A new restaurant concept with a focus on Romanian cuisine is ready to serve in Hazel Park’s former Framebar space.
Led by Romanian-American husband-and-wife chef duo Gabriel and Gabriela Botezan, Bar Gabi is set to open to the public at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24.
“Opening Bar Gabi for me and my wife, it’s our longtime dream basically coming true,” Gabriel said in a statement. “This means everything to us because we finally find ourselves opening the restaurant that we always dreamed to have — to showcase our culture and showcase our food, our passion.”
“This is about sharing who we are,” added Gabriela. “Romanian food is almost overlooked in America. We want to showcase our food and hospitality at the level it deserves, and to highlight it and celebrate it more.”
Gabriel will oversee the main menu, while Gabriela is in charge of breads and desserts. The two were born in Romania but met in the Detroit area and have honed their craft working at local Italian restaurants including Southfield’s former Bacco Ristorante and downtown’s Adelina.
Bar Gabi’s menu includes the Botezan’s takes on Romanian dishes, including a breaded Tomahawk Schnitzel bone-in pork chop with smoked paprika and mustard greens, Transylvanian Goulash, the “Vaca Moo” steak with Hungarian peppers and hand-cut fries, rotating pastas, and more.
For dessert are items like Romanian Cremes, Albinita honey cake, and tiramisu.
The cocktail program is led by Kenneth Laatz, also of Adelina, and includes non-alcoholic options. The space was designed by Colin Tury and includes framed embroidery from the Botezans’ family in Romania.
The adjacent former Frame space is available for booking for private parties, and Bar Gabi says it plans to eventually host special events like chef collaborations there.
Bar Gabi is located at 23839 John R Rd., Hazel Park.