Category Archives: Dine

How to Spend July on the Detroit Riverfront

Detroit skyline

Summer is the perfect time to get outside and explore the beautiful Detroit Riverfront! To skip the hassle and focus on the fun, we’ve curated the perfect guide to highlight the hottest happenings in July. 

 

Where to Eat

 

 

The breathtaking views and delicious cuisine from one of the three award-winning restaurants at the GMRENCEN is the perfect addition to any trip to the Riverfront. Andiamo offers an extensive selection of Italian dishes and an incredible assortment of wine, and Highlands Detroit provides stunning views of the Detroit Riverfront from the 71st floor, accompanied by an upscale menu of diverse dishes and innovative cocktails at High Bar. If you’re facing a serious seafood craving, head to the #1 Seafood Restaurant in Michigan, Joe Muer Seafood, for the freshest catch and even better views of the river.

 
 

What to do on the Riverfront to Stay Active

 

 

If you want to stay active this summer, the Detroit Riverfront has multiple opportunities to get moving while enjoying a scenic view. 

 

Expand your knowledge of Detroit while getting your steps in by signing up for the Dequindre Cut Walking Tours with the City Institute. Stroll along the Dequindre Cut as you learn about the greenway’s past and present. 

 

After your walking tour, relax with Yoga on the Riverfront. Enjoy a free yoga class while looking at the stunning view of the Detroit River. Yoga is held Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m. in Milliken State Park.

 

What to do on the Riverfront to Experience  Local Artists

 

Did you know you can bike from the Detroit Riverfront straight into the heart of Eastern Market by cruising down the Dequindre Cut?

 

Eastern Market is a can’t-miss Detroit experience for locals and visitors alike. Enjoy a premium market with fresh produce, florals, local artists, unique cuisine and so much more from a local favorite. Markets are open weekly on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Once you grab yourself lunch from Eastern Market head to the Live Music Summer Series with D. Cipher on the Dequindre Cut to watch metro Detroit’s most talented entertainers. Enjoy this all month long with free weekly performances and a curated lineup. 

 

Where to Park

 

The GMRENCEN offers a variety of parking options located right on the Riverfront and within walking distance to Detroit’s hottest happenings. Click here to check our parking options and choose what’s best for you and your crew. 

 

If you are heading to a concert in the city, check out the multiple show shuttles Andiamo and Joe Muer Seafood are offering for select shows. 

 

There are no dog days of summer with all the exciting happenings in the Motor City! Let us know how you celebrate summer in the city on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

5 Ways to Enjoy the Detroit Riverfront

Detroit Riverfront

 

Summer is here and it’s the perfect time to get outside and explore this beautiful city we’re lucky to call home. To help you get started, we’ve curated five of our favorite happenings right near the GMRENCEN.

 

Tour the Detroit Riverfront 

 

Start your day in the D with a Detroit Riverfront: Past, Present & Future Socially Distant Walking Tour by the Detroit Experience Factory. This tour offers something for everyone, whether you’re new to Detroit or just looking to gain more knowledge about the city’s rich history. With tour stops including Milliken State Park, Cullen Plaza, Dequindre Cut and Valade Park, you’re sure to experience something new.

 

Dine Along the Detroit Riverfront

 

 

 

Enjoy views of the Detroit Riverfront at one of the GMRENCEN’s fine dining restaurants! Andiamo offers an extensive selection of Italian dishes and an incredible assortment of wine. Highlands Detroit offers impeccable views of Detroit from the 71st floor, accompanied by a diverse menu of handmade dishes and innovative cocktails at High Bar. If you’re facing a serious seafood craving, visit Joe Muer Seafood for the freshest sushi and even better views of the river.

 

Explore the City from the Detroit Riverfront

 

Eastern Market is a can’t-miss Detroit experience for locals and visitors alike – and you can access the market from the riverfront. Park at the GMRENCEN, then walk, bike or run through the Dequindre Cut that leads right to Eastern Market. Saturday markets are open year-round, while summer markets on Tuesdays and Sundays are open from June to September. Fresh produce and local art are just some of the many things you can expect to find here – so make it a must for your day in Detroit!

 

Bike the Detroit Riverfront 

 

Mogo

 

Ride the riverfront on a MoGo Bike! MoGo bikes allow you to rent a bicycle for as long as you’d like and use it at your own pace. You can pick up or drop off your bike at one of dozens of stations in and around the city including a station on the GM Plaza. Prices are flexible based on your length of use. Bike racks are also located around the GMRENCEN.

 

Enjoy Yoga by the Water

 

Round out your visit to Detroit with a relaxing Yoga on the Riverfront practice, held in Milliken State Park every Thursday at 6 p.m. and every Friday at 10 a.m. Classes are free – provided by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, just bring your own mat and water!

 

The GMRENCEN offers parking year-round which is only steps from the Detroit Riverfront to help simplify planning for your day downtown. Hopefully, you’ve now gathered some ideas and are ready to plan your next trip to the D!

6 Detroit Date Night Ideas for Valentine’s Day

A holiday dedicated to love, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to take your significant other or BFF on a Detroit date night. Luckily, the city is home to restaurants offering a range of flavors, atmospheres and activities to eat, drink and experience Detroit.

 

Here are a couple recommendations if you want a Detroit-style Valentine’s Day celebration:

 

Classic Italian cuisine from Andiamo

 

Classic and Romantic

 

Classic and romantic, Andiamo Detroit has an unparalleled view of the Detroit Riverfront to go along with its signature authentic cuisine. Imagine sitting face-to-face with your loved one enjoying Andiamo’s urban chic atmosphere and listening to Italian music faintly serenading you in the background. What better way to celebrate the “official day of love” than with an authentic Italian entrée and a glass of wine in-hand?

 

Fun and Games

 

Want your Detroit date night to have more than just dinner? Take the People Mover and get off at Broadway Station for a night of drinks and entertainment at Punch Bowl Social. Hang out with your date all night long playing Jenga, shuffleboard, billiards, arcade games and, of course, bowling.

 

A Little History

 

Interested in learning more about the city? Experience a taste of Detroit’s rich history by sampling the unique food and cocktails at Grey Ghost. Aptly named for an infamous local pirate during the Prohibition era, Grey Ghost offers guests a little history and a lot of craftsmanship.

 

Joe Muer’s famous coconut cake

 

Sophisticated Seafood

 

For a sophisticated night with unbeatable scenery, Joe Muer is Detroit’s prime destination for seafood. Visualize a perfect night, complete with exquisite lobster dinner, chilled wine, a slice of Joe Muer’s famous coconut cake and picturesque views overlooking the water’s edge of the Detroit Riverfront. Looking for exceptional service? You and your date will be well tended by Joe Muer’s knowledgeable and gracious staff seeing to your every need.

 

Comfort Food

 

Comfort food is anything but traditional at Townhouse. This restaurant is a favorite date night spot in the city, offering true Detroit flavor in every lunch, brunch, dinner, dessert and happy hour it serves. Sit under the lights at the bar or next to one of Townhouse’s greenery walls to immerse yourself in this Detroit hub.

 

Highlands offers more than just a beautiful view

 

New and Exciting

 

Experience high quality high above the city on the 71st and 72nd floors of the GMRENCEN at Highlands Detroit. As the city’s latest date night destination, Highlands is a truly unique Detroit dining experience in the sky. Whether you’re starting out with a lively happy hour at High Bar, connecting at the casual-cool Hearth71 or ending the night with an intimate dinner for two at Highlands, this new Detroit staple has everything you’re looking for – and more.

 

The GMRENCEN wants to show you some love this Valentine’s Day! Share  your GMRENCEN love story (a fun date, an awesome event you attended, what you love most about the building or Riverfront, etc.) by commenting on the pinned post on the GMRENCEN Facebook page for the chance to win a $100 gift card for a GMRENCEN Detroit date night destination of your choosing at Andiamo, Joe Muer or Highlands Detroit.

Highlands: A True Detroit Dining Experience

Towering 71 and 72 floors above the city, Highlands Detroit is now taking reservations for a truly unique dining experience in the sky.

 

From the non-traditional riff on the classic steakhouse at Highlands, to a casual-cool eatery at Hearth71, to the buzzy, spirited High Bar, you’ll experience high quality high above the city at Highlands Detroit.

 

The views are worthy of date night, after-work cocktails, pre-game shenanigans or a “just because” outing.

 

Food

 

Say cheese! Sample it all with the Artisan Cheese Board, which offers the perfect amount of variety for any palate.

 

Indulge in savory Bacon-Wrapped Medjool Dates, the perfect start to any meal.

 

Start out strong at Hearth 71 with a classic app like the Italian Prosciutto and Burrata Board, complete with shaved prosciutto, creamy burrata and herbed pine nut relish.

 

Moving on up to the main course. After all, Highlands is Detroit’s premier steakhouse in the sky.

 

Feeling saucy? Highlands Detroit may be a steakhouse, but the seafood is truly mouthwatering.

 

There’s nothing like a bowl full of perfectly cooked mussels. Yum!

 

Feed your soul with an order of Highlands’ savory Mushroom Bucatini. Take it up a notch and pair your dish with a light white wine.

 

Why choose between land and lake? A little surf, a little turf and a whole lotta wonderful.

 

End on a sweet note with an order of Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies topped with sea salt and served with a Guernsey Farms Milkshake. Remember, the calories don’t count 71 floors up.

 

Drinks

 

Experience the cocktail as an art form at High Bar.

 

Raise your glass, whether it’s vodka, wine or a handcrafted Whiskey Sour.

 

The Chef’s robust whiskey collection.

 

Racks on racks of aged wine.

 

Whether you have a party of one or four, reserve your table today.

 

Highlands Detroit is ready for you.

