Gplimpton Member Username: Gplimpton
Post Number: 298 Registered: 05-2007
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 8:31 am: | |
Anyone been there? I've heard good things. Eh? |
Rugbyman Member Username: Rugbyman
Post Number: 348 Registered: 06-2005
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 9:49 am: | |
My wife and I went the second day it was open. It was FANTASTIC, even that early on. I'm usually a very picky diner but literally couldn't find a single thing wrong with our experience. The waitstaff is well-trained and attentive (but not overly attentive), our servings were well-timed, and, finally, the food itself was outstanding. Do yourself a favor: splurge. It really wasn't THAT pricey, especially considering the type of experience. My wife and I both had entrees, we started with the charcutterie, both had a glass of wine, two sides between us (DEFINITELY try the brussels sprouts), and the "Beer and Pretzels" dessert (Guinness ice cream with caramel and pretzels, served in a pint glass). I also wrapped with a bourbon. With tip, I think we ended up dropping about $130. Definitely not for nightly dining, but certainly reasonable for a special occasion. Try meeting that price point at Coach or Opus One. As an aside, Symon himself was walking around the restaurant that night and engaging his guests, including us. You'd think that someone of his stature would be, I don't know, stand-offish or something. He was very down-to-earth and genuinely concerned about his guests' experience and staff's performance. A very classy guy. |
Bragaboutme Member Username: Bragaboutme
Post Number: 598 Registered: 02-2008
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 10:11 am: | |
I agree with everything Rugbyman said, I had the same feeling when I left Roast. My girlfriend also. The waitress we had seemed like she was born to do the job that's why we left a big tip, excellent service. The food, decor, and over all layout of the restaurant was excellent. I have no complaints about Roast at all. We ended up dropping about $90 for two dinners, appetizers, wine, and beers tip included. Great place to visit. |
Bragaboutme Member Username: Bragaboutme
Post Number: 599 Registered: 02-2008
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 10:14 am: | |
I agree with everything Rugbyman said, I had the same feeling when I left Roast. My girlfriend also. The waitress we had seemed like she was born to do the job that's why we left a big tip, excellent service. The food, decor, and over all layout of the restaurant was excellent. I have no complaints about Roast at all. We ended up dropping about $90 for two dinners, appetizers, wine, and beers tip included. Great place to visit. |
Rickinatlanta Member Username: Rickinatlanta
Post Number: 251 Registered: 07-2006
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 10:45 am: | |
Stayed at the Book in December and dined at Roast that Saturday night. Started off a bit awkward with the hostess spending more time yacking with a waiter than seating patrons. Once we got past that little glitch it was great. As with any fine restaurant, some of the servers were a bit haughty but ours was very good as well as very knowledgeable of the menu. I had Hanger Steak for the first time and it was incredible. Comes from the same area as Flank and Skirt Steak. Roast also has a good list of affordable wine by the glass. We'll definitely go again on our next trip up since we'll also stay at the Book Cadillac again. BEAUTIFUL restoration! |
Mdoyle Member Username: Mdoyle
Post Number: 510 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 11:43 am: | |
I've been a couple times for their $5 appetizer happy hour. When you can get a 10-12 dollar gourmet appetizer for 5 bucks you can't go wrong. I hear they are experimenting with different happy hour specials to try and draw in an early evening crowd (between 5-6pm) Specials may include drinks, and special entree's. |
Baselinepunk Member Username: Baselinepunk
Post Number: 96 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 12:04 pm: | |
I'm considering Roast for next Saturday. I was on the fence about it, but these reviews are swaying me. |
Bearinabox Member Username: Bearinabox
Post Number: 1208 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 12:09 pm: | |
Jeezus, you people are high rollers. If you need me, I'll be across the street at the Lafayette. |
Baselinepunk Member Username: Baselinepunk
Post Number: 97 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 12:12 pm: | |
Hey, somebody has to keep this economy going! |
Vas Member Username: Vas
Post Number: 462 Registered: 01-2004
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 12:46 pm: | |
I was impressed. Everything very well done. Yes I expected it to be more expensive as well. One minor complaint, the seating in the center has limited back support. |
Harmonie Member Username: Harmonie
Post Number: 209 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 12:57 pm: | |
They also serve lunch now so if you want to go and not spend tons I would recommend lunch. $9 gets you sandwich or burger and fries...and it's not your average sandwich or burger at all. Same quality, service, etc. just with lunch prices. |
Gambling_man Member Username: Gambling_man
Post Number: 539 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 3:47 pm: | |
Overall a good restaraunt.....not inexpensive by any means, but less expensive than you would think by the quality of the food and the atmosphere.... |
Neilr Member Username: Neilr
Post Number: 676 Registered: 06-2005
| Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 4:40 pm: | |
Last month I took a friend to Roast for dinner. I ordered the roasted beet salad. It was out of the ordinary for me and I found it to be perfect in its presentation, taste and combination of textures! The petit fillet (6oz.) was way beyond perfect!! The roasted brussels sprouts, again out of the ordinary for me, while a bit too oily, were delicious. The fries, seasoned with rosemary, perfect. The creme brulee, while ordinary, was delicious. All our dishes were beautifully presented. The decor was very smart with nice carpeting and large, sleek, minimalistic floral arrangements. There was a good feeling in the room and the view out the window to Washington Blvd. gave me an urban feeling. The service was fine, no problems at all. The cost was about $130 for two with no alcohol, just tap water and coffee. Without question, I left feeling that I had gotten what I had paid for. |
Gplimpton Member Username: Gplimpton
Post Number: 299 Registered: 05-2007
| Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 12:24 pm: | |
Guess if I waited a few days, I would have gotten another review... Free Press: Roast is Restaurant of the Year http://www.freep.com/article/2 0090208/ENT08/902080319/Michae l+Symon+s+Roast+heats+up+Detro it |
Bigb23 Member Username: Bigb23
Post Number: 3712 Registered: 11-2007
| Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 12:29 pm: | |
quote:Jeezus, you people are high rollers. If you need me, I'll be across the street at the Lafayette. |
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise
Post Number: 3787 Registered: 09-2007
| Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009 - 12:35 pm: | |
quote:Jeezus, you people are high rollers. If you need me, I'll be across the street at the Lafayette. HA! And they say Detroit's the poorest city in the country... |
Scout Member Username: Scout
Post Number: 50 Registered: 12-2007
| Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 9:48 am: | |
While I found the appetizers and sides at Roast underwhelming (yes, the brussel sprouts were very oily), the steaks were perfect and the wine was very nice (the sommelier helped us pick out a Ripasso). Nice atmosphere, friendly staff. I'd go again. |
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 3473 Registered: 07-2004
| Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 9:52 am: | |
http://www.metrotimes.com/food /review.asp?rid=24791 |
Fnemecek Member Username: Fnemecek
Post Number: 1910 Registered: 12-2004
| Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 12:17 pm: | |
Roast isn't the cheapest place around, but it's really, really good. The quality of the food and service make this place worth it. For what it's worth, I blogged about my experience at the place last November @ http://nemecek.blogspot.com/20 08/11/toasting-roast.html Anyway, if you go, I highly recommend the mac & cheese. They make it with goat cheese and it's a tight race with Slows for the best mac & cheese in town. |
Raptor56 Member Username: Raptor56
Post Number: 745 Registered: 05-2007
| Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 5:30 pm: | |
Mac & Goat Cheese? sounds temptingly interesting. Just when you thought mac & cheese was the one thing you couldn't gussy up and get at a high end restaurant, someone goes and makes mac & goat cheese. |