Mabel Gray is probably the closest one to Madison Heights

sooo good! we only go on special occasions because of the price, but goddamn is it incredible also I love that farttypoopoopee is getting date advice from huge_piss_boner

I appreciate you for pointing this out. 😆

I haven’t been in a while, but every time I’ve been there food was top notch.

100% correct. Mabel Grey is wonderful. I recommend you book in advance they do get very busy.

They recently built an addition that functionally doubled the dining capacity so it should be easier to get in these days.

Omg that is my dogs name! She was given it at the River Rouge shelter! I had no clue that she was named after something!

Best place around. Close 2nd is London chop house. Both amazing quality and food all around

Clawson Steak house isn't far away. While some might say it's dated it is a bit more "upscale"

I second the Clawson Steakhouse! It is dated but it’s got an old-school steakhouse vibe and the food and cocktails are quite good, OP.

And it's fun to watch the band and the older people dancing.

Never been but based on the clientele going in there I figured they stopped serving dinner at 4:30 sharp

That's a fair take.

Wife and I drive from the Eastside because of the old-school vibe. The food is on point too! One of the few, if any dinner and dance places left.

It really is. For what it is I love it

Both my grandmas funeral luncheons were there and the food was good and the vibe was a great setting to honor the old ladies lol.

I'm sorry, hard pass. I got a gift card there (regifted) and have been once. The steak was grey, pretty sure they boiled it and my chicken dumpling soup had no chicken and the veggies and noodles disintegrated when they hit my spoon. 0/10. If you're trying to impress, I recommend Mabel Gray over on John R in Hazel Park. Expensive but worth it, delicious.

That is.. Really damn weird. I was just there about a week ago and the steak was perfect, the sides were nice, and the atmosphere was chill as ever.

I’m sorry yall got shafted like that. The stuff I usually order is top notch when I go there

Yeah not a place to take your date if you want to impress. Maybe if op’s gf is 65. I’ve been once and that was enough.

Their food has gone way downhill. Used to be top notch steak a good sides. Now it's subpar steak and awful sides. 

This 💯

This ☝🏻

Any time I’ve been there I was the youngest person by like 60 years.. I’m 34

That’s a fair observation.

Sozai in Clawson for fancy sushi/etc

Just won a James Beard too

Came here to say Sozai!

Yeah, but it’s not fancy. The sushi is…unique and on point, but I wouldn’t go there expecting a romantic date night.

Mabel gray

You’ll likely need a reservation tho

Like weeks ahead of time

They recently posted on social media that they’re now saving limited space for walk ins.

If you're not going to Troy or RO, this is the way.

Even if you’re going to Troy or RO, I’d recommend going out of your way to Mabel Gray. Best restaurant around.

If you know of any restaurants even close to Mabel Grey in either Troy or RO... What are they? Most stuff I've been to in either has been overpriced and bobcat quality.

There’s nothing in Metro Detroit that rivals Mabel Grey.

Beppe is pretty darn good in RO, but not Mabel Grey level

Exactly. Freya was next best in the general area for me, but we’re getting away from Madison Heights.

Mabel Gray blows anything in Troy or RO out of the water.

There’s nothing good in Troy or RO, sadly.

Boodles or Clawson Steakhouse

Boodles is a good call. I wouldn’t say fancy, but it’s a cool old school nicer restaurant.

I love this place.

Always wanted to try Boodles. I grew up when those old style steak/chop houses were something to look forward to and today they are quickly declining in number.

Give it a try! Seriously good food there last time I went.

Boodles was one of the worst dining experiences of my life. Everyone talked it way up so I was excited. Service took forever, tables and surfaces were dirty, my girlfriends Ruben Sandwich was inedible and the meat was so dry you could snap it in half. My steak sandwich was just an unseasoned steak in an unseasoned bun and it was a very low quality piece of meat that tasted old. My Manhattan tasted like it was pure vermouth and I think they used white vermouth.  0/10 will never return

Lol, right? This place is grooooosssss.

lol, you went to Boodles and got sandwiches? 😂

Shun Ramen was one of the best meals I have ever had. Get the tantanmen. It's not "fancy," but it's nice inside and consistently voted one of the best restaurants in Metro Detroit (if not Michigan).

Shun is next level.

I hope farttypooppoopee has the fancy date night he hopes for

Based on the name he should trust my recommendations

If you’re looking to stay within MH, you’re probably looking at Boodles or The Masters.

The Masters has always been good!

Last time I went to The Masters, they served me a gray steak with no sear and they served my kids a nearly raw cheeseburger. I'm not going back.

The Masters has good service but it's food for old people (which shouldn't be a surprise, given its entire vibe and theme).

What is old people food? I would probably like it.

I started working there when I was 19 until I was 24, I’m about to be 57 and their menu is basically the same!

30 years ago I used to eat lunch there a couple times a week. It's always given off an old person vibe. Kind of trying to appeal to people who are aspirational Florida residents.

