Troy, MI February 2026

IN LOVE WITH LOCAL

CELEBRATING CULTURE

COMMUNITY

RESTAURANTS

ROMANCE & MORE

Love Local, Always

As February arrives, I feel that familiar pull between resisting a commercialized holiday and embracing the simple joy behind it. Valentine’s Day may come wrapped in red and pink, but at its heart, it’s really about connection — pausing long enough to appreciate the people, places and stories that make life in Troy so rich.

That idea sits at the center of our February issue.  Love Local isn’t just a theme for us — it’s a way of seeing our community.

We spotlight The DRIPBaR Troy, a local IV vitamin-therapy salon dedicated to helping you feel your best year-round. And we share a curated roundup of local restaurants — perfect for date nights, family dinners or spontaneous midweek meals.

But loving local doesn’t mean staying close to home. Often, the stories that shape us most are ones that begin in Troy and carry us far beyond our city limits.

In this issue, you’ll meet one of our own photographers, Simran Bajwa, who traveled to India to prepare for his wedding. His story comes full circle back at home, where those cultural roots were honored in a traditional Indian wedding — a beautiful reminder that while our roots may be local, our lives and love stories are often wonderfully global.

You’ll also travel to Paris (the timeless City of Love) and Provence through the eyes of our travel writer, Cindy Stewart. It’s a beautiful contrast: the romance of a global destination paired with the grounding comfort of coming home.

As winter slowly loosens its grip, I hope this issue encourages you to celebrate love in all its forms — near, far and everywhere in between.

Here’s to a February filled with a little extra local love.

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Todd Haight | todd.haight@citylifestyle.com

CO-PUBLISHER

Margaret Meyer Haight margaret.haight@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Lynne Konstantin | lynne.konstantin@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Allison Sommerville

allison.sommerville@citylifestyle.com

Julie Flores

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Jessica Parsons | jessica.parsons@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Linda Ditch, Cindy Stewart

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Simran Bajwa, Cindy Stewart

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

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Peak Physique Troy Announces Peak Online

Lissa and Nick Pietrykowski, co-owners of Peak Physique Fitness Training and Peak Women, are excited to announce the launch of Peak Online. Peak Online brings Peak personal training to clients that are located outside of Troy and the surrounding areas — even outside of Michigan. Peakphysiquetroy.com; peakwomentroy.com; (248) 879-3141.

JOY

A local couple unites Western traditions with Indian culture for their wedding celebrations.

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH

When Simran Bajwa swiped right on a dating app, he had no idea he was about to match with his future wife — or that their wedding would become a breathtaking fusion of two worlds.

The local couple’s Cincinnati celebration this last spring brought together the spiritual depth and beauty of their Punjabi Sikh heritage with the modern details of American weddings. The result? A three-day extravaganza that honored sacred traditions that date back centuries and was characterized by an atmosphere filled with warmth, joy and spirituality.

“From the very first conversation, it felt like we had known each other forever,” Jasmeen says. Within weeks of connecting online, the couple discovered they were kindred spirits — both passionate about passport stamps, spontaneous road trips and living a life unscripted.

“We instantly connected over our shared love for travel, adventure and living in the moment,” she says. “What started as a simple match quickly turned into something truly special.”

Simran, a network engineer at General Motors who’s also Troy City Lifestyle ’s staff photographer with an eye for the cinematic, knew the proposal had to be unforgettable. He orchestrated an elaborate surprise on a Downtown Detroit helipad, replete with hundreds of flickering candles and “Will you marry me?” spelled out in glowing lights against the city skyline.

“I wanted to show her that I loved exploring the world with her,” Simran says, “and that I wanted to spend forever with her by my side.”

Traditional Sikh weddings in Punjab are legendary for their scale — multi-day affairs with guest lists that can swell into the thousands. But for the growing Sikh diaspora in America, couples like Simran and Jasmeen are reimagining these celebrations for a new context. Their Cincinnati wedding compressed some traditions, expanded others and wove in distinctly Western touches in attire and a Western-style reception with a tiered cake alongside traditional Indian sweets.

