As The Oxford Inn Moves Out, Diamond Jim Brady’s Returns to Detroit Roots

While The Oxford Inn still lacks an official move-out date, the owners of Diamond Jim Brady's are already planning their take-over of the Royal Oak restaurant famous for its ribs.

Diamond Jim Brady's Detroit, while not technically in Detroit proper will definitely be closer to the 8 Mile line than the restaurant's other location in Novi. It's a return to the brand's roots, Mary Brady tells the Free Press. Mary Brady's late father-in-law Jim Brady opened the original restaurant on 7 Mile in 1954:

"Our intention is to continue what Tom and his father began on 7 Mile...and take it to a different level, but also take it back to its roots. Diamond Jim Brady's in Detroit was literally Detroit's first bistro. It was a very, very cool place. It was so neat—so neat."

The Royal Oak rendition of the bistro will sit 200 and style some of its décor after the original restaurant.

The Brady group plans to renovate the building inside and out, replacing the English Tudor-style exterior and gutting the interior. Mary Brady said construction won't begin until she receives the new liquor license, which she expects by mid-February or early March.

In the meantime, The Oxford Inn owner Bob Higgins says that in spite of the closure he's not planning to retire and is looking at other options that ensure the rib recipe lives on.