35TH ANNUAL DINING AWARDS CELEBRATING CITY LIFE
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Contents FEBRUARY 2015 / VOL. 52 / NO. 2
FEATURES 36 / Grand Rapids Magazine’s 35th Annual Dining Award winners Including the 2014 Best Restaurant, Best New Restaurant and half a dozen additional categories. BY MARTY PRIMEAU AND GRM STAFF
52 / Build strength while having fun Forget the treadmill. Build muscle strength and burn calories with such activities as pole dancing or rock climbing. BY MEGAN MARTIN
52 6 GRMAG.COM \ FEBRUARY 2015
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contents FEBRUARY 2015 / VOL. 52 / NO. 2
departments FOOD & DRINK 56 / Chef Profile: Chef Terri Rees
BACK & FORTH 10 / From the Editor 10 / Letters, social media and more
58 / Nosh & Sip: Pairing wine and sweets
12 / Contributors
59 / Restaurant listings for West Michigan
LIFE & STYLE 16 / Noteworthy items include WMEAC film series, “The Art of Abstract Wine Tasting,” Valentine’s Day treats, FoodCircles, The Remedy House, and a healthy food blog. 18 / Local Laughs: Romance for sale 20 / Apsara Spa: Love your skin
28
62 / Grabbin’ a Bite: Blue Dog Tavern 68 / Pints of Interest: Best beer cities 72 / Sweetie-licious Bakery
24
There are an incredible number of opportunities to find meaningful joy and connection in our day-to-day interactions with other people.
NEAR & FAR 76 / Auburn Hills OUT & ABOUT 84 / February highlights 85 / Calendar 88 / Nightclub & comedy venue listings and highlights 90 / Liner Notes: Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish
92
92 / Museums & attractions listings and highlights
22 / Reading Room: “I Want to Age Like That”
94 / Snapshots
24 / Living Local: Connecting with strangers
120 / After Thoughts: Q&A with Pierre Schierbeek of S&S Lamb
26 / Self-publishing made simple ART & DESIGN 28 / Artist Profile: Ken Cadwallader 30 / Art gallery listings and highlights 31 / Art Talk: Remembering Stuart Padnos 32 / The art of braiding 35 / Frame Works: Civic pride
ON THE COVER: Local Winter Vegetable Salad was photographed at Grove.
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62
Photography by Johnny Quirin
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back & forth CONNECT WITH US
Local restaurant owners show us the passion
G
GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE celebrates its annual Dining Awards this month and a locally focused industry that encompasses farms as much as chefs. T he emphasis on local has created challenges and a range of opportunities for both those who raise the products and those who mind the menus. This is our time, too, to celebrate the adventurous Grand Rapids community of foodies who are open to experiments and trying new cuisine. Nothing explains the number of new restaurants opening around the city — both in
Carole Valade Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine
GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE’S FEED
What You’re Saying Fill in the blank. “I’m so Grand Rapids I _____________________.”
“Bleed craft beer.” – Todd Rasmussen
“Come back home happy!” — Peter Varga
“Tuba dance with a vintage 1927 York sousaphone.” — Karen Dunnam
“Walk the Riverwalk every chance I get.” — Jim Winslow
“Smell like furniture.” — Christopher Busch
“Drive slow in the left lane. Admit it, that’s so GR.” — Christian Glupker
We’re listening … see something you like or didn’t like? T here’s tons of ways to reach us. By mail: Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Email: letters@grmag.com. Be sure to include your name, address, and daytime phone number. Or find us online, we love reading your tweets!
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); COURTESY THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM)
Diners at Grove enjoy its innovative cuisine.
downtown and in nearby neighborhoods — like an appreciative audience. The GRM staff offers its sincerest congratulations and most hearty thanks to the local restaurant owners who defy the odds of a business model with known high-failure rates and extreme costs, catering to a fickle audience. You teach us passion. T hat kind of energy translates to home kitchens, as well — not only in using more creative ingredients or food combinations but also in giving attention to better nutrition and healthy eating. Feb. 19 marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, celebrating the beginning of spring. (It’s the Year of the Goat/Sheep.) If (emphasis on “if”) spring is just around the corner, the Meijer Winter Games this month offer a reason to celebrate the joys of outdoor “snow” sports — and yet another coup for the city. In combination with four consecutive years of success for the Summer Games, sponsor West Michigan Sports Commission has earned the top spot in the nation. T he Grand Rapids region will host the State Games of America in 2017 (the national games are held every two years). T he city won its bid from the National Congress of State Games last year against San Diego, Lincoln, Neb., and Oklahoma City. The huge undertaking will require continuous planning, using venues throughout the region for the Aug. 3-6 event.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); COURTESY THINKSTOCK (BOTTOM)
contributors BEHIND THE SCENES
You
imagine it.
We
the spark
3/
3/
THREE OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS...
1/ 1/
create it. 2/ 2/
1/ JULIE BONNER WILLIAMS, “BRAIDING IS WOVEN INTO AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURE,” PAGE 32
ZEELAND CHICAGO
What’s on my kitchen counter: I like my counters clean and open because we cook a lot. The only thing that gets to stay is a wine rack, and two utensil holders, one for wooden spoons and the other for whisks, spatulas, etc. I never leave home without … Something to read. I always have a book or a magazine along, like The Writer. If I decide to stop and have lunch, I can read while I eat, or if I arrive early at an appointment, I read while I wait.
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3/ YASMEEN AHMED,
“A PERSONAL TOUCH,” PAGE 56
“SELF-PUBLISHING MADE EASY,” PAGE 26
Writer
Writer
GRAND RAPIDS
2/JULIE BURCH,
What inspires you? A million things inspire me: God’s great big beautiful world, the goodness in people, the love of my family and friends, a terrific old classic movie like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ beautifully written words of wisdom, an honest-togoodness belly laugh — and sometimes a looming deadline. I never leave home without … There are too many things to list here. My close friends know that I get separation anxiety if I get too far away from the trunk of my car.
Writer
What inspires you? I am inspired a lot by people’s stories and their differences. Traveling to learn about things going on in other cultures has a great impact on who I am as a writer because I have a passion to spread people’s stories. Favorite website or blog? I would say it’s the National Geographic Travel website. I never get tired of learning about new places and reminiscing about places I’ve already been.
Join Managing Editor Marty Primeau at 9:45 a.m. T hursdays as she presents City Beat with Shelley Irwin on WGVU Radio FM 88.5 and 95.3.
Spoiler alert! Each month Frame Works writer Mark Miller provides a glimpse of a local building of architectural note. Readers are challenged to identify the building by the details and photos offered. This month’s answer is: MLK Leadership Academy, 645 Logan St. SE. 12 GRMAG.COM \ FEBRUARY 2015
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Covering Grand Rapids Since 1964 www.grmag.com
info@grmag.com
PUBLISHER: John H. Zwarensteyn
EDITORIAL EDITOR: Carole Valade MANAGING EDITOR: Marty Primeau COPY EDITOR: Donna Ferraro CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Joseph A. Becherer,
Julie Burch, Ira Craaven, Pat Evans, Alexandra Fluegel, DK Hamilton, Abby Heugel, Elissa Hillary, Mark F. Miller, Marla Miller, Amy Ruis, Grant Stoye, Kevin VanAntwerpen, Tricia van Zelst
EDITORIAL INTERNS: Yasmeen Ahmed, Moriah Gilbert, Megan Martin DESIGN PANEL: Joseph A. Becherer, John Berry, Kevin Budelmann, Jim Caughman, Timothy Chester, Sam Cummings, Oliver Evans, James Ludwig, Ray Kennedy, Henry Matthews, Wayne Norlin, Wayne Visbeen
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Grand Rapids Magazine (ISSN 1055-5145) is published monthly by Gemini Publications, a division of Gemini Corporation. Publishing offices: 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. T elephone (616) 4594545; fax (616) 459-4800. General e-mail: grminfo@grmag. com. General editorial inquiries: editorial@grmag.com. Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright Š 2015 by Gemini Publications. All rights reserved. POST MAST ER: Send address changes to Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-1444. Subscription rates: one year $24, two years $34, three years $44, in continental U.S.; Alaska, Hawaii, Canada and U.S. possessions, one year $35. Subscriptions are not retroactive; single issue and newsstand $4.95 (by mail $7.50); back issue $7 (by mail $9), when available. Advertising rates and specifications at grmag.com or by request. Grand Rapids Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited contributions.
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life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS
noteworthy INTERESTING TIDBITS WE THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW
EAT OUT, FEED A CHILD
Locavore blog
pare, eat and preserve seasonal foods. For those who eat raw, there’s a tab for that. Hogerheide is a technical LEED specialist at the U.S. Green Building Council, president of the Fulton Street Farmers Market board and a member of the West Michigan Sustainable Business — MEGAN MARTIN Forum board.
It’s a win-win deal. Founder Jonathan Kumar says 25 restaurants and a growing number of local causes are using FoodCircles. In the spring, look for Dollar Lunch Day, an event at Rosa Parks Circle with live music and $1 lunches that feature foods children and families are receiving. Go to joinfood circles.org.
Guilt-free or worth-the-guilt If you’re looking for some Valentine’s Day chocolates with a wholesome twist, check out the goodies at Sip Organic Juice Bar. Jennifer Pohlman and her sipsters have created “subtly sweet” coconut macaroons and dark chocolate truffles made with unprocessed cacao and agave. Check website for locations: siporganicjuicebar.com. Prefer a decadent celebration? Head to The Local, the new eatery at The Local Epicurean, 111 S. Division Ave., Feb. 14 for a threecourse dinner of Lobster & Roses. Call 206-5175 for reservations and seating times. Visit the website for info on the Dark Chocolate Truffle Class. thelocalepicurean.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN (TOP LEFT); COURTESY SIP ORGANIC JUICE BAR (BOTTOM LEFT); THINKSTOCK (RIGHT)
THERESA HOGERHEIDE WANTS people to know how easy it is to eat healthy and seasonally. Five years ago she started a food blog — milo calfoodbeet.com — to “spread the locavore foodie news in Michigan and beyond.” She visits Michigan farms, businesses and restaurants, gathering info on how to find, pre-
NEXT TIME YOU’RE heading out for a meal, purchase a voucher for $1 or more from the FoodCircles website or app that covers an item at your chosen restaurant (think Butterscotch Pudding at Grove or a taco at Tacos El Cuñado): 100 percent of the purchase provides a dinner to a local child.
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Therapist strives to raise awareness of naturopathic healing products and techniques.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (CENTER); COURTESY ALLIE MERRICK (TOP RIGHT); MONGREL MEDIA (BOTTOM RIGHT)
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN (TOP LEFT); COURTESY SIP ORGANIC JUICE BAR (BOTTOM LEFT); THINKSTOCK (RIGHT)
Alternative remedies Flower essences, meditation candles and herbal supplements are just a few of the products at T he Remedy House, 5150 Northland Drive NE, a shop offering alternative methods of treating physical and emotional distress. Owner Jodi Jenks has been practicing essential oil therapies and energy work for more than 18 years and completed a four-year program at the Naturopathic Institute of T herapies and Education in Mt. Pleasant to become a natural health therapist. Naturopathy is a system of medicine based on the healing power of nature with an emphasis on preventing disease and educating patients. Jenks said her own experience with Reiki — a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation — “was one of the most important changes in my life.” She also found that essential oils are powerful tools to enhance the energy work of Reiki. Jenks believes it’s important to offer customized therapies because each person’s needs are unique. “It’s my passion to raise awareness that there are alternatives to the pharmaceutical whirlwind that we are in,” she said. “It’s very rewarding helping them to discover the journey toward their path to wellness.”
Artistic pairings Wine connoisseur Allie Merrick has selected artwork from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and will pair their characteristics with wines. Her program, “The Art of Abstract Wine Tasting,” 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3 and 10, will include wine tastings, light hors d’oeuvres “and a bit of wine education, as well.” Visit meijergardens.org for more info. WMEAC FILM SERIES IS BACK
“It’s very rewarding helping them to discover the journey toward their path to wellness.” — Jodi Jenks
Each month West Michigan Environmental Action Council will host an environmentally themed movie and panel discussion at the UICA theater, 2 W. Fulton St. in downtown Grand Rapids. This month’s showing at 6:45 p.m. Feb. 3 is “Watermark,” an award-winning feature documentary with photography be Edward Burtynsky, whose photos also are on display at Grand Rapids Art Museum beginning Feb. 1. The film brings together diverse stories from around the world about our relationship with water. Suggested donation is $5. See wmeac.org.
— MORIAH GILBERT FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 17
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local laughs BY DK HAMILTON
Romance for sale
Red roses are the symbol of romantic love. Of course, they begin to die once they are clipped, so the symbolism may be a little too real.
You envy your coupled friends, even those in doomed relationships. You wonder if Cupid’s bow got caught up in a mandatory waiting period. But Valentine’s Day is also dreaded by those who are in relationships. It’s like a performance evaluation day for love. Based on an admittedly unscientific poll of my friends, men bear the primary burden of the maintaining romance in relationships. Each February, men descend upon Victoria’s Secret, looking more like they were sent in the store to defuse a bomb than to buy something. By the way, I’m not sure what unit of mea-
surement they use in women’s clothing but a lot of hurt feelings could be avoided if they converted to the metric system. I learned the hard way that a size 8 is not the same as two size 4s. For a holiday that celebrates love, I find it interesting that most Valentine’s Day gifts are temporary in nature. (I understand that some people get jewelry for Valentine’s Day, but if you’re in that type of relationship, this is not the column for you.) Red roses are the symbol of romantic love. Of course, they begin to die once they are clipped, so the symbolism may be a little too real. When you give someone roses, you’re essentially saying, “I had something beautiful killed because I thought that would make you happy.” And of course, rose prices are insanely marked up on Valentine’s Day, but I suggest you ignore the cost and think more about the minutes of happiness they’ll bring her. T hen there are the cards. Although I’m not opposed to outsourcing my emotions, isn’t it a little odd that we try to find a sentiment written by a stranger that roughly captures how we feel? I tend to go with cards with short humorous sentiments. I won’t sign my name on a wordy sentimental card without having an attorney review it first. You can top it all off with a nice romantic dinner out — that is, if you’ve planned it well in advance. With Valentine’s Day falling on Saturday this year, if you haven’t already made reservations by the time you’ve read this article, good luck enjoying the ambiance of Denny’s. Perhaps the most appropriate symbol of romantic love occurs Feb. 15, because that’s when all the lonely unpurchased candles, candy and cards are marked down 50 percent or more. Romance eventually goes on clearance. — DK Hamilton is a stand-up comic and freelance writer. Follow him at dkhamilton comedy.com.
ILLUSTRATION BY JACK KOETJE
MY PROBLEM WITH V ALENTINE’S DAY is not that it is a Hallmark holiday but rather the undue importance we place on one day to evaluate our love lives. For some, Valentine’s Day is dreaded more than other holidays. If you’re not in a relationship, Valentine’s Day seems to last even longer than a typical February day. (Forget the summer solstice; as a Michigander, the longest days of the year happen in February.)
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY XXXXXXXXXXX
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life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS
Love your skin A popular treatment is the $150 Red Island Ritual, 90 minutes of pampering designed to relieve stress and restore energy. Clients receive a full-body exfoliation using orange and apricot fruit seeds, essential oils, spices and nourishing oils. A relaxing series of movements follow with warm exotic oils and an acacia wood massager. NaiGow spent the first 15 years of her life in Liberia where her father was a government official. Her family moved to the United States where she graduated from high school in Milwaukee, Wis. She studied business at Michigan State University but felt a calling to do something different. In 2001, she completed 700 hours of study at Aveda Institute. Over the last decade she’s studied in India and Paris, traveled the country as a makeup artist, and worked with global brands such as Estée Lauder and Lancôme. She found a home in West Michigan after working at the former Smooch Boutique in Gaslight Village. “I’m always looking for something else to learn and to master,” she said. T he Apsara team researches all of the products they use and sell before recommending a product to a client. T hey also focus on the educational aspect of spa treatments to help clients get the best results. “I’m the test subject,” NaiGow said with a laugh when talking about training her team. “How can I tell clients that they are getting expert care if I haven’t experienced the treatment myself?” Check out this month’s Valentine’s special, Wine and Chocolate Me Time Facial, and a list of other services at apsaraspa.com. — KATELYN SANDOR
Femé NaiGow offers a variety of facials and body treatments in her Apsara Spa.
Femé NaiGow’s winter skincare tips: > Drink water — Staying hydrated is the key to a healthy complexion throughout the winter months. > Exfoliate — Use a dry brush on your skin (sold at Apsara) or an exfoliator with a hydration component. > Moisturize — Shea butter is a great moisturizer and the one we most often recommend, but it all depends on the type of skin you have. Different products provide different results.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
“My name means ‘love me,’” says Femé NaiGow (pronounced Femma NyeGow). So when the licensed esthetician opened a spa in Eastown last year, “a lot of people told me that Femé Spa would be the perfect name.” Instead she chose the name Apsara — “it means celestial and heavenly” — which offers a full range of beauty and wellness treatments in a space decorated with cork floors, large skylights and lavender accents. NaiGow and her staff do everything from aroma relax body wraps and anti-aging facials to eyelash extensions, waxing and threading. Thirty-minute skin care consultations are free. T he spa, at 1415 Wealthy St. SE, also sells such skincare lines as Decleor, FarmHouse Fresh and Jack Black, including some vegan-friendly products.
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Best of ! s d i p a R d n a r G : S N IO T A C O L N A IG H IC M T S E W THREE
NOW OPEN!
S L IL H T S E R O F | D EASTOWN | HOLLAN Best of
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2014-15 Readers Poll
u! o y k n a Th
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life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS
Dr. Diana Bitner offers information and strategies about everything from sex drive to obesity — including “Ten Questions You Need to Ask Your Physician.” READING ROOM
Growing better, not older
out to write a book. I was very happy as an OB-GYN doc and a busy mom of three. But I had patients who were aging and they had questions about menopause and changes in their bodies that I couldn’t answer.” — Diana Bitner
Action Plan to reach their goals. Along the way, Bitner offers information and strategies about everything from sex drive to obesity — including “Ten Questions You Need to Ask Your Physician.” She writes that women and the medical community need a “revolutionary way to think about the change, to see it in terms of possibilities and potential.” For more information, visit truewomenshealth. com.
— MARTY PRIMEAU
P
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (BOTTOM); COURTESY SPLATTERED INK PRESS (TOP)
“I never started
Dr. Diana Bitner is relaxing in a New York City Starbucks after wrapping up morning media interviews to promote her book, “I Want to Age Like That.” She can’t wait to share some good news. “I met with a reporter from MedPage Today, and she asked me to write a monthly column,” she says. “Isn’t that exciting? It’s an opportunity for me to reach more women than I can ever see in practice.” Bitner, medical director of Spectrum Health Medical Group’s Midlife and Menopause Health Services, has combined her research on aging and hormones with many years of experience as an OB-GYN into a guidebook giving women practical advice. She also founded True Women’s Health, a company that will provide online support, workbooks, visual aids and motivational reminders to guide women as they age. “I never started out to write a book,” says the 48-year-old physician. “I was very happy as an OB-GYN doc and a busy mom of three. But I had patients who were aging and they had questions about menopause and changes in their bodies that I couldn’t answer.” She was also facing some of those same issues. “I was 39 years old and I was gaining weight, and I thought, ‘How am I going to stay in shape?’ Then I read ‘Body for Life for Women’ and, wow, it changed how I take care of myself — and how I take care of my patients.” Bitner became a certified menopause practitioner and launched a menopause group at Spectrum, creating a process called WAIPointes — Who Am I — to treat menopause symptoms and reduce risk factors for chronic disease. All of the information she’s garnered is in her book. She challenges readers to answer three questions: What do I want for my life? What must I do to achieve it? How do I get there? She even shares her own Picture of Self: “I want to be doing sit-ups and boy-pushups and be able to walk up a flight of stairs when I am 70.” Then she helps women create a Life
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (BOTTOM); COURTESY SPLATTERED INK PRESS (TOP)
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living Local BY ELISSA HILLARY
Connecting with strangers
Jaye Van Lenten, co-owner of Spirit Dreams, assists Susan Wittenbach.
Tom Lamancusa, grandson of the original owner of Nawara Brothers Home Store, helps west-siders Thelma and John Brackney shop for appliances.
A stop at my locally owned bank isn’t just an opportunity to make a deposit; it is a chance to connect with my favorite teller, Lynn, to hear about how her kids are doing. Buying a birthday gift at my local wine shop gives me a chance to connect with the clerk, Lora, and compare notes on our winter running schedules. Going local has allowed me to frequently interact with people as I tackle my daily chores and to build moments of love and connectedness into my daily life. We live in an era that celebrates busyness — a time of extreme virtual connection and physical disconnection. But that doesn’t have to be how we live our lives. I encourage you this winter to transition one regular chore to “local” and to build an opportunity for kindness and connection into your everyday life. Move your money to a local bank, join a CSA or attend a year-round farmers market, grab your morning coffee at the same local coffee shop. Building a relationship will be good for your happiness and health. — Elissa Hillary is executive director of Local First, a non-profit organization supporting locally owned businesses in West Michigan.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); JIM GEBBEN (BOTTOM)
Going local has allowed me to frequently interact with people as I tackle my daily chores and to build moments of love and connectedness into my daily life.
LIVING LOCAL IS all about relationships. Intuitively, we know that relationships matter. We believe this when it comes to family and friends. But how often do we consider our interactions with strangers or businesses? T his past winter, I read a book that’s profoundly impacted my life and my work: “Love 2.0: Creating Happiness and Health in Moments of Connection.” Written by Barbara Fredrickson, a professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina, the book examines the way our daily interactions affect our feelings of connectedness. She argues that “love blossoms virtually any time two or more people — even strangers — connect over a shared positive emotion” and that love increases with a frequency of interaction. Fredrickson’s not arguing that the intimate love one shares with family or friends is less valuable, but that there are an incredible number of opportunities to find meaningful joy and connection in our day-to-day interactions with other people. Reading “Love 2.0” has helped me to understand the joy I’ve experienced as I’ve shifted more and more parts of my life to “local.”
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Surprises around every corner! PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); JIM GEBBEN (BOTTOM)
The West Michigan Home & Garden Show will inspire you!
Unique ideas, innovative solutions and expert information is what you will find this winter at the West Michigan Home & Garden Show at DeVos Place. You’ll be able to shop for home products and services, including remodeling, new construction and interior design. Enjoy magnificent gardens, landscaping and retail garden centers. Free seminars on the Garden Stage, Home Stage & Cooking Stage! Buy your tickets online and receive a BONUS subscription to Better Homes & Gardens Magazine with your purchase!
• Home Stage features Dan Faires from HGTV’s “Dan Made” • Huge Feature Garden by the Association of Grand Rapids Landscape Professionals “Don’t Buy It– • 12 Fantastic Gardens DIY It!” • Standard Kitchens with Dan Faires Cooking Stage with Chef Angus Campbell
MICHIGAN GARDEN CLUBS District IV
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MARCH 5-8, 2015
SHOW HOURS Thursday 3-9pm, Friday 12noon-9:30pm, Saturday 10-9pm, Sunday 11-6pm
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life & style PEOPLE / TRENDS / BOOKS / FASHION / FITNESS
The Espresso Book Machine at Schuler Books & Music in Grand Rapids allows local authors to print books and make them available for sale in the store and on its website.
Aspiring writers, listen up. If you’ve dreamed of publishing a novel, biography, poetry or family history, Schuler Books & Music has just the thing. The Espresso Book Machine — a highspeed, automated gizmo that prints, binds and trims a high-quality paperback book complete with a full-color cover in a matter of minutes — is located inside the store at 2660 28th St. SE in Grand Rapids. Since 2009, when Schuler was one of only 20 stores in the country to own an Espresso, the book machine has printed everything from medical dictionaries to fiction. “I think our services are ideal for local history books because we print copies only when needed,” says Pierre Camy, who operates Schuler’s machine. He said the store recently helped publish three Michigan history books that racked up successful sales: “Stories from Williamston’s Past,” “From Artisans to Artists: Betsie Bay’s “Historic” Island History” and “The Rooster’s Tale.” T he process begins with the author dropping off the manuscript in PDF format
“I think our services are ideal for local history books because we print copies only when needed.” — Pierre Camy along with a cover. The staff helps prepare the files, and a proof copy is printed. Once the customer has made any necessary changes, printing begins. The resulting book will look just like a paperback produced by a publishing company. Schuler can print copies on-demand and also make the book available in the store and on its website — an Amazon listing is also possible for an additional fee. Print costs include a $150 fee, $6 per copy (3 cents per page for black and white, 15 cents for color), plus $300 to make it available in the store. Schuler has done printing for many schools and for such organizations as the West Michigan Center for Arts and T echnology and Creative Youth Center. “Garbio” by Larry VanderLeest, based on fictional stores about the garbage indus-
try in Chicago, was printed by Schuler and featured on NPR. Camy says his favorite is a medical dictionary that was printed to translate Haitian to English when volunteers went to Haiti to help with the earthquake in 2010. The books were sent to groups of doctors and nurses from all over the United States. “I think we printed at least 120 copies,” he said. “The books were donated and later we heard from some doctors that the book had been extremely useful. It was nice to be able to help in a small way.” T he Espresso Book Machine also makes many books available that are no longer in print and has the ability to print Google books. Editing services are available for an extra fee. For more information, see schuler books.com. — YASMEEN AHMED
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Self-publishing made simple
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where does
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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES
Umbrellas, streets and more
“FRUIT CARTS”
K
enneth Cadwallader once aspired to be a part-time supervisor at United Parcel Service. But thanks to advice from a boss, today Cadwallader is an internationally selling artist and president of Oil Painters of America. “I had started doing art, and my boss came to me one day and asked me to draw a picture of his wife. I did it and he gave me some extra money for it. When it came time to be interviewed for the job, he asked me why I wanted to be a part-time supervisor. I answered his questions, and in the middle of the interview, he just stopped me and said, “Ken — don’t do it — go be an artist!”
Cadwallader, 43, is a Michigan native who holds a fine arts degree from Kendall College of Art and Design. He studied at the Royal College of Arts in London as well as Chicago’s Palette and Chisel Academy. He has painted in England and Brazil, but most frequently travels to China to paint and exhibit his work. “I’ve been going back and forth painting and having exhibitions there,” he said. “China is a very pretty country. Some of these tiny villages you go into, they’ve been there thousands of years, and the people are so hospitable and inviting. How can you not like that?” While in China, Cadwallader mostly
paints still life, landscapes and portraits, though he says his favorite subject is umbrellas. He often paints them as part of street scenes, another subject he favors. “I love umbrellas. I love painting umbrellas. You just can’t go wrong with an umbrella. T hey’re so colorful and such interesting shapes,” he said. His love of painting street scenes and umbrellas may have led to the fortuitous meeting that helped launch his career. While he painted in a Chicago park, a woman walking her bulldog stopped to see what he was working on. Within minutes she asked if he’d like to exhibit his work in her upscale art gallery. T he next day, Cadwallader took seven of his paintings to the gallery. Four of the seven were accepted, but when asked how he’d like his paintings priced, Cadwallader found himself without an answer. “I didn’t know; I’d never sold a painting before. I got a call the next day. A 16-by-20 inch — they sold it for $1,200. A week later they sold another one,” he said. T hat chance meeting and the subsequent sale of his paintings inspired him to focus entirely on painting. He later moved to Colorado to study with a master painter and perfect his craft.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN
Ken Cadwallader of Grand Rapids is the youngest artist to be named president of Oil Painters of America.