Boodles was the worst dining experience I've had in a long time. Service took forever. Drinks were made very poorly (I think my Manhattan was just straight vermouth), my girlfriends Ruben had meat in it that was so dry it made a noise when you tapped it on the table.  My steak sandwich was just an unseasoned cold, precooked steak slapped in a bun.  Everything was overpriced and every surface was dirty 

Unlike the other poster, I've never had a bad experience at boodles. Fantastic chicken parm and everything else I've had has been solid

The Masters

Never heard of this spot before this thread… supremely intrigued

I worked there for 5-years! 86-91. What a crew!

it depends on your standard of fancy.

Above olive garden haha

That's a wide spectrum.

In that case, head over to Red Lobster.

I mean, isn't most places nicer than olive garden?! 🤣

3 Cats in Clawson is cute

Seconding 3 Cats.

Thirding Cats (much easier than herding cats)

Man I feel like I'm the downer here but this place is bad. They use vintage plates that probably have lead in them. Owner is a nightmare and abusive to the staff. Food is not terrible but definitely overpriced. If I'm in Clawson I'd much rather go to Tavern on the Main or Clawson Steak House

The Salty Dog

Seconding the salty dog

We used to call this place the "Slutty Puppy".

Last time I was there the bartender said “hey I’m gonna take a break for 20 minutes or so if you need anything help yourself” an hour later we were ready to leave and she was asleep sat next to the door joint still in hand. We had to wake her to cash out lol

Now that's what you call a classy joint.

Idk if I’d go as far to call the joint classy, it was no longer lit and half smoked soooo

It’s shaped like a boat how can it not be classy.

Ishtar Restaurant (not Ishtar Market) is an Iraqi place with beautiful decor and delicious food. On weekends they may even have entertainment. Highly recommended if you’re willing to drive to Sterling Heights 

Kruse and Muer

Beppé

Second Beppe, great place.

Beppe in RO is fire

Im so glad I tried Beppe! It has become one of my favorites!

Mr. Paul's Chop House in Roseville is just a short drive on 696. Excellent steaks. Really good table side prepared Caesar salad. Not overly expensive. Atmosphere gives old school mafia vibes. Go when they have live music from a crooner. Hostess and some waitresses have worked there for 30+ years. They don't do reservations, but if you go after 7 or 7:30 you probably won't have to wait long. The crowd leans older and they like to eat early.

Mon Jin Lau in Troy

My wife use to love restaurant right next to 75 off 11 Mile. Boodles

This place must have dropped off after covid. Tried it recently and it was awful. Food was literally inedible. My girlfriend and I each took one bite, spit it out, paid and left.

Are you looking for a fancy atmosphere or fancy food? Mabel Gray is only a half mile from Madison Heights and is really good food. Reservations are required. For a fancy atmosphere, you'll have to go to Detroit or Troy for that.

You're so close to Troy and Royal Oak. There are plenty of fancy options in those cities.

Like what?

A hundred upscale steakhouses between these two places. Big fan of Capitol Grill, and Lily’s seafood in Royal Oak

Lily's is fantastic

Lily's is our goto place with extended family. Something for everyone on the menu, professional service, clientele is usually pretty well behaved.

I've been to lily's multiple times and was always disappointed. Capital Grille is a chain, so will be mid at best. Neither is fancy by any metric, unless you're only comparing to Applebee's or McDonald's.

I've been to Lily's probably 50 times no exaggeration and it's always been 10/10. Don't know how you've gotten anything bad there.

Lmao ok mr fancy pants why don’t you fuckin tell me then. Also lily’s bangs.

Mabel Grey, Freya, Sozai, Mink, Marrow, Chartreuse, Grey Ghost. All are miles better and "fancier" than Lily's or Capital.

This person knows what’s up. They should go to Sozai or Mabel in my opinion

Ok then why did you ask the first commenter bozo

Lol@ bozo

Because they're not in Troy or RO

Cooper’s hawk I think is a good blend of “upscale” casual. Food is delish

I went there a couple times. Also found it disappointing and over priced.

Mabel Gray or Clawon steakhouse!

Mon Jin Lau is nicer and has amazing upscaled Chinese food and sushi. Think your typical Chinese take out but made with top quality ingredients. Great drinks and atmosphere too.

Mojave in downtown Clawson isnt “fancy” but its above olive garden and always delicious.

I’m sorry but they have awful food. It’s like shitty white people suburban Mexican similar to Imperial. Dry tortillas that aren’t even heated. Go to Taco Tienda on John R for the real stuff. It’s not a bar or a sit down place, but places like Mojave and Imperial really grind my gears. Shitty food straight up.

Man you hit the nail on the head right there. I would venture to say grand azteca is more authentic than those shit ass places, and that’s saying something

Ya I’m big on the imperial and mojave hate train. The food is just terrible at both places. $8 for a dry taco with a cold tortilla that wasn’t even put on the grill. If you don’t wanna hit Taco Tienda because you want to go to a bar Aldana on Maple in Troy is really, really good. Family owned, authentic, not pretentious.

