October 2011 - GRM by Grand Rapids Magazine

The area’s premier dining listings

Two Plate: The Grille at Watermark

Celebrating City Life

Thank you, Betty Ford

SPECIAL: REDESIGNING HOME www.grmag.com

Nature

Adding layers of green » pg42 Stormwater dangers » pg38 GR’s eco-pioneer » pg14

Oc t ober 2011

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VOlume 48 Number 10

October 2011 FEaTurEs after the Storm iS over

aDDing LayerS of green

Undeterred stormwater runoff carries a cocktail of pollutants directly into rivers and lakes, threatening our health, causing erosion and making water too warm for fish. ...............38

A grassroots clique of young professionals called The Next Group has teamed with the Urban Forestry Committee to help solve the local tree canopy dilemma. ...............42 thank you, betty forD

Always honest and forthright, Mrs. Ford changed the way Americans think about medicine. ............................. 46 2 Grand rapids OctOber 2011

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Exceptional Shopping! Autumn is here and so is a great selection of fall and winter fashions to compliment your style. Shop over 100 stores, including: Ann Taylor Banana Republic Caché Chico’s Coldwater Creek J. Crew J. Jill The North Face And recently opened... Francesca’s Collections Visit shopwoodlandmall.com for a complete list of mall stores and the most current sales and events.

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Volume 48 Number 10

October 2011

on the cover:

Photography by Johnny Quirin

In Every Issue Life & Style

Karen Scarpino’s Glitzy GreenGiftz; Nourish; Poet Laureate David Cope; Raw foodie Jennifer Pohlman; author Adam Schuitema goes to Spain. ................... 9-13 Profile

Kevin Budelmann is shaping the future of design. ........... 18

Speaking Up Etc.

By Carole Valade..................... 7 Grand Times

By Marty Primeau Marian Clements believed so strongly in protecting the environment, she was willing to serve time in the Kent County Jail. ......... 14 Critic’s Choice

Design

Brent Ahmicasaube uses discarded building materials to create something useful that offers the “warmth of the old.” ................................. 22

By Mark F. Miller, AIA Graveyard architecture. . ..26 Art Appreciation

By Joseph Antenucci Becherer Roxy Paine’s “Neuron” makes viewers think. .........29

City Guide

GR’s folk music revival; profile of Justin Golinski at Founders Brewing Co.; Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill; restaurant list. ............... 51-88

Dining Review

By Ira Craaven Amore Trattoria Italiana. ................................. 52 Fresh Hops

Calendar of Events. ............ 81

By Jon C. Koeze Contract beers. .................... 57 Grand Vine

By A. Brian Cain Missouri wines back in vogue. . .............................. 72

26 4 Grand Rapids October 2011

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Covering Grand Rapids Since 1964

www.grmag.com

info@grmag.com Publisher

John H. Zwarensteyn: jzwarensteyn@geminipub.com Editor

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Michael Brooks, Kendal Pektas 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. Telephone (616) 459-4545; fax (616) 459-4800. General e-mail: grminfo@grmag. com. General editorial inquiries: editorial@grmag.com. Periodical postage paid at Grand Rapids, MI. Copyright © 2011 by Gemini Publications. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: 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 $3.95 (by mail $6); back issue $6 (by mail $7.50), when available. Advertising rates and specifications at www.grmag.com or by request. Grand Rapids Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited contributions.

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6 Grand Rapids October 2011

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Etcetera

Sustainable city under construction by Carole Valade

Grand Rapids Magazine offers a cornucopia of River City’s new places, new endeavors and new establishments this month. It also offers a contrast to the new and the old. This month features reflection on the legacy of Betty Ford, and with it a reminder of how far she brought the world within the scope of her time in history. Kevin Budelmann, co-owner of Peopledesign with wife Yang Kim, also is profiled this month. They are the “creative class” couple who helped design the ArtPrize logo as the first event was in the planning stages. As this issue approached deadline, Peopledesign was named to Inc. Magazine’s 500/5000 list, ranking among the fastestgrowing companies in America. There are more contrasts of old and new. If readers contemplate the success of 30 years of building in the urban core and planning for the new millennium, the scope is rather amazing, from the Van Andel Arena to the Medical Mile and the variety of apartments and condominiums in between. There is, however, another type of building becoming apparent, but it is not set in stone on some corner of the downtown, demanding acknowledgement: It is within the will of volunteers. Like Festival of Arts or ArtPrize, Mayor George Heartwell’s Green Grand Rapids initiative is occurring because so many are giving so much in terms of time and expertise. Once again, the old and new build on one another to create symmetry — and systemic change. Peter Wege, son of one of the founders of Steelcase, has quietly donated millions of dollars to environmental issues here and around the world. He was among the founders of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (and the first coalition to address destruction

Letters We welcome letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and phone number. Please send letters in care of: Editor, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids MI 49503, or e-mail to letters@grmag.com. Letters may be edited for reasons of clarity and space.

of the world’s rain forests), but is more recently regarded for the philanthropy that helped create the world’s first LEED Gold-certified art museum in Grand Rapids. His name is not on the building. Grand Rapids has held top rank for the number of LEED-certified buildings per population in the country. In 2008, the city launched an initiative to consciously create a more sustainable community. Another generation, encouraged by the Green Grand Rapids initiative, is devoting attention to River City’s namesake: the Grand River. Grand Rapids Magazine this month reports in depth on community initiatives to repair, improve and create new safety measures to maintain the purity of this region’s waterways. Neighbors to the north in Grand Haven have only been able to battle the stench of Grand Rapids’ sewer overflows up the river and into Lake Michigan with declarations (and a sense of humor). And Grand Rapids has now spent millions on federal- and state-mandated system separation that has been in phased construction since the early 1990s. Much has yet to be accomplished, and the story on page 38 provides readers with reason for involvement. The mayor is hosting, with WMEAC, the eighth annual Grand River CleanUp Oct. 1. Wyoming, Walker and Grandville young professionals are joining with those from Grand Rapids to clean up 12 miles of riverbank in the four communities. Registration begins at 9 a.m. on the Sixth Street Bridge in Grand Rapids. Bus shuttles will transport volunteers to the various locations. As this state greets fall in an explosion of color, Grand Rapids Magazine asks readers to consider the city’s tree canopy. The work of The Next Group, comprised of young professionals in the city, is teaming up with the Urban Forestry Committee to make the canopy more abundant. Consider joining these efforts while sipping on a local brew … see you at Hoptoberfest.

October 2011 Grand Rapids 7

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Life & Style JEnniFEr pOHLMan’s raW JenerGy Bars are Made With nuts, seeds, GoJi Berries, raW ChoColate, CoConut and honey. » Pg12 PHOTOgrAPHy By AlISSA lAne

InSIde » GREEN CHIC 10

» FOOD PRIZE 10

» DAVID COPE 11

» EATING RAW 12

» ADAM SCHUITEMA 13

OctOber 2011 Grand rapids 9

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Life & Style

Green chic

FoodPrize 2011

Art isn’t the only thing being judged this month.

At Nourish Organic Market, 634 Wealthy St. SE, Sheri Rop and crew are sponsoring FoodPrize, with awards for the biggest, most beautiful and weirdest-shaped homegrown veggies.

The tongue-in-cheek contest is part of the market’s Oct. 6-8 grand opening, with several activities planned for food lovers. Nourish, housed in a 1,400-squarefoot space, carries a wide range of products: organic fruits and vegetables, grassfed meats, dairy products, breads — even all-natural cleaning supplies. And Rop just keeps adding new stuff. “Our effort is focused on developing two areas in the store,” Rop said. “One is an extensive bulk department for beans, grains, seeds, nuts, herbs and more, including a couple of mills available for

customers to grind their own grain berries into flour and nuts into butters.” The other is to expand the store’s produce department — especially as the weather turns chilly. “There are a lot of good sources of Michigan produce through the winter, but we’ll also need to source organic produce on a more commercial level.” Nourish’s three-day grand opening will include food samplings and “From Farm to You,” featuring area farmers and food producers. “We’re also planning a small film festi-

]

val,” Rop said, listing such films as “Ingredients,” describing the movement to bring good food back to the table. Rop, 63, started her organic venture in 2009 as Artisan Food’s Market Basket Express — picking up organic products from local sources and delivering directly to customers. She’s still offering the delivery service, but Nourish is her way of serving as a food broker for local farms and reaching more consumers. “Artisan Food was just great fun, finding food and connecting people. But marketing is tough, and it finally got to the point where my son said, ‘Mom, either get real or get out.’” Fore more information, visit nourish organicmarket.com or Facebook. — Marty Primeau

Photography by Alissa Lane

[

Yes, you can be chic while helping save the planet. GreenGiftz offers a new line of “Glitzy” eco-friendly totes, makeup bags and laptop cases using leftover scrap that would otherwise end up in a landfill. It’s the brainchild of Karen Scarpino, president of Promotional Impact, the parent company of GreenGiftz.com that sells corporate promotional and gift items made with such industrial waste materials as wood, fabrics and alloys. The concept: repurposing Michigan scrap and providing work to local seamstresses. “We’re proud of this venture,” Scarpino said. One of the most popular items is the messenger bags, sewn from the fabric banners used by furniture companies at trade shows. “Once their ad campaign is over, we take the spectacular eye-catching banners and make them into bags,” she said. Scarpino and crew also have produced repurposed items for ArtPrize, Grand Rapids Art Museum, TEDx conferences and others. “For LaughFest we made these fabulous bean bag chairs from their banners,” she said. “That’s just an example of being creative. It just fit them perfectly.” GreenGiftz.com has partnerships with local businesses that have similar goals for sustainability. “It’s a journey people are on and are learning more and more about.” To see the entire Glitzy line, visit gogreengiftz.com. — Kendal Pektas

10 Grand Rapids October 2011

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, k s a m r u o y u r h t e m o r t e h k t a o e m y to sp m u r h t e m h you touc is dying & think who now e e s I . r e d d u h s e m e k a to m e s o h t l l a h t i w d l i h c a h s her as e r f e k i l s r a e b d l i h c a s dream d e g a n a o t s t e k s a b n i s r s g n flowe o s e s o h t l l a Making sense of the world mother, in Mem G dancing Life & Style

PhOtOgrahPy by JOhnny Quirin (tOP); cOurtesy scOtt baisden (bOttOM)

PhOtOgraPhy by alissa lane

rowinG Up, David Cope learned to cope with difficult times by writing poetry. That still rings true for him

today. “You write to make sense of the world you’ve got when it doesn’t make much sense,” said Cope, 63, an English professor at Grand Rapids Community College who was named Grand Rapids Poet Laureate in April. As the city’s ambassador of poetry, Cope’s job is to develop projects that incorporate the local poetry community. His plans include compiling a benchmark anthology of Grand Rapids poets “to get an idea of our regional styles, of the expertise that’s here,” he said. “You don’t know what you have until you see it all in one place.” During his three-year term, Cope also would like to host a poetry conference at GRCC and set up a poetry reading to benefit the Crisis Support Services at the Grand Rapids YWCA. Cope is the city’s fourth poet laureate and the first to be selected by the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids, which took over the program when the Grand Rapids Area Humanities Council ceased operation. As the 1971-72 Dyer-Ives award winner and founder of the Nada Press and Big Scream poetry journal, Cope has been a pro-

fessor at GRCC since 1991, where he teaches Shakespeare and creative writing. A graduate of Forest Hills Central High School, Cope attended GRCC, where he claims he met “life-saving” teachers who nurtured his writing talent. He transferred to the University of Michigan where he studied under renowned writer Robert Hayden. He quit school a couple of credits short of graduation. “I was disillusioned about the country and a lot of other things at that point,” he said. Cope said he writes about his real-life experiences, along with war, people and love. He wants his readers to know that his writing is honest. “Writing was never a hobby; it was a passion,” he said. “I try to find a way to be as clear and elegant as possible.” To read Cope’s work, visit poetspath.com/ dave_cope. — Kendal PeKtas

grand rapids Poet laureate david cope has managed the dyer-ives Foundation annual Poetry awards since 2009. For information, visit dyer-ives.org.

OctOber 2011 Grand rapids 11

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Life & Style

“When you’re making raw food and using nuts, you want to soak all the enzyme inhibitors in the nuts to give you the full nutrition when you’re eating them. Sprouting brings out even more of the nutrients.” — JENNIFER POHLMAN

JENNIFER POHLMAN’S transition to a raw food diet wasn’t an overnight decision. “When I was pregnant with my daughter 16 years ago, I read a book by Dr. Andrew Weil and started eating organic foods,” she said, digging into a raw pasta dish at Bartertown Diner, a vegan eatery in downtown Grand Rapids. “I gradually stopped eating meat and dairy.” Four years ago, she took the plunge, eschewing all animal products and processed foods. “Raw food was the next logical step,” she said. “That’s all that’s left.” But Pohlman, a triathlete and mother of two, doesn’t dwell on what she has cut out of her diet, but rather on what she does eat: lots of plant-based, nutrient-dense foods. She’s sharing her healthy lifestyle with others, teaching classes about raw foods, smoothie making and how to dehydrate foods. She also offers three-day detox experiences, preparing everything that people need to “give their bodies a break.” Her detox clients pick up their daily food each morning for three days. “They get a green smoothie for breakfast, a

super-nutrient-dense smoothie for lunch, a raw soup and some crackers for dinner, along with a Jenergy bar.” Jenergy bars, Pohlman’s homemade raw energy bars, are made with almonds, cashews, goji berries, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raw chocolate, coconut and honey — all prepared under 115 degrees. “When you’re making raw food and using nuts, you want to soak all the enzyme inhibitors in the nuts to give you the full nutrition when you’re eating them,” she said. “Sprouting brings out even more of the nutrients.” Veganism isn’t for everyone, Pohlman said. “You really have to change your idea of what food is and how to prepare it. Raw food is even one step further. People need to figure out what percentage works in their everyday lifestyle. It’s all about balance.” For more information about classes or how to purchase Jenergy bars, visit jenniferpohlman. blogspot.com. — KENDAL PEKTAS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISSA LANE

Eating raw and loving it

12 GRAND RAPIDS OCTOBER 2011

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Life & Style

Photography by Michael Buck

Photography by Alissa Lane

Inspired by Hemingway Michigan and Spain both claim Ernest Hemingway as their own. Adam Schuitema, author and assistant professor of English at Kendall College of Art and Design, recently brought the two locations together. In June, he took a group of Michigan students on a study-abroad tour of Hemingway’s Spain. Before leaving Grand Rapids, the students spent three weeks studying “The Sun Also Rises,” and once they arrived in Spain, Schuitema returned to passages in the book to remind students they were, for example, in the church where protagonist Jake Barnes experiences his crisis of faith. While in Spain, travelling by train and bus, Schuitema’s students read “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and discussed Hemingway’s depiction of the Spanish Civil War. The class visited Madrid, Bilbao, Barcelona and Pamplona, studying at street cafes and Hemingway’s local haunts, which Schuitema said was hugely inspirational for the students — and himself. In Schuitema’s recently completed novel, “Haymaker,” a fictional Upper Peninsula town deals with an influx of outsiders and their inevitable clash with the locals. He began work on the book in 2004 and did a lot of editing in a motel room in Grand Marais, near where the town in the novel is supposed to be located. The insular, isolated community in “Haymaker” is near Hemingway’s beloved Two-Hearted River, an area still as unspoiled as the Pamplona of “The Sun Also Rises.” Comparisons between Hemingway and Schuitema are inevitable. Schuitema’s debut collection of short stories, “Freshwater Boys,” shares settings and themes with Hemingway’s “In Our Time,” and Schuitema said he finds inspiration in Hemingway’s writing, in Spain or in Michigan. But he credits his art students with helping focus his prose. “As a writer, my students at Kendall have influenced my style,” he said. “I’m more interested now in telling a visual story where only what appears in the narrator’s lens can be discussed.” Schuitema asks himself when writing, “What are you seeing?” Schuitema earned his master’s degree in fine arts and doctorate from Western Michigan University. He lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and daughter, and can sometimes be found writing at a back corner table at Founders Brewing Co. — Tim Chilcote

“I’m more interested now in telling a visual story where only what appears in the narrator’s lens can be discussed.” — Adam Schuitema

October 2011 Grand Rapids 13

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History: Grand Times

An early urban homesteader

This snapshot of Marian Clements was taken in 1991 at Well House, just two years before she received the Jefferson Award for Public Service.

by Marty Primeau

Back when most people didn’t give a hoot about saving Mother Earth, the late Marian Clements was an eco-pioneer and civil activist. In the late 1970s, her inner-city Grand Rapids home featured solar panels, a wood-burning stove and a composting toilet. A pet goat provided milk and kept the grass trimmed. She recycled jars and cans and kept a compost pile to feed her garden and fruit trees. “She was certainly ahead of her time,” said longtime friend Judi Buchman. “She was a naturalist who respected the earth.” And Clements didn’t mind picking a fight with city administrators to stand up for what she believed was right. Her saga started in 1977 when she purchased a brick house at 600 Cass Ave. SE for $350 in back taxes. The Grand Rapids native fixed it up, using earth-friendly and recycled materials, and eventually turned the urban homestead into Well House, a refuge for the homeless. In 1993, Clements received the Jefferson Award for Public Service “for her contributions to the lives of inner city residents.” Five years later, at age 47, she died of breast cancer — one day after entering the hospital. But throughout her life, Clements was a rebel who believed in “living lightly on the earth,” as she wrote in the Well House rules. She battled the city’s housing department over her right to refuse such modern conveniences as electricity, hot water, a flush toilet and sewage services. In 1982, Grand Rapids District Judge Donald A. Johnston III ordered Clements, then 31, to serve 45 days in the Kent County Jail for refusing to obtain a permit before constructing her composting toilet — a commode that used sawdust to organically break down waste

to minimize the interference with the land and river. She stayed in jail five days — “just long enough to make her point,” Buchman said. A Grand Rapids Press article covering the case quoted the judge as saying: “Miss Clements is a delightful individual who has accomplished much public good and who, I’m convinced, means well. On the other hand, her method of approaching authority is such as to be totally unacceptable to the court.” Her lawyer argued that Clements “has demonstrated that enforcement for enforcement’s sake of rules and regulations which seek apparent conformity for conformity’s sake perhaps is an inappropriate standard.” The young woman’s efforts helped amend the city’s housing code to allow existing, singlefamily, owner-occupied homes to be without electricity. Eventually, Clements complied with city codes as her urban homestead expanded. She bought an adjacent lot on Cass Street for $1, and added two more houses. The third was purchased from the city of Grand Rapids, which donated the money that would have been spent demolishing the building and helped move it to the present location. The home was renovated with donations from friends. Today, a small staff and volunteers carry on the work Clements started. Well House now provides permanent housing for those trying to work their way back into the community. Some are students, some work — and all pay rent. Well House continues to follow the ecofriendly guidelines set by Clements of living lightly on the earth, raising vegetables, recycling and maintaining a compost pile. Donations are accepted and a new project — Adopt A Room — is asking companies to help renovate living spaces inside the three homes. Last spring, Lowe’s donated materials and labor to redo two bedrooms. For more information about Well House or to donate, call (616) 245-3910. Marty Primeau is managing editor of Grand Rapids Magazine.

Photography courtesy well house

14 Grand Rapids October 2011

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Profile: Influential

Shaping the future of design Kevin Budelmann believes team-based collaborations spark innovation and elevate design as a whole. By Alexandra Fluegel

hen Kevin Budelmann and Yang Kim moved to West Michigan after college to accept one-year contracts with Herman Miller, neither envisioned staying in the area. Yet 15 years later, the couple’s Grand Rapids-based firm, Peopledesign, is an innovative leader in the design industry, and this past spring Budelmann was appointed president of the Association of Professional Design Firms. The APDF is a 25-year-old national organization comprised of members who own and lead small/medium to large communication, product and interaction design firms. It serves as a networking and collaborative body where best practices regarding leadership, talent, marketing, finance and operations can be discussed.

been around for years, but I believe it may yet be in its infancy as a discipline,” he said. To see Budelmann’s philosophies in practice, one need only look at the struc-

ture and methods of Peopledesign, whose clients range from startups to Fortune 500 companies and include industry leaders such as Amway, Herman Miller and Steelcese, as well as creativity- and inno-

“Businesses are really just built to solve problems for people, but you have to have a good understanding of what the problems are and try to more fully understand what the customers really need.” — Kevin Budelmann

Kevin Budelmann Profession: President, Peopledesign Web site: www.peopledesign.com Residence: East Grand Rapids Family: Wife and business partner, Yang Kim; children, Lulu, 2, Toki, 6, and Bruno, 8. Community Involvement: Founder and first president, AIGA West Michigan; adviser, Design West Michigan; adviser, NewNorth Center; advisory board member, Kelly Futures Center.

Photography by Johnny Quirin

In his new role, Budelmann will help shape what design means to business and culture. He plans to position the organization as a key player in defining the future of the design profession. “I’m pushing to get APDF back to our strong core value, our roots, which is about entrepreneurship in the context of design,” he said. That boils down to “focusing on the needs of people who run design firms, relating to how to run design firms better.” He said extending collaborations between firms and organizations will help elevate design as a whole. “New, team-based approaches have been emerging for some time to harness the collective talents of a group and use it to make positive change. The topic has 18 Grand Rapids October 2011

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PhOtOgraPhy by JOhnny Quirin

Profile: Influential vation-driven organizations ArtPrize and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. “At the core of Peopledesign is the notion that there is a way to make collaboration work to increase the hit rate of innovation. Smart organizations are moving beyond the myth of the ‘creative genius.’ Companies must innovate continuously. Waiting for lightning to strike any one individual isn’t reliable or repeatable enough.” Budelmann believes humanistic design concepts are more valid than ever. “Businesses are really just built to solve problems for people, but you have to have a good understanding of what the problems are and try to more fully understand what the customers really need,” he said. “We are increasingly surrounded by a man-made world, which is to say that everything around us has been designed by someone. It seems to me that the general public is becoming more aware of these issues and willing to think about them — the goal of design and the role of designers.” Admittedly, Budelmann is fascinated by how new technologies are both fixing problems and creating new ones. He pointed at how the advancements in communications technology have played an enormous role in allowing smaller regions like Grand Rapids to remain relevant in such a vast, international field. “A few years ago, a lot of what we do would’ve been very difficult. We’re certainly working on a national level when it comes to our clients these days,” he said. “The fact that we’re based here has more to do with talent and lifestyle,” he said, speaking to his and his wife’s decision to start their company in Grand Rapids. “There is a groundswell of talent here.” Budelmann said he believes West Michigan will continue to be fertile ground for advances in design. “I believe that Grand Rapids and West Michigan have a better than average design community, if you were to compare it to regions of the same size.” Yet he is quick to note: “We need to be aware that we, as a region, are competing against many other regions around the country — or more so, around the world — and we need to remain cognizant of that.” gr

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Design

Oak Hill Cemetery is home to grand monuments, stunning mausoleums and towering markers of citizens who shaped the city’s history. » pg26 Photography by Johnny Quirin

Inside » Profile: Simply Salvage 22

» Critic’s choice 26

» art appreciation 29

October 2011 Grand Rapids 21

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Design: Profile

A scavenger at heart brent ahMicaSaube re-uSeS DiScarDeD builDing MaterialS tO create SOMething uSeFul that OFFerS the “WarMth OF the OlD.” by daIna KraaI

“You have to have passion and appreciation for what you’re doing. This is what people have been doing since the beginning of time: re-using, not throwing things away, being creative with what you have.” — BRENT AHMICASAUBE

the old things back into it.” A builder and craftsman by trade, Ahmicasaube acquires the majority of his building materials through what others are planning to throw away.

PhOtOgraPhy by Michael buck

t less than 200 square feet, Brent Ahmicasaube’s Simply Salvage is a tiny cottage made from 90 percent recycled materials. His impressive little home, an ArtPrize 2010 exhibit, boasts curving walls and pointed dormers with church-style stained glass windows — salvaged, of course. Packed inside, there’s a bathroom, living room, sleeping loft and even a small kitchen with a kerosene cooking range and an ironing board for a dining room table. Ahmicasaube’s salvaged building projects extend to his own house. Drive down Baldwin Avenue in the East Hills neighborhood and Ahmicasaube’s house is easy to spot. Beyond the Heritage Craftsmen sign in the yard advertising his company, the yellow carved porch rails, red cedar siding, and upper and lower porches compete for attention. It looks like something out of an old storybook — and this house is alive with stories. “My house has pieces from over 100 homes in it,” said Ahmicasaube, who began work on the house 10 years ago. “It’s an ongoing project, but when I first got it, it was gutted and in shambles. It’s been a process of restoring all

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Design: Profile

“I will be doing a job for someone — taking out old doors, for example — and I’ll get inspired and think, ‘I can use this in my own house,’” he said. There is no shortage of beautiful old doors in Ahmicasaube’s home, including a large pocket door and French doors. Repurposed moldings, trim, spindles, banisters and a claw-foot bathtub are some of the salvaged pieces that tell a story — all materials you might find in a late 1800’s home. But Ahmicasaube’s salvaged material extends beyond windows and doors to include old-growth lumber. “I’ll hear of barns being torn down or old bleachers being removed, and I’ll take the wood and mill it for things like framing timbers, flooring or trim.” His home boasts salvaged cedar siding removed from a house in favor of vinyl. It looks brand new. Ahmicasaube calls himself a scavenger, citing one way of finding materials as dumpster diving on construction sites. “It’s unbelievable what we throw away,” he said. “Things aren’t built to last anymore; everything is so temporary.

The history is lost. I enjoy the warmth of the old.” His ArtPrize exhibit gave him the chance to share his passion on a broader scale. “It was right in so many ways to do something like this,” he said, referring to the small cozy cottage that now sits on Diamond Avenue in the parking lot next to Clothing Matters. “To see people get involved and help out and the community’s response to it was just amazing. I knew it was right when a 90-plus-yearold woman went through it and came up to me and said, ‘I feel like I’ve been here before. I feel like I’m home’.” For those interested in venturing into the world of salvaging, Ahmicasaube offers this advice: “You have to get creative and be willing to get your hands dirty. And think twice before you throw things out.” After 10 years of scavenging, Ahmicasaube says people now sometimes bring things to him. Many items were donated as he worked on his ArtPrize entry, such as an old corner sink and a coal-burning stove. Ahmicasaube estimates he cur-

PhOtOgraPhy by Michael buck

brent ahmicasaube’s Simply Salvage house, made from 90 percent recycled materials, was an artPrize 2010 exhibit. the 200-square-foot cottage includes pointed dormers with stained glass windows and an old corner sink and coal-burning stove donated to the project.

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Design: Profile ahmicasaube is adding a back porch to his house that has pieces from more than 100 homes. Other projects include a small yellow garage he built for a rental unit, and his home office, which makes use of doors for his desk.

not into scavenging? There are local businesses that sell salvaged material. pitsch wrecking co. operates a salvage yard at 675 Richmond St. NW. Stores selling antiques and collectibles such as phil’s stuff, 724 Wealthy St.SE, offer one-of-a-kind finds. A good choice for recycled home improvement and building

rently has enough salvage to build three small cottages. His current undertaking includes building a back porch on his home, a project that could cost $15,000. With scavenged materials, he believes it will only cost $1,000. Ahmicasaube admits that using salvaged material takes about three times longer than using new. Demolishing takes time, as does pulling out old nails and restoring something to its former potential. But for the end product, it is worth it, he said. “You have to have passion and appre-

ciation for what you’re doing. This is what people have been doing since the beginning of time: re-using, not throwing things away, being creative with what you have,” said Ahmicasaube. “All of this would have been in a landfill or burned, and this (pointing at the little cottage) is what we have here, instead.” gr

materials are habitat for humanity re-stores, which sell items donated by local contractors or organizations. There are several in the Grand Rapids and lakeshore area; visit www.habitat.org and click on “Shop” for addresses. Prices are 50 to 70 percent below average retail and all proceeds go County. Craig’s List is another way of finding re-usable materials.

PhOtOgraPhy by Michael buck

to Habitat for Humanity of Kent

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Business luncheons, intimate dinners, appetizers and cocktails. Or, our award winning Sunday brunch. Charley’s Crab is dedicated to ensuring your visit is excellent.

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PhOtOgraPhy by Michael buck

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Design: Criticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice

brown

kendall

morris

Photography by Johnny Quirin

Bissel

26 Grand Rapids October 2011

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Design: Critic’s Choice

Graveyard architecture

by Mark F. Miller, AIA

Photography by Johnny Quirin

Withey

The pastoral Graceland in Chicago, the picturesque Mount Auburn near Boston and the Pere-Lachaise in Paris all provide their cities with unique venues for architecture, history and bucolic landscapes. These sacred realms, with classical monuments set among hills and trees, represent some of the first garden cemeteries. These once-rural cemeteries reflected a new and creative age where art and nature were combined to celebrate the lives of the buried — in stark contrast to the churchyard burial grounds that preceded them. In many cities, the rolling landscapes of the garden cemetery predated municipal parks as sites for quiet contemplation and pastoral strolls, and would inspire the American park movement and help forge the field of landscape architecture. Grand Rapids’ Oak Hill Cemetery, consecrated in October 1859, was originally two separate burial grounds, with the original Oak Hill to the north of Hall Street at Eastern Avenue, and Valley City Cemetery to the south of Hall. They eventually merged, and are home to grand monuments, stunning mausoleums and towering markers of citizens who shaped the city’s history. The northern half has two circular parks that act as focal points surrounded by curving drives and avenues. The southern portion is a rigid grid of hard angles, interjected with a

lowe

herpolsheimer

few slight curves and ordered around a central green that remains as a simple park. The following funerary architecture is a sample of the Romanesque, Gothic, Egyptian and Classical Revival styles. South side of cemetery Just west of the central green is the Marcus Brown pyramid, a massive Egyptian Revival mausoleum with lapped granite walls that reinforce its unique shape, interrupted only by an entry door flanked by stylized papyrus columns with bell-shaped capitals. Southeast of Brown, the classically stylized and florally adorned Bissell obelisk soars into the sky, topped by a statue that elegantly points toward the heavens. Across from this obelisk, the Morris mausoleum represents a richly sculpted structure of rusticated granite capped by a steeply pitched roof. The door is framed by a portico with Corinthian pilasters capped by an angelic statue watching over the entryway. Farther southeast, two unique grave markers punctuate the landscape. The David Kendall monument is made of a huge block of blue Bedford limestone. The 6-foot stone is embellished by Celtic interlace and symbolic reliefs drawn by the famed furniture designer. Nearby, the Rush Mausoleum’s red granite is sculpted to reflect a marriage between the Egyptian and Romanesque Revival styles. Its subtle massing is capped by a cavetto cornice, while a similar cornice hovers above the door, embellished with the Egyptian winged sun symbol, which represented divinity. North side of cemetery The largest burial chamber in Oak Hill is October 2011 Grand Rapids 27

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Come Out and Play

Design: Critic’s Choice

ARTwORk by A SLEw Of ExCEPTiOnAL ARTiSTS

Join us in celebrating our first exhibition in our new digs

Thursday, October 27 • 5– 9 pm

LAFONTSEE GALLERIES 616.451.9820 • www.lafontsee.us

part o f t h e a r t o f l i v i ng i s l i v i ng w i t h a r t .

