Best Chicken and Waffles
Southern Fires
Southern Fires is more than a local soul food spot—it is a Sunday afternoon institution. The down-town restaurant is known for serving up the most satisfying plate of crispy fried chicken and fluffy buttermilk waffles you can find above the Mason-Dixon Line. In addition to providing the iconic sweet and savory duo, Southern Fires has an incredible five-page menu filled with all your soul food favorites and a few surprises. 313.393.4930. southernfiresrestaurant.com
Best First Date Spot
Fountain Bistro
Valentine’s Day is around the corner; and if you are lucky enough to find someone to venture out with, you’ll have to decide where to take them. Fountain Bistro, nestled in the middle of Campus Martius Park, is the perfect place for a first date, due to the unique setting it calls home. Fountain Bistro offers a French-inspired menu to join the company of the sophisticated interior and extensive wine list. The floor-to-ceiling windows and dim lighting highlight the views of the illuminated bursting fountain and the award-winning park. And it all leads up to the best feature of all: the romantic atmosphere inside. 313.237.7778. fountainbistro.com
Best Sports Bar
Hockeytown Cafe
Whether you are a fan of the Pistons, Tigers, Red Wings, or the Lions, there’s no better place to watch your team play than on one of Hockeytown’s huge plasma TVs. Hockeytown Cafe has a great atmosphere, with its cool memorabilia covering the walls; a cheering crowd of people; cocktail specials; and Red Wings, the city’s most delicious deep-fried chicken wings, tossed in a buttery buffalo-style hot sauce. Be sure to arrive at least an hour before the game during Red Wing season (for obvious reasons). 313.965.9500. hockeytowncafe.com
Best Brunch
What Crêpe?
Regional restaurateur Paul Jenkins, Jr. brought a little slice of Paris to Detroit when he opened What Crêpe? creperie. The cozy cafe, draped in rich red fabrics and black and white photos, serves up robust sweet and savory crepes, artisan salads, and an array of Parisian-inspired cocktails. Beyond the great food and luxe atmosphere, Jenkins brings his brand of remarkable charm and class to each table before guests complete their meal. 248.629.9391. whatcrepe.com
Best Live Music
Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe is one of the only remaining high-profile historical jazz clubs in Detroit. Occupying that cozy space in between intimate piano bar and upscale restaurant, Dirty Dog somehow manages to pull off being the perfect spot for romantic couples and singles who need to cushion their evenings with strong cocktails and sultry blues. The intimate turn-of-the-century setting favors smaller ensembles, but the Cafe still manages to fit in larger groups of jazz greats engaging in spontaneous collaborations. Reservations are strongly recommended, as seating is a hard score. 313.882.5299. dirtydogjazz.com
Best Spa
MGM Grand Detroit Immerse
Forget waiting until your girlfriends are available to indulge in a spa day. If you ask us, real Zen comes when you are on a solo mission, zoning out instead of chatting it up. At MGM Grand Detroit’s Immerse Spa, you can do just that. After choosing from a long menu of services (we recommend the Calm massage for $80 Tuesday to Thursday), guests can either take a dip in the infinity edge pool, lounge in the wicker Bali beds, read, nap, or nosh on assorted fruits and chocolates in the pin-drop-quiet spa. So pack up that unfinished copy of Shades and head downtown for an afternoon of “Zenning” out. 866.990.9491. mgmgranddetroit.com
Best Bartender
Yani Frye, Sugar House 2130 Michigan Avenue
After T-Pain broke the silence and blessed the airwaves with his iconic ode to mixologists everywhere, we can now openly profess our love for our favorite bartenders. And according to our poll, this town adores Yani Frye, the mastermind behind the deliciously complicated cocktails that everyone is sweet on at Sugar House. In addition to his vast knowledge of alcohol and its proper accompaniments, Frye exudes confidence and delivers his artful creations with an unforgettable smile. 313.962.0123. sugarhousedetroit.com
