Hour Detroit | February 2026

RESTAURANT

of the YEAR

Jan 30-Feb. 1

 P. 28

The braised Wagyu beef cheek from the 2026 Restaurant of the Year is served with a citrus and carrot puree.

ISSUE THREE HUNDRED FORTY SEVEN

FEATURES

28 Restaurant of the Year

Opened in 2024, this Oakland County steakhouse blends old-school hospitality with a fresh approach to classic cuisine.

38

Secret Castles

Winter in Michigan got you down? Start planning your next grand getaway by learning about the history and architecture of these five lesser-visited European castles.

On the cover Bone-in 40 day dry-aged ribeye with roasted bone marrow topped with herbed bread crumbs and lemon brine

Detroit-born

Community

A

Olympics

The

Interview

Catching

AGENDA

Events

Don’t miss these 12 events happening in February.

Essay

Ryan Patrick Hooper’s love letter to Detroit.

Music

Audra Kubat talks new music and old stories.

Spotlight

Homegrown talent takes center stage at the Detroit Opera.

FOOD &DRINK

Hour Picks

Eight local restaurants embracing plantbased cooking.

News

This world-class meadery is in search of a successor.

Drinks

A local distillery teams up with a former Lions star.

After years of attending AI webinars and workshops, I finally went to one that made sense for Hour’s editors — because it was presented by journalists.

One of the goals the team discussed was using AI to help take some of the less-creative work off our plates, so we could spend more time creating journalism that sets us apart.

It’s not a new concept to us. For the past couple of years, I’ve encouraged the editors to use AI to help create spreadsheets and compile data for research, so we could put more time into developing engaging articles. This means finding time to get out of the office to interview a subject in person, have lunch with a contributing writer rather than relying solely on email, tour a historic Detroit venue they’ve never visited, or accept invitations for a first look at new development projects — in other words, doing things only humans can do.

I’ve found that some of the best story ideas come from in-person encounters. For example, I don’t think we would have an article in this issue about filmmaker Stephen McGee’s new documentary if I hadn’t met him at a Mustang rally in Hart Plaza in September 2022. That encounter led to a meeting with our team at our office and an assignment to write and photograph the 2023 City Guide, focusing on Detroit neighborhoods. Before the issue went to print, I asked Stephen if he could introduce me to some of the places and people he wrote about. Those meetings led to additional story ideas and meaningful connections.

Other in-person experiences are more obvious. For example, we can’t pick a Restaurant of the Year without dining at the restaurant. Associate editor Jack Thomas and I first visited this year’s honoree, Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse, exactly a year ago. Our restaurant reviewer then followed up on his own several times. Similar visits to many other restaurants occurred throughout the year, so by the time November rolled around, we had a good selection of dining venues to choose from. For those wondering, the main aspects we look for are exceptional and creative cuisine, upscale ambiance, and impeccable service. I feel confident that if you visit Rudy’s, you’ll find the trip up to Clarkston more than worth it. So while AI may be a two-letter word that makes some folks uneasy, I can assure you that Hour Detroit’s editors are using it primarily to help us create meaningful content. And the articles you read are crafted by people — a collaboration of writers and editors with a penchant for discovering metro Detroit up close and personal.

KATE WALSH, EDITOR KWALSH@HOUR-MEDIA.COM

VOLUME THIRTY-ONE / ISSUE TWO

PUBLISHER: Jason Hosko

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Kate Walsh

DIGITAL EDITOR: Erica Banas

ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Jack Thomas

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Will Reaume

COPY EDITOR: Morgan Brown

CONTRIBUTORS: Karen Buscemi, Bill Dow, Steve Friess, Natalia Holtzman, Ryan Patrick Hooper, Mickey Lyons, Erin Marie Miller, Danny Palumbo, Cambrey Thomas, Lauren Wethington

EDITORIAL INTERN: Sarah Wasielewski

DESIGN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Lindsay Richards

ART DIRECTOR: Steven Prokuda

CONTRIBUTORS: Jacob Lewkow, Erin Marie Miller, Sal Rodriguez, Josh Scott, Rebecca Simonov, Brad Ziegler

ADVERTISING

MEDIA ADVISORS: Samantha Alessandri, Cynthia Barnhart, Hannah Brown, Karli Brown, Sarah Cavanaugh, Cathleen Francois, Donna Kassab, Lisa LaBelle, Danielle Smith-Elliott, Mary Pantely & Associates

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION MANAGER: Crystal Nelson

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Alessandra Taranta

ACCOUNT MANAGER: Elizabeth Kowalik

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joe Salafia

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGING EDITOR: Olivia Sedlacek

IT

IT DIRECTOR: Jeremy Leland

DIGITAL

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL STRATEGY: Travis Fletcher

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Matt Cappo

SR. DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: Luanne Lim

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: Brian Paul

CIRCULATION

CIRCULATION MANAGER: Riley Meyers

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

MARKETING & EVENTS

MARKETING & EVENTS MANAG ER: Regan Wright

WEDDINGS ACCOUNT MANAGER: Karen Wilkie

MARKETING & EVENTS COORDINATOR: Puja Trivedi

MARKETING & EVENTS ASSISTANT: Kayla Yucha

MARKETING RESEARCH

MARKETING RESEARCH DIRECTOR: Sofia Shevin

MARKETING RESEARCH COORDINATOR: Kristin Bestrom

MARKETING RESEARCH SALES COORDINATOR: Alexandra Thompson

MARKETING RESEARCH SALES ASSISTANT: Theresa Lowery

MARKETING RESEARCH ASSISTANT: Abby Galanty

PRS GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Kendra Okamoto

MARKETING RESEARCH INTERNS: Gwen Zych

BUSINESS

CEO: Stefan Wanczyk

PRESIDENT: John Balardo

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS: Kathie Gorecki

MEDIA ASSOCIATE: Lachlan O’Neill

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ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES: Jenna Glod, Austin Schmelzle

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UP FRONT

While growing up on Detroit’s west side, Tonya Mosley was drawn to journalism by such luminaries as local TV news anchors Bill Bonds and Carmen Harlan and multi-hyphenate sportswriter Mitch Albom. “I wanted to be Mitch Albom more than anybody because he had his own radio show; he had a column in the newspaper; he had a segment on FOX 2,” she says. “He had the freedom within his journalism to do so many things.”

Terry Gross, the legendary Fresh Air host who, in April 2023, asked Mosley to be her first official co-host, was not among her early inspirations. After discovering Gross while at the University of Missouri, however, she became “very much enthralled.”

Still, it was a long road to becoming Fresh Air’s co-host. Mosley’s first professional job was at a TV station in Saginaw in 1999. She began diversifying in 2012 as the creator and host of a four-part series on Black life for Seattle’s public radio station. By 2019, she was co-host of the NPR show Here & Now and launched her podcast, Truth Be Told. Mosley spoke to Hour Detroit about Fresh Air, Detroit, and how she combines the two. One thing she demurs to: whether she’s the anointed successor to Gross, 74. “Terry is Fresh Air,” she says. “She’s not going anywhere anytime soon. The audience can be assured of that. I know I’m not really answering your question. It’s smart to have the audience become used to me, but who knows what the future holds?”

The following conversation was edited for space and clarity.

NPR’s Tonya Mosley

BY STEVE FRIESS

The Detroit-born and -raised journalist shares west side memories and what it’s like working with Terry Gross

Terry Gross is an NPR icon. Is it daunting to be her co-host?

Oh, it’s been such an honor. I’m really finding my style and my approach. When you step into a role that has been inhabited by one person for so long, it takes a moment to find your voice, even if you’ve been developing it in another medium for a number of years.

Was there audience pushback?

I’ve had lots of reactions. People who followed me from my podcast and through my journalism were very excited to see the true breadth of Tonya. But I have received some pushback. It’s not surprising because public media is the same medium that continued to have reruns of Car Talk on for 20 years after one of the hosts died. Change is not something that this audience is used to or wants. The core audience of Fresh Air is, on average, 62 years old. I have to think about serving them as well as about my generation and younger, who I want to bring along.

Do you feel you must represent Detroit?

I feel it. I’ve felt that all my life. I do feel a responsibility to show the excellence that comes from Detroit and Michigan. I’m telling people all the time I’m one of several public media hosts from Michigan. You’ve got [1A host] Jenn White; you've got [It’s Been a Minute podcaster] Brittany Luse — all these wonderful journalists.

How do you and [Gross] decide who does a story?

We choose what we’re going to do. We are offered pitches and sometimes we say, “Oh yeah, I like that.” But by and large, we choose who we're going to interview, and we craft our own conversations. I bring more Detroit and the Midwest into what we do. I just had a conversation around college students being deported. I talked with a reporter who spent lots of time in Dearborn during the presidential campaign.

Tell me about your Detroit roots. I was born on the east side right at the border with Hamtramck, but we moved when I was nine to Seven Mile in the Southfield Freeway area. That’s where I grew up, where my mom and my grandmother still live, where I went to elementary, middle, and high school. I went to Redford High School, which is no longer there. So many places are no longer there.

Were you eager to get out, or did you just go where the winds of journalism took you?

A combination of both. I grew up knowing I always wanted to leave to explore the world, and I knew very early I was going to be a journalist. I also grew up in the ’80s and ’90s when Detroit was pretty violent. I saw a lot and knew about a lot. At the same time, my goal was always to come back. But of course, life takes you in different directions.

How do you feel about how Detroit has changed?

You know, about a year ago I stayed downtown, and as I’m out walking, it hit me on a very emotional level, around a block from 321 Lafayette where the Detroit Free Press building was, that this is not my city anymore. I mean, I claim it. I claim it everywhere I go, and it’s not a bad thing that it’s not my city anymore. But it has turned over in such a way that there are elements of it that I no longer identify with.

What did you see that told you that? Well, 321 Lafayette is going to be high-rise condos! I saw all the restaurants and mostly the people, all these white people walking through downtown. Guys jogging with their earbuds — they don't even care; they're not worried about their safety. I’m like, “Wow, this city is has really changed.” And then in my neighborhood, the change is much slower, but the streets are paved, and there are parking meters. Those are small but significant changes. This place, for a long time, was just stagnation and decline. So there’s something bittersweet but beautiful about it.

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Powering FORWARD

TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN MARIE MILLER

A woman who experienced homelessness now provides warmth and more to unsheltered people in Detroit and beyond

Veronika Scott is a study in paradoxes. Seated in her dimly lit office, surrounded by the thriving organization she built from scratch over a decade ago, the art school graduate turned CEO recalls spending a “good chunk” of her childhood battling homelessness and bouncing between case managers with her mother — challenges that may have hindered others.

Instead, those early experiences navigating what Scott calls a “scattered, broken system” formed the foundation of what would later become Empowerment Plan — the buzzy Detroit-based nonprofit she started, unofficially, in 2010 as a student at the College for Creative Studies.

“For me, this is deeply personal,” Scott says. “I’m creating something I wish my own family had been given.”

The organization, which formally launched in 2012 and employs 20 staff members at its 20,000-square-foot facility on Kercheval Avenue, began as a college assignment. Through a series of strategic partnerships and serendipitous events, Scott’s design — the weather-resistant EMPWR coat, which doubles as a sleeping bag — now offers warmth to unsheltered people in 23 countries, including the U.S.

“The first coat took 80 hours to make with my mother,” Scott says. “I had to learn how to sew from my mom.” She adds that she spent three evenings per week at a homeless shelter researching and testing prototypes.

Over time, Empowerment Plan evolved into a full-fledged program dedicated to ending the cycle of poverty. The nonprofit currently employs 34 “fellows,” who were hired from local shelters. These “fellows” are paid stitchers trained to manufacture coats for global distribution. They are then connected to services like housing, transportation, child care, education, and more.

For more than two years, Amber Hinton was one of those apparel producers. After her mother’s death in 2013, Hinton became homeless. She stayed at hotels and relatives’ homes while studying on the pre-

med track at the University of MichiganDearborn. In 2018, she and her 8-year-old brother found shelter at COTS Detroit. There, she learned about Empowerment Plan through a roommate.

 EMPWR coats, pictured here on the production floor, double as sleeping bags.

After interviewing for a seamstress position, Hinton trained to manufacture EMPWR coats. By 2019, she’d secured housing and was promoted to trainer and floor manager. Empowerment Plan staff also helped Hinton access child care, career coaching, and transportation — support that enabled her to land a hospital job in 2021. Today, as a certified clinical hemodialysis technician, Hinton dreams of becoming a doctor.

“What I respect and love the most about [Empowerment Plan] is the fact that when you come in, they see you as a whole person,” says Hinton, who joined the organization’s board of directors in July 2025.

Although Empowerment Plan says 90% of its fellows maintain stable housing within a year of completing the program, homelessness remains a stubborn problem beyond its walls.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, an estimated 9,739 people in Michigan were homeless that year. Of those, 17% were unsheltered. Nationally, homelessness reached record highs in 2024.

Alongside increasing demand for coats, economic uncertainty and precarious funding have created additional challenges for the nonprofit recently. This has prompted a shift in focus toward addressing budget gaps rather than growth.

“We’d love to be able to scale our employment model within Michigan,” Scott says. “We want to be able to produce more coats and come up with a new line. These are all things that we have on the docket that we’re very passionate about. We’ve just got to make sure we can get there.”

For more information about Empowerment Plan, including how you can donate to the creation of EMPWR coats, visit empowermentplan.org.



Kristen Schuyten has traveled around the world with U.S. Figure Skating.

Ice dancers and national team members Katarina Wolfkostin and Dimitry Tsarevski train at Arctic Edge in Canton.

Homegrown Talent

Supporting the Stars

BY OLIVIA SEDLACEK

University of Michigan physical therapist Kristen Schuyten helps elite figure skaters perform at their best both in metro Detroit and around the world

It’s not exactly a well-kept secret that an entire team lies behind every athlete who stands on an Olympic podium.

Among the coaches, families, medical professionals, and others, physical therapists constitute a key part of that team. They provide medical expertise, hands-on help, and — not least — moral support.

“[Physical therapy] is incredibly important,” says Valentina Plazas, a pairs skater on the U.S. Figure Skating national team who trains at Arctic Edge in Canton with her partner, Maximiliano Fernandez. When Plazas was dealing with a chronic back injury a few years ago, U.S. Figure Skating sent her to a local physical therapist at the University of Michigan’s MedSport clinic at Domino’s Farms, Kristen Schuyten.

“She changed my life,” Plazas says, describing how much she’s appreciated Schuyten’s detailed explanations of how the body works, which has helped her avoid injury. These days, her back is strong and healthy. (In fact, at press time, she and Fernandez were preparing to compete at the U.S. National Figure Skating Championships in January, which serves as a key factor in Olympic team selection.)

Schuyten found her way to her profession — and eventually to U.S. Figure Skating — through her background in dance. The doctors and physical therapists she encountered during her decades of dancing didn’t understand the unique demands of the performing arts — or even that she was an athlete.

At MedSport, she’s become the clinic’s performing arts rehabilitation program coordinator, training other physical therapists in best practices for treating dancers, figure skaters, gymnasts, cheerleaders, musicians, and vocalists at all levels. In 2015, she won Michigan Medicine’s Learning Catalyst Award for Outstanding Staff Educator for her work.

Metro Detroit has become a hot spot for ice dance — and figure skating more broadly — serving as the training home of these Olympians.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates (Novi Ice Arena): 2022 fourth in ice dance, gold medal in team event; 2018 and 2014 competitors

Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue (Detroit Skating Club): 2022 bronze medal in ice dance, gold medal in team event; 2018 competitors

Maia and Alex Shibutani (Arctic Edge in Canton): 2018 bronze medal in ice dance and team event; 2014 competitors

Meryl Davis and Charlie White (Arctic Edge in Canton): 2014 gold medal in ice dance, bronze medal in team event; 2010 silver medal in ice dance

Because of that expertise, an ice dancing pair (who later became Olympic medalists) sought her out over a decade ago for off-ice personal training. Not long after, in 2013, U.S. Figure Skating asked her to join its volunteer medical coverage team for national and international competitions. Over the years, she’s provided care for skaters at events across the globe, from the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics to the upcoming ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Prague this spring.

She’s seen national team members and Olympians in her home clinic, too, sometimes watching them grow up from “very young” skaters, she says.

Close to and far from home, southeast Michigan figure skaters swear by her support.

“She’s been a huge part of our training, especially in the international portion,” Fernandez says. “She helps us feel confident in ourselves and our body. … She knows the human body better than anybody.”

For ice dancers Katarina Wolfkostin and Dimitry Tsarevski, her presence at the 2025 ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Hungary helped them work through aches and pains to win the silver medal. “She always makes me feel very comfortable, especially because I get very nervous [for] anything medical,” Tsarevski says. At press time, the pair were also set to compete at nationals.

Schuyten finds building relationships with the athletes and being part of their journeys to be “really inspiring” and one of the biggest perks of the job, though she notes she’s just

“a blip on the radar sometimes.”

there,” she says, “but as someone who really

“It was their hard work that got them there,” she says, “but as someone who really wants to help people do their best and help them feel better if they’re injured and get them to meet their goals, being able to see that come to fruition is amazing.”

And those relationships go beyond the sport. Years later, those first ice dancers Schuyten worked with choreographed lifts for her wedding dance and attended to see her and her husband (fellow PT Phil Schuyten) perform it in person. She keeps up with many others she’s met throughout the years as well.

“It’s been a really cool thing,” she says.

The 2026 Winter Olympics open Feb. 6 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; figure skating events take place Feb. 6-19, broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.

Where Steel Meets Ice

BY WILL REAUME

PHOTO BY JOSH SCOTT

A local skate sharpener and its Olympic legacy continue more than 50 years later

They say it takes roughly 10,000 hours of practice before you can master something. If that’s true, then Fred Martin has mastered skate sharpening many times over, and he has the Olympic pedigree to back it up.

A native of Detroit, Martin is a third-generation figure skater — his grandfather, who grew up skating on Michigan ponds, passed down his passion to Martin’s mother, who skated professionally at one time. Despite his early exposure to the sport, Martin didn’t start skating until his early 20s, when he returned from serving overseas in Vietnam. He quickly picked it up and began competing at Detroit Skating Club (the original location in Detroit), where he began skating with Laurie, the woman who is now his wife of 55 years.

After quitting his job at the Chrysler assembly plant in Hamtramck, Martin began teaching figure skating full-time at Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club. He quickly realized something that would change his life.

“I found out my skaters couldn’t skate because their skates were so badly sharpened,” Martin says. “So I started doing the skate sharpening. I’m sure as bad as I was when I started, it was better than what they were getting.”

Hour Olympics

BY JACK THOMAS

Looking back at three memorable Hour Detroit Olympian features

Blades of Glory Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto, the first U.S. ice dancing team to win silver in Olympic history,

were also the first Olympians to be featured on an Hour Detroit cover (and the only ones to date).

The two held hands (and shrugged o romance rumors) on the front of our 10th anniversary issue in May 2006. Agosto was a Groves High alumnus; Canadian-born Belbin lived and trained in Canton. Following their big win in Turin, Italy, the skaters had a busy press tour, which included a stop on The

Martin returned to Detroit Skating Club, now located in Bloomfield Hills, and set up shop as Fred’s Skate Sharpening, where he became the de facto sharpener for the national- and Olympic-caliber skaters at the club. He became accustomed to their individual preferences and would travel around the world to be with them for competitions.

The list of professional skaters Martin has worked with is too long to name, but the biggest moment of his career came at the Nagano Olympics in 1998, where he worked with U.S. Olympian Tara Lipinski. The 15-year-old phenom won the gold medal in women’s singles, becoming the youngest Olympic gold medalist in figure skating history. While Martin wasn’t up there on the podium, the hours he spent forging the perfect edges on her blades were.

Back home, Martin continued supporting his skaters around the country, even buying a single-engine Cherokee Six plane, which he used to travel to competitions in the Midwest. After almost 50 years of sharpening skates, Martin retired in 2018, selling the business to Richard Brown, the brother of one of Martin’s former figure skating students. Brown, who had no prior sharpening experience, completed a six-month apprenticeship under Martin before o cially taking the reins.

While Brown hasn’t made an Olympic trek (yet), his sharpening skills have. He worked with Russian ice dancers Gleb Smolkin and Diana Davis, who trained in Novi while preparing for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Tonight Show with Jay Leno. But they still made time for an exclusive interview and fashion photoshoot with their hometown’s No. 1 magazine.

The Road to Nagano

For our December 1997/ January 1998 issue, we profiled three prospects for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. One of them was Union Lake hockey player Lisa Brown-Miller. In February 1998, she would take home a gold medal for U.S. women’s hockey. Also on the list was Marquette native Wendel Suckow, a 1993 World Championships gold medalist luger, who would compete in his third Winter Olympics that year. Grand Rapids short-track speed skating prospect Mike Kooreman wouldn’t make the cut (and, after

subsequent attempts, never did) but later served as the sprint coach and long-track coordinator at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada.

Renaissance Woman

In our July 2004 issue, Livonia native Sheila Taormina caught up with Hour Detroit while she was training for her third prospective Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. After taking home her first gold medal in 1996 as a swimmer, she overcame a serious health issue to compete as a triathlete at the 2000 games. She would qualify in 2004 and later 2008, when she became the first woman to compete in three di erent Olympic sports over the course of her career: swimming, triathlon, and modern pentathlon.

Today, Brown continues to work out of a closetsized workspace at Detroit Skating Club, honing the blades of Olympian hopefuls using the same techniques he learned from his mentor.

Brian and Eddie Holland

THE MEN BEHIND THE MOTOWN SOUND

BY BILL DOW

The two surviving members of Motown's hitmaking songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland talk about their inspiration, their process, and stepping into Hitsville's Studio A one more time

Although many songwriters, producers, arrangers, musicians, and performers helped to create the infectious Motown sound, none surpass the legendary songwriting team of Holland-DozierHolland (H-D-H). Between 1963 and 1967, the trio — with Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier composing and producing and Eddie Holland writing lyrics — created more than three dozen Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles, including 10 No. 1 hits for the Supremes and two for the Four Tops. They also wrote smash hits for the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, the Isley Brothers, and Martha and the Vandellas.

When the Detroit-born artists quit Motown Records in 1968 due to a legal dispute with owner Berry Gordy Jr., many people considered it the end of Motown sound. As Mary Wilson of the Supremes told The Washington Post in 1986, “Holland-DozierHolland left, and the sound was gone.”

H-D-H — who went on to found the Hot Wax and Invictus record labels — were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame two years later.

This past fall, Brian Holland (84) and Eddie Holland (86) met fans and signed their 2019 book, Come and Get These Memories (Omnibus Press) at the Motown Museum before celebrating the museum’s 40th anniversary at a private event. (Dozier died in 2022 at age 81.)

A day after the book signing, Hour Detroit conducted 30-minute phone interviews with the Holland brothers, speaking from their suites at MGM Grand Detroit. The following are excerpts from the interviews that have been edited and condensed.

Brian Holland (Composer/Producer)

What was your inspiration? I really don’t know. Maybe it was divine intervention because I could hear the whole music in my head and what instruments I wanted. I taught myself to play piano after watching a lady in church. In school, we went to see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and I was so impressed by the di erent horns and strings. It was beautiful. I later used members of the DSO on some songs.

Can you tell me about the songwriting process? We worked together sometimes, but we usually worked apart. When Lamont and I did a melody, we would go into the studio, choose the instruments, and then tell the musicians how to play the songs. We would then cut the track and give it to Eddie to write the lyrics. He would then work with the vocalists on how to sing the songs.

