Bistro 222 in the News
Dearborn Spot Thrives on Good Food and Good Service
By Molly Abraham
The neon-sparked restaurant that was directly across the street when Bistro 222 opened a little more than two years ago is gone, its flashiness apparently not enough to keep it in business.
The smaller, almost unobtrusive bistro, however, thrives. Score one for subtlety and reserve. Sometimes those who speak softly get the most listeners, or in this case, diners. [Read more here at the Detroit News]
Best Fine-Dining Value - Bistro 222
By Metro Times Staff
Veteran chef Michael Chamas (LA Express, La Dolce Vita), who trained with Wolfgang Puck and Keith Famie, has put together a near-perfect bistro. Such a romantic setting and colorful and creative dishes usually come at a price. But not here where you can feast on risotto with diver scallops and shrimp or sautéed lake perch in a creamy caper sauce among entrées that hover around the $16 mark. The bistro became even more attractive after Chamas finally obtained a liquor license and filled his list with affordable interesting bottles. [Read more here at the Metro Times]
Bistro 222: Three Savory Startups
By Christopher Cook
This new café in Dearborn, which opened with little fanfare about 18 months ago, has European sensibilities. The sophisticated menu of chef-owner Michael Chamas (formerly of La Dolce Vita in Detroit and Wolfgang Puck in San Francisco) blends Italian and California-influenced dishes emphasizing fresh herbs, light cooking, and quality ingredients.
[Read more here at Hour Detroit]
Bistro 222: Homey Haven
By Christopher Cook
In an amusing television commercial, two women try repeatedly to get a waiter’s attention. Finally, on his umpteenth trip past their table, one of the women trips him and he goes flying through a window and into the street.
Exaggerated, perhaps, but there’s a dollop of truth in that scene. Too many restaurants and servers do indeed have a bad attitude.
Superior restaurants also have ’tude, but a good kind that’s instantly noticeable. Bistro 222 in Dearborn has very good ’tude. In fact, it’s one of the most well-rounded and balanced little restaurants that I’ve experienced in metro Detroit in recent years.
It’s almost reflexive to compare Bistro 222 to neighborhood restaurants in Chicago or New York, and that’s pretty accurate. But this dining room is closer in style and feel to small, well-run restaurants in France and Italy, those family-owned places where staff members are often cousins or nephews and nieces to the chef — and everyone genuinely works hard to please.
There’s nothing opulent or even trendy about Bistro 222. But then, owner-chef Michael Chamas says that’s what he wants. "When people walk in here, I want them to immediately feel at home" — as opposed to being in someone’s idea of a palace. [Read more here at Hour Detroit]
An evening @ Bistro 222 - Dearborn Restaurant Examiner Rating: 5 Stars
By Lori Squire
A trip to Bistro 222 is not so difficult once you realize that "222" is part of the 22266 Michigan Ave. address in Dearborn just West of Military and the "you can't miss it" landmark Sacred Heart Church. Bistro 222 parking is behind the building and the entrance ia a little hidden. Once you have been there it is much easier to find on your return trip and you will want to make a return trip. Park by Panera and walk past Buffalo Wild Wings. Once in the somewhat hidden entrance you will stroll by the Steven Bernard Jewelry Store with some lovely jewelry pieces. Moving toward the left you have finally arrived at Bistro 222. This homey, hidden gem occupies a 60 seat dining room although if all 60 seats were taken it may be a cozy fit. Seating is available along the window on Michigan Ave. or scattered around the room at tables and booths thick with stark white cotton linens and sparkling white dinnerwear.
The menu is interesting. The Bistro favorites seem to all be named after someone, such as Denise's teriyaki glazed salmon, Donna's seafood risotto, Bruce's crab cake and Terry's crusted lamb chops to name a few. For Appetizers we tasted the bruschetta which was amazingly delicious. We chose the Mediterranean and Debbie's Sesame salad which contained cabbage, carrot, scallions, angel hair pasta with a tangy ginger soy vinaigrette. All items were presented nicely and tasted even better. The well known famous mushroom soup was top of the line, truly rich, flavorful and delicious. The mezza-luna pasta proved to be flavorful stuffed with four cheeses in rich palomino sauce. The menu boasts a shrimp burger said to be "the best sandwich ever" which we did not have the pleasure of sampling although we did hear other patrons praising it as living up to it's reputation. Pace's Angus Steak was grilled with tobacco onions and came with green beans and mashed potatoes and was was surprisingly already sliced, something different. Terry's crusted lamb chops were unique and the marinate and hint of garlic gave the dish a distinct flavor that would make a fan of lamb out of anyone. Denise's teriyaki glazed salmon was prepared artistically and the standard mashed potatoes were replaced with rizotto without a problem. The salmon was amazingly delicious and each entree was a work of art delivered quickly by an attentive wait staff. The wine list is somewhat limited but covers the basics and we enjoyed a glass of the house Merlot which was as impressive as any well stocked wine cellar. The service was swift and precise and waitstaff knowledgeable regarding menu selections and preparation. [Read more here at the Examiner]
A west side winner - Bistro 222's "culinary adventure" in Dearborn
By Mel Small
When Michael Chamas opened Bistro 222 in Dearborn a year ago October, he didn't expect the economy to tank so disastrously, nor did he expect it would take him a year to obtain a liquor license. But now that he has his license, he is well-positioned to attract diners with his imaginative Californian-Italian cuisine and reasonable prices.
Chamas, who had been cooking at La Dolce Vita after he left the LA Express in 2001, stylishly retrofitted the old Peaches on Michigan between Military and Howard. The walls of his intimate room, which seats 60, are decorated in subdued shades of eggplant, avocado, Portobello and Chianti, and are accented with dark wooden panels. The only false note would be the oilcloth table coverings, which seem a bit out of place with the graceful flatware, heavy silver and the lovely miniature flower vase.
The knowledgeable manager and sommelier, Anis Habhab, who previously worked at Joe Muer's and La Dolce Vita, scurries about out front assisting his efficient serving staff as they work their tables. [Read more here at the Metro Times]
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