Send to printer Close window Best of Detroit 2016
Best of Detroit 2016
Services Food People Shopping Media Leisure Etc. Credits
Each year, readers crown their "Most Likely to Succeed." See who made the list.
Photographs by Roy Ritchie Wardrobe styling by Rebecca Voigt Prop Styling by Stephanie Potts
Best of Detroit 2016
Services Food People Shopping Media Leisure Etc. Credits
Wedding Photographer // Craig David Butler Studios
Wedding Planner (Tie) // A June Event // Shawna EatonPeplinski, Detroit (The Roostertail) Dressmaker // Janna Coumoundouros, Ferndale
Custom Framing // Frame Art Gallery, Birmingham
Portrait Photographer // Naturally Photography By Monni
Shoe Repair // Frank’s Shoe Service, Birmingham; 2486473530
Tailor/Alterations // The Sewing Room, Utica
Caterer // Vince & Joe’s, Clinton Township and Shelby Township
Salon For A Makeover (Tie) // Antonino Salon & Spa, Birmingham // Nude The Salon, Birmingham
Divorce Lawyer // Jordan Dizik, Bingham Farms
Pet Grooming (Tie) // BarkABout, Shelby Township // Catherine’s Pet Parlor, Royal Oak
Florist // Multiple Locations: Viviano’s // Single Location: Blossoms, Birmingham TOP RIGHT: BRAD GOODSTEIN (BEST PERSONAL TRAINER) AND SHANE BANG FROM STANDBY (BEST NEW BAR) MAKE SURE NOBODY SPIKES THE PUNCH BOWL.
Dry Cleaner // Huntington Cleaners, Huntington Woods
Veterinarian (Tie) // DePorre Veterinary Hospital, Bloomfield Hills // Gibraltar Veterinary Hospital, Gibraltar
Salon For A Blowout // Multiple Locations: 6 Salon, Birmingham and Royal Oak // Single Location: Antonino Salon & Spa, Birmingham
Spa // Margot European Day Spa, Birmingham Massage (Tie) // Margot European Day Spa, Birmingham // Wizard of Ahhhs Massage and Bodywork, Harrison Township; 8105991767
Gym // Multiple Locations: The Barre Code, Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Rochester Hills, and Royal Oak // Single Location (Tie): The Fighting Fit/Crossfit Bad Boys, Wyandotte // Retrofit Studio, Royal Oak
Yoga Studio // Multiple Locations: Citizen Yoga, Detroit and Royal Oak // Single Location: Explore Yoga, Troy
Salon For A Makeup Artist // Todd’s Room, Birmingham
Salon/Spa For A Manicure // Margot European Day Spa, Birmingham
Salon/Spa For A Pedicure // Margot European Day Spa, Birmingham
Salon/Spa For A Facial // FACE Skincare, Bingham Farms
Hair Salon // Antonino Salon & Spa, Birmingham
Barber — Independent // The Berkley Chop Shop, Berkley
Transportation/Limo // LimoXpress, Dearborn
Doggie Day Care // Single Location: BarkABout, Shelby Township // Multiple Locations: Canine to Five, Detroit and Ferndale
Place To Dock Your Boat // Detroit Yacht Club, Belle Isle, Detroit
Realtor // Dana Cooper, Max Broock Realtors
Auto Detailing // Detail Vehicle Appearance Specialists,Troy
Material Girl We’re “living in a material world,” but Janna Coumoundouros is Detroit’s latest Material Girl. The Ferndalebased artist and photographer captured Hour Detroit readers’ hearts as Best Dressmaker. Her oneofakind creations incorporate materials such as car seatbelts, and were displayed at the NAIAS Detroit Charity Preview. She also won the Detroit Institute of Arts Samurai Design Competition … and don’t forget that Hour Detroit dress made of paper a few years ago. She also takes things apart and reworks the materials into jewelry (think typewriter key earrings). Maybe the next time Madonna is looking to be in “Vogue” again, she’ll ask Coumoundouros to put some outfits together. shoplilacpop.com
