"The East Village are just landed a fresh new drinking and dining option, with Ivy Kitchen + Cocktails now open on E Jefferson Street. It’s been in the works for a while — Detroit native Nya Marshall, who financed the project herself, had to do some major rehabilitation works on the restaurant’s nearly century-old building, which had sat vacant for around 30 years. “It didn’t have walls. It didn’t have any electricity. There was no plumbing and no HVAC. There was no nothing,” Marshall told Eater back in the summer. Six months later, and it certainly has all of those things and more — the space leans into an antique white-centered design scheme with smooth marble, tile, and porcelain surfaces in a 60-seat space. As for the food, Marshall previously noted that neighbors had expressed a desire for a dining option that goes beyond Coney Island diner options. Under chef Davante Burnley, it delivers on that front — expect modern American options with a healthy dash of fusion. Instagram stories and posts show Buffalo cauliflower, honey-roasted carrots, crab cakes, and herb roasted chicken as menu items; the menu will also reportedly feature touches of Italian, Mexican, and Caribbean cuisines. Cocktails are also a focus — Ivy will host cocktail hour every weekday from 4 to 6 p.m., with fruity drinks on the list such as a blueberry-rosemary smash." - Tim Forster
