ROMA CAFÉ | Detroit

 Detroit’s oldest Italian restaurant has been serving Detroit since 1890. Third generation owner, Janet Belcoure, frequent tasting trips to Italy are reflected in the menu’s signature veal and pasta delicacies, prepared with the freshest ingredients hand selected from nearby Eastern Market. Appetizers include Proscuitto with Melon ($6.75), Escargots a la Bourguignonne ($8.25) and a fine bowl of Minestrone. Baked Canelloni ($14.50), Baked Lasagna ($15.25), Broiled Lake Superior Whitefish ($19.50), Lobstertail & Petit Filet Mignon (Market Price) served in a historic room in the traditional style. A selection of steaks from the broiler including Strip Sirloin alla Pizzaiola, a prime New York strip steak served with an extra thick piquant tomato sauce ($27.25) and the Beef Tenderloin Sicillian Style, breaded with molio sauce ($26.25). The Roma offers a variety of veal and chicken specialties, with an extensive wine list. For dessert try the Canolli, Rum Spumoni, Vienesse Walnut Cream Cake or Tiramisu. Open Mon-Fri 11am-10:30pm, Sat 11am-Midnight.

Roma Café 3401 Riopelle Detroit Mi. 48207  313. 831. 5940

 

THE CAUCUS CLUB | Detroit

Nestled in the Penobscot Building, the Caucus Club features a clubby atmosphere and outstanding food. Upon entering the Caucus, with it’s empty magnums of Champagne, unusual paintings and antiques, Tiffany style lamps set the mood with a warm glow. The back room boasts a beautiful wood bar and English Toby Mug collection. Opened in 1952, to handle the overflow of the London Chop House, the Caucus Club is always bust at lunch with judges, lawyers and various Downtowners expecting to make or celebrate a deal. The Caucus Club features two special drinks; The Bullshot, a mixture of beef broth, vodka and spices, served since ’52, and the Tom and Jerry; a holiday mixture of brandy and rums topped with meringue – it’s roots traced back to colonial times. The Caucus offers a nice selection of Gourmand sandwiches and omelets for lunch, cold platters and salads. For dinner, try the Famous Fresh Lake Perch ($21.95) or the Jim Beard’s Hamburger Steak, peppercorn crusted & flamed with brandy tableside ($18.95).

The Caucus Club 150 W Congress, Detroit Mi.  313. 965. 4970

 

TRAFFIC JAM AND SNUG | Detroit

Known throughout Midtown for their in-house bakery, The Traffic Jam and Snug is also a microbrewery – the first brewpub in the state, as a matter of fact – as well as a dairy. The Traffic Jam makes everything in house, with the bakery turning out a new bread every day, a selection of pies, cakes and cookies, and offering some of the best cheese and beer – also made on premise – you’re likely to find. The featured house brew is the 2nd Avenue Pilsner, a continental Pilsner brewed with German malt and domestic hops. Appetizers include Carolina Low Country Crab Cake ($9) and the Help Me Elvis, I’m in a pickle, breaded, deep-fried pickle spears with dill ranch dressing ($4). The Traffic Jam offers a wide selection of sandwiches for lunch. Dinner entrees include Deep Fried Canadian Smelt ($13), Hawaiian Islands Salmon ($18), Londontown Fish and Chips ($14) and Ms. Natural Crepes, a paper thin crepe filled w/ spinach, sprouts, sour cream, onion, tomato and three cheeses ($10).

The Traffic Jam and Snug, 511 West Canfield, Detroit Mi.  313. 831. 9470

 

THE WHITNEY | Detroit

The Whitney, Detroit’s most iconic mansion, retains all of its charm and refinement while appealing to contemporary tastes with a more comfortable and welcoming environment! The 1894 mansion turned restaurant specializes in award-winning cuisine with unique presentation and flavors you will never forget. Much of the Whitney’s food is organically grown and changes by season to keep it fresh and offered only at the peak of its taste. The Whitney offers a salads and sandwiches for lunch including, the Prime Rib Sandwich, with cheddar cheese, watercress, Rosemary Aioli, Olive Oil Sourdough (10). Dinners begin with Crab Cake (9), Prawns, with coconut basmati rice, Shitake mushroom, spring peas, coriander sauce (10), with an exquisite selection of entrees; Pork Two Ways, grilled chop, Confit, apple cider honey (28), Filet, Celeriac potato pancake, Swiss chard, Baby Turnip,Port Demi (32), Risotto, Sea Bass and Sea Scallops. The Whitney offers wonderful desserts from the Chocolate Pyramid to the Detroit Opera, layers of almond cake, coffee buttercream, and a chocolate Ganache (9).

The Whitney 4421 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Mi.  313. 832. 5700