New Hope for Royal Oak

[terapinchef]

I have a tough time getting out to the Royal oak area lately (living in St Clair Shores) but there are two big projects that seem to be a lift in the cuisine of Royal Oak. With the opening of Ronin in a location that has doomed many bars in the past...

http://events.detnews.com/venues/show/279381-Ronin-Sushi

http://www.roninsushi.com/

(this was the only information I could find about it online)

and the expansion of a downtown classic to the 'burbs while small plates (finally) moves out to Royal Oak....Could there be a movement coming? Could Royal Oak finally be coming into it's own?

And final question for discussion...

Why would small plates move to a city that is home of the only other small plates-style restaurant in town? (SANGRIA) I know that Sangria serves entrees as well but still....I don't know of any other Tapas restaurants in the whole of the Metro Detroit area, and small plates moves right down the street from them!

[jende]

I have a tough time getting out to the Royal oak area lately (living in St Clair Shores) but there are two big projects that seem to be a lift in the cuisine of Royal Oak.  With the opening of Ronin in a location that has doomed many bars in the past...

http://events.detnews.com/venues/show/279381-Ronin-Sushi

http://www.roninsushi.com/

(this was the only information I could find about it online)

and the expansion of a downtown classic to the 'burbs while small plates (finally) moves out to Royal Oak....Could there be a movement coming? Could Royal Oak finally be coming into it's own?

And final question for discussion...

Why would small plates move to a city that is home of the only other small plates-style restaurant in town? (SANGRIA) I know that Sangria serves entrees as well but still....I don't know of any other Tapas restaurants in the whole of the Metro Detroit area, and small plates moves right down the street from them!

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I've been to Ronin just for drinks, but it seems pretty nice. It's got a cool atmosphere and, from what I hear, decent sushi. Nippon Grille in Berkley is my favorite for sushi, but when I want a swankier atmosphere and drinks, I could see myself going to Ronin. We'll see if it can survive the curse of that location, though!

I'm not a huge fan of Small Plates downtown (I think it's got a good vibe and a good concept, but the food quality is lacking), but I'm excited to see it come to Royal Oak. Anything new and non-chain is welcome in my book. I don't see it being a direct competitor of Sangria, which has an emphasis on Spanish tapas. Small Plates is a more Americanized version.

Plus, Small Plates snagged a primo location on Main Street with a lot of foot traffic. I think they made the right choice with Royal Oak and will do very well.

I'm intrigued by your statement that these places may be "a lift in the cuisine of Royal Oak." Did you think the city was lacking before? IMO Royal Oak is one of metro Detroit's most vibrant areas with a high density of quality restaurants.