Hour Detroit | March 2025

BRIDAL FASHION

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

Photo by Blaine Siesser Photography

Iconic Moments.

Iconic moments deserve iconic settings. As we celebrate our 100th year of hospitality, envision celebrating your special day in one of our beautifully restored ballrooms. Our thoughtfully redesigned guestrooms and event spaces create a sophisticated urban oasis perfect for any occasion. Connect with one of our wedding specialists today at westinbookcadillac.com or by calling 313-442-1616.

Photo by Jermme of @WeddingsbyJermme

Photo by Dave and Ang Photo

GORMAN’S DESIGN CENTERS

Michigan’s recognized leader for quality home furnishings and interior design.

A store full of ideas for the way you want to live. Gorman’s offers a one-stop resource for your home furnishings solutions. World class furniture, lighting, art, area rugs, window treatments and accessories from the BEST 100 Brands. Plus, experienced, professional interior designers to help you put it all together. Furnishing your home has never been easier.

Add Gorman’s National Low Price Guarantee, Gorman’s “MUST BE RIGHT” policy, and there’s no reason to shop anywhere else. Gorman’s has it all.

Over 80 years of furnishing Michigan’s Finest Homes. The best service, selection and savings are at Gorman’s Design Centers.

IT’S A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

That’s Georgetown, Kentucky, For Ya!

Ride into the heart of the Bluegrass and take a breath of fresh air in Georgetown, Kentucky. Make sure you bring your adventuring boots because you’ll be taking on the unbridled wilds, the sprawling horse country and the winding waterways that make up the natural beauty of central Kentucky. Challenge yourself to the rough and tumble mountain bike paths of Skullbuster Trails, get up close with stars of the Kentucky Derby at Old Friends Retirement Farm and saddle up on backwoods trails at Whispering Woods Riding Stables. It’s a whole new world to discover, full of untamed adventure and raw Kentucky charm.

georgetownky.com

UNFORGETTABLE BLUEGRASS VACATIONS

Known as the Horse Capital of the World and the epicenter of Bourbon Country, the Bluegrass State is also a land of immense natural beauty and wide-open spaces offering plenty of places to play.

Sip centuries of tradition in the birthplace of bourbon and tour distilleries to learn how Kentucky’s signature spirit is made. Stroll through rolling horse farms, catch a race at the track and take a trail ride through the forest. Explore woods, waters, caves and trails, offering endless outdoor adventure.

And let’s not forget the food! Savor signature Bluegrass flavors that come to life at local restaurants, where talented chefs and mixologists are inspired by a bounty of fresh, local ingredients. With so much to see, do and taste, the Bluegrass State is the perfect place for your next vacation.

Come discover our new Kentucky home! kentuckytourism.com

Ready to live out ?

Create Where You Belong

Take time to cherish every moment on America’s Favorite Beaches and make it a weekend you never forget. From sunshine to celebrations, St. Pete-Clearwater turns up the heat.

34 A Home with Her-story

A restored 1927 Tudor revival in Palmer Woods was once home to Aretha Franklin, who purchased it from a lesser-known but equally influential Detroit woman.

38

Where’s the Money?

We check in on the status of a major gift to the city, federal COVID funds for schools, and a local institution rocked by scandal.

42 Bridal Fashion

Take inspiration for your own wedding from these sleek designs and flowing chiffons and silks sourced from local retailers. When you go down the

stairway at the Rose Estate, “the light is nothing short of extraordinary,” says homeowner Trevor Thomas.

the cover: Flora Dress and Overskirt, $4,500, at Hana Abboud, 650 N. Telegraph Road, Dearborn; 313-900-1783; hanaabboud.com

Up Front

OBJECT LESSON

Ann Arbor has possibly the world’s only large wirelesssignal-producing art piece.

BOOKS

A local author brings the widows of late rock ’n’ rollers into the limelight.

PROFILE

This Detroit native was the first writer for Captain America: Brave New World.

24/Seven

BEAUTY

A downtown Detroit nail bar is growing into a national franchise.

FASHION

See our favorite looks from the 2025 Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview.

TRAVEL

A Royal Oak travel company can book your adventure to the “edge of the world.”

CULTURE CONVO

How do metro Detroiters fight loneliness?

LISTINGS

Here are some awardwinning plays, films, music, and comedy for March.

DANCE

A native Michigander is now a principal dancer for The National Ballet of Canada.

CAMP

These four camps offer extraordinary summer experiences for kids and teens.

CATERERS

Three catering companies that can make your event the talk of the town.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

This Corktown bar that opened in 1902 is steeped in Irish tradition.

RESTAURANT REPORT

Our critic discovers a hidden restaurant gem through a unique source.

RESTAURANT

EDITOR’S LETTER

Bridal Fashion has been a staple at Hour Detroit

since 1998 (the first year we published 12 issues). Normally, an annual feature like this can cause me some stress — “What are we going to do this year?” — but I don’t have much to worry about with this one. It’s in the hands of our very talented and capable designers, Creative Director Lindsay Richards and Associate Art Director Steven Prokuda.

For this year’s theme, they wanted to focus on movement and flow and photograph the gowns “somewhere we could focus on the model spinning at any angle and there would be no bad shots,” Richards says. “We wanted to get her running through the halls in a place with floor-to-ceiling windows.”

The team found the perfect location in Pontiac, at The Treasury, a 1921 building in the Pontiac Commercial Historic District that has been restored and renovated into a gorgeous reception venue. The former bank was designed by the same architects as the Detroit Opera House and has the same kind of grandeur, including features such as Ionic columns, Palladian windows, and a 35-foot coffered gold-leaf ceiling.

Joining the design team at the shoot on a mid-January Tuesday was Associate Editor Juliana Lumaj, who was making sure to get the credits for the gowns, accessories, and jewelry — and behind-the-scenes photos.

Midmonth tends to be a time when the editorial staff gets out in the community to do research or to meet with publicists, business owners, and freelance writers. On this particular day, Associate Editor Jack Thomas was doing research at the Bentley Historical Library for his story on the zigzag tower at Domino’s Farms (see page 22) and I was having a breakfast meeting with Culture Convo columnist and WDET host Ryan Patrick Hooper to go over future story ideas and finally try the food at The Fly Trap in Ferndale, his favorite diner and the subject of his February column. Consider this my fly-on-the-wall column. Happy early spring!

KATE WALSH, EDITOR KWALSH@HOUR-MEDIA.COM

VOLUME THIRTY ISSUE THREE

PUBLISHER: Jason Hosko

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Kate Walsh

DIGITAL EDITOR: Christina Clark

COPY EDITOR: Olivia Sedlacek

ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Juliana Lumaj, Jack Thomas

CONTRIBUTORS: Karen Buscemi, Bill Dow, Steve Friess, Ryan Patrick Hooper, Michelle Kobernick, Mickey Lyons, Jim McFarlin, Jenn McKee, Danny Palumbo, Cambrey Thomas, Lauren Wethington

INTERNS: Blake Clark, Angela Martinez DESIGN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Lindsay Richards

SENIOR PRODUCTION ARTIST: Stephanie Daniel

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR: Steven Prokuda

CONTRIBUTORS: Shannon Bishop, Michelle Cuppy, Robbin Kujus, Jacob Lewkow, Jennifer Pickering, Sal Rodriguez, Josh Scott, Rebecca Simonov SALES

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

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

DISTRIBUTION: Target Distribution, Troy

5750 NEW KING DRIVE, TROY, MI 48098

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

EMAIL: EDITORIAL@HOURDETROIT.COM

Up to 500 guests

Full kitchen for caterers

Nestled in the heart of a centuries-old apple orchard, Crimson Hills blends the orchard’s rich history with a refined, timeless charm. For generations, this land has been a gathering place for tradition, harvest, and connection. Today, it transforms into a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding day.

Less than 20 minutes from downtown Rochester and just 5 minutes from downtown Romeo Say "I Do" at Michigan's Newest Wedding Venue

Built-in bar

Large windows with views of the orchard

Indoor and outdoor ceremonial spaces

Various cocktail hour locations

Outdoor lounge Bridal suite

WHAT MAKES OUR AS AMAZING AS YOUR KID? HEART CARE

When your child is diagnosed with a heart condition, big questions ll your mind. Questions like, “What are our options?” and “Which experts can I trust with my baby?” At University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, families nd answers from Michigan’s No. 1 Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery program. And kids like yours receive the most advanced, evidence-based heart care—at one of the largest and best pediatric heart programs in the nation.

There’s a difference between an answer and a Michigan Answer for kids. Find your answer at MichiganAnswers.org/PedsCV.

Up Front

THE AMERICAN DREAM

A screenwriter from Detroit’s west side talks about his adventures in Hollywood p. 24

LESSON

That ZIGZAG TOWER at DOMINO’S FARMS

It may be the world’s only large wireless-signaltransmitting work of art

BY JACK THOMAS

What is it supposed to represent, anyway?

What is it?

It’s a cellphone tower. Gunnar Birkerts, an internationally esteemed Latvian American modernist architect who spent much of his career in metro Detroit, designed the tower as well as the Domino’s Farms Office Park (home to the Domino’s Pizza world headquarters) and the still-standing model for the never-built Leaning Tower of Pizza (originally intended to be said headquarters).

Why did a modernist architect design a cellphone tower?

It was a condition laid out by the Domino’s Pizza founder and thenCEO, Tom Monaghan. AirTouch, a wireless phone provider, agreed to pay around $500,000 toward construction, as opposed to leasing the space, and to let Birkerts design it.

Birkerts’s design depicts a lightning bolt and also may have drawn influence from a Salvador Dalídesigned table lamp, according to John Petz, spokesperson for Domino’s Farms Corp. The white triangular platform atop the 165foot tower symbolizes a cloud. The red box at the bottom, a steel-clad shelter for electronic equipment, symbolizes “fire that would have been started by a lightning bolt across a prairie,” Petz says. Notice another pattern with the paint job? It’s in the Domino’s colors.

How does it stay up?

Guy wires (tensioned cables) hold it up, and its foundation is a 26-foot-deep belowground pier.

Wasn’t it part of a Christmas display?

Yes. Between 1997 and 2001, the wires were strung with lights during the holidays for the farm’s St. Nicholas Light Display.

What was one of the biggest obstacles to construction?

The cell site shared real estate with Monaghan’s famous bison herd. For that reason, the construction team built a protective fence around the tower’s approximately 176-square-foot perimeter.

Were there any other challenges?

Greg Szabo, then senior vice president of AirTouch, recalls his team butting heads with Birkerts — who had a Frank Lloyd Wrightinspired vision that characterized the rest of the farm’s look — over some practicalities, such as the fact that the plastic covering over the antenna needed to point up; the artist wanted it to face down. “We had to change that,” Szabo recalls, “and Gunnar was all pissed off at me.” But in the end, things seemed to work out well for both parties. After the tower was completed in 1997, Birkerts’s design was recognized in the October 1998 issue of The Architectural Review. It would later appear on the August 2007 cover of the Ann Arbor Observer in artist Steve Gilzow’s colored pencil drawing “Where the Calls and the Buffalo Roam: Cell Tower at Domino’s Farms.” Today, it’s operated by American Tower, providing service for Verizon Wireless customers.

OBJECT

BOOKS

Every Late Rock Star Had Their ‘Rock’

Rock ’n’ roll widows share their stories in this acclaimed book from a local author

BY JENN MCKEE

AS A KID growing up in Detroit, Lori Tucker-Sullivan dreamed of writing about rock ’n’ roll.

And while she abandoned this dream in young adulthood, it came to fruition anyway with the recent release of her book I Can’t Remember If I Cried: Rock Widows on Life, Love, and Legacy

The inspiration for the book came shortly after she lost her husband of 26 years to cancer.

She’d promised him that she’d finish her low-residency Kentucky-based MFA program no matter what, so early in her grief journey, she was driving back home to Dexter from Louisville when she heard a radio interview with Yoko Ono.

“Looking at all [Ono] had accomplished made me think, ‘There are so many musicians that have died young,’” Tucker-Sullivan says. “They must have left widows that were my age or younger when they lost their spouse.”

She started sleuthing online and quickly found many possible interview candidates.

“I initially prioritized the people that Kevin and I both really loved,” Tucker-Sullivan says. “So Warren Zevon went to the top of the list, and Harry Chapin and James Honeyman-Scott — we were both big Pretenders fans.”

Tucker-Sullivan started reaching out to these rockers’ partners — through social media, websites, and occasionally mail. To her surprise, many rock widows promptly said yes.

“I still can’t believe that no one had done this before, and that so often, no one had asked these women for their stories,” TuckerSullivan says. “They were all very interested in having the whole story out there for people to understand what they had gone through — the good and bad of these relationships.”

There were so many respondents, in fact, that Tucker-Sullivan would have a good start on a second volume, should that be in the cards, and she dreams of gathering the profiled rock widows together in one room to make a documentary film.

But for now, having moved back to Detroit, she’s taking in all her hometown has to offer.

“After Kevin passed away, it was the same time that Detroit was going through its bankruptcy, and I just thought, ‘This is the time to go back,’” Tucker-Sullivan says. “The two of us can start new together.”

