Birmingham Invades Detroit: New Dining Spots Open in Suburb as Restaurateurs Expand South

The suburban community has a slew of new restaurants opening up on Woodward Avenue. At the same time, some restaurateurs are expanding to the Motor City.

Melody Baetens/ Detroit News

Click on the audio player to listen. CultureShift airs weekdays at 12 p.m. 

The suburban community of Birmingham has a slew of new restaurants opening up on Woodward Avenue. 

At the same time, some Birmingham restaurateurs are beginning to make their way south to Detroit. 

WDET’s Ryan Patrick Hooper speaks with Detroit News features reporter Melody Baetens about some of the new Birmingham eateries including Adachi, a recently opened Japanese restaurant, and Hazel, Ravines and Downtown.

Hazel, Ravines and Downtown, which is named for the three Birmingham neighborhoods in the area, is a joint venture from Beth Hussey and Chef Emmele Herrold, who were both involved with two other Ferndale food ventures — Pop’s for Italian and One Eyed Betty’s

Baetens says with the new restaurant, “they own it. They’re running it. They’re deciding every little thing.” 

“The way the menu is set up is kind of like the neighborhoods,” Baetens explains. “You’ve got your Hazel which is going to be familiar, comfort food.” 

Ravines will incorporate flavors from around the world from places such as Europe and South America. 

“Downtown is trendy,” says Baetens. “Vegan entrés…this menu’s going to change a lot and the cocktail menu’s the same way.” 

Author

  • Ryan Patrick Hooper
    Ryan Patrick Hooper is the award-winning host and producer of CultureShift on 101.9 WDET-FM Detroit’s NPR station. Hooper has covered stories for the New York Times, NPR, Detroit Free Press, Hour Detroit, SPIN and Paste magazine.