Critic: Marais Serves ‘Memorable’ Morning Pastries

— Serena Maria Daniels take a bite out of Rugby Grille’s $55 foie gras burger: "It towers with Wagyu beef, black truffles, a sweet onion jam, seared foie gras, arugula, parmesan aioli, braised short rib, and Thomasville tomme cheese, and is paired with summer truffle fries." The verdict was mixed. "It took a few bites before we could fit all the ingredients in our mouth, but we made it. Each layer was delicious. Trouble was, when combined in a single mouthful, the many flavors conflicted with one another." However, with a fork "we found was a treasure of a hamburger patty [. . .] Finely seasoned, with a nice charred outer layer and sublime juiciness inside." [Metro Times]

— Molly Abraham revisits Marais in Grosse Pointe to test the new cafe menu (Tuesday through Sunday): "This is not by any means sturdy ham-and-eggs fare. Pastries baked at dawn are set out on the bar to be teamed with an equally wide selection of coffee, espresso and cappuccino, made with San Francisco’s robust Intelligentsia coffee," Abraham reports. "On one occasion, I arrived at noon, and there was just one chocolate croissant left, and it was memorable, with just enough chocolate to insure that the flaky layers of pastry was not overwhelmed." Three stars. [Detroit News]