Hour Detroit | September 2023

on the town

THIS SEASON’S HOTTEST FASHIONS

DINNER SERIES

Oct 2-5 2023

Hour Detroit magazine’s Savor Detroit returns for a four-night dinner series featuring custom menus developed by the city’s most celebrated chefs. Each night, a duo of chefs prepares a one-of-a-kind four-course meal complete with thoughtfully selected wine pairings. Guests also enjoy a cocktail hour, light appetizers, live entertainment, and unique art installations for the ultimate culinary experience.

FEATURED CHEFS

Monday, October 2

James Rigato, Mabel Gray mabelgraykitchen.com

James Rigato is the chef/owner of Mabel Gray in Hazel Park. A Michigan native and Schoolcraft College graduate, his philosophy on cooking stems from a lifelong love of food and an appreciation for the diverse agricultural area in which he was raised. Chef Rigato’s contemporary American cuisine with a Michigan focus has garnered regional and national attention, including The Detroit Free Press 2012 Restaurant of the Year award, 2012 Food & Wine The People’s Best New Chef: Great Lakes nomination, 2015 Food & Wine The People’s Best New Chef: Great Lakes Award and appearances on Cooking Channel, Food Network, NatGeo and was a cheftestant on Top Chef Season 12. He was nominated Best Chef: Great Lakes by the James Beard Foundation in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022.

Sarah Welch, Marrow marrowdetroit.com/about

Sarah Welch is the partner and executive chef of Marrow Detroit. She was raised in both Jamaica and Michigan, and studied at New York’s French Culinary Institute. Her rich background is shown in her food, as well as her appreciation for the local farming community, which she highlights in many of her meals.

Tuesday, October 3

Anthony Lombardo, SheWolf shewolfdetroit.com

Chef Anthony Lombardo is the co-owner and chef of SheWolf Pastificio & Bar. He graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in New York, and before opening SheWolf Lombardo worked in various well-known establishments in Washington D.C., Italy, Chicago, and Michigan. His love for cooking and taking care of people are what make him such a successful chef.

Ji Hye Kim, Miss Kim misskimannarbor.com

Ji Hye Kim is not your typical Chef story. In fact, it took Kim 30 years and a job at a Hospital for her to realize she wanted to work in the culinary field. She got her start working at Zingerman’s Delicatessen and through a program there, put herself through culinary business school. After a lot of hard-work and cuisine research she opened Miss Kim in 2016. She wanted her food to be rooted in traditional Korean recipes while incorporating local Michigan produce. In the future she hopes to write a cookbook and potentially open another restaurant.

Wednesday, October 4

John Vermiglio, Grey Ghost greyghostdetroit.com

John Vermiglio is a Detroit-born chef with extensive culinary training and experience. After working in various restaurant positions and catering jobs, he honed/ sharpened his skills under talented chefs like Charlie Trotter and Graham Elliot Bowles in Chicago. Eventually, he returned to Detroit and opened Grey Ghost, a popular cocktailcentric restaurant in Brush Park, marking the beginning of his culinary ventures in his hometown.

Mamba Hamissi, Baobab Fare baobabfare.com

Mamba Hamissi and his wife Nadia are refugees from Burundi who found safety and opportunity in the United States. They coown Baobab Fare, a restaurant in Detroit that introduces East African cuisine to the community. Despite facing challenges, they have shown resilience, generosity, and a commitment to preparing their children for the future. Their journey demonstrates the positive impact of immigrants and the power of unity in the face of adversity, along with hope to those who seek refuge.

Thursday, October 5

Doug Hewitt, Freya & Chartreuse freyadetroit.com

Doug Hewitt is the executive chef at both Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails and Freya. 2023 James Beard Semifinalist, Outstanding Restaurateurs, Hewitt has worked at various restaurants and establishments all over Michigan before ending up where he is now. He enjoys utilizing local ingredients to create seasonal and innovative dishes. This year Freya was named one of The New York Times 50 best restaurants.

Brad Greenhill, TAKOI takoidetroit.com

Brad Greenhill is the executive chef and co-owner of TAKOI, located in Detroit MI. Throughout his career in the restaurant industry, he has tackled many different cuisines across both Michigan and Boston, including Italian food, wood-fired dishes, and outdoor BBQs. Now, Greenhill focuses on Thai-inspired cuisine at TAKOI, and continues to bring new flavors to Detroit’s dining scene.

Charity Partner

Habitat for Humanity

Tickets available at savordetroit.com or by scanning the QR code.

DETROIT

VOLUME TWENTY EIGHT ISSUE NINE

PUBLISHER: Jason Hosko

EDITORIAL

EDITOR: Kate Walsh

DEPUTY EDITOR: Scott Atkinson

DIGITAL EDITOR: Christina Clark

ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Jack Thomas

COPY EDITOR: Olivia Sedlacek

CONTRIBUTORS: Ronald Ahrens, Bill Dow, Aaron Foley, Dorothy Hernandez, Ryan Patrick Hooper, Jordan Jewell, Mickey Lyons, Jenn McKee, Megan Swoyer, Anna Traver, Paul Vachon, Robin Watson, Lauren Wethington

INTERNS: Claire Donohoe, Justice Seay, Hannah Young

DESIGN

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Lindsay Richards

SENIOR PRODUCTION ARTIST: Stephanie Daniel

JUNIOR ART DIRECTOR: Steven Prokuda

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Keagan Coop

CONTRIBUTORS: Shannon Bishop, Tatsumi Cline, Emanuel Hahn, Jacob Lewkow, Giuseppa Nadrowski, Jennifer Pickering, Sal Rodriguez, Rebecca Simonov, Gabrielle Yanke

SALES

PUBLISHING AND SALES COORDINATOR: Mikala Bart

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Cynthia Barnhart, Karli Brown, Cathleen Francois, Donna Kassab, Lisa LaBelle, Mary Pantely & Associates, Jessica VanDerMaas

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Jenine Knox

SENIOR PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Jill Berry

PRODUCTION ARTIST: Jonathan Boedecker

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: Amanda Kozlowski

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Jim Bibart, Kathryn Dave

IT

IT DIRECTOR: Jeremy Leland

WEB

DIGITAL DIRECTOR: Nick Britsky

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Matthew Cappo

SENIOR DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST: Luanne Lim

DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS: Jim Bowser, Marissa Jacklyn, Kevin Pell

DIGITAL STRATEGY MANAGER: Travis Fletcher

DIGITAL MEDIA ASSISTANT: Robyn Banks

VIDEO PRODUCER: Nicole Toporowski

VIDEOGRAPHER: Heather Moody

CIRCULATION

CIRCULATION MANAGER: Riley Meyers

CIRCULATION COORDINATORS: David Benvenuto, Susan Combs, Jenna Degowski, Cathy Krajenke, Rachel Moulden, Michele Wold

MARKETING & EVENTS

MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER: Jodie Svagr

MARKETING & EVENTS COORDINATOR: Jaime Presnail

COMMUNICATIONS & PR LEAD: Regan Blissett

MARKETING & EVENTS INTERNS: Morgan Barbat, Delia Bechmann, Natalie Brooks, Julia Tatone, Yessica Villarruel

MARKETING RESEARCH

MARKETING RESEARCH DIRECTOR: Sofia Shevin

MARKETING RESEARCH COORDINATOR: Kristin Mingo

MARKETING RESEARCH SALES COORDINATOR: Alexandra Thompson

MARKETING RESEARCH ASSISTANT: Alyssa Fueri

MARKETING RESEARCH SALES ASSISTANT: Cassandra Morris

PRS GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Alexa Dyer

MARKETING RESEARCH INTERNS: Anna Klucens, Megan Ko, Natalie Manor

BUSINESS

CEO: Stefan Wanczyk

PRESIDENT: John Balardo

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS: Kathie Gorecki

ASSISTANT OFFICE MANAGER: Natasha Bajju

SENIOR ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE: Andrew Kotzian

ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES: Samantha Dick, Austin Schmelzle

DISTRIBUTION: Target Distribution, Troy

5750 NEW KING DRIVE, TROY, MI 48098

TELEPHONE: 248-691-1800 FAX: 248-691-4531

EMAIL: EDITORIAL@HOURDETROIT.COM

ON THE WEB: HOURDETROIT.COM

To sell Hour Detroit magazine or for subscription inquiries: 248-588-1851

LET’S GET AWAY, TOGETHER. AWAY, GET

Set sail for dolphin sightings and sunset cruises. Wander white-sand beaches and colorful, mural-filled streets. And build epic sandcastles before experiencing world-class art at the Salvador Dalí Museum, the Chihuly Collection and so many more museums and galleries. Make every moment a masterpiece in St. Pete/Clearwater. Let’s shine—plan your escape at VisitStPeteClearwater.com

CONTENTS

42

32 On the Town

This year’s Fall Fashion feature takes you to one of metro Detroit’s premier shopping districts to see the season’s hottest looks.

42 Fall Arts & Entertainment Preview

Your definitive guide to local events, performances, and festivals this fall — plus, exclusive conversations with creative Detroiters who are keeping us entertained, and a magical place in Hamtramck.

51 Bodies in Motion

Cruise through the past, present, and future of Detroit’s everevolving and innovative automotive industry.

CONTENTS

Up Front

THE RAW DEAL

These locals jump through loopholes for a liquid the FDA doesn’t want them to drink.

AN ELECTRIFYING EXERCISE

Can you zap your way into obtaining a beach bod? Our staff tries it out.

A WELCOMING PLACE FOR KIDS

A father’s devotion to his autistic son helped hundreds of metro Detroit kids.

24/Seven

SHOOTING STAR

A Detroiter accidentally got into modeling — now she’s recognized around the world.

GETTING REAL (ESTATE)

A former bootleggers’ hideout is now a dream office space in Midtown Detroit.

RED HOT!

Go for a fiery look this fall with these runwayinspired looks you can shop for locally.

Agenda

CULTURE CALENDAR

Free world-class jazz and history tours in Detroit — plus delicious Thai eats and Greta Van Fleet.

GIRL POWER

A new must-read book chronicles the history of Motown’s chart-topping “girl groups” of the ’60s.

AUTO SHOW EXPERT

A veteran Detroit Auto Show presenter recalls a decade of work on stages across the country.

Food&Drink

HIS CIDER HOUSE RULES

The founder of Blake’s Hard Cider talks apples, innovation, and what’s next for the rapidly growing business.

MORE IS MORE Dining, cocktails, social events, and work are all under one extremely large roof at Venue in Ann Arbor.

Behind the Scenes

HOUR DETROIT HAS BEEN KNOWN for its on point fashion coverage since day one (in 1996), but it wasn’t until 2007 that the September issue became home to our Fall Fashion feature. Although Anna Wintour’s name doesn’t grace our masthead, we do have a pretty crafty team of creatives of our own. For this year’s feature, we wanted to highlight the “it” girl. We went paparazzistyle and followed our model — dressed in bold colors, sheer skirts, and fun crop tops — around the streets of Birmingham. We were stopped a few times from bystanders asking, “Who is she? Is she famous?” “We may have played along a time or two,” chuckles Creative Director Lindsay Richards.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FASHION ERA?

Jenn McKee

WROTE “GIRL POWER,”

PAGE 83

“One reason I became obsessed with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was the gorgeous, era-specific costume design. … From the housewifey A-line dresses to the pencil skirt silhouettes adopted by 1960s working women, Midge always looked both feminine and fierce.” Jenn McKee is a journalist/essayist (and part-time library page) who lives in Farmington. Her work has appeared in Good Housekeeping Shondaland, The Writer, Scary Mommy, Your Teen magazine, American Theatre magazine, and more. Follow her introvert adventures on Instagram (@criticaljenn) and Twitter (@jennmckee).

Jennifer Pickering

STYLED “ON THE TOWN,”

PAGE 32

“My favorite era for fashion is probably the ’50s and ’60s because Audrey Hepburn is my style icon. I fell in love with her sense of fashion after seeing her movie Charade in fourth grade at my grandma’s house.”

Jennifer Pickering graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising. She began freelancing for Hour Detroit in 2013. She also has her own lifestyle site, curatedbyjennifer.com, where she focuses on sustainable fashion and healthy living.

Megan Swoyer

WROTE “GETTING REAL (ESTATE),”

PAGE 29

“My favorite fashion era has to be the 1960s into the 1970s. Loafers, bobs, tights, boots, cardigans, shift-style dresses, and bright colors are a huge part of my history growing up with a lot of fashionable siblings and parents who personified the era. I’ve always loved Lilly Pulitzer’s bright, classic pieces.” Megan Swoyer is the editor of Hour Media’s Detroit Design and Michigan Blue magazines. She has been working with Hour Media for 18 years on various projects, from feature writing to books to mall publications to magazines. When she’s not writing and editing, Swoyer teaches watercolor painting throughout Michigan.

EDITOR’S LETTER

Sometimes I go to the library for fun. It’s a

from taking part in

story times as a child to attending lectures as an adult, and years of browsing books, CDs, and movies along the way. A recent lunchtime visit to the Troy Public Library brought up memories of the latter and what a game changer VHS rentals were.

I think it was 1983 when my family finally bought a VCR. It wasn’t too long after the purchase that we learned that at the Troy library, we could check out any movie, at no cost, and keep it for a week!

I still remember entering the video room and seeing the rows of classic films on display. I was a huge movie fan, and it truly felt like I had discovered a Wonka Golden Ticket. Up until that day, the only way to watch a classic film had been to go to the Redford Theatre or to wait for it to be broadcast on TV, either annually or on shows like Bill Kennedy at the Movies or Rita Bell’s Prize Movie TV series were not yet released on video, and we were many years from streaming, so for most of my childhood, watching live TV was the only option to see a recent series. Hence the importance of TV Guide’s Fall Preview issue. In this thicker-than-usual tome, you could get a sneak peek at what the three broadcast channels would be bringing to your living room that season and plan accordingly.

At Hour Detroit, our annual Fall Arts & Entertainment Preview isn’t geared toward TV, but this year we do have an interview with a Detroiter who is on the writing team for one of television’s hottest sitcoms, Abbott Elementary. The bulk of the guide centers on (mostly live) events that are coming to town this season, covering art, music, comedy, dance, theater, and film.

Like our Fall Arts Preview, Fall Fashion has been an Hour September staple for years. For our photo shoot, we visited one of our shopping meccas: downtown Birmingham, where we captured a model strolling the streets wearing the trends that were featured on top brands’ fall/winter runways. And in our 24/7 section, we have an interview with a local model who is making a name for herself nationally and a guide to where to shop for one of this season’s hottest colors.

September is now the home of the Detroit Auto Show. Our third feature takes a look at pasts, presents, and futures of the Big Three automakers, and we get a peek at the innovative work being done at Newlab’s Book Depository. You’ll find details about the auto show in our interview with a Livonia native who is an auto show presenter.

Lastly, this month marks the start of our apple season. Make sure you freshen up on your Blake family history with our article in the Food & Drink section before you go apple picking or cider sipping. Wishing you a happy and healthy September, whether you choose to head out to one of the many events in metro Detroit or cozy up with a book from your local library.

From Our Readers

“[Stories from the Sidewalk is] a great book with wonderful histories of the houses. I was happy to see the Fream House mentioned. I designed the interior for Faith in the ’70s.”

(“If Walls Could Speak …,” July)

—Jon Jahr, Facebook

“My family loved the drive-in. Had cousins that couldn’t wait to come with us. Great times and great memories made at the Galaxy and Ford-Wyoming.”

(“Flickering Past,” July)

—Denice Dixson, Facebook

“Absolutely amazing! I love the ingenuity and passion that the people of Detroit possess. Hope this [the opening of Neighborhood Grocery] inspires even more folks to follow their dreams!”

(“Fighting a Food Desert,” July)

—@jhawkins1975, Instagram

“Awesome!! Everyone should visit the Great Lakes. The oceans are overrated.” (“A True Measure of Greatness,” July)

—Jean Gill, Facebook

“The food and vibe are on point [at SavannahBlue]! I love this place!! Congrats for all the hard work and success!!”

(“Restaurant Report: Southern Hospitality, Downtown,” July) —@p31stitchlounge, Instagram

Hourdetroit.com

Digital Extra

Cool fall weather is rolling in, and apples will be soon ripe for the picking. Find apples perfect for baking and snacking — or simply have your fill of cider and seasonal donuts at one of the apple orchards and cider mills dotting metro Detroit. Find a few of our favorites at hourdetroit.com/ applepicking

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

habit I’ve had my whole life,

INSPIRING EXPLORATION. RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENT. Join us for the 6th annual, women-led fundraising gala that aims to ignite curiosity in children and celebrate women in STEAM. Proceeds help bring more STEAM programming to Pre-K-12 students in underserved communities in Michigan.

YOU’RE INVITED:

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

6:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Cranbrook Institute of Science

BECOME A SPONSOR OR PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY

AS A SPONSOR OR GUEST, YOU WILL HELP INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF STEAM LEADERS!

THIS YEAR WE’LL HONOR THREE WOMEN WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

OUTSTANDING LEADER OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR ROCK STAR AWARD

Associate Dean of Public Health and C.S.

Endowed Professor of Public Health Michigan State University

As a lifelong educator, Dr. CookRobinson is an instructional architect who creates educational environments where all children can reach their optimal potential, and leads an organization dedicated to providing services to students and their families.

As an educator and leader for nearly 28 years, Jackson provides leadership and vision in the planning, implementation, development, and evaluation of the district’s curriculum and partnerships, and has enormous pride in the opportunity to support the community where she grew up.

EVENT CO-CHAIRS: LIPSA SHETH, PAULINE STAMPER, LINZIE VENEGAS

Dr. Hanna-Attisha is a pediatrician, scientist, activist, and author, and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and recognized as one of USA Today’s Women of the Century for her role in uncovering the Flint water crisis and leading recovery efforts.

HONORARY CO-CHAIRS: ADELE ACHESON, KELLE ILITCH, KIM REUSS

WOMEN ROCK SCIENCE IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY*:

SCIENCE SPONSORS: TECHNOLOGY SPONSORS: ENGINEERING SPONSORS: ARTS SPONSORS: ADELE & MIKE ACHESON LIPSA & SIDHDHARTH SHETH

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT AND SUPPORT THIS YEAR’S GALA: SCIENCE.CRANBROOK.EDU/WOMEN-ROCK-SCIENCE

COMMUNITY

The Raw Deal

The demand for grass-to-glass unpasteurized milk is high. Here’s how to get it.

IT’S NOT UNUSUAL to see lines outside Corktown’s Brooklyn Street Local on Saturday mornings.

But not everyone’s waiting for a table. Many are here for milk.

Raw milk. Sweet. Creamy. And situationally illegal. State regulations prohibit retail and direct-to-consumer sales of raw — unpasteurized milk. And yet, here are people getting gallons of it without breaking any laws.

So how do you get a gallon?

Have a cow, so to speak. Purchase a herd share, a contract for partial ownership of a cow (you can get one-twentieth for about $72 these days), and you can drink raw milk from it. No need to bring Bossy home. She lives at the farm.

Toni Oliver, 45, will be your dealer — or “dairy fairy,” as her delivery van’s signage proclaims. On Saturdays, she makes around 75 deliveries throughout metro Detroit, and she delivers on other days, too.

Waiting for her in Corktown is Hamtramck resident Gary Saganski, an Oliver Farms

customer since 1999, when the 136-year-old family farm in Tuscola County switched from selling its raw milk to commercial dairies for processing to selling herd shares. Saganski raised his two sons on it and picks up 1.5 to 2 gallons per week, along with eggs, meats, and raw-milk cheese.

Drinking raw milk “is absolutely one of the healthiest things you can do,” Saganski says. “We’re replenishing our microbiome with that milk. And it’s delicious.”

Saganski’s not alone in his enthusiasm. Messaging from pop culture and social media influencers such as Tori Spelling and Danica Patrick shares real-world benefits from consuming raw milk. For many consumers, the voice of personal experience is more easily digestible and means more — than data from often contradictory and competing scientific studies.

“I have lactose-intolerant people who can drink my milk,” Oliver says. “One lady would go into anaphylactic shock if she drank pasteurized milk. Her holistic doctor said to try raw milk. She did and had no reaction.”

“The government doesn’t track rawmilk production,” says Mark McAfee, chair of the California-based Raw Milk Institute. “But my sense is that over the last 20 years or so, there’s been an increasing drumbeat from moreinformed consumers for more raw milk. People are looking for foods with a long laundry list of health benefits. Eighty percent of our immune system is based in our gut.”

Demand for raw milk accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic and continues from consumers seeking immune-boosting foods.

“I’m serving over 200 families,” Oliver says. “I can comfortably have 400 members and not be strained. I’ve probably added 25 people in the last month.”

Raw milk, though, has its detractors.

The Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development cite the risk of illness and/or death from transmission of human pathogens, such as brucella, campylobacter, cryptosporidium, E. coli, listeria, and salmonella. These bacteria can pose serious health problems, especially for those with immune deficiency issues. For many, that’s a deal-breaker. But not for those who point to foodborne-illness outbreaks from many foods, including pasteurized milk and its by products.

“There is a strong libertarian streak among many in the food movement, who demand the right to eat whatever they want, without interference from the government,” wrote Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, in The New York Times Magazine in October 2011.

The key to raw-milk safety is proper handling.

“Farmers that are trained in the use of proper standards for raw milk produce very low-risk raw milk,” McAfee says. “Consumers thrive on it, and so do the farmers.”

“You have to know your farmer,” insists Oliver, whose 30 cows from a closed herd are grazed on 20 acres of pasture. “We have an open-door policy.

The Perfect Union of Cow and Bug

The Food and Drug Administration requires that raw-milk cheese be aged for 60 days at no less than 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Cheese has a more intense and nuanced flavor when it’s made with unheated milk,” says Scott Evans, domestic cheese buyer for Zingerman’s Delicatessen.

“Raw milk gives you a greater sense of terroir or a taste of place,” adds Zach Berg, who is a certified cheese professional through the American Cheese Society and co-owner and head cheesemonger at Mongers’ Provisions. “Each day’s batch is distinct and has unique characteristics.”

Come watch how the cows are treated and how they’re milked every night at 5 p.m. All the cows are wiped down. We make sure their bags are empty to prevent mastitis. The milk is in the pipeline. We’re not milking into buckets and carrying it. The chance of contamination is less because of the way we do things.”According to Oliver, there have been no reported foodborne-illness outbreaks from her raw milk.

For the zero-waste minded, McAfee says super-clean raw milk that’s kept cold has a 20-day shelf life. But even when it begins to “go off,” it’s usable. “Raw milk sours naturally,” Oliver says. “Pasteurized milk that sours is rancid.”

The bottom line, according to Oliver? “People who’ve gotten milk from us always end up coming back.”

To contact Oliver Farms, text Toni Oliver at 810-356-1799

DETROIT DIGITS

How old Michigan State University’s Spartan Stadium turns in 2023. The Spartans have won nearly 70 percent of games hosted in the stadium, which has received over $55 million in renovations during its century-long lifespan, according to MSU Athletics.

$249.7 million

The record-breaking high of recreational and medical cannabis sales in Michigan that was reached in March, according to the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency. This represents a nearly 13 percent increase from the state’s previous monthly sales record of $221.7 million in December 2022. Sales are estimated to grow 19 percent by the end of the year, according to cannabis analytics company BDSA.

118,661

The number of fans Taylor Swift’s Eras tour brought to Ford Field during her twonight engagement in June. With 59,269 in attendance on night one and 59,392 on night two, Swift’s shows rank second and third on the list of most-attended concerts at Ford Field. Garth Brooks still holds the record with 70,000 audience members at his February 2020 concert, though differing stage configurations meant fewer seats were available for Swift’s shows.

FITNESS

The number of Michigan schools on Money magazine’s list of the 736 best colleges in the U.S. Evaluated based on a combination of affordability and quality, the University of Michigan received the highest praise in the state five stars, a half-star higher than rival school Michigan State University. The most affordable Michigan schools on the list were Grand Valley State University, with an estimated full-tuition cost of $27,500, and Central Michigan University at $27,600.

An Electrifying Exercise

Body20 offers a new way to amp up the intensity of a workout

STEVEN WAS ALREADY BUZZING by the time I arrived.

Hour Detroit’s junior art director, Steven had agreed to join me at Body20, a fitness studio in Royal Oak that offers a new type of workout in which clients don superhero-style suits that electrically stimulate muscles during a workout, intensifying the results over less time — 20 minutes, to be exact. It’s called electrical muscle stimulation (or EMS), and it’s not easy.

Steven and I were in the midst of a colleague fitness challenge, which involved several Hour employees logging our workouts and scoring points.

Steven is in his mid-20s and I just turned 40, but I was crushing the younger competition and feeling smug. I had dropped almost 10 pounds, and my diet was dialed in. Steven’s diet, from what I could gather from watercooler convos, consists mostly of Red Bull, vodka, and Panda Express. His workouts include dancing till 2 a.m. and walking home from the bar.

Body20 manager Cynthia Gleich works with clients in her Royal Oak studio, one of many Body20 franchise locations around the country. When I walked in, I saw Steven fully suited up, looking like a male Black Widow with Iron Man flourishes. The suit’s electrified pads correspond to the large

muscle groups, causing the muscles to contract 36,000 times in a single workout. Steven was sitting on a stool and extending his legs straight in front of him, and he was struggling. Leg extensions don’t make for the hardest workout, unless you have electricity surging through your quadriceps.

And that’s the whole Body20 philosophy: more intensity, and more results, in less time.

The idea that electricity can stimulate muscles is not new. In the 1970s, Russian athletic coaches were using EMS technology, claiming it almost doubled their athletes’ muscle strength. Today, companies like Body20 are opening studios

throughout the country following the Food and Drug Administration’s approval and regulation of EMS training. Gleich says it’s a safe way to get an intense workout.

“The electric current hits the muscles deeper than any weight workout can,” Gleich says. “It’s the equivalent to four to five workouts in a traditional gym. There’s no stress on the joints. We’re not putting heavy weights in their hands or a barbell on their back,” she says, adding that it’s a workout “for everybody.” (That means everyone over 18 who is not pregnant, is not chronically ill, and does not have a pacemaker.)

The FDA limits EMS training to eight times per month. Clients change into a lightweight underlayer; get suited up with the customfitted, electrode-padded suit; do the workout; and leave.

I wondered if it would hurt. I’ve been zapped by electricity doing house projects — an experience I’m loath to repeat — yet here I was, putting on an outfit that plugged into its own special outlet (never exceeding 60 volts). After spraying the electrode pads with water to promote conductivity, Gleich strapped and buckled my upper and lower body into the suit as tightly as possible. It reminded me of having a parachute strapped to me when I’d tried skydiving a couple of years ago. I was a little less nervous here.

There was no mirror, but I hoped I looked like a superhero. I sure didn’t feel like one, even less so when she gave me a stress ball for each hand. The stress balls are intended to make it easier to contract your muscles, thus increasing the effectiveness of the workout.

Gleich activated the electrodes hooked up to my back muscles, biceps, triceps, quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and abs. The sensation was less of a bare-wire shock and more of a full-body tingle. She led me through a series of leg raises, lunges,

squats, push-ups, sit-ups, and biceps curls, always calibrating the intensity, telling me she’d stop when I couldn’t handle any more. It wasn’t too bad. As the intensity ramped up in my legs and glutes, I felt the increased flexing and tension in my muscles that went far beyond a normal workout. She wasn’t lying by the end of 20 minutes, I felt like I’d worked out hard with heavy weights for an hour.

As a fitness hobbyist, I was glad to try something new. Maybe I’m old-school, but I still prefer running under the trees, hitting weights in the basement, or my longtime martial arts hobby. But I understand the appeal and how Steven became a convert, planning to sign up after we finished. It’s certainly a better workout than walking home from the bar.

Body20 offers memberships at four, six, and eight 20-minute sessions per month. Go to body20.com/ royal-oak/ for more info. Body20 has studios across the U.S. More Michigan locations are planned for Birmingham, Troy, and Bloomfield.

