On Fat Tuesday, once a year, Amadeus turns into a massive bakery with just one product. And I ordered a dozen assorted Paczki. They were excellent. Not sweet like jelly donuts, not one pound gut bombs. The fillings included custard, lemon, raspberry, and prune. Each Pazcek is smeared with an an identifying glaze. For example, lemon Paczki have a lemon peel glaze. It's a nice touch. I spoke to one fellow (the owner?) who said that its a lot of work but they can stand to do it once a year. He had been up since 10AM Monday when I picked up my reserved Paczki on Tuesday morning. All of the tables were covered in steel trays of Paczki, quite a site. I think its great that Amadeus keeps this regional tradition alive. Place your order in advance.
(5)
Haroun K.
A cute Polish restaurant. I've only gone for dessert, wine, coffee, and cognac, all of which were good, but did not wow me. The service is friendly. Whenever I'm there though, it seems to be empty. I guess if I want to go somewhere just for liquor or dessert I wouldn't return here. But to get away from the crowds and any chance of people watching, this is the place.
(3)
E. S.
Romantic, intimate and quiet atmosphere - a perfect first-date restaurant. If you are lucky, your meal will be accompanied by live music (I love the guitarist). I've dined here four times or so, and the service was seamless, the food consistently good. Make sure you leave room for desserts. My favorite is Napoleon - French puff pastry dusted with powder sugar.
(4)
Mae S.
Very pleasant little place with tons of little Eastern-European decorative items like carved wood figures or tinsel castles. These stand all around, on the walls, dangling from the hems of the window curtains, and on little shelves. The garnished potato pancakes are like a huge pancake sandwich. Most of the foods we tried were enjoyable. When we have been there at dinner time, live classical piano music in the background was a nice touch. For Sunday brunch they offer several variations on the potato pancakes: with scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, salmon roe, beef goulash, chicken paprikash. Also one or two other choices. I am partial to brunch served neatly on a plate: NOT gorge-yourself buffets. So I find this appealing.
(3)
A. T.
Cute and cozy restaurant, good place for a lunch or dinner date. The Hungarian pancakes were tasty but so salty that I would never consider ordering them again; the pierogis are good, but stick with the mushroom. If you use their bathroom, be prepared for a little surprise.
(4)
Anna W.
Very cool. Kinda pricey, super small portions so order a lot. Great drinks.
Love this place! The food is always flawless and the service is great. A very eclectic/european dining room. The portion sizes are perfect if you're not used to crarcker barrell type portions. The presentation is superb. I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Anna B.
I went here for lunch today right after it opened. I was pretty unsure about what to order, but ended up with the Hungarian Pancakes. I was not disappointed! First some fresh, warm rolls came out. Then the entree came out shortly after. The goulash was tasty and the pancakes were soft. It came with a side salad and kapusta salad, which was also very tasty. Also tried the house cheese cake and Amadeus coffee. The cheese cake was a little thicker than I expected but tasted nice, not too sweet. Atmosphere is very cute and definitely sets this place apart from other local restaurants... I would like to take any visitors to Ann Arbor here in the future.
(5)
Scott P.
Some of the best Eastern European food I have eaten anywhere. The ambiance is lovely and tastefully done with about 12-14 tables inside and some outdoor patio seating as well. Robin was passionate about providing the best dining experience possible even being initially a bit short handed. She was attentive, knowledgeable and offered some great recommendations. She is clearly invested in her job and it shows. Our table of three had two appetizers- the pierogi sample plate and the kielbasa plate. The sausage is made for them by a local butcher to their recipe and is exceptional and bursting with flavor. The pierogi were tender with a flavorful stuffing of cheese and potato. The wonderful homemade rolls were served in a basket and were fresh from the oven. I ordered the Goulash and it was incredible - actually, the best I have ever eaten. Big chunks of quality beef that literally melts in your mouth. The beef appeared to be braised then slow cooked in a rich sauce with hints of tomato, pepper, onion, paprika and other spices. It was served, at my request, over the homemade dumplings rather than the more traditional wide noodles. The dumplings were cooked perfectly and had some bite to them without being undercooked. During dinner I had a glass of the house Pinot Grigio which was very reasonably priced and quite good for a house wine. I topped dinner off with a dessert called the Castanza. It was an orange liqueur sponge cake with layers of dark and white chocolate mousse. The presentation of each plate was artistic and appealing without being overly pretentious. I am thankful I still have two nights here in Ann Arbor for my conference. Tonight was the first time I have been to Amadeus, it will not be my last.
(5)
Jenn H.
Came for Sunday brunch - They're not open for dinner on Sundays. The Sunday Brunch menu is different from the rest of the day. I tried the fruit pierogi - blueberry. It is like giant fruity gnocchi. Didn't find any almond flakes tho. Overall it was ok & definitely filling. The restaurant is super cute - lots of decor. The dessert menu looks delicious but we were too full to try it.
(3)
Aru S.
Real snooty waiters!! We waited about 10 mins to get their attention. We felt VERY not welcomed. We sat on the outside table very dissapointed. The place wasn't even busy! It just felt like they were racists only cater to European people. We had no other choice but leaving the place unattended. Never had this feeling in restaurant in the whole United States. Never going back. Hope I can give them NEGATIVE stars.
(1)
Abe M.
I came for the Valentines day Special, which consisted of: 1)Choice of Soup (Dill or Sweet Potato Lemon Ginger) 4/5 2) 1 appetizer ( we got the creamed Herring) 0/5 (had to force it down) 3) salads (basic) 2/5 4) choice of entree (I got the potato pancake over chicken slaw, GF got the keilbasa)2/5 ,4/5 5) choice of dessert (passion fruit sponge cake) 3/5 They tried, they really did. Maybe it was my fault for choosing an eastern European restaurant for Vday, but I believe that the food was overpriced for what we got. I mean, I thought the sausage would provide some sort of phallic response in my GF, but the mood was just kind of depressing.
(3)
Allison M.
In Ann Arbor for only a day, my boyfriend and I decided to duck into Amadeus for his birthday dinner. We shared the Amadeus Placek as an appetizer which we thoroughly enjoyed. For dinner I had the Vegetarian Plate and he the Hungarian Pancakes. Though the waitress we had seemed a little distant, the experience was overall lovely. An man softly played acoustic guitar in the background (which I'm usually not a fan of) and we were able to toast some wine and people watch out the window. I have already sent friends visiting Ann Arbor to Amadeus and all have enjoyed it. I will definitely return the next time I visit!
(4)
Martha V.
We've been to Amadeus several times over the years and recently returned for a visit this winter. I hovered between a 3 and a 4 on this one. I really like the food here. Paprikash, pierogies, all so tasty. It is fairly heavy and not inexpensive, but we've always had great food. The interior of the restaurant is charming in an old world sort of a way. I love the way the light from inside the restaurant illuminates the street. The restaurant can be quiet at times. They offer Sunday brunch which I've never tried but looks really good. Parking is convenient - there is a structure right across Washington but it does fill up.
(4)
Edward K.
A diamond in the rough. I have always found the kielbasa, pierogi, goulash, and golabki to be tasty. Personally, polish food has always been something of a comfort food. The waitresses are always super nice and offer recommendations. Never been unhappy with a meal I've ordered. You should definitely try the apple pie vodka. On weekends they have someone play classical guitar or piano. There is definitely nothing like this place in Ann Arbor.
(5)
Kimberly P.
My husband and I came here on a Friday night for dinner a couple of weeks ago. On a Friday night at 7pm I expected them to be pretty busy, but there were only two other tables with guests and the rest were empty. When we entered, we were greeted by the faint whiff of what smelled like sewer water. Long story short, the food was mostly okay but expensive for the portion sizes and ingredients used. $19 for a modest serving of chicken over noodles? And $9 for a single, oily potato pancake with a small piece of smoked salmon on top. Service was slow, but I had read that was the case in other reviews so I knew to expect that. During our meal I saw a man who I assume is the owner come in the front door wearing short shorts and carrying a large box of GFS sour cream and a gym bag and then fiddle with the thermostat. Something about that didn't sit right with me. Maybe you could bring ingredients in through the back door? While wearing pants? We were not very impressed with dessert either. My husband said his cake tasted like ash and not much else. He was actually so disappointed by dessert that we stopped at Iorio's Gelateria afterward. We will not be back to Amadeus anytime soon.
