I have been to Cafe ML on several occasions, but this most recent time "did me in" and I decided ~ I must tell people about this place. Every time I come the food is superb. I haven't had the same thing twice and have enjoyed every single thing! My hands down favorites are the beef carpaccio and brussel sprouts. The beef carpaccio is "deconstructed" and is served with a 4 min egg (I had to ask what that meant: it is boiled for 4 mins and then thrown into freezing water to shock the system. Essentially the white part is cooked and yellow is runny.) and it is the best carpaccio we have ever had, capers are mixed in to the beef. Essentially it's amazing. The brussel sprouts are made in a sirracha lime sauce and are bursting with flavor ~ yes I just said 'bursting with flavor' about a brussel sprouts dish, even my husband enjoyed them and he hates brussel sprouts!! I have also had: the smash guac (fair representation of guac but nothing to write home about); noodles dish (similar to a pad Thai dish, very delicious and enough to split); mussels (have recently changed their recipe for these I think? Either way very good, unique sauce they are served in. Very flavorful but I couldn't put my finger down on what it was ~ more garlic in this dish would make it even better); ML burger (very very good ~ but I'm partial to truffle oil so this burger didn't have a chance to not impress me). Finally, this place is priced right. You can spend as much, or as little, as you want. My husband and I walked out of there most recently for $71. That was ordering the beef carpaccio, mussels, side of brussel sprouts, splitting the ML burger, 1 cocktail for me and 2 beers for him. read more

Cafe ML - Beef carpaccio - New American Near Me - Bloomfield Township, Michigan

See all

Great ambiance. Very laid back, cozy, upscale feel. Had dinner here with my girlfriends this last Saturday. Waited about a half hour for a table, which wasn't bad. Wish they had more room near the front door to stand while waiting to be seated. The drinks were great. My sister had the Cafe Cosmo, delicious. We had both the hummus and guacamole for an appetizer, both were very good. All of our meals were outstanding. I had the salmon sushi roll on special with the fish tacos. Wow! The sushi was so fresh and the tacos were amazing. Everyone at the table was happy with their choices. The service was great. I will absolutely be going back here again and again! read more

See all

Went to Cafe ML Friday evening to sit out on their patio for dinner. We arrived around 7p and were told we'd have about a 15 min. wait for the outdoor seating. About a half hour went by and I went to the hostess...she apologized saying she made a mistake and it'd be another 15-20 minutes. I understand it's hard to give an exact time, but she was way off. After finally getting seated, our server was fabulous and the food was perfect. I started with their Bloomfield Berries martini and YUM! Beautiful color and tasted so fresh. I then had a cup of their white gazpacho soup - holy YUM! So flavorful and the presentation was beautiful with the chili oil on top. My husband doesn't even like gazpacho and he liked it! For entrees, I had the steak salad. The steak was cooked perfectly at medium and the salad was well prepared with the right amount of dressing (no one likes a soggy salad). For a light(er) dinner, it was perfect. I was happy. My husband had the steak tacos and was also happy with his choice. We would definitely go back and were really happy with our meals, we were just put off by the long wait. read more

Cafe ML - Bloomfield berries martini and white gazpacho soup! - New American Near Me - Bloomfield Township, Michigan

My first experience at this restaurant was when it first opened and was horrible, if your burger smells bad then everything is bad in my eyes. My second experience was yesterday and the Korean chicken was soaked in garlic and it stunk. The staff and the ambiance is very stiff. I live down the street and I will never go there again, these are much better options 1- Luxe 2- Mex 3- Beaus read more

We love this place. It is a hidden gem. Food that far surpasses its price point. Nice classy vibe. Good service. An excellent selection of drinks. The hot appetizers list is usually small, but we have a hard time not ordering ok of them. During our most recent visit, we ordered the crispy Brussels and the short rib steamed buns. If we had the room, I would have loved to order the fried Korean chicken. The burgers are amazing. I think they are the best in the state. But all of the other offerings look amazing. We have sampled some of the other dishes in other trips and found them equally delicious. read more

See all

Cafe ML. Stands for Maple and Lahser Roads Near Oakland Hill Country Club. Absolutely some of the the best food around. First class and affordable. Go and enjoy. Loved it. read more

