Echelon Kitchen and Bar

We tried out Echelon Kitchen and Bar for the first time last night in downtown Ann Arbor's and it is fine dining at its best! We arrived around 5:30 and were able to be seated without a reservation. We were celebrating 2 birthdays. The ambiance was gorgeous, our server, Aubrey knowledgeable and professional. She asked about food sensitivities and clarified some of the menu items that could have caused an issue. The menu items were locally and responsibly sourced and change with the seasons. We were blown away by each course. Aubrey described each dish; the portion sizes were perfect for sharing, plated so beautifully and packed with flavor. The service was fast and organized. We met Taylor, the sommelier, who spoke to us about our wine selection, sourced from a village near where my husband grew up in Germany. It was a work of precision to see so many servers caring for clients and even more exciting to see and hear the chef's in the two kitchens prepare these masterful dishes. This restaurant is one we will try again and is worth a visit for a profound food experience!

This was our second time doing the tasting menu at the "chef's table". Once again, we were very impressed with the food and service. It was a 2+ hour meal with about 11 courses of inventive, delicious, and visually beautiful dishes. Highlights were the canapes, caviar on corn sorbet, black truffle anolini, and carrot cake. It was a wonderful night. Thanks to chef Joe and Danny for keeping the fire hot on a cold night.

We did the chefs counter tasting menu. In short, absolutely incredible. Service was great. Waiter was cool, somm stopped by, chef came by at the end as well. Every dish had a story and they were all incredible. The shrimp toast and shellfish bisque were probably the favorite but there were 3 or 4 dishes in the running for number 1. Root vegetable dessert was one of the best desserts I’ve had in ages too. Vibe at the counter were awesome. Got to watch the crew work, it was cozy from the open flames, felt like a little show with the meal. Would recommend the wine pairing as well. Overall, the best dining experience I have had in Ann Arbor, probably the best food as well. Right up there with some of the Michelin starred meals we’ve had around the world.

Echelon Kitchen & Bar is a phenomenal addition to Ann Arbor's dining scene and easily earns five stars. The atmosphere is modern, chic, and sophisticated—perfect for a nice night out The food is truly impressive. While the entire menu is strong, two dishes absolutely jumped out: the beets were unexpectedly complex and delicious, and the Wagyu steak was simply incredible—tender, perfectly cooked, and packed with flavor The service is attentive and professional, creating a seamless and memorable experience. They are focused on high-quality ingredients and elevated preparation. Echelon sets a new standard for dining in Ann Arbor, and it's well worth visiting for the culinary artistry

My sister and her boyfriend raved about this place, so I was finally available to join them for a night out. The experience we had far exceeded my already high expectations. From the service, to the ambiance and food presentation, to the flavor, it was absolute perfection. My only complaint was that I didn’t take more pictures of everything we shared!

Wonderful chef’s tasting menu with great selection of old and new world wines. The staff were very attentive. Dishes were elevated and creative. They easily accommodate different food restrictions to tasting menu where I could enjoy a meat menu and my wife could enjoy a vegetarian menu. Couldn't recommend more highly.

Best carrots I've ever had. Yeah, yeah, the filet mignon was great too, but you expect filet mignon to be good. You know a restaurant is incredible if they can make carrots taste more memorable than steak. They will be the most expensive carrots you ever buy though. This is definitely now Ann Arbor's fanciest restaurant.

We did the chefs table for my sons bday. 4 vegan & 1 omnivore. The experience was incredible! Such top notch servers! The explanations of the courses were so helpful! The depth of the 9 courses were a feat in itself. Each course is a visual delight! The chef came out to close out the experience . That was the icing on the cake! Also loved all the cocktails & wine selection !!

the menu is always creative and the food tastes great! probably the best in southeast MI! service rocks and I like the changing wine list as it affords the luxury of trying different wines from around the world.

Echelon is a true fine dining experience with upscale ambience, top notch service, and an amazing menu that includes smaller plates, vegetable-forward dishes, and enough protein options for any meat-eater. The beverage program is fantastic, with great cocktail options and very talented bartenders but also an excellent wine, beer, and cider list with a ton of Michigan options including wines by the glass. My wife is still talking about the Cab Franc Blanc from a Michigan winery, this place has a focus on local and hits pretty much everything out of the ballpark. I wouldn't call it cheap, but prices are fairly reasonable for the high quality ingredients, preparation, and chef-driven flavors. Definitely a GREAT option if you're looking to dine in Ann Arbor, though it can get quite loud when busy. Well done!

