R eady to venture out? An outdoor destination near Oakland County has revived the carefree nature of a late summer evening. Even wearing masks, visitors should feel refreshed after enjoying some diversion in downtown Northville. In June, the city’ s Downtown Development Authority unveiled a reopening plan that “includ- ed closing down two streets to vehicular traffic: East Main, between Center and Hutton, and North Center, between Main and Dunlap, ” said DDA Director Lori Ward. Permits allowed the expan- sion of outdoor dining in the city, including on the sidewalks, parking spaces and roadway. On the streets closed to traffic, called a “social district, ” participating restaurants sell alcohol in desig- nated cups that can be carried to the commons area for consump- tion. “Customers can get a drink to go while waiting for a table and sit out in our Town Square, Old Church Square or on benches or other tables and chairs set up by the DDA, ” Ward said. Popular restaurants within the social district include Lucy and the Wolf, City Grille, Table 5, Poole’ s Tavern and LeGeorge. I made an online dinner res- ervation for three at 160 Main, a southern Italian restaurant. Restaurant manager Miguel Silvera found us an umbrella table on the pretty European-style brick patio. Dining inside is available as well. The second floorfeatures a mural of Monte Cofano in Sicily, where the restaurant founders and cousins were born. They are general manager Brian Maiorana and Chef Salvatore Monteleone, the culinary director. Monteleone executes seasonal, “from scratch” specialties with Chef Richard Simmons, “Sal’ s right-hand man, ” Silvera said. The menu’ s pastas include the Linguine Alle Vongole I ordered with baby sea clams and white wine sauce. My guest ordered Saltim-bocca with veal: Prosciutto di Parma, sage, sauteed spinach in a white wine butter sauce. Silvera said other popular dish- es include Branzino, house-made ravioli and gnocchi, filet, seared scallops and a Seafood Tower of jumbo shrimp, East Coast oysters and 4-ounce lobster tail. Among the array of wine, beer and cocktails, he singled out a “friendly” drink called Unexpected Revenue. The purple floral concoction of simple syrup and Creme de Violette liqueur is served on a napkin imprinted with a $100 bill. 66 | SEPTEMBER 17 • 2020 dining around the D Nosh 160 Main 160 Main Street, Northville (248) 773-7976 onesixtymain.com *** ½ out of ***** D etroit Institute of Bagels, a popular Corktown bagel shop, is shutting its doors, and owner Ben Newman confirmed to the JN he has decid- ed to sell the business. Newman and DIB were in the process of working out an expan- sion project between their build- ing and nearby PJ’ s Lager House, eventually receiving permits on March 10. Just a few days later, Gov. Whitmer signed an executive order closing restaurants and bars over COVID-19 concerns, and the plans folded. “This was going to be a new and exciting challenge that helped realize the long-term vision for the business of using bagels to invest in our people, community and future, ” Newman said in an email. “But, right now and for the foreseeable future it seems insane to take out $1M+ loan to build more capacity and seating. ” Newman stated that without the positive reinforcement of see- ing people gather and converse over bagels, his passion to make bagels to realize a greater vision had waned. “ Additionally, I have aging parents and a 10-month-old and it’ s important to me for them to be able to spend time together, ” he said. Newman also said it would be silly to let a place with the capacity to make bagels sit empty, which is why he’ s exploring a sale. He already had a few offers on the business and building from people he thinks will bring posi- tive energy to the area. “ As a neighborhood resident and experienced bageler, I will do my best to make sure whoever takes it over is set up for success, ” Newman said. “Nothing formal- ized enough to share yet, but I am confident the space will be making great bagels again sooner than later. ” Newman, whose background is in urban planning and food service, wanted to use bagels to activate a vacant building, create a destination food business and provide living wage jobs. One of DIB’ s first events to generate pub- licity was a fundraiser at the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. Corktown had been the home of DIB since 2013. As for what’ s next for Newman, he’ s keeping his plans close to his chest. “In the short term, I want to continue to focus on family and also make sure that the next operators are off to a great start, ” he said. “Long term, I am inter- ested in finding new meaningful ways to serve the community beyond boiling bread. ” O’ CONNOR REAL ESTATE Dining in Downtown Northville ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Detroit Institute of Bagels Closes Its Doors COVID-19 and family-related reasons played a part in the decision. DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER