What is often overlooked and under appreciated in today’s “here today and gone tomorrow” restaurant scene are the few venerable institutions that have proven decade after decade that they have the “right stuff”; that ever so elusive formula for lasting success in the restaurant business.
They’ve survived Nouvelle Cuisine, Spa Cuisine, Modernist Cuisine, Molecular Cuisine, Fast Food, Slow Food, Farm to Fork, Nose to Tail and every other imaginative name for “good eats” that creative cooks dream up. In the end, when others have turned off their stoves, ran out of aerosol for their foam dispensers and have unplugged their sous vide machines, these few, time tested restaurants have proven year after year that what the masses historically crave is good, honest food.
Opened in 1937 and still going strong, Weber’s Inn, located on the western fringe of Ann Arbor is a “classic” example of a “good thing gone right.” The property as a whole contains an Inn, which could be appropriately called a 158 room “boutique hotel” and the equally well-known restaurant, which is in itself, a destination.
The Inn’s iconic Weber’s Restaurant is divided into 4 distinctly different atmospheric spaces. The Habitat Ultralounge is a local watering hole with large screen TV’s, a local bar feel and an outdoor patio. The Ventura Bar is a grotto like space with dark woods and warm lighting; it’s very cozy and comes compete with its own bar, a 16 tap wine Cuvinet wine system and a baby grand piano. The Bistro Room, which is adjacent, has wall booths, stained glass panels, live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights and I’m told THE most requested seats in the house. Finally, there is the Main Dining Room, which is the largest and most “formal” of the four spaces. Its handsome decor lies beneath a vaulted chalet-style ceiling and includes black leather half-moon booths, sturdy ebony stained tables with armless captain chairs topped with heavy silverware, fine stemware and the ever-classic white tablecloths and napkins.
It’s a timeless look you don’t see too much of nowadays and personally,…I love it. Still family-owned and operated by the Weber family through 3 generations of hands on stewardship, its youngest generation, in the name of Brian Weber, (a graduate of Michigan State’s prestigious Hotel & Restaurant Management program and Weber’s Vice President) is personally overseeing the family’s latest menu “polishing”. In doing so he’s being equally mindful of the restaurants past history yet its need for future development.
Now I know something about how hard it is to fine tune a 5 year old restaurant’s menu let alone doing it in as vaunted a restaurant as Weber’s with a history of nearly 80 years of fine dining and a former Chef (Chef Curtis) who developed many of Weber’s signature dishes over his 40 year kitchen tenure.
So, what do you do? Well, first, you don’t go crazy and make wholesale changes…you make improvements. And, if you’re smart about it, you still keep all the ingredients on hand to prepare a few of those “retired” favorites (like the Coconut Snow Ball) upon special request. And they ARE smart.
As a result, Weber’s newest updated menu is an edited blend of their historical favorites, improved favorites and no doubt, soon to be favorites.
Onto the food…
Seated in a “deuce” (table for 2) in along one side of the dining room, my meal began with the presentation of a basket of house made breads and a complementary small coupe of Smoked Salmon Pate, which is standard. The Inn’s menu and wine list are “old school” leather bound and stitched, again, another historical “old school” touch. By now, I was just in the mood for some classic fare and Weber’s menu doesn’t disappoint. I began with their Petite Beef Tenderloin Wellingtons in Demi-Glace, and the Flash Fried Point Judith Calamari both of which were fork tender and delicious (and I’m a Calamari
snob so you can take that to the bank!) Other “starters” included Fresh Oysters, Maryland Crab Cakes, Escargot, a Shrimp Cocktail and a Mushroom Sauté. Weber’s also has some classic soup choices including a different house soup each day and the classic Baked French Onion and Lobster Bisque.
And if you’re hell bent on the classics, you just have to order a Caesar Salad right?? I did and what arrived was icy chilled romaine with shredded Parmesan cheese, crisp, buttery croutons and a creamy Caesar dressing that was everything it should be, especially when topped with freshly ground black pepper.
Other salad choices included a Chicken Gorgonzola, Baby Kale, Boston Bibb, Original Cobb and Double Wedge Iceberg. Weber’s Entrees cover 2 full pages. On one page are the Classic American Dinners, on the other page, Specialties of the House. What you’ll find throughout are steaks, roasts, fish, seafood, poultry choices, lamb, pasta dishes and just about every imaginable continental classic, all done with Weber’s own classic flair.
So…what to choose?? It all looked to tempting that I decided to leave it up to the kitchen. What did THEY want me to eat?
