Sugar House

Sugar House

2130 Michigan Ave

www.sugarhousedetroit.com

   In  the past 6 months, I've been to Sugar House twice. Once with two of best lady friends for a low night of cocktails and once with my parents after dinner across the street at Mercury Burger. Both of the times were perfect for the low-key night of good conversation and fabulous drink that I was looking for. While Sugar House is not a place a could ever become a regular, but it's perfect for nights when you want to spend hours talking over 1 or 2 drinks. 

   The air of Sugar House is definitely interesting. It's dark but not eerie somehow. The abundance of taxidermed (is that a word?) animal heads on the walls give it an almost whimsical feel as opposed to a "cabin in the woods" feel. The heavy drapes and mere candle light really gives the place an old-time speak easy feel. Most patrons sit at tables that can only hold a max of 4 people, but the place never seems overly-crowded. Sugar House isn't your typical nightlife bar with customers standing 4 deep at the bar throwing their money to get a cheap drink. If there isn't a seat, you're waiting at the door until there is one.

   Sugar House serves only cocktails, well, occasionally there's a small plate, but it's definitely not a place you would go for dinner, but regardless, since it's pretty much only cocktails, you don't feel rushed to finish your drink and move onto the next place. With drinks about $10 a piece, who would want to rush that anyways? 

 Left to right: Hot Buttered Rum, uhhh, I have no idea, Fake Wood Teeth (awesome!)

**Dorky Ecology t-shirt not included. 

   The price however, is worth it. The drinks are made by trained professionals zesting lemon and muddling mint, not a "mixologist" who took some 20 hour online class. For the most part, to me, liquor is liquor is liquor, I'm not very good at saying, "yes! that's awesome gin!" not because I don't care, merely because I don't have the taste buds for most liquor and simply cannot tell a difference. With that being said, half of the liquors on the Sugar House menu, I have no idea what they even are... names like Cynar and Vieux Carre Absinthe jump off the page at me as having no idea what they are. Isn't that the best part though? Trying something new? Get out there and check it out!

PEACE.LOVE.DETROIT.

-Amy

Angelina's

Angelina's

1565 Broadway

www.angelinadetroit.com

   Angelina's has quickly become one of my absolute favorite Italian restaurants in Detroit, it definitely ranks in the top 3. I've been to Angelina's on 3 different occasions (however, still have no pictures!) and every time I go, I have a better and better experience. 

   Sitting within walking distance of Comerica Park, the Fox theater, Ford Field and the Opera house, Angelina's draws quite the mix of crowds but has the wonderful charm of accommodating everyone. I've been to Angelina's on a first/last date, for an evening out with my parents, and as a place to wind down after a night out with friends that I really didn't want to end with me "accidentally" eating a full order of French toast at midnight, and felt like I fit in here on every occasion. 

   The place is a pretty good size. The front has nearly floor to ceiling windows which they open in the summer providing the place with an awesome "summer in the city" feel. They have a pretty sizable bar with the drink selection to match. The whole place has a warm feeling to it without being antique-y or tacky. 

   The food and wine selection covers all bases, nothing too stand out, but a few items to take note of. Standard items on the menu include your usual such as shrimp risotto or margarita pizza, but nestled in you'll also find rarer items such as squid ink pasta with scallops, or Wild Mushroom Mac n' Cheese. On my most recent trip to Angelina's I opted for their calamari and 2008 Napa Cellars. I was expecting calamari like I've always had before, fried crispy rings of almost nothingness. Why I continue to order these? I'm not quite sure... I was quite surprised with I received gigantic, thick, almost onion ring like calamari with a honey sauce. Without any hesitation, I can say by far the best I've ever eaten. I could actually see the meat! Not just the little fried bits of nothing I have had so many other places.

   Only down side to Angelina's is parking. As with any major city, places like this are iffy on parking lots. They have valet for $10-20 depending on the time and day, but for college students like me, I say find a place on the street a few blocks away and park for free. Take the longer route to the restaurant and see what you find along the way. Maybe it will be something even better. Love yourself, love your city.

PEACE.LOVE.DETROIT.

-Amy