SYLVAN TABLE
1819 Inverness, Sylvan Lake
Sylvantable.com
Worth the drive: Nestled on five acres in Sylvan Lake, Sylvan Table is a farm-to-table destination where sustainable meets spectacular. Owners Nicole and Tim Ryan transformed a 300-year-old barn — relocated piece-by-piece from Maine — into an intimate dining space surrounded by a three-acre farm including vegetable gardens, fruit orchards and beehives. With everything made in house, nearly all ingredients come from Michigan farms — including 90-percent of proteins — using sustainable practices, paired with wines from biodynamic vineyards. Try crowd favorites like crispy, juicy Chicken Under a Brick, handmade Gnocchi Bolognese with short rib and open fire-grilled Eagle Creek Trout. They’re pulling out all the stops for Valentine’s Day weekend with a four-course dinner for two at $125 per guest.
NONNA MARIA’S AMERICAN ITALIAN BISTRO
2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield
Nonnamariasbistro.com
In the mid-1970s, John Gallagher’s family opened a cozy and successful pizzeria, tucked in near Walnut Lake, named after his grandmother, Maria. Over the years, Maria’s changed hands and Gallagher, who worked in the restaurant when he was a young boy, grew up to become an award-winning chef himself, opening Little Italy in Northville along with other ventures. Three decades later, Maria’s was on the market again, and Gallagher snatched it up, bringing it full circle in 2018 under the new name, Nonna Maria’s. Always a neighborhood favorite, this best-kept secret still serves up authentic and refined Italian cuisine, like truffle gnocchi and veal piccata, with the feel of sitting in your Nonna’s kitchen, where generations of great food is celebrated.
CAFE CORTINA
30715 W. 10 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
Cafecortina.com
Founded in 1976 — and celebrating their 50th anniversary this year — by Adriano and Rina Tonon on a former apple orchard, Café Cortina remains one of Michigan’s most romantic dining destinations. The family-owned Farmington Hills restaurant evokes a Northern Italian country house with candlelit tables, stone fireplaces and timeless charm anchored in genuine hospitality. Executive Chef Ernesto Antopia blends regional Italian tradition with garden-to-table freshness, using ingredients grown on-site and sourced from local purveyors. His menu features handmade pastas, carefully sourced seafood and meats and dishes rooted in the flavors and philosophies of Italy — as well as one of Michigan’s most respected wine lists. The intimate atmosphere — warm lighting, rustic elegance, attentive service — makes Café Cortina a beloved choice for anniversaries, proposals, and, of course, Valentine’s and Galentine’s celebrations (look for a special Valentine’s menu for Feb. 13-15).
AURORA ITALIANA
6199 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield
Auroraitaliana.com; (248) 782-3000
Inspired by the rustic elegance and coastal flavors of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Aurora Italiana emphasizes the simplicity and joy of families and friends sharing memories together. Locally owned by Prime Concepts Detroit, Aurora blends contemporary Italian dining with time-honored traditions, warm hospitality, thoughtful design and a welcoming atmosphere for gathering and connection. And the food: Led by chef Faisal Gorgis, using locally sourced ingredients and premium imports, the kitchen serves up handmade pasta (try the Strozzapreti Norcina), fresh seafood (sauteed branzino), creative cocktails and more.
PRIME29 STEAKHOUSE
6545 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48322
Prime29steakhouse.com; (248) 737-7463
Prime29 Steakhouse — another offering from Prime Concepts Detroit — has been a destination where love stories unfold and friendships are celebrated for more than a decade. Delivering great cuts, skilled preparation and creative menu in a refined yet welcoming atmosphere. Known for USDA Prime beef, dry-aged for 29 days in a Himalayan salt room, seared to perfection, alongside creative sides and seasonal Michigan produce, plus fresh seafood plus masterfully crafted cocktails and a curated wine list. The vibe? Refined enough to feel special, warm enough to be comfortable to create memories.
SHIANGMI
31519 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
Shiangmi.com
ShiangMi’s name represents a culinary legacy dating back more than 2,000 years, when Hunanese chefs were prized in Imperial kitchens for their fiery, sophisticated dishes. Serving authentic Chinese cuisine for three years, ShiangMi blends tradition with place — “Shiang” honors the bold, complex and elegant flavors of China’s Hunan province, while “Mi” celebrates their Michigan home, where they source fresh Michigan ingredients to create feasts worthy of emperors.