The Bridge Breathes New Life into Islandview Restaurant Space

Just a little over a year ago, The Sunday Dinner Company shut its doors on East Jefferson. However, partners Alicia Strong and Zamarr Woods have a plan to breathe new life into the vacant Islandview restaurant space with the opening of their new concept, The Bridge.

Strong and Woods say the project began four months ago. "The opportunity came about and it just made sense," says Woods. He and Strong are both new to the restaurant business, coming from a background in real estate, but have found strong support in Detroit's restaurant community. Chef Jerry Nottage (previously of Detroit's Breakfast House & Grill, Seldom Blues, Sweet Georgia Brown, Grand City Grill) is helping design Bridge's menu, which Woods describes as "American with a twist."

Bridge is already well into the build-out process and will seat approximately 80 people. Designs focus heavily on the theme of bridges including a mural and a suspension bridge-inspired wall dividing the venue. The Bridge will offer raised booths along the east wall, overlooking the restaurant and the stage. Woods says he'd like to see the restaurant become "the date night spot of the city." They plan to host regular jazz and R&B acts as well as outdoor events on a patio with views of the Detroit River.

An early rendering of the raised booth seating at The Bridge. Photo: Facebook

The west side of the restaurant features ample bar space, which will eventually be covered in glass tile mosaic. Behind the bar, the owners have plans for a VIP liquor wall. Regulars who purchase a bottle of wine or liquor will have the option of storing their unfinished bottles in locked boxes for retrieval on future visits.

The owners say they hope to be fully staffed, and even overstaffed, prior to the opening. "Service is something we're huge on," Woods says. The Bridge will hire approximately 30 people between now and opening day. They're holding open interviews this week. So far, Strong and Woods says, plans have been moving forward smoothly. They hope to begin soft openings the third week of April with a grand opening by early May.

An early rendering of the bar at The Bridge. Photo: Facebook