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Redefining Hospitality

Owner of Bistro 82, the Morrie and SCL lauds staff for success.

By Maureen McDonald

Aaron F. Belen

W

hen it comes to hospi-
tality, Aaron F. Belen is
out to define the term
in ways that tickles the
palate and delights the imagination.
Through his AFB Hospitality Group,
he’s invested approximately $10 million
in pleasing customers, and the crowds
keep coming to his venues. He credits
the team.
“We have the advantage of wonder-
ful talent. Many people have been with
me since our first restaurant concept
opened three years ago,” says Belen, 34,
the founder and CEO of AFB with three
entertainment properties in downtown
Royal Oak. “Our executive chef, Derik
Watson, helped us land the coveted
2017 Restaurant of the Year from Hour
magazine this spring.”
Watson, in the story in Hour’s April
edition, says, “Everything we’re doing we
try to do better than the next day. We
either try to change it or do it better.”
The story raves about Bistro 82’s steak
tartare, seafood platter and foie gras.
AFB also operates The Morrie, an
eclectic neighborhood roadhouse with
live music Wednesday through Saturday
nights, and Saturday and Sunday for
brunch. AFB has also reopened SCL, a
cocktail and nightlife concept, above
Bistro 82, with a proven formula for
high ratings — innovative drinks and
pulsating music.
With a salute to top talent, Belen
recently hired several new members to
its executive management team: Keith
Schofield as Director of Operations,
Ben Robinson as executive pastry chef
for all properties, Lea Schofield general
manager and Joe VanWagner as chef de
cuisine of Bistro 82, and Awsem Zbair as
AFB’s director of nightlife.
“As each of our venues continue to
expand, we have an increasing need for

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talented, experienced management,”
Belen says. “We arguably have some of
the most talented culinary professionals
in the field. They will elevate every facet
of the experience at our properties.”
Belen credits his grandfather, Morrie
Fenkell, as the inspiration for hiring
good staff and making wise business
decisions. From him, he also learned
how to rebound, dust himself off after
something goes wrong and make it bet-
ter the next time. His grandfather was
a banker who died of pancreatic cancer
in 2007, but his name lives on thanks
to Belen, who opened The Morrie six
months ago.
Because of his grandfather, Belen came
home to Michigan from Hartford, Conn.,
where he graduated from the Barney
School of Business at the University of
Hartford. He could have stayed in the
east where many of his friends from
Cranbrook relocated, but the pull of fam-
ily was too strong. He
has pursued a career both in commercial
real estate and hospitality — and both
owns and operates each of his properties.

Belen credits the team in Royal Oak
for their support. “The City of Royal Oak
has been very supportive of our devel-
opments. We are extremely fortunate to
have the city’s support and know that
our vision for Royal Oak as a culinary
destination is their vision as well,” said
Belen. “Our team is proud to be the
trailblazer in Royal Oak thus far and
looks forward to projects in the future.”
The vision that has borne out into
a steady supply of happy customers is
offering something for everybody in
this city famous for its nightlife. Belen’s
concepts include upscale dining for
every day of the week, a special occa-
sion or a celebration on the weekend.
Welcoming hosts invite people to stop
in for a casual happy hour after work.
SCL offers many options for a nightcap
and a chance to extend a wonderful
evening.
For those seeking a “blue jeans” kind
of evening, The Morrie offers eclectic
roadhouse cuisine with great live music
just a couple blocks away from Bistro 82.
With awards from Hour, the Free

Press and the Royal Oak Chamber of
Commerce, many in Metro Detroit get
to see these venues thriving firsthand,
inspired by a proud grandfather.
For Belen, each of the three concept
spaces are uniquely different, which
balances out the fun of managing the
properties and brings customers back
for more of the great AFB hospitality. Y

Bistro 82

401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak
(248) 542-0082
bistro82.com

The Morrie

511 S. Main St., Royal Oak
(248) 216-1112
themorrie.com

SCL

Above Bistro 82
401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak