IN THE NEWS: Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, whose Spago restaurant helped define California cuisine in the ’80s, and San Francisco’s Michael Mina, a Bon Appetit chef of the year, will open three signature restaurants — Wolfgang Puck Grille, Bourbon Steak, and Saltwater — this fall at the new MGM Grand Detroit, the Free-Press’ freep.com Sylvia Rector reports. Both have several venues at MGM properties in Las Vegas and are among the top tier of chefs who helped transform the city from a lowbrow buffet town to a national dining mecca. … Rector also reports that popular Detroit tapas-style restaurant Small Plates is opening a second, larger location in downtown Royal Oak and plans to add more local venues over the next five years. “At the same time, the downtown location will almost double its capacity by expanding into the second floor with a separate bar and space for private events — a feature the 70-seat restaurant hasn’t been able to offer for lack of space. The $1.2-million Small Plates-Royal Oak will seat about 175 guests on two floors in the old location of bd’s Mongolian Barbecue at 310 S. Main, managing partner Todd Stern says. He hopes to open in September, pending liquor license approvals. The menu will include many of Small Plates’ signature dishes but will add other choices because the new restaurant will give chef Aaron True twice the prep and kitchen space. … Birmingham, Troy and Ann Arbor are being targeted for future locations. After that, Stern and his investors hope to replicate the concept elsewhere, including Florida, Arizona and Atlanta.” … Rector also reports, “Grand City Grille in the Fisher Building has a new name and a new menu. The restaurant, which opened in January 2006 featuring upscale American fare, has been renamed Motown Soul Food Café and will feature classic Southern soul food. Frank Taylor, CEO of Southern Hospitality Restaurant Group, which owns the café, said customers told him that the New Center area needed a home-style restaurant. … Rector also awards four stars in her review of Bacco Ristorante (29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield) and notes the opening of a 400-seat dining and entertainment center called Broadcast Booth in Allen Park. …

The Detroit News‘ Molly Abraham reviews Loving Spoonful (27925 Golf Pointe Blvd., Farmington Hills), while Sandra Silfven visits Assaggi Mediterranean Bistro (330 W. Nine Mile, Ferndale). … Abraham reports: “Paul and Lisa Jackman have quietly taken over ownership of D’Amato’s Neighborhood Restaurant in downtown Royal Oak ( 222 Sherman Drive). They aren’t exactly strangers to the spot on the ground floor of the 1928-vintage Washington Square Building. Paul has been with D’Amato’s for 10 years, as both chef and general manager. Jackman says he plans to put in a seasonal menu to focus on what’s fresh in fish and produce.” detnews.com … Metro Times Mel Small reviews Coach Insignia (200 Renaissance Center, 62 Floor, Detroit). … The paper reports: “Christine’s Cuisine, a fixture on Ferndale’s Nine Mile Road for the last eight years, was honored in the May 2007 issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine. The restaurant was named the area’s “Best Kept Secret” because of its homemade pierogies, delicately stuffed with potato and cheddar by owner Chrystyna Adams‘ mother.” metrotimes.com … Real Detroit’s first-ever beer issue includes a feature on Detroit Beer Co. (1529 Broadway St., Detroit). realdetroitweekly.com

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