New on Resy: Phoenicia Birmingham, Maru Sushi, Bunny Bunny, and More

Sameer Eid opened this upscale Lebanese establishment in Birmingham almost 40 years ago, and it still sets the standard for Middle Eastern fare in a region full of restaurants devoted to it. The menu is extensive, but you’ll get the flavor of the place (and the cuisine) with a selection of small-plates mezza.

Veteran Birmingham restaurateur Sameer Eid (Phoenicia) took over the old Forest Grill in 2015, simplified its name, and installed Nick Janutol — a veteran of Eleven Madison Park in New York City and L20 in Chicago — as executive chef. Expect an Italian-inspired menu, including pasta, and an urbane atmosphere.

Entrepreneur Robert Song and chef Moon Yang opened the first Maru, in Okemos, in 2009. Seven years later, they brought their innovative take on sushi and other Japanese delicacies to Detroit (there are now six Marus around Michigan). Pro tip: there’s a serious sake list, but try the Korean rice wine called makgeolli — tart, slightly fizzy, and utterly delicious.

Now here’s something you don’t find every day: drawing on their respective backgrounds, Justin Tootla and Jennifer Jackson have pivoted from the Chinese menu at their crowd-pleasing Eastern Market restaurant to serve dishes inspired by the assorted cuisines of India, South Africa, and the American South. Shrimp dumplings with smoked ham broth, anyone?

You could step to the back and buy everything you need for a delicious dinner at this Capitol Park bar-market hybrid — but then you’d be missing the lively urban-café atmosphere up front, not to mention the signature cocktails and chef Zak Yatim’s no-nonsense, internationally accented bistro fare.

At this big, busy “boutique break café” in Dearborn’s historic Wagner Hotel building, chefs Zane Makky (Brome Modern Eatery) and Matt Knio (Canelle Patisserie) draw a regular daily clientele with their brunchy all-day menu, and their no-kidding-around coffee program based on locally roasted beans.

An essential for your northern suburbs hit list, this spirited Rochester bistro from Jason Mood and chef Chris Johnson (late of the Beverly Hills Grill) combines a contemporary-rustic look — high-gloss butcher block tables, massive tilted mirrors, hanging lamps with intentionally mismatched incandescent bulbs — with Johnson’s varied and accessible menu.

You’ll want to come hungry to this bustling Plymouth favorite. Owner Paul DePalma named the place for his children — Nicola, Valentina, and Liliana — and there’s a family-style generosity to the portions here. Start with the Chef’s Board (including prosciutto and wild boar salami).

Now here’s a place whose name gets right down to basics: “Mangiabevi” means “eat [and] drink” — and that’s what you’ll do with pleasure at Mario Querio’s and Stefano Pecoraro’s rustic-modern-looking Sterling Heights trattoria. The menu changes often, but the fare is always authentic Italian with a contemporary touch.

Don’t let the name fool you: there’s nothing haphazard about the first-rate fare at this Harmony Village steakhouse (seafood most definitely included). Note for lovers of counter eating: the plush black leather scoopback stools might be the most comfortable bar seating you’ve ever settled into.

Look for craft beer and imaginative cocktails (the one called I Can’t Believe It’s Not Mezcal echoes that smoky spirit’s flavor by blending Scotch and Tequila) at this downtown Wyandotte watering hole. Detroit native Mark Powierski left his post as executive chef at the W Hotel Chicago City Center to add his vivid, internationally inflected cuisine to the proceedings.

The party’s on at this Roseville sports bar, featuring a daily Happy Hour (that goes on for five), weekend karaoke, and a menu that’s pure fun — from nachos and wings to fish and chips and New York strip. But something you definitely don’t want to miss are Sundays when Gratiot puts on a stellar Sunday brunch with all your favorites, from pancakes and waffles to gumbo and shrimp po’boys. Pro tip for late-nighters: selected food items are 50% off every evening from 10 to 11 p.m.