The 5 Days of DRW: Cliff Bell's

All photos by Nicole Rupersburg.

One of the new faces of this year's fall edition of Detroit Restaurant Week is Cliff Bell's, Detroit's premiere jazz and supper club - or, rather, supper and jazz club.

"Detroit Restaurant Week is an opportunity for us to be recognized as a restaurant, not just a jazz club that has good food," says Executive Chef Matt Baldridge. "This validates us as a restaurant. I hope this gets us out there to people who haven't been here yet."

Grilled salmon with spaghetti squash, shaved radish, pumpkin seeds and champagne cream sauce.

Baldridge has been with Cliff Bell's since they first opened their kitchen three years ago. But despite how long they've been at it, it seems a lot of people still aren't aware they actually serve fully coursed-out menus. They serve lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, and also have a killer happy hour. The menu is updated 4-5 times per year in order to stay seasonal and offer the best ingredients available at the time, highlighting fresh, local flavors.

"We try to find the best product available," Baldridge says. "We let the product itself stand alone. There aren't 22 things on a plate; just good, clean flavors."

Butternut squash gnocchi with walnuts, brown butter and fried egg.

The menu is entirely Baldridge's creation. Before Cliff Bell's, he had worked at the Rattlesnake Club on and off for seven years (his last title there was Chef de Cuisine under Jimmy Schmidt). At Cliff Bell's, he has absolute creative control over the menu. "[Owner Paul Howard] lets me do what I want. There's a lot to be said for that; it keeps me here!"

Cliff Bell's is a modern American supper club. Located in an Albert Kahn-designed building, the original Cliff Bell's opened in 1935 - the namesake lounge of one Cliff Bell, a man who opened and operated over a dozen speakeasies during Prohibition. The gorgeous mahogany-and-brass jazz club was shuttered in 1985, but reopened again in 2005 thanks to the efforts of current owners Paul and Carolyn Howard and Scott Lowell. The fully-restored nightclub underwent its final rounds of renovations eight months ago to celebrate their fifth anniversary (a fully-restored Steinway piano will be the final touch), with plush cream and maroon upholstery, expansive murals, and a glittering mosaic showcasing their name.

The interior retains all of its former art deco glory, and is well-known as one of the most popular entertainment spots in Detroit featuring world-renowned jazz acts, electronica and techno, funk, and other eclectic events like burlesque performances and the NPR-darling storytelling series The Moth.

But now, finally, Cliff Bell's is also gaining a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Detroit. "We're upscale without the pomp and circumstance," Baldridge says. Think roasted salmon belly nicoise and oxtail osso buco with savory brown rice pudding, but all of it in a very comfortable, casual atmosphere sans the white linens (and oftentimes with live and loud music). The kitchen stays open until 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, so other industry folk (restaurant and music alike) have a place to go for a fantastic meal after work.

Cliff Bell's is the ultimate collision of class and comfort, a classic watering hole with hand-crafted cocktails and stunning decor where you're just as likely to run into a group of men in business suits as you are a pack of scruffy hipsters. Black and white, old and young, professionals and artists - Cliff Bell's is that rare breed of place where ALL people of Detroit come together on common ground.

DRW FALL 2011 MENU
FIRST COURSE

Butternut Squash Gnocchi
(Prepared with walnuts, brown butter and fried egg)
-or-
Tellicherry Peppercorn-rubbed Beef Carpaccio
(Served with wild mushrooms, radish and frisée)
-or-
House-smoked Pork Belly
(Served with fingerlings and apple sauce)

SECOND COURSE

Zinfandel-braised Beef Short Ribs
(Served with roasted beets, matchstick potatoes and horseradish cream)
-or-
Grilled Salmon
(Served with spaghetti squash, shaved radish, pumpkin seeds and Champagne cream sauce)
-or-
Maple-cured Chicken Breast
(Served with roasted root vegetables and herbed spaetzle, finished with chicken jus lié)
-or-
Roasted Vegetable Pot Pie

THIRD COURSE

Vanilla Crème Brûlée
(Served with fresh berries)

July Supper Club at Iridescence

Foie gras peanut butter and jelly torchon at Iridescence

This is the one we’ve all been waiting for…on Wednesday, July 28 starting at 6:00PM, Supper Club will ascend to the top level of the Motor City Casino and revel in a feast for the eyes and mouth at the unrivaled Iridescence.

Iridescence is the only AAA four-diamond-rated restaurant in the city of Detroit. The décor is nothing short of stunning, with 60-ft windows offering a panoramic view of the city, plush ultra-chic furnishings, LED accent lighting, and a soaring ceiling, diners will feel as though they’ve been transported to one of the trendiest restaurants in Miami or Monte Carlo. The experience is heightened exponentially by Chef de Cuisine Derik Watson’s food – deconstructed comfort food classics gone couture. They also have a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list and an award-winning house pastry chef, Patricia Nash. This is TRULY world-class dining, and will make for an unforgettable experience.

First course
Onion Soup Gratin
~OR~
Cold Asparagus salad arugula fried duck egg, prosciutto, black truffle vinaigrette

Second Course
Confit of Chicken Pappardelle
Mushrooms, squash, parmesan cream
~Or~
Tomato-crusted Atlantic salmon
Vegetable succotash, yukon gold potato, pistou broth

Third course
Dessert,
Chef’s choice

Tickets are $40.00 in advance at the DSG store, http://shop.detroitsynergy.org/, and include tax and gratuity. Tickets to this event are available by online purchase only, and all purchases must be made by Tuesday, July 27.

Detroit Synergy is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit. Please visit http://www.detroitsynergy.org/ for more information about the group.

If you want to see more, check out this video filmed for Do Detroit TV in which I got to interview Executive Chef Don Yamauchi and Chef de Cuisine Derik Watson.

Nikki Does Detroit: Restaurant Week Spring 2010 from doDetroit TV on Vimeo.

Supper Club at Foran's Deluxe Diner

Foran’s Grand Trunk Pub is a little slice of Detroit history…not to mention a big slice of craft brew heaven for beer aficionados and locals alike. Named the “Grand Trunk Pub” to honor the building’s history as the Grand Trunk Railroad’s ticket station, Foran’s maintains much of the original building’s 1900s original architecture, from the vaulted ceilings to the exposed brick walls, hardwood floors and brass chandeliers.

Foran’s is a celebration of Detroit through-and-through. With the largest selection of Michigan craft brews you’ll find anywhere (including some hard-to-find favorites like Shorts, Arcadia, New Holland, and Founders, as well as a monthly featured brewery which is Detroit’s own Atwater Block Brewery this month) and an emphasis on all things locally-sourced (breads from Avalon, meats and produce from Eastern Market, Faygo in glass bottles), it’s no wonder that Foran’s is packed full of locals all hours of the day and night. Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name…in Detroit, that place is Foran’s.

Foran’s recently acquired the space next door – formerly Eph’s – to open Foran’s Deluxe Diner. In this space they will expand their menu, and while the Diner itself is not open for regular hours quite yet, their weekly Thursday night Supper Club is a go. This month, Detroit Synergy’s Supper Club will join the Foran’s Deluxe Diner Supper Club on Thursday, June 24 at 6:00PM for a special menu at a very low prix fixe price: only $25 per person, and that includes a glass of wine (NOTE: this price does NOT include tax or gratuity).

Menu:
~Antipasto Salad
~Prime Rib with twice-baked potato and steamed vegetables
~Ice Cream Sundae
~One glass of wine with entrée

Afterwards, be sure to hang out at the bar next door and enjoy the best crowd in the city with the best beer to match. Because of extremely limited capacity, this will be another non-traditional Supper Club event. There is a strict 25-person limit. You MUST RSVP to supperclub@detroitsynergy.org in advance.

There is no pre-payment or prix fixe menu for this event; diners will be billed individually at the restaurant.

May Supper Club: Vince's 50th Anniversary

50 years ago Southwest Detroit was heavily populated with Italian immigrants, very different than the almost predominantly Hispanic population that exists today. Much like with other immigrant populations throughout the city, the Italians carved out their own corner of the city and there began opening businesses that celebrated their home country’s culture and traditions. Vince’s Ristorante Italiano is such a place.

Opened in 1960 by Vincenzo and Maria Perfili as a simple pizza parlor, Vince’s soon grew into a full-scale restaurant that was hugely popular with the community. Even as the area around them has changed, Vince’s has remained the same, serving the same hearty homemade pastas with award-winning house sauces that made them famous 50 years ago. The restaurant is now operated by Lidia Perfili, daughter of Vince and Maria, who still makes all the pastas, breads and sauces from scratch every day. The restaurant maintains its old world charm with red and white checkered tablecloths, classic Italian-American dishes, and the kind of attentive service that makes diners feel like they’re having dinner in someone’s home as a welcome guest.

Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Vince’s is one of Detroit’s oldest family-run establishments. On Wednesday, May 26 from 6:00-9:00pm, Detroit Synergy’s Supper Club is celebrating this landmark occasion with a huge family-style event. Enjoy endless platters of rich, hearty, classic dishes prepared with care by Lidia and her team, and become part of the Vince’s family for an evening of great food and good cheer.

Diners will enjoy sharing the following:
~Tomato Bread (bruschetta)
~House Salad with homemade Italian dressing
~Pasta Arrabiata (a spicy tomato and basil sauce)
~Tortellini Alfredo
~Chicken Marsala
~Sausage & Peppers
~Sides of roasted potatoes, Italian beans, and pizza bread
~Spumoni for dessert

This is a true Italian experience that is as much about the food as it is about the family! $40.00 includes tax and gratuity (beverages excluded); tickets must be purchased in advance on the Detroit Synergy store at http://shop.detroitsynergy.org. Ticket sales close on Tuesday May 25.

Detroit Synergy is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit. Please visit www.detroitsynergy.org for more information about the group.

DRW Supper Club at 42 Degrees North

Once again Detroit Synergy’s Supper Club is partnering with Detroit Restaurant Week to bring you some of Detroit’s finest dining experiences at special Detroit Restaurant Week prices.

The inaugural Detroit Restaurant Week event attracted some 27,000 attendees during its first run last September and is back again April 16-25 for the Spring Edition. 17 of Detroit’s finest restaurants are once again offering special prix fixe three-course menus for only $27.00 (excluding tax and gratuity).

Join Supper Club as we visit for the first time Forty-Two Degrees North, the newest dining destination inside the Renaissance Center. Executive Chef Franz Josef Zimmer creates contemporary regional cuisine with emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients. On Wednesday, April 21 beginning at 6:00PM, Supper Club will experience his progressive American Midwest cuisine from the Restaurant Week menu in the boldly modern space with a stunning view of the Detroit River.

The menu for Detroit Restaurant Week is as follows:

FIRST COURSE:
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
(Pepper jack cheese, chive
beurre blanc, red and yellow pepper coulis)
~or~
Potato Skins
(Duck
confit, brandy, smoked cheddar)
~or~
Tomato Mozzarella Salad
(Chef’s
Zimmer’s olive oil, Thai basil, heirloom tomato, balsamic reduction, prosciutto
crackling)
~or~
Spring Asparagus with Shaved Parmesan and Prosciutto
(Cherry balsamic dressing)
~or~
Four Onion Tart
(Maytag blue
cheese and watercress salad)

SECOND COURSE:
Spring Pea and Shiitake
Risotto
~or~
Shrimp Scampi
(Grand Traverse Riesling, fresh herbs and
paperdelli pasta)
~or~
6 oz. Seared Filet
(Green peppercorn and
mushroom pan sauce, rosti potato, Stilton bleu fritter, baby vegetable)
~or~
Orange Balsamic Glazed Chicken
(Seared and finished in its own sauce of,
blood orange, white balsamic vinegar
and fresh baby mint, arugula, baby
vegetables, almond rice pilaf)
~or~
Seared Halibut
(3 tomato, caper
and olive salad with fresh basil and Chef Zimmer’s olive oil,
roasted
fingerling potatoes finished with a baked prosciutto chip)

THIRD COURSE:
Key Lime Pie
~or~
Chocolate Decadence
(with pistachio and
raspberries)
~or~
Caramel Flan
(with fresh berries)

All attendees will be billed individually at the restaurant; this is not a pay in advance event. We will be meeting at the restaurant at 6:00PM for a cocktail hour, followed by dinner at 7:00PM. Please note that the $27.00 fixed price does not include tax or gratuity; each person/party is responsible for their own check.

For more information about Detroit Restaurant Week, visit their website at www.DetroitRestaurantWeek.com. Also be sure to visit the official blog of Restaurant Week, www.DininginDetroit.net, which offers sneak previews of a number of different participating restaurants.

Because we are not selling tickets through the online store, please RSVP in advance. Space is limited. Email supperclub@detroitsynergy.org to RSVP and with any questions. Please pass this information on to your friends, family, and coworkers, and anyone else interested in Detroit dining!

Detroit Synergy is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit. Please visit www.detroitsynergy.org for more information about the group.

Supper Club at Saltwater

Join Detroit Synergy’s Supper Club as we visit Detroit Free Press’s “Restaurant of the Year” for 2008: celebrity chef Michael Mina’s Saltwater inside the MGM Grand Detroit.

Saltwater is one of two Michael Mina restaurants located in the city of Detroit (Bourbon Steak, also inside MGM, being the other). Since debuting a little over two years ago, Saltwater has been lauded as one of the finest seafood restaurants in the metro area, offering a wide variety of fresh fish prepared with contemporary American refinement and exceptional attention to detail. This is less a classic fish market and more a full five-star opulent dining experience, focusing on the bounty of the sea for its elegant inspiration.

On Wednesday, February 24 beginning at 6:00PM, taste some of Saltwater’s seafood specialties with a special prix fixe menu designed just for Supper Club members at the low price of only $40.00 per person, including tax and gratuity. Only 40 seats are available: this event WILL sell out!

First Course

Ahi Tuna Tartar
Toasted pine nuts, ancho chile, sesame oil

Second Course

Dungeness Crab Agnolotti
Candied fennel, Maine shrimp

Third Course

Char-Grilled Loch Duart Salmon
Braised cabbage, hedgehog mushroom, mustard spätzle

Dessert

Key Lime Pie
Graham cracker, brown sugar meringue

Tickets are $40.00 in advance at the DSG store, http://shop.detroitsynergy.org, and include tax and gratuity. Tickets to this event are available by online purchase only, and all purchases must be made by the end of the day Tuesday, February 23rd.

