Greg Reyner - Cafe Muse, Royal Oak MI
Chef: Greg Reyner - Café Muse, Royal Oak MI
Signature Dish: Grilled 3 Cheese
Chef Greg Reyner always knew he wanted to own a restaurant. Even at an early age, he showed an interest in the culinary arts by spending hours in the kitchen preparing meals and honing his skills. In 1999, he chose the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago (CHIC) to further develop his culinary expertise. Later that year, he his first business, TriBeCa Catering, named after the ever-changing NYC neighborhood. But it wasn’t until 2006 that he fulfilled his dream of restaurant ownership when he and his partner, David Smith, opened Café Muse in Royal Oak, Mich.
In 2008,
- The Famous Grilled 3 Cheese of Café Muse
Reyner received national attention when his grilled cheese sandwich was named “one of the best sandwiches in America” by “Esquire” magazine. This article led to an appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
Last year, Reyner and Café Muse became a stop on the Culinary Escapes “Cutting Edge Cuisine” tour. He takes a few minutes to give the lowdown on his favorite foods and how he came up with the famous grilled 3 cheese sandwich.
1. What’s your favorite thing to eat?
A big, juicy, rare burger and a beer.
2. How did you come up with the Café Muse concept?
We set out to create a simple European-style menu featuring comfort food with a twist. At the heart of the restaurant, we believe in natural cuisine, utilizing as many fresh, locally produced and organic ingredients as economically possible.
3. What’s your favorite thing to eat on the Café Muse menu?
Peanut Butter, Jam and Mascarpone Cheese Sandwich on Sourdough
4. When you’re not eating at Café Muse, where do you eat?
Town Tavern in Royal Oak for a relaxing meal, Jimmy Johns for a quick sandwich and Café Kabob for Mediterranean food.
5. What do you like to cook on your days off?
I love a good Bar-B-Que – especially rib eye steaks.
6. What five ingredients are always in your home kitchen?
Fleur de Sel (Sea Salt), frozen duck breasts, coconut milk, aged balsamic vinegar and truffle oil.
7. What’s the one thing you won’t put in your mouth?
Green Peppers.
8. How did you come up with the concept for that famous grilled cheese?
I wanted a sandwich that combined three of my favorite white cheeses – harvarti, fontina and fresh mozzarella. The addition of the honey was an afterthought. I felt the honey, grilled tomato and basil, along with the three cheeses, would create a unique blend of flavors.
9. What chef do you admire/aspire to be like?
10. Besides Café Muse, what’s your favorite restaurant in the world?
Inn at Little Washington in Virginia.
Culinary Escapes, LLC - Unique Food Tours of Metro Detroit
For those who enjoy sushi, this destination is a jewel. In the venue of a 1929 mansion designed around pre-Civil War architecture, this sushi bar and restaurant is set back from the road in a hidden section of Novi. Elegantly decorated this mansion is frequently the setting for weddings and receptions. Once you enter you can’t help but have your eyes drawn to the beautiful staircase. Seating is on one several converted offices and parlors. The bar is area beautifully tucked away behind a velvet curtain.