An elegant French-inspired restaurant located within The Vanguard Ann Arbor, Autograph Collection hotel, known for its locally sourced cuisine and sophisticated ambiance.
Rachelle Murphy is a chef recognized with a 'Chef Prize' in 2019.
Insights
ItalianSteakhouseFrenchSpanishVegan-friendlySeafoodUpscaleBreakfastLunchDinnerAll Day
Last updated: 8/8/2026, 4:33:09 AM
Key Information
La Serre is an elegant, full-service restaurant located within The Vanguard Ann Arbor, Autograph Collection hotel, near The University of Michigan. It offers classic French-inspired cuisine with a focus on locally sourced ingredients, honoring naturalist John James Audubon's love of nature through its ambiance and culinary approach.
Customer Perception
Customers generally praise La Serre for its elegant, understated, and welcoming ambiance, making it suitable for date nights. The service is frequently described as courteous, attentive, and providing exceptional hospitality. Highlights include the short rib, croquettes, steak frites, mussels, bronzino, and various desserts like profiteroles and Basque cheesecake. While many dishes receive high marks, some patrons have found certain entrees, such as the chicken paillard and lobster linguini, to be oversalted or overcooked. Despite occasional disappointments with specific dishes, the overall experience is often positive, with guests appreciating the atmosphere and service.
Additional Details
The restaurant's name, 'La Serre,' translates to 'The Greenhouse' in French, which aligns with its nature-inspired theme and connection to John James Audubon. It offers valet parking for convenience.
La Serre is open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm daily, suggesting it's suitable for all meals. Reviews frequently mention dinner as an ideal time to visit, particularly for special occasions or date nights, to enjoy the elegant ambiance.
This restaurant is located inside the Marriott Vanguard Hotel. I had the short rib, and it was outstanding, definitely the highlight of the meal.
To start, I ordered the leek soup and Caesar salad, both of which were excellent. For dessert, I tried the Profiteroles Rochelle (a croissant filled with a scoop of ice cream) and the Basque cheesecake. Both were a great way to end the meal.
The atmosphere was relaxing, with upbeat yet calming music that complemented the dining experience perfectly. The food, service, and ambiance made for a wonderful evening.
A special thank you to Dominic, the manager, and Josh, my waiter, for providing exceptional hospitality and making the experience even more enjoyable.
I’m looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu.
We just left a wonderful dinner service at La Serre, Ann Arbor. This restaurant specializes in French cuisine. We started out with a round of craft cocktails, then the French bread, followed by roasted Brussels and roasted carrots as apps—all good starts. Next our entrees: bronzino (served whole and roasted), and steak au poirve (the pan sauce was heaven to pour, likely roux based). And for dessert we enjoyed their delicious Choux Profiteroles—made from pâte à choux (choux pastry). Perfect combination of light crisp and flakiness. I’m looking forward to returning to try more of the menu. 👨🍳😘
5
I visited La Serre Brasserie today with two friends and had a very enjoyable experience overall.
They offer valet parking, and it was fast and smooth — the car was taken right away, which made arriving easy. We were seated quickly, and the restaurant has a lively, social atmosphere. It’s not a quiet place, but the energy feels intentional and welcoming. There’s also a fireplace, and if you reserve early enough, you can sit on couches next to it. That area looked especially cozy and warm — very inviting and home-like.
The highlight of our visit was definitely the food. Every dish we ordered was delicious, well-seasoned, and prepared with care and professionalism. I had the grilled chicken, which was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. One friend ordered the whole bone-in fish, which was beautifully presented and cooked just right. Another friend had the burger, and it was juicy, flavorful, and paired nicely with crispy fries.
We were served a small slice of bread with butter at the beginning. I personally felt the portion could have been a bit more, as it was just one small slice per person. That said, the staff did ask if we wanted a refill once it was finished, which was thoughtful and appreciated.
I would definitely go back again. For me, the main reason is the food. While the atmosphere leans more toward a bar scene and I don’t drink alcohol, the quality of the food alone makes it well worth the visit.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for great food in a vibrant setting.
4
The restaurant is beautiful, with a great atmosphere. Our server was friendly and attentive.
I had the oysters, the Cesar salad, and the steak frittes. The food was overall delicious, but the Caesar salad was unexpectedly spicy—I'm not sure if it was too much pepper. Also, the salad was quite stemmy, lacking the crisp, leafy texture I expected. I’d still return for other dishes, though!
5
Best Mother/Daughter day ever!
The hostess is very sweet and checked my coat. The server, Maddie, had a friendly vibe. She is attentive and made our meal enjoyable. We met the manager, Dominic, who taught us about French peanut butter/ jelly sandwiches. It's not what you might think, but it is delicious . I won't tell you what it is here. You must visit and ask about it. Loved everything!
