Taste Kitchen

Taste Kitchen: Solid Downtown Ann Arbor Pick Taste Kitchen in downtown Ann Arbor is a reliable spot that ticks most boxes. The menu's strong, offering good variety, and the service is decent – friendly enough without being overbearing. The atmosphere is genuinely comfy, making it easy to settle in. What stands out is their approach to flavor: food isn't overly salty or sweet, which is a welcome change and definitely leaves you feeling a bit healthier. Visually, the plates are well-executed and unique, adding a nice touch that elevates the dining experience. Whether you're looking for a casual meal or need a place for a business chat, Taste Kitchen fits the bill. It's a solid recommendation.

We visited for Valentine’s Day and really enjoyed their tasting menu. The meal included 4 courses and everything was great. I really enjoyed the beef short rib. The service was good and food arrived quickly. The atmosphere was fine, nothing particularly special. All in all the food was definitely the highlight and I would definitely recommend this restaurant for that reason.

Taste Kitchen offers an elegant, contemporary dining space that’s beginning to show a bit of its age, both in decor and the condition of the physical menu. That said, the restaurant still delivers a solid dining experience with a diverse menu and a well-stocked bar. We started with the patatas bravas and steamed mushroom dumplings. The bravas were excellent—crispy potatoes paired beautifully with fried egg, a satisfying and flavorful start. For my main, I had the duck confit, and it was the highlight of the meal: tender, flavorful, and well-balanced with the lentils and carrot purée. Dessert was a poached pear, which looked elegant but didn’t quite hit the mark in flavor. The Chinese tea was pleasant, though nothing extraordinary. Overall, it’s a great spot for a refined meal with a global touch, especially if you’re into wine or cocktails—but a little refresh to the ambiance could take the experience to the next level.

I got the flank steak, octopus, scallops & dessert, everything was so perfect. Fresh & seasoned. Dessert was also so refreshing. My waiter Thomas was amazing as well .

Delicious, elegant and upscale dining in Ann Arbor. Great for dates or if family is in town. Loved the pho and the tartare. Really yummy pork chop as well.

We ate at a new to us restaurant last night, Taste Kitchen. It did not disappoint. The atmosphere had a cool vibe, service was great, the food was excellent AND we were given fresh silverware and plates between each course! So important. We got a great wine recommendation from our server (in a section of the menu we usually don't choose from - light and delicate) but it turned out to be a wonderful pairing with the range of foods we had. We will definitely go back and I do recommend it if you're ever in the area! * Summer rolls * Mussels * Seafood bisque * Shrimp and mushroom risotto * Le Orme Italian wine

The food is 7.5/10; there’s no surprises dishes. The steak is not soft enough while choosing medium cooking is less cooked than average level. Fish dishes were good. I think there can be more types of vegetables sides for the main plates. The speed of serving was super slow, lower than average fine dining restaurants. They changed utensils frequently.

It seems like every time I eat on Ann Arbor, I come back raving about the place. But Taste is a truly unique experience . It's a fusion restaurant, so the dishes are eclectic and perfectly prepared and presented, I might add. The miso soup, in particular, is a preview of the depth and creativity of the chef. The atmosphere is surprisingly sophisticated for what amounts to a storefront. If you sit facing the windows, you can watch campus streetlife pass, which is a show in itself, plus graffiti alley is next to the building. Long story short... if I had one place to pick it would be Taste

Came here on a whim on a weekend and was pleasantly surprised by the overall experience. While pricier than our party expected, it surely was worth it for the various food with interesting fusion inspirations, super attentive service, and cozy interior ambience. Would definitely return for a special occasion for the variety of dishes and drinks. The portion sizes were fair and just the right amount for satisfaction, but I can see others expecting something more for the price point. Overall, it's definitely a hidden gem in a college town like this. It's an upscale meal that *actually* feels worth its value with the service and ambience that matches.

