Change is in the air at Birmingham's Mare Mediterranean
Mare Mediterranean in Birmingham is undergoing some changes and adding weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The restaurant is owned by restaurateur Nino Cutraro and Jay Feldman of the Feldman Automotive Group. Cutraro also owns nearby Bella Piatti with his wife, Liz.
Cutraro said plans are to make it an "everyday kind of place" with a reasonable and approachable menu. The restaurant will close for two weeks starting Monday to undergo some remodeling and prepare for its new menu.
Mare Mediterranean's menu has featured fish from the Mediterranean, and the restaurant is known for its in-house fish market. Many of the Mare's fish selections, including salmon and seared scallops, will remain on the new menu. Seafood paella will be a new offering.
A smaller version of the fish market will remain, and a pizza oven will be added, Cutraro said. New to the menu will be five varieties of thin-crust pizza with a choice of regular or sourdough crusts. A few pasta dishes, including cannelloni with veal, baked ziti and pasta with speck (an Italian cured ham similar to prosciutto) and mushrooms also are being added.
There will also be DJ entertainment and dancing after 10:30 p.m. The new hours are: 4-10 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4-8 p.m. Sunday. Brunch is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Mare Mediterranean opened in November 2021 in the space formerly occupied by Cameron's Steakhouse at 115 Willits St. in Birmingham.
Celebrating Michigan wine
May is Michigan Wine Month, a time to celebrate the state's vast wine selections, wineries and winemakers. Traverse City Uncorked is one event taking place during the month. It features wine tastings, discounted lodging, winery events and sipping souvenirs. There's also a self-guided digital passport that lets visitors track winery visits and enter to win prizes. For information, go to traversecity.com.
Cheers for 50 years of Mawby wines
At Mawby Vineyards and Winery in Suttons Bay, the specialty is Methode Champenoise sparkling wines. This year, the winery is celebrating its 50th anniversary. It was 1973 when Larry Mawby planted grape vines on the Leelanau Peninsula and started making still wines. Years later, Mawby turned to producing Methode Champenoise sparkling wines exclusively. Mawby is now owned by Sharon and Stu Laing and their sons Michael and Peter.
For its 50th anniversary, Mawby is offering a 50th Anniversary Cuveé for $35 a bottle. For information, go to mawby.wine.
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Livonia spot known for fish and chips to close
Archie's on Plymouth Road in Livonia is closing June 10 according to a post on its Facebook page. The restaurant was launched 42 years ago by George Palushaj and his brothers Pasko, Kola and Nick. All still work there along with George's son Michael.
Though the Plymouth Road site is closing, the owners are looking for a new location for the future, according to the Facebook post. First, however, they plan on taking some time off, Michael Palushaj said.
"My dad and uncles have been doing this for 42 years," Palushaj said. "We are hands-on here; it's a big family operation." He said staffing the restaurant has been difficult in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The owners had an opportunity to sell the Livonia building, said Palushaj, who revealed that a car wash would be built at the site.
Archie's is known for its fish and chips, but offers other daily specials along with Greek, Italian, Polish and Hungarian dishes.
Gourmet meal series prepared by culinary students
The Fifty-One O One student-run restaurant at Henry Ford College is hosting its International Cuisine series. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m on Thursdays through June 22 the restaurant will feature cuisine from a different nation or region. Asian Pacific, Greek, Italian, French and Spanish American fare are among the offerings.
The series ends June 22 with an international brunch buffet. The cost is $14.95 per person, which includes four courses and a non-alcoholic beverage. For information, call 313-206-5101.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Birmingham's Mare Mediterranean is closing to rebrand
