Local Kitchen & Bar, Ferndale
Before he and business partner Brian Siegel opened Local Kitchen & Bar last summer, former fine-dining chef Rick Halberg said he planned to serve "well-crafted comfort food and drink." That's an apt description for dishes that range from barbecued beef brisket sliders with "local cheese whiz," to house-made pappardelle with Bolognese sauce, to a grilled, sliced, bistro steak with rustic Spanish Romesco sauce, rice and fennel gratin. Halberg's from-scratch kitchen stresses local ingredients, and the menu changes with the seasons. Indulgent brunch offerings range from rich pecan waffles to an even richer short-rib hash of tender beef and vegetables topped with poached eggs and horseradish Hollandaise. With its sleek and eclectic décor, cozy fireplace and communal table near the small bar, Local is a good fit in friendly Ferndale.
(Lunch, brunch, dinner. Starters $6-$10; mains $10-$19. 344 W. Nine Mile; 248-291-5650 and www.localkitchenandbar.com)
