New Operator Claims Old World of Beer Spot in Lakewood

World of Beer closed its Lakewood location at the tail end of 2014. By early June 2015, the neighborhood will welcome its replacement – and unlike its short-lived predecessor, this one will prepare and serve food. The Detroiter (14701 Detroit Ave.), owned and operated by longtime Lakewood resident Mike Kozar and partners, will be a full-service restaurant and bar serving “inspired American comfort food.”

Management says the location along Lakewood’s restaurant row is ideal, but the World of Beer concept, which required guests to order in food or leave to track it down, was not. To that end, the new owners are installing a kitchen, reworking the entire interior, and reducing the length of the bar and cooler space devoted to booze. Owners will keep about two dozen tap handles for rotating craft drafts.

“The look will be nice, modern and upscale,” says management.

The new dining room layout will move away from bar-height stools and high-tops and to comfortable banquettes, booths and regular-height tables. By removing a large chunk of the old 60-foot bar, the owners will gain valuable dining space. All told, The Detroiter will seat around 120 indoors. While not a sports bar, there will be more than few TVs for game-day viewing.

The elevated stage will be redesigned and converted to overflow dining and used for the occasional live act..

Diners can look forward to a traditional menu of homespun classics like meatloaf and mashed potatoes, cast iron pan-fried chicken and scalloped potatoes, plus a wide range of from scratch, American-themed comfort foods. Entrée prices largely will be in the mid-teens.

One unique spin on the menu will come courtesy of the guests, who can pass along cherished family recipes for inclusion on the menu. At least one customer-supplied recipe will be on the roster on a monthly basis, says management.

The Detroiter will be open for lunch and dinner from the jump, with weekend brunch with booze tossed in.