Best of Detroit 2012

Restaurant for general excellence:

// Roast, downtown Detroit.

Restaurant ambience:

// The Lark, West Bloomfield Township.

View from a restaurant:

// Coach Insignia, atop the Marriott Renaissance Center, Detroit.

Place to have drinks before a show:

// Roast, downtown Detroit.

Place for nightcaps after the show (tie):

// The Whitney, Midtown Detroit.

// Cliff Bells, downtown Detroit.

// The Sugar House, Corktown Detroit.

Restaurant dessert:

// The Whitney, Midtown Detroit.

Appetizers:

// Roast, downtown Detroit.

Sunday brunch:

City:

// La Dolce Vita, Detroit.

Suburb:

// Clarkston Union, Clarkston.

Pancakes:

// The Original Pancake House

Wine list:

// Opus One, downtown Detroit.

Beer selection :

// Clarkston Union, Clarkston.

Street-level window seat:

// Roast, downtown Detroit.

Place for a business lunch:

// The Capital Grille, Troy.

Locally produced food brand (tie):

// Better Made, Detroit.

// Capies Candies, Rochester.

Fish market:

// Superior Fish, Royal Oak.

Gourmet market:

West Side:

// Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market; Birmingham, Rochester.

East Side:

// Vince & Joe’s, Clinton Township;  Shelby Township.

Place to take out-of-towners:

// Slows Bar BQ, Corktown Detroit.

Place for late-night dining:

City:

// Lafayette Coney Island, downtown Detroit; 313-964-8198.

Suburb:

// Redcoat Tavern, Royal Oak; 248-549-0300,
West Bloomfield Township; 248-865-0500.

Attentive service:

// The Lark, West Bloomfield Township.

Independent coffeehouse:

// Astro Coffee, Corktown Detroit.

Ice-cream parlor:

// Ray’s Ice Cream, Royal Oak.

Romantic restaurant:

// Ristorante Café Cortina, Farmington Hills.

Pizza:

// Buddy’s Pizza.

Burger:

Wayne County:

// Miller’s Bar, Dearborn.

Macomb County:

// Shamrock Irish Pub, Utica.

Oakland County:

// Redcoat Tavern, Royal Oak; 248-549-0300,
West Bloomfield Township; 248-865-0500.

Chinese:

// Mon Jin Lau, Troy.

Greek:

// Pegasus Taverna, Detroit and St. Clair Shores.

Indian restaurant:

// Priya, Troy.

Italian:

// Giovanni’s, Southwest Detroit.

French:

// The Lark, West Bloomfield Township.

Japanese:

// Ronin Sushi, Royal Oak.

Korean:

// New Seoul Garden, Southfield.

Mexican:

// Mexican Village, Mexicantown/Southwest Detroit.

Vegetarian:

City:

// Seva, Midtown Detroit (also Ann Arbor).

// Inn Season Café, Royal Oak.

Middle Eastern:

Local chain:

// Palm Palace.

Single location:

// Anita’s Kitchen, Ferndale.

Vietnamese:

// Da Nang, Clawson.

Thai:

// Sy Thai, Birmingham.

24-hour restaurant:

// National Coney Island.

Vegan:

// Inn Season Café, Royal Oak.

Gluten-free menu:

// Buddy’s Pizza.

Steakhouse:

// Roast, downtown Detroit.

Business breakfast:

// Beverly Hills Grill, Beverly Hills.

Creative breakfast:

// Toast, Birmingham and Ferndale.

Seafood:

City:

// Joe Muer Seafood, downtown Detroit.

Suburb:

// Streetside Seafood, Birmingham; 248-645-9123.

Sushi (tie):

// Noble Fish, Clawson.

// Ronin Sushi, Royal Oak.

Soup:

Chain:

// Zoup!

Non-chain:

// Russell Street Deli, Eastern Market, Detroit.

Michigan winery (tie):

// Black Star Farms

// Chateau Chantal

// L. Mawby

Soul food:

// Beans & Cornbread, Southfield.

Fish ‘n’ chips:

// The Lodge Bar & Grill, Keego Harbor.

Cheap eats:

// Leo’s Coney Island

Sandwich:

// Mudgie’s, Corktown Detroit.

Ribs:

// Slows Bar BQ, Corktown Detroit.

Coney island:

// Lafayette Coney Island, Detroit; 313-964-8198.

Carryout:

// Slows To Go, Midtown Detroit.

Deli:

// Steve’s Deli, Bloomfield Township.

Doughnuts:

// Daily Dozen, Warren; 586-777-8650.