STUDY BREAKS

Intriguing findings from researchers across Michigan

WHEN IT COMES TO CLIMATE CHANGE, SIZE MATTERS:

The faster that animals adapt to the changing climate, the more likely they will be to survive. One factor for predicting how quickly bird species can adapt is body size, according to a new analysis led by University of

Michigan researchers. The analysis combines data from two previous studies that examined more than 86,000 North and South American bird specimens over 40 years. Despite different methodology and bird populations, the studies found similar declines in body size and increases in wing length over time. However, the U-M-led analysis revealed additional insights: Across both datasets, smaller species experienced faster changes than larger species.

“Our results suggest that

large body size could further exacerbate extinction risk by limiting the potential to adapt to rapid, ongoing anthropogenic change,” says lead author Marketa Zimova.

MSU SENDS SEEDS TO SPACE:

As humans undertake more and more extensive space travel, care packages of food launched from Earth just won’t cut it. So how will people feed themselves in space? “The short answer is that space travelers will need to grow their own food,” says MSU plant biologist Federica

Brandizzi. To help determine how to do that, Brandizzi and her lab sent plant seeds on NASA’s 25-day uncrewed Artemis I mission, which covered 1.4 million miles. The experiment included seeds enriched with amino acids — intended to enhance the plants’ hardiness and nutrient levels — as well as a control group and tested the effects of the unique conditions of space on the seeds. Now that those seeds are back on Earth, Brandizzi and her team are analyzing them. The results could provide clues to how humans

can grow sustainable — and healthy — food far, far from home.

A FASTER AND CHEAPER WAY TO TEST FOR TB:

After 15 years of research, Wayne State University scientists have developed new technology that can accurately detect active tuberculosis antibodies quickly and inexpensively. Tuberculosis is the second highest infectious killer around the world, according to the World Health Organization, with 1.7 million deaths each year.

But not everyone infected with TB will develop the active disease. Conventional tests for detecting TB don’t differentiate between latent infection and active disease, and the tests that do require collecting sputum, which is both time consuming and expensive. Now, the WSU team has discovered a way to create a simple nonsputum test for TB that is highly sensitive to the difference between active and latent forms. They have applied for a patent and are currently seeking investment funding.

A WELCOMING PLACE FOR KIDS

A father’s devotion to his autistic son has helped hundreds of kids, and counting, in metro Detroit

IN 2007, JAI REDDY confronted the huge task of addressing his son’s recently diagnosed autism. He was soon surprised at the difficulty involved and knew there had to be a better way.

“Back then, we had only about 30 percent of the resources that exist today,” he says. “And the facilities that were available were often isolated. In a large hospital, occupational therapy might be on the third floor and physical therapy on the fifth. And they didn’t talk to each other. The people worked solely within their own specialty.”

In addition to being siloed and overspecialized, centers for help were physically scattered. “I remember a two-hour drive from just Shelby Township to Bloomfield. It was crazy.” Reddy’s position as an independent IT developer allowed him the necessary flexibility, but he knew not all parents had this luxury.

Realizing this, Reddy decided to do something both proactive and progressive. In 2017, working with a team of specialists, he established LifeLab Kids, a Ferndale-based nonprofit dedicated to providing complete and effective care to children with disabilities. The organization describes itself as “a mix of compassionate hearts, skilled therapists, clinical minds, and critical thinkers committed to providing comprehensive and individualized programming to meet each child’s specific needs.”

LLK uses an integrated approach to bring together services related to a child’s physical, mental, and behavioral needs. Specific examples include traditional forms of therapy (e.g., speech, counseling) along with music therapy, art therapy, physical recreation, and training in nutrition and life skills.

Housed in a former church on Hilton Road in Ferndale, LLK has repurposed the sanctuary as a gymnasium, while other rooms of various sizes function as play and therapy spaces. Despite the presence of walls, the building has an open feel. “We barely have contained rooms here, and the kids don’t sit at tables,” Reddy says.

LLK seeks to complement a child’s regular schooling, not be a substitute. “Some kids go to school primarily and they come here after school. It depends on their own needs. Every kid has their own customized program,” says Melanie Esland, chief development officer.

In its six years of operation, LLK has helped more than 350 children. In surveys of parents, 100 percent believe their children have become more confident in developing basic life skills, while 88 percent feel their children have acquired the skills needed to cope with our current challenging times.

To finance its operations, LLK relies on a variety of funding sources. Many services are directly billed to parents, while others are covered by a family’s health insurance. LLK also seeks out grants from foundations and other philanthropic sources in addition to forming creative alliances. It does not currently accept Medicaid.

“I am always looking for good relationships — ways for us to collaborate and partner with other nonprofits doing good work that’s complementary to ours,” Esland says. One example is the partnership with Honey for Moms, a nearby support organization for mothers. Currently, the two teams are setting up support groups for mothers of LLK children.

 LifeLab Kids’ recreational therapy program includes sports (like basketball), yoga, dance, boxing, and more.

“Mothers that bring their kids here can walk down the street [to Honey for Moms] and take advantage of their program at the same time,” Esland says.

Always working to innovate, LLK is exploring a potential partnership with Oakland Community College to provide prevocational training for kids ages 10 to 19. Also on the horizon is the establishment of an additional location. Currently, LLK is considering the former YMCA in Pontiac — a 50,000-square-foot building (which would be shared with other groups) with a gym and pool facilities.

The most dramatic enhancement to the Ferndale campus is the recent addition of a $1.6 million interactive Sensory Garden and Play Park intended as a place for physical activity and learning. Last year, it won the city’s Project of the Year Award.

The idea for the 8,500-square-foot facility was prompted by recent research that indicates higher rates of obesity and diabetes among children with developmental disabilities. Features of the garden and park include a covered multisport half-court, a rubber playing surface, and other innovative elements, including a greenhouse with a roof-mounted rainwater catchment system. The collected water is used for the inside plants and outside Nature Zone.

The best testimonials, of course, come from parents. Huntington Woods resident Sara Faruolo, whose son receives treatment at LLK, recently commented, “Henry is a different child since starting LifeLab. I now see and experience the best version of him. Henry’s autism diagnosis controlled our home for years. Our home life is no longer something that controls us and dictates our behaviors.”

Breakfast Series

One-of-a-kind networking opportunities and compelling business content across a wide range of industries and topics await you at the DBusiness Breakfast Series.

DBusiness magazine’s event series are bi-monthly panel discussions and award shows.

2023 topics presented have included: Top Corporate Culture Awards, Commercial Real Estate Forecast, 30 in Their Thirties Award Show and Powered by Women.

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 2nd, 2023

2023 Commercial Real Estate Awards

December 5th, 2023

Michigan Economic Forecast

For more information and tickets to upcoming events:

Mirror Palais

“I had the pleasure of meeting the owner of Mirror Palais, Marcelo [Gaia], at a New York Fashion Week after-party. It was really a fated moment because I’ve always loved his designs, so [to] meet him in person and be asked to walk for his debut NYFW show was surreal!”

Oscar de la Renta



British Vogue

“My first job in London was for British Vogue. I actually had to run off the plane, catch an Uber, and head on set as soon as I landed in Heathrow [Airport]. It was fun, and so was the shoot! The makeup was done by Nikki Wolff to showcase her lash campaign.”

FASHION

SHOOTING STAR

Since leaving Detroit three years ago, Sydney Harper has become a recognized face of beauty and fashion on runways, in magazines, and on the street

WHEN SYDNEY HARPER agreed to model for a friend who was moving to New York City to pursue photography, she didn’t realize she’d be starting her own career in the process. He needed a test subject, and Harper, despite having no desire at the time to get into modeling, was happy to help.

A photographer for DMM agency in Detroit — whose parent company is Elite Model Management — noticed the photos and submitted them to DMM’s founder, Dawn Martin. Martin then reached out to Harper, who reached out to her mother, whom she calls her greatest inspiration in both her life and her career.

“She said, ‘You have the opportunity to try this out. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so you should take it,’” says Harper, who notes that her mom was a model but went into nursing instead of pursuing modeling full time.

Harper moved to Los Angeles in August 2020 and quickly was signed to four different agencies in four major modeling hot spots: New York, LA, Miami, and London. Since then, she’s done work for major brands and designers, including Oscar de la Renta, Biolage, and Moroccanoil, and appeared on the pages of magazines such as British Vogue, Now Magazine, and Hour Media’s own Metro Detroit Weddings. She says her favorite types of shoots to do are beauty shoots.

“I love getting dolled up, and I love knowing what’s coming out before anyone else,” Harper says. “It blows my mind how creative people are and how when you get certain people together, you can literally create art, ... stuff that has never been thought of.”

Harper says one of the most rewarding parts of the job is inspiring others and being recognized for the work that is so important to her.

“Being out and about and having younger women and just women in general, or even men, come up to me and say, ‘Hey, I saw you in …’ — that’s so inspiring,” Harper says. “Especially the young Black women. That to me means the most.”

Here, she comments on some of the jobs she’s done over the past three years.

Christiano Hermoso

“Test shoots are extremely important not only for a model’s portfolio but for connections and improving your craft. I’ve been blessed to work and become friends with talented photographers like Christiano. He’s family, and his work is amazing!”

Makeup by Mario

“Since The Masterclass, I’ve worked with Mario frequently. This was the most recent campaign I did, and it was in New York. There were multiple models, friends, wonderful music, and food on set. It was another great day with Mario and his team.”

The Masterclass by Mario Dedivanovic

“This photograph was taken by my friend Albert Marashi while I was working with Mario Dedivanovic (Makeup by Mario) during his New York master class. I love it so much that Albert blew up a copy; that’s hanging in my house.”

 Logan Hollowell

“A lot of my jobs have been because of wonderful work relationships. Logan is a dear friend of mine, and I’ve worked with her since the start of her jewelry line. My favorite stones from her are the emeralds line because my middle name is Jade!”

“Oscar de la Renta flew me out to San Francisco for the week to shoot this campaign and then walk in their show in Lake Tahoe [in California]. It was so beautiful! I made sure to take lots of personal video and pictures because moments like these are rare. I’m so blessed and grateful to have a job that allows me to travel!”

Cult Gaia

“The concept of this campaign with Cult Gaia was paying homage to its Persian heritage while serving ’60s realness. At the time, I was heavily into studying the poses of Donyale Luna (the first Black supermodel and fellow Detroit native), and this campaign put my knowledge to the test. The clothes, hair, and set gave exactly what they were supposed to give! It’s one of my favorite campaigns.”

WORKING FROM HOME

Nika Jusufi transformed her family’s Midtown loft space into her real estate office

OFTEN, WHEN a couple has a child and lives in a city loft, they make the decision to move into a house with more space and outdoor areas for their family. Nika Jusufi did just that, but there wasn’t a chance she’d sell the renovated loft she and her husband lived in before moving. It was just too cool. So, what to do with the space? Make it an office.

Earlier this year, Jusufi moved her office from Eastern Market into what was formerly her home. Her real estate business, Nika & Co., which she founded in 2020, sells real estate in southeast Michigan, with a niche in historic homes and lofts in Detroit.

The home-turned-office, located in the two-story Stuber-Stone Lofts on Cass Avenue in Detroit’s Midtown area, is perfect for the entrepreneur and her two full-time real estate agents — it’s spacious and modern, providing a wonderful opportunity for holding special client events. The historic

building, constructed in 1916 as an auto dealership, was even once a hideout for the infamous Purple Gang (a mob of bootleggers who operated out of Detroit in the 1920s).

Jusufi and her husband, Gjon Elezovic, rented an apartment in the building many years ago, she explains, and then purchased it five years ago before revamping and updating its design. “When we purchased it, it was very beige and sad. We cleaned up the lines, expanded the laundry room, and updated the kitchen and bathroom.”

To help them transform the space into an office, the couple called on Maranto Design Co. in Detroit.

“The firm’s Alex did a phenomenal job,” Jusufi says, “working with what we had and bringing in some vintage pieces. She was really methodical, providing many options.”

The couple and their 18-month-old child,

Leonardo, now live in the city’s Boston-Edison neighborhood. The busy mom says her two Detroit spaces (office and home) complement each other and are total opposites. She goes from a modern, light-filled Scandinavian-style design by day to a historic beauty with intricate millwork at night. “They’re both beautiful worlds,” she says.

“The idea behind my office is that it doesn’t feel like an office; it feels like a cool lobby. It’s important to be inspired by your environment if you’re working in it.” Her favorite feature is the “surprise element,” she says, “when you walk in through a long, narrow hallway and turn the corner into a bright work area. It’s a jaw-dropping moment.”

A look inside her office showcases a nod toward midcentury style, apparent from the furnishings to the artwork — perfect for this vibrant region of the city.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

Layout: The loft features a bi-level design.

High there!: The former living room, with 16-foot-tall ceilings, is considered the office’s lounge area.

Let’s meet: The conference table on the upper level is maple, by furniture company Ethnicraft.

You gotta have art: All of the large abstract paintings were created by Jusufi’s husband, Gjon Elezovic, a painter and car designer.

Sideboard style: A George Nelson black sideboard features a long, cabinet-style look with sliding doors and short feet.

Choice chairs: The lounge area’s two large, comfortable chairs upholstered in a tan suede (page tk) are from CB2. The two black leather chairs (left) are by Mies van der Rohe. The chairs in the dining area and kitchen are by Eames and Bertoia.

You’re benched!: A restored midcentury bench in the lounge area is by Bertoia and is a nice spot for a couple of coffee-table books and a textural throw.

Light fantastic: “The many large windows allow for a lot of natural light, which makes it feel as if you’re outdoors,” Jusufi says. Light also comes from gorgeous fixtures including the dining room pendant from Flos and sconces throughout from Tom Dixon.

Kitchen confidential: The couple aimed to keep the kitchen’s design simple, Jusufi shares. “We reconfigured the space [it was U-shaped] and splurged on the black-with-whiteveins marble counters.” Cabinets are from Ikea and made in Italy.

Tour Beautiful Homes

Don’t miss the 34th annual Birmingham House Tour, presented by The Community House in Birmingham.

WHEN: Sept. 14, 9:30 a.m.3:30 p.m.

WHAT: Self-guided tour of several homes in Birmingham and lunch at The Community House at 380 S. Bates St.

TICKETS: Call 248644-5832 or visit communityhouse.com

“The idea behind my office is that it doesn’t feel like an office; it feels like a cool lobby.”

—NIKA JUSUFI

Shades of scarlet were scattered throughout Gucci’s ’90s-inspired fall/ winter show but none so dramatically as in the glamorous trimmings of this overcoat.

TRENDS

Red Hot!

Heat up your look this fall

WE WERE SEEING RED (everywhere) when designers took to the fall runways in fiery fashion around the world this year. One of the most electrifying takes on the hothouse hue was at Gucci’s fall/winter 2023 fashion show in Milan this past February, where the beloved Italian label paired the classic color with unexpected pops of cobalt and chartreuse — a decidedly modern interpretation. So, whether you’re looking to embrace the shade from head to toe (a sleek suit is our personal pick) or add in an accessory (or two) in one of its many timeless tones, red is just the hue to spice up your fall style. Here, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites to inspire your new-season wish list.

Lisa & Bill Ford along with Lia & Jim Farley cordially invite you to light up the lives of children and families by joining them for AutoGlow 2023.

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

THECHILDRENSCENTER.COM/AUTOGLOW-2023

You must be a Charity Preview ticket holder to attend AutoGlow 2023.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

FORD FIELD –2000 Brush Steet, Detroit, Michigan

4:30 p.m.– 7:00 p.m

Pre-Event Cocktail Reception

8:30 p.m.– Midnight AutoGlow Main Celebration

Main Celebration Includes Luxury Round-Trip Shuttle Service between Ford Field and Huntington Place. Complimentary Valet Parking for AutoGlow Guests.

We are honored to be one of six charities benefitting from North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) Charity Preview proceeds. All AutoGlow ticket holders must also be NAIAS Charity Preview ticket holders. To order your Charity Preview tickets, visit naias.com or call 888.838.7500 and designate The Children’s Center as your charity partner of choice. MC#5787

Tailored pieces, bold colors, sheer fabrics, and school-girl style are trending this fall. Here’s how we do it in metro detroit.

on the town

Opposite page: Dorothee Schumacher Slouchy Coolness Pants in Green, $660, and Rochas Paris Pointy Heel in Black, $1,195, at Tender, 271 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, 248-258-0212, tenderbirmingham.com; Ippolita

Short Hammered Bastille Necklace in Sterling Silver, $1,695, at Neiman

Marcus at Somerset Collection, 2705

W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 248-6433300, neimanmarcus.com; Frank & Eileen Muscle Tee in Black, $104, at Found Objects, 168 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 248-220-4999, shopfoundobjects.com; Anuja Tolia

Silver Beaded Hoops, $30, at Lola

B. Couture, 568 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 248-594-6160, Instagram: @lolabcouture

This page: Saylor Karis Pleat Mini Dress in Rose Gold, $265, at Found Objects, 168 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 248-220-4999, shopfoundobjects.com; Rupert Sanderson Caruso Heel in Sand

Punch Suede, $820, at Tender, 271 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, 248-2580212, tenderbirmingham.com; Anuja

Tolia Fly with Me Necklace, $75, and Anuja Tolia Snake Hoops, $30, at Lola

B. Couture, 568 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 248-594-6160, Instagram: @lolabcouture

Bread & Butter Tulle Painted Skirt, $299, at Voila Boutique, 395 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 248-385-1313, voilaboutiques.com; Dries Van Noten Snakeskin Boots in Mint, $825, at Tender, 271 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, 248-258-0212, tenderbirmingham.com; The Pocket Drawstring Backpack in Natural Grain, $550, at Shinola, shinola.com for locations; Commando Slip in Black, $98, at Voila Boutique, 395 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 248-385-1313, voilaboutiques. com; Dèluc White Button Up, $92, at Lola B. Couture, 568 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 248-594-6160, Instagram: @lolabcouture; Chain Earrings, $70, at Sundance Shoes, 235 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 248-3855960, sundanceshoes.com

Veronica Beard Shawnet MixedMedia Pullover in Army, $468, and Alice + Olivia Vegan Leather

Pleated Mini Skirt in Almond, $250, at Neiman Marcus, 2705 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 248643-3300, neimanmarcus.com; Erdem Pearl Earrings, $415, and Erdem Pearl Necklace, $995, at Tender, 271 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, 248-2580212, tenderbirmingham.com; Vagabond Shoemakers Sneakers in White, $149, at Sundance

Shoes, 235 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 248-3855960, sundanceshoes.com

Dorothee Schumacher

Heritage Ease Mix Silk

Shirtdress in Green, $990, Rupert Sanderson Marina

Heel in Canary, $960, and Dries Van Noten Crisp Bag in Wine, $855, at Tender, 271 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, 248-258-0212, tenderbirmingham.com; Anuja Tolia Silver Ear

Cuffs, $50, at Lola B. Couture, 568 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 248594-6160, Instagram: @lolabcouture

Beard Hirsh

Dickey Jacket in Fuchsia, $598, Veronica Beard Velia Tailored Linen Shorts in Fuchsia, $298, Roberto Coin Alternating Long and Short Oval Link Chain Necklace in Yellow Gold, $3,300, and Lana Mega Malibu Linear Earrings in Yellow, $2,200, at Neiman Marcus, 2705 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 248-6433300, neimanmarcus.com; Eric Michael Biker Boots in Black, $249, at Sundance Shoes, 235 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 248-3855960, sundanceshoes.com; The Birdy 34 mm in Gold, $675, at Shinola, shinola.com for locations; Bread & Butter Bag in Black, $282, and Mercer Sunglasses in Black, $28, at Voila Boutique, 395 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 248-385-1313, voilaboutiques.com

F A LL A R TS & ENT E RTAINM E NT

P REV I E W

Your guide to the best events of the season, including art, music, theater, dance, comedy, and more.

COMPILED BY LAUREN WETHINGTON

SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTE

Sept. 1-24

THEATER

Mlima’s Tale: Witness the Michigan premiere of this critically acclaimed work by playwright Lynn Nottage. The story follows the afterlife of an African elephant named Mlima, who is slaughtered for his tusks by black market ivory traders. As his soul follows the path of his tusks, Mlima takes the audience through the heartbreaking world of poaching, crafting a powerful and haunting message that is sure to remain with viewers long after the play’s conclusion. $22. Theatre Nova, Ann Arbor; theatrenova.org

Sept. 2

MUSIC

Beck and Phoenix: French pop-rock band Phoenix first hit U.S. airwaves in 2009 with its Grammy Award-winning album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, which featured radio-friendly singles like “Lisztomania” and “1901.” Hear the band’s latest single, “After Midnight,” when it makes a stop at Pine Knob, along with eight-time Grammy Award-winning artist Beck. After rising to fame with his 1994 slacker-rock hit “Loser,” the Los Angelesbased vocalist and multiinstrumentalist went on to dabble in a rainbow of musical genres, from folk to funk to psychedelic rock. His most recent projects include collaborations with Jenny Lewis, Gorillaz, and Paul McCartney. $29+. Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston; 313presents.com

Sept. 8

MUSIC

Greta Van Fleet: Hailing from Michigan’s very own hamlet of Frankenmuth, this local band struck it big when its debut single, “Highway Tune,” spent four weeks atop Billboard’s Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts in 2017. The prog-rock group has since released three studio albums, winning a Grammy Award for best rock album in 2019 for From the Fires See what all the fuss is about when the four-piece makes a stop at Little Caesars Arena in support of its 2023 album Starcatcher $49+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

Sept. 8

MUSIC

9/16

Jason Aldean: Boasting career album sales north of 20 million and a staggering

27 No. 1 singles, including “You Make It Easy” and “Dirt Road Anthem,” this country singer and guitarist was named Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music in 2019. He’ll play tracks from his 2022 album Georgia when he heads out on tour with support from singer-songwriter Mitchell Tenpenny, The Voice contestant Corey Kent, and Dee Jay Silver. $108+. Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston; 313presents.com

Sept. 16

MUSIC

Duran Duran: Get ready for an ’80s throwback when this beloved English new-wave act stops at Little Caesars Arena to support its latest studio album, Future Past. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, the band released a slew of influential hits in the early 1980s, including “Rio” and “Hungry

Like the Wolf” — the latter of which won the group a Grammy Award for best short-form music video in 1984. Duran Duran will be joined by prolific disco stars Nile Rodgers and Chic along with contemporary British pop-rockers Bastille. $29+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

Sept. 17

COMEDY

Jessica Kirson: This New Jersey-born comedian, actress, and producer established herself by performing at some of New York City’s most notable comedy clubs — including Laugh Factory, Carolines, and Gotham Comedy Club. Her 2019 Comedy Central special, Talking to Myself, was produced by Bill Burr and featured Kirson’s self-deprecating takes on dating as a lesbian and grow-

ing up as the child of a therapist. Kirson currently works as a contributor on The Howard Stern Show, where she produces and participates in hilarious prank phone calls. $35. Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak; royaloakmusictheatre.com

Sept. 17

MUSIC

Death Grips: Combining elements of punk rock, electronic, and industrial music, this experimental hip-hop trio’s 2012 debut album, The Money Store, was met with rabid critical and fan acclaim. Known for incorporating extensive improvisation and bizarre stage stunts, including handcuffed performances and destruction of instruments, a Death Grips live show promises to be anything but boring. $65+. The Fillmore, Detroit; livenation.com

Sept. 18

MUSIC

Aerosmith: Don’t miss your last chance to catch one of the biggest names in rock live onstage when Aerosmith stops at Little Caesars Arena during its Peace Out farewell tour. Touting a back catalog rife with smash hits, including “Dream On,” “Walk This Way,” and “Sweet Emotion,” the Steven Tyler-led outfit has won four Grammy Awards and was named one of the greatest artists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. Southern rockers The Black Crowes will open the show.

$179+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

Sept. 21-24

THEATER

Disney on Ice Presents

Find Your Hero: Embark on an adventure with characters and music from your family’s

favorite animated films, including Encanto, Frozen, and Moana, at this dazzling Disney experience. Featuring world-class ice skating, incredible costumes, and immersive set designs, the production is sure to keep the entire family engaged and entertained. $25+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

Sept. 22 COMEDY

Katt Williams: The Emmy Award-winning actor and comedic legend has lent his sense of humor to countless movies and television shows, including Atlanta The Last O.G., and Black-ish. His most recent stand-up special, World War III, saw the comedian dishing on everything from chicken wing shortages to the war on drugs. Catch his hilarious stand-up act live when he stops at the Fox Theatre during his upcoming Dark Matter tour. $59+. Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents.com

Sept. 23 COMEDY

Anthony Jeselnik: Known for pitch-black comedy and a stage persona that verges on sociopathic, Jeselnik was hired as a writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in 2009. After the majority of his material was shot down by Fallon for being too dark, the comedian began writing for Comedy Central’s popular series of celebrity roasts, which brought his unique brand of comedy to a larger — and more appropriate — audience. He currently hosts The Jeselnik & Rosenthal Vanity Project, a podcast he created with his best friend and co-host Gregg Rosenthal.

$93+. Masonic Cathedral Theatre, Detroit; axs.com

TATales of would-be starlets heading to Los Angeles in droves in the hopes of making it big on the screen have been the narrative since the Hollywood era of moviemaking began. But in recent years, that narrative has expanded to include the many writers who also pack up and head west with the same moxie — albeit off the screen.

Count Detroit native Joya McCrory among the masses. McCrory is in the writers’ room (that’s Hollywood-speak for being a staff writer on a television series) of Abbott Elementary, the hit ABC sitcom that just wrapped its second season. When exactly viewers will see a third season of the Quinta Brunson-led mockumentary that follows the ups and downs of Philadelphia teachers’ lives is unknown; you may have noticed that, as of press time, both writers — McCrory included — and actors are on strike, and no one can talk much about existing or future projects until the picketing comes to a halt.

What McCrory can talk about is how she got there. Reared on Detroit’s west side, she originally pursued a career in entertainment journalism but was matriculating at the University of Michigan while the economy slumped in the early 2010s.

“There weren’t a lot of journalism jobs,” she says. “And I interned at the Metro Times. But then I realized I didn’t want to be a journalist at all.”

So she checked out books from the library on screenwriting and soaked up the process. She browsed how-to’s on the internet and eventually wrote her first short screenplay. That short earned her a spot in a graduate certificate program at the University of California, Los Angeles. She packed up and left Detroit for the coast; she hadn’t been since high school.

McCrory is part of a class of millennial writers from the area who got their start locally, including Saturday Night Live writer Alex English (“He’s someone I know from online, when we all had blogs back in the day,” McCrory notes) and Chris “Comedian CP” Powell, who parlayed skits about the city into a job writing and appearing on Comedy Central’s beloved Detroiters, among other projects.

Making it in Hollywood rarely happens without grunt work. “When I first moved out here, I did unpaid internships at production companies … just to kind of get my foot in the door. I did not want to take the assistant route because I just heard how awful the hours were and how low the pay was.”

McCrory ended up giving tours of the Paramount Pictures studios, which was a pipeline to other jobs within the company. She landed one in human resources and only planned for a short tenure, but seven years passed without a writing gig.

“I didn’t move to LA to work in HR,” she says. So, she applied for a Disney fellowship, making it to the semifinals. It was enough of a confidence

DREAM CHASER

boost to lead her to apply for a Warner Bros. writing workshop, into which she was accepted. Following the workshop, writers there are given opportunities to write for a show produced at the Warner Bros. studio. McCrory landed at Abbott, which had just entered development at the time.

Already making buzz, the show instantly became notable as a milestone series developed and written by a Black woman. Behind the scenes, Brunson made sure other Black women were included in the process.

“One of the things I really value with [Insecure creator] Issa Rae and Quinta is that I think they have really made it a point to make projects where Black people are just existing and they don’t have to be superheroes or anything above and beyond,” McCrory says. “I think my writing really falls in that lane.”

MEET JOYA MCCRORY, A MEMBER OF THE AWARD-WINNING WRITING TEAM AT ABBOTT ELEMENTARY

That McCrory’s skills have been a perfect match for Brunson’s show is evident. Last fall, the Abbott writers took home the Emmy for outstanding writing for a comedy series, and this year, they were nominated for Writers Guild Awards for comedy series and new series.

McCrory has eyes on one day creating her own show and getting more on the production side. And her job is tough — “I love writing, but writing kind of sucks sometimes,” she says with a laugh. (Any writer will tell you the same.) But although it’s almost mandatory to wear many hats in Hollywood, McCrory does not want to be a multihyphenate.

