Ann Arbor’s Best New Restaurants and Bars, May 2025 | Eater Detroit
"Within weeks of opening, Echelon became a go-to for a special night out. The airy dining room features an open kitchen with a wood-fired oven and custom wallpaper depicting Ann Arbor landmarks. Chef Joseph VanWagner, who trained in Michelin-starred kitchens in Chicago and New York, brings big-city polish, but the friendly, attentive staff keeps things cozy. Menu standouts include charred cauliflower with tahini, fresh bucatini with lobster, and kampachi crudo with poached pear. Or, grab a seat at the sleek bar for the lounge menu (don’t miss the killer smash burger), and order the martini-inspired Brine or Modern Medicine, served from a tabletop dispenser featuring bourbon from Charles Woodson’s distillery. Reserve a table through Tock." - Mary Hayes Weier
