Boodles Restaurant
935 W 11 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI, 48071
Boodles Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Madison Heights for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
935 W 11 Mile Rd
Madison Heights, MI, 48071 - Phone (248) 399-5960
- Website https://www.boodlesdetroit.com/1/213/index.asp
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Lisa C.
For the record, Ruth-Ann our server was the greatest. If it had not been for her then the whole dining experience would have really went to the gutters. Also, I'm not a crazy picky person but I know what's good, I cook a lot and have worked in nice restaurants and know when expensive food is well worth it or just a hoax... this was well... We got there around 5:30 last night (a slow Saturday) with only two other tables in the building. We were sat in the very last table in the back right by the bathrooms... really? Hostess never said much, never gave eye contact for that matter (probably knowing we hated the table but just wanted to run away) and quickly walked away. Ruth-Ann saved the day and knew we didn't like it and moved us up to the window. Much better. The place and the food is way more dated than I last remembered. 1980's called they want their food back. I had a dirty martini and we had the voodoo shrimp appetizer which was good. We should have stopped there. Salad was way overdressed in dressing. We ordered the NY Strip and the sesame seared tuna and shrimp. The NY strip didn't come out with a small ribbon of fat like it should, it came out almost 90% fat with the instant mashed potatoes sliding around in the meats odd juices. It was completely non-edible. I think my poor boyfriend was going to get sick from the awful sight and smell of it all. Ruth-Ann kindly took it away. The seared tuna was way overcooked, not seared and rare, it was gross and tasteless. I am positive the same chili thai sauce that is thrown, drizzled, slopped and then even added to a full ramekin on the side because the pool of it on the plate apparently isn't enough, is the same crap sauce I bought at Kroger for $1.99 on a whim. I basically had a plate of sweet chili thai sauce, over cooked tuna drowning in sesame seeds and some crap rice floating in the same sauce.... they also did the whole 'parsley sprinkled all over the rim of the plate' thing too... yeah, cause that makes it taste better. The best part was the olive juice for my dirty martini. It's hard to find a good martini. Also, the desert plate (a.k.a. fake play-doh creations) looked like they had been dropped and picked at a few times since 1983 when the Lions played at the Silverdome. We spent a lot of money for nothing and regretted not going to Outback for their amazing RARE seared tuna. We left Boodles and ordered a pizza. We were hungry. The place is just dated and could be so much more. Update the menu, atmosphere and for Gods sake clean up the outside. Even the fly that hung out with us on the window would have agreed.
(2)Brandon Christopher G.
4 because we came late and table side service was unavailable. Bit sure who's fault that was, ours or theirs?!?! Great experience. Loved it!
(4)Mark H.
Yes, the decor is straight out of the 80's. Boodles has a number of unique dishes that you don't find on just any restaurant menu, so it was refreshing to have to pick. At our table, our entrees were the seafood strudel, crab cakes, steak Diane, and tuna. All entrees were excellent. The steak Diane is prepared "in the dining room" and not "tableside". I agree with the other reviewer who said it was swimming in sauce; the sauce was good but they did have about 4x more than necessary. We also had the calamari appetizer (just ok, I wouldn't order it again) and the saganaki (good, would be pretty hard to screw that one up). The bread was warm and delicious. The desserts presented well and were tasty. One that we ordered was just a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Somehow I can accept $28 for a steak, but $4.95 for a single scoop of ice cream seems ridiculous. We didn't find that out until the bill came. Service was adequate. Our waitress knew the menu well, she obviously had been working there a while. Our drinks sat empty a little too long more than once, that is one of the differences between a 4 star Boodles and a 5 star almost-fine dining restaurant. Just over $40 a head out the door with all courses and drinks. There doesn't appear to be a $25 off $75 coupon as of this writing; I'd hold off on going back to Boodles until I have one. Then I can afford the vanilla ice cream.
(4)Howard F.
A more than pleasurable dinning experience. The food is outstanding. Yes, it's pricey, but you get what you pay for. Please don't let the location nor the exterior steer you away. Tables are a bit closed quarters. Table side dinners are prepared "off to the side" as the space isn't conducive, but all was thoroughly enjoyable as the cook gets you involved with conversation on the preparation. I've been coming to this unique place for years. Prior to hockey games for a steak bite app at the bar or on a hot date with the wife with complete dinner, drinks, and desserts. Piano player at times. Check out specials on the board. We both ordered table side Steak Diane with a bit of a twist~mine medium/rare and hers medium. Perfect!!! Our waiter was knowledgable about every aspect of wine, specials, and the more than ample menu. Perfect dinning. Don't be a snob!
(5)Mike M.
I like this place. Went there on a Wednesday night, when it was only about 1/4 full. This guy was playing some mellow classic rock on the keyboard, which was really nice. I had the seafood strudel which was rich, creamy and flaky. Only negative was the two shrimp on top of it were dry and rubbery.
(4)Henry B.
I was here with Brian B because we had a coupon and it was close by. This place is a flashback to an 80s cruise ship complete with jazzy keyboard player and 1985 decor. The 80s are back baby. I come from a land down unda! I had the Seafood Strudel and it was delicious. It's the next day and I'm still full from how much food they gave us. This place has deceptively good food. Seafood Strudel. That's all you need to know and order here.
(4)Emily B.
Hidden gem! Would never have guessed from the old diner looking exterior that this place was such a diamond in the rough. 80's decorating needs some updating but it kinda adds to the charm. Food was excellent, waitstaff couldn't have been friendlier. And who can dislike a place that has a guy on a synthesizer playing Sinatra. Looking forward to my next trip back!
(4)Tanya M.
Oh crepes suzette how I love thee! At first bite the remarks around the table were...."mmmm" "heaven" "the best thing I've ever eaten" to just name a few! This dessert was delicious made up of simple flambed crepe with grand marnier, orange zest, sugar and whipped cream..something so easy, but FABULOUS! This dessert alone made the night worth it when we went for my graduation dinner! Then you add on wonderful service, the owner stopping by to check on us, smooth jazz and good food...this all equals a night to remember! What we had... mushrooms stuffed with crab...yum! Pancetta wrapped shrimp...this was well liked, but I didn't try it so going to go on what others said...delicious! Salad (loved that it was mixed greans and not iceberg....) French onion soup-a lil too much sherry, so OK Filet-Good not the best, but that's ok! Filet with brie wrapped in bacon-Vote was delicious and a clean plate ;) Perch-Good Fish and Chips-Good I will definitely be going back even if it's for the crepe alone, but most likely will be for the atmosphere, service and dinner too ;) Not to mention the wine, which was reasonable and poured nicely!
(4)Munchie W.
Boodles! Boodles! TABLE SIDE STEAK Au POIVRE!!! I LOVE BOODLES! Joe is the man!!! I moved out of state and really really really miss this place! Last time I came home to visit, I ate here 3 times in 2 days!!!
(5)Nancy M.
My friend suggested this restaurant for one of our girls luncheons; unfortunately, they were not open that Sunday. So I decided to go back for dinner with another friend. From the outside I thought it was going to be a dive. I was pleasantly surprised by the inside and the food. If you are going for an inexpensive dinner, this is not your place. They are moderately priced but they are worth it for that special dinner. Take your special person and enjoy some good food, wine and the atmosphere. Try the Grape Crush drink - you will be blown away and drunk by the middle of it. Overall - it was a great experience and I would definitely recommend them to anyone who will listen. Enjoy!
(4)Victoria A.
My neighborhood favorite! My husband and I always do the "chateaubriand for two" . It is served on a cart. The weekend live entertainment is wonderful. Love Love Love this place!
(4)Liv R.
Used to love this place. Went on new years eve with a reservation, still waited an hour. Service was disgustingly awful. As a bartender, I KNOW how busy the restaurant was, but staff accordingly and do your job. Did not receive bread, every table around us (sat after us did), I do not drink, so hense when I ordered soda water there was eye rolling involved (my guest was drinking alcohol), ordered shrimp cocktail app, guest ordered brisket and I ordered the filet mignon, I asked if there was any type of sauce on it (I have several allergies and avoid most types of sauces), she said she "didn't think so", so I replied "if there is, no sauce please"...we were then asked soup or salad for our entrees, I ordered salad, guest ordered soup......got our (4 piece @ 13.95) shrimp cocktail, never were checked on, drinks were empty, never received water...waiting for our soup and salad...here come our entrees! With sauce on my steak. Never have done this before but we asked for her to charge us for the drink and app and we were leaving. $1 tip. Again, I'm a bartender, I would never normally do this. This place used to be awesome, and now the service is a fail.
(1)Elizabeth H.
Do not let the outside rundown appearance fool you. This place is excellent! This was our first time here and we were not dissappointed. Both our server (Wendy) and our food were amazing. We started off with the ceasar salad for 2, which was pretty much the best ceasar salad I've ever had! Just a warning, the portions for the salad are huge, so if you are not starving, you might want to split it (if that is an option). For our entrees I got a steak special called the Wilson and my boyfriend got the Oscar Filet (a filet with crab meat on top). Although both were good, I have to say the Oscar was better, the filet and crab meat combination was delicious!!! Even though I was stuffed, I was tempted by their dessert tray and got the creme brulee, which was worth stuffing myself for. I can't wait to go back!!! Also, there is a coupon for $25 off $75 on their website, which we used.
(5)Maggie H.
We went to Boodles as a recommendation from a co-worker and we have returned many times since. I always shied away from the purple-awninged location because it appeared somewhat sketchy and old-school mobster like. The good news is that Boodles definitely has that old-school feel with a great dark-wood bar, lots of gold speckled mirrors, and a live piano player. It looks like it was once the height of 70's elegance, which gives it lots of character and I couldn't have been more thrilled when we entered. I just couldn't help but smile!! Then we were so excited with the menu options. There are great steaks, smothered in rich sauces and an amazing seafood strudel. I would also highly recommend the crab stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer; they are one of the better I have had in metro. My husband is particularly fond of their Steak Au Poive and compares it to Flint's Red Rooster. I often get the Steak Stewart, which has boursin cheese, mushrooms, and wine...all of which rate very high on my list of greatest things ever! The only thing that I could think to improve our experiences at Boodles would be the wine menu. My husband and I enjoy wine and I have always thought their selection could use some more variation, especially with the way different wines could interact with their great meals. In addition, my husband shies away from Boodles when he just wants a good, plain steak. I adore Boodles creative steaks, however sometimes my husband just wants a non-elegant piece of beef. Overall, we are never disappointed when we go to Boodles and have taken many friends there over the years. With the great food and awesome character it is well worth the reasonable price and rates high for great steaks in the metro area!!
(5)Pete D.
Cool old school place. The guy that owns the place is Bruno a class dude. He wears a tux and does table side Flambe'. The place is a blast and the cat on the piano is always ready to play any request you can think of. Oh I guess I should say something about what I like about their food. OK here we go. STEAK! Steak Diane table side. Lobster! lots of butter never over cooked. The bartender pours a mean drink I rarely do more than two because I don't need too! Go taste it for yourself this is not a dance club!
(4)Tanya A.
We recently went here for an anniversary dinner, as it had been highly recommended by many of my friends. Upon walking in I felt I was walking into a closet. Its very small. I could see that most of the restaurant was empty, only about 4 tables were filled. Despite it being empty the server still sat us at a table right next to other people. These other patrons were loud and obnoxious, not a good start for our anniversary dinner. Viewing their menu we noticed there was almost nothing in line for a vegetarian, except salads and a few pasta dishes. After ordering our food, he were forced to hear the hostess babble on about how shinny her hair was and many personal issues about herself that should have never been announced in public, let alone a "high class restaurant". (she was very trashy) Food came, it was okay - I have had better pasta dishes at Apple bee's. Our server was okay, we've had better servers. The chocolate martinis were delicious, I considered ordering a second one when I noticed the bar tender blowing his nose, then looking at his boogers in the tissue and then continuing on without washing or sanitizing his hands... NASTY! The bathroom was tiny, and stunk of bowels. Overall not the best experience for an anniversary dinner. I expected way more than what they had to offer. Lesson learned, we will never return there again.
(1)Sue H.
Cant tell you the lasts time I enjoyed a meal this much!!! Had the seafood strudel---it was wonderful!!!!! The service was great would definately go back again.
(5)Eric P.
Boodles is by far the best restaurant I've eaten at in Madison Heights. In a sea of mediocre restaurants, Boodles has been the fancy night out restaurant in the community for nearly 25 years and I don't think the decor or menu have changed much since then. But I love its charm. I've only eaten lunch at Boodles so I can't comment on any of the entertainment or table-side flambé dishes served during dinner service, but whenever I'm in town I usually make a stop here with my mom. I love their seafood. My mom loves their fried lake perch served on a giant mound of fries with a butter caper sauce which is tasty. I usually order the cajun whitefish with veggies and raspberry red wine sauce. I love that sauce, it matches so perfectly with the flavor of the fish. All entrees are served with a salad, bread, and your choice of a side (fries, mashed potato, mix vegetable, and more). Most fish dishes can be broiled, blackened, or fried. The salads are great too. The salads include mixed greens, cucumbers, chickpeas, and tomatoes. I always order the house made blue cheese dressing with blue cheese chunks. It's very rich! About the only bad thing I've had here was the Creme Brulee (it was $8 DOLLARS!), so don't order that. All in all though, I always have a great, delicious meal at the fanciest restaurant in Madison Heights.
(5)Judie B.
HORRIBLE. TERRIBLE. Steak has so much gristle it was inedible. Crab cakes tasted like "K"rabcakes and the mashed potatoes tasted like instant mashed. Only good thing was the bread and the clam chowder. and for this pleasure it cost us $80 without drinks. Waitress never came back to check on food. Had to ask another waitress to get her so we could get our bill and leave. When she finally did come over she noticed the steak was under cooked and remarked she could have taken it back. Really? When? Don't waste your time or money. Restaurant was old and dingy also.
(1)Dave S.
