The food was really nice and the staff was so accommodating with my food allergies, which I would expect for a meal at this price. I ordered the Bouillabaisse, really magnificent. I ate here on a whim but next time I would plan ahead for a nice evening.
(4)
U N.
Great food, good atmosphere and good service. You can bring large groups and easily get a table, especially on a weeknight. Goat cheese grits are amazing and the pumpkin ravioli is full of flavor.
(4)
Hazen P.
John K, you did reach out, and I found your response odd . I said the food was good but the interior was dull, and you name dropped the architect and other restaurants he has done. I said the food was safe, and you bragged about quality ingredients and added "is foie gras safe?" (well sure it can be, especially if you're impressed that you're offering it). I said your decor looks like a hotel, and you told me to go to Northern Lakes for hotel food, and I'm afraid I just don't follow that logic. Again, good food, could be more interesting, and a very dull cavernous interior. Thank you for your resume, tell Chef Paul I love Cuisine.
This was a last minute reservation for 9, and they were available, so it worked out great. We started with drinks and apps in the large bar. Our waitress was nice and efficient, and we could've been a bit loud and obnoxious. At the table, out waiter was super knowledgable and good. Overall, this was the best of the 4 times I've been here, so definitely recommend now. The menu seemed more in line (got rid of rabbit) with the masses. Hostesses and all staff were really nice.
(5)
Kristine R.
Underwhelming. This was my second experience here, and I've come to the conclusion that some of the menu items are wonderful (mushroom soup, steak tips, brussel sprouts, mac and cheese), and some are just not good, it's a hit or miss, hence the 3 stars. Went for dinner last night, and our experience was ... OK. My husband and I both agreed that the food was .... Eh, take-it-or-leave-it. We both had the lobster bisque and agreed it was VERY salty (I was bummed because I've had their mushroom soup in the past and it was amazing). I ordered the halibut. While the fish was cooked well, it lacked the flavor I anticipated. I was unimpressed. My husband had the lamb and he felt the same, it said on the menu that served with a mint jelly of some sort ~ but he was unable to taste that. But again, the meat was cooked well, very tender. As for sides: we did the tasting with mac and cheese (very good), Brussel sprouts (loved loved), and the Yukon potato (neither of us cared for this). I wasn't thrilled when the $12 cocktail I ordered came in a small champagne glass ~ really? I couldn't believe they were able to get all the ingredients in the drink in that small glass!! But the upside, the wonderful server we had recommended a good glass of wine to go with the halibut and my husband enjoyed the extensive whiskey menu. Oh and they made me an off the menu espresso martini at my request that was VERY VERY good!!
(3)
Julie G.
Fabulous dinner last night! Amadeus was our waiter - he's only been at The Stand for a few weeks. He did a wonderful job. We started with the 3 soup sampler - lobster bisque was my favorite. I had the Scallop Minestrone - it was hearty, served with pasta, white beans, peas and corn in a light cream sauce. Others had the duck, and pasta with shrimp or chicken. We have leftovers for lunch today. Nice beer/wine selection - not too big, not too small; some interesting selections. Would like to try lunch! Note: Saturday evening dinner was full. There are a few rooms for groups with large tables. Nice to keep those larger parties separated for noise purposes.
(4)
Deep A.
Went there with our friends (party of 8) on Saturday night. The valet greeted us graciously and took care of our car. Upon arrival, the place looks very cozy and well done interiors. There were not a lot of people and a few empty tables at 8:00pm. Our server took our order promptly and drinks were served in a timely manner. The place looked a little understaffed, but prompt service. Signature cocktails i tried were the lemonade stand and cucumber infused (Can't remember the name), but both were really good. Lemonade stand was better of the 2. We ordered the appetizers since we had the dinner reservations elsewhere and below is how our food tasted. 1. The Lobster fried egg was really good. Good presentation too. 2. Bone in Beef short ribs- EXCELLENT and MUST HAVE 3. House cut fries- Pretty good and tasted fresh. 4. Brussel Sprouts- Excellent and mouth watering. Would definitely order again. The only suggestion is to have at least 2 more chicken appetizers on the menu since there is not much option for our friends who don't eat seafood. Overall an excellent experience, but will surely have to come back again to try their main course.
(4)
Haroun K.
Their claim of having a separate "vegan menu" is a bit of false advertising, and is kind of obnoxious. We chose this place for a large gathering partially because of their claim of a such a menu. When we arrived and inquired about getting the menu, the waiter pointed to the bottom of the page of the regular menu, where you will find a handful of vegetarian side dishes. That's all. Most of these options are available at any steakhouse, without the advertising tactic. Aside from the fact that none of the carnivores were very wowed, or that the service was cloying, it is an a-ok place, albeit pretty expensive.
(3)
Max F.
Sigh... There are about half a dozen Birmingham restaurants about on par with this one: good ambience, cool bar, great drink selection... So why the sigh? The food at all of these places is decent but uninspired; at a price point that leaves me wanting something more. The meal- meat board, cheese plate, Brussels sprouts salad. The meat board was decent, reasonable selection but a LOT of pate. Good thing I like that stuff. The cheese board had some big chunks of cheese, but all of it was rather bland I-can-get-more-interesting-cheese-at-Costco stuff. Finally the Brussels sprout salad was steamed. Dude, it's 2015, everyone knows that you pan fry the B sprouts because it tastes about 1 billion times better. Plus, the dressing was sweet, a bit more than I care for on a salad. In fact we steered clear of a number of menu items due to implied/stated sweetness. Now if that's your thing, eat and be merry. I'll look for my savory elsewhere. The highs: cocktails, bar, liquor selection The lows: food vs price The bottom line: I'll come for a drink pre/post eating elsewhere.
(3)
Tom U.
I have been to The Stand on numerous occasions over the last year. I am always pleased with the food, and the cocktails are very unique and quite delicious. For many years, I have been a fan of Chef Paul's original restaurant, Cuisine, which is in Detroit and boasts an equally wonderful dining experience (albeit in a different atmosphere, being located in a renovated old mansion.) One of my favorite appetizers is the charcuterie board, which includes a variety of house-made sausages and pates served with spicy mustard and toasted bread. I also highly recommend the lobster fried egg as an appetizer as well as the tuna crudo....both incredibly delicious. I have tried several entrees, steak and seafood, and all have been great.
(5)
Kay M.
Was here in May. Thought it was going to be more like a gastro pub but was not. Everything was mediocre and over priced. The dining room was nearly empty. Not impressed and won't be going back.
We went for a Valentine's Day dinner. There were some great highlights and a few items leaving something to be desired, hence the only 4 stars. My pre-dinner Maker Mark's Old Fashioned was one of the best I have ever had. The whole ice ball is a great touch. Started with the baked brie app and it was just ok, nothing special. Also tried the trio tasting of soups, with the pheasant soup being my favorite. My date had the chop salad which was good. We had the duck and the tenderloin for entrees. Both were stellar, with the duck being amazing. The breast had a thick layer of fat which I love and was perfectly cooked. We had the thyme roasted pineapple ice cream for desert, which was great! It had a combo of flavors that was unique and really interesting, in a good way. Overall, it was a really good meal.
(4)
Steve K.
This place has been open since September 2013 & we discovered it in May 2014 Transferring this review from my old Yelp account. Outstanding - "OUR kind of place." Very classy w/cozy & intimate corners. Fabulous craft cocktails, extensive wine & microbrew lists. Dual menus - bar/restaurant - are a perk, with interesting selections. We opted to try a variety with a few from each menu. Seafood sausage, toasted oysters, scallop sandwich (FABULOUS!), burger & "sides" - Brussels sprouts, Mac & cheese, spaghetti squash were standouts. Our server Rudy was actually a master crafter of cocktails behind the bar & extremely knowledgable, friendly & accommodating. Owner John Kelly stopped by to check on us. GREAT overall experience - highly recommended!
(5)
Jacquelibe B.
Service was horrible. The management team needs to give their servers and waitstaff training on how to serve at a fine dining establishment. People kept taking our plates before we were finished with them, and did not ask, just snatched the plates. Two people in the dining room dropped items, one glass shattered on the ground and we had a plate dropped on our table. As for the food, I got the squash soup and roasted duck breast which I really enjoyed but my three companions did not enjoy their food and did not feel that the amount charged was worth the meal they got. I do not foresee anyone of us returning anytime soon.
(2)
Randy G.
New place, new owners, new menu, and better food than the former restaurant at this location. The server was very nice and explained that the meats are all smoked in house and recommended the Grilled Pastrami. The sandwich really was quite delicious. The meat did have a smokey flavor, you didn't have to search to much. You'll taste it quickly. The smokey flavor has a good balance to it and the creamy slaw compliments it well. The smokey flavor gives the sandwich it's uniqueness since the meat traditionally isn't smoked. If you're curious about their soups, they offer a soup sampler that includes all three: Italian Wedding, Lobster Broth, and Corn Chowder. Each one is uniquely different from each other in flavor and texture. The Italian Wedding is light with a delicious broth and featuring fresh vegetables and hearty Italian meatballs. In contrast, the lobster broth is very silky and smooth, heavier than the Italian Wedding, and rich with lobster flavor and chunks of lobster meat. Lastly to the furthest in contrast, the corn chowder that is heavy and think with a cream base and extremely textured with corn and cuts of ham. I was also very excited to see attention and an effort made in having a vegetarian/vegan menu. The items sounded absolutely delicious, but all the entrees lacked a crucial component, protein. None of them had any protein in the dish, therefore, I would bet the dish tastes outstanding, but I would also bet you'll be hungry in an hour. I mentioned it to my server who discussed it with one of the chefs who said they would review the ingredients to improve it. It has so much potential.
(4)
Cristian P.
The dinner I had at the stand was just ok.
(3)
Joe B.
Chef Paul is on the mark with The Stand. The menu is well thought out and the dishes are well executed leaving little to be desired. Naturally we started with drinks but more on that in a minute. My girlfriend's parents were kind enough to treat me to dinner here and it was a treat indeed. We started with the Brussels Sprouts and the Caramelized Cauliflower along with the Beef Spare Ribs and Goat Cheese Grits. Pulling away from the more trendy fried presentation, their sprouts were served oven roasted with a clean maple pancetta finish. The cauliflower was simple and tasty with just a little caramelization on them...they were both light and really nice to share alongside the much richer spare ribs, which were ridiculous BTW. I'd order them again and again. Even better than the spare ribs though are the grits....rich and creamy and the goat cheese makes them almost sinful. Yet another dish I'm working on figuring out in my own kitchen. For the entrees, everyone but me had the Halibut special which was super fresh and very well prepared, flaky and meaty with very subtle flavors. I had to try their Rabbit though, it's my vice. A loin rack alongside rabbit sausage in a brilliant cherry reduction sauce accompanied by tri-color carrots and sage polenta....really?! Talk about gilding the lily. Needless to say I cleaned my plate and then wiped it spotless with the fresh bread brought the table. I ate well here but I can only imagine what the bill was. The ambiance is warm and elegant. As you walk in you'll notice the wine lockers which is a nice touch. Then you see the kitchen which is run without a sound...like a fluid machine with Chef Paul at the helm. The bar is sexy and dark with a huge communal table at the center of the room. The main dining room has tables filling the center with booths along the walls and a couple private rooms. It's a fairly large place once you take it all in. At 7 on a Friday it was pretty slow but filled to the max by 830. The staff is gracious and fun. Our bartender was Mike who quipped with us and got us started with a couple bottles of wine from a locker. He was entertaining and quick with recommendations...I'll be back to explore the cocktail menu. Our server was Brad who was fantastic. Fun to deal with and energetic to be catering to us. We were well looked after all evening. Some of the reviews seem to be mixed for this spot but I think it's due to growing pains. While the Stand begins to become more rooted to the area I think it'll do wonderfully.
(4)
Bardhok B.
I have been at The Stand for lunch and dinner. It's probably the best Restaurant in Michigan. Every time my wife and I go there we receive excellent service. Every time I bring clients in I receive excellent service. The decor is modern and welcoming. We love the center table at the bar. The food is incredible and it's up to par with any five star restaurants in New York and Chicago. Keep it up please. I read some bad experiences here but I haven't had any after 10 times or so I have frequented the spot. I will keep going back too. I never trust bad reviews on yelp since I believe most people don't qualify to leave a review from their only one visit. You can't form an opinion from one visit.
(5)
Sarah C.
Great food which doesn't make you feel heavy and guilty walking out. Organic, locally sourced, Glutten free !!! What more could you ask for?!?! The lunches are really reasonable. Fav's are the lobster appetizer and the trio of soups.
(5)
Rachel J.
Sadly it's not possible to give no stars. The food was good, although pricey, and the vegan menu is really a selection of sides. The service was dreadful, absolutely appalling. The manager was great and was very helpful, however our server was shockingly poor. Everything was all too much trouble...my husband, ordering sides, asked what his beef dish came with "I already told you" said our helpful server. Thanks. We asked for bread twice before he bothered to bring it, blaming a coworker. We did not order dessert due to the length of time between being given the menu and when our server managed to fit us in between giving the adjacent table the dessert menu, bringing their desserts, getting their bill and shaking hands with them as they left. Took two hours and we did not have appetizers, dessert, cheese, coffee etc, just entrees. What should have been a pleasant evening was ruined by this man's rudeness. Wild horses wouldn't drag me to this place again. I don't appreciate feeling frustrated, angry and disrespected.
(1)
Steve K.
This place has been open since September 2013 & we've just discovered it. Outstanding - "OUR kind of place." Very classy w/cozy & intimate corners. Fabulous craft cocktails, extensive wine & microbrew lists. Dual menus - bar/restaurant - are a perk, with interesting selections. We opted to try a variety with a few from each menu. Seafood sausage, toasted oysters, scallop sandwich (FABULOUS!), burger & "sides" - Brussels sprouts, Mac & cheese, spaghetti squash were standouts. Our server Rudy was actually a master crafter of cocktails behind the bar & extremely knowledgable, friendly & accommodating. Owner John Kelly stopped by to check on us. GREAT overall experience - highly recommended!
(5)
Wanda L.
