Grand Rapids Magazine March 2021 by Grand Rapids Magazine

MAYOR ROSALYNN BLISS PLANS FOR GR’S FUTURE P LU S PA N T RY P E R F E C T I O N

DEATH DOULAS

CEREAL CAFÉ

O P T E TH

STAURANTS RE

Meet Poet Laureate Kyd Kane

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The Mitten Brewing’s Curse of the Goat pizza.

2/25/21 3:28 PM

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contents MAR CH 2021 VOLUME 58, ISSUE 3

FEATURE

GR'S TOP 10 RESTAUR ANTS FIN D O U T W H ICH R ESTAU R A N TS MA DE T H I S Y EAR ' S L I ST.

Noco Provisions' Noco Nachos.

P H O T O G R A P H B Y S TA C Y F E Y E R - S A L O

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COVER STACY FEYER-SALO

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contents / ma ch

every issue 6 61 72

editor's letter dining guide

A guide to the area's best eateries

gr gems

Discover how women factory workers stood up for labor rights

people + places 10

city

profile

16 18

The Pack Indoor Dog Park, Plaster Creek Park and Meijer Gardens Meet Grand Rapids' new poet laureate, Kyd Kane

issues

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss talks about the year ahead

guide

Your guide to West Michigan candle companies

voice

Deb Kalsbeek helps women business owners chart their course

look + feel

expert

gear

22 24

Organizer Hannah Hansen shares tips for pantry perfection March Madness gears up

wellness

Death doulas provide end-of-life services

home

Get ready to tumble with a laundry room makeover

food + drink

table

create

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Brass Ring Brewing is your local English pub Kale and walnut pesto

cheers

Kaffeine Place pours its hopes into Michigan Street

must-try

Eastown Cereal Café makes waking up for breakfast a treat PESTO STACY FEYER-SALO ELDERLY JAMES HEIMER MAYOR ROSALYNN BLISS ASHLEY WIERENGA

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P R O M I N E N T LY R E P R E S E N T I N G T H E F I N E S T I N G R A N D R A P I D S R E A L E S TAT E F O R O V E R 3 0 Y E A R S

Katie-K Team 616.575.0119 Katie@Katie-K.com 1555 Arboretum Dr. SE, Suite 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

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editor's letter / connect

Next issue

What makes Grand Rapids unique? In the April issue, we answer that question by presenting the "25 activities every Grand Rapidian must do."

Correction

Celebrating Grand Rapids' restaurants Our annual dining awards issue is easily one of my favorite issues of the year. I love recognizing the restaurants that are bringing our community together around the table for celebrations, meaningful conversations, to commiserate about life’s struggles and more. But this year when I began thinking about which restaurants to recognize, the feeling it evoked was much different. The past year has been more difficult for our restaurant community than any other, with the threat of closure around every corner. Normally, in addition to our Top 10 Restaurants, we name the Restaurant of the Year — a restaurant that stood out above all the others, that everyone was clamoring to eat at and return to again and again. But this year, that didn’t seem to make as much sense as in years past. The playing field is uneven, with restaurants forced to focus on carryout and creating outdoor dining options since indoor dining has been closed or restricted for most of the year. Simply put, dining in 2020 was just completely different. So, this year, we elected not to name a Restaurant of the Year and instead focus equally on our Top 10 Restaurants of 2021, highlighting the ways each of them overcame challenges and persevered. Restaurants are still struggling, even the ones on this list, so I encourage you to patronize them through carryout orders as much as you can this year. Our vibrant dining scene has helped Grand Rapids become a destination in our state; we don’t want to see it lost to the pandemic. In addition to highlighting the Top 10 Restaurants of 2021, in this issue you’ll find our Food & Drink section is full of great local businesses, from Brass Ring Brewing in Alger Heights to the newly opened Kaffeine Place, a coffee and small bites shop along the Medical Mile, and Eastown Cereal Café, which opened in Eastown and caters to lovers of classic breakfasts. Cheers!

In our January Best Of issue, we missed one of our category winners. Best Chef went to Amore Trattoria Italiana’s Jenna Arcidiacono. Whether it’s her hot pink hair or her infectious smile, chef Jenna stands out in the dining room of Amore Trattoria Italiana where she is often found chatting with guests. Part of what makes Amore so special is that chef Jenna takes a hands-on approach to customer service. She’ll quickly make you a regular because of how welcoming she is and how kindly she treats all of her guests — from first-timers to regulars. So, it’s no wonder you voted her GR’s Best Chef.

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR

Charlsie Dewey Managing Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine

There are tons of ways to reach us. By mail: Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Email: cdewey@grmag.com. Be sure to include your name, address and daytime phone number. @grmag @grmagazine @grmagazine Or follow us online at grmag.com or on social media:

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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Allie Ouendag was a fall editorial intern for Grand Rapids Magazine. Currently a sophomore attending the University of Michigan, she hopes to continue her career in journalism as an international correspondent. Along with writing about her hometown of Grand Rapids for the magazine, Allie also enjoys writing music and art features.

EDITOR TERRY JOHNSTON CONTRIBUTOR COURTESY ALLIE OUENDAG

2/8/21 10:56 AM

Covering Grand Rapids Since 1964

www.grmag.com | info@grmag.com Publisher: John Balardo | Associate Publisher: Jason Hosko

We asked our staff: In honor of our top restaurants, tell us your favorite GR place to grab some grub and why? Donkey Taqueria is an absolute gem of the GR food scene. Their Brussels sprouts taco (trust me!) is my go-to. I applaud the way they have handled this past year, giving their customers like myself the ability to still enjoy all the favorites like guacamole or queso dip and the occasional margarita, safely. LINDSAY RICHARDS

If I were to move out of Grand Rapids and came back to visit, I would be sure to eat at The Mitten Brewing Co. I do not know another place where you have a beer flight AND a pizza flight. And not just any kind of pizza, but options of pizzas like chicken and waffles. It is awesome to be able to try different pizzas as a flight without getting a whole one if multiple kinds sound good... definitely not something you see everyday! My favorite is the Curse of the Goat and if I have any leftovers I do not have to worry about my husband eating it because he doesn't like goat cheese. ANGELA CICCU

Editorial Editor: Tim Gortsema Managing Editor: Charlsie Dewey Digital Editor: Tom Mitsos Contributors: Jaye Beeler, Ann Byle, Autumn Fuchs, Marie Havenga, Austin Langlois, Samantha Suarez, Julie Tabberer Interns: Elizabeth Listerman, Sarah Marilyn, Allie Ouendag Design Creative Director: Lindsay Richards Associate Art Director: Keagan Coop Graphic Designer: Robin Vargo Contributors: Angela Ciccu, Bryan Esler, Stacy FeyerSalo, James Heimer, Quinn Kirby, Jennifer Pickering, Ashley Wierenga Sales General Inquiries: Advertisingsales@grmag.com Advertising Director: Jenn Maksimowski Account Executives: Todd Anderson, Jessica Laidlaw, Renee Looman, Maddy Messerly Office Assistants: Elissa Stong, Katrina Peshka To Order Reprints: Receptionist – (616) 459-4545 Production Production Director: Jenine Rhoades Senior Production Artist: Robert Gorczyca Production Artist: Stephanie Daniel Advertising Coordinator: Danielle Szatkowski Advertising Designers: Daniel Moen, Amanda Zwiren Web Digital Director: Nick Britsky Web Project Lead: Matthew Cappo Web Project Assistants: Mariah Knott, Luanne Lim, Bart Woinski IT IT Director: Jeremy Leland Circulation Director Of Audience Development: Michelle VanArman Circulation Manager: Riley Meyers Circulation Customer Service: (866) 660-6247 Marketing Marketing & Events Director: Mary Sutton Marketing & Events Interns: Madison Henson, Megan Kusulas, Benjamin Nicol Administration Director Of Business Operations: Kathie Gorecki Publishing Coordinator: Kristin Mingo Accounting Associates: Natasha Bajju, Andrew Kotzian, Katie West

I've had some really great meals at places like Leo's, Osteria Rossa and Bistro Bella Vita, but nothing meets my simple needs like the Dungeon Burger and chips and cheese at The Dungeon. TIM GORTSEMA

San Chez Bistro hands down! I love tapas-style eating so this is a perfect restaurant to go to and explore many dishes and flavors. My absolute favorite item is their fritos de queso azul (blue cheese fritters). That said, I also love the flavor of their ambas al ajillo (sauteed shrimp, spices and bread) and their empanadas. Grab some friends and run – don't walk – to San Chez for a happy hour beverage (or two) and some incredible food! KEAGAN COOP

As we were sitting right next to one another when this question came through ... Elissa Stong and I both agreed very quickly that Brewery Vivant is our go-to! The atmosphere is unique, the beer is delicious and the food is very clearly made from scratch by people who know what they're doing. We highly recommend the burgers and Brussels sprouts!

Frustrated with your web site’s search results? We have ideas that work.

KATRINA PESHKA

Published By Gemini Media, LLC CEO: Stefan Wanczyk | President: John Balardo

Grand Rapids Magazine (ISSN 1055-5145) is published monthly by Gemini Media. Publishing offices: 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331 Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Telephone (616) 459-4545; fax (616) 459-4800. General e-mail: grminfo@grmag.com. General editorial inquiries: editorial@grmag.com. Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI and at additional mailing offices. Copyright ©2019 by Gemini Media. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Grand Rapids Magazine, 401 Hall St., SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Subscription rates: one year $24, two years $34, three years $44, in continental U.S.; Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and U.S. possessions, one year $35. Subscriptions are not retroactive; single issue and newsstand $4.95 (by mail $7.50); back issue $7 (by mail $9), when available. Advertising rates and specifications at grmag.com or by request. Grand Rapids Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited contributions.

For digital advertising solutions call 248-268-8026 COMPASSMEDIA.COM

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people+places THE GUIDE TO YOUR CITY

PROFILE

Poetically appointed page 11

» PLUS: MAYOR ROSALYNN BLISS WOMEN IN BUSINESS LOC AL C ANDLE MAKERS

Ericka "Kyd Kane" Thompson was appointed to a three-year term as Grand Rapids' poet laureate.

P H OTO G R A P H CO U R T E SY O F G R A N D R A P I D S P U B L I C L I B R A RY GR M AG .CO M

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people + places / city

CITY

Meijer Gardens welcome center On Jan. 11, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park announced the completion of its new welcome center. The new and inviting entryway features an improved ticketing center, expanded coat room, additional restrooms, and a mobility center for complimentary wheelchairs and electric carts. Upgrades to the O-A-K Theater and the Garden Pavilion also were completed. The designs were created with ideas from award-winning architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien. “Tod and Billie represent the best of everything. They are widely recognized as some of the premier architects of cultural institutions in the world,” said Meijer Gardens President and CEO David Hooker. “The facilities that they have designed for Meijer Gardens show their highly developed talents and will be enjoyed by many generations.” Meijer Gardens serves between 650,000 and 700,000 visitors annually. The 158-acre property is one of the nation’s most significant botanic and sculpture experiences, and the new welcome center will ease congestion as patrons enter and exit. 1000 E Beltline Ave. NE

Park's standout design

"The facilities that they have designed for Meijer Gardens show their highly developed talents and will be enjoyed by many generations." David Hooker

Indoor dog park opens

The newly opened Meijer Gardens welcome center.

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Plaster Creek Family Park won the 2020 Park Design Award from the Michigan Recreation & Park Association. The annual award is given to parks based on criteria involving innovation, local significance, aesthetic quality and functionality. In early 2020, Grand Rapids Public Schools teamed up with the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department on a mission to create green schoolyards in park-deficient areas. Community involvement was an essential part of the renovation process. In August, all improvements to the park were completed. The park features a stump forest, log jam and other play objects, which were made from local fallen trees. It also includes an eco-friendly rain garden, meadow planting and community picnic area. 2401 Buchanan Ave. SW

The Pack Indoor Dog Park is now open for business. The highly anticipated dog park, located at 5205 West River Drive, is a 10,000-square-foot space featuring a bar and restaurant, and is Michigan's first off-leash indoor dog park. Rachel Macqueen is the co-owner of The Pack. She said opening a business during the pandemic was not easy but the need for this concept is what inspired her to move forward with the project. The Pack is designed to give both the dogs and their owners a safe environment to socialize and relax. “I could not find a place in Grand Rapids where both my dog and daughter could play safely year round. Not to mention the cold weather conditions,” Macqueen said. Macqueen decided to partner with her mother to create a family-friendly space where both furry friends and pet owners could come together and stay warm. “Staff is there to monitor a safe dog play experience and to also make sure that the facility stays clean,” Macqueen said. She reminds guests that masks are required along with the guidelines to keep a 6-foot distance from others. The Pack currently is offering half- and full-day doggie day care — all carefully supervised. There are two different membership options, one being a fivevisit punch card for $30, or the option for an annual membership. Visit thepackdogpark.com.

GARDENS COURTESY FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK PARK COURTESY CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS AND RECREATION

2/8/21 10:53 AM

Ericka "Kyd Kane" Thompson will serve as an ambassador of poetry for the city.

PROFILE

New Kyd on the block Ericka ‘Kyd Kane’ Thompson is named Grand Rapids’ new poet laureate. BY SAMANTHA SUAREZ

On Jan. 1, Grand Rapids gained its newest poet laureate in Ericka “Kyd Kane” Thompson. She is the seventh to take on the title and the first Black woman and openly queer person to hold the role. The poet laureate is selected by Grand Rapids Public Library’s Poet Laureate Selection Committee and acts as an ambassador of poetry for the city. Throughout the three-year term, they are meant to create programs that encourage the writing and reading of poetry among KYD KANE COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY

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people + places / p ofile

Grand Rapidians of all ages and walks of life. Thompson is a self-taught, multidisciplinary spoken word and visual artist from Grand Rapids’ southeast side. Her work explores the good and bad of human experience through themes like poverty, privilege, gentrification, resilience and identity through community conversation, poetry, installations, video and photography. “Language-based arts puts us in the position to express ourselves in a way where people clearly understand what you’re speaking of. It allows you to transmute your experience from something negative into something transformative,” said Thompson, on the power of poetry. “It gives people the opportunity to see that they’re not alone in their experience. When we are candid and authentic about what we’re going through, we give people the chance to take that in. We can tug on some heartstrings and make questions arise that bring about change.” 12

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The Kyd inside Thompson was first introduced to poetry at the age of 8 at a poetry festival. Hearing young people express themselves freely and openly was a profound moment for her. “I got obsessed with words from there and started reading anything I could get my hands on, from dictionaries to phone books. I watched shows like ‘Def Poetry Jam’ on HBO. It really opened my mind to the art of beat poetry and spoken word,” said Thompson. The name “Kyd Kane” comes from a combination of childhood and young adult experiences. Growing up, Thompson’s family used to watch soap operas and would

Kyd Kane believes in the transformative power of poetry, noting it helped transform her own life.

KYD KANE COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY

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refer to her as “Erica Kane,” after Susan Lucci’s character on “All My Children,” who is best known for her desire for love, independence and fame. “Kyd” represents the kid inside of Thompson. As a teenager, she rapped with a group that had the idea of “kidnapping the hearts and minds of people” through their music. Having helped her mother raise her three other siblings early on, Thompson felt as though she was an adult longer than she was a kid. The name “Kyd” is meant to reclaim the childhood she never had. “The Kyd kind of stuck. I recognize that I didn’t get to be a kid or be jovial or play while I was growing up. I get to do that now as an adult through this art form,” said Thompson. From office space to open mics Before making waves in Grand Rapids’ art scene, Thompson worked in customer service, at a mortgage company and numerous other corporate spaces over many years of adulthood. After a sudden layoff, she took a part-time pizza delivery job, which she now says was “probably my favorite job.” “Driving from place to place gave me the opportunity to sit with myself, helped me find calm and let me actually hear my own thoughts,” she said. “When you work at an office, you’re kind of on go-mode the entire time. By the time you get home, your brain is just trying to unravel everything that happened that day and there’s no mental capacity for anything else. Delivering pizza allowed me to own my mind for the first time as an adult trying to sustain a living. It made me remember how I used to rhyme, write poetry and reignited my passion to put words together and express myself.” Not long after that, she and a friend produced a video of her piece titled “Awaken” on YouTube. She then received an outpouring of support in the community, and the local poetry scene took notice. Eventually, after many instances of silently attending open mics (but badly wanting to get up on stage), she performed live for the first time at the Eastown Hookah Lounge. Despite describing herself as “a paper shaker” at that first performance, she committed herself to a life of creative expression. Since then, Thompson’s art has taken her to numerous venues such as the Detroit Masonic Temple, the Michigan State Capitol Building and Kalamazoo Institute of Art, among others. Her voice KYD KANE COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY

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Kyd Kane’s daily practices to increase mindfulness Breathwork Focus your attention on your own breathing for about 15 minutes. This practice is called mindful breathing and it will help you stay grounded and better deal with negative emotions. Qigong Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique that involves meditation, controlled breathing and movement exercises. “It helps you get in touch with yourself and move energy throughout your body,” Thompson said. Read daily Thompson especially likes to read books about formulating new habits. She is currently reading “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. Interact with something that reminds you of childhood “Sometimes I blow bubbles or color with crayons. One day, I put on roller skates and skated around my apartment. Other days, I’ll watch a cartoon or play with toys.” Mind map Organize your goals or ideas into a mind map to encourage positive thinking, learning and self-reflection. Thompson uses mind maps every day to visualize her new projects or poems.

As poet laureate, Kyd Kane will continue to work with kids, introducing them to poetry.

has been featured on NPR, WYCE Electric Poetry, TEDx and many more platforms nationwide. At 33-years-old, Thompson is thankful she “found a way to navigate this life through art instead of giving my time away for money.” The power of prose Despite her lifelong love for arts and culture, Thompson did not grow up seeing artists that represented her identities and experiences as a Black woman or an openly queer person. “I do feel saddened that it’s taken a long time for opportunities to open up for people of color. There are so many different areas where we need to see new faces and see change,” she said. “I’m excited to use this position to continue to break glass ceilings and put other people in positions to do things for the first time.” Presently, Thompson is a teaching artist with The Diatribe, a nonprofit organization that uses poetry and art to empower students to share their stories, raise awareness of social issues, and create change within their communities. She also is a co-host of the Creston Vibes open-mic series, currently on hiatus during the pandemic. Her first project as poet laureate, titled “Elevated Love Language,” took place this past February in downtown Grand Rapids. Through a grant from Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., she and a group of local artists projected poetic expressions rooted in love for an entire month on billboards, buildings and other pre-existing screens all over town. Through The Diatribe, Thompson also is organizing a monthly afterschool program for young people with the goal of empowering them to read and write poetry. “With me finding my pathway and love for poetry at school, I’m excited to introduce this art form to students for the first time,” she said. This program will take place virtually during pandemic times. Throughout Thompson’s life, creativity was a source of joy, a platform for clarity and a means for survival. Each work of artistic expression enabled her “to fill holes, to feel whole and to connect with others.” Through her new poet laureate position, Thompson is committed to using her platform to help creative souls bloom all over Grand Rapids. “I hope that in the coming years, we create a community that is rooted in the acknowledgment of all voices and that there’s space for everybody to express,” she said. GR M AG .CO M

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Mayor Rosalynn Bliss prepares to tackle the challenges posed by the pandemic. ISSUES

Looking forward

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss reflects on local economy, social issues and the future. BY ANN BYLE

// PHOTOS BY ASHLEY WIERENGA

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss recently entered her fifth year as Grand Rapids mayor — she was sworn in on Jan. 1, 2016 — looking forward and more than ready to tackle the city’s tough issues that seemed to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic that shuttered Grand Rapids. “The impact of the pandemic has been devastating on people’s lives both emotionally and physically,” said Bliss. “So many locally owned businesses have struggled, with some going bankrupt and closing their doors forever. These are our neighbors and friends who make up the uniqueness of our neighborhoods.” She also points to a significant increase in violence this past year; there has been more gun violence and homicides than at any time in the last decade. She attributes this to schools being closed, youth centers and afterschool care closing, and significant numbers of people losing their jobs. There also was a lack of what she calls “proactive policing” in the early days of the pandemic as officers were forced to keep their distance. Yet, says the first female mayor of the second largest city in Michigan, “we saw our community come together in beautiful ways despite the challenges and heartbreak.” Bliss points to thank-you signs outside hospitals, businesses giving out food to those in need, local distilleries converting to making hand sanitizer and partners across the city coming together to see what could be done to help businesses. “People were intentional about supporting local businesses and people were stepping up to give, really coming together to support one another,” said Bliss. “There were beautiful acts of kindness all over our community.” The mayor also saw an increased and deepened partnership with the county and the state. As soon as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the state’s shutdown last March, 14

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people + places / issues

Bliss and city and county officials began meeting virtually to create emergency operation plans and to address other issues including, more recently, the county taking the lead in vaccination rollout. “And at a city level, we were able to quickly identify ways to change city policies around supporting local business, including changes to allow outside seating for restaurants and creating social districts,” she said. “At a state level, the legislature supported bills that allowed restaurants to serve food and alcohol outside in social zones and districts.” Priorities for the future Bliss has four main priorities as the end of the fiscal year approaches (the new fiscal year begins July 1) and as the city looks forward. The first is violence reduction and public safety reform, with a new violence prevention program in the works. “The police department presented a plan that includes key efforts around shifting to a neighborhood policing model and developing stronger relationships with community members. The Office of Oversight and Public Accountability (OPA) is now fully staffed as well,” she said. OPA is designed to act as a liaison between the community and public safety departments; its focus is to create mutual trust and respect between those entities. A second focus is on housing and homelessness. In April of last year, the city formed the Homeless Outreach Team that includes police and fire departments and other players in the arena such as Community Rebuilders and Arbor Circle, with the goal of improving outcomes for the homeless in the community. It joined with Network180, the community mental health authority for Kent County, in October 2020. “I saw an acceleration of some of the things we talked about because of emerging and growing needs. I hope we can build on what the team has done so far,” said Bliss. Bliss also is co-chair of the Housing Stability Alliance, which in September 2020 released its plan to address housing insecurity titled “Redefining the Path Home: System Building for Housing Stability in Kent County.” While the plan was in the works before the pandemic, it addresses the need for collective effort around housing for all. Previously, the housing discussion was largely led and addressed by nonprofits and disparate other groups. But under the

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss meets with Mark Washington (seated), city manager, and Brandon Davis, director of oversight.

