Novi Bakery Charmer Pastry House Hippo Makes a Surprise Comeback

Uber cute pastries return to Novi

Pastry House Hippo, a Novi favorite known for its adorable Japanese pastries made into the shapes of animals, is planning an unexpected comeback. The bakery closed its doors two months ago on 42130 Grand River Ave. after nearly 20 years of business in order to make way for a new business called White Wolf Japanese Patisserie. But the changeover to White Wolf did not work out according to plan. “After long consideration, we have decided to reopen Hippo,” Pastry House Hippo’s owners wrote in a message on Facebook on Wednesday. “Since we will be operating with limited staff, our variety of baked goods will be reduced to loaf breads and buns only.” The shop is expected to return at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 13.

Critic takes on Fist of Curry

While its too soon for an official review, Detroit Free Press critic Mark Kurlyandchik visited Mexicantown recent switcheroo Fist of Curry for a first-taste. “I’ve sampled almost the entire menu and found a lot more to like than in visits to its predecessor,” the critic writes. The snacks, especially the halloumi cheese sticks with sage and wonton wrappers and the curry-fried cauliflower are Fist of Curry’s “strongest offerings,” according to Kurlyandchik. But the Japanese-style kare curry with pork katsu also gets a nod from the main curry section of the menu.

Drifter Coffee pops up

The brick-and-mortar coffee shop is still in the midst of construction, but rolling cafe Drifter Coffee is hosting a pop-up at its new location at 780 Woodward Heights in Ferndale’s developing Iron Ridge District on April 8. The event will feature food from Safflower Street.

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