Having a good time together on the 27th floor at the Amway Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. Caroline and her husband came from Arizona for the Board Meeting in Michigan. Meeting new people is always fun! Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and Madrid Tapas Bar had beautiful views and great ambiance. We had ceviche, octopus, pork belly and sangria together! read more

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I had one of the best meals I can remember at MDRD. First, the restaurant has a beautiful view of the river. I was with a large group, so I got to sample a number of tapas, which were ordered for the table. I loved the Iberico Pork Belly, and the Wild Boar Empanadas. I thought the Croquetas and the Patatas Bravos were good, though there are other things I'd order in the future. I thought the Ceviche Mixta was ok, though I'm not usually a fan of ceviche, and this was better than most. My least favorite was the Pulpo a la Gallega. While the octopus was tender, it had an unpleasant fishy flavor. I got the Chuletas de Cordero for a main course, and was so happy with the dish. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly and seasoned well. I really liked the chickpea topping. My only quibble was the dried apple slices added nothing to the dish. They had an unpleasant chewy texture, little flavor, and didn't add to the aesthetics. I would order this again in a heartbeat. I ordered the Árbol de Frambuesa, and it was an amazing dessert. The chocolate souffle was thicker and creamier than I expected, but it was so delicious! I don't want to ruin the surpise of this dish by describing how it looked. I would also order this again. read more

MDRD - Chuletas de Cordero - Spanish Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Truly one of the most remarkable dining experiences in Grand Rapids! Service was top-notch, ambiance was upscale yet comfortable, and food was nothing short of incredible. Authentic Spanish cuisine with an American flair - every dish was spectacularly balanced. The croquetas were pillowy and crispy and rich. The oxtail stuffed morels were an explosion of decadent umami. The gambas (shrimp) were soaked in Spanish olive oil, confit garlic, and a metric ton of saffron (these were the star of the show in terms of both flavor and value). And the patatas bravas? Who doesn't love some thick cut fried potatoes. For the main dish, the scallops were DIVINE. Not joking, the best scallops I've ever had in my life - which was a relief considering they were $55 for THREE of them boys. Yes it's pricey, but frankly it's well worth it. The quality of service, food and environment that MDRD has articulately crafted is a special experience and should be treated as such. My ONLY gripe is the fact that they didn't have their Spanish Tortilla on the menu - that's like a burger chain not having French fries. Would highly recommend, especially if you've got a taste for Spanish food! read more

MDRD - Gambas al ajillo, Croquetas, oxtail stuffed morels, and Patatas Bravas - Spanish Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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What did $175, all in, get us? Best Resturant experience I've had in the area. Had some difficulty making reservations through OpenTable (partly my fault) but the outstanding and charismatic GM Johnathon took care of everything - thanks again for helping me make my wife's birthday special! We enjoyed the salad, Tapas, the trip-worthy unique desert, and a bottle of wine. See pictures. All in a perfect classy and scenic atmosphere. read more

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We reserved a beautiful spot on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Hotel to enjoy delicious Spanish Cuisine. The last time we were in this space it was Cygnus. The makeover is modern and chic. Love the marble with the gold accents and wood for warmth. The view is nice. We opted to forego the non refundable $20 for a table by the window. I was happy with where we sat. Staff brought out some delicious olives for an appetizer. They had a delicious looking cocktail menu and comprehensive wine list, but I did not imbibe on this occasion. My husband and I ordered the ensalada de pepino, pulpo a la gallega, chicken buñuelos, and patatas bravas as our tapas. Everything was good as expected. The octopus was tender and spiced to perfection. The stand out for me was finally trying the El Limon for dessert. It was unique, flavorful and everything that I had hoped for when I finally tried that dessert for the first time. They also bring cute hand made chocolates with the bill that are tasty. Definitely a delicious spot and a special place to celebrate 15 years of marriage. Hope to return soon to celebrate further milestones. read more

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This is an incredible experience from a dining perspective and the view is amazing. The only reason I don't give it five stars is the service wasn't to the level I expected it took 2 1/2 hours almost 3 hours to eat there were times we we were waiting quite a bit although we weren't in a rush. It was too long. In addition the server didn't seem to quite be able to describe the dishes to help us understand, but once we got the food, it was all delicious. It was excellent to try new things. I had the lamb chop dish and tried the taste of Madrid, which gives you four different courses. The dessert was one of the most artistic and coolest desserts we've ever had. read more

MDRD - The dessert from the taste of Madrid, It was so artistic We did not want to eat it.! - Spanish Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