Among the most glorious traditions to behold is the clothing. “Sikh wedding attire is deeply rooted in tradition, symbolism and fine craftsmanship,” Jasmeen says. “Brides wear richly detailed lehengas or salwar suits in vibrant, auspicious colors and luxurious fabrics, while grooms wear sherwanis with turbans that reflect honor and faith. Elements such as the bride’s choora and kalire [bangles] and heirloom jewelry — my mom designed the gold bangles in front of the red ones, for example — carry cultural meaning and family history. Together, these details celebrate heritage and the joy of marriage.”

The pre-wedding festivities unfolded over six unforgettable days, beginning in Cincinnati with a prayer service to officially mark the start of the wedding celebrations. Mehendi Night brought close family and friends together as the bride’s hands and feet were adorned with intricate henna designs amid music and dance.

The following evening featured the Sangeet, a lively celebration filled with performances honoring the upcoming union, and the next night brought a formal dinner on the bride’s side, welcoming the groom’s family in a gathering similar to a rehearsal dinner. The sacred Anand Karaj ceremony — the Sikh wedding rite, translating to “Ceremony of Bliss” — was held in a gurdwara before the Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the holy scripture, as the couple sat side-by-side as the Granthi (priest) recited prayers. Four times they walked clockwise around the scripture, each circumambulation representing a fundamental vow: a commitment to righteousness and duty, to spiritual union, to detachment from worldly desire and finally, to achieving inner peace together.

The celebrations culminated with a reception in Michigan. “I was so lucky to have my closest family and friends by my side throughout the entire wedding — they made every moment so special,” Jasmeen says. “Especially my mom, for supporting me with so much love.

“Sikh weddings emphasize community and togetherness,” Jasmeen says. “Guests are treated like family, and there’s a strong feeling of inclusion and support. It feels like a heartfelt celebration full of love, faith and the joyous promise of a new beginning.

“Regardless of cultural background, weddings can be overwhelming,” Jasmeen says. “It’s crucial for families, and especially the bride and groom, to fully embrace and savor the moment. Though it’s not always easy, being truly present and cherishing the experience is what makes the day unforgettable.”

With celebrations comprised of so many special moments, one stood out to Jasmeen: the Anand Karaj. “By giving my heart to the Lord first, I was graced with the most beautiful gift — my forever love,” she says. “It was a deeply spiritual and emotional moment, surrounded by family, faith and the promise of a lifetime together.”

Discover Life Without Reflux Medication

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CINDY STEWART

“Our home was an 18th-century farmhouse wrapped in olive groves and lavender fields.”

From Paris to Provence

A

yoga journey through France.

I started practicing yoga 15 years ago, never expecting it would become my passport to the world. My latest retreat with The Travel Yogi and Explore Yoga took me to France, with a backdrop of ancient history, world-class art, food and fashion and sun-drenched lavender fields.

Landing in the City of Love, our group settled into a centrally located Airbnb with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Built in 1889 for the Exposition Universelle, it towers at more than 1,000 feet tall — be sure to catch a view at night, when its lights sparkle for five minutes every hour.

Paris is a walker’s paradise, and we logged tens of thousands of steps before even reaching Provence for our yoga retreat. A word to the wise: Forget about driving in Paris. The traffic is legendarily chaotic — plus, you’d miss the experience of stumbling upon a hidden patisserie or a centuries-old bookshop while strolling through the Marais. The metro and buses will get you anywhere you need to go, and your feet will do the rest.

With only a few days in the capital, we hit the highlights: the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and the Musee D’Orsay, the grand sweep of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and of course, NotreDame Cathedral.

Notre-Dame Cathedral stands as a major Parisian landmark, representing architectural styles that span from its

start in 1163 until its primary completion in 1260. The cathedral has undergone significant reconstruction, notably after the French Revolution and a fire in 2019. Our visit coincided with Mass, adding depth to our appreciation of the impressive façade. Paris is home to between 135 and 150 museums — this city has been collecting treasures for a thousand years. We chose two of the giants: the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay.

