Corktown Noodle Shop Poised For Early January Debut

Welcome to the winter 2016/2017 Plywood Report, a continually updated list of intel on Detroit's and metro Detroit’s coming restaurant attractions.

CORKTOWN — A few holiday season hiccups have put soon-to-open Corktown noodle shop, Ima, behind schedule. Chef/owner Mike Ransom tells Eater the restaurant could potentially open before the end of the year but is more likely to see an early January debut. The eatery will first open for dinner-only but will eventually expand into lunch service. [EaterWire]

GRANDMONT ROSEDALE — West Side residents won’t have to wait too much longer to feast on the plant-based dishes from Detroit Vegan Soul. The restaurant’s owners offered a preview of the nearly finished second location on social media. It’s expected to debut in early 2017. [Facebook]

DOWNTOWN — While a recent photo suggests that The Caucus Club’s impending revival will not happen before the end of the year, the restaurant is still on the hunt for front- and back-of-house employees including waitstaff, hosts, cooks, bartenders, and more. [Facebook]

December 7

ANN ARBOR — Zingerman’s-backed Korean eatery Miss Kim softly launched on Tuesday evening in the Kerrytown neighborhood. San Street Food founder Ji Hye Kim is behind the 85-seat project which serves contemporary dishes rooted in Korean food traditions such as stone bowl bibimbap, braised short ribs, and savory kimchi pork belly pancakes. [Instagram/Website]

ROYAL OAK — HopCat successfully completed its liquor licensing transfer in November for its forthcoming Royal Oak beer bar. The craft beer restaurant chain purchased the former Woody’s restaurant this fall and is expected to spend approximately $3.2 million renovating the three-story space. [Daily Tribune]

AUBURN HILLS — Chef Zack Sklar’s Bloomfield Hills-based MEX will expand to a second location at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets on December 16. Sklar’s restaurant group Peas & Carrots Hospitality has selected chef Mark Barbarich to head the kitchen. Barbarich previously worked at Sklar’s now shuttered Birmingham restaurants, Arthur Avenue and Au Cochon. The “upscale Mexican” restaurant is located in a 6,000-square-foot space near the Legoland Discovery Center in District 6. The new MEX seats 220 diners with an additional 72 seats on the portion and private dining space. [EaterWire]

FERNDALE — Forthcoming Ferndale seafood restaurant and raw bar Voyager has shed its brown paint exterior for fresher blue facade. The restaurant has also started recruiting staff. [Facebook/EaterWire]

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CORKTOWN — The expansion at Corktown’s Bucharest Grill outpost is finally complete. The building has been under construction since May adding approximately 20 seats to the original space. [EaterWire]

Have intel about a newly opened restaurant, bar, or cafe that we’ve overlooked? Tipping is essential. Send Eater the details at the Detroit tipline and we’ll check it out.

• Detroit’s Most Anticipated Restaurants and Bars, Winter 2016 [ED]
• All Eater Tracking Coverage [ED]
• All Plywood Report Coverage [ED]