It was Omar’s birthday and we were looking for something unusual to do and somewhere new to eat. Even though it was on my bucket list to visit, I suggested we try the Whitney in Detroit. I had always wanted to eat there, with its rich history and many tales of being haunted.
The Whitney, completed in 1894, was built by lumber baron David Whitney, Jr. Whitney moved to the Detroit area to expand his lumber business and quickly began buying up property around Grand Circus Park. David built the home for his wife Flora and their children. The estate cost $400,000 to build (estimated $9.5 M today!). It boasts 22,000 sq. feet, 52 rooms including 10 bathrooms, 218 windows, 20 fireplaces and numerous stained glass windows designed by Tiffany’s of New York. It was the first residential home to have a working elevator! The Whitney’s spent another whopping $250,000 ($6.2 M today) on furnishings and art.
David’s wife passed away before the home was completed and David married his sister-in-law, Sara. David died in 1900, living in the home a short 6 years.
The remaining Whitney’s lived in the house until 1932 when the Wayne County Medical Society moved in. Rumor had it, it became a tuberculosis ward, with many patients dying in the home. In 1986 the restaurant opened and changed hands again in 2007. After some $300,000 in renovations, the restaurant was re-opened along with the third story “Ghostbar” after countless stories of the Whitney’s haunting the building as well as the countless people who lost their lives from TB. The restaurant was even featured on Ghost Hunters in 2016. (Season 11, episode 3 for you SYFY peeps). The Whitney has been said to be the most haunted place in Detroit. Staff talk about dolls moving on their own, the elevator moving from floor to floor without explanation, sounds of silverware and kitchenware being moved, table settings moving, or various sightings of apparitions.
Cool, huh?
That’s why I had to go. Sounds too good not to. We also were happy to find out that you get a FREE prime rib dinner on your birthday. A huge piece of prime rib and all the fixings! Sign me up!
I actually didn’t expect much for dinner. I assumed the hype of the “ghosts” were what brought you in, not the food. I was pleasantly incorrect!
I started the evening with “The Witching Hour”. A martini made with White Blossom Vodka, Limoncello, Lemon Juice and St. George Raspberry Liqueur. It was refreshing and quite tasty! In fact, I enjoyed two.
Omar started his evening with a very distinguished whiskey cocktail, which was a nice accompaniment to the meal.
Omar had his heart set on the Beef Wellington. With years of us watching Hell’s Kitchen seeing the “stupid donkeys” muck it up over and over, we had to try it. That left me to enjoy his free prime rib.
We both started the meal with a Caesar Salad. The salad was good, but lacked the punch of anchovy. Anchovies offered on the side, and because so, I think they leave it out of the dressing. The Parmesan crisp on top was delicious.
The prime rib came with whipped potato, grilled asparagus and a horseradish cream sauce. The medium rare prime rib came out perfect. The meat was lean, flavorful and the au jus added a nice hint of deep beef flavor. My only complaint if I have to say, was the prime rib was atop the mashed potatoes. This made the potatoes take on the bloody drippings from the perfectly cooked prime rib and created a bloody gravy of sorts which was rather off-putting.
Omar ordered the Wellington, which didn’t come with sides so we also ordered, because they sounded so good, the loaded mashed redskin potatoes with sour cream, white cheddar cheese, bacon and chives. Is your mouth watering yet? Also, the jalapeno creamed corn with bacon, which had a nice level of heat. Not too much for this tender palate. Omar also ordered the sauteed sherry-butter mushrooms as they were highly recommended and did not disappoint. Well, Omar that is, as I do not eat fungus.
Yes, don’t judge. We ordered a huge amount of food. But, one dinner was free and we had some nice leftovers.
After dinner, we simply could not even consider desert, but we did retire to the Ghostbar to have an after dinner cocktail. I went to the ladies room and only am mentioning because it was quite an experience. You enter a huge ladies chamber, with a large sitting area. I had the strangest sensation that I somehow was transported back in time and walked into Mrs. Whitney’s private sitting room. Off the sitting room area, was a modernized bathroom, fairly uneventful. People have seen apparitions sitting in that room, but alas, I did not.
We noticed the historian was there giving tours which we readily jumped aboard. The tour was about an hour long and gave a real behind the scenes tour of the home. It was filled with art, beauty and history. The entire evening was like stepping back in time. You can just imagine the local dignitaries, arriving in their horse drawn carriages and party gowns making their way into the manor.
I would highly recommend a trip to The Whitney. Go on your birthday and enjoy a free prime rib dinner and some spirits. Literally!
Jen & Omar Discuss The Whitney in Detroit
