summer Camps

 Academy of the Sacred Heart Bloomfield Hills ashmi.org

Archdiocese of Detroit Office for Catholic SchoolsDetroit detroitcatholicschools.org

Bishop Foley High School

Heights bishopfoley.org

Bright Horizons at Midtown Detroit Detroit brighthorizons.com/midtowndetroitInfant

Brookfield Academy - Rochester Hills Campus Rochester Hills brookfieldacademy.net

Brookfield Academy - Troy Campus Troy brookfieldacademy.net

Brookfield Academy - West Bloomfield Campus West Bloomfield brookfieldacademy.net

Brother Rice High School

Cranbrook Schools

Bloomfield Hills brrice.edu

Bloomfield Hills schools.cranbrook.edu

De La Salle Collegiate Warren delasallehs.com

Detroit Catholic Central High School Novi catholiccentral.net

Detroit Diesel - UAW Child Development Center Detroit brighthorizons.com/detroitdieselInfant

Detroit Waldorf School Detroit detroitwaldorf.org

Eagle Creek Academy Oakland Townshipeaglecreekacademy.com

 Eton Academy Birmingham etonacademy.org

Everest Collegiate High School and Academy Clarkston everestcatholic.org

Frankel Jewish Academy West Bloomfield frankelja.org

Gesu

Greenhills School

school.gesudetroit.org

Arbor greenhillsschool.org

The Grosse Pointe Academy Grosse Pointe Farmsgpacademy.org

holyfam.org

Family Regional School - South Rochester Hills holyfam.org

Private Schools & Summer Camps

Differently Thrive

instructional framework, The Eton Approach® grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Virtual at 7:00 PM

April 15, 2025.........On Campus at 9:00 AM

May 1, 2025............Virtual at 7:00 PM

May 13, 2025.........On Campus at 9:00 AM PRIVATE TOUR!

Private Schools & Summer Camps

Learning from the Experts

When you have a pressing question about your health, home, or finances, it’s natural to turn to the experts for answers. In our Trusted Advisors Q&A series, we connect our readers with seasoned professionals in various fields to tackle the real questions their clients and customers ask every day. This issue, we’re diving into dental health with insights from two local dentists. One sheds light on whether it’s worth replacing metal fillings, while the other explains the benefits of implant prostheses compared with traditional dentures. Their advice is practical, straightforward, and rooted in years of experience, helping you make informed decisions with confidence. Got a question you’ve been wondering about? You might just find the answer here.

Q: Is there a reason why I should replace my metal fillings?

A: There are several reasons to consider replacing metal fillings. Tooth-colored fillings o er a seamless smile and aesthetically pleasing appearance. At Royal Oak Dental, we ensure that the filling is an exact match to the shade of your teeth, giving you a perfect, confident smile. The composite resin used to make the filling is durable and bonds to the teeth to seal o cracks and fissures. Silver fillings, or amalgam fillings, are not as attractive, can stain the teeth over time, and may contain alloys that are not found in composite resin. Metal fillings are also not as flexible, nor do they respond as e ectively to temperature changes, leading to tooth sensitivity and, sometimes, fractures. It’s important to talk to your dentist about the options available for you. In my experience, no one regrets replacing metal fillings with resin. Most wish they had done it years sooner. It really makes a di erence in your smile.

Royal Oak Dental

Q: What are the advantages of implant prostheses over dentures?

A: Implant prostheses provide significant benefits over traditional dentures:

• Aesthetics: Implant prostheses closely resemble natural teeth and help preserve bone structure, preventing the facial changes that occur over time with bone loss.

• Chewing e iciency: Dentures significantly reduce biting force, whereas implant prostheses restore chewing ability, allowing patients to eat more naturally.

• Enhanced stability: Unlike dentures, which can shift during eating or speaking, implant prostheses remain securely in place, providing greater confidence and comfort.

• Improved comfort: Since implant prostheses do not rest directly on the gums, they eliminate the sore spots often associated with dentures.

• Better nutrition: The enhanced chewing ability that implant prostheses provide allows patients to maintain a more varied and nutritious diet.

• Speech clarity: Dentures can a ect pronunciation, while implant prostheses enable more natural speech, similar to real teeth.

Thomas Gilbert, DDS 715 N. Main St. Royal Oak, MI 48067 248-398-1818

Oakland Family Dental

Amanda M. Sheehan, DDS 4626 W. Walton Blvd. Waterford, MI 48329 248-674-0384

Food & Drink

I FOUND MYSELF at Las Vegas’s massive CES technology show in January. There, thousands of companies showed off the latest and greatest in gadgets and gewgaws. Artificial intelligence was the big draw this year, from talking refrigerators to baby cribs that auto-rock when they sense restlessness.

Want a perfect Manhattan? What about a “sweet but not too sweet” drink? Eh, not so much. The two “robot bartender” machines at the convention were glorified coffee makers. Besides, as a friend and longtime bartender loves to point out, robots will never replace humans as bartenders. No robot can crack a joke, remember your anniversary, and listen to sad-sack stories with sage understanding while mixing up a custom old-fashioned.

For the home bartender, apps like Mixel offer endless variations of recipes but little

DRINKS

I’M AFRAID I CAN’T MAKE THAT, DAVE

Peering into the not-so-distant future of automated bartending

BY MICKEY LYONS

further guidance. It’s the expertise of bartenders and the deep knowledge of sommeliers that elevate a drinking experience into a learning adventure and a social pleasure, not the machines that track efficiency and calculate costs per drink.

So, when I heard about a new wine bar in Wyandotte that uses a self-pour system and state-of-the-art chilling and dispensing equipment, I was skeptical to say the least. JBird Wine Bar opened in January 2024. The Maple Street establishment is a venture from four longtime friends — JT and Danielle Teringo, Brody Smith, and Renee Haveman. The quartet had enjoyed selfpour wine bars in Austin, Texas, so when Michigan legalized selfpour alcohol service in 2022, they decided to dive in and open a bar of their own.

It’s this willingness to take a risk, combined with their enthusiasm for enjoying wine without pretense, that makes JBird (named for each of their first initials, plus an “I” shaped like a wine glass) a great place to hang out on a stormy evening with friends. “We’re learning as we go,” Danielle Teringo says. “We’re trying to adjust to what the customers are asking for.”

The advantages of the self-pouring system are undeniable for the business owners: Steel kegs of wine are climate-controlled and can last up to six months after being tapped, as opposed to bottled wine, which must be dumped a few days after opening. It’s more sustainable, too: Larger volume means less package waste. And the labor costs are relatively small as well, with only one or two staff members needed to take credit card payments and hand out the digital bracelets that customers use to select their wines.

The team behind JBird has also found that the system allows for more-adventurous guests. Since they can choose between 1-ounce, 2.5-ounce, 5-ounce, or full 8-ounce pours, it’s easy to mix and match or try something new without committing to a full glass. With long communal tables and a few intimate booths, JBird is a great opportunity, Haveman says, to “make it what you want. You can do date, friends’ night out, bachelor, bachelorette, birthday — anything you want.”

If my visit is any indication, celebrations at JBird are a regular occurrence. Especially when the Chambong comes out. That’s right: sparkling wine guzzle servers designed to transmit the wine as quickly and efficiently as possible. Hey, maybe this idea of automation and optimizing efficiency isn’t so bad after all.

COOKING

MICHIGAN’S CANNABIS ALCHEMIST

A local chef made her mark offering delicious foods and found her purpose in the process

BY MICHELLE KOBERNICK

PHOTOS BY JACOB LEWKOW

CHEF ENID Parham may be known to many for pioneering professional cannabis cooking in Michigan, as well as for speaking out about cannabis criminal justice reform and sustainable farming. But before realizing her calling, Parham worked in notable Detroit kitchens including those of Wright & Co., Brooklyn Street Local, and Punch Bowl Social.

Her fascination with the herb would lead her to California to train under top cannabis chefs Cheri Sicard and Andrea Drummer.

The Detroit resident started Lucky Pistil, her cannabis catering and events company, in 2019, the year after Michigan legalized recreational cannabis. During

Shrimp BLT with THCInfused Lemon Dill Aioli

Ingredients

For the Aioli:

1 ½ cups mayonnaise

2 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon lemon zest

3 garlic cloves, minced

¼ cup chopped dill, packed

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

40 milligrams MCT THC drops*

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper

For the Sandwich:

Four 4-by-4-inch slices focaccia bread, toasted

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 ½ tablespoons olive oil

Kosher salt and pepper

2 cups fresh spinach leaves

 With years of experience, chef Enid Parham enjoys educating newcomers to the cannabis space.

that time, she says, many of her peers breaking into the industry possessed a gold rush mentality and weren’t in it for the long haul.

“A lot of people jumped on the bandwagon at first, but they weren’t serious,” Parham says. She brings up psilocybin mushrooms, which are decriminalized in Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Hazel Park. “With mushrooms, it was just like ‘Oh, here’s another bandwagon.’ And then everybody just left the weed community high and dry.”

But Parham hasn’t. In 2025, she continues to use her knowledge and experience to assist and educate others entering the cannabis space and finish what she and her fellow trailblazers started.

Coaxing the desired benefits from each strain, Parham divides calculated doses between delicious bites of sweet potato waffles with duck confit and strawberry balsamic jam and citrus, garlic, and herb-crusted lamb chops with a yogurt cumin sauce and spicy citrus-olive relish. She uses seasonal ingredients in her dishes and has a variety of vegan and vegetarian options available.

Her shrimp BLT uses a THC-infused lemon dill aioli and is easy to make. She uses THC drops to simplify the dosage for beginners. The aioli makes an equally flavorful dipping sauce for cooked meats and vegetables.

1 large tomato, sliced

8 bacon pieces, cooked

To Prepare

Place aioli ingredients in a bowl or food processor and mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside. Toast the bread and preheat a grill or sauté pan. Coat the shrimp with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until opaque.

To Assemble

Place two slices of the bread on a cutting board, then spread one tablespoon (which contains about 2.5 to 5 mg of THC) of the aioli over each of them. Layer each with half the spinach, tomatoes, and bacon. Divide the shrimp between sandwiches, then top with another tablespoon of aioli. Cover with the remaining focaccia slices, pressing each sandwich together. Use a toothpick to secure and serve. Makes two sandwiches

*MCT-based THC tinctures are available at most cannabis dispensaries. They come in 4-to-10-gram bottles in amounts between 50 and 200 milligrams of THC. Talk to your budtender about varietals and dosing instructions for your desired elevation.

TOUM HAS MADE a home out of Detroit. At the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants sprawled throughout the city, you’ll find this starkly white condiment on just about every table. And though toum unites Levant cuisine, it also welds together some of Detroit’s greatest Arabic restaurants.

For the uninitiated, toum is a powerful condiment made simply from garlic, oil, salt, and lemon. Its flavor is biting; its texture is elegant, fluffy, and creamy. But as with all cherished foods that span numerous cultures, everyone has different ideas about how to make the stuff. Some recipes call for potatoes, some yogurt, and some people even blend in egg whites. At its core, however, the condiment is inherently simple — a bright, fatty, redolent accompaniment scratched together with few ingredients. In Detroit, toum is as nuanced as it is vast; just about every restaurant seems to serve a different iteration of it.

At Phoenicia in Birmingham, the toum is called garlic whip, and it’s an apt title — the restaurant’s garlic sauce is exceptionally light and features stiff peaks almost like whipped egg whites (though you won’t find egg whites in its recipe). Its flavor is both delicate and bold, and it proves to be one of the most luscious condiments one can order. The garlic whip at Phoenicia enhances anything you apply it to — stuffed grape leaves, kebabs, a burger — and it even makes an excellent condiment for the thick-cut french fries.

Phoenicia’s toum is so good that Brett Anderson, writer for The New York Times, consulted owner Sameer Eid, also known as Samy, about Phoenicia’s recipe and featured it on the NYT website. And although toum is typically seen as a

FOOD FOCUS

Toum Around Town

A Detroiter’s guide to the garlicky sauce

BY DANNY PALUMBO

staple in Lebanese culture, it’s also common to find this pungent garlic sauce in Syrian, Greek, and Yemeni households — basically anywhere there’s pita, grape leaves, and lamb. Over in Dearborn, at Cedarland, the toum is smooth, creamy, and pronounced — the perfect accompaniment to the restaurant’s beef kebab and chicken shawarma and as comforting as its complimentary bowl of lentil soup.

Bucharest Grill, where the shawarma is cheap, filling, and never lacking flavor, remains a lighthouse for the hungry and continues to be one of the most celebrated chain restaurants in the area. Its toum is standard but consistent and adequately cuts through its starchy, french fry-laden Bucharest chicken shawarma.

In Midtown, the toum at La Palma — the home of my favorite bread service in the city — is free with every meal. The small, puffy shells of pita that accompany the toum are warm, chewy, and pocketed, perfect for dipping or stuffing with the tender beef gallayah. The toum itself is rather gelatinous but packs a robust garlic flavor that’s met with a delicious lemony tang on the back end.

However, toum isn’t always good. Because Detroit provides so many great iterations of garlic sauce, I have also begun to develop a discerning taste for it. As such, I have found other versions of this ancient garlic spread to be made sloppily. It can often be too oily or too harsh. Other times, it reads tame and insipid. As Samy Eid of Phoenicia will tell you, making toum is a delicate process, and it’s hard to get right.

