Photos: Open for Just Two Weeks, Local Kitchen and Bar is Already Heating Up Ferndale
The downtown restaurant marked its grand opening Aug. 4.
Photos
How often do you hear of a new restaurant already brimming with business - on a Monday evening!?
Welcome to Ferndale's newest addition, the Local Kitchen and Bar, located on the northeast corner of Nine Mile and Planavon, formerly the spot of Via Nova.
Categorized as "well crafted comfort", this restaurant serves food to satisfy not just every taste bud, but every budget as well.
Whether you're in the mood for a grilled vegetable Panini on Ciabatta ($10), baked macaroni and cheese with buttered crumbs ($14) or a heavy pig platter, slow-cooked and seared ($24), the menu is bursting with variety.
"Ferndale is a great urban community with a mix of people; business has been fantastic," said Rick Halberg, Local Kitchen and Bar owner. "Our goal is just to continue feeding the community."
And feed the community, it will. Judging by the packed seating outside on the patio, inside near an open fireplace and at tables spread out underneath the restaurant's modern industrial vibe, Local Kitchen and Bar has already gained Ferndale's approval.
Currently only open for dinner right now, the restaurant will soon make the transition into adding brunch and lunchtime hours. Eventually, wine dinners and special events will follow.
Local Kitchen is currently open Monday-Thursday from 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 5 p.m.-midnight, and Sunday from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. For more information, call 248-291-5650 or visit www.localkitchenandbar.com
Ferndale Resident
12:25 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
I've waited for them to open for a very long time and I finally had dinner there the other day and wasn't impressed at all. My observations:
The wait was long (which I can understand, they are a new business, afterall). Unfortunately, the indoor seating was very uncomfortable. They have wicker chairs and they were just plain uncomfortable to sit in- maybe it's their way of getting people in and out quickly.
As for the food itself, it seemed pretty overpriced to me and the menu wasn't very big, and it took a long time for things to come out. When the food -did- come out, it was pretty good.
In all honesty, I can't see them staying around for long unless they fix these issues. A few friends of mine who'd also gone there have the same complaints.
Easydude
8:24 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Last week Thursday, I was a guest and suggested Local. I had read great online reviews. Really, from the start, I was excited. a place where comfort food was placed on a plate and dinning was going to be reasonable for local residents: fried chicken, mash potatoes, gravy and biscuts my type eatery. I was wrong.
The owners mother's must have been one 7734 cook. The food and drinks were over priced. I will say, the selection of Vodka was top notched. We each had three drinks. Two of the drinks were purchased waiting for a table. It was a long wait. The tab was $48 - two dirty martianis and two extra dry martiani. We each had an additional drink at dinner..total cost $71.
We ordered two salad total cost $18.00 and split our dinners $24.00 and $14 within two hours we had spent $152.00. We enjoyed our time together. The food was excellent. It was just too expensive. Will I go back - - maybe once or twice a year. Homecooking and affordable ran through my head during the construction of the Local or I am I LOCO!
rolfsy
2:13 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Surprised at the prices as well. Seems like Betty's nailed this laid-back, neo-retro, artisanal-cafeteria niche for a lot less money.