[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. 2

Bastone. Photo by Nicole Rupersburg. 

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 two of a two-part series. This half focuses on Jon Carlson and Greg Lobdell, the development duo behind such popular metro Detroit spots as Bastone and Jolly Pumpkin Brewery and Cafe; and Mindy Lopus, owner of Tallulah and Bella Piatti in Birmingham, who is opening three new concepts in Grosse Pointe Park. Read part one here.

The Week We Ate (The EID Week in Review)

Formerly-relevant person receives standard Corktown service at Mudgie's, whines about it for two days on Facebook, now she and owner Greg Mudge are biffs and she's relevant again, the end. [CBS Local / Mudgie's FB]

The Franklin Wine Shop + Cafe in Royal Oak sounds like a magical place. All "eclectic" wines (no big names or big bucks bottles), one of the "largest" selections of craft beers around, a chef and a cheesemonger on-site, gourmet pizza, historic rehab building...it's got everything! Opens today. [Royal Oak Patch]

No expense was spared on the new Buffalo Wild Wings in Greektown/Greektown-adjacent, which will open on December 21. And I'm going to give all you naysayers a freebie here by pointing out that this date it also the supposed END OF THE WORLD. [Crain's]

Say it ain't so, Jim! Ann Arbor's iconic Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger (which has appeared on the Food Network and has been named one of the top in the country by several different pubs) will close its long-running location on South Division Street in the summer of 2013 and seek out a new location after selling the building to U-M. So basically the big news is they're moving. [AnnArbor.com]

VIP tickets to Baconfest Michigan 2013, happening June 1 at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, went on sale and have since sold out. General admission tickets go on sale February 1, 2013, and I suggest you make up your mind before they go on sale and not waffle on it once they do. [Prosper / EID FB]

It's hard not to love everything about this man and his brand. Rifino Valentine of Valentine Distilling Co. receives recognition from the county for doing what he do. [Oakland Press]

You've heard of bourbon-barrel-aged beer. Have you heard of beer-barrel-aged bourbon? It's this new thing from New Holland Artisan Spirits. The meaning of life is Dragon's Milk. [Chicago Tribune]

Here's more about the Two James Spirits Distillery coming to Corktown next year. And some trivia for you: this will be the first distillery to open within Detroit city limits since Prohibition. [Curbed Detroit / Deadline]

DBJ doesn't just pull on the heart strings with this one; he bungee jumps with them. Here is the excruciatingly sad yet sweet story of Steve's Place and its octogenarian owners. [Metro Times]

My prediction (which isn't even much of a prediction because a lot of projects have already been announced and are currently in progress): Grosse Pointe is going to BLOW UP in 2013. The expansion of City Kitchen Restaurant + Bar is just the beginning. [Metromode]

Peterlin's Restaurant + Bar sounds cool. Farmington still isn't. [Metromode]

The Mitt in the Clem will host a grand opening shindig this Wednesday, 12/12/12. [Shelby-Utica Patch]

The 17th chain steakhouse within a three-mile radius of downtown Birmingham, Stoney River Steakhouse, has received approval from the city commission (B-ham residents in the meantime say "get off my lawn)"; new Mexican place Mojave Cantina to open in downtown Clawson next year. [Royal Oak Patch]

Here is an enviable round-up of tea rooms throughout metro Detroit. [Detroit News]

With his latest acquisition of 1Webw@rd (or whatever hideous name he'll re-brand it with), Dan Gilbert owns damn near as much property in the city AS the city. And yet, people still go apoplectic over this proposal to plant trees. The saga of Hantzlandia continues... (For the record, I'm not looking for everyone to love Hantz; I'm just hoping for this same critical lens to be applied to ALL of Detroit's opportunistic land-grabbers.) [Freep / Crain's]

The Official Detroit Red Wings may soon get a new arena to not play in. Here is the announcement from Ilitch's Olympia Entertainment that's been rumored for about 12 years on a new multi-purpose events center/arena downtown. (See also: JERBS!) [Freep]

In case you forgot, people are awful. [MLive]

[NEWS BITES] Wolfgang Puck's Steak now open inside MGM Grand Detroit

The headline says it all, but read the press release below for the full deets.

***

Wolfgang Puck Steak, an original concept from world-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck, is now open inside MGM Grand Detroit.

“Wolfgang Puck Steak is our new concept that we created specifically for Detroit and MGM Grand Detroit,” said Wolfgang Puck. “We have a broad menu of the finest steaks with delicious sides and sauces at aprice point for all diners. This is a break from the traditional high-end steakhouse.”

Wolfgang Puck Steak is poised to become the place to see and be seen in Detroit. The contemporary steak restaurant offers guests steakhouse favorites with Wolfgang’s signature style.

“Detroit is the classic example of a city that loves great steak and great value,” said Steve Zanella, general manager of MGM Grand Detroit. “In developing Wolfgang Puck Steak, we worked with Wolfgang and his team to craft a concept which speaks to both of thoseideals. Wolfgang did a superb job of creating a menu that beautifully marries the two.”