Loved this new Ann Arbor spot. I've been twice now. It is a great spot for a nice occasion. The dishes are all very unique and utilize Michigan vegetables that are in season. The crudo is a must get along with the bolognese we loved. The octopus was also great and so was the scallops and risotto. Everything honestly was very good, however, the portions are a little small, but still good for sharing. I would skip the hummus/whatever dips they have. I will definitely be back!

Just visited Echelon for the first time and had a solid, albeit not perfect experience. Food is shareable and generally high-quality, though frankly a bit on the expensive side. The filet was fantastic. The wine list is very good, and the sommelier was super friendly and helpful. Highly recommend asking her for help if you don't know exactly what you're looking for. My only real issue was our server. Main issue is he seemed a bit pushy about us ordering more food. He almost seemed appalled by our group of 4 smaller-sized people only ordering 6 dishes (he recommended 3 plates per person, which seemed absurd). We were all fairly satisfied, but he kept insisting we should order more plates. We casually mentioned that we had dessert at home so didn't want to overeat, and he seemed annoyed by it. Last, he knew very little about the wine list, which is disappointing for a server at a pricey restaurant -- this ended up not being a huge issue as the aforementioned Somm was great, but a bit more training for the servers probably wouldn't be a bad idea.

Snagged a reservation here on a Saturday night. Wow I would describe the ambience's slightly on the loud side. It's a hopping place. Wait staff are very attentive and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. Everything is described in detail when it is brought to the table.Most everything is a small plate so you need to order multiple courses and expect to spend at least 100+ dollars per person. We had the carrots, scallops with risotto, Seabass, and grilled octopus as well as a lemon dessert. For a foodie, it is heaven. I might want to try the tasting menu next time! The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is that I thought it was a little pricey for what we got. But everything tasted excellent.

Open kitchen. Wood fired grill. Great ambiance. Attentive service. When the dishes were served the server described the dish a second time.

The Chef's Counter tasting menu was very impressive! By far and away the best tasting menu experience I've had in Ann Arbor. Price is high (this isn't an every day meal) but worth it for those who highly value thoughtful, creative, delicious food experiences. Ours was a bit more of a veggie and seafood forward menu, with one meat course (wagyu, yum), and some Asian flavors inspiration in a handful of courses. A few of my fave courses: - Osetra caviar with red wine sorbet and shiso ice cream; this was super inventive and the flavor combination was ridiculously good - Wood-roasted maitake; these mushrooms were absolutely delicious and the sauce was a punch of flavor - Shrimp toast with shellfish bisque and a lobster skewer; the textures really stood out to me on this one! - Root vegetable dessert cake; best dessert I've had in a long time... rich, a little savory, just the right amount of sweet, very balanced and not overwhelmingly heavy to close out the meal I normally don't get the wine pairings with tasting menus (as it can sometimes be too much alcohol and take away from food), but I'm glad I did with this one! Unique and memorable choices, and we loved the sommelier talks. I enjoyed every single pour (and there were seven!!) including the dessert wine, which I usually never like. Service was friendly, attentive, and well timed. The staff supporting the chef's counter have the routine really coordinated. Note - sitting at the chef's counter can be hot! Temperature wise. You will be in close proximity to the kitchen's open flame wood grill. I had brought a sweater (since you never know how cold a place will be in the summertime) and definitelyyy did not need it. I appreciated getting a personalized menu at the end of the meal as a little souvenir! It listed out the food we ate, all the wine pairings, and had our names and date printed on it. I also appreciated that the full experience was prepaid. That left the pain of spending the $$$ in the past :) and we got to just enjoy the meal while there. No big check to settle afterwards! Overall lovely meal, and I'm interested in going back to try their a la carte menu next.

I was taken here for my birthday. I had heard about the place as it switched hands from the old Mongolian BBQ. It is located on Main street in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. Just an FYI that the place is pricey. It is an upscale restaurant so don't be shocked. Go for the experience. We had reservations and were quickly seated. Our waiter Malick explained the drink menu and the food menu. He was pretty thorough at how the menu worked and his recommendations. He explained that the items were very small so he recommended a 5 course meal or more for 2. We decided on the Calamari, roasted cauliflower, trout and scallops. The food was delicious. It had a variety of tastes and flavors. The Scallops, trout and roasted cauliflower was my favorites although all were tasty. The staff were pretty friendly and attentive. It was a very nice experience. I would definitely choose this place again especially for special occasions.

