Today is our last “Food Friday” feature article for the month of February, Metro Detroiters. You know what that means… only a few more weeks until spring! Well, at least until the calendar declares it so. Who knows when Mother Nature will proclaim the changing of seasons in the mitten.
While the lingering cold is unfortunate, chilly gray days are perfect for cozying up with some comfort food. Whether you find solace in a big ol’ bowl of macaroni and cheese or a pile of potatoes, we all have our favorite comfort food dish. Here are a few comfort food dishes you’ll find at restaurants in the D:
Stuffed French toast
Zoe’s House of Pancakes, with locations in Livonia, West Bloomfield and Commerce Township, offers more than just pancakes. Not that flapjacks aren’t a comfort food, but when Very Berry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast is also on the menu, one learns to prioritize.
The two slices of French toast are stuffed with banana cream cheese, then topped with a mixed berry compote and fresh berries. Apple Walnut Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast is also on the menu, which consists of French toast stuffed with apple-walnut-raisin-cream cheese, topped with roasted apples.
Macaroni and cheese
Fiamma Grille, 380 S. Main St., Plymouth, recently played a life-changing role in my existence. I didn’t know what living was until I sampled (read: devoured) the Bay Scallops and Lobster Mac n Cheese on the restaurant’s small plates menu.
This mac and cheese is beyond words, but know that it includes Grassfields Farm Gouda and Grana Padano Parmesan cheeses, the aforementioned seafood, fresh thyme and toasted Panko crumbs. Stop whatever you are doing and make a reservation for tonight immediately. You’re welcome.
Fried chicken
Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles, 19345 Livernois Ave., Detroit, combines two essential comfort foods on one plate: fried chicken and waffles. There are plenty of waffle combos to choose from, including What Up Doe (three pieces of fried chicken, two waffles, grits and two eggs), The First Lady (chicken breast and waffle) or the Tweety Bird (two wings and a waffle).
Southern comforts speak for themselves. Do yourself a favor and order Hazel’s Southern Platter (your choice of meat with two sides and cornbread) or Sweet Daddy (a sweet potato Belgian waffle with three wings or chicken tenders and a side dish).
Grilled cheese
Majestic Café, 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit, has a sandwich on its lunch and dinner menu so decadent, you’ll never go back to plain white bread and American cheese again. The Lobster Grilled Cheese includes Havarti dill cheese, tomato, spicy greens and Maine lobster on whole wheat bread. It’s served with a cup of soup.
At $16, it’s probably one of the priciest grilled cheese sandwiches you’ll ever indulge in, but cold desperate times call for desperate measures. This one is worth it.
Meatloaf
Rocky’s Rotisserie, 37337 6 Mile Rd., Livonia, is the project of Chuck “Rocky” Rachwitz, Steve Allen and Dan Meier, names that may sound familiar thanks to Rocky’s of Northville and Steve and Rocky’s in Novi. There’s plenty of comfort to be found on the menu here, whether you dine in or carry out.
While most people have a very strong feeling about meatloaf (and either love it or hate it), there’s no doubt that with a pile of mashed potatoes, it certainly falls under the category of “comfort.” The Open Face Hot Meatloaf entrée here includes crispy onions, smashed potatoes and smoked Gouda. Take note: there’s also an Ultimate Grilled Cheese on the menu (with applewood bacon, Asiago, Parmesan, Romano and Mozzarella cheese).
Stuffed potatoes
The Potato Place, 107 W. Warren Ave., Detroit, is certainly a go-to for comfort, as potatoes in any form have consoling powers: mashed, fried, twice baked, the list goes on. At the Potato Place, you’ll find two dozen different stuffed baked potato options. That means you could eat a different stuffed baked potato each day for nearly a month—not that you should.
Those include Ground Italian Sausage and Cheese, Pizza Spud (with pizza sauce, pepperoni and cheese), Cheese Veggie (peas, green beans, carrots, corn, broccoli, tomatoes and cheese) or Greek Spud (gyro strips, feta cheese, tomatoes and onions). Also, if you’re not feeling the potatoes, you can substitute the baked potato for wide buttered egg noodles with each.
Beer
Let’s be honest, beer is very comforting during these cold winter months. Why do you think so many local Michigan breweries have so many winter seasonals? If you’re looking to try one or two, check out one of these new beer establishments!
While you enjoy the above comfort foods, just keep in mind that spring is eventually coming. That’s something to look forward to, right?