Enhancements give restaurant welcoming, sophisticated atmosphere

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. April 1, 2009 – The Townsend Hotel's renowned Rugby Grille has constantly been ahead of the curve in exceeding customers' expectations and providing a world-class dining experience. As part of its continued progression — and to further its reputation as one of the top restaurants in the United States — the Rugby Grille has implemented enhancements to its décor and menu.

The core principles that have made Rugby Grille an award-winning restaurant — first-rate service and exquisite cuisine — have not changed. Rather, the enhancements will make the restaurant less reserved and more approachable, adding a modern flare to a traditional-looking restaurant.

"When diners come to the Rugby Grille, they are treated to an extraordinary experience beginning with our world-class service and extensive wine list to our current, interesting menu featuring the freshest fish, meats and vegetables and prepared in a healthy, light style. They will also enjoy our inspirational art that is rich with bright colors and vivid shapes. These new enhancements to Rugby Grille will allow us to continue to offer the most memorable and pleasurable dining experience that you can find anywhere," said Jim Bologna, executive chef of the Townsend Hotel.

The Menu:

Led by Chef Bologna and Director of Restaurant Operations Keith Schofield, the new Rugby Grille menu will keep the Rugby Grille favorites — such as Steak Tartare and Dover Sole, both of which are prepared tableside. The new menu will also offer lighter, healthier fare, which draws inspiration from the light fare menu introduced by the restaurant a few years ago.

The menu includes new dishes such as a Veal Chop presented with a Warm Frisee Salad, Fingerling Potatoes, Morel Mushrooms, Pancetta and a Truffled Vinaigrette, and Braised Beef Short Ribs served with a Fava Bean and Sweet Corn Succotash, Shaved Parmesan, and a Natural Reduction.

These new items, while not a radical change from the menu that has made Rugby Grille one an award-winning restaurant, represent a shift in discerning diners' palettes to a new type of cuisine that fits a healthy lifestyle.

The Rugby Grille is also proud to also be partnering with Local Farmers to deliver the freshest products available. Products used in the Rugby Grille's dishes will be concentrated within 150 miles of Detroit to minimize the carbon footprint being made during delivery.

The Décor:

Because the dining experience transcends just the enjoyment of the prepared dish, the Rugby Grille will complement the enhanced menu with new artwork from some of metro Detroit's finest artists. The artwork comes from Park West Gallery, a Southfield-based company that has previously partnered with the Townsend for other artistic endeavors.

The art, characterized by its organic shapes and halogen lights, captures the restaurant's new comfortable, upscale atmosphere. The glass-blown art sculptures come from the Pontiac-based artists April Wagner and Jason Ruff, whose work is formed by a process known as "fazzoletto," where the glass is blown in free-form and not from a mold. The two pieces custom-made for Rugby Grille encompass rich, vibrant colors, dominant curves and an energy that complements the restaurant's enhanced allure.

In addition, five new paintings from Tim Yanke, Simon Bull and Alfred Gockel will adorn the walls of the restaurant from three different artists, each known for their use of color, imagery and ability to stimulate the senses.

“Our objective in selecting art for the new Rugby Grille at the Townsend was to provide a visual balance between the contemporary and traditional,” said Morris Shapiro, Gallery Director for Park West. “By its nature, glass can be both, and we approached local glass artists April Wagner and Jason Ruff to create original pieces that would provide a unique focal point for the restaurant. The installation was rounded out with paintings by contemporary artists Tim Yanke, Simon Bull and Alfred Gockel, who hail from Michigan, Britain and Germany, respectively. The Townsend’s international reputation suggested an international touch as well.”

Since The Townsend opened in 1988, it has received numerous awards and accolades including Mobil Four Star and AAA Four Diamond designations as well as a perennial position on Conde Nast's "Top 100 Gold List," and Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Hotels." THE TOWNSEND HOTEL, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is located at 100 Townsend Street in downtown Birmingham, Mich. For more information, contact the hotel at 248-642-7900 or 800-548-4172. Additional information is also available at www.townsendhotel.com.