Tour Detroit’s Latest Fine-Dining Addition Besa

Splashy downtown restaurant Besa opened this past Monday, October 29, at corner of Woodward and Congress at the base of downtown’s Vinton Building.

The 135-seat restaurant is owned by Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro’s Mario Camaj, Tallulah alum Gerti Begaj, Wendi Farner, Edi Demaj, Etrit Demaj, and the group has tapped chef Kyle Schutte.

Eater Photographers Michelle and Chris Gerard visited Besa to check out the 5,500-square-foot space. The restaurant spans two floors. The first floor features a bar area with stools and tables facing towards Woodward Avenue. The kitchen is located on the lower level alongside a lounge area and 12-seat chefs table and private dining area.

Schutte’s menu features modern dishes like lamb belly porchetta with slow-cooked egg, ramen noodle raviolo with lobster claw, a pork chop with root beer spices, and sea scallops with masa polenta. The restaurant also offers a raw bar for oysters and crudo. At the bar, expect roughly 200 different bottles of wine to choose from as well as cocktails.