Freya

Dining at Freya was one of the best dining experiences I've had in Detroit! My boyfriend surprised me with dinner here for our anniversary. The ability to do tasting menus that don't have to be the same was perfect for us! I eat mostly vegan and 100% dairy-free but he does not so we both got to enjoy exactly what we wanted. From start to finish, the staff was exceptional and great at creating a fine dining experience. Being offered a purse hook was a pleasant surprise and showcases the level of service they provide for every detail. We were welcomed with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, a non alcoholic option was also available which was what I chose as I don't drink often. When asked about dietary preferences and allergies they marked the menu so I knew exactly what was available for me. Each dish was delicious and had a great balance of flavors. The ambiance was relaxing and enjoyable with low lighting but not so dark you can't read a menu. The house-made granola delivered with the check is a nice touch. We will definitely be back again!Freya is the perfect place for an intimate date night or anyone seeking an elevated dining experience.

Reservations were made for Valentines Day and it was a very unique experience. First, they offered glasses of champagne upon entry for the special evening and had a coat check. The table decor was nice and super cute. The interior is very industrial forward and the music was the perfect mix. The staff was probably the most attentive service I've ever witnessed. Super professional and just being simply outstanding. That night there was a 5 course menu with a variety of foods offered. I enjoyed trying all the different foods and flavors as well as the wine! The wine lady was absolutely stunning by the way! Its like she was reading my mind on what wine my palate desired. I need her everywhere with me!. The edible oyster was ultimately my all time favorite. The edible housemade shell, the beauty of it in general, and the taste of how all the flavors bounced off each other. It was an experience like no other in one bite. It's so worth a try! If youre into trying new foods and different flavor profiles along with incredible service, you'd enjoy it here. I can definitely see myself returning.

This restaurant has a really cool vibe- minimalist/chic. Our waiter, Hank was very knowledgeable and helpful, answering all of our questions with grace. There were a couple other people bussing to help him out. The menu changes all the time but the concept remains the same: a five course meal with 3-4 options for each course. The courses get gradually larger until dessert so the fourth course is basically the main. There is also an optional beverage pairing- n/a, wine or wildcard. Also- there is easy & FREE street parking in front of the restaurant which is so nice in Detroit. They provided a complimentary salad and bread to start and I thought that was a great surprise! For the first course- I chose the oyster (bay scallop, white chocolate, green tea foam, yuzu). First of all, the shell was edible and there was such an interesting mixture of flavors and depth- salty, sweet, nutty. The oyster and scallop were a good texture, not slimy at all. My friends got the tuna crudo and seemed to enjoy it as well. The white fish pierogi was my second course and I really enjoyed it- the cream cheese/whitefish mix felt like comfort food. Third course- I got the boar ribs and this was one of my favorite parts of the meal. The meat was lean and tender and the apple cider glaze was subtle but delicious.Main/fourth course- I got the Rohan duck with bread pudding. It was served with sherry and honey jus. I was a bit disappointed with this dish- the sauce was overpowering and the duck/bread pudding was really heavy. I actually think that this one would have been better in a smaller portion. My friend got the waygu and that was amazing so I had a bit of food envy, haha! I also found the coconut panna cotta disappointing. The fig compote and the peanut brittle was tasty but the panna cotta itself was a little flavorless and the texture was kind of stiff.They had a good number of drinks that could be made n/a so I loved that inclusivity! I got the bell pepper spritzer and it was light and had a slight sweet/citrus flavor that was really nice.

The Grand Tasting (9-course tasting menu) costs 155pp (closer to 200 after tax and 22% gratuity). My friend and I made reservations a few weeks ago since we wanted to experience fine dining in Detroit. Freya stood out to us compared to other options, in terms of reviews, presentation and the courses that we'd be able to try.We were able to find street parking nearby pretty easily, and we were seated right at the time of our reservation. The interior looked like an "abandoned warehouse turned into a fancy Italian restaurant" with an open kitchen concept. Unlike many fine dining establishments, the space was spacious with lots of tables. The design was a bit mismatched. One wall had a monochromatic print of an arch overlooking mountainous scenery, while another wall featured gray brick adorned with some modern art. It created a bit of a disjointed vibe.We were given water immediately, and the servers explained each course we got thoroughly (but it was hard to hear since it's pretty loud). Here were our thoughts regarding each course:TUNAThis course featured fresh big-eyed tuna paired with creamy avocado and radish. The quinoa crunch on top added a nice crunchy texture. While it was tasty, it felt like a pricy, mini poke bowl -- good, but nothing particularly innovative. The citrusy notes from the blood orange were nice, though.PANISEThere was a lot going on in this course, but the flavors went well together. The chickpea fritter was crispy, and the mushroom ragu had a nice spicy kick, but a bit too salty. The almond cheese foam was denser than expected, more like a whipped cream cheese than a foam, but it was nutty and rich. Overall a unique course, and we enjoyed the furikake topping.PIEROGIThese lightly pan-fried pierogi were filled with smoked white fish and cream cheese, which gave them a bagel-like vibe, especially with the dill on top. The miso honey mustard sauce was a good complement, but we didn't taste much miso. The dish felt a bit heavy, and I couldn't imagine eating more than the two that we were given.GRILLED CAULIFLOWERThis was a surprisingly well-balanced dish that was the most unique out of them all. The cauliflower was grilled to perfection and paired with a rich, spiced makhani sauce. Toppings like golden raisins and pickled vegetables added a refreshing, crisp sweetness. The mix of flavors and textures worked together beautifully to create a bold dish.CAPELLINIThe pasta was wrapped tightly, and the caviar added a nice touch. The sauce, made with butternut and champagne, was rich and buttery with a strong umami profile, although we couldn't quite identify the butternut flavor since it wasn't sweet as we expected. The noodles had a perfect al dente texture, reminiscent of ramen.INTERMEZZOFor the palette cleanser before our entrees, we got a spoonful or raspberry and beet sorbet. The sorbet had earthy beet notes (very obvious that this was made using a root vegetable of some sort), which were balanced by the tart flavors of raspberry. It wasn't too sweet, which we appreciated.KVARØY SALMONThe salmon was perfectly cooked, but the skin (topped with crispy rice and drizzled with fish caramel) didn't cut easily. The fish caramel reminded me of teriyaki sauce. The salmon was paired nicely with the fried enoki mushrooms with kimchi emulsion. The dish was a little salty, and the bonito flakes and scallions added a nice touch.WAGYU BEEFThis was the most disappointing dish. The wagyu beef was surprisingly tough and chewy, and it didn't cut as easily as I'd expect from wagyu. The peppercorn crust was nice, but the beef didn't live up to expectations. The pommes purée, however, was tasty since it was an extremely buttery, whipped mashed potatoes. The au poivre sauce on the side was a bit too salty. The mushrooms paired well with the potatoes, but a couple pieces were slightly burnt and bitter.CHOCOLATEThe herbed granita was an interesting twist--sweet and tart, but very herb-forward, which I didn't like in a granita. However, the chocolate mousse was smooth and rich without being overly sweet, topped with a crunchy element and two raspberries on the side to add a bit of tartness. The combination of orange, hazelnut, and chocolate worked surprisingly well together.Overall, the tasting menu was good, but it didn't feel particularly groundbreaking. I think taking more risks to find more unique combinations of flavors could enhance the overall experience. My friend and I thought that some of the courses were a bit too salty. That being said, the service was generally good, and we enjoyed discussing each course to better understand the flavors and ingredients we were tasting during our nearly 3-hour dining experience.

