One of the better regarded restaurants that have sprouted up along the Michigan Avenue's restaurant row [and recently lauded as Best New Restaurant #1: Katoi, Detroit] was destroyed last night by a burglary/arson fire.

A fire that "pretty well gutted" Katoi restaurant this morning in Detroit appears to have been started by burglars stealing liquor, a top fire official said.

Nobody was injured in the fire reported at about 6:15 a.m., at Michigan Avenue and 17th. Arson investigators remain on the scene, and a tote bag of liquor was found by the back door.

"It appears the fire was set to cover the break-in," Deputy Detroit Fire Commissioner David Fornell said.
http://www.freep.com/story/news/loca...roit/98037076/