It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that just because an event has been around for years it can become a bit tired in its annual (and almost obligatory) presentation.
But looking at the map of all of the restaurants participating should remind us Restaurant Week GR remains worthy of our attention.
For 2015, Grand Rapidians have a chance to sample from a grand total of 65 eateries offering a curated dining experience for diners at a series of pricing that is sure to make everyone feel welcome to join the fun.
Looking for an insider's edge this year beyond the eateries that everyone flocks to right away like Cygnus, six.one.six, and Grove? Try these recommendations:
New to Restaurant Week This Year
Flat Landers Barstillery has a menu that is intriguing with bold local sourcing with menu items from Grand Butchers, Visser Farms, and Nantucket Bakery.
The Bandit Queen is the new dining darling on the Avenue for the Arts and is remixing Asian and Latin with Mock Eel Ssam, Korean BBQ Ribs, and a Pork Belly Stir fry.
Head to Rockford for a seat at Ramona’s Table where Chef Laurel DeRuda has appeared to corner the city's market on how great homemade food should taste.
Off the Beaten Path
Licari’s Sicilian Pizza Kitchen is soul food for Italians and Italians at heart.
Olives Restaurant is known for having the best martini in GR but no worries if your happy hour spills over into dinner as they always have great food, which includes their Restaurant Week menu. Best time to go is on the weekends when the EGR clans all migrate to their beach houses.
Linc Up Soul Food Café asks that you go South and taste their authentic down home soul food like Louisiana Gumbo, Blackened Catfish, Grilled Pork Chops with maple glaze and fried tomato chutney, Sweet Potato Pie, and of course, ask for hot sauce – I never miss a chance to eat their food with a bit of a kick added.
Taqueria El Rincon Mexicano is a food lover's dream destination as everything is homemade and tastes fresh. This menu combines Mexican specialties and Central American dishes from Honduras and San Salvador. No passport is needed to travel to these taste destinations all in one place.
This is more than just a time to eat your way around the city, because many of the restaurants are also offering special drinks created just for the annual Grand Cocktail Competition.
The winners this year include the first place Most Creative Woodford Reserve Julep, going to Tara VanderMolen from Licari's Italian Pizza Kitchen with her entry called “Grand Smash,” and the Most Creative Herradura Tequila Summer Cocktail award went to Chris Maxim from Divan with his entry called “A Midsummer Night’s Shrub."
And don't fret, there are still reservations available according to Restaurant Week GR's Project Development Consultant Sally Zarafonetis, who says, "But do call for a reservation as soon as possible – there are still times open at most places, even on the weekend if you can be flexible with the time."
Admission: $28 per person (and 2 for $28 at others); see
RestaurantWeekGR's map for a complete listing of all 65 offers this year.