Royal Oak's Blackfinn Gets New Look, New Menu, New Brand

Blackfinn, located on Main Street in downtown Royal Oak, has announced that it will be going through complete interior and exterior updates. The updates are part of a brand evolution that will turn the existing restaurant and saloon into Blackfinn Ameripub, a whole new generation of the classic American pub.

Blackfinn, which will be closed during the project, will complement the interior and exterior upgrades with new food and drink menus that highlight the restaurant’s ongoing focus on guest value and choice.

“The opportunity to do this is really a result of the support that we’ve received from the community over the past few years - it’s a new chapter for the Finn and we’re excited to showcase a brand new space and amazing new food and drink options,” said Chris Mroz, Blackfinn Operating Partner. “Our sister restaurant in the River North neighborhood of Chicago recently won a Best New Restaurant award in a very competitive market, so we feel great about the direction that we’re going and it’s rewarding to be able to create new jobs and opportunities along the way.”

The updates are scheduled to be completed by Thursday, Feb. 27 and will be followed by a weekend-long grand re-opening celebration that will benefit numerous local community organizations, including Camp Casey and Rising Stars Academy. 

The new food menu will include a wide variety of craveable American food options, including 30 new fresh items such as Tuna Poke, Jambalaya Pasta and Fish Tacos, along with much-requested gluten-free options and new ways to personalize orders with customized sides, a new steak program and three ways to order a burger.

“We want to embrace our Guests’ personal preferences, whether it’s substituting a protein on your burger, personalizing your side items or picking a topping for your steak,” said Mroz.” “Same goes with the increased demand for gluten-free options, we have highlighted all items that are either gluten-free or can be prepared gluten-free, close to 30 items in total.”

Blackfinn has also expanded its already popular lunch offerings, with a menu that features 20-plus full-portioned items under $10, including Fish & Chips, Chicken Parmesan, a classic pick-2 and several sandwich and salad options.

“Our goal is truly to provide our Guests with a superior restaurant experience every time they visit, whether it’s for lunch, dinner or just a quick snack,” said Mroz. “And to do so, we work hard to make sure that we anticipate their needs, and a lot of the menu updates are in direct response to the ongoing feedback that we receive.”

Along with the food is a brand new beverage menu that aligns with the focus on value and choice. An updated 50 tap system will offer a large variety of local and seasonal beer options, along with a brand new cocktails-on-tap feature that will see some of the Ameripub’s signature cocktails in new form. The wine list also has been expanded to include 30-plus wines by the glass, all of which are available seven days a week and during the restaurant’s weekly Wined Up Wednesday program that features half price wines by both glass and bottle.

“We look at our drink menu as a co-star to the food, focusing on fun offerings and a variety of options for our Guests,” said Mroz. “In addition to the new beer choices, Guests will also have the opportunity to order in three different sizes - the classic pint, a shareable growler that is perfect for Game Day, and a smaller 9 oz. glass for those who want to navigate through the menu and try a few different beers.”

Source: Blackfinn Ameripub

Editor's note: Blackfinn's construction project was approved by the Royal Oak City Commission on Monday. Changes to the plan of operation include: decrease seating from 226 to 203; increase bar seating from 30 to 35; decrease "Pro Room" bar seating from 16 to 8; elevate booth seating; change some of the high top seating to tabletop seating; replace flooring, some of the ceiling, and some of the lighting. Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue said the police department did not opposes any the changes. The total cost of the facelift is approximately $100,000. Changes to the interior and menu are anticipated to attract a bigger lunch crowd to the Main Street pub. Blackfinn is closed during the construction. Staff is being paid during the shutdown.