Critic: Nothing 'Bland or Pedestrian' at Chartreuse

Sylvia Rector chows down at Tom + Chee: "I've tried only two of Tom + Chee's sandwiches, but both were very good. The bread was crisp and buttery-tasting, and the filling ingredients were fresh, flavorful and nicely balanced," the critic remarks. Still, the tomato soup was less pleasing. "I thought the herbs were too strong in the creamy tomato-basil." Rector seems slightly more forgiving if not completely satisfied with the grilled cheese donut, noting it's not "my style." For fans of the chain, there's good news. The Northville location's general manager Rob Cardenas tells Rector approximately five more locations are planned for the metro area, starting with Troy.  [Freep]

Jane Slaughter cheers the "green revolution" at Chartreuse: The Midtown newcomer's "retrograde" reservation policies are well received by the reviewer who welcomes any meal that doesn't come with a mandatory wait time. Slaughter also approves of the critical favorite ramp butter and the excellent service ("They've succeeded in hiring charmers."). For drinks, the Slaughter writes, "I liked the "Part and Parcel," with gin, grapefruit, St. Germain, and lime." The critic seems to cheer each new plate from the spring vegetable Caesar to the smoked salmon with hot-sweet pepper jelly. "My taste buds never got a rest with anything bland or pedestrian." [Metro Times]

Molly Abraham tries Venezuelan at Garrido's: "Despite the great ethnic variety in the metro area — and the popularity of a certain Venezuelan baseball player — the fare of Venezuela is something rather exotic here," writes Abraham. Find arepas here in the morning and at lunch. "They come stuffed with pulled chicken and avocado, or with Colby or mozzarella cheeses, or with garlicky shrimp or items from a list of other possibilities from roasted eggplant to chorizo." For dinner, the restaurant offers items like paella, beef tenderloin carpaccio, and lime marinated shrimp " nicely served on big white plates." Abraham awards Garrido's 2.5 stars. [Detroit News]