Best of Detroit 2013

119776

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Restaurant Ambience

// The Lark, West Bloomfield Township

Restaurant For General Excellence

// Roast, Downtown Detroit

View From A Restaurant

// Coach Insignia, Downtown Detroit

Place To Have Drinks Before A Show

// Roast, Downtown Detroit

Place For Nightcaps After The Show

// Cliff Bell’s, Downtown Detroit

Restaurant Dessert

// The Whitney, Midtown Detroit

Appetizers

// Roast, Downtown Detroit

Sunday Brunch

City: (Tie)

// La Dolce Vita
// Sinbads Restaurant and Marina

Suburbs:

// Beverly Hills Grill, Beverly Hills

Wine List

// Roast, Downtown Detroit

Beer Selection

// One Eyed Betty’s, Ferndale

Street-Level Window Seat

// Roast, Downtown Detroit

Place For A Business Lunch

// Redcoat Tavern, Royal Oak (248-549-0300), and West Bloomfield Township (248-865-0500)

Locally Produced Food Brand

// Better Made

Place To Take Out-Of-Towners

City:

// Slows Bar BQ, Corktown Detroit

Suburbs:

// Vinsetta Garage, Berkley

Late-Night Dining

// National Coney Island

Attentive Service

// The Lark, West Bloomfield Township

Gourmet Market

East Side:

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

West Side:

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

Fish Market

Single Location:

// Superior Fish, Royal Oak

Multiple Locations:

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

Independent Coffeehouse

City: (Tie)

// Astro Coffee, Corktown Detroit
// Great Lakes Coffee, Detroit

Suburbs:

// Commonwealth, Birmingham

Ice Cream Parlor

// Ray’s Ice Cream, Royal Oak

Romantic Restaurant

// The Lark, West Bloomfield Township

Chinese

// Mon Jin Lau, Troy

French

// The Lark, West Bloomfield Township

Greek

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

Indian (Tie)

// Priya, Troy
// Rangoli, Detroit

Italian

// Giovanni’s, Southwest Detroit

Japanese

// Ronin Sushi, Royal Oak

Korean

// New Seoul Garden, Southfield

Mexican

// Mexican Village, Mexicantown/Southwest Detroit

Middle Eastern

// Anita’s Kitchen, Ferndale

Thai

// Khom Fai, Shelby Township, 586-247-7773

Vietnamese

// Da Nang, Clawson

24-Hour Restaurant

// National Coney Island

Vegetarian

// Inn Season Café, Royal Oak

Vegan (Tie)

// Gastronomy, Southfield
// Inn Season Café, Royal Oak
// Seva, Midtown Detroit, Ann Arbor

Gluten-Free Menu

// Union Woodshop, Clarkston

Steakhouse

// Roast, Downtown Detroit

Business Breakfast

// Beverly Hills Grill, Beverly Hills

Pancakes

// Original Pancake House

Creative Breakfast

// Toast, Ferndale, and Birmingham

Cheap Eats

Single Location:

// Green Dot Stables, Detroit

Chain:

// White Castle

Seafood

City:

// Joe Muer Seafood, Downtown Detroit

Suburbs:

// Streetside Seafood, Birmingham

Sushi

// Noble Fish, Clawson

Soup

Chain

// Zoup!

Local:

// Russell Street Deli, Eastern Market, Detroit

Michigan Winery

// Black Star Farms

Soul Food

// Beans & Cornbread, Southfield

Fish ’N’ Chips

// The Lodge Grill and Bar, Keego Harbor

Pizza

// Buddy’s Pizza

Barbecue

// Slows Bar BQ, Corktown Detroit

Burger, Macomb County

// Shamrock Pub, Utica

Burger, Oakland County

// Redcoat Tavern, Royal Oak (248-549-0300), and West Bloomfield Township (248-865-0500)

Burger, Wayne County

// Miller’s, Dearborn

Sandwich

// Mudgie’s, Corktown Detroit

Ribs

// Slows Bar BQ, Corktown Detroit

Coney Island

// Lafayette Coney Island, Downtown Detroit, 313-964-8198

Carryout

// Slows To Go, Midtown Detroit

Deli

// Steve’s Deli, Bloomfield Township

Doughnuts

City:

// Dutch Girl Donut Co., Detroit, 313-368-3020

Suburbs:

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

Bagels

// New York Bagel, Multiple Locations

Cookies

// Avalon International Breads, Midtown Detroit

French Fries

Chain:

// Five Guys

Independent, City:

// Green Dot Stables, Detroit

Independent, Suburbs:

// Redcoat Tavern, Royal Oak (248-549-0300), and West Bloomfield Township (248-865-0500)

Bloody Mary

// Vivio’s, Eastern Market Detroit

Locally Owned Bakery

// Avalon International Breads, Midtown Detroit

Cupcakes

// Taste Love Cupcakes, Royal Oak

Deck/Outdoor Seating

City:

// La Dolce Vita, Detroit

Suburbs:

// Local Kitchen and Bar, Ferndale

Classic Artisan Cocktails

// The Sugar House, Corktown Detroit

Microbrewery

City:

// Motor City Brewing Works, Midtown Detroit

Suburbs: (Tie)

// Dragonmead Microbrewery, Warren
// Kuhnhenn Brewing Co., Warren

Locally Made Beer

City:

// Atwater Brewery, Detroit

Suburbs:

// Dragonmead Microbrewery, Warren

Photographs by Roy Ritchie. Styling by Stephanie Potts. Hair, makeup, and costume makeup by Kelly Mitre from Flaunt Salon.

A Superhero Thanks To:

Special thanks to the “Best of Detroit” awardees who had the good sense (and sense of humor) to let us have a bit of fun with them. And to all of the extended Hour family “extras” who took the time to participate in our photo shoot: We hope you had as much fun “dressing up” as we did dressing you up. An extra superhero thanks to the organizations and businesses that graciously lent us the use of their locations:

  •  The Urban Bean Co., for letting us in and out of the rain and cold, plying us with hot beverages, and offering restroom facilities and a way better place (than a minivan) to change clothes and wait for a break in the weather.
    Urban Bean Co., 200 Grand River, 313-496-1010.
  •  The Detroit Public Library, Main Branch, for providing such a “heroic” setting for our cover shoot.
    Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Ave., 313-481-1300
  •  Detroit Cristo Rey High School, for letting us transform their basement into a “cop shop,” and stage our “jewelry/appliance” heist in their fabulous courtyard.
    Detroit Cristo Rey High School, 5679 W. Vernor Hwy.
  •  555 Gallery, located in Detroit’s former Third Police Precinct, for putting us behind bars.
    555 Gallery, 2801 W. Vernor Hwy., 888-495-2787

And of course, “props” to our products and props peeps:


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Place To Be Fitted For A Suit

Chain:

// Men’s Wearhouse

Independent

// Carl Sterr, Birmingham

Women’s Clothing

Chain

// Nordstrom

Independent

// Paulina Bh, Birmingham

Women’s Evening Wear

Chain

// Nordstrom

Independent

// Paulina Bh, Birmingham

Place For One-Of-A-Kind Dresses (Tie)

// Paulina Bh, Birmingham
// Tender, Birmingham

Vintage Clothing

// Lost and Found Vintage, Royal Oak

Big and Tall

// Casual Male

Men’s Clothing

Chain

// Brooks Brothers

Independent (Tie):

// Claymore Shop, Birmingham
// Carl Sterr, Birmingham

Athletic Wear

// Lululemon Athletica, Troy and Ann Arbor

Cutting-Edge Fashions (Tie)

// Tender, Birmingham
// Paulina Bh, Birmingham

Lingerie

Chain:

// Victoria’s Secret

Independent

// Harp’s, Birmingham

Jeans

// Caruso Caruso, Birmingham

Children’s Clothing

// Love Child, Royal Oak

Place To Buy An Engagement Ring

Single Location:

// Maloof Jewelry and Gifts, St. Clair Shores

Multi-Location:

// Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry

Bridal Gown

// The Wedding Shoppe, Berkley

Place To Buy Bridesmaid Dresses

// The Wedding Shoppe, Berkley

Place To Order Wedding Invitations

// Lee’s Specialty, Bloomfield Township

Wedding Planner

// Emerald City Designs, Farmington Hills

Wedding Photographer

// Craig David Butler Photography

Place To Buy Stationery (Tie)

// Lee’s Specialty, Bloomfield Township
// Write Impressions, Royal Oak

Vintage Antiques (Tie)

// Materials Unlimited, Ypsilanti
// Oddfellows Antiques, Berkley

Fine Antiques (Tie)

// Materials Unlimited, Ypsilanti
// Oddfellows Antiques, Berkley

Farmers Market

City:

// Eastern Market Detroit

Suburbs:

// Royal Oak Farmers Market, 248-246-3276.

