Chartreuse 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; chartreusekc.com “Maybe it’s the living green wall surrounded by bright splashes of green and Ouizi’s flower mural greeting you from the vestibule as soon as you enter, or the dried flowers fixed to bright netting acting as a gentle space divider, but simply walking into Chartreuse lifts my spirits. The service here is impeccable, the drinks are artfully crafted, and the food is nuanced and exciting. The best way I can describe this favorite restaurant of mine is ‘heartwarming.’ The most impressive thing about Chartreuse to me is the caliber of food they are creating in the tiny kitchen space they have. This is one of the spots where I’d love to someday be a fly on the wall (or a voluntary set of hands) during their prep hours, just so I could see the magic come together behind the scenes. Take a seat at the bar near the Chef’s station and you can watch every element of your elegant yet approachable meal come together in an orchestrated fashion with just enough room for their elbows not to collide. It’s remarkable. You can only imagine what would explode from a roomier space; or perhaps the chefs occupying this little slice of heaven find creativity within the limitation. Either way, the food speaks for itself from the moment you’re taking in its plated beauty to the last lick of your dessert spoon. Locally & ethically sourced produce never looked and tasted so good.” Credit: Chartreuse/Facebook

A swanky multi-course dinner, prepared by award-winning chefs, plus a way to help a Detroit student attend culinary school.

All sound like good ways to spend $200.

“Regenerate Detroit,” launched by Detroit Lions DeAndre Levy and chef James Rigato (Mabel Gray, The Root), is a dinner series that promises all of that. 

On Oct. 24, the benefit will take place at Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails, where Rigato will team up with the restaurant’s chef Doug Hewitt to prepare an eight-course meal.

While the price tag per ticket may seem steep, it includes tax, tip, and wine pairings, plus all the money raised goes toward a scholarship for culinary school for a student participating in the Detroit Food Academy.

The non-profit Detroit Food Academy helps to prepare youths for possible careers in cooking through after-school programs, leadership training, and food-based projects.

The first “Regenerate Detroit” dinner took place in July at Rigato’s Hazel Park restaurant and raised more than $16,000, money used to send food academy alumni Brandon Johnson, 19, to Schoolcraft College.

Tickets must be purchased online at RegenerateDetroit.BrownPaperTickets.com.

Chartreuse is at 15 E. Kirby.

Pumpkin Feast
Thought pumpkin was confined to pies and Starbucks lattes? It doesn’t have to be.

Chef Nick Rodgers at The Root Restaurant & Bar in White Lake (co-owned by Rigato) is setting out to show the many ways that the autumn gourd can be infused into a meal with the fine dining establishment’s annual Pumpkin Feast.

On Oct. 27 he’s whipping up a five-course dinner using Michigan-grown pumpkins 
The flavors of fall take over The Root Restaurant & Bar, 340 Town Center Blvd in White Lake

On the menu oysters with pumpkin butter, pumpkin lasagna, kabocha pumpkin bisque with apples, pumpkin sorbet with cognac, and more.

Cost is $65 (not including tax or tip). For another $20, you get a local beer pairing. Reservations are recommended by calling 248-698-2400. The Root is at 340 Town Center Blvd. in White Lake.

See also: Here’s your roundup for fun fall food and drink events

This article appears in Sep 28 – Oct 4, 2016.

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