Wine Tasting & Silent Auction

Friday, October 7, 2011 • 6:30 – 10:00 pm Hearty hors d’oeuvres from Catering by Martha’s and Nantucket Baking Company

Location: The Cultural Center at St. Nicholas 2250 East Paris Ave. SE • Grand Rapids, MI Tickets: $50.00

Available at Martha’s Vineyard or The Cultural Center at St. Nicholas

For Reservations call: 616-459-0911 or 616-954-2700

Wine Merchants

Watson

the A.B. Watson mausoleum, sited along the main axis between the two circular focal points. This granite recreation of an Egyptian temple has double papyrus columns flanking its door, a crisp cavetto cornice, a ziggurat-shaped roof form and two sphinxes guarding its entry. Two Classical Revival style memorials flank the Watson. With their fluted Ionic columns, hearty entablatures and perfect proportions, the Withey (to the west) and the Lowe (to the east) provide balance to the entire axial composition. The stained glass windows of the Withey glow from the rays of the setting sun. Both monuments sit in isolation in circular parks, with the Lowe commanding a significant presence in the largest of the cemetery’s burial lots. North of the Watson, the Herpolsheimer monument anchors the focal center of one of the curving roadways. This handsome obelisk stands mostly unadorned in an elegant simplicity with a flared base and a band of palm leaves. Mark F. Miller, AIA, is an architect and urban designer at Nederveld and former chairman of Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission. A special thanks to Jay Steffen, director of Grand Rapids Parks, Recreation and Forestry, and Bill Cunningham, city archivist.

Photography by Johnny Quirin

U N D833 E R G Drive R O U D SRapids T U D I O Lake SE,NGrand

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Design: art appreciation

‘Neuron’ makes viewers think

PhOtOgraPhy cOurteSy WilliaM J. hebert

PhOtOgraPhy by JOhnny Quirin

by JOSePh antenucci becherer

iT is uniQue When an artist comes of age before a culture’s eyes and changes the dimensions of the art world. Such is the case with American sculptor Roxy Paine, born in 1966. Over the past five years, his colossal stainless steel sculptures have appeared in major venues around the world. This spring, he installed a massive original work, “Neuron,” at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park as a gift from Fred and Lena Meijer. Measuring 41 feet high and stretching 44 by 52 feet, the work is a major addition to the permanent collection, both physically and philosophically. The park hosts a handful of commanding colossi by several established sculptors, but this is the first work on such a grand scale by an artist of Paine’s generation to enter the permanent collection. The artist has a reputation for his stainless steel dendroid sculptures with a visual link to trees. The central element of “Neuron” looks like a gleaming root ball, and the tendrils extending from it seem to reference roots or branches. Yet the central element is elevated by the tendrils that emerge from it, as if it is a herculean model of a granule cell — the functional unit of nerve tissue, which makes the title of the work seem apt. Sited in a large, open green space, the sculpture seems to pulsate with life. No two elements are alike, conveying the individuality associated with the organic rather than the manufactured. Paine chose the kind of industrial stainless steel piping associated with nuclear power plants and the pharmaceutical industry. Although he does drawings and creates a model, much of the sculpture comes together in an improvisational manner at full scale. He composes the form as he cuts and welds, bends and twists. The alteration and manipulation of materials is parallel to the alteration and manipulation of the concept of a tree or that of a neuron. The artist was born in New York City but raised in Virginia. A runaway at 15, he travelled the country, following the Grateful Dead and supporting himself through odd jobs. Later, he attended the Art College of Santa Fe and then

the Pratt Institute in New York. Critical to his repertoire was an apprenticeship with a Brooklyn welder and several years of projects at a local fabrication shop. As with his art, his history defies traditional definition: structured yet free, grounded but open, trained but not rote. Like many of his contemporaries, Paine is searching for ways to see and comment on the world around him. What is the role of nature? How can scale be used effectively? These questions may not find a singular answer, but they cause us to think about forms and ideas in new ways. Contributing editor Joseph Antenucci Becherer is an Aquinas College professor and curator of sculpture at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

the central element of “neuron” looks like a gleaming root ball, and the tendrils extending from it seem to reference roots or branches.

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Special Advertising SEction

Grand Rapids | Home

GR HOME Showcase LaFontsee Galleries

Home security Protecting your home and family

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Grand Rapids | Home

Special Advertising Section

Now that you have your dream home, protect what is yours. Fences and security systems provide homeowners peace of mind and can even enhance property values.

Protecting your home and family

ccording to Dan Hickey, C.F.P. and owner of the locally owned Fence Consultants of West Michigan, a fence is the first line of defense for the homeowner. “When you put up a fence, it is visible, so it marks barriers and allows you to keep children and pets in your yard while keeping other things out,” he observed. In business since 1988, Fence Consultants

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of West Michigan is an award-winning northwest-side business with a second location in Holland that installs all manner of fences, rails, gates and gate operating systems. With 25 employees on staff, they will come to your home and assess your needs, taking into consideration security, aesthetic and budgetary requirements as well as provide a wide-range of fencing options from which to choose. They will also make placement recom-

mendations, complete installation and supply any required follow-up services as well as manufacturer warrantees. “From a security standpoint, a fence defines your property line in a way that can also enhance its look and value,” Hickey pointed out. “Ornamental fencing is very popular, even around swimming pools, and is available in a variety of styles, colors and materials.” According

Photography courtesy Fence Consultants of West Michigan

By J. Stapleton-Burch

9/7/11 3:47 PM

Special Advertising Section

Photography courtesy Fence Consultants of West Michigan (Top)

Photography courtesy Nicole Crocker

to him, polyvinyl and wood remain popular choices. While wood will naturally gray over time, polyvinyl fences won’t deteriorate and are virtually maintenancefree. There are polyvinyl picket fences as well as aluminum and steel ornamental fences that maintain their original color and come with a lifetime guarantee. The ornamental fences include a variety of finial and other decorative options such as circles and butterfly scrolls that will really make your fence stand out. Available in a range of costs, the most economical fencing option is the old standby, galvanized chain link, which can also be vinyl-coated in black, brown or green. For those seeking privacy, a wood or polyvinyl privacy fence are good alternatives. “Wood fences are typically made of western red cedar or pressure-treated pine, but both will age because they’re a natural product,” Hickey said. “Polyvinyl fences are typically white, clay or tan in color, while the most popular colors for ornamental fences are black and bronze, although other colors are available in either standard or satin finishes.” Fence Consultants also installs railings for stairs and decks, which include glass railings set in an aluminum frame. “If you’ve got a beautiful view, it’s nice to have something that you can see through,” he noted.

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Remote gate access is another consideration. If you have a gate across your property, it can be motorized with various access options that range from radiocontrolled devices to more sophisticated systems that provide a view of visitors or lets you buzz someone through from your phone if you are away from home. That same level of technology can be applied to your home security system. “It’s really exciting to see where the technology has gone,” noted David Hood, Director of Sales and Marketing for Grand Rapids-based EPS Security, the market leader in home security providers in northern and western Michigan. “Our EPS Total Connect solution provides the ability to monitor your home through a cellular or Internet signal, so our customers can monitor and control their security

Boasting the industry’s most advanced 24/7 Central Station alarm monitoring and Dispatch Center, EPS is a First Alert Professional Security Systems™ authorized dealer with the area’s largest fleet of service vehicles and approximately 175 people on staff to provide flexible, responsive service. It is among our nation’s top 30 security providers with a professional design staff that can provide a life-saving alarm system to fit any need. EPS Security offers services for the home that covers the gamut from burglary/intrusion, heat, smoke and carbon monoxide detection to furnace and sump pump failure, emergency medical alerts, video surveillance and access control. They offer integrated or stand-alone systems that are all monitored locally from their UL-listed/FM-approved, Five Diamondcertified, fully manned, quick response Central Station.

Grand Rapids | Home

system — including video surveillance — from their smart phone or Internet source,” he said.

“With our home alarm systems, we offer much more than just intrusion protection,” Hood explained. “Our life safety solutions can detect smoke, heat and carbon monoxide levels as well as environmental conditions within your home. It can indicate a furnace failure, let you know if your basement is flooding, or immediately dispatch the fire department from our Central Station monitoring center.” With Fence Consultants of West Michigan and EPS Security, you will find that protecting your home and family can be as beautiful as it is prudent.

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9/1/11 4:22 PM

Grand Rapids I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Wine, Beer & Food F E S T I V A L DeVos Place

Michigan’s largest wine, beer & food celebration! Sample from more than 1,000 wines, beers and spirits from around the world along with creations from Grand Rapids’ finest restaurants!

NOVEMBER 17-19, 2011 GRWineFestival.com

WINE TASTING SEMINARS – Complimentary seminars showcase wines from specific regions and countries. Coordinated by Tasters Guild International. FEATURED RESTAURANTS – 12 of the area’s finest restaurants serve up their signature dishes for the public to sample. MULTI-COURSE PAIRINGS – Five of the area’s finest restaurants prepare and serve exquisite multi-course meals paired with just the right wine or beer. Purchase pairings tickets in advance at www.GRWineFestival.com.

Riverfront Market, where you can sample and purchase breads, deli meats, cheeses, oils, chocolates and produce from select producers. CRAFT BREW HALL – featuring more than 150 Michigan brews FOOD PREPARATION STAGE – Sponsored by HOURS Thur. Nov. 17 Fri. Nov. 18 Sat. Nov. 19

5pm-10pm 4pm-10pm 12pm-9pm

ADMISSION Adult Tasting tickets

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Produced jointly by Wine & Food Festival, LLC and the Grand Rapids - Kent County Convention & Arena Authority

It’s all in good taste! GRM_10.11_HOME_PG31.37.indd 34

9/1/11 4:23 PM

Special Advertising Section

Grand Rapids | Home

GR Home Showcase: LaFontsee Galleries

Back Row (left to right): Marlene Guter-Seykora, Elizabeth Mayville, James Plantenga, Vicki Bradley, Julia Knoll, Dana Albrecht, Scott LaFontsee. Front Row (left to right): Joel Berry, Nate Piechocki, Linda LaFontsee, Justin Kellner, Jessica Page. Not Shown: Anthony Mead, Kyle Isbell, Heidi Hudberg, Nick Stockton.

Photography by Michael Buck

From dream to reality GRM_10.11_HOME_PG31.37.indd 35

What started out in 1987 on Grand Street NE (just a few blocks from the East Hills neighborhood) as a 600-square-foot picture framing business has evolved to become a two-gallery artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; haven under the loving guidance of owners Scott and Linda LaFontsee, who dared to dream big. By J. Stapleton-Burch

9/1/11 4:23 PM

Special advertiSing Section

LAFONTSEE GALLERIES 833 Lake Drive, Se (616) 451-9820 150 Center Street, Douglas www.lafontsee.us Credentials: representing over 75 area artists, Scott and Linda LaFontsee pride themselves on 25 years of owning West Michigan’s favorite art gallery, LaFontsee galleries. Now with two locations — their new home in grand rapids’ east Hills/Uptown district and another in downtown Douglas — LaFontsee has been selected 17 times by readers of On the Town and grand rapids Magazine as grand rapids’ “Best Art gallery.” They are also 25-year members of the Professional Picture Framers Association and founding members of the grand rapids gallery Association. Inspirations: Art. Personal and Career Highpoint: “Owning and renovating our new gallery as well as the opening of our second location earlier this year in Douglas. Another thing we’re proud of is the fact that the person who bought the very first piece we ever sold is still a customer of ours.”

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“our original space was so small that we had room for only one painting,” linda recalled with a laugh. “When it sold, we’d hang another one. But we had bigger dreams.” that dream started to take shape when five years later they relocated to a leased space on Monroe avenue in downtown Grand Rapids, where they flourished for 20 years, earning the respect of local artists while becoming a destination for art lovers from around the world. a fortuitous meeting at an art opening brought Scott and linda together. He offered her a job at his small pictureframing shop and the rest is art history. now their efforts have come full circle with a new 24,000-square-foot facility at 833 lake Drive Se, back in their original vicinity of east Hills. “this is such a great, diversified neighborhood. It has a number of galleries, restaurants, boutique shops and breweries,” Scott said. “In a way, we feel like we’ve come home.” linda agreed: “We just love this area and feel so welcome here.” the east Hills neighborhood met the laFontsees’ criteria of a safe location with free, easily accessible parking and

at a cost that would allow them to keep prices within reach. Still renowned for their professional custom framing services, their new home also provides plenty of production space for large projects as well as room for outdoor exhibits on their twoand-a-half acre lot. ownership allowed them to convert the mid-century brick building with an eye toward the future, serving corporate as well as residential clients in addition to the over 75 all-medium artists that they represent. It also houses a unique boutique with artisan accessories for the home, office and individual. their one-stop gallery offers art consulting and installation services as well as providing space for artist’s series, workshops and community fundraising events, which is important to the laFontsees who believe in giving back to the community that has embraced them. “the exhibition space is flexible. It will give our artists great exposure and help them move forward in their careers,” Scott noted of the spacious interior that took them eight months to gut and completely renovate. at the same time, they were also expanding into the lakeside

Photography courtesy Nicole Crocker

Grand rapids | Home

la Fontsee Galleries: view of main gallery.

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Special Advertising Section

Grand Rapids | Home

GR Home Showcase: LaFontsee Galleries

Photography courtesy Nicole Crocker

La Fontsee: Galleries view from Lake Drive at night.

town of Douglas, an area well known for its artistic connections. Sharing space with Cannarsa Structure and Design at 150 Center Street in downtown Douglas, LaFontsee Galleries now have 1,800 square feet of gallery space that is open on weekends. Passionate about what they do, the LaFontsees believe that art should be accessible to everyone. “Art is an international thing that crosses all boundaries. It speaks a language to everybody, no matter where they’re from,” Scott noted. “It has integrity and a soul. Our goal is to offer exceptional, quality art and to help people understand it and realize that it’s for everyone. There are no high-pressure sales here because the work sells itself.” “First and foremost it is a gut-level reaction,” Linda added. “We want to make it approachable and for people to feel comfortable talking to us about it. Most importantly, we want them to enjoy the experience while they’re here.”

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From a corporate standpoint, LaFontsee Galleries recently completed the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, handling every aspect from sourcing and supplying the artwork through framing, managing the budget and completing the installation. For those contemplating a move, they will come to your home, pack up your art, store it during your relocation and then come install it in your new home. “The business of art is challenging and it’s been quite a ride,” Linda summed up. “After 25 years we’re still here and just getting started. This space, the history, the neighborhood connection – it all feels right.” And with a nod toward a 150-yearold tree on their new property, she added,

“That tree was once hit by lightning but it didn’t kill it. It spit open yet grew back into itself over time, even stronger than before. That tree is a symbol of resilience. It’s the perfect representation of what we are and who we are.”

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After the storm is over

Undeterred stormwater runoff carries a cocktail of pollutants directly into rivers and lakes, threatening our health, causing erosion and making water too warm for fish.

BY TERSAEM TESSERIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNNY QUIRIN

OULD YOU WANT TO SWIM in a pool contaminated with litter, pet waste, pesticides, grass clippings, oil and dirt? Probably not. And yet, every time it rains, those pollutants are washed into local rivers and lakes, sometimes making those bodies of water unhealthy for people and animals. “A lot of rain falls on our communities and it really becomes a mix of just about anything and everything that is dirty on the ground,” said Rachel Hood, executive director of West Michigan Environmental Action Council. “And this cocktail of pollutants gets into our water. In Grand Rapids, it takes only 15 to 30 minutes for contaminated stormwater runoff to reach the Grand River.” The natural purification process of rain filtering through layers of soil is impeded by impervious surfaces such as roads, roofs and parking lots. Thus, stormwater runoff carries pollutants and debris directly into rivers and lakes.

Rachel Hood, director of West Michigan Environmental Action Council, stands in the rain garden behind WMEAC’s parking lot at 1007 Lake Drive SE. 38 GRAND RAPIDS OCTOBER 2011

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KURT DENISON (BOTTOM)

Left: From the main pier in Grand Haven, the water funneling out into Lake Michigan looks brown and murky, carrying stormwater runoff for about 2 million people. Below: Volunteer Shannon Brewer and intern Kyle Pray maintain and weed the green roof on top of the WMEAC office building.

Bill Byl, Kent County Drain Commissioner, likes to paint a real-life example. “Walk out on the main pier in Grand Haven and look to your right, and notice how brown and murky the water looks,” he said. “That is the Grand River funneling out into Lake Michigan, carrying with it all the stormwater runoff for approximately 2 million people, including the cities of Lansing, Jackson and Grand Rapids.” Once the water reaches Grand Haven, there is too much of it and it is moving too fast to treat, he said. “It’s too late. We have to manage stormwater further up the watershed.” Until recently, Grand Rapids had a single sewer system that carried both stormwater and sanitary wastewater to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. But since the sanitary system often overflowed during large storms, the city separated stormwater and sanitary wastewater into two systems. As a result, Byl said, stormwater runoff now is completely untreated. “The issue of stormwater has really come to light in the past 10 years. In the past, we were more focused on industrial runoff and sanitary sewer treatment in order to mitigate overflow occurrences,” Byl said. “Kent County has 550 miles of drains and 300 detention ponds to help manage stormwater runoff. And we are constantly constructing, repairing and cleaning new rural, suburban and urban drainage systems.”

Pollution cocktail What is found in stormwater runoff includes oil and grease from cars, pesticides and fertilizers from lawns, animal waste, bio-based material such as lawn clippings, salt and heavy metals. All of the 13 metals on the EPA’s priority pollutant list have been detected in runoff samples in communities like Grand Rapids. Copper, zinc and lead were detected in 91 percent of those samples. Stormwater runoff is a major source of E. coli and other bacteria found in the Grand River, according to Lower Grand River Orga-

KURT DENISON’S “In the Air” CD was inspired by “living on the coast and enjoying the waves.” His goal is to generate awareness of the environment “and make meaningful connections through music.” All proceeds of his song, “Two Become One,” will be donated to Save The Waves Coalition, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the coastal environment. Preview the album on his Facebook page or go to kurtdenison.com for more info. OCTOBER 2011 GRAND RAPIDS 39

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STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BEGINS AT HOME

Rain barrels capture roof runoff and reduce peak runoff flows during storms. Captured rain can be used for watering yards and gardens.

Green roofs capture rainwater by direct absorption.

Rain gardens slow runoff, remove pollutants and infiltrate water.

Planting trees allows their leaves to intercept a portion of rainwater, while tree roots absorb rainwater.

Ken and Gail Heffner installed a rain barrel after attending a WMEAC neighborhood party to educate residents about the benefits of capturing roof runoff.

nization of Watershed’s Management Plan Review Committee. Fecal coliform bacteria counts in stormwater runoff are 20 to 40 times higher than the health standard for swimming. “If you flew up Lake Michigan’s coast, you would see that every one of the rivers spilling into the lake will have a plume, like the one in Grand Haven. And each plume will have its own distinct color, depending on what particular pollutants are present,” Byl said.

Sediment and heat Two things that most people don’t consider as contributing to stormwater pollution are

heat and sediment, Hood explained. “When water falls on hot pavement, the water gets really warm and it goes through a concrete system of storm drains, or the grey infrastructure, and continues to heat. This water goes into our local streams hot, which puts our local cold fisheries at risk.” Sediment or bio-based materials such as leaves, twigs and grass clippings cause storm drains to clog, which in turn creates local flooding, erosion and sedimentation. When bio-based materials reach area rivers and lakes, they consume oxygen in the water during the decomposition process, leading to hypoxia.

Beware of what you flush Flushing outdated prescription drugs down the toilet “is almost like playing ‘mad scientist,’” said Kristi Klomp of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council. She explained it’s impossible to know the health-related impact such drugs as Prozac or Lipitor have after they’ve interacted with all the pesticides, fertilizers, detergents, antibacterial products and other compounds that could be in the water. To combat the unknown dangers associated with disposing of drugs in the water system, more than 200 pharmacies around the state are participating in the Yellow Jug Old Drugs program. Michiganders can drop off their unused, unwanted or expired drugs at more than 200 participating pharmacies statewide to dispose of them in an environmentally safe manner. For a list of participating pharmacies, visit www.greatlakescleanwater.org.

Pharmacist Beryl Bartkus pours outdated pills into a “Yellow Jug” at Keystone Pharmacy, 4021 Cascade Road SE.

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A domino effect ensues when stormwater rushes directly into local streams, eroding banks and nearby vegetation.

“It isn’t very glamorous, but the day-to-day operation of our office is to clear logjams and brush obstruction. We need to slow down the flow of stormwater by making sure the drains are clear and stable,” said Byle. A domino effect ensues when stormwater rushes directly into local streams, eroding banks and nearby vegetation. For example, Plaster Creek in Kent County — once a narrow coldwater stream that supported brook trout — has morphed into a wider, shallower creek. Shallow water heats up more easily and can no longer support the fish. “The Rogue River is currently at 67 degrees,” Hood said. “They are 3 degrees away from losing it as a trout stream.”

Unpaving the community The goal of the Community Stormwater Planning Initiative is to provide community-based solutions to manage rainwater where it falls. “We want to implement some policy changes, whether it be different funding options or stormwater management districts to help us manage our stormwater runoff,” Byl said. Partners in the initiative include WMEAC, LGROW, the city of Grand Rapids, consulting firm CSM, American Rivers, the Frey Foundation and the office of the Kent County Drain Commissioner. At the community level, Grand Rapids adopted a revised stormwater management ordinance that emphasizes the use of low-impact development best management practices to reduce the quantity and improve the quality of stormwater runoff for new development projects. Furthermore, Grand Rapids has implemented stormwater runoff management techniques at Joe Taylor Park in the Baxter neighborhood. If the first one to two inches of rain that falls on a development is contained or slowed, the goal of keeping stormwater farther up the watershed is achieved. Requirements for pervious surface areas have been included in the Grand Rapids’ updated zoning code, and additional steps have been taken to educate developers, engineers and public officials concerning LID techniques. “We need to change the way we live and develop our communities so that nature can filter our water for us,” Hood said. “There are many ways for us to achieve this. We just need to do it.” For more information, visit wmeac.org, lowergrand river.org, or epa.gov/npdes/stormwater. GR Tersaem Tesseris is a freelance writer in Grand Rapids and former editor of Peak & Prairie, quarterly newsletter of the Sierra Club - Rocky Mountain Chapter.

A truly green park Joe Taylor Park recently celebrated its official opening after a decade-long process of planning and implementation. In response to the 2008 Green Grand Rapids initiative, the Baxter neighborhood park is designed to do two things: increase neighborhood participation within the park and integrate green design features to ensure sustainable park maintenance. “Green Grand Rapids’ goal is to improve our quality of life,” said Suzanne Schulz, the city’s planning director. “Great cities have a great quality of life, and we look to retain people based on location and the quality of life they receive. Joe Taylor Park is a great example of what we can achieve.” The park has numerous green features, including LED lighting and the reuse of existing playground equipment. However, the best way to describe Joe Taylor Park is as one big rain garden. The park has an underground stormwater treatment facility, which treats 40 square acres of upland stormwater. The hard surfaces within the park are constructed with pervious concrete to allow rain to soak into the ground. Park planners also constructed a water playground that helps irrigate the trees, grass and shrubs. “Joe Taylor Park manages the rain for the Baxter neighborhood,” said Steve Faber, director of Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. “Not only are kids lined up around the block to play in the water playground, but this park was designed to be easier for us to maintain in the long run.”

Joe Taylor Park has numerous green features. From top, the parking lot at Joe Taylor Park is made of pervious concrete to allow drain water to seep through it. Drain covers are designed to keep large debris from getting into the drainage system. And kids romp in the water playground that helps irrigate trees, grass and shrubs. OCTOBER 2011 GRAND RAPIDS 41

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Young professionals called The Next Group have teamed with a committee formed by the mayor to help solve the local tree canopy dilemma.

Adding layers of

green

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By Tersaem Tesseris | Photography by Johnny Quirin

Needed: more trees. The tree canopy in the city of Grand Rapids lacks 185,000 trees to be considered “ideal” by American Forests, a nonprofit citizens conservation organization. An urban tree canopy helps absorb carbon, dust and soot from the air, and helps reduce noise levels. Trees also improve property values and contribute to higher retail sales in commercial districts. Trees can even reduce stress and help increase student concentration. This year, a group of volunteers has come forward to champion the city’s goal of increasing the urban tree canopy.

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Save the trees Trees, Treats and Tombstones is one of two NeighborWood events the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks is holding this month to raise awareness of trees. Last year, NeighborWood participants partnered with the Alliance for Community Trees to help plant more than 50 trees in local parks. “Momentum is really building around trees in this city,” said Steve Faber, executive director of the grassroots movement

organized to protect, enhance and expand parks and public spaces in the city. Held at Oakhill Cemetery, the Oct. 29 Trees, Treats and Tombstones is a Halloween walking tour of the historic cemetery. The two-hour tour, which begins at 3 p.m. and has been organized by Oakdale Neighbors, will explore the trees and ecology of the cemetery, make note of interesting monuments of important Grand Rapidians, and conclude with a scavenger hunt for Halloween treats.

Another event is a free tour of Riverside PaRK from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 8. Local tree expert Vic Foerster will highlight many of the 40 different tree species at the city’s largest park. For more information about Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and a listing of upcoming NeighborWoods events, visit www. — Michael Brooks friendsofgrparks.org.

44 Grand Rapids October 2011

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Members of The Next Group conduct research along Union and Lyon streets. From left, Jon Brickner, Adam Russon and Kelly Metsker; Nathan Biller observes what happens when a tree is planted too close to a wall; Kelly Metsker and Amanda Reyes; Reyes interviews Midtown resident Claire Graves to learn her thoughts on neighborhood trees.

A grassroots clique of creative, young professionals called The Next Group has teamed up with the Urban Forestry Committee, a committee created by Mayor George Heartwell to help solve the tree cover dilemma. It’s an offshoot of Green Grand Rapids, launched in 2008 as a citywide initiative to create a more sustainable city. Several groups have emerged, from Friends of Grand Rapids Parks to Grand Rapids Whitewater, to ensure that goals are met. GR’s tree canopy coverage is 34.6 percent, lower than the target of 40 percent recommended by American Forests as the ideal target to maximize benefits in the West Michigan climate zone. “We quickly realized that this wasn’t a problem that would be solved by going out and planting a couple trees,” said Franco Silva, one of 20 Next Group volunteers. “We understood that this problem required out-of-the-box thinking.” The group is using a human-centered design approach to develop innovative solutions. Instead of formulating a solu-

tion and then asking locals to adjust to it, said volunteer Jon Brickner, Next Group includes residents’ ideas and thoughts in the problem-solving process. “That way, the solution is designed around what people want and expect from the beginning,” he explained. Teams of three to four volunteers took to the streets and interviewed residents on how they feel about trees. Questions were purposefully left open-ended to avoid any framing of the issue as negative or positive. The Next Group presented their findings at GRid 70, a design hub in downtown Grand Rapids. Residents responded with comments ranging from viewing trees as the “only reminder of nature and something to be valued,” to the other extreme: “nothing but a headache and a source of continual work and upkeep.” The volunteers identified several themes: a spiritual or personal connection to trees; environmental issues regarding tree planting, upkeep and removal; educating youth about trees; correct usage of trees; and the economic benefits of trees.

“In order for our solution to be relevant and sustainable, it has to touch on these themes,” Silva said. The Next Group combined rapid prototyping and asset mapping to formulate solutions, which they will present to city stakeholders. Examples of their innovative solutions include a website that matches users to appropriate trees for their needs and wants, a possible partnership with Grand Rapids Association of Realtors to include trees in property search criteria, and a push toward implementing rooftop plantings downtown. “We have literally assembled a menu of irresistible options for the city to look at,” Silva said. “And we have also introduced a new way of thinking.” GR Tersaem Tesseris is a freelance writer in Grand Rapids and former editor of Peak & Prairie, quarterly newsletter of the Sierra Club - Rocky Mountain Chapter.

Tree facts • A tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. • One large tree can provide a supply of oxygen for two people. • Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and save 20-50 percent in energy used for heating. • The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.

• In one day, one large tree can lift up to 100 gallons of water out of the ground and discharge it into the air. • For every 5 percent of tree cover added to a community, stormwater runoff is reduced by approximately 2 percent. • Trees and vegetation decrease the production of associated air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. • Tree shade can slow deterioration of street pavement, decreasing the

amount of maintenance needed. • Trees and vegetation reduce noise and provide aesthetic value as well as habitats for many animals. Courtesy American Forestry

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Following the first lady’s mastectomy in October 1974, President and Betty Ford read a “support and best wishes” petition signed by all 100 U.S. senators. Below, Mrs. Ford tosses a football to her husband in the hallway of Bethesda Naval Medical Center.

