Nonprofit culinary program opens Epiphany – Nain Rouge Kitchen, launches Sunday brunch
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As a restaurant's doors shuttered, the same doors opened and welcomed a Detroit nonprofit with a new dining concept.
Epiphany — Nain Rouge Kitchen is a new restaurant concept from Detroit’s Soil2Service and its Detroit Institute of Gastronomy culinary program.
Mission Restaurant Group partnered with the nonprofit to operate in the space at 644 Selden St. That space was formerly Vigilante Kitchen + Bar in Midtown, which opened less than a year ago but closed in April. It was also home to the Smith & Co. restaurant from 2019 to 2023. Smith and Co. was named after the more than half-century-old building, which once housed the Smith Welding Supply & Equipment Company and the Owosso Casket Company.
As part of the DIG culinary program, Epiphany will serve as the hub for the nationally recognized apprenticeship program, according to John T. Piazza, executive director of business development for Soil2Service.
“Our program, aimed at honing skills and enhancing Detroit's culinary scene, serves as the hub for DIG’s nationally recognized apprenticeship program, contributing to the next generation of culinary talent here in Detroit," Piazza said in a news release.
Jeremy Abbey, Soil2Service's executive director, added that the restaurant is committed to culinary and hospitality excellence, sourcing top-quality ingredients and minimizing food waste.
“We are dedicated to redefining the essence of American comfort food by celebrating the rich tapestry of global flavors that have woven themselves into the local culinary landscape,” Abbey said.
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Billed as offering American comfort food, Epiphany’s menu offers salads, starters, appetizers, sides and main dishes. Its menu features chicken-fried quail, a seasonal braise, Scottish salmon, the Epiphany burger, mushroom and goat cheese salad, roasted onion IPA dip and desserts of sticky bread pudding and creme brulee.
On Mother’s Day, Epiphany will launch its Sunday brunch service and offer it from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. every Sunday. Its brunch menu includes the Epiphany omelet, scones, shirred eggs, bread pudding, French toast and fresh squeezed mimosas.
The restaurant also plans to offer regular cooking classes open to the public and host local chef association chapter meetings.
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Epiphany is next door to the popular Nain Rouge Brewery and will offer a selection of its brews along with cocktails,and nonalcoholic options. The restaurant offers space for private events and can accommodate up to 300 people.
Soil2Service provides education, awareness and experiences to individuals and communities, focusing on a sustainable food system. Its Detroit Institute of Gastronomy program provides the knowledge and tools to build an individual's skills in agriculture, culinary arts, dining, food and hospitality. This educational arm prepares its apprentices for the American Culinary Federation certification.
As Epiphany opened with a purpose, so did Vigilante Kitchen + Bar nearly a year ago. Led by executive chef Aaron Cozadd, the restaurant was committed to supporting its staff in overcoming addiction and substance abuse and providing resources to help them. The restaurant opened to many accolades and rave reviews. Cozadd was named the Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Top 10 New Restaurants & Dining Experiences 2024 Chef of the Year.
According to a Mission Restaurant Group news release from April, Cozadd said the brand will continue "in new ways" in the food industry through "ghost kitchens, quick service, pop ups and more."
"During our time operating Vigilante with Mission Restaurant Group, I believe we made great strides toward what the future of the restaurant industry could look like for those in recovery,” Cozadd said.
Epiphany — Nain Rouge Kitchen, at 644 Selden St. in Detroit’s Midtown, is open for dine-in reservations at epiphanyrestaurant.com. Restaurant hours are 5-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Epiphany – Nain Rouge Kitchen opens in Midtown, launches Sunday brunch
