24grille Offers Fine Dining with a Casual Attitude at the Westing Book Cadillac Detroit – Opens January 21

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DETROIT, January 20, 2009 – Overlooking Michigan Avenue and steps away from the Westin Book Cadillac motor lobby, 24grille is the newest addition to Detroit’s restaurant scene and opens for dinner on Wednesday, January 21. Owned by four partners of the Entourage Restaurant Group (ERG) who have Detroit roots and residences, 24grille is one half of a $2 million investment in the Motor City. spa19, a full service rejuvenating day spa adjoins 24grille and will open in February along with a private dining room and champagne bar. Lunch service will begin on Monday, January 6.

The name spa1924grille relates to the year the Book Cadillac opened: 1924. 24grille joins Michael Symon’s Roast, and the hotel’s Boulevard Room, Motor Bar and WBC Gourmet Grab & Go to create a full slate of diverse dining and cocktail bar options for guests.

“We have been living and breathing this concept for more than a year and we believe we have assembled a top notch management team to serve great food and fun for hotel guests, metro Detroit residents and visitors, “ said Entourage Restaurant Group partner Bobby Megargle. “We could have opened a restaurant in a lot of different locations, but he chose to be in downtown Detroit, and the Book Cadillac is the perfect fit. We’re not just investing in a restaurant; we’re investing in the future of Detroit.”

The ERG team tapped Jason Gardner as executive chef. Gardner previously was executive chef at the Detroit Marriott, Troy, Mich.  24grille offers artisan menu selections that will incorporate traditional food choices with cutting-edge flavors and preparation techniques; hand crafted items include cheeses and ice cream. Chef Gardner is committed to using local food resources and other Michigan area products.

On the Menu
Chef Gardner’s menu items include Taste plates that feature Crab Lasagna, Shrimp Flambé and Lamb Filets and other starter morsels. Shared plates for two or more include Smoked Sea Salt French Fries; Truffle White-Cheddar Mac and Cheese; Sweet Potato Brûlée; Braised Red Beans, Chorizo, and Rice; Stuffed Onions; Soft Crackling Corn Bread and Crispy Pancetta and Grilled Balsamic Asparagus with Fennel Fondant. The menu for Signature Plates offers Shell Bake, Veal Meatloaf, Wild Mushroom Crêpes, Braised Short Ribs, steaks and other seafood entrees.

Sweet finishes
Home made desserts including ice cream (Vanilla Bourbon, Germack Pistachio, Triple Chocolate and weekly creations) promise to be a popular pick when guests see the rolling ice cream cart for a scoop, or two, set in a hand-crafted waffle cone. At least four handcrafted sorbets will also be available daily. A gourmet version of campfire s’mores brings together infused chocolate ganache with graham crackers and marshmallows. More tempting sweets will also be on the menu.

Cool, Cozy and Urbane
The 120-seat restaurant includes a bar, table and booth seating, and a wall of high top tables facing Michigan Avenue where natural light adds warmth to the interior. 24grille was designed by the well known firm of Ron and Roman, Birmingham, Mich. The company’s portfolio includes restaurants, retail stores, residential interiors and other projects including Coach Insignia, Enoteca, Tin Fish, Town Tavern, Tre Monti Ristorante, and 220 Merrill Street among others.

For 24grille the design team used hickory for flooring and wall surfaces, a solid hickory bar with a stain wash, steel accents, contemporary Schonbek crystal chandeliers, lush black velvet drapes, and black mohair banquettes. Dining tables are sans linens to focus on the hickory table tops. A large fire and glass sculpture by Erik Nordin, Detroit Design Center, will be installed later in the month. The ceiling is exposed and original beams from the Book Cadillac hotel remain.

Coming soon
Detroit’s first Champagne Bar, with seating for 16, will debut in February featuring more than 30 Moët Hennessy products by the glass or bottle. The Plate Room, a tribute to the Book Cadillac, features a wall of original hotel dinnerware with private dining for up to 30 guests. spa19 will be under the direction of Brian Boswell, formerly spa director for The Westin Bliss Spa in Chicago. The spa will open in February; services include manicures, a three-chair pedicure room, three private treatment rooms for massages and anti-aging applications, men’s and women’s shower and changing rooms, a lounge and dining area, and a small retail section for spa products.

Hours of Operation

Dinner: Monday – Saturday: 5 PM – 11PM; Sunday, 12 PM – 9 PM
Lunch: Monday – Friday, 11:30 AM – 3 PM.
Bar: Monday – Saturday: 11 AM – 2 AM; Sunday, 12 PM – 9 PM. Reservations for private functions and dinner: 877-442-1924.

spa1924grille is located at 204 Michigan Avenue, Detroit 48226. Valet parking is available on Michigan Avenue. For more information and menus, log on at www.spa1924grille.com. For more information about The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, go to www.bookcadillacwestin.com.

About Entourage Restaurant Group (ERG)

Formed in 2007, the Entourage Restaurant Group is comprised of four entrepreneurial businessmen, Jon Grabowski, Bobby Megargle, Gideon Pffefer and Wes Wyatt. spa1924grille is the initial project for ERG. The partners bring together a background of hospitality, real estate and retail business expertise.