Metro Detroit’s Restaurant Openings, Fall 2016

Having a tough time keeping up with all the new dining options? Welcome to the Opening Report, a regularly-updated round-up of fall restaurant openings big and small across metro Detroit.

November 28

DOWNTOWN — Campus Martius’ stunning new restaurant headliner Parc is now open for dinner and happy hour in downtown Detroit. Filling the former Fountain Bistro space, Parc’s owners pulled off an year-long remodel of the restaurant including an expansion. The eatery now features an updated menu developed by chef Jordan Hoffman with some seriously tasty oysters, pastas, and grilled meats, as well as 270-degree views of the park. Status: Certified open. 800 Woodward Avenue.

TROY — A fast-casual favorite out of Chicago, Naf Naf Grill debuted its first Michigan location on November 17 in Troy. The restaurant features build-your-own pita sandwiches and bowls with fillings like chicken shawarma and vegetarian falafel. The company is expected to open three more metro Detroit outposts within the next year. Status: Certified open. 624 W. Big Beaver Road.

MIDTOWN — Metro Detroit-based fast-casual spot 2941 Street Food quietly launched its first restaurant in Detroit proper this month. The chain takes cues from a variety of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines serving customizable bowls, pocket sandwiches with Iraqi-style samoon bread, and platter dishes. Customers can then choose from proteins such as pepper pork, paprika steak, and five grain falafel as well as signature sauces, pickled vegetables, and salad. Status: Soft open. 4219 Woodward Avenue.

Michelle and Chris Gerard

November 18

NORTHWEST DETROIT — Eastern Market mainstay Louisiana Creole Gumbo launched its second location in Detroit over the weekend. Like the original on Gratiot Avenue, the new West Side eatery will serve gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and more Creole and soul food staples. An official grand opening is slated for November 23. Status: Soft open. 13505 West Seven Mile Rd.

DOWNTOWN — Downtown’s newest stunner, Maru Sushi, debuted on November 11. The 4,400-square-foot Federal Building restaurant features a full bar, including several sakes and quite a bit of whiskey. Diners should expect a mixture of sushi standard bearers like spicy tuna and the house’s own signature contributions (the “mahalo” features tempura shrimp, avocado, spicy mayo, yellowtail, and pineapple salad). Lunch crowds can order off a special express menu. Status: Soft open. 160 W Fort St.

GRANDMONT ROSEDALE — Now under new ownership, neighborhood cafe Always Brewing Detroit got back to pouring coffee this week. The interior of the shop has been slightly rearranged to suit the tastes of its new proprietor but otherwise is continuing to offer many of the same amenities, brand of coffee included, that people have come to appreciate. Status: Certified open. 19180 Grand River Ave.

November 8

GRANDMONT-ROSEDALE — Time to put on the stretchy pants. A new pop-up pastry shop Lush Yummies Pie Co. opened its doors on Grand River Avenue in late-October. Look out for lemon butter pies, rich potato lemon pie, and salty caramel cake on the menu. Order online or drop by the shop. Status: Popping-up on the weekends through March 2017. 19120 Grand River Avenue.

BIRMINGHAM — Detroit-based salad slinger 7 Greens has officially expanded to the ‘burbs. The second outpost of the fast-casual mini chain debuted in Birmingham last week with a selection of fresh salad bowls, acai parfaits, smoothies, and more. Many of the dishes are gluten-free. Status: Certified open. 344 Hamilton Row.

TROY — Indian street food favorite Neehee’s just unleashed its latest location on Troy. The eatery offers an extensive vegetarian-only menu with lots of kid-friendly choices. Expect a more limited menu and hours while the outpost gains its sea legs. Status: Soft open. 4924 Rochester Rd.

CANTON — A freshly opened branch of craft beer bar chain World of Beer flung open its doors in Canton on October 24. The 4,500-square-foot pub features a 1,500-square-foot enclosed patio, 500 bottled beers, and 50 rotating taps. The restaurant has the capability to “infuse” its beers with different flavors and ingredients. Status: Certified open. 42820 Ford Rd.

BIRMINGHAM — Royal Oak-based pastry slinger Love and Buttercream is expanding to a new ‘burb. Owner Brooke Wilson Vitale will debut a 6,300-square-foot dessert bar in Birmingham on Wednesday. Expect more space for private parties and a wedding cake tasting room, plus the usual tasty cookies, cupcakes, macarons, and beyond. Status: Opens November 9. 746 E. Maple Road.

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October 18

ROYAL OAK — Yoga pant-wearing, cold-pressed juice lovers be advised: Birmingham’s fast-casual Cafe Succo is now serving acai bowls, smoothies, and open-faced sandwiches in Royal Oak. This is the second location for the health-conscious mini chain. The new cafe also shares a space with the Detroit Taco Company, which opened last year. Status: Certified open. 304 N. Main St.

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October 13

TROY — Chicken sandwich fans went absolutely nuts in expectation of Thursday’s grand opening of Chick-Fil-A in the Somerset Collection. People reportedly started camping out on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the opening with the promise that the first 100 people (within a certain zip code) would receive 52 free #1 meals. The doors swung open today at 10 a.m. This is one of two new locations for Chick-Fil-A in Michigan (two others are located in Oakland University and the Detroit Metro Airport). The chain confirmed earlier this year that its plotting a major invasion into the mitten with between 15 and 20 new outposts headed to the state over the next five years. Status: Certified open. 2800 W Big Beaver Rd.

Michelle and Chris Gerard

September 30

CORKTOWN — Operated by a team of experienced chefs, Kiki Louya and Rohani Foulkes, The Farmer’s Hand hosts its grand opening on September 30. This pint-sized Corktown market features locally-sourced meat and produce, as well as a counter serving Hyperion Coffee, pastries from Warda Patisserie, breads, and a variety of internationally-inspired breakfast and lunch options. Look out for naan sandwiches filled with seasoned tempe and local greens, Fluffy Bottom Yogurt bowls, and more. Check out Friday’s festivities for free samples, food trucks, an ice cream cart, and more. Status: Certified open. 1701 Trumbull Ste. D.

ROCHESTER HILLS — Ultra trendy Hawaiian poke and Korean-style chicken wings can be found under one roof at Rochester’s new Asian street food-inspired restaurant, Sushi Coup. The eatery debuts September 30. Choose from a selection of five different house poke bowls or build your own. Check out the full menu. Status: Soft open. 147 W Auburn Rd.

ROYAL OAK — A country music-themed bar is now pouring shots from its 60-bottle deep whiskey list. As The Detroit News reports, the Dixie Moon Saloon debuted two weeks ago in the former Katana Nu-Asian Steakhouse building with lots of chandeliers and live music. Diners can expect dishes like bacon-wrapped sea scallops, burgers, and smoked buffalo chicken fritters. Status: Certified open. 111 S. Main St.

MIDTOWN — A pop-up to permanent operation, chef Rob Lee’s Super Happy Sushi is the latest project from the Detroit Optimist Society. The restaurant is currently popping up five days a week in MOCAD in the former Cafe 78 space. Status: Certified open. 4454 Woodward Avenue.

ROYAL OAK — Rock ‘n roll-inspired roadhouse The Morrie serves up a mixture of loaded fries, barbecue offerings like smoked chicken and brisket, and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, and beyond. Status: Certified open. 511 South Main St.

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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