The most atrocious food I've experienced in a long time. The best thing about this restaurant was that the manager comped our dinner after we declared the food inedible. And if that is the best thing about your restaurant, you may need to rethink a few things. We were so excited to try out The Stand, since it has many vegan items (we're both vegan) on its menu, all of which sounded delicious. Unfortunately, our time was immediately soured by our condescending waiter, who answered all of our questions with disdain, and handed us dirty plates (twice!). Apparently having clean plates is beyond their capability, but we continued anyways. After we specifically told our waiter that we were vegan, and ordered 5 of the vegan dishes from their menu, they promptly plopped a dish of butter on our table. We asked them to take the butter away and explained that we didn't eat dairy because we were vegan. Then they gave us a bread basket, which...guess what? Also had dairy. But that's fine; we are fine with inattentive and condescending service as long as the food is good. But the food was terrible! I've been to cafeterias with better food than this! If you're going to have a vegan menu, and charge for it, you need to make sure that it is on par with your other dishes and not simply an afterthought. All of the vegan dishes were sad mix of all the side dishes and vegetables from their other meat dishes, with minimal protein to speak of. The "Assorted Pickled Vegetables" was made of the pathetic toppings that you see in salad bar buffets, except they put vinegar on top. The chef also apparently does not have access to the Internet, as their "Ratatouille of Candied Carrots" could not in any world be called a ratatouille, had they researched it at all. You cannot simply overcook carrots, top it with coleslaw, and call it ratatouille. The same goes for their "Tomato Risotto", which was a pile of mushy rice cooked in spaghetti sauce that came floating in a puddle of milk. Chef, I dare you to look up any risotto recipe on the Internet. Please. Believe it or not, risotto actually has the liquid cooked INTO the rice, instead of simply pouring the liquid on top of cooked rice. If I had wanted that, I would have ordered a bowl of rice, a glass of milk, and combined it myself. I wondered how The Stand warrants even 4 stars on Yelp, and my conclusion is that it takes advantage of clientele that wishes to appear fancy by paying exorbitant prices, when in fact they have never left this part of town to try actually delicious food. So basically, if your pockets are lined with money and you have no concept of what good food is, The Stand is the restaurant for you!
(2)
Da Z.
I took my girlfriend there for dinner. Everything was quite amazing. We had Maine lobster soup, roasted oyster, and wagyu sirloin for the main course. I had to say that it was very nice, definitely a 5-star.
(5)
Megan M.
It is a nice restaurant although it was very quiet for a Friday night. I wasn't a big fan of their menu. It wasn't anything special. Also I think the food was not extraordinary to be as expensive as it was. Overall not a bad experience but I wouldn't go again.
(3)
Leo D.
Everything we had was great! Good service. Great selection of MI wines and menu featuring locally sourced food.
(5)
Jing Y.
Might be a bit curious about the attire for waiter and waitress, why is everybody wearing jeans? Different style of jeans. Nothing wrong with jeans, just very rare to see waiters wearing them in a fancy restaurant.
(4)
Kelly S.
I truly wish there was an option for half stars - i would give 3.5 stars. We've now been twice. The first time, we had a bunch of apps and soups some that are no longer on the menu (i loved that beef barley soup) along with the charcuterie and cheese platters. Both were very good. This time around, we had the cheese platter, very good selection, the lobster/egg app (came out very late, still very good), a couple of sides and we shared the "red" lobster. I don't know if I could be any more disappointed in a lobster dish. It was chewy and the beet flavor overpowered the delicious, natural flavor of the lobster. We ended the meal with the carrot/lime cake. In theory, this could be a dynamite duo. In reality, this was a thick, heavy, cake with very little flavor (where was the cinnamon or nutmeg?). All in all, we had a nice date night, but we won't be coming back anytime soon.
(3)
Harold R.
I have been to The Stand now twice and have not been let down on the selection of food, drink and great service. The owner John Kelly and his staff make sure that your visit and "gastro" experience is memorable. What impressed me the most is the quality of hand selected ingredients which make up each and every dish. I look forward to schedule numerous company luncheons with clients in the near future as well as great evening our with my lovely wife and daughter. Thanks for the dinning experience!
(5)
Michelle N.
Unfortunately, the stand is another overhyped and disappointing Birmingham restaurant. To be fair, I say disappointing bc the starters were so, so good...and the entrees were just so meh. We tried: -Woodward & maple (cocktail): delicious and strong!! -lobster fried egg: holy crap. This is good. The egg was done perfectly, the lobster was delicious, and the broth/sauce was amazing. I honestly had such high hopes for this restaurant after this app. -Maine lobster soup: it was in between a broth and a bisque, but it was delicious. I really appreciate how our server anticipated our requests and brought out extra bread for us to eat with the soup. -olive oil poached beef tenderloin: the bf ordered this medium rare, and it came out perfectly medium rare. I thought it was okay but not as mind blowing as the appetizers. -Amish roast chicken: don't waste your $$..another yelper said it wasn't good, and I should've listened to her. -50/50 mashed potatoes: no flavor whatsoever. Blah. Gross. Not worth the $$ or even calories bc I honestly didn't taste anything. -duck fat fried French fries with truffle oil: off their bar menu. You must order this. It is. So. So. Good. Some observations: -this restaurant is bigger than I thought. Love the wine lockers, too. -the service here is good. ESP the bus boys, so quick to anticipate your requests. -we had 2 servers at first, then slowly just 1...not sure what's with the tag team action, but it was kind of obnoxious having to tell waiter #2 that #1 had already been by and answered our questions/taken our orders. This happened several times, not just once. -complimentary valet!! I would like to come back again just for the lobster fried egg and fries, and maybe I'll be able to try their bar menu out. In the meantime, I cannot recommend the stand due to the high prices for average food. (To be fair, I also took my food home and had it as leftovers. Mashed potatoes and chicken were as bland and flavorless as I remember, fries were just as delicious and crispy after a quick zap in the oven!!)
(3)
Michael E.
We joined some friends for an early Saturday dinner, which was good because it got busy later on. Initially the service was friendly, but after ordering appetizers there was a horribly long wait to have anyone come back. The apps were tepid, not hot, but delicious. The Sommelier came by for the wine selection. The choice was fine, but he was young, unsure of his list and made some excuses about the selection. The main course was excellent, so were the salads. The salads are quite large, so I would recommend splitting one. We finished off with the cheese cake. Perfect size - because i was stuffed really. Overall it was a very nice time, with good food. But to earn 4 or 5 stars there needs to be some depth behind the production, faultless service, and a real welcoming feel. This place is getting popular quick so it will inevitably dilute out the experience for everyone. For this much money, perfection should be their goal, or reduce the prices....
(3)
MacGregor B.
attended The Battle of the Libations dinner last night. Great beer and wine pairings over 5 courses. Chef Paul's dishes were unbelievable again. Gerry their Sommelier did a great job pairing the wines and Robert Vedder of Powers distributing brought some creative and brave beer choices. If you haven't tried one of their pairing dinners you need to.
(5)
Laura K.
Love the cocktails here, Southern Charm is my favorite! The food is fancy, but always delicious. The Lobster Fried Egg appetizer is the best thing on the menu!
(5)
Joe V.
I hate to do this but it's only fair to my 5 star reviews to knock this place down. It's been a while since my 2nd visit but I'm 1 for 2 here. Both times food was good but expensive. Still had a vegan menu. First time service was superb. Second time, not so much. Waiter for lunch was so pretentious, my other friends won't go back. I'd give it a 3rd try but ideally if someone else is paying.
(3)
Ree R.
Visited for a weeknight dinner and the place was practically empty. The service was fine and food is average. For the price you can find much better in Birmingham. I was surprised to be underwhelmed after reading all of the positive reviews by critics. The charcuterie platter was the best part of the meal. Very pork sausage heavy but it would be something nice to snack on at the bar.
(2)
Thomas M S.
Over the holiday weekend, I thoroughly enjoyed an impressive dinner at The Stand; a welcome and ambitious departure from the popup (-like), and often overly-dramatic, bistros and cafes. The hospitable proprietor, Mr. Kelly, promptly seated us at a cozy booth in the spacious, distinct, and well-appointed main dining room. Our waiter displayed attentive professionalism and a courteous disposition; he's a credit to the restaurant and made dining memorable and enjoyable. Impressed by the menu of straightforward, no-nonsense, yet thoughtful choices, I opted for a perfectly cooked, nicely plated bone-in filet and a medley of savory sides. And yet more goodness: hard-to-resist dessert and cup (or two) of hot coffee were as carefully served as the main course. All in all, whether a foodie, gourmet, vegan, The Stand is a charming, well-thought dining experience to embrace.
(5)
Lucy M.
This was the worst dining experience we have had in Birmingham. Our waitress was not the friendliest. When you are paying $30-$60 per plate, I would expect more from a restaurant staff member. There was barely anyone in the place so there was no excuse for poor service. Our Gin and Tonic drinks had FLAT tonic in it!! Really?!! I can get a gin and tonic from a pub at half the cost. That is just poor business practice to begin with. I ordered the filet and asked for medium plus and it came out twice medium RARE!! I bring it up to the waitress and she had a horrible attitude like I was the one cooking my dinner! They bring it back the same way and I had to send it back. The third time I told them to butterfly it and then cook it. It comes out and they switched my mashed potatoes with grits! The owner even brings out our food! You would think after 3 attempts that they would make sure this plate came out perfect and plated impeccably. Instead, the grits were all over the green beans and I told the waitress again that the grits were switched with the mashed. She responds with, "yes, they did that" and then apologized! Thanks for the apology afterwards instead of telling me beforehand. Why would you switch my mashed potatoes for grits and not even tell me! There were 4 adults and we ordered 4 appetizers, drinks, and dinners for all of us. The lamb meatballs and spaghetti were horrible. I have to say Prego does a better job. I can remember a time when this place was packed and you needed a reservation (only had drinks there) and now it is empty. Then they messed up our bill! We had to wait 20 minutes just to wait for them to correct the bill. It was very disorganized and I am happy that we decided against having our holiday party there! Horrible. Even my hairdresser in Bham told me not to go there and I told my friends, that my hair dresser knows about this place and chose to ignore my recommendation. Well, needless to say at the end of the night, I received "you were right!". Sad dining experience.
(1)
Lisa Y.
Delicious. First time at The Stand, wAs recommended by friends. Food was delicious! Portion was small but perfect! Great service! Great atmosphere!
(5)
Craig A.
Had some apps at the bar, great happy hour! Felt like I got a great value, food was delicious, service staff very attentive.
(5)
Shub S.
A truly unique and excellent dinner. All the dishes taste delicious and are created with so much style and imagination. Service was nice. They made us an amazing spicy Mocktail. Worth going for a special night out.
(5)
Daniel F.
I have few complaints about The Stand. The atmosphere is calm and upscale and the service is more than acceptable. The only complaint I have is that some of the food can be a little bland, but not enough to excuse a poor review. Overall a nice addition to the Birmingham restaurant scene.
(4)
Marc W.
I heard a lot of great things from this restaurant. But what I experienced was a very expensive meal with food although cooked well was far from meeting my expectations. I was seated immediately with reservations on a Saturday evening at 7:30 pm. The dining room had few patrons which I thought unusual, but noted later that it started getting busy around 8:00 p.m. We tried the Black and Blue Mussels that sounded great but were more middle of the road. This course signaled to both of us that we were getting something less than planned. The bread finally came as there appeared to be a bread shortage due to the fact they left it in the oven too long but helped develop our mandibular muscles and sharpen our teeth. The Red and Green Pear Salad arrived and we could not find any of the pears. After requiring clarification from our waiter (whom was terrific) we learned that the sliced pears were julienned and practically the width of a human hair, but the salad was very similar to the chop chop but without the peanut oil. The salad was tasty but the flavors were just not what we were expecting as the dish described seemed to be a cascade of vegetative colors, but was really pretty much a light green color, again, not per our expectations. The dining area picked up and each dish took longer and longer to arrive. We also chose the special beef tenderloin and ordered it medium rare. The meat was presented very rare and the plate was covered in blood. This dish took 35 minutes to arrive from the last course and rather than turn it back we closed our eyes and demolished the dish with the 4 string beans and the small scoop if quinoa. With the rareness of the steak, it was difficult to keep the quinoa from sopping up the jus, and that's when the hard toasted difficult to get bread came in handy. The jus soon softened the bread, protecting the quinoa. For dessert we had a creme brulee, which was outstanding. My blackberry sorbet was also very good. They have a good selection of craft beers and bourbons but didn't carry my brand (Eagle Rare from Buffalo Trace). But provided the standard brands. I have eaten at the Forest Grill and found this restaurant to be below the value of the meal I had at the more intimate Grill. It was truly a meal worth remembering, however it fell very short of expectations. Service was good, not great as the dining room was busy, and we enjoyed the desserts but found the overall value not worth the funds expended.
(2)
Michele F.
It's hard to find a decent meal in Detroit. Well I found it! This is a local gem that needs to be checked out if you're a foodie. This was my third visit today and I experience top-notch service and very sanitary conditions. This reminds me of Le bernardin in New York and the food is on par as well!
(5)
Eric T.
I don't get all the big reviews, this place is marginal at best. I had the Caesar spinoff salad, dressing had zero taste and the grilled radicchio had terrible texture. I chose the Wagyu beef for main course, wasn't even close to 10 oz., was $30, meat was good everything else on plate was terrible. The green beans tasted like propane gas! With the plethora of options in Bham I would choose elsewhere, especially for the pricing!!!!
(2)
Miriam I.
Co-diner and I were celebrating a special occasion with another couple joining, and thought we'd try The Stand. We'd read the many positive reviews on Yelp, and it looked like a good option. Unfortunately, the overall impression we took away from the evening was: delusions of grandeur. I was eager to try the latest venture of chef Paul Grosz, having great memories of dining at Cuisine in Detroit. The Stand, however, suffers from a rather schizophrenic ambiance. The restaurant area is paired with a bar, which on the night we visited was apparently showing the MSU/OSU game on the big-screen TV. As our table was quite near the bar, our dinner was punctuated by the loud cheers of the football fans in the bar. Not conducive to a fine dining experience. One of our party ordered the Wagyu beef, available in portion sizes starting at 3 ounces for $45, and going up in size and price from there. The Wagyu came with an order of fries in a little paper bag that looked like something one would get at the establishment with the Golden Arches - again, not something you associate with fine dining. My mushroom soup, containing Chanterelles and Shiitakes, was smooth and flavorful. I got lucky with my entree as well: the Dover sole with cured salmon and scampi (designated "WC" on the menu, an unnecessarily obscure reference to Winston Churchill that required explanation by the server), was a happy combination, and the corn timbale alongside provided just the right touch of sweetness. My co-diner was less fortunate in his choices - his Maine lobster in crab broth was overly salty. It came with a mysterious blob of foam on top that added nothing. His striped bass came virtually swimming in a mushroom broth. Although attractive to the eye, the dish was rather bland. The celery root served aside the bass was a good addition, but the over-abundance of liquid served to detract from the celery root's flavor. We ordered the cheese plate appetizer. Before the plate even made it around the table, our server brought the soup. This made us feel rushed, a decided no-no in fine dining. If you are looking for a fine dining experience in the Birmingham area, avoid the Stand. There are far better options--for example, The Forest Grill.