Gift-Wrapping Service

// Lisa’s Gift Wrappers, Royal Oak

Gift Registry

// Macy’s

Candy Shop

// Doc Sweets’ Candy Co., Clawson

Place To Buy Local Crafts (Tie)

// Yellow Door Art Market, Berkley
// The Rust Belt Market, Ferndale

Place To Buy A Cake

// Holiday Market, Royal Oak

Fine Spirits Shop

// Champane’s Wine Cellars, Warren

Gift Shop

// Catching Fireflies, Berkley and Rochester

Nursery/Greenhouse

// English Gardens

Jeweler

Single Location:

// Maloof Jewelry and Gifts, St. Clair Shores

Multi-Location:

// Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry

Estate Jewelry

// Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry

Furniture Store

Multiple Locations:

// Art Van Furniture

Single Location:

// Hillside Contemporary Furniture, Bloomfield Hills

Airport Shopping

// Pangborn Design Collection

Store For Produce

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

Personalized Service

// Champane’s Wine Cellars, Warren

Luxury Bed and Table Linens

Chain

// Bed Bath & Beyond

Independent: (Tie)

// A Touch Of Lace, Bloomfield Hills
// Cristions, Birmingham

Accessories

// Lolly Ella Jewelry, West Bloomfield Township

Place To Buy Appliances

// ABC Warehouse

Wine Store

Macomb County:

// Champane’s Wine Cellars, Warren

Oakland County:

// Cloverleaf, Royal Oak

Wayne County:

// Merchant’s Fine Wine, Dearborn

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

Clothing Resale/ Consignment Shop

// Bellocchio Upscale Resale, Royal Oak

Place To Buy A Bicycle (Tie)

// D&D Bicycles
// Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop, Ferndale

Ethnic Food Market (Tie)

// Vince & Joe’s, Clinton Township, Shelby Township
// Honey Bee Market La Colmena, Southwest Detroit

Independent Hardware Store

Macomb County:

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

Oakland County:

// Frentz & Sons Hardware, Royal Oak

Wayne County:

// Busy Bee Hardware, Detroit

Place To Buy Sports Equipment

Multiple Locations:

// Dick’s

Single Location:

// Varsity Shop, Birmingham

Optical Shop

Multiple Locations (Tie):

// See Eyewear
// DOC Optics
// Single Location: Roland Optics, Bloomfield Hills

Place To Buy Toys

// Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop, Berkley

Place To Buy Original Art

// Park West Gallery, Southfield

Shopping District

// Downtown Birmingham

Detroit Souvenir

// The Detroit Shoppe, Troy (Somerset Collection)

Smoke Shop

// Churchills, Birmingham and Southfield

Pet Supply

// Premier Pet Supply, Beverly Hills

 


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Local Newspaper

// Detroit Free Press

Local Radio Station

// 101.9-FM WDET

Local TV Newscast

// WDIV-Channel 4

Local Radio News

// WWJ 950-AM

the Best Playlist

// Channel 95.5, (WKQI 95.5-FM)

Local Website

// ClickOnDetroit.com

Traffic Reporter

// Erin Nicole, WXYZ-Channel 7

Sports Play-By-Play (Tie)

// Mario Impemba, Fox Sports Detroit
// Dan Dickerson, Tigers Radio Network

Radio Voice

// Paul W. Smith, WJR 760-AM

Male Newspaper Columnist

// Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press

Female Newspaper 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

Weathercaster

// Chuck Gaidica, WDIV-Channel 4

Local Radio DJ

// Mojo, Channel 955 (WKQI 95.5-FM)

Radio Program

// Mojo In The Morning, Channel 955 (WKQI 95.5-FM)


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Downtown Skyscraper

// Renaissance Center, Downtown Detroit

Detroit Cliché To Ban

// Murder Capital

Best Sign Of A Detroit Comeback

// Midtown Revival

Private Club

// Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit

Hotel

City:

// Westin Book Cadillac

Suburbs:

// The Townsend, Birmingham

Best Loft Building

// Willys Overland Lofts, Midtown Detroit

Building Worth Saving

// Michigan Central Train Station, Corktown Detroit

Detroit Car Model

// Mustang

Detroit/Domestic Automaker

// Ford Motor Co.

Detroit Car Brand — Automaker

// Ford

Detroit Car Brand — Division

// Cadillac

Inner-Ring Suburb

// Ferndale

Fix For Wayne County Government

// Firing Staff and Starting Over

Fix For The Pistons

// Move the Team Downtown

National Chain We Wish We Had Here

// Cheesecake Factory


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Salon For A Makeover

// 6 Salon, Royal Oak

Dressmaker

// Paulina Bh, Birmingham

Shoe Repair

// Frank’s Shoe Service, Birmingham

Place To Dock Your Boat

// Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, Grosse Pointe Shores

Tailor/Alterations

// Ali, The Birmingham Tailor, Birmingham

Florist

// Multiple Locations: Wesley Berry Flowers
// Single Location: Blossoms, Birmingham

Caterer

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

Divorce Lawyer

// Jeffrey Lance Abood, East Lansing and Birmingham

Pet Grooming

// Bark-A-Bout, Shelby Township

Hair Salon

// 6 Salon, Royal Oak

Veterinarian (Tie)

// Deporre Veterinary Hospital, Bloomfield Hills
// Gibraltar Veterinary Hospital, Gibraltar