Freeze Frame The J. Geils Band’s 1981 “Freeze Frame” hit was not the inspiration for Monni Must to start a photography business. She had no idea that what she started in the wing of her house in 2001 would take her creative eye around the globe. Voted Best Photographer for two straight years, Must’s work has been showcased in four Living Witnesses books, where she photographed 400 Holocaust survivors. While she spent most of her days learning “dark room sweettalk” with a 4x5 film camera, at age 62, she’s conquering the digital world. As her business name might suggest, she doesn’t ask subjects to strike fake poses. “Nothing screams ’80s more than the ‘head tilt resting in the palm of your hand’ pose,” Must says. naturallymonni.com Best of Detroit 2016
Services Food People Shopping Media Leisure Etc. Credits
Restaurant for General Excellence // Selden Standard, Midtown Detroit
Restaurant Ambience // City (Tie): Iridescence, Detroit // Wright & Co., downtown Detroit // Suburb: Tre Monti Ristorante, Troy
Place to Have Dinner Before a Show // The Whitney, Midtown Detroit Place for Nightcaps After the Show // The Whitney, Midtown Detroit
Restaurant Dessert (Tie) // The Melting Pot, Troy // The Whitney, Midtown Detroit
View From a Restaurant // Coach Insignia, downtown Detroit
Sunday Brunch // City (Tie): Dime Store, Detroit // The Whitney, Midtown Detroit // Suburb (Tie): Social Kitchen and Bar, Birmingham // Toast, Birmingham, and Ferndale
Appetizers // City: Wright & Co., downtown Detroit // Suburb: Bistro 82, Royal Oak
Attentive Service // City: Republic Tavern, Detroit // Suburb (Tie): Bistro 82, Royal Oak // Tre Monti Ristorante, Troy
Beer Selection // City: Hopcat Detroit, Midtown Detroit // Suburb: OneEyed Betty’s, Ferndale
LateNight Dining // City: Lafayette Coney Island, downtown Detroit; 3139648198 // Suburb: Imperial, Ferndale
StreetLevel Window Seat // City: Townhouse Detroit, Detroit // Suburb: Bistro 82, Royal Oak
Fish Market // Multiple Locations: Vince & Joe’s, Clinton Township and Shelby Township // Single Location: Superior Fish Company, Royal Oak
Independent Coffeehouse (Tie) // Astro Coffee, Detroit // Great Lakes Coffee, Detroit
Romantic Restaurant // City: The Whitney, Midtown Detroit // Suburb: Café Cortina, Farmington Hills
Locally Produced Food Brand // Imerman Cake Company
Ice Cream Parlor // Ray’s Ice Cream, Royal Oak Chinese // Mon Jin Lau, Troy
Place for a Business Lunch // City: Dime Store, Detroit // Suburb (Tie): The Capital Grille, Troy // Townhouse Bistro, Birmingham
French // Bistro 82, Royal Oak
Wine List // City: Vertical, Detroit // Suburb: Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room, Royal Oak and Shelby Township
Place to Take OutofTowners // City: Selden Standard, Midtown Detroit // Suburb: Vinsetta Garage, Berkley
Business Breakfast // City: Dime Store, Detroit // Suburb: Beverly Hills Grill, Beverly Hills
Japanese (Tie) // Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse, Royal Oak // Noble Fish, Clawson // Ronin Sushi, Royal Oak
Indian Rangoli, Auburn Hills and Sterling Heights Mexican // City (Tie): Mexican Village, Southwest Detroit // Xochimilco Restaurant, Southwest Detroit; facebook.com/XochimilcoDetroit // Suburb (Tie): El Charro, Fraser // Sagebrush Cantina, Lake Orion; mysagebrushcantina.com
Greek // Pegasus Taverna, Greektown Detroit and St. Clair Shores
Italian // City (Tie): Giovanni’s, Southwest Detroit // Roma Café, Detroit
// Suburb (Tie): Bacco Ristorante, Southfield // Luciano’s Italian Restaurant, Clinton Township
Middle Eastern // Anita’s Kitchen, Ferndale
Korean // Korea Palace, Sterling Heights
Thai // Multiple Locations: Sy Thai // Single Location Khom Fai, Shelby Township; 5862477773
Vietnamese // Multiple Locations: Pho Lucky // Single Location: Da Nang, Clawson
Gourmet Market // Multiple Locations: Vince & Joe’s, Clinton Township and Shelby Township // Single Location: Holiday Market, Royal Oak