"People were intentional about supporting local businesses and people were stepping up to give, really coming together to support one another. There were beautiful acts of kindness all over our community." Mayor Rosalynn Bliss

auspices of KConnect, which brings people from all sectors together to address community needs, the alliance hopes to create an inclusive plan for housing needs across the county, including Grand Rapids. Toward that end, Bliss hopes to grow the Affordable Housing Fund, which supports affordable housing projects. She would like to grow the fund from its current $800,000 to $10 million. “There isn’t funding available for smaller-scale infill projects for affording housing; we want to support the missing middle that doesn’t get funding,” said Bliss, describing how funding for low-income housing and high-end housing is more readily available. A third focus is on economic recovery, with particular focus on minority-owned businesses. “I want to focus on how we look at revitalization coming out of the pandemic, focusing on investing in Black and brown communities, as well as minority-owned businesses that haven’t been able to tap into state and federal funds,” said Bliss. She plans to include organizations such as Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses (GRABB), Local First and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for input. Fourth, Bliss wants to focus on the fiscal stability of Grand Rapids. “If we don’t get some relief from the state and federal government, we’re facing a $10 million-$12 million deficit. I was disappointed that the COVID-19 stimulus package didn’t include direct help for cities,” she said. She’s optimistic that work at the state level with the governor and the legislature will yield help, as will her work with Urban Core Mayors, a group of 13 mayors that she sees as an “opportunity to be more active and vocal in Lansing on these priorities.” The future for Grand Rapids Bliss’ hope is, post pandemic, Grand Rapids will “build back with a focus on equity and justice and inclusiveness, which will take our community coming together in intentional ways.” She’s already seen steps in the right direction as businesses, organizations, the city and the county ask how they can work together to eliminate racial disparity. “This is some of the most important work we will do in the community this year and beyond,” said Bliss. “We are already a generous and compassionate community. That spirit has shown bright this past year.” GR M AG .CO M

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people + places / guide Fresh Coast Candles offers artisan candles with Michiganthemed names.

GUIDE

Spring is in the air

Your guide to 5 local candle companies helping to set the mood all year long. BY SARAH MARILYN

While March 20 may signal the switch from winter to spring, chances are you aren’t fully feeling the seasonal change just yet. These local candle companies can help with that. Each one offers spring scents that will help you make the transition to warmer temperatures and budding flowers. Each of these companies is unique in its own way and their candles also make great gifts during any season. Owner Jill Bromley-Sung started pouring candles out of a studio she built next to her home and soon became inspired to open her very own candle-making bar. Wax Poetic Candle Bar, at 1423 Lake Drive SE, offers a unique and fun way to share new experiences with loved ones. Bromley-Sung focuses on candles that are made from quality ingredients, free from chemicals and additives. The hand-poured process takes about 45 minutes from start to finish and you can personalize your candle, choosing from the variety of fragrances, labels and container options. Visit waxpoeticcandlebar.com. Simply Curated offers soy candles that have the benefits of being better for you and for the environment. Soy wax is non-toxic and burns cleaner than paraffin, with no petrol-carbon soot. Soy candles burn slower and cooler than paraffin wax, giving them a longer lifespan than paraffin candles. Each candle at Simply Curated is hand poured and is 100% phthalate free. Owner Sarah Cooley got her start in vintage home goods with the goal of making others happy. Soon after, she developed a niche for making soy candles in beautiful vintage barware. Find Simply Curated candles at simplycurated.com and in select stores.

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5 scents for spring These candles will give you spring fever. 1. UpNorth Fresh Coast Candles 2. Lavender + Chamomile Sable Candle Co. 3. Grapefruit Mojito LIMA 4. Sweet Pea + Dandelion Simply Curated 5. White Tea Wax Poetic Candle Bar

LIMA wants to make a difference with its candles.

LIMA is a Grand Rapids family-owned business founded upon the love of two sisters, Linsey Jones and Maria Curtis. Both of these women are mothers, entrepreneurs and have a passion to give back through their thoughtful candles and gifts that are sold at local boutique shops. Each candle is handmade with endless attention to detail and using premium quality ingredients. Visit limaunitedbylove.com for a list of retailers that carry LIMA. In a small studio located on Wealthy Street, soy candles are being carefully crafted using a variety of aromatic scents and fragrances. Each candle reflects a modern and simplistic design. Sable Candle Co., at 620 Wealthy St. SE, Suite A, focuses on the importance of using all-natural ingredients and each candle is offered in either a tin, tumbler, cement or glass container that provides each purchase with a unique experience. Sable Candles are currently being sold in multiple local boutiques and at sablecandleco.com. Fresh Coast Candles are artisan candles handcrafted in Holland. Each candle can be customized, personalized and etched, making them great for weddings, businesses and gifts. This unique candle company stands out for its Michiganinspired heritage. Each candle has a special name and scent in reference to our great state such as Sleeping Bear, Dew of the Lake, Of the Wood, Dune Dancer and Lake Effect — just to name a few. Fresh Coast aims to produce only the best, toxin-free candles on the market. Each candle is made from essential oils and soy wax. Visit freshcoastcandles.com.

LIMA COURTESY SAMANTHA RUTH PHOTOGRAPHY FRESH COAST CANDLES COURTESY JAIMIE SKRIBA

2/8/21 11:03 AM

Special Advertising Section

MARKETPLACE

is our curated e-Newsletter highlighting the best food, drinks, experiences and more in Grand Rapids! Monday through Friday, we send out the latest stories on all things happening in GR right to your inbox.

Head to GRMAG.COM to sign up today!

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2/9/21 12:36 PM

people + places / voice

VOICE

Connecting and growing Deb Kalsbeek created a platform to help GR women entrepreneurs; now she’s going national. BY SARAH MARILYN

// PHOTO BY QUINN KIRBY

Deb Kalsbeek has a passion for helping women achieve their goal of growing their business by offering community support, resources and education. A few years ago, Kalsbeek created Facebook networking group GRBossBabes to help Grand Rapids women grow their businesses by connecting and networking through the platform. After seeing demand for her platform outside of Grand Rapids, Kalsbeek expanded her vision this past year and launched FemPro-Women In Business and began offering services nationwide. She also said men are welcome to join the groups as well. What are some of the services you offer/ provide to your Facebook members (both online and offline)? The online GRBossBabes group is a free online community. … On the daily we were having to deny people access to GRBossBabes Facebook group because they weren't within the Greater Grand Rapids area. We wanted to serve all identifying women in business, so we created the national group FemPro-Women In Business. You can either be part of the Greater Grand Rapids-area group, where it all started, or you can join the national group. Membership includes new training every month to help business owners grow their business, a business directory, a business automation e-course and a podcast. What are some of the goals you have for the year with the group? In 2021, I want to provide more growth for businesses by providing strong training, mentoring, podcast episodes and more. How do you think the group has helped women business owners in the community? I hear over and over again how women in business have been able to grow their business from referrals inside the group. They have been able to make connections. It provides an open community. 18

Deb Kalsbeek created a platform for women business owners that she wished had existed when she was first starting out with her business.

"I hear over and over again how women in business have been able to grow their business from referrals inside the group. They have been able to make connections. It provides an open community." Deb Kalsbeek

Women have unique challenges when operating a small business. What is one of the common challenges you hear about? Often that they are moms trying to juggle it all. This is why I created the business automation e-course. I understand this as I am a mom myself. Not all of our members are moms, but many of them are. We all need to learn how to streamline our processes and simplify our businesses to juggle life and business. Has COVID-19 impacted your members in different ways than maybe their male counterparts? I believe it goes back to the moms. At least from what I have heard from our members. They are trying to pivot their business during a pandemic, while also trying to homeschool their kids. What was the most challenging thing for you in 2020? Losing my daughter in September 2020 at almost full-term. It is also what changed how I am going to approach 2021. I lost a daughter in 2019 in the second trimester. Both times my business was able to continue, and I was able to take a step back to mourn. I had a system in place, and it ran by itself … This is why in 2021, I want to personally teach business owners the importance of putting a system in place, and exactly how to do that. I know firsthand how important it is for a business — and for the owner.

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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2/8/21 11:12 AM

look+feel KEEPING YOUR MIND AND BODY HEALTHY

Find out how to organize your pantry with our expert tips.

EXPERT

A perfect pantry page 20

» PLUS: MARCH MADNESS L AUNDRY ROOM MAKEOVER DEATH DOUL AS

P H O T O G R A P H B Y I S T O C K / O L E N A M Y K H AY L O V A GR M AG .CO M

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2/10/21 8:55 AM

look + feel / expe t

EXPERT

Declutter, categorize and contain These tips will turn your pantry into a functional space for the whole family. BY SARAH MARILYN

Hannah Hansen launched Hannah’s Home Organizing in 2019. Prior to opening her business, she was an early childhood educator — she also is a mother of two. “I have been an organizer at heart my entire life. I have also helped many people organize their homes in the past, even before I had my business license,” Hansen said. Hansen assists clients in a variety of different home organization projects. “I have taken on many different types of clients including downsizing for moves/home sales, packing, unpacking, staging, general decluttering, aesthetic organizing, large scale hoarding jobs and more. I haven't found an organizing job so far that I have said no to or haven't enjoyed.” Hansen said. Hansen offers these tips on how to organize your pantry using the methods of decluttering, categorizing and the importance of containing. “For pantry organization it is best to start by taking everything out of the space when possible,” she said, adding that decluttering involves throwing away expired foods and removing any items that belong elsewhere in the home. Categorizing can be done in multiple ways. “The idea is to create groups of similar items and a way you would look for and find that item,” Hansen said. Containing each category means everything should have its own marked space in some way. “There are many different kinds of organizers you can purchase that are designed for specific types of food. Can organizers work well in small spaces if you have a lot of canned goods to store. Tiered shelving can be helpful for seeing what is at the back of a shelf. Pantry bins are good because they come in varying sizes but are better for lightweight items if you plan to lift or pull out the entire bin to access its contents.” Creating a functional space for the whole family is key. In order to maintain your newly organized pantry, Hansen advises involving the whole family in the organizing process. Hansen also stresses the importance of labels. “If you find a system that works for you, keep it by labeling both the container on the shelf and the shelf itself,” she said. “Think of your shelves as a parking garage with designated parking. If every item has its own space, you don't have to wonder where to put it back or what is missing.” 20

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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"For pantry organization it is best to start by taking everything out of the space when possible." Hannah Hansen

Hansen's last word of advice is to allow for growth and change. As families grow, change happens, and your pantry should reflect this. “Don't be hard on yourself if you have to completely start over every couple years with your pantry layout,” she said. Visit Hannah’s Home Organizing on Facebook, where she offers tips, photos and ideas for organizing your home. PANTRY ISTOCK/OLENAMYKHAYLOVA HANNAH HANSEN COURTESY HANNAH’S HOME ORGANIZING

2/8/21 11:11 AM

look + feel / gea

GEAR

March madness Get active this spring! Pick up a new sport or practice an old one. BY CHARLSIE DEWEY // STYLED BY JENNIFER PICKERING

Spring is the perfect time to take your fitness back outdoors, and what better way to get active than to play your favorite sport? Whether you're hitting the courts, the field or the baseball diamond, make sure to invest in top-of-the-line gear. Let's play ball! Top to bottom: Mesh Pennie, $12.99, Dick’s Sporting Goods, dickssportinggoods.com; Trophy, $11, and Spalding Basketball, $40, Holwerda-Snoap Sporting Goods, holwerdasnoapsportinggoods.com; Vuori Kore Short, $85, and Cotopaxi Mariveles 32L Duffel, $40, Gazelle Sports, gazellesports.com; Corkcicle Canteen, $33, Kennedy’s Flowers and Gifts, kennedyfloral.com; Nike Zoom Fly 3 Sneaker, $160, Gazelle Sports.

SPORTING GOODS ANGELA CICCU

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GR M AG .CO M

2/8/21 11:10 AM

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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2/8/21 11:16 AM

look + feel / wellness

WELLNESS

Death doulas

An emerging trend, doulas guide people through their end-of-life journey. BY MARIE HAVENGA

// ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES HEIMER

Doulas don't just usher people into life. They ease patients through the end-of-life journey. Jackie Hallberg, who launched Muskegon-based Ending Wishes LLC in July, said when her dad passed away six years ago, she saw the need for help for families and their dying loved ones. For years, doulas have assisted during the birthing process. Endof-life doulas have become popular in recent years to guide the dying process. “The process was so frustrating,” Hallberg said of her dad’s final days. “It was commercialized. It was medical. After he passed, just trying to cancel his cell phone was difficult.” The process came as a shock, because Hallberg and her family thought they were well-prepared. A licensed social worker by trade, Hallberg strategized ways to help other families not suffer the same frustration. She stumbled upon an article featuring end-of-life doulas and enrolled in training classes. “We provide non-medical support,” she said, adding that insurance doesn't cover doula services. “We are an advocate and support to that person going through the last stage of life.” Unlike hospice, which typically sends caregivers in once or twice a week, doulas often are available for longer and more frequent stays with the dying person and his or her family. They can help however the family and patient want them to. They can sit with the patient while the primary caregiver naps or gets out of the house. They can facilitate virtual visits and phone calls with loved ones who live far away. They can help guide a personalized and peaceful death experience. “It's not just picking a funeral home,” Hallberg said. “Do they want to pass away at home? In a hospital? How can we make the environment as comfortable and warm as possible? Who do they want in the room for their death? Do they want music playing? Do they want lights on? Lights off? Do they want pictures of family surrounding them?” Hallberg said she sometimes helps patients write down their life stories. “How do they want their life remembered by loved ones or future grandchildren who have never met them?” she said. “Do they want their organs donated? Pre-planning makes everything more comfortable.” The ultimate goal is to provide calm and reassurance. “The ‘death’ word is a scary word,” she said. “We all come into this world and we all leave this world. We don't celebrate death in American culture. We try to make it as special as possible for the person going through the end of life.” Hallberg said she can do both in-person and virtual visits.

“It's never too early to start. It brings so much peace of mind. Death is never going to be a happy thing, but it can be a smoother and less stressful process.” Jackie Hallberg

“It's never too early to start,” she said. “It brings so much peace of mind. Death is never going to be a happy thing, but it can be a smoother and less stressful process.” Patty Brennan, an end-of-life doula and doula trainer based in Ann Arbor, got her start as a labor coach almost 40 years ago, a profession that evolved into birth doulas in the early 1990s. By the early 2000s, when end-of-life doulas first came into being, Brennan focused on helping those leaving this world. “All doulas are not the same and don't provide the same services,” she said. “Some would be willing to do an overnight or work on shifts. Other doulas may help plan, making sure people make informed choices. “We like to look at quality of life versus quantity of life,” she said. “Those are the kinds of conversations doulas can help facilitate. Some patients and families don't know what questions to ask.” Brennan said hospice is a wonderful program, but many people are surprised to learn that hospice personnel aren't available to be with a dying person 24/7. She said doulas help fill the gaps that otherwise would fall squarely on family members. “End-of-life doulas can come in and help people in a real practical way,” she said. “They can help keep the person comfortable, make sure they're not left alone, provide respite care for overworked family members and give them time for self-care, to go for a walk or get a nice sleep without being interrupted.” Brennan said she's honored to help people through such difficult times, helping guide decisions and a sense of peace. “It's an incredibly emotional, fragile time,” she said. “It's very overwhelming. We're focused on the quality of that rather than just the quantity of that end-of-life experience. We're there to provide support.” GR M AG .CO M

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2/8/21 11:16 AM

look + feel / home

Open storage works well for easily accessible baskets and cubbies to tuck hampers away. Bonus tip: Just because they’re hardworking doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful. Ditch the white plastic hampers and swap them out for some lovely woven baskets that better match your aesthetic.

There’s no reason your laundry room can’t be efficient and beautiful. Closed-off spaces in your home are the right place to take design risks and incorporate fun patterns or colors to make it uniquely you. Consider adding a bold floor tile, wallpaper, colorful cabinet color or even a fun light fixture to make your laundry room an inspiring space to get the job done.

Imagine folding clothes in your beautiful laundry room rather than letting them sit in a hamper in your bedroom until you find the motivation to address the task. We’ve all been there. If you have front-loading machines, a folding counter can conveniently be located on top of your washer and dryer, or it can be as simple as adding an adjacent console or counter next to your units.

A hanging rod and/or drying rack is a must for air drying delicates, and you don’t need a lot of space to incorporate one! If you don’t have room for a designated cubby like this laundry room, a wall-to-wall tension rod above the washer and dryer is a perfect solution.

Closed cabinets are a great place to store unsightly items like large bottles of detergent, softeners, cleaning supplies and bulk goods. If nothing else, hide some chocolate in the cupboard. You’ll thank me later.

Incorporating a deep sink into your space will help with hand-washing delicates, stain treating and prewashing clothes, and soaking stained items. A pull-out spray on your faucet adds a second layer of cleaning convenience. Consider using a stain-resistant sink like stainless steel or Silgranit that won’t be affected by the blue dyes often found in laundry detergent.

HOME

Ready to tumble 6 ways to help make laundry loads of fun. BY AUTUMN FUCHS, OWNER AND INTERIOR DESIGNER OF FUCHSIA DESIGN

The laundry room is arguably one of the hardest working spaces in a home, yet it’s often the most neglected when it comes to design. Often times, this space not only houses a washer and dryer but also is the storage area for cleaning products and bulk goods. So how do you maximize storage while creating a balance between form and function? These tips will help you create a beautiful space that makes laundry feel like less of a chore while keeping life just a little less messy. 24

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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LAUNDRY ROOM COURTESY FUCHSIA DESIGN

2/8/21 11:15 AM

food+drink DIVE INTO THE CITY’S GREATEST EATERIES AND BARS

CHEERS

Caffeine connection page 31

» PLUS: BR ASS RING BREWING EASTOWN CEREAL C AFÉ HALL OF FAME BURGERS

Enjoy a latte from the newly opened Kaffeine Place.

P H O T O G R A P H B Y B R YA N E S L E R GR M AG .CO M

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2/8/21 11:15 AM

Bangers and mash

The ‘brass ring’ TABLE

This neighborhood pub will leave you eager for a return visit. BY JAYE BEELER

// PHOTOS BY BRYAN ESLER

Brass Ring Brewery is the most rollicking fun you’ll find anywhere in town. An exhilarating taproom with British-style cask ales, porters and stouts, a dining pub where pretensions are few, a patio anchored by warm beer shanties inspired by ice fishing huts, and big belly laughs everywhere. When you do decide to call it a night, you’ll leave starry-eyed, nearly evangelical and itching to return. 26

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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2/8/21 11:13 AM

food + drink / table

Chicken pot pie with Rock Steady Brown Ale (UK)

What makes cask ale different

Here, Chris Gibbons, co-owner and head brewer, is decked out in old-school Adidas track gear and spectacularly launches himself into everything. “That’s my mantra, oh, I go all the way — that’s my brand,” said Gibbons as he recites Charles Bukowski’s poem “Roll the Dice,” ending with: “if you’re going to try, go all the way. there is no other feeling like that. you will be alone with the gods and the nights will flame with fire. do it, do it, do it. do it. all the way all the way. you will ride life straight to perfect laughter, its the only good fight there is.” Karen Boer, Gibbons’ partner at Brass Ring Brewery, walks into the tasting room with a question and summation: “Did he read you Bukowski’s ‘Roll the Dice?’ Oh, you’re in the club now.”

