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Lovers Only in
Capitol Park

L

Lindsey Shaw

Lovers Only

34 Grand River Ave.,Detroit
loversonlydetroit.com

36

June 28 • 2018

jn

overs Only in Detroit’s Capitol Park
is far from a swinger’s club. Capitol
Park is on the heat map for Detroit’s
growing restaurant scene. The establish-
ment opened in spring 2018 by Eli Boyer,
who is quickly becoming a household
name. His restaurant operations are
places you’ve got to go (and go again and
again).
Coming back from working in the res-
taurant scene in Chicago, Voyager was
Eli’s first restaurant when moving back to
Metro Detroit.
Voyager is a bistro-style res-
taurant specializing in sustain-
able seafood and oysters, plus
cocktails and wine, in coastal-
chic digs. Many mazel tovs as
Voyager in Ferndale celebrated
its one-year anniversary March
16 and was recently recognized
Eli Boyer
by Food & Wine magazine as a
2018 Restaurant of the Year. It is
a one-of-a-kind place that is uber unique
to the Metro Detroit food scene. While
Voyager is a happy-hour-into-the-evening
establishment, Lover’s Only (Boyer’s sec-
ond concept) is open from lunchtime until
just before midnight.
Lovers Only is an easy spot to make
as your next Detroit dining destinations.
Imagine the gorgeous stained glass on the
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. Now
envision yourself standing at the front
door, looking across the street, and you
will see Lovers Only. It’s on the first floor
of the new 28Grand micro loft apartments
on Griswold and Grand River Avenue.
Odds are if you are driving from the

suburbs you’re questioning the park-
ing situation. You are in luck! There is a
parking deck directly across the street on
Griswold, a surface lot adjacent to the
building and street parking available.
You’ll enjoy big hospitality the moment
you walk in the door and are greeted with
warm smiles and an introduction to the
menu. It’s an elevated quick-service res-
taurant, where after ordering at the coun-
ter you help yourself to a variety of seating
options from booths, high tops with bar
stools or regular table dining.
A staff member will assist you at
the table, answering any requests,
refilling your drinks and servicing
the table.
The quirky interior is inviting,
including the cow-themed wallpaper
and windows throughout.
For the full nosh experience, I
brought along my trusted team of
eaters to justify ordering most of
the menu. The tight and focused menu
is split into four categories: Hamburgers,
Sandwiches, Sides and Salads.
Classic salads include “the Wedge” and
“the Maurice,” which I believe must be a
homage to Eli’s Detroit heritage. Simple
sides such as hand-cut fries and onion
rings complement the hamburgers made
with 100 percent pasture-raised Michigan
beef.
Ahh, the “Bodega” sandwich is a far
upgraded version of my elementary school
bologna sandwich days; it consists of Sy
Ginsberg bologna, white cheddar, farm
fried egg, mustard and mayo. You’ll find
yourself saying “mmmmm” with the first

bite.
Vegan friends — do not worry — there
is something for you, too. The “Green
Street” hamburger is made with the plant-
based Impossible Burger and lettuce on
an English muffin, but you’ll have to sub
out the white cheddar cheese and parsley/
shallot yogurt.
The menu will be expanding in the
future and some items should rotate with
the seasons. It has a full liquor license;
don’t miss out on the on-tap Negroni and
other draft cocktails.
I highly recommend you ask for a side
of the Alabama White BBQ Sauce — it’s
a Southern thing, which is a tangy mayo-
based sauce providing that perfect combi-
nation of acidity and creaminess to a fried
item. Co-Chef Jen Jackson is from Athens,
Ga., and you’ll find sprinklings of her
Southern flare in the menu.
The nostalgic atmosphere, warm hos-
pitality and casual yummy food at an
approachable price will keep you coming
back. •

