The Metropolitan Cafe, Charter Township Of Shelby

The Metropolitan Cafe's menu is diverse not just in plate size—there are tapas as well as full-size entrees—but also in its culinary inspirations. The dishes represent a bounty of international flavors, evident in small plates of flank steak nachos, Grecian wings glazed in lemon-garlic sauce, and oysters Rockefeller. The entrees feel global as well; the moussaka-stuffed shells burst with eggplant and kale, and the Michigan orchard pork chop is sweetened by sauteed apples and an apple-brandy reduction.

As suggested by the nostalgic bulb-lit sign and winged quarter notes flying through the dining room, The Metropolitan Cafe is also something of a music venue. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights host everything from blues-rock to soul and R&B.