We went to MDRD for drinks and desserts, and it was sooooo worth it! As always, the service is phenomenal- I swear they have some of the best servers in GR. The desserts are creative, beautiful, and divine. We had the "tree" and a chocolate cheesecake. Both were rich and heavenly! Their drinks are also top notch, and perfect to sip on while you're savoring the view. This place is a little pricy, but worth the splurge for the experience! read more

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What a beautiful way to spend a Wednesday evening! MDRD sits on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Hotel and features gorgeous sunsets and city views. Our server Jesse was so helpful in making recommendations and they were very serious about precautions for my seafood allergy. We started with cocktails. My hubby had a limited time drink called the El Abejorro that contained brown butter vodka and honey...amazing and I hope they add it to the menu. We ate Tapas and were stuffed at the end! The star of the show was the Pimento Rellenos stuffed with goat cheese, pistachios and all things goodness Each plate was timely and impeccably presented. The vine of the restaurant was very trendy-hip I felt like we could be in New York. Can't say enough about the views and service. Looking forward to adding this to our must go to for our monthly trips to Grand Rapids. read more

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Nothing beats this place. Incredible views indoors and out. Excellent service. The food presentation is breathtaking. You MUST get a dessert while you're here. read more

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Our server was fantastic! Craft cocktails very tasty! Tapas delicious! The view, amazing! read more

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The view is neat, the staff are incredibly friendly and the drinks are good (not great for the price). After that it's a hard stop. At some point restaurants are going to realize patrons care about the bang for their buck. At this price point there are numerous options I would recommend before this tourist trap. Gingins, allora, even Leo's would come in above this place. If you're willing to venture a few minutes into East GR, Bowdies or Olives. I'm sorry but our food was mediocre at best. The famous lemon dessert wasn't that great. The chefs desire to be creative is overshadowing the flavor on most dishes. Updating: If you don't want more proof of a tourist trap. Management-please come back so you spend another $250 and feel like you got robbed. Absolutely not. lol Folks don't even waste your time here, you can spend half as much elsewhere and have a better overall experience read more

Excellent drinks and delicious food. We had a great server, very knowledgeable. The restaurant has an amazing view. Don't skip dessert.

MDRD has such a great atmosphere with live guitar, stunning views, and a fun Spanish tapas vibe. We tried a couple drinks--the mezcal tequila cocktail/ube drink, and an espresso martini. The ube drink wasn't my favorite (a little too strong for me), but the other was enjoyable. For dessert, we had the cheesecake with peach coulis, white chocolate, and hazelnut, which was delicious and beautifully presented. The service was attentive and the overall experience made for a really memorable night out. read more

MDRD - Spanish Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Views and service were awesome. The design of the drinks were cool, but overall the drinks were just okay. Same with the potatoes. Definitely recommend going for the views. read more

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Great views of Grand Rapids. Food was outstanding! Our server made several recommendations that didn't disappoint. read more

MDRD - Salmon - Spanish Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

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A Luxurious Night at MDRD Just had an unforgettable dining experience at MDRD, perched on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids. The panoramic views of the city and Grand River? Absolutely breathtaking. The food? Next-level. Our culinary journey featured: all incredible Ora King Salmon Crudo - Delicate salmon with carrot aguachile, preserved lemon, and micro cilantro. Smoked Salmon Croquettes - Crispy bites filled with jamón serrano, béchamel, and manchego, paired with herbed mustard salsa. Iberico Pork Belly - Pedro Ximénez-glazed pork belly atop kabocha squash purée, complemented by smoked apple and citrus foam. Empanadas de Rabo de Toro - Braised oxtail and caramelized onion pastries with chèvre and mustard pearls. Tomato & Jamón on Toast - A perfect balance of ripe tomato, jamón, and crispy bread. Mussels - Cooked to perfection, brimming with bold Spanish flavors. Crème Brûlée - A classic dessert executed flawlessly. Skip the potatas Bravas. They were ok. Heavy. Salty But wow. The service was impeccable, portions were just right, and the prices didn't break the bank for such a luxurious experience. If you're in Grand Rapids, MDRD is a must-visit. More info about us DestinationsWeknow.com read more

