Detroit's 15 Best Suburban Bets for Father's Day

The Root Restaurant & Bar is probably Michigan’s most famous restaurant at the moment, says Thrillist. Executive Chef James Rigato, a “Top Chef” contstant last year, was just honored by Food & Wine as the “People’s Best New Chef” winner for Great Lakes region. (Photo via Facebook)

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If you’re planning on going out to eat this weekend – or you’re thinking ahead about where to take Dad on Father’s Day June 21, Thrillist has compiled a list of the Detroit’s 15 best suburban restaurants to guide your dining choices.

Union Woodshop, Clarkston: Named the best barbecue restaurant in metro Detroit by local pitmasters and the best barbecue restaurant in the state by Thrillist, this restaurant specializes in wood-smoked meats and wood-fired pizzas washed down with Michigan craft beers and bourbon. There’s a two-hour wait, though.

The Root Restaurant & Bar, White Lake: Executive Chef James Rigato was a contestant on the Food Network’s “Top Chef” last year, and was voted the Great Lakes regional winner for “People’s Best New Chef” by Food & Wine for 2015. You’ll discover why when you taste the sustainably raised and locally butchered meat at what Thrillist says is arguably the most famous restaurant in Michigan at the moment. Rigato is opening his own restaurant, Mabel Gray, in Hazel Park later this summer, but he’ll still be involved in The Root.

Marais, Grosse Pointe: Thrillist says Marais is probably the best true fine-dining destination in southeast Michigan. Marais knows its audience, so it’s spendy. During his time at Forest Grill, Chef David Gilbert was a Great Lakes semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation Awards for best chef., often described as the Oscars of the food world, and Thrillist says he’s liable to clinch the title at Marais.

Bistro 82, Royal Oak: Chef Derik Watson, previously of Iridescence, is behind the wonderful taste sensations here. It’s part old-school steakhouse focused on beef and seafood, but Watson brings the influence to traditional French and Japanese training to the menu.

Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen, Clarkston: A significant historic preservation effort, this is the restaurant that started Union Joints’ upscale comfort-food empire. You might walk bare-footed across hot coals just for the mac & cheese.

Imperial, Ferndale: This isn’t a fancy-pants restaurant at all, but it’s one of the trendiest, all-inclusive and all-appealing restaurants in all of metro Detroit, Thrillist says. Creative tacos, tortas and hot dogs are exceptional, and the brunch is the best cure around for a hangover. There’s also a vegan menu.

Bacco Ristorante, Southfield: Bacco beats all the great Italian restaurants in metro Detroit, Thrillist says. Chef Luciano Del Signore has a trio of James Beard Great Lakes semifinalist awards for best chef for the elegant contemporary Italian cooking and a wine list that together will make you swoon. It’s a long-time destination for well-heeled Oakland County residents, but has recently become a favorite of hipsters and foodies.

Bigalora, Royal Oak, Southfield and Ann Arbor: This casual pizzeria is one of the best spots to get Neapolitan-style thin crust pizzas. Vegetables are locally sourced, the charcuterie is made in-house, and the proprietary dough is oven roasted in a wood-fired brick oven before the pies are topped. Don’t forget the house gelato, a craft cocktail or Michigan craft beer.

The Sardine Room, Plymouth: Enjoy fresh oysters with some classic cocktails for only $4 during the buck-a-shuck happy hour, then dine on some New Orleans inspired seafood and non-seafood items like duck sliders and roasted bone marrow. On Sundays, get a bottomless mimosa brunch and “Big Shrimpin’ ” Sunday hip-hop dinners.

Ronin Sushi, Royal Oak: Only the strong sushi restaurants have survived the sushi lounge craze, and Ronin is the strongest of the strong, Thrillist says. Backed by one of the top sushi chefs in Michigan, Kaku Usui, this cool and sexy restaurant offers unique rolls that will make you forget the usual avocado/cream cheese/eel sauce fare you’ll find at other places. Also, check out the Ahi tuna pizza and hoisin-glazed baby back pork ribs.

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Al-Ameer, Dearborn and Dearborn Heights: You’ll find great Middle Eastern food across the metro area to cater to a large Arab-American population, but Thrillist says this one reigns supreme with favorites like shish kafta, shish kabob, shawarma, stuffed lamb, tabouli, fattoush, and raw and fried kebbeh, all served with warm, house-made pita bread. Al-Ameer is 100 percent halal, so you won’t find any alcohol here, but there is a premium juice bar serving smoothies and raw juices.

Mae’s, Pleasant Ridge: Mae’s skimps on neither the love nor the butter with elevated home-cooked diner food that Thrillist says can only be describedas “totes adorbs.” The new owners – from the Whistle Stop in Birmingham – promise to continue serving the menu items longtime Mae’s customers love, as well as adding a few of their own. Yes, Bloody Marys and mimosas are still on the menu.

Roman Village, Dearborn: This is reminiscent of “eye-talian” restaurants of Detroit’s olden days and has been serving steaming platters of homemade pastas made fresh in its on-site pasta “factories” daily, and topped with rich cream- and meat-based sauces since 1964. Baskets of piping-hot garlic bread are served at each table. Roman Village has a sister restaurant, Antonio’s Cucina Italiano, with locations in Canton, Dearborn

Bistro Joe’s, Birmingham: Accomplished and renowned Chef Jacques Van Stade, who earned Michelin stars in Las Vegas, offers a globally inspired, always changing menu at Bistro Joe’s. Because it’s located on the mezzanine level of a grocery store, fresh produce, meat and seafood are only steps away at all times,

The Fly Trap, Ferndale: Competition for the brunch crowd is fierce in the metro, but The Fly Trap – described as a “hipster dive diner” is a favorite with its intentional vintage atmosphere and “blunch” items ranging from sizable omelet selection to a popular veggie burger to quasi-Thai eats.