Elle

Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 8 p.m.

From someone who has not only worked in the Ann Arbor restaurant scene many many years ago but frequents it for dining regularly, Roger Monks should be top on your list of places to visit. It is a breath of fresh air amongst the "trendy" dining you will find downtown e.g. Eve, Jolly pumpkin and Grange. I arrived on a sunny Sunday with my Husband and we sat at the bar, it was clean, inviting and interesting. The fireplace to my right gave me a cozy feel and i cannot wait to frequent in the Winter while drinking a nice Cabernet. My Husband and I started with the crab cakes and I was alittle hesistant because you can get crab cakes anywhere, but these had VERY little breading and were full of lump crab meat...delicious. My husband then ordered the Juicy Lucy which was 2 patties of meat stuffed with cheese so when you bit in the cheese oozed out, i have never seen this done before and Sidetrack and Blue Tractor have NOTHING on the JUICYness of Roger Monks burgers. I ordered a burger that had peanut butter on it and mayo, again nothing i have ever seen before and i had a food orgasm in my mouth! Did i add that they cut and fry and their own fries. Their drink menu was interesting and the wine menu was superb. I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to step out of their "COMFORT" zone of downtown dining and go off the beaten path to Roger Monks.

Chuck r

Fri, Aug 27, 2010 : 3:49 p.m.

Roger Monk's is opening today. I noticed it as I drove by. I am interested to see the new menu. They mentioned that they were going to keep some of the more popular dishes and add some new. The addition of a bar area may prove to provide a neighborhood feeling that allows one to go in and have a drink and appetizer without dining at a formal dining area. It was not to place to have a drink and desert, but should be. I am looking forward to eating there tonight. I have lived in Dixboro for over 20 years have many memories of the Lord Fox under both owners.

snark12

Sat, Aug 21, 2010 : 7:32 p.m.

Following up on my previous comment... The sign outside the restaurant now says "Roger Monk's".

snark12

Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 11:38 p.m.

I drove by the restaurant this evening and I see that the name "Lord Fox" has been taken off the sign by the road. I'm too foggy brained to remember what the new name is now but it looks like the "Lord Fox" as we knew it is no more.

stunhsif

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:12 p.m.

Just want to state this is my second posting here on this link. I moved to Michigan in June of 72 from Utah. On my 14th birthday in january of 73, my folks took me to Lord Fox. I remember picking out my "own live lobster" which to this day I remember like yesterday. Since that day, I have enjoyed many, many wonderful meals at Lord Fox. I will spend my hard earned money at Lord Fox in a heart beat over some lousy chain restaurant!!!

1bigbud

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 11:54 a.m.

Oh Yes the Baked Alaska was to die for I dont konw of any place around that i can afford that makes it

A2K

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9:23 a.m.

Ramona, Thank you for sharing your lovely memories! Lord Fox was a favorite of my parents in the 1980s - I always loved the Wellington and Baked Alaska~

townie54

Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 12:22 a.m.

good stuff Ramona.My relatives lived on plymouth road and the state bought their land to build M14.You guys catered his wedding and I took a prom date there also.It was the only really fancy place Ann Arbor had through the 70's.All the waitstaff were very friendly and made it a fun place.My girlfriend and I used to like to sit in a different room each time we dined there.They used to make a dessert that was flamed at the table also.Great memories of the place but I haven't been there in 15 Years.Nice area so I hope the remodeling is successful

Ramona

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:51 p.m.

I read all of these comments with great interest (and sadness, at some)...my parents (Ray & Alida Coppa) bought the Farm Cupboard in the early 60's when I was just a baby, and it stayed in our family until the mid 90's. This is where I learned my work ethic, where my earliest and most heartfelt memories lie. It is my childhood home and where I played in a serene, wooded playground letting my imagination soar. As a little girl, I would watch all the lawn weddings from my bedroom window next door (when I should've been napping) and dreamed of my own fairy tale "someday" when I would be as beautiful as all those brides. I watched my dad on many a cold blizzardly winter day as he shoveled the snow of the parking lot so customers would know we were open and then did the cooking as well because the roads were so bad, his employees could not make it in to work, while my mother hostessed and waitressed. I 'helped' my mother at her side making pies, rolls and biscuits and helping a beloved chef, 'Uncle George' by wrapping baked potatoes and de-veining shrimp. I'd come home after school to find my mother laundering and ironing the tablecloths and napkins. I'd visit Freddy in the kitchen where he'd make me the most amazing fried chicken I've ever tasted! Everyone in my family poured blood, sweat and tears as well as heart and soul into the Farm Cupboard/Lord Fox...it wasn't just a family business, it was a part of all of us like a thread that ties us all together still...a life that saw us all through both good times and bad, where employees were not only friends, but often family too. I wouldn't trade those years for anything in the world! These are only but a few of the endless memories I have of those years and so it is my sincere hope that upon re-opening, the current owners of this establishment will endeavor to make The Lord Fox live up to and honor what it was during those thirty years that my parents owned it...and, yes! for awhile, my father did provide valet parking! ~Ramona

Brandon

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 5:51 p.m.

I was married at the Lord Fox, on the grounds next to the restaurant. We then held our reception dinner there. I had been there a couple of times previously, and went back a few times since. We were very happy with the staff that worked with us on our reception dinner (the wedding ceremony was our own responsibility). The food was great. My opinion of Lord Fox has always been that the food is better than many of the more "regarded" restaurants in the Ann Arbor area. The service has been top-notch every time we've been there, even just as regular dinner guests. A remodel was definitely in order, however. I'm hopeful they will do a nice makeover and reopen with the excellent food I've come to expect.

1bigbud

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:31 p.m.

