Vinology – Grilled Cheese Sandwich Puree?

This was the second time to Vinology in Ann Arbor, Michigan in just under a year, and unfortunately, I think it will be my last for a while.  I really want to like this place, because I love the fact that they offer every entrée in a petit portion!  The ambiance is nice inside with high ceilings, a beautiful bar, and al fresco dining.  And there’s a great selection of food on the menu – but when it comes down to execution, something is missing.    

Tonight I had the “grilled cheese” salad for $9 – which was described as being summer tomatoes, butter lettuce and a grilled fontina cheese sandwich puree.  Why puree a perfectly good grilled cheese sandwich?  The flavors were on target, but the texture was unappetizing.  It was like someone chewed the sandwich for a few minutes and then spit it out on the plate.  Yuck!  Unfortunately, some of the tomatoes were mushy, while others were under ripe – and yet some apparently were slightly roasted, and tasty, but it didn’t all go together.   The potential was there – why not keep the sandwich intact and do a play on a panzanella salad?  Moving on to the petit halibut entrée for $20 – the fish was too salty and had a funky taste that made me worry that I might end up regretting this choice later….but the duck confit smashed potatoes were excellent and the cherry vinaigrette was a delicious sweet surprise on the plate.  When you read through the menu, so much of it sounds wonderful.  Maybe I didn’t make the right choices?  Total bill for two salads and two petite entrees (no wine at Vinology!) was $60.