FAIRY TALES DO COME TRUE

Screenwriter Rob Edwards’s journey from Detroit’s west side to Hollywood features an assortment of characters including a prince, a princess, and a superhero

BY JIM MCFARLIN



Rob Edwards may be the only person to write both a Disney animated feature and a Marvel movie.

YOU MAY NOT know the name Rob Edwards, but in Hollywood, the Detroit native is a legitimate A-lister ... according to the script. Perhaps best known as a screenwriter for the Oscar-nominated Disney animated features Treasure Planet and The Princess and the Frog, he entered the Marvel universe this year as first writer on the current blockbuster Captain America: Brave New World. He’s written for such TV series as The Fresh Prince of BelAir, Full House, and In Living Color; recently completed writing the historical graphic novel Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls; will write, direct, and produce the animated film version of Brown Sugar Fairies: Saroja’s Quest; and is set to write and direct the original feature Sneaks later in 2025. In his spare time, he serves as an adjunct professor of screenwriting at the University of Southern California.

So what’s it like behind the curtain at Marvel? Is it different from other studios you’ve worked with?

I don’t believe there’s anybody else who has written a Disney animated feature and a Marvel movie, any human being who has been in both rooms. And if there were, they would see they’re almost identical. You sit in a room with the smartest people you’ve ever seen, but you’re essentially pitching one person, playing to an audience of one. To the point where [Marvel Studios President] Kevin Feige once asked me, “Hey, how does [former Disney/ Pixar Chief Creative Officer] John Lasseter run the room?” I would love to introduce those guys. I want to be at that dinner.

How did Captain America 4 come about? I was left at the altar. I worked with Nate Moore [former Marvel vice president of

production and development] for like three months coming up with the perfect pitch [for Black Panther], but they went with [writerdirector] Ryan Coogler, the visionary. He had directing experience; I didn’t. But they said, “If you don’t mind, we’re going to use a lot of your ideas.”

Then they called again. “Sorry about Black Panther. We want you to do Thor: Ragnarok.” I flew back to LA in the middle of my vacation to take the meeting, but [director] Taika Waititi decides he wants to write most of it himself. Two wedding dresses just hanging in the closet!

So Brave New World was almost like an apology gift?

I said, “OK, when am I pitching?” And they said, “No, this is yours. We’re giving it to you.” And the final credits say “Screenplay by Rob Edwards and others, Story by Rob Edwards and others.” So I’m first position on both for the most anticipated movie of 2025.

I’m sure by now most readers want to know, How does a young brother from the west side of Detroit wind up in Hollywood writing Marvel movies? My dad was a doctor, and he told me very early on the plan was to graduate from Cranbrook, go to Howard [University], study medicine, and take over his practice. I said, “But Dad … I want to tell jokes!” Over his dead body! But he finally said, “Go to

whatever college you want; then after you graduate, you have nine months to make a living at this craziness. If you ever call and ask me for a dollar, I’m sending you a plane ticket … to Howard.”

I started writing fan letters to people in Hollywood and applying for jobs my freshman year at Syracuse [University]! Then, weirdly enough, between my junior and senior year, my dad sends me a note about a movie they were filming in Detroit, Tiger Town. I volunteered to work on that.

And you moved to LA immediately upon graduating from college.

I called every single production going on in Hollywood. Nothing. Then I got this idea. I’d call them, and before they hung up on me, I’d ask, “Do you want to hear a joke or a piece of gossip?” I’d give them the one they asked for, then I’d hang up on them! I did this every day until they’d finally say, “Wait! Who the hell are you?” That’s how I got my first PA [production assistant] gig. Detroit hustle.”

That was a brave new world. So other than the wildfires, life in LA seems pretty good for Rob Edwards these days.

I had a student at USC say to me, “Why is it every story you tell sounds like a flex?” I’m not flexing! This is just my life. I do fun things. I like to create stuff, and I’m a super, super nerd. But I’ll always be “Robbie E. from the D!”

IN OTHER NEWS

Words of the Year

We all know that an easy way to impress your friends and family at a social gathering is by flaunting an expansive vocabulary. It’s not annoying — at all. For 16 years, Wayne State University’s Word Warriors initiative has released an annual list of 10 words you’ve likely never heard of to resurrect them. For example, the 2024 list included “kaffeeklatsch,” which is an informal social gathering at which coffee is served.

Here is the Word Warriors list for 2025:

Ensorcelled: Enchanted or bewitched. I’m often ensorcelled by the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Honeyfuggle: To ingratiate or seek to ingratiate oneself to cheat or deceive. I suspect that most teams that beat the Detroit Lions honeyfuggled the refs.

Hurkle-durkle: To lounge in bed long after it’s time to get up. Detroiters don’t have time to hurkle-durkle.

Inure: Accustom (someone) to something, especially something unpleasant. Grueling winters have inured Michiganders to the cold.

Scaramouch: A cowardly buffoon. Anyone who talks smack about Detroit without visiting is a scaramouch.

Shackbaggerly: In a loose, disorderly manner.

Construction cones on Detroit freeways often appear shackbaggerly.

Sonsy: Having an attractive and healthy appearance. Amon-Ra St. Brown is so sonsy.

Syzygy: The nearly straight-line configuration of three celestial bodies in a gravitational system. You’re more likely able to see a syzygy Up North where there’s less light pollution.

Tiffin: A light meal, often lunch. A Maurice salad is a great choice for a quick tiffin.

Vesper: Evening. The vesper moonlight reflects beautifully off the Detroit River.

Harrison Ford stars as Thaddeus Ross, aka Red Hulk, in Captain America: Brave New World

More Than Just a Mani-Pedi

This downtown Detroit nail bar is taking its modern and luxurious business model nationwide

BY JULIANA LUMAJ | PHOTO BY JOSH SCOTT

THOSE WHO frequent nail salons know it’s not just about adding a fresh coat of polish to your nails. It’s also about escaping from your everyday responsibilities by indulging in a luxurious experience — an experience The Ten Nail Bar co-founders Kelli Coleman and Anika Odegbo believed to be missing from Detroit when they first opened in Capitol Park in 2016.

The Detroit natives opened the salon when they noticed the city’s economy starting to bounce back and attract the attention of developers and entrepreneurs from around the world. At the time, they say, there weren’t many nail salons downtown, especially ones that offered their modern services and experiences. “We knew that the residents would value this, that they deserved this, but no one had stepped out and really elevated this type of routine beauty treatment,” Coleman says. At the nail bar, which moved to Woodward Avenue in New Center

in 2019, guests enjoy convenient features including online booking and an online chatbot. They can also expect consistently pleasant customer service when they visit The Ten — they’re greeted by name; offered complimentary Champagne, coffee, or tea; and allowed to take control of the TV remote and watch their favorite Netflix show.

Now, Coleman and Odegbo are taking their company to the next level by expanding it nationwide through a franchise model, with six locations potentially opening this year in Georgia, Ohio, Texas, Nevada, Illinois, and North Carolina. They hope to open many more throughout the country with the intention of creating a go-to national footprint that offers consistency in customer service, workmanship, and experience.

The Ten Nail Bar co-founders Anika Odegbo (left) and Kelli Coleman opened their business in downtown Detroit to provide locals a new and luxurious experience.

“For us to be doing this in our eighth year is surreal, and I am excited about bringing other people into The Ten family,” Odegbo says. “I look forward to the future of this brand and really being a place where people can call home and be incredibly comfortable, knowing that they’re going to get consistent quality and affordable luxury.”

The Ten also highlights small local businesses throughout the year by hosting events on Valentine’s Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and more where companies can use its space to sell their products. In 2019, it even hosted a video discussion between Bernie Sanders and Cardi B around the time two Democratic primary debates were held in Detroit.

The employees, some of whom are recruited from local cosmetology schools, receive in-house training — to ensure they’re meeting The Ten’s expectations in terms of the brand experience — and mentorship. “We do spend time with new manicurists, because going from school and stepping into the professional space, there’s an experience gap for people, so we are very, very intentional about that training,” Odegbo says.

With their franchise model, Coleman and Odegbo hope to use their blueprint to empower others to be business owners and entrepreneurs while supporting them from an operational and marketing perspective with a “tested and proven concept that we built.”

 RAYMOND HILL

When he saw this unusual bow tie and pocket square at Fashion International in Southfield, Raymond Hill knew he had to wear it for the Charity Preview.

 SALLY MOORE

When asked why she chose a Western-themed ensemble for the evening, Sally Moore quickly explained, “Cowboy Carter, baby. Can’t lie — halftime got me,” referring to Beyoncé’s performance during the Christmas Day Texans vs. Ravens game.

 GRACE HESLIP

For the past 10 years, designer Janna Coumoundouros (Lilacpop Studio) of Clawson has created a gown for the Charity Preview made from materials produced by Troybased Inteva that is worn by a model (this year Grace Heslip) at the event.

FASHION

 LISA GRAY

Lisa Gray’s chic look was built around the coat found in London, then injected with her personality through her favorite accessories: glasses, earrings, and a scarf.

Top Looks from the CHARITY PREVIEW

 SABRINA NELSON & JESSICA CARE MOORE

Artist Sabrina Nelson (left), who just had a solo show at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and jessica Care moore, Detroit’s poet laureate, love shopping local. Almost every piece of their outfits was purchased at The Peacock Room — except for the top hat, which came from Flo Boutique, another Detroit store.

Who we saw at one of the most anticipated events of the year: the Detroit Auto Show’s annual kickoff gala

PHOTOS

BY KAREN BUSCEMI

BY

CHRISTINE M.J. HATHAWAY

THE DETROIT Auto Show Charity Preview returned to Huntington Place in January and, as is tradition, brought the snow with it. But inclement weather never stops the attendees from turning out in grand style to get a sneak peek of the vehicles at the auto show and raise money for a variety of children’s charities across southeast Michigan. Here are some eyecatching moments from the evening.

 CRAIG DARR & TONY MCCLOUD

Business partners Craig Darr (left) and Tony McCloud, who plan events for Ford Motor Co. and Lincoln, both agree they have an affinity toward fashion, with a special love for blazers.

 PATTY GHESQUIERE

Patty Ghesquiere wears this sparkly Lions shirt — a gift from her husband — for every game. And she says that every time she wears it, they win.

EXPLORE the ‘EDGE of the WORLD’

ANYONE WHO has researched hiking in Patagonia is likely familiar with the W-Trek, a five-day hike across Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. But if you’re looking for ways to avoid the crowds, you may want to look more locally — at Pygmy Elephant, a Royal Oak-based travel agency whose specialty is self-guided hiking trips.

Andrew Delmenhorst, founder of Pygmy Elephant and leader of a local team of 10, has spent years exploring Patagonia. Recently, Delmenhorst debuted his own alternative route called the M-Trek, a multistage hike in Argentine Patagonia.

“We wanted to find something in Patagonia that had the same views [as the W-Trek], the same challenge, and make it a little bit more accessible to a wider audience,” he says.

Delmenhorst, who has traveled to over 40 countries, founded Pygmy Elephant in 2015 after, in his words, “I didn’t find anything on the market to support me while I was doing these kinds of adventures.”

Travel Tips

Plan Ahead and Go When the Weather Is Good

If you’re planning a trip to Patagonia, Delmenhorst recommends booking six months to a year in advance and at minimum 90 days in advance. Any later, and “it becomes more challenging logistically,” he says. The best months for hiking are December through March.

Pack for All Four Seasons

BY JACK THOMAS



Top: Cerro Torre mountain

Bottom: Andrew Delmenhorst poses by Laguna Azul.

The trips are private — you can traverse places like the Alps or Iceland without a tour guide. Pygmy Elephant’s team of 10 offers 24/7 support for travelers via text, email, or phone call. Its itineraries are customizable, and its “pricing transparency” guarantee means travelers get a breakdown of all the trip expenses. The trips also aim to benefit locally owned businesses, and the agency gives a portion of its income to conservation and charity organizations.

Pygmy Elephant’s M-Trek begins in Reserva Los Huemules and ends in El Chaltén, a small mountain village settled near the limits of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The self-guided trip requires about 70 miles of trekking over five days and includes stays in an alpine lodge and a solar-powered luxury geodesic dome.

Along the way, hikers glimpse multiple mountains and take in otherworldly lagoons. The rocky landscapes are studded with verdant lenga beech forests, home to elusive animals like the endangered huemul deer, several rare birds, and the puma. And for those who want a self-guided trip on the W-Trek, Pygmy Elephant has four different experiences, including a multisport adventure option with horseback riding.

The weather in Patagonia can be hard to predict — the region is home to snow, rain, and some of the world’s strongest westerly winds. Additionally, expect temperature shifts. “I’ve been up at elevation and it was snowing, and then I get down to basically sea level and I’m in shorts,” Delmenhorst says.

Get in Shape

To take the M-Trek, travelers must be able to hike 10-12 miles for multiple days in a row, with an elevation gain of approximately 3,000 feet. Previous hiking experience is recommended, but “somebody that’s in moderate shape, as long as they’re willing to put in some exercise to get ready, can do the trip,” Delmenhorst says. To prepare in the months leading up to it, Delmenhorst recommends taking practice hikes with a weighted backpack or doing leg-strengthening exercises such as squats or using a stair machine.

The Modern Approach to Rhinoplasty

Mune Gowda, MD, FACS, highlights how Preservation Rhinoplasty delivers stunning results with less downtime than traditional procedures.

DR. MUNE GOWDA BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON

Preservation rhinoplasty is a groundbreaking technique that Dr. Mune Gowda, FACS, has embraced as a transformative approach to nasal surgery, providing patients with stunning results and significantly reduced downtime. This innovative method focuses on maintaining the nose's natural anatomy while reshaping it by adjusting existing cartilage and bone. The result is a more harmonious and natural-looking outcome that prioritizes the nose's structural integrity.

Key advantages of preservation rhinoplasty include refined results and lasting durability, making it an excellent choice for addressing concerns such as dorsal humps or nasal asymmetry. By maintaining critical support structures, this technique ensures a balanced appearance while preserving the nose's functionality.

Patients also benefit from a relatively brief recovery period. The minimized swelling and bruising, paired with the naturallooking results, make preservation rhinoplasty an increasingly popular option for those seeking both aesthetic and functional improvements. Dr. Gowda is proud to offer this cutting-edge technique, redefining what nasal surgery can achieve and setting a new standard for patient satisfaction.

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Dr. Mune Gowda, FACS, is a highly skilled and renowned plastic surgeon dedicated to delivering exceptional results through a wide range of surgical and nonsurgical procedures. In addition to performing advanced preservation rhinoplasty, Dr. Gowda specializes in face and neck lifts, blepharoplasty, breast augmentation, and abdominoplasty, helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals with precision and artistry. He also offers nonsurgical treatments, including full-face laser skin resurfacing and injectables, providing comprehensive solutions for rejuvenation and enhancement. With his expertise and patientcentered approach, Dr. Gowda tailors each procedure to ensure natural-looking and transformative outcomes.

Dr. Gowda is on staff at Providence and Beaumont Hospitals and performs surgeries at these hospitals or his advanced surgical center in Novi, located in the Ascension Providence Hospital Medical Building. Dr. Gowda sees patients for consultations at his offices in Novi and Troy offices.

Gowda MD & Associates Novi Office

248-305-8400, 26850 Providence Pkwy #125

Gowda MD & Associates Troy Office 248-530-0000, 3270 W. Big Beaver Road #415 gowdamd.com

Before

After Preservation Rhinoplasty by Dr. Mune Gowda

Jesse Speelman

Nicole Morisco

HerStoryPRESERVING

BY CAMBREY THOMAS

DETROIT FEMINIST HISTORY FINDS

NEW LIFE IN THIS PALMER WOODS RESTORATION

TUCKED AT THE END of a private drive in Detroit’s Palmer Woods neighborhood, a house stands as a testament to resilience. Nearly lost to time, the 1927 Tudor revival known as the Rose Estate now holds court revived and blooming with the stories of artist and feminist Patricia Hill Burnett and music legend Aretha Franklin, the trailblazing women who once called it home.

Upon entry, light pours through windows at both ends of the home’s great hall. “The light is nothing short of extraordinary in the house when you go down the stairway as it was originally intended by the architect,” says homeowner Trevor Thomas, who purchased the home for $500,000 in 2023 with his partner, Brandon Lynum. “But particularly in the morning, with where the home sits, it’s just breathtaking. We see why it’s been admired, and it’s something not lost on us for any second.”

Portraits of Burnett — whose father-inlaw, Difco Laboratories co-founder Harry Burnett Sr., built the home in 1927 — and Franklin, who bought it from Burnett in 1993, hang in that stairway and watch over the hall, and memorabilia from both women are mixed in with the décor. Paperwork on the home left by both the Burnett family and Franklin is tucked away in the home’s library.

Thomas’s and Lynum’s determination to restore the 5,700-square-foot property rather than renovate it has launched them

on a journey beyond ordinary repair. They have become archivists, historians, and even society hosts, activating the space for nonprofits and fundraisers. As the work to restore the home to its original splendor continues, the pair have also become unlikely stewards, pushing forward to a new generation the legacy of the two iconic previous owners, women whose lives were intertwined with art, activism, and an unyielding fight for justice.

It’s this continued fight for justice that connects Thomas, who leads diversity and inclusion at Domino’s Pizza, to the very history he’s preserving. His early-career legislative work in civil and equal rights supported the 2009 Hate Crimes Prevention Act signed into law by President Barack Obama and the 2010 repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” And it’s this work, which Thomas says is about ensuring everyone has dignity, that most moved New York-based sculptor Hillary Hill Burnett, daughter of Patricia, about the purchase and restoration. “My heart filled with joy when I thought, ‘This is the man who’s bought this house,’” she says. “It’s just so moving to have the door

answered by him and to feel his brightness when you walk in.”

Growing up in the home, Hillary recalls her socialite mother painting portraits in the kitchen, firing glass in the kiln installed in the basement, and hosting. There were many lavish society parties and ladies’ luncheons she chaired. These were no ordinary lunch meetings. Burnett — a staunch Republican who co-founded (with Betty Friedan) Michigan’s chapter of the National Organization for Women and was appointed chair of the National Association of Commissions for Women by President Jimmy Carter — used the home to organize for women’s rights. And the portraits she painted, some in her home and some at the Scarab Club, where she was the first woman to have a studio, featured the likes of Rosa Parks, Margaret Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, and the then-newly appointed Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Burnett chose to stay in Detroit through the early ’90s and even lived alone in the home for a time but listed the home for sale in 1993 when she remarried and the pair decided to have a fresh start together



Aretha Franklin and Patrick Hill Burnett (above) both called the Rose Estate home. Burnett was an artist, activist, and local radio star, with voice roles on WXYZ’s The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet.



elsewhere. Hillary remembers the sale being swift and that her mother — who died at the age of 94 in 2014 — was thrilled it was to Franklin, a comrade in arms in the fight for civil rights.

Outside of the transaction, which was commemorated with a photograph at the piano in the home, Burnett and Franklin were socially aware of each other and were best described as mutual admirers. Photojournalist Linda Solomon, who chronicled Franklin for The Detroit News and authored 2019’s The Queen Next Door: Aretha Franklin, an Intimate Portrait, was friends with both women and describes their similarities as what connects them now. “Both Patricia Hill Burnett and Aretha Franklin were strong advocates for women. Not only was Aretha a civil rights advocate, but she was a woman’s advocate,” Solomon says. “And Patricia Hill Burnett was not only one of the most accomplished portrait painters, but it’s what she did for other women. And she was so much fun!”

Just as both women were known for their many firsts and for the glass ceilings they shattered throughout their careers, they were also known for their joie de vivre and their love of celebrating in the home. “Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t give

The great hall features the Maria Theresa crystal chandelier that Franklin had custom-ordered, complete with fine purple crystals.

The rose bedroom previously served as Franklin’s spa.

myself parties,” Solomon says. “But both Patricia and Aretha every year would host a birthday party, and those birthday parties were so incredible.”

Hillary, in thinking about the parties her mother would host, remembers the home as an “absolute gathering place socially for everybody in Detroit.” Most notably, she recalls how there was a diverse mix of attendees from all backgrounds and how you could meet anybody.

Solomon reminisces on a Burnett who remained lively even later in life and lived by the motto “Have a party a day to keep death away.”

Franklin picked up the mantle and held, as Solomon recalls, yearly holiday, summer, and birthday parties. While Franklin kept hosting and preserved many of the home’s

original details, she transformed the primary bedroom into a dressing suite, complete with a tub installed across from the fireplace and discreetly looking out over the sixth hole of the adjacent golf course. Perhaps drawing inspiration from the roses in the home’s original plastered vestibule or the rosettes in the molding, Franklin christened the home the “Rose Estate” and worked with interior designer Barbara Kopitz on bringing more rose flourishes to the home, like a custom rosered Kohler soaking tub, rose wallpaper, Sherle Wagner rose door pulls, and white carpet in the great hall that featured one single red rose at its center. Years later, in 1998, Franklin would release the Grammy-nominated and certified gold album A Rose Is Still a Rose Possibly due to Franklin’s schedule or declining health, she spent little time in the

home toward her latter years of ownership. As the home sat empty and changed ownership, it began to decline. Stray golf balls would occasionally launch through the windows and create openings for the elements to creep in. A few bitter Michigan winters would freeze the pipes, causing them to burst and flood the property. Urban explorers would barge into the home to create content while leaving the home open to vandalism.

It was at the height of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic that the home’s current owners, Thomas and Lynum, would drive leisurely around Detroit, drinking in the architecture of the city. On one such excursion, Lynum drove through Palmer Park, turning past the Detroit Golf Club and cruising alongside the stately mansions of Hamilton Road. Thomas

was immediately taken with the house at the end of the street. He had already restored the Tudor-style home where he resided in Detroit’s Sherwood Forest neighborhood, so he was intrigued and pulled the home up on Zillow to see the interior.

“The numbers didn’t make sense for us, so we patiently waited a number of years,” says Thomas, who eventually closed on the home in 2023 and unveiled it to the public at a June 2024 dinner party on the home’s back patio.

Since then, Thomas and Lynum have opened their home for private concerts, nonprofit fundraisers, and even the women’s meetings Burnett was known for.

“We hosted an event for the International Women’s Forum, and it was fascinating because in this unique moment, everyone

had known Patricia, who was an early founder of that group, and everyone had known Ms. Franklin, and it was terrific to have them here because individuals are referring to it as the ‘Burnett home’ and individuals referring to it as the ‘Franklin home.’ And for us, we’ve just been committed to keeping it as close to how we found it as possible.”

Solomon, who also attended the meeting, recalls the poignancy and emotion of the moment, especially since she, much like the other attendees, thought she would never set foot in the home again. “The respect that they have given to these two women is so remarkable and so special,” she says. “And it’s important because they are preserving their history and legacy forever.”



The primary bath, designed with Italian and Spanish marble throughout, still has the red clawfoot bathtub that Franklin selected.

The great hall features restored original red oak wide plank wood flooring, still pegged in place nearly 100 years later, and a Kawai semi-concert grand piano where Franklin’s piano once stood.

NEARLY A YEAR AFTER A SCANDAL THAT ROCKED THE RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY, AND FOUR YEARS AFTER THE GILBERTS’ MASSIVE PLEDGE TO THE CITY AND THE ALLOCATION OF FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS TO SCHOOLS, WE ASK …

WHERE’S the MONEY?

THE GILBERTS: FOUR YEARS AFTER THE BIG GIVE

In May of 2022, a year after the splashy press conference in a sunny high-floor room at One Campus Martius where Dan and Jennifer Gilbert announced their $500 million, 10-year charitable pledge to revitalize Detroit’s neighborhoods, the money’s stewards launched a new, impressive-sounding initiative. The Gilbert Family Foundation, one of two Gilbertcontrolled nonprofits — along with the

BY STEVE FRIESS

Rocket Community Fund — funding the big give, joined co-backers DTE Energy and ProMedica in opening phone lines for folks seeking money to fix their homes through the $20 million Detroit Home Repair Fund.

“The first week, we received 250,000 phone calls from Detroit residents,” recalls Laura Grannemann, executive director of both the GFF and the RCF. (Of the $500 million pledged, $150 million is from RCF and $350 million from GFF, the Rocket Mortgage founder’s personal philanthropy.)

“That showed us we had tapped into a very significant need and we would need to think more innovatively about how to increase the quality of the housing stock in the city of Detroit.”

Indeed, almost four years and $232 million (as of December 2024) into the decade-long charitable spending spree, Grannemann now says that the program helped clarify the broader focus. She had known that $20 million wouldn’t be enough to repair every leaking roof, electrical malfunction, and crumbling foundation in the city, but she admits being taken by surprise that a program designed to assist about 1,000 homeowners had, when the wait list was closed, 14,000 people on it.

What followed was a series of new programs to address other elements of the housing problem. The $13 million Detroit Eviction Defense Fund has provided legal services to keep 7,500 renters in their homes; the $10 million Detroit Housing Network and Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine provide renter services, down payment navigation assistance, and homebuyer education; and Tomorrow’s Housing Innovation Showcase supports construction of factory-made houses that can be cheaper and more durable.

Grannemann cites one clear-cut triumph. The first program launched when the $500 million pledge was announced was a $15 million plan to wipe out property tax debt for some 20,000 low-income homeowners. In 2024, tax foreclosures of Wayne County owner-occupied homes were down almost 95% from 2015, according to the Detroit Taxpayer Service Center. “There’s a lot of

progress that’s been made to make sure homeowners are stable in their homes when it comes to property tax foreclosures, but now rental stability and also housing quality are the two highest priorities,” she says.

As huge as the housing issues are, they’re just one area of focus for the gift. What good are stable homes, the thinking goes, if the quality of life is not also any better? Thus, there are arts and culture programs such as Seed and Bloom, an initiative providing 10 grants of $150,000 each distributed over three years to artists of color to “grow their artistic practices into sustainable businesses embedded in Detroit neighborhoods.” And there’s the $15 million given to the Unified Greenway Campaign to help pay for construction and maintenance of the 27.5-mile regional Joe Louis Greenway and the $1 million Thriving Neighborhoods Fund, which is doled out to 19 Detroit nonprofits. “We want people to actually want to be a part of the community and invest in their neighborhoods and stay in the city,” Grannemann says. “It is so critical to be investing in that kind of strong infrastructure.”

