platinum plates
The Great Outdoors
Crave bustling sidewalk sounds or a peaceful garden oasis? Here, an al fresco dining roundup.
BY LISA BRODY
One of summer's distinct pleasures is eating outdoors.
With only four or five months (with heaters) to enjoy
outside, it's a joy that few of us can pass up. Luckily,
more and more of Metro Detroit's restaurants have
opened outdoor patios, set up tables on sidewalks and
tailored menus to enjoy the bounty of the season.
In Birmingham, a change in local ordinances has
allowed more outdoor dining. Enjoy dining al fresco
at Forte, Salvatore Scaloppini, Cosi, Dick O'Dow's,
Canella's Patisserie, Big Rock
Steak House and Brooklyn
Pizza. Elie's Mediterranean
Cuisine has completely
remodeled and added a liquor
license, with a "garage door"
window that opens the res-
taurant to the outdoors. And
there's nothing like people-
watching while eating outside
or sipping a cocktail at 220.
Heading south, Royal Oak patrons enjoy dining
outdoors at Cafe Muse, Mr. B's, Tom's Oyster Bar,
Town Pump and Monterrey Cantina. In Ferndale,
Assaggi Bistro (see review in All's Fare on page B10)
has tables in front on the sidewalk, and charming gar-
den seating tucked in back. Como's is the place for a
rocking good time, whether for pizza or steak. Enjoy
Toast's tiny outdoor alcove for a cozy breakfast or
lunch (and watch for a more expanded Toast to open
soon in Birmingham). Further
down Woodward, tucked behind
a somewhat ordinary façade, La
Dolce Vita is hiding a romantic
garden mecca.
Downtown, enjoy a decadent
Sunday brunch on Woodward
Avenue at Detroit's Breakfast
House & Grill @ Merchants
Row, or cocktails and dinner
overlooking the Detroit River at
Seldom Blues.
In the western suburbs, Andiamo/Second City
in Novi will have you laughing at "Jewsical! The
Musical" after eating on their outdoor patio, while It's
a Matter ofTaste in Union Lake has lovely patio din-
ing overlooking the lake, as well as garage doors that
open to provide everyone with fresh lake air. Enjoy
gourmet steaks, veal and other Italian fare in Wixom
at Volare and freshly prepared Italian with American
touches (like waffles for breakfast) at the just-opened
Fiore Ristorante (formerly Riffles) in South Lyon.
Commerce Grill in Commerce also entices with out-
door seating. And in Plymouth, overlook the village
square and watch the goings on at Fiamma Grille
(shown). Sea Grille in West Bloomfield offers lovely
patio dining. Finally, in Southfield, enjoy a glass of
Champagne as you sit outdoors under Bacco's tented
patio with twinkling lights and delight in chef/owner
Luciano Del Signore's Italian delicacies.
Bon appetit!
Sept 7
Wed/Thurs: 8 p.m. - $15
Fri: 9 p.m. - $20
Sat: 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. - $20
Sun: 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. - $15
PROCEEDS FROM OPENING NIGHT BENEFIT
GILDA'S CLUB METRO DETROIT
14.44, Seic
42705 Grand River Avenue Novi. MI 48375
248.348.4448 www.secondcity.com
B 1 2 • JULY 2 0 0 8
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JN platinum