Nikita Sanches and Jessica Imbronone, co-owners of Rock City Eatery in Hamtramck, plan to move their popular restaurant to Midtown early next year.
At 3,600 square feet, the new location at 4216 Woodward Avenue, is more than twice the size of the original Hamtramck location of only 1,600 square feet, allowing Rock City to more than double its seating capacity and better serve its clientele with expanded menus and a full-service bar.
It will take over the space formerly occupied by Bangkok Cuisine Express, across the street from HopCat Detroit and central to Midtown’s flourishing dining district.
“I can’t wait to bring to the table everything that I’ve always envisioned for Rock City Eatery,” Sanches says. “There will be more space and better resources to provide the food and drink that we’ve always wanted to provide to our patrons. “We’re going to try and replicate what we do now but take it to the next level.”
Although it has only been two years since Rock City Eatery first opened its doors, Sanches says it quickly became apparent that the demand for the internationally-inspired approach to traditional comfort foods exceeded the small spae for the eatery. She says while the City of Hamtramck and the neighborhood residents have been exceptionally welcoming, the opportunity that presented itself in Midtown was too good to pass up.
“We are very excited for the next chapter, but the feelings are extremely bittersweet,” Imbronone added. “We have so many memories in this space that we will cherish forever. Hamtramck has been very good to us and we couldn’t be more thankful for all of the support we’ve received over the last two years.”
After the move, Rock City will be open daily, lunch through late night and Sunday brunch. The increased space will accommodate a full-service bar where patrons can enjoy dinner or drinks. A selection of local, national, and international craft beers and creative cocktails under $5 will still be available, as will popular menu items like customizable poutine and mac & cheese.
Renovation work on the new space has not yet begun, but expect the move to happen sometime in early 2016. The Hamtramck location will remain open while they get the new space ready, and Campau Tower will continue operating at its normal hours for lunch and late-night.