Take the time to understand the nuances of toum, and you’ll begin to understand the refinement of Detroit’s dining scene, which continues to march on mightily.

RESTAURANT REPORT

ON THE HORIZON

While the fate of the Renaissance Center remains uncertain, its restaurant Highlands is still a must-visit destination

BY JACK THOMAS | PHOTOS BY REBECCA SIMONOV

From top left, clockwise: Wagyu beef tartare, foie gras brûlée, Wagyu short rib, Wagyu bavette, sea scallops.

FOR THE BETTER part of the past 48 years, the top two floors of Michigan’s tallest building have been a place to eat, drink, and celebrate special occasions. But depending on the Renaissance Center’s fate, it could all be reduced to a memory.

When chef Shawn McClain opened Highlands in 2019, it was the third eatery to occupy the RenCen’s 71st and 72nd floors. While McClain had already earned a James Beard Award and opened a successful string of restaurants in Chicago and Las Vegas, he moved to the Detroit area as hungry as ever. He envisioned a first-rate culinary destination worthy of its real estate.

“We just never wanted to be ‘Oh, it’s a great view,’” McClain says. “We wanted it to be like ‘That was an amazing dinner. Oh, by the way, it was an amazing view.’”

I have to say, the view is still pretty

amazing when I join Kate Walsh, Hour Detroit’s editor-in-chief, for dinner at Highlands in early January. In contrast to the eerily quiet first floor, the dining room is lively. Through the wide windows, we see bright flames guzzling out of the Zug Island smokestack, as well as the purple orb atop the Penobscot as it glows and blinks. Here, guests can regularly be seen out of their seat and by a window, gazing through their phone camera at the expansive cityscape. But indeed, the meal is full of high notes that sometimes make me forget about the view altogether.

We try the foie gras brûlée. Dotted with tart Michigan cherry preserves, the luxurious snack achieves the improbable by substituting traditional custard with a mixture of reduced alcohol, foie gras, cream, and egg yolk — but keeping the caramelized sugar topping. With buttery brioche toast points for spreading, it reminds me a bit of a Brie, though it’s undoubtedly richer.

Although the pricier steaks are tempting, we opt for the tasting menu, which lets the customer pick each of the three courses. I like that while the dishes are agreeable to most palates, each still manages to have a little fun.

One we particularly enjoy is the roasted sweet potato, prepared with salty sprinkles of jamón Ibérico and a tangy spread of fromage blanc with melted white chocolate. From there, it’s seasoned with a robust blend of French curry, paprika, and much more — as in, “if it’s HIGHLANDS

 This seat offers a

a spice, it’s probably in there,” notes Executive Chef Kyle Spina. No kidding. Each bite is bold, with the warm familiarity of a holiday meal.

Another equally impressive offering is the venison roast. On the side: pumpkin pieflavored pumpkin puree with a little maple syrup; sautéed chanterelle mushrooms and cipollini onion; and a savory venison jus finish that makes the tender cut that much more irresistible.

For dessert, we enjoy the cardamom ice cream, which the sommelier, Kevin Williams, sells us on by comparing its flavor to that of chamomile tea and edible Fruit Loops straws. He’s spot on. I later learn that this is the place where his exquisite palate and passion for wines was fully realized.

In late 2021, Williams was hired on as a server’s assistant. The next year, he completed his Level 1 sommelier certification, and soon after, management offered to promote him. Suddenly, his confidence waned: He told them, “I’m not ready for this,” but they assured him, “You’ve got this.” Today, he curates the wine pairings, which rotate monthly, for the tasting menu. In April, he plans to take his Level 2 exam.

The original restaurant, The Summit, opened in 1977, the same year architect John Portman’s center tower was completed. In those days, it used to rotate, but it stopped permanently due to a mechanical issue that would have required a multimillion-dollar fix. It would close in 2000, four years after General Motors bought the building from Ford Motor Co.

Following a $500 million renovation to the RenCen, a wine-forward steakhouse called Coach Insignia opened on the top floors in 2004. Its name was inspired by the logo for Fisher Body Co., a defunct GM division. The restaurant closed in 2017 after it was unable to reach a lease agreement.

Since last year, the RenCen and its landlord have been the talk of the town. GM, which owns this building, along with four other towers in the

stunning view of the Guardian, Penobscot, and Ally buildings.

 Highlands takes pride in its “epic” wine collection.

complex, announced April 15 that it was moving its headquarters to the Hudson’s Detroit development.

On Nov. 25, GM and Bedrock announced a $1.6 billion redevelopment plan for the soonto-be vacant RenCen, in which towers 300 and 400 would be replaced by 6 acres of park space and the center tower, where Highlands is located, would remain. However, the plan called for $250 million in state funds and $100 million from Detroit’s Downtown Development Authority, which drew criticism from numerous legislators. A week later, GM said if it can’t secure the public funding, it will simply tear down all five of its buildings, in what the Detroit Free Press reported would likely be “the largest voluntary skyscraper demolition in world history.” (As we went to press in early March, GM and Bedrock said they were seeking a tax incentive between $150 million and $175 million, which would reduce their initial ask by $75 million to $100 million, Crain’s Detroit reported.)

I ask the staff about the headlines. They seem to have mixed views, some framing their answers positively around the prospect of renovations to the complex.

Williams speaks candidly.

“It’s definitely something that’s unsettling and something that I think about quite often,” he says. “It’s a great team here, a great historic space, and that’s something that fuels me and ties me to this place. There are so many of my peers in the wine world that had their start here. I don’t want to see it go.”

Dining room service director Byron Coleman — who was just 4 when his mom took him on his first unforgettable elevator ride to The Summit — shares a bit of the concern. He thinks the news may explain a recent uptick in visitors.

Highlands is currently on year five of a 10-year lease. It weathered a pandemic just three months after opening. Most of its current staff has been along for most of the ride, and the restaurant has managed to maintain a solid reputation.

“When we opened, I looked at it as a 20year project,” McClain says. “We’re heading through it, and until somebody says something different, we’re going to just keep doing it every day.”



These golden seared scallops come with locally grown Stoney Creek mushrooms, braised oxtail, foie gras jus, and charred broccolini.

With marrow butter-brushed toast for spreading, the Wagyu beef tartare has smoked egg vinaigrette, jammy yolks, shaved radish, cipollini onions, pickled pearl onions, and tarragoninfused beef fat powder.

At a Glance:

Price: $$$$

Vibes: Special occasion Service: Warm, knowledgeable Sound level: Quiet to moderate

Dress code: None

Open: Mon.-Thurs., 5-9:15 p.m.; Fri & Sat, 4:30-10:15 p.m.

Reservations: Recommended (not needed for High Bar)

Parking: Beaubien Place

Garage, 238 Beaubien Blvd., Detroit (first three hours complimentary with validation)

Valet: Available at the Marriott Porte on Renaissance Drive West ($10 during lunch weekdays, $15 during dinner daily with validation)

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible



A play on the classic grasshopper cocktail, the Pandan A’ Mo incorporates fernet menthe, crème de menthe, pandan-infused cacao, and almond milk.

McClain says he’s still not sure whether, under GM and Bedrock’s proposed plan, he’d still be able to keep Highlands’ current space. However, he’d want “nothing more than to be part of it,” he says.

“I would hope that [a full demolition] is the nuclear option. But I think people, at the end of the day, realize the importance of the location and the building. The city and the state, I believe that they’ll ultimately support the 2.0 version,” he says, adding, “I know that it’s always a touchy subject with funding, especially when it comes to public money, but that’s way above my pay grade.”

After leaving the photo shoot at the restaurant in February, I step off the elevator and try to remember the way to the parking lot. It’s so confusing on those lower levels. The riverfront is just steps away. That’s where, in the summer, Williams takes his laptop down to the Riverwalk while he’s doing inventory and lets the breeze wash over him. Even on a stressful day, the view keeps him grounded.

“Seeing the sunsets and the water is peaceful to me,” he says. “It never gets old.”

Restaurant Guide

Wayne

Adelina

$$$$

ITALIAN • Brought downtown by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani, Adelina features traditional Italian eats in a modern atmosphere, with made-in-house pasta and starters like focaccia, seared tuna crudo, sausage and peppers, and a roasted Wagyu meatball. Entrées include lamb chops with house made Tzatziki, veal milanese, and salmon with romesco sauce. Stick around for desserts like the zeppole Italian ricotta doughnuts. 1040 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-246-8811. D Tue.-Sun.

Al Ameer $$

LEBANESE • This halal restaurant is a recipient of the prestigious James Beard America’s Classics Award. The Al Ameer platter is perfect for sharing: chicken shawarma, meat shawarma, tawook kabob, and two kafta served with hummus and salad. 12710 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-8185. 27346 Ford Road, Dearborn Heights; 313-565-9600. 6505 N. Canton Center Road, Canton; 734-627-7707. L,D daily.

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, while keeping the character of the old-school restaurant, known for its steaks and pastas. 3401 Riopelle St., Detroit; 313831-5940. L,D Tue.-Sat.

Alpino $$$

ALPINE •This Alps-inspired Corktown eatery quickly became beloved after opening in 2023. The cozy interior evokes cabins and farmhouses from the European countryside. Order beers and wines from all over Europe, plus Alps-inspired cocktails, fondue, wiener schnitzel, raclette, and pastas. 1426 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-524-0888. D daily, BR Sun.

Andiamo $$

ITALIAN • Over the past three decades, Joe Vicari has established several Andiamo restaurants in metro Detroit, all inspired by the late master chef Aldo Ottaviani’s philosophy of seasonal, from-scratch cooking. The menus differ slightly at the different locations, but the constant is the fresh, housemade pastas — handcrafted by the trinity of “pasta ladies,” Anna, Tanya, and Angelina, who have carried on the tradition. The downtown Detroit location offers a breathtaking view of the Detroit River, while the Livonia location offers a comfortable and casual vibe. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit; 313-5676700. D Mon.-Fri., L,D Sat.-Sun. 38703 Seven Mile Road, Livonia; 734-953-3200. D daily.

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 daily. (Farmington Hills location closed Mondays)

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 the Atwater Brat and other sausages teamed with sauerkraut, plus Bavarian soft pretzels. 1175 Lakepointe St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-344-5104. L,D daily.

Apparatus Room

$$$$

NEW AMERICAN • The Foundation Hotel’s restaurant, the Apparatus Room, once housed the Detroit Fire Department headquarters. Chef Rece Hogerheide’s cooking is refined and highly skilled — he was executive chef of the Daxton Hotel’s restaurant Madam, named 2023 Restaurant of the Year by Hour Detroit. 250 W. Larned St., Detroit; 313-8005600. B,L,D Mon.-Fri., BR,D Sat.-Sun.

Ash—Bar

EUROPEAN

$$$

• Located on The Siren Hotel’s second floor, this eatery is meant to capture the “spirit of the quintessential European cafe seen through an Americana lens,” along with serving specialty cocktails and good coffee. Chef Scott Martinelli’s menu changes seasonally and features a bread of the day and entrées like pasta, moules (the national dish of Belgium), and seafood. Or try the pork belly rillons, made with sweet-and-sour blackberry sauce, fennel, cipollini, and cilantro. 1509 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-277-4736. B,L,D daily.

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 grilled veggie sandwich with portobello mushrooms, zucchini, and goat cheese. Meatier highlights include a turkey and gouda sandwich, and BLTA with cider house bacon. 1049 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-285-8006. B,L daily.

Babo

$

NEW AMERICAN • This café settled into the Midtown Park Shelton building in July 2019, serving elevated comfort food made from local, small-batch producers. The self-described gourmet diner offers espresso drinks and such dishes as avocado toast, kimchi patatas bravas, and

the Babo Burger. 15 E. Kirby St., Ste. 115, Detroit; 313-3121493. B,L,D Tue.-Sat. B,L Sun.

Baker’s Keyboard Lounge $$

SOUL FOOD • This iconic lounge features live music, along with beef short ribs with gravy, creamy mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet cornbread muffins. 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-345-6300. D Mon.-Fri.

Baobab Fare

$$

EAST AFRICAN • With their New Center restaurant, Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere urge diners to venture into culinary territories they’d otherwise miss, like the Mbuzi starring a goat shank that is slow-roasted until the meat is so tender that it slides off the bone. 6568 Woodward Ave., Ste. 100, Detroit; 313-265-3093. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Barda

$$$$

ARGENTINIAN • Barda brings a new cuisine to metro Detroit. True to Argentinian culture, the restaurant celebrates traditional meat dishes. For starters, Carne y Hueso, meaning Flesh and Bone, features a mold of finely chopped beef tartare topped with spicy horseradish alongside a dense bone filled to the brim with buttery marrow. Tira de Asado, a classic Argentinian short rib dish, arrives on a plate in a coriander-pepper crust. And inch-thick slices of rare Bife, or strip loin steak, lie on a bed of melted butter infused with chimichurri. 4842 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313- 9525182; barda-detroit.com. D Thu.-Sun.

Bar Pigalle

$$$ FRENCH • Nestled inside The Carlton Lofts in Brush Park, this restaurant beautifully complements the neighborhood’s former nickname, the Little Paris of the Midwest, by serving French-inspired cuisine, such as the duck confit with agrodolce, grapes, and frisée. 2915 John R Road, Detroit; 313-497-9200. D daily BR Sat.-Sun.

