Hour Detroit | December 2023

PISTONS PROFILE

HOUR DETROIT

JALEN DUREN

ANNIVERSARY

LEGAL WEED

RESTAURANT REPORT

GASTRO-HOTELS

e d i u G t f i G DECEMBER 2023

GIFT GUIDE 12.23 H O U R D E T R O I T. C O M

$5.95, DEC. 2023 HOURDETROIT.COM

HOLIDAY EVENTS 4O+ THINGS TO DO IN DETROIT, THE REGION, AND BEYOND THIS SEASON

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D E T R O I T

VOLUME TWENTY EIGHT | ISSUE TWELVE PUBLISHER: Jason Hosko EDITORIAL EDITOR: Kate Walsh DIGITAL EDITOR: Christina Clark ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Jack Thomas EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Juliana Lumaj COPY EDITOR: Olivia Sedlacek CONTRIBUTORS: Ric Bohy, Bill Dow, Patrick Dunn, Paris Giles, Joe LaPointe, Mickey Lyons, Jenn McKee, Megan Swoyer, Cambrey Thomas, Dana White, Khristi Zimmeth DESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Lindsay Richards SENIOR PRODUCTION ARTIST: Stephanie Daniel JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR: Steven Prokuda GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Keagan Coop, Kathryn Dave CONTRIBUTORS: Rachel Idzerda, Justin Milhouse, Chuk Nowak, Sal Rodriguez, Rebecca Simonov, Joe Tiano, Brad Ziegler SALES DIGITAL SALES LEAD: Scott Drummond ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Cynthia Barnhart, Karli Brown, Cathleen Francois, Donna Kassab, Lisa LaBelle, Mary Pantely & Associates, Jessica VanDerMaas PRODUCTION PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Jenine Knox SENIOR PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Jill Berry PRODUCTION ARTIST: Jonathan Boedecker ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: Amanda Kozlowski GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jim Bibart IT IT DIRECTOR: Jeremy Leland VIDEO GENERAL MANAGER: Nick Britsky VIDEO PRODUCER: Nicole Toporowski VIDEOGRAPHER: Heather Moody DIGITAL DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY: Travis Cleveland DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Matt Cappo SR. DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: Luanne Lim DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: Jim Bowser DIGITAL MEDIA ASSISTANT: Robyn Banks CIRCULATION CIRCULATION MANAGER: Riley Meyers CIRCULATION COORDINATORS: David Benvenuto, Susan Combs, Cathy Krajenke, Rachel Moulden, Michele Wold MARKETING & EVENTS MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER: Jodie Svagr MARKETING & EVENTS COORDINATOR: Jaime Presnail COMMUNICATIONS & PR LEAD: Regan Wright MARKETING & EVENTS INTERN: Josephine Smith MARKETING RESEARCH MARKETING RESEARCH DIRECTOR: Sofia Shevin MARKETING RESEARCH COORDINATORS: Alyssa Fueri, Kristin Mingo MARKETING RESEARCH SALES COORDINATOR: Alexandra Thompson MARKETING RESEARCH SALES ASSISTANT: Theresa Lowery PRS GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Kendra Okamoto MARKETING RESEARCH INTERNS: Emily Crisenbery, Caroline Johnson, Kelly Pham BUSINESS CEO: Stefan Wanczyk PRESIDENT: John Balardo DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS: Kathie Gorecki ASSISTANT OFFICE MANAGER: Natasha Bajju SENIOR ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE: Andrew Kotzian ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES: Samantha Dick, Kate Manley, Austin Schmelzle DISTRIBUTION: Target Distribution, Troy 575 0 N E W K I N G D R I V E , T R OY, M I 4 8 0 9 8 T E L E P H O N E : 2 4 8 - 6 9 1 - 1 8 0 0 FA X : 2 4 8 - 6 9 1 - 4 5 3 1 E M A I L : E D I T O R I A L @ H O U R D E T R O I T.C O M O N T H E W E B : H O U R D E T R O I T.C O M To sell Hour Detroit magazine or for subscription inquiries: 248-588-1851

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12.23

CONTENTS ISSUE THREE HUNDRED TWENTY ONE

34 In 2022, at age 18, Jalen Duren was the NBA’s youngest rookie. On his break from the court, he posed for our camera.

34 C enter of

Attention

We caught up with Jalen Duren, the Detroit Pistons’ big man in the middle, for an interview and fashion photo shoot as he prepared for the 2023-24 season.

42 T he Gift

Guide

Bring a little Motor City cheer to your loved ones this season with gifts from 10 of Detroit’s most iconic venues, including The Henry Ford, Motown Museum, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

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THIS PAGE JUSTIN MILHOUSE / COVER REBECCA SIMONOV

11/3/23 8:59 AM

L L

es Stanford is a renowned name in the automotive industry, as they’ve been serving customers for more than five decades. Based in Dearborn, Les Stanford Automotive offers a wide range of vehicles from all General Motors brands, backed by a commitment to exceptional customer service and expertise. The addition of Mike Moukalled to the team reinforces their dedication to providing the best in automotive sales and customer satisfaction.

Moukalled is well-known for his exceptional skills in the automotive industry, and by joining forces with renowned sales expert Ali Reda, an unstoppable duo has been created.

Their combined expertise boasts a remarkable track record — and that’s sure to grow stronger as they work together.

What sets this dynamic duo apart is their shared commitment to the community they serve. Moukalled and

Reda share a considerable customer base within the local community, and their collaboration transforms Les Stanford into a one-stop-shop for customers, combing all General Motors brands. Their partnership will undoubtedly offer customers a unique, seamless car-buying experience.

“Be real, be yourself, be a person you would want to buy a car from. Stay humble and never take things for granted,” ~ Moukalled says.

When asked about his keys to success, Moukalled emphasizes the importance of authenticity. “Be real, be yourself, be a person you would want to buy a car from. Stay humble and never take things for granted,” he says. His genuine approach to sales has earned him an impressive 22-year streak as a President’s Club winner with the Chrysler brand.

Moukalled brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to delivering top-notch customer service to the Les Stanford team. His partnership with Reda heralds an exciting chapter for Les Stanford, and promises an unparalleled automotive experience for customers.

Ali Reda, renowned as a worldrecord-holding car salesman, is an exceptional figure in the automotive industry, celebrated for his remarkable achievements and unparalleled sales prowess. With a career spanning decades, he has consistently shattered sales records, setting an astonishing benchmark by selling an unprecedented 1,582 vehicles in a single year.

Reda’s success is a testament to his unwavering dedication, exceptional customer service, and an unmatched ability to connect with clients — making him an inspirational icon in the world of automotive sales.

Stop by the newly acquired Buick GMC dealership in Ferndale 248-206-2252 | LesStanfordBuickGMC.com

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12.23

CONTENTS ISSUE THREE HUNDRED TWENTY ONE

78

Up Front MADE IN MICHIGAN 20

A Cranbrook grad brings a Michigan flavor to her textile designs in New York’s SoHo.

BOOKS 22

These reads from local authors make the perfect holiday gifts.

Agenda 64 CULTURE CALENDAR

Holiday classics at the DSO, a Motown musical, live comedy, and Sufjan Stevens’ latest.

65 HOLIDAY EVENTS GUIDE Fill your days and nights with seasonal merriment for the whole family.

68 TRAVEL

CANNABIS 24

These festivities all across Michigan are guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit.

Fast and fascinating facts about Michigan’s everexpanding bud industry.

70 HISTORY

Six decades after JFK’s death, his limo remains a popular Henry Ford attraction.

24/Seven D E S I G N 29

How one woman’s vision for a bookstore lounge came to life in Grosse Pointe Farms.

Food&Drink 74 ANNIVERSARY

PROFILE 31

Learn the 20-year legacy of Zingerman’s Roadhouse in Ann Arbor.

A mother-and-daughter duo run one of metro Detroit’s most influential spas.

75 RESTAURANT REPORT Our writers review three of Detroit’s hottest hotel restaurants.

78 DRINKS

65

How to pick the best wine to bring to a party this season — made easy by local experts.

16 E D I TO R’ S L E T T E R 81 R E STAU R A N T L I ST I N G S & RECIPES 99 M I D N I G H T H O U R 104 T H E WAY I T WA S

Meeting Santa Claus at J.L. Hudson Co., 1952

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NOMINATIONS

NOW OPEN!

12.23

Behind the Scenes

BEST of

DETROIT 2024

Nominate your favorites by

WHEN SOMEONE with equal amounts of style, swagger, and stature is photographed in a public space, people take notice. That was the case when photographer Justin Milhouse shot Detroit Pistons sophomore sensation Jalen Duren downtown, near the Guardian Building.

“Toward the end of the shoot, a guy came up to him and he said, ‘What do you do?” Milhouse says. The humble 19-year-old answered with a half-truth. “He said, ‘I play ball,’ and referenced his college, Memphis. He was humble and real chill. He was that way at the shoot, too: laid-back, spoke to everybody, and was ready to get to work. The energy was good.” For the record, after Duren left, Milhouse told the gentleman that Duren plays for the Pistons now.

CONTRIBUTORS

01.03.2024 at HourDetroit.com

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WHAT IS (OR WAS) YOUR FAVORITE METRO DETROIT ACTIVITY DURING THE HOLIDAYS?

Patrick Dunn

COMPILED “5 YEARS OF LEGAL WEED,” PAGE 24 “My favorite holiday activity these days is seeing the annual Ebird & Friends concert, a holiday music revue featuring a stellar lineup of Michigan artists at The Ark in Ann Arbor.” Patrick Dunn has written for national publications like The A.V. Club and Paste and local outlets including The Detroit News, the Ann Arbor Observer, and more. Most recently, Dunn has expanded into audio journalism, launching the Issue Media Group-produced podcast Michigan’s State of Health in 2022.

Justin Milhouse

PHOTOGRAPHED DETROIT PISTON JALEN DUREN FOR “CENTER OF ATTENTION,” PAGE 34 “One of my favorite activities to do in Detroit as a kid was opening gifts at my grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve. They had an apartment downtown with an amazing view of the whole city.” Justin Milhouse is a Detroit-born photographer, videographer, and creative director. His work has been exhibited at the Detroit Institute of Arts and featured in multiple publications. His diverse portfolio reflects collaboration with professional athletes, entertainers, businesses, and communities.

Rebecca Simonov

PHOTOGRAPHED, SOURCED, AND STYLED GIFT GUIDE, PAGE 42 “Winters in Detroit are gloomy, but one of the few things that really brightens those days for me is driving or walking around the city and suburbs, and seeing all the lovely holiday decorations and lights.” Rebecca Simonov is a Detroit-based food and lifestyle photographer. She loves using products to tell a story and create vibrant and stylized still-life images.

With a background in recipe development, she spends much of her free time perfecting her home barista and pizza-making skills and expanding her knowledge of the world’s cuisines.

BTS JUSTIN MILHOUSE CONTRIBUTORS COURTESY OF CONTRIBUTORS

11/2/23 1:54 PM

12.23

From Our Readers E D I T O R’ S L E T T E R

To many of our readers and to thousands of Detroiters, going to the downtown Hudson’s at Christmastime was the highlight of the season. I caught the tail end of Hudson’s heyday, and although I have little more than fuzzy memories of a wooden escalator and Santaland, I can still appreciate what it means to so many people.

One of the department store’s biggest fans was my godfather and uncle, Joseph Maguire, who passed away earlier this year. Even though he had lived in northern California for the past 50 years, he still loved talking about growing up in Detroit and going to Hudson’s. Joe introduced me to Detroit-centric Facebook groups such as J.L. Hudson’s Department Store, 5,000 Ways You Know You’re from Detroit, and Historical Detroit Area Architecture, and through them I learned even more about the city’s past from posts by folks of all ages.

In July, someone in one of the groups asked: “Does anyone remember Hudson’s at Christmastime?”

Boy, do they ever. People posted childhood photos of themselves with Santa from the ’50s and recalled the train display, the snowman slide, and the beautifully decorated windows. It’s Hudson’s windows I remember best, with their enchanting (and sometimes creepy) animatronics. (See more about Hudson’s and Santaland on page 104.)

It’s no surprise that Detroiters — like most people — like to remember happy events from the past.

A look at the print stories that our readers clicked on most in 2023 proves that point. A common theme among half of the articles in the top 12 is nostalgia. They include stories about metro Detroit’s last drive-in theater, Michigan Central’s reopening, General Motors Co.’s headquarters, Diana Lewis, Kirk Gibson, and the sale of a Fisher mansion. The rest of the articles on the list show us that you have a variety of interests, including local travel (Michigan beach towns and Midwest roller coasters), health (Top Doctors), community (a food desert in Detroit), design (a midcentury Bloomfield Hills home), and everything metro Detroit has to offer (Best of Detroit).

In this month’s issue, we bring you two things that Hudson’s did best: retail and holiday festivities.

For this year’s edition of our annual gift guide, we focus on treasures you can find at classic Detroit venues, such as The Henry Ford, Pewabic Pottery, and the Motown Museum. And in our Agenda section, we bring you three pages of local holiday events, a list of local craft markets, and an article on holiday activity-based road trips in Michigan. We also have a profile on Jalen Duren, the 20-year-old basketball player who is giving us a reason to be hopeful about the Pistons in the new year.

Thank you for being part of the Hour Detroit family this year. Here’s to creating new metro Detroit memories that your family will talk about for generations.

Cheers!

“Meet the Local Doctor Combating Maternal Mortality” (October issue): “This is amazing to hear!! I had preeclampsia with pregnancy after my blood pressure was higher. I kept telling the doctor, but they just didn’t think it was to do with pregnancy. I would [like] to get in touch with anyone that does research on this.”

—@lenadabish_, Instagram “Restaurant Review: Zana” (October issue): “I’ve been here!

So good I can’t wait to return.”

—@coffee_mug_media, Instagram “5 Must-Visit Metro Detroit Bagel Shops” (online): “The Asiago bagel with house-made jalapeno cream cheese at Detroit Bagel [Factory]. I get one nearly every day on my way to work. So good!”

—@detroitliger, Instagram “Did You Know Detroit — Detroit Yacht Club” (video): “I have many fond memories of swimming in the indoor pool and celebrating special events there. The food and service were always superb!”

Hourdetroit.com Digital Extra

The holidays are almost here, and area businesses, organizations, and communities are celebrating by decking their halls with dazzling light displays sure to put any scrooge in the spirit of the season. Find one near you at hourdetroit.com/ holidaylights.

KATE WA L SH , EDIT OR KWALS H@HOU R-M EDIA.COM

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

PORTRAIT BRAD ZIEGLER

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Get Jolly in

DOWNTOWN ROYAL OAK

this Holiday Season!

25

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

GET ALL ACCESS WITH THE SHOPPING PASSPORT! -Free hot beverages @ participating cafes -Limited edition gifts when you spend $10+ @ retailers -Free garage parking validation when you shop -Passport stickers get you entries to win $1000**Downtown Dollars

NOVEMBER

TREE LIGHTING AND HOLIDAY MAGIC MARKETPLACE ROYAL OAK FARMERS MARKET, FROM 4:00PM-9:00PM

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01

30 NOVEMBER

DOWNTOWN DOLLAR$ BUY-ONE, GET-ONE IS BACK!

DECEMBER

For a limited time until funds sell out, get a bonus gift card of equal value when you purchase a $25, $50, or $100 DD$ eGift card! Limit one per person.

JOLLY DAYS COOKIE CRAWL

COOKIE CRAWL

Kick off all the fun of December with this annual staple, where you’ll collect delicious cookies from local bakeries as you explore two dozen retailers! Keep posted to the Downtown social accounts and website for details on purchasing your pass to all of the excitement...and cookies!

02 DECEMBER

& that’s just the start of it all!

FREE GARAGE VALIDATION ALL DECEMBER LONG! YAY!

Shop @ Participating Retailers during the month of December and ask for your free validation for your parking garage session! With 4 conveniently located garages, just 2-6 minutes from your fave retailers, you can’t beat this parking price!!!

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MORE EVENTS! MORE DETAILS! MORE JOLLY! @

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12.23 NEWS, NOTES, AND PERSONALITIES

Up Front MADE IN M I C H I G A N p. 20 B O O K S p. 22 CA N NA B I S p. 24

CA NNA B IS

FIVE YEARS OF WEED

A look at everything from sales figures to celebrities in the business on the anniversary of Michigan becoming the first Midwest state to legalize recreational cannabis p. 24

PHOTO ADOBE STOCK/EYEGELB

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DECEMBER 2023

19

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Up Front

“Nature is the best inspiration, and I’m always observant.”

—PEYTON NORTH

MADE IN MICHIGAN

PASSION FOR PATTERNS Influenced by Michigan’s natural beauty, a Cranbrook grad brings her textile acumen to an esteemed NYC design company

BY ME GAN SWOYE R | ILLUST R ATI O N BY R AC H EL I D ZER DA

AS A CHILD growing up in West Bloomfield, Peyton North was surrounded by fabrics and sewing accoutrement. All those buttons, zippers, and needles — along with yards of fabric aplenty — didn’t go unnoticed by the curious girl. Today, in fact, North is a senior designer for New York City-based Pollack, which specializes in textiles and is located in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood.

“My mom and grandma sewed; my mom made all of our Halloween costumes — they were so beautiful. It was a tactile house growing up,” recalls North, who adds that her grandmother had a special appreciation for table linens. “Grandma was a florist, and my mom is big on gardening and landscaping, so I gravitate toward a floral print,” adds the designer, whose mother lives in Birmingham and father lives in Milford.

North attended Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills from prekindergarten through her senior year of high school and says she landed in the textile arena thanks to support along the way, especially in high school. “I was lucky to attend Cranbrook and took my first weaving class in ninth grade. I chose it arbitrarily, thinking it sounded fun since there are so many fabric lovers in my family,” she says. The then-teen made a bracelet on a loom and discovered she had a passion for interlacing threads and creating patterns. North’s weaving teacher (and a local artist), Lynn Bennett-Carpenter, suggested North pursue art and attend the Rhode Island School of Design. “She planted the seed,” North says. “I’d never heard of that school but decided to go.” At the college, she chose to focus on weaving.

Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in textiles, North spent a few years work-

STUDY BREAKS

Intriguing findings from researchers across Michigan

By Olivia Sedlacek COVID-19 DIDN’T CHANGE POLITICS (MUCH): Conventional wisdom in the social sciences says that people’s beliefs will become more conservative when they experience a significant threat — such as a pandemic. But the reality may be more complicated, according to a study from Michigan State University and Tilburg University

researchers. The study, which surveyed more than 2,000 Americans between spring 2019 and May 2020, measured 84 different political attitudes and found those attitudes did not change significantly during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with just 18 beliefs undergoing shifts, including slightly more favorable views of economic stimulus and unemployment benefits. “We hope that this study helps social scientists understand how attitudes respond to real-world events,” says Mark Brandt, MSU psychology professor.

“[Our study] suggests that people’s attitudes are pretty resistant to changes, even when the conditions of society radically change.”

AI HELPS HONE ANTIBODIES: New models created at the University of Michigan are harnessing machine learning to improve the efficacy of antibody medicines. Antibodies are a key element of the immune system; they bind to molecules called antigens found on disease-causing agents in order to eliminate them. But antibody

treatments can sometimes fail by binding to nonantigen molecules or other antibodies. That’s where U-M’s machine-learning algorithms come in. The models, which were trained using data from 80 clinicalstage antibodies, pinpoint the structural issues within antibodies that cause them to bind to the wrong molecules and then determine how to fix them, saving drug researchers time and resources. The research team behind the algorithms has filed for a patent and is already employing their models to

help biotech companies develop better antibodies.

GRASSLANDS GOING TO SEED: Soil seed banks — the natural reserve of seeds stored in the soil layer — can’t always replace lost biodiversity in grasslands, despite scientists’ hopes, say MSU plant biologist Lauren Sullivan and her team in a new study. The researchers collected seed bank samples at seven sites on four continents with different environmental conditions.

They then waited for

seeds in the samples to germinate over several years. The results indicated that the seed banks had experienced similar decreases in biodiversity to the aboveground communities, a finding that was particularly alarming given grasslands’ status as the most endangered ecosystem in the world.

“We were hoping that the seedlings would be this cryptic reservoir of diversity,” Sullivan says, “but we found that … in order to add biodiversity to an area, you would have to introduce new seeds.”

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Up Front

DETROIT DIGITS

ing for The House of Scalamandré, a large New York City-based fabric and wall-covering company. Today, North, who’s been with Pollack for nearly five years, is happy to report that she gets to create her own designs.

The designer recently appeared at the Tennant & Associates showroom at the Michigan Design Center in Troy to host a lunch-and-learn program showcasing Pollack’s newest brand, Spring Street. We caught up with the designer to discuss everything from her fabric addiction to how Michigan’s lakes inspire her works.

Where do you get the ideas for your patterns?

I live in the countryside in New Jersey, so there’s always nature around me. Also, I spent a lot of time at Walloon and Crystal lakes in northern Michigan growing up and still head to Crystal Lake every year.

Those lake blues are my favorite colors. The waters have turquoise shades that fade to verdant greens.

The sunsets there are stunning, too. My mom’s family also had a cottage in the Upper Peninsula, so growing up I was always surrounded by nature.

And I spent so much time at Cranbrook at their beautiful outdoor spaces. [Incidentally, North’s mother was part of the design team for Cranbrook’s Brookside Children’s Garden.] Nature is the best inspiration, and I’m always observant. I take pictures all the time, whether walking around Birmingham or going to the art museums in Detroit. The design team works collaboratively. Our design director, Rachel Doriss, lives in a home surrounded by natural beauty as well and sensed that with people focusing on home more during the pandemic, these organic subtleties are favored more and will be into the future.

So, in basic terms, how does fabric become fabric?

We start by hand, with perhaps a pencil sketch.

Then we flesh that out and create artwork with either watercolor or ink or other elements, working on about an 18-by-24-inch piece of paper. Then we upload that into a computer and create a pattern with various software. Every mill offers different printing techniques and repeat sizes, so we work with mills then to get it just right. We choose mills for different reasons, whether they specialize in embroidery, printing, weaving, etc.

How do you get those cool finishes that look so painterly and tactile?

I love to marry the printing technique with the artwork, choosing the best base fabric, print method (digital, screen-printed, etc.), and finish for a particular pattern. In the case of, say, Studio (the square pattern), a brushed finish creates a weathered look and soft hand, highlighting the slubs in the ground cloth. The art washes often have a brushed look to them based on the printing. I try to capture the detail of hand-painting in the printed fabrics.

The new Spring Street line is beautiful and filled with great colors and a modern appeal. Where did that name come from, and how would you explain your muses for this collection?

Pollack is located at the intersection of Varick and Spring streets, thus the name Spring. I’m inspired by so much in the outdoors, like dunes after a storm, that combed sandy surface, a silhouette pattern in the sand. The cyanotype print features late-summer cicadas, and it’s actually called Late Summer. We name the pattern [colors] after things we know, like Indigo, Terrain, Clay, Moss, Palomino, and Eucalyptus.

Will you add any of the Spring Street patterns to your own home?

I’ll probably hang Meadowland, in Desert, on a wall in our bedroom, behind the bed. I’m always bringing fabric home; it’s an addiction, right? I like the warm tones [of Desert] and the mix of pink, yellow, and green.

Have you ever thought of getting into fashion and apparel design?

I’ve always had an interest in fashion. My grandmother and mom loved clothing. But I like the furnishings and wall-covering design industry better because the patterns have a longer shelf life.

And you’re living with them day in and day out.

