Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010!

As we wrap up another year here at The Whitney, I would like to take a minute to remember some great times had at the restaurant over the past 12 months.

This year was the first year for our Motown Mimosa Brunch on Sundays which turned out to be a huge success. Guests enjoyed the musical stylings of Detroit's classic Motown artists, bottomless mimosas and fabulous food prepared by The Whitney's chefs.
Our brunch attendance jumped from 40 per Sunday to over 100 on average with the introduction to the Motown sound.

It was also a successful year for our Pre Theatre Menu and DSO Package (these are still offered throughout the winter). The Pre Theatre is a four-course menu offered at a fixed price of $45 per person and can be enjoyed before your show. The DSO Package includes two floor seats to a DSO show of your choosing and dinner for two with us, all for just $180! Thank you all who took advantage of these great deals over the year!
If you were around during the summer, you would remember our "oasis in the city" a.k.a garden patio. We hosted Rain or Shine Happy Hour, Twilight Tuesdays, Thursday's 89x Garden Parties, and Detroit's premiere DJ's on the weekends. Whether rocking out to the 89x bands or dancing into the night on Tuesdays with DJ Capnt 20, the garden was the hottest place to be this summer (as I type this, I am looking out the window at the furious blizzard and wishing that it was summer in the garden).

We also had the opportunity to host fundraising events here at the mansion. Early in the year we hosted several current Channel 56 donors as well as a number of key prospects for the station. Then in September we kicked off our “Flora’s Tea Room” service with an event featuring Mr. Song Millinery, the world-famed designer of the “Aretha” hat from President Obama’s Inauguration. Mr. Song’s "Day of Fashion" at the mansion in September was a great success with beautiful women in beautiful chapeaux, all for the benefit of Susan G. Komen for The Cure. The day was split into two events: a high tea debuting the launch of The Whitney's High Tea service and a cocktail garden event in the evening, both featured a fashion show by Mr. Song. Fashionable hats were encouraged and definitely represented!

Another successful fundraiser was a special Sunday Brunch for the Michigan Opera Theatre in October which raised over $7,000 for Michigan’s premier opera company.

And we have one more benefit to go – this Thursday evening’s New Year’s Eve celebration featuring members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra plus “The People’s Choice” band, a popular, upbeat band that will rock loose around the midnight hour.Proceeds from the New Year’s Eve gala, which will feature three individual dinner seatings as well as an exclusive “after party,” will go to the DSO.

There have so been many good times spent here over the past year, (including more than 30 weddings which took advantage of the mansion’s opulent settings and surroundings!), and just this last month of holiday cheer has been our best yet. We have been jammed packed every week with Detroiters and visiting out-of-towners looking to celebrate the wintery season. We had the opportunity to welcome a bunch of new faces into the restaurant and hopefully they were surprised and delighted by their experiences here and will come back soon.

We now go into the New Year with hopes of having another successful one. Speaking for all of us here at The Whitney, we wish you and your family all the very best this holiday season and a New Year full of only good and positive things!

People are talking and they are saying some great things about The Whitney. Don't want to be left out? Search The Whitney at www.opentable.com and post your reviews. We appreciate all your comments!

"I have been to The Whitney twice within the past 2 months for dinner. I love this place. It was quiet, the food and service was awesome and the entire staff are warm and friendly. The place has lots of history and the staff love talking about it. Don't miss this place if you have the opportunity to dine there."

"The Whitney is a gem that truly shines, especially during the holiday season. The beauty of the architecture transports you back to a time of elegance as soon as you open the doors. The grand staircase is particularly gorgeous when festooned with garland, and you expect your dining experience to be grand based on the immediate ambiance. Our food was a delight to the eye, exceptionally well presented, and prepared to perfection. The atmosphere was both festive and romantic, truly a perfect evening."

"Waitress was amazing-very attentive and friendly."

"I was already impressed after the soup!!!"

"The Whitney is always an amazing experience every time I go, and this time was no exception."

"Overall we were very pleased with out dining experience. The ambiance is beautiful and the food was scrumptious. The Whitney provides a very romantic setting perfect for that special occasion."

"Everything was wonderful- like a dream. Waiter "Ruis" was excellent. Highly recommend this for special occasions"

"Was looking forward to this experience and chose it as part of my wife's 30th Birthday celebration. The Whitney definitely did not disappoint! The service was excellent. From confirmation calls for my reservation to them even ensuring that the flowers that I ordered were in fact delivered on time. Perfect romantic setting and ambiance for the occasion. I earned many "cool points" with the misses. Thanks Whitney!!!"

"This was a wonderful experience for us! We will return in the future."

"Gorgeous restaurant and good service. After dinner walk around the whole mansion to see the three historical floors. Probably would be a good place for a small wedding reception."

"Wonderful setting, great food, and a marvelous wait staff that are very knowledgeable about the restaurant."

"Place has lots of character; charming and romantic. Food was very good. Weeknight PrefixedHarvest Menu is a steal."

New Years Eve Diner Menu

Wondering what kind of delicious menu we have lined up for New Years Eve?? Well here it is!

First Course

Caprese

Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil, Balsamic Vinaigrette

Roasted Beet

Mixed Greens, Haricot Vert, Goat Cheese, Crispy Potatoes, Pancetta and Truffle Vinaigrette

Second Course

Soup

Smoked Tomato Bisque, Blue Cheese Cracker

Crab Cake

Wonton Chips, Roasted Corn Salsa, Avocado Cream

Short Rib

Braised Beef, Cheddar Grits, Spinach, Tomato Chutney

Third Course

Salmon

Spinach, Bacon and Gruyere Quiche, Herbed Tomato Galette, Beurre Blanc

Sea Scallops

Sunchoke Puree, Braised Brussels Sprouts, Tomato and Lemongrass Chutney, Balsamic

Risotto

Butternut Squash, Leeks, Fennel, Wild Mushrooms

Fourth Course

Lamb

Braised Shank, Parsnip Puree, Creamed Mushroom, Haricot Vert, Crispy Leek

Filet

Japanese Pumpkin Tart, Chanterelles, Cranberry Beet Chutney, Bourbon Demi

Gnocchi

Mushrooms, Spinach, Grape Tomatoes, Madeira Cream Sauce

Fifth Course

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Chocolate Mousse

Whitney Carrot Cake

Don't forget to make your reservations today!!

Ring in the New Year with The DSO at The Whitney

10, 9, 8, 7…HAPPY NEW YEAR!! This year, The Whitney will partner with The Detroit Symphony Orchestra for a very special night of great food and fabulous music provided by musicians of the DSO. A portion of the proceeds will benefit one of Detroit’s most treasured cultural organizations: the DSO!

Dinner service for the night will include a four-course menu with wine-pairings and will be offered at three separate times (5p.m., 7p.m., and 9p.m.). If you’re looking to celebrate the midnight hour with dancing and a traditional New Year countdown, stay for the elegant after party that will take place throughout The Whitney mansion after the 9p.m. seating. The countdown to midnight will be displayed on The Ghostbar’s plasma TV’s and passed hor d’oeuvres, a premium bar and musical entertainment will be offered to party-goers.

WHAT
Four-course Meal
Wine-pairing
Formal Attire (Black Tie Optional)
Dancing & Live Music by the DSO (Three floors of music – various styles)

WHEN
· Dinner @ 5p.m., 7p.m., and 9p.m.
· Beyond Dinner the Party Continues 10:30p.m-4a.m.

PRICING
Dinner - $100 per person
Dinner & Party - $150 (9p.m. seating ONLY)
Party ONLY - $65

BENEFIT
20% of proceeds donated to the DSO

RSVP Now!!!