Feeling like you have tried all the restaurants & pubs in Grand Rapids? Looking for something new? Lucky for you, there are new restaurants popping up all over Grand Rapids, further solidifying our reputation as a ‘foodie” destination. Come with us as we sample some of Grand Rapids’ best new restaurants.
THE SOVENGARD – 443 Bridge Street NW (West Side) http://www.sovengard.com
Located on the garden-level (basement) in a strip of commercial buildings, The Sovengard has been building quite a reputation for its warm and unique Scandinavian hospitality and cooking. In addition to their extensive beer menu featuring several microbrews, The Sovengard is where you come for the traditional Scandinavian drink, aquavit. Most people come here for the well-executed New Nordic Movement culinary creations. Fans of The Sovengard have been raving about the Swedish-Style Meatballs (with mushroom gravy, creme fraiche and herbs), the Cornmeal Seared Lake Superior Whitefish (with potato rosti, herbed yoghurt, apple slaw and candied walnuts) and the Cold Fried Chicken, served with mustard greens, pickled cippolini, garlic-dill mayo, and pepper jelly on spelt bread. Come experience hygge, a Norwegian word for coziness; a sense of intimacy, togetherness and inner warmth.
7 MONKS TAPROOM – 740 Michigan NE (Midtown) http://www.7monkstap.com/
This highly-anticipated taproom from Traverse City has been a welcome addition to the Midtown/Michigan Street corridor of restaurants and pubs. Featuring what seems like an endless number of beer taps, 7 Monks has all the main beer styles covered. Come here for a wide selection of Belgian ales, sour ales, lagers, stouts, porters, IPAs, ciders and trappist ales. While they are well-known for their beer selection, 7 Monks is just as popular for their food menu. Stellar dishes here include the IPA Onion Dip (Founders All-Day IPA, caramelized onions, cream cheese and gruyere served with toasted bread), the Korean Nachos (flank steak, jalapenos, cabbage, carrots, kimchi, cheese and sweet chili sauce) and the Greasy Spoon Burger, which features pickles, onions, greens, cheese and secret sauce, served with french fries.
ONE BOURBON – 608 Bridge Street NW (West Side) http://onebourbongr.com
Located in the restored building that formerly housed Louie’s Rocket Lounge, One Bourbon has been receiving accolades and praise since they opened their doors a few months ago. One Bourbon specializes in reimagined, stick-to-your-ribs classics and has several hundred bottles of bourbon to wash it down with. Favorites here include the Chicken ‘N’ Waffles (half a fried chicken with honey hot sauce, chilled watermelon, a cornbread waffle and bourbon maple syrup), the Bourbon Beef Poutine (crispy fries topped with chipped sirloin, pepper gravy, cheese curds and bourbon BBQ glaze) and the Georgia Egg Roll (chopped fried chicken, dirty rice, beans, collard greens and garlic aioli, wrapped and fried). In addition to the lip-smacking food they offer, One Bourbon has over 100 bottles of whiskey.
BUTCHER’S UNION – 438 Bridge Street NW (West Side) https://www.butchersuniongr.
Opened just a few short months ago, Butcher’s Union specializes in meat and whiskey. While Butcher’s Union offers more than just meat and whiskey, we are fans of the meat offerings, such as the Tri-Tip Steak topped with balsamic grapes, red onions and a parmesan sauce, the Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf topped with pan gravy, sweet onion marmalade and served with a side of garlic mashed potatoes, or the Smoked Pastrami Sandwich, topped with apple slaw, cheese, and mustard. When devouring the meats, you will need a nice whiskey to pair. No fear, they have hundreds to choose from, whether you like it neat, with a splash or on the rocks.
BROWN BUTTER – 1436 Wealthy Street SE (Eastown) http://www.brownbuttercrepes.
What began as a food truck has become a welcome addition to the Eastown neighborhood. Taking over the iconic “windmill building” after Cakabakery vacated, Brown Butter serves up Grand Rapids’ finest crepes. They have received high praise for their homemade, hand-spun sweet and savory crepe varieties, such as The Classic (ham, Swiss cheese, chives and grainy mustard), The France (Nutella spread, bananas, strawberries and whipped cream) and the Blueberry Goat (blueberry compote, goat cheese and a honey drizzle). We are told that they will soon be serving large Belgian waffles with a variety of toppings soon. We will keep our eyes and ears open.
There you have it. We feel like these five new restaurants & pubs in Grand Rapids can reignite your foodie passion with their inventive and pragmatic take on food and drink. Feel like we are missing something? Drop us a line and tell us if you have been to any of these restaurants or think we are missing one.
