I have mentioned this restaurant in passing several times in the past, and how can you not love a restaurant with the name of The Chambertin. To name a restaurant after a stellar district, you better be serving stellar food, and they did that in Aces. When I was a kid, the restaurant was located in East Dearborn, and then when they had a chance they moved into a brand new Holiday Inn that was being constructed in West Dearborn. This particular Holiday Inn was built with a separate tower for long term residence, because of the automotive industry, and The Chambertin was there for them. I may got out on a limb, but I will state that this was the only Holiday Inn that I knew of, that had a four star restaurant. There was a coffee shop and diner, they had a tavern and they had a white tablecloth restaurant as well as catering facilities, but they only had the one kitchen, so all of the food was great.
I had a long history with the family as customers of mine years ago, and I also enjoyed going to the restaurant, though I usually dined in the tavern, and alas I cannot believe that I did not save a single matchbook from The Chambertin. The matchbooks were very elegant and they had your name printed on the outside of the book, and used them as your place setting when you reserved a table. They were famous for the creamy garlic salad dressing that they made in house, and when the son opened up his own restaurant, he maintained the dressing at his new location. Some of the dishes that were always popular were; Prime Rib, Canadian Pickerel with a Cardinal Sauce, Rack of Lamb ala Grecque, and Shrimp Helene. By and far the Shrimp Helene was my favorite dish, as it was spiced jumbo shrimp wrapped in Phyllo dough and served with Béarnaise Sauce, in fact this was another dish that his son carried over to his restaurant, as there were so many people that enjoyed this dish. The restaurant also had one of the best wine lists, back in the day, when most restaurants only had perhaps a choice of five wines, they had a real book to present, including several different Burgundy wines, and there was always, as I recall a bottle or two of a Chambertin wine.
One night I remember I was home, and I received a phone call from the proprietor of the restaurant and he had forgotten to stop by the store to pick up his clothing order, and the store was closed, and he was leaving on a trip the next day. I remember calling my boss, to tell him what had happened, and to let him know that I was going back to the store to pick up the altered clothes and deliver them to the restaurant. This is what is now called “customer service,” but it was just part of the job as I saw it. He and his wife were so pleased with what I had done, and they knew that was I was a fledgling wine devotee, that rather than offer me a gratuity or a gift certificate, they gave me a bottle of wine. I kept that wine for several years before opening it, as I cherished the choice of the selection. Some people would have just grabbed a bottle of one of the house wines, but they gave me a bottle of Chateau La Conseillante Pomerol 1970. Even though Pomerol at the time had not been classified as the Medoc had been, this wine was considered one of the finer wines from the district, and I felt honored, I think that is why I held the wine for so long before opening it and it when I did, it was a most enjoyable evening. The restaurant is no longer around, neither is the hotel for that matter, but when you talk to people in the know in Dearborn, they still speak of it, in a reverent manner.
The Wine Raconteur 
Never was fortunate enough to dine there, as I recall being too young, couldn’t drive, and broke besides. But I always remember the Holiday Inn as a landmark across from the Kroger’s and the rest of the Westborn shopping centre. I’d ride along when my parents did the weekly shopping (we lived in east Dearborn at the time).
Later, in high school, I was a dishwasher at a restaurant located at Michigan Ave & Maple. What has this to do with that? Not much, to be honest, except it’s owner, a Louis Marko, has a brother, Spiro, who was a chef at the Chambertin. I guess the restaurant business ran in the family. Every so often Spiro and his wife Marty would visit. They were a really nice older couple. Unfortunately for me, by the time I’d finished my military obligation, found work, and gotten my act together the Chambertin and therefore the opportunity to dine there no longer existed. Oh well
Larry, I am sorry that you never had a chance to dine at the Chambertin. I recall that there were a couple of restaurants around Michigan Avenue and Maple near the old City Hall. There were plenty of restaurants and a good mix of different styles back then. I am glad that I made you remember that era. – John
I enjoyed reminiscing about this restaurant. I was in high school and my mom took us there surprisingly often. Thank you for writing this.
Frank, I am glad that I brought you a good memory, It was an exceptional restaurant and I still run into people with fond memories of it. – John
I, too, remember dining at The Chambertin as a child. I also remember clipping little, battery powered lanterns to the side of our drinks to request refillls.
Do you remember that being part of The Chambertin’s service or am i mixing up my 40+ year old memories?
Sharon,
Thank you for visiting. I am sorry that I do not remember such an apparatus, but it does sound like something that they may have done, to make it more memorable for children.
– John
Thanks for following up, John.
Just to clarify for other visitors / readers…the lights, about the size of a Pez dispenser, had a classic 4 panel light on top. They didn’t look like camp style lanterns at all.
Thanks again for your input / allowing me to trip down Memory Lane.
My parents had their wedding reception at The Chambertin after they moved to the Holiday Inn. I still have one of the custom-printed matchbooks that was printed.
John,
Thank you for stopping by and enjoying my little article and I hope my memory made you smile. Alas, you are one up on me, as for the life of me, I can’t believe that I did not save one book of the matches for all the times that I was there.
– John
We found a matchbook from the Chambertin while remodeling our basement. When I googled it, I came across your article. 🙂
Katie A
Thank you for finding my article, that was an excellent restaurant. I hope you remember it fondly.
– John
I remember going their for dinner with my grandparents who were friends of the owner. When my grandparents died we held a post funeral lunch there for both of them. Years later they catered a party thrown by my brother for my newly adopted son. The food was always excellent.
Barbara,
Thank you for your kind notes and your memories of this fine restaurant. I am glad that you found my article.
– John
I remember in my early 20s when I was a line cook at The Chambertin. It was a great experience, I loved the crew with whom I worked !
Michael,
Thank you for stopping by and I appreciate your note
-John
wow- what a blast reading all this. I dated Billy back in my high school days. He taught me how to dive which became my legacy in high school at Fordson. My sister and my sister in law both worked at Prices Men’s wear and the Manchell boys were a big part of our family back then – how fun reminiscing. My first date was the Chambertin with Billy and I still have my matches with my last name on them! What an amazing family.
michael when did you work there?I did in 87-88 I was a busy boy in coach room from 7-3 and did room service..my name is Mike and worked w Richard,the other bus boy that was there forever..
i was a bus boy there in 87-88.worked morning 7-3 w Richard name is Mike..did you work then?
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this was my family’s restaurant before I was born. I’m 25 now and working towards becoming a chef. Thanks for writing this.
Thank you for finding my post. Your family has a very tender spot in my heart, as I knew your grandparents, some of your great aunts and uncles, Your father and his two brothers. I congratulate you on your choice of a career and it should come to you naturally. Just mention Price’s and your family will know me.
– John
Hello, I was a friend of Bill Kokas when I was in my 20’s and he was my mom’s financial advisor. I though the Kokas family owned the restaurant back in the day. My grandfather took our whole family there when I was in high school. I still have photos from the table. Such great memories of the whole area on Michigan Avenue in West Dearborn.
Jodacal,
I remember Bill, his brothers JIm and Andrew and his parents, A very fine family. Thank you for stopping by.
– John
Wow really..you must be the great grandson or granddaughter of the original owners of the restaurant..I loved Mr and Misses kokas..they were great ppl
i worked there in the late 80’s…I remember taking water to 2 old ladies and accidentally spilling it on them I said sorry and cleaned up..me kokas
mr kokas came back in the kitchen and said Mike you spilled water on those old ladies…as I looked up at him..as he was a big man I said ..yes I’m sorry Mr kokas…he grinned and said .”good those old ladies are bitches”..I loved him
i spilled water on two old ladies..and the answer is below.i worked there in the late 80’s