I had been wanting to try Freya for a while and my friends and I ended up going for my birthday. The interior feels very light and open which we loved! Service was also very attentive and friendly, and brought me a lovely birthday dessert at the end! The food, albeit pricey, is absolutely beautiful. Everything is stunningly plated that made me happy just to look at! Everything also tasted amazing, and with smaller portions we tried many items on the menu. I'd definitely go back to celebrate another occasion!

Food: 8/10The culinary experience was outstanding, as expected from a restaurant with a premium price point. The menu reflects a dedication to innovation and seasonality, offering dishes that surprise and delight with their creative use of ingredients. This was my second visit, and I was pleased to find the quality and standards just as impressive as the first. The chefs' ability to combine unexpected flavors into harmonious, memorable dishes is the hallmark of this establishment, making it a destination for those seeking originality and refinement in their dining experience.Service: 9/10The service was exceptional, rivaling that of Michelin-starred establishments. From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel like a valued guest, greeting me by name and acknowledging the anniversary I had noted in my reservation. Thoughtful touches, such as a celebratory dessert and a glass of Champagne, elevated the experience and demonstrated their commitment to personalized, attentive hospitality.Ambiance: 7.5/10The setting was pleasant, though not particularly remarkable. The walls adorned with artwork added character, and the staff took the time to explain its significance before the meal began, which was a nice touch. However, my table's location next to the beverage manager's workstation detracted slightly from the experience. While it wasn't disruptive, the proximity felt less private, and a different seating arrangement would have been preferable. This appears to be a matter of luck, so it's worth noting when booking.Value: 7/10The restaurant commands a premium price, but it delivers an experience worthy of the investment. While it's not a spot I'd frequent monthly, it's perfect for special occasions or an annual treat. The combination of inventive cuisine, exceptional service, and thoughtful details ensures that the experience feels unique and worthwhile, despite the cost.

We have been to Freya twice now and have really enjoyed it. Both times were for birthday dinners. When I went the first time a few years ago they only had one 5 course tasting menu. This time when we returned we had to try the grand 9 course blind tasting menu that had been added. We started with complimentary champagne which was super nice and then the plates started coming out. It was nice not having to choose anything and we were so full afterwards. Every dish was delicious! It was also really cool that they let us choose an album for them to play while we ate. One of my favorite tasting menus in Detroit.

Staff continues to excel and provide outstanding service and delectable creative dishes. What a special place. You get what you pay for here. The service charge is small compared to the five star service from each and every staff member. Thank you for making our visits so memorable.

A really really nice spot for a date night... I've been wanting to try Freya for a while but I think in the past they've only had a five course meal option that was sorta expensive. Now they've gone to ala carte options a couple nights a week which allows the common man like myself to enjoy. The food is creative and was pretty tasty, the service is great and they even offer a chance to be a DJ for the restaurant by choosing some music. A great touch if you're trying to impress. I definitely left a little hungry, the portions are small but I believe it's worth checking out at least once.

One of the best meals I've had in the city. It was a splurge, but well worth the experience. I especially liked that they offered to take our coats (having too much "luggage" at the table can be annoying). The presentation and attention to detail was incredible. The way the menu was laid out made it approachable for everyone and there were options for every dietary requirement. Creative flavor combinations and textures really made the experience special. Appreciated the guidance on wine selection, clearing table between courses, and feeling of genuine hospitality. When we arrived they even asked if we had plans after dinner and if we needed to leave by a certain time (we did, so we were glad they helped keep us on track). All around memorable dinner.