Peruvian chicken sammy

In Beer City USA, where trendy craft beer bars and independent microbreweries outnumber the rest, Brass Ring Brewery decided to introduce cask ales to the scene. For Brass Ring Brewery, owned and operated by Chris Gibbons and Karen Boer, that decision was a win, win, win. In the brewhouse, where head brewer Gibbons makes his 112th batch, the aroma of fermenting fills the air while gleaming stainless steel vessels and piles of barley are front and center. “This is where the magic happens,” said Boer, toasting Gibbons with a pint of No Half Measures Brut IPA, a deceptively light-bodied beer. “We’re talking seriously small-batch,” Gibbons said. “Brewing requires one to be a perfectionist with a touch of OCD. To brew this kind of small-batch traditional ale requires a whole lot of doing.” At Brass Ring, the ales are transferred into casks, and then undergo a final fermentation in the cask. Since it’s unfiltered, there is live yeast in the cask. And Brass Ring uses its own house yeast. “It’s our own blend and all of our beers are made with that same yeast,” Gibbons said. “We have 12 beers on the menu at all times and they have to taste different, but they're all made with four basic ingredients — barley, water, hops and yeast, and it's the same yeast.” In the cold room, each beer is held in an individual vessel with piping that goes right up to the 12-pour tap in the tasting room and each ale is pumped out of the cask by hand. GR M AG .CO M

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2/8/21 11:13 AM

food + drink / table

Origin story And to think that it all started with a little end-of-year ruminating between Gibbons and Boer, both attorneys who also practice law together. “We should open a brewery because we could create the greatest space, a vanguard of creativity — and we could finish our work lives doing what we really love,” Gibbons said, about how the brewery got its start. “I said to Karen, ‘It would be like our brass ring. Let’s get our brass ring.’” Bingo, Boer thought, that’s the name, right there, Brass Ring Brewery. Next thing you know, Gibbons and Boer enrolled in the Colorado Boy Brewery Immersion program. “We flew into the Montrose, Colorado, airport and went up the mountain,” Gibbons said. “It was like we were going to see Yoda or something.” Building a cask ale brewery In a mid-century storefront in the Alger Heights business district, Gibbons and Boer peeled away the remnants of the past — and merrily reassembled the space into a brewhouse sporting floor-to-ceiling windows with state-of-the-art commercial brewing equipment. Since Brass Ring Brewery opened Jan. 11, 2018, it has focused on brewing Englishstyle traditional ales, porters and stouts with grains sourced from Great Britain that continue to ferment in the cask and remain active until it quenches your thirst.

Brass Ring burger

Steak layered over house salad with Mad Sweeney Pale Ale (UK)

“We should open a brewery because we could create the greatest space, a vanguard of creativity — and we could finish our work lives doing what we really love. I said to Karen, ‘It would be like our brass ring. Let’s get our brass ring.’” Chris Gibbons

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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2/8/21 11:14 AM

Brass Ring Brewery's 12 taps are connected to individual vessels, so each beer is pumped out of the cask by hand.

“We are a true craft brewery because we are making small batches of beer — with water, barley, hops and yeast. That’s it,” Gibbons said. “No fruits, no syrups, no clarifiers.” Brass Ring’s beer is only available at the taproom or to-go in 64-ounce growlers and 32-ounce crawlers. Brass Ring Brewery’s part of a mighty fine club, being the first Cask Marqueaccredited pub in Michigan — a highly prized accreditation among the UK's real ale pubs and bars. Formed in 1998 in England, Cask Marque is a nonprofit organization set up to promote cask beer and particularly beer quality. It’s “a sign of a great pint” to display the Cask Marque plaque on its glass doors, because that means the microbrewery must be inspected regularly — with the beers bright and clear, kept cellar cool, and poured in glasses that are beer clean.

Karen Boer and Chris Gibbons

Crafting through COVID When the state’s COVID-19 restrictions shuttered indoor dining, Gibbons and his carpenter friend Allen Spencer built four beer shanties — each one brightly painted in a primary color and outfitted with windows, lighting, heaters, a table for four and with Dutch doors to ensure the rollicking good times could continue outdoors. Brass Ring Brewery’s British-inspired menu doesn’t disappoint with the UK’s favorite cuisine bangers and mash anchoring the menu. The bangers are

sourced from Grandville butcher R.W. Bond & Son, and the mash is made with sweet brown gravy and pickled red onion. You’ll also find a proper roast beef sandwich sliced thin, ruby red and topped with horseradish cream, pickled mustard seed and caramelized onions served with French fries among the menu items. Chef Alex Ewigleben’s steak du jour with fries delivers the kind of terrifically solid flavors no chain can compare to. On a wintery Saturday, Ewigleben confidently tended to a half-dozen pans in his galley kitchen — squeezed between the tasting room and the brewhouse — rinsing red-skinned potatoes, simmering red wine reduction, pan-frying thinly sliced gold potatoes with arugula, rosemary, onion and garlic, and thickening a blue cheese sauce. “I’m always fine-tuning,” said Ewigleben, whose brother Jameson Ewigleben is executive chef at Perrin Brewing Company. And that attention to improving is why so many customers eagerly return to Brass Ring Brewery. To celebrate all their good fortune, Gibbons and Boer definitely come from the school of “giving back.” Twenty percent of sales from its Neighborly IPA made with Paradigm Hops from neighborhood growers goes to Kids’ Food Basket. The pair also established Brass Ring Scholars, to pay full tuition for two kitchen workers to get their culinary school associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in business. “That’s our way of creating a legacy,” Gibbons said. GR M AG .CO M

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2/8/21 11:14 AM

food + drink / c eate

CREATE

Kale and walnut pesto This pesto packs a nutrient punch. BY CHARLSIE DEWEY

// PHOTO BY STACY FEYER-SALO

Mandy Thompson said her interest in cooking didn’t come about until she had children. “It was important to me that our children have a good relationship with food.” After gaining knowledge through devouring cookbooks “like novels” and bingeing cooking shows, Thompson began teaching her kids and their friends how to cook. “A friend with KDL [Kent District Library] asked me if I'd be willing to teach a kids cooking class, and I've now been teaching them for six years,” she noted. In March 2020, Thompson had decided to follow her cooking passion by becoming a personal chef — and then COVID-19 hit. Though she put her plans on hold, she began filming cooking videos for social media and cooking meals for a group of friends each week. “It gives me something to do, keeps me active in the kitchen and feeds my friends."

Ingredients 1 bunch of kale ½ cup fresh basil 4-8 cloves fresh garlic, peeled 1 cup walnuts, lightly toasted ½ cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon sea salt ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper ¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice 1½ cups extra virgin olive oil

Instructions Rinse the kale and pat dry. Strip the leaves from the hard stems and discard stems — they can be bitter. Tear the kale into smaller pieces and place into a food processor. Pulse to break the kale down; continue this until all of the kale has been added. Add the leaves of the basil, the garlic and the walnuts. Pulse to break down some. Scrape down the side and then add the salt, pepper and lemon juice. Turn the food processor on and slowly stream in the olive oil. You may need to add more or less olive oil, depending on how large your bunch of kale was, or how you prefer the consistency. (This recipe does make a thicker pesto. We use it for a variety of dishes and adjust consistency as needed.) Store pesto in the fridge for up to two weeks. It also freezes very well. Add to pasta, roasted vegetables, rice dishes, scrambled eggs, sandwiches and more.

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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2/8/21 11:13 AM

food + drink / chee s

CHEERS

Kaffeine jolt New coffee shop opens on Medical Mile. BY ELIZABETH LISTERMAN

// PHOTOS BY BRYAN ESLER

Korean-inspired and female-owned Kaffeine Place recently opened along the iconic “Medical Mile.” The trendy café specializes in coffee drinks as well as breakfast and lunch items and hopes to become a regular morning stop for commuters heading into downtown and an afternoon destination for those needing a caffeine jolt. Sun Lee, the owner of Kaffeine Place, opened her café in October 2020 with the goal of offering a local café in one of the busiest sectors of downtown — where residents can enjoy its famous boba milk tea and have a memorable experience. Lee, a native of Korea, wanted to intertwine aspects of Korean cafés with American undertones to create the ideal ambiance. “In Korea, people love eating food with their eyes first. I think that it is especially important when the food is first served — for it to look appetizing, beautiful and inviting,” she said. So, you can expect the food and beverages served at Kaffeine Place to not only taste good but look good, too. Lee’s journey to opening her own café has included years of study and travel. “The first time I studied coffee was in 2013 at Ivy League Barista Academy in California. At that time, I had no idea where and how to approach the coffee industry. ILBA was where I first became a barista,” Lee said. Soon after, she took classes to study espresso roasts and latte art in both Chicago and Seattle. Then she took her newfound knowledge home and observed cafés in Korea to advance her ideas and hone her skills. Lee couples her education with a unique flavor profile, setting her café apart. Kaffeine Place has incorporated many complementary and unique flavors into its recipes. The brown sugar latte is one of its most popular beverages, offering a flavorful, creamy caramel sweetness, while the masala chai and turmeric ginger lattes have a mix of sweetness and spice with powerful immune-system boosters. Kaffeine Place is a wonderful pitstop for an afternoon walk or a quick coffee run for those mornings where you just can’t seem to wake up. 637 Michigan St. NE, Suite A.

Kaffeine Place offers a breakfast and lunch menu along with its coffee menu.

"In Korea, people love eating food with their eyes first. I think that it is especially important when the food is first served — for it to look appetizing, beautiful and inviting." Sun Lee

GR M AG .CO M

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2/8/21 11:20 AM

food + drink / must-t y

Taylor Kyle is excited to bring her new business, Eastown Cereal Café, to the Eastown neighborhood.

"This location is a perfect location for my business ... The community is welcoming and lovely, and I think it’s a great place for me to grow." Taylor Kyle

MUST-TRY

Cereal café joins Eastown An area teen launches her first business. BY ALLIE OUENDAG

// PHOTO BY ANGELA CICCU

At just 17, Taylor Kyle is balancing both life as a senior at East Kentwood High School and as a business owner of the recently opened Eastown Cereal Café. The 1,000-square-foot space, at 1505 Wealthy St. SE, is the first cereal bar of its kind in Grand Rapids. The café offers breakfast lovers classics that include namebrand cereals, oatmeal, bagels, muffins, toast and grits, as well as a variety of milk, coffees and juices from which to choose. Kyle originally got the idea for opening a cereal bar from traveling and seeing other businesses with similar concepts and thought it would be a great addition to Grand Rapids. As one of the more diverse neighborhoods in the city, Eastown was a natural fit for Kyle when it came time to open the café. “This location is a perfect location for my business considering the other small businesses surrounding it. The community is welcoming and lovely, and I think it’s a 32

great place for me to grow,” said Kyle. Kyle is lucky to have the support of her parents — experienced business owners themselves — to guide her through the process of opening the café. They currently own KD’s Sports Bar in Wyoming. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic hindering some of her plans, Kyle is optimistic about her ability to get the café up and running.

“The pandemic has been a little hassle but I’m taking all the precautions to make sure I have a safe environment for the customers and my employees,” she said. The café will offer both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a walk-up window for customer orders. “I am very excited to open up the space, and I really hope it will be enjoyed by people across the Grand Rapids area,” Kyle said.

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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2/8/21 11:19 AM

TOP 5

Neighborhood markets Bringing unique experiences to the grocery aisle. BY ALLIE OUENDAG

Grand Rapids enjoys a plethora of small markets offering everything from everyday items to specialty foods not easily found anywhere else in the city. Here are five of our favorites. Bridge Street Market is a one-of-a-kind neighborhood grocery store opened by Meijer on the West Side in 2018. Bridge Street places special emphasis on supporting local businesses by offering more than 4,000 artisanal products made by local favorites such as Field & Fire, Long Road Distillery and more. With one of the most expansive beer and wine counters in the city, every wine connoisseur or beer aficionado is bound to find something to enjoy.

Local farmers bring their produce to the Fulton Street Farmers Market year round, ensuring you can always find the season's freshest ingerdients for your next meal.

Kim Nhung’s Kim Nhung Superstore, at 4242 Division Ave. SE, is one of the largest Asian supermarkets

in Grand Rapids. The market boasts a wide variety of Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Burmese, Thai, Taiwanese, Filipino and African products. Along with dry goods, Kim Nhung also has an extensive produce, fish, meat and exotic fruit selection for any type of Asian cuisine you may be cooking. Since its opening in 2013, the Grand Rapids Downtown Market has made it a goal to create a vibrant food-oriented space that includes not only shopping and dining experiences but educational classes as well. With a large list of local vendors ranging from Sweetie-licious Bake Shoppe’s bakery treats to Fish Lad’s fullservice retail fish shop, Grand Rapids Downtown Market is a great place to find specialty items you need — and didn’t know you needed.

Shopping at Horrocks Market is an experience as unique as the products it sells. Where else can you enjoy your favorite beer or glass of wine while you shop? With 50 rotating drafts of craft beer from breweries in West Michigan and around the world, a complimentary coffee bar, a full deli counter and even a gelato bar, Horrocks creates an exceptional grocery shopping experience. For over 98 years, the Fulton Street Farmers Market has been bringing together local farmers, artists and food creators to sell their products. Open year-round (on Saturdays during the summer from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., and 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the winter), Fulton Street Farmers Market allows you to find the freshest ingredients at a low cost and support local farmers and businesses.

editor's pick There is a new burger shack in town, and it is living up to its name: Hall of Fame Burgers. I became aware of this new to-go restaurant on the southeast side through social media — multiple friends were posting about how Hall of Fame Burgers has the “best burgers in town.” So, one Saturday afternoon I decide to check it out, ordering a cheeseburger and a chicken tender meal — and the hype was not an exaggeration. Despite its humble setting, this place packs big flavor into its meals. It’s also great on the wallet with all of its menu items at $10 or less. Hall of Fame Burgers is owned by Kiyona Westbrook and opened in 2018. Visit Hall of Fame Burgers at 655 Eastern Ave. SE. CARROTS COURTESY FULTON STREET FARMERS MARKET ILLUSTRATION RACHEL IDZERDA BURGER COURTESY HALL OF FAME BURGERS

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CHARLSIE DEWEY MANAGING EDITOR, GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE GR M AG .CO M

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5080 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321 | 616-785-5344 | amoretrattoriaitaliana.com

Voted Best Chef & Restaurant Service of Grand Rapids Grazie Mille from the whole Amore Team for supporting us for over 10 years of business

2020-21 Readers Poll

Registered Landscape Architects

4353 Three Mile Road NE | Grand Rapids 49525 | 616.363.6400 | www.kappeslandscapes.com

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Promotional Section

B E TTE R L

G RA P RO I DSI T M'AGA HROAUNRD D ET S Z I N E ’S

L BU IN S

S ES

ORT I N G E A C

H OT H ER

It Takes All of Us to Nourish a Community. The restaurant industry has been hit particularly hard in the last year by the pandemic. While safeguarding their staff and customers has been paramount, continuing to serve their patrons the cuisine they crave has been just as important. Local eateries have shown incredible dedication and adaptability. Owners quickly pivoted to takeout models, established advanced sanitation protocols, and used their ingenuity to remain open even under the strictest of lockdowns to serve our communities in more ways than one. While our favorite neighborhood establishments have shown their commitment to us, now, in this special section, other area businesses are saying “thank you” to the restaurant owners and their employees that made a difference to them.

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During enormously difficult times, local business owners — friends, neighbors, family — found new, innovative ways to serve the Grand Rapids community. When the pandemic hit our area, the first priority at Beacon Hill was taking care of our people, our residents, staff, families and neighbors. Working with local restaurants Bowdie’s and Van’s Pastry Shoppe demonstrated how working together mutually benefits each entity and meets a critical need for these community institutions.

Van’s, the oldest bakery in Grand Rapids, opened in 1927 and has been in the same family for ﬁve generations. Beacon Hill purchases donuts and pastries weekly for all the staff, to help boost morale and help sustain local business.

“Local support and partnerships are huge. If we could get more to partner with each ‘little guy’ that would really help each community moving forward for the better.” David Vander Meer, owner of Van’s Pastry Shoppe

TOGETHER, WE WILL BUILD A CYCLE OF SUCCESS. From the beginning of the pandemic, Beacon Hill’s employees were working extra shifts making sure all our residents were safe and healthy, often at the cost of having very little time for cooking and shopping for their own families. Partnering with two temporarily displaced employees from Bowdie’s Chophouse in East Grand Rapids, to cook take-home meals for our care team, helped Beacon Hill provide relief for their employees’ daily sacriﬁces.

Nick Fisher, Manager at Bowdie’s, says, “So many of my friends and colleagues are really struggling; they need the business. Now is the time to focus on local businesses, especially local restaurants. They in turn will do the same for you. There’s a real chance that if things don’t turn around, we could lose a full third of all our local restaurants and if they close that could mean no jobs for 20 to 30 employees at each restaurant.

“We all live in the same community and should all join together to support one another.”

We are fortunate to build these partnerships which beneﬁt all of us. That is the very deﬁnition of community — people who come together for the good of everyone. 1919 BOSTON STREET SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49506

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616-245-9179

BEACONHILLGR.ORG

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Promotional Section

Jeff Huegli of Beacon Hill at Eastgate, Grand Rapids beaconhillgr.org

Chris Van Doeselaar of Blox, Grand Rapids Gotblox.com

David Murray of Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids grcc.edu

“Beacon Hill supports the oldest bakery in Grand Rapids: Van’s Pastry Shoppe, a 5th generation family business. We appreciate all they do for the community.”

“Northern Trails Bar & Grill has the most comfortable outdoor atmosphere and perfect for any family or occasion. The food is delicious and the ownership is outstanding.”

“Secchia Institute for Culinary Education students prepare gourmet dishes in what has been named one of the top finedining experiences in Grand Rapids.”

Recommends: Van’s Pastry Shoppe, Grand Rapids vanspastry.com

Recommends: Northern Trails Bar & Grill, Newaygo northerntrailsbar.weebly.com

Recommends: The Heritage, Grand Rapids grcc.edu/heritage

Supporting our GRCC Secchia Institute for Culinary Education Alumni, and all the local chefs, restaurateurs and staff who make West Michigan a foodie destination. grcc.edu/Culinary

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Above: Donkey's bar area Opposite page: Alpaca bowl, tostado and margarita from Donkey

For restaurants, the past year was tumultuous. They were forced to change their entire business model during the course of a week when the stayat-home order was first put into place in March, then asked to reopen with capacity restrictions that lasted for months, and later forced to close again to indoor dining. Grand Rapids Magazine wants to acknowledge all the restaurants in Grand Rapids that managed to keep their doors open through the past year; just doing that was quite a feat and worthy of recognition. But, these 10 restaurants particularly stood out for their innovation, flexibility and maintaining the quality and experience we’ve come to expect from them. Grand Rapids Magazine is proud to present the Top 10 Restaurants of 2021 with its dining awards. — C H A R L SI E DEW EY

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Surviving and T H R I V I N G THE TOP 10 R E S TAU R A N T S O F 2 0 2 1 H AV E PERSEVERED THANKS TO I N N O VAT I O N, FLEXIBILITY AND G R E AT F O O D.

Photography by STACY FEYER- SALO GR M AG .CO M

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D O N K E Y

Donkey’s extensive outdoor space helped it transition early on. B Y J AY E B E E L E R

hen Paul and Jessica Lee opened Donkey, a spell-binding spot, across from their crown jewel The Winchester, they decided against posting signage or even sharing a telephone number for their taqueria. That’s how much they believed in Donkey. Definitely a rule-breaking move for most restaurateurs. But it worked. Quickly the neighborhood recognized it as one of its own. “For us, it’s not enough to have fantastic food, not enough to have a cool environment, not enough to have wonderful service,” said Paul Lee, who owns and operates All-In Hospitality Group with his wife Jessica. All In Hospitality Group is the management company for the pair’s restaurants: Donkey, Winchester, Royals and Hancock — all located in the Uptown Business District along Wealthy Street. With inspiration from their travels, they decided to introduce Grand Rapids to a new one-of-a-kind Mexican eatery, with Mexican flavors like you’ve never had before. The tacos, all served on corn tortillas made in-house, are both delicate and complex — try the green mole chicken with roasted salsa, queso fresco, radish and cilantro. Or a vegetarian option with crispy fried Brussels sprouts, jalapeno mayo, salsa verde, macha corn and bacon sprinkled with queso cotija — a hard, crumbly Mexican cheese made mainly from cow’s milk. Another not-to-miss option is the beer-battered fried cod taco brightened with cabbage, lime, cilantro, red onion and chipotle-caper mayo. “We wanted to create a restaurant that was woven into the fabric of Wealthy Street, that provided a sense of place. We love old buildings, and we feel that the building dictates what the concept is going to be — there’s discovery, compromises, a history. 40

Left: Donkey's tacos, torta, tostada and margaritas. Top right: Mayan chocolate churros. Bottom right: Spicy Paloma and Prickly Pear margaritas.

