Vinsetta Garage restaurant in Berkley opened last night

Went by the joint last weekend while cruzn Woodward and the outside still looks like it always has, which is very good news. Most of us locals at some point in time have parked our classic cars out front and taken snap shots as the place has been a landmark on Woodward Ave for a long as I can remember. I'm thrilled the place wasn't torn down and some new building built in it's place.

Since the restaurant opened to the public last night I thought I'd share. I've eaten at the other places the new owner has and the food is fantastic. I copied the following from the Detroit Free Press.



The transformation of the vintage Vinsetta Garage from auto repair shop to restaurant is complete. Vinsetta Garage will open at 4 p.m. today, co-owner Curt Catallo said in an e-mail Tuesday.

Catallo said he and his partner, AutoWeek vice president and publisher KC Crain, are set to officially open the doors of the Vinsetta Garage (27799 Woodward, Berkley; 248-548-7711; www.vinsettagarage.com).
A soft opening took place last week.

Catallo, who also owns the popular Clarkston Union and Union Woodshop, both in downtown Clarkston, said chef Aaron Cozadd has created a menu for the Garage that draws from those venues. "I think we've been very fortunate in Clarkston that we pay a little respect to comfort food and handcrafted grub," Catallo said Monday. "We are definitely bringing that same mentality down to Woodward Avenue."

Fans of the Union Woodshop's tasty macaroni and cheese and smoked chicken wings will find those items at the Garage. But Catallo said they've also carried the spirit of the garage to the menu. "The menu is highly customizable," Catallo said. "That garage was always a place for people to go who wanted something different done to their cars, and we've done the same to the menu." It features meatballs as well as burgers, noodles, steaks and pizzas from a wood-fired oven. "It's food that is kind of traditional Woodward grub with our own interpretations," Catallo said.

Cooks will wear blue mechanic's shirts.

Catallo said much care was taken to preserve as much of the building, inside and outside, as possible. "I am proud that we were able to bring this building full circle in that period of time," he said.

Ann Stevenson, Catallo's wife, did the design and was adamant about keeping the building's patina, he said. "She immediately saw the beauty and its history," Catallo said. "We went out of our way not to cover that. The joint is real."

Photos I've taken out front in the past. Anyone else have any old photos from out front to share??

 

Cool Place!

 

Can't wait to try it out . Detroit's own Kevan Carter of Car-n-Art did the artwork for the place. Looks cool. Was it packed? I would imagine Fridays and Saturdays will be a zoo

 

X 2!

 

We should do a HAMB dinner get-together there one Friday or Sat night this summer then hit Woodward Ave for some cruzn.

 

Oh man, I CANT wait. to hit that spot up. I was so upset when it went under.... glad to see they kept it with the automotive feel.

 

I'm up for it!

 

I'm in!

With the Mustang, of course. :/

JK

 

Cool beans. Hope it's still going string when I visit Michigan next March.

 

Wish I was closer. I would totally check it out.

 

Having recently eaten at Union Woodshop, I will definitely want to try out this place.

 

Thanks Ryan, will let you know if your "in" is needed.



Ok fellas, so how does Saturday July 21st 7pm for alittle HAMB Meet & Greet dinner and cruz sound??

 

this!!!

 

Who's in for a dinner Meet and Greet this Saturday night at 7pm?
I'll need an exact head count so I can make reservations.

 

The misses and I went last wednesday around 5pm. Didn't have a wait and the food was next level. Anyone going on a weekend expect at least an hour wait, maybe even 2. The Union Woodshop (same owners) still has a wait minutes after they open every day of the week. It's worth it, trust me.

The only thing that sucks and would hold us back from hanging there 24/7 is parking. There isn't any! I kinda feel bad for the neighborhood.

 

"meat and greet"

 

Is Courtney Hansen going to be there? Maybe I'll go then.

 

Hence the reason we will have a HAMB reservation for 7pm

 

I'm game! If you're putting together numbers, add one for me Denise!

 

Do they even do reservations?

 

Such a great looking building. They did a great job NOT messing with it!

 

It will be great to see you again!

 

oh man! I just saw this thread, lemme check my calendar...

 

How far is it from Cobo? We may have to make a trip when Autorama comes around.
Clark

 

...I think its worth mentioning that the owner of this fine establishment also owns a part of hot rod history. His dad Chili, was the original owner of the "lil Deuce Coupe" aka Silver Saphire sp? coupe. He recovered it and had it restored a number of years ago. Kool guy and a great local businessman. Here's the Hotrod cover shot and a recent one after the restoration.

BTW, loved the full wall mural of Jungle Jim and Pam in the newly opened restaurant.

Ken

 

Looks like a way cool joint, wish I could be takening you there for a wine & dine. See ya in Salina dolly! ~sololobo~

 

I return home every Christmas. I hope it's still a going concern when I get there.

 

Darn, got exited too soon. Looks like I'll be missing it by just 1 letter "e".

 

13.9 miles

I'm not going to Salina, just to hot and humid in Kansas in July for my taste. I'm going to instead head east and attend the Jalopy Showdown Invitational. Miss you. xoxox