By Marty Primeau Photography Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library

Betty Ford’s local legacy

oon after Betty Ford’s funeral in July, the staff at Spectrum Health’s Betty Ford Breast Care Services noticed a considerable spike in the number of appointments. “It was very unusual,” manager Elaine Bower said. “July tends to be a slow month for mammograms. It just shows that Betty Ford’s influence lives on.” Much has been made of the former first lady’s very public health battles, from a mastectomy in 1974 just months after her husband became president, to her dependency on prescription drugs and alcohol. But not everyone truly appreciates the courage it took to be open and honest about such hush hush topics. “In 1974, mom stood on the front lawn of the White House, holding my father’s 46 Grand Rapids October 2011

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The first lady, a passionate supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, works at her desk.

hand and talking about breast cancer,” said Steven Ford. “She was determined to take the stigma off of the disease.” It was a huge step for women’s health. “Back then, breast cancer was a death sentence,” said Emma Powell, executive director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure West Michigan. “Betty Ford was one of the first public women who talked freely about breast cancer and took us through the process with her interviews and photos.” Grand Rapids applauded her efforts and, in 1987, the Betty Ford Center for Prevention and Screening opened — the first center of its kind in West Michigan. Marion C. Steketee and members of her Steketee Guild at Blodgett Hospital were behind the effort, Bower said. “Marion contacted Mrs. Ford to see if she would approve,” Bower said. “She did, of course.” The center offered state-of–the-art mammography and the first breed of nurse navigators, specially trained to act as patient educators and care coordinators. Mrs. Ford attended the opening and returned for the 10-year anniversary in 1997. The Betty Ford Diagnostic Center, housed in Spectrum Health’s LemmenHolton Cancer Pavilion, continues to pursue new technologies. “It’s important for us to determine what the cutting edge is,” Bower said. For instance, the center was one of only 16 hospitals nationwide to participate in an FDA study on tomosynthesis, the next level of breast imaging that offers doctors a 3-D view and makes it easier to see tumors or lesions that might be hidden by tissue overlap. “We have installed the technology and are currently training staff, and I would

Betty Ford raised awareness of addiction in 1978 when she announced her long-running battle with prescription medication and alcohol. Four years later she co-founded the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

By Kate Scannell

A doctor’s observations of Betty Ford’s candor Editor’s note: Kate Scannell is a Michigan native who earned her medical degree at Michigan State University. She practices in Oakland, Calif., where she also writes a syndicated news column for several Bay Area newspapers. She is the author of the novel “Flood Stage” and the memoir “Death of the Good Doctor — Lessons from the Heart of the AIDS Epidemic.” BETTY FORD never actually set foot in my medical clinic. But I sometimes felt that she was there, accompanying patients who were motivated to seek care because of her. I was a medical student in 1978 when it was widely reported that Betty Ford had a problem with “addiction” to a variety of prescribed pills and alcohol. The news was shocking in that pre-Amy-Winehouse era when nobody spoke — let alone sang — about addiction and “rehab.” In fact, had you told someone back then that you were “going to rehab,” they may well have assumed you were planning to renovate

your kitchen. Our medical school had an extended campus in Grand Rapids — the hometown of Betty and her husband, Gerald Ford. Many of us Michiganders shared pride in the local couple’s celebrated success and their unabashed display of earthy Midwestern sensibilities. While in the White House, Betty had become famous in her own right for speaking her mind on sensitive cultural issues. For example, she sent public shockwaves across the country when she voiced her support for legal abortion. When she rallied for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment for women. When she said she’d be sleeping with her husband in the same White House bed. When she publicly spoke about birth control and speculated about her daughter having premarital sex. People under a certain age may not appreciate how radical it was in the ’70s for a woman — let alone a first lady — to share such opinions so directly, forcefully and unapologetically with the public. October 2011 Grand Rapids 47

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today, we point accusing fingers at some countries that flagrantly suppress women’s self-expression, as though that would never happen in our own backyard. But that would be an error, forgetting what generations of women had endured in this country. So when many of us heard the news about straight-talking Betty’s “addiction” to pills, we paid respectful attention — even if we were somewhat confused about there being “a problem.” In fact, over lunch, one of my perplexed medical school classmates scoffed, “are we supposed to think of her pill-popping as some kind of a ‘disease’ now?” I understood his bewildered indignation. after all, it was the ’70s, and recreational drug use had become a mundane sport for many young americans. Besides, it was also a time when doctors handed out powerful tranquilizers as though they were candy. Indeed, “mother’s little helper” — a witty nickname for Valium — sedated and anesthetized an entire generation of besieged housewives and careworn mothers. Its use became so widespread among corporate crowds that it also became known as “Executive Excedrin.” the ubiquity of the drug was reflected in american novels and movies. Comedian Milton Berle joked: “the definition of a Valium addict is a patient who takes more Valium than his doctor.”

She was liberated and liberating, a smart and unpretentious woman who knew how to speak truth to silence. the point is that, with her family’s support, Betty ultimately “got the joke” — and she took it seriously. It was not funny that huge segments of our population were becoming dulled and lulled by drugs, and that american medicine and pharmaceutical marketing were normalizing and profiting from it. In fact, Betty gave the joke a much stronger punch line: a forceful knockout blow against our country’s obliviousness to its soaring addiction problem. When she publicly announced that she was an addict seeking help, she once again broke ranks with the status quo. Her candor shattered another deadening silence, motivating many people — and doctors — to rethink their casu-

al attitudes about drug and alcohol dependencies and to obtain assistance. Shortly after getting help, she joined others to establish the Betty Ford Center in 1982 — the first licensed addiction hospital in the world. More than 90,000 people have been treated there since. By the mid-’80s, it had become commonplace in medical circles to shorthand a recommendation betty Ford answers questions from the press in October 1975. for substance abuse treatment as “prehave to say, it’s because of Mrs. Ford’s scribing a trip to Betty Ford.” Patients pioneering spirit,” Bower said. sometimes admitted needing help by Mrs. Ford also partnered with nancy claiming that they might benefit from Brinker, who in the early 1980s founded the “some time at Betty Ford’s.” Susan g. Komen Breast Cancer FoundaBetty Ford’s impact on the culture tion in honor of her sister, who died from of american health care extended even the disease. further, beyond raising national con“When Susan was diagnosed in 1977, sciousness about addictions and womshe found inspiration from seeing a photo en’s reproductive health. notably, she of Mrs. Ford throwing a football to the also broke the deafening silence about president following her surgery,” Powell breast cancer in 1974 after undergoing said. “Susan told her sister that if Betty a radical mastectomy only months after could do it, she could do it.” assuming the role of first lady. and when Brinker was diagnosed with at the time, there were no pink breast cancer in 1984, Mrs. Ford was the ribbons or celebrity spokespersons for first person to call her, Powell said. “they breast cancer. Public discussions about were true friends.” “the C word” were hushed and rare, Komen for the Cure honored Mrs. and even some doctors believed it was Ford with the first Betty Ford award for humane and ethically correct to withoutstanding contributions toward breast hold cancer diagnoses from patients. cancer awareness in 1982. She attended But as Betty later explained, while the first fundraiser in dallas that year and hospitalized during her mastectomy, continued to present the award for many she looked out the window and saw years after. throngs of international media trying the West Michigan affiliate continto report on her condition. that experiues to grow and work in her honor. “She ence made her appreciate the power showed such candor and true passion — of her position to create change and not only about breast cancer but about improve the lives of others. When she addiction, as well,” Powell said. consequently decided to disclose her “I think here, locally, we will miss her diagnosis and speak openly about her but also be so glad and grateful for who treatment, thousands of women were she was and what she started. She wasn’t instantly inspired to seek breast cancer afraid to pull rank and say, ‘this is imporscreening. tant. this is not a death sentence. let’s Betty Ford died July 8 in Palm live.’” Springs at 93 years of age. She was For information on mammography, liberated and liberating, a smart and visit spectrumhealth.org, click on Medical unpretentious woman who knew how Services and then Women’s Health in the to speak truth to silence. Her refreshdrop-down menu to find the link to Betty ing personal honesty inspired many Ford Breast Care Services. GR women, and her unflinching and comMarty Primeau is managing editor of passionate view of our tattered human Grand Rapids Magazine. condition helped save many lives.

48 Grand rapids OctOber 2011

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Courage &Candor...

ThaT InspIre Our FIghT hen First Lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1974, she spoke about it openly to the American public and started a national discussion. Today, thanks to increased awareness and advances in detection and treatment, there are now 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. Van andel InsTITuTe salutes Mrs. Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s courage and candor, mourns her passing, and celebrates her remarkable life. We also thank her for inspiring a battle that Van Andel Institute researchers continue to wage.

To find out how you can become involved, visit us online at www.vai.org

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www.vai.org

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Photo courtesy of Gerald R. Ford Library 50 Grand Rapids October 2011

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City Guide Amore Trattoria Italiana’s melon salad features honey dew, cantaloupe, watermelon, mint leaves, crispy prosciutto and a vanilla balsamic reduction. » pg52 Photography by Michael Buck

Inside

» Dining Review 52

» Fresh Hops 57

» Chef profile 64

» grand vine 72

» clubs ‘n’ pubs 85

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City guide: Dining Review

A lot to love at Amore by ira craaVen dIners aWarded

poInts

aMore trattorIa ItalIana 500 alpine ave. nW; comstock Park (616) 785-5344 www.amoretrattoriaitaliana.com

and Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses and topped with dollops of fig jam and prosciutto di Parma. It was an ideal marriage of salty and sweet. We shared a large portion of the caprese salad ($10, $6 for a smaller version). It included nine thick slices of tomato topped with equally thick slices of house-made mozzarella atop a bed of fresh mixed greens, lightly dressed with balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with sea salt, basil and extra-virgin olive oil. The dish was presented with an edible tiger lily. We requested some extra balsamic to punch up the flavor, which our server brought immediately. That sent the salad over the top with its fresh, tangy, summery flavors. Our party continued with the palatepleasing Lasagna alla Bolognese ($15) from the “primi/first course” section of the menu. A generous portion, with multiple layers of freshly made thin pasta sheets, grana cheese, Bolognese (meat) sauce and béchamel, it had just enough tomato tang to cut the richness of the béchamel, and a perfect proportion of cheeses to pasta. From the “secondi/main course” section we ordered Spiedini ($19), two long skewers packed with pieces of extremely tender beef tenderloin marinated with fresh rosemary, lemon zest, pepper flakes and balsamic vinegar, lending a perfect balance of flavor to the as-requested medium-rare beef. The skewers were crisscrossed over a sprig of rosemary and garnished with a carved lemon wheel with Italian parsley sprinkles and fresh grated cheese dusted over the entire plate. Tender-crisp, grilled fresh green beans from a local farm accompanied the dish, along with roasted cubed potatoes, which, unfortunately, were a little dry and overdone. Another dish worth raves was the Coniglio alla Marsala ($21), S&S Lamb-sourced local rabbit that had been roasted in Marsala wine to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The tasty Marsala sauce was packed with wild mushrooms.

PhOtOgraPhy by MichaeL bucK

the tiramisu was soft and fluffy; granitas were creatively flavored; truffles were a chocolate delight; and ravioli di nutella was a fun and creative take on peanut butter and jelly.

fEw LoCaL rEstaurants have received as much attention as Amore Trattoria Italiana. Since the Comstock Park eatery opened last summer, chef Jenna Arcidiacono has whipped up her specialties in front of TV cameras, catered high-profile events and created a buzz about her authentic Italian fare. So is the food really that good? Indeed it is. Arcidiacono incorporates lots of local produce and meats from Mud Lake Farm, Under the Pines, Ed Dunnebeck & Girls Farm Market, Earthkeeper Farm, S&S Lamb and others. The restaurant’s goal, as stated on Amore’s website, is to promote the Slow Food movement that “strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and promotes farming of plants, seeds and livestock characteristics of the local ecosystem.” Pizzas are house-made with hand-tossed dough. The restaurant features a fresh catch and a ravioli for daily specials. Main courses are served with seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes; cheese courses are paired with fruits; and the Italian desserts come with the option of oversized spoonfuls of any selection for a dollar each. The kitchen also will accommodate food allergy issues and will prepare vegan or vegetarian dishes. For those looking for a special fish or meat selection, if you call ahead, they will source it for your special meal. After ordering a bottle of 2009 Villa Rubini Pinot Grigio ($28) from the reasonably priced wine list, our party of three enjoyed a basket of house-made, herb-topped focaccia bread with a dipping bowl of olive oil spiked with freshly grated Italian grana, an aged hard cheese. Having heard raves about Amore’s pizza bianche (without tomato sauce), we decided to share one as an appetizer. We chose the unusual-sounding Fichi e Crudo ($12). The medium-sized thin-crust pizza was covered with a combination of mozzarella, gorgonzola

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City guide: Dining Review

ira’s rating system food: selection, variety, product quality, taste, preparation, innovation and consistency. service: hospitable, knowledgeable and prompt. value: pricing, number of à la carte items, consistency. beverages: selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. ambiance: general atmosphere; overall cleanliness.

PhOtOgraPhy by MichaeL bucK

(grand rapids Magazine editors, american culinary federation greater grand rapids chapter, grcc’s Secchia institute for culinary education instructors and beverage distributors all contributed to these established guidelines.)

It, too, included the day’s featured vegetable of green beans and the aforementioned potatoes. One member of our party noted, “Everything else was so flavorful that those potatoes just got lost.” Portions are large, so smaller appetites may want to consider the Chef’s Tasting Menu with five small-plate courses for $25 (five 3-ounce wine pairings are available for an additional $15). Although we were already satiated, the dessert options ($4-$7) beckoned. Our server suggested the “Assaggini” selection, which consists of oversized spoonfuls of any items. The tiramisu was soft and fluffy; granitas were creatively flavored; truffles were a chocolate delight; and Ravioli di Nutella was a fun and creative take on peanut butter and jelly. Also available is an assortment of cookies locally made by Lomonaco Sicilian Cookie Co. ($5). From beginning to end, our server was friendly yet very professional, able to describe the preparation of each dish and offer wine suggestions. Arcidiacono often is spotted visiting with guests during downtime in the kitchen in order to ensure a satisfactory dining experience. The restaurant’s exterior is humble, but inside the dining room is spacious and decorated with paintings from local artists — available for sale. The more intimate and subtly lit dining space in the lounge area includes high-top seating and wine-bottle light fixtures. The entryway offers a mockup of La Bocca della Verità — the Roman “mouth of truth” that fans of Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck and the movie “Roman Holiday” will recognize. gr

the kitchen also will accommodate food allergy issues and will prepare vegan or vegetarian dishes. for those looking for a special fish or meat selection, if you call ahead, they will source it for your special meal.

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City guide

Dining listings

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.

new american

Upscale, contemporary cooking including ethnic twists on familiar standbys. 25 kItchen and bar — Dining and bar space on separate levels and a menu that offers 25 pizzas, 25 beers, 25 specialty cocktails, 25 appetizers and inventive entrees artfully presented. open daily 11 am-2 am. 25 ottawa ave sw, 8055581. twentyfivegr.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds $-$$ bar dIVanI — wine flights, large array of spirits; classy surroundings. european-inspired food with plates meant for sharing, flatbreads, sushi and a variety of entrees. Closed sun. 15 ionia ave sw, 774-9463. bar-divani.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds $-$$ FbIstro bella VIta — 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 (downtown), 222-4600. bistrobellavita.com. h, l, D, C, 3, v, MC, ae, DC, Ds, Rsvp $ blue house bIstro — neo-american Creole fusion fare from new orleans-trained chef/ owner. entrees reflect best of market, while jambalaya, gumbo and a creative steak dish are staples. also, appetizers, soups, sandwiches/wraps and pizzas. not licensed for alcohol. Closed Mon. 220 w 8th st, holland, (616) 355-1994. bluehouse bistro.com. h, l, D, v, MC, ae $ blue Water grIll — wood-burning rotisserie and wood-fired pizza oven allow for inspired dishes from fresh seafood to beef. nice wine selection and The bob’s microbrews. lakeside views, outdoor patio with fireplace, full-service bar. 5180 northland Dr ne, 363-5900. thegilmorecollec tion.com/bluewater.php. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds $-$$

bobarIno’s at the bob — grill on 2nd floor of The bob offers a wide variety, from woodfired pizza, burgers and sandwiches to pasta and up-scale entrées. Full-service bar with The bob’s microbrews on tap. live entertainment in Cisco’s island lounge. 20 Monroe ave nw, 356-2000. thegilmorecollection.com/bobarinos. php. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds $ butch’s — new York-style deli by day, fine dining cuisine by night. Menu changes seasonally. More than 200 bottled beer selections and 700 varieties of wine available for takeout. Closed sun. 44 e 8th st, holland, (616) 396-8227. butchs.net. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds $$ caMbrIdge house — Menu has been revamped to offer locally sourced items, including shark tacos, heirloom salad, pulled pork nachos, grass-fed oxtail flatbread and more, as well as several gluten-free and vegan items. lots of liquor choices and good-size wine list. Takeout available. 600 Monroe ave nw, 356-1622. cam bridgehousegr.com. l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ caJun cat — Cajun-influenced menu features by-the-pound or half-pound fish and seafood selections from catfish and cod to shrimp, lake perch and more. gumbo, red beans and rice, sandwiches with andouille sausage, pulled pork barbecue, chicken salad. Take-away or grab one of eight seats. shares parking lot with walker Roadhouse. 3280 Remembrance Rd, walker, 735-2416. on Facebook. h, l, D, v, MC ¢-$ cItyVu bIstro — Top-floor restaurant in holland’s eco-friendly City Flats hotel specializing in creative flatbreads and small-plate fare with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. 61 e 7th st, holland, (616) 796-2114. cityvubistro.com. h, b, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds $-$$ cobblestone bIstro — eclectic, globally inspired menu executed with pizzazz in attractive

surroundings, complete with fireplace, waterfalls and koi pond. Full bar. open for weekend breakfasts. 9818 Cherry valley ave se, Caledonia, 5883223. mycobblestone.com. h, (b), l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds $ Fcygnus 27 — stylized décor reflects a celestial theme that matches the views from the 27th floor of the amway grand plaza. Casual, seasonally driven menu encourages sharing. open Tue-sat eves; sun brunch labor Day to Mother’s Day. 187 Monroe ave nw, 776-6425. amwaygrand.com. h, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds, Rsvp $$ derby statIon — sophisticated pub grub with full bar featuring an array of specialty beers. 2237 wealthy st se, 301-3236. derbystation.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds, DC $ electrIc cheetah — eclectic menu changes weekly with an emphasis on locally grown fare and creative combinations. sandwiches, soups, salads, entrees, house-made desserts and unique sunday brunch in modern setting. 1015 wealthy st se, 451-4779. electriccheetah.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, DC, Ds ¢-$ eVeryday people caFÉ — Changing bistro menu from appetizers through dessert. impressive wine list with appropriate food pairings served in comfortable atmosphere. open daily for dinner. 11 Center st, Douglas, (269) 857-4240. everydaypeoplecafe.com. h, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds $-$$ gIlly’s at the bob — innovative takes on seafood on the 1st floor of The bob, complete with raw bar. seasonal menu offers cutting-edge fare from appetizers to desserts. 20 Monroe ave nw, 356-2000. thebob.com. h, l (sat), D, C, 3, v, MC, ae $-$$ graydon’s crossIng — english pub serves indian food with a british influence. Full bar features impressive array of specialty beers. 1223 plainfield ave ne, 726-8260. graydons crossing.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds, DC $ green Well gastro pub — Daily menu features comfort fare with a flare, emphasizing local and seasonal ingredients. Full bar; more than 20 rotating draught beers, many from area microbreweries. open daily. 924 Cherry st se,

Ask college students to list everyday necessities and they’ll come up with stuff like pizza, snacks, brownies, antacids, breath mints — and batteries. All of the above is available at The Lyon Den, a bakery/grill/convenience store at 200 Ionia Ave. NW, located inside the former Two Slices and Rick’s Café. Co-owners Jeff and Tammy Rider and Mary and Jack Kragt had an idea to open a doughnut shop in downtown Grand Rapids. But realizing how many young adults live around the space, they expanded their vision.

“This building was set up for so much more than doughnuts,” Jeff Rider said. “We started following what we thought would be good for college students. We

have 190 of them living right above our store.” The vibrant eatery with sherbet-colored walls has seating for 49. Employees cook burgers, chili dogs, pizza and more. Rider makes fresh doughnuts while Mary Kragt bakes cheesecakes, lemon bars, brownies and other baked goods. The Lyon Den also sells toiletries and offers free Wi-Fi. Hours are 6 a.m.-midnight Monday to Friday, 7 a.m.-midnight Saturday, and 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit The Lyon Den on Facebook.

PhOtOgraPhy by JOhnny Quirin

all that and a bag of chips

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S:7.125”

served

S:9.875”

all our steaks are

tender, juicy and

sizzling

Photography by Johnny Quirin

Grand Rapids | 616.776.6426 | Inside the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel | ruthschris.com

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City Guide: Dining Review 808-3566. thegreenwell.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$ GRILL ONE ELEVEN — American-with-a-twist menu, full-service bar and lounge. Sunday Brunch buffet 10 am-2 pm, otherwise opens at 11 am. 111 Courtland Dr, 863-3300. grilloneeleven.com. H, B (Sun), L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$ THE HERITAGE — Grand Rapids Community College culinary arts students prepare gourmet dishes from steaks to vegan fare at a reasonable cost. Menu changes weekly. Wine offered

with dinner. Open Tue-Fri during academic year. Applied Technology Center, 151 Fountain St NE, 234-3700. grcc.edu/heritage. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $-$$ FMARCO NEW AMERICAN BISTRO — Cozy dining in French-country-casual, white-linen atmosphere. Creative dinner fare and pizza with a more casual lunch menu available for takeout. Full bar, nice wine list. Closed Sun. 884 Forest Hill Ave SE, 942-9100. marcobistro.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $-$$

MIA & GRACE BISTRO — Locally grown products creatively composed by husband/wife team chefs and owners are served in an intimate, artsy space in downtown Muskegon. Breakfast/lunch service year-round with special dinners during growing season. Bakery, too. 1133 Third St, Muskegon, (231) 725-9500. miaandgrace.com. H, B, L, (D) V, MC, AE $ OLIVES — Seasonally inspired menu of creative fare and comfort foods featuring locally grown produce and hormone-free, organic meats. Full bar; two-level seating and alfresco balcony. Closed Sun. 2162 Wealthy St SE, 451-8611. ¢-$ eatatolives.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ONE TRICK PONY — Eclectic menu with samplings of vegetarian, Mexican and European cuisines, creative lunch and dinner specials. Congenially casual surroundings; dine alfresco on street-front patio. Occasional live music. Closed Sun. 136 E Fulton St, 235-7669. onetrick.biz. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE ¢-$ PIPER — Stunning lake view, fun décor, good service and a menu with everything from appetizers, pasta and wood-fired pizza to creative entrées and homemade desserts. Closed Sun and Mon during winter. 2225 South Shore Dr, Macatawa, (616) 335-5866. piperrestaurant.com. H, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$$ RESERVE — One of the top wine bars around with superb by-the-glass selections and ever-changing culinary options to match. Small plates to share or create your own charcuterie and cheese choices in big-city surroundings that include GR’s first ArtPrize winner, “Open Water No. 24.” Opens at 4, closed Sun. 201 Monroe Ave NW, 855-9463. reservegr.com. H, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$

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ROCKWELL-REPUBLIC — Diverse menu emphasizing locally sourced ingredients. California cuisine, sushi, steaks, Great Lakes fish, chicken, pastas, creative comfort food, plates to share. Multi-level, arts-inspired décor with upper-level outdoor seating. 45 S Division Ave, 608-6465 or 551-3563. republicgrandrapids.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$ ROSE’S — Dockside dining on EGR’s Reeds Lake with a variety of sandwiches, salads, pastas, wood-fired pizzas, entrées and desserts. Comfortably casual; three-season porch seating. 550 Lakeside Dr SE, 458-1122. Takeout at Rose’s Express, 2224 Wealthy St SE, 458-4646. thegilmo recollection.com/roses.php. H, B (weekends), L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DS $ SALT & PEPPER SAVORY GRILL & PUB — Pubgrub with creative twists using Michigan-sourced ingredients. Full bar. Back patio for alfresco dining. Closed Sun. 11539 E Lakewood Blvd, Holland, (616) 355-5501. saltandpepperpub.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $ SALT OF THE EARTH — Rustic fare and bakery emphasize locally sourced products ranging from wood-fired pizzas to an array of affordably priced entrees. Full bar; closed Sun. 114 E Main St, Fennville, (269) 561-7258. saltoftheearth fennville.com. H, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, DS ¢-$ SCHNITZ ADA GRILL — Deli by day, casual fine dining by night in cozy surroundings with full bar. Nice selection of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, steaks, seafood, pasta and more. 597 Ada Dr, Ada, 682-4660. schnitzdeli.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$$ SIX.ONE.SIX — Market-fresh, contemporary

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City Guide: Fresh Hops

It’s about the recipe

Photography by Johnny Quirin

by Jon C. Koeze

Contract manufacturing is very common in the food processing industry. Go to any Meijer or Spartan/Family Fare store and you will find many products under their respective store brands. Of course, these products are not made by the stores. Other manufacturers produce them wholesale for these retailers and simply stick on a different label. Sometimes they are made with less expensive ingredients; sometimes they are identical to name-brand counterparts. That Meijer brand peanut butter you bought might be identical to the Spartan brand down the street. The beer industry is not exempt from this practice. I’ve mentioned before that the three largest beer companies in America, by production, are Anheuser Busch Inc., MillerCoors and Pabst Brewing Co. Inc., respectively. What’s a little hard to understand is that, according to Internet sources, Pabst does not own any breweries and produces no beer. All brands held by Pabst — about 24 at last count — are made under contract by other breweries across the country. Pabst Blue Ribbon is actually brewed at six different breweries now owned by Miller Brewing Co. This begs the question: Does it really matter where our beer is made? One might presume that beer tastes better when it’s made by a little German-speaking man with funny glasses and a big copper kettle, but the fact is that even Samuel Adams is made by big commercial contract brewers. A few years ago, Costco began marketing a few craft beer labels under its Kirkland signature brand. On the east side of this continent, they are made under contract by the F.X. Matt Brewery Co. in Utica, N.Y. These beers have been largely ignored by the beer-tasting public, but since I’m always looking for a story, I picked up a case of four different styles: an IPA (India Pale Ale), a Pale Ale, an Amber Ale and a Belgian Wheat Ale. I was pleasantly surprised. To be sure, these beers would not win any contests or stand up to most of the fine, handcrafted ales made right here in the great beer state of Michigan. But they were completely drinkable, and for the price — about $18 a case

plus deposit, if I recall correctly — a really great deal. These would be good brews to serve at a party, where guests could enjoy craft-style ales without the $2 per bottle expense. “But I don’t belong to Costco,” you might whine. Not to worry. Anyone can walk into a Costco or Sam’s Club and purchase beer, wine or spirits at the same price as club members. You can thank the state of Michigan alcohol regulatory laws for that. Simply put, I think beer is more about recipe than machinery or factory. It matters very little where or who makes our beer as long as it tastes great and we love it. Contributing editor Jon C. Koeze, cable administrator for the city of Grand Rapids, has made and tasted beer since 1980.

These would be good brews to serve at a party, where guests could enjoy craft-style ales without the $2 per bottle expense.

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City Guide American fare “with a global soul.” Interact with chefs in the mini Chef’s Lab exhibition kitchen, or visit Mixology lounge. JW Marriott, 235 Louis St NW, 242-1500. ilovethejw.com. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, DC $-$$ TAVERN ON THE SQUARE — Tapas-style fare with small plate/appetizers, soups, green plate/ salads, house specialties and desserts. Full bar with wine; nice list of microbrews. Open daily; patio seating. 100 Ionia Ave SW, 456-7673. tavern ¢-$ onthesq.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS THE LAKE HOUSE — Laidback-yet-sophis-ticated décor, overlooking Muskegon Lake. Small plates, salads, pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, specialty burgers. Select entrees emphasize locally grown ingredients. Live entertainment. Open daily. 730 Terrace Point (between Terrace Pointe Marina and Shoreline Inn), Muskegon, (231) 722-4461; thelakehousemi.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, DC $-$$ THEODORE’S — Eclectic, diminutive-but-impressive menu features American/Spanish/ Mediterranean-influenced dishes in hip, stylish surroundings with large granite bar, glassed-in wine cellar and outdoor patio. Open Thu-Sat at 5 pm. In the former Till Midnight location in Baker Lofts building. 217 E 24th St, Holland, (616) 3926883. theodoresholland.com. H, D (Thu-Sat), C, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $-$$ WILD DOG GRILLE — Interesting appetizers, salads, sandwiches, stone-baked pizzas and entrees marry a complexity of flavors. Desserts made in-house. Closed Mon in winter months. Fullservice bar. 24 Center St, Douglas, (269) 8572519. thewilddoggrille.com. H, L (Fri-Sun), D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, DS $-$$ WINCHESTER — Locally sourced menu aims to reinvent bar food; affordably priced comfort food specialties, reclaimed century-old space with shuffleboard court-patio. 648 Wealthy St, SE, 451-4969. winchestergr.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$

Classic American Restaurants and diners serving traditional dishes popular across the country. 8TH STREET GRILL — Entrées range from catfish Valdosta to ribs, with sandwiches, salads, burgers and pasta also on the menu. Closed Sun. 20 W 8th St, Holland, (616) 392-5888. 8thstreetgrille.com. H, L, D, 3, V, MC, AE $ 84 EAST FOOD & SPIRITS — Neat restoration lends atmosphere; varied menu includes unique pasta dishes and thin-crust pizzas. Closed Sun. 84 E 8th St, Holland, (616) 396-8484. 84east pasta.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DC,  DS ¢-$ ACORN GRILLE AT THOUSAND OAKS — Blend of traditional and innovative cuisine, artfully presented in handsome dining room with golf course views. Open daily in season. 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr, 447-7750. thousandoaks golf.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DS $$ ARBOREAL INN — New England-style inn offers fresh whitefish, Alaskan king crab, tournedos Oscar and more. Cozy atmosphere with dining and bar area. Portion of menu requires 24-hour notice. Closed Sun. 18191 174th Ave, Spring Lake, (616) 842-3800. arborealinn.com. H, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $$