Bagels:

// New York Bagel Co., multiple locations.

Cookies:

// Avalon International Breads,  Midtown Detroit.

French fries:

Chain:

// Five Guys.

Independent, City:

// Roast, downtown Detroit.

Independent, Suburb:

// Redcoat Tavern, Royal Oak; 248-549-0300,
West Bloomfield Township; 248-865-0500.

Bloody Mary:

// Vivio’s, Eastern Market Detroit.

Locally owned bakery (tie):

// Avalon International Breads,  Midtown Detroit.

// Just Baked.

Deck/outdoor seating:

City:

// La Dolce Vita, Detroit.

Suburb:

// It’s A Matter Of Taste, Commerce Township.

Classic artisan cocktails:

// The Sugar House, Corktown Detroit.

Microbrewery (tie):

// Dragonmead Microbrewery, Warren.

// Motor City Brewing Works, Midtown Detroit.

Locally made beer:

// Badass.

Women’s clothing store:

Chain:

// Nordstrom

Independent:

// Tender, Birmingham.

Women’s evening wear:

Chain :

// Nordstrom, three locations.

Independent:

// Marguerite’s Boutique, West Bloomfield Township; 248-932-5253.

Place for a one-of-a-kind dress (tie):

// Marguerite’s Boutique, West Bloomfield Township; 248-932-5253.

// Tender, Birmingham.

Vintage clothing:

// Lost and Found Vintage, Royal Oak.

Men’s clothes:

Chain:

// Nordstrom.

Independent:

// Claymore Shop, Birmingham.

Place to be fitted for a suit:

Chain:

// Men’s Wearhouse.

Independent:

// Claymore Shop, Birmingham.

Athletic wear:

Lululemon Athletica, Troy & Ann Arbor.

Cutting-edge fashion:

// Tender, Birmingham.

Lingerie:

// Harp’s Lingerie, Birmingham.

Jeans:

// Caruso Caruso, Birmingham.

Buy a bridal gown:

// Roma Sposa Atelier, Birmingham.

Place to order wedding invitations:

// Lace Boutique, Troy.

Place to buy bridesmaid dresses:

// Bombshell Bridal, St. Clair Shores.

Wedding planner:

// Emerald City Designs, Farmington Hills.

Wedding photographer:

// Craig David Butler Photography.

Place to buy stationery:

// Lee’s Specialty, Bloomfield Township.

Vintage antiques:

// Materials Unlimited, Ypsilanti.

Fine antiques:

// Materials Unlimited, Ypsilanti.

Farmers market:

// Eastern Market, Detroit.

Gift-wrapping service:

// Lisa’s Gift Wrappers, Royal Oak.

Gift registry:

// Macy’s

Buy an engagement ring:

Single location:

// Golden Sun Jewelry, Southfield.

Multiple locations:

// Tapper’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry.

Place to buy local crafts:

// Yellow Door Art Market, Berkley.

Place to buy a cake:

// Holiday Market, Royal Oak.

Wine store:

Macomb County:

// Champane’s Wine Cellar, Warren.

Oakland County:

// Cloverleaf, Royal Oak.

Fine spirits shop:

// Champane’s Wine Cellar, Warren.

Jeweler:

Single location:

// Golden Sun Jewelry, Southfield.

Multiple locations:

// Tapper’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry.

Estate jewelry:

// Tapper’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry.

Store for produce:

// Westborn Market, three locations.

Personalized service:

// Champane’s Wine Cellar, Warren.

Candy shop:

// Doc Sweets’ Candy Co., Clawson.

Children’s clothing :

// Love Child, Royal Oak.

Ethnic food market (tie):

// Cantoro Italian Market, Livonia.

// Honey Bee Market La Colmena, Southwest Detroit.

Luxury bed and table linens:

// A Touch of Lace, Bloomfield Hills.

Accessories:

// Lolly Ella Jewelry, West Bloomfield Township.

Big and tall:

// Casual Male

Place to buy appliances:

// ABC Warehouse

Airport shopping:

// Pangborn Design Collection

Fabric store:

// Haberman Fabrics, Royal Oak.

Salvage furnishings:

// Materials Unlimited, Ypsilanti.

New book selection (independent):

// The Book Beat, Oak Park.

Used bookstore:

// John K. King, downtown Detroit.

Furniture store:

// Hillside Contemporary Furniture, Bloomfield Hills.

Place to buy a bicycle (tie):

// D&D Bicycles

// Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop, Ferndale.

Gift shop:

// Catching Fireflies, Berkley and Rochester.

