630. Brewery Faisan – June 10, 2023 – Detroit, MI

Good vibes abound at Brewery Faisan! And good beers. GREAT beers, in fact!

The brewery based in the Islandview neighborhood of Detroit offers a slew of craft brews created on site. Current offerings include a raspberry saison, an Italian-style pilsner, a double IPA, and a Czech-style dark lager.

And it’s a GREAT time, the kind of place that fosters convivial connections with strangers. Brewery Faisan regularly hosts community-fostering events; upcoming ones (at the time of this post) include a photography exhibit, a pheasant-sighting walk, and a kid-friendly Lego build/donation drive dubbed Buildapalooza.

Dogs are allowed to fraternize at Brewery Faisan, too, so bring your favorite (leashed) canine companions with you when you sample its current collection of brews and food from the restaurant pop-ups it regularly hosts.

My visit to Brewery Faisan last June was precipitated by an event it hosted: a 5K race with Michigan Brewery Running Series. The race entry fee included a post-run brew. I enjoyed a cranberry and coriander infused wit (I believe it was the Quiddity currently featured on Brewery Faisan’s website). I also had a spiced stout, because how could I choose just one of those enticing brews? Both beers were delicious – perfect accompaniments to the gorgeous summer weather my friend and I enjoyed with fellow racers on Brewery Faisan’s patio.

Speaking of Brewery Faisan’s patio: it is EVERYTHING. Strands of lights and ivy taking flight, against the backdrop of a vibrantly-painted mural? YES, PLEASE! Double yes-please when I’m sitting on said patio with a pint of Brewery Faisan’s fantastically named coffee stout, No Egrets, in my hand.

Trust me, you’ll have no egrets at all about getting yourself down to this wonderful brewery!

1087 Beaufait St.

Detroit, MI 48207

www.breweryfaisan.com

629. Grey Ghost – June 5, 2023 – Detroit, MI

Grey Ghost is an expert in crafting epic epicurious experiences!

The downtown-based restaurant has long been a local favorite – and I found out why during my visit. Cozied up to the bar in the classy, dimly lit space, it was easy to forget everything in the outside world and focus simply on having fun – and consuming amazing flavors. From the bartenders to the chefs to the kitchen crew, the team members of Grey Ghost are virtuosos in crafting straight-up flavor voyages!

Take the cocktail I ordered during my visit, the Runaway Cowboy. From smoked maple to salt, amaro to orange to chocolate, the mezcal-based drink was oozing with exquisite flavor ambiance.

And with its kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, the Lamb Cordon Bleu was utterly delicious! The tender lamb was rolled up with rich manchego cheese, breaded and crispy deep-fried, dotted with piquant mustard seeds and diced cornichon, and served on a drizzle of roasted red pepper sauce. It was served with crispy-fried broccoli rabe, its bitter bite a satisfying accompaniment to the array of flavors in this artfully crafted dish.

And as the topper to this deliciousness, I treated myself to a piece of Grey Ghost’s Chocolate Cake. This rendition was topped with a white chocolate ganache, an ample piping of strawberry mousse, crunchy milk crumbles, and fresh mint. Mmm-mmm to that!

And mmm-mmm to Grey Ghost! From the food and the drink to the service and ambiance, everything I experienced there was on-point. And with its menus ever-evolving, no epicurious experience there is ever bound to be the same.

47 Watson St.

Detroit, MI 48201

www.greyghostdetroit.com

622. Playground Detroit – April 5, 2023 – Detroit, MI

Playground Detroit is a magical place! One that fosters creative expression, sparks a feeling of possibility, clears your chakras.

“Clears your chakras???” you may be asking, quizzically. Why, yes! Chakra-clearing was in full force during my April visit to this Detroit-based art gallery and creative talent agency that manages artists, facilitates art sales and commissions, and proffers additional promotion-related services.

Playground Detroit regularly hosts exhibits featuring the work of local artists. Additional events held at the gallery include artist’s talks, book signings, and classes such as the yoga class I was there to take (where that chakra-clearing commenced).

The Journey Through Chakras yoga class was taught by Samantha Jameson and DJ’ed by Peter Croce. And it was FANTASTIC. It was held in conjunction with the exhibit on display at that time at Playground Detroit: local artist Zoe Beaudry’s And And And And, a collection of portraits painted in a realistic style, gorgeous and soulful, vulnerable and infused with light. Light radiated not only from the shading captured in the portraits, but also literal light bulbs – tiny sparks of light inserted into many of the paintings, with some representing chakra points such as the crown and throat.

What ambiance for a yoga practice. And to think I almost didn’t go to this class!