What was so special about Eddie’s abilities as a lyricist? Believe it or not, it really hit me years later when I was working out at a health club, got into my car, and heard “I Hear a Symphony” on the radio. I sat there and listened to the lyrics, and I thought “Wow, man.” I was so happy how he kept building and building the lyrics during the song, and I called him. I said, “Edward, you wrote some great lyrics, man.” He said, “You’re finally telling me that?”

Do you have a favorite song? I’m asked that a lot, but I can’t really answer it. I loved them all because I put so much into them when I was doing it. So how are you really going to choose who is your favorite child? The one that sells the most? Maybe, or one that was less successful? I put love into all of them.

What was it like going into the Motown studio again? It was amazing to me how small it was. When we were working there, there were like 20 people shoulder to shoulder. They asked me to play on the piano. I don’t like playing songs over and over, so I played a melody for a song I’m working on.

Why was the Motown sound so popular? At the time, in the ’60s, people needed some joy with all the stu going on. The songs we wrote were about love, and I think that’s why they cared about it.

Eddie Holland (Lyricist)

How did you learn how to write lyrics? I realized I was on the wrong side of the business when I saw Brian’s royalty check for co-writing and co-producing “Please Mr. Postman” [Motown’s first No. 1 hit] compared to what little I received for singing “Jamie”

Holland-Dozier-Holland’s Big Hits

The following are just some of HollandDozier-Holland’s famous Motown songs:

The Supremes

“Where Did Our Love Go?”(1964)

“Baby Love” (1964)

“Come See About Me” (1964) “Stop! In the Name of Love” (1965)

“Back in My Arms Again” (1965)

“I Hear a Symphony” (1965)

“You Can’t Hurry Love” (1966) “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” (1966)

“Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone” (1967)

“The Happening” (1967) “Reflections” (1967)

“In and Out of Love” (1967)

The Four Tops “Baby I Need Your Loving” (1964) “It’s the Same Old Song” (1965) “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” (1965)

“Reach Out I’ll Be There” (1966)

“Standing in the Shadows of Love” (1966) “Bernadette” (1967)

Martha and the Vandellas: “Heat Wave” (1963) “Quicksand” (1963) “Nowhere to Run” (1965) “I’m Ready for Love” (1966) “Jimmy Mack” (1967)

Marvin Gaye: “Can I Get a Witness” (1964) “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" (1964)

The Isley Brothers: “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for Your)” (1966)

[No. 6 on Billboard’s R&B chart; No. 30 on the pop chart]. I also didn’t like touring. I had no concept for writing lyrics, so I took two of Smokey Robinson’s lyrics, wrote them out, and studied them for about three days. It took me almost two years, every day writing lyrics, and I would study them over and over again. I told Brian to take some of my lyrics to Berry Gordy and tell him you wrote them. Berry said to Brian, “You didn’t write this. Janie Bradford [‘Money’] did.” I knew then I could do it. I said to Brian, “You and Lamont are so good at doing melodies but have a hard time doing lyrics, and that’s slowing you down. Let me do the lyrics, and we’ll be able to turn out songs quickly.” That’s how H-D-H started. I wanted to make money.

The lyrics you wrote were often from a woman’s perspective. How did that come about? It was easy for me because, to be honest with you, I had a lot of attention from females when I was young, and I would listen to them express their feelings. I thought females are the ones who buy the most songs. So I thought I should write toward females. Sometimes girls from out of town would come to Motown and say, “I’m looking for Eddie Holland,” and I said, “What can I do for you?” They said, “I want to talk to you because you understand me.”

Can you elaborate on your writing process? Brian’s melodies were enchanting and haunting to me. I would write at the o ce and sometimes at home. You can’t force creativity. It was a fun thing to do, but I had to get into a certain place, an o ce, a room, and stay there to write. If you moved me, it broke my feeling or inspiration. If I started writing a song at home, I had to complete it in that space. I would work with the vocalists since I was the lyricist.

I understand you had di culty working with Diana Ross on the Supremes’ “Where Did Our Love Go?” What’s the story there? I sang the song to her and she said, “I want to sing it like you.” I said, "No, I want you to sing it sensuously," and she got angry and said, “No, if I can’t sing it like you, then I’m not singing it, and I’m telling Berry [Gordy].” I said, “You can call Berry. There’s the phone. Tell him to take you in the studio, too.” She was shocked that I said that. I respected Berry, but I was never afraid of him. She finally came back to the studio. Brian was the engineer, and she started singing. Her face was expressionless, but her voice was enchanting and sensual, and that’s the feeling we wanted on the song. She said, “Is that what you wanted?” and I said, “Exactly, thank you.” It was one take, and that’s what we used.

The Miracles:

“Mickey’s Monkey” (1963) (1966) “Mickey’s Monkey” (1963)

Of all the lyrics and songs you have written, do you have a favorite? That’s a tough one, but one I really like is the Supremes’ “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone.” I loved the melody and structure. It was so di erent to me.

What was it like going into the Motown studio again? When Brian and I walked into it, it brought back so many memories. It’s like reliving your life. I was so inspired by being in that studio again. You can’t replace those kinds of memories. They just come out of you. You can’t control them, and you don’t want to. I still feel goosebumps just thinking about it.

RETAIL

What a Coup!

BY KAREN BUSCEMI

PHOTO BY SAL RODRIGUEZ

A look inside Coup D’état, selected as one of “The 50 Best Clothing Stores in America” by The New York Times

“

This is real. This is actually real.”

That was Angela Wisniewski-Cobbina’s reaction after reading that The New York Times had named her Detroit-based boutique, Coup D’état, one of “The 50 Best Clothing Stores in America.” Then she burst into tears.

“It’s such a laborious … [for] any brick-andmortar shop retailer, doing this takes a lot of courage.”

The emotion in Wisniewski-Cobbina’s voice and the fresh tears she fights to blink back while perched behind the counter of her store tell the tale of her plight as a smallbusiness owner.

Coup D’état, located in the East Village neighborhood, could be best defined as a menagerie — definitely Instagram worthy. Inside a former commercial bakery, it’s an open space with high ceilings, colorful, textured art installations, and lit glass holes (there are 1,500 total in the building) that cover two of her walls from floor to ceiling. From the outside at night, it is its own art installation.

The merchandise is carefully curated by Wisniewski-Cobbina, ensuring something for everyone, from gifts and skin care to clothing and art. Pricing runs the gamut from $5 into the thousands. While the store could be defined as high-end, it manages to feel welcoming to all.

“I never want anybody to think that they wouldn't be welcome in here, even if just to take a look, because I hope that it can be

inspiring even just to be in here,” says the Detroit resident, who lives in Lafayette Park with her husband and daughter.

That inspirational feeling was one of the conditions for being selected as a top shop.

and-mortar retail experience and the world that each of those places would transport me to,” she says. “The owner was usually there, which, you know, you’re not getting that at a chain store.”

According to a press release from The New York Times, the selection criteria included inventory, curation, proprietorship, customer service, ambience, location, and payoff, asking, “Would going be worth it, even if nothing is bought?”

While the initial 120 store owners in contention were made aware of the fact, they weren’t told when the reporters and photographers would show up (multiple times) to judge. The process took months to complete, and those who were selected found out only once the list was published.

Wisniewski-Cobbina grew up in Shelby Township, without much access to fashionable boutiques, so she started exploring shops in Ferndale, Birmingham, Detroit, and Royal Oak.

“I fell in love with the independent brick-

Her first retail job was at Incognito in Royal Oak, just after she graduated high school.

“I was fortunate to work there,” she says. “It changed my perspective on retail. It taught me that you can be expressive and you can do something that's a little bit out of what people might expect, and you'd be surprised by the reaction.”

In business for 10 years, Coup D’état moved to its new location from New Center just over a year ago. But Wisniewski-Cobbina always knew her store had to be in Detroit.

“We live in the city, and we work in the city,” she says. “I do feel like I can be my full self here in an expressive way and take more risks than I might be able to do in other communities.”

Visit Coup D’état at 9301 Kercheval Ave., Suite 6, Detroit, or online at shopcoupdetat.com.

PHOTO AND STYLING BY REBECCA SIMONOV

Sweet treats and small luxuries to give (or keep) this Valentine’s Day

Clockwise from top left: Coco Orange Milk Chocolate Bar, $10, Nest, Detroit, nestdetroit.com; Bkind Flamingo Nail Polish, $15, Nest, Detroit; Votivo Red Currant Candle, $35, Art Loft Midtown, Detroit, artloftdetroit.com; Kelly + Jones Mezcal Roja Perfume Oil, $35, Nest; Calypso Sun BlueGreen Sunglasses, $39, Art Loft Midtown; Nat + Noor Ray Hoop Earrings, $24, City Bird, Detroit, citybird.com; Mixed Box of Bons, 6 Pieces, $21, Bon Bon Bon, Detroit, bonbonbon.com

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Inspired by her own mental health journey, FOX 2's Maurielle Lue is planning to launch a wellness-meetslifestyle brand.

Emmy Award-winning reporter Maurielle Lue looks like the picture of confidence. Her long locks are coiffed, her makeup is perfect, and her laugh is boisterous. Whether she’s co-hosting Good Day Detroit or The Noon on FOX 2, it’s clear she’s well prepared and confident in front of a TV camera. But what you can’t see is that she struggles with anxiety and depression.

“I live by myself and hit one of my lowest points coming out of the pandemic,” says Lue, who had been experiencing bouts of anxiety and depression since around 2016. “We now see that loneliness is actually being declared as an epidemic.”

Ever the reporter, she did her research, hunted online for tools, and ended up booking a therapist, calling her pastor, and asking her doctor questions about sleep and stress.

Living Out Loud

BY KAREN BUSCEMI

PHOTO BY BRAD ZIEGLER

Even the biggest, most composed personalities can experience anxiety and depression. FOX 2 Detroit anchor Maurielle Lue tells us how she navigates it all while building community for others.

“It felt like a dirty little secret,” Lue explains. “From the outside, people see success and think, ‘If I had her life, I wouldn’t be depressed.’ No one ever said that to me; that was my own perception. But it created shame and kept me quiet.”

With guidance from professionals, Lue utilized tools that resonated with her to improve her mental health. She listened to faith messages when her spirit was low and watched short breathwork or cognitive behavioral therapy videos when her stress was high. Eventually, she says, she rewired her brain.

“I built tiny rituals I could actually keep,” she says. “Ten minutes of prayer and meditation, sunlight before screens, lake walks, gratitude lists, and a hard cap on doomscrolling.”

Now she’s growing a wellness-meetslifestyle brand that she plans to launch this

year, centered on community, mental health, and the power of positivity.

Her goal is to build a community that includes in-person meetups, conferences, and tools to help a wide variety of people in different phases of life.

“I've gone through this complete transformation with meditation and prayer and am really trying to level up my life,” she says. “If that's something that I can help other people do, then I want to be a bridge for that.”

Lue stresses that the easiest way people can help others who are struggling is paying attention. “Sometimes texting ‘Let’s hang this weekend?’ is a cry for help. During my lowest season, one plan with a friend could be the thread holding my whole week together. Keep the date. Show up. And if you notice they’re struggling, be the friend who gently says, ‘Let’s find you someone to talk to.’”

Connecting with others is not new to the Atlanta native, who was previously at NBC station WVVA in Bluefield, West Virginia, and WEWS in Cleveland.

Shortly after starting at FOX 2 in December 2011, Lue gained her own fan club after posting videos of herself doing her makeup and talking about news stories. She met up with some of these loyal viewers at Buffalo Wild Wings in Royal Oak, and shortly after, one of the attendees started the Lue Crew Facebook page. Eight years later, there’s a Lue Crew group on nearly every social media channel with thousands of members.

Of course, being in the public eye often means backlash and cruelty in the comments section on social media.

“I’m a woman on camera; people have opinions about everything from hair to hemlines,” she says. “What still surprises me is how casual cruelty can be online. Sometimes folks forget there’s a human being on the other side of the screen.”

Still, Lue has carved her own lane, connecting with the audience by being herself and being empathetic.

“Empathy isn’t a strategy; it’s how we keep a community together,” Lue explains. “When you see yourself in me and I see myself in you, the conversation gets kinder, the world feels smaller, and common ground gets a seat at the table.”

Art for Art’s Sake

BY NATALIA HOLTZMAN PHOTOS BY JOSH SCOTT

This artist-owned gallery doesn't have public hours. In fact, some things simply aren't for sale.

Nobody’s perfect,” says Arthur Lazaryan. “Even humans: They’re not perfect. Because we’re not robots. If you’re a robot — then, yeah, you’re perfect because you’re taught to do certain things.”

Since 2023, Lazaryan has owned and operated ArtLazar Gallery in Walled Lake, which, like a latter-day cabinet of curiosities, is crammed full of paintings in watercolor, oil, and acrylic; etchings; sculptures; objets d’art; and other wonders.

Lazaryan, who grew up in Yerevan, Armenia, the youngest of four siblings, displays his own art in the gallery, as well as work by his brother, Tadevos, and their father, Aram, who has since passed away.

“I'm an artist; I'm a gallery owner; I'm a curator,” Lazaryan says. “It's a lot of responsibilities all together.”

Because the gallery is open only for private showings, Lazaryan spends his days not only creating art but also rhapsodizing on the subjects dearest to his heart, from robots (which we’ll return to) to aliens (“we all come from different planets”) to the nature of beauty and the history of art.

Lazaryan, who has lived in the United States for almost 30 years now, has enjoyed a wide and varied career, including stints in

U.S. diplomatic security services — serving as chief of security personnel — and a role managing access to surgical equipment for health care providers.

“I’ve been all over,” he says.

Growing up, Lazaryan says, his family was “heavily involved” in artistic pursuits of all sorts. His father was a builder; his mother was an architect who oversaw the preservation of historic buildings and churches. His parents fostered an appreciation for the fine arts in each of their children, Lazaryan says.

Still, though Lazaryan attended a few studio classes in his childhood and says his oldest brother, Artyom (a fine arts professor “who got me through childhood”), had a deep and lasting impact on his life and outlook, Lazaryan himself has had no formal arts training.

When you look around his gallery, you’ll notice a wide variety of artistic styles, with references not only to traditional Armenian art but also to abstract expressionism, impressionism, and even something that borders on psychedelic.

“I'll tell you what,” Lazaryan says. “A lot of artists stick with one style — but who says you cannot have more than one? It's all about

Lazaryan’s metal sculpture, titled Continuum incorporates surgical instruments. It

the possibility. Can you do it? Or [is this] the only platform and the only vision you have?”

Near the front door is a massive chair carved from oak. At first glance, it looks not unlike the natural world’s version of the iconic throne from Game of Thrones, with wooden scepters replacing the swords of the Targaryens’ defeated enemies.

But Lazaryan says there’s no connection between his work and either George R. R. Martin’s book or the TV show: “No connection whatsoever,” he insists.

In the back of the gallery, a pair of robot sculptures — serene, somehow bemused — stand poised. They’re made of clamps, ionized aluminum, and the same surgical instruments Lazaryan once managed in his professional life.

“Nobody has anything like this,” he warns me. “Nothing like this exists.”

Several collectors have inquired about the pieces, but Lazaryan insists they aren’t for sale.

“I’m not ready,” he says.

Lazaryan hates the idea that the sculptures might wind up in a safe or a storage vault, mute and alone. His dream is to see them stand in the Detroit Institute of Arts, where they’d be seen by crowds of people every day.

“This is like a guardian angel,” Lazaryan says, indicating one with his eyebrows. “Right?”

WE VENTURE AS FAR NORTH IN METRO DETROIT AS WE’VE EVER GONE TO FIND THIS YEAR’S HONOREE

RESTAURANTOF THE YEAR 2026

By DANNY PALUMBO

At Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse, you can order your steaks and chops with enhancements like bone marrow (left), roasted and topped with herbed breadcrumbs and lemon brine.

RUDY’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE

RESTAURANTOF THE YEAR

ON MY SECOND VISIT TO

RUDY’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE, I DID SOMETHING I HAD NEVER DONE BEFORE

I locked my keys in my truck. While it was running.

That’s how excited I was to get back to Rudy’s. I wasn’t thinking straight. I was stupefied. I was daydreaming about a well-made Paper Plane cocktail, drooling over the thought of a superbly engineered steak frites and an iceberg wedge salad with jammy tomatoes. I remembered that, upon request, chef Josh Stockton will add bacon jam to his already decadent mac and cheese. I also recalled that there was a severely underappreciated burger housed within the confines of this former grocery store turned into a modern steakhouse cathedral.

As I stood there mortified, watching the Oakland County sheriff shimmy his way into my vehicle using a burglar’s toolset, I realized that there is indeed something arresting about this restaurant, something that causes a person to become galvanic and flush. From the classic steakhouse menu full of insider secrets to the distinguished cocktails to the unparalleled service and exemplary wine program, Rudy’s has earned the right to be Hour Detroit magazine’s 2026 restaurant of the year.

Opened in 2024, Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse is a quiet luxury. I say quiet because the restaurant sort of tiptoes around. It’s not loud. It’s not boisterous. It doesn’t smack you with pretentiousness and heavy-handed entrées. It’s a steakhouse, but one that’s been reimagined for a more inclusive, modern world.

RESTAURANTOF THE YEAR

“It’s not at all like it was in the ’70s,” says general manager JB Caillet. Having managed iconic New York restaurants, including a famous Wall Street watering hole called Harry’s, Caillet knows a thing or two about the medium. “It was definitely a male-driven institution. All men sitting around drinking and eating. Those power lunches in the ’70s.” Rudy’s, by contrast, is meant for anyone seeking an exquisite dinner and a refined dining experience.

Located on Main Street in downtown Clarkston, Rudy’s doesn’t have an air of exclusivity. Take the bar and lounge area, which exists on a first-come, first-served basis. That’s how restaurant bars should be, by the way. It bothers this particular food critic when restaurants reserve their bar seating. The bar is holy ground, a special seat that should remain an option for people without a reservation. Anybody should be able to walk into a bar and, if a stool is open, snag a corner seat, stretch out, and enjoy the space from a bar fly’s view. Rudy’s bar is particularly stunning, with dim lighting, a quartz countertop, and a bar that gleams and shines with pristine cleanliness.

More often than not, the bar is filled with numerous Rudy’s regulars, and I have found that this is a restaurant that specifically rewards loyalty. Want to know

Above: Owner Robert Esshaki led Rudy’s Market and Rudy’s Corporate Dining beginning in 1989 before opening the steakhouse in late 2024.

Below: Chandeliers cast a golden light over the leather booths and chairs, reminiscent of classic steakhouses. Rudy’s was designed by

about the upcoming wine dinner? Strike up a conversation with Caillet. Want to try an off-the-menu steak or an esoteric wine from Napa Valley? Be forthcoming and honest with the staff. Rudy’s is a place where it behooves the guest to visit regularly to unearth all of its secrets and hidden gems.

CLASSICS WITH AN EDGE

Helming the kitchen is Josh Stockton, a dexterous and polished chef who produces cuisine worthy of devotion. He arrived at

Rudy’s with a resume including the Wynn in Las Vegas, where he worked at the Daniel Boulud Brasserie, as well as Gold Cash Gold in Detroit. Stockton works well within the confines of the small kitchen at Rudy’s, adding flavor bombs and simple flourishes of technique to iconic steakhouse fare. The kitchen is small, yes, but very much Stockton’s domain, and it houses a fastidious team that churns out resonant meals.

One of my favorite things about Rudy’s is how classics are upgraded thoughtfully, like the iceberg wedge salad, a staple of steakhouses everywhere. Here, baby gem lettuce hearts are dressed with bacon lardons, blue cheese dressing, and what Stockton calls “overnight tomatoes.” These are cherry tomatoes that have been cooking low and slow in extra-virgin olive oil for hours on end, resulting in a jammy, glossy tomato that augments this classic salad with its rich acidity. The tomatoes add another layer of

RESTAURANTOF THE YEAR

funky cheese. It’s one of Stockton’s signatures, and he autographs the entire menu with tricks such as these.

Chef Stockton also produces some of the best fried chicken I’ve had in southeast Michigan, which is a nod to his time spent in Tennessee. He brines Bell & Evans chicken pieces in buttermilk, fries them until they’re crispy and craggy, then serves them with a tangy pepper vinaigrette that stings the taste buds affectionately. I can’t recall seeing a plate of fried chicken available at a steakhouse before, but it’s exactly the kind of move that gives the menu at Rudy’s so much personality. Stockton himself is drawn to butchery and country-style farmhouse cuisine, which is great news for a restaurant that so prominently features steaks.

All of the steaks at Rudy’s are chargrilled in a 1,600-degree Montague broiler and finished with brown butter, which ensures incredible crust and maximum flavor. I’m particularly fond of the Westholme Wagyu steak frites, which utilizes the coulotte — a lesser-known, tender, flavorful cut of meat from the sirloin cap. To the side are straight fries (sliced thin, served golden) and sidecars of tangy aioli and Heinz 57 ketchup. The steak is lean but marbled and buttery; it dissolves in the mouth more than it feels like it’s being chewed. It’s an exemplary steak frites and a good entry point to what Rudy’s does best: meat. I’m also fond of the 28-day dry-aged bone-in New York strip, grilled to medium-rare temperature. There are plenty of dry-aged steaks on the menu,

room for dessert!

MASTER OF THE HOUSE

If Rudy’s has a face, then it’s Jean-Baptiste “JB” Caillet. Dapper, erudite, and friendly, he’s always sporting a pair of designer glasses and a neatly kept beard. And in his years, he’s traveled the globe several times over. Caillet was born in France, immigrated to America, lived in cities like Seattle, Houston, and New York City — where he managed iconic New York restaurants such as Aquavit and Balthazar — and even played professional polo in Argentina. If you can’t strike up a good conversation with JB, well, perhaps you’re not

which all pack a funkiness that drives up the umami past anything reasonable.

As I mentioned earlier, the best deal of all at Rudy’s might just be the cheeseburger, which is a thick patty formed with Wagyu beef, melty cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and B&B pickles. Pub burgers are making a comeback, and Rudy’s leads the charge. This is one of the better burgers in the entire metro Detroit area. For only $18, I’ve seen worse, more expensive burgers in Los Angeles and New York City. The burger gets knocked down to $16 during happy hour, making Rudy’s a wonderful pit stop after work. I also think that, given the state of the world today, it’s important for fine-dining restaurants to offer a few affordable items on their menus. Rudy’s makes a humble offering with its burger, and the gesture goes a long way.

I’m doing my best to hold back superlatives, as they’re rote when talking about food these days. (What does the best

mac and cheese really mean, anyway?)

However, I will tell you that the most flavorful, luxurious, tasty mac and cheese I’ve had lives at Rudy’s. Listen closely: Stockton’s mac is made with mezze rigatoni, a ridged, tubular pasta that picks up the cheese sauce well. Clinging to each pasta is a salty, sultry mix of Gruyère and Parmesan, and the whole side gets topped with herbed breadcrumbs. There is a secret to this order, however: Request the aforementioned bacon jam to be added, and Stockon will happily oblige. Bacon lardons and sweet, caramelized onions add a meaty, candied layer to the mac and cheese that is nothing short of stupendous.

Steakhouse dishes are timeless, and Rudy’s has them in spades: creamed spinach, potatoes served crunchy and creamed, famous salads, American sauces, and foamy desserts. Rudy’s does all of the little things great at once, which in turn makes the restaurant great.

