Salt + Ko

Salt + Ko is a new Black-owned restaurant opening in Southfield, Michigan | Eater Detroit

"Hoping to give new life to the Radisson Hotel Southfield-Detroit's ground-floor restaurant, Chef Ryan Eli Salter is opening Salt & Ko on July 5 at 26555 Telegraph Road as a restaurant, bar, and event space to showcase the culinary flair he's developed in Detroit. What began as his Salt & Ko catering platform for about five years led to him taking over the 3,200-square-foot space — previously home to the Nomad Grill and most recently Mezcalero — and in just 12 weeks the interior was given a dialed-down, modern redesign by Lux Living 365 with build-out by R.M. Remodeling Solutions; the main dining room seats 78 and features a vibrant mural of the spot’s namesake painted by Alexa Daluz. Salter aims for an approachable menu that still nods to his Harlem upbringing, culinary training, and access to Detroit urban-farm ingredients: highlights include the Drunken Pig, a monstrous pulled pork sandwich with house-made red wine barbecue sauce and thin slivers of wine-poached pears; shareable sliders in beef, lamb, turkey, or salmon; and a five-cheese mac and cheese served in a miniature skillet that he’s been honing to improve on his grandmother’s recipe, which she approves of. The venue also offers a full bar with nonalcoholic beverages and cocktails, lounge seating, a private event room for up to 20, and is already hosting bachata and salsa nights on Wednesdays, with plans for tasting menus, pop-ups, and monthly brunch parties — an approach I think could suit Southfield well by bringing a more casual fine-dining vibe to the suburb." - Serena Maria Daniels