Boodles came highly recommended and if you keep an eye out or sign up online, they offer a $25 off a $75 meal coupon...not a bad deal. I dined out with my girlfriend and and two friends. My girlfriend and I both came to pretty much the same conclusions on the meal. Right away I thought we got a bum deal on our table. We were literally the second table from the kitchen so the entire meal the staff was walking past me. I swear a woman almost hit my friend in the head with her tray coming out of the kitchen, literally 2 inches above him. There were plenty of open tables and a better location might have been nice. First the appetizers. We ended up splitting the Tuna and Calamari. The Tuna was sesame style and was pretty good. Not the best I've had but good. The calamari was tossed in a salad almost with lettuce, tomatoes, capers, peppers and more. I thought the dish was way too heavy on capers, but the Calamari itself was nice and tender and went well with the beurre blanc sauce. Meals came with a choice of soup or salad and this was probably the best part of my meal. The soup of the day was a New England Clam Chowder. It was thick and delicious and what you would expect from higher end seafood restaurants. For the entree I chose the Steak Diane (a recommended house specialty). It is on the V.I.P. menu that comes with table-side service. A nice older gentleman wheeled out a cart and brought a plate with out filets. I grew more and more concerned as I observed him working on the meal. It seemed as though he was piling on mountains upon mountains of the brandy and dijon cream sauce. When the dish was finally presented it looked like a filet resting in the middle of a bowl of soup. The meal came with mashed potatoes and they were just immersed in the sauce. The whole dish was literally taking a bath. My girlfriend got the Steak Stewart, another house specialty. Her meal came the same way, absolutely swimming in wine sauce. Overall, the service was good and if you have the $25 coupon the meal can be well worth it. I will probably give Boodles a second chance, but would go with seafood. My choice would probably be the highly recommended lobster tail instead of steak. However, if you are to go with beef, I would suggest going with the regular filet. Our friend went with the 6oz and it looked like it was cooked to perfection and was under $20.
(3)Thomas P.
This is my all time "special occaision" restaurant. Boodles is a classic restaurant with the fine restaurant atmosphere of 50 years ago. The owner, Bruno, will often greet people as they arrive and yes they play piano standards in the bar. The food is wonderful there is a wide choice of quality dishes however quality does not come cheap. I could not afford to eat here every day, however when I want a special dinner treat I will gladly drive from the Brighton area to enjoy a meal here.
(5)Brian B.
I drove by this place for almost 2 years every day after work and never tried it until recently. I'm not going to lie, It looks pretty rough from the outside, especially after the awning was ripped off from a storm a couple weeks ago, but they are doing some remodeling it appears. I've been 2 or 3 times so far and each time has been great. I highly recommend the calamari to start. My favorite dish was the Seafood Strudel. It was shrimp, lobster, and scallops wrapped in filo dough topped with a lobster cream sauce. A little on the spendy side. Average check for 2 will be about $50-60 depending on what you order, but I think it's a fair deal for what you get.
(4)Rebecca T.
Apparently I need to go back for the seafood strudel.... Armed with yet another coupon/GC from restaurant.com , I headed out on a Saturday night with a friend and was greeted by the hostess with a "good evening, do you have a reservation?". Ummm, no? I can't tell you the last time I made a reservation for a place. But, no worries, we were put on a list and even the reservations had a wait. Normally this would annoy me, but we grabbed a spot at the bar and had a nice chat and did some people watching. I agree with the others, the decor is quite dated but I'm sure that's part of the charm. It was very warm in there, but I blame it on the fact that we were right by the cooking/flambe station, but it made for good entertainment (and no one lost any hair in a fiery mishap, which is always a plus). We both got the crab cakes and my friend was impressed with their version of the house salad, complete with blue cheese, and my New England clam chowder? Thick and flavorful. Crab cakes were delicious, and a big enough portion to have some to take home (which, I sit here eating as I write, and they are almost as good as they were last night). While I would have loved to have tried the tableside cherries jubilee they offer, my belly could not accommodate such a feast. Again, I think I need to go back, for strudel and jubilee.
(4)Kate H.
I made my second trip to Boodles tonight (the last was over ten years ago) and it hasn't changed a bit. I like to imagine what a hoppin' and classy joint it would have been in the 40's. Alas, it didn't open until 1985, so I have no idea if this building even existed in the 40s, but Boodles is pretty classy nonetheless. With the best restaurant name ever, Boodles is pretty deceiving. I mean, it's a silly name and the building doesn't look like much from the outside, although there is a nice, screened-in patio. You walk in and are definitely transported back in time, but I like it. It's comfortable and cozy, with its dark wood and dim lighting. The service tonight was amazing and I wish I'd taken advantage of the lobster or crab special, but I got the chicken special, which was really tasty and the way he described it, it sounded like something they'd make on Top Chef. It's definitely on the pricier side, a more upscale fare I guess you could say, but you can get a $9 burger that I'm confident is great or one of the huge salads they have on the menu. One of my dining companions ordered the chef salad and I'm not kidding, it had an enormous stack of meat piled on it. I got a ton of food with my meal (enough to take some home for lunch tomorrow) for $17, and that included a nice-sized salad with super fresh greens and an incredible garlic basil vinegarette. The bread that they brought to start also deserves a mention because it was dense and delicious. Everything definitely seemed like it was made in house, from the bread, to the dressing, to the little ricotta and black truffle filled pasta pockets that came with my chicken special. Go to Boodles. They'll treat you nice and serve you good food, and based on the lacking dinner crowd when we were there, I'm guessing they could use your business.
(4)Nancy O.
I really do love this place! Food is delicious, portions are good and a decent wine list! Location is weird, don't let that scare you away!
(5)Lisa M.
I was really disappointed in this place. I think they try to sell themselves as an upscale restaurant, but the whole experience was just awkward. To begin, the outside of the restaurant looks a bit unkempt, so I was already a bit hesitant. The inside looked pretty dated and my hopes sank a little bit more. The waitress we had was not good - a little overly attentive at times (explaining all of the details of the specials after we said we were ready to order and after she had already pointed to the wall where they were located) and not attentive at others - empty glasses half way through the meal and never refilled. Being in the restaurant industry in the past, I could handle this, even though there were only 3 tables in the entire restaurant at 7pm on a Friday night. However, it gets worse. I ordered fish with vegetables and asked for it to be cooked without butter and oil. When she brought my meal, she informed me that they decided to cook my meal in a little olive oil because it was good for me. I'm not the type of person to complain, so I just accepted it, but the fish was drenched in oil. And this I could even handle. When I took a bite of the fish, I felt like I was eating fish that had been old for a week. It was not fresh at all and I honestly didn't want to risk eating it for fear of getting sick. When someone (management?) stopped by to ask how things were, we politely explained that our experience had not been great. He apologized but I was surprised that he didn't offer to try to correct anything - or even fill our empty glasses that we had mentioned hadn't been refilled. So, in all, this was one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. I will not go back and would encourage you to not waste your time.
(1)Heather H.
DUH! Go there!
(5)Scott S.
I still love Boodles, as one reviewer writes "it is a diamond in the rough". It never makes it though...Too bad, I keep hoping it can achieve perfection. Anyway, I say I love it and I do, who doesn't love anything tableside? They have a few tableside items. I love the bar and piano and I love to get some vino, escargot and saganaki. OPA!
(4)Ben O.
While the table side is kind of useless, awkward and unnecessary, the food is always solid. The service is too. In my experience at least. The prime rib and other steak options are worth the money. Not blow me away but everytime I've been here I've left happy. Maybe I've just gotten lucky the 6/7 times I've gone. But if thats the case than I'm the luckiest man alive.
(4)o o.
Smoky, dimly lit joint with live music Tues thru Sunday. They describe it as a touch of NYC, Chi-town and SF but it is more a confused restaurant searching for its identity. There's a bar on one side and a restaurant on the other. Service is SLOW. Food is mediocre; Caesar was ordinary with yummy but oily dressing, crab cakes were good for MI, and salmon was acceptable. This place would be nice to grab a drink and listen to the piano player's vocals. This place needs Chef Gordon Ramsay!
(2)Anne K.
Overpriced and terrible service. We went there for a birthday party and given the prices, expected great food. I ordered the steak diane which came with soup or salad. I asked what the soups were and was told beef barley and french onion. She said the french onion would be a upcharge. The upcharge was the full price of the soup, not a additional one or two dollars like I was expecting. The steak diane was terrible. It looked like soup with cube steak in it. It tasted even worse. The texture was that of cube steak and the sauce was disgusting. I ate about three bites of it. When the waitress came by and asked how the food was, I told her how terrible it was. It was like she didn't believe me. She said that everyone else likes it and its their top seller. She took away the plate without apologizing. They did not take it off our bill and a manager never came by to say they were sorry. The outside looks like a dump and the food tastes like garbage.
(1)Paul K.
Was the worst restaurant we have ever been to. I had the veal marsalla and my wife had the steak Diane. Both dishes were drowned in wine sauce that tasted terrible. When my wife complained to the server she replied that it's one of our most popular dishes, and walked away. This place is also not kid friendly. If we could rate it with less than one star we would.
(1)Mark M.
Was the worst service I've had in years. Will never go back. Can't comment on the food since we walked out after waiting for over an hour and not having our food done. Was seated, took over 20 minutes for our waitress to take our order. She came back at the 45 minute mark to finally bring us our drinks (25 minutes after we gave them to her). At the 1 hour mark, I told my wife it was time to leave. We got up, left some money on the table to cover the drinks and went to eat elsewhere. We tried flagging down our waitress numerous times throughout the night, but she never came by and pretended not to notice us. We wrote a letter to the manager a few days later but never got so much as a return phone call or a letter in response. I will never go back to this place. Literally, the worst service I have ever experienced in my 42 years.
(1)Abby M.
I love Boodles. And by love, i mean super triple heart superbly adore it. It looks a bit sketchy from the outside and the inside decor is a bit.... well 80's-ish (But how can you go wrong with a live piano player that looks like he stepped right off an episode of Three's Company??). Every time I've been there I've had the Seafood Strudel. I've wanted to try other things on the menu but cannot ever seem to allow myself to gravitate away from the strudel dish. Definately check it out. Support a family/locally owned place (not to mention its got way more character and the food is just as good as someplace like The Capital Grill.)
(5)Lish D.
Tired of that traffic jam on I-75? Try Boodles. It's a trip back in time and worth the stop if you're sick of traffic!
(3)Allison R.
I went here on a Friday night date with my boyfriend. It was extremely crowded (we were seated at a tiny table in the corner of the restaurant-- I could barely squeeze into my chair). It was so loud that we couldn't carry a conversation and my crab cakes weren't very good. I will not be going back.
(2)Todd S.
Yesterday, 8-27, was my 2nd time eating at this restaurant. The first time would have been my last, but I returned on the reputation of the place and maybe the first time they were having a bad day. Nope. I don't remember what I had during my first experience, but this last time I had the steak au poivre. I must first begin by saying that my date and I started with a "table side" ceaser salad. I use quotes because it wasn't. The waiter made the salad around the corner where we couldn't see him. He didn't ask how salty we wanted it, by the addition of sardines. All he asked is if we wanted more pepper after he served it. The salad was better than OK, but wasn't worth $14. Sure didn't seem like a homemade dressing. If you want a true table side ceaser salad than Mr. Paul's is the way to go hands down, damn good. My steak au poivre was featured to be cooked "table side" and just like the salad, it was prepared around the corner. The waiter asked how i wanted it cooked and my response was med rare, it came out med. The bland sauce had no cream it in at all, like it should. It also was everywhere on my plate so my steamed veg were swimming in a bland brown water. Not good. My date had a fillet cooked perfectly with tasty mashed taters. This is my absolute last time. Good thing we had a $25 off coupon.
(1)Peter S.
Food gets four stars and service gets two stars, thus three stars.
(3)nick m.
As a Detroit native having moved to Chicago, there are a few things that I pretty much plan my trips home around - all of which are places to eat... Boodles is my favorite restaurant in the area, for a few reasons: The wine selection is excellent, and the I have never had the service here be anything less than great. The steak au poivre is definitely my favorite, with the steak diane a close second. The ceasar salad, made tableside is always good as well. The live piano music adds a nice touch, and there are plenty of semi-secluded tables if you are there for a romantic dinner. Although it isn't on the menu, ask for the Komodo shrimp - its a little expensive but, in my opinion, well worth it. Overall, a great place with a nice atmoshphere and excellent food!
(5)Elizabeth M.
This is a diamond in the rough. The food is excellent from start to finish. Table side dining is great and the dishes never fail to be full of flavor and ingenuity. The wait staff will make you feel comfortable and will accommodate your needs in any way possible. We typically dine there at least once a month. Vegetarian friendly.
(4)Matthew P.
Ignore Katie Z's review, she doesn't know what she's talking about. From the moment I walked into this place, I knew that I had found a hidden gem. Small, cozy, dimly lit, and just plain "old school", this is a great spot to grab a drink and get some dinner. The steaks are excellent and their seafood dishes are right on point as well. Their salads, also, some of the best I've ever had. Along with the live entertainment, the staff is what makes this place such a great spot. The Ed Norton look-a-like waiter, Joe, is a cool cat and he makes sure that my drink is always full. He even lets us leave through the backdoor mafia style. If you have never dinned here, give it a shot.
(4)Shiela J.
Yay, I am a fan. I have passed this restaurant on several occasions and would never have thought of going in had I not read about it on another blog that I enjoy. Looking at the restaurant from the outside, it looks like a mere dive joint. Nothing bad, I just never what expected the wonder that I found on the inside. It has a nice old school charm. Quaint, dim lights, great waiter service and awesome smells every time you turn around. How is it that I have never ventured here before. The bar seems to be the place to be. The crowd was fun and loud. A good time was had by all. Not only do you get an awesome dinner but some live entertainment just is the icing on the cake. The food was wonderful. Starting with the French onion soup, it was just too good for words. Dinner was accompanied with a salad full of hearty beautiful spring greens...it was served ice cold and I had the blue cheese dressing which was clearly made in the restaurant. I had the lamb shank which was one of their specials on top of a mound of garlic mashed potatoes with some amazing sauce. My friend and I ended the evening with the house made cherries jubilee. It had a little much orange zest for my taste, but still delicious. This was done tableside...but by tableside, they mean a table they have set aside for all of the tableside dishes. You'd have to get up and go to see it prepared. Although not worth the trip...the place is too small. Not worth getting up if you don't have to. The parking lot is convenient but a little awkward. I also don't get why the slogan says "Where East Meets West." Its no where near any sort of fusion. Maybe Eastside meets Westside? Who knows. But if you are looking for a nice dinner out. Go there. Its worth it. Consider a reservation if you go during a busy time.
