An upscale Asian fusion restaurant has joined the fine-dining scene in the heart of downtown. Tabe (Japanese for “eat”) offers a low-key, elegant ambiance of exposed brick walls over three floors.
Madison Heights–based 168 Group, which operates a range of Asian-themed businesses in southeast Michigan, purchased the building for $2.5 million last fall. That’s up from a $1.87 million sale in 2015, but the owners of the ill-fated Jim Brady’s had poured millions into their build-out and listed the property for $4.6 million in 2023.
The ground-floor dining room features a diverse menu of appetizers, entrées, and drinks, with fish for sushi and sashimi flown in from Japan three times a week. The second floor focuses on omakase, or chef’s choice, meals ranging from seven ($60) to twelve ($120) courses. Private parties can reserve the third-floor mezzanine.
Unfortunately, arranging an interview with the owner or management proved difficult: after a bounced email, a broken web contact form, and three unanswered requests left with staff, a phone call at least helped clarify the operating hours (below), which differ from the contradictory listings on their website and Google.
Tabe, 209 S. Main. (734) 987–1688. Mon.–Thurs. 3–11 p.m., Fri.–Sun. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. tabefusion.com
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