I am a city girl – I always have been. Regardless of the fact that I grew up in the little farm town of Pinconning, MI, known for its cheese and with a graduating class of 118 and 2 stop lights, I have always wanted more. More to do, more to see, more to experience. I easily get restless if their is not always something new around for me to explore. So, after graduating from Lawrence Tech with my Bachelors Degree in Architecture this past May,  I applied for jobs in some of the biggest cities in the country – New York, Chicago, L.A. etc. but I ended up right here in Detroit, not so far from home.  And I couldn’t be happier about it. After spending the last 4 years attending architecture school in Southfield, only a short 20 minute drive from Detroit, I had experienced so little of the world class city that had been in my own back yard for all of my life.

The opportunity to become a Fellow with Challenge Detroit gave me the perfect excuse to move myself into the city ( regardless of my grandmother’s major concerns for my safety) and finally experience all that I had been missing for so long.  I made a point of moving to Detroit earlier than required so that I had time to get acquainted with the city I would be calling home, before all the work started.  I’ve been living in the New Center area of Detroit now since the beginning of July. After 3 months, I’ve experienced so much, and yet there is still so much to see and do. And yes, I am still talking about right here in Detroit.

So, I’ve decided to compile for you some of my favorite places I have experienced so far in Detroit. I, of course, do not claim this list to be all inclusive, and promise it to be ever-changing. With a city changing as quickly as Detroit is, there will continue to be more and more places to visit and experience.  But, for anyone planning a visit to the city, or even those who have been living in or around the city for years, these are my recommendations to you.

( in no particular order….)

1. Green Dot Stables – Located in Corktown, Green Dot is a great place for some quality bar food and drink. With exceptionally reasonable prices, and a menu of delicious sliders (some unique, some less so) I can always count on green dot for a quick bite and a fun atmosphere for any casual evening. & their Le Poutine is to die for.

2. Cliff Bell’s – Right downtown, Cliff Bell’s is a new favorite of mine. I visited for the first time last night as a part of Detroit Restaurant Week. $30 Dollars for an amazing 3 course meal. While I haven’t visited outside of restaurant week, I can only imagine that the food would be just as delicious, along with the wine. The entertainment, live jazz, added wonderfully to the former speak-easy’s art-deco 1930’s atmosphere. Hands down the best meal I’ve had in a long time.

3.  Slows BBQ and Slows To Go – Best BBQ in the Motor City. While there are still a few BBQ places for me to wine and dine, I keep going back to Slows. With their main restaurant in Corktown, and the ToGo Stop in Midtown their nationally known BBQ is delicious and accessible.

4. Mercury Burger Bar  – Also in Corktown, and neighbors to Slows, Mercury Burger Bar is has, of course, delicious burgers. Sorry to say, (but grateful) I stumbled upon Mercury Bar when trying to visit Slows and the wait was too long. Multiple time. Even more notable than their burgers is their delicious Faygo Orange Creamsicle Shake – amazing!

5.  Hudson Cafe – The Hudson is the go-to location for a delicious Detroit Brunch! I always get an omelet,  and hope to sometime soon experience their red velvet pancakes – though they look to be a little much for brunch.  Hudson’s has the perfect meal after sleeping in until 10:30 on Sunday mornings.

While I by no means intended for it, it seem as though my “list” has become a list of delectable dining experiences.  If you couldn’t tell, I LOVE FOOD. I hope my blog was able to to leave you hungry for more of the Motor City.