We opted for the tasting menu and sat up at the bar. It was interesting to watch the grill staff prepare dishes -- they are focused and working hard back there! Our favorites I think were the Maitake mushroom course and the cappelletti -- the most delicate and delicious stuffed pasta! The root vegetable dessert was incredible -- the chocolate was so rich and the hazelnut added the best crunchy texture. We also really enjoyed the canapes at the beginning of the meal, but I can't recall what those were. This was a pleasant experience overall, but for the price, the tasting menu and drink pairing felt like less of a value compared to other restaurants of this caliber. There were only a couple courses where the drink pairing really seemed to enhance. We would definitely return and try things from the a la carte menu. I'm glad to have a new upscale option for dining out in Ann Arbor!

The former home of BD's Mongolian Barbecue has been transformed into an elevated dining experience on Main Street. In a rare date night, we decided to treat ourselves to Echelon. We made reservations for the dining room, but even several days before the only thing available was 8 PM. The evening of, we arrived early and were able to be seated immediately in the full service bar area. We were promptly greeted by our knowledgeable server, who talked us through the menu. We decided on two small plates and two larger plates. As we waited for them to be served, we enjoyed the gentle din of the restaurant - it was quieter in the bar area - and the rotating photos of historic Ann Arbor on a screen behind the bar. I imagine you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. Our Kampachi and Octopus were cooked perfectly and very flavorful. I was excited for the next course, and it did not disappoint. I ordered the Scallops over Risotto and it was so unique and delicious. My husband got the lamb, which I sampled. It was excellent but I still preferred the scallops. This is a premium experience, and you will pay for the quality, but it is unmatched anywhere in town with the package of ambiance, flavor, and service. If you're curious about Echelon, it is definitely worth booking for your next night out.

Echelon is my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor right now. I've held off on writing this review because I wanted to try both the Chef's Counter as well as order a la carte. Now that I've had both, I'm ready to write my review and share what a fab experience I had both times. It's worth the splurge! For the Chef's Counter Tasting menu: Their menu is going to change seasonally but I had food and wine pairings I'm going to remember for the rest of my life. I mean when you open with a 'jewel box' of canapes featuring foie gras, caviar, okonoimyaki pastries & duck fritters...I am sold. I will dream about that venison loin seasoned with Michigan wildflower salt and venision pithivier. The dopio ravioli with butter nut squash, goat cheese, orange, sage brown butter lives rent free. I will always remember how beautifully stunning the squid ink tuille/lace was on the seared scallop with parmesan foam dish (it was so tasty too). I am also never going to love a 'root vegetable chocolate ganache cake' as much as the one I loved from this tasting menu. For our most recent time - we celebrated my partner's birthday! I loved the details - the handwritten birthday note, the Prosecco toast, the candle in dessert! Now onto the food -- in order of things loved it/I'd order again to eh, skip it: * Wood Roasted Cod (spring pea and mustards, caper relish, lemon emulsion, pimenton, smoked trout roe) - this dish was unexpectedly FIRE; so flaky and soft! * Lobster Bucatini (butternut squash, preserved orange, chili, toasted milk solid pancito) * House Bread (compound butter, giardiniera, muhammara) * Baby Carrot (gruyère, chili, candied hazelnut, lime, cilantro) * N'duja Tartine (stracciatella, caramelized onion, giardiniera) * Cabbage (okonomiyaki, grilled and glazed cabbage) - good but ok! * Whole Roasted Turbot (smoked caviar beurre blanc) - super unique, but a little fishy and paled in comparison to the cod. We also ordered ALL the dessert -- you have to get the spring seasonal one which is the Lemon-Tarragon Mint Cake (paired with luscious lemon rose curd, silky tarragon cream, delicate white chocolate, and a hint of pistachio for the perfect finish.) Shout out to Anya our server. Taylor, their sommelier, who has educated my wine palate. Through the Chef's tasting menu -- there were so different unique wines from various regions that I've never had before. So I also re-ordered the stand outs as well as tried a beautiful Lebanese wine on the menu! We'll definitely be back! Even the bar looks great & they have a separate menu (eye'ing the burgers and fries!)

