Credit: Google Maps
It’s hard to find a restaurant with a more compelling backstory than Palazzo. The building, located at 10031 Detroit Ave., began life across the street as the Spaghetti Grill. The business was purchased in 1947 by Palmina DiFilippo and her daughter Theresa, who opened Palmina’s. At some point, the building was relocated across the street to make room for an RTA station. In 1993, Carla and Gilda Carnecelli, grandchildren of the original owner, reworked the building into the Italian restaurant Palazzo. That restaurant cruised along until about 2002, when it closed. The fieldstone and brick “palace” has been vacant ever since.

That is, until about eight months ago when Rafael Zaloshnja purchased it. The Albanian-born chef has been working to renovate the space into an upscale Italian eatery. His work experience includes stints at Heck’s Café, Beachcliff Tavern where he was co-owner, and Luca, where he was a cook. He said that he has always admired the building.

“I’m an Eastern European and I’ve always loved that construction, so one day I decided that I’m going to take a chance,” he says.

He is in the process of updating everything regarding the property except for the name, the bar and the original pizza oven, a 70-year-old Italian beast that still works like a dream.

“I’m going to keep the old bar exactly the way I found it, scratches and all,” he adds. “People have a lot of memories about this place.”

When it opens in about a month, the restaurant will offer made-from-scratch pizzas, pastas and desserts, along with hearty main courses built around seafood and chops.

The somewhat isolated location between Detroit Shoreway and Lakewood does not concern Zaloshnja.

“I’m third-generation and in my experience, if you do good food and good service, people, no matter where you are, will come support you,” he says. “They’re going to give you a chance, at least, and if you’re smart enough, you can keep them.”

This article appears in Mar 27 – Apr 2, 2019.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

12 replies on “New Owner is Dusting Off Long-Dormant Palazzo Restaurant”

  1. Best of luck to the new owner. I’ve been admiring the stone sign for years as it’s the same as my last name! Looking forward to trying it out!!

  3. Keeping the old bar and pizza oven is cool, and the food sounds interesting, but is there enough parking?

  4. I have many great memories of dining at Palazzo. Great space! I wish the new owner much success. What is unsettling is the level of crime in that neighborhood. Hopefully, this will start a trend to improve this neighborhood and those near by.

  5. I have such fond memories of Palmina tossing salads in that huge bowl, and her daughters waiting tables with remarkable hospitality and charm. The dishes were epic! I wish this new owner all the good fortune and skill needed to make this humble place a success again.

  6. I live in the neighborhood and am a chef. That building needed your ambition for years. There are some beautiful houses on that street as well. I hope you best in turning that little armpit of Detroit around!

  7. I grew up on West 98th at Madison my mother and I would catch the train downtown and shop
    all day. On the return we would stop at the Palmina and eat. Great memories and The best wishes and I cant wait to have dinner there was again.

  8. This is a beautiful place, always wondered why no one has taken the leap, I will definitely be a
    Patron … good luck

  10. We had our wedding reception at Palmina’s 30 years ago. I’m so glad the place is getting a new life.

  11. Can’t wait to see what the “old school” bar looks like. Glad to see someone in that space. Good luck!

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