(3)
Lindsay M.
Chef Paul is the man. Went for a lunch meeting and split all of the appetizers. All delicious. Wines by the glass selection very good and priced well. Can't wait to go back for dinner. Really great ambience and service was professional and approachable.
(5)
Shelly C.
In B'ham for business, and was quite pleased to find a restaurant offering gluten-free and vegan options, along with std menu. The server and the chef were quite accommodating, even making me a special dessert of only berries and pure dark chocolate, allowable on my eating plan. Loved the modern, sophisticated atmosphere. Hope to come here again!
(5)
Ryan J.
When Chef Paul told me they were opening for lunch I couldn't wait! Took some of my team here for lunch today. Service was exquisite and the food was awesome. There weren't even any crumbs left on my coworkers plates. I had the veal meatball pasta, and I'll definitely come back and have it again. After reading other yelp reviews, I am anxious to come back after work and have a few drinks at the bar. This is definitely a step above the usual Birmingham lunch choices.
(5)
Caroline C.
The latest restaurant to jump on the gourmet "New French-American" bandwagon.... except, it was a wagon ride I wish I had skipped. Although kudos need to be given to the bartenders for mixing up some really lip-smackingly good cocktails, the food was bland and extremely expensive for the quantity provided. What looked like mouthwatering options on the menu showed up as tiny, tasteless portions. We tried the lobster fried egg, tuna tartar, salmon ravioli, duck confit and parmesan frites, charcuterie plate, sweet breads, soup tasting, mac and cheese, amish chicken, and dover sole... it felt like the entire menu. All ranked in the "ok-but-not-worth-it" category. As for the extensive remodeling, I was not a fan of Zazio's cuisine either, but at least the decor had some pizzaz! The Stand, however, succeeded in refurbishing the snazzy allure out and transforming the space into yet another Cameron's/Fleming's steakhouse. I am just about as bored writing this review as I was dining at The Stand. If it wasn't for the good companionship of my fellow dinner mates, I would probably have fallen asleep in my half eaten portion of Amish "so-so" chicken. I had hoped that this great space right on the corner of Woodward and 15 mile would finally be the venue for a stellar restaurant, but alas, it looks like The Stand is not the one for those expectations either.
(3)
Jordan N.
The Stand has a good menu with high-quality selections. But I found the food to be overly buttery, salty, etc. And while I'd give the food 3.5 stars, the atmosphere was a huge turnoff. The place looks super buttoned-up and corporate and lacks any warmth or vibe. The carpeting is akin to a cheap or older hotel and then contemporary adult soundtrack only added to the uninspiring feel. While the food almost passes for the gastropub genre, the look doesn't.
(2)
John K.
Outstanding! Sophisticated! Great food. Great service. Beautiful facility. John Kelly came to bar while we enjoyed a pre dinner cocktail. Very gracious host. I had the rabbit and wife had muscles. Both delicious. Portion size was perfect. This isn't the Country Buffet after all! We will be back!
(5)
Jeff W.
First time dining at The Stand. Great service and food. Lobster and egg appetizer was very good. Halibut was good as well as a special. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Melissa C.
Went for drinks this weekend and was amazed at the creativity and ingredients that go into making each drink! Awesome open bar area with great service! The menu looked delicious and I will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Kim M.
I stopped in for a drink with a friend and I was very impressed. I was told it was a soft opening and they were scheduled to officially open at the end of the month. Based on the level of service, which was outstanding as I watched the highly tuned wait staff meet the needs of many patrons, I would be a regular based on this fact alone. However, in addition to the service, the food was expertly executed. I ordered the fish tacos, and had to try the fries that are deep fried in duck fat...delicious I am looking forward to going back to dine and enjoy an entree. I was in disbelief that they had "Two Hearted Ale" on tap along with many other high end beers.
(5)
Karie M.
Cuisine is by far one of my favorite restaurants in the Detroit area; and I've often finished my meal there by saying that it was one of the best meals I've ever had. So, with that said, I had very big expectations for The Stand. My husband and I went there on Saturday night. The restaurant itself is really cool and pretty looking. The bar was even better. The wine lockers are interesting. I appreciated the complimentary valet. The hostesses were very friendly and nice to us. The service was top notch. Our server and bussers did a great job and were attentive. The drinks and drink menu were top notch. My husband tried the Woodward and Maple a little begrudgingly at my insistence since it's touted as "soon to be famous" and all. He really liked it a lot and ended up having a few. I tried it, it's a good drink. I was super pleased that they had B. Nektar mead on the menu, the particular flavor they had on tap that day was zombie killer, which is awesome. They also have a great wine list. Now onto the main event, the food. They have a vegan menu, which is really very cool. I'm a seafood eatin vegetarian, not strictly vegan, but I really appreciate any time a restaurant has a nice veggie selection and they had a whole separate menu. I was really in the mood for seafood so I didn't order from the vegan menu, but I'd try it in the future. For an appetizer I had the lobster fried egg and my husband had the king crab prawn and salmon ravioli. The egg was amazing. Order it if you go. The flavors are so complimentary. My husband's ravioli was also great. We had high hopes after the apps. I had the one eye susan salad, it's great, but make sure to hold the bacon if you're a vegetarian. My husband had the Caesar and thought it was good. Our main courses unfortunately fell flat. I had the dover sole. I usually love dover sole and have had it prepared beautifully at Cuisine. I did not care for this at all. My husband had the poached beef tenderloins and really didn't care for it, he wished he ordered the sirloin. Dessert was only okay too my husband got the brownie and I ordered an almond custard thing. Both were only ok at best. The restaurant is expensive. In my opinion there are better bets for the money. I will try it again, but I won't be in too much of a hurry.
(3)
AJ L.
My sister and I decided to check this place out for Birmingham restaurant week. Since my sister is a vegetarian, we called in advance to see if there were any vegetarian options on the restaurant week menu. The hostess told my sister that she can switch the entree to a vegetarian option. Great! We were excited that they allowed that. Beware!!! It was a BAIT AND SWITCH!!!! Once we got there, they wouldn't allow us to change even though we had confirmed before making the trip to Birmingham. What a disappointment. The service was not flexible and the food was mediocre at best. When we wanted to take our dessert home for later, they WOULDN'T ALLOW US TO TAKE THE FOOD WE PAID FOR. Horrible service. I will not be returning to this restaurant again. Response to John K: The reservation was under Yoo and I never saw a message from him as he attests in his comment.
(1)
Wendy L.
Food was excellent and service was great! They seemed very informed about the menu.. I was most impressed by the Lobster soup!
(4)
Brenna L.
Great dining experience there! We had a fantastic server; very accommodating, patient with our many questions. It helped that we got there just before the big dinner rush; we got a great table. But really, there are loads of great spots in the house. I liked the variety of house-baked breads in the basket, an my friend loved her lobster fried egg starter. They have a beautiful vegan selection, and I ordered 2 dishes to get a taste of the place: the chanterelle mushroom farro risotto, and the ratatouille of fall s with cashew cream. The risotto was OK- the mushrooms were nice and meaty, and the sauce had a lovely, earthy flavor. I've had better, but no real complaints. The ratatouille? Beautiful, both in taste and presentation. The squash was cooked perfectly and came with a double-ring of sweet sauces around the plate for an extra little boost. The dollop of thick cashew cream on top made it perfect. Almost a dessert! But for my real dessert, I was delighted to find another vegan option- almond milk custard. It had a sponge cake-like base, berry compote on top, a little scoop of sorbet, sauces, and slices of strawberry to boot. Lovely! Will definitely be back.
(5)
Matt J.
Very impressive from the moment you walk into the place. The staff was very attentive to our needs. The waygu dish is to die for. Very well done and looking forward to our next visit.
(5)
Mim M.
we went for happy hour and tried the duck fat fries, duck slider, and duck confit flatbread--all of which were pretty delicious. the cocktails were also pretty decent and to my liking. nice atmosphere and nice bathrooms.
(4)
Ray T.
Great atmosphere! Bar appetizers were terrific. Service was outstanding! Quickly becoming my neighborhood restaurant.
(5)
William K.
This restaurant is missing an opportunity to be among the best in Oakland County. It has location and a good concept. Yet the service was mediocre. Lots of little things: apps and sides delivered without utensils; too long to take our orders; little guidance re the menu. My entree (lamb) was just okay. Something that could be made at home on a puddle of mashed potatoes. Nothing special. The decor is oddly outdated even though the place is less than a year old. Chihuly glass wall hangings (probably fake) on one wall and an oddly retro photo over our booth. Chairs parked in the hallway to the restrooms. The charcuterie room seemed mostly empty, and I heard they're not actually licensed to make it there so they bring it in. Then we ordered some and it was like anything you can buy at a grocery store. Again, nothing special.
(2)
Larry W.
Chef Paul still has some work to do, but he's off to a great start. The "pluses" include no-charge valet parking, the "warm" bar area, the overall decor (tremendous improvement over what was here previously), the Dover sole (without the shrimp and salmon) and a generally friendly staff. Some areas need help: a skimpy wine list for this type of restaurant without a single Montrachet and a fairly sparse menu. We saw Chef Paul cruising the dining room, but he passed us by (despite a request for him to stop at our table for a minute) to visit a group of drinkers at the bar.
(4)
Kim W.
Was VERY excited to try the Stand as I read a lot about the re-model from Zazio's cheesy days, and also heard they have a full vegan menu (I'm vegetarian, sometimes vegan)... however it didn't "stand" up to my expectations. The vegan options are more like tapas, or small plates and it's kind of confusing if you should order one (based on price- priced like an entree) or more... I was told 2 should make a full dinner. Started with a salad so I definitely ended up full, however I think they could have done better in creating vegan "plates" rather than making you feel like you're eating several side dishes- you can do that at any old restaurant! I was shocked at the tiny size of my dates meal. I definitely understand artisan cuisine, but I don't think you get what you pay for here... the servers also seemed snooty and less attentive than appropriate. Probably wouldn't go back unless major changes were made in the menu. Although there are a lot of vegan options it's like either that or full on eating meat- not much vegetarian incorporating cheese or vegetarian proteins to speak of.
(2)
Katie G.
Outstanding food and presentation, server was not only knowledgeable but very fun and engaging (thanks Mark for making our dinner so fabulous!) and we enjoyed the entire experience. To start we had the charcuterie and cheese board - beautiful presentation and went very well with our bottle of red wine. For entrees, we had the filet, halibut and sablefish - all were fantastic. I would enthusiastically recommend this restaurant to those looking for a great meal and ambiance.
(5)
Michael L.
The butter poached lobster is Delish. The feel of the place is a little off. Feels much like a hotel. It's big but the food is quite refined. The prices are on the high side the quality is there. I will come back for sure because I can't stop thinking about that lobster. Loved it.
(4)
Liz S.
We visited The Stand with a group of friends soon after it opened. I made a reservation for 8 on a Friday. The place was not packed, although we expected it to be. We were seated in the large, spacious dining room. As we walked though the bar area, I thought it looked very inviting. We plan to visit again and dine in that area instead of the formal dining room. Anyway, we were seated. Our server was very odd. It's a bit hard to explain. He would stop by as we waited for the whole party to arrive. He kept saying things like, "Let me know if you want to order a drink or put in an appetizer" as each couple was seated. But he would run off very quickly. He didn't stick around to actually take an order for a drink or appetizer. This was awkward. It continued as the entire party arrived and the specials were detailed. It felt like we had to flag down our waiter even though he was stopping by the table often. The food was excellent. I had a gnocchi with lobster. My husband had a halibut dish he thought was excellent as well. Overall, the dinner felt a bit rushed and a bit awkward on account of the waiter. However, the food and ambiance were certainly good. I would return. One more note... I noticed several families dining. The Stand is a fine dining restaurant withOUT a children's menu. I wish families would choose dining establishments more appropriately.
(4)
Ju C.
The restaurant itself is beautiful and presents like the higher-scale restaurant its food prices would demand. The free valet parking is wonderful, the wine list great, and they had interesting cocktails. The staff was friendly; our server Mike had a great sense of humor and was very nice. For these points, I would give the place 4 stars. For the food: A friend of mine and I started with the Shitake/Chanterelle soup with brie: it was completely flavorless. To the chef's credit, when we mentioned the blandness of the soup, the chef wanted the opportunity to try again and brought us out entirely new soup that had a slightly different and slightly better flavor. The Red Grape Pear salad was good, but not overly exciting. We also tried the Ratatouille of fall squash from the vegan menu, which I found to be the best thing we tried, but came in a tiny portion and was certainly not enough to be someone's entree. I also tried their goat cheese cheesecake and plum smoked black tea sorbet. The cheesecake was OK - interesting if you like goat cheese flavor and aftertaste. But, up against other cheesecakes, I don't think it would stand out. The sorbet tasted very smoky, almost like tobacco. I wasn't a fan. My 5 dining companions did not seem overly excited about their meals, either, except for one who had the Pasta special which was a rabbit pasta - she really enjoyed it. Overall, I found the food quality (good) and portion size (small) to be less than worthy of the price (high). I wouldn't refuse to go again, but I'm not sure I would intentionally seek it out.
(3)
Alexandra M.
I really really love the atmosphere here, and the food is fantastic. Happy Hour in the bar is always packed, but I like it that way! The servers are extremely knowledgeable and very kind. Great spot in Bham!!
(5)
Luvgudfood K.
Gorgeous decor and really great energy! We were greeted by the hostesses with smiles and pleasant demeanor. Started with a couple of apps and were definitely pleased. The signature cocktail, the Maple and Woodward is terrific. Service was outstanding and very friendly staff in general. Lobster with crab broth soup is something I will be going back in for many times. The Waygu beef was amazing and melts in your mouth... One of the best dishes I have ever had. We had the goat cheese cheesecake and it was very unique and had fantastic flavor and texture. Overall, we will be making this one of our regular hang-outs!
(5)
George W.
Very good location nice renovation. Food is solid and very flavorful. Portions modest but the service was extremely slow and sloppy.
Amazing brunch today! Service, food and staff were incredible! Thanks for making our Mother's Day incredible!!!!
(5)
Marley G.
