The Apparatus Room

My wife and I were walking by and stopped in around 3:30pm on a weekday and it was during their happy hour which is from 3:00pm - 6:00pm. They have a small amount of items available during happy hour, see the picture of the happy hour menu. We both ordered a smash burger and we also ordered one fries with BBQ seasoning along with a glass of Les athletes grolleau red wine. Everything was very good and the staff are super friendly. The wine came out immediately and the food was at our table in about 15 minutes. There were not that many people in the restaurant at 3:30pm so the noise level was very low and you could easily have a conversation. We really liked this place and will go back for dinner one day.

​My friends and I had a fantastic time here celebrating a birthday. The atmosphere was amazing, thanks in huge part to the great live music and a wonderful host who made us feel welcome immediately. ​Our waiter really went above and beyond, surprising our friend with these adorable tiny cones filled with a delicious cream for their birthday—such a thoughtful and tasty touch! ​For the quality of the experience, the price was reasonable (I spent about $80 for my meal). The food and drinks were stunning. I highly recommend starting with the Ambassador Old Fashioned and the Crispy Cauliflower. However, the star of the show was the Heritage Half Chicken. I have never eaten chicken that was this tender—it honestly melted in my mouth like a Krispy Kreme donut. ​One important heads-up before you go: They do not do separate checks. We didn't know this beforehand, so we had to put the entire bill on one card and pay each other back. It wasn't a huge issue for us, but it would have been good to know before we sat down. ​Other than that logistical detail, everything was awesome. Highly recommended!

Food is amazing. Service was super and atmosphere was beautiful. The only thing is they need more gluten and dairy free options available. There was only about 1 or 2 things my kids could eat and although it was delicious, another option or two would have made it simpler for us and the poor server trying to figure out what we could make work.

We were excited to try the apparatus room but unfortunately don’t think we will be back. The positives: the folks at the host stand were warm and friendly, as well as the staff that were refilling our waters/clearing plates. The apps were good, we enjoyed the pork belly and bread. The atmosphere was cool and swanky. The negatives: everything took forever to arrive. Not sure where the back up was but it took a really long time to get even our drinks. For $18 the cocktails were just okay. Presentation was nice but that was about it. The main courses fell flat. Taste wise edible but was disappointed. Again for ~$28 per pasta we expected more. I did unfortunately get sick when I got home (I think it may have been from the tomato and shrimp risotto as my partner didn’t have any and was totally fine). I don’t like leaving negative reviews but I do feel like for the standard they are trying to have there can be many improvements.

The Apparatus Room delivered one of the best dinners we’ve had in Detroit. We came on a busy December night with a reservation and were seated right away. Valet at the door was convenient ($20). The restored firehouse interior is striking: high ceilings, dramatic hanging lights, and a huge Christmas tree that makes the space feel special. Our server Salma was excellent: knowledgeable, attentive, and gave spot-on recommendations. The Heritage Sourdough (14-year-old starter) was outstanding, crusty and tangy with whipped butter and sea salt. The Gem Caesar (no anchovies) was solid with crisp lettuce and black-pepper crumb, though the dressing leaned a bit heavy on mayo for my taste. The Market Steak, cooked perfectly medium-rare, was easily the highlight: juicy, tender, and full of flavor. The two spirit-free cocktails (Pear Elixir and Weekend Up North) were the best non-alcoholic drinks I’ve ever had. We finished with the Drift Away dessert; the coconut-banana ice cream was exceptional and beautifully plated. One small issue: the background music occasionally shifted to soft electronic-keyboard piano tracks that felt out of place in an otherwise sharp, upscale room. A moodier playlist would suit the space better. Total was about $120 before tip plus $20 valet, which felt completely fair for the quality and service. Already planning to come back.