Midwest - Dearborn, MI

Hi all,

I have to spend about 2-3 nights in Dearborn next week, and the last time I was there I was underwhelmed. I found a decent restuarant called Agave or something, but I wouldn't mind something closer to Dearborn. Any suggestions for decent clean restaurants in the area? How about any other tips on what to do?

Also there is a mall called Fairlaine Town Center near where I am staying. Is it a safe place to kill some time?

TIA

AJ

There is an Italian restaurant called Castaldi's in Fairlane mall that has decent (old style) Italian food and waiters that sing opera. Otherwise the Hyatt is about the best that food gets (or the Ritz Carlton if you want the same food for double the price). But I don't know the area well, it does look like a wasteland when it comes to good food. Near Dearborn are hundreds of Arab restaurants, fwiw, so you can always get great hummus and babaganoush.

I have not been able to find anything memorable in Dearborn, even when I visit places recommended to me. The mall has mostly chains around it.

If I feel adventerous, I travel west to the suburbs on a major surface street and look for something interesting. I would not use the term "kill some time" in the Detroit Metro area!. The city neighborhoods adjacent to Dearborn are very poor; I've stopped to ask for directions and everyone I spoke to was wasted even at 11:00 am! :eek:

Steve

There is an Italian restaurant called Castaldi's in Fairlane mall that has decent (old style) Italian food and waiters that sing opera.

That place closed not too long ago. If you do want Italian, there is now an Andiamo on Michigan Ave just west of Fairlane. A few other places I like are An nam for Vietnamese, The Grill at the Ritz Carlton, and Miller's Bar for a great burger.

If you have the time, I have always enjoyed the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Much better alternative to just "killing time".

There is a very high concentration of Middle Easterners (predominately Iraqi) in that area thus many wonderful small restaurants offering regional cuisine.

Andiamo and Annam are both good recommendations. I would also add La Shish for Middle Eastern food. The downtown Dearborn location would be a short cab ride from the Hyatt.

Cheli's Chili Bar (also in downtown Dearborn) has good bar food and local flavor - it's owned by Red Wings player Chris Chelios. It's not worth a long wait on the weekends though.

Hi all,

I have to spend about 2-3 nights in Dearborn next week, and the last time I was there I was underwhelmed. I found a decent restuarant called Agave or something, but I wouldn't mind something closer to Dearborn. Any suggestions for decent clean restaurants in the area? How about any other tips on what to do?

Also there is a mall called Fairlaine Town Center near where I am staying. Is it a safe place to kill some time?

TIA

AJ

Try the Big Fish -- it's near Fairlane -- which is a very safe area.

Bob H

There are TONS of great Thai restaurants all over the place in Dearborn, particularily off of Michigan avenue. I second Miller's for a great bar burger.