A sleek new event space that promises a strong focus on elevated cuisine, curated experiences and a distinctly modern approach opens to the public on Friday, May 1, in Ferndale.
The Seven is a new, two-level venue from culinary industry veterans that will offer curated, ticketed events, plus private and corporate events.
Tom Violante Jr., former co-owner of Holiday Market in Royal Oak, and Patrick Van Lehn, business partners in Sushi Kabar, a company that puts sushi in grocery stores, hospitals and other venues, acquired the former 21,000-square-foot electrical warehouse, first as office space, then developing it into an event space.
“It was way bigger than we ever, ever could imagine, but we loved the building,” Violante told the Free Press, “the building was amazing.”
After acquiring the building for about $2 million, the business partners made a significant investment into the 18-month construction and renovation of the venue.“We sat down and said we’re going to build a venue that addresses all the concerns that we’ve ever had at a venue, and we’re going to make it all the things that we hoped and dreamed the venue could have,” Violante said.
A new experience model
The design and vibe of The Seven are built around providing an experience, making meaningful connections and serving beautiful, elevated food.
Violante said they looked at all the things they didn’t enjoy at a venue, such as food and service that was just acceptable.
“We lower our standards,” he said. “It’s something that we have to put food in our bellies to have a couple cocktails. And it’s got to be serviceable. And that’s like the level of expectation. … And we said, let’s change that.”
Violante said they are committed to having beautiful food and not jamming the entire space with as many banquet tables as possible.
“We don’t think you can put passion into (serving) 600 dishes within an hour,” he said. “There’s a compromise there we were not willing to take.”
The centering of that passion and commitment is The Seven’s show kitchen, billed as a “chef-forward culinary theater.”
Matt Barnes, who did stints at Detroit’s London Chop House and Vertical, is helming The Seven’s culinary arm.
“It not only creates theater because we have this beautiful coal-fired grill right out where people can see, but it shows that food is important,” he said.
Multiple connecting spaces
The Seven centers around its multiple bar and lounge areas over two levels, including a central one that anchors the main floor and is adjacent to the main ballroom.
There is a club room as well as suites for smaller gatherings. Its open concept show kitchen and main 3,000-square-foot kitchen have all the elements of modern kitchen equipment.
“We want people to get up and move around, both of its main lounges, an upper and lower, overlook or are adjacent to the dance floor, so you’re never disconnected, where people can actually have those meaningful moments and connect with coworkers or family and friends and just share with the celebration of the event that they’re at.”
Another highlight is an outdoor patio spanning 2,500 square feet of space that’s half-covered and half-open air.
Violante said they also focused on the sound element of the space with more than 80 speakers throughout the venue, plus a 20-by-10-foot LED video wall.
“The energy of the sound is on the dance floor, but in the area where our lounges are, it’s lower,” Violante said.
The Seven has drive-in access, too, for vehicles or large equipment.
For seated events from private to corporate gatherings, The Seven can hold 250 people and 375 people for strolling receptions.
“All the different things, other elements are to focus on people having meaningful connections and moments together,” Violante said. “That’s what makes an event. Our sound, our food, and all the lounges, all create those connections.”
On May 1, The Seven’s first event is Bourbon & Bubbles, featuring a cocktail and appetizer hour followed by a multi-course dinner with live music from Ben Sharkey. Tickets are $70 per person. Upcoming events listed at thesevenevents.com are A Night in Moulin Rouge, May 15-16, and Ciao, Italy, May 29-30.
The Seven, 915 E. Drayton St., Ferndale, is now accepting bookings for events. You will also find a list of upcoming events at thesevenevents.com.
This story had been updated with new information.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SusanMariecooks. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ferndale event venue to offer elevated dining and curated events
Reporting by Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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