Ann Arbor Restaurant Week: Gratzi

Caprese with imported buffalo mozzarella, tomato, basil

Restaurant Week is perhaps one of the only times we make an effort to go out for lunch. Looking at the Restaurant Week menu, Gratzi’s lunch and dinner options aren’t all that different, except lunch is nearly half the price. Having really enjoyed our time at the newest Mainstreet Ventures restaurant, Mezzevino, we decided to go visit some of its older siblings. I really love the setting – Gratzi’s space used to be the Orpheum Theater, and it’s really quite grand.

Crudo di tonno – yellowfin tuna tatare, Abruzzese sauce, Sardinian flatbread

Pollo Milanese – with gold potatoes, arugula, and grilled lemon salad

Spaghetti con vongole – littleneck clams, Calabrese sausage, sweet corn, leeks

Spumone with pistachio, custard, and chocolate gelato and cherries

The star of the meal was definitely the caprese. I’m a general fan of caprese, and so would probably enjoy even mediocre versions, but Gratzi’s caprese is absolutely fantastic. Our waiter informed us that it’s been off the menu for the past seven months, with many requests for its return; they finally were able to begin importing their buffalo mozzarella again. It was delightfully flavorful, creamy yet textured, and the tomatoes were also excellent. I would come back just for this! We enjoyed all the other dishes as well, and the gelato was a delightful way to end the meal. Our waiter was wonderful, answering all questions and very prompt with clearing the table and bringing out new dishes. I’ve heard that dinner during the rest of the year can run quite pricey, but our Restaurant Week lunch came to a very reasonable $30, before tax/tip. I wish I worked downtown so that I could visit Main St restaurants for lunch more often – there’s something so refreshing and lovely about Ann Arbor in the summer. Check out Gratzi on Yelp or at their website!