A Romantic Evening with Some Good Girls: January Supper Club

There is hardly another hidey-hole in the city that has more classic romantic flair than Good Girls Go to Paris Crepes in Midtown. With the waitresses all dressed as English maids, the walls adorned with vintage film posters (from owner Torya’s own collection), black and white tile floors reminiscent of a timeless London ballroom, and candy heart-red walls, Good Girls exudes an aura of romance fit just as much for the silver screen as for the City of Light.

“This creperie is very me; it’s my idea of heaven,” says Torya Blanchard, owner of Good Girls Go to Paris Crepes. And she has much to be proud of: her business has recently been profiled by both the New York Times and the New York Post as one of the businesses resuscitating the city of Detroit, showing that an entrepreneurial spirit still survives here despite hard times. But such high-profile coverage hasn’t affected the quaint charm of this cute creperie.

The first Supper Club of 2010 will be held on Wednesday, January 27th at 7:00PM at Good Girls Go to Paris Crepes located at 15 E. Kirby, inside the Park Shelton building. With the day for lovers fast approaching, it seemed only appropriate that Supper Club visit the place where amore might as well be on the menu!

Feel free to sample any one (or two, or three!) of the 50 different crepes offered with a variety of sweet, savory, vegan, whole wheat, and gluten-free options to choose from! Good Girls also serves the fair trade Intelligentsia brand coffee and espresso. (Please note: Good Girls does not serve alcohol.) The menu is separated into two halves, the “Right Bank” (sweet) and “Left Bank” (savory) named for Paris’s division of arrondissements by the Seine River. Each crepe is named after one of the cherished females in Torya’s life—the “good girls.” Hence, Good Girls Go to Paris! (Which is actually the name of a classic comedy film from 1939.) You can also build your own from their list of ingredients. Crepes range from $4.50-$7.00 and are ample for one person.

Because of extremely limited capacity, this will be another non-traditional Supper Club event. There is a strict 20-person limit. You MUST RSVP to supperclub@detroitsynergy.org in advance.

There is no pre-payment or prix fixe menu for this event; diners will be billed individually at the restaurant.

Email supperclub@detroitsynergy.org with any questions. Please pass this information on to your friends, family, and coworkers, and anyone else interested in Detroit dining!

Detroit Synergy is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit. Please visit www.detroitsynergy.org for more information about the group.

Read more about metro Detroit's Crepe Expectations here!

Supper Club Holiday Party at Cliff Bell's

Photo courtesy of website

Hello readers. Perhaps you already knew, but I do this little thing called "Supper Club." It's fun. We're doing a thing on Dec. 15. You should come. If for no other reason than the fact that you get to hang out with me! Read on, wayward diners...

After a one-month hiatus, Detroit Synergy’s Supper Club is back just in time for a jazzy holiday celebration! On Tuesday December 15 beginning at 6:00PM, Supper Club will head to Cliff Bell’s (2030 Park Ave.), downtown Detroit’s hippest jazz club, for an evening of mixing, mingling, and holiday jingling in this fully restored art deco nightclub, with an equally impressive menu designed by Executive Chef Matthew Baldridge (formerly of the Rattlesnake Club).

Supper Club continues to evolve with another “non-traditional” event: since we all need a break from some of the holiday burdens, this four-course dining event will cost ONLY $26.00 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. An affordable evening of dining and good cheer(s) with some of our favorite Detroit dining partners? Let the eggnog flow!

Menu:

Fresh-Baked Artisan Bread and Butter

First Course (choice of):
~Cornmeal Dusted Flash-Fried Calamari
~Prociutto di Parma with seasonal fruit & balsamic glaze
~Duck Confit on a buttermilk biscuit with Traverse City cherry compote

Second Course (choice of):
~Wedge Salad with bacon, Roquefort, cucumbers, garbanzo beans, cherry tomato & bleu cheese dressing
~Roasted Beet Salad with horseradish vinaigrette & pistachio crumbs
~Griffon Farms Heirloom Tomato Salad with balsamic drizzle & basil granita

Third Course (choice of):
~Honey Lemon Roasted Chicken with green beans & herbed jus lie
~Barley Wine and Honey Braised Short ribs with green beans, spiced cashews & crispy scallions
~Shrimp and Grits with roasted chilies

Dessert Course (choice of):
~Grilled Peach Melba a la mode with sea salted caramel
~Creme Brulee du jour
~Chocolate Delight

Cliff Bell’s has a trendy yet welcoming ambiance unmatched by other lounges, nightclubs, or jazz restaurants in the city. There is live music almost every night, as well as monthly events such as the popular “Open City” entrepreneurial discussions and the vaudeville burlesque troupe “Torch with a Twist.” There is no venue better fitting a Detroit holiday celebration, and we are thrilled to be taking Supper Club here to experience their underappreciated cuisine! Their kitchen has only been open about 9 months and has earned rave reviews, though Cliff Bell’s has yet to cement itself as a dining destination as much as it is known as an entertainment oasis. In addition to being a great place to meet friends and see live music, it is also a great place to dine. Join us as Detroit Synergy Supper Club discovers yet another hidden culinary gem!

And as we look towards a new year, there are many exciting new things to come. Keep an eye on your inbox to stay posted on all the upcoming dining events!

Tickets to this event must be purchased in advance and are available on the DSG online store only at http://shop.detroitsynergy.org/ (+ $1.00 service fee). All ticket sales are final, but tickets are transferrable. Ticket sales will end Monday, December 14 at 9:00PM. If you have any questions, contact Nicole at supperclub@detroitsynergy.org.

My Love Affair With Foran's

Photo ripped from website...apparently I have no pictures from inside this place. Inconceivable.

I've always liked Foran's (now officially known as Grand Trunk Pub, though still Foran's in the hearts and minds of every Detroit drinker), but recently I've found myself being quite the verbal proponent of the place. Why?

For starters, the people. The people there are quite simply the best. From manager Dave and his staff right down to the regulars, Foran's is the kind of place where you will always find a friend (either one you already knew or one you'll meet during your visit). No pretense, no BS, just good people getting together and drinking some good beer.

(And, blessed be, the Chotchey McChotch Tigers crowd has yet to discover this place...probably because they don't have $1 drafts of Bud Light on tap but regardless, let's hope it forever remains this way.)

Second, the beer. Foran's carries an ever-changing variety of Michigan brews on tap, and don't let the term "craft brew" scare you: a pint is only $5.00--in other words, what you'll likely pay for a pint of Bud in any other bar. Some of the best breweries in Michigan have found a home in Foran's, including Founders, Shorts, and New Holland. (On my last visit just a couple of days a week ago (I really need to write these posts faster), they ran out of New Holland's Poet Stout, which made me very sad, but which led to my discovery of the ultra-hoppy Founders IPA, which made me very hoappy.) There aren't many bars where you can find such a wide selection of Michigan craft brews on tap (save for the breweries themselves), so this instantly makes Foran's one of the best places for beer--especially since you get such a wide selection of different brewers.

But wait, there's more: Foran's has long served some of Detroit's favorite corned beef sandwiches and Sunday brunch, but now they're expanding the restaurant side of things even further: please welcome Foran's Delux Diner, located in the space where once stood Eph's (Eph's, under new ownership from its original and well-loved Corktown location, will be relocating to the Bohemian National Home né BoHouse).

