Marais

Reviews 23

NF

NFB BNY

When we visited Marais in July, we had a really lovely experience. Beautiful food, service, and atmosphere. Our experience at Marais last night could not have been farther from that experience in July. We were just so disappointed in our visit and I have so many negative things to say about our experience I dont know how to organize them all. We were greeted warmly and sat at our table. This was where the similarities to our July visit ended. We decided straight away that we would order the tasting menu; now called the Surprise Menu. We were left at the table with our stack of menus for 15minutes as we watched the server at the other table she had. Mind you, there were only 6 tables seated in the restaurant and 3 servers on the floor. When the server finally made it back to our table, she addressed me as, "my darling" repeatedly; not appropriate for a fine dining environment. When the first course did finally arrive, the oyster was over powered by the chiffonade of bitter greens atop of the oyster. My husband and I looked a each other in disbelief. How was this the same restaurant? In July there was a lovely amuse bouche served in an egg, then a similar oyster first course with roasted jalapeño that was a lovely and unexpected pairing. I should add that throughout this meal, our server had to read out the courses from her little note book; and once read from the wrong page!! Unbelievable!!! The second course was a smoked salmon. Not a great favor to have lingering on your palate. I would suggest the bread that was left at the table with the crazed celery root be served with the smoked fish instead. The Jerusalem artichokes and brasses celery root were the two best courses for us- Interesting contrasts in flavored and textures. We ordered coffee, it came with the first of two desserts. The cream was bad and curdled in the coffee. The first dessert was totally out of character with the rest of the menu. A summer berry sorbet... on December 29th. the Bavarian cream discs were like hockey pucks on the plate. Spoons clanking loudly and discs shooting across the plate. The coffee was replaced and the second dessert came. This was truly an insult and we had had enough. A little pile of granola, with a chestnut ice cream atop; a dollop of marshmallow next to that, with half of a roasted sweet potato with cinnamon and three macerated cranberries. This had to be a joke. We looked at each other and walked out of the restaurant. When you go to a restaurant, you are paying for an experience. This is NOT the experience that we were expecting at all. We felt robbed- it was a joke. So far removed from the experience of the summer. Really sad.

---

CH

Chris Drouillard

Overall a physically beautiful restaurant with poor execution. We were among just three parties present in an expansive and elegant dining room. Duck confit- the only duck dish- was recently removed from the menu, essentially eliminating Marais from consideration as a French restaurant. My raw oysters were far from fresh with a strong, fishy flavor that I endured while braving them down. The wedge salad was adequate but unremarkable. The salmon was literally raw 2/3 of the way through (not medium rare, sashimi raw). The house made bread loaf had visible masses of white flour inside and was so hard that even a sharp knife couldnt finish the pre-scored slices. It was inedible. The selection of champagne by the glass and bottle selections were the highlight but nowhere near makes up for the what appears to be a menu that has had its French element largely eviscerated. Service was polite and reasonably attentive. Even with its pared-down menu though, Marais was unable to deliver. Its as though the chef that earned Marais Hour Magazines Best Restaurant award left with the menu and the food. The proprietor is obviously overmatched and needs to consult with a professional - Restaurant Impossible?-and reopen the restaurant or the demise of Marais is inevitable in the short-term. The screams from the emptiness of the restaurant are deafening- do you hear them Marais? Do you care?

---

DO

Doc Holliday

Awful experience. Well overpriced for the quality at hand here. Service was painfully slow. Our server "Peter" was not well informed and unpleasant. We love trying the chef tasting menus. Despite us booking the table for the tasting menu, server "sort of forced" us to have caviar on top of it. Spent 4 hours there and in the end we were ready to skip the rest of the "surprise tasting" but thankfully the ordeal ended. "Surprise tasting" was not a surprise. It was bits and bobs from the main menu. Extremely unsatisfying place. It needs a complete overhaul of staff and chef to make this place work. Much better places in Detroit area for fine dining. Please do not waste your time and money on Marais.

---

JO

Jourdan Merritt

Chef David is a genius. The food here is phenomenal and worth every penny. Great atmosphere, décor, and ambiance. The service is fantastic as well - ask for Michael. Hands down the best French restaurant in Michigan, probably the best restaurant period.

---

JE

Jeanine Savannah Murphy

Fabulous food beyond ones expectation. Sad however that the restaurant needs a vibe and personality makeover. Ill write more later about this to enable the owners to move onto a success quotient beyond its present level

---

JI

Jim Agley

The food is outstanding and the service is very elegant. However, it takes longer than usual for this fine dining experience (which is neither good nor bad, it just depends what youre looking for).

---

LE

Leslie Kaye

Breakfast is our joy at this down the street treat. Special dinners are the rule, not the exception. And even the cocktail area is fun and the bar snacks are delish. Yay!

---

LI

Liz Austin

Went here with the family for brunch on a Sunday. It was fantastic. Some of the best crepes and french toast weve ever had. We will be back for dinner.

---

MI

Michael Ehlert

Outstanding New Years Eve. Tasting menu and wine pairing were beyond amazing. Our thanks goes out to Alex and the rest of the staff. We will be back!

---

KE

Kelli Unkel

Simply the best. Since David is back at the helm in the kitchen... it never disappoints. Its such a great experience. Outstanding food and staff.

---

SE

Sebastien Rousseau

French influence cuisine and doing a good job. Very nice and pricey place. Clearly among the finest places in the Detroit area. I will go back.

---

TO

Tomas Brown

Great place. Food is amazing. Warm friendly staff. If you havent tried this place you must. We are making this place our regular go to place!

---

RE

Rebecca Booth

So glad the talented chef David is back, full force, in the kitchen. We are lucky to have Marais so nearby.

---

RU

Ruth rydstedt

Great tomato basil soup and beef entra. And ice cream cookie like dessert. Never been disappointed

---

PA

Paul hartman

Great restaurant. Incredible food and service. Chef David is truly a great Chef!

---

SE

Seth Romine

NYC meets Paris in heart of GP. Amazing food and wine list.

---

NI

Nicholas Henderson

Fantastic food, worth the price. Wonderful staff.

---

PJ

Pjeter Turner

Great place, great prices, overall 5 stars!

---

DE

Debora Vandevelde

The best restaurant in Michigan! No doubt

---

KI

Kim Marcus

Great service food is not wortb the price

---

BR

Brandon Rabottini

Not worth it at all. Go somewhere else.

---

PA

Parker Rulison

Upscale feel. Great whiskey options.

---

DA

Dave Sullivan

Come for the Lichen, leave happy.

---

---