We always look for local restaurants instead of eating at the hotel when we are traveling. We…read morefound a gem this morning with Little Bird. The staff is friendly and enjoys small talk. If you want specialty coffee go to Starbucks, but the coffee was good and they have a variety of teas. The food was delicious. I had the French Toast with granola, lemon curd, and whipped cream (all made in house with bread from the bakery next door). The genius of the meal was the hint of mint in the whipped cream. Delicious! They also have a kids menu and are family friendly. It was a little pricey but the food and service were worth it. I highly recommend Little Bird for breakfast, but they also have a lunch and dinner menu plus a wide variety of cocktails, wine, and beer.

Hubby found a great place for brunch today in Grand Rapids. Littlebird is a small restaurant with…read morebar seating and tables inside, as well as an outdoor patio. The staff is so sweet especially our server Hope, as well Caleb who we had a great conversation with. Both were friendly and attentive. My husband ordered the duck confit hash, which was amazing. It was so flavorful and delicious. I had the Bousin & herb French omelette, which was melt-in-your mouth creamy deliciousness. This is not your typical breakfast place. The chef makes unique and creative dishes, definitely elevated. Two disappointments for me - 1) I wish they had sourdough without flax seeds. I had to get gluten-free bread instead since I can't do seeds. Meh. 2) I was looking forward to a cappuccino, but not offered here. Other than those two minor things, I loved it!!

Stunning inside, now the ambiance is set to feel like every table has their own "date night" of…read moresorts. Quiet, candlelight dinner is exactly what we wanted for my husband's birthday dinner, and that's exactly what we got! Delicious entrees, the sides and add-ons are worth it!

We chose this restaurant expecting a more upscale dining experience based on the pricing, but…read moreunfortunately it fell short in several areas. I will address the positive things first. We were seated very promptly since we had a reservation. The outside of restaurant is beautiful and has a huge parking lot. The area where we were seated was really nice with windows all along the wall. And our appetizers- the dressed eggs and lobster ravioli were amazing!! One of the biggest issues was the number of gnats flying around our table throughout the meal. We constantly had to swat them away from our wine glasses, which made it difficult to relax and enjoy the evening. I understand the occasional gnat. But this was kind of ridiculous. The service was also disappointing. Our server mentioned that he had worked at the restaurant for quite some time, but he didn't seem very knowledgeable about the menu and wasn't able to answer questions confidently. He was also not very attentive, and we often had to wait longer than expected for check-ins. Our food came out quickly but the wine always took quite a while to come to the table. The food itself was good, but when you're paying fine-dining prices, you expect the entire experience--including the atmosphere and service--to match. I hope the restaurant addresses these issues because it has the potential to provide a much better dining experience. Also, I would skip the sea bass entree. I was not really impressed with it and wished that I had ordered a pasta dish. However the server helped me decide and chose the sea bass. I loved the atmosphere. I loved the decor. I loved the wine and appetizers. But everything else just did not impress me. Not for the amount of money we dropped on this meal. I doubt I will return.

Cafe Mamo is truly one of the most special restaurants in Grand Rapids…read more A small, local, farm-to-table bistro with a weekly rotating menu run by a husband and wife? Am I in Grand Rapids or Europe?? The premise alone is enough to get people in the door, but the execution is what will make customers return time after time. The ambiance is perfect. Feels like a cross between your grandma's cottage, a cozy breakfast nook, and a Michelin star restaurant. The staff was lovely and attentive. You can tell that they put their heart and soul into curating a five star experience for their guests. And the food? Great. Not blow-your-hair-back, but it was great. We started with the shishito peppers, hit with a quick sauté and some parm and aioli. They were really just peppers, fresh and delicious in their own right but nothing spectacular. Our entrees were the pork ribs and the (some type of pasta filled with cheese whose name alludes me). The ribs were good, but the flavors were foreign to me. Black olives and ribs is a new combo, and while it wasn't for me, it was still great to try a new thing. The pasta was the star of the show, it felt like that scene in Ratatoullie when Anton Ego eats the ratatoullie and is transported back to his childhood. The ice cream was BOMB. House made cantaloupe ice cream?? I'm not a dessert guy and this knocked my socks off. I'd go again just for this. And the cocktails were lovely as well. I got a martini with olive oil, which was literally vodka with three drops of olive oil and some Maldon salt. Simple yet perfectly executed. My fiancée got a sort of gimlet which was also superb. Overall, Cafe Mamo reminded me that dining at an establishment is an experience, and that experience is influenced by more than the food. The service, atmosphere, cocktails and desserts were all truly top notch. While the food was a bit of a miss for me, I respect the rotating menu and the fact that even the best artists can't produce straight bangers 100% of the time. I will certainly be returning to this establishment, as I am in full support of everything that this place stands for and will vote with my dollar every chance I get! Yet another win for Creston, Cafe Mamo is an instant classic!