(2)
Libby W.
A friend recommended the brunch here, so my bf & I decided to check it out on a Sunday morning before heading back to Seattle. I am a European mutt, part Ukrainian and Polish (among other things), so I was already familiar with a lot of the menu - stuff grandma used to make! But I've never been to a restaurant that specializes in Eastern European cuisine beyond typical Jewish deli fare, so this was a really fun break from your standard Sunday brunch offerings. The atmosphere is charming and cozy, and we were sat at a nice table in one of the front windows. We were there with another couple, and we all cleaned our plates. I got the pierogi breakfast, which comes with 3 pierogis of your choosing. I chose the farmer's cheese, mushroom, and sauerkraut. I haven't had pierogis in a long time, so it was quite a treat! They were kind of lukewarm when they got to me, but I was starving and super excited about pierogis, so it wasn't that big a deal. We had a nice time here, and service was good. Bloody Marys are strong! Always a plus for us.
(4)
Michael S.
We stumbled into this place while walking around Main Street in search of a place to have breakfast. It is visual delight, from the moment you step through the burgundy curtain at the entrance. I had the "Polish Breakfast"
(5)
Lise G.
Amadeus Restaurant and Cafe has to be one of my favorite restaurants in this city! The food is consistently delicious, staff is well knowledgeable about the menu and the desserts are so delectable and worth saving room for accompanied with Viennese Coffee or a Cappuccino. A true European delight!
(5)
MB S.
This is five stars because of the combination of excellent food and affordable prices. The pierogie selection is yummy and perfectly prepared. The other appetizers and entrees are authentic Eastern European fare--always tasty. I had the dill pickle soup for the first time earlier this week and I can't get it out of my mind: light yet filling, not too salty with lots of fresh dill balancing the carrots and potatoes. The desserts are outstanding--maybe the best in town. We shared the lemon cake and it was a combination of cheese cake, a lemon layer with a crunchy cake layer. Or you can go with traditional sacher torte or other flourless cakes--all exquisite.
(5)
Michelle C.
Aw man... What a disappointment! I went with a group of 12. We were all famished and really excited to order. Well, it took 15 minutes for the server to come get our drinnk orders. It took an additional 15 minutes for the server to get our bottle of wine, 2 soft drinks, and 5 cocktails. It took another 30 minutes before the server came to take our dinner orders. At this point, I decided to hold my questions about the menu and just order something. At this time, we had indicated that we would like 6 separate checks. It then took 45 minutes for our food to come. Hungarian potato pancakes were good but not remarkable enough for me to want to go back. I tried someone's pierogis- the mushroom pierogis were good but after trying the pork ones, I actually had to excuse myself to go to the bathroom. We decided to forgo dessert since we had been at this restaurant for over 2.5 hours. We asked for the check- which came 30 minutes later. It was a 3.5-foot long narrow paper with just prices on it. No descriptions. No names. Just numbers. All in one check. for 12 people. The server said that she couldn't help us figure it out because she was busy. She handed our table their menu so we can figure out how much we owe. We calculated everything out with tip & tax, but the bill was still $35 over what we had ordered. At this point, we all knew that it wasn't going to get worked out. We paid the extra $35 for whatever it may have been, and vowed to never go back.
(1)
Jody M.
What a lovely experience dining at Amadeus this evening. Robin, our waitress was helpful and funny! The food was amazing! We also met and talked with the owner whose grandfather owned restaurants in Warsaw prior to WW2. We will certainly make a point to return on our next trip to Ann Arbor from our home in Redlands, CA.
(5)
Kathleen B.
Salmon potato pancakes are really good! Definitely an appetizer-sized portion, but the dill sauce is tasty and smoked salmon not overly fishy. The classical music is a bit much, but this place is definitely reminiscent of my trip to Budapest. Worth a visit!
(4)
Ryan B.
Doesn't Disappoint for Restaurant Week 2013. I ventured to the middle of Europe with a friend for Restaurant Week (Jan. 2013) and really enjoyed myself. Dishes of Note: The Dill Pickle Soup is not salty, but a delicious and mouth watering tease before your main meal. The salads come with their home-made buttermilk ranch. Yea, no need to say more. The Dumplings (in anything) are delicious. Favorite part of the Bitki with Kopytka. But the real treat is dessert. For about $7 you can get sweet, savory, rich, creamy, bitter, or strong! We had the Raspberry Passion Fruit Mousse (6/5) and an off menu brownie, fudge- layered with white/dark chocolate cake that was also fantastic (5/5). And to top it all off, I had THE BEST waitress imaginable. So why not 5 stars? Price. Everything (but the dessert) is quite pricy. If not for the $28 deal, I probably would have paid $45 (without tip). Not the most affordable. But I will be back to treat someone to dessert in Europe without leaving Ann Arbor.
(4)
Reese S.
This was very nice. The atmosphere of the restaurant is beautiful. There was a live pianist and it was very classy dining. The pirogies were delicious and the herring appetizer was tasty. We had a lemon mascarpone dessert and it was divine. Lovely romantic little place.
(4)
Matthew B.
Authentic but not the best I've had. Having lived in Germany and visited Poland and Hungary, I'm very familiar with Eastern European food-and I'm a fan of it. I ordered the Golabki plate at Sunday brunch. The eggs and salad were very good; the potato pancake had good flavor but was soggy. The cabbage roll was the real disappointment- the meat filling tasted as though it came out of a can. However, the price was reasonable and the service was good. I guess you get what you pay for.
(3)
Michelle T.
The food was delicious, especially the goulash and potatoe pancakes. You can tell everything is homemade. The american cheese pierogis were really great. The atmosphere is romantic they even had a pianist playing while we ate dinner. Service was really good.
(5)
Simon B.
This is a great Polish restaurant in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. The staff is 1st generation and cooks like its their home kitchen. The golabki (stuffed cabbage) is great, along with all of their soups and any dish with salmon in it. The food is hearty and filling, but not too overwhelming. The staff is warm and very friendly. They even have live music on Friday and Saturday nights sometimes. Great local pianists and violinists come in and set a great atmosphere for dates, family occasions, or just a nice dinner before a night out on Main Street.
(5)
Detroit R.
I've eaten here a few times. So far, I've had the goulash, potato pancakes, borsht and dill pickle soup. I enjoyed them all. I'm not putting this place on my regular stop list, but I would definitely go back again.
(3)
Irina Z.
Very yummy Eastern European food - don't miss the cakes in the window display in the back!
(4)
Bridget K.
Still great. We went for our two year anniversary, I think our favorite pirogi was the mushroom one. Just great. We don't go here more because it is a little pricey for every day for us, but the food is worth it.
(5)
Daniel L.
My wife and I were walking down Washington Ave and came upon a European looking bistro. Checked out the menu and decided to go in. I opened the door and walked back into time to a turn of the century Viennese restaurant. The ambience and Mozartian music set the tone. When is the last time you were able to have a meal hearing a nice arrangement of symphony music. And was I in for surprise - my first true gourmet Eastern European meal. The beet soup (borcz) was different and excellent - rich and yet light. The presentation of the meal was superb. Homemade sauerkraut was unique and superb. The best pierogis I have ever had - soft, tender, and excellent mushrooms. The kielbasa was excellently prepared. I had a reasonable and very good glass of Bordeaux wine that was recommended along with an Italian cheesecake the like I have never had. I will be back and this is a 65 mile trip one way from my house. PS. I would suggest that when you go to the Amadeus that you use your imagination. Let the experience come to you and its own pace. Bring conversation, have a bootle of wine and let the meal unfold. You will not get American portion of food. It will be quality and not quantity. This will ensure you have room for one of their excellent deserts (and I am not normally a desert person).
(5)
Robby G.