Donkey was an old service garage and we let the structure guide us.” Long before the pandemic’s restaurant restrictions Donkey had an expansive and popular outdoor dining space — showing that the restaurateurs may have been ahead of the curve trend-wise. “From day one, outdoor space has always been equally as important as indoor space,” Lee said. “We wanted to create an environment that makes you want to eat outside — something imaginative, soulful, that resonates in you.” With the pandemic, Donkey quickly adapted its outdoor area with igloos to allow for outdoor dining during the cold winter months. Donkey’s Instagram-worthy igloos are hot commodities and will stick around until springtime. Diners order and pay from a mobile phone, and staff delivers food and drinks to a table outside your igloo entrance for a safe, contact-free experience. Even as the pandemic continues, rest assured, Paul and Jessica Lee are always thinking about what Grand Rapids might need next. The pair has additional development plans for the Wealthy Street neighborhood and hope to announce their latest project in early 2021. 665 Wealthy St. SE

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A M O R E T R A T T O R I A I T A L I A N A Tasty Italian cuisine served with a slice of unmatched hospitality. BY AUSTIN LANGLOIS

Amore Trattoria Italiana's arancini.

hat makes a restaurant really stand out isn’t always the food, but how it makes you feel. Is it a place that makes you want to linger over an extra cup of coffee with a special someone? Is it a place you bring your out-of-town friends because “it’s amazing,” you tell them? For me, that place is Amore. And if it’s your place too — then you know why it’s in our Top 10 Restaurants of the Year list. It’s the staple of date nights, Mother’s Day celebrations and holiday hangouts. Here, the team works hard to make you feel special and appreciated. The ingredients are fresh, in-season and locally sourced — and the menu is especially sensitive to people’s diets and allergies. “We have always been very sensitive to people’s diets and allergies at Amore, which I believe makes us special,” said chef and owner Jenna Arcidiacono. “I tell my staff that if they had an allergy, they would want to feel heard and taken care of, and not like a burden.” Cooking through the pandemic Amore always has remained a popular restaurant in Grand Rapids, but it’s how it

has worked through the pandemic that has shown how dedicated to the community the restaurant really is. And while 2020 was a tough year for everyone, especially the restaurant business, it’s been Arcidiacono’s quick business decisions and the support from her loyal customers that have kept the restaurant cooking. Amore has been seemingly more active than ever on social media keeping customers updated. From sharing sneak peeks of tasty eats from the kitchen to heartwarming customer stories to menu updates — its Facebook page is the hub for loyal fans looking to snatch up the restaurant’s latest kitchen creation. “We have had to pivot our whole business and we literally did it overnight without putting any staff on furlough,” Arcidiacono said when asked about the decision to only offer drive-thru takeout. “We didn’t open inside for many reasons — our goal is to keep staff and guests safe. We didn’t know much about the virus and felt best doing takeout. We also realized that opening at 50% is not worth it. We have to pay 100% of our rent, and I’m not a mathematician but the numbers don’t look good — especially when any restaurant’s profit margin is already slim before COVID.” And it’s more than just feeding customers and supporting employees. Amore also has fed more than 10,000 frontline workers and veterans for free. It even received an extra $10,000 from Mike Rowe’s “Returning the Favor” show during the spring to continue this work. While many things in 2021 remain uncertain, one thing is for sure: Amore is a strong member of the Grand Rapids community that’s more than just a great restaurant. That incredible Italian dinner does more than just fill your belly — it helps feed frontline workers and veterans and supports an extensive network of local farmers and suppliers across our region. What an impact a meal can make! 5080 Alpine Ave. NW

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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Left: Luna's classic margarita, prickly pear, mango and pink margaritas. Left bottom: Luna's bar area. Right: tablescape with tacos and a variety of fajitas and margaritas.

L U N A Bringing the restaurant experience home. B Y S A R A H M A R I LY N

una is located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids off popular Ionia Street and is steps away from Van Andel Arena. Last year, I came upon this independent Latin-infused eatery during a Saturday night stroll. Husbandand-wife owners Mario Cascante and Emily Stachowicz say their Latin heritage is the inspiration behind the menu. Cascante, who is from Costa Rica and raised in Southern California, opened Luna in downtown Grand Rapids in 2015. Most other aspects in life are unstable, but Cascante said, “We pride ourselves on being a nimble and forward-looking organization. Thanks to our staff and management team, we were able to make a full transition to online ordering and takeout within 24 hours of the initial March shutdown order.” Now, a year into a pandemic that has wreaked havoc on the dining industry, Luna is offering takeout and delivery options in an effort to stay afloat. New state guidelines have permitted cocktails to-go and Luna offers

multiple margarita options that bring the bar experience home. “We want to provide as close to a restaurant experience (as we can), from quality eco-conscious packaging, easyto-assemble meals and great quality food at reasonable prices,” Cascante said. While most businesses have had the opposite trajectory this past year, Luna is defying the odds with a planned expansion, coming to 7471 River St. SE in Ada Village, that was in the works prior to the pandemic. As indoor dining remains restricted, Cascante predicts that the food industry will change. However, he said, “Luna is focused on bringing comfort and familiarity to our clients — something that was needed during uncertain times. Our family meal represented a great way for households to find comfort in yummy tacos.” Cascante and Stachowicz are still on track to open their new restaurant in Ada some time in 2021 and will announce details as they become available. 64 Ionia Ave. SW, #100 GR M AG .CO M

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Above: The bar area at Mertens Prime. Left: Manager Nicole Vandy Bogurt mixes a cocktail. Right: Seating in the dining room.

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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Mertens Prime's shrimp beignets and mixed lettuce salad.

M E R T E N S P R I M E Adjusting to the pandemic with a new concept.

B Y J AY E B E E L E R

ith a gorgeously restored 1914 historic building, James Beard Foundation award-winning chef (Paul Berglund), tableside beef tenderloin-carving theatrics and a soul-searching approach, Mertens Prime flourishes with a delicious magnetism. Anthony Tangorra, owner of Mertens Hospitality, knows a thing or two about running a restaurant with innovation and improvisation — considering he developed airport lounges before moving to Grand Rapids. In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, Tangorra turned a fifth floor conference room of the New Hotel Mertens building into a little control room focused on

reinventing every aspect of his business. “The idea was to hold on tight to our core conceptual values of being a business that celebrates the history of Grand Rapids and serves incredible French cuisine,” Tangorra said. As Mertens Hospitality diversified in realtime through social media, COVID-19 safety measures in the restaurant, a slimmed down menu, takeout and delivery (including alcohol), all restaurants in the state were shuttered. That pushed Tangorra to accelerate the launch of pop-up restaurant 9th Street Steaks to just a few days after the state’s shutdown. Offering from-scratch cheesesteaks, 9th Street Steaks can be ordered for takeout and delivery at 9thsteaks.com. “The bread is made from scratch in our bakery, the meat is sliced down in-house from the whole ribeye, we make our own cheese whiz,” said Tangorra, who spent a fair amount of time in Philadelphia around the aughts. “We make the ice cream from scratch for our shakes. We slice and hand-dip every onion ring.” In 2020, with feedback from a comprehensive survey sent to 2,000-plus past guests, Tangorra decided to tweak his entire enterprise, reimagining New Hotel Mertens into fine dining Mertens Prime and French street food venue Café Mertens — along with a top-floor outdoor lounge called Mertens Rooftop and pop-up restaurant 9th Street Steaks. All are located at 35 Oakes St. SW. For a brief shining moment in autumn, Mertens Prime rolled out its newest and brightest in the French-style steakhouse and brasserie — before indoor dining closed yet again. Turns out the timing was an opportunity for Berglund — the 2016 James Beard Foundation Best Chef Midwest recipient (executive chef at The Bachelor Farmer in Minneapolis at the time) — to join the team. “We take absolutely zero shortcuts and love the products that we are able to produce by doing it the old-fashioned way,” Tangorra said. 35 Oakes St. SW GR M AG .CO M

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F I E L D & F I R E C A F É

Farm-to-table breakfast and lunch spot invests in its future. BY CHARLSIE DEWEY

ince opening its doors four years ago, Field & Fire Café has been providing breakfast and lunch options that far surpass the quality of most similarlyfocused restaurants. From the presentation to the quality of its ingredients, the café has been a go-to in the North Monroe neighborhood. The café’s bright interior and natural light also create an inviting atmosphere and you’ll often find diners lingering over lattes or macarons into the later afternoon hours. As a breakfast and lunch spot, the pandemic brought a unique set of challenges to Field & Fire Café. Julie Kibler, who owns the café with husband Shelby Kibler, said the initial days of the pandemic were “uncomfortable” and “chaotic.” “It felt chaotic, just taking every day as it came, and making decisions to suit that day or the next,” she said. “Staff quickly put together an adapted menu hoping to provide takeout family portions, desserts and dinners. We watched our sales quickly decline over a two-week period.” The restaurant had to temporarily close due to finances — reopening once PPP money came through. “We adapted as quickly as possible once we were back up and running,” Kibler said. “We purchased new point-of-sale hardware to limit person-to-person contact. We purchased Plexi dividers. We updated our website. We began providing online ordering and delivery through Square. We bought outdoor tables and umbrellas for the summer, and then greenhouses for the winter. The amount of money we spent just trying to stay open seems surreal. We could not have done it 46

without the grants and donations we received.” Overall, Kibler said she counts the restaurant as “lucky.” “We’ve been able to stay open since getting funding. We haven’t had to cut corners or reduce our quality in any way. We’ve only raised prices on one product, and that’s our mushrooms, because we started buying better mushrooms. Locally grown, of course.” And that is an important element to Field & Fire Café’s success. As a farm-to-table

restaurant, its own success helps local farms that it sources its ingredients from succeed as well. “The farmers that supply us grow their food with flavor and seasonality in mind, not how far can it travel and sit on a shelf. Our chefs are talented. They are making ‘high-end’ breakfast and lunch, if there is such a thing, and they really do deserve the recognition,” Kibler said. 820 Monroe Ave. NW, #100

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Opposite page: avocado mash and breakfast burrito with matcha latte, latte and orange juice. Top: café interior. Right: sasquash sandwich with squash bisque.

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Left: Bistro Bella Vita bar area. Bottom left: arugula salad.

B I S T R O B E L L A V I T A Standing the test of time. B Y S A R A H M A R I LY N

ince 1997, the Heartside neighborhood has been graced with the constantly delicious Italian- and French-style cuisine from Bistro Bella Vita. The restaurant’s classic décor is warm and inviting while the waitstaff is always charming and going above and beyond to make your experience memorable. Bistro offers a variety of experiences from romantic booths, an energetic bar, urban patio tables and an option for private parties in one of its spacious dining rooms. Head chef Dan Blanchard is constantly producing new and exciting seasonal menu options while continuing to offer patron 48

favorites like the beef brisket bourguignon and the rigatoni Bolognese. Bistro Bella Vita’s commitment to its patrons continued throughout the past year as the restaurant faced the increasing challenges of the pandemic. Owner James Berg recently announced a VIP Wine Club to stay connected to guests and keep them updated on delicious everyday bottles and premium selections. The VIP Wine Club has two membership options: Tier 1, which offers three bottles of thoughtfully curated wines for $50/month, and Tier 2, which offers three bottles of premium wine selections for $100/month. Both subscriptions offer free delivery to the greater Grand Rapids area, a free month of VIP Wine Club, and exclusive access to pre-sale offers including wine dinners, specialty wines and flash sales. In addition to its VIP Wine Club, Bistro continues to offer takeout and delivery service. Berg notes that Bistro’s takeout family-style dinners have been particularly popular. Bistro offers many different family styles ranging from $50-$100. Some favorites are the lasagna dinner and dinner for two. Additionally, the restaurant offered special family-style meals for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Berg said the dinners were so popular they sold out. As regulations seemingly change from week to week, Berg and his staff have been equally dynamic. Bistro Bella Vita has stood the test of time because of its innovative approach to dining and will continue to do so as regulations and restrictions are lifted. If Bistro isn’t on your list for takeout dining you are surely missing out. 44 Grandville Ave. SW

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Right: The Mitten's Grand Salami Sandwich. Far right: Dining area with sports memorabilia décor.

T H E M I T T E N B R E W I N G C O . The restaurant’s commitment to its employees was unwavering. BY

he Mitten Brewing Co. is known for its great pizza and fun atmosphere, and since the pandemic took hold, it’s become known for its loyalty to its employees, too. Masking became a controversy early in the pandemic and restaurants took the brunt of people’s discontent. “Our team members found themselves on the receiving end of many politically-charged unpleasantries, which awoke the ‘Papa Bear’ instincts in my business partner Max and I,” said Chris Andrus, co-owner of The Mitten with Max Trierweiler. “We ‘fired’ many customers for poor behavior, and I have no regrets about any of them. We’d rather err on the side of safety and sticking up for our team any day of the week.” The Mitten also joined forces with other restaurants in Grand Rapids to create the MI Restaurant Promise, a commitment to follow the state’s restaurant guidelines. “It

CHARLSIE DEWEY

stemmed from a desire to showcase our safety protocols, build confidence and transparency, and to put some distance in between the good actors and the bad actors in the hospitality world. At the end of the day, building back that confidence is something only we can do, and I believe the Promise has been instrumental in the process,” Andrus said. In addition to its commitment to enforcing masks and other safety protocols, The Mitten was forced to change its operations to accommodate carryout-only service. “Our single phone line proved to be a huge liability,” Andrus explained. “The telephone has always been a fairly unimportant part of our business, but when all ordering suddenly had to be done through the phone system, we realized how inadequate our setup was. We added lines, but quickly saw that online ordering was the only way forward. So, we’ve had to make some serious technological upgrades to a business that was very ‘old

school’ in the years prior.” The Mitten also utilized previously unused outdoor space. Andrus said he believes carryout service and outdoor dining changes will remain for his restaurant and others even after the pandemic. “Along with leaner workforces across the board, I believe we will emerge with a bigger focus on the back-of-house, since table service likely won’t play as big of a role in dining as it has in the past. Also, there will be a shift in what constitutes ‘ideal’ restaurant real estate. If a space doesn’t have outdoor areas or is too reliant on indoor dining density, it will no longer be a safe or wise bet.” While The Mitten always has been known for its “warm and cozy atmosphere” and “packed taproom,” the past year has allowed the restaurant to build on its reputation as a committed community member and leader in the Grand Rapids restaurant scene. 527 Leonard St. NW GR M AG .CO M

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Right: Noco Provisions' array of cheese burgers. Far right: The restaurant's dining and bar areas. Bottom right: A bartender prepares bloody marys.

N O C O P R O V I S I O N S Going big on ambiance helped the restaurant weather 2020. B Y J AY E B E E L E R

oco Provisions’ interior always stands out, luminous with dramatic lighting, open fires and leafy planters that appeal on such a visceral level. Here, it’s all about nudging you along, a little nibble of comfort, a satisfying sip of a hoppy Michigan beer, perhaps a big family meal. As the COVID-19 restrictions dragged on, owner Steve Millman and operating partner Ryan Sichta decided to go for a big ambiance — adding a large, inviting tent in the restaurant’s parking lot. “Our tent is a real event,” said Courtney Posthumus, bar manager. “It’s especially exciting at sunset when the light hits everything just right, it feels kind of special.” Months ago, Noco Provisions created this outdoor dining room, staging it with 12 tables and a smattering of high tops, socially distanced and decked out with patio lights, heaters and opportunities for natural light to flood in. Noco even offers a cozy sanitized blankie if you forget to bring your own. Three bubble dining pods also provide a lovely bit of privacy and warmth on the restaurant’s patio. “We’re trying our hardest to deliver the same warm hospitality inside and out, whether it’s outdoor dining or takeout,” Posthumus said. From its start, Noco Provisions set out to introduce familiarity with a delicious cleverness to Grand Rapids. Executive chef Chris Kail delivers huge flavors to everything 50

from a grilled brisket burger topped with bacon, avocado or sunny side up egg to a fine 8-ounce filet with blue cheese horseradish spread, green beans and potato wedges or the beet burger — sandwiched with goat cheese, avocado mash, dijonaise, greens and toasted English muffin. A crispy chicken sandwich is embellished with green chile aioli, white cheddar and coleslaw and accompanied by sweet potato fries dusted with rosemary salt and housemade dipping sauce. The grilled Norwegian salmon with garlic-rosemary lemon butter and cavatappi pasta in white wine cream sauce, butternut squash and Brussels sprouts also please the crowd. Noco also makes a lovely range of cocktails, house-made infusions and spiked coffees, including the Noco Cosmos, with houseinfused citrus vodka, the Vintage with aged whiskey whirling with Four Roses, brown sugar, barrel-aged whiskey bitters, freshsqueezed orange juice, and the Carmela Soprano, a Rowster cold brew with salted caramel Stoli, Bailey’s cream, whipped cream and caramel drizzle. When indoor dining is permissible, Sichta plans to eagerly throw open the doors in welcome and dismantle the big event tent — as its footprint takes over the parking lot. Though the private dining bubbles will stay on the terrace for a while. 4609 Cascade Road SE

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Above: Terra's pork ramen. Left: Terra has an open kitchen concept. Right: The margherita pizza (top) and the mushroom pizza (bottom).

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Terra's beet margarita.

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G R

A simplified menu and attention to details make Terra a favorite. B Y J AY E B E E L E R

obody celebrates food in such brilliant Technicolor like Terra GR. From start to finish, the Eastown favorite is invested in your happiness. “When taking reservations, we’re definitely looking for details — perhaps you’re celebrating a birthday, one year of sobriety, the weekend, a father-daughter dance, anything really, because we believe that our Terra guest experience is an opportunity for us to put a smile on your face,” said Kevin Skukalek, general manager. During the state’s service restrictions, Terra GR upped its takeout game by simplifying its offering to weekly pop-up menus available

Wednesday through Sunday from 4-8 p.m. Never losing sight of its farm-to-table ethos, chef de cuisine Ryan McClure and sous chef Lucas Cahoon wowed with seasonal ingredients, flawless techniques and lovely presentations. During the COVID-19 disruptions, “our culinary team decided to deviate from our typical menu,” Skukalek said, “even bringing back the classics like pesto rigatoni and gazelle salad for a week.” For the holidays, Terra GR accommodated its guests with special-occasion take-home feasts such as prime rib with cheesy potato au gratin, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, shrimp cocktail and peanut butter-chocolatecaramel turtle pie. “There’s really a certain integrity here — just a harmony in the way the food is prepared and presented,” Skukalek said. “Our chef de cuisine Ryan and I have worked together for many years and he paints the plate with his creativity. He’s an artist.” The food is as flavorful as it is colorful — with plenty of gluten-free and vegan options. During Terra’s weekly takeout menu, you might get something wonderful like the Koreaninspired mushroom bibimbap bowl or the massaman red coconut curry. My family’s crazy about the margherita pizza dressed with tomato sauce, basil and hand-pulled mozzarella. This bustling restaurant is a magnificent space with a high ceiling, stone floor, hard woods, big windows and window sills lined with succulents. The patio is positioned to always soak up the sun and offers the best seats in the house. “When we reopened for dine-in after the last shutdown, we were surprised at how busy we were, with wait lists and full reservations,” Skukalek said. Just a few doors down from Terra in the Kingsley Building you’ll find Terra Bagels — a new venture by Ken Sung, Terra owner, and Clark Frain, Terra’s executive chef. The bagel shop launched in September during the global pandemic. It’s exceptionally successful with the same philosophy of scratch cooking along with utilizing local ingredients. Really an ideal eatery for take-away with its 12 varieties of bagels, 13 schmears and bagel sandwiches — highlighted in the house-made lox and pastrami. 1429 Lake Drive SE GR M AG .CO M

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Q U A R A N T I N O ’ S The Best New Restaurant to emerge this past year was inspired by the pandemic. B Y J AY E B E E L E R

uarantino’s Pizza feels like a secret, impossibly so as it’s located on a busy boutique-lined stretch of Lake Drive in Eastown across from its sister business The Early Bird. Here, chef Joel Wabeke’s latest darling rocks out his Detroitstyle pizzas, truly addictive squares with crispy charred edges and ingredients reverse layered so they’re blanketed by red sauce. Quarantino’s isn’t just any pizza place, it’s creative and crafty concoctions stand out, like the Greek pizza, which pays homage to Detroit’s Greektown with brick cheese, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, spinach, red sauce and herb-marinated feta. The pesto in the chicken pesto pizza is pared down to basil, olive oil and garlic — skipping the pine nuts and Parmesan to ensure the safety for those with food allergies. And Quarantino’s vegan pizzas are equally alluring, such as the Fun Guy with Violife vegan cheese, plenty of mushrooms, herb oil, mushroom cashew cream, leeks and cracked black pepper. “The whole thing starts with the pans — these square pans originally came from Detroit’s auto plants and were meant to hold stuff like parts,” Wabeke said. In the late 1940s, Gus Guerra invented Detroit-style pizza with those square pans and opened Buddy’s Rendezvous — which later became Buddy’s Pizza. “Living in Detroit was so good for me — that’s when I came across Detroit-style pizza,” said Wabeke, reflecting on the blissful time when he cheffed in Detroit’s astonishing urban-inspired restaurants such as Wright & Company. Back in Grand Rapids, Wabeke and his wife Sarah Wepman started their restaurant collection with The Early Bird and Littlebird. The couple closed another of their properties, Kingfisher — a casualty of the state’s 54

Quarantino's Ok Shroomer (top) and the veggie pesto (bottom) pizzas.

pandemic restrictions — and transferred the staff over to Quarantino’s. “I decided to open a Detroit-style pizza place last summer in response to COVID,” Wabeke said. “I knew pizza would be more successful than other types of restaurants.” This corner site — open for takeout and delivery only — is stuffed with all of Wabeke’s hopes. There’s an old-fashioned

ice cream maker because he might roll out a late-night kiosk for slow-churned ice cream and freshly fried doughnuts. New to the menu are Wabeke’s handmade lasagnas to be baked at home — including a vegan option with marinara, mushroom, spinach, artichokes hearts, semolina pasta and Violife vegan mozzarella. 1444 Lake Drive SE

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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PROMOTIONAL SECTION

"Home, sweet home." “There’s no place like home.” “Home is where the heart is.” There are many reasons there are so many heartfelt expressions surrounding the places where we live. Warmth, comfort, security are all found at home, as well as happy memories, special occasions, and some of life’s greatest milestones. It’s no wonder we put so much emphasis on feathering our nests and making them our own, personal spaces. The following businesses featured here all play an important role in helping you create — or find — the sanctuary of your dreams. Maybe you’re looking for your first home, or the one where you plan to retire.

An experienced, trusted real estate agent may make the process both enjoyable and successful. It could be that you’ve decided it’s time to update your existing home and a great offer on a renovation loan will help you get the most out of your investment. Adding new appliances, no matter if you're building, buying, or revamping, are another factor — and an easy way to modernize your home or give it your signature style. No matter where you are in the home buying or homemaking journey, there’s a resource here to help you get there. ■

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PROMOTIONAL SECTION

BE BOLD, GO BLUE. P R O G R A N D ® R A N G E S F E AT U R I N G C U S T O M I Z A B L E I C O N I C B L U E K N O B S Whether you’re hosting an intimate family dinner or a backyard gathering, the newly redesigned Pro Grand® Ranges combine bold features and standout performance to provide an unparalleled cooking experience. Explore all 30”, 36”, 48” and 60” styles to discover the range that ignites your culinary creativity. Learn more at

T H ER MADO R .C O M

2410 28th Street SW | Wyoming MI 49519 | 616-532-3626 3850 29th Street SE | Kentwood MI 49508 | 616-532-4131 www.gerritsappliances.com 56

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PROMOTIONAL SECTION

GERRIT’S APPLIANCE

2410 – 28th St. SW, Wyoming, MI 49519 | 616-532-3626 | gerritsappliances.com Since 1948, Gerrit’s Appliance, has been a fixture in the West Michigan area and also a valuable resource for appliance shoppers looking to furnish their new homes or renovate their existing dwellings. The store has been family owned and operated for 70 plus years, providing a distinctly different experience than the big box stores. Homeowners will enjoy peace of mind knowing that Gerrit’s Appliance has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 1971 — that’s 50 years this year. The owners have earned those credentials by consistently operating ethically, with integrity, transparency, and responsiveness. They also employ the most experienced, knowledgeable professionals to assist shoppers with appliances to fit their needs, whether it’s for the kitchen, the laundry room, or outdoor patio or deck. Gerrit’s only specializes in appliances, and offers everything from sales, delivery, and installation to parts and service. All the best brands are at Gerrit’s, too, including Bosch, Frigidaire, Speed Queen, JennAir, Thermador, and others. ■

ROMANOWSKI HOMES, GREENRIDGE REALTY EGR 2213 Wealthy St. SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506 | 616-458-3655 | romanhousekey.com Buying a home is one of the largest investments most people will make in their lives and the team at Romanowski Homes at Greenridge Realty EGR truly understands that. Deciding which agents to work with for this significant life moment isn’t one to take lightly. With nearly 20 years in the business, Janet Romanowski and her team have built their reputations on establishing trust and leading with integrity. They have walked in the same shoes as most of their clients, which gives them a level of empathy not all agents may possess. They also take pride in making strong connections and nurturing personal relationships with their clients — many of which evolve into lasting friendships. Romanowski Homes will partner with you to find a home that’s a perfect fit — that’s a difference homebuyers will feel immediately. They’re with you for the entire search and buying process and afterward to ensure this exciting step is also fun and enjoyable. ■

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PROMOTIONAL SECTION

YOUR NEW HOME AWAITS. WORKING TOGETHER TO REALIZE YOUR DREAM.

Romanowski Homes, Inc. | Greenridge Realty EGR 2213 Wealthy St. SE | East Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616-318-0065 | romanhousekey.com GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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PROMOTIONAL SECTION

NORTHPOINTE BANK

100 Grandville, Ste. 300, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 NMLS: 447490 | 616-552-5705 | northpointe.com/grand-rapids-michigan

in the current economic market with low-housing inventory, it can be difficult to find the home of your dreams. Additionally, for some, the cost of renovating to create that perfect home might seem impossible. If you are looking to purchase a house that needs minor or major renovations or your current home needs updates, Northpointe Bank has a solution for you. Plus, for a limited time, you can receive $500 off closing costs on renovation loan applications received on or before May 31, 2021 with properties located in the counties of Clinton, Kent, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, and Ottawa. Whether it’s a bathroom remodel, gutting an entire house, or adding a major addition, let Northpointe Bank make it simple with our home renovation options. One loan, one low rate, will create a home that’s uniquely yours. Connect with Northpointe Bank today or learn more at northpointe.com/reno. ■

Stay in the know on all things GRAND RAPIDS

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PROMOTIONAL SECTION

D O N ’ T S W E AT I T. R E N O VAT E I T. One loan, one low rate and a home that’s uniquely yours.

Visit Northpointe.com/reno to learn more!

This is not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit review and approval.

$ 500 OFF

CLOSING COSTS*

Member FDIC

*$500 oﬀ closing costs for renovation loan applications received on or before May 31st, 2021 and properties located in Clinton, Kent, Kalamazoo, Muskegon and Ottawa County.

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2021 DINING AWARD WINNER

OUR STAFF'S GUIDE TO THE AREA'S BEST EATERIES For any additions or changes: // Please email cdewey@geminipub.com or write to Grand Rapids Magazine, c/o Dining Guide, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Downtown GR ANGEL’S THAI CAFÉ Extensive Thai fare. Menu includes your-choice stir-fry option. Vegetarian friendly. No alcohol. Open daily. // 136 Monroe Center NW, 454-9801. angelsthaicafe.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ APERITIVO A wine bar with a small menu that includes cheese and charcuterie plates and monthly sandwich specials. The retail section includes tinned fish, which can be enjoyed on-site with pickled veggies, cultured butter and Field & Fire bread. It is located within the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. Open Daily. // 435 Ionia Ave. SW, 259-7045. aperitivogr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ ART CARIBBEAN FUSION CUISINE Featuring a Caribbean menu with items like empanadas, croquettes, mofongos, Cuban sandwiches and more. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 55 Monroe Center NW, 724-4370. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ BANGKOK TASTE CUISINE Thai fare with lunch buffet and kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 15 Jefferson Ave SE, 356-5550. bangkoktastegr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ BEIJING KITCHEN Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisines. Lunch and dinner specials. No alcohol. Open daily. // 342 State St SE, 458-8383. beijingkitchenmi.com. Lunch (SunFri), Dinner $-$$

2021 DINING AWARD WINNER BISTRO BELLA VITA Big-city casual; modern French and Italian cuisine, locally sourced and prepared over a wood fire. Mammoth martini bar, nice wine selection. Open daily. // 44 Grandville Ave SW, 222-4600. bistrobellavita.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ BOBARINO’S AT THE B.O.B. Grill on second floor of The B.O.B. offers everything from wood-fired pizza to upscale entrées. Lunch menu has deli sandwiches, salads, burgers. Full bar. Outdoor seating. Closed Sun. // 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/bobarinospizza. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

BRICK & PORTER Appetizers, burgers, salads, sandwiches and a nice selection of entrées; 20 beers on tap (“the darker, the better”). Open daily. // 47 Monroe Center NW, 2266928. brickandportergr.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), Lunch, Dinner $-$$ BRICKYARD TAVERN Located inside the historic Boardwalk Building, BrickYard Tavern offers a varied menu with items including a selection of burgers, sandwiches and entrées such as beer-battered salmon and chips, fish tacos and rib eye. Enjoy cocktails and 24 beers on tap. Open daily. // 940 Monroe Ave NW, 805-3280. brickyardtaverngr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ BULL’S HEAD TAVERN Large selection of appetizers, soups and salads. Entrées include pasta, fish, chicken and steak along with burgers and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 188 Monroe Ave NW, 454-3580. thebullsheadtavern.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $$-$$$ THE CHOP HOUSE Aged prime beef, seafood, pork, lamb chops, chicken and more. Downstairs is La Dolce Vita dessert and cigar bar. Closed Sun. // 190 Monroe Ave NW, 451-6131. thechophousegrandrapids.com. Dinner $$$ CITY BUILT BREWING CO. Taproom featuring a variety of craft beer. Plus, Puerto Rican-inspired appetizers, small plates, entrées, soups and salads. Closed Mon. // 820 Monroe Ave NW, 805-5755. citybuiltbrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ CINCO DE MAYO Offers the usual Mexican fare plus carnitas and steak asada. Full bar. Open daily. // 114 Monroe Center NW, 719-2401. cincodemayogr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ CITYSEN LOUNGE Soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers and small-plate creations. Beer and wine; happy hour 4-7 pm. Open daily. // CityFlatsHotel, 83 Monroe Center NW, 6081725. cityflatshotel.com/location/grand-rapids. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$ COTTAGE BAR Longtime favorite since 1927. Famous Cottage burgers and fries, signature chilis and more. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 18 LaGrave Ave SE, 454-9088. cottagebar.biz. Lunch, Dinner $ DIVANI European-inspired food includes small plates for sharing and a variety of entrées. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 15 Ionia Ave SW, 774-9463. divanigr.com. Dinner $$-$$$

$ INEXPENSIVE (UNDER $10) $$ MODERATE (BETWEEN $10 – $20) $$$ EXPENSIVE (OVER $20)

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FIELD & FIRE CAFÉ This farm-to-table breakfast and lunch spot offers allday breakfast items like breakfast burritos and skillet meals as well as lunch items including sandwiches, soups, salads and toasts. It also offers an array of pastry items including croissants, muffins and tarts. On weekends brunch is available. No alcohol. Open daily. // 820 Monroe Ave NW Suite 100, 616-608-4533. fieldandfire.com. Breakfast, Lunch $-$$ FLANAGAN’S Downtown Irish pub features imported beers, entrées with Irish influence. Frequent live music. Open Daily. // 139 Pearl St NW, 454-7852. flanagansgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $ FORTY PEARL A wine bar serving oysters, cured meats and cheeses, baked goods and sweets, soups and salads, shareables, sandwiches, rice bowls and entrées like salmon, seared scallops and Cornish hen. Open daily. // 40 Pearl St. NW, 608-7741. fortypearl.com. Lunch, Dinner $$$ FOUNDERS BREWING CO. Spacious taproom, serpentine bar and live music Thu and Sat. Menu features appetizers, deli sandwiches. Outdoor beer garden. Open daily. // 235 Grandville Ave SW, 776-1195. foundersbrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $ FRIESIAN GASTRO PUB A cozy neighborhood eatery offering comfort food items with an eclectic twist. Menu items include handhelds like the harissa hot chicken sandwich and vegan Rueben, as well as entrées including ramen bowls and Korean short ribs. Full bar. Patio and rooftop deck. Open daily. // 720 Michigan St NE, 825-3001. friesiangr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ GILLY’S SMOKEHOUSE Twelve rotating craft beers from The B.O.B’s Brewery paired with smokehouse fare, including smoked beef brisket, Amish chicken, pork butt and more. Closed Sun-Mon. // 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/gillysrestaurant. Dinner $-$$ GINZA SUSHI & RAMEN BAR Wide selection of authentic Japanese cuisine, sushi, ramen, poke bowls, hibachi dinners, appetizers, soups and salad. Open daily. Catering available. // 1015 Michigan St NE, 272-4116. ginzasushiramen.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ GP SPORTS Sports bar and restaurant. Menu features create-yourown pizzas and burgers, salads and sandwiches. Open daily. // Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6495. amwaygrand.com/dining/gp-sports. Lunch, Dinner $$ GRAND RAPIDS BREWING CO. Organic brews, hard cider, wine and spirits. Farm-totable menu includes sharable plates, sausages, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Open daily. // 1 Ionia Ave GR M AG .CO M

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SW, 458-7000. grbrewingcompany.com. Lunch (SatSun), Dinner $-$$ GRAND RAPIDS GARAGE BAR AND GRILL “All-American grub” includes burgers, nachos, sandwiches, soups and salads, full bar. Live entertainment Fri and Sat. Open daily. / 819 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-0321. garagebargr.com. Lunch, Dinner $ GRAND WOODS LOUNGE Eclectic menu with upscale comfort foods. Live entertainment, pool tables, spacious full bar. Yearround alfresco dining with fireplace. Open daily. // 77 Grandville Ave SW, 451-4300. grandwoodslounge.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

LINEAR Riverfront eatery featuring seasonal menu with fresh modern American fare and outdoor-seating options; plus, a display of rotating works by local artists. Full bar. Closed Mon. // 1001 Monroe Ave NW, 200-4343. linearrestaurant.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ LITTLEBIRD Café-style restaurant featuring made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch, including a full coffee menu, house-made sodas and egg creams, and pastries. Full bar. Open daily. // 95 Monroe Center NW, 419-4168. thelittlebirdgr.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Tue-Sat) $

2021 DINING AWARD WINNER HERITAGE HILL PIZZA Offers traditional, stuffed and specialty pizzas. No alcohol. Open daily with a few tables for dining in. // 340 State St SE, 742-4773. grandrapidspizza.net. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ THE HERITAGE GRCC culinary students prepare gourmet dishes from steaks to vegan. Menu changes weekly. Wine and beer. Open Tue-Fri during school year. // Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St NE, 234-3700. grcc.edu/heritage. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ HONG KONG EXPRESS Szechuan and Cantonese. All-you-can-eat lunch buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. // 150 E Fulton St, 235-2888. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ JAMAICAN DAVE’S Chicken, goat, oxtail, beef, fish and vegetarian fare in Jamaican style. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 530 S Division Ave, 458-7875. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $ J. GARDELLA’S TAVERN Massive full bar and gargantuan menu includes hearty appetizers, salads, burgers, entrées. Three floors of seating. Closed Sun. // 11 Ionia Ave SW, 459-8824. jgardellastavern.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $ JUDSON’S AT THE B.O.B. Award-winning steakhouse offers steaks, seafood and chops. Notable wine list. Closed Sun. // 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/judsonssteakhouse. Dinner $$$ THE KITCHEN BY WOLFGANG PUCK Comfort fare and global classics in a casual atmosphere overlooking the Grand River. Menu includes appetizers, gourmet pizzas, salads and entrées. Full bar. Open daily. // Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-3230. amwaygrand.com/dining/the-kitchen-bywolfgang-puck. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ LEO’S Fresh seafood, soups, salads and more in elegant yet casual atmosphere. Early dinner menu 4:30-6 pm MonFri. Closed Sun. // 60 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-6700. leosrestaurant.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $$-$$$

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LUNA TAQUERIA Y COCINA Upscale Latin American menu pairs with locally sourced meat and produce. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 64 Ionia Ave SW, 288-6340. lunagr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ MARGAUX A contemporary French bistro. Fine wines and cocktails. Alfresco dining overlooking the Grand River. Open daily. // JW Marriott, 235 Louis St NW, 242-1448. ilovethejw.com/dining. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$$ MAX’S SOUTH SEAS HIDEWAY A tiki-themed restaurant that includes a raw bar, hot appetizers, salads, sides, land and sea dishes, and vegan options. Appetizers include ceviche and puhahana rock shrimp, and entrées include a poke bowl, citrus-glazed faroe and an island lobster roll. Full bar. Open daily. // 58 Ionia Ave SW, 551-0016. maxstiki.com. D $$-$$$ MDRD Overlooking the Grand River from its location on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza, this restaurant serves modern Spanish cuisine including tapas and paella. Reservations available. Closed Sun and Mon. // 187 Monroe Ave. NW, 776.6425. amwaygrand. com/dining. Dinner $$$ MDRD was in the midst of rescheduling its grand opening at the time of print. Please visit its website to ensure it is open before visiting.

