We had an incredible time in Detroit and can't wait to go back. Due to a horrible travel day that involved three cancelled or delayed flights we arrived late on Friday. Dinner was at Freya a tasting menu format that has a vegan, pescatarian or everything option. The food was excellent, wine list was good, staff extremely welcoming, especially as word was sent ahead that we were coming into town for the Rieslingstudy018 event. I will happily go back.
We had breakfast the next day at Warda Patisserie, a stunning Black Sesame pie made our morning. This Patisserie would not feel out of place in Paris.
The original plan was to go to Fredi the Pizza Man for lunch but alas we had some things to do for the event including chasing a UPS truck and did not make it. Next time for sure.
Instead we opted for Pierogis from Eastern Market. I did not know I needed a Pierogis with Jalapeño peppers in my life until this.
Dinner was at Ladder4 and excellent. What an all around special place.
After dinner we went to the Vom Boden party at Stadtgarten, there were over 100 people alongside 100s of bottles of German wine, it was a beautiful sight. I love this spot and Detroit is lucky to have it. Interestingly I met two German guys who were in town working on a project for Daimler Benz and they were shocked to see 100 people all drinking German wine, they said they were learning more about German wine in Detroit than they do at home.
We finished the night at a Paramita, a hip hop club and record store that I am told only serves Michigan wine. Robert Glasper was in town for a show and stopped by and we drank a bottle of Ulli Stein on the street - life was good!
We had a lot to do for the event on Sunday so we fit in a quick lunch at Baobab and Eastern African restaurant that was very good.
I have a long list of recommendations that I did not hit and plan to go back very soon. Detroit is definitely a city that is worth traveling to just for the food, then throw in the music and art scene and you will have a wonderful time. It is also extremely reasonable, easy to get around everything seems to be 7 minutes apart and there is a beautiful energy there.
The Rieslingstudy event was a success beyond my wildest dreams. Ladder4 did an excellent job. Will report more on this later.
As for the enigmatic Putnam I did not see him at any of the events and he did not come to Rieslingstudy018 (guests flew in from all over the country and as far aways as LA) but the local wine people mention his name with hushed reverence...