I'm not sure how this restaurant has scored so well. They gave us 12 yr scotch instead of 30 yr, and my boyfriend had to send his steak back once and when it came back out it still wasn't right. The waitress offered to send it back again but we declined. The manager was actually the one who sent it back for us the first time and she didn't even come back to make sure it was done correctly! I ordered the flank steak and let me tell you, it was horrific, at best. The presentation was literally a pile of flank steak, done very rare even though I requested closer to medium, on top of a few green beans and fingerling potatoes and about 10 kernels of corn. The seasoning was nonexistent, except for PILES of pesto on about 3 pieces of flank steak. I might be wrong, but I don't recall reading that there would be pesto on it. I expected more of a dry rub, and the different food to actually be separated on my plate. I wasn't feeling great, though, and wasn't in the mood to attempt to pick something else so I just had the waitress take it away. Here's where this restaurant could have absolutely redeemed itself via good service, but they got an F once again! Despite eating 3 potatoes and a few green beans and that's it from my meal, the waitress didn't offer to box it up or even ask me why I didn't want my meal. We were out with some friends so our bill ended up being $200 and on the way home (1.5 hr drive) my boyfriend stopped and bought French fries. I better be really satisfied after paying $200. I definitely will not be returning or recommending this to any of my friends! With all the great dining in Detroit, I'm not sure why anyone would choose to come here. Also it was dead at 9 on a Friday night, the weekend of Mother's Day, so that should have been a red flag immediately! Update: after reading the comments left by the owner on bad reviews, I never would have visited in the first place!! If you want to be a fine dining establishment then learn to take criticism and feedback like a big boy!! How ridiculous of a way for an owner to act!!! I hope he has some smart comment for me!
(1)
Kata T.
The Stand was just...okay for me. I expected more, considering all the glowing 5-star reviews of this place. I felt the amount of money I spent was definitely not reflected in the flavors of the food. I was going to give only two stars, as the description of "Meh. I've experienced better." is certainly accurate regarding the food, but we had great service and it is a very clean, elegant environment. It'd be two stars based on the food alone. I ordered the mac n' cheese (after being disappointed to find out the buttered quinoa was not vegetarian) and the tomato risotto. I found the mac n' cheese to be fairly bland, and the risotto was only slightly better. One of my friends who accompanied me (who is definitely not vegetarian, heh) also was quite disappointed in the food, compared to her expectations (a few people had recommended it to her). Not sure what a third friend thought, and I assume the fourth enjoyed her meal, as she was someone who recommended the place (note: she is mostly vegan). With so many other better options in the area, I won't be going back.
(3)
UB H.
Named after a lemonade stand (cool idea), these folks are passionate about the food they serve and it shows--and they stand by it everyday. That's really all you can ask for in the restaurant biz. Would recommend the lobster broth (fresh lobster) and lobster dish. We can all remember having our own lemonade stands when we were kids, and this is exactly the type of grand vision that comes from those smaller dreams.
(4)
Peter H.
I'm a huge fan of Cuisine, and I really like this place, too. It was a needed addition to Chef Paul's mini-Empire, with a better location -- Cuisine really only does decent business before and after shows at Fisher -- and a more modern approach. I'll stick to a quick pro & con overview... Pros: - Gorgeous renovation. The place is huge, but they've broken it up into a big open kitchen, a cool bar area, the main dining room and a couple private rooms. It's spacious and diverse without seeming cavernous and empty. I wish they'd managed to incorporate some access to the outside for the summertime, though. - Chef Paul really wants this place to succeed, so he's actually there cooking on a lot of nights - and even for some lunch services. - The starters/small plates are all really good, with the lobster fried egg being a particular standout. - All of their pastas are awesome. Chef Paul knows how to make some silky fresh pasta, as any student of french cuisine should. - Their more rustic and/or adventurous dishes are their best: rabbit, short-rib, duck confit, and so on. Those seem to be prepared with the most passion, and the results show it. You'll be able to find some really good stuff here that you won't find elsewhere. - Great cocktails and, in particular, wine list. They have a lot of really affordable, lesser-known bottles. - They're open for lunch, and they host pop-ups and other special events. This isn't just another stuffy Oakland County dinner place. - They have valet most of the time, which is key because parking in Birmingham can be kind of a bitch at times. Cons: - Many of the "sides" have been less popular with my dining companions. - The desserts aren't really up the standards of the starters, mains, cocktails and wine list. I hate to impugn anyone, but they're a little small for the price, and they just aren't THAT good. Some of the ones we've tried are certainly decent, but I feel like french (or french-ish) restaurants need to really shine in that area. - I hesitate to mention this, since I'm sure it's not a common thing, but there were a good amount of fruit flies hanging around our table the last time I ate lunch there. Just clean that up, guys, and make sure it doesn't happen again - that's a pretty stupid way to potentially alienate customers. Overall, it's a really solid 4 star place that should be around for a while. I'd be willing to upgrade to 5 stars if they can make their menu a little bit more consistent...
Update to review 2/26/15: 4 Star Review - I'm updating my original review to 4 stars from 2 because the owner of this restaurant contacted me after my review was posted to apologize for the service we received. He offered to send my boyfriend and I a gift card and invite us back to have a better experience. That was an incredibly generous offer. I was impressed with the owner and his willingness to right the negative experience we had. Additionally, our waiter took the time to send me a message as well to apologize and invited us back to try them again. This shows the restaurants dedication to providing quality service. I'm sure our original experience was an off night for the restaurant. For this reason, I am give the restaurant 4 stars and am looking forward to returning to try them again. Original review posted 2/17/15: 2 Star Rating - My boyfriend and I went to The Stand for Valentine's Day and we were excited to visit because the menu for the restaurant looked amazing. The food was very delicious (however overpriced), but unfortunately that was the only thing. We loved the look of the restaurant as it was was modern and had a great ambiance, but the waitstaff was dressed in jeans and it didn't really fit with the rest of the restaurant. We were seated by the window which was very drafty and I spent my whole meal with my jacket on, which defeated the purpose of getting dressed up for a night out. All night we felt very rushed by our waiter. He would take our drink or meal orders or check in on us and then rush away before he even finished his sentence. My boyfriend ordered soup after his salad and right when they placed his soup on our table, he saw them come out with our entrees but they realized he had just received his soup and then turned around and went back into the kitchen. As soon as he was finished, our entrees immediately came out. We hadn't even finished our first drinks by the time we had our salads, his soup and our entrees were on the table. We were probably in and out in just over an hour which is inappropriate for a nice and expensive restaurant.
(4)
Patricia D.
Chef Paul is very very good, however it is hard to look past the service in the front of the house which starts with John Kelly. Mom said if I didn't have something nice to say about someone-don't say a thing...so I'm not. Mr. Kelly, thanks for the comments and the opportunity to re-rate your establishment.
(1)
Vickey T.
Really nice atmosphere and great food! I would highly recommend the duck breast. The charcuterie was okay -- definitely not the best I have had. I would HIGLY recommend the brussel sprouts, skip the mac and cheese - it tasted like I was just eating pasta out of the pot without any cheese. The lemonade cocktail on their signature menu is great too :) On the sweet side if you like that!
(5)
Doug N.
The food: spectacular! The bone in filet was cooked so well. This is the first place in michigan I have been to where I really enjoyed my steak. The sides were great. The grilled carrots with goat cheese were awesome. The atmosphere: for a Friday it was pretty empty. The setup was nice but nothing spectacular. The service: out waiter Brian was great. The recommendations were spot on and the wine pairing he suggested worked very well.
(4)
Kalyn M.
Much to do about nothing. The decor is inconsistent and the food is so-so. A lot of hype. Not impressed.
(3)
Adam O.
Stopped by to eat at the recently opened place from chef Paul Grosz of Cuisine fame. Took over the location of the old Zazio's downtown Birmingham which had overstayed its welcome. Total floor to ceiling renovation was nicely done. There's a semi casual bar area in front with a more elaborate white tablecloth seating area towards the back. There's also a series of private dining rooms, including a very nice one in the wine cellar. They have an interesting looking menu to dig into with a series of smaller apps, soups and salads as well as some quite expensive entrees. They also have a full on vegetarian menu with 7-8 choices that looked pretty good if you're into that sort of thing. Being a lover of animal protein, I sprang for a few small plates to get a sense of what they had to offer. Tried the lobster bisque (excellent rendition), duck cassoulet (not a fan), and short rib over polenta (flat out delicious). Also tried the somewhat deconstructed caesar salad which was tasty, but not 10 dollars tasty. Dessert of chocolate and hazelnut with banana ice cream was very good. Had a fantastic cocktail in the Maple Woodward, and they've got a nice sized wine list to choose from. Service was professional and showed a good knowledge of the menu despite being open for less than a week. All in all, a little on the pricey side and some dishes that were mostly hits. I would compare it most closely to it's across the street neighbor in Forest Grill, but it's got some work to do to attain that level. I'll be back.
(4)
Matt F.
What an excellent dinner. It started with one of the best cocktails I have had in a long time - the Woodward and Maple (local whiskey and local maple syrup - wow). Two of the three soups in the soup sampler were terrific. The entree - Scallop Minestore - was unique and tasty. The side - grilled corn - could be described the same. The service was top-notch and the ambiance - natural light in the summer - was also refreshing. I look forward to my next meal there.
(5)
Christopher B.
Our trip here was was fantastic. We had great service, fantastic food, an unbelievable drink and could do it all with a painless reservation. I would recommend anyone celebrate holidays, events and special occasions here.
(5)
R M.
Second time around was much better. I'm glad to see their business up and the positive reviews
(4)
Josh H.
Another great time at The Stand. The highlights here are probably the bar staff, and the cocktails. These guys truly know their trade, making the experience as memorable as the drinks. The Maple and Woodward is my favorite. Food, well, it's good. Chef Paul is a very good chef, and focuses mainly on the classics. The brussels sprouts with bacon are always on point.
(4)
Chelsea A.
I loved it here from day one and somehow things became even better. The food is simply perfect.
(5)
P W.
What a terrific experience! Bill was our waiter and he is an A+. Very funny, friendly and provides impeccable service--beyond expectation really. The food was wonderful We had Tuna Crudo (wonderful as expected), Shrimp and Mango gazpacho (wow...great combo), Shrimp Risotto (Have to love those Michigan shrimp...it had good consistency, risotto was very flavorful and reasonable--overall well balanced), and 3 other sides of Brussel Sprouts (what you would expect--nice), Goat Cheese grits (the goat cheese was not overly powerful just warm and comforting) and Grilled corn (this was the last one I picked and just WOW awesome...thanks for the recommendation Bill). We thought it was incredibly thoughtful to have the bar area separated from the dining room--it made talking and listening so much easier. While it is a reasonably dressy place, it is still comfortable and we were greeted quite warmly in our very casual (shorts, athletic) attire. I would definitely go again and hope for the same comfortable and delicious experience. As an aside, the host staff was terrific and very helpful. My husband accidentally left his credit card and she was thoughtful and responsive. Very nice place and well enjoyed by the 3 of us.
(5)
Mike R.
Can't recommend this place although I had hoped to. Party of four visited recently. Not a bad experience but the downsides were enough to take them off my list. -2 appetizers (mussels and Brie) were only ok -of three entrees, one was good (spicy paste) one was average (bouilibase) and one completely bland (pasta w shrimp). At the prices they charge (28 for one thing, 19 for another) you can get far better at other nearby places for less -bar service was very slow for some reason. For example we ordered another glass of wine when the meal was served....it came w dessert. This may be because they had at least two large parties at the establishment....but that's management job to plan for. Overall +nice ambience, and waitstaff very pleasant and professional -the menu is eclectic but does not live up to its intent, and this also means basic options are missing (range of steaks and fish is very limited) -the prices for the dinners are high, and the quality of the food did not match the expectations -nothing was outstanding, and most of the meal was a average, bland taste -none of the 4 people in our party had an inclination to try them again If you go you may have a better experience based on your timing, menu choices, and expectations, but for us there are several other outstanding restaurants in the area that are consistently superior experiences.
(2)
Jodi F.
Overall an excellent meal. My favorites were the unique fried egg and lobster appetizer and the lobster soup in crab broth. The main entree, lamb duet, was tasty, but not the best lamb I'd ever had. Wish there was a 4.5 star rating as this is a 9/10 in my opinion.
(4)
John Z.
The food we had was good not great. Prices are high for the quantities of food served. Everything about the restaurant construction, layout and fixtures is above average. My observation last night was a lack of managerial oversight on the main floor, amongst the tables. Severs are disconnected from the overall meal service. Example: Our server only took orders and served drinks, others delivered food. The server didn't know if or when our Chop Chop salads were served (they actually weren't served until we asked why not...and they had been requested to be served WITH the appetizers). For what its worth: A manager needs to be on the floor, circulating to observe customer service and ask about customer satisfaction.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Taylor B.
The food was really nice and the staff was so accommodating with my food allergies, which I would expect for a meal at this price. I ordered the Bouillabaisse, really magnificent. I ate here on a whim but next time I would plan ahead for a nice evening.
(4)U N.
Great food, good atmosphere and good service. You can bring large groups and easily get a table, especially on a weeknight. Goat cheese grits are amazing and the pumpkin ravioli is full of flavor.
(4)Hazen P.
John K, you did reach out, and I found your response odd . I said the food was good but the interior was dull, and you name dropped the architect and other restaurants he has done. I said the food was safe, and you bragged about quality ingredients and added "is foie gras safe?" (well sure it can be, especially if you're impressed that you're offering it). I said your decor looks like a hotel, and you told me to go to Northern Lakes for hotel food, and I'm afraid I just don't follow that logic. Again, good food, could be more interesting, and a very dull cavernous interior. Thank you for your resume, tell Chef Paul I love Cuisine.
(3)Jennifer H.
Everything was very average. The service was fairly slow like they want it to be a great dining experience but it was just average. The cocktails were average tasting. I got the butternut squash soup and it tasted a little better than a canned soup. Then I got the salmon and it was very overcooked and dry. It was garnished with some broccoli that tasted bad, like mushy and brown looking. It was also garnished with some sort of purée that tasted like nothing. My husband got the cod and that was also very average. I had read a lot of good things about the restaurant and I was very disappointed that it was so average. Would definitely not go back
(1)Sir Poop A.
This was a last minute reservation for 9, and they were available, so it worked out great. We started with drinks and apps in the large bar. Our waitress was nice and efficient, and we could've been a bit loud and obnoxious. At the table, out waiter was super knowledgable and good. Overall, this was the best of the 4 times I've been here, so definitely recommend now. The menu seemed more in line (got rid of rabbit) with the masses. Hostesses and all staff were really nice.
(5)Kristine R.
