PRESENTED BY

METROPOLITAN
DETROITS

2015

METROPOLITAN DETROIT DINING GUIDE | 2015

DINING
GUIDE

FOOD SCENE
EXPLODES WITH
VIBRANT NEW
RESTAURANTS

&

MORE SEATS
ON THE BRUNCH
BANDWAGON

LA DULCES

TAPAS COMPOSITION NO. 1

PUBLICATION

000.Cover.2015.indd 1

of Hour Media

12/2/14 10:14 AM

SPECIALTIES OF THE HO USE

A Vibrant Scene

Metro Detroit diners benefit as a rapidly growing list of impressive new

eateries join the wealth of enduring classics
B Y M O L LY A B R A H A M

heres a lot to cheer about on the vibrant 2015

restaurant scene. We not only have a wealth
of enduring classics that manage to provide
exceptional food and service year after year
places like Tre Monti, Beverly Hills Grill,
The Lark, the Rattlesnake Club, and Iridescence but weve
also welcomed impressive newcomers at a record pace over
the past year or so. They include major productions and modest but appealing cafes.
Even the esteemed Michelin Guide is recognizing the
value of restaurants that are not the typical white-tablecloth
establishments and that certainly fits in with tastes here
and across the country. Good food is paramount, of course,
but diners also want places that are comfortable, stylish but
still casual, and have a discernible personality. Coming into
an already competitive field, these newbies must set themselves apart in some way in order to be noticed.
It just doesnt work to follow the pack with repetitive
menus and unimaginative settings. La Dulce, a bright new
face in downtown Royal Oak, makes its mark with tapas,
churros, and a lot of Spanish/Mexican verve. Bistro 82,
another new attraction in Royal Oak, exudes urbanity from
its menu and wine list presented on interactive tablet menus
to the under-lit black and gold onyx bar that is one of the
elements of a sophisticated decor. Its a tribute to the skill
in the kitchen that the handsomely composed plates delivered to the tables look and taste just as good as their tablet
images suggest.
Ferndales Torino checks in with a tasting menu that
changes monthly. No chance of getting bored either for
those enjoying the stunningly presented courses in the dining room or for the culinarians in the kitchen, where the
ever-changing fare keeps the staff on top of their game.
The Stand, or to give it its full title, The Stand Gastro
Bistro, has chosen charcuterie as a signature, and it fits the
rustic setting that includes repurposed wood from old De-

36 METROPOLITAN DETROIT DINING GUIDE 2015

troit structures. Chef and co-proprietor Paul Grosz, in fact,

is an instructor in charcuterie at Schoolcraft College, and he
knows his way around the cured and dried meats. A beautiful board of country pt, chicken galantine, and hunter
sausage is a menu staple at the Birmingham spot. Just down
the street, Bistro Joes emphasizes creative cocktails including a great mojito and an array of single malt scotches from
its balcony perch overlooking Papa Joes Market.
At downtown Detroits Wright & Co., where the bartenders behind the long white marble bar use fresh herbs and
house-made essences to prepare signature drinks, the vibe
is a blend of old and new Detroit. The restaurant on the
second floor of the 1891 structure features a small plates
menu and beautifully combines its tin-ceilinged vintage setting with contemporary furnishings. Co-proprietor Marc
Djozlija says he and partner Dave Kwiatkowski wanted
Wright named for the jewelry store that was the face of
the building for many years to be the kind of place they
would look for when out of town. Thats an apt description
of what theyve achieved, while helping save some of Detroits vintage architecture.
Grosse Pointes Marais is named for chef/proprietor David
Gilbert and wife Monicas favorite section of Paris. Here, he
and his staff prepare beautiful plates of French-inspired fare.
The more traditional but still warm setting underscores the
cuisine with an extensive wine list. As popular as craft cocktails have become, outstanding wine lists that set restaurants
apart from the crowd are equally important, as indicated by
the cellars at Joe Muer Seafood, Roast, Coach Insignia, and
The Whitney.
Within these pages, youll find helpful information that
will lead you not only to the enduring classics but also to the
array of new and exciting dining destinations. In order to
succeed in a volatile industry, restaurants that set themselves
apart from the crowd in a distinctive way will be around not
just this year, but when the 2016 Dining Guide arrives.

SPECIALTIES OF THE HOUSE

BISTRO 82
Scottish Salmon
Scottish Salmon features the freshest fish, complemented
by succotash, purple potato, and pistou broth.

METROPOLITAN DETROIT DINING GUIDE 2015 39