Bistro 222 Restaurant – Dearborn

Aug 13th, 2010 by ++Mira++ | 3 Comments

Its an understatement to say that Dearborn is lacking in culinary diversity and dazzle. There are very very very few restaurants I enjoy eating at here, and it’s kinda sad. I’m an adventurous eater, and don’t expect much. Just fresh ingredients, prepared to tease my taste buds.

Bistro 222 did not let me down. It really got me excited about Dearborn dining again. From the fresh funky colors in the quaint intimate setting to the different fresh choices that chef and owner Michael Chamas has created. Not to mention, everything is house made, the way it should be.

So we semi-dressed up, which basically means no jeans or shorts per dress code and decided to try what many are raving about.

My hubby loved the old style coke bottles.

We decided to split an app. The stuffed gnocchi were pillowy and creamy and melted away making your tongue beg for more. The sauce it is bathed in makes you want to just grab the plate and lick it all, and the delicious bread they give you is the perfect vessel to mop up all that umami flavor and make sure you don’t miss a molecule on the plate. The bread is also good with the house made basil olive oil.

*The stuffed gnocchi. It’s stuffed with Asiago, Peccorino, and Ricotta cheese over Palomino sauce

Samer had the David Allen pasta. It was cooked pefectly al-dente, and the herbs just elevated a regular creamy sauce into fresh punches in your mouth.

I usually know what I’m getting before I go somewhere, and on this occasion, I changed my mind. I regret that now. I had originally wanted the sauteed Lake Perch, with caper creamy garlic sauce over crispy and garlic mashed potatoes. I got the smoked salmon pizza, since I’m a huge smoked salmon fan. Unfortunately this was the one thing I felt fell short of the mark. The crust felt a bit heavy and the whole dish was just not harmonious. I’ll leave it at that and say that I will be going back for the fish dish.

For dessert we had the homemade lemon sorbet. I am a huge lemon sorbet fan and this was spot on. It was a perfect end to the meal. Tangy, sweet, fresh. I was glad I picked that over the tiramisu.

The chef even presents it in a lemon, and its just so yellow and inviting.

I would definitely recommend going in for dinner. It has great ambiance and service. They also have a sommelier on hand. We don’t drink so I can’t comment much on the wine selection, but there are alot of good reviews out there. Also,  the chef always changes up the menu and adds seasonal specials. We will be back for sure. So far, this has been one of the best meals I have ever had in Dearborn.

Giulio & Sons – Hyatt Regency Dearborn

May 9th, 2010 by ++Mira++ | 2 Comments

My last visit to Giulio’s was 3 days ago. To say it was my first time would be an understatement (the pictures are from a visit back in december). I’ve been there many times and thanks to Restaurant.com I NEVER pay full price. Especially since they also email you coupon codes to use on your coupon codes, so alot of times we pay less than $10 for a $25 coupon!

The restaurant is tucked away on the second floor of the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. The decor theme starts from the outside and depicts an Italian village in the country. The hand painted murals are on the walls through out the restaurant.

Giulio's entrance

Mural at Giulio's entrance

Inside Giulio's

I have heard they have a great brunch on Sunday, but I haven’t been to anything but their dinners. At dinner, their Market Stand/glorified salad bar buffet comes free with the entree. To be honest, that is the main reason why I continue to go there. It has everything from your choice of greens, to shrimp, smoked salmon, cold cuts, grilled veggies, soup, pasta salad, couscous, hummus, cheese, fresh garlic bread and other daily delights. It has a great variety for veggie lovers to meat lovers and is always fresh and different.

The Market Stand

Shrimp, Artichoke salad, Mushrooms, Pasta salad

Cold cuts, Smoked salmon and more

My hubbies choice at the Bar- good ol' green salad

My choice: shrimp, couscous, salmon, veggies

For main course, I ordered the chicken marsala ($24). Thick piece of breast, on bed of angel hair pasta, smothered in mushrooms. My chicken was cooked well, and moist and the marsala sauce was very good, I just wish I had more of it. I’m not huge on the peeled baby carrots and beans, it just seems like such a throwback.

By the time I got to the main course I was pretty full from the Market Stand (which I love). What can I say, I love variety.

Chicken Marsala

After dinner, our very attentive waiter asked if we would enjoy dessert on the house! Now, I’m not sure if this is a common thing, because we have paid for dessert there before ($10 without dinner, $5 with dinner). My theory is that they are providing it as a courtesy to keep customers because of the bad economy.

I did notice that their dessert bar has much more “less” than it used to. They used to have a softserve with help yourself topping station, that was gone, but you could get icecream from the kitchen. I recall there being much more, however, there was still alot to choose from.

They had everything from mini eclairs, to cheesecake, carrot cake, bread pudding etc…The chocolate mousse cups were divine! I was too full to enjoy much, but what girl ever passes up free chocolate?

Desert Bar

Yummy minis

Cheesecake

Chocolate mousse cups

Overall, dinner was good, nothing earth shattering, but straightforward and good. What I like about Giulio’s is that the quality is consistent, even though there  a few corners are being cut on dessert. The service is amazing. The waiter was very nice.

When I have been there, the restaurant is never full, never even what I consider busy. It’s no surprise since it is smack dab in the middle of the auto meca, and we all know how buisness is going in that arena. So, if you are looking for a hip busy joint this is not the place for you. It’s more for a quiet dinner, maybe even anniversary or something to celebrate.

Now, on to the secret to making this place more affordable! We were able to purchase a coupon on Restaurant.com. It really brings down the price, and combined with the all you can eat salad bar, and the complimentary desert they seem to be providing, its really affordable and well worth it.

Overall,  the decor is nice but a tad dated, the food simple and to the point, the service is great, and like I said the salad and dessert bars make it worth it. Frankly speaking, if it wasn’t for the Market Stand I don’t think I would pay that much for chicken marsala, and the discounts help alot. I don’t consider it gourmet food, it’s just simple food done well and there is nothing wrong with that at all.

Click here for a list of their menu’s, prices and hours.