Basan

$$$$ ASIAN-INSPIRED • Named for the Japanese folkloric bird, Basan features a fluid rotation of zestful, bold, and edgy dishes that are novel and creative, with a nightly tasting menu and optional wine pairing. Standouts from the menu include the assortment of buns (such as Brussels sprouts, firecracker shrimp, and twice-fried chicken), beef dandan, and octopus skewers. 2703 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-481-2703. 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 such as roasted olives, fried calamari, and double-cut lamb chops. 600 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3000. D Mon.-Sat.

Bobcat Bonnie’s

$

GASTROPUB • The menu is eclectic, featuring fried goat cheese, fish tacos, Buddha bowls, and a barbecue bacon meatloaf — plus, plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. The weekend brunch, complete with a Bloody Mary bar and all the classics, is a big hit. See bobcatbonnies.com for locations and hours.

Bohemia

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • The former member’s-only lounge in this restored Romanesque Revival in downtown Detroit is now a posh restaurant open to the public (the downstairs bar is also open to the public). The stunning dining room reflects the club’s history while staying fresh and modern with local art on the walls and an Instagrammable seating area in the middle of the dining room with plush couches and trees lined with lights. The food is upscale but approachable such as the Nashville Fried Chicken and the lobster fettucini, which is worth every indulgent bite. 712 Cass Ave., Detroit, 313-338-3222.

D Wed.-Sat..

Brome Modern Eatery $$ BURGERS • This healthy spin on a classic serves never-frozen, 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 cold-pressed juice bar. 22062 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-996-5050. L,D daily.

Bronze Door $$$$

NEW AMERICAN • Operated by the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group brand (in partnership with Tony Soave of Soave Enterprises) revives the well-known name of a Grosse Pointe staple from the mid-1900s. In the 1960s and 1970s, 123 Kercheval Ave. was home to the Bronze Door, which closed to make way for The Hill Seafood and Chop House. In 2021, it was born again as the Bronze Door, offering classic bistro fare like steak frites and house specialties such as Short Rib Alla Bolognese (braised beef short ribs, pancetta, roasted battuto, imported Mafaldine pasta, ricotta salata, and black truffle). 123 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-8868101. BR Sun. L Tue.-Fri. D daily.

Bucharest Grill

$

MEDITERRANEAN-AMERICAN • This bustling casual 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.

Cadieux Café $$

BELGIAN • This institution was like a slice of home for early Belgian immigrants. The former speakeasy serves 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.

Café Nini

$$$

ITALIAN • This intimate spot offers well-prepared food that includes eight appetizers, more than a dozen pasta dishes, and 16 main plates, notable among which are Involtini di Pollo “Da Edoardo,” prosciutto, spinach, and Parmigiano Reggiano-filled chicken breast, sautéed in a

sherry wine sauce, topped with fresh mushrooms. The wine list is impressive as well. 98 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-308-3120. D Tue.-Sun.

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 featuring ground veal, beef, sausage, and pancetta. It makes for a delicious Italian feast you can conveniently pick up on your way home. 15550 N. Haggerty Road, Plymouth; 734-420-1100. L,D Tues.-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, with items such as barbecue babyback ribs and potato skins, but the main draw is steak by the ounce, at market price. 14726 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-527-2100. L,D Wed.-Sun.

Caucus Club

$$$

TRADITIONAL AMERICAN • The reborn spot emphasizes service and a traditional steak and seafood theme, with such tasty signature dishes as wood-grilled ribs, seared scallops, and steaks. 150 W. Congress, Detroit; 313-965-4970. D daily.

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, filet and frites, burgers, and salads. 660 Woodward Ave., Ste. 4A, Detroit; 313-963-9000. D Thu.-Sat., BR Sat.-Sun.

Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • While the menu rotates based on the season, its offerings always highlight the freshest local ingredients. Creatively prepared dishes range from cold starters to hearty entrees. But the Twice Cooked Egg is not to be missed. 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 313-818-3915. D Tue.-Sat.

Cibo

$$$

MEDITERRANEAN FUSION • This palm-lined fine-dining destination offers everything from shareable pizzas, salads, lamb, and steaks to dishes like the pancetta Bolognese rotolo. It’s located inside the Cambria Detroit Downtown hotel, an Albert Kahn-designed building that used to house the original WWJ radio station. 600 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-338-3529. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Cliff Bell’s $$

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • This restored Art Deco hotspot offers small plates such as oysters with cava granita and potato croquettes. Entrees range from savory seared diver scallops to their 16-ounce grilled pork chop. Jazz prevails on the bandstand. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-961-2543. D Wed.-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 fat-fried chicken and a burger. 5440 Cass Ave, Detroit; 313-285-8849. L, D Tue.-Fri. D Sat. BR Sun.

Coriander Kitchen and Farm

$$ GASTROPUB • At this Jefferson Chalmers eatery, guests can rent firepits and roast house-made marshmallows to make s’mores, or sip mugs of hot buttered rum. By day, grab a picnic table and enjoy creamy smoked lake trout whitefish dip, seasoned with herbs and paired with pickles and crackers. 14601 Riverside Blvd, Detroit; 313 338-9466. D Tue.-Fri. D Sat. BR 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 chicken marsala, featuring a pan-seared 7-ounce chicken breast, sauteed wild mushroom blend, wild rice, and seasonal grilled vegetables, cooked in a Lombardo Ambra Sweet Marsala wine sauce. Simply delicious! 2415 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-638-2261. D Wed.-Sat. BR Sat. B,L Sun.

Cuisine

$$$

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • Cuisine offers a romantic, white-linen experience with the level of food, service, and ambience one might describe as timeless rather than trendy. Examples of the expertly prepared fare include the Alaskan halibut, as well as the sea scallops, featuring lemon risotto, corn, almonds, citrus butter, and beet dust. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit; 313-872-5110. D Wed.-Sat. (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 knackwurst, served with hot German potato salad and sauerkraut. And yes, sing along with the schnitzelbank song. 17324 John R St., Detroit; 313-867-9722. D Thu.-Sat.

Detroit Shipping Company

VARIOUS • This bi-level destination created out of shipping containers offers a variety of food options ranging from the Caribbean-fusion dishes at Coop to Thai fare from Bangkok 96 and more. 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-462-4973. L Sat.-Sun., D Tue.-Sun.

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; 313-366-5600. 14300 E Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-926-6305. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Detroit Vegan Soul

$

VEGAN • The popular spot offers your classic soul food favorites but with plant-based twists — mac and cheese, collard greens, and interpretations of catfish and pepper steak. 19614 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-727-1973. L Mon.-Fri. (Carry-out focused)

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 Thu.-Tue. 6920 N Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills; 313-962-9106. B, L daily

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2010

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe

$$$

GASTROPUB • A jazz club with top guest musicians and an American bistro menu in a traditional interior. Starters include oysters by the half- or full-dozen, and lump crab cakes. Main entries include a beef short rib. 97 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-882-5299. L Tue.-Fri., D Tue.-Sat.

Eatori Market $$

SPECIALTY GROCERY • This stylish spot overlooks downtown’s Capitol Park. The menu has steamed mussels with leeks, garlic, and toasted crostini. International flourishes abound with truffle aioli for the burger. 1215 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-395-3030. L,D daily.

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 an unassuming Latin-American find in Detroit’s Springwells Village. 1312 Springwells St., Detroit; 313-297-2360. L,D Tue.-Sun.

El Barzon $$$

MEXICAN-ITALIAN • Norberto Garita prepares Italian and Mexican cuisines alongside his wife, Silvia Rosario Garita. Authentic Mexican entrees include enchiladas with a homemade green sauce made with tomatillo, jalapeños, and roasted poblano pepper, while the Italian influence takes the form of spaghetti carbonara and zuppa di pesce (seafood soup). 3710 Junction Ave., Detroit; 313-894-2070. D Tue.-Sun.

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 Mon.-Sat.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café $$ NEW ORLEANIAN • Enjoy classic New Orleans dishes, such as jambalaya and fried catfish beignets. Come for lunch, dinner, happy hour, or carry-out. 400 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-965-4600. fishbonesusa.com for more locations.

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. 4440 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-2085. D Thu.-Sun.

Folk $

NEW AMERICAN • A charming Corktown storefront dishing up an all-day brunch menu. It’s an offshoot of the Farmer’s Hand grocery and farmers market. The menu focuses on globally inspired dishes like salads, quiche, and sandwiches — all beautifully plated and nutritious. Infused milks and frothy lattes are well sought after, too. 1701 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-742-2672. B,L daily.

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 barbecue sauce. Other appealing dishes include shrimp mac and cheese, and chicken wings. 21367 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-752-3673. L,D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2024

Freya

$$$$

NEW AMERICAN • Freya provides elegant, elevated dining served inside a warm and inviting space in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction district. Chef de Cuisine Phoebe Zimmerman’s fixed-price dinners — which change daily and are available in five or nine courses — invite guests to tap into a world of flavors and sensations. There are also cocktail pairings as well as dishes that accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian diets. Co-run by 2023 James Beard semifinalist Sandy Levine, it made The New York Times’s list of the 50 best restaurants in 2022. 2929 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-351-5544. D Tue.-Sat.

Fusion Flare Kitchen & Cocktails

$ NEW AMERICAN/SOUL • Burgers and wings share the menu with classic Southern staples like catfish, yams, and greens on Detroit’s west side. Try the delectable shrimp plate starter — it can be ordered deep-fried, New Orleans-style (with Cajun seasoning), or sautéed in a scampi sauce with garlic butter and wine. 16801 Plymouth Road, Detroit; 313-653-3700. L,D Wed.-Sun.

Giovanni’s Ristorante

$$$ ITALIAN • This old-school Italian restaurant offers housemade pastas, including an outstanding lasagna. Elaborate veal and seafood dishes and desserts like key lime cheesecake tira misu round out the delicious menu. 330 Oakwood Blvd., Detroit; 313-841-0122. L,D Tue.-Fri., D Sat.

Golden Fleece

$$ GREEK • Spend a night dining in Greektown’s longest-standing restaurant, starting with a flaming saganaki and a joyous “Opa!” Then, peruse the menu containing various Balkan comfort foods like chicken gyros, spinach pie, and french fries sprinkled with feta and oregano. 525 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-962-7093. L,D daily.

Grandma Bob’s $ PIZZA • If you’re wondering what that psychedelic building on Corktown’s Michigan Avenue is, it’s a pizzeria known as Grandma Bob’s. Chef Dan De Wall, previously

of Wright and Co., offers a small, delicious menu of pies, including sausage and pistachio with ricotta cheese and thyme. Or try the Big Mack — the vegan pizza version of the popular burger. 2135 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-3153177. L,D daily.

Grand Trunk Pub

$

NEW AMERICAN • Meats from Eastern Market and delicious breads 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, Tue.-Sun. BR Sat.-Sun.

The Greek $ GREEK • Plaka Café was a presence on Monroe Avenue for years, and now its space is in the hands of the founders’ children. Notable dishes include spinach pie, lamb chops, and New York strip steak. 535 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-209-6667. L,D daily.

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 alongside Chicken Paprikas 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 well-prepared — for example, pork tenderloin with romanesco, peri peri, and wild rice or yellowfin tuna with kimchi, edamame, and sweet soy. 47 Watson St., Detroit; 313-262-6534. D daily.

Highlands

$$$$

STEAKHOUSE/NEW AMERICAN • On the top two floors of the Renaissance Center, Highlands is the concept of chef-owner Shawn McClain, a James Beard awardee and Iron Chef winner. Besides boasting one of the city’s most breathtaking views the steakhouse’s offerings include three-course dinners with optional sommelier wine pairings. Its High Bar features an impressive selection of beers and spirits, plus elevated bar bites like the Hearth Burger. 400 Renaissance Center, Floors 71 and 72, Detroit; 313-877-9090; D Mon.-Sat.

Hiroki-San

$$$$ JAPANESE • Venture to the basement of the historic Book Tower building to enter Hiroki-San’s shoji-lined, mood-lit dining room. The menu includes an optional sake pairing and cocktails like the Genmaicha-Hai, a green tea-infused highball with lemon juice, honey, apricot, and seltzer. On the food side, enjoy small plates like the sweet and savory tako-age (deep-fried octopus), robatayaki and yakitori offerings, Wagyu steaks, and noodles. Sushi and sashimi can be ordered à la carte or as a “chef’s choice” platter. The wasabi is real. 1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313- 597-8344. D Tue.-Sat.

The Hudson Cafe $ BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • The fresh, well-prepared fare from the kitchen of this breakfast/lunch spot has creative takes on the eggs Benedict theme, red velvet pancakes, and apple-walnut stuffed French toast, plus lunchtime sandwiches and salads. 1241 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-237-1000. 17101 Haggerty Rd, Northville 248-308-3793. 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.

Iggy’s Eggies

$ AMERICAN • Jammy-yolk egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and more are on the menu at Iggy’s Eggies’ walk-up window. You can also get smashburgers and fresh-cut fries at Iggy’s. Take your breakfast or lunch to a table at nearby Capitol Park for a true downtown experience. 34 West Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-986-1174. B,L daily.

