Hayden's Grill and Bar: Affordable Upscale Dining Experience

I have been admiring Hayden's Grill and Bar  from afar for a while. The owners transformed the once-decaying shell of Don Pablo's Mexican Kitchen into a polished piece of culinary architecture, in a relatively short period of time.

The red brick exterior has white marble accents and over-sized mirrored windows, modern yet understated. What I least anticipated is exactly what lurked within. The atmosphere could best be described as a high-end chophouse wrapped in IKEA flair. The casual environment that I was expecting – complete with corduroy-covered booths, concrete floors and uneven lighting – was nowhere to be found. Instead, there was a mélange of exposed brick pillars, dark wood tables, frosted-glass partitions, Dijon-yellow walls and slate-gray faux-wood accents.

The fare was definitely fine dining, though the prices were far from it. My wife and I split an artichoke-and-spinach dip starter (or appetizer, in casual-dining speak), which was smooth, with a slight bite to it (likely a hint of cayenne pepper). Next, she had a house salad and I devoured a bowl of loaded-baked-potato soup. For our entrees, my wife ordered the cajun chicken pasta and I had the tenderloin toppers, a dish composed of three 3-ounce fillets, one topped with lump crabmeat and béarnaise, the second with a seared sea scallop and garlic sauce, and the third with a grilled shrimp.

Not one aspect of our meal failed to impress us. In fact, our server was so committed to making our first visit to Hayden's an enjoyable one, he had a manager come out to chat with us when he thought our entrees were taking a bit long to arrive (which they were not).

She apologized for the wait and offered us a dessert on the house. We gladly accepted. We opted for the sinful Deep-Fried Twinkies (that's right; you heard me). Within minutes of ordering it, a server appeared with a rectangular white plate, cradling two large battered and deep-fried Twinkies, flanked by two scoops of vanilla ice cream, smothered in raspberry puree.

A staff of four bartenders was on hand on the Saturday we were there – which is virtually unheard of (you'd be hard pressed to find a restaurant bar that has more than two bartenders on any given day, including Friday or Saturday nights). They hustled about in organized chaos, like stealthy Cirque du Soleil performers, deftly serving the crowd hugging the bar rail, sipping drinks while they waited for tables to open. In all, the experience was entertaining and surprisingly authentic and the bill was under $65.

My wife and I commented to one another that Hayden's was exactly the kind of place we'd been searching for in Canton. We'll not only go back soon, we'll likely become regulars.

Atmosphere: High-end casual. IKEA-like lighting and faux-wood accents; a half-horseshoe bar with several flat-screen televisions; a centerpiece wall with a duo of see-through fireplaces; and an open dining room, with unobstructed sightlines. Flat-screen TVs throughout, including several in the bar.

Service: Professional, attentive, knowledgeable. We were quoted a 45-minute wait, but were seated within 20 minutes, and it only got better as the night progressed. Our waiter, dressed in crisp, black attire, was cordial without being overbearing. We enjoyed four courses (appetizer; soup for me, salad for my wife; entrée, and a dessert), all of which were spaced out perfectly, and cooked as ordered.

Food: Eclectic. The menu features steaks, fish, and pasta; burgers and sandwiches; a robust selection of appetizers, which range from light to moderately-heavy; and a variety of soups, salads (including entrée salads) and numerous decadent desserts.

Happy Hour: 3 p.m.-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-close, Monday-Friday: Specials include $2 domestic and $3 import "frozen tap" draft beers (chilled to 27 degrees); $3.95 glasses of wine and $2-off martinis, margaritas, and second-round specialty drink purchases. On tap: Blue Moon, Killian's Irish Red, Magic Hat #9, Sam Adams Seasonal, Labatt Blue, Stella Artois, Bud Light and Miller Lite.

Prices: $$ (moderate)

Overall: If you're looking for a place to take a date, entertain business clients, or just enjoy a great meal with family or friends, Hayden's is the spot. A banquet room is also available for small gatherings (up to 50 people). The atmosphere is modern, without pretention. Chef Bill Bartlett's menu is diverse, and full of surprises.

Staff: Jason Schwedt, general manager; Bill Bartlett, executive chef; Rita Daniels, dining manager; Carrie Bilhimer, bar manager

Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight Friday, Saturday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.

Address: Hayden's Grill and Bar, 39895 Ford Rd., Canton MI, 48187

Phone/Fax: 734-895-3388, 734-895-3380

is a Canton resident and has spent about 10 years in the restaurant industry.