Nursery/greenhouse (tie):

// English Gardens

// Bordine’s

Independent hardware store:

Macomb County:

// Gilbert’s Pro Hardware, St. Clair Shores.

Oakland County:

// Frentz & Sons Hardware, , Royal Oak.

Place to buy sports equipment:

// Dicks Sporting Goods,

Optical shop:

Multiple locations:

// SEE Eyewear

Single location:

// Roland Optics, Bloomfield Hills.

Place to buy toys:

// Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop, Berkley.

Place to buy original art:

// Detroit Artists Market, Midtown Detroit.

Shopping district:

// Downtown Birmingham.

Clothing resale/consignment shop:

// Bellocchio Upscale Resale, Royal Oak.

Detroit souvenir:

// Down with Detroit Apparel

Smoke shop:

// Churchills, Birmingham and Southfield.

Pet supply:

// Premier Pet Supply, Beverly Hills.

Local newspaper:

// Detroit Free Press

Local radio station:

// 101.9 FM WDET

Local TV newscast:

// WDIV-TV, Channel 4.

Local radio news:

// WWJ 950-AM

Local radio station with the best playlist (tie):

// 96.3-FM WDVD

// 99.5-FM WYCD

Local website:

// Clickondetroit.com.

Local male columnist:

// Mitch Albom; Detroit Free Press.

Local female columnist:

// Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press.

Local male TV anchor:

// Devin Scillian, WDIV-Channel 4.

Local female TV anchor:

// Carmen Harlan, WDIV-Channel 4.

Local talk-radio host:

// Craig Fahle, 101.9-FM WDET.

Local sportscaster:

// Bernie Smilovitz, WDIV-Channel 4.

Local sports play-by-play:

// George Blaha (Pistons).

Traffic reporter:

// Erin Nicole, WXYZ-Channel 7.

Weathercaster:

// Chuck Gaidica, WDIV-Channel 4.

Local radio DJ:

// Mojo, WKQI 95.5-FM.

Radio voice:

// Paul W. Smith, WJR 760-AM

Local radio program:

 // Mojo in the Morning, WKQI 95.5-FM.

Private club:

// Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit.

Downtown skyscraper:

// Renaissance Center, downtown Detroit.

Hotel:

// Westin Book Cadillac, dotnwon Detroit.

Best loft building:

// Willys Overland Lofts, Midtown Detroit.

Best sign of a Detroit comeback:

// Big-Three revival.

Fix for the Detroit Pistons:

// Move the team downtown.

Building worth saving:

// Michigan Central Train Station, Corktown Detroit.

Detroit/domestic automaker:

// Ford Motor Co.

Detroit car model:

// Mustang.

Detroit car brand (tie):

// Chevrolet.

// Cadillac.

Inner-ring suburb:

// Ferndale.

Fix for Wayne County government:

// Firing staff and starting over.

Detroit cliche to ban:

// Murder Capital.

Salon for a makeover:

// Runway Salon & Spa, Shelby Township.

Dressmaker:

// Paulina BH, Birmingham.

Shoe repair:

// Frank’s Shoe Service, Birmingham; 248-647-3530.

Place to dock your boat:

// Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, Grosse Pointe Shores.

Tailor/Alterations:

// Ali, The Birmingham Tailor, Birmingham; 248-433-3703.

Florist:

Multiple locations:

// Wesley Berry Flowers.

Single location:

// Blossoms, Birmingham.

Caterer:

// Opus One, downtown Detroit.

Divorce lawyer:

// Jeffrey Lance Abood, East Lansing and Bingham Farms.

Pet grooming (tie):

// Bark-A-Bout, Shelby Township.

// Bingo Pet Salon, Royal Oak.

Veterinarian:

// DePorre Veterinary Hospital, Bloomfield Twp.

Hair salon:

// Runway Salon & Spa, Shelby Township.

Salon for a blowout:

// Runway Salon & Spa, Shelby Township.

Spa:

// Margot’s European Day Spa, Birmingham.

Yoga studio:

// Yoga Shelter

Salon for makeup:

East Side:

// Runway Salon & Spa, Shelby Township.

West Side:

// Deyo For Face and Body, Birmingham.

Gym:

// Nth Degree, Royal Oak.

Massage:

// Irene’s Myomassology Institute, Southfield.

Dry cleaner:

// Huntington Cleaners, Huntington Woods.

Salon/spa for a manicure:

// Margot’s European Day Spa, Birmingham.

Salon/spa for a pedicure:

East Side:

// Runway Salon & Spa, Shelby Township.

West Side:

// Margot’s European Day Spa, Birmingham.

