MI Great Plates: Crafting Detroit’s Culinary Identity with Sandy Levine

From Local Institutions To The Business of Food

May 28, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with Tasso and George Teftsis of Astoria Pastry Shop and Blue Goat to discuss building a multi-generational family business, preserving tradition and growing brands that continue to resonate with customers across decades. Then, Justin welcomes Ivana Kalafatic, founder of DetroitIsIt and organizer of The Business of Food Summit, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, collaboration and the ideas shaping the future of Michigan’s food and hospitality industries. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Luxury, Discipline and Scale: The Jeremy Sasson Standard

April 23, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with Jeremy Sasson, founder of Heirloom Hospitality, to discuss the strategy and vision behind a growing collection of restaurant concepts, including Townhouse, Prime & Proper, Mad Nice and Mad Nice Coffee. Sasson shares insight into building scalable brands, maintaining consistency across locations and the operational discipline required to succeed in today’s competitive hospitality landscape. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create restaurants that resonate - and, for the first time publicly, Jeremy unveils his upcoming concept, Heiress.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inside Vecino: The Award-Winning Mexico City-Inspired Restaurant by Adriana Jimenez

March 24, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with Adriana Jimenez, owner of the awarding-winning Vecino, to discuss her journey into Detroit’s restaurant scene and the inspiration behind her Mexico City-inspired concept. Jimenez shares how her transition from the automotive industry to hospitality has shaped her approach to creating an elevated dining experience that stands apart in the market. The conversation offers insight into Vecino’s vision, the nuances of modern Mexican cuisine and how the restaurant is contributing to the continued evolution of Detroit’s culinary landscape. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From Top 10 New Restaurants to Restaurant of the Year: A Critic’s Perspective

Feb. 23, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with Lyndsay Green, restaurant critic for the Detroit Free Press, for an inside look at the restaurants defining the year in Metro Detroit. Green breaks down her Top 10 New Restaurants, along with her selections for Restaurant of the Year Classic and Restaurant of the Year, sharing insight into the trends, talent and dining experiences that stood out. The conversation offers a thoughtful perspective on where Detroit’s culinary scene is headed and what it takes to rise to the top in an increasingly competitive market. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

MI Great Plates: Crafting Detroit’s Culinary Identity with Sandy Levine

Jan. 28, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with restaurateur Sandy Levine to explore the vision behind some of Metro Detroit’s most acclaimed dining and cocktail destinations, including Freya, Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails, The Oakland, Dragonfly, and Dirty Shake. Levine shares how his team balances fine dining and innovative bar concepts, discusses the evolution of the city’s food and beverage scene, and offers insight into building chef-driven, hospitality-forward experiences that continue to shape Detroit’s modern culinary landscape. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.