Does Birmingham Need More Family Restaurants?
Residents argue over whether Birmingham needs — and can sustain — more family-friendly restaurants in light of several high-profile restaurants closures, including Barrio.
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The year is only two months old and it's already been an up-and-down 2013 for high profile Birmingham restaurants, leaving many residents wondering: when are we going to get a family restaurant?
Earlier this week, Barrio Tacos & Tequila, the upscale Mexican eatery owned by the same company in charge of the Hamilton Room and Chen Chow Brasserie, announced it had closed its doors for good.
"We made the decision to close because, with the high overhead and the changing dining landscape in Birmingham, we just felt it was something we had do," Tracy Wilson, general manager of the Dali Restaurant Group, told Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield.
In Birmingham, it's a landscape marked by high-profile closures, followed quickly by new ideas from similiarly sophisticated eateries. From the last five months:
- March 2013: The Stand, described as a "modern gastropub", told the Birmingham City Commission they're looking at a fall opening in the Greenleaf Trust Building. "This restaurant is going to be nationally known one day," Chef Paul Grosz, one of the owners, told commissioners.
- February 2013: Crush receives an Economic Development License from the Birmingham City Commission. The restaurant will have 236 seats at 555 S. Old Woodward and serve steak, seafood and dozens of wines.
- January 2013: The Stand's opening comes immediately after the announcement that Zazios, the colorful restaurant currently occupying the Greenleaf Trust Building, would be closing. Zazios opened in 2010.
- November 2012: Stoney River Steakhouse receives approval to open in the former Max & Erma's location on Merrill Street. Stoney River's president says the restaurant will offer high-quality hospitality at a lower price point than most steakhouses, though entrees typically cost $40-$50.
- November 2012: Blue Ribbon Holdings representatives, which own both Stoney River Steakhouse and Max & Erma's, said Max & Erma's had "outlived its time in Birmingham," noting "We believe (Stoney River) restaurant will be more appropriate for the area."
The response to many of these openings and closings, however, reflected frustration, with many asking whether Birmingham is leaving families behind.
"I am so disapponted knowing that the council approved yet another 'UP SCALE' steakhouse for our once 'family friendly city,'" Charli Schulman commented in November 2012. "We need a nice family restaurant in our city, other than a Coney Island."
Many of those same sentiments cropped up when Barrio announced their closure earlier this week, both on Patch and on the Birmingham Patch Facebook page:
- William Brundage: "I believe that we need more moderately priced restaurants in Birmingham. I can appreciate a great steak and an impressive wine list, but I also enjoy the casual things in life as well. It's a balance and Birmingham is not balanced right now with its choice in dining."
- Courteney Gettel: "When is Birmingham going to learn that we really don't need $15+ a-plate restaurants? Four steak houses? REALLY?"
- Terry Matien: "Never been (to Barrio) but I sure wish Birmingham would open more family friendly restaurants. We have too many upscale places and steakhouses. With Max and Erma's gone, there's not much to choose from other than the diners."
- Lori Dempsey Hamilton: "The margins on family spots must not be high enough to satisfy the rent. That's a shame."
Still, others disagreed, noting that high-profile restaurants draw clientele from around the region and makes Birmingham a destination spot for dining.
"Birmingham doesn't attract what Birmingham residents think it needs," Clinton Baller comments this week. "It attracts and sustains profitable businesses. ... Birmingham is a mature enough market, with enough market freedom, that what you see is pretty much what you're going to get. My opinion: You ought to count your blessings."
"Everyone keeps begging for 'family friendly' but the real estate for rent doesn't allow it," Rosie Koul points out on Facebook.
Still, others have already suggested civic action. "We should probably rally some folks and go to the next city planning meeting and express some thoughts," Koul added. "This feels like a growing, gnawing concern for residents and those vested in the vibe that makes Birmingham."
What do you think? Does Birmingham need fewer upscale restaurants and more family-friendly dining spots?
In This article
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Barrio Tacos & Tequila
203 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, MI -
The Hamilton Room
201 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, MI -
Chen Chow Brasserie
260 N Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
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Zazios
34977 Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI -
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Leo's Coney Island
154 S Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham, MI
Carrie Johnson
7:29 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
I agree...I think Birmingham needs more family style restaurants that are averagely priced. I am sick of going to the coney islands just to get a good and inexpensive meal. My friends and I find ourselves eating outside of Birmingham because the prices are too high. I am in my upper 20's, but don't want to pay $30+ for a good meal.
Rhonda Sienkiewicz
9:45 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Birmingham definitely needs some affordable restaurant options! We must continually go outside of our own hometown for a casual meal out.
Margaret Betts
10:24 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
The Adams Sq. restaurant may be a Coney, but it has variety, decent prices and wonderful service.
Sandy Wood
1:22 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Agreed. Village Coney is one of the most underrated restaurants in town.