An approachable fine dining feel. Think white tablecloths, darker design, candle and flowers on the table, dressed up servers who change your silverware in between courses. It almost seems like it doesn't quite fit right amidst the hubbub of State St. After years of walking past, we finally tried Taste Kitchen and it was a nice dinner! I started with the Thyme Out cocktail (tequila, grapefruit vermouth, jalapeño, thyme, bitters, grapefruit, lime) and this was PHENOMENAL. Honestly maybe my favorite part of the whole dinner, just one of the best cocktails I've had in a while! Pretty spicy (which I like). For food, French Vietnamese inspired, we went family style, sharing a few starters and a main between two: - Seafood Paella; good seafood (the lobster and scallop were my favorite), saffron rice maybe a touch underseasoned - Thai Pomelo Salad; bright and texturally interesting between the pomelo, endive, jicama, and peanuts! - Beef Tataki; very tasty, 5 small pieces of beef in a tasty ponzu sauce garnished with radish and pickled red onion (the best bite combined it all) - Mushroom Noodle Salad; enoki mushrooms and noodle blended seamlessly together for a herby peanut noodle dish with an extra little flair Finished the meal with the Coconut Panna Cotta... which, after the cocktail, may have been my second favorite part of the whole meal. So yummy and loved the extra toasted coconut. Overall portions are fairly small, but tasty (though the dishes didn't really blow me away). And gorgeously presented! Service was very polite and professional. Street parking or there's a nearby parking structure a couple blocks away.

The food was excellent here! It is definitely fine-dining with some asian fusion. I think it is great for a date night or a special occasion! Service was extremely good and our waiter was very attentive. They had an off menu fish dish the day I went and it was so delicious! I highly recommend asking what the specials for that day are!

We had dinner here the other night and, sadly, they have less outdoor seating than they used to. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful evening to sit outside even if their outdoor seating is more limited. We started with the Crab Cakes and the Salmon Poke and both were excellent. I slightly preferred the poke because it was spicier. I had the Lake Perch with quinoa and asparagus which was excellent though a few of the stalks of asparagus had seen their better days and were tough. The Chocolate Delice for dessert was also excellent. The service was friendly and helpful.

We went with a group of five for a work dinner. We decided to get a few appetizers to share. We ordered the crabcakes, calamari, beet, salad, the dumplings, and the salmon. They were all delicious and gave us a good taste of the appetizers at the restaurant. I ordered the salmon and risotto for dinner. The risotto was creamy, and it was the perfect texture. The salmon had a nice lemon grass coconut sauce, that was very tasty. You have the option of getting rice that is black with your dish if you like. The salmon was Thai inspired. The noise level was moderate so we could talk to one another. The servers were very attentive.

This was one of the places we hadn't been to yet despite living in Ann Arbor for many years. Decided to make a reservation for a birthday and to celebrate a new job. Staff is very attentive and knowledgeable and while it feels like tight quarters in some parts of the dining area it had an ok ambiance. The food was all very good. The mussels starter may have been my favorite and we were so excited when the server offered more bread to dip in the delicious sauce. Steak tartare we wouldnt order again but didn't regret it -- it was okay, maybe lacking some flavor. My king salmon entree was very good -- salmon cooked perfectly on top of a cauliflower puree, spinach, and an excellent yogurt sauce. The scallops were also well-cooked and the corn succotash had incredible flavor, however for the price of the dish I'd expect more than three small scallops. The ginger creme brulee was very good. We were pleased to eat it despite being super full. Overall this place was very good, however I think a bit overpriced for what you get depending on the dish. But it's downtown Ann Arbor, after all. We'd go again for sure.

We were looking for a new place for a special birthday celebration and this place was the perfect fit. It was hopping on a cold Saturday night! Our reservation was at 7:30, but we didn't get seated until7:45. We didn't mind because it was obvious they were bust, but they gave us each a glass of champagne as an apology - appreciated, but totally unnecessary! It's a cozy little place, but it didn't feel cramped and the decor is simple and elegant. Our server was Luke - he as very friendly and attentive. They have an interesting cocktail menu. I got the Highland Campfire and my daughter tried the Texas Sunset - great tasting and beautiful presentation! All three of us had the Seafood Bisque and it was delicious! We all tried different entrees - I had the Chilean Sea Bass, my wife had the Shrimp Risotto and my daughter had the Diver Scallops. All three were excellent choices!