New programs are under constant consideration, Grannemann says. Typically, they’re announced in the spring when her team issues an annual status report. They’ve spent more than $50 million a year, so Grannemann says they’re ahead of schedule to use up the $500 million commitment before 2031, but they’re guided most by where they can make a measurable, tangible difference as soon as possible.

“With this $500 million commitment, we have the opportunity to braid together

all of those investments to really drive systemic change for a specific group of Detroit residents,” she says. “Our goal is to support Detroit residents who are economically vulnerable and who are at risk of displacement. We make all of our funding decisions on this basis, not based on spending a certain amount every year. If there’s a good idea that will help people, we do it.”

RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY BATTLES BACK

When Ryan Sullivan agreed to jump in as interim CEO of the scandal-rocked Detroit Riverfront Conservancy last May, he was unsure how damaged the organization was. The longtime Chief Financial Officer William Smith, it had just come to light, had been embezzling upwards of $40 million from the DRC’s coffers over the course of 11 years. Federal charges and a civil lawsuit followed, but the embarrassment over a failure to catch this much grift over this length of time cast a dark shadow.

The nonprofit has, over its 20 years, raised hundreds of millions of dollars to redevelop 5.5 miles of Detroit riverfront and put on programs and events for some 3.5 million visitors a year. And the scandal emerged as the DRC was in the process of completing perhaps its most monumental addition to the shoreline, the elaborate, scenic, and fanciful 22-acre Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park the nonprofit hopes will turbocharge visitation.

Everything was at risk, Sullivan knew. As the summer of 2024 approached, he wondered: Will people still come to the events? Will volunteers keep showing up? Will anyone ever feel comfortable giving money after such a massive failure in oversight?

When he speaks with Hour Detroit six months later, the answers astonish him: “I’m really proud that I can sit here today and say emphatically that we delivered 100% of our programs this year. Not only did they continue uninterrupted — we set records in terms of the numbers of people who were participating in the Riverfront Run in June, and this was the second straight year we had more than 50,000 people come for Harvest Fest in October.” Volunteer hours were up 13.5% over 2023, too.

dubs the “four P’s” framework — prosecute the thieves, preserve the accomplishments already achieved, protect the organization with new protocols for oversight on spending, and prosper in the years ahead.

Within a month of Sullivan’s tenure, the DRC found a lifeline, a $35 million pledge from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation to ensure work continues on schedule for the park — with the money managed not by the DRC but by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

“Major funders have stepped forward, and the existence of this structure has shored up confidence in the organization, our ability to complete construction, our ability to live up to our core promises,” Sullivan says.

That said, Sullivan understands if folks are queasy about giving money right now: “That’s certainly understandable, but there are other ways to contribute. You can volunteer time or come down and enjoy the riverfront and remember why it’s important to have such a beautiful riverfront that is the envy of many other cities and towns. Whatever is best for you, but we’ll still be here.”

PUBLIC SCHOOL COVID FUNDS: DETROIT OUTSHINES ANN ARBOR

The funding story is less clear. In November, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, each carrying a maximum 20-year prison term. As part of the plea agreement, he agreed to pay at least $44.3 million in restitution; it’s unknown, though, if any or all of that money exists to be recovered. A civil lawsuit is pending against Smith; his wife, sister, and mother; and others believed to have benefited from the theft.

Sullivan was brought in because he has crisis management experience. He navigated Detroit-based football helmet maker Xenith through a safety recall in 2016 as CEO and, later, through the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic when sales plummeted because nobody was playing contact sports. He’s from a family deeply rooted in Detroit, worked six years for Rock Ventures, and lives in Indian Village with his wife and four children. “The riverfront is something important to me personally,” he says. “I’ve seen and experienced its importance for families like mine going back generations.”

It’s not every day you hear the Detroit Public Schools Community District being compared favorably to the vaunted Ann Arbor Public Schools, but chalk that up to yet another way COVID turned the world upside down.

children. for

The finances of AAPS, located in one of the state’s wealthiest communities, are a mess. Last spring, the state warned the district its fund balance — also known as its savings — was projected to hit a perilously low 2% of its general fund for the 2023-24 year. That’s after its 2022-23 fund balance was at 3.8%. One year below 5% raises concerns; two sets off alarms. The ideal is 15%.

Sullivan went to work shoring up the DRC’s reputation by implementing what he

To fix this, the district chopped $20.4 million out of its 2024-25 budget largely by eliminating 141 jobs. Social media and school board meetings are flooded these days with angry parents and teachers blaming every

shortcoming, relevant or not, on the cuts.

Meanwhile, in the 2022-23 year, Detroit Public Schools had an impressive general fund balance of 59%, according to state data. Things aren’t perfect by any stretch — that bubble of COVID funds has subsided — but nobody is looking at Detroit for examples of districts in financial crisis. Ann Arbor, though, is a statewide example of mismanagement.

How does that happen? Both districts suffered significant enrollment losses during the 2020-21 school year as many alarmed parents moved their kids to private or charter schools that were significantly quicker to return to in-person class. When enrollment drops, so, too, does the per-pupil funding provided by the state, and that’s the vast majority of any district’s budget.

In Detroit, administrators understood those defections as a long-term problem that required careful budgeting and planned as the federal aid from COVID relief measures ran out to cut positions. Ann Arbor, meanwhile, lost more than 1,000 students from 2020 to 2022 but behaved as though it were a temporary blip.

“The COVID money really helped boost the savings accounts of several districts, most notably Detroit,” says Craig Thiel, research director for the Citizens Research Council, a nonpartisan organization based in Lansing. “In Ann Arbor, you had an administration that really didn’t want to rightsize the budget and was just saying yes to everybody and everything.”

Detroit received an eye-popping sum of $1.27 billion, or roughly $26,700 per student; Ann Arbor got just $27.2 million, or about $1,500 per student. That’s because Congress allotted more based on district size and the percentage of students who qualified for free lunch.

Still, Thiel says Detroit did something clever: It used the federal money, which had to be allocated by September 2024, for its normal operations and put the state money it received into its reserves. That made the transition out of that era of funding easier and could pay dividends for years to come, as the district now has

$700 million stashed away for an ambitious districtwide building renovations project.

While Detroit received an unprecedented windfall and made long-term plans to optimize its use, Ann Arbor appeared to be in denial about the damage COVID had wrought. “Ann Arbor was dealing with a stagnant to declining student enrollment leading into the pandemic,” Thiel says. “That trend sped up. A lot of families left the district and took the state money with them. When those kids left, Ann Arbor continued to offer the same programs and services at the same staffing levels. That was the pinch point for budget challenges.”

ANN ARBOR GOT JUST $27.2 MILLION, OR ABOUT $1,500 PER STUDENT.

ANN ARBOR GOT JUST $27.2 MILLION, OR ABOUT $1,500 PER STUDENT

Former AAPS board trustee Jeff Gaynor, who stepped down at the end of his term last year, lays the blame on the former superintendent, Jeanice Kerr Swift, who he says told the board not to sweat the low fund balances and insisted enrollment would rebound. (Swift resigned in 2023 amid an unrelated scandal and was not on the job when the funding crunch became apparent.)

“Because she had done this in the past, we didn’t have any reason to not believe her,” Gaynor says. “What we didn’t do at the time was ask exactly how. If there was a plan, we didn’t know it. In the past, she sold property; she found ways to get the balance back up. We assumed she would. But it turns out, according to the forensic audit, the numbers we were given were not legitimate.” Swift did not respond to Hour Detroit’s requests for a comment.

at the time was ask

The report Gaynor references conducted by Plante Moran found that about three months before the 2023-24 budget was adopted, the board approved 2% raises for school employees, amounting to an additional $12 million in costs, which would have required 1,100 additional students to enroll for the school year.

Swift told auditors that, at the time, she informed board members “there would need to be reductions in the cost structure” in the next fiscal year to offset the budget increase. The report concludes that “the original budget presented was improbable without significant expenditure reductions. The obvious red flags should have been identified by management and the Board for which responsibility for the current situation is shared.”

There’s no end in sight for AAPS’s budget challenges. While the COVID funds weren’t as plentiful for AAPS, they did allow the district to offer $10,000 bonuses to teachers in hard-to-fill positions, including special education and speech therapy. When those went away, so did the district’s ability to fully staff those critical posts. “If it’s not one thing, it’s another,” Gaynor says.

TREASURED romance

The grand halls and marble floors of a historic bank in Pontiac serve as the perfect setting to show off these sleek and flowing silks and chiffons

Photography: Michelle Cuppy Styling: Jennifer Pickering Hair: Shannon Bishop Makeup: Robbin Kujus Location: The Treasury, Pontiac

Justin Alexander Signature Shakespeare Gown, $3,300, and Pronovias Crepe Cape, $650, at Piera’s Bridal Couture, 46509 Hayes Road, Shelby Township, 586-566-7800, pierasbridal.com; Diamond Drop Earrings, Round Bloom Diamond Ring, and Diamond Scroll Bracelet, contact the store for pricing, at Lucido Fine Jewelry, Birmingham, Rochester, and Sterling Heights.

Étoile Quincy Gown, $1,995, at Bridal Couture of Plymouth, 223 N. Main St., Plymouth, 734-4551100, michigandreamdress.com; White Gold Ring with Marquise Diamonds, Diamond Cluster Studs, and Diamond Venice Necklace, at Lucido Fine Jewelry.

TWS White Label

Theo Dress, $1,799, at The Wedding Shoppe; Diamond Ring Setting, at Lucido Fine Jewelry.

TWS White Label Gisele Dress, $1,999, at The Wedding Shoppe; Diamond Cluster Studs and Hidden Bloom Ring, at

Lucido Fine Jewelry.

Sareh Nouri Lucille Gown, $7,490, at Sareh Nouri, sarehnouri.com; Diamond Pear Branch Ring, Diamond Pear Branch Earrings, and Pink Tourmaline Flower Necklace, at Lucido Fine Jewelry; Bouquet, contact the store for pricing, at Sage Green Floral Shoppe, 2900 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 1, Keego Harbor, 248-791-7104, sagegreenevents.com

For more on The Treasury, please visit hourdetroit.com/thetreasury

Discover the e legance of The War Memoria l , wher e e ve ry de tai l is thoughtful ly d e signed to brin g your vision to l if e.

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Photos C/O:

Rachel Mercer Photography

Sara Myers Photography

Hetler Photography

HOUR BRIDAL DIRECTORY

HOUR BRIDAL DIRECTORY

HOUR BRIDAL DIRECTORY

Summer camps that will have you longing to be a kid again p. 61 ARTS, CULTURE, AND

CULTURE CONVO

ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE

Metro Detroit is filled with places to connect. You just have to get out there.

BY RYAN PATRICK HOOPER

AS THE REST of the world gets lonelier, are we suffering the same fate here in metro Detroit?

An increasingly isolated world isn’t just a hot take from me. The data paints an equally fragmented reality for Americans. We spend more time at home than ever before, not engaging with our friends and neighbors — and that starts at a young age.

It’s meant more depression, less conversation, and an increasingly irritable crowd when we venture out into the world.

There have been many think pieces written about it, but Derek Thompson of The Atlantic nailed it back in January with his piece “The Anti-Social Century,” drawing on data going all the way back to the 1960s.

And while it’s hard to find specific numbers for metro Detroit, it’s clear we’re not immune. Especially in a sprawling suburban area that’s car-centric, designed around destinations versus the wandering journey of getting there, wherever there might be.

Which brings me to “the third place” — another buzzed-about term.

The third place, meaning not work, not

home — but a place where we meet, drink, eat, socialize, see one another, fraternize with strangers, and build human bonds with others who aren’t like us and don’t form echo chambers of what we already believe.

That could be a bar or spaces like Spot Lite and Cafe Sous Terre in Detroit, which are cafés by day and transition beautifully into music venues and cocktail bars by evening.

It could be a truly altruistic spot that doesn’t cost you anything, like the Belle Isle conservatory, which is free and reopened late last year after a two-year, $10 million renovation of its gorgeous glass dome. What a beautiful way to transition into spring!

Or maybe it’s spaces like the Cranbrook Art Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts. I’ve found solace in these places — a sense of escapism among art, if you will — but they are also well-designed social spots built for people to interact over coffee or on a bench taking in the artwork on display.

These are just a few examples of how our thriving arts scene can be a source of connection, a third place that we need in between our work lives and our

increasingly private lives to meet up with friends or meet someone new entirely.

And that’s the key. While we’re getting lonelier, we’re also starved for attention. That’s probably why so many of us have turned to social media to get validation.

The places I mentioned are built for people to connect, but we’ve got to be willing to make that connection. If you’re not brave enough to strike up a convo with a stranger, ask yourself: When is the last time I reached out to that friend? That family member? That acquaintance I’ve wanted to spend more time with?

It feels like a risk of rejection to put yourself out there, but the data doesn’t lie. We’re at a point where we need to take that leap. I promise ya that they’ll be happy to hear from you.

And while the country overall gets a bit more isolated, let’s remember we’ve got the spaces, events, and culture to find common ground … and connect with our fellow metro Detroiters.

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.).

