30 January 3 • 2019
jn

Redcoat Tavern

I

t felt like entering a time warp, dining 
again at Redcoat Tavern in Royal 
Oak. After my more than 40 years 
away, the early American-style decor was 
just as I remembered. Shiny red booths 
line the front room with only tiny red 
lanterns for illumination. A high shelf 
against a rough-plaster wall still displays 
tin, copper and pewter serving pieces. 
The capacity here is 125.
Redcoat Tavern’
s décor reflects the 
Scottish-British heritage of Wilma 
Brown and her late husband, John. They 
opened today’
s “
ale house, wine bar and 
gastropub” in 1972. Juan Garcia has been 
corporate general manager for 15 years. 
A restaurant needs to offer something 
special to stick around so long. Here, 
that something is the Original Redcoat 
Special hamburger. The half-pound of 
freshly ground “
proprietary blend” beef 
comes with tomato, shredded lettuce and 
“
special sauce” on a toasted bun. But wait 
— there’
s more! Diners may customize 
their burgers from a list of 33 “
mod-
ifications,
” including cheeses, onions, 
peppers, sauces, breads and more. Bacon 
is the No. 1 add-on, according to Garcia. 
Despite an upcharge, 40 percent choose 

Redcoat’
s ground certified Piedmontese 
beef. Described as a healthier alternative 
to the traditional burger, Piedmontese 
contains less than 2 grams of fat. 
Ollie Williams is executive sous chef 
at Redcoat Tavern in Royal Oak, with 
Bryan Young his counterpart at the 
West Bloomfield location. In 2009, the 
Browns’
 contemporary Zinc restaurant, 
opened five years earlier, adopted their 
original concept. Despite what some 
customers say, the restaurants offer the 
same food.
“We get that all the time,
” Garcia said. 
“But our consistency is everything. We 
have the same menus, same techniques 
and same staff training, though our 
restaurants look different.
”
Everything is house-made at Redcoat, 
including the raspberry-port vinaigrette 
accompanying my friend Irva’
s Tavern 
Salad. The salad’
s hand-peeled pears 
were purple from being poached in port 
wine. Also special in this assemblage 
of Amish chicken breast, baby greens 
and sundried cherries was house-made 
Stilton-hazelnut terrine. Delicious!
I took our server’
s suggestion and 
ordered Amish Chicken Pot Pie, topped 

with French puff pastry. I liked the flaky 
golden crust over veggies and filling. 
Also popular are the daily featured 
entrees and Shepherd’
s Pie. We started 
with Clam Chowder for me — still great 
— and Irva’
s tomato-based Caribbean 
Seafood Chowder.
Blackened Tenderloin Tips is a favorite 
appetizer. Skillet-blackened in Cajun 
spices, the tips are flamed in bourbon 
and finished in Cajun cream sauce. 
“
Anything with corned beef sells well,
” 
said Garcia of their sandwiches.
For dessert, Wilma Brown bakes a 
notable Key Lime Pie. Pot du Crème is 
a chocolate “
super-pudding” holdover 
from Zinc. Redcoat also offers a com-
prehensive selection of beer, wine and 
liquor. ■

ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

dining in the d
nosh

Let our experienced team handle all of your estate needs:

Hands free-hassle free estate sales

 Call Leslie Weisberg today for a free consultation 
248-709-9648

CHANGING HANDS 
ESTATE SALES

Visit our Leshoppe showroom in Keego Harbor 

MOVING?
Priced Sale of Household Furnishings
Professionally Conducted in Your Home

Estate Liquidators

Serving the community since 1976
Certified Appraiser
Available for Estate Sales in South Florida

EDMUND FRANK & ASSOCIATES
(313) 854-6000

Entrusted with the best houses




 


Call today for your free in-home consultation

248.855.8747
Caren Bass

Custom Closets,Inc.

WHERE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

as featured on
HGTV

Leading the industry 
with over 30 years experience 
in the Metro Detroit Area. 
Now also organizing the Metro 
Denver Area with our 2nd location 
Custom Closets, West, Inc.

Call for a free estimate 248-547-4525

HOUSEWORK 
GOT YOU DOWN?

BROOM HILDA’S

We specialize in quality service

BHILDACLEANING@GMAIL.COM

Est. 1986


REDCOAT TAVERN
31542 Woodward, Royal Oak
Phone: (248) 549-0300

6745 Orchard Lake Road, 
West Bloomfield
Phone: (248) 865-0500
Redcoat Tavern is on 
Facebook
$$ out of $$$$