Yes it's pricey but it's also the best place in Ann Arbor right now. Really nice attention to detail. Great service and ambiance.

When I heard that Mongolian BBQ had been replaced by a bougie new spot called Echelon--owned by a former Cheesecake Factory exec and a Blackstone SVP--I was nervous. Like... are we talking "echelon" as in "only the wealthy elite may dine here while the rest of us toil in the lower tiers of society"? Turns out... maybe a little. Echelon is undeniably fancy--like, suspiciously fancy for Ann Arbor--but we should all just let out a sigh of relief that the owner leaned more Spencer than CCF on Main Street. I'll take kanpachi crudo over a menu with 37 pages of pasta-adjacent dishes any day. The vibe? Impeccable. It's not your usual sleek-and-soulless minimalist aesthetic. Think: plush leather chairs, curved cushion banquettes, fun bulbous lighting, and enough soft paneling to keep the space feeling cozy and quiet even when it's buzzing. The service? friendly and knowledgeable servers and food runners. Over the top in the best way. The food? They somehow convinced me seafood is fresh in Michigan(??) New York level - at the top of Ann Arbor's restaurant scene for sure. Standouts were the kanpachi crudo, octopus, and lobster bucatini--each was bright, perfectly cooked and interesting--not the same seafood dishes that have been on rotation in the Midwest for the last 20 yrs (Pacific Rim... ). the filet mignon was also standout, as was the wine list. Downsides? The bread was forgettable and the vegetable salad my parents wouldn't stop hyping up? Came overdressed and underwhelming this time. But minor missteps in an otherwise killer lineup. Echelon is firmly in the camp of nice Ann Arbor restaurants that aren't just doing the same shtick. Think Spencer with seating options -- though, they are booking up fast. Be sure to book a table (on Tock) beforehand.

Came here to celebrate our 14 year anniversary, and it was absolutely phenomenal! From the ambiance to your the service, everything was top notch and done with utmost care. They have been only open for 5 weeks, and I can tell this restaurant is going to be very successful and thrive here in Ann Arbor. The food is not only delicious, but the plating and presentation showcases their food in art form, but their hands-on attention to detail. The serving team is very knowledgeable and each dish (served by different people at times) was explained in detail upon serving. The bold flavors and textures brought out by their wood-fired cooking and vegetable forward concept really sets Echelon apart from the many restaurants in the area. I also love that they partner with local farmers and businesses to source seasonal and fresh produce and seafood. We for celebratory N/A rosé for toasting because the server knew I don't drink alcohol. So thoughtful! My husband ordered an old fashioned and he said it was very good. I got the rose mocktail and loved it. I've had many mocktails that were just syrup and soda and never cared for them, but this drink was the best mocktail I've ever had! The crispy octopus was cooked very well and probably one of the best I've had! The aioli paired with the seasoning and glaze on the octopus = perfection! The grilled sea bream and lobster bucatini were also a hit. We enjoyed both dishes very much. Seafood is easy to overcook, and they did a phenomenal job. I'm so impressed with the flavors and quality. We ended with the citrus dessert, as recommended by our server, and that was just WOW. So many flavors in one bite. The ingredients and approach is so unique and different. This truly is an experience and so worth it. I can't wait to come back to try the rest of the menu!

There's no question--the food here is delicious. Thoughtfully plated, beautifully balanced, and clearly made with care. Each course felt intentional, and it's clear the kitchen knows what it's doing. If you're coming for flavor, you won't be disappointed. That said, the experience was not without a few hiccups. The website listed the tasting menu at $125 per person, but when booking, the cost had jumped to $150--with no clear explanation. The menu options online also didn't match what was presented at booking, which caused a bit of confusion leading up to our visit. While the food was very good, the price point is creeping into the territory of more established and nationally recognized restaurants--places with Michelin stars or years of prestige behind them. At that level, the experience has to feel seamless, and details like outdated website information matter. We still enjoyed our evening, but for $150 per person, plus $70 wine pairing, expectations are understandably higher across the board.

Beautiful restaurant with open kitchen and great service. Delicious small plates. Great place for special dinner out that is not too stuffy. I will be back!