“I’m happy writing and producing. That’s kind of my dream,” she says.

LET THE SEASON BEGIN

DETROIT OPERA’S NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR ON WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE OPERA HOUSE THIS FALL

RRoberto Kalb says there are no dumb questions when it comes to trying to understand what a music director does for Detroit Opera, but I tried to push the limits of his patience anyway.

Like, what exactly does a music director do?

“A conductor’s life is 95 percent sitting and studying,” laughs Kalb, who was appointed in November 2022 and is only the second music director in Detroit Opera’s 50-plus-year history — and the first who is also the conductor of symphony orchestras and opera. “I’m at the piano. I’m studying my scores. With pieces that are older than 100 years old, there’s a tremendous amount that you need to read.”

And some of the material may be in a language he doesn’t speak fluently. “It’ll take me months and months to prepare. All the work really happens before I even see the musicians,” says Kalb, who oversees the day-to-day operations of Detroit Opera, which includes hiring and managing the musicians in the orchestra. And he’ll conduct at least one production per season. This season, it is The Cunning Little Vixen, onstage in May 2024.

Kalb holds a degree from the University of Michigan and once worked as an assistant conductor for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He previously served as resident conductor and head of music at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. He’s led productions all over the world, from Oklahoma to São Paulo.

What’s the flavor of conducting he’s bringing to Detroit? The part of the process we actually get to see with our own eyes as a discerning audience?

“I think I’m known for having a very clear technique and for being very musical. I’m not a tyrant. I’m a big proponent of egoless art making. I don’t try to put my stamp on things. It’s already there by me being me.

“My favorite artists have this thing where I don’t hear them,” Kalb says. “When you turn on the recording or see the video, it’s clear it’s them working, but it’s them being a conduit for the art.”

Kalb, who hails from Mexico City, says representation is a powerful tool for filling up the opera house again. “There’s a large Latin community and Spanish-speaking community that hasn’t had their language represented. I really hope and plan that we can do more in the future.”

The future is this October, when Kalb will conduct his first concert for Detroit Opera, Arias and Overtures, which will feature all-star singers performing Spanish zarzuela selections alongside works from Verdi and Bernstein.

My last question for Kalb is an easy one for him to answer: Why, when you could truly work anywhere in the world, choose Detroit?

“I really think it’s the coolest city in the States,” he says. “The vibe. The food scene. The incredible visual art. The things that are happening at the Detroit Opera are amazing. It sold me on the city.”

And if you haven’t been sold yet on the work Artistic Director Yuval Sharon, Associate Artistic Director Christine Goerke (who is a stunning soprano singer to boot), and now Kalb are doing at Detroit Opera, you’ve got a hard question to ask yourself.

Sept. 23-24

ART

Birmingham Street Art Fair: Set in and around scenic Shain Park, this celebrated art fair, now in its 49th year, will showcase 100 juried artists working in a variety of mediums, including paint, glass, sculpture, fiber, and jewelry. Visitors will also enjoy a full program of live music, a children’s activity area, and food options from a variety of local vendors. No cost. Shain Park, Birmingham; theguild.org

Sept. 26-Oct. 8 THEATER

Funny Girl: Nearly 60 years after Barbra Streisand starred in its original Broadway debut, this Tony Award-winning musical comedy continues to dazzle theater lovers of all ages with its iconic score, catchy lyrics, and stunning tap-dance choreography. Follow Fanny Brice, a stagestruck NYC teen, as she falls in love, chases her dreams of fame, and navigates life’s misadventures with a smile on her face. $39+. Fisher Theatre, Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com

Sept. 29 MUSIC

Peter Gabriel: After rising to fame as the lead singer of progressive rock band Genesis, this English musician, singer, songwriter, and producer launched a prolific solo career that won him three Brit Awards, six Grammy Awards, and a whopping 13 MTV Video Music Awards. Gabriel is widely considered to be one of rock’s most innovative and influential musicians, and his best-known singles include “Solsbury Hill” and “Sledgehammer.” Hear those hits — plus selections from his newest album I/O — when he and his bandmates make a Detroit stop this fall. $50+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

Oct. 2

MUSIC

Broken Social Scene: Celebrating more than two decades of experimental rock innovation, this Canadian musical collective formed by guitarist Kevin Drew and bassist Brendan Canning comprises anywhere from six to 19 members and spans multiple genres, including soul, post-rock, and noise pop. Featuring exciting improvisation and lush instrumentation with guitars, horns, strings, and woodwinds, the group’s live act is a spectacle to behold. Vancouver-based singersongwriter Hannah Georgas will kick off the show. $30+. Majestic Theatre, Detroit; majesticdetroit.com

Oct. 4-29

THEATER

Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty: A new Sherlock Holmes mystery by award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig will make its Michigan debut at Meadow Brook Theatre this fall. Follow Holmes and his sidekick, Dr. Watson, as they investigate criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty and his cunning team of henchmen. Full of intrigue, adventure, and laughter, the production is suitable for teens and adults. $37+. Meadow Brook Theatre, Rochester; mbtheatre.com

Oct. 6

MUSIC

Ty Segall: Influenced by glam rock auteurs like David Bowie and T. Rex, this Californiabased singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has released 14 solo albums over the course of his nearly 20-year career. On his most recent offering, 2022’s Hello, Hi, Segall weaves together soft acoustic guitars and harmonic layers to create a melancholy rainy-day soundtrack. But it’s more bombastic, glam-tinged garage rock that Segall’s best known for — the kind that made standout singles like “Caesar” and “Feel” so undeniably infectious. $29.50+. Majestic Theatre, Detroit; majesticdetroit.com

Oct. 6

DANCE

Cinderella: World Ballet Series’ eclectic, multinational cast of 40 ballet dancers will bring the classic tale of a maid-turned-princess to Music Hall’s main stage this month. Vibrant handsewn costumes and immaculately detailed set pieces combine with Sergei Prokofiev’s iconic

score to create a stunning production that will enchant viewers of all ages. $25+. Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Detroit; musichall.org

Oct. 6-7

FILM

Hocus Pocus Shadowcast: The award-winning Goblin King Players will bring the beloved Halloween film to life at this family-friendly show. Watch Hocus Pocus play on

Oct. 7

MUSIC

Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band: The Beatles drummer returns to touring for the first time since 2019, bringing his All-Starr Band to Detroit’s Masonic Temple Theatre for a retrospective performance that will include Beatles songs as well as selections from the musician’s prolific solo career. His most recent release, 2022’s EP3 EP, features collaborations with

group led by vocalist Yukimi Nagano specializes in blending elements of triphop, downtempo, synth-pop, and indie soul. The band’s latest album, Slugs of Love was released in July and features the groovy single “Gold” as well as “Glow,” a collaboration with Blur and Gorillaz mastermind Damon Albarn. $29+. Saint Andrew’s Hall, Detroit; livenation.com

Grammy Award for best progressive R&B album. Most recently, he collaborated with Australian psych-rock outfit Tame Impala on the single “No More Lies.” $37+. Masonic Cathedral Theatre, Detroit; axs.com

Oct. 13-14

ART

Handcrafters Fall Fair: Browse handmade decor, specialty foods, jewelry, and crafts from 80 of the Midwest’s top artisans at this 44th annual fall fair. Friday kicks off with a “Sip & Shop” event complete with mimosas and snacks. No cost for children under 12. $4. Embassy Suites, Livonia; hcshows.com

Oct. 14

COMEDY

the Redford Theatre’s silver screen while a talented cast acts along live onstage, complete with film-accurate costumes and props. A VIP option provides early entry, themed cocktails or mocktails, and photo ops with the Sanderson sisters themselves. $20 for adults; $15 for children 12 and under. Redford Theatre, Detroit; redfordtheatre.com

Oct. 6-8

THEATER

Monster High Live: Join Clawdeen Wolf, Draculaura, Frankie Stein, and the rest of the boo crew as they prepare for their school’s annual Monster Ball in this new stage production. While the show is full of singing and dancing, its heart lies in its message of embracing and celebrating one another’s differences. A VIP experience, which includes access to a Monster Ball dance party one hour before the show starts, is also available for an extra cost. $19+. Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents.com

Oct. 12

Steve Lukather (Toto), Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes), bassist Nathan East, and saxophonist Dave Koz. $59+. Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit; axs.com

Oct. 7-15

MUSIC/THEATER

Madame Butterfly: Giacomo Puccini’s famous opera about a young Japanese girl who marries an American naval officer in early 20th-century Nagasaki comes to life at the Detroit Opera House this fall. A collaboration between Detroit Opera, Cincinnati Opera, San Diego Opera, Utah Opera, and Pittsburgh Opera, this new production features an all-Japanese and Japanese American cast and creative team. $21+. Detroit Opera House, Detroit; detroitopera. org

Oct. 8

MUSIC

Little Dragon: Best known for its back catalog of highprofile collaborations with acts like Gorillaz, DJ Shadow, and Flying Lotus, this Swedish electronic music

THEATER/FILM

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Enjoy a large-screen showing of the original cult classic film while a cast of live performers acts along onstage. Guests will also have the opportunity to view a display of memorabilia from the original film, including costumes and props. For the die-hard fans, a VIP ticket option is available, which includes a meet and greet with Barry Bostwick.

Costumes are encouraged. $55+. Fisher Theatre, Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com

Oct. 13

MUSIC

Thundercat: Singer, songwriter, producer, and bassist Stephen Lee Bruner — better known as Thundercat — made a name for himself by collaborating with some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B, including Flying Lotus and Kendrick Lamar. His solo career is no less celebrated — especially his 2020 album It Is What It Is, which won him a

Taylor Tomlinson: After becoming a top-10 finalist on the ninth season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Tomlinson went on to appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Conan, and several Comedy Central productions. Named one of the top 10 comics to watch by Variety in 2018, Tomlinson draws much of the material for her stand-up routines from her childhood experiences, particularly her upbringing in a strict Christian family. Her most recent special, 2022’s Look at You, touched on grief, dating, and mental health to widespread critical acclaim. $39+. Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents.com

Oct. 15

MUSIC

The Darkness: The English rock band will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its multiplatinum-selling debut album, Permission to Land, when it embarks on a North American tour this fall. That album’s lead single, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” lit up charts in both the U.K. and the U.S. with its throwback-y, glam-tinged sound and arena-ready falsetto vocals. The band will perform Permission to Land in its entirety, along with standout tracks from its six subsequent studio albums. $39+. Saint Andrew’s Hall, Detroit; livenation.com

Oct. 17-29

THEATER

Company: This modern revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking 1970 production won five Tony Awards, including best revival of a musical, in 2022. The

insightful yet hilarious story follows Bobbie as she navigates her own 35th birthday party and is repeatedly asked, “Why aren’t you married yet?” Filled with catchy and beloved songs like “You Could Drive a Person Crazy” and “The Ladies Who Lunch,” the production explores the demands and joys of being a woman in the 21st century. $70+. Fisher Theatre, Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com

Oct. 18

STAGE SHOW

The Price Is Right Live: Detroiters will have a chance to play iconic games and win fabulous prizes — including a brand-new car — when this interactive stage production based on the hit TV game show returns to the Fox Theatre. To date, the live show has given away more than $15 million in prizes across North America. $30+. Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents. com

Oct. 21-22

DANCE

Dance Theater of Harlem: The renowned company, founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell, the first African American principal dancer of New York City Ballet, returns to Detroit with a new artistic

director, choreographer Robert Garland, at the helm. Cost TBA. Detroit Opera House, Detroit; detroitopera.org

Oct. 25

THEATER

John Malkovich in The Music Critic: The Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor portrays a fictional critic who skewers the likes of Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and Brahms in this hilarious hybrid of comedy, theater, and symphony. Musician and composer Aleksey Igudesman wrote the show based on actual critiques of classical masterworks, which are performed by a talented live orchestra that includes pianist Hyung-ki Joo and cellist Antonio Lysy. $49+. The Fillmore, Detroit; livenation.com

Oct. 26-27

COMEDY

Trevor Noah: Following his departure from Comedy Central’s Emmy Award-winning The Daily Show, on which he served as host for seven years, this South African comedian and writer will head out on the road for his Off the Record stand-up tour. The shows are just one of many irons Noah has in the fire — he’s set to release a new book and podcast later

this year. $35+. Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents.com

Oct. 29

COMEDY

Michelle Wolf: After cutting her teeth as a contributor on Late Night with Seth Meyers and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, this comedian, writer, and producer was launched to new levels of fame when she hosted the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. Her biting brand of political comedy went viral, landing her two Netflix shows and a feature in Bill Burr’s Friends Who Kill special. $29.50+. Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak; royaloakmusictheatre.com

Oct. 31

MUSIC

SSnuggled between two duplexes

in Hamtramck is a folk art installation that has remained open, with constant tinkering, before it relaunches this fall. Hamtramck Disneyland, a 1,945-square-foot exhibit created in 1992 by retired General Motors Co. employee Dmytro Szylak, is inspired by the actual Disneyland and Ukrainian folk music. It lives atop two large duplex garages decorated with paintings, figurines, carousels, and more.

Szylak maintained the exhibit himself until his death in 2015. It was then adopted by Hatch Art, a Hamtramck-based nonprofit art collective that purchased the duplexes. Hatch was tasked with repairing various elements of the 31-year-old installation and maintaining its uniqueness.

The 1975, 10/31

The 1975: The U.K.-based critical darlings will head out on their “Still … at Their Very Best” tour this fall in continued promotion of their acclaimed 2022 album Being Funny in a Foreign Language Lauded for its eclectic styling, cunning lyrics, and raw musical talent, the alternative rock band was named Band of the Decade at the 2020 NME Awards and boasts four Brit Awards, five NME Awards, and two Grammy Award nominations. $39+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com OCTOBER

Jason Eddleston, a rental property owner in Hamtramck and co-owner of Ray’s Ice Cream in Royal Oak, helped Hatch take ownership of the property. Their goal was to preserve as much of the art as possible, honoring Szylak’s commitment to community. However, acquiring the exhibit and its home property was not the only hard part of this process. “Once we took possession of Hamtramck Disneyland, almost everything had to be redone,” Eddleston says. The restoration process has included work on the original sound, light, and motion installations; electrical wiring; and roofing. Other safety features such as cameras, outdoor lighting, and programs for safe public engagement will also be added. Additionally, one of the four duplex apartments was converted to living quarters for artists in residence — instead of paying rent, the artists contribute to the installation.

The structure will continue to light up at night and retain its moving parts, as well as host many decorative pieces paying homage to Ukraine and Germany. The installation features vibrant colors, figurines and small statues, detailed signage, windmills and other movement pieces, and a large collection of artwork. Hatch associate Chris Schneider says the central goal of the restoration process is to “rebuild in the spirit of what Dmytro did.”

“We still have things that he made, like the helicopter and the space shuttle and the windmill. … Plus, a lot of his horses and [sculptures of] people are going to be dominant throughout the structure. He had a unique way of making people,” Schneider says. Hamtramck Disneyland — which has attracted visitors from all over the world — is an artistic symbol of the city of Hamtramck and its commitment to community and legacy. “It’s a unique and storied place that has delighted thousands of people,” Schneider says.

While the preservation efforts and upkeep will never be fully finished, the team hopes to officially relaunch the exhibit in October or November 2023.

The installation is located at 12087 Klinger St. in Hamtramck and is visible from the alleyway between Sobieski and Klinger, north of Commor and south of Carpenter.

A UNIQUE COMMUNITY FOLK ART COLLECTION IS KEPT ALIVE IN THE ORIGINAL ARTIST’S HONOR

HAMTRAMCK DISNEYLAND

Nov. 1

THEATER

Menopause the Musical: Making women laugh for more than 20 years, this comedic musical by Jeanie Linders turns classic songs from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s into hilarious show tunes about hot flashes, night sweats, and memory loss. $36+. Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor; michtheater.org

Nov. 2

MUSIC

Roosevelt: As Roosevelt, the German singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Marius Lauber creates disco music for modern times by stitching together synth-pop sounds, electronic beats, and groovy guitar lines. He’ll tour in support of a slew of new stand-alone singles, including “Ordinary Love” and “Luna,” when he brings his energetic and supremely danceable live performance to Detroit’s Majestic Theatre this fall. $25+. Majestic Theatre, Detroit; majesticdetroit. com

Nov. 3

MUSIC

Average White Band: Fans of soul, funk, and jazz music are in for a treat when this prolific Scottish group stops in Detroit to perform selections from its decades-long career. The band is best known for its ubiquitous 1974 instrumental single “Pick Up the Pieces,” but even its lesserknown tracks have been sampled by chart-topping musicians, including Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, TLC, and Ice Cube. $30+. Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Detroit; musichall.org

Nov. 5

MUSIC

Lil Yachty: After striking gold when his single “One Night” appeared in a viral video in 2015, this Atlanta-based rapper, singer, and songwriter has dabbled in an array of genres, including hip-hop, trap, and pop rap. His fifth and most recent studio album, Let’s Start Here, found the artist ditching his signature hip-hop sound in favor of a new, psychedelic rock-influenced style. Catch the eclectic artist live when he stops at The Fillmore during his Field Trip tour. $59+. The Fillmore, Detroit; livenation.com

Nov. 6

MUSIC

Victor Wooten and the Wooten Brothers: As one of the founders of Grammy Awardwinning supergroup Béla

Fleck and the Flecktones, bassist and songwriter Victor Wooten established himself as a true innovator in the world of jazz music. Inspired by virtuosos like James Brown, Prince, and Funkadelic, Wooten creates jaw-dropping bass effects in real time while his brothers Joseph, Roy, and Regi accompany him. $45. The Ark, Ann Arbor; theark.org

Nov. 7

MUSIC

Kesha: The American singer and songwriter will promote her newest album, Gag Order, when she heads out on a 20-date North American tour this fall. While she originally

rial from the band’s newest album, Memento Mori, which was released earlier this year. $77+. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; 313presents.com

Nov. 14-26

THEATER

Mrs. Doubtfire: Fans of the beloved 1993 comedy will enjoy this new musical take on the story of a father who goes undercover as a Scottish nanny in order to spend time with his kids after a divorce. Directed by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, the show has been lauded equally for its big laughs and big heart. $54+. Fisher Theatre, Detroit; broadwayindetroit.com

FALL FESTIVALS

hosted two podcasts, and appeared on numerous television shows, including NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and Last Call with Carson Daly $35+. Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak; royaloak musictheatre.com

Nov. 18

MUSIC

Joe Bonamassa: Regarded as one of the world’s best blues guitarists, Bonamassa got his first taste of fame at just 12 years old when he opened for B.B. King. He went on to record 17 solo albums (including Blues Deluxe, Vol. 2 to be released Oct. 6), 18 live albums, and a slew of collaborations with notable artists including Beth Hart and Black Country Communion. The accomplished singersongwriter will play selections from his latest studio album, 2021’s Time Clocks, when his band heads out on the road this fall. $49+. Fox Theatre, Detroit; 313presents. com

Nov. 19

MUSIC

Aug. 19-Oct. 1 (select dates)

MICHIGAN RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Take a step back in time to a 16th-century European village that offers 17 stages of music, magic, juggling, jousting, and more. Visit the festival marketplace to shop handcrafted goods by more than 100 artisans and come face-to-face with mermaids and other magical creatures or feast with members of a royal court. Each of the seven weekends has a different theme. Costumes are welcome. Enjoy food and special events, too. General admission is $12.95-$15.95 for ages 5-12 and $22.95-$25.95 for ages 13 and up. Season passes are available, and additional fees may apply for certain activities. Parking is $10. 12600 Dixie Highway, Holly; michrenfest.com

Sept. 1-4

SOARING EAGLE ARTS, BEATS & EATS

This annual Labor Day weekend festival marks the unofficial end of summer and ushers in autumn with more than 200 musical acts (including Bell Biv DeVoe, Halestorm, Collective Soul, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts) performing across nine stages in the heart of Royal Oak. You’ll also find a highly regarded juried art show featuring work in a wide variety of mediums as well as food from more than 40 area restaurants and food trucks, along with a carnival filled with games and rides. No cost for admission until 5 p.m. on Friday; $10 after 5 p.m. on Friday; $5 before 3 p.m. and $10 after 3 p.m. Saturday-Monday. Downtown Royal Oak area; artsbeatseats.com

Sept. 8-10

PLYMOUTH FALL FESTIVAL

gained fame with upbeat, party-ready singles like “Timber” and “Right Round,” Kesha has since experimented with a variety of musical styles, including rock and rap. Ten of her tracks have reached the top 10 spots on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, including “Tik Tok,” which remains one of the best-selling digital singles in history.

$49+. Masonic Temple Theatre, Detroit; axs.com

Nov 8

MUSIC

Depeche Mode: Named the 10th greatest dance club artist of all time by Billboard, this profoundly influential English electronic band has sold more than 100 million records over the course of its 43-year-long career. Hear the ’80s and ’90s hits that made the band famous — like “Just Can’t Get Enough” and “Personal Jesus” — along with rarities, surprises, and mate-

Nov. 16 COMEDY

Gary Owen: After breaking out on BET’s stand-up showcase, ComicView, in the late ’90s, this Cincinnati-born comedian and actor has appeared in dozens of comedic TV shows and films, including Daddy Day Care, Little Man Ride Along and College He’s best known for his hilarious takes on race and stereotypes, drawing heavily from his own lived experience in an interracial marriage. $45+. Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel, Detroit; 313presents.com

Nov. 17 COMEDY

Phoebe Robinson: A prolific comedic writer, Robinson has worked as a contributor for Glamour magazine, MTV’s Girl Code, and Comedy Central’s Broad City She’s authored three New York Times bestselling books,

Liz Phair: To celebrate 30 years since the release of her acclaimed debut album, Exile in Guyville, singer-songwriter Liz Phair will play the record live in its entirety on her upcoming Guyville tour. Landing on multiple “best of” lists, including Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest albums of all time, Exile in Guyville put Phair on the map — she has since released six studio albums and sold more than 3 million records worldwide. The show includes a supporting performance by indie rock artist Blondshell. $39+. Masonic Cathedral Theatre, Detroit; axs.com

Nov. 25

COMEDY

Fortune Feimster: Following her television debut on NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2010, this comedian and actress landed roles in dozens of small-screen comedies, including The Simpsons, The Mindy Project, and 2 Broke Girls She currently lends her voice to the character Olive on the Max animated series Velma $35+. Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak; royaloak musictheatre.com

From cars and crafts to pets and pancakes, this festival has a little something for everyone. Kick off fall with an adrenaline rush at the carnival, which features classic fair rides like a Ferris wheel and Tilt-aWhirl; mosey on up to the stage to watch live dance and music shows; check out the antique and classic car displays or the pet show; and try the seasonal activities at the community vendor booths. A pancake breakfast and the Rotary Club barbecue will keep you full amid all the fun. No cost for admission. Fees apply for some activities, including the carnival rides. Kellogg Park, Plymouth; plymouthfallfestival. com

Sept. 8-10

ART & APPLES FESTIVAL

Shop among more than 200 fine-art exhibitors, watch artists demonstrate their talents in glassblowing and ceramics, and make your own masterpiece at the art activity stations. Food trucks and tents and restaurant pop-ups from around Michigan and across the Midwest will be on-site for you to try, and there will be free music and dance entertainment. Bring your pint-size artists to the Kids Art Zone for a scavenger hunt, bounce houses, face painting, and more. $5 suggested donation. Rochester Municipal Park, Rochester; pccart.org

Sept. 23-24

ST. JOSEPH OKTOBERFEST

German culture takes center stage for two days this fall. Come to try authentic eats and seasonal brews, enjoy live Bavarian music, and try your hand at the annual stein-holding contest. You’ll also find games, seasonal activities for the kids, raffles, vendor booths, and more. No cost for admission. St. Joseph Shrine, Detroit; stjosephoktoberfest.com

Oct. 28

DETROIT FALL BEER FESTIVAL

The Michigan Brewers Guild celebrates the Motor City’s rich beer-brewing history at this 14th annual fest. Sip on fresh, locally brewed beers and sample eats from Detroit-area restaurants as you enjoy a lineup of local musical talents. You must be at least 21 years old to attend. Your ticket gets you 15 drink tokens, each redeemable for a 3-ounce sample. $55$65. Eastern Market, Detroit; mibeer.com

SPUTTERING OUT OF THE 19TH CENTURY, DETROIT’S AUTOMAKERS FOSTERED A CAN-DO TRADITION LIKE NONE OTHER. NOW, A FULL-ON SHIFT LEADS BACK TO BATTERY POWER, AS IN THE DAYS BEFORE WORLD WAR I, AND TO THE SOFTWARE-DRIVEN AUTONOMOUS AND CONNECTED VEHICLES THAT FUTURISTS ALWAYS DREAMED ABOUT.

BODIES IN MOTION

AUTOMOTIVE

Coinciding with Ford’s big bang, General Motors Co. formed out of the automotive nebulae in 1908, with Cadillac, Buick, and Oldsmobile as the main units. GM soon contributed a crucial advance in usability. As the result of Charles Kettering’s efforts, Cadillac introduced Delco’s electric self-starting system in 1912, replacing the tricky and dangerous hand-crank starting of engines. GM added Chevrolet in 1918 to compete against Ford in the low-price field. Now a mighty corporation, GM instituted scientific management practices, a design department, and systematic research and development. Its marketing effort centered on the idea of “a car for every purse and purpose” — hence the proliferation of models. Then in 1940 came the next big advance in usability: the fully automatic transmission, first available in the Oldsmobile. No longer was gear shifting “a matter requiring some practice and judgment [that] must be learned by trial,” as Charles Duryea, another auto pioneer, put it.

Next was the challenge of interior air conditioning, but that wouldn’t be ready until 1953, when Cadillac, Buick, Olds, Chrysler, and the independent Packard Motor Car Co. made it available.

ver since Charles Brady King sketched his “road carriage” in 1893, Detroit has led the world in automotive innovation. By day, King drudged away, drafting rolling stock at the Michigan Car Co. in Grand Trunk Junction. By night, he doodled and tested. In his road carriage, a steering wheel — quite a novelty! — stood upright on the left, before the seated driver. The mechanism was hard to perfect, though, and on King’s journey of March 6, 1896, he guided a motorized delivery wagon called “Tootsie” by manipulating a crude tiller. Remarkably, though, instead of the day’s dominant singles and twins, Tootsie’s engine was an exotic four-cylinder job. The cylinder block was cleverly cast as a one-piece unit. Reaching 5 miles per hour, Tootsie crept a few miles

up Woodward Avenue and back, the first automobile to drive in Detroit.

Henry Ford witnessed King’s frolic in light snow that evening. About three months later, Ford finished and drove his own “Quadricycle,” hitting 20 mph. Forming Ford Motor Co. in 1903, he fielded various efforts before introducing the Model T in October of 1908. Its four-cylinder engine had a cast-iron block; the steering wheel was on the left. Firing up the moving assembly line at the Highland Park factory in 1913, Ford began to build millions of Model Ts, placing any of a selection of different bodies on the same basic chassis. Novelist Upton Sinclair later wrote, “It was the beginning of an epoch; cars would be lighter, stronger, cheaper.”

Today, Chrysler is a part of the international group Stellantis, which has 16 French, Italian, German, British, and U.S. brands. Chrysler had become the third member of the Big Three automakers after its incorporation in 1925. Walter P. Chrysler reached multimillionaire status by running Buick during the 1910s; his namesake company made its debut in the midprice field with six-cylinder power and fourwheel hydraulic brakes. (Mechanically operated rear-wheel-only brakes were the norm.) Following GM’s up-the-ladder formula, Chrysler added lowprice Plymouth, midmarket Dodge and DeSoto, and upscale Imperial. Later claims included pioneering the muscle car movement in the 1950s with the aweinspiring Hemi V-8 engine and, by 1970, introducing aerodynamic features, namely the pinched noses and gigantic rear wings on the Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Charger Daytona.

In the midcentury period, the Ford Thunderbird represented a product breakthrough as an appealing “personal car.” The Pontiac GTO came along in

WHAT’S IN THE WORKS AT MICHIGAN CENTRAL

In April, the tech incubator Newlab opened its Detroit headquarters in the rehabilitated Book Depository building in the Michigan Central innovation district. Newlab hosts startups and small established companies that pay a monthly fee for space and the use of workshops. Here, we introduce a selection of those ventures.

