Grand Rapids, MI + Add a trip

Places to go

Great restaurants: - Reds on the River - Rose's - try the Risotto - The Chop House - Tre Cugini - Tuscan Express

My favorite bar in GR is Bar Divani. Very friendly staff and great wine list. You can often find me there when I'm in town... For a great view, try the bar in Cygnus.

Best breakfast place: Gaia. Vegetarian and delicious. I also enjoy Cherie Inn which is right down the street.

I pretty much lived at the Beltline Bar growing up. Not much as changed. Good Mexican food if you're looking for it.

On Cherry Street/East Hills area: The Greenwell The Cherry Deli (excellent soups and sandwiches) Marie Catribs

On Wealthy Street/Eastown area: The Winchester The Brickroad Pizza Company The Sparrows (coffee) Wolfgang's

On Plainfield: The Red Ball Jet cafe (my favorite for brunch) The Choo Choo Grill (they close early)

Downtown: MadCap Coffee Bar Divani San Chez Founders

My Top Five

San Chez Bar Divani The Greenwell Mediterranean Grille Gaia

Good sandwiches. Particularly recommend the sweet potato fries

Probably the best coffee in GR currently. The slow brew options are well worth a try -- it was a real relief after all the drip coffee I'd been drinking the previous few days.

Marie Catrib's has some of the best sandwiches in the Midwest. Great, inventive options: both veggie and otherwise. The bread is to die for, and you can count on the Turkish coffee being great. Also in the mix: some Lebanese food, fresh new desserts every day, and a lively atmosphere. Call before you show up, as lunch-times are often packed and you'll have to wait.

For an offbeat pub, try Graydon's Crossing: their fusion British-Indian cuisine is sure to surprise and delight.

And, that rarity - a 24 hour coffee shop with okayish brews: The Bitter End. Go for the crowd and the hanging out, not the coffee.