Steakhouse // City: Prism, Detroit // Suburb: Clawson Steak House, Clawson
24Hour Restaurant // National Coney Island
Michigan Winery (Tie) // Black Star Farms, Traverse City // Chateau Chantal, Traverse City
Deli Vince And Joe’s Gourmet Markets, Clinton Township and Shelby Township
Burger // Macomb County: Shamrock Pub, Utica // Oakland County: Redcoat Tavern, Royal Oak, 2485490300; and West Bloomfield Township, 2488650500 // Wayne County: Miller’s, Dearborn
Vegan // City (Tie:) Detroit Vegan Soul, West Village Detroit // Seva, Detroit // Suburb: GreenSpace Café, Ferndale
Fish ’n’ Chips // City: Scotty Simpson’s // Suburb: The Lodge Grill and Bar, Keego Harbor
Creative Breakfast // Multiple Locations: Toast, Birmingham, and Ferndale // Single Location (Tie): Dime Store, Detroit // The Fly Trap, Ferndale Vegetarian // City: Seva, Midtown Detroit // Suburb: Inn Season Café, Royal Oak
GlutenFree Menu // GreenSpace Café, Ferndale
Cheap Eats // Green Dot Stables, Detroit
Sandwich // Mudgie’s, Corktown Detroit
Ribs // Slows Bar BQ, Corktown Detroit
Coney Island // Lafayette Coney Island, downtown Detroit; 3139648198 Sushi Noble Fish, Clawson
Seafood // City: Joe Muer Seafood, downtown Detroit // Suburb: Streetside Seafood, Birmingham
Locally Owned Bakery // City: Avalon International Breads, Midtown Detroit // Suburb: Love and Buttercream, Royal Oak
Pancakes // The Original Pancake House, Multiple locations
Classic Artisan Cocktails // City: The Sugar House, Corktown Detroit // Suburb: The Oakland Art Novelty Co., Ferndale
Soul Food // City (Tie): Detroit Vegan Soul, West Village Detroit // Motor City Soul Food, Detroit; 3138637685 // Suburb: Beans & Cornbread, Southfield
Soup // Independent: Russell Street Deli, Detroit // Chain: Zoup
Pizza // Multiple Location: Buddy’s Pizza // Single Location: Supino Pizzeria, Detroit
Barbeque // Multiple Locations: Bad Brads BBQ //City: Slows Bar BQ, Corktown Detroit
French Fries // Independent: Hopcat Detroit, Detroit
Bagels // Multiple Locations: New York Bagel // Single Location: Detroit Institute of Bagels, Detroit
Cupcakes // Taste Love Cupcakes, Royal Oak
Cookies // Love & Buttercream, Royal Oak
Doughnuts // City: Dutch Girl Donuts, 3133683020 // Suburb: Donut Bar, Southfield, 2485958212
Bloody Mary Vivio’s, Detroit
Popup Experience // Single Location: Revolver, Hamtramck // Moving Target (Tie): Dinner Club (Matt Baldridge) // Katoi
Locally Made Beer // City (Tie): Atwater Brewery, Detroit // Batch Brewing Co., Detroit // Suburb: Griffin Claw, Birmingham // State: Bell’s Brewery, Kalamazoo MichiganMade Wine // Chateau Grand Traverse Late Harvest Riesling
Chicken Wings // Sweetwater Tavern, Detroit
Deck/Outdoor Seating // City (Tie): La Dolce Vita, Detroit // Townhouse Detroit, Detroi // Suburb: Townhouse Bistro, Birmingham
Carry Out // City: Bucharest Grill, Multiple locations // Suburb: Motor City Meatballs, Warren
Food Truck // Mac Shack
Raw Juice or Smoothie // Beyond Juice, Multiple locations
Locally Made Spirit // City: Two James Spirits, Corktown Detroit // Suburb: Valentine Distilling, Ferndale
Love Shack “I got me a car, it’s as big as a whale, and we’re headin’ on down to the Mac Shack.” With apologies to the B52s, whose “Love Shack” was all over the 1989 airwaves, metro Detroit fans take their jukebox money down to wherever this Best Food Truck is parked. Owner Chris Damon bought the business from the El Guapo folks (they shared “Best Food Truck” honors in 2015). Mac Shack may not be from the 1980s, but their beefbrisketbased dish is called the “I80.” And they might not “Walk Like an Egyptian,” but their spicy chicken dish is called “Cluck Like a Buffalo.” Another trivia note: Detroit native Don Was produced “Love Shack.” macshackmichigan.com
