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Andiamo Riverfront
The Top List of Great Restaurants - Detroit, MI
Detroit has some very unique restaurants.
by Tracy Rose
Great Restaurants in Detroit
The Metro Detroit area has a variety of great restaurants with unique features, specialty dishes, steak, fresh seafood, homemade pasta and more. Whether you want tradition, contemporary, fine dining or something in between, Detroit is the place.
ANDIAMO RIVERFRONT
400 Renaissance Center Suite A-403 Detroit MI 48243
(313)567-6700
Hours: M-Th 11am–11pm, F 11am-12am, Sat 4 pm–12am, Sun 4pm–9pm
This restaurant is known for its famous Northern Italian cuisine. It is located in the beautiful GM Renaissance Building with an amazing view of the Detroit River, which can be seen from its four distinct dining rooms. The color scheme is rich and the lamp shades are beaded in crystals, giving it a classy look that is both elegant and romantic. The menu includes a variety of veal; steak and pasta that are meant to tantalize and are sure to leave you wanting more. Andiamo’s has many locations in the Metro Detroit area, each with it’s own unique feel, ambiance and menu selection, but excellent service, a quality Italian meal and high expectations are the same across the board.
Average price per person: $30
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open
SPOSITA’S RESTORANTE
33210 West Bloomfield, MI 48322
(248)538-8954
Hours: M–Th 4pm–10 pm, F and Sat 4pm–11, Sun 4 pm-9pm
Sposita’s is a top of the line Italian steakhouse is hidden in a strip mall in West Bloomfield. The restaurant is warm, cut and charming. It is romantic, with dim lighting, personalized service, a nice wine list and valet service. The owner, Tony, is always on site to make sure that everyone who enters his family-owned business is completely happy and made to feel at home. The food is to die for. Each meal begins with an appetizer tray, minestrone soup, salad, spaghetti that is out of this world and an endless basket of soft bread. Though there are many items to choose from, the filet is highly recommended. It is cooked to perfection, melts in your mouth and is paired with a wonderful zip sauce that you wile come back for time and time again. Reservations are recommended because it fills up fast. You can also rub elbows with local celebrities (including Red Wing players) and rock bands that hang out here after concerts.
Average price per person: $30
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open
OPUS ONE
565 East Larned Street Detroit, MI 48226
(313)961-7766
Hours: Lunch M-F 11:30-2; Dinner M-Th 11:30-10, F 5:30-11, S 5-11
Opus One is the ultimate in fine dining. They will knock your socks off with their exquisite food and awe inspiring presentation. This old taxi garage has been transformed into one of Detroit’s best in fine dining. It is comfortable with warm tones, yet offers a fine dining setting. It is contemporary French and American. Specialties include the Rack of Lamb; Grilled Mediterranean-Inspired Gulf Shrimp, Shrimp Helene and the Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass. But probably the most impressive aspect of the menu is the desserts. They are 3-dimmensional and all are very unique creations. The Opus One Hummer is a heightened chocolate experience. It is like a chimney made of chocolate shavings and filled with ice cream and other sweets. Other one-of-a-kind desserts include the Butterscotch Crème Brulee, Red Velvet Cake, Warm Chocolate Cake and the Apple Tart. Opus One also offers sporting and theater packages for the perfect night on the town, including transportation to and from the event. Reservations are recommended.
Average price per person: $40
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open
GIOVANNI’S
330 S Oakwood Blvd Detroit, MI 48217
(313)841-0122
Hours: T-Th 11am-9pm, F 11 am–10pm, Sat 4 pm–11pm
Giovanni’s combines traditional Italian recipes with gourmet specialties to create the perfect dining experience. The restaurant has a special old world charm to it that has been passed down through generations. Entrees are served with homemade pasta, pizza bread, pepperonta and soup or salad. The Veal di Granchio is nice. It is veal medallions with sun dried tomatoes, asparagus and crab in a delicate Brandy glaze. Olindo’s Special is shrimp, scallops, and artichokes marinated in a pesto pomodoro over linguini. These dishes are sure to cure your need for something different.
Average price per person: $40
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open
LELLI’S
885 North Opdyke Auburn Hills, MI 48326
(248)373-4440
Hours: M-Th 11am-10pm, F 11am–11pm, Sat 3pm–1pm (dinner only) and sun noon-9pm
The Lillie’s have been serving up top notch steak and pasta for over 60 years. Though it was originally established in Detroit in 1939, the original restaurant was lost to a fire in 2000. The tradition is being carried on in the Auburn Hills location (opened in 1996) by second and third generations of the Lelli family. The restaurant is elegant and tasteful with cherry wood finishing and crystal chandeliers. They serve a traditional six-course European style meal with an antipasto tray, pasta, an entrée, soup, salad and spumoni. Though they are known for their Filet Mignon, but their Chateaubriand is also notable. It is prepared table-side for two with glazed carrots, creamed spinach and au gratin potatoes. Not a steak lover? Try the King Crab, Baby Lamb Chops or Provimi Veal for an equally appetizing meal.
Average price per person: $50
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open
BIG ROCK CHOP HOUSE
245 Eaton St Birmingham, MI 48009
(248)647-7774
Hours: M-F 11-2, Sat noon–2am, Sun 4pm–9pm
Housed in the historic Birmingham train station, Big Rock Chophouse (formerly Norman’s Eaton Street Station) has a unique setup with a stone terrace, wine cellar and outdoor seating. It is rustic, yet romantic with a mountain-lodge feel to it. Elk, moose and bear decorate the dining rooms of this 1,950 square foot restaurant. The Big Rock is famous for its enormous hand-cut steaks and chops. It also houses its own brewery, so be sure to check out one of their signature beers while you enjoy a hearty meal. The size of the restaurant lends itself well to parties and the stone terrace makes a nice party room.
Average price per person: $30
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open
CHARLIE’S CRAB
5498 Crooks Road Troy, MI 48098
(248)879-2060
Hours: M-Th 11am-10pm, F 11am-11pm, Sat 5pm-11pm, Sun 10am-2pm and 3pm-9pm
Charlie’s Crab is one of Chuck Muir’s fine restarants and lives up to his famous reputation for fine cuisine and top-of-the-catch seafood. Charlie’s Crab has been a people pleaser and the number obe seafood restaurant in Metro Detroit since 1973. It has nautical décor, including blue carpet and blue tinted windows to give it an underwater feel. But it isn’t the décor that brings people back time and again. It’s the unique menu items paired with excellent service. Choose the King Crab Cocktail, Seared Tuna Sahimi or Chilled Appetizer Platter with oysters, shrimp and king crab from the raw bar. Entrée choices include frech catch fish prepared how you like it, Live Maine Lobster, Lobster Ravioli, Coconut Macadamia Crusted Shrimp and more. Land lovers will appreciate the Lemon Chicken, New York Strip Steak or Filet.Original recipes inlcude the Jumbo Sea Scallops, Fruits of the Sea Penne, Ultimate Mixed Seafood Trio and Bouillabaise. Fresh fish specialities are the Dynamite Mahi Mahi, Salmon Rockefeller and Potato Encrusted Whitefish.
Average price per person: $25
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open
TOM’S OYSTER BAR
215 S Main St Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248)541-1186
Hours: M-Th 11am-11pm, F 11am-1am, Sat noon-1am, Sun summer hours only
World famous oysters, an award winning wine list and 10 specialty beers make Tom’s Oyster Bar a unique dining location in Detroit. It offers a casual, but trendy atmosphere and has been in business fo more than 15 years. From raw oysters on the half shell to crab bisque, Tom’s knows seafood. Entrees include the Alaskan King crab, Spicy Wasabi Dusted Ani Tuna, Lobster Ravioli and Surf and Turf. It is a popular after-work stop for business folks, so be prepared for a dinner crowd. It’s a nice place to kick back with a beer and some appetizers.
Average price per person: $20
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open
THE WHITNEY
4421 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48201
(313)832-5700
Hours: Brunch: Sunday 11am-2pm, Lunch: W-F 11am-2pm, Dinner: T 6pm-9pm, W, Th 5pm-9pm, F, S 5pm-10pm, Sun 5pm-8pm
A list of Detroit’s great restaurants wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Whitney. It is the epitome of elegant meals and fine dining. The Whitney provides a unique and elegant setting for a delicious and memorable meal. The mansion is as impressive on the inside as it is from the outside. It is decorated in bronze, antiques and Tiffany stained glass windows. Caviar service is available id price is no object. Specialty dish include the Butternut Squash Cookie Ravioli, Signature Fried Calamari, Rack of Veal with crab and Filet Mignon. Brunch is the cheaper way to go if you want to experience the rumors and history of the haunted Whitney. If you come for dinner; save room for their renowned desserts, which include a three story torte, their signature chocolate ugly cake, crème brulee, chocolate glazed mombe and homemade ice cream trio. Reservations are a must.
Average price per person: $50
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open
SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
1045 Brush Street Detroit, MI 48226
(313)965-1245
Hours: Sun-Th 4pm-10pm; Fri and Sat 4pm-12am
Sweet Georgia Brown is a Greektown favorite. It brings something special to Detroit. The basis for the restaurant is southern hospitality in a fine dining setting. The result is top notch service, excellent food and a unique dining experience. The restaurant is separated into 3 dining areas that are decked out in tans and browns to give it a warm, welcoming feel. It also holds a bay grand piano. The menu definitely has southern Flare. It includes Fried Lobster, Cornmeal-crusted Sea Bass, Roasted Duck and Fried Sweet Potatoes. Popular desserts include the Peach Cobbler and Sweet Potato Torte.
Average price per person: $30
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open
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