Fine Wayne County restaurants from the past

**alkiwat** · May-31-11, 08:32 PM

Remember La Fontaine [at the Ren Center] Ponchartrain Wine Cellars, Money Tree, London Chop House ,Caucus Club, Aldos[on Kelly] Allietes [think it was on Porter] Bennos in Indian Village [and the place next door I forget the name of] ....,, Cardinali's [on Mitchell and Gratiot] -- All had great food and their own special atmosphere- Fun times ,,but you had to bring your wallet

**HomerStreet** · May-31-11, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by alkiwat

Remember La Fontaine [at the Ren Center] Ponchartrain Wine Cellars, Money Tree, London Chop House ,Caucus Club, Aldos[on Kelly] Allietes [think it was on Porter] Bennos in Indian Village [and the place next door I forget the name of] ....,, Cardinali's [on Mitchell and Gratiot] -- All had great food and their own special atmosphere- Fun times ,,but you had to bring your wallet

Ah, Cardinali's, where the wine was served in . . . coffee cups! A holdover from Prohibition? Never figured that one out.

**beanietek** · June-01-11, 03:37 PM

ate at all those restraunts - thanks for the memories. Used to be a regular at LaFontaine - one of the waiters from there is now working at Bistro 222 in Dearborn. Was also a regular in the bar area at LaFontaine - anyone remember Kevin the bartender [[may he rip).

**Detroitnerd** · June-01-11, 03:40 PM

Anyone remember Joey's Stables? I never got to go but heard it was excellent ...

**JBMcB** · June-01-11, 04:11 PM

I've got a bad track record for places downtown:

Muer's - Didn't care for the soft shell crab, but my swordfish was fantastic. Closed a few months later.

Duet - Really swanky inside, food was only OK. Great location next to Orchestra Hall, closed the following summer

The Summit - Used to go here all the time for Mother's day. Went one last time in high school before a dance, closed a couple months later

I really miss the old, pre-remodel Twingos. It was my favorite spot when I was going to WSU. Then came the too-long remodel that sucked the character out of the place, along with it's menu reduction and pointless price increases...

Not to mention Zoot's, the best coffee house ever.

**13074Glenfield** · June-01-11, 04:35 PM

The Caucus Club is still open.

**alkiwat** · June-01-11, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by 13074Glenfield

The Caucus Club is still open.

My aunt lived on Glenfield for years 14337 Glenfield -- a few houses off the corner of Chalmers? -- She moved due to the neighborhood changing -- She lived downstairs and her soon to be boyfriend [the owner,, lived upstairs] --- those were nice flats --- smallish kitchen,, but nice

**swingline** · June-02-11, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by 13074Glenfield

The Caucus Club is still open.

. . . and still excellent!

**pkbroch** · June-02-11, 10:34 AM

Little Harry's on Jefferson. 18th century house torn down without a real permit on a weekend by A.Baker Demo co.

Victor Lim's on Grand Circus Park. The closest we had to a fine Chinese restaurant in the late 40's early 50's.

Topinka's on the Blvd. right across from the Fisher Bldg.

and more to come.

**DetroitPlanner** · June-02-11, 11:45 AM

I miss the Red Barn.

**gazhekwe** · June-02-11, 11:53 AM

Forbidden City, Chin Tiki, Snow White Lounge, Cregar's, Alliette's, Maria's...

**Danny** · June-02-11, 12:01 PM

Everyone miss Jim Muir's Restuarant on Gratiot Ave and E. Vernor Ave. Great steaks and so much more.

**hhockey** · June-02-11, 12:12 PM

Joey's Stables was excellent, as well as Topinka's at 7 Mile and Telegraph. Another great place for steak was John Lafferys Steaks on the Hearth across from Topinkas. Back in the 60's i did valet parking for Lafferys.

**jcole** · June-02-11, 12:31 PM

Topinka's on the Blvd was the best; I also miss the drinks at Trader Vic's on Washington.
And Danny, I think you mean Joe Muer's.

**GPCharles** · June-02-11, 01:20 PM

From the east side, including GP:

Golden Lion, Bronze Door, Old Place, and, much later on, Sparky Herberts.

**401don** · June-02-11, 01:47 PM

Kyoto's? in the RenCen was good. I miss Nemo's and Big Boy also. RenCen needs a mid-priced family restaurant or a nice rest/bar like Nemo's. Something between the Food Court and Andiamo's.

**cmp1958** · June-02-11, 02:22 PM

i remember going to victor lims with my parents when i was very young - the waiters all wore matching waistcoats with silver badges - i was born on san juan between puritan and mcnichols [[1958) - at the corner was a supper club larco's - i remember going with my dad to pick up pizza at rocky's - i think on 7mle. as a young adult before i left michigan [[1985) i loved pipers alley in the heart of downtown - like a fern restaurant/bar - it had great food and drinks. marios on 2nd, lelli's at woodward and the blvd, in my college [[u of d) [[drinking) days we used to go for after bar fare at the m & m shrinp shack on 8 mile - i forget the cross street,,,, lol.... but around the northland area. in dearborn on michigan ave just east of downtown west dearborn was the chicago road house. on 7 and telegraph laffrey's steaks on the hearth. i always enjoyed carls in the late 70's and early 80's - we'd always go there for dinner before a baseball or hockey game - they used to bring you that great relish tray before dinner. i could go on forever...........
i've been in manhattan since1985 and we have some great dining; but nothing will ever stand up to some of the great places that i grew up with in detroit and its suburbs.

Originally Posted by GPCharles

From the east side, including GP:

Golden Lion, Bronze Door, Old Place, and, much later on, Sparky Herberts.

**reddog289** · June-03-11, 02:10 AM

Red Devil Pizza on Fenkell.

**grumpyoldlady** · June-03-11, 03:33 AM

How about Perini's on Whittier? [[Perinni's?) not sure of spelling. And Lelli's on Woodward.

**jgavrile** · June-03-11, 10:34 AM

Paul's Steak House on Plymouth and Telegraph. Great food.

**Detroitej72** · June-03-11, 10:44 AM

I loved Perinni's on Whittier!

I also miss the Turttle Soup Inn on 6 Mile, just before Conant and the Little Cafe on Gratiot.

An underrated neigborhood joint was a small, family owned restaraunt on Gratiot near 6 Mile called Schumann's. I'm not sure if that's the correct spelling, but it had great German cooking and closed in the late 70's. Any one else remember it?

**MizMotown** · June-03-11, 11:35 AM

More... old pic of Topinkas. Lafferys is still open.

http://atdetroit.net/forum/messages/6790/83010.html

**catch22** · June-03-11, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by MizMotown

More... old pic of Topinkas. Lafferys is still open.

I thought Laffery's had closed [[see attached article).

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...REE/912019995#

**hhockey** · June-03-11, 12:24 PM

Catch22 as of four days ago Laffery's was still closed. There was a large dumpster in the parking lot, so not sure if they are emptying the place or getting ready to remodel and have new owner.

**alkiwat** · June-18-11, 10:15 AM

thanks for all the mentions - Topinkas and Laffreys on 7 mile were excellent as mentioned - The large wood rooms of Topinkas and the balcony at Laffreys----Remember the seafood buffet at a restaurant inside the Troy Hilton- Quite impressive - Is that restaurant or hotel still there?? The Northfield Hilton??? Isn't that the home of Charlies Crab??? Is Charlies still there ?