Michael Geiger

Michael Geiger runs turntables around town, spinning hip-hop, disco, house, techno and jazz, including a standing monthly gig at Bosco in Ferndale. When not spinning, he's an event coordinator at Detroit's Eastern Market and a foodie with an actual culinary degree. They way he explains it, that gives him license to be extra judgmental about what he eats, especially dining out. "I am picky anyways, but now I am pickier," he says.

So while he likes Birmingham, "It's not necessarily for it's dining and nightlife." Unless maybe you offer him a slice from Brooklyn Pizza. "I love going to eat pizza somewhere. There aren't a lot of places that have dine-in pizza anymore," he says. Brooklyn has big, New York style slices. "It's some of the best pizza in metro Detroit." And he'd know: An employer once paid him to go around town and try as many competing pizzas as he could. This one stood out. He also likes the atmosphere at the restaurant: "In the summertime they have little tables out front. It's always popping."

Other than that, he finds Birmingham not the most exciting foodie scene. He's had a multi-course meal with wine flights and exceptional service at the Rugby Grille. And he likes the food at Sy Thai well enough. And while much of the bar and nightlife scene is too polished for his tasted, he's had a good time at Dick O'Dow's – a bar that for a pre-fab Irish pub is one of the better ones, he says. Otherwise, he says, there's not a ton to get his little foodie heart beating rapidly.

So what does he like about the 'burb? It's the best walking and window shopping in metro Detroit, with a beautiful public square, tree-lined streets, lots of unique shops and people watching. "That's what I like about Birmingham. It's sort of a semi-urban area. It feels like a city. I really enjoy walking around there."

Walking, and a little shopping, too. He visits Borders Books and Music for his "book fix." The gigantic gourmet wonderland of Papa Joe's lures him in: "They stock some difficult to procure, high-quality products. A bit expensive though. "

Furniture and home decor store Design Within Reach is another favorite. "I'm a huge fan of postmodern design. I do more window shopping there than anything. The prices aren't necessarily always within reach."

Oh, and he won't trust his hair to anyone other than a certain Birmingham stylist at Sydney Blake salon. "Darla Manning has cut my hair for years, she's great. I have followed her to all of the salons she has worked at in Birmingham."

He likes the eyewear at Shades Optical – "he always stocks the latest fashions in eye glasses" – and Optik for its vintage frames.

Finally, once in a while, while hoofing it through town, he wanders into Anthropologie. Yes, he knows it's a chain women's clothing boutique, however he likes their home goods. "I periodically stroll through and find something for my home."