Detroit NW Burb restaurant rec needed

J

Jayson Cohen

Jayson Cohen
Looks like I will have a small window of time next week during a business trip for dinner with a friend who lives in West Bloomfield (Lone Pine and Middlebelt). He will not want to travel far for a number of valid reasons so a trip to the Selden Standard in Detroit is unfortunately out. We could go to a decent Chinese place on Orchard Lake in Farmington Hills. But I’d love to hear if anyone has any other good recommendations that are in that area in 15-20 minute max drive zone.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
 
Birmingham is where you'll find the most interesting places nearest that location.

Forest, Bistro Joe's, Phoenicia, Bella Piatti, and Tallulah are all good options.
 
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
Birmingham is where you'll find the most interesting places nearest that location.

Forest, Bistro Joe's, Phoenicia, Bella Piatti, and Tallulah are all good options.
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In the 80's when my aunt lived in Bloomfield I remember a cool clothing store called It's The Ritz. Still there? Haven't thought about it for years.
 
Todd's recommendations are good -- and I'll second Forest in particular. The wine list is mostly standard Cali options, but there are generally plenty of other choices -- and more importantly, the food is great. Nick is a talented chef.
 
Chef Nick is the reason I put Forest first in the list. That wine list definitely has room for improvement though.

Not sure about It's The Ritz. Although I technically work in Birmingham I rarely ever go into the downtown area. I prefer to spend my free time in Ferndale and Detroit.
 
Thanks guys. Forest looks great but is a little upscale for this trip; maybe I’ll come back and take my parents there for their anniversary.
 
You could always grab a pie from (New Haven-style) Tomatoes Apizza -- the metro area's second-best pizza. That would be about a five minute drive.
 
originally posted by Todd Abrams:
You could always grab a pie from (New Haven-style) Tomatoes Apizza -- the metro area's second-best pizza. That would be about a five minute drive.
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Does Putnam make the best pizza? You know I admit I used to like Buddy’s, but that’s 25+ years ago now.
 
originally posted by Jayson Cohen:
Does Putnam make the best pizza? You know I admit I used to like Buddy’s, but that’s 25+ years ago now.
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Putnam's stint as a pizzaiolo was tasty but brief. I'm sure that he still makes a strong homemade "I'm 3 bottles deep and need a 2am snack" pie, but he's back in the wine game, currently at Western Market in Ferndale.

Dave Mancini, owner and pie maker at Supino Pizzeria in Eastern Market, makes the best pies in town.
 
I like a well-made Detroit-style pizza on occasion. Buddy's, Loui's, and even Green Lantern does the style well. But as Evan said, it is Mancini that wears the crown.
 
I went to Tomatoes Apizza last week. Not quite at New Haven standards for New Haven style pizza, but it was good. I’ll have to try some of these other places next time. Thanks to everyone for adding your thoughts.
 
originally posted by Putnam Weekley:
Indo? Between Cass and Sylvan Lake IIRC.

Old Papa Joe's wine buyer Bill was/is involved, or maybe I imagined that.

I like pizza.
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He is, and with a self serving twist, he has a great selection of Schramm's Mead on hand. He makes some terrific cocktails with our stuff, and they go really well with the spice blends.

The decor doesn't quite make it to Hell's Kitchen elegant, but the food is terrific. I'm pretty sure the Peking Duck connoisseurs here can abide that. Rumors of a possible second Ferndale location have been heard. I'll be all over it.
 
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