(4)Matthew D.
i really enjoy boodles every time i go there. it's a great place to take a date, the piano player and quaint little restaurant makes for a great atmosphere. the steak diane cooked tableside is a good dish... but i can't stay away from the crab legs. you can get lobster or a pound of crab legs (or is it 1/2 pound?) for $20. i also love the house salad and the ceasar salad, and the drinks are right on point. they make a great dry martini. there seem to be quite a few regulars in here, and it's always full of laughter. i think it's one of the better little finds in the area.
(4)Kim M.
Boodles is one of our favorites places. The wait staff is wonderful, ask for Maria (She's the best!!!). Bruno has own the place since the dawn of time (it's like talking to your own grandfather). The food is wonderful. I always have a steak. My husband always has either the lobster, veal oscar, or the seafood strudel. The cesar salad is for two. Yes, Mr. Paul's is better, but the rest of their food wasn't as good, and it's in Frazier. The point is Boodles is family. We went for our anniversary one year. The wait staff bought our drinks, and Bruno picked up the dessert. The piano man sang us a medley. The place is packed for a reason people, make a reservations. Maybe you can get into other steak house for a reason. Think about it.
(5)lisa renee g.
Love this place! I always get the veal oscar as my entree. My husband will switch between crab cakes, seafood streudel or chicken piccata. We always start with escargot and calamari. And this is the only place I always get dessert, which is always changing. Great wine selection also! The food is always great and the service is wonderful.
(5)R S.
My wife and I ate here for the first time yesterday. I had driven by countless times, but never been drawn to it, however, the Yelp reviews are good, so I became curious to try it. I was driving by recently and saw a banner advertising 1 1/2 pound Maine lobster dinner for $25, and suggested to my wife that we try it. We arrived at the restaurant, and everything started out very well. It is well-kept, has an inviting atmosphere, and the service staff is excellent. Our waitress was very attentive, friendly, and professional. Our waitress offered lobster bibs, and we thought it would be fun to wear them... she even took our pictures and we were having a great time! The lobsters came and we began to eat. After a bite or two, my wife asked me if I tasted anything funny. I told her not really, although I thought it was a bit tough, and passed it off as being overcooked; the claw meat also had had an odd consistency. But she insisted "smell this." I took a whiff and instantly recognized ammonia. I wondered if something happened, like if it fell on the floor and they used ammonia to clean it, which I really didn't expect, but I didn't know why it would smell that way. So she googled lobster and ammonia and found that lobsters that were dead or sick before they were cooked will emit an ammonia smell. So we called the waitress and asked her to smell it, and she stated she didn't smell anything, but took the lobster back to the kitchen. Then a man came out and told us he was Bruno, the owner. Bruno informed us immediately that there was nothing wrong with these lobsters, and that he is prohibited by law from cooking dead lobsters, they must be alive when he cooks them. We didn't mention what we had found on Google, only that it smelled like ammonia. We asked him to smell it and he refused, stating that the smell of a dead lobster is so strong that "you can't get near it." He said they were fine "this morning" when they were cooked. He said he couldn't bring her a different lobster, that they cost him $15 each and he can't "eat that cost." At this point she didn't even want another lobster, and she asked if he could offer her another dish, which he refused. He also told us he couldn't deduct it from our bill, either, even though we hadn't asked. He then left and went back to the kitchen. After that, I cut a piece of the lobster I was eating, and put it against my nose and also smelled ammonia. Now I felt sick, knowing that I'd already eaten several bites of a lobster that had something wrong with it. I told the waitress that I couldn't eat mine either and asked her to take it. Bruno had been so insistent that he wouldn't deduct my wife's from our bill, that I said to tell him we will pay him $15 each for his cost and cash out. She came back with a bill for $31.80, which we paid and left. Maybe it wasn't dead when it was cooked, but there was definitely something wrong with it. I later did some research and found that tanks that aren't properly maintained will cause problems with ammonia also. lobsterworld.com/tank-ma… The fact that the Bruno took no action to make things right, rather insisted he was right, is why I won't return. That kind of attitude is not only unwanted, but can lead to serious health problems in a restaurant. If you choose to eat here, be very careful with the lobster!
(1)Paul A.
This place has gone down hill. What used to rank top on my list is now officially off my list. I used to always recommend this place, however I can not anymore. The server was nice, but I felt like he was trying to be a salesman and he gets commission for the up sales. Now for the food! I ordered the French onion soup and it tasted so salty that it could not be eaten. I ordered the prime rib which comes with mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes were dry and flavorless. I ordered the prime rib to be cooked medium. I received the prime rib rare,not medium, not medium rare, but rare. So rare that it was still cold in the center. I let the server know and he just grabbed the plate, he didn't apologies or tell me how he was going to make it right. So because of his reaction I told him don't bother bringing another one out. In other words I left the restaurant hungry. The part that made me mad was, I didn't get an apology, they did not make an attempt to make it right. The manager didn't even come to the table. I understand mistakes happen, but I also believe it's how you correct the mistake. If someone apologized and tried to make it right. I probably would not even be leaving this review. So on that note my final remark is i am so disappointed in this place what used to be one of my favs is now in need of restaurant impossible to turn it around.
(1)Anna M.
My office holiday party was held at Boodles. We had a set menu chosen by our boss, which gave us a choice of the seafood strudel, filet mignon, or whitefish. I got the filet. They forgot my onion straw garnish, but the waitress quickly brought some out. The sauce was good, but there was too much of it. The mashed potatoes were very good, as was the salad - very fresh. The service was excellent, but that may have been because we were a private party - it was crowded in the restaurant, even though it was lunch time. The desserts were wonderful. The decor is tacky and run-down looking, and the outside of the building is even worse. I think I'd prefer going for lunch simply because it was crowded then, and I'd hate to see what it's like during a dinner rush. There are too many tables, set far too close together. I did find it VERY high priced given the experience. Will likely go again just to see if the experience is better.
(2)Lauren M.
WOW! What an absolute GEM! I can't believe I've been driving past here on the regular for about 3 years and never stopped in! Well, we finally did. It's an old school restaurant that's figured out the recipe for a successful restaurant: GREAT FOOD + an attentive wait staff. Great menu selections and I don't think you could go wrong with any entrée. Building looks run down, inside is a little older. A wear-what-you-want type of atmosphere. So why NOT 5 stars? The location: it's just ugly. I stared at the onramp to 75 and Diamond Jims the whole time. If you're looking for a more scenic view, and this type of food, I'd visit Town Tavern in RO (excellenté as well ;)) The Instant Mashed Potatoes: Common guys, its shows a bit of laziness in the kitchen. Fresh mashed potatoes was one of the first foods I learned to make--its super easy. I even heard the table next to us complaining.
(4)Paolo H.
Five stars here for Boodles. One of these terrific hidden Detroit gems featuring old school continental cuisine. This place has the common theme of many great Detroit restaurants - its all about the food; the exterior has that same familiar look of a run down dry cleaner. In Detroit, that often accompanies a great authentic approach to food. That is definitely the case at Boodles. Inside, there is a kitchy, 1970s upscale chop house vibe. People often call me for great under the radar places to eat. I have sent dozens of locals here. Usually, I hear raves about the meal. I believe Boodles has the very best hand tossed caesar salad in the Detroit area. It is prepared table side with real Italian parm, vinegar, oil, fresh garlic and fresh egg. They start the dressing in the bottom of the bowl mashing and mixing all ingredients together before your eyes. Its a very zesty take on a caesar, busting with a flavor that is very much to my liking. One note of caution, however, make sure the owner, Bruno makes it - zesty. If he is not there, make sure they follow his recipe. I have had a server there make it "her way" and it was a disaster. If you like mild, delicate and creamy caesars, this is not your place. The steak entrees are equally delicious. Again sauteed tableside using brady, marsala, etc.. The steak Diane and Steak Oscar are unbelievable. The pastas are also a good choice. The service is homey and authentic but informed. Again, old school. Food is 5 stars.
(5)Regina S.
I've been meaning to get to this review for a while.. I just kept forgetting. This is one of those places when my dad wants to go to "fancy dinner" he will pick Boodles. This is also one of those places my ex hubby used to hang at all the time and get shitfaced at the bar. So, I guess it's great for a few reasons. The waitstaff are very nice from the experiences I've had. I prefer to go here for lunch though because it just gets too fucking crowded and you feel like you're eating at another person's table, it gets all kinds of weird. I do love the seafood streudel though... God, it is GOOD!! Last time I went with my dad for dinner, he ordered veal Oscar, which he said he didn't like and sent it back, but I couldn't tell ya cuz I would never eat veal anything. Prices are steep, but the food is good and the place is pretty nice, especially since the redo. Just really don't want to eat in your lap there, strange person... /Dad fancy!
(4)Beverly C.
Don't let the outside fool you, the food here is delicious. They could use an update to the decor and I absolutely hate that pink awning outside. If they would just do a classy more steakhouse feeling sign on the outside I think they would get a ton more business. Their landscaping needs some love too. But they are located right off the free way so a great place to meet a good client for lunch. Food is scrumptious. I have loved everything I have tried. Seafood, steak, dessert. Yum. They have a guy who sings and plays the piano. Pretty cool! Highly recommend.
(4)Myrtle M.
By the looks out of the outside of the place and the location, I always assumed Boodles was a casual sports bar, but I was definitely mistaken. It's elegant, a little more upscale than expected, and the food is on the high-end but worth it. Let me give a course-by-course playback: The bread was warm and soft and lovely. The wine list was ample, and the cocktail list was as well. For starters, go with the Caesar salad. They'll make it table-side for you in a big wooden bowl, and it's divine and full of zesty spices and freshness. If you do go with a house salad, the raspberry vinaigrette is made with fresh raspberries and more like a heavenly glaze versus a dressing. For entrees, my husband ordered the lamb chops and was less than impressed. His veggies were also quite bland but uniquely rough chopped, despite their blandness. I ordered a filet and was more than impressed. It was perfectly flavored and grilled to perfection. My plate MAY have had tongue marks on it. I'm deducting a star for one reason: The table-side service is a fun aspect of Boodles, but the restaurant gets outrageously smoky for a good ten to fifteen minutes afterwards. I walked out smelling like char-grilled meat, which the neighborhood dogs loved, but I wasn't too fond of. They could really invest in a better ventilation system, or at least do table-side in a designated area.
(4)Edward E.
On a recent trip to Detroit from Chicago, my wife and 5 year old son and I came here for dinner. When we first walked in, we were like, OH? It looked very dated and old school, and there weren't many people there (they had just opened for dinner) However, everything from start to finish was great. Our waitress was excellent, the people were friendly and answered our questions (we had many) and we were treated very well. I read a post where they stated it was very kid unfriendly, I would have to say just the opposite. The waitress asked my son to come over and WATCH as they made Bananas Foster!! It was very cool, and so nice. All of the food was delicious, from the bread and rolls, soup, salad, main course and dessert. When we are in town we will definitely stop back. Awesome. steak, great fish (special of the day) and the bananas foster was amazing. This time we are SO getting the Saganaki!!
(5)Kris C.
What I love about Boodles, aside from the food (more on that in a minute), is that it doesn't try to be anything it's not. It's not trying to be hip. It's not trying to have chic ambiance. It's not attempting to be a trendy joint where a hipster address means sex appeal. Boodles is old school. A dining experience in the same vein as "The Golden Mushroom". Maybe not quite as high-brow but classic decor, a dining event. Boodles doesn't need a facelift because it's about enjoying food with complete abandon, no worries about making sure you are wearing the right clothes or rubbing elbows with the right crowd. Not saying you should walk in dressed like a douche' who just rolled out of bed but it's completely unpretentious. Onto the food, Boodles isn't cheap by any means but for a nice dinner it's perfect. The tableside ceasar is fantastic! Crunchy, salty, garlicky, everything a girl could want. You might not want to mash with your date later but with a salad this good, who cares? The london broil, which was a special of the day, was delicious. Perfectly cooked, fork tender and simply beautiful to look at. I am one of those people who could give a rats ass about the perfect presentation. Perfectly stacked portions need not apply. And your balsamic drizzle? Give me a damn break. Just make the plate look like the food I ordered and leave the abstract artistry to the diddleheads who get off on big dollars spent on little substance. The crab cakes are another delicious menu item, though I just took a smal bite of my friends. The tableside banana's foster was wonderful...sweet, a little smokey and all that yummy melted ice cream goodness at the bottom of my bowl? I tipped that bowl to get every last drop. The atmosphere is relaxed and charming and the service is truly top-notch. Our waiter was fantastic and very attentive. I have a feeling Boodles isn't looking for it's identity at all, as suggested by a previous review. Boodles is the woman who wears white after Labor Day, while others snicker, because she knows she can still pull it off. And she does. And that confidence is what sex appeal is all about. Boodles knows what it is, puts the focus on the right things and doesn't need to change to appease anyone because it's not "cool" or "hip" or what it could be. Boodles is consistantly delicious food, without the chain or let's decorate via Ikea, feel.
(4)Pam G.
