Holiday Fun!

Garlands and wreaths and bows oh my….The Whitney is officially decorated for the holidays (inside and out)! If you haven’t had the chance to visit The Whitney yet, now is the time to stop by.
Holiday festivities will include The Whitney’s Signature Santa Brunch which will be on Sundays (and some select Saturdays) from 10:30am-3:00pm and will start the first week in December. Santa is scheduled to come clattering down the chimney on these days to merrily greet all of Metro Detroit’s nicest boys and girls! The cost of the Brunch will be $29 per person, children 5 to 12 pay their age and ages four and under eat free. But wait there’s more…bottomless mimosas are also included!

New Billboards!!

We have had many “firsts” here at The Whitney: first kisses, first dates, first anniversaries, “First Fridays”, first ghostly encounters, AND first advertising via BILLBOARD!!! That’s right, The Whitney has not one, but TWO new billboards that may have caught your eye while driving along Woodward Ave. One of the billboards is located on the corner of Canfield and Woodward just next door to us (it can be seen from the third floor of the restaurant) and the other is right down the street. So while you’re driving, walking, catching the bus or just hanging out on Woodward, turn your eyes to the sky and CHECK THE OUT! Who knows, it might just get you in the mood to stop by for a bite to eat or a little something to drink.

Cub Scouts and Ghost Stories!

What do you think of when you think of The Whitney restaurant? Elegance…great food….an amazing atmosphere…yes. Cub Scouts? Probably not. But, this past Saturday, October 24, uniformed members of Cub Scout Pack 1916 and their families congregated at The Whitney for an exciting afternoon at the stately 1894 mansion.

The scouts, ranging in age from 6 – 11 years old and mostly from the Warren area, had a chance to tour the mansion and develop an appreciation for the craftsmanship and detail of the home and their favorite part....the ghost stories! Our favorite history buff/server guided the tour while telling tales of The Whitney's haunting.

I stood and listened to the young boy's stark skepticism about the so-called haunting in the house. Given that Halloween is just a few days away, I decided to tell them a little about our experiences here. After the story, the boys were not so skeptical after all.

My ghostly encounter:

I have worked here for quite some time now and have always felt comfortable in the house by myself...up until a few months ago. One bright, sunny morning I was opening the restaurant by myself (the chef's were here but in the kitchen) and as I sat in the third floor office returning messages, I looked up and saw a figure walk past the open door. I called out in question of who it was and no one responded to me. Racking my brain of every possible solution to what I saw, I came up simply that it was David Whitney paying me a morning visit. Since then, I have yet to be alone on the third floor by myself!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

The DSO is Calling My Name

Being young and loving to explore everything that Detroit has to offer, I've come to realize that I have missed a few crucial aspects of the city. One of these being - The Detroit Symphony Orchestra. I was thinking the other day, if a guy were to ask me out tomorrow and I could have dinner anywhere...I would love to have dinner at...well...my work (The Whitney) and follow that up with the musical beauty that is the DSO. Thankfully, The Whitney and the DSO have come together once again to offer a package deal that is a perfect solution for a romantic date. The package includes a three course dinner prepared by our amazing chefs and two premium seats to the show of your choosing for just $180 (not including tax or gratuity). I don't know about you, but that's a great way to impress your lady...or man! Make your reservations today because the holiday nights fill up fast!

New Season at The Whitney!

It's officially Fall here at The Whitney! There is a nip in the air outside and we've turned on the fireplaces to take the chill out of your bones.
I was just talking with the others around the mansion today about our different holiday decorations soon to be put up. The excitement is popping with all seasonal change so come try our new Four -Course Harvest Menu or join us in a few weeks for the Grand Re-opening of the Ghostbar. If that's not enough, just stop in for a hot toddy and stand by the blazing fires!

Detroit Restaurant Week 's Success

Whether you heard it through the grapevine or you were here to witness it for yourself, you know that Detroit’s Restaurant Week was a great success!!! And not only for The Whitney, but for all of the restaurants that participated.

With every seat in the house filled, Chef Dan Maurer's delicious creations had guests licking their lips and patting their tummies. For those of you who experienced all that Restaurant Week had to offer at The Whitney (and even for those of you who didn’t) we have news for you – The Whitney will be offering a four course Harvest Tasting menu for only $35. This menu starts tonight and will run through this month, Tues.-Thurs. from 5-9 p.m. Make your reservations today because this is bound to be a great opportunity for you and for us!