ARNIE’S BAKERY & RESTAURANT — Uniquely GR. Breakfast, sandwiches, baked goods and desserts; dinner menu too. Open daily. 3561 28th St, 956-7901; 710 Leonard St NW, 454-3098; 777 54th St SW, 532-5662; 34 Squires St, Rockford, 866-4306. arniesrestaurants.com. H, B, L, D, 3, V, MC, AE $ Aryana Restaurant & Bar — Comfortable dining room in the Crowne Plaza Hotel offers breakfast buffet, lunch and fine dining selections from an extensive seasonal menu. Open daily. 5700 28th St SE, 957-1770. mainstreet mediagroup.com. B, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DC, DS, RSVP $-$$ BEAR LAKE TAVERN — Historic North Muskegon tavern offers favorites that include yellowbelly lake perch dinner, BLT burger and hand-cut onion rings. 360 Ruddiman Rd, North Muskegon, (231) 744-1161. 4gr8food.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ BENTHAM’S RIVERFRONT RESTAURANT — Upscale selections served in casually elegant surroundings. Open daily in the Amway Grand Plaza, 774-2000. amwaygrand.com/bethams.html. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, DS $ BIL-MAR RESTAURANT — Beachfront dining with a great view of Lake Michigan; a wide selection of fine-dining entrées. Full bar; open daily. 1223 S Harbor St, Grand Haven, (616) 842-5920. bilmargrandhaven.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, DC $$ THE BISTRO — Formerly Blue Plate in the Marriott Downtown Courtyard Hotel; offers warm, urban décor with large-screen TVs, wraparound bar and barrista serving Starbucks. Casual menu covers all tastes from breakfast through dinner. Open daily. 11 Monroe Ave NW, 242-6000, ext 6646. marri $ ott.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE, DC, DS BOATWERKS WATERFRONT RESTAURANT — Vintage motorboat ambiance overlooking Lake Macatawa. Spacious outdoor patio and two menus: casual dining in main dining room, bar and patio, with another room for fine dining. 216 Van Raalte Ave, Holland, (616) 396-0600. boat werksrestaurant.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, DC $-$$

selection of appetizers, sandwiches and salads as well as fowl, seafood and beef for dinner. Enjoy golf-course views from inside or on the deck. 5750 Brewer Ave NE, Belmont, (616) 363-1330, ext 2. bouldercreekgolfclub.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ BRANDYWINE — Pleasant café atmosphere serving extensive breakfasts, innovative lunches with vegetarian choices and salads, and dinner selections from Mexican to beef Wellington. 1345 Lake Dr SE, 774-8641; 2844 East Beltline Ave NE, 363-1723. H, B, L, D, 3, V, MC ¢-$ BRANN’S SIZZLING STEAKS AND SPORTS GRILLE — Famous sizzler steaks with grill items and salads, baskets, Mexican entrees and bar munchies. All locations offer high-tech projection screens and sporting events. Brann’s of Grandville, 3475 Fairlanes, Grand Village Mall, 531-6210; Mike & Johnny Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille, 401 Leonard St NW, 454-9368; Tommy Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille, 4157 S Division Ave, 534-5421; John Brann’s of Cascade, 5510 28th St SE, 285-7800; Brann’s of Holland, 12234 James St, (616) 393-0028; Brann’s of Muskegon, 5510 Harvey St, (231) 798-1399; Brann’s of Portage, 700 Martin Luther King Dr, (269) 321-8852. branns.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DC, DS $ BULL’S HEAD TAVERN — A dozen appetizers from brie to pot stickers. Lunch menu showcases salads, soups and sandwiches. Dinners include warm bread and chef-selected sides. 188 Monroe Ave NW, 454-3580. thebullshead tavern.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $ C.F. PRIME CHOPHOUSE & WINE BAR — Prime NY strips and some all-natural beef selections. Gourmet treatment from starters through salads, plus seafood, vegetarian options and desserts made on-site. Impressive wine list, full-service bar. Closed Sun. 950 W Norton, Muskegon, (231) 737-4943. cfprime.com. H, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $-$$ CASCADE ROADHOUSE — Relaxed atmosphere with a diverse menu from fish and chips and gourmet burgers to fine-dining appetizers and entrées. Good bar, wine list. Closed Sun. 6817 Cascade Rd SE (at Old 28th St), 949-1540. H, L, D, C, V, AE $-$$

BONEFISH GRILL — Offers fresh-from-the-seas fare. Casual, white-linen dining. Seafood selections augmented by innovative sauces and toppings; also chicken, beef and pasta dishes. 1100 East Paris Ave SE, 949-7861. bonefishgrill.com. H, $-$$ D, C, V, MC, AE, DS

CHARLEY’S CRAB — Fresh seafood from a menu that changes nightly. Located on the Grand River. Early menu (4:30-6 pm daily), Sun brunch. GR Steamer Bar has its own menu. 63 Market Ave SW, 459-2500. muer.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, DS, RSVP $-$$

BONFIRE GRILL & PUB — Muskegon smokehouse in the former Sardine Room space. Rotisserie chicken, ribs and brisket are the claim to fame; also an extensive menu filled with interesting items like lobster tacos, alligator snaps, creative “samiches,” specialty dogs, burgers and full gamut of entrees. 2536 Henry St, Muskegon, (231) 760-5204; bonfiregrillpub.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$

CHARLIE’S BAR & GRILL — Well-rounded menu features dinners ranging from ribs, steaks and seafood to kielbasa and kraut. Also Mexican fare, sandwiches and more. Full-service bar. 3519 Plainfield Ave NE, 364-0567. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE ¢-$

BOSTWICK LAKE INN — Roomy, cottage-style eatery offers regionally influenced cuisine in casual surroundings. Favorites include fresh seafood, pasta, steaks and ribs. Open Tue-Sat, also Mon between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 8521 Belding Rd NE, Cannon Township, 874-7290. bostwicklakeinn.com. H, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $ BOULDER CREEK RESTAURANT — Boulder Creek Golf Club restaurant serves an affordable

FTHE CHOP HOUSE — In the tradition of the best American chophouses with aged prime beef and more. A la carte sides are big enough to share. Great wine list. Downstairs is La Dolce Vita dessert and cigar bar. Closed Sun. 190 Monroe Ave NW, 451-6184. thechophouserest aurant.com. H, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, DC $$ COUSIN’S TASTY CHICKEN — A 25-year local alternative to the chains with some of the tastiest fried chicken and side dishes around. Also serving seafood and other fried fare. Closed Sun. 1209 Leonard St NE, 456-5244. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$

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City Guide CRAZY HORSE STEAK HOUSE & SALOON — Holland’s family-friendly eatery, renowned for steaks and prime rib. Saturday night special is prime rib and lobster. 2027 North Park Dr, Holland, (616) 395-8393. crazyhorsesteakhouse. com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $$ DEE-LITE BAR & GRILL — Nice selection of appetizers, house-made soups, salads and sandwiches. “Fresh-Mex” dinner selections, plus seafood, chicken, steak and pasta. Live music and martinis in the Theatre Bar. Open daily; Sun brunch. 24 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, (616) 844-5055. harborrestaurants.com/dee lite/. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, DS $ THE DINING ROOM AT CLEARBROOK — New entrées daily feature locally grown products. Known for hand-cut steaks, double-cut lamb chops, Canadian walleye. More casual dining in The Grill Room. Open daily in summer. Clearbrook Golf Club, 6594 Clearbrook Dr (just north of Saugatuck), (269) 857-2000. clearbrookgolfclub. com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, DC, RSVP $-$$ DOCKERS FISH HOUSE & LOUNGE — Waterside dining on Muskegon Lake with lively summer tiki bar, seafood and land-lubber options. Full bar, dockside seating. Dockhands assist with boat tie-up. Closed Oct-Mar. 3505 Marina Point View, Muskegon, (231) 755-0400. dockersfish $-$$ house.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS DUGAN’S PUB & GRILLE — Casual dining with steaks, seafood, pasta and more at The Elks at the Highlands Golf Club. Adjacent Glendevon offers banquet facilities. 2715 Leonard St NW, 4532451. grandrapidselks.org. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$

Closed Sun. 4609 Cascade Rd SE, 949-4771. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE $ FRY DADDY’S FRESH FISH — Fried fresh fish, wing-dings, walleye, orange roughy, catfish, blue gill, perch, smelt and shrimp, by the pound or in baskets with French fries in pleasant surroundings or to go. Closed Mon. In Kentwood’s Trinity Plaza, 1720 44th St SE, 455-FISH. H, L, D, V, MC ¢-$ GRAND RAPIDS BREWING CO. — Microbrewery with extensive menu that matches the handcrafted beers and natural ales. 3689 28th St SE, 285-5970. michiganmenu.com/grbrewing.html. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $ THE GRAND SEAFOOD & OYSTER BAR — In Grand Haven’s former Grand Theatre. Oyster and sushi bar, seafood and steaks. Open daily. 22 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, (616) 847-8944. harborrestaurants.com/thegrand. H, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, DC $-$$ GRAND TRAVERSE PIE CO. — Bakery and café offer an extensive menu that covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with quiche, soups, salads, sandwiches and pastries. Open daily. 3224 28th St SE, 977-7600. gtpie.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ GRAND VILLA — Longtime favorite serving prime rib, seafood, complete salad bar, full service bar. Closed Sun. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, 538-1360. grandvillarestaurants.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DC, DS $ GREAT LAKES SHIPPING CO. — Kitchen does

everything from beef, seafood, fowl and beyond in comfortable dockside motif. Patio open in summer. No lunch, but open Sun afternoons. 2455 Burton St SE, 949-9440. H, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $-$$ GRILL HOUSE & ROCK BOTTOM BAR — Allegan’s grill-your-own steakhouse with grillmasters on call. Bottomless salad bowl and potato bar; tasty desserts. Rock Bottom Bar opens 11 am daily; Grill House opens 5:30 pm weekdays, 11 am Sundays. 1071 32nd St (M-40), Allegan, (269) 686-9192. grillhouse.net. H, L (downstairs), D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP (weekends) $-$$ THE GRILL ROOM — Aged steaks/chops, fresh seafood and fine wines in top chophouse tradition, served in an unpretentious atmosphere. Closed Sun during winter. Kirby House, 2 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, (616) 846-3299. thegilmoreollec tion.com.grillroom.php. H, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $$ GRILLE 29 — Varied menu includes salads, soups, specialty panini, pasta, pizza and variety of entrées. Full-service bar. Open daily for breakfast and dinner. Holiday Inn Select, 3063 Lake Eastbrook SE, 285-7600. holiday $ inn.com. H, B, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS THE GRILLE AT WATERMARK — Innovative menu in relaxing atmosphere overlooking golf course. Open for lunch and dinner Mon-Sat; Sun brunch 10 am-2 pm. Banquet facilities. Reservations accepted. 5500 Cascade Rd SE, 949-0570. watermarkcc.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, $-$$ MC, AE, RSVP

THE FALCON’S NEST — Creative lunch menu with a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, barbecue ribs, appetizers, chili and salads. Open 11 am-7 pm. 17000 Lincoln Ave, Grand Haven, (616) 842-4040. grandhavengolfclub.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE ¢-$ FALL CREEK — Appetizers, gourmet pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches, house-made desserts, and creative entrées. Closed Sun-Mon. 201 Jefferson St, Hastings, (269) 945-0100. fallcreek dining.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ FIREROCK GRILLE — Sunny, bistro-style atmosphere, nightly features and extensive menu of imaginative fare that includes FireRock options: cook your own on a 500-degree stone. Open daily. Sun brunch 10 am-2 pm. Stonewater Country Club, 7177 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 656-9898. stone watercc.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE $ FLAT RIVER GRILL — Casual atmosphere in turnof-century building on the river in Lowell. Al fresco dining on patio. Menu ranges from American comfort food to wood-fired pizzas. Full bar with extensive wines by the glass and The BOB’s House of Brews beers on tap. Superb brunch. 201 E Main St, Lowell, 897-8523. thegilmorecollec tion.com/flatriver.php. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$

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FLEETWOOD DINER — Extensive diner-style American menu with Greek influences. Famous for Hippie Hash. Open 6:30 am for breakfast (8 am-4 pm Sun), serving dinner until 8 pm MonThu, 9 pm Fri-Sat. Outdoor patio. 2222 44th St SE, 281-2300. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE ¢-$ FOREST HILLS INN — A casual neighborhood favorite with a broad menu, excellent pizza.

Photo courtesy of the Gerald R. Ford Library

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City Guide HANDSOME HENRY’S — Smartly decorated, bigcity vibe dining room and sports-screen-packed bar offer tasty options with signature twists. Extensive menu ranges from appetizers, pizzas and from-scratch soups to perch, fall-off-thebone ribs and hand-cut, aged steaks at reasonable prices. 3065 Henry St, Muskegon, (231) 747-8583. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $ HONEY CREEK INN — Daily specials are the highlight, mixed with traditional fare that earns rave reviews from patrons. Closed Sun. 8025 Cannonsburg Rd, Cannonsburg, 874-7849. honey ¢-$ creekinn.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC HUDSONVILLE GRILLE — Steaks, chops, chicken, soups, salads, sandwiches, Mexican favorites and breakfast, as well as fish specialties. Full bar; closed Sun. 4676 32nd Ave, Suite F, Hudsonville, 662-9670. hudsonvillegrille.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC, DS ¢-$ J BAR — The BOB’s steakhouse restaurant caters to those with a penchant for meat and potatoes with style and expertise. Open 5-11 pm; closed Sun. 20 Monroe Ave NW, 356-2000. thebob.com. H, D, C, local 3, V, MC, AE $$ JACK’S — Breakfast and lunch, plus dinner menu with appetizers, wine by the glass and a wide range of entrées, located on the Grand River at Grand Haven Waterfront Holiday Inn. 940 W Savidge St, Spring Lake, (616) 846-1370. higrand haven.com. H, B, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$ KIRBY GRILL — Casual side of the Kirby House offers more than an average grill with innovative touches to the American menu. Familyfriendly dining upstairs. 2 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, (616) 846-3299. thegilmorecollec $ tion.com/kirby.php. L, D, C, V, MC, AE KOPPER TOP — Uniquely GR. Raw copper tops the bar and tables at this GR staple with a longstanding tradition of seasonal decorations. Entrées with a homemade taste. No lunch Sat, closed Sun. 638 Stocking Ave NW, 459-2001. On Facebook. L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE ¢ THE LANDING — Nautical décor with windows overlooking the Grand River. Menu features American favorites and German specials. Live music and dancing in the lounge. 270 Ann St NW (Radisson Riverfront Hotel at US 131), 363-7748. radisson.com/hotels/migrapno/dinings. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, DS $ OLEO’S — Combines fine dining and casual comfort with great service, impressive wine list and full bar. Fresh seafood is the specialty, but steaks and other dishes are just as good. Street level in parking ramp at Ottawa and Louis. Closed Sun. 60 Ottawa Ave NW, 454-6700. leosrestaur ant.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $-$$ LOUIS BENTON STEAKHOUSE — Upscale steakhouse with a big-city ambiance features premium Buckhead beef, wet- and dry-aged steaks, lamb, pork and veal chops, seafood and more. Superb wine list. Closed Sun. Free valet parking at Ionia entrance. 77 Monroe Center Ave NW, Suite 100, 454-7455. louisbenton.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, DS, RSVP $-$$ MAIN STREET PUB — Casual restaurant and sports bar offers large-screen TVs and varied menu of appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and nice entrée selections. Open 11 am daily, with breakfast 8 am Sun. 11240 University Parkway, Allendale, 895-1234. mainstpub.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$

MAXFIELD’S — Vast lunch and dinner menus are enhanced by daily feature buffets. Open Tue-Sun. 11228 Wyman Rd, Blanchard, (800) 550-5630. maxfieldsrestaurant.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $$ MEADOWS RESTAURANT — GVSU’s professional and student-staffed restaurant; patio and dining room overlook golf course. Full menu offers everything from burgers to NY strip steak. Seasonal hours; closed Sun. 1 W Campus Dr, Allendale, 895-1000. gvsu.edu/meadows/. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $-$$ MIDDLE VILLA INN — Weekly prime rib specials, salad bar, casual atmosphere, occasional live bands; in Grand Rapids call 891-1287 for restaurant info. Open daily. 4611 N Middleville Rd, Middleville, (269) 795-3640. middle-villa-inn. com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, DS $ MOE’S CONEY & GRILL — Coney Island-style hotdogs and extensive menu from sandwiches to entrees. Wide-ranging breakfast menu, all reasonable prices. Open daily; closes 2 pm Sun. 3603 S Division Ave, 514-1650. On Facebook. H, B, L, D, V, MC, DS ¢-$ MR. BURGER — Longtime favorite serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. 2101 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 453-6291; 5181 Northland Dr NE, 363-3888; 2300 28th St SW, 538-4439; 1750 44th St SE, 4558604; 950 44th St SW, 538-0363; 5835 Balsam Ave, Hudsonville, 662-5088. mrburger.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC ¢ NOEL RESTAURANT — It’s Christmas year-round at this restaurant in a former church and parsonage family-style dinners, lighter fare on lunch menu. Gift shop on lower level. Hours now by reservation only; parties of 10 or more preferred. 2371 Riley St, Jamestown, 896-6427. noelrestaur ¢-$$ ant.com. H, L, D, V, MC, RSVP OTTAWA TAVERN — The full-service, full-menu sister restaurant sharing space with downtown’s Bite. Sports venue with weekday Happy Hour bar specials 4-7 pm. Closed Sun. 151 Ottawa Ave NW, 451-8000. thegilmorecollection.com/ot.php. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$$ PAL’S DINER — A real diner with breakfast, lunch and dinner all day, served in fun surroundings. No alcohol served. Closed Sun. 6503 28th St SE, 942-7257. palsdiner.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC, DS ¢ PEARL STREET GRILL — Bright, airy restaurant in the downtown Holiday Inn (formerly Days Hotel). Breakfast, lunch and steaks, pasta, chicken and fish for dinner. Open daily. 310 Pearl St NW, 2357611. guestservice@higrdt.com. H, B, L, D, C, V, $ MC, AE POP’S FAMILY RESTAURANT — Family-friendly spot serves breakfast all day long, along with classic American comfort food and Mexican specialties. Open daily. 1339 Walker Village Dr NW, 453-9339. H, B, L, D, V, MC ¢-$ RAINBOW GRILL — Longtime favorite offers breakfasts, homemade soup, chili, steak sandwiches, daily luncheon specials, chicken, fish and other dinner staples. Closed Sun. 4225 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 896-0033; 4158 Chicago Dr SW, Grandville, 534-8645. H, B, L, D, 3, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ RED JET CAFÉ — Gilmore Collection restaurant in the former Creston Heights library. Coffee bar along with breakfast, omelets, crepes, soups, salads, sandwiches, paninis, specialty pizzas and more in casual, upbeat surroundings. Full bar;

opens 7 am. 1431 Plainfield Ave NE, 719-5500. thegilmorecollection.com/redjet.php. H, B, L, D (Tue-Sat), C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ FREDS ON THE RIVER — Located on the Rogue River, Reds combines casual sophistication with Tuscan sensibilities. Varied menu, good wine list. Lunch served 11-4 pm; closed Sun. 2 E Bridge St, Rockford, 863-8181. reds-live.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, DC $-$$ RIO GRAND STEAK HOUSE & SALOON — Texasstyle barbecue ribs, steaks and more are offered at these Western-style Schelde restaurants. Open daily. 5501 Northland Dr NE, 364-6266; 1820 44th St SW, 534-0704. michiganmenu.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$ ROSEBUD — Sandwiches, soups and pizza for lunch; steaks, ribs, pasta and more pizza for dinner. Live music Thu-Sat. Open daily. 100 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, (616) 846-7788. rosebudgrill.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DC, DS ¢-$ ROSIE’S DINER — The original 1946 Paramount diner made famous by paper towel commercials continues the tradition of classic homemade diner fare. Open daily. Half-mile east of US 131. 4500 14 Mile Rd, Rockford, 866-3663. rosies diner.com. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ RUSH CREEK BISTRO — Diverse menu of starters, soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, generous entrees and desserts, all done with flair in handsome, club-like surroundings. Weeknight and happy hour specials. Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville, 457-1100. H, L, $ D, C, V, MC, AE, DS RUSS’ RESTAURANTS — Fast service, family friendly, inexpensive fare. Closed Sun. 3966 Plainfield Ave NE, 381-7545; 2750 28th St SE, 949-8631; 2340 28th St SW, 538-3410; 531 Alpine Ave NW, 784-2230; 6444 S Division Ave, 281-2790; 4440 Chicago Dr, Grandville, 531-1146. russrestaurants.com. B, L, D, 3 ¢ SAM’S JOINT — Award-winning ribs and unique décor of antiques and memorabilia. Extensive menu includes Mexican selections; full bar. 2412 Briggs Rd, Gun Lake, (269) 795-3965; 7449 68th St, Dutton, 698-1833; 107 E Main St, Caledonia, 891-1128; 19 N Main St, Rockford, 866-3324; 6618 Old Grand Haven Rd, Norton Shores, (231) 7987155; 15520 48th Ave, Coopersville, 837-8558; 1665 Viewpond SE, Kentwood, 455-2111. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC $ SANDI’S FAMILY RESTAURANT — Home-cooked meals, family-friendly dining in casual surroundings. Daily specials; all-you-can-eat ocean perch on Fri. Senior discount Mon-Tue. Closed Sun. 6597 S Division Ave, 281-3160. sandisfamilyrest aurant.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ SPINNAKER — Upscale menu features large selection of seafood and landlubber entrees in a nautical themed dining room. Open daily, Sun brunch. 4747 28th St SE (Hilton Grand Rapids Airport), 957-1111. thehilton.com. H, B, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DC, DS, RSVP $-$$ SUNDANCE GRILL — Breakfast-and-lunch spot also offers a dinner menu in the California/ Southwestern tradition. Selection of steaks, salmon, salads and pasta, along with a margarita bar. 5755 28th St SE (Esplanade Plaza), 9565644; 40 Pearl St NW (breakfast and lunch daily, dinner Tue-Sat), 776-1616. 4gr8food.com. H, B, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DS $

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City Guide SWAN INN RESTAURANT — Home-cooked meals such as pot roast, Salisbury steak and meatloaf, daily specials, and burgers, chicken, seafood and more. Huge breakfasts. Cygnet Lounge offers cocktails and nibbles as well as dinner menu. 5182 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1245. swan innmotel.com. H, B, L, C, D, V, MC, DS ¢-$ TERRACE GRILLE AT BAY POINTE INN — Casual gourmet dining, impressive wine list, martini bar and lakeside dining on terrace. Seasonally changing menu includes seafood, steaks, pasta and specials emphasizing regional fare. Open daily. Sun brunch 10 am-2 pm. 11456 Marsh Rd, Shelbyville (off US 131), (269) 672-5202 or (888) GUN-LAKE. baypointeinn.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, DC, RSVP $-$$ THAT PLACE ON PLAINFIELD — Classic American diner food, along with some surprises like Filipino and vegetarian dishes, in diner-style surroundings at reasonable prices. Closed Sun. 2162 Plainfield Ave NE, 365-6669. H, B, L, D, V, MC, DS ¢

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TILLMAN’S — Uniquely GR. Chicago-style chophouse that’s been “hidden” in a warehouse district for more than 25 years. Known for steaks but something for every taste, from liver and onions to frog legs and escargot. Closed Sun. 1245 Monroe Ave NW, 451-9266. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, RSVP $-$$ TIMBERS INN — Menu ranges from appetizers, gourmet salads, sandwiches and charbroiled burgers to wild game offerings and lumberjack meat ’n’ potatoes fare in lodge-like surroundings. Open daily. Sun omelet bar til 2 pm. 6555 Belding Rd NE, 874-5553. timbers ¢-$ inn.net. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE TULLYMORE — Restaurant at Tullymore Golf Club offers seasonally inspired menu with layers of flavors and artful presentations in beautiful surroundings. Expansive views, large patio for outdoor dining. 11969 Tullymore, Stanwood, (800) 972-4837. tullymoregolf.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $-$$

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TWISTED ROOSTER — Classic dishes with unexpected twists. Full bar featuring 18 beers on tap, local beers/wines. Open daily. 1600 East Beltline Ave NE, 301-8171. twistedrooster.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE ¢-$$ VILLAGE INN PIZZA PARLOR — Longtime favorite for pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken, soups, salads, Mexican and more. Karaoke nights Thu-Sat. Full bar. Open daily; weekday lunch buffet. 2215 44th St SE, Kentwood, 281-1444; 934 Washington St, Holland, (616) 392-1818. vipizza.net. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE ¢-$ WALLDORFF BREWPUB & BISTRO — Microbrewery with menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, barbecue specialties, small plates, steaks, pork and lamb chops, duck, pastas and wood-fired pizzas. 105 E State St, Hastings, (269) 945-4400. waldorffbrewpub.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ WEST COAST GRILLE — Daily breakfast buffet, hearty lunch fare and dinner menu ranging from quesadillas and burgers to prime rib to seafood, inside Holland’s Doubletree Hotel. Open daily. 650 E 24th St (just off US 31), Holland, (616) 3940111. holland.doubletree.com. H, B, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DC, DS $ WHITEFISH LAKE GOLF AND GRILL — Menu offers hand-cut steaks, barbecued ribs, fresh October 2011 Grand Rapids 61

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City Guide seafood and other dining specialties grilled over an apple-wood fire. Open daily. 2241 Bass Lake Rd, Pierson, (616) 636-5260. whitefishgolfand grill.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$ WINTER INN — Seafood, steaks and prime rib along with such specialties as seafood au gratin and pan-fried walleye in historic inn. Convivial bar. Banquet facilities. 100 N Lafayette St, Greenville, (616) 754-7108. thewinterinn.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DC $ WOODY’S PRESS BOX — Pulled pork with pizzazz in a restaurant complex that includes two bars, a patio and bowling. Menu offers sandwiches and shrimp as well as barbecue fare. Open daily (breakfast and lunch only Sun). 5656 Clyde Park Ave SW, 530-3242. spectrumlanes.com. H, B, L, D, C, 3, V, MC $

Daytime casual Eateries that specialize in breakfast and lunch. ANNA’S HOUSE — Family dining offers great breakfast fare. Open daily for breakfast and lunch until 2 pm. 3874 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-8500. H, B, L, V, MC ¢ CHERIE INN — Café is relaxed setting for upscale breakfasts and innovative specials, served until 3 pm. Closed Mon. 969 Cherry St SE, 458-0588. On Facebook. B, L, 3, V, MC, AE, DS ¢ FAT BOY BURGERS — Uniquely GR. Legendary burger joint in the Cheshire neighborhood offers breakfast 6-11 am weekdays (7 am Sat) and lunch until 3 pm in newly renovated surroundings. Closed Sun. 2450 Plainfield Ave NE, 361-7075. H, B, L, V, MC ¢ THE GATHERING PLACE — Cozy setting and country décor complement an imaginative menu. Terrific homemade soups, dessert selections. Open daily until 2 pm. 6886 Cascade Rd SE, 9493188. H, B, L, V, MC, AE, DS $ OMELETTE SHOPPE & BAKERY — A plethora of omelets, along with baked-fresh daily pecan rolls, cinnamon pastries and more. Open daily til 3 pm. 545 Michigan St NE, 726-5800; 1880 Breton Rd SE, 726-7300. omletteshoppe.com. H, B, L, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ REAL FOOD CAFÉ — Open early for breakfast and lunch, with everything made fresh from scratch by chef owners in cheery surroundings. Second location on the northeast side. Open until 2 pm; closed Mon. 2419 Eastern Ave SE, 2414080; 5430 Northland Dr NE, 361-1808. H, B, L ¢ RED GERANIUM CAFÉ — Popular spot is known for its specialty omelets, homemade soups, breads and desserts. Two locations: 6670 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 656-9800; 5751 Byron Center Ave. 532-8888. H, B, L ¢ SUSIE’S CAFÉ — Coffees, baked goods, breakfast served through lunch. Sandwiches, homemade soups and burgers from the grill. Malts, shakes, smoothies and ice cream. Walk-up window open late in summer. Open daily. 1120 Knapp St NE, 363-1530. H, B, L ¢ WOLFGANG’S — Popular spot renowned for breakfasts. Menu includes omelets, Belgian waffles, salads, sandwiches. Private meeting rooms available. Open 6:30 am-2:30 pm daily. 1530 Wealthy St SE, 454-5776. mattwolfgang.com. H, B, L, 3 ¢

Vegetarian GAIA CAFÉ — Innovative, totally vegetarian fare served in a cozy atmosphere. Closed Mon. 209 Diamond Ave SE, 454-6233. On Facebook. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE ¢ LITTLE AFRICA CUISINE — Humble storefront café with dining area offers vegetarian dishes only. Hearty vegetable stews; sauces and fixings are served on Ethiopian flat bread. Sample other Ethiopian specialties. Cash or checks only. Open daily. 956 E Fulton St, 222-1169. On Facebook. H, L, D, 3 ¢

Pubs & Taverns Restaurants that prefer to be known as “bars that serve food.” 84th STREET PUB AND GRILLE — Broad menu offers pub grub and American fare from pizzas to steaks in modern, laidback surroundings with flat-screen TVs and full bar service. 8282 Pfeiffer Farms Dr, Byron Center, 583-1650. 84thstpub. ¢-$ com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS BAR LOUIE — Urban décor at Woodland Mall, with sandwiches, appetizers, burgers and hearty entrées. More than 20 beers, along with a nice wine selection and specialty cocktails. Outdoor seating. 3191 28th St SE, 885-9050. barlouieamer $-$$ ica.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS BUD & STANLEY’S — Mirrored bar and TV sets galore. Mexican and Italian dishes, burgers, starters, salads and sandwiches. Main entrées range from homemade pasties to one-pound Texas cut sirloin. Takeout available. Open daily. 1701 4 Mile ¢-$ Rd NE, 361-9782. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE CASCADE SPORTS GRILL — Not your average sports bar: calamari, crab cakes, potstickers, stuffed ’shrooms, sandwiches, chicken, steak and more. Sizable bar with 10 brew taps and extensive martini menu. Pool tables, dartboards, TVs and other amusements. Live DJ Sat night. Cascade Centre, 6240 28th St SE, 974-3338. On $ Facebook. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS CHEERS — Popular neighborhood spot with something for everyone: munchies, salads, south-of-the-border favorites, fish, steaks, burgers, breakfast fare, omelets, served daily in a log-cabin environment. 3994 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1188. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE ¢ CHEQUERS — Creative cuisine with a British flair ranges from beef tips Sherwood to Welsh rarebit, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and imported beer served in an English pub atmosphere. Open daily in summer. 220 Culver St, Saugatuck, (269) 8571868. H, L, D, V, MC, AE $ CORNER BAR — Rockford’s much-loved spot for a brew and a chili dog, with hall-of-fame status for quantity gorging. Bar fare includes burgers, sandwiches, soups, nibbles, etc. 31 N Main St, Rockford, 866-9866. rockfordcornerbar.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE ¢ THE COTTAGE BAR — Longtime favorite since 1927. Famous Cottage burgers and fries, signature chili, house-made soups and sandwiches, daily specials, imported beers, full bar and cordial atmosphere. Closed Sun. 8 LaGrave Ave SE, 4549088. cottagebar.biz. L, D, C, V, MC, AE ¢ THE CURRAGH — Downtown Holland traditional Irish pub features all the fun foods, spirits, music

and environment of Old World Ireland. Enjoy a pint and authentic Irish fare from a full menu. Outdoor seating, live entertainment, valet parking. 73 E 8th St, Holland, (616) 393-6340. curraghhol land.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC ¢-$$ ELBOW ROOM BAR & GRILL — Cozy neighborhood watering hole with bar food to match: burgers, sandwiches, nachos, salads, chicken fingers, etc. Open daily 10 am-2 am. Play darts, Golden Tee or the jukebox. 501 Fuller Ave NE, 454-6666. H, L, D, C, V, MC ¢-$ FLANAGAN’S — Popular Irish pub. Imported beers, 20 on tap. Homemade soups and stews, specialty sandwiches, munchies and entrées with an Irish influence. Frequent live music. Closed Sun. 139 Pearl St NW, 454-7852. flanagansgr. com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, DC ¢ FOUNDERS BREWING CO. — Sip microbrew samples in the spacious taproom, serpentine bar and stage for live music Thu and Sat. Expanded menu features sandwiches and light pub fare. Covered (heated) porch. 235 Grandville Ave SW, 776-1195. foundersbrewing.com. H, L (11-2 MonFri), 3, V, MC, AE, DS ¢ GP SPORTS — Sports bar and restaurant with three big screens and 40 flat-screen TVs. Menu features create-your-own pizzas and burgers, along with salads and sandwiches. Closed Sun. Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 776-6495. amway $ grand.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS GRAND WOODS LOUNGE — Year-round alfresco dining complete with fireplace. Eclectic menu selections mix with upscale takes on comfort foods. Live entertainment, pool tables, spacious bar. 77 Grandville Ave SW, 451-4300. grandwoods $-$$ lounge.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS THE HOLIDAY BAR — Classic 40-foot horseshoe bar with nine HD TVs, 12 beers on tap, a variety of appetizers and homemade “porter” pulled pork. Fun atmosphere with pool tables, darts, Golden Tee, Nudgemaster and Club Keno. 801 5th St NW (at Alpine Ave), 456-9058. On Facebook. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS c-$ HOLLY’S BACK DOOR BAR & GRILL — Fullservice menu and good selection of munchies at the bar in the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel. Opens 5 pm; closed Sun & Mon. 255 28th St SW, 241-1417. hojogr.com. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, DS $ HOPCAT — Crafted brews with close to 50 beers on tap and 150 bottled. Full bar, and tasty fare including appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrées from meatloaf to mussels. Open daily. 25 Ionia Ave SW, 451-4677. hopcatgr.com. H, L (SatSun), D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ HUB’S INN — Sandwiches, burgers, wet burritos and thin-crust pizza. Closed Sun. 1645 Leonard St NW, 453-3571. hubsinn.com. H, L, D, C ¢ INTERSECTION CAFÉ — Roomy entertainment venue offers sandwich wraps and panini, great burgers, quesadilla selections, soups, salads, appetizers, flatbread pizza, vegetarian options. Full bar. 133 Grandville Ave SW, 459-0977. sectionlive.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC ¢ JD REARDON’S — Restaurant and lounge in The Boardwalk offers American, Southwest, Thai and more, with nibbles, soups, sandwiches, dinnersize salads, steaks and other appealing entrées. Banquet facilities; outdoor seating. 940 Monroe Ave NW, 454-8590. jdreardons.com. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, DS $-$$