This is the restaurant That we tought our kids about Fine Dining Napkins on the lap and were the silverware went and to eat GOOD Lobster from the tank (75to85) We would take them for there birthdays for about ten years But then it was sold (gone to pot over night) We went back 2 more times but no luck One bad time to many I do wish them luck but wont get our money anymore

another kathy

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:12 p.m.

We ate dinner at The Lord Fox on July 24th. Of course that was at the end of the A A Art Fairs. The restaurant was about 1/2 full. All three groups in the front alcove where we were seated ordered Caesar Salad which is prepared tableside by your chef. We had quite a show. They also do a wonderful Beef Wellington at a resonable price.

beaumont_slave

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 3:45 p.m.

born and raised out in dixboro.. was such a wonderful place to eat when it was the farm cupboard.. the Coppa's owned it then.. I hate to see such a cozy nice place go down..i hope it reopens all spift up

Elaine F. Owsley

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:59 a.m.

My granddaughter, daughter and I ate there in early June. It was a pretty sparse crowd, but it was early in the evening. The meal was ok, the service good, but it is showing its age. Does anyone besides me recall when it was the Farm Cupboard and you had to fight your way in, especially on Mother's Day. As I recall, the chicken was to die for.

beeswing

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:33 a.m.

I had a similar experience to Bruce's. Lord Fox was once one of my favorite restaurants. I had been going there since the late 80's. I then moved from area for a few years but found upon my return the place was not the same. It felt shabby and dirty and the food quality was awful. That was a couple of years ago and it was so bad I have not returned. I did ask around to friends as to what happened to this once great restaurant and was told it had changed owners.

Dot

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:30 a.m.

It has been closed for at least one week. I saw signs on the windows and pulled in to see what was up and noted that it will re-open Sept. 1. In regards to the parking/number of cars in the lot being deceiving - the cars that you see in the street view parking lot is a good indication of the number of guests/parties inside. The overflow lot to the east is VERY inconvenient and would not be a first choice to drive down a steep incline - then walk back up. The parking lot to the left (by the dumpsters) is mainly delivery trucks and staff. The interior of this restaurant was musty and the lace curtains were dirty and falling to pieces. A remod. is definitely overdue. Hope it's more than the electrical and the bar... for their sake. I hear that many people would love to enjoy this destination restaurant. If the level of food and service can meet the price, it would be a good start.

Epengar

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:12 a.m.

My wife and I have eaten there at least a couple of times a year for several years. I'm not sure what bruceae means by a "new" owner; Eric has been running the place for several years at least, and the decor certainly hasn't changed in that time, nor has there been valet parking. What have found is very good food at reasonable prices and a wine list that includes some interesting choices at moderate prices. We've found the service to be very good too, and they sometimes have dishes prepared at your table (a caesar salad preparation for two, flaming desserts) that you don't find in most places. The decor is certainly not particular hip or modern, lots of wood paneling and old hunting prints, but we like it. They have a deck outside that is great when the weather is suitable. The place has quite a history. I imagine that the expansion of high-end restaurants downtown and the demise of Pfizer have both been tough on this place. I hope the renovation goes well and the business does well in the future.

81wolverine

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:07 a.m.

My experience with the LF has been mixed over the years. We've had some nice meals, and one awful one where it took an absolute eternity to get our food (not good when you have your young kids with you!). I'm not sure whether the latter was with the newer owner or previous one. I always think these small country house restaurants are cool, and hope that their food/service lives up to the atmosphere. Maybe this renovation will help the restaurant. But ultimately the real factor that will make it successful is how the owner manages it.

DonBee

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 9:06 a.m.

Parking at the Lord Fox is deceptive, the main parking area is below and to the side of the building. You can not see it from the road. I have not been there in years, I did like it when it was in our budget.

krc

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 8:42 a.m.

My husband and I went to Lord Fox for some special occasion back in the seventies and we chose the Baked Alaska as the finish of our delightful meal. Never before or since have I had a meal like that one in a place like that one. I see it now and then when I have cause to visit one of the businesses nearby and always wondered about it. I'm so glad it will be up and running again.

stunhsif

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 8:11 a.m.

I stopped by there for lunch last week not knowing it was closed. I have always enjoyed Lord Fox and look forward to their reopening. Their food is excellent, the prices reasonable and the service top notch.

bruceae

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 8:09 a.m.

I had been going there for almost 20 years until this new owner took over. This was always one of the class places in town and you couldn't get in with out a reservation on the weekend. We were in there about a year ago and "shocked" at what they had done to the place would be an understatement. First don't pull up front and expect valet parking anymore, walked into the place and instead of a classy resturant the interior looked like someone's idea of a French Cracker Barrel. I ordered the filet and lobster tail and my girlfriend had the New Zealand venison steak. My steak was average at best and the lobster tail was small and tough. My girlfriend's venison was so "gamey" smelling that I didn't even want it on the table. It had to be spoiled but they didn't offer to replace it or bring her another entree. We left the place that night and have never been back. Was just hoping the place would close and someone else would buy it and bring it back to it's former self. Looks like all we are getting is the same owners and a remodel. Stay away.

xmo

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 7:39 a.m.

Its hard to tell when it is open or closed because there is only 2 or 3 cars in the parking lot on a Saturday or Sunday evening.

catcal

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.

Thanks for the update. Haven't eaten there in many years. It has been looking a little shabby from the outside anyway. Has anyone been there within the last year, and if so, how was it? I have fond memories of the Lord Fox.

Elaine F. Owsley

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 7:27 a.m.

What difference does it make when it closed?

DDOT1962

Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 6:14 a.m.

Paula, It would be helpful to the readers if the date the restaurant closed were included. Thank-you.