At the helm in the kitchen is Executive Chef Marc Djozlija, former chef of Wolfgang Puck Grille and more than 16-year veteran of the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group. Djozlija also is the executive chef at Puck’s second MGM Grand Detroit restaurant, Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria & Cucina, which opened in early November.

On the menu is an assortment of grilled steaks and meats, shellfish and fresh fish plus a selection of sauces and side dishes to accompany the entrees. Starters range from classic steakhouse salads including Iceberg Lettuce Wedge with bacon, avocado and blue cheese ranch and Crab & Lobster Louie Salad to an array of appetizers such as Creamy Lobster, Crab and Clam Chowder with house-made crackers and New Orleans Barbecued Shrimp with Cognac-Dijon-Worcestershire sauce.

A variety meats will satiate any appetite including Kansas City Strip Steak, Filet Mignon, Ribeye Steak and a 34 oz. Bone In Rib Chop for Two. Additional entrée selections include The Puck Burger with white cheddar and caramelized onion“jam” on a brioche bun, Colorado Lamb Chops, Rotisserie Free-Range Chicken, and Pan Roasted Two-Pound Maine Lobster. The restaurant features rotating daily specials such as Barbecued Grilled Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and Braised Beef Short Ribs.

All grilled meats include a choice of one accompanying sauce such as Mustard-Cognac, House-Made Steak Sauce, Béarnaise, Peppercorn and Creamy Horseradish. Guests can top their cuts of meat with fried egg, blue cheese, caramelized onions, roasted garlic or Apple Wood smoked bacon. Numerous sides are available including baked, hash brown or mashed potatoes, “Tater Tots,” Onion Rings, Creamed or Garlic Spinach, Three Cheese Mac and Cheese and Loaded Baked Potato.

A sweet ending includes Apple Cobbler with almond streusel and 50 vanilla bean ice cream; Warm Chocolate Soufflé with whipped cream and chocolate sauce; and Coffee and Pecan Ice Cream Pie with graham cracker crust.

The dynamic beverage program features an international wine list with robust red wines and vibrant white wines plus artisan, custom-crafted cocktails. A few standouts include the Adios Nonino with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Luxardo Amaretto and Aperol; the Aviation Violette with Tanqueray No. 10 Gin, Crème de Violette, Luxardo Maraschino and Lemon Juice; and the Samurai Sword made with Yamazaki 12-Year Whisky, Cointreau, House-made Honey Syrup and Lemon Juice.

Wolfgang Puck Steak exudes rustic style and casual warmth through earthy, red, scarlet and brown contemporary décor. Red leather, camel and charcoal tweed, umber cowhide, and scarlet, gold and brown textures combine to create a lively and rich dining environment. The expansive lounge area is perfect for guests either looking to grab a pre-dinner cocktail or to stay through dinner. The restaurant provides flexibility for many sizes groups in the main dining room, large private dining room, wine cellar table or Chef’s Table. Sepia-toned architectural photographs of Detroit’s skylines are screened onto glass divider panels in the lounge and Chef’s Table. Unique fabric wall panels, quilted into an intricate webbed pattern, depict the gridded pattern of city streets. As a nod to the industrious heritage of the Great Lakes area, panels of urban scenes and sculptures made of humble materials complement each other throughout the restaurant. The natural beauty of the region is brought in to the dining areas through images of grasses blowing in the wind at the water’s edge and quiet waters at twilight.

Wolfgang Puck Steak is open for dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. For reservations, please call 877-888-2121.

[NEWS BITES] Bell's buys back all shares, will not sell the company

Big news from Bell's Brewery!

Remember when Larry Bell threatened to sell the brewery and people went nuts thinking Bell's would go the Goose Island route and end up in the clutches of the evil AB-InBev, the international conglomerate that owns Anheuser-Busch? Turns out that was just a clever ploy to get Bell's shareholders to sell their ownership back to him. Bell's is now (once again) a 100% family-owned and -operated Michigan brewery with every intention of staying that way. After decades in the business, Larry now has the financial resources to operate completely independently without additional shareholders, and will continue with expansion plans. I guess all I can say is: told you.

Also in the works, a new sports bar from Bell's in the old general store in downtown Kalamazoo near the Eccentric Cafe. The working title is "Larry Bell's Super Intelligent [something something] Ultimate Sports Bar." Or something. Long story short, Bell plans on opening a sports bar.

And for those of you already going through Eccentric Day withdrawals, the next Eccentric Day -- which will be the 13th anniversary of the annual event -- will be held on Friday, December 13th, 2013. Why yes, that is a lot of 13's. As if Eccentric Day could get any weirder.

[HOT LIST] A Very Beerie Gift Guide

Detroit neighborhood rocks glasses from City Bird.

Last year I recommended some made in Michigan gift baskets for gift-giving ideas (I'm a big fan of the personalized, thoughtful gift basket). This year I'm going straight beerie.

