[Metromode] The Stuff You Must Do in Metro Detroit This Summer

Lake Erie North Shore wine region in Windsor Essex. Photo by Nicole Rupersburg.

Summer in metro Detroit is a beautiful and fleeting thing. We metro Detroiters spend as much time as possible enjoying the great outdoors during these hot summer months. Take advantage of our fantastic waterways with a boat tour, jet ski, canoe or kayak. Hike, bike, or camp in a state park. Barbecue with the family at one of the Metroparks. Attend an outdoor concert. Enjoy the state's agricultural bounties and visit a U-Pick fruit farm. Spend a Sunday afternoon leisurely brunching on a patio. Yadda yadda. There's nothing wrong with any of these things – they're great! we love them all! - but instead of running the same-old rundown of metro area parks and rec and etc., here's a few things that you might not already know about it that you need to do this summer.

Read more.

[Real Detroit] Rojo Mexican Bistro

This post written by EID Co-Conspirator Stefanie Cobb.

Philly cheesesteak tacos from Rojo.

It's been three years since Rojo Mexican Bistro opened their doors at the corner of Main and Fourth in Rochester's sleepy little downtown stretch. They're certainly doing something right, because not only does the business occupy a place in Rochester, but also in Novi, Saint Clair Shores and Partridge Creek. Having acquired the ability to maintain success in all four locations, it is clear that owner Dan Linnen definitely obtains a knack for restaurant ownership.

Read more.

[Real Detroit Weekly] O'Connor's Public House

Photo by Nicole Rupersburg.

When Whitney Houston said "Crack is whack," she wasn't talking about the craic ("crack") at O'Connor's. (P.S., "craic" is Celtic for super-fun party times.) O'Connor's is where the craic is! 

O'Connor's Public House in Rochester is the kind of place you wish all Irish pubs would be: warm, inviting, comfortable, friendly, full of outstanding food and beer: in other words, bloody brilliant. 

There's a reason O'Connor's feels so much like an authentic Irish pub, even if you've never been to Ireland to make the comparison. Everything in the bar was built or salvaged in the U.K. then shipped over; the pub itself is a faithful recreation of an actual Irish pub. When people talk about whether or not a place is "authentic," just know that this place is the real deal.

Read more.

Real Detroit Weekly: Penny Black

"In light of the Slows phenomenon, metro Detroit is giving Mizzourah a run for its slow-smoked, dry-rubbed money. The newest addition to this upscale BBQ trend is Penny Black in Rochester.

'See, that was a great intro. But I ALSO could have said: in light of the upscale Mexican phenomenon, metro Detroit is giving chi-chi Mayan Riviera all-inclusive resort restaurants a run for their dinero (and incidentally, their dinners). The newest addition to this trend is Penny Black in Rochester.

'Because Penny Black is not just BBQ. And it is not just Mexican. The best way to describe it is coast-to-coast Southern cooking – BBQ, Tex-Mex, Southwest, Mexican, Cajun, Creole, deep South. It's the kind of restaurant you'd find in a place like Galveston, Texas, where the food is directly influenced by the surrounding cuisines of Texas, Mexico and Louisiana..."

Read the rest of the article here.

Real Detroit Weekly: Gus O'Connor's

Fair warning: Irish hospitality often comes in the form of Jameson shots.

“As a public house we feel we’re more than just a neighborhood bar,” says Executive Chef and General Manager of Gus O’Connor’s in Rochester, Michael Keys. “A public house is a spot where everyone is comfortable and feels welcome. We’re a meeting place for the whole community.”

Talk about true Irish hospitality — as soon as I walked in the door, I was invited to join a group already sitting. Within minutes I had a pint of Magners Irish Cider in front of me, a true Irish cider that until recently wasn’t even available in Michigan. This stuff is Veuve Clicquot compared to Strongbow’s Tosti Asti Spumante — real cider, not that sugary kids' stuff. I followed this with a shot of Jameson (this is how the Irish say hello and goodbye), which was followed by a perfect pint of Guinness. Well, hell, when in Dublin …

Read the rest of the article here.

Yelp Drinks: Week-Long Happy Hour

Week-Long Happy Hour?!?!? I'm speechless!

Mostly because I don't want to sound like a total alcoholic.

Cheers!

WHO: Yelp is a local business review site that connects people with great small businesses in Metro Detroit. Locals all throughout Southeastern Michigan have been writing reviews of their favorite watering holes, restaurants and even auto mechanics and dentists.

WHAT: Metro Detroit Yelp has identified 10 of buzz-worthy bars in the area and partnered with them to present Yelp Drinks. The special promotion is a week-long happy hour featuring half-off drink specials. Participating locations will feature up to 3 adult beverages for 50% off throughout the promotion.

WHEN: Monday March 1st – Sunday March, 7th, 2010

Notes:
1) Yelp Drinks prices are good all day Monday through all day Sunday while supplies last.
2) Please tip on regular price.
3) Please consume responsibly.

PARTICIPANTS:

Ashley's Bar & Grill (Westland)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Bell's Two Hearted (reg: $4.50, $2.25 during Yelp Drinks Week)
Long Island Iced Tea (reg: $6, $3 during YDW)
Stella Artois (reg: $5, $2.50 during YDW)

Babs’ Underground Lounge (Ann Arbor)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Pomegranate Martini (reg: $7, $3.50 during YDW)
Lemondrop Martini (reg: $7, $3.50 during YDW)
Draft Beer (reg: $5, $2.50 during YDW)

The Bosco (Ferndale)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
French 75 (reg: $8, $4 during YDW)
Booberry (reg: $9, $4.50 during YDW)
Melonade (reg: $7, $3.50 during YDW)

D'Amato's and Goodnite Gracie's (Royal Oak)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Key Lime Martini (reg: $10, $5 during YDW)
Pomegranate Martini (reg: $10, $5 during YDW)
Sour Raspberry Martini (reg: $10, $5 during YDW)

Mind Body & Spirits (Rochester)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
All Organic Beers (reg: $4, $2 during YDW)
Bottles of Organic Wine (reg: $26-45, $13-22.50 during YDW)
MBS Mojito (reg: $7, $3.50 during YDW)

Rochester Mills Beer Company (Rochester)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
16 oz. Wits Organic Beer (reg: $4.50, $2.25 during YDW)
Mills Mojito (reg: $6, $3 during YDW)
Mills Martini (reg: $9, $4.50 during YDW)

Rosie O'Grady's (Ferndale)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Car Bombs (reg: $8, $4 during YDW)
Absolut Bloody Mary (reg: $5.50, $2.75 during YDW)
Malibu & Pineapple (reg: $4.50, $2.25 during YDW)

Sidetrack (Ypsilanti)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Pint of Huma-Lupa-licious (reg: $4.25, $2.13 during YDW)
Chocolate Martini (reg: $6.75, $3.38 during YDW)
Glass of House Cabernet (reg: $6.75, $3.38 during YDW)

Woodbridge Pub (Detroit)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Pint of Ghettoblaster (reg: $4, $2 during YDW)
Mark West Pinot Noir (reg: $8, $4 during YDW)
Bloody Mary (reg: $6, $3 during YDW)