The New Year rounded off what was perhaps the most formidable lineup of restaurant openings in Detroit to-date. In particular, fall saw the debut of some major undertakings including well-received wine bar concept Vertical Detroit, Mabel Gray in Hazel Park, and Standby in the Belt Alley. Dave Mancini's long-awaited Italian restaurant La Rondinella even managed to make it under the wire, although a temporary shutter technically makes it part of the 2016 group. This year's list of coming attractions looks no less formidable and spans multiple neighborhoods, with a big focus on West Village. Here now are four restaurants, bars, and cafes to look forward to in Detroit this winter and what's in store for the upcoming year.
Winter
Stache International
[Photo: Michelle and Chris Gerard]
Location: 1420 E. Fisher, Detroit
Major Players: Ray and Grace Moses, Steve Kay, and Lary Pope
The Situation: Located in a 125-year-old Eastern Market building, Stache International aims to bring more late-night dining options to the neighborhood and area bars that lack kitchens. The menu focuses on sandwiches made with smoked meats and sausages made in-house and drunk food items like gyro corndogs.
Projected Opening: January 14
The Peterboro
[Photo: Brenna Houck]
Location: 420 Peterboro Street, Detroit
Major Players: Chuck Inchaustegui, Marc Djozlija, Dave Kwiatkowski, Brion Wong
The Situation: The Peterboro team recently recruited former Antietam chef Brion Wong to help open their new Cass Corridor asian-fusion restaurant. Wong plans to bring his own take on American-Chinese cuisine to The Peterboro's menu with dishes like boneless almond chicken. Diners can expect cocktails, microbrews, and "rustic" industrial decor with a concrete bar, communal tables, and wraparound banquettes. Dave Kwiatkowski tells Eater they've completed construction and the team plans to begin staff training soon.
Projected Opening: February
Ashe Supply Co.
[Photo: Brenna Houck]
Location: 1555 Broadway St, Detroit
Major Players: AJ Nichols and Mike Kennedy
The Situation: Crane's on Broadway quietly shuttered in November making way for a new third wave coffee spot ASHE Supply Co. The cafe will offer house-roasted brews using a variety of techniques including pour-overs, espresso, and nitro cold brew. Co-founder AJ Nichols describes the aesthetic as "steampunk, moto, industrial." While the cafe was expected to debut at the end of December, Nichols and his partner Mike Kennedy decided to make some alterations to their original design plans resulting in delays.
Projected Opening: Estimated Winter 2016
Katoi
[Photo: Brenna Houck]
Location: 2520 Michigan Avenue
Major Players: Brad Greenhill, Courtney Henriette, Philip Kafka
The Situation: The Katoi team is still diligently chipping away at their buildout, with signage finally appearing on the exterior last month. Courtney Henriette tells Eater they hope to complete construction by the end of January, leaving open the slight possibility of a February or March opening. In the meantime, the team continues to serve a Thai street food-inspired menu in Ann Arbor and on a limited basis at Two James Distillery.
Projected Opening: February/March
Spring
Grey Ghost, Atomic Chicken, Brix Wine Bar, Caucus Club, Unnamed Hawaiian Concept at The Park Bar, The Skip
Summer
La Noria, Dilla's Delights, Pie-Sci, Lady of the House, Wahlburgers, Lafayette Kitchen and Diner, Hearth and Soul Cafe
Other Coming Attractions
Ladder House No. 12, Bucharest Grill—Livernois, Sushi Ono, 2941 Street Food—Midtown, Busy Bee Food Hall, Norma G's Brick and Mortar, The Royce Detroit, Beyond Juice, Sweet Lorraine's, Guns + Butter, Kuro, Social Sushi, Unnamed Projects Ye Old Butcher Shoppe, Unnamed Biegas Gallery Building Project, Possible Michigan Building Project, Windmill Pointe Brewing, Chene Street Grocers, Granite City Food & Brewery, Wurlitzer Bar, Opus One Building Restaurant or Brewery, Aretha Franklin Project, Guardian Building Restaurant Space, Detroit ShipYard, Brewster Wheeler Rec Center Restaurant, Grand Cirque Brasserie, Geiger Eat Shop, Gabriel Hall
Grosse Pointe Park: Michele Bezue Confections
Ferndale Tracking: Black Owl Commune, Neighborhood Brewing Co., Daily Dinette, Pop's For Italian, Southern Belle, The Conserva Ferndale
Royal Oak Tracking: New Project by Bistro 82 Owner, Yuzu Sushi Co.
Birmingham Tracking: Sidecar
Pontiac: Fillmore 13 Brewery
Ann Arbor Tracking: Diamond Jim Brady's, New Concept by Mani Osteria Owner