Detroit Black Restaurant Week Showcases Black-Owned Establishments

Foodie and native Detroiter Kwaku Osei-Bonsu has taken on the notion that we needn’t wiggle our way into places merely to be tolerated but instead go where we’re celebrated, so he’s thrown the party himself.

Detroit Black Restaurant Week – organized by Osei-Bonsu’s BlackMetroEats – officially commences on Aug. 20 and is set to feature special promotions, menu items and events, all meant to spotlight Detroit’s black-owned restaurants. “Just being here, I realized that Detroit is that kind of city where if you want something to happen, you kind of have to create it yourself,” he says.

This is DBRW’s second year running, and this time around, partnering establishments have been divided into three categories: fast casual, fine dining and mobile, and each will offer a specially-priced menu for the occasion. “Detroit Black Restaurant Week is basically a walking, talking billboard for these restaurants,” Osei-Bonsu says. “It’s just important to make sure that we’re highlighting these people that are doing so much work.” But make no mistake, this is a week of inclusivity; everyone is welcomed to dabble and dine. “It’s not like an us only; it’s an us also.”

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:

The Block – Contemporary American
3919 Woodward Ave., Detroit

COOP Caribbean Fusion – Caribbean
Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit

COLORS Restaurant – American
311 E. Grand River Ave., Detroit

*must try: the fried grits

DUO Restaurant & Lounge – Contemporary American
29555 Northwestern Highway, Southfield

Griot Music Lounge – Varied (hosts popups)
66 E. Forest Ave., Detroit

ima – Japanese
2015 Michigan Ave., Detroit

*must try: the spicy pork udon

The Jamaican Pot – Jamaican
14615 Eight Mile Road, Detroit

*must try: the jerk oxtails and jerk boneless chicken

Le Crepe – French
317 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak

Nack’s Good Eats – American
4626 Third St., Detroit

*must try: the jerk chicken sliders

River Bistro Detroit – Caribbean/American Country
18456 Grand River Ave., Detroit

YumVillage – West African/Caribbean (food truck/caterer)
metro Detroit  

*Special edition must try: Savannahblue is debuting house-smoked St. Louis-style ribs with a coffee-spice rub and the chef’s signature orange and honey barbecue sauce, served with a warm corn and kale salad.

EVENTS

The Let Out. This free black food truck rally and Kindred Music & Culture Festival after-party sponsored by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and BlackMetroEats kicks off on Aug. 18 on the Dequindre Cut, 7-11 p.m.

Off the Eaten Path brunch. On Aug. 19, 1701 Bespoke, The Little Bit Project, The Exchange and BlackMetroEats team up to present this brunch at 1701 Bespoke in Detroit, which’ll feature waffle bites, smoke salmon ceviche, a grapefruit mimosa made with sparkling rosé and more. Tickets available on a lottery system at blackmetroeats.com.

COOP Chef’s Table Dinner with Max Hardy. Dine with the celebrity chef on Aug. 20 inside Detroit Shipping Company at 5 or 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at blackmetroeats.com.