Bites Nearby: Toasted Oak Grill and Market in Novi

Inside the Baronette Renaissance Hotel, at 27790 Novi Rd., is the Toasted Oak Grill and Market.  

You can enter through the lobby of the hotel or through its own door from the parking lot into the bar area and market, which the hostess jokingly referred to as the “Barket.” There is seating for the bar as well as a deli counter and bottles of wine for sale which can be purchased along with a Michigan mitten-shaped, hand-carved wine crate that holds four bottles of wine.

The dining room is a cozy wood-paneled area highlighted by an over-sized glass-encased stone fireplace. I just happened to look up and notice the ceiling has a plaid décor similar to a Burberry print.  Popular for a mid-day meal is the “market lunch” for $12 which includes soup, a house salad and a half of the sandwich of the day.

I began my meal with the beer and onion soup gratin for $8. It was made with Mackinac ale and a heavy beef broth. It had a very sweet taste. I also had the Toasted Oak Farm salad for $10 which came with delicious Zingerman's fresh goat cheese and a shallot vinaigrette.  I requested bread and was served a small tube-shaped mini load of cornbread that was unique and tasty.

Other popular entrees include Lake Huron trout for $14, the Toasted Oak Burger for $11, smoked barbecue pulled pork for $13 and rueben sliders for $10.

The restaurant is open seven days a week. Breakfast is served from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dinner is served from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and until 11 p.m. on weekends.