Foran's Delux Diner will be serving "gourmet comfort food," according to owner Tim Tharp. It will combine the pub favorites of the Grand Trunk (a name born from the space's former identity as a GT ticket office) with the deli favorites of Eph's and a unique emphasis on sustainability (i.e., locally-sourced, seasonal items). From the Model D blurb, "If it's not from Michigan, we'd really rather find something else."

Right now the Diner is open Mon.-Fri. 11AM-3PM, and has already started hosting dinner events with the intention of eventually having a full menu with regular dinner hours. And because I like to tease you, take a looky-loo at the menu from last week's "dinner club":

Introduction

Charcuterie table, featuring Detroit Corridor Sausage made with fresh pork sausage, sage, apple and maple country pork terrine, pork tenderloin inlay, fig and pistachio; beet-cured Canadian salmon, lox-style cure; assorted sauces and cheeses.

1st Course

Jerusalem artichoke soup served tableside; lemongrass chutney

2nd Course

Poached pear with grilled Romaine and radicchio atop raisin baguette and sweet vanilla vinaigrette

3rd Course

Braised short ribs, horseradish whipped potatoes, roasted baby beets, and confiture of red wine onions

4th Course

Chocolate almond torte, whipped cream and raspberry sauce

And as if all that weren't enough, each course is also paired with the best local beer and wine. All for--wait for it--$35.00 per person. That includes the booze, people. That's a damned good deal. Shoowt.

In time, Motor City Wine Bar will also be opening on the other side of the Grand Trunk (I will be bringing you the details soon enough, pets)...between all these places and Enoteca Campo Marzio on the north end of the same building, I will never have reason to leave this particular corner of Detroit. Never. Not ever, ever.

But back to Foran's, or whatever you should choose to call it. How about "AWESOME"? Okay then. This is my favorite place to wind up at the end of the night, but be warned: Foran's is a dangerous place to be for last call. When Dave looks at you and says, "Jameson's," it is not a question but a statement. You do not have the option of saying "no." And then "Dead Skin Mask" by Slayer will play. And it will be good.

BUT WAIT! There's more: Foran's is also known to host some pretty cool techno nights, and always at a totally reasonable price...such as the one coming up tomorrow evening, as in the day before Thanksgiving, as in "Humpsgiving" (for "Hump Day," 'cuz it's Wednesday, get it?). No matter where the night starts, this is where the night will end, bet. I will be surrounded by people I am Facebook friends with but don't actually know in real life. And then Dave will look at those of us still left at the end of the night once the ravers and suburbanites have left and he will say "Jameson's," and it will be good. Oh yes, it will be good.

Keep eyeballing my Twitter ticker to find out when the next Dinner Club will be held, and I will see you there, and we will become friends and eat good food and drink good beer, and then it will be last call, and we will drink Jameson's and listen to Slayer. Hey, I'm Irish and was raised in Macomb County, bust off.

October Supper Club at the Whitney

If you're missing Restaurant Week, this is a great opportunity to relive some of the memories (memory, all alone in the moonlight) at the Whitney, and we likey the Whitney, and with a fall harvest theme, and we really likey fall-ish harvesty themes:

The historic Whitney mansion has for decades been one of Detroit’s most prominent fine dining establishments, and Supper Club have long been fans (having visited a few years ago). But times have changed, as we all know, and the Whitney has been reimagined, thanks in large part to forward-thinking owners trying to appeal to younger crowds and an eager, energetic, and stupendously talented new chef. Thanks to his efforts, the Whitney is once again at the top of its gourmet game, and if you haven’t been back for awhile, it’s time you rediscovered what makes this place a Detroit dining institution.

Dan Maurer is young, with a long and successful culinary career still ahead of him. He has been the Executive Chef at the Whitney for only about 7 months now, but in that time has succeeded in recreating the menu to be both more creative and more accessible. Prices are lower and featured entrees include classic dishes done in ways you’ve NEVER imagined.

On Wednesday, October 28 beginning at 6:00PM, join Supper Club as we rediscover an old favorite. Maurer has created a beautiful Fall Harvest-themed four-course menu for us with a variety of hearty options which emphasize fresh, seasonal flavors.

October Supper Club Menu

1st course (choice of)

Butternut Squash Soup
-Shitake and Prosciutto Terrine, Caramelized Squash, Spiced Pecans, Apple Cider Honey
(this can also be prepared as a vegetarian dish).

Short Rib
-Braised Beef, Cheddar Bacon Grits, Spinach, Tomato Chutney.

2nd Course (choice of)

Roasted Beet
-Mixed Greens, Haricot Vert, Goat Cheese, Crispy Potatoes, Truffle-Pancetta Vinaigrette.

Brie
-Baked "En Croute," Mixed Greens, Toasted Almonds, Blueberry-Thyme Vinaigrette.

3rd Course (choice of)

Lamb
-Braised Shank, Parsnip Puree, Creamed Mushrooms, Haricot Vert, Crispy Leek.

Salmon
- Spinach, Bacon and Gruyere Quiche, Herb-Tomato Gallette, Beurre Blanc.

Risotto
-Grilled Asparagus, Seasonal Mushrooms, Artichokes, Parmesan.

4th course (choice of)

Bread Pudding
-White Chocolate and Cherry, Butterscotch, Poached Pear, Housemade Vanilla Ice Cream.

Carmel Apple Fritter
-Carmelized Apples, Peanuts, With Housemade Cinnamon Buttermilk Ice Cream.

Tickets are $40.00 in advance at the DSG store, http://shop.detroitsynergy.org, and include tax and gratuity. Tickets to this event are available by online purchase only, and all purchases must be made by Tuesday, October 27th.

PLEASE NOTE: Ticket prices to this Supper Club have been increased to $40.00. This increase has been long overdue in light of rising food costs, and the decision was made in order to better benefit you, the guest, as the options the restaurants are able to provide as well as the number of courses you receive can now be increased. Going forward, this will be the pricing structure of all future Supper Club events. After 5 years at $30.00, it was time for a change. There will be some exceptions made for venues that do not have high average guest checks. If you have any questions regarding this, please feel free to email me at supperclub@detroitsynergy.org.

Detroit Synergy is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit. Please visit http://www.detroitsynergy.org/ for more information about the group.

Detroit Synergy Supper Club at Detroit Fish Market

Photo from website

For the first time ever, the city of Detroit will be celebrating its fine dining culture with the inaugural Detroit Restaurant Week, and Supper Club will be joining in the festivities!

Detroit Synergy’s Supper Club has partnered up with Detroit Restaurant Week (presented by Paxahau Promotions Group and sponsored by the Greater Downtown Districts) to host our monthly outing at one of the participating restaurants, the Frank Taylor-operated Detroit Fish Market at Paradise Valley located at 1435 Randolph St. On Wednesday, September 23rd, beginning with a cocktail hour at 6:00PM and followed by dinner at 7:00PM, join Supper Club as we experience yet another new restaurant during the most exciting 10 days in Detroit dining history!

Detroit Restaurant Week (DRW) is happening September 18th-27th. There are 17 restaurants involved in this inaugural Restaurant Week, each offering a minimum 3-course menu for the fixed price of $27.00 (excluding tax and gratuity). Supper Club members will be familiar with this fixed pricing and menu structure, which is modeled after a typical Supper Club outing.