I posit that JB’s worldliness is what makes him such a legendary hospitality figure. He represents a type of hospitality you don’t see anymore. A steward, an old-school maître d’, and a true master of the house. Caillet greets, warms, and problem-solves for guests, and he possesses a wealth of knowledge. Want to know which wine pairs best with your dryaged New York strip? Which small boutique wine out of California is worth your fancy? Heck, did you leave your keys in your car and need a guy to unlock it? Ask JB. Caillet arrives at Rudy’s every day with a worldly disposition, a benevolent mindset, and a passion for service, food, and drink, but especially the drink.

WINE WHISPERER

Caillet, who is also a certified sommelier, is responsible for curating the wine list at Rudy’s, which is one of the more extensive in the area. The list, which has plenty of bottles from Napa Valley, Italy, and Spain, also carries a wonderful selection of French wines. After all, Caillet was born in France. When he worked at the famed Balthazar, a French brasserie in Manhattan, he was tasked

with sustaining a 100% French wine list. In the process, he developed a deep love of Old World wine.

“Old World wines come from a region in France where they’ve been making wine for 1,000 years or more,” explains Caillet. “The local produce, the local game pairs well with the wine [in France]. That’s what I love about it.”

There’s a symbiotic relationship between food and wine in France, where much of what’s on the plate and in the glass comes from the same terroir. And that relationship is embraced tightly at Rudy’s, creating an ideal sensory experience.

It’s Caillet’s conviction that Old World wines carry a more delicate body and flavor, which pairs well with the carousel of steakhouse grub at Rudy’s. You’ll find wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhone Valley but also a focus on smaller vineyards that Caillet seeks out specifically, like La

Pelle and Covert Estate. Of course, the wine Caillet really loves appears at the monthly wine dinner, an exclusive event where the winemaker is always present.

The wine list at Rudy’s features plenty of crowd-pleasing Napa Valley classics — Silver Oak and Stag’s Leap are iconic steakhouse wines. But if guests want to call over Caillet and chat about wines, he normally pushes them toward smaller, boutique wineries and Old World French classics. “People in the last year have really started to trust me,” he says. “Tables come in and say, ‘Please pick the wine.’ I’m going to head them straight to Old World if they’ll let me choose.”

Caillet and I speak in early December, and he tells me that he’s already thinking about the wine in April. His wine dinners are planned several months in advance. Seats are limited (usually about 12), and the waitlist is long, but it can’t hurt to ask Caillet about it. Those who

Rudy’s cheeseburger is a pub

RESTAURANTOF THE YEAR

show a deep appreciation for wine are usually kept in the know. The idea for the dinner always starts with a specific winemaker or estate, and then Chef Stockton pairs food based on the wines that Caillet aims to serve. “It’s a joy to work with Josh,” says Caillet. “And also Ann Howard, the bar manager.”

Speaking of Howard, she’s done a beautiful job creating an elegantly detailed classic cocktail list. I believe an espresso martini to be a good judge of a bar program. I often find them to be too sweet, rich, or alcoholforward. They can be slim and watery, rather than robust and steady. The balance is hard to get right, but I’m happy to report that Rudy’s makes an excellent espresso martini — perfectly smooth, delicately sweet, with a punch of espresso that’ll liven you up after a hard day. And the Paper Plane, which comes outfitted with a tiny, literal paper plane attached to the side of the glass, is chilly and citrusy, perfect for a harsh winter day or a balmy summer’s eve. At Rudy’s, old school is the best school, and it never goes out of style.

CHASING THE BIG APPLE

This is a restaurant that has lofty expectations and big-city dreams. I had the chance to briefly chat with Robert Esshaki, the owner of Rudy’s. I told him I had a trip to New York City coming up. With a playful yearning, he told me that he has always regretted not living in the city — at least for a year or two. I get the sense that Esshaki longs for New York, but with Rudy’s, a steakhouse that buzzes and beams, he has also created something close to that big-city experience. He’s helped build a steakhouse for the future, not something antiquated and stuffy. The refinement, the fine-dining execution, the privacy, the elegance, and the old-school commitment to hospitality — it’s found a home in Clarkston. It’s found a home at Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse.

SECRET CASTLES

BY PAUL RUBIO

A EUROPEAN VACTION?THESE FIVE LESSERKNOWN CASTLES ARE WORTH BUILDING YOUR ITINERARY AROUND.

IN THE NINTH CENTURY, the once-mighty Frankish empire of the Carolingian dynasty began to fracture, giving rise to a feudal system that reshaped Europe’s landscape. As power splintered, noble lords built the first castles — not just as homes but as symbols of dominance and fortified refuges. By the 12th century, these strongholds had evolved into the iconic structures we recognize today, complete with towering gatehouses, protective moats, and formidable stone walls.

Yet the refinement of gunpowder weaponry in the 15th century rendered such defenses obsolete. As military priorities shifted, castles transformed from bastions of protection to symbols of prestige, with many repurposed into palaces, academies, or even prisons. Others fell into disuse, left to the ravages of time. Today, meticulous restoration efforts have revived these once-overlooked landmarks as museums and cultural treasures. Here, we spotlight five such castles that showcase Europe’s past in unforgettable ways. ,

CHÂTEAU DE VAUX-LE-VICOMTE

MAINCY, FRANCE

Located just outside of Paris, the 17th-century Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is a dazzling precursor to the grandeur of Versailles. Commissioned in 1658 by Nicolas Fouquet (Louis XIV’s superintendent of finance), this domed-roof estate epitomizes harmony between architecture, interior design, and landscaping. Fouquet spared no expense in hiring Louis Le Vau, Charles Le Brun, and André Le Nôtre, the creative trio later tasked by Louis XIV to design Versailles itself. Ironically, the château’s

magnificence contributed to Fouquet’s downfall, as his lavish expenditures led to his arrest and imprisonment. Though it was Versailles that became an iconic symbol of France, Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte rivals its contemporary as the foremost example of 17th-century French architecture and landscape design. Unlike the archetypal medieval and Renaissance châteaux found in regions like Périgord or Languedoc, Vaux-le-Vicomte does not have a moat

or battlements. Despite its “castle” name, Vaux-le-Vicomte is in fact an unfortified palace, built long after the period of true castles. The French word for castle, “château,” was carried through the ages to have a broader meaning that incorporated palaces and mansions of later centuries. In this vein, many French châteaux do not fit the classic mold of their European peers. Run today as France’s largest private historic property, Château de Vaux-leVicomte is open to the public from spring to

PREDJAMA CASTLE

early fall (in 2026, March 14 to Nov. 1) and during select days of the holiday season. On Saturdays from May 16 to Sept. 26, the estate will host weekly Candlelit Evenings, when the palace will be illuminated by thousands of candles. Patrons have the option of dining next to the twinkling gardens at the estate’s Les Charmilles restaurant, which is open exclusively on these evenings. Pro tip: Book months in advance. vaux-le-vicomte.com

PREDJAMA, SLOVENIA

The caves beneath Predjama Castle span more than 8 miles.

Perched within the mouth of a cliffside cave, Predjama Castle defies expectations as much as gravity. Overlooking Slovenia’s River Lokva, this four-story marvel intertwines natural formations and human craftsmanship in a way few castles can claim.

Its lore is inseparable from Erazem Lueger, a 15th-century knight famed for his daring exploits and Robin Hood–like defiance of authority. Despite a prolonged siege by Austrian forces during the Austrian-Hungarian War, the knight outwitted his enemies through a concealed passage within the cave system, enabling him to secure supplies and continue his rebellious escapades — until betrayal revealed a fatal vulnerability: the toilet. According to legend, his garderobe (a medieval-era toilet) was one of the castle’s few structural weak points, and it was there that he met his infamous end after a confidante alerted enemy forces of his whereabouts.

Rebuilt in 1570 with Renaissance refinement, Predjama Castle retained its fortress roots while adopting a more regal character. Nowadays, visitors can explore the castle’s richly atmospheric interiors as well as sections of the extensive cave system beneath it, which extends more than 8 miles. For the adventurous, guided tours delve into Erazem’s secret passage or the labyrinthine Eastern Passages, a trek not for the fainthearted or claustrophobic. The castle is open year-round, though cave access is seasonal to protect its resident bat colonies. postojnska-jama.eu

Castelul Corvinilor, or Corvin Castle, seems plucked straight from the pages of a medieval epic. Nestled amid the rolling mistshrouded hills of Transylvania, this Gothic masterpiece evokes a blend of foreboding grandeur and otherworldly charm. Begun in 1446 under the command of John Hunyadi (known in Romanian as “Ioan of Hunedoara”), the castle transformed an early Renaissance stronghold into a feat of defensive ingenuity. Towering double walls, a dramatic drawbridge, and an array of rectangular and circular towers fortified it against even the most advanced weaponry of the era. The castle’s imposing architecture remains a testament to Hunyadi’s strategic prowess and ambition. Beyond its austere exterior, Corvin Castle reveals a more opulent and storied interior. Clad in gleaming marble, the Diet Hall served as a venue for elaborate receptions; the Knights’ Hall hosted feasts fit for nobility. For those fascinated with darker tales, the dungeon and torture chamber offer chilling insights into medieval justice, while the infamous “bear pit” is steeped in grisly legend. Open to visitors year-round, the castle invites modern-day explorers to immerse themselves in its history. Special rooms are available for private hire, and each summer’s Medieval Festival brings knights, jousting, and pageantry to life, making Corvin Castle a vibrant celebration of the past. castelulcorvinilor.ro

CORVIN CASTLE

Situated near the English-Scottish border, Caerlaverock Castle is a striking testament to medieval resilience and ingenuity. Its triangular layout, unique in Britain, is both a defensive and architectural anomaly, featuring a wide moat, twin-towered gatehouse, and imposing curtain walls. Built in the 13th century, the castle’s tumultuous history includes multiple sieges as it changed hands between England and Scotland over the centuries. Edward I famously captured it in 1300, though the Maxwell family (its enduring Scottish lords) reclaimed it time and again until 1640, when it was abandoned as a military stronghold.

CAERLAVEROCK CASTLE

Caerlaverock’s history is not merely one of warfare. The Maxwells’ personal chronicles tell a colorful tale of familial rivalries, political intrigue, and murder, adding depth to the castle’s already dramatic legacy. Today, its ruins offer visitors a chance to wander through history, marveling at its rare trilateral design and evocative surroundings. Open year-round, Caerlaverock is a poignant reminder of Scotland’s storied past, inviting exploration and reflection historicenvironment.scot

Caerlaverock Castle is adjacent to the Caerlaverock Nature Reserve.

TRAKAI ISLAND CASTLE

DUMFRIES, SCOTLAND

own protective moat — a defensive innovation that set it apart.

TRAKAI, LITHUANIA

Rising from the tranquil waters of Lake Galvé, Trakai Island Castle is a fairy tale of medieval architecture set against the backdrop of Lithuania’s natural beauty. Originally constructed in the 14th century as a strategic partner to Grand Duke Késtutis’s mainland fortress, the castle reached its zenith under the rule of Vytautas the Great. By the late 14th century, this red-brick Gothic stronghold featured a six-story donjon surrounded by its

The castle’s military prominence peaked during the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, when Vytautas’s forces, allied with Poland, achieved a decisive victory against the Teutonic Knights. Following this pivotal moment, Trakai Island Castle shifted from a military bastion to a luxurious ducal residence, adorned with impressive frescoes and intricate detailing that reflected its newfound role. Today, Trakai Island Castle enchants visitors year-round, though it’s particularly lively in the summer, when medieval festivals and open-air concerts fill its courtyards. The serene beauty of the island and its compelling past make it a must-see destination for history enthusiasts and travelers alike. trakaimuziejus.lt

Welcome to Women Who Move Detroit, a celebration of the dynamic, driven, and inspiring women shaping metro Detroit’s future. This special section shines a spotlight on trailblazers who are redefining success across industries — from law and real estate to health and aesthetic care, entrepreneurship, and mission-driven service. These women are

LEADERSHIP & IMPACT CELEBRATING

more than leaders; they are changemakers, community builders, and visionaries who embody the resilience and spirit of Detroit.

In these pages, you’ll meet smallbusiness owners, executives, health care providers, and more, all of whom are making their mark in their respective fields. Each story underscores a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and empowerment, whether through trusted counsel, exceptional client service, or compassionate care.

Women Who Move Detroit is a tribute to the power of ambition and a reminder of the incredible impact women have when they lead with purpose. Read on to learn more about these movers and shakers and their contributions to metro Detroit.

With over 26 years in the medical spa industry, Yvonne Gevargesian is a leading expert in permanent makeup and microblading. Since 1999, she has gained recognition for her exceptional talent, creating a twoyear waitlist for her services.

As the owner of Aloria Med Spa for nearly 13 years, Yvonne specializes in helping clients with hair loss, including cancer patients and those with alopecia. She has worked with high-profile individuals and corrected over 7,000 botched procedures, including infamous “monster brows” that made global headlines. Clients from across the country seek her expertise.

Yvonne holds 27 certifications from prestigious academies and emphasizes continuous education, ensuring her clients receive the latest techniques in PMU and microblading. Her attention to detail allows her to provide personalized solutions that enhance natural beauty.

Believing in giving back, Yvonne has sponsored numerous local high schools and organizations to support those in need. She has also mentored over 147 aspiring technicians, sharing her skills and confidence.

Yvonne has proudly served as the brow artist for Miss Michigan since 2015 and sponsors the Miss Michigan pageant through Aloria Skincare Inc. Her artistic vision and commitment to client satisfaction have earned her a stellar reputation and a long waitlist for her services.

Yvonne’s passion for her craft and dedication to elevating industry standards make her a remarkable figure in beauty and aesthetics.

Cindy Kahn boasts an extensive and distinguished résumé marked by consistent success. Since 2011, she has repeatedly earned recognition as one of Hour Media’s Top 100 Agents and is nationally ranked among the top 1% of Realtors — an achievement that speaks to her exceptional standing in the industry. For the past nine consecutive years, she has been the topproducing agent at The Agency Birmingham.

What truly sets Cindy apart is her distinctive personal approach, exceptional negotiation skills, enduring professional relationships, and depth of experience. Her success is built on a commitment to authenticity, high standards, and the boutique, highly personalized experience she delivers across all price points.

One of Cindy’s greatest joys was welcoming her daughter, Emily, to the team five years ago. Emily’s background in business and sales — shaped by seven years in New York City’s fast-paced fashion industry — has brought fresh energy, creativity, and perspective to the business.

A Bloomfield native and graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, Emily earned her Bachelor of Science in apparel merchandising with a minor in business from the Kelley School of Business. After returning to Michigan during the pandemic, Emily quickly discovered her passion for real estate, building her own client base while learning from Cindy’s expertise. She has also earned recognition as an Hour Media Real Estate All-Star alongside her mother, further underscoring the strength of their partnership.

Together, Cindy and Emily provide discreet, personalized service and a dynamic blend of experience and innovation. They continue to raise the bar, helping clients achieve their real estate goals with confidence and exceptional results.

With locations in Birmingham and Northville, Beauty Fusion Aesthetics is the premier destination for those seeking natural, refreshed, and timeless beauty.

Founders Wendy Bidwell, R.N., and Jodie Eickhoff, NP-BC, bring decades of combined experience in aesthetic medicine to Beauty Fusion Aesthetics, which has been enhancing clients’ natural beauty for nearly five years.

“We believe in a client-centered approach that honors each individual’s personal goals, journey, and natural beauty,” says Bidwell. Eickhoff adds, “As a boutique med spa, personal connection matters to us. Knowing our patients and helping them feel confident in their own skin is at the heart of what we do.”

Beauty Fusion Aesthetics is known for its advanced approach to skin care, injectables, and facial rejuvenation. Also focusing on wellness treatments including weight loss, peptides, hormone replacement therapy, and IV therapy, Beauty Fusion Aesthetics offers laser therapy and non-surgical aesthetic treatments designed to enhance individual beauty while preserving a natural look. From dermal fillers and Botox to customized skin care treatments, every service is tailored to help clients look and feel their best.

Years in the medical field have given Bidwell and Eickhoff a unique expertise in the science, safety, and sustainability of treatment, and both have pursued advanced training in aesthetics to combine clinical expertise with an artistic eye for natural enhancement.

At Beauty Fusion Aesthetics, the aim is simple: to provide subtle, refined, and expertly tailored enhancements so clients feel confident, refreshed, and naturally radiant.

In the Detroit area beauty and wellness community, Beauty Fusion Aesthetics continues to set the standard, offering not just treatments but confidence, artistry, and care in every experience.

Betty and Elouis Harp founded Harp’s Lingerie in 1947, never dreaming that 78 years later it would be co-owned by their great-granddaughter, Jacqueline Hamill, just 26 years old.

“My mother-in-law was way ahead of her time,” says co-owner Pat Hardy. “She was a fearless visionary and the most impressive woman I have ever known. To know that Jacqueline, trained in the business by my daughter, Lisa Hardy Hamill, will be guiding the store for generations to come would please Betty beyond words.”

What a lasting tribute to a fascinating woman who was kind and generous but never a pushover. Always straight to the point, Betty was steadfast in helping women look their best. “Our goal remains the same,” Jacqueline says. “Times haven’t changed

that much, because nine out of 10 women still wear the wrong size bra. We can change that! Our expertly trained sales staff is committed to fitting women, sizes 30A to 54N, determined to help them feel comfortable and confident they look their best when they leave the store.”

Family members agree: It was always Betty’s desire that Harp’s remain a “family operation.”

“This is just the beginning of furthering her legacy,” Jacqueline predicts. “I have cousins who might have the bug as much I do. The sky’s the limit!”

Joumana Kayrouz moves Detroit by making power answer to people — and by ensuring that visibility becomes a form of justice.

As a trial attorney, Kayrouz operates where consequences matter. She represents individuals whose lives have been altered by negligence, institutional failure, or preventable harm, and she approaches every case with the same principle: Accountability is not optional. Her work is measured not only in verdicts and settlements but in dignity restored and systems forced to change.

In a profession that often rewards conformity, Kayrouz has chosen presence. She has redefined what authority looks like in Detroit’s legal landscape — particularly for women and women of color — by being unapologetically visible, articulate, and exacting. Leadership, in her view, is not inherited; it is claimed.

“Justice doesn’t move quietly — it moves when someone is willing to be seen standing in front of it,” says Kayrouz.

That belief shapes her impact beyond the courtroom. Through radio, media, and public platforms, Kayrouz translates complex legal issues into accessible conversations that empower people to protect their health, safety, and rights. She understands that knowledge creates agency, and agency creates momentum.

Detroit is a city defined by resilience and reinvention, and Kayrouz’s legacy reflects that spirit. She blends rigor with empathy, influence with responsibility, and ambition with service. Her work is not about momentary recognition — it is about setting a standard that endures.

Founder and Principal Attorney

Lisa McInerney is a Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill in Bloomfield Hills, where she provides planning-based guidance to individuals, families, businesses, and multigenerational households. Approaching her 25th anniversary as a financial advisor, she has been guiding clients in the financial services industry since 2001. McInerney provides a comprehensive approach to strategies spanning investment management, retirement planning, risk management, tax-minimization strategies, and wealth-transfer considerations. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designation. She is committed to acting in her clients’ best interest and tailoring advice to each family’s unique goals and values.

McInerney earned her Bachelor of Arts from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. Before joining Merrill Lynch in 2006, she began her career with Morgan Stanley, where she survived the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. At Morgan Stanley, she advanced to vice president and established a foundation in financial planning and relationship-focused advising.

McInerney resides in Bloomfield Hills with her husband, Steve, and their children, Lily and George. Together, they enjoy spending time as a family and traveling to warm, scenic destinations. Passionate about her community, McInerney is involved with the Academy of the Sacred Heart, is an active member of Oakland Hills Country Club, and enjoys spending time at M1 Concourse.

Investing involves risk. There is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured, Are Not Bank Guaranteed, May Lose Value. © 2025 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S. Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™, CRPC™, and the CRPC™ logo are certification marks or registered certification marks of The College for Financial Planning Institutes Corp. in the United States.

Dr. Mariam Awada is a true Detroit powerhouse — embodying the city’s grit, grace, and relentless drive to uplift others. A first-generation Detroiter, she graduated at the top of her class from Wayne State University School of Medicine before shattering barriers as the first woman to complete the world-renowned Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program at the University of Texas Southwestern.

A nationally recognized advocate for women’s health, Dr. Awada has taken on leadership roles at the American Medical Association and global health forums, championing equality, access, and innovation. With advanced certifications from MIT, she brings visionary thinking to medicine — shaping systems that align with World Health Organization standards for global safety and care.

Dr. Awada is igniting a worldwide movement to confront the greatest silent health crisis of our time — the neglect of menopause care. For too long, 53 million American women have been left unheard, underresearched, and underserved. Through her forthcoming works, The Menopause Apothecary and 53 Million and Zero Plan , she unveils a groundbreaking road map to restore women’s vitality, close critical research gaps, and reclaim the $285 billion lost in the U.S. each year to neglect. Her mission reaches beyond medicine — to empower 1 billion women worldwide, restoring not only wellness but dignity, strength, and voice.

For over 25 years, through her renowned Michigan Cosmetic Surgery practice, Dr. Awada has elevated lives with artistry, regenerative science, and an uncompromising commitment to safety. Honored by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons and ranked No. 1 in Michigan for more than a decade, she exemplifi es excellence, compassion, and Detroit’s unstoppable resilience.

Boudoir isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being powerful. No one knows that better than photographer Kelly Doneth of Wink Boudoir.

“My mission is simple: to help women see themselves the way the world sees them — beautiful, worthy, and more powerful than they realize,” she says. A photographer for 15 years, Doneth saw how transformational boudoir was for women, and it became her passion.

“Watching someone walk into my studio nervous and leave glowing, standing taller, and seeing themselves with new confidence completely changed the direction of my career.”

With her sincere blend of luxury and approachability, Doneth creates a comfortable, relaxing, and fun environment that is intentionally designed to be supportive, bodypositive, and empowering. “I don’t just take beautiful photos; I help women feel beautiful,” she says.

Every session at Wink Boudoir includes professional hair and makeup, access to an inclusive closet, and fully guided posing designed for every body type. The studio offers both light romantic and sensually moody environments to give women multiple settings from which to choose.

Wardrobe favorites include lace and mesh bodysuits, strappy lingerie sets, delicate robes, sheets-only looks, bold statement pieces, and shimmering body jewelry that elevates the entire vibe. Doneth keeps her closet stocked with a variety of sizes and styles, including a long, French-inspired robe that photographs beautifully on every woman.

Although many women book sessions as wedding, anniversary, or holiday gifts for their partners, most end up realizing that the experience is actually for themselves. The confidence boost and the way they see their own beauty afterward is the true gift.

Dr. Christina Busuito is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Somerset Plastic Surgery in Troy, known for pairing meticulous technique with a warm, patient-first philosophy. Specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, breasts, and body, she helps patients look refreshed, feel confident, and, when needed, reclaim a sense of wholeness after illness or trauma.

A graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Dr. Busuito completed an elite cosmetic surgery fellowship with Beverly Hills Physicians, where she refined advanced aesthetic approaches that prioritize naturallooking results and thoughtful, individualized planning. Her practice offers a full spectrum of options — transformative surgical procedures including breast augmentation, tummy tuck, body contouring, and facial rejuvenation, as well as non-surgical options such as Botox and dermal fillers.

Dr. Busuito maintains hospital affiliations with Corewell Health Beaumont (Troy and Royal Oak), Henry Ford St. John, and Henry Ford Rochester — supporting continuity of care for patients throughout metro Detroit. Beyond the operating room, she is committed to advancing the field through teaching, ongoing scholarship, and recent publications, while also giving back through philanthropic work that reflects a deeper mission of service.