Cafe ML - The kitchen where the magic takes place - New American Near Me - Bloomfield Township, Michigan

Came here for social hour and left happy. Excellent service from not only my server but other waitstaff. Enjoyed a well-priced martini and appetizer, then got a yummy Chinese chicken salad big enough for leftovers. read more

ML cafe is a neighborhood favorite. Great atmosphere, the staff works well and the food is great. Wish it was open later but it's a great place to get together with friends and family. The baked feta appetizer, stir fry & fattoush with blackened chicken salad are a few of my favorites read more

Hip and trendy vibe. Came here as part of a group of 8 and was seated immediately around 5:30PM. Drinks were reasonably priced (10$/drink). I ordered the Singaporean Noodles with Tofu, and this was just okay for me. Didn't have much flavor, but the portion was big and I was able to take half home for a second meal. It got pretty busy towards 8PM, though! read more

Recently stopped in for a quick dinner. Ordered the Kung Pao chicken. Special request for spicy. Quite frankly, the dish it was unidentifiable. Other than being stir fried, it had no resemblance to Kung Pao - no peanuts, no chili peppers, chicken was in large dry chunks and the taste had neither garlic nor any spiciness (cardboard comes to mind). At todays inflated prices, I recommend not wasting one's time or money here. read more

This is a fun cafe to check out from time to time. The atmosphere and the food is good. The only thing I don't like about this place is the parking lot. Everything we ordered was delicious and I recommend you to give it a try: Appetizers: Shaved Brussel Sprouts Short Rib Steam Buns (2) orders Entrees: Raindbow Trout Burger Steak and Frites Kung Pao Chicken Dessert: Chocolate Creme Brulee Lastly, they don't take RSVPs but they do give priority seating if you call ahead rather than dropping in. read more

Great neighborhood eatery! Relaxing, delicious, friendly! I love the choices from small plates and salads to larger more substantial entrees. The wine list is great with an interesting variety at all price levels. Not too loud! Very enjoyable! Updated summer menu had great choices this evening. The Halibut was prepared simply with amazing flavor. Baked feta for an appetizer was so nicely appointed with a tapenade. Fattoush salad and Brussels sprouts light and refreshing. Lindsay was a great waitress and it was nice to sit outside!! read more

I've been here a few times, and last night's dinner was pretty good. The service was stellar. Our waitress was super sweet and nice. The food was good, a little on the bland side but always consistent. We ordered the kale salad as an app and it was my favorite thing off the menu last night. It wasn't your typical kale salad. It was filled with prosciutto, parmesan and marcona almonds. We also ordered the brussels sprout salad, which is my favorite in town. Next we moved on to the filet tacos. The dish is served with beans and rice. The tacos were good, but the beans and rice had no flavor at all. This place is also great for groups. The menu offers a little bit of everything, so it's easy for everyone to find something that they will enjoy. Overall the vibe was perfect, and the music was great. read more

See all

This spot has a cozy patio and an amazing wine selection?! Top notch service.. food was delicious. Highly Recommend!

They have a great Happy hour price, but only about 10 bar seats, so good luck getting that good deal. My dirty martini and guac and chips would have been $5 each, but it was $11 and $10 respectively. I think they should honor the happy hour price if someone brings it up. That being said, the atmosphere here was nice. Cool lighting and modern tables and booths. It's at the end of a busy shopping plaza, which I did not expect. The service was pretty good, but I felt like we waited a bit too long for the bill. I did appreciate the amount of gluten free fare on the menu, clearly marked. For the main entree I got the Kung Pao Bowl, which was full of colorful vegetables and flavor. I have enough for leftovers for lunch tomorrow. I also got the chocolate caramel sea salt gelato, which was amazing! read more

Wow another delicious dinner served by Melissa, who is very upbeat and attentive. The scallops and walleye were DELICIOUS. We'll be back soon read more

Great atmosphere- I love sitting at the small bar (when it's not covid season). Bartenders are always nice and attentive. Food is always delicious. read more

Such a good restaurant! This is just what the Birmingham area needs! My party of 6 went at 5pm and didn't have to wait at all. By the time we left, there was a long line! It was worth it to go early. I ordered the scallops, which were good but slightly under cooked. They took them back to cook a little longer and they came out great! My brothers ordered the tacos. They loved them, however, the portions are a little smaller so for growing teenage boys, they were still hungry. We ordered the Brussels sprouts and they were really good. The dessert was excellent as well. Their menu is amazing. read more

Cafe ML - The Scallops - New American Near Me - Bloomfield Township, Michigan

See all

Solid dinner choice in the area. The location itself leaves more to be desired. It is on the edge of a strip mall at the corner of Maple and Lahser. Once inside though, it really doesn't matter. It is well decorated and well lit. The restaurant interior is classy. I liked sitting at the high booths near the middle of the restaurant. This was the first restaurant I tried Crispy Brussels Sprouts at when the trend came about a few years back. I will always be partial to their lime and sriracha combination. For vegetarians, the dinner options are a Tofu Noodle Bowl or a Veggie Burger. I opted for the Veggie Burger, but in the future would like to have tried the Tofu Noodle Bowl. The veggie burger is a solid options though - served on brioche bun. It was flavorful with the pesto and aioli. I want to try the Tofu Noodle Bowl next time as the burger is something you can get anywhere, while the street noodles are more unique to ML. All in all, average for dinner in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area. read more

Adventuresome tasty dishes with a twist creativity is delightful presentation lovely and the staff very pleasant what a nice surprise the last time I went years ago it's reinvented itself what a wonderful find I'd recommend it for sure read more

We have dinner at Cafe ML virtually every Sunday and have done so for years. We love it. The chef is creative and almost always spot on. The staff is friendly and helpful. The wine list has a good selection at different price ranges. The prices are very reasonable. It can get crowded so reservations are recommended. read more

M.L. Grill is consistent, great high top boots, great bar, and a really good salad menu. Do you know what you're getting when you walk in, which is good service, good drinks, and good food. Very consistent for what it is. read more

Hi, was very disappointed the other night, have been there a couple times before and everything was great. Went with 2 other friends and my one friends hamburger looked like it was still moving when it arrived. She did ask for medium and what she received was far from it. She bit into it and freaked out, it was cold and raw. It took sometime for the waitress to get back to us, in the meantime my friend had totally lost her appetite. The waitress was apologetic , and tried to give her another option, brought her a cup of soup, not great either. Thankfully my friend was not charged for her meal. read more

It wasn't terrible, and it may be a nice spot to grab drinks, but I ordered several different food items and they were all super mediocre.

As usual for me, this review comes from the bar, so I can't really comment on the service besides the bartenders. However, I can tell you the bartenders are very friendly and provide excellent service. There is a bartender that will remember you even if you haven't been there in months, that always impresses me and makes me feel welcome. We usually order off the "Social Hour" menu that is daily between 3-6 pm. This is not your average "Social Hour" food and it does change up every so often. Over two visits we hit all of the offerings besides the edamame, just not our thing, but it looked good. We had the Tuna Stack, buffalo slider with fries, guacamole with chips and the Koren brisket sticky buns. I loved the sticky buns, some places have a hard time getting that right, but these are some of the best I've ever had. Each of these was only $5 and they had drink specials to match. You can get a Manhattan for $5 and don't worry they are using cheap whiskey here, it's Bullett. Off the "Social Hour" menu we had the Crispy Koren chicken it was amazing with just enough spice. I really can't wait to explore more of the menu. read more

Went a few years ago and was unimpressed. We were given a gift certificate so we went back. What a great surprise- service, atmosphere, food quality and value all 5 stars! Will definitely be back. read more

The poor service does not make up for the food, which I must admit was great. Waiting a half hour for a table after making a reservation is unacceptable. Table service was poor. It was as if we were not appreciated for our business, as our service was constantly interrupted by new seatings. If they work out poor service kinks this spot will be great. I will not return. read more

This is a very nice restaurant. Great decor and friendly service. Everyone in our family liked what they ordered. Started with the guacamole and the short rib steamed buns which were yummy!! Their filet mignon tacos were very tasty as was the ocean trout special. All in all, this is a really nice neighborhood restaurant. read more

