"Nestled in the back corner of the Siren Hotel is one of Detroit’s best-kept secrets for an intimate chef’s counter experience. The six-seat counter allows diners to enjoy a multicourse tasting menu that changes every other month, without the busyness of many traditional restaurants. While caviar makes regular appearances on the menu, its presentation and usage is always different. Albena’s December menu, for example, started off with a honey-poached seaweed tartlet filled with milk gel, almond oil, and osetra caviar — all topped with a cluster of seagrass. This complex, umami yet subtly sweet course is the ideal start to this one-of-a-kind dining experience. With seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, prepaid reservations can be made for $250 a person, with an optional wine pairing for $110. (Disclosure: The author of this piece is a former Albena employee)." - Will Reaume