My husband and I dined at Boodles restaurant in Madison Heights on Saturday 2/4/12. We asked the waitress which of the three entree's we should order - The seared Ahi Tuna with shrimp, the Veal Oscar, or the Crab stuffed Salmon (which was the special that night). She replied, "the Crab stuffed Salmon" because its a special, and "its fresh" - I wasn't sure what she mean't by that, but my husband went ahead and ordered the special, the Salmon, and I opted for the seared Ahi Tuna with shrimp. We also had the table side Ceasar and a glass of wine. We've been to this place twice before, and although they are a little high priced for the area, we enjoyed our past experiences along with the entertainment the restaurant offers. After our dinner, we went home and I didn't feel that great, so I took a tums and went to bed. At 3:00 a.m I woke up shivering and had body shakes, my stomach was turning. I went to the bathroom and threw up! After I threw up once, I went back to bed and was okay. The next day was Super bowl Sunday. I was lathargic, and my stomach felt bad all day long! We had dinner plans with friends that night and even though I managed to go out, I couldn't stomach eating a thing! I called Boodles on Super bowl Sunday to report this food poisoning, but they were closed. So I waited, and called again on Monday. I was told the manager Maria wouldn't be in until 5:00 p.m. So, I called back at 6:00 p.m. and asked for her and explained that I believed I got food poisoning there from the Seared Ahi Tuna I ordered. She was firm and adamant in her response, she said first she was sorry I was sick, but that food poisoning takes 24 hours to set in and quickly dismissed my concern saying that it is a dish they serve often and that even the servers ate it that night and no one got sick. She had no other reports of it, so she wasn't concerned. I told her that the only other thing I had that day was breakfast out at a restaurant (it was a coney island) she quickly pinned the blame on that, and wanted to hang up. I told her to take my telephone number just in case someone else reported food poisoning, I would want to know about it. That was it. I was quickly dismissed. After I hung up, I started thinking about it more. Both my husband and I ate the same thing at the Coney Island for breakfast that same morning (eggs, toast, bacon and pancakes) and he and I were fine all day long. The only thing that both of us ate differently that day was the TUNA! I also googled how long it takes for food poisoning to hit your system and the general consensus was anywhere from 2-36 hours, with the general response being 2-6 hours, which would coincide with my experience. Here are a couple of the googled responses: _________________________ Best Answer - Chosen by Voters Generally within 2-6 hours after eating contaminated food. Depending on the toxin or organism involved, it can take longer, even days, but generally 2-6 hours. Source(s): I'm a nurse. As long as it takes to digest food and absorb it into your blood stream. This can take anywhere from 2 hours to 4 hours depending on the meal and your age, i.e if you are a kid or an adult. _________________________ If you have bacteria in your system, it doesn't take 24 hours to take effect! So, sorry Maria, you are just plain wrong! I thought long and hard before I decided to YELP this, because I know restaurants work long and hard to establish reputations, and I don't want to tarnish a restaurants reputation with one bad experience, but I really just wanted to call and alert the manager so that she wouldn't serve that TUNA to anyone else. I don't think I achieved what I set out to do. My husband and I have a three year old and it was our one night to get out and enjoy a good dinner. Our bill was $104.79 - I sure paid the price in more ways than one!! p.s. I've never had food poisoning before in my life and I certainly didn't have the 24 hour flu, as it was over once I threw up and got it out of my system.
(1)J M.
TERRIBLE! If I could give zero stars I would have. I never post reviews, but this experience was so terrible I just had to share. I was out to celebrate a special night with my boyfriend and we were just appalled at how awful the food was at this seemingly "fine" restaurant. For the relatively high prices I was expecting to at least have a decent meal, but this food was just bad, in nearly every way. We started with the mussels, which were clearly cooked from frozen as the shells were crumbling in the dish, and eventually a piece nearly chipped my tooth!! Next came the French onion soup, or more accurately, "fondue". Which was about 80% cheese, 15% (dried) thyme, and 5% water. By the time my entrée came out I almost didn't have an appetite anymore but was excited to try their seared Tuna per the server's recommendation. When the Tuna came out it was sliced and fanned out in the common presentation, but there was a thick piece of connective tissue that ran through all seven slices (still intact no less[!], holding all seven pieces still connected) that even the chef was not able to cut through......but yet still saw it fit to serve to me?!?! Also, the tuna itself was very mealy and watery which indicates that it was ALSO, cooked from frozen..... I almost never spit out food, but at this point I have already had to chew and spit out TWO different items I ordered. I was already at my breaking point by this time (and also, completely turned off) and although I hate to complain, I had to send it back. I really had no appetite anymore but the server came out and said the chef insisted that I try another dish. I hesitated because I really was so displeased I did not think the night could get any better, but she was very persistent, so I decided to try and go the opposite direction of fish and tried the lamb shank. As all of this exchanging of meals was going on, my poor boyfriend (who was trying to treat me to a special meal), was sawing away on his piece 12oz new York strip, OOPS, I mean 6.5oz of gristle, with some meat around it. That "gem" of a meal was accompanied by a tablespoon of overworked, pasty, mashed potatoes, that had been in the steam table so long, they tasted like metal, and had taken on a strange gray color, and the "caramelized" onions, were hardly even cooked, but surely not caramelized. Yet we both were struggling to salvage this miserable experience when the final cherry was placed atop when we got the bill and saw that the entrée that was sent as a correction, the one I initially turned them down for but they insisted I take instead, was the one they were charging for...... at a much higher rate,with no other comps to make up for any of their failures in execution. We paid, in full and tipped handsomely and left, but it just was not sitting right with us so my boyfriend decided to call and share our feelings with 'Joe' the manager. He was not looking for a refund, just simply to bring it to their attention that their food was exceptionally horrible. Instead of doing what you SHOULD be doing in customer service and taking responsibility for the shitty meal, he just tried to cover his ass and put it on the waitress. He kept trying to make excuses and in a few words pretty much told my boyfriend (a seasoned chef, btw) that he was wrong about the quality of food they served us. 'Joe' kept saying he would make it up to us, and that we should come back so he can buy us a drink and/or an appetizer......which was a silly attempt at this point because I have no idea why either of us would want to go back just to eat more shitty food. So please, save yourself the money and order a pizza. Major disappointment! And Boodles, just close your doors if this is how you intend to conduct business.
(1)Bob D.
Good food, service and entertainment make up for the dated decor, grungy outside and old chairs. The muted trumpet player last Saturday was great.
(3)Sari G.
Went to this restaurant with a group of friends. Thought it looked kind of ghetto but I was pleasantly surprised. Food was really good and prepared "table side." Service was great. I would definitely come back to this restaurant!
(4)Jake C.
I was in town for a day visiting some relatives... My aunt brought me here over ten years ago and when I came to visit as an adult, the other day, I told her I want Boodles for dinner ! The food was excellent just as I remembered from Ten years ago.. The clams were as good as last time ! I will return sooner than another 14 years !
(5)Marty F.
This was my first time here and I'd liken it to clawson steak house. So that means it was awesome. Our server Leah was a cutey pie. A little fawn. Attentive, but didn't over talk us, and recommended the perch, which was fantastic. The Italian wedding soup was very good too. My lady got the crab cakes. Very good as well, but my perch kicked more ass. Half off wine was awesome too. It wasn't very busy, so the noise level was pleasant. The interior makes me wanna watch Cheers. The decor is very late 80s/early 90s, which I really dig. Most people would be turned off by that, but most people are idiots. Keep on doing what yr doing. Cuz yr doing it right. As the T-800 would say..."I'll be back".
(5)Rachael P.
Meal was incredible. My girlfriend and I ordered a small feast and everything was amazing. Crab stuffed mushrooms, table side Caesar salad, New York strip steak with steamed veggies and the seafood strudel with garlic mashed potatoes. The dressing on the Caesar salad was perfect and the salad alone was enough to fill us up. The best part was our awesome server Ruth Anne. She filled us in on the best beer/wine bargains and was so personable and patient with us despite the fact that we came in relatively late at night.
(5)Patrick B.
Love this place. Been eating here since 1994. Steak Diane is the bomb. Favorite of mine in the "D". Hidden and wonderful. .
(5)Valerie K.
What a disappointment. Visited on a Friday evening for dinner and drinks. Walked right into 1985. I felt like I was on the set of Moonlighting.To be fair, a good show but better left in the 80's. The piano player mostly played his horn which made for a very "throwback" feel. Could be cool, but ...it wasn't. The food was less than average. They were out of the steak my bf ordered so they substituted a strip steak, and charged $30. He said it was overcooked. I ordered a chicken sandwich. Meh. Nothing special. That food with literally two drinks each and our bill was $97. Over $100 with tip for an experience that was awful. The place hasn't been updated since I visited 20 years ago. I think it will be at least another 20 before I consider Boodles again. Perhaps dementia will have set in by then.
(1)Mo R.
Love this place. Dark woods, cosy and romantic, with a piano man at hand. They are a bit pricey but have VIP table service and great food. Take a date there you wont regret. I have been going for 17 yrs, about once a year for special occasion.
(5)Amber M.
Best steak ever. My dessert was delicious as well. The service was great. The meals my friends and I ordered all turned out excellent. Cool atmosphere. My boyfriend won points for taking me there tonight. We will definitely be going back again soon.
(5)Dave H.
I was always curious about Boodles driving past it daily. My fiancé and I decided to give It a try for the first time, during the fall last year. I have now came here about 6 times, bringing new friends to try each time. Could the inside use an update; of course. But the food is excellent and the service is great. The second time I came, I tried the off the menu special, Oscar Filet. This is now the item I come back for monthly. Do yourself a favor, let them cook it medium rare as they suggest and you will not be disappointed. The table side Caesar is also a must have! For the fair price, great service and excellent food; boodles is a must try!
(5)Kristy A.
My husband and I have been to Boodles many times, but it has been maybe a year. Today will be our last time ever stepping foot into that restaurant. To start the waiter was way to pushy, I personally don't like that. I'm all about paying good money for good food, but it was far from good. A thirty five dollar appetizer was pushed (lobster) that was not good at all. Food was just ok, used to be one of the best. After dinner I just wanted to leave and once again our waiter pushed dessert.
(1)Jonathan S.
Thank goodness by fiance brought me here for Valentine's Day. I have literally passed by this place for most of my adult life as it lies right on the freeway service drive to downtown. I always assumed that this was a tiny bar and grille. I have a buddy that grew up around the corner and he had no idea what was inside. Well now I know better. This is an old school chop house with traditional chop house menu items. Of course you have your obligatory filet mignon and chicken piccata. However, there are also lamb chops, a half duck with one part covered in a creamy orange sauce and the other in sweet ligonberry preserves, and Chateaubriand, a tableside flaming filet mignon for two. All of the entrees come with soup and salad, both of which are fairly standard. You can upgrade to a french onion soup for a little bit more. They also serve delicious warm yeasty rolls which honestly just make you hungier for your tastiness to come. Obviously from my long description of the duck dish, this is what I ordered for my first time here. My fiance ordered the Chicken Marsala. The duck dish was fantastic and accompanied by a baked stuffed tomato. Everyone around me kept looking at our table to see my dish and one guy on his way out tapped me on the shoulder to ask how it was. We liked our experience so much that we went back a couple weeks later with my future in-laws, who also were very impressed with the restaurant. We shared a bananas foster and it was so good that we were tempted to order another. They also have live music I believe from Thursdays to Sundays. Now, overall I probably described most upscale chain restaurants you can find in any major metro area. However, you will not find another place like this for the price. In business speak, they have a compelling value proposition. Please please please try it out.
(5)Andi O.
Who would have thought this was such a wonderful romantic restaurant? Man, what a pleasant surprise! A colleague took my other half here for a business dinner, and he was so impressed that he insisted on taking me back for a date night. We had a great experience. Our dinner and the service was outstanding. They also had a piano player that added to the ambience. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Blake W.
This restaurant is top notch. They have table side service with very personable employees. Their food is unparalleled. If you want to take your lady on a date this is the place to go. Romantic yet fun and the food options are exquisite. Get the Cesar salad. It is phenomenal.
(5)M V.
Wow, what a surprise treat! Amazing food for a great price! In my opinion, the tableside Caesar salad is the best I've had, better than Mr. Paul's.
(4)David D.
You can't judge a book by its cover. Old decor but amazing food and friendly staff. Never disappointed. The table side meals are to die for!
(5)Richard F.
Ordered a medium rare cheeseburger. It came out without cheese. Sent it back. The fries were iced cold and the burger was described as coming with Lettuce Tomatoes and Onion. There was no onion. Maybe this is a better bar than it is a restaurant. It kind of felt like a bar to me.
(2)Cathy s.
We went there strictly from recommendations on Yelp and glad we tried. The entire place has a real 80's vibe and the piano player and vocalist were about 10 times too loud for the restaurant. You had to almost yell to talk to the people at your table. All that said, the service was excellent and the food was awesome! The three entrees we ordered were Seafood Strudel, Veal Oscar and Salmon Stuart ( on the VIP menu). The chef actually brought the salmon and all the ingredients to the table and described how he would be preparing the dish ....pretty cool! Everyone enjoyed their dinner and we all had a taste of each others....all were really good. The guys had a Wayne Gretskey red wine that was quite good.
(4)Nazneen M.
I'll start off by giving my final impression. This place was over hyped to me, and it didn't live up to the expectation in my mind. That isn't the restaurants fault; it's just not my type of place. The food is kind of Italian-American with loads of seafood dishes and random specials. This is an expensive version of Olive Garden or Sweet Lorraine's to me. They had some nice specials like ribs and duck. The server was a bit pushy, but he probably had some incentive to be that way. Appetizer: Sesame Tuna and their table bread. Impression: The bread looked like pretzel dough. Very buttery and soft with a crusty outside. The bread was good. The tuna however had zero sesame flavor. It was laid over a bed of warm seasonless/flavorless shredded zucchini and carrots. The meat was somehow over and undercooked at the same time. I didn't taste the tuna at all. Drink: Old-fashioned Impression: I like my cherry muddled, but they don't do it here. There are different ways to make an old-fashioned, so this isn't a criticism, but a statement. Their lack of beer made me sad, but they have a decent wine selection. Entrée: Chicken Parmesan Impression: Unimpressed. It was this huge soggy breaded chicken breast smothered in tomato sauce covered in cheese laid over a bed of angel hair pasta. Nothing about this dish was exciting. I was something I could have made in 5 minutes at home, but I probably would have added more spices. Some thyme or basil would have helped the dish. I was looking for something to cut the acidity of the tomatoes in the dish, but there was nothing. My friend got chicken marsala, and she liked it. However, she felt the same way. It wasn't anything you couldn't find anywhere else. Overall: I would not go back here or recommend this place to people. The food lacked seasoning, the ambiance is stale, and the drinks are average. There isn't one thing that would draw me back here. Nothing stood out to me. When I think of boring food, I think of chain restaurants. And that's what the food is like here. That might be the most hipster-y thing I've said today, but it fits.
(3)Michelle A.
Love this place! Food is great, great cocktail selection. Waitstaff is friendly, helpful, and knowledgable about the menu etc. We had the Filet and Crab and it was prepared as requested and delicious. Will definitely come back!
(5)Scott R.
Food is amazing! An iconic place! If you're lucky enough to find a seat at the bar, Kevin will keep you coming back. Our date night wouldn't be complete without his great service.
(5)Victoria A.
My neighborhood favorite! My husband and I always do the "chateaubriand for two" . It is served on a cart. The weekend live entertainment is wonderful. Love Love Love this place!
(4)Tanya A.
We recently went here for an anniversary dinner, as it had been highly recommended by many of my friends. Upon walking in I felt I was walking into a closet. Its very small. I could see that most of the restaurant was empty, only about 4 tables were filled. Despite it being empty the server still sat us at a table right next to other people. These other patrons were loud and obnoxious, not a good start for our anniversary dinner. Viewing their menu we noticed there was almost nothing in line for a vegetarian, except salads and a few pasta dishes. After ordering our food, he were forced to hear the hostess babble on about how shinny her hair was and many personal issues about herself that should have never been announced in public, let alone a "high class restaurant". (she was very trashy) Food came, it was okay - I have had better pasta dishes at Apple bee's. Our server was okay, we've had better servers. The chocolate martinis were delicious, I considered ordering a second one when I noticed the bar tender blowing his nose, then looking at his boogers in the tissue and then continuing on without washing or sanitizing his hands... NASTY! The bathroom was tiny, and stunk of bowels. Overall not the best experience for an anniversary dinner. I expected way more than what they had to offer. Lesson learned, we will never return there again.
(1)Eric P.
Boodles is by far the best restaurant I've eaten at in Madison Heights. In a sea of mediocre restaurants, Boodles has been the fancy night out restaurant in the community for nearly 25 years and I don't think the decor or menu have changed much since then. But I love its charm. I've only eaten lunch at Boodles so I can't comment on any of the entertainment or table-side flambé dishes served during dinner service, but whenever I'm in town I usually make a stop here with my mom. I love their seafood. My mom loves their fried lake perch served on a giant mound of fries with a butter caper sauce which is tasty. I usually order the cajun whitefish with veggies and raspberry red wine sauce. I love that sauce, it matches so perfectly with the flavor of the fish. All entrees are served with a salad, bread, and your choice of a side (fries, mashed potato, mix vegetable, and more). Most fish dishes can be broiled, blackened, or fried. The salads are great too. The salads include mixed greens, cucumbers, chickpeas, and tomatoes. I always order the house made blue cheese dressing with blue cheese chunks. It's very rich! About the only bad thing I've had here was the Creme Brulee (it was $8 DOLLARS!), so don't order that. All in all though, I always have a great, delicious meal at the fanciest restaurant in Madison Heights.
(5)Judie B.
HORRIBLE. TERRIBLE. Steak has so much gristle it was inedible. Crab cakes tasted like "K"rabcakes and the mashed potatoes tasted like instant mashed. Only good thing was the bread and the clam chowder. and for this pleasure it cost us $80 without drinks. Waitress never came back to check on food. Had to ask another waitress to get her so we could get our bill and leave. When she finally did come over she noticed the steak was under cooked and remarked she could have taken it back. Really? When? Don't waste your time or money. Restaurant was old and dingy also.
(1)Paul A.
This place has gone down hill. What used to rank top on my list is now officially off my list. I used to always recommend this place, however I can not anymore. The server was nice, but I felt like he was trying to be a salesman and he gets commission for the up sales. Now for the food! I ordered the French onion soup and it tasted so salty that it could not be eaten. I ordered the prime rib which comes with mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes were dry and flavorless. I ordered the prime rib to be cooked medium. I received the prime rib rare,not medium, not medium rare, but rare. So rare that it was still cold in the center. I let the server know and he just grabbed the plate, he didn't apologies or tell me how he was going to make it right. So because of his reaction I told him don't bother bringing another one out. In other words I left the restaurant hungry. The part that made me mad was, I didn't get an apology, they did not make an attempt to make it right. The manager didn't even come to the table. I understand mistakes happen, but I also believe it's how you correct the mistake. If someone apologized and tried to make it right. I probably would not even be leaving this review. So on that note my final remark is i am so disappointed in this place what used to be one of my favs is now in need of restaurant impossible to turn it around.
(1)Anna M.
My office holiday party was held at Boodles. We had a set menu chosen by our boss, which gave us a choice of the seafood strudel, filet mignon, or whitefish. I got the filet. They forgot my onion straw garnish, but the waitress quickly brought some out. The sauce was good, but there was too much of it. The mashed potatoes were very good, as was the salad - very fresh. The service was excellent, but that may have been because we were a private party - it was crowded in the restaurant, even though it was lunch time. The desserts were wonderful. The decor is tacky and run-down looking, and the outside of the building is even worse. I think I'd prefer going for lunch simply because it was crowded then, and I'd hate to see what it's like during a dinner rush. There are too many tables, set far too close together. I did find it VERY high priced given the experience. Will likely go again just to see if the experience is better.
(2)Lauren M.
WOW! What an absolute GEM! I can't believe I've been driving past here on the regular for about 3 years and never stopped in! Well, we finally did. It's an old school restaurant that's figured out the recipe for a successful restaurant: GREAT FOOD + an attentive wait staff. Great menu selections and I don't think you could go wrong with any entrée. Building looks run down, inside is a little older. A wear-what-you-want type of atmosphere. So why NOT 5 stars? The location: it's just ugly. I stared at the onramp to 75 and Diamond Jims the whole time. If you're looking for a more scenic view, and this type of food, I'd visit Town Tavern in RO (excellenté as well ;)) The Instant Mashed Potatoes: Common guys, its shows a bit of laziness in the kitchen. Fresh mashed potatoes was one of the first foods I learned to make--its super easy. I even heard the table next to us complaining.
(4)Paolo H.
Five stars here for Boodles. One of these terrific hidden Detroit gems featuring old school continental cuisine. This place has the common theme of many great Detroit restaurants - its all about the food; the exterior has that same familiar look of a run down dry cleaner. In Detroit, that often accompanies a great authentic approach to food. That is definitely the case at Boodles. Inside, there is a kitchy, 1970s upscale chop house vibe. People often call me for great under the radar places to eat. I have sent dozens of locals here. Usually, I hear raves about the meal. I believe Boodles has the very best hand tossed caesar salad in the Detroit area. It is prepared table side with real Italian parm, vinegar, oil, fresh garlic and fresh egg. They start the dressing in the bottom of the bowl mashing and mixing all ingredients together before your eyes. Its a very zesty take on a caesar, busting with a flavor that is very much to my liking. One note of caution, however, make sure the owner, Bruno makes it - zesty. If he is not there, make sure they follow his recipe. I have had a server there make it "her way" and it was a disaster. If you like mild, delicate and creamy caesars, this is not your place. The steak entrees are equally delicious. Again sauteed tableside using brady, marsala, etc.. The steak Diane and Steak Oscar are unbelievable. The pastas are also a good choice. The service is homey and authentic but informed. Again, old school. Food is 5 stars.
(5)Regina S.
I've been meaning to get to this review for a while.. I just kept forgetting. This is one of those places when my dad wants to go to "fancy dinner" he will pick Boodles. This is also one of those places my ex hubby used to hang at all the time and get shitfaced at the bar. So, I guess it's great for a few reasons. The waitstaff are very nice from the experiences I've had. I prefer to go here for lunch though because it just gets too fucking crowded and you feel like you're eating at another person's table, it gets all kinds of weird. I do love the seafood streudel though... God, it is GOOD!! Last time I went with my dad for dinner, he ordered veal Oscar, which he said he didn't like and sent it back, but I couldn't tell ya cuz I would never eat veal anything. Prices are steep, but the food is good and the place is pretty nice, especially since the redo. Just really don't want to eat in your lap there, strange person... /Dad fancy!
(4)Beverly C.
Don't let the outside fool you, the food here is delicious. They could use an update to the decor and I absolutely hate that pink awning outside. If they would just do a classy more steakhouse feeling sign on the outside I think they would get a ton more business. Their landscaping needs some love too. But they are located right off the free way so a great place to meet a good client for lunch. Food is scrumptious. I have loved everything I have tried. Seafood, steak, dessert. Yum. They have a guy who sings and plays the piano. Pretty cool! Highly recommend.
(4)Mark H.
Yes, the decor is straight out of the 80's. Boodles has a number of unique dishes that you don't find on just any restaurant menu, so it was refreshing to have to pick. At our table, our entrees were the seafood strudel, crab cakes, steak Diane, and tuna. All entrees were excellent. The steak Diane is prepared "in the dining room" and not "tableside". I agree with the other reviewer who said it was swimming in sauce; the sauce was good but they did have about 4x more than necessary. We also had the calamari appetizer (just ok, I wouldn't order it again) and the saganaki (good, would be pretty hard to screw that one up). The bread was warm and delicious. The desserts presented well and were tasty. One that we ordered was just a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Somehow I can accept $28 for a steak, but $4.95 for a single scoop of ice cream seems ridiculous. We didn't find that out until the bill came. Service was adequate. Our waitress knew the menu well, she obviously had been working there a while. Our drinks sat empty a little too long more than once, that is one of the differences between a 4 star Boodles and a 5 star almost-fine dining restaurant. Just over $40 a head out the door with all courses and drinks. There doesn't appear to be a $25 off $75 coupon as of this writing; I'd hold off on going back to Boodles until I have one. Then I can afford the vanilla ice cream.
(4)Lisa C.
For the record, Ruth-Ann our server was the greatest. If it had not been for her then the whole dining experience would have really went to the gutters. Also, I'm not a crazy picky person but I know what's good, I cook a lot and have worked in nice restaurants and know when expensive food is well worth it or just a hoax... this was well... We got there around 5:30 last night (a slow Saturday) with only two other tables in the building. We were sat in the very last table in the back right by the bathrooms... really? Hostess never said much, never gave eye contact for that matter (probably knowing we hated the table but just wanted to run away) and quickly walked away. Ruth-Ann saved the day and knew we didn't like it and moved us up to the window. Much better. The place and the food is way more dated than I last remembered. 1980's called they want their food back. I had a dirty martini and we had the voodoo shrimp appetizer which was good. We should have stopped there. Salad was way overdressed in dressing. We ordered the NY Strip and the sesame seared tuna and shrimp. The NY strip didn't come out with a small ribbon of fat like it should, it came out almost 90% fat with the instant mashed potatoes sliding around in the meats odd juices. It was completely non-edible. I think my poor boyfriend was going to get sick from the awful sight and smell of it all. Ruth-Ann kindly took it away. The seared tuna was way overcooked, not seared and rare, it was gross and tasteless. I am positive the same chili thai sauce that is thrown, drizzled, slopped and then even added to a full ramekin on the side because the pool of it on the plate apparently isn't enough, is the same crap sauce I bought at Kroger for $1.99 on a whim. I basically had a plate of sweet chili thai sauce, over cooked tuna drowning in sesame seeds and some crap rice floating in the same sauce.... they also did the whole 'parsley sprinkled all over the rim of the plate' thing too... yeah, cause that makes it taste better. The best part was the olive juice for my dirty martini. It's hard to find a good martini. Also, the desert plate (a.k.a. fake play-doh creations) looked like they had been dropped and picked at a few times since 1983 when the Lions played at the Silverdome. We spent a lot of money for nothing and regretted not going to Outback for their amazing RARE seared tuna. We left Boodles and ordered a pizza. We were hungry. The place is just dated and could be so much more. Update the menu, atmosphere and for Gods sake clean up the outside. Even the fly that hung out with us on the window would have agreed.
(2)Brandon Christopher G.
4 because we came late and table side service was unavailable. Bit sure who's fault that was, ours or theirs?!?! Great experience. Loved it!
(4)Sue H.
Cant tell you the lasts time I enjoyed a meal this much!!! Had the seafood strudel---it was wonderful!!!!! The service was great would definately go back again.
(5)Howard F.
A more than pleasurable dinning experience. The food is outstanding. Yes, it's pricey, but you get what you pay for. Please don't let the location nor the exterior steer you away. Tables are a bit closed quarters. Table side dinners are prepared "off to the side" as the space isn't conducive, but all was thoroughly enjoyable as the cook gets you involved with conversation on the preparation. I've been coming to this unique place for years. Prior to hockey games for a steak bite app at the bar or on a hot date with the wife with complete dinner, drinks, and desserts. Piano player at times. Check out specials on the board. We both ordered table side Steak Diane with a bit of a twist~mine medium/rare and hers medium. Perfect!!! Our waiter was knowledgable about every aspect of wine, specials, and the more than ample menu. Perfect dinning. Don't be a snob!
(5)Mike M.
I like this place. Went there on a Wednesday night, when it was only about 1/4 full. This guy was playing some mellow classic rock on the keyboard, which was really nice. I had the seafood strudel which was rich, creamy and flaky. Only negative was the two shrimp on top of it were dry and rubbery.
(4)Tanya M.
Oh crepes suzette how I love thee! At first bite the remarks around the table were...."mmmm" "heaven" "the best thing I've ever eaten" to just name a few! This dessert was delicious made up of simple flambed crepe with grand marnier, orange zest, sugar and whipped cream..something so easy, but FABULOUS! This dessert alone made the night worth it when we went for my graduation dinner! Then you add on wonderful service, the owner stopping by to check on us, smooth jazz and good food...this all equals a night to remember! What we had... mushrooms stuffed with crab...yum! Pancetta wrapped shrimp...this was well liked, but I didn't try it so going to go on what others said...delicious! Salad (loved that it was mixed greans and not iceberg....) French onion soup-a lil too much sherry, so OK Filet-Good not the best, but that's ok! Filet with brie wrapped in bacon-Vote was delicious and a clean plate ;) Perch-Good Fish and Chips-Good I will definitely be going back even if it's for the crepe alone, but most likely will be for the atmosphere, service and dinner too ;) Not to mention the wine, which was reasonable and poured nicely!
(4)Munchie W.
Boodles! Boodles! TABLE SIDE STEAK Au POIVRE!!! I LOVE BOODLES! Joe is the man!!! I moved out of state and really really really miss this place! Last time I came home to visit, I ate here 3 times in 2 days!!!
(5)Nancy M.
