"Mike Conrad cooks Basque-Catalan fire in Brush Park — whole tiger prawns and chorizo-stuffed chicken straight off the coals."
Leña — Spanish for firewood — is executive chef Mike Conrad's live-fire restaurant in Bedrock's City Modern building in Detroit's Brush Park. Conrad, a veteran of Takoi, Bacco and Oak & Reel, opened the room in 2024 to a stellar Detroit News review.
The cooking draws on the Basque and Catalan regions of Spain, built around shareable plates and ingredients kissed by flame.
Nearly everything passes over the open fire: wood-fired whole tiger prawns, a stuffed squid and a chorizo-stuffed half chicken anchor a menu of shareable small plates. The bar pours gin and tonics, sherry, sangria and Spanish wine in the Iberian mould.
Pastry is the work of Lena Sareini, a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist, whose desserts close the meal. Mains land roughly $24 to $95.
The City Modern room is warm and slightly lively, with an open kitchen and the fire at its heart. Guests consistently praise the cozy, attentive service that makes for an intimate but energetic evening.
Best for a first date or a relaxed night with friends: the shared plates, open fire and convivial bar do the work of conversation. For a louder group night, compare Takoi.
Not for vegetarians wanting a full menu, or anyone after a hushed room — Leña is a lively, smoke-scented shared-plates spot built for appetite, not a quiet tasting-menu evening.
Executive chef Mike Conrad, previously of Takoi, Bacco and Oak & Reel, leads the kitchen. Pastry chef Lena Sareini, a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist, runs desserts.
Wood-fired, Spanish-inspired cooking drawn from the Basque and Catalan regions — shareable small plates, whole tiger prawns, stuffed squid and a chorizo-stuffed half chicken, much of it cooked over open flame.
In Bedrock's City Modern building at 2720 Brush Street in Detroit's Brush Park neighbourhood, a short walk from downtown and the stadium district.
Mains run roughly $24 to $95, with many smaller shared plates below that. It sits in the upper-mid bracket for Detroit dining.
Leña opened in 2024 and drew a strong Detroit News review that December praising its live-fire cooking.
Book via OpenTable; weekend tables go quickly for the fire-side counter.
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