Detroit: Olin Bar & Kitchen

This week we are back in Downtown Detroit, at a restaurant that opened in the fall on 2020. Probably not the best time to be opening a new restaurant anywhere in the world . . . but they pulled it off. Who are they? We are talking about Holly McClain, the owner, and Chef Andrew Shedden from Olin Bar & Kitchen.

Holly, grew up in the downriver area, and attended culinary school in Chicago. She played an integral role in the devlopment and operation of 5 award winning restaurants including Springs in Las Vegas and Green Zebra in Chicago. In 2019, with her husband (James Beard award winning chef, Shawn McClain) she opened The Highlands, at the top of the Renaissance Center. While Holly has moved on, Shawn continues to run The Highlands.

Chef Andrew Shedden, who spent a lot of time in Chicago working for Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Group, turned the reigns over to Chef James Henry. Henry is a Michigan Native who helped reopen Detroit’s iconic London Chophouse and later taking on the Executive Chef roll at popular restaurants including Social Kitchen and Bar, and most recently The Fed in Clarkston.

Olin is located in the former location of The Puppet Theatre on Grand River. It is right down the street from the Shinola Hotel, on the corner of Parkers Alley which features many other spots like The Brakeman, Mr Dips and Madcap Coffee. We know there are many “high end” eateries in the downtown area, and while we usually look for more of a “bang for your buck” kind of experience, we had to give Olin a try . . . and it was not disappointing.

Like many new restaurants it is chic yet Laid back. It is fancy yet casual. The space is wide open, with a full view of the kitchen, and a nice lounge bar area to the left when you walk in.

We went with Andrew and Emily Ferrara, after the closing on the sale of their house last week. It was a new and exciting experience for all of us since none of us had never been there before. We started with a few appetizers of House-made Focaccia, Wild Mushroom Pate, Sweet Pepper Fritter and a Charcuterie and Cheese Board. The sweet pepper fritter was served with 2 jumbo white shrimp and it was absolutely fantastic. Don’t get me wrong, everything we had was delicious but the fritter definitely stood out…on to the entrees.

For dinner we Teresa and I shared the Tomahawk Pork Chop. It was served with radish greens which reminded me a lot of spinach, apple, bacon and a horseradish applesauce. It was a very creative and well balanced dish. We also had a bowl of their French Onion Soup made with Gruyere Cheese and Cognac, it was very rich and delicious. Andrew and Emily ordered the Steak Frites (steak and French fries) Andy got the NY strip and Emily the Filet. It was served with Chimichurri and parmesan fries, they went on and on about how good it was, especially the chimichurri.

We were stuffed, but as they say . . . there is always room for dessert. Not that we wanted or needed dessert, but out it came. The purchasers of Andy and Emily’s house work at Leila downtown. They knew we were going to Olin and called them to surprise us with a round of bubbly and some delicious turtle swirl ice cream for Andy’s birthday which was just days away. It was a nice touch to finish off our perfect evening.

We have to get back for their short rib burger, we saw a good number of them go by and they looked FANTASTIC…watch out Grey Ghost.

Here’s some more yummy food on their menu . . . and we will definitely be back to try some of these also. From what we have read, the Paella is amazing!