This week the city of Detroit, Michigan turned 313 years old.  “Just why is this significant?” you ask.  Well, I suppose 300, 310 or 325 would seem like more marked years to celebrate.  In this case, the 313th birthday is significant because the long standing telephone area code of the Detroit area is 313.  However, I think there’s more significance than just an area code.  This year Detroit, for the first time in a long time, has a lot to celebrate.  I spent some time in “the D” recently and I have to say, Detroit is digging deep into those 313 year old roots and growing up something new.

I had no idea what I was going to find when I visited downtown Detroit after taking in a Tigers game but what I didn’t expect was the food scene.  And it’s my firm belief that where you do food right, people will gather.  In town for less than 24 hours and I had three fantastic meals at new, hip, foodie, downtown spots.  Of course in the moment I forgot to take pictures, so those of you who live outside of Michigan will just have to take me at my word.

At Mudgie’s, I felt like I was in the middle of the food scene in Minneapolis.  Hand carved turkey, and a lobster roll using lobsters flown in direct from the east coast.  This lobster roll was decadent, and my husband proclaimed it better than what he had in Maryland.  Pretty strong words there.  For an afternoon snack, we hit up Center Park which is this fantastic bar doing wonderful things with middle eastern food.  The walls of this bar open up and spill out into a green space dotted with adorable tables – the perfect place to spend a warm summer evening.  Small Plates was Detroit meets Chicago with their gourmet tapas style plates – what made the best impression on me was their craft cocktail list.  Inventive, unique and extensive.

I’m going back to Detroit.  Sure, it’s still a bit rough around the edges but it’s life is bustling and this city girl had a great time.  I just got this feeling that the people of Detroit are doing it right this time.  I want to explore all of the new, exciting, growth.  Oh – and I have to get more coffee from Great Lakes Coffee.  Seriously, every delicious drop was a sip of caffeine for my soul!

Thank you, Detroit.  And Happy Birthday.