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