While she is proud to continue a family legacy in plastic surgery, Dr. Busuito’s reputation stands on its own, earned through expertise, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to helping patients move forward with confidence.

As a proud Chaldean American born and raised in metro Detroit, Dr. Dina Kassab is committed to uplifting her heritage and empowering her community. Recognized as an Hour Detroit Top Doc, Dr. Kassab serves on the board of directors of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and is active in fostering professional growth, mentorship, and connections among business leaders and professionals.

“Being Chaldean is at the core of who I am; however, my mission extends beyond my roots,” says Dr. Kassab, co-founder of Serenity OBGYN. Dr. Kassab also serves on the board of directors for the Henry Ford Rochester Foundation, which has given her the opportunity to influence decisions at a systemic level — decisions that shape how care is delivered across entire communities.

As a board-certified OB-GYN and health care leader, Dr. Kassab is honored to be part of a generation of

women who are helping move Detroit forward by reimagining what women’s health can look like. Through Serenity OBGYN, Dr. Kassab lends her diverse clinical expertise to patients seeking infertility treatment, cosmetic gynecology, minimally invasive surgery, highrisk obstetrics, and menopause management.

Known for embracing innovation, Dr. Kassab recently opened Med Coast Wellness in Commerce Township to provide advances in aesthetics, antiaging, weight loss, and HRT therapies. From advanced skin rejuvenation techniques to aesthetics to innovative weight-management programs, Med Coast Wellness is committed to improving the vibrancy and health of its patients.

Whether in the exam room, the boardroom, or the community, Dr. Kassab’s work is guided by one goal: to create a healthier future for women and, in doing so, a stronger future for Detroit.

OBGYN

South Rochester Road, Suite 1450

Michigan

Saba Katto, a seasoned real estate agent since 2000, started with Century 21 before getting her broker’s license in 2009. She shifted when the market was down and in 2009 founded Realty Solutions of Michigan. Throughout her career, she has consistently been in the top 5% of agents. In 2019, Saba joined Sapphire Luxury Homes and Landscaping, a well-known dream home builder in Bloomfield Hills, as sales director. Her experience and dedication bring value to neighborhoods with luxury homes popping up throughout Oakland County, especially in the areas of Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills, Troy, Birmingham, and Oakland Township. Saba excels in understanding client needs, securing land, and transforming dream home visions into reality. She is among the top 100 agents in Oakland County.

Saba Katto Founder, Real Estate Broker

Realty Solutions of Michigan

775 Industrial Court

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

248-835-5008

realtysolutionsofmi.com

With nearly 19 years of legal experience, Jessica Dadas knows success isn’t limited to the office or courtroom. She’s a mom, business owner, and entrepreneur with a proven track record. She’s been a legal client, too, and understands how personal the relationship is. A recent breast cancer survivor (2025) and single mother, Jessica is active in her two boys’ swimming and football teams. Bringing empathy and resilience to every client relationship, she helps families and businesses plan for their legacies: estate planning, overseeing probate and trust administration, protecting vulnerable adults in guardianships and conservatorships, advising on real estate investments, and guiding business owners in growth strategies. Her results speak volumes: She’s secured over $88M in federal contracts, procured a $600,000+ client refund in an IRS controversy, and secured thousands in grants and government assistance for individual and business clients. Let Jessica and her team help you build and preserve generational wealth with confidence and peace of mind.

Jessica Dadas (Schulze), J.D.

Partner

DUGGAN BERTSCH PLLC

41000 Woodward Ave., Suite 350 East

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

248-206-8636

jdschulze@dugganbertsch.com dugganbertsch.com

Following a decade of experience working with the top talent and advertising agencies in Los Angeles, Jennifer Ross expanded her legal and business affairs expertise to Detroit with the opening of JRBA in 2017, serving companies and individuals nationally to ensure their work is protected and compliant.

Ross is known for providing white-glove service across all aspects of production, particularly celebrity negotiations, licensing, influencer management, and music.

JRBA is now turning a new leaf, advising businesses across industries on client and vendor management, employment classification, operations, and process development. “Any lawyer can draft a client master service agreement, but do the business leaders know how to implement that document through their company?” says Ross, a licensed attorney. “That’s where we can be exceptionally helpful.”

Jennifer Ross Owner and Founder

Jennifer Ross Business Affairs

3707 W. Maple Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 jrba@jenniferrossba.com jenniferrossba.com

Stephanie Ubaydi is redefining modern wellness in metro Detroit as the franchise owner of three Perspire Sauna Studio locations in Rochester, Birmingham, and Novi. Driven by a passion for helping people feel their best, she has created spaces where science-backed infrared therapy meets a welcoming, private, concierge sauna experience. Under her leadership locally, Perspire has become a trusted destination for recovery, stress relief, and overall well-being. Her entrepreneurial vision and hands-on approach earned her the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Business Woman of the Year award in 2024, recognizing her impact as a leading business owner in her community. Committed to education, personalization, and longterm wellness, Stephanie empowers guests to prioritize self-care and balance busy lifestyles. Through her growing footprint, she continues to move Detroit forward by making high-quality wellness accessible, consistent, and results-driven.

Stephanie Ubaydi Owner

Perspire Sauna Studio

Birmingham, 248-792-0182

Novi, 248-938-0392 Rochester, 248-266-8310 perspiresaunastudio.com

Tonya C. Adair serves as the president and CEO of Alternatives For Girls, a prominent Detroit-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting girls and young women experiencing homelessness, exploitation, violence, and significant life risks. In her leadership role, Adair guides the organization’s strategic vision and operations to deepen its impact and expand critical services throughout southeast Michigan.

Adair’s career reflects decades of leadership in nonprofit and education management, community advocacy, and equity-centered programming — blending strategic oversight with a passion for empowering underserved populations. At AFG, Adair leads organizational efforts to offer comprehensive support services, including safe shelter, crisis response, outreach, prevention, and pathways to independence for girls and young women at risk. Under her stewardship, the organization continues to strengthen its mission of helping young women avoid violence, early pregnancy, exploitation, and homelessness while providing them with opportunities to grow and succeed.

She is known for her commitment to community empowerment and advocacy, partnering with donors, the public, and civic leaders to expand AFG’s reach. Her leadership helps ensure that the girls and young women served by AFG not only survive crises but thrive beyond them.

Tonya

C. Adair President & CEO

Alternatives For Girls

903 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI 48208 313-361-4000 alternativesforgirls.org

Sherry Scott, owner of Time Together Adult Day Center, is dedicated to providing compassionate, structured support for mentally challenged adults and veterans. With established locations in Warren and Ferndale, she focuses on creating safe, engaging environments that promote dignity, independence, and community connection. Driven by service and growth, she is preparing to expand the center’s impact by opening a Detroit location by midsummer 2026 while maintaining high standards of care, accountability, and personalized programming. Sherry Scott, LMSW

 P. 60

Catch legendary musician, composer, and band leader Wynton Marsalis at Orchestra Hall this month in collaboration with the Detroit Symphony

THEATER

FEB. 4-MARCH 8

The Mountaintop: This play by Katori Hall reimagines iconic civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last day of life, offering an unusually human portrayal of a larger-than-life historical figure. The production won the prestigious Olivier Award for best new play in 2010, making Hall the award’s first ever Black, female recipient. $52+. Detroit Public Theatre, Detroit; detroitpublictheatre.org

FEB. 5-8

Kinky Boots: Beloved for its hilarious, feel-good dialogue and its infectious Cyndi Lauper score, this six-time Tony Awardwinning musical follows the true story of Charlie, a jaded, second-generation shoe factory owner whose business takes off after he collaborates with Lola, a drag performer, on a new line of footwear. $35+. Fisher Theatre, Detroit; broadwayin detroit.com

FEB. 28

The Simon & Garfunkel Story: Revisit the career of one of the most beloved acts in American music history when this Grammy Award-winning tribute show makes a stop at the Fisher Theatre this month. Talented performers take the audience through the backstory of the legendary duo through hits like “Mrs. Robinson,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and “The Sound of Silence,” offering a perfect introduction for new listeners and a nostalgic treat for veteran fans. $54+. Fisher Theatre, Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com

Don’t-Miss Events

BY LAUREN WETHINGTON

Save the dates for these can’t-miss shows and performances this February

FILM

FEB. 7

Concerning My Daughter: This nuanced film by Korean writer and director Lee Mi-rang follows Green, a headstrong and independent professor who is forced to move back into her mother’s home with her lesbian partner in tow. As a professional caretaker for the elderly, Green’s mother juggles the intense emotional demands of her work with her struggle to

accept and understand her daughter’s life choices. No cost. State Theatre, Ann Arbor; marquee-arts.org

FEB. 15

Dirty Dancing in Concert: One of the most memorable films of the ’80s gets a singable, danceable upgrade at the Fisher Theatre this month. The digitally remastered 1987 film will play on a full-size cinema screen while live musicians perform the iconic soundtrack, breathing new life into this nostalgic coming-of-age classic. Stick around after the film’s conclusion for a dance party with the band. $77+. Fisher Theatre, Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com

FEB. 14

FEB. 19

Linda Linda Linda: Three days out from their high school festival, bandmates Kei, Kyoko, and Nozomi are on the hunt for a new lead vocalist for their band. When they land on Son, a talented Korean exchange student with a less-than-perfect command of the Japanese language, they must race against the clock to prepare their songs in time. No cost. State Theatre, Ann Arbor; marquee-arts.org

MUSIC

FEB. 6-8

Marsalis’s Swing Symphony with Paradise Theatre Big Band: Legendary trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Wynton Marsalis leads this collaboration between his Paradise Theatre Big Band and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as they perform works by Pulitzer Prize-winning composers, including the world premiere of Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels’s suite from the opera Omar $21+ Orchestra Hall, Detroit; dso.org

112: The ’90s R&B collective behind top-20 singles like “Only You,” “Peaches & Cream,” and “Cupid” will celebrate 30 years of hits with a stop at Detroit’s Fox Theatre this month. The show will kick off with support from hip-hop duo Total (“Kissin’ You,” “Can’t You See”) and Grammy Award-winning vocalist Case, whose early-2000s hits “Missing You” and “Livin’ It Up” garnered him two Grammy Award nominations. $66+. Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents.com

FEB. 20

New Edition: Three of the most influential groups in R&B history will hit the road this year as supergroup New Edition shares the stage with ’80s contemporaries Boyz II Men and ’90s hitmaker Toni Braxton. Combined, the three acts boast 11 Grammy Awards and nearly 200 million albums sold worldwide. $110+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

FEB. 22

Sensory-Friendly

Concert: Motown Hits: Designed for individuals with sensory sensitivities, this event seeks to welcome those who feel excluded by the quiet, formal parameters of the traditional symphony experience. The judgment-free environment means audience members can feel free to be themselves and enjoy the power of music in a safe, friendly environment. Tenor saxophonist Charles Prophet Jr. will

lead his band through a 45-minute interactive program featuring beloved Motown hits. After the concert, activity stations welcome guests to experiment with instruments, dancing, and even crafts. No cost. The Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings Cube, Detroit; dso.org

COMEDY

FEB. 26-28

T.J. Miller: The award-winning comedian, actor, producer, and screenwriter is best known for portraying computer programmer Erlich Bachman in the hit HBO sitcom Silicon Valley. Since leaving the show in 2017, Miller has appeared in various films, including Deadpool 2 and Ready Player One. His latest stand-up special, The Philosophy Circus, showcases the performer’s talent as a clown, juggler, and ventriloquist. $42.15. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, Royal Oak; comedy castle.com

ART

FEB. 27-28

The Just and the Blind: Spoken-word artist Marc Bamuthi Joseph and composer/violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain collaborate as The Just and the Blind, a performance art project that explores the reality of racial profiling and the prison industrial complex through a series of short sketches that combine dance, music, and spoken word. The project is framed by striking images from acclaimed photographer Brittsense and animations by illustrator Xia Gordon. $18+. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit; thewright.org

ESSAY

What’s in a Love Letter?

BY RYAN PATRICK HOOPER

Musings from our resident culture conversationalist

I’VE WRITTEN a lot of love letters to Detroit, even when it frustrates me. And if there are things that don’t frustrate you about Detroit, I’d argue that you may not be living anywhere near it.

It’s a difficult place, even at its best. As in any fight with a loved one, however, I always end up saying, “We can make this work, even with all the imperfections.”

Many of my columns for Hour Detroit have been just that. Dreams of Detroit dreaming bigger, of being better — things you’d want for any partner. I’m writing for the people who give it their all — in business or in life or in leisure or whatever. It may not be the way I’d do it, but I’m glad you’re doing it at all. And that’s the thing. It often ends up with my realizing that the people who call Detroit home are the biggest reason I love it.

For Valentine’s Day, this is a love letter to some of those folks.

Like Detroit photographer and filmmaker Stephen McGee, who poured a cool 20 years into making a documentary about Detroit called Resurgo: The Rise from Within. It’s far from the talking head vanity narrative that so many docs have been withered down to in the streaming era.

At a December 2025 screening of Stephen McGee's Resurgo, the audience applauded the filmmaker’s love letter to Detroit. For future showtimes, visit TheDetroitFilm.com.

“I didn’t want to make a movie about Detroit,” says McGee. “I wanted to make a movie that was Detroit … a visual symphony.”

Resurgo is a beautifully shot fever dream dedication that bounces between McGee’s own experiences here as a resident and former Detroit Free Press photographer. And I can’t really overstate how gorgeous this doc is. The visuals do a lot of the heavy work while the narrative floats, bouncing from here to there and sometimes struggling to find its footing or true message.

But that’s the beauty of it. I’ve always felt we’re a little too rigid about telling Detroit’s story because there are simply too many stories to whittle down into a convenient narrative. Resurgo is at its best by accepting this reality. Kudos to McGee for understanding this concept.

And for bringing Detroit’s poet laureate jessica Care moore along for the ride. There’s no better voice to be sitting shotgun. She’s a producer on the film and lends her writing and voice to the doc, too.

For years, I admired moore’s work from a distance before our lives crashed together following the death of a mutual friend, Kwame “Q” Beard, in 2019. Moore wrote a poem — a love letter — to what Q had represented to the city as an unsung artist and all-around character in the Cass Corridor, which often gets rebranded and sold as “Midtown” today.

“He represents a metaphor for what Detroit is and what we need to hold onto,” moore told me during an interview at that time. “We cannot let those kinds of energies be swept under the rug or let them pass away and not call his name and talk about him. That’s what makes Detroit great is that we have people like Q.”

And in my love letter to Detroit, it’s great that we have people like McGee and moore finding ways to tell the story of what matters most in this city: the people who call it home.

Ryan Patrick Hooper is the host of In the Groove on 101.9 WDET Detroit Public Radio (weekdays from noon to 3 p.m.).

If you’re a consumer of local music — whether that means attending local shows or flipping through the local music section at your nearest record store — there’s a chance that in the past 20 years, you’ve had the intimate experience of listening to an Audra Kubat song.

With an ethereal voice, steady fingerpicking, and production that often puts her poetry front and center, the Rosedale Park native is a classic songwriter, in the tradition of folk and Americana artists like Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Ani DiFranco, and Dar Williams.

workshops, and tends to a community garden. Follow her on Instagram @audrakubat.

When she’s not writing and performing, Kubat helps younger generations hone their craft. She’s taught songwriting and facilitated musical programming for numerous local organizations over the years, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, InsideOut Literary Arts Project, Living Arts, and Detroit Wolf Trap.

For Kubat, a self-taught guitar player, her entry to becoming a music educator was an informal one. After briefly living at the Trumbullplex — an anarchist housing collective in Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood — she moved into the house behind it. There, she would sit on the porch with her guitar, and kids from the neighborhood would come by to listen. Soon, she began teaching them music lessons.

One day, while out on the porch, she received a visit from a notable folk singer, who lived just a few blocks away. It was Sixto Rodriguez, and this was years before he was the subject of the Academy Award-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man

“I'd seen him around, but I didn’t really know him; he was this mysterious artist,” she says. “I played him some songs. He ended up staying for a long time and smoking some weed. I kept saying, ‘Will you play something?’ And he's like, ‘No, I want to hear your songs.’”

She’d later open for Rodriguez and John Sinclair at the since-closed Amsterdam Espresso in Detroit’s Cass Corridor. Kubat, who now lives in home she calls A

City Folk

BY JACK THOMAS

PHOTOS BY JACOB LEWKOW

Audra Kubat talks new music, shares old stories, and finds power in vulnerability

Detroit House of Music, has recorded seven albums since 2000. But it’s been a while since she has put out music. Her last official single, released in 2021, was “Gray Glory Parade,” a scathing critique of what she calls “misplaced Southern pride,” co-authored with Detroit’s poet laureate, jessica Care moore. She also scored America, You Kill Me (2022), a documentary about the late LGBTQ rights activist Jeffrey Montgomery, which was directed by her partner Daniel Land. “At 52 years old, I go back and forth

between, like, man, there's so much I'm good at, and I can do this — I don't need permission anymore,” she says. “Then, there’s this other voice that is like, ‘No, you can't. No, that’s not gonna work.’ … I just want to look toward quieting that voice more.”

But on March 6, she’s planning on a new release. Kubat has been in the studio with an old friend: Joel Martin, owner of 54 Sound. Martin is something of a local recording legend — he’s worked with everyone from Eminem to The Romantics to Funkadelic. And she’s excited.

“I think some of the best stuff I've written, I've written in the last, like, couple of years,” Kubat says. “My goal with music is to sort of throw it on its head. Being vulnerable is powerful. It's sexy. It's important. And it helps other people thrive.”

On the same day as her release, Kubat plans to perform at the Detroit Institute of Arts for its Friday Night Live series. She will be joined in the Rivera Court by special guests including Emily Rose and Ozzie Andrews. For more information, visit dia.org.

A Detroit Debut

BY CAMBREY THOMAS

Baritone

Lawrence Mitchell-Matthews reflects on his Detroit high school mentor, perseverance, and his front-stage moment

On a snowy Detroit afternoon, Lawrence Mitchell-Matthews pauses to savor the cold weather. “I've always loved fresh, crisp air,” he says. “It's like a glass of water. The air is so much fresher in the winter.”

At age 35, the native Detroiter and father of two has stepped into a new season, marked by his front-stage debut at Detroit Opera in Highways and Valleys, the company’s season-opening double bill.

“It’s mind-blowing,” says MitchellMatthews, who performed dual roles as the Preacher in Kurt Weill’s Down in the Valley and the Sheriff in William Grant Still’s Highway 1, USA in December 2025. The offer, he says, felt deeply full circle, having arrived from the same person who had encouraged him to go to college and build his foundation decades earlier.

Mitchell-Matthews, who grew up on Seven Mile in the Nortown neighborhood, was raised in the Baptist tradition, surrounded by deacons, pastors, and a family of singers. In his household, worship and music were inseparable. “We can’t all talk at the same time, but we can all sing together,” he recalls hearing often.

His formal introduction to opera came in high school at the Detroit School of Arts, where vocal teacher Cheryl Valentine helped shape his early training. As a teenager, Mitchell-Matthews performed the lead role in The Mikado during a summer at Interlochen Arts Camp and later earned the Thomas Wilkins Young Artist of Tomorrow Award, named for the then conductor-in-residence at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Valentine remembers this vividly, recalling

the moment Mitchell-Matthews and another student, both members of DSA’s Vision Male Ensemble, sang for Wilkins in competition for the honor. “Look,” she recalls Wilkins saying to the students. “You have wonderful voices. You have wonderful training. Do me a favor and get your grades together.”

Mitchell-Matthews took the advice, but college wasn’t a priority. Instead, he emailed Elizabeth Anderson, Detroit Opera’s production coordinator, and pitched himself, writing that after graduation, he could be the young local talent they built up. MitchellMatthews remembers her immediate reply: “That's a wonderful idea, but, young man, go to college. We'll be here.”

Though disappointed, he would later recognize this as a redirection, not a rejection. Mitchell-Matthews went his own way, briefly pursuing a military path in North Carolina before returning to Michigan and enrolling in courses at Schoolcraft College.

Between classes, he won his first Detroit Opera role as, in his words, “a super” — carrying The Mikado on stage in the opera’s 2010 production.

In opera, a super, or supernumerary, is a nonspeaking role. These roles do not involve singing. Rather, a super stays in the background as an extra would in a film.

Anderson’s words and Wilkins’s encouragement reverberated in MitchellMatthews’s mind, and in 2011, he entered

Indiana University’s voice and opera program. Opportunities flowed, and soon he was performing in Italy with the Ezio Pinza Council for American Singers of Opera, landing among the top three in the National Collegiate American Spirituals Summit and Voice Competition, and performing with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.

With the spark for education lit, opera graduate studies at Southern Methodist University followed. By 2018, MitchellMatthews was building both a professional career and a family, navigating a balance of fatherhood, office jobs, and his singing career. The latter he cultivated with a spot in the Detroit Opera Touring Ensemble and sessions with his vocal coach, Detroit-born George Shirley, the first African American tenor to hold a lead singing role with the Metropolitan Opera.

That balance was tested profoundly in 2024, when his wife passed away. Suddenly a single father to two young children, now 3 and 5, Mitchell-Matthews leaned into both parenthood and music.

“I see them light up when I sing and when I’m sharing musical history,” he says. “They’re my inspiration.”

As he prepared to step into the spotlight at Detroit Opera, Mitchell-Matthews reflected not on grief but on gratitude.

“I’ve been through a lot in life,” he says. “And I’m just so grateful for this moment.”

EAT. SLEEP. PLAY.

At The Detroit Club, life is meant to be savored. Dine beneath chandeliers in the Library, retreat to a suite that blends heritage and indulgence, and discover a hidden world of leisure in the spa and saltwater grotto. From exquisite meals to timeless rooms to unforgettable evenings, The Detroit Club redefines what it means to Eat. Sleep. Play.

FOOD & DRINK

A PLATE

Full of PLANTS

BY WILL REAUME

When vegetarianism first emerged in the United States in the 1960s, it was mostly viewed as a fringe diet reserved for religious purposes and countercultural movements. Since then, meatless and animal-free diets have increased in popularity, and with that, the number of places catering to vegans and vegetarians. These are a few metro Detroit restaurants serving up meat-free alternatives and original plant-based creations.

LITTLE KIM

Opened in July 2025, Little Kim is located next door to chef-owner Ji Hye Kim’s first restaurant, Miss Kim, in Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown district. The cozy spot offers fastcasual dining with South and East Asian influences. Little Kim uses plant-based proteins like chickpeas, tofu, and tempeh instead of processed imitation meat products. Signature dishes such as the creamy tomato soup made with gochujang — a traditional Korean fermented chili paste — and the paneer tomato sandwich served on Zingerman’s bread take center stage. The jjajangbap, a Korean-Chinese black bean sauce served over rice and tempeh, is another staple. For dessert, try the vegan chocolate cupcake from Zingerman’s Bakehouse.

FOLK

Corktown’s Australian-style café opened in 2018, serving all-day brunch and coffee in the historic Bagley-Trumbull Market building. Here, omnivores and herbivores can coexist happily, with a menu that has plenty of options for each to pick from. The restaurant offers two versions of the crunch wrap, with the vegan option consisting of smoked tempeh from The Brinery in Ann Arbor, vegan aioli and cashew cheese spread, pickled red onions, and a tostada from southwest Detroit. This savory handheld is neatly packed inside a grill-pressed spinach wrap with homemade salsa verde for dipping. The Farm Sammie stacks tempeh on top of a fluffy frittata with maple hot sauce aioli and shaved cheddar between two slices of toasted Zingerman’s sourdough bread.

SPACECAT V-STRO

Originally started as a pop-up restaurant, Ferndale’s Spacecat V-stro is a self-described “vegetarian comfort food laboratory” serving up nutritious plant-based foods. Spacecat makes its faux proteins in house, including the Breakfast Bomb sandwich’s maple sausage patty. It’s served with caramelized onions, kale, and thinly sliced carrot “bacon,” and it’s topped with a vegan cheese sauce. The Red Dwarf Burger has a lentil and beet patty, loaded up with avocado, “magic sauce,” purple cabbage, and the ubiquitous combo of vegan cheese and carrot bacon. A selection of madefrom-scratch vegan sweets, like the cinnamon chocolate coffee cake, completes the meal.

CACAO TREE CAFÉ

Opened in 2010, this plant-based fast-casual eatery aims to return cooking to a time when food was viewed as sacred. You won’t find an oven or stove here, since much of the food is raw, aside from the black beans and a daily selection of soups. The made-to-order smoothies contain a variety of superfoods, along with other organic fruits and vegetables. Create your own salad or choose from the café’s list of signature options such as the Farm Hand or Mexican salad, which comes with pico de gallo, cashew sour cream, and pickled onion chipotle vinaigrette. The handheld burrito is made with a crumble of seasoned almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla or served in a romaine boat. Grab a single or double shot of wheatgrass on your way out for a boost to your immune system.

Freya’s dinner offerings change daily, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to seasonality and fresh ingredients.

THE KITCHEN BY COOKING WITH QUE

Featured on season 18 of The Great Food Truck Race, this event space and restaurant created by Quiana “Que” Rice is a food-centered “health and wellness hub.” While there are limited meat options available, plant-based dining is the focal point of the restaurant, providing a variety of inventive entrées, sandwiches, salads, and smoothies. The Vegan Surf & Turf is a mushroom-centric version of a carnivore classic. Lion’s mane is a steak stand-in, while the “scallops” are made from trumpets, and pink oyster replaces the lobster. Other originals, such as the Loco Moco entrée, are made with vegan replacements like Beyond Meat and Just Egg. In addition to a selection of lemonades and teas, Que’s offers craft cocktails made with fresh juices and zero-proof options.

ALE MARY’S

Other restaurants might have two or three vegetarian items on an otherwise meaty menu, but not Ale Mary’s. It offers a complete vegan menu, cooked on a separate station in the kitchen with its own fryers, oven, and flat top. Vegans don’t have to miss out on bar classics, like the Southwest Burger, made with an Impossible Burger patty, topped with pico de gallo, avocado, chipotle aioli, and Follow Your Heart provolone. The exclusively vegan milkshakes come in five flavors, including cotton candy, s’mores, and chocolate strawberry. Choose from an extensive list of whiskeys to add an extra kick to your shake.

FREYA

The 2024 Hour Detroit Restaurant of the Year offers a five- and nine-course tasting menu as well as à la carte dining on select days. And while the menu is constantly changing with the seasons, both vegans and vegetarians will always have a place at Freya. Here, the emphasis is on transforming simple ingredients into complex flavors and composed plates. The umami tofu, featured on a previous menu, consists of seared trumpet mushrooms, potato hash, braised greens, and grilled tofu in a savory miso

ally meaty, rich French stew, is made with white

STREET BEET

What began as a pop-up collaboration between two co-workers at One-Eyed Betty’s in 2018 is now a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Corktown. Specializing in vegan fast food, Street Beet gained local fame for its veganized Taco Bell menu, nicknamed “Taco Hell.” Its Supreme Crunchywrap is a callback to those roots, made with a choice of walnut or Impossible chorizo, tostada, and all the regular fixings like nacho cheese sauce, lettuce, sour cream, and pico. Grab an Impossible smashburger with cheese, grilled onions, pickles, lettuce, and house sauce or a chicken nugget basket with your dipping sauce of choice from the sliding glass walk-up window on the side of the building. There’s no shortage of beverage options, with dirty sodas, mocktails, and malted milkshakes to go along with the familiar fare.

A What’sVeganWhat

What’s What

Navigating the terminology, ingredients, and products unique to vegan cooking

Vegan vs. Plant-Based

Although often used interchangeably, the two terms have their di erences. While all vegans follow a plant-based diet, not all plant-based adherents are vegan. Veganism is a lifestyle that rejects all animal products, including fur, leather, wool, and products tested on animals.

Nooch

This is a nickname used to describe nutritional yeast, which is a common plant-based cheese alternative. It can also be used as a seasoning, providing a nutty flavor enhancement packed with B vitamins.

Seitan

Made from vital wheat gluten, early forms of this meat substitute originated in China in the sixth century. The high-protein faux meat is widely used as a replacement for deli meats, sausage, and burgers.

Tofu vs. Tempeh

While they both come from the same plant, these soy products have vastly di erent textures and flavor profiles. Tofu is made from soy milk curds and pressed into block form. It’s distinctly silky and has a marshmallow-like consistency. Tempeh uses cooked soybeans, which are then fermented, giving it a firmer, chewier texture than its more popular soy relative.

What’s in an Impossible Burger?

often and is also seasoning, enhancewheat faux deli from soy flavor pressed It’s a are it a than soy in famous even produced is

protein, a ingredient. patty through patties, other replacements, and meatballs.

Created by Impossible Foods in 2016, the beef patty alternative is famous for its hyper-realistic look and feel, even mimicking the myoglobin produced from its meat counterpart. The burger is made with soy protein, a mixture of coconut and sunflower oils, and methylcellulose, a plant-derived fiber used as a binding ingredient. The blood-red juices seen in the patty come from soy leghemoglobin, which is made through fermentation. In addition to its famous patties, Impossible Foods o ers other meat replacements, such as chicken nuggets, sausage, hot dogs, and meatballs.

What’s in Just Egg?

Created as a scrambled egg substitute, Just Egg is a mung bean-based alternative that’s sold in both liquid and frozen form. It can be cooked the same ways as a chicken egg and is often used in plant-based scrambles, omelets, and quiches.

Just Egg? scrambled egg is a liquid be ways as often quiches.

Ever since Ken Schramm received a home-brewing kit for Christmas in 1987, his life has revolved around beverage production. But after more than three decades of producing award-winning honey wine and craft beer, Schramm, owner of Schramm’s Mead in Ferndale, is facing a dilemma.

In February 2012, not long before signing the lease for the meadery, Schramm had a heart attack, which he ignored, only to find out about the event months later when he finally visited a cardiologist. As a result, Schramm underwent a quintuple bypass to alleviate blockages in his heart.

Since then, he’s suffered multiple bouts of ventricular tachycardia, a type of irregular heartbeat that can prove fatal if not addressed immediately. After the second incident in August 2025, Schramm had a pacemaker installed, which helps keep his heart in check.

Despite every effort to curb these health scares, the reality is that life in the food and beverage industry is filled with stress, and that poses a problem for Schramm’s livelihood.

While Schramm’s has been in business for 12 years, Schramm himself has been an industry legend since the early ’90s. Aptly known as “The Godfather of Mead” in home-brewing circles, he co-founded the Mazer Cup — the world’s oldest and largest mead-only competition — in 1992. His book The Compleat Meadmaker was published in 2003 and was considered the definitive resource on the subject at the time.

A voracious reader, Schramm includes allusions to classic literature in some of his mead labels. His most well-known mead, The Heart of Darkness, was a top-rated beverage in 2024 on the beer social network Untappd and is named after Joseph Conrad’s seminal masterpiece. It is made with black currants, raspberries, and cherries grown on Schramm’s 6-acre orchard in Rochester Hills and goes for hundreds of dollars at retail (if you can find it).

Schramm has always sought the freshest fruits and honey for his meads, which is why, in 2018, he purchased the orchard with his daughter Alyson, who co-founded the business. His other daughter, Sarah, oversees the crops and lives on the property.

“We knew that if we could grow the fruit

Schramm’s Seeks a Successor

BY WILL REAUME PHOTOS BY JOSH SCOTT

Health scares and financial uncertainty have put this worldclass meadery in jeopardy

ourselves, we could produce world-class beverages,” Schramm says.

And while Schramm’s is doing just that, it hasn’t been without its fair share of financial and logistical complications. As with many in the food and beverage industry, COVID-19 put the meadery on its heels, forcing it to shut down its tasting room in Ferndale and lay off much of its staff. The business was left with a skeleton crew to manage both the orchard and the manufacturing facility, and stress piled up.

In the end, Schramm was left with a choice: the business or his health. It may seem like an easy decision, but when you have given so much of your life to the world of mead, it’s not that simple.

Schramm put the orchard and the meadery up for sale in August 2025 with the hope that someone in his family could buy it from him. At press time, Schramm’s is still owned by the family, and Alyson continues to run the day-to-day operations.

As of now, it seems unlikely that either of his daughters will be able to buy him out, but Schramm says they are exploring all possible options. In order to purchase the orchard and keep the business alive, Schramm has incurred debts that he is also looking to get out from under. If the meadery can’t go to one of his daughters, Schramm hopes it will at least go to someone who understands everything he put into the business and can continue the brand’s legacy.

“Finding the right person who is willing to pick it up and run with it — and hopefully support Alyson and Sarah and all the other people involved — is the goal,” Schramm says.

Team SPIRIT

BY MICKEY LYONS

Football and media star Nate Burleson’s collaboration with Valentine Vodka is a clear winner

I’ve seen my fair share of celebrity booze offerings in recent years. But when that celebrity is former Lion Nate Burleson, and that spirit, LionBlood Orange Vodka, is produced by Ferndale’s Valentine Distilling Co., I knew it would be worth a taste.

After his 11-year NFL career as a wide receiver — including four seasons with the Lions from 2010 to 2013 — Burleson pivoted to broadcasting. He joined CBS Sports in 2017 as a studio analyst for The NFL Today (where he won two Emmys), is in his fourth season as co-anchor of CBS Mornings, and hosts Hollywood Squares and Nickelodeon’s NFL Slimetime.

A signature liquor brand had been on his mind since his days in Detroit, he says. But it was just a matter of waiting for the right time and wading through the competition.

At first, Burleson says, “there were a few people I met with that saw me as a mark. Because I did my research, I knew that they were trying to play me for a fool, and it left a sour taste in my mouth.” He set the idea on a shelf for a while, then came back to it a few years later. That’s when he met Rifino Valentine, who founded Valentine Distilling Co. in 2007.

Valentine was skeptical at first — he’d already received numerous requests to do commercial distilling. “And I’d usually just say, ‘No, go away,’” he says.

But Burleson offered to fly out to Detroit to meet with Valentine, and the two hit it off, spending a full day together before truly diving into the business partnership. “I want to make sure I’m just dealing with good people,” Valentine says. “I've run my whole



vodka infused with notes of elderflower and blood orange.

business like this for almost 20 years. By the end of it, I was like, ‘All right, this is somebody I want to work with. I like him.’ Nate is just such a good guy.”

Says Burleson, “Once he realized I was passionate about this, he immediately embraced me. And I just love it. It's everything that I thought it would be. We both are in it for the right reasons. We wanted to make a vodka that didn't have any — excuse my language — bullshit in it. And we did.”

LionBlood, like Valentine’s other vodkas, is made without preservatives or corn syrup, using only Michigan-grown beet sugar. Burleson and Valentine spent almost two years in testing to achieve a flavor and formula they both felt proud to put their names behind, with Burleson flying back to Detroit every few months to sample another batch.

That testing, and the dedication to quality,

paid off for Burleson and Valentine. LionBlood carries a rating of 94 from Wine Enthusiast, noted for its clear appearance and its citrus scent and taste coming from the orange and a hint of elderflower. It’s a knockout in cosmopolitans or added as a kicker to a mimosa.

Both dedicated to quality and integrity in their product, Burleson and Valentine are looking forward to a continued partnership. Says Valentine, “We’ve both got skin in the game — equal parts skin in the game, 50-50 — and I really like it.”

Burleson, not surprisingly, uses a football analogy. “He’s like the quarterback that just wants to play ball, and I’m the diva receiver, like, ‘Yo, throw me the ball. I’ll do the dance for us, and then I’ll talk to the media in the locker room.’ So we really do make a perfect team.”

Here’s hoping this unlikely pair keeps us well supplied with more team spirits.

Your Comprehensive Resource for Dining Out in Metro Detroit RESTAURANT GUIDE

Detroit

Adelina

$$$

ITALIAN • Brought downtown by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani, Adelina features traditional Italian eats in a modern atmosphere, with house-made pasta and starters like focaccia, octopus, sausage and peppers, and a roasted Wagyu meatball. Entrées include lamb chops with house-made Tzatziki, veal Parmesan, and branzino served with tricolor potatoes, salsa verde, and a tomato-based Livornese sauce. 1040 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-246-8811. D Tue.-Sun.

Amore da Roma $$

ITALIAN • Guy Pelino, Roma Café’s chef, took the reins of this restaurant on the edge of 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; 313-831-5940. L,D Tue.-Sat.

Alpino

$$$

ALPINE •Taking inspiration from the Alps, this Corktown restaurant serves fondues, Swiss potato pancakes, stuffed pasta, and Wiener schnitzel. Enjoy your meal with wines from Italy, Slovenia, or Germany. The historic building has been repurposed and is now inspired by European countryside farmhouses, lending a cozy interior to the Alpine-inspired menu. 1426 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-524-0888. D daily, BR Sun.

Andiamo $$

ITALIAN • Over the past three decades, Joe Vicari has established several Andiamo restaurants in metro Detroit, all inspired by the late master chef Aldo Ottaviani’s philosophy of seasonal, from-scratch cooking. The menus differ slightly at the different locations, but the constant is the fresh, house-made pastas handcrafted by the trinity of “pasta ladies” — Anna, Tanya, and Angelina. The downtown Detroit location offers a breathtaking view of the Detroit River, while the Livonia location offers a comfortable and casual vibe. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit; 313-567-6700. D Mon.-Fri., L,D Sat.-Sun.

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 shows great skill — he was the executive chef of the Daxton Hotel’s restaurant Madam, named 2023 Restaurant of the Year by Hour Detroit. 250 W. Larned St., Detroit; 313800-5600. B,L,D Mon.-Fri., BR,D Sat.-Sun.

Avalon Café and Bakery $$ ORGANIC BAKERY • The bakery’s mini-empire includes a café on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Its bread is also the basis for dishes such as avocado toast

with tahini, thinly curled cucumbers, lime, and chili flakes. Vegetarian fare includes a grilled veggie sandwich with portobello mushrooms, zucchini, and goat cheese. Meatier highlights include a turkey and gouda sandwich and a BLTA with cider house bacon. 1049 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-285-8006. B,L daily.

Babo $ NEW AMERICAN • This café settled into the Midtown Park Shelton building in July 2019, serving elevated comfort food made with products from local, smallbatch 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.

Baker’s Keyboard Lounge

$$ SOUL FOOD • This iconic jazz lounge offers up live music alongside good eats. Work your way through fried chicken, corn muffins, collard greens, and sweet potato pie while listening to live jazz music. 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-345-6300. D Mon.-Fri.

Baobab Fare

$$

EAST AFRICAN • With their New Center restaurant, Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere urge diners to venture into culinary territories they’d otherwise miss, like the Mbuzi: 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.

Bar Chenin

$$$

WINE BAR • In the far corner of The Siren Hotel sits Detroit’s smallest wine bar. With only 10 seats and limited standing room, the bar’s cozy atmosphere pairs well with its rotating selection of natural wines and homestyle dishes. Enjoy a house-made assortment of ice creams, offering unique flavors like Negroni, olive oil, and Underberg. For something savory, try the sourdough focaccia pizza or deli-style sandwiches. 1509 Broadway St., Ste. A-1, Detroit; 313-277-4736 (Siren Hotel). D Thu.-Mon.

Bar Pigalle

$$$

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

Barda

$$$$

ARGENTINIAN • Barda brings a new cuisine to metro Detroit. True to Argentinian culture, the restaurant cel-

ebrates traditional meat dishes. For starters, Carne y Hueso, meaning “flesh and bone,” features a mold of finely chopped beef tartare topped with spicy horseradish along side 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 Thu.-Sun.

Basan

$$$$

ASIAN-INSPIRED • Named for the Japanese folkloric bird, Basan features a fluid rotation of zestful, bold, and edgy dish es that are novel and creative, with a nightly tasting menu and optional wine pairing. Standouts from the menu include the assortment of buns (such as Brussels sprouts, firecracker shrimp, and twice-fried chicken), beef dandan, and octopus skewers. 2703 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-481-2703. D daily.

Besa

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • This modern fine-dining eat ery takes its name from Albania — where the owners trace their heritage to — and means “pledge of honor.” Choose from starters such as roasted olives, fried cala mari, and double-cut lamb chops. 600 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3000. D Mon.-Sat.

Bohemia

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

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 are also classic sandwiches. 4300 Cadieux Road, Detroit; 313882-8560. D daily.

Caucus Club

$$$$

TRADITIONAL AMERICAN • Founded in 1952 as a sister restaurant to London Chop House, Caucus Club is where Barbra Streisand famously launched her singing career. This steakhouse has all the classics, from oysters Rockefeller to steak tartare, and, of course, a selection of prime-cut steaks, aged in a Himalayan salt-lined aging room. 150 W. Congress, Detroit; 313-965-4970. D daily.

Ingredients

10 pounds of boneless beef short ribs, excess fat removed

3 quarts stewed tomatoes

1 quart reduced red wine, Burgundy or red table wine (two quarts of red wine reduced to one quart)

5 quarts veal stock (beef stock can substitute)

1 1/2 large onions, diced large

¾ large carrot, diced large

¾ bunch of celery, roughly chopped

2 heads of garlic, halved

1 pound of horseradish root, peeled and sliced into ¼” discs

5 sprigs of fresh thyme

10-12 fresh bay leaves

Blended oil, as needed

Directions

1. Lightly brush short ribs with blended oil. Season short ribs heavily with salt and black pepper. Sear on all sides in a heavy-bottom pan such as a cast iron skillet. All sides should be brown and caramelized.

2. In a large pot, heat stewed tomatoes, stock, thyme, bay leaf, and wine. Season with salt and black pepper.

3. In a large roasting pan, add a few tablespoons of blended oil, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and horseradish. Season lightly with salt and black pepper. Cook on stovetop over medium heat until aromatic. Place seared short ribs on top of mirepoix and pour the seasoned braising liquid over everything, ensuring the meat is submerged.

4. Cover and bake at 300F for five hours.

5. Remove from oven. Remove short ribs from liquid and cool. Strain braising liquid, cool, and reserve.

6. Once short ribs are cooled completely (preferably overnight), portion into desired sizes.

7. Heat leftover strained braising liquid to a simmer and add the desired amount of portioned short ribs. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from liquid and serve.

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 entrées. But the Twice Cooked Egg is not to be missed. 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 313-818-3915. D Tue.-Sat.

Cibo $$$

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

Cliff Bell’s $$

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • This restored Art Deco hot spot offers small plates such as oysters with cava granita and potato croquettes. Entrées range from savory seared diver scallops to a 16-ounce grilled pork chop. Jazz prevails on the bandstand. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-961-2543. D Wed.-Sun.

Common Pub $

GASTROPUB • Fans of Atlas Global Bistro, which shuttered in 2013, should be happy to learn that some of the principals may be found at this spot in the Belcrest Apartments. The well-edited menu includes duck fat-fried chicken and a burger. 5440 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-285-8849. L,D Tue.-Fri., D Sat., BR Sun.

Coriander Kitchen and Farm $$

GASTROPUB • At this Jefferson Chalmers eatery, guests can rent firepits and roast house-made marshmallows for s’mores or sip mugs of hot buttered rum. By day, grab a picnic table and enjoy creamy smoked lake trout whitefish dip, seasoned with herbs and paired with pickles and crackers. 14601 Riverside Blvd., Detroit; 313 338-9466. D Tue.-Fri., D Sat., BR Sun.

Cork & Gabel $$$

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • This Corktown eatery takes the form of a 4,450-square-foot renovated beer hall and is an ode to filling European staples. Try the chicken marsala, featuring a pan-seared 7-ounce chicken breast, sautéed wild mushroom blend, wild rice, and seasonal grilled vegetables, cooked in a Lombardo Ambra Sweet Marsala wine sauce. Simply delicious! 2415 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-638-2261. D Wed.-Sat., BR Sat., B,L Sun.

Cuisine $$$

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • Cuisine offers a romantic, white-linen experience with the level of food, service, and ambience one might describe as timeless rather than trendy. Examples of the expertly prepared fare

include Alaskan halibut, as well as sea scallops featuring lemon risotto, corn, almonds, citrus butter, and beet dust. 670 Lothrop Road, Detroit; 313-872-5110. D Wed.-Sat. (Not wheelchair accessible)

Dakota Inn Rathskeller

$ EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • The sausages are the kind that snap when you cut them. The combo plate features one bratwurst and one knackwurst, served with hot German potato salad and sauerkraut. And yes, sing along with the Schnitzelbank song. 17324 John R St., Detroit; 313-867-9722. D Thu.-Sat.

Detroit Shipping Company

$

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

Detroit Soul

$

SOUL FOOD • A hidden gem on the city’s east side, Detroit Soul serves its namesake with a healthy twist. Owners Sam Van Buren and Jerome Brown draw from the recipes of their grandparents, who relocated to Detroit from Alabama in the 1940s. The turkey and collard greens are savory standouts, and yams are a sweet treat. This is the kind of place that every soul-food lover must visit. 2900 E. Eight Mile Road, Detroit; 313-366-5600. 14300 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-926-6305. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Detroit Vegan Soul

$

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

Dime Store

$

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • This popular breakfast and lunch spot adds just the right retro touch to a contemporary American menu typified by fresh, hearty omelets and Benedicts early in the day. 719 Griswold St., Ste. 180, Detroit; 313-962-9106. B,L Thu.-Tue. 6920 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills; 313-962-9106. B,L daily.

Eatori Market

$$

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

El Asador Steakhouse $$ MEXICAN • The concentrated cuisine with little modern flairs also stays faithful to traditional Mexican cooking. Don’t miss the Camarones en Salsa de Langosta: breaded shrimp stuffed with cheese, fried to a golden dark brown, and topped with a lobster cream sauce. It’s an unassuming Latin American find in Detroit’s Springwells Village. 1312 Springwells St., Detroit; 313-297-2360. L,D Tue.-Sun.

El Barzon $$$

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

Garita. Authentic Mexican entrées include enchiladas with a homemade green sauce made with tomatillo, jalapeño, and roasted poblano pepper, while the Italian influence takes the form of spaghetti carbonara and zuppa di pesce (seafood soup). 3710 Junction Ave., Detroit; 313-894-2070. D Tue.-Sun.

Evie’s Tamales

$$

MEXICAN • This Mexicantown restaurant makes some of the best tamales around. Pork or chicken is jacketed with sturdy masa, a dough of ground corn, then wrapped in a corn husk and steamed. Eat in or order a dozen for later. 3454 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-843-5056. B,L Mon.-Sat.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café

$$

NEW ORLEANIAN • Enjoy New Orleans classics like gumbo and jambalaya or something more eclectic like jalapeño pepper jack cheese, flamed tableside and served with grilled pita bread. Or try the deep-fried alligator bites or catfish beignets. Check their calendar for live music to accompany your meal. 400 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-965-4600. fishbonesusa.com for more locations.

Flowers of Vietnam

$$

VIETNAMESE • Chef and owner George Azar transformed a former Coney Island into an industrial-cool destination, but the neighborhood joint vibe remains. The menu is shaped around Azar’s appreciation of Vietnamese food, with a very personal twist. 4440 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-2085. D Thu.-Sun.

