Grand Rapids Magazine September/October 2021

THE ANNUAL ARTS ISSUE PLUS LINDO MEXICO

APPLE PICKING

BULLIES BE GONE

Local artist, Holly Bechiri.

THE FUTURE OF ART THE CITY IS POISED FOR A RESURGENCE OF ART.

Foodie Travels

LET HUNGER SUBSIDE IN OUR ROUNDUP OF THE BEST LAKESIDE TOWNS TO DINE

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LET’S GET TOGETHER

Discover new friendships From the day you move in, Beacon Hill at Eastgate makes it easy to meet new friends. In addition to resident mixers, you can join any number of social clubs, from cards and games to current events.

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We also have a wide variety of wellness classes including yoga, water aerobics, walking club and more — plus spiritual enrichment classes — that make it easy to stay active and meet new people at the same time.

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BEACONHILLGR.ORG

FUN WITH YOUR FRIENDS. Our residents have rich social lives and never run out of things to do together. Take an art class. Attend a concert. Charter a free pontoon boat ride. Take our transportation offcampus to enjoy everything Grand Rapids has to offer. Or just enjoy a quiet conversation in the garden or by the fireplace.

SAFE AND SECURE. We adhere to strict health and cleanliness guidelines to ensure that our residents can safely enjoy time together doing the activities they love. That means daily screening for employees and all guests, stringent cleaning and disinfecting practices, and more. And management and staff are always available if you have any questions.

We have availability in our full range of living options, and we would love to meet you. Give our sales office a call directly to schedule your tour at 616-608-8254.

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See you soon!

8/5/21 11:04 AM

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contents SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER 2021 VOLUME 57, ISSUE 7

FEATURES

44

A NEW DAY FOR ART T H E GR A N D R A P IDS A R TS S CEN E I S R EADY TO EN GAGE POSTPA N DEM I C .

BY PASHA SHIPP

51

FOODIE ADVENTURES FO U R ROA D T R IP S T H AT YO U R T UM MY W ILL LOV E .

BY CHARLSIE DEWEY AND HOLLY BIHLMAN

P H OTO G R A P H BY M I C H E L L E C U P P Y

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COVER MICHELLE CUPPY

8/11/21 1:36 PM

EXPLORE THE CHANGE. The changing landscape of Ludington's unspoiled natural resources offers a quintessential �Up North� e�perience close by.

Pure Ludington delivers the perfect combination of unrivaled outdoor recreation and quaint, small-town charm – all within easy reach located at the intersection of U.S. 31 and U.S. 10.

Now is the time to get up and go.

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contents • septembe /octobe

every issue 8 editor's letter 117 dining guide

A guide to the area's best eateries

144 gr gems

Libraries on wheels

people + places 12

14 16 18

100

20 21

city

Artistic advocacy for breast cancer, new astrology store and

Tanger’s Entertainment District.

voice

Kendra McNeil is LIT!

issues

Big screen stories

spotlight

Jeff Hosler’s next goal

guide

Flying into fall

profile

Sara Visser, local influencer

look + feel

14

28

home

30

expert

32 37 40

Wake up your coffee bar A trip to the orchard

experience

George Aquino, GR’s ‘Night Mayor’

wellness

Bullying behaviors

style

Sensational personal style

food + drink 96

table

Gricelda Mata’s personal journey

100 create

A simple, colorful salad

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101 cheers

Game on!

102 on-the-go

Southern comfort

104 must-try

Tune into Turnstiles TABBOULEH STACY FEYER-SALO BUX DHYNE ASHLEY WIERENGA BOOKS DAVID SPARKS

8/11/21 1:37 PM

Covering Grand Rapids Since 1964

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

We asked our staff: What is your favorite fall activity to partake in?

Cliché or not, we want to hear it!

I love crisp fall bike rides on our hilly, wooded paths as the colors change.

We ride often through the season and it never gets old!

TERI GENOVESE

Editorial Gemini Media Editor: Tim Gortsema Editor: Charlsie Dewey Digital Editor: Tom Mitsos Contributors: Jaye Beeler, Chloe Brown, Ann Byle, Quinn Kirby, Deidre Remtema, Pasha Shipp, Samantha Suarez, Julie Tabberer Intern: Holly Bihlman Design Creative Director: Lindsay Richards Associate Art Director: Keagan Coop Graphic Designer: Robin Vargo Contributors: Chloe Brown, Michelle Cuppy, Bryan Esler, Stacy Feyer-Salo, Teri Genovese, James Heimer, Quinn Kirby, David Sparks, Alfield Reeves, 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

Growing up in Hawaii, I never saw the leaves change colors. The first time I saw it was in Washington and it seemed like something out of a fairy tail! Each fall as the leaves start to change, I enjoy finding myself lost in the wilderness. Engulfed in Mother Nature and the beauty of these red and orange leaves that will soon fall, only to rebloom come spring.

CHLOE BROWN

My favorite fall activity is wine tasting in Northern Michigan, especially during peak color!

MADDY MESSERLY

Infant Toddler Preschool Young 5's School-Age

Production Production Director: Jenine Rhoades Senior Production Artists: Stephanie Daniel, Robert Gorczyca Advertising Coordinators: Ramona French, Ava Majoros Integrated Design Lead: Alex Shammami PRS Graphic Designers: Jim Bibart, Julia McGillicuddy My favorite fall activity is going to all of the different, local cider mills. I love riding the tractor and wagon out to the U-pick fields and picking sunflowers, apples and pumpkins!

One of the obvious reasons I love going is to snag a gallon of apple cider and a dozen cinnamon sugar donuts. It’s also a nice little romantic day my husband and I get to spend together outdoors during the most beautiful time of year!

MARIAH KNOTT

Jump Start The New School Year!

ENROLL TODAY

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 Manager: Melissa Novak Marketing & Events Coordinators: Kelsey Cocke, Drake Lambright Marketing & Events Interns: Kaitlin Howell, Michelle Kaljaj, Cassandra Morris Administration Director Of Business Operations: Kathie Gorecki Publishing and Sales Coordinator: Kristin Mingo Assistant Office Manager: Natasha Bajju Senior Accounting Associate: Andrew Kotzian Accounting Associate: Katie West Sales Interns: Grace Kanehann, Srujan Koneru

Fall clothing is my favorite. I can’t wait for sweater weather and cute boots at the cider mills!

NATASHA BAJJU

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, 1965 E Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071. 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.

GR M AG .CO M

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editor's letter / connect BEHIND THE SCENES

Fall feast

George Aquino and Sam Suarez goofing around during their shoot at MDRD with photographer Bryan Esler.

Travel and food go hand in hand, so this fall, pack your car and head to the lakeshore for a weekend of fun and feasting. The lakeshore communities of Holland, Grand Haven, Saugatuck and Muskegon each have their own unique claim as foodie destinations.

Restaurateur Lucas Grill is working to bring big-city dining to Holland, while Grand Rapids chef Chris Perkey has expanded his restaurant portfolio with two new additions in the already popular foodie town of Saugatuck. Meanwhile, Muskegon is building a portfolio of restaurants thanks to several options for startups and events like Taste of Muskegon, and Grand Haven has a plethora of farms, including Winkel Chestnut Farm, that offer the unique experience of going into the orchard and filling a pail with treats.

ArtPrize is back this year after being postponed last year due to the pandemic. While you are out and about looking at this year’s entries, be sure to also consider visiting the many galleries and arts organizations that bring art to Grand Rapids year-round. In this issue, we talked with several artists and arts organization leaders in the community to find out what is next for the Grand Rapids arts scene. There are some exciting things on the horizon.

In this issue, we also talk with several Grand Rapidians doing cool things in the community, including Grand Rapids influencer Sara Visser, artist and drag performer Bux Dhyne, We Are Lit! book shop owner Kendra McNeil and Lindo Mexico owner Gricelda Mata.

And if you are looking for fun activities to try, our guide to ziplining is a must. You also can visit the recently opened House Rules board game lounge or new live music restaurant and bar Turnstiles.

Fall is just getting started so plan your itinerary and start enjoying the city while the temperatures are still mild.

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:

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Next issue

From elegant bars to hole-in-the-wall favorites, Grand Rapids has plenty of great spots to have a drink. Belly up to the bar with our Drinks Guide.

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR

Holly Bihlman is an editorial intern at Grand Rapids Magazine as a part of her writing BA at Grand Valley State University. She also studies English and has worked as a sportswriter at the GVSU Lanthorn for two years. She now holds the position of sports editor for the last year of her undergrad. She loves going to all kinds of sporting events, but she also has a huge passion for playing the cello and hopes to find an orchestra in Grand Rapids to play in one day. Her family lives in Traverse City, but she loves the city and plans to continue her journalism journey here in West Michigan.

EDITOR TERRY JOHNSTON BEHIND THE SCENES BRYAN ESLER CONTRIBUTOR COURTESY HOLLY BIHLMAN

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MODERN SPANISH CUISINE, CAPTIVATING CITY VIEWS Ignite your evening as you savor expressive entrées, tantalizing tapas, decadent desserts, and lavish libations. Come! Consume the lively atmosphere as you drink in the Grand Rapids skyline. Revel in the rhythm of Madrid on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza.

For reservations visit opentable.com or amwaygrand.com/dining

1 8 7 M O N R O E AV E . N W | 61 6 .7 7 6 . 6 4 2 5 | W E CA L L O U R S E L V E S “ M A D R I D ”

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®

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people+places THE GUIDE TO YOUR CITY

Former GVSU women's soccer coach Jeff Hosler will now lead MSU's women's soccer team.

» PLUS: WE ARE LIT BOOKSTORE THE GR GUIDE GR AND STAND PIC TURES

SPOTLIGHT

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people + places / city

New bohemian astrology store opens

Sarah Cash opened her store, The 12th House, in June 2021 featuring tons of handmade astrology themed items from local Grand Rapids artists. As a part of the arts community for over 20 years, Cash decided to fulfill her lifelong dream of opening her own art store, and she now sells crystals, books, pride merchandise and plenty of other hippie and bohemian items.

The 12th House, named after Cash’s zodiac sign — Pisces, is open at 8 Jefferson Ave. SE Wednesday through Sunday with a tarot card reader operating by appointment only and a walk-in henna tattoo artist.

CITY

Artistic advocacy for breast cancer Personal stories will illustrate the difficult battle.

Mallory Shotwell is an interdisciplinary artist in Grand Rapids currently creating an art exhibition called “Suspended Self: The Liminal Space of Breast Cancer,” centered around advocacy and support. Through a series of workshops, Shotwell is collecting voice recordings, interviews and tangible artifacts that represent the experience of battling breast cancer. In partnership with several Gilda’s Clubs across the country, including in Grand Rapids, Shotwell is hosting these workshops online on the first Thursday of every month this year from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Shotwell wants her audience to understand that breast cancer advocacy comes in the form of more than just a pink ribbon, so she’s welcoming all willing participants to share stories about their diagnoses, the waiting and what it means to support someone with breast cancer. Shotwell hopes to debut her final exhibition in 2022 in various cities, one being Grand Rapids, complete with 10 artifacts and a combination of 2D and interactive art pieces representative of these deeply personal experiences.

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“Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells” is a piece done by Grand Rapids artist Mallory Shotwell with pencil and ink on archival paper.

Tanger Outlets plans Entertainment District

The outdoor mall is expecting a few new arrivals this fall, including former Dorr brewery 5 Lakes Brew Pub, which is moving in across from Selfie WRLD. 5 Lakes Brew Pub offers craft beer and cocktails, as well as burgers, pizzas and wings. In addition to the brewery, a putting green, cornhole, bocce ball and a social gathering area will be added to the mall, in what will be a continually evolving space.

ART COURTESY MALLORY SHOTWELL STORE COURTESY 12TH HOUSE SHOPPING COURTESY BRAVE PUBLIC RELATIONS

8/10/21 11:31 AM

2021 2022

Christian McBride

SEASON

ST.CECILIA MUSIC CENTER We saved you a seat!

THREE UNIQUE CONCERT SERIES

PLUS

THE FIRST-EVER JAZZ FESTIVAL OF ITS KIND IN GRAND RAPIDS. Don’t miss Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride joined by friends Edgar Meyer, Cyrille Aimée, and his own band, Inside Straight.

THREE NIGHTS OF WORLD-CLASS JAZZ

WINTERFEST FEBRUARY 24-26, 2022

CHAMBER FOLK

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

FROM PRAGUE TO VIENNA

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

ROMANTIC PERSPECTIVES

JANUARY 27, 2022

THE JAZZ EFFECT

MARCH 31, 2022

JAZZ

JOSHUA REDMAN

JANUARY 20, 2022

DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER AND BILL CHARLAP MARCH 10, 2022

DELFEAYO MARSALIS AND THE UPTOWN JAZZ ORCHESTRA APRIL 14, 2022

SAM BUSH

OCTOBER 6, 2021

RODNEY CROWELL

NOVEMBER 12, 2021

LEO KOTTKE

NOVEMBER 19, 2021

THE MILK CARTON KIDS DECEMBER 2, 2021

WATKINS FAMILY HOUR DECEMBER 16, 2021

MAY ERLEWINE

FEBRUARY 17, 2022

SHAWN COLVIN MAY 12, 2022

JUDY COLLINS MAY 18, 2022

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Kendra McNeil said she hopes to bring more author talks and events to the store.

VOICE

Reading is lit Kendra McNeil shares her love of books through the We Are LIT bookshop.

BY CHARLSIE DEWEY

// PHOTOS BY DAVID SPARKS

Kendra McNeil has been an avid reader since childhood, and as an adult she enjoys reading historical fiction, travel narratives and books “that help navigate the sociopolitical climate.”

Four years ago, McNeil decided to spread her love of reading by starting an online and pop-up bookshop called We Are LIT, focusing on multi-cultural books. In November 2020, We Are LIT took up semipermanent residence inside the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives, at 87 Monroe Center St. NW. As We Are LIT prepares to celebrate its four-year anniversary, McNeil talked with Grand Rapids Magazine about the burgeoning bookshop.

How did you get the idea for We Are LIT? I got the idea for We Are LIT from my love of books, reading and bookstores. The culture around books that I have experienced in my travels to other cities was not present in West Michigan and I wanted to create it.

Do you host events? Yes. In the past, We Are LIT’s events were centered around its sponsored book clubs. Now it is shifting to bring the community more author talks and events that help create a culture around books at a higher level.

What is one of the biggest challenges about bringing multicultural literature to readers? One of the biggest challenges is changing the narrative around how we interact with books written by Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Latino and other 14

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PHOTO CONTENT PHOTO CREDIT

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people + places / voice

We Are LIT has a semi-permanent place in the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives.

people of color. Often readers will engage with multicultural books as a matter of sociology and tolerance, not a true appreciation for the work as an art. We Are LIT is on a mission to change that.

What are some of the considerations you make when you are curating the books in your shop? The primary consideration I make when curating books for We Are LIT’s collections is what author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie refers to as “saying no to the single story.” During a TED conference she said, “The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” So, in curating We Are LIT, I do my best to create PHOTO CONTENT PHOTO CREDIT

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collections that elevate diverse voices and the full human experience.

Who are some of your favorite authors or authors you are most excited about currently? Some of my favorite authors include historical fiction novelist Beverly Jenkins, the late novelist, essayist and professor Toni Morrison, and the late essayist and thought leader James Baldwin.

"Often readers will engage with multicultural books as a matter of sociology and tolerance, not a true appreciation for the work as an art. We Are LIT is on a mission to change that."

Kendra McNeil

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

During the month of June, We Are LIT became a vendor partner with the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and maintains a highly curated collection of children’s books in its gift shop.

Visit We Are LIT at wearelitgr.com and on Facebook.

GR M AG .CO M

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Grand Stand Pictures' leadership team consists of (left to right) Kimberly Williams, Victor Williams, Jazmyne Fuentes and Rodney Brown.

ISSUES

Big screen stories New film production company and media incubator aims to bring Hollywood home.

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY QUINN KIRBY

Grand Stand Pictures co-owners Victor Williams, Rodney Brown and Jazmyne Fuentes are looking to bring opportunities to Grand Rapids like what can be found in Atlanta and Hollywood. Williams, who has a music and entertainment background, Brown, a lifelong educator, and Fuentes, who has accumulated over a decade of television production experience, joined together in 2019 under a common goal: tell Grand Rapids’ stories and support the people who uplift them.

Bringing ‘A City Within a City’ to the big screen Brown said he has spent the last five to 10 years working to curate stories that can be made into documentaries or full-length feature films.

“One of the big motivations is not 16

everyone reads,” Brown said. “These books are academic in certain ways, and we need to put these in a documentary format to make it accessible to more people.”

The first story Grand Stand Pictures plans to bring to the big screen is a documentary adaptation of Dr. Todd Robinson’s 2012 book, “A City Within A City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan.” The book explores how northern conservatives formed the institution of managerial racism in Grand Rapids after the civil rights movement and how that racism continues to this day.

“Designed to filter each racial issue, managerial racism ultimately sought to locate a ‘middle ground,’ as long as it was situated squarely on the interest-side of the ‘race managers,’” Robinson writes in his book.

An undeniable asset to the team

translating Robinson’s work from page to screen, Fuentes produced PBS’s “Inner Compass,” an interview television show focused on ethical, social justice and religious issues around the time “A City Within a City” was published.

“Of all the issues covered,” Fuentes said, “the one that was rising to the top of the biggest unsolved mysteries for me was what was going on with the race relations here in Grand Rapids.”

She said she felt like she “entered the room after a big fight” when she moved from Boston in 1998 and hopes the film will help people describe and talk about race relations in the city.

Brown said he and Williams have lived this feeling of disconnect since their youth.

He asserts there are a wealth of stories they heard growing up — like that of South High School and its closing — that are important to his community but aren’t recognized by the greater Grand Rapids community.

“People do things differently in different communities, recognizing the importance of stories,” Brown said. “We have a deep, rich history of accomplishment that is more so than not shared in this community — particularly when it comes to the

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people + places / issues

accomplishments of people who are Black and brown.”

The film is currently still in preproduction, Grand Stand Pictures producer Kimberly Williams said, with scriptwriting, fundraising and sourcing taking place. She mentions the team is working closely with Robinson to make sure it is capturing stories that reflect his work while adding new stories that are contemporary in the community.

While the production team still is curating expert voices to feature in the documentary, the film is set to feature two academic powerhouses: T.A. El-Amin and Dr. Randal Jelks. El-Amin is a local historian who has taught at Grand Valley State University, Davenport University, Grand Rapids Community College and won the 2011 Phyllis Scott Activist Award. Jelks is a professor at the University of Kansas and has written two award-winning books, one of which focuses on local history, “African Americans in the Furniture City: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Grand Rapids.”

The team also is using resources local to Michigan to support pre-production work.

Brown said the Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives, Mosaic Film Experience, and the Bentley Library at the University of Michigan, among others, have been critical partners in providing resources to educate Grand Stand Pictures’ process.

Community contribution Kimberly Williams said pre-production includes tasks that “aren’t so glamorous,” like the fundraising efforts required to complete the film.

Fuentes said Grand Stand Pictures is doing a crowdfunding campaign [find out more at grandstandpictures.com], getting involved in the community to spread the word of the company’s mission, and launched an IndieGoGo campaign on “616 Day,” June 16, along with a celebration for the film’s “Grand Champions.”

The Grand Champions Campaign, Victor Williams said, is for individual influencers within the field of equity, diversity and inclusion who donate $1,000 toward the production of the film. “(We’ll be) announcing these people in the credits of the film, so it’s an opportunity for the people out there doing the work to have their name immortalized in the film credits under the banner of ‘Grand Champion.’”

So far, Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, former director of the state of

“We’re looking to create an industry here; an institution around filmmaking, music, media. ...

We’re looking to make a pipeline; building infrastructure with the incubator and providing a service.”

Rodney Brown

Michigan’s Office of New Americans Bing Goei, and Celebration!

Cinema’s director of community affairs Emily Loeks have donated to this effect, and Williams expects more individuals to join the list.

