French Cafe, La Bohème, Swings Open in West Village Corner Shop

Having a tough time keeping up with all the new dining options? Welcome to the Opening Report, a regularly-updated round-up of winter restaurant openings big and small across metro Detroit (and a few around Southeast Michigan). Visit the fall opening report for an archive of the newcomers from September through November 2016.

February 20, 2017

WEST VILLAGE — French-style pastries, crepes, quiche, baguettes, and more can now be had at West Village’s corner cafe La Bohème. The restaurant debuted on February 14 across the street from Sister Pie. The co-founders are French and aimed to bring a little bit of their Parisian culture to Detroit. Check social media for the most up-to-date hours. Status: Soft open. 8100 Kercheval St.

HAMTRAMCK — A new sushi spot is now up and running in the former Rock City Eatery space in Hamtramck. Fat Salmon Sushi quietly opened its doors on February 10 with a menu of sushi rolls, soups, salads, and Korean dishes like bulgogi and bibimbap. Status: Soft open. 11411 Joseph Campau.

February 1, 2017

ROCHESTER HILLS — The latest full-scale outpost of Bigalora pizza debuted today in Rochester Hills in the space previously home to The Hill. The casual Southeast Michigan chain owned by chef Luciano DelSignore and Michael Chetcuti serves up Neapolitan-style thin crust pies, pasta, beer, and wine. Status: Soft open. 6810 N Rochester Rd.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — A new stunner Gaudino’s recently opened its doors on the site of an iconic Italian market-restaurant by the same name. Designed by Ron & Roman Architecture, the restaurant offers Italian standards such as chicken and eggplant parmesan, minestrone soup, pizza, ravioli, spaghetti carbonara, and other hearty fare. Status: Soft open. 27919 Harper Ave.

Brenna Houck

January 26, 2017

SOUTHWEST — Longtime McGraw Street resident Antojitos El Catracho recently relocated to West Vernor Highway, taking over the former Spud Headz restaurant space. The restaurant offers a blend of Central American dishes including fried plantains, Salvadoran pupusas, tamals wrapped in plantain leaves, and Honduran pastelitos. Prices are moderate and the eatery serves a breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Status: Certified open. 4627 Vernor Hwy.

FRASER/ROSEVILLE — Legendary ghost pepper pie slinger Amar Pizza unveiled its second outpost in Fraser this month. The new restaurant features the same takeout style design and Bangladeshi-Italian flavors that helped make the Hamtramck shop an essential destination. The original location is also expected to relocate to the corner of Joseph Campau and Carpenter Avenue very soon. Status: Certified open. 32046 Groesbeck Hwy.

BIRMINGHAM — The Imagine Palladium now features a new grill called Four Story Burger. The menu includes a classic burger made with a 1/3-pound Angus patty, mayo, mustard, grilled onions, cheddar, lettuce, and tomato, but diners can expect a range of sandwiches such as grilled chicken and a grilled cheese. Status: Certified open. 209 Hamilton Row.

DOWNTOWN — A new fast-casual option Go! Sy Thai debuted on January 20 in Capitol Park. Like its predecessor in Cass Corridor, the restaurant offers both takeout options and a small, casual sit-down dining area developed by Patrick Thompson Design. The menu features dishes like pad thai, curry noodles, udon noodles, and fried rice. Status: Certified open. 1214 Griswold.

CASS CORRIDOR — Atlas Global Bistro alums chef Zachary Stotz and bar manager Garrett Passiak recently debuted their first solo venture Common Pub, taking over the former Lefty’s Lounge space at the base of the Belcrest Apartment building. The restaurant seats around 50 in the main dining room with 20 seats at the bar. Diners can expect casual, approachable New American fare including duck fried chicken, a 4-ounce burger, duck confit carbonara, and fish and chips. The restaurant also features a poutine of the day alongside other snacks, sides, and salads. Status: Certified open. 5440 Cass Avenue.

CORKTOWN — Michigan Avenue newcomer Ima arrived shortly before the close of 2016, bringing more udon noodles to the Corktown neighborhood. The restaurant filled the former Rubbed space and features a casual atmosphere with communal seating. Status: Certified Open. 2015 Michigan Avenue

DOWNTOWN — Long past its initially reported due date, metro Detroit mini chain Basement Burger Bar threw open its doors at a third location — its first in Detroit proper — on January 14. The restaurants are known for the build-your-own burger format with customers selecting from a variety of patty options and toppings. Status: 1326 Brush St. Certified open. UPDATE, 1/31/17: The restaurant has temporarily closed.

