MI Great Plates Podcast By Cumulus Media Detroit cover art

MI Great Plates

MI Great Plates

By: Cumulus Media Detroit
Listen for free

MI Great Plates is your passport to Michigan's vibrant culinary landscape, showcasing the hottest restaurants, food and beverage-focused brands, and the passionate people behind them. Hosted by Justin Near, the region's top food and beverage publicist, this monthly show explores the state’s booming food scene, where new delights pop up weekly and reservations are a coveted prize. With exclusive insights from hospitality-driven news media and food influencers, MI Great Plates brings you the stories, flavors, and trends that are transforming Michigan into a foodie paradise. Tune in at 8 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month to experience the culinary magic that makes Michigan a great place to eat!2025 ~ Cumulus Media Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Inside Vecino: The Award-Winning Mexico City-Inspired Restaurant by Adriana Jimenez

    Inside Vecino: The Award-Winning Mexico City-Inspired Restaurant by Adriana Jimenez
    Mar 25 2026
    March 24, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with Adriana Jimenez, owner of the awarding-winning Vecino, to discuss her journey into Detroit’s restaurant scene and the inspiration behind her Mexico City-inspired concept. Jimenez shares how her transition from the automotive industry to hospitality has shaped her approach to creating an elevated dining experience that stands apart in the market. The conversation offers insight into Vecino’s vision, the nuances of modern Mexican cuisine and how the restaurant is contributing to the continued evolution of Detroit’s culinary landscape. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show more Show less
    38 mins
  • From Top 10 New Restaurants to Restaurant of the Year: A Critic’s Perspective

    From Top 10 New Restaurants to Restaurant of the Year: A Critic’s Perspective
    Feb 24 2026
    Feb. 23, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with Lyndsay Green, restaurant critic for the Detroit Free Press, for an inside look at the restaurants defining the year in Metro Detroit. Green breaks down her Top 10 New Restaurants, along with her selections for Restaurant of the Year Classic and Restaurant of the Year, sharing insight into the trends, talent and dining experiences that stood out. The conversation offers a thoughtful perspective on where Detroit’s culinary scene is headed and what it takes to rise to the top in an increasingly competitive market. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show more Show less
    38 mins
  • MI Great Plates: Crafting Detroit’s Culinary Identity with Sandy Levine

    MI Great Plates: Crafting Detroit’s Culinary Identity with Sandy Levine
    Jan 30 2026
    Jan. 28, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with restaurateur Sandy Levine to explore the vision behind some of Metro Detroit’s most acclaimed dining and cocktail destinations, including Freya, Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails, The Oakland, Dragonfly, and Dirty Shake. Levine shares how his team balances fine dining and innovative bar concepts, discusses the evolution of the city’s food and beverage scene, and offers insight into building chef-driven, hospitality-forward experiences that continue to shape Detroit’s modern culinary landscape. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
    Show more Show less
    38 mins
No reviews yet