Hungry Like the Wolf For the third consecutive year, the venerable Clawson Steak House has Hour Detroit readers feeling “Hungry Like the Wolf” of Duran Duran’s 1982 hit. The Best Steak House (Suburb) kudos testify to the restaurant’s longevity: It was founded 58 years ago by Gregory Alex, who passed the business on to son Jim in 1986. It’s also certainly thanks to executive chef Jim Polk, who for 23 years has ensured quality, such as making sure all steaks are handcut each morning. Another blast from the past comes from the Mark James Band, who perform at the steakhouse Wednesday through Saturday, offering an atmosphere reminiscent of an oldtime supper club. clawsonsteakhouse.com
Sweet Dreams are Made of This The Whitney is one of Detroit’s oldest institutions, but its Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor is new. Their treats were already a hit with Hour Detroit readers, who gave The Whitney the nod for Best Desserts (and a few other awards, too). Highlights include the Maple Raspberry Croissant Bread Pudding and the Classic Carrot Cake, a Whitney tradition since the ’80s. They also serve a pine nutflavored “White Pine” ice cream, an homage to the mansion’s eponymous lumber baron David Whitney Jr. Speaking of homages, the parlor is named after Whitney’s philanthropist daughter, and in her honor they have a “Pie It Forward” program that donates $1 from pie sales to Cass Community Social Services Center. thewhitney.com ROCKSTAR MEMBERS (BEST LOCAL BAND — COVERS) DIDN’T LEARN ANY NEW SONGS FOR OUR ’80S PROM! THEY DIDN’T NEED COSTUMES, EITHER.
Best of Detroit 2016
Services Food People Shopping Media Leisure Etc. Credits
Detroit Tigers Player // Miguel Cabrera
Detroit Lions Player // Calvin Johnson (yes, even after retirement) Detroit Pistons Player // Andre Drummond
Detroit Red Wings Player // Dylan Larkin
Local Sports Star // Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Choice For A Local Celebrity Dinner Companion // Kid Rock
Top Domestic Auto Executive // Mary Barra, General Motors
Local Loudmouth // Charlie LeDuff, Fox 2 News, author
Choice For A Local Political Dinner Companion // Mayor Mike Duggan
Detroit Ambassador (Tie) // Dan Gilbert // Kid Rock
DJ (NonRadio) // DJ Captn20 (aka Nick Haddad)
Local Comedian // Andy Beningo
Local Band — Covers // Rockstar
Local Band — Originals (Tie) // Elsie Binx // Rio & The Rockabilly Revival // Ara Topouzian BEST FEMALE NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST ROCHELLE RILEY (FOURTH FROM LEFT, ABOVE) RESEARCHES BREAK DANCING FOR A DETROIT FREE PRESS COMMENTARY. Bartender // Lance Sigler, 220 Merrill, Birmingham
Maître D’ (Tie) // Zharko Palushaj, Tre Monti Ristorante, Troy // Jeffery Pyke, Due Venti, Clawson
Chef // James Rigato, Mabel Gray, Hazel Park
Cicerone // Charles Sarnak, Sullivan’s Public House, Oxford
Sommelier // Retailer: Ted Ross, Vince & Joe’s // Sommelier Restaurant (Tie): Shaun Page, Wolfgang Puck Steak, Detroit // Zharko Palushaj, Tre Monti Ristorante, Troy
Personal Trainer
// Female: Deborah Linley // Male: Brad Goodstein Local Politician to Recall // Gov. Rick Snyder
Political Rising Star // Mayor Mike Duggan
Independent Store Owner // Mary Liz Curtin, Leon & Lulu
Colorful Character (Tie) // Charlie LeDuff, Fox 2 News, author // David C. McKnight, Emerald City Designs
Detroit Filmmaker (Tie) // Tony D’Annunzio (Louder Than Love: The Grande Ballroom Story) // Christos Moisides, Tyre Corporation, Detroit // The Right Brothers, (Andrew Miller and Jamin Townsley)
Fine Artist // Tony Roko