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Describing his artistic style as “representational art,” Cadwallader explained that being an artist requires training as much as talent. So does he believe an artist’s eye sees surroundings differently than others? “I’ve learned and been taught what to look for. T hings we don’t notice are there, we just don’t know it, but when it’s pointed out, we see it. I’ve always been a believer in training. When people ask, ‘How did you get so good?’ I say, ‘a ridiculous amount of training.’” Currently residing in Byron Center, Cadwallader has a studio in Grand Rapids where he spends his time listening to music and painting on linen canvasses. He admits he wishes he could paint “all the time,” but says about half his time is spent managing the business end of being an artist — answering emails, scheduling trips
and exhibitions and fulfilling his duties with OPA. Although he dreams of traveling to Greece to paint and is working out details for a possible trip to T ibet, Cadwallader, whose paintings sell from $1,000 to $20,000, finds much to love about painting in his home state. “I’ve painted a lot of farmland here in Michigan —red barns, snow scenes, streams and rocks. I used to paint a lot on the lakeshore when I lived there,” he said, adding that he once owned an art gallery in Douglas until moving back to the Grand Rapids area. For more information, visit kenneth cadwallader.com. — JULIE BONNER WILLIAMS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN
“When people ask, ‘How did you get so good?’ I say, ‘a ridiculous amount of training.’” — Kenneth Cadwallader
This white gold & diamond necklace was created in our store on the corner of Cherry & Diamond.
“BACK ALLEY SCHOLAR”
Tu-Fr 10-5 Sat 12-4 616-459-5075 978 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids MI shop@metalartstudioinc.com FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 29
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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES
Local art galleries COMPILED BY MORIAH GILBERT
2/ GVSU ART GALLERY: Special exhibition gathers portraiture and landscape paintings created by retiring GVSU art professor Ed Wong-Ligda. On display now through March 20, it represents his time at the university since 1996. 1121 Performing Arts Center, Allendale campus, 331-2563, gvsu.edu/ artgallery. 3/ LOWELLARTS! KING GALLERY: Through Feb. 15, ArtPrize: Second Glance, works by talented ArtPrize artists who live near Lowell. Feb 26-April 15, West Michigan Regional Competition; artwork drop-off is Feb. 19-21. Cash awards will be presented in five categories. 49 S. Hudson, Lowell, 897-8545, lowellartsmi.org.
Africa”. Also, “Re-binding: sacred word into sacred object,” by Linda Ekstrom, through March 7. Covenant FAC, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE, 5266271, calvin.edu/centerartgallery. Con Artist Crew: Art collective and gallery. 1111 Godfrey SW, North Building, conartistcrew.com.
2/ “Passing Storm, Black Hills, South Dakota,” by retiring GVSU professor Ed Wong-Ligda.
106 Gallery and Studio: Calvin College-run gallery in Heartside features student and local artists’ work. 106 S. Division Ave., calvin.edu/ centerartgallery/studio. Art Gallery 318: Fine art by Kathleen Mooney; open by appointment and during regular open houses. 318 E. Main St., Lowell, 890-1879, facebook.comartgallery318fineart. Aquinas College Gallery: Thru Feb. 13, Patrick Maguire: Between a Spot and Not So Familiar Place. Feb. 22-March 27, 2015 Student Show; reception 2 p.m. Feb. 22. Art & Music building, 1607 Robinson Road SE, aquinascollege.edu/art/gallery.html. Cascade Art Gallery: Multi-media art, print collection, glass, sculpture, jewelry, custom framing, gifts. 2840 Thornapple River Drive SE, 9494056, cascadegallery.blogspot.com. Center Art Gallery: Calvin College’s on-campus gallery features “Between the Shadow and the Light: A Traveling Exhibition out of South
Craft House: Collaborative art and discussion space. 40 S. Division Ave., crafthousegr.com and Facebook. Design Quest Gallery: Through March 15, “Big Echoes” by Sarah Knill: paintings, sculptures and drawings. 4181 28th St. SE, 9409911, designquest.biz. Flat River Gallery: Works in a variety of media; custom framing, workshops. 219 W. Main St., Lowell, 987-6737, flatrivergalleryandframing. com. Gallery @ A.K. Rikk’s: Located inside a fashion boutique, the gallery features work by local and nationally renowned artists. 6303 28th St. SE, 957-3242, akrikks.com. Gallery 154: Local and national multi-media art, gifts, jewelry. 1456 Lake Drive SE, 454-2154, gallery154. com. Glitter Milk Gallery: Exhibits emerging artists and seasoned professionals. 901 Alpine Ave. NW, (248) 894-8403, glittermilkgallery.com.
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts: See Museums & Attractions. Kendall College of Art and Design: Four galleries display work by students, staff and visiting artists. Fountain St. Building, 17 Fountain St. NW; The Fed Galleries, 17 Pearl St. NW. kcad.edu/galleries. LaFontsee Galleries: Gallery artists display 2D and 3D works. Framing, restoration services available. Grand Rapids: 833 Lake Drive SE, includes Urban Craft Boutique. Douglas: 401 W. Center St., closed during winter. 451-9820, lafontsee. us. LINC Gallery: Showcases local emerging and established artists. 341 Hall St. SE, 451-9140.
Feb. 4-27 1/ Traditional encaustic paintings by Marissa Voytenko will be on display at Forest Hills Fine Arts Center.
Sanctuary Folk Art: Salon-style gallery displays and sells local folk art. 140 S. Division Ave., 454-0401, Facebook. Terryberry Gallery: This month, paintings by Grand Rapids artist Valentina Grigorieva. Lower level, St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, 459-2224, scmc-online.org/ building/terryberry-gallery. Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts: Through Feb. 8, Looking Forward: The Artwork of Kirk Newman. Through Feb. 15, Buying Friends: The Kortman Collection. 2 W. Fulton St., 459-7000, uica.org. Check websites for hours of operation.
MercuryHead Gallery: Displays a variety of work by local artists; gifts, photo restoration, digital printing on canvas, framing. 962 E. Fulton St., 456-6022, Facebook. Muskegon Museum of Art: See Museums & Attractions. Perception Gallery: Large gallery space shows fine art from U.S. and Europe, as well as furniture pieces. Art restoration and appraisal services. 210 E. Fulton St., 451-2393.
Grand Rapids Art Museum: See Museums & Attractions.
Richard App Gallery: Fine art from local and U.S. artists. 910 Cherry St. SE, 458-4226, therichardappgallery.tumblr. com.
Heartside Gallery: Folk, outsider and intuitive art by self-taught Heartside residents. 48 S. Division Ave., 235-7211, ext. 103, heartside. org.
Sacred Roots Gallery and Salon: East GR hair salon features work by local artists. 2237 Wealthy St. SE, 776-6090, sacredrootssalon.com.
3/ “Tail Wind” by Karen P. Cornwell is part of ArtPrize: Second Glance in Lowell.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY MELISSA VOYTENKO (TOP); ED WONG-LIGDA (FAR LEFT); KAREN P. CORNWELL (BOTTOM RIGHT)
1/ FOREST HILLS FINE ARTS CENTER: Feb. 4-27, traditional encaustic paintings by Marissa Voytenko, who uses hot wax, oil paints, graphite and encaustic paint that consists of beeswax, resin and pigment. Artist reception 6-7 p.m. Feb. 12 in the lobby. Open to the public. 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 493-8965, fhfineartscenter.com.
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art talk BY JOSEPH A. BECHERER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY MELISSA VOYTENKO (TOP); ED WONG-LIGDA (FAR LEFT); KAREN P. CORNWELL (BOTTOM LEFT)
Remembering Stuart Padnos LIKELY YOU HAV E SEEN them in and around West Michigan: giant flowers, football players and marching bands — sculptures made with tubes, old mufflers, coils and various scrap metal plates. Likely you have smiled. The subject at hand is the sculpture of the late Stuart Padnos, whose family business, Louis Padnos Iron and Metal, has been in business in Holland for more than 100 years. When he passed away last spring at the age of 90, his brightly colored works graced the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Grand Valley State University, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and the Grand Rapids Public Library. T he large-scale work on the east side of the downtown library is engaging on a variety of levels. At center is a monumental seated female figure, perhaps a mother, teacher or librarian. Foremost, she is storyteller, keeping her young audience quite attentive. T wo standing figures flank her and another two are gathered at her feet. Even from a distance, it is easy to understand this is a group that is connected through reading, through storytelling. Placed outside the city’s beloved and historic main library, it is an enduring reminder of the shared joy of reading. Although the action seems timeless, the inventive use, or re-use, of scrap materials has a contemporary feel. T he placement between the library’s older Ryerson building and the contemporary Keeler wing seems most fitting. However, what really brings energy to the work is the plaza in which the five figures have been assembled. T he viewer is invited into their pavement circle and can walk or sit to feel engaged. It should not come as a surprise that among the gems in the Stuart and Barbara Padnos
What really brings energy to the work is the plaza in which the five figures have been assembled. The viewer is invited into their pavement circle and can walk or sit to feel engaged.
Things to consider > Spend an enjoyable day visiting sites where Padnos sculptures are on display. It’s a great way to think about community.
art collection there are works of sculpture. Archipenko, Arp and Lipchitz are among the major modern sculptors included in their collection. Several of these works are still on loan to the Grand Rapids Art Museum and can be viewed in the third-floor galleries. Although Padnos did not view himself as an artist or his work in sculpture on the same level as the masters he collected, he had a strong and serious creative impulse and an original grasp of aesthetics and design. Works like those that enliven the grounds of the Grand Rapids Public Library are truly notable.
> With each of the sculptures, try to imagine from what original materials a given work has been constructed. How have these materials been transformed, individually and collectively? > At what point does the illusion build up in your imagination to go from the original materials to a completely new figure?
— Joseph A. Becherer is curator of sculpture at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and a professor at Aquinas College. FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 31
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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES
By Julie Bonner Williams
Braiding is woven into African-American culture
“I have been using hair as a subject and medium in my artwork for almost 20 years,” said Sonya Clark, who chairs the department of craft and material studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. “I was trained as a textile artist and consider hairdressing one of the first textile art forms.” While her winning entry left many in awe of the art that can be created using hair, several local African-American women smile knowingly when asked about braiding as an art form. Johanna Jelks, founder of Generation X&Y for MI, laughs when asked about her expertise in the art of braiding. “I’m a young African-American woman so I better know something about some braids.” Jelks notes braiding is well woven into African-American culture, and her early memories include children sitting for hours
Sonya Clark’s 2014 ArtPrize entry, “The Hair Craft Project,” was on display at Kendall College of Art and Design. Clark was featured in photographs modeling various braided styles to showcase the art of African-American hair braiding.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY SONYA CLARK AND THE HAIR CRAFT PROJECT (TOP); KENDALL COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN OF FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY (BOTTOM)
ArtPrize is the talk of Grand Rapids each year as the buzz about favorite entries makes its way into offices, coffee houses and social media postings. Last fall there was plenty of buzz about Sonya Clark’s “The Hair Craft Project,” which tied for the 2014 Juried Grand Prize Award.
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at a time while a mother, neighbor, or salon stylist wove braid after braid into their hair. “It was just something your mom did for you. My mom did her own braids and she did mine,” said Clark, noting she would sit for five hours or more while her mother braided her locks. “You learn to be patient,” she said. Stylist and braider Debora Floyd, who
commutes regularly between Grand Rapids and the Charlotte, N.C., area, is a former salon owner and licensed cosmetology instructor. She talks about the amount of time women put into the art of braiding, saying she typically spends a minimum of three hours and up to 10 hours braiding one head of hair. For Floyd, the hours spent working so
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY SONYA CLARK AND THE HAIR CRAFT PROJECT (TOP); KENDALL COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN OF FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY (BOTTOM)
Debora Floyd considers braiding an art form, but also enjoys the connection between stylist and client, who may spend hours together at each session. Right and below, Floyd braids Brenda Ezell’s hair.
closely with another human being supersede everyday hairstyling. “It’s spiritual. When you’re braiding someone’s hair, there’s a connection. It’s relaxing and comforting. My clients are really close and dear to me because we spend so much time braiding,” she said. Floyd acknowledges braiding as an honored art form, one she began at the age of 8; at age 16, she won second place in a hair-braiding contest held in Grand Rapids’ Martin Luther King Jr. Park. “Everybody thought I should have gotten first place,” she laughs. T he tradition has been passed on to her own daughters and even her 7-year-old granddaughters, one of whom is currently perfecting cornrow braiding. Artist Georgia Taylor, a graduate of Kendall College of Art & Design, speaks reverently about the art of hair braiding. “Braiding hair in the African-American culture goes back to our ancestors in Africa. It’s more than just an art form — it’s a part of our lives.” Taylor says tribes in Africa braided for different reasons. Braiding had its own language that distinguished a person’s tribe association or status within the tribe. While Floyd calls braiding a God-given talent, Taylor notes it is a specialized art — different braiders excel at different forms. FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 33
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art & design TRENDS / PEOPLE / INNOVATION / PLACES
“Every stylist has their own flair,” she said. “It’s the same as an artist who paints or draws in a certain way — every stylist braids a certain way.” Reminiscing about having her hair braided as a young girl, T aylor compares the experience to memories of cooking in the kitchen with her mother and grandmother, saying it was time spent with the older generations of women, participating in something culturally rich. Aside from the artistic and cultural aspects of braiding is the reality of wanting healthy hair. Braids protect the natural hair as it grows out, keeping it safe. For this reason, as well as the time and money involved in creating braids, once they’re in, the braids often stay in for weeks. A day of hair braiding can cost about $100-$150, which is worth the investment for the duration the braids stay in the hair. Among popular styles today are the Senagalese twist, box braids and sisterlocks. Jewellynne Richardson is known to many of her braiding clients as “Mama Jewel” or “Miss Jewel.” For 17 years she studied in Atlanta under the tutelage of braider T aleih Wajeed, who travelled to
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Jewellynne Richardson braids the hair of her son Jewelian Robertson and grandson Jewelius Robertson. “Mama Jewel” praises Sonya Clark’s “The Hair Craft Project” as dynamic and representative of her culture.
Africa to study the history of African grooming habits. “I paid her $3,000 to show me 30 techniques,” said Richardson, who is known for elaborately braided hairstyling. Richardson calls Clark’s “T he Hair Craft Project” a step forward and dynamic, saying, “T hat’s our basic beauty. What she did is the real art that’s within.” Braiders are artists, she added. “They’re sculpting hair. I love the way she presented it. T his is unique and distinctive to our culture.” While many of the elaborate styles Clark modeled in her ArtPrize entry are more common in big cities, Richardson said she’s proud of the presentation being showcased in Grand Rapids. “It’s getting the message out,” she said. “We are in need of bringing some culture into our own community. People are just learning to love themselves as a whole culture. It’s GR about pride.”
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This sweeping wall is capped by a green roof garden that is utilized by the building’s occupants as a retreat for study and reflection.
frame works BY MARK F. MILLER
Guess the building*: civic pride ENCOMPASSING NEARLY an entire city block, this civic structure is nestled between a traditional urban business district and a residential neighborhood. The 65,000-square-foot building, designed by TowerPinkster Architects in 2007, occupies a three-acre site that includes a park, basketball courts and a recently added fitness course. T he building is composed of three simple geometric forms. A central form of primarily glass is flanked by two monumental rectangular forms rendered in brick. T his massing provides a simple organizational structure. T he transparent central form provides a location for many of the building’s operational and shared functions. This area also houses all the vertical and horizontal connections within the structure, which help to organize and control access. On the front side of the building, the transparent element takes on the form of a curved glass projection that sweeps across a large plaza and provides a space for the main entrance into the building. T his sweeping wall is capped by a green roof garden that is utilized by the building’s occupants as a retreat for study and reflection. T he glass-walled central core is once again
present at the rear of the building, where assembly spaces and stairs have a commanding view over an outdoor amphitheater. T he central core is buttressed by the two masonry volumes that flank it. T hese forms have a series of punched-hole window openings that accentuate their mass and permanence. Portions of these masonry walls are adorned with a distinctive red brick cross-hatch pattern within a field of tan brick. This pattern helps to break up some of the more expansive walls of the building, giving them a distinctive aesthetic. T hese solid building elements contain the essential rooms of the building and incorporate flexible and versatile spaces that are conducive to future changes that may be required as trends change. T hey also provide spaces for a variety of group-related activities and outreach opportunities. In addition to these spaces, the building includes a health clinic and a laundry — both of which were included in the program as a
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
response to neighborhood input during the design process. T he building also serves as my polling location for elections. — Architect Mark F. Miller is an urban designer at Nederveld. He has led the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission and the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
*Each month Frame Works writer Mark Miller is providing a glimpse of a local building without identifying it. Readers are challenged to note the details that make up the unique characteristics of these structures that provide the backdrop for Grand Rapids and identify them. Tweet your guess to @grmagazine using hash tag #frameworks. (Can’t wait? Answer is on page 12.)
Interesting tidbits > The building is a LEED-certified structure that replaced a historic building that had served the same function for generations. > The building won the Outstanding Building Design Award from the American Institute of Architects Grand Valley in 2007.
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GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE’S 35TH ANNUAL DINING AWA R D W I N N E R S
BY MARTY PRIMEAU PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
SIMPLY THE BEST! 36 GRMAG.COM \ FEBRUARY 2015
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“Everyone is part of the team. We work together on everything. There’s no hierarchy in this kitchen. It’s the challenge of creating something new and special that makes everyone want to come to work.” — Executive Chef Patrick Wise
HE KITCHEN AT GROV E IS SMALL — tiny, actually —
much of the seasonal ingredients it uses from local, family and
but the spirit of camaraderie in the East Hills restaurant
sustainable farms and businesses.
is huge.
Besides great food, the friendly servers and front-of-the-house
“Everyone is part of the team,” says Executive Chef Patrick Wise. “We work together
on
staff make us feel welcome in the casual, yet elegant, setting. Each day is a culinary adventure at
everything.
Grove and we wanted to see how it all hap-
There’s no hierarchy in this
pens. After spending an afternoon behind
kitchen. It’s the challenge
the scenes, we have an even greater appre-
of creating something new
ciation for this Grand Rapids’ gem.
GR
and special that makes everyone want to come to work.” For the third year in a row, Grove has been named Restaurant of the Year by the Grand Rapids Magazine staff. Wise and his team continue to impress us with imaginative cuisine that’s also visually stunning. T here’s attention to detail in every bite. We love the small plate concept — three dishes for $38 — that allows us to sample a variety of amazing dishes. And we love that Grove sources
A D AY I N T H E L I F E AT G R O V E :
Left: Michael Borraccio jots down some notes for the evening’s menu based on what products have arrived from vendors that day. Throughout the day, the chefs and staff collaborate, talking about their ideas for tweaking menu items. Bottom right: Raul Jimon, dubbed “the most important person in the kitchen,” washes all the fresh produce that comes into the kitchen and keeps the kitchen shipshape. Bottom left: The Grove servers gather late afternoon to go over the menu before doors open at 5 p.m.
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Above: Executive Chef Patrick Wise grabs a tub of celeriac from the cooler. Top right: General Manager Jill Norris and Manager Courtney Hill sample some wines with Travis Sali of Henry A. Fox Sales, a Grand Rapids wholesale beverage distributor. Norris says she looks for artisan wines that complement Grove’s farm-to-fork cuisine. Middle: Pastry Chef Erin Keener, who created Grove’s popular Salted Dark Chocolate Fudge, checks on the evening’s desserts while Luke Cahoon keeps tabs on the half-dozen pots brewing on the stove. Bottom right: A large chalkboard by the dining room lists many of the local farms and artisans who supply Grove. Bottom left: Early afternoon, bartender Kenton Grassmid sets up the bar and prepares Drunken Cherries for martinis.
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RE S TAU R AN T OF T H E YE AR
919 Cherry St. SE 454-1000 groverestaurant.com
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2014 PROVED TO BE A SAVORY YEAR in Grand Rapids’ dining community as new eateries opened and established restaurants continued to thrive. As always, choosing winners in seven categories was difficult. But picking GRM’s 2014 Restaurant of the Year was a snap. For the third year in a row, Grove takes top honors for its forward-thinking, locally sourced and always delicious cuisine — “a tribute to earth’s bounty” as the website declares. We look forward to another year of innovations, with such new places as The Bandit Queen on South Division and Gravity Taphouse Grille on East Beltline, and the growth of the brewery scene. Without further ado, our picks.
BE S T NEW RE STAURANT
16 Monroe Center NE, 988-9350, osteriarossa.com There was buzz about this place even before it opened. Chef Chris Perkey — many Grand Rapidians were fans of his Firehouse Grille in Gaslight Village —and business partner Brittany Bonham spent months renovating the space by Monument Park in downtown GR into a casual, family-style, farm-to-fork Italian eatery with house-made pastas, wood-fired pizza, droolworthy small plates and main dishes — most priced under 20 bucks. The gnudi spinach-ricotta dumplings are amazing, and who knew we’d actually love octopus? Pork Ossobuco with creamy polenta and kale in a lemon-sage sauce also earns raves. Customer service is stellar. For downtown dwellers, the place has become a neighborhood hangout — something Perkey predicted when he chose the location. Besides lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, the staff hosts wine dinners and special events.
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BEST E U RO P E A N
925 Cherry St. SE 719-1604, breweryvivant.com You don’t need to be a beer drinker to enjoy the cuisine at this renovated funeral chapel with its stained glass windows and European-style bench seating that lets us get chummy with perfect strangers. At Brewery Vivant, beer and food are thoughtfully and artfully paired. The French-Belgian inspired menu offerings include Duck Confit Nachos, Roasted Bone Marrow and Venison Sausage. Much of the fare is locally sourced by owner Jason Spaulding (whom we’ve spied shopping at Fulton Street Farmers Market). The Belgian frites are served three ways with a béarnaise-aioli sauce and there’s a nice list of artisanal cheese. As for the beers, all have hints of unique Belgian yeast that separates them from other local brews. Contemplation, brewed with local honey and hops, has light fruit notes, while Big Red Coq is a marvelous, citrusy, hoppy red ale.
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BE ST A SIA N
58 Monroe Center NW, 235-6969, xoasiancuisine.com Let’s be perfectly clear: It’s impossible to single out one
We love the Vietnamese pho at
ing a la Japanese hot pot — is a
and Thai spe-
Pho Soc Trang (one fan calls it
delicious experience at Osaka.
cialties. It’s one of the few Asian restaurants to
“heaven in a bowl”). Seoul Gar-
Asian restaurant as the best
den offers unique Korean fare in
But one place always crops
offer a brown rice option. For
in the city. There are so many
an upscale dining room. Wei Wei
up as the go-to spot when we
those diners who really know
different types of cuisines, so
Palace has dim sum to die for.
crave Asian fare. XO in down-
their stuff and want to request
many specialties, and so many
Maru is our choice for stand-out
town Grand Rapids has a menu
a particular spice, the kitchen
little mom-and-pop places.
sushi. And shabu-shabu — cook-
that includes Chinese, Japanese
will try to accommodate.
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B EST NEW AMERI CAN
201 Monroe Ave. NW, 855-9463, reservegr.com
Oenophiles have flocked to Reserve since the doors opened in 2010. Where else can you order a glass of Barolo and know that it will be served slightly cool and tasting like the bottle was just uncorked? Ditto for more than 100 other wines by the glass, thanks to its sophisticated Cruvinet system. But it’s not just the vino that makes Reserve a stellar restaurant. In the kitchen, Chef Mathew Green and staff dish out locally sourced, seasonal dishes, often incorporating hints of Dutch and Polish flair (try the delicious Fennel Sausage & Potato Dumplings, inspired by traditional Polish Kopytka). The atmosphere is contemporary yet cozy, whether dropping by for a bite of cheese and charcuterie before a show or settling in for a delicious multicourse dinner. Also impressive are the servers, who can make suggestions about everything from beverage pairings to dessert.
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BE S T M E X I CA N/L ATIN A M ERICA N/ CA R IBBE A N
655 Wealthy St. SE, donkeygr.com
No enchiladas, nachos or (gasp) wet burritos. Dare we call this a Mexican eatery?
border fare: flavor. The tacos, from white fish to pork belly, have just enough
bottles. (Warning: the habanero is really hot!) Our favorite dish is the Queso Fundido appetizer, a mix of Mexican white
corn tortillas. There’s also a full bar with beer, wine and margaritas. All this in
Yes, because owner Paul Lee
zing. They’re served with three
(who also owns Winchester and
tasty salsas — mild chipotle,
What the Truck) understands
medium green verde and a hot
and roasted poblano peppers,
the one thing that designates
habanero — not in bowls but in
heated and served in a mini
up to a spacious and often
true, authentic south-of-the-
easy-to-squirt plastic squeeze
cast-iron skillet along with mini
crowded patio.
cheese, house-made chorizo
a cool, modern space that used to be a service station. In warm weather the garage doors open
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BE S T C L A S S IC A M E RICA N
60 Ottawa Ave. NW, 454-6700, leosrestaruant.com We’re always ready to try trendy new places and we rave about adventurous, locally sourced fare. But there are times when we crave a traditional meal with a menu that doesn’t require googling. Leo’s fits the bill. From fresh catch specials to delicious steaks and other landlubber fare, this downtown restaurant offers consistently fine food and service in a spacious dining room. Each visit, we promise to try something different, but there are some favorites we can’t resist. Lobster and shrimp cakes. BLT Wedge. Leo’s Surf & Turf. And don’t get us started on the house-made desserts. Located in the lower level of a parking ramp adds extra points for easy parking in any kind of weather.
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BE S T MEDI T E R R AN E AN
2739 Breton Road SE 949-7477, shirazgrille.com This city has many great Middle Eastern eateries, but Shiraz is a standout (and not just because it features belly dancing on Thursdays). We love, love, love the grilled kabobs, but it’s the savory stews and rice dishes that make dining here really special. The khoreshes combine beef, lamb or chicken with veggies, herbs and dried fruit, nuts or beans — simmered until all those flavors meld. Shiraz’s specialty rice creations go way beyond ho-hum side dishes. The Shirin Polo is saffron rice with candied orange curls, barberries and sautéed julienne carrots, with slivered almonds and Persian pistachios. Besides great fare, the surroundings are serene and service is stellar. There’s a full bar and nice wine list. Join the Shiraz Club and you’ll receive info on special wine dinners and more.
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ONLY EIGHT DINING AWARDS? We know that hardly seems fair, given all the wonderful locally owned restaurants in Grand Rapids. Even double that number wouldn’t cover all of our go-to places. So we decided to feature just a few more of our favorite dining experiences, from brunch to late night liqueurs.
BEST BRUNCH 1429 Lake Drive SE, 301-0998, terragr.com Even if the food wasn’t as delicious as it is, the atmosphere in this Eastown eatery is the best. Airy and urban chic with high ceilings and exposed pipes, it exudes a warm vibe. Despite a rebranding and name change in 2013, Terra continues to bring folks in for the yummy farm-to-fork fare. And while lunch and dinner is always a treat, consider the weekend brunches. Bread Pudding French Toast is divine and we’re hooked on the Hair of the Dog Bowl with biscuits, sausage, scrambled eggs, kale, caramelized onions, cheddar and house-made hot sauce.