Definitely come here for the experience. All of our food…read morewas yummy, nothing was crazy delicious. Our drinks were however awesome, I got a nonalcoholic citrus ginger mocktail, which was perfect for the summer weather. We got seats outdoors on their small patio. I think the whole appeal of this place is the farm to table with a limited menu. Definitely need a reservation because the place is small and I don't think they would be able to accommodate walk-ins because service is pretty slow. But honestly, that makes for a lovely two hour, almost European style dinner with multiple small courses and lots of drinks. They also have a dessert of the day which was a windmill cookie ice cream, which we did not try, but sounded lovely. Prices were very fair. I would definitely come back to try another daily menu.

We went here for our 22nd wedding anniversary. Sat out on patio. Even though there is construction…read morecurrently out there it is soo relaxing. We could sit out there for hours The staff were warm and inviting, and very efficient and timely. The food: amazing! We questioned why we hadn't gone here before! I got the mahi mahi with a type of cold pasta salad, so good, great flavor and filling! My husband got the pork chop, literally the best pork chop I have ever had, a type of mushroom sauce was to die for and the little potato cakes hit the spot. Drinks: soo delicious. I would go here just for drinks. I got the pornstar martini with the prosecco side car and my husband got a type of bourbon smash I think.. sorry can't remember the name of it. If you haven't been, drop everything and head over there, it's worth it.

What a pleasant and wonderful dining experience! We arrived for our reservation and were…read moreimmediately seated. Our waitstaff was pleasant and really enjoyed chatting with us. They also were very good at simply leaving us alone and letting us have a nice evening. The food was delicious! We had the special appetizer of foccia bread and a ragu with goat cheese and pesto. It was so yummy. Two of us had the summer risotto without any added protein. The risotto was so creamy and full of flavor. I had to force myself to slow down because it was just so good I wanted to eat it all. Instead, I chose to savor each bite. The third member of our party ordered the pork chop which was cooked beautifully. We also had the blueberry cobbler with ice cream, which while not anything like the cobbler that I make, was very tasty. There were some minor things like mislabeling a Chiante Classico and a Super Tuscan from Spain (ES) and Italy (IT) on the wine list and the noise level being loud enough it was difficult for myself and another member of our party to hear as we are both hearing impaired, but we managed. All in all a really good evening! I recommend Linear!

This is a delightful restaurant with great food, great service and great ambiance. Their thoughtful…read morefarm to table menu was outstanding. I'm sad I was only in town for one night because I was forced to pick just one item. I decided on the Short Rib Ragu Gnocchi. It was a good choice, but everybody's meals looked great. We had 8 at a table and our server did an excellent job engaging with everyone, getting our drinks out in a timely manner and serving us all at the same time. I tried someone else's Salmon and it was delicious also. 2 people got the hanger steak and gave it 5 stars. The prices were reasonable given the quality, freshness and presentation of our dinners. We got there just before happy hour ended and our server was nice enough to clue us in and we got a few appetizers and drinks before the prices went up. Definitely go if you get a chance. I'll be back if I find myself in GR's again.

I had such a great experience here. The staff really knew their stuff, especially when it came to…read moregluten allergies, which honestly made me feel so much more comfortable right away. Our waitress was awesome too--super friendly and helpful without being over the top. The whole place has a clean, modern vibe but still feels really family-friendly, which I liked. It's one of those spots that just feels easy to be in. I ordered the hanger steak, and not even kidding, it was one of the best meals I've had. I never clear my plate, and this time I did. Every bite was that good. You'd never know it was gluten-free--the flavor was incredible and nothing felt like it was missing. Then I somehow made room for cheesecake and finished that too, which says a lot. Same thing there--no way you'd guess it was gluten-free. Overall, they just really know how to do gluten-free right. Nothing felt like a compromise at all. I'd 100% go back.

We had a wonderful experience! The service was kind, welcoming, and incredibly helpful…read more The authentic atmosphere and decor add so much character; and the aroma of the food and spices throughout the restaurant is amazing. The prices are extremely reasonable. The deluxe combo platter came with soup and a drink, and everything was delicious. The spiced tea was warm, comforting, and full of flavor. If you're looking for authentic food, a welcoming environment, and great value, Little Africa is absolutely worth a visit. We'll definitely be back, and next time we're bringing more people with us!

as we sat in our cozy booth, i felt a little sad that we hadn't eaten at little affrica sooner…read more my partner and i shared the group platter which is the best way to experience all of the stews. for those who have not tried ethiopian food, your meal is served on and with injera, a bread used to scoop up the stews. the injera was spongy, tangy, and the perfect utensil. research shows eating with your hands improves digestion and enhances satisfaction. it's such a mindful process and truly makes you feel good. mindfulness aside, the stews were delicious and flavorful. i also ordered the guava juice which was thick and very sweet. i'd love to try the mango next and i know my partner is interested in trying the coffee. at $12.50 per person, the group platter is affordable and filling. And yes they do accept cards (no longer cash only). the owner (i'm assuming) was sweet and attentive. we can't wait to head back to little africa soon.

