The Woodward   

1040 Woodward
Detroit, MI 48226
313-964-4444

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Dark, polished wood, slate and quiet chrome appointments greet visitors in this sleek and stylish dining room inside of the Compuware Building. Designers have also included strong hints to the city's history and state-related symbolism (big glass panels with blue lighting represent the Great Lakes; some menu items are names for elements of Detroit's past). A dynamic menu steeped in diverse flavors and backgrounds certainly help. You know it's a good sign when the appetizers give a good first impression, as is with the spinach, feta and roasted pepper dip (served with crispy flat bread). Soups, sandwiches and salads (especially the Woodward Waldorf -- a twist on the classic with sweet and tart apples in a creamy dressing, topped with dried cherries and candied walnuts) are good for lunch or dinner. The entrees, however, shine here. The Woodward Strip -- a pan-seared 12-oz. NY strip coated with cracked pepper and kosher salt -- is a must for steak fans. Other sharp offerings include tempura chicken tenderloins, braised pork shank and a fresh seasonal vegetable strudel (fresh veggies, bechamel sauce, parmesan and smoked gouda wrapped in a puff pastry on a bed of watercress yogurt sauce). It is downtown dining that is charming and unique, not to mention tasteful.