8

The number of areas where you can live that are named “Detroit” in the world (which all happen to be in the United States). You’ll find Detroit in Illinois, Maine, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Kansas, and Oregon. However, most are small, and some aren’t incorporated communities. With just over 700 residents, the town of Detroit, Texas, is the world’s third most populated place called Detroit. It was named in 1887 by railway agent J.M. Stephens after his Michigan hometown.

114

Possibly the greatest number of years any Michigander has ever lived. Irene Dunham of Lansing was that age when she died last year. On her 114th birthday, she was America’s third oldest person and the 10th oldest in the world.

What types of trends are you seeing in the world that affect your designs?

People are craving a softer sense of home. I’m seeing a lot more greens and warmer colors, like Cognac, caramel, clay, and moss. There’s less gray and a definite shift toward warm.

How do you like your job?

I’m so proud of what I do. I deal with amazing mills around the world. It’s an honor to work at Pollack, which is considered a specialized textile boutique, and to bring these textiles into homes.

Tell us about a future collection you’re working on now.

Our company works one to two years in advance of when a collection is introduced, and we work on three collections at a time [residential and commercial]. We launch two collections a year. I work on mostly residential fabrics. Right now, I’m including in my patterns a lot of mark-making artwork — a painterly hand with a botanical influence. It’s a very nature-inspired color palette. Our second Spring Street collection will come out in January 2024 (part of the larger Pollack collection, called Yarn Story) and will feature six new fabrics in mossy greens and watery blues and sun-faded clays. There will be florals — very casual, fresh, and contemporary, and a lot softer than a typical Pollack design.

800

The median amount (in square feet) of living space per person in Detroit. It’s about 43 percent of the national average of 1,841 square feet, according to a recent survey from All Star Home.

The city ranked eighth out of 15 major cities on All Star’s list of those with the smallest living spaces.

At just 667 square feet per person, San Francisco residents have the tightest squeeze.

11

Where Michigan ranks on Appy Pie’s list of the best states in which to start a tech company. In a 2023 study, the app builder analyzed six metrics: startup survival rates, venture capital growth, patent innovation, public funding, and the number of tech firms and workers. Michigan has seen a surge in venture capital activity — the second highest of any state, up 842 percent — in the past five years.

—Jack Thomas DECEMBER 2023

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Up Front

BOOKS

The Gift of Reading Check off everyone on your list with these selections from local authors

BY JENN MCKEE





For the serious reader:

Historical fiction writer Ruta Sepetys, who grew up in Farmington Hills, argues in her latest, You: The Story, that the secret to strong writing — in any genre — is embedded in your own personal experiences. Drawing lessons from personal anecdotes, Sepetys offers aspiring writers prompts, exercises, and moments of humor.

For the picture book set:

Father-son team Gary (illustrator) and Joe Ciccarelli (writer), from the Detroit area, worked together to create When You Meet a Hangry Howard, which was inspired by Joe’s young son. The food-filled, colorful book walks you through what you should do when you meet a Hangry Howard — which is the person we all become when hunger meets anger.

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For the Detroit enthusiast:

Angeline Boulley, who lives in southwest Michigan but considers Sault Ste. Marie home, made a huge splash with her 2021 debut, Firekeeper’s Daughter, and she’s back with Warrior Girl Unearthed, about a young woman who, while working as an intern, discovers her passion: returning what remains of her ancestors to Sugar Island. But Perry Firekeeper-Birch isn’t patient enough to deal with red tape, and this leads her into danger.

Detroit’s most famous journalistauthor, Mitch Albom, has a new novel about Holocaust survivors.

The Little Liar tells the story of 11-year-old Nico, an honest boy from Greece who is duped by Nazis into convincing his Jewish neighbors to board trains reportedly bound for safety and their “new homes” — but their true destination is Auschwitz. While Nico, his brother Sebastian, and their schoolmate Fanni manage to survive, they must find a way to move forward.

For the aspiring writer:



For the young adult reader:

Karen Dybis’ Detroit Style Pizza: A Doughtown History tracks the rise of this distinctive square pie — with its thick, airy crust; crisp, cheesy corners; and tomato-based sauce on top — from a single, humble local kitchen’s specialty to an international phenomenon.

Janna Jones’ book The Spirit of the City: Marshall Fredericks Sculptures in Detroit, published by Michigan State University Press, puts a critical and historical spotlight on eight works of public art in the Motor City.

For the middle grade reader: 

For the romantic:

Ann Arbor-based writer Erin Hahn’s newest title, Friends Don’t Fall in Love, tells the story of a “canceled” country music artist who finds love with an old friend, who also happens to be a bandmate of her ex-fiance.

Bestselling author Viola Shipman (also known as Saugatuck resident Wade Rouse) has a brand-new holiday novel called The Wishing Bridge, which focuses on a beleaguered executive who tells her boss that she can convince her elderly parents to sell their iconic Christmas store in Frankenmuth — but such things are always easier said than done.

Gavriel Savit, a National Book Award finalist (The Way Back) who grew up in Ann Arbor, has published his third youth novel, Come See the Fair. The book follows a 12-year-old orphan, Eva, who travels the country pretending to channel spirits at seances until a magician summons her to the World’s Fair in Chicago.

Royal Oak-based Rebecca Mix follows up her 2022 YA fantasy debut, The Ones We Burn, but with a new middle grade novel, The Mossheart’s Promise, about a preteen fairy who, when her mom falls ill, seeks the healing waters of an underground lake. Instead, Canary unearths a terrifying secret: Her world is trapped inside a giant terrarium — one they were meant to leave centuries ago.



For the mystery/crimestory hound:

Colleen Cambridge, who lives outside of Ann Arbor, recently published Murder by Invitation Only, the latest Phyllida Bright mystery, which follows the adventures of Agatha Christie’s fictional amateur sleuth housekeeper, and Mastering the Art of French Murder, focused on Detroit expat Tabitha Knight, a fictional best friend and neighbor of Julia Child whose handwriting fills a note found in a dead woman’s pocket.

Prolific Whitmore Lake author Loren D. Estleman has a new Valentino mystery called Vamp.

Valentino, a film archivist, aims to restore a drive-in movie theater and the last remaining print of the 1917 film Cleopatra, so he dives into Hollywood’s underbelly to do so — at his own peril.

For the music fan:

One of Michigan’s most famous daughters gets the “doorstop biography” treatment via Mary Gabriel’s new book, Madonna: A Rebel Life. You can bet this bio — clocking in at nearly 900 pages — will be a comprehensive deep dive into the Mitten State’s material girl. Try to read it before Madonna’s concert at Little Caesars Arena in January.

BOOK COVERS COURTESY OF PUBLISHERS

11/1/23 9:58 AM

First-ever spring training game.

Die-hard fan celebrating his 30th season in a row.

About to hit a homer and create a forever memory for everyone.

JOKER MARCHANT STADIUM :: LAKELAND, FL

WARM SPRING MEMORIES LIVE HERE. There’s nothing more magical than catching the first ballgame of the year on a beautiful spring day. See the Detroit Tigers celebrate 88 years of spring training in TigerTown – Lakeland, Florida. Games start February 24.

See schedule and get tickets at VisitCentralFlorida.com.

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Up Front

CANNABIS

5 Years of Legal Weed The state’s cannabis industry has soared since Michigan became the first Midwest state to legalize recreational sales in 2018 COMPILED BY PATRICK DUNN AND OLIVIA SEDLACEK

FIVE YEARS AGO, on Dec. 6, 2018, after a decisive victory at the polls the month before, the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act took effect, legalizing recreational cannabis in the state. It was the culmination of years of effort by activists aiming to end the war on drugs. Since then, the Michigan cannabis industry has exploded, generating over $2 billion in sales — and consequently $200 million-plus in tax revenue — in 2022 and supporting more than 30,000 jobs, the second most of any state behind California. Here, we highlight some key facts and figures that capture our state’s cannabis landscape five years on.

Monthly recreational sales then and now

$6,989,306 $269,813,093

FIRST MONTH OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS (DECEMBER 2019):

MOST RECENT MONTH (SEPTEMBER 2023):

Celebrities in the Michigan cannabis business CALVIN JOHNSON JR. (former Detroit Lions Player) Primitiv, launched in 2021 with fellow ex-Lion Rob Sims

Michigan was the first Midwest state to legalize recreational cannabis RECREATIONAL AND MEDICAL CANNABIS:

CO

WA

AK

OR

DC

CA

ME

MA

NV

VT

MI

IL

AZ

MT

NJ

NY

NM

CT

VA

RI

MD

MO

DE

MN

MEDICAL ONLY:

HI

NH

LA

PA

OH

AR

FL

ND

OK

UT

MS

AL

SD

WV

KY

GA

ID

IN

IA

KS

NE

NC

SC

TN

TX

WI

WY

NEITHER:

METHOD MAN (rapper in Wu Tang Clan) TICAL (Taking into Consideration All Lives), debuted in 2022

*Medical and recreational & medical only are listed in order of legalization date (left to right, top to bottom)

WIZ KHALIFA (rapper)

Where Michigan ranks among states in sales

Khalifa Kush, debuted in 2022

MIKE TYSON (boxer) Tyson 2.0, launched in 2023

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GRIZ (DJ, songwriter, and electronic music producer) Astro Hippie, launched in 2021

2

10

RECREATIONAL

MEDICAL

CELEBS ALAMY ICONS ADOBESTOCK

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Up Front

Arrests for marijuana possession or sales in Michigan 2022 (MOST

18,767

RECENT YEAR STATS ARE AVAILABLE)

554

2017 (PRELEGALIZATION)

Jobs and licenses in the Michigan cannabis industry

34,311

2% MEDICAL SALES ($4,915,502.78) *IN SEPTEMBER 2023

MEDICAL CANNABIS IS LEGALIZED

Medical vs. recreational sales

Sept. 2016

MEDICAL MARIHUANA FACILITIES LICENSING ACT IS PASSED

98%

Municipalities opted in to recreational cannabis

RECREATIONAL CANNABIS IS LEGALIZED

2,076

98% RECREATIONAL SALES ($269,813,092.72) *IN SEPTEMBER 2023

2%

Dec. 2018

GROWER LICENSES

EMPLOYEES

A timeline of cannabis in Michigan Nov. 2008

Dec. 2019

RECREATIONAL SALES BEGIN

RETAILERS

729

PROCESSOR LICENSES

March 2020

PROVISIONING CENTERS

370

FIRST RECREATIONAL DISPENSARY OPENS IN METRO DETROIT (WALLED LAKE) OPTED OUT: 1,370 *AS OF SEPT. 30, 2023

274

March 2022

OPTED IN: 138 *AS OF SEPT. 30, 2023

FIRST CONSUMPTION LOUNGE OPENS (HAZEL PARK)

SAFETY COMPLIANCE FACILITY LICENSES

51

Jan. 2023

EVENT ORGANIZERS

FIRST DISPENSARY OPENS IN DETROIT

46

Sept. 2023

FIRST CONSUMPTION LOUNGE AT A FESTIVAL OPENS (ARTS, BEATS & EATS)

TRANSPORTER LICENSES

41

The Michigan cannabis industry supports more than 30,000 jobs jobs,, the second most of any state behind California.

Excise taxes disbursed to counties and municipalities in 2023 MICROBUSINESSES

16

CONSUMPTION LOUNGES

2

RECREATIONAL CANNABIS SALES IN THE STATE COME WITH A 10 PERCENT EXCISE TAX, AND A PORTION OF THE REVENUE IS DISTRIBUTED BACK TO CITIES AND COUNTIES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF DISPENSARIES WITHIN THEIR BORDERS. TOP 5 MUNICIPALITIES IN METRO DETROIT

TOP 5 COUNTIES IN MICHIGAN

$1,399,712.67 ANN ARBOR

WASHTENAW $2,073,648.40

$518,412.10 YPSILANTI

KALAMAZOO $1,555,236.30

$414,729.68 CENTER LINE

KENT $1,555,236.30

$414,729.68 HAZEL PARK

GENESEE $1,451,553.88

$259,206.05 FERNDALE

BAY $1,399,712.67

*AS OF SEPT. 2023

IMAGES ADOBESTOCK

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A monthly feature highlighting events, promotions, and opportunities of interest to Hour Detroit readers.

Dr. Nemeth Seminar Photographs by Christine M.J. Hathaway

Diana Daman, Gehan Girgis, Dr. Joseph R. Nemeth, Salwa Awad, and Dr. Jeffrey Marderosian

Dr. Amar Katranji, Dr. Lou Shoha, Dr. Joseph R. Nemeth, Dr. Steven Shoha, Dr. Eric Richardson, and Dr. Jeffrey Marderosian

Dr. Harold Johnson and Dr. Ramzi Atoui

Dr. Michael Harris, Dr. Lidya FilipovskaSmith, and Dr. Shakeel Niazi

Leading Ladies Tea for COTS Photographs by Client Photographer

Brenda Williams, Erica McKinstry, Keisha Robinson, Nefertiti Frazier, and Ebony Smith

Kathryn Huffman, Wilma Taylor-Costen, Aerial Doucet, Cheryl Johnson, Dr. Tamera Matthews, Helena Doucet, and Dr. Regina Baker

Dawn Walker, Cheryl Johnson, and Renee Ahee

Sareta Burnette, Rosemerry Allen, Bernice Burnette, Joann Wright, Melissa Brown, Barbara Seldon, Lorene Everette, and Kristle Allen

Cambria Hotel Opening - 2023 Photographs by Christine M.J. Hathaway

Alexandria Page, Jamicah Hardy, Kaija Lamb, and Woma Mukoro

Garrett Barnett and Tracy and Arie Means

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Alyssa English, Laurie Moncrieff, and Joel Dickey

Gianna, Giorgio, Jo Nicole, and Sophia Caradonna

Arie and Tracy Means

Indy Adenaw, Joe Caradonna, and Chris Kouza

Arleen and Sam Meehan, Jen Black, and Scott Dorn

Jo Ruffino, Katherin Hill, and Sam Ruffino

11/2/23 3:50 4:03 PM

12.23 MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE IN METRO DETROIT

24/Seven

PRO F I LE

THE BEAUTY BUSINESS

A popular Birmingham destination has set the standard for metro Detroit day spas for over 40 years p. 31 D E S I G N p. 28 P R O F I L E p. 32

PHOTO BRAD ZIEGLER

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DESIGN

Luxury, Literature, and Libations After a series of delays, Flyleaf, a long-awaited bookstore, bistro, and bar, opens in Grosse Pointe Farms

BY KHRISTI ZIMMETH | PHOTOS BY SAL RODRIGUEZ

IF, AS WRITER Neil Gaiman asserts in American Gods, “a town isn’t a town without a bookstore,” then the Grosse Pointes have been lacking for some time. In Grosse Pointe Park, Shaw’s sells used and collectible editions and Coreander’s specializes in children’s titles, but otherwise the area has been a literary desert since Barnes & Noble closed in 2018.

That changed recently, when Flyleaf opened on The Hill, a shopping district in Grosse Pointe Farms. Named for “the blank page, or leaf, that can often be found at the beginning of a book,” according to a plaque near the door, Flyleaf “is meant to be a conduit for bringing people and ideas together.” The shop is the brainchild of budding entrepreneur Lindsay Scallen, who grew up in the area and remembers visiting onetime booksellers such as Waldenbooks, Borders, and Barnes & Noble, all now gone.

“Grosse Pointe needed a bookstore,” she says simply, so the former stayat-home mom and avid reader set out to create one in a space once occupied by an antique rug shop. Her inspiration, she says, was the intimate feel of her home library, with darker colors, wood panels, and a fireplace. Modeled after

 The first-floor bar area is a popular gathering spot in the evening.

a New York townhouse, the narrow structure rises three stories on Kercheval Avenue. It opened in August but looks as if it could have always been there.

That was exactly her intention, Scallen says. She blames “COVID and all sorts of other things” for the long and frustrating nearly five years it took to make her vision a reality and for the slow and complicated design and construction process. “The building is only 20 feet wide, and we had to figure out how to pin it between two existing buildings,” she explains.

The logistics were challenging. “At one point, there were cranes lifting limestone three stories up.”

Along the way, that vision evolved and Scallen decided to expand the initial offerings to include coffee, drinks, and light food, or, as Flyleaf’s tagline says, “literature and libations.” Besides coffee and drinks, the bar and bistro’s menu features seasonal small plates such as the daily tartine or quiche, crab cakes, and the popular steak tartare. “We wanted it to be a destination, or an experience,” Scallen explains, “a home away from home, but also like a cool, cozy library.”

Inside, paneled rooms, original art, and, of course, lots of books give the space a clubby vibe. The classics-filled Reading Room on the second floor can be rented for book clubs or

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other small events. “I wanted three enclosed floors, but you can’t do that in Grosse Pointe,” Scallen says. Instead, the building includes 3,500 square feet of customer space, including two sales floors and a third-floor open-air patio where you can relax with a glass of wine or bite to eat when weather allows.

When it doesn’t, grab a seat on one of the overstuffed sofas or at a table near one of the three roaring fireplaces that were salvaged from New York’s iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel. Everything but the fireplaces “was custom-made for the space,” says Scallen, who worked with designer Mark Manardo of Perlmutter-Freiwald and architect Bill Baldner of Clifford N. Wright Architects, adding that “there was so much detail.”

Books include an interesting mix of the expected and the less expected, all chosen by managing director/shop manager Lani Martin.

“In the beginning, we had a little of everything,” she says, adding that their selection has evolved as they have gotten to know the community.

Recent bestsellers include Bonnie Garmus’ 2022 debut, Lessons in Chemistry, which spawned an Apple TV+ miniseries that aired this October, and Tom Lake, a coming-of-age story by Ann

Patchett set in northern Michigan.

Scallen and Martin are looking forward to the holidays and say community response has been overwhelmingly positive. “There’s nothing else like this around. People appreciate that we’re here,” Scallen says. “Many say, ‘I can’t believe this is in Grosse Pointe.’”

Friends Trish Ament and Deborah Maiale were among those who took advantage of the Reading Room’s roaring fire on a recent weekday. It was their first visit, they said, but wouldn’t be their last. “It’s charming and cozy,” Ament said of the space. “The fireplace is inviting, and the selection of books is fabulous. It also has an interesting menu.”

The action heats up in the evenings, when the first-floor bar and the tables and comfortable sofas throughout become popular perches in Flyleaf’s newly constructed space: “We turn into a full-fledged restaurant and lounge,” Scallen explains. “Probably 90 percent of the people who come in [at that time] want to eat or drink. Some also walk out with a book, which is nice.”

Flyleaf is located at 92 Kercheval Ave. in Grosse Pointe Farms. Visit flyleafgp.com.

 ”Grosse Pointe needed a bookstore,” says owner Lindsay Scallen (above).

The librarylike decor was inspired by the intimate feel of Scallen’s home library.

 Sandwiched between two buildings, Flyleaf features two sales floors and a seasonal rooftop patio.

Fireplaces were salvaged from New York’s famed Waldorf Astoria hotel.

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24/Seven  Margot Koehler (left) and daughter Ursula Froehlich run the spa.

THE FIRST THING to know about Margot Koehler is that she is not afraid to let her certified public accountant know how things will go. “I have to go to Japan,” she told him one day. “He said, ‘You cannot go to Japan. It is not good financially.’

Of course, I went to Tokyo.”

While 6,397 miles might seem like quite the distance to travel to learn a traditional acupressure technique for lymphatic drainage, to Koehler, it was more than that — it was part of a voracious commitment to women’s well-being.

“I didn’t come from money, but I came from culture,” Koehler says. “And once you come from culture, you have a vision. You do what you want to do.”

The second thing to know about her, especially when it comes to the business of beauty, is that she believes her treatments should be both therapeutic and transformative. “I want to impress women,” Koehler says one early autumn morning at her namesake business in Birmingham, one of the most celebrated day spas in metro Detroit.

Dressed in a boucle jacket and with hair neatly trimmed into a bob, she describes how she sees clients leaving the spa uplifted.

“They don’t know it,” she says, “but they will know once they are on their own. Because once you treat the skin properly, the brain gives you the gift. Did you know that?”

This gift is a balanced mind-body connection.

It arises from a healthy lymphatic system that “communicates” with the skin, which is constantly renewing itself. “We get a new set of skin every month” through natural exfoliation, explains Koehler, who originally hails from Heidelberg, Germany. “We call it in German schuppen.”

This process is supported by mineral-rich skin care ingredients, preferably seaweed found along the shorelines of Saint-Malo in Brittany, France. When formulated into the mud masks and body creams found in the spa’s products, Koehler says these naturally occurring minerals create a reaction in the body that relaxes tight muscles, soothes sensitive skin, and even contours the body.

Margot European Spa offers an expansive menu of globally inspired treatments, including botanical-infused skin-plumping facials, a seawater hydrotherapy bath accompanied with a lavender massage, and an exfoliating full-body scrub made with sand imported from Bora Bora. Every day except Sunday, women from all walks of life and as far away as Illinois and Ohio lounge in plush robes and sip Champagne while shuffling to and from their pampering sessions.

It’s a long way from Koehler’s hometown of Heidelberg. Growing up during World War II, a young Koehler was restricted from listening to the radio and accessing other media. Instead, she accompanied her parents to church and the opera. They also listened to classical music together, an act so formative it still shows in her

PROFILE

A BEAUTIFUL LEGACY More than 40 years ago, Margot Koehler opened Margot European Spa and set the standard for day spas in Detroit. Today, she and her daughter continue the art of balancing beauty, business, and well-being.

BY CAMBREY THOMAS | PHOTOS BY BRAD ZIEGLER

support of local music station WRCJ (which plays classical music during the day), the naming of her spa’s treatment rooms (Vivaldi, Puccini, Chopin, and Beethoven), and even her love of Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium, which she says is better than performance venues found in Munich and Heidelberg.

There is little else that Koehler recalls of that time other than moments with family: “All I remember is my uncles would say they hoped that Americans [would] come to Heidelberg.”

By the ’60s, with Heidelberg having become the U.S. Army’s European headquarters, there were many Americans around, including Ronald Froehlich, the student from Michigan whom Koehler would marry. In 1962, the two moved to Ann Arbor.

The culture shock of relocating to the Midwest was almost overwhelming, but having trained as an aesthetician in Germany, France, and England,

Koehler found work in the beauty department of Jacobson’s Ann Arbor store. While she could legally perform only manicures without a cosmetology license, her manager was impressed with her education and let Koehler give European facials to customers. The state quickly stepped in to stop her, insisting she take a licensing exam proving she could style hair, too. (At the time, aestheticians needed a cosmetology license, which required hairdressing skills.) “I was devastated,” she says. “The first time, I flunked. The second time, I asked for a lawyer.

“I said, ‘If you are a podiatrist and you go to another country and, suddenly, they ask you to do hair, how would you feel?’ He said, ‘That is just ridiculous!’ I said, ‘That’s what I’m going through.’”

Determined to pass, Koehler rented a chair at a salon and studied under the owner. She obtained her cosmetology license on the third try and DECEMBER 2023

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returned to Jacobson’s.

Eventually, she struck out on her own and began seeing clients in private rooms she rented at three different Birmingham salons, including Heidi’s and a salon owned by Olga Loizon of Olga’s Kitchen. In 1980, she opened her first spa location at 280 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham (it’s now at 101 Townsend St.).

In the early days, Koehler kept it simple. Many of her clients had no skin care routine, so Koehler demonstrated the proper way to cleanse the skin and build a regimen. She also softened her tone once she realized her German upbringing made her more direct than her young American clients were used to.

