New Detroit Restaurant Opens, Just A Short Walk From LCA
Before or after a big game or show in downtown Detroit, you may want to take in the scenes of the city. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to check out, with some being just a block or two away from your venue. If you plan on heading to the District Detroit this year, you have another option for food. The pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining area has a new restaurant.
The Restaurant group’s first location in Detroit.
Sahara Restaurant & Grill is now open at 77 W. Columbia Street. According to Ilitch Companies, this is the family-owned restaurant group’s first location in Detroit, and its fourth in Michigan. Currently, they have restaurant locations in Sterling Heights, Oak Park, Warren, and Detroit.
Sahara Restaurant & Grill serves a traditional Chaldean and Middle Eastern menu. One of their house specialties includes stuffed Grape Leaves and Potato Chop, seasoned beef stuffed in a mashed potato shell and deep fried to a gold brown. Another house specialty is their Sahara Fries, with beef or chicken shawarma or beef or chicken cream chop or falafel on top of hot fries then drizzled with Sahara ranch or tahini.
They use fresh and all-natural ingredients from Eastern Market and other Detroit vendors. “We also locally source ingredients when possible, and everything is non-GMO and fully organic,” said their website. “If you thought Mediterranean food was healthy, well it just got a whole lot healthier.”
Whether you want something sweet or maybe in a hurry, Sahara Restaurant & Grill also has a bakery and to-go section. Their current hours are Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m.to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight.
Columbia Street is an area that offers dining and shopping located between the historic Fox Theatre and the Little Caesars World Headquarters, and a short walk from Little Caesars Arena (LCA).
Visitors can enjoy food from restaurants like Jo Jo’s Shake Bar, Bucharest Grill, Frita Batidos and more. There are also shopping spots including The M Den Detroit on Columbia Street.
Michigan Restaurant Named ‘Best Date Night’ Spot
Life gets busy and one way for couples to spend quality time together is with a date night. Whether you’re in a new relationship with your partner or have been with them for decades, you may want to check out this Detroit restaurant. Recently, LoveFood.com posted a list of the best date night restaurants in every state. Though Michigan has several places that would be perfect for a date night, their list highlighted one Michigan restaurant as the best in the state. Surprisingly, it’s in Detroit.
Wright & Company was listed as the best date night restaurant in Michigan. You may have stumbled upon this restaurant during a quick search for unique restaurants in Detroit or walked by it while strolling Woodward Avenue. It’s located at 1500 Woodward Avenue on the second floor of the historic Wright Kay building.
How they determined the best date night restaurants
The complete list includes spaces with “relaxed and intimate” spaces. “When we think of the perfect date night, images of cozy corners, charming ambience, and easy conversation over plates of delicious food come to mind,” said LoveFood.com. The website also mentioned that they’re partial to spaces with crisp white tablecloths with leather-bound menus.
What makes Wright & Company a unique space is that it gives visitors a beautiful view of Downtown Detroit. According to the Wright & Company website, the building was built in 1891 and from 1920 to 1978, the structure was occupied by the Wright-Kay jewelry firm.
They have a James Beard nominated chef and partner Marc Djozlija. Executive Chef Kyle Schutte creates seasonal menus around a composed shared plates concept. Some of their featured menu items include, pork belly sliders, crispy brussels sprouts, potato pavé, udon carbonara, and burrata. This best Michigan date night restaurant also has a curated list of local and international beer and wine. As well as a variety of unique cocktails. From the coffee infused ‘Room Service’ cocktail, to the Western Grace Brandy ‘Lost Grace’ cocktail.
When you walk into Wright & Company, you’ll step off the elevator and make your way to a host where they will greet you and seat you. It’s best to make reservations because they tend to get busy. The space has warm lighting from beautiful chandeliers, exposed brick chandeliers, and curved leather booths. Their shared plates concept makes it easier for one to get closer and bond with their partner during a date night.
See LoveFood.com’s ‘Best Date Night’ in each state here. And check out photos from my recent visit to the restaurant below:
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.
