Dates in Detroit : Dime Store

Last Saturday, I awoke with the spontaneous idea that we should go out for breakfast. My husband is well conditioned for this type of situation, so he was quick to produce a list he had found of recently opened restaurants.

And that my friends is how we came upon: Dime Store

Nestled in the heart of downtown Detroit, inside the historic Chrysler House Building (formerly the Dime Building, where it gets its name), is this gem of an American eatery.

The Dime store is a cozy and vibrant brunch bar with a vintage feel that pays homage to its namesake, the dime. They serve "scratch-made" breakfast and lunch, as well as an after-work drinks and bar bites menu.

As it was a Saturday, the place was bustling, but we were quickly seated at a table straight out of the 1950's.
Our waiter welcomed us with the phrase, "We serve breakfast and lunch all day, eat all of it!" No kidding!

As we browsed the menu, a few things stood out to me. They paid attention to the little details: from the locally sourced Zingerman's coffee, to the housemade ingredients, and creative combinations of traditional plates with an upscale twist. The walls were tastefully accented with chalkboard decor and dime-themed art. Staff were warm, friendly and gave off the feeling that they were just as excited to be there as we were!

We decided to start with two cups of the delicious coffee, followed by an order of  brioche french toast with bacon for me and the duck bop hash for him (see below for pictures with descriptions).

Oh, the coffee! It was a delicious medium roast blend with a smooth finish. So good!

What can I say about french toast, besides the fact that I love it. Here are the details that stood out about this particular dish: the brioche bread made it both crispy and dense in the right way, the 'real' maple syrup added richness, and the bacon was thick cut and not over-done (hallelujah!)

Dime store is popularly acclaimed for their use of duck confit in recipes, and this hash was no exception. The potatoes were cooked to perfection with just enough seasoning, the fried egg and spicy korean glaze complimented well, but the duck confit was the star. I have never ordered duck before, and I was lucky to sample a taste. It was a melt-in-your-mouth experience, with a hint of caramelized sweetness at the end. If that makes no sense to you, go and try it for yourself, it was so very good!

Overall our first experience at Dime Store, left us wanting to come back for more! It's a quick hop across the river on 719 Griswold, and is open weekdays (8am-9pm) for breakfast, lunch, and bar bites after work; as well as  Saturday  for all-day breakfast or lunch (10am-2pm).

Check out their Website or Facebook page for upcoming events, current hours and menu offerings.

Restaurant Review: Green Bean Cafe - Downtown Windsor Star Location

The Green Bean Cafe has been open in Windsor since 2009 at its first location in the basement of University Community Church, right beside the University of Windsor. Ben and Michelle Davidson are the owners and visionaries behind the student-friendly cafe. As a pastor and a nurse, they may seem unlikely restaurateurs, but the quaint, community-based and lively atmosphere that they have created proves this wrong. That is why I was really excited to hear that they were opening a new location in Downtown Windsor, right in the new Windsor Star Building.

In recent years, downtown Windsor has become host to several new restaurants and eateries that encourage Windsorites to make the drive down to enjoy a meal. The new Green Bean Cafe, otherwise known as the Windsor Star News Cafe is no exception. Located right on the corner of University Avenue and Ouellette, the new Windsor Star Building is hard to miss, but few have discovered the coffee scented treasure on the third floor. I've been looking forward to writing this review for a little while now. I happen to have a personal connection to the lovely Green Bean Cafe - my sister works there! 

But besides that, I am always excited when local people open small businesses that promote homegrown ingredients and enrich the community. My husband and I have popped by on a few occasions and have enjoyed each visit. So without further ado, here's the review!

 Green Bean Cafe - Windsor Star News Cafe

300 Ouellette Ave. - 3rd Floor, Windsor ON

Website: www.greenbeancoffee.ca

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When you drive up, here's what to look for:

The entrance is on Ouellette Avenue just up those stairs or you can take the elevator up to the 3rd floor.

This is the staircase that leads you up to the third floor, 

just follow the smell of fresh coffee.

At the top of the stairs is the beautiful handcrafted sign, you're almost there.

Around the corner, you'll find some historical pieces from the newspaper press of days gone by. 

The dining area has an urban feel, but the food counter speaks of homemade goodies and the welcome of friends.

Friendly staff Sharon and Naomi, ready to take your order! You can't miss the surroundings of freshly made cakes, muffins and brownies. The menu boasts options for all food preferences including our vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free friends. And if you feel like a drink, you've come to the right place for organic and fair trade beverages. You'll find loose leaf teas, fresh coffee, hot and cold espresso drinks, Italian sodas and more! 

If that wasn't enough, our favorite place to sit in this warmer weather is on one of their outdoor balconies. Its the perfect place to read the paper, have some breakfast and chat with a friend.

You're looking at a fresh cinnamon raisin bagel from local bakery 

The Earnest Bagel Company paired with a cinnamon latte. Yummy!

This is a local favourite: The Ham and Cheese Panini. Its made on fresh panini bread from Blak's Bakery with ham, melted cheddar cheese, mayo and apple slices. 

The wrap you see above is the CBC wrap which contains chicken, mozzarella cheese, bacon and cranberry, with a little lettuce for fresh crunch.

Readers, I encourage you to round up some friends and head down for a light breakfast, coffee date, or delicious lunch. Maybe sit on the balcony, read the newspaper or do some work on your laptop. Either way, The Green Bean Cafe is worth a visit, if only to encourage local businesses to keep up the good work! Be sure to check the website for hours and events such as the popular open mic nights.

Welcome Green Bean Cafe to our Downtown, I'll see you soon!