Symposia Detroit

An amazing place to eat in the Atheneum Hotel in Greektown!Came by last minute with a party of six on a Friday night expecting to get hit with a crazy long wait, but surprisingly, they immediately sat us down! Menu is sort Mediterranean meets high-end Steakhouse dinner restaurant. Appetizers:Grilled octopus appetizer is so good! Not rubbery at all and cooked perfectly tender. Also went with calamari that's got the mama's lil peppers from some spicy zing. Mains:Mediterranean grilled branzino was amazing. Somehow, they removed the bones and reassembled the grilled skin on portions so it looked like a whole fish. Nice charred grill taste and really nice flaky meat. Braised short rib: very tender and meaty portions of this. I am glad my friend got this so I could tryThe best of the sides was the creamed spinach, which sounds pretty standard, but trust me, this was one of the best versions of creamed spinach I have ever tried! They used fresh spinach leaves to make and quite cheesy and creamy!Service here was incredible and very welcoming. Maybe it was an off night, or the locals are totally sleeping on this place. I would definitely try this place if you are looking for some good eats in Greektown!

This is a stunning upscale restaurant located inside the Atheneum Hotel. The interior is gorgeously decorated. The lighting and overall ambience is perfect for date nights and anniversaries. They do offer bread service. I went with a few friends and we ordered the lobster bucatini, branzino, and petite filet. For sides we ordered bruseel sprouts, roasted carrots, and garlic mashed potatoes. The branzino and lobster bucatini that my friends ordered were good. I especially liked the salsa verde they served with the branzino, it was a perfect balance for the light fish. I ordered my steak medium, but unfortunately it arrived overcooked. They said they cooked it for me medium-rare the second time around, but sadly it was the same case. The meat was very chewy and underwhelming. I do want to point out that staff (I think it might have actually been the owner of the restaurant) went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience and even offered me something else off the menu, complimentary. They're definitely committed to providing exceptional customer service. We were short on time, and the steak did take quite a bit of time to make so I passed and skipped over to dessert. We tried three different desserts, a Gelato, almond cake, and chocolate temptation (chocolate mousse cake). The temptation was my favorite item of the night and I would definitely return for that alone! Overall, had an amazing experience and would absolutely return.

Came here today to check it out, I missed the Yelpies event last month and needed to pick up the award I won, plus it came with a free appetizer coupon for Symposia. In addition, I had won $100 gift card from the hotel's Instagram page back in May, and figured this would be a good time to use it.We ordered the mushroom and steak appetizer, it was tasty but I was expecting more mushrooms versus steak pieces. I had the filet, medium rare, for my entree, and it was good but I did think it was a little charred-tasting. It came with some sort of Worcestershire dipping sauce I believe, and that was also good, as well as asparagus and a few small potatoes. My fiance got the lobster pasta and also enjoyed it. I also got one of the holiday drinks, which had vodka, lemonade, and strawberry puree in it, and it was very good. My fiance got two of the drinks on the non-holiday menu and enjoyed both.The star of the show here for me was definitely the dessert - we ordered the chocolate hazelnut cake and both the plating/presentation and the taste were excellent.Our waiter was very good as well, and they are quick with the water refills here.We had a bit of the a snafu at the end - apparently the hotel had not loaded any money onto the gift card, but the (manager?) honored the $100, once I told him the amount on the gift card, so I felt like they dealt with that very well.The restaurant will validate parking so it is free to valet at the hotel - there is a very small little parking circle that you pull up to, in front of the hotel, and then make sure to get your parking validated. We showed up around 6:10 p.m. for a 6:30 reservation, since we were coming from a show at LCA across town, and they told us to check back at 6:35 p.m. for our table, but at 6:30 p.m. sharp the manager came to the lobby and said our table was ready, which was fine.I would come back here but probably only when I'm in the area. I thought all the food was very good but it was a bit pricey, most entrees were $35 and up and drinks were about $17+, with desserts being $13 each; my steak (8-oz. filet) was $42 and was the least expensive of the steak choices. Another thing is that my chair was very small - I'm larger, but it was rather uncomfortable, although I adjusted to it over time.

