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Detroit

post #1 of 83
1/23/08 at 10:27pm
Thread Starter 
I'll be in Detroit in a few months on business. I may get stuck doing the corporate thing, but in case not, recommend me some SF-worth shopping, superb food, and perhaps some nightlife recs. Special points for seriously high-quality bars with a classic or art-deco feel.

Best,
Huntsman
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post #2 of 83
1/24/08 at 12:28am
Try The Whitney: http://www.thewhitney.com/index.htm for serious food. For some art deco surroundings, try Union Street: http://unionstreetdetroit.com/04/ For art deco tapas, try http://www.centaurbar.com/
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post #3 of 83
1/24/08 at 12:29am
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QLmdvG3sjIs The real Detroit.
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post #4 of 83
1/24/08 at 2:03am
By "Detroit" do you mean actually in the city or one of the suburbs? Since anyone who could afford to moved out of the city 40 years ago, there's might actually be more to do without going into the city itself, depending which area you're at. In the city, I highly recommend Opus One. The Whitney is in this cool old mansion, but I wasn't particularly impressed with the food. Go see a DSO concert at Orchestra Hall; the orchestra is good enough to attract the likes of Jarvi and Slatkin as music directors, and the hall is one of the best in the world acoustically. The DIA (art museum) is also very good. Outside the city, check out Birmingham, Royal Oak, and Ann Arbor. Just across the Detroit river is Windsor, Ontario, which is much safer and cleaner than Detroit. Just make sure you avoid the roving gangs of drunk 19-year-old Americans. For a good weekend trip you can drive to Toronto in about 4 hours, or Chicago in 5-6. As for shopping, it depends what you are looking for, suits, streetwear, vintage, etc.
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post #5 of 83
1/24/08 at 6:34pm
+1 on Union Street....the Rasta Wings are SOLID! (don't eat if you have early morning meetings). Rattlesnake Club is Fantastic. If you happen to be there on Fat Tuesday, you will experience the polish version of mardi gras....pyzcki day. Best jelly donuts you'll ever have. The Whitney and Coach Insignia are both very overrated imho. Sala Thai (in the eastern market) is my favorite thai.....mega spicy....no more than medium if you have early morning meetings. In the burbs..... 5 lakes grill (milford) is worth the 45 minute drive. Brian Polcyn is a master of charcuterie. Tribute is superb. Miller's Pub (over by Ford in Dearborn) has wonderful burgers. Annam (vietnamese) in dearborn used to be very good, but may have gone downhill. Mon Jin Lau is some pretty good (Cauc)Asian and fun for seeing old men with hookers on a Tuesday night. For shopping.....take a weekend trip to Chicago.
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post #6 of 83
1/24/08 at 6:54pm
as a resident of windsor, i can tell you the roving gangs of drunk 19 year old americans have mostly disappeared, thanks to ever increasing border delay hassles and the lack of any exchange rate for the americans .... but we do have some of the best asian and italian restaurants

peasant in birmingham is a real nice niche menswear store (www.peasantonline.com)

you need a car to get anywhere in detroit or the burbs so i hope you'll have a rental
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post #7 of 83
1/24/08 at 6:57pm
Bacco for good Italian on Northwestern Highway..

Sy Thai in downtown Birmingham for the best Thai in Detroit..

Grape Leaves in a strip mall at 15 mile (maple) and Coolidge for the best Lebanese in Detroit..

If you like BBQ (NC Style) and a good beer selection (amazing beer selection), check out Slo's next to the old Tiger Stadium. It's in a sketchy part of town, but its a new place with a very modern appeal.


That's all I can recall off the top of my head that hasn't already been said. Ignore Il Posto right next to Bacco... not worth it. Mexicantown is only OK. Nothing special. Windsor is OK.. it's the most American and dirtiest Canadian city. There are some new restaurants in the new MGM Grand hotel downtown that are supposed to be good.
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post #8 of 83
1/24/08 at 7:32pm
Hasn't Detroit cleaned up its act a little bit since the crisis days of the 60's-early 90's?
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post #9 of 83
1/24/08 at 7:54pm
Baker's Keyboard Lounge (www.bakerskeyboardlounge.com). Best to go on a weeknight (e.g., Thurs.)
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post #10 of 83
1/24/08 at 8:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
Hasn't Detroit cleaned up its act a little bit since the crisis days of the 60's-early 90's?

It's a lot better, especially since the Superbowl a couple years ago. Downtown is pretty nice and clean. When I lived in Royal Oak, I used the city frequently for sports and nightlife and dining. Although many people still consider it to be a terrible place, that mentality is due to ignorance more than anything. Like any city (or suburb), it has its faults..
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post #11 of 83
1/24/08 at 8:53pm
Thread Starter 
Looking good, guys -- looks like it will be Ann Arbor.
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post #12 of 83
1/25/08 at 2:02am
There's nothing 'good' about Ann Arbor.....watch out for that giant landfill they call a football stadium. For lunch, however, Zingermann's......a must-do. Keep an eye out for some great concerts as well.
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post #13 of 83
1/25/08 at 2:09am
Option 1: Go to Chicago
Option 2: Go to Chicago
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post #14 of 83
1/25/08 at 2:13am
Zingermann's deli is awesome! Just amazing sandwiches and a local institution. I have been to Ann Arbor a couple of times on business and always build time into the trip for a nice lunch there.
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post #15 of 83
1/25/08 at 3:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duveen View Post
Zingermann's deli is awesome! Just amazing sandwiches and a local institution. I have been to Ann Arbor a couple of times on business and always build time into the trip for a nice lunch there.

+1 on Zingermans. I live in A2 and I try to make it out to Zingermanns once a week.
Also if you want some awesome burgers, go to Blimpy Burgers. Best burgers ever!
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