R

obert C. Valade Park, a $4 million 
riverfront park named for the phil-
anthropic, former leader of clothing 
manufacturer Carhartt, opened in October 
2019 as a marvelous addition to the 
Detroit RiverWalk. The Detroit Riverfront 
Conservancy project reclaiming the river-
front is gradually building toward its con-
clusion east of the Belle Isle Bridge.
Other parks dot the 5½-mile expanse 
starting at the Ambassador Bridge, but this 
stretch — just east of the Aretha Franklin 
Amphitheater, with free parking across 
from the box office — is my favorite. It’s a 
complete summer blast here with a beach, 
sand volleyball, kids’ playground and an 
open pavilion. On a weekday here, I saw 
picnickers learning to Latin dance. 
Turquoise umbrella tables are widely 
spaced on a patio around a former boat slip. 
Beyond that, over a bridge, is Bob’s Barge, 
a floating weekend bar for patrons to enjoy 
libations while facing Windsor, Canada.
Hungry visitors will find quality takeout 
items available at two separately owned 
businesses, Geisha Girls and Smokey 
G’s Smokehouse. They are side-by-side 
at a counter inside the Shed. The large, 
light-flooded public space has sparse tables, 
flat-screen TVs and garage-style overhead 
doors. 
Greg Simms opened Smokey G’s in 

Valade Park on March 9, 2020 — just before 
“the world shut down” for the COVID-19 
pandemic. Simms got his start as a caterer 
in 2014, bringing his smoker to universi-
ty tailgate parties. He continued catering 
during the shutdown.
My friend Roberta was pleased with the 

taste of her well-trimmed beef brisket at 
Smokey G’s. Bottles of Simms’ barbecue 
sauce will be carried soon at upscale house-
wares store, Williams Sonoma. The sauce 
added delicious flavor and some heat to my 
meal.
More notable items are smoked salm-
on and turkey legs. His vinegary coleslaw 
“clears your palate so you really taste 
the product you’re eating,
” Simms said. 
Vegetarian sides are smoked sweet pota-
toes and Brussel sprouts, with smoked 
Portobello mushrooms and smoked peach-
es soon to join the lineup. 
Geisha Girls also opened that March 9. 
“I relied on online delivery apps to stay 
afloat,
” said owner Mary Stallworth. She’s 
also doing pop-ups again, bringing food to 
distilleries and bars for customers to enjoy 
with their liquor. 
Stallworth learned to make traditional 
sushi from chefs at her previous restau-
rants. But the Geisha Girls menu is unique 
— “a fusion of soul food and Japanese” 
— that reflects her Japanese and African 
American ancestry. She likes incorporating 
familiar foods, such as apple cider or but-
termilk.
Avocado Bomb was my choice recently. 
So good! The panko-encrusted avocado 
quarters are topped with spicy mayo, sweet 
soy, spicy tuna, imitation crab and mango 
salsa. Crispy sweet potato root strings are 
the garnish. “It’s like an avocado exploded,
” 
Stallworth said. Bring it on, say I.
Sushi Tacos include a wonton base, vine-
gared rice, choice of sushi and mango salsa. 
Slappin Roll has shrimp tempura, pineapple 
and more. Both take-outs open at 11 a.m., 
with varying closing times. 

46 | JULY 8 • 2021 

NOSH
DINING AROUND THE D

Twin Destinations
Grace the RiverWalk

ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

GEISHA GIRLS
SMOKEY G’S SMOKEHOUSE 
2670 Atwater Street
Detroit, MI 48207
GG: (313) 880-0899
GG: See Facebook page
SGS: (313) 693-2533
Smokeygsmokehouse.com
$$$ out of $$$$$

ABOVE: The Shed at Valade Park 
on the RiverWalk

ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER

SMOKEY G’S SMOKEHOUSE/TWITTER

ESTHER ALLWEISS INGBER

Avocado Bomb
at Geisha Girls

Chicken and turkey 
at Smokey G’s

