Jan 13th, 2012 by ++Mira++ | Comment
Sintex has made a name for himself on the streets of Detroit. Literally. You can find his tags across from Slows and past the bridge next to the train depot.
I’m sure many of you have seen his work and not even known it. If you have been to Oslo he has a flower mural in there.
What is great about his work, is he does these amazing portraits in addition to traditional graffiti. He is a graphic designer by trade and it shows through his art.
This last picture is one of my favorites. I love the Detroit skyline in the back drop and the colors are spot on.
Have a tip on a piece I should cover? Let me know in the comments with locations and descriptions.
Jan 11th, 2012 by ++Mira++ | 2 Comments
Seva has made a name for itself in Ann Arbor, serving fresh and delicious vegetarian cuisine. Now, they have opened a second location in Detroit. Don’t turn your nose up at the word “vegetarian”. Dining there, you won’t even feel like a protein is missing from the plate. On the contrary, each dish is packed with flavor and deliciousness. I couldn’t decide what to order off the Seva menu because everything sounded so good!
Seva, is very conveniently located on Forest, between Woodward and John R. It’s smack dab in the middle of the Wayne State district, the DMC, MOCAD and everything else. Great and convenient location.
My sister-in-law had already had dinner so she had the house salad with ranch ($4).
I couldn’t decide what to order, so I asked the waiter what their signature dish was. He said the Enchiladas Calabaza! So, I went for it.
Enchiladas Calabaza are made with – Butternut squash, cream cheese and green onions with chiles, cumin and a hint of cinnamon, baked in organic corn tortillas, topped with spicy tomato sauce & cheese, served with house-made corn chips & salsa ($13.00).
My oh my was that a good choice! It was amazing with the creamy squash, tangy sweet tomato sauce, and cheesy goodness. I’m drooling as I write this. So good. I would love to have some right now. It does come with chips and salsa. I could’ve done without those. The chips were not crunchy enough and just detracted from the dish. More enchiladas por favor!
Mike had the Cilantro Peanut Stirfry made with – Stir-fried broccoli, red & yellow peppers, mushrooms, mung sprouts, carrots and green onions with a spicy cilantro-peanut-ginger-lime sauce, over organic brown rice, topped with roasted peanut ($12). He said it was delicious. I had a taste. It was pretty good.
Sam can’t see a Portabella Burger on any menu and not order it. His all time favorite is at Bastone, and its usually hard to stack up to anywhere since at Bastone they put a big dollop of garlic & herb Boursin cheese.
Portabella Burger made with – Organic, chargrilled portabella mushroom on an organic bun, with lettuce, tomato, cheese and sauce ($11). All sandwiches are served with Yam fries.
He liked the burger, but Bastone’s is still his favorite. The yam fries were refreshing to have instead of regular fries. They were absolutely perfect.
They are also known for their freshly squeezed juices and smoothies. My SIL had the Tropics blended drink – Frozen strawberries, bananas and mango nectar ($5). She loved it.
I would definitely recommend dining there, or stopping in for lunch. The food was fresh and delicious, the service was good and the new location is awesome. Also, expect this to be a popular spot. Word was barely out about their new Detroit location and it was pretty full. Seva gets a hell yeah! from me. How was your experience?
Jan 9th, 2012 by ++Mira++ | Comment
Many days, we cruise Detroit for fun. Old architecture, historic churches, and very colorful graffiti begs for attention at every turn. I realize not everyone can make it downtown, or even to an urban setting, so live vicariously my friends. I am starting a new section on MiraUncut showcasing some of the best Detroit architecture, graffiti and art. Have a tip on some killer street art? Drop a line at mirauncut[at]gmail[dot]com.
xx mira.
Jan 8th, 2012 by ++Mira++ | 2 Comments
Hot Taco Detroit is the latest addition to the Mexican taqueria scene in Detroit. Or so they would have us believe.
I was excited to hear a new Taqueria opened behind the Fox. I trailed off into dreams of no more wondering where to grab a bite before the game, some late night taco drive byes, delicious bites of savory tacos, a new hang out…and then I went there and woke up. Brutally.
Let me start off by saying, I have no issue with this place not being “authentic” Mexican. I enjoy concept restaurants with twists and interpretations on classics. It keeps it exciting. If you want “real” tacos, you drive down Vernor to El Nacimiento. Simple.
The place has a sleek modern design. A stainless steel counter and bright red wall are what you notice first. What I noticed second was how much clutter they had behind the counter. Herbs in plastic containers stacked on shelves, pots and pans, organized chaos.
I understand going for a modern minimal look, but make sure you have enough room to hide everything else from your guest.
On a side note, they have rotisserie style chicken they sell for $7. Not so Taco if you ask me. If you felt like my side note was random, that’s how I felt about that chicken being sold there. Random.
Anyways, on to the “tacos”. I included quotation marks around the word ‘tacos’ because if it kinda looks like a taco, and you call it a taco, it does not mean its a taco!
They have been super busy apparently because they were sold out of almost everything. So, I ordered two veggie tacos ($3 /taco) and a veggie burrito ($6). Easy right? How hard can veggie tacos be.
Well, she (the person that runs the front), proceeded to put this white glop on the tortillas. When I asked her what it was she said it’s rice. I didn’t say anything. Then came some black beans, cheese, and huge hunks of onions, red onions mind you, and sloppily cut tomatoes. Then the cilantro, which was whole and some sort of garlic salsa and sour cream. This is then wrapped in aluminum foil. Yes, aluminum foil.
Please take a close look at the picture above and tell me, does that look like a veggie taco to you? Boiled plain flavorless white rice has no place on a taco, unless you call it The Porridge taco.
The whole thing was messy and gross and tasted nothing like a taco. All you could taste after was red onion, for hours mind you.
On to the burrito. First two bites were of empty tortilla, the next bite after contained a cilantro leaf with stalk that pulled up everything behind it and caused it to fall down my shirt. Sigh. I had given up on the place by then, but was hungry and decided to give it a few more bites in hopes that maybe it would get better.
No such luck. Here is a cross section of the burrito. Seriously guys, look at it. That doesn’t look right! Where is the refried beans, the spicy rice, the delicious salsas? What is this the deal with this liquidy white rice stuff on the left?
If you think I am overreacting give it a go. Waste some $$.
My main grievances: Other than the gross mushy white rice, nothing was cooked to order. Everything was pre made and just slopped onto a tortilla from hot plates. I was actually offended by the food that was served. It had no flavor, and they have no idea how to make a taco. It wasn’t even half decent. I would save my money and head to a taco truck. At least their taco is actually a taco. Hot Taco is not so “hot” and not so “taco”.
Jan 5th, 2012 by ++Mira++ | 6 Comments
It’s highly unlikely you have been to Eastern Market and not had pizza from Supino’s. If you have not had this delicious slice of heaven, you have sinned. Go straight down there, do not pass go, do not collect $200.
If you are expecting an actual Italian restaurant, or a “restaurant” for that matter, you are mistaken. It’s a small joint with rustic tables and a view into the back. It has a large communal table, and smaller more intimate ones.
The decor is minimal, colorful and eclectic.
The Supinos menu is pretty concise, always the sign of a good place I think.
We went for a large Primavera (tomatoes, artichoke, eggplant, onion, spinach, mozzarella $17).
You can watch your pizza being made. The dough is stretched thin and thrown in the air before being pulled on to a wood paddle and sent into the inferno.
Supino’s pizza is a thin one. And by a thin one I mean anorexic model type. Actually, a model would be jealous of how thin it is. It is even thinner than a NY style pizza. That just makes it so much more awesome. You won’t be in a doughy coma after.
It must be nice when you can shop for your veggies across the street (Eastern Market).
I always love their pizza. The Primavera is a white one aka no sauce, and I like it that way. The mozzarella is perfect, the spinach a nice basil replacement. My one itsy bitsy complaint is that toppings were too minimal and not every slice has some. That is only because I love it so much and want more of that creamy eggplant and tart artichoke. Can you blame me?
Supino’s, there should be haiku’s and poems written for your pizza.
Actually, here is a haiku I made up to wrap:
Supino’s pizza
Detroit’s sinfully thin crust
Oven to belly
Dec 28th, 2011 by ++Mira++ | Comment
The Whitney has been a Detroit landmark since it was built in the 1890’s. Its a majestic sight and a glimpse into the old world of Detroit and the neighborhood of opulence that used to exist on Woodward. It has since been turned into a restaurant and I have been wanting to eat there for a while, if nothing else to see the inside of this glorious mansion.
The house is huge and the best part of eating there is being able to tour it after. You can walk around and explore all three floors. Each room gives you a glimpse into the life of the previous owners with the amazing Tiffany glass windows and the gorgeous wood and plaster details.
We went for lunch on a Friday. It was moderately busy, and they actually use the many rooms as different dining areas.
I’m a bread snob. I admit it. I like to get high on carbs. I feel like the bread sets the tone for the meal. If something as simple as bread is not executed properly it is a foreboding sign. Sadly, the bread bombed. I suppose it was an attempt at garlic bread. It was hard, cold, and oily.
The Caesar Salad was good. Fresh lettuce and properly dressed. I will note one thing, I was expecting silverware and plates reminiscent of the era. Not the square, white, modern plates that were served.
I skimmed the menu. I wanted something comforting. Something warm and lux. It was a cold day outside, and I needed to feel human again. I chose the Lobster Mac n Cheese ($23). It was a good plate of food. It was huge, I couldn’t finish it. The lobster was salty and was a bite of the ocean, a little over cooked though, and it seemed to be added on top as an after thought.
Sam had the Pasta with, Peas, Rosemary, white Cream Sauce over Fettuccini ($13). I am very sorry to say, it was bland, flavorless and uninspired. I know its a simple pasta dish, but it was sent out with no salt or flavor whatsoever. I get frustrated when simple dishes are overlooked. This plate could have been creamy and great. I get more flavor out of instant pasta from a rice-a-roni box.
Our friend “T”, ordered the Orange Glazed Chicken with Garlic Polenta Honey Mustard Braised Carrots ($17). She said it was some of the best chicken she had ever had.
For dessert, we chose all three that they offered ($7 each). The creme brulee was the best and the only one worth ordering. It had the perfect crust, and was creamy and perfect. I always get an Amelie moment anytime I eat it. Maybe that adds to the magic.
The cheesecake was thick, and the crust too hard to cut through with a fork. I didn’t like it. Whatever happened to light fluffy pieces of cream cheese heaven?
The carrot cake was light and moist. The frosting a great consistency. I just thought it was way to small. It needed to be double the size.
After dining there and touring the mansion after, I have to say, you need to eat at the Whitney at least once in your life, just for the experience. The food could be improved, but it wasn’t bad. Maybe their dinner menu has more to offer and I believe they are known for their brunch. The mansion itself is gorgeous. I am so glad it is still around, and I hope it stays for around for centuries.
