Detroit restaurant week offers plenty of menu options
A restaurant week featuring downtown Detroit eateries and many neighborhood dining spots is putting a diverse array of restaurants to highlight their cuisine.
Let's Do Dinner Detroit is back for its second year, starting Sunday and running through Oct. 27.
More than 25 top Detroit restaurants are joining in the weeklong event. Many offer prix fixe menus and prices. It's a way for customers to explore different culinary offerings.
The return of the year's event promises to be "bigger and better," its organizers say.
Let's Do Dinner Detroit includes a charitable aspect. Presented by Stella Artois, the week showcases the dining landscape scene in downtown Detroit and also in neighborhoods, from southwest Detroit to Corktown to Greektown, Midtown, and Rivertown.
New restaurants to the lineup include Bohemia, Flowers of Vietnam, Lena, PAO, and Prism Steakhouse and Seafood.
For Let's Do Dinner, restaurants offer exclusive three-course meals at various prices. A glimpse at the menus online shows the choices are vast and competitively priced. Exclusive three-course meals range from $20-$75.
Participating restaurants range in type from casual fare to fine dining, newer openings such as Lena in Brush Park, and longtime Detroit favorites like Mario's.
The event also benefits Forgotten Harvest, a local hunger relief organization. For every meal served, Forgotten Harvest receives a donation that provides eight meals to help those experiencing food insecurity.
"We are incredibly grateful to the participating restaurants for their support of this special event and the community's support last year," said Adrian Lewis, CEO of Forgotten Harvest, in a news release. "By partnering with Detroit restaurants for 'Let's Do Dinner Detroit' once again, we're able to raise essential funds for families facing insecurity across metro Detroit."
Detroit's culinary scene is full of diverse flavors, from Greek to Italian to American fare. Organizers say diners can expect more than 75 different menu options for this year's event.
For example, Central Kitchen + Bar $50 three-course meal options — appetizer, entree and dessert — feature a choice of dishes like whipped ricotta with truffle honey, tomato confit, and ciabatta bread, calamari and a choice of Bolognese, chicken or a smash burger as an entree plus a dessert option.
Offering classic Italian cuisine, Ottava Via in Corktown is participating again with a $35 or $50 option, both offer an appetizer, side, and entree.
"This event is a wonderful opportunity to highlight Detroit's vibrant culinary scene while supporting a cause we truly care about," said Jorge Hernandez, general manager of Ottava Via in a news release. "This event is more than just enjoying great food. It's about giving back to our community and making a meaningful difference."
In Greektown, Table No. 2 three-course meal is $55, featuring a northern Michigan salad, roasted Cornish hen (there's a vegetarian option), and a chocolate torte for dessert.
PAO Detroit in downtown Detroit, one of People Magazine's '50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in the U.S. this year, is participating for the first time.
"This year's 'Let's Do Dinner Detroit' is perfectly timed for the recent rollout of our new fall menu," said Stoli Liti, operating partner of PAO Detroit in a news release.
There are also many $20 meals, such as Penny Red's choice of any sandwich, choice of any side and a choice of any dessert or beverage.
Other long-standing restaurants on the list are El Barzon, Mario's Restaurant, McShane's Pub & Whiskey Bar, the Whitney, and Wright & Co.
It's a good idea to make reservations. All of the participating restaurants, menus, and options are listed at letsdodinnerdetroit.com .
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