Ima $

JAPANESE-INSPIRED • This ramen hotspot has three locations and a Midwest emphasis. Ima tacos trade the traditional shell for a slice of jicama, stuffed with spicy shrimp, roasted tofu, or garlic chicken. Appetizers include edamame, dumplings, and clams. 4870 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-883-9788. 32203 John R Road, Madison Heights; 248781-0131. L,D daily.

Ima Izakaya

$$

JAPANESE-INSPIRED • Chef Michael Ransom has slowly and steadily built up his local chain of noodle shops over the past few years, and his latest one takes it up a notch with the izakaya concept, the Japanese equivalent to a pub. In addition to the staple noodles and soups that put Ransom on the map, the menu also includes grilled skewers from the robata grill such as Kawahagi Trigger Fish Jerky and Mini Kurobuta Pork Sausages. There’s also a tantalizing selection of cocktails and mocktails, sake, beer, and wine to make it a true izakaya experience. 2100 Michigan Ave., Detroit, 313-306-9485. 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 Creamy Cajun Pasta contribute New Orleans flavors. 9215 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313332-0607; L Fri.-Sun., D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  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: smoked fish spread, creamed spinach, and stewed tomatoes. A true Detroit classic. 400 Renaissance Center, Ste. 1404, Detroit; 313-567-6837. 39475 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-792-9609. L,D daily.

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 also several fusion bowls like the Southwest Verde, a green chili chicken broth topped with chicken thigh confit, cilantro, corn, and hot peppers. 2601 W. Fort St., Detroit; 313-309-7946. L,D daily.

Jolly Pumpkin $$ BREWERY • Jolly Pumpkin’s brews rule the offerings, along with other Northern United Brewing Co. beverages, such as North Peak and Jolly Pumpkin artisan ales. Pizzas with creative toppings abound. 441 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-262-6115. 419 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248544-6250. 311 S Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-913-2730. L,D daily (Detroit, Ann Arbor); L Fri.-Mon, D daily (Royal Oak).

Karl’s Cabin $$ AMERICAN • Dishes from their currently rotating drivethrough menu such as pan-seared walleye and pierogi & sausage surpass typical roadhouse food. 6005 Gotfredson Road, 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; 313462-4184. L, D Fri.-Sun. Private events only Mon.-Thur.

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.- Sun.

Ladder 4 Wine Bar

$$$ WINE BAR • This southwest Detroit wine bar occupies a former 1910 firehouse, offering a daily wine list and seasonal European-inspired bites made with local ingredients — some grown in its backyard garden. Though its owners prefer not to call it a restaurant, it made Bon Appétit’s “24 Best New Restaurants” and The New York Times’s “50 Places in the United States That We’re Most Excited About Right Now” — both in 2023. 3396 Vinewood St., Detroit; 313-638-1601. D Wed.-Sun.

Lady of the House

$$$$ NEW AMERICAN • Chef Kate Williams’s nationally renowned restaurant known for its modern take on Irish, French, and Midwestern influences reopened in 2024 after closing amid the pandemic. The new location features many of the same staple dishes, prepared with local, seasonal ingredients in Williams’s no-waste kitchen: steak tartare with Dijonnaise, crispy potato, caviar, and charred leek top gremolata, and

whole roasted chicken with challah migas and roasted shiitake and maitake mushrooms, topped with a frisée salad and a lemon-rosemary gravy. Standout desserts include the potato donut, made with sugared thyme and chamomile cream sauce. The restaurant even has its own Detroit City Distillery gin — mixed into cocktails like the Lady Martini and Lady Gin and Tonic. 4884 Grand River Ave., Unit 1C; 313-230-4678. D Wed.-Sun.

La Dolce Vita

$$$ ITALIAN • Traditional Italian cuisine is key at this Palmer Park hideaway. Recommended is the bronzino in lemon caper cream sauce, the veal scaloppine with artichokes, and the lasagna. 17546 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-865-0331. D Tue.-Sun., BR 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 Da Edorado — dominate, there’s more, including a number of elegant pastas like the Lasagna Alla Bolognese. 1224 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-962-8821. L,D Tue.-Sun.

London Chop House $$

STEAKHOUSE • The kitchen turns out classics like oysters Rockefeller, French onion soup, and sauteed loup de mer with scallops. 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. D Mon.-Sat.

The Ledger

$$$$

NEW AMERICAN • Located in the former United Savings Bank building, this fine-dining restaurant features a seasonal, from-scratch menu and festive cocktails. For starters, try roasted Brussels sprout chips tossed in katsu or, for a real spectacle, the focaccia served with a candle made from tallow. Lobster rolls, Wagyu steaks, and Alaskan halibut round out the menu — plus photogenic desserts like The Ledger Cake with hazelnut mousse, salted caramel, and honey peanut praline. 306 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-984-0020. D Tue.-Sun. BR Sat.-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 Mixed Grill that offers a little bit of everything with shish kebab, tawook, and kafta. Other menu items include Kibbeh Niyee — fresh lamb, cracked wheat, and spice — 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 daily.

Leña

$$$$

SPANISH-INSPIRED • At this restaurant located in Brush Park, just about every dish on the menu touches the kitchen’s central hearth at some point during its preparation. T menu riffs on Basque pinchos and Catalan tapas, plus a fine selection of Spanish wines and gin and tonics. James Beard-honored pastry chef Lena Sareini’s desserts are divine. 2720 Brush St., Detroit; 313-262-6082. D Wed.-Mon.

Ingredients

Veggie Benny

4 English muffins, toasted

1 cup mushrooms (shiitake and oyster), sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 sprig thyme, leaves picked and chopped

2 roasted Roma tomatoes (see recipe)

2 cups baby spinach

1 avocado, quartered and thinly sliced

8 poached eggs (see recipe)

Sriracha Hollandaise sauce (see recipe)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Chopped chives, for garnish

Roasted Roma Tomatoes

2 Roma tomatoes, quartered and cored (seeds discarded)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 sprig thyme, leaves picked and chopped

Olive oil, to coat

Salt, to taste

Poached Eggs

8 eggs

2 quarts water

1/2 cup white vinegar

Sriracha Hollandaise Sauce

1 cup clarified butter, melted (heated to 160 F)

1/3 cup pasteurized egg yolks

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon sriracha hot sauce

RECIPE

DIME STORE’S

VEGGIE BENNY

PHOTO BY REBECCA SIMONOV

Directions

Roasted Roma Tomatoes

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Toss tomatoes with garlic, thyme, olive oil, and salt and place on a roasting tray. Roast for 10 minutes, until slightly softened and caramelized. Let cool.

Poached Eggs

1. In a medium pot, bring water and vinegar to a slow simmer.

2. Crack eggs into small bowls (four eggs per bowl). Swirl the simmering water gently, then slide in 4 eggs. Cook for 3 minutes until the whites are set but the yolks are soft. Remove eggs and keep warm.

3. Repeat with remaining eggs.

Sriracha Hollandaise Sauce

1. Combine eggs yolks, lemon juice, and salt in a blender.

2. While blending, slowly drizzle in warm clarified butter until the mixture emulsifies and thickens.

3. Stir in sriracha and adjust seasoning as needed. Keep warm.

Veggie Benny

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook mushrooms with a little oil, garlic, and thyme for about 3 minutes. Add roasted Roma tomatoes and heat through. Add spinach and cook until just wilted. Season with salt and pepper.

2. On each toasted English muffin half, layer the sautéed veggie mixture, avocado, and poached egg. Drizzle with the sriracha Hollandaise sauce, garnish with chives, and enjoy.

Le Suprême

$$$

FRENCH • This Paris-inspired brasserie pays homage to the City of Light with its 1920s-inspired décor on the historic Book Tower’s ground floor. There is pastis, absinthe, France-themed cocktails, and over 300 wines. Standout dishes include the escargots, honey-roasted duck breast, and trout amandine. 1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313597-7734. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Lucy & the Wolf $$

SPANISH • This Anglo-sounding restaurant offers very good Spanish-inspired tapas dining. Standouts include spicy beer cheese dip, harissa rubbed half-chicken, and roasted sablefish. 102 E. Main St., Northville; 248-308-3057. D Tue.-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 like the maple dijon salmon. 1903 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-626-5005. L Fri.-Sun., D. Wed.-Sun.

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 from a sample tasting menu include Roasted Bone Marrow and Local Lamb ragu. 8044 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-513-0361. L,D Thu.-Sun. marrowdetroit.com for more locations.

Maty’s African Cuisine $$

WEST AFRICAN • A small storefront in the Detroit Old Redford neighborhood is decidedly Senegalese. Fataya, deep-fried pastries with savory fillings, are reminiscent of an empanada. The star of the show is the whole chicken with yassa. 21611 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-472-5885. L,D Tue.-Sun.

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,

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, and avocado. 2163 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-5000. L,D daily. tacos, tapas, and salads from the kitchen of Heidi and Junior Merino, from Hawaii and Mexico, is distinctive. 13214 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-399-9117. L,D daily.

Metropolitan Bar and Kitchen $$ LATIN • The business brings a bodega-style market along with a neighborhood restaurant and bar to West Village. The menu highlights local and seasonal ingredients in dishes like beet salad or the Metro “Mac” Burger. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit; 313-447-5418. B Sat.-Sun. D Tue.-Sat.

Michigan & Trumbull

$$

ITALIAN-AMERICAN • After a successful four-month run at Fort Street Galley, Michigan and Trumbull became one of 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-inspired names, such as Packard Pepperoni and Woodward White. 1331 Holden St., Detroit; 313637-4992; L,D Wed-Sun.

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; 313-789-5100. L,D daily.

Mink

$$$$

SEAFOOD • This raw bar with sustainably sourced seafood like oysters and caviar offers an immersive dining experience. The five-course chef’s tasting menu changes once a month and offers several appetizers and main meals with optional beverage parings. While indoor high-top bar seating is reserved for the chef’s tasting menu, Mink also offers first come, first served patio seating for walk-in diners. 1701 Trumbull, Detroit; 313-351-0771; D Thu.-Sun.

The 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. L Sun. D daily.

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; 313-243-1230. L Fri.-Sun., L, D daily.

Motor City Brewing Works

$ BREWERY • Just 15 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; 19350 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-832-2700. L,D daily

Mudgie’s Deli

$ DELI • Sandwich-lovers fill the seats for the House Smoked Pastrami Reuben or the Brooklyn (beef brisket, bacon, and beer cheese). The dinner menu fea-

tures meat and cheese boards, as well as build-yourown sandwich options. It’s a delicious place for a meal any time. 1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit; 313-961-2000. B Tue.-Sat. L Tue.-Wed., L,D Thu.-Sat.

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 the Whitefish Filet. It’s a classic Italian spot with an update that’s worth a visit. 744 Wing St., Plymouth; 734-207-7880. L Thu.-Sat., D Tue.-Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

Oak & Reel

2022

$$ SEAFOOD • Despite a global pandemic threatening to derail his longtime dream, chef Jared Gadbaw brought his vision of a seafood-focused Italian restaurant to life in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction neighborhood in fall 2020. Oak & Reel’s resilience in the face of extreme adversity and its commitment to the vision of bringing diners impeccable dishes showcasing the freshest seafood, all presented with welcoming and knowledgeable service, is the reason we named Oak & Reel Hour Detroit’s Restaurant of the Year. The menu is seasonal and changes frequently. But in general, the crudos are pristine, the pastas are impeccable, and the seafood dishes are all well balanced and expertly prepared to accentuate the freshness and quality of the fish and shellfish. 2921 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-2709600. D Thu.-Mon.

Olin

$$$

MEDITERRANEAN • Starters like the potatoes and artichokes “bravas” with harissa and black garlic aioli and paellas are inspired by Spain, but showcase Olin’s unique spin on these iconic dishes. 25 E. Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-774-1190. D Tues.-Sat. BR Sun.

Ottava Via $$

ITALIAN • Chef Ariel Millan sends out great thin-crusted pizzas, as well as interesting small plates typified by bruschetta, calamari, roasted garlic, and whipped goat cheese to be spread on paper-thin crostini. 1400 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-5500. L,D daily.

Pao Detroit

$$$

FUSION • Visit this upscale Pan-Asian fusion restaurant for Asian-themed cocktails and dishes, such as creamy rock shrimp, charred octopus, and filet mignon. Based in the former Michigan Oriental Theater, the interior combines new and old. 114 W. Adams Ave., Ste. 200, Detroit; 313-816-0000. L Sun., D Tue.-Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  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 tartar and charred burrata. Main courses include an interesting blend of Italian food, wood-grilled steaks, and a red chile short rib. There’s also a large selection of dry-

aged gourmet steaks. 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313922-7272. L,D daily. BR Sat.-Sun.

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. It 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 Tue-Sun (Detroit); L Sun., D Tue.-Sun. (St. Clair Shores)

The Peterboro $$ ASIAN-FUSION • A contemporary take on American-Chinese 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 Mon.-Sat.

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 Wed.-Mon.

Puma $$

SOUTH AMERICAN • Walk on in to the casual cousin of chef Javier Bardauil’s Barda. Puma features traditional, approachable Argentine and South American eats prepared on the open-fire grill. Standouts include the hearty choripán (chorizo and chimichurri on a baguette), a selection of ceviches, and the empanadas, plus refreshing cocktails. Live DJs are a regular source of entertainment. 4725 16th St., Detroit; 313-819-6804. D Thu.-Sun.