Additionally, Grand Stand Pictures has a match program for community members who don’t fall under the umbrella of equity, diversity and inclusion influencers.

“Through our initial funders, we’re offering a match program for our general community, [up to] $500,000,” Williams said. “We’re grateful there are donors in Grand Rapids who are willing to put forward that sort of support for our program and company and to support what we’re doing.”

Once the production company’s inaugural project is complete, Brown said Grand Stand Pictures will curate stories from Grand Rapids’ Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American/Pacific Islander and immigrant communities.

Rodney Brown reads bylaws of a local women's group from the Grand Rapids History and Special Collections.

Sustaining local creativity Despite the magnitude of work involved, creating films doesn’t completely satisfy Grand Stand Pictures’ vision.

Part of the company’s mission statement emphasizes, “Our aim is to help define our future by elevating voices of resilience, ingenuity and talent.”

To that end, Grand Stand Pictures is associated with the Grand Rapids Media Initiative and Film Incubator (GR-MiFi). Brown said opportunities involving filmmaking apprenticeships with the documentary based on “A City Within a City” will jumpstart the incubator he refers to as the sustainable education portion of the company’s work.

The incubator is looking to raise between $3 million and $5 million over the next three to five years, and the Steelcase Foundation already has donated $250,000 in support of the incubator and Grand Stand Pictures’ film production.

Learn more about the film and GR-MiFi at GrandStandPictures.com or at @GrandStandPictures on Facebook. Individual donations may be made to ACWACFilm through PayPal or Venmo and to $ACWACFilm through CashApp. GR M AG .CO M

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people + places / spotlight

SPOTLIGHT

Reinventing a Big Ten team Jeff Hosler moves to MSU as women’s soccer head coach.

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN

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// PHOTO BY ALFIELD REEVES

After seven successful years as the head coach of the women’s soccer team at Grand Valley State University, Jeff Hosler received an invitation from Michigan State University to recreate the women’s soccer program for the Big Ten school. The bittersweet retirement from his position at GVSU commemorates not only the highest winning percentage of any Laker coach, with an overall record of 144-12-6, but also one of the strongest cultures an athletic program can have.

Hosler’s career began when he was very young, with his first NCAA coaching gig at Alma College for its Division III soccer team when he was 26 years old. “I’ve had a very grassroots or baseline development process.

My first coaching job was middle school basketball,” said Hosler. Moving from youth teams to club sports, and eventually to college athletics, Hosler now finds himself in a dream position, succeeding MSU’s 30-year head coach Tom Saxon.

The huge opportunity that comes with inheriting an entirely different type of culture at MSU allows Hosler to reshape it just as he did with Alma College at the beginning of his career. Currently ranked second to last in the Big Ten Conference, MSU is looking for a way to start fresh.

“I think it’s a place that kids have wanted to come to, but just haven’t seen the success to take that step and commit. Our early recruiting efforts have been fantastic, and I think it’s a place that in years to come, the Big Ten Championship will have to come to East Lansing,” said Hosler.

Looking back on his time as a Laker, Hosler’s career highs were not only defined by three NCAA Championships, but by the incredible players he was able to coach and all the lifelong relationships he was able to foster.

Stepping into his new office on Jenison Field, Hosler truly believes in the Spartan tradition and how he can reinvent his team’s culture.

“Commitment, work ethic, discipline, details — those are all things I talk a lot about in the recruiting process, because if we match up when it comes to those expectations, then the culture of a program that that player is a part of and has ownership in is going to match up as well,” said Hosler.

Using everything that each team has taught him over the years, the 2021-2022 roster marks the beginning of a new era for MSU and Hosler.

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people + places / guide

Allegan Event’s Sky Rail and Sky Trail challenge visitors at every turn.

GUIDE

Flying into fall Your guide to zip lining in Grand Rapids.

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN

With the end of summer around the corner, enjoy the thrill of zip lining at one of Grand Rapids’ best zip line destinations.

Located in a variety of the city’s most beautiful spots, these adventure zones are great for getting outside and seeing Grand Rapids from new heights.

TreeRunner Adventure Park specializes in heights with its wide variety of obstacle courses for every level of tree-climbing expertise.

Two separate parks ensure that everyone gets a chance to have a little fun. Ariel Park includes over 60 obstacle courses and zip lines, and the Junior Park offers two courses and 10 obstacles. If you stay tuned to TreeRunner’s social media pages, you’ll be able to catch a Glow Night, which incorporates a new theme each week as climbers enjoy music and a neon-lit forest. The park is open on the weekends and reservations are required, so make sure to secure your spot in the trees. 2121 Celebration Drive NE John Ball Zoo offers a wild ride — measuring in at 600-feet long — that includes passing over the waterfall near the Red Panda exhibit from four stories up in the air. This impressive zip line is more suited for older kids and adults. For an added bonus, experience the Sky Trail Ropes Course located next door to the zip line with two levels of climbing difficulty and more than 15 obstacles. Open on the weekends through September, tickets can be purchased throughout your visit to the zoo this fall. Tickets are $10.

1300 W. Fulton St. 20

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While [Allegan Event's] outdoor zip line across the Kalamazoo River closes Labor Day weekend, the indoor park stays open year-round with several other adventurous attractions.

Cannonsburg Ski Area isn’t only a winter sports destination — its zip line tours provide up to an hour and a half of flying underneath a canopy of trees and varying terrain for groups of up to eight people. These tours will take you through the slopes of Cannonsburg from a whole new perspective, stopping at five zip lines between ski hills ranging from 300-600 feet in length. This location is great for an adrenaline rush, with some riders clocking in at speeds as fast as 40 mph. Reservations are required during the fall season, with hours varying once school is back in session, so make sure to book your tickets online. 6800 Cannonsburg Road Allegan Event, located half an hour south of Grand Rapids, features an indoor Sky Rail and Michigan’s largest indoor Sky Trail ropes course. While its outdoor zip line across the Kalamazoo River closes Labor Day weekend, the indoor park stays open year-round with several other adventurous attractions. Perfect for younger kids is the Sky Tykes zip line, as well as Clip n’ Climb walls, a Vertical Drop Simulation, QUICKjump Exit and an arcade. For those colder fall days, head to Allegan for a more comfortable experience at this fun-filled indoor park, making sure to book reservations in advance. 439 River St., Allegan SKY RAIL COURTESY ALLEGAN EVENT

8/10/21 11:34 AM

Sara Visser waits for her coffee order at Outside Coffee Co.

Local influencer PROFILE

Sara Visser turned her love of Grand Rapids into a thriving Instagram.

BY CHARLSIE DEWEY

// PHOTOS BY TERI GENOVESE

With over 20,000 followers on Instagram, The GR Guide, aka Sara Visser, has easily earned her moniker.

Visser is a born and raised Grand Rapidian, who jumped on the Instagram platform early on while living and working in Chicago and today operates a thriving account, @thegrguide, (and a blog) where she shares all her favorite things about Grand Rapids with her followers.

“I worked for a fashion startup in Chicago, and we were, at that time, capitalizing a lot on Instagram. That drove me straight into it. That was when Instagram was just taking off,” Visser GR M AG .CO M

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said. “At that time, we were posting our outfits every day, going to New York Fashion Week, really just trying to get the ball rolling.”

Visser also began her own blog focused on Chicago restaurants, fashion and other lifestyle topics. When she decided to make the move back to Grand Rapids, she got the idea for The GR Guide.

“There might be a misconception that this is so easy or that it’s not a real job. It is a really, really hard job to do. You can’t just check out at 5 and be done with work for the day.”

The GR Guide, aka Sara Visser

“Talking about the growth and the fun things that were happening in the city,” she said. She launched the blog aspect of the project first, followed by the Instagram account. Within a few months, the Instagram account was gaining followers.

Five years later, The GR Guide has become a go-to resource for many people looking for the newest restaurants, retailers and other fun content Visser shares.

When she first started her accounts, “influencer” wasn’t really a job, but today, companies are scrambling to enlist influencers in their marketing campaigns — there are even agencies whose sole purpose is to represent influencers and garner deals for them with corporations.

Visser said she has experienced an uptick in companies that want to partner with her. Over the summer, she partnered with Priority Health on a Savor the Summer series, for instance. But she said she remains choosy about who she decides to work with and is focused on retaining the integrity of her brand by staying genuine.

“As an influencer or blogger, you get a lot of emails from people who want to work with you and I really pick and choose companies, whether local or national, that I feel are a good fit for myself. It would be easy to say yeah (to) anyone that reaches out to me, but I do pick and choose, and I try to be genuine about sharing things that I actually use in my everyday life,” she explained.

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people + places / p ofile

Sara Visser enjoys a day of shopping (and influencing) along Wealthy Street, visiting The Counting House (above) and Lee & Birch (bottom left and right).

Visser said a lot of the growth of influencers has to do with the tools available. Instagram grew from a photo sharing platform to include video, live streams and more.

“It’s different now with social media. I think you can tell a bit more of a story with what you are doing in the Instagram stories and creating more videos and it’s cool to see the direction that is taking, and I think companies are finding that valuable,” she said, adding, “I really think the video aspect and more of the interacting with people is going to be a big thing. It’s cool how Instagram Live lets you interact with people one-on-one. If they ask you a question, you can respond to it right away.”

INSTAGRAM COURTESY MENTIONED PROFILES

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She said the important thing to her has been to stay true to herself and while she’s eager to try new things, she also wants to ensure she is sticking with what she is best at and not becoming overwhelmed by all the new platforms and tools available.

She also enjoys the blogging aspect of her work and continues telling stories that way, noting, “I still like to bring the story in on the blog too.” And with local media shrinking, social media influencers are becoming a bigger piece of the local community’s storytelling outlets.

Visser said she is seeing more local influencers or would-be influencers cropping up, but she welcomes them, and she is happy to offer advice to others.

“Truly just be yourself. I think all of us as individuals have different stories to tell, so even if there is another GR influencer, I could tell a story one way of going to a restaurant and they could tell it a different way. I could take a photo of a dish and they could take a photo of a dish and they’re going to look different,” she said. “I think it’s cool to have different people in the community doing their own thing.”

Visser said it’s been exciting to see her Instagram grow and evolve over the past five years and she continues to see new opportunities as social media expands.

A typical day for her includes coffee in the morning with her husband before diving into emails from the comfort of her kitchen table, followed by an afternoon of creative work, which might include creating a blog post or other content or taking photos.

Visser said the biggest misconception about being an influencer is that it isn’t work. “There might be a misconception that this is so easy or that it’s not a real job.

It is a really, really hard job to do. You can’t just check out at 5 and be done with work for the day. It’s wake up in the morning and go to bed at night, the continual process of working, it might not always feel like working, but it is, but it’s also a fun job. What I love most about what I do is being creative.”

As she looks to the future, Visser plans to stay the course and continue focusing on spotlighting Grand Rapids.

“I’m really trying to focus a little more on the videos and that kind of storytelling, and it’s cool to see from when I started Instagram to see where it is today. The growth that has happened, and I’m excited what can happen in the future,” Visser said.

MUST FOLLOWS Sara Visser shares the accounts she loves to follow on Instagram: @jeanstofferdesign @saycheesegr @sweetwaterfloral @thiswortheylife @freshexchange @tinybitsofhappiness_ @rebelgr @libbyvanderploeg

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PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

MEN’S HEALTH Q&A

Take Charge of Your Health—the Earlier the Better There are many steps men can take to ensure they stay well—and age well.

And, those should start early in life to reap the most benefits and to help develop lifelong healthy habits. We know that eating a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit, protein, fiber, and hydration is key, as

Q:

is regular activity, whether more vigorous or as simple as a daily walk. What may be less obvious is the need for regular checkups with a primary care physician. Even those who do everything right or feel fine can have or develop a condition that is treatable if caught early, but harder to control if left undetected

and unaddressed. In this section, an expert in the medical field outlines when men should start getting health screenings, as well as which ones, how often, and at what ages they become important. Read on to see what you or a loved one can do today to set themselves up for better wellness tomorrow. ■

Why are annual health screenings important?

A: Men, in general, tend to avoid going for regular health screenings. Often, it’s because they feel healthy and believe it’s unnecessary, they have a busy life and don’t have the time, or because they don’t want to know what they don’t know about their health. There can also be some discomfort in entering an exam room and being interviewed and physically assessed by a healthcare provider. Regardless of the reason, having routine health screenings is important because they can prevent future health concerns and treat existing medical conditions early.

Ideally, men under 40 should have a health screen-

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ing every 3 to 5 years. Men ages 40 through 50 should see their healthcare provider every other year, and men over 50 should be seen every year. Between 18 to 39, screenings should involve a physical exam, blood pressure check, and skin assessment.

Men 40 to 50 years should continue the above screenings, in addition to an eye exam and blood tests to check for high cholesterol and diabetes. Men over 50 should continue the above screenings and also be screened for colon and prostate cancer. Routine health screenings and early detection are key to living a longer, healthier life.

Amanda Daggett, RN

Director of Nursing Beacon Hill at Eastgate 1845 Boston Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 616-245-9179 beaconhillgr.org amanda.daggett@beaconhillgr.org

8/13/21 2:49 PM

PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

PAIN MANAGEMENT Q&A Control Pain; Don’t Let it Control You In life, pain happens. Sometimes it’s normal and the result of an accident, or it comes out of nowhere, without an identifiable cause. Our first steps may be to take a standard pain medication we have in our bathroom cabinet. If it lingers, we may decide to see a family physician. General practice doctors don’t always have the answers, though, and may end up simply prescribing a stronger pain reliever. That’s not always the best approach and can lead to bigger problems down the road. A more practical option is to see a specialist who can help determine to root of the pain and recommend a treatment plan.

The chiropractors in this section have the

Q:

Keith Javery, D.O. pain patient, keep an accurate, written record of your Javery Pain Institute pain as you progress through treatment to help identify 710 Kenmoor Ave., Suite 200 the source of pain, so that it may be treated correctly.

Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-588-PAIN (7246) Though pain is personal, it can be objectively and javerypain.com subjectively measured. An example of an objective record is: “After treatment ‘x’, I was able to stand 2.5 times longer than usual.” An example of a subjective record is: “After treatment ‘x’, I slept much better.” Both types of accounts are helpful to us. With this data and feedback, success is We want you to flourish and “Get Your Life Back!” . more likely; without it, results may be less than optimal.

How can Javery Pain Institute improve my pain and my quality of life?

A: It takes just five simple steps for our team to help our patients who come to us with pain that hasn’t naturally gone away with medication, treatment, or surgery.

First, Dr. Javery, Dr. Suderman, and staff take time to listen to your story to try to determine the root of your pain. Then, we evaluate your history and imaging studies, and examine what may be contributing to your pain, whether it’s chronic pain or caused by another illness. Further, we consider your personal experience with pain, as pain scores are subjective and vary great-

Q:

of all of the above. If you’re living with pain and it’s robbing you of the activities you love and the lifestyle you desire, don’t wait. Seek out an expert and schedule your consultation today. ■

What are the benefits of keeping a pain journal?

A: Journaling, whether it’s tracking food, sleep, or other daily experiences or routines, can be helpful when trying to diagnose certain ailments. To help our patients with chronic pain, our team at Javery Pain Institute recommends that our patients keep a journal of basic pain “clues” to help us identify and treat their pain.

Once you see one of our pain specialists and a complete history and physical is taken, we will create a personalized plan for you. It is critical that you, as a

Q:

tools and processes that can very often pinpoint the pain source, and the knowhow to make an educated diagnosis, whether it’s though verbal assessments, keeping a log or pain events, specialized imaging, or—likely—a combination

ly from person to person. From there, we can develop a personal treatment plan that is catered to your goals.

Finally, we walk with you in your journey of improving pain and getting you back to the activities you love.

When pain lasts longer than it should, and becomes problem in itself, Javery Pain Institute is here to help lessen your pain and suffering, increase your function, and “Get Your Life Back!”

Josh Suderman, MD

Javery Pain Institute 710 Kenmoor Ave., Suite 200 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-588-PAIN (7246) javerypain.com

I have chronic, unexplained pain. What is the best way to address it?

A: If you’re experiencing pain that has no known cause and has lasted more than three months you might rely on pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or Tylenol to lessen the pain, or more powerful opioids to numb the pain. While these medications can be helpful when used occasionally, they can be dangerous when used long term. We know that prescription opioids have serious implications, but even over-the-counter drugs can have concerning side effects, including risk of kidney failure, liver disease, and ulcers.

Consider viewing pain in the same way that you

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would your car’s Check Engine light. When it comes on, you see a mechanic to assess the issue; you don’t put a piece of tape over the dashboard and keep driving. But that’s essentially what we’re doing when we experience long-term pain and simply mask it rather than getting to the root of it. Eventually our bodies will break down.

To avoid that possibility, we recommend coming in for a full workup and a DMX (Digital Motion X-Ray) to identify the cause of the pain, so we can either create a treatment plan or refer you to someone who can.

Dr. Matthew Phinney

The Chiropractic Doctors, PLLC 5747 28th ST SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-432-3103 bestgrandrapidschiropractor.com drmatthewphinney@gmail.com

8/12/21 3:44 PM

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look+feel KEEPING YOUR MIND AND BODY HEALTHY

EXPERT

Fall pickings page 30

» PLUS: BARISTA BAR MAKING GR HOME AN ARTIST'S SPACE

Apples come in so many different varieties, how do we know which are best for snacking, baking or making some delicious apple cider?

P H O T O G R A P H C O U R T E S Y I S T O C K / J O N AT H A N D O W N E Y GR M AG .CO M

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HOME

Wake up the coffee bar A well-designed coffee bar will help you enjoy your mornings.

BY DEIDRE REMTEMA, PRINCIPAL AND INTERIOR DESIGNER, DEIDRE INTERIORS

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Fall brings out our love for warm drinks, as iced coffees are traded in for a hot cup of java. Elevate your style at home with a coffee bar that has plenty of personality.

The sound of coffee being made, the smell of it wafting through the house, the warmth of coffee in our hands — all our senses are engaged at home with the daily ritual of making coffee. First thing in the morning or an early afternoon pick-me-up is an often-cherished part of the day, so why not create a coffee bar at home that makes a statement? Here are nine coffee bar details that will bring your morning cup of joe to a whole new level.

Drawer Design Plan your drawer storage with purpose. Behind stylish drawer fronts is storage that is designed to hold additional coffee cups, sugar and stir spoons. Make sure to measure the height of your favorite style cup, so the interior drawer height is a perfect fit.

Coffee cups available at Art of the Table, 606 Wealthy St. SE.

COFFEE BAR DEIDRE INTERIORS

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All About Accessories A few well-placed accessories bring color and interest to any drink station. Consider vintage accessories that speak to your personal style. Here we show items from Kathryn Chaplow Collect, shop the site for more accessory ideas. kathrynchaplowcollect.com

Wonderful Walls Wallpaper is back, and super fun. Bring joy into your home and mix things up with a pattern on your walls. We love the botanical print Lodi Garden by Brunschwig and Fils.

Coffee Cure What is a coffee bar without your favorite local grounds? Check out Sparrows Coffee High Five Blend for a light yet vibrant roast. drinksparrows.com

Greenery Fresh flowers add life to a coffee bar and a sense of welcome. Treat yourself to an artful arrangement from a local florist, such Ginko Floral Design. ginkostudiosgr@gmail.com

Cabinet Hardware

Splurge on Appliances A beverage refrigerator is helpful for storing creamer, milk and additional drinks for noncoffee drinking guests.

Panel it with a cabinet door front, and once it’s closed the contents are completely hidden.

PRODUCTS COURTESY DEIDRE INTERIORS

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Fantastic Faucet A bar sink and faucet next to the coffee machine is convenient and brings elevated functionality. Here, the Kohler Artifacts Gentleman’s bar faucet in modern brass is inspired by vintage spigots and classic soda fountains.

Available through Williams Studio, thewilliamsstudio.com.

Cabinet pulls are the jewelry of the home and can be accentuated or kept more subtle; either way, they make a statement. Here, the Empire Cabinet Pull by Rocky Mountain Hardware in the white bronze brushed finish lends a modern twist to a traditional style.

