TAKING FINE DINING TO NEW HEIGHTS IN DETROIT, IRIDESCENCE OPENS AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL

Local and organic ingredients fundamental for bold, new menu

DETROIT — Fine dining in metro-Detroit has been elevated to new heights as Iridescence, the only AAA Four Diamond restaurant in the city, moves to its permanent location atop the new MotorCity Casino Hotel tower. Iridescence will seat its first guests on Saturday, Jan. 26, introducing them to breathtaking views of the city, a luxurious setting, a bold new menu and impeccable guest service.

Atmosphere Like No Other
The new Iridescence is a masterpiece in architectural design highlighted by 40’ glass walls that create an unprecedented environment for dining. Guests will be treated to an exceptional view 17 stories above the city, while the open-kitchen format engages patrons in the action of the state-of-the-art Iridescence kitchen.

Modern American Menu
“Detroit is known for a lot of things — cars, sports, music - and I am confident that Iridescence will add fine dining to Detroit’s repertoire,” said the newly named Iridescence Fine Dining Chef Adam Hightower. A southeast Michigan native, Hightower, 30, specializes in regional American cuisine and has infused that spirit into a reinvented Iridescence menu rich in area-inspired dishes crafted with local and organic ingredients.



Essences of apple wood and pear, delicacies such as Michigan cherries and Morrell mushrooms, and farm-fresh poultry such as pheasant and Cornish game hen are a sampling of the local and organic ingredients that will be used to create main courses such as cinnamon lavender pheasant, green peppercorn crusted filet of prime beef and grilled lemongrass skewered prawns. Hightower will update the menu several times during the year to ensure that the season’s freshest ingredients are incorporated in to the menu offerings.

To complement the cuisine, the 2007 Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence winning restaurant will feature a unique wine wall that will house 300 bottles of premium wines. The sommelier may search the climate controlled collection by name, grape or wine list number, directing the automated pulley-system to deliver the requested bottle on demand.



A selection of ambrosial desserts will complete the dining experience with a gourmet take on several local treats, including a baked Michigan apple pot and Michigan hard cider and beignets.



For a more intimate dinner among friends or business associates, Iridescence offers a private dining room that features multi-course prix fix dining complete with wine and cocktail pairings. Guests in the reservation-only private dining room will be treated to individually crafted menus by Chef Hightower.

Iridescence will add a Sunday brunch seating in the coming months, extending its culinary offerings into an inventive mid-day menu.

Transforming the Dining Experience
Restaurant General Manager, Abe Berry, a certified sommelier, and Hightower, have spent hours educating the Iridescence staff on every element of the new menu, and all staff members will participate in a “Windows on the World” wine training class, based on Court of Masters principals, taught by Berry.

“Our goal is to exceed our guests’ expectations at every level,” said Berry. “From the ambiance and view, to the food and high-touch service, we aim to make every patron an ambassador of Iridescence.”

Iridescence is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday. For dinner reservations please call (313) 237-6732.

About MotorCity Casino Hotel
MotorCity Casino Hotel, owned by Marian hitch, is the only locally-owned and operated casino-hotel in Detroit. MotorCity offers several unique dining options — from fine dining at Iridescence, to casual and buffet fare — to complement its many gaming and entertainment offerings. For more information about MotorCity Casino Hotel, or to make a hotel reservation, visit www.MotorCityCasino.com or call 1-888-STAY-MCC.