Restaurant Experts Sum Up Detroit’s 2016 Dining Scene in One Word

As is tradition at Eater, we close out the year by surveying local food writers and our own staff on various restaurant-related topics, and we'll be publishing their responses throughout the week. Readers, feel free to share your thoughts below. Next question: How would you describe the 2016 Detroit dining scene in one word?

Aaron Foley, Editor, BLAC Magazine:

Aside from all the openings? Controversial. The incident involving the former co-owner of Bookies’ Bar & Grille, the skirmish at Clique Restaurant and the debate over 1917 American Bistro should have catered a Trump event brought a new level of interaction with local dining beyond what’s on the menu.

Serena Maria Daniels, Dining Editor, Metro Times:

Choices.

Dorothy Hernandez, Managing Editor, Hour Detroit (co-owner of Sarap Detroit):

Recognize, as in that’s what the rest of the country is doing when it comes to Detroit and food. Expats are coming back home to open restaurants, national media outlets such as Bon Appetit and Zagat are taking notice, and some of our top chefs are getting recognition from the James Beard Awards.

Melody Baetens, Features Reporter and Bar/Restaurant Columnist, Detroit News:

Confident.

John Reyes, Ann Arbor Contributor, Eater Detroit:

Thriving.

Lexi Trimpe, Food Writer, Freelance/Hour Detroit:

Fusion.

Kat Rembacki, Editor, Core Detroit:

Booming.

Mark Kurlyandchik, Restaurant Critic, Detroit Free Press:

I'm going to use a hyphen to cheat a little. For 2016 in Detroit, it's "Asian-inspired."

Seoung Lee, Social Media Influencer, Chow Down Detroit:

Oversaturated.

Nick Britsky, Cocktail Expert, Freelance:

Vehement.

Brenna Houck, Editor, Eater Detroit:

Diversifying. Detroit saw a multitude of restaurants and bars this year offering different varieties of food at different price ranges. It can always be more and it would be great to see more of the reaching beyond the core downtown neighborhoods in the coming year.

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