Detroit Fish Market at Paradise Valley has only been open since January, but already the response has been tremendous. “I’m thrilled with the progress the Fish Market has made in such a short amount of time,” says Frank Taylor, owner of the Fish Market as well as Detroit’s Seldom Blues, Detroit Breakfast House, and the newly-opened Cloud 9. “Restaurant Week is something that happens in every other major city in the country, and for us to be doing it is amazing. This will encourage people from all over to experience Detroit dining.”

Detroit Fish Market is located in the former home of Intermezzo, and brings to Detroit the kind of upscale fish market experience previously not available in the city. A variety of fresh fish is flown in daily, including Alaskan Halibut and Chilean Sea Bass. Fans of Northern Lakes Seafood Company and Mitchell’s Fish Market will surely love this place, which further solidifies Taylor’s reputation as Detroit’s most daring restaurateur.

The menu for Detroit Restaurant Week is as follows:

Soup or Salad (Choice of One):
~New England-Style Clam Chowder
~Louisiana-Style Seafood Gumbo
~House Salad—mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons & choice of dressing
~Caesar Salad—crispy Romaine, garlic croutons, creamy Caesar dressing & shaved Parmesan cheese

Entrees (Choice of One):
~Broiled Lake Superior Whitefish—butter, lemon, white wine & capers sauce
~Crispy Fried Catfish (Belzoni Mississippi Style)—buttermilk battered with crabmeat & lemon beurre blanc
~Pan-Fried Parmesan-Encrusted Tilapia—served with jasmine rice & sautéed seasonal vegetables
~Grilled Citrus-Marinated Chicken with Cherry BBQ Sauce—with garlic mashed potatoes & sautéed seasonal vegetables
~Seafood Fettuccine—fresh seafood of the day tossed with creamy Alfredo sauce

Dessert (Choice of One):
~Banana Bread Pudding
~Housemade Tiramisu
~Warm Apple Strudel topped with ice cream & caramel sauce

Payment will not be accepted in advance; you are responsible for supplying payment for your own bill and gratuity while at the restaurant. We will be meeting at the restaurant at 6:00PM for a cocktail hour, followed by dinner at 7:00PM. Please note that the $27.00 fixed price does not include tax or gratuity; each person/party is responsible for their own check.

For more information about Detroit Restaurant Week, visit their website at http://www.detroitrestaurantweek.com/. Also be sure to visit the official blog of Restaurant Week, http://www.diningindetroit.net/, which offers sneak previews of a number of different participating restaurants, including Supper Club favorites Cuisine and the Whitney!

Because we are not selling tickets through the online store, please RSVP in advance. ONLY 40 RESERVATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Email supperclub@detroitsynergy.org to RSVP and with any questions. Please pass this information on to your friends, family, and coworkers, and anyone else interested in Detroit dining!

Detroit Synergy is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit. Please visit www.detroitsynergy.org for more information about the group.

July Supper Club at Bookies Bar & Grille

Time for a press release!

...

Bookies Tavern was a staple sports bar and a local favorite located on Washington Blvd. for several years, but when Bookies reopened to a larger location at 2208 Cass Ave. (at Columbia) earlier this year, they made it clear that they were now ready for the big leagues. Supper Club will be heading to their spacious rooftop patio on Wednesday, July 29th, beginning with a cocktail hour at 6:00PM and a full four-course dinner at 7:00PM.

Co-owner John Lambrecht is a steadfast supporter and promoter of Detroit, and feels very passionate about his (and his bar’s) continued involvement with the city.

“We could see the writings on the wall with the old location,” says Lambrecht, in reference to the closing of the Book Building, which forced the bar’s move. “We knew we wanted to keep the bar in the city and stay involved with this community, but we also wanted to redefine what Bookies was all about.”

And redefine they did. Not only is Bookies now a top-notch three-floor bar and lounge with a private VIP area (and a 16-foot projection television with a dozen high-def plasma TVs throughout the bar’s many floors, so sports fans can still get their fill), but in what is probably their greatest improvement from the old location, they now serve food. Great food, by 19-year restaurant veteran John Rodemich IV, who has served as Executive Chef at Chuck Muer, 5ive in Plymouth, and most recently came from Michael Symon’s Roast. Here at Bookies, Rodemich offers classic bar food with a gourmet twist, perfectly suited to Bookies’ new upscale feel.

For Supper Club, diners will experience a broad range of Bookies’ best offerings:

• Appetizers (Served Family-Style):
Cajun Beef Tips—5 oz. of Tender Beef Tips sauteed to order, tossed with a Cajun Cream Sauce & Tabasco Onion Frizzles.

Apple BBQ Shrimp—Fresh Shrimp battered in a house-made batter with Apple BBQ Sauce

• 2nd Course (Choice):
Michigan Vineyard Salad with Dried Cherries, Red Onions, Bleu Cheese, Toasted Nuts & Raspberry Vinaigrette

Gazpacho—Homemade Chilled Vegetable Soup, filled with Fresh-Chopped Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Celery, Onions & Cilantro.

• 3rd Course (Choice):
Grilled Atlantic Salmon finished with a Soy Honey Ginger Glaze. Served with Rice Pilaf & Roasted Vegetables

Walnut Encrusted Chicken with Mango Brown Butter. Served with Mango Salsa, Rice Pilaf & Roasted Vegetables.

• 4th Course:
Fantastic French Toast—Cinnamon Swirl style French Toast topped with Vanilla Ice Cream & Caramel Maple Syrup. Finished with Powdered Sugar.

If you haven’t yet done so, it’s time for you to rediscover Bookies. While still a sport fan favorite, it is also a welcome new addition to Detroit’s growing culinary scene, and worth being viewed as so much more than just a sports bar.

Tickets are $30.00 in advance at the DSG store, http://shop.detroitsynergy.org, and include tax and gratuity. There will also be an optional two-glass wine or beer flight available for an additional $10.00. Tickets to this event are available by online purchase only, and all purchases must be made by Tuesday, July 28th. No walk-ins, please. Tickets are first-come, first-served.

Detroit Synergy is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit. Please visit www.detroitsynergy.org for more information about the group.

Detroit Synergy Supper Club Aboard the Detroit Princess Riverboat

Located directly behind COBO Center, the Detroit Princess is Detroit’s newest addition to the beautifully renovated waterfront. The Detroit Princess opened in June 2005, and is cruising for a wonderful 5th season. The former Louisiana casino has been lovingly renovated into a 5 story dining experience complete with brass ceilings, chandeliers, and engraved mirrors. Come take a step back in time as you experience the sights of the beautiful Detroit/Windsor skylines, enjoying a live Motown show on a dinner cruise.

The boat is enclosed with heating/air conditioning as needed, with outer decks for observing the gorgeous views of the Detroit and Windsor skylines from a unique perspective. Come witness the beautiful changes along the riverfront first hand!

Chef Rickey Hussey, formerly of Intermezzo’s (Harmonie Park), heads up a team of impressive cooks on board. For private cruises, the menu is flexible based upon the desires of the booking party. For this two and a half hour cruise, we will feature our most popular dinner menu selected by many parties aboard, also regularly featured aboard the dinner cruises.

June’s Supper Club will be held on Wednesday June 10th, 2009. Boarding begins at 6:30PM, Cruise will depart at 7:00 pm and return at 9:30 pm. The Detroit Princess is offering to Supper Club members VERY SPECIAL cruise price of $30, which includes tax and gratuity (regular pricing is listed on www.detroitprincess.com so you must call the office at 1-877-338-2628 to book with the Synergy Supper Club pricing). Cash bar available on board.