Available through US10B (616) 682-2792.

Countertops A great place to make a statement with countertops is at a drink bar. Calacatta Viola marble provides a lot of drama with rich off-white and cabernet veining.

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look + feel / expe t

EXPERT

A trip to the orchard

Learn which apple varieties make the tastiest dishes.

BY CHARLSIE DEWEY

While apple picking is a fun fall activity, for many of us, knowing what to do with our bounty after a day in the orchard is a whole other thing. Apples come in so many different varieties, how do we know which are best for snacking, baking or making some delicious apple cider?

Tom and Bonnie Moelker, owners of Moelker Orchards & Farm Market, 9265 Kenowa Ave. SW, agreed to share their top apple suggestions with us to ensure however you choose to enjoy a basket of apples this fall, you’ll have a yummy outcome.

The Moelkers grow 21 different varieties of apples in their orchard and suggest Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Cameo and Jonagold for snacking, noting, “all are crunchy and juicy and keep well.”

If you are ready to don an apron and try your hand at an apple pie, applesauce or another apple-filled treat, Northern Spy, Idared, Jonagold, Cortland or McIntosh are all worth your consideration.

“Deciding what apple to use for baking/ sauce also depends on how much you like your apple to cook down,” said Bonnie Moelker. “Smooth or chunky applesauce?

Pies that have slices in them or cook down more?” She suggests combining two varieties as a great way “to enhance flavor,” too.

Finally, if you want to really invest some time, brewing your own apple cider can be a rewarding activity. You’ll want to stick with Gala, Jonagold, Golden Delicious or Jonathon for the best results. Moelker suggests combining three to four apple varieties for “complex and wonderful tasting cider,” noting, “[you] need tart and sweet flavors to make it delicious.”

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The Moelkers grow 21 different varieties of apples in their orchard and suggest Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Cameo and Jonagold for snacking, noting, “all are crunchy and juicy and keep well.”

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Apples do have a long life if you store them properly, too, so make sure to keep them in cold storage and keep them away from carrots, which can make them soften faster (who knew?).

At Moelker Orchards you can enjoy an afternoon of apple picking throughout the fall. “We offer u-pick apples from mid-September to mid-October,” Moelker said. “We have seven varieties available for u-pick, which are ready at different times during our u-pick season (Gala, McIntosh, Empire, Jonagold, Idared, Fuji and Honeycrisp). See our u-pick schedule on our website.”

The orchard also offers a u-pick pumpkin patch in October, wagon rides (including a scavenger hunt) and story time as part of its fall festivities.

If you don’t want to spend the time plucking your own apples, you can visit the onsite farm market for apples, pears, apple cider, jarred goods, locally made cheeses, maple syrup, candles and honey, and the Old Bell Bakery for fresh donuts, muffins, cookies, fudge, frozen fruit pies, fruit crisps and apple dumplings.

The Moelkers are expecting a good apple season this year, saying that “aside from frost damage to early varieties, the crop looks to be good.”

Moelker Orchards is open August Christmas. Visit moelkerorchards.com.

A bountiful gift Moelker Orchards & Farm Market makes custom gift baskets during the holidays that are great for business and personal gift-giving needs. And you can have apples shipped to friends and family.

“We have an online store where people can order many items offered in our store,” Bonnie Moelker said.

The orchard also makes doughnuts for special events, including weddings.

ORCHARD, APPLES ISTOCK/JONATHANDOWNEY

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Grand Rapids Magazine Daily 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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8/13/21 9:29 AM

look + feel / expe ience

EXPERIENCE

The king of hospitality Reflections on ‘Night Mayor’ George Aquino by his goddaughter.

BY SAMANTHA SUAREZ

// PHOTOS BY BRYAN ESLER

George Aquino and Samantha Suarez chat inside MDRD, located in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.

D

espite his status as a public figure in Grand Rapids’ food and beverage scene, my tito, (Tagalog for “uncle”) George Aquino, did not expect to enter a career in hospitality.

Believe it or not, he received his undergraduate degree in writing at the University of Iowa. Out of a need for cash, he applied to be a server at a fine dining restaurant called Le Ciel Bleu at the Mayfair Regent Hotel in Chicago.

“To my disappointment, they told me I wasn’t qualified because I don’t have fine dining experience or enough knowledge of French cuisine,” he said. “They offered me a job as a busboy. All my friends from Manila [Philippines] were getting top jobs, working at the stock market or attending graduate school — and I was wearing a tuxedo that made me look like a penguin while curling butter and polishing glasses. The GR M AG .CO M

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challenge really drove me to excel.”

Within three months, he went from busboy to server. Nine months later, he was running the restaurant as maître d'. Within five years after the initial busboy position, he became director of food and beverage for the entire hotel.

Today, he is vice president and managing director of AHC+Hospitality based in Grand Rapids, overseeing development and both domestic and international property relations. He was even informally knighted by Mayor Rosalynn Bliss as the “Night Mayor” of Grand Rapids due to his influence in growing the city’s night scene.

Following his footsteps Growing up in the Philippines, I would only see Tito George once a year at best.

He emigrated to the United States in 1980, over a decade before I was born. He always made time to see me and my family each time he visited Manila because he was an old friend of my parents as well as my godfather. Although I was fond of him and 34

"I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d move to Grand Rapids without ever having seen or heard of the city before."

Samantha Suarez

Aquino and Suarez considered him “my cool uncle,” next to reminisce while my more traditional parents, I never in my looking at photos of wildest dreams thought I’d move to Grand her wedding, which Aquino planned and Rapids without ever having seen or heard officiated. Above, they of the city before. share drinks at MDRD. I was born in Illinois while my dad was getting his MBA at Northwestern University. Tito George was present at my baptism as my godfather. My parents and infant me moved back to Manila as soon as my father graduated. With the privilege of a blue passport in my back pocket, emigrating back to the U.S. was always an option that lingered in the back of my mind. After graduating from college and feeling unfulfilled in Manila, I mentioned to Tito George on the phone one day that I wanted to move, asking for advice about emigrating to a more “obvious” city like New York, San Francisco, Seattle or Portland. That’s when he pitched Grand Rapids to me.

“Grand Rapids? What state is that in again? Michigan is in the Midwest, right?” He convinced me it was a good idea, that he would help me settle into my new life. I figured, “Why not?”

I could stay in Grand Rapids for a year and move to a bigger and better city after I gained some experience. Five years later, I’m still in West Michigan, now married with two dogs. I recently bought my first house and work for an organization that specifically aims to grow and develop downtown Grand Rapids.

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My Filipino Bourdain When I first moved, I had no idea Tito George was basically a local celebrity. I was very confused when the owners of restaurants would bring framed reviews he wrote for MLive to our table, thanking him profusely and giving us the best service I’d ever had.

On my first full day after landing, we drove to Saugatuck and had martinis and fried chicken at Phil’s Bar & Grille. One of the owners recognized him and practically went into tears thanking him for the review he wrote about them years back.

“I write honestly. If I didn’t like something, I would say it and give real feedback. Back then, reviews were only positive,” he told me. “I’m surrounded by the top chefs in the city every day for work. I travel a lot and eat out more than anyone else. I think that gave me credibility in the eyes of locals.”

Through his years writing for MLive, Tito George made a conscious effort to highlight restaurants that were not previously recognized by local mainstream media — specifically “ethnic” or “exotic” joints outside the highly visible downtown or the franchise-filled 28th Street.

“Not too long ago, you would never see white people at Pho Soc Trang, Taqueria San Jose or Seoul Market Cafe,” said Tito George.

“Today, that’s not the case. I’d like to think I contributed to that in a small way. If a critic at the largest newspaper in town writes a good review, people take it seriously even if it’s for a restaurant that was previously in their peripheral vision.”

Before Tito George, I had never seen a buttoned-up white male executive suck up to a middle-aged Southeast Asian man wearing a tracksuit. For that reason and many others, Tito George is my idol.

Filipino hospitality at its finest I won’t lie, when Tito George first took me out for dinner and drinks when I moved, I wanted to cry. I wasn’t expecting Grand Rapids to have so few people out and about after 9 p.m. on a Friday — with even fewer nonwhite folks in sight compared to other U.S. cities I’ve visited in the past.

Looking back, I wish I could assure my younger self that I was right to trust Tito George. When I first moved, he housed me rentfree. He co-signed the lease at my first studio apartment because I didn’t have steady income or any credit history. He helped me get my state ID and open a bank account. Last year, he even planned and officiated my wedding. He also may have spoon-fed me dinner and bottle-fed me water after a night of heavy drinking.

All my life, I’ve never experienced such humility and hospitality from a person that is also so respected in a community. While Filipino hospitality is famous for being warm and welcoming to outsiders, Tito George practices it to the highest degree and adds his own special flair to it that is clearly infectious even outside our motherland.

From facilitating the creation of MDRD’s smoked salmon with bread and truffle oil appetizer that explodes in your mouth (inspired by a dish from a restaurant called “Tomatito” in Manila) to writing a glowing review for an underappreciated restaurant and, of course, guiding a young adult through grownup life in a new country, Tito George’s hospitality is absolutely inspiring and I hope to make him proud one day by showing that same hospitality to the people in my life.

"Tito George’s hospitality is absolutely inspiring and I hope to make him proud one day by showing that same hospitality to the people in my life."

Samantha Suarez

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Thank you to our employees for making Northpointe one of West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to work for.

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7/23/21 3:02 PM

WELLNESS

Bullying behaviors As kids return to the classroom, help them face bullying.

BY ANN BYLE

// ILLUSTRATIONS BY JAMES HEIMER

“Why do you have that weird stuff in your lunch?”

“You’re too slow for my team.”

Group text: “Jane looks so fat in that dress.”

“I need that report tomorrow, so you’ll stay and finish it tonight.”

Bullying, once thought of as simply playground hijinks, goes far beyond just taunts and shoving. As anyone who has been bullied knows, the effects can last a lifetime.

Bosses, colleagues, hyper moms, spouses, significant others, parents and children can use bullying behavior to get what they want. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Education define bullying as having three core elements: GR M AG .CO M

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unwanted aggressive behavior, power imbalance and repetitive bullying behaviors (stopbullying.gov/resources/facts). Their research also says that about 20% of students ages 12-18 experienced bullying and, nationwide, 19% of students in grades 9-12 experienced being bullied on school property. Of those ages 12-18 who reported bullying, 15% were bullied online or in texts.

Tom Thelen, CEO of Reset Schools, experienced bullying as a child. “I was short, had allergies, had asthma and wasn’t an athlete,” he said. He now consults with and has spoken at more than 800 schools across North America on the topic of bullying.

Thelen, who lived in Grand Rapids before a recent move to Florida, admits to being appalled by CDC numbers that say bullying peaks around sixth grade, with bullied kids saying it happens three or four times a month.

“Those are shocking numbers,” he said, adding that cyberbullying makes up 10% to 13% of bullying, a number still below that of physical, verbal and social bullying. He also says that number doesn’t decline as kids get older.

"Students definitely talk more and have more dialog about their feelings.

We are helping students put names to those feelings, and they are more likely to seek help when in distress."

Jamal Fisher

“You can be cyberbullied from halfway around the world. It’s easier to get away with, but also it’s easier for the device to be tracked,” he said. “I encourage kids to report cyberbullying. Take a screen shot and report it. If it becomes violent or sexual, report it to the police.”

Jamal Fisher, director of behavioral health and social emotional learning at Grand Rapids Public Schools, speaks about the mental health aspects of bullying.

“Bullying itself is not a mental health issue, but bullying can be the result of a mental health issue,” he said. “I like to start 38

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Put an end to bullying Tom Thelen, founder of Reset Schools and author of “VictimProof: The Student’s Guide to End Bullying” and “Mental Health 101 for Teens: The Practical Guide to Mental Health, Self-Esteem, & Emotional Intelligence,” suggests several prevention strategies.

Also check out his website at tomthelen.com.

1. Model self-control.

“The less reactive we are as adults, the more our kids will learn they too can stay under control when getting free from physical bullying,” said Thelen.

2. Help children learn to walk away, to not let bullies see a reaction and then report to parents and educators. They can follow up to make sure the bullying is snuffed out.

3. Learn (and teach) resilience. An object can be moved out of shape yet bounce back to its original shape. So also, with children. “When children remember who they are, they can choose to be less reactive, which takes the fun out of it for the person looking for a reaction,” said Thelen.

4. Encourage children and teachers not to be bystanders, instead stepping in to help stop bullying. “About 90% of students say they wish teachers would step in when they see or hear bullying,” said Thelen.

“The more proactive they are, the sooner they can spot bullying going on.”

TOM THELEN COURTESY TOM THELEN

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with the idea that hurt people hurt people.”

He says bullying happens at all ages and grades, with younger children not having the same level of assertiveness as older children. Bullying isn’t as sophisticated, more a form of teasing. Adults step in “if one student is always getting picked on or teased, or a group in particular is doing the teasing.”

Middle school, said Fisher, is the most difficult time for bullying, in part, because children are going through so many biological changes. There can be huge disparities physically, with some students looking elementary age and some like high schoolers.

“In high school, bullying is more sophisticated, with not so much physical aggression as middle school. It’s a lot more talk, starting rumors and through social media,” said Fisher. “It’s more covert and teachers might be a lot less likely to know about it.”

School should be a safe place, with teachers and staff going out of their way to acknowledge and correct bullying behaviors. “But we don’t own their phones and can’t control Facebook and Instagram.

We can control and say no to devices, but is that always appropriate?” Fisher asked.

“Phones are used for internet access and for Zoom calls with teachers, as well as phones can be related to safety issues.”

GRPS, and other school districts across the area, are looking for solutions. One is to help kids understand bullying so they can easily identify when it’s happening to them or others. Children are also encouraged to find a trusted adult to report bullying, as well as to get away from the bullies by finding an adult or finding other children who don’t act that way.

“I believe nationally and locally we have a lot of good things going on, including the Be Nice initiative in our area. We also have a lot more open communication, with people having more candid conversations about mental health and their feelings,” said Fisher. “Students definitely talk more and have more dialog about their feelings.

We are helping students put names to those feelings, and they are more likely to seek help when in distress.

“Prevention is key,” said Fisher, pointing to the website stopbullying.gov as a key resource. “We are helping kids understand bullying, but also specifically educating parents on bullying.”

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look + feel / style "My style is completely eclectic. It’s rock’n’roll meets circus clown meets Victorian ruffles and bustles … all covered in glitter."

Bux Dhyne

Bux in their studio with their most recent work.

STYLE

Sensational style On stage or on the street, Bux’s style turns heads.

BY CHARLSIE DEWEY

// PHOTO BY ASHLEY WIERENGA

Grand Rapids artist and drag performer Bux Dhyne (they/them) announced earlier this year plans to open the city’s first LGBTQ dry bar and nightclub.

“My aim is to create a space for LGBTQIA+ youth, and people from the sober community (queer or allies). It’s my intention to create a full nightclub feel, just without the booze,” Bux said.

Bux said they have always been an “odd duck” and that it is nice to have reached a point in life “where I can embrace it and not be ridiculed for my unique fashion or ideas.”

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Bux said, adding, “I have mental health issues that often hold me back, but when I’m all here and on, I feel unstoppable.”

Here, Bux talks about their inspiration, fashion favorites and more.

Tell us a bit about your personal style. My style is completely eclectic. It’s rock’n’roll meets circus clown meets Victorian ruffles and bustles … all covered in glitter. I’m a big fan of bold stripes, high contrast colors, layered textures, with theatrical flair. I like to do bold, unexpected looks when I’m going out. To be completely honest, my home wardrobe is a pretty common 40-year-old’s, leggings and T-shirts, because, also, comfort — LOL.

How does your personal style differ from your drag style? It’s 100% the same. Drag just lets me wear some of my crazy looks in public without the side eye — well, at least when I’m in the environment it’s meant for.

It’s still weird to pump gas in full drag.

When did you first get interested in drag?

I have been interested in drag for as long as I can remember. My favorite movie when I was little was “Victor, Victoria.” I always loved anything that had to do with cross-dressing.

Dr. Frankenfurter changed my life when I was about 12 and saw “Rocky Horror Picture Show” for the first time. About four years ago, I saw my first AFAB (assigned female at birth) drag queen and that was it, I started working on the courage to do it myself, and I’ve been at it for about three-and-a-half years.

Where do you draw inspiration for your style? Everything around me. I’m an artist and naturally seem to take in visuals like a sponge.

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The city is poised for a resurgence of art.

A new day for art in GR

By Pasha Shipp photography by michelle cuppy

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here’s no doubt the COVID19 pandemic put a strain on just about everything.

Beloved restaurants and shops closed their doors and social spaces sat vacant for months. Times were tough, but even so, art persisted in Grand Rapids.

The tenacity of the arts community radiated through the bitter cold

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Opposite: A work by artist Holly Bechiri.

Bechiri, above, is involved in creating a centralized arts council in Grand Rapids.

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during the World of Winter Festival and battled the heat as artists gathered to paint in celebration of Black stories for the #WindowsGR project.

Things are starting to feel familiar again, but the lessons learned about equity, accessibility, support and the value of community will not soon be forgotten.

It’s a new day for the arts in Grand Rapids, and the future looks bright.

Art as solace

Undeterred by the incredible challenges the COVID-19 pandemic imposed on the city, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) was able to continuously support public art projects and activate outdoor spaces around downtown.

“Even during the COVID pandemic, DGRI was able to fund over 350-plus public art installations in 2020 to 2021 to date,” said Kimberly Van Driel, director of public space management at DGRI. “Public art was one of the very limited things citizens could get out and enjoy within our community safely, and it sure did bring people together. We had over 400,000 attendees come to see the World of Winter art installations alone. This was a huge economic benefit to our city and a giant uplift to our community during a difficult and desolate time.”

As COVID-19 (hopefully) approaches the rear view and a sense of normalcy returns, people can expect to find a whole host of new art projects and initiatives to welcome them back to the city.

“A lot has changed in our city within the last year that has helped push the needle on a lot of positive movements,” Van Driel said. “We are now allowed to have social zones, walk down the street with an approved alcoholic beverage, ride scooters and so much more.

“With new outdoor seating and beverage zones, our team, along with Lions & Rabbits among local artists, is able to create more public art, working with businesses and property owners to host murals on outdoor seating barriers. This is just one of the many positive outcomes of the pandemic,” she continued. “I believe there will be a lot of positive outcomes from a negative situation that will continue to have a long-lasting effect on our community.”

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Kimberly Van Driel, director of public space management at DGRI, said World of Winter drew more than 400,000 visitors.

Supporting artists where they are

The Division Avenue Arts Collective (DAAC) strives to support creatives of all ages in a safe, substance-free environment. Alison Christensen, one of the core committee members at the DAAC, is passionate about imparting her knowledge to budding artists and cultivating a space where they can explore their craft.

“I want other artists that are just starting out to have a space (where) they feel that they can express themselves freely,” Christensen said. “We’re there to support them and help them with selling their work and promoting their work. We’re there to make sure that their experience of exhibiting their work is positive and successful, and I really want to be able to take all the skills from just life experiences and my degrees and apply them back to that through my volunteerism.”

The community art space had to step back from hosting artists and musicians when the pandemic hit West Michigan. But now, Christensen is eager to get people thinking about supporting artists and engaging in the arts community again.

“My goal moving forward with the art exhibits at DAAC, and why we’re having these emerging artists, is having people from the community get used to buying works of art again. Because it’ll be

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an affordable space for people to be able to do that and just get people back in the mindset of living with real art, meeting the artists, learning about their story and learning about why they created the work,” she said. “There’s so many great discussions that happen during an art opening, and a lot of it ends up just turning into a chance for networking for other local artists or patrons. Moving forward, I really hope that we can get back to that part of being together in a space for the arts.”

Equity and social change

Until recently, Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts was a nonprofit organization using event revenue to sustain its mission of creating equitable opportunities for artists. Hannah Berry, the executive director of Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts, is thrilled to see art initiatives grow and thrive under this new organizational structure.