Kung Pao Chicken had fresh vegetables but was not flavorful overall. Lemongrass soup was overwhelmed with coconut flavor. Not authentic in taste. Service....server was flying past our table when the place was 10% occupied! Interactions were hurried. Overall, dishes appeared to be "western" renditions of eastern food.....diluted and Terribly tasteless food!! read more

I have been here a number of times for both lunch and dinner (same menu). The food can be inconsistent, with lunch being disappointing more often than not. Food here is not cheap - I would expect to receive the same quality at lunch and dinner. Today I ordered the King Pao Chicken bowl. The kitchen forgot the peanuts so it was pretty bland chicken and rice - similar to what I would make myself at home. I get this pretty often so I know it can be much better.. That same thing has happened to me with the steak. I would say good for dinner. Stay away during the day! read more

The food was delicious and the drinks. I did a carry out and the staff was helpful and pleasant

Great hot spot I pass on my way to Birmingham. The atmosphere is great, drinks are amazing and the food is phenomenal. I have been here a handful of times and never been disappointed. Very flavorful food with some great vegetarian options. The service is always on point and everyone is very friendly. read more

I have been eating at ML and other Bill Roberts restaurants for years. First I have to say, great service, good location and parking, cozy and warm atmosphere. After meeting three friends, it was unanimous, the food is subpar. You definitely need a different direction in the kitchen with a new chef, ingredients and menu. I ordered the winter fattoush salad that tasted like an old bag salad, no bread accompanied it either. The Korean fried chicken appetizer was horrible. Brussels spouts usually great, too spicy hot. There are too many inventive restaurants popping up. Manager-owner needs to address the basics; overpriced wine and mediocre food. read more

I don't really understand all the high reviews?! I ordered the bone-in chicken with rice(or quinoa?) and brussel sprouts, chicken strips and fries for the kids, and my friends ordered steaks. I took 2 bites of mine and couldnt eat it. The chicken was old and dry like it was pre-cooked then finished when ordered over a flame. The fries were over-cooked and dry, their steaks were overcooked and thin, but they were starving and they were still edible. (They didn't want to complain) I would normally ask for the waitress or manager and send it back, but I couldn't. My son and daughter both were having a meltdown, and I was extremely exhausted from hardly no sleep in 2 days and a rental due back in a couple hours. The bill with tip was around $130 for 5 meals (and 1 app I think). The waitress didn't refill 3 empty drinks for over 20 mins. The manager(?) came over and asked how everything was and I responded not very good but we have to leave in 5-10 mins which is why I didn't ask for it to be remade or for another meal. I did get a 'sorry about that', but no offer to remove my disgusting meal from the bill, or a credit for the future. Nothing!! NEVER AGAIN. I do not recommend going here. Overpriced for lackluster service and mediocre food. I can make these simple dishes 10x better in half the time at home. (Sorry, I REALLY wish I had the time for pics that evening so you could see for yourself.) read more

My wife and I went for an early dinner this past Saturday and had an absolutely delicious meal. Chelsea was our waitress and she did a great job. We started with drinks and the crispy brussel sprouts. The drinks were reasonably priced. I had the Manhattan and my wife had one of the martinis. Unlike a lot of places the alcohol in the drink was clearly present and both drinks were well made. The crispy brussel sprouts were excellent with just the right amount of seasoning. For dinner my wife had the Fig & Pear Salad with Salmon and I had the Swordfish special. Both dishes were delicious. What was even more remarkable was the Salmon and the Swordfish were expertly seasoned and prepared. They were both a little crispy on the exterior with a moist meat interior. In addition, they reached the table steaming hot. This was a particular treat for us and a very rare event when served restaurant meals. All in all it was one of the best restaurant meals we have had in a long time. read more

