Featured! Glass House Cafe
Where is the Glass House Cafe?
Glass House Cafe offers stunning panoramic campus views from the Plaza Level (3rd Floor) of Palmer Commons at the University of Michigan. The Physical address is 100 Washtenaw Avenue, and ample parking is available in the structure on Palmer Drive. Our company also owns and operates Evans Street Station, located in Tecumseh, MI. The two companies have somewhat of a symbiotic relationship regarding servicing events.
What makes it unique?
Glass House Cafe is a socially conscious, casual urban cafe and catering house on the University of Michigan Campus. We are one of just a few independent foodservice providers on campus. In addition to our high standards for food and service, we also follow an environmental philosophy we have instilled at Glass House. Our company utilizes eco-friendly products in service, diligently works to reduce and reuse, strictly recycles, and even composts food waste.
What type of events would you recommend for the space?
Glass House Cafe at Palmer Commons: Engagement Parties, Showers, Rehearsal Dinners, and Weddings for up to 75 guests seated/standing receptions for 100. For larger events, the 4th floor of Palmer Commons offers more space in the Atrium and Great Lakes Room, accommodating 225 for a seated event or a strolling reception for 350.
Evans Street Station/Offsite Catering: Engagement Parties, Showers, Rehearsal Dinners, and Weddings for up to 150+. Offsite catering for events of all sizes.
How does the chef decide where to purchase food from?
Local is priority. Our kitchens utilize ingredients from local farms and producers at every opportunity. Some of the local purveyors we source from include Four Corners Creamery, Goetz Greenhouse, Kapnick Orchards, Prochaska Farms, Pawson’s Farm, Knight’s Market, Back 40 Farm, BGreen, Barry’s Bagels, Calder Dairy, Karen’s Place, Eden Foods, Groeb Farms, Eat Local, Eat Fresh!, Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co., TeaHaus, and more!
Do I have to choose from a select menu?
We offer plenty of ideas throughout our catering menus, and also frequently design custom menus for events. Our mission is to make sure your day is everything that celebrates you. Therefore, we encourage incorporating your favorite foods and beverages into the menu and festivities. The sky is the limit!
What choices do I have for providing alcohol to guests?
Evans Street Station holds a liquor license that allows us to offer a full service bar at the restaurant in Tecumseh, or to sell wine and beer at retail for offsite catered events. You are also welcome to provide your own alcohol at offsite events. Our staff is fully trained and certified in alcohol service.
For events at Glass House Cafe/Palmer Commons, offering alcoholic beverage service at events is limited to those scheduled by:
- A University department or entity affiliated with the University to carry out the University’s objectives
- A current or retired University employee or their immediate family member
- A University student or alumnus
- An educational, alumni, cultural or public service organization or group with which the University has an affiliation
If the host of the event does not meet this criteria, a special event license can be applied for from the state of Michigan.
What would you say is an average price per person for lunch? $10-15
Dinner? $25-40, depending on menu selections.
What is your role in the planning process?
I am at your service throughout the planning and execution of your event. I oversee a dedicated team of professionals who are committed to providing the utmost in food and hospitality. We will help you design a menu that meets the unique needs of your group while staying within your budget. Just share with us the event you’re dreaming of and leave the work to us! We take pride in our ability to provide flexible catering for every style. Count on us to handle the details that create the affair you’ve envisioned!
Can I have my ceremony on site or nearby? Absolutely!
What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about this venue?
We opened Glass House Cafe in 2008, and we are one of the only independently operated dining options on the UM campus. Our place is really breaking the mold for food offerings found on a college campus, especially with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients and scratch cooking.
