One-Eyed Betty's, Ferndale
Call 2012 the Year of Craft Beer. But the best places to quench your thirst with Michigan-made sour beers, IPAs, porters and stouts aren't usually where you find creative menus and fresh, well-crafted food. And that -- along with its helpful, knowledgeable staff -- explains why so many people love One-Eyed Betty's. In dish after dish, chef Emmele Herrold's kitchen delivers more flavor, finesse and style than anyone ever expects. It's not fancy food, but it's executed with care, good ingredients and integrity. Some things, like the whole chicken wings with sambal-siracha glaze and sesame-seed sprinkle, are much-improved versions of bar favorites. Others, like Bacon With a Side of Bacon, aren't typical bar fare at all. A Betty's fave, it features meaty, Asian-accented pork belly with a side of crisp applewood bacon and a deep-fried, panko-coated poached egg -- a physics-defying feat. Salads, sandwiches, fresh oysters and mussels, hearty entrées, vegetarian dishes and even hot, house-made doughnuts are all part of the mix. Add good food to the 44 draft and 93 bottled beers and servers who excel at service, and Betty's isn't just another pretty face.
(Dinner only; breakfast Saturday-Sunday. First courses $5-$12; mains $8-$16. 175 W. Troy Ave.; 248-808-6633 and www.oneeyedbettys.com)