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Whenever I'm in town, I make sure to make a reservation to MDRD. On the top floor of the Amway Grand, MDRD has a fantastic view of the city while serving some of the best eats around. I love tapas and they do not disappoint, but there are main dishes if your into a full meal. I kind of go all out and get a little too much food here. Tapas: Salmon con Trufa - cold-smoked salmon sitting on top of a puff pastry. A little truffle goes a long way. A refreshingly light dish. Costillas de Cordero - Perfectly cooked lamb chops with ajo verde and a sprinkle of finishing salt. The fat was rendered nicely and these chops were nothing but bone in the end. Patatas Bravas - I love potatoes. These are shaped into small bite sized squares that are piled high. Little beads of aioli and sitting on a bed of salsa bravas. Pulpo a la Gallega - my favorite of their tapas. A grilled octopus served with fingerling potatoes, pimenton oil, and a squid ink vinaigrette. Seriously, the best octopus I've ever had and also one the largest I've had on a plate. A wonderful dish that I'll order every visit. Platos Principales: Paella mixta - A deceptively small plate. Well seasoned rice with a variety of seafood. They said it's for one, but you should share it with your party. Pescado al Horno - Perfectly crisp skin on the black. More potatoes, but this time they're one of my favorites: smashed. Pollo con Mostaza - I know most people shy away from ordering chicken at restaurants. They would say something like I could make that at home. I could make a great roasted chicken, but somehow MDRD makes it better. Served with a creamy sauce, marble potatoes, and green beans. Pato - I've had dry aged meat before, but who dry ages duck? On the smaller side of a main course, but doesn't disappoint. A beautiful medium rare duck breast served with foie gras dirty rice, carmelized figs, and duck jus. Come on! I'm not a dessert person, but they're creative. Their drinks are well crafted, so you should order one. read more

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Great atmosphere, great food!!! If you're looking for a romantic place, or a classier place. Or great cocktails, this is your place. The Brussels sprout appetizer was fabulous. read more

An experience in the sky! Recently I went on a business trip to Grand Rapids. Coming from DC and having a lot of experience in fine dining in cities all around the country, I didn't have high expectations for Grand Rapids. But I was so wrong. Grand Rapids has a lot to offer and I feels almost like a hidden hotspot for executives in town for the same reason as myself. I walked into the Amway Grand plaza and easily found the elevator,whisking my husband and I up to the 27th floor. The view was amazing, the staff was very welcoming and just gives you a NYC vibe immediately. The ambiance, decor, and views just make you feel like all your stress from the day just melts away. We sat down to eat at the bar and had one of the best margaritas IVE EVER HAD. The bartender knew what she was doing and could make you anything you thought of. We visited at sunset and could see the helipad at the JW Marriott and 180 degree view of the river as we dined. It was magical and next time I am there I plan to eat there more than once. The Spanish tapas hit just right and worth the price! I just wish we could have stayed longer! read more

MDRD - Margarita - Spanish Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Special occasions, for us, require a fine dining spot to enjoy together . It was my birthday, so I chose MDRD. It's best to use the valet service in front of the south entrance to the Amway Grand. Remember to get the parking ticket verified at the restaurant. You get half off, so the cost is $10 plus tip. I love walking in the Grand, and sometimes, feeling like a king. The restaurant is on the 27th floor, with choice views from any seat. The menu was limited but covered the basic choices found anywhere. The drink menu was varied with many excellent finds. We were gifted a free plate of olives as a pre-appetizer and truffles to top it off after our dessert. Service was upscale and well paced. We ordered and shared a couple of Tapas for our appetizers, and added warm bread and flavored butter. My favorite was the Wild Boar empanada, and Nancy got the Spiced Carrots. Both were amazing and satisfying. Entrees were the next course on the menu. I ordered the Seared Scallops, and my wife, the Chuleta Iberico. Both were delicious. The Chef meshed a pleasant combination of meat, spices, locally sourced vegetables, and other healthy staples. Arbol De Frambuesa is always our choice of dessert to share. If you have not had it before, go for it. read more

Food was great Service was great. Host was super helpful and inviting. We got a great view thanks to the host, love the hospitality! read more

MDRD - one of the beat spots in the restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

We had a wonderful time at MDRD! The views are nothing short of spectacular from the top of the Amway Grand Hotel. Sherley our server was so informative and nice to not only our table but to others around us also. It really was top notch service - bringing out bottles of wine for the table next to ours to try before selecting a bottle. Very thoughtful. On to the food and drinks. I had a gin and tonic which had a raspberry purée floating on top. Then Sherley came over and lit the rosemary in my drink on fire. Very cool. But the best of all was these amazing deserts. OMG! The lemon looks so real but you break it open and it oozes out this light fluffy amazing filling that is not too sweet or sour AND it is surrounded by some type of edible pearls together with a chocolate stem and leaf decked out with real hold leaf! Our favorite though was the cloud tree. I will not spoil this one for you but you just must try it - not only does it look amazing (a real work of art) but tastes amazing too. These drinks and deserts helped make up for the poor treatment we received at the Kitchen restaurant in the hotel where we ate dinner. read more

MDRD - Cloud Tree for desert! - Spanish Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

