Joe Foodie

Bites Nearby: Nautical Mile Restaurant Week

The inaugural Nautical Mile Restaurant Week starts runs though Aug. 21.

For the first time ever, St. Clair Shores is hosting Nautical Mile Restaurant Week with eight restaurants participating.  The entire list of participants runs down this way - Fishbone's, Pegasus, Waves, Brownie's, Rojo, Steve's Backroom, Pat O' Brien's and Beach Grill. Each restaurant will present a unique menu that allows diners to choose an appetizer, entree and dessert for just $20 (exclusive of gratuity).   I was lucky enough to sample a couple dishes from each participant. Here are few of the stand out dishes: Camarones ala Dibla at Rojo is a huge portion of succulent shrimp topped with a luscious, spicy cream sauce. Served with a side of rice and beans, this might be the most luxurious and satisfying dish throughout restaurant week…

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Bites Nearby: Salvatore Scallopini

This week's Bites takes us to Salvatore Scallopini, a family friendly Italian restaurant that is both casual and elegant.

Bored with the same old dining out destinations you've been going to for years? Hungering for a new fabulous food experience?  Try this week's choice for Bites Nearby: Yes, Salvatore Scallopini is a chain, but they are locally owned and operated.  All of their locations are in Michigan with the Grosse Pointe location one of the more recent additions. Dishes are rustic and classically prepared.  The focus is squarely on good flavors and fresh ingredients.   While the dishes may not be cutting edge, ingenuity can take a backseat as dishes are substantial and enjoyable to eat. While pizza isn't specifically an appetizer item, one is more than enough for 3 or 4 to share before dinner.  One variety has bacon, caramelized onions, and mozzarella …

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Bites Nearby: The Original Pancake House

Whether you want breakfast in the morning or the evening, The Original Pancake House serves breakfast all day long.

Each week, Grosse Pointe Patch editors and readers will pick a great restaurant either in town or nearby. Here's this week's choice:  If you live in the Grosse Pointe area or any surrounding area for that matter, you have probably heard of or been to the Original Pancake House.  Drive by any time Saturday or Sunday morning and you'll see people lined up onto the sidewalks of Mack Avenue.   As the name suggest, the Pancake House specializes in breakfast.  In fact, their menu is strictly breakfast foods.   Pancakes: As you can imagine, a number of different pancake manifestations are available. Seasonal varieties like pumpkin and fresh strawberry comingle with menu mainstays like banana, bacon, pecan, and buckwheat.   A full order is usually…

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Bites Nearby: Golden Dragon

This week's Bites takes us to Golden Dragon, Grosse Pointe's classic Chinese restaurant.

Each week, Grosse Pointe Patch editors and readers will pick a great restaurant either in town or nearby. Here's this week's choice:  Golden Dragon Golden Dragon is much more than a Chinese restaurant.  With a full bar available, hanging out at Golden Dragon is not out of the question.  With a focus American style Chinese cuisine, all of the classic dishes are there from Almond boneless chicken to crab rangoon to Chop Suey. Soups:  Either wonton or egg drop are included with lunch or dinner specials.  For an additional charge, hot & sour, sizzling rice, and "Dragon Special," are also available.   Appetizers: Egg rolls, crab rangoon, pot stickers, and among others are included.  An egg roll is served with lunch and dinner specials.   …

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Bites Nearby: The Country Grill

This week's Bites takes us to The Country Grill, a classic family restaurant with a huge menu bound to please even the most picky eater.

Each week, Grosse Pointe Patch editors and readers will pick a great restaurant either in town or nearby. Here's this week's choice:  The Country Grill The Country Grill specializes in family dining, meaning the menu is expansive and the food, while passable, is not going to blow you away.  When a restaurant has so many options, it is nearly impossible do everything well, but if you don't stray from tried and true, then you will have a delightful experience. Breakfast:  Served all day, omelettes, pancakes, French toast, and biscuits and gravy are available.  If you visit between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, the Country Specials are all on special.  The Rooster Special, which includes two eggs, baked ham, bacon, sausage, hash …

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Bites Nearby: Dylan's Raw Bar & Grille

This week's Bites takes us to Dylan's Raw Bar & Grille.

Each week, Grosse Pointe Patch editors and readers will pick a great restaurant either in town or nearby whose cuisine is considered to reign supreme. Here's this week's choice:  Dylan's Raw Bar & Grille  As I sit in Dylan's at 5:00 p.m. on a sunny Monday evening, the crowd is decidedly over 60.  One thing about the over the 60 crowd, they know where to dine well at a decent price.  From 4-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Dylan's has 10 Early Diner Specials including Chicken Piccatta, Hickory Planked Whitefish, Pasta Alfredo with Chicken or Rock Shrimp, and more.   Happy Hour also goes from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Appetizer, sandwich, and drink specials galore.  Don't miss the spinach and artichoke dip.   Every Sunday all …

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Bites Nearby: Park Grill Mediterranean

For this week's Bites Nearby, we visit a fairly new Grosse Pointe Park restaurant. Park Grill Mediterranean has been open for a year and has filled the Mediterranean cuisine void in the Grosse Pointe area.

Each week, Grosse Pointe Patch editors and readers will pick a great restaurant either in town or nearby whose cuisine is considered to reign supreme. Here's this week's choice:  Park Grill Mediterranean  Overview: Open seven days, Park Grill brings Mediterranean food to an area that was sorely missing it.  The menu says Park Grill purchases most of their meat and produce from local farmers and businesses.  They are doing what they can to keep money in Michigan. Salads:  Greek, Caesar, fattoush, and tabbouli are available. The fshati salad ($3 small or $6.50 larger) is an Albanian chef's salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, olives, feta cheese, oregano and olive oil. Very similar to a Greek Village salad, fshati is a …

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Laurie Arora

2:57 pm on Friday, March 25, 2011

I didn't know you could bring your own wine. Thanks, Kelly.   more ›

Bites Nearby: Harvard Grill

For this week's Bites, we head to Grosse Pointe Park for some classic diner cuisine at Harvard Grill.

Each week, Grosse Pointe Patch editors and readers will pick a great restaurant either in town or nearby whose cuisine is considered to reign supreme. Here's this week's choice:  Harvard Grill Overview: Open seven days a week, Harvard Grill is a classic diner. Homemade daily specials that showcase comfort foods are in the blue plate special vein of the 1950s. Waitresses call you “hun” and the ambiance is perfectly homey. More of a burger and sandwich spot, it is definitely possible to eat a filling meal for under $10 no matter when you visit. Breakfast: Served all day. Pancakes, omelettes, cheese blintzes are just a few of the options. The Monday through Friday Breakfast Special is 2 eggs, hash browns, ham, bacon, or sausage, and toast for…

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Bites Nearby: Burger Pointe

This week's Bites Nearby is Grosse Pointe's newest burger place, Burger Pointe.

Bored with the same old dining out destinations you've been going to for years? Hungering for a new fabulous food experience?  Each week, Grosse Pointe Patch editors and readers will pick a great restaurant either in town or nearby whose cuisine is considered to reign supreme. Here's this week's choice:  Burger Pointe Overview:  Do one thing and do it well.  Burger Pointe's focus is simple: burgers and fries.    The Drinks: Coke products are available, but why bother with a Coke when there are milkshakes on the menu.  Banana, strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate are always available with seasonal options as well.  The milkshakes are extra thick and handmade. Soups: A number of house made soups are ideal for cold winter days.  Chicken noodle…

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