Food at Detroit airport makes magazine's top 10 list

The May issue of Food & Wine magazine includes its Global Tastemakers awards voted on by readers that celebrate culinary destinations ranging from airports to hotels to cities.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport is on the list of 10 best U.S. airports for food. The list was based on reader input over the last three years. Specifically mentioned are two hometown coney spots: Leo's Coney Island inside the McNamara Terminal and National Coney Island inside the Warren Cleage Evans Terminal. Also listed is the Atwater Brewery in the Evans Terminal.

"Detroit has balanced its restaurant roster to cater to travelers on all schedules: quick bites, a cup of coffee while making a mad dash to a gate, or a lingering meal to fill a couple of hours, "says Food & Wine. "But that's not all the local flavors at the airport. There's Andiamo, Papa Joe's and Plum Market with Zingerman's offerings among the local favorites at the airport."

San Francisco International ranked No. 1 on the list of best airport food.

Culinary scholarship fundraiser features local women chefs

Detroit Insitute of Gastronomy is hosting its first-ever Women in Culinary Apprenticeship Gala. The event takes place 6-9:30 p.m. May 4 at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.

Dishes served at the event will be prepared by several of metro Detroit's top female chefs. They include Amanda Saab, who competed on seasons 6 and 12 of "Master Chef"; Ederique Goudia, co-founder of Taste the Diaspora; Genevieve Vang, owner of Bangkok 96; and Shanel Dewalt of Break'n Cornbread.

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More: Dave's Hot Chicken offers free chicken sandwiches to celebrate 6th anniversary

Amanda Saab is among the local chefs participating in the Women in Culinary Apprenticeship Gala.
Amanda Saab is among the local chefs participating in the Women in Culinary Apprenticeship Gala.

The event, hosted by Ann Delisi of WDET-FM (101.9), is a fundraiser with the goal of raising $75,000 for the institute's apprenticeship program. Every $5,500 raised provides enrolled female students with a full-tuition scholarship for a year. Tickets are $85 and $100 each plus fees. Visit eventbrite.com.

Dave's Hot Chicken celebrates 6th anniversary: Here's how to get a free chicken sandwich

Dave's Hot Chicken is celebrating its sixth anniversary with free chicken sandwiches at all locations across the country. On Tuesday, the chain that's famous for its Nashville-style hot chicken tenders will dole out free chicken sliders. There's no additional purchase needed, and the offer is valid all day.

Dave's Hot Chicken in Dearborn.
Dave's Hot Chicken in Dearborn.

Dave's Hot Chicken is known for tenders that are brined, then breaded, fried and spiced. They're available in seven spice levels ranging from mild to extra hot to reaper (the hottest level). Sides on the menu include fries, kale salad and mac and cheese.

Dave's hot chicken got its start in May 2017 as a pop-up in an East Hollywood, California, parking lot. The chain was launched by four best friends. In metro Detroit, it has locations are in Dearborn, Howell, Troy, and Warren.

New restaurant highlights Amalfi coast flavors

Flavors from Italy's island of Capri and Amalfi Coast are the highlight of a new restaurant opening in West Bloomfield. Aurora Italiana on Orchard Lake Road near Maple Road is planning a summer opening. It's from Prime Concepts Detroit, the hospitality arm of West Bloomfield's Barbat Holdings.

Featured dishes will include burrata caprese, cacio e pepe and veal ossobuco. Fresh whole fish will be flown in daily from the Mediterranean.

Stolion Liti, managing partner and director of operations at Prime Concepts Detroit, will oversee the restaurant’s operations.

“Aurora’s menu has traditional Italian roots, featuring imported cheeses and cured meats, frittura mista and margherita pizza, all of which are complemented by wonderful pasta dishes like our fresh tonnarelli allo scoglio (seafood pasta) and linguine al’aragosta (lobster pasta),” said Liti in a news release. “Our daily features will focus on fresh Mediterranean fish like branzino, orata, turbot, Dover sole and many more exotic whole fish options.”

Art Harrison Interiors is behind the design of the restaurant's 8,500-square-foot space. The Royal Oak firm also designed Prime Concept's other restaurants.

Prime Concepts Detroit is also behind Prime29 Steakhouse and other local establishments. In February Barbat Holdings acquired Detroit's iconic Grand Army of the Republic building and announced plans to transform the space into a steakhouse and event space.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Food at Detroit airport makes magazine's top 10 list