Dining & Drinking Readers Picks Asian Cuisine Maru 927 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Thai Fusion 3. Erb Thai BBQ Two Scotts 536 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids 2. Slows BBQ 3. Horseshoe Smokehouse Beer Event or Festival Founders Fest 235 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids 2. Winter Beer Festival 3. Brewery Vivant Wood Aged Beer Fest Best Ambience Brewery Vivant 925 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Founders Brewing Co. 3. Harmony Hall 3. Winchester Best IPA 1. Bell’s Brewery - Two Hearted Ale 2. Founders Brewing Co. - All Day IPA 3. Perrin - Grapefruit IPA
Bloody Mary The Winchester 648 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Stella’s Lounge 3. SpeakEZ Lounge
2. Graydon’s Crossing 3. Logan’s Alley
2. Wolfgang’s Restaurant 3. Real Food Cafe
Dessert Cakabakery 1436 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids
Brewery Founders Brewing Co. 235 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
2. Wealthy Street Bakery 3. Nantucket Bakery
2. Brewery Vivant 3. Perrin Brewing Co
Diner Grand Coney 809 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids
Burger Stella’s 53 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
2. Bartertown Diner 3. Choo Choo Grill
2. Brewery Vivant 3. The Winchester
Distillery Long Road Distillers 537 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids
Chili Cottage Bar 18 La Grave Ave. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Founders Brewing Co. 3. HopCat Cidery Vander Mill 505 Ball Ave. NE, Grand Rapids 2. The Peoples Cider Co. 3. Crane’s Cider Mill 3. Ridge Cider CO. Cocktails Long Road Distillery 537 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids 2. Rockwell Republic 3. SpeakEZ Lounge Coffee Madcap Coffee 98 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids 2. Rowster Coffee 3. Biggby Craft Beer Selection at a Restaurant/Bar/Brewpub HopCat 25 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
2. New Holland 3. Grey Skies Distillery Farm to Table Terra GR 1429 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Grove 3. San Chez Food Truck What The Truck 648 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Two Scotts 3. A Moveable Feast Fried Chicken Cousin’s Tasty Chicken 1209 Leonard St. NE, Grand Rapids 2. The Southerner 3. New York Fried Chicken Fries HopCat 25 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids 2. Brewery Vivant 3. Stella’s Lounge
Happy Hour Terra GR 1429 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Pyramid Scheme 2. Rockwell Republic 3. Grand Rapids Brewing Co. Hard Liquor 1. New Holland Beer Barrel Bourbon 2. Long Road Distillers Vodka 3. Long Road Distillers Gin Hot Dog Yesterdog 1505 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Jonny B’z 3. The Corner Bar Ice Cream/Frozen Treats Furniture City Creamery 958 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Spoonlickers 3. Love’s Ice Cream Indian Bombay Cuisine 1420 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Curry Kitchen 3. Palace of India Italian Amore 5080 Alpine Ave. NW, Comstock Park 2. Osteria Rossa 3. Mangiamo’s Lunch Marie Catribs 1001 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Two Beards Deli 3. Founders Brewing Co. Margarita Donkey Taqueria 665 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids 2. Beltline Bar 3. Luna
STAFF PICKS BEST FARM TO TABLE: Food Dance 401 E. Michigan Ave. #100, Kalamazoo You’ll be hard-pressed to find a restaurant as passionate about the farm-to-fork movement as Food Dance in Kalamazoo. This restaurant has lived and breathed for almost two decades, far before it became trendy. They believe firmly in the connection between food and people, sustainable food sources, supporting the community and culinary education both for themselves and their patrons. In addition to offering delectable dishes, they also participate in various foodrelated events and host a number of cooking classes throughout the year. —Dwayne Hoover
Best Breakfast/Brunch: The Westsider Café 1180 Walker NW, Grand Rapids The Westsider Cafe is one of those places where it is IMPOSSIBLE to leave hungry. Tucked away on Walker Avenue in Northwest Grand Rapids, this local breakfast hot spot entices patrons with ridiculously large portions of breakfast comfort food. Their Polish Skillet is a local favorite and their grilled red skin potatoes are the perfect breakfast side. If you’re feeling extra hungry, order the 7th Street special with biscuits and gravy. Just make sure to have a takeout box ready – and a couple hours to spare for your upcoming food coma. —Josh Spanninga
SHOULD HAVE WON A LOT: Little Africa 956 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids In a just world, there would be a line down the block for Little Africa, which still, bafflingly, falls under the umbrella of “Best-Kept Secret.” Revue didn’t have an African-specific food category in the survey, but there are several other winners’ circles where Little Africa belongs. What about Best Vegetarian? It does, after all, boast an allvegan menu, offering such Ethiopian and East African delights as spicy red lentils, soy curry, ferfer (kale and tomato paste with onion and garlic), gomen (spiced collard greens) and alicha (vegetable mix with potato and cabbage). How about Best First Date Spot? You’ll learn more about a person sharing a two-person platter of the day’s cuisine atop a bed of injera bread than over beers in some loud brewery. How about best service or ambience? A meal in Little Africa is like eating in the home of a lifelong friend. —Troy Reimink
REVUEWM.COM | August 2016 |
Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule
Best Stout 1. Founders Brewing Co. - KBS 2. Founders Brewing Co. Breakfast Stout 3. New Holland Brewing Co. Dragon’s Milk
Breakfast/Brunch Anna’s House (Multiple locations)
39