Charley’s Crab

So saddened about the closing of Charley’s Crab last week. One of my all-​time favorite spots to dine. I work next door, and last week the marquee was down. I have heard that the employees had not been told of the closing, and were advised when they showed up for work. I would have thought the management of Charley’s would have had more class than that, given the circumstances of the high-​end clients they served.
I will truly miss this restaurant. Please note that Big Fish II in Troy has also closed… another Muer’s restaurant.
Too sad… RIP Charley’s.

The restaurant itself is beautiful. I loved the soft light glowing through the ocean blue windows, the icy raw oyster bar and the whimsical brick walls. It felt romantic even with the company of my two young children. The menu is creative and the food is quite good. The bread rolls they bring out in the beginning are to die for. While I rarely eat white bread, I nearly polished off the entire basket. The second time I ate there, my server made me the most delicious mocha I have ever had. I don’t even think mochas are on the menu, but our service was that good. I’m definitely a fan of Charley’s Crab and will eat there as often as I’m in Michigan.

I went back in highschool for homecoming and they were great to us even though they were a huge group of kids. I had the calamari which was very good, and also the king crab legs which was amazing. This is not a place to go if you are remotely on a diet due to how much of it in is butter or fried. Charlies Chowder was a pretty good starter. The menu does not change much but you can’t go wrong with the halibut. I would recommend this resturant for an anniversary dinner or a formal business dinner. Very clean cut and straight forward. nothing overly romantic or trendy. The ambiance is very good and I liked how they had a pianist just to make it more romantic.
Our group took over the entire balcony and still it was a very nice setting and the staff took great care of us getting all our food out on time and figuring out the bill for the group of 30 or so.

In the past I would have given this place more stars, but the last few visits have been just so-​so. The place must be coasting under current management. They do have all the Muer favorites on the menu and the seafood is very good, it just used to be spectacular and no longer seems to be. I like the skate which is sometimes available and of course the Martha’s vineyard salad and the Charlies Chowder. They also have a lettuce wedge with French dressing and blue cheese that is very good. The greasy hot bread is addictive. So maybe I should think about 4 stars… Nah, it just hasn’t kept up.

I’ll start by saying there’s nothing wrong with the food. It’s been average, so-​so, decent. The menu at Big Fish, the other notable Muer seafood spot is almost identical. It just doesn’t excite me. The fresh fish menu hasn’t changed since I’ve begun (and ended) visiting. Everything on the pre-​determined menu is either crusted, baked, fried or douched in sauce … so I typically opt for fresh, grilled, with a sauce of choice on the side. The Wasabi-​Pea Tuna is worth a shot, as are the jumbo scallops with mushroom voul-​au-​vent (sans bacon for the non-​meat eaters) if you don’t feel like creating your meal.
They do a ½ price bottle of wine special on Wednesdays — 2 entrees = ½ price bottle, any bottle. Great deal if you’re down for wine, and they do have a fair wine list. The bread is also tasty and served warm pre-​meal.
Really, I don’t know what it is. Can’t put a finger on it. But Charley’s Crab will never be my favorite seafood place. The bar is very dim-​lit, there are always one or two suspect heads hanging around, and typically I read my paper rather than mingle. Maybe it’s my own fault — but others seem to really enjoy it so one day, I’ll try again.

I can not complain about this place. It’s a straightforward and nice place. The ambiance is great, service is great, food is awesome, and who can ever complain about a pianist that plays live while you eat? The cocktails are made properly — and the seafood dishes/​options are all awesome. Presentation is top notch — when your dish is set in front of you — it looks just like the pictures of that dish you would see. This is a great place for a romantic occasion such as Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day, anniversary, etc. It may not be the NICEST place around — but it’s very nice. The lighting is dim, piano player will even take requests — just slip him a note and a $ 5 courtesy tip.
I highly recommend Charley’s Crab. I’m a seafood fiend myself and was very pleasantly surprised. Don’t expect to get a ton of food for your money, obvioulsy. But expect an amount that satisfies you. Here it’s about quality — not quantity. Proper portions made with delicate care and attention to details!
Mmm…I will probably go back again sometime!

So I get to Detroit on a cold, rainy day, drive out to Troy, MI (wherever that is) and check into my Hilton hotel room. We meet downstairs and decide to check out Charley’s, the «upscale» option in the hotel.
I gotta say, I was incredibly impressed. Yes, probably mostly because of my low expectations, but the oysters were fresh and delicious, the tuna sashimi app was superb, the lobster bisque had a smooth toasty flavor and the clam chowder could have been from Boston. I got a Mahi entrée, served with grilled shallots and a Parmesan risotto, all of which complemented each other well and avoided the blandness or overly rich sauces that you’d expect from a Midwestern hotel restaurant (I sound like an elitist Northeasterner, don’t I? But am I wrong?).
The ambiance was pleasant and the waitstaff was extremely friendly and ready to make recommendations, including a delicious medium bodied Pinot Noir at our request. The «modern art» glass jellyfish were kinda hokey, but hilarious and weren’t distracted after the initial sight. When presenting the entrée, 5 waitresses brought out our 5 entrees at once, circling the table… kinda Epcot theatrical, but cute nonetheless. Pretty cliched live piano bar music, but better than a bad jukebox or elevator music.
Overall, a very pleasant experience. If I’m ever around Troy again, I’ll definitely come back, even if I’m not staying at the Hilton.

My boyfriend took me here for our 3 year anniversary. If my memory serves me right they have complimentary valet… either that or it’s really cheap.
The ambiance is very romantic, the whole place is dimly lit, especially if you sit over by the piano bar, which is where we sat. The piano player was very playful and fun and interesting to watch. They also have nice cozy circular booths there, perfect for couples looking for an intimate dining experience.
I ordered the Cedar Planked Salmon with roasted potatoes and asparagus, my bf got the Ultimate Seafood Mixed Trio with wild rice and potatoes. The dishes looked too good to eat, and the aromatics were enticing.
The wait staff is very helpful and try to make your evening enjoyable. They helped my bf in surprising me with a bouquet of red roses and they agreed to give us complimentary dessert… at least until they realized we had a $ 15 off coupon, and then they changed their mind about giving us the dessert complimentary. Which is fine, b/​c the $ 15 off coupon was a better deal than getting the $ 8 dessert complimentary. We like to endulge when we can… but we try to save money while doing it… hey, it’s tough times people!
All in all, it was a pleasant, relaxing evening and I would definitely go there again for a special occassion!

Charley’s Crab is one cool place. And when I say cool… I mean C.O.O.L as in super sexy seafood eatery. Take your special interest of love to Charley’s to be impressed. I take client to this spot and I close the deal… *BAM!* just like that! Luck? I THINK NOT friends! It was the Macadamia Crusted Halibut… ah yes. If you notice similarity of environment to some other well known establishments in area you are not mistaken. Big Fish owner Chuck Muer owns the this one. Several locations around but only 2 in Michigan.
If you know Boodah… then you are keenly aware of my fetish, of sort, for the sweet succulent Calamari. They have it, yes! Mouthwatering :) (excuse me for hand shaking now). Ok, so they don’t have price on menu… SO WHAT?! Don’t be a CHEAPSKATER! Get out, spend your money (you cannot take it with you) and treat that someone special for once in your life!
If you feel tired, you can even swing by the Hilton and stay the evening (ah yes, bring overnight bag… for wife-​san, of course… you? I not make assumption for you). Let me tell you this, and I make it very clear for you… the auto-​love is strong for Charley’s Crab. Enjoy.