Salon For A Blowout

// 6 Salon, Royal Oak

Spa

// Tamara Spa & Wellness, Farmington Hills

Yoga Studio

// Yoga Shelter

Salon For Makeup

// Elizabeth’s Head To Toe, Birmingham

Gym

// Nth Degree Fitness, Royal Oak

Massage

// Deyo Studio For Face and Body, Birmingham

Dry Cleaner

// Huntington Cleaners, Huntington Woods

Salon/Spa For A Manicure

// Tamara Spa & Wellness, Farmington Hills

Salon/Spa For A Pedicure

// Tamara Spa & Wellness, Farmington Hills

Salon/Spa For A Facial

// Face Skincare Medical Wellness, Southfield

Custom Framing (Tie)

// Art & Frame Station, Birmingham
// Frameart Gallery, Birmingham

Limousine Service

// Metro Cars

Doggie Daycare

// Bark-A-Bout, Shelby Township

Barber (Independent)

// Berkley Chop Shop, Berkley

Portrait Photographer

// Craig David Butler Photography

Swimming Lessons

// Goldfish Swim School


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Detroit Tigers Player

// Justin Verlander

Detroit Lions Player

// Calvin Johnson

Detroit Pistons Player

// Andre Drummond

Detroit Red Wings Player

// Pavel Datsyuk

Local Sports Star

// Justin Verlander

Choice For A Local Celebrity Dinner Companion

// Kid Rock

Top Domestic Auto Executive

// Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Co.

Local Loudmouth

// Geoffrey Fieger

Choice For A Local Political Dinner Companion (Tie)

// Mayor Dave Bing
// L. Brooks Patterson

Local Comedian

// Leslie Ann Thompson, Royal Oak

DJ (Non-Radio)

// DJ Captn20

Publicity Hound

// Geoffrey Fieger

Local Politician To Recall

// Robert Ficano

Bartender

// Travis Fourmont, Roast, Downtown Detroit

Local Band

// B. Williams Experiment

Maître D’

// Jim Lark, The Lark, West Bloomfield Township

Sommelier

// Joseph Allerton, Roast, Downtown Detroit

Chef

// James Rigato, The Root Restaurant & Bar, White Lake Twp.

Personal Trainer

// Female: Jackie Byrne
// Male: Brad Goodstein

Political Rising Star

// Mike Duggan, Detroit, (D)

Independent Store Owner

// Mary Liz Curtin (Leon & Lulu)

Detroit Ambassador

// Kid Rock

Colorful Character

// Charlie Leduff, Fox 2 News/Author


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Concert Venue

// DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston

Place To Learn To Dance

// Dance City, Birmingham

Michigan Vacation Spot

// Traverse City

Charity Event

// Auto Show Charity Preview Gala

New Bar

// Imperial, Ferndale

Sports Bar

// The Lodge Grill & Bar, Keego Harbor

Wine Bar

// Vinotecca, Royal Oak

Jazz Club

// Cliff Bell’s, Downtown Detroit

Male Gay Bar

// Pronto!, Royal Oak

Female Gay Bar (Tie)

// Como’s, Ferndale, 248-548-5005
// Stiletto’s, Inkster, 734-729-8980

Dive Bar

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

Neighborhood Bar (Tie)

// Clarkston Union, Clarkston
// Luxe Bar & Grille, Birmingham

Bar For Business Deals

// The Capital Grille, Somerset Collection North, Troy

Place To See An Art Film

City:

// Detroit Film Theatre (DFT), At The DIA, Detroit

Suburbs:

// Main Art, Royal Oak

Pool Hall

// The Loving Touch, Ferndale

Place To See A First-Run Movie

// Emagine, Royal Oak

Bike Trail

// Paint Creek Trail, Oakland County

Annual Sporting Event

// Tigers Opening Day

Private Golf Course

// Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills

Public Golf Course

// Shepherd’s Hollow, Clarkston

Place To Hear Bands

// The Majestic, Downtown Detroit

Bowling Alley

// Garden Bowl, Midtown Detroit

Picnic Spot

// Belle Isle, Detroit

Outdoor Festival

// Arts, Beats & Eats, Royal Oak

Location For A First Date (Tie)

// The Sugar House, Corktown Detroit
// Riverwalk, Downtown Detroit
// Airtime Trampoline, Troy

Freebie (At Press Time)

// Belle Isle, Detroit

Happy Hour

// Roast, Downtown Detroit

Indoor Tennis Court

// Franklin Athletic Club, Southfield

Running Route

City:

// Detroit Riverwalk, Downtown Detroit

Suburbs:

// Stony Creek Metropark, Shelby Township

Museum

// DIA, Midtown Detroit

Scenic Drive

// Lakeshore Drive, The Grosse Pointes

Casino

// MGM Grand Detroit

Community Theater

// Stagecrafters, Royal Oak

Comedy Club

// Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, Royal Oak

Special Event Venue

// Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters