At first glance, Bourbons on Sycamore in Wyandotte looks like a contemporary neighborhood watering hole with subtle hints of a sports bar. When you dig a little deeper, you see that their diverse drink selection and unique cuisine set them apart from the crowd.
For starters, the upscale bar and grill features beer from a rotating cast of Michigan breweries, highlighting all that our great state has to offer. Mark Skehan, owner of Bourbons, points out that they are focused on offering beer from smaller breweries across the state. During our visit, the draft and bottled selection included brews from Arcadia Ales, Arbor Brewing Company, Bell’s, Dragonmead, Founders, New Holland, and North Peak to name a few.
Their clever baseball-themed beer list shows what is Up to Bat (on tap), On Deck (future taps), in the Bull Pen (bottled craft beer), and on Injured Reserve (standard domestic beer). It’s a fun way to highlight the fantastic beers available and what’s to come.
What would a bar called Bourbons be if it didn’t offer a healthy selection of bourbon? Over 40 kinds of bourbon are available in 1.5 ounce pours, ranging from well-known brands to smaller distilleries right here in Michigan.
When it comes to dining, the diverse menu features some familiar favorites along with some unique items with Bourbons flare. The menu includes unique twists on some typical bar favorites and fine dining classics.
Executive Chef Edgar was kind enough to speak with us, explaining that his goal as a chef is to bring the five-star dining experience to unexpected places. Luckily for patrons, he brought it to Bourbons.
We had the opportunity to sample some from their extensive appetizer menu and were blown away. Among our favorites were the Coconut Shrimp and Seared Ahi Tuna. The shrimp were crunchy, buttery perfection. The Tuna was crusted with Cajun spices, seared, and then plated on house teriyaki sauce.
We also tried their homemade Bourbon BBQ Chips. They were hand-cut and seasoned with a Cajun kick, a nice step up from your usual bar chips.
The highlight of our visit was the Jambalaya, their house specialty. If you are looking for a hearty dish to warm you up on a chilly night, this will hit the spot. It has the right amount of heat and is well balanced so you can enjoy a whole bowl. Chef Edgar has spent years traversing the country perfecting this recipe and it shows. It’s no surprise that the dish took 2nd place in the 4th Annual Downriver Cook Off this year.
Sautéed Perch and Chicken Marsala also found their way to our table. The perch was served with a delicious risotto and spaghetti squash. Everything was delectable, but the risotto was our favorite because of its rich and creamy perfection. The chicken was also flavorful and cooked well.
We topped off our meal with the newest dessert item on the menu: Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake. This heaven on a plate featured a graham cracker crust, smooth cheesecake filling, walnuts, homemade cinnamon pumpkin whipped cream, and a caramel drizzle. It is absolutely wonderful and sure to become a favorite at Bourbons.
The staff at Bourbons is friendly, knowledgeable, and professional, making for an enjoyable experience. Management and staff are passionate about the restaurant, helping fuel its success.
Our only criticism of this place is that we needed a nap after all the delicious food!
Bourbon’s is located at 118 Sycamore in Wyandotte, Michigan. They are open Tuesday through Sunday.