“We’ve been doing everything out of the event staff and it’s going to be helpful that we’re a supported organization instead of just funded through what our events bring in,” she said. “That is probably the most exciting thing — people can now donate to Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts. I am thankful for an incredibly intense, young team of entrepreneurs and artists. Some are contractors, some are employees, and I’m just super excited to see us all banding together as artists, as women, as people within Grand Rapids, and really starting to intentionally figure out the way that we see ourselves as leaders and how we can all be on the same playing field.”

Part of the mission at Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts is to elevate artists, but it also supports economic and social change at a community level. Berry is passionate about the work and wants to see people get compensated fairly.

“As an organization, we believe in supporting artists as individuals and being able to make sure that they are properly funded and have the right resources to get their ideas out,” she said. “I think it’s really important to hone in on what artists and people organizing artists from all levels in the community are receiving for wages. I think starting to look at art as an economic driver is what’s going to be able to bring our city forward.”

DAAC’s Alison Christensen is passionate about imparting her knowledge to budding artists and cultivating a space where they can explore their craft.

As for the future, Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts, among other arts organizations in Grand Rapids, is collaborating with the Arts Working Group (a collective of arts and culture organizations in Grand Rapids) to see what concrete diversity, equity and inclusion efforts could look like.

“I’m hoping to see the arts community come together a little bit deeper,” Berry said. “I think there’s still a lot of foundational needs. The Arts Working Group is working together to figure out what diversity, equity and inclusion looks like for us as organizations. That doesn’t stop at us as organizations, it means how are we affecting the people within our organizations, and how is that transpiring into the community?” Berry continued. “I think that in and of itself is a process which a lot of people might not understand how big of a commitment the organizations are making at this point.”

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Artists can communicate emotions and ideas in new and interesting ways through their art. If the arts council becomes a reality, Bechiri hopes that creative expression won’t suffer as a result.

“Artists often do things, because someone needs to, that may not be approved of by a municipality,” she said. “There may be some messaging that they’re asked to tone down. Art forms that the art world itself understands the value and purpose of may not be understood by municipal staff, and I would hate to see the innovation and the voice of artists be managed more than it needs to be because it is under a municipality direction instead of an independent organization. Now, I don’t know that that would happen in Grand Rapids, but knowing Grand Rapids, I think it’s a valid question to ask.”

Renewal and rebirth

Considering an arts council

The Grand Rapids arts community is served by many different organizations that have their own strategies for funding art projects and supporting the artists who create them. But now, arts organizations and leaders in the community are entertaining the idea of putting together an arts council — a centralized entity designed to streamline and organize the distribution of resources for the arts.

An arts council could transform the community, and local artist Holly Bechiri is hoping artists would be at the heart of the council’s mission.

“The institutions are there to highlight individuals, but if the individuals aren’t getting the support to create their best work, then you’re not really supporting the arts fully,” Bechiri said. “You’re supporting institutions, which is great, but not complete. Art institutions have connections to grants and other financial support, but not individual artists. If you really want to support the arts in the community, you have to support the individuals, not just the institutions.”

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Hannah Berry, executive director of Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts, has formed a team of young artists and entrepreneurs to elevate art as an economic driver.

After closing its doors for most of 2020 and part of 2021 as a result of the pandemic, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA) is emerging from quarantine anew. The UICA now lives in the Woodbridge N. Ferris building at 17 Pearl. What’s more, the art institution is now offering free admission into its galleries.

Miranda Krajniak, UICA’s executive director, is excited to put forward the new, more approachable membership structure.

“We believe the future is accessibility,” she said. “We are very excited to start to strip away the barriers of financial accessibility from the UICA. The move, the smaller space and the reduced overhead have allowed us to have that free entry. We are moving forward with a bold model that we think is the way forward — and that is free membership,” she continued. “If you want to be a member, you sign up on our website, you become a member, and then all of the attributes, all the benefits of membership are there for you.”

With the free model in place, Krajniak is eager to see more visitors from larger swaths of the community but recognizes there is still work to be done to make the space feel more inclusive.

“Just because we’ve made these moves doesn’t mean that everyone in the community will automatically feel welcome, so there’s still a lot more steps for us to be the most accessible museum we can be,” she said. “This covers financial accessibility, but there’s many more versions of accessibility that we need to tackle as well. Now we’re really going to focus on how we connect with communities to really take the story to them.”

Just a stone’s throw away from the UICA’s former location, the historic Woodbridge N. Ferris building has much to offer, including ample outdoor and green space that the UICA has plans for.

“This building has been the art museum for many, many years and then was the Fed Gallery, but in both iterations, the outdoor spaces were really not considered, I believe, a gallery,” Krajniak said. “The art museum had a few sculptures, and The Fed did a good job during ArtPrize of having large-scale things, but we would like to activate the outdoors year-round to give a little life to the space and to give a little joy — it’s a very whimsical, bright, eye-catching installation and I’m really excited about that.”

Whether it’s on Pearl or Fulton, the UICA will do what it’s always done — showcase the work of contemporary artists from different disciplines and walks of life — but Krajniak hopes the new location will afford the community more opportunities than the old one did.

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Miranda Krajniak, UICA executive director, is excited to show off the organization’s new space.

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Artist Jasmine Bruce spent much of quarantine reflecting and slowing down in an effort to channel her thoughts and feelings into her work.

“Herman Miller has been especially generous to us and has supplied us with some wonderful furniture,” she said. “We’ll have plants, there’ll be life, there’ll be a little living room set up. When you come into our space, you can come and you can work here, you can read a book here, you can meet people and you can lounge in the space, you can do homework. We really want to see it as an extension of a living room space for Grand Rapids.”

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A time for healing

For local artist Jasmine Bruce, 2020 was a year of difficult conversations and moments of deep introspection. In addition to facing the hardships of COVID19, Bruce helped organize #WindowsGR — a community art project that elevated Black voices and stories through the activation of boarded windows downtown.

Since then, Bruce has only continued to

advocate for artists of color as one of the executive directors of Element 7, an arts collective designed to champion social equity in the arts community.

“Speaking for myself as an artist of color, I’m not sure if this is true for everyone, but I don’t want to have to morph and conform myself to a system that doesn’t work with or wasn’t built for me, to lift me up,” Bruce said. “With the work I’ve been doing lately, it’s just creating new platforms for artists of color where we can create our own seat at the table on our own stage and really just look at ourselves in that way. I think that if people could just take the time and honor us giving ourselves that space, that would be great.”

Between supporting the #WindowsGR project and getting Element 7 off the ground, Bruce used the long months of isolation as an opportunity to turn inward and channel her thoughts and feelings into her work.

“For me, quarantine was a lot of time with reflection and slowing down and going internal and just processing whatever I was feeling through that and being able to put that into my artwork and using that as a sort of therapy,” she said.

“I think coming back out into the world as things begin to open up again, I would like to share those things I’ve learned throughout the whole process.”

There’s still a way to go before the community has healed from this devastating shared experience, but Bruce senses a feeling of restoration as people flock to their communities for the social engagement they’ve been missing.

“I think there’s this tone of healing and a call for healing within the community and also just celebration for being able to have community and have those gettogethers and be able to dance together and sing together,” she said. “Those are things that are all super healing and that were just taken away from us for the past year and a half. I think there’s a lot of things that people have learned during that time of solitude to now open up and kind of be vulnerable again.”

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ON THE LAKESHORE If you love food and travel, you don’t have to go far to give your tastebuds a treat in Michigan. The lakeshore communities of Holland, Muskegon, Saugatuck and Grand Haven offer plenty of culinary adventures, especially during the fall months. So, pack your car for a long weekend and hit the road.

Feeling adventurous?

Try the gator bites from Saugatuck’s Fish Camp.

By Charlsie Dewey and Holly Bihlman Photography by Stacy Feyer-Salo

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Taverna Rossa features such offerings as spinach pie, left, and patatas bravas, center.

Head to Saugatuck/Douglas for a weekend getaway. By Charlsie Dewey

T

he neighboring Saugatuck and Douglas communities have long had the reputation as an artists’ oasis, but they are also building a name for themselves in the culinary arena. This fall, pack the car for a weekend of art gazing and menu grazing.

While visiting Saugatuck, plan a visit to chef Chris Perkey’s new restaurants Taverna Rossa and Saugatuck Fish Camp.

Perkey is the owner of Osteria Rossa in Grand Rapids and the former owner of the now defunct restaurants Iron and Firehouse Grill. He said he has always loved Saugatuck.

“I’ve wanted to do something in Saugatuck for

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years,” he said.

One thing he particularly enjoys about Saugatuck is its Chicago connections.

“It’s got a big Chicago influence, a lot of Chicagoans are here,” he said. Perkey grew up in Chicago and got his start at a handful of restaurants in the Windy City, including Wolf Gang Puck’s Spago and Tony Mantuano’s Spiaggia and Tuttaosto.

With Taverna Rossa, Perkey wanted to do something like Osteria Rossa, which is an Italian focused restaurant, but not an exact replica, so he broadened his menu to include a wider array of Mediterranean food. “It still has a lot of Osteria Rossa as

far as the food, but we also have some Spanish, Greek and French influence in the food as well. I was very excited to do this.”

The restaurant has a fine dining vibe in a modern rustic setting.

With Fish Camp, Perkey took inspiration from the Florida panhandle. “Fish camps are very popular around Sarasota up through Pensacola along the panhandle,” he said.

As you’d expect, the restaurant’s menu revolves around seafood with fried oyster and shrimp baskets, calamari, shrimp and grits, grouper and salmon among its offerings. There also is a smoker, so if you’re a land lover, you’ll find smoked

brisket, smoked pork shoulder, smoked chicken and more on the menu.

Fish Camp relies on its large outdoor space to create a lively atmosphere with a tiki bar and a stage for live music ensuring that fun will be had here. “It’s a fun Florida vibe,” Perkey said.

With two new restaurants vying for diners, Perkey said he is seeing each establishment develop its own crowd. Taverna Rossa tends to attract locals and those who make Saugatuck home for at least a portion of the year — many of them retirees, while Fish Camp is pulling in a lot of tourists looking to have a good time.

Perkey plans to keep Taverna Rossa open year-

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Three eateries you won’t want to miss.

If you are looking for a bar that serves excellent food, look no further than Phil’s.

This place is a beloved hot spot in Saugatuck and fills up quickly on weekends.

For food you can take to the beach, make a stop at Farmhouse Deli. This place takes salads and sandwiches to the next level and is stocked with sweet and salty treats you can easily enjoy while soaking up the sun.

If you enjoy bowling, Alley’s Diner is a must. This throwback diner has an eightlane bowling alley. It’s a great spot to visit with the kids or a larger group. Enjoy dinner in the dining room and then head into the bowling area to try your hand at a strike.

round, but he might close Fish Camp for a portion of the winter. “We will be open through December and then decide from there,” he said.

Perkey is not the first former Chicagoan to come to Saugatuck. In 2019, chef and former “Chopped” winner Melissa Corey opened Pennyroyal Café & Provisions along Bluestar Highway. The restaurant is situated on 2 acres surrounded by woods and offers a large outdoor dining space as well as indoor seating.

Pennyroyal is a farm-totable favorite in Saugatuck and has quickly gained a reputation for its tasty dishes. The dinner menu is small and seasonal, but it still manages to offer everything from a grassfed burger to walleye. It’s also open for breakfast and lunch, and it has a wellstocked pastry case for on-the-go snacks.

Corey is joined by pastry chef Bryan Kemp, who keeps the pastry case well-stocked, and Ryan Beck, farmer and garden designer, who ensures a vegetable-forward menu.

Both men also formerly spent time in Chicago before coming to Saugatuck.

It’s hard to talk about Saugatuck dining without mentioning another local favorite, The Southerner.

Opened in 2015 and located on the bank of the Kalamazoo River, The Southerner pays homage to Appalachia with its menu of southern staples like fried chicken and mac and cheese.

Chef Matthew Millar co-owns this location and serves as its head chef. The Southerner’s long wait times are a clear indication that this place is a favorite in the community. You’ll want to get there before you’re starving, to get your name on the waitlist.

Left: Land lovers will appreciate Fish Camp’s smoked brisket.

Above: Taverna Rossa’s popular beet salad.

Below: Art lends a cozy vibe to Taverna Rossa’s interior.

Art coast Neighboring communities Saugatuck and Douglas offer visitors dozens of galleries to peruse during their visits. One of the best times to check out this plethora of galleries is during the annual Fall Gallery Stroll. Going on 40 years, the two-day event includes an opportunity to talk with the artists, watch live demos and enjoy live music — and, of course, to leave with a new piece of art to add to your home.

This year’s Fall Gallery Stroll takes place Oct. 9 GR M AG .CO M

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Muskegon’s culinary masterminds come together to celebrate local cooking.

By Holly Bihlman

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n the pleasant little city of Muskegon, right off Michigan’s scenic U.S. Highway 31, a steadily developing food scene has been sneaking onto tourists’ maps for the past decade, and it all comes together every year during an event called the Taste of Muskegon.

Restaurants from downtown, food trucks and even a few food joints on the outskirts of the city have appeared every summer for the past 16 years at the event, with more and more chefs joining each year. However, for the first time ever, due to lost time during COVID-19, the popular event will be held in September, giving attendees a chance to try all the best that Muskegon’s chefs have to offer in the flavorful months of fall.

Taste of Muskegon will be held in Hackley Park, at 350 W. Webster Ave., over the weekend of Sept. 24 and 25, featuring as many food vendors as the park can fit, including favorites like Bone Ends, Hamburger Mikey and Fatty Lumpkins.

A few new distilleries in town also will be making an appearance like the Tequila Cantina, which will be offering cocktail flights, and Wonderland Distilling, 54

Top: Visitors can expect a slew of new menu items.

Above: Fatty Lumpkins parks its food truck at Hackley Park.

as well as some familiar names like Burl & Sprig and 18th Amendment. Live music from The Rock Show and Simply Queen will provide the soundtrack for the event, and on top of all the great food and drinks offered, tasting flights and cooking competitions will fill the time between bites.

“For those who are adventurous foodies, there’s plenty of things to tantalize your taste buds,” said Lisa Kraus, marketing director for Taste of Muskegon. “We are able to really showcase some incredibly inventive food.”

Rusty Morningstar, head chef at Bone Ends, has won a total of six awards at Taste of Muskegon events since his first appearance in 2014, when he won Best Dish.

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“Winning just one award boosted our sales and got our name out to new customers, and that is true every single year,” said Morningstar.

The event has become something that chefs work toward for months in advance, customers and tourists clear their schedules to attend, and the people of Muskegon come together to celebrate their community. The best part about the event is that every vendor featured is a local business, and it often includes collaborative menu items with as many ingredients as possible sourced from farmers markets. The event creates an entirely local display of Muskegon’s best culinary expertise. The

fall menus are expected to pull out all the stops with maple syrups, pumpkin spices and squashes of every shape and color.

“Every year at the Taste, I come up with new menu items and work for months to ‘wow’ my potential customers there,” said Morningstar. “This year we tried out four items — three of them were huge hits: brussels sprouts grilled cheese, Jamaican jerk tacos and PB&JJ burger, which already won Best Burger and New Dish in 2019.”

Each unique menu item offers something for the most daring foodies out there, as well as some of the best takes on classics from a variety of culinary styles.

“We’re seeing a lot of PHOTOS COURTESY OF TASTE OF MUSKEGON

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Activities to pair while in town All Aboard For an even more relaxing start to your weekend away, Rootdown Yoga will take you through classes for all levels of expertise on the deck of a World War II ship called the USS LST 393. With the sunrise above the water during early morning classes or the afternoon sun warming up the deck of the ship, Rootdown Yoga is an inviting experience for tourists.

Single drop-ins cost $15 and the classes last between 60 and 75 minutes. What better way to start a day of eating than with a little relaxation and stretching?

Race to the Food Line Ride United is a company that hosts bike races in Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana in support of all kinds of foundations and fundraisers. Bike for a cause on Saturday, Sept. 25 for six, 25, 50 or 100 miles if you’re feeling up for a real challenge. The six-mile ride follows the Lakeshore Recreational Trail, and the 100-mile ride goes all the way up to Oceana and back, with all races ending in complementary food tickets for the Taste of Muskegon event. The bikers will begin at Hackley Park and rejoin the festivities upon completion of their ride, all while helping the community.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TASTE OF MUSKEGON

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Taste of Muskegon will feature as many food vendors as can fit in Hackley Park, where can enjoy everything from grilled meats to made-from scratch meals.

diversity in our food,” said Kraus. “We’ve recently had a couple soul food restaurants growing in popularity — the two that are really out there, they have more females, more minorities running restaurants.”

LaKisha Harris’ Soul Filled Eatery specializes in turkey knuckles, which is one of the favorite dishes among Muskegon locals.

With all different kinds of culinary backgrounds influencing food styles, Muskegon has become a place for newer chefs to get their start in the

restaurant industry. Several startup locations offer rentable kitchens for people looking to experiment with culinary creations, keep a space available for their own businesses and even take the first steps in opening new restaurants.

The Western Market allows people to shop the chalets of unique foods like Rolling Stone’s fantastic woodfire pizza. Kitchen 242 is another “incubator for great ideas” as Kraus puts it, attracting newly graduated chefs from the Culinary Institute

of Michigan right in Muskegon, and chefs from all over who are looking for an up-and-coming city to grow their businesses.

Although the event showcases a unique spread of all that the city has to offer for a weekend, Taste of Muskegon has become more of a movement for the community, celebrating foods of diverse culinary backgrounds and ideas all year round.

“It’s a little bit of a secret, but we’re willing to share it with the rest of Michigan,” said Kraus.

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Winkel Chestnut Farms in Grand Haven offers visitors an unusual u-pick experience that’s perfect for the fall season.

W

Head to the orchard this fall for a unique u-pick experience. By Charlsie Dewey

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hile summer might be the prime season for u-pick produce, one Grand Haven farm offers a unique u-pick experience in the fall: chestnuts. Winkel Chestnut Farms, at 10788 Garfield St., offers visitors the opportunity to scavenge for chestnuts between the end of September and first two weeks of October.

“You pick the chestnuts off the ground — there is no climbing trees or anything,” said Leslie Winkel. “The burrs on the trees open up and the nuts fall to the ground — it’s like an Easter egg hunt. It’s a great outing for young families with kids.”

Winkel said while the common way to eat chestnuts is roasted — just like it says in the song, “chestnuts roasting on an open fire,” — they also can be boiled and added to veggie, rice or soup dishes, or ground into chestnut flour and used that way.

“What we have found is people who come out to the farm are split into three groups: Europeans, Asians and Americans,” Winkel explained. “Americans really haven’t grown up with chestnuts and don’t really know what to do with them, but European and Asian people, that’s part of their mainstay for centuries. They will boil or cook them typically.”

When cooked, chestnuts have a consistency like baked squash or a baked potato.

“The Europeans dry them and grind them into flour and use them in baked goods — and they are gluten free,” Winkel said. “Cooking them with vegetables or rice dishes is the most common way

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or boiling them and eating them as a dessert basically.”

If you do want to eat roasted chestnuts, she said make sure to make a slit in the side of each chestnut, so they don’t explode as they cook. “There is a lot of moisture, and they will explode if you don’t do that.”

For many people, chestnuts are a holiday tradition, so proper storage is key. Winkel said chestnuts do need to be refrigerated to ensure they will make it to the November/ December holiday season.

Dick Winkel said while recent generations of West Michiganders are less familiar with

the chestnut, the tree actually has a history in the Grand Haven and Spring Lake region dating back to the early 1900s.

“When Europeans started building a population in the Grand Haven and Spring Lake area, quite a few people brought American chestnut trees along,” he said. Unfortunately, the chestnut trees were later taken out by a disease that spread across the country.

Dick said chestnuts only started to garner Michigan farmers’ attention again in the last 30 years. He decided to plant his first acre of chestnuts back in 1990 and many of his first trees ended

up dying. Today, he has about 4 acres of trees planted across a total of 10 acres.

“In the state of Michigan, I think chestnuts are a crop that will fit in for a long time,” he said.

The Winkels are one of only a handful of farms in the state that offer a u-pick chestnut experience. Most of the other chestnut farms belong to a cooperative that produces and sells them commercially.

