Detroit Seafood African-American TableA thick mahi-mahi filet can be memorable when prepared with bold flavors and kissed by a fire hot grill! Detroit Seafood Market located, at 1435 Randolph Street, Detroit, MI 48226, has a Blackened Mango Mahi filet topped with mango salsa under a heaping bed of mushroom risotto that did that! I was still thinking about it after returning to Miami from our delicious Black Foodie Tour of Detroit. The rich and sweet flavor of freshly cut mango meshed beautifully with the house made Cajun mix-infused-blackened seasoning. The risotto was tasty and complemented the fish well. The flavor fusion reminded my taste buds of a recent trip to New Orleans’s incomparable Dooky Chase Restaurant!
Manager Tracy and head Chef Joseph Web explained that it’s both tourist destination and a local favorite as one of the few Black-owned restaurants in downtown Detroit. The service was amazing, especially with Van, our server. He was polite, knowledgeable and attentive to every detail. His recommendation of the fried lobster didn’t disappoint! The Maine Lobster tail was battered in a seasoned egg washed and fried to perfection over a bed of mashed potatoes robustly flavored with a substantial amount of roasted garlic and butter. Yeah, I was going all in.
So far, our entrees were winning. The décor and service winning. The location winning. I decided to keep this gravy train moving with the Stuffed Salmon that came with lump crab meat, green peppers, onions, all smothered in a savory lemon beurre blanc with cream. If you love saucy and rich entrees, this would be a winner! I loved every bite. The savory sauce contoured to the surface of the tender salmon, leaving the stuffed contents untouched for an evolution of flavor and texture.
Next was the three-cheese lobster mac and cheese, which boasted a rich, creamy, and slightly nutty taste with lumps of tender lobster throughout. A favorite of any cheese lover, this bowl was baked and topped with buttery breadcrumbs that formed a protective crust for the gooey lobster mac, just waiting to explode out of its buttery crusted roof!
Seafood was stealing the show, until a massive plate of two-day marinated lamb chops arrived. The marinade had been absorbed so wonderfully by the lamb chops that each bite came with flavor-packed tender meat that was distinctively different from other chops I’ve had on the tour. I wondered if this animal was from a farm that pasture raises its lambs instead of the American grain fed custom because the uniqueness of the fat flavor was incredible. A main differentiating factor between lamb, beef, and goat is the fat content, and this lamb was a real standout for me.
Following the lamb, I felt it was time to wind down with a dessert. I selected the maple sweet potato cheesecake! God is in control, I tell you. This damn cheese cake had me get up and send an email to the Cheesecake Factory and tell them to throw the whole business away. Yeah, it was that damn good.
In addition to unbelievable cocktails, there is also a comprehensive wine and spirits selection for even the most discriminating palates. Detroit Seafood Market was a pleasant surprise, especially given the lack of exposure on Yelp; which boiled down to a collection of haters who left odd and unfounded reviews. Fortunately, looking past Yelp has become one of my pastimes, resulting in some of my most memorable dining experience.
It is my pleasure to add Detroit Seafood Market to that growing national list. You can reach them at (313) 962-4180 for reservations.
