Schoolcraft College restaurant, pub reopen after Vistatech Center renovation

Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·3 min read

High-quality cuisine and award-winning beer are back on the menu this fall at Schoolcraft College's Vistatech Center in Livonia, prepared by culinary students and available at a fraction of the usual cost.

Study or get some work done while enjoying a gourmet meal or indulging in a delectable dessert from any of the three culinary venues in the newly renovated Vistatech Center. The $11 million transformation has turned it into a vibrant hub for dining, collaborative work, meetings, studying and socializing — accessible not only to students but to locals as well.

The upgrades were "driven by a pioneering public-private partnership," according to Schoolcraft College. "The Vistatech Center's transformation delivers a technology-rich venue for business gatherings, corporate events, dynamic learning, cutting-edge training and culinary arts education — a first-of-its-kind in higher education."

Renovations began in the fall of 2022 and concluded this summer. A grand opening is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday.

More food, more space

The extensive renovations at the Vistatech Center will greatly enhance Schoolcraft College's esteemed culinary department. Students gain hands-on experience at Schoolcraft's culinary venues: The American Harvest Restaurant, Main Street Cafe, and the newly added Craft Grille, which will serve tavern food and craft beers created by the college's Brewing and Distillation Technology program.

Main Street Cafe also offers a selection of craft beers, along with fresh breakfast pastries, breads, cookies, flatbreads, sandwiches, gourmet entrees and more.

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The American Harvest Restaurant, which was updated and expanded, has been a staple and a hidden gem at the college for over 20 years, said Schoolcraft President Glenn Cerny.

The a la carte menu at American Harvest features a daily rotation of offerings, including freshly baked breads, gourmet soups, delicious salads, inventive entrees and a wide array of desserts.

Further changes include a Collaborative Learning Studio with seating, various video screens and a demonstration kitchen that can be rented for corporate events or used creatively by students and staff, according to the college. The center also features advanced telecommunications technology, various seating options, on-site catering services and some of the best instructional kitchens.

With the renovations, the Vistatech Center is now 145,000 square feet and is open all week to students and community members alike.

"The Vistatech now becomes a catalyst for collaboration and relationships," Cerny said. "People are not getting together as much and so we have a venue now that allows for effective collaboration — with meeting rooms, large and small, as well as great food, and obviously great spirits."

Hours of operation:

  • Main Street Cafe: Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

  • American Harvest Restaurant: Serves lunch on most Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for approximately $25/person. International Dinner buffet is available on select Wednesday and Thursdays for about $35/person.

  • The Craft Grille: Opens Oct. 4. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

  • The SC Brew Pub: Serves craft-brewed beers on Tuesdays from 4-7 p.m. View the draft list here.

Contact Nour Rahal: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Schoolcraft College Vistatech Center restaurant, pub reopen