Bella Piatti, located directly across the street from the Townsend Hotel in downtown Birmingham, serves lucious Italian fare. The salad (above) with oranges, red onions, arugula and goat cheese (not shown) was tasty, as well as the whitefish encrusted with potatoes and truffles over lentils. The ambiance is beautiful with murals, vintage-inspired chandeliers and even a mesh curtain (top, left) in the center of the restaurant for a private group. It’s worth a visit!
The spring 2013 issue of Detroit Home magazine features this year’s design awards.
It’s a treasure trove of information. The categories are expansive — from custom cabinets to railings to the use of antiques. You will find exteriors, interiors and even organized garages. In addition to showcasing the most talented people in the city, I particularly enjoyed reading about a new designer. Detroit Home honored Anne Strickland (above) with the “Rising Star” award. This creative 28-year-old is a Cranbrook and Michigan State grad and the owner of Port Manufacturing & Design. She designs furniture as well as interiors. Not only are her designs divine, but she has a personal flair exuded in her blog — http://www.portmfg.com/category/blog/
Playworks Detroit improves the health and wellness of children by increasing opportunities for safe, physical activity and meaningful play. Since 2010, Playworks has been changing the lives of youngsters through partnerships with low income schools and community initiatives. Now in 13 schools throughout Metro Detroit, Playworks is expanding due to a new partnership with the Detroit Lions. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the 2013 Playworks Get in the Game Luncheon. The Game Changer Awards were given to these community partners: Beaumont Health System , Fair Food Network, Just Speak, Detroit Regional Chamber and Bloomfield Hills School District PTO. David McGhee, a motivational speaker and an instructor at Mott Community College, addressed the crowd with a powerful message of believing in students.
To quote Playworks Founder Jill Vialet, “Kids who know how to resolve conflict on the school yard are more likely to grow up into adults who can collaborate to get things done.”
Sweet Lorraine’s transforms the classic macaroni and cheese dish into an innovative trendy delight. Sweet Lorraines Fabulous Mac n’ Cheez is located at the food courts at the Somerset Collection in Troy and at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills. Start with the classic dish and then pile on the toppings. It’s everything from jalapeno peppers to dried cranberries to olives. Or just go for one of the specialties like Macho Nacho — hamburger, onions, olives, bell peppers, tomatoes, pepper jack and jalapenos. The extreme veggie with broccoli, mushrooms, onions, spinach, bell peppers, tomatoes, Swiss and cheddar is quite tasty.
It’s not your mom’s mac n’ cheese!
photo credit: foodspotting.com
Barbara Boz sells her jewelry all over the world, but you can say hi to her and talk treasures in downtown Birmingham, Michigan. Her eponymous boutique is tucked on Maple Road just east of Panera. Her unique pieces are truly special. They are sold in more than 350 stores worldwide — from Dubai to Motown. In addition to the signature gold link necklaces, she has some designs with antique pieces. All are perfect for layering. Let’s not forget her collection of stones. Urban chic and sophisticated is how Boz describes her jewelry lines. She also has a store in Harbor Springs, living near the shores of Lake Michigan in the summer. Of course, she has experimented with Petoskey stones. Boz is a transplant from Pittsburgh and fell in love with Detroit. Yes, she loves the people here! “I have the best customers in the world, and they glow about what I’m doing,” she says. “They walk out feeling they have a treasure.” Indeed. If you purchase and wear a Barbara Boz original, you’re in good company. Oprah wore Barbara’s bangles on a former cover of O magazine.
Don’t miss out on National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 5th. All IHOP restaurants across the county will be serving free pancakes. In return IHOP requests that guests consider a donation for Children’s Miracle Network. Beaumont Children’s Hospital is a designated Children’s Miracle Network hospital. All of the donations raised locally stays in the community to fund Beaumont’s exceptional pediatric programs and provide treatment scholarships for families with limited resources. Some of the locations around town include: Royal Oak, Livonia, Sterling Heights, Roseville and Birmingham. This is certainly a program to flip over.
The newly renovated Maple Theater on Maple Road at Telegraph offers an upscale, homey atmosphere in Bloomfield Hills. In addition to the first-run movies (Argo, Zero Dark Thirty), there is a club seating — comfortable and spacious. One can also grab a cup of coffee, snack and even a cocktail from the bar. The coffee is from the Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company — purely Motown. Great Lakes Coffee will be opening another location on Jan. 30 in Lake Orion.
Faygo pop and Sanders hot fudge are pure Detroit, but the hot dogs in Motown sure are special. Pile on the chili, mustard and onions and you have a Detroit Coney Island hot dog. Now in Canton, American Coney Island will open a new restaurant with a drive-thru — perfect for a quick fix. On January 12th at 44532 Michigan Avenue in Canton, customers can drive up for a Coney. As part of the opening celebration, the first 50 customers will receive a FREE hot dog, beginning at 9 a.m. Other specials will continue throughout the day.
YUM!
American Coney Island is a third-generation Motown family business, founded by Gust Keros in 1917. His son Charles and Charles’ daughter, Grace, are in the business. American Coney Island won the best Coney Dog in Detroit on “Food Feuds” on the Food Network and Travel Channel’s “Food Wars.”
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Food and drink inspired by classic and modern literary works.
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Fun, Fashion, Frivolity: An insider guide to Metro Detroit and beyond
Interesting stories about everyday moments.
Fun, Fashion, Frivolity: An insider guide to Metro Detroit and beyond
Fun, Fashion, Frivolity: An insider guide to Metro Detroit and beyond
Motown Savvy 