Eating like a local:
Regional food specialties
- Eating in a New Detroit
In the past I've focused primarily on the places that refused to give up on Detroit.
Today I thought I'd add a section on the spots helping build a new
Detroit. There's countless articles out there about the new generation
of artists, young businessmen, and industry people etc moving into an
area that was once as rich as any. Not to mention the Chinese and
English firms that have been buying up land to the point where the days
of a $20,000 building are gone. I myself do some business in the area
and when not indulging in the riches of
Middle Eastern eats next door in Dearborn, or enjoying the
best fish n' chips outside of the UK and Canada, or
eating ham sandwiches stacked sky high, or enjoying
real deal old fashioned burgers, these are some of the newly opened spots I've
enjoyed.
The Green Rush is in full flow mode
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One
of the major bricks in building a new Detroit is modern art. There's
countless galleries featuring the work of people from all over the
globe. One of the more concentrated places featuring these montages is
the MOCAD aka Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit.
MOCAD
I'll
admit I'm not the biggest art geek in the world but I find myself more
appreciative of it as I get older. MOCAD is a non-collecting museum so I
don't think anyone has a right to complain about the work they're
showing.
a peek inside
After
a walk around the former car dealership turned museum we decided it was
time. Lets be real, the real reason we were here was to eat and drink.
Attached to the museum is Cafe 78 where they're serving food and drinks
in a large open space with young entrepreneurs showing off their craft.
On this day a young lady from Seattle was selling her '
Detroit is the New Black' clothing line and people were waiting to purchase an item to
showcase. It's a tight knit community. The bar here has become a staple
for me when in town. I think they have the best cocktails in these
parts. It's all about the colors.
Cocktail Menu based off the Pantone Color Palette
Brunch Cocktails
Don't
sleep on the food. Cafe 78 offers a bar menu and also brunch on
Sunday's which was the showcase on my recent visit with the lady.
We decided to split a Croque Madame sandwich and it was glorious. As
followers of this thread know Detroit is as serious about its ham as
they are the cars.
Croque Madame Sandwich at Cafe 78 inside the MOCAD
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Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails
Continuing
on in this area, around the corner from MOCAD is a kitchen and bar
focusing on Chartreuse and art. I've only been in here once which was my most
recent visit with the lady. I thought the drinks were prety good while the
small plate of charred octopus was enjoyed, though I have had more
tender. Including from a place visited later that night.
Grilled Spanish Octopus- fennel, pickled onion, chorizo, cucumber, chili, sea salt
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Wright & Co.
One of the things I really love about this industry renaissance is the
fact they're opening businesses in beautiful old buildings and
neighborhoods. Wright & Co. sits on the second floor of the historic
Wright-Kay Building,
one of the oldest in Detroit. I love the views of downtown from inside
but must admit that the food menu feels a little bit like it's circa
2003 though the vibes are fantastic. I've enjoyed the plates I've tried
but none of them are anything new. The bartenders are well informed and
will make you most anything or surprise you with something after telling
them what you like.
Sitting at the bar inside
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Corktown
The
biggest concentration of new age spots opening up shop is happening in
Detroit's oldest neighborhood. When Slow's BBQ debuted some 10 years ago
it turned this stretch of Michigan avenue around. Handfuls of
businesses have followed the smell of the smoke and opened in the area.
Two James Distillery
is the first in Detroit since per-prohibition. The cocktails are a
little expensive for the city but it's worth a stop for a shot.
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Rubbed
This
Corktown sandwich shop is the concept of a couple longtime restaurant
vets who moved back from San Francisco to make their dream a reality.
Most delis in Detroit are all about the corned beef but Rubbed is
focused in on cured meats and such. They make their own stuff on-site
and offer it by the pound and also in sandwiches. The 'East-Sider' is a
favorite of mine. It packs soppressata, capicola, pepperoni, honey ham,
provolone, bacon–herb spread, lettuce, tomato, onion, sweet peppers into
their fresh bread and its awesome though on my last trip in it was 94
degrees and the 'Yooper' seemed appropriate. Since it was brunch time
they had thick crisp local bacon ad I asked them to add that on on top
of the smoked whitefish. Standard toppings are Swiss, lettuce,
tomato, onion, carrot.
The Yooper Sandwich
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Gold Cash Gold
Down
the street is this former pawn shop turned restaurant. They call the
food here "farmstead fine food" and it all comes from nearby farms and
or the kitchen where they make many items in house. The fried chicken is
pretty damn good as is the burger and the cocktails. It can also be a
nice place to enjoy some drinks.
Pure Michigan
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Johnny Noodle King
Out
with the old and in with the new. RIP Johnny Ham King. At least they paid homage to the
former tenant and kept the building up, and after all it aint like it
was Mike's. I decided to finally try this popular Corktown spot with the
bridge to Canada overlooking it on the
rec of a local writer
for New City. He's also a freind and rec'd the tableside
torched mackerel and I cant argue with that. The pieces
basically melted in your mouth. All in all this place was solid enough
that we went back on the same trip. The gyoza is great as is the bacon
fried rice and daily bao bun selection, get the ham if they have it. The
broth in the ramen was a bit mellow but the porkbelly was cooked
perfectly.
Tableside Torched Mackerel
Char Siu Bun
Housemade Pork Gyoza
Bacon Fried Rice
Shoyu Ramen
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Selden Standard
Last
but not least is my favorite "new" place to eat in the D. I'm not
sharing any secret with this one as it's probably 1000's of others
favorite spot to eat in town too. It's been named restaurant of the year
and been reviewed by every local publication and had handfuls of
national reviews. Selden Standard is a seasonal shared plate experience
where many of the dishes are made on their wood roasting grill.
Sitting at the grill bar
My
recent birthday weekend meal here will no doubt make my year end best
list. I thought everything we ate could've qualified as the best thing
I've ate lately. If it sounds good to you, then you'll probably
enjoy it. These guys are killing it, food and drink.
Charred Octopus - Fennel, citrus, olive, saffron
Sweet Pea Agnolotti - Garlic scapes, almond, brown butter
Smoked Lamb Ribs - Garlic scapes, yogurt, lemon
Strawberry Rhubarb Sundae - Salt & pepper ice cream, shortbread
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Cafe 78 at MOCAD
4454 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 832-6622
Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails
15 E Kirby St
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 818-3915
Wright & Co.
1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-7711
Two James Spirits
2445 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, MI 48184
(313) 964-4800
Rubbed
2015 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 265-3684
Gold Cash Gold
2100 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 242-0770
Johnny Noodle King
2601 W Fort St
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 309-7946
Selden Standard
3921 2nd Ave
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 438-5055