So, for a unique experience head out to the Winkel Chestnut Farm and pick a couple of pounds of chestnuts then try your hand at a new recipe with this delicious nut.

Dick and Leslie Winkel, below, planted their first chestnut trees in 1990. At left, Dick Winkel points out the burrs on the trees.

Roasted chestnuts Roasting chestnuts is a sensory experience that can be easily done in the kitchen with or without an open flame.

RECIPE BY LISA ROSE

Ingredients and materials Sharp paring knife Iron skillet 1-pound chestnuts Melted butter for dipping Cinnamon and sugar to taste Instructions Score a slit with a sharp knife in the bottom of each chestnut hull to allow the moisture to escape (thus eliminating exploding chestnuts).

Add scored chestnuts to a hot iron skillet then roast over medium heat until browned.

Once roasted, remove the skillet from heat and add the chestnuts to a plate to cool.

Once cool to the touch, peel chestnuts from their shell and then enjoy warm as a finger food and snack.

They have a very neutral, buttery flavor, making them an especially easy food for children to both prepare and appreciate.

For an extra treat, have warm butter nearby with a cinnamon and sugar dusting spice to top the delectable chestnuts.

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Poquito and Obstacle 1 are additions to Holland’s downtown restaurant scene within the last five years.

Recent restaurant additions make Holland a fun place for foodies.

By Charlsie Dewey

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hen you think of Holland, chances are “foodie destination” does not come to mind. While Holland has always had its share of independent restaurants, they all tend to stick to the familiar American menu with a brewpub or family diner vibe, but a few recent restaurant openings are starting to change the palate and the ambiance of the Holland restaurant scene.

One man leading that transformation is restaurateur Lucas Grill.

Grill opened his first restaurant, Public, in the neighboring community of Zeeland in 2012, followed

by Seventy-Six in Holland in 2017. Then at the end of 2019, he added restaurant

Poquito and cocktail lounge Obstacle 1 to his Holland restaurant portfolio.

With all four of his offerings, Grill said he is going for a big city vibe and a unique menu that cannot be found within 50 miles of his establishments.

Grill said when opening Public in 2012, he included items like avocado rolls and angels on horseback [a take on the traditional English dish, Devils on Horseback, which are bacon wrapped dates]. “I looked at every single menu within 50 miles and not one menu had a date on it, and I put them on the menu as one of our signature dishes Angels on Horseback … long story short, you see dates

everywhere now,” he said.

With Poquito and Obstacle 1, Grill wants to push Holland even further out of its comfort zone.

He explained Poquito is a tapas-style restaurant with a menu dedicated to Spanish-speaking countries.

He noted diners will find everything from tacos to paella to chimichurri and ceviche on the menu.

“I lived in Spain for a period of time. I love Spanish food. I love what it’s about. My first restaurant I worked in in Chicago was [the now closed] National 27, it was a Latin restaurant.

Next door to Poquito, Grill created Obstacle 1, an upscale cocktail lounge, the likes of which would more likely be found in a city like New York or Chicago rather than downtown Holland.

“One of the things I loved about big cities is highend cocktail boutiques,” he said, calling The Aviary in Chicago and Death &

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Left: Obstacle 1 Alley of Miracle cocktail and the intriguing bar interior (above).

Co. in New York two of his favorites. So, Grill set out to create that experience in West Michigan.

“It is a transformative atmosphere. I spent a tremendous amount of money on the interior design because I want people to walk in and say, ‘holy cow, this place is spectacular.’ It is so swanky and moody and dark and all the right lighting in the right spots. It has this masculine almost library, cigar-esque room to it.”

Grill said these newest offerings were created with the millennial generation in mind. He noted while great food and great service remain steadfast indicators of a terrific restaurant, a

great experience is equally important to younger generations of diners, many of whom are eager to post their night out on social media.

“I’m a millennial, if I’m going to make this an experience, which is what millennials are looking for, how can I make this not just a cocktail?” he asked.

Grill said to accomplish this, at Obstacle 1, patrons will find a multisensory experience. “The cocktails have a fire element, where it’s visual, or a smoked element, where you can smell it, or multiple textures or temperatures in the cocktail where you can taste it, or you can see something being done. We want to

have enough cocktails on the menu that have a showmanship-type ‘wow’ factor to them. Where when you are getting your drinks, you are watching a show in front of you,” he said, noting Poquito also has a showmanship-quality to it thanks to its tapas-style.

And with Hope College nearby, he knows there is a young crowd eager for this type of offering in Holland.

But is the greater Holland community ready for a big city vibe? Grill said he sees it as an “if you build it, they will come” scenario.

“I do think Holland is changing. Since I moved here in 2012, Holland and Zeeland have grown tremendously. It’s not the

Top left: Poquito’s signature Paellade Mariscos.

Middle: Poquito chef Lucas Grill Right, above: Poquito tablescape featuring Mariscos, sangria and Con Tomate.

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For a laidback vibe try Taco+Bar Butch TerHaar is a longtime restaurateur in Holland, having owned and operated Butch’s Dry Dock since 1995.

In September 2020, he braved the pandemic and opened Taco + Bar in the community.

“Taco + Bar is a playful contrast to Butch’s Dry Dock.

Taco + Bar is fun, high energy and definitely casual,” TerHaar said. “Its size lends to a certain intimacy and energy, and its outdoor patio connects it to the street and the community. Its menu features tacos inspired by traditional flavors and mainly agave-based spirits and cocktails like margaritas and palomas.”

TerHaar also operates Ondergrond Speakeasy out of the same space as Taco + Bar. The bar offers wine and craft cocktails.

For those looking for a deeper experience, TerHaar offers Culinary Wine Tours. “We started offering Culinary Wine Tours in 2006, which we have grown to seven different trips with four tours that are tentatively planned for this year,” he said. “Our current tour locations are Burgundy, Porto and The Douro Valley, Tuscany, Catalonia, Piedmont, Provence and Bordeaux.”

Of the tours, he said, “It really comes down to bringing people something they can’t get someplace else. It’s about the full experience and bringing the wines back from the familyowned vineyards in France and Italy and telling their stories to our customers.”

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Holland it was eight years ago. I feel like they’re really starting to get more worldly, more cultured, and see that there’s such a broad, diverse world out there and it is fun to see these different restaurants and businesses and things the town and city are doing, festivals and stuff, that make what I think is one of America’s best small towns even better. Holland really is a special place … it’s got so much to offer, and more and more people are finding that

out every year.”

Grill said he is eager to see other restaurants open that are interested in trying new things and bringing new food experiences to Holland — and he is hoping to add a couple more restaurants to his portfolio in the coming years as well. And with the Holland farmers market and the Summer Street Performers series, Grill said Holland is on its way to becoming a dining destination worth making a road trip for.

Poquito also features a well-stocked bar area.

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B R E A K FAS T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 6 BUSINESS BANKING ........ 67 BUSINESS LENDING ........ 68 CANNABIS ................... 69 CBD ........................... 70 CHIROPRACTIC CARE ...... 71 C O L L A B O R AT I V E D I V O R C E A N D F A M I LY L A W . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT .............. 73 C O S M E T I C D E N T I S T R Y . . . . . 74 D E R M AT O L O G Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 5 FINANCIAL AND ADVISORY SERVICES ..................... 76 FINE JEWELRY ............... 77 FITNESS ...................... 78 INSURANCE .................. 79 K I T C H E N A N D B AT H DESIGN ....................... 80

M A L P R AC T I C E L AW . . . . . . . . . 8 1 M I C H I GA N S O F T WA R E LABS .......................... 82 M I C H I GA N AU TO L AW . . . . . 8 3 PERSONAL TRAINING ......84 PHASE I CANCER RESEARCH ...................85 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT .............. 86 R E A L E S TAT E A N D Y O U . . . . 8 7 R E A L E S TAT E I N V E S T M E N T AND DEVELOPMENT ........ 88 RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ... 89 RETIREMENT PLANNING ...90 RESIDENTIAL REAL E S TAT E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 1 SECURITY .................... 92 TA L E N T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3 W E A LT H M A N A G E M E N T . . . 9 4

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACE OF

BREAKFAST

JOSH BECKETT - ANNA’S HOUSE 2812 BELTLINE AVE. NE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49525 | 616-551-0434

When Josh Beckett turned 30, he was diagnosed with diabetes, and that sparked a brand-new perspective on food and exercise.

By opening Anna’s House, Beckett has been able to provide fresh, organic, high-quality dishes to his friends and family. In 2013, that approach won Anna’s recognition as the No. 1 Best Breakfast in Michigan, solidifying Beckett’s belief that everyone deserves an extraordinary breakfast.

Eight years and eight locations later, Anna’s — with its beautiful,

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’50s-inspired décor — is a staple across Michigan. Still family owned, Beckett and his team work seven days a week to bring breakfast and lunch to the mitten. The dietary- inclusive atmosphere at Anna’s, which includes extensive options for vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian guests, makes everyone feel comfortable the moment they arrive. Now, with the exciting addition of organic eggs, Beckett is one step closer to achieving his mission: Saving the world from an ordinary breakfast!

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

BUSINESS BANKING

UNITED BANK

900 EAST PARIS AVENUE SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI | 616-559-7000 | UNITEDBANK4U.COM

Being a local bank is more than just locations, it’s about caring for the business community. United Bank has done just that for more than 130 years, and it continues to be a trusted business banking partner throughout West Michigan.

“It’s been rewarding to support the growth and success of so many clients,” says Lisa Banas, Senior Vice President Retail Administration.

“We have an exceptionally talented team that’s dedicated to serving the diverse needs of our communities.”

United Bank is committed to creating solutions to the challenges

you face every day, offering a comprehensive suite of business products and treasury management services that simplify your banking. Start experiencing the difference of banking United.

Member FDIC. Pictured in the photo, above: (Seated, L-R) Robin Beckwith, Lisa Banas, Nolan Rauser, Lindsey Younglove, Melodie Niemczyk, Nicolette Happie. (Standing, L-R) Rebecca Leckta, John Knoppers, Terri Prince, Randi Claybaugh, Laree Waanders, Tammy Karas, Ashley Melder, Alex Caceres, Jack Verville.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

BUSINESS LENDING

UNITED BANK

900 EAST PARIS AVENUE SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI | 616-559-7000 | UNITEDBANK4U.COM

Focused on local economic development, United Bank is an advocate for the diverse needs of a thriving business community. They understand the unique challenges West Michigan businesses face, and offer real solutions to help you succeed.

“After working at United for more than 35 years, building relationships is what I value most. Getting to know my clients’ businesses, finding solutions, and celebrating their success is what I love,” says Doris Drain, Senior Vice President Commercial Lending.

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United Bank’s business lending team serves a variety of needs including business lines of credit, commercial real estate, equipment loans, and more. With flexible terms, competitive rates, local decision-makers, and a quick approval process, they’re dedicated to making West Michigan the best it can be. Member FDIC. Pictured in the photo, above: (Seated, L-R) Jason Smith, Brian Klaver, Joe Crittendon. (Standing, L-R) Sue Rankin, Paul Kramer, Tim Tyler, Doris Drain, Brian Kelly, Andy Bassford.

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CANNABIS

LEVELS, GRAND HAVEN 1021 JACKSON ST., GRAND HAVEN, MI 49417 | ENJOYLEVELS.COM

Jamie Cooper and Rebecca Neil are no strangers to the West Michigan cannabis scene. Cooper is the Michigan Market Director and Director of Industry and Community Development for Sensi Magazine, a cannabis lifestyle magazine. Neil is the owner of Paradigm Wellness, a Grand Haven-based health and wellness center that offers holistic approaches to health and cannabis consulting.

In 2015, three years before Proposition 1 legalized adult-use cannabis in Michigan, the two women hosted monthly networking

meetups for women business professionals interested in learning more about starting a business in the cannabis industry. In 2017, Cooper and Neil were selected to pitch their cannabis dispensary project in the Michigan Women’s Foundation Annual Dolphin Tank Pitch competition. Although they weren’t selected, the project helped propel their concept into action. Earlier this year, their cannabis provisioning center was approved by the City of Grand Haven and is projected to open in early 2022.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACE OF

CBD

JANET TOMBRE – THE GRASSY KNOLL 1407 ROBINSON RD., GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49506 | 616-419-3364 | OHGRASSYKNOLL.COM

It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost five years since Janet Tombre started The Grassy Knoll! The business opened in 2017, when no one knew what CBD was all about. Today, CBD is a common household name.

Last year, COVID-19 resulted in trying times for many businesses.

The Grassy Knoll was thankfully able to survive, although many other small businesses did not. The Grassy Knoll has its own brand of

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tinctures for pain and sleep, salves, dog drops, and dog treats. It’s a proud member of the Eastown community, and Tombre and her team thank the community for its continued love and support.

The Grassy Knoll proudly continues its support of local charities such as the West Michigan Humane Society and the Bissell Pet Foundation. It is excited to be opening a retail facility in Muskegon in September 2021.

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THE FACE OF

CHIROPRACTIC CARE

DR. MATTHEW S. PHINNEY – THE CHIROPRACTIC DOCTORS, PLLC 5747 28TH ST. SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 | 616-432-3103 | BESTGRANDRAPIDSCHIROPRACTOR.COM

Dr. Matthew S. Phinney happened on a career in health care while he was training and playing rugby with the Canadian National team.

During a rugby tour to New Zealand, he injured two discs in his neck during a match. The damage was so severe, he was ruled out of any competition by team doctors and was told that his career as a rugby player was essentially over.

The limited ability of conventional medicine to understand and treat his injury left a strong impression on him. It wasn’t until he returned to his home in Victoria, BC, that a chiropractor was able to help him restore function in his body and get him back into competition. That’s when Dr. Phinney decided to pursue a career in health care.

Having trained and competed as a professional rugby player at bothnational and international levels, Dr. Phinney is familiar with what’s

required in terms of eating better, moving better, and thinking better in order to perform consistently at the highest level. He has taken his experience and training as an elite-level athlete and applied those principles to the corporate and occupational athletes he works with.

Dr. Phinney has committed himself to lifelong learning. As such, he continues to read, attend seminars, and pursue clinical excellence by keeping up with any information that might be helpful to his patients and give them that winning edge when it comes to their health and their life. Dr. Phinney is dedicated to helping any and all individuals, businesses, organizations, and community groups that want to experience improved health, vitality, productivity, and performance.

His genuine concern for others drives his pursuit of excellence in his work as well as in his service to the community.

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THE FACE OF

COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW

KUIPER KRAEMER, PC

180 MONROE AVE., STE. 400, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503 | 616-454-3700 | QUIST@K2LEGAL.COM

Courtney Quist, Thomas Kuiper, and Jason Siffert are the family law team at Kuiper Kraemer, PC. Together they successfully balance resolution-oriented advocacy with vigorous and strong representation.

Quist, Kuiper, and Siffert believe divorce doesn’t have to be a war, and litigation isn’t always the answer. In fact, they say family law cases and issues can and should be resolved out of court if at all

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possible. Resolution-oriented advocacy preserves family ties as well as marital assets.

If litigation is necessary, however, the team at Kuiper Kraemer will zealously represent their client. Their combined experience of 60 years in litigation enables them to easily transition from negotiation to litigation.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

FIRST COMPANIES, INC.

4380 BROCKTON DR SE # 1, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49512 | 616-698-5000 | FIRSTCOMPANIES.COM

Construction at First Companies is led by an experienced team including Craig Schroeder (right), who provides direction and mentorship, Kyle Siegert (left), who’s focused on efficient operations and use of technology, and Chris Smith (center), who manages field operations and ensures the safety of everyone at all the company’s job sites. The collective knowledge of this team, and the entire construction department, ensure clients receive high-quality spaces that serve them well for years to come.

The construction team is dedicated to its mission to serve others.

They specialize in building or remodeling industrial/manufacturing and medical facilities, office and retail space, and mixed-use projects such as Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids.

For more than 50 years, First Companies has provided businesses with real estate, construction, and property management services to meet all their physical space needs. First Companies has a well-earned reputation for honest communication, meeting commitments, and delivering excellence.

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THE FACE OF

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

BETSY BAKEMAN, D.D.S. – BAKEMAN ADVANCED DENTISTRY 2757 LEONARD ST. NE, STE. 100, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49525 | 616-940-0481 | BETSYBAKEMANDDS.COM

Dr. Betsy Bakeman is the Face of Cosmetic Dentistry in West Michigan and beyond. The photographs of beautiful smiles that adorn the walls of her office tell the story: Dr. Bakeman is a master in the art and science of cosmetic dentistry.

The first Michigan dentist to achieve the distinction of accredited fellow in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Bakeman is honored and humbled each time a patient places his or her trust in her hands. She takes on this responsibility with

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personal involvement and profound attention to detail.

Dr. Bakeman has assembled a team of highly skilled staff members, outstanding specialists, and exceptional ceramists who work together to provide world-class results. Whether treatment involves correcting the shape and color of the teeth, or more involved management with crowns, bridges, or implants, the goal is always to create a beautiful and highly natural, comfortable, and functional result.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACE OF

DERMATOLOGY

DR. KRISTI HAWLEY, FAAD – THE DERM INSTITUTE OF WEST MICHIGAN 1661 CRYSTAL SPRINGS BLVD., CALEDONIA, MI 49316 | 616-326-0114 | DERMINSTITUTEOFWMI.COM

Leading dermatologist Dr. Kristi Hawley realized there was a need in West Michigan for a comfortable, comprehensive space that not only offered top-notch care for various medical, cosmetic, and surgical needs, but also utilized cutting-edge advances in treatments. This is what drove her to build The Derm Institute of West Michigan.

When asked what sets The Derm Institute of West Michigan apart, Dr. Hawley responds: “We operate under the belief that the best

and most effective treatments come from creating treatment plans alongside our patients, so that we’re crafting solutions that work with their lifestyle.”

That philosophy is what continues to make Dr. Hawley the Face of Dermatology in West Michigan. If your skin is important to you, schedule a consultation and check out all Dr. Hawley and her team have to offer.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

FINANCIAL AND ADVISORY SERVICES

REHMANN

2330 E. PARIS AVE. SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 | 616-975-4100 | REHMANN.COM

Rehmann is a fully integrated financial services and business advisory firm. The team believes they’re better at helping clients because they take a collaborative, personalized approach and build a customized cohort of specialists to help each client achieve their objectives.

Rehmann focuses on the business of business, allowing people to focus on what makes them extraordinary.

The firm started as a CPA firm 80 years ago. Today it’s a multifaceted advisory firm that helps businesses and high-net-worth families maximize their potential. Clients who work with Rehmann 25

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want the firm to be more than a vendor. They want collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

During these changing economic times, as we all experience a business-not-as-usual landscape, the Rehmann team is helping clients adjust, adapt, focus, plan, and take the long view in achieving personal and professional goals. They help empower clients so they can pursue their purpose.

Pictured left to right: John Pridnia, CPA, CGMA; Chip Hoebeke, CPA, CIRA; Lisa Pohl, JD; Ronald Knipping, CFP; and Erik Schumacher, CPA.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

FINE JEWELRY

DEVRIES JEWELERS

411 LEONARD ST NW GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49504 | 616-454-6892 | WWW.DEVRIESJEWELERS.COM

The team at DeVries Jewelers believes it’s a privilege to serve this community, and their commitment to West Michigan is stronger now that it has ever been.

Founded in 1901, and offering a purposeful array of jewelry brands, styles, materials, and price points for every occasion, DeVries Jewelers is still going strong more than four generations later. They have endured by striving to earn the confidence of customers by exceeding their expectations with quality merchandise, unsurpassed

personal service, and a knowledgeable staff. Their large selection of custom engagement rings by renowned designers and their fine Swiss timepieces are second to none.

When it’s time to celebrate life’s special moments and you want service you can trust, choose DeVries.

