Labor Day 2018 –
I grew up about an hour south of Detroit. I remember when I was little it was always so exciting to go up and visit; it felt like this huge city to me. Everyone is aware of the tough times Detroit went through but I’m happy to see the life and sense of excitement returning to such a special place. We made a trip to check out the progress and growth Labor Day weekend and I already can’t wait to go back.
We stayed at the Detroit Foundation Hotel. How often to you get to stay in an old firehouse? I loved everything about this place. Its modern finishes pair so well with the history of the building.
The old garage has been turned into a beautiful, light filled restaurant, The Apparatus Room. This place was packed our entire stay. Make sure you save a little time to grab a drink at the bar and take it all in.
The hotel is within walking distance of Woodward Ave., so we walked over to check out the Labor Day Jazz Festival and all the redevelopment taking place along this stretch of downtown. The new Shinola Hotel was still under construction while we were there, but you could already tell this was going to be a terrific addition to the area. I definitely want to go back and check it out. I’m a major fan of this brand’s watches and leather accessories so I like the idea of expanding the concept to a hotel.
No trip for us is complete without taking in a few breweries and Detroit provides plenty of options. Atwater, Batch Brewing, Brew Detroit, were a few of our favorites.
Speaking of favorites, let’s talk about the Detroit restaurant scene. I can’t choose one because every place we tried was delicious. Detroit’s restaurants are cool enough that they don’t have to try to compare to a Chicago or New York but if it wanted to, they can more than hold their own.
I was lucky enough to read an article about Shewolf and snagged a reservation before our trip. I am so glad I did! They make their pasta in house and if their goal is to bring the flavors of Italy to the Midwest, they nail it. They also have one of the most impressive Italian wine selections I’ve seen outside of Italy itself! I love Italian wines and was a bit intimated when I first reviewed the list, but our server was more than helpful in helping me select the perfect glass.
On Sunday, we walked over to Corktown for brunch at Lady of the House. When you walk in you notice it is decorated like the perfect take on your grandmother’s house but with a Notorious BIG quote to greet you. Sold! Our brunch was fantastic and I can see why this place is receiving some of the national press it does.
Selden Standard – Make sure you grab a reservation to be guaranteed a seat at this Detroit staple. My favorite feature of this restaurant is that the dishes are meant to be shared so you have an opportunity to try quite a bit depending on the size of your party. Adam and I had a tough time choosing; we wanted it all!
I need to make a trip back because I really wanted to check out Detroit Denim but unfortunately, they were closed when I was in town. All their products are made in house at their factory in downtown Detroit. And if that’s not enough to intrigue you, swing by the Eastern Market, try your luck at a casino or catch a Tigers, Red Wings or Lions game depending on the season! You don’t have to ask me twice, I only have nice things to say about Detroit.
Postcards To Mabel 