After much anticipation, Salvatore Scallopini at 505 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, finally re-opened the week of February 18. The newly renovated space not only has an entirely new decor – manager Doris Rumfelt said guests will be shocked by how different it looks, describing it as old-school Italian with a trendy curve (it includes new paintings of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and gondolas, among other decor changes) – but an extended carry-out area and full-service bar, a first for the Birmingham staple. “I think it’s going to be a great addition here and make it a little bit more upscale than it was in the past,” Rumfelt said about the bar, noting that not everyone wants beer and wine.

So far, so great, at Ima’s second location in Madison Heights at 32203 John R Road, which opened in late December. Those who frequent the Corktown location – 2015 Michigan Avenue, Detroit – will notice differences between the two. For starters, the new 2,500-square-foot space is all counter service. Owner/chef Mike Ransom said they did this because it’s quicker, especially for those looking to go out during lunch, compared to a full sit-down restaurant. “It’s kind of a hybrid,” he said. “It’s the ease of service with the speed of a fast food restaurant.” Ransom noted that it’s been well received by guests. The menu also has some changes, including a separate ramen menu – there are four choi

“We’re half-owned and operated by women…for me, it was really important to highlight that, especially in an industry that’s typically male dominated,” said Sagen Isham, marketing and events director for Working Class Outlaws. They’ll do just that on March 8, aka International Women’s Day, at Public House in Ferndale, 241 W. Nine Mile Road, with female-empowered food and beverage specials, and records played throughout the day will be by powerhouse women like Whitney Houston, Blondie, and Beyonce. Inspired by one of the greats, Julia Child, the menu will include Chicken Liver Mousse, Quiche Lorraine, Toulouse Cassoulet, and Reine de Saba. Public House Chef Jasmine Hughes – who chose Child, on

Twelve Oaks Mall – 27466 Novi Road, Novi – is finally putting something into the empty Max and Erma’s space – Sedona Taphouse. With plans to open in late March, this will be Sedona Taphouse’s second location, with the other in Troy at 198 E. Big Beaver Road. Owner, former state Sen. Marty Knollenberg, said the Novi demo is complete and they are currently renovating the space. So far, they’ve added a large bar and significantly expanded the patio area. Said patio includes fire pits and an area that will be open all year-round. Knollenberg mentioned the menu will look similar to Troy’s – steak, seafood, pastas, and chicken dishes. Even though they don’t have any Novi charities finalized yet, t

Treat Dreams, owned by Scott Moloney, and D’Vine Cookies, founded by Rebecca Abel, are combining forces to open Treat Dreams Dessert Emporium at 22965 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale. “We wanted this kind of over-the-top, amazing place to go for dessert…and we thought there was a real need for it,” Abel said. They plan to do a complete gut job on the existing 4,000-square-foot space, adding booths, a full gift shop, and party space. They are also bringing in a pastry chef and partnering with local vendors Rock City Eatery and Zingerman’s. But back to those over-the-top desserts, called “dream desserts.” There’s a hot chocolate goodie covered in toasted marshmallow cream, and five-pound ice cream s

In January, a new craft cocktail lounge opened at The Detroit Club, 712 Cass Avenue, Detroit, called The Library. Tara Jagodzinski, one of The Library’s bar consultants – along with Mitch Nigl – said since opening, people have been up to trying their unique cocktails. “To set yourself apart from everyone else in Detroit you have to have something that’s going to make people want to come in,” she said. So what makes their cocktails different? Every drink is a different texture. Examples include the mirepoix (a mix of diced vegetables cooked in clarified butter) that’s found in the gin-based Ms. Found in a Bottle, and the carrot beet puree in Great Expectations, which also includes tequila and

In Mexican culture, soups are normally made on weekends, and Peso – 2547 Bagley Avenue, Detroit, the former home to Fist of Curry – will follow that tradition. Each weekend Peso (the name of Mexican currency) will make traditional soups and offer breakfast. During the rest of the week, they’ll only be open for dinner, at least to start, said Jose Maldonado, one of the restaurant’s partners, who also include Green Dot owners InLaws Hospitality. “We don’t want to be just another Mexican restaurant – we want to do different twists to a traditional Mexican menu,” Maldonado said. The menu has over 20 items, centered around 10 Mexican-inspired dishes, the twist being that they can be ordered as a

The polar vortex couldn’t stop Brooklyn Street Local – 1266 Michigan Avenue, Detroit – from debuting their dinner services on January 31. “Right now, the main menu is going to stay the same, but we will have rotating dinner specials,” said Deveri Gifford, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, Jason Yates. The popular Corktown brunch spot will serve dinner Thursdays and Fridays, and continue their Saturday dinner pop-ups with Irie Occasions. Now with a secured liquor license, guests can find wine, beer, and cocktails – including brunch classics like Bloody Marys – on the menu. Gifford said they also added five specialty coffees, including the Insomniac, a mix of coffee and Kahlúa toppe