I was in the midst of intense life stuff at this time and because of that, pondered skipping the Journey Through Chakras class. My dithering about attending meant that I was the last person to show up, a few minutes before the class started. The gallery hosted a full house, which meant that I practiced with my head right near the front door. But man, when the lights went down and the music started playing, and Samantha began the practice, starting with sun salutations and sprinklings of water likely infused with essential oils and good vibes (the hippie version of a priest sprinkling holy water during mass), was I SO glad I came!

This class was exactly what I needed: to be in community, raise my energy, and release what wasn’t serving me via moving, stretching, and meditation. To be surrounded by beautiful art, in the darkened space dimly lit by blue lighting, with music vibrating through the air and our bodies, and the collective energy of high-vibing humans – that was super special.

I left that yoga class and Playground Detroit, feeling lighter, more hopeful, and alive. That’s what the best art does: uplifts and inspires us. Thank you, Zoe, Samantha, Peter, and Playground Detroit, for uplifting and inspiring me when I really needed it!

2845 Gratiot Ave.

Detroit, MI 48207

www.playgrounddetroit.com

621. Evie’s Tamales – March 31, 2023 – Detroit, MI

Evie’s Tamales, swoon-worthy for both the taste buds and the wallet! The Detroit restaurant serves an unbeatable lunch special: two pork tamales, rice, and beans for $4.75. $4.75!

To be filled up by a $5 meal in this age of inflation: that is magic. And Evie’s tamales are magic: savory, flavor-filled magic. Round it out with rice and beans, and you’ve got a tasty, satisfying meal!

This family-owned restaurant has been a staple in the Mexicantown neighborhood of Detroit for decades. And it serves much more than tamales. Visit Evie’s for other classics of Mexican cuisine: burritos, enchiladas, tostadas, tacos, flautas, chimichangas, menudo, and more. It even serves breakfast! This egg-centric section of the menu features a.m. favorites such as chilaquiles and huevos rancheros.

And Evie’s offers another lunch special: a pick-two combo that consists of rice, beans, and two items from this list: taco, burrito, enchilada, tostada. All that for $5.50.

$5.50 for a happy belly? I’ll take it!

3454 Bagley St.

Detroit, MI 48216

620. Black Coffee Café – March 31, 2023 – Detroit, MI

Black Coffee Café is the perfect place to curl up on a rainy day! Or a sunny day, or a cloudy one . . .. The coffee shop in the North End neighborhood of Detroit is serving up pleasant digs and tasty coffee, tea, and baked goods.

To start, the exterior of the café is a work of art, emblazoned with a striking mural. It’s flanked by cylinders that look like giant sections of pipe, their interiors adorned with vibrant paintings. I didn’t realize until recently that these cylinders contain benches. What clever outdoor seating! Intimate and immersive.

Black Coffee’s interior is just as eye-catching. It’s a mix of earth tones and pops of color – color in the form of yellow walls and vibrant woven bowls clustered on one wall, flanked by masks and Afrocentric art. It’s a chic, tidy space, small but inviting.

Cozy furniture clustered in one corner offers conversation-conducive seating options, while a counter along the window creates a workspace and perch for people-watching. It’s a sweet space to sip a fresh-brewed coffee, cappuccino, or tea – a place to work, connect, or just be.

9405 John R St.

Detroit, MI 48202

www.blackcoffee.cafe

617. Detroit Repertory Theatre – March 25, 2023 – Detroit, MI

Get swept away by story at Detroit Repertory Theatre! And support a Detroit institution that’s been in operation since 1957.

Since its inception, Detroit Repertory Theatre has championed a mixed-race cast and community involvement. In addition to putting on four plays a year, the theater offers acting workshops that include financial-need-based scholarships and its Cultural Fellowship Program, which gives underprivileged individuals the opportunity to be frequent theatergoers. It considers screenplays by beginning writers via its New Playwrights Program, and it showcases artwork by Metro-Detroiters in The Gilda Snowden Gallery located in its lobby. By way of this grassroots activism and commitment to diversity, Detroit Repertory Theatre lives out its mission to “produce the finest professional theatre while democratizing the arts and fighting, by example, the disturbing level of racism that still exists.”

Beginning as a company that performed on the road, the Detroit Repertory Theatre settled into its spot on Woodrow Wilson Street in the early 1960s. The venerable venue offers free, gated parking; a cozy lobby with a bar serving alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, plus snacks and main-course items such as sandwiches and mac-n-cheese; and seating for 194.

I saw Transfers during my visit to Detroit Repertory Theatre and was swept away by Lucy Thurber’s play about two young men vying for a spot at a prestigious college – and a chance to escape their traumatic pasts. At times heart-wrenching and also humorous, the emotionally raw play captivated me – and gave me quite a shock when one of the characters burst from a seat in my aisle to join the action on stage! (His raucous emergence led me to initially peg him as a mentally unstable audience member with malevolent intentions.) The play’s poignant end left me hopeful about both main characters’ futures. It was a happy ending, in my book – a realistic one. And who doesn’t love a happy ending?

