Vecino Named One of the Best New Restaurants in the U.S. by Esquire vlog
The Mexico City-inspired fine dining destination in Midtown Detroit that made vlog Detroit’s 2024 Best New Restaurants list is getting some national acclaim —and we couldn’t be more excited! Esquire vlog named Vecino one of this year’s . In the article, food writer Omar Mamoon praised Vecino chefs Edgar Torres and Stephanie Duran for “showing Detroiters the potential of what Mexican food can be.”
Temple Bar Reopens
South of Vecino, the historic bar near Detroit’s Masonic Temple where Sam and Tim reopened Tuesday, Dec. 17, . Temple Bar closed after part of the building collapsed on May 24. However, as of Tuesday, owner George Boukas raised $23,631 of a $30,000 goal toward repairs on . Built in 1927, the bar is about three years shy of a century old. It will remain open daily from 1 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., the bar announced on its Instagram page.
Vesper Books and Wine Opens in Detroit’s Core City
A combination bookstore and wine bar (and one of the Restaurants on our Radar for 2024) opened its doors on Dec. 4 in Detroit’s Core City. Co-owners Symantha Duggan and Rob Wilson oversaw the transformation of a former bank at 5001 Grand River Ave. into a self-described “third space” that is “focused on hospitality and ritual.” Its selection includes cookbooks, cookware, as well as wine, beer, amaro, and small bites.
Marrow Opens in Birmingham
Marrow, the four-time James Beard nominated butcher shop and eatery in Detroit’s West Village, opened its second location in Birmingham at 283 Hamilton Row on Dec. 20. The Birmingham location features a shop that carries meats, aged stakes, sausages, deli cuts, wine, and more. There’s also a restaurant component with a menu from executive chef and partner Sarah Welch — featuring café-style seating and what the restaurant describes as an “elevated casual” menu. Choice bites include Marrow’s bacon burger, deli sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, and vegetarian dishes.
Bell Bistro Opens in Downtown Birmingham
A New American restaurant from Cicero Hospitality Group (the hospitality group behind Detroit’s ) opened late last month in downtown Birmingham. Bell Bistro is located in the former Mad Hatter Bistro space. Executive chef Gabriel Botezan’s menu includes a wagyu meatball appetizer, lángos (a Hungarian deep-fried flatbread), steak frites, the Bell Smash Burger — plus Italian fare like rigatoni alla gricia. The dessert menu is overseen by Adelina’s pastry chef Gabriela Botezani. The restaurant also serves beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails.
The Emory to Close at the End of 2024
The Emory, a Ferndale establishment that serves beer, sliders, and unique dishes like the chorizo gnocchi — is closing after a 17-year run, the restaurant on social media. Through the end of December, it will be open weekly Friday through Sunday. Established in 2007, the restaurant was built by the owners of the adjacent Woodward Avenue Brewers and venue The Loving Touch.
It’s A Matter of Taste is Replaced by Aurora on the Lake in Commerce Township
It’s a Matter of Taste, a restaurant along Union Lake, has been rebranded to Aurora on the Lake — a brand extension of West Bloomfield’s Aurora Italiana, according to a press release. The change comes after the 34-year-old eatery was acquired by Barbat Holdings, the company that owns Aurora Italiana, as well as Detroit’s Sexy Steak. A new menu has been introduced, and the restaurant will remain open as some renovations take place, which the company says it expects to complete in early 2025.
Events and Happenings
Barda’s Steakhouse Sundays
Barda, the James Beard-nominated Argentinian restaurant in Detroit’s Core City, introduced “Steakhouse Sundays” on Dec. 15. Every Sunday from now on, guests can order a $100 four-course prix fixe menu for two people, which includes grilled oysters topped with Argentinian salsa criolla; a charred Caesar salad; and for a main course: a fire-grilled New York strip steak with chimibutter and tallow-roasted potatoes. For dessert, guests can enjoy a Burnt Alaska (Chef Javier Bardauil’s take on a Baked Alaska).
Christmas with Devin Scillian
Devin Scillian — who recently retired from WDIV after nearly 30 years as a news anchor there — is playing an acoustic set at Vivio’s, a restaurant in Eastern Market. Tickets are required and cost $60. The tickets cover dinner, which includes apricot-pecan pork medallions, gorgonzola-mushroom beef tenderloin, herbed salmon, cranberry-apple chicken sausage, smashed redskins, and southwest roasted corn. The event takes place at 6 p.m. on Dec 19, and seating is limited. For more information, visit .
La Posada de Imperial
To commemorate the holiday tradition of posadas, a Christmastime celebration in many Latin American countries and in the Latino community — Ferndale’s taco spot Imperial is hosting its very own La Posada de Imperial on Dec. 20 from noon to midnight. The day will feature a special menu — with offerings like pozole verde, a braised lamb tamale, and short rib walking tacos; plus exclusive cocktails and a piñata raffle.
Eastern Market Brewing Co.’s New Years Eve Party
Eastern Market Brewing Co. is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve Party, featuring drinks and live music. The “all you can drink” wristbands bought ahead of time cost $55 (before taxes and fees), while wristbands for designated drivers/non-drinkers cost $30 (before taxes and fees). The cost of tickets will go up $5 every week before New Year’s Eve, according to the brewery. The event takes place from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
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