Monday, April 22, 2013

The Week We Ate (The EID Week in Review)

Will this burger save Detroit? 

Here are some pretty, pretty pictures of the new Urban Bean Co., which just re-opened in Capitol Park. And is quite pretty. [Curbed]

I would like to know what kind of parachute journalism led to Grub Street plucking Townhouse Bistro in Birmingham out of obscurity to highlight as THE bar to represent all of Michigan's craft cocktail scene. As opposed to Roast or the Oakland or Sugar House or any number of other places with far more of a reputation for craft cocktails. I'm actually impressed by how impressively ill-researched this is. Congratulation, Grub Street, on being the worst parachute journalists of the week. [Grub Street]

Erp. Make that second-worst. Business Insider blog-sourced this little round-up of Detroit's "coolest businesses" and managed to not only only highlight those not yet out of diapers, but also included a business that exists only as a roaming pop-up, two more that haven't even yet opened, and another that has closed. But, you know, congrats to Rodin, Green Dot, et.al. JOURNALISM! [Business Insider]

Detroit Restaurant Week started last week and runs through this Saturday; here is a preview of the three newcomers to this year's spring lineup -- Santorini Estiatorio, Brizola, and Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina. [Model D]

Southfield wants in on that action too, and are debuting their first-ever restaurant week this week. [Southfield Chamber]

We really need to have a viewing party for this. Tune in to The Cooking Channel on April 27 to see The Root Restaurant and Bar and "fearless Executive Chef, James Rigato" who has a "youthful zeal" profiled in a full episode of "America's Best Bites". [Cooking Channel Official]

Rifino Valentine has another gold medal under his belt with Valentine Distilling's Liberator Gin. [CBS Detroit]

Feast your eyes on this ridiculousness: Thrillist stopped by the new Monk Beer Bar in Royal Oak. There is a burger with foie gras, pancetta and goat cheese. Pork belly waffles. Duck fat fries with four kinds of house-made mayos. And so much more. Like beer. Just look. o_O [Thrillist]

Open door, insert 7-Eleven. [Dig Downtown]

St. Brigid's Bathtub Pub is downtown's newest bar. And no, I have no idea what the name is meant to imply. [FB]

Dangerously Delicious Pies Baked in Detroit have a new home at Third Street Bar. [DDPBD FB]

In case you missed it:
-Lockhart's has debuted a new menu with MOAR MEAT. [Real Detroit]
-Shinola will open their flagship store in Midtown this June, which they want to not just be a store but also a hangout space where they'll serve items from Avalon International Breads and DROUGHT juice. [Model D]
-Santorini Estiatorio Detroit is bringing the Greek back to Greektown with a contemporary Greek concept and design that recalls the sands and surf of Santorini. [EID]

The takeaway from the Guardian's version of the Dan Gilbert Saves Detroit story is an implication of a rumor of the possibility of a Shake Shack downtown. Because we would like to reclaim our title as fattest city, thanks. [Guardian UK]

If you couldn't snag a res at the Whitney for Detroit Restaurant Week, why not stop by for breakfast instead? The Whitney now serves weekday breakfast. [Detroit News]

McDonald's basically paid out "go away" money to a group of Dearborn Muslims for falsely advertising their chicken nuggets as being halal. [USA Today]

Oh.Em.Gee. WHAT WILL REPLACE CUPCAKES???? Was I right when I said it would be French macarons? Is the suspense just, like fucking killing you????????????????? [WSJ / Fox News]

Beerie

Crain's has the scoop on Griffin Claw Brewing Company, scheduled to open in June. [Crain's]

The new Old German is now under construction in the basement of Grizzly Peak Brewing Company, by the same guys behind Jolly Pumpkin Brewery and the recent Monk Beer Bar remodel. (And about a dozen other things.) Plus more A2 beer news, including a book I've been conned into photographing. [AnnArbor.com]

This is called "reward-driven learning." [io9]

Detroit City Football Club fans, MillKing It Productions has come on board as a jersey sponsor for this year. Futbol brought to you by beer. [Detroit City FC Official]

While I am in favor of less legislation vs. more in the craft beer industry, Larry Bell does raise a good point here about bars that don't clean their tap lines, which can lead to some heinously off flavors in your beer. [MLive]