When we want to kick back and enjoy a bottle of wine in an intimate, upscale setting, Royal Oak’s Vinotecca is one of our favorites. The exposed brick, sleek finishes, and accommodating staff make us feel cozy and comfortable every time we visit. The lack of televisions (there’s only one) make conversing over a glass of wine a necessity, which is a nice change of pace. It’s a place where we can truly unwind and the thorough selection of wine from Michigan and beyond doesn’t hurt, either.

Although dining isn’t usually part of our Vinotecca experience — the last thing we want to do is get too stuffed to drink more bubbly — we’ve been known to explore their small plates menu. We’ve enjoyed their Ahi Tuna and, most recently, their pan-seared Hazelnut Scallops.

To say the scallops were huge would be an understatement. They were perfectly seared and the hazelnut crust provided a nice textural counterpoint. A perfect bite, indeed.

For a date night or a relaxing evening with good company around Detroit, Vinotecca gets our stamp of approval. Cheers!