Ferndale:
E
very city's got one: A place that's full of quirks yet charmingly offbeat. A place that
doesn't take itself too seriously but is serious about having fun. A place that works
hard to maintain its small-town airs, while at the same time embraces change.
Around these parts that place is Ferndale. Indeed, few communities in southeastern
Michigan do what Ferndale does so well: merging the old with the new, the norm with the
unpredictable.
To be sure, there have been some growing pains along the way. And that's to be expected.
What's unexpected, though, is the range of businesses and services packed into its smallish,
walkable center.
Collectively, the restaurants along
Ferndale's main drags — Woodward and
West Nine Mile — span the culinary
globe. Equally varied are their prices and
atmosphere.
For starters, the flavors of Asia can
be found in a passel of casual eater-
ies, including mainstays Bangkok Café
(323 W. Nine Mile, 248-548-5373), May's
Bangkok Express (254 W. Nine Mile,
248-545-3929), Star of India (180 W.
Nine Mile, 248-546-5996) and Nami
Sushi Bar (201 W. Nine Mile, 248-542-
6458), as well as at newcomer, Sakana
(22914 Woodward Ave., 248-336-2555).
Similarly, Europe gets a robust repre-
sentation from Maria's Front Room (215
W. Nine Mile, 248-542-7379), the quint-
essential neighborhood joint if there
every was one; Josephine Creperie and
Bistro (241 W. Nine Mile, 248-399-1366),
where dinner and dessert crepes impress
with their authenticity; Danny's Irish
Pub (22824 Woodward Ave., 248-546-
8331); and the French Gourmet (23421
Woodward Ave., 248-541-1200), where
Francophiles of all stripes will find a
cozy welcome, and coffee lovers will wax
poetic for days after lingering over a rich,
frothy cappuccino.
Joining Maria's in wearing the colors of
Italy are the sleek, multi-tiered Via Nove
(344 W. Nine Mile, 248-336-9936); the
always lively, always consistent Como's
Pizzeria (22812 Woodward Ave., 248-
548-5005), where you can also cut into a
juicy filet flavored with
a terrific zip sauce; and
the smartly appointed
Assaggi Mediterranean
Bistro (330 W. Nine Mile,
248-584-3499), which also infuses the
traditions of Italy's coastal neighbors.
Those shunning carbs beware, how-
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