La Serre — Restaurant in Ann Arbor

HUMILIATINGLY BAD EXPERIENCE. My party of six—four men and two women—arrived at 7:30 pm on June 20th for what was meant to be a relaxed work dinner. We ordered only four light starters, with no one even considering dessert, yet we didn’t leave until 10:30 pm. With just five other tables occupied and three servers on the floor, a THREE-HOUR WAIT FOR BASIC FOOD AND DRINKS is utterly unacceptable.

From the moment we sat down, our assigned server CJ offered nothing but indifference and impatience. He never once smiled, never asked if everything was all right, nor offered to refill a water glass. Instead, he snapped his silverware loudly on the table, yanked plates away mid-bite, and curtly replied “no” to every reasonable request.

To their credit, the two other waiters on shift were friendly, and on a couple of occasions they brought us dishes and refilled our water. Unfortunately, they weren’t assigned to our table, so their small acts of kindness did nothing to shorten the interminable wait or CJ’s dismissive attitude.

The ordeal reached its peak with my New York Sour. I specifically asked for the classic “wine float” version, but CJ loudly insisted that no such thing exists. He first returned with a cocktail missing the float, the egg white, and the bitters. When I politely mentioned that it seems to be the wrong drink and showed him a photo of the traditional drink, he snatched the glass back, muttered under his breath, and disappeared. His replacement was just as wrong—and delivered with the same belligerence. I never got the drink—I have never had a restaurant/bar/waiter argue with me about this particular drink

This was more than a slow evening—it was deeply embarrassing. Several of my colleagues had traveled from out of town; by the time we finally left, it was 10:30 pm, and they had to be back at work at 7am the next day. We’ve spent the past three weeks apologizing for the lost sleep and the mortification of bringing them to this place.

The food itself was passable, but the pretentious “French” menu rang hollow given the chaotic service. In total the bill was more than $500. What should have been a one-hour dinner turned into a three-hour humiliation. I’ve never felt so uncomfortable or embarrassed in a restaurant—especially during a professional gathering. I will never return, and I strongly urge anyone planning a business or celebratory dinner to...

The best bartenders are the kind who make you feel so welcome that you end up eating more than you planned, trying drinks you never expected, and choosing to return rather than explore somewhere new in the city you’re visiting. Chris is exactly that kind of bartender.

I was in town for work and decided to visit after seeing the appealing menu online. Instead of taking my assigned table, I opted to sit at the bar—a decision I’m so glad I made. From start to finish, every recommendation Chris made was spot on.

He started me with the Hamachi Crudo appetizer, described the truffle butter served with the Gougères in a way that made it irresistible, and curated excellent cocktail and wine pairings to match my food choices. Throughout the evening, I watched him interact with multiple guests, and without exception, he was warm, attentive, and genuinely hospitable.

This kind of service is what turns a good meal into a memorable dining experience. I’ll absolutely be back(tonight)!

**duplicated my OpenTable review here because I enjoyed...

Recently dined here and was disappointed. Most of the tables are lined along the perimeter of the restaurant, which creates a very open and exposed layout. It doesn’t feel private or cozy—instead, it feels like you’re seated in a hallway or hotel lobby.

Service was average. On multiple occasions, both the host and server made references to the chef’s strict rules about when certain items could be ordered. As a guest at a high-end restaurant, I’m here to enjoy a seamless, elevated dining experience—not to hear about behind-the-scenes drama or a temperamental kitchen.

Unfortunately, the food did not impress. The foie gras wasn’t to my taste, and the lobster spaghetti had a strange, overly sweet flavor that I found unpleasant. The mussels were also underwhelming—the sauce was thin and lacked flavor.

The drinks, however, were the highlight of the evening—well-crafted and enjoyable.

In summary, Detroit has several excellent French restaurants that offer far better food, ambiance,...