ENERGY STORAGE SAFETY PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL

During his 20 years as a member of the Detroit Fire Department, Ron Butler belonged to one of the busiest battalions in the world. “I ran on the east side of Detroit,” Butler says. “We did a lot of aggressive firefighting. What I learned, I apply to

my business. If we don’t do our jobs right, people die.”

Today, as chief executive officer of Energy Storage Safety Products International — which receives funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation — Butler leads development of new means of suppressing battery fires. ESSPI has five employees, 15 contract workers,

one patented suppression system, and another pending.

Butler jumped at the chance to take an office under the Newlab umbrella in The Book Depository.

“There’s nothing like it,” he says, saving special praise for the 3D printing facility and electronics lab.

ESSPI is developing a suite of robust products “based on safe

transport and storage of batteries,” he says. This includes small cases for moving military batteries, larger ones for EV batteries, and even a trailer system. The general idea is to monitor for battery failure, detect even the “tiniest amount of off-gassing from a battery,” and communicate developments to concerned parties.

AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION

CANOPY

Canopy started as an internal project within Ford Motor Co. to solve problems related to theft of tools and cargo from vehicles. It was spun off in 2022 as a separate venture. Security specialist ADT Inc. also backs the company, which has 80 employees split between London and Detroit. Preparing for beta

testing one recent afternoon, Chief Product Officer Sam Harris said Canopy’s aftermarket product with an artificial intelligence-powered camera system and smartphone app is for all trucks (and soon, for vans). In May, Canopy shot a commercial at Ford’s original Piquette Avenue plant, completing a full circle in the story of mobility.

“It’s been a kind of crazy journey,” Harris says.

GROUNDED RVS

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam Shapiro was nomadic, living and working in the 20-yearold Chevrolet cargo van he had converted to a camper. The experience led him to start

Grounded RVs, an enterprise whose staff of fewer than 10 devote themselves to creating battery-electric-powered campers. “We ended up in Detroit basically because we got invited to participate in this Michigan Central Newlab space,” he says.

“It’s a totally invaluable program for us as an early-stage startup

because the amount of resources we get access to for a very tiny fee, relatively, is unmatched.” The

Grounded G1 camper van is based on a Ford E-Transit, but Shapiro says Grounded is “platform agnostic” and that details of the G2, on a different platform, will be announced by summer’s end.

Introduced in mid-1990,

1964, refining the muscle car formula; then, the Ford Mustang introduced the “pony car” concept that would be emulated by the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and Dodge Challenger. But issues of safety, pollution, and fuel efficiency soon consumed the industry at the expense of performance and design. The Detroit industry devoted itself to downsizing and the application of electronic controls. Coming out in 1984, the Chrysler minivans utilized front-wheel drive for interior space efficiency and four-cylinder engines for improved gas mileage. Look-alike “badgeengineered” models — different brands sharing similar designs and common corporate chassis — became the norm. In response to the trend’s result of decreased expression of individuality for the buyer, light trucks emerged as the hot category to a degree never before seen in the world.

Packard had stopped its assembly lines by 1956. Already, two years earlier, other independents — the Hudson Motor Car Co. and Nash Motors Co. had merged to form American Motors Corp., headquartered in Southfield. In 1970, AMC acquired Kaiser Jeep of Toledo, Ohio. AMC nevertheless struggled to achieve scale, and when Chrysler bought

ELECTREON

A 10-year-old Israeli company, Electreon leads the creation of roadway corridors that offer inductive charging to EVs while they’re stopped or on the go. In 2022, the Michigan Department of Transportation announced a fiveyear agreement with Electreon to create the nation’s first wireless

electric road system over a milelong stretch in Corktown, mostly along Michigan Avenue. There will also be a short stretch of ERS on 14th Street alongside The Book Depository with charging pads for buses and delivery trucks. Charging is accomplished as coils under the road’s pavement transmit to receiver coils in the vehicles.

Stefan Tongur, vice president of business development at Electreon, speaks of “regional corridors” that would reduce the need for oversize onboard batteries and reward “repetitive movement” by giving frequent charges to passing vehicles throughout the day. When Hour Detroit spoke to MDOT in late July, officials expected to begin the

14th Street ERS segment in August or September, and the Michigan Avenue stretch sometime in 2024.

CAVNUE

“What we’re looking to do is simplify the road ahead to the next generation of vehicles,” says Mark de la Vergne, vice president at Cavnue, a 3-year-old startup with

offices in Palo Alto, California, and Washington, D.C., and about 20 employees at The Book Depository. Connectivity and autonomy promise to increase safety and reduce congestion, and Cavnue is master developer for the nation’s first planned connected and autonomous vehicle corridor, a 40mile stretch of I-94 between Detroit

THE JEEP CHEROKEE WAS ALREADY OPENING UP A WHOLE NEW MARKET SEGMENT FOR SERIOUSLY CAPABLE MIDSIZE SUVS.

and Ann Arbor. De la Vergne draws a comparison to the conversion 100 years ago of wagon roads to paved routes for bicycles and cars. “Now, vehicles are essentially becoming computers on wheels,” he says. Cavnue is working closely with the Michigan Department of Transportation to make accommodations for autonomous

vehicles. “Our goal is to get a few miles built as a pilot in the next year or so, then hope for the first segment of 10 to 20 miles in the middle part of the decade.”

PLUCK.ECO

“I kind of think they made the building for me,” says Chening Duker, founder of Pluck.eco, a

delivery service working with seven urban farms. He often starts his day at 6 a.m. ensuring that deliveries go out. Next, he heads to Newlab in The Book Depository, where he now tinkers on variations of the Biliti Electric Taskman, a batterypowered three-wheeler made in India. “They have a really sweet vehicle. It reduces the per-unit cost

of distributing from farms.” He’s working on a folding rear panel that could serve as a coffee or samples bar for socializing with customers at pop-ups. “We’re coming up with something that looks pretty different from what you would expect. There’s no way I could justify setting up a woodshop to test out this pilot without the benefit of

Newlab.

HERITAGE

AMC in 1987, Jeep was the big prize. With inspired design by Dick Teague, the Jeep Cherokee was already opening up a whole new market segment for seriously capable midsize SUVs. The Ford Explorer picked up the baton as a more civilized SUV when it rolled out in 1991. Meanwhile, a big shift started as pickup trucks stepped in as personal vehicles. The epitome of the movement was the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, a truck without precedent.

In the past 15 years, Detroit has reworked its muscle and pony car formulas, stirring up the masses with high-horsepower Mustangs, Camaros, and Chargers. But to a small extent, it also adopted hybrid gasoline-electric power trains

in, for example, the Ford Escape compact SUV. Now the industry is going all out on development of battery-electric vehicles. The astonishing GMC Hummer EV takes the monster truck to a new, zero-emissions level, and the Ford F-150 Lightning is the first pickup ever to advertise the ability to power lights and tools at a construction site. Political leaders — Michigan’s included — do everything possible to lure new battery (or related) manufacturing to their states, as seen in the April announcement that the state of Michigan will provide $175 million in subsidies for a Mecosta County plant for battery components. Software designers are in demand, too; in May, GM

announced the hiring of a former Apple executive to lead its own software unit.

Self-driving cars will be sold by 2030, GM’s chair and CEO, Mary Barra, said in June, promising the company’s Cruise autonomous driving system will reap $50 billion a year. With self-driving vehicles, connectivity gains even greater importance as cars themselves receive and send data and occupants use transit time for productive purposes beyond listening to Eminem’s bestsellers.

Not exactly what Charles Brady King had in mind 127 years ago aboard Tootsie, but innovation is a force that cannot be tamed, especially in Detroit.

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SELECTION PROCESS

Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process.*

The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. We limit the lawyer ratings to those who can be hired and retained by the public, i.e., lawyers in private practice and Legal Aid attorneys.

The Super Lawyers selection process involves the steps outlined in the graphic (at right).

LEARN MORE SuperLawyers.com/SelectionProcess QUESTIONS? SL-Research@thomsonreuters.com

visit SuperLawyers.com

Search for an attorney by practice area and location, and read features on attorneys selected to our lists.

OUR PATENTED SELECTION PROCESS

NOMINATIONS

Diverse list of the top attorneys nominated by their own peers

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH

Evaluated by third-party research across 12 key categories

PEER EVALUATION

Reviewed by a highly credentialed Blue Ribbon Panel of attorneys

FINAL SELECTION

2.5% of attorneys selected to Rising Stars

5% of attorneys selected to Super Lawyers

*U.S. Pat. No. 8,412,564

Caplan & Associates, P.C., is focused on protecting women’s rights. Known as D.A.W.N. –Divorce Attorneys for Women, their expertise and passion lie in representing women in all family law matters.

At D.A.W.N., customer service is top priority. Every case is handled with compassion and respect. The attorneys engage deeply with their clients to fully understand their concerns. They educate, inform and empower clients throughout the process. These attorneys are

D.A.W.N. provides the knowledge and skill expected from 82 combined years of experience and thousands of successfully completed cases. Matthew Caplan, David Caplan and their associates competently handle divorce, custody, parenting time, child and spousal support,

*Selected to Super Lawyers

TOP 100

Czapski, Michelle Thurber

Darrow, Christopher G.

Deneweth, Ronald A. Doerr, Joseph

Engelhardt, Chad D.

Fershtman, Julie I.

Fish, Deborah L.

Frankfort, Edward A.

Gleeson, II, Gerald J.

Gold, Lorne B.

Goodwin, Scott A. Gordon, Deborah L.

Gould, Seth D.

Grieco, Jennifer M. Gross, Stephen M. Hage, Paul

Hardy, Elizabeth P.

Herrmann, Fred K. Hickey, Patrick F.

Mucha, III, John

Murphy, Lauretta K.

Murphy, Lawrence J.

Murray, Moheeb H.

Neuman, Kenneth F.

Newman, Marc

Norris, Megan P.

Oertel, Jennifer M.

Olijnyk, Martha J.

O'Shea, Kevin F.

Pappas, Edward H.

Peacock, Emily M.

Pelton, Eric J.

Quick, Daniel D.

Raitt, Robert M.

Reynolds, Ronald E.

Ribiat, Steven M.

Rifkin, B. Andrew

Rockind, Neil S.

Aaron, Jody L.

Allen, Matthew P.

Alli, Margaret Carroll

Almonrode, Sharon S.

Aloia, Benjamin J.

Aviv, Joseph

Bank, Mark

Beamer, Dirk A.

Behm, Thomas R.

Bogas, Kathleen L.

Bolton, Jordan S.

Boonin, Robert A.

Branigan, Thomas P.

Breitmeyer, Carol F.

Brooks, Keefe A.

Cambridge, James R.

Chalgian, Douglas G.

Chartier, Mary

Cohen, Susan E.

Collens, Howard H. Collier, Trent

Cranmer, Thomas W.

Horton, William H. Howell, Steven G.

Hubbard, John A. Johnson, Ven

Juip, Randall A. Kilpatrick, Richardo I. Kirsch-Satawa, Lisa

Klaus, Kathleen H. Kopson, Mark S. Kotzian, David A.

Kowalsky, Mark L.

Lavigne, Joseph A.

MacKenzie, Donna M.

MacWilliams, Sara K.

Mantese, Gerard Massaron, Mary Mayoras, Andrew W.

McKeen, Brian J. McNeill, Thomas G. Miller, E. Powell

Moore, Brian M.

Salvatore, Jennifer

Seyferth, Patrick G.

Sharkey, Dan

Sharp, Heidi T.

Sier, John M.

Silver, Lee T.

Skidmore, David L.J.M.

Soltis, Keith J.

Speaker, Liisa R.

Spica, James P.

Susskind, Judith A.

Teahan, Marlaine C.

Teicher, Julie B.

Toering, Douglas L.

Tukel, Daniel B.

Turco, Michael R.

Viviano, Joseph E.

Winsten, I.W.

Wolfson, Scott A.

Aaron, Jody L.

Alli, Margaret Carroll

Almonrode, Sharon S.

Andreou, D. Jennifer

Bogas, Kathleen L.

Breitmeyer, Carol F.

Brimer, Lynn M.

Buhl, Rosemary Howley

Chartier, Mary

Cohen, Susan E.

Czapski, Michelle Thurber

Eisenberg, Laura E.

Eisenberg, Sue Ellen

Engelhardt, Jennifer A.

Fershtman, Julie I.

Fish, Deborah L.

Freid, Debra A.

Giunta, Rozanne M.

Gordon, Deborah L.

Grieco, Jennifer M.

Hardy, Elizabeth P.

Johnston, Amy M. Kirsch-Satawa, Lisa

Klaus, Kathleen H.

Luckenbach, Elizabeth L.

MacKenzie, Donna M.

MacWilliams, Sara K.

Massaron, Mary

McGehee, Cary S.

Mithani, Sonal Hope

Murphy, Lauretta K. Norris, Megan P. Oertel, Jennifer M.

Olijnyk, Martha J.

Peacock, Emily M.

Prescott, Sarah S.

Pursley, Kristen

Rubin, Jorin G.

Salvatore, Jennifer

Sharp, Heidi T.

Smith, Shannon M.

Speaker, Liisa R.

Susskind, Judith A.

Teahan, Marlaine C.

Teicher, Julie B.

Tripp, Amy R.

Walsh, Rebecca S.

Watson, Linda M.

Wheaton, Jill M.

Wilinski, Nicole E.

CIVIL RIGHTS

SUPER LAWYERS

Akeel, Shereef H.

SHEREEF H. AKEEL

www.akeelvalentine.com

Brauer, Matthew A.

BANKRUPTCY: CONSUMER

SUPER LAWYERS

Andersen, David C., USADebt Bankruptcy Attorneys,

Bass, Michelle H. Boylan, Winnifred P. Bylenga, Steven M. Clark, Tracy M.

Cohen, Steven J.

Conti, Guy T.

Evangelista, Karen E. Frego, II, James P. Grima, Joseph L.

Hart, Erika D. Metzen, Walter A.

Nelson, Jr., Dean R.

O’Connor, Sandra L. Osipov, Yuliy

Rowse-Oberle, Karen L.

Schneider, Charles J. Wilkinson, David S.

RISING STARS

Berry-Santoro, Alexander J. Hanrahan, Michael

Shephard, Jeremy USADebt Bankruptcy Attorneys,

CIVIL LITIGATION: PLAINTIFF

SUPER LAWYERS

Ellison, Philip L.

Haddad, Issa G.

Kowalko, Michael A. Wardrop, Thomas (Mac) White, H. James

RISING STARS

Balta, Victor

Dilley, Benjamin C. Dondzila, Nicholas

Foley, Patrick A.

Newberg, C. Christopher

Smith, Jarett

Stewart, Jamie K.

Thompson, Kevin

Tinaj, Ervin G.

Turkish, Jason

Buckleitner, Anne

Chaney, Nakisha N.

DeRouin, Amy J.

Fett, James K.

Mueller, Wolfgang

Pabst, Tom R.

Seward, T. Joseph

RISING STARS

Filipovic, Milica

Ghannam, Amanda M.

Henderson, Kali

Kaakarli, Hasan

CLASS ACTION/MASS TORTS

SUPER LAWYERS

Almonrode, Sharon S.

Dubin, David R.

Ellis, Tiffany R.

Grewal, Sr., Mick S.

MICK S. GREWAL, SR.

www.4grewallaw.com

Honigman, David M.

Hughes, Emily E.

McGuinness, Andrew J.

Thompson, Jason J.

Thomson, Elizabeth (Liz) C.

Young, Jesse L.

RISING STARS

Coulson, Nicholas

Gronda, Matthew

Lienhardt, Dennis

Robb, Matthew Z.

Stamatopoulos, Gregory

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

SUPER LAWYERS

Powers, Barry R.

CONSUMER LAW

SUPER LAWYERS

Dolenga, Michael D.

Haron, David

Liblang, Dani K.

RISING STARS

Ohly, Michael A.

CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS

SUPER LAWYERS

Butler, John W.

RISING STARS

Butler, Elizabeth K.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

SUPER LAWYERS

Albright, Richard S.

Amberg, James W.

Bajoka, Edward A.

Barnwell, William

Bartish, Michael R.

Boria, Aaron J.

Buehner, Jeffrey A.

Cassar, Raymond A.

Chamberlain, Jr., Charles E.

Chartier, Mary

Chiappelli, David J.

Cobb, Britt

Cojocar, Jeffery A.

Crampton, Jeffery S.

JEFFERY S. CRAMPTON GRAND LAW

www.grandlaw.com

Kelley, Deanna L. Kirsch-Satawa, Lisa

Kramer, David J. Kutinsky, Eric I. Lavigne, Joseph A.

Legghio, Brian M.

Lehman, Mariell R. Lewis, Randall M. Loeb, Thomas M. Lynch, Heath M.

Manley, Frank J.

FRANK J. MANLEY

www.manley.law

Manley, Michael P.

MICHAEL P. MANLEY

www.manley.law

Markou, Anastase

Martinez, Cirilo

Minock, John R.

CONTINUED ON

Cripps, David R.

Davis, Jeffrey R.

DeBruin, Tiffany

Dickstein, Loren M.

Donelson, Russell D.

RUSSELL D. DONELSON

THE DONELSON LAW GROUP

www.donelsonlaw.com

Dunn, Robert J.

Dwyer, Lisa

Elder, Doraid

DORAID ELDER

www.elderbrinkmanlaw.com

Foster, Mitchell T.

Freeman, John

Garon, Daniel N.

Geherin, Daniel T.

Grillo, Tanya A.

Grow, Daniel W.

Gurewitz, Harold Z.

Hackett, William P.

Haddad, Farris F.

Hart, Marc E.

Hilf, Daniel P.

Irey-Iverson, Kirsten A.

Kaluzny, Todd A.

Mitchell, Paul L.

Moss, Jason M.

Naughton, Michael C. Newburg, Matthew R.

Numinen, Karl P.

O’Keefe, Patrick

Prain, Brian J. Prasad, Anjali

Raben, Margaret Sind

Rataj, Michael A.

Rockind, Neil S.

Rombach, Thomas C.

Simmington, Glenn M.

Simon, Joseph “Joe”

Smith, Shannon M.

Spahic, Aida

Stablein, Paul J.

Stacer, Andrew D.

Steingold, David S.

Tauber, Marshall S.

Upshaw, Geoffrey

Van Steenkiste, Matthew R.

VanGelderen, Peter

Williams, D. Todd

D. TODD WILLIAMS

www.dtoddlaw.com

Joseph Costantino, Kristina Kaplan, Joshua A. Kelly, Michael B. Khuja, Jamil Krause, Sarah A. Mourad, Raed Nahikian, Will Nyamfukudza, Takura Pommerenke, Devin R. Rudoi, David Rushing, Sydney E. F. Sadrnia, Parisa Sheena, Gregory R.

Small, Richard D. Todd, Wesley J. Wolfe, Rachel Yermalenka, Olga

CRIMINAL DEFENSE: DUI/DWI

SUPER LAWYERS Abdo, Cy M. Barone, Patrick T.

Larin, Daniel J.

Nichols, Michael J. Norwood, Matthew L. Stacey, Brian J. Sternisha, Edward J.

Tafelski, Paul J.

PAUL J. TAFELSKI

Robbins, Scott M. Solaiman, Erin

EMPLOYMENT & LABOR

SUPER LAWYERS

Brodeur-McGeorge, Laura A.

Brooks, Scott A.

Camps, Peter N.

Carey, Raymond J.

Donahue, Jeffrey S. Eisenberg, Sue Ellen

Fetter, Robert D.

Flynn, Keith D.

Gafkay, Julie A.

Hurwitz, Noah S.

Israel, Stuart M.

Laughbaum, Carol A.

Linderman Richelew, Marla

Mack, Jr., Richard G.

Miller, Bruce A.

Moore, James M.

Nacht, David A.

Philo, John C.

Roumayah, Tad T.

Smith Kennedy, Katherine

Stempien, Eric

Sterling, Raymond J.

Wood, Daryl J.

RISING STARS

Abdo, Sherman

Aprile, Joshua P.

Babi, Carly H.

Babi, Randy

Barton, Darnell T.

Bazzi, Hassan K.

Belcher, Leanna

Bennett, Samuel

Blanchard, Joshua A.

Bondy, Spencer M.

Boora, Kulwant S.

Burke, G. Jack

Crane, Cody

Crapko, Jeffrey A.

Duplessis, Ashlee

Elkhoury, John C.

Fabian, Pavol

Fakih, Stephanie N.

Fink, Wade

Gabbara, Suzan

Gardner, Brandon W.

George, Maggie

Giuliani, Alexandra M.

Haisha, Vincent

Hannawa, Nickolas K. Hawily, Mustapha

RISING STARS

Zayid, Justin E.

www.michigandefenselaw.com

ELDER LAW

SUPER LAWYERS

Buhl, Rosemary Howley

Harrison, Norman S. Kish, Gregory R. Lamb, William A. Mannor, Robert (Bob) S-16

ROBERT (BOB) MANNOR

www.mannorlawgroup.com

Ramdayal - Howard, Farrah S-16

Richards, Norman E. Rosenberg, Don L. Schock, Benjamin Steward, James B.

Trainer, Thomas V.

Tripp, Amy R. Urbatsch, Kevin

RISING STARS

Abu-Aita, Amir

Murray, Amanda N.

Walker, Angela L.

Wolf, Nathaniel R.

Yeotis, Dean T.

RISING STARS

Dornbos, Erin

Schulz, Jack W.

Sklarski, Jack T.

Yono, Haba K.

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION: PLAINTIFF

SUPER LAWYERS

Ahmad, Muneeb M. S-14

Batey, Scott P.

Blanchard, David M.

Croson, Charlotte

Fagan, Barry S.

Freid, Debra A.

Gasiorek, Donald J.

Glazier, Bradley K.

Gordon, Deborah L.

Howard, Sarah Riley

Koncius, Brian E. Kotwicki, David A.

Kotzian, David A.

Lenhoff, Glen N.

Lord, Jennifer L.

Mastromarco, Jr., Victor J.

McGehee, Cary S.

McManus, Jennifer L.

Morgan, Sam

Niskar, Joey S.

Prescott, Sarah S.

Roumel, Nicholas

Sanders, Herbert A. S-16

Sharp, Heidi T.

Sklar, Joel B.

Sosin, Robert M.

ROBERT M. SOSIN

www.asnlaw.com

Huang, Charissa C.

Lovell, Stephen M. Michaels, Joseph Sheena, Jenna

ESTATE & TRUST LITIGATION

SUPER LAWYERS

Buttiglieri, Joseph P. Camargo, Nicolas S-2

Carney, Jr., Donald F. Chalgian, Douglas G.

Colman, Jonathan M. Glazier, Sandra D. Kraemer, Scott W. Luckenbach, Elizabeth L. Malis, George M. Mayoras, Andrew W.

Duffy, Alison F. Hilker, Daniel S.

ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE

SUPER LAWYERS

Aguilar, Kathleen Hogan

Ballard, Christopher A.

Bos, John E. Browning, Kimberly C.

Burns, Jeff M. Clark-Kreuer, Rhonda M.

Collens, Howard H.

Curoe, Andrew H.

de Reyna, David R.

Denha, Randall A.

Fuller, Michele P.

Garvey, Paul T.

Grabowski, Andrew J.

Stamler, Patricia A.

Stoops, Kevin J.

Wahl, Gerald D.

Wilkinson, Mark S.

RISING STARS

Hanna, Michael

Howard, II, Robert M.

Neilson, Jeffrey T. Simjanovski, Daniel D. Skidmore, David L.J.M.

RISING STARS Bourjaily, Ryan Boyd, Juliet R.

Grix, Henry M.

Harvey, Jennifer M.

Hentkowski, Angela M.

Holtvluwer, Wendy P.

Huff, Diane K.

Janssen, Charles A.

Jenney, Brian R.

Kass, Robert E.

Kellogg, Mark E.

Kimball, Neil L.

Labe, Robert B.

Larsen, David P.

Lentz, Marguerite Munson

Lichterman, Michael G.

Little, Nancy L. Lynwood, Katie

May, Alan A.

Mielock, Douglas A.

Mills, Richard C.

Morrissey, Amy N.

Murphy, Lauretta K.

Ofstein, Charles S.

Perry, Robert P.

Piwowarski, Nathan R. Pudyk, Christy M. Reister, Nicholas A.

Rickard, Lori-Ann

Rolfe, Brian H.

Ross, Glenn G.

Savage, Christine M.

Schuitmaker, Harold

Scott, John A.

Seavoy, Kenneth J.

Sherbin, Aaron H.

Snitchler, Mark M. Spica, James P.

Tatone, John R. Teahan, Marlaine C.

Tucker, Rachel Velardo, Armand

Veprauskas, IV, Victor A. Wallace II, Harvey B.

Wasserman, Linda A.

Welber, Nancy H.

Westerman, Susan S.

Willis, Michael J. Witzke, Michael P.

RISING STARS

Babnik, Jr., Andrew

Beer, Jonathan

Bialick, Zachary J. Boroja, Daniel Bosch, Seth

Cieslik, Kathleen A.

Curcio, James

Dakroub, Hameed

Deluca, Mark

Dickey, Collin D.

Fraim, Anne

Frew, Kristina L.

Giarmarco, John J. Haines, William Harp, Hadi A.

Hofstetter, Katrina N. Howell, Oliver S. Huff, Robert M. Huss, Kevin M. Johnston, Stephen C.

Kallabat, Mallory Kapoor, Dave Krueger, III, Warren H. Lawrence, Gabrielle C.

Leo, Cassandra MacWilliams, Nicole H. Massaro, Julia

Miracle, Meaghan Opalewski, Nicholas R.

Petitjean, Margaret P. (Molly)

Plourde, Janine

Probst, Austin W. Rambus, Chris

Rogalke, Morgan Leigh Rubin, Michelle A. Schwartz, David E. Senkowski, Christine L. Trimpe, Carrie E.

Wrock, Rebecca K. Zak, Robert

FAMILY LAW

SUPER LAWYERS

Abbatt, Candyce Ewing Bank, Mark Becker, Lori D. Berlin, William E.

Bissett, Peter G. Black, Julia L. Bransdorfer, Elizabeth K. Breitmeyer, Carol F. Brinkman, Monica

MONICA BRINKMAN

www.elderbrinkmanlaw.com

Buiteweg, Lori A.

Caplan, David M. S-3 S-12

Caplan, Matthew A. S-3, S-12

Catchick, Jr., J. Matthew Cavellier, Gerald P.

Chioini, Randall J. Chryssikos, James W. S-15

Cohen, Susan E.

Cole, Kathleen L.

Cook, Shon Anne

Cronin, Sabrina Shaheen

Cushman, Kathryn M.

Cutler, Michael H.

Davis, Tanisha M.

Dawson, David R.

Dizik, Jordan S.

Draper, Roquia K.

Drew, III, Mowitt S.

Duffy, Jill

Eisenberg, Laura E.

Elkouri, Susan L.

Farrugia, Catrina

Feldstein, Robert Z.

Fessler, Paul C.

Finazzo, Lori J.

Frazee, Jeanne M.

Friedman, Lowell S.

Fryhoff, Timothy T.

Giske, Staci D.

Gold, Lorne B.

Goldman, Akiva E.

Goldner, Ruth

Green, Sandra U.

Greenwald, Leslie “Les” Neil

Grover, Kimberly A.

Gucciardo, Renée K. S-9

Haddad, Mark C.

Harrington, III, James J.

Hauer, Harvey I.

Heath, Symantha

Jackman, Wade P.

Kitchen-Troop, Elizabeth

Kline, John K.

Kramer, Timothy J.

Lichterman, Susan S.

Long, Emily E.

Lumberg, Eric S.

Lynch, William O.

Martina, Carlo J.

McGiness, Kevin J.

McGinnis, Jr., Donald E.

Mellin, Irika N.

Middleditch Wigod, Keri S-16

Miller, Cameron A.

Miller, Delia

Moore, Phoebe J.

Nacy, Elizabeth J.

O’Brien, Deborah F.

Papista, Anthea E.

ANTHEA E. PAPISTA

www.papistalaw.com

Peskin-Shepherd, Alisa A.

Prokopec, Dawn M.

Pulte, Marie A.

Quinn, Kyle J.

Raczkowski, Annette T.

