Food

More mead to flow in Ferndale with opening of Schramm’s Mead

By Newsroom

●

March 28, 2013

Mead may be the next frontier in the world of craft -- craft beer, craft food, craft wine -- and Ferndale will soon be home to two meaderies. The latest, Schramm's Mead, is under construction at 327 W. 9 Mile and will open in May. It's just a couple of miles from B. Nektar Meadery, which opened a production facility and tasting room several weeks ago. Schramm's is owned by Ken Schramm, a connoisseur of mead and go-to guy in honey wine circles that are buzzing as mead finds its niche. Schramm authored The Compleat Meadmaker, the Bible for mead-makers, and founded The Mazer Cup international mead competition. His meads, often fruity or spiced, will be produced and sold at the new store in downtown Ferndale. There will be a tasting room and food menu. Schramm and his family will run the business and hire several employees. During a presentation before the Ferndale City Council, when Schramm requested a small winery license, he said he and his family are carrying on a family tradition that goes back to ancestors who came here from Germany, fought for the union in the Civil War, and are still in possession of family farms that go back 100 years in their family. "The Schramm family has a 160-year history of providing food and drink to metro Detroiters," Schramm says, pointing out that his mother came from Ferndale. "We are thrilled at the opportunity to do business in Ferndale." Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Ken Schramm, founder, Schramm's Mead

Latest in Food

Tokyo Sushi now rolling in Ferndale

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

March 21, 2013

A metro Detroit sushi chain has added a sixth location, this one in Ferndale. Toyko Sushi opened several weeks ago on Woodward Heights in place of Pete's Place, a closing that brought disappointment to the neighborhood customers and fans. Tokyo Sushi's latest location is a dine-in or carry-out and also caters. Chef owner, Chris Sayanthone, serves Japanese, Thai and sushi. While the opening is not in downtown Ferndale, it is one of several businesses locating on the periphery of downtown, including several that are converting light manufacturing facilities into retail businesses. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Chris Hughes, Ferndale Downtown Development Authority

‘Ole!’, says downtown Clawson, to new Mojave Cantina

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

March 14, 2013

A new Mexican restaurant is opening in downtown Clawson. Mojave Cantina is in the midst of a soft opening, testing its menu of traditional burritos, tacos, quesadillas and its own twist on those Mexican staples, as well as specialties such as a Mojave salad and bacon and tomato guacamole. Margaritas and sangria are on the menu too. It's located at 48 W. 14 Mile and is one of several new businesses that have opened or plan to open in the downtown, which is also taking on changes that will make it more walkable and bicycle friendly. The owners, who renovated the space, are continuing to hire staff, host private events and open the doors for limited hours. Hours will go to full-time within two weeks, says Joan Horton, executive director of the Clawson Downtown Development Authority. Judging by Mojave Cantina's Facebook posts, locals are ready to pull up a chair. The restaurant can seat up to 140 people and will host live music acts and salsa dancing. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Joan Horton, executive director, Clawson Downtown Development Authority

Ethel’s Edibles opens new store & bakehouse in St. Clair Shores

By Newsroom

●

Community Development

●

March 7, 2013

People are eating up Ethel's Edibles gluten-free baked goods at such a pace that this toddler of a company has had to grow up quickly and move to a larger bakehouse and its first bakery retail store. The company started at the family dinner table and has spread to stores in metro Detroit and Michigan. "We really hadn't intended to move so quickly, but this spot came up," says self-taught gluten-free baker and chef Jill Bommarito of Grosse Pointe. In 2010, she discovered the pecan dandies and hot blondies that would get her name out there in Grosse Pointe. By August 2011, she was shipping her goodies to food bloggers around the country and involved with the Tri County Celiacs Support Group which introduced her to people, events and organizations looking for gluten-free baked goods that didn't taste gluten free. By November, Ethel's Edibles was in its first store. It's now in 25 stores, and in June Plum Market will carry Ethel's in its new Chicago store along with two other Michigan products -- Zingerman's and Cooper Street Cookies. "It's all about having good people to work with," she says. "And the customers, they are amazing. They have helped us so much in how we do things. They have great ideas, great advice. There are so many good stories." Eastern Market, too, she says, has been the launching pad for her company and so many food start-ups. The new bakehouse on Harper Road between 8 and 9 Mile Roads in St. Clair Shores is the stepping stone to more products, more distribution, and relationships with like-minded small businesses, Bommarito says. She has 12 employees and is developing a "decadent cookie like Mrs. Field's and a great gluten-free muffin." She started gluten-free cooking to take care of family members with Celiac's Disease, an intolerance to gluten that is hereditary. Her goal, she says, was to make the same family favorites without anyone knowing the difference. The success of Ethel's Edibles, named after Bommarito's grandmother who taught her to bake and cook in a carefree and creative style, resulted from a beautiful collision of circumstances: a growing consumer interest in eating gluten-free, a deepening interest in supporting local businesses and the explosion of social media as a sales and marketing tool. "Twitter and Facebook have been tremendous," she says. "By the time we were in stores in August we would come up on Google….We receive orders through Facebook from Boston, Chicago, California." "Last year, our first full year, was a fun year, a busy year," she says. "We intend to double our production this year over last year." Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Jill Bommarito, founder, Ethel's Edibles

