Restaurant Roundup: Gilbert-inspired sports bar opens, Mootz adds Side Hustle and more

A roundup of local food, drink and restaurant news:

Gilly’s Clubhouse now open

Detroit’s newest sports bar opened just in time for Opening Day in Detroit.

Gilly’s Clubhouse opened Friday morning in a 10,000-square-foot space at 1550 Woodward Ave. in the city’s Kay Baum Building. Gilly’s operates on the ground floor and rooftop of the building.

The opening is also less than three weeks before the 2024 NFL Draft comes to town.

Gilly’s is named in honor of Nick Gilbert, the son of real estate mogul Dan Gilbert and his wife Jennifer Gilbert, who died in May at 26. The bar was a passion project of Nick’s, whose nickname was Gilly.

The menu is sports bar staples including burgers and mac and cheese along with healthier options like fresh salads and grain bowls. Gilly’s Rooftop, offering Mexican street fare, is expected to open later in the spring and be open year-round.

The upscale sports bar and entertainment venue has seating for more than 350 guests, along with the outdoor rooftop space. It features a 120-square-foot TV screen, Detroit memorabilia and custom artwork from local artists. The interior was designed by Coeval Studios, drawing inspiration from Detroit’s past and present with rich wood paneling, curated art, striking interior details and relaxed modern furnishings.

Detroit-based 7OH2 Hospitality is co-creator and operator of Gilly’s Clubhouse and Rooftop as well as Saksey’s cocktail lounge, which will operate out of the basement of the building. Saksey’s is also expected to open prior to the draft.

Mootz Pizzeria + Bar expansion gets new name

Downtown restaurant Mootz Pizzeria & Bar is expanding but ownership is making a change.

The 2,100-square-foot expansion is now known as Side Hustle Lounge. The space, previously called Bar Mootz, will run out of a space adjacent to the 4,000-square-foot original restaurant.

Side Hustle Lounge will serve cocktails and Italian- and Latin-inspired small plates in the bar, lounge and outdoor patio. The menu will be separate from the pizzeria.

Side Hustle Lounge is being designed by Carmine Martone of Martone Design Studio in Northville. Columbia Construction in St. Clair Shores is handling the build-out.

Owners Tony Sacco, Lisa Walters and Dean Walters are investing about $1.5 million into the project, Lisa Walters previously told Crain’s. They recently signed a new 10-year lease on both spaces, she said.

Side Hustle Lounge will offer seating for 50. The expansion will create 6-10 new jobs, Walters said.

The expansion, announced in January, is slated to be complete before the 2024 NFL Draft hits Detroit in late April. Expect some special food and drink options during the three-day event.

Mootz, which opened in 2019, offers New York-style pizza, pasta and appetizers as well as a selection of beer, wine and cocktails. The restaurant also offers slices to go.

Birmingham bakery closes

A popular woman-owned business in Birmingham has unexpectedly closed.

Blue Canary Confections owner Annie Dennis announced the closure of the bakery in a March 30 Instagram post. The bakery, at 124 W. 14 Mile Road, closed after about five years in business.

“It’s finally here, our last day of service,” Dennis wrote in the post. “It has been such a joy and an honor to serve you these last five years. Together we have shared moments of celebration and many memories. You’ve invited us to share in your big moments and family events. Thank you for being part of our little community.”

Dennis did not respond to Crain’s request for more information.

Blue Canary Confections sold pastries, breads, chocolates and candy made daily.

Dennis, from Royal Oak, took over the space in 2019 after the owners of long-standing business Le Petit Prince bakery retired.

International cuisines sharing Royal Oak space

A new restaurant promising authentic Mexican food has opened in downtown Royal Oak.

Cafe De Olla opened March 15 at 418 S. Washington Ave. It shares a space with European-style restaurant Café Muse, which is now open six days a week for breakfast and lunch.

Cafe De Olla offers a streamlined menu including entrees such as tacos, enchiladas and pioneros that come with three different meats and flour tortillas. The snack section has nachos, guacamole, a quesadilla and queso fundido. Beer and wine is also available, along with some non-alcoholic drinks.

Cafe De Olla is open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, 4-9 p.m. Wednesday, 4-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 4-9 p.m. Sunday.

Brewery brings delivery to Royal Oak

Residents of some south Oakland County communities now have a new option for pizza and beer delivery.

Elephant & Co. launched its pizza and beer home delivery service this week from its taproom at 330 E. Lincoln Ave. in Royal Oak. Delivery is available to anyone within a 3.5-mile radius of the bar. The service features Detroit-style pizza and Eastern Market Brewing Co. beer. Elephant & Co. is a venture from EMBC.

EMBC in February launched a pizza and beer home delivery service centered around Midtown Detroit. Elephant & Co. plans to open a new operation in the spring in the recently acquired former Founders Brewing Co. space at 456 Charlotte St., which closed in May.

Send us your tips and news

Tell us about restaurant and bar openings and closings, new product lines, new owners and chefs, bakeries, markets, suppliers and more. If you have something to share about the local food and drink scene, email [email protected] and/or [email protected].

(800) 921-4755