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City guide

Allergy-friendly foods Four years ago, Sean DenHerder started eating gluten-free as part of a healthier lifestyle. But finding a variety of products to support his new diet was a hassle. So two years ago, he founded Saffrons, a market that specializes in selling gluten-free foods. “I obviously wanted to try and make gluten-free products easily accessible,” he said. “My goal in starting the store was to make it a one-stop shop for people, and I think I’ve accomplished that.” Working with both local and national

J gardella’s taVern — Massive antique bar is matched by gargantuan menu ranging from homemade chips to build-your-own burger. Three floors of seating. open sun for arena events. 11 ionia ave sw, 459-8824. jgardellas tavern.com. h, l, D, C, 3, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢ logan’s alley — Free popcorn complements a premium-libation special in these cozy digs. From two Reubens to a garden burger, the 18-item sandwich-and-appetizer menu even lists pizza rolls. seasonal deck seating. open daily. 916 Michigan st ne, 458-1612. logansalley.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ MIll creek taVern — Comstock park’s cozy eatery offers appetizers, from-scratch daily soups, sandwiches, wraps, burgers and wet burritos, as well as full dinner options. Full bar with separate dining room. 3874 west River Dr, 7843806. h, l, D, C, v, MC, Ds ¢-$ MoJo’s — lively dueling piano bar and restaurant open for dinner at 5 pm wed-sat, with starters, pastas, sandwiches, salads and reasonably priced entrées, plus late night “munchy menu.” Rsvp for dinner early, show starts at 8 pm wedThu, 7 pm Fri-sat, DJ, dancing, pool tables, vip Room and flat-screen Tvs on 2nd floor. 180 Monroe ave nw, 776-9000. mojospianobar.com. h, D (wed-sat), C, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$

PhOtOgraPhy by MichaeL bucK

neW holland breWIng co. — Munchies, salads, pizza and sandwiches augment a wide array of handcrafted beer. 15-minute lunch menu. beer and wine only. Closed sun. 66 e 8th st, holland. (616) 355-6422. newhollandbrew.com. h, l, D, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ nIte cap bar & grIll — Roomy and bright with outdoor patio, pool tables, video games, bigscreen Tvs, Keno and karaoke Thu-sat evenings. Daily drink specials, soups, salads, sandwiches, subs, flame-broiled burgers, Mexican selections and dinners. 801 w Fulton st, 451-4243. nitecap bar.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC ¢ peppIno’s rIstorante pIZZerIa and sports lounge — Contemporary ambience, separate sports bar. italian specialties and pizza, char-grilled sicilian-style steak and chicken, burgers, etc. 5053 lake Michigan Dr nw, allendale, 895-1615. Family-friendly peppino’s sports lounge in downtown gR, 130 ionia ave sw, 4568444. peppinospizza.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$$

distributors, Saffrons, 4196 Plainfield Ave. NE, sells almost 1,000 food products, with new deliveries coming in each week. Specializing in gluten-free, vegan and allergyfriendly foods, the store has labels on all products to help customers find exactly what they are looking for. “We have a lot of clients that come to buy allergy-friendly foods,” DenHerder said. “So our labels might say ‘gluten-free’ or ‘soy-free’ to make their

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. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae ¢-$ pub 43 — Cozy atmosphere caters to all, but is especially popular with artists and the gay crowd. board games, more than a dozen Tvs, fully stocked bar with usual bar fare from burgers to more upscale items. Jukebox, occasional live entertainment. open daily at 3 pm. 43 s Division ave, 458-2205. h, D, C, v, MC ¢-$ Queen’s pub sports bar — adjacent to bombay Cuisine in eastown with english pub grub, full bar and lots of beers on tap. big-screen Tvs, pool table, dart boards, wireless connection. 14201424 lake Dr se, 456-7055. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ QuInn & tuIte’s IrIsh pub — one of the largest selections of irish whiskies in the area and guinness on tap. Traditional irish music, Celtic rock, open mic Fri eves, live bands sat. Typical bar fare includes burgers, brats, sandwiches, munchies. 1535 plainfield ave ne, 363-8380. quinnand tuites.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC ¢-$ rocky’s bar & grIll — burgers, appetizers, fried fish baskets, sandwiches and more. art Deco bar, pool table. Kitchen open late; check for evening entertainment. open daily, sun at 5 pm with $1 beer specials. 633 ottawa ave nw, 356-2346. myspace.com/rockysgr. h, l, D, C, v, MC ¢-$ saZerac lounge — new orleans-style lounge featuring bar food with a Cajun bent. live entertainment sat nights. open for lunch Tue-sat, Mon at 4 pm. 1418 plainfield ave ne, 451-0010. myspace.com/sazeraclounge. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae $ the score — Restaurant and sports bar with a wide-ranging menu that includes pizza, ribs, hand-cut steaks, seafood, chicken and comfort dishes like meatloaf. 5301 northland Dr ne, 3010600. thescore-restaurant.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ shaMrock bar & grIll — small but interesting menu offers choices such as coconut shrimp and house-made tortilla soup in addition to burgers and steak. open daily at 11 am. 2501 wilson ave nw, 735-3888. h, l, D, C, v, MC ¢-$

shopping a little easier.” Purchases can also be made online at saffronsglutenfree.com.

shepards grIll & taVern — affordably priced appetizers, salads, burgers, signature sandwiches, fresh lake perch and Kobe top sirloin in attractive surroundings. open daily. weekday happy hour drink specials 3-6:30 p.m. Cascade Center, 6246 28th st se, 350-9604. on Facebook. h, l, D, C, v, MC, Ds ¢-$ stella’s lounge — Mostly vegan menu but a stuffed burger for carnivores. advertises strong drinks and more than 200 whiskies. 53 Commerce ave, 742-4444. stellasgr.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, DC ¢-$ teaZers bar & grIll — burgers and pastas, sandwiches, salads and southwestern bites. Kids menu. look for live music on the stage. open daily. 819 ottawa ave nw, 459-2481. teazersbar. com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae ¢-$ VItale’s sports lounge & pIZZerIa — serving pizza and pasta plus legendary panini sandwiches and wraps in sports-centric surroundings. Multiple screens, outside deck, live entertainment, 29 beers on tap. open daily. 3868 west River Dr ne, Comstock park, 784-2526, takeout 784-5011. vitalessportsbar.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae ¢-$ West sIde bar — no-frills neighborhood tavern with bar-food menu that includes the hog burger, a half-pound burger made fresh daily and stacked with a choice of ham or bacon and all the fixings. live entertainment weekends. 1568 broadway nw, 459-1240. h, l, D, C, v, MC ¢ Z’s — sports-themed eatery known for its ribs. soup-salad-sandwich lunches. Features 43-foot bar and multiple Tvs. Carry-out available. 168 louis Campau promenade nw, 454-3141. zsbar. com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae ¢-$

Delis, Dogs & Bagels Places that serve sandwiches, bagels and/or hot dogs. bagel beanery — all locations bake a variety of bagels and serve great breakfast and deli sandwiches. vegetarian options, soups, salads and specialty coffees. Catering, kids meals, free wi-Fi, outdoor seating. 455 Michigan st ne, 235-7500; 2845 breton Rd se, 245-4220; 5316 Clyde park ave sw, wyoming, 249-9500. bagelbeanery.

Continued on page 66

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City guide: Chef profile

Sandwich as art JuStin gOLinSKi, WhO heaDS uP the Kitchen at fOunDerS breWing cO., iS Part chef/ Part MuSician anD a tOtaLLy nice guy. by JulIe burch

or the past five years, Chef Justin Golinski has been elevating sandwich making to a fine art at Founders Brewing Co. His happy-heart approach reflects in the ever-busy kitchen that he helped design, where you will most likely find him whistling or singing along with the stereo. He is newly wed to Julie, who works in the retail store at Founders. His artistic flair extends beyond the kitchen to include a love of music. He plays guitar and is in two local rock and roll bands: Chance Jones and Bram n. Dexous. Originally from Grosse Pointe, Golinski moved to West Michigan in the fall of ’98 when he enrolled at Grand Valley State University to study communications. “I kept gravitating toward working in kitchens because it wasn’t a normal desk-jobtype thing,” he said. “I marched to the beat of a different drummer, if you will.” He honed his skills at GVSU’s The Meadows golf course, also working as the banquet sous chef at The BOB. Later he became sous chef at The Ada Grill, an opportunity that let his creativity soar.

founders’

beer cheese dip

preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine and mix all of the ingredients thoroughly in a casserole dish. bake for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring halfway through baking. serve with crostinis, toast points and/or tortilla chips.

PhOtOgraPhy by MichaeL bucK

1 pound cream cheese (softened) 1 ounce smoked gouda cheese (grated) 6 ounces Founders Centennial ipa ½-ounce fresh baby spinach ½ medium-sized red bell pepper (diced) 1 garlic clove (minced) 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon italian seasoning

64 Grand rapids OctOber 2011

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City guide: Chef profile

Vi n e y a r d s & Wine Cellar

A great wine experience is close at hand. Visit Fenn Valley Vineyards & Wine Cellar, where you can sample from over 25 award winning wines. You’ll discover what we mean when we say it’s

“the lake effect everyone loves.”

PhOtOgraPhy by MichaeL bucK

the founders’ team includes: front row, from left, giovanni Jovanovic, amy Vanelsacker, Phil Vanelsacker; center, Mike Wilcox, Justin golinski (standing) and nathaniel Mabie; back row, blake carlyon, b.J. boyette, todd bouwman and Justin Miller.

Then, to use his words, “Serendipity walked in.” Founders wanted to expand its food service and contacted Golinski. He experimented with a deli menu, and in 2007, when Founders relocated to Grandville Avenue SW, his kitchen crew grew along with the volume of visitors. how would you describe your culinary style? It would be improper to say that I don’t believe in fusion. In the world of culinary arts, that is the only way to go anymore, it seems. All the classical styles that are out there need to have their respect paid to them, but being able to fuse those styles with others is really where I see the future of culinary arts going. how would you describe the menu at founders Brewing Co.? People always expect the answer to be burgers, fries, fish and chips — typical pub food fare. But we don’t have a grill and we don’t have deep fryers. We have toaster ovens and put out great sandwiches. are the sandwiches made as a companion to a specific brew? At first I kept the beer companion in mind, like our Blushing Monk sandwich with cranberry chicken salad, provolone and smoked Gouda. I wanted to pair it with the Blushing Monk that we had on draft at the time. Curmudgeon was another that we had on tap, which was really malty, so I made the Curmudgeon sandwich with smoked

turkey, Colby jack cheese, red onion, baby spinach, sauerkraut and horseradish sauce on rye to play off the maltiness. It’s opportunities like that that are fun to play around with. Do you have a philosophy that guides you? Simplicity is king. There really is something to be said about olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. You can dress anything with those items and make the best thing you’ve ever had in your life. But don’t get me wrong: I still love playing around with all the different incredible products from around the world. what five ingredients do you keep stocked at home? Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce; Sriracha; redskin potatoes, because I am a master mashed-potato maker — just ask my wife; garlic; onions; and butter. Do you have a signature dish or a favorite to make? Out of all the sandwiches, the Louis A. Cornelius is my favorite. It’s my own take on a Rueben with a classic corned beef, sauerkraut and Thousand Island combination, but adding roasted chicken, cheddar and cream cheeses. tell us about the recipe you’re sharing with us here. We haven’t shared the recipe for our beer cheese dip before, and it’s been requested several times. It’s definitely our biggest seller out of the kitchen and is a very popular item. gr

Enjoy our popular educational wine tasting tours in the vineyard, free wine tasting in the tasting room and winery direct discounts.

grmag

6130 - 122nd Ave. Fennville, MI 49408 800-432-6265 fennvalley.com OctOber 2011 Grand rapids 65

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City Guide Continued fom page 63 com. H, B, L, D, 3, V, MC, AE, DC, DS

¢-$

BIG APPLE BAGELS — Fresh bagels and 15 cream cheese mixtures. Choose your bagel to wrap around the sandwiches or breakfast options, or build your own from the deli. 3915 Plainfield Ave NE, 364-1919; 2058 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 735-2390; 6670 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 554-7915. babcorp.com. H, B, L, D, 3 ¢ BIGGBY COFFEE — East Lansing-based chain offers specialty coffee and non-coffee drinks, fresh-daily selection of baked goods, fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, bagel sandwiches. Wi-Fi, seasonal outdoor seating. More than a dozen locations in West Michigan (see website): www.biggby.com. ¢ BITE — Deli side of Ottawa Tavern features daily soups, big wraps, salads and build-yourown burgers. Weekday Happy Hour drink and appetizer specials 4-7 pm. Closed Sun. 151 Ottawa Ave NW, 451-8000. thegilmorecollection. com/bite.php. H, B, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$$

227 Winter Ave NW, 459-6257. ferriscoffee.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE ¢ THE GRAND CONEY — Home-style dinners, burgers, salads, sandwiches, Mexican fare, desserts and all-day breakfast in addition to authentic Coney Island hot dogs. Open 24/7. 809 Michigan St NE, 776-5580. On Facebook. H, B, L, D ¢ JERSEY JUNCTION — Sandwiches, ice cream treats, candies and hot dogs served in old-fashioned “soda shop” atmosphere. Open daily in season beginning March 1. 652 Croswell Ave SE, Gaslight Village, EGR, 458-4107. jerseyjunction. com. H, L, D ¢ JONNY B’Z DOGS AND MORE — Southern-style, all-meat chili dogs on Texas-toast-style buns: fatty’s (all beef), skinny’s (all turkey) hotdogs, house-made gumbo, burgers, “cajon” sausage, smoked brisket, sandwiches, vegan dogs, vegetarian chili; lots of toppings; modern-retro ambience. Closed Sun, open until 2 am Thu-Sat. 638 Wealthy St SE. On Facebook. L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢

BITTER END — Full array of specialty coffee drinks, bagels, muffins, pastries and deli sandwiches in atmosphere of a 1930s French café. Free Wi-Fi. Open 24/7. 752 W Fulton St, 4516061. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE ¢

JW’S — Art gallery meets coffeehouse with rotation of local artists’ works. Specializing in light, health-conscious lunch fare, plus every coffee drink under the sun. Closed Sun. Free Wi-Fi. 850 Forest Hill Ave SE, 285-1695. On Facebook. H, B, L, 3, V, MC, AE, DS ¢

BOARDWALK SUBS — 20 huge Jersey-style subs using family-recipe Italian dressing and specialty meats such as capicola and prostitini in addition to familiar choices. Also soups, chili, salads, chips, fresh-baked cookies, ice cream and kids meals. Take out or eat in. Catering and delivery. Open daily. 5422 S Division Ave, Kentwood, 7242492. H, L, D, V, MC ¢

KAVA HOUSE — Uniquely GR. Popular Eastown spot with bakery items (known for the scones) and java served in bowl-sized cups. Plenty of seating (outdoors, too). Bakery includes homemade pizzas, spinach pies, sausage rolls and soup. 1445 Lake Dr SE, 451-8600. On Facebook. H, B, L, D, 3, V, MC ¢

CAFÉ SCALA — Tre Cugini’s cousin in the Ledyard Building offers sandwiches and other Euro nibbles at reasonable prices. Open 11:30 am-2:30 pm Mon-Fri. 125 Ottawa Ave NW, 2359115. trecugini.com. H, L, V, MC, AE, DS, DC ¢ CHERRY DELI — Extensive menu offers more than 50 sandwiches, a dozen salads, five soups, with catering and takeout options. Outdoor patio; closed Sun. 834 Cherry St SE, 459-6182. cherry deli.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ CORNUCOPIA — Bakery, sandwich spot, pizzeria, take-home specialties, lunch buckets, freshground coffees, one-of-a-kind wine selection. Open daily. Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 776-6428. amwaygrand.com. H, B, L, D, 3, V, MC, AE ¢-$ CRAZY CHARLIE’S — Coney Island-style dogs plus a daily soup, chips, shakes, slushies, fountain drinks and soft-serve ice cream service with walkup window on Bagley Ave in warmer months. 2184 Wealthy St SE, 451-6720. H, L, D, V, MC ¢ DAM DOGS — On the dam in downtown Rockford serving everyone’s favorite variation on the hot dog theme in old-time surroundings, plus ice cream. 51 E Bridge St, Rockford, 863-9565. H, L, ¢ D THE DOG PIT — Every variation on a hot dog, with house-made chili topping a specialty. Large variety of condiments. Also daily soups. Closed Sun. 132 Monroe Center NW, 988-1508. On Facebook. H, L, D ¢ FERRIS COFFEE AND NUT CO. — Breakfast and light lunch items in Plaza Towers on West Fulton. Both locations feature global gourmet coffees, nut selections and sweet treats. Gift baskets available at Winter Ave location. 235 W Fulton St,

LOCAL MOCHA — Downtown location offers favorite coffee specialties and smoothies as well as grilled breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Closed Sun. Free Wi-Fi. 96 Monroe Center NW, 4590082. localmochagr.com. H, B, L, V, MC, AE ¢ MAMA’S PIZZA & GRINDERS — Busy spot in Thornhills Plaza offering large grinders (halfsize available), pizza, salads and pasta selection. 6504 28th St SE, 954-1964. mamaspizza andgrinders.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢ NUNZIA’S CAFÉ — Combo specials of soups, chili, salads, sandwiches, pasta and Italian dishes. In Merrill Lynch building by Calder Plaza. Open 11 am-3 pm weekdays. 250 Monroe Ave NW, No. ¢ 140, 458-1533. H, L, V, MC, AE, DS OLGA’S KITCHEN — Greek-style wrapped sandwiches, salads and desserts, with uniquely flavored fries, appetizers, smoothies and desserts. Open daily. 2213 Wealthy St SE, 4560600; 3195 28th St, 942-8020; 3700 Rivertown Parkway SW, Grandville, 531-6572. olgaskitch ¢ en.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ONE STOP CONEY SHOP — Hot dogs plus salads, sandwiches, fries and house-made original condiments in downtown GR. Open 11 am-9 pm Mon-Sat. 154 E Fulton, 233-9700. onestop coneyshop.com. H, L, D, V, MC ¢ RAMONA’S TABLE — EGR deli with selections made from scratch: soups, sandwiches, salads, baked items and meals from 8 am-8 pm Mon-Sat; takeout and catering. 2232 Wealthy St SE, 4598500. ramonastable.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ RITZ KONEY BAR & GRILLE — Hot dogs, gourmet sandwiches, burgers, wraps and salads plus chicken fingers, nachos, wings and fries. Full bar

with limited wine list. Closed Sun. 64 Ionia Ave SW, 451-3701. ritzkoneybarandgrille.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC ¢-$ SCHNITZ DELICATESSEN — Deli with a German flair. Sandwiches, creamy potato salad and fudgy brownies. All available for takeout. Closed Sun. 1315 E Fulton St, 451-4444; Schnitz East, 597 Ada Dr SE, 682-4660; Schnitz South, 1529 Langley St SE, 281-5010. schnitzdeli.com. H, L, D, 3, V, MC ¢-$ URBAN MILL CAFÉ — Deli-style, grilled and baked specialty sandwiches on freshly baked breads. Top-notch soups, salads, desserts, baked goods. 629 Michigan St NE, 855-1526. urbanmill.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE ¢-$ VANILLAS COFFEE TEA CAFÉ — Gourmet coffees, teas, smoothies and pastries. Special-order bakery for cakes, cookies, cupcakes. Check out the dollar menu. Closed Sun. 3150 Plainfield Ave NE, Plainfield Plaza, 447-0080. vanillascafe.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢ WEALTHY STREET BAKERY — Fresh breads, cinnamon rolls and pastries in reclaimed, roomy location, with sandwiches and daily soup specials. Club, specialty and vegetarian sandwiches on fresh-baked breads. Free Wi-Fi. Closed Sun. 608 Wealthy St SE, 301-2950. wealthystreetbakery. com. H, B, L, V, MC, AE, DS ¢ WG GRINDERS — Oven-baked gourmet grinders, excellent variety of deli and signature salads, soups and desserts. A few hot pasta selections. Catering, delivery and takeout. Closed Sun. Esplanade Center, 5769 28th St SE, 974-3354. wggrinders.com. H, L, D, 3, V, MC, AE, ¢-$ DS WINDY CITY GRILLE — Authentic Chicago-style sandwiches: gyros, Italian beef, Chicago dogs and more. Greek and chicken salads, soups and, with 24-hour notice, will make tabbouleh to suit. Cozy atmosphere peppered with Chicago photos. Closed Sun; will cater. 5751 Byron Center Ave. SW, Wyoming, 261-2489. On Facebook. H, L, D, V, MC, (AE w/$50 purchase), DS ¢ WIRED ESPRESSO BAR — A gamut of coffee concoctions, espresso-based beverages, baked goods, sandwiches and more in Creston Business District. Free wireless Internet and occasional live weekend entertainment. 1503 Plainfield Ave NE, 805-5245. wiredgr.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢ YESTERDOG — Uniquely GR. The city’s favorite hot dogs in a fun, nostalgic Eastown setting. Try the Ultradog. Closed Sun. 1505 Wealthy St SE, 262-3090. yesterdog.com. L, D ¢

European ALPENROSE — European-inspired restaurant with fare ranging from Certified Aged Black Angus steaks to poultry and fish dishes. Five private dining rooms, banquet facility, bakery and café. Award-winning Sun brunch buffet. 4 E 8th St, Holland, (616) 393-2111. alpenroseres taurant.com. H, B, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DC, DS, RSVP ¢-$$ -AMORE TRATTORIA ITALIANA — Authentic regional Italian dishes using local produce, meats and cheeses as well as Italian imports. House-made desserts. Banquet facility available. Closed Mon; no lunch Sat. 5080 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park. 785-5344. amoretratto

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angela’s ItalIan restaurant & pIZZerIa — a sparta favorite since 1983 for authentic italian dinners, pizza, stromboli, subs and desserts in comfortable surroundings. lunch buffet, full-service bar. Delivery and catering available. Closed sun. 240 e Division, sparta, (616) 8871913. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ bIg bob’s pIZZa — a local favorite pizza parlor in egR’s gaslight village with wine and beer on tap in comfortable surroundings, or to go. 661 Croswell se, 233-0123. bigbobspizza.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds $ bella MIa pIZZerIa & ItalIan grIll — italian dishes and new York-style pizza (even dessert pizzas) in roomy, window-fronted dining room. Daily lunch buffet. 6333 Kalamazoo ave se, suite 450, 554-9930. h, l, D, v, MC ¢-$ brIck road pIZZa — a nice selection of pasta, pizza, salads, desserts and vegan specialties. buffet available at lunch. Meatball crust specialty. open daily. 1017 wealthy st se, 719-2409. brick roadpizza.com. h, l, D, v, MC ¢-$ FlorentIne pIZZerIa & sports lounge — spacious location features italian fare with american and Mexican choices in addition to thincrust pizzas. Ten beers on tap. big-screen Tvs, pool tables, darts, video games, Foosball. 4261 Kalamazoo ave se, 455-2230. florentinespizza. com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ FlorentIne rIstorante — italian and american cuisine. pizza and pasta served in the lounge until midnight; full-menu dinner 4-10 pm. Closed sun. 3245 28th st sw, 534-5419. florentin eingrandville.com. h, l, D, C, 3, v, MC, ae, DC $

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Franco’s pIZZerIa — spaghetti, manicotti, lasagna, stromboli plus pizza and subs with fresh ingredients. limited seating, takeout available (delivery offered). Cash only; open daily. 2103 alpine ave nw, 361-7307. h, l, D ¢-$ FrankIe V’s pIZZerIa & sports bar — Roomy space with pool tables, jukebox, covered patio. appetizers, subs, stromboli, pizza, pasta entrées, plus burgers and Mexican. weekday lunch buffet. Tap your own 100-ounce beer tower. 1420 28th st sw, 532-8998. frankievs.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ Fred’s pIZZa and ItalIan restaurant — long-time favorite offers italian fare, including fresh pasta and gourmet pizza. Full-service bar. Closed sun. 3619 plainfield ave ne, 361-8994. fredspizza.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae ¢-$ FrIcano’s pIZZa restaurant — Famous for its thin-crust pizza. also, pasta dinners with a sauce that has made its way to the retail market. Closed sun. 5808 alpine ave nw, Comstock park, 785-5800. fricanospizza.com. h, D, C ¢-$ g.r.p.d. — grand Rapids pizza & Delivery offers award-winning traditional, stuffed and specialty pizzas emphasizing fresh ingredients. Delivery Thu-sat until 2:30 a.m. open daily, with a handful of tables for dining in. 340 state st, (616) 7424773. grandrapidspizza.net. h, l, D, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ MangIaMo — historic mansion houses family-friendly italian eatery. steaks and seafood in addition to pasta and pizza. open daily for dinner; extensive wine list, evening entertainment. 1033 lake Dr se, 742-0600. thegilmore collection.com/mangiamo.php. h, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds, DC $-$$

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www.contractelectricinc.com OctOber 2011 Grand rapids 67

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City Guide

Gnocchi.

Delicate potato pillows! Made with patience and persistence.

Four-time winner of Grand Rapids Magazine’s Award of Excellence.

www.trecugini.com Cuisine

MARRO’S — Authentic Italian fare and housebaked goods, extensive array of pizza toppings. Open mid-April through autumn; closed Mon. 147 Waters St, Saugatuck, (269) 857-4248. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$ MONELLI’S RESTAURANT AND SPORTS BAR — Southern Italian cuisine from the folks who own Monelli’s Pizza. Spacious sports bar with big screen TVs; family-friendly dining room with fireplace. 5675 Byron Center Ave, Wyoming, 5309700. monellis.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$

Your taste buds will thank You and keep you coming back to experience the taste of Italy with the fullest of flavors!

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MARINADE’S PIZZA BISTRO — Specialty woodfired pizzas, ethnic salads, sandwiches, appetizers, dips, soups, desserts and coffee. Open daily. 2844 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 453-0200; 109 Courtland St, Rockford, 863-3300; 450 Baldwin, Jenison, 457-7400. marinadespizzabistro.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢

122 Monroe Center St. NW (616) 235-9339

Quality & Selection Second to None!