Our guide Gabriella led us through the Louvre’s galleries, pointing out hidden details in Renaissance paintings, explaining the evolution of French furniture design and depositing us in front of the “Mona Lisa” — much smaller than expected but an enigmatic highlight.

The Musée d’Orsay, housed in a converted railway station, is home to the world’s finest collection of Impressionist art. We wandered past Monet’s water lilies, Renoir’s sun-dappled scenes and Van Gogh’s swirling skies. Both museums deepened our appreciation for Paris’ rich cultural landscape.

While Paris was remarkable, I found Provence to be even more appealing. Just a three-hour train ride away, Les Baux-de-Provence is a hilltop town with roots stretching back to 6000 BCE and official records from the 10th century. Cobblestone streets wind past artisan shops and intimate restaurants, leading to

a lookout point where the Alpilles mountains stretched endlessly before us.

Our home for the retreat was Mas Millesime, an 18th-century farmhouse wrapped in olive groves and lavender fields. Hosts Charline and Ronald produce their own olive oil from 85 trees on the property and Chef Catherine, whose exquisite cooking was demonstrated during a lesson, heightened the exceptional experience.

Each morning and evening began with yoga led by Marie, followed by guided excursions with Aurelien. We visited historic Avignon — including the Palais des Papes, once the papal seat

— browsed St. Remy’s weekly market, and admired Pont du Gard, a remarkable Roman aqueduct that has carried water for nearly 2,000 years.

We explored the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, whose wine dates to the 17th century. And at the St. Paul Asylum, where Vincent Van Gogh spent a prolific year, we walked the same gardens that inspired 150 paintings, including “Starry Night.”

My advice: If you plan to head to France, wear comfortable shoes, leave room to bring home French chocolate and decadent desserts, and get ready for plenty of photos. Every corner of this country deserves to be remembered.

INSIDE THE DRIPBAR TROY — WHERE WELLNESS MEETS PEACE OF MIND.

FINDING CALM IN THE CHAOS

On a busy afternoon at The DRIPBaR Troy, the scene feels less like a medical spa and more like a family gathering. Children jump on the chairs. Sisters talk over one another. Someone is hungry. Someone else is annoyed. And in the center of it all, owner Ruksana Salam reclines peacefully, an IV drip quietly doing its work.

The moment captures both the rhythm of her life — and the philosophy behind her business.

“Wellness isn’t just about feeling better physically,” says Salam, owner of The DRIPBaR Troy (thedripbar.com/troy-mi). “It’s about finding calmness when life is loud.”

Raised in a large, close-knit Bangladeshi family, Salam grew up surrounded by constant activity. Her sisters — Gina, Amina, Syeda and Farjana — are, by her own affectionate description, “incredibly opinionated.” Her brother, Shahan (“Sean”), nephews, nieces and her mother, Shalina, add to what she calls “pure chaos — in the best way.”

That natural, chaotic energy carried into the Troy City Lifestyle photo shoot. “This is what it’s all about,” Salam says. “Supporting your body so you can stay calm and grounded, even when life is busy.”

Salam’s path to IV therapy began years ago while working alongside Dr. George Howard, a Sterling Heights-based medical oncologist. She saw how stress, fatigue, seasonal changes and Michigan winters quietly deplete the body long before illness appears.

“We don’t realize how run down we are until we finally give our body what it needs,” she says.

That understanding led her to open The DRIPBaR Troy, offering IV vitamin therapy, injections, red-light therapy and compression therapy — all overseen by medical directors. In addition to Dr. Howard, now her business partner and mentor, the practice is supported by Dr. Victor Farris, a physician with a sports-medicine background.

With their expertise, Salam focuses on serving everyone from cancer patients to athletes to moms — people who are often giving more than they’re replenishing.

“That medical oversight matters,” she explains. “Not every treatment is right for everyone, and physician involvement allows us to personalize care responsibly.”

And comfortably. Clients frequently comment on the warmth of the studio. Salam credits her team — whom clients affectionately call their “heroes” — for creating that experience.