Reed, Steven A.

Reinheimer, Steven D.

Rifkin, B. Andrew

Roane, Richard A.

Robbins, Michael A.

MICHAEL A. ROBBINS

www.michaelarobbins.com

Robinson, Kristen L.

Rotter, Harriet B.

Rubin, Jorin G. S-13

JORIN G. RUBIN RUBIN FRAMPTON

www.rubinframpton.com

Salassa, Jeffrey M.

Sarnacki, David C.

Sater, Nazli G.

Schnelz, Kurt E.

Schrot, Jr., John J.

Selleck, Stacey L.

Sharkey, Katherine M.

Sirich, Lynn C.

Slank, Eileen J.

Sleight, Allison E.

Snover, Mark A.

Spilman, Amy M.

Stawski, Amy A.

Steslicki, Sarah E.

Stone, Nancy Komer

Stypula, Elaine

ELAINE STYPULA

www.oaklandcountyfamilylawyer.com

Thacker, Connie R.

Urbani, II, Anthony

Velzen, Randall L.

Victor, Richard S.

Vogt, Kathy J.

Warshaw, Eileen

Weiner, Stewart

Wheaton, Jr., Donald C.

Wikander, Erica L.

Wolock, Miriam Z.

Yu, Amy A.

Zopf, Katherine L.

RISING STARS

Abood, Jeffrey Lance

Baluha, Katherine

Bono, Sherri L.

SHERRI L. BONO

www.michaelarobbins.com

Cahalan, John C.

Cheltenham, Colline

Constand, Dana M.

Daar, Alexander

Dahlen, Meredith E.

Dakroub, Joe

DeBene, Daniel J.

Emmer, Max S.

Faber, Joshua

Faulkner, Samantha Suzanne

Flynn, Erin C.

Germain, Dennis

Ghannam, Angela J.

Haines, Corey K.

Heltsley, Jessica

Hilyard, Shane

Jacques, Derek

Kapoor, Stephanie

Kapture, Katrina A.

Kelley, Rachel Gruetzner

Kelly, Ryan M.

Korr, Allison Greenlee

Krysak Frampton, Katherine A. S-13

KATHERINE A. KRYSAK FRAMPTON

RUBIN FRAMPTON

www.rubinframpton.com

Licavoli, Matthew H.

Lotarski, Nina M.

Mash, Erin C.

Medley, Angela

Nunley, Royce

Ortega, Kendra J.

Parnell, David

Phillips, Kelley McLean

Polizzi, Laura E.

Riggs, Sarah Dinsmore

Robbins, Bryan M.

Roddy, Dion

Rurka, Leah

Schalte, Kelly M.

Schefsky, Patrick D.

Sierra, Courtney M.

Simon, Jacob N.

Sossi, Pamela M.

Spresser, Lise

Toburen, Mike

Van Den Heuvel, Justin

Wirth, Amanda Van Essen

Zurawski, Casey

GENERAL LITIGATION

SUPER LAWYERS

Bos, Carole D.

Condit, Michael

Cornell, Jr., Ronald L. S-2

Dilley, Frederick D.

Elkins, Michael D.

Hatchett, Ayanna D.

Head, Shawn H.

Landry, David B.

Margolis, Laurence H.

Morganroth, Jeffrey B. S-16

Murray, Jr., Thomas P.

Reed, Arnold E.

THE ORIGINAL MICHIGAN LAW FIRM DEDICATED TO WOMEN

Sevanthinathan, Pratheep

Stek, Stanley J.

Wallace, Bruce T.

RISING STARS

Bovill, Michael J.

Gaines, Jr., Robbie J.

Hansmann, Leigh A.

Jajou, Dani

Olney, Rachel G.

Opalewski, Jr., Lawrence

Owens, Jasmine J.

Paulovich, Gerald K.

Penrod, Robert J.

Peters, Amber D.

Swindlehurst, Cara

Trexler, Josh

Wilson, Ariel

Wilson, Nathan D.

Young, Katelyn

Yu, Elise H.

IMMIGRATION

SUPER LAWYERS

Abrutyn, Russell R.

Mann, George P.

Pastor, Caridad (Carrie)

RISING STARS

Bazzi, Mohamad I.

De Armas, Marva

El-Sayed, Moses Atef

Farida, Lauren

Pernas, Jennifer O.

Saleh, Carine R.

MILITARY/VETERANS LAW

RISING STARS

Kelly, Mandy L.

PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF

SUPER LAWYERS

Abrahams, Jonathan D.

Allaben, John R. (Randy)

D.A.W.N. –Divorce Attorneys For Women

Caplan & Associates, P.C., is focused on protecting women’s rights. Known as D.A.W.N. – Divorce Attorneys for Women, their expertise and passion lie in representing women in all family law matters.

At D.A.W.N., customer service is top priority. Every case is handled with compassion and respect. The attorneys engage deeply with their clients to fully understand their concerns. They educate, inform and empower clients throughout to achieving their clients’ goals.

D.A.W.N. provides the knowledge and skill expected from 82 combined years of experience and thousands of successfully completed cases. Matthew Caplan, David Caplan and their associates competently handle divorce, custody, parenting

Telegraph Road, Suite 100 | Bingham Farms, MI 48025

Aneese, Matthew M.

Atnip, Heather J. S-11

Behm, Michael J.

Behm, Thomas R.

Bennett, Larry

Boegehold, Mark E.

MARK E. BOEGEHOLD

THURSWELL LAW

www.thurswell.com

Boyer, Jr., William G.

Buckfire, Lawrence J.

Canner, Michael Aaron Ryan

Cochran, Terry L.

Colella, A. Vince

Marko, Jon

A. VINCE COLELLA

www.mosscolella.com

Matz, Steven J. McCarthy, Jr., E. Thomas

McHugh, Thomas G.

Raitt, Robert M.

Ratton, Michael T. MICHAEL T. RATTON

www.rattonlaw.com

Collis, Christian

Conybeare, Barry R.

Corey, Louis G.

Damico, Jennifer G.

Danzig, Jeffrey A.

Drew, Stephen R.

Economy, Thomas N.

Elia, Sam E.

Fakhoury, Walid Y.

Feldman, Jeffrey H.

Femminineo, David C.

Filiatraut, Christopher D.

Fishback, George T.

Flood, Todd F.

Freed, Ian M.

Garris, Michael J.

Garris, Steven Z.

Gergely, M. Timothy

Giroux, Robert M.

Goldin, Gary A.

Goodman, Barry J.

Goodwin, Scott A. S-15

Googasian, Dean M.

Graves, James F.

Green, Kevin S.

Greve, Guy R.

Gursten, Steven

Hamo, George

Harrington, IV, James J.

Harrington, Nate

Harris, Bradley B.

Harris, Daniel J.

Hastings, Christopher J.

Hewitt, Brandon M.

Hunter, Christopher C.

Inosencio, Jr., Bruce A.

Jakeway, Edwin W.

James, Thomas W.

Janes, J. Paul

Jilek, Jonathan N.

Johnson, Ven

Kavanaugh, Michael P.

Komar, Kevin Z.

Koning, James H.

Kuchon, Sarah E.

LaKritz, Barry F.

Lebow, Michael J.

Liss, Arthur Y.

Lizza, Thomas M.

Malin, Jeffrey D.

Mangapora, Michael J.

McKenna, Brian A.

McKenna, James Meyers, Jeffrey T.

Mills, Benjamin W. Mills, William F.

Mindell, Jeffrey D. Mittleman, David S. DAVID S. MITTLEMAN

www.4grewallaw.com

Ravid, David Lawrence

Rowady, Michael S-16

Saltsman, Glenn A.

Saperstein, Andrew

Schefman, Bryan

Seiferheld, Kevin H.

Serafini, Phillip S.

Shafer, David

Sigal, Vadim

Moss, David M.

DAVID M. MOSS

www.mosscolella.com

Neubauer, Clifford Padilla, Daniel V. S-7

Parillo, Michael P. Peacock, Emily M.

Pearlman, Arvin J. Petrucelli, Vincent R. Pietsch, Samuel H.

Sinas, George T.

Sinas, Stephen H.

Sinas, Thomas

Sisson, Mark

Smith, Timothy P.

Souweidane, Edward E.

Spagnuolo, Jr., James L.

Stearn, Todd J.

Stempky Kime, Sarah S.

Terebelo, Joshua R.

Thompson, George R. CONTINUED

600

Adams Road, Suite 300 Birmingham, MI 48009 PH:

Tirella, David T. Vrana, Mark A. Waechter, Jason A. Waldman, Bryan J. Wallace, Randy J. Berkley

Waun, Thomas W. Weber, Craig M.

Weston, Steven H. Whiting III, Paul J. Wix, Gregory W. Zick, John A.

RISING STARS

Abro, Brandon J. Ajrouch, Ali Alkhalidi, Ameer

Azakir, Hani Azzo, Lauren S. Baghdadi, Ali Bahri, Ronita

Barkey, Jordan Barkho, Dahlia Bates, Matthew R. Bazzi, Mohamad H. Dearborn

Camper, Chris Charara, Ali W. Danielson, Laura B. Doss, Krystina Draugelis, Nicholas Ewald, Jordan Failey, Bill Farhat, Abdullah Farhat, Bill Fraser, V, Stuart A. Gilders, Ross Gill, Manpreet Gumina, Nicholas F.X. Haidar, Kassem

Hamo, Alex Hanna, Nora Hoff, Dustin Jones, Greg

Jones, Jordan Kashat, Kevin Keck, Brian T. Kemp, Alexander P. Khamo, Koro E. Koussan, Ali H. Latham, Alan L. S-16

Laurila, Andrew Makki, Fahed H. Masciulli, Marco C.

Maxim, Justin

McKay, Meaghan B.

McNeal, Brandon

Mukerji, Jay D.

Safir, Gary

Schanta, Samantha E. S-7

Schlinker, Loryn

Sikora, Lindsay F.

Sobh, Alaa

Spiridon, Elizabeth

Stapp, Joshua M.

Steadmon, Raymond C.

Toutant, Phillip B.

Tucker, Catherine E.

Vahdat, Jordan S.

Waldman, Alexander

Warner, Amanda B.

Yatoma, Yousif G.

PERSONAL INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: PLAINTIFF

SUPER LAWYERS

Aaron, Jody L.

Arndt, Stephanie L.

Bereznoff, Gregory M.

Berlin, Marc S.

Buchanan, Robert J.

Carley, J. Kelly

Christensen, David W.

Cook, Jeffrey S.

Counsman, Richard T.

Curtis, Matthew G.

DeNardis, Ronald F.

Dragovic, Andy

Eardley, Eugenie B.

Engelhardt, Chad D.

Engelhardt, Jennifer A.

Fox, Richard D.

Gates, Barry J.

Goethel, Stephen B.

Greenman, Milton H.

MILTON H. GREENMAN

THURSWELL LAW

www.thurswell.com

Hoffer, Stephanie

Hopkins, Stephen J.

Kay, Andrew F.

Kinsey, Jr., Euel W.

EUEL W. KINSEY, JR.

THURSWELL LAW

www.thurswell.com

Lee, Kenneth D.

Lipton, Marc E.

Little, Ronda M.

MacKenzie, Donna M.

Mafrice, Frank McKeen, Brian J.

Meyers, Mary Pat (Rosen)

Muth, Andrew S. Olsman, Jules B. Paskel, Clifford S-16

Randall, Anne L.

Reiter, Jesse M.

Rosen, Norman H.

Roth, Robert P. Susskind, Judith A. Thurswell, Gerald

Malone, John M. McCullough, Michael Secorski, Jennifer L.

Thomas, Emily G. Yaldo, Fallon Zalewski, Dina M. Zavier, Michael

PERSONAL INJURY PRODUCTS: PLAINTIFF

SUPER LAWYERS Riddle, Kevin C.

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY: PLAINTIFF

SUPER LAWYERS

DeAgostino, Thomas M. Googasian, George A.

Bui, Crystal Ficklin, Bobby Kaiser, Ryan Lamey, Wesley J.

WESLEY J. LAMEY DISABILITY ATTORNEYS OF MICHIGAN

www.damichigan.com

GERALD THURSWELL THURSWELL LAW

www.thurswell.com

Turner, Lee I.

Victor, Howard J.

Walsh, Rebecca S.

Watkins, Kenneth T. Weidenfeller, Scott

SCOTT WEIDENFELLER

www.4grewallaw.com

Howlett, Thomas H. Lennon, Edward G. Roether, Robert H.

REAL ESTATE

SUPER LAWYERS Parnell, Jr., John R.

RISING STARS Alexander, Evan

Mansour, Randall

Riggs, Erika A. Romer, Nicholas C.

Versical, Bethany G. Zelmanski, Claire

TAX

SUPER LAWYERS

Cantarella, Eva T. Nemeth, Eric M.

RISING STARS

Weaver, Rosa A.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

SUPER LAWYERS

Charters, John P. Fotieo, Themis J. Kaufman, Jeffrey E.

Weiner, Ronald K.

Weiss, Steve J.

RISING STARS

Heid, Elyse

Hurbis, Steven Kosmowski, Daniel

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

SUPER LAWYERS

Hamm, Andrea L.

RISING STARS Bender, Jacob C.

Kirschner, Jeffrey S. MacDonald, Robert J.

RISING STARS Cotton, Daimeon M.

MICHIGAN

CONSUMER 2023

Selected to Super Lawyers

ROBERT JUNE

Selected to Rising Stars

ALAN L. LATHAM

Selected to Super Lawyers

ROBERT (BOB) MANNOR

INSURANCE COVERAGE

PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF

ELDER LAW

Selected to Super Lawyers

KERI MIDDLEDITCH WIGOD

FAMILY LAW

Journal of the American Academy of

Selected to Super Lawyers

JEFFREY B. MORGANROTH

Selected to Super Lawyers

CLIFFORD PASKEL

GENERAL LITIGATION

PERSONAL INJURY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: PLAINTIFF

Selected to Super Lawyers

FARRAH RAMDAYALHOWARD

cum laude Law Review

Selected to Super Lawyers

MICHAEL ROWADY

Selected to Super Lawyers

HERBERT A. SANDERS

ELDER LAW

PERSONAL INJURY GENERAL: PLAINTIFF

EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION: PLAINTIFF

Law Review

TRAVERSE CITY

Guest Information: traversecity.com

Take a bite out of Traverse City this fall. It tastes like a freshly picked apple … or maybe a warm pumpkin doughnut dipped in cinnamon sugar. Sit back, relax, and savor a glass of awardwinning wine from one of over 50 local wineries.

As the leaves change to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, nothing reminds us more of what people love about Traverse City than fall. Whether you’re driving up Old Mission Peninsula on a self-guided color tour or exploring the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, fall in northern Michigan will never disappoint.

Come hiking and biking, relax at an amazing spa, play another round of golf, or revisit a favorite restaurant. This autumn, Traverse City is exactly where you should be.

Exactly where you should be.

GERVASI VINEYARD RESORT & SPA

Guest Information: 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, OH 44721

330-497-1000 | info@gervasivineyard.com | gervasivineyard.com

Experience the beauty, tranquility, and unique taste of Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa, a Tuscan-inspired winery resort that features three distinct restaurants, including an amazing Italian bistro, paired with award-winning wines and spirits.

Set on a beautiful 55-acre estate, Gervasi Vineyard offers luxurious suites with high-end amenities, including two new additions: The Cave, an intimate wine-tasting room, and The Spa. Take in the views, indulge, and celebrate life at Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa.

Celebrate Life

Private Schools

Come and see first-hand the Marian difference. Marian offers a transformative four-year experience and is home to strong women of mind and heart. Scholarships and tuition assistance up to 65% are available to qualifying students. Join us!

UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 7 PM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 1 - 4 PM

Office of Admission: 248-502-3033 | admission@marian-hs.org www.marian-hs.org

Marian is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women, sponsored by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Culture Calendar

Our carefully curated guide to the month in arts and entertainment

LIVE MUSIC

One of the best festivals of the year is aroundright the corner

The return of the Detroit Jazz Festival is here! This is, without a doubt, the best festival that happens downtown. There are plenty of reasons — jazz, maybe more than any other genre, can bring Detroiters from all walks of life together. This year, the artist in residence is Karriem Riggins, a multihyphenate musician young fans will know from his work with Kanye West and older fans may know from his work with Paul McCartney. The Detroit Jazz Festival is also free to

the public (a radical idea), thanks to the generosity of Gretchen Valade, the Carhartt heiress, who passed away last year. (Want an upgrade? The VIP package is worth every penny.) Highlights include Riggins, who will perform multiple sets, as well as Regina Carter, John Scofield, Samara Joy, and many others.

The 2023 Detroit Jazz Festival happens Sept. 1-4. For the full lineup, visit detroitjazzfest.org.

CULINARY Experience Thailand without leaving Warren

For a culinary item to pop up in our Culture Calendar, it’s gotta be

worth it — a true trip into culturally diverse fare. The vast and stillgrowing Thai market at the Midwest Buddhist Meditation Center in Warren fits that mold. It’s easily the best spot for Thai street food in the area — you’ll find steamed buns, papaya salads, meat skewers of all sorts, curry rice and noodles (which travel best with you for lunch or dinner later that day), steamed banana cake, Thai iced coffee, and more. The market, which boasts two Sunday dates this month (and three more this year), is always evolving, so come ready to graze. What’s there one Sunday may not be there next time. If there’s a line for something, go there

first — it’s popular, it’s going to be great, and it will sell out. Bring cash. Many vendors prefer it, as most items are cheap and they don’t want pesky service fees from credit cards eroding their margins. All proceeds benefit the meditation center. The Thai market at the Midwest Buddhist Meditation Center (29750 Ryan Road in Warren) takes place on Sunday, Sept. 10, and Sunday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with three more dates later this year on Oct. 8, Oct. 22, and Nov. 12. Entry to the market is free.

ARCHITECTURE

This free guided tour is heavy on narrative storytelling and is led by Jacob Jones and Ted Groustra. Albert Kahn’s iconic art deco skyscraper is a definitive piece of the city’s skyline that represents our opulent automotive past and our need to preserve what’s left (the recent acquisition by Michigan State University has all but assured the building’s future). The tours have become top ranked on sites like Tripadvisor as “things to do when you’re in Detroit,” and even The New York Times included them in its acclaimed travel series “36 Hours.” Consider it a staycation treat to get to know your own backyard after a busy summer. Free guided tours of the Fisher Building are Saturdays at noon and 2 p.m. For additional dates and details, visit Pure Detroit’s Eventbrite page: eventbrite.com/o/puredetroit-3623406533.

ON MY PLAYLIST

Greta Van Fleet? Yes, Greta Van Fleet.

I know I’m not the only one who has struggled with the global success of the Frankenmuthbred band. The throwback rock outfit even caught the shade of Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant.

“Beautiful little singer I hate him!” Plant joked about lead

vocalist Josh Kiszka in a 2018 interview. “He borrowed [his voice] from somebody I know very well, but what are you going to do? At least he’s got a bit of style.” Greta Van Fleet’s been called worse — like a direct rip-off of Led Zeppelin, which ripped off their sound from a bevy of blues musicians — but the band has also been embraced here locally and beyond. I see the appeal of “influence” and “inspiration.” If you’re tired of the same 100 songs on classic rock radio, here’s a new group with an old sound. They’ll make a hometown return on Sept. 8 in support of their third album, Starcatcher, released back in July. It’ll be their first Detroit show in almost five years and their largest show here yet when they take the stage at Little Caesars Arena supported by Los Angeles group Surf Curse. No matter where you stand on Greta Van Fleet’s sound, they do deliver the decibels live. Greta Van Fleet’s new album, Starcatcher, is out now. The band will play Little Caesars Arena on Sept. 8.

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

A free trip inside Detroit’s largest art object

BOOKS

Girl Power

Authors of a new book tell the story of ’60s girl groups, with input from the women who were in the spotlight

FOR A TIME, harmonizing Black female teens — “girl groups” who wore matching dresses and sang doo-wop — dominated the pop music charts.

There were The Marvelettes, who, while some members were still in high school, catapulted Motown Records into the national spotlight with “Please Mr. Postman” (1960); The Bobbettes, who wrote the hit “Mr. Lee” (1957) about a teacher; The Shirelles, who scandalously broached the topic of sexuality with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (1961); The Supremes, who recorded a string of timeless hits; and scores of other chart-topping but lesser-known girl groups, primarily based in Detroit and New York City.

Writers Emily Sieu Liebowitz and Laura Flam — two friends and longtime fans of this musical genre — have spent the last four years researching, conducting interviews for, and editing a new book

called But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?: An Oral History of the ’60s Girl Groups, and the women describe the project as a labor of love.

“We realized that it was a topic that, when covered, is usually buried in the history of producers and record labels and really hasn’t been approached with a human focus on the artists that performed these songs,” Flam says. “So we decided to begin our own project and interview the women ourselves.”

The authors found that the artists, by and large, were happy to share their stories, though they tended to underestimate their role in the flash point era of feminism and civil rights.

“The girl groups were really the first female voices speaking about female experiences in music,” Flam says.

Plus, the groups toured the country, venturing into areas hostile to Black artists. “They really were a part of something that moved the needle, and they should be getting credit for that,” Flam says.

The book’s first chapters focus on the birth of girl groups in New York — specifically, two songwriting epicenters (the Brill Building and 1650 Broadway), where up-and-coming tunesmiths crossed paths with groups looking to perform new material — but Liebowitz and Flam also explore Motown’s distinctive role in music history.

“New York — the whole pop music scene, created for this teenage market — … was like a fever,” Flam says. “All of a sudden, everyone was jumping in and trying to get hits. … You write something, it’s out on the radio three days later, and then it’s gone. And the subject matter — a crush, my boyfriend — were things that were very relevant to people listening to pop music at that moment. But one of the problems that a lot of the girl groups encountered later on was that their fans started to grow and mature, and they, in some ways, stayed in the same place, because their songs were so focused on being youthful.”

For this reason, many members of New York’s girl groups ended up feeling “disposable,” while Motown, as a company, worked hard to build a platform for its artists.

“They nurtured them, they invested in them, and they planned for many years, if not a lifetime, of working with those artists,” Flam says. Part of that investment was financial, including providing dance lessons and finishing school. “And the subject matter of [Motown artists’] songs was more mature. They were seen as more sophisticated, so they were able to grow with their fans in a way that the New York groups weren’t.”

Which is to say, fans could, as they became adults, watch The Supremes make the leap from cute, girlish dresses to chic evening gowns.

Yet because many girl-group artists had been vulnerable young kids at the time of their fame, they also sometimes suffered from financial and sexual exploitation.

“There were really hard days, when we were asking those kinds of questions,” Liebowitz says. “But it’s also an honor to bear witness. Those moments that were hard were also the moments when you felt that the project was most important.”

Not every story told in But Will You Love Me Tomorrow? is straightforward, of course. Some accounts contradict each other, especially when it comes to storied, intergroup conflicts. But the authors see this wide view as a strength, not a weakness.

“The beauty of working on an oral history is being able to present many sides of a story, especially since people remember things differently and there is no exact truth in most things,” Flam says. “Then there’s also beauty in just letting the women speak for themselves and telling their stories in their own voices, with their own mannerisms, their own jokes. … A lot of their kids didn’t even really know that they had been in girl groups when they were younger. … It was so fast. Just a fleeting moment in the larger scale of a long life.”

“They nurtured them, they invested in them, and they planned for many years.”

—LAURA FLAM

PRESENTING …

Metro Detroiter Jacki Graham Karns is a fixture at auto shows across the nation, including this month’s Detroit Auto Show

BORN INTO AN automotive family, Jacki Graham Karns was destined to have a love for cars. “I remember walking through auto shows as a kid and being fascinated by the cars but also by the women onstage presenting them,” says the Livonia native. “I had a love for automotives as well as a love for singing, acting, dancing, and performing.”

Ten years ago, Karns began working on those same stages. Marrying her two interests as a Honda Motor Co. presenter at auto shows across the country, she has become a fixture at the North American International Auto Show, also known as the Detroit Auto Show. Her career as a presenter has led to her hosting special events for Rolls-Royce, conducting dealer trainings for Lexus, and working with the HondaJet team.

The world-famous Detroit Auto Show features more than 20 attractions and events to showcase the automotive industry and its evolving technology, and Karns will be right in the center of the action this year. An event this big requires preparation and dedication from its presenters. Here, Karns walks us through her preshow rituals, recommends a must-do event, and shares how she’s added philanthropy to her lengthy resume.

I prepare for auto shows by Studying! It’s so important when you work as a presenter to stay up to date on news in the industry. When I first started at Honda, they sent me to their headquarters in Torrance, California. You’re submerged in their company for four to five days, and it’s all about learning. When you’re doing press before the shows, it’s a great opportunity to chat with the engineers, the CEOs, and the dealers to get a feel for what you’re selling and why it’s the best product.

Auto Show Manual

Sept. 13-14: Technology Days, $75 per day Sept. 16-24: Public Show, adults $20, seniors $12, kids $10 Huntington Place, Detroit

The Charity Preview takes place at the Huntington Place show floor on Sept. 15, the eve before the event opens to the public. Tickets are $400 each, $700 for a pair. The gala has raised over $123 million since its inception in 1976. Go to naias.com for more, including updated information about events, attractions, and shows.

One thing that has impacted my career as a presenter is … My work in pageants. I was Ms. Petite USA in 2016, and pageantry has helped me learn how to capture an audience. When you’re onstage, you could be talking to 10 people or thousands, but you must get them to listen to you.

A cause that’s near and dear to my heart is … The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan and the community I’ve built called Caregivers Hope. My mom has epilepsy, and I’ve been a caregiver for her since my early 20s. Juggling my career and being a good caregiver was a struggle, and it’s a challenge I don’t want anyone to go through alone. This community is a great way for people to connect and give each other support.

Three things I bring to every auto show are… Comfortable shoes, water, mints, and my notes. We do a ton of walking, so you want to be in comfortable shoes to set you up for success. And we do so much talking, so I always keep water and mints on hand. Preparation is important for these events; I like to print out my notes, highlight them, laminate them. I keep my schedules, a list of products, and anything else I might need in a binder so that I can stay on track and so that anyone I’m supervising can check in.

The one auto show feature I’d recommend to any attendees is … Ride-and-drives. If companies are offering a chance to ride or drive the cars, I highly advise visitors to do so. You’re making a major financial decision. It’s a great chance to compare different cars.

Blake’s Timeline

1946: Gerald and Elizabeth Blake move to a 100-acre plot in Armada and founded Blake’s Orchard.

1968: A cider mill is added, and the company changes its name to Blake’s Orchard and Farm.

2013: Blake’s Hard Cider Co. is started.

2017: Blake’s Hard Cider doubles its production capability with a new facility.

2021: A $1 million renovation and repurposing of Blake’s Backyard in Almont takes place.

2022: Blake’s Lyon Township opens, and a new Blake’s Hard Cider facility begins production in Bend, Oregon.

2023: The Blake’s Hard Cider facility in Wolcott, New York, begins production.

HIS CIDER HOUSE RULES

ANDREW BLAKE doesn’t look like a beverage industry titan. He doesn’t even have his own office, instead working out of his truck most days. Dressed in cargo pants, flip-flops, and a faded T-shirt, he’s using his building manager’s office for the day. One telltale feature points to his real job, though: The distinctive farmer’s tan betrays the fact that Blake, like his father, uncle, and grandfather, grows apples for a living.



Andrew Blake went from making hard cider as a student at MSU to creating a hard cider product at the family farm in Armada: Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill

apples from New York, Oregon, and Michigan that go into the hard cider product he launched in 2013. At that time, he’d recently finished college and — pairing his generations-deep knowledge of apple-growing with the keen eye for business opportunities that also runs in the family — saw an emerging and promising market in hard ciders.

“Everything we produce on this farm, from the vegetables and the fruit we grow to the products we make, all have very short shelf lives,” Blake says, “so we were always looking for a nonseasonal, shelf-stable product. It just so happened craft beer was growing at that time.” Since Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill was already making apple cider, the logical next step was to give hard cider a go.

The first batch was cooked up in his college garage while he attended Michigan State University. His market research at the time consisted of handing out free samples. “You’ve got a pretty good customer base there to sample that out,” he says. “They tell you they love it because there’s free booze.”