Just spent the NYE here a week ago with my friends. We had a great dining experience in the spacious restaurant . Due to the popularity of this restaurant, I made a reservation one day before. The website said that on NYE the menu might be different from usual, so I emailed them to check on that. Surprisingly, I received their feedback early next day. We ordered shaking beef, diver scallops, a tartare, a hot seafood appetizer first. The service was quick and the food was delicious. In fact soon after these dishes were brought to us they were gone, and if the price were lower, I just couldn't imagine how many dishes we would order. Anyway, after a while the waitress gave us the dessert menu. Everything on it was attractive, but finally we ordered three out of four; they were: a pudding, a cheese plate and a plate of chocolate. I enjoyed the cheese plate most--the different cheeses, dried fruits and their baguette created a fantastic blend of saltiness , sweetness and a fragrant of nature. In general this was a excellent place for fine dining in Ann Arbor. Even if the restaurant was almost twice the size as the ones nearby, it was fully seated. So make reservations as soon as possible:)

The name of this restaurant couldn't be more fitting. Taste is a noun AND a verb; Taste Kitchen embodies both fully. The sensation of flavor is so perfectly considered that every bite is a balanced experience. The consideration of flavor and experience doesn't start and stop with their food, it carries over into the bar menu featuring hand made features that I once made fun of. Crème de menthe? Wasn't that the old man's bizarrely green digestif that has sat behind the bar for the last 80 years? Not here! They have literally crafted their own out of fresh mint leaves and there is nothing on earth I have ever experienced like it. Instantly obsessed. If this attention to detail doesn't speak volumes to what they serve, you'll easily find it in every other plate, bowl and cup you order.

The foie gras was good, but the sauces and apple compote overpowered the taste of the foie gras. The Chilean sea bass was delicious! It was on a bed of potatoes and leeks that wasn't that appetizing, but the broth was absolutely delicious. It was odd eating a bunch of sliced leeks with a couple chunky potatoes, but because the nage was so good, I overlooked it. They do not offer many wines by the glass so that's kind of a bummer, but they do have a bunch by the bottle. The coffee creme brûlée was amazing and my favorite dish of the night.

Visited for a special birthday. Had wonderful service and great food. The wine list had some fun new wines to try. 100% recommend!

.... And we're back! Tonight's dinner is quite possibly the best dinner that I've had in Ann Arbor. I had the Shrimp Risotto and it was amazing. The shrimp were cooked to perfection. My mother has the duck and it was super tasty. My father had mussels and they were a really nice size and the sauce was delicious. The calamari was a shared dish and got rave reviews. The staff is exceptional. Can't wait to come back!

We went to taste for a 60th birthday dinner. We loved the food - I ordered the risotto. The staff was pleasant and on point and the food came out in a timely manner. The only issue is the ambiance in this place - it's cold by the door and the upscale vibes they are trying to give off come across as a bit tacky (the fireplaces etc.) good food but could find better vibes in Ann Arbor!

Food was great. We ordered shaking beef (like many others) and perch (seems to be seasonal). Nice decor and convenient location.

Hmmm. Not overly impressed with Taste. I'll start with the good. The service was excellent, super attentive and kind. We had a great bottle of wine and enjoyed the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the food was just underwhelming. Especially for the steep price. We had a few appetizers, charcuterie and foi gras, along with some entrees. Everything was fine but not really wow-ed by anything. I'd return for drinks but there are better options for dinner.

Intro: We somehow managed to get seated with a party of 2 despite not having reservations. I think a reservation was canceled at the last minute. We were very lucky. Food: I ordered the duck breast (pictured). Honestly, it was pretty good and I can't complain. It was very juicy and moist and paired with a classic combo of broccolini and carrots. There was a bit of butternut squash for some different texture and all topped with a port-duck jus that provided a bit of sweetness. . I would have perhaps liked a bit more different flavors going on as it was pretty monotone but at least it was a strong rich flavor. Tl;dr: Definitely not bad, but worth it at the price point? I would say no but I could see the argument either way. My rating: 6/10

Truly an amazing experience enjoying a delicious meal and excellent service. We ordered calamari for an appetizer, and it was outstanding - very crispy and lightly breaded. Crispy Cod and Faroe Islands Salmon were the dinner choices, and both were prepared to perfection. The only note for the restaurant would be to remove one small table by the street window as it was super tight there. When the prices are this steep, I am here to enjoy the food and not the conversation next to me - that is for the places with picnic tables.

Personally found the food to be underwhelming in terms of quality ingredients, flavor, and presentation. Portion size tends to be European (small) but with American prices. Service is perfunctory at best - knowledgeable on food preparation but not attentive to customer needs without direction.

The calamari was beyond excellent. Halibut was perfectly cooked. The poblano peppers were good, not great. Service was excellent. Cozy atmosphere though noise level is pretty high. All in all I am looking forward to returning.

Visited last Saturday, I had the tuna nicoise and it was absolutely phenomenal, cooked to perfection. Service was great and friendly. The best in Ann Arbor no question, will definitely be coming back for that tuna.