NOTO’S OLD WORLD ITALIAN DINING — Elegant decor, extensive menu and impeccable service. Offerings include appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, veal, fish and desserts. Special wine cellar dinners in unique surroundings; lounge menu features light fare. Closed Sun. 6600 28th St SE, 493-6686. notosoldworld.com. H, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $-$$ PEREDDIES — Italian fine-dining and a deli with baked breads, salads, meats, pâté, desserts and imported food. Wine list, full bar, wine to go. More casual fare in Scusi lounge. Closed Sun. 447 Washington Ave, Holland, (616) 394-3061. pereddiesrestaurant.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DC $-$$ PIETRO’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE — Regional and contemporary Italian cuisine. Fresh-baked breads, Tuscan wines, desserts and cappuccinos. Nightly features. Kids menu, meeting room and takeout available. 2780 Birchcrest Dr SE, 452-3228. rcfc.com/pietros. H, L, D, 3, V, MC, AE, $ DS RESTAURANT TOULOUSE — Seasonally inspired menu with French classics such as cassoulet and bouillabaisse. Delectable appetizers and desserts. Award-winning wines. Hours vary seasonally; private parties can be arranged. Sun brunch during summer. 248 Culver St, Saugatuck, (269) 857-1561. restauranttoulouse. com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, RSVP $$ SALVATORE’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT — Sicilian and southern Italian fare using family recipes. Separate sports bar; patio seating. Weekday lunch buffet. All menu items, beer and wine available to go. Delivery and catering. Closed Sun. 654 Stocking Ave NW, 454-4280. salva ¢-$ toresgr.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS

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SAN CHEZ, A TAPAS BISTRO — Legendary downtown hotspot offers Spanish bill of fare focusing on tapas-style appetizers, side dishes and entrées. Extensive wine and beer list includes Spanish varieties and sherry. 38 W Fulton St, 7748272. sanchezbistro.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, DS $-$$

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SEASONAL GRILLE — Hastings’ Italian-themed eatery features fresh, locally sourced, creative fare in handsome surroundings. Full bar, craft cocktails, nice wine list. Open daily. 150 W State St, Hastings, (269) 948-9222. seasonalgrille. com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $

5319 Lake Michigan Dr., Allendale (1 mile W. of GVSU) 616.895.4363

TRE CUGINI — Authentic high-end Italian menu, impressive wine list, fresh daily pastas and risotto specialties, plus beef, veal, lamb, chicken and

www.broenefurniture.com

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City Guide seafood dishes. Outdoor seating in mild weather. Closed Sun. 122 Monroe Center, 235-9339. trecug ini.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$

specialty selections (and name-your-spice-level options). Closed Mon. 1717 28th St SW, Wyoming, 534-5010. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$

TWO TONYS TAVERNA GRILLE — Italian, Greek and American specialties with full-service bar, extensive wine list. Menu includes wood-fired pizzas and nightly specials. Artsy ambience, open kitchen and large patio. Closed Sun. 723 E Savidge Rd, Spring Lake, (616) 844-0888. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $

BANGKOK TASTE — Features fresh Thai fare at reasonable prices. Nice lunch buffet, with Pad Thai, Thai curry and Thai fried rice prepared fresh daily. Closed Sun. 674 Baldwin St, Jenison, 6678901; 15 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, 356¢-$ 5550. bangkoktaste.com. H, L, D, V, MC

UCCELLO’S RISTORANTE — Pizzeria, grill and sports lounge with Italian cuisine, American dishes and an array of freshly baked pizzas. Open daily. 2630 East Beltline Ave SE, 954-2002; 4787 Lake Michigan Dr NW, 735-5520; 8256 Broadmoor SE, 891-5958. uccellos.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, DS ¢-$ VITALE’S — The original. Traditional Italian ristorante serving regional dishes from family recipes since 1966. Open daily. 834 Leonard St NE, 458-8368 (Vitale’s Sports Lounge next door, 458-2090), takeout 458-3766. theoriginal ¢-$ vitales.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE VITALE’S OF ADA — Multi-regional, upscale, from-scratch menu in the trattoria style of modern-day Italy. Family-friendly atmosphere; microbews to martinis in separate sports pub. Open daily. 400 Ada Dr SE, Ada, 676-5400. vitalesada.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE ¢-$

BANGKOK VIEW — Thai food and Chinese fare. Lunch buffet. Closed Mon. 1233 28th St SW, 531-

8070. bangkokviewthaifood.com. L, D, V, MC ¢-$ BEIJING KITCHEN — Extensive menu featuring Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisines at reasonable prices. Cashew chicken is a specialty. Lunch specials priced at $5.95. Open daily. 342 State St SE, 458-8383. beijingkitchengr.com. H, L, D, V, MC ¢-$ BLUE GINGER ASIAN KITCHEN — Extensive menu is vegetarian-friendly. Noodle-based Thai dishes, chicken, seafood, beef and pork entrees, curries. Open daily. 5751 Byron Center

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VITALE’S PIZZERIA — Multiple locations serving pizza and pasta from original Vitale family recipes. 59 W Washington St, Zeeland, (616) 772-5900, vitaleszeeland.com; 4676 32nd Ave, Hudsonville, 662-2244, vitaleshudsonville.com (no alcohol served); 5380 S Division Ave, Kentwood, 5308300. vitales.us. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE ¢-$

Asian Including Thai and Indian fare. ABACUS — Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine; buffets at lunch, dinner and all day on weekends. Nice cocktail selection. Open daily. 2675 28th St SW, 530-3300. H, L, D, C, V, MC, DS, DC ¢-$ AKASAKA SUSHI — Sushi plus Korean and Japanese offerings in low-key atmosphere in the Cascade Centre. Occasional sushi classes offered. Closed Sun. 6252 28th St SE, 977-0444. H, L, D, V, MC ¢-$ ALPINE TERIYAKI AND SUSHI — Sushi selections with some deep-fried roll options, shrimp tempura and more, all masterfully presented. Pleasant, diminutive surroundings; closed Sun. 4089 Alpine Ave NW, 647-9935. H, L, D, V, MC, DS ¢-$ ANGEL’S THAI CAFÉ — Extensive Thai fare; menu includes a your-choice stir-fry option from a long list of ingredients. Vegetarian-friendly, fromscratch sauces. Pleasant surroundings. Open daily. 136 Monroe Center NW, 454-9801. angelsth aicafe.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP ¢-$ ASIAN PALACE — Chinese and Vietnamese fare with extensive menus for each cuisine. Family owned and operated. Try the “Bo 7 Mon” specialty, a seven-course beef sampling. Closed Mon. 825 28th St SW, 534-7770. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS, DC ¢-$ BANGKOK PALACE — Wide selection of traditional Thai, noodle and curry dishes with vegetarian, chicken, seafood, beef, pork, duck and chef

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Thank you. From the day we formed Kuiper Orlebeke PC, it has been our motto to do our best, to work smarter, harder and better than everyone, every day, for every client. We’re honored and humbled that Grand Rapids Magazine readers voted us “Best Grand Rapids Law Firm.” Get to know the attorneys at Kuiper Orlebeke. You’ll get our best. Every day.

ave (bayberry Market strip mall), 261-8186. blue gingergr.com. h, l, D, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ boMbay cuIsIne — indian fare includes tandoori and vindaloo dishes spiced to diner’s satisfaction. naan (bread) is cooked to order. Full bar service, eight beers on tap, live music Thu-sat eves. Takeout available. Closed Tue. 1420 lake Dr se, 456-7055. on Facebook. h, l, D, C, v, MC $ chIna cheF — Family-style Chinese restaurant in standale strip mall with some innovative dishes. szechuan-style entrées are popular. hunan choices, too. Closed Mon. 4335 lake Michigan Dr nw, 791-4488. h, l, D, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ chIna cIty — nice selection of Chinese cuisine. lo mein is a specialty, along with hong Kong-style chow mein noodles. lunch prices all day Tue; free soup and egg roll sun; closed Mon. 5299 eastern ave se, 257-7038. h, l, D, v, MC, Ds ¢-$ chIna gourMet buFFet — Daily lunch and dinner buffets with more than 100 items to choose from. Dinner buffet served all day on weekends; discount for seniors; special prices for children 10 and under. open daily. 2030 28th st sw, 2521379. h, l, D, v, MC ¢-$

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chIna Inn — Menu includes Mandarin, szechuan, hunan and Cantonese cuisine; cocktails served at west shore Drive location only. open all week at two locations: 2863 west shore Dr, holland, (616) 786-9230; 1080 lincoln ave, holland, (616) 395-8383. chinainnrestaurants. com. l, D, v, MC $ chIna palace — Chinese eateries with all the amenities; large selection of popular dishes. open daily. 3330 alpine ave nw, 785-9668; 3633 eastern ave se, 246-9966. h, l, D, v, MC, ae, Ds $ chInatoWn restaurant and Japanese steak house — Chinese and Japanese cuisine with tabletop, benihana-style meals available. lunch and dinner buffets. Full bar service. open daily. 69 28th st sw, 452-3025. chinatowngrand rapids.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC ¢-$ chIna Wong — no-frills ambience serving authentic Chinese fare from spicy hunan and Kung-po dishes. open daily. 6719 s Division ave, 281-8816. h, l, D, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$

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chIna yI Wang — Chinese dishes including seafood, beef, poultry and chef specialties, combination plates and spicy hunan dishes. open daily. 1947 eastern ave se, 241-3885. h, l, D, v, MC ¢-$

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east garden buFFet — Cantonese, hunan, szechuan cuisine in Kentwood. open daily with buffet and large menu selection. 6038 Kalama-zoo ave se, 698-8933. h, l, D, v, MC ¢-$

Men’s & Women’s

eMpIre chInese buFFet II — Full scale, all-youcan-eat Chinese buffet served all day. More than 80 freshly made items, reasonably priced. special seafood buffet sat-sun. Delivery available. 4255 alpine ave nw, 785-8880. h, l, D, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$

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eMpIre Wok buFFet — More than 150 daily selections of fresh Chinese food, complete with Mongolian barbecue and sushi stations. open daily. 4176 28th st se, 940-9928. h, l, D, v, MC, ae, Ds $ erb thaI — Traditional Thai roots. appetizers, soups, salads, noodle dishes, stir-fried rice, curries, chicken, beef, pork, tofu, shrimp, scallops and crab; desserts, kids’ menu, bubble tea

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City Guide smoothies. Will accommodate special diets: vegetarian, gluten-free, no MSG, etc. Simplistic surroundings. Open daily. 950 Wealthy St SE, Suite 1A, 356-2573. L, D, V, MC, AE, DS, DC ¢ FAR-EAST RESTAURANT — Serving Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean dishes; vegetable-oilonly cooking. Carryout and catering available. Open daily. 3639 Clyde Park Ave SW, 531-7176. L, D, V, MC, DC, DS $ FIRST WOK — Mandarin, Hunan, Szechuan cuisine. Dine-in and take-out seven days a week. Three locations: 2301 44th St SE, 281-0681; 3509 Alpine Ave NW, 784-1616; 6740 Old 28th St SE, 575-9088. firstwokgr.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, RSVP $ FUJI YAMA ASIAN BISTRO — Attractive surroundings offer seating at hibachi grill tables with show-chef preparations, or in the dining room with Chinese, Japanese and Thai selections. Full bar. Open daily. 1501 East Beltline Ave NE, 7191859. letseat.at/fujiyama. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ FORTUNE CHEF — Chinese cuisine and a range of American fare from sandwiches to pork chops and steak. Opens 6 am weekdays, 8 am weekends with breakfast served all day. 9353 Cherry Valley Ave SE, Caledonia, 891-1388. for tunechefcaledonia.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC ¢-$ GOLDEN 28 — Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin cuisine complemented by a Vietnamese menu. Seasonal specialties and family dinners, served in an elegant atmosphere. Closed Mon. 627 28th St SW, Wyoming, 531-2800. H, L, D, V, MC, DS $ GOLDEN DRAGON — Chinese, Mandarin and Japanese cuisines with Japanese steakhouse, occasionally excellent. Closed Sun. 3629 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-1318. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC $ GOLDEN GATE RESTAURANT — Tasty Chinese fare in pleasant, roomy surroundings, affordably priced. All-inclusive lunch combination plates, tasty egg rolls, great sweet-and-sour dishes with some hot and spicy choices. Takeout, too. 4023 S Division Ave, 534-7087. H, L, D, V, MC, AE ¢ GOLDEN WOK — Knapp’s Corner eatery offers wide variety of lunch and dinner options, including Hunan-spiced dishes along with other favorites in a cheery dining room. Open daily. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE, 363-8880. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, ¢-$ DS GRAND LAKES — A wide selection of Chinese dishes and specialties, along with daily lunch combination plates. Take out or dine in, next to Breton Village D&W. Open daily. 1810 Breton Rd SE, 954-2500. H, L, D, V, MC, DS ¢-$ HIBACHI GRILL & SUPREME BUFFET — PanAsian cuisine from sushi to buffet, offering 200plus Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and American dishes at reasonable prices. Watch chefs prepare specialties at the glassed-in hibachi grill. 785 Center Dr NW (Green Ridge Shopping Center), 785-8200. letseat.at/hibachigrillsupremebuffet. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢

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HONG KONG EXPRESS — Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine for dine-in or carry-out. Allyou-can-eat lunch buffet; reasonable prices. Open daily. 150 E Fulton St, 235-3888. H, B, L, D, V, MC ¢-$ HUNAN — Full menu of Chinese options, house

Continued on page 74

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City Guide: Grand Vine

Show me the hybrid grapes

Side-by-side tastings clearly demonstrate that in Missouri and throughout the Midwest, hybrid grape varieties make better wine.

by A. Brian Cain

Missouri, the “show me” state, is successfully resurrecting its oncebooming wine industry. At one time, Missouri was the center of wine production in the United States. Its wines, made from native American grapes grown in and around the Missouri River Valley, were heralded in Europe and the Americas. During Prohibition, the industry died. Once Prohibition was repealed, there was an attempt to restart the industry, but lack of investment capital during the Great Depression made it difficult. In Augusta, where a couple dozen large wineries once stood, only the Mount Pleasant Winery remained, making a fraction of its once bountiful wine production. In nearby Hermann, only Stone Hill managed to put out a few thousand cases of wine. As California became a larger player in the wine industry and as European wines became more readily available in the American marketplace, the taste for sweeter wines made from native grapes diminished. Only the Norton grape (also called Norton’s Virginia Seedling and Cynthiana) could be used to make quality, dry red table wine. The Norton was extremely difficult to establish in a domesticated vineyard setting. It is essentially a wild grape and not well suited to transplanting, training and trellising. Vinifera (European grape vines) that had become the backbone of the California table wine industry did not adapt well to Missouri’s hot and humid summers. It really wasn’t until the reintroduction of the French hybrids (a cross between vinifera and native American grape varieties) in the 1970s that the industry started to rebound. This also parallels Michi-

gan’s resurgence, as Tabor Hill and other vineyards reintroduced hybrids. But hybrids are difficult to market when the industry is driven by such vinifera varieties as Cabernet, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, etc. In the late ’70s, Michigan began its rapid move from hybrids to vinifera. To this day, Missouri has mostly avoided growing vinifera. It is widely believed that it is easier to sell a badly made Cabernet Franc (vinifera) than to go to market with a great bottle of Chambourcin (hybrid) — but not in the “show me” state! Side-by-side tastings clearly demonstrate that in Missouri and throughout the Midwest, hybrid grape varieties make better wine. The challenge is to educate consumers who often believe there is something inherently superior and noble about vinifera varieties. With improvements in horticultural practices, many growers are having success with the native American variety Norton. Once established, it thrives in the muggy Missouri climate. Here are a few examples that show just how good today’s Missouri wines have become. Expect to find Missouri wines in Michigan soon. A. Brian Cain is a certified wine educator and freelance wine writer.

Missouri wines Missouri Chambourcins ($12-$15) Blumenhof 2009 Chambourcin. This wine is dense, dark red, brimming with ripe, wild-berry fruit and so juicy, one would swear it is sweet. Actually, it is completely dry and finishes like velvet. Augusta 2008 Chambourcin. Here is the perfect expression of this grape variety. A touch of new oak tames Chambourcin’s aggressive fruitiness while allowing a cedar-like component to emerge. Stone Hill 2008 Chambourcin. We enjoyed this beauty at a winery’s restaurant while eating sauerbraten and wurst. This dense, black-red wine exhibited finesse and plenty of muscle. Heinrichshaus 2008 Chambourcin. This rustic, Old World-style wine is still handmade by Heinrich himself on a well-drained plateau an hour west of the main wine growing region. Though lighter than and not as hardy as the aforementioned wines, its depth of flavor is not unlike a good Pinot Noir.

Photography by Johnny Quirin

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Fine outdoor living

City Guide: Grand Vine

Courtesy istockphoto.com/Kasiam

Nortons and Cynthianas ($15-$20) Montelle 2009 Cynthiana. This Cyn really captures the essence of Missouri’s terroir with remarkable fruit purity. Blumenhof 2009 Original Cyn. I can only guess that Blumenhof has figured out how to reduce the vigor of this wild vine. Nowhere in Missouri did we find a denser, darker, more opulent red wine. Wonderful now and will really blossom in a few years. Sugar Creek 2009 Cynthiana. Coming from St. Louis, this is the first introduction to Missouri wine along the wine trail. It’s rich, ripe and velvety. Stone Hill Cross J Vineyard 2005 Norton. It’s full, ripe and fruity with a special complex spice and cedar nuance. If one has never tasted Norton, it is hard to imagine the sense of place, fruit and history. “The Wild Vine” by Todd Kliman is a fascinating account of Norton’s role in American history. Other Missouri wines Heinrichshaus 2009 Chardonel. Heinrich’s European training is evident in this Burgundian-style white wine. Like his reds, it is understated, making up in depth what it lacks in power. Montelle 2009 Seyval. We served this next to California and Washington Chardonnays. This Seyval is comparable and a good value. Balducci 2009 Sonata. This is the closest thing to Michigan Riesling one will find in Missouri. They do not grow Riesling, but, fresh, floral, crisp semi-dry wine is alive and well along the Missouri River.

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City Guide soups, plus vermicelli and rice plate options. Open daily. 4242 S Division Ave, 531-0755. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢

and family dinners for groups, efficient service in pleasant surroundings. 1740 44th St SW, 5303377; 1263 Leonard St NE, 458-0977. hunangr. com. H, L, D, 3, V, MC, RSVP $ INDIA TOWN — Indian fare in a humble but cozy atmosphere. Tandooris are especially good. Closed Tue. 3760 S Division Ave, 243-1219. india town4u.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DC, DS ¢-$ JADE GARDEN — Extensive menu of Chinese cuisine, limited selection of American dishes, children’s menu and an array of tropical drinks. All dishes cooked with vegetable oil, no MSG. Open daily. 4514 Breton Rd SE, 455-8888. H, L, D, C, V, ¢-$ MC, AE, DS, RSVP

RED SUN BUFFET — All-you-can-eat international buffet: sushi, Chinese, American, Italian and Japanese selections along with soups, salads, desserts and more, plus a menu of house specialties. Open daily. 4176 28th St SE, 940-9999. ¢-$ redsunbuffet.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS SEOUL GARDEN — Chinese and Korean cuisine with full bar, elegant surroundings. Banquet and catering facilities available. Closed Sun. 3321 28th St SE, 956-1522. grseoulgarden.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $-$$

LAI THAI KITCHEN — Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese fare. Closed Sun. 1621 Leonard St NE, 456-5730. H, L, D, V, MC ¢-$

SHANG HAI ICHIBAN — Authentic Chinese and Japanese cuisine served in two distinct areas. Food prepared tableside in the Japanese area by hibachi chefs. 3005 Broadmoor Ave SE (at 29th St), 773-2454. shanghaiichiban.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DC, RSVP $-$$

MARADO SUSHI — Sushi bar in downtown GR also offers a wide selection of Japanese fare along with a few Korean specialties. 47 Monroe Center, 742-6793. Closed Sun. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS, DC ¢-$

SOC TRANG — Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant in Caledonia with a wide selection of offerings representing both cuisines. Open daily. 1831 Market Place Dr, 871-9909. gosoctrang.com. H, L, D, V, MC ¢-$

MIKADO — Separate menus for sushi and sashimi à la carte; lunch specials served with soup and rice. Dinners offer a full range of Japanese cuisine. Closed Sun. 3971 28th St SE, 285-7666. H, L, D, 3, V, MC, RSVP ¢-$

SPICES ASIAN CAFÉ — Byron Center eatery serves authentic Chinese fare with create-yourown stir fry options, Korean dishes, vegetarian options and broasted chicken dinners and buckets to go. Open daily. 2237 84th St SW, 878-0109. ¢-$ spicesasiancafe.com. H, L, D, V, MC, DS

MING TEN — A mixture of offerings from one of the biggest all-you-can-eat buffets: Japanese, Chinese, sushi bar, hibachi grill cooking and American selections. Full range of a la carte sushi options. No liquor. Open daily. Reduced prices for children. 2090 Celebration Dr NE (2nd floor), (616) 365-3989. mingtenrestaurant.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ MYNT FUSION BISTRO — Classy surroundings with a fusion of Asian fare that includes Thai, Korean and Chinese. Renowned for its curries: blue, peanut or yellow. Closed Sun. 800 W Main St, Lowell, 987-9307. myntfusion.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ NING YE — Family-owned Chinese restaurant in Ada also serves Korean fare. Closed Sun during winter months. 6747 E Fulton St, Ada, 676-5888. H, L, D, V, MC, AE $ NU-THAI BISTRO — More than 70 options from appetizers, soups, and Thai salads to fried rice, curries and noodle dishes with options to add chicken, tofu, vegetables, beef, pork, shrimp scallops or seafood. Also seafood and duck specialty plates. 2055 28th St SE, 452-0065. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP ¢-$ PALACE OF INDIA — Indian cuisine with a sizeable menu that includes 20 vegetarian-friendly selections. Lunch buffet 11 am-3 pm. Open daily. 961 E Fulton St, 913-9000. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ PHO SOC TRANG — Vietnamese cuisine in large, windowed dining room. Variety of appetizers and

Sushi Kuni — Authentic Japanese and Korean cuisine including sushi, teriyaki, hibachi, tempura, bulgogi and more, and fusion fare. Private groups can eat in traditional (shoe-free) Japanese tatami room. Closed Sun. 2901 Breton Rd SE, 241-4141. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, RSVP ¢-$$ SZECHUAN GARDEN — Diverse Chinese menu of beef, chicken, pork, seafood and vegetable dishes in Eastown. Lunch specials daily 11 am-4 pm. Open daily. 1510 Wealthy St SE, 456-9878. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ THAI EXPRESS — Humble storefront belies the quality of these made-in-front-of-you Thai specialties, spiced to specification. Popular curry dishes, great noodles and affordably priced lunch specials. 4317 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 8279955. thaiexpressgr.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢ THAI PALACE — Holland’s authentic Thai restaurant offers a full gamut of Thai selections. Closed Mon. 977 Butternut Drive, (616) 994-9624. thai palacefood.com. H, L, D, V, MC ¢-$ THREE HAPPINESS RESTAURANT — Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan regional fare, affordably priced with daily lunch and dinner specials. Call ahead service. Open daily. 3330 Alpine Ave NW in Target Plaza, 785-3888. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ TOKYO GRILL & SUSHI — Japanese-style tatami rooms, sushi bars and atmosphere. Menu includes hibachi, teriyaki, Udon, tempura and

Photography by Jeff hage/green frog photo

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RAK THAI BISTRO — Thai-fusion fare with Chinese and Japanese influences and a sliding scale for spiciness. Appetizers, soups, salads, stir-fries, curries, pad Thai noodle dishes and more. No alcohol, but try the fruity, milkshake-like bubble tea. 5260 Northland Dr NE, 363-2222. rakthaibistro.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP ¢-$

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City Guide fresh sushi. Hot and cold sake, Japanese and American beer and wine. Closed Sun. 4478 Breton Rd SE, 455-3433. tokyogrillsushi.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DC, DS ¢-$ WEI WEI PALACE — Chinese seafood restaurant features huge menu of Cantonese cuisine, dim sum and barbecue. Fresh lobster and crab. Superb selection of dim sum at lunchtime, with tasty selections from the barbecue pit, as well. Open daily. 4242 S Division Ave, 724-1818. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS $ FXO ASIAN CUISINE — Upscale Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine in downtown GR. Vegetarian dishes available; lunch specials MonSat. Full-service bar. Open daily (free valet parking with $30 purchase). Will deliver. 58 Monroe Center, 235-6969. xoasiancuisine.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $-$$ YUMMY WOK — Combo platters, sweet and sour dishes, Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan dishes, chow and lo mein, chop suey, tofu and Peking sizzling dishes. Open daily. 4325 Breton Rd SE, 827-2068. H, L, D, V, MC ¢-$

Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean MARIE CATRIB’S — Eclectic eatery in bright surroundings in East Hills Center. “Care-free food” includes Middle-Eastern-leaning fare. On-site bakery; seasonal specialties; Turkish coffee. Breakfast 7 am Mon-Fri, 8 am Sat, with lunch/dinner starting at 11 am weekdays, noon on Sat. 1001 Lake Dr SE, 454-4020. mariecat ribs.com. H, B, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS, DC ¢-$ MEDITERRANEAN GRILL — Gyros, kabobs, shwarma, falafel, fattousch, hummus, kafta. All meats are halal, in accordance with Islamic requirements. Cozy, attractive dining room with handpainted murals. Closed Sun. Cascade Center, 6250 28th St SE, 949-9696. raadmediterranean grill.com. H, L, D, V, MC $ OSTA’S LEBANESE CUISINE — Authentic Lebanese cuisine, from grape leaf appetizer and tabbouleh to shish kebob, falafel and baklava. Takeout and full-service catering. Closed SunMon. 2228 Wealthy St SE in EGR, 456-8999. ostaslebanese.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, DS ¢-$

Photography by Jeff hage/green frog photo

PARSLEY MEDITERRANEAN GRILLE — Mediterranean appetizers, salads, soups, pitas, lunch and dinner combos of chicken, beef, seafood and vegetarian entrees, kabobs and more. Open daily. 80 Ottawa Ave NW, 776-2590. pizzubs.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ THE PITA HOUSE — Gyros with all the trimmings, chicken salad with cucumber sauce and a variety of other Middle East specialties. Open daily. 1450 Wealthy St SE, 454-1171; 3730 28th St SE, 9403029; 6333 Kalamazoo Ave SE, 698-8722; 134 Monroe Center NW, 233-4875. thepitahouse.net. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢ FSHIRAZ GRILLE — Fine Persian cuisine: firegrilled kabobs, beef, chicken, lamb, seafood and rice dishes, khoreshes (delicate stews), vegetarian options and desserts. Full bar, fine wine list, martinis. 2739 Breton Rd SE, 949-7447. shirazgril le.com. H, L (Sun), D, C, V, MC, AE, DS, RSVP $ ZEYTIN — Turkish-American cuisine reflects influences from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, including saganaki, borek,

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City guide dolma, shish kebab, falafel, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh. extensive beer and wine lists. 400 ada Dr se, ada, 682-2222. zeytinturkishrestaurant.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds $

Latin american/ Caribbean 7 Mares — Full-scale Mexican meals and specialty dishes that go well beyond the norm. excellent seafood selections, along with Friday fish fry by the pound. super breakfasts. 1403 Kalamazoo ave se, 301-8555. on Facebook. h, b, l, D ¢-$$ adobe In & out — The usual Mexican offerings served quickly (grandville location is drivethrough only). open daily. 617 w Fulton st, 454-0279; 1216 leonard st ne, 451-9050; 4389 Chicago Dr, grandville, 257-7091. h, l, D, v, MC ¢ FbeltlIne bar — longtime local favorite. big wet burritos are the claim to fame from the americanized Tex-Mex menu. The big enchilada curbside service: call in your order and have it delivered to your car. 16 28th st se, 245-0494. beltlinebar.com. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae $

cabana tres aMIgos — large menu of authentic Mexican fare: daily specials, children’s menu, à la carte items, full bar, take-out service and nice vegetarian selection. spacious surroundings with fireplaces and Mexican décor. open daily. 1409 60th st se, 281-6891. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae ¢-$

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caFÉ san Juan — puerto Rican, Mexican and Cuban menu offers bistec, chuletas and pollo dishes along with appetizers, soups and sandwiches. open daily. 3549 burlingame ave sw, 530-2293. cafesanjuan.net. h, b, l, D, v, MC ¢-$

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cancun restaurant — neighborhood eatery specializes in Mexican seafood dishes but offers a full range of fare. open daily. 1518 grandville ave sw, 248-2824. h, l, D, v, MC ¢-$ cantIna — extensive menu of Mexican specialties in an authentically decorated setting with full-service bar. 2770 east paris ave se, 9499120. h, l, D, C, v, MC, Ds, ae $

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cheZ olga — Caribbean and Creole fare. Red beans and rice, gumbo, fried plantain, Creole chicken, pork ragout and more. vegetarian/ vegan options. lunch specials. open until 2 am Fri-sat, closed sun. 1441 wealthy st se, 2334141. chezolga.com. l, D, v, MC ¢ cInco de Mayo — Mexican eatery offers fajitas, tacos, burritos and enchiladas, carnitas and steak asada. Full bar service. open daily. 123 Courtland st, Rockford, 866-3438; 114 Monroe Center nw, 719-2404. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds $

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don JulIo’s — Mexican restaurant and bar offers a wide variety of specialties, combination plates, vegetarian options and specially priced dinners-for-two. open daily. 5039 28th st se, 575-9171. h, l, D, C, v, MC, ae, Ds ¢-$ doWntoWn trInI’s — sparta’s destination for Mexican food. Traditional taco, fajita and wet burrito offerings are augmented with other creative dishes. gigantic portions; full bar. Closed sun

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City Guide and Mon. 134 E Division Ave, Sparta, 887-2500. downtowntrinis.com. H, L, D, V, MC, DS ¢-$ EL ARRIERO — Authentic taste of Mexico in an airy location near Woodland Mall. Extensive menu offers favorites and specialty dishes, with à la carte selections for smaller appetites. Mexican and domestic beers, great Margaritas. 2948 28th St SE, 977-2674. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ ➧EL BARRIO MEXICAN GRILL — The downtown, upscale sister of the Beltline Bar, with tasty and creative twists on otherwise-traditional Mexican food, made fresh and fast. Full bar. 545 Michigan St NE, 301-0010; elbarriomexicangrill.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ EL BURRITO LOCO — More than 70 authentic, affordable Mexican selections in contemporary surroundings. Complimentary chips and salsa; beer, wine and good margaritas from the full bar. Open daily. 1971 East Beltline Ave NE, 447-0415; 4499 Ivanrest SW, 530-9470; 4174 Alpine Ave NW, 785-4102. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$ EL GRANJERO — Generous portions of tasty Mexican fare, from steak and shrimp dishes and dinner platters to à la carte selections and traditional menudo on weekends. No alcohol but tasty virgin coladas. Open daily. 950 Bridge St NW, ¢ 458-5595. H, B, L, D, V, MC EL SOMBRERO — Offers the wet burrito, and dry ones too. Weekly specials. Closed Sun. 527 Bridge St NW, 451-4290. H, L, D ¢ GRAND VILLA DUNGEON — Mexican food is the specialty. 40-inch TV screen broadcasts satellite programs and sporting events. Closed Sun. 3594 Chicago Dr SW, 534-8435. villadugeon.com. H, L, D, C, 3, V, MC, AE, DS $

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JAMAICAN DAVE’S — Jerked, fricasseed or curried chicken; curry goat, oxtail, beef and chicken patties; jerked wings; salt fish and spicy “escoveitched” fish; tofu-with-veggies; plus Jamaican fruit cake. With only a couple tables, takeout is the best bet. 1059 Wealthy St SE, 458-7875. jamaicandaves.com. H, L, D, 3 ¢ JOSE’S RESTAURANTE — Authentic Mexican fare in a low-key locale with jukebox, pinball and a video game. Patrons crave their chalupas, burritos and tostadas. Open daily. 3954 S Division Ave, 530-7934. H, L, D ¢ LAS CAZUELAS — Opens for breakfast at 10 am, serves lunch and dinner seven days a week. Genuine flavors from Hispanic kitchen features chalupas, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, carne asada, fajitas, tampiquena and more. 411 Wilson Ave NW, Walker, 726-6600. H, B, L, D, V, MC ¢ LINDO MEXICO — Daily specials feature true Mexican fare, including specials such as tacos de barbacoa, tripitos or lengua. Enchiladas, burritos, combo plates and more. Open daily. 1292 28th St SW, 261-2280. lindomexicorestau rant.com. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS, DC ¢-$ LITTLE MEXICO CAFÉ — All new space at its original location offers some of Grand Rapids’ most beloved traditional Mexican food and cocktails. Favorites include fajitas, burritos and margaritas. Open daily. 401 Stocking Ave NW, 456-0517. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS $ MAGGIE’S KITCHEN — Authentic Mexican food, homemade with a lighter taste in bright café setting. Breakfast, too. Cafeteria-style ordering. 636 Bridge St NW, 458-8583. H, B, L, D ¢ MEXICAN

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City Guide Mexican favorites in large, inviting surroundings. Open daily. 131 S Jefferson St, Hastings, (269) 945-4403. L, D, V, MC ¢-$

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MICHOACAN — Restaurante y taqueria offers a huge selection of Mexican dishes plus seafood, chicken and steak dishes. Jukebox and flat screen TV. Open daily at 9 am. 334 Burton St SW, 4520018. H, B, L, D,V, MC ¢-$

PIKOSITOS — Authentic Mexican food on the Avenue for the Arts. Fresh tacos, quesadillas, burritos and vegetarian dishes with house-made salsas and tortillas in stylish surroundings with local artwork rotations. Closed Sun. 122 S Division Ave, 454-3847. H, L, D, V, MC, AE, DS ¢

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veggie plates. Mariachi band plays monthly. Open daily. 9740 Cherry Valley Ave SE, Caledonia, 8912511. On Facebook. H, L, D, C, V, MC ¢-$$ SU CASA — Full array of Mexican choices with burritos especially popular. Breakfast served beginning at 8:30 am; open daily in the Super Mercado, 306 W Main St, Fennville, (269) 5615493. H, B, L, D, V, MC ¢-$ TACO BOB’S — Fresh-Mex tacos, burritos, quesadillas, taco salads and the “funny taco,” a hard-shell taco wrapped in a soft shell, with nacho cheese in between. 250 Monroe Ave NW, 4581533. tacobobs.com. H, L, V, MC, AE, DS ¢ TACO BOY — Burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tostadas to combination plates. 3475 Plainfield Ave NE, 363-7111; 6539 28th St SE, 956-3424; 509 44th St SE, 257-0057; 2529 Alpine Ave NW, 365-9255. tacoboy.biz. H, L, D, V, MC ¢ TACOS EL CAPORAL — Two locations serving generous portions of Mexican fare with menudo served Sat and Sun. Open daily; quick takeout. 1024 Burton St SW, 246-6180; 1717 28th St SW, Wyoming, 261-2711. H, B, L, D, V, MC ¢ TACOS EL RANCHERO — Mexican fare in low-key surroundings to eat in or take out. Cash only. 1240 Burton St SW, 245-6514. H, L, D ¢ TRES LOBOS GRILL & BAR — Lobster fajitas and parrilladas. Full-service bar has 10 Mexican beers, top-shelf tequilas. Lunch ’til 4 pm daily in GR; closed Mon in Holland. 825 28th St SE, 245-5389; 381 Douglas, Holland, (616) 355-7424. treslobos restaurant.com. H, L, D, C, V, MC, AE, DS ¢-$

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H — Handicapped accessible B — Serves breakfast L — Serves lunch D — Serves dinner C — Cocktails 3 — Checks accepted V — Visa MC — MasterCard AE — American Express DC — Diner’s Club DS — Discover Card RSVP — Reservations preferred ¢ — Inexpensive (under $10)* $ — Moderate ($10-$20)* $$ — Expensive (Over $20)* * Prices based on average entrée. - — Reviewed in this issue ➧ — New listing . — Listing update O — GRM’s 2010 Restaurant of the Year F — GRM’s 2010 Award of Excellence — Chef Profile in this issue Additions, corrections and/or changes must

be submitted for the editors’ consideration by calling Grand Rapids Magazine, 459-4545, or write: The Dining Guide, Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, Ml 49503.