Eye of the Tiger “Yo, Adrian …” If the rock band Queen hadn’t reportedly denied Sylvester Stallone the right to use “Another One Bites the Dust” as the theme for his Rocky III movie, generations of impressionable young ears might not have been delighted (or tortured) by having Survivor’s 1982 smash “Eye of the Tiger” get stuck in their heads. And even though superstar Miguel Cabrera wasn’t even alive then (he was born in 1983), the eye of this Tiger was made for picking up on pitches and giving the ball a ride. Cabrera gets a doubleheader this year, as Hour Detroit readers’ favorite Detroit Tigers Player and Local Sports Star. Best of Detroit 2016
Services Food People Shopping Media Leisure Etc. Credits
Place To Be Fitted For A Suit // Independent: 1701 Bespoke, Birmingham, 1701bespoke.com // Chain: Nordstrom
Women’s Clothing // City: The Peacock Room, Detroit // Suburb: Wanderlust, Rochester // Chain: Nordstrom
Women’s Evening Wear // Independent (Tie): Marguerite Boutique, West Bloomfield Township // The Peacock Room // Chain: Neiman Marcus
Fine Antiques (Tie) // DuMouchelles, Detroit // Materials Unlimited, Ypsilanti // Oddfellows Antiques, Berkley
Big And Tall // Destination XL
Place For OneOfAKind Dresses // The Peacock Room, Detroit
Vintage Clothing // City: Eldorado General Store, Corktown Detroit // Suburb: Lost And Found Vintage, Royal Oak
Men’s Clothing // Independent: Claymore Shop, Birmingham // Chain: Nordstrom
Athletic Wear // Lululemon Athletica, Ann Arbor, Birmingham, and Troy
Luxury Bed And Table Linens // Cristions Fine Linen & Down, Birmingham; 2487233337
CuttingEdge Fashions // Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield Township; 2488511260
Children’s Clothing (Tie) // Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield Township; 2488511260 // It’s So Me Boutique, Utica
Place To Buy A Cake // Vince & Joe’s, Clinton Township and Shelby Township
Lingerie // BraVo Intimates, Royal Oak
Jeans (Tie) // Caruso Caruso, Birmingham // Rear Ends, West Bloomfield; 2486264333
Place To Buy An Engagement Ring // Multiple Locations: Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry // Single Location: Ahee Jewelers, Grosse Pointe Woods
Bridal Gown // The Wedding Shoppe, Berkley
Gift Registry // Bed Bath & Beyond
Place To Order Wedding Invitations (Tie) // Lace Boutique, Troy // Lee’s Specialty, Bloomfield Hills
Store For Produce // Vince And Joe’s Gourmet Markets, Clinton Township and Shelby Township Place To Buy Bridesmaid Dresses // The Wedding Shoppe, Berkley
Furniture Store // Multiple Locations: Art Van // Single Location: Hillside Contemporary Furniture, Bloomfield Hills
Place To Buy Stationery // Lee’s Specialty, Bloomfield Township
Vintage Antiques // Oddfellows Antiques, Berkley
Accessories // Multiple Locations: Charming Charlie // Single Location: Lace Boutique, Troy; 2487405500
Farmers Market // City: Eastern Market, Detroit // Suburb: Royal Oak Farmers Market
Candy Shop // Doc Sweets’ Candy Company, Clawson
Personalized Service // Champane’s Wine Cellars, Warren Place To Buy Local Crafts (Tie) // The Rust Belt Market, Ferndale // Yellow Door Art Market, Berkley
Nursery/Greenhouse // Multiple Locations: English Gardens // Single Location (Tie): Bordine’s, Rochester Hills // Telly’s Greenhouse, Troy
Gift Shop // Leon & Lulu, Clawson
Place To Buy Appliances // Local Chain: Sargent Appliance // Chain (Tie): ABC Warehouse // Sears
Fine Spirits Shop // Champane’s Wine Cellars, Warren
Jeweler // Multiple Locations: Tapper’s Diamonds And Fine Jewelry // Single Location: Miner’s Den, Royal Oak
Estate Jewelry // Multiple Locations: Tapper’s Diamonds And Fine Jewelry // Single Location: Miner’s Den, Royal Oak
Fabric Store // Haberman Fabrics, Royal Oak
