Lady of the house is a concept: mother, aunt, grandmother… the woman who cared for the household and made those unforgettable childhood meals. She was also the person who taught the kids how to cook.
Emerged from the maternal archetype of warmth, hospitality, and pleasant control, Lady of the House was originally located in Corktown and permanently shut its doors during the pandemic in 2021. Now, it’s reopening at a different location in Core City in the area of Grand River and W. Warren in early 2024.
Chef Kate Williams, the owner, was a James Beard Best Chef semifinalist in 2019 and 2022. She was also named one of America’s best new chefs by Food + Wine in 2018. Born in Detroit, she spent her early career in Chicago and New York. She returned to Detroit to help open Republic Tavern and Parks & Rec Diner. In 2017, she opened the first Lady of the House restaurant, which featured a seasonal menu using whatever fresh ingredients that were available from Chef Williams’ local farm partners.
The new Lady of the House will feature modern American cuisine and a full bar. The menu will showcase Chef Williams’ passion for knowledge and technique while continuing the brand’s focus on fresh, healthy, and locally sourced ingredients from local farms and collectives.
At the time of this coverage, Chef Williams hasn’t responded to What Now Detroit’s email request for comments.