Wednesday June 10, 2009
Boarding: 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Cruising: 7:00 pm- 9:30 pm
1-877-338-2628

Captain's Five Entrée Dinner Buffet (included):

Prime Rib
Chicken Florentine
Teriyaki Grilled Salmon
Chipotle Apricot Glazed Pork Chops
Vegetarian Lasagna
Potato Dauphinoise
Cheese Tortellini with Pesto Cream Sauce
Wild Rice
Caribbean Vegetable Medley
Assorted Salads, Dinner Rolls
Dessert

Entertainment (included):

2 ½ hour cruise of the Detroit River
Live Motown Revue show by the Prolifics
The wonderful company of Detroit Synergy members!

Option:
If you would like to pre-purchase drinks, we will run a special rate for Detroit Synergy members – 2 drink tokens for an additional $8. If you pre-purchase, you can pick the tokens up at boarding. These drink tokens can be redeemed at the bar for a beer, wine, or well drink. Drinks are still available for purchase with cash on the day of, but will be just at normal bar rates, depending on the drink.

Feel free to pass this information on to your friends, family, and coworkers and purchase your ticket for June’s Supper Club event on the Detroit River Princess by calling the office directly at 1-877-338-2628. We will not be doing online booking for this special event at this price as this is a very special rate.

Space is limited, seats will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis. While tickets are non-refundable, they may be transferred to another guest should you be unable to attend on the date you purchased your ticket for.

If you have any questions, please e-mail supperclub@detroitsynergy.org

Detroit Synergy Supper Club at El Barzon

Detroit Synergy’s Supper Club celebrates the month of May, typically honored as a Mexican heritage month, at Southwest Detroit’s own El Barzón. On Wednesday, May 20th, beginning at 6:00PM, taste the traditional flavors of Mexico as presented by co-owner and Chef Norberto Garita. While you’re at it, why not also try some traditional Italian flavors as well—El Barzón’s menu reflects Garita’s Mexican heritage just as much as it does the eight years he spent as a sous chef at Southfield’s AAA four-diamond upscale Italian restaurant Il Posto…which is why, on any given day, you might see a Mercedes or Beamer parked outside on this otherwise remote and unglamorous corner of Michigan Ave. and Junction. The word is out: El Barzón is in.

Chef Garita is offering a very wide range of his specialty dishes, both the Mexican and Italian, for Supper Club attendees for the very handsome price of $30.00 (inclusive of tax and gratuity). And in keeping with tradition, there will also be an optional two-glass wine flight available for an additional $10.00.

“I want to do a little something for everyone,” says Garita. “I want to make this as memorable an experience as possible for those who are new to El Barzón.”

Garita has included his very popular Mole Poblana dish as a possible contender, though with the variety of other options available the decision won’t be easy. Bring a friend and share!

• Appetizers will be served family-style and include Fritto Misto (shrimp and calamari), Bis Di Pasta (Strozzapreti Norcina—a dense noodle with a truffle-scented sausage and tomato sauce—and Cavatelli alla Boscaiola, a garlic and mushroom cream sauce), and Chiles Rellenos (homemade tomato sauce filled with ground beef and cheese);
• Entrees include a variety of options:
o Mole Poblano—chicken breast with mole sauce made with chile seco, tomatillo, anix, bread, banana, etc.
o Cecina El Barzón—thin-sliced steak with fresh arugula and tomato or sautéed onions and jalapeño pepper
o Barbacoa de Chivo al Horno—slow-cooked steamed goat barbecue
o Cavatelli alla Boscaiola—dry porcini mushroom and cream sauce
o Lasagna—baked pasta layered with authentic Bolognese meat sauce and mozzarella cheese
o Scaloppine al Barolo e Porcini—veal scaloppini sautéed in porcini mushroom and Barolo wine sauce
o Spaghetti e Scampi El Barzón—fresh tomato, basil, garlic, fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh arugula
o Pollo al Limone—chicken breast with lemon sauce and capers, sautéed with white wine
• For dessert, diners can choose between Mexcian Flan and Tiramisu
• There will also be plenty of fresh tortilla chips served with homemade mole verde and mole rojo (green and red sauces) to start

El Barzón offers a wide range of traditional flavors for a wide range of tastes, as well as authentic dishes that you won’t find at the more popular and trendy eateries of Mexican Town. Still considered to be one of Detroit’s best-kept secrets, El Barzón is becoming increasingly popular on the strength of word of mouth and a handful of rave reviews. Join Supper Club on May 20th to be in on the secret buzz, and discover for yourself what local foodies consider to be one of Detroit’s best restaurants!

Tickets are $30.00 in advance at the DSG store, http://shop.detroitsynergy.org, and include tax and gratuity. There will also be an optional two-glass wine flight available for an additional $10.00. Tickets to this event are available by online purchase only, and all purchases must be made by Tuesday, May 19th. Due to capacity issues, there will be a strict adherence to a 40-person limit. There will be absolutely no walk-ins permitted. Tickets are first-come, first-served.

Check out pictures from the last Supper Club at 24 Grille here! Also, save the date for Wednesday, June 10th, when Supper Club boards the Detroit Princess for a sunset dinner cruise. And if you haven't done so already, join Supper Club's Facebook page here.

April Supper Club at 24 Grille

Detroit Synergy’s Supper Club is once again ahead of the curve, taking this month’s event to experience another new face in Detroit dining: the recently-opened 24 Grille, inside the Westin Book-Cadillac. On Wednesday, April 29th, Supper Club will invade the ultra-stylish and sleek 24 Grille for an evening of contemporary regional and American cuisine, and once again offers a bargain diners won’t find anywhere else: $30.00 inclusive of tax and gratuity, with an optional two-glass wine flight for an additional $10.00.

“I’ve been very active with Detroit Synergy in past years,” states Gideon Pfeffer, one of the five partners in the Entourage Restaurant Group which owns the Grille. “We’re very excited to be hosting this event with this group, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to our elegant space and creative cuisine.”

Innovative and daring Executive Chef Jason Gardner has created a three-course menu specifically for this event, highlighting some of 24 Grille’s most popular specialties:

Salad: Tomato Caesar with shaved parmesan, Romaine, and charred tomato Caesar dressing

Entree (Choice of):
*Pan-Roasted Amish Chicken Breast with butternut squash purée, roasted sweet garlic, and sage-infused Jus Lié
*Braised Short Ribs with shaved garlic, wilted escarole, gold raisins, and horseradish hollandaise

Dessert: Chef’s selection specialty dessert

Tickets are $30.00 in advance at the DSG store, http://shop.detroitsynergy.org/, and include tax and gratuity. There will also be an optional two-glass wine flight available for an additional $10.00. Tickets to this event are available by online purchase only, and all purchases must be made by Tuesday, April 28th. Due to capacity issues, there will be a strict adherence to a 40-person limit. There will be absolutely no walk-ins permitted. Tickets are first-come, first-served.

