Oak & Reel
Restaurant · North End
2921 E Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202
Highlights
Coastal Italian seafood restaurant with handmade pasta & wood-fired oven
Coastal Italian seafood restaurant with handmade pasta & wood-fired oven
"Chef Jared Gadbaw brings his passion for seafood-centric Italian cuisine with his Eater Award-winning contemporary Italian restaurant, Oak and Reel. The menu combines local ingredients with seafood from waters around the world. Snapper, octopus, and tuna Bolognese and squid ink pasta offer bright, bold flavors. One often, if not always, can find at least one pasta dish on the tasting menu ($109 per person and $95 on Sundays). For a nightcap, head to the lower level to hit up the Upright, a cozy cocktail bar." - Danny Palumbo
"Chef Jared Gadbaw brings his passion for seafood-centric Italian cuisine with his Eater Award-winning contemporary Italian restaurant, Oak & Reel. The menu combines local ingredients with seafood from waters around the world. Snapper, octopus, tuna Bolognese, and squid ink pasta offer bright, clean, and bold flavors. For a nightcap, head to the lower level to hit up the Upright, a cozy cocktail bar. Get the full experience with a six-course chef’s tasting menu for $109. Pro tip: The chef’s tasting menu is cheaper on Sundays ($95). Wine pairings are available for an additional $48. Reservations can be booked on OpenTable." - Danny Palumbo
"Coastal Italian seafood dishes star on the menu at Oak and Reel. Michigan native chef Jared Gadbaw developed his knowledge of Italian seafood while working at a two-Michelin-starred New York restaurant before returning to the Midwest to establish his own restaurant in Milwaukee Junction. Diners can order Oak and Reel’s raw oysters and other menu staples that have included roasted swordfish; snail-shaped lumache pasta with squid ink, shrimp, crab, and herbs; or salt-baked branzino with salsa verde and seasonal garnishes — all set in a chic, minimalist interior that features exposed ceilings, soft lighting, and a ground-level view of the Boulevard. In addition, the Upright, a cozy bar and lounge, is situated beneath the restaurant. Visitors at the bar can enjoy cocktails and small plates like bolognese arancini, and cacio e pepe pasta fritti — crispy pasta bites with parmesan and pepper. Reservations can be made via OpenTable." - Serena Maria Daniels
"Coastal Italian seafood dishes star on the menu at Oak and Reel. Michigan native chef Jared Gadbaw developed his knowledge of Italian seafood while working at a two-Michelin-starred New York restaurant before returning to the Great Lakes region to establish his own restaurant in Milwaukee Junction. Diners can order Oak and Reel’s raw oysters and other menu staples that have included roasted swordfish; snail-shaped lumache pasta with squid ink, shrimp, crab, and herbs; or salt-baked branzino with salsa verde and seasonal garnishes — all set in a chic, minimalist interior that features exposed ceilings, soft lighting, and a ground-level view of the Boulevard. In addition, the Upright, a cozy bar and lounge, is situated beneath the restaurant. Visitors at the bar can enjoy cocktails and small plates like bolognese arancini, and cacio e pepe pasta fritti — crispy pasta bites with parmesan and pepper. The move: Beyond offering exquisite options for coastal Italian, Oak & Reel regularly hosts events featuring visiting chefs, wine tastings, and more. Take a look at the restaurant’s OpenTable page for inspiration." - Serena Maria Daniels
"An oak-burning hearth throws off cozy vibes at this seafood-intensive New Center restaurant. Oak and Reel concentrates on contemporary Italian fare with an emphasis on fresh pasta and sustainably sourced seafood from Motor City Seafood Company. The drinks menu matches this approach. The wine list is, not surprisingly perhaps, heavy on the Old World, especially Italian labels, and also carefully screened for the most sustainable winemaking practices. The long, long bar has more than enough space for a boatload of liquor bottles, including a delightful array of amari and aperitivi. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, Oak and Reel fills up with hungry diners looking forward to $2 oysters, $5 beers, and a selection of wines and cocktails for $8 each. Hours: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Monday" - Mickey Lyons
