June 2024: Metro Detroit’s Top Food and Drink Highlights

If you're living in Metro Detroit or moving to Metro Detroit, June 2024 brings an exciting array of culinary delights and dining experiences that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. From the fusion flavors of Nuevo Seoul in downtown Detroit to the innovative ice cream creations at Bombshell Treat Bar in Berkley, this month promises an eclectic mix of food and beverage offerings. Highlights include Oak & Reel's exclusive Culinary Collective chef series, featuring renowned chefs like Erik Anderson and Anita Lo, and Vecino's modern Mexican cuisine with its unique kernel-to-masa program. Dive into the top food and beverage headlines this June and discover why Metro Detroit is a food lover's paradise.

Taste-Tested

Oak & Reel, Facebook

Oak & Reel

Open: Wed-Thur (5-9pm) | Fri-Sat (5-10pm) | Sun (4:30-8pm)
2921 E Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 270-9600
Website: Oak & Reel

Oak & Reel is hosting an exclusive Culinary Collective chef series, bringing together top culinary talents for a series of tasting dinners. This June, guests can savor the creations of Chicago-based James Beard Award nominee Erik Anderson on the 6th and 7th. In September, New York Michelin-starred chef Anita Lo will take the stage on the 26th and 27th. These events are not just a treat for the palate but also a contribution to the community, as proceeds benefit a scholarship fund Oak & Reel established with Detroit’s Downtown Boxing Gym.

The series kicked off in April with a memorable six-course meal by Hemant Mathur, the first U.S.-based Indian chef to receive a Michelin star. Highlights included perfectly seared sea scallops complemented by a vibrant red bell pepper chutney, and succulent lamb chops served with mustard potatoes. The evening concluded with shahi tukda paired with mango panna cotta, leaving diners eagerly anticipating the next events in the series.

Bombshell Treat Bar, Facebook

Bombshell Treat Bar

Open: Tue-Thur (12-8pm) | Fri-Sat (12-9pm) | Sun (12-7pm)
2688 Coolidge Hwy, Berkley, MI 48072
Phone: (248) 845-2125
Website: Bombshell Treat Bar

Bombshell Treat Bar, a new hotspot for frozen delights, has become a must-visit destination since its grand opening on April 19. Located at 2688 Coolidge Highway, this innovative ice cream shop offers a variety of unique and seasonal flavors, along with house-made ice cream bars. Whether you’re in the mood for a traditional soft-serve cone or something more adventurous, Bombshell has something to satisfy every sweet tooth.

Among the standout offerings is the Sweet and Salty ice cream bar, a delightful combination of dark chocolate, caramel drizzle, flaky salt, pretzel bits, and crushed potato chips. For those looking for something different, the decadent carrot cake bar and the margarita-flavored ice cream, which captures the essence of a homemade margarita mixer, are must-tries. Bombshell Treat Bar promises an unforgettable ice cream experience, perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.

Hot and Fresh

Eatatnuevoseoul, Website

Nuevo Seoul

Open: Sun-Mon (12-6pm) | Tue-Thur (12-9pm) | Fri-Sat (12pm-12am)
220 W Congress St ste b, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 502-5171
Website: Nuevo Seoul

Nuevo Seoul, the latest culinary venture by the owners of Hanah steakhouse, opened its doors on April 25. Located right next to its sister establishment at 220 W. Congress St., this vibrant eatery blends Korean and Mexican cuisines to create a unique and exciting dining experience. The menu features a variety of fusion dishes such as chicken sandwiches, Korean fried chicken, birria, and Korean barbecue tacos, ensuring there's something for everyone.

The beverage menu is equally impressive, offering a range of signature drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, that complement the flavorful food perfectly. Nuevo Seoul is poised to become a go-to spot for food enthusiasts looking to explore the rich and diverse flavors of Korean and Mexican fusion cuisine in a lively downtown Detroit setting.

Vecinodetroit, Instagram

Vecino

Open: Wed-Thur (5-10pm) | Fri-Sat (5pm-12am) | Sun (2-8pm)
4100 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: (313) 500-1615
Website: Vecino

Vecino, a modern Mexican eatery, opened on April 19 in a beautifully restored historic building at 4100 Third St., near Wayne State University. The restaurant's menu draws inspiration from the regional cuisines of Mexico City and Oaxaca, featuring wood-fired dishes like whole snapper, rib eye steak, pollo adobado, and fire-roasted cabbage. These offerings highlight the rich, smoky flavors characteristic of traditional Mexican cooking.

Vecino also boasts Michigan’s first “kernel-to-masa” nixtamalization program, an ancient Mesoamerican method of preparing corn that enhances its nutritional value and flavor. Executive Chef Ricardo Mojica, formerly of Sava’s in Ann Arbor, and Head Chef Stephanie Duran have crafted a menu that honors Mexican culinary traditions while incorporating modern twists. This innovative approach promises to make Vecino a standout destination for Mexican cuisine enthusiasts in Midtown Detroit.

For those living in Metro Detroit or moving to Metro Detroit, June 2024 is packed with culinary adventures that highlight the city's vibrant food scene. Whether you're indulging in the fusion fare at Nuevo Seoul, savoring the handcrafted ice cream at Bombshell Treat Bar, or exploring the diverse flavors at Vecino, there's no shortage of delicious experiences to enjoy. Oak & Reel's Culinary Collective chef series further elevates the dining landscape, offering exclusive events that benefit the community. Stay tuned to what's cooking in Metro Detroit and make the most of these top food and beverage headlines, ensuring every meal is a memorable one.