Folk

$

NEW AMERICAN • Folk is 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 sought after, too. 1701 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-742-2672. B,L daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

NEW AMERICAN • Freya provides elegant, elevated dining served inside a warm and inviting space in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction district. Chef de cuisine Cole Lauri’s fixed-price dinners — which change daily and are available in five or nine courses — invite guests to tap into a world of flavors and sensations. There are also cocktail pairings and dishes that accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian diets. Co-run by 2023 James Beard semifinalist Sandy Levine, Freya made The New York Times’s list of the 50 best restaurants in 2022. 2929 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-3515544. D Tue.-Sat.

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

Start

Giovanni’s Ristorante

$$$

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

Golden Fleece

$$

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

Grandma Bob’s

$

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

Grand Trunk Pub

$

NEW AMERICAN • Meats from Eastern Market and delicious breads anchor the hearty fare, which pairs well with a selection of Michigan beers. Staples include a reuben with Poet stout kraut and the Ghettoblaster beer-battered fish and chips. 612 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-3043.; L,D, Tue.-Sun., BR Sat.-Sun.

The Greek

$

GREEK • The place to find modern Greek food, The Greek has all the favorites, from spanakopita to moussaka and gyros. Enjoy it all while sipping a strawberry shortcake martini or a spicy mule. 535 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-209-6667. L,D daily.

Green Dot Stables $

NEW AMERICAN • The menu of sliders — with 20-plus eclectic bun toppings, including Cuban, Korean, and “mystery meat” — packs in fans. Local beers are spotlighted alongside chicken paprikas soup, a nod to the neighborhood’s Hungarian origins. 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-962-5588. L,D daily.

Grey Ghost $$

NEW AMERICAN • The cuisine at this Brush Park hot spot isn’t easily defined, but the results are original and well prepared — for example, pork tenderloin with romesco, peri peri, and wild rice or yellowfin tuna with kimchi, edamame, and sweet soy. 47 Watson St., Detroit; 313-262-6534. D daily.

Highlands

$$$$

STEAKHOUSE/NEW AMERICAN • On the top two floors of the Renaissance Center, Highlands is the concept of chef-owner Shawn McClain, a James Beard awardee and Iron Chef winner. Besides boasting one of the city’s most breathtaking views, the steakhouse’s offerings include three-course dinners

with optional sommelier wine pairings. Its High Bar features an impressive selection of beers and spirits, plus elevated bar bites like the Hearth Burger. 400 Renaissance Center, Floors 71 and 72, Detroit; 313-8779090; D Mon.-Sat.

Hiroki-San

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

The Hudson Cafe

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

Iggy’s Eggies

$

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

Ima

$

JAPANESE-INSPIRED • This ramen hot spot has three locations and a Midwest emphasis. Ima’s 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 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.

Jacoby’s

$$ GERMAN • Detroit’s oldest biergarten, Jacoby’s has been serving beer and traditional German fare since the late 1800s. Pick from over 100 beers on the rotating drink menu: everything from German pilsners and hefeweizens to Irish stouts and craft brews. The food menu honors the restaurant’s roots with favorites like house-made potato pancakes, schnitzel, and German-style meatballs. 624 Brush St., Detroit; 313-962-7067. L,D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR



2012

Joe Muer Seafood

$$$$ SEAFOOD • This reborn Detroit legend is stellar for a romantic evening or a quiet business lunch or dinner. Located on the main floor of the GMRenCen, it has sweeping views of the Detroit River and a menu that walks the line between old-time favorites and hipper Asian-influenced seafood, sushi, and raw bar. (There’s also a Bloomfield Hills location.) There are reminders of the past as well: smoked fish spread, creamed spinach, and stewed tomatoes. It’s a true Detroit classic. 400 Renaissance Center, Ste. 1404, Detroit; 313-567-6837. 39475 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-792-9609. L,D daily.

Johnny Noodle King

$ JAPANESE-INSPIRED • This noodle shop offers bowls topped with pork belly, confit chicken, and tofu, as well as seaweed salad and gyoza. There are also several fusion bowls like the Southwest Verde, a green chili chicken broth topped with chicken thigh confit, cilantro, corn, and hot peppers. 2601 W. Fort St., Detroit; 313-309-7946. L,D daily.

Jolly Pumpkin

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

The Kitchen by Cooking with Que

$$ VEGAN • This eatery created by Detroit-based cooking blogger Quiana Broden serves lunches of smoothies, salads, and sandwiches. Broden also often offers live cooking demonstrations. 6529 Woodward Ave., Ste. A, Detroit; 313462-4184. L,D Fri.-Sun. Private events only Mon.-Thur.

Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles

$ SOUTHERN COMFORT • Several recipes, including a signature thin waffle, are family owned at ex-NFL player Ron Bartell’s spot. Think comfort food kicked up a notch: fried catfish, salmon croquettes, shrimp and grits, and biscuits. Drink the Kool-Aid, too. 19345 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-861-0229. B,L,D Tue.- Sun.

Ladder 4 Wine Bar

$$$ WINE BAR • This southwest Detroit wine bar occupies a former 1910 firehouse, offering a daily wine list and sea-

sonal European-inspired bites made with local ingredients — some grown in its backyard garden. Though its owners prefer not to call it a restaurant, it made Bon Appétit’s “24 Best New Restaurants” and The New York Times’s “50 Places in the United States That We’re Most Excited About Right Now” — both in 2023. 3396 Vinewood St., Detroit; 313-638-1601. D Wed.-Sun.

La Dolce Vita $$$

ITALIAN • Traditional Italian cuisine is key at this Palmer Park hideaway. Recommended is the bronzino in lemon caper cream sauce, the veal scaloppine with artichokes, and the lasagna. 17546 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-865-0331. D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun.

La Lanterna $$

ITALIAN • The founder of Da Edoardo, the first Edoardo Barbieri, started it all in 1956 with a restaurant called La Lanterna. Now his grandchildren have revived it. Although the white and red pizzas — like Margherita, Liguria, and Da Edorado — dominate, there’s more, including a number of elegant pastas like the Lasagna alla Bolognese. 1224 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-962-8821. L,D Tue.-Sun.

London Chop House $$

STEAKHOUSE • The kitchen turns out classics like oysters Rockefeller, French onion soup, and sautéed 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, which offers a little bit of everything with shish kebab, tawook, and kafta. Other menu items include Kibbeh Niyee — fresh lamb, cracked wheat, and spices — and tabbouleh made of parsley, cracked wheat, and spices. The beer and wine lists offer plenty of options to accompany any meal. 1245 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-816-8100. D daily.

Leña $$$$

SPANISH-INSPIRED • At this restaurant located in Brush Park, just about every dish on the menu touches the kitchen’s central hearth at some point during its preparation. The menu riffs on Basque pinchos and Catalan tapas, plus a fine selection of Spanish wines and gin and tonics. James Beard-honored pastry chef Lena Sareini’s desserts are divine. 2720 Brush St., Detroit; 313-262-6082. D Wed.-Mon.

Le Suprême

$$$

FRENCH • This Paris-inspired brasserie pays homage to the City of Light with its 1920s-inspired decor on the historic Book Tower’s ground floor. There are pastis, absinthe, France-themed cocktails, and over 300 wines. Standout dishes include the escargots, honey-roasted duck breast, and trout amandine. 1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313-597-7734. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Lumen Detroit

overlooking downtown’s Beacon Park one of the best recent entrants onto the scene. Appetizers such as freshly made pretzels prelude main courses like the maple Dijon salmon. 1903 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-626-5005. L Fri.-Sun., D. Wed.-Sun.

Mario’s

$$$

ITALIAN • This Midtown Detroit classic dates back 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 with soup, salad, pasta, and entrées. 4222 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-832-1616. L,D daily.

Marrow

$$$$

NEW AMERICAN • This West Village restaurant and butcher shop hybrid is an ode to meat, especially unusual cuts. Diners must walk through the butcher shop, bypassing cases of pastrami and sausage, before entering the restaurant. Offerings from a sample tasting menu include roasted bone marrow and local lamb ragù. 8044 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-5130361. L,D Thu.-Sun. marrowdetroit.com for more locations.

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

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, jalapeño, Muenster cheese, tortilla strips, and avocado. 2163 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-5000. L,D daily.

Metropolitan Bar and Kitchen

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

Michigan & Trumbull

$$ ITALIAN-AMERICAN • Not your traditional carryout joint, Michigan & Trumbull is housed in a sleek, refurbished car-repair garage. The menu features square, deep-dish pies with Detroit-inspired names, such as Packard Pepperoni and Woodward White. 1331 Holden St., Detroit; 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.

Mink

$$

NEW AMERICAN • A contemporary American menu and a Victor Saroki setting make the restaurant

$$$$

SEAFOOD • This raw bar with sustainably sourced seafood like oysters and caviar offers an immersive dining experience. The five-course chef’s tasting menu changes once a

month and offers several appetizers and main meals with optional beverage parings. While indoor high-top bar seating is reserved for the chef’s tasting menu, Mink also offers first come, first served patio seating for walk-in diners. 1701 Trumbull, Detroit; 313-351-0771; D Thu.-Sun.

The Monarch Club $$$ NEW AMERICAN • On 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 Lounge, Mootz’s by-the-slice counter next door. 1230 Library St., Detroit; 313-243-1230. L Fri.-Sun., L, D daily.

Motor City Brewing Works

$ BREWERY • Motor City Brewing Works offers 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 accompany the house-brewed beers. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit. 19350 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-832-2700. L,D daily.

Mudgie’s Deli

$

DELI • Sandwich lovers fill the seats for the housesmoked 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 great place for a delicious meal any time. 1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit; 313-961-2000. B Tue.-Sat., L Tue.-Wed., L,D Thu.-Sat.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR



Oak & Reel

2022

$$

SEAFOOD • Despite a global pandemic threatening to derail his longtime dream, chef Jared Gadbaw brought his vision of a seafood-focused Italian restaurant to life in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction neighborhood in fall 2020. Oak & Reel’s resilience in the face of extreme adversity and its commitment to the vision of bringing diners impeccable dishes showcasing the freshest seafood, all presented with welcoming and knowledgeable service, is the reason Oak & Reel was named Hour Detroit’s Restaurant of the Year. The menu is seasonal and changes frequently. But in general, the crudos are pristine, the pastas are impeccable, and the seafood dishes are all well balanced and expertly prepared to accentuate the freshness and quality of the fish and shellfish. 2921 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-270-9600. D Thu.-Mon.

Olin

$$$

MEDITERRANEAN • Enjoy small plates such as beef tartare, wild mushroom pâté, or potatoes bravas. Or try large plates like pumpkin gnocchi, chicken Milanese, or shrimp cavatelli with chorizo and Calabrian chili. End the meal with Santa’s milk and cookies, a plate of assorted cookies with whole or chocolate milk. 25 E. Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-774-1190. D Tues.-Sat., BR Sun.

Ostrea

$$$

SEAFOOD • Located a floor above the iconic London Chop House and with the same ownership, Ostrea offers refined seafood in a modern, casual environment with cocktails, beer, and champagne. Indulge in a wide selection of raw oysters or the Maine-style lobster roll with celery salt mayonnaise, stuffed inside a brioche bun grilled with Old Bay-infused butter. Choice entrées include the grilled swordfish, served as an acqua pazza over crispy fingerling potatoes. 536 Shelby St., Detroit; 313-403-2111. D Mon.-Sat.

Ottava Via $$

ITALIAN • Chef Ariel Millan sends out great thin-crust pizzas, as well as interesting small plates typified by bruschetta, calamari, roasted garlic, and whipped goat cheese to 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 Theatre, 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 tartare and charred burrata. Main courses include an interesting blend of Italian food, wood-grilled steaks, and a red chile short rib. There’s also a large selection of dryaged gourmet steaks. 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313922-7272. L,D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Pegasus Taverna $$

GREEK • The cry of “opa!” resounds in St. Clair Shores at the second edition of the longstanding Greektown restaurant. It boasts an extensive menu, from moussaka and spinach pie to gyros and roast lamb. 24935 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-772-3200. 558 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-964-6800. L,D Tue-Sun (Detroit); L Sun., D Tue.-Sun. (St. Clair Shores)

The Peterboro $$

ASIAN-FUSION • A contemporary take on American-Chinese fare gives new life to the cuisine with robustly spiced dishes, including an “absurdly delicious” cheeseburger spring roll and a take on almond boneless chicken. 420 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-833-1111. D Mon.-Sat.

Pho Lucky

$

VIETNAMESE • This charming Midtown Vietnamese spot serves authentic fare emphasizing pho. Bowls of spicy broth with noodles, round steak, and meatballs come in several variations. Other noteworthy dishes include summer rolls and crisp spring rolls. Look for Asian beers and robust Vietnamese coffee. 3111 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-338-3895. L,D Wed.-Mon.

Puma $$

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

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; 313-6363100. 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.

Sakazuki

$$

JAPANESE • This street-level pub in Detroit’s Book Tower offers drinks inspired by Japanese anime, pop culture, and city life, with karaoke on Wednesdays. The food menu features a Wagyu dog, a burger, sandwiches, ramen, and the ekiben bento box: a boxed lunch traditionally sold at train stations across Japan. Choice cocktails include the Sailor Moon — Roku gin, lemon juice, sakura (cherry blossom), and lychee. 1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313-597-8344. D Tue.-Sat.

Saksey’s

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • This intimate cocktail lounge is a throwback to the original space, owned by Dan Gilbert’s father, Sam Gilbert, in the 1960s and ’70s. Try a miniature martini, like the savory Dill Turf Club, or build your own three Teeny ‘Tini flight. In addition to craft cocktails, find shareable bites, like the caviar and Bugles, and the bar burger — their take on a Royale with cheese. 1550 Woodward Ave, Detroit; 313-546-1500; D Tue.-Sat.

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.

SavannahBlue

Scotty Simpson’s Fish & Chips

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

Second Best

$$

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

$

RETRO AMERICAN • The talents behind nearby Grey Ghost have unveiled a second, more casual spot with a retro spin in Brush Park. The lighter menu includes a fried green tomato BLT and fried chicken sandwiches, accompanying drinks that were popular more than a few years back. 42 Watson St., Detroit; 313-315-3077. L Sat.-Sun., D daily.

Sexy Steak

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

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

Selden Standard

2016

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • What sets Selden Standard apart is that it is moving Detroit into a new era in which upper-end dining with starched linen and tuxedoed waiters doesn’t hold much interest anymore. Chef Andy Hollyday, a multiple-time James Beard semifinalist, does farm-to-table scratch cooking with ideas borrowed from around the world. A key to his cooking is the wood-fired grill. This spot has garnered national attention. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-438-5055. D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

2020

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

Sindbad’s Restaurant and Marina $$ SEAFOOD • Sitting by the Detroit River, this long-lasting establishment prides itself on serving some of the best perch, pickerel, shrimp, and scallops in Detroit, along with its signature clam chowder. 100 St. Clair St., Detroit; 313-822-8000. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Slows Bar BQ $$ BARBECUE • The brick-and-wood original in Corktown gained a following for its pulled pork, ribs, and chicken. It expanded with a “to go” spot in Midtown. This is a true Detroit classic in every sense of the term. Corktown location: 2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828. L,D daily. Slows To Go in Midtown: 4107 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-309-7560. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Standby

$$

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

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. Plus, try small plates like polpette and three delicious salads. Beer, wine, and cocktails add to the appeal. 2457 Russell St., Detroit; 313-567-7879. L,D Wed.-Sun. 6519 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-314-7400. L,D Mon.-Sat.

Sweet Soul Bistro

$

SOUL FOOD • The large menu includes homages to Detroit musicians, from Stevie Wonder Wonderful Wings to Aretha Franklin Fierce 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 • Tap has more than 40 HD flatscreen TVs for sports fans, plus sports memorabilia. The menu features comfort food and pub classics: burgers, wings, and house nachos. Pizza and more upscale entrées 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; 313465-1234. B,L,D daily.

Townhouse

$$$

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

Vecino

$$$$

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

Vertical Detroit $$$

NEW AMERICAN • This wine-centric restaurant puts the focus on pairing chef Matt Barnes’s innovative cuisine with owners James and Rémy Lutfy’s nationally recognized wine program. The menu emphasizes locally sourced protein, seafood, and produce. It’s a must-try for any wine enthusiast. 1538 Centre St., Detroit; 313-7329463. D Tue.-Sat. (Not wheelchair accessible)

Vesper Books and Wine $$ WINE BAR • Nestled in a refurbished bank building in Core City, this half bar and half bookstore offers biodynamic wines by the glass or bottle along with small bites. Visitors can browse a diverse selection of cookbooks while sipping on both old- and new-world wines. In addition to wine, the bar’s namesake, a Vesper Martini, is on the menu, along with various beers, ciders, and nonalcoholic alternatives. 5001 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-716-1708. L,D Wed.-Sun.

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.

Whatcha Wanna Eat Food Hall

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

The Whitney

$$$$ NEW AMERICAN • The historic 1890s mansion is still going strong. The menu is typified by classic beef Wellington, wrapped in spinach, prosciutto, and pastry, and a seared Verlasso salmon fillet. Tableside cooking, by reservation only, is an optional feature. Don’t forget The Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor for a sweet treat. 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-5700. D Tue.-Sun. and high tea Sat.

Wright & Co.

$$$ NEW AMERICAN • The collaboration between Marc Djozlija and executive chef Kyle Schutte gives life to the second-floor space in the Wright-Kay Building. Small plates such as wild caught walu, Michigan mushroom pâté, and grilled sea scallops are the focus. The menu highlights seasonal dishes with a composed shared plates concept. 1500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-962-7711. D Tue.-Sat.

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.

Wayne County

Al Ameer

$$

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

Antonio’s Cucina Italiana

$$ ITALIAN • The Rugieros have impressed restaurant guests for decades with authentic cuisine. Signature dishes include Gnocchi Rita and Chicken Antonio. There’s a full bar and a very extensive wine list. 2220 N. Canton Center Road, Canton; 734-981-9800. 26356 Ford Road, Dearborn Heights; 313-278-6000. 37646 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills; 248-994-4000. L,D daily. (Farmington Hills location closed Mondays)

Atwater in the Park

$ GERMAN • At this casual spot, traditional German-style beer is the beverage of choice. Chef Chris Franz’s 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.

Brome Modern Eatery

$$

BURGERS • This healthy spin on a classic serves never-frozen, grass-fed, antibiotic-free, organic burgers. There are 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.

Bucharest Grill

$ MEDITERRANEAN-AMERICAN • This bustling casual sandwich shop, now with six locations, is a cult favorite for its fresh Mediterranean fare, with notably the best chicken shawarma wrap sandwiches in town. We’re serious. See bucharestgrill.com for locations and hours.

Café Nini

$$$

ITALIAN • This intimate spot offers well-prepared food that includes eight appetizers, more than a dozen pasta dishes, and 16 main plates, notable among which are Involtini di Pollo “Da Edoardo”: prosciutto, spinach, and Parmigiano Reggiano-filled chicken breast sautéed in a sherry wine sauce and topped with fresh mushrooms. The wine list is impressive as well. 98 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-308-3120. D Tue.-Sun.

Cantoro Italian Market and Trattoria

$$

ITALIAN • A restaurant inside the market serves great traditional Italian food. Do not miss the Tagliatelle alla Bolognese: wide pasta with a meat sauce featuring ground veal, beef, sausage, and pancetta. It makes for a delicious Italian feast you can conveniently pick up on your way home. 15550 N. Haggerty Road, Plymouth; 734-420-1100. L,D Tues.-Sat., L Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2010

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe

$$$

GASTROPUB • This jazz club features top guest musicians and an American bistro menu in a traditional interior. Starters include oysters by the half- or full-dozen and lump crab cakes. Main entrées include a beef short rib. 97 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-882-5299. L Tue.-Fri., D Tue.-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 half a pound of grilled Black Angus beef, aged sharp cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon, and bourbon barbecue sauce. Other appealing dishes include shrimp mac and cheese and chicken wings. 21367 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-752-3673. L,D daily.

Hungarian Rhapsody $$

HUNGARIAN • This restaurant offers traditional Hungarian food like beef goulash and hortobágyi palacsinta, a type of meat-filled crepe. Or try the párizsi, a sautéed and breaded chicken dish. 14315 Northline Road, Southgate; 734-283-9622. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Karl’s Cabin $$

AMERICAN • Dishes from the currently rotating drivethrough menu, such as pan-seared walleye and pierogi and sausage, surpass typical roadhouse food. 6005 Gotfredson Road, Plymouth; 734-455-8450. L,D daily.

The Ledger

$$$$

NEW AMERICAN • Located in the former United Savings Bank building, this fine-dining restaurant features a seasonal, from-scratch menu and festive cocktails. For starters, try roasted Brussels sprout chips tossed in katsu or, for a real spectacle, the focaccia served with a candle made from tallow. Lobster rolls, Wagyu steaks, and Alaskan halibut round out the menu — plus photogenic desserts like the Ledger Cake with hazelnut mousse, salted caramel, and honey peanut praline. 306 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-984-0020. D Tue.-Sun., BR Sat.-Sun.

Lucy & the Wolf

$$

ITALIAN • This pizzeria offers a selection of drinks, salads, and wood-fired, hand-tossed pizza. The pizza menu is split between red sauces made with San Marzano tomatoes and white sauces made of whipped ricotta and Parmesan. Try classics like a margarita or old-world pepperoni pizza or sample the Honey Badger, with an enticing combo of Italian sausage, caramelized onions, and spicy honey. 102 E. Main St., Northville; 248-308-3057. D Tue.-Sat.

M Cantina $

MEXICAN •This menu of tapas, tacos, and tortas features unique Nuevo Latino flavors, curated by chef Junior Merino to represent his birthplace in Mexico. Be sure to try one of the signature craft cocktails, such as the Aviation SD with Roku gin, blueberries, bergamot, rosemary, and violet liquor, or try a specialty nonalcoholic cocktail. 13214 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-399-9117. L,D daily.

Nico & Vali

and fried artichokes with Fresno and jalapeño peppers, tossed with fresh basil in white wine. Popular choices include the whitefish filet. It’s a classic Italian spot with an update that’s worth a visit. 744 Wing St., Plymouth; 734-207-7880. L Thu.-Sat., D Tue.-Sun.

Park Grill $$

MEDITERRANEAN • Mediterranean fare gets a Balkan spin. The menu offers tasting plates, pita-wrapped sandwiches, and salads, as well as entrées 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.

Polish Village Café

$

POLISH • Enjoy the warm comfort foods of Poland in this restaurant’s cozy atmosphere. The menu includes classics such as pierogi, pan-fried kielbasa, and dill pickle soup. Or try a bit of everything with the Polish Plate, which includes stuffed cabbage, pierogi, kielbasa, and sauerkraut. Finish off the meal with naleśniki, the Polish version of crepes. 2990 Yemans St., Hamtramck; 313-874-5726. L,D daily. (Not wheelchair accessible)

Polonia

$$

POLISH • In the heart of Hamtramck, this authentic Polish eatery is where Anthony Bourdain sampled a variety of classic dishes on his visit to Detroit. Diners will find favorites like dill pickle soup, potato pancakes, and city chicken. Or try the combination plate, which comes with stuffed cabbage, sausage, dumplings, mashed potatoes, and sauerkraut. 2934 Yemans St., Hamtramck. L,D daily.

