The Week We Ate (The EID Week in Review)

YOU GUYS. Takashi. Back in Michigan. One night only, at Bacco, cooking the classic hits of Tribute. (Plus he plans on opening a second location of his Chicago casual noodle shop Slurping Turtle in Ann Arbor. It's a far cry from Tribute but I'll take it.) [Freep]

MUDGIE'S NOW SERVES ALCOHOL. Michigan beer and wine, specifically. (Also don't miss their five-year anniversary party on February 9, where everyone is going to be.) [Thrillist]

You've heard of the Battle of Lafayette? Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island, that is. Nate Skid has the REAL scoop on the so-called "war" (and how American is, by pretty much any standard, totally dominating it). [Crain's]

Looks like the Oakland is getting their very own single barrel bourbon batch from Buffalo Trace! (They don't do this for just anyone. In fact, that don't do this for many places at all. As your attorney I advise you to go drink the shit out of it once it's ready.) [Oakland FB]

In brunch news, starting tomorrow Maria's of Royal Oak will serve a VERY cheap brunch (also: Maria's of Royal Oak apparently exists), and One-Eyed Betty's has a brand-new brunch menu that includes a pork belly poutine omelet. Really. I will not shut up. YOU shut up. No, I'm totally serious, look at the menu yourself. [Maria's RO FB / OEB FB]

Baconfest Michigan tickets go on sale next Friday! "Boo hoo, it sold out, waaaaaah, you guys are jerks for selling out an event and not sitting on tickets so that last-minute assholes like me can finally get around to deciding to buy some, how dare you" is a line of logic we are not amenable to. (Yes, we really did get emails like this last year.) Get your damn tickets. Also, they might just make great Valentine's Day gifts. [Baconfest Official]

Woodbridge gets Woodbridgier with the Woodbridge Community Garden next to the Woodbridge Pub. [Curbed Detroit]

Food desert? Pure Detroit says pffffffft. Here's a list of grocery and specialty stores where you can buy actual food in the city of Detroit. See, we haven't yet been reduced to eating each other. [Pure D]

Speaking of Pure D, earlier this week was National Pie Day and they celebrated by covering Detroit's own appropriately-named Dangerously Delicious Pies Baked in Detroit. [Pure D]

Dan the Man. And his sentiments about what Michigan craft beer has done for the local food movement as a whole ring familiar. [B4B Connect]

Genji is now open in Little Tokyo. [Det News]

What Crepe? Ann Arbor aims for a Valentine's Day opening. Some of you will plan an elaborate evening of l'amour ... for the rest, no crying over crepes! [AnnArbor.com]

Beerie
Windsor wants in on the hot steamy Beer Fest action, so now they're holding their own this fall. (Don't worry, the date won't conflict with the Guild's Fall Beer Fest. You can go to BOTH!) [Windsor Eats]

Speaking of the Guild's Beer Fests, GR Beer Week planning is underway for February 18-23, culminating in Winter Beer Fest! [EID / GRBW / EIGR FBs]

A note to food and beverage writers: if you are not a beer writer, do not try to be a beer writer. It's embarrassing to all of us, and it just underscores how out of touch you actually are with this "trend." [Yahoo News / Fox News]

This one's better: Fox News names the top 10 restaurants to get great beer (rightfully) includes Slows. [Fox News]

Right Brain Brewery bottles hit the SE Michigan market over this week and that includes the GABF-winning Mangalista Pig Porter. [RB FB]

Which brings me back to Baconfest Michigan tickets go on sale next Friday! [Baconfest Official]

Eat It GR
Now live! Sort of. I'm currently half-assing a Facebook page and Twitter, while in the meantime focusing all of my west coast efforts on GR Beer Week. But hey, check out the sweet logo! [EIGR FB / Twitter / GRBW FB]

Random miscellany
~Well here's an obvious joke I'm going to make anyway: you think the "A" stands for "asshole"? [Eater]
~And Chef Eric from the Cook's House in Traverse City responds. [The Cook's House blahg]
~The War on Yelp (sponsored by Eater) continues, this time with a release of formal FTC complaints. [Eater]
~Some timely cooking advice. [Deadspin]

[HOT LIST] Spanish coffee

Spanish coffee. Photo source: The Internet.

