Foodie in the City: April
hi foodie! it's Elle stopping by to share some of my favorite dining experiences within the last month or two. enjoy + eat up!
Another month of some of my most memorable dining moments in and around Detroit. Dining out is one of my favorite hobbies; not only is it a chance to step away from creating and indulging or doing research, it’s an opportunity to reward myself after a pop-up, long week, or reaching a goal. It’s also one of my favorite ways to connect with people.
Monday nights at Two Birds when Sincerely, is dj-ing, and Fried Chicken and Caviar are hosting a pop-up for industry night, is one of my favorite ways to relax after a busy weekend. I finally got the chance to attend the Glizzy Party and try the Fried Chicken and Caviar Glizzy. so good! I’m a hot dog girl, burnt ones of course, but who would’ve thought to make a bad and boujee hot dog? very here for it, lol.
Some of my favorite bartender friends at Easy Peasy told me to try the Hippy Hash at Fleetwood Diner, so I finally did after a long night of fun downtown, and it was so delicious. Known as the first sidewalk cafe in Ann Arbor, Fleetwood is a 24-hour diner offering all-day breakfast, burgers, gyros, and their famous Hippy Hash. The hash includes hash browns topped with grilled green peppers, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, and feta cheese, with the choice of gyro, corned beef, tempeh, chicken, or without extra protein.
It’s the first hash that I would love after a long night in undergrad because you know it will soak up all of the bad decisions, but you’re still eating whole. The feta cheese was the perfect switch from your classic cheddar-jack blend, and your girl loved feta. The broccoli was cooked perfectly- a tinch of crunch to ensure the dish heats up well for leftovers. Would try again to test out other hash combos and menu items.
If I wanted to bring someone to Detroit for a phenomenal meal, Flowers would be at the top of my list. I have a special place in my heart for pop-ups turned brick-and-mortars + bringing innovative and unique dining experiences to food swamps. Not to mention, those caramel wings tell it all. Their chicken wings are a menu go-to, Korean fried, covered in caramel sauce, and garnished with Vietnamese “pennywort” which refers to a Vietnamese ground covering that is used in cuisines and traditional medicine. The cucumber salad with mint, togarashi, crispy garlic, peanuts, and togarashi is to die for as well. 10 out of 10 experience. Each time.
Probably my favorite dining experience of the first quarter: PUMA on a Thursday night is the place to be. Chef Javier Bardauil has done it again by transforming an old car garage into PUMA, a South American-inspired restaurant specializing in dishes inspired by Latin street food with a 360-degree DJ booth. From the moment you enter the room, it is clear that you’re there for a good time. Now, let’s talk menu: for snacks, you must try the Peruvian Jalea, which is a medley of fried seafood (shrimp, calamari) garnished with cilantro, red onion, and jalapeno and served with aji verde. The empanada was good but not my absolute favorite (I’ll share my favorite soon!).
I’ve never heard a bad comment on their ceviches. I tried the Mussels Chalaca- mussels garnished with tomato, red onion, jalapeño, lemon, and cilantro. Lastly, the chicken sando. Everyone secretly competes for the best chicken sandwich, and I love it as a consumer (and chef). This one was an 8 out of 10. Very flavorful, cilantro aioli is great, perfect bun with a sear, wish it was crispier but reminds me of polla alla brasa, so I am not mad at it!
Plan a day trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts or take an adventure on the Q-Line and stop by babo Detroit for all-day brunch (okay, well, maybe only until 5 pm, but you get the point!) Babo is a gourmet diner in Midtown offering a full bar, a delicious creme brulee french toast, and some really good sweet & spicy gochujang krispy wings- just ask for them fried well done. Although I burped garlic for hours, those home fries were some of the best I’ve had around Detroit!
See you next month for more of my favorite eats around Detroit + beyond!
Next Up, Arizona + Chicago for my 30th. Eat up, talk soon!
