Two years ago, Ann Arborites watched the painstaking process as the former Creekside Grill on Jackson Rd. was transformed into the Standard Bistro and Larder–the French restaurant that former Zingerman’s Roadhouse executive chef Alex Young had always dreamed about.
But Young left early last year after only about a year at the helm. His successor was Allie Lyttle, who had cooked with him at the Roadhouse.
Now, the Standard is no more, yet another victim of the restaurant contraction triggered by Covid-19.
In July, the building reopened as Lala’s, a weekend-only pop-up diner whose changeable menu has included pimento cheese appetizer and picnic chicken salad, burger, and pies such as French Silk.
Lyttle says LaLa’s is an interim project while they sort out the next identity for the building, which she vows will return as a full-service restaurant. Even with Covid restrictions, they can seat sixty people indoors and about twenty more on the deck outside.
Lyttle is urging people with gift cards for the Standard to use them at LaLa’s by August 31.
Meanwhile, Young has moved on to become the executive chef at Vinology on S. Main. Vinology announced his arrival in a July Facebook post, along with photos of five of his dinner creations.
LaLa’s, 5827 Jackson Rd. (734) 263-2543. Fri. & Sat. 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Mon.-Thurs. toasttab.com.