My friend suggested this restaurant for one of our girls luncheons; unfortunately, they were not open that Sunday. So I decided to go back for dinner with another friend. From the outside I thought it was going to be a dive. I was pleasantly surprised by the inside and the food. If you are going for an inexpensive dinner, this is not your place. They are moderately priced but they are worth it for that special dinner. Take your special person and enjoy some good food, wine and the atmosphere. Try the Grape Crush drink - you will be blown away and drunk by the middle of it. Overall - it was a great experience and I would definitely recommend them to anyone who will listen. Enjoy!
(4)Liv R.
Used to love this place. Went on new years eve with a reservation, still waited an hour. Service was disgustingly awful. As a bartender, I KNOW how busy the restaurant was, but staff accordingly and do your job. Did not receive bread, every table around us (sat after us did), I do not drink, so hense when I ordered soda water there was eye rolling involved (my guest was drinking alcohol), ordered shrimp cocktail app, guest ordered brisket and I ordered the filet mignon, I asked if there was any type of sauce on it (I have several allergies and avoid most types of sauces), she said she "didn't think so", so I replied "if there is, no sauce please"...we were then asked soup or salad for our entrees, I ordered salad, guest ordered soup......got our (4 piece @ 13.95) shrimp cocktail, never were checked on, drinks were empty, never received water...waiting for our soup and salad...here come our entrees! With sauce on my steak. Never have done this before but we asked for her to charge us for the drink and app and we were leaving. $1 tip. Again, I'm a bartender, I would never normally do this. This place used to be awesome, and now the service is a fail.
(1)Elizabeth H.
Do not let the outside rundown appearance fool you. This place is excellent! This was our first time here and we were not dissappointed. Both our server (Wendy) and our food were amazing. We started off with the ceasar salad for 2, which was pretty much the best ceasar salad I've ever had! Just a warning, the portions for the salad are huge, so if you are not starving, you might want to split it (if that is an option). For our entrees I got a steak special called the Wilson and my boyfriend got the Oscar Filet (a filet with crab meat on top). Although both were good, I have to say the Oscar was better, the filet and crab meat combination was delicious!!! Even though I was stuffed, I was tempted by their dessert tray and got the creme brulee, which was worth stuffing myself for. I can't wait to go back!!! Also, there is a coupon for $25 off $75 on their website, which we used.
(5)o o.
Smoky, dimly lit joint with live music Tues thru Sunday. They describe it as a touch of NYC, Chi-town and SF but it is more a confused restaurant searching for its identity. There's a bar on one side and a restaurant on the other. Service is SLOW. Food is mediocre; Caesar was ordinary with yummy but oily dressing, crab cakes were good for MI, and salmon was acceptable. This place would be nice to grab a drink and listen to the piano player's vocals. This place needs Chef Gordon Ramsay!
(2)Matthew D.
i really enjoy boodles every time i go there. it's a great place to take a date, the piano player and quaint little restaurant makes for a great atmosphere. the steak diane cooked tableside is a good dish... but i can't stay away from the crab legs. you can get lobster or a pound of crab legs (or is it 1/2 pound?) for $20. i also love the house salad and the ceasar salad, and the drinks are right on point. they make a great dry martini. there seem to be quite a few regulars in here, and it's always full of laughter. i think it's one of the better little finds in the area.
(4)Maggie H.
We went to Boodles as a recommendation from a co-worker and we have returned many times since. I always shied away from the purple-awninged location because it appeared somewhat sketchy and old-school mobster like. The good news is that Boodles definitely has that old-school feel with a great dark-wood bar, lots of gold speckled mirrors, and a live piano player. It looks like it was once the height of 70's elegance, which gives it lots of character and I couldn't have been more thrilled when we entered. I just couldn't help but smile!! Then we were so excited with the menu options. There are great steaks, smothered in rich sauces and an amazing seafood strudel. I would also highly recommend the crab stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer; they are one of the better I have had in metro. My husband is particularly fond of their Steak Au Poive and compares it to Flint's Red Rooster. I often get the Steak Stewart, which has boursin cheese, mushrooms, and wine...all of which rate very high on my list of greatest things ever! The only thing that I could think to improve our experiences at Boodles would be the wine menu. My husband and I enjoy wine and I have always thought their selection could use some more variation, especially with the way different wines could interact with their great meals. In addition, my husband shies away from Boodles when he just wants a good, plain steak. I adore Boodles creative steaks, however sometimes my husband just wants a non-elegant piece of beef. Overall, we are never disappointed when we go to Boodles and have taken many friends there over the years. With the great food and awesome character it is well worth the reasonable price and rates high for great steaks in the metro area!!
(5)Pete D.
Cool old school place. The guy that owns the place is Bruno a class dude. He wears a tux and does table side Flambe'. The place is a blast and the cat on the piano is always ready to play any request you can think of. Oh I guess I should say something about what I like about their food. OK here we go. STEAK! Steak Diane table side. Lobster! lots of butter never over cooked. The bartender pours a mean drink I rarely do more than two because I don't need too! Go taste it for yourself this is not a dance club!
(4)Henry B.
I was here with Brian B because we had a coupon and it was close by. This place is a flashback to an 80s cruise ship complete with jazzy keyboard player and 1985 decor. The 80s are back baby. I come from a land down unda! I had the Seafood Strudel and it was delicious. It's the next day and I'm still full from how much food they gave us. This place has deceptively good food. Seafood Strudel. That's all you need to know and order here.
(4)Emily B.
Hidden gem! Would never have guessed from the old diner looking exterior that this place was such a diamond in the rough. 80's decorating needs some updating but it kinda adds to the charm. Food was excellent, waitstaff couldn't have been friendlier. And who can dislike a place that has a guy on a synthesizer playing Sinatra. Looking forward to my next trip back!
(4)Bob D.
Good food, service and entertainment make up for the dated decor, grungy outside and old chairs. The muted trumpet player last Saturday was great.
(3)Sari G.
Went to this restaurant with a group of friends. Thought it looked kind of ghetto but I was pleasantly surprised. Food was really good and prepared "table side." Service was great. I would definitely come back to this restaurant!
(4)Dave S.
Boodles came highly recommended and if you keep an eye out or sign up online, they offer a $25 off a $75 meal coupon...not a bad deal. I dined out with my girlfriend and and two friends. My girlfriend and I both came to pretty much the same conclusions on the meal. Right away I thought we got a bum deal on our table. We were literally the second table from the kitchen so the entire meal the staff was walking past me. I swear a woman almost hit my friend in the head with her tray coming out of the kitchen, literally 2 inches above him. There were plenty of open tables and a better location might have been nice. First the appetizers. We ended up splitting the Tuna and Calamari. The Tuna was sesame style and was pretty good. Not the best I've had but good. The calamari was tossed in a salad almost with lettuce, tomatoes, capers, peppers and more. I thought the dish was way too heavy on capers, but the Calamari itself was nice and tender and went well with the beurre blanc sauce. Meals came with a choice of soup or salad and this was probably the best part of my meal. The soup of the day was a New England Clam Chowder. It was thick and delicious and what you would expect from higher end seafood restaurants. For the entree I chose the Steak Diane (a recommended house specialty). It is on the V.I.P. menu that comes with table-side service. A nice older gentleman wheeled out a cart and brought a plate with out filets. I grew more and more concerned as I observed him working on the meal. It seemed as though he was piling on mountains upon mountains of the brandy and dijon cream sauce. When the dish was finally presented it looked like a filet resting in the middle of a bowl of soup. The meal came with mashed potatoes and they were just immersed in the sauce. The whole dish was literally taking a bath. My girlfriend got the Steak Stewart, another house specialty. Her meal came the same way, absolutely swimming in wine sauce. Overall, the service was good and if you have the $25 coupon the meal can be well worth it. I will probably give Boodles a second chance, but would go with seafood. My choice would probably be the highly recommended lobster tail instead of steak. However, if you are to go with beef, I would suggest going with the regular filet. Our friend went with the 6oz and it looked like it was cooked to perfection and was under $20.
(3)Thomas P.
This is my all time "special occaision" restaurant. Boodles is a classic restaurant with the fine restaurant atmosphere of 50 years ago. The owner, Bruno, will often greet people as they arrive and yes they play piano standards in the bar. The food is wonderful there is a wide choice of quality dishes however quality does not come cheap. I could not afford to eat here every day, however when I want a special dinner treat I will gladly drive from the Brighton area to enjoy a meal here.
(5)Brian B.
I drove by this place for almost 2 years every day after work and never tried it until recently. I'm not going to lie, It looks pretty rough from the outside, especially after the awning was ripped off from a storm a couple weeks ago, but they are doing some remodeling it appears. I've been 2 or 3 times so far and each time has been great. I highly recommend the calamari to start. My favorite dish was the Seafood Strudel. It was shrimp, lobster, and scallops wrapped in filo dough topped with a lobster cream sauce. A little on the spendy side. Average check for 2 will be about $50-60 depending on what you order, but I think it's a fair deal for what you get.
(4)Rebecca T.
Apparently I need to go back for the seafood strudel.... Armed with yet another coupon/GC from restaurant.com , I headed out on a Saturday night with a friend and was greeted by the hostess with a "good evening, do you have a reservation?". Ummm, no? I can't tell you the last time I made a reservation for a place. But, no worries, we were put on a list and even the reservations had a wait. Normally this would annoy me, but we grabbed a spot at the bar and had a nice chat and did some people watching. I agree with the others, the decor is quite dated but I'm sure that's part of the charm. It was very warm in there, but I blame it on the fact that we were right by the cooking/flambe station, but it made for good entertainment (and no one lost any hair in a fiery mishap, which is always a plus). We both got the crab cakes and my friend was impressed with their version of the house salad, complete with blue cheese, and my New England clam chowder? Thick and flavorful. Crab cakes were delicious, and a big enough portion to have some to take home (which, I sit here eating as I write, and they are almost as good as they were last night). While I would have loved to have tried the tableside cherries jubilee they offer, my belly could not accommodate such a feast. Again, I think I need to go back, for strudel and jubilee.
(4)Kate H.
I made my second trip to Boodles tonight (the last was over ten years ago) and it hasn't changed a bit. I like to imagine what a hoppin' and classy joint it would have been in the 40's. Alas, it didn't open until 1985, so I have no idea if this building even existed in the 40s, but Boodles is pretty classy nonetheless. With the best restaurant name ever, Boodles is pretty deceiving. I mean, it's a silly name and the building doesn't look like much from the outside, although there is a nice, screened-in patio. You walk in and are definitely transported back in time, but I like it. It's comfortable and cozy, with its dark wood and dim lighting. The service tonight was amazing and I wish I'd taken advantage of the lobster or crab special, but I got the chicken special, which was really tasty and the way he described it, it sounded like something they'd make on Top Chef. It's definitely on the pricier side, a more upscale fare I guess you could say, but you can get a $9 burger that I'm confident is great or one of the huge salads they have on the menu. One of my dining companions ordered the chef salad and I'm not kidding, it had an enormous stack of meat piled on it. I got a ton of food with my meal (enough to take some home for lunch tomorrow) for $17, and that included a nice-sized salad with super fresh greens and an incredible garlic basil vinegarette. The bread that they brought to start also deserves a mention because it was dense and delicious. Everything definitely seemed like it was made in house, from the bread, to the dressing, to the little ricotta and black truffle filled pasta pockets that came with my chicken special. Go to Boodles. They'll treat you nice and serve you good food, and based on the lacking dinner crowd when we were there, I'm guessing they could use your business.
(4)Nancy O.
I really do love this place! Food is delicious, portions are good and a decent wine list! Location is weird, don't let that scare you away!
(5)Lisa M.
I was really disappointed in this place. I think they try to sell themselves as an upscale restaurant, but the whole experience was just awkward. To begin, the outside of the restaurant looks a bit unkempt, so I was already a bit hesitant. The inside looked pretty dated and my hopes sank a little bit more. The waitress we had was not good - a little overly attentive at times (explaining all of the details of the specials after we said we were ready to order and after she had already pointed to the wall where they were located) and not attentive at others - empty glasses half way through the meal and never refilled. Being in the restaurant industry in the past, I could handle this, even though there were only 3 tables in the entire restaurant at 7pm on a Friday night. However, it gets worse. I ordered fish with vegetables and asked for it to be cooked without butter and oil. When she brought my meal, she informed me that they decided to cook my meal in a little olive oil because it was good for me. I'm not the type of person to complain, so I just accepted it, but the fish was drenched in oil. And this I could even handle. When I took a bite of the fish, I felt like I was eating fish that had been old for a week. It was not fresh at all and I honestly didn't want to risk eating it for fear of getting sick. When someone (management?) stopped by to ask how things were, we politely explained that our experience had not been great. He apologized but I was surprised that he didn't offer to try to correct anything - or even fill our empty glasses that we had mentioned hadn't been refilled. So, in all, this was one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. I will not go back and would encourage you to not waste your time.
(1)Heather H.
DUH! Go there!
(5)Scott S.
I still love Boodles, as one reviewer writes "it is a diamond in the rough". It never makes it though...Too bad, I keep hoping it can achieve perfection. Anyway, I say I love it and I do, who doesn't love anything tableside? They have a few tableside items. I love the bar and piano and I love to get some vino, escargot and saganaki. OPA!
(4)Ben O.
While the table side is kind of useless, awkward and unnecessary, the food is always solid. The service is too. In my experience at least. The prime rib and other steak options are worth the money. Not blow me away but everytime I've been here I've left happy. Maybe I've just gotten lucky the 6/7 times I've gone. But if thats the case than I'm the luckiest man alive.
(4)Allison R.
I went here on a Friday night date with my boyfriend. It was extremely crowded (we were seated at a tiny table in the corner of the restaurant-- I could barely squeeze into my chair). It was so loud that we couldn't carry a conversation and my crab cakes weren't very good. I will not be going back.
(2)Todd S.
