Howell-Based Italian Restaurant Eyes Royal Oak Expansion

Restaurateur eyes another Royal Oak expansion

Adam Merkel, a restaurateur from Howell who recently lept into the Royal Oak restaurant scene, is eyeing yet another expansion to the city. Merkel tells the Detroit Free Press that his Italian restaurant Cello will begin popping up in the Red Fox space located above the shuttered Cantina Diablos. Merkel struck a deal over the summer to rebrand Cantina Diablos and Red Fox into a new location of his Howell-based steakhouse, Diamonds Steak and Seafood, and a small plates spot called Pinky’s. Merkel says he’s now considering bringing Cello to Main Street in Royal Oak permanently. The pop-up, which runs from September 20 through December 31, is a test of the market.

Preview dinner for Core City restaurant

Chefs Brad Greenhill and Mike Conrad of Takoi are gearing up for a preview of their upcoming Core City restaurant, Magnet. The restaurant, which is slated to open in early 2019, is expected to focus on open flame cooking. The Magnet residency will be hosted at Frame in Hazel Park October 12 through 28. Tickets will be $65 per person and go on sale Friday, September 21 at noon.

Major Michigan brewery takes a stand against Bill Schuette

Founders Brewing Company announced on Wednesday that it is ending its membership with the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce over the organization’s decision to endorse Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Schuette, citing Schuette’s lack of support for LGBTQ civil rights issues as the reason. “We stand with our LGBTQ community and ask that the Grand Rapids Chamber reverse their decision,” the brewery wrote in a post to Facebook. “We will be terminating our membership in the meantime and encourage our fellow local businesses to consider doing the same.”

Restaurant workers strike at Detroit hotel

Union employees including restaurant workers at the Westin Book Cadillac hotel voted in favor of a strike on Monday, according to the Detroit Free Press. The staff are members of Unite Here Local 24, which has been in contract negotiations with the Marriott since June and are seeking wage increases and job security.

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