The ambience is fantastic, but for the price point, the food is very mediocre. They are trying really hard to present mediocre food, not impressed. I would say pass. read more

This place is fantastic. My partner and I are from California and lived in Michigan for 3 years. This is our favorite restaurant in Michigan and we continue to come back to Grand Rapids only for MDRD. Our first and second time we sat at the bar. Seating is limited and if you'd like to reserve a table, I'd recommend booking ahead of time. The restaurant opens at 4 PM and it gets pretty busy right away. Our third time, we booked a table a month ahead of time and was seated upstairs away from the downstairs seating. Upstairs was quieter and easy to talk across the table with friends and family. Downstairs around the bar is pretty loud with conversations and drinks being made at the bar. The upstairs view was amazing. Staff: Everyone is pretty chill and nice. Alex the bartender was cool to chat with. He introduced us to a drink he's been working on that tasted like an orange creamsicle. During our third visit, we were waited by a sweet woman. She was very knowledgeable of the menu and checked in immediately with the cooks to accommodate any food allergies at our table. Food: Our favorite were the pulpo a la gallega and patatas bravas. My partner and I can be full with those two dishes and drinks at the bar. We've tried other dishes and they were all good! Nothing bad to say about any of them. read more

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The food was just okay. Patatas Bravas app was under cooked and even hard in the center on some pieces. Salmon was cold and raw in the center, fed it to the dog when we got home Waygu steak was good and cooked med rare but it was expensive for a sirloin cut Service was good but no view because they put us next to the kitchen and waitress stand which was loud and busy. Wont be back anytime soon. read more

Lovely views and amazing tapas! It's a perfect date night spot or special occasion dinner. Our server was also a complete delight! read more

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MDRD is the home of my absolute favorite lemon dessert. Not too sweet, the perfect amount of sour, and beautifully crafted and presented, looking as though they went to their garden, snipped a small branch off their lemon tree, and brought it in for you to eat. Their cubed potatoes come in a pile of perfectly bite sized pieces; it's something we always order when we come! The texture is crispy yet airy. Lamb chops are meaty and don't carry a heavy gamey texture. Drinks are always on point! A great place for a girls night out or a date night! read more

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One of our go to spots for a celebration dinner or drinks!MDRD offers an atmosphere that feels elevated by the modern decor and low lighting. If you're lucky to be there during sunset, the views are amazing. The menu features many unique beverages and food items that we have yet to be disappointed by. However, I would argue that the most memorable menu items at MDRD are on the dessert menu- the presentation and flavor profiles are amazing. read more

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Overpriced food for a good view. Went here for the first time for dinner with my husband. Our waitress was overly pushy I did not get her name but had a long braid and way too much perfume. She advised we order 3 appetizers on top of our main course, we ordered one. If the chef would focus on the food over making it look pretty it would be a good restaurant. I had the pork medallions with greens and mashed potatoes and my husband had the scallops. The pork was nothing to write home about and the mash potatoes were the saltiest thing I have eaten in quite some time. The arugula salad was the best part of the whole dish. I tried my husband's scallops and have had better elsewhere. We would not return to this restaurant just based on the food taste to price and the pushy waitress. read more

We were in Grand Rapids for our anniversary and my wife of 28 years wanted to try something new and nice. We hadn't been to MDRD yet so we thought we'd check it out. What a lovely restaurant! The view is second to none. There are great views from every seat. We were seated at an elevated table by ourselves, so we had an amazing view to the south, looking down the Grand River. After looking at the wine list, our server recommended a bottle of Rose, which we thoroughly enjoyed. We started out with the Pulpo a la Gallega and Tortilla Espanola. Both were spectacular! The octopus was tender and flavorful. The potato pie was crispy on the outside and pillowy soft potatoes in the middle. Both were seasoned well and absolutely delicious. For our mains, we order the Iberico Chuletero and Pescado al Horno along with a side of asparagus. The pork was tender and cooked perfectly. The sauce was amazing and the vinaigrette on the salad perfectly complemented the dish. The cod was flakey and delicious, the asparagus grilled nicely and was the perfect accompaniment. Desert was quite amazing as well. We decided to try the Arbol de Caramelo. What a stunning presentation! The soufflé was amazing and when paired with the ice cream, even better. It was such a beautiful desert, we almost didn't want to eat it! We enjoyed a cup of coffee with our desert, which was also wonderful. MDRD was a real treat. The service was top notch, the food amazing and of course, best views in the city. I highly recommend MDRD. You will not be disappointed. read more

