Detroit-area restaurants that opened during the pandemic that you may have missed

By Metro Times editorial staff on Wed, May 19, 2021 at 2:40 pm

The pandemic served us some pretty devastating news, including statistics about business closures. It is estimated that more than 17% of restaurants in the U.S. closed permanently as a result of the pandemic. Nevertheless, some restaurant owners dared to dream and braved the storm to open their doors to serve their communities during a pandemic. From conveyor belt sushi, seafood boils, vegan baked goods, and long-awaited farm-to-table goodness, metro Detroit's dining scene got a bit bigger — and richer — at a difficult time. Eat locally and, remember, tip like a motherfucker.

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Casa Pernoi

310 E. Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-940-0000; pernoibirmingham.com

As of last summer, Pernoi — the fine-dining restaurant launched by acclaimed chef Luciano DelSignore last year — is no more. The spot has now been rebranded as the casual Italian "Casa Pernoi." Like many changes these days, the pivot came due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis. Expect classic Italian favorites like a Ricotta Ravioli, Charred Octopus, Baked Orata, and Veal Chop Parmigiano.

Photo via Casa Pernoi Birmingham/Facebook

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The Congregation

9321 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit; thecongregationdetroit.com

A former Boston-Edison church was transformed into a new cafe and bar concept called the Congregation. The space operates as a cafe in the mornings, serving Great Lakes coffee from the espresso bar and selling pastries sourced from Good Cakes and Bakes, Terri’s Cakes, and Eat Good Cookies, and in the evenings, it serves from a small menu with items such as flatbreads, soups, and salads. Along with food, it also serves cocktails, wine, and a selection of beer.

Photo via The Congregation Detroit/Facebook

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Cucina Lab Torino

3960 Crooks Rd. Ste. 200, Troy; 248-525-9098; cucina-lab.com

No set menu? No problem. Cucina Lab Torino in Troy opened last year with Italian chef and caterer Elisabetta Balzola, who moved from Italy with her family to bring eclectic Italian fare to metro Detroit. The restaurant prides itself on using local, fresh, and organic produce and meats, as well as importing Italian ingredients.

Photo via Cucina Lab Torino/Facebook

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Downtown Charlie’s

236 S. Main St., Clawson; 248-268-1658; Facebook.com/downtowncharlies

Casual meets upscale at breakfast and lunch spot Downtown Charlie’s in Clawson. Opened in September, Downtown Charlie’s offers everything from breakfast burritos, jumbo cinnamon rolls, and slider family packs to-go.

Photo via Downtown Charlies/Facebook

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East Eats

1018 Navahoe St., Detroit; easteats.us

It’s no secret that tiny things are just cuter than non-tiny things. Kittens? Cute. Hamsters eating tiny tacos? Very cute. A brand spanking new restaurant composed of tiny geodesic domes for intimate dining? The cutest! East Eats opened in Detroit’s Jefferson Chalmers area with a “vegan forward” menu featuring tacos and bao, as well as soups and desserts. The space is made up of 10 domes that fit eight guests each, and each reservation allows stays of two hours. Though East Eats doesn't offer alcohol, you’re welcome to bring your own for a corking fee and the staff will provide cups, mixers, and juices upon request.

Photo via East Eats/Facebook

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The Ebenezer

305 Fleet St., Plymouth; 734-404-5552; theebenezerplymouth.com

Offering exotic cocktails and a selection of small plates, including charcuterie boards, jump shrimp cocktail, and vegetarian flatbreads, The Ebenezer is a speakeasy-style atmosphere located in a former bank vault.

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La Palapa del Parian
1633 Lawndale St., Detroit; 313-749-7143; Facebook.com/LaPalapaDelParian

The owners of the popular El Parian taco trucks in Southwest Detroit launched a sit-down restaurant with a patio, and offers Mexican stews, various huevos dishes, as well as gorditas, tortas, and tamales.

Photo via La Palapa del Parian/Facebook
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The Ferndale Project
567 Livernois Ave., Ferndale; 248-556-5512; ferndaleproject.com
The former Axle Brewing Co. Livernois Tap reopened as the Ferndale Project in February 2020. The space offers more than a dozen beers on tap, including experimental sours and stouts, IPAs, three ciders, nitro cold brew by Detroit-based Ashe Supply Co., and a house-made root beer.
Ferndale Project/Facebook

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Flavors of Jamaica

406 N. Telegraph St., Pontiac; 947-999-0169; flavorsofjamaicarestaurant.com

A native of Westmoreland, Jamaica, Chef Reniel Billups moved to the United States at the age of 9. She had an innate love of cooking growing up in a family kitchen, and later was a lead chef for the United States Coast Guard. The founder of Irie Occasions Catering and Party Planning has been cooking up traditional Jamaican flavors around the metro area for several years. Her Caribbean-inspired pop-ups at hot spots around town like Detroit City Distillery and Lost River Tiki have put her food into the hands and mouths of a growing legion of fans — but it was her year-long Saturday evening pop-up at Brooklyn Street Local in Corktown that truly made Chef Reniel a star. They opened a brick-and-mortar in Pontiac in 2020.

