Wright & Company
Discreetly occupying the second floor, perched above Woodward Ave. and John R. St, is Wright & Company. We enjoyed a private lunch in the mid-afternoon, occupying the best seat in the city at this contemporary American, small plates restaurant and cocktail bar. While its location can be difficult to find, it happens to be one of Detroit’s premier gathering spots – a great place to see and be seen. Quickly gaining the spotlight with a national audience, their breathtaking decor, food, and drink are paired with a progressive cocktail program run by Dave Kwiatkowski (man of many talents – he also designed the place!) Their 5-star menu, spearheaded by Chef Marc Djozlija is seasonal, laidback and consistently good – a marriage of food, drink and interior that’s unparalleled in the city.
The restaurant’s home, the historic Wright & Kay building, has an equally stunning exterior and was likely the inspiration for this modern-meets-classic interior design. Queen Anne in style, the building was previously the Temple of Music and is one of the last of its kind, to be built with an all cast iron frame – it’s easy to imagine the second-floor restaurant as an old-school ballroom with one of Detroit’s first electric elevators. The facade flaunts oriel windows projected from the second floor with ornate brownstone trim, brick and contrasting black, fire escapes stepping toward a sixth-floor balcony. After you’ve figured out how to get upstairs, you can revel in the visual splendour and rich character of the restaurant, like the tin ceilings, chandeliers, exposed ductwork, oxblood leather and marble tabletops, Edison bulbs, killer artwork and big-ass fans.
The vintage fixtures and spirits at Wright & Company are reminiscent of a ‘swankier’ age, all while feeling fresh and more modern – original creations and reinvented classics that are complex, delicious and unabashedly sexy. Crafted with ingredients like Valentine Vodka, Yellow Chartreuse, Lillet Blanc, Pepita and Fernet, that’ll make you feel ‘wild again’ before exploring the seasonal shared plates for dinner, with all the who’s who of this Motor City. The dinner menu created by Chef Marc Djozlija isn’t focused on pushing culinary boundaries, instead, on provoking a consistent food experience that is laid-back and beautiful. The largely chef-driven restaurant continues to focus on adapting to the growing and changing landscape of the Detroit restaurant and bar scene, making sure that they keep their clientele satisfied and continually coming back for more.
But, you don’t need to have an exclusive lunch at Wright & Co. to experience the humble hospitality that gives this place its joie de vivre. With our #bordercityliving stamp of approval and new neighbours like the Shinola Hotel and optical retailer Warby Parker, we are pretty confident that, in the face of growing competition, this James Beard Award Nominated restaurant will be a favourited mainstay on the Detroit scene for years to come.
As you gear up for a busy holiday season with visiting friends and family keep in mind they only make reservations for parties of 15 or more with strict deposit policies. Otherwise, pop-in any weeknight for happy hour from 4-6pm (our favourite time of day). Regular business hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 5pm-2am.
Contact Information:
1500 Woodward Ave Floor 2, Detroit 48226
Wright & Company
WrightDetroit
wrightdetroit