First, I am an appreciator of ambiance, and Amadeus has done a wonderful job. Low lighting, comforting fabrics, classical music on the speakers, and plentiful kitsch. The servers have a relaxed focus that makes me feel welcome and at ease. The food is simple and elegant, with lots of creamy textures and flavors. I get the feeling that this would be what I'd be served in the home of my Polish grandparents, using recipes that their parents taught them. I come here when I need a quiet afternoon and a hearty meal, and the prices are very fair.
(4)
D D.
Great authentic European place. Authentic ingredients and cooking style. Very nice service and atmosphere. It feels like traveling to Europe for a couple of hours. Absolutely recommended
(5)
Robin L.
This is a really cute place with really nice servers. They give you warm rolls with an amazing orange marmalade which i'm pretty sure they make on their own. My boyfriend and I went for brunch and both of us LOVED our selections, and were stuffed after. I'm pretty sure whatever you pick you'll be very happy, as long and you're into eastern european food.
I had been craving some Polish food for a while but I was not interested in driving all the way in to Stabtramck, so I decided to try this adorable little place in downtown Ann Arbor. And it is adorable and cozy with hand-carved chotchkies all around. In the center stands an old piano and when we walked in, one of the patrons had taken it upon himself to start playing and singing. I was kind of in love at that point...and then the relationship soured a bit. I guess if I had to describe the food in this place in one word, it would be 'adequate'. Not disgusting but not amazing either. The ogorkowa, salad, and bread basket were probably my favorite parts of the meal. The ogorkowa was creamy yet light and filled with pickle flavor as it should be. The side salad was freshly prepared (i.e. not out of a bag), and the bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and faintly tasted of garlic. For an appetizer, we ordered the Krakow pancake, which is a potato pancake with kielbasa. The potato cake was bland and greasy not crispy. The kielbasa....I want to know where the proprietor gets his kielbasa from because it tastes closer to Eckrich than any smoked fare I've had at any halfway competent meat market. I was sad and I wished I would've changed my order but it was kind of too late. I ordered the Polish Platter and my boyfriend had the Bitki with Kopytka. The Polish Platter came with more mediocre kielbasa (which was made better by the mustard that came with it), a pierogi, an oh so small scoop of bigos, and a golabek. I chose a potato farmers cheese pierogi and it came boiled not pan-fried and crispy which was another disappointment. The bigos had promise but it was literally a tablespoon hidden under the rest of the food and I felt like I didn't get enough of a taste to appreciate it. The golabek...the ground pork inside was reminiscent of my Polish grandmother's meatballs, but the roll itself was bland, I've had and made better. My boyfriend's pork was pretty good, but the star of his plate were his creamy potato dumplings. I could eat many of those. The dessert was also okay. We ordered the Constanza, or white and dark chocolate mousse on top of an orange liqueur soaked sponge cake. The mousse was good but the sponge was nonexistent...a very thin layer and I was hoping for more. That could sum up the whole experience: hoping for more. It was fine, but for the price, I don't believe there were enough high points to bring me back to this place. I guess I will have to make my way to Stabtramck after all.
(3)
Shannon A.
When I first walked in I was really put off by the eccentric decorations that appear to overwhelm the small dining room. The atmosphere grew on my gradually, and I think my boyfriend got a kick out of the giant Christmas tree with musical instruments stuck within it hanging from the ceiling. It is definitely a unique atmosphere. My dad is from Poland and knows how hard it is to make pierogis from scratch (we attempt it every Christmas), so he forgave the pre-prepared and boiled brunch pierogis; I wouldn't touch them. My potato pancakes were way too greasy and the kitchen refused to make me egg whites, so I ended up eating off my dad and boyfriends' plates. There was also a hair in my bf's salad -_-. Why three stars? The coffee/espresso is IMPECCABLE and they make their whipped cream in house. The European dessert selection is incredible and everything that we sampled was to die for. The environment grew on me so much that I think I'd go back for coffee and sweets. Doubt that I would order brunch there again given the bad experience this morning, combined with a $53 bill for small portions.
(3)
Jessica R.
I've put off eating at Amadeus for years now, but I'm glad we went last night. It was an interesting meal with lots of fun tastes. Overall, though, I was not won over. The menu had so much that looked good, but no one specific thing that called out to me. I ordered the vegetarian sampler, which for $17 gave me one potato schnitzel, one pierogi, and one salad (plus the usual side salad and bread that comes with an entree). The side salad with a subtle ranch was fine, and the bread was awesome--little fresh puffs, really. The sampler, itself, was okay. I LOVED the schnitzel, though in retrospect it was a bit greasy. It was about the size of flattened golf ball. The pierogi (farmer's cheese and potato) didn't taste like much of anything and was small (similar to the schnitzel). The salad came in a cream sauce, which surprised me (this was my mistake, based on how I'd misunderstood the menu); it had way too much sauce for my taste. I also got to taste some kielbasa and sauerkraut, and both seemed really nice. But as Annette J says, it all falls a little flat. There were also little things that started to weigh on me. We sat in the window seat, which gave us a nice view of the street, but which was oddly over-air conditioned. The chairs were uncomfy (you either had to lean way back in the seat or keep yourself forward against the structure of the chair). The service took a LONG time; the waitress kept apologizing (which felt awkward), but I see from other Yelp reviews that the service is always slow. Finally, there were small mistakes here or there--the wrong beer brought to us, one beer with too little in it... So I debate a 2 and 3. I decided to give a 3 because I feel like if I had ordered one of the two other meals I'd tasted, I would have liked the place more (my pierogi and warsaw salad just fell so very flat). I also walked out really happy with the experience, and it's only hitting me now--the next morning--that I wasn't that thrilled. So in the moment it was fine. I can say that a big part of this newly settling disappointment is the price. My plate was a small portion of okay food, with mediocre service. And that cost me $17 before tax and tip, and with no drink or dessert. Had my dish been $12, I think I would have been quite pleased, and anything in between there would seem fairer.
(3)
Dug B.
Interesting atmosphere. It's like eating in someone's house. Someone with a nice house. Food is good, but you'll find way better Polish food in Hamtramack. It's pricey, which seems odd for the type of food it is. If you live in Ann Arbor, and you crave Polish food, it'll do. But don't drive out of your way to go here.
(3)
Rudy S.
Service was a tad slow at first but gradually got faster. The food was amazing but I had to take my drink back because it seamed to have either dirt or crumbs in it. Overall it was very good and I would come back here again
(4)
Randall L.
Check this place out for Sunday brunch with a couple buds. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Beth H.
$6.95 lunch specials - Great dressing on the small salads. Great well-portioned meals. I always wish I had room for dessert. I will someday.
(4)
Michael R.
Delectable desserts, cozy atmosphere, live piano music on Saturdays --- all in all, a relaxing, tasty hangout. Service could have been better --- we had to ask for a refill *every time* our coffee cups ran dry.
(3)
Andrea M.
Having never had authentic Eastern-European food, I have nothing to compare this to, but I was very surprised at how excellent it tasted. The portions are a very generous size, which to me in no way makes a meal, but I'm simply mentioning it here. My s/o had a sampler plate of various things, including the pierogi and meats and was very pleased with it. Everything was full of flavor. Our dinner companion had a light salmon salad that looked divine and she was quite pleased with it as well. I had a dish with chicken and potato pancakes and a slaw-type salad they serve there and loved the creaminess to everything. It had a rich flavor without being too heavy or too creamy in a bad way. I would recommend that you at least try them for dinner. My s/o raves about their baked goods, but I have yet to try the bakery. I will try it and post an updated review in the future. To me Amadeus is a nice change of pace among the same types of restaurants that so often pervade so many American towns. We sat outside and dined and it was very nice; the waitress was attentive without being annoying, which is always a plus. We wanted for nothing with the good service. Again, I'd say give them a try, you've got nothing to lose, as there are plenty of things on the menu that will suit most everyone and it's something different to throw into the mix.
(3)
Freedom M.