24 Grille is yet another example of Detroit’s ever-growing fine dining industry. With so many wonderful restaurants opening over the past year, some might fear that there is a glut; but all have thus far seen a tremendous amount of success and popularity, with 24 Grille rounding out the recent additions and already being a destination for Detroiters and Detroit tourists alike. With its soothing interiors decorated in chocolate hues and warm woods with accents such as intricately modern crystal chandeliers, prominent hand-blown glass lighting fixtures, and a polished-granite slab “fireplace” (seen decorated with votive candles and a center gas flame), the style is both plush and industrial, both welcoming and extremely high-art; much like the menu, which features haute cuisine takes on classic Midwestern and traditional American dishes. 24 Grille is fast becoming a “see and be seen” hotspot for trendy Detroiters imbibing in a cocktail or looking for an inventive meal; see for yourself the restaurant that had celebrities and national media raving over NCAA weekend!

Detroit Synergy is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit. Please visit http://www.detroitsynergy.org/ for more information about the group.

Detroit Synergy Supper Club at the Rattlesnake

PRESS RELEASE MARCH 12, 2009: This month Detroit Synergy Group is very excited to announce our Supper Club at the world-renowned Rattlesnake Club. On Wednesday, March 25th beginning at 6:00PM, Supper Club heads to the Detroit riverfront to one of the most acclaimed dining establishments in Michigan—the Rattlesnake Club, located at 300 River Place.

“We’re very pleased to be able to host this event here,” Private Dining and Catering Manager Amy Engelbert declares. “Many people have a misconception of what the Rattlesnake Club is all about. We want to welcome these new faces and show them we’re not ‘stuffy’ at all. And we also want to do something above and beyond past Supper Club events and make this one truly one to remember!”

For this event, participants will indulge in some of world-renowned Chef Jimmy Schmidt’s infamous cuisine, as well as some new inspirations from his kitchen:

• Salad (Choice of):
o Organic Field Greens tossed w/Apple Cider Vinaigrette, Golden Beets Carrot Strings, Crispy Onions & Grated Parmesan
o Willy's Caesar Salad w/Romaine Hearts, Garlicky Dressing & Parmesan Crisp;
• Entree (Choice of):
o Ginger Scented Wild Atlantic Nova Salmon: Ginger Crystal Coated Salmon Swimming in a Sweet Corn Risotto, Splashed w/Ginger Froth, Scallion & Crispy Ginger Salad)
o Live Smoked CAB Beef Short Ribs Braised in Rich Rattlesnake Barbeque Spices then Live Hickory Smoked Atop Roasted Cauliflower Smash, Tobacco Onion Rings
o Maple Roasted Breast of Free Range Chicken Pan Roasted atop Butternut Squash Ravioli, Roasted Cippolini & Chantrelle Mushrooms, Splashed with Parmesan Froth & Fried Sage
• Dessert (Choice of):
o Flourless Pressed Chocolate Cake served w/Housemade Vanilla Ice Cream & Caramel Sauce
o Lavender & White Chocolate Creme Brulee w/Caramelized Raspberries, Burnt Turbinado Sugar Crisp & Pyramid

Tickets are $30.00 in advance at the DSG store, http://shop.detroitsynergy.org, and include tax and gratuity. (NOTE: Tickets might not be available for purchase immediately. Please check back again.) There will also be an optional two-glass wine flight available for an additional $10.00. Tickets to this event are available by online purchase only, and all purchases must be made by Tuesday, March 24th.

Afterwards, join the Rattlesnake Club for an afterglow in their scenic Grill Room, where fantastic Happy Hour specials will be extended for Detroit Synergy members after dinner. Happy Hour specials are as follows: $2.00 Domestic Beer Bottles, $3.00 Well Drinks, $4.00 Wine Selections, $5.00 Wall of Vodka (100 choices shaken, stirred, or up).

The Rattlesnake Club carries with it quite a bit of “old Detroit” cachet. Chef Jimmy Schmidt began his culinary career in Detroit as the Executive Chef and Executive General Manager at Detroit’s historic and world-famous London Chop House, which he left some 20 years ago to open his own restaurant—the Rattlesnake Club in Denver, followed by the Detroit location. Since then he has opened another location in Palm Desert and continues to offer the same cutting-edge cuisine that has garnered him international recognition, including being honored with the title “Best Chef of the Midwest” by the prestigious James Beard Foundation (and to this day remains the only recipient of this award in Michigan). He is also the Chairman of Chefs Collaborative, which includes culinary stars Jacques Pepin, Wolfgang Puck, and Mark Miller in a collaboration of commitment to sustainable cuisine and utilizing local ingredients. The Rattlesnake Club has garnered international recognition as one of the finest restaurants in the region, and Detroit Synergy’s Supper Club is both fortunate and thrilled to be holding our March event at such a distinctive and prominent location.

Detroit Synergy is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit. Please visit www.detroitsynergy.org for more information about the group.

Supper Club Tastes the New Taste Pizzabar

From January '09 Supper Club at Angelina, photo by Sean McClelland

DETROIT, February 11, 2009 – This February, Detroit Synergy’s Supper Club ventures to a new venue to get a taste of Taste. Taste Pizzabar just opened a few weeks ago, and we couldn’t resist the urge to check out what this new chic, trendy gourmet pizzeria-cum-lounge was all about. On Wednesday, February 25th, beginning with a cocktail hour at 6:00PM and with dinner at 7:00PM, join us as we discover this new Detroit dining and socializing destination.

“The response has been amazing,” says General Manager William of the feedback and coverage Taste has so far received. “So many people—bloggers, newspapers, weekly rags—have been supporting us and have been checking out the restaurant and encouraging others to do the same, and it’s really a great feeling that so many people are interested and want to see us be a success. We’ve all worked very hard and people recognize that.”

For only $25.00 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity, diners can experience for themselves what Taste is all about. There will also be an additional two-glass wine flight available for an additional $10.00. For this event, Chef Dale Daniels has created a menu featuring the many tastes of Taste for diners to sample:

*Family-style appetizers of mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, and “Wanys” (spicy battered and fried pickles);
*Dinner salad with your choice of buttermilk ranch, honey mustard, or blueberry-pomegranate vinaigrette dressings;
*6’’ personal pizza, your choice of classic pepperoni, “‘Shrooms” (oven-roasted Cremini, Portabella, Shittake, and Oyster mushrooms covered in mozzarella), and the “Hula” (chunks of sweet juicy pineapple and loads of ham with mozzarella)
*Cheesecake Cupcake, choice of Red Velvet or Turtle

With its exposed brick walls, high ceilings and windows, bold yet warm décor and comfortable lounge-like atmosphere, Taste Pizzabar is the quintessential Detroit dining locale, right down to the ambient electronic music playing in the background (with DJs spinning in the lounge on Friday and Saturday nights). Prices are modest and tastes cater both to the gastronomy of a gourmet as well as the appetite of the after-bar crowd. Comfort foods such as Tater Tots meet gourmet tastes such as the all-seafood “Ocean 21” pizza in an environment designed to be conducive to socializing and sharing good times and a slice of ‘za with friends. Catering to trendy “tastes” while still managing to be comfortable and inviting, Taste is bound to make a big mark on the dining landscape and social scene of the city.

Reservations to this event must be made in advance by emailing supperclub@detroitsynergy.org. This event is on a pre-commitment basis only as a courtesy to the restaurant and the organizers; if you are unable to attend after making reservations, please contact the Project Lead. This will be a cash at the door event—please, no personal checks or credit cards. Reservations must be made no later than noon on Monday, February 23rd to ensure your seat at the restaurant. Due to limited space, reservations are on a first come/first served basis.

