Anita’s Kitchen Is Going Fast-Casual in Downtown Detroit This Fall

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EXPANSIONS — Ferndale’s mediterranean mainstay, Anita’s Kitchen, is expanding to a fast-casual outpost in downtown Detroit this fall. The restaurant called AK Takeaway is slated to open in the 150 W. Jefferson building at the corner of Griswold and Larned. The restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor seating for roughly 40 diners and a Lebanese menu with hummus, fattoush salad, shawarma, shish kafta, and chicken wings. [Detroit News]

COMING ATTRACTIONS — Anthony Lombardo recently left his post as executive chef at Bacco Ristorante in Southfield to open a new “modern Italian restaurant” in an as-of-yet-unspecified location in Midtown. The restaurant is expected to debut in early 2018. Lombardo, who’s teaming up with Standby chef Rebecca LaMalfa for a straight-out-of-Jersey Shore Italian pop-up at Frame this month, took Detroit Free Press critic Mark Kurlyandchik on a tour of Windsor’s ailing Little Italy in this week’s restaurant column. [Freep]

DEALFEED — Rock City Eatery is launching a new happy hour on September 11 with $5 beers, $7 wines by the glass, and $7 cocktails. Patrons can also find deals on dishes like mac and cheese, hoisin green beans, Korean hot pots, and cheese burgers. The happy hour runs from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. In addition to the specials on drinks and food, the restaurant is also marking its anniversary in Midtown by offering their eponymous Rock City Cocktail for $5 now through September 23. Customers can enter to win one of four gift certificates to the restaurant in September by posting their best food photos with the #rockcityeatery to social media. [EaterWire]

RENOVATION REPORT — Dino’s Lounge in Ferndale is getting a makeover this week. The updates include the addition of ever-so-trendy garage doors and a “rustic industrial” interior. Diners can also expect a rotating menu of fancy sliders and new cocktails. [Daily Detroit]