The Spanish coffee is one of those holdover dessert drinks from the Reagan Era of steakhouse sovereignty. While once the grande dames of dining, these places are now mostly houses of old people food (though the "classic" steakhouse certainly seems to be coming back into vogue as of late). While other dessert drinks (like the ice cream-based Hummer) have been mostly relegated to the realm of revived steakhouses and horrible national chains with apostrophes in their names, the Spanish coffee has managed to attain a certain level of credibility, even amongst the craft cocktail crowd. Part nouveau trendy, part nostalgic throwback, the Spanish coffee is simply a lovely winter warmer and always will be. The places you'll find it are as varied as the recipes they use, but certain things are consistent: coffee, whipped cream, sugar rim, booze (usually coffee liqueur, brandy, rum, or any combination thereof).

#1 Tom's Oyster Bar (Royal Oak)
The secret to an excellent Spanish coffee is Tia Maria, a vanilla-infused Jamaican coffee liqueur. For many years, Tom's was widely renowned across metro Detroit for having the best Spanish coffee EVAH. This was because of Tia Maria. Then Tia Maria was suddenly and inexplicably unavailable in Michigan for a hot second (sometime in/around 2010-ish), and people took notice: Tom's Spanish coffee simply wasn't what it used to be. But then! Tia Maria just as suddenly and inexplicably became available in Michigan again (because the MLCC is awesome and is obviously a rational and consistent entity) and now Tom's Spanish coffee is just as awesome as ever. And not just because they set it on fire. But a little bit because of that.

#2 London Chop House (Detroit)
This is one of those recently-revived steakhouses of sovereignty but done so impeccably well (provided one can appreciate such painstaking throwback) that you just have to sit back (in the plush red leather booths) and enjoy the point at which historic preservation, well-funded nostalgia, museum-like reverence, and unapologetically untrendy classic steakhouse cuisine collide. The Spanish coffee is about half rich, creamy homemade whipped cream and half booze with a dash of coffee for warmth and color. With a lounge singer crooning hits from the Great American Songbook and a belly full of oysters and steak and starch and heavy cream sauces, it's hard not to get into the spirit of the place. The Spanish coffee is a perfect ending to a meal that is, by necessity, already over the top (and there's probably enough calories in that whipped cream alone to fully replace an actual dessert). They also serve that classic Hummer concoction, which they made famous back in the diz.

#3 The Emory (Ferndale)
They're not really known for their Spanish coffee, but they should be. Known best as a beer and burger bar (REALLY good beer and REALLY good burgers, and a build your own Bloody Mary bar on Sundays), their Spanish coffee is a local best kept secret. But if you're hanging out there one day and you see a blue flame and sparks emanating from behind the bar, that's their Spanish coffee - they light the brandy on fire and then spark it with cinnamon. Topped with rich whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, you totally won't feel like a wuss for ordering this because (a) fire, and (b) hipster bar. (Probably it's ironic?)

#4 Torino Espresso Bar (Ferndale)
Their Spanish coffee recipe is modeled after Tom's, right down to the orange twist, though it feels like it makes more sense here being that this is a cocktail bar with an emphasis on coffee and not a seafood house with an emphasis on oysters.

#5 Bacco Ristorante (Southfield)
Italian, Spanish, whatevs, there are no boundaries here. At Bacco you get a bowl of Spanish coffee to enjoy on its own (it's enough) or with one of their house-made pastries or gelato.

Bubbling under The Hill Seafood + Chophouse (Grosse Pointe), Santorini Estiatorio (Greektown), Clawson Steakhouse (Clawson), Terry's Terrace (Harrison Twp.), Fishbone's (Greektown, Southfield, St. Clair Shores)

 

[Metromode] A New Breed of Restaurateur Pt. 1

The days of metro Detroit's restaurant empires are over. The latest breed of successful restaurateur is anti-corporate and anti-chain. They create unique businesses in unique spaces, care about people and preservation, and even managed to open some of Metro Detroit's most successful restaurants in the midst of the economic downturn.

Read more.

This is part one of a two-part series. This half focuses on Curt Catallo and Ann Stevenson, the couple behind the Union Joints which operate the Clarkston Union, Union Woodshop and Vinsetta Garage; and Luciano del Signore, celebrated chef and owner of Bacco Ristorante and Pizzeria Biga.