Detroit Repertory Theatre’s 66th season recently reached its happy ending; details on its 67th season should be available soon. Subscribe to its newsletter to stay in the know, and be prepared to experience this magical theater for yourself!

13103 Woodrow Wilson St.

Detroit, MI 48238

www.detroitreptheatre.com

614. Detroit Rose – March 16, 2023 – Detroit, MI

Enter the olfactory oasis that is Detroit Rose! The Southwest Detroit-based shop offers sweet serenity in the form of its clean-ingredient-infused candles and skincare items.

I came to Detroit Rose for a candle-making class put on by the owner, Elaine, and one of her teammates, Lailani. The class was WONDERFUL! From the moment I stepped into the shop, I felt welcomed. Elaine and Lailani greeted me warmly and told me to help myself to a spread: wine and seltzer, crackers and cheese, and other snacks and libations set out for class attendees.

I immediately adored the shop’s contemporary yet cozy vibes: white walls and neutrals accented by pops of color; a profusion of potted plants; and of course, shelves of skincare and candles. Lots and lots of lovely-smelling candles! (A special shout-out goes to Detroit Rose’s Campfire candle, which is one of the best things I’ve smelled in my LIFE!)

The other class attendees – all women – filtered in, and they were all good vibes: friendly and interesting and fun. I felt like a kid at summer camp overeager to make friends; I wanted to befriend them all! Ladies, can we start a Detroit Rose March 16, 2023 alumni club, please? You gals were awesome!

Elaine and Lailani were awesome, too! They put on an amazing class; it was so informative. I had no idea how much science went into scent-making. That was the bulk of the class, actually: learning how to construct a candle scent comprised of three notes: the top, middle, and base notes. We sniffed essential oil sample sticks to learn which notes we liked best together, then concocted our scent using a formula recommended by Elaine: the ideal ratios of each scent note.

After much sniffing and considering, I’d crafted my signature scent: a base note of sandalwood, middle note of lavender, and top note of cinnamon. It’s an alluring mix of floral and musk, if I do say so myself! And it’s a clean mix. Detroit Rose’s hand-poured candles are made with soy-based wax and essential oils. They are free of all the baddie stuff: petroleum, dyes, additives, preservatives, phthalates, lead.

Detroit Rose’s skincare products – its clay mask, face and body oils, tonic, and hand sanitizer – are also free of no-no nasty chemicals. Nourishing natural ingredients infused in these items include rosehip, chia, sunflower, and jojoba.

Whether you’re looking to take a class or treat yourself to its self-care-promoting wares, check out Detroit Rose! Shop from home via its website, or hit the shop to browse (and sniff) in-person; see the Studio Shopping page of Detroit Rose’s website for more details about its retail hours. And to see when the next candle-making class opens for registration, follow its Instagram account, detroit_rose.

451 W. Grand Blvd.

Detroit, MI 48216

www.detroitrose.com

608. 7greens – February 6, 2023 – Detroit, MI

7greens and its sweet Chachie salad! The salad that is, hands-down, one of the BEST things I’ve eaten this year.

The fast-casual restaurant based in downtown Detroit sells more than salads. It’s also got smoothies, bowls, wraps, burritos, nachos, and toasts (“Elevated Toast,” as it’s deemed on the menu – a.k.a. toast with fancy-fun ingredients such as arugula, avocado, and flax oil drizzle). Its food features fresh, healthful ingredients; only natural sweeteners are used (no baddie refined sugars added here!). Whole foods reign supreme at 7greens, which is right up my alley!

Lots of options on the 7greens menu are right up my alley. I’m definitely enticed by its Warm Bowls, especially the Spicy Buddha Bowl with its spinach, beets, red cabbage, avocado, chickpeas, roasted sweet potatoes, and organic brown rice drizzled with lime juice and served with a spicy cashew sauce. And I love that there’s a Create Your Own Meal! option, allowing you to craft your own salad, bowl, or wrap by choosing the greens, toppings, and sauce of your choice. Pick from a wide array of proteins, nuts, greens, veggies, cheeses, and crunchy stuff (think pita chips and toasted ramen), then top it off with one of 7greens’ house-made sauces, all of which are gluten-free and paleo- and keto-diet friendly, according to its website.

Or choose a smoothie. You couldn’t go wrong with 7greens’ decadent-yet-healthful Reese’s Cup, a concoction of dark chocolate, peanut butter, banana, dates, chocolate-flavored protein, maca, and almond milk. Throw in dried cherries, dark chocolate chunks, a honey drizzle, or another of the tasty touches available on the smoothie add-on menu.