P E O P L E - WAT C H I N G I S A B O N U S 1001 Lake Drive SE, 454-4020, mariecatribs.com At the “center of the universe” is this little gem with a menu of great sandwiches, salads and breakfast fare. But it’s also a fabulous place to grab some grub to go. The deli is loaded with everything from gourmet granola, Lebanese potato salad, fruit tarts, mac ‘n’ cheese, fudgy brownies, tabouleh — you get the picture. The wait for a table can be lengthy, especially on weekends, but we truly enjoy people watching and sipping Turkish coffee.
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H O W M A N Y WA Y S CAN WE SAY SUSHI? 927 Cherry St. SE, 458-1900 marurestaurant.com Grand Rapids has plenty of good sushi joints, but Maru is our fave. We like everything about this place, from the Sexy Bacon Roll (the name alone should win an award) and organic tofu to the urban ambience and friendly staff. We’ve sworn off taking Instagram photos at every restaurant, but we make
A POTPOURRI OF DELIGHTS
an exception at Maru because the food is just so gorgeous.
435 Ionia Ave. SW, 805-5308, downtownmarketgr.com
Only downside: finding parking on Cherry Street in East Hills.
If you haven’t grazed through Downtown Market, you’re missing a good thing. Where do we even begin? Kimchi Fried Rice at Rak Thai, fish tacos from Fish Lads, Avocado Salad from Sushi Maki, a pork tamale from Tacos el Cunado, or a turkey crepe from Penelope’s Creperie — the point being, there’s something for everyone. Eat at the market or grab something from Making Thyme to prepare at home. Don’t forget a loaf of artisanal bread from Field & Fire. For dessert, think Sweetie-licious pies, Love’s Ice Cream, Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate. Perhaps our favorite spot is Aperitivo, where you can order a great glass of wine and a Monger’s Choice cheese and charcuterie plate with a variety of accoutrements and join friends at the communal table to nosh and sip.
WORTH THE DRIVE 7277 Thornapple River Drive, 682-5290, saburba.com From savory fennel scones to pot roast hash, the team at Saburba is always churning out something special. We’d expect nothing less from Chef Pete Davidson and Sarah Andro (whom we met several years back when she was the “wine chick” at Grand River Grocery). The two creative folks have given us gourmet doughnuts and to-die-for tacos. A menu favorite is Bibimbap, an oversized bowl of sticky white rice topped with Korean ribs, bok choy, pickled carrots, housemade kimchi and a fried egg. The desserts also are amazing — like this Salted Caramel Brownie. FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 49
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FAV O R I T E F O O D I E , JENNA ARCIDIACONO
Amore Trattoria
5080 Alpine Ave. NW, 785-5344 amoretrattoriaitaliana.com Where does she find the time and energy? Not only does this feisty chef prepare fabulous Italian cuisine, she is a cheerleader for other local restaurants, posting photos of their dishes on Facebook and Instagram. We often see her at fundraising events and galas, donating time for good causes. She takes foodie groups to Italy, where she learned to cook Italian with husband Maurizio’s family.
MOST IMPROVED 122 Monroe Center NW, 235-9339, trecugini.com Tuscan native Adriano Moscatelli made a smart move when he hired former restaurateur and chef Dan Chudik to head up his kitchen. We’ve always loved the Italian fare at Tre Cugini but had noticed a decline in recent years. Chudik has managed to ignite a creative spark, with some of the most inspired seafood dishes in the city. And, of course, the house-made pastas are wonderful. And the tiramisu? To die for.
527 Leonard St. NW, 608-5612, mittenbrewing.com When Chris Andrus and Max Trierweiler opened The Mitten, they thought they’d sell maybe two dozen pizzas a week. Now the west side brewery is almost known more for its pies than its beer (which, by the way, is some of the best in GR. Favorites include Country Strong, Triple Crown Brown and Mitten Milk Stout). The secret to the stellar pizza? The dough is unique, slowfermented to big, puffy goodness. Brave souls will want to try The Heater, made with the locally made Everidae habanero sauce.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (MIDDLE)
PA S S T H E P I Z Z A
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BEST DIM SUM 4242 S. Divsion Ave., 724-1818, weiweipalace.com This is the place in town to get dim sum, the Chinese/Cantonese equivalent to shared-plate dining. On weekends, servers at Wei Wei Palace wheel out trolleys piled high with steam baskets full of small delicacies. During the week, diners can order from a dim sum menu with color photos of the vast and varied options. The staff can help you choose from Shiu Mai (tender pork dumplings) to Shrimp Kau, lightly fried shrimp balls. Best news: Everything here is fresh.
190 Monroe Ave. NW, 451-6131, thechophousegrandrapids.com PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK (MIDDLE)
WORTH THE SPLURGE
The restaurant may be known for its prime beef, but what really makes The Chop House special is trotting downstairs for drinks, dessert and a stogie. Gourmet sweets — think Crème Brulée Cheesecake and Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart — are prepared inhouse by the pastry chef. Plus, there are signature martinis, top-shelf liquors, dessert wines and more, and a massive selection of hand-rolled cigars. FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 51
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There’s more to fitness than treadmills and weights. Consider such creative activities as pole dancing and rock climbing to get in shape.
BY MEGAN MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
I
T’S THE ANNUAL POST-HOLIDAY, pre-swimsuit question: How do I get in shape and stay in shape? For those willing to think outside the box, the answer might be a rock-climbing adventure with a few buddies. Or perhaps a pole dancing class with some girlfriends. Both are great activities to build muscle strength and burn calories. In the fitness world, there’s a lot of hype about cardio being the magic tool, but strength training is also an essential part of any fitness routine. Dr. Nancy Meyer, professor of kinesiology at Calvin College, says strength training is essential for total body health and is often overlooked. “I used to do a lot of running and biking,” she said. “Now I am experiencing a lot of hip and joint issues because I haven’t spent enough time on core and strength training.” Building strength decreases chances of injury and also helps in everyday activities. “You have to be able to lift a heavy bowl off the top shelf and carry the groceries,” she said. “It sounds simple, but many people just forget to pay attention to their muscles and core.” Establishing a regular gym routine, however, can be a challenge. “It’s best to have a workout partner,” Meyer said. “Fun, social and physical activities are becoming a really great trend.” Two social fitness trends in particular are on the rise here in Grand Rapids. Pole dancing meets power training at Flirt Fitness. At
Inside Moves, you can learn to climb rock faces while getting an overall body workout. FITNESS FOR ADVENTURE SEEKERS To the outsider, rock climbers may seem fearless. At Inside Moves, an indoor rock-climbing facility in Byron Center, rock climbing is for everyone — even those who are terrified of heights. Some of the area’s best climbers as well as some of the newest adventurer seekers are having fun and getting a total body workout while attached to a safety harness and rope. Owner Andy DeBoer has been climbing since 2004 and says rock climbing is for anyone willing to try. “Everyone can enjoy it at their own level,” he said. “Rock climbing works muscles that you aren’t used to using, but that’s what makes it so challenging.” Many think climbing a wall requires mostly upper-body strength, but DeBoer said it’s an overall strength workout. “It’s really about being efficient in movement, and that’s what is super important — balance and overall strength,” he said. “Most people do it for the fun of it, but you burn a very high amount of calories when you’re rock climbing.” Tori Haugen, who began rock climbing last fall, says the sport challenges her physically and mentally and relieves stress. “It’s not like other sports — it builds trust and really challenges you.” Micah Ellis, who works in Calvin College’s Climbing Center, which is open to Calvin students, faculty and staff, says the climbing community in Grand Rapids is friendly and open.
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Deana Haines and Amy Oostveen demonstrate pole fitness.
“Pole fitness is power training. These classes are working every muscle in your body, particularly your core and arms.” — Amy Oostveen
“We help each other improve and always encourage those around us. Don’t be afraid to jump in and try it — we will help you out.” Ellis has been climbing for 15 years in such places as Australia, Colorado and Ecuador. “Climbing is a sport that provides great muscle tone, especially with arms and back, as well as hands and fingers,” he said. “It is a total body workout.” Inside Moves’ DeBoer is a certified rock-climbing guide and often arranges trips to outdoor rock-climbing locations across the country. “Climbing is just such a social sport. It’s a great workout, but it’s also a great way to spend time with and get to know people.” FOR WOMEN ONLY Forget everything you think you know about pole dancing. Flirt Fitness is a studio dedicated to helping women get in shape while also helping them feel comfortable in their own skin. Pole fitness is a workout that targets core and overall strength. Amy Oostveen, owner and founder, says co-ed gyms can be a scary place for some women. “I want Flirt Fitness to be a safe haven for women to fall in love with who they are and to have fun.” But fun doesn’t necessarily mean easy. “Pole fitness is power training,” Oostveen said. “T hese classes are working every muscle in your body, particularly your core and arms.”
She describes the sessions as a “fusion of pole dancing, exotic dance, pilates, yoga and much, much more. In each level, 20 or more pole tricks are taught along with a routine and several transitional moves. You will use the entire room as we introduce beautiful floor and wall work as well.” Classes in the attractive space with purple walls and zebra print décor run about 90 minutes and can be very vigorous. “It’s not the type of workout you should do everyday. I recommend cross-training with yoga or a low-impact workout — and lots of stretching.” Haley Stadnikia, who has been an athlete most of her life, found pole dancing to be challenging. “It was a lot of core strength,” Stadnikia said. “It was a different kind of workout, not something I have ever done, and I was so sore after.” Women clients range in age from 17 to 65, said Oostveen, who launched Flirt Fitness in 2011. “I have been an athlete all my life, so I was looking for something low-impact but still challenging and faster paced. I found pole fitness as a certification and I couldn’t believe that it was a real thing,” Oostveen said. She drove to Illinois to attend a class and opened Flirt Fitness a year later in a small shared space in Eastown. Later, she moved to the current larger location at 5366 Plainfield Ave. NE. Besides fitness classes, she also hosts bachelorette and birthday parties, all focused on helping women to get fit and gain confidence. “Our instructors work out with the students. I want people GR to feel like we are all working on this together.”
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COOL BREWS. HOT EATS.
February 16-28
50+ local restaurants offering great food inspired by and paired with Michigan craft beers.
ExperienceGR.com/Beer
Contact Custer for new solutions to healthcare spaces. 217 Grandville Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 616.458.6322 • custeronline.com FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 55
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
A personal touch
Y
ou know that feeling — the hour for your party is fast approaching; your guests will soon be ringing the door-
bell. But there you are in the kitchen, still in your cooking attire, stirring pots, checking the oven and dizzily running over the “yet to do” list in your head. Ding-dong. Now imagine the same party. It’s everything you’ve planned, but your makeup is in place, you’re stylin’ in your party clothes, the table is beautifully set, and you’re sipping your favorite beverage. Before the doorbell rings, you stop for a quick consult with your personal chef, Terri Rees, who is in the kitchen taking care of all the details you have carefully planned together. All that’s left to do is greet your guests and give them your undivided attention. Or maybe you want to have a girls’ night in, complete with a cooking demonstration that culminates in a fantastic meal; plan an interactive cooking event with your foodie friends; stage a multi-course intimate dinner for two where you never have to leave the table — or even use a cooking exercise for a corporate teambuilding experience. Yep, Rees can do all that. She provides a personal chef experience completely tailored to her clients’ wishes and takes care of every detail from planning and shopping through cleanup. “It’s not like a catered event where you choose from a list of pre-selected foods and everything is made ahead of time, held for hours in warming trays and brought to your house en masse,” Rees said. T hat’s because she prepares everything in your home or venue. “I’m passionate about making the whole experience exactly what you want it to be. I want to give you the experience of bringing a personal chef into your life for whatever you need it for,” she said. It is a lifelong passion that Rees has long harbored. Ever since she learned to cook alongside her mother — who taught her to cook from the heart — she yearned for a foodcentric career. Instead, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Aquinas College and spent 25 years in the corporate world, focused on sales and project management, before realizing that dream. An offer of early retirement finally opened the door.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Chef Terri Rees does everything from creating a menu and buying groceries to washing the dishes after the party.
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“I decided it was time to pursue that culinary career I’d always wanted,” she recalled. “I talked it over with my husband, and he said, ‘Go for it!’ I decided if I didn’t try this, I’d probably kick myself when I was dying.” Rees made the bold choice of returning to school and earned her culinary arts degree from the hospitality program at Grand Rapids Community College. “I already had the business background but needed to get my core base to go with my working knowledge,” she noted. “It was very tough going back to school with all these kids, but it was a lot of fun and a great fit for me.” Since graduating, Rees’ career has included assistant catering chef for corporate fine dining at Bissell Corp., chef at Steelcase’s executive dining facility at the historic Meyer May House, and a stint with Zeeland-based Creative Dining Services. She has been featured in Parade Magazine, WOOD T V’s “8 West” and WZZM T V 13’s “Better Bites.” In addition, she is a featured instructor at Spartan-Nash Culinary Classroom, Frederik Meijer Gardens and MSU Extension’s Cooking Matters, as well as volunteering for local food-oriented programs. Rees recently was recognized by the local chapter of the American Culinary Federation as Chef Educator of the Year, and launched her own business as a personal
chef almost two years ago. “I love the instant gratification I get when somebody eats my food — to see them enjoy it, smile and say, ‘This is satisfaction,’” she explained. “In the corporate world, you never knew how well you were doing throughout a yearlong project, but when you cook, the feedback is immediate. Now I get to do what I love and help people enjoy their day. I want to take the stress of their event off of them.” Check out Chef T erri Rees’ Facebook page or visit chefterrirees.com for more — JULIE BURCH information.
Potato-Parmesan Pavé Yield: 8 servings 4 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced 3 cups heavy whipping cream Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss the potato slices with the cream until thoroughly coated. Generously butter a ceramic casserole dish. Arrange four layers of the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese on the potatoes and cover with four more layers of potato. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle on the remaining Parmesan, and layer the remaining potatoes over the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, or until potatoes are tender.
Chef Terri’s Fudge Pots Yield: 6 servings Heat oven to 325 degrees. ½ cup (1 stick) butter – melted 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa 1 cup sugar 2 eggs, well beaten 3 tablespoons flour or cornstarch ½ teaspoon vanilla 1 cup chopped pecans Additional butter and sugar for ramekins Chantilly Cream (recipe below) Lightly butter 6 medium ramekins and swirl sugar to line sides. Set aside. Stir melted butter and cocoa in a medium bowl until well blended. Stir in sugar, eggs, flour, vanilla and nuts. Portion into ramekins. Place in a roasting pan and place in the oven. Fill the pan with hot water until it reaches approximately halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake until firm and crusty on top, and soft inside, about 45 minutes.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Chantilly Cream 4 ounces heavy cream ½ ounce confectioners’ sugar ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract Make sure the cream and all the equipment are chilled and very clean. Whip the cream by hand or machine until it forms soft peaks. Add the sugar and vanilla. Continue to whip until the cream forms stiffer peaks but is still smooth.
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nosh & sip BY AMY RUIS
Sweet traditions plus wine While I’m a huge advocate of baking my own desserts, sometimes it’s just not feasible. That’s when local bakeries come into play.
info: > Grand Rapids Cheesecake Co., 2255 Alpine Ave. NW, (616) 447-9045, grcheesecake.com. > Wealthy Street Bakery, 610 Wealthy St. SE, (616) 301-2950, wealthystreet bakery.com.
Whatever the cheesecake topping, brut bubbles will pair nicely. However, this local cheesecake company deserves to be met with sips of another Michigan favorite — L. Mawby’s Blanc de Blanc. Wealthy Street Bakery — For a gal who never enjoyed carrot cake as a kid, it takes a lot to admit how much I love WSB’s moist version with its velvety cream cheese frosting. The toothiness of the carrot shavings with the oily rich texture of the cake and creamy frosting will pair well with something sweet and viscous. T ry any French dessert-style wine, like Sauterne or Loupiac. I’ve recently been introduced to Rivesaltes, fortified with structure and rich with aroma and flavors of figs and golden raisins. A small pour and little sips give round, rich flavors for a winter’s delight. Connie’s Cakes — As Valentine’s Day approaches, consider giving your sweetie a 6-inch personalized cake from this Eastown bakery. While Connie’s also makes white and marble cakes, I recommend the chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache frosting. They’ll even add raspberry filling if you ask. With this dessert I definitely recommend a full-bodied Ruby Port. While aged, they’re placed in concrete or stainless tanks (not wood, like a tawny port) to preserve the fresh, red fruit characteristics. T hink brown sugar combined with roasted strawberry and chocolate-covered cherry flavors. Or try a Crusted Port with its underlying grip of barrel aging and even more high-quality vintages blended in. — Amy Ruis, owner of Art of the Table and Aperitivo, is a wine enthusiast who is working on her Level II Sommelier certification. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
> Connie’s Cakes, 1416 Robinson Road SE, (616) 455-6214, iloveconniescakes. com.
FEBRUARY OFTEN TURNS into a sweets fest, between Valentine’s Day celebrations and winter dinner parties. While I’m a huge advocate of baking my own desserts, sometimes it’s just not feasible. T hat’s when local bakeries come into play. Here are some sweet pairings to try this month: Grand Rapids Cheesecake Co. — I picked up a plain (yet luscious) cheesecake from these guys and dressed it for a tasting. What I love best about cheesecake is that you can add seasonal fruits and other toppings for a versatile dessert.
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
dining listings
A GUIDE TO RESTAURANTS IN GRAND RAPIDS AND BEYOND
The recommendations and reviews in the listings are the opinions of the editors. Restaurants are included by virtue of overall quality. We have created symbols to area restaurant amenities, which are defined in a legend at the end of this listing (page 71).
NEW AMERICAN Upscale, contemporary cooking including ethnic twists on familiar standbys.
combinations. Open 10-4 Sun. 1015 Wealthy St SE, 451-4779. electriccheetah.com. B (Sun only), L, D ¢-$
Olives — 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. L, D ¢-$
➧Ada PourHouse Gastropub — Fresh, locally sourced ingredients with twist on comfort food. Salads, sandwiches and entrees, including fish and steak. Craft beers and wine. Open daily. 6748 E Fulton St, Ada, 920-7941, Facebook. B (Sun brunch only), L, D $-$$
Gilly’s At The B.O.B. — Hand-crafted microbrews paired with seasonal fare. Tavern small plates, seafood and more. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com. D $-$$
One Trick Pony Grill & Taproom — Eclectic menu with vegetarian, Mexican and European cuisines. Dine alfresco on street-front patio. Closed Sun. 136 E Fulton St, 235-7669. ¢-$ onetrick.biz. L, D
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. graydons crossing.com. L, D $
FReserve — Wine bar offers extensive bythe-glass selections and culinary options to match, including charcuterie. Closed Sun. 201 Monroe Ave NW, 855-9463. reservegr. $-$$ com. L (Mon-Fri), D
Bar Divani — European-inspired food includes small plates for sharing and a variety of entrées. Closed Sun. 15 Ionia Ave SW, 7749463. bardivani.com. L, D $-$$ Bistro Bella V ita — Big-city casual; fresh French and Italian cuisine, locally sourced and prepared over a wood fire. Mammoth martini bar, nice wine selection. 44 Grandville Ave SW, 222-4600. bistrobellavita.com. $-$$ L, D Blue Water Grill — Entrees include steaks and fish, wood-fired pizzas. Nice wine selection. Lakeside views, outdoor patio. Open daily. 5180 Northland Dr NE, 363-5900. thegilmore $-$$ collection.com/bluewater.php. L, D – Lounge — Soups, salads, sandwichCitysen es, burgers and small-plate creations. Happy Hour daily 4-7 pm. CityFlats Hotel, 83 Monroe Center NW, (866) 609-CIT Y. cityflatshotel. com/grandrapids. B, L, D ¢-$
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
and mains for lunch. Full bar. T ake-out menu. Closed Sun. 884 Forest Hill Ave SE, 942-9100. marcobistro.com. L, D $-$$
Cork — Lively lounge, contemporary dining with indoor and outdoor seating. Seafood, steaks, burgers, fish, sandwiches, salads. Extensive wine list, specialty cocktails. Watermark Country Club, 1600 Galbraith SE, 949-0570. redwaterrestaurantgroup.com. $-$$ L, D Cygnus 27 — Stunning view from the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza. Menu features Mediterranean and Latin influences. Sun brunch Labor Day to Mother’s Day. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 776-6425. amwaygrand. com. D (Tue-Sat) $$ Electric Cheetah — Eclectic menu with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative
Green Well Gastro Pub — Menu features comfort fare with a flare, emphasizing local ingredients. Full bar; more than 20 rotating draught beers, many from area microbreweries. Open daily. 924 Cherry St SE, 808-3566. thegreenwell.com. L, D $-$$ Grill One Eleven — American-with-a-twist menu, full-service bar and lounge. Open daily at 11 am. 111 Courtland Dr, Rockford, 863-3300. grilloneeleven.com and Facebook. $-$$ L, D OGrove — Earth-to-table concept focuses on three- and four-course offerings. Vegan menu available. Open daily. 919 Cherry St SE, 454-1000. groverestaurant.com. D $$ Hall Street Bakery — Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup served for lunch and dinner (pizza after 4 p.m.). Beer and wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. 1200 Hall St SE, 214-7604. hallstreetbakery.com. B, L, D ¢-$ The Heritage — GRCC culinary students prepare gourmet dishes from steaks to vegan. Menu changes weekly. Wine and beer. Open T ue-Fri during school year. Applied T echnology Center, 151 Fountain St NE, 234-3700. $-$$ grcc.edu/heritage. L, D Marco New American Bistro — French country casual offers small, medium and large plates for dinner fare; salads, sandwiches
Rockwell Republic — Diverse menu emphasizes local ingredients from sushi to comfort food. Upper-level outdoor seating. Open daily. 45 S Division Ave, 608-6465 or 551-3563. $-$$ rockwellsrepublic.com. L, D Rose’s — Dockside dining on EGR’s Reeds Lake with varied menu including pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Three-season porch. Open daily. 550 Lakeside Dr SE, 458-1122. thegilmorecollection.com/roses.php. L, D $ Schnitz Ada Grill — Schnitz Deli by day, casual fine dining by night. Happy hour 3-6. Closed Sun. 597 Ada Dr, Ada, 682-4660. ¢-$$ schnitzdeli.com, Facebook. L, D Six.One.Six — Innovative cuisine sources local ingredients in a cosmopolitan setting. Al fresco dining on Jdek overlooking Grand River. Open daily. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St NW, 242-1500. ilove616.com. B, L, D $-$$ SpeakEZ Lounge — Casual pub setting with eclectic menu including vegan and glutenfree. Creative starters, soups, salads, entrees (available after 4). Open daily. 600 Monroe Ave NW, 458-3125. speakezlounge.com. L, D $ Tavern On The Square — T apas-style fare plus house specialties. Patio seating. Happy hour 3-7 Mon-Fri. Open daily. 100 Ionia Ave SW, 456-7673. tavernonthesq.com. L, D ¢-$ Terra GR — Eastown eatery features food from local, ethically raised and sustainable FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 59
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
sourcing. Specialty cocktails, Michigan craft beers, wines from small wineries. 1429 Lake Dr SE, 301-0998. terragr.com. B (brunch Sat and Sun), L, D $-$$
mous sizzler steaks, small plates, sandwiches, salads, gluten-free and vegetarian choices, bar munchies. See website for eight West Michigan locations. branns.com. L, D $
Wealthy Street Bakery — Breakfast pastries; sandwiches, salads and soup served for lunch and dinner (pizza available after 4). Beer and wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. 610 Wealthy St SE, 301-2950. wealthystreetbakery.com. B, L, D ¢-$
Bull’s Head Tavern — Large selection of appetizers. Entrees include pasta, fish, chicken and steak along with burgers and sandwiches. Closed Sun. 188 Monroe Ave NW, 4543580. thebullsheadtavern.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$
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. L, D ¢-$
Charley’s Crab — Fresh seafood in a fine dining atmosphere with views of the Grand River. Early menu 4:30-6 pm daily. Glutenfree menu. Sun brunch 10-2:30. Open daily. 63 Market Ave SW, 459-2500. muer.com. $-$$ L (Mon-Fri), D
CLASSIC AMERICAN Restaurants and diners serving traditional dishes popular across the country. Acorn Grille at Thousand Oaks — Blend of traditional and innovative cuisine, presented in handsome dining room with golf course views. Open daily in season. 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr, 447-7750. thousandoaksgolf.com. L, D $$ Arnie’s Bakery & Restaurant — Breakfast, sandwiches, baked goods and desserts; dinner menu too. No alcohol. Open daily. 2650 East Beltline Ave SE (Centerpointe Mall), 956-7901; 710 Leonard St NW, 454-3098; 777 54th St SW, 532-5662; 34 Squires St, Rockford, 866-4306. arniesrestaurants.com. B, L, D $ Aryana Restaurant & Bar — Comfortable dining room in Crowne Plaza Hotel offers breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner selections from a seasonal menu. Open daily. 5700 28th St SE, 957-1770. hiaryana.com. B, L, D $-$$
in baskets with fries. Also to go. Closed Mon. T rinity Plaza, 1720 44th St SE, Kentwood, ¢-$ 455-FISH. Facebook. L, D Grand V illa — Prime rib, seafood, complete salad bar. Full-service bar. Closed Sun. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, 538-1360. villadungeon. $ com. L, D Great Lakes Shipping Co. — Beef, seafood and beyond in dockside motif. Patio open in summer. Lounge opens 3 pm. 2455 Burton St SE, 949-9440. greatlakesshippingcompany. com. D $-$$
Green Restaurant — Sandwiches, salads, burgers and seafood, ostrich and elk burgers. Closed Mon. 2289 East Beltline Ave NE, 4478294. greenrestaurantgrandrapids.com. L, D T ( ue-Sat) $ Cheshire Grill — Sandwiches, soups, salads, creative burgers. Open daily for breakfast (served all day) and lunch. 2162 Plainfield Ave NE, 635-2713. cheshiregrill.com, Face¢-$ book. B, L, D (Tue-Sat) The Chop House — Aged prime beef, seafood, pork and lamb chops, chicken and more. Downstairs is La Dolce Vita dessert and cigar bar. Closed Sun. 190 Monroe Ave NW, 451-6131. thechophousegrandrapids. com. D $$ Dugan’s Pub & Grille — Casual dining with steaks, seafood, pasta and more at The Elks at Highlands Golf Club. 2715 Leonard St NW, $-$$ 453-2454. highlandsgr.com. L, D FireRock Grille — Country club dining or cook your own filet, shrimp or ahi tuna on a 500-degree stone. Open daily. Sun brunch 10-2. Stonewater Country Club, 7177 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 656-9898. firerockgrille.com. $ L, D
Grill House & Rock Bottom Bar — Grill-yourown steak with grillmasters on call. Bottomless salad bowl and potato bar. 1071 32nd St (M-40), Allegan, (269) 686-9192. grillhouse. net. L (downstairs), D $-$$ Honey Creek Inn — Pub setting offers beyond pub fare and daily specials. Closed Sun. 8025 Cannonsburg Rd, Cannonsburg, 874-7849. cannonsburgvillage.com/honey¢-$ creek-inn.php. L, D Hudsonville Grille — Varied menu includes Mexican favorites and breakfast. Full bar, catering and banquet services. Closed Sun. 4676 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 662-9670. hud ¢-$ sonvillegrille.com. B, L, D Judson’s At The B.O.B. — Award-winning steak house offers steaks, seafood and chops. Notable wine list. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/ judsonssteakhouse. D $$
Bostwick Lake Inn — Menu includes steaks, pork, fish, chicken, mac and cheese, pizzas, sandwiches, soups and salads. Large deck. Open daily. 8521 Belding Rd, Rockford, 8747290. thegilmorecollection.com/bostwick. php. L (weekends), D $-$$
Flat River Grill — Casual atmosphere in turnof-century building. Comfort food, woodfired pizzas. Full bar plus T he BOB’s House of Brews beers. Al fresco dining on patio. Open daily at 11:30 am. 201 E Main St, Lowell, 897-8523. thegilmorecollection.com/flat river.php. L, D $-$$
Boulder Creek Restaurant — Boulder Creek Golf Club restaurant has varied menu. Golfcourse views from inside or deck. See website for seasonal hours. 5750 Brewer Ave NE, Belmont, (616) 363-1330, ext 2. boulder ¢-$ creekgolfclub.com. L, D
Fleetwood Diner — Extensive diner menu with ribs a specialty, some Mediterranean and Mexican entrees. Open 6:30 for breakfast (8 am-4 pm Sun). Outdoor patio. 2222 44th St SE, 281-2300. fleetwoodbarandgrill. com. B, L, D ¢-$
Brandywine — Café atmosphere. Extensive breakfast menu, lunches with vegetarian choices, dinner entrees include Mexican. Open daily. 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641; 2844 East Beltline Ave NE, 363-1723. brandywine gr.com. B, L, D (Mon-Sat) ¢-$
Forest Hills Inn — Casual neighborhood favorite with a broad menu, excellent pizza. Closed Sun. 4609 Cascade Rd SE, 949-4771. foresthillsinn.com. B, L, D $
FLeo’s — Fresh seafood, Certified Black Angus Beef, New Zealand rack of lamb and more in elegant yet casual atmosphere. Early dinner menu 4:30-6 Mon-Fri. Closed Sun. 60 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-6700, leosrestaurant. com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$
Fry Daddy’s Fresh Fish — Fried fish, wingdings, walleye, orange roughy, catfish, blue gill, perch, smelt and shrimp, by the pound or
LINC Up Soul Food Café — Serves up healthy fusion of country favorites and innovative choices. Open daily (Sun brunch noon-4).
