Hamilton's, a new American fare restaurant, to open in Corktown's Godfrey Hotel this fall

Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read
The proposed seven-story Godfrey Hotel in Corktown would have 277 rooms
The proposed seven-story Godfrey Hotel in Corktown would have 277 rooms

A new restaurant focusing on classic American fare, a collaboration from the owners of several metro Detroit restaurants, is slated to open in Corktown this fall.

Chickpea Hospitality − the group behind Leila Detroit, Phoenicia and Forest restaurants − will open Hamilton's in the new Godfrey Hotel at 1401 Michigan Avenue in Detroit. Hamilton's will be on the ground floor of the 227-room, seven-story luxury hotel.

“Corktown is already a popular destination for food and drink in Downtown Detroit. We are excited to add to its offerings by introducing Hamilton’s to the neighborhood for guests and locals alike,” said Matthew Kalt, senior vice president and principal of Oxford Capital Group, LLC and Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC in a news release.

Oxford Capital Group, a Chicago-based real estate and hospitality investment firm, along with Detroit-based Hunter Pasteur and Chickpea Hospitality, said Tuesday that Hamilton's will open this fall, shortly after the hotel opens this summer.

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Hamilton's is slated to be a neighborhood tavern with a bar, dining room and outdoor terrace. Inside, the dining room and bar will seat 93, and the outdoor terrace on Michigan Avenue will seat 38. The restaurant expects to offer classic American fare with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients. Hamilton's will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

“We are honored to be collaborating on this luxury lifestyle project in the historical Corktown neighborhood,” Samy Eid, co-owner of Chickpea Hospitality Group, said in a news release. “It has been an exciting experience working closely with the Hunter Pasteur and Oxford Capital teams to curate a dining experience for all to enjoy.”

Chickpea Hospitality's Leila and Phoenicia restaurants have received many accolades. In 2022, Phoenicia was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for outstanding hospitality. Leila, a Lebanese-fare restaurant in Capitol Park, was named the 2020 Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Restaurant of the Year. Leila was also on GQ Magazine's 2020 list of best new restaurants in the country.

In late December, Oxford Capital Group announced Sullivan's Steakhouse as the new first-floor tenant of its recently acquired Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit. Sullivan's is an American steakhouse offering hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and signature cocktails, paired with the sounds of jazz music, according to its website. It's expected to open later this year.

Oxford Capital Group and Hunter Pasteur, along with The Forbes Company, are also developing Perennial Corktown, a seven-story apartment community with 188 units.

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: Hamilton's restaurant to open in Corktown's Godfrey Hotel