“American women are so beautiful. They have cars and big homes. It was all new to me,” she recalls thinking to herself while settling into American life. “And then I realized they never took care of their skin. So as a young aesthetician in Ann Arbor, I made a commitment to the industry and to women to help them understand that skin care is not a luxury.”

Ursula Froehlich, Koehler’s daughter and the president of Margot European Spa, nods in agreement. “It is not considered a luxury in Europe. You can purchase high-end creams even at drugstores. The women just incorporate it right into their lifestyle.”

American and German culture have always blended seamlessly for Froehlich, who was raised bilingual and spent the first month of every summer vacation visiting relatives in Germany. Growing up in the ’70s, Froehlich saw firsthand how her mother approached the beauty industry with precision and science. When she was a preteen, she used the

 Margot European Spa has treatment rooms named after classical composers, such as Vivaldi, Puccini, Chopin, and Beethoven. It’s a nod to Koehler’s love of classical music.

private label skin care line Koehler developed with a chemist.

With skin care being such a focus in their household, Froehlich remembers crying at her first breakout. “I said, ‘You can come for a facial,’” Koehler recalls.

“She said, ‘Oh no, I have to go to someone who knows what they’re doing.’”

“Teenagers!” Froehlich exclaims. “I don’t remember saying that. But at 13 you say things sometimes.”

In her 20s, Froehlich accompanied Koehler on work trips to Paris and German spa town Baden-Baden, but she planned on being a schoolteacher. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in English from Oakland University, she realized the classroom was not for her. Instead, Froehlich gravitated toward experiential learning, something she saw in abundance while traveling with Koehler.

“It was important that Ursula learn [about skin care] from chemists — hands-on,” Koehler says. “Do you know how great that is for a young person?”

For Froehlich, the experience was transformative: “Once you have that training, you’re excited to share it.”

For the mother-and-daughter duo, the business is as much about empowerment as it is about legacy. Froehlich, who began working at the spa in 1984, is taking on more leadership responsibilities as Koehler steps back from daily operations to focus on speaking engagements and spa education. She will continue to see clients by special appointment.

“My current goal as successor is to continue to support Margot’s philosophy of educating clients and offering the best spa experience possible,” Froehlich says. “Clients can look forward to long-awaited spa updates and new services.”

Both agree on how grateful they are for their clients and how proud they are of their staff. So proud that Koehler had to let her CPA know once again how things would go one Christmas, when she wanted to host all 34 staff members on the seventh floor of the Detroit Athletic Club.

“My CPA said, ‘You cannot do this,’ and I said, ‘We have to,’ because I wanted them to see how Detroit is so gorgeous, so they can feel how Detroit is coming back.”

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TOP LAWYERS DETROIT METRO AREA

BASED UPON A SURVEY OF THEIR PEERS LEADING LAWYERS FOR PERSONAL LEGAL ISSUES

These LEADING LAWYERS have been recommended by their peers to be among the TOP LAWYERS in Michigan Jesse M. Reiter Jennifer M. Grieco Donald F. Carney Jr. John J. Schrot Jr. Harvey B. Wallace II Laura E. Eisenberg Mekel Sebestyen Miller Amy M. Spilman Roy A. Luttmann Howard H. Collens T. Scott Galloway Daniel T. Geherin Peter J. Bill Robert A. Bryant Thomas P. Cavanaugh Kellie S. Devito Kara S. Ferrara Julius H. Giarmarco David G. Gorcyca Keela P. Johnson Salvatore J. LaMendola Geoffrey S. Wagner Matthew S. Weaver LeRoy H. Wulfmeier III Sandra User Green Mark A. Snover Matthew W. Heron Kevin Michael Hirzel John M. Pollock Michelle D. Bayer Leila Freijy Joseph A. Simon Robert B. June Jody B. Lipton Marc E. Lipton Vincenzo Manzella Arthur L. Malisow Sanford J. Mall Harley D. Manela Irika N. Mellin Kristen L. Robinson Keri Middleditch Matthew I. Paletz Anthea E. Papista Patricia Kefalas Dudek Nancy Komer Stone Jorin G. Rubin Kari B. Schlaff Brian A. McKenna Barbara B. Smith William S. Stern Shirley A. Kaigler John F. Schaefer E. Powell Miller B. A. Tyler Roquia Kamal Draper Nazli G. Sater Donna Marie Medina Michelle H. Bass

ABC Law Centers (Reiter & Walsh PC) Altior Law PC Berry Moorman PC Berry Moorman PC Berry Moorman PC Eisenberg & Spilman PLLC Eisenberg & Spilman PLLC Eisenberg & Spilman PLLC Frasco Caponigro Wineman & Scheible PLLC Galloway and Collens PLLC Galloway and Collens PLLC Geherin Law Group PLLC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC Green & Green PLLC Hauer & Snover Hirzel Law PLC Hirzel Law PLC Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC Joelson Rosenberg Law Office of Leila Freijy PLLC Law Offices of Joseph A. Simon PLLC Law Offices of Robert June PC Lipton Law Lipton Law Lucido & Manzella PC Mall Malisow & Cooney PC Mall Malisow & Cooney PC Mall Malisow & Cooney PC Mellin Robinson PC Mellin Robinson PC Middleditch Law Firm PLLC Paletz Law Papista & Papista PLC Patricia E. Kefalas Dudek & Associates Rotter & Stone PC Rubin Frampton PLLC Schlaff Law Group PLLC Sinas Dramis Law Firm Smith Mediation Center Stern Law Firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP The Law Firm of John F. Schaefer The Miller Law Firm PC Tyler Law Firm PLLC Warner Norcross + Judd LLP Warner Norcross + Judd LLP Williams Williams Rattner & Plunkett PC Wolfson Bolton Kochis PLLC

Bloomfield Hills Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Troy Huntington Woods Huntington Woods Ann Arbor Troy Troy Troy Troy Troy Troy Troy Troy Troy Troy Troy Troy Farmington Hills Bloomfield Hills Farmington Farmington Royal Oak Farmington Hills Troy Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Southfield Southfield Clinton Township Farmington Hills Farmington Hills Farmington Hills Troy Troy Birmingham Troy Detroit Farmington Hills Franklin Birmingham West Bloomfield Saint Clair Shores Bloomfield Hills Southfield Southfield Bloomfield Hills Rochester Troy Bloomfield Hills Bloomfield Hills Birmingham Troy

248.593.5100 Personal Injury: Professional Malpractice 248.372.9884 Insurance Coverage: Consumer Insureds; Personal Injury: Professional Malpractice 248.645.9680 Trust/Will/Estate 248.645.9680 Family 248.645.9680 Trust/Will/Estate 248.358.8880 Family; ADR: Family 248.358.8880 Family 248.469.0613 Family 248.334.6767 Trust/Will/Estate 248.617.8643 Elder; Trust/Will/Estate 248.617.8643 Real Estate: Residential 734.263.2780 Criminal Defense: DUI; Criminal Defense: Felonies/Misdemeanors 248.457.7201 Trust/Will/Estate 248.457.7215 Trust/Will/Estate 248.457.7218 Trust/Will/Estate 248.457.7108 Family 248.457.7136 Trust/Will/Estate 248.457.7200 Tax: Individual; Trust/Will/Estate 248.457.7195 Criminal Defense: Felonies/Misdemeanors 248.457.7087 Family 248.457.7204 Trust/Will/Estate 248.457.7193 Family 248.457.7044 Real Estate: Associations/Condominiums; Real Estate: Residential 248.457.7077 Family 248.932.0500 Family 248.258.0800 Family 866.394.4642 Real Estate: Associations/Condominiums; Real Estate: Residential 866.394.4642 Real Estate: Associations/Condominiums; Real Estate: Residential 248.723.0388 Trust/Will/Estate 248.626.9966 Employment: Employee 248.817.8280 Immigration: Individual 734.887.6200 Criminal Defense: DUI; Criminal Defense: Felonies/Misdemeanors 734.481.1000 Insurance Coverage: Consumer Insureds; PI: General; Social Security Disability 248.557.1688 Personal Injury: General; Personal Injury Plaintiff: Product Liability 248.557.1688 Class Action/Mass Tort Plaintiff; PI: General; PI: Prof’l Malpractice; PI: Product Liability 586.228.3900 Criminal Defense: DUI; Criminal Defense: Felonies/Misdemeanors; Family 248.538.1800 Elder; Trust/Will/Estate 248.538.1800 Elder; Trust/Will/Estate 248.538.1800 Elder; Trust/Will/Estate 248.614.9005 Family; ADR: Family 248.614.9005 Family; ADR: Family 248.621.3030 Family 248.593.9090 Real Estate: Associations/Condominiums; Real Estate: Residential 313.965.1688 Family; Trust/Will/Estate 248.254.3462 Elder; Trust/Will/Estate 248.855.5200 Family 248.799.9100 Family 248.320.5978 Family 313.496.9416 Personal Injury: General 248.646.8000 ADR: Family 248.353.9400 Social Security Disability; Workers’ Compensation 248.351.3000 Elder; Trust/Will/Estate 248.642.6655 Arts/Entertainment/Sports; Family 248.841.2200 Class Action/Mass Tort Plaintiff; Investor Protection/Securities Class Action Litigation 248.458.6600 Personal Injury: General; Personal Injury: Prof’l Malpractice; PI Plaintiff: Prod Liability 248.784.5081 Family 248.784.5178 Family 248.642.0333 Adoption/Reproductive Technology; Family; ADR: Family 248.247.7070 Bankruptcy: Individual

A lawyer CANNOT buy the distinction of Leading Lawyer. The distinction was earned by being among those lawyers most often recommended by their peers. For a full description of our research process, a complete list of all Leading Lawyers, and to view profiles of the lawyers listed on this page, go to

www.LeadingLawyers.com

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center of B Y PA R I S G I L E S

P H OTO G R A P H Y BY J UST I N M I L H O US E

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EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH FOR THE DETROIT PISTONS’ TALENTED YOUNG MAN IN THE MIDDLE, BUT JALEN DUREN WEARS THE PRESSURE WELL

Attention DECEMBER 2023

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It was June 2022.

Photographers had been hired, a lofty venue had been booked, parents were gushing, and an 18-year-old was dressed in a sharp three-piece oxblood suit. For teenagers across America, this was prom night, but for Jalen Duren, it was the 2022 NBA draft, and he was about to sign a four-year, $19.5 million contract with the Detroit Pistons to become the NBA’s youngest rookie.

A year later in Livonia, inside a dimly lit J. Alexander’s restaurant, Duren looks back on draft day. Dressed in a black tracksuit and Detroit fitted cap, he’s all business, arriving with zero ruckus and declining anything to eat or drink. He can’t quite fit the legs of his 6-foot-10inch frame under the corner table.

“It was a long day,” he recalls of draft day.

“It just dragged along.” With family by his side, Duren sat anxiously through 12 picks, knowing that his place in the league wasn’t guaranteed but feeling that he was good enough to reach the next rung.

“He was someone that we had very high on our board. He was a target for us,” recalls Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver. “We didn’t want to end the night without going after him.”

The Charlotte Hornets drafted Duren No. 13 overall, but the center was nabbed by the Pistons in a last-minute trade. The very next day, the 18-year-old player whom ESPN’s Malika Andrews called “the most physically gifted big man in this draft” was on a private plane to Detroit.

The last thing you want to do as an adolescent boy is stand out, and Duren was around 6 feet, 6 inches as a 13-year-old, turning heads in the hall and towering over teachers. He didn’t love the attention but credits his mom with helping him learn early to accept that people would stare and whisper and speculate — there was no way around it. Raised in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, he was recruited by Roman Catholic High School, a boys’ school and a major player in the Philadelphia Catholic League.

“Every high school in the area — in the country, probably, at that time — wanted him because he was one of the better players in the country,” says DJ Irving, former assistant coach at Roman Catholic and current assistant coach at the University of Miami.

As a high school player, Duren stood out, most notably for his athleticism relative to his stature.

To find a 14-year-old who is 6-foot-8 is rare, but to find one coordinated enough to be effective on the court is almost legend. “He had great hands,” Irving says. “He could catch; he could jump and catch lobs. Athletically and physically, he was just a man amongst boys.”

Irving recalls Duren’s second-ever high school game against DeMatha Catholic and its star player, Hunter Dickinson, three years older than Duren and now a decorated 7-foot-2 University of Kansas Jayhawk. “We ended up losing the game, but Jalen played really well. I think he had like 15 points, 12 rebounds — as a 14-year-old. That’s when I kind of realized he was the real deal,” Irving says.

Roman made it to the Philadelphia Catholic League championships Duren’s freshman year, and Irving was impressed by the teenager’s calmness and readiness for that game. The league’s Final Four games are played at The Palestra, the arena where the University of Pennsylvania plays its home games.

“It’s a college arena that holds about 10,000, and when the Catholic League Final Four happens, that place is literally sold out,” Irving says. But Duren did not flinch; he just played his game. Roman won the championship game and made it back the following year but lost to a deeper team. “His maturity in those environments at a young age stood out to me.”

For his junior year, Duren attended Montverde Academy, a private boarding school in Florida.

Notable NBA players Ben Simmons of the Brooklyn Nets, D’Angelo Russell of the Los Angeles Lakers, and fellow Piston Cade Cunningham are all Montverde alumni. “Going to Montverde was really critical to the beginning of my career and who I am, and who I was going to be as a player,” Duren says.

He spent only a year at the academy before it was time to think about where he was going to do his “one-and-done” year at college before entering the draft. (The NBA requires that its draftees be a year removed from their high school graduation and turn 19 the same calendar year the draft is held.) Several schools were vying for Duren’s attention, including Miami, where Irving was an assistant coach.

He ended up enrolling at the University of Memphis. “I was coming out so early — I skipped my senior year — and so I felt like I just needed somewhere where I could really develop and learn and become a man.” Duren credits a coaching staff that included head coach Penny Hardaway and Pistons royalty Larry Brown and Rasheed Wallace for drawing him to Memphis. “I felt like that was the best opportunity for me to grow and get more knowledge about the game,” he says.

But did he get to soak in the other stuff that comes with the college experience? “I didn’t go to too many parties or anything. I didn’t really do all that, but I had one class on campus, and so I was able to walk around and be like a student. But when things started to pick up, the less and less I was able to do that.”

Though Irving was disappointed that Duren picked Memphis over Miami, their friendship, built over car rides home from high school practice, didn’t suffer. In fact, ahead of draft day, Duren spent time at Miami, during which his former coach made sure, like old times, that his player was conditioned and ready for what was to come.

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“You draft the youngest player in the league, you really don’t know what to expect.

But he came in and we worked his tail off, and he earned his way into the rotation.”

— P I S T O N S G M T R OY W E AV E R

For the Pistons organization, it was Duren’s physicality and athleticism, of course, but also his disposition that set him high on its must-have list. “We were really intrigued and enamored with him,” Weaver says. “But the person he is — he’s a great teammate. He’s the kind of guy that will follow our great leaders, and he has the potential to be a great leader. We were very excited to leave the draft with him.”

In the fall of 2022, Duren suited up for his first game as a Detroit Pistons center. For those keeping track, within just three years, Duren had played high school, college, and professional basketball. That’s breakneck speed for someone who, before this issue went to press, was still a teenager.

“I got used to my life moving fast,” he says.

“I had people around me to help guide me. I’m not doing it alone. I feel like if I was doing it by myself, it would’ve taken over. My mental would’ve been all messed up.”

Weaver says, “You draft the youngest player in the league, you really don’t know what to expect.

But he came in and we worked his tail off, and he earned his way into the rotation.” Duren started in 31 of 67 appearances during his rookie season and averaged 9.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game and shot about 65 percent from the floor. He held his own, ranking 28th among the league’s 78 qualifying centers.

Still, the Pistons had a dismal 2022-23 season, finishing last across the league with 17 wins and 65 losses. Everyone from the pundits to the public had been excited about the scrappy young combo that included Duren, guard Cade Cunningham, and fellow rookie Jaden Ivey.

Unfortunately, that combo never had a chance to gel, with Cunningham playing only 12 games due to a season-ending injury.

Heading into his second season with the Pistons, Duren says his confidence has grown significantly. Weaver predicts big things for the young center: “We expect him to be a big part of what we do, and he’s getting challenged that way every day from the coaching staff.”

Irving says Duren has barely tapped into his potential. “Right now, people see him as a defensive shot-blocker or somebody who dunks a lot, but I think now you’ll see the IQ. You’ll see his passing ability on display; you’ll see his ability to shoot the ball, extend his range — even to the 3-point line but especially from the midrange area. … His game is just continuing to grow.”

When we speak in late September, Duren is preparing for the start of the 2023-24 preseason and the Pistons’ first exhibition game against the Phoenix Suns. (The Pistons lost that game in overtime, 130-126.) He’s mostly work and very little play, rising early for muscle treatments, workouts, and practice; then it’s back home to his quiet suburban neighborhood to hang out with his puppies, a cane corso named Manman and a Labrador retriever named Mamas. But that’s how he likes it. He may turn on a podcast or Friends — it’s not just his favorite show but his comfort show, he says, which earns him a high five from his millennial interviewer.

He’s a regular at Somerset Collection, is passionate about fashion, and entertains aspirations of modeling — but only if he can figure out how to do it seriously and not be dubbed “the basketball guy playing at modeling.”

He’s excited for the photo shoot that is happening the following day at a studio in Redford and later in downtown Detroit.

Duren arrives fashionably late to the first shoot with a two-person team and clothes he pulled from his own closet (per Hour Detroit’s request).

Price tags notwithstanding, they are what you’d expect from a young person’s wardrobe: Amiri jeans covered waist to hem in black leather stars, white Nike Air Force 1s (size 18), a Heron Preston work shirt, and Who Decides War distressed patchwork jeans. While a diamond-encrusted Audemars Piguet watch sparkles on his wrist, the most impressive accessory in the studio isn’t the glimmering baubles; it’s the basketball. He holds it for some shots, and like magic, it shrinks in his enormous hands. While the photographer adjusts the lighting, Duren absentmindedly dribbles and tosses the ball around. And though he exudes confidence in front of the camera, it’s obvious he’s most at home when handling the ball.

Modeling may be in his future, but right now he’s all game.

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the Gift Guide CHECK OFF YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING LIST WITH GIFTS FROM SOME OF DETROIT’S MOST ICONIC VENUES photography and styling by

REBECCA SIMONOV

Clockwise from top: Detroit Rose Cranbrook Collaboration Candle; Atwater Vanilla Java Porter; Pewabic Detroit Flag Tile; Detroit Zoo Tiger Magnet; Henry Ford Museum Hand Blown Ornament; Henry Ford Museum Contemporary Holiday Gift Card Set

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Pure Detroit LOCATED INSIDE THE HISTORIC FISHER BUILDING, PURE DETROIT OFFERS A VARIETY OF CITY-THEMED APPAREL AND HOME GOODS 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Ste. 101, Detroit; 313-873-7873 (Fisher Building).

70 W. Alexandrine St., Detroit (The Strathmore). puredetroit.com

Clockwise from top: Jace design Map of Detroit Insulated Cup, $40; Detroit Snapback Hat, $34; Faygo 16 oz. Can, Glass, $12; Spirit of Detroit Seatbelt Belt, $30; Spirit of Detroit Detachable Keychain, $17; The Detroit Coaster Co. City of Detroit Coaster, $10; City Beautiful.Co Detroit Eastern Market Candle, $22

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Detroit Historical Musuem TAKE HOME A PIECE OF MOTOR CITY HISTORY FROM THE MUSEUM’S CHARMING GIFT SHOP 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-1805; detroithistorical.org

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Left page: Made in Detroit Rosie Messenger Bag, $35; Stroh’s Pint Glass, $12; Farmer Jack Travel Mug, $34; Ford Bronco Knit Beanie Hat, $25; Detroit Tigers Reload Pom Knit Beanie, $30; Faygo Red Pop Candle $17. This page: 100 Years of the Detroit Historical Society Book, $25; Rosie: A Detroit Herstory Book, $18; Red Wings Riptide Valin Hat, $34; Corvette Riptide Valin Hat, $25; Detroit Historical Museum Logo Acrylic Magnet, $7

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Detroit Institute of Arts THE SHOP’S OFFERINGS ARE AS EXTENSIVE AS THE MUSEUM’S ART COLLECTION, WITH A VARIETY OF GIFTS FOR ART ENTHUSIASTS 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7944; diashop.org

From left: Soul Studio Sunset Islands Tumbler, $25; Annie’s Girls African Doll, $150; Officer of the Hussars Playing Cards, $40; Pewabic Detroit Institute of Arts Postcard Tile, $130; Ford Mustang Pendant and Fordite Sample, $200; Donald Calloway Brown Figure Sculpture, $300; Case Island Wendy Handkerchief Vase, $100; Commemorative Rock & Roll Gary Grimshaw Poster, $22

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Clockwise from left: Motown Label Cap, $25; Hitsville U.S.A. Pendant Necklace, $90; Hitsville U.S.A. Lunch Box, $35; Stainless Steel Tumbler, $17; Drum Set Ornament, $23; Trumpet Ornament, $22; Motown Artist Legacy Mug, $20; Motown Record Crystal Paperweight, $90; The Motown Album Book, $70

THIS GLOBAL TOURIST DESTINATION SELLS BOOKS DEDICATED TO THE HISTORY OF MOTOWN AS WELL AS ALBUMS, MUGS, AND MORE 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-875-2264; motownmuseum.org

Motown Musuem DECEMBER 2023

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Pewabic Pottery AT THIS CENTURY-OLD POTTERY DESTINATION, YOU CAN PERUSE A WIDE SELECTION OF HANDCRAFTED TILES AND POTTERY CREATED BY OVER 30 INDEPENDENT CERAMIC ARTISTS 10125 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-626-2000; pewabic.org

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Left page: 4”x 8” Downtown Detroit Map Tile, $88; 5”x7” Peacock Tile, $58; 4”x4” Detroit Skyline Tile, $28; Michigan State University Spartan Tile, $42; University of Michigan Tile, $42; Guardian Building Necklace, $48; Maple Leaf Necklace, $58; Pewabic Apron (included in The Glazing Workshop experience, which totals $174); Teardrop Vase, $170. This page: Cafe Mug Set, $104; sample tiles (examples of what you can create at The Glazing Workshop); Detroit Flag Tile, $158; Hex Paperweight, $68; Scarab Paperweight, $68; 2023 Snowflake Ornament Trio, $80

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Cranbrook Art Musuem STOP BY THE SHOP AT THIS WORLDRENOWNED MUSEUM AND BROWSE A SELECTION OF STATEMENT JEWELRY AND HOME GOODS 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-645-3320; cranbrookartmuseum.org

Clockwise from left: Detroit Rose Cranbrook Collaboration Candle, $36; My Museum Book, $15; Tait Design Co. Desk Clock, $85; Areaware Table Tiles, $20; Saarinen CA MiiR Tumbler, $22; Matisse Socks, $10; Fate & Coincidence Rosa Earrings, $40

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Clockwise from left: Eco-Bricks Reptiles Wood Blocks, $37; Penguin Design Dolomite Figurine Mug, $25; Tiger Magnet, $10; Wooden Notebook, $15; Red Panda Aluminum Water Bottle, $20; Tiger Mini Flopsie Plush, $14; Francisco Takes Flight! Book, $11; Red Panda Keychain, $11; Zebra Safari Snow Globe: $17

THE ANIMAL LOVERS ON YOUR GIFT LIST WILL GO WILD WITH THE OFFERINGS FROM THE ZOO’S SHOPS 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak; 248-541-5717; detroitzoo.org

Detroit Zoo DECEMBER 2023

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From left: Driving America: The Henry Ford Automotive Collection Book, $50; Greenfield Village Hawthorn Crew Merino Wool Socks, $30; Greenfield Village Potters Autumn Kaleidoscope Plate, $58; Snowman Ornament, $20; Starburst Ornament, $20; Polka Dot Mitten Pair Ornament, $33; Contemporary Holiday Gift Card Set, $17; 2023 Candy Cane Bowl, $155; Greenfield Village Glistening Handblown Ornament, $35; Greenfield Village Kitchen Towel, $48; The Henry Ford Official Guidebook, $15; The Henry Ford Beanie, $20; Recycled Rocks Glass, $28; Cheers Coaster Set, $22

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Henry Ford Museum

AUTOMOBILE-THEMED SOUVENIRS ARE NOT THE ONLY THING YOU’LL FIND HERE. BROWSE BOOKS, HOUSEWARES, AND HANDCRAFTED ITEMS MADE IN GREENFIELD VILLAGE 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn; 313-982-6140; giftshop.thehenryford.org

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Atwater Six Times Distilled Vodka, $30; Atwater Dirty Blonde 6-Pack, $10; Atwater Vanilla Java Porter, $8; Pint Glass, $5; Shot Glass, $5. Opposite page: Atwater Dry Gin, $30; Tulip Glass, $6; Brist Christmas Ale Scarf, $32

THIS DOWNTOWN BREWERY HAS A SMALL GIFT SHOP WHERE YOU CAN STOCK UP ON DRINKS AND MORE 237 Joseph Campau St., Detroit; 313-877-9205; atwaterbeer.com

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HEAD TO OAKLAND COUNTY FOR GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED BEER AND STYLISH SWAG 575 S. Eton St., Birmingham; 248-712-4050.

