Having a tough time keeping up with all the new dining options? Welcome to the Opening Report, a regularly-updated roundup of restaurant openings big and small across metro Detroit (and a few around Southeast Michigan). Visit the fall opening report for an archive of the newcomers from October 2018 through December 2018.
March 25
WOODBRIDGE — The dessert wizards at Lucki’s Cheesecakes debuted their latest location on Sunday, March 24, in Woodbridge. The new bakery counter joins a rapidly growing block of businesses at the corner of Trumbull Avenue and Putnam Street that includes Katsu Detroit, Bikes & Coffee, and Armageddon Beachparty. Owner Rhonda Crenshaw Morris is known for wide variety of cheesecake flavors ranging from the multicolored Superman cheesecake to banana pudding to peach cobbler cheesecake. The company’s second outpost sells a range of cakes by-the-slice or whole alongside ice cream and packaged snacks. Status: Certified open. 5065 Trumbull Ave.
DOWNTOWN — New York-based NoHo Hospitality Group unleashed a fried chicken shop called Penny Red’s and beer bar called the Brakeman on downtown Detroit on Monday afternoon, wrapping up several months of food and beverage openings at the Shinola Hotel. Penny Red’s will serve as a detached kitchen to the Brakeman. Both concepts are employing a cashless format. The Brakeman uses a carnival-like system for beers where customers purchase tokens at the door and trade them in at the bar for a drink. Status: Certified open. 22 John R St.
DOWNTOWN — Grand Rapids-based coffee roaster and fellow Shinola Hotel resident Madcap Coffee opened its first Detroit cafe on Saturday, March 23. The shop features standing tables, a few stools, and a minimalist interior where customers can sip pour-overs, nitro cold brew, and lattes. Status: Soft open. 1412 Farmer St.
March 22
WEST VILLAGE — A new bar called Destination 1905 debuted this week on Kercheval Avenue inside one of three houses rehabbed by developers Reimer Priester and Alex DeCamp. The cocktail bar, located in the house nearest to Seminole Street, is hosting a grand opening on Friday, March 22 beginning at 5 p.m. Status: Certified open. 8130 Kercheval Ave.
FERNDALE — Treat Dream Dessert Emporium reopened this week with an expanded lineup of Instagram bait desserts and a brand new look. The menu features Treat Dreams ice cream, cookies, massive ice cream sandwiches, huge sundaes, and fancy hot cocoa. Status: Certified open. 22965 Woodward Ave.
CORKTOWN — Corktown pizza slinger Grandma Bob’s is hosting previews ahead of its official opening on Wednesday, March 27. The pizzeria is located inside the former Detroit Artifactry space and features a menu of round pies from former El Club chef Matt Ziolkowski. There’s also plenty of beer and cocktails. Status: Soft open. 2135 Michigan Ave.
March 6
DOWNTOWN — The Capitol Park area gained a new French patisserie Cannelle by Matt Knio in early February. The cafe features espresso drinks, sandwiches, fresh loaves of breads, and a whole lot of cookies and pastries. Status: Certified open. 45 West Grand River Ave.
NEW CENTER — An outpost of halal chain Good Burger debuted in New Center in mid-January with a slew of fancy burger toppings, loaded french fries, and chicken fingers. Status: Certified open. 2894 W Grand Blvd.
NEW CENTER — Yum Village is now serving Afro-Caribbean cuisine for delivery and daytime service in the former Atomic Chicken space on Woodward Avenue. The restaurant is still in the process of completing its buildout and is expected to expand into dinner services soon. Status: Soft open. 6500 Woodward Ave.
BIRMINGHAM — Classic red sauce Italian eatery Salvatore Scallopini has reopened in Birmingham following a three-month overhaul of the interior and menu. The restaurant now features a cozy bar space and an a la carte menu. Status: Certified open. 505 N. Woodward Ave.
PLYMOUTH — Vegan food truck Shimmy Shack has officially gone brick-and-mortar. The restaurant features options like black bean and lentil burgers, coneys, falafel, and banana splits. Status: Certified open. 1440 Sheldon Rd.
Hazel Park — Joebar has undergone a revamp to become Latin American restaurant Latido. The establishment from chefs Michael Barrera and Moses Fishman features options like sancocho (chicken stew) and empanadas. Status: Certified open. 23839 John R Rd.
BIRMINGHAM — Chocolate shop and patisserie Blue Canary Confections recently opened in the shuttered Le Petit Prince bakery space. Expect items like eclairs, bonbons, and everything bagel-seasoning croissants. Status: Certified open. 124 West 14 Mile Rd.
January 28
DOWNTOWN — Detroit’s first cashless restaurant Mootz Pizzeria and Bar made its official debut on Monday, January 28, near Vicente’s Cuban and 7 Greens Salad Co. The restaurant features a dedicated pizza-by-the-slice counter in addition to a dining room with a full bar. Status: Certified open. 1230 Library St.
DOWNTOWN — Noho Hospitality cocktail lounge Evening Bar is now pouring drinks in an alcove off the Shinola Hotel’s pedestrian alley. The bar, which was originally located in New York, features a deep list of original drinks, classics, and spirits as well as gussied up versions of American bar food like truffle hot dogs, fondue pots to share, and corn dogs. Drinks are priced between $13 and $28. Status: Certified open. Parker’s Alley entrance near 1400 Woodward Ave.
