Restaurant Remembrances & Resolutions

I love eating. Probably too much. But I’m the kind of person who, when I find a restaurant I like or a menu item that I love, it’s hard to keep me from going back, and going back, and going back...for that same thing.

That's not a good habit in a city like ours, where there are so many wonderful menu options that it's hard to go out enough. So for my New Year's food resolution (no diet here) is to figure out where I’ve been and where I’m going, so that I can be sure to experience all the city has to offer.

There were my 2008 faves:
El Arriero – I still can’t figure out why these guys are in a strip mall on 28th Street. We need to convince them to move to Uptown. But in the meantime, El Arriero makes a mean meal. Not gourmet but good hearty Mexican food. My favorite dish? It’s not on the menu--a specials simply called Garlic Shrimp. I breathe garlic afterward and I’m so happy. Why else do I like it? This place is inexpensive AND it has beer and great service.

2948 28th St. SE
616.977.2674

Brick Road Pizza – A Wealthy Street newcomer, Brick Road Pizza has been getting some good press. I enjoy that for lunch I can grab a slice on the go. I love that they have ‘different’ veggies. My first experience there I had zucchini, mushroom and sun-dried tomatoes on my pizza, awesome!

1017 Wealthy St. SE
616.719.2409

The Green Well – If you follow my column, you might know that the Mac & Cheese here is on my mind a lot. If I allowed myself, I’d be an addict just to that. I broke the habit on my last trip. The “Pad Thai” and Spinyback Sauvignon Blanc was great as was my hubby’s mixed grill special with Shorts’ Bellaire Brown. Really, anything there is good – and they know I’ll be back.

924 Cherry St. SE
616.808.3566

The Grill at 1913 – If you live in Grand Rapids, you have to hit The Grill or The 1913 Room at least once. Although the service can be spotty and it can set your pocketbook back a bit, the food here is truly excellent.

In the Amway Grand Hotel @ 187 Monroe Avenue NW
616.776.6426

Naya – One of the reasons I enjoy eating at Naya is that I never know what cool ethnic food will be on the menu. From sushi to Indian to seafood, the dishes are inventive and to me, that’s important. Also always intriguing there is their wine list, it’s different – they don’t pay attention to the ratings and the popular stuff.

1144 East Paris SE
616.719.4400

Bombay Cuisine – At Bombay I always have fabulous food, too much of it – so I always go home with lunch the next day – yippee! The buffet is the way to go at a leisurely lunch and don’t try going on New Years Eve. That was silly. Did you know they have a new sports bar right next door – actually attached? It looked too fun. Speaking of that…

1420 Lake Drive SE
616.456.7055

Places I might dine in ‘09

So I already made it to the Red Ball Jet Café in ’09 and I was impressed with my BLT panini. It was enjoyable and perfectly sized. It came with a yummy pasta salad. Quick lunch – and Pepsi products. Ah!

In the ‘new new not open yet’ category:

The Electric Cheetah – Cory deMint has been working his rear off at making this restaurant come to life. It’s his own brainchild and man, it might as well be called the Eclectic Cheetah! (I’m not knocking it, I’m really intrigued.) There will be Italian snake lights from the ceiling, window boxes with herbs, jigsaw puzzle ads in the bathrooms and fresh baked cookies with milk for your afternoon snack. Watch his site at www.electriccheetah.com for opening information in the next month or so.

1015 Wealthy St. SE
616.617.6452

The Winchester – As I write this, the Winchester is now open for lunch without (alcoholic) libations. In the next few weeks they’ll have their liquor license, too. Then they’ll be a bar and a promising restaurant. At first I imagined bar with ‘bar food’, you know…curly fries and a burger…but it’s much more than that! Paul & Jessica Lee coined this neighborhood pub “the New American Tavern” and for good reason. I got a sneak preview of the food and it was certainly inventive and tasted great. Try the plantains & salsa! I could be in trouble, they’re way too close by!

648 Wealthy St. SE
616.451.4969

Corez – What happens when a retail ‘wine guy’ gets an itch for his own place where people can taste superb wines, get wine education and relax all at the same time? He goes for it. Mike Dombrowski, my ex-‘wine guy’ at Art of the Table and a husband-wife team, Corey & Anna Waller, are working together to create Corez Wine Bar, the newest of the creations on Cherry Street. Small plates by Restaurant Bloom’s own Chad Miller, inventive martinis & such by ex-Chop House bartender Dan Schnieder and Mike Dombrowski’s wine palate bring together the experience. I’m anxiously awaiting my first visit.

919 Cherry St. SE
616.855.2310

Thai Basil – New last summer but I’ve have never been, my sister keeps strongly encouraging me to enjoy. I’ve been to Thailand and love the cuisine. I love to cook Thai food with my brother-in-law and have been somewhat disappointed in Thai food choices in Grand Rapids. Though I cook Thai quite often, and it’s not very difficult, I tend to stay home for it, but it’s time for a Thai Alpine (Avenue) adventure.

4022 Alpine Ave. NW
616.785.3030

In the ‘it’s embarrassing but I’ve never been’ category:

Six One Six – Can you believe I still haven’t been here for dinner? I’ve been there, just not to dine. It’s about time. Many people suggest it’s just a ‘hotel restaurant’ and won’t give it a chance. But I’ve heard it's amazing with presentation as well as flavor, using local foods wherever possible; and it’s got great atmosphere. Soon…I promise!

@ the JW Marriott
235 Louis NW
616.242.1500

Xo Asian – I have had their take out Thai but that’s just not the same as dining.

58 Monroe Center NW
616.235.6969

In the ‘its been way too long’ category:

Bloom – Another place I’ve eaten twice, once in the old location and once in the new one at the corner of Monroe Center and Division. I need to put this on my ‘eat here’ radar more often as it’s fun food.

40 Monroe Center
616.632.2233

Tuscan Express – I haven’t been to Tuscan in probably 10 years ~ mostly because it’s out of my usual ‘circle’ of life – which mostly consists of a five-block area. I was reminded of Tuscan when Chef Dan Chudick offered to help with a fund raiser I was involved in this past summer. I need to go back.

6450 – 28th St. SE
616.956.5522

Sazerac Lounge – Actually, I’ve already made it here in '09 and was reminded of the amazing pizza. I think that’s all I need to say. Don’t miss their pizza. It’s hands down amazing.

1418 Plainfield Ave. NE
616.451.0010

Happy 2009 eating!

Amy Ruis owns and operates Art of the Table, a specialty food, beverage, and tabletop retail store in the Wealthy Street Business District. She blogs at www.artofthetable.com/talk and you can reach her at [email protected]. She last wrote for Rapid Growth about
where to find the best booze in Michigan.

Photographs: