At the historic Fenton Hotel Tavern & Grille, the menu offers some scrumptious fall comfort food. This popular dish, prepared by Chef Conrad, consists of lamb shanks that are braised, then simmered in demi-glace for an hour to ensure the meat is tender and delectable. The lamb is served on a bed of rice pilaf and topped with sautéed tri-colored peppers, onions and mushrooms.
A well-known and beloved Flint Italian restaurant, Luigi’s is best known for its super-delicious, super-thin-crust pizza. And, according to Kirk Laue, who co-owns the popular eatery with Tom Beaubien, it’s all about family.
Summer is bursting with vibrant colors, smiling faces and an array of fruits and veggies at the Davison Farmers Market, located at the corner of Irish Road and Court Street in Davison. There are tempting displays of rich desserts, baked goods, cheese and farm fresh eggs, and so much more. The air is filled with the wonderful aromas of food offered by four different eateries. My City Magazine spent a day at the Market wandering around and tasting the delicious food at Mama’s Tacos And More, The Green Olive Tree, Egyptian Koshery and Chatterbox Cafe.
It’s no wonder The Red Baron Brew Pub & Tap Room in Burton took four My City Magazine City’s Choice Awards this year – in the categories of Best Beer Selection, Bloody Mary, Service and Late-Night Dining. According to many of its regular and longtime customers, it’s the place to go for good conversation, a cold beer and some fresh, hearty pub fare. Known years ago as the Golden Coin, the neighborhood bar was purchased in 2006 by Churchill ‘s restaurant owners Johnny Saites and his cousins Taso, John and Bill Gravanis. And why is the place such a favorite? “We do something different,” Johnny explains.
Sweet, sour, salty, spicy … and just plain good. It’s been said that Empress of China restaurant in Flint offers some of the area’s best Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine, and My City Magazine readers agree – having voted the place their Favorite Chinese Restaurant in the 2016 City’s Choice Awards.
Steady Eddy’s Café has been a much-loved Flint institution for years. When it was located on the second floor of the old Flint Farmers’ Market, the line of hungry patrons would wind up the stairs, all waiting for a taste of Steady Eddy’s healthy and delicious offerings. Now located at the new Flint Farmers’ Market Downtown, the cafe changed hands about two years ago and is now owned by former longtime employees Chris Veihl and Nichol Albiar. Chris is the cook, along with his brother, Matt Veihl. “Matt is the ‘egg’ guy,” Chris laughs, “and everybody loves his cheeseburgers.” The business has continued to grow at the new location.
Nestled in the center of Downtown Fenton is an old fashioned, hometown bakery – CRUST, a retail and wholesale baking company. The minute you walk in the door, you are greeted by the tantalizing aromas of freshly-baked bread, pastries, and coffee brewing. Piled high are crusty loaves of rustic bread, pies, pastries, cakes, tarts, cinnamon rolls, brownies and cookies. And, this is a milestone year for the bakery that is not only celebrating its fifth anniversary, but is also in the process of a major expansion. The ownership team includes Mark Hamel, Chad Brennan, Marybeth Brennan and Mike Green, Executive Baker. “We’re excited about our fifth year!” Green exclaims.
This is what you will find at The Lunch Studio in the heart of Downtown Flint: good, homemade food and lots of healthy choices. Owner Tracey Whelpley, a Flint native, has been serving wholesome and delicious lunches to the people of Flint for 15 years. She lived and worked in cities all across the country before returning to her hometown and setting up her own shop.
With its Roaring 20s, “Great Gatsby” theme and cozy atmosphere, Café Rhema has become more than a Downtown coffee shop to its patrons. It’s not only a place to relax and enjoy a really good cup of coffee and some high-quality food, it’s a place to meet, study and socialize in a warm, safe environment. Josh Spencer, owner of another Downtown business, The Spencer Agency, was born and raised in Flint and attended the University of Michigan-Flint. Three years ago, he purchased what was then the Brown Sugar Café, in order to be part of the Downtown revitalization efforts … and because he loves Flint.
Fun, fresh, fast and traditional Latin American street food is what you’ll find at Fenton’s newest restaurant, El Topo, the brainstorm of French Laundry Executive Chef, Jody Brunori.