DeVries Jewelers is located just west of U.S. 131 on the north side of Leonard Avenue, next to Brann’s restaurant. Convenient parking is available behind the store.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

FITNESS

MVP SPORTS CLUBS 4085 BURTON ST. SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 | 800-517-7712 | MVPSPORTSCLUBS.COM

As West Michigan’s health and fitness leader, MVP Sports Clubs has provided premier facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, industryleading programming, cutting-edge technology, world-class service, and strong community outreach to the region since 2005.

Operating seven facilities within the market, including five full-service athletic clubs and two boutique fitness spaces, MVP offers a unique experience for all your fitness needs. With flexible

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memberships including month-to-month, no-contract options, and insurance-sponsored memberships such as Silver Sneakers, MVP is committed to providing the most innovative solutions to support those who are working to live their best healthy life.

Locations include MVP Sportsplex, MVP Metro Club, and MVP Athletic Club in Grand Rapids; MVP Athletic Club in Holland and Rockford; 4G Athletic in Jenison; and Well-Fit by MVP in Grand Rapids.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

INSURANCE

LIGHTHOUSE, AN ALERA GROUP COMPANY 56 GRANDVILLE AVE. SW, STE. 300, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503 | 800-344-3531 | LIGHTHOUSEGROUP.COM

Lighthouse, An Alera Group Company, is a full-service insurance agency offering comprehensive solutions in personal protection, commercial insurance, and employee benefits. As an Alera Group Company, the Lighthouse team delivers local, relationship-focused service backed

by Alera’s national pool of industry-leading resources.

“Our personal and collaborative approach to insurance is why our clients stay with us,” says Tom Helmstetter, Managing Partner of Lighthouse. “With over 100 years of history in West Michigan, we’ve built

our relationships and expertise around our region’s key industries: construction, manufacturing, transportation, and hospitality. Meanwhile, our ability to collaborate and innovate with our partners across the country ensures our clients are receiving the best possible insurance solutions.”

With in-house risk management and legal teams, advanced costcontainment strategies, claims support, and extensive financial reporting packages, Lighthouse, An Alera Group Company, delivers West Michigan’s premier insurance services.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN

TRUKITCHENS

6744 CASCADE RD. SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 | 616-957-1969 | TRUKITCHENS.COM

Established in 2007, TruKitchens is a boutique kitchen and bath dealership specializing in custom kitchens, bathrooms, home remodeling, outdoor kitchens, and custom closets. They service clients across the entire state of Michigan and have completed projects throughout the U.S. TruKitchens’ design process allows them to work successfully with clients, builders, and interior designers to ensure projects are completed on time and on budget. Their top-of-the-line products and extensive industry knowledge translate into a depth of resources and 34

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custom solutions for any project.

The TruKitchens team is a unique blend of dreamers and kitchen design professionals. They’re passionate about excellence in design, understanding that the marriage of beauty and functionality equates to the highest-quality final product. With a full spectrum of design expertise, commitment to a seamless process, and a talented team of designers and installers, they’re certain that if you can dream it, TruKitchens can do it.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACE OF

MALPRACTICE LAW

RICHARD K. GROVER JR.— GROVER LEWIS JOHNSON GRAND RAPIDS 616-257-3900 | TROY 248-509-7063| GROVERLEWISJOHNSON.COM

Richard K Grover Jr. has watched his firm grow tremendously over the years; today, it’s home to some of the best litigation lawyers in Michigan and is a leader in corporate law, insurance law, and medical malpractice law. U.S. News & World Report has selected the firm as one of the best law firms in the nation.

Grover has also been the recipient of numerous individual awards.

One of those is the AV Preeminent Rating, bestowed by the world’s most

trusted legal resource, Martindale-Hubbell. The AV Preeminent Rating is the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards.

Grover was also one of the youngest lawyers to be selected as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates which is limited to one-half of 1 percent of all lawyers in the state.

Grover says he enjoys litigation but, most of all, he enjoys managing and mentoring some of the best lawyers, paralegals, and staff in the state.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

MICHIGAN SOFTWARE LABS

JOSH HULST AND MARK JOHNSON

7471 RIVER ST., ADA, MI 49301 | 616-594-0269 | MICHIGANLABS.COM

As managing partners and co-founders at Michigan Software Labs, Josh Hulst and Mark Johnson are key members of the leadership team, with expertise in designing and developing custom software, and oversight of client projects. For more than 11 years, Michigan Software Labs has served clients by developing custom mobile, web, and Internet of Things software for clients ranging from locally owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

With a thriving team culture, the company has received both the Inc. Best Places to Work Award and 100 Best Workplaces by 21

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Fortune magazine. It was recently named one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies.

Whether you have a custom software project or need advice for growing your business using software, Michigan Software Labs can help. The company has specialized teams for software development, software UX design, and project management, and while it continues to expand nationwide, it remains committed to serving the local community.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACE OF

MICHIGAN AUTO LAW

BRANDON HEWITT – ATTORNEY, COO

212 GRANDVILLE AVE., GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503 | 616-333-0606 | MICHIGANAUTOLAW.COM | HELP@MICHIGANAUTOLAW.COM

Brandon Hewitt, who was born and raised in Grand Rapids, embodies the West Michigan spirit of personal responsibility and caring for others. As he and the personal injury lawyers at Michigan Auto Law help seriously injured auto accident victims rebuild their lives and recover the compensation and No-Fault benefits they are legally entitled to, his goal is to educate and advocate. “When a traumatic event like a serious auto crash occurs, most people are overwhelmed and scared to call an

attorney,” Brandon says. “We want to replace confusion and fear with confidence and hope.” Grand Rapids Magazine named Brandon to its list of “Top Lawyers.” Michigan Super Lawyers® says he is among the top 5% of Michigan attorneys. Brandon is also in The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Brandon’s philosophy is simple: “Bring us your questions and we’ll find the answers.”

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

PERSONAL TRAINING

THE EXERCISE COACH GRAND RAPIDS — MARY FRANCES CLINE AND TOM SHRADER 820 FOREST HILL AVE. SE, STE. A, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 | 616-600-4572 | EXERCISECOACH.COM

The Exercise Coach is a safe, effective, efficient, full-body strength training studio for people of all ages and fitness levels.

The heart of the studio is the Exerbotics machines. The equipment is data-driven and uses artificial intelligence to respond to your strengths and weaknesses. They provide constant feedback during the entire range of motion; as a result, the machines are very efficient.

Additionally, Exerbotics are designed on hydraulics, creating a safe and joint-friendly workout. Clients receive one-on-one coaching, so

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everything is individualized to help meet your specific goals.

All workouts are designed to be done twice a week, to fit into busy schedules and still leave room for everything else you love to do — whether it’s golfing, tennis, hiking, biking, or boating. The Exercise Coach has clients as young as 15 and as old as 83.

To experience this workout for yourself, visit exercisecoach.com to sign up for two free sessions.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

PHASE I CANCER RESEARCH.

CANCER & HEMATOLOGY CENTERS OF WEST MICHIGAN/START MIDWEST 5800 FOREMOST DR. SE, STE. 300, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 | 616-389-1712

Since its inception in 1979, Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan (CHCWM) has striven to provide advanced, compassionate care to patients battling cancer. That’s why, in 2016, they partnered with START’s global network of Phase I clinical research sites to create START Midwest.

START Midwest, located in Grand Rapids’ Cascade Township, offers CHCWM patients first-ever access to experimental treatments and therapies. Since opening, START’s team of 30 research professionals has served nearly 800 patients and participated in 95

Phase I clinical trials. Doctors Nehal Lakhani, Manish Sharma, and Sreenivasa Chandana lead the charge, giving West Michigan cancer patients hope right in their backyard.

“Clinical trials should be considered at every step along the way in terms of cancer treatment, because there’s always room for improvement,” Dr. Lakhani says.

Improvements in cancer treatment are being made every day in Grand Rapids, thanks to START Midwest.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

ROCKFORD PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

601 FIRST ST. NW, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49504 | 616-285-6933 | ROCKFORDPROPERTYMANAGEMENT.COM

Rockford Property Management’s work is guided by years of experience and analytics gathered across thousands of projects spanning real estate development, construction and property management. This expansive data has helped Rockford fully understand how these three aspects of business work together, giving team members the knowledge needed to provide an unparalleled experience for residents, tenants, and clients.

The company’s holistic worldview of the entire property life cycle

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creates a synergy between team members and clients, allowing Rockford to fulfill its commitment to providing world-class service year-round as it simultaneously seeks new opportunities. It also enables the property management team to recognize the importance of every detail, from the design of a floor plan to the importance of tenants and residents not simply working at or living in a building, but fully engaging with their space and community.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACE OF

REAL ESTATE AND YOU

ARG REALTY – GAYLE HARVEY

22827 MICHIGAN AVE., DEARBORN, MI 48124 | 616-477-3563 | GAYLEHARVEYHOMES.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/GAYLEHARVEYHOMES

Gayle Harvey, with more than 20 years of experience in real estate, specializes in residential and commercial properties as well as corporate relocation.

“People are the importance of all real estate,” she says. “Buying and/ or selling your property is an emotional process, and it’s important to work with someone you trust who has a proven track record.”

Harvey has been the recipient of many sales and excellence awards presented by numerous real estate companies and title agencies.

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She’s also recognized as a Real Estate All-Star (Michigan agents with sales in the top 5 percent).

If you’re seeking a new home, condo, car wash, restaurant, entertainment facility, or other property, Harvey can take care of you.

“I believe in creating positive relationships; it’s key when getting things done,” she says. “At the end of the day, I’m thankful God has blessed me with the ability to do what I love.”

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACE OF

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

RYAN LEESTMA – LEESTMA MANAGEMENT 616-633-6020 | LEESTMAMANAGEMENT.COM

Ryan Leestma spent the first 15 years of his career building one of the largest IT companies in West Michigan and received numerous awards, including West Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year.

In 2015 he formed Leestma Management and began purchasing commercial investment properties, eventually becoming one of West Michigan’s largest commercial landlords. In 2018, he formed Adelaide Energy and deployed more than 1.25 million watts of solar on Leestma Management’s properties, making it the most sustainable

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commercial landlord in West Michigan.

Leestma organized one of the very few West Michigan-based Qualified Opportunity Zone Investment Funds in early 2020, and purchased 30 acres of Muskegon Lake waterfront. Known as Adelaide Pointe, it’s a $175 million marine community development project with plans to build the largest marina on Muskegon Lake, as well as 300 condos, 200 in/out slips, 450,000 square feet of vehicle storage, a restaurant, event center, and three public parks.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

SCOTT CHRISTOPHER HOMES

620 THREE MILE RD NW, STE. A, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49544 | 616-784-4500 | SCOTTCHRISTOPHERHOMES.COM

Having a father and grandfather who were builders, Scott Christopher was no stranger to a construction site. After graduating with a degree in construction management and starting his career as a carpenter, Christopher soon recognized there was opportunity for a builder who could take quality and customer service to the next level.

In 1982, Christopher opened Scott Christopher Homes; since then, SCH has grown to include a team of 30 people. With full-time project managers, carpenters, an in-house civil engineer, estimators, and

support staff, plus a full-time custom cabinet shop, SCH can take on projects of every scope and scale.

SCH has experience in historical renovations, contemporary new builds, sports barns, urban infill projects, and everything in between. They use creativity and innovation to produce unparalleled building solutions. SCH relishes challenges that push them to be better craftspeople in their trade, and they never settle for what’s been done before.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACE OF

RETIREMENT PLANNING

MITCH LYONS – MITCH LYONS WEALTH

8080 MYERS LAKE AVE. NE, ROCKFORD, MI 49341 | 866-857-8335 | MITCHLYONSWEALTH.COM

Mitch Lyons began his retirement planning career after suffering a career-ending injury in 1999 as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Faced with how quickly life can change, he’s molded a financial career helping people protect against the physical and financial calamities that can affect their retirement years. Lyons focuses exclusively on helping people nearing, or already in, retirement maximize their retirement income and/or protect their wealth.

He recently authored a book, “Retirement of Steel,” which explains

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how to avoid the three most destructive forces for a retiree: stock market risk, taxes, and paying unnecessary investment fees. In the book, Lyons discusses the strategies that allow his clients to protect and grow their wealth without any market risk — often free of taxes.

He’s also an executive producer on a documentary premiering this fall called “The Baby Boomer Dilemma.”

Visit mitchlyonswealth.com to order a free copy of “Retirement of Steel.”

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACE OF

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

JOHN POSTMA – RE/MAX OF GRAND RAPIDS

4362 CASCADE RD. SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 | 616-975-5623 | JOHNPOSTMA.COM

John Postma developed a hard work ethic from a young age, paying his way through school by working on a hog and dairy farm. In college, he was challenged by a professor to find a career that played to his strengths and motivated him.

For Postma, that was real estate. Early on, he learned the importance of being honest, professional, efficient, and attentive to details. Today, Postma constantly evaluates where his energy and time are focused. He says he quickly learned that you must take

control of your business, or it will control you and your personal life.

Entering his 43rd year in real estate, Postma has been the recipient of numerous awards. Last year, he exceeded $1 billion in personal sales — thanks to hard work, persistence, and never losing sight of the big picture.

Postma also enjoys giving back to the community, and serves on many nonprofit boards.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACES OF

SECURITY

DK SECURITY

5160 FALCON VIEW AVE SE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49512 | 616-656-0123 | DKSECURITY.COM

DK Security was founded in 1995 by two highly credentialed leaders in federal law enforcement: Bob DuHadway and John Kendall. Since its founding, it has grown to include more than 2,000 employees. DK is the largest locally owned security company in Michigan and among the top 50 security companies in the United States.

“We’re proud to call West Michigan our home, and we’re honored to have so many long-standing partnerships within the West Michigan business community,” says DK’s recently appointed CEO, Sindia Narber.

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Grand Rapids-based DK Security provides unarmed and armed security officers, event security, investigations, executive protection, audits, training, background screening, fingerprinting, and loss prevention, and has an anonymous tip line. The company has branch offices in Lansing, Flint, and Detroit. Woman-owned and woman-led, DK Security proudly follows a philosophy of “hospitality security” backed by responsive management and a commitment to the highest standards of client service .

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACE OF

TALENT

ASHLEY WARD – HIRE FOR HOPE 49 MONROE CENTER ST. NW, STE. 200, GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503 | 616.881.3309 | HIREFORHOPE.COM

Ashley Ward, the founder of Hire For Hope, and her team help companies develop a people strategy that aligns with their business strategy and design winning teams to take their clients to the next level. The firm, a recruiting and talent consulting agency, transforms the way companies identify and optimize their employees using an evidence-based selection model. Ward attributes her company’s 98-percent candidate retention rate for executive searches to that model.

The “Hope” in Hire For Hope, founded in 2017, represents the firm’s mission-driven business model, in which 10 percent of its profit is donated to community partners that help women who are experiencing domestic violence — a cause dear to Ward’s heart. Ward serves as a board member for the City of Grand Rapids’ Downtown Improvement District and was recently named to the 40 Under 40 and 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan lists by the Grand Rapids Business Journal.

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FACES OF WEST MICHIGAN 2021

THE FACE OF

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

CHARLES ZHANG, CFP, MBA, MSFS, CHFC, CLU 460 ADA DRIVE SE, STE. 200, ADA, MI 49301 | 616-235-5777 | ZHANGFINANCIAL.COM

Charles Zhang has confidently led his wealth management group, Zhang Financial, to the summit of the independent advisory world.

His impressive educational background includes an MBA from Northwestern University, Executive Education from both the Harvard Business School and Columbia University, an MA in economics, and an MS in financial services. In addition, Zhang holds prestigious designations in the financial industry, including a CFP® and a ChFC®.

Thanks to his combination of knowledge and expertise, as well as

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upholding the highest fiduciary standard, it’s not hard to see why Zhang has been widely recognized as one of the best advisers in the nation. Barron’s has named Zhang the No. 1 financial adviser in Michigan for a staggering nine consecutive years, while Forbes has named him one of the 10 best wealth advisers in the country — and he’s the highest-ranked fee-only adviser on the list.

See zhangfinancial.com/disclosure for full ranking criteria.

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

ON-THE-GO

Takeout tacos page 102

Even when you’re only in the mood for grab-and-go tacos, there still are plenty of choices. Above, Basalt’s the executive and chorizo con papas tacos.

» PLUS: A PERSONAL JOURNEY SIMPLE, COLORF UL SAL AD GO-TO PL ACE FOR GAMES

P H OTO G R A P H BY T E R I G E N OV E S E GR M AG .CO M

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Mojarra al mojo de ajo is one of many dishes inspired by Gricelda Mata's heritage.

A personal journey TABLE

Gricelda Mata introduces diners to the Mexico of her youth.

BY JAYE BEELER

// PHOTOS BY TERI GENOVESE

During the mid-day bustle at Lindo Mexico Restaurante, Gricelda Mata curates her finest show, intersecting art, cuisine, music and spirits — the lubricating kind and the wandering sort with deep Mayan and Aztec roots.

“I’m not telling a story,” said restaurateur Mata, who often pulls a hostess shift, while managing the intricacies of running a restaurant. “I’m welcoming you to my story, to my journey to the heart of Lindo Mexico that means ‘beautiful Mexico.’”

The business of feeding one and all is something Mata learned from her father Cristo 96

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food + drink / table

Gricelda Mata serving up a mango margarita and mojarra al mojo de ajo.

Campos and paternal grandmother Josefina Gallegos Garcia in Michoacán, Mexico, where they “made their living cooking food.”

“We arrived in the USA when I was in seventh grade. It was a great change for our whole family (because) we are from a very small town called Punta de Agua, by Apatzingán,” said Mata, CEO and president of both Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano and Lindo Mexico Gallery.

Mata and her brother, Chris Campos, who is Lindo Mexico’s head chef, took all that good comfort cooking they learned from their papa and shared it with West Michigan.

“My dad was simply the best cook. We didn’t wait for holidays to eat the special stuff. One day, he might say let’s make mole.

Tomorrow it might be tamales or carnitas,” said Mata, whose dad passed away last year.

“He loved it here.”

Lindo Mexico’s menu is inspired by Mata’s sun-dappled heritage. The whole tilapia is fried either in butter and fresh garlic (mojarra al mojo de ajo) or smothered with spicy chile red árbol sauce (mojarra a la diabla) until it collapses at the touch of a fork. It is served with a pile of Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, limes and tortillas.

“In Mexico, we used to go fishing and we would catch little tilapia, smaller than we serve here,” Mata said. “And fry up the whole thing — head, eyeballs, everything.”

The sopes (a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a fried masa base with savory toppings) is evidence of her brother’s

Lindo Mexico's sopes entree consists of three small corn cakes towering with your choice of meat, and topped with lettuce, sour cream, tomato and Mexican cheese.

"Everything is fresh, and it goes beyond food, our goal is to create a dining experience unlike any other."

Gricelda Mata

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food + drink / table

Art pieces commissioned or hand-selected by Gricelda Mata can be found throughout the restaurant.

Celebrating Mexico through art As you wait for your meal, have a little wander to see eye-catching murals of Mexican icons and pastimes, wooden tables fitted with Mexican tiles and bright banners of papel picado (punched paper) flags.

One mural, by Elton Monroy Duran, a Mexican visual artist from Hidalgo, Mexico, shows the stylized moves of a lucha libre bout, and another is of Mexico’s most famous comedian, the late Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno Reyes, known as Cantinflas.

A stunning painting by Erick Picardo, a Dominicanborn artist and Grand Rapids resident with a passion for Latino painting, mixed media, music and dance, is the kind of storytelling image that Mata commissioned or hand-selected to fill the restaurant.

Another wall displays a self-portrait of the international legend Frida Kahlo and a sweet painting of Gricelda Mata when she was a toddler. It’s adjoined by a painting of calla lilies that symbolize purity, holiness and faithfulness in Mexican folklore.

“I wanted to give you what you didn’t expect — the full-on color of Mexico that you see everywhere — not just in the food, but the bright and the happy in the houses, pottery, murals, art, textiles,” said Mata as she sweeps her arm around the restaurant. “[I] wanted to share our culture, who we are.”

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commitment to authenticity: three small homemade thick, round corn cakes towering with ground beef, chicken, steak or marinated pork, and topped with lettuce, sour cream, tomato and Mexican cheese.