2021 DINING AWARD WINNER MERTENS PRIME French-inspired, upscale dining on restored historic site of original, early-20th-century-era hotel. Steaks, chops, seafood, pasta, entrées and small plates. Local wine options. Open daily. // 35 Oakes St SW, 551-1713. mertensgr.com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), Breakfast (Mon-Fri), Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $-$$ MEXO Features tequila/mezcal bar and a modern touch on classic pre-Hispanic foods of Mexico. Full bar. Open daily. // 118 E Fulton St, 828-4123. mexogr.com. Breakfast (Sun), Lunch, Dinner $$ MOJO’S DUELING PIANO BAR & RESTAURANT Lively downtown spot opens for dinner at 5 pm

Wed-Sat. Appetizers, sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizzas, full bar. Shows start at 8 pm Wed-Fri, 7 pm Sat. Closed Sun-Tue. // 180 Monroe Ave NW, 776-9000. mojospianobar.com. Dinner (Wed-Sat) $$-$$$ ONE TRICK PONY GRILL & TAPROOM Eclectic menu with vegetarian, Mexican and European cuisines. Dine alfresco on street-front, dog- friendly patio. Full bar. Closed Mon. // 136 E Fulton St, 2357669. onetrick.biz. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ ONE TWENTY THREE TAVERN Part of Studio Park, One Twenty Three Tavern offers starters, small plates and handhelds, large plates, and a kids menu. Offering elevated American fare, including a fried chicken sandwich, jackfruit carnitas, meatloaf, veggie meatballs, quinoa bowl and more. Full bar. Open daily. // 123 Ionia Ave SW. 123tavern.com. Lunch, Dinner $$$ OSTERIA ROSSA Casual Italian-inspired cuisine with Michigan roots from executive chef/owner Chris Perkey. Wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta. Full bar. Open daily. // 16 Monroe Center NE, 988-9350. osteriarossa.com. Lunch (MonFri), Dinner $-$$ PALACE OF INDIA Indian cuisine with a sizeable menu including vegetarian selections. Lunch buffet 11-3. Open daily. // 138 E Fulton St, 913-9000. palaceofindiarestaurant. com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ PARSLEY MEDITERRANEAN GRILLE Appetizers, salads, soups, pitas, combos. Catering available. No alcohol. Open daily. // 80 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-2590. parsleymg.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ PIND INDIAN CUISINE A fine-dining Indian restaurant offering traditional dishes, such as tandoori, biryani, chicken tikka masala, malai kofta and samosas with gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. // 241 W Fulton St, 805-4767. pindgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$$ RESERVE Wine bar offers extensive by-the-glass selections and culinary options to match, including charcuterie. Closed Sun. // 201 Monroe Ave NW, 855-9463. reservegr.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $$-$$$ ROAM BY SAN CHEZ BISTRO The San Chez Bistro team introduces global street food, including cuisine from China, Morocco, Spain, France, Poland, U.K., Indonesia and more. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 250 Monroe Ave NW, 288-9129. roambysanchez. com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$ ROCKWELL REPUBLIC Diverse menu emphasizes local ingredients from sushi to comfort food. Upper-level outdoor seating. Full bar. Open daily. // 45 S Division Ave, 551-3563. rockwellsrepublic.com. Dinner $$-$$$

$ INEXPENSIVE (UNDER $10) $$ MODERATE (BETWEEN $10 – $20) $$$ EXPENSIVE (OVER $20)

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RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE Classic American steakhouse in the Amway Grand Plaza. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. // 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6426. amwaygrand.com/dining/ruthschris-steak-house. Lunch, Dinner $$$ SAN CHEZ BISTRO Spanish fare focusing on tapas-style small plates; sides and entrées. Wine and beer list includes Spanish varieties and sherry. Open daily. // 38 W Fulton St, 774-8272. sanchezbistro.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ SANDY POINT BEACH HOUSE GR Originating in West Olive, dishes include “traditional beach house favorites,” such as prime beef burgers, fresh halibut, steak and frites, and roasted chicken and mussels. Full bar. Open daily. // 822 Ottawa Ave. NW, 828-1118, sandypointbeachhouse.com. Brunch (SatSun), Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ SLOWS BAR-B-Q Detroit-based restaurant offers extensive menu, including barbecue, sandwiches and sides. Michigan and national craft beers on tap. Open daily. // Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 454-1588. slowsbarbq.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ SOCIAL HOUSE A casual pub serving American-style food. Menu features a variety of offerings: starters such as veggie, meat and cheese shared platters, goat cheese fritters, spicy tuna wontons and avocado toast; soups and salads; burgers and sandwiches; and pizza. Full bar. Closed Mon. // 25 Ottawa Ave. SW, 551-1412. socialhousegr.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$$ SPARKS BBQ Offering barbecued meats by the pound, à la carte, sandwiches, appetizers, salads, sides, specialty entrées and desserts. Sparks BBQ originated in Traverse City. Full bar. Open daily. // 15 Ionia Ave. SW, Suite 140, 888-2170. home.eatsparksbbq.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ SPEAKEZ LOUNGE Casual pub setting with eclectic menu, including vegan and gluten-free. Creative starters, soups, salads, entrées (after 4 pm). Full bar. Open daily. // 600 Monroe Ave NW, 458-3125. speakezlounge.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ STELLA’S LOUNGE Award-winning stuffed burgers, plus vegan and vegetarian items. Full bar, known for its whiskey selection. Open daily. // 53 Commerce Ave SW, 7424444. stellasgr.com. Lunch (Fri-Sun), Dinner $-$$ TAVERN ON THE SQUARE Tapas-style fare, plus house specialties. Patio seating. Full bar, happy hour 3-7 Mon-Fri. Open daily. // 100 Ionia Ave SW, 456-7673. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

Z’S BAR & RESTAURANT Sports-themed eatery known for its BBQ ribs. Soups, salads, sandwiches, entrées. Carry-out available. Open daily. // 168 Louis Campau Promenade NW, 4543141. zsbar.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

West Side ANDO SUSHI + BAR Asian fusion eatery featuring small plates, bentos, rice bowls, raw bar, noodles, soup, salad and more. Wide selection of wine, plus local, domestic and international beer. Full bar. // 415 Bridge St NW, 608-0789. andosushi.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ BLUE DOG TAVERN West Michigan craft brews on tap. Good selection of tots, dogs and burgers. Open daily. // 638 Stocking Ave NW, 608-6050. bluedogtaverngr.com. Lunch, Dinner $ BROADWAY BAR & GRILL Neighborhood bar known for burgers and holiday decorations, especially at Christmas. Outdoor grilling during summer. Hours change seasonally. // 740 Broadway Ave SW, 454-0565. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $ BUTCHER’S UNION Meat-and-whiskey-centric gastro pub. Full bar. Outdoor seating available. // 438 Bridge St NW, 551-1323. butchersuniongr.com. Brunch (Sun), Lunch, Dinner $$ EL GRANJERO Mexican fare from steak and shrimp to menudo on weekends. No alcohol but tasty virgin coladas. Open daily. // 950 Bridge St NW, 458-5595. Facebook. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $ EL SOMBRERO Offers “the original” wet burrito. Weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 527 Bridge St NW, 451-4290. elsombrerorestaurantmi.com. Lunch, Dinner $ FRATELLI’S KITCHEN & BAR Italian cuisine based on family recipes from Sicily with a “modern twist.” Full service bar. Open daily. // 443 Bridge St NW, Suite 2. 389-4963. fratellisgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ HARMONY HALL West Side brewpub with a German beer hall atmosphere serves comfort food including sloppy joes, grilled cheese sandwiches, hamburgers and a variety of dishes based on French fries, including poutine. Sausage menu. Vegan and vegetarian options for every dish on the menu. Open Thurs.-Sat. // 401 Stocking Ave NW, 233-9186. harmonybeer.com/harmony-hall. Dinner $-$$ THE HOLIDAY BAR Established in 1905, menu features appetizers and

$ INEXPENSIVE (UNDER $10) $$ MODERATE (BETWEEN $10 – $20) $$$ EXPENSIVE (OVER $20)

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sandwiches. Seating includes 40-foot horseshoe bar, tables and a beer garden in warm months. Open daily. // 801 Fifth St NW, 456-9058. theholidaybargr.com. Lunch, Dinner $ JOLLY PUMPKIN PIZZERIA & BREWERY Dexter-based brewery offers salads and sandwiches in addition to pizza. Kids menu available. Open daily. // 428 Bridge St NW, 419-4676. jollypumpkin.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ THE KNICKERBOCKER – NEW HOLLAND BREWING Craft brewery featuring a variety of locally sourced shared plates, sandwiches, soups, pizzas, barbecue and more. Open daily. // 417 Bridge St NW, 3455642. newhollandbrew.com/knickerbocker. Brunch (Sun), Lunch, Dinner $-$$ LONG ROAD DISTILLERS Craft, small-batch distillery featuring variety of housemade snacks, sandwiches and entrées. Open daily. // 537 Leonard St NW, 228-4924. longroaddistillers. com. Brunch (Sat-Sun), Dinner $-$$ MAGGIE’S KITCHEN Mexican fare in café setting, cafeteria-style ordering. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. // 636 Bridge St NW, 458-8583. Facebook. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $

2021 DINING AWARD WINNER THE MITTEN BREWING CO. Vintage baseball-themed nanobrewery pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas. Open daily. // 527 Leonard St NW, 608-5612. mittenbrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ MONARCHS’ CLUB Starters, sausages, hot dogs, panini, Italian beef sandwiches and Grand Rapids Stackers. Michigan beer on draft. Open daily. // 646 Stocking Ave NW, 2339799. monarchsclubcornerbar.com. Lunch, Dinner $ ONE BOURBON Trendy, two-level restaurant serving creative shareable plates, burgers, hot sandwiches and entrées. Full bar features more than 120 whiskies. Closed Sun-Mon. // 608 Bridge St NW, 608-5766. onebourbongr.com. Dinner $-$$ O’TOOLE’S PUBLIC HOUSE Pub grub includes appetizers, sandwiches and burgers served on a mountain of fries. Open daily. // 448 Bridge St NW, 742-6095. otoolesgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ PEARL STREET GRILL Bright, contemporary restaurant features diverse menu in downtown Holiday Inn. Full bar. Open daily. // 310 Pearl St NW, 235-1342. higrdt.com/dining/ pearl-street-grill. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$ SALVATORE’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Sicilian and southern Italian fare. Separate sports bar; GR M AG .CO M

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patio seating. Food, beer and wine available to go. Delivery and catering. Open daily. // 654 Stocking Ave NW, 454-4280. salvatoresgr.com. Lunch (MonFri), Dinner $-$$ THE SOVENGARD Midwest heart meets New Nordic spirit. This cozy West Side farm-to-table restaurant focuses on seasonal and local sourcing and offers two separate dining spaces/ menus with an outdoor biergarten. Closed Mon. and Tues. Open for brunch Sat. and Sun. Reservations accepted. // 443 Bridge St NW, 214-7207. sovengard.com. Dinner $-$$ TWO SCOTTS BARBECUE Authentic barbecue smoked in-house daily with homemade sides and sauces. Features draft root beer and weekly specials. Catering and food truck available. Closed Sun. // 536 Leonard St NW, 608-6756. twoscottsbbq.com. Lunch $-$$ WESTSIDE SOCIAL “Reimagined” American-style tavern with locally sourced, house-made appetizers, burgers, seafood and other entrées. Full bar. Happy hour specials available Mon-Fri. Open daily. // 2802 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 453-5877. westside.social. Lunch (Tue-Sun), Dinner $-$$

Uptown BOMBAY CUISINE Traditional Indian dishes with spices and flavors from northern India. Full bar. Open daily. Takeout available. // 1420 Lake Dr SE, 456-7055. eastownbombaycuisine.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ BREWERY VIVANT Beer and food in tradition of French and Belgian country dishes. Housed in a renovated funeral chapel. Most dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Open daily. // 925 Cherry St SE, 719-1604. breweryvivant.com. Lunch (Sat-Sun), Dinner $$-$$$ BRICK ROAD PIZZA Traditional, gourmet and vegan pizzas (glutenfree crusts available); also soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Sun Brunch Bar. Full bar. Closed Mon. // 1017 Wealthy St SE, 719-2409. brickroadpizza.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ BROWN BUTTER CREPERIE & CAFÉ Locally sourced, made-from-scratch sweet and savory crepes and liege waffles. // 1436 Wealthy St SE, 2885038. brownbuttercrepes.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Wed-Sat) $ CHEZ OLGA Caribbean and Creole fare. Veggie/vegan options. Takeout available. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 1441 Wealthy St SE, 233-4141. chezolga.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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THE COMMONS 1970s-themed restaurant with “retro comfort food.” Full bar, including craft beer and ’70s-inspired cocktails. Takeout available. Closed Mon. // 547 Cherry St SE, 458-2704. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $$ CURRY KITCHEN Authentic Indian cuisine. Daily lunch buffet. Kids menu. Takeout. Open daily. No alcohol. // 961 E Fulton St, 242-1300. currykitchengr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ DANZÓN CUBANO Authentic Cuban fare, including vegetarian and vegan options, as well as locally made and Cuban sodas. Full bar; happy hour specials Mon-Thu. Open daily. // 1 Carlton Ave SE, 988-9788. danzoncubano.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

2021 DINING AWARD WINNER DONKEY TAQUERIA Authentic Mexican food, including tacos, tostadas, botanas and tortas in a former 1920s service station. Full bar. Open daily. // 665 Wealthy St SE. donkeygr. com. Breakfast (Sat-Sun), Lunch, Dinner $-$$ EAST WEST BREWING CO. Traditional American-style beers. Fresh, made-to-order American-style food and seasonal vegetarian menu items from local vendors. Open daily. // 1400 Lake Dr SE, 288-5250. eastwestbrewingcompany.com. Lunch (Fri-Sat), Dinner $-$$ ELECTRIC CHEETAH Eclectic menu with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative combinations. Beer and wine available. Open daily. // 1015 Wealthy St SE, 451-4779. electriccheetah.com. Brunch (Sun), Lunch, Dinner $-$$ ELK BREWING CO. Brewery with rustic industrial interior. Menu includes innovative sandwiches and snacks. Open daily. // 700 Wealthy St SE, 238-5227. elkbrewing.com. Lunch (Fri-Sun), Dinner $ ERB THAI Thai fare; will accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, no MSG. No alcohol. Open daily. // 950 Wealthy St SE, 356-2573. erbthaigr.com. Lunch, Dinner $ FORTY ACRES SOUL KITCHEN “Authentically American” southern comfort food, featuring po’boys, grits, gumbo and more. To-go catering available. Closed Mon. // 1059 Wealthy St SE, 481-6971. fortyacresgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ GOJO ETHIOPIAN CUISINE & DELI Authentic dishes including vegetarian options. Watt (stew) dishes served with injera flatbread. Carry-out available. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. // 421 Norwood Ave SE, 459-3383. gojoethiopian cuisine.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ THE GREEN WELL GASTRO PUB Not your run-of-the-mill New American fare. Full bar

with more than 20 rotating draft beers, many from local breweries. Open Tue–Sun. // 924 Cherry St SE, 8083566. thegreenwell.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ HANCOCK Nashville hot chicken restaurant with sandwiches, fried chicken, an assortment of Southern picnic sides, salads and desserts. Also serves breakfast. Open daily. // 1157 Wealthy St. SE, 805-4232. hancockgr.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$ HARMONY BREWING CO. Custom brews with a full bar, wine and wood-fired pizzas. Sandwiches served 11 am-4 pm. Dog-friendly patio. Open daily. // 1551 Lake Dr SE, 233-0063. harmonybeer.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ KCM A Japanese/Korean fusion restaurant specializing in sando (Japanese cut white bread sandwiches or openfaced toast with meat, egg salad or other filling); curry and other rice bowls; tonkatsu (Japanese deep-fried tenderized pork loin, tenderloin and shoulder cutlets); chicken katsu; and kimbap (Korean-style fish and vegetable hand rolls wrapped with seaweed). Open Tues.-Sun. // 209 Diamond Ave. SE. kcmgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ LITTLE AFRICA ETHIOPIAN CUISINE Hearty vegetable stews; sauces and fixings served on Ethiopian flat bread. No alcohol. Cash or checks only. Closed Sun and Mon. // 956 E Fulton St, 222-1169. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $ MARU SUSHI & GRILL Large menu of Japanese cuisine with a twist, from sushi to hibachi grilled items. Vegetarian options. Full bar. Open daily. // 927 Cherry St SE, 458-1900. marurestaurant.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ MATCHBOX DINER & DRINKS Breakfast all day, deli sandwiches, burgers, appetizers and seasonal entrées. Also, milkshakes and malts. Carry-out available. Open daily. // 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641. matchboxdiner.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$

2021 DINING AWARD WINNER QUARANTINO’S Detroit-style pizza restaurant offering unique pizza options finished with Satori Wisconsin Parmesan. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. No alcohol. Closed Sun and Mon. // 1444 Lake Drive SE, 734-6833. quarantinosgr.com. Dinner $$ THE PUB AT PADDOCK “Happy hour all the time” with elevated pub fare. Full bar. Closed Mondays. // 1033 Lake Dr SE, 356-2627. thegilmorecollection.com/pubatpaddock. Dinner $-$$

2021 DINING AWARD WINNER TERRA Eastown eatery features food from local, ethically raised and sustainable sourcing. Specialty cocktails, Michigan

$ INEXPENSIVE (UNDER $10) $$ MODERATE (BETWEEN $10 – $20) $$$ EXPENSIVE (OVER $20)

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Coordinating rings in 18K yellow gold and black cobalt chrome, by Sarah Graham craft beers, wines from small wineries. Open daily. // 1429 Lake Dr SE, 301-0998. terragr.com. Brunch (SatSun), Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $$-$$$ WEALTHY STREET BAKERY Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup; pizza available after 4 pm. Beer and wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. // 610 Wealthy St SE, 301-2950. wealthystreetbakery.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$

JOSÉ BABUSHKA’S Starters, salads, burritos, chimichangas, flaming fajitas, tacos and special plates. Full bar. Open daily. // 2232 Wealthy St SE, 272-4472. josebabushkas.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ OLIVE’S Seasonally inspired menu of creative fare and comfort foods featuring local produce and meats. Full bar. Alfresco balcony. Closed Sun. // 2162 Wealthy St SE, 451-8611. eatatolives.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

WIKIWIKI POKE SHOP Fast-casual seafood restaurant featuring customizable poke bowls, plus oyster bar and rotating specials. Carry-out available. Closed Sun. // 1146 Wealthy St SE, 288-5646. wikiwikipokeshop.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

OSTA’S LEBANESE CUISINE Large selection of Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine. Serves beer and wine. Takeout and catering available. Closed Sun-Mon. // 2228 Wealthy St SE, 456-8999. ostaslebanese.com. Lunch (Tue-Fri), Dinner $-$$

THE WINCHESTER Locally sourced menu includes sharable plates in century-old space. Craft brews on draft. Full bar. Open daily. // 648 Wealthy St SE, 451-4969. winchestergr.com. Breakfast (Sat-Sun), Lunch, Dinner $-$$

ROSE’S Dockside dining on Reeds Lake with varied menu, including pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Three-season porch. Serves beer and wine. Open daily. // 550 Lakeside Dr SE, 458-1122. thegilmorecollection.com/ roses. Lunch, Dinner $$

YESTERDOG Specializes in the “good old-fashioned hot dog.” Cash or check only. Catering available. Open daily. // 1505 Wealthy St SE, 336-0746. yesterdog.com. Lunch, Dinner $

Northeast GR

ZIVIO Modern European tavern and grill serving Bosnian cuisine melded with Turkish, Greek and other Central European countries' cooking traditions. Salads, wraps, gyros, dinner entrées. Full bar. Open daily. Catering available. // 724 Wealthy St SE, 608-3534. ziviogr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$$

East Grand Rapids BIG BOB’S PIZZA Neighborhood pizza parlor in EGR’s Gaslight Village also offers appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, subs. Full bar. Open daily. // 661 Croswell Ave SE, 233-0123. bigbobspizza.com. Lunch (Tue-Sun), Dinner $-$$ BOWDIE’S CHOPHOUSE An upscale steakhouse “perfect for date nights, business dinners and late-night cocktails.” The restaurant serves various items: starters; soups and salads; shareables; and entrées, including chicken, salmon and steak. Full bar. Open daily. // 2237 Wealthy St. SE, 805-5044. bowdieschophouse.com. Dinner $$$ CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY KITCHEN Coastal South Carolina-inspired fare, including seafood, chicken, pork, beef and greens. Full bar. Open daily. // 2213 Wealthy St SE, 805-5231. carolinalck.com. Dinner $$

7 MONKS TAPHOUSE Beer bar with more than 50 taps and gastropub food, including pretzel bites, burgers, salads. Open daily. // 740 Michigan St NE, 265-5417. 7monkstap.com/ grand-rapids. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ BIRCH LODGE Menu includes wet burritos, sandwiches, burgers, gyros, fish baskets. Daily specials. Full bar. Open daily. // 732 Michigan St NE, 458-1918. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $ BLUE WATER GRILL Entrées include steaks and fish, wood-fired pizzas. Nice wine selection. Lakeside views, outdoor patio. Beer, wine and cocktails. Open daily. // 5180 Northland Dr NE, 363-5900. thegilmorecollection.com/bluewater. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ BUD & STANLEY’S Extensive menu includes Mexican specialties, pasta, burgers and more. Daily specials. Takeout available. Serves alcohol. Open daily. // 1701 Four Mile Rd NE, 361-9782. budandstanleys.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ CHARLIE’S BAR & GRILLE Well-rounded menu features dinners from ribs, steaks and seafood to kielbasa and kraut. Also, Mexican fare and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 3519 Plainfield Ave NE, 364-0567. charliesbarandgrille. com. Lunch, Dinner $-$ CHEER’S GOOD TIME SALOON Menu offers something for everyone in a log-cabin environment. Takeout available. Full bar. Open

$ INEXPENSIVE (UNDER $10) $$ MODERATE (BETWEEN $10 – $20) $$$ EXPENSIVE (OVER $20)

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We help you celebrate!

www.metalartstudioinc.com 978 Cherry St SE, GR MI (616) 459-5075 (Park free in our lot) GR M AG .CO M

