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Honey has long been a symbol of indulgence, being sweet yet complex, and floral yet earthy. Across Metro Detroit, local chefs, bakers, and bartenders are embracing this golden ingredient in creative ways, from craft cocktails and pizzas to artisan pastries and spiced lattes. Whether it’s drizzled, whipped, or baked in, honey adds warmth and depth to these menus…
Como’s
22812 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale
Honey finds its way into unexpected places at Como’s, where it tops wood-fired pizzas with a sweet heat that’s impossible to resist. The fan-favorite Joshua J pizza combines pepperoni, jalapeño, and honey, while the Wimp and Vegan Wimp turn up the flavor with Calabrian chiles, banana peppers, and spicy house-made honey that ties it all together (vegan pie has bee-free honey!). Pair with apps like the meatballs covered in a delightful smoked chili-tomato sauce or the Italian Guac, combining avocado and onion with Calabrian chiles and citrus notes. For more pizza, standout choices include Jessy’s Girl with a basil pesto and Italian dressing or Dill Pickle option with Boursin and mozzarella. Each plate blends bold and balanced flavors, and these pies are making honey an essential finishing touch that elevates every bite.
Asal Bee Cafe
Multiple locations in Metro Detroit
For those with a sweet tooth, Asal Bee Café is a honey lover’s dream. “Asal Bee Café offers honey-sweetened drinks and desserts made with all-natural ingredients as a healthier and more flavorful alternative to processed sugar,” shares the team. The menu buzzes with creativity, from lattes like the Royal Honey (espresso with ginger and steamed milk) and Honey Lavender to smoothies such as the King Bee (avocado) and Purple Bee (blueberry), both blending honey with creamy ice cream and fruit. Signature treats like the Honeycomb Ice Cream (topped with honeycomb) and Asal Bee Tacos, waffle tacos filled with fruit, ice cream, and a drizzle of honey, perfectly capture the café’s playful menu. Every sip and bite celebrates honey not just as a sweetener, but as a central ingredient that ties together Asal Bee’s Yemeni origins and innovation.
Give Thanks Bakery
225 South Main Street, Rochester
317 South Main Street, Royal Oak
Give Thanks Bakery blends European craftsmanship with timeless flavors. The star of their honey offerings is the Bienenstich, or “Bee Sting” Cake, a traditional German pastry made from almond and honey-topped yeast dough soaked in rum and filled with a rich Bavarian cream. It’s delicate and decadent. Alongside the Bee Sting, the bakery’s display brims with breads made from natural starters, hand-shaped croissants, and elegant tortes layered with house-made buttercreams and fillings, like the Mozart Torte with chocolate ganache, apricot jam, and hazelnut buttercream, or the Bavarian Lemon Torte, which fills yellow cake with homemade lemon curd. The results are a celebration of technique and taste, each bite sweeter than the last.
Belle’s Lounge
161 Vester Avenue, Ferndale
Inside Valentine Distilling’s tasting room in Ferndale, Belle’s Lounge brings the spirit of craftsmanship to your glass. Honey shines as a natural sweetener across their menu, enhancing both complexity and smoothness. Standouts include the Maiden’s Muse, a floral blend of white blossom vodka, orange liqueur, and lime, and the Beige Derby, where Old Tom gin meets grapefruit for a refreshing twist on a classic. Mocktails like Ruby Reigns and More Than Beets the Eye show that honey works just as beautifully without the booze, mingling with ingredients like mint, ginger beer, lime, and cherry. Every drink reflects Belle’s Lounge’s signature style: bright, balanced, and elegantly playful.
Jim Brady’s
1214 South Main Street, Royal Oak
Honey takes center stage in several standout dishes at Jim Brady’s, where elevated comfort food meets inventive twists. The Honey Whipped Ricotta, topped with honeycomb and bee pollen and served with grilled sourdough, is a simple yet luxurious starter. For something heartier, Grandma’s Fried Chicken Poppers, marinated in buttermilk and honey, bring a touch of sweetness to their crispy, golden coating. Even the Blackberry Brie Turkey Burger gets a drizzle of chili-honey, adding warmth to its layers of fruit jam and spice. It’s comfort food with a refined edge, the kind that feels indulgent yet familiar. Other excellent entree choices that feel the same are the Blackened BBQ Shrimp Avocado Bacon Risotto or the Chimichurri Sirloin.
Honey continues to bridge sweet and savory menus. It’s the golden thread that adds depth and balance to every table it touches, proving that sometimes the simplest ingredients create the most lasting impressions.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on September 17, 2024, and was authored by Carolyn Hall.