Food is always amazing! Miss the fries and old sauce but the new sauce is good too. This is my…read morefavorite place to eat! Will be back very soon

A great meal and a great evening! Food and service are TOP NOTCH!…read more Love the setting and the space, too! Will be back!!

Always an amazing time & absolutely LOVE SILVA! I never get bored & never want to leave!read more

We absolutely loved Silva!! My wife surprised me tickets to…read moresee Pattie Gonia here and we thought how cool - dinner and a show. I was honestly having a really crappy day before we got there, but as soon as we walked into Silva for the drag brunch, it turned my whole entire day around. We had the best time & great food before the show next door at The Big Room. The show was incredible and the staff were all so friendly and awesome at The Big Room!! Can't wait to come back. ‍

Mizizi and Chef Shaw are such an underrated/hidden gem for Grand Rapids. I've stopped by a couple…read moretimes now and they are always super friendly and pretty quick! They have a couple bar stools / high tops inside but it's pretty small so either plan to eat at their seats outdoors in front or take it to go! Love their drink options, always super tasty and refreshing. I think they are known for their birria and they had a birria udon special this past visit that I had to try. It was good! A bit salty for my personal taste but the birria flavors were on point. I also tried one of my friend's pork birria dumplings and that was so yummy. Great texture and very saucy. Will definitely be back for more soon!

Tastes good! Nice spices. Large portions. Very filling. My husband and I enjoyed the rice bowl and…read morebarría tacos. The pomegranate sauce was incredibly flavorful and so was their hibiscus lemonade. Highly recommend!

We came in on Saturday night, 7/25/26 around 5:30pm before going to a concert at Acrisure. We…read moredidn't have a reservation but fortunately there was room at the bar - which is our preferred seating spot anyway. I was surprised at how long it took for the 2 hosts to greet us - as we were standing directly in front of them. They were talking to one another, and it was probably work related, but to just stand there staring at them for a couple minutes while they ignored us was awkward. When they finally talked to us they weren't very friendly. Anyway, we made our way to the bar and it was full except for 3 seats. I think the bartender waiting on us was new. He seemed like he was pretty overwhelmed/in the weeds. He greeted us quickly and brought us waters when he did, which I appreciated. I ordered a Blackeberry Bourbon Sour and my Mr had Paloma Nuestra. We both enjoyed our drinks they were refreshing and well crafted. For dinner I had a really hard time deciding! I wanted to try so many things! Our bartender said his favorite thing in the menu is the chicken and rice bowl. That was something I was considering and decided to go with that. Excellent recommendation! The chicken was flavorful and so tender. The hot peppers were a nice touch. There was a lot of food too! I couldn't finish it all. Mr had the hanger steak that was served with mushroom and asparagus risotto. He said the risotto was the best he's ever had, and I agree. The asparagus was perfectly cooked and so was the steak. The space is really nice, felt intimate without being overcrowded. We are looking forward to coming back!

Studio Park positions itself as a premium spot for event nights at Acrisure Amphitheater, so maybe…read moreput some effort into making the "Party on the Piazza" an actual event. What a disappointment, but not nearly as much as our experience at 123 Tavern. We came in at 4:15PM before the Brandi Carlile show needing a table for a party of 8-10. The place was fully booked (but only half full at that time) except the bar (first-come, first-served). Fair enough -- but from the moment we walked up, the manager at the host stand couldn't have cared less. She quoted a two-hour wait, shut down my question about sitting outside with a flat no, and pointed us toward the bar. No sense of customer service at all. Like zero. The three of us who were there took the last open seats at the bar. Then came the real show: one bartender for the entire restaurant AND bar. He ignored us for ten minutes. My wife and friend got their beers quickly -- but my bourbon sat finished at the service station for another seven minutes while I watched the large ice cube melting as it marinated there. When I finally asked where my drink was, I got "I'm working on it." When he did finally bring it, he pushed it across the bar at me -- no apology, no eye contact, his attention on anything but me. I'll be honest about what I can't prove: I've worked in this industry a long time, and the whole thing read like my service got intentionally slow-walked. My drink held back while everyone around me was taken care of. Maybe the front manager said something after our rocky start at the host stand. Maybe they're just all bad at their jobs. I can't tell you which. I can only tell you how obvious it felt from the barstool. Everything after was the same; menus, ordering, closing out, all a slog. I had to hunt down that same manager for our check so we could get to the show, and she was all attitude, zero help. We only escaped because my wife flagged a server who found a another manager. His response to hearing all this? "I'm sorry." Nothing else. No attempt to make it right. For the first time in my life, I left $0 on a $100 tab. I'm a 25%+ tipper. That's how badly this went. Here's the thing, 123 Tavern: if you're going to bill yourself as a place to gather before events, staff the place and train your managers to act like they want customers there. Until then, I'll spend my money somewhere that values it.