MGM Restaurants steal the spotlight

Tomorrow evening cannot come soon enough - along with another couple, my husband and I are finally heading over to MGM Grand casino's SaltWater restaurant for a highly anticipated dinner.

It couldn't have come at a better time, since the Detroit Free Press announced yesterday that Salt Water is the newspaper's 2008 Restaurant of the Year. MGM's three upscale restaurants -- SaltWater, Bourbon Steak and Wolfgang Puck Grille -- really impressed Free Press staff this year, because they took the top three spots in the Freep's 2007 Top Dining Newcomers list. I can't speak about Salt Water yet because I have not eaten there, but I can speak about MGM's Wolfgang Puck Grille, which came in at #3.

Although the Free Press calls the Puck Grille "the most casual of MGM Grand Detroit's three signature restaurants", this is no hole in the wall -- far from it, in fact. Personally, I thought the fresh, contemporary decor of the main dining room was quite nice, though I do agree with the newspaper that at $100+ for dinner for two, the dining room's fishbowl-feel wouldn't be my first choice for a layout. The night I was there, diners were sporting everything from jeans to suits -- it is inside a casino, after all -- but I recommend at least business-casual attire if you're planning to hit this Detroit-newcomer for supper.

A friend and I had dinner at the Wolfgang Puck Grille on Sunday, December 30. While the holidays had just ended, neither the casino nor the restaurant were empty. Thankfully, though, the number of people in the restaurant didn't detract from the food or the service, the latter of which was superb. I have been to a lot of expensive restaurants, and I'd rate Wolfgang Puck Grille in Detroit at the top for waitstaff-attentiveness.

My meal -- I had a scrumptious chef's special of scallops in an incredible sauce -- was excellent, and my friend, who ordered the lamb chops, thoroughly enjoyed her dinner, as well. Our entrees each came with a small side (no soup or salad, and the restaurant was stingy on the bread), but there was plenty to eat and I went home with lunch for the next day.

I have not eaten at Bourbon Steak, which the Freep ranked as the #2 2007 Top Dining Newcomer, but my husband loves it and two of my friends feel the same, so it is on my "restaurants to try" list. I hope to eat there soon.

Will SaltWater meet or exceed my expectations? I absolutely love seafood, so I'm looking forward to finding out. Check Girl in the D next week for my thoughts on the Michael Mina-creation that everyone is raving about.

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Young, hot Detroit

If you haven't been to the new $800 million MGM Grand Casino in Detroit yet, I've got the perfect opportunity for you to check it out. This Thursday, November 29, New Far East Side Development is hosting Young, Hot Detroit at MGM's Ignite Lounge.

What's Young, Hot Detroit, you ask? Your chance to cross cultural and industry lines and meet people from all around Detroit and metro Detroit. And who's a young, hot Detroiter? New Far East Side describes this person as "the driven individual who knows that their possibility and worth is limitless. Every age, race, creed and color. Successful or on the path to success. Enjoys the finer things in life. Socially Savvy. Highly Motivated. A nightlife connoisseur."

Along with hobnobbing with a mishmash of 20- to 50-year-olds, Young, Hot Detroit attendees have the opportunity to scope out Detroit's hottest new casino and win giveaways and goodies. Admission is free, as is valet.

The event is open to the public and runs from 5 to 9 pm. A toast to Detroit happens at 7 sharp.

About New Far East Side Development
New Far East Side Development Company LLC was formed in 2004 in response to an RFP issued by the city of Detroit to redevelop 1200 acres in the City’s Far Eastside.

A partnership between U-SNAP-BAC and Phoenix Group, two local developers, and CityView and Kimball Hill Homes, two national developers, the team has entered into a Master Developer Agreement with the city of Detroit to master plan 1200 acres and develop 700 on Detroit’s Far Eastside.

The city of Detroit has identified the development of the Far East Side as a priority project and has committed $13.8 million for infrastructure costs in Fox Creek, the name given to the first 140 acres of the 700 acre area being developed.

Fox Creek will be located on Detroit’s Far Eastside, roughly between Kercheval, Eastlawn, Jefferson Avenue and Alter Road (the red area on the above map).

The current development plan calls for the sale of 658 home sites for the development of for-sale single-family, condominium, duplex and multi-family building homes.

For more information on this exciting residential development project, contact New Far East Side Development Company at (313) 331-4784.

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