Yesterday, 8-27, was my 2nd time eating at this restaurant. The first time would have been my last, but I returned on the reputation of the place and maybe the first time they were having a bad day. Nope. I don't remember what I had during my first experience, but this last time I had the steak au poivre. I must first begin by saying that my date and I started with a "table side" ceaser salad. I use quotes because it wasn't. The waiter made the salad around the corner where we couldn't see him. He didn't ask how salty we wanted it, by the addition of sardines. All he asked is if we wanted more pepper after he served it. The salad was better than OK, but wasn't worth $14. Sure didn't seem like a homemade dressing. If you want a true table side ceaser salad than Mr. Paul's is the way to go hands down, damn good. My steak au poivre was featured to be cooked "table side" and just like the salad, it was prepared around the corner. The waiter asked how i wanted it cooked and my response was med rare, it came out med. The bland sauce had no cream it in at all, like it should. It also was everywhere on my plate so my steamed veg were swimming in a bland brown water. Not good. My date had a fillet cooked perfectly with tasty mashed taters. This is my absolute last time. Good thing we had a $25 off coupon.
(1)Peter S.
Food gets four stars and service gets two stars, thus three stars.
(3)nick m.
As a Detroit native having moved to Chicago, there are a few things that I pretty much plan my trips home around - all of which are places to eat... Boodles is my favorite restaurant in the area, for a few reasons: The wine selection is excellent, and the I have never had the service here be anything less than great. The steak au poivre is definitely my favorite, with the steak diane a close second. The ceasar salad, made tableside is always good as well. The live piano music adds a nice touch, and there are plenty of semi-secluded tables if you are there for a romantic dinner. Although it isn't on the menu, ask for the Komodo shrimp - its a little expensive but, in my opinion, well worth it. Overall, a great place with a nice atmoshphere and excellent food!
(5)Elizabeth M.
This is a diamond in the rough. The food is excellent from start to finish. Table side dining is great and the dishes never fail to be full of flavor and ingenuity. The wait staff will make you feel comfortable and will accommodate your needs in any way possible. We typically dine there at least once a month. Vegetarian friendly.
(4)Matthew P.
Ignore Katie Z's review, she doesn't know what she's talking about. From the moment I walked into this place, I knew that I had found a hidden gem. Small, cozy, dimly lit, and just plain "old school", this is a great spot to grab a drink and get some dinner. The steaks are excellent and their seafood dishes are right on point as well. Their salads, also, some of the best I've ever had. Along with the live entertainment, the staff is what makes this place such a great spot. The Ed Norton look-a-like waiter, Joe, is a cool cat and he makes sure that my drink is always full. He even lets us leave through the backdoor mafia style. If you have never dinned here, give it a shot.
(4)Anne K.
Overpriced and terrible service. We went there for a birthday party and given the prices, expected great food. I ordered the steak diane which came with soup or salad. I asked what the soups were and was told beef barley and french onion. She said the french onion would be a upcharge. The upcharge was the full price of the soup, not a additional one or two dollars like I was expecting. The steak diane was terrible. It looked like soup with cube steak in it. It tasted even worse. The texture was that of cube steak and the sauce was disgusting. I ate about three bites of it. When the waitress came by and asked how the food was, I told her how terrible it was. It was like she didn't believe me. She said that everyone else likes it and its their top seller. She took away the plate without apologizing. They did not take it off our bill and a manager never came by to say they were sorry. The outside looks like a dump and the food tastes like garbage.
(1)Paul K.
Was the worst restaurant we have ever been to. I had the veal marsalla and my wife had the steak Diane. Both dishes were drowned in wine sauce that tasted terrible. When my wife complained to the server she replied that it's one of our most popular dishes, and walked away. This place is also not kid friendly. If we could rate it with less than one star we would.
(1)Mark M.
Was the worst service I've had in years. Will never go back. Can't comment on the food since we walked out after waiting for over an hour and not having our food done. Was seated, took over 20 minutes for our waitress to take our order. She came back at the 45 minute mark to finally bring us our drinks (25 minutes after we gave them to her). At the 1 hour mark, I told my wife it was time to leave. We got up, left some money on the table to cover the drinks and went to eat elsewhere. We tried flagging down our waitress numerous times throughout the night, but she never came by and pretended not to notice us. We wrote a letter to the manager a few days later but never got so much as a return phone call or a letter in response. I will never go back to this place. Literally, the worst service I have ever experienced in my 42 years.
(1)Abby M.
I love Boodles. And by love, i mean super triple heart superbly adore it. It looks a bit sketchy from the outside and the inside decor is a bit.... well 80's-ish (But how can you go wrong with a live piano player that looks like he stepped right off an episode of Three's Company??). Every time I've been there I've had the Seafood Strudel. I've wanted to try other things on the menu but cannot ever seem to allow myself to gravitate away from the strudel dish. Definately check it out. Support a family/locally owned place (not to mention its got way more character and the food is just as good as someplace like The Capital Grill.)
(5)Lish D.
Tired of that traffic jam on I-75? Try Boodles. It's a trip back in time and worth the stop if you're sick of traffic!
(3)Kris C.
What I love about Boodles, aside from the food (more on that in a minute), is that it doesn't try to be anything it's not. It's not trying to be hip. It's not trying to have chic ambiance. It's not attempting to be a trendy joint where a hipster address means sex appeal. Boodles is old school. A dining experience in the same vein as "The Golden Mushroom". Maybe not quite as high-brow but classic decor, a dining event. Boodles doesn't need a facelift because it's about enjoying food with complete abandon, no worries about making sure you are wearing the right clothes or rubbing elbows with the right crowd. Not saying you should walk in dressed like a douche' who just rolled out of bed but it's completely unpretentious. Onto the food, Boodles isn't cheap by any means but for a nice dinner it's perfect. The tableside ceasar is fantastic! Crunchy, salty, garlicky, everything a girl could want. You might not want to mash with your date later but with a salad this good, who cares? The london broil, which was a special of the day, was delicious. Perfectly cooked, fork tender and simply beautiful to look at. I am one of those people who could give a rats ass about the perfect presentation. Perfectly stacked portions need not apply. And your balsamic drizzle? Give me a damn break. Just make the plate look like the food I ordered and leave the abstract artistry to the diddleheads who get off on big dollars spent on little substance. The crab cakes are another delicious menu item, though I just took a smal bite of my friends. The tableside banana's foster was wonderful...sweet, a little smokey and all that yummy melted ice cream goodness at the bottom of my bowl? I tipped that bowl to get every last drop. The atmosphere is relaxed and charming and the service is truly top-notch. Our waiter was fantastic and very attentive. I have a feeling Boodles isn't looking for it's identity at all, as suggested by a previous review. Boodles is the woman who wears white after Labor Day, while others snicker, because she knows she can still pull it off. And she does. And that confidence is what sex appeal is all about. Boodles knows what it is, puts the focus on the right things and doesn't need to change to appease anyone because it's not "cool" or "hip" or what it could be. Boodles is consistantly delicious food, without the chain or let's decorate via Ikea, feel.
(4)Pam G.
My husband and I dined at Boodles restaurant in Madison Heights on Saturday 2/4/12. We asked the waitress which of the three entree's we should order - The seared Ahi Tuna with shrimp, the Veal Oscar, or the Crab stuffed Salmon (which was the special that night). She replied, "the Crab stuffed Salmon" because its a special, and "its fresh" - I wasn't sure what she mean't by that, but my husband went ahead and ordered the special, the Salmon, and I opted for the seared Ahi Tuna with shrimp. We also had the table side Ceasar and a glass of wine. We've been to this place twice before, and although they are a little high priced for the area, we enjoyed our past experiences along with the entertainment the restaurant offers. After our dinner, we went home and I didn't feel that great, so I took a tums and went to bed. At 3:00 a.m I woke up shivering and had body shakes, my stomach was turning. I went to the bathroom and threw up! After I threw up once, I went back to bed and was okay. The next day was Super bowl Sunday. I was lathargic, and my stomach felt bad all day long! We had dinner plans with friends that night and even though I managed to go out, I couldn't stomach eating a thing! I called Boodles on Super bowl Sunday to report this food poisoning, but they were closed. So I waited, and called again on Monday. I was told the manager Maria wouldn't be in until 5:00 p.m. So, I called back at 6:00 p.m. and asked for her and explained that I believed I got food poisoning there from the Seared Ahi Tuna I ordered. She was firm and adamant in her response, she said first she was sorry I was sick, but that food poisoning takes 24 hours to set in and quickly dismissed my concern saying that it is a dish they serve often and that even the servers ate it that night and no one got sick. She had no other reports of it, so she wasn't concerned. I told her that the only other thing I had that day was breakfast out at a restaurant (it was a coney island) she quickly pinned the blame on that, and wanted to hang up. I told her to take my telephone number just in case someone else reported food poisoning, I would want to know about it. That was it. I was quickly dismissed. After I hung up, I started thinking about it more. Both my husband and I ate the same thing at the Coney Island for breakfast that same morning (eggs, toast, bacon and pancakes) and he and I were fine all day long. The only thing that both of us ate differently that day was the TUNA! I also googled how long it takes for food poisoning to hit your system and the general consensus was anywhere from 2-36 hours, with the general response being 2-6 hours, which would coincide with my experience. Here are a couple of the googled responses: _________________________ Best Answer - Chosen by Voters Generally within 2-6 hours after eating contaminated food. Depending on the toxin or organism involved, it can take longer, even days, but generally 2-6 hours. Source(s): I'm a nurse. As long as it takes to digest food and absorb it into your blood stream. This can take anywhere from 2 hours to 4 hours depending on the meal and your age, i.e if you are a kid or an adult. _________________________ If you have bacteria in your system, it doesn't take 24 hours to take effect! So, sorry Maria, you are just plain wrong! I thought long and hard before I decided to YELP this, because I know restaurants work long and hard to establish reputations, and I don't want to tarnish a restaurants reputation with one bad experience, but I really just wanted to call and alert the manager so that she wouldn't serve that TUNA to anyone else. I don't think I achieved what I set out to do. My husband and I have a three year old and it was our one night to get out and enjoy a good dinner. Our bill was $104.79 - I sure paid the price in more ways than one!! p.s. I've never had food poisoning before in my life and I certainly didn't have the 24 hour flu, as it was over once I threw up and got it out of my system.
(1)Kim M.
Boodles is one of our favorites places. The wait staff is wonderful, ask for Maria (She's the best!!!). Bruno has own the place since the dawn of time (it's like talking to your own grandfather). The food is wonderful. I always have a steak. My husband always has either the lobster, veal oscar, or the seafood strudel. The cesar salad is for two. Yes, Mr. Paul's is better, but the rest of their food wasn't as good, and it's in Frazier. The point is Boodles is family. We went for our anniversary one year. The wait staff bought our drinks, and Bruno picked up the dessert. The piano man sang us a medley. The place is packed for a reason people, make a reservations. Maybe you can get into other steak house for a reason. Think about it.
(5)Shiela J.
Yay, I am a fan. I have passed this restaurant on several occasions and would never have thought of going in had I not read about it on another blog that I enjoy. Looking at the restaurant from the outside, it looks like a mere dive joint. Nothing bad, I just never what expected the wonder that I found on the inside. It has a nice old school charm. Quaint, dim lights, great waiter service and awesome smells every time you turn around. How is it that I have never ventured here before. The bar seems to be the place to be. The crowd was fun and loud. A good time was had by all. Not only do you get an awesome dinner but some live entertainment just is the icing on the cake. The food was wonderful. Starting with the French onion soup, it was just too good for words. Dinner was accompanied with a salad full of hearty beautiful spring greens...it was served ice cold and I had the blue cheese dressing which was clearly made in the restaurant. I had the lamb shank which was one of their specials on top of a mound of garlic mashed potatoes with some amazing sauce. My friend and I ended the evening with the house made cherries jubilee. It had a little much orange zest for my taste, but still delicious. This was done tableside...but by tableside, they mean a table they have set aside for all of the tableside dishes. You'd have to get up and go to see it prepared. Although not worth the trip...the place is too small. Not worth getting up if you don't have to. The parking lot is convenient but a little awkward. I also don't get why the slogan says "Where East Meets West." Its no where near any sort of fusion. Maybe Eastside meets Westside? Who knows. But if you are looking for a nice dinner out. Go there. Its worth it. Consider a reservation if you go during a busy time.
(4)Cathy s.
We went there strictly from recommendations on Yelp and glad we tried. The entire place has a real 80's vibe and the piano player and vocalist were about 10 times too loud for the restaurant. You had to almost yell to talk to the people at your table. All that said, the service was excellent and the food was awesome! The three entrees we ordered were Seafood Strudel, Veal Oscar and Salmon Stuart ( on the VIP menu). The chef actually brought the salmon and all the ingredients to the table and described how he would be preparing the dish ....pretty cool! Everyone enjoyed their dinner and we all had a taste of each others....all were really good. The guys had a Wayne Gretskey red wine that was quite good.
(4)Jake C.
I was in town for a day visiting some relatives... My aunt brought me here over ten years ago and when I came to visit as an adult, the other day, I told her I want Boodles for dinner ! The food was excellent just as I remembered from Ten years ago.. The clams were as good as last time ! I will return sooner than another 14 years !
(5)Marty F.
This was my first time here and I'd liken it to clawson steak house. So that means it was awesome. Our server Leah was a cutey pie. A little fawn. Attentive, but didn't over talk us, and recommended the perch, which was fantastic. The Italian wedding soup was very good too. My lady got the crab cakes. Very good as well, but my perch kicked more ass. Half off wine was awesome too. It wasn't very busy, so the noise level was pleasant. The interior makes me wanna watch Cheers. The decor is very late 80s/early 90s, which I really dig. Most people would be turned off by that, but most people are idiots. Keep on doing what yr doing. Cuz yr doing it right. As the T-800 would say..."I'll be back".
(5)Rachael P.
Meal was incredible. My girlfriend and I ordered a small feast and everything was amazing. Crab stuffed mushrooms, table side Caesar salad, New York strip steak with steamed veggies and the seafood strudel with garlic mashed potatoes. The dressing on the Caesar salad was perfect and the salad alone was enough to fill us up. The best part was our awesome server Ruth Anne. She filled us in on the best beer/wine bargains and was so personable and patient with us despite the fact that we came in relatively late at night.
(5)Patrick B.
Love this place. Been eating here since 1994. Steak Diane is the bomb. Favorite of mine in the "D". Hidden and wonderful. .
(5)Michelle A.
Love this place! Food is great, great cocktail selection. Waitstaff is friendly, helpful, and knowledgable about the menu etc. We had the Filet and Crab and it was prepared as requested and delicious. Will definitely come back!
