Detroit — Coastal cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired small plates are on the menu at Brush Park’s newest destination, a rooftop bar and restaurant called Topa.
Perched on the 11th floor of the AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle on Woodward, Topa opens Thursday with an impressive view of the Detroit skyline. A project from Roxbury Group, Topa is managed by Azul Hospitality with seasoned culinary expert Jorge Morales as executive chef.
Other Roxbury Group and Azul Hospitality projects around the city include the Monarch Club, Lone Goat, Buhl Bar and the AC Hotel’s Spanish tapas spot that opened in early 2025, the Conservatory.
“Topa represents the next chapter of the hospitality experience at the AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle,” said James Van Dyke, president of the Roxbury Group, in a press release. “Our vision was to create a space that feels transportive, a place where guests can slow down, connect and enjoy an atmosphere inspired by the California coast while still being surrounded by the energy of Detroit.”
“We have really fantastic views of the city and I think having a rooftop in Midtown that is overlooking the city has a really unique view that’s not like anywhere else in the city,” said Louis Goral, area director of food and beverage for Azul Hospitality.
The food menu offers five small plates ($13-$16), plus a selection of dips and spreads with pita, focaccia and lavash. Three main entrees include fish skewers, chicken skewers and charred lamb chops with fries, feta cheese, shishito pepper and lamb jus ($28-$52).
Chef Morales, who has worked at many area destinations and is coming off a stints at Soraya on Fort Street and the Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor, oversees the culinary program for the entire hotel.
“It’s one of the first times I’ve done this side of the Mediterranean … but ultimately it was just fun diving into the flavors and figuring it all out,” said Morales, adding that the menu will probably evolve. “If anything, I want honest feedback, for people to tell me what they genuinely think. I was raised by a Latina mother so I can take the commentary.”
“It’s still defining itself. I don’t like staying stagnant,” he said. “I’ve gone through six iterations of each sauce and it’s still not done. There’s always something to tweak, something to try.”
The drink menu has a Basque-inspired red wine and cola spritz ($14), plus other drinks that blend wines and spirits with fresh juices. The bar program is helmed by bartender Lisa Posey.
Highlights include a tall tarocco fizz ($17), a refreshing gin-based drink with cucumber-mint syrup, orange juice, egg whites and soda. The Mykonos ruby ($15) is made with Lunazul reposado tequila and has sweet and tart notes from pomegranate agave, Apologue persimmon liqueur and lime juice. It’s garnished with salty seasonings and served in a short glass with a big square ice cube.
It’s the kind of cocktail menu that pairs perfectly with the 11th floor balcony that overlooks the downtown skyline from Ford Field and Comerica Park — you can even see the giant screen from the ballpark — all the way to down Woodward. Guests can seat at large tables and couches under a roof, or turn the corner where there are high tops and chairs surrounding fireplaces for those nights when there’s a chill in the air.
Topa is set to open Thursday at AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle, a Marriott hotel at 10 Eliot at Woodward in Brush Park. Enter on Eliot street in the door marked “Topa” to access the elevator to the 11th floor.
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit’s newest restaurant is rooftop bar Topa in Brush Park
Reporting by Melody Baetens, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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