I've been wanting to try Cafe ML for quite some time. The restaurant is quite nice and on a beautiful spring day like today, it was nice to sit a a table with an open window. I tried the beef steamed bun, and it was really, really good. Next, we ordered the Singapore Street Noodles and the Kobe Beef bowl. They were good...not phenomenal. It's hard to explain, but I'm a very visual eater. I had envisioned the Kobe Beef rice bowl to have the stir-fry served on top of the rice. It was all mixed up and the veggies are not crisp, but I did like it more than the Singapore Street Noodles. (I'll add pictures). We finished with the chocolate creme brûlée and acai ice cream, they were both really good and flavorful. Overall, I'd go back to Cafe ML for the atmosphere and would definitely order the steamed buns again...I'd probably try a different entree. read more

See all

I have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Cafe ML, it's so close to home and as part of the Roberts Restaurant group, it promised to be a real treat. The family of restaurants includes Beverly Hills Grill and Streetside Seafood, as well as Roadside B&G. Glowing amber light, swanky seating featuring lots of wood and leather, industrial fixtures and gleaming mini-garage doors opening up to a beautiful private patio lend to the stylish and warm vibe at ML. The crisp white dress shirt and Tiffany blue woven tie donned by all staff reminds you that there will be top-notch service despite the relaxed energy vibrating within the space. As far as the menu - creative, healthy and exciting are the words that come to mind. Sustainable seafood sourcing and humanely handled poultry, beef and pork are a huge plus. The fillet tacos (served medium and piled high with tangy pickled onion, roasted tomato salsa, cojita and Mexican crema) stand out as my favorite item thus far, while the Jerk shrimp (presented on a bed of coconut rice, topped with pineapple Mango salsa and accompanied by a fresh bruleed banana) is a close second. The featured Rainbow trout was stellar, and you can plan on seeing some preparation of trout almost daily. We chose to order the smashed guacamole as an accoutrement to our fillet tacos, and what a fab choice that turned out to be. I imagine it would pair just as nicely with the Mahi tacos. Lobster is an available add-on to your guacamole! I quite liked the Cuban burger, loaded with Serrano ham, pickles and a very umami mustard sauce. We chose the flax bun and I suggest you do too. Your Cuban will arrive pressed, in true Cubano style. As I assumed, the service was phenom, the staff has been tasting all the menu items so they know what's up. I am more than happy with my dining experience at ML, thrilled about the location, and truly excited to continue journeying through the menu. read more

See all

First time at the establishment and had amazing appetizers! The Brussels sprout app, hummus, guacamole and Korean fried chicken were awesome. The ceviche was pretty good but a bit under seasoned. When we received the entree courses we were deflated. The salmon was flavorless as well as the filet mignon tacos . The Kobe beef bowl was great however the Singapore noodles and Chicken King Pow were just ok. The chicken was an odd texture. Kind of dry and shredded. As for desserts... the Rocky road, Creme Brule and Peanut butter mousse pie were just ok and not worth ordering. As for service... definitely terrific!! If we were told the waitresses name we would call her out!! We will come back for apps and a glass of wine for sure then have entrees at another restaurant Ambience was welcoming and the music was great. read more

Cafe ML is tucked away in an unassuming strip so you've probably driven by and not given it a second thought. However that would be a mistake because it's a lovely place to grab a quality late night meal and drinks in the Bloomfield area! My group of 4 was here to celebrate a birthday party, and we definitely felt like we chose the perfect spot. Our food was fantastic. The Brussels sprouts appetizer was so addicting I will probably order that each time I'm here. The ribs my friend ordered were ginormous, tender and drenched in yummy sauce. My Kobe beef entree was pretty good and big enough for two-three meals. We weren't big fans of the pork shoulder which was just okay. We ordered two desserts to try and they were great. The chocolate creme brûlée had a slightly savory flavor to it that worked perfectly with the thick dark cocoa. The caramel gelato was light but decadent. You must leave room for dessert if you dine here! Our waitress was an absolute gem. She placed a candle in our creme brûlée for the birthday boy without even being asked. She was very helpful, efficient and so funny :). I wish I could remember her name. All in all, Cafe ML is a fantastic destination where you will receive quality food, drinks, and service. read more

Cafe ML - New American Near Me - Bloomfield Township, Michigan

See all

We've been back. The food has become less exciting. The service gets looser. The waits for a table get longer. The steak salad is still terrific. read more