When a city like Detroit hits rock bottom, the only way is up. Now, hip bars, cafés, restaurants, hotels and art are revitalizing “the D.”
stay: When it opened in 1924, the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit was the tallest hotel in the world. Situated downtown, the building was completely refurbished in 2008. Today, light-filled rooms are handsomely decorated and offer a bird’s-eye view of Windsor, while the Motor Bar on the second floor gives a sense of 1920s Detroit. Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd., Detroit, 313-442-1600, www.bookcadillacwestin.com
wake: Astro Coffee is a neighbourhood hangout with upcycled décor and chalk art on the back wall—in other words, the perfect place for a brew. Peckish? Grab breakfast in the form of rustic sourdough bread with sautéed mushrooms, avocado and thyme or one of the café’s doorstop scones before taking a seat at the communal table. There’s a great collection of magazines to pore over while you sip the finest flat white this side of Sydney. Astro Coffee, 2124 Michigan Ave., Detroit, 313-808-0351, www.astrodetroit.com
explore: Housed in the Beaux-Arts building, the Detroit Institute of Arts has more than 100 galleries with works by Picasso to van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, Monet, Rubens, Cezanne, Matisse and Warhol. Don’t miss the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo special exhibit, on now until July 12th, which showcases 70-plus works by this explosive artistic couple (he carried a pistol, she carried a flask. He romanticized Detroit, she rejected it. Nuff said). Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 313-833-7900, www.dia.org
shop: On Saturdays, the Eastern Market—the largest historic market in the U.S.—is a lively place to pick up organic fruit and vegetables, baked and artisanal goods and uniquely Detroit souvenirs, like McClure’s Kettle Cooked Chips, reclaimed-wood objects and jewelry made from graffiti. After, stop for a refreshing Brown Derby (Two-Faced Bourbon, grapefruit and honey) or classic Bloody Mary with Gilded Age Vodka at the nearby Detroit City Distillery. The industrial décor, dim lighting and exposed brick will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a speakeasy. Detroit City Distillery, 2462 Riopelle St., Detroit, 313-338-3760, detroitcitydistillery.com
eat: Head to Corktown just outside the city centre for truly great Detroit eats. Slows, a popular BBQ joint, is packed every night (you’ll know it when you see the lineup down the street); try the beef brisket and baby back ribs (full 0or half slab) with sides like signature mac ‘n’ cheese, cornbread and applewood-bacon baked beans. Or, make a reso (a must) at the award-winning Selden Standard midtown, where the food is seasonal and unpretentious (and so worth the 90-minute wait). Selden Standard, 3921 Second Ave., Detroit, 313-438-5055, www.seldenstandard.com
drink: Two James Spirits has the distinction of being the first licensed distillery in Detroit since Prohibition. Smack bang in the middle of Corktown, it offers tours Friday to Sunday that include a generous sampling of wares (we got to try the sour mash and peek inside the still). There’s also a Tasting Room bar where flights of liquor and vodka, gin and whiskey cocktails made from Two James Spirits are sold. Two James Spirits, 2445 Michigan Ave., Detroit, twojames.com
Mo’ Motown, indeed. —Amanda Lee
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