Sahara restaurant to open in District Detroit

Family-owned Sahara Restaurant & Grill will open its first restaurant in Detroit proper in 2019 when it joins the developing Columbia Street expansion by the Little Caesars world headquarters in District Detroit. 

The 4,500-square-foot restaurant serves Chaldean and Mediterranean food and has locations in Oak Park and Sterling Heights, plus a market and bakery in Warren. At the District Detroit location, expect grape leaves, falafel, fattoush, tabbouleh, shawarma, pita sandwiches and build-your-own combo plates, according to a release Thursday. There will be a full bar and gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan choices. 

Columbia Street is a 40,000-square-foot development under construction on the west side of Woodward near the Fox Theatre with retail and restaurants in a block-long, walkable strip. 

Last month, Olympia Development announced that Ann Arbor's Frita Batidos would open a second restaurant as part of Columbia Street. M Den, a University of Michigan athletic apparel store, will also occupy two street-level storefronts there. 

mbaetens@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @melodybaetens