West End Grill and Common Grill among Zagat's best restaurants in Metro Detroit
Ann Arbor's West End Grill is on Zagat's list of the best metro Detroit restaurants for 2012.
AnnArbor.com file photo.
Zagat surveyed over 225,000 diners, who rated local restaurants in three categories: food, decor and service. Both area restaurants earned 28 out of a possible total of 30 points for food, and 27 out of 30 for service.
Zagat's list of the best restaurants in Metro Detroit:
Supino Pizzeria (Pizza) 2457 Russell St., Detroit
The Lark (Continental) 6430 Farmington Rd., West Bloomfield
Common Grill (American) 112 S. Main St., Chelsea
West End Grill (American) 120 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor
Union Woodshop (Barbecue) 18 S. Main St., Clarkston
Texas de Brazil (Steakhouse) 1000 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Assaggi Bistro Mediterranean | Ferndale 330 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale
Hill Seafood & Chop House Seafood, Steakhouse | Grosse Pointe Farms 123 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms
Jessica Webster leads the Food & Grocery section for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at JessicaWebster@annarbor.com. You also can follow her on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
Nice in A2
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.
Blimpie's!!!! And yes, years ago I turned down a chance to review restaurants for a local periodical. Figured it was a win/win for all....
Brad
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
Common Grill does have great food, but they really need to do something about those acoustics. Very, very loud. It adds nothing to the experience.
JGS
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 6:39 p.m.
Old people don't like noise from what I'm told. Common Grill is awesome. West End Grill Rocks! Been to both numerous times and going to Common Grill tonight...See you there.
susaninkona
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.
Bravo West End Grill!!! We miss you so much here in Kona, Hi. Perfect food, wonderful service. Aloha to everyone!
johnnya2
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 5:16 a.m.
Thanks for letting us all know that on a night it is 26 degrees. Tell you what, how about you come here and i will buy you dinner at West End, but you buy my plane ticket to HI
1bit
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 1:24 a.m.
I really like both restaurants. They're both very good. Vinology is as well. But before we get ahead of ourselves, these restaurants wouldn't be considered "great" by those in major cities such as New York, LA, Chicago or San Francisco. I do think the trend has been for improving restaurants in the area and I think we'll eventually have a truly great restaurant in A2. Maybe even a Zingerman's brand if they really put their effort into it.
craigjjs
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.
I lived in NYC for 20 years before moving to Ann Arbor two years ago. The Common Grill can hold its own with some of the very best that NYC has to offer, less the celebrity chefs and 'look at me' crowd. I have somehow missed out on the West End and can't wait to try it.
DennisP
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 2:59 a.m.
With all due respect, many of us really don't care what's great in San Fran or LA or Chicago. We live here. So having a list of what is considered to be some of the best in the area is a nice thing. Can I get a good meal, good service at a respectable price. When I'm in San Fran, I will enjoy the dining there. But, day in and day out, I'm here. The Grills both do a fine job.
Ross Dunbar
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 12:49 a.m.
The food at West End is amazing, the service is even better. Congrats to the staff there! The only question that remains to be answered is whose rolls are better, West End's or the poppy seed rolls at Common Grill?
Kat
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 1:04 p.m.
West Ends beignets for sure!
Jessica Webster
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 1:45 a.m.
I am a sucker for West End Grill's beignets. I find it very difficult to stop eating them.
WWBoDo
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 11:34 p.m.
Knights! No where better! West End is great--no doubt. Knights is the best!
Jessica Webster
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 1:46 a.m.
What's your favorite meal at Knights? I often have trouble remembering the meal beyond that first Manhattan.
Lou Perry
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 10:17 p.m.
I believe Ann Arbor is the epicurean capitol of Michigan. We have more unique creative restaurants. Detroit is only other city that has two winners. It's nice to see Ann Arbor being recognized beyond over-rated Zingerman's.
oldlocal
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.
Wrong.
A2Westsider
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 9 p.m.
Congrats to the awesome staff at West End and Common Grill. Both are top notch.
Paul Wiener
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 8:50 p.m.
No matter how good the West Ebd is, here's another reason to dismiss many of the Zagat ratings.
Jessica Webster
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 1:49 a.m.
Paul- which restaurants do you think don't belong on this list? I see at least one (neither of the Washtenaw County joints) that continues to coast on their reputation.
andys
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 8:43 p.m.
West End Grill is so great! It seems to fly under the radar somewhat, but I think its the best dining experience in Ann Arbor. A true jewel!
Jessica Webster
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 2:11 p.m.
dsponini - I didn't have my own expense account - I was eating on the record labels' dimes. It might be why the music business went under. ;)
dsponini
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 1:17 p.m.
@ Jessica...is that why Borders went under!? I used to work their too...but didn't have an expense account :(
Jessica Webster
Fri, Nov 16, 2012 : 1:50 a.m.
When I worked for Borders and ate a lot of expense account meals, West End Grill was my default favorite.
StopCrying
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.
mmm Common Grill is delicious. I want to try the texas de brazil place as well!