Vellum (07-05-2013)

Vellum
Ann Arbor, MI
Friday, 7/5/2013
http://vellumrestaurant.com/

With a fresh move from Los Angeles (an underestimated food city imho) to the small college town of Ann Arbor (actually known for a relatively good dining scene, especially given the size of the area), I asked local colleagues and friends for some restaurant recommendations.  Vellum, in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, was consistently mentioned and thus became my first stop for local Midwest American cuisine.  The kitchen is headed by locally-raised chef Peter Roumanis, voted one of fifty 2013 Eater Young Guns semi-finalists.

Amuse Bouche: Chips & Dip - barley chip, caramelized cream, pickled radish, chive puree, smoked paprika

 

Kuhnhenn DRIPA, Double Rice IPA, Warren, MI [$5]

Bread, butter, salt

Beef Tartare - black truffle, pickle, egg, parmagiano-reggiano [$12]

Shrimp and Grits - pickled bell peppers, biscuit [$14]

Pan-Fried Walleye - brandade apples, shallot, toasted brioche crumbs, onion jus [$26]

New Holland Monkey King, Farmhouse Saison, Holland, MI [$5]

Pork Shoulder & Belly - potato puree, mustard greens, corn fan, pickled strawberries [$26]

 Potato Puree

Basil Cake - meyer lemon ice cream [$8]

Petit Four: Nougat - dense marshmallow, nuts, dried berries

Verdict

Pros:

- big city food in a charming Midwest town

- multiple components on each dish--successful in developing complex (and suprising) flavors and textures

- a "fine-dining" experience with an opening amuse and a closing petit four

- good selection of local brews on draft

- I love spongy basil cake!

Con:

- ok, so I had a very nice waitress but she was oddly mechanical and uncomfortable.  Maybe she was a new server?  She even did a pseudo-curtsey after bringing one of the beers!

- I get the concept of small plates, but these were on the smaller side, no?