Metro Detroit’s Café Cortina marks 50th anniversary with special events - Detroit Metro Times

[Rural Cha]

Café Cortina Celebrates 50 Years of Authentic Italian Flavors in Metro Detroit

In a milestone that marks the end of an era, Rina and Adriano Tonon's iconic Italian restaurant, Café Cortina, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of events that promise to transport customers back to Italy. Launched in 1976 in a former apple orchard in Farmington Hills, the restaurant has been a staple of Metro Detroit's culinary scene for five decades.

The festivities begin on March 16 with "La Notte Di Famiglia," a Founders Dinner Series event inspired by the original menu and wine pairings from Vittorio Veneto, the Tonon family's ancestral home in Italy. This exclusive dinner promises to take guests on a gastronomic journey through the flavors of Italy, with multi-course meals paired with exceptional wines.

But that's not all - the evening will also feature "family storytelling from founder Rina Tonon and special guests," including the premiere of a documentary, "The Garden That Fed Detroit." This poignant film celebrates Café Cortina's role in feeding generations of Detroiters and explores the restaurant's connection to the community.

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Café Cortina will also be hosting other events, including collaborative dinners with guest chefs, a black-tie gala, and more. The restaurant will have a presence at the Summer Garden Festival in Traverse City on September 17-19, further showcasing its commitment to authentic Italian cuisine.

Café Cortina's enduring success is a testament to the Tonon family's dedication to preserving traditional flavors while adapting to changing tastes. With its rich history and warm hospitality, this beloved restaurant continues to win hearts and satisfy palates of Metro Detroiters.

 

[Obsessive-Compulsiv]

I'm so down for this ! 50 years is like, whoa! Café Cortina has been serving up authentic Italian flavors in Metro Detroit for decades, and it's amazing to see them still going strong . The fact that they're celebrating with a series of events, including family storytelling and exclusive dinner series, just shows how much they care about their customers and community . And let's be real, multi-course meals paired with exceptional wines? Yes, please! Can't wait to check out the documentary "The Garden That Fed Detroit" - sounds so poignant . I'm definitely gonna have to swing by the Summer Garden Festival in Traverse City on September 17-19... my taste buds are already dancing

 

[Jolly Jellyfish]

50 years ago I was just a kid! Back in my day we didn't have all these fancy restaurants like Café Cortina, but we had that old Italian deli down the street from me and my friends would sneak out to get some pasta sauce sandwiches . This café's been around longer than I've been alive! They're doing some cool stuff to celebrate like a dinner with wine pairings and family stories . It's awesome they're still serving up authentic Italian flavors after all these years

 

[Homely Hedgehog]

50 years is like, totally crazy! Café Cortina has been serving up authentic Italian flavors in Metro Detroit for half a century . I mean, can you even imagine how many pasta dishes they've made? It's amazing that the Tonon family has managed to keep it real all these years while still being adaptable . The fact that they're celebrating with events like the "La Notte Di Famiglia" dinner series and a documentary about their connection to the community is so cool . And, of course, who can resist a good old-fashioned black-tie gala?

 

[Tho]

OMG u gotta love this!!! Cafe Cortina has been serving up authentic Italian flavors in Metro Detroit for 50 yrs & they're celebrating with a ton of awesome events! The Founders Dinner Series is gonna be sooo good, all those old-school menu items paired with wine from Italy... my taste buds are dancing just thinking about it . And the family storytelling part? Can't wait to hear Rina's stories & learn more about the restaurant's history. This doco "The Garden That Fed Detroit" sounds so beautiful , I'm def checking it out! September 17-19 at Traverse City Summer Garden Festival, gotta go check them out in person

 

[Tense Tur]

50 years is a big deal for any business, but I'm not surprised that Café Cortina has lasted so long... they're still serving up authentic Italian food, which is hard to find these days . The fact that Rina and Adriano Tonon have been able to balance tradition with changing tastes is key to their success. I've had the chance to visit them a few times and the atmosphere is always cozy and inviting . It's cool that they're celebrating with events like "La Notte Di Famiglia" and the documentary, it shows they're not just about the food (although let's be real, the food is a big part of it ). Their community involvement is also something to be commended . Here's to many more years of delicious Italian cuisine!

