C.A.Y.A. Smokehouse Grill Is Now Open Offering Customers A Casual Dining Experience In An Inviting Atmosphere!

C.A.Y.A Smokehouse Grill, the new restaurant concept by award-winning Executive Chef Jeff Rose and co-owner Rachel Mandell, is now open for dinner introducing the community to the area’s latest smokehouse bistro.

C.A.Y.A. Smokehouse Grill, which stands for “come as you are,” offers a casual dining experience focusing on quality food made with local ingredients. The modern menu, designed by Chef Rose, centers around house-smoked beef and pork along with fresh seafood, steaks chops and bistro entrées. Smoked items are cooked for 10-14 hours using hickory, oak, maple, apple and cheery woods. This process ensures all meats are cooked through and naturally tender. The variety of woods used produces a dark outer layer “bark” that caramelizes the outside of the meat. The restaurant also features weekly specials from its creative chefs with plenty of delicious side items and savory desserts. C.A.Y.A. Smokehouse Grill has a full bar serving specialty drinks with an extensive wine and beer list highlighting six Michigan craft beers on tap.

Located in the former Nifty Normans building, the restaurant’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere is like no other. Its rustic industrial look comes from the blend of modern metals and old style wood. Rusted copper, barn wood, and iron are some main design components. All of the barn wood used at C.A.Y.A. Smokehouse Grill’s is from the 1916 Fred Irwin Farm, located in northern Michigan. Each board was hand cut and matched by size and color. Exposed cement-brick walls, an exposed ceiling, a black onyx bar, and industrial lighting add to the restaurant’s unique ambiance. C.A.Y.A. Smokehouse Grill’s signature dining room seats 100 guests and its outdoor covered patio offers seating for an additional 60 guests and/or private parties.

Chef Rose, the opening chef at Michael Symon’s Roast in Detroit and executive chef for Toast restaurant in Birmingham, is the mastermind behind the mouthwatering menu items. His resume includes stints at other great restaurants such as Tribute, Big Rock Chophouse, and Iridescence. He’s received many accolades over the years for his mastery the kitchen.

Chef Rose co-owns C.A.Y.A. Smokehouse Grill with Rachel Mandell who both have 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry. He brings his flair for unique great tasting food and Mandell, an upbeat positive outlook with a passion for great food and design.

“We’re very excited to finally be open! We hope to bring back some energy and delicious cuisine to this side of town by giving customers a casual and fun dining option,” said Jeff Rose, Executive Chef and co-owner of C.A.Y.A. Smokehouse Grill. “Our building has a lot of great history and we’re proud to restore it and open a new restaurant concept here because the area and lake community are a perfect fit for a smokehouse bistro.”

C.A.Y.A. Smokehouse Grill’s philosophy is to use as much farm to table as possible in Michigan. All of its produce is locally grown and its meats, duck, chicken, beef, pork, and ice cream are all from farms within 100 miles, most of it closer. They work closely with local farmers to ensure quality fresh ingredients in all its dishes. The bistro’s all natural products are not treated, chemically washed, or rinsed. “Our poultry may seem pink, but that’s only because they are not pumped with solution or washed,” added Chef Rose. “It’s important to us to be able to provide our guests with not only a great dining experience but also offer the highest quality and freshest food available.”

C.A.Y.A Smokehouse Grill is open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sundays 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and closed on Mondays. Located at 1403 S. Commerce Road at Pontiac Trail in Wolverine Lake, Michigan, the smokehouse bistro also offers carryout and catering for private events. For more information, call 248.438.6741, visit www.cayagrill.com or find us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CAYASmokehouseGrill.