I was at Michael Symon's Roast earlier today for the official Detroit Restaurant Week press conference. Restaurant Week starts in 3 days, and already the reservations are filling up fast! If you want to make sure your restaurant isn't fully booked on the evening you choose to visit, be sure to make reservations in advance!
But back to Roast. Though I was not there in an official DRW preview capacity (look for my preview of Atlas Global Bistro on Thursday!), I did have the chance to sample some of their DRW menu, as well as some of their new Bar Menu.
DRW participants will have the chance to enjoy the Roasted Beast of the Day as part of their 3-course menu offering. This is a must for the full Roast experience; tender, juicy meat from the "beast" that was slow-cooked on the spit, visible to the entire dining room, the day before. Lenient vegetarians have a salmon option, which is also a fine dish. (From what people told me; I stuck with the meat.) Read the full DRW menu below, following the Bar Menu.
The Bar Menu is a new concept for Roast, and is similar to the Bar Burger at Bourbon Steak. Offered only in the bar area during the kitchen's regular hours of operation, the Bar Menu is a new, low-price offering perfect for a casual lunch or dinner. Offerings include wings, coney dogs, burgers and a BLT, but all with a special Roast flair. I tried the BBLT, a spicy BLT made with roasted pork belly. The coney dog is nothing like the chilli-slathered weiner you're probably used to seeing, and the burgers? Well, check out the menu:
Bar Menu
Pork Crackling ($7)
Sea salt, line, chili powder
Double Cooked Wings ($8)
Pickled chilies, cilantro, lime
Roast Coney Dog ($9)
Pulled Pork, jalapeno, cheddar, red hot sauce
Roast Burger ($12)
Bacon, cheddar, fried egg, pickled onion
Rock City Burger ($12)
Caramelized onion, bleu cheese, zip sauce
Symon Burger ($12)
Fried bologna, pickles, onion, cheddar, special sauce
BBLT ($13)
Pork belly, bacon, pickled tomato, cilantro, hot sauce
Detroit Restaurant Week Menu ($27, excluding tax and gratuity)
First Course
Mixed Green Salad
Shaved onion, grape tomatoes and red wine vinaigrette
Main Course (Choice of One)
Beast of the Day
Your server will inform you of the beast and preparations
Roasted Salmon
Bacon creamed corn, chilies and cilantro
Third Course
House-made creme brulee
As one of the most impressive restaurants in the city--both visually and conceptually--a trip to Roast is worthwhile, especially during Restaurant Week when the cost is considerably lower. Though in addition to your 3-course menu, I would also recommend you spend the extra $9 on an order of Roasted Marrow. Trust me on this.