Brann’s Steakhouse & Sports Grille — Fa-
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. kitchen ¢-$ 67.com and Facebook. L, D The Landing — Casual atmosphere with views of the Grand River. All-American favorites and monthly specials. 270 Ann St NW (Riverfront Hotel at US 131), 363-7748. ontherivergr.com. B, L, D $
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1167 Madison Ave SE (LINC Development Center), 475-6650. facebook.com/lincupsoul ¢-$ foodcafe. B, L, D The Meadows Grille — Patio and dining room overlook GVSU golf course. Appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads. Open daily during golf season. 1 W Campus Dr, Allendale. gvsu.edu/meadows. L (WedSun), D ¢ actual patient before treatment
Pal’s Diner — Traditional diner offers breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. Closed Sun. 6503 28th St SE, 942-7257. palsdiner.com. ¢ B, L, D Pearl Street Grill — Bright, contemporary restaurant features diverse menu in downtown Holiday Inn. Open daily. 310 Pearl St NW, 235-1342. Facebook. B, L, D $ Rainbow Grill — Breakfast, soup and sandwiches, daily lunch specials, chicken, fish and other dinner staples. Closed Sun. 4225 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 896-0033; 4158 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 534-8645. rainbow grillmichigan.com. B, L, D ¢-$
Dr. Mike Crete voted Best Dentist
Dr. Mike Crete Curtis E. Hahn, D.D.S.
Ramona’s Table — Gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, burgers, small plates, homemade desserts. Farm-to-table specials. Michigan beers, wine. Kids menu. Closed Sun. 17 Squires St Square, Rockford, 9517100. ramonastable.com. L, D ¢-$ Red Jet Café — In former Creston Heights library. Coffee bar. Menu ranges from omelets to specialty pizzas. Full bar. 1431 Plainfield Ave NE, 719-5500. thegilmorecollection.com/ redjet.php. B (Sat-Sun), L, D (Mon-Sat) ¢-$ Reds On The River — On Rogue River. Large menu ranges from seafood to chops, plates to share. Extensive deck. Kids menu. 8 E Bridge St, Rockford, 863-8181. reds-live.com. L, D $-$$ Rio Grand Steak House & Saloon — Texasstyle barbecue ribs, steaks and more. 5501 Northland Dr NE, 364-6266. riograndsteak house.com. L, D $-$$ RiverHouse Ada — Casual vibe. Menu features regional cuisine from chicken and dumplings to filet. Also sandwiches, small plates. Closed Sun. 445 Ada Dr SE, 432-3345. riverhouseada.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$$ Rush Creek Bistro — Diverse menu in clublike surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials. Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville, 457-1100. rushcreekbistro.com. L, D $ Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse — Classic American steakhouse in the Amway Grand Plaza. 187 Monroe Ave NW, 774-2000. amway grand.com. L, D $$ FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 61
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grabbin’ a bite BY GRANT STOYE
Welcoming bar, tasty fare
Jambalaya is one of the signature dishes at Blue Dog Tavern.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
THE BUILDING AT THE CORNER of Stocking and 4th Street has been a west-side staple for more than 100 years, whether it was a grocery, bank or bar. Most recently it was the Kopper T op, a historic bar with 40 years of service. Last fall, it morphed into Blue Dog Tavern, which is continuing the tradition of a friendly and welcoming bar. T here’s a line of taps featuring delicious dark beer, the tables are adorned with ancient receipts, the walls feature classic cigar-box tops, and every inch of the bar looks as though it’s been holding up booze for decades. On the menu, Blue Dog has a slew of tater tot appetizers, with the buffalo and garlic parmesan being the most popular. I rolled with the poutine tots, and they were fantastic. The gravy was tasty without being thick or overwhelming, and the cheese curds played well with the saltiness of the tots. After that I sampled some homemade chili, and was impressed that it was hearty without being over-complicated, and had a
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food & drink RESTAURANTS / PEOPLE / REVIEWS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
There’s a line of taps featuring delicious dark beer, the tables are adorned with ancient receipts, the walls feature classic cigar-box tops, and every inch of the bar looks as though it’s been holding up booze for decades. degree of spice that won’t turn anyone off but still has some heat. I moved on to the Blue Dog — the T avern’s namesake hot dog. Its composition was clever, with grilled onions and bacon settled into a dog that was slit lengthwise to create a nice divot for the aforementioned toppings. Covering it was a spicy cheese sauce that tied everything together. My favorite part of the meal, though, was Blue Dog’s signature dish: a heaping helping of jambalaya. Honestly, I only ordered it because it was so prominently displayed on the menu. I’m not usually big on jambalaya, but this one immediately won me over. All the jambalaya I’ve previously eaten was more stew-like, with a thick broth dominating the texture sensation and the andouille often dominating the flavor. However, with Blue Dog’s jambalaya (which is such a fun word that it has to be said repeatedly), the deliciously flavored rice kept the dish together instead of a broth, and the sausage only enhanced the overall taste. Completing the experience were some thick, fried pita chips. I could have eaten an entire platter. — Grant Stoye enjoys writing about baseball and comic books, eating well and frequently, and drawing pictures of dinosaurs in formal wear.
Saburba — Specializes in take-out. Everchanging menu of entrees, sandwiches, soups, baked goods and coffee. Catering. Closed Sun. 7277 Thornapple River Dr, Ada, 682-5290. saburba.com and Facebook. B, L, D ¢-$ Spinnaker — Large menu features seafood and landlubber entrées, small plates. Open daily. 4747 28th St SE (Hilton GR Airport), 957-1111. hiltongrandrapids.com. B, L, D $-$$ Sundance Bar & Grill — Southwesterninfused cuisine, margarita bar. Open daily. 5755 28th St SE (Esplanade Plaza), 9565644; Waters Building, 151 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-1616. sundancegrill.com. B, L, D (MonSat) $ Swan Inn Restaurant — Home-cooked meals include pot roast, Salisbury steak and meatloaf. Huge breakfasts. Cygnet Lounge offers cocktails and nibbles. 5182 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1245. swaninnmotel.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Terrace Grille at Bay Pointe Inn — Lakefront setting. Seasonally changing menu known for steaks and seafood. Holiday brunches. 11456 Marsh Rd, Shelbyville, (269) 672-5202. bay $-$$ pointeinn.com. L, D Tillman’s — Chicago-style chophouse in former warehouse district. Known for steaks but something for every taste. Closed Sun. 1245 Monroe Ave NW, 451-9266. tillman srestaurant.com. L, D $-$$ Timbers Inn — Menu ranges from appetizers to meat ’n’ potatoes fare in lodge-like surroundings. Open daily. 6555 Belding Rd NE, 874-5553. timbersinn.net. L (Wed-Sun), D ¢-$ Twisted Rooster — Classic dishes with unexpected twists. Full bar features local beers/ wines. Open daily. 1600 East Beltline Ave NE, 301-8171. twisted-rooster.com. L, D ¢-$$ Vintage — Intimate setting with upscale menu that includes prime steaks and fresh seafood. International wine list. Watermark Country Club, 1600 Galbraith SE, 949-0570. redwaterrestaurantgroup.com. D $$ Walker Roadhouse — Diverse menu with interesting twists on classic fare. Closed Sun. 3272 Remembrance Rd NW, 791-9922. thewalkerroadhouse.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $
VEGETARIAN Bartertown Diner — Vegetarian/vegan/raw offerings in worker-owned and -operated diner. Promotes use of fresh, local ingredients. Closed T ue (hours change seasonally, check website). 6 Jefferson Ave SE, 233-3219. bartertowngr.com. L, D (Wed-Sat) ¢-$
PUBS & TAVERNS 84th Street Pub and Grille — American fare from pizzas to steaks, full-service bar. Kids menu. Daily specials. Closed Sun. 8282 Pfeiffer Farms Dr, Byron Center, 583-1650. ¢-$ 84thstpub.com. L, D 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. L, D ¢ Bobarino’s At The B.O.B. — Grill on 2nd floor of T he B.O.B. offers everything from woodfired pizza to upscale entrées. Lunch menu has deli sandwiches, salads, burgers. Fullservice bar. Outdoor seating. Closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com/bob ¢-$ arinospizza. L, D Bud & Stanley’s — Extensive menu includes Mexican specialties, pasta, burgers and more. Daily specials. Takeout available. Open daily. 1701 4 Mile Rd NE, 361-9782. bud andstanleys.com. L, D ¢-$ Cascade Sports Grill — Varied menu of appetizers, sandwiches, baskets, salads. Sizable bar with extensive martini menu. Cascade Centre, 6240 28th St SE, 974-3338. $ Facebook. L, D Charlie’s Bar & Grill — Well-rounded menu features dinners from ribs, steaks and seafood to kielbasa and kraut. Also Mexican fare, sandwiches. Full-service bar. Closed Sun. 3519 Plainfield Ave NE, 364-0567. Face¢-$ book. L, D Cheers Good Time Saloon — Menu offers something for everyone in a log-cabin environment. T ake-out available. Open daily. 3994 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1188. cheers ¢ grandrapids.com, Facebook. B, L, D Corner Bar — Famous for brews and chili dogs, but with extensive menu. 31 N Main St, Rockford, 866-9866. rockfordcornerbar. ¢ com. L, D Cottage Bar — Longtime favorite since 1927. Famous Cottage burgers and fries, signature chili and more. Closed Sun. 18 LaGrave Ave SE, 454-9088. cottagebar.biz. L, D ¢ Crooked Goose — Full menu of “old-school tavern favorites,” including munchies, pizzas, sandwiches and burgers, fresh greens, entrees. Open daily. 355 Wilson Ave NW, Walk¢-$ er, 791-2362. crookedgoose.com. L, D Derby Station — Sophisticated pub grub with full bar featuring an array of specialty beers. 2237 Wealthy St SE, 301-3236. derby station.com. L, D $ Flanagan’s — Downtown Irish pub features imported beers, entrees with Irish influence. FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 63
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Frequent live music. Closed Sun. 139 Pearl St NW, 454-7852. flanagansgr.com. L, D ¢ Founders Brewing Co. — Spacious taproom, serpentine bar, and live music Thu and Sat. Menu features appetizers, deli sandwiches. Outdoor beer garden. 235 Grandville Ave SW, 776-1195. foundersbrewing.com. L, D ¢ Frankie V’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar — Appetizers, subs, stromboli, pizza, pasta, burgers and Mexican. Outdoor patio. Open daily. 1420 28th St SW, 532-8998. frankievs.com. L, D ¢-$ Grand Rapids Brewing Co. — Organic brews, hard cider, wine and spirits. Farm-to-table menu includes sharable plates, sausages, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees. Open daily. 1 Ionia Ave SW, 459-7000. grbrewing company.com. L (Sat-Sun), D ¢-$ Grand Rapids Garage Bar and Grill — “AllAmerican grub” includes burgers, nachos, sandwiches, soups and salads. Live entertainment Fri and Sat. Open daily. 819 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-0321. garagebargr.com. L, D ¢ GP Sports — Sports bar and restaurant. Menu features create-your-own pizzas and burgers, salads and sandwiches. Open daily. Amway Grand Plaza, 187 Monroe Ave NW, 774-2000. amwaygrand.com. L, D $ Grand Woods Lounge — Eclectic menu with upscale comfort foods. Live entertainment, pool tables, spacious bar. Year-round alfresco dining with fireplace. 77 Grandville Ave SW, 451-4300. grandwoodslounge.com. L, D ¢-$ Gravity Taphouse Grille — Industrial décor. Menu items paired with craft beer suggestions. Pizzas, small and large plates, 64 craft beers on tap. Open daily. 3210 Deposit Dr (East Beltline at I-96), 719-4144. redwater restaurants.com, Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Harmony Brewing Co. — Eastown’s addition to the craft-brewing scene offers custom brews with a full bar, wine and wood-fired pizzas. Sandwiches served 11 am-4pm. Open daily. 1551 Lake Drive SE, 233-0063. harmony $ beer.com. L, D Holly’s Back Door Bar & Grill — Full menu and good selection of munchies at Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel. Closed Sun & Mon. 255 28th St SW, 241-1417. hojogr.com. B, L, D $ HopCat — Crafted brews with some 50 beers on tap and 150 bottled. Full bar and creative fare from meatloaf to mussels. Open daily. 25 Ionia Ave SW, 451-4677. hopcatgr.com. ¢-$ L (Sat-Sun), D Hub’s Inn — Sandwiches, burgers, Mexican food and pizzas. Closed Sun. 1645 Leonard St NW, 453-3571. hubsinn.com. L, D ¢
J.D. Reardon’s — Restaurant and lounge at The Boardwalk offers American, Southwest, T hai and more. Banquet facilities; outdoor seating. 940 Monroe Ave NW, 454-8590. jdreardons.com. L, D $-$$
Rezervoir Lounge — Full menu of appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches and entrees, some with Cajun flavor. Open daily. 1418 Plainfield Ave NE, 451-0010. rezlounge.com, Facebook. ¢-$ L (Tue-Sun), D
J. Gardella’s Tavern — Massive bar and gargantuan menu includes hearty appetizers, salads, burgers, entrees. Three floors of seating. 11 Ionia Ave SW, 459-8824. jgardellas tavern.com. L, D ¢
Rockford Brewing Co. — Located alongside Rogue River. Food ordered from Vitales. Hand-crafted brews on tap. Open daily. 12 E Bridge St, Rockford, 951-4677. rockfordbrew ing.com. L, D ¢-$
Main Street Pub — Varied appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and entrées. Kids eat free Sun-Wed. 11240 University Parkway, Allendale, 895-1234; 1730 28th St SW, Wyoming, 532-2510. mainstpub.com. L, D ¢-$
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. L, D ¢-$
McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon — New York-style Irish menu includes “re-created” pub fare. T ransforms into nightclub late at night. Open daily. 58 Ionia Ave SW, 4549105. mcfaddensgrandrapids.com. L, D $ Mill Creek Tavern — Comstock Park eatery offers appetizers, soups, sandwiches, full dinner options. Full bar with separate dining room. 3874 West River Dr, 784-3806. mill creektaverngr.com. L, D ¢-$ The Mitten Brewing Co. — Vintage baseballthemed nanobrewery pairs handcrafted beers with gourmet pizzas. 527 Leonard St NW, 608-5612. mittenbrewing.com, Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Mojo’s — Lively dueling piano bar and restaurant open for dinner at 5 pm Wed-Sat, plus late night “munchy menu.” RSVP for dinner early, show starts at 8 pm Wed-Thu, 7 pm Fri-Sat. Closed Sun-Tue. 180 Monroe Ave NW, 776-9000. mojospianobar.com. D ¢-$ Monarchs’ Club — Starters and snacks, sausages, specialty hot dogs, panini, Italian beef sandwiches and GR Stackers. Michigan beer on draft. Open daily. 646 Stocking Ave NW, 233-9799. monarchsclub.com. L, D ¢ Nick Finks — Mexican fare and burgers in historic tavern. Draft beer, wine, sangria and cocktails. Live music on Sat. Open T ue-Sat. 3965 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 7849886. thegilmorecollection.com/nickfinks. $ php. D 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. L, D Peppino’s Pizzeria and Sports Grille — Italian/American menu. 0-5065 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Allendale, 895-1615; 1515 Eastport Dr SE, Kentwood, 554-8880; Downtown, 130 Ionia Ave SW, 456-8444. peppinospizza.com. L, D ¢-$$
Shepards Grill & Tavern — Bar food with flare, from appetizers to sirloin. Open daily. Cascade Center, 6246 28th St SE, 350-9604. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Stella’s Lounge — Award-winning stuffed burgers, vegan and vegetarian items too. Known for its whiskey selection. Open daily. 53 Commerce Ave, 742-4444. stellasgr.com. L (Fri-Sun), D ¢-$ Village Inn Pizza Parlor — Longtime favorite for pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken, Mexican. Daily specials. Mon-Fri pizza lunch buffet. Open daily. 2215 44th St SE, Kentwood, 2811444. vipizza.net. L, D ¢-$ V itale’s Sports Lounge & Pizzeria — Pizza, pasta, panini and wraps in sports-centric surrounding. Outside deck, live entertainment. Open daily. 3868 West River Dr NE, Comstock Park, 784-6044; takeout 784-5011. vitalessportsbar.com. L, D ¢-$ Woody’s Press Box — Complex includes two bars, patio and bowling. Sandwiches, pizza, Mexican and more. Open daily. 5656 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, 530-2400. spectru mlanes.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D $ Z’s — Sports-themed eatery known for its BBQ ribs. Soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees. Carry-out available. Open daily. 168 Louis Campau Promenade NW, 454-3141. zsbar.com. L, D ¢-$
ITALIAN/ EUROPEAN Amore Trattoria Italiana — Regional Italian dishes using local products and Italian imports. Italian wines and liqueurs. Housemade desserts. Banquet facility. Sun brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Mon. 5080 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, 785-5344. amoretrat $ toriaitaliana.com. D (Tue-Sat) Angela’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria — Italian dinners, pizza, stromboli, subs and desserts. Daily specials. Lunch buffet, full-service bar. Closed Sun. 240 E Divi-
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LITTLE ITALY AT The Big House CASUAL ITALIAN EATERY
1033 Lake Drive / Grand Rapids / 616.742.0600 / www.thegilmorecollection.com @GilmoreEats
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/MangiamoLetsEat #MangiamoGR
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sion, Sparta, (616) 887-1913. angelaspizza andrestaurant.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ 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 SE, 233-0123. bigbobspizza.com. L (not Mon), D ¢-$ Bella Pizzeria — Italian entrees, wings, sandwiches, specialty pizzas. Open daily. 3519 S Division Ave, 452-2810. bellapizzagr.com. L (not Sun), D ¢-$ FBrewery V ivant — Belgian 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. L (Sat-Sun), D $-$$ Brick Road Pizza — T raditional, gourmet and vegan pizzas (gluten-free crusts available); also soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Sun Brunch Bar. Full bar. Closed Mon. 1017 Wealthy St SE, 719-2409. brickroad pizza.com. L, D ¢-$ Euro Bistro — European bistro fare includes entrees, small plates, salads, wood-fired pizzas. Take-out available. Full bar. Closed Sun. 6450 28th St SE, 719-2017. eurobistrogr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Florentine Pizzeria & Sports Lounge — Italian fare with American and Mexican choices and thin-crust pizzas. Big-screen T Vs, pool tables, darts, foosball. 4261 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 455-2230. florentinespizza.com. L, D ¢-$ Florentine of Grandville — Italian, American and Mexican cuisine including pizzas and hand-made pastas. 3245 28th St SW, 5345419. florentineingrandville.com. L, D $ Flo’s Pizzeria Ristorante & Sports Bar — Pizzas, sandwiches, salads, Italian and Mexican entrees. Big screen T Vs; take-out available. Open daily. 1259 Post Drive, Belmont, 785¢-$ 1001. flossportsbar.com. L, D Franco’s Pizzeria — Italian entrees, Stromboli, pizza and subs. T akeout available. No alcohol. Open daily. 2103 Alpine Ave NW, 361-7307. francospizzagr.com. D ¢-$ Fred’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant — Longtime favorite offers Italian fare, including fresh pasta and gourmet pizza. Full-service bar. Closed Sun. 3619 Plainfield Ave NE, 361¢-$ 8994. fredspizza.com. L, D Fricano’s Pizza Restaurant — Famous for its thin-crust pizza. Pasta dinners with sauce that made its way to the retail market. Closed Sun. 5808 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, ¢-$ 785-5800. fricanospizza.com. D
Georgio’s Gourmet Pizza — Fifty gourmet pizza options, whole or by the slice. T akeout, delivery available. Open daily. 15 Ionia Ave SW, Suite 140, 356-4600; 5570 28th St SE, 608-8000. georgiosgourmetpizza.com. L, D ¢-$ G.R.P.D. — Grand Rapids Pizza & Delivery offers traditional, stuffed and specialty pizzas. No alcohol. Open daily, with a few tables for dining in. 340 State St SE, 742-4773. grand rapidspizza.net. L, D ¢-$ Licari’s Sicilian Pizza Kitchen — Specialties include thick-crust Sicilian pizza and stuffed pizza with a crispy crust. Also pasta, entrees, calzones and desserts. Open daily. 2896 Knapp St NE. 608-6912. licarispizza kitchen.com. L, D $ Mangiamo — Historic mansion houses family-friendly eatery. Italian fare plus steaks and seafood. Extensive wine list. Full bar. Open daily. 1033 Lake Dr SE, 742-0600. thegilmore collection.com/mangiamo.php. D $-$$ Marinade’s Pizza Bistro — Wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches. Michigan craft beer. Catering. Open daily. 109 Courtland St, Rockford, 863-3300. marinadespizza bistro.com. L, D ¢ Monelli’s Italian Grill & Sports Bar — Southern Italian cuisine. Sports bar plus familyfriendly dining room with fireplace. Open daily. 5675 Byron Center Ave, Wyoming, 5309700. monellis.com. L, D ¢-$ Noto’s Old World Italian Dining — Elegant décor, extensive classic Italian menu. Special wine cellar dinners. Lounge menu features lighter fare. Closed Sun. 6600 28th St SE, 493-6686. notosoldworld.com. D $-$$ FOsteria Rossa — Casual Italian-inspired cuisine with Michigan roots from Executive Chef/Owner Chris Perkey. Wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta. Full bar. Open Sun for brunch. 16 Monroe Center NW. 988-9350. osteriarossa.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Pietro’s Italian Ristorante — Regional and contemporary Italian cuisine. Tuscan wines, desserts and cappuccinos. Kids menu. Takeout available. 2780 Birchcrest Dr SE, 4523228. rcfc.com/pietros. L, D $ 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. salvatores ¢-$ gr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D San Chez, A Tapas Bistro — Spanish fare focusing on tapas-style small plates; sides and entrées too. Wine and beer list includes
Spanish varieties and sherry. Open daily. 38 W Fulton St, 774-8272. sanchezbistro.com. L, D $-$$ Trattoria di’ Stagione — Small and large plates of Italian dishes from pasta to seafood using locally sourced ingredients. Outside patio. Open daily. 1420 Lake Drive SE, 4585583. trattoriadistagione.com. D $ Tre Cugini — Innovative Italian menu, impressive wine list, fresh pasta and risotto specialties. Outdoor seating. Closed Sun. 122 Monroe Center, 235-9339. trecugini.com. L (Mon-Fri), D $-$$ Uccello’s Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge — Italian specialties including entrees, plus burgers, sandwiches. Open daily. 2630 East Beltline Ave SE, 954-2002; 4787 Lake Michigan Dr NW, Standale, 735-5520; 8256 Broadmoor Ave SE, Caledonia, 8911100; 3940 Rivertown Pkwy SW, 249-9344. uccellos.com. L, D ¢-$ Vitale’s — T raditional dishes from family recipes. Closed Sun. 834 Leonard St NE, 458-8368. (Vitale’s Sports Lounge next door, 458-2090, open daily lunch and dinner). theoriginalvitales.com. L (sports bar), D ¢-$ V itale’s Of Ada — Regional, upscale dishes made from scratch. Also pizza, subs and burgers. Family-friendly; microbrews to martinis in sports pub. 400 Ada Dr SE, Ada, ¢-$ 676-5400. vitalesada.com. L, D V itale’s Pizzeria — Multiple locations serving pizza and pasta from family recipes. 3868 West River Dr, Comstock Park, 784-6044; 5779 Balsam Dr, Hudsonville, 662-2244, (no alcohol); 5380 S Division Ave, Kentwood, 530-8500. vitales.us. L, D ¢-$
ASIAN Angel’s Thai Café — Extensive T hai fare. Menu includes your-choice stir-fry option. Vegetarian-friendly. No alcohol. Open daily. 136 Monroe Center NW, 454-9801. angelsthai cafe.com. L, D ¢-$ Asian Palace — Chinese and Vietnamese fare with extensive menus for each. Family owned and operated. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 825 28th St SW, 534-7770. L, D ¢-$ Bamboo — Vietnamese and Thai cuisine using fresh ingredients made to order. No alcohol. Opens at 11 for lunch. Closed Weds. 2907 S. Division Ave, Wyoming, 419-3976. bamboo gr.com. L, D ¢-$ Bangkok Taste — Thai fare with lunch buffet. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 15 Jefferson Ave SE, 356-5550; 674 Baldwin St, Jenison, 3565550. Facebook. L, D ¢-$
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Bangkok V iew — Authentic T hai cuisine. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1233 28th St SW, 531-8070. bangkokviewthairestaurant.com, Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Beijing Kitchen — Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisines. Lunch and dinner specials. No alcohol. 342 State St SE, 458-8383. beijingkitchengr.com. L (not Sat), D ¢-$ Blue Ginger Asian Kitchen — Noodle-based Thai dishes, chicken, seafood, beef and pork entrees, curries. Vegetarian options. No alcohol. Open daily. 5751 Byron Center Ave (Bayberry Market), 261-8186. bluegingerkitchen. com. L, D ¢-$ 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, Facebook. L, D ¢-$ China City — Chinese cuisine; lunch prices all day. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 1140 Monroe Ave NW, 451-3688. L, D ¢-$ ChinaTown — Asian restaurant and Japanese steakhouse with tabletop-style meals available. Closed Mon. 69 28th St SW, 4523025. chinatowngrandrapids.com. L, D ¢-$ China Yi Wang — Chinese dishes including spicy Hunan. No alcohol. 1947 Eastern Ave SE, 241-3885. L, D ¢-$ East Garden Buffet — Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Daily buffet. No alcohol. 6038 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 698-8933. L, D ¢-$ Empire Chinese Buffet — All-you-can-eat buffet. Seafood buffet Sat-Sun. Open daily. 4255 Alpine Ave NW, 785-8880. empire chinesebuffet2.com. L, D ¢-$ Erb Thai — T hai fare; will accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, no MSG. No alcohol. Open daily. 950 Wealthy St SE, 356-2573. erbthaigr.com. Facebook. L, D ¢ Erb Thai Café — Thai fare for dining in/taking out. No alcohol. Open daily. 4160 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 724-4102. Facebook. L, D ¢ Erb Thai Xpress — T hai fare for take-out only. Open daily. 820 Michigan St NE, 4540444 (fax 454-0485). Facebook. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Far-East Chinese Restaurant — Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean dishes. Carryout and catering available. No alcohol. 3639 Clyde ¢-$ Park Ave SW, 531-7176. Facebook. L, D First Wok — Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Full bar. Open daily. Three locations: 2301 44th St SE, 281-0681; 3509 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1616; 6740 Old 28th St SE, 5759088. firstwokgr.com. L, D $
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. letseat.at/ fujiyama. L, D ¢-$ Fortune Chef — Chinese and American fare. Breakfast served all day. No alcohol. Open daily. 9353 Cherry Valley Ave SE, Caledonia, 891-1388. fortunechefcaledonia.com. B, L, ¢-$ D Golden 28 — Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin, Vietnamese cuisine. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 627 28th St SW, Wyoming, 531-2800. L, D $ Golden Dragon — Chinese, Mandarin cuisines with Japanese steakhouse. Full bar. Closed Sun. 3629 Plainfield Ave NE, 3631318. goldendragongr.com. L, D $ Golden Gate Restaurant — Chinese fare with all-inclusive lunch combination plates, some hot and spicy choices. No alcohol. 4023 S Division Ave, 534-7087. Facebook. L, D ¢ 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. goldenwok grandrapids.com. L, D ¢-$ Grand Lakes — Chinese dishes, lunch combination plates. No alcohol. Pick-up and take-out only. 1810 Breton Rd SE (Breton Village), 954-2500. grandlakesgrandrapids. com. L, D ¢-$ Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet — PanAsian cuisine, including Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and American. No alcohol. Open daily. 785 Center Dr NW (Green Ridge Shopping Center), 785-8200. letseat.at/hibachi grillsupremebuffet. L, D ¢ Hong Kong Express — Szechuan and Cantonese for dine-in or carry-out. All-you-caneat lunch buffet. No alcohol. 150 E Fulton St, 235-2888. L, D ¢-$ Hunan Chinese Restaurant — Full menu of Chinese options. No alcohol. 1740 44th St SW, 530-3377. hunangr.com; 1263 Leonard ¢-$ St NE, 458-0977. hunangrc.com. L, D Jade Garden — Chinese cuisine with some American dishes. Children’s menu, large selection of tropical cocktails. 4514 Breton Rd SE, 455-8888. Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Ju Sushi & Lounge — Sushi and sashimi, Japanese hibachi, tempura, soups, salads and entrées in elegant surroundings. Full bar, huge sake selection. T akeout, catering and banquets. Open daily. 1144 East Paris Ave SE, 575-5858. jusushi.com. L, D ¢-$ FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 67
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pints of interest BY PAT EVANS
With a growing number of beer fans with a thirst for craft beer and a desire to learn more about the beverage, Grand Rapids is definitely the best city for watching the beer industry mature in real time.
BEER CITY, BEER TOWN — whatever you want to call it, Grand Rapids continues to make a national case as a destination for tasting craft brews. Previously in this column, I’ve detailed the reasons this city is a candidate as one of the nation’s top cities for beer. From HopCat to Founders Brewing Co. to Siciliano’s Market, the city does indeed have some of the country’s best options when it comes to beer bars, breweries and homebrew stores. But there are other cities across the country that also have excellent mixtures of those options — some on a bigger scale than Grand Rapids — and also smaller towns like Traverse City that have absurd brewery-per-capita rates and spectacular settings. Indeed, there are many cities known for quality breweries that are trip worthy for beer tourists besides Grand Rapids. Consider San Diego, which is often listed after cities like Denver and Portland in beer city discussions. Within San Diego County there are nearly 100 breweries, several of which make beers found on Grand Rapids store shelves and some that have yet to make it here but are still
renowned for their quality. Stone Brewing Co., Green Flash Brewing Co., Coronado Brewing Co., Ballast Point Brewing Co., AleSmith Brewing Co. — all distribute widely across the country and produce beers with an international reputation. T he county’s breweries reel in nearly $600 million a year in sales. With 97 breweries and brewpubs as of late last year and 41 more in planning stages, there’s no slowing down. A visitor would find it hard to visit half of them in a week, even without doing anything else! San Diego’s population is part of the equation, of course, but Stone Brewing’s founder, Greg Koch, also has lauded the Grand Rapids community for making beer a point of pride in Michigan — even though he spurned West Michigan to settle on Richmond, Va., as the brewery’s East Coast location. It is the people of Grand Rapids who set it apart from other beer cities and the reason it’s so great to live here. With a growing number of beer fans with a thirst for craft beer and a desire to learn more about the beverage, Grand Rapids is definitely the best city for watching the beer industry mature in real time. Craft beer is surging in the United States, its market share growing as light lagers continue to lose their appeal, and Grand Rapids is representative of this trend. We have one of the nation’s largest, best and smartest breweries in Founders, surrounded by an ever-growing number of smaller breweries that either are already producing great liquid or are discovering they will have to step up their game or else fail as local drinkers learn to distinguish the best in craft brews. T he community that sets us apart will gather Feb. 27-28 during the two-day Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Beer Festival at Fifth T hird Ballpark, truly one of the most unique beer festivals in the nation. — Pat Evans is a writer and researcher for Gemini Publications who has studied and followed the local beer industry the past six years.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
In good company
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Lai Thai Kitchen — Vietnamese, T hai and Japanese fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 1621 Leonard St NE, 456-5730. Facebook, laithai kitchen.com. L, D ¢-$
➧Pho Anh Trang — Vietnamese, Chinese, T hai cuisine. Daily specials. Catering. Open daily. No alcohol. 3633 Eastern Ave, Wyoming, 246-9966. phoanhtrang.com. L, D ¢-$
Little Bangkok — Extensive T hai standbys plus some unique items. Kids meals available. Serves beer and wine. Closed Sun. 850 Forest Hill Ave SE, 808-3153. littlebangkokgr. com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$
Pho Soc Trang — Wide selection of Vietnamese offerings. No alcohol. 4242 S Division Ave, 531-0755. L, D ¢-$
Mandarin — Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine. Cocktails. Lunch menu. Open daily. 2460 28th St SE, 530-3300. mandaringrand rapids.com. L, D ¢-$ Marado Sushi — Large selection of rolls, tempura, udon and yakisoba noodles, teriyaki, hibachi, plus selection of Korean entrees. Open Mon-Sat for lunch and dinner, Sun 2-9 ¢-$ pm. 6252 28th St SE, 977-0444. L, D Maru Sushi & Grill — Large menu of Japanese cuisine with a twist, from sushi to hibachi grilled items. Vegetarian options. Open daily. 927 Cherry St SE, 458-1900. marurest aurant.com. L, D $-$$ Mikado Sushi — Sushi and sashimi à la carte. Dinners offer full range of Japanese cuisine. Lunch specials. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 3971 28th St SE, 285-7666. mikadogr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢-$ Ming Ten — All-you-can-eat Japanese/ Chinese buffet, sushi bar, hibachi grill and American selections. No alcohol. Open daily. 2090 Celebration Dr NE (2nd floor), (616) 365-3989. mingtenrestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ Mynt Fusion Bistro — Asian fare includes Thai, Korean and Chinese. Renowned for its curries: blue, peanut or yellow. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 800 W Main St, Lowell, 9879307. myntfusion.com. L, D ¢-$ Ning Ye — Family-owned restaurant serves Chinese and Korean fare. No alcohol. Closed Sun during winter. 6747 E Fulton St, Ada, $ 676-5888. ningye.info. L, D
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Nu-Thai Bistro — Appetizers, soups, T hai salads, fried rice, curries and noodle dishes; seafood, duck. No alcohol. Open daily. 2055 28th St SE, 452-0065. nuthaibistro.com. ¢-$ L, D Osaka Steakhouse — Japanese cuisine including sushi, hibachi, shabu-shabu and more. Full bar. Open daily. 4977 28th St SE, 419-4628. osakagr.com. L, D $ P.F. Chang’s China Bistro — Upscale chain known for modern Chinese dishes from Mongolian beef to chicken lettuce wraps. Full bar. T he Village at Knapp’s Crossing, 2065 East Beltline Ave NE, 447-2060. pfchangs. com. L, D $
Rak Thai Bistro — Thai-fusion fare with Chinese and Japanese influences. No alcohol. 6719 S Division Ave, 551-1706; Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave SW, 805-5308; 5260 Northland Dr NE, 363-2222. rakthaibistro. com. L, D ¢-$ Red Sun Buffet — All-you-can-eat buffet. No alcohol. Open daily. 4176 28th St SE, 9409999. redsungrandrapids.com. L, D ¢-$ Seoul Garden — Chinese and Korean cuisine with full bar. Banquet and catering facilities also available. Closed Sun. 3321 28th St SE, 956-1522. L, D $-$$ Shanghai Ichiban — Chinese and Japanese cuisine including sushi. Food prepared tableside by hibachi chefs in Japanese area. Serves alcohol. 3005 East Beltline SE, 9425120. shanghaiichiban.com. L, D $-$$ Sunny Kitchen — Authentic Chinese and dim sum. Catering available. No alcohol. Closed Mon. 3338 Eastern Ave SE, 805-5964. sunnykitchengrandrapids.com. L, D ¢-$ Sushi Kuni — Japanese and Korean cuisine, Asian fusion fare. Traditional Japanese tatami room for groups. Serves alcohol. Closed Sun. 2901 Breton Rd SE, 241-4141. sushikuni. net, Facebook. L, D ¢-$$ Thai Express — T hai specialties, spiced to customer specification. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 4317 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 827-9955. thaiexpressgr.com. L (Mon-Fri), D ¢ Thai Fusion — Thai cuisine and fusion specials with good selection of starters and salads. Kids menu $5.99. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 3097 Broadmoor Ave SE (near 29th St), 301-8883. thaifusiongr.com. L, D ¢-$ Three Happiness Restaurant — Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan fare. Daily specials. No alcohol. 3330 Alpine Ave NW, Target Pla¢-$ za, 785-3888. Facebook. L, D Tokyo Grill & Sushi — Japanese tatami rooms, sushi bars. Menu includes hibachi, teriyaki, Udon, tempura. Sake, plus Japanese and American beer and wine. Open daily. 4478 Breton Rd SE, 455-3433. tokyogrill sushi.com. L, D ¢-$ Tokyo Roadhouse — Japanese (sushi) and Chinese menus, lunch specials. Order online for pickup, delivery (until 8 p.m.) or express dine-in. No alcohol. Open daily. 4095 Plain-
field Ave. NE, 365-3719. tokyoroadhouse. ¢-$ com. L, D Wei Wei Palace — Chinese seafood restaurant features Cantonese cuisine, dim sum and barbecue. Open daily. 4242 S Division Ave, 724-1818. weiweipalace.com. L, D $ Wonton Express — No-frills ambience serving authentic Chinese fare. No alcohol. 6719 S Division Ave, 281-8816. L, D ¢-$ FXO Asian Cuisine — T hai, Chinese and Vietnamese food. Full bar. Vegetarian options, lunch specials Mon-Sat. Open daily. 58 Monroe Center, 235-6969. xoasiancuisine. com. L, D $-$$ Yummy Wok — Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan dishes. No alcohol. 4325 Breton Rd SE, 827-2068. Facebook. L, D ¢-$
INDIAN Bombay Cuisine — Traditional Indian dishes with spices and flavors from Northern India. Full bar. Open daily. Takeout available. 1420 Lake Dr SE, 456-7055. Facebook. L, D $ Curry Kitchen — Authentic Indian cuisine. Daily lunch buffet. Kids menu. T akeout. Open daily. No alcohol. 961 E Fulton St, 2421300. currykitchengr.com. L, D $ India Town — Indian fare including vegetarian and vegan in humble atmosphere. Lunch buffet Mon-Sat. No alcohol. Closed T ue. 3760 S Division Ave, 243-1219. indiatowngrr. com. L, D ¢-$ Palace Of India — Indian cuisine with a sizeable menu that includes vegetarian selections. Lunch buffet 11 am-3 pm. No alcohol. 138 E Fulton St, 913-9000. palaceofindia restaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ ➧Royal Palace of India — Traditional Indian cuisine. Open daily. 526 Stocking Ave NW, 913-9040. royalpalaceofindia.com. L, D $
MIDDLE EASTERN/ MEDITERRANEAN Le Kabob — Huge appetizer selection, soups, salads, sandwiches, large choice of entrees and combos. Kids menu. Carry out available. No alcohol. Open daily. 2923 28th St SE, 2724135; 4022 Alpine Ave NW, 647-9722. leka bob.com. L, D ¢-$ Marie Catrib’s — Middle-Eastern sandwiches, soups, salads. Deli, bakery, T urkish coffee, kids menu. Vegetarian options. Closed Sun. No alcohol. 1001 Lake Dr SE, 454-4020. mariecatribs.com. B (Mon-Sat), L, D (MonFri) ¢-$ Mediterranean Grills
—
Gyros,
kabobs,
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Breton Rd SE, 949-7447. shirazgrille.com. L (Fri-Sun), D $-$$
alcohol. Closed Sun. 1441 Wealthy St SE, 2334141. chezolga.com. L, D ¢-$
Zeytin — T urkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Full bar, extensive beer and wine lists. T akeout available. Open daily. 400 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 682-2222. zeytinturkishrestaurant. com. L, D $
Cinco De Mayo — Mexican eatery offers the usual fare plus carnitas and steak asada. Full bar. Open daily. 123 Courtland St, Rockford, 866-3438; 114 Monroe Center NW, 719-2404. L, D $
Shiraz Grille
falafel, shwarma, hummus, kafta. Closed Sun. No alcohol. Cascade Center, 6250 28th St SE, 949-9696. L, D $ Mr. Gyros — Family-owned restaurant offers Mediterranean specialties. Drive-through, take-out, delivery and catering available. Closed Sun. 2260 Alpine Ave NW, 791-6660. ¢-$ mrgyrosdrivethru.com. L, D Osta’s Lebanese Cuisine — Large selection of Lebanese cuisine. Serves beer and wine. Takeout and catering available. Closed SunMon. 2228 Wealthy St SE in EGR, 456-8999. ¢-$ ostaslebanese.com. L (Tue-Fri), D Parsley Mediterranean Grille — Appetizers, salads, soups, pitas, lunch and dinner combos. Catering available. No alcohol. 80 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-2590. parsleymg.com. L, D ¢-$ Pita House — Sami’s gyros, Middle East specialties. No alcohol. Open daily. 1450 Wealthy St SE, 454-1171; 3730 28th St SE, 940-3029; 4533 Ivanrest Ave SW, 261-4302. thepitahouse.net. L, D ¢ Raad’s Mediterranean Grill — Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Lebanese favorites. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free offerings. No alcohol. Open daily. 962 Cherry St SE, 4547223. raadsgr.com, Facebook. L, D $ Red Olive Restaurant — Huge menu features Greek and Mediterranean entrees, gyros, pita wraps and other sandwiches, pastas, steaks, seafood, burgers and more. Kids menu, carry-out available. 3563 28th St SE, 954-0300. redoliverestaurant.com. B, L, D ¢-$ Sheshco Grill — Mediterranean cuisine including shish kabob, lamb shanks, quail and sautéed meats, plus vegetarian and seafood options. No alcohol. Open daily. 2121 Celebration Dr NE (Knapp’s Corner), 364-0600. sheshcogrill.com. L, D $ FShiraz Grille — Authentic Persian cuisine: fire-grilled kabobs, vegetarian options. Full bar, wine list, martinis. Closed Mon. 2739
Little Africa Cuisine — Hearty vegetable stews; sauces and fixings served on Ethiopian flat bread. Sample other specialties. No alcohol. Cash or checks only. Open daily. 956 E Fulton St, 222-1169. Facebook. L, D ¢ Gojo Ethiopian Cuisine & Deli — Authentic dishes including vegetarian options. Watt (stew) dishes served with injerra flatbread. Ethiopian coffee ceremony Sun-Mon. Carry-out available. No alcohol. Open daily. 421 Norwood SE, 459-3383. gojoethiopian cuisine.com. L, D $ 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. L, D $
MEXICAN/LATIN AMERICAN/ CARIBBEAN 7 Mares — Authentic Mexican dishes including breakfast. Opens daily at 10. 1403 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 301-8555. Facebook. B, L, D ¢-$$ Beltline Bar — Americanized T ex-Mex menu, including wet burritos. Full bar. Big Enchilada curbside service: call in your order and have it brought to your car. Open daily. 16 28th St SE, 245-0494. beltlinebar. com. L, D $ Cabana Tres Amigos — Authentic Mexican fare. Full bar, take-out, vegetarian selections. 1409 60th St SE, 281-6891. cabanatresami ¢-$ gos.net. L, D Café San Juan — Puerto Rican and Mexican/ American cuisine. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 3549 Burlingame Ave SW, 530-2293. Face¢-$ book. L, D Cancun Mexican and Seafood Restaurant — Specializes in Mexican seafood dishes but offers a full range of items. Open daily. 1518 Grandville Ave SW, 248-2824. L, D ¢-$
FDonkey Taqueria — Authentic Mexican food, including tacos, tostadas, botanas and tortas in a former 1920’s service station. Full bar with large selection of tequila. Open daily. 665 Wealthy St SE. donkeygr.com, Facebook. L, D ¢-$ Downtown Trini’s — Sparta destination offers traditional Mexican fare. Full bar. Closed Sun and Mon. 148 E Division Ave, Sparta, ¢-$ 887-2500. downtowntrinis.com. L, D El Arriero Mexican Grill — Extensive menu offers specialty dishes, with à la carte selections for smaller appetites. Mexican and domestic beers, Margaritas. Open daily. 2948 28th St SE, 977-2674. elarrieromexicangrill. ¢-$ com. L, D El Barrio Mexican Grill — Creative twists on Mexican. Full bar. Open daily. 545 Michigan St NE, 301-0010. elbarriomexicangrill.com. ¢-$ L, D El Burrito Loco — More than 70 Mexican selections and a few American. Full bar. Open daily. 4499 Ivanrest SW, 530-9470. elburrito locorestaurant.com. L, D ¢-$ El Granjero — Mexican fare from steak and shrimp dishes to à la carte and menudo on weekends. No alcohol but tasty virgin coladas. Open daily. 950 Bridge St NW, 4585595. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ El Sombrero — Offers “the original” wet burrito, dry ones too. Weekly specials. No alcohol. Closed Sun. 527 Bridge St NW, 451-4290. elsombrerorestaurantmi.com. L, D ¢ Fajita Republic — Upscale Mexican fare with fajitas flamed tableside, tacos a la carte. 100 tequillas in the full bar. Open daily. 2183 East Beltline Ave NE, 272-3047. fajitarepublic $ cantina.com. L, D Grand V illa Dungeon — Mexican food and American favorites. Full bar. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, 534-8435. villadungeon.com. L (FriSun), D $
Cantina — Menu offers extensive Mexican specialties. Full-service bar. Drive-thru window. Outdoor patio. Open daily. 2770 East Paris Ave SE, 949-9120. cantinamexican $ grill.biz. L (Sun-Thu), D
Jamaican Dave’s — Jerked, fricasseed or curried chicken; curried goat, oxtail, beef and chicken patties; jerked wings; salt fish and “escoveitched” fish. Closed Sun. 1059 Wealthy St SE, 458-7875. jamaicandaves. com. L, D ¢
Chez Olga — Caribbean and Creole fare. Veggie/vegan options. T ake-out available. No
Las Cazuelas — Open for breakfast at 10 am. Genuine Hispanic flavors. 411 Wilson Ave
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
AFRICAN
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NW, Walker, 726-6600. Facebook. B, L, D
¢
La Huasteca — Homemade recipes. All items can be accommodated for vegetarians. Small dining room. No alcohol. Open daily. 1811 Plainfield Ave. NE, 447-7733. Facebook. L, D ¢ La Taqueria San Jose — Authentic Mexican fare, including tacos stuffed with goat, chicken, pork and cactus in a casual, take-out set¢ ting. 1338 S Division Ave, 284-2297. L, D Lindo Mexico Restaurant — Fresh food with “real Mexican flavor.” Happy hour 2-6 pm. Kids menu. Open daily. 1292 28th St SW, Wyoming, 261-2280. lindomexicorestau rant.com. L, D ¢-$ Maggie’s Kitchen — Mexican fare in café setting, cafeteria-style ordering. No alcohol. 636 Bridge St NW, 458-8583. Facebook. B, L, D ¢ Michoacan — Mexican fare plus seafood, chicken and steak dishes. No alcohol. Open at 9 am. 334 Burton St SW, 452-0018. B, L, D ¢-$ Mi Tierra Restaurant — Traditional Mexican, eat in or drive through. No alcohol. 2300 S Division Ave, 245-7533. Facebook. L, D ¢ Taco Bob’s — Fresh-Mex, taco salads and the “funny taco,” a hard-shell wrapped in a soft shell. No alcohol. Open Mon.-Fri. 250 Monroe Ave NW, 458-1533. tacobobs.com. L ¢
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Grand Rapids | Cascade | Caledonia | Rockford Petoskey Charlevoix Beaver Island 231.547.9905 231.448.2433 231.347.7800
Harbor Springs Cheboygan Torch Lake Indian River Lakes of the North Gaylord 231.526.9800 231.547.9905 231.627.7186 231.445.0354 231.585.6200 989.732.9555
Tacos El Caporal — T wo locations serving Mexican fare, with menudo Sat and Sun. No alcohol. 1260 Burton St SW, 246-6180; 1717 ¢ 28th St SW, Wyoming, 261-2711. B, L, D
Dining Guide Legend
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Grand Rapids Magazine has created these symbols to area restaurant amenities as a service to our readers. B — Serves breakfast L — Serves lunch D — Serves dinner ¢ — Inexpensive (under $10)* $ — Moderate ($10-$20)* $$ — Expensive (Over $20)* * Prices based on average entrée. - — Reviewed in this issue — Chef Profile in this issue ➧ — New listing O — GRM’s 2014 Restaurant of the Year F — GRM’s 2014 Dining Award Winner
Award Winning Asian Dining
Additions, corrections and/or changes: Please email mprimeau@geminipub.com or write to Dining Guide, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
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Owner Linda Hundt gets into character at Sweetie-licious Bakery.
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BY MARTY PRIMEAU PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
Pie oh my! Award-winning baker Linda Hundt has built a pie empire that just keeps growing.
IN THE MIDST of a photo shoot at Sweetie-licious Bakery, owner Linda Hundt excused herself and dashed out the door, waving to a small group of ladies who’d just left her new Gaslight Village shop. T he women had driven in from Carson City to buy some of her famous pies and were heading back to their car with boxes of goodies. Hundt, an old-fashioned kind of gal, introduced herself and hugged each one — thanking all of them for stopping by. Since opening her first bakery in 2002 in the small city of DeWitt, the award-winning baker and business woman has made customer service a priority. “My deal is, I want to love people,” she says, sitting back down inside the cozy bakery with its pastel pink walls and retro décor. On one wall are clippings from national magazines and newspapers featuring Hundt, who has won more than a dozen baking titles, including the 2011 Crisco 100-Year Anniversary Best in Show and the Food Network Amazing Pie Challenge. “I’m all about cooking, baking and serving people. In this world we sometimes need to go back and hear Frank Sinatra and eat homemade stuff. And all of us need to feel love. “At Sweetie-licious, we give love through our baked goods. It’s a special
“In this world we sometimes need to go back and hear Frank Sinatra and eat homemade stuff. And all of us need to feel love.” — Linda Hundt mission and very important to me.” But getting to know each customer by name has been more difficult as she’s expanded her bakery empire with shops in Downtown Market Grand Rapids and Gaslight Village. She’s also making thousands of pies for upscale chain Williams-Sonoma to sell on its website. Besides baking, last year Hundt traveled around the state, promoting her cookbook, “Sweetie-licious Pie: Eat Pie, Love Life,” selected as a Michigan Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. Now she’s working on a children’s book and a cookie cookbook. And the Lansing native — who suffers from depression — also gives talks to organizations, recounting her success story. “I grew up in a family that cooked and baked, and everything was homemade. It was just part of our lifestyle and I loved it. I couldn’t wait to have a family. And I
couldn’t wait to someday have a pie shop.” She earned a teaching degree at Michigan State University, married her high school sweetheart and bought a centuryold farmhouse in DeWitt. T he two-acre “farmette” has blackberry and raspberry bushes, peach and apple trees, and more. Unable to find a teaching job, she accepted a position in politics. “It wasn’t very fulfilling for me, so every night I’d go home and bake pies and can fruit, and I’d take things to work. My coworkers would always say, ‘When are you going to quit and become the next Martha Stewart?’” Hundt wanted to open a bakery, but worried she wasn’t smart enough to start a business. “Or good enough,” she says, tears welling in her eyes. “T hat’s part of the depression.” But after 10 years of baking and cooking using all of the farm’s bounty, in 2001, Hundt says she had an epiphany. “I realized I had to do this for a living.” She quit her job and started baking, initially on her back porch, selling her baked goods in farm markets and restaurants and teaching cooking classes to earn extra money. When a 1,000-square-foot space became available in DeWitt in 2005, she drew up a business plan, wrote down her FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 73
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“I never thought I was good at anything. I thought everyone cooked and baked. I finally realized I had something I could offer to help people live happie .” — Linda Hundt
recipes and took out a home equity loan. Hundt decorated the bakery café with a 1950’s theme, harkening back to a time when life was simpler — and paying homage to her childhood EZ Bake Oven. “My twin sister Laura and I got one when we were 6 years old,” she recalls. “I remember baking pies for my brothers, and that’s when I first realized the connection between baking and love.” T he small, open-kitchen bakery allowed her to talk to customers, hearing their stories and sharing her own. But she had dreams of reaching even more people. “I couldn’t afford advertising,” she says. Instead she entered Crisco’s annual National Pie Championship, held in Florida. “I was scared to death, but I knew if I could win, I could write a press release and get some publicity.” In 2007, her blueberry pie won first
place in the small bakery category. Since then, she’s won 19 pie championships. As her reputation grew, so did demand for her pies. T wo years ago she was approached about opening a location in Downtown Market. With help from a DeWitt customer — a businessman who admired her baking enough to invest as a partner — last year she also opened a location in Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids. Her life has been a flurry of activity, from creating new recipes for WilliamsSonoma, which now carries 13 of her pies, to working on her cookbooks. A new project is the expansion of the DeWitt bakery, adding an additional 1,000 square feet. She spends two days a week working there and comes in to Grand Rapids on T hursdays. “I try to be here at both shops and make sure everything is the way it should be and
to be with customers,” she says. “I’d like to be here more and get to know my customers.” While her story reads like a fairy tale, Hundt says it hasn’t been without challenges. Her cookbook was rejected by numerous publishers. One wrote: “From the myriad of cookbooks out there, your vintage cookbook doesn’t stand out.” And there are still “blue days” when she has to fight through the depression that comes and goes. Hundt believes that baking saved her. “It comes back to making sure you are using God’s gifts and that you’re passionate about your work and your vocation, no matter what that is,” she says. “I never thought I was good at anything. I thought everyone cooked and baked. I finally realized I had something I could offer to help people live happier.” GR
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near & far IN OUR BACK YARD / EXPLORING MICHIGAN
A neighborhood of possibilities Auburn Hills, developed by four African-American men in the ’60s, was controversial — but for its residents, it was their shot at the American dream.
