Michael's Restaurant

Reviews about Michael's Restaurant

• 3 / 5

  By Anthony Hopf
  April 16, 2017
• 2 / 5

  By Pajama Guy
  I saw an advertisement in the Acton Unlimited for Michael’s Restaurant, and the bartender Jorge, “The King of Margaritas”. A little bell went off in my head. PajamaGal had been nagging suggesting we try more restaurants to find a “go-to” place – nearby with great food, service, drinks, and decent prices.
  
  I found copies of Michael’s menu on several websites but all of them were from a previous owner – outdated and flat wrong.
  
  Being retirees (from NASA’s Space Shuttle Program in Houston), our normal dinnertime has evolved to the 5 o’clock hour. Fortunately, the traffic traveling to Michael’s from Hudson was much better than the traffic coming the other way.
  
  Our server, Erika, greeted us at the door and seated us in a comfortable booth. Jorge and his margaritas had completely slipped our minds (PJ-Gal is a margarita connoisseur), so we ordered a Pinot Grigio and my Dewar's with a splash. (Both were generous @ $6.50 & $7)
  
  Wine & Cocktails = Excellent!
  Erika was very efficient and attentive – without being overly-so. She knew the menu and was able to provide preparation detail when asked. And she actually listened when we spoke! She kept an eye on our table without “hovering”. She accepted menu deviations (marinara on the side, pasta - not potatoes, angel hair - not linguini) as a matter of course without making us feel like we were asking for the moon. I really can’t remember having better service!
  
  Service = Excellent!
  I ordered the “Crab Cakes” ($12) from the “Today’s Specials” menu. As I told Erika (who said the owner/chef welcomed comments), for $12, I thought the 2 cakes were a tad small and crab/breading ratio was a bit lite. If they were $7-to-$9, I’d order them again.
  
  PJ-Gal had the “Pan Seared Duck with Raspberry Sauce” ($18), also from the “Today’s Specials” menu. She loved it and ate every bite. It was excellently prepared and the sauce was, in her words, “fantastic”! I asked her to compare it to the Seared Duck ($32) she’s had at Blue Ginger last month. She liked Michael’s better.
  
  I was conflicted between the special’s “Swordfish & Shrimp Fra Diavlo” ($25) and the regular menu's “Veal Parmigiana” ($21) – and while I love both, my palate was yearning for some good veal. I opted for the veal with angel hair. My palate was rewarded! The generous portion of lightly breaded tender veal was smothered in a crisp and tangy marinara that was laced with a chiffonade of fresh basil. My waistline asked Erika to remove the remaining perfectly prepared pasta even though my taste buds begged me to ingest every last strand.
  
  The Food = Very, Very Good!
  
  If the “Bananas Foster” (a PajamaGal weakness) had remained on the new owner’s menu, we would have sampled Michael’s deserts, but since we had to pass by Erikson’s on the way home anyway…we’ll wait until next time. And there will be a next time – soon.
  
  
  November 13, 2016