Detroit Synergy is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit. Please visit http://www.detroitsynergy.org/ for more information about the group.

Supper Club at Angelina

Here's a press release for you (shhhhhh...you're the first to know!):

Detroit Synergy’s popular epicurious experience Supper Club is back for the new year with a brand-new restaurant on deck: Angelina Italian Bistro, located at 1565 Broadway in a highly visible location right off Woodward. For the still-low recession-friendly cost of just $30.00 per person (inclusive of tax and tip), participants can enjoy a full four-course meal specially selected for this event. A very nice optional two-glass wine flight is also available for an additional $10.00. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 28th beginning at 6:00PM to take part in experiencing this newly-opened hotspot with 40 or so new friends!

“We are honored to be a part of Detroit Synergy’s Supper Clubs,” says Angelina proprietor Tom Agosta. “I worked with them on one of their first projects back in 1999 and am thrilled that Angelina is getting the spotlight this month.”

Tom has created a mouth-watering menu highlighting the restaurant’s specialty, South Italian cuisine with a Mediterranean flare:

~Tasting Plates (served family-style at each table): Bruschetta Trio—tomato basil, marinated mushroom, toasted chick peas; Crispy Calamari with a carmelo dipping sauce; and Kalamata Pizza, made with kalamata olive tapenade, tomatoes, caramelized onion, and blended cheeses

~Insalate: house salad made with organic field greens, herb vinaigrette, and red onions

~Large Plates (choice of): Shrimp Risotto made with baby organic vegetables and basil; Parppardelle Bolognese made with classic meat sauce and parmesan reggiano; Carmelized Onion and Gorgonzola Strucolo made with potato hash, wild mushroom, and grilled fennel; Herb Pine Nut Crusted Lake Superior White Fish made with Italian couscous, spinach, and basil oil; and Chicken Scallopini made with Amish chicken, vermicelli rice, mushrooms, rapini, and marsala sauce. (Vegan vegetable pasta also available upon request.)

~Dessert selections

Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Detroit Synergy online store http://www.dsgstore.com/ or can be purchased in cash at the door. You must RSVP to attend this event; email supperclub@detroitsynergy.org with reservation requests or questions. ***Editor's note: Tickets are not available for purchase yet so check in a day or two!***

Angelina Italian Bistro is already a hit amongst Detroit’s most trend-conscious food lovers. A great place both for the food and the socialization, Angelina offers urban chic ambiance paired with some of the most tender yet firm pastas, rich sauces, creative martinis and Michigan-made wines and brews. It was a fast favorite amongst foodies and scenesters alike from the day it opened, and with plenty good reason. Come see it for yourself!

Cheap Eats at Cuisine!

Originally published in D-Tales here.

Detroit Synergy is hosting another Supper Club event this month, this time at one of my favorite Detroit restaurants, Cuisine. Cuisine is pretty much the only restaurant in the city where one can experience authentic French preparations and methods (the Whitney waivers, others try; perhaps this new place opening on Larned can give them a run for their money), and their dishes are nothing short of works of culinary art. Other restaurants pale in comparison for the pure-blooded epicurean...and now you have the opportunity to experience all of this for CHEAP.

On Wednesday, August 27th beginning at 6:00PM, enjoy a prix fixe menu of Chef Paul's special selections made specifically for Detroit Synergy Group for only $30.00, including tax and gratuity. There is also an optional 2-glass wine package available for an additional $10.00.

$30.00. It's a steal. Chef Paul is allowing you to rob him blind. You are being permitted to commit a crime.

Here's the menu, highlighting some of their summer specialties:

*First Course (choice of): Spinach and mixed green salad with a red wine vinaigrette
-or-
Eggplant involtini (stuffed) with ricotta and scallions in tomato sauce;

*Entrée (choice of): Tomato baked whitefish with asparagus and a peach and apple cole slaw
-or-
Chicken roulade stuffed with herbs and parmesan over parmesan risotto and green beans
-or-
a Mélange of vegetables (8 different preparations);

*Dessert: Lemon-lime sorbet.

Because space is limited and because Chef Paul has to be able to prep entrees for some 40+ people, reservations MUST be made in advance at supperclub@detroitsynergy.org. You may purchase tickets online at the DSG store or pay cash at the event--but your name had better be on the list lest you be denied at the door.

Detroit Synergy Supper Club at Fusia

Originally published in D-Tales here.

It's no secret--I like fine dining. And fine dining for less? GAME ON.

Detroit Synergy's popular Supper Club event has been touring all the fine dining establishments Detroit has to offer for a few years now, and has been giving diners deals on meals that would otherwise be pretty pricey (not to mention offering some much-needed and much-appreciated exposure to some of these struggling businesses). The menu is always specially-selected and prix fixe to include tax and gratuity, and it is always a bargain for anyone who participates (typically, to order all of the items a la carte at full price would cost anywhere from 50-150% more). Plus, it gives people the opportunity to discover new places and patron the city. Really, it's a win-win-win...-win.

"On Wednesday, April 30 from 6:00PM-8:00PM, Detroit Synergy will be hosting its April Supper Club event at Fusia, inside Asian Village. For only $30.00 per person (inclusive of tax and gratuity), Supper Clubbers will be able to experience a special four-course menu featuring some of Fusia’s most popular items. There will also be an additional wine package featuring two glasses of wine picked to pair with your meal available for only $10.00 more. Tickets are available by advance purchase only through the DSG store.

'The management of Fusia has selected a very fine four-course menu which gives diners a taste of what fine Asian dining at Fusia is all about:

'First Course:
Baby Shrimp Tempura with Creamy Chili Garlic Sauce
'Second Course:
Mixed Asian Greens with Tofu Croutons and Passionfruit Vinaigrette
'Third Course:
Togarashi-Encrusted Filet of Beef with Udon Noodles and Chinese Long Beans
'Fourth Course:
Asian Key Lime “Pie”

'Fusia inside Asian Village is fairly new to Detroit, but it is already redefining trendy Detroit dining. From the glass-enclosed entryway to the stylish Asian-influenced design and the tastefully done blue and green neon accent lighting, Fusia encompasses everything that makes high-end Asian dining and sushi bars the hotspots of choice for trend-conscious nightlife seekers. Having just played host to Detroit Fashion Week, as well as catering to high-end clientele with private parties (during the NAIAS Charity Preview, for example), Fusia inside Asian Village is quickly becoming known as the place to see and be seen for Detroiters looking for the latest trendy hangout.Top off their sleek Vegas-dinner-club-style ambiance with their impressive high-end Asian-fusion menu (the menu is unquestionably Asian-themed, but does borrow some heavy influences from cuisines all over the world—hence the name), and you’ve got a restaurant and party palace to rival all of the very best metro Detroit has to offer.

'Fusia inside Asian Village is located at 521 Atwater Street, next to the GM Renaissance Center and overlooking the Detroit River."

It's just too bad that they aren't offering their Duck Three Times entree at this discounted price: "Crispy Pekin duck breast, pomegranate molasses. Sesame duck confit, preserved green mango, salad of fresh herbs, Chinese chive-orange crepe. Seared Hudson Valley foie gras, black pepper and peach compote. $35.00." ZOMFGZ.

I must admit I have not dined at Fusia yet, so this is a great way to experience (somewhat inexpensively) what this place is like. But that duck...OMFG that duck...*droolikins*