Restaurant, spa, added to Book Cadillac roster of amenities

The Westin Book Cadillac has signed a tenant for 7,500 square feet of its ground floor retail space. Spa19 24Grille will occupy the Michigan Ave. side of the building; construction began on October 10 and the business is expected to open in December. Its name is intended to represent the year, 1924, that the Book Cadillac originally opened its doors.

The ownership team, Entourage Restaurant Group, is comprised of local restaurateur Bobby Megargle along with Wes Wyatt, Jon Grabowski, and Gideon Pfeffer. "We're very hands-on," says Grabowski. "We're all Detroiters, local guys, putting in our own money."

24Grille will occupy the Michigan Ave. frontage -- approximately 4,000 square feet -- and will have outdoor seating. Inside, there will be a large bar and bistro-style seating. Business lunchers, after-work cocktailers, hotel clientele, sports fans and downtown denizens are all among the target audience. "Start your evening at the Book; end your evening at the Book," says Grabowski. "Come to see us first. Come to see us last. Just come to see us."

Megargle, whose resume includes stints at Seldom Blues, Mosaic and the Marriott, says the restaurant will be "fun, casual and unpretentious -- a cool neighborhood place." Everything on the menu, from cocktails to ice cream, will be made on-site from scratch.

The Spa19 component of the business will offer massages, manicures, pedicures and retail. It will be operated by Todd Skog, proprietor of Todd’s Room in Birmingham. "It's a big deal any time Detroit gains a new business," says Grabowski. "But getting Todd's, a Birmingham retailer, to open up in Downtown Detroit is a really big deal."

Free valet parking will be offered to patrons. The restaurant and salon interiors are being designed by Ron and Roman Architecture & Design, the firm responsible for Enoteca Campo Marzio and Royal Oak's Town Tavern.

Source: Bobby Megargle and Jon Grabowski, Spa19 24Grille
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh