<p>Do those prices include overnight accomodations? </p>
<p>I do think Alexandre is aiming higher on the food chain than I am. Guess I might need to find a new partner. But I think Ann Arbor could support both my restaurant and his, and it would be a better place for it. It’s surprising it’s not more of a “foodie” town than it is–all those faculty and university administrators, plus lots of other professionals. It works for students, though.</p>
<p>“I do think Alexandre is aiming higher on the food chain than I am. Guess I might need to find a new partner.”</p>
<p>I am not so sure about that bclintonk. Most of those inns have two restaurants, one formal (haute cuisine) and one casual (bistro style). Both restaurants serve excellent meals but with very different philosophies. Not every meal that patrons have at those inns is meant to be formal. Formal meals take a long time to complete (3-4 hours) and can be very expensive. Most of the times, patrons want a casual meal. If you peruse of websites of the links I provided above, you will see that several of those properties have casual options in addition to their Michelin starred restaurants. For example, can see clearly that Maison Troisgros has a bistro of its own (Le Central), as well as Maison Pic (Le 7). Michel Guerard’s property, Les Pres D’Eugenie also has one (La Ferme Aux Grives). </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.troisgros.fr/english/central_cafe.php”>http://www.troisgros.fr/english/central_cafe.php</a>
<a href=“La maison Pic - Anne-Sophie Pic | Site officiel”>La maison Pic - Anne-Sophie Pic | Site officiel;
<a href=“http://www.michelguerard.com/table/ferme-aux-grives/”>http://www.michelguerard.com/table/ferme-aux-grives/</a></p>
<p>Those serve excellent meals to patrons seeking a more casual (and less expensive) experience. So, are we still on?! ;)</p>
<p>“But I think Ann Arbor could support both my restaurant and his, and it would be a better place for it. It’s surprising it’s not more of a “foodie” town than it is–all those faculty and university administrators, plus lots of other professionals.”</p>
<p>I agree bclintonk. And it is not just University administrators and faculty. Ann Arbor is home to thousands of professionals and executives of major companies like Ford, Kellogg, Dow Chemicals, Dominos etc…Furthermore, there are 10s of thousands of wealthy alums who return to Ann Arbor annually for game, reunions, family visits etc…With so many potential diners, Ann Arbor is easily able to sustain several excellent restaurants. </p>
<p>Also, and this speaks more to the Michelin starred type restaurant, Ann Arbor, particularly its Eastern section, is located less than 1 hour drive from several relatively affluent Detroit suburbs, such as Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Rochester, Troy etc…People would gladly drive 40-60 minutes for a world class restaurant. Finally, a restaurant of type would attract foodies from all over the US, and even from other countries.</p>
<p>rjk, I am not sure about which prices you are referring to. As a rule, those properties do not have room and board options (although many include very nice breakfasts along with a night’s stay). Prices for meals will be separate than prices for accommodation. A dinner at a highly rated Michelin restaurant will set one back anywhere from $200-$500/person, not including tips or alcoholic beverages. Lunches can often be significantly less expensive, but they will not have the same depth and complexity. Accommodation at those inns would cost anywhere from $250-$1,000/night, depending on the season and room-type (small basic room vs larger more luxurious suite). No matter how you look at it, they are expensive, but they are intended for special occasions only. That is why those inns usually only have 15-20 (some even fewer) rooms and suites and can only seat 30-40 diners at any point in time (which means no more than 60-80 diners at any given night).</p>
<p>“Do those prices include overnight accomodations?” I forgot to add the LOL or ;-)</p>
<p>Hehe! You should know by now that I never joke about food…or about universities.</p>
<p>BC, you realize now that every time I’m in Ann Arbor I’ll be sad your bistro doesn’t exist 
I’ve always found it a tad sad that I’ve never run across anything remotely exceptional while there, particularly since when I am, there is usually an occasion to celebrate! For Valentines Day, I had given my son and his girlfriend some money to treat themselves to a celebratory meal that’s a few cuts above student fare, then realized there wasn’t really anywhere for them to spend it :)</p>