Detroit Day 24: Exploring Detroit’s Buildings and Other Adventures

The waffles were delicious!

I have been laying a bit low lately because there is a heat wave in the city and I am simply tired of constantly being on the move, but today I managed to get to a few new places. I started my morning with work and breakfast at Great Lakes Coffee which I have profiled a number of times.

First Stop: Maccabees at Midtown

I have heard pretty good things about the food at Maccabees so Chioke and I headed over with a last minute addition of my friend Venus and her super cute three month old son. Upon walking in, I immediately feel in love with the space. The ornate light fixtures were the first thing to catch my eye, though they did not offer much lighting in the restaurant. For dinner or happy hour I think the dimly lit restaurant would be a hit, but at lunchtime it felt a bit strange and too romantic. Our server Jeff was very nice and gave us great suggestions for what to eat. I also appreciated that the owner Peter stopped by our table just to chat and someone from the kitchen staff also came over and greeted us.

We all had salads, Chioke and I the special and Venus the Old Main, and they were FANTASTIC. The food that we smelled and saw placed on other tables looked delicious as well so I will be sure to come back and explore more of their menu. So the good food coupled with the awesome staff and warm welcome have earned Maccabees a place on my permanent list of Detroit recommendations. It has only been open since January and I never would’ve known it as it has the feeling of a long established restaurant. So next time you are looking for a lunch or dinner option in Midtown, had over to Maccabees.

I apologize for the bad iPhone pictures.

Maccabees at Midtown
5057 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, Michigan  48202

Second Stop: The Wayne State University Farmer’s Market

After Maccabees, Venus and I braved the triple digit outdoors and walked one block west over to the Wayne State Farmer’s Market. We didn’t stay long as the heat was merciless, but I was able to sneak a peak at all of the stalls and picked up a few things. This market is much smaller than some of the others, but one thing that I love about it is that all of the produce is local (from Michigan) and the prices aren’t too bad. So if you are in need of a few produce items in the middle of the week check out this Farmer’s Market.

Wayne State University Farmer’s Market
In front of Prentis Hall and across from the Detroit Public Library
http://www.clas.wayne.edu/unit-inner.asp?WebPageID=2750

Third Stop: Whole Foods

I have already profiled Whole Foods and will not do it again, but I went with my mom for her first visit there and I noticed a two things that I had not noticed before. An awesome quote at the entrance and a nifty local detail at the cash registers.

They added Motown records to each of the cash registers

Fourth Stop: DSE Detroit

DSE Detroit is one of many Detroit based brands, but one of my favorites. I met the owner James sometime last year though we realized that we were at one time in the same school. I probably visit the store once per week along with his neighbors The Natural Market and Norah’s Vintage Loft, largely because James is very welcoming and I love the space and product line. I have even gifted his products before.

There is a huge selection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball caps, buttons, bags and soon to be candles. I even had the chance to test out some scent samples during my visit, for the forthcoming soy candle line which will be a part of his lifestyle collection. I strongly encourage you to head over to DSE Detroit and support a young entrepreneur with an incredible brand. Even if you don’t buy anything just go and hang out and tell him I sent you!

DSE Detroit
202 E Grand River Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 389-6178
http://store.dsedetroit.com/

Fifth Stop: Michigan Theatre

A friend and I jumped on our bikes around 7pm and took the city by storm and we started with the Michigan Theater. The theater was opened in 1926 to much fanfare. The 4,038 seat theater
was a giant at its time and played host to the likes of Frank Sinatra
and Louis Armstrong to Aerosmith and David Bowie. The theater closed in
the 60s though there were a few attempts at revival in the 70s. Now the
theatre is used as a backdrop in a number of films including 8 mile,
Alex Cross and the TV Detroit 1-8-7.

This historic theater is well past its glory days, but the heyday still shows through the dilapidation. Nathan had been here before, but this was my first time. I was warned that we needed to get by the security guard and that he normally expects a tip. When we arrived, Anthony, the guard gladly let us up to the space and we were able to snatch a few pictures. We were only given ten minutes and he stuck to it. I was absolutely floored by the evidence of opulence past. Once inside I immediately remember the space from Eminem’s 8 Mile. I was speechless for a few minutes as I soaked it all in before taking out my camera, a practice I find helps me enjoy life a little bit more in the social media age.