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This restaurant does NOT disappoint. I can confidently say that this is the first place I've dined at in a while that not only met, but far exceeded my expectations--it is worth all the hype you might have heard. We dined here to celebrate our anniversary & they made sure to incorporate that into our experience. The service was impeccable, the ambiance was fantastic, the views are amazing & the food was absolutely delicious. The server encouraged us to order all our courses at once, so she didn't have to interrupt us to get orders later on. We ordered 3 tapas & 2 entrees, all of which were phenomenal! Everything was fresh, flavorful & perfectly cooked. We also got dessert, which they made complimentary as we were waiting for around an hour for our entrees (we didn't even notice how long we had spent there, we loved being there so much.) The dessert was just as much a culinary experience as it was decadent & delicious. If there's one thing you HAVE to order here, it's this dessert! Few places in Grand Rapids get me as excited as this place does. For a comparable price as other more pricey options, you get much better service & overall experience. I will be back! read more

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Great views. Maybe the best views in Grand Rapids. Wonderful service. Just wished the food and drinks matched the views. read more

MDRD - Great sunset views - Spanish Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Beautiful views! I only went up for a drink. The bartender was awesome. She made me a great Chartreuse drink. Very unique and fun! read more

MDRD - Spanish Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Where do I begin, this place was awesome! Ambience is so cool and you can't beat the view. I came with a coworker while in town for a business trip and we had a great experience. Our server was Terrence and he gave us his favorites, which helped us pick a few different dishes to share. I really liked the tapas style and the portions were still very generous. We shared the octopus, the pork belly and the potatoes. Terrence recommended getting a side of the salsa verde to dip the octopus in and that was great. It was perfectly cooked and the blend of sauces were quite tasty. The pork belly was also delicious. The potatoes could have been a bit crispier, but we really liked the aioli they were served with. Terrence brought us these delightful nougat squares which were so unique. Once we raved about them he even brought us more. Would definitely come back to MDRD if I find myself in GR again, this spot is a must! read more

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I'm picky and a world traveler, and this is excellent all around. I'm thrilled to experience such a great restaurant in Grand Rapids! Food: Everything was phenomenal. From the cucumber salad (my favorite dish) to the largest octopus portion I've ever been served to the grilled dates to the asparagus, all the shareables were top notch. We also shared the trout wrapped in Serrano ham, and I appreciated that it was cut into smaller pieces to make sharing easy. Service: Anna was awesome! She was knowledgeable, friendly, patient, efficient, and very helpful for gluten free, dairy free dietary needs. My only complaint - if I had one - is that I needed more spacing between courses because I was stuffed with a soup, salad, 3 shared plates, 1 shared entree, and 1 shared dessert! Ambiance: Super cute. Great view outside. Visual captivating inside. A truly spectacular Mother's Day early dinner! read more

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Everything about MDRD is as advertised. 5 star service, scenic views, and incredible food. Is it expensive? Yes, but it's worth every dollar. Every piece of food the plate has a purpose and it all works together to make a perfectly balanced and delicious bite. The Salmon con Trufa is one of the best dishes I have ever had, the pork belly was so tender and rich and the wild boar empanadas were also incredible. Our server was extremely knowledgeable about all the food and drink options and the view was spectacular. read more

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Incredible service and atmosphere. Our waitress made us feel like we were her only table, even though the restaurant was full. They no longer are serving the Spanish Paella, which was a small disappointment because it was so good last time we visited. Price was expensive and plates were a little small, but the vibes kept us feeling like it was worth it. read more

Wow great evening at MDRD! Exceptional food, wine and service! On top of that great views! We had such a good time! Get the lamb chops for sure- it was our favorite bite of the night! read more

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This place is so swanky and cool, I just love it. Hidden on top of the 27th Floor of the Grand Plaza hotel is this gorgeous Spanish restaurant with amazing views of the city and the river. You really can't beat the views. This place was clevlaverly designed with intimate booths and cozy double bench seats at the bar to cuddle your boo. We initially stopped in for just a cocktail but ended up having an appetizer and dessert for my husband's birthday. We enjoyed the special of the day, a 3 prawn appetizer over a garlicky puree. It was very good, but I just hate how much work and mess is involved with eating prawns. It's hard to be ladylike! We finished with sharing two desserts because the birthday boy couldn't decide. We had the El Limon and the Arbol de Caramelo. Holy moly were these the most unique and creative desserts we've ever had. The Arbol looks like the tree of life and tastes like heaven. The Limon was super refreshing and punchy with that yuzu. So good! Now, let's talk cocktails. These bartenders know their mixology and are very creative. I highly recommend the Sandalo which was not only delicious and unique but absolutely gorgeous. read more

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Had an amazing birthday dinner here and the steak was cooked to perfection. Beautiful view of downtown Grand Rapids with a very classy vibe. Check it out! read more

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