New concept by the folks at Taste Kitchen. It's located in a separate space a couple doors down. The pho & banh mi got me in the door, but the banh mi is where it's at. If you you've never had banh mi, you've probably have had something similar as it's essentially sub-style sandwich. The traditional fixings beyond protein includes pickled veggies and a generous amount of herbs (usually cilantro) It was easy enough to order via SnackPass & the food was prepared relatively quickly. We had: *Lemongrass Grilled Chicken Banh mi (sliced grilled chicken, chicken pate, cucumber, pickled carrot & daikon, mayo, jalapeno) -- Nicely grilled, flavorful chicken. The BREAD was awesome - fresh and soft. Good flavors all around. At $8, it's steeper than what I'm used to in SoCal, but this is MI. *Amish Chicken Pho (shredded chicken, poached egg, bean sprouts, scallion, herbs, jalapeno) - They have pho on the menu at Taste Kitchen but at more than 2x the price than the lunch one here. I was glad I was able to try it at the $11 price point here. I loved the broth and the jammy egg. The egg isn't as traditional with pho, but helped to supplement the 4 small pieces of chicken. Alas, my pho search continues. My go-to in the mitten is usually Non La in Mattawan but that's quite a trek. Apparently an expanded menu is coming so I'll be back. The only other thing I didn't order - besides variations of banh mi - was their pork buns (which are Miss Kim/Bao Boys style fluffy white buns!)

I would find the spacing way too claustrophobic and loud before the Pandemic. Still in the middle of COVID19, just dangerously close and confined. And loud. Not a pleasant experience. Service is quite good. The fusion inventions like the sashimi were forgettable and not as good as the traditional dishes that inspired the Taste chef interpretations. The hanging beef was quite good. I might have enjoyed the food more if I didn't feel so compressed. Also, one shouldn't have to shout to be heard while dining.

so incredible from the food to the drinks to the service. came here for my birthday and it was impeccable. the salmon was some of the best i've had. Five stars!

Go enjoy taste! While I'm the proud aunt of a very talented young chef that works here, I wouldn't suggest you eat here unless it was really good. We were a party of 7 (from meat eater to GF plant powered) and all agreed to share a taste. There was something for everyone. Sharing worked great for the appetizers, but we got more territorial with the mains and had to have our own desserts! Everything was "lick-the-plate-clean" good! Reasonably priced and easy parking just across the street. Maybe I should have mentioned I'm the old aunt, who hates no being able to speak to the table, well the ambiance at Taste and ability to hear everyone - bonus! Everything was delicious and I would order the charcuterie, stuffed peppers and shaking beef again.

I've been looking forward to going to this place for some time. Truly disappointed in the food. The butternut soup was great but did not come with bread or crackers like pictured in other reviews, the duck was horrible (chewy and raw and cold), the bass dish looked completely different from the person at the next table (no sauce and completely different garnish). We mentioned we were celebrating our anniversary in the reservation but we got seated next to a dirty kitchen area with an old rice cooker and used dirty bags bunched up in a corner. Not the ambiance we were looking for at all. The waiter was nice but super rushed even though when we got there it wasn't busy. I expected a lot more for the price tag. We will not be coming back!

Good food at very high prices. But, dreadful service -- they forget you completely and scowl at you.

My wife and I don't get to go out often, when we do it is important that the experience is great. Wow! From the moment we were greeted the experience began. Our server Sarah was unassuming and gave us a great idea of what to expect from the Menu. We ended up going with the sea bass and the filet mignon after our sesame tuna appetizer. Everything was absolutely wonderful. I almost never go for dessert but after a truly delightful dinner i was intrigued to see what they offered for dessert. I was surprised and excited to see "cheese plate"! They have our number. We had fun trying the different combinations of flavors. I would definitely recommend this place to friends!

My absolute favorite place for a nice dinner in Ann Arbor. Service is always excellent and food is always phenomenal.

It was sooooo good! Loved our experience here. We can't wait to come back again and bring friends.

Superb food, service and ambience. Perhaps the tastiest salmon dish I've ever eaten. Excellent wine list, too. Pricey, but well worth it.

Yes, the food is terrific but the seating is a deal breaker. Tables way too close together. You cannot have a private conversation. We've given the place three chances but won't go back.