After a few snaps, some failed yoga attempts and the opening of my favorite bottle of wine, we were off. If you get the chance definitely check out this space. When you are inside you time travel to a day when people flocked to Detroit for reasons, beyond conferences, sporting events and urban spelunking.

The Michigan Theatre
220 Bagley St 
Detroit, MI 48226
http://www.historicdetroit.org/building/michigan-theatre/

Sixth Stop: The Guardian Building

Nathan, who oddly enough was playing tour guide for me in my own city for the evening suggested that we head over to the Guardian Building next. The Guardian also opened in the 1920s and was built Art Deco style. The word opulent, considering the time does not seem strong enough. I hope my pictures can do it justice. The building, which still operates as office space in the heart of downtown is well maintained and absolutely gorgeous. Part of the building was closed so we were not able to snap a ton of pictures but I was able to capture a few. After visiting these two buildings I realize that I need to do a lot more exploring of the city’s buildings.

The Guardian Building

http://www.historicdetroit.org/building/guardian-building/

Seventh Stop: The Old Tiger Stadium Site

After the Guardian Building and with a bit of wine left, we headed over to the former site of Tiger Stadium and sat on a bench, chatted, took a few pictures and watched the sunset. There isn’t much left on this site but it was pretty cool to stand on the pitcher’s mound.

Eighth Stop: Green Dot Stables

I have been wanting to visit this Corktown gem for a few weeks now but just never got around to it. Since we were already in Corktown we biked over for dinner. True to its name, Green Dot Stables, upon sight, elicits a feeling of being at horse stables. The bike rack, which is in the form of a bull, somehow, is more kitsch than it is functional but cool nonetheless. If you are looking for fancy, this definitely is not the place, as evidenced by the very laid back decor, but if you are looking for great cheap food and drinks, run, don’t walk to Green Dot Stables.

When I opened the menu and saw the prices my jaw almost hit the table. $3 cocktails!? Impossible, right? I asked the waiter and he assured me that there was a small asterisk that said add a zero to all numbers on the menu. :-). I thought the quality of the food and drinks would match the cheap prices but fortunately that was not true. The food was delicious as were the drinks. I HIGHLY recommend a visit to this restaurant for lunch, dinner or a late night snack.
 

Look at these prices!!

The catfish and tempeh were really good. The black bean was ok. The garlic parmesan fries were amazing.

Green Dot Stables
2200 W Lafayette Blvd
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 962-5588
http://greendotstables.com/

Ninth Stop: Cliff Bells

Initially, we were supposed to go to a concert at the Magic Stick but unfortunately neither of got tickets before hand and the show was sold out. After 20 minutes of deliberation on what to do as a replacement, we ended up having a drink at Cliff Bells. Located just behind Fox Theater and near a few other bars, it is a nice place to go on a date. With romantic low lights and a speakeasy feel, the live jazz adds the perfect touch. We both had one classic cocktail and after listening to live music and being engrossed in conversation, we realized that we were the last customers in the building.

I have only been to Cliff Bells a few times, but I really like it and I remember the mac and cheese being amazing. It is also a great location for a photo shoot. So definitely check it out. I think they have a good happy hour as well. 

Cliff Bells
2030 Park Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 961-2543
http://www.cliffbells.com/ 

Tenth Stop: Park Bar

After leaving Cliff Bells, we were about to unlock our bikes then saw that Park Bar was still open and had live music so we abandoned the idea of going home and went in for one more drink. Since it was so late, we shared a drink, though running into friends meant that we also did a shot to close out the night. Park Bar is attached the Detroit darling, Bucharest Grill, famous for their chicken shawarmas. Park Bar is nothing fancy but the bartender Catrell, I think was his name, makes a mean drink. 

Park Bar
2040 Park Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-2933
http://www.parkbardetroit.com/