The Cottage Bar, originally “The Cottage” first opened in 1927 and is the oldest operating bar and restaurant downtown Grand Rapids. We like to call it one of GR’s hidden gems, located off LaGrave Avenue just South of Fulton, tucked away behind its sister restaurant - One Trick Pony. With the Art Deco mahogany bar, and the warm/casual ambiance, you can feel years of history within the walls. Enjoy an array of mixed drinks or a local brew with one of their many mouthwatering burgers or sandwiches. Our top pick is the classic pulled pork sandwich with a side of homemade slaw, and their crunchy sweet potato fries... For extra "yum factor" make sure you get them with a side of cinnamon yogurt dipping sauce :) Other popular menu items include their wet burrito, the cottage burger, and the cottage wedge fries. A great place for a casual lunch or dinner, a gathering with friends, or a late night burger while you hop around town. Their convenient location near the heart of downtown puts you within walking distance of many of GR's popular bars on Ionia Street, Van Andel Arena, as well as the Urban Institute for Urban Art, and the Civic Theatre. For more information on the Cottage Bar click here. Schnitz Deli, located at 1315 Fulton Street SE, nestled near popular uptown neighborhood spots and nearby to some of our most favorite places downtown like the Fulton St Farmers Market and Hillcrest Dog Park. A perfect location to pick up a quick meal or your picnic essentials while you're in route to your favorite GR park! You may also dine-in and enjoy their casual atmosphere and welcoming staff. The design of the dining area is classic deli style with a bit of a creative twist, making all you sandwich lovers feel right at home. Schnitz offers a large variety sandwiches such as the BLT, ruben, and a philly cheese steak. Our team's top pick is the chicken salad sandwich on sourdough bread with a hearty tomato basil soup on the side. You can choose from one of their many sandwich creations or, if you're feeling frisky, create your own! Their sandwiches are offered in half or full sizes with rotating specials offered every day. You may choose from a variety of sides such as crispy potato chips, a cup of their delicious soup or a fresh side salad. Check out their menu below and consider this place when you are looking to cater your next Grand Rapids party or event! For all of our food allergy friends -> Gluten free wrap options are available! :) Check out their menu here! In honor of Cinco de Mayo I am highlighting one of my favorite go-to restaurants for their hip atmosphere, even hipper staff, and of course their ridiculously delicious tacos!! Donkey Taqueria is located Downtown Grand Rapids at 665 Wealthy St SE. They offer a nice variety of authentic Mexican food, including my favorites - taco al pastor and taco de panza, as well as an extensive tequila menu. If delicious hand crafted cocktails are more of your thing, try one of their margaritas or a glass of sangria. Both are made in house with fresh juices and mixers, kicking their flavors and the fresh factor to a whole new level. The space where Donkey is located is a former 1920’s neighborhood service station that was perfectly transformed by the restaurant owners into this trendy eatery. They also created one of the best patios in town, which overlooks a Grand Rapids hot spot in the Wealthy Street Business District. Day or night you will see many patrons bouncing around among the boutique and locally owned retail shops, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, or bars all located within walking distance from each other. Wealthy Street is a destination spot downtown and one that perfectly embodies our city's love for fresh and local. Whether you are visiting GR for the first time or are a native to West Michigan, this location is one you will fall in love with and want to revisit. Don't believe me? Go try it out...Cheers! For more about Donkey visit: www.donkeygr.com Another great destination in Grand Rapids is the Downtown Market located 435 Ionia Ave SW. In the market you will find Aperitivo, a full service cheese and charcuterie vendor. This is the place in GR to enjoy perfectly paired food and beverage. Allow yourself to linger in both the amazing food flavors and their atmosphere while you enjoy a dining experience unlike any other in GR. Beyond their delicious array of speciality meat and cheeses, the extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff, and relaxing ambiance will keep you coming back for more! I like to swing by regularly and chat with their cheesemongers. Their staff constantly inspires me to go beyond my food boundaries and try something new. I always leave with great food tips and a product I haven't tried... and then fall madly in love with a newfound food pairing! (My latest obsession - sheep cheese paired with dark chocolate... yum!) I also enjoy dining at the bar or the outdoor patio during warmer months... either are fantastic places to unwind any time, day or night. Hosting an event? They offer catering and will work with you to create the perfect cheese and charcuterie platter your guests will love! Aperitivo's love for food shines throughout everything they do. From their amazing selection of imported and domestic products, to the customer service and social and educational events offered to the public. We give Aperitivo a round of applause for their well developed craft of food & beverage pairing, their passion for flavor, and sharing all of this with the GR community! Next time you are downtown, swing by and check them out! For more information, or to keep up to date with their events, visist www.aperitivogr.com Le Bon Macaron is located 951 Cherry St SE, downtown, perfectly set in the East Hills business district with many locally owned specialty shops and eateries. Le Bon Macaron serves an array of colorful and tasty French macarons. Their love for French culture is felt the moment you step into the cafe. Gazing upon the colorful nuggets of deliciousness it is hard to pick just one! Some of my favorites include salted caramel, green tea, lemon ginger, and honey lavender. Along with their delicious cookies they also serve coffee from Rowster's, fresh croissants from Field & Fire, and Italian sodas made with their delicious handcrafted fruit purees. A great place for a quick snack or extended afternoon coffee/tea with friends... you'll surely feel welcome any time of day in this charming cafe! For more information visit www.lebonmacaron.com When I think of Marie's food I think of wholesome, family, fresh, inspiring... I can't begin to describe how much I adore this restaurant, their people, and the food they create. This is truly a business built upon dedication and love! Located at 1001 Lake Dr SE, in the East Hills business district, Marie's has established itself as THE spot in Grand Rapids for health focused, from scratch, meals that include an array of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. If you are looking for an adventurous outing filled with delicious food and a touch of Lebanese flair, this is the place! Some of my favorites include their sweet potato and quinoa burger, the "Bruce Anchor" barramundi tacos (pictured above), Shoarma, Turkish coffee, fresh juices of your favorite fruits and veggies (mine = ginger, apple, carrot!!) and of course their famous gluten free carrot cake! Beyond their dine in restaurant, Marie's offers catering, a deli, and a variety of fresh breads, cookies, and granola for pickup or delivery. Now that your taste buds are tingling in anticipation for some seriously delicious grub, swing by Marie's for breakfast, brunch, lunch, supper, dinner... or (like me) the "just because I can't drive through East Hills without a cup of their homemade soup" stop! Go ahead, throw your self discipline out the window, even if you aren't hungry you will be once you step inside and see what's pumping out of their kitchen!!! If you can't stay and eat, grab a few items from the deli to go. Either way you will not be disappointed... and who knows, you may just fall in love :) For more information visit, www.mariecatribs.com Among the busy streets downtown there's one that has been jokingly compared to the famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans... Ionia Ave. Perhaps lacking a bit of depth in culture and history as the famous French Quarter, Ionia Ave is becoming one of the most popular areas patrons flock to for food, music, and entertainment. Peppered with restaurants and bars, Ionia Ave is also the host to many popular events such as Irish on Ionia. (GR's largest St. Patricks Day Street Party) Along this popular avenue, located at 64 Ionia, is a fantastic Latin inspired, upscale restaurant called Luna. Luna replaced what was once Ritz Koney Bar & Grille. Walking into the space I was immediately blown away by the transformation. What was once a bar/grille theme, commonly know for its diner style late night eats, is now a well laid out modern yet elegantly designed restaurant. The feeling of quality hits you right away and follows though to the menu and execution of their dishes. Luna uses the highest quality meats and produce from the best local sources. Offering lunch and dinner options with a full-service bar featuring Latin inspired signature cocktails... this place gets my approval for one of GR's best locally owned restaurants! Bravo Luna! Another great addition to the Arena District! See more about Luna and their menu at www.lunagr.com. Inspired by nature, using only the freshest ingredients, sourcing from local growers whenever possible, you can see (and taste) the love in every dish that comes out of their kitchen. The restaurant is uniquely designed with an open concept offering patrons a glimpse into the cooking area where their chef's create delicious and inspirational meals. In addition to the layout, their table settings, light fixtures, and decor give you that welcoming, modern/farm-house, home cooking warm fuzzy feeling. Handcrafted meals made by, and served by, a generous and hospitable staff puts Terra GR on the top of our list of best farm-to-table eateries in town. Their menu caters to gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian patrons without lacking in creativity or flavor when substituting for such ingredients. They also offer a full service bar features an excellent array of handcrafted cocktails, craft beer, and wine (including organic, and gluten free options).
Located 1429 Lake Dr SE, in Eastown, Terra is open Monday - Sunday. The perfect spot for dinner but if you are looking for a new weekend brunch place... look no further. Terra in Eastown will blow you away with their brunch menu, offered Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-3pm. You'll not only leave with a happy belly but also good vibes by knowing their staff truly values the health-conscious lifestyle and a love for food. :) Find more at www.terragr.com |
Welcome!One of my passions besides real estate is exploring our beautiful city spaces, supporting our small businesses and advocating for our local organizations.
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