MARCH 1-JULY 13

ART

Post No Bills: Turkish artist Burhan Dogançay evoked the ever-changing nature of urban environments by mimicking the rough textures and haphazard layers commonly found on bulletinand graffiti-laden public walls. Dogançay traveled to more than 100 cities over the course of his career, including Manhattan, where inspiration for the idea first struck him. This marks the first U.S. exhibition dedicated to the artist’s work. No cost.

University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor; umma.umich.edu

MARCH 7-9

FILM

Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors: This Soviet-era masterpiece by Armenian director Sergei Parajanov follows star-crossed lovers Ivan and Marichka as their bitterly feuding families channel otherworldly forces to keep them apart. Lauded for its sumptuous costumes, colorful motifs, and haunting themes, the film is one of the most internationally acclaimed Ukrainian cinematic achievements of all time. $9.50+. Detroit Film Theatre, Detroit; dia.org

MARCH 8

MUSIC

Shamrock Tenors: Hear favorite Irish classics like “Danny Boy,” “Black Velvet Band,” and “Whiskey in the Jar” just in time for St. Patrick’s Day when this talented troupe of vocalists makes a stop at the Fox Theatre this month. The vocalists will be accompanied by Ireland’s finest multi-

ARTS & CULTURE

SAVE THE DATE: Traverse City Comedy Fest

APRIL 10-12

instrumental musicians as well as an Irish dancing champion. $25+. Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents.com

MARCH 11-16 THEATER

Peter Pan: The musical that’s charmed children and families for nearly 70 years returns to the Fox Theatre this month in a new, refreshed adaptation by acclaimed playwright Larissa FastHorse. Directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price, the show features timeless fan-favorite songs, including “I’m Flying” and “I Won’t Grow Up,” along with striking choreography and lots of high-flying excitement. $25+. Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents.com

MARCH 11-23

THEATER

Kimberly Akimbo: Based on the 2001 play by David Lindsay-Abaire, this Tony Award-winning musical follows Kimberly Levaco, a 16-year-old girl with a rare condition that causes her to age rapidly. When her family relocates to a new town, Kimberly must navigate a new school, a new crush,

DON’T-MISS EVENTS

and family dysfunction as her health quickly deteriorates. $45+. Fisher Theatre, Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com

MARCH 13

COMEDY

Joe Gatto: Best known as a member of The Tenderloins, the hilarious improv group that helmed the hit TruTV reality show Impractical Jokers, this Staten Islandbased comedian, actor, and producer currently hosts the Two Cool Moms podcast with friend and fellow comedian Steve Byrne. His self-published 2020 book The Dogfather: My Love of Dogs, Desserts and Growing Up Italian details Gatto’s love for food, family, and his eight — yes, eight — rescue dogs. $55+. Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Detroit; musichall.org

MARCH 14-16

DANCE

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Founded in 1958 by legendary choreographer, dancer, and activist Alvin Ailey, this New York-based modern dance company aims to communicate

the lived experiences of Black Americans through stunning modern choreography. The institution has performed in 71 countries and was designated in 2008 as a “vital American cultural ambassador to the world” by the United States Congress. $30+. Detroit Opera House, Detroit; detroitopera.org

MARCH 19

MUSIC

Mary J. Blige: The Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actor, and superstar will promote her new album, Gratitude, when she heads out on her “For My Fans” tour with support from Ne-Yo and Mario. Blige was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame late last year, cementing the “Family Affair” singer’s status as a leading pioneer of hip-hop, soul, and

WETHINGTON

Save the dates for comedy shows, film screenings, performances, and more COMPILED BY LAUREN

R&B. $99.50+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

MARCH 22 COMEDY

Sebastian Maniscalco:

This prolific comedian and actor has performed on a seemingly endless list of late-night shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Conan, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Maniscalco’s knack for nostalgic storytelling, impeccable timing, and distinctive physical comedy have made him one of the most successful touring comedians of the last 10 years — he boasts more consecutive performances at Madison Square Garden than any other comedian. $39.50+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

Funny Women of a Certain Age: Veteran comedian Carole Montgomery noticed something upsetting over the course of her 40-year comedy career: It’s rare — even unheard of — to see two female comics in the same show. She resolved to change that by launching Funny Women of a Certain Age, a touring stand-up production that showcases the perspectives and voices of women over 50. Montgomery herself will perform when the show arrives at the Traverse City Comedy Festival on April 12, along with Julia Scotti and Leighann Lord.

Former middle school language arts teacher Julia Scotti appeared on the 11th season of America’s Got Talent in 2016 and has been performing stand-up comedy ever since. She was the first out transgender comedian to appear on national television, winning over judges and viewers with her emotional transparency, endearing honesty, and hilarious observations about daily life.

Comedian, writer, and actor Leighann Lord endured teasing and bullying for her West Indian heritage when she was a young child. She soon began cracking jokes at her own expense, intent on beating the bullies to the punch. As an adult, she took her comedy from clubs to the small screen, appearing on Lifetime’s Girls Night Out, HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, and Comedy Central’s Premium Blend. $40+. Traverse City Opera House, Traverse City; traverse citycomedyfest.com

See the Tony-winning musical Kimberly Akimbo at the Fisher Theatre March 11-23.

Leaps and Bounds

A

St. Clair County native’s Michigan roots help her soar as a principal at The National Ballet of Canada

BY OLIVIA SEDLACEK

GENEVIEVE PENN-NABITY has always loved pushing the limits of ballet. From a daredevil 11-year-old sliding across the stage en pointe at local dance competitions to a principal dancer at The National Ballet of Canada tackling everything from the daunting classics to cutting-edge contemporary works, the Casco native has retained her passion for threading the needle between tradition and innovation.

“I’ve always tried to break the boundaries, I guess — never status quo,” she says with a laugh about her childhood dancing.

That drive has led to her swift rise in the ballet world: At just 21 years old, she was promoted to the top rank at her prestigious Toronto company. In the nearly three years since, she’s debuted in a number of iconic roles, garnering rave reviews from critics. And she’s just getting started.

Penn-Nabity began dancing at 2 years old at the studio where her mom grew up dancing, Main Stage Center for the Arts in



Genevieve Penn-

something that’s different from ballet.”

With the company, she’s originated roles in works by world-renowned contemporary choreographers, including Wayne McGregor’s MaddAddam and Crystal Pite’s Angels’ Atlas. She was also selected to lead opening night of ballet legend Carlos Acosta’s production of Don Quixote last June. Despite the pressure, “it’s the most fun I’ve ever had onstage [in] a ballet,” she says. But her favorite role so far has been the one that led to her promotion to principal: the dual role of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake

After the last show of the season in June 2022, during the dancers’ bows, Artistic Director Hope Muir came out onstage, presumably to thank the audience. Instead, she announced Genevieve Penn-Nabity as the company’s newest principal dancer. PennNabity was stunned.

“I was like, ‘No way, this is not my dream coming true onstage with everybody, and my mom’s in the audience,’ and it was incredible.”

New Baltimore. Ballet always called to her, although she studied a variety of styles — jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary — and performed them at youth competitions around metro Detroit.

In 2015, at age 14, she attended Boston Ballet School’s summer intensive, where she fell in love with the discipline ballet required. The next year, she enrolled full time at Canada’s National Ballet School, the feeder school for The National Ballet of Canada. After two years, she graduated and was accepted directly into the company.

She says her background in competitive dance has given her an edge in her professional life, as ballet companies continue to expand their contemporary and modern repertoire.

In classical ballet, “you’re supposed to be in a box, for the most part,” she says. “I can adapt a little quicker and draw on my experience as a teen to help me when new choreographers come and want to create

This month, she’ll be reprising the part at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto on select dates March 8-22. It’s her first time revisiting a full-length principal role.

Farther into the future, she’d like to try her hand at the lead roles in all the “story” ballets — and perform with dancers around the world (she’s already been to London, Paris, and Tokyo with the school and company).

Overall, she wants to “keep digging artistically and finding myself in all of this. … I just want to keep dancing. There’s really not too much [else].”

Nabity, pictured with Spencer Hack (left) and Ben Rudisin (right), most enjoys dancing neoclassical works, like this one, Anima Animus, which combine elements of both contemporary and classical ballet.

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Penn-Nabity danced the lead role of Kitri on opening night of the National Ballet’s new production of Don Quixote

CAMPS

OUTRAGEOUS SUMMER SLEEPAWAYS

From exploring outer space to a stay in the Swiss Alps, these four camps offer extraordinary summer experiences for kids

BY HOUR DETROIT STAFF

SUMMER CAMP is a rite of passage for a lot of kids — but not every camp is the right fit for every kid. Where one child likes being outdoors, one may be interested in science, and for every kid interested in science, there’s one into art, travel, or something else. For parents of children looking for a more out-of-the-box summer camp experience, we offer details on four unique offerings around the world, beginning with one based in metro Detroit.

Tamarack Camps’ Travel Trips

This Oakland County camp — one of the oldest and largest Jewish camps in the world — offers local summer camp experiences divided by grade, as well as special “travel trips.” During these trips, teens entering grade 10 can participate in a fiveweek camping experience in the Western U.S., held June 18-July 29 and priced at $8,695, which includes trips to several state and national parks in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming and features white-water rafting, rock climbing, and backpacking. June 25-July 30, teens entering 11th grade can enjoy 48 days in Alaska, during which they will experience the Last Frontier by hiking the historic Klondike Gold Rush trail, climbing a glacier, fishing for salmon, visiting Banff and Jasper national parks, and more, and during a full summer session at Camp Maas, high school seniors can take a trip to Costa Rica this year for $8,695. In addition, Tamarack Camps offers outpost camps closer to home and its Yachad Inclusion Program for neurodivergent kids. Learn more at tamarackcamps.com.

Teens entering 11th grade can experience the Last Frontier during Tamarack Camps’ 48-day Alaskan travel trip, which takes place June 25-July 30 this year. 

Scouting America Family Adventure Camp

Thanks to Scouting America, the entire family can get in on the summer camp experience at Philmont Scout Ranch (the organization’s largest “national high-adventure base”) in New Mexico. Here, campers enjoy a wide variety of activities, including museum tours, hikes, live history sites, a climbing wall, a high ropes course, shooting sports, and so much more in the shadows of the mountains. Choose from a full week, priced $210-$495 per person, or a half-week for $105-$248 per person. For more information, visit philmontscoutranch.org.

Camp Kennedy Space Center Science, technology, engineering, and math take center stage during the five-day camp experiences offered at NASA’s launch headquarters in Florida. Kids ages 7-16 will participate in astronaut training and special missions including Mars habitation operations, simulated spaceflight, botany lab growth and harvesting, Mars rover robotics, and hands-on STEM challenges. They’ll even get the chance to explore the surface of Mars using virtual reality and check out some of the exhibits and attractions offered at

the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Camp Kennedy Space Center offers 10 five-day camps through Aug. 1 priced at $399 per camper. For more details, visit kennedyspacecenter.com.

Europe: Le Rosey Summer Camps

The Swiss boarding school Le Rosey hosts several fixed-duration camps for kids ages 8-16 at its Lake Geneva and Gstaad Mountain campuses as well as travel trips into the mountains along the sea.

The three-week Le Classique program focuses on the creative arts; the two-

to-three-week My Family program offers language classes, activities in the mountains, and the “Ultimate Adventure Week”; and the two-week Excellence Camp includes climbing, hiking, swimming, sailing, and cultural exploration.

Upon completing one of the summer camp programs, kids can also participate in the Chyulu Wilderness Camp in Kenya, where they will explore Africa and learn how animals can be preserved through ecotourism. Prices range from approximately $5,828 to $17,591 USD, depending on the camp. Visit roseysummer camps.ch for more.

Kids who attend Camp Kennedy Space Center can see attractions at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Private Schools & Summer Camps

 Academy of the Sacred Heart

Brookfield Academy - Troy Campus

Brother Rice High School

Hills brrice.edu

Cranbrook Schools Bloomfield Hills schools.cranbrook.edu

De La Salle Collegiate Warren delasallehs.com

 Detroit Catholic Central High School Novi catholiccentral.net

Diesel - UAW Child Development Center

Everest Collegiate High School and Academy Clarkston everestcatholic.org

Frankel Jewish Academy West Bloomfield frankelja.org

Arbor greenhillsschool.org

Grosse Pointe Academy Grosse Pointe Farmsgpacademy.org

We’re Honored:

“A Michigan Best Classic Restaurant”

“Top Pick” MICHELIN GREEN GUIDE

“2024 ‘Best of the Best’ Fine Dining Restaurant”

“Best Special Occasion Restaurant”

“What a wonderful dining experience! The food was wonderful and we had the best waitress ever! Great piano music by Joel. ~ J.W.” But we are most honored by our guests:

Food & Drink

CATERERS p. 68 ST. PATRICK’S DAY p. 70

RESTAURANT REPORT p. 71

RESTAURANT LISTINGS p. 79

CATERING

I WENT FOR THE FOOD

These caterers bring elevated dining to events p. 68 AN EPICUREAN’S GUIDE TO THE REGION’S DINING SCENE

PHOTO

CATERERS

Rethinking Fine Dining

Three local catering businesses that are elevating event cuisine

BY MICHELLE KOBERNICK

METRO DETROIT’S restaurants

aren’t the only places around to experience an elevated dinner prepared by a professional chef. In fact, the local catering world is full of high-caliber culinarians who can bring incredible fine-dining experiences to your wedding, a corporate event, or even the comfort of your home, making taste memories that linger long past dessert. Here are three local catering options sure to impress your guests.