BY MARLA R. MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM GEBBEN
I
N THE 1960S, the Auburn Hills neighborhood served as an oasis for upperand middle-class African-Americans who wanted to own a home outside the inner city. Despite the discrimination and racial tension around them, the early residents of the housing development off Fuller Avenue near Knapp Street didn’t let it faze them. Today, Auburn Hills remains one of the smallest city neighborhoods and looks like a typical middle-class residential area with a variety of housing. But in 1963, it marked a watershed achievement in desegregating Grand Rapids’ suburban neighborhoods, especially on the northeast side. Located three miles north of “the black belt” — the area in southeast Grand Rapids to which African-American residents were restricted due to unequal housing oppor-
tunities —Auburn Hills represented a small piece of equality and a progressive venture in democratic living, writes professor Todd Robinson in the book “A City Within a City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan.” Fifty years later, it still serves as an example of what can happen when people come together to facilitate social change. Tired of being shut out of quality housing, four local black leaders, Dr. Julius Franks Jr., Joseph W. Lee, J.E. Adams Jr. and Samuel T riplett, joined forces as investors to purchase a 20-acre residential tract along Fuller Avenue from the city in hopes of giving all people, but especially blacks, the opportunity to realize the American dream. “Don’t let anybody tell you you can’t do something because you really can do something,” said Samuel T riplett’s daughter, Paula T riplett, who watched the development take shape as a youngster. “You can make a difference. Did it make a difference for about 40 or 50 families? Heck yes, it made a difference.” It also led to public policy change and paved the way for equal housing opportunities throughout the city with the passing of the city’s Fair Housing Ordinance in December 1963. Prior to 1962, through a practice called redlining, blacks were kept from renting or buying homes north of Wealthy, east of Fuller and south of Franklin. Realtors would not show homes to blacks in predominantly white neighborhoods, and banks would find reasons not to loan them money, according to Robinson in “A City Within a City.”
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T he four men persisted in developing the subdivision in spite of the barriers they faced: government bureaucracy, institutional racism and strong opposition from neighbors and community leaders. T hey even struggled to find a contractor to build the homes after a lengthy battle with the city. Comprised of five streets, there’s little through traffic into the neighborhood and it’s always been pretty quiet, T riplett said. T he development, with about 60 homes, includes T ravis Street, the main entrance off Fuller, and connects to Auburn Avenue, which served as the buffer to the unwelcoming neighbors to the east. Drexel, Dale and Palmer Courts are cul-de-sacs. Sweet Street, the southern boundary, borders school property and was never developed between Auburn and Fuller. T oday, the population is diverse, made up of 51.6 percent black and 34.5 percent white. The dynamics also have changed as most of the original residents have either passed away or moved into nursing facilities. Many of the homes are still in the fam-
ily, but there are more renters than home owners. Less than 30 percent of the residents own their property. In the late 1960s and ’70s, the neighborhood attracted both educated and workingclass people — a mix of teachers, doctors, business owners, social workers, union factory workers and government employees who could afford to build homes, T riplett said.
“They wanted their kids to grow up and have opportunities, music and church and family. They all worked hard to have those homes; most of them lived in those homes until they weren’t able to care for themselves.” — Robbie Brownridge
Her family’s home was one of the first built in 1964, and she remembers playing hide-and-seek in the houses under construction. T riplett attended Marywood Academy and said her parents, both educators, shielded her from the racial issues surrounding the development, but she was not allowed to play in the front yard alone or walk up and down Fuller Avenue. “I had no idea that there were the social issues around that area that there were,” she said. “I think there was a feeling of not being safe on some level, but it was ‘the village.’ We used to have neighborhood picnics and it was very much a family thing. I knew if I did something in the neighborhood, my parents would hear about it.” After being away at college, T riplett returned to Grand Rapids to help care for her aging parents and lives in the duplex her father built on Travis near Fuller. Her father, now deceased, wanted to be part of the fight for equality, she said. “T hey wanted their shot at the American dream and it looked like America was
Beverly Grant, daughter of the late Dr. Julius Franks Jr., one of the original investors of Auburn Hills, poses with Fredrick Franks, Cheryl Franks, Bobby Franks, Edye Evans Hyde and Robbie May-Brownridge.
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near & far IN OUR BACK YARD / EXPLORING MICHIGAN
Photos showing the original homeowners in the Auburn Hills neighborhood were published in the Grand Rapids Press in the mid-1980s and are now part of a collection at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
going to allow it,” she said. “My father was from Mississippi. You’ve got that hope that maybe things might change. He got caught up in that spirit, in that movement.” Joseph Lee, grandson of another founder, Joseph W. Lee, missed a lot of the racial upheaval, but he was raised by his grandparents and now owns their home. He has lived on and off in the neighborhood since the 1970s, caring for his grandfather when he became ill, and said he viewed many of his neighbors and neighborhood playmates as role models and extended family. “It was a very unique place with hardworking, dignified, classy people,” Lee said. “It was just something to really see and experience in that neighborhood, and it really shaped for me the possibilities of what you can do in life. Even with people saying no, you can still say yes if you’re willing to work hard to achieve it and work together.” Just like their white counterparts, Auburn Hills’ residents wanted a nice, safe place to raise a family and send their children to quality schools. But the development prompted protests from neighbors who feared it would be become a “ghetto” and bring their property values down.
“T he intent of the development has been a success,” said Beverly Grant, the daughter of the late Dr. Julius Franks Jr., a local dentist and original investor. “What those four gentlemen set out to do has come to fruition and has remained so for all these years. It was about making sure people of color had housing where they never had housing before.” Grant’s family lived a few blocks away but owned lots in the development and visited often to see the progress and socialize with others who lived there. “I never knew there were racial issues into my 30s and 40s,” she said. “He never wanted to taint us with negativity. You grew up on the northeast side of town appreciating all people.” As the development progressed, the neighbors fostered a sense of community, forming a neighborhood association, taking pride in their lawns, organizing an annual summer picnic and other activities. Each year at Christmas, residents lined the streets with luminaries.
“T hey wanted their kids to grow up and have opportunities, music and church and family,” said Robbie May-Brownridge, whose parents built a house in 1965 across the street from the Tripletts. “T hey all worked hard to have those homes; most of them lived in those homes until they weren’t able to care for themselves,” she said. Brownridge’s parents lived on T ravis Street for nearly 40 years, until her mother sold the home and moved to assisted living. Her aunt and uncle lived next door for many years. Her father did a lot with the neighborhood children, even forming a band and teaching the children to play various instruments, she said. T hey marched down Auburn and performed before the community picnic.
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Paula Triplett
“Don’t let anybody tell you you can’t do something because you really can do something. You can make a di˜ erence. Did it make a di˜ erence for about 40 or 50 families? Heck yes, it made a di˜ erence.” — Paula Triplett As a 7-year-old, Brownridge struggled to fit in at the mostly all-white Huff Elementary School but made good friends in the neighborhood. Most of them played together and went to school at Northeast Middle School, which bordered the neighborhood to the south, and Creston High School, she said. “We just had enough togetherness that we didn’t let it stop us,” she said of the violence and protests. “Our parents raised us to love each other and not let things get to us. I had a great childhood. It was fun living there. We had picnics, and all the parents wanted to have pretty lawns.” Brownridge met best friend Edye Evans Hyde at church and they formed a lasting friendship after Hyde’s family moved to the neighborhood in 1969. Hyde’s parents relocated from Tennessee and rented an apartment until buying their home in Auburn Hills when she was 13, she said. Hyde, a well-known local jazz singer and actress, also played in the neighborhood band and has fond memories of living there in the 1970s. “We were all family in that strip,” she
said. “I had the best friends. We could be out and play in the neighborhood. I came from a community where everybody knew each other in Tennessee, and that’s how it was in Auburn Hills.” Palmer Court was one of the last to be developed and only had a few homes, so Hyde and the other kids played ball in the empty lots. Her mother lived there until she moved into assisted living, and now the family, like many in the neighborhood, rents out the house. Eventually, investors built duplexes, changing the dynamics even more, she said. “T he biggest thing I loved about it is everyone respected their yard, they respected that neighborhood as something to be very proud of and they kept it up,” she said. “There was a great sense of pride that came with it.” Even though the population has changed, the neighborhood will always have a lasting legacy and relevancy in the fight for social justice, said Lee, who is trying to lease his home because he is currently working in California.
Lee said the residents had high aspirations, both for themselves and their children, and instilled the values of hard work, education, determination and collective action — a formula that can be replicated today to fight racial injustice. Lee’s grandfather worked as a social worker, leading him to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree and become a therapist and social worker. “I attribute what I’ve done to what I was exposed to in Auburn Hills,” he said. “It was a neighborhood that demonstrates what you can do in terms of fighting against segregation, racism and ignorance and the possibilities of hard work, dedication and education. T hat’s how you challenge a lot of the foolishness going on now. We can do it by collectively looking at ourselves, demanding something better, working hard to achieve it and knocking down barriers to get it done.” GR
LEARN MORE ABOUT AUBURN HILLS “Growing up in Auburn Hills” will be presented Feb 15 during the Taste of Soul event at Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library St. NE. Sponsored by the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council, the first session at 1:30 p.m. will feature Beverly Grant and Ellen James talking about their experiences growing up in the northeast neighborhood that was developed in the 1960s by black community leaders despite strong opposition from neighbors. Grant and James will be joined by Jennifer Metz of Past Perfect Inc. and Mary Edmond, a retired educator who began teaching in the Grand Rapids Public Schools in the 1960s. The women will provide perspectives on historical patterns of housing segregation in Grand Rapids and the obstacles faced by the developers of Auburn Hills. A second session at 3:30 p.m., sponsored by the Greater Grand Rapids Racial Equity Network, will feature a first look at some media content from “Auburn Hills — History of Racial Equity in Grand Rapids” from filmmakers Jeremy Moore, Joel VanKuiken, Kyle Lim and Denise Evans. For more information about Taste of Soul, visit grpl.org. For other events sponsored by the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council, go to ggrwhc.org. FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 79
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Left to Right: Trent Almassian and Shannon Almassian
BY J. STAPLETON-BURCH • PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
DISCOVER THE ADVANTAGES OF ALMASSIAN JEWELERS
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“WE FEEL VERY HONORED to have been selected as Grand Rapids favorite jeweler,” noted Trent Almassion in reference to Almassian Jewelers recently being named “Best Jeweler” in Grand Rapids Magazine’s annual “Best of GR” readers’ poll. Trent and his wife Shannon opened their 1144 East Paris Avenue store in 2006. They have since become known for their personalized service, custom designs and large selection of fine and fashion jewelry suitable for all occasions — and to fit any budget. Both Almassians are Graduate Gemologists from the Gemological Institute of America. Trent is also a Graduate Jeweler. As his family’s third-generation in the business, his well-established reputation with suppliers affords him the ability to source only the most excep-
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tional diamonds, and at terrific prices. As a locally owned family business, they also offer a benefit that large chain retailers cannot provide: They hand select each piece of jewelry they carry in stock with the current fashion trends of West Michigan in mind.
BUSINESS SHOWCASE ALMASSIAN JEWELERS
The couple’s creative designs and evident passion for the jewelry business have become well known throughout the region. Their store is a member of the American Gem Society, a designation reserved for only the top fivepercent of jewelers in North America. It assures that the staff at Almassian Jewelers maintains their position on the cutting edge of contemporary design trends and the latest gemstone treatments. In addition to their remarkable custom design capabilities, they also carry exclusive bridal designer lines, from American Jewelry Design and Simon G. to Zeghani and more. Jewelry is an enduring symbol of something really special. Could there be anything more romantic than a customdesigned engagement ring that captures the spirit of your love? The Almassians and their knowledgeable, friendly staff offer the kind of personal attention and ongoing customer-focused service that make them the ideal choice when seeking that perfect piece of jewelry for either yourself or a loved one. They are also experts at redesigning an older or inherited piece to reflect your own individual style. “Creating a unique design is a very hands-on process,” Trent explained. “We work closely with our clients to develop a design meant just for them and their lifestyle.” Almassian’s master craftsmen utilize the latest CAD technology, involving clients throughout the process. “Our clients are often pleasantly surprised to discover that the cost of a custom-created piece of jewelry or engagement ring is more affordable than they expected. In fact, prices are typically similar to many of our stock selections.” Stop by Almassian Jewelers and discover the advantages of a truly personal jeweler. ALMASSIAN JEWELERS 1144 East Paris Ave. (616) 949-8888 www.AlmassianJewelers.com
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S BY J. STAPLETON-BURCH • PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY GRIFFITH
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BECAUSE YOU MATTER® “BECAUSE YOU MATTER”® sums up West Michigan’s preeminent neurosurgical health care professionals, Great Lakes Neurosurgical Associates, PC. For 36 years, this independent, physicianowned medical practice, has been leading the way in advanced, compassionate neurosurgical care for injuries and diseases of the brain, spine and peripheral nerves. Innovative and distinctly patient-focused, this nationally recognized team provides collaborative, multidisciplinary care for a broad spectrum of neurological conditions. They are pioneers in state-of-the-art methodologies including robotics and minimally invasive techniques, often mentoring fellow American neurosurgeons as well as participating in leading-edge research and development. Supported by a full, dedicated staff of health care professionals, the highly skilled, compassionate team of neurosurgical physicians includes Drs. Lynn Hedeman, John Stevenson, John Keller, Bryan Figueroa, John Winestone and Justin Clark. Each physician is Board Certified, or eligible, by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and a fellowship-trained subspecialties expert. Collective neurosurgical expertise: pain
and neurocritical trauma; minimally invasive (MIS), e.g., robotics, endoscopy, neurointervention, stereotactic radiosurgery; complex and degenerative spine, including deformity and scoliosis; artificial disc replacement; functional, motion preservation and stereotactic; surgical neuro-oncology; neurovascular; interventional neuroradiology; peripheral nerve, spine and skull base; brain and spine tumors; deep brain stimulation; and awake craniotomy/mapping. GLNA has privileges at all Grand Rapids area hospitals and offers 24/7 availability for emergency care upon request. Each patient is paramount, including advocating for every patient’s power of choice and ability to make well-informed medical decisions. “As a collaborative, multidisciplinary practice committed to making the best decisions concerning each patient’s welfare, we’re continually striving to improve patient outcomes, giving them the opportunity to live healthier, more productive lives,” said Dr. Lynn Hedeman, founding partner. “New procedures and technologies are one of many ways in which we continue to provide leading neurosurgical care to our patients and
BUSINESS SHOWCASE GREAT LAKES NEUROSURGICAL ASSOCIATES, PC
their primary care providers.” As such, these surgeons have authored numerous treatises and medical articles, and can also be listed as medical procedure/ device inventors. In fact, most surgeons on the GLNA team are on the teaching faculty at MSU’s College of Human Medicine. They participate in breakthrough clinical trials and are sought out as presenting neurosurgical speakers worldwide. They also believe in maintaining professional independence, are strong supporters of community involvement and often volunteer for medical outreach missions around the world. “We are greatly humbled and thankful for our successes,” Dr. Hedeman said in summation. “I love what we do; we change lives.” New patient appointments are available by requesting a referral through your primary health care physician or provider. Please visit www.greatlakes neuro.com for more information. GREAT LAKES NEUROSURGICAL ASSOCIATES, PC 414 Plymouth, NE Grand Rapids, MI 616.454.3465 800.832.1815 www.greatlakesneuro.com
Left to Right: Justin C. Clark, MD; Bryan E. Figueroa, MD; John E. Stevenson, MD; John F. Keller, MD; Lynn S. Hedeman, MD; and John S. Winestone, MD.
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S BY J. STAPLETON-BURCH • PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRAIG WATSON
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DREAM, BUILD, LIVE AND LOVE IT IF YOU SEEK THE FINEST homebuilding or residential remodeling experience available in West Michigan, your search is over. Whether building or renovating in the Grand Rapids area or along the lakeshore, Cutting Edge Builders offers an impeccable, worry-free experience. It all stems from their uniquely seamless, fully integrated design and build capabilities. With a comprehensive, innovative approach backed by timeless craftsmanship, Cutting Edge Builders will take you from daydreams and design through to the masterfully built or perfectly remodeled home you’ve always imagined for yourself and your family. Utilizing the latest and best materials and leading-edge construction techniques, coupled with unsurpassed attention to detail, their in-house carpentry team, and a commitment to the highest level of traditional craftsmanship, you can count on them to deliver — on time and within your established budget. It starts with a personal relationship
based on continual communication that grows into trust, from which the design takes shape. It continues throughout project implementation, which is constantly overseen by the company owners, all of whom are college educated, licensed builders. It finishes with an ongoing warranty, practically unheard of within the industry. Together, owners Douglas Kleinheksel, general contractor and licensed Realtor, Nate Norris, architectural designer, and Tom Norris, project manager, have the qualifications and expertise to make your project a success. “We are a hands-on builder, which means we will be onsite, personally overseeing — and much of the time doing — the work ourselves,” explained Kleinheksel in contrast to the typical “visiting” general contractor. Their professional in-house carpentry team — among the best in the area — gives them another advantage. “Our carpenters are well experienced in framing, trimwork and cabinet making and we make sure each job meets our demanding expec-
BUSINESS SHOWCASE CUTTING EDGE BUILDERS
tations as we work alongside them,” agreed Tom and Nate Norris. It’s a significant advantage that allows flexibility as well as keeping projects on schedule since they don’t have to rely on subcontractors for these important tasks. From custom homes to complex whole-house renovations, Team Cutting Edge brings together in one place, all of the talents, skills, education and experience essential to a successful full-service construction project. From property acquisition and architectural design through to construction and warranty, they are committed to providing clients with a stress-free experience from start to finish. Please visit www. cuttingedgebuilders.net to learn about the benefits of partnering with them on your next homebuilding or renovation project. CUTTING EDGE BUILDERS 6804 Old 28th Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (616) 825-6112 www.cuttingedgebuilders.net
Left to Right: Douglas Kleinheksel, Tom Norris, and Nate Norris.
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BY J. STAPLETON-BURCH • PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
YOU’LL FIND GREAT STYLE AT GORMAN’S
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BUSINESS SHOWCASE GORMAN’S
Standing (Left to Right): Duane Petroskey, Terry Boedgieff, Susan Hawking, Kreg DeVecht, James Miller, Greg VanAssen, Tom Defouw. Seated (Left to Right): Margot Miller, Samara Tumomong, Jan Idema, Yvonne Wiggenhagen, Mary Mule’, Evonne Koopmans.
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FOR OVER 70 YEARS, Gorman’s has been helping Michigan homeowners create those special spaces where memories are made. This premier Michigan-based home furnishings company offers everything needed to help you set an ideal scene for your own memories to come. Their beautiful Grand Rapids showroom on 28th Street (just west of Breton) offers a comprehensive selection of 100 quality furniture name brands, with something to perfectly suit every lifestyle, budget and fashion flair. Covering the gamut from contemporary to traditional, Gorman’s offers limitless options and furniture solutions to fit the way you and your family live. Best of all, you can rely on the expertise of Gorman’s friendly and talented designers and complimentary design services to help create your own special look. They’ll find exactly what it takes to realize your vision and offer an extensive selection, from furnishings, window treatments, fabrics and lighting, to wood and
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stone flooring, custom area and oriental rugs and stylish decorating accessories that infuse any room with character and charm. And if your personal style includes the timeless look of leather, then Gorman’s is unquestionably the place to go. Offering the largest selection of quality leather brands in Michigan, they are also the state’s foremost dealers of such premium leather furniture as Hancock and Moore, Natuzzi Italy, and Stressless, which has been acclaimed the world’s most comfortable chair and endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association. Their renowned Michigan’s Best Leather collection includes over 20 brands in a multitude of styles and customizable options that will give you exactly what you’re looking for to complete that special look, providing comfort for years to come. Leading Michigan in fashion, style and design, Gorman’s buyers scour the globe to bring the finest selection of the
latest styles and hottest home furnishings trends to the Grand Rapids’ market. They understand that people have different needs at different times in their lives – or even for different rooms in their home – so their collections are carefully chosen to address those needs. Just as important is ensuring an excellent value. And because customer satisfaction is what Gorman’s is all about, their unparalleled selection and incredible price range is all backed by their “Must be Right” policy and their “National Low Price” guarantee, making Gorman’s accessible to everyone. Whether you seek exquisite custom furnishings, are starting out or starting over, you’ll find it at Gorman’s. Visit their showroom or www. gormans.com. GORMAN’S Tom Lias, Owner and President 2320 28th Street SE (616) 243-5466 www.gormans.com
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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO
february events A FEW GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH!
Ethnic Heritage Festival
The Accidentals
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Feb. 13 WYCE JAMMIES XVI: WYCE 88.1 FM hosts its annual local music awards event with more than 20 bands playing on two stages. Performers include Valentiger, The Accidentals, Josh Rose, Mustard Plug, Seth and May, AB, Billy Strings & Don Julin, and Alexis. Wear your jammies or donate to WYCE ($10 minimum) and receive a free album from the WYCE collection. Bring non-perishable food items and gently used clothing for area nonprofits. The Intersection. sectionlive. com or wyce.org. Feb. 16-28 COOL BREWS, HOT EATS: Celebrating Beer Week, area restaurants offer food specials including meals paired with beer, or food prepared with beer as an ingredient. See experiencegr.com/events/brewseats for a list of participating restaurants. Gravity
Don’t forget to mark your calendar!
FEB. 6-15 - “SWAN LAKE”: Grand Rapids Ballet presents the classical ballet about a beautiful princess cursed to live as a swan. grballet. com. See Stage
FEB. 7 - MICHIGAN WINTER ADVENTURE RACE: Running,
FEB. 11 - GRCC DIVERSITY LECTURE SERIES:
orienteering, snowshoeing, fatbiking. Camp Roger. miadventurerace. com/winter-edition/raceinformation. See Sports
“The Green Boat: Sustaining Our Planet and Each Other,” by Mary Pipher, clinical psychologist and author of the
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY GR PUBLIC MUSEUM (TOP); COURTESY THE ACCIDENTALS (CENTER); MICHAEL BUCK (BOTTOM)
SPECIAL EVENTS Feb. 7 ETHNIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL: GR Public Museum celebrates ethnic groups that call West Michigan home, with music, colorful performances, ethnic food in the Museum Café, beer tasting from 1-4 p.m. ($6, tickets at door, 21+), crafts and cultural displays. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 272 Pearl St. NW. grpm.org.
best-selling “Reviving Ophelia.” 7 p.m. Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE. Free. grcc.edu/lecture. See Lectures & Workshops
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To list your event Send calendar information to Grand Rapids Magazine, c/o
Calendar Editor, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, e-mail caleditor@ geminipub.com, fax (616) 459-4800. High-resolution photos welcomed. To meet publishing deadlines, information must be received two months prior to monthly magazine issue by the 15th of the month.
SPECIAL EVENTS Thru March 8 - Ice Skating at Rosa Parks Circle: Outdoor ice skating in downtown GR. Noon-10 p.m. daily (weather permitting). $2 adults, $1 age 17 and younger; skate rental free. grcity.org. Feb. 3, 10 - The Art of Abstract Wine Tasting: Entertaining and educational evening with connoisseur Allie Merrick includes wine tastings with light hors d’oeuvres. 6:309 p.m. Meijer Gardens, 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. $65 (meijergardens.com). Feb. 4 - Auto Show Charity Spectacular: Fundraising preview of the Michigan International Auto Show. Cocktails, strolling dinner, fashion show and live auction benefit Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation. 6-9:30 p.m. DeVos Place. $150 (give.helendev oschildrens.org/AutoShow). Feb. 5-8 - Michigan International Auto Show: More than 300 new vehicles, including sedans, trucks, vans, hybrids, SUVs and sport cars, Million Dollar Motorway and Gilmore Car Museum historic auto show. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. DeVos Place. $10 adults, $4 ages 6-14. grautoshow.com. Feb. 7 - Ethnic Heritage Festival: GR Public Museum celebrates ethnic groups that call West Michigan home, with music, dancing, food and beer tasting, crafts and cultural displays. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 272 Pearl St. NW. grpm.org. Feb. 7 - GRCC Giants Awards & Banquet: Grand Rapids Community College salutes African-American individuals and organizations for their contributions to the community. Benefits Milo Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund. 6 p.m. DeVos Place. $75 (234-3390 or grcc.edu/giants).
FEB. 14-15 SHEN YUN: Chinese
FEB. 15 - TASTE OF SOUL SUNDAY:
music and dance, featuring classically trained dancers and dazzling backdrops. DeVos Performance Hall. See Stage
GR Public Library hosts its 10th annual celebration of AfricanAmerican history and culture. grpl.org. See Special Events
Feb. 7 - Muskegon Polar Plunge: Polar plunge on Muskegon Lake benefits Special Olympics Michigan. Registration noon, plunge 2 p.m., post-party 4 p.m. Fricano Banquet Center, 1050 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. somi.org. Feb. 7-8 - Griffins Great Skate Winterfest: 24-hour skating marathon with Griffins players benefits Griffins Youth Foundation, plus sport demonstrations and family activities. Noon Sat.-10 p.m. Sun. Rosa Parks Circle, downtown GR. Free; donations encouraged. griffinshockey.com/greatskate. Feb. 13 - WYCE Jammies XV I: WYCE 88.1 FM hosts its annual local music awards event with more than 20 bands playing on two stages. All ages welcome. 5:30-11 p.m. T he Intersection, 133 Grandville Ave. SW. section live.com or wyce.org. Free.
FEBRUARY 10-12
AT DEVOS PERFORMANCE HALL BROADWAYGRANDRAPIDS.COM or 1-800-745-3000 • TICKETMASTER.COM
Grand Rapids engagement is excusively sponsored by Harvey Automotive & Thrifty of Grand Rapids. Photo by Justin Namon • “I LOVE LUCY ® “ & © 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved
Feb. 13-15 - West Michigan Golf Show: Info about equipment, courses and resorts; retail displays; T reetops Resort $25,000 Par 3 Challenge; free swing lessons. 2-9 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. DeVos Place. $10 adults, $4 ages 6-14. westmichig angolfshow.com. Feb. 14 - Fashion and Tea: Tour the Streets of Old Grand Rapids and learn about fashion, vintage clothing, customs and culture from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, plus treats and tea. 2-4 p.m. GR Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. $15, $13 members (front desk, 929-1700, or grmuseum.org). Feb. 15 - Taste of Soul Sunday: Grand Rapids Public Library hosts 10th annual celebration of African-American history and culture. Music, poetry, kids crafts and food. 1-4:30 p.m. Main Library, 111 Library St. NE. grpl.org. Free.
