Top Stories in Metro Detroit’s Dining Scene
The Home Bakery’s St. Brown Headstand Cake Goes Viral
A life-sized cake depicting Amon-Ra St. Brown’s iconic post-touchdown headstand from the Nov. 3 game against the Packers went mega viral earlier this month, receiving a shoutout from the St. Brown Podcast and coverage in national outlets like Sports Illustrated. It sits in the display window of The Home Bakery, which has been operating in downtown Rochester since 1930. On Monday, Jan. 13, St. Brown drove out to see it himself and was greeted by a crowd of fans. “It’s huge, but it looks amazing. The detail is crazy, everything,” he told Fox 2.
Still hoping to see the cake display in person? Visitors can see it this weekend at downtown Rochester’s Frost Festival, which will also include a 15-block ice sculpture Lion jerseys of St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jared Goff, and David Montgomery. On Friday, there will also be a “wishing wall” where visitors can carve their well-wishes for the Lions in ice. The festival takes place Friday, Jan. 17 from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Visit downtownrochestermi.com/frost-festival for more information.
Checker Bar Damaged by Fire
Checker Bar, a downtown Detroit staple (especially on gamedays) that opened in 1954, was significantly damaged after a fire broke out the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 14. “A fire broke out the electrical room of the Checker Bar’s basement due to what appears to have been a utilities explosion originating outside of the building,” according to a statement posted to the bar’s Facebook page. The bar shared a GoFundMe page seeking a goal of $9,000 to support its employees, who will be displaced while the bar rebuilds.
Michigan’s Minimum Hourly and Minimum Tipped Wages to Rise on Feb. 21
Under last year’s July 31 Michigan Supreme Court ruling, Michigan’s minimum wage will increase to $12.48 an hour on Feb. 21. Tipped employees’ hourly wage will increase from $4.01 to $5.99. The 85% rate for minors under 18 will increase from $8.98 to $10.61. Under the ruling, Michigan’s minimum wage will continue to increase at the same time every year, and will reach $14.97 for hourly employees and $11.98 for tipped employees in 2028.
Griffin Claw’s Paczki-flavored Stout and Vodka are Back
It’s that time of year again — Griffin Claw Brewing Company’s paczki-flavored 8.0% ABV stout “Sin Repent Repeat” is returning for a limited time, along with its paczki-flavored vodka. Both beverages, according to a release, are infused with raspberry-flavored paczki from Troy’s Polish Market. Beginning this week, the stout is on draft at both Griffin Claw taproom locations (Birmingham and Rochester Hills) as well as available in 4-packs at select retailers. The limited-edition flavor will be available through March 4, or while supplies last.
Two Detroit Restaurants Make New York Times‘ 2024 ‘Best Dishes’ List
In its Dec. 18 issue, The New York Times released its “The 26 Best Dishes We Ate Across the U.S. in 2024” list. Among the dishes were the ham sandwich at Mike’s Famous Ham Place, which the Times‘ Sara Bonisteel called an “honest and satisfying sandwich built on a poppy-seed roll.” Leila’s Lebanese Sunday, which Bonisteel said “delights with its simplicity and whimsy,” also made the list.
Hot and Fresh: Some of Metro Detroit’s Newest Restaurants
Tall Trees Cafe in Ferndale
Tall Trees Cafe is a small sandwich shop in Ferndale that has been drawing quite a bit of buzz after opening recently. Owner Mike Finsilver’s offerings include the signature Spicy Mortadella sandwich, featuring Calabrian Chile and a buttermilk herb salad on a fresh sesame semolina roll (baked next door at The Secret Bakery). Coffee and small plates are also on the menu. Located at 817 Livernois, the shop’s current hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or while supplies last.
Ostrea Seafood in downtown Detroit
Next door to Detroit’s iconic London Chop House is a new restaurant from its chef and owners. Ostrea Seafood features a menu from executive chef R.J. Scherer that includes offerings like lobster, seared scallops, grilled swordfish, and Spanish octopus — plus a number of wines to go with the dishes. Located at 536 Shelby St., the restaurant is open Monday to Saturday, with bar hours 3-11 p.m. and kitchen hours 4-10 p.m. Its owners, The Gatzaros family, also own and operate the Fishbone’s restaurants and Greektown’s Atheneum Hotel. Read more at DBusiness.com.
Looking for new eateries opening in your area this year? Check out Hour Detroit’s Restaurants on our Radar for 2025.
Upcoming Food and Drink Events
Après Ski Beer Dinner
Ferndale Project
567 Livernois, Ferndale
Sunday, Jan 26
6-8:30 p.m.
The Ferndale Project’s monthly beer dinners are kicking off with a four-course Après Ski-themed dinner. Diners can expect offerings like raclette, Thai coconut curry soup, braised short rib, and sticky toffee cake — paired with a selection of beers. Tickets are $79 per person, and can be purchased at the brewery’s Eventbrite page. Want to learn more about the celebration? Read our drinks contributor Mickey Lyons’ past column on what makes metro Detroit’s après-ski culture such a blast.
Sunday at Nonna’s
Grey Ghost Detroit
47 Watson St, Detroit
Sunday, Feb. 2
Multiple seatings
The recurring dinner from Mabel Gray chef James Rigato and Grey Ghost chefs John Vermiglio and Joe Giacomino returns on Feb. 2. The multi-course family-style meal pays tribute to “the Sunday ‘red sauce’ dinners at Nonna’s” that the chefs fondly remember from their childhoods as Italian-Americans. Three seatings will take place (2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7 p.m.) with the option to sit in Grey Ghost’s main dining room or bar area. Tickets are $115 per guest and include the meal, plus red and white wines to share. For more information, visit the event page.
Italian Versus French Wine Dinner — A Tasting Experience
Beverly Hills Grill
31471 Southfield Rd, Beverly Hills
Monday, Feb. 3
6 p.m.
Beverly Hills Grill is hosting “an evening of wine, food, and friendly competition.” Guests will perform a blind tasting of 10 different wines (five Italian, five French) and guess each wine’s origin. Guests will also be served a five-course dinner influenced by French and Italian cuisine. Tickets are $100 per person, and can be purchased on opentable.com.
Japanese Night Market Grand Opening Celebration
Soraya
160 W. Fort St, Detroit
Wednesday, Feb. 5
5 p.m.
Downtown Detroit’s Soraya, a modern Japanese restaurant that opened this past November, is hosting an event in which the dining room will be transformed into “the warm and bustling ambience of a Japanese Night Market.” Guests can enjoy a prix fixe menu for dinner, which takes place at 6 p.m. The event is $65-$75 per ticket (depending on seating preferences) with the option to add a sake pairing or cocktails, beer, and wine for additional cost. For more information, visit the event page.
Ann Delisi’s Essential Cooking at Alpino
Alpino
1426 Bagley St, Detroit
Tuesday, Feb. 11
6:30 p.m.
Join WDET’s Ann Delisi for a five-course meal and beverage pairing prepared by Alpino’s Chef Colin Campbell. Tickets cost $200 per person and funds will support both the radio station and Alpino, according to the event organizers. Tickets are expected to sell out soon. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the event page.
Correction: This article was updated Jan 21 at 1:41 p.m. to reflect new information for the Japanese Night Market Grand Opening Celebration. Ticket prices were reduced, and a tuna carving will no longer be taking place for this event.
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