Baker's Keyboard Lounge opened in 1934 as a simple neighborhood sandwich shop. A few years later, the management began booking a pianist, and soon people started flocking here for the live music. Over the decades, jazz legends such as John Coltrane, Fats Waller, Dave Brubeck, Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald have all performed at Baker's. The venue still plays host to local and international jazz artists as well as comedy nights. Food is served throughout the day and consists of burgers, ribs, salmon patties and desserts, but it's the live entertainment that's the main draw, which last until 1 a.m. on the weekends and midnight during the week.
Centaur is right in the heart of the city, behind the Fox Theatre. This bar, which has been voted best martini bar three times by weekly paper "Real Detroit Weekly," has an extensive collection of cocktails and martinis. These drinks are $5 during happy hour, which is from 4 to 7 p.m. daily, as of December 2010. Concoctions include gingerbread and pumpkin flavors, the latter being a blend of coffee liqueur, rum and pumpkin spice. Food is served until 2 a.m. and includes mini burgers, tapas, French cheeses and caviar for those with luxurious palates. DJs play lounge music on Friday and Saturday nights.
This eatery is regularly rated as one of the area's top restaurants: The magazine "Wine Enthusiast" voted it as one of the best new restaurants in the US. As the name suggests, this restaurant specializes in small dishes, from Spanish-style shrimps in garlic and butter and Middle Eastern hummus and tabbouleh to Asian veggie spring rolls. There are also large meals available; stir-fries, steaks, pizzas and salads are all on the menu. An extensive New World wine list complements the food; the cocktail list is equally varied.
This lavish restaurant has hosted many celebrity performers over the years, including Barbra Streisand, who performed here as an unknown in 1961. The décor features Tiffany-style lamps, antique furniture and empty champagne magnums. The Caucus Club is favored by stockbrokers and investment bankers. The menu primarily focuses on fish dishes, such as pickerel filets and Dover sole, and steaks, such as New York strip and filet mignon. Italian-influenced main dishes, including shrimp fettuccine and veal scallopini piccata, are also offered. Despite the ostentatious surroundings, the food is not as expensive as one might expect, with a main entree averaging $19, as of December 2010.
