Treat Dreams 22965 Woodward Ave.; 248-544-3440; treatdreams.com; $: The flavor board in this bakery and micro-creamery offers dairy-based desserts with such flavors as purple yam, potato chips, jalapeño peppers and chicken.

Via Nove 344 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-336-9936; vianoverestaurant.com; $$: Upscale Italian fare includes several pasta choices, and dinner comes with crusty focaccia, brushed with butter and dotted with herbs. Full bar has a nice selection of Italian and California wines. An enclosed patio in front. Open 4 p.m.- 2 a.m. Tuesday- Saturday.

Woodward Avenue Brewers 22646 Woodward Ave.; 248-546-3696; thewabsite.com; $: Dubbed, "a neighborhood bar with lots of style," the top floor has huge windows overlooking Woodward Avenue. Downstairs has a sidewalk café and lounge with a view of the brewhouse.

PLEASANT RIDGE

Cork Wine Pub 23810 Woodward Ave.; 248-544-2675; corkwinepub.com; $$: Decorated in an eclectic, contemporary kitsch. The menu showcases about 18 small plates, which range from salads and bar snacks to sandwiches and bigger bites. In wine and spirits, Cork really shines.

Mae's 24060 Woodward Ave.; 248-548-5355; maesdetroit.com; $$: Open until 4 p.m. every day except Mondays, Mae's menu is naturally focused toward breakfast and sandwiches. The highlight on the breakfast side is aebleskievers, Scandinavian spherical pancakes crossed with a popover.

ROYAL OAK

Al's Famous Deli 32906 Woodward Ave.; 248-549-3663; alsfamousdeli.com; $: Local deli for locavores, buying and selling only Michigan-based products, including corned beef, pickles, breads, rolls, chips and more. See breadbasketdelis.com for more locations.

Andiamo Royal Oak 129 S. Main St.; 248-582-9300; andiamoitalia.com; $$: Unquestioned master of the Best Italian Chain category in our annual readers' poll, the many iterations of Andiamo's are part of an Italian chain, all right, but they have different styles and menus. In the Royal Oak kitchen, Stephen J. Kuclo Jr. has helped add a few specialties to the menu of old reliables. 

Bastone 419 S. Main St.; 248-544-6250; bastone.net; $$: Belgian brewpub is unpretentious, quirky and interesting, with fare heavily influenced by Germany and France. 

BD's Mongolian Grill 430 S. Main St.; 248-398-7755; gomongo.com; $$: The idea is a crowd-pleaser: You select the fixings from a buffet, take it to the grillmasters, they cook it, you dine on the fresh, stir-fried results.

Beirut Palace 105 S. Main St.; 248-399-4600; beirutpalace.com; $: Just across the street from the Main Art Theatre, Beirut makes a great start to a night at the movies. All food is very fresh, and they make a great Turkish coffee.

BlackFinn 530 S. Main St.; 248-542-9466; blackfinnroyaloak.com; $$: Referred to instead as "an American saloon," the sprawling, boisterous lounge has great standards, including steaks, but also hosts a lively singles scene. The 25-bottle wine list has some bargains. 

Cafe Habana 419 S. Main St.; 248-544-6255; cafehabanas.com; $$: Excellent, reasonably priced Cuban cuisine in a fun, funky-chic setting, along with Latin music and a full bar. Grilled meats dominate platos principales, enhanced by fresh and spicy marinades and sauces.

Cafe Muse 418 S. Washington Ave.; 248-544-4749; cafemuseroyaloak.com; $$: You won't find "omelets" on the menu, as the kitchen has chosen to serve scrambled eggs instead, and ingredients can include truffle oil, Boursin cheese and shredded basil.

Camelia's Mexican Grill 1304 E. 11 Mile Rd.; 248-544-8900; cameliasmexicangrill.com; $$: Mexican food made from fresh ingredients, with a wide gamut of heat levels. Not just tacos, fajitas and burritos, but steaks, sandwiches and even some vegetarian choices.

Cantina Diablo's 100 S. Main St.; 248-543-4300; cantinadiablo.com; $$: Our readers went for this purveyor of Tex-Mex cuisine in a big way, voting it the Best Mexican Cuisine in Oakland County. The restaurant offers a blend of stick-to-your-ribs fare and frosty drinks.

Chicken Shack 1320 E. 11 Mile Rd.; 248-541-5100; chickenshack.com; $: Since starting in Royal Oak in 1956, Chicken Shack has been selling "broasted" chicken, pressure cooking birds in their own juices. It's been wildly successful, with 18 locations listed at its website.

Comet Burger 207 S. Main St.; 248-414-4567; $: Quirky decor includes pink vinyl, stainless steel chairs, Formica tabletops and album covers on the walls. The sliders and malts are worth the trip.

D'Amato's 222 S. Sherman Dr.; 248-584-7400; damatos.com; $$: Neighborhood Italian joint has eclectic and "from scratch" fare. Plenty of beef, chicken and seafood entrées, and 30 glasses and 60 bottles of wine to wash them down. Connected to the Goodnight Gracie martini bar. 

Delmar Family Restaurant 1207 E. 11 Mile Rd.; 248-543-2773; $: Most of the omelets are less than $6, and they're all classics.

Falaffel King 32748 Woodward Ave.; 248-554-9881; falaffelking.com; $: Inexpensive Middle Eastern standards served in a plain, tiny storefront that can accommodate 10 diners at the narrow counters along the walls and windows.

> Email Michael Jackman