 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 BrunchCity: (Tie)// La Dolce Vita 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-TownersCity:// Slows Bar BQ, Corktown Detroit Suburbs:// Vinsetta Garage, Berkley Late-Night DiningAttentive Service// The Lark, West Bloomfield Township Gourmet MarketEast Side:// Vince & Joe’s, Clinton Township, Shelby Township West Side:// Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market, Birmingham, Rochester Fish MarketSingle Location:// Superior Fish, Royal Oak Multiple Locations:// Vince & Joe’s, Clinton Township, Shelby Township Independent CoffeehouseCity: (Tie)// Astro Coffee, Corktown 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 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 RestaurantVegetarian// Inn Season Café, Royal Oak | Vegan (Tie)// Gastronomy, Southfield Gluten-Free Menu// Union Woodshop, Clarkston Steakhouse// Roast, Downtown Detroit Business Breakfast// Beverly Hills Grill, Beverly Hills PancakesCreative Breakfast// Toast, Ferndale, and Birmingham Cheap EatsSingle Location:// Green Dot Stables, Detroit Chain:// White Castle SeafoodCity:// Joe Muer Seafood, Downtown Detroit Suburbs:// Streetside Seafood, Birmingham Sushi// Noble Fish, Clawson SoupChain// Zoup! Local:// Russell Street Deli, Eastern Market, Detroit Michigan WinerySoul Food// Beans & Cornbread, Southfield Fish ’N’ Chips// The Lodge Grill and Bar, Keego Harbor PizzaBarbecue// 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 DoughnutsCity:// 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 FriesChain:// 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 SeatingCity:// La Dolce Vita, Detroit Suburbs:// Local Kitchen and Bar, Ferndale Classic Artisan Cocktails// The Sugar House, Corktown Detroit MicrobreweryCity:// Motor City Brewing Works, Midtown Detroit Suburbs: (Tie)// Dragonmead Microbrewery, Warren Locally Made BeerCity:// Atwater Brewery, Detroit Suburbs:// Dragonmead Microbrewery, Warren |
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:
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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:
- Backcountry North, Birmingham/Traverse City, 248-885-8750
- Odd Fellows Antiques, Berkley, 248-399-6098
- Peacelovespandex, Detroit, 586-242-2461
- NYE Uniforms, Royal Oak, 248-554-0774
- Oakland County Sheriff’s Department
- The Heritage Company, Royal Oak, 248-376-5050
 Place To Be Fitted For A SuitChain:Independent// Carl Sterr, Birmingham Women’s ClothingChain// Nordstrom Independent// Paulina Bh, Birmingham Women’s Evening WearChain// Nordstrom Independent// Paulina Bh, Birmingham Place For One-Of-A-Kind Dresses (Tie)// Paulina Bh, Birmingham Vintage Clothing// Lost and Found Vintage, Royal Oak Big and Tall// Casual Male Men’s ClothingChainIndependent (Tie):// Claymore Shop, Birmingham Athletic Wear// Lululemon Athletica, Troy and Ann Arbor Cutting-Edge Fashions (Tie)// Tender, Birmingham LingerieChain:Independent// Harp’s, Birmingham Jeans// Caruso Caruso, Birmingham Children’s Clothing// Love Child, Royal Oak Place To Buy An Engagement RingSingle 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 Vintage Antiques (Tie)// Materials Unlimited, Ypsilanti Fine Antiques (Tie)// Materials Unlimited, Ypsilanti Farmers MarketCity: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 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/GreenhouseJewelerSingle 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 StoreMultiple Locations:Single Location:// Hillside Contemporary Furniture, Bloomfield Hills Airport ShoppingStore For Produce// Vince & Joe’s, Clinton Township, Shelby Township Personalized Service// Champane’s Wine Cellars, Warren Luxury Bed and Table LinensChainIndependent: (Tie)// A Touch Of Lace, Bloomfield Hills Accessories// Lolly Ella Jewelry, West Bloomfield Township Place To Buy AppliancesWine StoreMacomb 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 Ethnic Food Market (Tie)// Vince & Joe’s, Clinton Township, Shelby Township Independent Hardware StoreMacomb 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 EquipmentMultiple Locations:// Dick’s Single Location:// Varsity Shop, Birmingham Optical ShopMultiple Locations (Tie):// See Eyewear Place To Buy Toys// Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop, Berkley Place To Buy Original Art// Park West Gallery, Southfield Shopping DistrictDetroit Souvenir// The Detroit Shoppe, Troy (Somerset Collection) Smoke Shop// Churchills, Birmingham and Southfield Pet Supply// Premier Pet Supply, Beverly Hills |
 Local NewspaperLocal Radio StationLocal TV NewscastLocal Radio News// WWJ 950-AM the Best Playlist// Channel 95.5, (WKQI 95.5-FM) Local WebsiteTraffic Reporter// Erin Nicole, WXYZ-Channel 7 Sports Play-By-Play (Tie)// Mario Impemba, Fox Sports Detroit | 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) |
 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 HotelCity: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 AutomakerDetroit 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 |
 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 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 | 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 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 |
 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 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 BandMaître 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 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 |
 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 Dive Bar// Gusoline Alley, Royal Oak, 248-545-2235 Neighborhood Bar (Tie)// Clarkston Union, Clarkston Bar For Business Deals// The Capital Grille, Somerset Collection North, Troy Place To See An Art FilmCity:// 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 Freebie (At Press Time)// Belle Isle, Detroit Happy Hour// Roast, Downtown Detroit Indoor Tennis Court// Franklin Athletic Club, Southfield Running RouteCity:// Detroit Riverwalk, Downtown Detroit Suburbs:// Stony Creek Metropark, Shelby Township Museum// DIA, Midtown Detroit Scenic Drive// Lakeshore Drive, The Grosse Pointes CasinoCommunity Theater// Stagecrafters, Royal Oak Comedy Club// Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, Royal Oak Special Event Venue |
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