Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen Cafe 400 Monroe St.; 313-965-4600; fishbonesusa.com; $$$: Fishbone's has earned its reputation for doing things in a big way. Belly up to one of the two bars for drinks, or sit in the spacious main dining area. Its Cajun and Creole dishes go beyond jambalaya and fried catfish. But the main event is their huge weekly brunch.

Flood's Bar & Grille 731 St. Antoine St.; 313-963-1090; floodsdetroit.com; $$: You can tell by the bottlenecked line of glimmering Jags, Beemers, Mercedes and SUVs lined up for valet parking that this is a nightspot where the Motor City's elite come to meet. The food's OK, but that ain't the point; it's the tailored clientele and top-shelf booze that really sets Flood's apart.

Good Girls Go to Paris Crepes 15 E. Kirby St.; 877-727-4727; goodgirlsgotopariscrepes.com; $: The traditional French pancake gets an American treatment at this miniature eatery. Don't call ahead. Your cr�pe does need to be made to order, and it'll be much better if you eat it right then.

Grand Trunk Pub 612 Woodward Ave.; 313-961-3043; grandtrunkpub.com; $$: There's been a buzz building about the renamed (formerly Foran's) pub on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit — and with good reason: The food is good, the ambience is one-of-a-kind and the beer selection kills. And don't forget the appealing weekend breakfasts.

Hard Rock Cafe 45 Monroe St.; 313-964-7625; hardrock.com; $$: The food and drinks are American classics done well. Portions are generous. Call for live music info.

Harry's Detroit Bar & Grill 2482 Clifford St.; 313-964-1575; $$: Quirky space, 10 TV monitors tuned to sports, a 30-yard-long bar, serving burgers, chili, sandwiches and drafts. But the oversized appetizers, hefty a la carte salads, and generous entrées merit a closer look.

Hockeytown Cafe 2301 Woodward Ave.; 313-965-9500; hockeytowncafe.com; $$: Offering snazzy dinners, upscale atmosphere and a Zamboni in the lobby, the Red Wing-mementoed watering hole draws the theater crowd.

Honest John's Bar and No Grill 488 Selden St.; 313-832-5646; $$: Cheap eats and drinks, including local microbrews, a great jukebox and loyal regulars.

Iridescence 2901 Grand River Ave.; 313-237-7711; $$$$: Iridescence is the Motor City Casino's elegantly decorated attempt to "break the mold" of casino restaurants by focusing on game and fish rather than more traditional steakhouse fare. The entrées are unique, tasty, and show special attention to detail, but the desserts are the real showstoppers. Closed Mondays.

Jacoby's German Biergarten 624 Brush St.; 313-962-7067; jacobysbar.com; $: This narrow bar on Brush Street is one of the oldest establishments in Detroit, but its kitchen draws a good lunch crowd too. Sunday brunch until 4 p.m.

Le Petit Zinc Creperie & Cafe 1055 Trumbull St.; 313-963-2805; lepetitzincdetroit.com; $$: Charles Sorel, raised in France but with the Caribbean personality of his native Martinique, is providing a splash of sunlight at his breakfast-and-lunch spot in Corktown. Excellent cr�pes range from simple to sweet to savory.

Loco Bar & Grill 454 E. Lafayette Blvd.; 313-965-3737; locobarandgrill.com; $$: Tex-Mex restaurant in Greektown featuring homestyle cooking, salsa music and tequila mixes.

Lunchtime Global 660 Woodward Ave., Suite 110; 313-963-4871; lunchtimeglobal.com; $: Co-owners Trish Ziembowicz and Ken Karustis have built a loyal clientele of downtown workers partial to the six soups a day and to the house rules: everything from scratch and made in-house. Open 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Majestic Cafe 4140 Woodward Ave.; 313-833-9700; $$: Comfort foods drawn from around the globe served in an open, airy setting. Note: a great place to watch them set up for the Thanksgiving parade the night before. Closed Mondays.

Mario's Restaurant 4222 Second Ave.; 313-832-1616; mariosdetroit.com; $$$: Inviting Italian spot where generations of theatergoers have enjoyed multicourse meals before walking to the Hilberry Theatre.

MGM Grand Palette Dining Studio 1777 Third St., (inside MGM Grand Detroit); 313-393-7777; $$: Think of the food court at your local mall. Now ratchet up several notches, because everything is done to excess in casino-land.

Mosaic 501 Monroe St.; 313-962-9366; mosaic-detroit.com; $$$: With a menu culled from major world cuisines (Asian, Mediterranean, French, South American, Caribbean and more), it's fusion food, with Mediterranean given the most influence. Fascinating interior.

Motor City Casino Assembly Line Buffet inside Motor City Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave.; 313-237-7711; $$: All-you-can-eat fare, meat being the main attraction. The desserts, however, are all above average or better.

Mudgie's 1300 Porter St.; 313-961-2000; mudgiesdeli.com; $: A pleasant 12-table sandwich spot with exceptionally friendly waitstaff, free WiFi, delicious house-made quality, and solidly local products. Delivery available daily 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

> Email Metro Times food staff