The chiles rellenos are made with two plump poblano peppers roasted and then stuffed with cheese and deep-fried in egg batter. Afterwards, they’re slicked with sauce and presented on a white plate with Mexican rice, refried beans, sour cream and tortillas.

“Everything is fresh, and it goes beyond food, our goal is to create a dining experience unlike any other,” Mata said.

The interior of Lindo Mexico is reminiscent of a rambling mission-style villa with expansive spaces and tucked-away cubbyholes that provide an intimate dining experience. Lindo Mexico is decorated with art and religious and cultural icons that cover every nook and cranny.

Located at 1742 28th St. SW in Wyoming, this is Mata’s third iteration of her beloved Lindo Mexico, which got its start on Clyde Park Avenue in December 2000.

Lindo Mexico’s febrile atmosphere encourages a Jose Cuervo Silver Tequilainspired salute or two. Mata recommends the margarita de mango con chile with mango puree and tajin with a salt/tajin rim, or the margarita de tamarindo con chile of tamarind syrup and tajin with a tajin and salt rim.

“I love mangos and we had mango and tamarind trees in our backyard in Mexico, so these are special for me,” Mata said.

A while ago, Mata wanted to share her good fortune and reward her loyal customers with a bit of good cheer. She combined giving back and celebration by introducing Children’s Day (“Día del Niño”), which is celebrated on April 30 in Mexico.

Mata and her team organized fun games, music and favorite foods.

“In Mexico, Children’s Day is a day dedicated to children. We give away bikes, scooters, meals — all free. And that became our thing — we let people know who we are and about our culture so they can get to know us, our beliefs, our lives, what we celebrate,” Mata said.

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"We let people know who we are and about our culture so they can get to know us, our beliefs, our lives, what we celebrate.”

Gricelda Mata

Lindo Mexico's patio (above) is a great spot to enjoy a beverage with lunch or dinner. Mata's suggestions? Try the sopes (top left) alongside a margarita de mango con chile, michelada regular or paloma (clockwise from left).

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CREATE

Simple salad This colorful side will brighten your fall table.

BY CHARLSIE DEWEY

// PHOTO BY STACY FEYER-SALO

Though she is based in the Livonia area, chef and culinary instructor Daniela Abel served as an instructor for Grand Rapids nonprofit Our Community Table during the pandemic, teaching virtual cooking classes.

She shared her simple but delicious tabbouleh recipe, which is great for fall.

Tabbouleh (also spelled Tabouli) is a vegetarian Levantine salad made mostly of parsley. Variations include adding couscous, lettuce and different vegetables. Abel said the key to this salad is to “chop everything so fine, you can scoop it up with a spoon.”

Abel said tabbouleh is a wonderful recipe to make ahead of time. “I’m a full time (dog and chicken) mom, I work full time odd hours, and my husband is an anchor/journalist. I have no time to cook — ironic, isn't it? With something like tabbouleh, not only can you make it days ahead of time, it gets better with time because the lemon, oil and herbs have time to marinate and get happy together.”

Ingredients ½ cup fine bulgur (uncooked) ¼ cup lemon juice (2 lemons) ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt and pepper to taste ½ cup finely minced scallions (white and green parts) ½ cup fresh mint, finely chopped ½ cup curly parsley (1 bunch), finely chopped 1 small cucumber, small diced 2 cups cherry tomatoes, small diced

Directions Prepare the bulgur according to package instructions. In a medium size bowl add the scallions, mint, parsley, cucumber and cherry tomatoes together. Sprinkle salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon juice and cooked bulgur over the salad.

Mix well and taste for salt, pepper and lemon juice. Let stand at room temperature for 15-25 minutes before serving.

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food + drink / chee s

Whether you are looking for a quick game to pass the time or to kill a full afternoon, House Rules has the game for you.

CHEERS

Game on!

House Rules offers a new take on drinking games.

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN

// PHOTOS BY DAVID SPARKS

The bright yellow lettering on the door to House Rules reads “Play, Stay and Sip Away,” and that’s exactly what co-owners Brian Beaucher and Nathan Murray hope you’ll do when you visit the one and only game bar in town. Beaucher and Murray opened House Rules in December 2020, located across the street from the Downtown Market at 404 Ionia Ave. SW, and have been collecting more games for all their game-loving customers since.

Evolving from the original Craft Beer Cellar that Beaucher opened in 2016, the idea for House Rules took off after the location became known for its impromptu Magic nights [a card game that involves trading cards and competing in battles against other players to win tournaments] on Wednesday nights.

“I love it. I love games. And we were a de facto game bar beforehand anyway.

That’s what people came here to do, every Wednesday night there were 30 people here playing Magic, so why not give it a go?”

Beaucher said.

Beaucher and Murray advertise House Rules as a place to play games and laugh with friends first and foremost, but the bar’s beverage selection is far too good to overlook. With 20 rotating local craft beers on tap and a 12-door cooler, guests can choose a beverage from cider, mead and seltzers on draft to kombucha, wine and

coffee. For longer games like Beaucher’s personal favorite, Twilight Imperium, a coffee is sometimes most effective.

Hundreds of games line the walls of the bar, including around 250 games available for play in the library and roughly 400 games for sale to take home — but Beaucher and Murray admit they’ve already lost count of the exact number.

Whether you are looking for a quick game to pass the time or to kill a full afternoon, House Rules has the game for you.

“On a Saturday afternoon, you’re more likely to find people that are bar hopping and want a quick party game while they’re here, and then right next to them there will be another table playing some euro game like Katan or Azul, and they’re here for like two hours just playing one game. It’s a really good mix,” Beaucher said.

House Rules gives off an all-inclusive vibe from the moment you step into the playful game lounge, and while its coolers and tap list are hard to say no to, guests of all ages are welcome from open to close — there are even some nonalcoholic beverages on tap for younger players.

“Even though we’re a bar, we’re not a party-style bar. We’re pretty chill and relaxed, and our beer selection is top notch,” Beaucher said.

Visit houseruleslounge.com for more info.

Groups of friends playing together (top and above); draft list (second from top); cocktail and beer (third from top).

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ON-THE-GO

Southern comfort

A blend of Tex-Mex and local flavors.

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN

Basalt’s menu includes, clockwise from top, whole limeade, esquites, a tazón bowl and popcorn churros.

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If the savory smell of carnitas and tortillas doesn’t catch your attention, the dark blue building covered in green house plants on the corner of Wealthy Street and Ethel Avenue will draw you in.

Texas native Steven Martinez-Thiel decided to combine his knowledge of TexMex cooking with Michigan’s penchant for home-grown ingredients in 2019 with the creation of his open-air food trailer.

He began parking the trailer at the Fulton Street Farmers Market, before transitioning

Basalt is one of the musttry locations for breakfast, brunch or any other time of day with friends and family.

// PHOTO BY TERI GENOVESE

the venture into a brick-and-mortar location by the name of Basalt.

Martinez-Thiel could be found at the farmers market every Saturday slinging breakfast tacos and tamales with the foundational knowledge garnered from his dad, who used to teach him in the kitchen, and his own added twist of incorporating Michigan ingredients.

“My palate really became more adventurous when I moved to Grand Rapids and started working in restaurants and working in places that were doing some more unique things with food,” Martinez-Thiel said.

Basalt’s sophisticated menu includes 12 different takes on the Tex-Mex taco, most of which are focused on the always delicious breakfast taco. The brick-and-mortar location also offers tortas, quesadillas, bowls and even a few sweet items, all made from scratch and created from locally grown ingredients for an even more flavorful and seasonal taste.

One of the bestsellers from the farmers market is more than likely to be making an appearance on the fall menu.

“We called it the ‘Cheese Boy’ and it was essentially a chorizo grilled cheese on our house-made telera rolls,” Martinez-Thiel said. “I can see that being really great with a red pozole for the fall and winter, you know, really warm and comforting — plus grilled cheese is, like, the best.”

Basalt’s original trailer is still hitting the road and can be rented for events such as weddings, galas and even holiday parties for the upcoming winter season.

For both a comforting environment and a warm meal with all the best parts of both Texas and Michigan, Basalt is one of the must-try locations for breakfast, brunch or any other time of day with friends and family.

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Integrated care • Medical primary care • Dental primary care • Behavioral Health • Spiritual

Visit us at exaltahealth.org To donate or volunteer call @ 616.475.8475 | 2060 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

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food + drink / must-t y

MUST-TRY

Tune into Turnstiles This new West Side attraction focuses on food and music.

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHLOE BROWN

A local family's new business endeavor is getting Grand Rapids talking, especially for those in the hospitality industry. As a restaurant and bar, Turnstiles, located on the West Side on Stocking Avenue, is mixing things up with a focus on becoming the hospitality hub of Grand Rapids.

This American comfort food hangout aspires to attract not just those wanting a good bite to eat, but also to serve as a musical interlude and a welcome experience for those of all ages.

The Schellenbergs are the family behind the Turnstiles operation. Siblings Robert Schellenberg III and Jill Schellenberg, along with parents Robert Schellenberg Jr. and Kathleen Schellenberg, bring the magic to life. The restaurant saw its grand opening back in April, but Robert III aspired to enter the industry for years.

“I've wanted to start my own restaurant since college,” he said. “I started busing, doing security, serving and bartending.

When I got into bartending, I was asked to be the manager and my parents realized I had a gift.”

Turnstiles takes its inspiration from the classic American southern dining experience, blending music, food and cocktails into one rollicking package. Robert III spent time in New Orleans and came away buzzing with ideas.

“During travels, my family would always find the industry bars,” he said. “It would be these holes in the wall that were such unique places, and I fell in love with that idea.”

As far as food goes, Turnstiles does a great deal to turn heads. The menu is filled with southern staples like chicken wings, sweet potatoes and tacos. But even its pubinspired offerings get a nice twist. The Three Alarm Chicken Sandwich blends three unique spices into the chicken at its center, and the elote burger stacks two patties along with corn, guacamole and cilantro-lime sour cream. While those are must-try items, there’s not a weak spot on the menu.

For the drinkers, it’s a paradise. Not only is there a full bar, but Turnstiles also specializes in craft cocktails. Examples include the French 75, the Black Manhattan, 104

ArtPrize 2021 entry A unique feature at Turnstiles that will quickly capture your attention is a jazz mural painted by artists Jason Rodriguez and Heather Dickens, who are based in New Orleans.

Turnstile co-owners Robert Schellenberg III and Jill Schellenberg met the artists five years ago at one of the night markets around the French Quarter.

Jason owns Art87jr and Heather owns Sunnyside Art. They do a lot of collaborations, but also have their own unique styles. They now have approved vendor space in Jackson Square as well as travel the country during the summer to attend art festivals.

In January, the mural project kicked off and the plan is to enter the artwork in ArtPrize 2021.

“We are so excited to be their ArtPrize venue. We absolutely love their work — and them,” Kathleen Shellenberg said.

(Top to bottom) The Schellenberg family (from left): Jill, Kathy, Bob and Rob; Ballpark Burger; Mayhem Chicken Mac N’ Cheese.

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Sazerac, the Cocomo, Westside Girl and Michigan Mutt, a play on the White Russian.

It’s also working on rolling out a mocktail menu for non-alcohol drinkers.

As for entertainment, there’s a trio of TVs if watching sports is your bag. But for those itching to see live performances again after being in quarantine, Turnstiles has so much to offer it will make your head spin.

Every Friday and Saturday night promises live music, with additional performances every Tuesday and Thursday night.

TOP 5

Live music returns

Live music experiences for every taste.

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing night out with drinks, friends and background music or a full-on dance party, you can find a great bar with live music every night of the week in Grand Rapids.

From classy cocktails to happy hour brews, these locations come with drinks and a show.

Turnstiles' bar offers craft cocktails (top); the music stage welcomes live music each week (above).

“I love the blending of the industry and musicians because the camaraderie of those two are perfect, and I wanted to bring it to my place,” Robert III explained.

Though the result is a fabulous new restaurant, Robert’s road to that end wasn’t easy. Battling alcoholism and addiction didn’t get in the way of achieving his dream, and after 15 years in the industry, his hard work has paid off. From great food to an unequaled atmosphere, this joint is sure to satisfy your tummy and set your feet tapping.

As for the future of this hopeful family, spirits are up. “If everything goes well, my team would like to open more restaurants,” Robert III said.

CONCERT COURTESY TIP TOP DELUXE BAR AND GRILL ILLUSTRATION RACHEL IDZERDA

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Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar takes on a classic jazzy feel with its live piano performances every Friday and Saturday night, playing songs by request from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.

Offering unique martinis, mojitos and wine, Mojo’s

puts on a lively show in the heart of downtown.

180 Monroe Ave. NW The BackForty Saloon specializes in line dancing with its live country performances Friday and Saturday nights starting at 7 p.m.

From local country bands to country music DJs, The BackForty pairs its stage and dance floor with its favorite selection of whiskey, bourbon and scotch for a wild night out with friends and fellow country music fans. 48 W. Fulton St. The Score takes sports bars to the next level

with a fully immersive beach getaway theme, located right on the river.

The Score also hosts live music every night of the week beginning at 6 p.m. on its outdoor stage, located amid palm trees and waterfront seating. This place is great for customers with a wide variety of music tastes. Its menu includes almost 130 beers on tap, too. 5301 Northland Drive NE Billy’s Lounge is the go-to place in Eastown for a night of dancing.

Wednesdays are Fuego Latin nights at Billy’s for the natural born salsa

dancers as well as the beginners, with live music starting at 9 p.m.

Throwback Thursdays are perfect for nostalgic souls with a live DJ from 9 p.m.-midnight. 1437 Wealthy St. SE Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill hosts live bands on select nights and Tip Top Tuesday comedy shows. Events are updated on social media and cover charges range from free to $30.

All kinds of live musicians can be found on the Tip Top stage, from rock bands to DJs. Tip Top offers a classic bar menu.

760 Butterworth St. SW

editor's pick Fall is one of my favorite times of the year for food and drinks, and one reason is cider. While cider is great year-round, fall is when you can curl up next to a bonfire with a glass of cider and a group of friends.

In Grand Rapids, there are a lot of great hard cideries and over the next two months, I’m going to try and visit them all. Vander Mill is my go-to thanks to its outdoor space and its stylish taproom, but I’m also very excited to try the recently opened Pux Cider, which uses heirloom apples in its products.I also enjoy The Peoples Cider Co. and Farmhaus Cider Co. This fall, tap into the area’s cider.

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

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TRUITE MEUNIÈRE. MOULES CHASSEUR. FRUITS DE MER RÔTIES. For dishes that are difficult to pronounce yet remarkably easy to enjoy, reserve your table at Margaux, where every taste translates to an exceptional night out.

R E S E R V E Y O U R TA B L E A T 6 1 6 . 2 4 2 . 1 4 4 8 ILOVETHEJW.COM • 235 LOUIS CAMPAU STREET NW, GRAND RAPIDS, MI

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Whether the home is appointed with technically advanced amenities, finished with high-end materials, or situated on a lakefront location, Creekside Companies is “Passionately dedicated to creating the house that’s truly your home.”

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GERRIT’S APPLIANCE

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Homeowners will experience peace of mind knowing that Gerrit’s Appliance has been Better Business Bureau accredited since 1971 — that’s 50 years this year! They’ve earned those credentials by consistently operating ethically and with integrity, transparency, and responsiveness. They also employ the most experienced, knowledgeable professionals to assist shoppers who are looking for the right appliances to fit their needs, whether for the kitchen, laundry room, or outdoor deck.

Gerrit’s specializes in appliances only 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 many more.

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THE LAKESHORE’S PREMIER RESTAURANT GROUP. 1983 Restaurants has crafted all of our establishments around an iconic experience, each defined by good drink and good food. We’re in the business of punctuating life’s moments with the flavors that make a memory. So don’t just share a drink or a meal tonight—share a little more.

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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 $-$$ APERITIVO A wine bar with a small menu that includes cheese and charcuterie plates and monthly sandwich specials. The retail section includes tinned fish, which can be enjoyed on-site with pickled veggies, cultured butter and Field & Fire bread. It is located within the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. Open Daily. // 435 Ionia Ave. SW, 259-7045. aperitivogr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ 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 $$-$$$

2021 DINING AWARD WINNER 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

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

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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,

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salads, sandwiches, entrées. Open daily. // 1 Ionia Ave SW, 458-7000. grbrewingcompany.com. Lunch (SatSun), Dinner $-$$

Mon-Fri. Closed Sun. // 60 Ottawa Ave NW, 4546700. leosrestaurant.com. Lunch (Mon-Fri), 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 $

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 $-$$

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 $-$$

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, 4194168. thelittlebirdgr.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Tue-Sat) $

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

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2021 DINING AWARD WINNER 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 $$$

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 $$

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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

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

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Special Advertising Section

Voted The Best

2020-21 Readers Poll

AlmassianJewelers.com 949-8888

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bar. Open daily. // 45 S Division Ave, 551-3563. rockwellsrepublic.com. Dinner $$-$$$

100 Ionia Ave SW, 456-7673. Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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 $$$

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 $-$$

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 $$-$$$

West Side

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. //

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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 $

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 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, 2339186. harmonybeer.com/harmony-hall. Dinner $-$$

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THE HOLIDAY BAR Established in 1905, menu features appetizers and 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 $

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 $$

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

8/10/21 11:43 AM

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Voted The Best Thanks to Grand Rapids Magazine readers for voting for us. Also, special thanks to our awesome crew and loyal customers and most of all God. Because of all of you, we are blessed with a successful business.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy & meat filled 2021!

— Tim & Teresa Sobie

3450 Remembrance Rd NW Walker | (616) 453-7201 sobiemeats.com

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8/13/21 12:22 PM

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SALVATORE’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Sicilian and southern Italian fare. Separate sports bar; 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 NEW LISTING! BASALT Modern Tex-Mex cuisine with a relaxed atmosphere.

The menu focuses on breakfast tacos, quesadillas and tortas. Closed Mondays. // 1450 Wealthy St. SE, 719-2146. basaltgr.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Thurs-Sat) $ 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 $$

5038. brownbuttercrepes.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Wed-Sat) $

breweries. Open Tue–Sun. // 924 Cherry St SE, 8083566. thegreenwell.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$

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 $-$$

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 $-$$

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 $$ 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 $-$$ EAST WEST BREWING CO. Traditional American-style beers. Fresh, made-to-order American-style food and seasonal vegetarian menu items from local vendors. Open daily. // 1400 Lake Dr SE, 288-5250. eastwestbrewingcompany.com. Lunch (Fri-Sat), Dinner $-$$ 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 $

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 $$-$$$

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 $$

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 $-$$

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 $$

BROWN BUTTER CREPERIE & CAFÉ Locally sourced, made-from-scratch sweet and savory crepes and liege waffles. // 1436 Wealthy St SE, 288-

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

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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, 3562627. thegilmorecollection.com/pubatpaddock.

Dinner $-$$

2021 DINING AWARD WINNER

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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 $$

TERRA Eastown eatery features food from local, ethically raised and sustainable sourcing. Specialty cocktails,

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

8/10/21 11:43 AM

Special Advertising Section

Voted The Best

GR Best of Mag Ad.pdf

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12/9/20

4:12 PM

2020-21 Readers Poll

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Michigan craft beers, wines from small wineries. Open daily. // 1429 Lake Dr SE, 301-0998. terragr.com.

Brunch (Sat-Sun), 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 $-$$ 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 $-$$ 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 $-$$ 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 $ 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 $$

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

Northeast GR 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 $-$$

NEW LISTING! CAFÉ MAMO An American restaurant inspired by grandma's garden.

Classic Midwestern dishes paired with tasty wine in a warm, comfortable setting. Open daily. // 1601 Plainfield Ave. NE, 350-3430. mamohsp.com.