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City Guide

Folk revival Two upcoming Grand Rapids musicians are receiving increasing acclaim.

olk music has long been a form of art that forges strong communities. Grand Rapids has had many well-known folk singers, including Ralston Bowles, Drew Nelson and Michael Crittenden. As the area’s music scene continues to flourish, more and more folk singers are coming to the forefront. Sam Kenny and Kyle Rasche are two musicians who are receiving increasing acclaim. Kenny started to dabble in music in 1998. “I got a guitar to learn Bob Dylan songs,” he said. But when he tried playing at an open mic event in 2000, “It went really bad.” A few years later, Kenny decided to give music another shot. This time, he and his brother Billy, a member of the successful Grand Rapids band Domestic Problems, formed a quirky folk-rock band named Fancy Thermos. Together,

photography by Jim Gebben

Kyle Rasche

they did cover gigs and soon began to do original tracks. In 2004, the band released the album “Music Songs.” While Kenny loved playing in the group, he started writing songs that seemed more appropriate for a solo artist than a band. “I didn’t need a whole band to do two-minute, quiet folk songs,” he Sam Kenny said with a chuckle. He and Chicagobased producer Mike Fitzpatrick began working on a folksy debut solo record, “See the Storm Through,” which was released in 2007. His folk singing career took off and he’s been performing ever since, with concerts all over Michigan, the Midwest and New York City. “I’ve always liked quiet, pretty songs … and I’ve always found myself writing them,” he said. “I got my degree in creative writing, so I’m very careful with the lyrics.” His interest in history and stories from the past also influence his songwriting — evident on his upcoming album, “World War I.” Kyle Rasche, who performs under the moniker Chain of Lakes, grew up performing in choirs, glee clubs and bands. After moving to Grand Rapids from the Detroit area, he began performing as Chain of Lakes and released his self-titled debut in 2009. Rasche has always liked the folk genre. Along with such classic favorites as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, his other favorites include folksters Iron & Wine, Josh Ritter and David Bazan. He adds a strong pop element to his music, making for a sound that stretches the boundaries of folk music.

“I’ve always liked quiet, pretty songs … and I’ve always found myself writing them. I got my degree in creative writing, so I’m very careful with the lyrics.” — Sam Kenny “Pop is something you definitely have to associate with my music,” he said. “The melodies are accessible … but I draw straight from the folk. I play mostly folk venues. I love it anytime there are people sitting down and listening.” His new release, a six-song EP titled “Kind of Quiet,” was released in late August. This time, he worked with friend and fellow musician Justin Vanhaven, who has produced and engineered albums for several local artists. “We were really open to being as truthful and open with each other as possible,” Vanhaven said. The partners use a wide variety of traditional and unusual instruments, from drums and guitars to pump organs and keyboards. For more information on the artists and their upcoming concerts and albums, check out www.myspace.com/samkenny songs and chainoflakesband.bandcamp. com. — Justin Stover October 2011 Grand Rapids 79

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City Guide

Calendar of Events

Grand rapids magazine is pleased to provide this extensive list of area events. commonly requested venue and ticket outlet information is at the end of this listing.

Oct - FOREST OF FEAR: 11th annual interactive haunted attraction in the Caledonia woods sponsored by Kentwood Jaycees. 84th and Patterson, Caledonia. www.forestoffear.com. Oct - FRUIT RIDGE HAYRIDES: Horse-drawn hayrides through the woods and orchard; Maize Quest corn maze; u-pick apples, pumpkins and squash; homemade donuts and cider; pony rides; pig train; fire engine ride; farm animals and more. 5-9 pm Fri, noon-9 pm Sat, noon-5 pm Sun. 11966 Fruit Ridge Ave, Kent City. www.fruitridgehay rides.com. Oct - NEW SALEM CORN MAZE AND HAUNTED WOODS: Activities include 13-acre corn maze, haunted woods, flashlight maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting zoo and pumpkin launcher. 8 pm-midnight Fri, 11 am-midnight Sat, 11 am-7 pm Sun. 4516 24th St, Dorr. www.witchesofnewsalem. com. Oct - THE HAUNT: 11th annual family-friendly high-scare/low-gore Halloween attraction. 6:309:30 pm Sun-Thu, 6:30-11:30 pm Fri-Sat. 2070 Waldorf St NW, Walker (one mile south of I-96 at Walker Ave exit). www.the-haunt.com. Thru Oct 1 - MOPS CONSIGNMENT SALE: Mothers of Preschoolers hosts a sale of kids’ clothing, toys, books, equipment and maternity clothes. 9 am-3 pm Fri, 9 am-noon Sat. Sunshine Community Church, 3300 East Beltline Ave NE. Thru Oct 1 - RED FLANNEL FESTIVAL: Parades, Fire Barn open house, pancake breakfasts, lumberjack suppers, chili cook-off, carnival and more. Cedar Springs. www.redflannelfestival.org. Thru Oct 1 - THE CARVE: Nationwide culinary students compete in a national fruit and vegetable carving competition. Holland Farmers Market, 8th St Market Place, 150 W 8th St, Holland. www. thecarve.org. Oct 1 - ARTPRIZE LOT PARTY: Low-cost lunch, kids art, ’80s band and karaoke. Noon-8 pm. First United Methodist Church, 227 E Fulton St. www. grandrapidsfumc.org. Oct 1 - EASTOWN-GRAND HAVEN FALLFEST: Celebration begins at 8 am with 5K run through Eastown area of Grand Haven, plus kids events, parade, Taste of Eastown, music and dance demonstrations. East Grand River Park, Grand Haven. eastowngrandhaven.org. Oct 1 - LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK: Annual walk by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society raises funds for cancer research. 5 pm festivities, 7 pm walk. Hunting YMCA, 475 Lake Michigan Dr NW. Free. www.lightthenight.org/mi/. Oct 1 - ROSELLE PARK OPEN HOUSE AND RIVER FESTIVAL: Ada Township Parks and Rec hosts a food and music tent, nature discovery center, walking and biking opportunities, kayak and canoe info, native plant sale, live birds of prey, hands-on activities and games for kids. Grand River Drive at Michigan St. 10 am-4 pm. Free. www.adatownshipmi.com.

Oct 1-2, Oct 8-9 - ROCKFORD HARVEST FESTIVAL: Two weekends of entertainment, scarecrow building, hayrides, chili cook-off, kids activities and car show. Oct 1-2, Heritage Weekend. Oct 8-9, Children’s Weekend. Downtown Rockford. www.rockfordmichamber.com. Oct 3 - MOTHERS AND MORE OPEN HOUSE: Greater Grand Rapids Chapter of Mothers and More hosts its annual open house. 7-9 pm. St Thomas Catholic Church, 1448 Grace Dr. www. grmothersandmore.org. Free. Oct 6 - WINE, WOMEN AND CHOCOLATE: Women’s Resource Center hosts its fifth annual benefit with hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, gourmet chocolates, auction and raffle. 5-7:30 pm. Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St SE. $25 (4585443 or www.grwrc.org/events). Oct 6-8 - ZEELAND PUMPKINFEST: Family entertainment and activities, parade, scarecrow displays, games, food and artwork. 5K and Fun Run Oct 8. Various locations throughout Zeeland. www.pumpkinfest-zeeland.org. Oct 7-8 - WEDDING WALK: Browse more than a dozen stores and restaurants to explore wedding styles, honeymoon destinations, catering and reception sites, gift registries and more. 10 am-5 pm. Downtown Holland. www.holland.org/events.

Oct 7-22 - FALL PARADE OF HOMES: Home & Building Association of Greater Grand Rapids home tour represents all sizes, price ranges and styles of construction. Remodeled homes tour Oct 21-22. 1-8 pm Wed, Fri and Sat. $12 adults and kids 13 and older; under 13 free. www.hbaggr. com. Oct 8 - FALL VENDOR ExPO: Home School Building Bookstore and Library hosts local vendors and info about alternative education, local authors and colleges. 9 am-3 pm. 5625 Burlingame Ave SW, Wyoming. $1, 12 and under free. Info: 532-9422, ext 6, or resourcecenter@ homeschoolbuilding.org. Oct 8 - FIRE TRUCK PARADE: Holland’s parade in honor of Fire Prevention Week includes more than 50 area fire trucks. 10 am. Begins at corner of 8th St and Columbia and continues down 8th St to Kollen Park Fire Station. Oct 8 - LOWELL HARVEST CELEBRATION: Arts and crafts, antiques, chili cook-off, scarecrow hoedown, family fun run and walk, pumpkin chuckin’, ghost stories, harvest sales and open houses, barn dance, homemade pies and 5K family run/walk. 9 am-dark. Kent County Fairgrounds in Lowell. www.lowellchamber.org/harvestcele bration.html. Oct 9 - ONE SKY ONE WORLD KITE FLY FOR PEACE: Join kite flyers on Grand Haven beach to promote world peace. 1-4 pm. www.mackin awkiteco.com.

Hops and music in downtown GR HoptoberFest, a new outdoor beer and blues festival, is expected to draw 5,000 people to downtown Grand Rapids Oct. 15 to enjoy local craft beer and blues music. Sponsored by HopCat and Barfly Ventures the inaugural event will close Ionia Street SW between Weston and Oakes streets from 2-11 p.m. for a daylong showcase of blues acts and Grand Rapids breweries, including HopCat, Founders Brewing Co., Brewery Vivant, The Hideout Brewing Co., White Flame Brewing Co. and Schmohz Brewing Co. HoptoberFest also will feature a German beer garden, a HopCat food tent, local artists displaying their work, and a music lineup featuring Chicago bluesman Lonnie Brooks. Other acts include Big James and the Chicago Playboys, Stacy Mitchhart, and Rob Blaine’s Big Otis Blues. BarFly Ventures, owned by Mark Sellers, operates downtown bars HopCat, Stella’s Lounge, The Viceroy and McFadden’s. Sellers also is part owner of The Pyramid Scheme, a live music venue. see music

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Special events

Oct 7-9 - PULASKI DAYS: Annual event celebrates Grand Rapids’ Polish heritage. Noonmidnight Fri, 11 am-midnight Sat, noon-11 pm Sun. www.pulaskidays.org.

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City Guide Oct 10-16 - SPA WEEK: Participating spas and wellness centers offer signature services for $50 each. www.spaweek.com.

Welcome Nat ural Beaut y

Oct 13 - GREAT ARTIST GALA: St Cecilia Music Center presents violinist Sarah Chang at its annual fundraising gala. 8 pm. St Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave NE. $75. www.scmc-online.org. Oct 15 - BIRD SHOW: Great Lakes Avicultural Society hosts an exotic bird show. 10 am-4 pm. DeltaPlex. $4 adults, $3 seniors. Oct 15 - HEART WALK: American Heart Association’s walk celebrates healthy living; dogs and strollers welcome. 8:30 am registration, 9:20 am walk. Ab-Nab-Awen Park, downtown GR. grand rapidsheartwalk.org. Oct 15 - HOPTOBERFEST: Outdoor beer and blues festival features local breweries, German beer garden, food tent, local artists and entertainment (Lonnie Brooks, Big James and the Chicago Playboys, Stacy Mitchhart and Rob Blaine’s Big Otis Blues). 2-11 pm. Downtown GR on Ionia St SW between Weston and Oakes. $10 in advance (participating local breweries, www.ticketweb. com), $15 day of (HopCat, 25 Ionia St SE). www. hopcatgr.com. Oct 15 - SAUGATUCK FALL FUNFEST DAY: Pumpkin carving, pumpkin launch, pie eating, food vendors, music and more. 11 am-4 pm. Coughlin Park, Saugatuck. www.saugatuckdouglas.com. Oct 15-16 - WMWA BRIDAL SHOW: West Michigan Wedding Association presents wedding vendors from catering to limo service and everything in between. Noon-6 pm Sat, noon-4 pm Sun. DeVos Place. $7 (at door).

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Oct 18 - ON A DIFFERENT NOTE: Chamber Choir of Grand Rapids hosts a benefit dinner with solos and ensembles from the Chamber Choir. Reservations required: jawestdorp@chartermi.net. 6:45 pm. Noto’s Old World Dining, 6600 28th St SE. $100, $700 table of 8. www.chamber choirgr.org. Oct 20 - COUTURE FOR A CURE: Exclusive preview from New York fashion designer Douglas Hannant, plus cocktail reception and fashion preview from Leigh’s clothing store. Proceeds support research and education at Van Andel Institute. 6-8 pm. VAI, 333 Bostwick Ave NE. $50, $100 VIP (www.vai.org).

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Oct 20 - STEAK AND BURGER DINNER: Boys & Girls Clubs of GR Youth Commonwealth holds its third annual benefit, with keynote speaker Bill Barkeley, deaf and blind motivational speaker. 6-8:30 pm. Steil Club Gym, 235 Straight Ave NW. $250 (two adults and two club members), $150 (one adult and one club member). www.bgcgryc. org. Oct 21-25 - VAN RAALTE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: Celebration of Albertus Van Raalte’s 200th birthday includes Founder’s Festival; concerts by Holland Symphony Orchestra, Holland Chorale and Hope College; community worship service in Van Raalte’s original church; and an international conference. www.dutchheritagewestmichigan.com. Oct 22 - GROOVEWALK: Visit 10 locations to hear 10 bands in downtown Holland with GrooveXpress rides, and drink and appetizer specials. 9 pm. Purchase wristbands to gain access: $10 in advance, $15 at door. www.groovewalk.com. Oct 22 - SOMEWHERE IN TIME: Victorian tea and

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Grand Rapids engagement is welcomed by Farmers Insurance Group; Meijer, Inc.; Northpointe Bank; and Universal Forest Products, Inc.

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City Guide fashion show, door prizes, raffle. 1:30 pm doors open. St Nicholas Orthodox Church, 2250 East Paris Ave SE. $25 adults, $10 kids 6-12 (954-2700, www.stnickgr.com). Oct 27 - HOPE ON THE HILL GALA: Eleventh annual cancer benefit includes local cuisine, martinis, live music and performance by The Passing Zone. 6 pm. Van Andel Institute, 333 Bostwick Ave NE. Tickets TBD (www.vai.org). Oct 29 - SAUGATUCK HALLOWEEN HARVEST FESTIVAL: Music, entertainment, storytelling, arts and crafts. 10 am-5 pm. Parade at 4 pm. Downtown Saugatuck. Oct 29-30 - ALPACAFEST: 16th annual Michigan International Alpacafest. 9 am-4 pm Sat, 9 am-2 pm Sun. DeltaPlex. Free. www.alpacafest.org.

Music Oct - ACOUSTIC SATURDAY NIGHTS: Grand River Folk Arts Society hosts singers and songwriters Sat nights at 8 pm. Oct 1, Ellis, Michael and Muxlow. Oct 15, James Kellaghan. Oct 22, Cherry Blossom Ramblers. Wealthy St Theater, 1110 Wealthy St SE. $12 adults, $10 students and seniors, $9 members, $3 children (at door). www. grfolkarts.org. Oct - ACOUSTIC STEW: One Trick Pony features varying live artists 8-11 pm. Oct 8, The New Midwest. Oct 15, Mary Rademacher with Tom and Cherie Hagen. Oct 20, Michigan Mark. Oct 22, Lazy Blue Tunas. Oct 27, Andro. Oct 29, The Trace. 136 E Fulton St. www.onetrick.biz. Oct - FRIDAY NIGHTS AT GRAM: GR Art Museum hosts live music, social games, gallery talks, cash bar and dinner options 5-9 pm every Fri. Oct theme: comedy. Oct 7, Membership Giveaway Night. Oct 14, Warrington Colescott Word Search. Oct 21, Michigan-Flavored Comedy. Oct 28, Special Guest TBD. See website for details. 101 Monroe Center. $5 nonmembers, members free; free thru Oct 8 during ArtPrize. www.artmus eumgr.org. Oct - THE INTERSECTION: Nightclub hosts local and national music. Oct 1-2, Prospecto. Oct 4, Hanson. Oct 6, Paper Diamond. Oct 14, Mega 80s. Oct 15, Ben Rector. Oct 16, Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime. Oct 24, Brett Dennen. Oct 25, Thrice. Oct 27, GWAR with Every Time I Die. Oct 29, Mega 80s. See website for updates. Ticket prices vary (Beat Goes On, Purple East, Vertigo Music, Intersection box office or Ticketmaster). 133 Grandville Ave SW. www.sectionlive.com. Oct - MUSIC AT MID-DAY: Free concerts 12:1512:45 pm every Tue. Oct 4, Mark Loring, organ. Oct 11, Mark Kahny, piano. Oct 18, Chris Dekker, organ. Oct 25, Deborrah Wyndham, piano. First Park Congregational Church, 10 E Park Place NE. www.parkchurchgr.org. Oct - THE PYRAMID SCHEME: Pub and music venue in Heartside. Oct 4, Ra Ra Riot and Dinosaur Bones. Oct 20, Mr. Gnome. Oct 21, Colour Revolt and Empires and A Children’s Crusade. Oct 23, Obits and Metz and Amoebas. Oct 29, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers and Jon McLaughlin. See website for updates. Ticket prices vary (Vertigo Music or www.ticketweb.com). 68 Commerce SW. pyramidschemebar.com. Oct 1 - HOLLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Classics of the Romantic Period features Diana Cohen performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. 7:30 pm. Zeeland East High School, DeWitt

Auditorium, 3333 96th Ave, Zeeland. $18 adults, $15 seniors, $5 students (796-6780, www.hol landsymphony.org).

Covenant FAC Auditorium. $15 adults, $5 students (Calvin box office, 526-6282). www.calvin. edu/music.

Oct 2 - AN EVENING OF NOTE GALA: Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck holds a gala benefitting Joan Conway Young Artists Program, featuring food, entertainment and auction. 6 pm. Button-Petter Gallery, 161 Blue Star Hwy. Tickets TBD. www.saugatuckmusic.org.

Oct 21-22 - “MENDELSSOHN VIOLIN CONCERTO”: GR Symphony presents violinist Augustin Hadelich. 8 pm. DeVos Performance Hall. $18-$90 (Symphony and DeVos Place box offices; 454-9451, ext 4; or Ticketmaster). www. grsymphony.org.

Oct 4, 18 - FARM MUSEUM JAM NIGHT: Bring your guitar, fiddle or other non-electric instrument. Singers and listeners welcome. 5 pm doors open, 6-9 pm jam. Coopersville Farm Museum, 375 Main St, Coopersville. Free with admission ($4). www.coopersvillefarmmuseum.org.

Oct 25-26 - CALVIN HIGH SCHOOL HONOR BAND FESTIVAL: Free concert. 7 pm. Calvin College FAC. www.calvin.edu/music.

Oct 5 - TAIZE SUNG PRAYER SERVICE: Taize worship consists of repeated choruses often accompanied by instruments, vocal solos. 7 pm. First United Methodist, 227 E Fulton St. www. grandrapidsfumc.org. Oct 6-7 - “ARTPRIZE TRIPTYCHS”: GR Symphony’s Rising Stars presents a concert composed by GRS musicians. 7 pm Thu, 8 pm Fri. Royce Auditorium, St Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave NE. $18-$34 (box office; 454-9451, ext 4; or Ticketmaster). www.grsymphony.org. Oct 7 - GEORGE WINSTON: Solo concert by Michigan-born, nationally acclaimed pianist. 7:30 pm. Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, Muskegon. $15-$35 (box office or Star Tickets). Oct 7 - MAJIC CONCERT SERIES: Musical Arts for Justice in the Community hosts Pachora, a jazz quartet. 7 pm. Bethlehem Church Sanctuary, 250 Commerce Ave SW. $10 suggested donation; proceeds benefit GR Coalition to End Homelessness. www.grmajic.org. Oct 7 - SCHUBERT SYMPHONY: GR Symphony presents a one-hour concert. 10 am. Royce Auditorium, St Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave NE. $12 (box office; 454-9451, ext 4; or Ticketmaster). www.grsymphony.org. Oct 10, 24 - HAT TRICK SERIES: WYCE 88.1 hosts concerts that raise money for local nonprofits. Oct 10, Peter Case. Oct 24, David Olney with Sergio Webb. 7:30 pm. One Trick Pony, 136 E Fulton St. Donations accepted. www.wyce.org. Oct 13 - ENSO STRING QUARTET: Hope College Great Performance Series presents a chamber music performance. 7:30 pm. Dimnent Chapel, Holland. $18 adults, $13 seniors, $6 students and children 18 and under (DeVos ticket office or 616395-7890). www.hope.edu. Oct 14-15 - MIGHTY WURLITZER CONCERTS: GR Public Museum’s theater organ concert featuring Charlie Balogh. 7-9 pm Fri, 2-4 pm Sat. Public Museum, 272 Pearl St NW. $10 adults, $8 members, $5 children 3-17 (ticket counter or 456-3977). Oct 15 - JAZZ VESPERS: Live jazz with The Wonderland Jazz Ensemble. 6 pm. First United Methodist Church, 227 E Fulton St. www.grandrap idsfumc.org. Free. Oct 17 - “WORKS FOR BELLS AND ORGAN”: Embellish Handbell Ensemble and American Guild of Organists present a program of worship music. 8 pm. Trinity Lutheran Church, 2700 E Fulton St. Free. www.embellish.ws. Oct 21-22 - CALVIN MUSIC FESTIVAL: Performances by Calvin’s vocal and instrumental ensembles and student soloists. 7:30 pm.

Oct 27 - JOE LOVANO AND US FIVE: St Cecilia’s Jazz Series presents Grammy-winning saxophonist and his band. 7:30 pm. St Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave NE. $35 adults, $30 seniors, $10 students (459-2224, www.scmc-online.org). Oct 28-29 - WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY: Brahms Symphony No. 3 with Alexander Buzlov, cello. 7:30 pm. Frauenthal Theater, Muskegon. Tickets TBD (231-726-3231 or www.westmichigan symphony.com). Oct 29 - CALVIN ARTIST SERIES: Irish Chamber Orchestra with Leon Fleisher, piano. 8 pm. Calvin College FAC. $35 (Calvin box office, 526-6282).

Art Thru Oct 8 - ARTPRIZE: Third international art competition with $250,000 first prize for the artist with the most public votes. Pre-registered visitors vote online or by text messaging while they view art. Various venues (indoors and outdoors) throughout downtown GR area. www.artprize.org. Thru Oct 8 - GRAND HAVEN ARTWALK: Local artists display their work throughout downtown and waterfront while public votes on favorites. www.ghartwalk.com. Oct 1-2 - BLUE COAST ARTISTS STUDIO TOUR: 22nd annual tour of six studios between South Haven and Saugatuck featuring artwork, demonstrations and refreshments. 10 am-6 pm. www. bluecoastartists.com. Free. Oct 6, 13 - GRAND VALLEY ARTISTS: 7:30 pm Oct 6, Artist Critique Night. 7:30 pm Oct 13, Program Night. Free and open to public. 1345 Monroe Ave NW, Ste 130, www.grandvalleyartists. com. Oct - CALVIN CENTER ART GALLERY: Thru Nov 5, Associated American Artists. Calvin College Covenant FAC, 1795 Knollcrest Circle, 526-6271, www.calvin.edu/centerartgallery. Oct - DEPREE GALLERY: Thru Oct 1, Island Reflections: The Contemporary Art of Curacao. Oct 14-Nov 18, Faculty Exhibition by Bruce McCombs. Hope College, Holland, (616) 3957500, www.hope.edu. Oct - DESIGN QUEST GALLERY: Thru Nov 13, Stepping Out and Staying Home: Weaving for You and Your Home by Lestra Hazel and Cory Zann. Hand-woven garments, accessories, wall hangings. 4181 28th St SE, 940-0131, www.d2d2d2. com. Oct - FIRE AND WATER GALLERY: Thru Oct 31, Karen Godfrey, mixed media. 219 W Main St, Lowell, 890-1879, www.fire-and-water-art.com. Oct - FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ART GALLERY: Oct 14-Nov 18, Sharon Harrison Burris. 227 E Fulton St. www.grandrapidsfumc.org. Oct - FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULP-

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St. Cecilia Music Center on a roll In September, the 128-year-old cultural institution joined forces with ArtPrize as the first exhibition center for live music performances. This month, SCMC is bringing some great musicians to Grand Rapids. Renowned violinist Sarah Chang will perform at St. Cecilia’s 24th Great Artist Gala Oct. 13. Chang, a child prodigy, made her debut with the New York Philharmonic at age 8. Since then, her career has spanned two decades of performing with the world’s top orchestras, conductors and accompanists. On Oct. 27, Grammy-winning saxophonist Joe Lovano and his band Us Five returns to Grand Rapids to kick off the St. Cecilia Jazz Series. Lovano’s all-star band — including bassist Esperanza Spaulding, who captured the 2011 Grammy for Best New Artist — recorded an album and has garnered several awards. For a full lineup of entertainment at St. Cecilia, visit scmc-on line.org. See Music

Oct - TERRYBERRY GALLERY: Thru Oct 9, ArtPrize entries. Oct 11-Nov 30, Elements of Earth by Kendra Postma, CJ Brander, Kathleen Mooney and Patti Sevensma; artist reception 5:30-8 pm Oct 11. Lower floor, St Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave NE, 459-2224, www.scms-online.org. Oct - UICA: Thru Oct 8, ArtPrize entries. Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, 2 W Fulton St, 454-7000, www.uica.org. Oct - WASHINGTON SQUARE ART GALLERY: Oct 1-31, Friends of Art Members. 453 Washington Ave, Holland, 396-0230, www.washingtonsquare artgallery.com.

Film Oct - CELEBRATING THE CLASSICS: Film reviewer John Douglas introduces the Tue and Thu 3 pm and 5:45 pm screenings of Hollywood classic films, which show at 12:15 pm, 3 pm and 5:45 pm Tue and Thu, plus Sat and Sun matinees (check website for times). Oct 8-13, “Gentleman’s Agreement.” Oct 15-20, “Teacher’s Pet.” Oct 22-27, “Bride of Frankenstein.” Oct 29-Nov 3, “Psycho.” Celebration Cinema North, 2121 Celebration Dr NE. $4. www.celebrationcine ma.com/classics. Oct - UICA: Urban Institute for Contemporary Art shows independent, foreign and documentary films. 2 W Fulton St, 454-3994, www.uica.org. $8, $4 members. Oct 21-23 - THRILLER CHILLER: Locally grown film festival celebrates horror, action, sci-fi and suspense movies. Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE. $5/each film or $30 weekend pass (box office). www.thrillerchiller.com.

Stage TURE PARK: Thru Oct 8, ArtPrize entries. Thru Dec 31, Sculpture Today: New Forces, New Forms. Permanent exhibits include world-class sculptures indoors and in the 30-acre park. See Museums & Attractions.