Turning Over the Reigns

To my devoted blog readers- wherever and whomever you are:

Even though I have had a wonderful time telling all of you about my beautiful restaurant and the fabulous events that we've had here, I have decided to retire from my blogging career and turn the reigns over to a young and bright-eyed blogger waiting in the wings. The changing seasons give way to new and exciting endeavors here at The Whitney and our new blogger is very eager to tell you all about what's happening around the mansion - holiday events, Flora's Tea Room, and so much more! Thank you all for reading and please stop by The Whitney to say hello.

INTRODUCING FLORA'S TEA ROOM

We are, yet again, putting the "class" back into "classic" at The Whitney by introducing Flora's Tea Room. David Whitney's wife, Flora, was the epitome of class and always enjoyed a cup of tea in the afternoon. To honor her, and the historic surroundings of The Whitney, we will offer tea Tuesday-Friday from 12-3pm and on Saturday afternoon for private parties. Flora's Tea room is located on the 2nd floor in Mrs. Whitney's cozy Bedroom and Sitting Room. Once seated, guests will be offered an array of The Whitney's Signature blend in one of a kind hand-painted china. Our afternoon tea also includes a delicious four-course meal individually plated for each special guest and prepared by our renowned chefs.

In honor of the launch of Flora's Tea Room, The Whitney hosted our first Afternoon Tea event- 'A Day of Fashion' featuring a hat fashion show by Mr. Song Millinery, creator of the famous "Aretha" hat, which was seen at President Obama's Inauguration. The event was a great success and made headlines at The Detroit Free Press!! Check out our pictures at:
http://detroit.metromix.com/events/photogallery/a-day-of-fashion/1463005/content

Be a part of all the fun and class by making your reservations today!!
Please contact Kim Piskos, Director of Tea Services, at 313.384.0880.

INTRODUCING RESTAURANT.COM AT THE WHITNEY

There are many things that bring our community together such as parks, schools, businesses and the most important...food! There being so many local restaurants, including The Whitney, it's sometimes hard to decide where you want to wet your whistle and satisfy that hunger.
Our beautiful historic home and delicious cuisine creates a destination that can not be missed and so we have teamed up with Restaurant.com as a solution!
By visiting Restaurant.com guests can get our location, prices, menus, dress attire and lots of other information that you may need to know. The best part is that you can purchase gift cards to our restaurant at a reduced price!! We are really excited to have started this program and hope that you will join in on all the fun! Search for us at Restaurant.com and purchase your Whitney gift certificates today! Our garden oasis is still open and what a better time to bask in the remaining summer weather than at a reduced rate.

The Cool Breeze Bids 89X Thursdays a Farewell

The cool weather has already made its way into Michigan and we are starting to wrap up our summer garden parties, but don’t worry, we have plenty planned for Fall. We've had a great season hosting the 89x Thursday night garden parties, but tonight we will be bidding them farewell (well at least for this summer). Join us tonight for some great LIVE music - three bands (we could tell you who, but we would rather you come hear for yourself), happy hour drink specials and delicious food! The party starts at 5pm so don't be late!!!

The Whitney's Green Thumb

As I drove up to The Whitney this morning, I couldn’t help but notice the lush greenery that has sprouted up in our vegetable and herb garden.
Although the organic garden is small, we have taken every opportunity to add a touch of the garden to many of our dishes. We are growing a variety of herbs, such as cilantro, parsley, chives, basil, thyme and Israeli mint. We’ve also grown jalapeño, yellow peppers, bean, tomatoes and lettuce. The peppers will be used on our new calamari dish which we expect to add to the menu this week!

Unforgettable…In Every Way

I wanted to take a moment and tell you of a fabulous experience I had dining in The Whitney Garden this week (as you know, I am a completely unbiased and highly critical Whitney diner). The day was hot; hot enough to make you think twice about eating outside. Fortunately, our 150 year old America Beech Tree provides incredible shade and keeps our back dining area more than comfortable. The gardens looked phenomenal with the roses and hydrangeas in particular showing beautiful color. Spanish guitar music from our hidden speakers gently floated down throughout the space. Under foot is our large bluestone flooring and a quiet babble emanates from the central fountain.

On this particular day, our kitchen was offering gazpacho - not something I typically order, but I wanted to give it a try. Let me tell you, it was outstanding! Beautifully presented and bursting with flavors. For my entree, I enjoyed a wonderful salmon Caesar salad. Alas, I was working in the afternoon and opted out of a nice wine in favor of an iced tea.

Anyway, these are challenging times for restaurants across the city. Different venues meet the challenges in different ways - cutting costs, mailing coupons, shortening shifts, etc. What I hope we are doing here at The Whitney is offering meals that are truly memorable in a setting that is unmatched. This is The Whitney distinction and the promise that I believe we are delivering to each and every guest.

