Medusa Cucina Siciliana opened in Detroit

Chef Anthony Lombardo, the force behind Detroit’s acclaimed SheWolf Pastificio & Bar, has opened a new restaurant — Medusa Cucina Siciliana, located at 644 Selden Street in Detroit. Lombardo debuted SheWolf in the summer of 2018 and went on to earn recognition as a semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes in both 2019 and 2022. With Medusa, the celebrated chef turns his focus to the rich culinary traditions of Sicily. The new restaurant draws inspiration from the complex history of the Mediterranean island. As Medusa’s website explains, “Sicily has been part of Italy since 1861, but before that, the fierce island had many different rulers, all leaving behind their own culinary imprint. At Medusa, we honor this rich, complex heritage by bringing the dynamic flavors of Sicily to the heart of Detroit.” That layered history is evident throughout the menu. Sicily’s former rulers each introduced ingredients and techniques that continue to define the region’s cuisine. The Greeks brought grapes and wine, olive oil, honey, figs, pomegranates, wild herbs, chickpeas, and lentils. Under Roman rule came wheat and barley, bread baking, sheep and goat husbandry, cheese, garum (fish sauce), and dried fruits. Arab influence introduced oranges and lemons, couscous and rice, eggplant and prickly pear, pistachios and almonds, as well as cannoli. Later, the Norman rulers added timbales, meat and sausages, advances in fishing and aquaculture, butter and lard, and the use of capers and anchovies. At Medusa Cucina Siciliana, these influences come together in boldly flavored dishes. Starters include vibrant salads such as Finocchio e Arancia, featuring sliced navel orange, shaved fennel, green olives, radicchio agrodolce, red onion, and bottarga dressing. Entrées highlight Mediterranean seafood and rustic Sicilian preparations, including Branzino—a whole grilled Mediterranean sea bass served with salmoriglio, aglio olio emulsion, and lemon, and Agnello alla Agglassato—an onion and Marsala-glazed lamb shank paired with olive oil–whipped potatoes and crispy onions.

644 Selden Street in Detroit medusa-detroit.com