Redefining Fine Dining At Freya Detroit

James Beard semi-finalists, Sandy and Doug, embrace the power of community at Freya Detroit.

Owners of Freya, Sandy and Doug, standing near the front desk and smiling

Food is more than just a means to sustain and nourish our bodies. The process of planning, cooking, and presenting a meal is an art. It’s a means of expression. A way to share your heritage and culture. And a way to bring people together over a shared experience. At Freya, a unique fine dining establishment in Detroit, flavorful food combinations invite people to savor the moment.

The Freya building has an industrial feel, with concrete floors, exposed ductwork, and an open kitchen, but the space is far from cold and utilitarian. On a Friday afternoon, the kitchen is buzzing with life as the team prepares for an evening of guests. The sound of food being diced mingles with the clink of cutlery as tables are set. Sourdough bread is baking in the oven and a chef gathers fresh herbs from the half wall that separates the dining room from the open kitchen. Artwork from local artists line the walls and a record player near the entrance plays everything from Nat King Cole to Beyoncé to David Bowie.

 

In this building, the small, but talented, staff prides itself on not only providing a meal for hungry patrons but creating an experience. Though Freya was named one of New York Times “50 Favorite Restaurants of 2022” (and the only Michigan restaurant on the list), a “Best New Restaurant” in 2022 by Detroit Free Press, and, more recently, the 2024 “Restaurant of the Year” by Hour Detroit, you won’t find white tablecloths, gaudy chandeliers, and a posh formalness that often accompanies fine dining establishments. Instead, Freya aims to make elevated dining experiences more accessible with the idea that everyone deserves great food, great drinks, and great hospitality.

A perfect pair.

A perfect pair.

Located in the Milwaukee-Junction neighborhood of Detroit, and just around the corner from the Lake Trust relationship center on Woodward Ave., Freya occupies an industrial building that was once home to Cleveland Drill & Dye and later the Postal Workers Union. This building sat empty for about 10 years before Sandy L. (co-owner) and Doug H. (co-owner and executive chef) considered the potential of the space.

Room full of customers dining inside of Freya

Sandy and Doug purchased the space with financing help in the form of a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan from Lake Trust. But just a few months later, the global coronavirus pandemic put plans for Freya on pause. Suddenly, construction was at a halt and the process of gaining the proper permits for the building renovations took far longer than anticipated. But through these challenges, Doug and Sandy remained vigilant and kept their sights set on their dream. Finally, in October 2021, Freya opened its doors.

The meaning of community.

The meaning of community.

Even though Freya opened during a tumultuous time, particularly for restaurants, support from the community helped this small business quickly succeed. And Sandy, Doug, and the team at Freya have found several innovative ways to add to their community story. Anything that can possibly be made from scratch and using local ingredients is done so: Sauces, dressings, bread, and more. The team also works with local farmers in the City of Detroit and surrounding suburbs to source food, and the menu at Freya changes seasonally to reflect this practice.

Two Freya employees preparing food

Sometimes area farmers simply drop off food and the chefs use this as an opportunity to express their creativity and find ways to incorporate the food into a new menu offering.

 

Among the many online reviews praising the food at Freya, many patrons have commented that the aesthetic at Freya feels like dining in an art gallery. And in a way, it is. An area artist is featured each month, and their artwork adorns the walls at Freya for display and purchase. And Freya does not take any money from the sale of this artwork, making sure the artists get the full commission from each piece.

Financial wellbeing impact.

Financial wellbeing impact.

In addition to providing amazing food and support for local artists, Sandy and Doug are making an impact on financial wellbeing too. To create a more equitable work environment, gratuity fees are shared among the entire staff to reduce pay discrepancies.

Freya waitress talking to two customers at a dining table

“We want to try to help close the pay gap between front and back staff. And our front staff was enthusiastic about this model from day one,” said Sandy of the innovative pay model.

 

By reinforcing the important role that everyone plays in the experience of their customers, team members are empowered to reflect on how their individual contributions enhance the success of their entire team.

I’m most proud of our staff. They are so good at what they do, and they work great as a team. I’m proud of just being able to nurture that environment.

Empowered to dream.

Empowered to dream.

While team autonomy is an important pillar of their business, Doug and Sandy looked for a similar autonomy when searching for a financial institution to support their vision of bringing Freya to life. As experienced restauranteurs who also own The Oakland in Ferndale, Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails in Midtown, and Dragonfly (a neighborhood bar right around the corner from Freya), Sandy and Doug needed support from an organization that understood their unique approach to dining.

Two prepared dishes on a table

After speaking with a few financial institutions, a friend referred the business partners to Lake Trust. And after an “accommodating, responsive, and personal” experience, they decided Lake Trust was the perfect fit.

Lake Trust empowers me to facilitate and operate our restaurants in a way that makes it possible for our staff to do what they do best.

Looking ahead.

Looking ahead.

Doug and Sandy already have another exquisite dining experience in the works to add to their impressive portfolio. They’re planning to open a low-key neighborhood bar where people can relax and connect. With an impressive number of accolades awarded to each of their establishments, there’s no doubt that this new concept will continue to impress critics and patrons. And add a new chapter to their Detroit community story.

That’s the power of ambition.

Room full of customers dining inside of Freya and chefs preparing food in the background

To learn more about Freya or to make a reservation, visit their website at freyadetroit.com1 or say hello at 2929 E. Grand Boulevard in Detroit.

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1 Third party website. Lake Trust Credit Union is not responsible for the content, availability, security or compliance of any linked third party websites. In addition, the site's privacy policies may differ from those of Lake Trust.