My first dining experience here was lovely. I got the kielbasa plate which was beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. The surroundings were unique and old fashioned. I also tried the Viennese coffee which I highly recommend. The price for lunch is average, like you would find anywhere downtown - 6 to 10 dollars a plate. I will probably return and save room for dessert because the sweets looked amazing!
(3)
Chad C.
I would not say the attire here is dressy at all as the yelp profile lists it. It's definitely casual relative to the other downtown Ann Arbor restaurants. I would not go here if you are looking for a vibrant "happenin" dining spot. It is good if you are looking for a more tranquil evening. I am not a big Eastern European food fan; it's a bit too plain for my tastes (though there are many exceptions to this generalization). I'm giving it four stars because it tends to be on the better side of that type of cuisine.
(4)
Chrissy J.
went here for valentine's day. they offered a 5 course meal for two for $69 dollars. we had reservations and were seated right away. i saw a lot of people being turned away at the door because they didn't have reservations (though at no point while we ere there was the restaurant full). right away, there's some dude playing spanish guitar trying to set the mood. this didn't add or remove stars from my rating, i just thought it might be worth mentioning in case someone really loves or really hates dinner music. ambiance was fine. maybe a little on the tacky side, but i think that was just the additional valentines decor (glittery hearts and roses in a vase, cheap looking candles). first course was soup. i ordered the barszcz, and it was wonderful. nice balance of flavors between beets and other vegetables. also came with a little basket of rolls, which were also delicious. i wish this was my entire meal, because it was all downhill from here. my dining companion ordered the pea soup, but was brought the dill pickle. when he informed the waitress of this, she apologized and then came back with like half a normal serving of the pea soup, messily ladled into the bowl. we didn't complain, but it was obvious someone just didn't give a shit. we had to split the second course, which was a little weird but whatever. we had potato pierogi. they brought two out. they were fine. boiled, not fried. could've used a little salt, and were a little too mrs. t's-style uniform for my liking, but i'm both very polish and very snobby, so take that with the grain of salt i wish had been used in my pierogi filling. the third course was a "tossed salad", which was ok. iceberg was prevalent, but there was also spinach, red cabbage, carrot, and cucumber in there. the dressing was a possibly homemade ranch, which was quite good. the fourth course was a "vegetarian plate" which came with a potato pancake, salad of your choice, and one pierogi of your choice. i chose mushroom, the filling of which tasted exactly like my busia's. for my salad, i went with the kapusta salad, which had a bit too much sugar for my liking, but could probably have been very enjoyable for someone who liked their kapusta on the sweeter side. the potato pancake was greasy and unpleasant. the final course was a dessert that we were to split. we got the apple szarlotka, which was a lovely apple cake surrounded by custard and fresh blueberries. my only nitpicky complaint is that it was ice cold, and i think would have been more enjoyable if the cake was closer to room temperature. all of the plates were beautifully garnished and artfully arranged. the portions were small--too small for the mediocre quality of the food and the rather high price. nothing here was any better than i could get at polonia, polish village, or sabina's, but it was far more expensive. i won't be back.
(2)
Olivia M.
Didn't particularly love the restaurant week brunch menu, which is mainly due to my personal palette preferences. I think it's a charming little eatery with good service and a relaxing ambiance, but I don't recommend eating here unless you are craving heavier food. It's Eastern European fare with menu items such as Pierogies and Polish sausage, which isn't really my cup of tea. Would maybe go back for a non-brunch meal.
(3)
Marie H.
I can really only comment on the wienerschnitzel here because that is what I ate. Or tried to eat. I sort of have a reputation for liking the schnitzel but this was the biggest piece I have ever received! It was bigger than my head, I sort of laid it down on my plate and my boyfriend checked. You could still see lots of schnitzel poking out. Sort of like a pork halo, for I am the patron saint of schnitzel...Also they have Kostritzer beer which is delicious. If I liked sweets the desserts would probably be good. The atmosphere is quite nice as well.
(4)
Sarah W.
If you ever come here you must try the viennese coffee. It's really delicious. Hot, sweet, a bit of a caramel flavor and a huge drop of real thick whip cream. Even if you don't want to eat here, drop by and drink the viennese coffee!
(3)
Annette J.
I'm Polish. Like, most of my family still lives over there and I'm first generation US so my bar for Eastern/Central European food is set pretty high. I was really excited to try this place since I don't know of many places you can get a good pierogi in Washtenaw county but unfortunately this place fell a little flat for me. I had the Atlantic ducktrap pancakes for my meal and it was just BLAND. Maybe it was my mistake for not ordering something a little more exciting or traditionally Polish so I could get a good feel for it but that dish sounded so great on the menu I couldn't resist! For the price it should have been much better and much more interesting. I did, however, try a few bites of my fella's Polish combination plate and it was just as disappointing. Not bad but not great. And for $20 dollars for a dish you should get out of this world Polish food. $20 can buy you 2 times as much food in Hamtramck for better quality. The space is cute, though. I will say that. And their liquor was great. I had a honey wine which I really enjoyed. I'd be interested in giving this place a second chance, especially for brunch, but I'm not racing to go back any time soon. I'll just stick to my grandma's pierogies or head to Hamtramck for now.
(2)
Jen S.
I liked this place and I liked my food. I came here for dinner and there happened to be a live guitarist so it really made the whole ambiance even better (I already thought it was a cute place as soon as I walked in). I thought they had a lot of interesting things on the menu so it made it hard to decide because I honestly could have tried them all. I'm deducting one star because it was pretty expensive for what it was.
(4)
Sanita M.
We went there one afternoon as we really enjoy European kitchen. We were little bit disappointment when we asked the waitress what salad she suggests, which one she prefers (as there were many options and we never tried any) but her response was "I like all of them". That really didn't help us. When we ordered beef goulash (it was really good, except instead of pasta we ordered potatoes as this is how we are used to eat in Hungary), waitress said that it comes with salad.. We asked what kind of salad and if they have cabbage salad. Waitress said yes, she will bring them. At the end we were very surprised that it was extra price cabbage salad (not good at all and small for about $12). She was supposed to tell that this salad is not included in the meal, but it will be extra money.. We also ordered soups (beet root soup and another one), it was our surprise that the soups were JUST a broth, and 2 slices of beet, also the other soup was just a broth with 2 potatoes. I have ordered beet soups in Europe often but they are always with more stuff inside. We will not return there, probably will find something better.
(2)
Peter W.
Went for the Valentine's day special, Neat, quaint, but they couldn't seat us until 45 minutes after our reservation. The food took a long time to get out as well. Had some good borscht to start things off. I had cheese, potato and mushroom perogis. The cheese ones were a little too rich (and actually sweet) for my taste. The potato were like Mrs. T's out of the freezer section. The mushroom were quite good. On any other night, service and seating are probably fine. If you're after real authentic polish food, you'll have to drive out to Hamtramck.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Robert F.
On Fat Tuesday, once a year, Amadeus turns into a massive bakery with just one product. And I ordered a dozen assorted Paczki. They were excellent. Not sweet like jelly donuts, not one pound gut bombs. The fillings included custard, lemon, raspberry, and prune. Each Pazcek is smeared with an an identifying glaze. For example, lemon Paczki have a lemon peel glaze. It's a nice touch. I spoke to one fellow (the owner?) who said that its a lot of work but they can stand to do it once a year. He had been up since 10AM Monday when I picked up my reserved Paczki on Tuesday morning. All of the tables were covered in steel trays of Paczki, quite a site. I think its great that Amadeus keeps this regional tradition alive. Place your order in advance.
(5)Haroun K.
A cute Polish restaurant. I've only gone for dessert, wine, coffee, and cognac, all of which were good, but did not wow me. The service is friendly. Whenever I'm there though, it seems to be empty. I guess if I want to go somewhere just for liquor or dessert I wouldn't return here. But to get away from the crowds and any chance of people watching, this is the place.
(3)E. S.
Romantic, intimate and quiet atmosphere - a perfect first-date restaurant. If you are lucky, your meal will be accompanied by live music (I love the guitarist). I've dined here four times or so, and the service was seamless, the food consistently good. Make sure you leave room for desserts. My favorite is Napoleon - French puff pastry dusted with powder sugar.