For Blake, it was the right product at the right time. Hard cider was still an emerging but rapidly growing beverage in 2013. Industry leader Angry Orchard hit the market in 2012 and still takes up the lion’s share of the national cider market. But not for long, if Blake has anything to say about it. “Our mission is to be the No. 1 cider in the country,” he says. “We’re apple folk. This is our heritage: This is all we do; this is what we do. And we think that we can continue to innovate the category and grow the category.”

Over the course of our afternoon at Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill in Armada, we talk about global expansion plans (big plans) for his hard cider line. We talk about product testing, and scalability, and market research, and the importance of a bold creative strategy. But more than anything, we talk about family. And apples.

Galas, Fujis, Honeycrisps, McIntoshes, Idareds, Jonathans, Golden Delicious Blake waxes poetic and rattles off an epic list of the

As “apple folk,” the Blake family has been farming in Armada since 1946. Hanging in a place of pride in the Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill office is a letter that Gerald Blake wrote to his wife during World War II. In it, Gerald makes a promise to Elizabeth: Once he returns home, they’re packing up the city house in Detroit and moving to the country. From the first 100-acre farm in Armada, the Blake empire has expanded to more than 1,300 acres in three states, including cider mills, a home and garden center, tasting rooms, and other forms of “agritainment,” like hayrides and u-pick apple and strawberry offerings. In 2022, the company purchased another centenarian family orchard, Erwin’s Orchard & Cider Mill in Lyon Township.

Country outings for city folks helped Gerald’s 13 children grow the business from a small farm to a big business. Right now, Gerald’s twin

On the 10th anniversary of Blake’s Hard Cider, Andrew Blake, the grandson of Blake’s founders, talks apples, innovation, and what’s next for the rapidly growing business

DRINKS

sons Pete and Paul are co-owners of Blake’s Orchard Inc., while Andrew, Paul’s son, handles the rapidly growing hard cider business.

Blake’s Hard Cider Co. distributes in 29 states as of 2023. Growing that much and that quickly has been a blessing and a learning opportunity for Andrew. “We’re entrepreneurial in nature” as a family and as a business, he says. “Innovation is a big thing for us.” That innovation includes 22 creative flavor combinations, like its El Chavo mango habanero cider and American Apple, an 8 percent ABV imperial cider, and the willingness to take a leap when it comes time to expand. Blake’s Hard Cider recorded 111 percent growth in 2016, thanks in part to distribution deals with Kroger and Meijer stores.

By 2017, Blake’s Hard Cider was the 12th largest-producing hard cider company in the country. That’s when Blake decided it was time to double

How About Them Apples?

40+: Apple varieties grown at Blake’s Orchard.

29: States where Blake’s Hard Cider is currently available for purchase.

$2 million: Put into the 2017 expansion of the Blake’s Hard Cider production facility in Armada.

2 million: Annual visitors to Blake’s “agritainment” attractions and tasting rooms.

1 million: Cases of Blake’s Hard Cider sold in 2023, approximately.

his production capability by adding a new production facility in Armada. In 2021, Blake’s Backyard reopened after renovations in Almont with a 10,000-square-foot taproom. Last year, Blake’s Hard Cider tapped Wolcott, New York, and Bend, Oregon, for new production facilities using locally grown apples.

With growth and innovation comes some pain. There was “a lot of trial and error, a lot of failure,” Blake says. “We’ve had products that have fallen flat; we’ve made batches that we had to dump.” Scaling up production was a scary prospect, he says, because “a growing business takes a lot of money.” One early mistake he takes the blame for: When the company switched from small orders of bottles to “entire truckloads” of cans, he himself placed the wrong barcode on each one of those cans. The only solution for the cash-strapped operation was for Blake to hand-label each wrongly stickered can himself. It took him about two months, he says, but “I had really strong thumbs by the end.”

Still, production hiccups aside, Blake is proud of what he and his family have built, both in the farm business and in the hard cider endeavor. He estimates that they’ll sell more than a million cases of hard cider in 2023 and see 2 million visitors to the Blake’s locations. “The whole experience is just one of falling forward,” he says. “I think that’s the right way to think about it, too. If you’re not doing that, you’re not trying enough.”

Blake credits the success of the cider to his family and to his teammates. As the brand has grown, so have the skills of the staff he brought with him when he started the cider company. “We have a very, very young team that came on very early in the journey of Blake’s Hard Cider,” he says, “and they’re still with us today. So, watching all of our young talents turn into the next version of themselves and continue to grow professionally has been really rewarding.”

Grand business plans aside, it all comes back to apples for Blake. That’s what keeps him grounded. “First and foremost, we are farmers, and we’re proud of that,”

he says. “We love what we do, and we’re proud to be apple farmers. It’s not easy, and it’s very humbling. But I think Blake’s can be unequivocally the best in the country, and we’re proving that out.

“I pinch myself sometimes because it’s great to see what we’ve been able to create that people want and enjoy.”

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RESTAURANT REPORT

MORE IS MORE

Venue by 4M in Ann Arbor brings together several concepts, including dining, cocktails, social events, and work, under one extremely large roof



AT 25,000 square feet with essentially four restaurants and a bar under one roof, not to mention a podcast studio, a gourmet market, coworking and office space, and an event room that plays host to everything from dinner and wine events to social media sessions, Venue is big — and its size matches the big deas coming from the team behind it.

Venue is like a food hall meets cool office space where you can hit up happy hour after your workday or bring the kids to play while you and your significant other enjoy dinner on the patio for date night. Trying to be all things to all people is typically bad business strategy, but for Venue by 4M, it works.

The restaurant/office/event space/craft cocktail bar — located at the site of Lucky’s Market, which closed in February 2020 — is part of lifestyle development company Prentice 4M, which is owned by Heidi and Margaret Poscher. The couple launched the business in 2012 when they were

residing in California — Margaret is a physician who grew up in southeast Michigan before moving to San Francisco, where she lived for many years before meeting Heidi, who was from Ann Arbor and had played field hockey for the University of Michigan. They began by purchasing real estate in Ann Arbor that they would rent, starting with a 600-square-foot house near Michigan Stadium.

After managing their properties from afar, the couple decided to move to Ann Arbor in 2020, and not too long after relocating, they found the Lucky’s property, located less than a mile from the Big House. By then, they had acquired short-term rentals in the neighborhood and developed town houses nearby.

“We just watched this building be an eyesore; nobody was interested in it. So Heidi said, ‘We should do something with that,’” says Margaret Poscher, CEO of Prentice 4M, where Heidi’s role is strategist.

Opened late last summer, Venue comprises

four different restaurant concepts (and that’s not counting a completely different brunch menu on the weekends) in a stylish and modern space designed by Ann Arbor-based firm Synecdoche, which also did Bellflower in Ypsilanti. The concepts include Mesa Taqueria, which offers Oaxacan-style street tacos on handmade tortillas; Pizza Forum, which makes traditional Neapolitan pizza; Pasta Forum, where you can eat handmade pastas and other from-scratch Italian fare; and Americana, the place for bar fare and other classic comfort-food dishes kicked up a notch. There are also ticketed dinner and wine events titled the “Brasserie Experience with Chef Thad” in the private event space. The first one is Sept. 13. No matter what the concept is, the common denominator is that as much as possible is made from scratch.

The elevated cuisine created especially for the “Brasserie Experience” by chef Thad Gillies may remind fans of the gone-but-not-forgotten Logan restaurant, the longtime Ann Arbor dining destination that he owned and operated. Gillies, who hails from Milford, launched his culinary career at Zingerman’s Delicatessen, where he went from washing collard greens to running the show as head chef. He’s also worked in some of New York’s top kitchens, such as Union Square Cafe and Lespinasse under Gray Kunz, a celebrity chef before the era of celebrity chefs.

When Gillies returned to Michigan, he would open Logan — with his brother Ryan and a third partner — in downtown Ann Arbor, where it stood for 16 years before shutting its doors in 2020. Ironically, it was the closure of his restaurant that opened the door to his new role as culinary director at Venue.

The vision for Venue has gone through several different iterations from the initial idea, Margaret Poscher says. Since they began leasing the space when COVID-19 had greatly limited dining out, they thought about creating ghost kitchens or a to-go business. Then Poscher thought about bringing

Pasta Forum’s goat cheese ravioli with lemon and rosemary, tossed in a Riesling cream reduction, sprinkled with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

in guest celebrity chefs to do pop-ups, and that’s when she met Gillies in spring of 2021. “We had a Zoom call. And I’ll never forget, because he had this background that was a porchetta sandwich, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, I want that sandwich.’”

From there, Poscher set up a test kitchen in one of her and Heidi’s properties where Gillies could research and develop recipes (he has created about 600 recipes to date). And yes, there is porchetta, served up as a Reuben and as a roast on the Americana menu. Pork belly is marinated overnight with a dry rub and then roasted on a spit for five and a half hours to get that craveable exterior and juicy interior.

Other menu highlights include the Margherita pizza, with a light and airy yet satisfyingly chewy crust that serves as the perfect vehicle for a bright and well-balanced sauce accentuated by fresh basil and buffalo mozzarella. The birria tacos are a popular item, boasting three corn tortillas panfried, stuffed with braised beef and cheese, and served with broth for dipping. Burgers are par for the course on any bar menu, but here they get upgraded with elements like red-wine-braised mushrooms and onions smothering burger patties made of chuck, short rib, and brisket, then paired with perfectly crispy and well-seasoned fries.

Logan fans will spot some familiar favorites, such as the goat cheese ravioli and the pappardelle with wild-boar Bolognese, which then-Hour Detroit restaurant critic Christopher Cook called an

outstanding dish in a 2006 review.

Cook wrote: “The menu, which is seasonal, is the culmination of Logan’s interesting journey.” And the story is the same at Venue.

When asked what it’s like to go from running a more intimate fine-dining place like Logan, whose dining room could fit into Venue’s walk-in cooler, to a massive space like Venue, Gillies says for him it’s like “going back in time when I first was learning how to cook, because I learned on the job. I didn’t go to culinary school. When I first started, before I knew I was going to do this for a living, I was just flipping burgers through college. But I wanted to go back to make it with my knowledge now and make a perfect burger.”

The story is also that of Poscher’s journey and love of food as well.“The taqueria stuff came from a friend of mine who owns Border Grill [formerly] in Santa Monica,” Poscher says. “I thought, ‘We need to have really great tacos, so you have to have a taco line.’ I [also] wanted to have the kind of pizza that I had living in San Francisco for 35 years.”

 Pizza Forum’s Molto Carne pizza, topped with Italian ham, fennel sausage, pepperoni, San Marzano tomato sauce, and fresh mozzarella.

And her favorite dish across all of Venue’s menus is the whole roasted chicken with homemade focaccia bread and a salad with bitter greens, macerated raisins, and pine nuts. It’s inspired by the legendary San Francisco restaurant Zuni Café, which has a similar chicken dish.

With Venue and the upcoming SouthTown development, an eight-story mixed-use complex that will include residential units, community spaces, commerical spaces (including a day care), and parking, the Poschers are committed to the neighborhood where they have planted professional and personal roots — their home is here, too.

“Getting more into this kind of hospitality was just a natural fit for increasing the vibrancy of this neighborhood,” Poscher says.

Venue by 4M is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Tuesday through Saturday and brunch only on Sunday. Find out more at experience4m.com

Restaurant Guide

Wayne

Al Ameer $$

LEBANESE • This Lebanese 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 L,D daily.

Amore da Roma $$

ITALIAN • Guy Pelino, Roma Café’s chef, took over the ownership reins of this restaurant on the edge of the Eastern Market. He retained the menu, adding a charcuterie board and updating the wine list, and didn’t change the character of the old-school restaurant, known for its steaks and pastas. 3401 Riopelle St., Detroit; 313-831-5940. L,D Tue.-Sat.

Andiamo $$

ITALIAN • Over the past three decades, Joe Vicari has established several Andiamo restaurants in metro Detroit, all inspired by the late master chef Aldo Ottaviani’s philosophy of seasonal, fromscratch cooking. The menus differ slightly at the different locations, but the constant is the fresh, housemade pastas — handcrafted by the trinity of “pasta ladies,” Anna, Tanya, and Angelina, who have carried on the tradition. The downtown Detroit location offers a breathtaking view of the Detroit River, while the Livonia location offers a comfortable and casual vibe. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit; 313567-6700. D Mon.-Fri., L,D Sat.-Sun. 38703 Seven Mile Road, Livonia; 734-953-3200. D daily.

Antonio’s Cucina Italiana $$

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

Apparatus Room $$$$

NEW AMERICAN • The Foundation Hotel’s restaurant, the Apparatus Room, once housed the Detroit Fire Department headquarters. Chef Rece Hogerheide’s cooking is refined and highly skilled — he was executive chef of the Daxton Hotel’s restaurant Madam, named 2023 Restaurant of the Year by Hour Detroit. 250 W. Larned St., Detroit; 313-800-5600. B,L,D Mon.Fri., BR,D Sat.-Sun.

Atwater in the Park $

GERMAN • At this casual spot, traditional German-style beer is the beverage of choice. Chef Chris Franz’ noteworthy menu is compatible with such additions as the Atwater Brat and other sausages teamed with sauerkraut, plus Bavarian soft pretzels. 1175 Lakepointe St., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-344-5104. L,D daily.

Avalon Café and Bakery $$

ORGANIC BAKERY • The bakery’s mini-empire

FEATURED

Café Nini

ITALIAN

This intimate spot offers wellprepared food that includes nine appetizers, 10 pasta dishes, and 13 main plates, notable among which are Involtini di Pollo “De Edoardo” — chicken breast filled with prosciutto, spinach, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, sauteed in a sherry wine sauce with fresh mushrooms. The wine list is impressive as well. 98 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-3083120. D Tue.-Sat.

includes a café on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Its bread is also the basis for dishes such as avocado toast with tahini, thinly curled cucumbers, lime, and chili flakes. Vegetarian fare includes a grilled veggie sandwich with portobello mushrooms, zucchini, and goat cheese. Meatier highlights include a turkey and gouda sandwich, and BLTA with cider house bacon. 1049 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-285-8006. B,L daily.

Babo

$

NEW AMERICAN • This café settled into the Midtown Park Shelton building in July 2019, serving elevated comfort food made from local, small-batch producers. The self-described gourmet diner offers espresso drinks and such dishes as avocado toast, kimchi patatas bravas, and the Babo Burger. 15 E. Kirby St., Ste. 115, Detroit; 313-312-1493. B,L,D Tue.-Sat. B,L Sun.

Baker’s Keyboard Lounge $$

SOUL FOOD • This iconic lounge serves soul food: beef short ribs with gravy, creamy mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet cornbread muffins. 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-345-6300. D Mon.-Fri.

Baobab Fare $$

AFRICAN • With his New Center restaurant, Hamissi Mamba urges diners to venture into culinary territories they’d otherwise evade, like the Mbuzi starring a goat shank that is slow-roasted until the meat is so tender that it slides off the bone with ease. 6568 Woodward Ave., Ste. 100, Detroit; 313-265-3093. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Barda

$$$$

ARGENTINIAN Barda brings a new cuisine to metro Detroit. True to Argentinian culture, the restaurant celebrates traditional meat dishes. For starters, Carne y Hueso, meaning Flesh and Bone, features a mold of finely chopped beef tartare topped with spicy horseradish alongside a dense bone filled to the brim with buttery marrow. Tira de Asado, a classic Argentinian short rib dish, arrives on a plate in a coriander-pepper crust. And inch-thick slices of rare Bife, or strip loin steak, lie on a bed of melted butter infused with chimichurri. 4842 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313- 952-5182; barda-detroit.com. D Thurs.-Sun.

Bash Original Izakaya $$

JAPANESE • From the proprietor of Canton’s popular Izakaya Sanpei comes a Japanese pub located in Woodbridge. Occupying the former home of Katsu, Bash maintains much of that eatery’s Asian-inspired décor, such as hanging lanterns and bamboo shades. Bash’s drink menu focuses on Japanese craft beer, while the food menu of small plates and sashimi includes Gyoza, Teriyaki Udon, and fried octopus balls called Takoyaki. 5069 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-7887208; L Wed.-Sat. D daily.

Besa

$$$

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

YOUR COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE FOR DINING OUT IN METRO DETROIT

Bobcat Bonnie’s $

GASTROPUB • The menu is eclectic, featuring fried goat cheese, fish tacos, Buddha bowls, and a barbecue bacon meatloaf — plus, plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, The weekend brunch, complete with a Bloody Mary bar and all the classics, is a big hit. See bobcatbonnies.com for locations and hours.

Bohemia $$$

NEW AMERICAN • The former member’s only lounge in this restored Romanesque Revival in downtown Detroit is now a posh restaurant open to the public (the downstairs bar is also open to the public). The stunning dining room reflects the club’s history while staying fresh and modern with local art on the walls and an Instagrammable seating area in the middle of the dining room with plush couches and trees lined with lights. The food is upscale but approachable such as the Nashville Fried Chicken and the lobster fettucini, which is worth every indulgent bite. 712 Cass Ave., Detroit, 313338-3222. D Wed.-Sat..

Brome Modern Eatery $$

BURGERS • This healthy spin on a classic serves neverfrozen, grass-fed, antibiotic-free, organic burgers. There’s beef, chicken, haddock, and vegetarian dishes but no pork, as the restaurant is halal. There’s also a cold-pressed juice bar. 22062 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-996-5050. L,D daily.

Bronze Door $$$$

NEW AMERICAN • One of the newest restaurants under the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group brand (in partnership with Tony Soave of Soave Enterprises) revives the well-known name of a Grosse Pointe staple from the mid-1900s. In the 1960s and 1970s, 123 Kercheval Ave. was home to the Bronze Door, which closed to make way for The Hill Seafood and Chop House. In 2021, it was born again as the Bronze Door, offering classic bistro fare like steak frites and house specialties such as Short Rib Alla Bolognese (braised beef short ribs, pancetta, roasted battuto, imported Mafaldine pasta, ricotta salata, and black truffle). 123 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-886-8101. BR Sun. L Tue.Fri. D daily.

Bucharest Grill $

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

Cadieux Café $$ BELGIAN • This institution was like a slice of home for early Belgian immigrants. They serve up four varieties of mussels, and a wide range of hearty dishes such as Belgian Rabbit, but there also are classic sandwiches. 4300 Cadieux Road, Detroit; 313-882-8560. D daily.

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; 734-667-1199. L,D Tues.-Sat., L Sun.

Caucus Club $$$

TRADITIONAL AMERICAN • The reborn spot emphasizes service and a traditional steak and seafood theme, with such tasty signature dishes as wood-grilled ribs, seared scallops, and steaks.150 W. Congress, Detroit; 313-965-4970. D daily.

Capers $$

STEAKHOUSE • This is the type of place longtime Detroit natives describe like an old friend. On Gratiot Avenue between Seven and Eight Mile roads, this place has been packing them in for nearly 40 years. There’s a massive a la carte menu, with items such as barbecue babyback ribs and potato skins, but the main draw is steak by the ounce, at market price. 14726 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-527-2100. L,D Wed.-Sun.

Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails $$

NEW AMERICAN • While the menu rotates based on the season, its offerings always highlight the freshest local ingredients. Creatively prepared dishes range from cold starters to hearty entrees. But the Twice Cooked Egg is not to be missed. 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 313-818-3915. D Tue.-Sat.

City Kitchen $$

AMERICAN • The emphasis is on fresh fish and seafood here, but also on the locals — especially lake perch. There are also such dishes as Cajun tenderloin tips and a few good angus burgers. 16844 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe; 313-882-6667. D daily.

Cliff Bell’s $$

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED This restored Art Deco hotspot offers small plates such as oysters Rockefeller and potato croquettes. Large plates include filet mingon and a pan-seared steelhead trout with sweet pea risotto and tomato beurre blanc. 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 fatfried chicken and a burger. 5440 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313285-8849. L,D Tue.-Fri. D Sat.

Coriander Kitchen and Farm $$

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

Cork & Gabel $$$

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

Cuisine $$$

include the Alaskan halibut, as well as the sea scallops, featuring creamed leek risotto. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit; 313-872-5110. D Wed.-Sat. (Note: not wheelchair accessible.)

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 $

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

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

Detroit Vegan Soul $

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

Dime Store $

RESTAURANT LISTINGS 09.23

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

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

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café $$ NEW ORLEANIAN • Enjoy classic New Orleans dishes, such as jambalaya and fried catfish beignets. Come for lunch, dinner, happy hour, or carry-out. 400 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-965-4600. 29244 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-351-2925. 23722 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-498-3000. L,D daily.

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

Folk $ NEW AMERICAN • A charming Corktown storefront dishing up an all-day brunch menu. It’s an offshoot of the Farmer’s Hand grocery and farmers market. The menu focuses on globally inspired dishes like salads, quiche, and sandwiches — all beautifully plated and nutritious. Infused milks and frothy lattes are well sought after, too. 1701 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-7422672. B,L daily.

Ford’s Garage $$

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

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

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2010

Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe $$$

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

Eatori Market $$

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

El Asador Steakhouse $$

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

FEATURED Central Kitchen & Bar CREATIVE COMFORT

The stylish gastropub near Campus Martius and across from Cadillac Square serves crowdpleasers like buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches and filet and frites, has plant-based menu options, and is a popular spot for brunch.

660 Woodward Ave., Ste. 4A, Detroit; 313963-9000. D Thu.Sat., BR Sat.-Sun.

BURGERS • Henry Ford’s legacy is celebrated on Dearborn’s main thoroughfare. There are at least 12 variations on the classic American burger here. Try the Ford’s Signature, featuring a half-pound of grilled black angus beef, aged sharp cheddar, applewoodsmoked bacon, and bourbon barbecue sauce. Other appealing dishes include shrimp mac and cheese, and chicken wings. 21367 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-752-3673. L,D daily.

Giovanni’s Ristorante $$$

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

Grandma Bob’s $ PIZZA • If you’re wondering what that psychedelic building on Corktown’s Michigan Avenue is, it’s a pizzeria known as Grandma Bob’s. Chef Dan De Wall, previously of Wright and Co., offers a small, delicious menu of pies, including sausage and pistachio with ricotta cheese and thyme. Or try the Big Mack — the vegan pizza version of the popular burger. 2135 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3177. L,D Thu.-Mon.

• 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

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED

El Barzon $

MEXICAN-ITALIAN • Norberto Garita prepares Italian and Mexican cuisines alongside his wife, Silvia Rosario Garita. Authentic Mexican entrees include enchiladas

Grand Trunk Pub $ NEW AMERICAN • Breads from Avalon Bakery and meats from Eastern Market anchor the hearty fare, which pairs well with a selection of Michigan beers. Staples include a reuben with Poet Stout Kraut and the Ghettoblaster beer-battered fish and chips. 612 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-3043.; L, D, Tue.-Sun. BR Sat.-Sun.

The Greek $

GREEK • Plaka Café was a presence on Monroe Avenue for years, and now its space is in the hands of the founders’ children. Notable dishes include spinach pie, lamb chops, and New York strip steak. 535 Monroe Ave., Detroit; 313-209-6667. L,D daily.

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 hotspot isn’t easily defined, but the results are original and well-prepared — for example, eggplant tempura with cardamom hummus, baby leek, and sweet chili or lamb cordon bleu with roasted red pepper, Manchego, cornichon, and mustard seed. 47 Watson St., Detroit; 313-262-6534. D daily.

Highlands $$$

STEAKHOUSE/NEW AMERICAN • Occupying the top two floors of the Renaissance Center, Highlands comprises three separate concepts. A steakhouse of the same name provides a high-end dining experience, while the more casual Hearth 71 (currently closed but reopening soon) serves locally sourced dishes cooked over an open fire. The third concept within the space is the appropriately named High Bar, where guests can choose from a vast collection of spirits and decadent desserts. 400 Renaissance Center, Floors 71 and 72, Detroit; 313-877-9090; D Mon.-Sat.

The Hudson Cafe $

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

Hungarian Rhapsody $$

HUNGARIAN • This Downriver restaurant offers authentic Hungarian dishes, such as chicken and veal paprikas, beef goulash, and palacsinta (crêpes). 14315 Northline Road, Southgate; 734-283-9622. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Iggy’s Eggies $

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

Ima $

JAPANESE-INSPIRED • Japanese-inspired fare with a Midwest emphasis. Ima tacos trade the traditional shell for a slice of jicama, stuffed with spicy shrimp, roasted tofu, or garlic chicken. Appetizers include edamame, dumplings, and clams. 4870 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313883-9788. 32203 John R Road, Madison Heights; 248781-0131. 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.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2012

Joe Muer Seafood $$$$

and the lasagna. 17546 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313865-0331. D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun.

La Lanterna $$

ITALIAN • The founder of Da Edoardo, the first Edoardo Barbieri, started it all in 1956 with a restaurant called La Lanterna. Now his grandchildren have revived it. Although the white and red pizzas — like Margherita, Liguria, and Da Edorado — dominate, there’s more, including a number of elegant pastas like the Lasagna Alla Bolognese. 1224 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-9628821. L,D Tue.-Sun.

London Chop House $$ STEAKHOUSE • The kitchen turns out classics like oysters Rockefeller, French onion soup, and sauteed loup de mer with scallops. This is the place to come when you need to satisfy a craving for steak in elegant surroundings with hospitable service. 155 W. Congress St., Detroit; 313-962-0277. D Mon.-Sat.

FEATURED

Lucy & the Wolf

SPANISH

This Anglosounding restaurant offers very good Spanishinspired tapas dining. Large plates include chargrilled prawns and a charcoal-roasted half-chicken; small plates include elote (Mexican street corn) and blistered green beans.

102 E. Main St., Northville; 248-3083057. D Tue.-Sat.

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

Johnny Noodle King $

JAPANESE-INSPIRED • This noodle shop offers bowls topped with pork belly, confit chicken, and tofu, as well as seaweed salad and gyoza. There are also several fusion bowls like the Southwest, topped with shredded chicken and housemade crema. 2601 W. Fort St., Detroit; 313-309-7946. L,D daily.

Jolly Pumpkin $$

BREWERY • Jolly Pumpkin’s brews rule the offerings, along with other Northern United Brewing Co. beverages, such as North Peak and Jolly Pumpkin artisan ales. Pizzas with creative toppings abound. 441 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-262-6115. 419 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-544-6250. 311 S Main St., Ann Arbor; (734) 9132730. L,D daily (Detroit, Ann Arbor); L Fri.-Mon, D daily (Royal Oak).

Karl’s Cabin $$

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

The Kitchen by Cooking with Que $$

VEGAN • This eatery created by Detroit-based cooking blogger Quiana Broden serves lunches of smoothies, salads, and sandwiches. Broden also often offers live cooking demonstrations. 6529 Woodward Ave., Ste. A, Detroit; 313-462-4184. B,L,D, Wed.-Sat.

Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles $

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

La Dolce Vita

$$$

ITALIAN Traditional Italian cuisine is key at this Palmer Park hideaway. Recommended is the lake perch in white wine sauce, the veal scaloppine with artichokes,

Leila $$$

LEBANESE • The restaurant from the proprietors of Birmingham’s Phoenicia is named after the owner’s mother — just one facet of the establishment that pays homage to family traditions and heritage. The menu includes various Lebanese dishes, from falafel to Leila’s Mixed Grill that offers a little bit of everything with shish kebab, tawook, and kafta. Other menu items include Kibbeh Niyee — fresh lamb, cracked wheat, and spice — and tabbouleh made of parsley, cracked wheat, and spices. The beer and wine lists offer plenty of options to accompany any meal. 1245 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-816-8100. D daily.

Lumen Detroit $$

NEW AMERICAN A contemporary American menu and a Victor Saroki setting make the restaurant overlooking downtown’s Beacon Park one of the best of recent entrants onto the scene. Appetizers such as freshly made pretzels prelude main courses such as the Honey Bourbon Salmon. 1903 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-626-5005. L Fri.-Sun., D. Wed.-Sun.

Mario’s $$$

ITALIAN • This Midtown Detroit classic dates back to 1948. Linen-covered tables, framed paintings on woodpaneled walls, expert waiters clad in black tie, and tableside preparation survive here. Italian dinners always begin with an antipasto tray and continue through soup, salad, pasta, and entree. 4222 Second Ave., Detroit; 313-832-1616. D Tue. L,D Wed.-Sun.

