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Food & Fun
Drink, Eat, Drink |
DINE & DANCE 5TH AVENUE 2100 Woodward (Comerica Park), Detroit 25750 Novi Rd., Novi You typically think of going to 5th to catch the blues, play a little nine ball or cat around with some strangers. The food is not shabby and we always end up on the dance floor; thanks to years of building our tolerance, most often vertically. CENTAUR So it may be more of a drinking bar than a dancing bar but there are bands and DJs and a dance floor amidst the multiple levels. A late night kitchen (as in 2:00 a.m.) with really good food is just what Detroit needed and we like (actually prefer) appetizer sizes. CRAVE While there are a lot of people who “don’t get it,” Crave is a great addition to the dine and dancescape. The décor is perfect, which upon investigation turns out to be another excellent design job from the incredibly talented John Janviriya. They call it a fashion lounge, basically you eat nu-sushi and dance to a never-ending array of party themes. CONGRESS Another stellar design by John Janviriya , who is doing some of the most amazing work ever seen in these parts. Not really a dance club, but a place where you go before the club, and not necessarily to eat. If you don’t mind not having a dance floor, you can shake it in front of the bar made of onyx and illuminated with lights. Factor in the Jetson-style chairs from Ital-Moda and the rest of the swanky mod décor and you are in better environs than most of the clubs in town. They serve Kobe beef, which we all know roughly translates as “really expensive.” G. SUBU’S LEATHER BOTTLE The Subu family has revamped this old Livonia fave, and it’s better than ever. A great neighborhood haunt for a drink or a meal. While it is a something-for-any-taste menu, they have a reputation for excellence in the red meat department. The Big Subu is the winner here, 20 ounces of choice New York strip with all the trimmings. After dinner, you can shake off the meal on the dance floor to golden oldies. LOS GALANES You think of Los G’s for great food, but the live music on weekends is mucho fun even if tu no comprehende español. Rather than the typical Mariachi, bands here kick A, whether it’s spirited traditional Mexican or Latin songs or the rarest rock commodity, Tex Mex, which defies anyone to stay in their seat. Pretty soon, the dance floor just turns into a scene out of some big wedding—there’s that much love. MANHATTAN CLUB There’s a zillion bars and restaurants out this way, only one Manhattan Club. It’s dark, like the classic lounge, which highlights the black marble bar undulating through the room. This is not amateur hour. They know how mix a drink and the crowd is older, richer and far more sophisiticated than the typical bar scene. NORTHERN LIGHTS LOUNGE Northern Lights seemed more restaurant than club until Tuesday took off. They now have to move all the furniture out to fit the crowd that comes for one of the most happening, hippity-dippity hop throw-downs in the area. If things keep growing this way, they might surpass the Tastefest attendance. OSLO One thing about people who appreciate electronic music is most seem to love sushi. Who else in Detroit serves real wasabi (from the actual plant, not the dyed green horseradish that comes in a tube)? Oslo understands music equally—you get the real thing here as well. Meaning real electronic dance from DJs with brains and style—not the just jumped-on-the-bandwagon DJs lesser clubs employ. PROOF Contrary to popular belief, this has nothing to do with the late member of D12, other than sharing a namesake used as a measure of alcoholic content. Still figuring out what this place is. It’s kind of a flashy ultra-lounge/restaurant but lighter; snazzy décor of blonde wood and shiny metal in an urban fishbowl setting with floor to ceiling glass that puts you smack dab in the action or lack of it at Woodward and the Circus. PRIVÉ SMALLZ ULTRALOUNGE This used to be the London Chop House, and it doesn’t get anymore legendary than that when it comes to Motor City haunts. The room is the same, except for a few tweaks and treatments it is virtually untouched since it closed, which is a blessing for the new owners (Darnell Small & crew) because the look is once again the height of fashion. This room is comfortable, it feels like your favorite pair of slippers (even if you never had the opportunity to go to the original LCH). Don’t expect the old menu or the old crowd. This is a younger hang despite the souldies we heard on Bobby Whoa’s night, and the new food will be appetizer driven, because, well, not everything comes back in style. THE RHINO AT HARMONIE PARK The Rhinoceros was a legendary spot for great music and food in Detroit’s historic Rivertown neighborhood. The new Rhino looks better, tastes better and is a lot more fun. This area has been on the verge for years, when you see the Rhino’s patio spilling vibrancy into the whole city you have to concur that Harmonie Park has finally arrived. The food is upscale contemporary, creative, with big flavors. Music is as important as the palate, locals as well as big names light up the stage. The Rhino has definitely become the place to go for great jazz and R&B. SELDOM BLUES Iconic as soon as it opened. Of all the great restaurants to open in the Ren Cen, SB has become the hit. Great play during Super Bowl, it became a hangout for local celebs who appreciate good music and good food. (So much so we consider restaurant magnate Frank Taylor one of Detroit’s biggest celebs himself.) We go for the food and music and the off chance that Alexander Zonjic is going to break out and jump on tables in a free-form wild jazz flute solo à la weatherman Will Ferrell. SKY CLUB Remember the Metro Music Cafe? One of the same guys who brought you that launched The Sky Club. TAEZ LOUNGE This location has played host to numerous concepts over the years, but Mike Karcho and his team have a winner with Taez. What’s a Taez, you may ask? Taez (pronounced TAZ) means goat. This comfy, upscale lounge is centered around a giant bar, serving all the right stuff, with a great menu that features fun entrees like sliders and faves like the 16-ounce ribeye and Jan’s salmon. The action spills from the dance floor and into the bar area or vice versa, it is made for mingling. This is a more sophisticated crowd than most clubs, it’s not a drink and drown college crowd. The wine is pretty much what you would expect from people who also own Nectar’s Wine Bar and Vintage Wine Shoppe, one of the best wine stores in the area. TU-CAN TANGO This sophisticated martini and tapas bar is heating up the west side with salsa. Instead of traditional dining tables you’ll find low slung couches, ottomans and coffee tables throughout the space, ideal to kick back, eat and soak up the atmosphere in style. There are three bars about the place and an enticing black marble dance floor that’s right in the midst. The tapas menu is extensive, expertly plated and very, very good. It would have to be, the place is owned by Ramzi, who showed his skills at the Golden Mushroom and owns the new improved Italian Epicure in Novi. VICENTE’S Some of the most interesting dining and dancing to hit our city, Vicente’s is what downtown needed. The setting is a large room designed in the style of a vintage Cuban nightclub. It’s fun, vibrant and a little spicy, as is the food; a mix of homestyle and elegant Cuban and Spanish dishes including an astounding array of tapas. It’s the best Cuban sandwich we have had this far north of the equator. The paella is a feast, loaded with succulent lobster, clams and mussels. Later in the evening, when the salsa music starts, the room is transformed. The dance floor undulates with dance fiends and amateurs from all walks of life mixing it up in what might be the sweaty solution to all the problems in the world. (Lessons are available if you haven’t yet mastered the art). Don’t miss the housemade sangria or walk away without at least trying what has got to be Detroit’s best mojito. © 2006 Guide to Detroit, LLC • Last modified: Thu, Aug 17, 2006 |