Underwhelming. This was my second experience here, and I've come to the conclusion that some of the menu items are wonderful (mushroom soup, steak tips, brussel sprouts, mac and cheese), and some are just not good, it's a hit or miss, hence the 3 stars. Went for dinner last night, and our experience was ... OK. My husband and I both agreed that the food was .... Eh, take-it-or-leave-it. We both had the lobster bisque and agreed it was VERY salty (I was bummed because I've had their mushroom soup in the past and it was amazing). I ordered the halibut. While the fish was cooked well, it lacked the flavor I anticipated. I was unimpressed. My husband had the lamb and he felt the same, it said on the menu that served with a mint jelly of some sort ~ but he was unable to taste that. But again, the meat was cooked well, very tender. As for sides: we did the tasting with mac and cheese (very good), Brussel sprouts (loved loved), and the Yukon potato (neither of us cared for this). I wasn't thrilled when the $12 cocktail I ordered came in a small champagne glass ~ really? I couldn't believe they were able to get all the ingredients in the drink in that small glass!! But the upside, the wonderful server we had recommended a good glass of wine to go with the halibut and my husband enjoyed the extensive whiskey menu. Oh and they made me an off the menu espresso martini at my request that was VERY VERY good!!
(3)Julie G.
Fabulous dinner last night! Amadeus was our waiter - he's only been at The Stand for a few weeks. He did a wonderful job. We started with the 3 soup sampler - lobster bisque was my favorite. I had the Scallop Minestrone - it was hearty, served with pasta, white beans, peas and corn in a light cream sauce. Others had the duck, and pasta with shrimp or chicken. We have leftovers for lunch today. Nice beer/wine selection - not too big, not too small; some interesting selections. Would like to try lunch! Note: Saturday evening dinner was full. There are a few rooms for groups with large tables. Nice to keep those larger parties separated for noise purposes.
(4)Deep A.
Went there with our friends (party of 8) on Saturday night. The valet greeted us graciously and took care of our car. Upon arrival, the place looks very cozy and well done interiors. There were not a lot of people and a few empty tables at 8:00pm. Our server took our order promptly and drinks were served in a timely manner. The place looked a little understaffed, but prompt service. Signature cocktails i tried were the lemonade stand and cucumber infused (Can't remember the name), but both were really good. Lemonade stand was better of the 2. We ordered the appetizers since we had the dinner reservations elsewhere and below is how our food tasted. 1. The Lobster fried egg was really good. Good presentation too. 2. Bone in Beef short ribs- EXCELLENT and MUST HAVE 3. House cut fries- Pretty good and tasted fresh. 4. Brussel Sprouts- Excellent and mouth watering. Would definitely order again. The only suggestion is to have at least 2 more chicken appetizers on the menu since there is not much option for our friends who don't eat seafood. Overall an excellent experience, but will surely have to come back again to try their main course.
(4)Haroun K.
Their claim of having a separate "vegan menu" is a bit of false advertising, and is kind of obnoxious. We chose this place for a large gathering partially because of their claim of a such a menu. When we arrived and inquired about getting the menu, the waiter pointed to the bottom of the page of the regular menu, where you will find a handful of vegetarian side dishes. That's all. Most of these options are available at any steakhouse, without the advertising tactic. Aside from the fact that none of the carnivores were very wowed, or that the service was cloying, it is an a-ok place, albeit pretty expensive.
(3)Max F.
Sigh... There are about half a dozen Birmingham restaurants about on par with this one: good ambience, cool bar, great drink selection... So why the sigh? The food at all of these places is decent but uninspired; at a price point that leaves me wanting something more. The meal- meat board, cheese plate, Brussels sprouts salad. The meat board was decent, reasonable selection but a LOT of pate. Good thing I like that stuff. The cheese board had some big chunks of cheese, but all of it was rather bland I-can-get-more-interesting-cheese-at-Costco stuff. Finally the Brussels sprout salad was steamed. Dude, it's 2015, everyone knows that you pan fry the B sprouts because it tastes about 1 billion times better. Plus, the dressing was sweet, a bit more than I care for on a salad. In fact we steered clear of a number of menu items due to implied/stated sweetness. Now if that's your thing, eat and be merry. I'll look for my savory elsewhere. The highs: cocktails, bar, liquor selection The lows: food vs price The bottom line: I'll come for a drink pre/post eating elsewhere.
(3)Tom U.
I have been to The Stand on numerous occasions over the last year. I am always pleased with the food, and the cocktails are very unique and quite delicious. For many years, I have been a fan of Chef Paul's original restaurant, Cuisine, which is in Detroit and boasts an equally wonderful dining experience (albeit in a different atmosphere, being located in a renovated old mansion.) One of my favorite appetizers is the charcuterie board, which includes a variety of house-made sausages and pates served with spicy mustard and toasted bread. I also highly recommend the lobster fried egg as an appetizer as well as the tuna crudo....both incredibly delicious. I have tried several entrees, steak and seafood, and all have been great.
(5)Kay M.
Was here in May. Thought it was going to be more like a gastro pub but was not. Everything was mediocre and over priced. The dining room was nearly empty. Not impressed and won't be going back.
(2)An N.
Didn't really notice this place until a few days ago, it's strangely quite hidden despite being on Woodward. We decided to try it out for brunch this past Sunday. Ordered the Eggs Benedict, Braised Beef Short Rib Hash Skillet and shared the Waffle and Canoli Crème. All of them were so delicious. My fiancé stated the Skillet might be the best he's ever had. The Waffle was wonderful and light, and not overly sweet - nicely balanced out by the tartness of the crème. We didn't have any drinks just coffee which was always good and always promptly refilled. Service was very friendly and quick. Prices and portions sizes were also very reasonable compared to other brunch places. Definitely might be our new brunch place. Overall, we were both very impressed by the place and will be going back to try out their dinner some time.
(5)Ann W.
Located on Woodward one block from downtown Birmingham, the restaurant is within short walking distance from the shops. The large restaurant includes several dining areas and each is uniquely and beautifully appointed. Service was amazing - from the first greeting to the final good-bye, and every moment in between - it enhanced the overall experience. My waiter was incredibly gracious and provided helpful suggestions. At a recent lunch, the meal began with fragrant and flavorful curry onion bread. Baked on the premises, the bread was creative and delicious and complemented my entrée, Wagyu sirloin. The steak was cooked perfectly, boldly seasoned, and served with green beans and Brussels sprouts. The latter was a much-appreciated substitute. Other items on the lunch menu include soups, sandwiches, salads, and several vegan options. There were several tempting items on the dessert menu and the carrot cake sounded good. The multi-layer cake with cream cheese frosting, flavored with lime, was moist and delicious. After such a great experience, I am already planning a return visit. Both the Matinee and dinner menus look amazing.
(5)Huston M.
Thanks to the professionalism of the GM John, we paid The Stand a second visit and it was Great. This time there was just the two of us, I had the Wagyu and he had the filet. Each entree were good although we both agreed mine was better :) The asparagus was plump and colorful plus the mushroom mirepoix accompanying my entree was perfect. The wine list is fulfilling catering to Napa wines which are my favorite. There were two stars this evening, the desserts and warm oysters. Creme Brûlée and mulled wine sorbet This place has potential because the ambiance is perfect, noise level is low (which is rare in busy restaurants), there's obviously passionate management and a love for good food in the kitchen. The only downside was again service. Slow for drinks. When we were leaving our waitress took our valet ticket saying she would have the car pulled around while we finished our bottle of wine. Car wasn't there and the valet said she never gave him the ticket.
(4)M V.
We went for a Valentine's Day dinner. There were some great highlights and a few items leaving something to be desired, hence the only 4 stars. My pre-dinner Maker Mark's Old Fashioned was one of the best I have ever had. The whole ice ball is a great touch. Started with the baked brie app and it was just ok, nothing special. Also tried the trio tasting of soups, with the pheasant soup being my favorite. My date had the chop salad which was good. We had the duck and the tenderloin for entrees. Both were stellar, with the duck being amazing. The breast had a thick layer of fat which I love and was perfectly cooked. We had the thyme roasted pineapple ice cream for desert, which was great! It had a combo of flavors that was unique and really interesting, in a good way. Overall, it was a really good meal.
(4)Steve K.
This place has been open since September 2013 & we discovered it in May 2014 Transferring this review from my old Yelp account. Outstanding - "OUR kind of place." Very classy w/cozy & intimate corners. Fabulous craft cocktails, extensive wine & microbrew lists. Dual menus - bar/restaurant - are a perk, with interesting selections. We opted to try a variety with a few from each menu. Seafood sausage, toasted oysters, scallop sandwich (FABULOUS!), burger & "sides" - Brussels sprouts, Mac & cheese, spaghetti squash were standouts. Our server Rudy was actually a master crafter of cocktails behind the bar & extremely knowledgable, friendly & accommodating. Owner John Kelly stopped by to check on us. GREAT overall experience - highly recommended!
(5)Jacquelibe B.
Service was horrible. The management team needs to give their servers and waitstaff training on how to serve at a fine dining establishment. People kept taking our plates before we were finished with them, and did not ask, just snatched the plates. Two people in the dining room dropped items, one glass shattered on the ground and we had a plate dropped on our table. As for the food, I got the squash soup and roasted duck breast which I really enjoyed but my three companions did not enjoy their food and did not feel that the amount charged was worth the meal they got. I do not foresee anyone of us returning anytime soon.
(2)Randy G.
New place, new owners, new menu, and better food than the former restaurant at this location. The server was very nice and explained that the meats are all smoked in house and recommended the Grilled Pastrami. The sandwich really was quite delicious. The meat did have a smokey flavor, you didn't have to search to much. You'll taste it quickly. The smokey flavor has a good balance to it and the creamy slaw compliments it well. The smokey flavor gives the sandwich it's uniqueness since the meat traditionally isn't smoked. If you're curious about their soups, they offer a soup sampler that includes all three: Italian Wedding, Lobster Broth, and Corn Chowder. Each one is uniquely different from each other in flavor and texture. The Italian Wedding is light with a delicious broth and featuring fresh vegetables and hearty Italian meatballs. In contrast, the lobster broth is very silky and smooth, heavier than the Italian Wedding, and rich with lobster flavor and chunks of lobster meat. Lastly to the furthest in contrast, the corn chowder that is heavy and think with a cream base and extremely textured with corn and cuts of ham. I was also very excited to see attention and an effort made in having a vegetarian/vegan menu. The items sounded absolutely delicious, but all the entrees lacked a crucial component, protein. None of them had any protein in the dish, therefore, I would bet the dish tastes outstanding, but I would also bet you'll be hungry in an hour. I mentioned it to my server who discussed it with one of the chefs who said they would review the ingredients to improve it. It has so much potential.
(4)Cristian P.
The dinner I had at the stand was just ok.
(3)Joe B.
Chef Paul is on the mark with The Stand. The menu is well thought out and the dishes are well executed leaving little to be desired. Naturally we started with drinks but more on that in a minute. My girlfriend's parents were kind enough to treat me to dinner here and it was a treat indeed. We started with the Brussels Sprouts and the Caramelized Cauliflower along with the Beef Spare Ribs and Goat Cheese Grits. Pulling away from the more trendy fried presentation, their sprouts were served oven roasted with a clean maple pancetta finish. The cauliflower was simple and tasty with just a little caramelization on them...they were both light and really nice to share alongside the much richer spare ribs, which were ridiculous BTW. I'd order them again and again. Even better than the spare ribs though are the grits....rich and creamy and the goat cheese makes them almost sinful. Yet another dish I'm working on figuring out in my own kitchen. For the entrees, everyone but me had the Halibut special which was super fresh and very well prepared, flaky and meaty with very subtle flavors. I had to try their Rabbit though, it's my vice. A loin rack alongside rabbit sausage in a brilliant cherry reduction sauce accompanied by tri-color carrots and sage polenta....really?! Talk about gilding the lily. Needless to say I cleaned my plate and then wiped it spotless with the fresh bread brought the table. I ate well here but I can only imagine what the bill was. The ambiance is warm and elegant. As you walk in you'll notice the wine lockers which is a nice touch. Then you see the kitchen which is run without a sound...like a fluid machine with Chef Paul at the helm. The bar is sexy and dark with a huge communal table at the center of the room. The main dining room has tables filling the center with booths along the walls and a couple private rooms. It's a fairly large place once you take it all in. At 7 on a Friday it was pretty slow but filled to the max by 830. The staff is gracious and fun. Our bartender was Mike who quipped with us and got us started with a couple bottles of wine from a locker. He was entertaining and quick with recommendations...I'll be back to explore the cocktail menu. Our server was Brad who was fantastic. Fun to deal with and energetic to be catering to us. We were well looked after all evening. Some of the reviews seem to be mixed for this spot but I think it's due to growing pains. While the Stand begins to become more rooted to the area I think it'll do wonderfully.
(4)Bardhok B.
I have been at The Stand for lunch and dinner. It's probably the best Restaurant in Michigan. Every time my wife and I go there we receive excellent service. Every time I bring clients in I receive excellent service. The decor is modern and welcoming. We love the center table at the bar. The food is incredible and it's up to par with any five star restaurants in New York and Chicago. Keep it up please. I read some bad experiences here but I haven't had any after 10 times or so I have frequented the spot. I will keep going back too. I never trust bad reviews on yelp since I believe most people don't qualify to leave a review from their only one visit. You can't form an opinion from one visit.
(5)Sarah C.
Great food which doesn't make you feel heavy and guilty walking out. Organic, locally sourced, Glutten free !!! What more could you ask for?!?! The lunches are really reasonable. Fav's are the lobster appetizer and the trio of soups.
(5)Rachel J.
Sadly it's not possible to give no stars. The food was good, although pricey, and the vegan menu is really a selection of sides. The service was dreadful, absolutely appalling. The manager was great and was very helpful, however our server was shockingly poor. Everything was all too much trouble...my husband, ordering sides, asked what his beef dish came with "I already told you" said our helpful server. Thanks. We asked for bread twice before he bothered to bring it, blaming a coworker. We did not order dessert due to the length of time between being given the menu and when our server managed to fit us in between giving the adjacent table the dessert menu, bringing their desserts, getting their bill and shaking hands with them as they left. Took two hours and we did not have appetizers, dessert, cheese, coffee etc, just entrees. What should have been a pleasant evening was ruined by this man's rudeness. Wild horses wouldn't drag me to this place again. I don't appreciate feeling frustrated, angry and disrespected.
(1)Steve K.
This place has been open since September 2013 & we've just discovered it. Outstanding - "OUR kind of place." Very classy w/cozy & intimate corners. Fabulous craft cocktails, extensive wine & microbrew lists. Dual menus - bar/restaurant - are a perk, with interesting selections. We opted to try a variety with a few from each menu. Seafood sausage, toasted oysters, scallop sandwich (FABULOUS!), burger & "sides" - Brussels sprouts, Mac & cheese, spaghetti squash were standouts. Our server Rudy was actually a master crafter of cocktails behind the bar & extremely knowledgable, friendly & accommodating. Owner John Kelly stopped by to check on us. GREAT overall experience - highly recommended!
(5)Wanda L.
