Saltwater Eatery

Saltwater Eatery

Penny White opened Saltwater Eatery in Troy just a few months ago. Her eatery is famous for its lobster rolls, but also offers seafood pasta, poutine and other New Orleans fare. If you’re not a seafood fan, try the steak frites, chicken andouille pappardelle or the roasted veggie plate with balsamic and smashed redskin potatoes. The atmosphere is comfortable and semi-casual. Penny is looking forward to adding a Sunday New Orleans brunch, and the addition of Saltwater’s liquor license.

Proud Mitten Shared Kitchen

Proud Mitten Shared Kitchen

Marlo Bendon opened Proud Mitten Shared Kitchen in Plymouth in honor of her father. She offers small businesses a way to create their products in an industrial kitchen, but she also fosters them in getting their products on the market. Proud MItten Shared Kitchen is located in the Plymouth Arts & Recreation building in downtown Plymouth. Bendon has created a community of small businesses that can help each other grow.

Detroit Jerky

Detroit Jerky

Doug and Ally Cohen, owners of Detroit Jerky, took over the business in December 2023 because they loved the product so much. Detroit Jerky offers six different vegan. gluten-free jerky options that are great for snacks, salad toppers and even in stir frys. Their products are available in 15-20 stores and online, with free shipping for orders over $30. Try the spicy mojito inferno or the cherry bomb, with a nod to Michigan cherries. 

Salads for Life

Salads for Life

Karyn Kennedy is a longtime healthcare worker who founded Salads For Life, starting with her Vinaigrette LIfe dressing. It’s a refrigerated dressing with no preservatives or sugar, and it can be used as a salad dressing as well as a marinade, dip or even a spread on burgers. Kennedy also makes collard green wraps and salads at Proud Mitten Shared Kitchen in Plymouth on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Order ahead for delivery. Look for her Lemon Zest dressing, which is coming soon. Dressings are available at the Woodward Corner Market in Royal Oak. 

DraftKings Sports & Social

DraftKings Sports & Social

Sam Gruenberg, sales & marketing manager for DraftKings in Troy, stopped by to tell us about this multifaceted sports bar, which features arcade games and skeeball in addition to big-screen televisions for sports events. The menu includes typical “bar food,” but also elevated options like arancini, egg rolls and specialty bowls. This summer, check out the popular dog-friendly patio, or stop by for ladies nights on Wednesdays or handheld Mondays, with specials on sandwiches. The 10,000-plus-square-foot bar and eatery is family-friendly and is located near Somerset Mall.

Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette

Moe Zahr, owner of Paris Baguette in Birmingham, told us about some of the unique items you can find in the bakery cafe, including cronuts, which are shaped like a donut but have a flaky croissant texture. Everything in the cafe is baked fresh daily, and there’s a wide variety of treats to choose from, as well as sandwiches and salads. Zahr said Paris Baguette’s Italian blend coffee, called Lavazza, has a unique, sought-after taste. Stop in for seasonal items like the lemon mochi donut, or standard favorites like fruit pastries, cakes and cake slices.