Rocky’s of Northville

$$

NEW AMERICAN • The menu includes shrimp cocktail, smoked whitefish pâté, and broiled Great Lakes whitefish. Also try the 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 the signature Gnocchi Rita. 9924 Dix Ave., Dearborn; 313-842-2100. L,D daily.

Sana’a

$ YEMENI • This authentic Yemeni restaurant is a hidden gem. Try the lamb haneeth: slow-roasted, fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks marinated in an array of traditional spices, served on a bed of orange and yellow basmati rice with a side of zahawig (spicy red salsa). 13277 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-427-8424. L,D daily.

The Sardine Room

$$

ITALIAN • This eatery offers favorites with unexpected twists. The artichokes and chilies appetizer boasts battered

$$$

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

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 12 Mile Road, Warren; 586-576-0495. L,D daily.

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

Oakland County

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, 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 • Located in the old Detroit Edison offices, this restaurant features contemporary American cuisine. You’ll find classics such as shrimp cocktail and Caesar salad alongside miso-roasted sea bass and chicken Parmigiana. 220 Merrill St., Birmingham; 248-646-2220. L,D daily.

Adachi

$$$

JAPANESE-INSPIRED • Heading the kitchen is Lloyd Roberts, who has trained in the kitchens of celebrity chefs such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Nobu Matsuhisa. At Adachi, short rib bao buns are served with pickled cucumber and fresh scallions, and miniature tacos are filled with lobster. 325 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-540-5900. L,D daily.

Andiamo $$

ITALIAN • Over the past three decades, Joe Vicari has established several Andiamo restaurants in metro Detroit, all inspired by the late master chef Aldo Ottaviani’s philosophy of seasonal, from-scratch cooking. The menus differ slightly at the different locations, but the constant is the fresh, house-made 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. D daily.

Anita’s Kitchen $

LEBANESE • With pita pizzas and lamb chops, the Lebanese food at Anita’s Kitchen is some of the best around. And there’s vegetarian and gluten-free fare, too. It’s healthy, nutritious, and delicious. See website for locations: anitaskitchen.com.

At Anano’s $$

GEORGIAN • At Anano’s celebrates the largely obscure cuisine of Georgia, a small country on the border of Europe and West Asia. Georgian staples like mtsvadi, a flame-grilled shish kebab, combine the flavors of both continents. Well known for its khachapuri, a type of cheese-filled pastry, At Anano’s offers the dish two ways. Other favorites, like traditional, Georgian-style salad and chicken dressed in a rich walnut sauce, represent the best the country’s cuisine has to offer. 29410 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills; L,D Tue., Thu.-Sun.

Aurora Italiana

$$$$

ITALIAN • This restaurant offers a sophisticated and modern take on Italian dining. Fresh pasta lays the groundwork for the Rigatoni al Bosco: tenderloin tips, wild mushroom, and truffle demi-glace tossed in cream sauce. Other delectables include sausage and peppers, steak, and seafood. 6199 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township; 248-782-3000. D daily.

Aurora on the Lake $$$$

ITALIAN • Located along Union Lake, this spin-off of West Bloomfield’s Aurora Italiana serves Italian fine dining in the space once occupied by It’s a Matter of Taste. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce Township; 248-360-6650. D daily.

Bar Gabi $$

ROMANIAN • Romanian-born chefs Gabriel and Gabriela Botezan’s Hazel Park restaurant combines old-world technique with new-world flavors, serving traditional Transylvanian dishes like mititei — a skinless sausage served with mustard and toast. Other bites include a bone-in tomahawk schnitzel and house-made braised short rib rigatoni. 23839 John R Road, Hazel Park; 249-629-4160. D Wed.-Sun.

Bella Piatti $$

ITALIAN • The location right across from the Townsend Hotel has inspired a number of visiting celebrities, professional athletes, and film crews who stay there to check out this restaurant’s Italian fare. 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. 167 Townsend St., Birmingham; 248-494-7110. D Tue.-Sat.

Beppé $$$

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

The Beverly $$$

NEW AMERICAN • From the owner of Bar Pigalle, this new-American eatery features a menu of steaks, seafood, and charcuterie boards. Much like the food, the drink menu focuses on using simple, high-quality ingredients to create perfectly balanced flavors. Find unique takes on classic

cocktails like daiquiris, margaritas, and Manhattans. 3180 Coolidge Hwy., Berkley; L,D Tue.-Fri., BR,L,D Sat., Sun.

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. It’s still serving crowd favorites like the BHG Burger and classic eggs Benedict. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills; 248-642-2355. B,L,D Tue.-Sat., B,L Sun.

Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina

$$ ITALIAN • The pizza concept from chef Luciano DelSignore, a four-time James Beard Award nominee, features small plates, fresh pastas, wood-roasted meats, and a range of distinctive Neapolitan pizzas. See website for locations: bigalora.com.

Birmingham Pub

Asian, and Italian cuisine, soon defaulted simply to a cuisine most familiar to chef Luciano DelSignore: Italian. House-made pastas rolled by hand and a meaty branzino typify the menu. 310 E. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-940-0000. D Tue.-Sat.

Churchill’s Bistro & Cigar Bar $$$

TRADITIONAL • You can buy your cigar and smoke it, too. Plus, enjoy dry-aged steaks, pan-roasted sea bass, and lamb chops, among other options. A full bar boasts a large selection of whiskey, scotch, and bourbon — and plenty of wine. 116 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham; 248-647-4555. L,D daily.

Clarkston Union

$$$

GASTROPUB • This stylish yet casual gastropub from the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group took over the former Triple Nickel space. True to its name, the restaurant’s bill of fare features pub classics taken up a notch, such as fish and chips served with jalapeño hush puppies and filet mignon with Parmesan truffle fries and zip sauce. 555 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-885-8108. L Tue.-Fri., BR Sat.-Sun.

Bistro Joe’s

$

NEW AMERICAN • Perhaps best known for its iconic Union Mac and Cheese (Vermont sharp cheddar and mild Pinconning cheeses with layers of penne rigate and a crispy breadcrumb crust), the downtown Clarkston staple lauded by Guy Fieri has been a longtime purveyor of American comfort foods. Located in an 1840s-era church, the restaurant provides much of its seating on pews. 54 S. Main St., Clarkston; 248-6206100. L,D daily, B Sun.

Como’s

$$$

GLOBAL • Part of Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market, Bistro Joe’s is in a mezzanine overlooking the open kitchen and market. There is an eclectic list of dishes like spicy tuna “tacushi,” P.E.I. pesto mussels, and tasty flatbread pizzas. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-594-0984. D Tue.-Sun., BR Sat.-Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

Café Cortina

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NEW AMERICAN • This Ferndale favorite reopened in May 2019 under the ownership of Peas & Carrots Hospitality with a trendier, fresher look. The warm, homey feel is still intact, but it’s ditched the old menu for — among other things — chef Zack Sklar’s square, deep-dish, Detroitstyle pizza that’s leavened from a sourdough starter as opposed to commercial yeast. 22812 Woodward Ave., Unit 100, Ferndale; 248-677-4439. L,D daily.

Cornbread Restaurant & Bar

2003

$$$

ITALIAN • For nearly 50 years, Café Cortina has been serving refined Italian cuisine in Farmington Hills. The family-owned restaurant is known for its handmade pastas and seasonal dishes inspired by an on-site garden. Don’t miss the signature millefoglie for dessert. 30715 W. 10 Mile Road, Farmington Hills; 248-474-3033. L Sun., D Tue.-Sun.

Café ML

$$

NEW AMERICAN • Café ML is contemporary in its decor and “globally inspired food.” Such dishes as short rib steamed buns, Chinese chicken salad, Singapore street noodles, and Korean fried chicken share the menu with burgers, steak frites, and fresh seafood. Garage door-style windows open onto the patio on warm days. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township; 248-642-4000. D daily.

Capital Grille

$$$

STEAKHOUSE • Hand-cut, dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood dishes are the stars at Capital Grille. The restaurant’s outstanding wine list features over 350 labels. The setting is appropriate for both business lunches and social events and includes well-appointed private dining rooms. 2800 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy; 248-649-5300. L,D daily.

Casa Pernoi

$$$$

ITALIAN • Three months after its grand opening, what once was a multi-hyphenate concept, blending French,

$$

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

Crispelli’s Bakery & Pizzeria $ ITALIAN-INSPIRED • This hybrid offers artisanal pizzas from a brick oven, salads, paninis, and soups. The bakery offers crusty breads, desserts, and meals to go. The Berkley location’s patio adds to the appeal. See website for locations: crispellis.com.

Culantro $$ PERUVIAN • Native Peruvian Betty Shuell brings a taste of her home to Ferndale. The casual, homey, seat-yourself establishment is named after an herb that is often used in traditional Peruvian cooking. An especially notable dish is the Pollo a la Brasa, marinated chicken served with french fries, rice, and a variety of dipping sauces. 22939 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-632-1055. L,D daily.

D’Marcos Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar $$$ ITALIAN • Located in the heart of downtown Rochester, this family-owned establishment is known for

its extensive wine list, wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, and house-made pasta dishes like the beef tenderloin linguine with beef tenderloin tips, spinach, mushroom cream sauce, and Parmesan. It’s also connected to The Backdoor, a speakeasy-style taco and tequila bar. 401 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-759-4951. L,D Tue.-Sat.

Eddie’s Gourmet $$ NEW AMERICAN • Chef Eddie Hanna’s gourmet diner is a simple concept that works to perfection. The menu offers a standard selection of breakfast items, burgers, sandwiches, and lunch specials, but the real draw is the counter-side gourmet and pasta specials. Offerings include veal Marsala and chicken Milano. 25920 Greenfield Road, Oak Park; 248-968-4060. L,D Tue.-Sat.

Elie’s Mediterranean Grill/Bar $$ LEBANESE • The lamb and chicken shawarma, shish kafta, kibbee neyee, and other Lebanese dishes are emphasized by the decor, including photomurals of old Beirut and strings of blue beads cascading from the ceiling. It’s a fun place to frequent for a quick lunch or a night out with friends. 263 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248647-2420. L,D Mon.-Sat.

The Fed $$ GASTROPUB • The Fed is an attractive restaurant with great food and a delightfully refreshing atmosphere. The menu crosses boundaries, with shareables like Spanish octopus and wild mushroom flatbread. Plus, the bright and airy bohemian-chic interior is highly Instagrammable. 15 S. Main St., Clarkston; 248-2975833. D Tue.-Sat., B,L,D Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2009 Forest $$$

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • The menu is brief but designed to let the kitchen assemble sharp flavors from various farm and market ingredients. Try the delightful pastas, like the Bolognese and the agnolotti, as well as the understated Farm Egg. 735 Forest Ave., Birmingham; 248-258-9400. D Tue.-Sat.

The Fly Trap $

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

Garage Grill & Fuel Bar $$ NEW AMERICAN • The car-themed rooms of a former 1940s gas station are as fresh and appealing as the dishes themselves. The kitchen serves up a variety of seafood starters and “full-size sedan” entrées, as well as pizzas. 202 W. Main St., Northville; 248-924-3367. D Wed.-Sun., BR Sat.-Sun.

Gran Castor

$$

LATIN STREET • From the duo behind hit spots like Vinsetta Garage and Union Woodshop comes this vibrant Latin American café and restaurant. At Gran Castor, the dining room is equally as decadent as the food and drinks served. Grab a $5 margarita between

4 and 6 p.m. daily. 2950 Rochester Road, Troy; 248278-7777. D daily.

Hazel’s $$

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

Honcho $

LATIN FUSION • From the owners of Vinsetta Garage and Union Woodshop, this restaurant can be described as “Latin food that speaks with an Asian accent.” Menu items include a chicken burrito fried and tossed in a soy fish sauce and Korean pork tacos, featuring Woodshop pulled pork tossed in Korean barbecue sauce and topped with toasted sesame seeds and Malay radish slaw. 3 E. Church St., Clarkston; 248-707-3793. L,D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 

Hong Hua

2002

$

CHINESE • One of the best restaurants dedicated to Asian food in the area 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, which 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

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MEXICAN-INSPIRED • This menu features an impressive selection of tacos, from grilled chorizo sausage to chili lime grilled chicken. Plant-based pork and seitan options are available for non-meat eaters. Or order ahead for DIY taco sets for an at-home taco bar. 22828 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 248-850-8060. L,D daily.

J-Bird Smoked Meats

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

Joe Muer

$$$$ SEAFOOD • The Bloomfield Hills location of the iconic restaurant has a menu that 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. Save room for dessert because the coconut cake is not to be missed. A piano bar adds to the vibe. 39475 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-792-9609. D daily.

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

Lao Pot $$$

CHINESE • In 2019, the owners of the Madison Heights international market 168 Asian Mart opened Lao Pot, which specializes in Chinese hot pot cuisine. Hot pot is a traditional method of cooking, using a pot of simmering broth, which sits in the center of the dining table. Lao Pot allows diners to customize and cook their meals right at their tables, combining great food and a memorable experience. 32707 John R Road, Madison Heights; 248-689-9888. L,D daily.

La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar

$$$

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

Lelli’s Inn

$$

ITALIAN • Dinners begin with an antipasto tray, creamy minestrone, salad, a side dish of spaghetti, and then — nine times out of 10 — a filet mignon with zip sauce. 885 N. Opdyke Road, Auburn Hills; 248-373-4440. L,D daily.

Lincoln Yard/Little Yard

$$

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

Loccino Italian Grill

$$

ITALIAN • Loccino is a “family-friendly” yet upscale Italian restaurant. Choose from fresh seafood, steak, and chicken dishes, plus traditional pastas, pizzas, salads, and more. It’s a great place for special occasions or a delicious workday lunch spot. 5600 Crooks Road, Troy; 248-813-0700. L Mon.-Fri., D daily

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 Wed.-Sun.

Luisa’s Artisanal Street Food

$

ITALIAN STREET FOOD • The small restaurant offers a unique mishmash of influences — all with the graband-go convenience of “street food.” Standouts include the smoky mole chili, made with roasted chile peppers, green bell peppers, black beans, braised steak, and mozzarella. Plus, the slushies are to die for. 22851 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-677-3331. L,D Fri.-Wed.

Luxe Bar & Grill

$$

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

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2025

Mabel Gray

$$$

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

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2023

Madam

$$$

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

Market North End $$

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

The Meeting House $$

ECLECTIC AMERICAN • This eclectic American menu includes steak frites remarkably close to those offered at Paris bistros and a house-made soft pretzel with roasted jalapeño goat cheese dip. 301 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-759-4825. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Mesa Tacos and Tequila $ MEXICAN-AMERICAN • The two-story setting includes balcony seating in a big, open room where the bar gets equal time with the kitchen. The pop-Mexican menu — which includes guacamole, nachos, and the titular tacos — is backed up with an array of tequilas. 312 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-545-1940. L,D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2008 Mon Jin Lau $$ ASIAN-FUSION • Explore such dishes as Singapore noodles, combining chicken, shrimp, chilies, and curry with angel-hair pasta; Mongolian beef; or seared scallops with lemongrass-basil Thai curry sauce. The patio opens up and the dining room transforms into a dance floor for weekly events. 1515 E. Maple Road, Troy; 248-689-2332. D daily.

Noble Fish $

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

Noori Pocha

$

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

Oak City Grille

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

Oak Parker

$$

NEW AMERICAN • This lively neighborhood bar features thoughtful cocktails with a forward-looking food menu to match. Its smashburgers are the perfect answer to a cold pint. You can also kick it up a notch with Hungarian sausage, schnitzel, or pastrami — the latter stuffed in deli-style sandwiches and deep-fried chimichangas or mixed into pastrami hash for weekend brunch. 13621 W. 11 Mile Road; oakparkerbar.com. B Sat.-Sun., L,D daily.

Ocean Prime

$$$$

SEAFOOD • At this upper-end steak and fish place and 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 at this 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 béarnaise sauce, as well as a mouthwatering bacon burger. Weekend brunch features delicious house-made doughnuts. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale; 248-808-6633. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

O.W.L.

$

MEXICAN-AMERICAN • This Royal Oak spot offers sustenance for the early birds and 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 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.

Phoenicia

$$$ LEBANESE • This long-standing upscale eatery has clean, contemporary lines that complement the French door-style windows. Don’t miss the portabella mushrooms or roasted garlic cloves with tomato and basil as an appetizer. The menu expands to unexpected items such as baby back ribs and single serving-sized local whitefish. 588 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248644-3122. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

Pop’s For Italian

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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 daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Prime29 Steakhouse

$$$$ STEAKHOUSE • The 29-day aged prime beef, including the 24-ounce tomahawk bone-in rib-eye, still stars here. There’s also Chilean sea bass and black pearl salmon. The service is notable, as is the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator. 6545 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield; 248-737-7463. D Tue.-Sun.

Quán Ngon Vietnamese Bistro

$ VIETNAMESE • This gem of a bistro in a handsome space adds to the local Vietnamese offerings. Dishes such as chả giò (elegant little eggrolls), bun bo nuong chả giò (grilled beef with eggroll, vermicelli, mixed greens, plus sweet-and-sour sauce), and bánh mì are made with fresh ingredients. 30701 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights; 248-268-4310. 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; 248865-0500. L,D Mon.-Sat.

RH Rooftop Restaurant

$$$$ NEW AMERICAN • Located on the top floor of RH Detroit, The Gallery in Birmingham, the American and Mediterranean-themed restaurant offers a wide array of chilled seafood, caviar, and steak. Sit among the live olive trees while enjoying the 14-ounce charred, Australian Wagyu rib-eye or enjoy one of 16 specialty cocktails. 300 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-614-6984. L,D Mon.-Fri., BR,L,D Sat.-Sun.

The Rind

$$$

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

Rochester Chop House $$

NEW AMERICAN • Enjoy 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 crab cakes, and a large selection of aged steaks, rack of lamb, and steak/ seafood combinations. 306 S. Main St., Rochester; 248-651-2266. L Mon.-Fri., D daily

Ronin $$ JAPANESE • The sushi menu, ranging from spicy tuna rolls to yellowtail and salmon eggs and well beyond, is augmented by a concise menu of cooked fare. Front windows open onto the sidewalk, making the cocktail lounge open-air during the warm months. 326 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-546-0888. D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2026

Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse $$$$ STEAKHOUSE • Once the location of 100-year-old Rudy’s Market, this version of Rudy’s pays homage to the historic shop in the best way possible — by serving up high-quality food. Classics meet inventive cuisine here, with shrimp cocktail, burrata, and Hokkaido scallops available as appetizers. Chops and steaks are the highlight, with prime-quality filets, rib-eyes, and Australian lamb chops on the menu. After dinner, try the peach cornbread cobbler, an inventive take on a staple dessert. 9 S. Main St., Village of Clarkston; D Tue.-Sun.

Sambong

$

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

Silver Spoon

$$

ITALIAN • This quintessential slice of Italy features excellent food, knowledgeable staff, and friendly service. Try the bucatini made with pancetta, onion, red wine, and fresh tomato sauce. Also worth trying is the Saltimbocca alla Romana: veal scaloppini sautéed in white wine. Silver Spoon offers truly delicious food for any kind of outing. 543 N. Main St., Rochester; 248652-4500. 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.

Streetside Seafood $$

SEAFOOD • 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. It’s a delicious restaurant for all palates to enjoy and feel comfortable in. 273 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-645-9123. L Thu.-Fri., D daily.

Sylvan Table

$$$

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

Take Sushi

$$

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

Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro

$$ WINE BAR • Understated decor and a pared-down menu of seasonal dishes make this spot a Birmingham classic. The kitchen turns out dishes like lamb-belly ragù with housemade pasta and whole branzino with charred zucchini and romesco. Wine is served by the glass, 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. Located in the former Clawson movie theater next door to the shop, the eatery serves small, simple plates, including vegetarian and vegan options, plus local beverage selections, such as vodka from Ferndale’s Valentine Distilling Co. and wines from grapes grown on the Leelanau Peninsula. Patrons can even take home the colorful, quirky chairs or tables, as most of the furniture at Three Cats Restaurant is available for purchase. 116 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson; 248-288-4858. L,D Tue.-Fri., B,L,D Sat.-Sun.

TigerLily

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

Toast, A Breakfast & Lunch Joint

$ BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • It’s fun, it’s breezy, and the food at Toast, A Breakfast & Lunch Joint is very, very good. Try the huevos rancheros: fried eggs upon corn tortillas, pintos, and cheese. Toast, a Neighborhood Joint, the spinoff of the Ferndale original, has a more elaborate setting, pairing ’50s retro with sleek contemporary in a pair of rooms. The new menu features twists to comfort food. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-398-0444. 203 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-2586278. B,L daily.

Toasted Oak

$$$

BRASSERIE • The menu revolves around the charcuterie sold in the market next door and a list of hot grill items. In 2019, the restaurant earned a Wine Spectator magazine award for its outstanding wine program. Plus, just across the lot is Twelve Oaks Mall, should you fancy an evening of shopping and dinner. 27790 Novi Road, Novi; 248-277-6000. B Mon.-Fri., L,D Tue.-Sat., BR Sat.-Sun.

Townhouse

$$$

NEW AMERICAN • This popular Birmingham spot for comforting New American dishes has several exceptional offerings on its menu, such as the specialty 10 ounces of 28-day dry-aged beef hamburger on brioche. 180 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-792-5241. L,D daily, BR Sat.-Sun. 500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313723-1000. L,D daily.

Union Woodshop

$$

BARBECUE • Part of the Union Joints restaurant group, this is a self-described wood-fired joint, where pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and beef brisket come from the smoker alongside Neapolitan-style crisp-crusted pizzas from the wood-burning oven. And definitely check out the mac and cheese. 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. The restaurant pays true homage to the city of Detroit. 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248-548-7711. L,D daily.

Voyager

$$

SEAFOOD • Fresh seafood with an 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.

Detroit Remembers!

If you recall the J.L. Hudson Thanksgiving Day Parade, visiting the Children’s Zoo at Belle Isle, taking in a flick at downtown’s Madison Theatre, scarfing down a hot-fudge sundae at Sanders, rocking out at the Grande Ballroom, or cheering on the Red Wings at Olympia Stadium, The Way It Was, Part 2 will elicit warm memories of Detroit. This book’s vivid photos and evocative text will take you on a nostalgic journey into the city’s past.

Macomb County

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, house-made 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; 586-473-0700. D daily.

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

Butter Run Saloon $

GASTROPUB • The solid American fare is beyond bar food (although the burgers are certainly noteworthy). There’s escargots, perch, steaks, and a huge whiskey selection — more than a thousand at last count. 27626 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-675-2115. B, L,D daily.

Da Francesco’s Ristorante & Bar $$

ITALIAN • Founded by Italian immigrant Francesco Belcastro in 1990, Da Francesco’s has been run by family ever since. The restaurant offers up homey Italian dishes such as the rigatoni Mamma’s pasta and steak Da Francesco, a prime New York steak chargrilled with olive oil, garlic, and oregano. 49521 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586-731-7544. L,D Tue.-Fri., D Sat., L,D Sun.

Detroit Fish House $$

SEAFOOD • This restaurant feels like a true coastal eatery, thanks to an extensive menu of fresh fish and seafood that ranges from salmon to Lake Superior whitefish — all served in a well-designed setting. 51195 Schoenherr Road, Shelby Charter Township; 586-739-5400. L Mon.Fri., D daily.

Gaudino’s $$

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

Host Utica

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

Isla $$$ FILIPINO • Dishes at this Filipino restaurant, formerly sheltered at Fort Street Galley, are reflective of the culinary traditions of the founders’ Iloilo City hometown. Annatto is used to punch up the color of chicken adobo, the unofficial dish of the Philippines, and juicy mangoes complement sweet and savory dishes. 2496 Metro Pkwy., Sterling Heights; 586-883-7526. L,D Tue.-Sat., BR Sun.

