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Restaurant Quest: Pop’s for Italian in Downtown Ferndale

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 25, 2023)

Ferndale, MI – Pop’s for Italian in Downtown Ferndale offers a classy yet casual atmosphere for phenomenal Italian cuisine.

A friend and I went for a meal, starting with an antipasto board which had a nice selection of sliced meats, cheeses, nuts, olives, toasted bread, and honey. This was a great choice for nibbling and chatting while waiting for our main course.  Among the items were Roquefort Black Label Creamy Blue Cheese, Manchego – 1 Year Aged Sheep’s Milk, Farm Country Mild Cheddar, Brie – Soft Mild from Denmark, Capocolla – Smoked and Dry Cured Pork Shoulder, Sopressata – Spiced Dryed Salami, Speck – Smoked Prosciutto, Finocchiona – Salami with Fennel.

My friend had the Wild Mushroom Cream and Fettuccine with chicken, made with wild mushroom, black garlic, cipollini onion, cream, Parmesan, and porcini powder.

I had the Scottish Salmon Puttanesca, made with the most delicious tomato-based sauce I’ve ever had. It was made with onion, garlic, caper, olives, olive oil, and tomatoes.

For dessert we had the lemon cheese cake made with lemon curd and a blueberry basil sauce, and the hazelnut torte adorned with flakes of edible gold.

There are many great options at Pop’s for Italian, including Gemelli Pasta, Chicken Piccata, Fettuccine Alfredo and other Italian classics. There’s also a nice selection of Neapolitan pizzas baked in a 900 degree wood-burning over.  Pizza is made in an area surrounded by glass, so patrons can see the work in progress.

Pop’s also has a wonderful drink menu.  I had the Cherry Whisky Sour made with Traverse City Cherry Whiskey, cherry simple syrup and lime juice garnished with a montomorency cherry.

Pop’s for Italian is located at 280 W. 9 Mile in Downtown Ferndale. They are part of the Hometown Restaurant Group which also includes One Eyed Betty’s, Tigerlily, and Public House.  Check out Pop’s for Italian online at www.popsforitalian.com. Pop’s is a longtime sponsor of Oakland County Times. For more on the decor and some other items, check out our previous Reporter Food column.

White Castle is the Reporter Food sponsor of Oakland County Times, supporting our quest to explore restaurants throughout Oakland County. Find White Castle locations, and more information about all their menu options, at www.whitecastle.com.
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