What arrived was a gorgeous (and I don’t use that term often) Prime Rib of Beef, scented with a sprig of house grown Rosemary and steaming hot Au Jus poured over the rib at table side. Accompanying my rib was an earthenware crock of Au Gratin Potatoes and a newly improved Creamy Horseradish Dressing that Brian Weber is very proud of. The rib was a perfect medium rare edge to edge and exceptionally tender and flavorful.
It was picture and palate perfect. The Au Gratin Potatoes, everything you’d hope for, creamy, not too cheesy, firm slices of potatoes and seasoned well. With my Rib I enjoyed a sample a 3 red wines from their extensive and very reasonably priced wine list. They all complimented the kitchen’s choice very well. It was also difficult to choose a dessert because they too are all house made and WAY too tempting. From a Strawberry Shortcake, Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, Fudge Brownie Sundae’s, Sugar Free Devonshire and more. One dessert caught my attention however because I was on this nostalgia kick. I just HAD to see what they were going to do with… The Bumpy Cake.
Now if you don’t know, I have a rather strong background in pastries. I’ve been an Executive Pastry Chef I’ve taught pastries in college. Let’s just say I know my way around the “sweeter” side of life. This Bumpy Cake was, in a word…spectacular. Honestly the best I have had, bar none. I’d drive to Weber’s just to have this and a glass of cold milk. It was super moist, super tender, creamy, not too sweet and icy chilled.
Bottom line, if you’re going to do “old school classics”…please do them right…. Like Weber’s steakhouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
As an aside, if you love Weber’s pastries, their bakery sells them as whole cakes, tortes and even makes spectacular Wedding Cakes which you can see on-line and order for your enjoyment.
As for the rest, here’s my box score. *(5 being highest/best where numbers are listed)
Menu Intimidation Factor MIF 1.0 There is NOTHING on this menu that you won’t instantly recognize and understand. It’s an American Classic menu and as hard as you might look, you won’t find too many like it anywhere.
Dress 2.5 Casual resort wear is appropriate but you won’t feel at all out of sorts in a suit and tie, actually, you might enjoy donning a bow tie.
The Crowd 3 Guests vary from a family of 6 enjoying what perhaps might be an Ann Arbor meal with their college children, a few young couples enjoying a date night out to a handsome older couple in a newly pressed suit, perfectly coiffed hair and pearl necklace leisurely enjoying a sumptuous dinner.
Parking 5 Tons of parking everywhere.
Bang for the Buck 5 With a choice of 4 different drinking and dining options, free, live entertainment, very reasonable menu prices and a wonderful atmosphere you get a BIG bang for your Ann Arbor dining buck at Weber’s.
Food Stuff 4.5 If you miss the days of Haute Continental Cuisine, THIS is your new home. For those who remember the OLD days of Charlie’s Crab, the Original Joe Muer, Fisher 666, Topinka’s Country House, and the original London Chop House and Caucus Club, here is a place that is STILL the original.
Energy, Vibe, & the Cool-Wow Factor 3.5 You’ve no doubt seen their billboards everywhere in SE Michigan, but if you’ve never taken the time to discover Weber’s, do yourself a favor, check them out. Weber’s is a “different” kind of hip. Its energy and cool-wow factor is in its history and enjoying a menu that will never go out of style.
Awards:
- Bravo “Excellent” (Trip Advisor)
- Open Table 2015 Diner’s Choice
- 2014 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
About:
- Location: 3050 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
- Hotel Reservations: 734-769- 2500 / 800 – 443-3050
- Restaurant Reservations: 734-665- 3636
- Restaurant Reservations On-Line: www.opentable.com
- Website: webersannarbor.com
- Bakery: 734-794- 2400
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebersAnnArbor
- Twitter http://www.twitter.com/WebersA2
BREAKFAST
- 8:00 AM until 11:00 AM
SUNDAY BRUNCH
- 9:00AM UNTIL 1:00PM
LUNCH
- 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM
DINNER SERVICE
- 4:00 PM until 8:30 PM SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY
- 4:00 PM until 9:30 PM Friday and Saturday
Miscellaneous Stuff:
They accept all the usual plastic cards and are wheelchair accessible right off the sidewalk.
This is as close to a “family, children friendly” high end restaurant as you’ll ever find. They can accommodate everyone and anyone.
Weber’s: The Best Steakhouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan!
If you want to experience fine dining, Weber’s continues to be the best steakhouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We feature the areas finest prime rib, steaks and seafood. Whether in our main restaurant or the cozy, secluded Le Bistro room, our moderate prices, relaxed upscale design and friendly service turn new customers into regulars. Call now to make your reservation!