Shopping District // Downtown Birmingham
Auto Dealership // George Matick Chevrolet, Redford Township
Clothing Resale/ Consignment Shop (Tie) // Consignment Clothiers, Northville // Everything Home Upscale Resale, Royal Oak; 2486297010
Independent Hardware // Frentz & Sons Hardware, Royal Oak
New Book Selection // The Book Beat, Oak Park
Used Bookstore // John K. King, downtown Detroit
Comic Book Store (Tie) // Detroit Comics, Ferndale // Green Brain, Dearborn
Place To Buy Electronics — Independent // American Jewelry And Loan, Detroit
Place To Buy Organic Produce // Whole Foods, Multiple locations
Wine Store // Macomb County: Vince And Joe’s Gourmet Markets, Clinton Township and Shelby Township // Oakland County: Hills Fine Wine And Spirits, Bloomfield Hills // Wayne County (Tie): Cost Plus Eastern Market, Detroit; 3132593845 // Merchant’s Fine Wine, Dearborn
Detroit Souvenir // The Detroit Shoppe, Troy Place To Buy Musical Instruments // Independent: Huber Breese Music, Fraser // Chain: Guitar Center
Smoke Shop // Churchill’s, Birmingham and West Bloomfield
Place To Buy A Bicycle // City: Shinola, Detroit // Suburb: D&D Bicycles & Hockey, Multiple locations
Place To Buy Toys (Tie) // Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop, Berkley // Toyology, Royal Oak and West Bloomfield
Optical Shop // Independent: Roland Optics, Bloomfield Hills // Chain: See Eyewear, Ann Arbor, Birmingham, Rochester, and Troy
Place To Buy Sports Equipment // Independent: The Varsity Shop, Birmingham // Chain: Dick’s
Gift Wrapping Service // Lisa’s Gift Wrappers, Royal Oak
Salvage Furnishings // Materials Unlimited, Ypsilanti
Beer Store // Macomb County: Champane’s Wine Cellars, Warren // Oakland County: 8 Degrees Plato, Ferndale // Wayne county (Tie): Discount Drinks, Wyandotte // Merchant’s Fine Wine, Dearborn
Ethnic Food Market (Tie) // Honey Bee Market La Colmena, Detroit // Vince & Joe’s, Clinton Township and Shelby Township
Pet Supply // Multiple Locations: Premier Pet Supply, Beverly Hills // Single Location: K9 Specialties, Warren; 5869395960
Place To Buy Original Art // Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham
New Category: Place to Buy Records // City: Third Man Records, Cass Corridor Detroit // Suburb: Dearborn Music, Dearborn
Red, Red Wine Like fine wine, some songs age well. Neil Diamond wrote “Red, Red Wine” in the late ’60s; it got new legs from UB40 in 1983. Eastern Market’s Cost Plus Wine shop has also aged well, and tied for Wayne County’s Best Wine Shop. They’ve given tasteful advice since Tim McCarthy opened it St. Patrick’s Day 1982. McCarthy’s son, Dan, now runs the joint. And red wine “makes me forget,” right? Good thing. We’d rather not be reminded of ’80s trends like wine coolers (Bartles & Jaymes, anyone?) or Blue Nun. 3132593845 YOU’D THINK A COUPLE OF GUYS FROM A PLACE VOTED BEST NEW BAR WOULDN’T LOOK LIKE WALLFLOWERS AT A PARTY, RIGHT? BUT BRENT FOSTER (LEFT) AND BARTENDER/PARTNER JOE ROBINSON FROM STANDBY PULLED IT OFF. Best of Detroit 2016
Services Food People Shopping Media Leisure Etc. Credits
Local Newspaper // Detroit Free Press
Local Radio Station // 101.9FM WDET
Local TV Newscast // W DIVChannel 4 Local Radio News // WWJ 950AM
Radio Voice // Mojo, Channel 955 (WKQI 95.5FM)
The Best Playlist // WRCJFM 90.9 Classical Days Jazzy Nights
Radio Program // Dave & Chuck The Freak, 101 WRIFFM
Sports PlayByPlay (Tie) // Dan Dickerson, Tigers Radio Network // Ken Daniels, Detroit Red Wings (TV) // Ken Kal, Detroit Red Wings (Radio)
Male Newspaper Columnist // Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press
Female Newspaper Columnist // Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press