2265 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills; 248-2896093. griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Griffin Claw Brewing Co.

Griffin Claw 3 Scrooges, $10; Griffin Claw x Blackgrass Ciderworks Michigan Cherry Sweet Hard Cider, $10; Griffin Claw Mr. Bluesky American Wheat Ale, $11; Griffin Claw x Blackgrass Ciderworks Fineapple Pineapple Hard Cider, $9; Baseball Hat, $25; Pint Glass, $8; Repeating Logo Pint Glass, $8. Opposite page: Griffin Claw Norm’s IPA, $11; Griffin Claw Hop2Ohh! Sparkling Hop Water, $7

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Alexander Ernst, M.D.

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David Fivenson, M.D.

David M. Ozog, M.D.

Chethana C. Gottam, M.D.

Pranita V. Rambhatla, M.D.

Iltefat Hamzavi, M.D.

Christopher J. Remishofsky, M.D.

Grosse Pointe Dermatology & Cosmetic Center Grosse Pointe

Jessica Kado, M.D.

Craig E. Singer, M.D.

Ali A. Berry, M.D.

Rohit Kakar, M.D., FAAD

Robert Steven Singer, M.D.

Dermatology Specialists Canton

Rohit Kakar, M.D., FAAD Clinton Township

Michael S. Borkin, M.D.

Darius J. Karimipour, M.D.

Lindsay R. Sklar, M.D.

Holly A. Kerr, M.D.

Kay Watnick, M.D.

A. Edward Abrou, M.D. Beacon Skin & Surgeries Rochester Hills

David Altman, M.D.

Midwest Center For Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Warren

Mariana Atanasovski, M.D. Modern Dermatology, PLLC Rochester

David S. Balle, M.D.

Dermatology Associates of Birmingham Birmingham

David R. Byrd, M.D.

Rochester Dermatology Clinic, PC Rochester Hills

Katherine L. Caretti, M.D. Ferrara Dermatology Clinic Grosse Pointe Woods

Leonard M. Cetner, M.D. Associated Dermatologists West Bloomfield

Steven D. Daveluy, M.D.

Wayne Health - Beaumont Medical Park Dearborn

Snehal R. Desai, M.D.

Affiliated Troy Dermatologist Troy

Shauna Diggs, M.D.

MHP Dermatology Rochester Hills

Fivenson Dermatology Ann Arbor Art of Dermatology Berkley

Hamzavi Dermatology Fort Gratiot Kado Clinic Bloomfield Hills

Karimipour Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery Bloomfield Hills

Henry Ford Medical Center Detroit

Leonard Y. Kerwin, M.D.

Henry Ford Cancer Institute Detroit Henry Ford Medical Center Detroit

Georgetown Dermatologists, PC Sterling Heights

Craig Singer MD Dermatology, PLLC Bingham Farms Singer Dermatology Southfield

West Bloomfield Dermatology and Mohs Surgery West Bloomfield West Bloomfield Dermatology and Mohs Surgery West Bloomfield

Associated Dermatologists West Bloomfield

Laurie L. Kohen, M.D.

Henry Ford Cancer Institute Detroit

Michelle Legacy, D.O., FAOCD, FAAD Legacy Dermatology Group Waterford Township

Henry W. Lim, M.D.

Henry Ford Medical Center Detroit

Cosmedic Dermatology: Shauna Diggs, M.D., PC Grosse Pointe

Suzanne R. Merkle, M.D.

Michael A. Dorman, M.D.

Tarana Mohammadi, M.D.

Associated Dermatologists West Bloomfield

A Comprehensive Dermatology Center Troy

Associated Dermatologists West Bloomfield

DERMATOLOGY - PEDIATRIC Marla N. Jahnke, M.D.

Henry Ford Medical Center Troy

Tor A. Shwayder, M.D.

Henry Ford Medical Center Troy

Allison J. Zarbo, M.D.

Henry Ford Medical Center Detroit

West Bloomfield Dermatology and Mohs Surgery West Bloomfield DECEMBER 2023

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

TOP DERMATOLOGISTS & PLASTIC SURGEONS D R . E L L E N JA NETZKE

D

r. Ellen Janetzke, founder of Dr. Ellen Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Bloomfield Hills, is celebrating over two decades in business. Her successful and highly respected practice was built around her ability to understand, anticipate, and fulfill patient expectations, honestly and realistically.

Not only has she created a thriving business, but she’s established a reputation as both a gifted surgeon and a caring doctor. And she changes lives.

“It’s always a special feeling when I hear that from my patients, and it’s why I do what I do,” she says. “I have a patient I saw recently who I’ve worked on before, and we just did a face-lift. When I showed her the pre-op pictures compared to what she looked like just a few weeks after surgery, she started to cry.

And, of course, it made me cry those same tears of joy.”

Dr. Ellen says there have been many improvements in the plastic surgery field, including better anesthesia and a better and faster recovery experience. “The whole patient experience has been continuing to improve,” she says.

One area that hasn’t changed is Dr. Ellen’s commitment to “shaping confidence” and her personalized approach, which is designed to ensure that her patients achieve the best possible outcome.

“When considering plastic surgery, it’s essential to be comfortable with your surgeon and staff, and to have your goals completely understood,” she says. “I’m a big believer in patient education, and there’s no such thing as too much information. I want them to know as much as possible about the procedure, recovery, and expectations.

“Our mission is to gain our patients’ trust and guide them through every step, starting with their very first phone call.”

Of course, there have been a few bumps in the road along her incredible journey. “We’ve had some challenges over those 20 years, including a recession in 2008 and, of course, Covid in 2020,” Dr. Ellen says. “I think we came out of those challenges better and stronger.”

And that’s why another 20 years is certainly in the forecast. ■

Dr. Ellen Janetzke 60 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 100 : Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 : 248-220-6760 : info@drellen.com : drellen.com

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Raymond T. Hajjar, D.O., FACOS

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Aamir Siddiqui, M.D.

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Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital - Craniofacial & Plastic Surgery Clinic Ann Arbor

Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery, PC Southfield

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Executive Plastic Surgery Novi Plastic Surgery of Michigan Andrew Lofman, M.D. Bloomfield Hills

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Elan Reisin, M.D., FACS Star Plastic Surgery Novi

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DECEMBER 2023

10:28 AM

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TOP DERMATOLOGISTS & PLASTIC SURGEONS E VA N H . B L AC K, M. D., F. A .C.S., F. A . A .C.S.

E

van H. Black, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.C.S., is an award-winning, nationally recognized ophthalmic and facial plastic surgeon. He’s board-certified and has pioneered innovative procedures for treating the descent of the forehead, eyebrows, and eyelids using minimally invasive techniques.

Dr. Black specializes in all areas of reconstructive and cosmetic eyelid and brow surgery, and he applies the most advanced laser and endoscopic techniques available. He’s been voted one of the Best Doctors in America every year since 2005, and is a multiple winner of Hour Detroit’s Top Docs. He’s also a clinical professor of ophthalmology at the Oakland University/William Beaumont Hospital School of Medicine and the Wayne State University School of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Black is past president of the Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, and is a leader in the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

With his colleagues at Consultants in Ophthalmic and Facial Plastic Surgery, PC, Dr. Black offers cosmetic eyelid and brow surgery; treats lower-eyelid “bags”; does Botox treatments around the eyes; surgically manages drooping eyelids, eyelid tumors, and reconstruction; and repairs lower-eyelid malposition.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Black is a consummate researcher whose interests include advances in eyelid surgery, brow-lifting surgery, and botulinum toxin investigations. He has published numerous manuscripts, and lectures both in the U.S. and abroad.

Dr. Black, who received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of North Carolina, followed by an ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at William Beaumont Hospital and the Kresge Eye Institute.

Consultants in Ophthalmic and Facial Plastic Surgery, PC, has seven locations: Southfield, Troy, Flint, St. Clair Shores, Novi, Southgate, and Livonia. In addition to Dr. Black, five other surgeons: Dr. Geoffrey J. Gladstone, Dr. Francesca Nesi-Eloff, Dr. Dianne M. Schlachter, Dr. Robert A. Beaulieu, and Dr. Shravani Mikkilineni comprise the practice. All of the physicians hold affiliations with only the top-accredited hospitals, and all are ASOPRS fellowship-trained experts in the field of oculoplastics. ■

Evan H. Black, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.C.S. : Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery, PC 29201 Telegraph Road, Suite 324 : Southfield, MI 48034 : 800-245-8075 : eyelidpros.com

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MuneGo

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

M U N E G OW DA , M . D. , F. A .C . S.

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une Gowda, MD, FACS, is a best-inclass board-certified plastic surgeon who has won numerous awards and honors for his surgical excellence, including “America’s Top Plastic Surgeons” from the Consumers’ Research Council of America and 2023 “Top Doc” from Hour Detroit Magazine.

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Mune Gowda, M.D., F.A.C.S. : Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Novi office: 26850 Providence Pkwy., Suite 125 : Novi, MI 48374 : 248-305-8400 Troy office: 3270 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite, 415 : Troy, MI 48084 : 248-530-0000 info@gowdamd.com : gowdamd.com

12:56 PM

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12.23 ARTS, CULTURE, AND OTHER THINGS TO DO

Agenda T R AVEL

HOLIDAY ROAD TRIPS

C U LT U R E CA L E N DA R p. 64 46 H O L I DAY EV EAN RT T S p. 65 47

Our guide to holiday activities and festivals happening throughout the state this month

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p. 68

R ETAI L

SOME HED TO GO RIGHT HERE CSAs, salad kit subscriptions, and specialty online grocery markets offer easy ways to incorporate nutrient-dense produce into your diet — and support local farmers while you’re at it p. XX

PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF FRANKENMUTH

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Agenda  Hear the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform the Elf score Dec. 22-23.

DECEMBER 2023

Culture Calendar

Our carefully curated guide to the month in arts and entertainment

BY RYA N PATR I C K H O O PER

A holiday tradition expands its offerings at the DSO

One of my favorite traditions this time of year is the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s performance of the score of Home Alone in sync with the movie, down to the opening drumroll of the 20th Century Fox logo and the main title theme, “Somewhere in My Memory” (yeah, I didn’t know the name of it, either, but I’m sure you can hear it in your head right now).

The score for this holiday classic is a massive and memorable one by the incomparable John Williams, one of the greatest living composers anywhere.

The DSO has expanded on this pops concert offering this year, screening not just the

Gen X classic Home Alone but Elf, too (which has become a holiday classic for millennials). In each case, you’ll want to grab tickets quickly — these showings sell out super fast. Home Alone gets a single screening this year on Dec. 13. Elf takes over a whole weekend with two showings (Dec. 22-23).

Tickets are available at dso.org.

Ain’t Too Proud returns to Detroit

When the Temptations musical Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations first landed in Detroit last year, it was a hot ticket.

That’ll be the same story when it makes its return to the Fisher Theatre for a supershort run (Dec. 19-23).

The jukebox musical is

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based on a book by original member Otis Williams that was turned into a stage production by Detroit’s own Dominique Morisseau, who received the MacArthur “genius grant” in 2018 and currently acts as the executive artistic producer at the Detroit Public Theatre. A jukebox musical is usually light on story and heavy on hits, but this one manages to bring a riveting story to the stage alongside all the classics you’ve gotten to love from The Temps.

Tickets are available at broadwayindetroit.com.

While live music sleeps, comedy takes over

It’s a simple cycle: In the spring and summer, live touring bands take to the road,

hopefully including a Detroit date. But as autumn closes up shop, winter freezes them out. To bring some warmth into our lives, there’s a bounty of comedians who’ll be taking to the stage throughout December.

We’ll start with Nikki Glaser (at The Fillmore on Dec. 2), who released her excellent HBO stand-up special Good Clean Filth last year. On Dec. 15, Margaret Cho lands at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. I can’t think of another comedian as instantly recognizable as Cho, who has appeared in numerous TV shows and movies over the years and continues to be a force on the stage. The most politically charged comedy set arrives at the Fox Theatre on Dec. 29, when John Oliver comes to Detroit. Oliver is best

known for his work as the Emmy-winning writer, executive producer, and host of HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. If you’re going to bother to get out of the house this December, this is the trio of comedy shows you’ll want to see.

On my playlist

There’s no record I’ve had on repeat more than Sufjan Stevens’ excellent Javelin, which released earlier this year on his Asthmatic Kitty label. Stevens hails from Michigan (at one point, he made an

entire record about the state), and he’s released a wide range of music since his debut 23 years ago. But he’s at his absolute best when he’s perfecting the quiet folk-pop that fills up Javelin, his 10th proper album, including standout tracks “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?” and “So You Are Tired.”

The album is a multimedia experience, too, complemented by a 48-page book filled with essays and original artwork by Stevens, taking me back to the era of listening to an album and flipping through the liner notes (as it should be).

Sufjan Stevens’ music — including Javelin — is available to stream on all major platforms. You can purchase physicals and merch at store.asthmatickitty.com.

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

 Detroit-born Sufjan Stevens’ Javelin was released earlier this year on his Asthmatic Kitty label.

PHOTO TK ALBUM COVER TK

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Agenda

decorated spaces, all while sipping on complimentary hot chocolate. $30+. Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores; fordhouse.org

Through Jan. 7 Monroe Street Midway: Bumper carts, minigolf, and a ride down an 80-footlong slide are among the activities available as this event returns to downtown Detroit, turning Monroe Street across from Campus Martius Park into a winter wonderland. Detroiters can also enjoy an immersive art experience as locally painted murals are transformed into multidimensional wonders using 3D technology. No cost. 32 Monroe St., Detroit; deckedoutdetroit.com

Through Jan. 7 Celebrate Home for the Holidays at the Ford House, Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s former residence.

HOLIDAY

29 CAN’T-MISS HOLIDAY EVENTS Fill your calendar with these festive and fun activities COM PILE D BY L AU R EN WETH I NGT O N

Through Dec. 23 Holiday Stroll at Canterbury Village: Lake Orion’s historical landmark transforms into a winter wonderland for this familyfriendly experience. Enjoy re-creations of classic holiday scenes and the charming hum of professional carolers as you wind through the village. Expect to be greeted

by live characters along the way, including Frosty the Snowman, Elsa and Anna from Frozen, and even the Grinch. To end the night, cozy up next to a toasty firepit with a cocktail, hot chocolate, or hard cider at the outdoor C-Pub. $20+. Canterbury Village, Orion Township; canterburyvillage.com

INTERIOR COURTESY OF THE FORD HOUSE

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Through Dec. 23 Holiday Walk at Meadow Brook Hall: Discover the beauty of the Meadow Brook Hall estate in all its Christmas glory during this indoor tour. The historic 110-room mansion will be decked out in more than 50 glittering Christmas trees, including a 10-foot-tall

poinsettia tree made of 150 live plants. Special events take place throughout the season, including Starlight Stroll, Holiday Tea, and Santa Saturdays. $20+. Meadow Brook Hall, Rochester; meadowbrookhall.org

Through Dec. 24 A Christmas Carol: No holiday tale is more enduring

than Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella about a greedy, uncaring miser and the ghosts that help him change his ways. Enjoy this live stage adaptation by Charles Nolte, featuring gorgeously festive sets and plenty of faux snow.

The production has been a Meadow Brook Theatre Christmas tradition for more than 40 years. All ages are welcome. $37+. Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester; mbtheatre.com

Through Dec. 30 Home for the Holidays at Ford House: The historic former residence of Edsel and Eleanor Ford is adorned in glittering lights for this self-guided holiday tour.

Learn about the estate’s fascinating history as you stroll through gorgeously

Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo: Millions of LED lights illuminate 500 festive displays, including trees, buildings, and animal-inspired sculptures at the Detroit Zoo’s annual holiday celebration. New exhibits include Underwater Trail, an interactive ocean-themed display, and Enchanted Trail, where a forest fairy will guide you along an enchanting illuminated path. Old favorites include the Polar Express 4D Theater Experience and the Wishing Tree, among others.

Guests can dine at several eateries, including Buddy’s Pizza and more food and drink options along the trail.

However, purchasing a Polar Package is required to dine at Table 28. For those who like to see the lights turn on, the Brilliant Bundle ticket package allows visitors to enter the zoo during the daytime and remain in the park until the 5 p.m. Wild Lights start time. Children under 2 are admitted at no cost. $17+. Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak; wildlights.detroitzoo.org

Dec. 1 Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas One and All: The unofficial queen of Christmas music and five-time Grammy Award winner Mariah Carey will stop at Little Caesars Arena for a night of festive cheer this month. Hear classic holiday tunes and original hits like “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which continues to top charts more than 25 years after

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Agenda

 Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo runs through early January and includes an Enchanted Trail this year.

the Midtown neighborhood, this annual night of music and celebration has become a Detroit tradition. The walkable event combines indoor and outdoor programming to offer caroling, family-friendly activities, live music performances, and art installations.

Visitors can also shop for holiday gifts or grab a tasty festive treat. No cost. Midtown, Detroit; noelnight.org

Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley as they run through a stacked program of holiday hits. Featuring a full band, Christmas trees, and mistletoe galore, the production celebrates Christmas traditions old and new. $35+. Fisher Theatre, Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com

do Bheatha.” $59+. Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Detroit; musichall.org

Dec. 7

Dec. 2

continues to top charts more than 25 years after its release. $80+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

roasting chestnuts, and the sounds of carolers at Greenfield Village’s annual holiday celebration. Find perfect gifts at the holiday market or take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage amid twinkling lights and Christmas trees. Each night ends with a stunning fireworks display. $38+.

Greenfield Village, Dearborn; thehenryford.org

Dec. 2 Dec. 1-28 Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village: Travel back in time to experience roaring fires,

Noel Night: Spanning more than 80 small businesses, historic churches, restaurants, galleries, and educational institutions in

Holiday Art Show at Heritage Spinning and Weaving: For more than 20 years, this Lake Orion shop and studio has acted as metro Detroit’s stranded knitting headquarters by offering quality knitting and weaving supplies and a full calendar of workshops and classes. Find the perfect holiday gift at the shop’s annual holiday art show, which features handcrafted scarves, ornaments, winter decor, and more. No cost. Heritage Spinning and Weaving, Lake Orion; heritagespinning.com

Dec. 2-3 Million Dollar Quartet Christmas: Time-travel back to the glory days of Sun Records at this nostalgic rock ’n’ roll Christmas show. Talented singers and instrumentalists portray

Dec. 3 Celtic Woman Christmas Symphony Tour: As Celtic Woman, virtuoso musicians and Ireland natives Tara McNeill, Mairéad Carlin, Muirgen O’Mahony, and Emma Warren perform traditional Celtic music for audiences around the world.

Join them for a special holiday program featuring selections from their album The Magic of Christmas. A live full orchestra will accompany the ensemble as they present new arrangements of classics like “Silent Night” and “Sleigh Ride,” as well as ancient Gaelic carols like “Dia

Cranbrook House Holiday Tour: Cranbrook founders George and Ellen Booth called this gorgeous estate in Bloomfield Hills home from 1908 through 1949.

Learn about the property’s rich history as you view original stained glass, unique artwork, lush tapestries, and handcrafted furniture, all under the glow of festive lights and holiday decor.

After the tour, shop for unique holiday items at the on-site gift shop. $20+.

Cranbrook House and Gardens, Bloomfield Hills; house gardens.cranbrook.edu

Dec. 7 Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour: Although he was raised Jewish, California-based smooth-jazz saxophonist Dave Koz enjoys yuletide festivities so much that he released a Christmas album, The 25th of December, in 2014. Enjoy his contemporary interpretations of holiday carols like “The First Noel” and “Let It Snow” when he stops at Detroit’s Music Hall this month. Koz will be

joined by special guests including guitarist Jonathan Butler, saxophonist Marcus Anderson, vocalist Rebecca Jade, and 16-year-old jazz phenom Justin-Lee Schultz. $45. Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Detroit; musichall.org

Dec. 8 Celtic Angels Christmas: Featuring world-class Irish dancing, a live band, and five dynamic vocalists, this Celtic Christmas celebration blends Old World charm with modern-day production elements to create a toe-tapping night of holiday entertainment. The show is written, directed, and choreographed by Dublin native Louise Barry. $41+. Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, Clinton Township; macombcenter.com

Dec. 8 A Magical Cirque Christmas: World-renowned entertainment troupe Cirque du Soleil is known for jaw-dropping acrobatic stunts that synchronize with immersive visual effects. That formula gets a festive spin in A Magical Cirque Christmas, a Yulethemed variety show set to holiday music favorites. The awe-inspiring program is suitable for all ages. $45+.

Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents.com

Dec. 8 Voctave: The Spirit of the Season: The 11-member a cappella group boasts a stunning five-octave vocal range and performs favorites from Disney movies and hit Broadway shows. It will make a stop at Detroit’s Orchestra Hall to perform captivating renditions of holiday classics from its chart-topping Christmas album The Spirit of the Season. $29+.

Orchestra Hall, Detroit; dso.org

Dec. 9

Mannheim Steamroller performs at Detroit’s Fox Theatre on Dec. 17.

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Gary Hoey: Ho Ho Hoey Rockin’ Holiday Tour: Guitarist and songwriter Gary Hoey has toured with Ted Nugent, Foreigner, The Doobie Brothers, and countless other big-name acts. He’ll put a rock ’n’ roll spin on classic holiday tunes when he stops at Ferndale’s The Magic Bag on his upcoming holiday tour. $40.

WILD LIGHTS DETROIT ZOO MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER MATT CHRISTINE PHOTOGRAPH HOLIDAY NIGHTS GREENFIELD VILLAGE CELTIC WOMAN COURTESY OF DETROIT MUSIC HALL

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Agenda

 Get in the holiday spirit with jawdropping acrobatics from Cirque du Soleil.