Or go with that Chachie, one of the BEST meals I’ve had all year and certainly one of the best salads of my life. It was utterly fantastic, a fresh flavor explosion via a mix of romaine, kale, cucumber, tomato, quinoa tabbouleh, falafel, hummus, and pita chips. Served with a half a lemon and a pomegranate sumac dressing, it was accompanied by a slice of nutty wheat bread.

Hummus in a lettuce-based salad??? I never would’ve thought to do that. 7greens did, and they were spot-on: that hummus is the key to the Chachie’s extreme deliciousness. That and the broken-up bits of falafel, and the pita chip pieces, and the zesty quinoa tabbouleh . . .. I could go on and on about how great that Chachie is. But you really must experience it for yourself!

1222 Library St.

Detroit, MI 48226

www.7greens.com

607. The Lip Bar – February 6, 2023 – Detroit, MI

A visit to The Lip Bar made for a bold, Bawse Lady of a Monday!

The locally-owned makeup brand is a total boss, with its wares being sold at Target and Walmart stores across the country. So it’s totally appropriate that it offers a shade of lipstick called Bawse Lady.

That’s the shade I tried and bought when I visited The Lip Bar’s shop located in Parker’s Alley in downtown Detroit. It was a delight to experience the sleek store with its neatly curated shelves of makeup and wall of mirrors nestled into arched cut-outs, a swing bench anchored from the ceiling in front of each one. The personalized shopping experience offered to me by the salesperson running the shop that day was awesome. She’s the one who convinced me to try The Lip Bar’s Liquid Matte Lipstick in the Bawse Lady shade.

I was initially intimidated by the thought of having to apply the bold lip stain with an applicator wand, but it was easier to put on than I expected. And I loved the striking red hue! Minutes after leaving The Lip Bar, I got compliments on my makeup – and for that, I’m giving Bawse Lady and that lovely saleswoman all of the credit!

Not only is Bawse Lady a pretty shade, but it’s impressively long-lasting. Yay to a liquid matte lipstick that’s easy to apply and worth the effort!

And double-yay to The Lip Bar’s makeup being vegan and cruelty-free! Its makeup line is comprehensive, featuring not only lipsticks and lip glosses, balms, and liners but also skincare products, tinted moisturizers, bronzers, concealers, eyeliners, eyeshadows, mascaras, and more. The women-of-color-founded brand is made for all shades; take its Complexion Quiz to receive personalized makeup recommendations, and use its Virtual Try On feature to see the products on yourself right at home. Or take a trip to The Lip Bar’s shop and sample its pretty wares in person!

1435 Farmer St., Ste. 122

Detroit, MI 48226

www.thelipbar.com/pages/the-lip-bar-flagship-store-detroit

606. Dooped Donuts – February 6, 2023 – Detroit, MI

Dooped Donuts is a sweet place to be! Cuddle up with a coffee and a baked delight at this cute vegan donut shop in downtown Detroit.

That’s exactly what I did one Monday morning in early February. Being a remote-based worker is the perfect excuse to try a new place! The ballet-pink-, hunter-green-, and blond-wood-accented interior of Dooped Donuts became my workspace for a couple of hours. Caffeine-and-sugar-fueled focus: what a way to start a work week!

The storefront is the former site of another local business: coffee house Ashe Supply Co. Ashe, in fact, lives on at Dooped Donuts: its roastery still operates within the building, and its coffee is featured on the menu. No wonder the black coffee I ordered at Dooped Donuts was so delicious! It didn’t need to be gussied up with add-ins; it was flavorful on its own.

If I had wanted a fancier drink, I could have ordered my coffee-shop stand-by: a cappuccino. Dooped Donuts offers coffee-, tea-, and espresso-based drinks, including iced coffee, matcha lattes, and pour-over coffee.

And the donuts! Why am I burying the lead and not getting to the donuts already? Dooped Donuts’ are tantalizingly fresh nuggets of fried dough and sweetness. The shop offers an ever-changing array of enticing flavor varieties. Donuts featured this year have included Pecan Toffee, Mulled Rosé, Berry Basil, and two launched in honor of 313 Day: one with a Faygo Red Pop-infused glaze, the other a chocolate glaze topped with crushed Better Made potato chips. The donuts are not only vegan but handmade, crafted by a “small-but-mighty team” that “makes over 1200 donuts fresh each week,” according to Dooped Donuts’ website.

During my visit to Dooped Donuts, I indulged in a lemon-curd filled donut, and it was A-MAZING. Dusted with powdered sugar, it was delectably crispy-fried on the outside but soft on the inside, wherein nestled the luxuriously sweet-yet-sour lemon curd. Yum, yum, and YUM!

Experience the YUM-ness for yourself with a trip to Dooped Donuts. Whatever the time of year, fresh-fried goodness is always in fashion!

1555 Broadway St.

Detroit, MI 48226

www.getdooped.com