arts & life

fressing
with fishman

An Elegant Evening At Chapman House

T

here’s something charming about
drive. The property itself is evocative of
a dinner party. When you’re wel-
a European villa, though the interior has
comed into someone’s home, it’s a
a charming, almost colonial American
more personal and intimate dining experi- aesthetic with its grand main-level fire-
ence than you’d have at just another night
place, staircase and ceilings decorated with
in a restaurant. There’s a sort
elaborate plaster roses.
of casual warmth you don’t see
The restaurant seats 115 inside.
captured in a commercial setting
The first floor features a large
— and certainly an air of exclu-
communal table in the former
sivity that comes with a personal
family room, where on any given
invitation.
Saturday night live music echoes
Now imagine repurposing those
from the baby grand piano. The
feelings and that setting, but avail-
adjoining sunroom offers tables
able on demand.
for two with views of the beau-
Ryan
That’s exactly the feat they’ve
tifully manicured grounds. A
Fishman
accomplished at Chapman
standing-room-only bar serves
House, which started with a stun-
wine and 10 rotating beers on tap
ning home built in 1917, converted into
as well as an eclectic selection of cocktails.
an 8,200-square-foot dining experience in
Upstairs, the original bedroom walls
downtown Rochester (311 Walnut Blvd.).
remain, providing the opportunity for a
But ensuring their customers feel as
more private dining experience. Pocket
though they’re guests was no simple task.
doors can close to create intimate spaces,
Executive Chef Chris Cason spent a year
while the home’s original, oversized win-
developing the foundations of a market-
dows make each space feel open, capturing
oriented menu that blossoms with each
stunning views of the charming downtown
season while developer Geoffrey Dancik
surroundings.
of Bentley Property Holdings LLC in
Outside, there’s seating for 30 on the
Birmingham steered four years’ worth of
raised terrace that faces Walnut and
period-correct renovations on the prop-
another 15 in the side courtyard. The stun-
erty.
ning backyard can host private parties of
The restaurant opened in June, and
up to 100 guests.
the final product is stunning. The archi-
The basement features a private dining
tecture and grounds alone are worth the
and tasting room for eight, wine lockers, a

walk-in cooler, freezer and prep kitchen.
The menu isn’t quite French, per Chef
Cason, but modern American cuisine
inspired by French tradition. The dishes
incorporate Michigan’s vegetable-oriented
agriculture, but not just in spirit — most
of their vendors are local, like Del Bene
Produce and Fairway Packing Company,
both in Detroit’s Eastern Market.
Before landing in Rochester, Cason
spent a decade developing menus in
Chicago and Detroit. His first restaurant
job was at Bill Robert’s Streetside Seafood
in Birmingham, before joining James
Beard-winning chef Takashi Yagihashi at
Tribute in Farmington Hills and follow-
ing him to Michelin-starred Takashi in
Chicago. When he moved home with his
family, Cason landed at Michael Symon’s
Roast in Detroit.
His impressive pedigree shines through
in the care and attention devoted to the
taste and presentation of his dishes. The
arancini appetizer was phenomenal, and
the farm lettuce salad had a near-perfect
vinaigrette that played elegantly off sliced
figs.
The seared duck breast served with
quinoa, celery root and blackberry was
a charming entree that beautifully cap-
tured the changing season. The semolina
gnocchi, too, expertly played off summer
vegetables. The glazed golden beets with

hazelnut and chive were excellent.
From start to finish, Chapman House is
a charming and elegant experience.
The menu is intended to constantly
change with the season, but is available
on its website, www.chapman-house.com.
Call (248) 759-4406 for reservations.

MAZEL TOV
To Allie Singer and Blaine Hirsch on their
marriage.
Happy birthday to Carly Astrein, Andy
Blitz, Kellie Kaplan, Max Grossman,
Phyllis Grossman, Prosecutor David
Leyton, Southfield City Councilman
Michael Ari Mandelbaum, Michael Morse,
Zachary Shifman and Michael Stillman.

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56 September 8 • 2016