Marrow $$

NEW AMERICAN • This West Village restaurant and butcher shop hybrid is an ode to meat, especially unusual cuts. Diners must walk through the butcher shop, bypassing cases of pastrami and sausage, before entering the restaurant. Offerings from a sample tasting menu include Roasted Bone Marrow and Lamb Kefta. 8044 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-513-0361. L,D Thu.-Sun.

Maty’s African Cuisine $$ WEST AFRICAN • A small storefront in the Detroit Old Redford neighborhood is decidedly Senegalese. Fataya, deep-fried pastries with savory fillings, are reminiscent of an empanada. The star of the show is the whole chicken with yassa. 21611 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313472-5885. L,D Tue.-Sun.

M Cantina $

MEXICAN • Nuevo Latino street food is the premise at this surprising spot where everything from the tortilla chips to the salsas are made in-house in the open kitchen. Juices are freshly squeezed, and the menu of tortas, tacos, tapas, and salads from the kitchen of Heidi and Junior Merino, from Hawaii and Mexico, is distinctive. 13214 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-399-9117. L,D daily.

2.

RESTAURANT LISTINGS 09.23

Mercury Burger & Bar $

BURGERS • This Corktown joint seats 70 around the zinc-covered bar set with Mercury (Liberty) dimes. The burger is available in a variety of iterations, such as Southwest Detroit with a chorizo slider, jalapeno, Müenster cheese, tortilla strips, and avocado. 2163 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-964-5000. L,D daily.

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

Mi Lindo San Blas $$$

MEXICAN • Heaping platters of seafood such as shrimp, octopus, and scallops, tell the story at this spot that brings a corner of Mexico’s seaside Nayarit region to southwest Detroit. On weekends, when live music is added, the tables are often pushed back to create a dance floor. 1807 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-789-5100. L,D daily.

Monarch Club $$$

NEW AMERICAN • At the 14th floor of the revamped Element Detroit Hotel located at the Metropolitan is the Monarch Club. It’s one of the most recent rooftop bars to open in metro Detroit and serves a variety of delicious small plates along with classic cocktails. 33 John R St., Detroit; 313-306-2380. L Sun. D daily.

Mootz Pizzeria & Bar $$

ITALIAN-AMERICAN • Bruno DiFabio, a six-time World Pizza Games champ, rejects the label New York-style for his fare. “It’s authentic New York pizza,” he says. In a hurry? Grab a slice from Side Hustle, Mootz’s by-theslice counter next door. 1230 Library St., Detroit; 313243-1230. L Fri.-Sun., L, D daily.

Motor City Brewing Works $

BREWERY • Just 15 mostly nontraditional pizzas on excellent, chewy crust, and the option to build your own pie with various toppings. Plus, salads from locally grown greens to accompany the house-brewed beers. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 19350 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-832-2700. L,D daily (Canfield); L Sat.-Sun., D Wed-Fri. (Livernois).

Mudgie’s Deli $

DELI • Seats are often filled in search of the House Smoked Pastrami Reuben or the Brooklyn (beef brisket, bacon, and beer cheese). The dinner menu features meat and cheese boards, as well as build-your-own sandwich options. It’s a delicious place for a meal any time. 1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit; 313-961-2000. B Tue.Sat. L Tue.-Wed., L,D Thu.-Sat.

Nico & Vali

$$

ITALIAN • This eatery offers favorites with unexpected twists. The artichokes and chilies appetizer boasts battered and fried artichokes with Fresno and jalapeno peppers, tossed with fresh basil in white wine. Popular choices include the Whitefish Filet. It’s a classic Italian spot with an update that’s worth a

visit. 744 Wing St., Plymouth; 734-207-7880. L Thu.Sat., D Tue.-Sun.

Norma G’s $

CARIBBEAN • Lester Gouvia, the Trinidadian chef who brought us the famed food truck, opened a fullservice restaurant under the same name. Stop in for a plate of Chicken Pelau: a tasty blend of rice, diced chicken, squash, peppers, and golden-brown baked chicken. 14628 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-2902938. D Tue.-Sat.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2022

Oak & Reel $$

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

Olin

MEDITERRANEAN • A taste of the Mediterranean in Michigan. Starters like the potatoes and artichokes “bravas” with harissa and black garlic aioli and paellas are inspired by Spain, but showcase Olin’s unique spin on these iconic dishes. 25 E. Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-774-1190. D Tues.-Sat. BR Sun.

Ottava Via $$

ITALIAN • Chef Ariel Millan sends out great thin-crusted pizzas, as well as interesting small plates typified by bruschetta, calamari, roasted garlic, and whipped goat cheese to be spread on paper-thin crostini. 1400 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-5500. L,D daily.

Pao Detroit $$$

FUSION • Visit this upscale Pan-Asian fusion restaurant for Asian-themed cocktails and dishes, such as creamy rock shrimp, charred octopus, and filet mignon. Based in the former Michigan Oriental Theater, the interior combines new and old. 114 W. Adams Ave., Ste. 200, Detroit; 313-816-0000. L Sun., D Tue.-Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2018

Parc $$$

NEW AMERICAN Excellent food, exceptional service, and a crisp and formal but distinctly unstuffy atmosphere set this Campus Martius gem apart. Appetizer highlights include a bright and fresh tuna tartar and charred burrata. Main courses include an interesting blend of Italian food, wood-grilled steaks, and a red chilé short rib. There’s also a large selection of dry-aged gourmet steaks. 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-922-7272. L,D daily. BR Sat.-Sun.

Pegasus Taverna $$ GREEK

• The cry of “opa!” resounds in St. Clair Shores at the second edition of the longstanding Greektown restaurant. The resturant 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; 313-9646800. L,D Tue-Sun (Detroit); L Sun., D Tue.-Sun. (St. Clair Shores)

The Peterboro $$

ASIAN-FUSION • A contemporary take on AmericanChinese 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 Wed.-Sun.

Pho Lucky $

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

Polish Village Café $

POLISH • The “Polish plate” includes stuffed cabbage, pierogi, kielbasa, sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes and gravy. The dill pickle soup and city chicken are standouts, too. A Polish staple in Detroit, where there aren’t too many. 2990 Yemans St., Hamtramck; 313-874-5726. L,D daily. Not wheelchair accessible.

Portofino $

FEATURED Park Grill

MEDITERRANEAN Mediterranean fare gets a Balkan spin. The menu offers tasting plates, pitawrapped sandwiches, and salads, as well as entrees including chicken and beef shawarma, beef and pork kafta, lemon-pepper pork tenderloin, and lamb chops. Service is friendly and informal. 15102 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-264-1997. L,D daily.

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

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2019

Prime + Proper $$$$

STEAKHOUSE • Downtown Detroit dining gets a major shot of glamour with this over-the-top steak and seafood emporium on the corner of Griswold and State streets. Although red meat, from prime dry-aged Tomahawk ribeye to Wagyu strip, is the focus — and yes, there’s a burger made with a dryaged butcher’s blend — oysters, king crab, and caviar aren’t far behind. An elegant white and gold setting backgrounds it all. 1145 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-636-3100. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Prism $$$

NEW AMERICAN • Greektown Casino-Hotel’s renamed eatery is located off the main casino. The menu features local ingredients, steaks, and fresh seafood. 555 E. Lafayette St., Detroit; 313-309-2499. D Wed.-Sun.

Rattlesnake Club $$$$ NEW AMERICAN • This restaurant on the river remains one of the most appealing spots in town. The casually elegant space offers a range of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Dishes that typify its style include seared diver sea scallops, an 8-ounce filet, and a 16-ounce porterhouse. 300 River Place, Detroit; 313567-4400. D Tue.-Sat.

Red Dunn Kitchen $$ NEW AMERICAN • The Trumbull and Porter Hotel’s spiffy restaurant is an ambitious undertaking, offering three meals a day. It is best experienced at dinner, with a la carte offerings such as foie gras-stuffed quail, smoked and marinated salmon collars, braised lamb leg, and bacon-wrapped duck breast with polenta. 1331 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-887-9477. Private meetings and events only.

Red Smoke Barbeque $$ BARBEQUE • At Red Smoke, hickory and applewoodsmoked ribs, pulled pork, apple-smoked, all-natural chicken, and an array of classic sides are served out of one of the most attractive two-story buildings that are

RESTAURANT LISTINGS 09.23

still standing on Monroe Street. 573 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-962-2100. L,D daily.

Rocky’s of Northville $$

NEW AMERICAN • Menu includes shrimp cocktail, smoked whitefish pate, and broiled Great Lakes whitefish. Also try chipotle honey-glazed salmon. 41122 W. Seven Mile Road, Northville; 248-349-4434. L Tue.-Fri. D Tue.-Sun.

Roman Village $

ITALIAN • The Rugiero family has been serving authentic Italian cuisine since 1964. They’ve launched three additional Antonio’s Cucina Italiana locations. Roman Village is the original and features their signature gnocchi Rita. 9924 Dix Ave., Dearborn; 313-8422100. L,D daily.

San Morello $$$

ITALIAN • This Italian gem serves pizzas, pastas, and wood-fired dishes that draw inspiration from the coastal towns of Southern Italy and Sicily out of the Shinola Hotel. The menu is handcrafted by James Beard Awardwinning chef Andrew Carmellini. 1400 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-209-4700. B,L,D daily.

The Sardine Room $$$

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

Savannah Blue $$

SOUL FOOD • Highlights at this upscale soul food joint include the red snapper and the shrimp and grits. Shareables include catfish fritters, and a Georgian Hummus that substitutes black-eyed peas for chickpeas. There’s also a great bar. 1431 Times Square, Detroit; 313-926-0783. D Tue.-Sat.

Scotty Simpson’s Fish & Chips $

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

Second Best $

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

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2016

Selden Standard $$$

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

Seva Detroit $$

VEGETARIAN • Seva offers such dishes as black bean and sweet potato quesadillas, gluten-free options, and colorful stir-fries — some vegan as well as vegetarian. There’s also a full bar as well as a juice bar. 2541 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-662-1111. 66 E. Forest Ave., Detroit; 313-974-6661. L,D Mon.-Sat.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2020

SheWolf Pastificio & Bar $$$

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

D Tue.-Sun

Slows Bar BQ $$

BARBEQUE The brick-and-wood original in Corktown gained a following for its pulled pork, ribs, and chicken. They expanded with a “to go” spot in Midtown, as well. This is a true Detroit classic in every sense of the term. Corktown location: 2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-9629828. L,D daily. Slows To Go in Midtown: 4107 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-309-7560. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Standby $$

FEATURED 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; 313-9628800. L,D daily.

NEW AMERICAN • The libation menu — categorized by spirit — is longer than the food menu, but both food and drinks are equally emphasized. The fare ranges from small plates of marinated olives and Bloody Mary deviled eggs to entrees such as Thai pork skewers and the house cheeseburger. 225 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313241-5719. D Wed.-Sun. Not wheelchair accessible.

The Statler $$$$

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

Supino Pizzeria $$

ITALIAN • Relax with one of the town’s best thin-crust pizzas — they come in more than a dozen variations, with or without red sauce. A few dishes from the La Rondinella menu made the list as well — small plates such as polpette, and three delicious salads. Beer, wine, and cocktails add to the appeal. 2457 Russell St., Detroit; 313-567-7879 (Russell St. location temporarily closed). 6519 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-314-7400. L,D daily.

Sweet Soul Bistro $

SOUL FOOD • The large menu includes homages to Detroit musicians, from Stevie Wonder Wonderful Wings to Aretha Franklin Catfish Bites. Also notable are the crab cakes. In the evening, the bistro transforms into a club.

13741 W. McNichols Road, Detroit; 313- 862-7685. L,D daily.

Tap at MGM Grand $ SPORTS BAR • More than 40 HD flatscreen TVs for sports fans, plus sports memorabilia. The menu features comfort food and pub classics: burgers, wings, and house nachos. Pizza and more upscale entrees are also available, as are more than 50 beers. Bring your family and friends for a very entertaining night on the town. 1777 Third St., Detroit; 313-465-1234. B,L,D daily.

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.

Townhouse $$$

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

Vertical Detroit $$$

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

Vigilante Kitchen + Bar $$$

MIDWESTERN-ASIAN FUSION • Housed in the former Smith & Co. space, the menu offers a variety of baos, bowls, salads, and desserts, with designated vegetarian and halal menus, and a zero-proof cocktail selection. A unique concept from executive chef Aaron Cozadd, Vigilante Kitchen + Bar employs industry workers dealing with addiction, providing them with recovery resources while still allowing them to advance their culinary skills. 644 Selden St., Detroit; 313-638-1695. D Wed.-Sun.

Vivio’s Food & Spirits $ SANDWICH/DELI • This Eastern Market classic has been run by the Vivio family for more than 40 years. Sandwiches and burgers are mainstays, but diners also appreciate the steamed mussels. 3601 Twelve Mile Road, Warren; 586-576-0495. L,D daily.

The Whitney $$$$

NEW AMERICAN • The historic 1890s mansion is still going strong. The menu is typified by classic beef Wellington, with mushroom duxelles and Boursin Gournay cheese wrapped in puff pastry; and Chilean sea bass. Tableside cooking, by reservation only, is an optional feature. Don’t forget The Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor for a sweet treat. 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-5700. D Wed.-Sun and high tea Sat.-Sun.

Wright & Co. $$ NEW AMERICAN • The collaboration between chef Marc Djozlija and Dave Kwiatkowski of the popular Corktown craft cocktail bar Sugar House gives new life to the second-floor space in the Wright Kay building. Small plates such as pork belly sliders with tomato jam and sriracha aioli are the focus. 1500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-962-7711. D Tue.-Sun.

Yum Village $ AFRO-CARIBBEAN • The former food truck opened a full-service restaurant in the North End in 2019. The space is bright and fun with wooden tables, mismatched chairs, and a colorful, geometric paint job. And the food is just as bold. The restaurant serves up piquant dishes like Lemon Pepper Jerk Chicken. 6500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-334-6099. L,D Mon.-Sat.

RESTAURANT LISTINGS 09.23

Oakland

168 Crab & Karaoke $$

PAN-ASIAN • Don’t judge by 168 Crab & Karaoke’s unassuming strip mall location. It’s a unique experience that meshes food, karaoke, and pop party culture into a one-stop destination. As the name suggests, seafood is the main attraction here, specifically the seafood boils, which come with your choice of seafood (crab, clams, lobster, etc.), with sauce, corn and potatoes. 32415 John R Road, Madison Heights; 248-6160168. D daily.

220 Merrill $$$

NEW AMERICAN • The menu includes apps and small plates as well as Wagyu beef carpaccio, ahi tuna tartare, and classic roasted oysters. There are heartier entrees as well, like the braised beef short ribs. 220 Merrill St., Birmingham; 248-646-2220. L, Mon.-Sat. BR Sat-Sun.

Adachi

$$$

JAPANESE-INSPIRED • Heading the kitchen is Lloyd Roberts, who has trained in the kitchens of celebrity chefs such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Nobu Matsuhisa. Here, soy truffle broth is ladled over pork dumplings reminiscent of coin purses, and miniature tacos are filled with lobster, tuna, or vegetable pickings. 325 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248540-900. L,D daily.

Andiamo $$

ITALIAN • Over the past three decades, Joe Vicari has established several Andiamo restaurants in metro Detroit, all inspired by the late master chef Aldo Ottaviani’s philosophy of seasonal, from-scratch cooking. The menus differ slightly at the different locations, but the constant is the fresh, housemade pastas — handcrafted by the trinity of “pasta ladies,” Anna, Tanya, and Angelina, who have carried on the tradition. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield; 248-865-9300. L Mon.-Fri., D Sat.-Sun.

Anita’s Kitchen $

LEBANESE With pita pizzas and lamb chops, the Lebanese food here is some of the best around. And there’s vegetarian and gluten-free fare, too. Healthy, nutritious, and delicious. See website for locations; anitaskitchen.com

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2005

Bacco Restaurante

$$$

ITALIAN • Chef-owner Luciano Del Signore’s pastas are like pure art. Try the Strozzapreti Norcina: Italian sausage, truffles, tomato, and white wine, tossed with hand-rolled pasta. From local grass-fed beef to sustainably farm-raised sea bass to a fresh caprese, the ingredients are top-end. Based in the heart of Southfield, Bacco is a true Italian gem in the suburbs. And the desserts, are not to be missed. 29410 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-356-6600. L Tue.-Fri. D Tue.-Sat.

Bella Piatti $$

ITALIAN • The location right across from the Townsend Hotel has inspired a number of visiting celebrities, professional athletes, and film crews who stay there to check out the Italian fare at this restaurant. The menu of such dishes as Gemelli pasta with fresh tomato sauce; salmon baked with spinach, kalamata olives, white wine, and tomatoes; and tagliatelle Bolognese stands on its own. It’s one of our true favorites in the area in terms of Italian restaurants. 167 Townsend St., Birmingham; 248-494-7110. D Tue.-Sat.

Beverly Hills Grill $$$

NEW AMERICAN • This Beverly Hills institution has built a loyal following over the years with its California vibe and dawn-to-dark schedule. These days they’re

serving only dinner, but the restaurant still features the fresh and innovative fare that put it on the map. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills; 248-642-2355. D Mon.-Sat.

Bi Bim Bab $$

KOREAN • Though sushi and a small selection of Japanese entrees share the bill here, it’s Korean food at center stage — on barbecue grills, on which meat and seafood are grilled to order. Or come for the restaurant’s namesake. 43155 Main St., Novi; 248-3486800. L,D Wed.-Mon.

Birmingham Pub $$$

GASTROPUB • This stylish yet casual gastropub from the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group took over the former Triple Nickel space. True to its name, the restaurant’s bill of fare features pub classics taken up a notch, such as Alaskan cod butter roasted with everythingbagel crust and filet mignon with Parmesan truffle fries and zip sauce. There are also TVs at the bar so you won’t miss a minute of the game. 555 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-885-8108. L Sun, Tue.-Fri., D Tue.-Sun.

Bistro Joe’s $$$

GLOBAL Part of Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market, Bistro Joe’s is in a mezzanine overlooking the open kitchen and market. There is an eclectic list of dishes like spicy tuna “tacushi,” steamed mussels, and tasty flatbread pizzas. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-5940984. D Tue.-Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2003

Café Cortina $$$

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

Café ML $$

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

Capital Grille $$$

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

Casa Pernoi $$$$

ITALIAN • Three months after its grand opening, what once was a multi-hyphenate concept, blending French, Asian, and Italian cuisine, soon defaulted simply to a cuisine most familiar to chef Luciano DelSignore: Italian. Housemade pastas rolled by hand, and a meaty branzino typify the menu. 310 E. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-940-0000. D Tue.-Sat.

Churchill’s Bistro & Cigar Bar $$$

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

Como’s $$

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

Cornbread Restaurant & Bar $$

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

Crispelli’s Bakery Pizzeria $

ITALIAN-INSPIRED This hybrid offers artisanal pizzas from a brick oven, salads, paninis, and soups. A bakery offers crusty breads, desserts, and meals to go. Two patios add to the appeal. See website for locations; crispellis.com

Culantro $$

FEATURED Bi Bim Bab

KOREAN

Though sushi and a small selection of Japanese entrees share the bill here, it’s Korean food at center stage — on barbecue grills, on which meat and seafood are grilled to order. Or come for the restaurant’s namesake. 43155 Main St., Novi; 248-348-6800. Temporarily closed.

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

Diamond’s Steak & Seafood $$$

STEAKHOUSE • This Howell restaurant is the perfect location for ribeye, fresh gulf shrimp, or a classic cheeseburger. Plus, weekends boast a buffet-style brunch. 101 W. Grand River Ave., Howell; 517-548-5500. L,D Tue.-Sat.

Eddie’s Gourmet $$

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

Elie’s Mediterranean Grill/Bar $$

LEBANESE • The lamb and chicken shawarma, shish kafta, kibbee nyeh, and other Lebanese dishes are emphasized by the décor, including photomurals of old Beirut and strings of blue beads cascading from the ceiling. A fun place to frequent for a quick lunch or a night out with friends. 263 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-647-2420. L,D Mon.-Sat.

The Fed $$

GASTROPUB An attractive restaurant with great food and a delightfully refreshing atmosphere. The menu crosses boundaries, from shareables, like Spanish Octopus and Wild Mushroom Flatbread. Plus, the bright and airy bohemian-chic interior is highly Instagrammable. 15 S. Main St., Clarkston; 248-297-5833. D Wed.-Sat., B,L,D Sun.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2009

Forest $$$

EUROPEAN-INSPIRED • The menu is brief but designed to let the kitchen assemble sharp flavors

RECIPE

MITHAI & CHAI’S

LENTIL SOUP

Ingredients

1 cup split lentils

3 cups water

2 tablespoons oil

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper Salt, to taste

1/2 red onion, diced

1/2 tomato, diced

2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste

1/4 cup cooked rice

Directions

1. Wash the lentils in a sieve under running water. Transfer to a bowl, cover with water, and leave to soak for 30 minutes.

2. In a large pot, bring the water and oil to a boil. Add in the soaked lentils and all of the spices. Turn the heat down to medium and let simmer for 10 minutes.

3. While the lentils cook, saute onion, tomato, and ginger garlic paste in a separate pan. Add this mixture along with the cooked rice to the soup.

4. Simmer for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly. If the soup becomes too thick, add in half a cup of water at a time, stirring constantly, until the soup thins out.

5. Serve garnished with fresh cilantro.

from various farm and market ingredients. Try the delightful pastas, like the Bolognese and the agnolotti, as well as the understated Farm Egg. 735 Forest Ave., Birmingham; 248-258-9400. D Tue.-Sat.

The Fly Trap

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

Garage Grill & Fuel Bar $$

NEW AMERICAN The car-themed rooms of a former 1940s gas station are as fresh and appealing as the dishes themselves. The kitchen serves up a variety of seafood starters and “full-size sedan” entrees, as well as pizzas. 202 W. Main St., Northville, 248-9243367. D Wed.-Sun., BR Sat.-Sun.

Gran Castor $$

LATIN STREET From the duo behind hit spots like Vinsetta Garage and Union Woodshop comes this vibrant Latin-American café and restaurant.Diners can choose to sit behind one of the two bars, a cozy café, or in the 245-seat dining room all decked in colorful textiles. At Gran Castor, the dining room is equally as decadent as the food and drinks served. Grab a $5 margarita between 4 p.m.-6 p.m. daily. 2950 Rochester Road, Troy; 248-278-7777. D Wed.-Mon.

Hazel’s $$

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

Tue.-Sun., B,L Sat.-Sun.

Honcho $

LATIN FUSION • From the owners of Vinsetta Garage and Union Woodshop, this restaurant can be described as “Latin food that speaks with an Asian accent.” Menu items include a chicken burrito fried and tossed in a soy fish sauce and Korean pork tacos, featuring Woodshop pulled pork tossed in Korean BBQ sauce and topped with toasted sesame seeds and Malay radish slaw. 3 E. Church St., Clarkston; 248707-3793. L,D daily.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2002

Hong Hua

$

CHINESE •One of the best area restaurants dedicated to Asian food offers some rare delicacies as well as more customary items. One signature dish is King of the Sea: lobster chunks, scallops, and grouper with greens in a garlic sauce. 27925 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills; 248-489-2280. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse $$$$

STEAKHOUSE • This plush modern steakhouse offers dry-aged prime and Kobe-style wagyu beef in a fun, clubby setting. An extensive wine list accompanies the restaurant menu that also features platters of chilled fresh seafood. 201 S. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-594-4369. D daily. 17107 Haggerty Road, Northville Twp.; 248-679-0007. D Tue.-Sun.

Imperial

J-Bird Smoked Meats $$

BARBEQUE • Offering wood-smoked meats served with the traditional sides of cornbread, buttermilk slaw, and mac and cheese, popular dishes include the Three Meat Sampler and JBird Gumbo, as well as St. Louis Ribs and old-fashioned JBurgers. If you love meat, this is your place. 1978 Cass Lake Road, Keego Harbor; 248-681-2124. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Lao Pot $$$

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

La Strada Dolci e Caffé $

ITALIAN • A slice of European elegance offers an impeccable little menu of Italian dishes and rich coffees and espresso. Delicious fresh green salads, pastas, pizzas, and decadent and artistically crafted pastries are proudly served and very tasty. 243 E. Merrill St., Birmingham; 248-480-0492. D Tue.-Sat.

Lellis Inn $$

ITALIAN • Dinners begin with an antipasto tray, creamy minestrone, salad, side dish of spaghetti, and then — nine times out of 10 — a filet mignon with zip sauce. 885 N. Opdyke Road, Auburn Hills; 248-3734440. L,D daily.

Loccino Italian Grill $$ ITALIAN Loccino is a “family-friendly” yet upscale Italian restaurant. Choose from fresh seafood, steak, and chicken dishes, plus traditional pastas, pizzas, salads, and more. They also offer happy hour specials from 3-7 p.m. weekdays. A great special occasion place or delicious workday lunch spot for whenever you need a break from the office. 5600 Crooks Road, Troy; 248-813-0700. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

Lockhart’s BBQ $$ BARBEQUE • The heart of this joint’s authentic barbecue is the dry-rubbed meat smoker, which can smoke up to 800 pounds of meat at a time. Choices such as pork ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, burnt ends, and chicken are served atop butcher paper on metal trays for the true experience. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak; 248-584-4227. L,D daily. BR Sun.

Loui’s Pizza $

ITALIAN • Sure, you can now get a Michigan craft beer, but not much else has changed. And that’s a good thing. Parties dine on square pizzas with crisp crust, faintly charred around the edges. Hailed by food critics and Detroiters alike as one of the city’s most classic Detroit style pizzas, it’s well worth a trip. 23141 Dequindre Road, Hazel Park; 248-547-1711. L,D Thu.-Sun.

Luxe Bar & Grill $$

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

$

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

Mabel Gray $$$

NEW AMERICAN • Chef James Rigato produces some masterful dishes on this tiny menu, which does not miss a beat. The menu includes a multi-course tasting option, as well as a daily listing of changing

RESTAURANT LISTINGS 09.22

items that never disappoint. It’s a fine dining experience that is certainly worth a visit. 23825 John R Road, Hazel Park; 248-398-4300. D Tue.-Sat.

Mad Hatter Bistro, Bar & Tea Room $$

ECLECTIC AMERICAN • The whimsical setting inspired by Alice in Wonderland welcomes far more than the tea sipping set with burgers and sandwiches. There are also pastries, of course. 185 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-540-0000. B,L Thu.-Sun., D Fri.Sat. Tea by reservation. Lower level not wheelchair accessible.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR  2023

Madam $$$

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

Mare Mediterranean $$$$

SEAFOOD • Inspired by restaurants in Sicily where the catch of the day is the basis of dinner, this sophisticated restaurant from Nino Cutraro and his partner offers the freshest seafood flown in from the Mediterranean several times a week. You select the type of fish you want from the market in front of the open kitchen and how you want it prepared (acqua pazza, salt baked, grilled, or pan fried). It’s then served tableside in glorious fashion. It’s a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. 115 Willits St., Birmingham; 248-9405525. D Tue.-Sat. BR Sat.-Sun.

Market North End $$

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

The Meeting House $$

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

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 

Mon Jin Lau

FEATURED Joe Muer

SEAFOOD

The Bloomfield Hills location of the iconic restaurant continues the tradition of excellent food, service, and ambiance. The menu emphasizes classic fresh fish and “Muer Traditions” such as Dover sole and Great Lakes yellow belly perch. There’s also a raw and sushi bar as well as premium steaks. A piano bar adds to the ambience.

39475 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-7929609. D daily.

The Morrie $$ NEW AMERICAN • Music and munchies can be a great combination when served in the right proportions. Such offerings as the smoked chicken wings and Detroit style pizza, as well as the requisite burger and steak, appeal to a wide demographic. The rock ’n’ roll-themed eatery also brought its much-loved American dishes and cocktails to Birmingham in 2019. 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248216-1112. D daily. 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-940-3260. L,D daily.

Oak City Grille $

NEW AMERICAN • This downtown Royal Oak spot bridges the gap between bar food and upscale dining. Order a dressed-up sandwich or burger, or elevate your dining experience with an 8-ounce filet mignon or lamb chops. The friendly price range makes anything possible. 212 W. Sixth St., Royal Oak; 248-5560947. D Tue.-Sun.