PROS: Excellent cocktails, friendly and attentive service, really flavorful and delicious bouillabaisse with perfectly tender and fresh salmon, shrimp, scallops, and mussels in a really deeply lobster-flavored Thai broth. My dinner date had a bunch of substitution requests which the kitchen very kindly accommodated, without any side-eye/attitude. CONS: Call if you booked a table outside because even if you reserved one online, it won't necessarily be honored, which I really wish I'd known because we weren't looking to dine inside just yet. Upon arrival, we were told that a private party had booked the whole outdoor patio and no, nobody had informed me even though I'd booked an outdoor table a week prior. Rather unacceptable in pandemic times. Also, the beef tartare was lacking in flavor but also wasn't properly cut so imagine biting into a piece and having four attached by a sinew following the first, hanging awkwardly from your mouth. A little better knife work and this could be easily solved. That said, great meal overall and with some relatively easy tweaks, I'd recommend it.

I really enjoyed the atmosphere, made me feel kind of fancy, with the low candle light, dimming of the room lights and mature menu. Since this was my first time, I got a couple of things as I was craving something along the lines of Asian cuisine. The prices on this menu are a tad higher here but well-deserved servings to make it up to you. The menu does change here so if you do end up loving this place, you can come back and try something new. Here, I tried one of their risottos and their grilled pork entrees. They do not currently sell this specific entrée and or starter, but often have a different spin off. Their entrée came with a hefty amount of pork, fresh rice, and a fried egg. Sounds simple but it was quite delicious. The only thing I would bring up is that the pork served was a little too sweet, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I also ordered an old fashioned and I honestly think this is my favorite place for one or maybe the bartender just has the magic touch! Be mindful of parking, it can get busy, and most parking is paid but I think it's worth the taste and experience.

It was an incredible experience to have a fantastic dinner and top-notch service. Calamari, which we had as an appetizer, was excellent. We also shared the coffee crème brûlée, which was delicious and creamy with a strong coffee flavor.

Beware: one of the best places in Ann Arbor is now charging a $25 deposit per person for reservations. When I was last there, part of my party cancelled at the last minute--which I called ahead and informed them of, immediately, before I arrived--but once dinner was over I was told I'd have to pay for the missed reservation. I complained to the manager, who removed that charge, after I pointed out that this was unfair. A reputable business does not charge for services they don't provide. If someone skips out entirely, that's another thing, but sticking a paying patron with a service fee beyond the services rendered is bad business. From now on, if they can't seat me as a walk-in, then I won't be coming--no more reservations under this 'policy.' In fairness, my dinner and the service was excellent.

We hosted a semi-private dinner for a group of 11 at Taste Kitchen and it could not have been more perfect. They worked with us to create a menu that accommodated some dietary restrictions and provided great selections for a three course tasting menu as well as wine recommendations. We had a semi-private table and the drinks, food and service did not disappoint! We all enjoyed every dish and could not have been happier. Highly recommend for a special event or nice night out.

Meh. Food really just ok and not worth the price (and yes I have dined at the finest and not-so-finest restaurants of the world). Decor kind of strange. Waitstaff eager to please. You can do better for these prices. There is a reason these reservations are available..

Trendy new American restaurant serving seasonally and globally inspired dishes at high price points. Prices are high not just for Ann Arbor, but even compared to NYC, and I don't think it's entirely reflected in the quality. As a Google maps review says, `They claim that it's "local" yet no mention of the farms they get their food from. Which makes me believe it's another restaurant using "local" for marketing.' Spencer is a much better option for seasonal new American in the $$$ range. Disclaimer: I wasn't very hungry so I only got an appetizer and tried some desserts. Most of my friends said they were happy with their entrees, though one said his perch was overcooked and overpriced. The desserts are definitely overpriced for what they are, and they're plated in a very unappealing way. I tried: Mussels ($15) - the mussels themselves were quite large and plump, and they were cooked well. The white wine broth was extremely salty, and the bread for dipping was mediocre (and wasn't offered to be refilled. and it wasn't grilled). Lemon meringue ($11): it's some messily piped lemon curd (not a semifreddo as shown in others' pictures) on a plate topped with roasted meringue. The meringue texture was weird and lumpy. The lemon curd was extremely sweet, and the entire dessert was very soft and felt unbalanced. The presentation was also quite bad. Coconut panna cotta ($10) - the taste was quite good but the portion was laughably tiny. The texture was more on the firm side for panna cotta. Chocolate bodino squares ($11) - the taste was pretty good but nothing spectacular. Service was mostly normal. Our server fake cried when we asked to split the bill, which was weird. There's an automatic 20% gratuity for large parties.

