$25 Dining Certificate @ Bistro 222

As people come through the door at Dearborn's fresh, new Bistro 222, chef/proprietor Michael Chamas greets many of them by name.

They know Chamas from his original restaurant, L.A. Express, just up the street, or from his time as chef at La Dolce Vita in Detroit, and they are happy to see him back in the neighborhood.

This intimate restaurant is a 60-seat place with Spanish guitar music playing in the background and carefully chosen furnishings, artwork and table appointments against a background of polished wood and soft earth colors.

The cuisine is a blend of California, France and Italy.

Chamas likes to work with wild mushrooms, roasted red peppers, fresh basil, parsley, cilantro, garlic and olives.

His appealing menu offers herb-lavished dishes typified by free-range chicken Marsala, a lighter version of the classic dish that includes mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes and is teamed with accompaniments of creamy risotto and fresh julienned carrots, zucchini and squash.