This article was originally written for the Detroit Jewish News and their Nosh section.

Rose’s Fine Food is set up to be a long-time main stay on Detroit’s east side. Roses delivers an ultimate gourmet twist on typical American diner food.  Located on 10551 E. Jefferson @ Hastings St – there is a giant monument sign that you cannot miss. The free-standing building is adorned with a steel smoker out front emblemized with Roses’.  The Detroit chic diner occupies less than 1,000 square feet in turn leaving you with an intimate feel.   This may be in part to the welcoming staff whom of which all are knowledgeable, friendly and easy to converse with. You could sit and schmooze with them as if they were like old time friends!   

The tables are salvaged wood and chairs collected through the decades. Or park yourself at the diner counter on a leather swivel stool with a chair back. The mismatched vintage china flatware, mugs and cups are dainty and eclectic.  Live succulent plants along with house pickled kimchi, onions, and cucumbers line the floating shelves above the kitchen line.  It’s your classic open style kitchen dining experience. The overall feel of Roses’ is a nostalgic vibe with the absolute freshest ingredients.  

Upon entry to the space note the fresh smells of daily home baked items are inside an antique display case - definitely indulge in one of the items.  The most recent delectable dish I tried was a Rhubarb yogurt pie - feature in the photo. The items rotate along with daily drink specials such as lavender lemonade.  

The menu is fairly stable but does alter a tad per the season as Rose’s focuses on fresh locally sourced ingredients. Fun fact – one of the part time chefs is a full-time farmer whose urban farm about 6 miles away in Detroit.   The menu lends well to our vegan and gluten free friends as the menu denotes (v= vegan) and GF = gluten free options. Staple items are:  Grandpa Richard’s Pancakes (stack of delicious cakes made with organic stone ground flour, Michigan maple syrup and cultured butter), Staff Favorite 2.0 (a bowl of heirloom rice topped with maple bacon, mushrooms, house kimchi, avocado with a fried egg on top), and you can’t go wrong with one of the lunch sandwiches.  Don’t skip out on the variety of side dishes: Organic grits, toast, herby beans, grilled potatoes, and side of flapjacks. Fresh sides of meat you’ve got your applewood bacon, corridor sausage – pork or chicken. Corridor sausage is local product to Detroit. Maybe you’ve seen the Corridor Sausage deli in the Detroit Metro Airport or Ford Field. 

Rose’s has a gravitational pull–one that instantly makes you feel like a regular. The 40-seat artisanal gem of a diner is best with a small group of 4 or less. It is also a great place if you are dining alone.  No stress about where to park – there is a lot with an ample amount of spaces. Like visiting any place in Detroit – don’t forget to put all items in your trunk or bring inside with you.  

The dynamic duo behind the origins of Rose’s Fine Food are Molly Mitchell and Lucy Peters. They are in fact cousins and named the restaurant after their common grandmother.  Next up for Molly Mitchell will be a polish inspired restaurant serving up perogies and more in Detroit’s West Village at the corner of Agnes & Van Dyke. Keep an eye out because this is a spot to track! 

You could pair a meal at Rose’s Fine Foods with a cruise around Detroit’s Bell Isle and a stop at the oldest aquarium in the nation. 

I always feel so inspired in venues where people are creating beautiful things – whether it be an atmosphere, a safe haven, a community or a dish of food. You feel the passion pouring out of everyone who works here. I am posting this blog post from Roses Fine Foods. As per the photo, I am creating content for a new post. Stay Tuned Lovers xx Linz