Also known as a听table d鈥檋么te听(French for 鈥渢able of the host鈥) and prix fixe (fixed price), a restaurant鈥檚 tasting menu is a set selection of what are typically the chef鈥檚 signature dishes, served in small portions.
Its history goes back centuries, but the modern trend caught on nationally in the 鈥90s, popularized by highbrow eateries like the former three-Michelin-starred Catalonia restaurant El Bulli and Napa Valley鈥檚 French Laundry.
The metro Detroit culinary scene was a little behind on the trend, with tasting menus for years relegated to white-tablecloth establishments often heavy on steak and light on personality. In the past few years, however, local restaurants have caught up, making tasting menus available at all manner of new eateries. Here are a few to try.
Mabel Gray
With a menu so capricious it鈥檚 handwritten daily, Mabel Gray is known for its globally inspired and artfully prepared New American dishes. The multi-course tasting menu comprises a selection of whichever dishes are on the menu that day, served over a leisurely 90 minutes. $89 per person plus $45 for beverage pairings.听Mabel Gray,听; 248-398-4300;听.
Oak & Reel
Opened in September 2020, and named 香港六合彩图库资料鈥檚 Restaurant of the Year for 2022, Oak and & Reel is an Italian restaurant with a focus on seafood. This high-dining environment hosts Michelin star Jared Gadbaw鈥檚 six course tasting menu. Plus, the restaurant is also home to The Upright, an underground cocktail bar. $109 for the tasting menu plus $48 for beverage pairings. Oak & Reel, ; 313-270-9600; .
Mink
Mink is a seafood restaurant offering oyster bar-style seating and an immersive dining experience. The five-course chef鈥檚 tasting menu changes once a month and offers several appetizers and main meals with optional beverage parings. While indoor high-top bar seating is reserved for the chef鈥檚 tasting menu, Mink also offers first come, first served patio seating for walk-in diners. While the restaurant is pristine, it shows its liveliness with an oyster shucking class for those interested in an even more immersive experience. $85 per person. Mink, ; 313-351-0771; .
Marrow
The menu on Marrow鈥檚 5-course tasting dinner changes daily with both signature dishes alongside chef favorites not available on the regular menu. Opened in 2018, this restaurant-butcher shop hybrid focuses on whole-animal butchery and offers dishes created from ingredients available locally. This often results in plates, expertly prepared by executive chef Sarah Welch, that make uncommon cuts of meat (like beef tongue) suitable for even the most discerning eaters. $90 per person. Marrow,听; 313-652-0200;听.
PAO Detroit
This upscale Detroit restaurant features an asian fusion menu that includes two 6-course rotating tasting menus every Wednesday. Items currently on the first menu include Blue Fin Tuna tacos, Wagyu sliders, Caesar Salad, and more for $50 per person. The other menu is $65 a person and includes tuna carpaccio, tongin octopus, shoyu lamb chops, and more.听PAO, ; .听
Freya
Looking to create a more specific culinary experience, owners of Chartreuse Kitchen and Cocktails opened Freya in November of 2021. When you make a reservation, you have the option to select a 5-course omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan course plan. Menus can be made gluten-free with notice. $85.听Freya, ; 313-351-5544; .
This post has been updated for 2024.
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