#1 Clubhouse BFD "Ultimate Beer Bucket"
On Tuesday, December 11 starting at 7 p.m., Clubhouse BFD's "Ultimate Christmas Beer Bucket"goes on sale for $100. Sound pricey? It is. But consider what you get: (1) Founders KBS, (1) Founders Boltcutter, (1) Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, (1) Mikkeller + Three Floyds Boogoop, and (1) $20 "Johnny Cash Clubhouse BFD" Gift Certificate, all packaged nicely in a Clubhouse BFD beer bucket. This is truly the most beeriest of gifts for your most beeriest of friends. No substitutions; very limited quantity. First come, first served; limit one per person. Once they sell out they will release their next bucket (there will be 3-4 more beer bucket packages leading up to the holidays).


#2 Jolly Pumpkin Cafe Rare Beer Charity Auction
Also on December 11, also at 7 p.m. (so I recommend you find yourself a beerie partner and split your time accordingly): the rare beer charity auction at the Jolly Pumpkin Cafe in Ann Arbor benefitting the Peace Neighborhood Center. We're talking aged, cellared, secret stash kind of stuff. For the hardcore sour beer nerds in your life (hi), this is the most beerie gift of all. Plus all proceeds benefit charity, and we all like to feel good about our reckless spending benefitting charity around the holidays.

#3 Assorted gifts from Hugh
The newly-opened Hugh inside of the Auburn Building in Midtown has everything you need to honor the classic bachelor pad style of the 1960s, and that includes all of your essential barware, stainless steel cocktail shakers, vintage ice buckets, and also vintage Playboys. (The store's name is Hugh, guys.) Detroit's original pop-up(TM) and first-ever winner of Hatch Detroit, Hugh brings a whole different design dimension to Detroit retail. And that design dimension just so happens to be very beerie. (And bourbon-y and martini-y.) Gifts are available in a wide range of price points, from full glassware sets to smaller items like whiskey stones (throw them in the freezer and they'll keep your whiskey appropriately chilled without watering it down ... pro tip from Hugh owner Joe Posch: wash them a few times before using), and this handy "Drinking Man's Diet" (only $4.95).

#4 VIP tickets to Baconfest Michigan 2013
Remember Baconfest? Remember how much fun that was? Well, we're bringing it back on June 1, 2013 at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, and VIP tickets are now on sale. Please note: as of this blog post, VIP tickets are 75% sold out -- they probably won't last through the weekend. VIP ("Very Important Piggy") tickets include early entry, an expanded V.I.P. section with an exclusive bar, six drink tickets (and plenty of Michigan beer, including Jolly Pumpkin), a VIP-only badge and bag, and a signed and numbered limited edition Baconfest Michigan 2013 poster suitable for framing. This Christmas, give the gift of bacon!

#5 Detroit-themed rocks glasses from City Bird
Across the street and around the corner from Hugh is the Detroit-centric boutique City Bird, fully stocked with a wide variety of items ranging from jewelry and soaps made by local artisans, prints from local photographers, books from local authors, and clothing highlighting local sights and events designed and produced in their on-site studio. Also buttons and posters and prints and greeting cards ... you get the idea. You'll also find this collection of Detroit Neighborhood Glassware. These rocks glasses are $20 each (buy them in sets and they get progressively cheaper, up to eight for $120) and are etched with the names of over 55 different Detroit neighborhoods: sure, there's the popular ones like Corktown and Midtown, but there's also Hubbard Farms, Highland Park, Belle Isle, Warrendale, Rosedale Park and many, many more. Decanters are $60, and custom engraving is also available. Rocks glasses from City Bird + whiskey stones from Hugh = ready-made party (just add whiskey).

Holiday bonus round:

Beer baskets from 8 Degrees Plato Beer Company
You pick the theme and name your price range or even hand-select each individual beer and they'll put it all together beautifully in an ice bucket for you! They also have a range of snack items, many locally-made, so you can make a party picnic bucket, or go the more gift item route and pick out some beer-scented soaps, beer bottle jewelry and beer books.

St. Bernardus Christmas Dinner at One-Eyed Betty's
Granted, this is happening before Christmas, but would make a great early gift for beerie friends (or just a fun night out for you and yours). This Wednesday, December 12, OEB will pair six St. Bernardus beers (some of the best beer in the world) with six appropriately opulent holiday courses including escargot, duck fat goose confit, and figgy bread pudding. 7 p.m., $65 per person.

A trip to Grand Rapids, Beer City USA 
Grand Rapids takes their newfound (albeit shared) title of "Beer City USA" very seriously. Now through December 30, the Grand Rapids Public Museum is hosting the "Thank you, BEER!" exhibit that celebrates "beer, brewing and the meaning of life." Also check out the newly-reopened Grand Rapids Brewing Company, Michigan's first certified organic brewery and a revival of the historic old GRBC that first opened in 1893. And of course, while you're there: HopCat (one of the best beer bars in the country), Founders (one of the top-ranked craft breweries in the country and makers of one of the world's best beers), and Brewery Vivant (producers of one of the top beers of 2012 along with Founders). Need more info? I got you, boo. Here and here.

[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.