Oak & Reel

Had a reservation for Fri 5 pm before the 3 Dog Night concert.

Simple nondescript building from the outside, with a simple easy nice decor inside and hey open at 5 pm sharp.

Was my Bday and everyone seem to know as well as met with a simple note on the table telling me Happy Bday.

The server was prompt, smiling, and happy to get waters quickly, and explain the menu. Then she brought bread with delicious olive oil. Loved that the servers were all in Carhart uniforms, looked great. Started with a bottle of wine and had a great SOMM to ask any questions which we did and well answered The wine Trebbiano blend was excellent mix of chardonnay from Italy

We wanted to try several things so we went with three appetizers and two pastas. Number one on the appetizers was the Octopus, it was perfectly tender, even creamy inside yet had a crunch from the char. I could have ordered three more. Next was the Burrata creamy and complete and last though not least was the Langoustine which is like a lobster but was creamy and more fully in taste.

This took us to the pastas the cappallacci and the lumache.
Though the pasta course were not large they were enough with the appetizers. The oyster, ricotta, mushrooms and peas were tender and full in flavor. The lumache with squid ink pasta and seafood was incredible.

During all this the server was attentive, took care of water, refolded a napkin, used plates taken away and the table wiped between settings, simply AMAZING service, she was smiling polite and easy to converse with, just delightful.

We decided to drink our dessert because in a rare find they had both Benedictine and Tokaji on the menu. Order was placed and forgot to ask how many puttonyos was the Tokaji. The somm came back and we had a delightful conversation with her, it was 6.

We then got a little gelatin after dinner bite which I can't do justice in explaining but it was a perfect end. We were told they had an intimate little bar downstairs that stays open later.

Came back after the better than expected concert to try the bar. Not crowded and we sat at the bar to chat with the bartenders.
A wine and a sazerac was ordered. The sazerac was incredible with the absinthe wash and was presented perfectly.

Can I give them a 6 or maybe 7 on the 5 star scale.
The places really hit all the notes.

everything was wonderful from the service, the decoration in the restaurant and the feel of it, along with the food. The waiter was kind to 'rush' our dinner because we did arrive a bit late and had a show to catch.
luckily we knew what we wanted (who else checks menus before they eat anywhere - not just me, right?)
I got everything at once - oysters and octopus. Both just phenomenal. Oysters were both east and west coast. This comes with a different sauce/seasoning than typical - their twist i think, i didnt really love it but oysters were great. Octopus probably the best i have had so far, tender and seasoned well, with some sort of base that i loved.
overall i loved this place

I think I have a new contender for best restaurant in Detroit with Oak & Reel. We tried this place for the first time last weekend, and we were very impressed. From the very welcoming host to our knowledgeable and friendly server, the service and the ambience was on point.

The wine list was small by nicely appointed, and honestly, every dish we had was excellent. The chef's palette is clearly outstanding, and the execution of the dishes was top tier. My husband and I ordered several different dishes to try, but we still found ourselves battling over the last bites of the lobster spaghetti. Each pasta dish was so delicate, yet full of flavor, and perfectly balanced. I was impressed, and quite frankly, delighted. This is the type of restaurant experience every establishment should strive for. Where the guest is literally transported to another plane of culinary consciousness.

I can't wait to go back and try more dishes. Honestly, thank you.

My husband and I visited on Valentine's Day and thus got Oak & Reel's special menu for the evening. Overall, the gnocchi and risotto were excellent. I liked the beef entree I got, but it wasn't to die for. My husband adored his scallops. We both loved the chocolate dessert.

All in all, if I were coming back here for a regular visit, I would stick to the pasta and desserts which have always been stellar.