(4)Mae S.
Very pleasant little place with tons of little Eastern-European decorative items like carved wood figures or tinsel castles. These stand all around, on the walls, dangling from the hems of the window curtains, and on little shelves. The garnished potato pancakes are like a huge pancake sandwich. Most of the foods we tried were enjoyable. When we have been there at dinner time, live classical piano music in the background was a nice touch. For Sunday brunch they offer several variations on the potato pancakes: with scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, salmon roe, beef goulash, chicken paprikash. Also one or two other choices. I am partial to brunch served neatly on a plate: NOT gorge-yourself buffets. So I find this appealing.
(3)A. T.
Cute and cozy restaurant, good place for a lunch or dinner date. The Hungarian pancakes were tasty but so salty that I would never consider ordering them again; the pierogis are good, but stick with the mushroom. If you use their bathroom, be prepared for a little surprise.
(4)Anna W.
Very cool. Kinda pricey, super small portions so order a lot. Great drinks.
(4)Alexandra K.
Walking by, the restaurant looks like an antique where old central European folks would come. But walk inside past the velvet curtains and it's truly beautiful. Yes there are chachkies on the walls but the restaurant is very well put together. Atop the piano are Szopka's (Nativity scenes made from candy wrappers) and if you let your eye wander farther, you'll notice the beautiful homemade desserts in a case. The restaurant plays beautiful Viennese music (mostly Strauss) so it makes for a nice, comfortable atmosphere. -Complimentary Rolls: mmm these come out hot and accompanied by a wonderful apricot jam and butter. The rolls themselves are quite plain so the butter and jam add quite a bit. The apricot jam is quite sweet but well flavored. Sunday Brunch -Polish Breakfast (scrambled eggs with scallions, kielbasa, 2 potato pancakes, garden salad): The scrambled eggs have plenty of scallions throughout which take away from the egg taste but give a completely new one. The kielbasa: heavenly. It's perfectly grilled and bursting with a mildly spicy flavor. The potato pancakes are well cooked and have a wonderful consistency but lack in flavor. The dressing for the salad is light, garlicky and airy--very much like a ranch. Everything besides the kielbasa is a bit bland though. If you add the rolls to the dish, however, not only do you taste the scrambled eggs and potato pancakes more, but the bread flavor pops out. Desserts -Carmel Apple Cheesecake: the cheesecake is the perfect consistency--creamy and compact, very much like JR's. It's plain cheesecake with apples atop. With the layer of apples on top it tastes a bit like apple strudel. The crust is more of a pie crust with a hint of graham cracker. The whipped cream is quite sweet. The caramel sauce is lovely and light. DELICIOUS! -Sacher Torte (chocolate cake glazed with apricot preserves & chocolate ganache): Wow. This sacher torte is not your average dry one by any means. The chocolate cake is dense, moist and full of flavor (the chef imports the dark chocolate from Europe). The apricot glaze adds a nice contrast to the richness of the cake. FINAL VERDICT: I found the main entrée to be a bit bland, but the desserts are delicious. I think this may be my go-to for coffee and cake instead of for a meal.
(4)Robert Z.
Love this place! The food is always flawless and the service is great. A very eclectic/european dining room. The portion sizes are perfect if you're not used to crarcker barrell type portions. The presentation is superb. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Anna B.
I went here for lunch today right after it opened. I was pretty unsure about what to order, but ended up with the Hungarian Pancakes. I was not disappointed! First some fresh, warm rolls came out. Then the entree came out shortly after. The goulash was tasty and the pancakes were soft. It came with a side salad and kapusta salad, which was also very tasty. Also tried the house cheese cake and Amadeus coffee. The cheese cake was a little thicker than I expected but tasted nice, not too sweet. Atmosphere is very cute and definitely sets this place apart from other local restaurants... I would like to take any visitors to Ann Arbor here in the future.
(5)Scott P.
Some of the best Eastern European food I have eaten anywhere. The ambiance is lovely and tastefully done with about 12-14 tables inside and some outdoor patio seating as well. Robin was passionate about providing the best dining experience possible even being initially a bit short handed. She was attentive, knowledgeable and offered some great recommendations. She is clearly invested in her job and it shows. Our table of three had two appetizers- the pierogi sample plate and the kielbasa plate. The sausage is made for them by a local butcher to their recipe and is exceptional and bursting with flavor. The pierogi were tender with a flavorful stuffing of cheese and potato. The wonderful homemade rolls were served in a basket and were fresh from the oven. I ordered the Goulash and it was incredible - actually, the best I have ever eaten. Big chunks of quality beef that literally melts in your mouth. The beef appeared to be braised then slow cooked in a rich sauce with hints of tomato, pepper, onion, paprika and other spices. It was served, at my request, over the homemade dumplings rather than the more traditional wide noodles. The dumplings were cooked perfectly and had some bite to them without being undercooked. During dinner I had a glass of the house Pinot Grigio which was very reasonably priced and quite good for a house wine. I topped dinner off with a dessert called the Castanza. It was an orange liqueur sponge cake with layers of dark and white chocolate mousse. The presentation of each plate was artistic and appealing without being overly pretentious. I am thankful I still have two nights here in Ann Arbor for my conference. Tonight was the first time I have been to Amadeus, it will not be my last.
(5)Jenn H.
Came for Sunday brunch - They're not open for dinner on Sundays. The Sunday Brunch menu is different from the rest of the day. I tried the fruit pierogi - blueberry. It is like giant fruity gnocchi. Didn't find any almond flakes tho. Overall it was ok & definitely filling. The restaurant is super cute - lots of decor. The dessert menu looks delicious but we were too full to try it.
(3)Aru S.
Real snooty waiters!! We waited about 10 mins to get their attention. We felt VERY not welcomed. We sat on the outside table very dissapointed. The place wasn't even busy! It just felt like they were racists only cater to European people. We had no other choice but leaving the place unattended. Never had this feeling in restaurant in the whole United States. Never going back. Hope I can give them NEGATIVE stars.
(1)Abe M.
I came for the Valentines day Special, which consisted of: 1)Choice of Soup (Dill or Sweet Potato Lemon Ginger) 4/5 2) 1 appetizer ( we got the creamed Herring) 0/5 (had to force it down) 3) salads (basic) 2/5 4) choice of entree (I got the potato pancake over chicken slaw, GF got the keilbasa)2/5 ,4/5 5) choice of dessert (passion fruit sponge cake) 3/5 They tried, they really did. Maybe it was my fault for choosing an eastern European restaurant for Vday, but I believe that the food was overpriced for what we got. I mean, I thought the sausage would provide some sort of phallic response in my GF, but the mood was just kind of depressing.
(3)Allison M.
In Ann Arbor for only a day, my boyfriend and I decided to duck into Amadeus for his birthday dinner. We shared the Amadeus Placek as an appetizer which we thoroughly enjoyed. For dinner I had the Vegetarian Plate and he the Hungarian Pancakes. Though the waitress we had seemed a little distant, the experience was overall lovely. An man softly played acoustic guitar in the background (which I'm usually not a fan of) and we were able to toast some wine and people watch out the window. I have already sent friends visiting Ann Arbor to Amadeus and all have enjoyed it. I will definitely return the next time I visit!
(4)Martha V.
We've been to Amadeus several times over the years and recently returned for a visit this winter. I hovered between a 3 and a 4 on this one. I really like the food here. Paprikash, pierogies, all so tasty. It is fairly heavy and not inexpensive, but we've always had great food. The interior of the restaurant is charming in an old world sort of a way. I love the way the light from inside the restaurant illuminates the street. The restaurant can be quiet at times. They offer Sunday brunch which I've never tried but looks really good. Parking is convenient - there is a structure right across Washington but it does fill up.
(4)Edward K.
A diamond in the rough. I have always found the kielbasa, pierogi, goulash, and golabki to be tasty. Personally, polish food has always been something of a comfort food. The waitresses are always super nice and offer recommendations. Never been unhappy with a meal I've ordered. You should definitely try the apple pie vodka. On weekends they have someone play classical guitar or piano. There is definitely nothing like this place in Ann Arbor.