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 Detroit staple, where this cuisine getting harder to find. 2990 Yemans St., Hamtramck; 313-874-5726. L,D daily. Not wheelchair accessible.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  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 aren’t far behind. An elegant white

and gold setting backgrounds it all. 1145 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-636-3100. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Prism

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • Greektown Casino-Hotel’s renamed eatery is located off the main casino. The menu features local ingredients, steaks, and fresh seafood. 555 E. Lafayette St., Detroit; 313-309-2499. D Wed.-Sun.

Rocky’s of Northville

$$

NEW AMERICAN • Menu includes shrimp cocktail, smoked whitefish pate, and broiled Great Lakes whitefish. Also try chipotle honey-glazed salmon. 41122 W. Seven Mile Road, Northville; 248-349-4434. L Tue.-Fri. D Tue.-Sun.

Red Smoke Barbeque

$$ BARBEQUE • At Red Smoke, hickory and applewood-smoked ribs, pulled pork, all-natural 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.

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 daily.

San Morello

$$$ ITALIAN • This gem in the Shinola Hotel serves pizzas, pastas, and wood-fired dishes that draw inspiration from the coastal towns of Southern Italy and Sicily. The menu is handcrafted by James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini. 1400 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-209-4700. B,L,D daily.

The Sardine Room

$$$

SEAFOOD • A seafood restaurant and raw bar, The Sardine Room is fresh, fun, and energetic, with clean-line décor and a menu full of surprises. Worthwhile is a grouper sandwich that’s available seared or blackened. 340 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-416-0261. D daily, BR Sat-Sun.

Savannah Blue

$$

SOUL FOOD • Dine on upscale soul food like the red snapper and the shrimp and grits. Shareables include catfish fritters, and a Georgian Hummus that substitutes black-eyed peas for chickpeas. There’s also a great bar. 1431 Times Square, Detroit; 313-926-0783. D Tue.-Sat.

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. Cash only. 22200 Fenkell St., Detroit; 313-533-0950. L,D Tue.-Sat.

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 lighter menu includes a fried green tomato BLT and fried chicken sandwiches that accompany drinks that were popular more than a few years back. 42 Watson St., Detroit; 313-315-3077. L Sat.-Sun., D daily.

Sexy Steak

$$$$

ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE • This extravagantly decorated eatery occupies downtown Detroit’s castlelike Grand Army of the Republic Building. Its steaks, which you can choose from the Himalayan salt-lined display case, are cooked to order and finished with clarified butter, Zip-style sauce, rosemary, and a garlic bulb. 1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-403-1000. D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

Selden Standard

2016

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • What sets Selden Standard apart is that it is moving Detroit into a new era in which upperend 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.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

SheWolf Pastificio & Bar

2020

$$$

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

Sindbad’s Restaurant and Marina

$$

SEAFOOD • Sitting by the Detroit River, this long-lasting establishment prides itself on serving some of the best perch, pickerel, shrimp, and scallops in Detroit, along with its signature clam chowder. 100 St. Clair St., Detroit; 313-822-8000. L,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. This is a true Detroit classic in every sense of the term. Corktown location: 2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828. L,D daily. Slows To Go in Midtown: 4107 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-309-7560. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Standby

$$

NEW AMERICAN • In a place where cocktails are king, there’s no shortage of food options. The fare — overseen by celebrity chef partner Matty Matheson — ranges from small plates of marinated olives and fried deviled eggs to entrees such as Thai pork skewers and the house cheeseburger. 225 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313241-5719. D Wed.-Sun. Not wheelchair accessible.

The Statler

$$$$ FRENCH • A taste of Paris in downtown Detroit. This French-American bistro from the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group takes its name from the former historic Statler Hotel it occupies. Classic French fare such as seared foie gras

mousse; Henri Maire escargots; and bouillabaisse provence (typify the menu. The large, year-round open-air outdoor patio offers stunning panoramic views of the Detroit skyline and Grand Circus Park. 313 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-463-7111. D daily, BR Sun.

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 La Rondinella (the previous longtime tenant at its Russell Street location) made the list as well — small plates such as polpette, and three delicious salads. Beer, wine, and cocktails add to the appeal. 2457 Russell St., Detroit; 313-567-7879 L, D Wed.-Sun. 6519 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-314-7400. L,D Mon.-Sat.

Sweet Soul Bistro $

SOUL FOOD • The large menu includes homages to Detroit musicians, from Stevie Wonder Wonderful Wings to Aretha Franklin Catfish Bites. Also notable are the crab cakes. In the evening, the bistro transforms into a club. 13741 W. McNichols Road, Detroit; 313- 862-7685. L,D daily.

Takoi $$

THAI • Thai-Laotian fare might seem out of place in Corktown, but virtually everything on the menu has distinction. There’s a depth, concentration, and balance between heat and coolness, the range of spices, the delight of moving from one superb bite to the next. 2520 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-855-2864. D Tue.-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 house nachos. 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.

Townhouse

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • The downtown hotspot in 2021 underwent an aesthetic overhaul of the space and menu designed to elevate the spot’s signature comfort food fare. Staples, like the burger and fries, remain on the menu, but there are also fine-dining-inspired additions, like the caviar-topped crispy potato dish and the A5 wagyu served with brioche, nori, capers, and truffle. 500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-723-1000. L, D daily.

Vecino

$$$$

MEXICAN • The Midtown eatery offers a luxurious way to experience the regional foods served in Oaxaca and Mexico City. It is the first restaurant in the state to feature in-house nixtamalization — a 3,000-year-old process used to turn corn into workable masa. Its unique offerings include mezcal cocktails, the tuna tostada, the half red snapper, and broccolini in green mole. 4100 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-500-1615. D Tue.-Sun.

Vertical Detroit

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • This wine-centric restaurant puts the focus on pairing chef Matt Barnes’ innovative cuisine with owners James 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 Tue.-Sat. 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 garlic lemon sauce; 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. 3601 Twelve Mile Road, Warren; 586-576-0495. L,D daily.

Whatcha Wanna Eat Food Hall $ FOOD COURT • Whatcha Wanna Eat is said to be the first Black-owned food hall in Detroit and aims to provide a platform to first-time restaurateurs in the city (producing tasty results for diners). Its seven restaurants feature a range of cuisines, including burgers, wings, tacos, hibachi bowls, and pit-style barbecue. 10635 W. McNichols Road, Detroit. L,D Tue.-Sun.

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 a seared Verlasso salmon fillet. 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. D Tue.-Sun. and high tea Sat.

Wright & Co.

$$$ NEW AMERICAN • The collaboration between Marc Djozlija and executive chef Kyle Schutte gives life to the second-floor space in the Wright Kay building. Small plates such as wild caught walu, Michigan mushroom pate, and grilled sea scallops are the focus. The menu highlights seasonal dishes around a composed shared plates concept. 1500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-9627711. D Tue.-Sat.

Yemen Café $

YEMENI • A nearly all-hours destination and a Hamtramck essential, Yemen Café offers traditional Yemeni dishes like saltah, a comforting soup with ground beef, rice, eggs, and vegetables. Popular items include the fahsah (lamb stew) and a range of ghallaba entrées, plus Middle Eastern/Mediterranean staples like shawarma, kebab, fattoush, and tabbouleh. 8740 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck. B,L,D daily.

Yum Village $

AFRO-CARIBBEAN • The former food truck opened a full-service restaurant in the North End in 2019. The space is bright and fun with wooden tables, mis-

matched 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; 313-334-6099. L,D Mon.-Sat.

Oakland

168 Crab & Karaoke $$

PAN-ASIAN • Don’t judge by 168 Crab & Karaoke’s unassuming strip mall location. It’s a unique experience that meshes food, karaoke, and pop party culture into a one-stop destination. As the name suggests, seafood is the main attraction here, specifically the seafood boils, which come with your choice of seafood (crab, clams, lobster, etc.), with sauce, corn and potatoes. 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 pan roasted salmon, tuna tartar, and oysters on the half shell. There are heartier entrees as well, like the braised beef short ribs. 220 Merrill St., Birmingham; 248-646-2220. L, D daily.

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, short rib bao buns are served with pickled cucumber and fresh scallions and miniature tacos are filled with lobster. 325 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-540-5900. L,D daily.

Andiamo

$$

ITALIAN • Over the past three decades, Joe Vicari has established several Andiamo restaurants in metro Detroit, all inspired by the late master chef Aldo Ottaviani’s philosophy of seasonal, from-scratch cooking. The menus differ slightly at the different locations, but the constant is the fresh, housemade pastas — handcrafted by the trinity of “pasta ladies,” Anna, Tanya, and Angelina, who have carried on the tradition. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield; 248-8659300. D daily.

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

Aurora Italiana

$

$$$$

ITALIAN • This restaurant offers a sophisticated and modern take on Italian dining. Fresh pasta lays the groundwork for the rigatoni al bosco: tenderloin tips, wild mushroom, truffle demi-glace tossed in cream sauce. Other delectables include and peppers, steak, and seafood. Watch out for Al Capone in the men’s room. 6199 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township; 248-782-3000; D daily.

DENTISTRY

Sca n the QR code to find your studio and claim your free class!

Dr. Dolores J. Baran, D.D.S & Associates

All Treatments in O ce, including Sedation (and for people with special needs) and Implant

Cosmetic Dentistry

Hour Detroit’s Face of Same-Day Crowns

Botox for migraines and headaches

Clear aligner invisible braces

Cad/CAM Cerec Technology

Same Day Crowns

Tired? Snoring? Not using your C-PAP? We can help!

Dr. Baran graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry (one of the top dental schools in the country). She has more than 30 years of dental experience.

At her state-of-the-art, awardwinning facility in Royal Oak, experience the modern concept of spa dentistry pioneered by Dr.Baran. Every room has a relaxing atmosphere featuring lush soothing waterfalls, aromatherapy, massage chairs, and at-screen TVs. Dr. Baran has been consistently honored as a Top Dentist by her peers.

Aurora on the Lake

$$$$

ITALIAN • Located along Union Lake, this spin-off of West Bloomfield’s Aurora Italiana serves Italian fine dining in the space once occupied by It’s A Matter of Taste. 2323 Union Lake Rd, Commerce Township; 248360-6650; D daily.

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. D Tue.-Sat.

Beppé $$$

NEW AMERICAN/ITALIAN • This neighborhood eatery has a little something for everyone — from bar staples like burgers to refined dishes like lamb belly; steak tartare; or the caponata made with roasted eggplant, olives, trumpet mushrooms, Calabrian chiles, thyme vinaigrette, Manchego cheese, and bread. The drinks program features refreshing spritzes and a rotating selection of über-drinkable Italian wines. 703 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-607-7030. L,D Sat.-Sun, D Tue.-Fri.

Beverly Hills Grill

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • This Beverly Hills institution has built a loyal following over the years with its California vibe and dawn-to-dark schedule. They’re still serving crowd favorites like their BHG Burger and classic eggs benedict. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills; 248642-2355. B, L, D Tue.-Sat. B, L Sun.

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

Birmingham Pub

$$$

GASTROPUB • This stylish yet casual gastropub from the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group took over the former Triple Nickel space. True to its name, the restaurant’s bill of fare features pub classics taken up a notch, such as fish and chips served with jalapeno hush-puppies and filet mignon with Parmesan truffle fries and zip sauce. There are also TVs at the bar so you won’t miss a minute of the game. 555 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-885-8108. L Tue. - Fri., BR Sat. - Sun.

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,” P.E.I. Pesto Mussels, and tasty flatbread pizzas. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-5940984. D Tue.-Sun., BR Sat.-Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2003

Café Cortina

$$$

ITALIAN • Selections include prosciutto di Parma stuffed with greens and mozzarella; and gnocchi with wild oyster mushrooms. For dessert, try the crepes. 30715 W. 10 Mile Road, Farmington Hills; 248-474-3033. L Sun., D Tue.-Sun.

Café ML

$$

NEW AMERICAN • Café ML is contemporary 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; 248-642-4000. 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 daily.

Casa Pernoi

$$$$

ITALIAN • Three months after its grand opening, what once was a multi-hyphenate concept, blending French, Asian, and Italian cuisine, soon defaulted simply to a cuisine most familiar to chef Luciano DelSignore: Italian. Housemade pastas rolled by hand, and a meaty branzino typify the menu. 310 E. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-940-0000. D Tue.-Sat.

Churchill’s Bistro & Cigar Bar

$$$ TRADITIONAL • You can buy your cigar and smoke it too. Plus, enjoy dry-aged steaks, pan-roasted sea bass, 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,D daily.

Clarkston Union

$

NEW AMERICAN • Perhaps known best for its iconic Union Mac and Cheese (Vermont sharp cheddar and mild Pinconning cheeses with layers of penne rigate and a crispy breadcrumb crust), the downtown Clarkston staple lauded by Guy Fieri has been a longtime purveyor of American comfort foods such as pot pie and meat loaf, plus burgers and handhelds like the Union Reuben and Cubano sandwiches. Located in an 1840s-era church, the restaurant provides much of the seating on pews. 54 S. Main St., Clarkston; 248-620-6100. L,D daily, B Sun.

