Jer Staes

May 17, 2025

I had a chance to check out Spritz Bar at San Morello. It's open in the evenings Thursdays through Sundays through Negroni Week (think end of September) on the ground floor of the Shinola Hotel.

The patio is on Woodward and the cityscape views are great. On a nice day, the vibes, as some might say, are immaculate.

If you’ve never had an Aperol Spritz, I suggest you try it.

As I know it, it’s Aperol, Prosecco, and a splash of club soda over ice. Light and refreshing, good warm weather drink. Not too boozy.

As you can guess by the colors, orange flavor is the vibe. But not overly sweet (which I like).

Randy Walker

May 9, 2025

Last Saturday, I was in the outer reaches of our coverage area and thought I’d swing by Waycaster Tiki on my way home. I’ve wanted to visit since it opened back in December, and I finally got the chance to go to South Lyon.

From the outside, only the sign and a few tiki decorations hint at what's inside the nondescript building.

The interior tells a different story.

Stepping in the door, you’ll need a few seconds for your eyes to adjust. The lighting is very low and designed to give chill and intimate vibes.

Once I could see... I was blown away!

The well-decorated interior seats 40 people, divided into several cozy sections designed for small groups rather than centered around a main area.

Each unique seating area offers something different – one separated by vine curtains, another featuring a bar counter with paired stools.

As I was alone, I chose one of the four stools at the bar.

Behind the bar was the usual array of backlit bottles, but crowning the back bar were two shelves that held a variety tiki mugs in various shapes.

The menu was small, but on point.

Each page held an image and a description of a single drink — some with the expected rum, some with gin, and some with tequila. There was even a giant shareable cocktail on the menu. Beer was available, as were nonalcoholic drinks.

I sampled three cocktails: a Tradewinds, Singapore Sling and Jungle Bird. Each drink was delicious and very different from each other.

There is also a “Rations” section of the menu that has dried fruits and nuts, cheeses, and cured meats.

My Palm Plate included mango ginger cheese, brie, honey, dried fruit and pita crisps. It was a great snack to pair with my drinks.

When I got there in the late afternoon, the bar had a sparse crowd and the friendly staff were happy to chat with me.

As day turned into night, things started to pick up as reservation holders arrived. The tiki music that plays all the time could still be heard, but various conversations blended together to make the place sound lively.

I definitely plan to return to Waycaster Tiki! Next time, with friends.

You will find it at 228 S Lafayette Street in South Lyon.

Check out their website at https://www.waycastertiki.com for hours and to make a reservation.

Luciano Marcon

Apr 28, 2025

"Cozy' and "neighborly" are two words that popped into my head when I attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new café and plant shop in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood today.

Having had the idea for a couple years, co-owners Alan Alexander and Adam Cichy opened last November but waited until warmer weather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Key in making this happen was a $70,000 Motor City Match grant to help with construction, equipment, and furniture.

I enjoyed light snacks made by Alan, and I sipped a warm, honey vanilla latte.

With training at the Culinary Institute of America and an eye for design, the owners created a space that made me want to return.

On the menu you'll find coffee and tea, plus lunch items like chicken salad sandwiches, and smoke salmon carpaccio.

Plus, there's unique home goods, and you will be given care guidance if you purchase a plant.

Alcohol may be in the future as Alan and Adam are working on obtaining a liquor license.

dose. detroit is located at 3706 4th Street. It is open every day except for Monday.

Luciano Marcon

Apr 24, 2025

The free festival this year is the weekend of May 3rd and 4th. It's been running since 1966.

You can get all the details here but I'm looking forward to the traditional Polish food and the strawberry pies. Since I can eat there or take it home, I'll grab an extra pie for the road.

I'm Polish, but you don't need to be to attend.

Both days. there will be live music from local bands like the Polish Muslims, Kamerton, and the Kielbasa Kings. And don't miss the folk dances Sunday.

If you didn't know, St. Florian is the patron saint of firefighters. To honor that, on Saturday there's a firefighters march at 3:30p from the Hamtramck fire station to the church — followed by a mass at 4p.

St. Florian is at 2026 Poland Street in Hamtramck.

Jer Staes

Apr 17, 2025

According to press materials, it'll open on April 24, 2025 and will be in the old Andiamo spot on Main Street in downtown Royal Oak.

This will be the 71st location for the chain that was founded in 2010. They offer broths simmered for 20 hours, traditional Japanese rice bowls, handcrafted noodles, craft cocktails, craft beer, and more.

They also have what they call "premium" toppings like tender pork chashu, shrimp wonton and seasoned eggs.

The Royal Oak location will be open Sunday through Wednesday from 11a to 10p and Thursday through Saturday from 11a to 11p.