My partner and I have been to Taste Kitchen on at least 3 other occasions and have always been so happy with the experience, but last evening unfortunately fell short. The restaurant was very busy and possibly they were short staffed, so I am definitely very understanding about our server being extremely rushed and not very attentive, but the food was disappointing last night. We started with the duck foie gras. It appeared cooked appropriately, and was presented in a custard type sauce...but was underwhelming in taste, and actually really difficult to eat due to the small serving dish with a runny custard and a generous portion of the protein. Fork? Spoon? Knife to cut in bite size pieces? Strange, but if there had been more taste to the mixture it would have helped, and to have maybe served it with some toast points would have been appreciated. I would not order this small plate again. I then had the hanger steak and my partner had the tuna nicoise. The tuna had a delicious taste and was cooked perfectly, but the entire dish was served cold and he was disappointed because it was such a cold night. It would be great as a summer dish, but not winter. I have had hanger steak at this establishment before and have loved it, but not this dish. The meat was cooked well, but the dish was served with both wilted and fresh lettuces, jalepenos, a very sour vinaigrette and 4 slices of a tasteless tomato. I am understanding to the perils of tomatoes in Michigan in the winter, but I was seriously hungry and wanted to eat them so I had to ask for some salt and pepper. I realize nicer restaurants look down on this, but simple remedy, flavor the food you are serving. I would not order this dish again. The jalepenos were given generously, but eating them disguised the taste of the remainder of the dish. No starches on either dish, or bread offered with the meal. I get it, you don't want to serve bread, but we left unsatisfied and joked that we needed to find a pizza by the slice place for home. We didn't, and this am I woke up hungry, hence this review! Also, we each ordered a drink and both were delicious but I'm a water person, and I drank mine and my partner's because no one came back to refill our glasses for the 2 hours we were there. Because of past experience I would try Taste Kitchen again, but if based on last night, doubtful.

I've been to Taste for a date, a girls night & a work dinner. Each time, the service is great and the food is perfection. Love the tuna starter and the mezcal cocktails.

The food was was fabulous but just know the service is on the slower side. We spent 2 hours there. It's more of a slow paced meal. The calamari could've been warmer but the kale salad and French stew were incredible! 4.5/5 stars

Second time at Taste Kitchen. Both the vodka and gin martinis were very disappointing, they were ordered dry and we're both not dry at all. Maybe wine would have been a better choice. Seafood bisque was fabulous but paired with sea bass was a mistake as both were similar base and was too much the same taste throughout. Bouillabaisse was sparse of seafood, broth was good. Would not order it again. The restaurant has a lot of hard surfaces which adds up to be a little noisy. We're debating how soon we would go back since we were disappointed from the start for an expensive restaurant.

We expected a really great experience since the dinner totaled about $200 for two people who had no drinks other than water. First thing I noticed was the kitchen staff that appeared to be dressed in random streetwear. Pretty unprofessional for a place that charged these kind of prices. I ordered the filet mignon and it was comparable to a frozen tv dinner. Like one of those ones that says it's steak but then you cook it and it's this weird tough roast beef situation. My date ordered scallops which were okay but you receive 3 scallops for $50. The mussels were amazing. Also the women working the front of house were very professional and seemed to be on top of things.

They work so hard and put out great food. They were completely full and had tons of to-go orders. Tons of great spots to eat outdoors nearby or get service on their patio.

Very nice fusion bistro near UM campus. And close walk from DT. Went here on a Sunday day night and it was surprisingly busy. Sat at the bar and had a couple glasses of beer on tap. They have an extensive wine list but tonight was looking for beer. We then split an app (delicious juicy duck taco) and along with an entree (chow fun). That was an excellent curry noodle dish. Really good. There were other good looking dishes on the menu so will surely be back. Dessert list was short and did not strike us so did not get anything.