The menu of treatment options quickly reveals just how much modern life asks of the body. There are IV drips designed for energy, immunity, recovery and anti-aging, along with options featuring NAD, vitamin C and other nutrients. Choose maternal wellness support, even heavy metal detoxification — there are so many choices, made easier by monthly memberships that include unlimited red-light therapy.

For Salam, the mission is deeply personal. As a mother to a toddler, she understands exhaustion on a cellular level. She opened the business the same year she gave birth — finalizing leases while in labor and learning to balance entrepreneurship and motherhood in real time.

Her husband, Sul — also an entrepreneur — never hesitated with his support. “I’d rather you try and fail than never try at all,” he told her.

That encouragement echoes the pride she felt when her mother attended the shoot, watching quietly from the sidelines. “Seeing her there,” Salam says, “seeing her proud — that meant everything.”

Swoon-Worthy SPOTS

Whether it’s date night or girls’ night — where to wine and dine this Valentine’s Day.

ARTICLE BY CINDY STEWART

PICANO’S ITALIAN GRILLE

Domenic Picano arrived in Michigan from Cassino, Italy, in 1949, armed with a passion for food and the dream of a future in the restaurant industry.

On a cold, snowy day in January 1985, Picano realized his dream. He opened Picano’s Italian Grille in Troy with one goal: “To provide an authentic Italian dining experience with Old World recipes using only the finest ingredients,” he says. This Valentine’s Day, share in his passion with someone special — bring them to Picano’s for an evening of time-honored Italian cuisine.

Walk into Picano’s Italian Grille and you’ll notice something different — everything is made by hand. The pasta. The sauces. The house-made ravioli, gnocchi, lasagna and more, created by chef William Hall. Even the smallest details, from the menu to the table linens, reflect a commitment to doing things the right way, not the easy way.

The wine list reads like a journey through Italy’s vineyards, with stops in Napa Valley and beyond. Whether you know exactly what you want or prefer a recommendation from someone who’s tasted every bottle, the staff will help you find something that elevates your meal.

Buon appetito.

3775 Rochester Road | (248) 689 - 8050 | picanos.com

KONA GRILL

Treat your loved one to a memorable Valentine’s Day dining experience at Kona Grill, offering a unique combination of upscale American food freshly prepared in a scratch kitchen — resulting in a fusion of global flavors, lively atmosphere and a commitment to fresh ingredients. Savor creations from the award-winning sushi bar, featuring the fan-favorite Picasso Roll, the signature Kona Filet or the Passion Fruit Margarita. Spoil your date and dig into scrumptious carrot cake, decadent double-stack brownie topped with vanilla and caramel cream or butter cake with raspberry sauce and ice cream.

30 E. Big Beaver Road | (248) 619-9060 konagrill.com

BENIHANA

In postwar Tokyo, samurai descendent Yunosuke Aoki opened a coffee shop with his wife, Katsu. Their son, Rocky, brought teppanyaki to America in 1964, opening the first Benihana on West 56th Street — pioneering the concept of communal dining around a Japanese hibachi grill. Trained chefs performed intricate knife work tableside, delighting diners with both theater and flavor. After a rave review from critic Clementine Paddleford, the restaurant paid for itself in six months.

Gather up a group for a fun-filled, high-energy — and delicious — Galentine’s that brings Japanese tradition to life with teppanyaki favorites, from premium steak and chicken to fresh seafood and vegetables.

1985 W. Big Beaver Road | (248) 519-4994 benihana.com

MELTING POT

Want a uniquely romantic, and retro, Valentine experience? Share fondue at Melting Pot — an upscale venue known for its lively and communal atmosphere, where guests can savor a variety of foods dipped into cheese, chocolate or other warm, melted treats. Want to up the romance? Request a table adorned with rose petals and a floating candle, one of the restaurant’s wide array of enchanting options for special occasions, including a fivecourse Valentine’s Day dinner.

888 W. Big Beaver Road | (248) 362-2221 meltingpot.com

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