Coeur

$$$$

NEW AMERICAN • With a world-class wine program and delectable desserts, Coeur offers seasonal plates like squash tempura, potato and Comté croquettes, and grilled hamachi collar glossed with a sticky sweet kumquat glaze. Larger entrées include chicken roulade and short ribs. Order à la carte or leave it up to the chef with the five-course tasting menu and optional wine pairing. 330 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-466-3020. D Wed.-Sun.

Como’s $$

NEW AMERICAN • This Ferndale favorite reopened in May 2019 under the ownership of Peas & Carrots Hospi-

tality 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 Sklar’s square, deep-dish, Detroitstyle 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.

Cornbread Restaurant & Bar

$$ SOUL • In 1997, Patrick Coleman melded his experience in fine dining with his grandma’s southern roots to create Beans & Cornbread Soulful Bistro. It racked up accolades and fans over the years, including Stevie Wonder and Thomas (Hitman) Hearns. Cornbread is the sequel to Beans and Cornbread, continuing the tradition of soul food with an upscale twist. Classics like catfish and a gravy-smothered pork chop endure. 29852 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-208-1680. L,D Thu.-Tue.

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. The Berkley location’s patio adds 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 traditional Peruvian cooking. An especially notable dish is the Pollo a la Brasa, marinated chicken served with French fries, rice, and a variety of dipping sauces. 22939 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-632-1055. L,D daily

Diamond’s Steak & Seafood

$$$ STEAKHOUSE • This Howell restaurant is the perfect location for ribeye, fresh gulf shrimp, or a classic cheeseburger. Plus, weekends boast a buffet-style brunch. 101 W. Grand River Ave., Howell; 517-548-5500. L,D Tue.-Sat.

D’Marcos Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar $$$ ITALIAN • Located in the heart of downtown Rochester, this family-owned establishment is known for its extensive wine list, wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and house-made pasta dishes like the beef tenderloin linguine with beef tenderloin tips, spinach, mushroom cream sauce, and parmesan. It’s also connected to The Backdoor, a speakeasy-style taco and tequila bar. 401 S Main St, Rochester; 248-759-4951. L,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 a 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 Tue.-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; 248-647-2420. L,D Mon.-Sat.

The Fed $$

GASTROPUB • An attractive restaurant with great food and a delightfully refreshing atmosphere. The menu crosses boundaries, from shareables, like Spanish Octopus and Wild Mushroom Flatbread. Plus, the bright and airy bohemian-chic interior is highly Instagrammable. 15 S. Main St., Clarkston; 248-297-5833. D Tue.-Sat., B,L,D Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2009 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 pastas, like the Bolognese and the agnolotti, as well as the understated Farm Egg. 735 Forest Ave., Birmingham; 248-258-9400. D Tue.-Sat.

The Fly Trap $ ECLECTIC AMERICAN • This “finer diner” typifies trendy Ferndale with its tin ceiling, red-topped tables, and counter with swivel stools. It offers sandwiches, salads, pastas, and omelets. 22950 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-399-5150. B,L Tue.-Sat.

Garage Grill & Fuel Bar $$

NEW AMERICAN • The car-themed rooms of a former 1940s gas station are as fresh and appealing as the dishes themselves. The kitchen serves up a variety of seafood starters and “full-size sedan” entrees, as well as pizzas. 202 W. Main St., Northville; 248-924-3367. D Wed.-Sun., 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 245-seat 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; 248-278-7777. D daily.

Hazel’s

$$

SEAFOOD • What was once multiple concepts under one roof named after the three neighborhoods that converged right where the restaurant stands (Hazel, Ravine and Downtown) is now simply Hazel’s. The casual and comfortable restaurant specializes in authentic dishes, drinks, and vibes from some of the country’s top seafood destinations. Here you’ll find dishes like Maine-caught lobster, Maryland Blue Crab, and more. 1 Peabody St., Birmingham; 248-671-1714. D Tue.-Sun., B,L Sat.-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.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2002

Hong Hua

$

CHINESE • One of the best area restaurants dedicated to Asian food offers some rare delicacies as well as more customary items. One signature dish is King of the Sea: lobster chunks, scallops, and grouper with greens in a garlic sauce. 27925 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills; 248-489-2280. L,D Tue.-Sun.

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.-Sun.

Imperial $

MEXICAN-INSPIRED • 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, 248-850-8060. L,D daily.

J-Bird Smoked Meats

$$

BARBEQUE • Wood-smoked meats served with the traditional sides of cornbread, buttermilk slaw, and mac and cheese, are what’s on the menu at this meat-lovers mecca. Other popular dishes include the Three Meat Sampler and JBird Gumbo, as well as St. Louis Ribs and old-fashioned JBurgers. 1978 Cass Lake Road, Keego Harbor; 248-681-2124. L,D Mon.-Sun.

Joe Muer

$$$$

SEAFOOD • The Bloomfield Hills location of the iconic restaurant continues the tradition of excellent food, service, and ambiance. The menu emphasizes classic fresh fish and “Muer Traditions” such as Dover sole and Great Lakes Yellow Belly Perch. There’s also a raw and sushi bar as well as premium steaks. And make sure to save room for dessert, because the coconut cake is not to be missed. A piano bar adds to the vibe. 39475 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-792-9609. D daily.

KouZina Greek Street Food $ GREEK • The Greek “street food” at this Royal Oak spot comes in lamb and beef, and chicken. Try the lentil soup for a delicious lunch or go for something more filling like the gyro bowl. Either way, you can’t go wrong with this excellent eatery. 121 N Main Street, Royal Oak; 248-629-6500. L,D daily Mon.-Sun.

Lao Pot $$$

CHINESE • In 2019, 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 Italian Kitchen & Bar $$$

ITALIAN • A slice of European elegance offers an impeccable menu of Italian dishes and wines. Delicious fresh pastas, pizzas, antipastis and more are proudly served and very tasty. 243 E. Merrill St., Birmingham; 248-480-0492. D Tue.-Sat..

Lellis 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,D daily.

Lincoln Yard/Little Yard

$$

NEW AMERICAN • From Union Joints, the oven-centric restaurant features a rotisserie, a smoker, and a woodfired oven used to bake pizzas. The menu’s centerpiece is the Main Builds option, which includes your choice of protein (rotisserie chicken, rotisserie cauliflower, smoked beef short ribs, or smoked pork tenderloin) with a sauce and two sides, such as roasted carrots, smashed potatoes, or mac and cheese. There are also salads and handhelds — and, of course, the classic Union Mac. 2159 E. Lincoln St., Birmingham; 248-653-5353. B,L,D daily.

Loccino Italian Grill

$$

ITALIAN • Loccino is a “family-friendly” yet upscale Italian restaurant. Choose from fresh seafood, steak, and chicken dishes, plus traditional pastas, pizzas, salads, and more. They also offer happy hour specials from 3-7 p.m. weekdays. A great special occasion place or delicious workday lunch spot for whenever you need a break from the office. 5600 Crooks Road, Troy; 248-813-0700. 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; 248-584-4227. 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, faintly charred around the edges. Hailed by food critics and Detroiters alike as one of the city’s most classic Detroit style pizzas, it’s well worth a trip. 23141 Dequindre Road, Hazel Park; 248-547-1711. L,D Thu.-Sun.

Luisa’s Artisanal Street Food

$

ITALIAN STREET FOOD • The small restaurant offers a unique mishmash of influences — all with the grab-and-go convenience of “street food.” Its sandwiches are stuffed in piadina, a rustic Italian flatbread. Standouts include the smoky mole chili, made with roasted chile peppers, green bell peppers, black beans, braised steak, and mozzarella.

Plus, the slushies are to die for. 22851 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-677-3331. L Tue., L,D Wed.-Sun.

Luxe Bar & Grill

$$

NEW AMERICAN • The simple menu at this Grosse Pointe Farms joint offers burgers on brioche buns and interesting salads and sides, as well as entrees typified by wild-caught salmon, prime filet, and Greek-style lamb chops. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-792-6051. 115 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-924-5459. L,D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2025

Mabel Gray

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • Chef James Rigato produces some masterful dishes on this tiny menu, which does not miss a beat. The menu includes a multi-course tasting option, as well as a daily listing of changing items that never disappoint. It’s a fine dining experience that is certainly worth a visit. 23825 John R Road, Hazel Park; 248-398-4300. D Tue.-Sat.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2023

Madam

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • Since opening in 2021, Madam has carved its niche with its global take on farm-to-table cuisine, taking diners on a tour from Michigan to Asia to Europe. Staples from chef de cuisine Clifton Booth include mushroom dumplings, Spanish octopus, steak frites, and pasta dishes. 298 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-283-4200. B,D daily, L Mon.-Fri., BR Sat.-Sun.

Market North End $$

AMERICAN • Joe and Kristin Bongiovanni opened this eatery just across the street from the family’s existing restaurants, Salvatore Scallopini and Luxe Bar & Grill. It represents a younger, more casual alternative to the cult-favorite classics, with a serious kitchen that offers traditional American dishes as well as hints of global influences. 474 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-712-4953. L,D daily.

The Meeting House $$

ECLECTIC AMERICAN • This eclectic American menu includes steak frites remarkably close to those at Paris bistros, and a house made soft pretzel with roasted jalapeno-goat cheese dip. Or, try the sesame miso beef short rib, served with rice. 301 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-759-4825. 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 guacamole, nachos, 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  2008

Mon Jin Lau

with angel-hair pasta; Mongolian beef; or seared scallops with lemongrass-basil Thai curry sauce. The patio opens up and the dining room transforms into a dance floor for weekly events. 1515 E. Maple Road, Troy; 248689-2332. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

The Morrie

$$

ASIAN-FUSION • Explore such dishes as Singapore noodles, combining chicken, shrimp, chilies, and curry

$$

NEW AMERICAN • Music and munchies can be a great combination when served in the right proportions. Such offerings as the smoked chicken wings and Detroit style pizza appeal to a wide demographic. The rock ’n’ roll-themed eatery also brought its muchloved American dishes and cocktails to Birmingham in 2019. 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-216-1112. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun. 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-940-3260. D Fri.-Sat.

Noble Fish

$

JAPANESE • For over 40 years, this laid-back sushi spot has been serving traditional rolls, nigiri, and entrées like the chirashi bowl inside a downtown Clawson Japanese market. Grab a tray and enjoy reasonably priced bites like its signature Noble Roll, made with grilled salmon skin, smelt roe, oshinko, egg, cucumber, and mayo. 45 E. 14 Mile Road, Clawson; 248-585-2314. B,L,D daily

Noori Pocha

$

KOREAN • This retro Korean gastropub in Clawson will transport you to ’80s Seoul with its unmatchable aesthetic. The meal begins with complimentary tteokbokki, a rice cake cooked in a spicy red broth. From there, you can choose from a fine selection of import beers and bang-foryour-buck entrées like the shareable buldak: spicy chicken and cheese served with jumeok-bap (rice balls with seaweed). 1 S. Main St., Clawson; 248-850-7512. D Tue.-Sun.

Oak City Grille

$

NEW AMERICAN • This downtown Royal Oak spot bridges the gap between bar food and upscale dining. Order a dressed-up sandwich or burger, or elevate your dining experience with an 8-ounce filet mignon or lamb chops. The friendly price range makes anything possible. 212 W. Sixth St., Royal Oak; 248-556-0947. D Tue.-Sun.

Oak Parker

$$

NEW AMERICAN • This lively neighborhood bar features thoughtful cocktails with a forward-looking food menu to match. Simplicity and a great bun (potato, brioche, or onion roll) make its smash burgers the perfect answer to a cold pint. You can also kick it up a notch with Hungarian sausage, schnitzels, or pastrami — the latter stuffed in deli-style sandwiches and deepfried chimichangas, or mixed in pastrami hash for weekend brunch. 13621 W. 11 Mile Road; oakparkerbar. com; B Sat.-Sun, L,D daily.

Ocean Prime

$$$$

SEAFOOD • An upper-end steak-and-fish place and a popular business lunch site. The menu features naturally harvested fresh fish and prime aged beef. Don’t miss the chocolate peanut butter pie or the carrot cake. A triedand-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 Chicken Tchoupitoulas with tasso ham and bearnaise sauce, as well as a mouth-watering bacon burger. Weekend brunch features delicious housemade doughnuts. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale; 248-808-6633. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

O.W.L.

$

MEXICAN-AMERICAN • This Royal Oak spot offers sustenance for the early birds to the night owls. 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; 248808-6244. B, L,D daily.

Phoenicia

$$$

LEBANESE • This long-standing upscale eatery has clean, contemporary lines that complement the French door-style windows. Don’t miss the portabella 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.

Pinky’s Rooftop

$$ ECLECTIC AMERICAN • With its second-floor view of downtown Royal Oak, Pinky’s Rooftop is a go-to spot for a night on the town. The name hearkens back to a Detroit restaurant and speakeasy on the east side that was called Pinky’s Boulevard Club (and the fact that everything is pink). The playful and eclectic menu offers a taste of a little bit of everything, from Kasseri Saganaki to Red Chile Beef Taco. It’s part of the Adam Merkel Restaurants group, which includes Howell hot spots The Silver Pig, Cello Italian, and Diamond’s Steak & Seafood. 100 S. Main St. Rear, Royal Oak, 248-268-2885. D Tues.-Sun. Br. Sat.-Sun.

