Best place to stay and dine
I want to bring my daughter and wife to stay downtown Ann Arbor. What are the best places to dine and stay. Upscale please. Would love to find a 2 bedroom suite we could stay in. Any help would be great. Pasta steak ect for food. I’m willing to book my stay around the food. Also I’m hoping we can hit the M den
December 14th, 2021 at 4:02 PM ^
I don't have any great suggestions, just had to laugh at "hoping we can hit the M den."
I don't think M Den is particularly exclusive, but I'm rooting for you! Hope you can get in!
December 14th, 2021 at 4:04 PM ^
as long as they didn't mean that kind of hit
December 14th, 2021 at 4:40 PM ^
Oh shit. He is going for the Swarovski Helmet Heist!
December 14th, 2021 at 4:26 PM ^
I think they still have the wing to the left of the entrance with the fancy shit, don’t they?
December 14th, 2021 at 5:11 PM ^
"The Victors Collection" - will need to bring last 3 years of tax returns, $2 million line of credit or cashier's check, and a recommendation from a current coach of the Michigan football team.
December 14th, 2021 at 5:58 PM ^
The first rule of the Fancy Shit Wing is you don't talk about the Fancy Shit Wing.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:05 PM ^
You can’t go wrong with:
The Chop House
Gandy Dancer
The Real Seafood Co.
There’s always the old stand-by with Ruth’s Chris
But I generally eat at Arby’s.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:10 PM ^
I would add Taste, Pacific Rim, Knights, and Ravens Club to the list as well
December 14th, 2021 at 4:35 PM ^
I have been to Pacific Rim and it is fantastic. Unfortunately I ended up throwing up my chicken breast later that evening after getting too bloated on 40 ouncers
December 14th, 2021 at 4:37 PM ^
The combination of pacific rim followed by 40s is likely unprecedented. Also, next time do yourself a favor and get the Korean Ribeye
December 14th, 2021 at 4:46 PM ^
Glad to see I'm not the only one who likes to chase his caviar and foie gras with Icehouse tall boys!
December 14th, 2021 at 6:44 PM ^
Probably happens most weekends with kids whose parents are in town taking them out for dinner and than the kids going to a party
December 14th, 2021 at 11:07 PM ^
That is exactly what happened
December 14th, 2021 at 6:41 PM ^
Been to Knights several times (not my choice!) and I think it's pretty mediocre.
December 14th, 2021 at 6:03 PM ^
I’d argue none of the extraordinary fancy places are really worth it in AA, maybe besides Pacific Rim. Much better off getting food from Mani Osteria, Frita Batidos, York, Cardamom, HOMES, Original Cottage Inn, etc for a third of the price.
December 14th, 2021 at 6:47 PM ^
100% agree, a lot of the fancier places in AA are just kind of "Generic nice Italian restaurant" or "generic nice steak house". Pacific Rim is my call for the best "fancy" restaurant in AA, with Mani Osteria being a close second (not as fancy, but still nice, and I once saw Lloyd Carr eating there which was neat).
But if I was going to Ann Arbor, Frita Batidos for lunch, Mani Osteria, Pacific Rim orThe Raven Club for dinner, followed up with nightcaps at The Last Word or Ashleys, depending on your poison of choice.
December 15th, 2021 at 10:13 AM ^
This is a great analysis. Pacific Rim is money. The rest are not worth the price. Mani is amazing, especially for the price. Cardamom is the second best indian food I've ever had in my life. Frita is one of a kind - not fancy, though.
The high end places in AA are not quite as great as high end in other cities.
December 14th, 2021 at 8:56 PM ^
IMHO Gandy Dance is really overrated. Ambiance is ok but depends on where you are seated. Food is mediocre and not memorable - you definitely do not get what you pay for.
Go to Taste Kitchen, Pacific Rim, Grange, or Aventura to have better food for the same price. If you want steak, Ruth’s Chris or Chop House are both good, traditional steakhouses. I have eaten at Taste Kitchen twice in the past 3 weeks and you’ll be hard pressed to find better food and service in A2.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:06 PM ^
My butler, Jeeves, will make arrangements for you.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:30 PM ^
Hey sport, dont mean to thread jack but while we're taking AA I also have a question. Does anybody have a recommendation for a car wash in town where I can take the Lambo without having to worry about some shlub doing something to it?
I mean I need to get her cleaned every now and again but it seems like the damn poors are everywhere and you know how they get when they get close to an exotic. I mean it's borderline embarrassing and then I feel obligated to give them a dollar or something just to make them go away.
December 14th, 2021 at 5:05 PM ^
I typically just order an extra porterhouse or two at the Chop House to throw at the homeless in order to keep them away.
December 14th, 2021 at 8:09 PM ^
Cheap ass. Couldn't you at least throw in a lobster tail as well?
December 14th, 2021 at 5:21 PM ^
lambo? i can't help with. now your GTO, that's another matter. you drive that bad boy up here and we can store it for you in fine style. love that car.
December 14th, 2021 at 5:24 PM ^
Oh I hear you. Poors..they are so gross.
December 14th, 2021 at 7:39 PM ^
Try Arbor Motion. They've always done a great job for my various nice rides.
