COMMUNITY
FIVE THINGS YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE THIS MONTH
FOODIE
Bust Out Your Knives and Pitchforks!
Royal Oak scores a win with new eatery Cantina Diablo's
By Esther Allweiss Ingber
he two-avocado guacamole and nine margarita
Cantina Diablo's
choices that took Ferndale by storm can now be
enjoyed at a second and larger location of Cantina
100 S. Main Street
Diablo's in restaurant-friendly Royal Oak. For a fan like
Royal Oak
me, two has got to be better than one!
(248) 543-4300
Co-owners Brian Kramer and Kevin Downey showed
off their devilishly good Tex-Mex eatery" in style June
175 W. Troy Street
1 at a splashy, grand opening reception for officials and
Ferndale
business owners from both cities. The following evening,
;248) 880-6633
everyone could see the exciting results of transforming
www.cantinadiablos.com
Memphis Smoke restaurant into Cantina Diablo's, at the
$$ (moderate) out of $$$$
southwest corner of Main Street and 11 Mile Road.
As in Ferndale, the devilish colors of red and black are
everywhere at the new 10,000-square-foot restaurant
in Royal Oak, and the ambiance is lively with a long bar with red footlights and all tables and step-up
booths in sight of high-definition plasma TVs (76 in all). Live and DJ entertainment will be offered
and also a rooftop patio opening in July. The space will feature seven fire pits surrounded by lounge
seating.
Executive chef Brian Hussey Jr., former owner of Mesquite Creek restaurant in Clarkston, creates
dishes that showcase the flavor, heat, texture and personality of authentic Tex-Mex. The hybrid menu
is derived from centuries-old Mexican traditions, as well as family recipes originating in El Paso and
towns along the Texas-Mexico border.
Under Hussey's direction, staff prepares pressure-marinated and mesquite-grilled Texas beef, fresh
seafood (delivered daily), sauces and salsas from Rio Grande Valley produce and house-made tortillas.
Only ice cream and margaritas get frozen.
I was wowed by Cantina Diablo's, winner of several media awards for"Best Mexican" and "Best Tex-
Mex." I started with creamy roasted corn and poblano chowder, and it just got better from there with
the made-to-order guacamole (four styles are
available) and chicken enchiladas, accompanied
by a choice of two sauces.
My beverage was a tasty strawberry margarita
prepared with real fruit puree. It came with a
little red devil skewer of fresh strawberry and
pineapple. Others might prefer mojitos, sangrias,
cocktails, premium liquor and long-necked beer.
Cantina Diablo's is notable for offering Michigan's
first Chill-Rite 32 draft beer system, which keeps
beer at an optimal 32 degrees.
Another innovation is a linked state-of-the-
art call-ahead seating system meant to ensure
prompt, efficient seating and service for patrons
between the two restaurant locations.
Open for weekend brunch, Cantina Diablo's
offers traditional American breakfast options
alongside southwest favorites, including huevos
rancheros and a breakfast-style burrito.
The co-owners are longtime restaurateurs.
Downey owned and operated the venerable
Fox & Hounds Restaurant in Bloomfield Hills and
remains a board member of the Michigan Restau-
rant Association, which he once helmed.
Kramer's restaurant career began in Royal Oak
with Duggan's Irish Pub, Payne's Woodward
Diablo's chicken enchiladas
Inn and Woody's Diner. RI-
T
Red Oaks Waterpark in Madison Heights
WATER PARKS
There are seriously spectacular water parks aplenty within only an
hour's drive from Metro Detroit. Here are two of our favorites:
•Turtle Cove Family Aquatic Center Two water slides, a lazy
river, a Spray-scape with a 300-gallon dumping bucket and a zero-
depth-entry pool make this water park, part of the Lower Huron
Metroparks, a fan favorite.The on-site Turtle Cove Grille gives easy
access to snacks. Open through Labor Day, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-
Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and holidays. Call for rates.
17845 Savage Road, Belleville. (734) 697-9181; metroparks.com .
•Red Oaks Waterpark Voted "Best Michigan Waterpark" last year
by Daily Tribune readers as well as winner of the 2010 Gold Inter-
national Aquatic Safety Award, Red Oaks features a wave pool and
triple-flume waterslide, plus SplashTown with Soak Station water
playground, River Ride tubing adventure, Spray 'n Play for little
splashers and plenty of picnic space. Open through Labor Day, 11
a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; Weekends: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Call for rates.
1455 E. 13 Mile Road, Madison Heights. (248) 858-0918.
DRIVE IN THEATERS
-
Venues around town are picking up on local parents' longing for
this favorite activity of their days of yore, and now we can share the
retro magic with our progeny. Find first-run, family-friendly features
like Rio, Kung Fu Panda 2 and more at these hot spots:
•Compuware Arena Drive-In Movie Theatres Housed in Compu-
ware Arena's parking lot, it offers three screens, every night through
Sunday, Sept. 4. Try Dinner & Movie (entree, drink and double-fea-
ture on the on-site CJ's Brewing Co.'s patio), pizza delivered to your
car or treats at the full-service concession stand. 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
$9/adults, $6/kids 4-12, free/kids 3 and under (all tickets are double
features). 14900 Beck Road, Plymouth. (737) 927-3284;
compuwarearena.com/drivein.html.
