Coming to the Table
Angelo’s Fine Italian in Grosse Pointe
Two culinary forces in Detroit’s Italian dining scene are coming together to start a new restaurant in the heart of Grosse Pointe early this fall, targeting a September or October opening. Jared Gadbaw, chef-owner of Oak and Reel, and Cory Barberio, longtime chef at San Morello in the Shinola Hotel, are opening Angelo’s Fine Italian. The menu will feature “time-honored” Italian American classics. It will occupy the former City Kitchen space on Kercheval. 16844 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe; angelosfineitalian.com.
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A Toda Madre in Detroit’s Little Village
Tony Hawk — who’s helped bring multiple skateparks to Detroit and briefly owned an apartment building in the city’s Woodbridge neighborhood — is now dropping in to the city’s dining scene. Per a recent announcement, he’s partnering with Flowers of Vietnam chef George Azar to open a new restaurant called A Toda Madre (or ATM for short).
The restaurant is slated to open early next year inside The Shepherd at Little Village, an art-centric development area on Detroit’s east side. It will neighbor Warda and popular cocktail bar Father Forgive Me. ATM will occupy the converted home opposite Warda, which has a deck overlooking a skatepark that Hawk co-designed which opened in 2023. Detroit-based McIntosh Poris Architects is responsible for the interior design; the firm’s hospitality clients over the years have included The Foundation Hotel, Mad Nice, Vinsetta Garage, Prime + Proper, and Olin. The ATM team did not respond to Hour Detroit’s request for an interview. 1282 McClellan Ave., Detroit; @atmdetroit on Instagram.
Aurora Italiana Detroit in Downtown Detroit
Aurora Italiana, an upscale Italian eatery with locations in West Bloomfield and Commerce Township, announced plans to open a downtown Detroit location. It will be located in the space that once housed PAO Detroit, a pan-Asian restaurant owned by the same hospitality company, Prime Concepts. An opening date has yet to be announced. 114 W Adams Ave Ste 200, Detroit; auroraitaliana.com.
Hot and Fresh
The Dancing Pine, Novi
The upscale Korean steakhouse from the owner of Kimchi Box opened quietly in June. It’s located in Sakura Novi, Michigan’s first Asian-themed mixed-use development. It features tableside grilling, premium cuts, caviar, and Korean appetizers like white kimchi, egg soufflé, doenjang-jjigae (soybean stew), and more. 42738 Grand River Ave., Suite 100, Novi; sakuranovi.com.
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E Fiori, Birmingham
Seafood, pastas, and a vast wine list characterize the menu at this new combination-restaurant-and-flower shop in downtown Birmingham. The new eatery is owned by local chef and restaurateur Luciano DelSignore, Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina, Casa Peroni, and Southfield’s legendary Bacco (which closed in 2024 after a 22-year run). 115 Willits St, Birmingham; efioribirmingham.com.
Hanging Up the Apron
Lincoln Yard/Little Yard in Birmingham
Lincoln Yard/Little Yard, the Union Joints restaurant concept that opened in 2024, plans to shut down at the end of July. Co-owner Curt Catallo tells Crain’s Detroit that the company plans to put the restaurant property, which is a repurposed school bus garage, up for sale. Earlier this year, Union Joints also closed Gran Castor, its Mexican-inspired eatery in Troy, converting it to a private event space.
Cadillac Straits Brewing Company
After operating in Madison Heights for seven years, Cadillac Straits Brewing Company announced it was closing, hosting a final goodbye party on July 18. After shutting down operations for a week, the brewery announced a beer-only reopening the week of July 28 to sell off the last of its supply. In a statement on its website, the brewery, located at 27651 John R Road, said “current market conditions (combined with opening right before the pandemic) have led us to a place where continuing operations is no longer sustainable.”
Avalon Café & Kitchen in Ann Arbor
On July 19, Avalon Café & Kitchen announced it was closing its location on South Main Street in Ann Arbor. A silver lining for fans of its brunch dishes: Pretzel Bell next door will be adding several Avalon dishes to its menu for Saturday and Sunday brunch, according to the announcement. Currently, there’s only one Avalon location left standing: the one on 1049 Woodward Ave in Detroit.
Heights Brewing in Farmington
Known for house brews, barbecue, and a menu with lots of gluten-free options (including beers), Heights Brewing announced that it will be closing after Aug. 2. “This wasn’t a decision we made lightly,” the owners wrote in a July 22 Facebook post. “Between the rising cost of goods, loan payments that kept moving in the wrong direction, and a few challenges we never saw coming, we’ve reached a point where we simply can’t continue.” The brewery is located on 23621 Farmington Rd. in Farmington.
Upcoming Food and Drink Events
Taco Showdown
- When: Sunday, July 26
- Where: Eastern Market, Shed 5
- Cost: $12+, tickets available at tacoshowdown.com
Dine Drink Detroit is hosting its annual taco competition at Eastern Market. The stacked judge panel includes Hour Detroit food critic Serena Maria Daniels, plus Fox 2 anchor Charlie Langton, Detroit Free Press food critic Lyndsay Green, and Chef Ricardo Mojica of Vecino. Attendees are invited to taste and vote on tacos from local restaurants and food trucks, as well as the Margarita Mix Off competition.
Royal Oak’s Margarita Fest
- When: Saturday, Aug. 8
- Where: Royal Oak Farmers Market
- Cost: $40+, tickets available on Eventbrite
Choose from over 100 margaritas, tequilas, and mezcals to sample from. Plus, enjoy tacos and live music from Cosmsic Groove. The event is hosted by Rick Pink & K9 Charities.
Hour Detroit’s Grillfest
- When: Sunday, Aug. 16
- Where: Eastern Market, Shed 5
- Cost: $55+, tickets available on detroitgrillfest.com
From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy food and drink samples, live music, a kid zone, and cornhole. Cast your vote in the Best Bite Competition to award gold, silver, and bronze medals to local chefs. Tickets support COTS Detroit.
Traverse City Food and Wine
- When: Aug. 19-23
- Where: Various locations in Traverse City
- Cost: Prices vary per event, tickets and complete information available on traversecity.com/food-wine
A festival celebrating northern Michigan’s bounty and vineyards returns to Traverse City this month. Traverse City Food and Wine will host tastings and tours. Attendees can sample bites and sips from some of Michigan’s top talents, plus celebs like Food Network star Andrew Zimmern.
Ann Arbor Local Food Festival
- When: Thursday, Aug. 27
- Where: Ann Arbor Farmers Market
- Cost: Free to attend, with food and drink available for purchase. Complete details available on a2gov.org.
Learn more about sustainable food and support local farmers, food makers, and organizations at this public festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy live music, food trucks, chef demonstrations, games, and more.
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