Clinton Baller
10:33 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
How about these:
Greek Islands
Sy Thai
Sushi Cafe
Mountain King
Peabodys
Original Pancake House
Hunter House
Dick O'Dow's
Cosi
Brooklyn
Pita Cafe
Leo's
KFC
Commonwealth
Salvatore Scallopini
Panera
Qdoba
Beyond Juice
Stacked Deli
Whistle Stop
New Bangkok
Taste of India
Papa Joe's
Village Coney
Jimmy John's
Mt Chalet
Spangas
Al's Famous Deli
The Big Salad
Chipotle
Mom C
10:49 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Unfortunately Spanga's is closed, and Peabody's and Dick O'Dow's often have belligerent loud drunks at the bar - but a good list!
Also drive a bit west up Maple and at the SE corner of Maple and Lahser enjoy the Honey Tree. Not Birmingham proper, but a terrific, price-friendly, family meal.
Courteney Gettel
2:09 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Clinton:
So here we go again. Apparently you are missing the point (as usual). Many of those restaurants are NOT in downtown where families and kids can walk to. Some are. But as I have said, where is the restaurant that has a diverse menu that is just not a coney or overpriced sandwich? Peabody's is a lovely place. Unfortunately, every time I go there, I feel like I am the youngest one there. I stated in my original comment about Barrio's that Brooklyn pizza has limited seating. So I am just supposed to say to my son that the only place he can take a date to Salvatore's? Really? Families want some place to go where they can get a nice glass of wine while enjoying a meal that the plate is under $15. There is NO longer a place in Birmingham to do that.
Kennedy Ferris
10:41 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Yes! We would love more family-friendly restaurants! Among the list provided above, we regularly enjoy Salvatore Scallopini, Pita Cafe and Sushi Cafe, but we can do better than chain restaurants. I wish for more places like SS and Commonwealth (which is fabulous, but not ideal for the kiddos).
William Brundage - Max Broock Realtors
11:34 am on Sunday, March 10, 2013
I believe that we need more moderately priced restaurants in Birmingham. I can appreciate a great steak and an impressive wine list, but I also enjoy the casual things in life as well - It's a balance and Birmingham is not balanced right now with its choice in dining. For example, I think a restaurant with a fun atmosphere for everyone like Sagebrush Cantina would do extremely well in downtown Birmingham - Which is a type of restaurant desperately needed in Birmingham that falls somewhere between Clinton Baller's list and all of the high-end restaurants.
dredk
1:42 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013
Yes. Sometimes, even with grown kids, you just want someplace to go and have a burger. Soup. Dessert. Nothing fancy. Even a steak. And we can't stand chains - the red lobster ets. Homemade mac and cheese, fish on Friday. Pie. Pancakes. That's why we only eat middle eastern or thai lately if we go out. I usually leave an expensive restaurant with the realization that I'm a good enough cook to have prepared the food at a tenth of the price. Ann Arbor has a nice mix of places to eat, by the way.. Yet another reason that despite being able to walk downtown, we don't .Except for the Dairy Mat !!!! I love Dairy Mat. !!!!
Grace Dersa
10:20 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
Don't let the word Bakery fool you. Frank Street Bakery offers fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, salads, homemade soups, decadent desserts, coffee and Ray's Ice Cream in a comfortable, friendly neighborhood cafe. Make sure to try our famous Hot Pressed Cuban Sandwich, or choose from the extensive selection of delicious vegetarian and Vegan creations. Feel free to dine-in, carry out, or schedule catering for up to 100. Located on the north side of Frank Street just west of Old Woodward, with ample parking on all 4 sides.
DP
11:55 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
While there are indeed some tasty choices with moderately priced menus (Frank St and Village are good examples), I would suggest the real opportunity is walkable, family-friendly, dine-in restaurant options...specifically, someplace parents feel comfortable taking children (perhaps requiring a stroller or high chair) without a) breaking the bank, b) being relegated to a coney island / bar menu / unhealthy fast food, or c) feeling like they're disrupting a Louis Vitton purse party. With all the family-oriented offerings in the downtown area (library, Booth Park, myriad Shain park events, ice rink, etc.) there is not a balance of correlating dining options. Of the options on Mr. Baller’s misguided list, the only choices that come close to meeting the spirit of the collective concern are Salvatore Scallopini and Cosi/Panera, although the latter are generally viewed as overpriced with a limited menu… more of a glorified coffee shop than genuine restaurant environment. (Sorry Grace, I love what you’re doing at FSB and hope your continued success allows more elbow room and hours that grow past 5pm closing.) The same concern exists as you venture into other “multi-modal” parts of the city… Triangle or Rail district for example. Rents are certainly a free market factor, but there is a real opportunity for leadership from our City officials on this one.
RA
3:30 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
YES, Enough steakhouses... Toast is a good option offering 3 meals per day, but on the pricey side. I'd like to see Mexican, mediterrranean and a classic burger hang out like Jaws Jumbo Burger (Jay Leno's restaurant) in Farmington Hills.