Gandy Dancer

I've grown up on the coasts, and spoiled by NY and Chesapeake Bay seafood in the US. While coming to Gandy with those expectations of tasting sea-fresh fish is an unfair standard to have, I was still underwhelmed by the food. The ambiance served to compensate since I came here around Valentine's Day weekend, and the service was impeccable for one of the busiest date nights of the year.

We got the coconut shrimp, shrimp scampi, and sea bass to share. While the shrimp scampi was notches above the one at Gratzi, it was lacking the fresh taste of shrimp that often complements the aromas of garlic and the sauce. The sea bass was a delicate, light addition to our meal, but the portion yet again, was smaller than expected and a little chewy, which makes me suspect this was fresh-frozen for a pretty long time too. Our favorite of the night was the coconut shrimp, which was crisped perfectly, and the bread which came with dips. It isn't the best look for a seafood restaurant to have a bread basket to be more memorable than entrees, but it is the best possible option in Ann Arbor!

I stopped in awhile back for a couple drinks before catching a train at the nearby Amtrak. The drinks were good and the bartender was nice. I would return.

This is a very cool ambience for a meal. However, the food is way overpriced for what you receive. First time I went there and I won't be back. I ordered the prime rib $47 for small 14oz piece that I had to send back because I ordered medium and it came extremely undercooked. The wife got the sea bass and it was a very small piece of fish for the exorbitant price. I am fairly new to Ann Arbor and I have had much better value at other restaurants in town. Granted the train station is cool but the that only goes so far.

This restaurant has been on my bucket list for a long time so I was really excited when I saw it on the list of restaurants participating in restaurant week! There is parking right across the street in a small lot but I also noticed that they offered valet. I went with a group of 6 friends after making a reservation and we were very promptly seated. The interior was warm and inviting, but still had a formal/fine dining vibe. Because there was a set course menu, I chose to get the Martha's Vineyard Salad, Cedar planked Parmesan shrimp, and the Caramel Apple bread pudding.

We were given warm, fresh bread and crackers to start which was served with butter and some kind salmon spread which was very yummy. The salad was just a typical bed of spring veggies, with some onion and cheese toppings but nothing that really stood out. The entree came with asparagus, potatoes, and six juicy pieces of shrimp. It was very filling and flavorful! Last came the caramel apple bread pudding which came with vanilla ice cream on top! This may have been the highlight due to the presentation and the delicious combination of the warm bread pudding and cold ice cream. Overall, I would come back for a special occasion but I would probably skip the appetizers.

We started with a smoked Manhattan, which had an amazing presentation, and a glass of champagne and then enjoyed oysters on the half shell, wedge salad, Caesar salad, baked lobster tail, shrimp scampi with a bottle of wine and creme brûlée.  Everything we had was top notch which was equaled by the amazing service and atmosphere.  I would definitely dine here again!

There were 4 of us who had fresh oysters on February 6th, 2022 and we all came down with food poisoning from those oysters!

Gandy Dancer is always my favorite place to go in Ann Arbor. Everything is good there. I just wish they have prime rib on weekdays as well! :)

Went to brunch this weekend.  It opens at 10 AM and that was the time we chose for our reservation.  The Gandy Dancer is one of the few places left in Ann Arbor that still serves a buffet style brunch.   It is a big place, and they wanted to put us in the area that is farthest from the brunch, but accommodated my request to be in the main ground floor dining room. It is right on the train tracks, and the Amtrak came through while we were there.  People still clap and the servers ring a bell as the train goes by.  It has beautiful floor to ceiling windows in the main room, which afford one the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine (weather permitting - it is Michigan after all...)  
There is a variety of blood Mary choices, my friend liked the dirty Mary.  I loved the mango mojito.
There are several stations - the breakfast type of foods (eggs, eggs Benedict, bacon, hash browns etc).  There is a station for waffles, salads, the toasting station with a variety of breads, seafood station (shrimp, mussels, creamed herring & several types of salmon) a station with kids food (don't skip the mac and cheese all you adults!), and a sweets station.  I might have missed one, but you get the idea - there are a lot of choices. they will also make you an omelet, which you order from your server.
While none of the food choices were out of this world, almost everything was good.  The roast beef was rare and had a nice horseradish sauce on the side.  The shrimp were a little dried out, but I am sure that this might be change on different weekends.
The Gandy Dancer had nice, safe, brunch fare.   A group can go and everyone find things to eat.  I don't think the brunch offerings has changed much over the past 20 years.   But, it is all you can eat, you get to sample a variety of items. The location is beautiful and service was good.

Came here again for brunch. Had an awesome mango Bellini and my dining companion built here own Bloody Mary. Although the waiter got one of her ingredients incorrectly, it was still good. Drinks are very reasonably price. The build your own bloody Mary was six dollars and the Bellini was 7.
There was the usual Gandy Dancer brunch fare. There was a salmon Florentine that was nice. Prime rib was also very good. There was ham and smoked turkey that I did not try. They have a kids section with chicken fingers and tater tots, among others. There is a table of small desserts. There was a Keylime cheesecake a strawberry cheesecake and a variety of chocolate desserts.
There is always a jazz quartet on Sunday mornings. They provide a nice backdrop in the room where the food is.
It continues to remain a solid place for a brunch.

Really enjoyed this night out.  Food was good, desert was the best without a doubt (chocolate cake).  Surrounding are unique and they offer some intimate tables inside by the fireplace.

Used to be my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor but tonight was the last reservation I'll make at this location. I'll not return here, ever.
We waited an extended time to get our food, which was not on power to my previous visit.  After we just finished eating our dessert we were rudely told our time was up at our table and we needed to leave as their next reservation had arrived. Look, I just spent $400 at this restaurant, could we sit and digest our food for a minute. I was thoroughly embarrassed as I had brought my co-workers here on my recommendation.  Waiter was very nice and that is my only reason for the 2 stars.  Sad, this restaurant once put their guest experience as a priority and not booking their reservation so tight as to not allow their guest time to chat and visit. Never knew my reservation came with a timer!