With so many downtown areas in the metropolitan area, it’s no wonder we’ve dedicated an entire series to making our way through each of them individually. Next up on “In the D” is downtown Royal Oak!
The area includes over 85 shops and boutique stores, and nearly as many restaurants. Speaking of which, now is the perfect time to plan your visit to the downtown area, because Royal Oak Restaurant Week (RORW) runs through Sunday, March 8.
There are plenty of opportunities for dining in downtown Royal Oak, including:
B Spot Burgers, 310 S. Main St., is the product of famed restaurant chef Michael Symon, who is also responsible for Roast in downtown Detroit. Burger choices include the New Jack City (with chorizo, avocado, roasted red peppers, salsa verde, red onion and Pepper Jack cheese), Fun Guy (burger with bleu cheese and griddled mushrooms and onions) and Porky (an award winning burger with pulled pork, coleslaw and Cleveland barbecue sauce).
Don’t forget to top it off with one of many craft beers on the menu, including Founders Mango Magnifico or Bell’s Two Hearted Ale. The RORW choices can be viewed here.
Bigalora, 711 S. Main St., is a great place to grab a pizza for lunch or meet your friends after work. If you choose the latter, you can indulge in the $25 dinner special through the end of Restaurant Week.
It includes your choice of first course (chop salad, risotto ball or meatball), entrée (Strozzapretti Norcina, Fingerling Potato Pizza or Bacco Sausage Pizza) and dessert (scoop of gelato or sorbetto or cannoli).
The Royal Oak Brewery, 215 E. 4th St., is another downtown staple, where you’ll find plenty of great beer on tap and an excellent selection of food. Since the establishment is also participating in Restaurant Week, you can get a great meal for just $25: your choice of a first course (soup or salad), entrée (Maryland Crab Cakes, Tomatillo Pork Stew or Harvest Chicken) and dessert (Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake). Oh, and all Restaurant Week meals include a pint of beer, too!
If you’re not familiar with the restaurants of Royal Oak, or simply wish to try a new one, now is the perfect time to do so.
“We hear from so many people who say that they are excited about RORW because they have been wanting to try out this new restaurant or their favorite restaurant in town is offering an amazing menu during RORW. Plus, they can choose their price point by visiting our website at DineRoyalOak.org and picking a menu that works for their budget and taste buds,” Stephanie McIntyre, Event Manager for Royal Oak Restaurant Week, said.
Over two dozen local restaurants are participating in Royal Oak Restaurant Week, and offering either $15, $25 or $35 three course meals for lunch and dinner.
“Royal Oak Restaurant Week helps to promote the city by putting Royal Oak in the spotlight during a time of year that is traditionally slower for events both in Royal Oak as well as Metro Detroit,” McIntyre said. “The publicity and foot traffic that this event generates continues to show people all of the great dining that downtown Royal Oak has to offer.”
Taste Love Cupcakes, 304 S. Main St., is a gourmet cupcake bakery where you can indulge, should your sweet tooth rear its ugly head. You can feel less bad than usual though, because these cupcakes are made with the freshest ingredients possible.
Try “The” Red Velvet (what these ladies are known for), Sweet Potato, Chocolate Salted Caramel or Chocolate Peanut Butter.
So, we’ve got some dining ideas covered, but what is there to do in downtown Royal Oak? Plenty!
Fifth Avenue, 215 W. 5th St., and BlackFinn, 530 S. Main St., are both popular nightlife establishments, and wouldn’t you know it, the two are offering Restaurant Week deals! If going out to the bar isn’t exactly your style anymore, there is still plenty to take in.
Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, 310 S. Troy St., hosts comedians who will leave you in stitches, like Shane Mauss, who is performing this coming Thursday through Saturday. Catch a movie at Emagine Royal Oak, 200 N. Main St., or the Main Art Theatre, 118 N. Main St., or see some live music at the Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. 4th St. If you’re a fan of entertainment, you’ll find plenty in downtown Royal Oak.
There’s always something going on at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile Rd., including an Artist Market this Friday and Saturday, as well as a Food Truck Rally on Wednesday, March 11.
If, like me, you were devastated when Barnes and Noble was removed from the downtown area, get your book fix at the Royal Oak Public Library’s used book sale that runs Thursday, March 5 through Saturday, March 7. Who knows what hidden gems you might unearth! Then, take your new piece of literature and park it in the new chicken establishment that sits where B&N used to for an afternoon of leisurely reading.
As you can see, there is plenty to do in downtown Royal Oak, whether you’re looking to keep yourself occupied during Restaurant Week or any time of the year. From food to entertainment, you’ll never find yourself bored. Enjoy your time in downtown Royal Oak!