Chartreuse

Kitchen & Cocktails

The legendary partnership between restaurateur Sandy Levine and chef Doug Hewitt (Freya, Dragonfly, Dirty Shake) started in 2015 with Midtown Detroit’s Chartreuse, an acclaimed eatery known for seasonal dishes in a shared-plates format. Hewitt’s innovative dishes are formed at the intersection of personal preferences, seasonality, and venue capabilities. Think spring basil ricotta agnolotti with

guanciale, pickled ramps, and hazelnuts, or a wintery short rib cassoulet with corn bread, horseradish, rémoulade, pickled beets, and charred fennel.

As for catering, the chefs accommodate off-site events for eight to 250 guests. Another option for parties of up to 80 is to rent out the whole restaurant. Some may find this option more economical, as it avoids expensive equipment rentals.

Pricing varies for private rentals, and meal formats include multicourse plated dinners, strolling dinners with hors d’oeuvres and food stations, or progressive tasting menus.

Semiprivate rentals for groups of up to 20 offer a three- or four-course dinner option. Pricing is determined by day of the week and final menu selection. Starting prices for semiprivate dinners are $75 per person for three courses or $85 for four, before beverages, tax, or gratuity.

Tomato soup with grilled cheese dunkers is a popular selection from Reva Constantine Events.

This Wagyu steak from Abode Fine Dining is served with puffed grain-crusted heirloom carrot, turnip, scallion, and beef verjus sauce.

Reva Constantine Events’ appetizers include smoked salmon on a scallion pancake with a lemon dill cream.

Reva Constantine Events

Reva Constantine-Smith is known for her deeply flavorful and creative reimagined old-school favorites that resonate with everyone. She uses everyday playful props like small metal pails to hold crudités or marble and gold shelving to feature cups of velvety tomato soup with grilled cheese dunkers, french-fry bars with endless dips, and takeout boxes of tempura cauliflower with sticky rice, pickled vegetables, and Korean barbecue glaze.

Her catering business, Reva Constantine Events, is the only Black-owned company on Rock Events’ preferred caterer list (which is very short). Other clients of hers include the Great Lakes Culinary Center, where she is the exclusive caterer, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

The Schoolcraft College grad founded the business in 2019, with husband and partner Elijah Smith, after holding executive chef positions at Villa Maria in West Bloomfield, Gravity Bar & Grill in Milford, and Joe’s Produce Gourmet Market in Livonia.

Constantine-Smith designs menus around your palate with a personal goal of exceeding your expectations. Her business can handle affairs of up to 600 guests.

Packages for plated, buffet, and family-style service range from $38 to $150 per person. Full-service events including servers, bartenders, and tableware are available.

Abode Fine Dining

Abode Fine Dining aims to bring a dining experience on par with Michelin standards to you. The company is best known for customized five-course tasting menus, which include an amuse-bouche and bread and coffee service. Chefs Mike Eckles and Marcus D’Onofrio source the highest-quality ingredients available, creating delicacies like homemade cavatelli with Maine lobster, Calabrian chile, and Parmesan, and Kaluga caviar with Hokkaido scallop, pickled ramp, chervil, and crème fraîche. Family-style platters include a lemon-saffron glazed

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From left: Abode Fine Dining chefs Mike Eckles and Marcus D’Onofrio.

From left: Reva Constantine Events chef and co-owner Elijah Smith, Reva ConstantineSmith, Ginina Barnett-Lee, Brandon Johnson, and Jessica Jorden.

king salmon, beef tenderloin with demiglace, seasonal vegetables, and herbroasted potatoes.

Eckles and D’Onofrio, both Michigan natives, met in the kitchen of Detroit’s acclaimed Coach Insignia. Eckles is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and D’Onofrio an alum of the former Art Institute of Michigan in Novi.

Working in high-end kitchens, they trained at notable restaurants like the Michelin-starred Yugen in Chicago, Birmingham’s Forest, and Selden Standard in Detroit. Eckles was also a top finalist on the 2023 Netflix cooking competition

Pressure Cooker

During the pandemic in 2020, Eckles started doing private in-home dinners, and D’Onofrio joined the business as a partner after the two worked several events together. Based on popular demand, it would later evolve into a catering service, earning a contract as the exclusive caterer for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Pricing is based on the number of guests and courses, making larger groups more affordable. Five-course tastings range from $175 to $300 per person, prix fixe dinners between $125 and $250 per person, and family-style meals from $50 to $150 per person. Bookings include all equipment, tableware, and staff.

DETROIT’S OLDEST

PARTY

Nancy Whiskey rose from the ashes to keep Corktown traditions alive BY MICKEY LYONS | PHOTOS BY REBECCA SIMONOV

“I HEARD A POW! Just a big pow!”

That’s what Gerald Stevens believes to have been an electrical fire sparking in the old reach-in coolers at Nancy Whiskey. Stevens recalls, “It was a crowded Saturday night. The band was going. We all looked at each other: ‘What was that?’”

Hours later, he would receive frantic calls from his tenants and longtime caretaker upstairs notifying him that his beloved bar was setting the early Sunday morning sky ablaze as more than 100 years of Corktown history drifted away in cinders.

Stevens almost didn’t rebuild. He thought about taking the insurance money and walking away, just four years after he’d inherited the bar from Nancy McNivenGlenn, a longtime family friend whom he affectionately calls his aunt, in 2005. He’d never planned to have the place anyway. “If you ever told me I would have owned a bar, I would have told you, ‘You’re crazy,’” he says. But Stevens couldn’t give up on the people who worked there, among them his daughter, his niece, and the neighborhood regulars who’d been coming in for as long as he could remember. The fire also happened a year to the day after he buried his father, so Stevens took it as a sign from the old man that it was

time to spruce up the old family bar.

The Redford resident is proud of what he rebuilt after the fire and that the reconstruction maintained some of the bar’s old characteristics, like the tin ceiling, redone with new tile to look as it did before, and the refurbished storied phone booth (more on that later), that visitors have enjoyed over the years. He’s also proud to rely on good old-fashioned Irish hospitality. Although he might not be able to offer the once-common free shot of Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey to first-timers, due to rising costs and an unfortunate few who took advantage of the tradition, Stevens is glad that, as he says, “I don’t have to entice people to come in. I’ve never had to spend a dime on advertising.”

Each March, the bar is especially packed with old-timers and newcomers celebrating the Detroit St. Patrick’s Parade, which takes place the Sunday before March 17, and St. Patrick’s Day itself. Nancy Whiskey is advertised by a large wooden sign as “Detroit’s oldest party,” commemorating the fact that it’s been hosting celebrations since 1902, when it switched from a corner store to a saloon.

Plenty of partiers since have hoisted a pint at Nancy. In past years, one even got his own

private phone box installed at the end of the bar. Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa — who later famously disappeared — made frequent stops in the years after he was elected to the leadership of the Teamsters Local 299 union in 1937, just a block away. Hoffa had previously used the public phone booth at the bar, but the bar eventually installed a box and phone for Hoffa’s sole use, “I think because he didn’t like too many people listening to what he was doing,” Stevens says.

From a private phone booth fit for a boss to a rowdy party celebrating all things Irish, Nancy Whiskey has seen it all in its century-plus. A pint of the brown and a pour of Tully at this Corktown staple are the perfect accompaniments to the bar’s storied history.

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This phone booth at the bar, originally built for Jimmy Hoffa, was refurbished after the 2009 fire.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY



Nancy Whiskey used to offer a free shot of Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey to first-timers.

RESTAURANT REPORT

WORD OF MOUTH

Our critic pays a visit to a Dearborn eatery his mechanic raved about BY

BY

DANNY PALUMBO | PHOTOS

JACOB LEWKOW

Dishes, clockwise from top left: flatbread, lamb haneeth, deli salad, fahsa, kebda, fatah with honey, lamb soup, lentil soup.

FINDING A GOOD mechanic — like finding a good hairstylist — is crucial to city living. You need someone dependable, honest, and unequivocally skilled at their job. My mechanic is all of those things — plus, he has great taste in food to boot.

Ali Alhumaidi is the owner-operator of In & Out Auto Repair on East Vernor Highway. Ali was born in Yemen, specifically the capital of Sanaa. He grew up in the Bronx before settling in Detroit around 2016. He carries with him some of that unmistakable New York swagger as he saunters around the premises with a type of big-city confidence. On most days, you’ll find him wearing kneepads and a backwards hat, and if you go to In & Out during lunchtime, you’ll probably see him and his crew chowing down on braised lamb and basmati rice in the garage.

That’s exactly where I found Ali and his mostly Yemeni staff enjoying such a meal — four men sitting on the cold concrete ground, digging into plates of lamb shanks

east side.

and fragrant rice spread out on a flattened cardboard box. When I came to pick up my truck, this potent smell had percolated through the entire garage. Gone were the mechanical scents of oil, machinery, tires, and gasoline — this space was now occupied by the aromas of Yemen.

I had to know where it came from.

“We try all of them,” Ali says about the Yemeni restaurants in Detroit. “And Sana’a is the best.”

That’s where Ali gets his lamb and rice — Sana’a, a restaurant in Dearborn that also shares a name with his birth city. I asked Ali how often he orders takeout from the restaurant. “Every day,” he responded casually.

In an industry that’s often dominated by the shiny new thing and who won what award, it’s refreshing to see somebody patronize a restaurant nearly every day of the week. It’s a rare kind of loyalty, but Ali and his staff simply aren’t sick of Sana’a no matter how often they eat it. Lamb and rice powers this auto shop on a daily basis.

“Go. Order the lamb haneeth,” Ali instructed me as he handed over the keys to my truck. “It’s unbelievable.” And so, I left the garage with a fully

functional Tacoma but also, more importantly, a new restaurant recommendation from my mechanic.

Sana’a is a warm, approachable restaurant, the type of place working-class Arab Americans frequent in Dearborn. The dining room consists of mostly booths usually occupied by locals — families with children eat together and men pop in during their lunch break, with lots of people coming in and out of the restaurant during bustling afternoon hours. On each of my three trips to Sana’a, the counter was tended by a different helpful, benevolent teenager.

As Ali promised, the lamb haneeth is indeed the star at Sana’a. Lamb shanks marinated in an array of traditional spices are roasted slowly on low heat so the meat falls off the bone. Fatty, meaty, and tender — the lamb possesses a succulent texture. The shanks get plopped down on a colorful bed of orange and yellow basmati rice and are served with a side of a spicy red salsa called zahawig.

SANA’A YEMENI CUISINE 13277 MICHIGAN AVE., DEARBORN 313-427-8424

Near the outskirts of the plate lie dried black lemons, a traditional Yemeni accompaniment. Incredibly



Alhumaidi and crew take a lunch break with a spread from Sana’a in Dearborn. It’s their daily go-to.

Ali Alhumaidi owns and operates In & Out Auto Repair on Detroit’s

pungent and tart, they serve as a strong accent to the meat and rice. Traditionally, it’s a dish eaten with one’s hands, but the restaurant also offers plastic cutlery.

With the lamb haneeth arrives an entire meal of accoutrements — a deli salad features iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, raw red onions, cucumbers, and an herby dressing that reads very much Italian. Hearty, turmeric-spiced lamb soup warms and brightens the meal, and puffy, toasted disks of flatbread are cooked in a tandoor and delivered directly to the table, perfect for ripping and dipping.

What else do Ali and his crew of wrenchwielding mechanics like to eat at Sana’a? He occasionally orders the fatah with honey — a soft, sticky, and sweet bread pudding-like dessert that features lots of honey butter.

The kebda amounts to a platter of marinated, sautéed lamb liver served with onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic. The lamb liver is marinated with plenty of warm spices, and the grilled onions add a layer of sweetness.

Fahsa is a dish that can be best described as shredded lamb dip: A bubbling pot of spiced lamb and aromatics is topped with creamy hulbah, a frothy condiment made from ground fenugreek seeds. The lamb is served piping hot in a clay pot — so hot that bits of lamb excitedly sizzle and caramelize right in front of your eyes. The savory, salty bits that develop around the edges of the pot are packed with flavor. Fahsa, like the lamb haneeth, is a must-order.

The only real miss I experienced on the menu was the foul. Finely mashed fava beans come in the same bubbling-hot clay pot, but the dish feels mostly bland. Olive oil heated to such a degree often leaves an acrid flavor. Still, the restaurant leaves its mark, and leaves it cheaply.

Aside from a friendly, helpful staff and stellar food, the portions and prices at Sana’a are downright gracious: The $27.99 lamb, rice, and choice of a soup or salad is easily a lunch for two. It’s a working-class meal through and through, the type of food capable of feeding Detroit’s hardworking citizens on a regular basis, as it does at In & Out Auto.

