Rob P.
Yelp
I immediately felt at home when I walked in. There's a casual vibe to the decor that belies the quick and flawless preparation of the food. There's also a staggering selection of beers. I normally don't have any trouble deciding on a beer, but this took a while. They have many Michigan beers, which makes me happy. And, they have many imaginative cocktails. My wife ordered the Apple Berry Jam, which tastes like an apple pie. I can absolutely see coming here for drinks.
But, if you only get drinks, you miss out on the amazing food. I considered a sandwich - there are several that sound terrific - but I went with an entree so I could try different sides.
My wife started with a side salad, which was simple, but the Caesar dressing elevated it with a thick Parmesano Reggiano presence.
The salmon was also simple, with seasoning that highlighted the delicate nature of the fish without obscuring it. It was served with honey Dijon sauce, but it honestly didn't need it.
The mashed potatoes were nice and buttery, but a baked potato would have been a perfect compliment if it were available on the menu.
The Espresso Burnt Ends, topped with pickled red onions, were flawless. I savored every rich, smoky bit. I first trimmed the small bits of fat, but I decided to try a nibble...even the fat is delicious.
I could easily have enjoyed it without any sides, but I couldn't have been happier with the fries. They have a crispy, Rally's fries character to them. And, there were a lot of them.
The Pretzel Mac & Cheese was a bit of a letdown, but only because everything else was so amazingly good. Pretzel crumbs are sprinkled on top, which is a nice concept. But there was nothing that tasted like a pretzel; it might as well have been breadcrumbs. The Mac & cheese itself was good, though not very cheesy. But, I realize I'm nitpicking because of how amazing everything else was.
The service was solid, too, while also keeping with the casual vibe. Dinner and drinks set us back about $60...well worth it for how great everything was. I just wish I lived closer so I could come back more often.