Two of Detroit's most spectacular buildings -- downtown's Guardian Building and New Center's Fisher Building -- are now each home to a Stella International Cafe. Owner Shawn Santo describes the general concept of Stella as a "Manhattan or Toronto-esque grab-and-go."
In the Fisher Building, Stella is a full-service coffee bar,
serving Illy products. Santo also operates
the
Rowland Cafe on the Guardian's mezzanine level, where seating for Stella patrons is available.
Stella carries Alinosi ice cream, and
cheesecake, cookies and pastries — all locally produced.
At the Guardian location, Stella expands on the grab-and-go concept. For breakfast, there is Ferndale-baked New York Bagels and breakfast sandwiches served either on bagels or grilled Avalon Bakery bread. Fresh-squeezed orange juice is also available.
At lunch, panini is the highlight. Inspired by their travels, Santo and her partner and husband Kevin Borsay are changing combos regularly and make use of fresh meats and cheeses from Eastern Market.
Santo, who also owns
Pure Detroit and
Vera Jane, will hold grand openings for the restaurants in the first part of June. Stella occupies the former Blend space in the Fisher and the former Karmic Cafe space in the Guardian.
Stella in the Guardian Building is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Fisher Building's Stella is open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If there is a performance at the Fisher Theatre, it will stay open until 8 p.m. It is open 11 a.m to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sundays if there is a show.
Source: Shawn Santo, Stella International Cafe
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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