Brighton Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Brighton

The evening started with the “Mock and Roll” mocktail, a bright and refreshing mix of muddled blueberries, strawberries, and mint with fresh lime juice and ginger beer. It is one of those drinks that makes you forget there is no alcohol in it, balanced, vibrant, and full of flavor. Warm rolls followed, paired with whipped butter that practically melted on contact. A small touch, but one that instantly makes a place feel welcoming.

Before diving into entrées, John tried the French onion soup. It arrived bubbling hot, topped with a golden layer of melted Gruyère that gave way to a rich, deeply flavored broth beneath. The caramelized onions were sweet and tender, and the toasted bread soaked up every bit of savory goodness. It is a comforting classic, done exactly right.

For me, Thai chicken satay came next, the skewers perfectly grilled and served with crisp Asian slaw, carrots, and a rich, spicy peanut sauce that hit all the right notes.

My main course, drunken salmon, showcased the kitchen’s sense of balance: bourbon-marinated salmon glazed with honey and ginger, resting on a bed of cilantro rice and stir-fried vegetables. The flavors played together beautifully, comfort food with just enough flair to feel special.

John ordered the steak Benedict, and it was a showstopper. Perfectly seared steak medallions topped with poached eggs and velvety hollandaise, all served on toasted English muffins. The richness of the sauce paired with the tender meat made it a hearty, indulgent plate that easily rivals any brunch favorite.

Dessert was the kind of ending you hope for. Their carrot cake earns its local fame with layers of moist spice cake, sweet cream cheese icing, and a scattering of walnuts for texture. It is indulgent but not heavy, the kind of dessert that keeps you thinking about the next visit.

A word of gratitude to Bill, our server, whose 35 years of restaurant experience were evident in every detail. His attentiveness and genuine warmth elevated the meal beyond the plate.

Brighton Bar and Grill, at 400 West Main Street in downtown Brighton, continues to be a cornerstone of the local dining scene. Family-owned and freshly reimagined in 2018, it strikes that sweet spot between polished and relaxed. With ties to Bourbons in Brighton and a kitchen led by a chef with Hell’s Kitchen credentials, the team brings both passion and precision to every dish. Their ongoing expansion into nearby New Hudson only reinforces that this is not just a restaurant, it is a growing story of...

It was ~27 years ago when my wife (Jan) and I had our first meal at the Brighton Bar and Grill. We had just moved to the area and this was our first night out and about. We had ordered our food and were half way through it when the Brighton bad weather sirens went off. We retreated to the basement of the building to be safe. We did finish our excellent meal after a short stay in the basement.

Hard to forget such occurrences.

Fast forward to the 14th of July, 2021. Our home sold in a matter of a day. We closed in early June. The movers came, packed up, and loaded the truck in July. We had the house cleaned so the excited, new younger couple could start afresh in our home of the last 27 years. I am sure they will make it there own just like we did.

We decided to have our last meal in the area and at the Brighton Bar and Grill. Since we had been going there over the years and had made acquaintances with the bar staff Tracey, her sister, Melissa, etc., we sat at the bar. My favorite bartender Melissa was on duty that night which made the night more memorable than night.

We started off with the roasted garlic platter accompanied with toasted bread. It was excellent and both my wife and I enjoyed it. We had a bottle of a red blend wine which Melissa had recommended. It was a good choice and easy on the palate while eating the garlic and bread.

Our meals consisted of Scallops, risotto, and asparagus for myself. while my wife enjoyed a Caesar salad with chicken. I enjoyed the scallops very much. Unless you are on the coast, it is difficult to get scallops of any quality such as what I experienced that night. My wife enjoyed her salad at usual.

The rest of the evening we settled in with my wife enjoying the rest of the wine, my having Basil Hayden bourbon, and chatting with Melissa. She made the rest of our evening.

We said our good byes, started our slow journey over the weeks in the morning, stopping along the way at relatives, until our new home is ready to the Southwest. Best of Luck Brighton...

My wife and I arrived 10 minutes early for 1845 dinner reservation last Saturday evening. Without any concern or explanation, we were not seated until 1915! What if I had been 30 minutes late for our reservation? Would you have still seated me when I arrived? When we were seated, we were led to a booth adjacent to the bar that had so many people standing around it we had to excuse ourselves into the booth. At that point I told the host that I didn't want to sit at a table with people's butts at the end of it and she moved us. Our drinks (water) and food order were taken in a timely manner. My wife ordered a side salad to be brought before the meal. The salad didn't show up for 25 minutes! There was no worry about the salad showing up with the meal though as the meal didn't arrive for over 45 minutes!! The food was good but, at this point, the experience had been ruined. Fearful of how long it would take, we ordered carrot cake right away, ate a few bites of our entree, ate a couple of bites of carrot cake when it arrived, boxed up the leftovers, and departed. Without any explanation, I concluded that you have become too popular to care to be good at customer service; good for business but bad for me. Fortunately, there are...