#food

The Best Restaurant List in Metro Detroit: 6 – 10

~ ZachsLifeStyleHacks ~ 1 Comment

Okay, it’s been a bit but I’m back.  And I’m adding to my most popular blog post “Top 5 Restaurants of South East Michigan”, which is turning into the top 10 restaurants.  Why have 5 when you can have 10. Are you ready to be entertained?!?!? You better be! !

10) La Dolce Vita

An absolutely immaculate outside eating area.  Truly a place of glorious romance and resplendence. Ivory walls,  flowery walk ways, and ornate archways decorate the decadent dining area.

The food was. .. seriously who cares.  The atmosphere is so intoxicating it doesn’t really matter.  Focus on the ambience and your beautiful significant other.

Yelp elite tip: The bees can get a bit buzzy, so have your server set up a sweet drink at a table away from you to attract them.

9) Wright & Company

Fancy cocktails, eleborate plates, and ornate surroundings set the stage for a sensational evening of magnificent proportions.

Kickback in one of their red, high back booths and be prepared to have your palate dazzled.  I was lucky enough to enjoy an amazing 7 course meal on Valentine’s Day with my fantastic brother and his wife and my beautiful girlfriend. The food and conversation were phenomenonal.

8) The Union Woodshop

I love the way this place is set up.  They have three different bar areas and they are each extremely unique.  We sat at the bourbon bar for most of the evening but we also checked out the upstairs, which I LOVED. It’s really wide open and decorated with a feel of comfort.

The food is amazing. I had the cheese and more cheese sides.  The gloriously cheesey macaroni and the dangerously delicious cheesey potatoes.  The first bite of macaroni smashes your palate with a back hand of cheesy goodness, and the cheesy potatoes follow up with a bruce lee karate chop to your tantalizing taste buds.

Once I rinsed it down with the nectar from the God’s, Hopslam, I decided to dig in for the main course.  I had the woodshop 101. It’s a barbarians barbeque dream. The pulled pork was tender and juicy, the ribs were crispy and amazing, and the chicken, not to be out done, was succulently sensational. I would highly suggest you try this the first time you go.

7) Rock City Eatery

A hipsters haven!! I don’t think you could possibly find a more hipster vibe any where on the planet. It’s so hipster they keep beard oil in the bathrooms. I don’t know if that’s true but I envision it could be.

It recently moved to midtown from Hamtramck and I haven’t had a chance to check it out but judging by the photos it looks to be a nice upgrade.

The food is delicious. It’s kind of a new American / Asian fusion blend.  Overall the food is amazing.  The spicy brussel sprouts are phenomenal.

6) Republic Tavern

The building is awesome. It’s located in the historic Grand Army of Republic building.  The building honestly looks like a castle, which is bad ass.

The food is divine. My girlfriend ordered the carrot salad and it was so overwhelmingly delicious she claimed it was one of the best salads she’s ever had, and she eats a lot of salads.

Just outside the top 5 it is a restaurant that should be sought out and enjoyed. But as LeVar Burton, from the amazing show A Reading Rainbow, would say, but you don’t have take my word for it,  check out the reviews on Yelp.

The Best Brewery List “Near Me”

~ ZachsLifeStyleHacks ~ 1 Comment

Sound the alarms! It’s time to sit back in your favorite lazy boy, hopefully with a delicious craft beer, and read the most amazing list of craft breweries “near me”. I know there are hundreds of breweries in Michigan and of course the BIG GUYS but this list is going to focus on breweries in my neck of the woods.

5)  The Drafting Table

This brewery is new and may not have the clout many other breweries do but I absolutely love this place. It may be the fact it’s a couple of miles from my house and I’ve been waiting for a brewery to open near me FOREVER but regardless they have pretty amazing beers. From the DIPA to the rezolute IPA they have strong hoppy flavors with crisp delicious undertones. Not to be a total IPA snob but they also have other amazing offers such as the “The Monk Crusher”, a fantastic tripel, or the banging Imperial Stout, “Only Fools Russian”. Which I believe is a fairly clever play on words from the lyrics by UB40, “Fools Rush In”.

Yelp Elite Tip: They just added a patio, why not sit at it.

Check out the full review here. Yelp Review – Drafting Table

4) River Rouge Brewing Company

This place is tiny. I mean literally NANO, which I understand means small as shit. All I have to say to the ladies is MANGO EXPLOSION BEER! This stuff is women’s cat nip. But that’s not the only good beer. Ale Yes! is their imperial IPA which, as Jimmy Walker would say, is DYN-O-MITE!

Also, if  you get bored you can walk across the street to Motor City Gas and try some locally distilled whiskey. That’s what I would call a twofer. SHABANG!

Yelp Elite – They have all you can eat pretzels. Have some.

3) Batch Brewing Company

Located in Detroit, it’s the new guy on the block. It may be the new kid but it’s already ready to donkey punch Buddy Levell’s lights out in the parking lot at three o’clock sharp.  The beers are awesome and the location is great. Admittedly I am a bit partial to Detroit these days, with its recent resurgence. But regardless…  the beer is awesome, the atmosphere is great, and the regulars are super cool.

Yelp Elite Tip – The patio gets filled up pretty quick, so arrive early and stake your claim.

