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The Morrie
Esther Allweiss Ingber | Contributing Writer
T
he Morrie, the much-anticipated
and Sabrage nightclub.
new restaurant-bar-music venue,
Open since February 2014, Bistro 82 was
recently opened on Sept. 9, 2016,
an instant hit, chosen Best New Restaurant
on Main and Sixth streets in Royal Oak.
in that year’s Jewish News' “Best of
The venue is AFB Hospitality Group
Michigan” readers’ poll and continues to
President Aaron Fenkell Belen’s homage to be honored by other local media.
his beloved maternal grandfather, the late
Simply put, Belen and his team have
bank chairman and philanthro-
succeeded in creating the
pist Morris “Morrie” Fenkell.
“cool, chic dining and nightlife
The Morrie is a contemporary
experience” he envisioned at
yet comfortable venue for
the corner of Lafayette and
everyone and offers a different
Fourth streets. Diners at Bistro
experience on every visit.
82 can enjoy a gourmet dinner
It is AFB Hospitality’s second
before heading upstairs to
Royal Oak entertainment
“dance to a world-renowned
venture and was one of the
DJ that we’ve flown in for the
biggest building projects in
night,” Belen said.
the city at 7,400 square feet
Inside Bistro 82, two walls
and nearly $4 million in total
opposite the windows feature
investment. Such commitment
a glowing onyx bar and a huge,
to Royal Oak helped earn Belen, Aaron F. Belen
multi-colored abstract by artist
33, the honor of being named
Sam Friedman. Soft-touch,
the city’s 2015 Businessman of
faux leather for seating in
the Year.
ivory also brightens the gray,
AFB Hospitality Group, founded 3½
contemporary dining room. Black chairs
years ago with business offices in Berkley,
and dark gray tables left bare provide a
“is built on doing things in the right
contrast to the parade of white china.
way,” said Belen, who was raised in West
Spanish porcelain tiles cover floors. The
Bloomfield. “We set our bar high enough
vibe is enhanced by an unobtrusive,
to be Midwestern in feeling and values.”
Harman-designed sound system.
A carefully thought-out venue nearly
The same attention to design is evident
two years in the planning, the one-story
at The Morrie, which employed noted
Morrie offers roadhouse-style dining
Birmingham architect Kevin Biddison and
for up to 240 “at a very affordable price
Ronnisch Construction of Royal Oak.
point,” Belen said, while still offering the
“We’re doing things the right way with
impeccable attention to fresh ingredients,
talent across the board,” said Scott Sadoff,
service and decor that distinguish the
director of operations for AFB Hospitality
company’s original foray into Royal Oak
Group.
— the award-winning Bistro 82 restaurant
The Morrie features 23-foot high
50 September 29 • 2016
ceilings with exposed ductwork, 14 TV
screens, roll-up garage doors, small
street-side patio, eight large tables that
accommodate six-to-eight guests and a
stone-and-granite bar top with wood liner,
also found on high and low tabletops.
Visible from all vantage points of the
spacious room is a center stage featuring
musical performers. At different times,
guests can enjoy rock bands, jazz, blues
and country.
“We will continue to offer every feature
people could want in entertainment,” said
Belen, noting the inclusion of a dance
floor and state-of-the art “unbelievable”
acoustics at The Morrie.
“Restaurant-bar science helps separate
me from others in the market,” he said,
promising that the music will sound great
and yet allow guests to hear each other
speak.
The Morrie looks to attract a different
crowd than Bistro 82, which is generally an
older, more sophisticated crowd.
“We cater to a different demographic,”
Belen said. “We are incredibly food-,
service- and price-focused. You could
come in to eat seven days a week.”
“The prime, high-visibility location on
Main Street, convenient for foot traffic,
will make The Morrie a place where the
Royal Oak community can pop up every
day — families as well as couples and
individuals,” said Sadoff. The venue also
includes a dedicated parking lot.
Derik Watson, the company’s notable
executive chef, has developed a menu of
eclectic, neighborhood-style food, which
Belen calls “wonderful bar food.”
Guests can enjoy large entree salads,
and burgers and sandwiches placed inside
house-made, freshly baked buns.
“We’ve imported an Italian artisan stone
bread oven and will use a small smoker for
meats and other entrees,” Watson said.
Helping the new enterprise to run
smoothly from the start is its close
proximity to Bistro 82.
Belen said that the proximity will allow
for coordinated food buying.
“We have every piece of kitchen
equipment necessary to make any kind of
food in the two kitchens,” he said.
He can’t say enough good things about
the talent and dedication of his young
and growing AFB Hospitality Group, which
employs 120-130 full- and part-time
associates.
Content to keep his properties in Royal
Oak, “where we’ve planted a flag,” Belen
is confident “we know the pulse of the
community, and we’ll be able to back
up our claims of being at the top of the
culinary food chain.”
Belen looks forward to his company
attracting “a whole new kind of guest”
with the addition of The Morrie. It
is available for corporate functions,
fundraisers, political events and private
parties, as well as regular guest visits to
enjoy dining, drinking and listening or
dancing to live music.
It’s varied and affordable entertainment
all under one roof.
“At The Morrie, you can go and have fun
at great value,” said Belen.
Visit themorrie.com, or call (248) 216-
1112 for private party inquiries.