Salon/spa for a facial:

East Side:

// Runway Salon & Spa, Shelby Township.

West Side:

// Face Skincare Medical Wellness, Southfield.

Doggie daycare:

Macomb County:

// Bark-A-Bout, Shelby Township.

Oakland County:

// The Barkshire, Troy.

Wayne County:

// Gibraltar Veterinary Hospital, Gibraltar.

Detroit:

// Canine To Five, Midtown Detroit.

Barber:

Independent:

// Berkley Chop Shop, Berkley.

Chain:

// Lady Jane’s.

Custom framing:

// Art & Frame Station, Birmingham.

Swimming lessons:

// Goldfish Swim School

Limousine service:

// Metro Cars

Choice for a celebrity dinner companion:

// Kid Rock.

Choice for a local political dinner companion:

// Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.

DJ (non-radio):

// DJ Captn20

Colorful character:

// David C. McKnight, Emerald City Designs.

Local sports star:

// Justin Verlander.

Top domestic auto executive:

// Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Co.

Independent store owner:

// Jill Haury, Art & Frame Station.

Local politician to recall:

// Robert Ficano.

Local loudmouth:

// Geoffrey Fieger.

Publicity hound:

// Geoffrey Fieger.

Maître d’:

// Jim Lark, The Lark, West Bloomfield Township.

Chef (tie):

// Aaron Cozadd, Union Woodshop, Clarkston.

// Andy Hollyday, Roast, downtown Detroit.

Sommelier:

// Joseph Allerton, Roast, downtown Detroit.

Bartender:

// Travis Fourmont, Roast, downtown Detroit.

Local Band:

// Magic Bus.

Personal trainer:

Male:

// Brad Goodstein.

Female:

// Jennifer Gray.

Political rising star:

// John Goci, Westland, Democrat.

Local comedian:

// Leslie Ann Thompson, Royal Oak.

Detroit ambassador:

// Kid Rock.

Detroit Tigers player:

// Justin Verlander.

Detroit Lions player:

// Matthew Stafford.

Detroit Pistons player:

// Tayshaun Prince.

Detroit Red Wings player:

// Nicklas Lidstrom.

Concert venue:

// DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston.

Place to learn to dance:

// Dance City, Birmingham.

Charity event:

// Auto Show Charity Preview.

New bar:

// The Sugar House, Corktown Detroit.

Neighborhood bar:

// Clarkston Union, Clarkston.

Bar for business deals (tie):

// The Capital Grille, Troy.

// Roast, downtown Detroit.

// The Sugar House, Corktown Detroit.

Male gay bar:

// Pronto!, Royal Oak.

Female gay bar (tie):

// Como’s, Ferndale; 248-548-5005.

// Stiletto’s, Inkster; 734-729-8980.

Sports bar:

// Shotz Sports Bar & Grill, Greektown.

Jazz club:

// Cliff Bell’s, Detroit.

Dive bar:

// Gusoline Alley, Royal Oak; 248-545-2235.

Location for a first date:

// The Oakland Art Novelty Co., Ferndale; 248-291-5295.

Picnic spot:

// Belle Isle, Detroit.

Bowling alley:

// Garden Bowl, Midtown Detroit.

Pool hall:

// The Loving Touch, Ferndale.

Place to see a first-run movie:

// Emagine, Royal Oak.

Place to see an art film:

Suburb:

// Main Art, Royal Oak.

City:

// Detroit Film Theatre (DFT), at the DIA, Detroit.

Place to hear bands:

// Magic Bag, Ferndale.

Outdoor festival:

// Arts, Beats & Eats, Royal Oak.

Casino:

// MGM Grand, Detroit.

Museum:

// Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit.

Indoor tennis court:

// Franklin Athletic Club, Southfield.

Public golf course (tie):

// Rackham Golf Course, Huntington Woods.

// Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club, Clarkston.

Private golf course:

// Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills.

Wine bar:

// Vinotecca, Royal Oak.

Running route:

City:

// Detroit Riverwalk, downtown Detroit.

Suburb:

// Stony Creek Metropark, Shelby Township.

Bike trail:

// Paint Creek Trail, Oakland County.

Scenic drive:

// Lakeshore Drive, the Grosse Pointes.

Freebie:

// Belle Isle, Detroit.

Michigan vacation spot:

// Traverse City.

Annual sporting event:

// Tigers Opening Day.

Happy hour:

// Roast, downtown Detroit.

Special-event venue:

// Infinity & Ovation Yacht Charters.

Community theater:

// The Players Guild of Dearborn, Dearborn.

Comedy club:

// Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, Royal Oak.