The

At a Glance:

Price: $ ($15-$20)

Vibes: Family restaurant, lunch

Service: Friendly, helpful

Sound level: Quiet to moderate

Dress code: Casual

Open: 7 days a week, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Reservations: Yes

Parking: Parking lot in the back or street

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

I went back to see Ali. This time not because something was wrong with my truck, but to thank him for the restaurant recommendation and also to find out why exactly — out of all the Yemeni restaurants around Detroit — he prefers this one.

“It smells like Yemen,” he says fondly of the restaurant, while also reminiscing about his home country. Then, “The people. They’re kind; they make you feel at home.”

It’s 11 a.m., near lunchtime, and soon Ali and his crew will be indulging in Sana’a’s lamb haneeth. The smells of roasted lamb shank and basmati rice will waft through the garage, and I imagine other customers will become enraptured by it, too. Perhaps they’ll even be curious enough to ask what restaurant the food comes from.

Listen to food critics, sure — but it never hurts to take a restaurant recommendation from your mechanic, either.



Warm cardamomspiced Adeni tea is a Yemeni tradition.

Kebda and lamb haneeth sizzle in hot sauté pans on the line kitchen at Sana’a.

crispy flatbread is cooked in a tandoor and accompanies entrées like the lamb haneeth.

HAND SURGERY

Avery Arora, M.D.

Avery Arora, M.D.

Anna Babushkina, M.D.

Henry Ford Health

Andrew Baron, M.D.

Henry Ford Hospital

Ara N. Bush, M.D.

Hand Surgery Associates of Michigan, P.C.

Jeremy R. Ciullo, M.D.

Michigan Surgery Specialists, P.C.

Kirk Cleland, M.D.

St. Clair Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Alexander J. Colen, D.O.

Hand Surgery Associates of Michigan, P.C.

Charles S. Day, M.D., MBA

Henry Ford Hospital

James Dietz, M.D.

St. Clair Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Christina Endress, M.D.

Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

John A. Gorski, M.D.

Michigan Surgery Specialists, P.C.

Jean-Paul Guiboux, M.D.

Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

E. Aron L. Haass, D.O., FACOS

Michigan Surgery Specialists, P.C.

Fred M. Hankin, M.D.

Trinity Health IHA Medical Group

Elizabeth A. King, M.D.

Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine

John S. Papakonstantinou, M.D.

Michigan Orthopaedic & Spine Surgeons

Jeffrey D. Placzek, M.D.

Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

Michael Quinn, M.D.

Bloomfield Hand Specialists

» Top Orthopedic Surgeons

Jason Samona, D.O.

Jason Samona, D.O.

Richard M. Singer, M.D.

Hand Surgery Associates of Michigan, P.C.

Gregory Sobol, M.D.

Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

Brett Wiater, M.D.

Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

HAND SURGERY – PEDIATRIC

Heather Lochner, M.D.

Children’s Hospital of Michigan

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

William Brian Acker II, M.D.

Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

Hassan Alosh, M.D.

Corewell Health, Trinity Health, UnaSource Surgery

Sean F. Bak, M.D. Motor City Orthopedics

Trevor R. Banka, M.D.

Henry Ford Medical Center

Shariff K. Bishai, D.O., M.S., FAOAO, FAANA, FAAOS

Detroit Orthopaedic Institute, P.L.L.C.

Matthew Caid, D.O.

Advanced Orthopedic Specialists, P.C.

Michael A. Charters, M.D. Henry Ford Hospital

Christopher Cooke, M.D. DMC Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Jeffrey H. DeClaire, M.D., FAAOS Michigan Knee Institute

Timothy Doig, D.O. Great Lakes Orthopaedics

Paul J. Drouillard, D.O.

Great Lakes Orthopaedics

Eddie El-Yussif, D.O.

Henry Ford Macomb Orthopedics

Erik B. Eller, M.D.

Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine

Laith Farjo, M.D.

Advanced Orthopedic Specialists, P.C.

Nicholas B. Frisch, M.D. University Orthopaedic Specialists

Todd Frush, M.D. Motor City Orthopedics

Perry Greene, M.D. Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

Stuart T. Guthrie, M.D.

Henry Ford Hospital

William M. Hakeos, M.D.

Henry Ford Hospital

Derek L. Hill, D.O.

Hill Orthopedics

Joseph J. Hoegler, M.D.

Henry Ford Hospital

David Knesek, D.O.

Motor City Orthopedics

Robert B. Kohen, M.D.

Robert B. Kohen, M.D.

Nathan Marshall, M.D. University Orthopaedic Specialists

Jeffrey D. Mendelson, M.D. Synergy Health Partners Physical & Occupational Therapy

Robert Mihalich, M.D. Advanced Orthopedic Specialists, P.C.

Marc J. Milia, M.D., CAQ

Marc Milia, M.D.

Michael P. Mott, M.D.

Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital Clinics

Vasilios Moutzouros, M.D.

Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine

Hassan Alosh, M.D.

A board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Hassan Alosh says that by the time patients come to his office, they often know what treatment or procedure they want. “My approach is to acknowledge that every patient is the captain of their ship, and my job is to give the information needed to make the best decision as an individual,” says Dr. Alosh, an expert in minimally invasive joint reconstruction and replacement.

With a medical degree from Johns Hopkins University, residency at the University of Pennsylvania, and additional fellowship training at Rush University Medical Center, Dr. Alosh credits his mother, a physical therapist, for inspiring him. “She derived a lot of joy getting her patients back on their feet,” he says.

What fascinated Dr. Alosh about orthopedics was the ability to take someone with a condition limiting their mobility and get them moving again in a short span of time. “Joint replacement — especially with the advances we have made in minimally invasive surgery — is one of the few times in medicine where we can restore a patient’s quality of life,” says Dr. Alosh, whose main domains include muscle-sparing anterior hip replacement, muscle-sparing knee replacement, and robotic surgery. “I recognize that what I do is routine, but it is never routine to the patient. This is a single life-changing moment, and I am very transparent with giving options and letting them make the decision.”

Dr. Alosh is often called upon for complex cases, such as one early in his career when a 26-year-old born without hip joints was referred to him. “His X-ray was pretty shocking, but he ended up getting both hips replaced and was able to get on with his life as a father of six and full-time chef,” says Dr. Alosh, also a father of six. “That was so rewarding and fortuitous to happen early in my career.” ■

Hassan Alosh, M.D.

30575 Woodward Ave. Royal Oak, MI 48073

248-280-8550

miorthosurgeons.com/doctors/hassan-alosh-md and aloshorthopedics.com

Stephanie J. Muh, M.D.

MI Shoulder, P.L.C.

Kerellos Nasr, M.D.

DMC Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Richard T. Perry, M.D.

St. Clair Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

David W. Prieskorn, D.O.

Orthopedic Surgery Specialists, P.L.L.C.

Diana R. Silas, D.O.

Motor City Orthopedics

Richard M. Singer, M.D.

Michigan Surgery Specialists, P.C.

Michael A. Yusaf, M.D.

Center for Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Christopher N. Zingas, M.D.

St. Clair Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY –PEDIATRIC

Ahmed A. Bazzi, D.O.

Children’s Hospital of Michigan

Radomir Dimovski, M.D.

Children’s Hospital of Michigan

Christopher Minnock, M.D.

Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

Jeffrey Settecerri, M.D.

Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

Steven Slotkin, M.D.

Children’s Hospital of Michigan

Walid Yassir, M.D.

Children’s Hospital of Michigan

Ira Zaltz, M.D.

Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION

Tamara Acho, M.D.

Michigan Rehabilitation Physicians, P.L.L.C.

» Top Orthopedic Surgeons

Shawn Achtman, D.O.

Specialists in Rehabilitation Medicine, P.C.

Steven Arbit, M.D.

Specialists in Rehabilitation Medicine, P.C.

Dennis A. Bandemer Jr., D.O.

Rehabilitation Physicians, P.C.

Susan Barnes, D.O.

Clarkston Pain & Rehab

Moussa Bazzi, M.D.

Moussa S. Bazzi, M.D.

Christopher J. Bill, M.D.

Great Lakes Physiatrists, P.C.

Jonathan D. Carrier, D.O.

Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine

Leila Ettefagh, M.D.

The CORE Institute

Elizabeth Hall, M.D.

Rehabilitation Physicians, P.C.

Ghada M. Hanna, M.D.

Oakland Physical Medicine

Craig Hysni, M.D.

Specialists in Rehabilitation Medicine, P.C.

Eric Kovan, D.O.

Restorative Physical Medicine

Thomas Nabity, M.D.

Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine, P.L.L.C.

Chijioke C. Nwagwu, D.O.

Rehabilitation Physicians, P.C.

Justin C. Riutta, M.D.

LMT Rehabilitation Associates

Timothy Sesi, M.D.

Oakland Physiatry

Karine Yu, D.O.

St. Clair Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Ritu N. Zacharias, M.D.

Henry Ford Hospital

SPORTS MEDICINE

William Brian Acker II, M.D.

Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

Mark Bergin, M.D.

St. Clair Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Christopher Cooke, M.D.

DMC Specialists in Orthopedic Surgery

Andrew K. Cunningham, M.D.

Henry Ford Hospital

Timothy M. Dekker, M.D.

University Orthopaedic Specialists

Nicholas Dutcheshen, M.D. Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

Michael J. Ellenberg, M.D.

Rehabilitation Physicians, P.C.

Joseph Guettler, M.D. Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons

Sadiq Haque, D.O. DMC Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Brandon Kakos, M.D. DMC Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Patricia A. Kolowich, M.D.

Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine

T. Sean S. Lynch, M.D.

Henry Ford Medical Center

Nicholas Moore, M.D. Motor City Orthopedics

John Morasso, D.O. DMC Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Vasilios Moutzouros, M.D. Henry Ford Medical Center

David W. Prieskorn, D.O. Orthopedic Surgery Specialists, P.L.L.C.

Ramsey Shehab, M.D.

Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine

Jeffrey Zacharias, M.D.

Corewell Health Orthopedics

Michigan Knee Institute Orthopedic Knee Specialist

Dr. Jeffrey H. DeClaire, a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic knee specialist, as well as division chief of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and director of the Adult Reconstructive and Joint Replacement Program of Henry Ford Rochester Hospital, is at the forefront of knee surgery innovation at the Michigan Knee Institute in Rochester Hills, Michigan. With over 30 years of experience and more than 1,000 knee surgeries performed annually, Dr. DeClaire is dedicated to restoring mobility and improving the quality of life for his patients.

One of Dr. DeClaire’s most notable contributions to the field is the development of the groundbreaking Elite Knee procedure. is cutting-edge technique combines robotic technology with computergenerated imaging to create a personalized and precise surgical approach. By utilizing a digital ligament-tensioning device, Dr. DeClaire ensures optimal implant positioning and ligament balance, resulting in more successful knee replacements. e outcomes speak for themselves — patients undergoing the Elite Knee procedure report a remarkable 97% satisfaction rate compared with 81% for traditional techniques.

Dr. DeClaire’s expertise extends to his role in pioneering the clinical use of a newly developed MC tibial insert with a unique robotic-assisted platform. is innovative combination enables surgeons to replicate natural knee kinematics, ensuring balance and stability throughout a full range of motion. By tailoring procedures to each patient’s unique anatomy, Dr. DeClaire achieves superior outcomes, further cementing his reputation as a leader in orthopedic surgery.

e Michigan Knee Institute, under Dr. DeClaire’s guidance, offers a comprehensive range of state-ofthe-art treatments, including outpatient knee replacements, cartilage restoration, and minimally invasive procedures. Supported by a skilled team of medical professionals, Dr. DeClaire ensures every patient receives personalized care tailored to their needs.

rough his commitment to innovation and excellence, Dr. Jeff rey H. DeClaire continues to shape the future of knee surgery, empowering patients to regain their active lifestyles. ■

Michigan Knee Institute

1135 W. University Drive, Suite 450 Rochester Hills, MI 48307 248-650-2400 | michiganknee.com

Photo by Brad Ziegler

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)

PHOTO BY REBECCA SIMONOV

Ingredients

2 ounces cristalino tequila

1 ounce green juice (homemade, or a store-bought juice like Naked’s Green Machine or V8’s Deliciously Green)

1/2 ounce simple syrup

1/2 ounce lime juice

Fresh mint, for garnish

Directions

1. In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake all ingredients vigorously.

2. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish with a few sprigs of fresh mint.

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.

$

Folk $

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 a delicious dinner spot you don’t want to miss and an unassuming Latin-American find in Detroit’s Springwells Village. 1312 Springwells St., Detroit; 313-297-2360. L,D Tue.-Sun.

El Barzon

$$$

MEXICAN-ITALIAN • Norberto Garita prepares Italian and Mexican cuisines alongside his wife, Silvia Rosario Garita. Authentic Mexican entrees include 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.

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 

Freya

2024

$$$$

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, as well as 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. Mike Conrad’s menu ranges from succulent skewers of octopus or swordfish to saffron rice in an aromatic sofrito. You’ll find 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.

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 features 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; 313-270-9600. 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 

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 dryaged 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

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

$

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. Other offerings include sausage, house-made pastas, and dishes with a spicy kick like the shrimp diavolo. Start with a premium Italian wine or a playful cocktail like the refreshingly minty Margarita Italia, which substitutes orangecello for the typical Cointreau. Reservations are required. 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.