J. Baldwin’s Restaurant

$$$

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

Khom Fai

THAI • This Macomb staple serves a modernized take on Thai food, seasoned with what they call “a dash of good ol’ Southern hospitality.” Sip a specialty cocktail and start with small plates like satay skewers, Rangoon, or sesame yellowfin tuna and enjoy entrées like drunken noodles, red curry, or Khom Fai’s signature fried chicken. 48856 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb; 586247-7773. L Tues., Sun., D Tues.-Sat.

Luigi’s Original Restaurant

$$ ITALIAN • Family-owned since 1953, Luigi’s menu offers a sizeable number of options, including filet mignon, hand-tossed pizzas, and pastas. Finish the meal with traditional Italian desserts such as tiramisu or cannoli. 36691 Jefferson Ave., Harrison Township; 586-468-7711; D Wed.-Sun.

Mr. Paul’s Chophouse

$$$

STEAKHOUSE • This bastion of red meat and classic dishes is still going strong. Try old-school tableside presentations such as Chateaubriand and Caesar salad. There’s also solid selection of fresh seafood and pasta. The founding family still runs the place and emphasizes great hospitality and a 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. It offers an array of well-prepared Angus steaks, plus seafood and pasta dishes. With the sizable lunch and portions offered at Steakhouse 22, good luck saving room for dessert! 48900 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586731-3900. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Testa Barra

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

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. Entrées include al dente pastas and protein options such as lamb chops and New York strip steak, plus lump crab cakes and beer-battered cod. 24223 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-773-3840. L,D daily.

Youngblood Vineyard

$$ WINERY • Sitting on 25 acres of wine grapes, this winery offers year-round wine tasting with a menu that includes grilled bruschetta with tomato and mozzarella, artisan pizza, a harvest salad, and charcuterie boards. More than a dozen wines are offered by the bottle, glass, or 2-ounce pour as part of a flight. 61829 Ray Center Road, Ray Twp.; 586-770-5220; D Thu.-Sun.

Washtenaw County

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 and ginger ale- or Coca Cola-roasted beets showed up on early menus as chef Dan Klenotic’s way of straddling the line of creole tradition and an imaginative style that is entirely his own. He was recognized as a James Beard semifinalist in 2024. 209 Pearl St., Ypsilanti. D Mon. L,D Tue-Sat., L Sun.

Black Pearl

$$ SEAFOOD • This place is especially popular during patio season. But step inside for a host of craft cocktails, then stay for dinner. A seafood-dominated menu includes a notable misoyaki salmon dish. Non-seafood options include the eponymous burger and filet mignon. 302 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-222-0400. D daily.

Blue LLama Jazz Club $$ CREATIVE AMERICAN • This elegant destination for live music and dining welcomes guests of all kinds with its phenomenal atmosphere and nightly performances. Located in the heart of Ann Arbor, this unique gem offers gorgeous, skillfully balanced dishes designed by a fresh team of chefs. The menu brings the spirit and flavors of American jazz meccas like Harlem and New Orleans, along with flavors from Barbados and Puerto Rico, through an Afro-Caribbean lens. 314 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-372-3200. D Wed.-Sat.

The Blue Nile $$ ETHIOPIAN • The real treat at this quaint restaurant is injera, a spongy bread used to scoop the meal, eaten with your hands in traditional style. The lentil dishes, often seasoned with an Ethiopian spice mixture called berbere, and the vegetables are equally delicious. 221 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-998-4746. D Tue.-Sun. 545 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-547-6699. D Thu.-Sun.

Cardamom $$ INDIAN • Check out the Hyderabadi biryani —chicken, goat, and vegetable dishes in which the rice is first cooked, then baked. All the Indian favorites are available at Cardamom, such as chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, and warm, fluffy, fresh-made garlic naan. It’s the ideal spot for when you’re craving the classics. 1739 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor; 734-662-2877. D Wed.-Sun.

The Common Grill $$ SEAFOOD • Founded by chef Craig Common, whose skilled work drew the attention of the now-shuttered Gourmet magazine and the James Beard House, this mainstay was acquired in 2022 by Peas & Carrots Hospitality. Chefs Zack Sklar and Josh Humphrey kept most of the beloved restaurant’s menu, such as the expertly prepared oysters and seafood dishes, as well as the coconut cream pie. 112 S. Main St., Chelsea; 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 Garrett Lipar’s menu hosts rotating seasonal, from-scratch dishes that highlight local ingredients — pizzas, salads, seafood, and steaks served in a rustic barn that once housed The Lord Fox, an iconic restaurant in Ann Arbor’s historic Dixboro neighborhood. 5400 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor; 734-669-3310. L,D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Echelon Kitchen & Bar

$$$$

NEW AMERICAN • Placing an emphasis on woodfired cooking and local produce, this downtown Ann Arbor restaurant offers à la carte dining in addition to a seven-course chef’s tasting menu. The vegetable-forward menu elevates simple ingredients into complex dishes filled with flavor. Enjoy the kanpachi crudo or the stone fruit and chicory salad to start, with something for both vegans and omnivores to savor. Entrées include hazelnut-apricot risotto with scallops and beef shank torchietti with smoked almond cream and grilled scallion conserva. 200 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. D Wed.-Sun.

Ma Lou’s

$

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

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

Miss Kim $$ KOREAN • This spin-off 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 house-made kimchi to the tteokbokki (rice cakes). Some of the restaurant’s standouts include a craveable Korean fried chicken and its plantbased counterpart, Korean fried tofu. 415 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-275-0099. L,D Wed.-Mon.

Peridot

$$$$

VIETNAMESE-INSPIRED • This downtown Ann Arbor eatery offers both small plates and cocktails that incorporate ingredients like tamarind, Thai basil, Vietnamese cinnamon, and cilantro — with delightfully refreshing results. On the ever-changing menu, standout small plates have included ketchup fried rice and the savory kampachi and prosciutto: Italian dry-cured ham and amberjack sashimi. 118 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-773-3097. D Mon.-Sat.

Seva

$$

VEGAN • Seva offers such dishes as black bean and sweet potato quesadillas, gluten-free options, and colorful stir-fries — some vegan as well as vegetarian. There’s also a full bar, as well as a juice bar serving creamy smoothies and dense shakes, fresh-squeezed juices, and craft mocktails. Choose from one of the most extensive vegetarian menus in the Detroit area. 2541 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-662-1111. L,D Mon.-Sat.

Shalimar

$$

INDIAN • Offering North Indian, Tandoori, and Mughlai dishes, Shalimar is suitable for carnivores and herbivores alike. Standouts include the lamb tikka masala, best eaten with the restaurant’s flavorful, chewy garlic naan served fresh and hot. 307 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-1500. L,D daily.

Slurping Turtle

of shareable dishes, such as hamachi nachos and duck fat-fried chicken. But the star at Slurping Turtle are the noodles (Yagihashi’s “soul food”), which are made in-house daily on a machine imported from Japan. 608 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-887-6868. L,D daily.

Spencer

$ WINE BAR • The food at this small but mighty spot is bright, fresh, and often surprising. The brief and very French menu changes frequently and is always imaginative. Previous dishes have included chicken liver mousse with violet mustard and grilled bread, as well as orange duck confit with North African spices. 113 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-369-3979; D Thu,-Sun. (By reservation only)

Tomukun

$

KOREAN • Featuring a Korean noodle bar and Korean barbecue side by side, the downtown Ann Arbor eatery is a destination for ramen, udon, and pho, plus traditional rice dishes like bibimbap. On the barbecue side of things, order shareable grill-it-yourself meals like short ribs, pork belly, and marinated chicken — plus stir-fries, hot pots, and more. 505 E. Liberty St., Suites 100-200, Ann Arbor; 734-995-8668 (Tomukun Noodle Bar); 734-3692602 (Tomukun Korean BBQ). L,D daily.

Venue by 4M

$$$

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

Yotsuba Japanese Restaurant & Bar

$$ JAPANESE • The semi-circular sushi bar is the center of this restaurant. Sushi chef Bobby Suzuki has a loyal following for his precise nigiri rolls. There are also tatami rooms and conventional seating. 7365 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township; 248-737-8282. 2222 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor; 734-971-5168. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Zingerman’s Roadhouse

$$$

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

$

JAPANESE • This fun, casual Ann Arbor restaurant, owned by celebrity chef Takashi Yagihashi, offers plenty

Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery

In the world of ophthalmic and facial plastic surgery, the physicians at Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery are consistently recognized for their excellence. is year, Dr. Evan Black was once again honored in the Top Docs issue of Hour Detroit in the specialties of plastic and reconstructive surgery and ophthalmology. e physicians’ consistent recognition reflects their skill, their dedication, and the trust they’ve built with their patients over the years.

At Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery, patient care begins with listening, understanding individual needs, and then determining the most effective and affordable path forward. e goal is not only to deliver exceptional results but also to ensure a comfortable, supportive experience from start to finish. A patient from Livonia shared, “Not only did I know that I was in the very best medical hands, but I felt well cared for from beginning to end, and that makes all the difference.”

e commitment to clinical care and customer service is a hallmark of the practice. Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery is home to an esteemed team of physicians, including Dr. Geoff rey J. Gladstone, Dr. Evan H. Black, Dr. Francesca Nesi-Eloff, Dr. Dianne M. Schlachter, Dr. Robert A. Beaulieu, and Dr. Shravani Mikkilineni, as well as physician assistant Lindsay

El-Awadi. Serving communities across southeast Michigan and Flint, these doctors maintain affiliations with top accredited hospitals, ensuring their patients receive the highest standard of care.

e expert physicians at Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery set the bar with their extensive training, professional affiliations, certifications, leadership positions, and teaching roles. Each physician has received accolades for their contributions to advancing ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Procedures and Services Offered:

Cosmetic Procedures: With age comes the natural onset of wrinkles and sagging skin. e practice offers a range of cosmetic procedures designed to rejuvenate the face, including eyelid and forehead surgeries that lift drooping eyelids, smooth wrinkles, and remove under-eye bags.

Reconstructive Surgery: e practice offers reconstructive surgery to restore both function and appearance. Services include ptosis repair, eyelid reconstruction, lower eyelid malposition surgery, eyelid skin cancer treatment, tear duct surgery, thyroid eye disease treatment, orbital tumor surgery, and fracture repair.

Nonsurgical Rejuvenation: For those seeking a less

invasive approach, the practice provides options like fractional CO2 laser treatments, Botox, and dermal fillers to smooth deep wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin.

With locations in Southfield, Troy, Livonia, Novi, St. Clair Shores, Southgate, and Flint, Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery is easily accessible for patients across metro Detroit and beyond. No matter which doctor a patient sees, they can expect top-tier expertise and personalized care that have made this practice a trusted name in the community. ■

Consultants in Ophthalmic & Facial Plastic Surgery, PC 29201 Telegraph Road, Suite 324 Southfield, MI 48034 800-245-8075 | EyelidPros.com

Royal Oak Dental

Dr. Thomas Gilbert feels very lucky to be able to practice in the city where he grew up. A strong sense of community was instilled in him during his childhood in Royal Oak, where he played every sport under the sun with his neighborhood friends and enjoyed movies at the old Royal Oak drive-in.

Dr. Gilbert’s passion for dentistry and excellence in treatment started early. Both of his parents were teachers and administrators at Detroit Country Day School, where he excelled. He majored in biology and psychology at Albion College and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Detroit Dental School in 1985.

His love of learning continues in both his professional and personal life. Dr. Gilbert is an avid reader who loves mysteries and suspense on top of reading dental journals and current research papers to provide the most innovative and comfortable treatment for his patients.

Dr. Gilbert is a firm believer in continuing education. One class that he has taken is Invisible Braces by Invisalign, and now his Invisalign patients range from young teens to 80-year-olds. He has also learned how to place and restore implants, which has opened up a whole new option of treatment for his patients. Dr. Gilbert was also one of the first to complete the specialized course in Lumineers.

Family is one of Dr. Gilbert’s top priorities. He and his staff at Royal Oak Dental treat their patients as if they were family. Dr. Gilbert met his wife in 10th grade and married her 10 years later. Together, they have four children, a dog, and two cats.

Dr. Gilbert’s focus is to provide the most professional level of treatment and comfort to his patients. As Dr. Gilbert will tell you, he has had a lot of treatment done on his own teeth, and he knows what his patients go through. ■

Royal Oak Dental

715 N. Main St.

Royal Oak, MI 48067

248-398-1818

royaloakdental.com

MIND — Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders

MIND — Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders — is a leading neurological care provider offering comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions affecting the brain, spine, and nervous system.

MIND’s team includes board-certified neurologists, fellowship-trained subspecialists, and experienced advanced practice providers who deliver expert, compassionate care supported by on-site MRI, EEG/EMG testing, infusion services, and advanced neurodiagnostic technology.

MIND’s six Centers of Excellence provide specialized expertise in multiple sclerosis, headaches and facial pain, Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders, Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders, interventional pain management, and infusion therapies. Its Multiple Sclerosis Center — recognized by the National MS Society as a Center for Comprehensive MS Care — treats more than 5,500 patients annually. Many MIND physicians also contribute to clinical research as primary and sub-investigators.

Through research, innovative treatments, and coordinated, one-stop access to care, MIND brings advanced neurological services closer to home across its network of metro Detroit offices. ■

MIND — Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders

28595 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-553-0010 • MINDonline.com

Dr. Ellen A. Janetzke

Dr. EllEn JanEtzkE, founder of Dr. Ellen Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Bloomfield Hills, has been shaping confidence and changing lives for over two decades and has committed herself to patient education, safety, and service.

Dr. Ellen’s ability to understand, anticipate, and fulfill patient expectations, honestly and realistically, has gained her a reputation as both a gifted surgeon and a caring doctor. She graduated with a medical degree from Wayne State University and completed her plastic surgery residency at Temple University.

Dr. Ellen operates out of UnaSource Surgical Center, LaBelle Surgery Center, and Corewell Health Beaumont Hospital Troy. Her practice offers a wide range of services, including tummy tucks, breast reduction, breast enhancements, gynecomastia, liposuction, and full-body contouring in addition to face procedures and med-spa services such as lasers and injectables. ■

Dr. Ellen Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

60 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 100 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 248-220-6760 • drellen.com

Hugh Pabarue, M.D., DABVLM

Hugh Pabarue, M.D., DABVLM , of Metro Vein Centers is a highly respected, double board-certified vein specialist with more than 15 years of experience treating venous and vascular conditions. He is dedicated to delivering lasting relief from leg pain, swelling, fatigue, and varicose veins through advanced, minimally invasive care. A recipient of the 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor Award, Dr. Pabarue is recognized by his peers for excellence in clinical care. As a diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, he is known for his advanced expertise and commitment to the highest standards in vein and lymphatic treatment.

Dr. Pabarue has performed more than 25,000 minimally invasive vein procedures, making him one of the most experienced vein specialists in the

region. He specializes in treating chronic venous insufficiency using leading evidence-based technologies, including radiofrequency ablation, Varithena, and VenaSeal, allowing patients to return to normal activities quickly with minimal downtime.

Dr. Pabarue regularly trains other doctors in advanced vein treatments and is a trusted medical authority in metro Detroit. He is frequently sought out by media outlets to provide expert insight and promote public awareness of venous disorders. Dr. Pabarue earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree from Wright State University, and his M.D. from the Medical College of Ohio, completing his residency at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, where he further developed his commitment to patientcentered care and clinical excellence. ■

Metro Vein Centers

25631 Li le Mack Ave., Suite 204 St. Clair Shores, MI 48081

46591 Romeo Plank Road, Suite 111B Macomb, MI 48044

586-210-9589 | metroveincenters.com

Charity Calendar

VARIETY COCKTAILS & CUISINE

Feb. 5, 6 to 9 p.m. variety-detroit.com

Variety, the Children’s Charity is pleased to announce that Variety Cocktails & Cuisine will be held on Thursday, Feb. 5, from 6-9 p.m. at The Townsend Hotel. This savory evening will benefit Variety’s core programs serving children with unique and special needs.

During Variety Cocktails & Cuisine, supporters will socialize and stroll their way through the evening with some of metro Detroit’s most talented chefs. Guests will enjoy a taste of the town in the comfort of The Townsend Hotel with cocktails and creative chef’s choice selections from Andiamo, Bella Piatti, Crispelli’s Bakery & Pizzeria, The Hudson Cafe, Streetside Seafood, and more. Food, beverages, raffle opportunities, valet, and entertainment from Collision Six will be provided.

IN THE SPIRITS OF FERTILITY

Feb. 28, 6 to 10 p.m. brilorafertility.com

Join us for the fifth annual In the Spirits of Fertility Gala on Feb. 28 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. This year’s theme pays tribute to the beauty and strength of Michigan’s Great Lakes: symbols of resilience, depth, and connection that mirror the journeys of so many walking through their fertility journey.

Your ticket includes two drink tickets, a catered meal, a special curated gift, and access to an inspiring live and silent auction. Guests will enjoy live music, community, and an evening filled with hope, all while raising vital funds to support individuals and families on their path to parenthood.

Dress to impress, embrace the spirit of the lakes, and join us for a night where compassion and community come together to make waves of change.

10TH ANNUAL WOMEN OF INFLUENCE SUMMIT

March 13, 8 to 11 a.m.

unitedwaysem.org/get-involved/give/affinity-groups/women-united/women-of-influencesummit

United Way’s Women United affinity group proudly presents the 10th annual Women of Influence Summit, a milestone gathering celebrating a decade of leadership, generosity, and collective action. Taking place at the iconic Ford Field, the 2026 summit will unite business owners, executives, thought leaders, and community and corporate partners from across southeast Michigan for a powerful day of connection and inspiration.

Since its inception, the Women of Influence Summit has raised more than $2 million in support of local children and families, while empowering thousands of women through high-impact networking, inspiring keynote speakers, and meaningful opportunities to give, advocate, and volunteer. The 2026 summit honors the rich legacy of women across our community, while looking ahead to the continued work needed to strengthen women, families, and communities across the region.

Attendees will hear from influential women who are making a real difference in southeast Michigan and experience firsthand the power of coming together to create lasting change.

Why This Matters:

Community Commitment: Walker-Miller Energy Services is the presenting sponsor, reinforcing its dedication to investing in people and the communities it serves.

A Landmark Setting: Hosting the summit at Ford Field reflects the event’s growth, influence, and elevated regional presence.

A Critical Moment: As the summit marks its 10th year, it continues to provide vital support at a time when the needs of local families are increasing.

Join us as we celebrate 10 years of impact and inspire the next decade of progress.

ALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS ROLE MODEL CELEBRATION

March 5, 6 to 9 p.m.

alternativesforgirls.org/support/role-modelcelebration

In 1987, AFG began as a community effort to help girls and young women in southwest Detroit avoid violence, early pregnancy, and exploitation. The organization serves girls and young women experiencing homelessness and other risks through shelter, prevention, outreach, and housing stability, helping them explore and access the support, resources, and opportunities necessary to be safe, grow strong, and make positive life choices.

The Role Model Celebration, first held in 1989, is AFG’s biggest fundraising event of the year. The 2025 Role Model Celebration takes place on March 6 in recognition of International Women’s Day. This is the premier event in the Detroit area, celebrating the achievements of extraordinary women in the community and the accomplishments of the girls and young women AFG serves. The Role Model Celebration features both live and silent auctions, honored role models, and testimonials.

The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan’s Kidney Ball

PHOTOS BY ERIN MARIE MILLER

THE 20TH ANNUAL Kidney Ball took place at The Monarch Ballroom at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth and featured a cocktail reception, a plated dinner, dessert, a silent and live auction, and live entertainment. The ball was co-chaired by Dr. John Magee of the University of Michigan Transplant Center, Loren Venegas of Ideal Group, and Patrick A. Rugiero of Roman Village Restaurant Group. To learn more about the work of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, visit nkfm.org

Grand Opening Party for RH Detroit, The Gallery in Birmingham

PHOTOS BY LINDSAY SCHWEIKERT AND JENNY RISHER

ON NOV. 19, 2025 , RH celebrated the unveiling of RH Detroit, The Gallery in Birmingham with a grand opening event benefiting The Children’s Center. RH Detroit, The Gallery in Birmingham is housed in a four-floor, 60,000-square-foot space that is also home to the RH Rooftop Restaurant, which boasts a curated menu of American and Mediterranean classics. Guests included some of Detroit’s biggest names in philanthropy, arts, sports, and business. Complete details on this new design gallery are available at rh.com.

The 2025 Hob Nobble Gobble

THE 2025 HOB NOBBLE GOBBLE took place on Nov. 21 at Ford Field in downtown Detroit. Presented by Ford Motor Company and hosted by The Parade Company, the annual event raises funds to put on America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit. In addition to a variety of food, drinks, and desserts, the event also features games, carnival rides, pictures with Santa Claus, and more. To learn more about the Hob Nobble Gobble and other events by The Parade Company, visit theparade.org

Grace Centers of Hope’s Night of Hope Gala

THIS ANNUAL EVENT raises funds for the Children’s Program at Grace Centers of Hope, which provides a safe environment for children whose parents are working toward longterm recovery and stability. Guests at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester enjoyed appetizers, an entrée, dessert, cocktails, and other refreshments. The gala also featured a silent auction with over 150 items, including handcrafted pieces from the Children’s Program. To learn more about the services provided by the organization, go to gracecentersofhope.org

THE WAY IT WAS

1972

ERMA HENDERSON, one of the most influential and respected politicians in Detroit history, was a trailblazing advocate for civil rights and women’s rights even before 1972, when she became the first Black woman elected to the Detroit Common Council. For 12 of her 16 years on the council, she served as president before leaving her seat in 1989 upon losing a mayoral primary to Coleman Young.

Among her many accomplishments, in 1975, Henderson organized the Michigan Statewide Coalition Against Redlining, which led to state legislation that outlawed the discriminatory loan and insurance practice in which minorities were given less favorable rates and terms.

Born in Pensacola, Florida, in 1917, Henderson and her family moved to Detroit within a year, where she earned a master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University.

Her first major triumph in Detroit politics was in 1957, when she successfully managed the campaign for William Patrick, who became the first Black Detroit city councilman since Dr. Samuel C. Watson in 1883. Following the 1967 Detroit civil disturbance, Henderson became the executive director of the Equal Justice Council, an

organization that monitored and compiled data on the treatment of Black people in the judicial system.

Henderson later organized the Women’s Conference of Concerns, a coalition that strived to improve the quality of city life for everyone, and Women in Municipal Government, an initiative that brought women working in city government together from across the nation. Outside of Detroit, she spoke fervently about many issues worldwide.

In 1990, Henderson was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. On the organization’s website, she is described as being “Michigan’s own ambassador for peace and racial harmony … whether addressing the World Peace Council on disarmament in Helsinki, speaking out against apartheid at the United Nations, attending a presidential briefing on the Panama Canal, participating in international women’s conferences in Mexico City or Nairobi, touring the island country of Grenada, or leading a delegation of council colleagues to meet with sister-city counterparts in Germany, Yugoslavia, and the former Soviet Union.”

After her passing in 2009 at age 92, local, state, and national figures paid tribute, including Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm, who said in part: “Erma’s enthusiasm for helping and mentoring others, her strength, and her fight for justice will be remembered for generations.” Henderson is entombed at Elmwood Cemetery in a public mausoleum. A 34-acre park on the Detroit riverfront and an adjacent marina are named in her honor. —Bill Dow