Mink

Settling in at two of the precious 6 stools at the bar at Mink brought back the same feelings when we settled in to a special evening at that hidden downtown Detroit gem Albena over 2 years ago (1,2).  I felt compelled to communicate my find to my friend, now retired colleague, and fellow foodie Tim.

Hey, Tim.  I’ve found another little Detroit hole-in-the wall for you and your Kathy should you be feeling adventurous.  Our dear Julie Welch gave me the tip as I was bemoaning the demise of Republic and whining how hard it is to get to her niece-chef Sarah’s award-winning Marrow on the East side.  Julie didn’t just pick this one out of the air.  Sarah’s fiancé’s a mover for this new place.  They’ve been open less than 2 years and seem to have survived COVID.

It’s an easy shot from AA.  40 minute drive on M-14, 3 blocks down Trumbull off the Fisher Service Drive, tucked next to a boutique aside a parking lot you can’t use.  The place is only 360 square feet, but the waiter says they can hold 40 if they seat outside.  The choice seats are at the bar where you can see the 4 chefs in action.  You can book on line (3).  They feature seafood, but don’t expect a big slab of Chilean sea bass on your plate.  Oysters are always featured.  Their prix fixe tasting menu (see below) will give you a few, but you might want to order some extry on the side.  You can get your prix fixe with pairings, and those are adventurous.  Our oysters came out with little glasses of sparkling sake!  Didn’t even know there was such an item, but it went perfectly with the bivalves.  Not much of a wine list if you want to supplement, but choices are high quality.

Kathy and I found the whole experience satisfying and thoroughly entertaining.  The food was interesting and tasty, and nothing I could replicate in my home kitchen!  The antics of the chefs were entertaining – you should see their blow torch! – and the wait staff friendly and accommodating.   It was a pre-DSO dinner, and we left

thinking even if the performers at Fisher Music Center sucked, we’d have had ourselves a swell evening.  Indeed, we ended up leaving

Paradise Jazz Series Big Band at the break, mainly ‘cause we were exhausted and anticipated more of the same in the second half.  Not that it wasn’t a good show.  But back to my main point, should you and Kathy be up to a foray into Wayne County to eat, you couldn’t do much better than Mink.

References

1.         Ike B. the other Detroit restaurant, day after Christmas 2019. WordPress 1/13/20. https://theviewfromharbal.com/2020/01/13/the-other-detroit-restaurant-day-after-christmas-2019/

2.         Ike B. ‘squeat*!. WordPress 2/1/21. https://theviewfromharbal.com/2021/02/01/squeat/

3.         Welcome to Mink. https://www.minkdetroit.com/