The most atrocious food I've experienced in a long time. The best thing about this restaurant was that the manager comped our dinner after we declared the food inedible. And if that is the best thing about your restaurant, you may need to rethink a few things. We were so excited to try out The Stand, since it has many vegan items (we're both vegan) on its menu, all of which sounded delicious. Unfortunately, our time was immediately soured by our condescending waiter, who answered all of our questions with disdain, and handed us dirty plates (twice!). Apparently having clean plates is beyond their capability, but we continued anyways. After we specifically told our waiter that we were vegan, and ordered 5 of the vegan dishes from their menu, they promptly plopped a dish of butter on our table. We asked them to take the butter away and explained that we didn't eat dairy because we were vegan. Then they gave us a bread basket, which...guess what? Also had dairy. But that's fine; we are fine with inattentive and condescending service as long as the food is good. But the food was terrible! I've been to cafeterias with better food than this! If you're going to have a vegan menu, and charge for it, you need to make sure that it is on par with your other dishes and not simply an afterthought. All of the vegan dishes were sad mix of all the side dishes and vegetables from their other meat dishes, with minimal protein to speak of. The "Assorted Pickled Vegetables" was made of the pathetic toppings that you see in salad bar buffets, except they put vinegar on top. The chef also apparently does not have access to the Internet, as their "Ratatouille of Candied Carrots" could not in any world be called a ratatouille, had they researched it at all. You cannot simply overcook carrots, top it with coleslaw, and call it ratatouille. The same goes for their "Tomato Risotto", which was a pile of mushy rice cooked in spaghetti sauce that came floating in a puddle of milk. Chef, I dare you to look up any risotto recipe on the Internet. Please. Believe it or not, risotto actually has the liquid cooked INTO the rice, instead of simply pouring the liquid on top of cooked rice. If I had wanted that, I would have ordered a bowl of rice, a glass of milk, and combined it myself. I wondered how The Stand warrants even 4 stars on Yelp, and my conclusion is that it takes advantage of clientele that wishes to appear fancy by paying exorbitant prices, when in fact they have never left this part of town to try actually delicious food. So basically, if your pockets are lined with money and you have no concept of what good food is, The Stand is the restaurant for you!
(2)Da Z.
I took my girlfriend there for dinner. Everything was quite amazing. We had Maine lobster soup, roasted oyster, and wagyu sirloin for the main course. I had to say that it was very nice, definitely a 5-star.
(5)Megan M.
It is a nice restaurant although it was very quiet for a Friday night. I wasn't a big fan of their menu. It wasn't anything special. Also I think the food was not extraordinary to be as expensive as it was. Overall not a bad experience but I wouldn't go again.
(3)Leo D.
Everything we had was great! Good service. Great selection of MI wines and menu featuring locally sourced food.
(5)Jing Y.
Might be a bit curious about the attire for waiter and waitress, why is everybody wearing jeans? Different style of jeans. Nothing wrong with jeans, just very rare to see waiters wearing them in a fancy restaurant.
(4)Kelly S.
I truly wish there was an option for half stars - i would give 3.5 stars. We've now been twice. The first time, we had a bunch of apps and soups some that are no longer on the menu (i loved that beef barley soup) along with the charcuterie and cheese platters. Both were very good. This time around, we had the cheese platter, very good selection, the lobster/egg app (came out very late, still very good), a couple of sides and we shared the "red" lobster. I don't know if I could be any more disappointed in a lobster dish. It was chewy and the beet flavor overpowered the delicious, natural flavor of the lobster. We ended the meal with the carrot/lime cake. In theory, this could be a dynamite duo. In reality, this was a thick, heavy, cake with very little flavor (where was the cinnamon or nutmeg?). All in all, we had a nice date night, but we won't be coming back anytime soon.
(3)Harold R.
I have been to The Stand now twice and have not been let down on the selection of food, drink and great service. The owner John Kelly and his staff make sure that your visit and "gastro" experience is memorable. What impressed me the most is the quality of hand selected ingredients which make up each and every dish. I look forward to schedule numerous company luncheons with clients in the near future as well as great evening our with my lovely wife and daughter. Thanks for the dinning experience!
(5)Michelle N.
Unfortunately, the stand is another overhyped and disappointing Birmingham restaurant. To be fair, I say disappointing bc the starters were so, so good...and the entrees were just so meh. We tried: -Woodward & maple (cocktail): delicious and strong!! -lobster fried egg: holy crap. This is good. The egg was done perfectly, the lobster was delicious, and the broth/sauce was amazing. I honestly had such high hopes for this restaurant after this app. -Maine lobster soup: it was in between a broth and a bisque, but it was delicious. I really appreciate how our server anticipated our requests and brought out extra bread for us to eat with the soup. -olive oil poached beef tenderloin: the bf ordered this medium rare, and it came out perfectly medium rare. I thought it was okay but not as mind blowing as the appetizers. -Amish roast chicken: don't waste your $$..another yelper said it wasn't good, and I should've listened to her. -50/50 mashed potatoes: no flavor whatsoever. Blah. Gross. Not worth the $$ or even calories bc I honestly didn't taste anything. -duck fat fried French fries with truffle oil: off their bar menu. You must order this. It is. So. So. Good. Some observations: -this restaurant is bigger than I thought. Love the wine lockers, too. -the service here is good. ESP the bus boys, so quick to anticipate your requests. -we had 2 servers at first, then slowly just 1...not sure what's with the tag team action, but it was kind of obnoxious having to tell waiter #2 that #1 had already been by and answered our questions/taken our orders. This happened several times, not just once. -complimentary valet!! I would like to come back again just for the lobster fried egg and fries, and maybe I'll be able to try their bar menu out. In the meantime, I cannot recommend the stand due to the high prices for average food. (To be fair, I also took my food home and had it as leftovers. Mashed potatoes and chicken were as bland and flavorless as I remember, fries were just as delicious and crispy after a quick zap in the oven!!)
(3)Michael E.
We joined some friends for an early Saturday dinner, which was good because it got busy later on. Initially the service was friendly, but after ordering appetizers there was a horribly long wait to have anyone come back. The apps were tepid, not hot, but delicious. The Sommelier came by for the wine selection. The choice was fine, but he was young, unsure of his list and made some excuses about the selection. The main course was excellent, so were the salads. The salads are quite large, so I would recommend splitting one. We finished off with the cheese cake. Perfect size - because i was stuffed really. Overall it was a very nice time, with good food. But to earn 4 or 5 stars there needs to be some depth behind the production, faultless service, and a real welcoming feel. This place is getting popular quick so it will inevitably dilute out the experience for everyone. For this much money, perfection should be their goal, or reduce the prices....
(3)MacGregor B.
attended The Battle of the Libations dinner last night. Great beer and wine pairings over 5 courses. Chef Paul's dishes were unbelievable again. Gerry their Sommelier did a great job pairing the wines and Robert Vedder of Powers distributing brought some creative and brave beer choices. If you haven't tried one of their pairing dinners you need to.
(5)Laura K.
Love the cocktails here, Southern Charm is my favorite! The food is fancy, but always delicious. The Lobster Fried Egg appetizer is the best thing on the menu!
(5)Joe V.
I hate to do this but it's only fair to my 5 star reviews to knock this place down. It's been a while since my 2nd visit but I'm 1 for 2 here. Both times food was good but expensive. Still had a vegan menu. First time service was superb. Second time, not so much. Waiter for lunch was so pretentious, my other friends won't go back. I'd give it a 3rd try but ideally if someone else is paying.
(3)Ree R.
Visited for a weeknight dinner and the place was practically empty. The service was fine and food is average. For the price you can find much better in Birmingham. I was surprised to be underwhelmed after reading all of the positive reviews by critics. The charcuterie platter was the best part of the meal. Very pork sausage heavy but it would be something nice to snack on at the bar.
(2)Thomas M S.
Over the holiday weekend, I thoroughly enjoyed an impressive dinner at The Stand; a welcome and ambitious departure from the popup (-like), and often overly-dramatic, bistros and cafes. The hospitable proprietor, Mr. Kelly, promptly seated us at a cozy booth in the spacious, distinct, and well-appointed main dining room. Our waiter displayed attentive professionalism and a courteous disposition; he's a credit to the restaurant and made dining memorable and enjoyable. Impressed by the menu of straightforward, no-nonsense, yet thoughtful choices, I opted for a perfectly cooked, nicely plated bone-in filet and a medley of savory sides. And yet more goodness: hard-to-resist dessert and cup (or two) of hot coffee were as carefully served as the main course. All in all, whether a foodie, gourmet, vegan, The Stand is a charming, well-thought dining experience to embrace.
(5)Lucy M.
This was the worst dining experience we have had in Birmingham. Our waitress was not the friendliest. When you are paying $30-$60 per plate, I would expect more from a restaurant staff member. There was barely anyone in the place so there was no excuse for poor service. Our Gin and Tonic drinks had FLAT tonic in it!! Really?!! I can get a gin and tonic from a pub at half the cost. That is just poor business practice to begin with. I ordered the filet and asked for medium plus and it came out twice medium RARE!! I bring it up to the waitress and she had a horrible attitude like I was the one cooking my dinner! They bring it back the same way and I had to send it back. The third time I told them to butterfly it and then cook it. It comes out and they switched my mashed potatoes with grits! The owner even brings out our food! You would think after 3 attempts that they would make sure this plate came out perfect and plated impeccably. Instead, the grits were all over the green beans and I told the waitress again that the grits were switched with the mashed. She responds with, "yes, they did that" and then apologized! Thanks for the apology afterwards instead of telling me beforehand. Why would you switch my mashed potatoes for grits and not even tell me! There were 4 adults and we ordered 4 appetizers, drinks, and dinners for all of us. The lamb meatballs and spaghetti were horrible. I have to say Prego does a better job. I can remember a time when this place was packed and you needed a reservation (only had drinks there) and now it is empty. Then they messed up our bill! We had to wait 20 minutes just to wait for them to correct the bill. It was very disorganized and I am happy that we decided against having our holiday party there! Horrible. Even my hairdresser in Bham told me not to go there and I told my friends, that my hair dresser knows about this place and chose to ignore my recommendation. Well, needless to say at the end of the night, I received "you were right!". Sad dining experience.
(1)Lisa Y.
Delicious. First time at The Stand, wAs recommended by friends. Food was delicious! Portion was small but perfect! Great service! Great atmosphere!
(5)Craig A.
Had some apps at the bar, great happy hour! Felt like I got a great value, food was delicious, service staff very attentive.
(5)Shub S.
A truly unique and excellent dinner. All the dishes taste delicious and are created with so much style and imagination. Service was nice. They made us an amazing spicy Mocktail. Worth going for a special night out.
(5)Daniel F.
I have few complaints about The Stand. The atmosphere is calm and upscale and the service is more than acceptable. The only complaint I have is that some of the food can be a little bland, but not enough to excuse a poor review. Overall a nice addition to the Birmingham restaurant scene.
(4)Marc W.
I heard a lot of great things from this restaurant. But what I experienced was a very expensive meal with food although cooked well was far from meeting my expectations. I was seated immediately with reservations on a Saturday evening at 7:30 pm. The dining room had few patrons which I thought unusual, but noted later that it started getting busy around 8:00 p.m. We tried the Black and Blue Mussels that sounded great but were more middle of the road. This course signaled to both of us that we were getting something less than planned. The bread finally came as there appeared to be a bread shortage due to the fact they left it in the oven too long but helped develop our mandibular muscles and sharpen our teeth. The Red and Green Pear Salad arrived and we could not find any of the pears. After requiring clarification from our waiter (whom was terrific) we learned that the sliced pears were julienned and practically the width of a human hair, but the salad was very similar to the chop chop but without the peanut oil. The salad was tasty but the flavors were just not what we were expecting as the dish described seemed to be a cascade of vegetative colors, but was really pretty much a light green color, again, not per our expectations. The dining area picked up and each dish took longer and longer to arrive. We also chose the special beef tenderloin and ordered it medium rare. The meat was presented very rare and the plate was covered in blood. This dish took 35 minutes to arrive from the last course and rather than turn it back we closed our eyes and demolished the dish with the 4 string beans and the small scoop if quinoa. With the rareness of the steak, it was difficult to keep the quinoa from sopping up the jus, and that's when the hard toasted difficult to get bread came in handy. The jus soon softened the bread, protecting the quinoa. For dessert we had a creme brulee, which was outstanding. My blackberry sorbet was also very good. They have a good selection of craft beers and bourbons but didn't carry my brand (Eagle Rare from Buffalo Trace). But provided the standard brands. I have eaten at the Forest Grill and found this restaurant to be below the value of the meal I had at the more intimate Grill. It was truly a meal worth remembering, however it fell very short of expectations. Service was good, not great as the dining room was busy, and we enjoyed the desserts but found the overall value not worth the funds expended.
(2)Michele F.
It's hard to find a decent meal in Detroit. Well I found it! This is a local gem that needs to be checked out if you're a foodie. This was my third visit today and I experience top-notch service and very sanitary conditions. This reminds me of Le bernardin in New York and the food is on par as well!
(5)Eric T.
I don't get all the big reviews, this place is marginal at best. I had the Caesar spinoff salad, dressing had zero taste and the grilled radicchio had terrible texture. I chose the Wagyu beef for main course, wasn't even close to 10 oz., was $30, meat was good everything else on plate was terrible. The green beans tasted like propane gas! With the plethora of options in Bham I would choose elsewhere, especially for the pricing!!!!
(2)Miriam I.
Co-diner and I were celebrating a special occasion with another couple joining, and thought we'd try The Stand. We'd read the many positive reviews on Yelp, and it looked like a good option. Unfortunately, the overall impression we took away from the evening was: delusions of grandeur. I was eager to try the latest venture of chef Paul Grosz, having great memories of dining at Cuisine in Detroit. The Stand, however, suffers from a rather schizophrenic ambiance. The restaurant area is paired with a bar, which on the night we visited was apparently showing the MSU/OSU game on the big-screen TV. As our table was quite near the bar, our dinner was punctuated by the loud cheers of the football fans in the bar. Not conducive to a fine dining experience. One of our party ordered the Wagyu beef, available in portion sizes starting at 3 ounces for $45, and going up in size and price from there. The Wagyu came with an order of fries in a little paper bag that looked like something one would get at the establishment with the Golden Arches - again, not something you associate with fine dining. My mushroom soup, containing Chanterelles and Shiitakes, was smooth and flavorful. I got lucky with my entree as well: the Dover sole with cured salmon and scampi (designated "WC" on the menu, an unnecessarily obscure reference to Winston Churchill that required explanation by the server), was a happy combination, and the corn timbale alongside provided just the right touch of sweetness. My co-diner was less fortunate in his choices - his Maine lobster in crab broth was overly salty. It came with a mysterious blob of foam on top that added nothing. His striped bass came virtually swimming in a mushroom broth. Although attractive to the eye, the dish was rather bland. The celery root served aside the bass was a good addition, but the over-abundance of liquid served to detract from the celery root's flavor. We ordered the cheese plate appetizer. Before the plate even made it around the table, our server brought the soup. This made us feel rushed, a decided no-no in fine dining. If you are looking for a fine dining experience in the Birmingham area, avoid the Stand. There are far better options--for example, The Forest Grill.
