Detroit: Ima Izakaya
Owner/Chef Michael Ransom, who is a Traverse City native, first moved to Detroit in 1999. He was roommates with a sushi chef and that is when he discovered his passion for the delicacy of Japanese food and his culinary flame was lit. In 2007 he moved to Chicago to attend Kendall College, getting his degree in Culinary Arts specializing in classical French cuisine. Following college he spent time with a major hospitality group managing restaurants in San Francisco and Baltimore.
In 2016, Michael Ransom decided to return to Detroit to open a casual restaurant featuring Japanese inspired food with Midwestern ingredients. He named this restaurant IMA. Ima in Japanese kanji means ‘now’, as in ‘in the moment’. Chef Ransom said “My philosophy behind the ‘now’ thing is that food is an escape. When you’re sitting down at a table with great food and great people … nothing else matters. It’s kind of an escape from reality a little bit. It’s that break in the middle of your day or night that really does allow time to stand still.”
Ima is an izakaya style restaurant. Izakaya’s are a traditional Japanese pubs where people gather to enjoy small plates, drinks and lively conversation. The original Corktown location was a community seating style restaurant. The first time we went there, we were seated at a table for 6 with 2 other couples. While this may seem awkward at first, it doesn’t take long to strike up a conversation with those you are sitting with. Their new Corktown location and Midtown location no longer have community seating. However, both are very welcoming and inviting to locals and visitors alike offering a great sense of community and camaraderie.
Both locations offer a great happy hour Monday-Friday from 3-6 with great selections of food and drinks for only $5 each. We decided to check out both, since the menu selections offered were different at each location.
We started at their Corktown location. Everything sounded and looked so good, I wanted to order 1 of everything . . . but Teresa quickly vetoed that idea. I ordered a Sapporo and Teresa had a glass of Pino Grigio. For food we decided to get a Spicy Tuna Sushi Hand Roll, the Karaage Fried Chicken Bites and an order of their Miso Sesame Cucumbers.
The Spicy Tuna Roll was not at all what we expected. It came out in a cone instead of a traditional roll, very creative but a little more difficult to eat since the Nori can be difficult to bite through. It was delicious! The Karaage Fried Chicken was nice and crispy and served a delicious dipping sauce. This was something we have had before, so there was no surprise to us that it was good. Last, the Miso Sesame Cucumbers. They stole the show! The freshness of the cucumber with their delicious miso sesame sauce was not only flavorful but light and refreshing.
At the Midtown location, we both went for their Shot & Beer special. A mini 8oz can of Pilsner made by Hopewell Brewery in Chicago and a Green Tea shot. For food we ordered a Pork Belly Bao Bun, Tokyo Street Fries and another order of the Sesame Miso Cucumbers, yes we liked them that much. We’ve already talked about the cucumbers so we’ll go right to the bao Bun was full of flavor, the pork belly melted in my mouth and the combination of the kimchi, Thai basil, cucumber, hoisin, scallion and pickled ginger all worked well together. The Tokyo Street Fries were my favorite. Seasoned fries topped with crispy garlic, sesame, nori, umami sauce and scallion served with sambal ketchup (ketchup mixed with sambal spice or chili paste)
If you are in or near the Downtown Detroit area you can’t go wrong with stopping at either one of these places. Both locations are open Monday through Saturday at 11AM and Sundays at noon.
This is the current Corktown location Happy Hour menu. At both locations happy hour is served in the entire restaurant not just the bar area.
Midtown Happy Hour menu
If you missed happy hour they have many other great delicious options available as well. They are known for their noodle dishes and a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian options as well.
Until next time . . . live well, eat well and enjoy life!
-Keith & Teresa Becker