(5)Kimberly P.
My husband and I came here on a Friday night for dinner a couple of weeks ago. On a Friday night at 7pm I expected them to be pretty busy, but there were only two other tables with guests and the rest were empty. When we entered, we were greeted by the faint whiff of what smelled like sewer water. Long story short, the food was mostly okay but expensive for the portion sizes and ingredients used. $19 for a modest serving of chicken over noodles? And $9 for a single, oily potato pancake with a small piece of smoked salmon on top. Service was slow, but I had read that was the case in other reviews so I knew to expect that. During our meal I saw a man who I assume is the owner come in the front door wearing short shorts and carrying a large box of GFS sour cream and a gym bag and then fiddle with the thermostat. Something about that didn't sit right with me. Maybe you could bring ingredients in through the back door? While wearing pants? We were not very impressed with dessert either. My husband said his cake tasted like ash and not much else. He was actually so disappointed by dessert that we stopped at Iorio's Gelateria afterward. We will not be back to Amadeus anytime soon.
(2)Libby W.
A friend recommended the brunch here, so my bf & I decided to check it out on a Sunday morning before heading back to Seattle. I am a European mutt, part Ukrainian and Polish (among other things), so I was already familiar with a lot of the menu - stuff grandma used to make! But I've never been to a restaurant that specializes in Eastern European cuisine beyond typical Jewish deli fare, so this was a really fun break from your standard Sunday brunch offerings. The atmosphere is charming and cozy, and we were sat at a nice table in one of the front windows. We were there with another couple, and we all cleaned our plates. I got the pierogi breakfast, which comes with 3 pierogis of your choosing. I chose the farmer's cheese, mushroom, and sauerkraut. I haven't had pierogis in a long time, so it was quite a treat! They were kind of lukewarm when they got to me, but I was starving and super excited about pierogis, so it wasn't that big a deal. We had a nice time here, and service was good. Bloody Marys are strong! Always a plus for us.
(4)Michael S.
We stumbled into this place while walking around Main Street in search of a place to have breakfast. It is visual delight, from the moment you step through the burgundy curtain at the entrance. I had the "Polish Breakfast"
(5)Lise G.
Amadeus Restaurant and Cafe has to be one of my favorite restaurants in this city! The food is consistently delicious, staff is well knowledgeable about the menu and the desserts are so delectable and worth saving room for accompanied with Viennese Coffee or a Cappuccino. A true European delight!
(5)MB S.
This is five stars because of the combination of excellent food and affordable prices. The pierogie selection is yummy and perfectly prepared. The other appetizers and entrees are authentic Eastern European fare--always tasty. I had the dill pickle soup for the first time earlier this week and I can't get it out of my mind: light yet filling, not too salty with lots of fresh dill balancing the carrots and potatoes. The desserts are outstanding--maybe the best in town. We shared the lemon cake and it was a combination of cheese cake, a lemon layer with a crunchy cake layer. Or you can go with traditional sacher torte or other flourless cakes--all exquisite.
(5)Michelle C.
Aw man... What a disappointment! I went with a group of 12. We were all famished and really excited to order. Well, it took 15 minutes for the server to come get our drinnk orders. It took an additional 15 minutes for the server to get our bottle of wine, 2 soft drinks, and 5 cocktails. It took another 30 minutes before the server came to take our dinner orders. At this point, I decided to hold my questions about the menu and just order something. At this time, we had indicated that we would like 6 separate checks. It then took 45 minutes for our food to come. Hungarian potato pancakes were good but not remarkable enough for me to want to go back. I tried someone's pierogis- the mushroom pierogis were good but after trying the pork ones, I actually had to excuse myself to go to the bathroom. We decided to forgo dessert since we had been at this restaurant for over 2.5 hours. We asked for the check- which came 30 minutes later. It was a 3.5-foot long narrow paper with just prices on it. No descriptions. No names. Just numbers. All in one check. for 12 people. The server said that she couldn't help us figure it out because she was busy. She handed our table their menu so we can figure out how much we owe. We calculated everything out with tip & tax, but the bill was still $35 over what we had ordered. At this point, we all knew that it wasn't going to get worked out. We paid the extra $35 for whatever it may have been, and vowed to never go back.
(1)Jody M.
What a lovely experience dining at Amadeus this evening. Robin, our waitress was helpful and funny! The food was amazing! We also met and talked with the owner whose grandfather owned restaurants in Warsaw prior to WW2. We will certainly make a point to return on our next trip to Ann Arbor from our home in Redlands, CA.
(5)Kathleen B.
Salmon potato pancakes are really good! Definitely an appetizer-sized portion, but the dill sauce is tasty and smoked salmon not overly fishy. The classical music is a bit much, but this place is definitely reminiscent of my trip to Budapest. Worth a visit!
(4)Ryan B.
Doesn't Disappoint for Restaurant Week 2013. I ventured to the middle of Europe with a friend for Restaurant Week (Jan. 2013) and really enjoyed myself. Dishes of Note: The Dill Pickle Soup is not salty, but a delicious and mouth watering tease before your main meal. The salads come with their home-made buttermilk ranch. Yea, no need to say more. The Dumplings (in anything) are delicious. Favorite part of the Bitki with Kopytka. But the real treat is dessert. For about $7 you can get sweet, savory, rich, creamy, bitter, or strong! We had the Raspberry Passion Fruit Mousse (6/5) and an off menu brownie, fudge- layered with white/dark chocolate cake that was also fantastic (5/5). And to top it all off, I had THE BEST waitress imaginable. So why not 5 stars? Price. Everything (but the dessert) is quite pricy. If not for the $28 deal, I probably would have paid $45 (without tip). Not the most affordable. But I will be back to treat someone to dessert in Europe without leaving Ann Arbor.
(4)Reese S.
This was very nice. The atmosphere of the restaurant is beautiful. There was a live pianist and it was very classy dining. The pirogies were delicious and the herring appetizer was tasty. We had a lemon mascarpone dessert and it was divine. Lovely romantic little place.
(4)Matthew B.
Authentic but not the best I've had. Having lived in Germany and visited Poland and Hungary, I'm very familiar with Eastern European food-and I'm a fan of it. I ordered the Golabki plate at Sunday brunch. The eggs and salad were very good; the potato pancake had good flavor but was soggy. The cabbage roll was the real disappointment- the meat filling tasted as though it came out of a can. However, the price was reasonable and the service was good. I guess you get what you pay for.
(3)Michelle T.
The food was delicious, especially the goulash and potatoe pancakes. You can tell everything is homemade. The american cheese pierogis were really great. The atmosphere is romantic they even had a pianist playing while we ate dinner. Service was really good.
(5)Simon B.
This is a great Polish restaurant in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. The staff is 1st generation and cooks like its their home kitchen. The golabki (stuffed cabbage) is great, along with all of their soups and any dish with salmon in it. The food is hearty and filling, but not too overwhelming. The staff is warm and very friendly. They even have live music on Friday and Saturday nights sometimes. Great local pianists and violinists come in and set a great atmosphere for dates, family occasions, or just a nice dinner before a night out on Main Street.
(5)Detroit R.
I've eaten here a few times. So far, I've had the goulash, potato pancakes, borsht and dill pickle soup. I enjoyed them all. I'm not putting this place on my regular stop list, but I would definitely go back again.
(3)Irina Z.
Very yummy Eastern European food - don't miss the cakes in the window display in the back!
(4)Bridget K.
Still great. We went for our two year anniversary, I think our favorite pirogi was the mushroom one. Just great. We don't go here more because it is a little pricey for every day for us, but the food is worth it.
(5)Daniel L.
