The Grosse Pointes,
Kercheval, From The Hill to Alter Road
A
sk someone not born and bred
in the Grosse Pointes - or not in
the custom of traveling east of 1-75
for that matter - to describe the dif-
ferences between the Pointes, and
you'll most certainly be met with a
quizzical look.
Indeed, to the casual observer, the
Grosse Pointes — Woods, Park, City,
Farms and Shores — can generally be
indistinguishable: grand manses line
Lake Shore Drive while smaller, but
nonetheless substantial, homes
occupy hefty lots on well-tended
streets migrating west from Lake St.
Clair.
But spend a bit of time crisscrossing
what are arguably some of metro
Detroit's loveliest residential
enclaves and a bounty of differ-
ences — some subtle, some not so —
will illustrate each city's distinct per-
sonality.
First, understand that the Grosse
Pointes, long associated with the
region's "old" money families, whis-
per their wealth, unlike their west
side cousins who prefer the more
"look at me" approach.
And second, know that the key to
unlocking the mysteries of the
Pointes can be found in the business
districts clustered along Kercheval
(from north to south): the staid Hill,
the upbeat Village, and the scrappy
few blocks hard against Alter Road
before entering the city of Detroit.
DINING
The Grosse Pointe way of life is
often compared to that very defini-
tive, yachting-centric, country-club-
bing, East Coast lifestyle. Thus, it
was only natural that the private
clubs of the Pointes became, and
remain, hubs for socializing, per-
haps, some say, at the expense of a
dynamic dining scene coming into
its own.
Thankfully, albeit slowly, eating-
out options extend beyond the
damask-dressed dining rooms of the
neighborhood's members-only
haunts.
Along The Hill ( Kercheval
between Muir and Fisher ), The Hill
Seafood and Chop House (123
Kercheval, 313-886-8101) brought
life to what had been a culinary
desert when it opened about five
years ago. And since then it's been
earning accolades from residents and
garnering attention from local and
national arbiters of taste.
As its name suggests, the atmos-
phere is quite a bit more casual near-
by at Lucy's Tavern (115 Kercheval,
313-640-2020), while Cafe Nini (98
Kercheval, 313-308-3120), a sort of
26 • October 20, 2005 • MainStreetS
chic coffee house-cum-chic café,
champions a spiffier yet relaxed
style, where patrons can duck in for
a rich cappuccino or enjoy a menu
of Italian soups, salads and sand-
wiches.
It's a celebration of fine food at
The Upper Crust (75 Kercheval,
313-884-5637). But despite the pre-
tense of the name, it's anything but
standoffish. If curious about that
day's specials, check out the black-
board at this part-café, part-gourmet
food store for its "Daily Nosh."
At the south end of Kercheval,
Janet's Lunch (15033 Kercheval,
313-331-5776) remains a favorite
among the locals for serving uncom-
plicated, but expertly prepared,
breakfasts and lunches, while things
get a little more spicy across the
street at M'Dears Creole Cooking
(15102 Kercheval, 313-821-1881).
The neighborhood is also home
to a couple of places that do double
duty as specialty food shops. There's
Blue Bay Fish and Seafood Market
(15308 Kercheval, 313 824 3474)
and Sprout House Natural Food
Market (15233 Kercheval, 313-331-
3200).
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SHOPPING
At first blush, it's easy to bypass
the Hill as a shopping destination,
what with the numerous brokerage
houses, real estate offices and other
professional services lining the
street. But that would be a shame as
this lovely streetscape is home to a
well stocked Brooks Brothers
Factory Store (11 Kercheval, 313-
886-2300), a browser's paradise at
Pointe Pedlar (88 Kercheval, 313-
885-4028) for all sorts of kitchen
gadgets and cookery, and the cozy
How Inviting (97 Kercheval, 313-
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