2/8/21 11:23 AM

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daily. // 3994 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1188. cheersgrandrapids.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $ CRESTON BREWERY More than a dozen house-brewed beers on tap at all times; plus, seasonal menu, featuring chicken, pork and beef entrées; tacos, burritos and quesadillas; soups and salads. // 1504 Plainfield Ave NE, 805-4523. crestonbrewery.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ DETROIT WING CO. Serves classic wings, boneless wings and chicken tenders with 19 house-made sauces. Its menu also includes mac n’ cheese, poutine, coleslaw, cornbread muffins and cheesecake. Detroit Wing Co. was founded in Detroit. Open daily. // 2004 East Beltline Ave. NE, 214-8331. detroitwingco.com. Lunch, Dinner $ FLO’S PIZZERIA RISTORANTE & SPORTS BAR Pizzas, sandwiches, salads, Italian and Mexican entrées, full bar. Big screen TVs; takeout available. Open daily. // 1259 Post Dr NE, Belmont, 785-1001. flossportsbar.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ FRED’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Longtime favorite offers Italian fare, including fresh pasta and gourmet pizza. Full-service bar. Closed Sun. // 3619 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-8994. fredsitalian.net. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ FUJI YAMA ASIAN BISTRO Hibachi grill tables or eat in dining room with Chinese, Japanese and Thai selections. Full bar. Open daily. // 1501 East Beltline Ave NE, 719-1859. fujiyamabistro.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ GOLDEN WOK Chinese cuisine with some Hunan-spiced dishes. Sunday specials. Full bar. Open daily. // 1971 East Beltline Ave NE (Knapp’s Corner), 363-8880. goldenwokgrandrapids.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ GRAVITY TAPHOUSE GRILLE Menu items pair with craft beer suggestions. 64 craft beers on tap. Open daily. // 3210 Deposit Dr NE (East Beltline at I-96), 719-4944. gravitytaphouse.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ GRAYDON’S CROSSING Global pub serves traditional English pub food and world-inspired dishes. Full bar with large selection of microbrews and imported beers. Open daily. // 1223 Plainfield Ave NE, 726-8260. graydonscrossing.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ JAKU SUSHI Japanese and Korean fare, including a large selection of sushi; plus, bento, bibimbap, hibachi, katsu, udon and more. Open daily. // 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 6490407. jakusushi.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ KITCHEN 67 Large menu uses Michigan ingredients and includes

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Brann’s sizzling steaks, sandwiches, salads, small plates, pasta and more. Full bar with craft beers. Open daily. // 1977 East Beltline Ave NE, 272-3778. kitchen67.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ LA HUASTECA Authentic Mexican restaurant offering burritos, tacos, enchiladas, flautas and more. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 1811 Plainfield Ave NE, 447-7733. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $ LAI THAI KITCHEN Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 1621 Leonard St NE, 456-5730. laithaikitchen.net. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ LICARI’S SICILIAN PIZZA KITCHEN Specialties include thick-crust Sicilian pizza and stuffed pizza with a crispy crust. Also pasta, entrées, calzones and desserts. Full bar. Open daily. // 2869 Knapp St NE, 608-6912. licarispizzakitchen.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ LUCY’S CAFÉ Family café offers breakfast, lunch and baked goods. Crepes, omelets, deli sandwiches and build-your-own breakfast plates. Open daily. // 1747 Plainfield Ave NE, 591-3149. lucyscafegr.com. Breakfast, Lunch $$-$$$ MAI’S THAI Thai fare for counter service only. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 820 Michigan St NE, 451-3441. maisthaigr.com. (Mon-Fri), Lunch, Dinner $ MILL CREEK TAVERN Comstock Park eatery offers appetizers, soups, sandwiches, full dinner options. Full bar with separate dining room. Closed Sun. // 3874 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-3806. millcreektaverngr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ MING TEN All-you-can-eat Japanese/Chinese buffet, sushi bar, hibachi grill and American selections. No alcohol. Open daily. // 2090 Celebration Dr NE (2nd floor), 3653989. mingtenrestaurant.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ NICK FINK’S Mexican fare and burgers in historic tavern. Draft beer, wine, sangria and cocktails. Closed Sun and Mon. // 3965 West River Dr NE, 784-9886. thegilmorecollection.com/nickfinks. Dinner $$ POKE TOKI Build-your-own bowls featuring a fusion of Hawaiian, Japanese and Korean cuisine. Catering available. Closed Sun. // 5150 Northland Dr NE, 729-4414. poketoki.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ PALIO Ann Arbor-based eatery with an expansive menu of Italian fare. Full bar and happy hour. Open daily. // 545 Michigan St NE, 719-0660. paliograndrapids.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

REDS AT THOUSAND OAKS Large menu features sandwiches, salads, artisan pizza and entrées. Extensive wine list, craft beers, full bar. Patio with fire pits and covered deck. Open daily. // 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr NE, 447-7750. eatatreds.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ REZERVOIR LOUNGE Full menu of appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches and entrées, some with Cajun flavor. Serves alcohol. Open daily. // 1418 Plainfield Ave NE, 451-0010. rezlounge.com. Lunch (Tue-Sun), Dinner $-$$ RIO GRAND STEAK HOUSE & SALOON Texas-style barbecue ribs, steaks and more. Full bar. Open daily. // 5501 Northland Dr NE, 364-6266. riograndsteakhouse.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ RIVER NORTH PUBLIC HOUSE A “family-friendly” pub serving a variety of shareables, burgers and sandwiches. You’ll also find entrées, including Knapp Mac & Cheese and grilled sirloin tip steak. Full bar. Open daily. // 2115 Plainfield Ave NE, 288-7888. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $$$ THE SCORE Restaurant and sports bar with large menu, more than 100 beers on tap. Open daily. // 5301 Northland Dr NE, 301-0600. thescore-restaurant.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ SHESHCO GRILL Mediterranean cuisine, including surf, turf and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. // 2121 Celebration Dr NE (Knapp’s Corner), 364-0600. sheshcogrill.net. Lunch, Dinner $$ THAI CHEF Knapp’s Corner restaurant has large menu, including duck, seafood and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 1971 East Beltline Ave NE, 570-0032. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $$ VANDER MILL Seasonal menu with locally sourced ingredients. Starters, salads, entrées and large plates served family style. Hard ciders on tap. Open daily. // 505 Ball Ave NE, 259-8828. vandermill.com. Lunch, Dinner (MonSat) $$-$$$

Northwest GR 2021 DINING AWARD WINNER AMORE TRATTORIA ITALIANA Regional Italian dishes using local products and Italian imports. Italian wines and liqueurs. House-made desserts. Banquet facility. Closed Mon. // 5080 Alpine Ave NW, 785-5344. amoretrattoriaitaliana.com. Dinner (Tue-Sat) $$ CHINA CHEF Family-style restaurant with Szechuan-style entrées and

$ INEXPENSIVE (UNDER $10) $$ MODERATE (BETWEEN $10 – $20) $$$ EXPENSIVE (OVER $20)

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Hunan choices. No alcohol. Open daily. // 4335 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 791-4488. chinachef49534.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ CHINA CITY Chinese cuisine; lunch prices all day. No alcohol. Open daily. // 1140 Monroe Ave NW, 451-3688. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ DEHOP’S BREWING CO. AND CAFÉ Specialty and build-your-own burgers, “authentic Mexican” tacos, salads and sharable appetizers. Closed Sun-Mon. // 363 Cummings Ave NW, Walker, 8053363. dehops.com. Dinner $$ EMPIRE CHINESE BUFFET II All-you-can-eat buffet. Seafood buffet Sat-Sun. No alcohol. Open daily. // 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 7858880. empirechinesebuffet2.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ FRANCO’S PIZZA Italian entrées, stromboli, pizza and subs. Takeout available. No alcohol. Open daily. // 2103 Alpine Ave NW, 361-7307. Dinner $-$$ FRICANO’S PIZZA RESTAURANT Famous for its thin-crust pizza. Pasta dinners with sauce that made its way to the retail market. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 5808 Alpine Ave NW, 785-5800. fricanospizza.com. Dinner $-$$ HIBACHI GRILL & SUPREME BUFFET Pan-Asian cuisine, including Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and American. No alcohol. Open daily. // 785 Center Dr NW (Green Orchard Shopping Center), 785-8200. hibachigrillsupremebuffet.letseat.at. Lunch, Dinner $$ HOME TEAM GRILL Sports-themed eatery with a selection of local, domestic and international beers. Open daily. // 4322 Remembrance Rd, 551-3457. hometeamgrill. wordpress.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ HUMMUS & FALAFEL MIDDLE EASTERN GRILLE Located near the Allendale campus of Grand Valley State University, eatery serves “healthy and tasty” Mediterranean food, including hummus and falafel starters; salads; lentil soup; sandwiches, entrées and more. Closed Sun. // 10897 48th Ave., Suite B100, Allendale. hummusandfalafel.org. Lunch, Dinner $ HUNAN CHINESE RESTAURANT Full menu of Chinese options. No alcohol. Open daily. // 1263 Leonard St NE, 458-0977. hunangrc.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

MR. GYROS Family-owned restaurant offers Mediterranean specialties. Drive-thru, takeout, delivery and catering available. Closed Sun. // 2260 Alpine Ave NW, 7916660. mrgyrosdrivethru.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ PERRIN BREWING CO. Comstock Park craft brewery/taproom menu includes tacos, salads, burgers, panini and more. Kids menu available. Open daily. // 5910 Comstock Park Dr, 5511957. perrinbrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $ STAN DIEGO BAJA TACO KITCHEN Baja California-inspired menu, featuring a-la-carte taco menu, chorizos, tamales, handcrafted margaritas and kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. // 355 Wilson Ave NW, 591-9806. standiegogr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ SWAN INN RESTAURANT Home-cooked meals, huge breakfasts. Cygnet Lounge offers cocktails and nibbles. Open daily. // 5182 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1245. swaninnmotel.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$ THREE HAPPINESS RESTAURANT Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan fare. Daily specials. No alcohol. Open daily. // Green Ridge Square, 3330 Alpine Ave NW, 785-3888. threehappinessgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ WALKER ROADHOUSE Diverse menu with interesting twists on classic fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 3272 Remembrance Rd NW, 7919922. thewalkerroadhouse.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $$

Southeast GR 7 MARES Authentic Mexican dishes including breakfast. No alcohol. Closed Mon. // 1403 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 301-8555. Facebook. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$$

ASIAN PALACE Chinese and Vietnamese fare with extensive menus for each. No alcohol. Closed Mon. // 141 28th St SE, 5347770. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ BELTLINE BAR Americanized Tex-Mex menu, including wet burritos. Full bar. Curbside service. Open daily. // 16 28th St SE, 245-0494. beltlinebar.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ BRASS RING BREWING Small-batch, style-specific brewery in the Alger Heights neighborhood. // 2404 Eastern Ave SE, 460-1587. brassringbrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ BROAD LEAF LOCAL BEER Pub fare including snacks, meat and veggies on a stick and entrées like drunken noodles, burgers, tempeh and more. Open daily. // 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE, 803-0602. broadleafbeer.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ CABANA TRES AMIGOS Authentic Mexican fare including vegetarian selections. Full bar. Takeout available. Open daily. // 1409 60th St SE, 281-6891. cabanatresamigos.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ CAFÉ DE MIRO A café offering Kurdish, Armenian and Greek foods. The menu consists of traditional Mediterranean breakfast and side dishes, such as skillets, scrambles and acai bowls; pastries; toasts; soups; sandwiches; salads; Turkish coffee; tea; desserts; and more. No alcohol. // Breton Village Shopping Plaza, 1878 Breton Rd SE, (616) 7191462. Facebook. Open daily. Breakfast, Lunch $ CANTINA MEXICAN GRILL Menu offers extensive Mexican specialties. Full

A HiddenGem

Right in Your Neighborhood

THE LANDING Casual atmosphere with views of the Grand River. AllAmerican favorites and monthly specials. Full bar. Open daily. // 270 Ann St NW (Riverfront Hotel at U.S. 131), 363-9001. riverfronthotelgr.com/dining/the-landingrestaurant. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$ $ INEXPENSIVE (UNDER $10) $$ MODERATE (BETWEEN $10 – $20) $$$ EXPENSIVE (OVER $20)

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AL-BOS EUROCAFE-BAKERY Authentic southeastern European cuisine. Menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, entrées and kids options. Daily specials. Open daily. // 2930 Shaffer Ave SE, 325-2800. al-bos.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

EMERALD

MEADOWS

Assisted Living & Memory Care in Cascade Township

www.EmeraldMeadowsDifference.com (616) 954-2366

em@provlife.com

GR M AG .CO M

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bar. Drive-thru window. Outdoor patio. Open daily. // 2770 East Paris Ave SE, 949-9120. cantinamexicangrill.biz. Lunch (Sun-Thu), Dinner $$ DADDY PETE’S BBQ Slow-smoked ribs, pulled pork, brisket and other meats. No alcohol. Catering available. Closed Sun and Mon. // 2921 Eastern Ave SE, 818-5522. daddypetesbbq.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ EAST GARDEN BUFFET Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Daily buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. // 6038 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 698-8933. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ EL ARRIERO MEXICAN GRILL Extensive menu offers specialty dishes, à la carte selections. Mexican and domestic beers, margaritas. Open daily. // 2948 28th St SE, 977-2674. elarrieromexicangrill.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ EL GLOBO RESTAURANT Authentic Mexican fare; weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Mon. // 2019 S Division Ave, 734-6869. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ FIREROCK GRILLE Guests can cook signature dishes on 500-degree lava stone. Offers soups, salads, sandwiches and entrées. Full bar. Brunch on Sundays. Open daily. // 7177 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 656-9898. firerockgrille.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ FLORENTINE PIZZERIA RISTORANTE & SPORTS LOUNGE Italian fare with American and Mexican choices and thin-crust pizzas. Full bar. Open daily. // Towne & Country Shopping Center, 4261 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 455-2230. florentinespizza.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ GANDERS Features American cuisine with a twist and Michigan products, including craft brews. Open daily. // 4747 28th St SE (inside DoubleTree Hotel), 957-1111. Facebook. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$$ GOLDEN GATE Chinese fare with all-inclusive lunch combination plates, some hot and spicy choices. No alcohol. Open daily. // 4023 S Division Ave, 534-7087. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $ GURSHA ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT Authentic Ethiopian dishes, traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Buffet lunch and dinner on Sat. No alcohol. Open daily. // 4301 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 350-0009. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $$ HALL STREET BAKERY Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup served for lunch and dinner. Beer and wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. // 1200 Hall St SE, 214-7604. hallstreetbakery.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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INDIA TOWN Indian fare including vegetarian and vegan. Lunch buffet Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Open daily. // 3760 S Division Ave, 243-1219. indiatowngrr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ LA TAQUERIA SAN JOSE Authentic Mexican fare in a casual, takeout setting. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 1338 S Division Ave, 2842297. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $$ LAST CHANCE TAVERN AND GRILL Appetizers, soups, burgers and sandwiches and a huge selection of Michigan craft beers. Open daily. // 1132 Burton St SE, 719-4270. thelastchancetavern.com. Lunch, Dinner $ LE KABOB Soups, salads, sandwiches, large choice of entrées and combos. Kids menu. Carry-out available. No alcohol. Open daily. // 3122 28th St SE, 272-4135. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ MI TIERRA Traditional Mexican, eat in or drive-thru. No alcohol. Open daily. // 2300 S Division Ave, 245-7533. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $ MIKADO SUSHI Sushi and sashimi à la carte. Dinners offer full range of Japanese cuisine. Lunch specials. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. // 3971 28th St SE, 285-7666. mikadogr.com/main. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $-$$ NU-THAI BISTRO Appetizers, soups, Thai salads, fried rice, seafood, duck, curries. No alcohol. Open daily. // 2055 28th St SE, 452-0065. nuthaibistro.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ THE OLD GOAT Creative cuisine from Electric Cheetah owner Cory DeMint includes appetizers, entrées, sandwiches and salads. Kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. // 2434 Eastern Ave SE, 288-6976. baaaaaaaa.com. Breakfast (Mon-Fri), Lunch, Dinner $-$$

available. Open daily. // 2780 Birchcrest Dr SE, 4523228. pietrosgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ SHANGHAI ICHIBAN Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Food prepared tableside by hibachi chefs in Japanese area. Serves alcohol. Open daily. // 3005 Broadmoor Ave SE, 942-5120. shanghaiichiban.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ SUSHI KUNI Japanese and Korean cuisine, Asian fusion fare. Traditional Japanese tatami room for groups. Serves alcohol. Closed Mon. // 2901 Breton Rd SE, 2414141. sushikuni.net. Lunch, Dinner $-$$$ TAQUERÍA EL RINCÓN MEXICANO Wide variety of Mexican breakfast, small plates, dinner dishes and soups, including several vegetarian options. No alcohol. Closed Mon. // 2055 28th St, 246-7000. Facebook. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $ THAI EXPRESS Thai specialties, spiced to customer specification. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // Towne & Country Shopping Center, 4317 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 827-9955. thaiexpressgr.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $ THAI FUSION Thai cuisine and fusion specials with good selection of starters and salads. Kids menu. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 3097 Broadmoor Ave SE, 301-8883. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ TOKYO GRILL & SUSHI Tatami rooms, sushi bars. Hibachi, teriyaki, udon, tempura. Sake, Japanese and American beer and wine. Open daily. // 4478 Breton Rd SE, 455-3433. tokyogrillsushi.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ VILLAGE INN PIZZA & SPORTS GRILLE Longtime favorite for pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken, Mexican. Daily specials. Mon-Fri pizza lunch buffet. Full bar. Open daily. // 2215 44th St SE, 281-1444. vipizza.net. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

PAL’S INDIAN CUISINE Authentic Indian food, including lunch buffet 11-3. No alcohol. Open daily. // 2915 28th St SE, 957-2271. palsindiancuisine.com. Lunch, Dinner $

WEI WEI PALACE Chinese seafood restaurant features Cantonese cuisine, dim sum and barbecue. No alcohol. Open daily. // 4242 S Division Ave, 724-1818. weiweipalace.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

PHO ANH TRANG Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai cuisine. Daily specials. Catering. Open daily. No alcohol. // 3633 Eastern Ave SE, 246-9966. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

YUMMY WOK Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan dishes. No alcohol. Open daily. // 4325 Breton Rd SE, 827-2068. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

PHO SOC TRANG Wide selection of Vietnamese offerings. No alcohol. Open daily. // 4242 S Division Ave, 531-0755. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

Southwest GR

PIETRO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Regional and contemporary Italian cuisine. Tuscan wines, desserts and cappuccinos. Kids menu. Takeout

84TH STREET PUB & GRILLE American fare from pizzas to steaks. Full-service bar. Kids menu. Daily specials. Open daily. // 8282 Pfeiffer Farms Dr SW, 583-1650. 84thstpub.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

$ INEXPENSIVE (UNDER $10) $$ MODERATE (BETWEEN $10 – $20) $$$ EXPENSIVE (OVER $20)

2/8/21 4:00 PM

ALEBIRD TAPHOUSE AND BREWERY Community-focused brewery offering creative sandwiches along with a variety of burgers and entrées, including summer chicken and pea ravioli. Open daily, lunch on weekends. // 2619 84th St SW, 288-7888. alebird.com. Lunch, Dinner $$$ BLUE GINGER ASIAN KITCHEN Noodle-based Thai dishes, chicken, seafood, beef and pork entrées, curries. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. // 5751 Byron Center Ave SW (Bayberry Market), 261-8186. bluegingerkitchen.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ FAR-EAST CHINESE RESTAURANT Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. Carry-out and catering available. No alcohol. Open daily. // 3639 Clyde Park Ave SW, 531-7176. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ FRANKIE V’S PIZZERIA & SPORTS BAR Appetizers, subs, stromboli, pizza, pasta, burgers and Mexican. Outdoor patio. Full bar. Open daily. // 1420 28th St SW, 532-8998. frankievs.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ GOLDEN 28 Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin, Vietnamese cuisine. No alcohol. Open daily. // 627 28th St SW, 531-2800. Lunch, Dinner $$ KITZINGEN BREWERY German-style appetizers and entrées, plus kids menu and some American classics. Selection of wine and locally made German craft beer. Closed Sun-Mon. // 1760 44th St SW, 805-5077. kitzingen-brewery.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ LINDO MEXICO RESTAURANTE MEXICANO Fresh food with “real Mexican flavor.” Kids menu. Serves alcohol. Open daily. // 1742 28th St SW, 2612280. lindomexicogr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ LITTLE BANGKOK Extensive Thai standbys plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. // 2359 Health Dr SW, Suite 140, 929-2306. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $-$$ MAIN STREET PUB Varied appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrées. Full bar. Open daily. // 1730 28th St SW, 532-2510. mainstpub.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ MI CASA RESTAURANTE Fresh, authentic Dominican appetizers, dishes and seafood, plus weekly specials, in Dominicanthemed, family-friendly atmosphere. No alcohol. Closed Mon-Tues. // 334 Burton St SW, 350-9123. micasagr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ MONELLI’S ITALIAN GRILL & SPORTS BAR Southern Italian cuisine. Sports bar plus family-friendly dining room with fireplace. Open daily. // 5675

Byron Center Ave SW, 530-9700. monellis.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ NOBLE Breakfast favorites along with vegan and gluten-free options, handhelds, burgers and small bites. Open daily. // 1851 44th St SW, Wyoming, 530-8750. eatnoble.com. Breakfast, Lunch $$ PETE’S GRILL & TAVERN Casual bar and grill with tavern burgers, Detroit style pizza, sandwiches and entrees. Open daily. // 2588 84th St SW, Byron Center, 878-9582. petesgrillandtavern.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ TAMALES MARY Tamale-centered Mexican restaurant featuring 15 types of tamales, plus other Mexican dishes and daily buffet specials. No alcohol. Open daily. // 1253 Burton St SW, 288-5007. tamalesmarygr.com. Lunch, Dinner $ WOODY’S PRESS BOX Complex includes two bars, patio and bowling. Sandwiches, pizza, Mexican and more. Full bar. Open daily. // 5656 Clyde Park Ave SW, 530-2400. spectrumlanes.com. Breakfast (Mon-Sat), Lunch, Dinner $$