My wife and I were walking down Washington Ave and came upon a European looking bistro. Checked out the menu and decided to go in. I opened the door and walked back into time to a turn of the century Viennese restaurant. The ambience and Mozartian music set the tone. When is the last time you were able to have a meal hearing a nice arrangement of symphony music. And was I in for surprise - my first true gourmet Eastern European meal. The beet soup (borcz) was different and excellent - rich and yet light. The presentation of the meal was superb. Homemade sauerkraut was unique and superb. The best pierogis I have ever had - soft, tender, and excellent mushrooms. The kielbasa was excellently prepared. I had a reasonable and very good glass of Bordeaux wine that was recommended along with an Italian cheesecake the like I have never had. I will be back and this is a 65 mile trip one way from my house. PS. I would suggest that when you go to the Amadeus that you use your imagination. Let the experience come to you and its own pace. Bring conversation, have a bootle of wine and let the meal unfold. You will not get American portion of food. It will be quality and not quantity. This will ensure you have room for one of their excellent deserts (and I am not normally a desert person).
(5)Robby G.
First, I am an appreciator of ambiance, and Amadeus has done a wonderful job. Low lighting, comforting fabrics, classical music on the speakers, and plentiful kitsch. The servers have a relaxed focus that makes me feel welcome and at ease. The food is simple and elegant, with lots of creamy textures and flavors. I get the feeling that this would be what I'd be served in the home of my Polish grandparents, using recipes that their parents taught them. I come here when I need a quiet afternoon and a hearty meal, and the prices are very fair.
(4)D D.
Great authentic European place. Authentic ingredients and cooking style. Very nice service and atmosphere. It feels like traveling to Europe for a couple of hours. Absolutely recommended
(5)Robin L.
This is a really cute place with really nice servers. They give you warm rolls with an amazing orange marmalade which i'm pretty sure they make on their own. My boyfriend and I went for brunch and both of us LOVED our selections, and were stuffed after. I'm pretty sure whatever you pick you'll be very happy, as long and you're into eastern european food.
(4)Ingrid C.
It was one of those experiences where I was like, "ooh, that was pretty good... wait, how much is it?" There just seemed to be a disconnect. The ambiance is very much like a mock Viennese cafe - cafe tables, informal decor, no tablecloths, and even a dessert case in the back (like a bakery). So $23 for my entrée seemed a much, especially since I didn't expect to pay close to $50 for my meal. I had the Hungarian Pancakes because I wanted potato pancakes and paprykash (thanks to When Harry Met Sally). It was pretty good, and a little heavier than expected. I'm still a little flabbergasted at $23 for for small-medium potato pancakes with some creamy chicken stew, though.
(3)Jessica M.
I had been craving some Polish food for a while but I was not interested in driving all the way in to Stabtramck, so I decided to try this adorable little place in downtown Ann Arbor. And it is adorable and cozy with hand-carved chotchkies all around. In the center stands an old piano and when we walked in, one of the patrons had taken it upon himself to start playing and singing. I was kind of in love at that point...and then the relationship soured a bit. I guess if I had to describe the food in this place in one word, it would be 'adequate'. Not disgusting but not amazing either. The ogorkowa, salad, and bread basket were probably my favorite parts of the meal. The ogorkowa was creamy yet light and filled with pickle flavor as it should be. The side salad was freshly prepared (i.e. not out of a bag), and the bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and faintly tasted of garlic. For an appetizer, we ordered the Krakow pancake, which is a potato pancake with kielbasa. The potato cake was bland and greasy not crispy. The kielbasa....I want to know where the proprietor gets his kielbasa from because it tastes closer to Eckrich than any smoked fare I've had at any halfway competent meat market. I was sad and I wished I would've changed my order but it was kind of too late. I ordered the Polish Platter and my boyfriend had the Bitki with Kopytka. The Polish Platter came with more mediocre kielbasa (which was made better by the mustard that came with it), a pierogi, an oh so small scoop of bigos, and a golabek. I chose a potato farmers cheese pierogi and it came boiled not pan-fried and crispy which was another disappointment. The bigos had promise but it was literally a tablespoon hidden under the rest of the food and I felt like I didn't get enough of a taste to appreciate it. The golabek...the ground pork inside was reminiscent of my Polish grandmother's meatballs, but the roll itself was bland, I've had and made better. My boyfriend's pork was pretty good, but the star of his plate were his creamy potato dumplings. I could eat many of those. The dessert was also okay. We ordered the Constanza, or white and dark chocolate mousse on top of an orange liqueur soaked sponge cake. The mousse was good but the sponge was nonexistent...a very thin layer and I was hoping for more. That could sum up the whole experience: hoping for more. It was fine, but for the price, I don't believe there were enough high points to bring me back to this place. I guess I will have to make my way to Stabtramck after all.
(3)Shannon A.
When I first walked in I was really put off by the eccentric decorations that appear to overwhelm the small dining room. The atmosphere grew on my gradually, and I think my boyfriend got a kick out of the giant Christmas tree with musical instruments stuck within it hanging from the ceiling. It is definitely a unique atmosphere. My dad is from Poland and knows how hard it is to make pierogis from scratch (we attempt it every Christmas), so he forgave the pre-prepared and boiled brunch pierogis; I wouldn't touch them. My potato pancakes were way too greasy and the kitchen refused to make me egg whites, so I ended up eating off my dad and boyfriends' plates. There was also a hair in my bf's salad -_-. Why three stars? The coffee/espresso is IMPECCABLE and they make their whipped cream in house. The European dessert selection is incredible and everything that we sampled was to die for. The environment grew on me so much that I think I'd go back for coffee and sweets. Doubt that I would order brunch there again given the bad experience this morning, combined with a $53 bill for small portions.
(3)Jessica R.
I've put off eating at Amadeus for years now, but I'm glad we went last night. It was an interesting meal with lots of fun tastes. Overall, though, I was not won over. The menu had so much that looked good, but no one specific thing that called out to me. I ordered the vegetarian sampler, which for $17 gave me one potato schnitzel, one pierogi, and one salad (plus the usual side salad and bread that comes with an entree). The side salad with a subtle ranch was fine, and the bread was awesome--little fresh puffs, really. The sampler, itself, was okay. I LOVED the schnitzel, though in retrospect it was a bit greasy. It was about the size of flattened golf ball. The pierogi (farmer's cheese and potato) didn't taste like much of anything and was small (similar to the schnitzel). The salad came in a cream sauce, which surprised me (this was my mistake, based on how I'd misunderstood the menu); it had way too much sauce for my taste. I also got to taste some kielbasa and sauerkraut, and both seemed really nice. But as Annette J says, it all falls a little flat. There were also little things that started to weigh on me. We sat in the window seat, which gave us a nice view of the street, but which was oddly over-air conditioned. The chairs were uncomfy (you either had to lean way back in the seat or keep yourself forward against the structure of the chair). The service took a LONG time; the waitress kept apologizing (which felt awkward), but I see from other Yelp reviews that the service is always slow. Finally, there were small mistakes here or there--the wrong beer brought to us, one beer with too little in it... So I debate a 2 and 3. I decided to give a 3 because I feel like if I had ordered one of the two other meals I'd tasted, I would have liked the place more (my pierogi and warsaw salad just fell so very flat). I also walked out really happy with the experience, and it's only hitting me now--the next morning--that I wasn't that thrilled. So in the moment it was fine. I can say that a big part of this newly settling disappointment is the price. My plate was a small portion of okay food, with mediocre service. And that cost me $17 before tax and tip, and with no drink or dessert. Had my dish been $12, I think I would have been quite pleased, and anything in between there would seem fairer.
(3)Dug B.
Interesting atmosphere. It's like eating in someone's house. Someone with a nice house. Food is good, but you'll find way better Polish food in Hamtramack. It's pricey, which seems odd for the type of food it is. If you live in Ann Arbor, and you crave Polish food, it'll do. But don't drive out of your way to go here.
(3)Rudy S.
Service was a tad slow at first but gradually got faster. The food was amazing but I had to take my drink back because it seamed to have either dirt or crumbs in it. Overall it was very good and I would come back here again
(4)Randall L.
Check this place out for Sunday brunch with a couple buds. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Beth H.
$6.95 lunch specials - Great dressing on the small salads. Great well-portioned meals. I always wish I had room for dessert. I will someday.
(4)Michael R.