Seva Detroit $$ VEGETARIAN • Seva offers such dishes as black bean and sweet potato quesadillas, gluten-free options, and colorful stir-fries — some vegan as well as vegetarian. There’s also a full bar and a juice bar. 2541 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-662-1111. 66 E. Forest Ave., Detroit; 313974-6661. L,D Mon.-Sat.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2020

SheWolf Pastificio & Bar

$$$

ITALIAN • Chef Anthony Lombardo takes fresh and housemade to a new level with this Midtown restaurant that serves only dinner from a menu inspired by Italian cooking specific to Rome. Milling all of his own flour for his pastas, breads, and polenta in house, Lombardo, well known as the former executive chef at Bacco, serves a selection of simple but elegant regional Italian dishes. 438 Selden St., Detroit; 313-315-3992. D Tue.-Sun

$$$$

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

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

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, which is now home to not only the bistro, but also City Club Apartments. Classic French fare (with some modern twists) such as seared foie gras mousse; Henri Maire escargots (wild Burgundy snails, garlic butter fondue, parsley, Pernod, and profiteroles); and bouillabaisse provence (seafood stew with shrimp, scallops, lobster, mussels, saffron broth, croustade, and rouille) typify the menu. The large, yearround open-air outdoor patio offers stunning panoramic views of the Detroit skyline and Grand Circus Park. There’s also a neighborhood market where customers can grab groceries and gourmet packaged meals on the go. 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-yearold process used to turn corn into workable masa, which is used to create tortillas. 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, mismatched chairs, and a colorful, geometric paint job. And the food is just as bold. The restaurant serves up piquant dishes like Lemon Pepper Jerk Chicken. 6500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-334-6099. 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.

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 

Café Cortina

2003

$$$

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 Hospitality with a trendier, fresher look. The warm, homey feel is still intact, but it’s ditched the old menu for — among other things — chef Zack 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

$$

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

$$

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-ser-

vice 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-to-table 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, 248-369-3360. 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; 248-288-4858. 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; 248-398-0444. 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 recognized 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; 734905-7994. 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 duckfat 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 mixeduse 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

ALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS’ 2025 ROLE MODEL CELEBRATION

March 6, 6 to 9 p.m.

alternativesforgirls.org

Founded in 1987, Alternatives for Girls supports girls and young women in southwest Detroit, helping those facing homelessness and risks to avoid violence, early pregnancy, and exploitation. The organization provides shelter, prevention, outreach, and housing stability. The Role Model Celebration, AFG’s largest fundraising event since 1989, celebrates extraordinary women and the young women AFG serves. The 2025 celebration, scheduled for March 6 in honor of International Women’s Day, will feature live and silent auctions, role model tributes, and testimonials.separately. Dress code is black tie. Tickets are $325 and can be purchased at thechildrenscenter.com/autoglow-2025

THE GREAT BIG AUCTION

March 20, 6 to 9 p.m.

bbbssoutheastmi.org/great-big-auction

UNITED WAY FOR SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN’S WOMEN OF INFLUENCE SUMMIT

March 14, 8 to 11 a.m. unitedwaysem.org

The Women of Influence Summit is one of United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s most highly anticipated events, and it is one of the largest women’s events in metro Detroit. Hosted by Women United, United Way’s philanthropic group, this event raises vital funds to support early education initiatives and youth programs focused on STEM and literacy. Since its launch in 2017, the Women of Influence Summit has raised more than $1.6 million to benefit children, families, and caregivers across the community.

FRIENDS’ BALL

April 5, 5 to 11 p.m.

henryford.com/ development/ways/ events/friends-ball

Join Henry Ford Health on April 5 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi for the Friends’ Ball! This year’s proceeds will support digestive health at Henry Ford Providence Southfield Hospital and Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital — funding advanced equipment to treat digestive diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BIRMINGHAM, MI, LITTLE BLACK DRESS BRUNCH

The Great Big Auction is a sports-themed night of fun and philanthropy in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan, whose mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. The event will take place Thursday, March 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the historic and iconic Cambria Hotel in downtown Detroit. The VIP experience starts at 5:30 p.m. at Five Iron Golf inside the Cambria Hotel. Guests can expect great food and fabulous drinks, an online silent auction (guests don’t need to be present to participate) and a thrilling live auction, a Golden Draft raffle drawing, BBBS Champions, proathlete appearances, networking opportunities, and more. The event will be emceed by CBS News Detroit anchor Lauren Winfrey. The Great Big Auction is a curated event in partnership with Be a Part of Me Consulting.

April 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. birminghammi.jl.org

The Junior League of Birmingham, MI, will host its seventh annual Little Black Dress brunch on April 5 at The Community House in Birmingham.

Originating in 2014 through the Junior League of London, the Little Black Dress Initiative has grown into a global movement. This weeklong awareness and fundraising campaign highlights the challenges poverty imposes on choices, opportunities, and access to resources.

Members wear black for an entire week to raise awareness about women in crisis or poverty who cannot afford to purchase different outfits to wear every day. JLB volunteer members will wear black for one week in March to solicit pledges. On April 5, they will come together with members of the community for an educational brunch with speakers and a silent auction to raise funds in support of the JLB.

FOURTH ANNUAL IN THE SPIRITS OF INFERTILITY GALA

April 12, 6 to 10 p.m.

choseninfertility.com

Chosen Fertility Group invites the community to the fourth annual In the Spirits of Infertility Gala, a Motown-themed event supporting individuals and families facing fertility challenges. The gala will take place at the Suburban Collection Showplace and feature live music, catered dining, and fundraising for an incredible cause. Guests can enjoy a $150 ticket package that includes two drink tickets, a catered meal, and access to a silent auction, all set to the iconic sounds of Motown.

More than 1.5 million Americans have IBD, often creating a significant societal burden. Colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., is increasingly found in younger adults but is preventable and treatable with early screening. Nearly 100 million ambulatory care visits are made annually for digestive issues, affecting many lives and resources. Attendees’ support will help expand and enhance the hospitals’ digestive health programs and ensure acquisition of the critical diagnostic, therapeutic, and surveillance equipment needed to save lives, led by Dr. E. Drelichman.

WHISKEY CLASSIC GROSSE POINTE

March 21 , 6 to 10:30 p.m.

WhiskeyClassicGP.com

Indulge in an unforgettable evening featuring a curated selection of 75-plus whiskeys, bourbons, and craft cocktails from local distilleries in Michigan, across the country, and around the globe. Explore the historic War Memorial and Alger House throughout your sampling experience.Wine lovers and those who enjoy a variety of tequila, gin, and vodka cocktails will not be disappointed! Sip and enjoy floor-toceiling views of Lake St. Clair!

Tickets include general admission, VIP, and High Roller. High Rollers will enjoy Monte Carlo–style blackjack, roulette, craps, and Texas Hold’em for fun and prizes as well as access to the mobile Cigar Lounge.

Enjoy live music by Cosmic Groove, Detroit’s favorite high-energy cover band. An elegant variety of food will be available for purchase.

A portion of the proceeds will support the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, adding a meaningful touch to this extraordinary gathering. For sponsorship inquiries, email Sponsorship@ DetroitSocialEvents.com.

Bellisario Florist

Third-generation family business offers full-service event planning

The Bellisario family operates its floral and special events business out of a 10,000-square-foot warehouse and showroom in Eastpointe, but in the late 1940s, the floral shop was in Grandma’s basement on Detroit’s east side.

“My dad, Peter Bellisario, started a floral business in the house he lived in when he was 17. He had two refrigerators and went door-to-door to sell and book weddings,” says Ralph Bellisario, who operates Bellisario Florist along with his mother, Lorraine; his niece Jennie; his sister Josie; and staff.

Peter and his wife, Lorraine, built the business while raising a family, and more than 75 years later, it is still a family business. “We have second and third generations of families now. My grandfather did flowers for the grandmother’s wedding, then confirmations, graduations, and her daughter’s wedding, and now we are planning her granddaughter’s wedding,” Jennie says. “It’s very satisfying.”

What hasn’t changed at all is the personalized service that’s offered. Ralph and Jennie book every special occasion and oversee every event. Although they have a team of designers and work with the best local vendors, Ralph or Jennie always ensures that a client’s day is perfect.

The only thing that has changed in 75 years is that Bellisario now offers full planning services in addition to being a full-service florist. “When a bride comes to us, we can get the flowers, linens, chairs, tables, fine china, flatware, whatever she needs. There’s no need to go from place to place,” Ralph says.

Jennie says most brides come in with a vision or inspiration — either colors they like or magazine pictures — and Bellisario takes it from there. All that’s needed is the budget to work within, and the work is done.

“A lot of florists and planners have a minimum, but we don’t. We will plan from small to elaborate and keep it within budget,” Ralph says.

Keeping ahead of trends is something the Bellisario family knows customers appreciate. Bellisario will design your event like no other, whether it’s ultramodern, over-the-top luxurious, or the simple elegance of fine china on wood tables. In addition to weddings, Bellisario is known for its work at corporate events, showers, holiday parties, televised appearances, and the North American International Auto Show. They cover the entire tri-country area and also do

many out-of-town destination weddings.

For brides who know exactly what they want, the reviews often sound like this: “I cannot thank you enough for the beautiful flowers you put together for our wedding. I got so many compliments. I really appreciate all the time and effort you took to meet with me, along with emails, texts, and pictures to make sure everything was just right. You went above and beyond, and I will never forget you!”

Bellisario Florist

23420 Gratiot Ave., Eastpointe, MI 48021 586-773-7070 | bellisarioflorist.com (By Appointment)

Photo by Blaine Siesser Photography

Detroit Heart Ball

PHOTOS BY KEVIN BEAN

THE 2024 Detroit Heart Ball, held at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, raised money for the American Heart Association and its work saving lives from heart disease through research, prevention services, and more. The formal affair kicked off with a cocktail hour followed by dinner, live entertainment, live auctions, and private museum access. For more information, visit heart.org

1. Aimee Zimmerman, Dan Butler 2. Brandi and Juan Rojas 3. Jason McKelvey, Dr. Randy Lieberman, Dana Jacober, Francesca LoChirco, Dr. Gary Edelson 4. Grace, Adin, and Anjini Chaddha 5. Rachael Labarre, Cathy Homeszyn 6. Elyse and Eric Frehsée 7. Candice Goerger, Stephanie and Charles Hong 8. Jon and Nina Byrne 9. Justin Armstrong, Sam Huxley, Luai Madanat 10. Darrin and Nicole Thomas, Dr. Gary Edelson, Laura Friedman, Howie and Lisa Niskar, Karen and Kevin Thomas

Hob Nobble Gobble

PHOTOS BY ANDREA STINSON

THE 2024 installment of the annual Hob Nobble Gobble blacktie fundraiser was presented by Ford Motor Co. at Ford Field on the Friday preceding Thanksgiving. As in previous years, the event was a mixture of holiday glamour and family fun from end zone to end zone. The festivities included a carnival midway, food buffets with a variety of cuisine, a desserts bar, and live entertainment. This year’s headliner was T.I. As always, proceeds from the event went to support The Parade Co.’s production of America’s Thanksgiving Parade. Learn more at theparade.org.

1. Chuck Bennett, Danialle Karmanos 2. Chris Fields, Lynn Sebastian, Maurice Edwards 3. Alexa Stanard, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Tony Michaels 4. Ian Conyers, Dr. Kimberly Nettles 5. Char Yates, Dan Carmody 6. Dee Dee and Takai Taggart 7. Detroit Lions Roary, Jaydin Blackwell 8. Helen Morse, Michael Parisi 9. Christina Lovio-George, Rod and Tammy Alberts, Claude Molinari, Kelly Nelson Molinari 10. Jim Stapleton, Carol King, Jason Andrade

THURSDAY | JUNE 26, 2025

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The Way It Was

SEVENTY YEARS AGO, Detroit demonstrated that achieving both urban renewal and historic preservation was possible.

To make way for a new civic center development while the since-demolished Ford Auditorium (left) was being constructed, over a four-month period, the 6 million-ton Mariners’ Church (center) was moved 800 feet eastward on a complex arrangement of steel rollers to the current location next to the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel entrance. Its original location was near the Vernors bottling plant on Woodward Avenue south of Jefferson Avenue.

The Gothic revival limestone church was dedicated in 1849 as a free nondenominational place of worship for transient sailors pursuant to the will of Julia Ann Anderson, the widow of Fort Detroit commander Col. John Anderson. For years, its doors were kept open by renting out the bottom floor to retail tenants.

Originally, plans were to raze the church to build the civic center; however, a fundraising campaign led by Detroit News writer and church trustee George W. Stark saved the historic structure. During the excavation, a bricked-up tunnel used by runaway slaves as part of the Underground Railroad was discovered in the basement. With money left over from the relocation fundraising effort, stained-glass windows and a bell tower were added and dedicated in 1957.

In 1976, Canadian troubadour Gordon Lightfoot released the ballad “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” about the ship’s 1975 sinking, whose lyrics include: “In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed / In the Maritime Sailors’ Cathedral / The church bell chimed till it rang 29 times / For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.”

Every year in November, to mark the anniversary of the tragedy, a special service is held there.

Today, Mariners’ Church continues to offer services following the Anglican tradition without requiring membership. —Bill Dow

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