1 EUROPA BISTRO
543 N. MAIN ST., ROCHESTER; 248-650-1390. A photograph of the Eiffel Tower substitutes for the real thing at this romantic, lacecurtained spot overlooking Paint Creek. The preferred table is near the fireplace, the quietest corner of Pascal Paviani鈥檚 French/Italian restaurant. One prospective groom had the chef bake the ring inside the miniature cream puff that鈥檚 part of his fianc茅e鈥檚 favorite dessert, the profiterole.
2 RISTORANTE CAF脡 CORTINA
30715 W. 10 MILE RD., FARMINGTON HILLS; 248-474-3033. There are two special tables in front of the fireplace at this appealing restaurant, and the staff is ready to 鈥渄o what we can do to make the surprise happen,鈥 says co-proprietor Adrian Tonon. And that includes rose petals strewn on the patio in the glow of the firepit, where some prospective grooms take their ladies for 鈥渁 breath of air鈥 and the surprise proposal. And that鈥檚 regardless of the weather, Tonon says.
3 THE WHITNEY
4421 WOODWARD, DETROIT; 313 832-5700. Each room is named for its original use by the family who once lived there, and two are particularly suited to popping the question. The library and the dining room on the main floor each has secluded romantic corners. The restaurant often suggests that the host pre-order a first course, and then leisurely look over the menu. When the chosen moment arrives, the waiter brings a plate under a silver cloche. Inside, tucked into a tuxedo-folded linen napkin, is the ring. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 suggest putting the ring in a glass of champagne,鈥 says Whitney party planner Suzanne Gormely, who has overseen hundreds of proposals in the Whitney鈥檚 20-year history.
4 CUISINE
670 LOTHROP, DETROIT; 313-872-5110. Paul Grosz鈥檚 intimate French restaurant in a 鈥20s vintage house has one particular table in an alcove overlooking the garden, table 16, where proposals take place 鈥渁t least once a month,鈥 says the chef/proprietor. Rings are most often presented with dessert, he says, some in a champagne flute and one that he bakes into a souffl茅.
5 COACH INSIGNIA
GM RENAISSANCE CENTER, DETROIT; 313-567-2622. Window tables offering a spectacular view of the city and Windsor abound atop the 71st and 72nd floors of the center tower. But one is especially prized. At table 21, known as 鈥渢he sunset table,鈥 if the timing is right, the ring can be presented just as the setting sun paints the sky above the Ambassador Bridge.
6 STAR CLIPPER DINNER TRAIN
840 N. PONTIAC TRAIL, WALLED LAKE; 248-960-9440. A private dining room seems the ultimate choice for a proposal, and the 1956 Pennsylvania Railroad cars have them for those who prefer seclusion for the big moment. But not everyone wants to be alone. Couples can participate in the show, which is part of the three-hour trip on Saturday nights. So that鈥檚 another option for the very outgoing among us.
7 骋滨翱痴础狈狈滨鈥橲
330 S. OAKWOOD, DETROIT; 313- 841-0122. Many a ring has been placed in a champagne glass at this hideaway spot tucked into an old Detroit neighborhood. The restaurant seats couples by the fireplace in the Godfather Room or in the wine room. When one gentleman got down on his knee for the proposal, the whole room cheered.
8 TRIBUTE
31425 W. 12 MILE RD., FARMINGTON HILLS; 248-848-9393. As you enter the restaurant through its wine room, there are four semi-circular banquettes just to the left that seem to envelop guests in relative privacy. The best is No. 8. Rings have been placed in glasses of champagne and under silver cloches over dessert.
9 COOK鈥橲 SHOP
683 OUELLETTE, WINDSOR; 519-254-3377. Lino Catroppa says his is 鈥渢he most-engaged restaurant in town.鈥 It isn鈥檛 just Saturday evenings when proposals take place, but 鈥渙n a normal Tuesday or Wednesday we could have three, four, or five.鈥 No wonder. Every table seems to have its own corner. There are two special tables, however: 4B and 4K near the wine cellar. Catroppa suggests that the prospective groom order dessert. His arrives as ordered. Hers comes with the ring in place of the chocolate cake. Then, says Catroppa, 鈥渢ears of joy begin to pour.鈥
10 CAFE BON HOMME
844 PENNIMAN, PLYMOUTH; 734-453-6260. There鈥檝e probably been some quiet proposals in this hideaway in the heart of Plymouth since Greg Goodman opened it in 1986, but one of the most memorable was the evening the prospective groom excused himself from the table, changed into a tuxedo, and returned to become the waiter serving dessert 鈥 and the ring. The bride-to-be didn鈥檛 look at the 鈥渨aiter鈥檚鈥 face at first, but when she did and spotted the diamond, 鈥渢he whole place vicariously enjoyed it,鈥 says Goodman, who recommends two particular tables, window tables 11 and 31, each one under a soffit that makes the high-ceilinged room more intimate.
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