There's a new "Grove" being planted on Cherry Street

A first-for-the-area restaurant concept is being added to the ever growing menu of dining options in the East Hills and Cherry Street area.  The owners of The Green Well and Bistro Bella Vita, Essence Restaurant Group, are unveiling Grove, their third offering in Grand Rapids.  The building at 919 Cherry Street formerly housed Corez Wine Bar, which Essence purchased nine months ago.

Grove, set to open in August of 2011, will use many of the core concepts of their other restaurants, using "earth-to-table" principles of natural ingredients sourced from local, family-owned and sustainable farms, with additional focus at Grove on sustainable seafood.  A new concept called prefixe menus will change daily, offering three course meals paired with complimentary wine. 

Essence partner and executive chef Patrick Wise will lead the culinary team at Grove. 

"We will offer dishes that are innovative with a hint of classic encompassing four elements of cuisine: Local, Exploration, Classics and Conscientiousness," Wise says. "We will guide our guests through a unique culinary journey with each visit."

Wise also intends to use the new space as a "test kitchen" for all of their restaurants. 

"He will assist his chef teams in driving the culinary excellence and the creative edge that Essence guests have to come to expect and enjoy," explains James Berg, managing partner of Essence Restaurant Group.

When asked how the Grove will differentiate from their restaurant Green Well across the street, Berg had this to add: "Grove will be intimate and the pace will be more accommodating to a true culinary journey. Grove will be a destination that reservations will be the norm. Grove will take reservations for all times. Grove will be a true culinary journey like no other in West Michigan."

Essence plans to add 35 new associates with the addition of Grove, with several from Bistro Bella Vita and The Green Well moving over to help launch the business. 

You can follow their renovation progress as they get ready to open in August on their Facebook Page and on Twitter.

Source: Patrick Wise, Grove and James Berg, Essence Restaurant Group
Writer: Jeff Hill