FEB. 25 - GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON: 12th
FEB. 28 - SYMPHONY WITH SOUL: GRS cel-
annual West Michigan American Heart Association celebration. JW Marriott, See Special Events
ebration of AfricanAmerican music features Vanessa Williams. grsymphony. org. See Music FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 85
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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO
Feb. 16-28 - Cool Brews, Hot Eats: Food specials at area restaurants include meals paired with beer or food prepared with beer as an ingredient. experiencegr.com/events/ brews-eats. Feb. 18-22 - Grand Rapids Boat Show: Power boats, pontoons, ski boats, deck boats, runabouts, canoes, kayaks and other familyfun boats, plus brokers, marinas and boating services. 3-9:30 p.m. Wed.-T hu., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. DeVos Place. $10 adults, $4 ages 6-14. gr boatshow.com. Feb. 20 - Grown-Up Play Date: Grand Rapids Children’s Museum hosts a fundraising evening of samplings from local restaurants and breweries, entertainment by Fauxgrass and a cornhole tournament. 6:30 p.m. 11 Sheldon Ave. NE. $50 (grcm.org). Feb. 20 - Legacy Ball: Eighth annual event recognizes Black History Month. Funds raised support students with scholarships and black nonprofit and community organizations. 6:30 p.m. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW. $100. experiencegr.com. Feb. 25 - Badge Bash: Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore hosts an interactive fundraising party where guests earn “badges” while tasting local foods and signature drinks. 21 and up. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St. SW. gsmists.org. Feb. 25 - Go Red for Women Luncheon: 12th annual West Michigan American Heart Association celebration. 10:30 a.m. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW. grandrapidsgrfw. ahaevents.org. Feb. 25 - Soup’s On Along the Lakeshore: 17th annual benefit for God’s Kitchen includes soups, desserts and live entertainment. 6-9 p.m. Trillium Events Center, 17246 VanWagoner Road, Spring Lake. $35. soupson forall.org. Feb. 27 - Great Wine and Food Symposium: 300 international beers and wines, gourmet food, live classical music, presented by WGVU and D&W. 21 years and older only. 7:30 p.m. GR Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. $50, $40 WGVU members (800-442-2771 or wgvu.org). Feb. 27-28 - Winter Beer Festival: 10th annual event celebrates Michigan’s craft beer industry and the winter season with more than 80 participating breweries and 800 beers. 3-7 p.m. Fri., 1-6 p.m. Sat. Fifth T hird Ballpark, Comstock Park. $45 (mibeer.com/ winter-festival). michiganbrewersguild.org. Feb. 27-28 - WMWA V alentine’s Bridal
Show: West Michigan Wedding Association presents vendors, including florists, photographers, DJs, caterers and gowns, plus fashion show, food samples and door prizes. 5-9 p.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. DeVos Place. $7. west michiganweddingassociation.org.
ter event welcomes all ages and abilities. Twenty Olympic-type games at multiple venues, indoors and out. Opening ceremonies 7-8 p.m. Feb. 20, Cannonsburg Ski & Ride area, 6800 Cannonsburg Road. stategames ofmichigan.com.
Feb. 28 - Coopersville Outhouse 500: Winter festival with a parade and race of decorated outhouses, polar plunge, 5K run/walk, chili cook-off, live music and kids crafts. Main Street in downtown Coopersville and Coopersville Farm Museum. coopersville. com.
Feb. 21 - Winter Blast 5K: Sixth annual 5K race, plus kids Winter Flurry 1K. 10 a.m. 5K, 10:45 a.m. 1K. Calvin Christian High School, 3750 Ivanrest Ave., Grandville. $25. winter blastrun.com.
SPORTS
Thru Feb. 7 - “Water by the Spoonful”: Actors’ T heatre presents the story of an Iraq war veteran struggling to overcome addiction. 8 p.m. Spectrum T heater, 160 Fountain St. NE. $26-$28 adults, $20-$22 seniors and students (234-3946). atgr.org.
Feb. - Grand Rapids Drive: National Basketball Association D-League team is primary affiliate of Detroit Pistons. Home games: Feb. 4 vs. Idaho Stampede. Feb. 9 vs. Austin Toros. Feb. 19 vs. Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Feb. 21 vs. Canton Charge. Feb. 27 vs. Delaware 87ers. T imes vary. DeltaPlex. $10-$30, $44 family 4-pack (nba.com/dleague/grandrapids). Feb. - Grand Rapids Griffins: American Hockey League team is primary affiliate of Detroit Red Wings. Home games: Feb. 6-7 vs. Rochester Americans. Feb. 14 vs. San Antonio Rampage. Feb. 18 vs. Milwaukee Admirals. Feb. 20-21 vs. Hamilton Bulldogs. Times vary. Van Andel Arena. $14-$32 (box office, Meijer or Star Tickets). griffinshockey.com. Feb. 1 - Michigan Winter Triathlon: Families are encouraged to learn luge, cross-country skiing and speed skating in a noncompetitive environment. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, 462 Scenic Drive, Muskegon. msports.org. Feb. 6-8 - West Michigan Youth Winter Sports Fest: Multiple events, including snowshoeing, figure skating, speed skating, luge, cross-country skiing, gymnastics, cheer, biathlon. Various locations in Muskegon; headquarters at Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, 462 Scenic Drive, Muskegon. msp orts.org. Feb. 7 - Michigan Winter Adventure Race: Running, orienteering, snowshoeing and fatbiking. 9:30 a.m. Camp Roger, 8356 Belding Road NE, Rockford. $64, $128 team (miadv enturerace.com/winter-edition/race-infor mation)
STAGE & FILM
Thru Feb. 8 - “Company”: GVSU Opera T heatre presents Stephen Sondheim’s story about a 35-year-old bachelor whose married friends want him to find a wife. 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Sun. Louis Armstrong T heatre, PAC, Allendale campus. $14 adults, $12 seniors, $6 students (box office, 616-331-2300 or gvsu. edu/theatre). Thru Feb. 14 - “The Importance of Being Earnest”: Holland Civic T heatre presents a tale of two men who pretend their names are Ernest to impress their beloveds. 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Sun. 50 W. 9th St., Holland. $20 adults, $18 seniors, $10 students (616-396-2021 or hollandcivictheatre.org). Thru March 13 - Script Submission: Twelfth annual 10-minute play festival, Living on the Edge, invites Michigan writers to submit scripts. Final 10 selected for public reading in April; five finalists produced in June. For submission info: actorstheatregrandrapids. org, click on “On Stage” and “Special Series.” Feb. 5-7 - “Existence: The Funniest Thing That Ever Happened to Us”: Calvin College presents student-directed absurdist plays. 7:30 p.m. Gezon Auditorium, 3201 Burton St. SE. $9 T hu., $10 Fri.-Sat., $5 students and children (526-6282 or calvin.edu/boxoffice), $15/$8 (at door).
Feb. 15 - Midwest Luge Championships: Race for Masley Cup, for ages 8 and up. Muskegon Winter Sports Complex, 462 Scenic Drive, Muskegon. msports.org.
Feb. 6-15 - “Swan Lake”: Grand Rapids Ballet presents the classical ballet about a beautiful princess cursed to live as a swan unless a prince swears his love to her. 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Sun. Peter Martin Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth SW. $40 (box office or Ticketmaster). grballet.com.
Feb. 20-22 - Winter Games: Second annual Meijer State Games of Michigan win-
Feb. 7-8 - “Coppelia”: CARE Ballet presents a one-hour version of the ballet about an inven-
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tor who creates a life-size dancing doll. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sat., 3 p.m. Sun. St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $15 adults, $10 students (464-3682 or careballet.org).
PAC, 1607 Robinson Road SE. $10 adults, $5 students (456-6656). aquinas.edu/theatre.
Feb. 27-March 22 - “South Pacific”: GR Civic Theatre presents the musical love story set during WWII that deals with racial prejudices, war and love. 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Sun. 30 N. Division Ave. $18-$35 (222-6650 or grct. org).
Feb. 10-12 - “I Love Lucy Live on Stage”: Broadway Grand Rapids presents a production that recreates T V episodes from the 1950s, commercials included. 7:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $27.50-$62.50 (DeVos Place and BGR box offices or Ticketmaster). broadwaygrandrapids.com. Feb. 12-13 - Hope College Great Performance Series: Broadway’s Next H!T Musical, comedy improv ensemble. 7:30 p.m. Dimnent Chapel, Hope College, 277 College Ave., Holland. $18 adults, $13 seniors, $6 students and children (hope.edu). Feb. 12-March 7 - “Honk! A Musical Tale of the Ugly Duckling”: Master Arts T heatre presents a family musical based on Hans Christian Anderson’s classic put to music. 7 p.m. Thu.-Fri., 2 and 7 p.m. Sat. 75 77th St. SW. $18 adults, $16 seniors and students (4551001 or masterarts.org). Feb. 13-15 - “Noah’s Flood”: Opera Grand Rapids presents the story of Noah, who builds an ark to save his family from God’s great flood. 7:30 p.m., 3 p.m. Sun. Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE. $12-$20 adults, $5 students (box office or T icketmaster). operagr.org. Feb. 14-15 - Shen Yun: T he tradition of Chinese music and dance, featuring the world’s foremost classically trained dancers, a unique orchestra blending East and West, and dazzling animated backdrops. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. DeVos Performance Hall. $52.50-$122.50 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster).
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
Feb. 20-March 7 - “Cookin’ with Gus”: LowellArts! Players present a comedy about a famous food columnist and cookbook author who gets the chance to star in her very own television series. 7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 2:30 p.m. Feb. 22. VFW Flat River Post, 3116 Alden Nash SE, Lowell. T ickets: $13 (897-8545 or lowell artsmi.org), $15 at door. Feb. 20-March 7 - “Other Desert Cities”: Muskegon Civic T heatre presents the story of a woman publishing a memoir about her family history. 7:30 p.m., 3 p.m. Sun. Beardsley T heater, Frauenthal Center, Muskegon. $20 adults, $18 students and seniors (box office or Star Tickets). muskegoncivictheatre.org. Feb. 22 - Disney Junior Live on Tour! Pirate and Princess Adventure: Favorite characters from “Sofia the First” and “Jake and the
MUSIC Feb. 4 - Linkin Park: Alternative rock band’s T he Hunting Party Tour, with special guests Rise Against and Of Mice & Men. 7 p.m. Van Andel Arena. $30-$86 (Van Andel and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster).
Winter games return More than 2,000 athletes of all ages and abilities from around the state will come together Feb. 20-22 for the second annual winter edition of Meijer State Games of Michigan. Twenty Olympic-style games, including speed skating, skiing, snowball softball, fat bike, indoor archery and darts, will be held at multiple venues. Opening ceremony is 7-8 p.m. Feb. 20 at Cannonsburg Ski Area, 6800 Cannonsburg Road. For information on each sporting event, visit stategamesofmichigan.com.
Never Land Pirates,” plus Cinderella, Peter Pan and Captain Hook in a new adventure. 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $25-$58 (Van Andel and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster).
Feb. 26-28 - “From White Plains”: Presented by GRCC Players, a drama about homophobic bullying and its consequences. 8 p.m. Spectrum T heatre, 160 Fountain St. NE. $10 adults, $5 seniors and students (2343946 or grcc.edu/theater/grccplayers). Feb. 26-March 1 - Disney on Ice: Passport to Adventure: Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy go around the world to the Pride lands in “T he Lion King,” under the sea in “T he Little Mermaid,” to London and Neverland with Peter Pan, and to Hawaii with Lilo & Stitch. 7 p.m. Thu.-Fri.; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Sat.; 1 and 5 p.m. Sun. Van Andel Arena. $12-$58 (Van Andel and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster). Feb. 26-March 1 - “melancholy play”: Aquinas College T heatre presents a play about a young stranger who works at a bank and the effect her emotions have on other people. 8 p.m., 2 p.m. Sun. Aquinas College
Feb. 6 - “Words and Music”: West Michigan Symphony presents music by T chaikovsky, Mozart and Haydn; Carla Hill narrates “Voices From the Gallery” by Stephen Paulus. 7:30 p.m. Frauenthal Theater, Muskegon. $18-$48 adults, $7 students (231-726-3231 or west michigansymphony.com). Feb. 7 - “rePLAY: Symphony of Heroes”: GR Symphony’s SymphonicBoom concert features music from video games Portal, The Legend of Zelda, The Elder Scrolls, Halo and more. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $32 and up (Van Andel and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster). grsymphony.org. Feb. 7, 21 - The Block Concerts: Feb. 7, Ion T rio. Feb. 21, Borghi & Teager. Presented by West Michigan Symphony. 7:30 p.m. T he Block, 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon. $20 (231-726-3231 or westmichigansymphony. com). Feb. 10 - Luke Bryan: Country singer performs T hat’s My Kind of Night T our; also Randy Houser and Dustin Lynch. 7:30 p.m. Van Andel Arena. $39.75-$67.25 (Van Andel and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster). Feb. 13 - MAJIC Concert Series: Musical Arts for Justice in the Community hosts Hope College Faculty Jazz Trio. 7:30 p.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 250 Commerce Ave. SW. $10 suggested donation; proceeds benefit GR Coalition to End Homelessness. majicingr. org. Feb. 13 - St. Olaf Choir: Seventy-five member a cappella college choir performs. 8 p.m. Calvin College FAC, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $27-$33 (calvin.edu/boxoffice). Feb. 15 - Sacred Sounds of St. Mark’s: Les Voix Humaines with Charles Daniels, tenor, and Sylvian Bergeron, lute, presenting “Perchance to Dreame.” 5 p.m. St. Mark’s Episcopal, 134 N. Division Ave. stmarksgr. org. Free. FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 87
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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO
Feb. 26
Billy’s Lounge: Eastown bar and music venue hosts live music with emphasis on blues. 1437 Wealthy St. SE, 459-5757, billyslounge. com.
1/ The Dirty Bourbon River Show has
The B.O.B: The Big Old Building houses several entertainment options: dueling pianos at Bobarino’s Tue.-Sat.; DJs and dance floor at Eve on weekends; live music at House of Music and Entertainment (HOME) ; and stand-up comedy at Dr. Grins (see below) . 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebob.com.
a reputation for a tight, diverse sound and high-energy performances.
Diversions: Nightclub offers video bar, dance floor, karaoke, special events. 10 Fountain St. NW, 451-3800, diversionsnightclub.com. Dr. Grins Comedy Club: Nationally acclaimed stand-up comedians perform 9 p.m. Thu., 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, 356-2000, thebob.com/ drgrinscomedy. J. Gardellas: Dance Club Fri. and Sat. nights on third floor features DJ. 11 Ionia Ave. SW, 4598824, jgardellastavern.com. Grand Rapids Brewing Co.: Restaurant and taproom features live music Fri., Sat. and Sun. No cover. 1 Ionia Ave. SW, 458-7000, grbrewing company.com.
COMPILED BY MORIAH GILBERT
1/ TIP TOP DELUXE BAR & GRILL: Feb. 26 at 8 p.m., New Orleans’ big brass circus rock music from Dirty Bourbon River Show. Tickets: $10 advance (ticketweb.com), $15 day of show. 760 Butterworth St. SW, 272-3910. Check Facebook for more information.
Paper Diamond
2/ THE INTERSECTION: Feb. 21 at 8 p.m., Colorado electronic music producer Paper Diamond appears on his Rain Drops Tour. Tickets: $20 advance (Purple East, Shakedown and box office), $23 day of show. 133 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-8232, sectionlive.com. 3/ FOUNDERS BREWING CO.: Taproom performance by Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, 9:30 p.m. Feb. 14. The band brings a new life to bluegrass with sweet vocals with a soulful tone. Tickets are Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys $5, for ages 21+ only. 235 Grandville Ave. SW, 7762182, foundersbrewing. com.
Mulligan’s Pub: Bar and music venue in Eastown. No cover charge. 1518 Wealthy St. SE, 451-0775, mulligans-pub.com. Monte’s Lounge: Drink specials and dancing Fri. and Sat. 438 Bridge St. NW, 774-5969, monteslounge.com. One Trick Pony: Live music Thu. (Acoustic Stew) and Sat., 8-11 p.m.; reservations accepted. 136 E. Fulton St., 235-7669, onetrick.biz. The Orbit Room: Club venue hosts regional and national music acts, occasional stand-up comedy. Multiple bars. Open floor, seated balcony. 2525 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE, 942-1328, orbitroom.com. Pop Scholars: Comedy improv team incorporates skits with audience participation. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. Tickets at box office or at the door. popscholars.com. The Pyramid Scheme: Heartside pub and live music venue. Tickets: fusionshows.com, Vertigo Music and Pyramid Scheme front bar. 68 Commerce Ave. SW, 272-3758, pyramidsch emebar.com. River City Improv: Comedy team weaves skits, games and songs with audience suggestions. Shows every other Sat. Ladies Literary Club, 61 Sheldon Blvd. SE. Tickets: rivercityimp rov.com or Calvin box office, 526-6282, or at door. Rocky’s Bar & Grill: Dancing every Fri. featuring DJs and live acts. 633 Ottawa Ave. NW, 356-2346, Facebook. Stella’s Whisky Lounge: Drink features and live DJs every Fri. and Sat. 53 Commerce Ave. SW, 742-4444, stellasgr.com. Sunday Night Funnies: Midwest comics perform 8:30 p.m. Sun. Riverfront Hotel’s Landing Lounge, 270 Ann St. NW, Facebook.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DIRTY BOURBON RIVER SHOW (TOP); PAPER DIAMOND (MIDDLE); JOHN HANSON (BOTTOM)
Comedy & nightclub venues
Grand Woods Lounge: Restaurant/bar with dance floor, DJs Thu.-Sat. 77 Grandville Ave. SW, 451-4300, grandwoodslounge.com.
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Feb. 16 - Monday Night Jazz: West Michigan Jazz Society presents T om Hagen T rio with Rick Reuther. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Bobarino’s at The B.O.B, 20 Monroe Ave. NW. $10, $5 members and students. wmichjazz.org.
Essentials and career transition workshops. Kids programs include T he Pirate’s Life for Me, Heart to Heart Craft Party, Kent County Teen Film Festival, author visits, story times. kdl.org.
Feb. 19 - SCMC Jazz Series: St. Cecilia Music Center presents Christian McBride Trio with post-concert reception. 7:30 p.m. 24 Ransom Ave. NE. $37-$42 adults, $10 students, $15 reception (459-2224, scmc-online.org).
Feb. 3 - Mocha Moms: Book discussion: “How Men and Women Can Build Loving, Trusting Relationships” by Hill Harper. 6 p.m. Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60th St. SE, Kentwood, Door G. Free. mochamoms. org.
Feb. 20 - Home Free: A cappella winner of 2014 Sing-Off competition performs. 8 p.m. Calvin College FAC, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $20 (Calvin box office, 526-6282 or calvin. edu/boxoffice). Feb. 20-21 - “New World Symphony”: GR Symphony concert features violinist Philippe Quint. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $18$90 (Van Andel and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster). grsymphony.org. Feb. 21 - Phox: Alternative folk/indie pop band. 8 p.m. Calvin College FAC, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $15, $5 students (Calvin box office, 526-6282 or calvin.edu/boxoff ice). Feb. 24 - Nickelback: Rock band performs its No Fixed Address Tour; also Pretty Reckless. 8 p.m. Van Andel Arena. $25-$80 (Van Andel and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster).
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DIRTY BOURBON RIVER SHOW (TOP); PAPER DIAMOND (MIDDLE); JOHN HANSON (BOTTOM)
Feb. 26 - GRCC International Guitar Series: Classical guitarist Robert Gruca. 7:30 p.m. GRCC Music Center, Recital Hall, Room 200. $15 adults, $10 seniors and students (234-3940 or bmorris@grcc.edu). grcc.edu/ music/internationalguitarseries. Feb. 28 - Symphony with Soul: GR Symphony’s 14 annual celebration of AfricanAmerican musical expression featuring Vanessa Williams. 8 p.m. DeVos Performance Hall. $35 and up (Van Andel and DeVos Place box offices or T icketmaster). grsym phony.org.
LECTURES & WORKSHOPS Feb. - GR Public Libraries: Programs include Reading the Great Lakes, Music in the Stacks: Vox Vidorra, Taste of Soul Sunday (see Special Events), author visits, computer classes, reading clubs, Cooking Matters, Early Childhood Essentials. Also, EatPlayGrow, Winter Reading Challenge, literacy classes for babies, toddlers and kids and Let’s Play workshops. grpl.org. Feb. - Kent District Libraries: Programs include KDaLe programs (beer and brewery topics), book discussions, Early Childhood
Feb. 4, 10 - Ford Museum Lectures: Feb. 4, Fred McClure. Feb. 10, Howard Willens. 7 p.m. 303 Pearl St. NW. fordlibrarymuseum.gov. Feb. 6 - Meijer Gardens Gallery Walk: Informal tour of Splendors of Shiga: T reasures from Japan exhibit. Noon. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. Free with admission. meijergardens.org. Feb. 7 - Circle Theatre Musical Audition Workshop: Choreography and audition preparedness, music audition prep and cold reading prep for actors 15 and up. 10 a.m. Circle Theatre PAC, 1607 Robinson Road SE. $40 (circletheatre.org/audition-workshopinformation.html). Feb. 11 - GRCC Diversity Lecture Series: “The Green Boat: Sustaining Our Planet and Each Other,” by Mary Pipher, author and clinical psychologist. 7 p.m. Fountain St. Church, 24 Fountain St. NE. Free. grcc.edu/lecture. Feb. 12 - Calvin Passport to Adventure: T ravel film series: “China Rising” by Dale Johnson. 7 p.m. Calvin College FAC, 1795 Knollcrest Circle SE. $6 adults, $3 students (calvin.edu/boxoffice or at door). calvin.edu/ academic/call/passtick.htm. Feb. 12 - Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent County: Meet other parents and providers to get info about local early childhood programs. 5:45-8 p.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 250 Commerce Ave. SW. Free dinner, child care. RSVP: 632-1007. greatstart kent.org. Feb. 13 - Art and Science of Aging Conference: GVSU’s 10th annual conference. Theme: “Life Balance: Keep Moving Forward in the Third Age.” 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. GVSU Loosemore Auditorium, 401 W. Fulton St. Tickets TBD. gvsu.edu/gerontology. Feb. 13-16 - Great Backyard Bird Count: Birders of all skill levels count birds for a minimum of 15 minutes in local areas and submit info to birdcount.org. Feb. 13, 27 - Grand River Folk Arts Society: Second and Fourth Friday Contra Dance/ Jam, dancing and instruction. 7 p.m. Fifth
Street Hall, 701 5th St. NW. $9 adults, $7 members, $5 students and seniors. grfolk arts.org.
Feb. 14 - Meijer Gardens Lecture: “What Makes a National T reasure?” by Charles Mason, in conjunction with Splendors of Shiga: T reasures From Japan exhibit. 2 p.m. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. Free with admission. meijergardens.org. Feb. 17 - GV SU Frederik Meijer Lecture: “An Evening with Patrick Doyle,” president and CEO of Domino’s Pizza. 5:30 p.m. GVSU Loosemore Auditorium, 401 W. Fulton St. gvsu.edu/honor/frederik-meijer-lectureseries-58.htm. Feb. 17 - Nourishing Ways of West Michigan: “Permaculture and Our Connectedness to the Earth” by Luke Malski. 7-8 p.m. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 134 N. Division Ave. Free. nourishingways.org. Feb. 18 - GGR Chapter Mothers and More: T ransitions. 7 p.m. T he Studio Space at Schuler Books, 2660 28th St. grmothersand more.org. Free. Feb. 20 - Ikebana Demonstration: Japanese flower arrangement by Anne-Lise Whitescarver. Noon. Meijer Gardens, 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE. Free with admission. meijergardens.org. Feb. 23 - GR Audubon Club: “Reptiles and Amphibians” by Ryan Webb. 7 p.m. social hour, 7:30 p.m. presentation. Orchard View Church of God, 2777 Leffingwell NE. Public welcome. glsga.org/grac. Feb. 25 - Women & Environment Symposium: Fourth annual event by West Michigan Environmental Action Council and GVSU explores women’s issues and environmental concerns. 3-8 p.m. GVSU Loosemore Auditorium, 401 W. Fulton St. $40 adults, $20 students (wmeac.org/event/women-environ ment-symposium). Feb. 28 - At the Heart of Marriage: A Retreat for Married Couples: Reflection and enrichment of marriage through conversation, presentations and prayer. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes St. NE, Lowell. $70/couple (lifeproce sscenter.org). Feb. 28 - Drawing and Painting Workshops: Ada Arts Council presents a workshop for beginner to advanced artists (age 14 and up) in a wide range of techniques taught by Scott Kenyon. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Ada Parks Learning Center, 1180 Buttrick Ave. Pre-registration: 745-8297 or scottfkenyon@aol.com. $40. scottkenyonfineart.com. FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 89
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liner notes BY KEVIN VANANTWERPEN
Old-school rockabilly with a modern twist
Nominated for four 2015 Jammie awards. See Special Events, page 85
February Music Highlights
• MIKE MAINS AND THE BRANCHES When 7 p.m., Feb. 19 Location The Pyramid Scheme Tickets $10/advance; $12/door; all ages Owosso-based Mike Mains and the Branches dish out clean guitar riffs coupled with poetic and spastic vocals to create a gentleyet-aggressive atmosphere. The group’s sophomore album “Calm Down, Everything Is Fine” was released Feb.18, 2014. With special guests American Wifi and Lights and Caves.
• GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY PRESENTS REPLAY: SYMPHONY OF HEROES When 8 p.m., Feb. 7 Location DeVos Performance Hall Tickets start at $32 Halo, The Legend of Zelda, The Elder Scrolls and Portal are just a few of the video-game scores the Grand Rapids Symphony will perform live, accompanied by gameplay footage.
• DIRTY BOURBON RIVER SHOW When 8 p.m., Feb. 26 Location Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill Tickets $10/advance; $15/door; 21+ The Dirty Bourbon River Show is a New Orleans-based group that is half rock-band and half circus performance, featuring energetic stage performances with wild costumes to the backing of brass instruments.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
JESSIE RAY AND THE CAROLINA CATFISH
JESSE RAY AND THE CAROLINA CATFISH released its first full-length album, “Gravediggers,” last August, and in response the duo was nominated for four 2015 Jammie awards: Album of the Year, Best Album by New Artist, Best Roots/Revival Album, and Song of the Year (for the track “Lonesome”). “T his was really just us getting our feet wet and putting ourselves into the scene,” said frontman Jesse Ray. “I think it’s gone really well. We’ve had a great response to it, and we love seeing people out there dancing and having a good time.” T he album is a stripped-down take on old-school rockabilly filtered through a modern lens. Ray began writing the album while attending Portland State University and played street corners to pay rent. T he album is influenced by roots music and rock and roll of the 1950s, he said. “I wanted to capture the heart and soul of music that has inspired me since I was young — Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters. I’ve always held a strong connection with the blues.” After returning to Michigan, Ray took a job at Guitar Center and worked alongside Josh Worsham, who would later become Ray’s roommate and the drummer for Carolina Catfish.