Local Website // clickondetroit.com
Local Radio DJ // Mojo, Channel 955 (WKQI 95.5FM)
Local Male TV Anchor // Devin Scillian, WDIVChannel 4
Traffic Reporter // Ann Marie LaFlamme, WXYZChannel 7
Weathercaster // Dave Rexroth, WXYZChannel 7
Local TalkRadio Host // Mike Valenti, WXYTFM (97.1 The Ticket)
Local Sportscaster // Bernie Smilovitz, WDIVChannel 4
Local Female TV Anchor // Carmen Harlan, WDIVChannel 4
New Category: Local TV Talk Show Host // Dr. Partha Nandi, WXYZChannel 7
Boys of Summer Not that anyone needs reminding, but the last time the Detroit’s “Boys of Summer” won the World Series, it was 1984. And although a little voice in Don Henley’s head once said, “Don’t look back, you can never look back,” the voice of the Detroit Tigers, Dan Dickerson (part of a threeway tie for Best Play By Play), says otherwise. In an April interview with WJR, Dickerson cited the past as inspiration. “The fact that (the Tigers) were predicted to defend their title last year and finished last, there’s just a little extra motivation, a little extra drive in this team this year,” Dickerson said. Here’s hoping he’s right. detroit.tigers.mlb.com
Best of Detroit 2016
Services Food People Shopping Media Leisure Etc. Credits
Concert Venue // DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston
Michigan Vacation Spot // Traverse City
Charity Event // Auto Show Charity Preview Gala, Detroit Dive Bar // City: The Old Miami, Detroit; 3138313830 // Suburb: Gusoline Alley, Royal Oak; 2485452235
New Bar // City: Standby, Detroit // Suburb: Whiskey Six, Grosse Pointe
Sports Bar // City: Tap at MGM Grand, Detroit // Suburb: The Lodge Grill & Bar, Keego Harbor
Wine Bar // City (Tie): Motor City Wine, Corktown Detroit // Vertical, Detroit // Suburb: Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room, Royal Oak and Shelby Township
Private Golf Course // Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills
Jazz Club // City (Tie): Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Detroit // Cliff Bell’s, downtown Detroit; cliffbells.com
// Suburb: Dirty Dog Jazz Café, Grosse Pointe
Place To See An Art Film // City: Detroit Film Theatre (DFT), at the DIA // Suburb (Tie): Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak // Maple Theater, Birmingham
Male Gay Bar // Pronto!, Royal Oak; 2485447900
Female Gay Bar // Como’s, Ferndale
Neighborhood Bar // City: Abick’s Bar, 3138949329 // Suburb (Tie): Sullivan’s Public House, Oxford // Townhouse, Birmingham
Bowling Alley // Garden Bowl, Midtown Detroit
Special Event Venue // The Roostertail, Detroit
Community Theater // Stagecrafters, Royal Oak
Bar For Business Deals (Tie) // Bacco Ristorante, Southfield // 220 Merrill, Birmingham
Pool Hall // The Loving Touch, Ferndale
Place To See A FirstRun Movie // Multiple Locations: Emagine // Single Location: The Maple Theater, Bloomfield
Bike Trail // City: Detroit RiverWalk/Dequindre Cut, Detroit // Suburb: Paint Creek Trail, Oakland County
Annual Sporting Event // Tigers Opening Day Public Golf Course // Shepherd’s Hollow, Clarkston
Place To Hear Bands (Tie) // City: Saint Andrew’s Hall, Detroit // Suburb: The Magic Bag, Ferndale
Location For A First Date // City (Tie): Belle Isle, Detroit // DIA, Midtown Detroit // Suburb (Tie): The Detroit Zoo, Royal Oak // Townhouse, Birmingham
Comedy Club // Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, Royal Oak
Outdoor Festival // City (Tie): Detroit Jazz Festival // Movement Electronic Music Festival // Suburb: Arts, Beats & Eats, Royal Oak
Museum // DIA, Midtown Detroit
Picnic Spot // City: Belle Isle, Detroit // Suburb: Stony Creek Metropark, Shelby Township
Happy Hour // City: Prism, Greektown Casino Detroit // Suburb: Bistro 82, Royal Oak