Just WOW.Our night at the symposia restaurant was nothing short of spectacular. From the seamless valet service to the stunning ambiance in the Atheneum lobby, the experience began with a touch of elegance. The attention to detail, from coat check to our strategically placed table, set the stage for an unforgettable evening.Eric, our waiter, was the epitome of professionalism. The extensive menus, including the New Year's offerings, showcased the culinary diversity Symposia has to offer. Opting for the VEUVE CLICQUOT 'La grand Dame' Reims FR champagne was a delightful choice that perfectly complemented the culinary journey ahead.The octopus stole the show, resembling a lobster tail in taste and texture. Paired with buttery potatoes, it left an indelible mark. The ribeye, shrimp, brussels sprout, roasted carrot, and lamb rack with lobster tail made for a sumptuous feast, each dish masterfully crafted.Ezra's orchestration of this culinary symphony was unparalleled. The flavors were a testament to your team's expertise, leaving a lasting impression. The warmth and genuine assistance from the staff, coupled with prompt service and hot dishes, enhanced the overall enjoyment.The commitment to cleanliness is evident.The Symposia doesn't just offer a meal; it crafts an artful experience.A special commendation to Eric, our waiter and Sommelier, whose hospitality, patience, and passion for his craft elevated the evening. His expertise in guiding us through the wine selection added to the overall joy.Thank you for this exceptional evening. I look forward to returning to Symposia and recommending it wholeheartedly.

This place's ambience is top tier and the appetizers were definitely great. We went for a yelp event so i definitely plan on going back for dinner and drinks. The pictures speak a billion words and I hope you all get an opportunity to check this place out. Detroit really has someBeautiful Gems.

This restaurant is located within the Atheneum Hotel. It is very nice and small. The staff were very nice and welcoming. Super helpful with recommendations. We shared everything, we had the beet appetizer, the Greek salad and the spinach hazelnut salad. The beet salad was good they could have added more seasonings. The Greek salad was very good the creamy Greek dressing was really, really good. I loved the champagne vinaigrette on the spinach hazelnut salad. We had the Bronzino it was melt in the mouth good. The dressing was so good I put some on the roasted potatoes since they were lacking flavor. The mashed potato was creamy, gooey and flavorful. The lobster Mac n cheese was ok. The cheese was not gooey and it the bread crumbs were a bit gritty. We had the crème Brûlée and the chocolate treasure. The chocolate was creamy but a little bitter, the crème brûlée was good a bit softer than it should be. The blueberry rosemary compote was tasty with the crème brûlée. Our server Will was amazing very friendly and had great recommendations. Even for afterwards for places to go.

The ambience was great, the music was good. The manager was nice and accommodating. The wait staff was the best I've encountered in Detroit, very knowledgeable about the wine and the menu. Their cocktail with espresso and tequila was most excellent. The food was amazing. The appetizer was like a deconstructed beef Wellington and was excellent. The Greek salad was fresh with an awesome dressing. The lamb chops were definitely the best I ever had as the waiter described them. The branzino was to die for. Will definitely be back for other special occasions.

Great experience from the greeting to the end of the meal. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, our server was Michael who was fantastic and made great recommendations. Ambiance was upscale and romantic making it a great place for a date night. Food was great, cooked perfectly and the octopus appetizer was the best I've had. Plus - they offer valet at the hotel it's located inside of and the restaurant validates.

Symposia is a great place to have dinner and cocktails downtown - you can't beat complimentary valet, especially in the Winter, and the customer service is really top-notch. Management is absolutely wonderful, and they have coat check.The food is delicious and I love what they have to offer on their menu - upscale Greek favorites with a modern twist. Standouts were the lamb chops, the salmon, and the beet salad is absolutely to die for. It is a wonderful and unique salad - I'd return just for that! Cocktails are balanced and delicious and the ambiance is really beautiful - fairly quiet with a good vibe; velvety with warm lighting and a posh feel. A great place for cocktail dresses and heels.The first time we went, it was shortly after they opened, and service had a few kinks. However, when I spoke to management the next day, they were so accommodating and friendly and they gave us a very generous gift card so that we could return and enjoy dinner. I wasn't expecting such graciousness, and I'm so glad we were able to return at a later date and have such a pleasant experience. It just goes to show that a little friendly, direct, constructive criticism goes a long way, and they really went the extra mile to ensure we'd return. We definitely will, and I highly recommend this beautiful restaurant.

This restaurant had such a beautiful Ambience, their waitstaff's service outstanding and the appetizers were very tasty you should definitely check this restaurant out.