We spent a whole evening ordering dishes and wine bottles. The place is upscale and posh, interiors are fab. The food is dense in flavours with local ingredients and portion sizes are small, which the waiters inform you prior to ordering. The service is a bit slow but very nice otherwise. I would recommend this as an experience but beyond that... I am not so sure. Definitely worth the hype. The menu rotates so the pictures might not do justice to what awaits you.

Atmosphere and service at Echelon were excellent. The food would've been fabulous, if not for the hilarious portion sizes. We had a party of four and based on their menu and prices, we assumed the plates were shareable. We realized our mistake when our server recommended 7-8 plates for four people. It became evident why once the food showed up: each plate was no more than 3-4 bites of food total. It would've been funny if it wasn't so shocking to our wallets. The food itself was great, but I don't know how you would get that sense unless you were a party of two or dining by yourself. The chef's table approach was just not what we were expecting, and honestly I think it's too stuffy for a Midwest small town like Ann Arbor. Their drink menu and bar looked fun - I would come back for a cocktail and dine elsewhere.

Made a reservation shortly after this restaurant opened. Very cool and fun atmosphere. Staff was very attentive and friendly. Shortly after being seated our server educated us regarding the menu and provided recommendations. Everything was delicious. Highly recommend the N'duja tartine and baby carrots. The house bread was also delicious (not pictured). The scallop & risotto and the bucatini were excellent very tasty. Definitely will have to get back here to try out some of the other delicious options.

I would definitely consider this a "special occasion" restaurant for us, as the dishes are on the pricier side, but some of the most delicious food I have had. Everything was bursting with flavor, with beautiful presentation. All of the employees were friendly and knowledgeable, great overall experience! The Cod and the Baby Carrots were both exceptional, also loved the Crispy Octopus and brown butter ice cream and the lemon dessert!

The food, presentation, service, drinks, ambiance were excellent. It was comparable to any of our Michelin Star dining experiences. Since we were two vegans and one vegetarian, we loved the vegetable showcase. Each item was excellent on its own and didn't feel like a replica of a non-vegan dish. Echelon team will surely raise the Ann Arbor dining scene experience. Thank you for a memorable graduation celebration.

Really good... service & food were on point. The bolognese stood out to everyone. It's definitely pricey but you pay for the ambience too. Would repeat.

What an experience! I booked the chef's tasting online, and was thoroughly impressed. It felt like it should cost more than it did. When we arrived, we were immediately greeted and had our jackets hung up. We were welcomed with some bubbly and greeted by numerous staff members. There is a som on site to help with any drink choices. We had 6 creative, beautiful, delicious courses. I don't wanna give any of the dishes away, but they were all a hit. My husband, who doesn't normally like tasting menus, agreed that this one was one of the best ones we have had. What a beautiful addition to Ann Arbor.

We were lucky to be able to try dinner at the bar here on a Sunday night. Every staff member we encountered was very kind and welcoming. The main door opens to the bar side on the left, which has a couple of tables next to the window. We overheard our server telling some other patrons that they've been very busy since they opened last week, and when that's the case, the dining menu is not an option at the bar. The dining room looked very nice. I appreciated the attention to detail when it came to the thoughtful ambient lighting throughout the restaurant, and in the display areas around and behind the bar. Our drinks were delicious, and so was every single bite we had. The menu isn't marked for dietary restrictions, but our server knew it well enough to be able to tell us which options were gluten free, and went back to check with the kitchen to make sure another item he wasn't sure about would be safe for me to eat. We ordered the Vegetable Salad, which was reminiscent of a Vietnamese goi, and had great flavor infused throughout with fun contrasts in texture with the crispy onion bits on top. My boyfriend got the house bread with compound butter, giardiniera (I loved the fresh and spicy jalapeños they used), and muhammara, which he enjoyed very much. The Baby Carrots were a recommendation we overheard the server make to some patrons nearby, and they were absolute perfection; the candied hazelnuts made the dish so special, and the carrots were cooked perfectly. The Scallops with Risotto Nero was perfectly portioned and the scallops were some of the best we've had in a while. Throughout our dining experience, there were so many staff members buzzing around to make sure we had enough water, our dirty plates were never in front of us for long, and to replace our place settings for every single course. It was nice to see a team work so well for a restaurant that's just opened; very impressive! We absolutely loved our entire experience, would definitely recommend this as a top place for a dinner that doesn't disappoint, and will definitely be coming back soon!

