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The Forest Grill
in Birmingham
ALL-YOU-CAN-SEE
BUFFET.
y
Friday Night Live!
The Solaire Saxophone Quartet performs music by
George Frederick Handel, Astor Piazzala and Pedro
Iturralde at 7 and 8:30 p.m. in Rivera Court.
Family Sundays
Artist Hubert Massey, one of the few African American
artists painting in the true fresco style, leads a hands-sn
demonstration of fresco painting from noon-4 p.m.
Sunday Artist Lecture
Alain Locke f-ward Honoree Antis anP has depicted
Coleman Young, `lesson Mandela and Cprah
her paintings and sculpture A , hich
humanity's
emergence into spiritual aNareness. 2 p.m., Lecture Hal!.
Sponsored by Friends of African and African American Art.
Now on View
Rembrandt and the Face ofJesus, through February 12.
Extended hours!
For info on these and other events, visit dia.org
'„1/7/11V74-# J
- 1 /4,
DETROIT
INSTITUTE
OF ARTS
.3 1
74774,
777
Audi Sylvania
5570 Monroe St. I Sylvania, OH
www.sylvaniaaudi.com
Keep your company top of mind with our readers.
ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 248.351.5107
Visit theJEWISHNEWS.com
10 February 9 a 2012
our valentine will feel special
arugula, asparagus, Parmesan, aged bal-
if you dine out at Forest Grill
samic, Parmesan reggiano; or Vegetarian
in Birmingham. And you do
Parisian Gnocchi, served with spring
want to encourage that, don't you?
vegetables and wild mushrooms. I appre-
Turns out this place is pretty great
ciated the blended flavors in the simply
for everyone — you, your parents, your
seasoned grilled chicken dish, though a
kids, your friends, your busi-
complete stalk of asparagus
ness associates, too. Award-
would have made it better.
winning chef/proprietor
For the third course, the
Brian Polcyn and his execu-
wonderfully silky Chocolate
tive chef, David Gilbert, both
Pot de Creme is the other
studied under European
dessert in either package. All
culinary masters and bring
meals served here come with
an inventive flair to the bis-
a warm loaf of seeded bread.
tro's French, Italian and con-
The regular Forest Grill
temporary American menu.
menu is no slouch either. It's
Esther
Polcyn's motto is "Cooking
highlighted by house-made
Allweiss
What Nature Provides" and
charcuterie, clay oven-baked
Ingber
indeed, the cuisine here is
pizzas, a raw bar and traditional
Contributing
fresh and flavorful.
bistro dishes. Appetizers include
Writer
That brings to mind Forest
black truffle risotto, baked short
Grill's bread pudding. It's just
rib and seared scallop.
incredible. A cinnamon brioche is baked
For those who enjoy wine and cham-
with bits of dark chocolate, then topped
pagne, the Forest Grill's wine cellar,
with a scoop of vanilla bean gelato. Its
overseen by Monica Gilbert and Master
crusty, comforting and sweet, a perfect
Sommelier Claudia Tyagi, includes 48
melding of warm and cold tastes. Every
grape varieties from 50 growing regions.
spoonful is heavenly, and you'll be done
Diners may try multiple wine styles in
way too soon.
three-ounce portions for the price of a
Order the bread pudding a la carte or
traditional glass of wine.
as a choice on both the Stimulus Lunch
Forest Grill is located on the ground
Package ($15) or Dinner Package ($30). floor of a modern, brick mixed-use
These prix-fixe meals are a great value,
building, 735 Forest, in Birmingham's
not including tax or gratuity. Diners get
so-called triangle neighborhood, east
to enjoy three courses with a choice of
of Woodward and south of Maple.
two options — the same list every day.
Residents living in the luxury lofts have
For starters, at either lunch or dinner,
indoor parking; office suites comprise
there's fragrant Tomato Bisque En Croute, the second floor. The bistro has a con-
a little crock of soup with puff pastry on
temporary but plain decor — subdued
top. Or, select Baby Heirloom Beet Salad
colors, dark wood floor and tables.
(dinner) or Whole Leaf Caesar Salad
Dominating the space are huge win-
(lunch). I went with the Caesar, a pretty
dows with shades looking out on Forest
plate of hearts of romaine, Hass avo-
and adjacent Elm. Jazz played during
cado (it needed more!), garlic croutons,
my lunchtime visit. Unfortunately, the
Parmesan chips, Spanish white anchovy
restroom requires a walk outside the
and lemon slice on top.
room and down a flight of stairs.
At dinner, the package's entree
Polcyn, an alumnus of The Lark and
(middle) course, is either Spiced Trout
the former Golden Mushroom, formerly
Amandine with butter-poached fava
owned Pike Street Restaurant, Chimayo
beans, almonds and corn pudding; or
and Acadia. Since 1995, he's helmed Five
Veal Cheeks, a tender cut accompanied
Lakes Grill in Milford. Forest Grill was
by Parisian herb-and-Ricotta cheese
chosen Detroit Free Press Restaurant of
gnocchi, wilted spinach and tomato.
the Year for 2010. Deservedly so.
Forest Grill General Manager Monica
Gilbert, married to Chef David, said
The Forest Grill
menus change seasonally but never the
735
Forest Ave.
Veal Cheeks. "It's been a perennial favor-
Birmingham,
MI 48009
ite since we opened:' she said.
(248)
258-9400
The second course on the Stimulus
www.theforestgrill.com
lunch menu is either Chicken Paillard,
$$$ out of $$$$
topped with wild mushrooms, baby
❑