Wayne State University

Urban renewal

The Willis Street Strip: Avalon International Breads, Goodwell's Natural Foods, Flo Boutique, Spiral Collective, Re:View Contemporary Gallery Willis between Cass & Second avenues, Detroit: A couple of the freshest food spots in the D are sandwiched between a hip fashion boutique and two gallant galleries. Yes, the Willis Street Strip is indeed one of the funkiest few hundred feet in the city. You gotta get down to get up, kids. Cass Avenue won't bite, unless you want it to.

A cut above 

Curl Up & Dye 4215 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-833-5006; curlupanddyedetroit.com: You never know who you're going to run into at Curl Up & Dye, as this quaint yet punk full-service salon has become not only the most popular place to get a cut for Detroit's city-lovin' movers and shakers, but an accidental ground for networking too. They serve coffee, tea and water to your liking. Come for the free condoms — stay for the haircut. Hours change seasonally.

Mais oui

Good Girls Go to Paris Crepes 15 E. Kirby St. (entrance on Woodward Avenue), Detroit; 313-664-0490 goodgirlsgotopariscrepes.com: Opened by former French teacher Torya Blanchard, this little Parisian-style shop serves up 50 types of crêpes, fresh salads and fair-trade coffee. Tastes range from the savory "Vera," stuffed with bacon, spinach and Boursin cheese, to the more traditionally sweet, such as the "Libby," which comes with peaches, cream cheese and a generous bit of brown sugar. Cost for this quality won't break student bank accounts either, as prices range from $4.50 to $8.50, and the coffee is good and very reasonable. Having been featured in the likes of The New York Times, Good Girls is no hidden gem, so midtowners should be in the know. If you haven't been but want to impress that cute girl (or guy) who wants to go to the midnight showing of Eraserhead, just punch 15 E. Kirby St. into your GPS and act like you've been going for years.

Midtown melange

Cass Café 4620 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-1400; casscafe.com: Voted the "Best Bar to Take Friends from New York" by MT readers, this establishment is a Detroit staple. Part eatery, part bar, part art gallery, Cass Café is a lofty, open space adorned with the works of local artists. This is the spot for Warriors to get their culture on. Featuring live music, spoken word and other weekly events, Cass also sports a rich menu. From calamari steaks to the classic lentil burger, food is unique and healthy, complemented by a nice selection of Motor City brews. The Nut Brown Ale and Ghettoblaster beers are especially tasty, and well worth $4 a glass.

Artisanal appetites

Traffic Jam & Snug 511 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-831-9470; trafficjamdetroit.com: "Just like monks in ancient times, we utilize the same equipment for beer and cheese making." So reads the brewery page of the clean and welcoming Traffic Jam & Snug. At Canfield Street and Second Avenue, it's right off campus, painstakingly serving up plates ol'-school style. Low country crab cakes, deep-fried pickle spears and cheese platters with strawberries and fig or hazelnut compote ... just a few appetizers. The menu at Traffic Jam is diverse, full of homey dishes layered with exotic flavors. Catering to big meat eaters, vegetarians, drinkers, local flavor seekers, this place serves up inimitable three-courses and brews in-house. Grand Theft Pilsner genuinely satisfies, a soft Czech hop flavor, and at 7 percent, Bouvier Blanche packs a punch.

Get your kicks

Bob's Classic Kicks 4717 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-7513; 4717woodward.blogspot.com: Opened in 2004, BCK has proven a premier destination for sneaker-heads. Wayne Staters have been loyal and the store has grown, churning out Reebok, Adidas and the like, along with local brands and gnarly custom jobs. This Midtown shop also holds hip-hop shows and battle of the bands, showcasing rising emcees with the occasional local legend sighting.

Local fixture(s)

Bureau of Urban Living 460 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-833-9336; bureauliving.com: Located on the ground floor of the Canfield Lofts in midtown Detroit, Bureau of Urban Living calls itself a "modern-day urban general store." Wayne State students and staff looking to garnish a new dorm room or apartment will find stylish decorations ranging from Detroit-themed knickknacks to modern housewares. Bureau of Urban Living is the perfect place for anyone trying to avoid a Target-decorated dwelling.

See, be seen

Union Street 4145 Woodward Ave. Detroit; 313-831-3965; unionstreetdetroit.com: Union Street has been a favorite spot for Wayne State students and staff for years, but the bar and restaurant prides itself on being more than just a hot college spot. Union Street serves as a melting pot for Detroit social circles, attracting hip urbanites and suburban theater patrons alike. The bar offers 100 different bottled beers from around the world and prides itself on a collection of quality, affordable wines.

Fresh options

Wednesday Farmers' Market Cass Avenue north of Warren Avenue, in front of Prentis Hall: Eating right is tough in college, but the Wayne State Farmers Market brings fresh, locally grown produce to the Wayne State community every Wednesday. Vendors at the market range from urban gardeners to southeastern Michigan farmers, but all merchants raise crops with a special focus on sustainability, making the market popular among the environmentally conscious. The market is also perfect for the college budget: In addition to low prices, the market accepts the Michigan Bridge Card. Runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 26.

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