Woodward axis

Urinal Cake Records – “UrineFested” 6/21-6/22
Profile: Urinal Cake Records (on Metro Times Music Blahg – “Urinal Cake Records’ First Year + New Gardens (Grows)”) “Urinefested” Local Label Showcase -2 day Fest in Detroit June 21-22nd at P.J.’s Lager House (1254 Michigan Ave), Friday: The Clone Defects, Terrible Twos, Moonhairy, Obnox, Ritual Howls, Mountains and Rainbows – - Saturday: Johnny Ill Band, Protomartyr, Growwing Pains, Drugs Dragons, K9 Sniffles, Feelings, Guinea Worms, and the Keep On Trash DJs. — Visual artwork displays by Jeff Arcel, Thelonious Bone, Davin Brainard, Zak Bratto, Joe Casey, Luke Chapelle, Jimbo Easter, Andy Gabrysiak, Ben Lyon, Johnny Lzr, Kara Meister, Nai Sammon, Timmy Vulgar, and Matt 7 http://urinalcakerecords.com – pjslagerhouse.com ~ There seems to be a lot of local DIY record labels, lately. But Johnny Ill nonchalantly shrugs that into perspective: “Shit, there could be no one to put out your music. I’m not dong it, so I’m glad guys like Eric are doing it…” It’s still a rarity, says Ill (a.k.a. John Garcia of The Johnny Ill Band,) for someone (like Eric Love of Urinal Cake Records) willingly financing and spending time resources for local songwriters to produce, package and distribute their works. “The worst thing that could happen [...]
City Slang: Battlecross post-Orion news
Following their triumphant appearance at OrionFest, local metal heads Battlecross has announced that drummer Kevin Talley (formerly of Six Feet Under, Chimaira and Dying Fetus) will be staying on with the band for its forthcoming tour. See Battlecross performing Slayer’s “War Ensemble” at OrionFest here. The new album, War of Will, will be released via Metal Blade on July 9, and the first single will be “Force Fed Lies”. Battlecross will be on the Mayhem Festival with Rob Zombie throughout the summer. Follow @City_Slang
DIA ‘Courts’ New Diners
Who says the Detroit Institute of Arts is only for art admirers? The addition of a Friday night music schedule has found some new converts. And now food lovers can rejoice as the museum unveils a new go-to place for visitors to eat, drink, relax and socialize. It’s the newly revamped Kresge Court. Combining an elegant atmosphere with competitive prices, visitors can enjoy an array of gourmet snacks, sandwiches, salads and desserts that use regional ingredients. Befitting a hip hangout, the dishes skew creative. If you’re stopping by for a quick lunch, you’ve got to try the fine ficelle salad. The stars of this show are prosciutto, black mission fig jam, wild arugula and European-style thin sourdough baguette. The green goddess salad features local greens, carrot ribbons, marinated summer squash, sunflower seeds and currants. Other offerings include DIA deviled eggs and wasabi tobiko caviar; artichokes, radish, black olive aioli and flatbread; toasted farro salad with shaved fennel; surryano dry-cured ham with hot pepper pickles and more. Desserts include Italian pudding with bittersweet chocolate, seasonal fruit croustade, and an alcoholic spin on a Detroit classic, a Boston rum cooler with Vernor’s ginger ale, French vanilla ice cream, Captain Morgan spiced rum, [...]
The 1943 Detroit Race Riot, 70 years later
Mention “Detroit” and “riot” to most metro Detroiters today, and most people will think of the year 1967. Some will call it a “riot” and some will call it a “rebellion,” but chances are that nobody will talk about Detroit’s forgotten riot, the 1943 Detroit race riot. Most likely, that’s because the events of 1943 don’t neatly dovetail with our conventional narratives about the Greatest Generation, and they provide ugly examples of white racism that most area residents, if they remember them, would rather forget. And that’s a shame, because the 1943 riot offers a chance to look beyond simplistic sociological assumptions about ’60s civil disorder and the ensuing urban disintegration. This is especially interesting at a time when historians such as Thomas Sugrue are re-examining Detroit and the roles played by whites and their institutions, often uncovering sweeping antecedents that transcend a passive white exodus. And for those whites who think the ramifications of institutional racism are overstated, those old photographs of white mobs rampaging up and down Woodward Avenue, beating and stabbing black Detroiters, might change a mind or two. And 1943 is also worth another look because it helps define the early civil rights movement. It saw African-Americans effectively [...]
Oh Criminals, Where Art Thou?
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed with my Detroit experience so far. In the past 8 months, I have no gunshot wounds, stabbing scars, or even a stolen vehicle to show for it. I don’t even have a lower credit score! When I told everyone I was moving here, I got a wave of backlash and pleas to reconsider. It reminded me of the time I traveled to the Middle East and, as I was boarding my flight, received a hundred text messages and calls saying, “If you go, you are going to DIE!” Well, my time in the Middle East was just as disappointing and uneventful as my time here in Motown. Where have all the criminals gone? With a nice bout of insomnia, I used to walk to the YMCA at 5 a.m. to work out in total darkness. My Dad freaked out when I told him. What my father can’t understand is that, unless you live right downtown, and once the sun sets, the streets of Detroit are deserted. No cars. No homeless people. Even the pimps seem to take the night off. I could streak down Woodward (my apologies for the [...]
City Slang: Weekly music review roundup
Send CDs, vinyl, cassettes, demos and 8-tracks to Brett Callwood, Metro Times, 733 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 46226. Email MP3s and streaming links to bcallwood@metrotimes.com. We had previously received a sampler CD from Funky D Records signees The Royal Blackbirds, and the full album Shot Down landed on our laps this week. Thanks to the presence of singer Rebecca Saad, there’s a cool, kinda Amy Gore-esque feel to the bluesy garage rock, perfectly highlighted by covers like “I Can Only Give You Everything” and the title track. The originals are cool too, and Tino Gross has dragged out the dust and grit from these youngsters. Great piece of work, all told. This week’s City Slang stars the Horse Cave Trio sent in the 2010 single “I Am the Sheik” (Funky D), and it’s worth another mention because it’s so damned gnarly, nasty and heavy. These guys are known for their rockabilly swagger, but they can let out an unholy roar when they want to. Detroit Frank DuMont loves his hometown so much, he put it in his name. His band is called the Drivin’ Wheels, and the logo was designed by Gary Grimshaw. Mind you, his new Let Me Be [...]

