The Royal Oak City Commission Monday night unanimously approved a request from Royal Oak Good Times Food and Drink Inc. to convert Cantina Diablos and Red Fox to Diamond’s Steak and Seafood, and Pinky’s.
With the new layout, Diamond’s Steak and Seafood will operate on the first floor, while the second floor will house Pinky’s. The renovation is slated to cost about $360,000 and include new furniture and cosmetic updates. The restaurants are slated to be completed in September.
As part of the deal, Merkel Royal Oak will obtain 40 percent of the stock in Royal Oak Good Times Food and Drink Inc. Merkel is owned solely by Adam Merkel, who will act as managing member of the company. He owns and operates Cello Italian Restaurant in Howell as well as Diamond’s Steak and Seafood/Silver Pig, also in Howell.
Diamond’s offers American steak and seafood, along with starters, salads, pasta, chicken, burgers, and sandwiches. The restaurant will keep the existing outdoor service area on the Main Street sidewalk, and an interior open-air screened patio will be added. The dance floor on the first floor will be eliminated.
Pinky’s will offer small plates in addition to menu items from Diamond’s. Renovations for the space will include a canvas canopy over a portion of the existing outdoor service area. Pinky’s floor plan includes a dance floor.
Sharlan Douglas, Royal Oak’s mayor pro-tem, says Diamond’s will fill a steakhouse void in the downtown. “I, for one, appreciate it,” Douglas said at the meeting. “I think it appeals to grownups (and) to people with disposable income.”