[HOT LIST] NAIAS Charity Preview

Joe Muer Seafood Piano Bar. Photo from Joe Muer Seafood.

Stay classy, Detroit. The North American International Auto Show Charity Preview - being held this year on Friday, January 13 - is the swankiest night of the year. Metro Detroiters young and old (and, at $250 a head, also probably rich, or at least "doing well") get all gussied up in their fineries and hit the town for what ends up being a sloppy drunken sh*tshow, but a sloppy drunken sh*tshow in really, really nice clothes. The NAIAS Charity Preview has less to do with the cars than the clothes; this is all about the faces, fashion, and - inevitably - the food. Well, drink. But also food. This is a night to feel all shiny and special, so here's some of the shiniest, most special places to party after the show (or in lieu of it).

#1 The Rattlesnake Club, Detroit
The Rattlesnake Club has really been coming back into its glorious own recently, with revamped menus, a revamped interior, and a soon-to-launch revamped happy hour. For the NAIAS Charity Preview, they'll be offering a prix fixe menu and will play host to a restaurant full of VIPs. It will all start with a plethora of hors d'oervres at each table; Marketing Director Alexandria Franz says "everyone basically gets their own raw bar and several different hot hors d’eovures too. It’s somewhat of a spectacle!" And that's just the precursor to the sumptuous dinner that follows. They're almost sold out for the evening, so make your reservations now: 313-567-4400.

#2 Wolfgang Puck Grille, Detroit
Yours truly just interviewed Mr. Puck for Ambassador Magazine, and in addition to talking about food, I also discovered that he is also quite the car buff. Before moving to America at age 25, he thought everyone here was rich because they all drove around in big Cadillacs. He wanted desperately to own one himself one day ... he achieved that, and then some. He's in town right now for the NAIAS; you might be able to spot him at his restaurant inside the MGM Grand Detroit, but even if not, Executive Chef Marc Djozlija will be serving up the same stellar cuisine that has made this one of Detroit's few AAA four-diamond-rated restaurants.

This pretty much sums it up. From StyleLine Magazine.

#3 Joe Muer Seafood, Detroit
One of the splashiest restaurant openings of 2011, Joe Muer Seafood inside the Renaissance Center is offering a five-course prix fixe menu for $100 per person. Or skip dinner and grab a drink in the retro-nostalgic Joe Muer Lounge, the swingin' Piano Bar, or have a bite at the sleek blue granite sushi bar.

#4 Bacco Ristorante, Southfield
James Beard Award nominee Luciano del Signore, owner and Executive Chef of Bacco Ristorante in Southfield, has been regularly playing host to the richest and most famous-est of metro Detroit in this fine dining flagship since 2002. Enjoy his signature nouveau Italian cuisine in a colorful, contemporary atmosphere reminiscent of the Italian countryside in the summertime (even in the midst of a Michigan winter). There's no special menu for the NAIAS, but there doesn't need to be.

#5 Motor City Wine, Detroit
It might not be the first place that comes to mind for a swank Auto Show after-party, but one look at the dramatic red walls lined with an eclectic selection of boutique wines paired with the funky jazz sounds of the B. Williams Experiment and you'll know there ain't no party like an MCW party. The B. Williams Experiment is led by the Grammy-nominated Brandon Williams on drums (who has produced for Janet Jackson and Rihanna). Influences range from Coltrane to Radiohead to J. Dilla; feel like a boss for only $5.

Bubbling under DUO Restaurant and Lounge (Southfield), Mosaic (Detroit), Cliff Bell's (Detroit), Angelina Italian Bistro (Detroit), Coach Insignia (Detroit), 24grille (Detroit), Roast (Detroit), Detroit Seafood Market (Detroit), Chen Chow (Birmingham)

Upcoming Dining Events

-----------------------------------------------------
Monday, February 23rd: Winemakers Tasting with Charles Hendricks at Mon Jin Lau

Mon Jin Lau & Plum Market Present Winemakers Tasting with Charles Hendricks.