The Magic Bag, Ferndale; themagicbag.com

Dec. 9

HOLIDAY

Clarkston Holiday Lights Parade: Clarkston Community Schools’ robotics team, Team RUSH, organizes this annual holiday parade on downtown Clarkston’s Main Street. Students use their science, technology, engineering, and math skills to design festive floats that spread holiday cheer as well as a pro-STEM message. The floats will compete for the Best Use of STEM Award, which comes with a $100 prize. No cost. Renaissance High School, Clarkston; teamrush27.net

To Market, to Market

Five fabulous metro Detroit holiday pop-ups

BY LAUREN WETHINGTON

THROUGH JAN. 7

Downtown Detroit Markets & Cadillac Lodge: Bags to Butterflies, Haile & Co.,

and The Brave Wimp are just a few Detroit-based retailers featured in this annual pop-up market in Cadillac Square. After a busy night of shopping, visitors can refuel with a warm pretzel, a bowl of chili, or a cup of hot cocoa at the adjacent open-air Cadillac Lodge.

Cadillac Square, Detroit; downtowndetroit.org

Dec. 10 Caroling in the City: Downtown Rochester transforms into Dr. Seuss’ Who-ville for this annual night of music and holiday activities. Enter an uglysweater contest, decorate your own Christmas cookie, and stroll down Main Street with the Rochester Community Carolers as they perform classic holiday selections. No cost.

Downtown Collaboration Studio, Rochester; downtownrochestermi.com

Dec. 10 Brian McKnight Hits and Holidays: The Grammy Award-nominated R&B vocalist will perform some of his most popular songs, along with selections from his two Christmas albums, when he makes a December stop at MotorCity Casino Hotel. $57+.

Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, Detroit; soundboarddetroit.com

Dec. 13 Candlelight Ballet: The Listeso String Quartet will perform classical holiday favorites — including selections from The Nutcracker — at this intimate concert at the Redford Theatre.

Hundreds of real candles will set the stage aglow, creating a cozy setting perfect for a chilly winter’s night. $25+.

Redford Theatre, Detroit; redfordtheatre.com

Dec. 15-17 Home for the Holidays at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Celebrate the festive season with the Detroit

DEC. 1

Kerrytown KindleFest Market:

Symphony Orchestra at this annual pops concert. Boasting a program of favorite holiday classics, the twohour concert is perfect for all ages — and even features an appearance by Santa Claus himself. Six showtimes are available. $29+. Orchestra Hall, Detroit; dso.org

Dec. 15-Jan. 7 The Year Without a Panto Claus: This hilarious holiday play follows a Santa Claus with a uniquely 21st-century problem: Too much cable news has caused him to become depressed and flee the North Pole. As two of his elves attempt to track him down, they travel the globe and face off against some particularly un-cheery foes. $12+. Theatre Nova, Ann Arbor; theatrenova.org

Dec. 16 Christmas Tea at the Wayne Historical Museum: Featuring more than 100 exhibits in a beautifully renovated 19th-century building, the Wayne Historical Museum is an often-overlooked gem for metro Detroit history buffs.

At this holiday-themed tea party, guests will explore the decked-out museum in all its Christmas splendor while sampling tea, sandwiches, and a variety of desserts. $45. Wayne Historical Museum, Wayne; eventbrite.com

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Dec. 17 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis: Celebrating more than 35 years of Christmas shows, Mannheim Steamroller founder Chip Davis again brings his sprawling neoclassical music ensemble to Detroit’s Fox Theatre for a night of holiday fun. Known for blending classical music with new age and rock ’n’ roll sounds, the troupe has sold more than 41 million albums worldwide, making it the best-selling Christmas music artist of all time. Expect to hear beloved renditions of holiday hits while dazzling multimedia effects enhance the festive experience. $25+.

Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents.com

Dec. 17 Christmas Show with Organist John Lauter: Join the 17-piece Swing City Big Band, vocalist Katy Calzone, and organist John Lauter for this program of holiday music classics at the Redford Theatre.

The theater’s historic Barton theater pipe organ dates back to 1928 and is the only one in metro Detroit (besides the one at the Fox Theatre) that remains in its original setting. $12. Redford Theatre, Detroit; redfordtheatre.com

Dec. 21-23 The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays: Witness jaw-dropping acts of magic with a festive holiday flair when the world’s most talented illusionists stop at the Fox Theatre for this family-friendly show. Four showtimes are available. $25+. Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents.com

Inspired by traditional Christkindlmarkts in Germany, this one-night pop-up market in Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown district will feature local crafters selling a variety of holiday goods. Sip on warm mulled wine as you browse the stalls late into the night — this market stays open until 10 p.m. Kerrytown district, Ann Arbor; kerrytowndistrict.org DEC. 1-2

Kris Kringle Market: Set against downtown

Rochester’s charming and festively decorated backdrop, this European-style alfresco market has been a holiday tradition for 15 years. Shop fresh greens, wreaths, handmade gifts, and specialty foods as holiday music and lights set a jolly mood. Bring the kids — the market offers photo ops with Santa and a childsize gingerbread play village for little ones to explore.

Downtown Rochester; downtownrochestermi.com DEC. 7-8

Mistletoe Market: More than 40 artisans will

Dec. 23 Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Blending elements of hard rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal music, this symphonic rock band’s unique spin on classic Christmas tunes put it on the map. This year’s live show, based on the band’s multiplatinum album The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, tells the story of a teen visited by spirits of the past.

Fans can look forward to hearing classic Christmas tunes, along with the group’s own original holiday selections, when it makes a stop in Detroit. $49+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

share Michigan-made arts, crafts, and culinary treats at this indoor-outdoor market in downtown Plymouth.

New for this year, the market will expand beyond the walls of The Gathering pavilion to offer additional vendors lining Penniman Avenue. Visitors will also enjoy a festive performance from Plymouth’s own Synergy Dance Academy at no cost. The Gathering, Plymouth; downtownplymouthevents.com

DEC. 16

The Michigan Makers Holiday Craft Fair: More than 200 vendors will be on-site for this

enormous holiday market at the Suburban Collection Showplace. Choose from thousands of giftable wares, including hand-poured soy candles, crocheted blankets and scarves, delicate artisan jewelry, handmade ceramics, and even Michigan-made beer, wine, and spirits. Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi; themichiganmakers.com

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WESTERN MICHIGAN WEDNESDAYS-SUNDAYS THROUGH DEC. 23

Christkindl Markt

Inspired by traditional European markets, this winter wonderland offers 27 days of holiday lights and decor, a market filled with art and food vendors, live entertainment, gluhwein and other hot drinks, caroling, and visits with Santa. No cost for admission. Grand Rapids Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids; christkindlmarktgr.com THROUGH DEC. 31

Christmas Lite Show

Christmas Lite Show in Comstock Park

TRAVEL

CELEBRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE

12 can’t-miss holiday festivals and attractions elsewhere in Michigan

West Michigan’s largest animated drive-thru light display is back for “Another Year of Magic,” this being its 26th annual celebration.

Hop in the family car and drive through nearly 2 miles of animated displays and tunnels created with over a million lights.

Special events, including train rides, take place on select days, too. Prices vary by vehicle type. 4500 W. River Drive NE, Comstock Park; christmasliteshow.com DEC. 7-14

Menorah Lighting

Jewish congregations in the area host a menorah lighting and other Hanukkah traditions on the first night of the holiday, along with additional candle lightings each night until the last day of Hanukkah, when the whole menorah is fully lit. More details to be released closer to the event. No cost for admission. Bronson Park, Kalamazoo; templebnaiisrael.com

THURSDAYS-SUNDAYS THROUGH DEC. 23

Wonderland of Lights

BRAVE THE SNOW and venture beyond Detroit and its suburbs for the 2023 holidays to experience new and unique celebrations for Christmas, Hanukkah, and even Krampusnacht — that’s right, that Krampus. Here’s a look at some of the standouts.

Christmas in Frankenmuth

Take a stroll around the Potter Park Zoo to marvel at the spectacular light displays, which are accompanied by holiday music, at the 31st installment of this annual event.

Zoo Nights with Lights on Dec. 13 offers the chance to visit with animals, too. Ticket prices will be announced closer to the event.

1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing; potterparkzoo.org DEC. 9

Krampusnacht

This first-ever event aims to “capture the spirit of old world European Krampus celebrations” with a traditional Krampus parade, a costume contest, the Misfit Market, photos with Krampus, games, visits with Santa, and more. Be aware: This event may feature a few scares. Fees may apply. Old Town neighborhood, Lansing; facebook.com/oldtownlansing

EASTERN MICHIGAN THROUGH CHRISTMAS

Christmas in Frankenmuth

Michigan’s Little Bavaria is celebrating Christmas with a driving light tour; a spectacular Christmas tree; mid-Michigan’s largest open-air holiday market, the Frankenmuth ChristKindlMarket; and an ice rink. Be sure to visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland to see Santa, too. No cost for admission to Frankenmuth; fees may apply for some activities.

Frankenmuth area; frankenmuth.org

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Christmas in the ’Ville

This all-day Christmas celebration kicks off with a hot-air balloon show and breakfast with St. Nick. As the day progresses, there will be a cookie walk, Christmas story times, holiday crafts, a pet procession, hay and sleigh rides, visits with Santa, and even a parade. No cost for admission. Downtown Fowlerville area; michigan.org/event/ christmas-ville or christmasintheville.com DEC. 1

Linden’s Holiday Happening

The historic, charming city hosts a parade and fireworks, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, food trucks, live entertainment, and moonlight shopping, among other activities.

No cost for admission. Fees apply for some activities. East Broad Street area, Linden; lindenholidayhappening.com

DOWNRIVER DEC. 1-2

Christmas in Ida

Experience the magic of the holiday season at this winter wonderland. On Friday, explore a craft and vendor show, watch the high-flying BMX spectacle, listen to the Jingle Bell Rockout concert, check out ice sculptures, and much more. Saturday night is the parade of lights, which features two hours of illuminated and animated displays. No cost for admission. Ida East Street area, Ida; christmasinida.com

NORTHERN MICHIGAN DEC. 1-31

THE CAPITAL

BY CHRISTINA CLARK

DEC. 2

Christmas in Mackinaw City

Celebrate the holidays Up North with this annual tradition. It commences with a tree lighting and parade that features carolers, decorated city vehicles, and candy canes from Santa. It happens regardless of the weather, so bundle up. No cost for admission. Downtown Mackinaw City area; mackinawcity.net DEC. 2

Christmas in the Village

The Electric Light Parade puts holiday spirit on full display with lighted floats and other parade entries, and the craft show will help you get started on your holiday shopping with one-of-a-kind handmade items on sale.

Other details and events to be announced closer to the event. Fees vary by activity.

Roscommon area; roscommonchristmasin thevillage.com DEC. 31

CherryT Ball Drop

Heading Up North for New Year’s Eve? Ring in 2024 by watching a 600-pound cherry drop from the skies of Traverse City. Gates open at 10:30 p.m. with entertainment leading up to the big countdown. Funds from the event go to support local charities. $5 donation. At the corner of Park and Front streets, Traverse City; cherrytballdrop.org Find even more Christmas and other holiday festivals in Michigan at hourdetroit.com/ holidayfestivals.

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Agenda

HISTORY

DRIVEN BY TRAGEDY

On the 60th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination, the limousine in which he died remains a popular — if unrecognizable — souvenir of one of America’s darkest days

BY JOE LAPOINTE

IN GROUPS OF THREE and four — many of them older adults — they stop to gawk at the long, black limousine parked at the Henry Ford Museum’s exhibit of presidential vehicles.

“That’s not it,” says a man in a wheelchair. “It was a convertible.”

The woman pushing him assures him that this is indeed the very same car, only rebuilt with added armor, including a hard roof. “They installed that top,” she tells him, “so the next president wouldn’t get shot.”

Nearby, a woman shakes her head slowly and says loudly to a companion: “They should destroy it, not keep it. A man died in that car.”

Always one of the museum’s most viewed exhibits since it first went on display in 1981, the “X-100” — or, more formally, the “SS-100-X” — is the 21-foot Lincoln Continental in which Kennedy was shot 60 years ago.

But you wouldn’t recognize it. Instead of being retired and stored as a crime scene in 1963, the Kennedy limo was rebuilt and returned to service for Presidents Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter.

“It’s still got the same VIN number, the same frame,” says Matt Anderson, curator of transportation for The Henry Ford. “Pretty much everything else on the car was rebuilt, redone, replaced — you name it.”

Before that fateful day in Dallas, Nov. 22, 1963, the vehicle was just a 1961 midnight-blue Lincoln Continental assembled by Ford Motor Co. at its Lincoln plant in Wixom. The Hess & Eisenhardt Co., a custom shop in Cincinnati, built an exten-

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 Nov. 22, 1963: President John F. Kennedy is seen here with first lady Jaqueline Kennedy. In the fromt of them are Texas Gov. John Connally and his wife, Nellie. Agent Roy Kellerman is in the passenger seat.

sion into the middle of the car that lengthened it by 3.5 feet. This allowed custom touches like jump seats, but little protection. Ford leased the car to the Secret Service for $500 a year.

They called it a “parade car,” exposed to the public, Anderson says. “Before 1963, presidents were largely unprotected. Afterward, cars are essentially armored tanks that look like Lincoln limousines or Cadillacs.”

Roy Kellerman, a Secret Service agent who was assigned to protect the president that day, sat in the front passenger seat but could not get to the wounded president while the car was under fire from a sixthfloor window of a nearby building. Blocking his way was a metal bar to support the removable “bubble top” — unused that day — plus two jump seats where Texas Gov. John Connally and his wife, Nellie, were sitting. The governor also was wounded.

According to the Warren Commission: “Had the vehicle been so designed it is possible that an agent riding in the front seat could have reached PHOTO GETTY IMAGES

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Agenda

the President in time to protect him from the second and fatal shot. … However, such access to the President was interfered with both by the metal bar some 15 inches above the back of the front seat and by the passengers in the jump seats.”

While shots were still being fired, the only Secret Service agent to reach Kennedy was Clint Hill, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s chief bodyguard, who rode on the running board of the follow-up car.

Tragically immortalized on the Abraham Zapruder film, the back of the long limo serves as a silent stage moving through both Dealey Plaza and American history. It displays a bloody ballet of bullets and the pas de deux of the two persons nearest the murdered president: his wife and Hill.

The film shows Hill leaving the follow-up car after hearing a gunshot. He rushes toward the presidential limo and tries to climb on the back but stumbles when the limo lurches forward. He must run a few more steps to catch up and vault upward when the car slows down.

To the Warren Commission, Hill recounted hearing a second blast. He witnessed its result and then saw Jacqueline Kennedy climb from the back seat toward the trunk. The president “had slumped noticeably to his left. Mrs. Kennedy jumped up from the seat and was, it appeared to me, reaching for something.”

That something turned out to be a piece of her husband’s head.

One JFK aide, David Powers, witnessed the scene from the follow-up car and said Jacqueline Kennedy “would probably have fallen off the rear end of the car and been killed if Hill had not pushed her back,” according to the commission.

“Mrs. Kennedy had no recollection of climbing into the back of the car.”

One of many curious details about the car is

 The 21-foot Lincoln Continental JFK was shot in 60 years ago is still one of the Henry Ford Museum’s most popular exhibits.

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its chain of custody immediately after the assassination. In his book The Death of a President, author William Manchester paints the quiet scene at Love Field in Dallas after Air Force One flew off with the new President Johnson and the corpse of his predecessor: “In this hush, broken only by the creaking of gears, a crane hoisted SS 100 X aboard a C-130 cargo plane.”

the Kennedy era and aura, so he had it painted black. As Manchester writes, “The Service rebuilt the Presidential Lincoln in which Kennedy had died, adding a souped-up motor, two and a half tons of new steel plating, three-inch glass and bullet-proof tires, but Johnson rarely used it.”

After the car was returned to the White House, a corporate press release from Ford’s

“Folks lined up to the outside of the museum just to spend a few moments with that vehicle.

They were leaving cards and flowers.”

—MATT ANDERSON, CURATOR OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE HENRY FORD

Upon its arrival in Washington, D.C., agent Sam Kinney drove the limo from Andrews Air Force Base to the White House garage. In the book The Kennedy Detail, former Secret Service agent Gerald Blaine describes the trip: “The smell of death permeated the interior. … [Kinney] couldn’t bear to look in the review mirror to the empty, untouched, still blood-covered seat in the back.”

In a Ford Motor Co. memo of Dec. 18, 1963, a company executive writes of seeing the car two days after the killing: “When I returned to the garage, the unit was no longer under guard. The Secret Service had cleaned the leather upholstery the day before, but underneath the upholstery buttons, dried blood was still in evidence.”

The vehicle was shipped first to Ford in Dearborn, and later to Hess & Eisenhardt in Cincinnati, to be dismantled and rebuilt. Johnson didn’t like the color midnight blue because it evoked

Lincoln-Mercury Division described such a modification as routine.

“Revamping of White House limousines has been the rule, rather than the exception,” the release says, adding that rebuilds were done for cars of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower — not mentioning that none of them were murdered in their cars. (The limos of Eisenhower and Roosevelt also are on display near the JFK car.)

Years later, Nixon had a hatch built into the limo’s roof so he could open it and be seen by crowds.

But why didn’t the government keep the car as it was on that fatal Friday?

“Everybody is shocked that they didn’t,” Anderson says. “I’m shocked at that. You would’ve thought it’d be locked away in a warehouse or perhaps destroyed.”

The Detroit Free Press reported on Dec. 17, 1963, that this decision to rebuild the limo “apparently mean[s] that the Secret Service has rejected proposals for placing the car in the Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village.”

Theodore Mecke Jr., then a Ford vice president for public relations, told a Chicago newspaper at the time that “the Kennedy death car never will be placed on exhibit at the Museum.”

Fourteen years later, the car was retired; in 1981, it was installed at the Henry Ford Museum.

Ten years ago, the limo drew an emotional crowd on the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s murder. Anderson says the memorial “was one of the most amazing days” in his 12-year tenure at the museum.

“Folks lined up to the outside of the museum just to spend a few moments with that vehicle. They were leaving cards and flowers.” Some visitors wept.

Henry Ford Museum officials have discussed and declined suggestions that the JFK car be retrofitted to its original appearance, because, paradoxically, that would make it a replica of itself.

“It’s something real right now,” Anderson says.

“And I think the fact that it had all those changes is really a part of the story.”

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PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

Charity Calendar AUBURN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – SILVER & GOLD AWARDS HOLIDAY BRUNCH

URBAN LEAGUE OF DETROIT 58TH ANNUAL GUILD GALA

Dec. 8, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. auburnhillschamber.com

The 58th Annual Guild Gala will celebrate “Youth Who Do the Right Thing” and honor community service champions. Youth are nominated by school counselors and institutions of faith. The Cass Tech High School Jazz Band will perform during the luncheon, and Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy, president of Wayne State University, will serve as the event’s keynote speaker.

Join the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce in recognizing outstanding local businesses and individuals nominated for the 2023 Silver & Gold Awards during a holiday brunch on Friday, Dec. 8, from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Royal Park Hotel. This high-profile event offers an incredible amount of recognition among hundreds of business executives and community leaders. All nominees will be recognized, and winners will be announced during the brunch. The Chamber looks forward to celebrating with the nominees and recipients.

Dec. 9, 11:30 a.m.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Nov. 17 - Dec. 24, 2023 mbtheatre.com Everyone’s favorite holiday classic is back for its 41st year at Meadow Brook Theatre! This beloved production captivates audiences with the tale of a mean-spirited miser and the ghosts that haunt him.

DETROIT PUBLIC THEATRE Nov. 29 - Dec. 17 detroitpublictheatre.org

BLACK FAMILY DEVELOPMENT INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ 2023 HOPE AND HEALING CELEBRATION Dec. 12, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. blackfamilydevelopment.org Black Family Development Inc. (BFDI), a comprehensive family counseling agency serving children and families in Detroit and Wayne County for 45 years, will hold its Annual Hope and Healing Gala on Dec. 12 from 6-9 p.m. at the Fort Pontchartrain Hotel. The event will include keynote speaker Byna Elliot, head of Advancing Black Pathways at JPMorgan Chase, and emcee Lexi Allen, Gospel artist and producer, for an upbeat evening titled Jazz, Justice and Elegance.

’Tis the season to join some of DPT’s great musical theater performers and musicians for a festive evening of song celebrating the season. Get ready to join them for a night filled with everyone’s favorite holiday and musical theater favorites. This show will warm your heart when it gets cold, dark, and snowy — so get holly, get jolly, and get tickets! The DPT Holiday Cabaret will be the celebration of the season!

Individual tickets are $200. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. To purchase tickets, visit the organization’s website at blackfamilydevelopment. org or call 313-758-0150, donor support, for more information.

SOUP CITY Jan. 24 cotsdetroit.org/soupcity The COTS Soup City, an evening of compassion and community, takes place on Jan. 24, 2024, at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. This is COTS’ signature fundraiser, dedicated to helping Detroit families break the cycle of generational poverty and homelessness. It’s also a celebration of family triumphs and partnerships built at COTS over the past year. Enjoy a delightful soup stroll, savor exquisite dishes from 25+ metro Detroit restaurants, and explore the COTS Art of Family gallery, which tells stories of those who have overcome adversity through art, and aims to reshape perceptions about poverty and homelessness. In addition to the delicious food and inspiring art, enjoy live music and a silent auction. Your admission is more than a ticket; it’s an invitation to partner with COTS in Creating Opportunities to Succeed! For updated details, visit cotsdetroit.org/soupcity.

BFDI’s mission is to strengthen and enhance the lives of children, youth, and families through partnerships that support safe, nurturing, and vibrant homes, schools, and communities. The organization specializes in behavioral health, family preservation, juvenile justice, prevention, and early childhood and community development programming.

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

HOUR DETROIT.COM

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12.23 AN EPICUREAN’S GUIDE TO THE REGION’S DINING SCENE

Food&Drink

AN N I VER SARY

ROAD TO THE ROADHOUSE

Zingerman’s Roadhouse is 20 years old. Learn how the restaurant serving up regional American eats became an Ann Arbor classic.

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Food&Drink  The Spartan trailer out front was rumored to be a reference to the Michigan State Spartans.

“No disrespect [to MSU]. But it had nothing to do with that at all,” Weinzweig says.

ANNIVERSARY

20 YEARS OF COMFORT AND CLASS

Ann Arbor’s Zingerman’s Roadhouse celebrates two decades in business — here’s how the award-winning restaurant established its identity and adapted to the changing landscape

BY JACK THOMAS

IT ALL STARTED with a cold call. In the late ’90s, Alex Young, a chef in Pittsburgh, dialed Zingerman’s co-founder Ari Weinzweig. Young pitched an idea for a restaurant — an American brasserie.

Weinzweig thought it needed some workshopping, but their conversations would continue.

For the next couple of years, Young regularly drove up to Ann Arbor for discussions with Weinzweig and Paul Saginaw, Weinzweig’s business partner. The concept they settled on was Zingerman’s Roadhouse, a restaurant serving regional eats from around America. Young signed on as managing partner, and he moved with his family to Dexter in 2001, close to Ann Arbor and to his in-laws.

As Young planned for the new restaurant, he started working shifts at Zingerman’s Delicatessen. On the line there, he met Bob Bennett, a college student who was a couple of semesters away from a psychology degree that Bennett says he “was never going to use.” Bennett preferred the restaurant setting to the lecture hall.

“I liked the energy around it,” Bennett says. “I didn’t know a whole lot about food, but I enjoyed Zingerman’s as a company and how we treated each other.”