(5)Scott R.
Food is amazing! An iconic place! If you're lucky enough to find a seat at the bar, Kevin will keep you coming back. Our date night wouldn't be complete without his great service.
(5)Valerie K.
What a disappointment. Visited on a Friday evening for dinner and drinks. Walked right into 1985. I felt like I was on the set of Moonlighting.To be fair, a good show but better left in the 80's. The piano player mostly played his horn which made for a very "throwback" feel. Could be cool, but ...it wasn't. The food was less than average. They were out of the steak my bf ordered so they substituted a strip steak, and charged $30. He said it was overcooked. I ordered a chicken sandwich. Meh. Nothing special. That food with literally two drinks each and our bill was $97. Over $100 with tip for an experience that was awful. The place hasn't been updated since I visited 20 years ago. I think it will be at least another 20 before I consider Boodles again. Perhaps dementia will have set in by then.
(1)Mo R.
Love this place. Dark woods, cosy and romantic, with a piano man at hand. They are a bit pricey but have VIP table service and great food. Take a date there you wont regret. I have been going for 17 yrs, about once a year for special occasion.
(5)Amber M.
Best steak ever. My dessert was delicious as well. The service was great. The meals my friends and I ordered all turned out excellent. Cool atmosphere. My boyfriend won points for taking me there tonight. We will definitely be going back again soon.
(5)Dave H.
I was always curious about Boodles driving past it daily. My fiancé and I decided to give It a try for the first time, during the fall last year. I have now came here about 6 times, bringing new friends to try each time. Could the inside use an update; of course. But the food is excellent and the service is great. The second time I came, I tried the off the menu special, Oscar Filet. This is now the item I come back for monthly. Do yourself a favor, let them cook it medium rare as they suggest and you will not be disappointed. The table side Caesar is also a must have! For the fair price, great service and excellent food; boodles is a must try!
(5)lisa renee g.
Love this place! I always get the veal oscar as my entree. My husband will switch between crab cakes, seafood streudel or chicken piccata. We always start with escargot and calamari. And this is the only place I always get dessert, which is always changing. Great wine selection also! The food is always great and the service is wonderful.
(5)Richard F.
Ordered a medium rare cheeseburger. It came out without cheese. Sent it back. The fries were iced cold and the burger was described as coming with Lettuce Tomatoes and Onion. There was no onion. Maybe this is a better bar than it is a restaurant. It kind of felt like a bar to me.
(2)Jonathan S.
Thank goodness by fiance brought me here for Valentine's Day. I have literally passed by this place for most of my adult life as it lies right on the freeway service drive to downtown. I always assumed that this was a tiny bar and grille. I have a buddy that grew up around the corner and he had no idea what was inside. Well now I know better. This is an old school chop house with traditional chop house menu items. Of course you have your obligatory filet mignon and chicken piccata. However, there are also lamb chops, a half duck with one part covered in a creamy orange sauce and the other in sweet ligonberry preserves, and Chateaubriand, a tableside flaming filet mignon for two. All of the entrees come with soup and salad, both of which are fairly standard. You can upgrade to a french onion soup for a little bit more. They also serve delicious warm yeasty rolls which honestly just make you hungier for your tastiness to come. Obviously from my long description of the duck dish, this is what I ordered for my first time here. My fiance ordered the Chicken Marsala. The duck dish was fantastic and accompanied by a baked stuffed tomato. Everyone around me kept looking at our table to see my dish and one guy on his way out tapped me on the shoulder to ask how it was. We liked our experience so much that we went back a couple weeks later with my future in-laws, who also were very impressed with the restaurant. We shared a bananas foster and it was so good that we were tempted to order another. They also have live music I believe from Thursdays to Sundays. Now, overall I probably described most upscale chain restaurants you can find in any major metro area. However, you will not find another place like this for the price. In business speak, they have a compelling value proposition. Please please please try it out.
(5)Andi O.
Who would have thought this was such a wonderful romantic restaurant? Man, what a pleasant surprise! A colleague took my other half here for a business dinner, and he was so impressed that he insisted on taking me back for a date night. We had a great experience. Our dinner and the service was outstanding. They also had a piano player that added to the ambience. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Blake W.
This restaurant is top notch. They have table side service with very personable employees. Their food is unparalleled. If you want to take your lady on a date this is the place to go. Romantic yet fun and the food options are exquisite. Get the Cesar salad. It is phenomenal.
(5)M V.
Wow, what a surprise treat! Amazing food for a great price! In my opinion, the tableside Caesar salad is the best I've had, better than Mr. Paul's.
(4)R S.
My wife and I ate here for the first time yesterday. I had driven by countless times, but never been drawn to it, however, the Yelp reviews are good, so I became curious to try it. I was driving by recently and saw a banner advertising 1 1/2 pound Maine lobster dinner for $25, and suggested to my wife that we try it. We arrived at the restaurant, and everything started out very well. It is well-kept, has an inviting atmosphere, and the service staff is excellent. Our waitress was very attentive, friendly, and professional. Our waitress offered lobster bibs, and we thought it would be fun to wear them... she even took our pictures and we were having a great time! The lobsters came and we began to eat. After a bite or two, my wife asked me if I tasted anything funny. I told her not really, although I thought it was a bit tough, and passed it off as being overcooked; the claw meat also had had an odd consistency. But she insisted "smell this." I took a whiff and instantly recognized ammonia. I wondered if something happened, like if it fell on the floor and they used ammonia to clean it, which I really didn't expect, but I didn't know why it would smell that way. So she googled lobster and ammonia and found that lobsters that were dead or sick before they were cooked will emit an ammonia smell. So we called the waitress and asked her to smell it, and she stated she didn't smell anything, but took the lobster back to the kitchen. Then a man came out and told us he was Bruno, the owner. Bruno informed us immediately that there was nothing wrong with these lobsters, and that he is prohibited by law from cooking dead lobsters, they must be alive when he cooks them. We didn't mention what we had found on Google, only that it smelled like ammonia. We asked him to smell it and he refused, stating that the smell of a dead lobster is so strong that "you can't get near it." He said they were fine "this morning" when they were cooked. He said he couldn't bring her a different lobster, that they cost him $15 each and he can't "eat that cost." At this point she didn't even want another lobster, and she asked if he could offer her another dish, which he refused. He also told us he couldn't deduct it from our bill, either, even though we hadn't asked. He then left and went back to the kitchen. After that, I cut a piece of the lobster I was eating, and put it against my nose and also smelled ammonia. Now I felt sick, knowing that I'd already eaten several bites of a lobster that had something wrong with it. I told the waitress that I couldn't eat mine either and asked her to take it. Bruno had been so insistent that he wouldn't deduct my wife's from our bill, that I said to tell him we will pay him $15 each for his cost and cash out. She came back with a bill for $31.80, which we paid and left. Maybe it wasn't dead when it was cooked, but there was definitely something wrong with it. I later did some research and found that tanks that aren't properly maintained will cause problems with ammonia also. lobsterworld.com/tank-ma… The fact that the Bruno took no action to make things right, rather insisted he was right, is why I won't return. That kind of attitude is not only unwanted, but can lead to serious health problems in a restaurant. If you choose to eat here, be very careful with the lobster!
(1)David D.
You can't judge a book by its cover. Old decor but amazing food and friendly staff. Never disappointed. The table side meals are to die for!
(5)Kristy A.
My husband and I have been to Boodles many times, but it has been maybe a year. Today will be our last time ever stepping foot into that restaurant. To start the waiter was way to pushy, I personally don't like that. I'm all about paying good money for good food, but it was far from good. A thirty five dollar appetizer was pushed (lobster) that was not good at all. Food was just ok, used to be one of the best. After dinner I just wanted to leave and once again our waiter pushed dessert.
(1)Myrtle M.
By the looks out of the outside of the place and the location, I always assumed Boodles was a casual sports bar, but I was definitely mistaken. It's elegant, a little more upscale than expected, and the food is on the high-end but worth it. Let me give a course-by-course playback: The bread was warm and soft and lovely. The wine list was ample, and the cocktail list was as well. For starters, go with the Caesar salad. They'll make it table-side for you in a big wooden bowl, and it's divine and full of zesty spices and freshness. If you do go with a house salad, the raspberry vinaigrette is made with fresh raspberries and more like a heavenly glaze versus a dressing. For entrees, my husband ordered the lamb chops and was less than impressed. His veggies were also quite bland but uniquely rough chopped, despite their blandness. I ordered a filet and was more than impressed. It was perfectly flavored and grilled to perfection. My plate MAY have had tongue marks on it. I'm deducting a star for one reason: The table-side service is a fun aspect of Boodles, but the restaurant gets outrageously smoky for a good ten to fifteen minutes afterwards. I walked out smelling like char-grilled meat, which the neighborhood dogs loved, but I wasn't too fond of. They could really invest in a better ventilation system, or at least do table-side in a designated area.
(4)Edward E.
On a recent trip to Detroit from Chicago, my wife and 5 year old son and I came here for dinner. When we first walked in, we were like, OH? It looked very dated and old school, and there weren't many people there (they had just opened for dinner) However, everything from start to finish was great. Our waitress was excellent, the people were friendly and answered our questions (we had many) and we were treated very well. I read a post where they stated it was very kid unfriendly, I would have to say just the opposite. The waitress asked my son to come over and WATCH as they made Bananas Foster!! It was very cool, and so nice. All of the food was delicious, from the bread and rolls, soup, salad, main course and dessert. When we are in town we will definitely stop back. Awesome. steak, great fish (special of the day) and the bananas foster was amazing. This time we are SO getting the Saganaki!!
(5)J M.
TERRIBLE! If I could give zero stars I would have. I never post reviews, but this experience was so terrible I just had to share. I was out to celebrate a special night with my boyfriend and we were just appalled at how awful the food was at this seemingly "fine" restaurant. For the relatively high prices I was expecting to at least have a decent meal, but this food was just bad, in nearly every way. We started with the mussels, which were clearly cooked from frozen as the shells were crumbling in the dish, and eventually a piece nearly chipped my tooth!! Next came the French onion soup, or more accurately, "fondue". Which was about 80% cheese, 15% (dried) thyme, and 5% water. By the time my entrée came out I almost didn't have an appetite anymore but was excited to try their seared Tuna per the server's recommendation. When the Tuna came out it was sliced and fanned out in the common presentation, but there was a thick piece of connective tissue that ran through all seven slices (still intact no less[!], holding all seven pieces still connected) that even the chef was not able to cut through......but yet still saw it fit to serve to me?!?! Also, the tuna itself was very mealy and watery which indicates that it was ALSO, cooked from frozen..... I almost never spit out food, but at this point I have already had to chew and spit out TWO different items I ordered. I was already at my breaking point by this time (and also, completely turned off) and although I hate to complain, I had to send it back. I really had no appetite anymore but the server came out and said the chef insisted that I try another dish. I hesitated because I really was so displeased I did not think the night could get any better, but she was very persistent, so I decided to try and go the opposite direction of fish and tried the lamb shank. As all of this exchanging of meals was going on, my poor boyfriend (who was trying to treat me to a special meal), was sawing away on his piece 12oz new York strip, OOPS, I mean 6.5oz of gristle, with some meat around it. That "gem" of a meal was accompanied by a tablespoon of overworked, pasty, mashed potatoes, that had been in the steam table so long, they tasted like metal, and had taken on a strange gray color, and the "caramelized" onions, were hardly even cooked, but surely not caramelized. Yet we both were struggling to salvage this miserable experience when the final cherry was placed atop when we got the bill and saw that the entrée that was sent as a correction, the one I initially turned them down for but they insisted I take instead, was the one they were charging for...... at a much higher rate,with no other comps to make up for any of their failures in execution. We paid, in full and tipped handsomely and left, but it just was not sitting right with us so my boyfriend decided to call and share our feelings with 'Joe' the manager. He was not looking for a refund, just simply to bring it to their attention that their food was exceptionally horrible. Instead of doing what you SHOULD be doing in customer service and taking responsibility for the shitty meal, he just tried to cover his ass and put it on the waitress. He kept trying to make excuses and in a few words pretty much told my boyfriend (a seasoned chef, btw) that he was wrong about the quality of food they served us. 'Joe' kept saying he would make it up to us, and that we should come back so he can buy us a drink and/or an appetizer......which was a silly attempt at this point because I have no idea why either of us would want to go back just to eat more shitty food. So please, save yourself the money and order a pizza. Major disappointment! And Boodles, just close your doors if this is how you intend to conduct business.
(1)Nazneen M.
I'll start off by giving my final impression. This place was over hyped to me, and it didn't live up to the expectation in my mind. That isn't the restaurants fault; it's just not my type of place. The food is kind of Italian-American with loads of seafood dishes and random specials. This is an expensive version of Olive Garden or Sweet Lorraine's to me. They had some nice specials like ribs and duck. The server was a bit pushy, but he probably had some incentive to be that way. Appetizer: Sesame Tuna and their table bread. Impression: The bread looked like pretzel dough. Very buttery and soft with a crusty outside. The bread was good. The tuna however had zero sesame flavor. It was laid over a bed of warm seasonless/flavorless shredded zucchini and carrots. The meat was somehow over and undercooked at the same time. I didn't taste the tuna at all. Drink: Old-fashioned Impression: I like my cherry muddled, but they don't do it here. There are different ways to make an old-fashioned, so this isn't a criticism, but a statement. Their lack of beer made me sad, but they have a decent wine selection. Entrée: Chicken Parmesan Impression: Unimpressed. It was this huge soggy breaded chicken breast smothered in tomato sauce covered in cheese laid over a bed of angel hair pasta. Nothing about this dish was exciting. I was something I could have made in 5 minutes at home, but I probably would have added more spices. Some thyme or basil would have helped the dish. I was looking for something to cut the acidity of the tomatoes in the dish, but there was nothing. My friend got chicken marsala, and she liked it. However, she felt the same way. It wasn't anything you couldn't find anywhere else. Overall: I would not go back here or recommend this place to people. The food lacked seasoning, the ambiance is stale, and the drinks are average. There isn't one thing that would draw me back here. Nothing stood out to me. When I think of boring food, I think of chain restaurants. And that's what the food is like here. That might be the most hipster-y thing I've said today, but it fits.
(3)