“Charles’ winemaking experience began in the Napa Valley in the early eighties. Over the last decade his cliental has grown to include such labels as Viader, Barnett, Regusci, Paoletti and Bacio Divino. His wine making style has created award winning wines coveted by wine collectors and celebrated by leaders in the wine industries.”

Join Mon Jin Lau as they taste over a dozen wines that include: Regusci, Hope & Grace, Thousand Foot, and many more.

Strolling Nu-Asian appetizers provided by Mon Jin Lau. Special pricing available through Plum Market.

Call 248.689.2332 and ask for Sharon or Bryan.
Limited Space Available…..All ticket sales are final.

Where: Mon Jin Lau, Troy
When: 6:30PM-8:00PM
Tix: $35.00 advance, $40.00 at the door (all-inclusive)
www.monjinlau.com

-----------------------------------------------------
Monday, February 23rd: Bacco Wine Dinner with Alberto Canella

Bacco Ristorante cordially invites you to attend a special dinner with Alberto Canella of Terre di Ger winery for a memorable evening of fine Italian food and wine.

His winery, Terre di Ger (www.terrediger.it), is located in the northeastern Italian region of Friuli, where the peaks of the Alps provide a dramatic backdrop for the exceptionally high-quality wines being made there.

Chef Luciano del Signore has again designed a special, six-course menu that highlights the unique characteristics of each wine, and showcases his distinct flair for Italian cuisine!
We'll be featuring three wines from Terre di Ger-- Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Franc, and a stunning, barrel aged Verduzzo called "Limine." Three additional wines, from different wineries, will complete the wine offerings: Brutell Franciacorta Brut sparkling wine, a hearty red Casale Triocco Sagrantino di Montefalco from Casale Triocco, and a deliciously sweet, red sparkling Brachetto d'Acqui from Convento dei Cappuccini.

Il Menu:
Stuzzichini (passed hors d’ouevres)
olive ripiene
--cheese & walnut stuffed olives
tartar di tonno
--ahi tuna with lemon, chives, and aioli
millefoglie con salsiccia
--oven roasted sausage and asparagus in puff pastry
all served with nv Brutell Franciacorta Brut Saten
Antipasto di Mare
insalata di gamberone
--Belgium endive salad with prawns, yellow pepper puree, radicchio, apple, walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette
served with ’07 Terre di Ger Pinot Grigio
Il Pesce
red grouper arrosto
--oven roasted Florida Red grouper, arugula pesto, and celery root puree
served with ’05 Terre di Ger “Limine”
Il Primo
--tagliatelle verdi al fagiano
homemade spinach pasta with pheasant ragú
served with ’06 Terre di Ger Cabernet Franc
Il Secondo di Carne
spezzatino di vitello
--veal stew with prosseco, wild mushrooms, and soft polenta
served with ’03 Casale Triocco Sagrantino di Montefalco
Il Dolce
--torta di banana
banana cake with chocolate ganache and caramel mousse
served with ’07 Convento Cappuccini Brachetto d’Acqui

A credit card deposit is required, and seating for this event is very limited so please RSVP promptly at (248) 356-6600.

Where: Bacco Ristorante, Southfield
When: 6:30PM-9:30PM
Tix: $95.00 plus tax and gratuity

-----------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, February 24th: DWO Wine Down Tuesday

Celebrate Carnival and Fat Tuesday

In honor of Carnival in South America, DWO will be featuring the wines of South America.

What better place in Detroit for a Carnival/Mardi Gras celebration than Fishbones in Greektown! Bring your beads, masks or even dress up and come celebrate with us on Fat Tuesday, February 24th.

Parking: Please park at the Greektown Parking Structure on Brush St. and enter thru the Antheneum Hotel. You will be directed from there.

Where: Fishbones, Detroit
When: 6:00PM-8:00PM
Tix: $40.00 members, $45.00 non-members
www.detroitwine.org
------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, February 25th: Detroit Synergy Supper Club at Taste Pizzabar
------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, February 26th: A Night in Italy Wine Dinner at D’Amato’s

Featuring guest speaker Nicola Biscardo.

