Mario Batali Ate His Way Through Detroit This Weekend

Mario Batali's love of Michigan is well-documented. The self-described Michigan "evangelist" owns a summer home up north and occasionally eats at Bigalora in Ann Arbor. This weekend the celebrity chef decided to make a detour to the Motor City, dining, drinking, and documenting his exploits on Instagram and Twitter. Batali's visit started Saturday evening with a trip to the venerable Michael Symon's Roast.

1 roast beast at Roast in detroit @chefsymon !!! wheeeeeee!

A photo posted by Mario Batali (@mariobatali) on Oct 3, 2015 at 3:10pm PDT

Then, Sunday kicked-off with a distillery tour and drinks at Our/Detroit and brunch at Gold Cash Gold complete with the famed pickle-brined fried chicken and waffles. "Wow! This town is on fire," he writes.

hanging near the still with my nbfs at @ourdetroit tasting yummy drinks and loving DETROIT!! wheeeeeeeeeee!

A photo posted by Mario Batali (@mariobatali) on Oct 4, 2015 at 6:50am PDT

delizioso brunch @goldcashgold in Motown. wow! this town is on fire !!!

A photo posted by Mario Batali (@mariobatali) on Oct 4, 2015 at 8:59am PDT

what a day! thanks chef josh and team at goldcashgold!! delicious over the top hospitality and joy!!

A photo posted by Mario Batali (@mariobatali) on Oct 4, 2015 at 12:36pm PDT

Like many Detroiters, Batali also made a weekend trek to Eastern Market taking in the new art. It seems like he was altogether impressed with the visit. "Detroit is awash in fresh art and delicious food," he says.

detroit is awash in fresh art and delicious food !! wow!

A photo posted by Mario Batali (@mariobatali) on Oct 4, 2015 at 12:19pm PDT