Marais restaurant taking over two storefronts in Grosse Pointe

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

March 7, 2013

The Village in downtown Grosse Pointe is getting a new restaurant, one with a French influence that will take over two storefronts on Kercheval Avenue and be run by a couple connected to culinary standouts in metro Detroit and in Europe. Marais, owned by David and Monica Gilbert, will be an upscale white tablecloth French restaurant at the corner of Kercheval Avenue and St. Clair, says Jennifer Palms Boettcher, president and executive director of the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce. The Gilberts have traveled the world learning about food and have cut their chops at the best of the best in the restaurant arena. David Gilbert cooked at top Michelin-rated restaurants in Europe. He and Monica Gilbert left Brian Polcyn's award-winning Forest Grill in Birmingham, where he was executive chef and she was general manager, to build Marais in Grosse Pointe, where the couple lives. Opening day for Marais could come by August, says James V. Bellanca, an attorney who negotiates lease deals for the family that owns several pieces of property in the Village. Part of the French bistro will be pub and private dining area. The other will be the dining room, says Bellanca. At 6,100 square feet, he says it will be the largest restaurant in Grosse Pointe. "With David's design and reputation and experience this is going to be an exceptional operation," Bellanca says. The current occupants of the two storefronts, one a prominent, window-wrapped space at the corner of Kercheval and St. Clair, are moving out so that renovations can begin. The Grosse Pointe Art Center and Bellissima women's clothing and bridal boutique have found new locations. The art center is moving a block away on Kercheval, and Bellisima is moving to Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Woods. Marais will add variety to the Village, which is home food-wise to two bagel shops, two bakeries, two coffee shops, two casual restaurants and City Kitchen, a slightly upscale restaurant and bar that's expanding its bar. The expansion and the coming of Marais is building on a buzz across all the Pointes as metro Detroit restaurateurs show some love to the community, where residents are used to leaving town for variety and often asking, "Why not here?" "I think there is great opportunity for restaurants and other businesses to locate in the Village," says Grosse Pointe City Manager Peter Dame. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Peter Dame, Grosse Pointe city manager, and Jennifer Palms Boettcher, president and executive director, Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce

Elwell Grill to join emerging downtown in Auburn Hills

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

February 28, 2013

A downtown in progress in Auburn Hills has a restaurant joining the mix of the businesses that are a part of an economic development plan to provide a walkable, community-event centered central gathering place for local families, students and visitors. Elwell Grill, run by a restaurateur who came out of retirement at age 76, opened in December and is now serving lunch and dinner from a modern American menu in a cozy urban setting. Patrick Elwell has a nearly 50-year history in restaurants in Auburn Hills. The city's Tax Increment Financing Authority, which is investing in the emerging downtown area around Auburn and Squirrel roads, provided funding so that the restaurant would contribute to a Main Street feel. Originally the entrance would have been at the rear of the Elwell Grill, but with the help of TIFA it was moved to the front and additional doors and windows were added. The push to create a downtown and attract more businesses is in large part connected to the opening next year of an Oakland University graduate student housing and retail complex that will attract hundreds of residents. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Tom Tanghe, Auburn Hills assistant city manager

From Up North to Your Door: Cherries & Grapes

By Kim North Shine

●

General

●

February 28, 2013

There's little doubt that Michigan is the midwest's Horn Of Plenty. But how to wrangle all those delicious wines, ciders, jams, and treats from around the state into your pantry? The folks at Cherries & Grapes intend to make being a true-blue locavore as easy as a few clicks on your computer.

Dan Gearig: Building a Better Food Truck

By Patrick Dunn

●

General

●

February 21, 2013

Anyone who thinks that food trucks are just a passing fad hasn't been paying attention. Around the country mobile eateries are gaining more and more popularity. But where to get those trucks? That's the question the Mac Shack's Dan Gearig has set out to answer with his new food truck fabrication biz, Red Beard Customs.

Happy’s Pizza expands nationally from Farmington Hills home

By Newsroom

●

Health

●

February 21, 2013

Metro Detroit is known as the home to some of the titans of the pizza industry. Does the region have one more pizzeria powerbroker ready to step up? The people building Happy's Pizza think so. The Farmington Hills-based company just opened its 100th franchise in Detroit this month. It is adding 20-30 franchises annually and has pizzerias across the country in states like California, Nevada, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. The bulk of the company's franchises are in Michigan, which has 60. "In 2008, we started to grow at a trajectory of 30 stores a year," says Christina Rice, vice president of franchise development for Happy's Pizza. "I have seven stores under construction right now. We have 20-30 set to come online this year." Happy's Pizza got its start in 1996 when Happy Asker opened his first location in northeast Detroit. The then 18-year-old, who is still the CEO, spent the first part of his adult life building the business to 30 franchises across Michigan while still maintaining a growing presence in the city of Detroit. The firm now has a dozen franchises in all corners of the Motor City and made the decision to open the 100th location in the city that launched it. Each Happy's Pizza employs 15-30 people, depending on the size of the delivery fleet. The company also has a staff of 50 employees in Farmington Hills, after hiring half a dozen more in 2012. In all, the company has created in the area of 700 new jobs over the last year. Source: Christina Rice, vice president of franchise development for Happy's Pizza Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Great Lakes Coffee Roasting brews in new Lake Orion store

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

February 7, 2013

Midtown Detroit's Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company is finishing up its first week as a coffee bar in a third location, this one in Lake Orion. After the original in Detroit came one inside Bloomfield's Maple Theater. Its newest is inside Kensington Church on South Lapeer Road. It opened Jan. 30 and is serving up its special blends, fresh-roasted nearby. It has a drive through and also serves swirlberry frozen yogurt and local products, such as pastries from Love & Buttercream in Royal Oak. Besides adding physical locations, the company's online store is growing as well. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co.