Michelle and Chris Gerard

December 28, 2016

MIDTOWN — A hideout for vinyl record lovers quietly opened its doors last Friday in the Sugar Hill Arts District. According to Metro Times, Griot Music Lounge (pronounced “gree-o”) has filled the space between Seva and the N’Namdi Art Gallery. In West African culture a “griot” is a traditional bard or traveling poet and storyteller. Expect wine, spirits, and records played through analog amps and speakers. The website also teases rotating menus from pop-up chefs. In a follow-up piece the Metro Times notes that Griot is already facing legal action from former partners Frances and Aaron who some may recall tried to open Kuro in the same space in 2014. Status: Soft open. 66 E. Forest.

FERNDALE — Restaurant, bar, music venue, and hobbit house Otus Supply arrived on December 20 after several years of planning and construction. The eatery is the latest project from the Toast Restaurant Group. Expect dishes like dry aged beef tartare, oysters, bone marrow, and sweet bread nuggets. Status: Soft open. 345 E. Nine Mile.

HAMTRAMCK — When the Polish Market closed its doors in Hamtramck, it was hailed as yet another example of changing times and demographics in the Detroit-bound city known for its Polish heritage. Now, as Metro Times reports, that grocery void has been filled by a new Yemeni-owned store called Fresh Market, offering fresh produce, halal meat, juice, and an olive bar. Status: Soft open. 10200 Joseph Campau.

Avalon International Breads [Courtesy photo]

December 16, 2016

ANN ARBOR — The first outpost of Avalon International Breads’ new Avalon Cafe & Kitchen concept has arrived in Ann Arbor. The restaurant launched its full service, 5,200-square-foot restaurant and quick-service coffee bar on December 15. Seating 75 guests, the eatery offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with dishes like fancy cherry walnut toast, blueberry quinoa pancakes, and potato tacos. A second location is expected to debut in downtown Detroit in 2017. Status: Certified open. 120 E. Liberty Street.

FERNDALE — Chef Matt Baldridge’s Ferndale brick-and-mortar restaurant The Conserva is fully open for business after a month of limited hours and soft openings. Open four days a week in the former Torino space on E. Nine Mile, The Conserva features a full bar. Diners can expect dishes like za’atar octopus, burrata with pecans and red currants, and roasted avocado. Status: Certified open. 201 E. Nine Mile Road.

FERNDALE — The Mulefoot team’s new butcher shop Farm Field Table quietly debuted two weeks ago Ferndale. The business is USDA-licensed and focuses on specialty cuts for restaurants as well as local, humanely raised, hormone and antibiotic-free meats (Much of the pork is supplied from Mulefoot Farms in Imlay City). Status: Certified open. 1030 Woodward Heights (entrance is located off Wolcott).

IMLAY CITY — Speaking of The Mulefoot, the original restaurant has expanded to downtown Imlay City. Located inside a historic building, the new location features original, 100-year-old wood floors and tin ceilings. A representative for the restaurant, Allison Romine tells Eater the The Mulefoot will continue to operate in its former location under the name Countryside Banquet Center. Status: Certified open. 244 E Third Street.

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December 8, 2016

CORKTOWN — After a few hiccups, Red Corridor has finally opened its doors in the former Casey’s Pub space on Michigan Avenue. Owner Johnny Irwin has cleaned up the building and added games on the second floor including pool, air hockey, and darts. Bartender Josh Duncan tells Eater the pub now sports a fresh menu with craft cocktails and burgers. An old favorite, the Casey’s Burger has returned under a new name — Eddie — a nod to the former owner. Patrons can look forward to plenty of drink specials and free shuttle service to area sports games. Status: Certified open. 1830 Michigan Ave.

DOWNTOWN — Capitol Park’s hotly anticipated new watering hole The Bad Luck Bar arrives today. Drink seekers can find the bar in the alley behind The Albert. Headed by bartender Yani Frye, Bad Luck serves a selection of fancy cocktails starting at around $18 and extremely rare liquor. The bar is small so those hoping for a table should get there early (5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday;). Status: Soft open. 1218 Griswold. Call 313-659-2357 to book a seat.

HAMTRAMCK — A new art-filled coffee shop in Hamtramck is laying in wait for your next kaffeeklatsch. Oloman Cafe kicked open its doors on December 5. Expect Golden Wheat baked goods, pressed paninis, and plenty of caffeine in all its forms. Status: Certified open. 10215 Joseph Campau.

ANN ARBROR — Miss Kim, a notable Korean eatery backed by the Zingerman’s empire, made its grand debut on Tuesday. MLive reports that owner and San Street Food founder Ji Hye Kim is offering a mixture of familiar San Street staples like bao and Vietnamese banh mi alongside traditional Korean dishes. “Half the menu will be from what we used to serve at San Street. And the other half of the menu will look forward to where we eventually want to end up. I see it as more of an evolution,” she says. The restaurant operates on a no-tip model — the first Zingerman’s restaurant to do so. Status: Certified open. 415 N. Fifth Ave.

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.

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