Delectable desserts, cozy atmosphere, live piano music on Saturdays --- all in all, a relaxing, tasty hangout. Service could have been better --- we had to ask for a refill *every time* our coffee cups ran dry.
(3)Andrea M.
Having never had authentic Eastern-European food, I have nothing to compare this to, but I was very surprised at how excellent it tasted. The portions are a very generous size, which to me in no way makes a meal, but I'm simply mentioning it here. My s/o had a sampler plate of various things, including the pierogi and meats and was very pleased with it. Everything was full of flavor. Our dinner companion had a light salmon salad that looked divine and she was quite pleased with it as well. I had a dish with chicken and potato pancakes and a slaw-type salad they serve there and loved the creaminess to everything. It had a rich flavor without being too heavy or too creamy in a bad way. I would recommend that you at least try them for dinner. My s/o raves about their baked goods, but I have yet to try the bakery. I will try it and post an updated review in the future. To me Amadeus is a nice change of pace among the same types of restaurants that so often pervade so many American towns. We sat outside and dined and it was very nice; the waitress was attentive without being annoying, which is always a plus. We wanted for nothing with the good service. Again, I'd say give them a try, you've got nothing to lose, as there are plenty of things on the menu that will suit most everyone and it's something different to throw into the mix.
(3)Freedom M.
My first dining experience here was lovely. I got the kielbasa plate which was beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. The surroundings were unique and old fashioned. I also tried the Viennese coffee which I highly recommend. The price for lunch is average, like you would find anywhere downtown - 6 to 10 dollars a plate. I will probably return and save room for dessert because the sweets looked amazing!
(3)Chad C.
I would not say the attire here is dressy at all as the yelp profile lists it. It's definitely casual relative to the other downtown Ann Arbor restaurants. I would not go here if you are looking for a vibrant "happenin" dining spot. It is good if you are looking for a more tranquil evening. I am not a big Eastern European food fan; it's a bit too plain for my tastes (though there are many exceptions to this generalization). I'm giving it four stars because it tends to be on the better side of that type of cuisine.
(4)Chrissy J.
went here for valentine's day. they offered a 5 course meal for two for $69 dollars. we had reservations and were seated right away. i saw a lot of people being turned away at the door because they didn't have reservations (though at no point while we ere there was the restaurant full). right away, there's some dude playing spanish guitar trying to set the mood. this didn't add or remove stars from my rating, i just thought it might be worth mentioning in case someone really loves or really hates dinner music. ambiance was fine. maybe a little on the tacky side, but i think that was just the additional valentines decor (glittery hearts and roses in a vase, cheap looking candles). first course was soup. i ordered the barszcz, and it was wonderful. nice balance of flavors between beets and other vegetables. also came with a little basket of rolls, which were also delicious. i wish this was my entire meal, because it was all downhill from here. my dining companion ordered the pea soup, but was brought the dill pickle. when he informed the waitress of this, she apologized and then came back with like half a normal serving of the pea soup, messily ladled into the bowl. we didn't complain, but it was obvious someone just didn't give a shit. we had to split the second course, which was a little weird but whatever. we had potato pierogi. they brought two out. they were fine. boiled, not fried. could've used a little salt, and were a little too mrs. t's-style uniform for my liking, but i'm both very polish and very snobby, so take that with the grain of salt i wish had been used in my pierogi filling. the third course was a "tossed salad", which was ok. iceberg was prevalent, but there was also spinach, red cabbage, carrot, and cucumber in there. the dressing was a possibly homemade ranch, which was quite good. the fourth course was a "vegetarian plate" which came with a potato pancake, salad of your choice, and one pierogi of your choice. i chose mushroom, the filling of which tasted exactly like my busia's. for my salad, i went with the kapusta salad, which had a bit too much sugar for my liking, but could probably have been very enjoyable for someone who liked their kapusta on the sweeter side. the potato pancake was greasy and unpleasant. the final course was a dessert that we were to split. we got the apple szarlotka, which was a lovely apple cake surrounded by custard and fresh blueberries. my only nitpicky complaint is that it was ice cold, and i think would have been more enjoyable if the cake was closer to room temperature. all of the plates were beautifully garnished and artfully arranged. the portions were small--too small for the mediocre quality of the food and the rather high price. nothing here was any better than i could get at polonia, polish village, or sabina's, but it was far more expensive. i won't be back.
(2)Olivia M.
Didn't particularly love the restaurant week brunch menu, which is mainly due to my personal palette preferences. I think it's a charming little eatery with good service and a relaxing ambiance, but I don't recommend eating here unless you are craving heavier food. It's Eastern European fare with menu items such as Pierogies and Polish sausage, which isn't really my cup of tea. Would maybe go back for a non-brunch meal.
(3)Marie H.
I can really only comment on the wienerschnitzel here because that is what I ate. Or tried to eat. I sort of have a reputation for liking the schnitzel but this was the biggest piece I have ever received! It was bigger than my head, I sort of laid it down on my plate and my boyfriend checked. You could still see lots of schnitzel poking out. Sort of like a pork halo, for I am the patron saint of schnitzel...Also they have Kostritzer beer which is delicious. If I liked sweets the desserts would probably be good. The atmosphere is quite nice as well.
(4)Sarah W.
If you ever come here you must try the viennese coffee. It's really delicious. Hot, sweet, a bit of a caramel flavor and a huge drop of real thick whip cream. Even if you don't want to eat here, drop by and drink the viennese coffee!
(3)Annette J.
I'm Polish. Like, most of my family still lives over there and I'm first generation US so my bar for Eastern/Central European food is set pretty high. I was really excited to try this place since I don't know of many places you can get a good pierogi in Washtenaw county but unfortunately this place fell a little flat for me. I had the Atlantic ducktrap pancakes for my meal and it was just BLAND. Maybe it was my mistake for not ordering something a little more exciting or traditionally Polish so I could get a good feel for it but that dish sounded so great on the menu I couldn't resist! For the price it should have been much better and much more interesting. I did, however, try a few bites of my fella's Polish combination plate and it was just as disappointing. Not bad but not great. And for $20 dollars for a dish you should get out of this world Polish food. $20 can buy you 2 times as much food in Hamtramck for better quality. The space is cute, though. I will say that. And their liquor was great. I had a honey wine which I really enjoyed. I'd be interested in giving this place a second chance, especially for brunch, but I'm not racing to go back any time soon. I'll just stick to my grandma's pierogies or head to Hamtramck for now.
(2)Jen S.
I liked this place and I liked my food. I came here for dinner and there happened to be a live guitarist so it really made the whole ambiance even better (I already thought it was a cute place as soon as I walked in). I thought they had a lot of interesting things on the menu so it made it hard to decide because I honestly could have tried them all. I'm deducting one star because it was pretty expensive for what it was.
(4)Sanita M.
We went there one afternoon as we really enjoy European kitchen. We were little bit disappointment when we asked the waitress what salad she suggests, which one she prefers (as there were many options and we never tried any) but her response was "I like all of them". That really didn't help us. When we ordered beef goulash (it was really good, except instead of pasta we ordered potatoes as this is how we are used to eat in Hungary), waitress said that it comes with salad.. We asked what kind of salad and if they have cabbage salad. Waitress said yes, she will bring them. At the end we were very surprised that it was extra price cabbage salad (not good at all and small for about $12). She was supposed to tell that this salad is not included in the meal, but it will be extra money.. We also ordered soups (beet root soup and another one), it was our surprise that the soups were JUST a broth, and 2 slices of beet, also the other soup was just a broth with 2 potatoes. I have ordered beet soups in Europe often but they are always with more stuff inside. We will not return there, probably will find something better.
(2)Peter W.
Went for the Valentine's day special, Neat, quaint, but they couldn't seat us until 45 minutes after our reservation. The food took a long time to get out as well. Had some good borscht to start things off. I had cheese, potato and mushroom perogis. The cheese ones were a little too rich (and actually sweet) for my taste. The potato were like Mrs. T's out of the freezer section. The mushroom were quite good. On any other night, service and seating are probably fine. If you're after real authentic polish food, you'll have to drive out to Hamtramck.
(3)