Brunch (Sat-Sun) Dinner (Mon-Sat) $-$$ CHARLIE’S BAR & GRILLE Well-rounded menu features dinners from ribs, steaks and seafood to kielbasa and kraut. Also, Mexican fare and sandwiches. Full bar. Closed Sun. // 3519 Plainfield Ave NE, 364-0567. charliesbarandgrille.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ CHEER’S GOOD TIME SALOON Menu offers something for everyone in a log-cabin

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environment. Takeout available. Full bar. Open 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 $-$$ GAIA HOUSE CAFÉ A neighborhood vegetarian café offering items like the Mean Green Burrito and Gaia cookies, as well as freshpressed juices and specialty coffees. Open Wed-Sun for take-out only. // 1553 Plainfield Ave. NE . Visit on Facebook. Breakfast, Lunch. $ 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 $$

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

8/10/21 11:43 AM

Special Advertising Section

Voted The Best

Come explore with us Belmont. Cascade. Caledonia. Portage.

Wilson Ave. Coming Fall 2021 www.milestonescdc.com

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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, 649-0407. jakusushi.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ KITCHEN 67 Large menu uses Michigan ingredients and includes 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 $-$$ NICK FINK’S Mexican fare and burgers in historic tavern. Draft beer, wine, sangria and cocktails. Closed Sun and Mon. // 3965 West River Dr NE, 784-9886. thegilmorecollection.com/nickfinks. Dinner $$ 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

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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 $$

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, 805-3363. 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 $-$$

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, 2598828. vandermill.com. Lunch, Dinner (Mon-Sat) $$-$$$

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 $

Northwest GR

HUNAN CHINESE RESTAURANT Full menu of Chinese options. No alcohol. Open daily. // 1263 Leonard St NE, 458-0977. hunangrc.com.

Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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) $$

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CHINA CHEF Family-style restaurant with Szechuan-style entrées and Hunan choices. No alcohol. Open daily. // 4335 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 791-4488. chinachef49534.com.

Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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)

8/10/21 11:43 AM

Special Advertising Section

MARKETPLACE

GET YOUR LIFE BACK

Javery Pain Institute

Photo (from left to right): Dr. Josh Suderman, MD, and Dr. Keith Javery, DO.

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710 Kenmoor Ave SE #200 Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616)-588-7246 javerypain.com

8/10/21 9:37 AM

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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 $-$$$ AL-BOS EUROCAFE-BAKERY Authentic southeastern European cuisine. Menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, entrées and kids options. Daily specials. Open daily. // 2930 Shaffer Ave SE, 325-2800. al-bos.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ 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. Brunch on Sun. // 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) 719-1462. Facebook. Open daily.

Breakfast, Lunch $

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

8/10/21 11:56 AM

CANTINA MEXICAN GRILL Menu offers extensive Mexican specialties. Full 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 $-$$ EAST GARDEN BUFFET Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Daily buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. // 6038 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 6988933. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ 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 $-$$ INDIA TOWN Indian fare including vegetarian and vegan. Lunch buffet Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Open daily. // 3760 S Division Ave, 243-1219. indiatowngrr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ 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 $-$$

BDO is proud to be honored as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in West Michigan for 2021.

Katie Ferris, Tax Office Managing Partner kferris@bdo.com Kevin Muntter, Assurance Office Managing Partner kmuntter@bdo.com

www.bdo.com

© 2021 BDO USA, LLP. All rights reserved.

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

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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 $-$$ 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 $ PHO ANH TRANG Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai cuisine. Daily specials.

Catering. Open daily. No alcohol. // 3633 Eastern Ave SE, 246-9966. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ PHO SOC TRANG Wide selection of Vietnamese offerings. No alcohol.

Open daily. // 4242 S Division Ave, 531-0755. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ PIETRO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Regional and contemporary Italian cuisine. Tuscan wines, desserts and cappuccinos. Kids menu. Takeout available. Open daily. // 2780 Birchcrest Dr SE, 4523228. pietrosgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$ 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 $$-$$$ STEAK & SPICE BY CURRY KITCHEN Authentic Indian cuisine. Daily lunch buffet. Open daily. No alcohol. // Located inside the Plaza Hotel Grand Rapids at 5700 28th Street SE. 957-1775. currykitchengr.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 $-$$$

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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 $-$$ 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 $$ YUMMY WOK Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan dishes. No alcohol.

Open daily. // 4325 Breton Rd SE, 827-2068.

Facebook. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

Southwest GR 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 $-$$ ALEBIRD TAPHOUSE AND BREWERY Community-focused brewery offering creative sandwiches along with a variety of burgers and entrées, including summer chicken and pea ravioli. Open daily, lunch on weekends. // 2619 84th St SW, 288-7888. alebird.com. Lunch, Dinner $$$ 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 $-$$

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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 $$ PETE’S GRILL & TAVERN Casual bar and grill with tavern burgers, Detroit style pizza, sandwiches and entrees. Open daily. // 2588 84th St SW, Byron Center, 878-9582. petesgrillandtavern.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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

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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 Plaza Hotel Grand Rapids 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, 6493984. emonaekoreanbbq.com. Lunch, Dinner $$-$$$ 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 $-$$

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 $$$ ZEYTIN Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Full bar, beer and wine lists. Takeout. Open daily. // 7437 River St, Ada, 6822222. zeytinturkishrestaurant.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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

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

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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 $-$$

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 $-$$ GR M AG .CO M

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dine / estau ants DEDICATED TO OUR EMPLOYEES 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 $-$$

DRIVEN BY OUR CUSTOMERS SINCE 1865

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 $$ OSGOOD BREWING CO. Craft brewery serves shareables, specialty pizzas, sandwiches, pasta and salads. Kids menu. Open daily. // 4051 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 432-3881. osgoodbrewing.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

EXCITED TO BE AMONG THE BEST & BRIGHTEST DEDICATED TO OUR EMPLOYEES DRIVEN BY OUR CUSTOMERS SINCE 1865

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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 $-$$ THE WIN TAVERN A family-friendly restaurant offering fresh ingredients and cooked-to-order meals, including starters and salads, burgers, sandwiches, and steak and onion meals. It also offers a Sunday breakfast from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. with a build-your-own hash bar and more. Full bar. Open daily. // 7628 Georgetown Center Dr, Jenison, 734-6724. thewintavern33.com. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner $$

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

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SIMPLICITYGR.COM

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 $-$$ CEDAR SPRINGS BREWING CO. German-style brewery features American pub and traditional Bavarian menu. Open daily. // 95 N Main St, Cedar Springs, 696-2337. csbrew.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

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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 $ 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 $-$$

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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

BENTON HARBOR (Vineyard and Winery)

269.927.1512

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

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SOUTH HAVEN 269.637.1211

GRAND HAVEN 616.414.7070

12corners.com GR M AG .CO M

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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 $ 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, 454-9368; 3475 Fairlanes Ave SW, Grandville, 531-6210; 4157 S Division Ave, 534-5421; 5510 28th St SE, 285-7800. branns.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$ ELECTRIC CHEETAH Eclectic menu with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative combinations. Beer and wine available.

Open daily. Cascade location closed on Sun. // 1015 Wealthy St SE, 451-4779; 6450 28th St. SE, 265-5301. electriccheetah.com. Brunch (Sun), Lunch, Dinner $-$$ FIRST WOK Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. // 2207 44th St SE, 281-0681; 6740 Old 28th St SE, 575-9088; 3509 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1616. firstworkgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $$

Create ...

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 $$ HOPCAT Crafted brews with some 50 beers on tap and 150 bottled. Full bar and creative fare, including sharables, signature fries, burgers, wraps and more. Open daily. // 25 Ionia Ave SW, 451-4677; 84 W. Eighth St in Holland, 965-9780; 2183 East Beltline Ave NE. hopcatgr.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

An Impression

SiNcE 1968 . . .

Registered Landscape Architects 4353 Three Mile Road N.E. Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525 616-363-6400 www.kappeslandscapes.com

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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,

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

8/10/21 11:48 AM

Above and beyond Forbes honors Michael Toth as a 2021 Best-In-State Wealth Advisor for Michigan There are few things more valuable than a trusted relationship with a financial advisor who empowers you to pursue what matters most with confidence. Certainly, that is how the clients of Michael Toth feel. Their UBS Financial Advisor is known for going above and beyond for every client, every day, marshaling the global resources of one of the largest financial firms in the world to help them plan for their life’s goals.

It is this commitment to excellence that Forbes recognizes with this recent honor. Join us in our congratulations. We encourage you to reach out to discuss what matters most in your life.

Michael Toth Senior Vice President– Wealth Management UBS Financial Services Inc. 333 Bridge Street NW, Suite 1100 Grand Rapids, MI 49504 616-732-1244 michael.toth@ubs.com

ubs.com/fs Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list is comprised of approximately 5,200 financial advisors. It was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to measure factors such as quality of practice, industry experience, compliance record, assets under management (which vary from state to state) and revenue.

Neither UBS Financial Services Inc. nor its employees pay a fee in exchange for these ratings. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that clients understand the ways in which we conduct business, that they carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to them about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review the PDF document at ubs.com/relationshipsummary. © UBS 2021. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. ACC_04222021-6

Exp.: 06/30/2022

THE DAY YOU START IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

You’ll love working here.

From training programs and development opportunities, to paid volunteer time and an unmatched culture — you bring the talent, drive, and skills, and we’ll bring the rest.

Join our team and discover what makes us one of West Michigan’s Best and Brightest to work for. To learn more and apply, visit LMCU.org/Careers.

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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, 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

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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 $-$$ TAMALES MARY Tamale-centered Mexican restaurant featuring 18 types

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of tamales, plus other Mexican dishes and daily buffet specials. No alcohol. Open daily. // 1253 Burton St SW, 288-5007; 1551 Wealthy St. SE, 724-4269. tamalesmarygr.com. 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 $-$$ VITALE’S PIZZERIA Multiple locations serving pizza, pasta and more from family recipes. Full bar. // 6650 E Fulton St, 676-5401, vitalesada.com; 5779 Balsam Dr, Hudsonville, 662-2244, vitaleshudsonville.com; 834 Leonard St NE, 458-8368, theoriginalvitales.com; 3868 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-5011. vitalessportsbar.com. Lunch, Dinner $-$$

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

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PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

Food, Glorious Food!

RAVEWORTHY RESTAURANTS YOU NEED TO TRY.

WEST MICHIGAN HAS NO SHORTAGE OF dining options, whether downtown, in nearby neighborhoods, or by the lakeshore. And, even with so many choices, each establishment finds a way to stand out, whether it’s through signature dishes, an incredible selection of craft beverages, inspiring atmosphere, friendly staff, or all of the above. From global eats to classic seafood and chops; fine wine to heady brews to distilled spirits; and every unique offering in between, there’s something for every appetite to savor.

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Feast on tacos with a twist or a filet cooked to perfection. Revel in historic architecture that creates a beautiful setting for a special night out or occasion. Relax with friends on a spacious patio before a concert or event.

Whatever mood strikes you or moment you’re celebrating, there’s a fine eatery waiting to welcome you. Those featured in this section demonstrate the true art of dining—make your next date with one of them!

8/16/21 10:57 AM

Social House PROMOTIONAL CONTENT SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

LOCATED ON OTTAWA AVENUE JUST south of Fulton Street, Social House may be Grand Rapids’ best-kept secret, hidden in plain view. Guests enjoy indoor and seasonal, outdoor seating, with each space boasting its own bar. The food menu surprises and excites with innovative flavors that span the globe, while high-end bourbon and tequila — as well as other craft spirits, wines, and brews — appeal to connoisseurs. With live music Wednesdays and Thursdays, and DJs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the patio at Social House is the place to be — and it’s considered one of the best in town!

Favorite dishes are the Keto Bowl, featuring

filet, chicken, blackened shrimp, and chef's vegetable atop cilantro-lime-cauliflower rice with spicy brava sauce, and the Surf and Turf, a filet topped with blackened shrimp and spicy brava sauce served with the chef’s vegetable.

Signature drinks are the Blackberry Margarita, with muddled blackberries, blanco tequila, triple sec, lime juice, simple syrup, and sour mix, and the Pomegranate Margarita, with blanco tequila, pomegranate liqueur, pomegranate molasses, lime juice, agave water, and a sugar rim. If those specialties aren’t already enough to draw crowds, the service and ambiance are also topnotch, ensuring an exceptional guest experience.

SOCIALHOUSEGR.COM 25 Ottawa Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | 616-551-1412

WEBSITE.COM Address, address | (000) 000-0000

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8/4/21 9:38 AM

Waverly Stone Gastropub PROMOTIONAL CONTENT SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

NAMED AFTER THE BUILDING’S EYECATCHING façade of dark stone mined from a now-defunct local quarry, Waverly Stone Gastropub honors Holland’s rich past with a blend of exceptional food, family-owned spirit, and historic architecture.

Globally-inspired fare such as tapas-style small plates, mains, handhelds, and desserts encourage sharing among tablemates, and creates an intimate experience that’s full of flavor. Not stuffy. Not fancy. Just warm, welcoming, and delicious.

One particularly enticing dish features sea scallops served over ramen and tossed with grape tomato and zucchini in a house-made

chili miso sauce. To match the menu’s creative flair, Waverly Stone offers a dynamic wine list, 28 drafts, a full bar, and signature cocktails. One favorite is the smoke-infused bourbon cocktail, mixed tableside. As the server pours the cocktail, smoke rises from the glass in a visual and aromatic display.

Run by father-and-son duo Chef Ed Westerlund, C.E.C., and Chef Andrew Westerlund, and with staff that are like an extension of their family, Waverly Stone Gastropub embodies a passion for flavor and hospitality. Whether it’s the food on your plate or the liquid in your glass, they’ll make sure your experience is extraordinary and your meal tastes amazing.

WAVERLYSTONEPUB.COM 20 West 8th St. Holland, Mi 49423 | 616-392-5888

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8/4/21 9:38 AM

Condado Tacos PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

COME AS YOU ARE, BE WHO YOU ARE. That’s the vibe at Condado Tacos, and it’s part of what brings people into the colorful, playful, artistic space on Bridge Street between Broadway and Alabama. The real draw, though, is the food, which is fresh, clean, and craveable.

Whether it’s a build-your-own taco, one of their taco suggestions, or their dips, salsas, and sides, everything on the menu is presented with creativity and imbued with bold, unique flavors. Top customer picks are Lucy’s Fire and Blue Dream, both with Secret Shells, as well as their current feature, the Korean BBQ pork taco, which is quickly generating buzz.

Condado Tacos is also known for its margaritas — or Margs, as they call them — made with 100 percent blue agave tequila. They offer signature as well as specialty margaritas, including the Gran Clasico, the Mezcalita, and the Pineapple Express. Condado also has a large selection of tequilas, plus drafts, bottles, cans, wines, sangrias, and non-alcoholic options.

While Condado Tacos is a local favorite, it’s also a growing regional brand, with locations across the Midwest as well as Nashville and Pittsburgh, and many more openings planned in the future.

CONDADOTACOS.COM 449 Bridge St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49504 | 616-734-6815

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8/5/21 5:01 PM

Paddock Place PROMOTIONAL CONTENT SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

THERE ARE FEW GRAND RAPIDS LANDMARKS more iconic than the 19th-century Italianate mansion situated in East Hills on Lake Drive, near Diamond. Now known as Paddock Place, the historic property and sweeping grounds offer a one-of-a-kind experience for guests, whether they’re there to enjoy a casual meal or a special event such as a wedding, reception, gathering, or corporate function. Brimming with character, the menu features globally inspired fare and the space is adorned with beautiful paintings, mosaics, and sculptures, making it the perfect backdrop for any occasion, momentous or everyday.

With a lovely, gated lawn and historically appointed, themed rooms, Paddock Place is more than a restaurant and venue; it’s a destination.

Enjoy dinner and Sunday brunch indoors or in the open air, or relax with a beverage in the taproom.

Dining outdoors? A human’s best friend is welcome in this dog-friendly area. For events, Gilmore Catering services offers its signature menu and there are a variety of private rooms available for groups large and small, or hold your event on the grounds, underneath a lush canopy of mature trees.

A spacious, free parking lot is an added benefit, and not commonly found in other establishments in the city.

PADDOCKPLACEGR.COM 1033 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 | 616-742-0600

Company Name

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WEBSITE.COM Address, address | (000) 000-0000

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8/9/21 5:54 PM

The Chop House PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

FINE DINING CAN SOMETIMES HAVE A reputation for being stuffy or pretentious. The Chop House, located on Monroe Avenue across from the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, dispels that notion by focusing on an exceptional experience punctuated by attentive service; caring, genuine staff; and a welcoming atmosphere. At The Chop House, every detail is intended to make guests feel at home. Dining at The Chop House is more than just a comfortable evening out; guests return again and again because they can count on consistency every time, whether it’s the quality of the food, the kindness and familiarity of

the staff, the precise preparation, the availability of a preferred bottle of wine, or prompt seating for a reservation.

Known for their steaks and chops as well as their breadth of fresh fish and seafood dishes, The Chop House sources only the finest ingredients, and serves only USDA Prime beef that’s graded in the top 2 percent. The menu consists of many well-known favorites, as well as signature dishes such as beef Wellington with a cabernet demi-glace and Dover sole with meuniere white wine sauce, de-boned tableside. Visit The Chop House and “Prepare to Be Pampered.”

THECHOPHOUSEGRANDRAPIDS.COM 190 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | 888-456-3463

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8/6/21 5:27 PM

PROMOTIONAL CONTENT

Reserve Wine & Food

RESERVE WINE & FOOD HAS LONG BEEN recognized for its fresh-from-the-farm fare and its storehouse of more than 900 wines.

The Grand Rapids restaurant has been accepted to the “Good Food 100 Restaurants” list the past three years and most recently won the “Best-of Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator, an award that identifies the world’s greatest wine lists. The menu is seasonally driven and locally sourced, using sustainable ingredients from dozens of farmers and butchers who are close to home, but it’s the restaurant’s experienced and welcoming

staff that truly makes an unforgettable fine dining experience.

Enjoy unique appetizers, cheese and charcuterie plates, seasonal entrées, and indulgent desserts in an atmosphere that invites you to savor each moment. Nestled in downtown Grand Rapids just east of the river, diners will enjoy an intimate meal hand-prepared by a team that’s passionate about good food. Ask the staff to provide a wine or cocktail pairing recommendation with your meal, and peruse their incredible wine selection to take a bottle home with you.

RESERVEGR.COM 201 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | 616-855-9463

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8/6/21 5:26 PM

gr gems / histo y

Libraries on wheels The Merrie-Go-Round brought books to the community.

BY JULIE TABBERER, GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Merrie-Go-Round brought books to the southeast and southwest communities of Grand Rapids in the 1970s.

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In 1971, the Grand Rapids Public Library debuted a new mobile library: the Merrie-Go-Round. During the summer months, the Merrie-Go-Round made regular visits to parks throughout the city. It was meant to be different from a traditional bookmobile: informal and easy to approach. The Merrie-Go-Round staff connected with neighborhood kids through movies and storytelling, alongside checking out books. In winter months, the vehicle made regular stops at day

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care centers and provided a rotating collection of books to senior citizen centers.

The Merrie-Go-Round was launched in connection with the Model Cities program, a national effort that was part of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. In Grand Rapids, it targeted an area on the southeast and southwest sides roughly bounded by Wealthy, Hall, Union and Godfrey. The Merrie-Go-Round made most of its stops in this neighborhood, focusing on bringing library services to communities that may not have had reason to trust the library previously. The neighborhood was served by the Merrie-Go-Round and other temporary locations until the Madison Square branch library opened in 1992.

MOBILE LIBRARY COURTESY GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY

8/10/21 11:43 AM

escape explore

This fall, take a bite out of Traverse City and feel your whole body come alive. Explore over 40 wineries of Traverse Wine Coast, hike the trails of Sleeping Bear Dunes, then feast your eyes on the shortest and sweetest season when the trees put on a vibrant show of color. It’s all here, in a Pre y Great Place - Traverse City.

TraverseCity.com

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8/11/21 3:07 PM

K ATI E - K T E A M | 6 1 6 . 2 9 1 . 3 5 52 | K ATI E@ K ATI E- K .CO M | W W W. K ATI E- K .CO M 1555 Arboretum Dr. SE, Suite 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 | Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

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7/16/21 10:43 AM