Capers Detroit

An Eastside Detroit mainstay, Capers is a TRUE Detroit dining institution! With only 80 seats available and a line out the door, this steakhouse delivers at every level.   Ambiance: Low-key location that’s bustlin’ with people. Service: Hospitable & attentive. Food: Stellar dishes, most notably their ‘by the ounce’ steaks (T-Bone, Delmonico, Filet).   Here’s what to order at Capers:

8oz Filet Mignon - Perfectly cooked and well seasoned!

Baked Potato or Potato Skins - Great side dish!

Sauteed Spinach - Incredibly deeeeelicious!  

Asty Time Dominican Cuisine

One of Southwest Detroit’s best kept culinary secrets (for now at least) is Asty Time! A delectably deeeeelicious Dominican restaurant located at the corner of McGraw & Tarnow streets. The menu serves up great dishes like Carne Guisado (flank steak stew) served with Guandules (pigeon peas & rice) and a side of Plantains, Mangu (a Mofongo-like dish made from crushed green plantains), incredible Fried Pollo, served with Tostones (baked plantains) and a slew of other culinary delights.

Huge shout-out to Chef Asty & his cooking crew for a memorable meal!

Capital Grille

A surprisingly pleasant experience at the Capital Grille! To me, the restaurant had always seemed a bit stodgy and pretentious. The truth of the matter, it’s not like that at all. Sure it’s located within Somerset Mall (*ahem* Collection), but the atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, with attentive service, great dining options, an extensive list of drinks and carefully crafted cocktails. Well worth a visit (or two).

Definite highlights included: Lollipop Lamb Chops - Crisp. Tender. Melt in your mouth perfection! Parmesan Truffle Fries - Delectably delicious! Skirt Steak - Super tender and flavorful! Bread Basket - Fresh out of the oven Sourdough & Pumpernickel..nuff said! Stoli Cocktail - Excellent! 

Hidden inside Hamtramck’s American European Market is a Macedonian feast of FRESH Baked Breads, AMAZING Bureks, and DEELISH Baklava!

Cafe Muse

The dynamic duo of chefs Andrew & Steve Dolich are cooking up some incredibly delectable dishes at Cafe Muse in Royal Oak! Feast your eyes on these:

Happy Hour at Craftwork

Nestled in Detroit’s quaint West Village neighborhood, is the casual chic restaurant Craftwork slinging a fantastic Happy Hour menu. Not to be missed!

Detroit Peppers Farm

Nestled near the border of Northeast Detroit and the South end of Hamtramck sits a Sustainable Urban Garden called Detroit Peppers.

Spearheaded by Daniel, a Detroit transplant who transformed a vacant lot at the corner of Dwyer & Selkirk into a sustainable agricultural piece of land. Being located within a residential area means the neighbors help out too! Adjacent to the garden, the next door neighbor donated bricks that Detroit Peppers repurposed into walkways between the raised bed garden.

Stop by to visit Detroit Peppers and be sure to pick up their produce at the Grown in Detroit stand (within Shed 2) at Eastern Market.

Detroit’s BEST Breakfast!

That’s right, i’m gonna say it...Parks & Recs is serving up THE BEST breakfast in the city! Period. Quality, consistency, and flavor are always on point AND it’s reasonably priced. Yes, service can be shoddy but the food will keep you coming back!!!

Some of my personal favorites ( in exact order ):

Biscuits & Gravy (Half order is plenty)

Housemade Lamb or Pork Bacon

Corn Cakes

Honey & Whipped Cheese Crepe

Cinnamon Roll

Smoked Leek Strata

Liege Waffle

Fresh Squeezed OJ

Most Imaginative Bartender

Hosted by Bombay Sapphire was last week’s Most Imaginative Bartender competition. All the bartenders brought creativity & ingenuity to make some memorable & unique craft cocktails. Cheers to all the participants and congrats to the winner, Alex Chien!

The winning cocktail: Diadem (a mix of Bombay Sapphire, Cabbage Cordial, Dragon Well Green Tea, Citric Acid and Celery Shrub) - Crisp & Refreshing!!!

Wolfgang’s Cooking School

It was an honor to attend the debut of Wolfgang Puck’s Cooking School at Steak ( his restaurant here in Detroit within the MGM Casino ). Not only were we treated to a live preview of the online school ( presented by Wolfgang himself ), but we were also wined & dined with a delicious six course meal ( my favorite dishes included Cheddar Broccoli Soup and Cavatappi Mac & Cheese ). An all around memorable experience!

A few things to know about Wolfgang Puck’s Cooking School:

It’s healthy cooking made easy!

Online videos of Wolfgang going step by step with each recipe will help you gain confidence in your culinary abilities!

Wolfgang will answer questions posted to the site...how cool is that!

The site has a pinterest-like feature that allows you to pin recipes from the cooking school site as well as any other recipes you find online!

The recipe to one of Wolfgang’s favorite dishes ( his grandma’s potato ravioli ) is posted on the site with the accompanying how-to video!

Corktown Farmer’s Market

Visit the Corktown Farmer’s Market on Thursdays from 4-7pm starting May 21st! ACRE Market Garden located in North Corktown specializing in heirloom and rare varieties of produce. Brother Nature Produce Chemical-free salad greens, herbs and vegetable farm in N. Corktown. Detroit Institute of Bagels The Bagel shop is open for retail sales during market hours. They will also feature pizza made on site. The Blu Kitchen French macarons with flavors inspired by Michigan’s growing seasons. Brooklyn Street Local Corktown-based restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients with a dedication to using environmentally sustainable practices and supporting community growth. They will feature paninis, salads, and cold beverages. Detroit Food Academy A nonprofit experiential leadership program focused on transforming the lives of young Detroiters through food and social entrepreneurship. They will showcase student made creations as well as no bake cookies. Detroitfoodacademy.com Detroit Marshmallow Co. All natural, handcrafted, marshmallows in inspired flavors, using local ingredients. Food Field An urban farm and orchard on four acres in central Detroit featuring organic produce, poultry, honeybees, aquaponics and more. Fresh Cut Flower Farm Detroit-based flower grower who has a weekly bouquet service, sells by the stem, and offers floral design for events. Gold Cash Gold Corktown restaurant with consciously sourced American fare that will sell items from their kitchen including baked goods, preserves, and pickled vegetables. Jane’s Soups and Chili Hot on the spot and cold packed to go soups and chilis. Labrosse Farm A small urban farm in Corktown featuring heirloom tomatoes and peppers. They will sell plant starts, vegetables, and preserves. Motor City Soap Handmade vegan soaps and all natural lip balms. Rising Pheasant Farms Detroit-based farm selling naturally-grown microgreens and a variety of field produce. St. Gall European-style market garden in North Corktown selling fruits, vegetables, herbs, artisanal European style breads and pastries, and some canned and pickled items. What Up Dough Local, hand-made cookie dough and ice cream cookie sandwiches.