One day in 2003, he followed Young to the Roadhouse to prep for its grand opening. Bennett helped paint the exterior of the building, a former

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Bill Knapp’s restaurant. Inside, Young stained the bar ceilings and laid the zinc countertops, inspired by 1920s French establishments.

“People thought [the Roadhouse] would be like the deli when it first opened, and nobody had any idea what we were up to,” Young says. “It took a couple years to really create our own identity.”

The all-over-the-map menu included barbecue from North Carolina, lobster rolls from Maine, and gumbo from New Orleans.

It was a departure from just sandwiches and baked goods. To prepare, partners Weinzweig, Saginaw, and Young had traveled to Oxford, Mississippi, for a barbecue symposium, hosted by the Southern Foodways Alliance. The trip still holds a special significance for Weinzweig; it opened his eyes to Southern culture.

“Like everything, it’s a very complex and very fascinating history,” Weinzweig says.

Outside, contractors built a barbecue pit from a rendering Young drew on a scrap of paper. The weekend before opening, pitmaster Ed Mitchell (whom they met at the symposium) drove up to teach Young and the staff his traditional eastern North Carolina whole-hog style of barbecue, which the Roadhouse still uses today.

The restaurant became known for comfort food made with selectively sourced ingredients.

Young introduced fresh produce from his home

garden in 2004. The garden would expand into Zingerman’s Cornman Farms, which at one point grew over 130 varieties of vegetables and even raised small herds of pigs and cows. Young and the restaurant would snag a James Beard Award for best chef in 2011, after being nominated the previous four years. Since then, the Roadhouse has received two additional nominations — for outstanding service in 2019 and outstanding hospitality in 2020.

“We went to Chicago, we did the red-carpet thing, we got wined and dined — I mean, it was very cool,” recalls Lisa Schultz. After starting as a server in 2004, she’d worked her way up to manager by 2013.

Another moment she remembers vividly occurred in 2017. While on maternity leave, she got a call from Weinzweig: Young was departing from Zingerman’s. For the past few years, Young had been pining to open a new restaurant, but he says he couldn’t because company policy only allowed managing partners to run one business.

“Finding out when Chef was leaving was a huge, huge shock for me,” Schultz says. “But it all worked out in the end. He was ready, and it was OK for us.”

The chef hat went to Bennett, who had been there from the beginning. He and Schultz helped steer the restaurant through the pandemic lockdowns — a time in which companywide sales dropped by half and nearly 300 Zingerman’s employees were furloughed.

“We had our regulars, who continue to lift us up,” Bennett says. “It gave us that momentum and that positive outlook in what could have been a very negative time for us.”

Today, the menu still features many of the original items, including fried chicken, mac and cheese, and house-smoked barbecued ribs that fall right off the bone. A longtime meatless favorite is the black bean and hominy burger, with green chiles fire-roasted in New Mexico and peeled in-house. Delicacies include fresh-baked biscuits and decadent donut sundaes.

Out front is the Roadshow, a 1952 vintage Spartan trailer that offers a cafe-style menu and drivethru takeout. In warmer months, you can take your chow to the dog-friendly Roadhouse Park, a lively place to unwind with a drink or a coffee made with beans roasted by Zingerman’s Coffee Co. The restaurant’s 220-seat dining room now regularly fills to capacity again, with Bennett and his team cranking out entrees. Last year, Schultz became managing partner. And the next generation of leaders is already being cultivated.

“One of the things I enjoy so much is seeing our staff grow in what they do, whether it’s a dishwasher who’s been here for a week or someone who’s been here for three years who just started learning a new position,” Bennett says. “We’re always building new memories.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ZINGERMAN’S ROADHOUSE

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Food&Drink

 The monumental Suprême Plateau ($285) is a shareable tower of 12 oysters, clams, salmon tartare, shrimp, lobster, king crab, and mussels escabeche, served at Le Suprême in the Book Tower.

R E STAU R A N T R E P O RT

GASTRO-HOTELS Our take on the menus and vibes at restaurants in three downtown hotels, all of which are in historic buildings

BY BY R I C BO H Y A ND JAC K TH O MAS

PHOTO BY OLSOVSKY WILLIAMS

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Food&Drink  Le Suprême’s picturesque dining room includes cafe tables from Ardamez and chairs from Maison Louis Drucker (both French furniture makers) as well as a mosaic marble floor.

LE SUPRÊME:

Parisian eats in the heart of Detroit

We’d all love a trip to Paris sometime soon, but we’re Americans — we work a lot. In fact, fewer than half of us use all our vacation days. Fortunately, there’s a new eatery in the heart of Detroit that aims to transport diners to the City of Light. If you’re looking for French dining with the bonus of personable and friendly American service, this may be your spot.

Le Suprême, open since late August, is the first eatery to occupy the Book Tower, a 1926 Italian Renaissance-style building in downtown Detroit, after its seven-year, nearly $400 million renovation

by Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock.

It’s a self-described “Parisian-inspired brasserie.” Brasserie translates literally to “brewery.” The term was first used in mid-19thcentury Alsace, France, and referred to a place where you could enjoy an unpretentious meal and wash it down with house-brewed beer. It evolved to mean simply a large, casual-dining restaurant (no on-site beer brewing necessary).

While Le Suprême’s atmosphere is relaxed, it’s certainly an upscale experience. The 1920s-inspired dining room has a cinematic quality; you might expect to see Salvador Dalí off in a corner doodling on a napkin. The faded gold walls (newly painted) are accented with handmade green tile and dark wood paneling. There are mosaic marble floors and cozy oxblood leather booths.

The extensive drink menu includes over 300 handpicked wines. And if you want to learn more about any of them, you’re in for a treat — Book Tower Beverage Director Patrick Jobst is one of a select few card-carrying advanced sommeliers in the entire state of Michigan. The bar menu also includes an impressive selection of pastis, absinthe, and signature cocktails that pay homage to Paris.

However, if you’re avoiding booze, you may want to try La Vierge, a refreshing mocktail made with absinthe and sparkling wine (both 0 percent alcohol).

Escargots a la Bourguignonne (Burgundy snails,

$17) are the perfect starter. For anyone new to eating small creatures that slither: Have no fear.

The dish provides a gentle entry point to the French staple — the snails are served sans shell, swimming with button mushrooms in a garlicky parsley butter sauce.

One of the standout mains is the honey-roasted duck breast ($41) — tender and flavorful, with foie gras (the liver, a rich and delicate part of the duck).

It’s served with braised endive and sauce bigarade, a classic French mixture that balances sweetness with bitter orange. Equally as tasty is the simple and mild trout amandine ($34). It stars Michigan rainbow trout, topped with toasted almonds, haricots verts (French green beans), and brown butter to add to the nuttiness.

For dessert, don’t miss the sorbet, which comes in a rotating selection of flavors. Or, if you’ve saved enough room, the rich gateau au chocolat (chocolate cake with fresh raspberries and silky chocolate cremeux) pairs well with a hot espresso drink or a dessert wine. —Jack Thomas Le Suprême is located at 1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit. 313-597-7734; lesupremedetroit.com THE APPARATUS ROOM:

The restaurant’s new food and drink team has major chops

 Overseen by Executive Chef Rece Hogerheide, The Apparatus Room’s open kitchen brings diners closer to the action.

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If you know that the Detroit Fire Department once used the ground floor of the building at 250 W. Larned as its equipment garage, it becomes clear why the current occupant is named The Apparatus Room.

The building was combined with neighboring Pontchartrain Wine Cellars to create the Detroit Foundation Hotel in 2017, and the first floor was spiffed up as a fine-dining, “iconic New American” restaurant, with rich, burnished woods; peacock-blue paint and drapes; leather

booths that evoke vintage car seats; a large marble and walnut oval bar; and an open kitchen.

The transformation was pulled off by dozens of Detroit designers and artisans to make it the most Detroit-centric space possible. Every piece of art, flooring, and lighting was sourced, salvaged, or created in Detroit. A rack of dry fire hoses is a finishing touch.

The new food and wine team, as of April, brings impressive talent to the enterprise. A big proponent of locally sourced ingredients, Apparatus Room Executive Chef Rece Hogerheide was a founder of Canton-based Felony Provisions, specializing in whole-animal butchery, fermentation, cheese making, and charcuterie.

Sommelier Liz Martinez was one of Food & Wine’s 2019 Sommeliers of the Year, having curated the wine list at downtown’s Prime + Proper, which made Wine Enthusiast’s list of the top 100 wine restaurants in the U.S. two years in a row.

Both Hogerheide and Martinez are veterans of Birmingham’s Daxton Hotel and its Madam, Hour Detroit’s 2023 Restaurant of the Year. Pastry chef Duncan Spangler has been with The Apparatus Room since it opened in 2017 and previously led the high-volume bread and pastry program for the Wolfgang Puck restaurants at MGM Grand Detroit casino.

A dazzling dinner in late September showcased the seasonal menu. It began with an amuse-bouche of sourdough made with 13-year-old starter and brilliant-green compound butter incorporating peppery nasturtium leaves (oh, everybody else uses the blossoms). After beet (not beef) carpaccio with whiskey-washed salmon roe came a serving of trendy hydroponic Salanova lettuce with coriander vinaigrette, toasted pistachios, and shavings of sheep’s milk cheese. Next was doppio ravioli, a style rarely if ever seen in these parts that has

LE SUPREME OLSOVSKY WILLIAMS ASH BAR VICTOR STONEM APPARATUS ROOM COURTESY OF DETROIT FOUNDATION HOTEL

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Food&Drink  The large marble and walnut oval bar at The Apparatus Room, which features a weekly classic cocktail along with house originals and a wine list carefully curated

by Liz Martinez, who was one of Food & Wine’s 2019 Sommeliers of the Year.

get your juices flowing and pave the way for fritto misto, a fried mix of asparagus, cauliflower, and haricots verts, the skinny little French green beans; the sturdier bone-in pork chop with chevre (goat cheese) polenta; or a braised chicken leg with chanterelles, peas, and pureed potatoes.

Ash Bar, like its sister restaurants/bars in Ash hoteliers’ other locations (Baltimore, New Orleans, and Providence, Rhode Island), “is designed to embody the spirit of the quintessential European cafe seen through an Americana lens.” This fairly small all-day restaurant and bar opened in June, taking over the spot that was home to Karl’s, a popular lunch spot, from 2019 to 2022. Minimalist handpainted monotone murals echo the working-class themes found most notably in Diego Rivera’s masterpieces in the Detroit Institute of Arts. The crystal-cut glassware is chunky and sturdy. Dark wood surrounds the bar, giving it a clubby touch.

Lighting is dim, although some might consider that just right. The noise level is high because Ash Bar has succeeded as a popular gathering place. —Ric Bohy The Siren Hotel is located at 1509 Broadway St., Detroit. 313-277-4736; ash.world two chambers stuffed with contrasting fillings.

Next was a round of heritage lamb that had to be the most succulent, buttery-tender serving ever offered, plated with matsutake mushrooms, spinach, morel conserva, and farro with black truffle and currants.

Dessert was caramelized Michigan apple with roasted white chocolate pudding, but a little sphere of pate a choux stole the show. It sat alone on its own plate and revealed an intensely flavored raspberry pastry cream inside, resulting in that much sought-after but only occasionally achieved perfect bite.

Dishes to look forward to this winter include braised lamb cannelloni with sweet potato, Parmesan fonduta, and Calabrian chili; crispy pork blade steak with creamed Savoy cabbage, tart apple puree, crispy parsnip, and caraway crumble; confit squash salad with ricotta salata, fried hazelnuts, and sage sourdough breadcrumbs; and Manchego cheesecake with poached quince, rye crumble, and pomegranate sorbet. —Ric Bohy The Apparatus Room is open for all three meals. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays.

250 W. Larned St., Detroit; 313-800-5600; detroitfoundationhotel.com ASH BAR:

Upscale dining in The Siren Hotel

Those who say nay to the belly should try at least one bite of an intensely delicious version plated at Ash Bar in the heart of downtown on the second floor of the monolithic Siren Hotel (aka the historical Wurlitzer Building). It will lead to more.

Pork belly, the part of the pig better known after it’s transformed into bacon, is itself a succulent, mouthfeel-y treat that can stand on its own with tender care. Clearly, that’s how it’s handled by chef Scott Martinelli, Ash Bar’s kitchen wiz.

His pork belly rillons are cubed, cooked in their own fat, and napped with sweet-and-sour blackberry sauce — as good as it sounds — along with bits of fennel, cipollini, and cilantro. What appears to be a smallish serving is rich enough for a dinner entree on its own.

Accompanied by the expertly made bread of the day with whipped butter, the dish serves as one fine example of the continental fare “seen through an Americana lens” that fills out the relatively brief but well-chosen menu — though you may need help with interpreting the European names.

Take moules, considered by some to be the national dish of Belgium. Simply put, these are mussels, steamed with bitter Fernet-Branca, dressed with Café de Paris sauce, and served with bits of the pricey cured Italian pork jowl called guanciale. The dish comes with bread for sopping in the sauce.

While agnolotti may not be as familiar as ravioli, they’re cousins. Here, it’s stuffed with a mix of ricotta and cherry tomato and plated with pattypan squash — that peculiar little fruit that mimics a UFO — and pecorino, lemon, and basil accents. It’s hearty enough to match well with a glass of chewy red.

A tasty way to set up the entrees is a cup of olives marinated with citrus, oregano, and fiery Aleppo pepper, a spice common in Turkey. They

 Located on The Siren Hotel’s second floor, Ash Bar “is designed to embody the spirit of the quintessential European cafe seen through an Americana lens.”

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DRINKS

RELAX AND POUR THE WINE Local wine experts help take the stress of choosing a wine off your plate

 Kristen Carlson, sipping Borgogno’s No Name Nebbiolo, is head sommelier at The Wine Grotto at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth.

She recommends bringing wine “palatable for the novice drinker” to a holiday party.

BY M ICK EY LYO NS | PH O T OS BY C H U K NOWA K

THERE’S NOTHING THAT SAYS “celebration” like the sound of a cork popping out of a bottle of effervescent wine. But holiday entertaining goes beyond the New Year’s Eve Champagne toast. Most revelers will attend many different types of events, from office post-work gatherings to family celebrations to boisterous bashes with friends. Every holiday party is likely to serve up many different types of food, from New Year’s brunch to elegant finger foods to hearty roast beef.

Choosing the perfect wine for each occasion might take some forethought and a bit of advice from the experts, but you shouldn’t sweat it too much.

That’s what our experts say. They’re here to help you pick the best vino for a party, whether you’re hosting or attending. They’re also on hand with tips and tricks for gifting, charcuterie pairing, and the real etiquette for who opens the bottles that are brought to a party.

Carlson sits with a freshly poured Mawby brut rosé in The Wine Grotto, a charming venue built in a former seminary. 

Kristen Carlson, head sommelier at The Wine Grotto at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth, suggests folks “go to your local independent retailer, talk to the professionals there,” she says.

“This is what we love doing: We love teaching. We love helping.” Carlson recommends wines that are, she says, “palatable for the novice drinker,” like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Hosts can have a little fun with their selection, though. Westbrooks likes to add in the occasional offbeat wine, like a Rioja or a Lodi red Zinfandel.

Carlson’s maverick wines of choice are Movia Puro, a crisp white wine from Slovenia on the border of northern Italy, and Treehouse, a white Pinot Noir by Big Little Wines in Suttons Bay.

How to Pair Wine with Food

Zach Berg is the co-owner and cheesemonger at Mongers’ Provisions and The Rind wine bar. He

How to Choose Wines for a Party

No matter the occasion, the experts we talked to all agreed that keeping it simple is ideal. Mikiah Westbrooks, owner of Brix Wine, a bar and retailer in Detroit’s Rivertown neighborhood, likes to choose a red, a white, a rosé, and a sparkling wine for parties, just to make sure everyone has something they like. Popular varietals like Pinot Noir and Vouvray make for good choices on the drier and lighter side, but, Westbrooks says, “no matter what kind of party, you have a Cabernet drinker always in tow” so she makes sure to have some Napa Cabs on hand.

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Food&Drink

has one simple rule for pairing wine with food, especially cheese and charcuterie: “If it grows together, it goes together,” he says. For example, “it’s rare that a good Tuscan wine isn’t going to go with a good Tuscan cheese. There are just so many centuries of cohabitation” in agricultural products, he says, that it’s an easy cheat.

Next, he recommends that hosts “decide who’s boss” between the wine and the cheese. “It’s just like dancing — you both can’t lead,” he says. “It’s about deciding, Who are you showing off tonight?

Is it about the three cheeses that you just bought and finding the perfect wines to express those? Or is it that you have this beautiful bottle that you’ve been saving in your cellar for a couple of years that you’re about to bring out? In that case, that’s the boss and it’s about finding a supporting cast.”

If you’re still in doubt and really want to wow your guests, Detroit Vineyards has you covered.

It’s offering a hands-on charcuterie board workshop on Dec. 8, where participants can sample wine and snacks and hear from the tasting room chef on how to compose the best charcuterie board for your event.

Should the Host Open Right Away the Bottle of Wine That a Guest Brought?

This can cause anxiety for hosts and guests. No one wants to appear rude or greedy. Fortunately, there’s wiggle room. No less an authority than Martha Stewart says it’s not necessary or expected, unless the bottle was brought to accompany a specific dish. Brix’s Westbrooks agrees. “I think whoever is receiving the gift, it should be up to them,” she says. “If, once you take it to someone, they decide to open it, that’s perfectly fine. But if I’m going to give you a bottle of wine, I definitely wouldn’t open it.”

Wine and Wine-Related Gifts

As Carlson recommends, your local independent wine retailer can find fun, fanciful, or elegant wines that make great gifts at any budget.

MotorCity Wine in Corktown has a selection of eclectic, approachable wines with a focus on sustainable and Old World varieties; Brix has an extensive list of Michigan wines and other options.

Got an oenophile in the family? They probably already have plenty on hand for enjoying a nice pour, but there’s always room for a new gadget, tool, or trick. Brix’s Westbrooks is a fan of giving a nice bottle opener or pair of Viski glasses as a gift.

She recommends the Rabbit brand system.

Carlson of The Wine Grotto uses the Coravin bottle-opening system at home and at work, which uses a thin needle rather than removing the cork and replaces the oxygen in the bottle with inert gas. This allows one bottle of wine to remain stable for many months, so a fine or rare bottle can be enjoyed over time.

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DINING NEWS

What’s Cooking

Metro Detroit food and beverage headlines

BY JACK T H O MAS

 Plenty of metro Detroit establishments offer wine tastings — great for a holiday outing or a gift.

Wine Events for Gifts and Gatherings

Group wine tastings also make great gifts and holiday outings. Plenty of metro Detroit locations offer private or public group tastings. Detroit’s House of Pure Vin, Detroit Vineyards, and Michigan by the Bottle offer private group wine tastings. For the ultimate luxurious wine lover’s gift, Hazel Park’s Framebar offers private wine tasting concierge services at the bar’s private space or in the comfort of your own home. Wine Director Diego Aliste works with producers from around the world to select wines for a personally tailored class.

Wine clubs are another option for delightful new discoveries that will last all year. Oak & Reel, Detroit Vineyards, The Royce, Vertical Detroit, House of Pure Vin, and Cata Vino all have a variety of wine clubs for most budgets, from two bottles per year up to a dozen per month.

If you’re looking for something fun to do this month, Alpino in Corktown will feature alpine wines at its “Winter White” wine tasting on Dec. 6 in the restaurant’s private cellar space. Coldclimate wine varietals will be on hand for sampling and purchase, with guests encouraged to dress in white. Downtown’s The Apparatus Room will host a “Vines and Vibes” wine class and tasting event on Dec. 13 featuring mountain and alpine wines, perfect for the winter season. Sommelier and General Manager Liz Martinez will highlight five different wines paired with bites.

The right wine bottle, the right wine gift, and the perfect wine education experience are all right here in metro Detroit — for any budget, any occasion, and any person. You just have to ask the experts. As Carlson says, “Don’t overthink it.”

That’s what the experts are for.

Rooftop Views, Gin, and Barcelona-Style Tapas in Downtown Detroit Kamper’s Rooftop Lounge is the second restaurant to arrive this year in Detroit’s historic Book Tower. Ride the elevator to the 14th floor and grab a cold gin and tonic, Negroni, or sherry cocktail. The menu features Spanish small plates like the croquetas de jamon (ham croquettes) and the escalivada, a side of charcoalgrilled eggplant, red peppers, and onions finished with aromatic sherry-aged vinegar.

Late-Night Munchies, Drinks, and Dancing from Barda Chef-Owner Puma, a new restaurant in the Core City neighborhood, is Javier Bardauil’s latest addition to the Detroit dining scene. Like the James Beardnominated chef-owner’s Barda, Puma serves up Argentine cuisine — but the atmosphere is much more informal and approachable, with no reservations. Grab a choripan, the classic South American sandwich: a French baguette stuffed

with chorizo and chimichurri.

After the dinner rush dies down, the restaurant turns into Cougar, a late-night destination with live DJ performances, full-service cocktails, and some food items, such as choripan, available until close (which at press time was projected to be 10 p.m. Thursdays and 2 a.m. Fridays through Sundays).

Mediterranean Fare with Flair in the Historic WWJ Building Downtown Detroit’s newly opened Cambria Hotel is home to Cibo, a Mediterranean fusion restaurant. Chef James Sumpter’s high-end and inventive menu includes Wagyu steaks and the nduja and octopus, made with squid-ink gnocchi, confit octopus, tomato, and grilled lemon. There’s also plenty of wine, as well as signature cocktails like Summer in Mykonos, a Mediterranean take on a margarita that blends tequila, butterfly pea, lime, and raki.

 Kamper’s is named for architect Louis Kamper, who designed the Book Tower in the 1920s.

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Restaurant Guide Wayne

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; 313-312-1493. B,L,D Tue.-Sat. B,L Sun.

Amore da Roma $$ ITALIAN • Guy Pelino, Roma Café’s chef, took over the ownership reins of this restaurant on the edge of the Eastern Market. He retained the menu, adding a charcuterie board and updating the wine list, while keeping the character of the old-school restaurant, known for its steaks and pastas. 3401 Riopelle St., Detroit; 313-8315940. L,D Tue.-Sat. Andiamo $$ 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, fromscratch 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; 313567-6700. 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 temporarily closed Mondays)

FEATURED

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; 313582-8185. 27346 Ford Road, Dearborn Heights; 313-5659600. 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; 313-800-5600. B,L,D Mon.Fri., BR,D Sat.-Sun. 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.

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.

E N T R É E P R I C ES

$ Affordable (less than $12)

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. $$ Baobab Fare EAST AFRICAN • With his New Center restaurant, Hamissi Mamba urges diners to venture into culinary territories they’d otherwise miss, like the Mbuzi starring a goat shank that is slow-roasted until the meat is so tender that it slides off the bone. 6568 Woodward Ave., Ste. 100, Detroit; 313-265-3093. L,D Tue.-Sun. Barda $$$$ 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- 952-5182; barda-detroit.com. D Thurs.-Sun. Bash Original Izakaya $$ JAPANESE • From the proprietor of Canton’s popular Izakaya Sanpei comes a Japanese pub located in Woodbridge. Occupying the former home of Katsu, Bash maintains much of that eatery’s Asian-inspired décor, such as hanging lanterns and bamboo shades.

Bash’s drink menu focuses on Japanese craft beer, while the food menu of small plates and sashimi includes Gyoza, Teriyaki Udon, and fried octopus balls called Takoyaki. 5069 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-7887208; L Wed.-Sat. 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

$$ Moderate ($13 to $20)

$$$ Expensive ($21 to $30)

12.23 YO U R C O M P R E H E N S I V E RESOURCE FOR DINING OUT IN METRO DETROIT

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, 313338-3222. D Wed.-Sat.. $$ Brome Modern Eatery BURGERS • This healthy spin on a classic serves neverfrozen, grass-fed, antibiotic-free, organic burgers.

There’s beef, chicken, haddock, and vegetarian dishes — but no pork, as the restaurant is halal. There’s also a cold-pressed juice bar. 22062 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-996-5050. L,D daily.

Bronze Door $$$$ NEW AMERICAN • One of the newest restaurants under 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; 313-886-8101.

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; 313-8828560. 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 tournedos di vitello — medallions of veal filet in a fresh mushroom sauce. The wine list is impressive as well.

98 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-308-3120.

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.

$$$$ Very Expensive (more than $30)

DECEMBER 2023

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R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 1 2. 2 3 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. City Kitchen $$ AMERICAN • The emphasis is on fresh fish and seafood here, but also on the locals — especially lake perch. There are also such dishes as Cajun tenderloin tips and a few good angus burgers. 16844 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe; 313-882-6667. D daily.

Cliff Bell’s $$ EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • This restored Art Deco hotspot offers small plates such as oysters with cava granita and a salmon croquette. Large plates include sesame soy glazed shiitakes and summer stir fried vegetables with coconut rice. Jazz prevails on the bandstand.

2030 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-961-2543. D Wed.-Sun. Coriander Kitchen and Farm $$ GASTROPUB • At this Jefferson Chalmers eatery, guests can rent fire pits and roast housemade marshmallows to make s’mores, or sip mugs of Hot Buttered Rum. By day, grab a picnic table and dip hunks of grilled flatbread into creamy fish dip made with smoked whitefish and lake trout and seasoned with herbs from the farm. 14601 Riverside Blvd., Detroit; 313-338-9466. L,D Wed.-Mon.

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.

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.

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. 29244 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-351-2925. 23722 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-498-3000. L,D daily.

Detroit Shipping Company $ FUSION • This bi-level destination created out of shipping containers offers a variety of food options ranging from the Caribbean-fusion dishes at Coop to 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. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Flowers of Vietnam $$ VIETNAMESE • Chef and owner George Azar transformed a former Coney Island into an industrial-cool destination, but the neighborhood joint vibe remains.

The menu is shaped around Azar’s appreciation of Vietnamese food, with a very personal twist. 4440 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-2085. D Thu.-Sun. $ Folk NEW AMERICAN • A charming Corktown storefront dishing up an all-day brunch menu. It’s an offshoot of the Farmer’s Hand grocery and farmers market. The menu focuses on globally inspired dishes like salads, quiche, and sandwiches — all beautifully plated and nutritious. Infused milks and frothy lattes are well sought after, too. 1701 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-7422672. B,L daily.

Detroit Vegan Soul $ VEGAN • The popular spot offers your classic soul food favorites but with plant-based twists — mac and cheese, maple-glazed yams, collard greens, and interpretations of catfish and pepper steak. 19614 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-766-5728. L,D Wed.-Fri. (Takeout only; no phone orders).

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.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2010

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe $$$ GASTROPUB • A jazz club with top guest musicians and an American bistro menu in a traditional interior. Starters include mojito shrimp skewers and pan-fried calamari. Main entries include a beef short rib. 97 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-882-5299. L Tue.-Fri., D Tue.-Sat. Eatori Market $$ 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.

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.

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.

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 creamed leek risotto. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit; 313-872-5110. D Wed.-Sat. (Note: Not wheelchair accessible).

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.

FEATURED

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 fatfried chicken and a burger.

5440 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-2858849. L,D Tue.-Fri. D Sat.

Ford’s Garage $$ BURGERS • Henry Ford’s legacy is celebrated on Dearborn’s main thoroughfare. There are at least 12 variations on the classic American burger here. Try the Ford’s Signature, featuring a half-pound of grilled black angus beef, aged sharp cheddar, applewoodsmoked bacon, and bourbon barbecue sauce. Other appealing dishes include shrimp mac and cheese, and chicken wings. 21367 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-752-3673. L,D daily. $$$ Giovanni’s Ristorante ITALIAN • This old-school Italian restaurant offers housemade pastas, including an outstanding lasagna.

Elaborate veal and seafood dishes and desserts like orange Creamsicle cheesecake round out the delicious menu. 330 Oakwood Blvd., Detroit; 313-841-0122. L,D Tue.-Fri., D Sat. Grandma Bob’s $ PIZZA • If you’re wondering what that psychedelic building on Corktown’s Michigan Avenue is, it’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; 313-315-3177. L,D Thu.-Mon. Grand Trunk Pub $ NEW AMERICAN • Breads from Avalon Bakery and meats from Eastern Market anchor the hearty fare, which pairs well with a selection of Michigan beers.

Staples include a reuben with Poet Stout Kraut and the Ghettoblaster beer-battered fish and chips. 612 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-3043.; L, D, 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.

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R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 1 2. 2 3 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.

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; 313-332-0607; L Fri.Sun., 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, eggplant tempura with cardamom hummus, baby leek, and sweet chili or lamb cordon bleu with roasted red pepper, Manchego, cornichon, and mustard seed. 47 Watson St., Detroit; 313-262-6534. D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

Highlands $$$ STEAKHOUSE/NEW AMERICAN • Occupying the top two floors of the Renaissance Center, Highlands comprises three separate concepts. A steakhouse of the same name provides a high-end dining experience, while the more casual Hearth 71 (currently closed but reopening soon) serves locally sourced dishes cooked over an open fire. The third concept within the space is the appropriately named High Bar, where guests can choose from a vast collection of spirits and decadent desserts. 400 Renaissance Center, Floors 71 and 72, Detroit; 313-877-9090; D Mon.-Sat. The Hudson Cafe $ BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • The fresh, well-prepared fare from the kitchen of this breakfast/lunch spot has creative takes on the eggs Benedict theme, red velvet pancakes, and apple-walnut stuffed French toast, as well as lunchtime sandwiches and salads. 1241 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-237-1000. B,L daily. $$ Hungarian Rhapsody HUNGARIAN • This Downriver restaurant offers authentic Hungarian dishes, such as chicken and veal paprikas, beef goulash, and palacsinta (crêpes). 14315 Northline Road, Southgate; 734-283-9622. L,D Tue.-Sun. 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 Lovers Only’s famous Classic Smash burgers 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; 248-781-0131. 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

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.

FEATURED

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 Lamb Kefta.

8044 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-5130361. L,D Thu.-Sun.

Johnny Noodle King $ JAPANESE-INSPIRED • This noodle shop offers bowls topped with pork belly, confit chicken, and tofu, as well as seaweed salad and gyoza. There are also several fusion bowls like the Southwest, topped with shredded chicken and housemade crema. 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; 248-544-6250. 311 S Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-9132730. L,D daily (Detroit, Ann Arbor); L Fri.-Mon, D daily (Royal Oak).

Karl’s Cabin $$ AMERICAN • Dishes from their currently rotating drive-through menu such as pan-seared walleye and beef tenderloin tips with Cajun spice and gravy surpass typical roadhouse food. 6005 Gotfredson Road, Plymouth; 734-455-8450. L,D daily.

The Kitchen by Cooking with Que $$ VEGAN • This eatery created by Detroit-based cooking blogger Quiana Broden serves lunches of smoothies, salads, and sandwiches. Broden also often offers live cooking demonstrations. 6529 Woodward Ave., Ste. A, Detroit; 313-462-4184. B,L,D, Wed.-Sat. Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles $ SOUTHERN COMFORT • Several recipes, including a signature thin waffle, are family-owned at ex-NFL player Ron Bartell’s spot. Think comfort food kicked up a notch: fried catfish, salmon croquettes, shrimp and grits, and biscuits. Drink the Kool-Aid, too. 19345 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-861-0229. B,L,D Tue.-Sat., B,L Sun. La Dolce Vita $$$ ITALIAN • Traditional Italian cuisine is key at this Palmer Park hideaway. Recommended is the lake perch in white wine sauce, the veal scaloppine with artichokes, and the lasagna. 17546 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313865-0331. 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; 313-9628821. L,D Tue.-Sun. London Chop House $$ STEAKHOUSE • The kitchen turns out classics like oysters Rockefeller, French onion soup, and sauteed loup de mer with scallops. This is the place to come when you need to satisfy a craving for steak in elegant surroundings with hospitable service. 155 W. Congress St., Detroit; 313-962-0277. D Mon.-Sat. Leila $$$ 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.

Lucy & the Wolf $$ SPANISH • This Anglo-sounding restaurant offers very good Spanish-inspired tapas dining. Standouts include a fire-roasted jalapeño cheese spread, shrimp tacos, and a grilled flank steak in chimichurri sauce.

102 E. Main St., Northville; 248-308-3057. L,D Tue.-Sat. Lumen Detroit $$ NEW AMERICAN • A contemporary American menu and a Victor Saroki setting make the restaurant overlooking downtown’s Beacon Park one of the best of recent entrants onto the scene. Appetizers such as freshly made pretzels prelude main courses like the Honey Bourbon Salmon. 1903 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-626-5005. L Fri.-Sun., D. Wed.-Sun. Mario’s $$$ 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; 313832-1616. L,D daily.

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; 313472-5885. 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, 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.

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.

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R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 1 2. 2 3 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.

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-theslice 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 (Canfield); L Sat.-Sun., D Wed-Fri. (Livernois).

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-your-own 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; 734-2077880. L Thu.-Sat., D Tue.-Sun. Norma G’s $ CARIBBEAN • Lester Gouvia, the Trinidadian chef who brought us the famed food truck, opened a fullservice restaurant under the same name. Stop in for a plate of Chicken Pelau: a tasty blend of rice, diced

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.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

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.

2022

Oak & Reel $$ 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.

Michigan & Trumbull $$ ITALIAN-AMERICAN • After a successful four-month run at Fort Street Galley, Michigan and Trumbull became one of the latest in a long line of Detroit-style pizza joints to open in the area. Not your traditional carryout joint, Michigan and Trumbull is housed in a sleek, refurbished car-repair garage. The menu features square, deep-dish pies with Detroit-inspired names, such as Packard Pepperoni and Woodward White. 1441 W. Elizabeth St., Detroit; 313-637-4992; L,D Wed-Sun. Mi Lindo San Blas $$$ 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.

chicken, squash, peppers, and golden-brown baked chicken. 14628 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-290-2938. D Tue.-Sat.

FEATURED

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; 313-3383895. L,D Wed.-Mon.

Olin MEDITERRANEAN • Starters like the potatoes and artichokes “bravas” with harissa and black garlic aioli and paellas are inspired by Spain, but showcase Olin’s unique spin on these iconic dishes. 25 E. Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-774-1190. D Tues.-Sat. BR Sun. Ottava Via $$ ITALIAN • Chef Ariel Millan sends out great thin-crusted pizzas, as well as interesting small plates typified by bruschetta, calamari, roasted garlic, and whipped goat cheese to be spread on paper-thin crostini. 1400 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-5500. L,D daily.

Pao Detroit $$$ FUSION • Visit this upscale Pan-Asian fusion restaurant for Asian-themed cocktails and dishes, such as creamy rock shrimp, charred octopus, and filet mignon.

Based in the former Michigan Oriental Theater, the interior combines new and old. 114 W. Adams Ave., Ste. 200, Detroit; 313-816-0000. L Sun., D Tue.-Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2018

Parc $$$ NEW AMERICAN • Excellent food, exceptional service, and a crisp and formal but distinctly unstuffy atmosphere set this Campus Martius gem apart.

Appetizer highlights include a bright and fresh tuna tartar and charred burrata. Main courses include an interesting blend of Italian food, wood-grilled steaks, and a red chilé short rib. There’s also a large selection of dry-aged gourmet steaks. 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-922-7272. 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; 313-264-1997. 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; 586-7723200. 558 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-964-6800. L,D TueSun (Detroit); L Sun., D Tue.-Sun. (St. Clair Shores).

The Peterboro $$ ASIAN-FUSION • A contemporary take on American-

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; 313-8745726. L,D daily. Not wheelchair accessible.

Portofino $ ITALIAN • This big waterfront spot in Wyandotte is both a local hangout and a restaurant with a menu that’s surprisingly ambitious. It offers a number of fish and seafood dishes, from lake perch to coconut shrimp and fried calamari, as well as steaks. Nearly every table in the restaurant has a river view. 3455 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-281-6700. L,D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2019

Prime + Proper $$$$ STEAKHOUSE • Downtown Detroit dining gets a major shot of glamour with this over-the-top steak and seafood emporium on the corner of Griswold and State streets. Although red meat, from prime dry-aged Tomahawk ribeye to Wagyu strip, is the focus — and yes, there’s a burger made with a dryaged butcher’s blend — oysters, king crab, and caviar aren’t far behind. An elegant white and gold setting backgrounds it all. 1145 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-636-3100. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun. Prism $$$ 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. Rattlesnake Club $$$$ NEW AMERICAN • This restaurant on the river remains one of the most appealing spots in town. The casually elegant space offers a range of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Dishes that typify its style include seared diver sea scallops, an 8-ounce filet, and a 16-ounce porterhouse. 300 River Place, Detroit; 313567-4400. D Tue.-Sat. Red Dunn Kitchen $$ NEW AMERICAN • The Trumbull and Porter Hotel’s spiffy restaurant is an ambitious undertaking, offering three meals a day. It is best experienced at dinner, with a la carte offerings such as foie gras-stuffed quail, smoked and marinated salmon collars, braised lamb leg, and bacon-wrapped duck breast with polenta.

1331 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-887-9477. Private meetings and events only.

Red Smoke Barbeque $$ BARBEQUE • At Red Smoke, hickory and applewoodsmoked ribs, pulled pork, apple-smoked, 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.

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R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 1 2. 2 3

RECIPE

LE SUPRÊME’S

TROUT AMANDINE

P H O T O BY RE BE CCA SIM ONOV

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. 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; 313-8422100. 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 $$$ SEAFOOD • A seafood restaurant and raw bar, The Sardine Room is fresh, fun, and energetic, with clean-line décor and a menu full of surprises. Worthwhile is a grouper sandwich that’s available seared, pan-fried, or blackened. 340 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-416-0261. D daily, BR Sat-Sun. Savannah Blue $$ SOUL FOOD • Dine on upscale soul food like the red snapper and the shrimp and grits. Shareables include catfish fritters, and a Georgian Hummus that substitutes black-eyed peas for chickpeas. There’s also a great bar. 1431 Times Square, Detroit; 313-926-0783.

D Tue.-Sat. Scotty Simpson’s Fish & Chips $ SEAFOOD • Head to this Brightmoor spot for perfectly prepared fish and chips. The key to Scotty’s longevity is the batter that coats the cod, perch, shrimp, chicken, onion rings, and frog legs. 22200 Fenkell St., Detroit; 313-533-0950. L,D Tue.-Sat.

LE SUPRÊME 1265 WASHINGTON BLVD. DETROIT 313-597-7734 LESUPREMEDETROIT.COM

Ingredients

Glazed Haricots Verts 2 cups haricots verts, blanched 1 tablespoon shallots 1/4 cup chicken stock ½ teaspoon salt Trout 1 portion rainbow trout, butterflied 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons clarified butter 6 tablespoons butter 3/4 cup almonds, blanched and sliced raw 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/4 cup parsley 1 half portion side Glazed Haricots Verts

Directions

Haricots Verts Combine the haricots verts, shallots, chicken stock, and salt in a large saute pan. Cover, place over medium-high heat, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Trout 1. Heat oven to 400 F. 2. Season the trout with salt and pepper. Heat a castiron skillet over medium-high heat and add in clarified butter. Sear for 2-3 minutes, then transfer pan into the oven and cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the trout is just barely cooked through. Remove the trout and place on a plate to keep warm.

3. Wipe out the skillet with a paper towel and add in the butter. Over medium-high heat, melt the butter and add the almonds. Cook the almonds until fragrant and golden brown, being careful not to burn them.

Immediately add the lemon juice, salt, and parsley.

Mix well and spoon the sauce over the trout.

4. Serve with glazed haricots verts and enjoy!

Second Best $ RETRO AMERICAN • The talents behind nearby Grey Ghost have unveiled a second, more casual spot with a retro spin in Brush Park. The lighter menu includes corned beef Rangoon 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.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2016

Selden Standard $$$ NEW AMERICAN • What sets Selden Standard apart is that it is moving Detroit into a new era in which upperend dining with starched linen and tuxedoed waiters doesn’t hold much interest anymore. Chef Andy Hollyday, a multiple James Beard semifinalist, does farm-totable 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.

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R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 1 2. 2 3 RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2020

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.

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.

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.

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 • The libation menu — categorized by spirit — is longer than the food menu, but both food and drinks are equally emphasized. The fare ranges from small plates of marinated olives and Bloody Mary 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 $$$$ FRENCH • A taste of Paris in downtown Detroit. This French-American bistro from the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group takes its name from the former historic Statler Hotel, which is now home to not only the bistro, but also City Club Apartments. Classic French fare (with some modern twists) such as seared foie gras mousse; Henri Maire escargots (wild Burgundy snails, garlic butter fondue, parsley, Pernod, and profiteroles); and bouillabaisse provence (seafood stew with shrimp, scallops, lobster, mussels, saffron broth, croustade, and rouille) typify the menu. The large, year-round open-air outdoor patio offers stunning panoramic views of the Detroit skyline and Grand Circus Park. There’s also a neighborhood market where customers can grab groceries and gourmet packaged meals on the go. 313 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-463-7111. D daily, BR Sun. Supino Pizzeria $$ 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 (Russell St. location temporarily closed).

6519 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-314-7400. L,D daily.

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,

FEATURED

Wright & Co.

NEW AMERICAN The collaboration between Marc Djozlija and executive chef Kyle Schutte gives life to the secondfloor space in the Wright Kay building. Small plates such as udon carbonara, Italian oyster mushrooms, and grilled sea scallops are the focus. The menu highlights seasonal dishes around a composed shared plates concept.

1500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-962-7711.

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; 313732-9463. 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.

Vigilante Kitchen + Bar $$$ MIDWESTERN-ASIAN FUSION • Housed in the former Smith & Co. space, the menu offers a variety of baos, bowls, salads, and desserts, with designated vegetarian and halal menus, and a zero-proof cocktail selection. A unique concept from executive chef Aaron Cozadd, Vigilante Kitchen + Bar employs industry workers dealing with addiction, providing them with recovery resources while still allowing them to advance their culinary skills.

644 Selden St., Detroit; 313-638-1695. D Wed.-Sun. 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.

The Whitney $$$$ NEW AMERICAN • The historic 1890s mansion is still going strong. The menu is typified by classic beef Wellington, wrapped in spinach, prosciutto, and pastry; and pan-roasted Scottish salmon. Tableside cooking, by reservation only, is an optional feature. Don’t forget The Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor for a sweet treat.4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-5700. D Wed.-Sun and high tea Sat.-Sun. 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 $$$ NEW AMERICAN • The menu includes apps and small plates as well as Wagyu beef carpaccio, ahi tuna tartare, and classic roasted oysters. There are heartier entrees as well, like the braised beef short ribs. 220 Merrill St., Birmingham; 248-646-2220. L, Mon.-Sat. BR Sat-Sun. Adachi $$$ JAPANESE-INSPIRED • Heading the kitchen is Lloyd Roberts, who has trained in the kitchens of celebrity chefs such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Nobu Matsuhisa. Here, soy truffle broth is ladled over pork dumplings reminiscent of coin purses, and miniature tacos are filled with lobster, tuna, or vegetable pickings. 325 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248540-5900. 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; 248-865-9300. L Mon.-Fri., D Sat.-Sun. Anita’s Kitchen $ LEBANESE • With pita pizzas and lamb chops, the Lebanese food here is some of the best around. And there’s vegetarian and gluten-free fare, too. Healthy, nutritious, and delicious. See website for locations; anitaskitchen.com

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2005

Bacco Restaurante $$$ ITALIAN • Chef-owner Luciano Del Signore’s pastas are like pure art. Try the Strozzapreti Norcina: Italian sausage, truffles, tomato, and white wine, tossed with hand-rolled pasta. From local grass-fed beef to sustainably farm-raised sea bass to a fresh caprese, the ingredients are top-end. Based in the heart of Southfield, Bacco is a true Italian gem in the suburbs. And the desserts are not to be missed. 29410 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-356-6600. L Tue.-Fri. D Tue.-Sat. Bella Piatti $$ 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; 248-494-7110. D Tue.-Sat. $$$ 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. These days they’re serving only dinner, but the restaurant still features the fresh and innovative fare that put it on the map.

31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills; 248-642-2355.

D Mon.-Sat. Bigalora: Wood Fired Cucina $$ ITALIAN • The pizza concept from chef Luciano Del Signore, a four-time James Beard Award nominee, fea-

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R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 1 2. 2 3 tures 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 Alaskan cod butter roasted with everythingbagel crust 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 Sun, Tue.-Fri., D Tue.-Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2003

Café Cortina $$$ ITALIAN • Selections include pro­sciutto di Parma stuffed with greens and mozzarella; squid sautéed with fresh pomodori; gnocchi with porcini mushrooms; and meaty prawns finished with lemon, white wine, and herbs. For dessert, try the crepes. 30715 W. 10 Mile Road, Farmington Hills; 248-474-3033. L Sun., D Tue.-Sun. Café ML $$ 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 wellappointed 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.

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, Detroit-style pizza that’s leavened from a sourdough starter as opposed to commercial yeast. 22812 Woodward Ave., Unit 100., Ferndale; 248-677-4439. L,D daily.

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

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 Wed.-Mon.

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. Two patios add to the appeal. See website for locations; crispellis.com

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.

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 $$$ STEAKHOUSE • This Howell restaurant is the perfect location for ribeye, fresh gulf shrimp, or a classic cheeseburger. Plus, weekends boast a buffet-style brunch. 101 W. Grand River Ave., Howell; 517-548-5500. L,D Tue.-Sat. Eddie’s Gourmet $$ 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 Mon-Sat. Elie’s Mediterranean Grill/Bar $$ LEBANESE • The lamb and chicken shawarma, shish kafta, kibbee nyeh, and other Lebanese dishes are emphasized by the décor, including photomurals of old Beirut and strings of blue beads cascading from the ceiling. A fun place to frequent for a quick lunch or a night out with friends. 263 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-647-2420. L,D Mon.-Sat. The Fed $$ 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 Wed.-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; 248-9243367. D Wed.-Sun., BR 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; 248707-3793. L,D daily.

FEATURED

Bistro Joe’s

GLOBAL Part of Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market, Bistro Joe’s is in a mezzanine overlooking the open kitchen and market. There is an eclectic list of dishes like spicy tuna “tacushi,” steamed mussels, and tasty flatbread pizzas.

34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-594-0984 D Tue.-Sun.

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 Californiastyle tacos on soft tortillas, including lime-grilled chicken, carnitas, and marinated pork, as well as slowroasted pork tortas, and guacamole. 22828 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 248-850-8060. L,D daily.

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

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RECIPE

J O E M U E R’S

STEAK TARTARE

P H O T O BY RE BE CCA SIMONOV

Directions Ingredients

Soy Poached Egg Yolk 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce 1 cup sake 2 cups water 1 egg, separated Whipped Creme Fraiche 1 cup creme fraiche 1 teaspoon chives, sliced fine 1 teaspoon parsley, chopped fine Salt and pepper to taste Steak Tartare Mayo 2 egg yolks 1 cup blended or canola oil (do not use pure olive oil) 2 anchovies 1 teaspoon capers, chopped 1 teaspoon shallots, minced 2 dashes Tabasco 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard 2 teaspoons minced parsley 1 teaspoon minced chives Salt and pepper, to taste Steak Tartare One 5-ounce fresh steak (filet or New York strip preferred), finely diced 1-2 ounces Steak Tartare Mayo 1 teaspoon capers, roughly chopped 1 teaspoon shallot, finely diced 1 teaspoon parsley, finely chopped 1 teaspoon chives, thinly sliced Salt and pepper, to taste 1.5-2 ounces Whipped Creme Fraiche 1 Soy Poached Egg Yolk 1 tablespoon caviar To ast points or thick potato chips, for serving

Soy Poached Egg Yolk 1. Combine soy sauce, sake, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil; reduce heat to a simmer. While waiting to boil, prepare an ice bath to shock the yolk.

2. Add egg yolk to the liquid and poach for 45 seconds. Transfer to the ice bath. Once cool, remove from ice bath and reserve in cold water.

Whipped Creme Fraiche Whip creme fraiche as you would for whipped cream in the bowl of a stand mixer until stiff. Fold in herbs and season to taste.

Steak Tartare Mayo 1. Combine egg yolk, anchovies, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauce in the bowl of a food processor. Puree until anchovies are finely minced, then, with the motor running, drizzle oil in a thin stream to form an emulsion. Add water as needed to thin if it gets too thick.

2. Once all oil is emulsified, add shallots, capers, whole-grain mustard, and lemon juice and pulse to combine.

3. Add herbs and black pepper; pulse to combine. Check seasoning, but be careful with the salt; the capers and mustard will add a lot of salinity.

Steak Tartare 1. C ombine steak, tartare mayo, herbs, capers, and shallots in a small mixing bowl. Check seasoning and adjust as needed.

2. S poon mixture into a 2.5-to-3-inch ring mold. Press down, but don’t force down too hard. Top with whipped creme fraiche and smooth the surface.

Top with poached egg yolk and caviar.

3. S erve with toast points or chips and enjoy!

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JOE MUER BLOOMFIELD HILLS 39475 WOODWARD AVE., BLOOMFIELD HILLS 248-792-9609 JOEMUER.COM

DECEMBER 2023

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R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 1 2. 2 3 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. .

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. Mare Mediterranean $$$$ SEAFOOD • Inspired by restaurants in Sicily where the catch of the day is the basis of dinner, this sophisticated restaurant from Nino Cutraro and his partner offers the freshest seafood flown in from the Mediterranean several times a week. You select the type of fish you want from the market in front of the open kitchen and how you want it prepared (acqua pazza, salt baked, grilled, or pan fried).

Served table-side in glorious fashion, it’s a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. 115 Willits St., Birmingham; 248-940-5525. D Tue.-Sat. BR Sat.-Sun.

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; 248-3734440. 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 $$ BARBEQUE • The heart of this joint’s authentic barbecue is the dry-rubbed meat smoker, which can smoke up to 800 pounds of meat at a time. Choices such as pork ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, burnt ends, and chicken are served atop butcher paper on metal trays for the true experience. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak; 248-584-4227. L,D daily. BR Sun. Loui’s Pizza $ ITALIAN • Sure, you can now get a Michigan craft beer, but not much else has changed. And that’s a good thing. Parties dine on square pizzas with crisp crust, faintly charred around the edges. Hailed by food critics and Detroiters alike as one of the city’s most classic Detroit style pizzas, it’s well worth a trip. 23141 Dequindre Road, Hazel Park; 248-547-1711. L,D Thu.-Sun. Luxe Bar & Grill $$ 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 Greekstyle lamb chops. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-792-6051. 115 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-924-5459. L,D daily.

Mabel Gray $$$ NEW AMERICAN • Chef James Rigato produces some masterful dishes on this tiny menu, which does not miss a beat. The menu includes a multi-course tasting option, as well as a daily listing of changing items that never disappoint. It’s a fine dining experience that is certainly worth a visit. 23825 John R Road, Hazel Park; 248-398-4300. D Tue.-Sat. Mad Hatter Bistro, Bar & Tea Room $$ ECLECTIC AMERICAN • The whimsical setting inspired by Alice in Wonderland welcomes far more than the tea sipping set with burgers and sandwiches. There are also pastries, of course. 185 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-540-0000. B,L Thu.-Sun., D Fri.-Sat. Tea by reservation. Lower level not wheelchair accessible.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2023

Madam $$$ NEW AMERICAN • Since opening in 2021, Madam has carved its niche with its global take on farm-to-

FEATURED

La Strada Dolci e Caffè

ITALIAN A slice of European elegance offers an impeccable little menu of Italian dishes and rich coffees and espresso. Delicious fresh green salads, pastas, pizzas, and decadent and artistically crafted pastries are proudly served and very tasty.

243 E. Merrill St., Birmingham; 248-480-0492.

D Tue.-Sat.

Ocean Prime $$$$ SEAFOOD • An upper-end steak-and-fish place and a popular business lunch site. The menu features naturally harvested fresh fish and prime aged beef. Don’t miss the chocolate peanut butter pie or the carrot cake. A tried-and-true metro Detroit spot. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy; 248-458-0500. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

One-Eyed Betty’s $$ ECLECTIC AMERICAN • Picnic-style tables and blackboards lettered with scores of brew choices add a beer-hall 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; 248808-6633. D daily, 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.

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; 248-808-6244. B, L,D daily.

The Meeting House $$ ECLECTIC AMERICAN • This eclectic American menu includes Gulf Shrimp Pappardelle, steak frites remarkably close to those at Paris bistros, and a house made soft pretzel with roasted jalapeno-goat cheese dip. Or, try the beef short rib with wasabi & basil mashed potatoes, tempura mushroom, and green curry coconut sauce. 301 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-759-4825. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

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-servingsized local whitefish. 588 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-644-3122. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

Mesa Tacos And Tequila $ MEXICAN-AMERICAN • The two-story setting includes balcony seating in a big, open room where the bar gets equal time with the kitchen. The pop-Mexican menu — which includes 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.

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.

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; 248-689-2332. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

The Morrie $$ NEW AMERICAN • Music and munchies can be a great combination when served in the right proportions. Such offerings as the smoked chicken wings and Detroit style pizza, as well as the requisite burger and steak, appeal to a wide demographic.

The rock ’n’ roll-themed eatery also brought its much-loved American dishes and cocktails to Birmingham in 2019. 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248216-1112. D daily. 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-940-3260. L,D daily.

Oak City Grille $ NEW AMERICAN • This downtown Royal Oak spot bridges the gap between bar food and upscale dining.

Order a dressed-up sandwich or burger, or elevate your dining experience with an 8-ounce filet mignon or lamb chops. The friendly price range makes anything possible.

212 W. Sixth St., Royal Oak; 248-556-0947. D Tue.-Sun.

Pop’s For Italian $$ ITALIAN • It doesn’t sound fancy, but this Ferndale restaurant serves well-prepared, Italian dishes paired with an ambitious wine program. The fairly brief menu starts with a list of Neapolitan pizzas, then moves to pastas, but has all the classics. 280 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-268-4806. D Tue.-Sun. Prime29 Steakhouse $$$$ STEAKHOUSE • The 29-day aged prime beef, including the 24-ounce tomahawk bone-in rib-eye, still stars here. There’s also Chilean sea bass 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.

Public House $$ NEW AMERICAN/VEGAN • This Ferndale spot reopened under new ownership and with a refreshed look in late 2021. Standout selections include its burgers, shareable plates like char-roasted carrots, and craft cocktails and mocktails. It also features a special vegan

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R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 1 2. 2 3 Sylvan Table $$$ NEW AMERICAN • With a working farm on the 5-acre property, Sylvan Table isn’t just talking the farm-totable talk. The restored 300-year-old barn feels grand and vast when you step into the stunning space, but it is homey, welcoming, and inviting. The menu changes often to reflect what’s growing but some of the staples include the trout — seasoned with herb oil, salt, and pepper, cooked over a wood-fired grill, and served whole — and Chicken Under a Brick, which is cooked to charred perfection. 1819 Inverness St., Sylvan Lake, 248-369-3360. D Mon.-Sun.

menu and carries plenty of gluten-free options. 241 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; (248) 654-6355. L,D daily., BR Sat.-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 steak atop angel-hair rice noodles), and banh mi made with fresh ingredients.

30701 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights; 248-2684310. L,D Fri.-Wed. 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; 248-865-0500. L,D Mon.-Sat. $$ Rochester Chop House NEW AMERICAN • Two restaurants in one; Kabin Kruser’s and the Chop House. There’s a throwback roadhouse-style feeling about the Chop House, which has a menu divided between red meat and fresh fish and seafood. Signature dishes include calamari, Maryland jumbo lump crabcakes, and a large selection of aged steaks, rack of lamb, and steak/seafood combinations. 306 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-6512266. L Mon.-Fri., D daily Ronin $$ 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.

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; 248677-3232. D Tues.-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 Mon.-Fri., D daily.

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.

FEATURED

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.

$$ 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. Toast, A Breakfast & Lunch Joint $ BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • It’s fun, it’s breezy, and the food at Toast, A Breakfast & Lunch Joint is very, very good. The house specialty smothered burrito has plenty of fans, as does huevos rancheros: fried eggs upon corn tortillas, pintos, and cheese. Toast, a Neighborhood Joint, the spinoff of the Ferndale original has a more elaborate setting pairing ’50s retro with sleek contemporary in a pair of rooms. The new menu features twists to comfort food. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-398-0444.

203 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-258-6278. B,L daily.

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 crispcrusted pizzas from the wood-burning oven. And definitely check out the mac and cheese. There’s also a delicious kid’s menu for any youngsters in your party.

18 S. Main St., Clarkston; 248-625-5660. D Mon.-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; 586-773-3279. 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.

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.

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.

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R E STAU R A N T L I STI N G S 1 2. 2 3 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 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; 586-883-7526.

L,D Tue.-Sat., BR Sun. J. Baldwin’s Restaurant $$$ NEW AMERICAN • The menu showcases chef Jeff Baldwin’s contemporary American food: cedarplanked salmon, Boom-Boom Shrimp, burgers, and salads. The desserts include chocolate bumpy cake and spiced carrot cake. 16981 18 Mile Road, Clinton Township; 586-416-3500. L,D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun. Mr. Paul’s Chophouse $$$ 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; 586-731-3900. L,D Tue.-Sun. Testa Barra $$ ITALIAN • The newest spot from talented chef and restaurateur Jeffrey Baldwin and his wife, RoseMarie, offers modern Italian fare in a lively, upbeat setting.

Pastas are made in-house. 48824 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb Township; 586-434-0100. L Sun., D daily.

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

Washtenaw

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 plantbased counterpart the Korean fried tofu. 415 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, 734-275-0099. L and D Wed.-Mon.

Bellflower $$$ NEW AMERICAN • A restaurant housed in a former exchange of the Michigan Bell Telephone Company, Bellflower answers Ypsilanti’s call for fine dining with an adventurous flair. Boudin sausage with roasted okra, baked oysters, and ginger ale or CocaCola-roasted beets showed up on early menus as chef Dan Klenotic’s way of straddling the line of creole tradition and an imaginative style that is entirely his own. 209 Pearl St., Ypsilanti. L,D Mon.-Sat. Blue LLama Jazz Club $$ 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 $$ ETHIOPIAN • The real treat at this quaint restaurant is injera, a spongy bread used to scoop the meal, eaten with your hands in traditional style. The lentil dishes, often seasoned with an Ethiopian spice mixture called berbere, and the vegetables are equally delicious. 221 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-9984746. D Tue.-Sun. 545 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-547-6699. D Thu.-Sun. Cardamom $$ 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. L Sun., D Wed.-Sun. The Common Grill $$ SEAFOOD • Founded by Chef Craig Common, whose skilled work drew the attention of the now shuttered Gourmet magazine and the James Beard House, this mainstay was acquired in 2022 by Peas & Carrots Hospitality. Chefs Zack Sklar and Josh Humphrey kept most of the beloved restaurant’s menu, such as the expertly prepared oysters and seafood dishes, as well as the coconut cream pie. 112 S. Main St., Chelsea; 734-475-0470. L,D Tue.-Sun., BR Sat-Sun. Dixboro House $$$$ NEW AMERICAN • Much like the restaurant’s ambience, the cuisine at Dixboro House is both refined and relaxed. Chef Joe VanWagner’s elegant but approachable menu hosts rotating seasonal fromscratch 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; 734-6693310. L,D daily. BR Sat.-Sun. KouZina Greek Steet Food $ GREEK • The Greek “street food” at this Ann Arbor spot comes in lamb and beef, and chicken. Try the lentil soup for a delicious lunch or go for something more filling like the gyro bowl. Either way, you can’t go wrong with this excellent spot. 332 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-997-5155. L,D Mon.-Sun.

FEATURED

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 seafooddominated menu includes a notable caramel apple salmon dish.

Nonseafood options include the eponymous burger, Asian chicken salad, and filet mignon. And make sure to order dessert.

302 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-2220400. D daily.

Paesano $$ ITALIAN • With a friendly waitstaff and decked in vibrant colors, this lively restaurant is not to be missed. The innovative menu changes seasonally.

Must-tries have included the pasta carbonara, featuring shrimp, duck bacon, and Italian greens, as well as beet and ricotta gnocchi with brown butter. 3411 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-971-0484. L,D daily.

Seva Ann Arbor $$ VEGAN • Seva offers such dishes as black bean and sweet potato quesadillas, gluten-free options, and colorful stir-fries — some vegan as well as vegetarian. There’s also a full bar as well as a juice bar serving creamy smoothies and dense shakes, fresh-squeezed juices, and craft mocktails. Choose from one of the most extensive vegetarian menus in the Detroit area. 2541 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-662-1111. L,D Mon.-Sat. $$ Shalimar INDIAN • Offering North Indian, Tandoori, and Mughlai dishes, Shalimar is suitable for carnivores and herbivores alike. Standouts include the Tandoori Lamb Chops marinated in creamy yogurt, spicy ginger, and fresh garlic, which is best eaten with the restaurant’s flavorful, chewy garlic naan served fresh and hot. 307 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-1500. L, D daily.

Slurping Turtle $ JAPANESE • This fun, casual Ann Arbor restaurant, owned by celebrity chef Takashi Yagihashi, offers plenty of shareable dishes, such as hamachi nachos and duck-fat fried chicken. But the star at Slurping Turtle is the noodle (Yagihashi’s “soul food”), which is made in-house daily on a machine imported from Japan. 608 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-887-6868.

L,D daily.

Yotsuba Japanese Restaurant & Bar $$ JAPANESE • The semi-circular sushi bar is the center of this restaurant. Sushi chef Bobby Suzuki has a loyal following for his precise nigiri rolls. There are also tatami rooms and conventional seating. 7365 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township; 248737-8282. 2222 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor; 734-9715168. L,D Tue.-Sun. Zingerman’s Roadhouse $$$ 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.

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

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Ted Lindsay Foundation Celebrity Golf Outing 2023 P H OT OGRAP HS BY CHRISTINE M.J. HATH AWAY

THIS YEAR MARKED the 23rd installment of this annual fundraiser, which helps raise money to support the Ted Lindsay Foundation’s work supporting autistic children. The event was held at the Detroit Golf Club and featured both silent and live art auctions, dinner, and 18 holes of golf with a celebrity partner. Former Red Wings players — including Darren McCarty, John Ogrodnick, and Jirí Fischer — were among the guests in attendance. The foundation was started in 2001 by the Red Wings’ Ted Lindsay.

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1. Matt Shepard, Darren McCarty 2. Novo Bojovic, Steve Courtney 3. Lynn and Lew LaPaugh 4. Donald Blamer, Daniel Blamer, Lynn LaPaugh, Nathan Blamer, David Blamer 5. Nicole Ulrich, John Andrews 6. Todd Bertuzzi, Jimmy Howard 7. Frank Tanana, Jason Hanson 8. Janina Jacobs, Lew LaPaugh 9. Anthony Koski, Jason Branch 10. David Lawrence, Rob Drake, Chris Drake, Tim Lehto 11. John and Betty Anne Ogrodnick 12. Don Knoll, Don Fichter, Nic Salden, Alex Sheehy 13. Bruce Roesler, Kelly Wilke, Melissa and Mike Glanton

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THE SIGNATURE fundraising event for The Children’s Center was hosted at Ford Field by Lisa and Bill Ford and Lia and Jim Farley. It featured a cocktail reception, live entertainment, and a luxury motor coach that took guests to and from the Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview. Proceeds from AutoGlow went to support the more than 3,000 local children and families The Children’s Center supports by connecting them with foster and adoption services, mental and behavioral health programming, and more each year.

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1. Bertram and Monique Marks 2. Michael and Alison Craig, Tina and Gordon Ford 3. Hakim and Tonya Berry 4. Todd and Michelle Jaranowski, Tamme and Kevin Grzebyk 5. Dan Naugle, Rob Schnell, Hadi Awada 6. Jim and Lia Farley, Bill and Lisa Ford, Nicole Wells Stallworth, Thomas Stallworth III, Liz Agius 7. Lisa Lamb, Desiree Jennings 8. Alexander Kauer, Sabrina Morris, Karen and Brian Bourdage 9. Donna Martin, Migdalia Musler, Luanne Thomas Ewald 10. Rhonda Walker, Jason Drumheller 11. Peter and Chris DeSteigel, Tim and Christine Son Hing 12. Scott and Mary Jo Allen, Karen and Tim Mann

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Auto Show Charity Preview PHOT OS BY K EVI N BEA N

SINCE ITS INCEP TION in 1976, the Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview has raised more than $100 million for various children’s charities in the Detroit area. This year’s event at Huntington Place featured performances by Jennifer Hudson and Shaggy, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a sneak peek at the 2023 Auto Show and supported the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, The Children’s Center, the Children’s Foundation, the Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund, Detroit PAL, and University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

11 1. Ian Conyers, Kim Nettles 2. Jeanine Sova, Sydney Sova, Victoria Miller, McKenzie Wright 3. Jane Bonfiglio, Riley North, Gwen and Doug North, Lauren and Colin North 4. jessica Care moore, Todd Szott 5. Joumana and Joe Bazzi 6. Janis Seabolt, Dan Cowan 7. Jennifer Hudson 8. Lauren and Bob Arnold 9.

Aldo and Danette Stenta, Colleen and Dave McDonald 10. Margo and Sen. John Damoose 11. Craig Glines, Kevin Freeman, Kali Mazzenga, Katharina Walter, Steve Bates

DECEMBER 2023

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Holiday Favorites C’EST LA VIE ITALIAN-MADE VEST: This beautiful Italian-made vest with faux fur also has a belt and comes with coordinating accessories. It’s currently on special for $310.

29977 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-702-0622

SHATILA BAKERY A VARIETY OF SWEETS: With a wide variety of Middle Eastern and French pastry options, Shatila Bakery is guaranteed to provide a memorable gift for your loved ones this holiday season. From delicious baklava to hand-crafted chocolates and premium homemade ice cream, the perfect gift is just a click away. Visit shatila.com or stop by one of their three locations this holiday season..

14300 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126 313-582-1952 | shatila.com 26771 Ford Road, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127 313-633-1673 | shatila.com 5741 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 248-865-8870 | shatila.com

LEAF & BUD CANNABIS PRODUCTS: Cannabis products from Leaf and Bud can make a great gift to the adults on your list.

Wide variety of high quality products at affordable prices.

833-532-3283 | leafandbud.com

BLOSSOMS SAMPLER COLLECTION: Perfect for pleasing all sorts of palates, this sampler contains mini-sized versions of six best-sellers, including three sweet jams, two zesty mustards, and a savory spread. Elegantly packaged in a red-and-white box featuring a festive tartan and pine cone design, this gift recalls the cozy comforts of the season.

32480 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48073 248-644-4411 | blossomsro.com

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Holiday Favorites APPLE BLOSSOM BABY AND DECOR STUFFED ANIMALS: Shupaca! These stuffed animals are eco-friendly, sustainable, hypoallergenic, and cashmere-soft.

Your purchase supports the artisan community from the South American Highlands that makes them.

QUIX CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATES: An elegant large deluxe gift box filled with an assortment of 25 delicious Belgian chocolates is just $64. All of the chocolates are crafted and hand-painted in Ferndale, MI. Each piece holds the perfect balance of sweetness and velvety chocolate combined with classic flavors of different fruits, nuts, caramel and coffee.

17110 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe, MI 48230 313-881-7227 | appleblossombabyanddecor.com

MARGOT EUROPEAN SPA VIE NIGHT BALM WITH HAND CREAM: $211.50 Purchase a VIE Night Balm and receive a complimentary VIE Hand Control Cream in an elegant gift box set! Treat yourself or a loved one to radiant and youthful skin with the unparalleled benefits offered only from VIE products. Perfect for those seeking luminous and elegant beauty, this gift set helps nourish and restore the skin’s natural beauty.

101 Townsend St., Birmingham, MI 48009 248-642-3770 | margots.com

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221 W. Troy St., Suite 200, Ferndale, MI 48220 248-455-6504 | quixchocolate.com

SHATILA BAKERY A VARIETY OF SWEETS: A variety of Middle Eastern sweets and French pastries, as well as homemade premium ice cream. We have a variety of different gift options for every occasion.

Local Pick up or worldwide delivery available.

14300 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126 313-582-1952 | shatila.com 26771 Ford Road, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127 313-633-1673 | shatila.com 5741 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 248-865-8870 | shatila.com

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1952 FIVE -YEAR- OLD SKIP SHAW was one of thousands of children over several generations who would relish cherished memories of meeting Santa Claus in the 12th-floor Toyland at the 25-story, Chicago School-style red-brick J.L. Hudson Co. department store on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit.

Famous for its elaborate Christmas decorations throughout the building, the store often featured animated window displays and a nine-story tree of lights that lit the front entrance facade.

When the white-gloved elevator operator called out the 12th-floor stop and opened the brass inner gate, parents and their excited youngsters were guided through a wonderland of fake snow and a forest of twinkling lights to Santaland, where the children waited anxiously in line to meet jolly old St. Nick. After being photographed with Santa and promising that they had been good all year, each child told him what they wanted for Christmas.

This photo appeared on the cover of the December 1952 issue of The Hudsonian, an informative and colorful in-house publication distributed to the personnel. By 1953, the store reportedly had 12,000 employees and posted an average of 100,000 sales a day.

Founded in 1881 by Joseph Lowthian Hudson, the retailer was first located in the old Detroit Opera House building before a new structure was erected in 1911 on Woodward, where it would undergo 12 expansions to cover an entire city block, becoming the world’s tallest department store, a title it held until 1961.

With declining sales and Detroit’s economic downturn beginning in the 1970s, the flagship store closed in 1983. On Oct. 24, 1998, an estimated 20,000 spectators and local television audience members watched the beloved store turn into a massive dust cloud following a 30-second groundshaking implosion.

After almost two decades of Detroiters seeing a gaping vacant site in the heart of downtown, the Bedrock real estate firm owned by Dan Gilbert is completing a 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use development on the property that will include luxury residences and a hotel, office and exhibition space, ground-floor retail, and a soaring tower that at 685 feet will be the second highest structure in the city. It is expected to open in 2024. —Bill Dow

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11/1/23 12:08 PM

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