Resturant Review

Ginopolis’ on the Grill Review

Ginopolis’ is located in Farmington Hills, Michigan, at the corner of 12 Mile and Middlebelt. Set among a very residential community, it is easily accessible for many people. There is no particular view, but it just flows along with all the businesses and neighborhoods in the area. At around eight on the evening of Wednesday, October 15, 2008, it was a cold, quiet night, but entering Ginopolis’ brought me warmth and comfort. You are greeted by the brothers that own the restaurant, Peter and John Ginopolis’. They keep their restaurant open everyday of the year for lunch and dinner. They also do catering and banquets for any occasion imaginable.

The major cuisine served is Greek, Italian, and American. The main courses consist of steak, ribs, seafood, sandwiches, or pasta. Ginopolis serves a variety of appetizers including calamari, crab cakes, and Greek sausage. They also have all your average salads like Greek and Caesar salads. However, the real reason to go to Ginopolis’ is the specialty, the world famous Montgomery Inn Ribs. These are the same as at Cincinnati’s famous Montgomery Inn. Overall, what you can get is limited, there aren’t a lot of options, but what they do have is very diverse. It is definitely worth going because no matter what you get, you are guaranteed to enjoy it. The selection mixes some of the best of some of different cultures, and extraordinary tastes are added from the unique sauces and spices used in the Ginopolis’ kitchens.

Ginopolis is labeled as a business restaurant. A lot of the people who dine there are eating there with clients or co-workers. It is a great place to hang out for dinner after a long hard day at work. This is a high class place to eat, probably either a three or four star restaurant. On some nights, it can also have the sense of being like a sports bar. It often plays host to many professional athletes. When the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 2002 the team took the cup to Ginopolis’ to celebrate as a group. It is also the official caterer of the Detroit Pistons, and if it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me. Reservations are only required for the two separate banquet halls. Ginopolis’ recommends calling ahead for reservations for everyday dining, but it is probably not necessary unless it is a holiday, or a special occasion.

The restaurant has a huge interior space, with a main dining hall, and two large banquet rooms. It seats over two hundred guests. Inside, it looks a lot fancier than it really is. The glasses, plates, and silverware all give the impression that you are high society. They build you up, and it’s worth it because the food is as good as the place looks. Everything is clean and tidy. To my surprise, even the restrooms were glowing in the dim light. The glasses and silverware are crystal clear as if they were brand new. It looks like they treat their restaurant with respect and admiration, the same way the guests are treated. The live classical music is soothing, and fits in well with the style. The whole place feels like a piece of history, like it is where the great people of the past came to eat. On the west wall is the wall of fame, which shows all the famous people who have dined there in the past. The tone is set when you walk in, and are greeted with the smell of freshly cooked meat, and impressed by the antiquity of the hall. The restaurant feels very spacious, and your table feels just right, neither too public nor too private. One more feature that is very important is the entire place is non-smoking, so you can enjoy yourself without worrying about the smell or your own health. If you are looking for an experience rather than just a meal, the setting at Ginopolis’ will keep you wanting to come back for more.

The food is just as good as the restaurant looks, outstanding. It all starts with the specialty, the Montgomery Inn Ribs. They are a fantastic treat that everybody needs to try at least once in their lives. The huge slab of ribs covers your whole plate. The meat is both high quality, and fresh. It is always cooked to perfection. The ribs are moist and tender, while being capped off with the perfect combination of barbeque sauce that makes your taste buds leap for joy. It isn’t just the main course that stands out; the salad is terrific as well. The fresh greens combined with your choice of dressing, creates the best combination of taste and health. However, the taste of the food comes with a price. The average appetizer costs around seven dollars, entrée at about fifteen dollars, and the deserts varies in price. It is an expensive meal, and you will be paying somewhere between twenty and thirty dollars. Everything costs a little bit too much if you value just the meal, but if you are all about the experience and service, than the food is relatively cheap considering everything that comes along with it.

The service was just as outstanding as everything else. The owners come to your table a number of times. They come at the beginning to make sure your comfortable and the also show up periodically to make sure everything is the way you want it. The waiters and waitresses are on top of your every need. They great you with a warm smile, making you feel that you belong there. They were also some of the most intelligent waiters I’ve ever met. They could answer any question about the food, or about the history of the restaurant. The service is only one aspect of the atmosphere. The food was brought to my table in only ten minutes. On most evenings they include live entertainment, usually some type of classical music. The service and entertainment make the atmosphere ideal, and contributes much to the experience.

I highly recommend Ginopolis’ on the Grill at least once. The tone is set by the greetings from the owner and waiters. They make the atmosphere warm and welcoming. It is followed up by the most outstanding meal, led by the Montgomery Inn ribs. I would definitely eat there again, but I would not go just for recreation. It is designed for business type occasions and you feel a little out of place just going for fun. If you ever need to cut a deal or suck up to your boss, Ginopolis’ is the place to take them. The only complaint I have is the food is a little over priced and wouldn’t fit most people budgets. Therefore, it has to be a very occasional trip, maybe a place to treat yourself after a achieving a big accomplishment. Overall, I thought it was excellent, the service was great, and the food was fantastic.

Work cited

1. Ginopolis’ on the Grill Home. Ginopolis’ on the Grill. 17 Oct. 2008 <http://www.ginopolis.com/ginopolis/home.htm>.

2. Banquet Room 1. Ginopolis’ on the Grill. 17 Oct. 2008 <http://www.ginopolis.com/ginopolis/banquet1.htm>.

3. Montgomery Ribs. Ginopolis’ on the grill. 17 Oct. 2008 <http://www.ginopolis.com/ginopolis/images/montgomeryRibs.jpg>.

4. Dinner. Ginopolis’ on the Grill. 17 Oct. 2008 <http://www.ginopolis.com/ginopolis/images/mainimage_dinner.jpg>.