 

Whether you’re local or just passing through, Highlands Detroit welcomes you to experience top of the tower dining at its finest. Reserve your table today.

Celebrity Chef Shawn McClain to Reinvent Iconic GMRENCEN Dining Space

Welcome to Detroit

 

Detroit-based James Beard Award-winning Chef, Shawn McClain will soon occupy the top of the GMRENCEN as the location for his first Detroit restaurant.

 

Shawn is a celebrity chef with three operations in MGM-owned Las Vegas casinos. As an Iron Chef victor, Shawn has attracted his own cult following, but more importantly, he is based out of Metro Detroit. As Detroit builds its reputation as an exciting tourist and culinary destination, Shawn decided to join the cultural renaissance with the addition his 20,000 square-foot GMRENCEN restaurant.

 

Shawn’s dynamic vision that features multiple concepts is in line with the GMRENCEN’s goal of establishing the space as Detroit’s culinary crown jewel. His acumen for redefining established genres to win both critical acclaim and establish, smart, sustainable businesses is the hallmark of his career.

 

Holly McClain, Shawn’s wife and a native Michigander, brings extensive front-of-house service and training experience that will be instrumental in developing the hospitality DNA of the space. When the incredible opportunity to take over the 71st and 72nd floors of the landmark GMRENCEN presented itself, the McClains felt this was the right entry into the city’s dynamic culinary scene.

 

The McClains are also drawing on the experience of culinary and operations lead Richard Camarota, and brand experience lead Sarah Camarota, to headline this project.

 

 

 

Q & A with Shawn

We recently sat down with Shawn to discuss his career and soon-to-be restaurant.

 

Q: What’s the most exciting part of opening a new restaurant in Detroit?

 

A: The most exciting part of opening a new restaurant in Detroit is really twofold. First, Detroit is home for my family so I have been looking for the right opportunity and something special to call home. Secondly, I am finally able to be a part of the incredible culinary scene that is unfolding before my eyes!

 

Q: What are you most looking forward to in the new restaurant?

 

A: My vision is to create a paradigm shift in the traditional top of the tower experience. We are basically turning the whole idea of “it’s all about the view” inside out. Our goal is to create a multi-faceted experience that is about ALL occasions and not just special occasions.

 

Q: What are you most proud of in your career, before deciding to open a restaurant at the top of the GMRENCEN?

 

A: There are so many proud moments that my career has brought to me, but if I had to pick just one, I would say it was when I was recognized by the James Beard Foundation as Best Chef Midwest for my work in Chicago-it was the equivalent to winning an Oscar in our profession.

 

Q: Where does your passion for cooking and creating dynamic meals come from?

 

A: I love the creative process.  Not only in creating food and menus, but also how that experience is shaped from start to finish.  From the overall design of the space to the programming of menus and uniforms all the way to plateware and finally how the food comes to life.

 

Tell us what you’re most looking forward to with this new restaurant experience in the comments below!

Tenant Profile: Joe Muer Seafood

Joe Muer Seafood is a paradise for the true seafood lover and if you haven’t been, you have to experience their delectable food for yourself. Voted Hour Detroit’s Best Seafood Restaurant of 2016 and 2015, we’re proud to have this Detroit-based restaurant right here in the GMRENCEN.

 

Joe Muer has a Bloomfield Hills location but nothing beats the Detroit River view the GMRENCEN location offers. The restaurant is located on Level 1 in Tower 400 and is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday 4 p.m. to midnight and Sunday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. To find out more about this Detroit gem, we spoke to Lee Wasik, manager of Joe Muer.

 

What products and services do you offer?

 

Lee explained that, since 1929, Joe Muer consistently provides classic and gourmet seafood dishes. Guests can enjoy fresh shucked oysters at the Raw Bar, hand rolled sushi at the Sushi Bar or socialize at their one-of-a-kind Piano Bar. For a more private dining experience, Joe Muer offers three exclusive dining spaces perfect for parties or business meetings.

 

 

What is your favorite dish?

 

Joe Muer has an expansive menu, including lunch, dinner and Happy Hour specials Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. For a posh dinner affair, Lee suggests trying the Dover Sole a la Meuniere – a classic French fish pan fried in butter and served in a brown butter sauce with parsley and lemon.

 

Seating at Joe Muer Seafood.

 

What is your favorite part about being in the GMRENCEN?

 

Lee loves how close the restaurant is to the Detroit River. She encourages everyone to enjoy at least one meal on their patio to soak in the beautiful view with a tasty cocktail and homemade dish.

 

 

How are you reflecting a new Detroit?

 

Lee says Joe Muer reflects a new Detroit everyday by offering modern and classic dishes to everyone who walks through the door. Joe Muer has provided gourmet meals to Detroiters for more than 80 years and they don’t plan on stopping any time soon.

Visit Joe Muer for happy hour, dinner or try their new weekly Sunday brunch. What is your favorite dish at Joe Muer? Tell us in the comments below!