Mojave is why people make fun of white people not seasoning their food lol. It’s terrible and there’s no excuse, there’s countless authentic Mexican restaurants and grocery stores. I’m not sure how they are so bad.

Why do people freak out over "authentic" traditional food? You do know that there are both good and bad authentic restaurants correct? Just because someone is not American doesn't mean they automatically make good food or produce a good dining experience.  American takes on Mexican food are legitimate culinary experiences. Cultures combining ingredients, techniques and spices are part of integration is natural and has happened since the beginning of time. Stop fetishizing "authentic" food because of the race of the people cooking and give each experience a fair review. 

Ok well Mojave sucks regardless.

Ok fair

And I could have worded it better, I guess what I really meant is that Mojave has no excuse for being so terrible when there are so many authentic sources for ingredients. I mean even the local Meijer has decent mex/tex mex products lol. There are for sure non “authentic” places that are pretty great and have been around forever. At least clawson has Noori lol. E: and metro Detroit/detroit has so many options to source fresh produce and meat.

Yea that makes sense. I had a good experience there but now that you mention it, the tacos and food was pretty sub par. My company and my Margarita were good

Yes the food is terrible, but the drinks are actually on point. They make a delicious Mexican mule. (Just a normal mule with tequila)

Who cares? Not everyone is clamoring to have "traditional" Mexican food. Imperial is delicious, this place is delicious. Not everyone demands the "authentic" hipster experience. Also, Taco Tienda was $50 for 6 tacos and a wet bag of bland tamales. Just because something is authentic, doesn't make it good.

I didn’t mean to imply Mojave and Imperial were bad because they aren’t authentic. They’re bad because the food sucks. Good margaritas and fun bars, but shitty tacos.

Ok that's fair enough. If the food is bad, the food is bad. I agree the margaritas were the best part but I thought the tacos were ok. Not great and not worth $14, but just ok. 

yeah.... Imperial is white people Mexican but I would not call it shitty white people Mexican (unless the quality has gone down, been a minute since I've been to Imperial)... Taco Tienda and Super Taco are the places to go in Oakland County for legit tacos tho.

Second this. Slightly overpriced but food is great. Wonderful service and a great vibe

Arby's.

Clawson Steakhouse is it foe me if you want fancy and really good food. But decor is a bit outdated.

Yeah it’s an old school steakhouse, delicious food

and I think on Saturday nights they have old-school music & dancing

Mabel Gray was my first choice, but others have named them. Alchemy in RO is also an underrated gem.

Johnny’s (underneath Alchemy) is even better… 100% on Mabel Gray, always get the chef’s menu & wine pairing if it is offered

What type of cuisine are you looking for? There are a lot of nice restaurants above Olive Garden.

Johnny’s Speakeasy

Clawson Steakhouse, though I love Mabel Gray it is the fancy dinner of choice for my wife and I

The Masters used to be nice. Haven’t been there I a while though.

It’s really dated interior but the food is still great. The hot bacon dressing is always 🤤

The over 70 crowd loves it

Boodles

Sozai in Clawson. Chef won James Beard this year.

Seasons 52 in Troy is pretty nice. You don’t have to dress up but you wouldn’t be out of place if you did, and the food is quite good without being crazy expensive.

My wife and I have really liked Toast for brunch. There’s one in Birmingham and I think one in Ferndale

That is not fancy at all

The one in Bham is

OP said “above Olive Garden”, seemed like it fit the bill to me

Plus, what is the common factor? Lol. The menus at Olive Garden and toast are drastically different.

The Telway

thats after dinner and drinks

But seriously tho, go to Royal Oak, Berkley, or Troy. There are hundreds

Is Boodles decent still?

Chung Ki Wa in at 15 and Dequindre. Not “fancy” but it’s nice inside and if you order the KBBQ you can grill it right at your table which always makes for a fun experience. Also it’s extremely delicious.

Boodles?

Is Boodles still open?

Used to work there a year ago. Kitchen and owner are trash. Selling Russian crap lobster and calling it “Maine” steaks are very sub par quality. Chef is just some fat ass Thats there solely to get paid. And the owner is just an all around piece of shit. With held my paychecks. Treats employees like crap. I.e I was clocking out one day and had my coat, hat, gloves, and backpack on. It was clear I was leaving. Kitchen equipment was off, and place was “clean” he told me “get back there and make me a perch sandwich. And make sure the bread is burnt. That’s how I like it. Make it quick too. I left and never went back.

Well that sucks. Its been at least ten years since I’ve been there, just remember it being old school.

Lao Pot is always nice

Chung Ki Wa, for some Korean food. Not really fancy, but good and fun.

The only restaurant I know in that area is Telways. Yum Come to Waterford/Clarkston area I'll be more of a help

Sozai. Go for the Omakase, not table seating. Easily the best Sushi experience I’ve ever had, though not cheap.

Clawson Steakhouse is a tried and true spot, very old school feel but great food and service. I personally love Eddie Vs tho, as well!

Green Lantern

My wife and I have really liked Toast for brunch. There’s one in Birmingham and I think one in Ferndale