Place To Learn To Dance // Dance City, Birmingham
Indoor Tennis Court (Tie) // Beverly Hills Club, Beverly Hills // Franklin Athletic Club, Southfield
Casino // Greektown Casino, Detroit
Running Route // City: Detroit RiverWalk, downtown Detroit // Suburb: Stony Creek Metropark, Shelby Township
Scenic Drive // City: Lakeshore Drive, Grosse Pointe Shores // State: M22
New Category: Cigar Bar // Multiple locations: Churchill’s, Birmingham and West Bloomfield // Single location (tie): Got Rocks (in Big Rock Chophouse), Birmingham // Secreto Cigar Vault, Ferndale
Don't Worry, Be Happy In every life, we have some trouble, but when you worry, you make it double. Happy Hour in the ’80s alleviated worries with sweet concoctions like the slippery nipple, the piña colada, and that ultimate worrymelter, the Long Island iced tea. But you won’t find those ’80s staples on the happy hour menu at Royal Oak’s Bistro 82. Instead, look for $5 well drinks, draft beers, and wines, along with $3 snacks like the Wagyu Steak Slider and the Parmesan Pomme Frites. If you’re still worried by the time you leave, call Bobby McFerrin. He’ll make you happy. bistro82.com
Let's Dance For the fifth consecutive year, our Best Place To Learn To Dance has readers and their kids taking David Bowie’s 1983 advice. Dance City owner Rhona Fidler says, “Let’s Dance” to students of everything from hiphop to ballet. And if you pine for the days of MC Hammer pants and doing the “running man,” their June 5 spring recital will be a throwback. dancecitybirmingham.com
Best of Detroit 2016
Services Food People Shopping Media Leisure Etc. Credits
Detroit Car Brand — Automaker // Ford
Detroit Car Brand — Division // Chevrolet
Detroit Car Model // Ford Mustang Downtown Skyscraper // Renaissance Center, Detroit
Detroit Cliché To Ban // Detroit vs. Everybody
Best Loft Building (Tie) // Waterview Loft – Port Detroit, downtown Detroit // Willys Overland Lofts, Midtown Detroit
Private Club // City: Detroit Athletic Club, downtown Detroit // Suburb: The Village Club, Bloomfield Hills
Hotel // City: Greektown Casino Hotel, Detroit (soon to be known as “Jack”) // Suburb: The Townsend Hotel, Birmingham
Best Sign of a Detroit Comeback (Tie) // Midtown Revival // M1 Rail (now known as the QLine)
InnerRing Suburb // Ferndale
National Chain We Wish We Had Here // InNOut Burger
Building Worth Saving // Michigan Central Train Station, Corktown Detroit
Little Red Corvette “…Baby you’re much too fast.” Indeed, every “Little Red Corvette” (and any other color) that Chevrolet built was fast. But for this year’s Best Detroit Car Brand — Division, the ride of the ’80s was the Camaro IROCZ. With its boxy yet sporty design, it suited the era. As Car and Driver put it in a recent roundup of the coolest cars of the 1980s, “The thirdgeneration Chevrolet Camaro is a wheeled embodiment of the 1980s, the angular styling the perfect complement to that redleather Michael Jackson jacket in the closet, the removable Ttops ideal for blowdrying that ’do on the go.” As the late legend Prince might say: “Move over baby, come on, give me the keys.” chevrolet.com
Best of Detroit 2016
Services Food People Shopping Media Leisure Etc. Credits
Teddy Demski // Producer ChristaMara // Makeup artist Marco Bertoldi // Hair styling Michael Moran // Production assistant Jennifer Pickering // Styling assistant Larry Lambrecht and Sean Mouton // Photographer’s assistants Livonia CAPA // Student actors
Shot on location at: University High School, Ferndale
Props and wardrobe provided by: Blossoms, Oddfellows Antiques, The Balloon Lady, Lost and Found Vintage, VMale Detroit Vintage, The Getup Vintage, Ragstock