Ada/Cascade/Lowell Area ARYANA RESTAURANT & BAR Comfortable dining room in Crowne Plaza Hotel offers breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner selections from a seasonal menu and a full bar. Open daily. // 5700 28th St SE, 957-1775. hiaryana.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ BIG BOILER BREWING Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer and cider. Plus, new American cuisine, including burgers, fish, sandwiches and kids menu. Open daily. // 318 E Main St, Lowell, 987-3155. bigboilerbrewing.com. Dinner $$ CASCADE ROADHOUSE Relaxed atmosphere with a diverse menu of traditional fare. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 6817 Cascade Rd SE, 2597439. cascaderoadhousemi.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ CORK WINE & GRILLE Contemporary dining with indoor and outdoor seating. Seafood, steaks, burgers, fish, sandwiches, salads. Extensive wine list, specialty cocktails. Open daily. // 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. corkwineandgrille.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ EMONAE KOREAN BBQ Korean delicacies and tabletop grills allow patrons to grill meats and veggies to their liking. Soups, chicken, beef, pork, vegetarian, seafood. No alcohol. Delivery available. Closed Mon. // 6246 28th St SE, 649-3984. emonaekoreanbbq.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

$ INEXPENSIVE (UNDER $10) $$ MODERATE (BETWEEN $10 – $20) $$$ EXPENSIVE (OVER $20)

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THE EURO BISTRO European bistro fare includes entrées, small plates, salads, wood-fired pizzas. Takeout available. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 6450 28th St SE, 719-2017. eurobistrogr.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $$-$$$ FLAT RIVER GRILL Casual atmosphere in turn-of-century building. Comfort food, wood-fired pizzas. Full bar plus The B.O.B.’s House of Brews beers. Alfresco dining on patio. Open daily. // 201 E Main St, Lowell, 897-8523. thegilmorecollection.com/ flatriver. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ HAMBURGER MARY’S This LGBTQ-friendly burger franchise offers an open-air burger bar along with 40 beers on tap. Drag events such as karaoke, game night and trivia night, as well as drag shows, occur most days of the week. Outdoor patio seating. Full bar. Open daily with brunch hours on Sat and Sun. // 6240 28th St. SE, 551-2305. hamburgermarys.com. Dinner $$ JU SUSHI & LOUNGE Sushi and sashimi, Japanese hibachi, tempura, soups, salads and entrées in elegant surroundings. Full bar, huge sake selection. Takeout, catering and banquets. Open daily. // 1144 East Paris Ave SE, 575-5858. jusushi.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$$ LA LAGUNA Authentic Mexican dishes including shrimp, wraps, salads, kids menu. No alcohol. Open daily. // 6250 28th St SE, 805-8821. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ LITTLE BANGKOK Extensive Thai standbys, plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. // 850 Forest Hill Ave SE, 808-3153. littlebangkokgr.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), Dinner $-$$ MAIN STREET BBQ Wood fire used to smoke ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage and pork. Rubs and sauces are gluten-free. Also serves sandwiches, wings, salads and soups. Catering. Takeout/delivery at 1539 Plainfield Ave NE. Full bar. Open daily. // 210 E Main St, Lowell, 987-3352. bbqlowell.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ MARCO NEW AMERICAN BISTRO French country casual offers small, medium and large plates for dinner fare; salads, sandwiches and mains for lunch. Full bar. Takeout menu. Closed Sun. // 884 Forest Hill Ave SE, 942-9100. marcobistro.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ MYNT FUSION BISTRO Thai, Korean and Chinese. Renowned for its curries. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 800 W Main St, Lowell, 9879307. myntfusion.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

2021 DINING AWARD WINNER NOCO PROVISIONS Laid-back, regionally inspired comfort cuisine. Outdoor seating on the patio. Full bar. Open daily. // GR M AG .CO M

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4609 Cascade Rd SE, 747-0300. nocogr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ NONNA’S: THE TRATTORIA Fresh, European-style pastries, salads, soups and entrées made from scratch. Breakfast and lunch served seven days a week. Pizza available during lunch TuesSat. Brunch specials available Sat-Sun. // 584 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 920-7028. eatwithnonna.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Tue-Sat) $-$$ NOTO’S OLD WORLD ITALIAN DINING Elegant décor, extensive classic Italian menu. Special wine cellar dinners. Lounge menu features lighter fare. Closed Sun. // 6600 28th St SE, 493-6686. notosoldworld.com. Dinner $$-$$$ OSAKA STEAKHOUSE & JAPANESE RESTAURANT Asian fare, including sushi, hibachi, shabu-shabu and more. Full bar. Open daily. // 4977 28th St SE, 4194628. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $$ SAPPORO RAMEN & NOODLE BAR Fresh, traditional Japanese “soul food” with an innovative twist. GF options available. No alcohol. Takeout available. Closed Mon. // 5570 28th St SE, Cascade, 608-6657. sappororamenbar.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ SCHNITZ ADA GRILL Schnitz Deli by day, casual fine dining by night. Full bar, happy hour 3-6. Closed Sun. // 597 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 682-4660. schnitzadagrill.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$$ SHEPARDS GRILL & TAVERN Bar food with flair, from appetizers to sirloin. Open daily. // 6246 28th St SE, 350-9604. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ THORNAPPLE BREWING CO. Brewpub features a wide selection of original beer, cider, wine and spirits brewed in seven-barrel brewing system. Plus, artisan pizza, appetizers and dessert. Brunch on Sun. // 6262 28th St SE, 288-6907. thornapplebrewing.com. Lunch (Sat), Dinner $$ TRAILHEAD CAFÉ Family-owned and -operated café with specialty breakfast items, plus gourmet burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, soups and more. // 1200 East Paris Ave SE, 284-3664. trailheadcafegr.com. Breakfast, Lunch $ VINTAGE PRIME & SEAFOOD Intimate setting with upscale menu that includes prime steaks and fresh seafood. International wine list. // 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. vintageatcork.com. Dinner $$$ ZEYTIN Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Full bar, beer and wine lists. Takeout. Open daily. // 7437 River St, Ada, 682-2222. zeytinturkishrestaurant.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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Grandville/Hudsonville Area BANGKOK TASTE Thai fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 674 Baldwin St, Jenison, 667-8901. bangkoktaste.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ THE DUNGEON Mexican food and American favorites. Specialty burgers. Full bar with Michigan craft beers. Kids menu. Open daily. // 3594 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 5381360. villadungeon.com. Lunch (Fri-Sun), Dinner $-$$ EL BURRITO LOCO More than 70 Mexican selections, plus a few American options. Daily food and drink specials. Full bar. Open daily. // 4499 Ivanrest Ave SW, Grandville, 5309470. elburritoloco4.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ GRANDVILLA Steaks, all-you-can-eat fish, specialty burgers, daily specials, salad bar. Kids menu. Full bar. Open daily. // 3594 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 538-1360. villadungeon.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ HUDSONVILLE GRILLE Varied menu includes Mexican favorites and breakfast. Full bar, catering and banquet services. Closed Sun. // 4676 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 662-9670. hudsonvillegrille.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$ MICHIGAN MOONSHINE DISTILLERY A distillery with starters, sandwiches, salads and sides with a barbeque theme. Many of the items include Bobby Q sauce. Closed Sun. and Mon. // 4005 Chicago Dr SW in Grandville, 259-1000. michiganmoonshine.us. Dinner $$ OSGOOD BREWING CO. Craft brewery serves shareables, specialty pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and salads. Kids menu. Open daily. // 4051 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 432-3881. osgoodbrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ PIKE 51 BREWING CO./ HUDSONVILLE WINERY Craft brewery and winery under one roof. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrées. Open daily. // 3768 Chicago Dr, Hudsonville, 662-4589. hudsonvillewinery.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ RAINBOW GRILL Breakfast, soup and sandwiches, daily lunch specials, chicken, fish and other dinner staples. No alcohol. Closed Sun. // 4225 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 8960033; 4158 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 534-8645. rainbowgrillmichigan.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $-$$ RUSH CREEK BISTRO Diverse menu in club-like surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials at full-service bar. Open daily. // Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville, 457-1100. rushcreekbistro.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

SONDER EATERY Focused on fresh foods including greens, sandwiches and shareables. Items include deviled eggs, chicken and waffles, sloppy Joes and more. Full bar. Daily specials and weekend brunch. Closed Mondays. // 3380 Chicago Dr, Hudsonville, 616-202-6379. sondereatery.com. Breakfast, Lunch $$ WHITE FLAME BREWING CO. Small production brewery with taproom. Sandwiches, wraps, appetizers and a couple twists on the classic macaroni and cheese. Open daily. // 5234 36th Ave, Hudsonville, 209-5098. whiteflamebrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ THE WIN TAVERN A family-friendly restaurant offering fresh ingredients and cooked-to-order meals, including starters and salads, burgers, sandwiches, and steak and onion meals. It also offers a Sunday breakfast from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. with a build-your-own hash bar and more. Full bar. Open daily. // 7628 Georgetown Center Dr, Jenison, 734-6724. thewintavern33.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$

Rockford Area BOSTWICK LAKE INN Menu includes steaks, pork, fish, chicken, mac and cheese, pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads. Large deck. Full bar. Open daily. // 8521 Belding Rd, 8747290. thegilmorecollection.com/bostwick. Lunch (Sat-Sun), Dinner $$-$$$ BOULDER CREEK RESTAURANT Golf Club restaurant has varied menu. Golf course views from inside or deck. Serves alcohol. See website for seasonal hours. // 5750 Brewer Ave NE, Belmont, 363-1330, ext 2. bouldercreekgolfclub.com/ restaurant. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ CEDAR SPRINGS BREWING CO. German-style brewery features American pub and traditional Bavarian menu. Open daily. // 95 N Main St, Cedar Springs, 696-2337. csbrew.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ GRILL ONE ELEVEN American-with-a-twist menu, full-service bar and lounge. Open daily. // 111 Courtland St, 863-3111. grilloneeleven.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ HONEY CREEK INN Pub setting offers beyond pub fare and daily specials. Closed Sun. // 8025 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Cannonsburg, 874-7849. cannonsburgvillage.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ MARINADES PIZZA BISTRO Wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Michigan craft beer. Catering. Open daily. // 109 Courtland St, 863-3300. marinadespizzabistro.com. Lunch, Dinner $

$ INEXPENSIVE (UNDER $10) $$ MODERATE (BETWEEN $10 – $20) $$$ EXPENSIVE (OVER $20)

2/8/21 4:00 PM

RAMONA’S TABLE Gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, small plates, homemade desserts. Farm-to-table specials. Michigan beers, wine. Kids menu. Open daily. // 17 Squires St Square NE, 951-7100. ramonastable.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ ROCKFORD BREWING CO. Located alongside Rogue River. Menu features wings, salads, gyros, burgers, as well as gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Handcrafted brews on tap. Open daily. // 12 E Bridge St, 951-4677. rockfordbrewing.com. Brunch (Sun), Lunch, Dinner $-$$ TIMBERS INN Appetizers to meat ’n’ potatoes fare in lodge-like surroundings. Full bar. Open daily. // 6555 Belding Rd NE, 874-5553. timbersinn.net. Lunch (Wed-Sun), Dinner $-$$ THIRD NATURE BREWING COMPANY Located near the White Pine Trail and the Rogue River, Third Nature Brewing is a rustic brewery and taproom offering “comfort foods” such as pizzas and hot sandwiches, as well as healthier options like power bowls and salads. Open daily. // 7733 Childsdale Ave. NE in Plainfield Township, 616-512-9314. thirdnaturebrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

Multiple Locations ANNA’S HOUSE Breakfast, sandwiches, baked goods and exceptional desserts; dinner menu, too. No alcohol. Open daily. // 3766 Potomac Circle, Grandville; 3874 Plainfield Ave NE; 2409 East Beltline Ave SE, (866) 672-6627. annashouseus.com. Breakfast, Lunch $$ ARNIE’S BAKERY & RESTAURANT Breakfast, burgers and sandwiches. Menu includes extensive gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. // 722 Leonard St NW, 454-3098; 2650 East Beltline Ave SE (Centerpointe Mall), 956-7901; 777 54th St SW, 532-5662; 34 Squires St, Rockford, 866-4306. arniesrestaurant.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$ BAGEL BEANERY Bagel and coffee cafè offering healthy whole grain and sugary sweet bagels, breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Magnum coffee. No alcohol. Open daily. Catering available. // 455 Michigan St NE, 235-7500; 2845 Breton Rd SE, 245-4220; 5316 Clyde Park Ave SW, 2499500. bagelbeanery.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $ BIG E’S SPORTS GRILL Sports lounge serving pizza, classic American appetizers and other entrées. Full bar includes a variety of Michigan-made beer and cider. Happy hour specials available Mon-Fri. Open daily. // 2321 East Beltline Ave SE, 608-8825. 710 Monroe Ave NW, 512-5716. bigessportsgrill.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

BRANN’S STEAKHOUSE & SPORTS GRILLE Famous sizzler steaks, small plates, sandwiches, salads, gluten-free and vegetarian choices, bar munchies. Full bar. // 401 Leonard St NW, 4549368; 3475 Fairlanes Ave SW, Grandville, 531-6210; 4157 S Division Ave, 534-5421; 5510 28th St SE, 285-7800. branns.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ FIRST WOK Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. // 2207 44th St SE, 281-0681; 6740 Old 28th St SE, 575-9088; 3509 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1616. firstworkgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ GRAND CONEY Classic diner offering custom hot dogs, traditional breakfast items and comfort foods. No alcohol. Open daily. Downtown location open 24 hours. // 809 Michigan St NE, 776-5580; 5121 28th St, 9303596; 6101 Lake Michigan Dr, Allendale, 895-9999. thegrandconey.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $ HERB & FIRE PIZZERIA Fast-casual atmosphere with Italian accent. Signature and create-your-own pizza options, flatbread sandwiches and salads. // 3180 44th St SW, Grandville, 773-1443; 2121 Celebration Dr NE, Suite 250, 7731895. herbandfirepizzeria.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ HOPCAT Crafted brews with some 50 beers on tap and 150 bottled. Full bar and creative fare, including sharables, signature fries, burgers, wraps and more. Open daily. // 25 Ionia Ave SW, 451-4677; 84 W. Eighth St in Holland, 965-9780; 2183 East Beltline Ave NE. hopcatgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ MORNING BELLE This “garden-themed” brunch spot is part of Meritage Hospitality Group. Its menu features breakfast entrées; lighter options, such as salads and grain bowls; glazed doughnut waffles; specialty beverages, such as freshly squeezed orange juice and breakfast cocktails; and more. Limited bar. Open daily. // 1600 East Beltline Ave NE, 301-8171; 434 Bridge St NW, 855-6907. morningbellebrunch.com. Breakfast, Lunch $$ MR. BURGER Breakfast, burgers, chili dogs, sandwiches, homemade soups and desserts. // 2101 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, 453-6291; 950 44th St. SW, 538-0363; 1750 44th St. SE 455-8604; 5181 Northland Dr. NE, 363-3888; 2300 28th St. SW; 538-4439; 5835 Balsam Dr., Hudsonville, 662-5088. mrburger.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $ MUDPENNY Coffee bar with all-day breakfast, sandwiches, burgers and salads. Catering available. Closed Sun. // 570 Grandville Ave SW, 259-5353; 496 Ada Dr SE, 2595353. mudpenny.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $ PEPPINO’S PIZZERIA AND SPORTS GRILLE Italian/American menu. Full bar. Open daily. // 130 Ionia Ave SW, 456-8444; 1515 Eastport Dr SE,

$ INEXPENSIVE (UNDER $10) $$ MODERATE (BETWEEN $10 – $20) $$$ EXPENSIVE (OVER $20)

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Kentwood, 554-8880. peppinospizza.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$$ PITA HOUSE Sami’s gyros, Middle East specialties. No alcohol. Open daily. // 1510 Wealthy St SE, 454-1171; 3730 28th St SE, 940-3029. thepitahouse.net. Lunch, Dinner $ REAL FOOD CAFÉ Fresh, locally sourced traditional favorites, scrambles and made-from-scratch baked goods; plus, soups, sandwiches and salads for lunch. Cash only. Closed Mon. // 2419 Eastern Ave SE, 241-4080; 3514 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-1808. Facebook. Breakfast, Lunch $ RED GERANIUM Breakfast and lunch favorites, omelettes, pancakes and burgers. No alcohol. Open daily. // 6670 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 656-9800; 5751 Byron Center Ave SW, 5328888. redgeraniumcafe.com. Breakfast, Lunch $ SUNDANCE BAR & GRILL Southwestern-infused cuisine, margarita bar. Open daily. // Waters Building, 151 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-1616; 5755 28th St SE, Cascade, 956-5644. sundancegrill. com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Mon-Sat) $$ TACOS EL CAPORAL Mexican fare, with menudo Sat and Sun. No alcohol. Open daily. // 1260 Burton St SW, 246-6180; 1717 28th St SW, 261-2711. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $ TACOS EL CUÑADO Fajitas, tacos, burritos and other Mexican fare. No alcohol. Locations are individually owned and operated. // 1342 Grandville Ave SW, 452-1266; 455 Burton St SW, 248-9099; 1024 Bridge St NW, 475-800. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ THE OMELETTE SHOPPE Fourteen signature omelettes, selection of quiches and baked goods. No alcohol. Open daily. // 545 Michigan St NE, 726-5800; 1880 Breton Rd SE, 726-7300. omeletteshoppe.com. Breakfast, Lunch $ UCCELLO’S RISTORANTE, PIZZERIA & SPORTS LOUNGE Italian specialties, including pizza, entrées, burgers, sandwiches. Full bar. Open daily. // 122 Monroe Center NW, 773-1687; 2630 East Beltline Ave SE, 954-2002; 3940 Rivertown Pkwy SW, Grandville, 249-9344; 4787 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Standale, 735-5520; 8256 Broadmoor Ave SE, Caledonia, 891-1100; 19 N Main St, Rockford, 866-0666. uccellos.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ VITALE’S PIZZERIA Multiple locations serving pizza, pasta and more from family recipes. Full bar. // 6650 E Fulton St, 676-5401, vitalesada.com; 5779 Balsam Dr, Hudsonville, 662-2244, vitaleshudsonville.com; 834 Leonard St NE, 458-8368, theoriginalvitales.com; 3868 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 7845011. vitalessportsbar.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

GR M AG .CO M

2/8/21 11:23 AM

gr gems / histo y

Women on the line A group of Grand Rapids factory workers stood up for labor rights. BY JULIE TABBERER, GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY

You may notice that the United States flag is shown backwards in the background of this image. The U.S. Flag Code was established in 1923, setting standards for displaying the flag. Before then, the flag could be displayed with the stars on either side.

These women, captured on a glass plate negative, worked at the A.E. Brooks candy factory. Wearing smocks to keep their dresses clean, they posed with a package of Brooks’ Rainbow Kisses. The image is not dated but their hats advertising Zeno chewing gum provide a clue — the Chicago brand was acquired by Wrigley and discontinued in 1911. Newspapers reported that 12 women in the chocolate dipping department at A.E. Brooks went on strike in 1906. The women were told they needed to work on Labor

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE / MARCH 2021

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Day to fill orders. It seems that two women protested this and were fired, and then 12 others “threw off their working aprons and walked out too.” The company placed an ad looking for “fifteen girls, immediately,” and business seemed to go on as usual. In 1906, women made up just 18% of factory workers in Grand Rapids, and they often worked long hours for less pay. From the scant information we have today it’s hard to know whether the actions of these women made an impact. Luella Burton, the state factory inspector charged with women, did not mention the incident in her yearly report. She did say, though, that “women are in the industrial world to stay, and we cannot but admire the spirit that sends them out in the world to fight their own battles.” CANDY SHOP COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY

2/8/21 11:21 AM

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1/26/21 10:23 AM

LAKE KISSIMMEE

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Where Outdoor Adventure Is A Home Run. Your epic vacation awaits in Florida’s Sweetest Spot, home to Detroit Tigers spring training and countless other exciting outdoor activities. Plan your perfect springtime stay at VisitCentralFlorida.org

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1/26/21 10:24 AM

Grand Rapids Magazine March 2021

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