It's not that few people in Detroit can equal Joe Posch's taste level and eye for good design -- it's that few people anywhere can match him.
The stylist and proprietor of superbly curated design shop
Mezzanine, Joe has a penchant for modern design and makes many a Detroit home look its best. A Detroit resident who lives in a Mies van der Rohe-designed building in Lafayette Park (make a drive through the neighborhood part of your visit, please), Joe has equally high standards for what he expects out of other businesses. Which means when he gives you a recommendation, even if it's for a dive bar, you can expect quality.
He'll also happily tell you where not to go. "I absolutely avoid Greektown," even though it's a short walk from his business and home. "It's like the lowbrow staycation destination. Unless you enjoy people in Wings jerseys." He also is not a fan of the popular Andiamo Riverfront in the Ren Cen, "because the décor is so absolutely horrible. Even though the food is decent." And you won't find him at the Well. "It is my least favorite downtown bar. It's like drinking in my grandma's basement. My dead grandma's basement."
So what does a choosy guy who's chosen Detroit choose?
Eat and drink Many a night you can find Joe at
Atlas Global Bistro. "At the bar in particular it's pretty lively and more casual than the dining room," he says. "It is particularly great for highbrow celebrity spotting – I have seen Jessye Norman, F. Murray Abraham and Andres Serrano ("Piss Christ") and have seen an impromptu opera performance by the cast of Porgy & Bess." Plus, he says, the food is always great, menu changes seasonally; executive chef Christian Borden is a genius. And Joe would agree the star dish is a lamb shank that is just, in a word, "awesome."
Cuisine in the New Center is a great place for fine dining. "It's a little hidden secret behind the Fisher Building." A new spot he likes is
Supino's Pizza. The Eastern Market spot "has the best pizza in Detroit hands-down … Better than Wolfgang Puck, hands down." (Puck's pies can be had at his restaurant at the MGM Grand, by the way.) Joe also likes
Mudgie's in Corktown for its "great, great sandwiches, good attitude and clear and bright modern décor.
After dark Cliff Bell's Art Deco atmosphere is a favorite. "How can you not mention this place? It gets a classy crowd, has a great décor and really outstanding music," he says. "It's a place I always feel comfortable taking out of town guests, knowing it's really in no way embarrassing. It's also great on an off night or earlier in the evening for a quiet sophisticated libation."
On the other end of Park Avenue, he also favors
Centaur, which he calls "home of the gay straight guy (straight guys who get so friendly the drunker they get)." It's a good looking crowd with great martinis, which leads us to this: "And I can honestly say I don't think there is one time I've gone where I haven't been embarrassed the next day when someone posts the photos on Facebook." His other advice: Try the Hummer martini -- "all lips and no teeth"
He also likes Gigi's
. "It is like walking into a John Waters movie. I love to go on Saturday when they have the cabaret room open downstairs. The drag shows can be fabulous or ridiculous -- usually a bit of a mix -- but they are guaranteed fun." The surrounding area is "moderately questionable," so he advises that folks use their lit parking lot in back.
And finally, the
Park Bar. It's a city bar for city kids. "Every downtown denizen passes through there are one time or another during the week," he says. It's packed on weekend nights, and of course Joe is a staple at Tuesdays
for "Doggy Style, the "gay-er" night (during the winter – it wraps up when baseball season starts). He cautions not to go there on Tiger game nights – "that crowd is the antithesis of intelligent good times."
Shopping Of course, he picks Mezzanine for gifts, always. "And I can say this because I own it and am always getting my gifts there, and I am a notoriously good gifter."
He's also loving
Bureau of Urban Living. "My staple items there are the gift wraps and satin ribbon … they have made my gift presentations impeccable." It's also a good spot for home goods and gifts for girls that aren't "too girly."
R. Hirt Jr. – An outstanding selection of gourmet food items, perfect for making an impressive cheese board or putting together a gift basket. Conveniently located on the same block as
Cost Plus Wine in Eastern Market.
Cafes and brunch On a Monday morning, when the shop is closed, you often find Joe writing or just dishing at
Mercury Coffee Bar in Corktown. "The 80's color scheme gives it a high energy vibe and the pink floor matches my laptop, so from a 'where I want to be' point of view, this place is it." The MCB also has "pretty much the best coffee I've had anywhere, not just Detroit."
And for his morning after breakfast, he heads to Midtown's
Honest John's. "It is the best Sunday diner breakfast, although it's much better than your standard greasy spoon. Great if you are up early -- or late -- during the week too, but Sundays it's just the perfect thing."
For a bit of the hair of the dog, he might head back to Atlas, "which has my favorite upscale brunch," he says. "I've spent entire afternoons there with the bottomless mimosas."