This is probably the best fine dining in Ann Arbor since Dessous closed, in terms of taste. The service was friendly but a little harried, it seemed like they were maybe understaffed? Everyone from the hosts to the runners seemed stressed. I didn't feel like we waited excessively long for anything, but I can't say how other tables fared because they sat us in a weird little corner table staring straight out the window at the sidewalk with our backs to the rest of the restaurant. Great for people watching, but a little awkward when the people watched back. That's the other reason I took off a star: The setup is ... odd. To get to our corner table, we had to actually walk through the kitchen (where, I will note, none of the staff were masked despite growing concerns over the Delta variant) to get to a second dining room. The decor was a mix of cozy (long gas fireplaces) and industrial (exposed lightbulbs in dark metal fixtures) with blue rope light accents that felt very frat party. But the food was mostly excellent, so NBD. We started with mussels in an excellent white wine broth. I'm skeptical of mussels, but these were delicious. The server offered to bring us more than the 4 thin little baguette slices that come with the dish, but since we'd also ordered soups, we declined. The soups were so-so for us. Their gazpacho is good but not notably so; I like the gazpacho I make at home with canned tomatoes just as well. The asparagus soup was ... well, I liked that there were little slices of asparagus in the purée for texture, but the whole dish had a slightly off, bitter taste. It needed a little salt or acid, maybe. My husband ordered the pork, which was as good as it looks, and I got the shaking beef. I was really impressed that the kitchen managed to get the little cubes of hanger steak perfectly medium rare and tender, with a nice sear on every side. I'd happily eat either dish again. The coffee crème brûlée was maybe the best part of the meal, though. It has a thin layer of sugar that's toasted almost black in the center, which gives it a bitterness that pairs nicely with the sweet coffee custard. We only got one to share, since my husband isn't a big dessert flavor, but we could have each eaten a whole order, even with all the courses that came before it. It's that good.

COVID update! Taste has outdoor seating, in addition to indoor seating. We chose to sit outside, and there were maybe 4-5 tables outside. We felt like there was a comfortable 6 feet between tables, which was nice. We also appreciated that you scan a QR code to access the menu. We asked for sanitizer before eating and were given some :) As for the food, everything was delicious as always. Service was also great! I got the Berkshire pork (as I always do, haha) and my partner got the steak, and both were amazing.

7:45pm reservation for 10 and it was my bday. My friends and I had to wait a while to be seated. I would recommend a max of 6 people per group for this restaurant. We had to wait for two tables to turn before we could be seated, which wasn't very efficient. However, we were able to get alcohol at the bar and chill. The restaurant is a little crowded and small, so there wasn't a true waiting area, and I felt bad for the people whose seats we were brushed up against. Lastly, a friend had to leave in the middle of dinner and several others skipped their secondary plans for the evening because we were seated so late, which wasn't cool. FOOD: The Boullibaisse was delicious. The shrimp and scallop were perfectly cooked. There wasn't a ton of seafood in the soup though (+4 mussels). Fillet mignon was good, but I think one of my friends went home a little hungry. Maybe we should've ordered more? But a $65 meal (including alcohol) is already pretty $$$. SERVICE: Phenomenal and attentive. I accidentally spilled my red wine while talking to someone and I turned to see napkins arrive immediately at the table and my friend was offered club soda (luckily she was wearing dark clothes). The staff was friendly and chill. Yay, (mostly) successful dinner!

Yum! We had reservations for a Friday night during Michigan's move in weekend, and were seated right away. It was very busy in the restaurant, which is always a good sign. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions about the wine list. I tried a new wine that I enjoyed! They also have unique cocktails, which looked good enough that I had to order one after my glass of wine, and it did not disappoint. For food, we shared a cheese plate (great variety of cheeses). They made sure to refill our bread, which was thoughtful. Two of us were also brave enough to try the octopus, which had a delicious flavor but I'm not sure either of us could get over eating octopus! For dinner, we tried the oven roasted salmon, which was on a delicious cauliflower purée with salsa verde and some veggies. Two of us got the grilled Berkshire pork, which - wow - AMAZING. It comes with Brussels sprouts which could have easily been the star of the show, they were that good. The pork was cooked perfectly, sat on a bed of rice, and a fried egg was on top - that made for a delicious meal. The three of us shared the lemon meringue for dessert, which was the perfect combination of sour and sweet. It even won this anti-sweet things person over - I thought it was delicious! Overall, this place was great. The atmosphere is fun and full of energy, the food was delicious, and the drinks were good. Great location - it's close to a parking garage and everything downtown Ann Arbor has to offer!

We had our son and daughter-in-law's rehearsal dinner at Taste Kitchen with 50 guests and the food was AMAZING! They ensured we had a great time and Alex, the manager was beyond helpful!! The rest of the serving staff was also incredible and great at timing the meals, providing refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. The ambience was lovely and the perfect place to hold a rehearsal dinner. Would highly recommend!