MAINSTREETS
Royal Oak
I
n this fickle place we call Metro
Detroit, few things are as constant as
the popularity of downtown Royal
Oak as a place for supping and shopping,
preening and mingling, and otherwise
experiencing one of the few legitimate
slices of urban fabric in the region.
And, as the neighborhood continues
its evolution from low-rise to high, what
with soft-loft buildings and condominium
towers creating a true skyline for the first
time, it's only natural, then, that what's
happening closer to the ground is also
evolving, as new shops and restaurants
mingle effortlessly with longtime favorites.
DINING
Whether craving a nosh or favoring some-
thing a little more substantial, the dining
scene in Royal Oak poses one great chal-
lenge: There are so many choices. The inde-
cisive have been warned.
On the east side of Main Street, just south
of 11 Mile, Beirut Palace (105 S. Main, 248-
399-4600) tempts with flavors of the Levant,
as well as the conviviality of sharing a post-
meal water pipe with friends on its popular
patio.
Consider this block of Main Street a mod-
ern Silk Road as you trade your tabbouleh
for tempura and the like at Katana Nu-
Asian Steakhouse (111 S. Main, 248-591-
9900) where the tableside chefs entertain
diners with spatula trickery, or sushi at Little
Tree (107 S. Main, 248-586-0994).
Also calling this swath of Main Street
home is the come-as-you-are Comet
Burgers (207 S. Main, 248-414-4567) for
"sliders:' and the urbane ambiance of
Andiamo Osteria (129 S. Main, 248-582-
9300).
Across the street, the barbecue and live
entertainment at Memphis Smoke (100
S. Main, 248-543-4300) still draws large
crowds, while the vibe is much more sooth-
ing next door at Bean and Leaf (106 S.
Main, 248-582-0518), where the coffee and
tea hit the spot every time.
Rounding out the mix, Monterrey
Cantina (312 S. Main, 248-545-1940) spices
things up with its upbeat approach to south-
of-the-border cuisine, and Tom's Oyster Bar
(318 S. Main, 248-541-1186) constantly satis-
fies with its daily fresh catch and raw bar.
Book-ending Main Street on the south is a
trio of restaurants similar in spirit but diver-
gent in taste. The twice-fried frites, creamiest
of creamy macaroni and cheese, steamed
mussels and other toothsome fare, as well
rustically modern decor at Bastone (419 S.
Main, 248-544-6250) was inspired by the
classic Belgian brasserie.
Sharing a roof and housemade beers, the
adjacent Café Habana (421 S. Main, 248-
544-6225) offers an authentic taste of forbid-
den Cuba. The pressed ham sandwiches are
a must, as is the addictive chimichurri sauce,
washed down with a cold Cervasa: house-
made blond ale with chili pepper and lime.
And flanking Bastone on the north is
the sophisticatedly appointed wine bar
Vinotecca (417 S. Main, 248-544-6256).
Indeed, as Main Street's "restaurant row"
attracts most of the crowds, nearby streets
shouldn't be ignored. A few blocks west
finds the friendly Lily's Seafood (410 S.
Washington, 248-591-5459), and authentic
tapas at Sangria (401 S. Lafayette, 248-543-
1964), where the namesake drink is a must.
Finally, when that age-old Italian-versus-
Chinese debate reaches a stalemate, try the
comfortable D'Amato's (222 S. Sherman,
248-584-7400) or longtime downtown
anchor Peking House (212 S. Washington,
248-545-2700). Or agree to disagree and opt
for food and drinks at Small Plates (310 S.
Main, 248-543-3300), where the chefs and
bartenders infuse the flavors of Asia, Europe
and all points in between with its namesake
"small plates" made specifically for shar-
ing, brick-oven pizzas, salads and signature
drinks.
Coffee on the go is hardly the way to
start the day. Rather, make time to tuck
into the Parisian-inspired gem Café Muse
(317 S. Washington, 248-544-4749), where
the orange juice is fresh-squeezed and the
tempting fare is proof enough that break-
fast is the most important meal of the day.
Although fans of its flavorful lunches will put
up a strong argument.
Those with any eye to aesthetics will enjoy
the stylistically sophisticated, but far from
stuffy Oak City Grille (212 W. Sixth, 248-
556-0947) and Town Tavern (116 W. Fourth,
248-544-7300).
Outside the downtown core, and as differ-
ent in food philosophy to one another as day
is to night, stand the vanguard of vegetarian
cuisine in Metro Detroit, Inn Season Café
(500 E. Fourth, 248-547-7916), and a couple
of spots vying for the "best ribs in town"
crown: Oxford Inn (1214 S. Main, 248-543-
5619) and Vmsetta Grill (28028 Woodward,
248-543-2626).
And if a pick-me-up is in order morning,
noon, or night, a handful of spots are sure
to fit any mood: the cozy Café du Marquis
(204 Fifth, 248-398-4169) with its curiously
curated, yet lovingly mismatched chairs, the
Asian-inspired Goldfish Tea House (117
W Fourth, 248-541-5252) — the owners
say they "fell in love with tea" while living
in Beijing — offering premium Chinese
loose-leaf teas and tea accessories, and the
Lilliputian-sized Tasi Juice Bar (204 W.
Fourth, 248-336-9043).
Finally, walk off a big meal and cure a
sweet tooth at the same time with a stop for
ice cream at Chicago-bred Oberweis Ice
Cream & Dairy Store (304 N. Main, 248-
336-0303); the oddly paired but surprisingly
tasty popcorn and candy combinations from
Dale & Thomas Popcorn Company (304 S.
Main, 248-658-4000); or the picture-perfect
pastries at Astoria Pastry Shop (320 S.
Main St., 248-582-8040).
SHOPPING
The high concentration of independent
merchants in downtown Royal Oak means
the cookie-cutter styles found elsewhere
in town are, for the most part, an extinct
breed in these parts.
For starters, there's Funky 7 (411 S.
Main, 248-398-6700) with its offbeat T-
shirts, the junior-focused Pitaya (211 S.
Main, 248-545-6666), the denim-centric
Chaud Jeans (414 S. Washington, 248-
399-3980), and of-the-moment retailer
American Apparel (405 S. Washington,
248-547-1904) for sublimely simple and
comfortable, logo-free American-made T-
shirts and casual wear.
Keep an eye out, too, for Project 3 (412
S. Washington, 248-543-8078) for men's
ROYAL OAK ON PAGE B26
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October 23 • 2008
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