 

[Android Acid 95]

I'm so down for Café Cortina's 50th anniversary celebration ! It's amazing how they're keeping the spirit of authentic Italian flavors alive in Metro Detroit. I mean, who doesn't love a good pasta dish or pizza with a side of garlic bread? Their commitment to family storytelling and preserving traditional recipes is really admirable.

I'm particularly excited about "La Notte Di Famiglia" event – the idea of tasting food from Vittorio Veneto sounds incredible! And that documentary, "The Garden That Fed Detroit," sounds so moving. It's amazing how food can bring people together like that. I'm sure it'll be a really special evening .

I've been to Café Cortina a few times and it always feels like you're getting a taste of Italy – the atmosphere, the music, the staff... everything! They're definitely doing something right with their food and service. Fingers crossed I can make it to one of these events

 

[Worrisome Wild]

Umm... I don't know if 50 years is that long? It feels like just yesterday they were opening up, lol . But at the same time, I've been going there for years and it's always consistent, so maybe 50 years isn't as crazy as it sounds .

I mean, who doesn't love Italian food? But is it really authentic if they're serving it in Michigan instead of Italy? . And don't get me wrong, I love the family storytelling and documentary stuff, but can't they just make it more interactive or something?

It's cool that they're getting recognition for being a staple in Metro Detroit, though. Maybe one day they'll open up another location and we can have even more authentic Italian experiences .

 

[Int]

man... 50 years is like, whoa it's crazy to think that one place can have such a big impact on people's lives, you know? i mean, Café Cortina has been around for so long, it's like a part of the community itself. and the way they're celebrating, with these intimate dinner events and family stories... it feels really personal, like they're sharing their own history with us . it makes me think about how food can be more than just something we eat, you know? it can be a connection to our past, to our families, to the people around us. that's what Café Cortina is all about, and i think that's why they've been able to keep going for so long .

 

[Viking Mall Ultra]

50 years in the game! I'm so down for their Founders Dinner Series - sounds like a taste bud explosion . The family storytelling sessions should be super interesting too... it's great that they're sharing the history behind Café Cortina. And, wow, the documentary about feeding Detroit? That's some powerful stuff . Can't wait to see what other events they have planned . I've been to this place a few times and it always feels like home - the service is top-notch and the pasta game is strong

 

[Little Coo]

Can't believe Café Cortina is celebrating 50 years ! It's amazing how they've managed to keep the authentic Italian flavors alive all these years. I mean, who wouldn't want to go back in time and experience Vittorio Veneto's vibes? The documentary premiere sounds so cool, it's like a behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant's history . And hosting events like dinner series with guest chefs is such a great way to keep things fresh and exciting! The Tonon family's commitment to preserving traditional flavors while adapting to changing tastes is really inspiring . Plus, it's awesome that they're giving back to the community . Can't wait to try their food and celebrate with them on March 16th !

 

[Long Lizard]

OMG 50 years of authentic Italian flavors in Metro Detroit is like a dream come true! I'm literally shaking with excitement thinking about all the delicious pasta dishes and pizza they'll be serving up at Café Cortina's events . The fact that Rina and Adriano Tonon have been able to preserve traditional flavors while still adapting to changing tastes is so inspiring, you know? It's like they're keeping a piece of Italy alive in the heart of Detroit . I need to get tickets for those Founders Dinner Series events ASAP, this sounds like an unforgettable culinary experience . Can't wait to see what other events they have planned for the rest of the year!

 

[Arm]

Just had lunch at Café Cortina last weekend and OMG their lasagna is still one of the best I've ever had! 50 years of doing it right is no joke Can't wait for the Founders Dinner Series event, family storytelling sounds so cool And a documentary about the restaurant's connection to the community? That's just amazing Rina and Adriano Tonon are the real MVPs

 

[Doubtful Dunlin]

omg i just heard about café cortina's 50 yr celebration and im hyped!!! 50 yrs is like, ancient history in foodie years lol. i love how they're keepin it authentic w/ family storytelling & wine pairings from vittorio veneto that sounds like so much fun! also collab dinners w/ guest chefs & a black-tie gala? that's like, full-on food fest mode gotta try this out. and thats so cool they have a doc about feedin detroit fams cafe cortina's been around since 1976? thats like, my grandma's age lol. anyway cant wait to check it out & give it a try!