General Manager Terry Martin shows off one of the fine selections from Melange's wine cellar.
Last week I received a call from Constance Crump. Would I like to attend a Meet & Greet at Mélange? Sounded like fun to me!
I slid out of work a bit early (5:30 is normal for me, so 5 is early!) and headed into town. North-bound Main was a parking lot at 5:15pm. (Is it like that every day?) I managed to skirt around it and scored a primo street spot on Liberty.
Mélange is right near The Ark. The main entrance is a beautiful staircase with bamboo stalks lining one wall. (The handicap entrance, a must if you need to avoid a long staircase, is through The Ark.) The restaurant is all muted oranges, yellows, and browns. It takes a moment for the eyes to adjust, but the effect is a very cozy and private feeling. That modern glassed-in wine cellar you see above divides the bar from the main dining room.
Mélange recently launched a new menu under Executive Chef Sam Ness, who has worked, among other places, at Nobu in New York. In addition to their pan-Asian menu, they have a full sushi bar. The sushi we had was excellent, and the menu selection is extensive, with both traditional favorites and some exotica. Sushi prices are surprisingly reasonable. (And during their 5-6pm happy hour, you can give their sushi menu a try at half-off.) Their dinner menu also looks good — watch for a more complete review of Melange when we go there for dinner... soon, I hope.
I enjoyed a glass of Two Brothers Big Tattoo Red 2005, a nice easy-drinking red with lots of berries in the aroma. The eponymous two brothers, Alex and Erik, created this wine to honor their mother, who suffered from breast cancer. For every bottle sold, they donate 50 cents to the Arlington, Virginia Hospice and to a breast cancer research foundation in their mother's name.
I'm actually sad to say that we didn't get to meet everyone at the meet-n-greet, but here are a few I'd like to give a shout out to...
Myrna Rugg (pictured at right with her husband Rick Cronn) is the Treasurer of the Ann Arbor Film Festival. I know it's a great film festival, but what I didn't know is that the AAFF is the third oldest film festival in the world, after the Venice Film Festival and Cannes. They made news in 2006 when state legislators attacked them for showing "objectionable" films and attempted to pass legislation to single out the AAFF and deny them state arts funding. In turn, the board voted to forego state funding so that they can continue to uphold the Festival's artistic integrity. They are seeking community support so that they can continue to bring independent and experimental film and video to Ann Arbor.
The 46th Ann Arbor Film Festival will be held March 25-30, 2008 at the historic Michigan and State theaters.
If you'd like to support the AAFF and see this wonderful world-famous film event continue, you can make a donation. (The AAFF is non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible.) As an added bonus, with your donation you get to vote for what "Act of Audacity" the AAFF crew will perform in public. If you were one of the lucky people to see the Glam Rock street performance on Oct 17 (I was not, sadly), you saw the first Act of Audacity.
When I started Kitchen Chick back in 2004, there were only two AA food blogs (that I knew about!) — mine and The Ulterior Epicure, who has since graduated and moved on to parts elsewhere. Since then AA's food blogging scene has grown a lot, though oddly I have yet to meet any others in person. (Hint hint - blogger meet-up and holiday cookie exchange, anyone?)
But last night I had the luck to meet Maria, Shana, and Anne who blog about food and the AA restaurant scene at The Gastronomical 3. (pictured left) They're giving the Annabella Chardonnay 2005 a try (crisp, sweet, lots of tropical fruit aromas and an oak finish). Go check them out.
And finally, none of us would have been there but for Constance Crump. Long time Ann Arborites may remember her and the Crumpettes' food adventures in the Ann Arbor News. Thank you, Connie!
Ooooh, blogger meet up/cookie exchange is a fabulous idea!! Before I started blogging, I remember hearing that some folks had blogging meet ups in the area. What a super idea :)
Posted by: Patti | October 25, 2007 at 11:29 PM
Main is a mess during rush hours. Not compared to a major city, obviously, but you can do yourself a big favor by doing your north-south traveling on the side streets. Downtown seems designed that way with the parking structure entrances off of Main and wide, one-way streets (Division, Fifth, Ashley, etc.) paralleling it and allowing faster transit.
As for Melange, I still haven't gone, but I have seen the restaurant and it looks really nice. The same can be said about their website and menu. Cool, slick, undoubtedly professional design. They have a lot of entrees just under the $20 price point, and when you consider that some of the... lower quality restaurants in that part of town have similar pricing, it seems like a steal. Though I was shocked to see that their edamame is $7.
Posted by: Alex | October 27, 2007 at 10:07 AM
I'm game for your cookie exchange - and check out my AA based food blog. http://motherskitchen.blogspot.com
I've enjoyed yours for quite some time!
Posted by: Moms Kitchen | October 27, 2007 at 05:36 PM
Hey Mom's Kitchen--I checked out your blog--love it :) I hate housework too, but love the other stuff.
Now of course you have to check out MY blog...and so it goes :)
Patti
Posted by: Patti | October 28, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Melange is several cuts above the rest of Main streets eateries even if it is below grade.
I tell out of town friends that we know the best places in town. Melange tops the list!
One of A2's undiscovered treats!
Posted by: mucho gusto | October 28, 2007 at 10:19 PM
So I guess Melange isn't the fake ad in this month's Observer, huh? And yes, North Main is always bad that time of day - commuters in a rush often block cyclists like me from crossing, by pulling into an intersection they know they won't be able to cross before the light changes - grrr!!!
Posted by: Tricia | October 28, 2007 at 10:50 PM
I like Melange' for a glass of wine ever so often--and the atmosphere is so relaxing and cozy. I am especially fond of their scallop entree' (even thought they took the wonderful appetizer version off the menu...boo!)
Posted by: Kate | December 05, 2007 at 08:21 PM