Chef Yakov Fleysher knew as soon as he saw the space at 6540 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, that it would be the perfect spot for his small, European bistro. Enter Bistro le Bliss, which seats 60 in a nondescript strip center, yet offers a trip across the sea at lunch and dinner. “I created a unique menu that’s still comforting with things people don’t make anymore,” said Fleysher, who has worked in the area for decades. The menu – which will change seasonally – currently features Beef Stroganoff Royal, Scallops Velouté du Barry, and Coq au Vin. There’s also daily specials, where Fleysher allows himself to get a little bit more wild with the food. “I can go a little bit crazy w

While it’s not quite ready for it’s close up, The Morrie Birmingham, the latest venture by Aaron Belen and AFB Hospitality Group, is getting very close, Belen said, as it readies for a summertime opening at 260 N. Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham. While it will be similar to his Royal Oak location of The Morrie, where it’s a casual, welcoming restaurant for all ages which morphes into an exciting entertainment nightclub post-10 p.m., the Birmingham locale will really step it up. “We call it our neighborhood roadhouse concept with live music,” Belen explained. “For Birmingham, we’re going to elevate the food offerings for the community. I think this will really fill the void in the marketp

When Shimar Mitchell says the dishes at Table No. 2 – 18925 Livernois Avenue and Seven Mile Road along the famed Avenue of Fashion in Detroit – come with a wow factor, he means it. There’s the fried chicken dish served in a mason jar and a variety of meals served tableside, such as the Tomahawk steak, caesar salad, lobster bisque, and banana foster. “Diners want to be entertained, they want a show, and they want the food to taste good,” said Mitchell, who is the restaurant’s general manager. “So we put all those elements together.” The gourmet American cuisine restaurant – which opened on Easter Sunday – is owned by twin brothers, Shimar and Omar, who serves as their executive chef, and has

For Kris Lelcaj, Babo has been 10 years in the making and come June, it should become a reality. “I’m planning on working around the clock to get this thing going in June,” said Lelcaj, who worked at SavCo Hospitality, based in Ann Arbor. Lelcaj plans to have Babo – which means “dad” in Albanian, paying homage to his father, who passed away in 2011 – fill the brunch void in Midtown Detroit, with dishes like avocado toast with a truffle salt and lemon zest, and Eggs Benedict, which has applewood smoked bacon instead of ham and a hollandaise made in-house. If brunch isn’t your cup of tea, they will also be serving lunch and dinner, with tacos and burgers being their focal points. There will be

Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Eastern Market – where Omar Anani was once a vendor – is the new Moroccan restaurant, Saffron De Twah. Anani has owned the building at 7636 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, for years and originally planned on putting an Asian concept in the space before switching. Why Moroccan? Because no one else was doing it. Anani noted people tend to lump Moroccan food together with Mediterranean, but advised they couldn’t be more different. “That’s the thing that’s so cool about Moroccan cuisine...they have these infusions in their cooking that the rest of Mediterranean cuisine does not have,” he noted. A perfect example of a menu item with said influences is their meatball sub

With an atmosphere created to feel like you’re in Miami or Los Angeles – think lots of greenery, including real palm trees – Pinky’s Rooftop is quickly becoming the busiest restaurant for the Adam Merkel Restaurants group. Since opening in late April, dishes like their short rib wonton tacos, black truffle ramen, and sashimi have all proven popular. “Those seem to be on every other table,” Merkel said. The descriptions on the menu aren’t too detailed on purpose, because they want guests to be slightly surprised by the items that appear in front of them, like a three-foot-tall cotton candy dessert or a drink served in a Buddha ceramic. Pinky’s – located at 100 S. Main Street (formerly Red Fox

Globally inspired menu with Asian and European influences? Check. Supporter of local non-profits and schools? Check. Uses local bakeries for their food menu? Check that too. The newest location of Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea will have all of those things at 774 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, when they open June 14. That entire week will have giveaways, like free drinks. “All there is in the community is Starbucks or Tim Horton’s,” said Stephanie Beck, franchisee owner. “We don’t really have a local, upscale coffee shop.” Sweetwaters plans to fill that void with their unique drinks, like their Ginger Lemon Tea, Dragon Eye, and French Vietnamese au Lait. As far as food goes there will be pastries, s

If you’ve hoped Mootz Pizzeria + Bar would deliver right to you, you’re in luck. At least if you live within one mile of their location at 1230 Library Street in downtown Detroit. “Since opening earlier this year, the demand for delivery has steadily increased,” said Tony Sacco, operating partner. “Our new bicycle delivery service...will allow us to expand our customer base and reach.” For those getting delivery there is a $4 fee, a $15 order minimum, and must be paid for with a credit card online. That isn’t the only change that’s come to the authentic New York pizzeria since their January opening. Mootz Pizzeria now accepts cash for dine-in and carryout orders, dropping their credit-only r