Photo via Flavors of Jamaica/Facebook

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Tin Roof

47 E. Adams Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6114; tinroofdetroit.com

Tin Roof replaces the former Cheli's Chili downtown. Aside from a menu that includes items like Nashville hot chicken, chicken and waffles, Dixie biscuits, a Voodoo Grinder, chili-brown wings, a la carte tacos, the spot also boasts a stage for live music, a DJ booth on the 2nd floor, a private party space on the 3rd floor, a beer garden, and a rooftop patio with a view of Comerica Park.

Photo courtesy of Tin Roof

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Green Beat

1219 Brush St., Detroit; 313-964-0007; greenbeatdetroit.com

Green Beat, a cafe in Detroit, focuses on plant-based and gluten-free dishes made from responsibly sourced meat and seafood. Some menu highlights include cheesy baked cauliflower, taco salad, Y.L.T., made with yams and sunflower seed mayo, corned beet Reuben, a Mediterranean burger, and Detroit-style coney dogs made from carrots. They also offer meal kits to go.

Photo via Green Beat/Facebook

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H2O Seafood

3233 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-556-3202; facebook.com/H20Seafood

Mac n’ cheese, fish and chips, and Maui shrimp are on the menu at Wyandotte’s newest seafood spot via H20 Seafood, which opened in November.

Photo via H20 Seafood/Facebook

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Jams

45709 Hayes Rd., Shelby Twp.; 586-991-6450; Facebook.com/eatatjams

A comfort-food restaurant offering breakfast, brunch, and dinner in Shelby Township opened in 2020. For the brunch crowd, there are eggs benedict, cinnamon crunch french toast, avocado toast, California breakfast burrito, and a crispy chicken and cheddar waffles, shrimp, and cheesy grits. For lunch and dinner, there is a selection of wraps, burgers, sandwiches, and soups, as well as entrees like salmon, filet, steak frites, and cauliflower pasta.

Photo via Jams/Facebook

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Jose's Tacos

2518 Market St., Detroit; 313-638-1782

After serving up authentic Mexican flavors at 218 E. Grand River Ave. since 2014, the Orozco family expanded to Eastern Market, replacing the former Cultivation Station with a family-friendly sit-down spot.

Photo via Jose's Tacos Detroit/Facebook

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Koja Sushi

14245 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-914-5071; kojisushi.com

Dearborn scored a new casual sushi spot in July. Koja Sushi offers kooky rolls like the White Caste Roll which is baked with white tuna, avocado, tamago, and crab meat topped with scallop, eel, masago, scallion, and white sauce or the Mexican Roll made with tempura shrimp, crab meat, avocado, cucumber, and jalapeño topped with spice sauce, hot sauce, and Koja sauce. They also offer combos and a selection of nigiri, sashimi, noodle dishes, bibimbap, and bento boxes.

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Lana’s Bake Shop Cafe & Sweets

18685 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 248-747-0929; lanasbakeshop.com

Lana’s Bake Shop opened its third location, offering full cakes, cake slices, cheesecake, tiramisu, banana pudding, and, exclusive to the Livernois location, cake shakes, and sweet potato pies.

Photo via Lana’s Bake Shop/Facebook

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Mad Crab

13351 W. 10 Mile Rd., Oak Park; 248-965-2120; madcraboakparkmi.com

Seafood boil places are cropping up all over metro Detroit like, well, mad crabs, which is exactly what Mad Crab is all about. Opened in September, Oak Park’s Mad Crab invites seafood lovers to combine their choice of seafood (lobster, snow crab, mussels, shrimp, crawfish, and more) with Cajun spices, garlic butter, and lemon pepper.

Photo via Mad Crab/Facebook

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Matt & Mo’s Italian Beef

24110 John R Rd., Hazel Park; 248-307-7970; mmitalianbeef.com

Windy City meat made its way to Hazel Park in 2020 when married couple Matt and Mo Marzulla cozied up in an ice cream stand. Matt & Mo’s Italian Beef opened in Doug’s Delights, a soft-serve ice cream shack in Hazel Park, offering au jus-dipped roasted Italian beef sandwiches, which come with pickled vegetables.

Photo via Matt & Mo’s Italian Beef/Facebook

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Michigan & Trumbull

1441 W. Elizabeth St., Detroit; 313-637-4992; michigantrumbullpizza.com

Detroit-style pizza and its square, deep-dish charm continues to rise in popularity across the country. As part of that movement, a new Detroit-style pizzeria opened in Corktown. Michigan & Trumbull is run by married duo Kristen Calverley and Nate Peck, who both hail from metro Detroit. The married duo first started serving Detroit-style pizza together in Pittsburgh, after they encountered a dearth of the pizza style in the area. The menu offers a selection of Detroit-themed pizzas, including the Woodward, the Vernor Vegan, and the Packard Pepperoni.

Photo via Michigan & Trumbull/Facebook

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Midnight Temple

2466 Riopelle St., Detroit; 734-558-5649; midnighttemple.com

An Indian gastropub launched patio seating on weekends and take-out/delivery during the week out of Eastern Market. Midnight Temple offers a family-style menu with traditional Indian, Philippinian, and American fare made with contemporary fusion techniques.

Photo via Midnight Temple/Facebook

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