Rugby Grille Re-Opens With Updated Menu, Swanky New Space

After six weeks of renovations and some serious menu planning, the Townsend Hotel's Rugby Grille is back open for business.

The fine-dining restaurant re-opened on Monday with a new look and some new items on the menu, courtesy of the restaurant's .

"Our hope is that guests of the Rugby Grille, whether they are regulars from our past 25 years or newcomers dining with us for the first time, will find themselves feeling relaxed, welcomed and perhaps even a bit spoiled by the understated opulence of the restaurant's refreshed interior," said the Townsend's Managing Director Steven Kalczynski.

Opulence is right. The Rugby Grille's sophisticated interior is now wrapped in a Ralph Lauren herringbone tweed wall treatment and lit by new Ralph Lauren lighting fixtures. 

In addition, the dining room is now adorned with leather dining chairs, new china and mid-20th century, contemporary art by famed painter, Joan Miro.

The new interiors were designed by local architect Victor Saroki as well as Daniel Clancy, of Perlmutter Freiwald Inc. Interior Design, a firm based in Franklin.

"Our goal was not to completely transform the space, but rather build upon the refined atmosphere that has long defined the Rugby Grille by adding newer and more modern touches," Kalczynski said. 

Also getting an overhaul was the food, which, under the guidance of Sayes, will reflect a philosophy of using sustainable, local food sources.

"My focus is on local, sustainable, fresh, quality, and most importantly, approachable foods," said Sayes. "Fine dining doesn't have to mean pretentious dining."

"I want diners at the Rugby Grille to fully enjoy the sights, smells and delicious tastes of our menu," he added, "not be intimidated or overwhelmed by it. This is simple yet delectable food prepared with passion and integrity." 

So what's new at the Rugby Grille? Dishes like Citrus Cured Arctic Char, Wagyu Carpaccio, Duck Breast and Scottish Salmon. Meanwhile, many of the ingredients used will be sourced from Michigan farms, including cheeses, duck and lamb. 

The wine list also got a high-tech upgrade, with diners now able to scroll through the Rugby Grille's wine list on an iPad. Eventually, the restauranthopes to offer its entire menu on the tablet computers.

This is the 25th year for the Townsend Hotel, which was recently named third on a list of top Michigan hotels by U.S. News & World Report. In February, Travel Channel star Anthony Melchiorri said the Townsend was one of his favorite hotels in the world. 

Meanwhile, this isn't the first Townsend property to see an update in 2013. The Townsend Hotel Bakery closed for a short time in February to make way for .

"As the Townsend celebrates its Silver Anniversary this year, we are looking to commemorate and preserve many of the wonderful traditions that have made us so successful in the past, while also incorporating some the newest modern conveniences that our valued guests expect and deserve," Kalczynski said.