2) Witches Hat

God I used to love stumbling home from here when I lived in South Lyon. The beer is just delicious. And I’m not talking about one type, I mean literally ALL the beer is delicious. The train hopper is a staple, the Big Doedish is powerful, and the Night Fury is HEAVY, and I mean the Back to the Future type of heavy like super deep and delicious.

Yelp Elite – They have a bevy of board games. Past the time by playing one. I will dominate you at Battleship.

1) Kuhnhenn

The name is admittedly crazy. It took me nearly 2 years to correctly spell it. But the #1 pick isn’t being judged purely by its name. No, it has many other attributes that put it at the top of my list. For starters, the DRIPA – enough said. Hands down one of the best double IPAs out there. Taste, awesome. Mouth feel, amazing. Appearance, awe-inspiring. It checks all the boxes and then some. The DRIPA may be the big dipper but the Creme Brule Stout plays the little dipper magnificently. So god damn yummy. I know Kuhnhenns can be considered a big guy, especially since the 2nd location has opened and it is absolutely packed all the time. But due to the limited distribution I still consider it a bit of an unknown. Plus the original location is such an immaculate representation of a classic corner bar it’s hard not to love its charm.

BTW If anyone reading this can score a BB4D please hook me up. I’ve been trying to get my hands on one for years.

Yelp Elite Tip – It gets wildly busy at the original location on the weekends, so go on a weekday, Mon-Wed.

*I did a little research on google.com and found out that Kuhnhenn is the owner’s last name.

If you want to check out more of my reviews, check me out on Yelp. The link is below. Just click.

Yelp Reviews – Zachary “Hophead” F.

Leave comments. Tell me about your favorite spots.

The Best Restaurant List in Metro Detroit: 1 – 5

~ ZachsLifeStyleHacks ~ 5 Comments

Drum roll please! ! And not a sissy one,  I’m talking about Miles Teller style from Whiplash. I’m about to break off the most tenacious, blockbuster, restaurant list of all time, by Mr. yelp elite himself, “Zachary “Hop head” F.”

I’m going to start at the bottom and work my way to the top. DO NOT be a cheater and skip to the bottom!  Otherwise, I will haunt your next meal, and ensure your steak is over cooked! Eck!

5) El Barzon

Ok, let’s get this list started proper. This restaurant is completely crazy.  The menu is half Italian, half Mexican, and 100% bad ass. Chock-full of Italian favorites and littered with Mexican staples you will not be disappointed. Location, location, LOCATION! This little gem is tucked away in a small crevice right outside corktown. Mystery and urban decay all wrapped into one.  I promise, you will be satisfied when enjoying this place.

Yelp Elite tip: Sit the fuck outside.  The patio is gorgeous.

4) The Dime Store

Who doesn’t love brunch?!?!?!?? I know I do and this place has a fantastic one. The Korean french fries. That’s all I have to say.  Hands down the true crack fries of Detroit.

It’s located in the old Dime Building, and sits almost on top of Griswold Street. The ambience is truly great.  I really feel at home when I sit down for a Sunday morning meal.

Yelp elite tip: Beat the Sunday brunch rush and get there before 11am.

Check out the full review here – Dime Store – Yelp Review

3) Chartreuse

Captain America commands you to go.  I really loved this restaurant.  The menu was perfect. It had protein favorites for me, and fresh vegetables and salads for my GF. And a happy GF makes the food taste that much sweeter.

I found the inside to be a breath of fresh air. Green, like the incredible hulk, it is anything but angry but relaxing and soothing.

You must check this place out.  At 3 on my list, it easily could have been in the top spot.  And don’t ask me why I went full marvel on this review.  It’s my list,  deal with it.

Yelp elite tip: Enjoy the twice cooked egg. It’s heavenly.

Check out the full review here – Chartreuse – Yelp Review

 

2) Mabel Gray

Named after a mythical woman, she fully embodies the exquisite cuisine. Not only named powerfully, the owner and head chef from The Root, masterfully architects a dynamic menu, that reaches the pinnacle of modern cuisine. This restaurant truly represents the culinary renaissance that Detroit is currently enjoying.

Yelp elite tip: Enjoy the tasting menu. It’s a little bit of everything on the menu.

Check out my full review here:

Coming soon. If you’re lucky.

Yelp Review – Mabel Gray

1) Selden Standard

It was voted the 2016 restaurant of the year by Hour Detroit for a reason. The food is truly a piece of art. Artfully crafted, to blend flavors, the food mesmerizes your palate.  Located in midtown, the outside is nothing spectacular to look at,  but don’t let that mislead you into believing there is nothing but magical food located on the inside.

I have been here a handful of times and each time demonstrated a new height of culinary mastery. This restaurant, in my mind,  marked the rise of the Detroit food renaissance. If you haven’t been yet,  which is crazy, I implore you to set aside your phone for a night, and enjoy a delicious meal, with someone special, at Selden Standard.

Yelp elite tip: Go for lunch. The wait is way shorter.

If you want to check out more of my reviews, check me out on Yelp. The link is below. Just click.

Yelp Reviews – Zachary “Hophead” F.

The World’s Greatest Restaurants of South East Michigan!!! 6-10

Leave comments. Tell me about your favorite spots.