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Add some Romance ... Learn to Dance!
Even the album’s recording process was stripped down and back to basics. The duo recorded at Cold War Studios with Mustard Plug bassist Rick Johnson. The album was recorded live in about four hours. “Josh and I really wanted to do it the old-fashioned way,” Ray said. “We did it all live tracking. We just kind of went in with guns blazing and played these songs over and over. You’d get those songs and it would take 10 to 15 takes, and it was like death — it was awful. “But we got it recorded and the finished product turned out perfect. I’m very happy with it.” Since releasing the album, Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish have performed across the state and even did a nine-day tour alongside The Sailor Kicks.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
“I haven’t been out of Michigan much in the past two years, so getting to travel and see new places and meet new people was amazing.” — Jesse Ray “T he beauty of being a two-piece band is that we’re kind of an opener in a box,” Ray said. “We can travel light and use their gear, and it works really well. “I really liked doing something that takes me places. I haven’t been out of Michigan much in the past two years, so getting to travel and see new places and meet new people was amazing. And I got to do it with one of my best friends, Josh.” Even so, Ray said the Jammie nominations were the best thing to happen for the group so far. “My jaw kind of hit the floor,” Ray said. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to be a part of, as any local musician would want to be. I freaked out. I called everyone I knew. “I’d consider it the biggest accomplishment we’ve had so far.” — Kevin VanAntwerpen has been a part of the Michigan music scene since he was a teenager, from playing in bands to writing about them.
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out & about WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO
Museums & Attractions COMPILED BY DONNA FERRARO AND TRICIA VAN ZELST
1/ MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART: Special exhibitions: Thru Feb. 9, The Essential Elijah Pierce (woodcarvings), and Branching Out: Michigan Woodworkers, works from 11 artists. Thru Feb. 15, Japanese Warriors: toy robots and action figures. Feb. 5-April 26, Belinda the Ballerina & Friends: The Illustrations of Amy Young. Feb. 19-May 3, The Art of the Brick: LEGO Brick Art by Nathan Sawaya. Feb. 26-March 12, Postcard Salon. Special event: Thru March 26, Regional Ekphrastic Poetry Competition. Closed Mon. and Tue. $7 adults, $5 college students, free age 17 and younger. 296 W. Webster Ave., Muskegon, (231) 720-2570, muskegonartmuseum.org.
Blandford Nature Center: 143 acres of trails, exhibits, heritage buildings, farm. Interpretive Center open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, noon-5 p.m. Sat. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. $3. 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, 7356240, blandfordnaturecenter.org. Coopersville Farm Museum: Special events: Acoustic Jam Nights 6-9 p.m. first and third Tue. Feb. 28, Kids, Crafts & Critters. Permanent exhibitions: Tractors, quilts, windmill and more. Open Tue., Thu., Sat. $4 adults, $2 ages 4-18, 3 and under free. 375 Main St., Coopersville, 997-8555, coopersvillefarmmuseum.org.
“Rice Terraces #2,” Western Yunnan Province, China.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Special exhibitions: Thru Aug. 16, Splendors of Shiga: Treasures from Japan, includes 60 objects from the 17th century to the present. Thru Oct. 31, Bernar Venet’s large-scale sculptures. Special events: Feb. 21, Winter Family Day. Also see Lectures & Workshops. Permanent attractions: World-class sculptures indoors and in 30-acre park; tropical conservatory, café, gift shop. Open daily. $12 adults, $9 seniors/students, $6 age 5-13, $4 age 3-4. 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, 957-1580, meijergardens.org. Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum: Special exhibition: Thru July, Taking the Seas: The Rise of the American Aircraft Carrier. Permanent exhibitions: The 1970s, Watergate, Oval Office, New Mood at the White House. Open daily. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 college students, $3 age 6-18, 5 and under free. 303 Pearl St. NW, 254-0400, fordlibr arymuseum.gov. Grand Rapids Children’s Museum: Special activities: See Grown-Up Play Date in Special Events. Feb. 5-6, Tooth Time. Thru Feb. 15, Adventures in Balance. Thru May 31, Open Wide, dental health. Thru Aug. 2, Happy Animal Clinic. Permanent activities: Busy Busy Bees; Bubbles!; Mom and Pop Store; Giant Lite Brite and more. Toddler Tuesdays 10 a.m.-noon. Family Night 5-8 p.m. Thu. ($1.75) . Closed Mon. $8.25, $7.25 seniors, kids under 1 free. 11 Sheldon Ave. NE, 235-4726, grcm. org.
Opening Feb. 1
2/ Edward Burtynsky’s large aerial photographs taken all over the world explore humanity’s stressed relationship with water.
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Special exhibitions: Thru April 19, Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship. Thru July, Through the Eyes of Weidenaar, includes 75 prints and 25 digital images from local artist and printmaker Reynold Weidenaar. Thru Spring, Peter M. Wege Gun Collection. Special events: See Ethnic Heritage Festival and Fashion and Tea in Special Events. Permanent exhibitions: Streets of Old Grand Rapids, Anishinabek and Newcomers: People of This Place, Collecting A-Z, Furniture
PHOTOGRAPHY BRICKARTIST.COM (TOP); EDWARD BURTYNSKY (BOTTOM)
2/ GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM: Special exhibitions: Feb. 1-April 26, Edward Burtynsky: Water. Thru Oct. 11, GRAM Selects ArtPrize 2014: Encore! Permanent exhibitions: 19th and 20th century art; design and modern craft; prints, drawings, photographs. Thursday Nights at GRAM: Music, gallery talks, cash bar, dinner options 5-9 p.m. Drop-in Family 1/ Opening Feb. 19 with a reception Saturdays: Art activities, kid-friendly tours, 1-4 p.m. from 5:30-7 p.m., Nathan Sawaya’s Sunday Classical Concerts: Live music 2-3 p.m., fol- touring exhibition, The Art of the Brick, has been called one of the top 12 lowed by tours. Closed Mon., open Thu. until 9 p.m. must-see exhibits in the world. $8 adults, $7 seniors/students, $5 ages 6-17, 5 and under free; free admission 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue., 5-9 p.m. Thu. 101 Monroe Center, 831-1000, artmuseumgr.org.
DeGraaf Nature Center: 18-acre preserve with Interpretive Center, indoor pond, animals, SkyWatch. Knee-High Naturalists, classes for ages 3-5. Closed Sun., Mon., holidays. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. 600 Graafschap Road, Holland, (616) 3551057, cityofholland.com/degraafnaturecenter. Free.
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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Meyer May House in Heritage Hill is open for free tours. City, 1928 carousel ($1) . Open daily. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3 age 3-17. Van Andel Museum Center, 272 Pearl St. NW, 456-3977, grpm.org.
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts: Special exhibitions: Thru March 8, How to Return? Contemporary Chinese Photography. Thru March 15, Wired and Wrapped: Sculpture by Seungmo Park. Thru May 10, Second Sight/Insight II. Thru April 26, Redefining the Multiple. Closed Mon. $5 adults; $2 students with ID; members and ages 12 and under free. 314 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, (269) 349-7775, kiarts.org.
pearlstreetgrillgr.com open: breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week.
Note Worthy Dining. Downtown Grand Rapids Inside Holiday Inn • 310 Pearl Street • 616.235.1342
Meyer May House: Restored Frank Lloyd Wright 1909 prairie-style house includes original furnishings. Guided tours 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tue. and Thu.; 1-5 p.m. Sun. (last tour one hour before close) . Free. 450 Madison Ave. SE, 246-4821, meyermayhouse. steelcase.com. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY STEELCASE INC.
PHOTOGRAPHY BRICKARTIST.COM (TOP); EDWARD BURTYNSKY (BOTTOM)
Holland Museum: Special exhibition: Thru June 15, A Hundred Flowers: Phillip A. Harrington Photography from the People’s Republic of China, 1956-1957. Permanent exhibitions: 17th- to 20thcentury paintings; attractions from the “old country”; local history. Open Thu.-Sat. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students, 5 and under free. Cappon House: 228 W. 9th St. Settlers House: 190 W. 9th St. Main building: 31 W. 10th St., (616) 796-3329, hollandmuseum.org.
Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium: Digistar projection technology and surround sound. Shows: “Dynamic Earth,” “Spacepark 360: Infinity,” “Under Frozen Skies” and “Violent Universe.” Show information and times: 929-1700 or grpm.org/planetari um. $4 with admission to GR Public Museum, $5 planetarium only; members free. Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW. Tri-Cities Historical Museum: Thru Sept., 60 Centuries of Copper. Two buildings house exhibits of NW Ottawa County. Closed Mon. Free. 200 Washington Ave. and 1 N. Harbor, Grand Haven, (616) 842-0700, tri-citiesmuseum.org.
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out & about SOCIETY / FACES / PLACES
Alicia Geene and Ruth Chisnall
Jill Fahner, Therese Fahner, Kaylee Place
CAPTURING THE ACTION AROUND TOWN:
Chris Van Allsburg
GRAND RAPIDS BALLET premiered its re-imagined version of “The Nutcracker” Dec. 11 with a gala black-tie dinner, performance and after-glow reception that raised $500,000 — $250,000 benefiting Hospice of Michigan’s Pediatric Hospice Program and $250,000 going to the ballet company. Attending the world debut was Grand Rapids native Chris Van Allsburg, who designed the new “Nutcracker” with Tony Award-winning set designer Eugene Lee. Ice skating on the downtown rink that is part of Maya Lin’s “Ecliptic” sculpture is a winter tradition for many Grand Rapids residents. The rink will be open until March 8 (weather permitting).
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); MICHAEL BUCK (CENTER AND BOTTOM)
snap shots
94 GRMAG.COM \ FEBRUARY 2015
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Zamboni operators Kevin Faber and Kahari Vidro
Ella and Katherine Faulk
Tim Sundt, MaryLou Sundt, Sister MaryAnn Barrett, Sara Smolenski, Linda Burbee
Logan Grimm
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN (TOP); MICHAEL BUCK (CENTER AND BOTTOM)
Becca, Peter and Giselle Sholler
Self-described as the “oldest kid on the ice” David Fixler FEBRUARY 2015 / GRMAG.COM 95
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No two weddings should ever feel the same. Your big day should also be your very best day. We work hard to make every moment, every bite, and every stylish detail perfect so you can delight in a celebration that’s all about you and your “I do.”
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Cookie-cutter weddings
are a thing of the past. Today’s modern bride wants a wedding that is uniquely her own, filled with meaningful personal touches or new and exciting twists that reflect who she is — adding unique details that make this special day a truly memorable event for all. Grand Rapids Magazine presents our special Wedding edition, sharing with readers the variety of ways in which couples are creating their own inimitable weddings, making it a day that fulfills all of their dreams and reflects their identity as a couple.
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A wedding BY J. STAPLETON-BURCH
DAY AS UNIQUE AS YOUR RELATIONSHIP
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OCAL WEDDING consultants and event planners all agree that the traditional wedding ceremony and reception has evolved to a much more couple-specific event than in the past. They share here the variety of ways in which couples are personalizing their special day, from the “I do’s,” venue selection and décor to the first dance, food choices, cake selection and conclusion of the celebration. (We’ll leave the personalization of the honeymoon to your own imagination.) “For the last few years, I’m finding that people are really taking their wedding day and making it all their own,” observed Nicole Muyskens, a ten-year wedding-planning veteran and owner of Grand Rapidsbased Elegant Events (elegantevents-mi.com). “Some may follow the traditions in general, but choose to skip some of the typical steps like the first dance or cutting the cake. Instead, they are establishing new traditions all their own.” “We see a lot of brides incorporate who they are as a couple in many of the little things throughout their wedding day,” agrees Leah Baillargeon, event planner with Pearls Events, LLC (pearlsevents.com). “Sometimes it’s the way they interpret a guest book, what they serve for a late night snack, a fully choreographed first dance, or the concoction they create for a signature drink.”
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHRENE EXQUISITE PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY MICHALIK
What better way to greet your guests as they arrive then with a signature drink. Tie in your wedding color, your favorite spirit and a splash of cheer to toast the happy couple!”
— Rebekah DeHamer
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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY NICOLE MUYSKENS
According to Rebekah DeHamer, Vice president of operations and event design with RSVP Events (events-by-rsvp.com) — a recipient of The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” awards for the past two years — one fun trend is personalizing the wedding programs guests receive as they arrive at the church or wedding venue. “It can include individualized short stories about the couple, a timeline of their relationship, humorous childhood facts or photos to share with the wedding guests,” she said. “It is such a fun, personal touch — especially considering that many guests may only know the groom’s or bride’s side
of things. It not only allows for a greater connection to both sides of the wedding party, but can add a humorous aspect to the ceremony.” Muyskens adds that another way to break the ice before the wedding day is to include a fun “who knows the couple best” quiz at the rehearsal dinner. “If you mix up the wedding party into smaller teams with people from both sides, everyone gets to know each other a little better as they work together to come up with the answers,” she said. “The questions can include things like how the couple met, details of their first date, facts from their childhood, their favorite movie, song or musician; how he proposed ... It’s a fun way to get everybody talking.” Muyskens also notes that an overwhelming percentage of today’s brides don’t want their wedding to be an “all about me” event. “Celebrating their special day with family and friends is as important to them as the marriage itself,” she said. “They want to make sure that their guests are going to have fun, too, and want to host everybody in a really great way to give them a truly memorable experience.”
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE MORROW PHOTOGRAPHY
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Subtle, but important details
OTH MUYSKENS AND DeHamer have seen a big change in the traditional father-daughter walk down the aisle. “More and more frequently, brides are including both their mother and father in that walk,” DeHamer noted. “It represents a great partnership amongst the parents and a closeness with their daughter that guests enjoy seeing at the ceremony.” DeHamer says another popular personal touch is the inclusion of an “In loving memory table” displaying photos of lost loved ones that can only be with the couple in spirit. Couples can also opt to set up a “Joyous memories” table depicting wedding day photos of their parents, grandparents, ancestors or friends. Brides can incorporate miniature photos of loved ones within their bouquet, jewelry or a locket that keeps them close to their heart. “A photo book containing pictures of the couple throughout their dating relationship is also a great touch,” DeHamer added. “It can be displayed at the entrance of the venue as
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“In Memory of tables act as an honorary tribute to past generations. Because these incredible couples began their journey all those years ago, the bride and groom are who they are today”
— Elyse Morse
a guestbook for everyone to sign. It’s a great way to share the memories the couple have made together thus far, while doubling as a guestbook and keepsake for years to come.” Wedding ceremonies have definitely become more inclusive. Muyskens has seen an upswing in brides having their best guy friends stand up with them when they take their vows. “Writing their own vows is also
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At Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, you’ll ďŹ nd a combination of wedding services and amenities unmatched elsewhere. Bridal parties delight in our 22-room spa and salon, while groomsmen relax during a round of golf. With multiple indoor and outdoor venues, our wedding planners create a brand of seamless perfection, regardless of scale. From intimate unions to grand affairs, your guests will feel every bit as loved, cherished, and honored as you do.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY SWEET PHOTOGRAPHY GRAND RAPIDS
a very important trend with couples these days,” she added. “At a recent Elegant Events wedding, the bride asked to include a blessing of the rings.” She explained that while a favorite song played in the background, the couple’s wedding rings were passed to everyone in the bridal party, with each member silently adding their own blessing before passing it along. “It was a really lovely moment,” Muyskens recalled.
Wedding Party Fashions
R
ATHER THAN TRADITIONAL wedding-style dresses with long trailing trains and flowing cathedral-length veils, today’s brides are expressing their own individual style with more fashion-forward choices, while others make a personal statement with family heirloom gowns. “Ball gowns, and lace/form-fitting wedding dresses are definitely in,” observes Rebekah DeHamer of RSVP Events. Brides
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY MICHALIK
who want to show more than one side of their personalities are opting for a two-dress event, changing from a formal wedding gown into a more fun-and-flirty dress to dance the night away at their reception. Others prefer to express their individuality with a colored gown, a short dress, or by
adding bling, a pop of color — and yes, even camouflage — with the addition of a belt. Many opt for flowers in their hair, rhinestone or crystal tiaras, small birdcage-style veils, or even no veil at all, while those who wish to pay homage to their heritage might wear their mother or grandmother’s veil for their ceremony. DeHamer also notes that mixing and matching bridesmaid dresses with different styles or in different colors adds another personal touch that caters to the size and preference of each woman in the wedding party. “It is a trending style that is preferred by today’s bridesmaids because while the dresses might all be in the same color or fabric, each attendant can select a style that is right for her.” She adds that full cascading bouquets are definitely a hot trend returning to the 2015 bridal scene, personalized with flowers that hold a special meaning for the bride.
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According to Cassie Celestin, owner of White Dress Events in Grand Haven (whitedressgh.com), couples are making their wedding day uniquely their own by selecting a theme — often defined by a mutually shared passion — and interweaving it throughout various aspects of the day. “Last summer we had a wedding where the bride and groom were both die-hard Michigan State University fans,” Celestin
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said. “The bridesmaids wore MSU-green dresses, the groom and his groomsmen wore vests and ties to match — I think the ties might even have had the MSU logo on them – and they flew an MSU flag outside the reception venue.” Inside, the linens and décor continued the theme. Their greenand-white wedding cake was topped with figurines proudly hoisting MSU pennants, while school mascot Sparty graced the groom’s cake.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENN ANIBAL PHOTOGRAPHY (THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE)
Couples are making their wedding day uniquely their own by selecting a theme — often defined by a mutually shared passion — and interweaving it throughout various aspects of the day.
— Cassie Celestin, owner of White Dress Events
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY MICHALIK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY MICHALIK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRACEY SANDERS
Elegant Events is the exclusive event planner/venue director at Crane’s.Ceremonies are hosted in Walnut Grove with stunning orchards as your backdrop, receptions under outdoor open pavilions. Events hosted May-August.
—Nicole Muyskens, owner of Elegant Events
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY MICHALIK
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY MICHALIK
A
The venue, décor, menu and more
LTHOUGH CHURCH WEDDINGS will always hold a special place in a bride’s heart, today’s couples can really define their own personal style by exchanging vows in an alternate venue. A few decades ago, an outdoor wedding was considered a pretty daring choice. However, the options are wide open for today’s brides. Many choose to marry right at their reception site. From a destination wedding or elegant hotel ballroom to a barn, backyard, or beachfront, the venue selection can make a definitive statement about the couple’s identity. Oenophiles might choose a vineyard setting; a lighthouse would be perfect for lake lovers, while artistic couples might opt for the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Elegant Events is the exclusive event planner for weddings held at Crane Orchards in Fennville. “Its location in the heart of the farm belt makes it an especially apt backdrop for couples that want to provide out-of-state guests with a taste of the mitten state,” said Muyskens. Cassie Celestin with White Dress Events has also noticed the trend toward what essentially amounts to a “Pure Michigan” event. “Couples are incorporating Michiganmade or local products into their weddings to make it more reflective of who they are and what they enjoy,” Celestin said. “They want local craft beers at their bar, and
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“I worked with a bride and groom who just loved the lake and boating. The bride also really loved DIY projects. They chose a nautical theme for their shared passion and the bride personally handcrafted many of the details of their day.”
— Cassie Celestin, owner of White Dress Events
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iconic Michigan foods and flavors — such as blueberries and cherries in the Traverse City area or apples around here — included in their menu.” She explained that often the bride or groom may have grown up in West Michigan, but have since moved away. When they return “home” for their wedding, they want to reconnect with the comfort foods of their youth and give their out-of-state guests a uniquely Michigan experience. “I worked with a bride and groom who just loved the lake and boating. The bride also really loved DIY projects. They chose a nautical theme for their shared passion and the bride personally handcrafted many of the details of their day. She made a banner with nautical flags, a ring bearer pillow, fabric flower bouquets, boutonnieres for the guys, she hand painted several signs and even some vintage fishing buoys with their wedding date and much more. It was a labor of love for her and the wedding was perfectly ‘them,’” said Celestin. “One couple wove a Michigan theme throughout their event, from their invitation and guest cards to the food and bar selections,” Celestin noted, adding that another couple
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY SUMMER JEAN PHOTOGRAPHY (THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE)
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had a corn-hole beanbag toss game at their reception with a picture of Michigan on one board and West Virginia on the other in honor of the bride and groom’s home states. Both Nicole Muyskens of Elegant Events and Elyse Morse, director of event services with RSVP Events report that a lot of couples are opting out of the traditional multi-tiered wedding cake. “Half of the brides I work with don’t focus on the cutting of the cake anymore,” observed Muyskens. “They want the kind of desserts that they truly enjoy or that bring back special memories. Instead they’re doing pies, cheesecakes or full dessert bars.” Morse agreed: “As an alternate to a large wedding cake, some brides choose to have a smaller version for the cake-cutting ritual and then adorn each guest table with a single layer cake, which also serves as a centerpiece.”
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Many couples that do want the more traditional wedding cake make it their own with distinctive, meaningful decorations. “At RSVP Events, we’ve seen brides replace the traditional wedding cake with cupcakes from her favorite cupcake shop, or include desserts such as specialty pies, cookies or chocolates from a favorite local vendor, or a spread of petite finger desserts.” She added that an ice cream and/or frozen yogurt bar for guests is also an up-and-coming trend for 2015 weddings. “Little details like wine from a favorite winery visited together up north, a local craft beer preferred by the groom, or even a signature drink that the couple considers one of their favorites are all great additions to creating a one-of-a-kind, personalized event,” Morse continued. She also relates the growing popularity of late night snacks to cap off the evening. “Pizza, sliders, or a hot dog cart are always fun options for late-night guests to look forward to ‘after hours’.” “We have found that to be a popular trend as well,” added Muyskens. “Many brides are designing menus with a slant toward comfort food and winding up the evening
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photos. It also gives them an understanding of what the wedding was like from their guests’ perspective.” Photo booths, complete with a stockpile of zany props, have also become a popular option. It’s not only entertaining for guests, but provides them with a keepsake of the event while a second copy of the prints are assembled into a scrapbook for the newlyweds to laugh over for years to come.
I
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW CHAN
with cookies and milk or a food truck serving up fresh hot pizza in the parking lot to surprise guests as they leave.” Couples are even putting their own spin on wedding photography. “While some are declaring an ‘unplugged’ wedding
with no iphone recordings, others not only encourage it, but create their own hashtag and ask guests to post all of their photos there,” Muyskens says. “It is a way to capture their event in a more journalistic style rather than posing for hours in group
Let the groom help
N DECADES PAST, the only real requirement of the groom was to pick up their tux and show up on time. However, according to Aubrie Bruinsma, director of event management and design with RSVP Events, another change driven by the trend to personalize the wedding is that grooms are getting much more involved in the planning process. “They are adding their own personal touches with reception details from band selection and bar options, to planning a trendy cigar bar for the men attending their big day,” she says.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY HETLER PHOTOGRAPHY
“The groom was a police officer who was descended from a long line of policemen. As a tongue-incheek statement, they had a donut bar decorated with antique toy police cars.”
— Cassie Celestin
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Make a venue statement
B
RUINSMA ADDS that the biggest opportunity for a couple to express their individuality is by personalizing their event space: “Any additional information about the couple that can be provided at the wedding ceremony and venue space is key to involving guests in the personal touches of the big day,” she pointed out. “One thing they can do is provide photo frames with pictures of the bride and groom’s time spent together as table centerpieces. This allows guests to grasp a better ‘picture’ of what
memories are important to the couple and adds a great personal touch.” Nicole Muyskens of Elegant Events suggests couples incorporate custom monograms of the couple’s initials all the way through the event, from the invitations, table menus, seating charts, bar menu, table numbers, printed napkins, and even projected on the walls or floor throughout the night. “It’s a personal touch that ties everything together very nicely,” she notes. Cassie Celestin, owner of White Dress Events, has helped couples realize a very personal venue by incorporating the things that they love to do together. “I recently had a couple with a passion for antiques. They loved to go antiquing together and the items that they had collected were incorporated into the décor, along with heirloom pieces like his great-grandmother’s old Singer sewing machine, heirloom furniture, and family wedding photos.” Their venue was a rustic red barn. “It was really beautiful and very personal,” Celestin noted. “The groom was a police officer who was descended from a long line of policemen. As a tonguein-cheek statement, they had a donut bar decorated with antique toy police cars.”
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEG VANKAMPEN STUDIOS
Another couple she worked with loved outdoor adventures and did a lot of hiking, traveling and camping. Their reception took place at Grand Haven’s Camp Blodget on the shore of Lake Michigan. “They played up the camping scene,” Celestine said. “The bride wore a floral crown in her hair and their tablescapes were composed of natural elements and flickering lanterns. It was all very earthy.” The team at RSVP Events have recently seen reception décor that includes
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manipulating florals to twist through centerpieces, as well as clustering and/ or grouping a variety of florals in one arrangement. “Mixing metals — including copper and rose gold in addition to the more traditional silver and gold — along with clusters and mixed table décor is also a current up-and-coming trend,” said their Vice President of Event Operations and Design, Rebekah DeHamer. “The varied color palette puts a distinctive touch on the event space so that it doesn’t look the same as events executed there in the past. She predicts that 2015 brides will be drawn to bold, bright colors to enhance their overall event appeal. “Fuchsia, persimmons and turquoise are color trends that we believe will make a return to the bridal industry. We love what we do here and cannot wait to help more brides bring their dreams to life in the coming year.” So dare to dream, and make your wedding as unique as your love.
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Viewtiful Weddings
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after thoughts
Q:a
You may not know Pierre Schierbeek, but chances are you’ve eaten meat from S&S Lamb at restaurants around West Michigan. He also sells at Fulton Street Farmers Market and West Michigan Co-op.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL BUCK
P
ierre and Sharon Schierbeek live and work on the 83-year-old family farm in McBain, where they’ve been raising animals since 1985. Nearly a decade ago they started selling their meat, poultry and eggs at Fulton Street Farmers Market, and local chefs took interest — some even making the 100-mile drive up north to visit the farm. Now the Schierbeeks of S&S Lamb supply many of the area’s top restaurants with their humanely raised products, including sheep, chickens, ducks, turkeys, hogs, goats and eggs — plus beef raised by their neighbors. WHEN I’M BORED I … Can’t say I’m ever bored. But I live to read Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy in my free time. MOST TREASURED POSSESSION? Nope, no treasured possessions. “Do not store up treasures where moth and rust consume …” WHAT DO YOU DO TO UNWIND? I DVR football games and watch them — love the action and game. T he family bought me wireless headphones so I can watch and they can have peace and quiet. HOW DID YOU EARN YOUR FIRST DOLLAR? As a 9-year-old, my siblings and I were sent to the potato fields to pick potatoes for our neighbor. Hard work, good work. WHAT TIME IS YOUR ALARM SET FOR? Different days, different times. Most days 7 a.m. Delivery and market days as early as 2:30 a.m. BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? Meeting the chefs and people at the market. Nothing better than connecting with the people who use our products first hand and getting feedback on the quality and taste. WORST PART? Really, there is no worst part. Every challenge is an adventure. If you fail the challenge, so what? If you never accept the challenge … you’re not needed here on the farm (ha ha).
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