;-)
December 14th, 2021 at 4:06 PM ^
This is like a bad TripAdvisor forum topic.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:11 PM ^
Never been to this hotel, but looks pretty cool, boutiquey, have always wanted to check it out. Location not exactly downtown, more adjacent to campus, but A2 isn’t too big to walk or car service easily.
https://www.graduatehotels.com/ann-arbor/
Lots of dining options. One of my favorites (although haven’t been in some time) is Gandy Dancer on north edge of town.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:51 PM ^
I've stayed at the Graduate a few times and it is a really nice place...highly recommend. As for food, i'd suggest Knights, which is an easy walk from that hotel and a good steakhouse menu and some stiff drinks. Also would recommend West End Grill, which is up near Main Street and has a nice vibe to it.
https://knightsrestaurants.com/knights-steakhouse-downtown-ann-arbor
https://www.westendgrillannarbor.com/
December 14th, 2021 at 5:47 PM ^
I stayed at the Graduate for my Wedding which was held at the Union. There’s cool old Michigan football photos in the bar area and there was an old school jukebox which had a cool old flair to it. We wanted a hotel without that bland look of a typical hotel, so it worked out.
December 14th, 2021 at 7:24 PM ^
Who recommended it for your wedding? Was it Dustin Hoffman? Or just maybe, was it Wayne?
December 14th, 2021 at 4:19 PM ^
The Wendy's near Briarwood has always been a notch better than most IMO. Presumably it is still there.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:21 PM ^
Bell tower hotel is the nicest hotel. Gandy Dancer is the fanciest restaurant. There are other restaurants and hotels, but those are the most “upscale”. As a townie, I haven’t been to either in more tgan a decade.
when I go out I seem to always go to Tomukun
December 14th, 2021 at 4:22 PM ^
Lucky Kitchen was a mainstay during my time there.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:23 PM ^
Can’t go wrong with Mr. Spots, Blimpy Burger, Charley’s or Brown Jug. ;-)
December 14th, 2021 at 4:45 PM ^
Scorekeepers took a serious nosedive after they changed their name to "Skeeps."
December 14th, 2021 at 6:19 PM ^
Hard disagree - had a pitcher of LIIT at Skeeps on Saturday (4:30 PM because I’m classy) and its the same level of anything it was ever. Plus if you subscribe to the bartenders podcast, he’ll give you 2 shots for free!
December 14th, 2021 at 8:26 PM ^
Some of us remember it being called Dooley's.
December 15th, 2021 at 12:38 AM ^
Dime night!
December 14th, 2021 at 4:24 PM ^
I hear Best Westerns are nice. Some even have free cereal for breakfast.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:31 PM ^
Red Roof Inn South is the only spot. Right off the highway, straight shot up State to campus, cheap, clean and super quiet. What else could you want?
December 14th, 2021 at 4:29 PM ^
Residence Inn is a decent in-town option.
Chop House, Black Pearl, Real Seafood Company. And? Mr. Spots (for a bit of history) - not upscale.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:29 PM ^
Real Seafood has the best swordfish I’ve ever had at a restaurant. (It also has the worst swordfish I’ve ever had at a restaurant since the only other time I’ve had swordfish was when I grilled some myself).
They also had a bomb ass Bloody Mary
December 14th, 2021 at 4:42 PM ^
As already mentioned, Bell Tower and the Graduate are probably your best hotel choices near campus. They both offer excellent locations to enjoy Central Campus and Ann Arbor. You may be able to create a 2 bedroom suite at the Graduate (ask for the Presidential suite and an adjacent room to make a 2 bedroom suite with a nice living space). Both hotels have nice views. Both are a several notches down from quality hotels in large cities or resort areas
I like the Graduate because the common areas are more lively than Bell Tower. I last stayed in both about 3 years ago -- don't know how they aged or what they are like post-COVID breakout.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:47 PM ^
Bell Tower Hotel and the Graduate are great options. Both are close to campus and walking distance to downtown with a lot of great restaurants. Graduate is definitely nicer with more charm, while Bell Tower is right across the street from campus. Chop House is good for steak and Mani is good for pasta
December 14th, 2021 at 4:48 PM ^
Check out the Campus Inn. I believe they have suites. walking distance to campus, the M Den and downtown. Restaurants - stay downtown on Main St. Chop House. Gratzi - if they ever reopen. Personally i think the Gandy Dancer is way overrated.
December 14th, 2021 at 4:51 PM ^
Don't forget Zingerman's.
December 14th, 2021 at 5:11 PM ^
If it's still there, I always liked the food at the Earle when I lived in Ann Arbor.
December 14th, 2021 at 5:29 PM ^
What's pasta steak ect?
A special Italian ectoplasm?
December 14th, 2021 at 5:38 PM ^
Even though it's definitely not upscale, I'll put in my usual plug for Frita Batidos. Decor zero stars, food five stars.
December 14th, 2021 at 5:51 PM ^
Inn at the Michigan League is the pro-choice option for staying on campus. You are directly across from the Quad, the Bell Tower, Ashley's. And M-Den & Knights Steak House are both right around the corner.