Birmingham

T

o say it's a small town might give
the impression its streets fold
up at dusk. To refer to it as just
a suburb would be a slight to its big-city
trappings that provide its singular charac-
ter — a sense of some place rather than
anyplace — replicated nowhere else.
Indeed, in this geographically-sprawling
region of ours, downtown Birmingham
maintains its allure, putting on a fresh
face every now and again, pulling in even
the most far-flung among us.

Snacking, supping or sipping is never a
problem in these parts. In fact, so exten-
sive and varied are the choices that if you
leave hungry you only have yourself to
blame.
For dependable, uncomplicated eats,
make like the locals and head to Leo's
Coney Island (154 S. Old Woodward, 248-
540-8780), Olga's (138 S. Old Woodward,
248-647-2760) or Greek Islands (221
Hamilton Row, 248-646-1222). And no
mention of come-as-you-are "dining"
is complete without acknowledging the
original Hunter House (35075 Woodward,
248-646-7121).
When the occasion calls for something
a little more up market, Forte (201 S. Old
Woodward, 248-594-7300) impresses with
its eclectic interior and equally diverse
menu. Across the street, the perennial
favorite 220 (220 Merrill, 248-645-2150)
offers the best of all worlds, from its
sometimes raucous bar and spirited Art
Deco-inspired dining room to — weather
permitting — glorious outdoor dining,
the perfect perch from where to enjoy
the sublime Tuscan chicken salad while
watching the passing parade of swells.
At the cozy, yet animated Streetside
Seafood (273 Pierce, 248-645-2150)
and equally uproarious Mitchell's Fish
Market (117 Willits, 248-646-3663), the
fare, obviously, is befitting of Poseidon's
table, while carnivores in the group can
feast on perfectly marbled and aged
steaks and thick chops at Cameron's
Steakhouse (115 Willits, 248-723-1700),
hands down one of the most attractive
dining rooms in town. And nearby, the
new Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and
Wine Bar (323 N. Old Woodward, 248-
723-0134) is drawing crowds and raves in
equal numbers.
The portions are plenty and drinks are
cheap at longtime dining spot Peabody's
(34965 Woodward, 248-644-5222), still
serving up its thick and juicy prime rib,

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and equally thick — creamy — Swiss
onion soup.
Speaking of soup, and inspired by the
now famous "Seinfeld" episode featuring a
popular soup takeaway and its less-than-
hospitable owner, The Original Soup
Man (172 N. Old Woodward, 248-594-
7687) promises a changing menu of daily
soups and salads, and counter help always
happy to see you.
A mile or so east of downtown, the Eton
Street corridor is home to the lushly land-
scaped and richly appointed Big Rock
Chop House (245 S. Eton, 248-647-7774),
located in Birmingham's former train
station, and a true neighborhood diner
if there ever was one, the always friendly,

always satisfying Whistle Stop (501 S.
Eton, 248-647-5588) where there may
be a line for a table weekend mornings,
but diving into a plate of cinnamon roll
French toast or eggs cooked just right is
well worth the wait.
Ethnically speaking, Birmingham gives
foodies of all stripes a wealth of choices.
There's the flavors of the Emerald Isle at
Dick O'Dow's (160 W. Maple, 248-642-
1135), while Salvatore Scallopini (505
N. Old Woodward, 248-644-8977) and
Brooklyn (111 Henrietta, 248-258-6690)
have earned a loyal following with tradi-
tionally prepared pasta and veal dishes,
and wood-oven cooked pizzas, respec-
tively.

When the flavors of the Far East call, a
couple of good bets include Sy Thai (315
Hamilton Row, 248-258-9830) and Tokyo
Sushi & Grill (225 E. Maple, 248-258-
6501).
And naturally, flavors of the Middle
East abound, from the convivial Pita Café
(239 N. Old Woodward, 248-645-6999)
and thoughtfully appointed Elie's (263
Pierce, 248-647-2420), to the white table-
cloth, sophisticated Phoenicia (588 S. Old
Woodward, 248-644-3122).
For a truly delightful meal, both in
terms of ambience and food, the clubby
Rugby Grill, inside the richly appointed,
chichi Townsend Hotel (100 Townsend,
248-642-5999) is where power brokers
begin and end their days, while mid-day
it's the provenance of the ladies who lunch.
There's no denying the appeal of a
frothy latte or fresh brewed cup of coffee
to start the day or simply recharge the
batteries. But break things up a bit with
a healthful, flavorful fresh squeezed juice
or nutrition-packed smoothie at Beyond
Juice (270 W. Maple, 248-594-7078) and
Tropical Squeeze (215 N. Old Woodward,
248-594-6316), or the smoothie station
inside Aunt Olive's Good Food to Go (525
N. Old Woodward, 248-593-0364).
Lastly, you'd be remiss to end a meal
or pass on an opportunity to simply treat
yourself without indulging in the fine
pastries and baked goods from Charlie's
Patisserie (126 S. Old Woodward, 248-
723-2126), Canella Patisserie and
Creperie (300 Hamilton Row, 248-203-
9704), or The Cupcake Station (136 N.
Old Woodward, 248-593-1903).
Of course if you'd rather enjoy an
ice cream sundae or chocolate-covered
caramel then you'd best make a bee line
for either the charming Kilwin's (162 N.
Old Woodward, 248-646-5940), or a true
southeastern Michigan classic, Sander's
(745 E. Maple, 248-594-2056), which,
thankfully, for chocoholics anyway, has
been brought back to life.

SHOPPING

If, as they say, change is good, then great
things are happening in downtown
Birmingham's tidy retail district.
Indeed, Maple Road, running the length
of downtown from Bates to Woodward is
chock-a-block with women's apparel and
accessories stores offering haute couture
to comfy sweats to everything in between.
Anchoring the western end of the street,

BIRMINGHAM ON PAGE 48A

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STREETS

OCTOBER • 2007

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