First Course
A vine ripened yellow tomato caprese, anise crusted goat cheese, mizuna micro greens, lemon basil oil
Wine: Vallerosa-Bonci Verdicchio Classico "Carpaneto"

Second Course
Scallop ravioli with trumpet royal mushrooms, wilted fresh spinach & leeks, pecorino toscano, crimini mushroom butter
Wine: La Meridiana Barbera d'Asti "Le Gagie"

Third Course
Roasted pheasant with smoked bacon, braised swiss chard, red & golden beets
Wine: Marchesi Biscardo Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso

Fourth Course
Poached golden apple stuffed with hazelnut honey gelato
Wine: Bosio Mascato d' Asti

About Nicola Biscardo: NICOLA BISCARDO was borne in Verona on January 12th, 1972 in a family of wine makers. Raised in the land of Amarone, "I took my first wine class at the age of nineteen while I was studying Political Science at the college. It did not take me long to realize that my way was to continue in the family business of selling wine, so I switched to wine studies and I attended the master at the Italian Association of the Guild of Sommeliers. Now I am a professional Wine Taster, a Sommelier, a member of The Society of Wine Educators and not a politician. I moved to United States in 1997 and I lived in New York to market and organize the distribution of Conexport, a private consortium that represent some of the best small producers from different wine regions of Italy. Now I am back home in Verona, the city of "Romeo and Juliet" to spoil my vineyards and olive trees with my love and passion!!!"Alla Salute….!!!"

Chef: Myles McVay
Wine Director: Christian Stachel
Special Guest: Nicola Biscardo
Eagle Eye Imports: Jessica Engel

Where: D’Amato’s, Royal Oak
When: 7:00PM
Tix: $40.00 per person exclusive of tax & gratuity
www.damatos.com
------------------------------------------------------
Friday, February 27th: Opus One Wine Tasting

On Friday February 27, 2009 from 6PM to 8PM Opus One Restaurant will have a special wine tasting with twenty different wines. The cost is $20 with advanced reservations which includes the wines and some scrumptious Opus One hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. We will have wine professionals available to discuss the wines. In addition, we will be selling the wines to go at retail pricing and below for those who attend the event. Those who do not make advanced reservations will be charged $25 at the door. See below for the wines that will be tasted on February 27th.

20 Wines with Hot and Cold Hors D'oeuvres

Some of the selections are listed below:

Whites
Sanford Chardonnay, Santa Barbara
Trivento Torrontes, Mendoza
Three Stones Sauvignon Blanc, Marloborough
Gordon Brothers, 'Kamiak White', Columbia Valley

Reds
Domine Drouhin Pinot Noir, Willamette
St Hallet Shiraz 'Faith', Barossa
Justin Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
Care Syrah-Tempranillo, Carenina (Spain)
Terrazes de Los Andes Malbec Reserva, Mendoza
Terre d'Oro Zinfandel, Amador

Where: Opus One Restaurant, Detroit
When: Call 313-961-7766 for details and to make reservations
Tix: $20.00 with reservations; $25.00 without
www.opus-one.com

-------------------------------------------------------
Friday, February 27th: Charles Hendricks Meet and Greet at Big Rock Chophouse

Wine Tasting & Meet and Greet with Winemaker Charles Hendricks of the Acclaimed Hope and Grace Winery

Got Rocks Ultra Lounge located on the 2nd Level of Big Rock Chophouse

The following wines will be offered at the tasting:
2006 Ten Mile White Chardonnay, Viognier, Chenin Blanc
2006 Ten Mile Red Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Barbera, Carignane
2006 Thousand Foot Pinot Noir
2005 Parcel 41 Merlot
2006 Rock & Vine Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 Twenty Bench Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Hullabaloo Zinfandel
$60 per person to include above wines, appetizers, tax, tip, and valet

A Special Tasting Table featuring his top rated award wining wines, listed below, for Emerald and Diamond Members will be available. This is a great way to use your two complimentary monthly wine upgrades, a $25 value. Attendees who are not Emerald and Diamond Members
can purchase this upgrade for an additional $25 per person.

Regusci 2005 Merlot, Stags Leap
Regusci 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap
Hope & Grace 2006 Chardonnay
Hope & Grace 2006 Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow
Hope & Grace 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

Where: Big Rock Chophouse, Birmingham
When: 7:00PM-9:00PM
Tix: $60.00 all-inclusive
www.bigrockchophouse.com