Service was ok, it could have been better. The waitress apparently thought we didn't order enough food (we ordered the broccolini app, and the filet mignon and cod between the two of us) and suggested we order more food, which I found pushy, because while I have never eaten there, it's certainly not a small plates tapas restaurant or similar and we were fine with the amount of food in the end. My filet was an issue. It came out with two pieces one medallion of appropriate size and cooked to medium rare and another smaller piece of meat that was cooked medium well. I'm not exactly sure why this made it through the pass, where was the quality control? The medallion of appropriate size was cooked perfectly, very nice crust on it and seasoned well. The greens on the plate were just a bit underseasoned and undercooked, while the pommes anna were crispy and nicely done. All and all a solid dish without that little overcooked pics of meat. The broccolini was cooked well and nicely charred, but I felt the manchego foam was a little flat, it needed to be punchier with more cheese forward flavor. I actually think I enjoyed my wife's cod dish more than the filet. It was more visually appealing and was a very well rounded dish with lots of flavor. The dessert we had was called the buckwheat, which was a chocolate cake with ganache and a buckwheat cookie crumble. The ganache and crumble were excellent, I really enjoyed the textural contrast on this dish that those provided. The cake was moist but lacked any flavor. And I believe there was a flavored whipped cream or something, but it seriously got lost in the dish, still out there searching for it. I found the menu somewhat confusing as there were several different styles of cuisine presented, middle eastern/north African, French, Italian, Greek, Japanese...and while it claimed to be a vegetable-forward establishment, it certainly has a lot of meat on the menu and none of the vegetable dishes really stand out as being original.

I never leave reviews unless I'm blown away and last night I was blown away. The Chefs Tasting was everything and more. I was excited with every plate that came out next. Our waitress was a treasure as well, Ella (I believe?). Regardless, wonderful experience. The vibe was really nice as well. Definitely will return.

Over promised way under delivered. Overall - the chef seemed more concerned with appearance of the plate versus what was on the plate Apps were excellent. Pita and dips were a good twist on classics. Cauliflower was done well but the pieces were too small. Tartine was my favorite. Entrees - I had the bass. The serving size was literally a fish stick. The skin was rubbery and I couldn't eat half of the fish stick. Wife's filet mignon was not a quality piece of meat. The vegan pasta was meh Deserts - Lemon curd had good flavor. Bulgar wheat dish was playful and had good components. The chocolate cake was disjointed.

Sampled 7 different things from the menu and nothing blew me away. Everything was solid but nothing crazy. The carrots and the cabbage dishes were probably my favorites. The ambiance is very good vibes and had a lot of energy on a Sunday night. Our service was okay but could've been better.

Great service and delicious food. Went here after being ignored at our original reservation at a different restaurant and couldn't have been happier with the change of venue.

A must go and check out this Amazing food excellent service and good will come again

Excellent fresh food with local ingredients. Super friendly and detail oriented service. Modern deco and inviting atmosphere, definitely will go back again.

This place is fantastic. Super high end, every dish is incredible but the prices reflect that. Service is very high level. Enjoyed every dish and definitely will be back.

Food, service, atmosphere are all top notch. A great addition to Main Street! Can't wait to return.

Bar prices are ridiculous! Everything for a cocktail comes on the bill as a separate item. A Tito's on the rock s, dirty with blue cheese olives was Listed as 1) Tito's Handmade $14.00, 2) Blue cheese olives $1.50, 3) Martini $4.00? So &19.50 total . I didn't order a martini, but they charged me four dollars for olive juice. Extremely overpriced.

Exceptional from start to finish. The attentive, knowledgeable, and warm staff make the whole place a vibe. It is clear everyone is happy to work there, and right now that atmosphere is so appreciated. The bar area is a comfortable oasis with an extensive menu of both cocktails and mocktails. If you grab a bite at the bar, the fried chicken sandwich is officially the best in Ann Arbor. (I said it.) We have also dined in the dining room on a few occasions. The variety of plate sizes is ideal if you want a small bite or if you order a few and share. No more one-size-fits-all. The food is thoughtfully inventive, and chefy without pretence. Anyone would feel comfortable reading and understanding the menu, and if you have any questions, the staff will happily explain. Please take the opportunity to ask about their menu favorites! After three recommendations to try the carrots, we ordered them, and how did they make them so delicious? Game changer. I did not know carrots could taste like that. Attire in the restaurant varied, from jeans and a sweater to lots of UMich sweatshirts on game days, and clearly a few couples out on special occasions, all dressed up in suits and dresses. It all works! No one was out of place. Also, the open kitchen is an entertaining backdrop yet incredibly quiet. And last, if you have room, the desserts are insanely delicious and not heavy. If you want Blank Slate, go to Blank Slate. Also delicious! This just isn't that. Eschelon desserts are well-balanced flavor explosions of some old favorites, like a lemon cake with a twist or S'mores ice cream with chefy marshmallows. Who knew marshmallows could be chefy? Reservations help, but they do leave room for walk-ins. The food prices reflect quality and attention to local seasonal picks. We found that they are less expensive than some other restaurants with this intention that are not located downtown, and Eschelon has better food and a better location. Highly recommend!