Pop’s For Italian

$$ ITALIAN • It doesn’t sound fancy, but this Ferndale restaurant serves well-prepared, Italian dishes paired with an ambitious wine program. The fairly brief menu starts with a list of Neapolitan pizzas, then moves to pastas, but has all the classics. 280 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-268-4806. D Tue.-Sun. BR Sat.-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 and black pearl salmon. The service is notable, as is the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator. 6545 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield; 248- 737-7463. D Tue.-Sun.

Quán Ngon Vietnamese Bistro $ VIETNAMESE • This gem of a bistro in a handsome space adds to the local Vietnamese offerings. Dishes such as cha gio (elegant little eggrolls), bun bo noug cha gio (grilled beef with eggroll, vermicelli, mixed greens,

plus sweet and sour sauce), 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.

The Rind $$$ WINE BAR • Attached to Mongers’ Provisions in Berkley, The Rind serves signature cocktails from its full bar and offers wines by the glass and a selection of more than 150 bottles to choose from. In addition to snacks that pair well with wine, like marcona almonds, tinned razor clams, and (naturally) cheese and charcuterie, there’s heartier fare like a flat-iron steak and littleneck clams. 3125 12 Mile Road, Berkley; 248-468-4487. L,D Tue.-Sun.

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.

Sambong $

KOREAN • Known for its signature naengmyeon (a Korean cold noodle dish), Sambong is a fully self-service restaurant with unique offerings like complementary broth. Besides the naengmyeon (which features house-made noodles), additional standouts include japchae, bulgogi, bibimbap, and donkatsu. 5389 Crooks Road, Troy; 248-731-7859. L,D Wed.-Mon.

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 Mon.-Sat.

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 fried chicken sandwiches, crispy Brussels sprouts, and salmon with braised lentils, crispy kale, and a mustard vinaigrette. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-594-4200. L Mon.-Fri., D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Sozai

$$

JAPANESE • To truly experience Sozai, you have to reserve a seat at the custom-built sushi bar where chef Hajime Sato will curate a unique sustainable sushi dining experience called omakase. There’s also a menu offering crowd pleasers like chicken karaage and rolls featuring familiar ingredients with tuna, jalapeno and avocado. 449 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson; 248-677-3232. D Tue.-Sat.

Streetside Seafood

$$

SEAFOOD • Small and cozy yet sophisticated, the restaurant has a pared-down seasonal menu of fresh fish and seafood. There are always two soups: a bisque and a chowder. Favorites include the oysters and bouillabaisse. A delicious restaurant for all palates to enjoy and feel comfortable in. 273 Pierce St.Birmingham; 248-645-9123. L Thu.-Fri., D daily.

Sylvan Table

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • With a working farm on the 5-acre property, Sylvan Table isn’t just talking the farm-totable talk. The restored 300-year-old barn feels grand and vast when you step into the stunning space, but it is homey, welcoming, and inviting. The menu changes often to reflect what’s growing but some of the staples include the trout — seasoned with herb oil, salt, and pepper, cooked over a wood-fired grill, and served whole — and Chicken Under a Brick, which is cooked to charred perfection. 1819 Inverness St., Sylvan Lake, 248369-3360. D Mon.-Sun.

Take Sushi

$$ JAPANESE • Crisp salads, sashimi, sushi, oversize bowls of soba or udon noodles, and all the familiar — and some not-so-familiar — entrees combine to make this spot special. The exceptionally warm service is unforgettable. 1366 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 248652-7800. L,D Tue.-Sat., D Sun.

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 whole branzino with charred zucchini and romesco. 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, as most of the furniture at Three Cats Restaurant is available for purchase. 116 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson; 248288-4858. L,D Tue.-Fri., B,L,D Sat.-Sun.

TigerLily

$$

JAPANESE • With an eclectic ambiance and extensive Japanese menu, TigerLily satisfies taste buds with sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and hot dishes like the Yaki Udon or Japanese Street Corn. 231 W. Nine Mile Road, Ste. A, Ferndale; 248-733-4905. D daily.

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. Try the 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; 248398-0444. 203 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-258-6278. B,L daily.

Toasted Oak

$$$ BRASSERIE • The menu revolves around the charcuterie sold in the market next door and a list of hot grill items. 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; 248-2776000. B Mon.-Fri., L,D Tue.-Sat. BR Sat.-Sun.

Townhouse

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • This popular Birmingham spot for comforting New American dishes 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; 313-723-1000. L,D daily.

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 crisp-crusted 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.-Sun.

Vinsetta Garage

$$

NEW AMERICAN • This restaurant, which is housed in a vintage car-repair shop, offers well-prepared comfort food classics such as burgers, macaroni and cheese, pizzas, and brown sugar-glazed salmon. A restaurant that pays true homage to the city of Detroit. 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248-548-7711. L,D daily

Voyager $$

SEAFOOD • Fresh seafood with emphasis on oysters is the premise in this hard-to-find location. The space entails convivially close quarters for such dishes as peel-n’-eat shrimp, yellowfin tuna tartare, and halibut fish and chips. 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.

Waves $$

SEAFOOD • Seafood covers most of the menu at this Nautical Mile favorite. It’s a tough task choosing between such popular appetizers as coconut shrimp, 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; 586773-3279. L,D daily.

Macomb

Andiamo $$

ITALIAN • Over the past three decades, Joe Vicari has established several Andiamo restaurants in metro Detroit, all inspired by the late master chef Aldo Ottaviani’s philosophy of seasonal, from-scratch cooking. Menus differ slightly between locations, but the constant is fresh, housemade pastas — handcrafted by the trinity of “pasta ladies,” Anna, Tanya, and Angelina, who have carried on the tradition. The Warren location is the flagship that started it all. 7096 14 Mile Road, Warren; 586-268-3200. L,D Mon.-Fri., D Sat.-Sun.

Bar Verona

$$

ITALIAN • Modernized, made-from-scratch Italian favorites curated by Chef Salvatore Borgia as well as fresh craft cocktails fill the menu at this stylish eatery. Homemade pastas, such as Giuseppe’s, as well as a selection of steaks and seafood dishes typify the contemporary approach to fresh and uncomplicated Italian cuisine. 59145 Van Dyke Ave., Washington; 586473-0700. D daily.

Blake’s Tasting Room $$ NEW AMERICAN • Enjoy a variety of house-made hard ciders to sip on from one of the U.S.’s top-producing hard cider brands, plis bar-food staples with a twist. It’s s steps away from family-friendly seasonal activities at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill. 17985 Armada Center Road, Armada; 586-784-5343. L,D daily.

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 — over a thousand at last count. 27626 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-675-2115. B, 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 by offering traditional Italian dining with an upbeat modern twist. 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, thanks to an extensive menu of fresh fish and seafood that ranges from salmon to Lake Superior whitefish — all served in a well-designed setting. 51195 Schoenherr Road, Shelby Charter Township; 586-739-5400. L Mon.Fri., D daily.

Gaudino’s

$$

ITALIAN • The trending market-restaurant combo has a good example at this spot. It offers imported pastas and sauces, plus a butcher counter with sausages and a wine assortment. The menu offers pasta and pizza, salads, and entrees, including Bistecca di Gancio, a sliced hanger steak with crispy Brussels sprouts and house bistro sauce. 27919 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-879-6764. L,D Tue.-Sat

Host Utica

$$

VARIOUS • With a rotating cast of culinarians that shifts about once every few months, Host Utica is a great place to constantly try something new — and to get a first taste of concepts from up-and-coming chefs. The Instagram-friendly dining room has a full-service cocktail bar as well as brunch and dinner service, plus coffee and pastries. The building regularly holds culinary events and is home to a coworking office space. 7759 Auburn Road, Utica; 586-488-0134. D Tue.-Sat., BR daily.

Isla

$$

FILIPINO • Dishes at this Filipino restaurant, formerly sheltered at Fort Street Galley, are reflective of the culinary traditions of the founders’ Iloilo City hometown. Annatto is used to punch up the color of Chicken Adobo, the unofficial dish of the Philippines, and juicy mangoes complement sweet and savory dishes. 2496 Metro Pkwy, Sterling Heights; 586-8837526. L,D Tue.-Sat., BR Sun.

J. Baldwin’s Restaurant

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • The menu showcases chef Jeff Baldwin’s contemporary American food: award-winning stone fired pizza, Boom-Boom Shrimp, burgers, and salads. The desserts include chocolate bumpy cake and spiced carrot cake. 16981 18 Mile Road, Clinton Township; 586-416-3500. L,D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun.

Khom Fai

THAI • At this Macomb staple, owners and brothers chef Isaiah and Chris Sonjeow serve a modernized take on Thai food, seasoned with what they call “a dash of good ol’ Southern hospitality.” Sip a specialty cocktail and start with small plates like satay skewers, Rangoon, or sesame yellowfin tuna and enjoy entrées like drunken noodles, red curry, or Khom Fai’s signature fried chicken. 48856 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb; 586-247-7773. L Tues., Sun., D Tues.-Sat.

Luigi’s: The Original $$ ITALIAN • This cozy Italian eatery opened its doors in 1953. The sizeable menu offers prime rib, pasta, pizza, and well-prepared seafood. 36691 Jefferson Ave., Harrison Township; 586-468-7711; D Wed.-Sun.

Mr. Paul’s Chophouse

$$$

STEAKHOUSE • This bastion of red meat as well as classic dishes is still going strong. Try old-school tableside presentations such as Chateaubriand and Caesar salad. There’s a solid selection of fresh seafood and pasta, too. The founding family still runs the place and emphasizes great hospitality and a heckuva good time. 29850 Groesbeck Hwy., Roseville; 586-777-7770. L,D Mon.-Fri., D Sat.

Sherwood Brewing Co.

$

GASTROPUB • Quality local ingredients raise Sherwood’s fare to well above “elevated pub grub.” Some notable choices include the hand-stretched pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and spicy Buffalo Mac. 45689 Hayes Road, Shelby Township; 586-532-9669. L,D Tue.-Sat.

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 Tue.-Sun.

Testa Barra

ITALIAN • Owned and run by chefs Mike and Gabriella Baldwin (of Food Network fame), Testa Barra is notable for its freshly made pasta dishes and favorites like Connie’s Lamb Shank, a fall-off-the-bone chop topped with red wine braise, stewed vegetables, polenta, and Asiago cheese. Its wine program is renowned, and the restaurant features 14 on-staff sommeliers to guide you through the list 48824 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb; 586-434-0100. D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun.

Twisted Rooster

$$

SPORTS BAR • This “Michigan-centric” chain (Chesterfield Township and Belleville) has takes on classics, with mac & cheese variations, steaks, and chicken with zip sauce. 45225 Marketplace Blvd., Chesterfield; 586-949-1470. L,D daily.

Washtenaw

Bellflower

$$

NEW AMERICAN • A restaurant housed in a former exchange of the Michigan Bell Telephone Company, Bellflower answers Ypsilanti’s call for fine dining with an adventurous flair. Boudin sausage with roasted okra, baked oysters, and ginger ale or Coca-Cola-roasted beets showed up on early menus as chef Dan Klenotic’s way of straddling the line of creole tradition and an imaginative style that is entirely his own. He was recog-

nized as a James Beard semifinalist in 2024. 209 Pearl St., Ypsilanti. D Mon. L, D Tue-Sat. L 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 Misoyaki Salmon dish. Non-seafood options include the eponymous burger and filet mignon. And make sure to order dessert. 302 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-222-0400. D daily.

Blue LLama Jazz Club $$

CREATIVE AMERICAN • Come to this swanky jazz club for the music, featuring headliners such as the Grammy-nominated Ravi Coltrane Quartet, but stay for chef Louis Goral’s delicious food — steaks, seafood, and upscale Southern-style fare. 314 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-372-3200. D Wed.-Sat.

The Blue Nile $$

ETHIOPIAN • The real treat at this quaint restaurant is injera, a spongy bread used to scoop the meal, eaten with your hands in traditional style. The lentil dishes, often seasoned with an Ethiopian spice mixture called berbere, and the 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 Thu.-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 when you’re craving the classics. 1739 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor; 734-662-2877. D Wed.-Sun.

The Common Grill $$ SEAFOOD • Founded by Chef Craig Common, whose skilled work drew the attention of the now shuttered Gourmet magazine and the James Beard House, this mainstay was acquired in 2022 by Peas & Carrots Hospitality. Chefs Zack Sklar and Josh Humphrey kept most of the beloved restaurant’s menu, such as the expertly prepared oysters and seafood dishes, as well as the coconut cream pie. 112 S. Main St., Chelsea; 734475-0470. L,D Tue.-Sun., BR Sat-Sun.

Dixboro House $$$$ NEW AMERICAN • Much like the restaurant’s ambience, the cuisine at Dixboro House is both refined and relaxed. Chef Garret Lipar’s menu hosts rotating seasonal from-scratch dishes that highlight local ingredients—pizzas, salads, seafood, and steaks served in a rustic barn that once housed The Lord Fox, an iconic restaurant in Ann Arbor’s historic Dixboro neighborhood. 5400 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor; 734-669-3310. L,D daily. BR Sat.-Sun.

