Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page Z6

BEST DATE RESTAURANT LA DOLCE VITA: Romance is in the air atthis Italian eatery, which kept its 2011Best of Metromix title, narrowly edging out the Whitney for its romance factor. It also happens to be one of the most fun hidden treasures in the city. Summertime dinner outside in the garden is inspiring on many romantic levels. And if you have a Saturday-night sleepover party, the Sunday brunch is something special, too. 17546 Woodward, Detroit.

313-865-0331. www.ldvrestaurant.net BEST SUSHI NOBLE FISH: Noble Fish is a small Japanese grocery store in a modest retail center. But the tiny store-back restaurant, Noble Fish Sushi Bar, that connected with Metromix readers. Theynarrowly voted it ahead of the 2011winner, Ronin. All traditional sushi combinations are available, as well as a few rolls unique to Noble Fish.

Try the appetizer called Dynamite, a small, baked casserole of mixed seafood and vegetables. Noble Fish is widely recognized for having some of the freshest and most affordable sushi in metro Detroit. 45 E. Fourteen Mile, Clawson. 248-585-2314.

www.noblefish.com BEST FESTIVAL MOVEMENT: Three straight days of electronic music at Hart Plaza, with multiple stages and dozens of musicians and DJs. what made Movement the ultimate stage for the city to flex its electronic music muscle and made it No. 1in this formidable category. After all, Detroit is the place that founded techno music. And did we mention the afterparties? www.movement.us BEST PIZZA RENDEZVOUS PIZZERIA: It was a close race, with falling just a little short of edging out this reigning champ.

a slew of locations throughout metro Detroit, and they all rock that patented thick crust, crisp edges of melted cheese and rows of rich dark tomato sauce spooned across the top. This Detroit location is the original. 17125 Conant, Detroit. 313-892-9001. www.buddyspizza.com BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD OM Just a few sprouts separated the top two contenders in this category with Om taking top honors over Inn Season The philosophy of Om incorporates the desire to prepare food that as vibrant medicine for the So perhaps no surprise that Om is a vegetarian and macrobiotic restaurant, specializing in steamed vegetables, pita pizzas and an impressive array of salads.

23136 Woodward, Ferndale. 248-548-1941. www.omcafe.com BEST CUPCAKE JUST BAKED: Keeping its 2011 Best of Metromix title, Just Baked original in Livonia and other locations in Novi, Ann Arbor and Royal Oak offers more than 50 flavors of gourmetand jumbo- style cupcakes, including red velvet, Fat Elvis and cinnamon doughnut. Several traditional butter-cream cupcakes are featured and made fresh daily. Oh so delicious.

33309 Seven Mile, Livonia. 734-367-0729. www.justbakedshop.com BEST COFFEE SHOP TORINO ESPRESSO BAR: Grabbing a half-caf, no-foam, nonfat vanilla soy latte from your corner coffee shop just got a little more stimulating thanks to three friends who teamed up to create an Italian coffeehouse in Ferndale. Torino Espresso Bar opened in July on the ground floor of the Lofts on 9 on East 9Mile. Built from the ground up, the Italian coffeehouse serves all the brewed and iced coffees expect from a decent java hut, but with the added benefit of cocktails, wines and martinis.

not to love about Nine Mile, Ferndale. 248-247-1370. www.torinoespressobar.com BEST IRISH BAR OLD SHILLELAGH: We have the mild, year-round temps, rolling green hills or the Rose of Tralee pageant of third- largest island, but luck of the Irish comes by way of this Greektown staple. The pub opened in February 1975. Since then, the Old Shillelagh has remained true to its Irish roots (John Brady, one of the original owners, lived in Dublin) by offering Irish bands, a large Irish (and non-Irish) clientele and, of course, corned-beef sandwiches.

349 Monroe, Detroit. 313-964-0007. www.oldshillelagh.com SYLVIA FREE PRESS BEST PIZZA: Rendezvous Pizzeria. The popular original restaurant is at 17125 Conant, Detroit. ESE BEST COFFEE SHOP: TorinoEspresso Bar, Ferndale.

The coffeehouse seats 60 and features brewed and iced coffees, cocktails, wine and martinis. BEST OF METROMIX 6PLAY DETROIT FREE PRESSFEB.2-.