METRO INTELLIGENCER Metro Intelligencer is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening on the restaurant scene in the metro Detroit area. Metro Intelligencer is reported/created each month by Dana Casadei who can be reached at DanaCasadei@DowntownPublications.com with news items or tips, on or off the record.
Keep coming as you are If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it, seems to be the motto for new C.A.Y.A. owners Damian and Dianna Knight and Jami and Brandon Blanchard. “We’re gonna keep it pretty much the same as what it is,” said Damian, the restaurant’s new general manager. “I want to take the core that it is, the smokehouse grill, and just expand it.” The restaurant – 1403 S. Commerce Road, Wolverine Lake – had been previously owned by Executive Chef Jeff Rose and his business partners Richard and Rachel Mandell since it opened in 2013. Damian said about 90 percent of the smokehouse menu stayed the same but they did make small changes, like the addition of french fries. In addition, burgers are now made in-house, and instead of the entire menu being a la carte, they are now offering entrees with two sides available for guests. They have also started to implement live music during the week, with plans for a Sunday jazz brunch.
Local deli offering After success with his deli in Okemos and a move to Birmingham, owner and manager Spencer Soka decided it was time to open a Stateside Deli on this side of the state. Located at 653 S. Adams Road, Birmingham, the new deli is in the former home of the Village Coney Island, with plans to open in March. Soka said they refurbished the entire space with the addition of new walls, floor, and booths to give it an upgrade. As far as the menu goes, people can expect a similar one to their other location, with corned beer, pastrami, and breakfast sandwiches on the menu. There’s also plenty of vegetarian options and gluten-free bread, as well as classic matzo ball soup. The Birmingham location will have the addition of new two breakfast sandwiches. “I really love Birmingham,” Soka said. “I hope the service is excellent and that people enjoy the place and the quality.”
Royal Oak smokehouse How does it feel for Brown Iron Brewhouse co-owner Patti Eisenbraun to finally have their Royal Oak location open? “It’s such a weight off of us because we’re not a chain, we’re three individuals,” said Eisenbraun, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Tim, and partner Deni Smiljanovski. “It’s a labor of love to do this because we love this.” The new location, 30955 Woodward Avenue Suite 510, Royal Oak, opened in March and has what Patti called a sister menu to their Washington Township location. With a 750pound smoker working overtime, guests will still find smoked salmon, bacon, pulled pork, and beer can chicken, along with more vegan and gluten-free options, and pasta dishes offerings that incorporate burnt end bolognese pasta, vegan mushroom gnocchi, and smoked chicken tortellini. Over 60 taps will rotate and they are currently in the licensing process to get Brown Iron brews – made at their brewery in Washington Township, which was just named Best Craft Beer bar in Michigan for the fifth year in a row by CraftBeer.com – to Royal Oak.
More Frita Batidos For those craving Frita Batidos, they’ll now have an outside option to enjoy the Cuban-inspired street food, out of an Airstream trailer in Cass Corridor by the Midtown Detroit Dog Park. A pop-up in February served as their literal cold opening and chef/owner Eve Aronoff said there are plans to be in the same spot come spring. “It’s not a very easy thing to move...it took us awhile to get parked,” laughed Aronoff, who was inspired to open the Airstream trailer by her college years working as a hot dog vendor outside Fenway Park. “Now that we’re there, we’re ready to be there.” The menu will have items from their Ann Arbor and Detroit locations, and offer at least three different kinds of their famous fritas and batidos, leaving room for the occasional
248.689.2332. Morton’s, The Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.404.9845. NM Café: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.816.3424. Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200. Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500. Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. 3303 Rochester Rd., Troy, 48085. 248.524.1944. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000. Recipes: American/Brunch. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 134 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48037. 248.659.8267. Also 2919 Crooks Road, Troy, 48084. 248.614.5390. Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266. Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424. Silver Spoon: Italian. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6830 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester, 48306. 248.652.4500. Steelhouse Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1129 E. Long Lake Rd., Troy, 48085. 248.817.2980. Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.453.5291.
West Bloomfield/Southfield Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.356.6600. Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680. Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034. The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.626.2982. The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.851.8782. Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081. Meriwether’s: Seafood. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 25485 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, 48034. 248.358.1310. Nonna Maria’s: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake
Road, West Bloomfield, 48323. 248.851.2500. Pickles & Rye: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890. Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463. Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500. Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.626.8585. Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248. 538.8954. Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622. Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.8282.
West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean. Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday, Dinner. Reservations. Liquor. 340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381. 248.684.4223. It's A Matter of Taste: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce, 48390. 248.360.4150. The Root Restaurant & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake, 48390. 248.698.2400. Volare Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.960.7771.
North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 54 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.620.6100. Holly Hotel: American. Afternoon Tea, Monday – Saturday, Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 110 Battle Alley, Holly, 48442. 248.634.5208. Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346. 248.795.2077. The Fed: American. Lunch and Dinner daily, Brunch, Saturday and Sunday. Liquor. 15 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346. 248.297.5833 Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500. Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday – Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.625.5660
Detroit Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2684 E. Jefferson, Detroit, 48207.