We had about 8 different dishes to share in our group of 4 and each was better than the last. The octopus and scallops standing out to remember. Great cocktails, ambiance and food, favorite upscale flavors and meal in Ann Arbor to date! Congrats to this new venue, we will definitely be back and cheers to Chef Nate, he's the best!!

I do feel bad writing this review. The bill for two with wine was 170$. The scallops had franks red hot on them disgusting. The pasta tasted like it was from Costco. The staff was lovely and service was good. But this food was shameful . Buyer beware

Just wow! We were here this past Sunday and were very impressed! When we walked in we were immediately greeted and checked our coats. We were a little early so sat at the bar and perused the extensive drink menu. We settled on a delicious white wine that the bartender helped us choose. Perfect choice. We were seated at a comfortable table for 2. The set up is phenomenal. You are not right next to another table so even though the place was full you didn't have to hear other people's conversations. There was music in the background but at the perfect level. The decor is beautiful. We were able to taste 4 dishes. The filet was perfectly cooked and was a flavor explosion. We also had the duck. I have never tried it before but it was so flavorful and delicious! My favorite dish was probably the bucatini. Wow! The service was impeccable. Our water glass was always filled. They just made you feel so pampered. Even the bathrooms were well thought out. There are 4 individual bathrooms that had an occupied and unoccupied designation when you lock the door. No anxiety about people knocking! We tried 2 desserts and they were delicious! people! You NEED to make your reservations and have a wonderful experience here. I promise you will NOT be disappointed! I can't wait to come back. I want to try everything on the menu.

Definitely my new all-time favorite! I'm already dreaming of coming back! Be prepared to spend some money $$$$

Very very beautiful restaurant as well as plated food. Service was also good. Everything we ate was very well crafted. With that said I'm not sure that I left knowing that I'd crave to come back. Our biggest issue was with the appetizer portions. We ordered many, broccolini, cauliflower, hummus, octopus (one tentacle) and found it difficult to share such tiny portions especially for the price. We found the cocktails flavorful but weak and not worth the price of having a second. Then they tack on an extra 3%, their pricing just seems a tad greedy.

Friendly open service, delicious beautiful food, comfortable atmosphere. Can't wait to go back and try more.

Pretty venue and was nicely comped on drinks when the service was not great, but the food was just "good" and the prices are way too high for the portion sizes. It's basically four bite dishes for $40 each. I'd prefer more generous tapas down the street.

Great service, food, and cocktails. What a wonderful addition to Ann Arbor. Best meal I've had in this city and I've lived here nearly 20 years. Bravo

One of the best restaurants I've been to. Echelon is everything you want in a fine dining restaurant: beautiful atmosphere, delicious food (truly, everything I've had in my 3 times there has been delicious), and most importantly excellent service and hospitality -- thoughtful touches everywhere, kind staff, and just overall high quality. All of this, yet it doesn't feel stuffy or pretentious. Awesome restaurant and great addition to Ann Arbor!

Staff not knowledgeable about wine and instructed how to eat the dishes which was off putting.

Food was horrible and so was service. Notice no menu on website guess that says it all.

management was absolutely horrible. below average food and place was empty on homecoming Friday night.

New favorite restaurant in AA!!!! Beautiful and delicious food, great atmosphere, great service. Outstanding.

This is my new favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor! Every dish was great, but highlights included the cauliflower, crudo, octopus, and duck (and I normally don't like duck). The service was excellent all around. Our server Aaron was very helpful and knowledgeable. Taylor, the sommelier, was outstanding!