My friends enjoyed the food. I don't eat seafood, but the apps and entree I ordered I personally wasn't crazy about. We shared a ton around the table, nothing wowed us. The restaurant vibe was cool though, the drinks looked good. I forgot my ID (even though I look well over 21), and I wasn't allowed to get a drink, which was kind of annoying, being that we were enjoying a well overdue moms night out. I know it's the law, but I had a picture of my ID, And most people in customer service have wiggle room, I'm over 30. I mean I've got 4 kids for crying out loud. But it's fine. My 4 star rating is generous to be honest. Neither of us would go back

I came here with my fiancé to celebrate our anniversary, and we had a great experience! We had a reservation and were seated right away. Since it was our first time here, the waiter explained the whole menu, noting popular dishes and his personal favorites.

We each started with a glass of Prosecco to drink. For food, instead of getting 1 item from each category, we chose to each get an appetizer and a pasta dish. We shared the octopus and the burrata, and both were delicious but the octopus was by far my favorite. It was tender and had great flavor. I went with the lobster spaghetti, and my fiancé chose the blecs. Both were cooked to perfection with incredible sauces. We couldn't stop raving about them!

The atmosphere here was great too. It was cozy, comfortable, and upscale. Plus, they had a lot with free parking right next door, which is always a plus.

Fantastic experience from start to finish. Service, food and ambiance are all top notch. The wait staff and sommelier went above and beyond and made for a memorable night. Great to have world class dining in Detroit!

This is my favorite restaurant in Detroit! It is a large restaurant and the staff goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. There are a lot of good options on the menu and the portion sizes are fair. The decor feels elegant yet simple. There is a bar that you can dine at if you come in with 1-2 people without much difficulty although I would recommend making a reservation. They have a private, free parking lot.

The #1 thing you have to get is the octopus, I do not generally like seafood nor octopus and this dish is to die for. It is roasted so the texture is nit slimy at all. It has such great savory flavor and the sauces complement it so nicely. I like the mezzelune or the bucatini for pasta. The chicken was ok but the steak & sauce was phenomenal (an upcharge if you're getting the prix fixe menu fyi). We got the chocolate mousse and it had some tasty toppings.

The bar manager (Christian?) was so charming and was able to make me a mocktail with no issues. He really took care of us since we were eating at the bar.

We visited June 21 2024 i would like to express my sincerest gratitude for the impeccable dining experience my partner and I had at your esteemed establishment recently.

Celebrating our 37th anniversary , we were greeted warmly by the hostess and the entire wait staff, all of whom provided exceptional service throughout the evening. Opting for the 5-course tasting menu with wine pairing, we were thoroughly impressed by the culinary offerings presented to us.

The amuse-bouche, featuring a delightful selection of prosciutto, cheese, and a unique biscuit/bread, set the tone for the gastronomic journey that followed. Each course was expertly paired with wines that complemented the flavors, thanks to the guidance of your knowledgeable sommelier.

Having dined at various renowned establishments around the world, we were pleasantly surprised to find such a culinary gem close to our home. The attention to detail and the quality of the dishes truly stood out, making it one of the most memorable tasting menus we have experienced in a long time.

While we thoroughly enjoyed the evening, if I may offer one small suggestion for improvement, it would be to consider allowing a bit more time between each course. The pace seemed a tad rushed at times, detracting slightly from an otherwise flawless dining experience.

From the moment we were seated to the time we bid farewell, every aspect of our visit was nothing short of perfection. Your restaurant exemplifies first-class service and culinary excellence, and we are already looking forward to returning in September, having made our reservations without hesitation.

Once again, thank you for creating a memorable dining experience for us. Please extend our appreciation to the chef, sommelier, and the entire staff for their outstanding efforts in making our evening truly special. We eagerly anticipate our next visit and the opportunity to indulge in your exquisite menu once more.

Oak & Reel is one of my favorite restaurants. Period. You can always trust that it's going to be great. The atmosphere is so approachable. I feel comfortable to stroll in with my jeans and sweater, yet still have a 5 start experience. You feel so welcome. The service is always top notch! Very attentive and friendly. The dishes are always presented and explained, which I appreciate. It's just everything you want in a dining experience. If you haven't been, please go! What are you waiting for??