Over the weekend there were a few interesting developments in food and food-related news in Metro Detroit.
Save Your Quarters:
Pop+Offworld, the bar/pizza joint/arcade, opened up on Friday above Checker Bar at 128 Cadillac Square (website). They have more than 30 vintage arcade games, ‘za, and, well, a bar. It’s neat that it actually opened, and there are two more bar arcade projects in the oven.
Speaking of bars and arcades, Ready Player One seems to have had some problems getting their quarters in the machine to get started, but is making some progress according to a Facebook post. They mention they’ve been wrestling with fitting a kitchen into a historic building – and the Globe, built in 1888 and served as a former cigar factory, is definitely that.
Ready Player One was originally going to open earlier this year. No date has been given.
That will make three bar arcades in greater downtown Detroit with the soon to be addition of the national chain Barcade from Brooklyn up on Selden Street.
If you really need a fix for now, there’s MBREW in downtown Ferndale. They have lots of pinball and the place is like having a drink in a house up north. But a mile or so north of 8 Mile.
Dive Bar Drama:
Nancy Whiskey, a bar that has received plaudit after plaudit for authenticity and a good time in North Corktown, is apparently under investigation.
The Freep first-reported the details which is an interesting read late Friday, but the TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) version is one of the owners also works for the FBI and they’re looking into allegations of money laundering and false statements. There has been a raid that turned up $900 (that was returned to the owners) and a gun. The ownership strongly denies the allegations.
Le Petit Zinc Packed Up:
One of the early entrants in this round of Corktown revival was Le Petit Zinc. The french-focused breakfast and crepe spot that opened in 2009 has a disagreement with their landlord, and last weekend was their last at their location on Trumbull. They plan to reopen, but no public word yet as to where or exactly when. Hopefully they make that happen soon.
La Lanterna Started Brunching
On Sunday, La Lanterna started brunch service. That’s an Northern Italian restaurant that’s been revived after a 40 year hiatus in a retail spot in Capitol Park. Here’s their words, not ours, as to what’s being offered:
The new menu will offer classic Italian breakfast dishes like melon prosciutto, chocolate croissants, and an assortment of traditional and creative crepes, alongside American breakfast favorites. La Lanterna’s bar will also open for brunch, serving popular beverage options like bloody marys, mimosas and the traditional Italian Bellini. The bar will remain open between the end of brunch at 2:30 p.m. and the start of dinner service at 4 p.m.
A menu (a copy from the weekend is above) pegs prices at between $9-$15 for brunch entrees.