(3)Lindsay M.
Chef Paul is the man. Went for a lunch meeting and split all of the appetizers. All delicious. Wines by the glass selection very good and priced well. Can't wait to go back for dinner. Really great ambience and service was professional and approachable.
(5)Shelly C.
In B'ham for business, and was quite pleased to find a restaurant offering gluten-free and vegan options, along with std menu. The server and the chef were quite accommodating, even making me a special dessert of only berries and pure dark chocolate, allowable on my eating plan. Loved the modern, sophisticated atmosphere. Hope to come here again!
(5)Ryan J.
When Chef Paul told me they were opening for lunch I couldn't wait! Took some of my team here for lunch today. Service was exquisite and the food was awesome. There weren't even any crumbs left on my coworkers plates. I had the veal meatball pasta, and I'll definitely come back and have it again. After reading other yelp reviews, I am anxious to come back after work and have a few drinks at the bar. This is definitely a step above the usual Birmingham lunch choices.
(5)Caroline C.
The latest restaurant to jump on the gourmet "New French-American" bandwagon.... except, it was a wagon ride I wish I had skipped. Although kudos need to be given to the bartenders for mixing up some really lip-smackingly good cocktails, the food was bland and extremely expensive for the quantity provided. What looked like mouthwatering options on the menu showed up as tiny, tasteless portions. We tried the lobster fried egg, tuna tartar, salmon ravioli, duck confit and parmesan frites, charcuterie plate, sweet breads, soup tasting, mac and cheese, amish chicken, and dover sole... it felt like the entire menu. All ranked in the "ok-but-not-worth-it" category. As for the extensive remodeling, I was not a fan of Zazio's cuisine either, but at least the decor had some pizzaz! The Stand, however, succeeded in refurbishing the snazzy allure out and transforming the space into yet another Cameron's/Fleming's steakhouse. I am just about as bored writing this review as I was dining at The Stand. If it wasn't for the good companionship of my fellow dinner mates, I would probably have fallen asleep in my half eaten portion of Amish "so-so" chicken. I had hoped that this great space right on the corner of Woodward and 15 mile would finally be the venue for a stellar restaurant, but alas, it looks like The Stand is not the one for those expectations either.
(3)Jordan N.
The Stand has a good menu with high-quality selections. But I found the food to be overly buttery, salty, etc. And while I'd give the food 3.5 stars, the atmosphere was a huge turnoff. The place looks super buttoned-up and corporate and lacks any warmth or vibe. The carpeting is akin to a cheap or older hotel and then contemporary adult soundtrack only added to the uninspiring feel. While the food almost passes for the gastropub genre, the look doesn't.
(2)John K.
Outstanding! Sophisticated! Great food. Great service. Beautiful facility. John Kelly came to bar while we enjoyed a pre dinner cocktail. Very gracious host. I had the rabbit and wife had muscles. Both delicious. Portion size was perfect. This isn't the Country Buffet after all! We will be back!
(5)Jeff W.
First time dining at The Stand. Great service and food. Lobster and egg appetizer was very good. Halibut was good as well as a special. I would definitely go back.
(4)Melissa C.
Went for drinks this weekend and was amazed at the creativity and ingredients that go into making each drink! Awesome open bar area with great service! The menu looked delicious and I will definitely be back soon!
(5)Kim M.
I stopped in for a drink with a friend and I was very impressed. I was told it was a soft opening and they were scheduled to officially open at the end of the month. Based on the level of service, which was outstanding as I watched the highly tuned wait staff meet the needs of many patrons, I would be a regular based on this fact alone. However, in addition to the service, the food was expertly executed. I ordered the fish tacos, and had to try the fries that are deep fried in duck fat...delicious I am looking forward to going back to dine and enjoy an entree. I was in disbelief that they had "Two Hearted Ale" on tap along with many other high end beers.
(5)Karie M.
Cuisine is by far one of my favorite restaurants in the Detroit area; and I've often finished my meal there by saying that it was one of the best meals I've ever had. So, with that said, I had very big expectations for The Stand. My husband and I went there on Saturday night. The restaurant itself is really cool and pretty looking. The bar was even better. The wine lockers are interesting. I appreciated the complimentary valet. The hostesses were very friendly and nice to us. The service was top notch. Our server and bussers did a great job and were attentive. The drinks and drink menu were top notch. My husband tried the Woodward and Maple a little begrudgingly at my insistence since it's touted as "soon to be famous" and all. He really liked it a lot and ended up having a few. I tried it, it's a good drink. I was super pleased that they had B. Nektar mead on the menu, the particular flavor they had on tap that day was zombie killer, which is awesome. They also have a great wine list. Now onto the main event, the food. They have a vegan menu, which is really very cool. I'm a seafood eatin vegetarian, not strictly vegan, but I really appreciate any time a restaurant has a nice veggie selection and they had a whole separate menu. I was really in the mood for seafood so I didn't order from the vegan menu, but I'd try it in the future. For an appetizer I had the lobster fried egg and my husband had the king crab prawn and salmon ravioli. The egg was amazing. Order it if you go. The flavors are so complimentary. My husband's ravioli was also great. We had high hopes after the apps. I had the one eye susan salad, it's great, but make sure to hold the bacon if you're a vegetarian. My husband had the Caesar and thought it was good. Our main courses unfortunately fell flat. I had the dover sole. I usually love dover sole and have had it prepared beautifully at Cuisine. I did not care for this at all. My husband had the poached beef tenderloins and really didn't care for it, he wished he ordered the sirloin. Dessert was only okay too my husband got the brownie and I ordered an almond custard thing. Both were only ok at best. The restaurant is expensive. In my opinion there are better bets for the money. I will try it again, but I won't be in too much of a hurry.
(3)AJ L.
My sister and I decided to check this place out for Birmingham restaurant week. Since my sister is a vegetarian, we called in advance to see if there were any vegetarian options on the restaurant week menu. The hostess told my sister that she can switch the entree to a vegetarian option. Great! We were excited that they allowed that. Beware!!! It was a BAIT AND SWITCH!!!! Once we got there, they wouldn't allow us to change even though we had confirmed before making the trip to Birmingham. What a disappointment. The service was not flexible and the food was mediocre at best. When we wanted to take our dessert home for later, they WOULDN'T ALLOW US TO TAKE THE FOOD WE PAID FOR. Horrible service. I will not be returning to this restaurant again. Response to John K: The reservation was under Yoo and I never saw a message from him as he attests in his comment.
(1)Wendy L.
Food was excellent and service was great! They seemed very informed about the menu.. I was most impressed by the Lobster soup!
(4)Brenna L.
Great dining experience there! We had a fantastic server; very accommodating, patient with our many questions. It helped that we got there just before the big dinner rush; we got a great table. But really, there are loads of great spots in the house. I liked the variety of house-baked breads in the basket, an my friend loved her lobster fried egg starter. They have a beautiful vegan selection, and I ordered 2 dishes to get a taste of the place: the chanterelle mushroom farro risotto, and the ratatouille of fall s with cashew cream. The risotto was OK- the mushrooms were nice and meaty, and the sauce had a lovely, earthy flavor. I've had better, but no real complaints. The ratatouille? Beautiful, both in taste and presentation. The squash was cooked perfectly and came with a double-ring of sweet sauces around the plate for an extra little boost. The dollop of thick cashew cream on top made it perfect. Almost a dessert! But for my real dessert, I was delighted to find another vegan option- almond milk custard. It had a sponge cake-like base, berry compote on top, a little scoop of sorbet, sauces, and slices of strawberry to boot. Lovely! Will definitely be back.
(5)Matt J.
Very impressive from the moment you walk into the place. The staff was very attentive to our needs. The waygu dish is to die for. Very well done and looking forward to our next visit.
(5)Mim M.
we went for happy hour and tried the duck fat fries, duck slider, and duck confit flatbread--all of which were pretty delicious. the cocktails were also pretty decent and to my liking. nice atmosphere and nice bathrooms.
(4)Ray T.
Great atmosphere! Bar appetizers were terrific. Service was outstanding! Quickly becoming my neighborhood restaurant.
(5)William K.
This restaurant is missing an opportunity to be among the best in Oakland County. It has location and a good concept. Yet the service was mediocre. Lots of little things: apps and sides delivered without utensils; too long to take our orders; little guidance re the menu. My entree (lamb) was just okay. Something that could be made at home on a puddle of mashed potatoes. Nothing special. The decor is oddly outdated even though the place is less than a year old. Chihuly glass wall hangings (probably fake) on one wall and an oddly retro photo over our booth. Chairs parked in the hallway to the restrooms. The charcuterie room seemed mostly empty, and I heard they're not actually licensed to make it there so they bring it in. Then we ordered some and it was like anything you can buy at a grocery store. Again, nothing special.
(2)Larry W.
Chef Paul still has some work to do, but he's off to a great start. The "pluses" include no-charge valet parking, the "warm" bar area, the overall decor (tremendous improvement over what was here previously), the Dover sole (without the shrimp and salmon) and a generally friendly staff. Some areas need help: a skimpy wine list for this type of restaurant without a single Montrachet and a fairly sparse menu. We saw Chef Paul cruising the dining room, but he passed us by (despite a request for him to stop at our table for a minute) to visit a group of drinkers at the bar.
(4)Kim W.
Was VERY excited to try the Stand as I read a lot about the re-model from Zazio's cheesy days, and also heard they have a full vegan menu (I'm vegetarian, sometimes vegan)... however it didn't "stand" up to my expectations. The vegan options are more like tapas, or small plates and it's kind of confusing if you should order one (based on price- priced like an entree) or more... I was told 2 should make a full dinner. Started with a salad so I definitely ended up full, however I think they could have done better in creating vegan "plates" rather than making you feel like you're eating several side dishes- you can do that at any old restaurant! I was shocked at the tiny size of my dates meal. I definitely understand artisan cuisine, but I don't think you get what you pay for here... the servers also seemed snooty and less attentive than appropriate. Probably wouldn't go back unless major changes were made in the menu. Although there are a lot of vegan options it's like either that or full on eating meat- not much vegetarian incorporating cheese or vegetarian proteins to speak of.
(2)Katie G.
Outstanding food and presentation, server was not only knowledgeable but very fun and engaging (thanks Mark for making our dinner so fabulous!) and we enjoyed the entire experience. To start we had the charcuterie and cheese board - beautiful presentation and went very well with our bottle of red wine. For entrees, we had the filet, halibut and sablefish - all were fantastic. I would enthusiastically recommend this restaurant to those looking for a great meal and ambiance.
(5)Michael L.
The butter poached lobster is Delish. The feel of the place is a little off. Feels much like a hotel. It's big but the food is quite refined. The prices are on the high side the quality is there. I will come back for sure because I can't stop thinking about that lobster. Loved it.
(4)Liz S.
We visited The Stand with a group of friends soon after it opened. I made a reservation for 8 on a Friday. The place was not packed, although we expected it to be. We were seated in the large, spacious dining room. As we walked though the bar area, I thought it looked very inviting. We plan to visit again and dine in that area instead of the formal dining room. Anyway, we were seated. Our server was very odd. It's a bit hard to explain. He would stop by as we waited for the whole party to arrive. He kept saying things like, "Let me know if you want to order a drink or put in an appetizer" as each couple was seated. But he would run off very quickly. He didn't stick around to actually take an order for a drink or appetizer. This was awkward. It continued as the entire party arrived and the specials were detailed. It felt like we had to flag down our waiter even though he was stopping by the table often. The food was excellent. I had a gnocchi with lobster. My husband had a halibut dish he thought was excellent as well. Overall, the dinner felt a bit rushed and a bit awkward on account of the waiter. However, the food and ambiance were certainly good. I would return. One more note... I noticed several families dining. The Stand is a fine dining restaurant withOUT a children's menu. I wish families would choose dining establishments more appropriately.
(4)Ju C.
The restaurant itself is beautiful and presents like the higher-scale restaurant its food prices would demand. The free valet parking is wonderful, the wine list great, and they had interesting cocktails. The staff was friendly; our server Mike had a great sense of humor and was very nice. For these points, I would give the place 4 stars. For the food: A friend of mine and I started with the Shitake/Chanterelle soup with brie: it was completely flavorless. To the chef's credit, when we mentioned the blandness of the soup, the chef wanted the opportunity to try again and brought us out entirely new soup that had a slightly different and slightly better flavor. The Red Grape Pear salad was good, but not overly exciting. We also tried the Ratatouille of fall squash from the vegan menu, which I found to be the best thing we tried, but came in a tiny portion and was certainly not enough to be someone's entree. I also tried their goat cheese cheesecake and plum smoked black tea sorbet. The cheesecake was OK - interesting if you like goat cheese flavor and aftertaste. But, up against other cheesecakes, I don't think it would stand out. The sorbet tasted very smoky, almost like tobacco. I wasn't a fan. My 5 dining companions did not seem overly excited about their meals, either, except for one who had the Pasta special which was a rabbit pasta - she really enjoyed it. Overall, I found the food quality (good) and portion size (small) to be less than worthy of the price (high). I wouldn't refuse to go again, but I'm not sure I would intentionally seek it out.
(3)Alexandra M.
I really really love the atmosphere here, and the food is fantastic. Happy Hour in the bar is always packed, but I like it that way! The servers are extremely knowledgeable and very kind. Great spot in Bham!!
(5)Luvgudfood K.
Gorgeous decor and really great energy! We were greeted by the hostesses with smiles and pleasant demeanor. Started with a couple of apps and were definitely pleased. The signature cocktail, the Maple and Woodward is terrific. Service was outstanding and very friendly staff in general. Lobster with crab broth soup is something I will be going back in for many times. The Waygu beef was amazing and melts in your mouth... One of the best dishes I have ever had. We had the goat cheese cheesecake and it was very unique and had fantastic flavor and texture. Overall, we will be making this one of our regular hang-outs!
(5)George W.
Very good location nice renovation. Food is solid and very flavorful. Portions modest but the service was extremely slow and sloppy.
(3)Sofia S.