There is nothing like The Whitney Gardens (period). If customers are watching their restaurant dollars closer or eating out less frequently, we'd like to invite them into a setting and a culinary experience that is truly unique and intertwined with our city's history and its current culture. Although our prices are very competitive with less inspired venues, we deliver an entirely different experience which speaks not only to all five senses but also to the soul. Simply put, given our heartbreakingly short Michigan summers, it’s great to dine outdoors among the flowers and trees. One can do this in an award winning restaurant while sitting less than 100 feet from Woodward Avenue in the heart of Midtown and adjacent to a recognized landmark.

We believe that our challenge is not in delivering the exceptional dining experiences described above, but rather in making sure that Detroiters think about The Whitney Gardens for their lunch and dinner events. I'm hoping to entice you to experience it for yourself in the near future, and then tell your readers to visit us often. (As I conclude this note, I just heard our Friday lunch (indoor) live piano player getting started!)

The Whitney makes the top 10 outdoor havens in the Metro Detroit area

Molly Abraham of the Detroit News recently gave The Whitney a nod as she posted it as one of the Top 10 outdoor havens in the Metro Detroit area.

Excerpt from the Detroit News: July 23, 2009

It's the height of summer, the perfect time for savoring the season at restaurants that offer al fresco seating. We're not talking about sidewalk cafés. Although sitting at a table on a busy sidewalk has its own appeal, the best outdoor dining involves gardens, waterfront terraces and secluded courtyards away from the exhaust fumes.

It's about places that offer something a little extra in addition to the fresh air and sunshine of Metro Detroit in summer.

The Whitney

Tables are set in the shadow of a 125-year-old American beech tree; there's a bubbling fountain and a winding path around the grounds of the vintage mansion. And a bistro menu of very aff0ordable fare is a plus. Typical bistro dishes: Chicken and ricotta crêpe with spinach/orange salad, roasted turkey club on toasted sourdough. An extra: If it starts to rain, you can duck into the house, and, in fact, even if it doesn't, garden diners are invited to tour the interior. 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; (313) 832-5700.

To read the whole article, please visit: http://www.detnews.com/article/20090723/OPINION03/907230333/1032/ENT/10+appealing+outdoor+dining+spots

MetroMix Boasts Alumni Reunion Block Party

Do your colors run green and white; maize and blue; black and gold? Whatever they run, The Whitney is welcoming alums from area colleges and will turn the restaurant and its gardens into a picnic block party Saturday, TODAY!

Graduates from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Wayne State University, Oakland, Central and more, are expected to participate. Tents, loungers and an outdoor grill will be provided at the Whitney along with live music and sounds by DJ Polo.

8 p.m. Saturday, the Whitney, 4421 Woodward, Detroit. 313-932-5700. $10.

Blog posted on DetroitMoxie.com

Party Like A Rock Star at The Whitney
DateTuesday, July 7, 2009 at 10:52AM | AuthorBecks Davis

In 1894, when the David Whitney House was completed, the Detroit Free Press described it as, "an American palace enjoying the distinction of being one of the most pretentious modern homes in the state and one of the most elaborate houses in the west."

It’s an amazing structure built in the Romanesque Revival style with Tiffany windows throughout. Unfortunately, David Whitney only lived in the house for 6 years before he died. The house has had few owners since then and today we know it as the fashionable and upscale restaurant, The Whitney.

The historic Whitney Mansion.But the Whitney isn’t just for fancy schmancy dinners. It also has a cool vibe side; they have been doing their 89x Garden Parties for a while now on Thursdays. Earlier this summer they started Twilight Tuesdays and it has caught my attention.

Twilight Tuesdays, like the 89x parties, are also in the garden. It launched on June 2nd and will continue throughout the summer, rain or shine. If it rains the party just moves from the garden to the Ghost Bar. Why did Twilight Tuesdays catch my eye? The party is from 8pm-1am and there is a $20 cover. But, and this is why it got my attention, that cover gives you an open bar from 8pm-11pm. I know a lot of people who could make that $20 worth their while. Oh, and there is music with DJ Captn20. All this on beautiful summer evening at one of the most pretentious homes in the Midwest. Yep, sounds like a good time to me.

Oh, and they have a happy hour. The Whitney offers “rain or shine” happy hour Tuesdays through Fridays from 5pm-7pm. The happy hour specials are $3 domestic beers and $5 cocktails.

So, we have Twilight Tuesdays, 89x Garden Parties on Thursdays, and “rain or shine” happy hour. As a special bonus there are people who say the old Whitney mansion is haunted. Oh yeah, I’m so there.

The Whitney is located at 4421 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. Phone: (313) 832-5700. Please remember to drink responsibly and use a designated driver.