DOWNTOWN — A new downtown bar called the Elephant Room thundered onto East Congress last fall. In addition to beer, wine, and cocktails the bar serves a full menu with items like philly cheesesteaks, flatbreads, and caesar salad. Status: Certified open. 439 East Congress St.
PLYMOUTH — Metro Detroit pizza chain Bigalora has arrived in Plymouth. Diners can expect a modern interior and a full bar to accompany the wood-fired pies. Status: Certified open. 777 West Ann Arbor Trail.
NOVI — A new bakery called Moose Pastry & Tea replaced longtime favorite Pastry House Hippo in early January. The new shop is keeping the spirit of its predecessor alive with a nearly identical menu showcasing French and Asian-influenced sweet and savory snacks. Status: Certified open. 42130 Grand River Ave.
HAMTRAMCK — The High Dive, a cocktail bar operated and designed by a muralist called Shark Toof, is now slinging drinks in the former Carbon Lounge building. The spot is hard to miss, thanks to its ferocious shark sign. Status: Certified open. 11474 Joseph Campau Ave.
January 15
JOY COMMUNITY — A new restaurant and bar called Fusion Flare opened its doors last fall. Chef and proprietor Mashelle Sykes’ menu focuses on American and Soul Food with options like buttermilk fried chicken, crispy fried catfish with remoulade sauce, and grilled salmon with white wine sauce. Customers can count on vegan and gluten-free options as well as a weekend brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Status: Certified open. 16801 Plymouth Rd.
CASS CORRIDOR — Midtown’s celebrated Spanish tapas restaurant La Feria has leveled up with a new adjoining wine bar and market called Cata Vino. The shop offers a variety of sherries to try alongside build-your-own charcuterie and cheese boards, tinned seafood, and more. Status: Certified open. 4130 Cass Ave.
DOWNTOWN — Lovers Only in Capitol Park has finally put its walk-up window to work with a new weekday, mornings-only breakfast sandwich spot called Iggy’s Eggies. Build-your-own breakfast sandwich and order a cup of coffee to-go for just a few bucks. Status: Certified open. 34 West Grand River Ave.
DOWNTOWN — Detroit’s second food hall Fort Street Galley debuted in mid-December with four food stalls serving everything from Filipino food to “healthy” barbecue to fancy sandwiches and Korean-style raw seafood. The hall also features a full bar. Status: Certified open. 160 W. Fort St.
EASTERN MARKET — Warda Patisserie, maker of some of metro Detroit’s most stunning tarts, has officially set up shop inside Trinosophes with a counter devoted to fresh pastries and breads. Status: Certified open. 1464 Gratiot Ave.
DOWNTOWN — San Morello, the Shinola Hotel’s flagship restaurant from NoHo Hospitality, made its entrance in mid-December. The restaurant serves a southern Italian menu with options like wood-fire grilled seafood and pizza. Status: Certified open. 1400 Woodward Ave.
CORKTOWN — Two James Distillerys’ Irish-German-Italian fusion neighbor Cork & Gabel threw open its doors on December 19 in a massive space off Michigan Avenue. The menu features options like schnitzel BLTs and apple-sage brats on pretzel hoagies with lots of beer, wine, and whiskey to drink. Status: Certified open. 2415 Michigan Ave.
TAYLOR — Fast-expanding metro Detroit chicken wing chain Detroit Wing Co. has added a fifth location in Downriver. Customers can dress up their chicken in 17 different sauces. Status: Certified open. 21312 Eureka Rd.
WOODBRIDGE — A bona fide Japanese izakaya Katsu Detroit debuted in December on a burgeoning block in Woodbridge. Expect a rotating list of specials including yakitori grilled meats. Status: Certified open. 5069 Trumbull Ave.
DOWNTOWN — Find Instagram-worthy porthole infusers at the Library, a new bar that just opened to the public inside the Detroit Club. Status: Certified open. 712 Cass Ave.
CORKTOWN — Michigan Avenue now boasts a small neighborhood market offering fresh breads, dairy, and other daily necessities. Good Stuff Corktown also plans to eventually add a Ayurvedic kitchen to its repertoire. Status: Certified open. 1444 Michigan Ave.
CHALDEAN TOWN — You can maybe smoke weed in the backyard at Dr. Bob’s Psychedelic Healing Shack, where marijuana activist and former MC5 manager John Sinclair has opened an Amsterdam-inspired cafe and coffee shop. Sorry, no pot is for sale on site. Status: Soft open. 18700 Woodward Ave.
ROYAL OAK — A new fusion restaurant opened this fall on Main Street in Royal Oak. Vera Asian serves everything from crab rangoon to soba noodle bowls to sushi. Status: Certified open. 305 S. Main St.
ANN ARBOR — After several years of anticipations, Jim Brady’s latest outpost debuted in Ann Arbor in December with a 1950s feel and a menu stuffed with French dips, burgers, and steak. Status: Certified open. 209 S. Main St.
• All Detroit Restaurant Openings Coverage [ED]
• All Eater Tracking Coverage [ED]