I went to the stand last week for my graduation dinner and it was amazing. We were a group of 16 and Sarah Kirby was great at helping to plan the evening. We were given a private room, the glass one with all the wine bottles in it. I like how the glass made it feel as though we were still part of the resturant even though we had our own room. The food was delicious. We had the braised short ribs and beet cured salmon both of which were great. Then the house salad with the Caesar dressing and for entree either Waygu beef, coq au vin or halibut. My guest all said they loved their meals. I had the steak and it was cooked perfectly with a delicious parsnip purée. For dessert we special ordered a strawberry and red velvet cake that stole the show. The service here was above and beyond. Sarah was very accommodating and quick to answer any questions. She also did a great job helping me pick my wine options. When my mom called to order the cake she said the pastry chef spoke with her personally to ask what she wanted in it and when we got there the chef came out to introduce himself. Since we were in our own room it was easy to forget about us but the waiters were very attentive and quick to bring out drink refills and answer any questions. They have a ton of gluten free and dairy free options as well. I would totally recommend this place to anyone
(5)Jason C.
Amazing brunch today! Service, food and staff were incredible! Thanks for making our Mother's Day incredible!!!!
(5)Marley G.
I'm not sure how this restaurant has scored so well. They gave us 12 yr scotch instead of 30 yr, and my boyfriend had to send his steak back once and when it came back out it still wasn't right. The waitress offered to send it back again but we declined. The manager was actually the one who sent it back for us the first time and she didn't even come back to make sure it was done correctly! I ordered the flank steak and let me tell you, it was horrific, at best. The presentation was literally a pile of flank steak, done very rare even though I requested closer to medium, on top of a few green beans and fingerling potatoes and about 10 kernels of corn. The seasoning was nonexistent, except for PILES of pesto on about 3 pieces of flank steak. I might be wrong, but I don't recall reading that there would be pesto on it. I expected more of a dry rub, and the different food to actually be separated on my plate. I wasn't feeling great, though, and wasn't in the mood to attempt to pick something else so I just had the waitress take it away. Here's where this restaurant could have absolutely redeemed itself via good service, but they got an F once again! Despite eating 3 potatoes and a few green beans and that's it from my meal, the waitress didn't offer to box it up or even ask me why I didn't want my meal. We were out with some friends so our bill ended up being $200 and on the way home (1.5 hr drive) my boyfriend stopped and bought French fries. I better be really satisfied after paying $200. I definitely will not be returning or recommending this to any of my friends! With all the great dining in Detroit, I'm not sure why anyone would choose to come here. Also it was dead at 9 on a Friday night, the weekend of Mother's Day, so that should have been a red flag immediately! Update: after reading the comments left by the owner on bad reviews, I never would have visited in the first place!! If you want to be a fine dining establishment then learn to take criticism and feedback like a big boy!! How ridiculous of a way for an owner to act!!! I hope he has some smart comment for me!
(1)Kata T.
The Stand was just...okay for me. I expected more, considering all the glowing 5-star reviews of this place. I felt the amount of money I spent was definitely not reflected in the flavors of the food. I was going to give only two stars, as the description of "Meh. I've experienced better." is certainly accurate regarding the food, but we had great service and it is a very clean, elegant environment. It'd be two stars based on the food alone. I ordered the mac n' cheese (after being disappointed to find out the buttered quinoa was not vegetarian) and the tomato risotto. I found the mac n' cheese to be fairly bland, and the risotto was only slightly better. One of my friends who accompanied me (who is definitely not vegetarian, heh) also was quite disappointed in the food, compared to her expectations (a few people had recommended it to her). Not sure what a third friend thought, and I assume the fourth enjoyed her meal, as she was someone who recommended the place (note: she is mostly vegan). With so many other better options in the area, I won't be going back.
(3)UB H.
Named after a lemonade stand (cool idea), these folks are passionate about the food they serve and it shows--and they stand by it everyday. That's really all you can ask for in the restaurant biz. Would recommend the lobster broth (fresh lobster) and lobster dish. We can all remember having our own lemonade stands when we were kids, and this is exactly the type of grand vision that comes from those smaller dreams.
(4)Peter H.
I'm a huge fan of Cuisine, and I really like this place, too. It was a needed addition to Chef Paul's mini-Empire, with a better location -- Cuisine really only does decent business before and after shows at Fisher -- and a more modern approach. I'll stick to a quick pro & con overview... Pros: - Gorgeous renovation. The place is huge, but they've broken it up into a big open kitchen, a cool bar area, the main dining room and a couple private rooms. It's spacious and diverse without seeming cavernous and empty. I wish they'd managed to incorporate some access to the outside for the summertime, though. - Chef Paul really wants this place to succeed, so he's actually there cooking on a lot of nights - and even for some lunch services. - The starters/small plates are all really good, with the lobster fried egg being a particular standout. - All of their pastas are awesome. Chef Paul knows how to make some silky fresh pasta, as any student of french cuisine should. - Their more rustic and/or adventurous dishes are their best: rabbit, short-rib, duck confit, and so on. Those seem to be prepared with the most passion, and the results show it. You'll be able to find some really good stuff here that you won't find elsewhere. - Great cocktails and, in particular, wine list. They have a lot of really affordable, lesser-known bottles. - They're open for lunch, and they host pop-ups and other special events. This isn't just another stuffy Oakland County dinner place. - They have valet most of the time, which is key because parking in Birmingham can be kind of a bitch at times. Cons: - Many of the "sides" have been less popular with my dining companions. - The desserts aren't really up the standards of the starters, mains, cocktails and wine list. I hate to impugn anyone, but they're a little small for the price, and they just aren't THAT good. Some of the ones we've tried are certainly decent, but I feel like french (or french-ish) restaurants need to really shine in that area. - I hesitate to mention this, since I'm sure it's not a common thing, but there were a good amount of fruit flies hanging around our table the last time I ate lunch there. Just clean that up, guys, and make sure it doesn't happen again - that's a pretty stupid way to potentially alienate customers. Overall, it's a really solid 4 star place that should be around for a while. I'd be willing to upgrade to 5 stars if they can make their menu a little bit more consistent...
(4)Steven L.
I went to the Stand today for lunch due to the suggestion of my co-patron, although he had never been here either. We sat at the bar where we could take it all in and see how others we enjoying their dishes. The décor is quite nice, rustic but modern, a challenging motif to pull off but they did. This made for a comfortable and elegant feel. I hoped the meal would do the same. I ordered the burger that the bartender/waitress raved about and my friend order the turkey sandwich. I usually never trust a proletariat who states that everything is great, and I should not have deviated this time. Both my friend and I came to the same conclusion that although we might be back for happy hour to people watch the tools of Birmingham; we would not be back for the fare. Everything was just mediocre and offered nothing of excitement or challenging, something I was hoping for with the ingredients they boasted. The search continues, I am going to try Café ML soon and I am optimistic since I loved Roadside B&G so much.
(2)Lindsey R.
Update to review 2/26/15: 4 Star Review - I'm updating my original review to 4 stars from 2 because the owner of this restaurant contacted me after my review was posted to apologize for the service we received. He offered to send my boyfriend and I a gift card and invite us back to have a better experience. That was an incredibly generous offer. I was impressed with the owner and his willingness to right the negative experience we had. Additionally, our waiter took the time to send me a message as well to apologize and invited us back to try them again. This shows the restaurants dedication to providing quality service. I'm sure our original experience was an off night for the restaurant. For this reason, I am give the restaurant 4 stars and am looking forward to returning to try them again. Original review posted 2/17/15: 2 Star Rating - My boyfriend and I went to The Stand for Valentine's Day and we were excited to visit because the menu for the restaurant looked amazing. The food was very delicious (however overpriced), but unfortunately that was the only thing. We loved the look of the restaurant as it was was modern and had a great ambiance, but the waitstaff was dressed in jeans and it didn't really fit with the rest of the restaurant. We were seated by the window which was very drafty and I spent my whole meal with my jacket on, which defeated the purpose of getting dressed up for a night out. All night we felt very rushed by our waiter. He would take our drink or meal orders or check in on us and then rush away before he even finished his sentence. My boyfriend ordered soup after his salad and right when they placed his soup on our table, he saw them come out with our entrees but they realized he had just received his soup and then turned around and went back into the kitchen. As soon as he was finished, our entrees immediately came out. We hadn't even finished our first drinks by the time we had our salads, his soup and our entrees were on the table. We were probably in and out in just over an hour which is inappropriate for a nice and expensive restaurant.
(4)Patricia D.
Chef Paul is very very good, however it is hard to look past the service in the front of the house which starts with John Kelly. Mom said if I didn't have something nice to say about someone-don't say a thing...so I'm not. Mr. Kelly, thanks for the comments and the opportunity to re-rate your establishment.
(1)Vickey T.
Really nice atmosphere and great food! I would highly recommend the duck breast. The charcuterie was okay -- definitely not the best I have had. I would HIGLY recommend the brussel sprouts, skip the mac and cheese - it tasted like I was just eating pasta out of the pot without any cheese. The lemonade cocktail on their signature menu is great too :) On the sweet side if you like that!
(5)Doug N.
The food: spectacular! The bone in filet was cooked so well. This is the first place in michigan I have been to where I really enjoyed my steak. The sides were great. The grilled carrots with goat cheese were awesome. The atmosphere: for a Friday it was pretty empty. The setup was nice but nothing spectacular. The service: out waiter Brian was great. The recommendations were spot on and the wine pairing he suggested worked very well.
(4)Kalyn M.
Much to do about nothing. The decor is inconsistent and the food is so-so. A lot of hype. Not impressed.
(3)Adam O.
Stopped by to eat at the recently opened place from chef Paul Grosz of Cuisine fame. Took over the location of the old Zazio's downtown Birmingham which had overstayed its welcome. Total floor to ceiling renovation was nicely done. There's a semi casual bar area in front with a more elaborate white tablecloth seating area towards the back. There's also a series of private dining rooms, including a very nice one in the wine cellar. They have an interesting looking menu to dig into with a series of smaller apps, soups and salads as well as some quite expensive entrees. They also have a full on vegetarian menu with 7-8 choices that looked pretty good if you're into that sort of thing. Being a lover of animal protein, I sprang for a few small plates to get a sense of what they had to offer. Tried the lobster bisque (excellent rendition), duck cassoulet (not a fan), and short rib over polenta (flat out delicious). Also tried the somewhat deconstructed caesar salad which was tasty, but not 10 dollars tasty. Dessert of chocolate and hazelnut with banana ice cream was very good. Had a fantastic cocktail in the Maple Woodward, and they've got a nice sized wine list to choose from. Service was professional and showed a good knowledge of the menu despite being open for less than a week. All in all, a little on the pricey side and some dishes that were mostly hits. I would compare it most closely to it's across the street neighbor in Forest Grill, but it's got some work to do to attain that level. I'll be back.
(4)Matt F.
What an excellent dinner. It started with one of the best cocktails I have had in a long time - the Woodward and Maple (local whiskey and local maple syrup - wow). Two of the three soups in the soup sampler were terrific. The entree - Scallop Minestore - was unique and tasty. The side - grilled corn - could be described the same. The service was top-notch and the ambiance - natural light in the summer - was also refreshing. I look forward to my next meal there.
(5)Christopher B.
Our trip here was was fantastic. We had great service, fantastic food, an unbelievable drink and could do it all with a painless reservation. I would recommend anyone celebrate holidays, events and special occasions here.
(5)R M.
Second time around was much better. I'm glad to see their business up and the positive reviews
(4)Josh H.
Another great time at The Stand. The highlights here are probably the bar staff, and the cocktails. These guys truly know their trade, making the experience as memorable as the drinks. The Maple and Woodward is my favorite. Food, well, it's good. Chef Paul is a very good chef, and focuses mainly on the classics. The brussels sprouts with bacon are always on point.
(4)Chelsea A.
I loved it here from day one and somehow things became even better. The food is simply perfect.
(5)P W.
What a terrific experience! Bill was our waiter and he is an A+. Very funny, friendly and provides impeccable service--beyond expectation really. The food was wonderful We had Tuna Crudo (wonderful as expected), Shrimp and Mango gazpacho (wow...great combo), Shrimp Risotto (Have to love those Michigan shrimp...it had good consistency, risotto was very flavorful and reasonable--overall well balanced), and 3 other sides of Brussel Sprouts (what you would expect--nice), Goat Cheese grits (the goat cheese was not overly powerful just warm and comforting) and Grilled corn (this was the last one I picked and just WOW awesome...thanks for the recommendation Bill). We thought it was incredibly thoughtful to have the bar area separated from the dining room--it made talking and listening so much easier. While it is a reasonably dressy place, it is still comfortable and we were greeted quite warmly in our very casual (shorts, athletic) attire. I would definitely go again and hope for the same comfortable and delicious experience. As an aside, the host staff was terrific and very helpful. My husband accidentally left his credit card and she was thoughtful and responsive. Very nice place and well enjoyed by the 3 of us.
(5)Mike R.
Can't recommend this place although I had hoped to. Party of four visited recently. Not a bad experience but the downsides were enough to take them off my list. -2 appetizers (mussels and Brie) were only ok -of three entrees, one was good (spicy paste) one was average (bouilibase) and one completely bland (pasta w shrimp). At the prices they charge (28 for one thing, 19 for another) you can get far better at other nearby places for less -bar service was very slow for some reason. For example we ordered another glass of wine when the meal was served....it came w dessert. This may be because they had at least two large parties at the establishment....but that's management job to plan for. Overall +nice ambience, and waitstaff very pleasant and professional -the menu is eclectic but does not live up to its intent, and this also means basic options are missing (range of steaks and fish is very limited) -the prices for the dinners are high, and the quality of the food did not match the expectations -nothing was outstanding, and most of the meal was a average, bland taste -none of the 4 people in our party had an inclination to try them again If you go you may have a better experience based on your timing, menu choices, and expectations, but for us there are several other outstanding restaurants in the area that are consistently superior experiences.
(2)Jodi F.
Overall an excellent meal. My favorites were the unique fried egg and lobster appetizer and the lobster soup in crab broth. The main entree, lamb duet, was tasty, but not the best lamb I'd ever had. Wish there was a 4.5 star rating as this is a 9/10 in my opinion.
(4)John Z.
The food we had was good not great. Prices are high for the quantities of food served. Everything about the restaurant construction, layout and fixtures is above average. My observation last night was a lack of managerial oversight on the main floor, amongst the tables. Severs are disconnected from the overall meal service. Example: Our server only took orders and served drinks, others delivered food. The server didn't know if or when our Chop Chop salads were served (they actually weren't served until we asked why not...and they had been requested to be served WITH the appetizers). For what its worth: A manager needs to be on the floor, circulating to observe customer service and ask about customer satisfaction.
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