•Silverdome Drive-In Three screens show double features
through Tuesday, Sept. 6. Concession offers nachos, popcorn and
more. Gates open 8 p.m. $8/adults, $6/children. 1200 Featherstone
Road, Pontiac. (248) 630-7013; silverdometickets.com .
FAMILY CIRCUS
With a Name Like 'Bon'
It Has To Be Good
Ever dream of joining the circus (if it weren't for the carnies)?
Here's your big chance — for a day, anyway. The Museum of Contem-
porary Art Detroit (MOCAD) presents its second Family Day event of
the summer, Wildly Circusly Times. Learn aerial tricks from Detroit
Flyhouse Circus School, become a pro hula-hooper with Audacious
Hoops, rock out to old-time favorites performed by the Kent County
String Band and much more.
Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, July 15. Admission is free and all ages are
welcome. MOCAD, 4454 Woodward Ave., Detroit. (313) 832-6622;
mocadetroit.org .
Bon lver: Album Review
EDSEL & ELEANOR FORD HOUSE
JUKEBOX
By Natalie Sugarman
on Iver's self-titled and much-anticipated sopho-
more release is a dream-like interpretation of
sound — and an impressive follow-up to 2008's
breakout album For Emma, Forever Ago, which was
released on Jagujaguwar Records.
Bon Iver has a sound that is akin to artists like Band
of Horses, Iron and Wine and Chris Martin of Coldplay.
Justin Vernon began recording under the name
Bon Iver in 2007. Bon Iver is named with the in-
tentional misspelling of the French word for"good
winter."The live band consists of Vernon on vocals
and guitar; Michael Noyce on vocals, baritone guitar
and guitar; Matthew McCaughan on bass, drums and
vocals; and Sean Corey on drums, vocals and piano.
For the new album, Vernon brought on board well-
known bass saxophonist Colin Stetson and pedal-
steel guitarist Greg Leisz.
The album consists of 10 tracks that all are repre-
sentative of a place.The music has a nice ebb and
flow, as each place on the album is expressed in Bon
Iver's musical translation. The lyrics on the album
seemingly float in waves of poetry, and the album is
heavily laden with a folk-influenced orchestral sound
infusion. It all translates into a beautiful listening
experience for the music connoisseur.
The opening track,"Perth," comes in with a slow,
soft guitar that delivers the listener into a building
6 July2011
I in rffituip
of ghost-like
voices — all of
which intertwine with
drumming that sounds
like it is being played by a
Civil War drummer boy. It paints a picture
through lyrics and images of long-ago battles and
memories of the past.
Two other tracks that really stand out on this
album are"Michicant" and the end track "Beth/Rest,"
which is a favorite on the album.
"Michicant" starts off with the lyrics, "I was unafraid
/ I was a boy / I was a tender age / melic in the naked
/ knew a lake and drew the lofts for page."The rolling
waves of melody seemingly wash ashore as the po-
etic lyrics create a story of youth and wonderment.
"Beth/Rest" comes in with '80s-sounding synths
and vocals — with a hint of Depeche Mode-inspired
influence; and, as the vocals meld with the synths,
the saxophone starts in with a bit of electric guitar.
One could easily find this song in a movie from the
'80s or '90s, where the scene would be the reminis-
cence of a past romance, or a moving memory of a
special time and place.
Overall, this great piece of work can be enjoyed straight
through. Every track is a unique blend of melodies and
lyrics that create a finely crafted musical tapestry. E7
Take a guided tour of the Grosse Pointe lakefront Edsel & Eleanor
Ford House (where the only child of Henry and Clara Ford and the
niece ofJ.L. Hudson raised their own four children). Designed by
Albert Kahn to resemble a cluster of Cotswold village cottages, with
all the modern amenities of 1930s style (see the built-in radio in the
Boys' Sitting Room), the home is surrounded by lush grounds de-
signed by landscape architect Jens Jensen. (Before you go, download
the Ford House app free on iTunes for a guided tour of the grounds
and a look at historic photos and home movies.)
The kids will love the 2/3-scale Tudor-style playhouse on the
grounds, built in 1930 for Josephine Ford's seventh birthday. Break
for lunch at the Cotswold Cafe — and from July 16-Sept. 18, visit the
exhibition Fairy Tale Art, displaying 59 original illustrations from
well-loved classic fairy tales. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday;
noon-4 p.m. Sunday. $5-$12. 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe
Shores. (313) 884-4222; fordhouse.org.
ALADDIN
Pack a picnic, grab a blanket and take in some family-friendly
slapstick in the midst of Royal Oak's tree-filled 28-acre Starr-Jaycee
Park with The Commedia Aladdin. Rounding out Water Works The-
atre Coss 11th annual outdoor Shakespeare in the Park festival, Lane
Riosley's version of Aladdin offers laugh-out-loud commedia dell'arte
antics and larger-than-life props and costumes.
7 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday; 11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, July 29-
Aug. 7. $6. Water Works Theatre Co. at the Starr-Jaycee Park, 13 Mile
Road, east of Crooks, Royal Oak. (248) 399-3727; waterworkstheatre.
COM.
— By Lynne Konstantin
www.redthreadmagazine.com