Walk into Savoy Restaurant on Detroit’s East Side and the experience begins before you reach the door - a parking lot attendant in a top hat sets the tone for what’s inside.
“The vibe of Savoy, it definitely starts from the moment you get to warm and casual. When you park, we have a parking lot attendant and he’s wearing his top hat and has his umbrella. And so he’s greeting you and setting the tone for your experience,” said Chef Melba Dearing.
That experience, built on Creole and Southern cooking, live entertainment, and a commitment to the neighborhood, has made Savoy one of the most talked-about dining destinations in the city.
The restaurant’s signature oysters have drawn comparisons to New Orleans. Dearing doesn’t reveal all her secrets, but she isn’t shy about the result.
“When you get these oysters, it’s going to put you right on Bourbon Street. You’re going to feel like you’re in the French Quarter. Between the garlic, the Parmesan, and those spices that I can’t tell you about, you’re going to definitely feel like you’re back in New Orleans when you eat those. And they’re award-winning,” said Dearing.
The menu also features red snapper over white rice topped with crawfish étouffée, a T-bone steak with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, and what Dearing calls a personal favorite - Nola’s Fish and Grits, built on two three-cheese fried grit cakes, two catfish filets, and a chipotle cream sauce.
Price is not an afterthought. Dearing says fine dining should be within reach for the community surrounding the restaurant.
“So, we make sure that we keep it affordable fine dining. One, we’re located in the middle of a community neighborhood. So being here, I want to make sure that the community that I’m in can afford our meals.”
What keeps Savoy distinct, Dearing says, isn’t just technique - it’s philosophy.
“I like to say that I’m trained, not trendy. So, I definitely have the background in knowing how to prepare all the dishes, but it’s the love and the passion that sets me apart from other restaurants,” she said.
Savoy pairs its menu with live music, drawing regulars back for birthdays, graduations, anniversaries - and apparently, the occasional divorce party.
“I want Savoy to be the place that you celebrate everything. That graduation, that new promotion, anniversary, birthday, divorce, whatever you’re celebrating, like, I want to be that place, and we’ve become that place.”
If you’d like to make Mother’s Day reservations – or to check out the menu – visit SavoyDetroit.com.