Ma Lou’s

$

CHICKEN • This is Ypsi’s destination for all things fried chicken — try it as a plate, in the form of wings, or in the chicken and waffles, with classic Southern sides like collard greens, potato salad, and coleslaw. But Ma Lou’s shines especially in its ability to craft the perfect sandwich (made with your choice of chicken or tofu and spice levels from “Classic Southern” to “Spicy AF,” which may bring tears to your eyes). For instance, try The Hot Chick, stacked with a combination of the ultra-spicy Nashville hot baste, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, and jalapeño ranch. 15 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-905-7994. L,D Tue.-Sat.

Mani Osteria & Bar

$$

ITALIAN • This popular casual restaurant infuses freshness with lower prices than most osterias in the area. It’s a well-rounded blend of modern, eclectic Italian with classic standbys. The pizzas are hot, fresh and perfectly executed to suit your tastes. 341 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-769-6700. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Miss Kim

$$ KOREAN • This spinoff from the Zingerman’s mini empire comes courtesy of chef Ji Hye Kim, a James Beard semifinalist. Kim meticulously researches Korean culinary traditions and recipes to create her unique blend of modern Korean food highlighting Michigan vegetables, from housemade kimchi to the tteokbokki (rice cakes). Some of the restaurant’s standouts include a craveable Korean fried chicken and its plant-based counterpart the Korean fried tofu. 415 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, 734-2750099. L and D Wed.-Mon.

Peridot

$$$$ VIETNAMESE-INSPIRED • Located two doors down from Executive Chef Duc Tang’s other acclaimed restaurant, Pacific Rim by Kana, this downtown Ann Arbor eatery offers both small plates and a drinks program inspired by Tang’s Vietnamese roots. The cocktails incorporate ingredients like tamarind, Thai basil, Vietnamese cinnamon, and cilantro — with delightfully refreshing results. On the ever-changing menu, standout small plates have included ketchup fried rice and the savory kampachi and prosciutto (a twist on bacon and scallops): a combination of Italian dry-cured ham and amberjack sashimi. 118 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-773-3097. D Mon.-Sat.

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 creamy smoothies and dense shakes, fresh-squeezed juices, and craft mocktails. Choose from one of the most extensive vegetarian menus in the Detroit area. 2541 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-662-1111. L,D Mon.-Sat.

Shalimar

$$

INDIAN • Offering North Indian, Tandoori, and Mughlai dishes, Shalimar is suitable for carnivores and herbivores alike. Standouts include the Lamb Tikka Masala, best eaten with the restaurant’s flavorful, chewy 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 nachos 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.

Tomukun

$

KOREAN • Featuring a Korean noodle bar and Korean barbecue side by side, the downtown Ann Arbor eatery is a destination for ramen, udon, and pho, plus traditional rice dishes like bibimbap. On the barbecue side of things, order shareable grill-it-yourself meals like short ribs, pork belly, and marinated chicken — plus stir-fries, hot pots, and more. 505 E. Liberty St., Suites 100-200, Ann Arbor; 734-995-8668 (Tomukun Noodle Bar); 734-369-2602 (Tomukun Korean BBQ). L,D daily.

Venue by 4M

$$$

High-quality coffee; a diverse selection of alcoholic beverages, including cocktails and sustainably sourced wine; and a wide variety of elevated cuisine, such as goat cheese ravioli can be found in this high-end mixed-use food hall. 1919 S. Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor; 734-800-0128; experience4m.com

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; 248-737-8282. 2222 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor; 734-971-5168. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Zingerman’s Roadhouse

$$$ CLASSIC COMFORT • This eatery celebrates food from around the U.S., from the New Mexico black bean and hominy burger to the delicacies of New Orleans. The buttermilk biscuits are out of this world. 2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-663-3663. B,L,D daily.

Charity Calendar

GRAND SLAM FESTIVAL

April 4, 9 to 6 p.m. detroitsocialevents.com

Celebrate Opening Day in Detroit with an exciting event just one block from the stadium. The celebration area will feature a variety of activities for everyone, including Detroit’s largest heated party tents, open-air party patios with full bars, 15 local DJs, festival games, food trucks, sports apparel, and more. It promises to be a high-energy experience in the heart of the action.

NFL ALUMNI DETROIT DRAFT PARTY

April 24, 7 to 11 p.m.

givebutter.com/ c/2025DetroitDraftParty

The 16th annual Detroit Draft Party will take place on April 24 at the Masonic Temple in Detroit. The event will feature local and national celebrities, sports legends, and a special guest host from the Detroit Lions. Proceeds support the Student Athlete Scholarship Fund of the NFL Alumni Detroit Chapter in partnership with Be a Part of Me Consulting.

SHADES OF PINK FOUNDATION’S ‘A WALK AT THE ZOO’

April 26, 7 a.m. to noon shadesofpinkfoundation.org

Shades of Pink Foundation’s signature event brings together survivors, sponsors, and supporters for a fundraising walk through the Detroit Zoo, providing critical financial assistance to breast cancer patients in southeast Michigan. Celebrating its 20th year in 2025, the foundation helps patients and their families navigate the financial burden of a breast cancer diagnosis. Funds raised will support essential living expenses, including mortgage and rent payments, utilities, insurance premiums, transportation, and child care, ensuring those in treatment receive timely assistance during a challenging time.

DETROIT GO RED FOR WOMEN

April 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

heart.org/DetroitGoRed

The Go Red for Women event will emphasize connection and engagement, creating opportunities for interaction and networking. The event will celebrate the impact of women coming together in support of heart health and the importance of community in advancing the mission. Attendees will have access to educational sessions and experiences aimed at improving their own health and well-being, as well as that of the women in their lives.

HAVEN GALA

April 25, 6 to 10 p.m.

haven-oakland.org

HAVEN’s flagship gala is a crucial event dedicated to raising funds to support survivors and their families throughout metro Detroit. The evening will feature a seated dinner, entertainment, a silent auction, and powerful stories of hope and resilience shared by survivors. As Oakland County’s only comprehensive program for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, HAVEN provides shelter, counseling, advocacy and educational programming to nearly 30,000 people each year.

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE SPOTLIGHT EVENT

May 6, 7 to 9 p.m.

jfsdetroit.org

Jewish Family Service will present “Healing After Hate: An Evening with Arno Michaelis,” featuring the former white supremacist turned peace advocate as he shares his personal transformation and insights from his memoir, My Life After Hate. The event will support Jewish Family Service programs that assist 15,000 individuals annually, funding mental health services, basic needs assistance, and resources for older adults.

IN THE SPIRITS OF INFERTILITY

April 12, 6 to 10 p.m.

givebutter.com/kFP4T8

Chosen Fertility Group, in partnership with Family Source Consultants, will host the fourth annual In the Spirits of Infertility Gala — Motown Edition on April 12 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. The event will feature an evening of live Motown-inspired music, community support, and fundraising efforts to assist individuals and families navigating fertility challenges. Guests will enjoy a catered meal, two drink tickets, and access to a silent auction. Attendees are encouraged to wear cocktail attire, with those who have experienced infertility invited to wear orange as a symbol of strength and solidarity.

ON THE WINGS OF ANGELS NONPROFIT FUNDRAISING GALA

April 26, 5 to 11 p.m.

otwoa.org

On the Wings of Angels presents its second annual fundraising gala, an evening dedicated to empowering domestic violence survivors. This event will unite community leaders, supporters, and sponsors to provide immediate resources and support. Guests will enjoy fine dining, live entertainment by Myint Entertainment, inspiring survivor stories, keynote speaker Lauren “KITTENS” Abedini, and a silent auction. Every dollar raised helps offer no-red-tape assistance and drive awareness for domestic violence prevention.

BOOKSTOCK

April 27 to May 4, 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m.

bookstockmi.org

Bookstock, metro Detroit’s annual used book and media sale, returns to Laurel Park Place in Livonia from April 27 to May 4, featuring over 400,000 books, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and vinyl records. Proceeds will support literacy and education initiatives. Regular sale hours are Sundays 11 a.m.–6 p.m. and Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Glow Blue for Mott 2025

PHOTOS BY ANDREA STINSON

THE 2025 Glow Blue for Mott, a private afterglow party for the Detroit Auto Show’s Charity Preview, was held on Jan. 10 at The Apparatus Room in the Detroit Foundation Hotel in support of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Guests at the black-tie affair enjoyed food, cocktails, music, and more after a sneak peek of this year’s auto show. Learn more about C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at mottchildren.org.

1. Robin Gamble, Robert Gay 2. Danny Schenk, Amanda Dewyer-Schenk 3. C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital team 4. Tony Denton and Lori Pierce 5. Julie and David Frauenheim, Luanne Thomas Ewald, John and Leanne Sherman, Laura and Mike Land 6. David and Katie Andrea, Prashant and Jayashree Mahajan, Mark and Kyria Clark

7. Paul Brown and Nicole Forester 8. Yehoash Raphael and Donna Martin 9. Paul Brown, Nicole Forester, Sonia Hassan, Mike Duggan, Luanne Thomas Ewald, Eric Barritt

10. Joe Hejl, Craig Darr, Tony McCloud, Harold Check

AutoGlow 2025

PHOTOS BY ANDREA STINSON

THE 2025 AutoGlow, presented by Ford Motor Co., was hosted at Michigan Central on Jan. 10 as a pre- and post-Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview event to support The Children’s Center — an area organization that provides foster care, adoption, and mental and behavioral health services in Detroit and Wayne County, helping more than 3,000 kids and families each year. This year’s event, themed “Inspire Detroit,” was hosted by Lisa and Bill Ford and Lia and Jim Farley and included a strolling dinner, live entertainment by the Bluewater Kings Band, a live DJ, and luxury transportation to and from the Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview. For more information about The Children’s Center, visit thechildrenscenter.com.

1. Patrick and Kathy Lindsey 2. Angela Polk, Alyssa Marion, Robin Smith 3. Si and Dennis Edwards, Desiree Jennings, Camille Edwards, Tony Mikoy

4. Brittney and Landon Hormann 5. Rainy Hamilton, Rachelle Johnson 6. Jahanvi and Deval Desai 7. Eric and Memory Grubb, Michael Webb, Linda Rosati, Tom Murray

8. Kelly and Jeff Miller 9. Eric and Katie Peterson, Janette and Rob Johnston 10. Brian, Renee, and Madison Godfrey

2025 COTS Soup City: The Motown Edition

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE M.J. HATHAWAY

COTS DETROIT, an area nonprofit that provides support to men, women, and children overcoming homelessness, hosted its 2025 Soup City fundraising event at the Roostertail on Jan. 23. The event, which was themed

“The Motown Edition,” honored Detroit’s rich musical heritage with Motown-inspired entertainment, including performances by Alexander Zonjic, The Motor City Horns, and Serieux, among others, as well as food from some of the area’s finest restaurants. Proceeds from the event directly benefited families that COTS Detroit works with. Learn more about COTS Detroit at cotsdetroit.org.

1. Aisha Morrell-Ferguson 2. Coy Mosley, Veronika Scott 3. Patrice Love, Aidan Ginyard 4. Maria Franklin, Demetrius Anderson 5. Tom Schoenith 6. Delbert Nelson, Charles Davis, Ray Ward, Edward Range 7. Michelle Pfaendtner, Beverley Barra, Joshua Jaime, Rashelle Groulx 8. Glenna Buehler, Ludwik Labaj, Alexander Zonjic, Dori Griffin, Paul Warren 9. Sturge Moreland and Caimile Moreland 10. Rick and Carol Johnston, John Giorgio 11. Usheil Floyd 12. Glenna Buehler, Alura Lurai, Ludwik Labaj

The Way It Was

IT IS OFTEN SAID that seeing a robin after a chilly winter is the first sign of spring. However, for generations of Detroit baseball fans, it’s also catching a glimpse of the Tiger players perched on the top dugout step as they get ready to run onto the diamond at the home opener.

In some circles, opening day in Detroit is an unofficial state holiday when school is skipped and vacation or “sick” days are taken so that everyone can cheer on the Tigers. In anticipation of the upcoming summer season, hope springs eternal that the Bengals will capture another championship.

When the Tigers face the Chicago White Sox on April 4, it will mark the 125th home opener since the team became a major league franchise as a charter member of the American League in 1901.

At the April 25 home opener that year, the Tigers were behind 13-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers in the bottom of the ninth inning but then miraculously scored 10 runs to win the game. It still stands as the greatest ninthinning comeback in baseball history.

In this photo taken on opening day, April 15, 1972, at Tiger Stadium, seen ready to take the field in unison are (from left to right) Bill Freehan, Al Kaline, Norm Cash, Aurelio Rodríguez, Ed Brinkman, Willie Horton, Dick McAuliffe, and Jim Northrup. The Tigers defeated the Red Sox 3-2 thanks to a complete-game six-hitter thrown by Mickey Lolich. That year, they edged Boston by a half-game to win the division but lost the American League pennant to the Oakland Athletics in the playoffs.

Detroit has won 70 of its 124 home openers since 1901, lost 53, and tied in one game. That tie was back in 1904 before ballparks had lights. The game was called after 12 innings due to darkness. —Bill Dow