Photography Courtesy Jimmy Katz (top); EMI Classics (bottom)

Oct - GALLERY UPTOWN: Oct 3-31, Ann Trowbridge, Larry Blovits and Sue Heath; artist reception 5:30-8 pm Oct 7. 201 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, (616) 846-5460, www.galleryuptown.net. Oct - GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM: Thru Oct 8, ArtPrize entries. See Music for Friday Nights at GRAM. 10 am-5 pm Tue, Wed, Thu and Sat; 10 am-9 pm Fri; noon-5 pm Sun; closed Mon. $8 adults, $7 seniors/students with ID, $5 children 6-17, 5 and under free. 101 Monroe Center, 8311000, www.artmuseumgr.org. Oct - GVSU ART GALLERY: Thru Oct 14, Robert Koropp, photographic art. Oct 6-Nov 4, Arte Argentino Actual/Contemporary Argentine Art; reception 5-7 pm Oct 6. GVSU PAC, Allendale campus. www.gvsu.edu/fallarts. Oct - HOLLAND MUSEUM: Dutch Galleries exhibit 17th- to 20th-century Dutch paintings and cultural objects. See Museums & Attractions. Oct - INNER CITY CHRISTIAN FEDERATION: Thru Oct 31, Images of Michigan: A Photo Exhibit by Steve Huyser-Honig, Bill Vriesema, John Apol and Paul Stoub. 8 am-5 pm Mon-Fri. ICCF, 920 Cherry St SE. Oct - KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS: Thru Nov 6, Second Skin: Peeling Back the Layers,

Entang Wiharso. Thru Dec 4, Turning Point: Japanese Studio Ceramics in the Mid-20th Century. Thru Dec 4, Off the Wall: Art in Three Dimensions. 10 am-5 pm Tue-Sat, noon-5 pm Sun, closed Mon. $8 adults; $6 students, seniors; $4 members. 314 S Park St, Kalamazoo, (269) 3497775, www.kiarts.org. Oct - LEEP ART GALLERY: Thru Oct 4, Becoming: Beauty and Identity in the 21st Century by Tracy Mae Fouts. Pine Rest, 300 68th St SE, 222-4530. Oct - LOWELLARTS!: Thru Oct 22, Michigan Photo Competition. 149 S Hudson St, Lowell, 8978545, www.lowellartscouncil.org. Oct - MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART: Thru Oct 23, International Connections: Selected Works of Art from the David W. Baas Collection. Thru Nov 6, Neighbors: Photography by David Myers, and Local Interest: Photography from The Muskegon Chronicle Archives. Thru Feb, Tiny Treasures. Noon-4:30 pm Sun; closed Mon; 10 am-6 pm Tue and Thu; 10 am-4:30 pm Wed, Fri and Sat. $5 adults (Thu free); members, students, kids under 17 free. 296 W Webster Ave, Muskegon, (231) 7202570, www.muskegonartmuseum.org. Oct - RIVERTOWN ARTISTS GUILD: Oct 1-Nov 30, Gale Werner, EGR Library, 746 Lakeside Dr. Oct 1-Dec 3, Wendy Gretzinger and John Knight, Wyoming Library, 3350 Michael St. Oct 1-Dec 30, Sara Pearson, GR Association of Realtors, 660 Kenmoor SE. Thru Oct 8, John Knight, and Oct 9-Jan 6, Mary E Andersen, Walker Library, 4293 Remembrance Rd.

Oct - COMEDY MONDAYS: Dog Story Theater presents improv, standup, sketches, films, music, puppets, magic, one-act plays at 8 and 9 pm, and a free, open improv jam at 10 pm. 7 Jefferson Ave SE. $5. www.dogstorytheater.com. Oct - DR GRINS COMEDY CLUB: Stand-up comedians perform 9 pm Thu, 8 pm and 10:30 pm Fri and Sat. Sep 29-Oct 1, Ian Bagg. Oct 6-8, Kevin Bozeman. Oct 13-15, Dave Dyer. Oct 20-22, Mark Curry. See website for updates. The BOB, 20 Monroe Ave NW. Ticket prices vary (356-2000, www.thebob.com). Thru Oct 8 - “MIRACLE WORKER”: Master Arts Theatre presents the story of blind and mute Helen Keller and her volatile relationship with her teacher. 7:30 pm, 2 pm Sat. Master Arts Theatre, 75 77th St SW. $15 adults, $13 seniors and students (455-1001, www.masterarts.org). Thru Oct 8 - “RUST”: Actors’ Theatre presents a world premiere work based on interviews with GM workers after the company closed a Wyoming, Mich., plant in 2008 after 75 years. 8 pm. Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St NE. $24 adults, $20 students and seniors (234-3946). www.actorstheatregrandrapids.org. Thru Oct 8 - “THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES”: Heritage Theatre Group presents a comedy by French playwright Moliere. 8 pm. Dog Story Theater, 7 Jefferson Ave SE. $18 adults, $14 seniors, $10 students (www.heritagetheatregr.org). Thru Oct 9 - “TWELFTH NIGHT”: GVSU’s Shakespeare Festival presents Shakespeare’s comedy. 7:30 pm Thu-Sat, 2 pm Sun. Louis Armstrong October 2011 Grand Rapids 83

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City Guide

Grab a partner and sign up for this month’s Urban Adventure Race, a fourhour biking and running challenge with an ArtPrize theme. Two-person teams will bike and run through downtown Grand Rapids looking for hidden check points, solving clues and overcoming mental or physical challenges — many involving some aspect of art and ArtPrize. “It’s a little bit like ‘The Amazing Race,’” said race director Mark VanTongeren. “The goal is to finish as many challenges and collect as many points as possible in four hours.” The Oct. 8 event is organized by Michigan Adventure Racing LLC, which put on a similar race during the summer. “We had 750 racers in July,” VanTongeren said. “We were really surprised and thrilled at the turnout.” While it helps to be in shape — the July race involved climbing stairs — VanTongeren said the adventure is “more casual than competitive. Every challenge is optional, so racers can skip one and still finish the race.” The urban race will showcase some of the newer biking and walking trails and other recreational spots near downtown, VanTongeren said. Charity partners selected for this edition of the race are the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology and Grand Rapids Whitewater. For more information, visit grurbanadventurerace.com. see sPorts Theatre, PAC, Allendale campus. $14 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students (616-331-2300, box office or Star Tickets). www.gvsu.edu/artscalendar Oct 1 - BRIAN REGAN: Family-friendly comedian. 8 pm. DeVos Performance Hall. $39.50 (DeVos Place and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster). Oct 1, 15 - RIVER CITY IMPROV: Calvin College alumni improv team weaves skits, games and songs with audience suggestions. 6:30 pm doors open, 7:33 pm show. Ladies Literary Club, 61 Sheldon Blvd SE. $10 (at door or Calvin box office). www.rivercityimprov.com.

formance drama about America’s former president. 7:30 pm. Van Singel Fine Arts Center, 850 Burlingame SW. $39.50 adults, $22.50 students (Van Singel box office or 878-6800). Oct 21-22 - “LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE”: Master Arts Theatre presents the story based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book. 7:30 pm Fri, 2 pm Sat. Evergreen Ministries, 4512 48th Ave, Hudsonville. $10 adults and seniors, $7 students (Hudsonville City Hall, Gary Byker Memorial Library or www. masterarts.org).

Oct 4-9 - “COME FLY AWAY”: Broadway Grand Rapids presents the Frank Sinatra and Twyla Tharp musical. 7:30 pm Tue-Wed, 8 pm Fri, 2 pm and 8 pm Sat, 1 pm and 6:30 pm Sun. DeVos Performance Hall. $27.50-$67.50 (DeVos Place, Van Andel and Broadway Grand Rapids box offices or Ticketmaster). www.broadwaygrandrapids. com.

Oct 21-30 - “ARSENIC AND OLD LACE”: Cornerstone University presents a comedy of innocent spinster aunts who populate their cellar with the remains of socially and religiously acceptable roomers. 7:30 pm, 2:30 pm Oct 30. Matthews Auditorium, GR Theological Seminary, 3000 Leonard St NE. $12 adults, $10 seniors and students (516-0000 or www.cornerstone.edu/ theatre).

Oct 14-16 - “SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN HOMECOMING”: Master Arts Theatre and Howmet Playhouse present the third installment in the story of the Sanders’ family. 7:30 pm, 2 pm Sun. Howmet Playhouse, 304 S Mears Ave, Whitehall. $17 (231-894-4048 or www.masterarts.org).

Oct 21-30 - “NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD”: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents a terror-filled monochromatic play about zombies for ages 10 and older. 7:30 pm, 2 pm Sun. 30 N Division Ave. $14-$25 adults, $14 students (Civic box office or Star Tickets). www.grct.org.

Oct 16 - “UNDER THE STREETLAMP”: “Jersey Boys” cast members perform rock and roll, doo-wop ditties, Motown melodies and Rat Pack favorites. 8 pm. DeVos Performance Hall. Tickets TBD (DeVos and Van Andel box offices or Ticketmaster). Oct 20 - “FDR”: Ed Asner stars in a solo per-

Oct 24 - “THE SPANISH TRADITION: MANUEL DE FALLA, EL CORREGIDOR Y LA MOLINERA”: GVSU’s music and dance faculty and students present a comedic performance of seduction and mishap told through flamenco music, song, pantomime and dance. 8 pm. Louis Armstrong Theatre, PAC, GVSU Allendale campus. www.gvsu.edu/ fallarts.

Oct 27 - “THE WIZARD OF OZ”: Family musical starring Dorothy, Toto and friends the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow. 7:30 pm. Van Singel Fine Arts Center 850 Burlingame SW. $39.50 adults, $22.50 students (Van Singel box office or 878-6800). Oct 27-30 - “DRACULA”: GR Ballet presents ghastly romance and mysterious suspense with vampires. 7:30 pm. Peter Martin Wege Theatre. $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 children (ballet box office or Ticketmaster). www.grballet.com. Oct 28-29 - “IL TROVATORE”: Opera Grand Rapids presents Verdi’s suspenseful drama. 7:30 pm. DeVos Performance Hall. Tickets TBD (Van Andel and DeVos Place box offices or Ticketmaster).

Museums & Attractions Oct - BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER: Oct 8, Falling Leaves ($3). 10 am-5 pm Oct 15, Fall Harvest Festival ($5). 143 acres of diverse ecosystems, trails, natural history exhibits, Heritage Buildings (log cabin, blacksmith shop, one-room schoolhouse). Interpretive Center open 9 am-5 pm Mon-Fri. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, 735-6240, www.blandfordnature center.org. Free. Oct - CAPPON & SETTLERS HOUSE MUSEUMS: Restored Cappon House is the Italianate Victorian home of Holland’s first mayor, 228 W 9th St, Holland. Tiny Settlers House recalls hardships of early settlers, 190 W 9th St, Holland. Noon-4 pm Fri and Sat. See Holland Museum for admission prices. (616) 392-6740, www.hollandmuseum.org. Oct - COOPERSVILLE FARM MUSEUM: Thru Dec, Photo and Art Contest and Exhibit: Great American Barns II. Regular exhibits include tractors from 1930 to present, eclipse windmill, 100-year-old barns, interactive kids area. 10 am-2 pm Tue, Thu and Sat. $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 children 3-18, under 3 free. 375 Main St, Coopersville, 997-8555, www.coopersvillefarm museum.org. Oct - COOPERSVILLE & MARNE RAILWAY: Restored 1920s-era railway has Fall Color Excursion rides 11 am and 1 pm every Wed; $10.50 adults, $9.50 seniors 60 and over, $7.50 ages 2-12, under 2 free. Pumpkin Train rides 11 am and 2 pm Oct 1 and Oct 8; 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm Oct 15, Oct 22 and Oct 29; 1 pm and 3 pm every Sun; $14.50 adults, $13.50 seniors 60 and over, $11.50 ages 2-12, under 2 free. 311 Danforth St, Coopersville, 997-7000 (for advance tickets), www.coopersville andmarne.org. Oct - DEGRAAF NATURE CENTER: 18-acre preserve includes Interpretive Center, indoor pond, animals, SkyWatch and more than 240 plant species. Trails open daily dawn to dusk. 9 am-5 pm Tue-Fri, 10 am-5 pm Sat, closed Sun, Mon and holidays. 600 Graafschap Rd, Holland, (616) 3551057, www.degraaf.org. Free. Oct - FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK: Thru Oct 31, Chrysanthemums and More: displays, color tours, tram rides and children’s activities. Oct 15-16, Bonsai Show. Outdoor exhibits include Children’s Garden, Michigan’s Farm

phOtOgraphy cOurteSy DOwntOwn alliance/terry JOhnStOn

Bike, run, climb, search

Oct 26-31 - “PROM NIGHT: THE MUSICAL”: Stark Turn Players presents a campy musical horror parody. 8 pm Oct 26-31, midnight Oct 28-29, costume party Oct 31. Dog Story Theater, 7 Jefferson Ave SE. $12 adults, $8 seniors and students (894-1252, www.dogstorytheater.com).

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City Guide: Clubs ’n’ Pubs

Mixing lore and libations Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill offers a retro vibe in a newly renovated space. Pinball anyone? By Alexandra Fluegel

Photography by Johnny Quirin

Photography Courtesy Downtown Alliance/Terry Johnston

t Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill, southwest of downtown, you can expect a healthy serving of lore along with your libations. The now retro-themed watering hole dates back to 1949, its most recent occupant being KC’s Hot Spot, and locals who frequent the newly renovated digs are happy to tell you stories. The culture of storytelling pairs well with the tales of times past told through the interior décor. Portraits of 1950’s domestic goddesses with a somewhat deranged twist hang over the single row of booths, and classic movie posters for “Jailhouse Rock” and “Go! Johnny Go!” among others fill another wall beneath the tin ceiling. A mahogaTipTop Deluxe Bar and Grill ny and walnut bar, Location: 760 Butterworth SW part of the original Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Mon.-Fri.; woodwork, offers 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. patrons a handful Contact: (616) 272-3910; of seats, while the www.tiptopdeluxe.com rest of the venue is Specials: Mon. $5 domestic bottles filled with a range and shot of Jameson; Tue. $2 wells, $3 of high- and low-top calls; Wed. $1 off all drafts; Thu. craft tables. and import cans, 12 oz. $2.75, 16 oz. Though the $3.25. jukebox isn’t straight out of a

“Happy Days” episode, the music collection is quite impressive, a throwback mix of doo-wop, jazz, rockabilly and bluegrass, and boasting countless selections from Sun Records, home of Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. The jukebox isn’t Tip Top’s only musical accoutrement; there is a stage for live music, which the bar’s owners say will be a range of blues, folk, rock, country and rockabilly, and a mid-size dance floor for anyone who feels the urge to cut a rug. It’s safe to say there were no bars with flat-screen HDTVs during the “good ol’ days,” and while Tip Top has two, only one was on during my visit and it was set to the History Channel — a welcome surprise. Tucked around the corner are those timeless machines of entertainment — two pinball machines — as well as some contemporary favorites: Golden Tee and an electronic dartboard. And if staring at a screen or flashing lights isn’t up your alley, the bar staff is some of the friendliest in the city, and striking up a conversation is as easy as lighting a match — or doing the Bunny Hop. GR

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Oct - GERALD R. FORD MUSEUM: Thru Jan. 8, Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World explores the multi-faceted man and his achievements. Permanent exhibits include The 1970s; Watergate scandal; White House Oval Office; New Mood at the White House. 9 am-5 pm daily. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 college students, $3 kids 6-18, 5 and under free. 303 Pearl St NW, 2540400, www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov. Oct - HOLLAND MUSEUM: Cultural attractions from the “old country” and exhibits that explore local history. I Spy Adventure and kids activities in Mark’s Room. 10 am-5 pm Mon, Wed-Sat, noon5 pm Sun. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students, children 5 and under free, members free. 31 W 10th St, Holland, (888) 200-9123, www.holland museum.org. Oct - JOHN BALL ZOO: 10 am-3 pm Oct 21-22 and Oct 28-29, Zoo Goes Boo includes trick or treating. Animal attractions include colubus monkeys, New Guinea baboons, ring-tailed lemurs, Lions of Lake Manyara, penguins, Komodo dragon, Mokomboso Valley chimps, Spider Monkey Island and Living Shores Aquarium. Redesigned petting zoo (Red’s Hobby Farm). 10 am-4 pm. $5 adults and seniors over 62, $4 kids 3-13, kids 2 and under free. 1300 W Fulton St, 336-4300, www.johnballzoosociety.org. Oct - KALAMAZOO NATURE CENTER: 1,100 acres of forests, prairies and wetlands. 9 am-5 pm Mon-Sat, 1-5 pm Sun. $6 adults, $5 seniors 55 and over, $4 children 4-13, children under 4 free. 700 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, (269) 381-1574, www.naturecenter.org. Oct - KALAMAZOO VALLEY MUSEUM: Thru Jan 1, CSI: Crime Scene Insects. Thru Jan 22, Fractals: Mathematics and Science as Art. 11 am-3 pm Oct 29, Safe Halloween: Don’t Bug Me. Permanent exhibits include simulated mission to space, 2,300-year-old mummy and Science in Motion. See website for planetarium shows ($3) and activities. 9 am-5 pm Mon-Thu and Sat, 9 am-9 pm Fri, 1-5 pm Sun. 230 N Rose St, Kalamazoo, (800) 772-3370, www.kalamazoo museum.org. Free. Oct - LAKESHORE MUSEUM CENTER: Thru Oct 28, Victoriana, items from the Victorian Period. Exhibits include Michigan Through the Depths of Time; Body Works: It’s All Up to You; Habitats and Food Webs; Science Center; and Voices of Muskegon. 9:30 am-4:30 pm Mon-Fri, noon-4 pm Sat-Sun. 430 W Clay, Muskegon, (231) 722-0278, www.muskegonmuseum.org. Free. Oct - LOWELL AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM: Exhibits about Lowell history, and a Victorian parlor, dining room and porch. 1-4 pm Tue, Sat and Sun, 1-8 pm Thu. $3 adults, $1.50 children 5-17, under 5 free, families $10 max. 325 W Main St, 897-7688, www.lowellmuseum.org. Oct - MEYER MAY HOUSE: Frank Lloyd Wright 1909 prairie-style house restored by Steelcase in 1986-87 features many original furnishings. Open for guided tours 10 am-2 pm Tue and Thu, 1-5 pm Sun (last tour begins one hour prior to closing). 450 Madison Ave SE, 246-4821, meyer

The wages of loyalty “What happens to the people who make things when we stop making things?” is one of the central questions in “Rust,” a new play written by local playwright Austin Bunn, along with Working Group Theatre, that is premiering this month at Actors’ Theatre. Shortly after moving to the West Michigan area in 2008, Bunn, a professor at Grand Valley State University, began reading about the pending closure of the 75-year-old General Motors stamping plant in Wyoming. “We hear about plant closures in the newspaper, and you sort of think that’s the end of the story, but to me that was the beginning,” he said. In 2009, Bunn began interviewing people affected by the plant’s closure and created the play based on the transcripts and his experiences conducting the interviews. “It’s a story about the wages of loyalty. What does it mean to be loyal to a company, loyal to a job?” Bunn said. It’s also about starting over, as many of the subjects’ journeys included finding new employment, new homes, and for many, new lives altogether. “I met people who were doing the same jobs as their grandfathers,” he said. Initial funding for the production came from a grant awarded to Bunn from the Center for Creative and Scholarly Excellence at GVSU, and also from a Creation Fund Grant from the National Performance Network and the National Endowment for the Arts. “Rust” kicks off Actors’ Theatre’s 31st season and runs through Oct. 8. For dates and ticket information, visit actorstheatregrandrapids.org or call (616) 234-3946. See Stage

mayhouse.steelcase.com. Free. Oct - PUBLIC MUSEUM: Thru Oct 8, ArtPrize entries. Thru Dec 31, American Seating Celebrates 125 Years in Grand Rapids. Thru Feb 2012, All Dressed Up: 1950s Style. Thru May 2012, Thank God for Michigan!: Stories from the Civil War, more than 100 artifacts including uniforms, weapons, photographs and letters (free with admission). Permanent exhibits include Streets of Old Grand Rapids and 1928 carousel ($1). 9 am-5 pm Mon, Wed-Sat, 9 am-8 pm Tue, noon-5 pm Sun. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3 ages 3-17. Van Andel Museum Center, 272 Pearl St NW, 456-3977, www.grmuseum.org. Oct - ROGER B. CHAFFEE PLANETARIUM: Stateof-the-art, Digistar-powered shows. Closed thru Oct 9. 2 pm and 7 pm Tue, “Everybody’s Sky.” 3 pm Sat and Sun, “Under Starlit Skies.” Laser Light Shows: “Spooky Tunes” Oct 10-31, see website for times. “Dark Side of the Moon,” 9 pm Sat. “Radiohead,” 10 pm Sat. See website for prices. See Public Museum above, www.grmuseum.org. Oct - TRI-CITIES HISTORICAL MUSEUM: Exhibits include train depot, Michigan Logging and Early Pioneers. 9:30 am-5 pm Tue-Fri, 12:30-5 pm Sat and Sun. 200 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, 8420700, www.tri-citiesmuseum.org. Free. Oct - VEEN OBSERVATORY: Astronomical observatory owned and operated by GR Amateur Astronomical Association. Public viewing: 7:30-10 pm Oct 8 and Oct 29, weather permitting (call

897-7065 for updates). $3 adults, $2 kids 5-17, children under 5 free. 3308 Kissing Rock Ave SE, Lowell, www.graaa.org.

Lectures & Workshops Oct - ENHANCEFITNESS: Senior Neighbors fitness program increases strength and endurance and improves balance. 11:30 am Mon, Wed and Fri. Baxter Community Center, 935 Baxter Ave. (616) 233-0283 or www.seniorneighbors.org. $2 suggested donation. Oct - GR PUBLIC LIBRARIES: Programs include adult computer classes, reading clubs, Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos, Parks for Everyone: The Story of Grand Rapids Parks and kids activities (see Kidstuff). Complete schedule at GRPL Main Library, 111 Library St NE, or www.grpl.org. Free. Oct - GR TANGO: Beginner and intermediate dance lessons 8-9:30 pm Thu, followed by free practice 9:30-10:30 pm. Richard App Gallery, 910 Cherry St SE, www.grtango.org. $12 drop-in. Oct - KENT DISTRICT LIBRARIES: Programs include book discussions, computer classes, career transition workshops, Early Childhood Essentials and kids activities (see Kidstuff). Complete schedule at www.kdl.org. Oct 6, 20 - CALVIN NOONTIME SERIES: Calvin Academy of Lifelong Learning hosts speakers: Oct 6, “Jesus as Healer in Art” by Edgar Boeve.

Photography courtesy Bob Hazen

Garden, 30-acre sculpture park, boardwalk nature trail, tram tours, themed gardens. Indoors has sculpture galleries, tropical conservatory, carnivorous plant house, Victorian garden, café and gift shops. 9 am-5 pm Mon-Sat, 9 am-9 pm Tue, 11 am-5 pm Sun. $12 adults, $9 seniors and students with IDs, $6 ages 5-13, $4 ages 3-4. 1000 East Beltline Ave NE, 957-1580, www.meijer gardens.org.

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City Guide Oct 20, “In Adam’s Fall We Sinned All” by Scott Hoezee. Noon. Calvin Chapel, 1835 Knollcrest Circle SE. Free. Oct 8 - RIVERSIDE PARK TREE TOUR: Local arborist and author Vic Foerster identifies more than 40 trees in GR’s largest park. 10 am-1 pm. Island Picnic Shelter, Riverside Park, 2401 Monroe Ave NW. Free. Oct 8, 22 - GRAND RIVER FOLK ARTS SOCIETY: Dance instruction events. 7 pm Oct 8, Second Friday International Folk Dance, Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, $5. 7 pm Oct 22, 4th Friday Contra Dance with music jams, 5th St Hall, 701 5th St NW, $6. www.grfolkarts.org. Oct 12 - BREASTFEEDING CLASS: “Getting a Strong Start.” Registration required. 6 pm. Baby Beloved, 555 Midtowne St NE, Ste 100, 9775683, www.babybelovedinc.com. $40. Oct 13 - CALVIN PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE SERIES: “The Silk Road: A Journey through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Turkey” by Marlin Darrah. 7 pm. Calvin Covenant FAC. $5 adults, $2 students (at door, box office or 526-6282). Oct 13 - DYSLEXIA SEMINAR: New Chapter Learning offers info on thinking styles, learning differences and gifts of visual thinkers. 6:30 pm. Grandville Middle School, 3535 Wilson Ave, Grandville. Registration: 534-1385. www.new chapterlearning.net. Free. Oct 14 - DAVE RAMSEY: Financial author and motivational speaker presents “EntreLeadership,” the importance of having the character of a leader and the passion of an entrepreneur. 10 am-1 pm. Steelcase Town Hall, 1111 44th St SE. $59 (www. daveramsey.com/entreleadership/home/). Oct 15 - DANCEgr: Ballroom dance lesson (7-8 pm), followed by social dance (8-11 pm). Social Dance Studio, 4335 Lake Michigan Dr NW, www. dancegr.com. $10 lesson, $11 dance, $16 both. Oct 20, 21, 27 - LITERARY LIFE BOOK SIGNINGS: 7 pm Oct 20, Cooking demo and book signing with Susan Clemente, author of “Michigan’s Guide to Local Cooking,” Kitchen Design Studio, 750 Wealthy St SE. 5 pm Oct 21, Deborah Niemann, author of “Homegrown and Handmade,” 758 Wealthy St SE. 7 pm Oct 27, Tobin T Buhk, author of “True Crime: Michigan: The State’s Most Notorious Criminal Cases,” 758 Wealthy St SE. www.literarylifebookstore. com. Free.

Photography courtesy Bob Hazen

Oct 21 - GVSU POETRY NIGHT: An Evening of Poetry and Conversation with Ted Kooser and Terrance Hayes. 7 pm. Eberhard Center, GVSU Pew Campus. www.gvsu.edu/fallarts. Oct 24 - GR AUDUBON CLUB: “Cormorants, Cormorants, Cormorants!” by Peter Butchko, state director for the USDA Wildlife Services program in Michigan. 7 pm social hour, 7:30 pm presentation. Grand Rapids Theological Seminary Auditorium, Cornerstone University, 3000 Leonard St NE. Free. www.glsga.org/grac. Oct 24 - WOMEN’S CITY CLUB: Dinner program: “Grand Rapids from 1860-1890” by Tim Gleisner, director of special collections and department of local history at GR Public Library. 5 pm social hour, 6 pm dinner, program follows. 254 E Fulton St. Tickets $32, $28 members (459-3321). Oct 26 - GRCC DIVERSITY LECTURE SERIES: “The Glass Castle: Demon Hunting and Other Life Lessons” by Jeannette Walls, author, journalist and columnist. 7 pm. Fountain St

Church, 24 Fountain St NE. Free. www.grcc. edu/lecture. Oct 29 - TREES, TREATS AND TOMBSTONES: Walking tour of Oakhill Cemetery includes ecology info, interesting monuments, scavenger hunt, cider and donuts. 3-5 pm. 647 Hall SE. Free.

Sports Oct 8 - URBAN ADVENTURE RACE: Fourhour biking, running and challenge race centered around ArtPrize. 8:30 am. Downtown GR. $110$150/two-person team. grurbanadventurerace. com. Oct 15 - COLORBURST BICYCLE TOUR: Rapid Wheelmen Bicycle Club hosts the tour (with 17-, 30-, 62- and 100-mile loops), raising money for MADD of Kent County and other local charities. Registration and pancake breakfast 8 am. Event ends 4:30 pm. Fallasburg Park, Lowell. $30, $60 family. www.rapidwheelmen.com/colorburst. Oct 16 - METRO HEALTH GRAND RAPIDS MARATHON: Eighth annual certified 26.2-mile course around downtown, plus half marathon, relay race and kids marathon, with 4,000 expected participants. 8 am. Hunting YMCA, 475 Lake Michigan Dr NW. www.grandrapidsmarathon. com.

Kidstuff For Kidstuff activities, see the October issue of Grand Rapids Family Magazine, grfamily.com.

Calendar Legend Commonly requested venue and ticket outlet information follows.

Venues Aquinas Performing Arts Center, 1607 Robinson Road SE, 456-6656 The DeltaPlex Entertainment & Expo Center, 2500 Turner Ave. NW, 364-9000, www.deltaplex.com DeVos Place (DeVos Performance Hall), 303 Monroe Ave. NW, 742-6600, www.devosplace.org Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave. SE, 493-8966, www.fhfineartscenter.com Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon, (231) 722-9750, www.frauenthal.info St. Cecilia Music Center, (Royce Auditorium, Dexter Ballroom), 24 Ransom Ave. NE, 459-2224, www.scmsonline.org Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE, 234-3946 Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA), 2 W. Fulton St., 454-7000 (film hotline 454-3994), www.uica.org Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St., 742-6600, www.vanandelarena.com Van Singel Fine Arts Center, 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center, 878-6800, www.vsfac.com

Ticket Outlets

Grand Rapids Symphony office, 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, 454-9451, www.grsymphony.org Star Tickets, (800) 585-3737, www.startickets.com Ticketmaster, 456-3333, www.ticketmaster.com

List your event Calendar items must be submitted two months prior to the magazine issue date. Please send submissions for the December calendar no later than Oct. 15. E-mail caleditor@geminipub.com, fax (616) 4594800 or mail to Grand Rapids Magazine, 549 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 201, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF GRAND RAPIDS

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City Guide: Hot Shots 2

From green-friendly to pink and odd

Photography by Johnny Quirin (top); Michael Buck (bottom)

It was a perfect night for a party as the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks hosted the Green Gala — “the greenest bash of the season.” About 300 guests enjoyed green cocktails, locals brews, locally sourced appetizers and Faygo floats for dessert, all served in compostable containers. Proceeds from the Aug. 25 event will help support the launch of a volunteer and sponsorship program called Parks Alive! 1. Alison and David Kinsman Entertainment was by Hawks & Owls and Ella 2. Rachel Hyde, Kristine Van Riot in a beautiful outdoor venue at Fish LadNoord, Kristin Morgan, der Park and the Plante&Moran/Christman Nora Faber Building. 3. Bridget Clark Whitney, From pink plastic beach balls to exotic Matthew Downey, entertainment, The Odd Ball was a fabuJanay Brower lously different way to celebrate the comple4. Luisa, Kevin and tion of Phase 1 of the new UICA. Guests dined Myrtelisa Schumacher on specialty cupcakes and pink champagne 5. Tylor Deveroux while checking out the new film theater, and Tom Bahl installations, and youth and ceramics studios. 6. Gina Derusha Entertainment at the July 25 event includand Laura Matthews ed experimental musicians, a DJ spinning 7.Melinda Carey, Elektra, soles of shoes, and an acrobat who captivated Natalee McMullin everyone with a daring aerial routine. 8. Matt Souva and Anna Ogg

88 Grand Rapids October 2011

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9/1/11 4:04 PM

An exquisite dining experience set in a casual yet elegant atmosphere. Treat your senses to all that is Leo’s in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. 60 Ottawa NW | Downtown Grand Rapids | 616.454.6700 | www.leosrestaurant.com

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“Restaurant of the Year” Grand Rapids Magazine 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 “Dining Awards”

Gift certificates and menus are available online at leosrestaurant.com

9/1/11 3:50 PM

Fresh bread Makes the diFFerence. at panera®, this is our promise to you: To bake fresh bread from fresh douGh every night in every bakery-cafe by real bakers. To start every hot sandwich with freshly baked bread for the best flavor and texture. To pair our artisan bread with only the finest ingredients — like using slow-roasted, thick-cut, all-natural turkey in our new Roasted Turkey Artichoke Panini. At Panera, fresh bread makes the difference and it’s what makes today, and every day, better. Make today better

head baker

new roasted turkey artichoke panini

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9/1/11 3:51 PM