Japanese Shabu-Shabu and a Taiwanese Boba Tea House Are Coming Soon to Novi

Sakura Novi, described as Michigan’s first Asian mixed-use development, has confirmed the latest food and drink tenants to its roster, two chains with national presence: Mikiya — a Japanese shabu-shabu restaurant under the Chubby Cattle brand of restaurants — and Taiwanese tea house, Presotea. Chubby Cattle, founded by David Zhao and Haibin Yang, began serving traditional Mongolian-, Tibetan- and Chinese-inspired hot pot on conveyor belts from its first location in Las Vegas in 2016. Since then, the company has unveiled several other restaurants that are different in style in Denver, Philadelphia, and Monterey Park, California. Presotea, founded in 2006, has more than 400 franchises across the globe, including locations in Auburn Hills and Commerce Township, and features a variety of milk, sweet, and cheese teas from Taiwan. The development is expected to debut sometime in 2024.

Hammer & Nail reopens

Hammer & Nail, the stylish mid-century bar that debuted on the ground level of the Roxbury Group-owned Plaza in Midtown in 2019, is relaunching on September 21 under new management and will feature a menu from Detroit Sushi. Azul Hospitality is handling management of the spot. The group also manages several other properties throughout the city, including the Element Hotel in the Metropolitan building, Aloft Hotel in the David Whitney building, Buhl Bar, and Monarch Club. The cocktail menu will remain the same. Heading the sushi program is Shinya Hirakawa, 20-year veteran in sushi-making who previously held a stint at Noble Fish in Clawson and ran the pop-up, Obi Sushi, that held a residency at FrameBar in Hazel Park. The food menu features a selection of rolls, nigiri, and sashimi. Detroit Sushi will also be available at the Aloft, Element, as well as for catering at the Monarch Club.

Chipotle coming downtown

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. is opening its first downtown location, Crain’s reports. The spot is supposed to open sometime in the spring just south of the Shake Shack on Woodward Avenue.

Correction: September 21, 2023, 5:00 p.m. This article was corrected to show that a location for Mikiya, a restaurant under the Chubby Cattle brand of restaurants, will be opening in Novi. Mikiya specializes in Japanese shabu shabu.