CITY GUIDE: DETROIT EDITION

Avalon Cafe and Bakery: It's a farm-fresh restaurant that serves brunch, lunch and dinner. The ladies of Avalon have a triple bottom line which means that they focus not only on creating delicious food but also on preserving the earth, engaging with their community and making their employees happy. But don’t miss the headline, the food is great too.

Royale With Cheese: If you’re a Pulp Fiction fan or just a burger fan, this is where you need to be. The name comes from the famous movie scene and they have a retro style burger shop. Their namesake sandwich is a 1/3 pound wagyu patty with gruyere, bacon, caramelized onion, mustard, special sauce and pickles which also comes in a vegan version if you can believe it. Saturday and Sunday they serve a mean brunch with it’s own version of the Royale. And lastly, they have tater tots. Enough said. Run, don't walk to this burger heaven.

Voyager:  With a extensive rotating list of raw shellfish, fish dishes, and tropical cocktails in a casual-yet-sophisticated dining atmosphere, Voyager is a contemporary oyster bar with a reverence for the Great Lakes. They serve coastal American favorites made with sustainable, wild caught and responsibly farmed fish & seafood.  They have a spectacular happy hour Tuesday through Friday with $1 oysters, $2 lagers and $3 daiquiris. For a nice evening out in Detroit, there is no better choice.

Artsy River Loft: First time visitors to Detroit and city regulars will enjoy this loft as a base of operations. The owner is a contributing author to Wildsam Field Guides, an eclectic guidebook publisher, and has great recommendations for most cravings in the unique city of Detroit.

The Inn on Ferry Street: This Inn is actually made up of 4 historic Victorian homes and 2 carriage houses that have been restored. Just steps from the state’s finest museums, acclaimed Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University, the Inn is a relaxing change of pace from the standard business hotel.

Detroit Foundation Hotel: This hotel combined communal, industrial, and luxury design to transform Detroit’s 1929 former Fire Department headquarters into a 100-room hotel. There is a very cool hotel scene in this historic building with rooms that are comfy but chic with lots of in-room amenities.

Otus Supply: Do you like beer? What about bourbon? If you said yes to either of those, then Otus Bar is for you. If you only said yes to one, you can still go. The beer options far outweigh the cocktails but they do have their own barrel of Buffalo Trace Bourbon. Live music is provided many nights a week making this bar a go to stop for an entertaining evening.

Katoi: Their motto is “Drink like an Adult” so I think that pretty much sums up the place. If you come for dinner, expect a wait but sitting at the bar is usually doable. Their bartenders put a ton of love and talent into each cocktail. And the cocktails mirror the delicious thai cuisine that Katoi serves. Be prepared to be amazed and delighted.

Cliff Bells: I’m sending you to the historic jazz club that was originally established in 1935, closed in the 80’s and then reopened in 2006. Rumor has it that this place was the place to go for a drink during prohibition. Now, you can still get a great drink while listening to truly great jazz. If you’re looking for a classy night about town, Cliff Bells won't let you down.

Belle Isle: Take a walk or bike ride on Belle Isle, a Michigan state park that is 5 miles around the perimeter and was designed by Olmstead who you may know, also designed Central Park in NYC. There is an aquarium, a wildlife conservancy, fishing piers, a giant slide, and a beach. You won’t have any trouble spending an entire day on the Isle.

John King Used & Rare Books: Now bear with me here, I know this sounds like a snooze fest but there can be something so relaxing and interesting about searching through old books for something special. Or maybe you, like me just enjoy being near history as the store is inside a four-story former glove factory.

City Bird: Founded by Emily & Andy Linn, this quaint shop merges their love of design with their love for the region. Carrying lots of Detroit and Michigan themed products like our Michigan cutting board makes it just the place to pick up some better-than-average souvenirs to take home to your loved ones.