In 2021 Zerbo’s in Commerce opened. We figured it was just another market, like the Livonia location . . . and boy were we mistaken.  It is actually called Zerbo’s Market and Bistro.  Did someone say Bistro?  Now we have to get there to check it out.  Our first impression was WOW!  The market is enormous and yes it is similar to the Livonia location, but on a much grander scale.  They have a bit of everything. Of course there are vitamins and supplements, but they also have some of the nicest looking produce, prepared grab and go food, breads, beer and wine, fresh flowers, sushi. The list goes on and on. 

Bakersfield is part of the Thunderdome restaurant group. It was founded in 2012 by Joe Lanni, John Lanni and Alex Blust, when they opened the first Bakersfield in Cincinnati’s “Over-The-Rhine” neighborhood.  (Over-The-Rhine, or OTR as it is commonly referred to,  is located in the Urban Basin of Cincinnati and is one of the largest, most intact urban historical districts in the US)

Bakersfield’s Detroit location is one of 7 Bakersfield locations, and the only one in Michigan.  On top of Bakersfield, Thunderdome Restaurant group has 9 different restaurant concepts, with over 50 locations in its portfolio, mostly throughout the Midwest including Bakersfield’s sister company, The Eagle in Detroit.

If you aren’t familiar with EMBC, here is a little bit of background.  First of all they are a brewery and sell all of their own products.  They do not sell liquor or food, just beer, wine and seltzers. They usually offer 9 to 12 different beers and have a few Flagship staples like their Elephant Juice and Eastern Market 313.  Elephant & Co Pizza and Beer is EMBC latest venture in Midtown.  Why Elephant & Co? Well, the Elephant is EMBC’s logo, so why not?  The midtown location is their 2nd location, having opened their 1st location in Royal Oak in 2022. 

The Sweetwater Tavern in Detroit's historic Bricktown neighborhood has been serving the community since 1989 . . . but the history of the neighborhood and the building go back to the mid 1800’s.  Bricktown is home to the oldest standing church in the city Ss Peter & Paul Jesuit Church on St Antoine, which was founded in 1844.  The stunning Italian Renaissance style Wayne County building, which opened in 1902 on Randolph Street.  It was home to the Wayne County Courthouse, where Mae West was once a defendant on a charge of public indecency, which was not uncommon with her back in those days. 

The Eagle opened in Fall of 2023.  It’s the 2nd restaurant in Detroit’s midtown opened by Cincinnati based Thunderdome Restaurant Group.  Thunderdome was founded in 2012 by Joe Lanni, John Lanni and Alex Blust, when they opened the first Bakersfield in Cincinnati’s Over-The-Rhine neighborhood.  (Over-The-Rhine, or OTR as it is commonly referred to,  is located in the Urban Basin of Cincinnati and is one of the largest, most intact urban historical districts in the US)

While there are a number of places that serve fried fish, especially during lent, not many have stood the test of time like Scotty Simpsons.  Scotty’s is located in Detroit’s Brightmoor neighborhood, at 22200 Fenkell, 2 blocks west of Lahser. While the area has seen better days, Scotty Simpsons is still going strong after nearly 75 years. Teresa and I grew up in Redford, down the street from each other in Redford, at 5 & Beech. She says Scotty Simpson’s was a Friday night tradition at their house.

Scotty Simpsons Fish & Chips has been a Detroit Landmark since 1950 when James (Scotty) Simpson opened and started serving his much desired Fish & Chips.

This week we are enjoying happy hour at Granite City, in Northville Township, at 7 Mile and Haggerty.  If you are not familiar with Granite City, let me start by saying it is NOT a place to go shopping for kitchen countertops. That’s Granite Planet. It is actually a Restaurant and Brewery, that makes all their beers in house.  Granite City was founded by Steve Wagenheim, in 1999, in St Cloud Minnesota. He chose the name Granite City as homage to the city of St Cloud, which was given the name Granite City in the late 1800’s due to all of the granite quarries that had opened in the area. 

Our main focus is The American Harvest Restaurant.  This is a full service, gourmet restaurant, that is open to the general public . . . but you do need reservations to get a table.  The restaurant, unlike the Craft Grill, is only open when school is in session.  They offer lunch Wednesday – Friday with seating ranging from 11:45 to 12:30. They offer an a la carte lunch menu that changes daily, offering freshly baked breads, gourmet soups, delicious salads, creative entrees, and an extensive selection of tempting desserts. Prices typically hover around $25-$30 per person.

Its week 4 of black history month and this week we are featuring Mike Ransom and his successful line of restaurants.  Specifically Supercrisp in Midtown Detroit at Warren and Cass. Owner/Chef Michael Ransom, who is a Traverse City native, first moved to Detroit in 1999.  He was roommates with a sushi chef and that is when he discovered his passion for the delicacy of Japanese food and his culinary flame was lit.