By Shelby Clark Petkus
Ann Arbor Restaurant Week runs June 22-27, bringing reasonably priced gourmet and fine foods to the Washtenaw area. The biannual event (January and June) features fixed-price menus at participating establishments with slightly varying elements. The week-long event allows current or future patrons to try fare that might otherwise be out of one's price range. Restaurants are given the opportunity to introduce the community to what they do best.
Lunches at $15 feature one-, two- or even three-course meals. Some places will be offering two for one lunches at the $15 price. Dinners will cost $28, including three-course meals with limited choices. Some participants will feature two for one dinners at $28, as well. All restaurants will also have their regular full menus available.
With close to 50 participating restaurants, any craving and dietary restriction can be catered to. Some participants include local breweries Jolly Pumpkin Cafe & Brewery, Arbor Brewing Company, Grizzly Peak and The Blue Tractor, as well as prestigious establishments like the Gandy Dancer, Vinology Wine Bar & Restaurant, Cafe Zola and The Black Pearl. More exotic food includes The Blue Nile, Jamaican Jerk Pit and Shalimar with Seva serving as one of the vegetarian and vegan restaurants.
Some possible menu selections include a choice of Sauerbraten, Jager Chicken, Housemade Pork Sausage or Pretzel Encrusted Whitefish in addition to sides and dessert at Metzger's for dinner. Real Seafood Company will feature a three-course lunch offering Avocado Salmon or Vodka Pasta. The Earle will even feature a three-course dinner with six different choices of entrees and dessert. The full list of participants and Restaurant Week menus can be found online.
Reservations for all participating restaurants are strongly recommended. For more information, visit http://www.annarborrestaurantweek.com or call the MSAA at 734-668-7112.
For more on the group, visit http://www.mainstreetannarbor.org.