Listings of restaurants in Berkley, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge and Royal Oak

Published: January 26, 2011

Inyo Restaurant & Lounge 22871 Woodward Ave.; 248-543-9500; inyorestaurant.com; $$$: Wide-ranging menu, striking presentations, pleasing texture contrasts within a dish and excellent sushi and specialty cocktails.

Josephine Creperie and Bistro 241 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-399-1366; $$: Co-owners Jeanine Henson and Bob Zagar work the floor themselves, resulting in professional, knowledgeable, caring service, serving a short menu of French or French-inspired dishes. Call for hours.

Maria's Front Room 215 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-542-7379; mariasfrontroom.com; $$: Old-line Italian classics and some new lighter fare. Full liquor license.

MiChigo Pizza 255 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-439-6195; michigopizza.com; $$: Chicago-style deep dish pizza even diehard Chicagoans can appreciate. Sumptuous desserts and locally roasted coffee.

Omega Hawg & Dawg Deli 2100 Hilton Rd.; 248-548-5700; $: Minimalist diner decor and "coney" fare. But expect inventive twists, such as a bag of sliders, "chilly dilly" (chili with all the fixings) and all-day breakfast. Cash only.

Pete's Place 1225 Woodward Heights; 248-544-4215; petesbroadwaycafe.com; $$: Peter Mel has transformed a dreary Coney Island into a hip eatery that's open all day. Broadway-themed posters and soundtrack, reasonable prices. Friendly, attentive and knowledgeable waitstaff.

Pinwheel Bakery 220 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-398-8018; pinwheelbakery.com; $: It's a cozy neighborhood bakery, but also a gourmet bakery. Pinwheel focuses on mostly simple, made-from-scratch delights. There are a variety of bite-sized cookies sold by the pound and boxed with a ribbon.

Sakana Sushi Lounge 22914 Woodward Ave.; 248-336-2555; sakanasushilounge.com; $$$: Upscale sushi lounge, lush electro-acoustic lounge and raw fish artfully prepared. Good sake selection.

Star of India 180 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-546-5996; $: Classic Indian menu includes two variations on korma, a creamy, yogurt-based sauce with a mild blend of spices punctuated by yellow raisins and slivers of almonds.

Strawberry Moon Bakery 301 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-544-3141; $: Kid-friendly bakery uses organic flour from Owosso, selling not only baguettes and other loaves, but cookies, pastries, rolls, muffins and pizza.

Toast 23144 Woodward Ave.; 248-398-0444; $: Beautiful to look at. Weekday egg-fests include some pretty fancy fixings along with more regular fare, but it gets more lavish on the weekend (think wild mushroom or French omelets and challah French toast).

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 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.

Beirut Palace 105 S. Main St.; 248-399-4600; $: 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.

Previous Page 1 2 3 Next Page

> Email Metro Times food staff

We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.

Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.

Calendar

Restaurants

Nightlife

Listings of restaurants in Berkley, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge and Royal Oak

Metro Times

Contact MT | Advertise | National Advertising | Work Here

News

Blogs

Best of Detroit

Music

Arts

Culture

Watch

Sports

Events

Food

Clubs

Classified

Automotive

Real Estate

Archives

Get Our Newsletters

Metro Times Stuff

Social Media

RSS Feed