Ocean Prime $$$$

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

One-Eyed Betty’s $$

ECLECTIC AMERICAN • Picnic-style tables and blackboards lettered with scores of brew choices add a beer-hall sensibility to this popular spot. The kitchen delivers New Orleans-themed dishes such as Chicken Tchoupitoulas with tasso ham and bearnaise sauce, as well as a mouth-watering bacon burger. Weekend brunch features delicious housemade doughnuts. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale; 248808-6633. D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

O.W.L. $

MEXICAN-AMERICAN • This Royal Oak spot offers sustenance for the early birds to the night owls. Step up to the counter and order from the letterboard menu before grabbing a stool at the counter or along the window ledge. Dishes here include such diner musts as eggs, sausage and potato hash, burgers, and chicken wings as well as tacos and nachos served from the open kitchen. 27302 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-808-6244. B, L,D daily.

Phoenicia $$$

LEBANESE • This long-standing upscale Lebanese 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; 248-644-3122. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

Pinky’s Rooftop $$

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 to hit the spot. 280 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-268-4806. D Tue.-Sun.

Prime29 Steakhouse $$$$

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

Public House $$ NEW AMERICAN/VEGAN • This Ferndale spot reopened under new ownership and with a refreshed look in late 2021. Standout selections include its burgers, shareable plates like char-roasted carrots, and craft cocktails and mocktails. It also features a special vegan menu and carries plenty of gluten-free options. 241 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; (248) 654-6355. L,D daily., BR Sat.-Sun.

Quán Ngon Vietnamese Bistro $ VIETNAMESE • This gem of a bistro in a hand-some space adds to the local Vietnamese offerings. Dishes such as cha gio (elegant little eggrolls), bun bo noug cha gio (grilled steak atop angel-hair rice noodles), and banh mi made with fresh ingredients. 30701 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights; 248-2684310. L,D Fri.-Wed

Redcoat Tavern $ BURGERS • The half-pound choice beef hamburger is always atop the list of local favorites. But a low-fat, high-flavor Piedmontese beef one is tastier than the original. This is the place for your burger craving. 31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-549-0300. 6745 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township; 248-865-0500. L,D Mon.-Sat.

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

Ronin $$

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

Silver Spoon $$

2008

$$

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

ECLECTIC AMERICAN • With its second-floor view of downtown Royal Oak, Pinky’s Rooftop is a go-to spot for a night on the town. The name hearkens back to a Detroit restaurant and speakeasy on the east side that was called Pinky’s Boulevard Club (and the fact that everything is pink). The playful and eclectic menu offers a taste of a little bit of everything, from Kasseri Saganaki to Red Chile Beef Taco. It’s part of the Adam Merkel Restaurants group, which includes Howell hot spots The Silver Pig, Cello Italian, and Diamond’s Steak & Seafood. 100 S. Main St. Rear, Royal Oak, 248-268-2885. D Tues.-Sun. Br. Sat.-Sun.

Pop’s For Italian $$ ITALIAN • It doesn’t sound fancy, but this Ferndale restaurant serves well-prepared, Italian dishes paired

ITALIAN • This quintessential slice of Italy features excellent food, knowledgeable staff, and friendly service. Try the bucatini made with pancetta, onion, red wine, and fresh tomato sauce. Also worth trying: saltimbocca alla Romana, or veal scaloppini sautéed in white wine. A truly delicious place for any kind of outing. 543 N. Main St., Rochester; 248-652-4500. D Mon.-Sat.

Social Kitchen & Bar $$$

NEW AMERICAN • The energetic Birmingham spot allows guests a view of the kitchen action. It has a creative and varied menu typified by fried chicken sandwiches, crispy Brussels sprouts, and salmon with braised lentils, crispy kale, and a mustard vinaigrette. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-594-4200. L Mon.-Fri., D daily, BR Sat.-Sun.

Sozai

JAPANESE • To truly experience Sozai, you have to reserve a seat at the custom-built sushi bar where chef Hajime Sato will curate a unique sustainable sushi dining experience called omakase. There’s also a menu offering crowd pleasures like chicken karaage and rolls featuring familiar ingredients with tuna, jalapeno and avocado. 449 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson; 248677-3232. D Tues.-Sat.

Streetside Seafood $$

SEAFOOD • Small and cozy yet sophisticated, the restaurant has a pared-down menu of fresh fish and seafood on a seasonal menu. There are always two soups: a bisque and a chowder. Favorites include the oysters and bouillabaisse. A delicious restaurant for all palates to enjoy and feel comfortable in. 273 Pierce St.Birmingham; 248-645-9123. L Mon.-Fri., D daily.

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 — entrees combine together to make this spot special. The exceptionally warm service is unforgettable. 1366 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills; 248-652-7800. L,D Tue.-Sat., D Sun.

Three Cats Restaurant $

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • Formerly a small café serving customers of the boutique Leon & Lulu, Three Cats is now a full-fledged restaurant and bar. Located in the former Clawson movie theater next door to the shop, the spot serves small, simple plates, including vegetarian and vegan options for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The beverage menu features local selections, such as vodka from Ferndale’s Valentine’s Distilling Co. and wines from grapes grown on the Leelanau Peninsula. Patrons can even take home the colorful, quirky chairs or tables they’re dining at, as most of the furniture at Three Cats Restaurant is available for purchase. 116 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson; 248-2884858. L,D Tue.-Fri., B,L,D Sat.-Sun.

Toast, A Breakfast & Lunch Joint $

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH • It’s fun, it’s breezy, and the food at Toast, A Breakfast & Lunch Joint is very, very good. Diners love 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 seung pairing ’50s retro with sleek contemporary in a pair of rooms. The new menu features twists to comfort food. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-398-0444. 203 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-258-6278. B,L daily.

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;313-723-1000. L,D daily.

Union Woodshop $$

BARBEQUE • Part of the ever-growing Union Joints restaurant group, this is a self-described wood-fired joint, where pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and beef brisket come from the smoker, and Neapolitan-style crispcrusted pizzas from the wood-burning oven. And definitely check out the mac and cheese. There’s also a delicious kid’s menu for any youngsters in your party.

18 S. Main St., Clarkston; 248-625-5660. D Mon.-Sun.

Vinsetta Garage $$

NEW AMERICAN • This restaurant, which is housed in a vintage car-repair shop, offers well-prepared comfort food classics such as burgers, macaroni and cheese, pizzas, and brown sugar-glazed salmon. A restaurant that pays true homage to the city of Detroit. 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248-548-7711. L,D daily.

Voyager $$

FEATURED

Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro

JAPANESE

Understated decor and a pared-down menu of seasonal dishes make this spot a Birmingham classic. The kitchen turns out dishes like the Lamb Belly Ragu with housemade pasta and the 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.

SEAFOOD • Fresh seafood with emphasis on oysters is the premise in this hard-to-find location. The space entails convivially close quarters for such dishes as peel-n’-eat shrimp, yellowfin tuna tartare, and halibut fish and chips. The premium bar offers short but notable lists of beer and wine as well as craft cocktails. 600 Vester St., Ferndale; 248-658-4999. D Tue.-Sat.

Waves $$

SEAFOOD • Seafood covers most of the menu at this Nautical Mile favorite. It’s a tough task choosing between such popular appetizers as coconut shrimp, crispy grouper nuggets, and plump steamed mussels. Entrees include al dente pastas and several choices from “over the wave,” such as lamb chops and New York strip steak, plus lump crab cakes, and beer-battered cod. 24223 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-773-3279. L,D daily.

Macomb

Andiamo $$

ITALIAN • Over the past three decades, Joe Vicari has established several Andiamo restaurants in metro Detroit, all inspired by the late master chef Aldo Ottaviani’s philosophy of seasonal, from-scratch cooking. Menus differ slightly between locations, but the constant is fresh, housemade pastas — handcrafted by the trinity of “pasta ladies,” Anna, Tanya, and Angelina, who have carried on the tradition. The Warren location is the flagship that started it all. 7096 14 Mile Road, Warren; 586-268-3200. L,D Mon.Fri., D Sat.-Sun.

Bar Verona $$

ITALIAN • Modernized, made-from-scratch Italian favorites curated by Chef Salvatore Borgia as well as fresh craft cocktails fill the menu at this stylish eatery. Homemade pastas, such as Giuseppe’s, as well as a selection of steaks and seafood dishes typify the contemporary approach to fresh and uncomplicated Italian cuisine. 59145 Van Dyke Ave., Washington; 586473-0700. D daily.

Butter Run Saloon $

GASTROPUB • Solid American fare that’s beyond bar food (although their burgers are certainly noteworthy). There’s escargot, perch, steaks, and a huge

whiskey selection — over a thousand at last count. 27626 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-675-2115. L,D daily.

Da Francesco’s Ristorante & Bar $$

ITALIAN Da Francesco’s has been around for more than 15 years, but its massive new facility is packing in the crowds by offering traditional Italian dining with an upbeat modern twist. 49521 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586-731-7544. L,D Tue.-Fri., D Sat., L,D Sun.

Detroit Fish House $$

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

Gaudino’s $$

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

Isla $$

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

J. Baldwin’s Restaurant $$$

NEW AMERICAN • The menu showcases talented chef Jeff Baldwin’s contemporary American food: cedar-planked salmon, Boom-Boom Shrimp, burgers, and salads. The desserts include chocolate bumpy cake and spiced carrot cake. 16981 18 Mile Road, Clinton Township; 586-416-3500. L,D Tue.-Sun., BR Sun.

Mr. Paul’s Chophouse $$$

STEAKHOUSE • This bastion of red meat as well as classic dishes is still going strong. Try old-school tableside presentations such as Chateaubriand and Caesar salad. There’s a solid selection of fresh seafood and pasta, too. The founding family still runs the place and emphasizes great hospitality and a heckuva good time. 29850 Groesbeck Hwy., Roseville; 586-7777770. 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. This isn’t just bar food — it’s elevated bar food. 45689 Hayes Road, Shelby Township; 586-532-9669. L,D Tue.-Sat.

Steakhouse 22 $$

STEAKHOUSE • The late Nick Andreopoulos once spent time as a “broiler man” at London Chop House. His family stays true to those roots at this American steakhouse with a casual, neighborhood feel. They offer an array of well-prepared angus steaks, plus seafood and pasta dishes. With the sizable lunch and portions offered at Steakhouse 22, good luck saving room for dessert! 48900 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township; 586-731-3900. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Charity Calendar

TAKE ROOT GROWING ROOTS FUNDRAISER

Sept. 22, 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.

takerootdance.com

Join Take Root for a night of IMPACTING LIVES THROUGH DANCE! The Growing Roots Fundraiser will serve as a night of giving back and celebrating the children of Take Root’s Arts Education Impact Program and Dance for Parkinson’s Disease participants. All proceeds from the evening will support these programs. Guests will enjoy a silent auction, strolling food stations, interactive performances, and, of course, music and dance!

Take Root is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strives to impact lives through dance. Take Root’s specialized outreach programs — Dance for Parkinson’s Disease and Arts Education Impact — provide equal opportunities, contribute to the intellectual and artistic life of overlooked communities, and are inclusive of all individuals at any stage of their journey.

KIDSGALA INVITATIONAL

Sept. 18, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Oakhurst Golf and Country Club

7000 Oakhurst Lane Clarkston, MI 48348 kidsgala.org

Format: Four-Person Scramble

Cost: Individual Golfer Price, $200; Foursome Price, $800 Various sponsorship opportunities are available

Schedule of Events:

8 a.m. Registration

10 a.m. Shotgun Start

2 p.m. Lunch and Awards

UNITED COMMUNITY FAMILY SERVICES — CHALDEAN AMERICAN LADIES OF CHARITY — TIMELESS HOPE OKTOBERFEST GALA

Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. ucfamilyservices.org/event/oktoberfest/

The annual Timeless Hope Gala is the event of the year. Families, friends, and community members come together to support UCFS-CALC and help raise money to support the countless programs offered to clients. With the help of generous donors, UCFS can continue to achieve their mission of serving individuals and families in need with dignity and hope. They’re bringing the fun and excitement straight to you, all in the name of a great cause! They hope to see you there!

Cheers to a night of giving back! Tickets are now on sale for the Oktoberfest Timeless Hope Gala on Sept. 28 at Shenandoah Country Club. Enjoy a delicious Oktoberfest-inspired dinner, a premium open bar, live entertainment, an exclusive auction, raffles, and so much more!

DETROIT CHOICE AWARDS 2023 “SHINE FORTH”

Sept. 17, 6 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. detroitchoiceawards.com

FRIENDS OF JOHNSON NATURE CENTER FOREST TO TABLE FUNDRAISER

Sept. 9, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

johnsonnaturecenter.org/forest2table

Johnson Nature Center is Oakland County’s hidden gem. It is a publicly accessed 40-acre site located in Bloomfield Township that offers a great escape for all ages. Chef Chris Gadulka, from Sylvan Table, and Chef Johnny Prepolec, from Alchemi, will be catering a strolling dinner of forest foods throughout the trails at the Johnson Nature Center. The featured chefs will intertwine Michigan native and invasive species of flora and fauna throughout multiple stations. Attendees will have an opportunity to connect with the natural environment and engage their senses in a unique way. Guests will stroll the trails as they listen to live music and taste the chefs’ creations. Naturalists on-site will provide education and community awareness around ecological conservation. The evening will conclude with sweet endings, photo opportunities, and performing artists.

The Detroit Choice Awards celebrates the 7th annual award show on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the MGM Grand in Detroit. Each year the awards program acknowledges Vanguard honorees and the people’s choice finalists comprising leaders, changemakers, and local businesses for their contribution to the city of Detroit.

After nominating favorite businesses and change agents in selected categories, Detroiters voted, and after casting over 70,000 votes, the top three of each category moved forward. The winner of each category will be announced during the awards ceremony.

The mission of the Detroit Choice Awards is to acknowledge, celebrate, and inspire fresh talent and significant achievements, and shed light on the success of local businesses and leaders in the community. Proceeds from the awards gala will benefit 501(c)(3) Dave’s Choice Community Development Corp., whose mission is to impact and empower underprivileged children and families. They give their best to transform lives beyond limits, and carry out strategic interventions, programs, presentations, and training sessions.

BRILLIANT DETROIT: TOGETHER, WE ARE BRILLIANT

Sept. 13, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Together, We Are Brilliant Detroit! Come be a part of the celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Chroma Detroit!

The 7th Annual Benefit Event will culminate a citywide effort to combat summer reading loss with a joyful, fun-filled gathering. The work Brilliant Detroit is doing to build Kid Success Neighborhoods through initiatives like Detroit Reads is driven by supporters like you. They need you more than ever to maintain programming and support at their existing 18 hubs, expand into three more neighborhoods by the close of the year, and reach their goal of 24 hubs by 2024. And they need you more than ever as they take this innovative model to cities outside of Detroit and create their Brilliant Cities Fund.

Testa Barra $$

ITALIAN • The newest spot from talented chef and restaurateur Jeffrey Baldwin and his wife, RoseMarie, offers modern Italian fare in a lively, upbeat setting. Pastas are made in-house. 48824 Romeo Plank Road, Macomb Township; 586-434-0100. L Sun., D daily.

Washtenaw

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. The restaurant features a lunchtime sandwich counter with fresh-baked bread and a frequently changing seasonal dinner menu. 209 Pearl St., Ypsilanti. D Mon. L,D Tue.-Sat. BR Sun.

Black Pearl $$

SEAFOOD • This seafood and martini bar is especially popular during patio season. But step inside for a host of craft cocktails, then stay for dinner. A seafood-dominated menu includes a notable caramel apple salmon dish. Non seafood options include the eponymous burger, Asian chicken salad, and filet mignon. And make sure to order dessert. 302 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-222-0400. D daily.

Blue LLama Jazz Club $$

CREATIVE AMERICAN • Come to this swanky jazz club for the music, which includes headliners such as the Grammy-nominated Ravi Coltrane Quartet, but stay for Chef Louis Goral’s delicious food — steaks, seafood and upscale southernstyle fare. 314 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-3723200. D Wed.-Sat.

The Blue Nile $$

ETHIOPIAN • The real treat of the meal at this quaint restaurant is that it’s scooped up with a spongy bread called injera, and all the lentils, often seasoned with an Ethiopian spice mixture known as “berbere,” and 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, made-fresh garlic naan. It’s the ideal spot for when you’re craving the classics. 1739 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor; 734-6622877. L Sun., D Wed.-Sun.

The Common Grill $$

SEAFOOD Founded by Chef Craig Common, whose skilled work drew the attention of the now shuttered Gourmet magazine and the James Beard House, this mainstay was acquired in 2022 by Peas & Carrots Hospitality. Chefs Zack Sklar and Josh Humphrey most of the beloved restaurant’s menu, such as the expertly prepared oysters and seafood dishes as well as the coconut cream pie. 112 S. Main St., Chelsea; 734-475-0470. L,D Tue.-Sun., BR Sat-Sun.

Dixboro House $$$$

NEW AMERICAN • Much like the restaurant’s ambience, the cuisine at Dixboro House is both refined and relaxed. Chef Joe VanWagner’s elegant but approachable menu hosts rotating seasonal fromscratch dishes that highlight local ingredients—pizzas, salads, seafood, and steaks served in a rustic barn that once housed The Lord Fox, an iconic res-

taurant in Ann Arbor’s historic Dixboro neighborhood. 5400 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor; 734-6693310. L,D daily. BR Sat.-Sun.

KouZina Greek Steet Food $

GREEK The Greek “street food” at this Ann Arbor spot comes in lamb and beef, and chicken. Try the lentil soup for a delicious lunch or go for something more filling like the gyro bowl. Either way, you can’t go wrong with this excellent spot. 332 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-997-5155. L,D Mon.-Sun.

Mani Osteria & Bar $$

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

Miss Kim $$

KOREAN This spinoff from the Zingerman’s mini empire comes courtesy of chef Ji Hye Kim, a James Beard semifinalist. Kim meticulously researches Korean culinary traditions and recipes to create her unique blend of modern Korean food highlighting Michigan vegetables, from housemade kimchi to the tteokbokki (rice cakes). Some of the restaurant’s standouts include a craveable Korean fried chicken and its plantbased counterpart the Korean fried tofu. 415 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor, 734-275-0099. L and D Wed.-Mon.

Paesano $$

FEATURED Twisted Rooster

SPORTS BAR

This “Michigancentric” chain (Chesterfield Township and Belleville) has takes on classics, with mac and cheese variations and steaks with zip sauce.

ITALIAN • With a friendly waitstaff and decked in vibrant colors, this lively restaurant is not to be missed. The innovative menu changes seasonally. Must-tries have included the pasta carbonara, featuring shrimp, duck bacon, and Italian greens, as well as beet and ricotta gnocchi with brown butter. 3411 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-971-0484. L,D daily.

Seva Ann Arbor $$

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

Shalimar $$

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

Slurping Turtle $

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

Yotsuba Japanese Restaurant & Bar $$

JAPANESE • The semi-circular sushi bar is the center of this restaurant. Sushi chef Bobby Suzuki has a loyal following for his precise nigiri rolls. There are also tatami rooms and conventional seating. 7365 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township; 248-

RESTAURANT LISTINGS 09.23

737-8282. 2222 Hogback Road, Ann Arbor; 734-9715168. L,D Tue.-Sun.

Zingerman’s Roadhouse $$$

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

Charity Calendar

7TH ANNUAL ART & APPLES FESTIVAL®

Sept. 8 - 10

pccart.org/festival

Dedicated to promoting creativity and artistic excellence by offering a full range of cultural and educational programs throughout the year, Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) is excited to announce the return of its annual Art & Apples Festival® on Sept. 8–10, through the generous support of presenting sponsor Genisys Credit Union. This annual three-day jubilee of fine art will once again bring together a juried group of 250 skilled artists and artisans, as an anticipated 70,000 attendees are welcomed into sprawling Rochester Municipal Park, near downtown Rochester. Taking center stage will be unique artwork, handmade keepsakes, and distinctive home goods available to purchase, sprinkled with live stage entertainment from community music and dance groups; food trucks, tents, and restaurant pop-ups offering a wide array of tasty options; the Meijer Kids Art Zone, offering children’s art activities; and the Creation Station, featuring live artmaking demonstrations.

DETROIT MONTH OF DESIGN

Sept. 1 - 30

designcore.org/month-of-design

The Detroit Month of Design returns for its 13th edition Sept. 1-30.

Detroit Month of Design is produced by Design Core Detroit, an economic development nonprofit organization housed within the College for Creative Studies. The festival was established in 2011 to connect creatives, introduce them to new markets and consumers, expose Detroit’s design aesthetic to worldwide audiences, and highlight the reason why Detroit is the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the United States.

Taking place throughout the city of Detroit and online, the festival features a balanced combination of virtual, outdoor, and indoor experiences. Key program elements include a mix of sponsored, independently produced, and Design Core signature events that range from exhibitions to installations, product launches, lectures, panel discussions, tours, workshops, and more. In 2022, the festival featured 175+ creatives and 80+ events, and engaged 50,000 attendees in various Detroit neighborhoods throughout the month.

AUTOGLOW 2023

Sept. 15, 4:30 p.m. - Sept. 16, 12 a.m. thechildrenscenter.com

The Children’s Center is an illuminating light for children and families in Detroit. They believe that when you heal children, you heal Detroit and create a brighter future for everyone.

You’re invited to join The Children’s Center’s signature event at Ford Field, AutoGlow, hosted by Lisa and Bill Ford, and Lia and Jim Farley. Through your attendance, the Center can continue its mission and ensure a brighter future for the next generation. Tickets include on-site valet parking, a pre-reception, transportation via luxury motor coach to and from Charity Preview, entertainment, and more.

The Children’s Center is honored to be one of six charities benefiting from North American International Auto Show Charity Preview proceeds. All AutoGlow ticket-holders must also be NAIAS Charity Preview ticket-holders. To order your Charity Preview tickets, visit naias.com or call 888-838-7500 and designate The Children’s Center as your charity partner of choice. MC#5787

FIRE & FLANNEL

Sept. 21, 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Fire & Flannel is back! Don your finest flannel and join the Troy Chamber of Commerce and Troy Historic Village for an autumn and lumberjackthemed evening, including:

• Live music entertainment from folk duo Hot Ugly

• Blacksmith station with coaster branding

• Bourbon-tasting

• Beverage tent (two drink tickets included)

• S’mores station

• Local food vendors

• Cornhole and yard games

• Flannel contest (winners will receive a $75 gift certificate to Granite City, a Troy Historic Village membership, OR two tickets to New Day Foundation’s Motorcity Casino Hotel Celebrity Lip Sync Battle!)

• Networking

Food will be provided by local Troy Chamber members. Fire & Flannel will run rain or shine!

2023 BREAKFAST WITH THE BISHOP

Oct. 3

Detroit Athletic Club

General seating: $50; Table sponsorships: $1,500 stannesmead.org

Join St. Anne’s Mead for the 2023 Breakfast with the Bishop, featuring Bishop Bonnie A. Perry of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. St. Anne’s Mead is celebrating The Joy of Aging, and Bishop Perry will share her insights and inspiration. Funds raised support St. Anne’s Mead, a mission-driven, nonprofit assisted living home that’s been caring for seniors since 1966.

This inspirational morning will be emceed by awardwinning broadcast journalist Marie Osborne of News/ Talk 760 WJR-AM. Breakfast with the Bishop is made possible thanks to the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, Christ Church Cranbrook, Therapy Management Inc., St. David’s Episcopal Church, Paul and Sue Nine, John J. Lynch and Anne Hiemstra, Elizabeth Briody and Marc Robinson, and many others. For tickets and information, visit stannesmead.org.

19TH ANNUAL VINE & DINE

Sept. 12, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber is pleased to present the 19th Annual Vine & Dine, an evening of sipping wine samples, tasting new cuisine, and enjoying musical entertainment. A portion of the event’s net proceeds will benefit Gleaners Community Food Bank in southeastern Michigan. Net proceeds from past Vine & Dine events have helped Gleaners distribute thousands of meals to neighbors in our communities experiencing food insecurity.

05.06.2023

Hats Off Luncheon

THE 2023 HATS OFF Luncheon at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham marked the 20th year for the annual fundraiser and featured a reception, special guest speakers, lunch, and a prize for the guest with the best hat. Historically, this event has funded 90 percent of the budget for the Suite Dreams Project, which helps support low- and moderate-income families by transforming their bedrooms into “beautiful healing spaces.” Visit suitedreamsproject.org for more information.

HAVEN of Oakland County Resilience Gala

THIS GALA, which was held at Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club in Clarkston, honored survivors of sexual assault by providing a safe space for them to share their stories of hope and resilience along with an evening of live music and entertainment, a silent auction, and a seated gourmet meal. Funds from this year’s event went to support the programming that HAVEN of Oakland County provides to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, including shelter, counseling, court advocacy, support groups, and more. For more information, visit haven-oakland.org

05.12.2023

2023 Detroit Horse Power Gala

PHOTOGRAPHS BY NIKI WILLIAMS

THE DETROIT HORSE Power Gala was held at the Marygrove Conservancy and offered dinner, cocktails, raffles, and an awards ceremony that honored students from Detroit Horse Power, a nonprofit organization that teaches kids to ride and care for horses and develop skills that will “set them up for academic, career, and life success.” Funds from this event went to support the organization’s summer camps and after-school programs. Find more details at detroithorsepower.org

1. Ava Taylor, Xynese Frazier, Madison Wells 2. Fern Espino, Thomas Short

3. Alexa Bush, Andrew Billi, Larry and Susan Barkell, Jennifer Blades, Ashley Abbruzzi, Dan Schwartz

4. Beth Correa, Cathy LaMont, Michael Donovan 5. Barbara Goldberg, Kelsey

Epperson 6. Michelle and Jeff Jones

7. Dr. Tracy Webber, Randy Bierlein, Dr. Roschelle Hurt 8. Adriana Flores, Itzel

Flores, Deborah Thomas 9. Jerry and Amy Whelan, Nancy Marks, Steve Silver

10. Desiree and Cory Krajniak, Kelly and Joe O’Connor 11. Anand Kumar, Keith Mobily, Stacey and Reggie Parrish

The Way It Was

SIXTY YEARS AGO, on Sept. 8, The Detroit News published a cover story in its Sunday pictorial magazine that featured these future Hall of Famers whose faces could otherwise have been sculpted into a Mount Rushmore of Detroit sports legends.

Pictured here are the Tigers’ 28-year-old perennial All-Star right fielder Al Kaline, 35-year-old Red Wings superstar Gordie Howe, and 31-year-old Lions captain and middle linebacker Joe Schmidt, who defined the position. Years later, the trio earned nicknames that would be forever associated with them: Kaline was “Mr. Tiger” and Howe “Mr. Hockey,” while Schmidt was dubbed “Mr. Detroit Lion” by a media panel.

Although the glowing Detroit News magazine article called the trio a “million-dollar threesome,” it stated, “Kaline is the highest paid Tiger at nearly $60,000. Howe is the best paid player in hockey at $30,000. Schmidt receives nearly $30,000 from the Lions.” Two months later, Howe became the NHL’s all-time career goals leader, and six years later, he discovered from a teammate that in fact he was grossly underpaid and was far from being the highest-paid player.

The feature stated that “Howe believes he can play three more seasons” (he played 14 more for a total of 32, six of them in the World Hockey Association with sons Mark and Marty until he retired at 52), “Schmidt should be good for several more years” (he retired two years later to become a Lions assistant coach), and “Kaline should play in Detroit till he’s 40” (he retired at 39 after 22 seasons). In 1968, Kaline finally became a world champion, joining Howe, a four-time Stanley Cup winner, and Schmidt, who had won two NFL championship titles.

Upon quitting his job as the Lions’ head coach in 1973 after six seasons, Schmidt owned a manufacturers’ representative business. Now 91, he lives in Florida. Howe, who at his retirement in 1980 held records for career goals, assists, and points until surpassed by Wayne Gretzky, died in 2016 at age 88. Kaline, who for years was an analyst on Tigers telecasts and was later an adviser for the Tigers’ front office, died in 2020 at age 85. —Bill Dow

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