And that’s exactly what “Come to the Table — a Live and Local Interactive Dining Experience” was last Thursday night. Held at the parking lot of Ninth Bridge Market in Ada, the event focused on local chefs, local food, Local First! of West Michigan, Fenn Valley wines and Short’s beers.

At most of these types of dinners wine takes center stage, with each course getting paired with a specific wine. The beer is usually non-existent, unless you ask for one. Not so last Thursday. Each course had been specifically paired with a beer from Short’s Brewery in Bellaire, as well as a wine from Fenn Valley.  There were also reps from both Short’s and Fenn Valley there to describe their products and why they chose them. This made for lively conversations and discussions about which pairing worked best, how the beer changed with the food and how the food changed with the beer.  I think it also created some new craft beer fans.

The dinner was an “interactive” dinner.  Each guest had a job written on their placemat when they arrived. Why would you pay to do your own busing? “Because it creates a different dining environment,” said Courtney Cheers, Ninth Bridge market manager. “We based this dinner on a Slow Food Nation dinner that we attended in San Francisco a few years ago. Everyone had a job at that dinner, and it really created an instant community at our table. A lot of times at these dinners you are seated next to someone you don’t know, and don’t get to know at all.

“By having these unexpected things to do, it creates conversation easily. We had such a great time at the dinner in California, we wanted to let people in Grand Rapids experience it.”

We were there for the beer, and if we had to serve it ourselves, all the better! Each course had a specific beer paired with it, and first up was a regular from Short’s — Pandemonium Pale Ale.  This came with local charcuterie (which just means yummy cured meat products) and local cheeses put together by the chefs at Bistro Bella Vita.  The hops in this one cut the richness of the meat and cheese nicely.

Next up was the beer that had everyone talking all night long, Short’s Spruce Pilsner.  Jon Wojtowicz, Short’s “Beer Liberator”, was on hand to talk about this beer. “The Woj” said that “the spruce has some really intense qualities, but that it can be like the missing ingredient in a dish.  If you pair it right, it can be a complement and continuation of the flavor.”

The Spruce got paired with an heirloom tomato salad with a fresh herb vinaigrette made by Ninth Bridge Market.

“Some pairings, you just don’t know until you try! But hops do really well with big, bold flavors like the vinaigrette.  The base for this beer is an india pilsner, which has aggressive hops.  We’re using Summit hops in this one — they have a piney aroma already, a piney quality.  If you smell pine in a beer, it’s a good chance Summit is in there.”

Wojtowicz said that “he went out on a limb with this pairing.”  That he did. But it worked. The Spruce Pilsner on its own was rough — a sipping beer for sure. With the salad, it changed. One guest commented that they “really liked it with the salad, but on its own it was kind of strong.”

“The beer totally changes it’s finish with the salad, it kind of takes away some of the bitterness, cleans up the finish and mellows it out,” said Cheers.

I heard several guests say they felt the Spruce paired better on this course than the wine.  It was the beer that everyone talked about for the rest of the night, whether they liked it or not.

The rest of the dinner was equally exciting.  Michigan Bean Succotash loaded with braised meats was paired with Sustenance Black Beer, an inspired pair. The maltiness of this beer really played well against the richness of the meats. Chef Aaron from Bistro Bella Vita said “I was either going to fry something or braise it, and we love to braise so I thought it would be perfect”.  After trying them together, he exclaimed that Sustenance “could be my go to winter beer with roasts and meat.”  I agree.

Trout with Roasted Vegetables got Short’s Magician.  This one was great with the farm fresh vegetables.  The natural sugars in the beets, carrots, and parsnips got all caramelly in the oven, and that played well with the hops in the Magician.  Last, but never least, came dessert.  Full disclosure:  I made it.  Layers of flaky puff pastry, creamy yogurt panna cotta and spiced Michigan plums.  Tastes of fall with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, paired with Short’s seasonal Autumn Ale.  The perfect ending to a great night out in Ada.

With Chef Eric Chatlin in the kitchen, The Grille does more than turn out some amazing food. There is frequent entertainment and it’s a lively place on the weekends. Its annual Pig Roast is one of the several special events throughout the year.

I joined a table of about 12 friends to partake in the traditional Pig Roast fare. There were other special offerings as well — such as a grilled salmon and ribs — and of course anything could be ordered off of the menu.

I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t a more “down home” affair, with a spit and all, but I got over it in a hurry. Maybe it was the Palmertini I ordered — named after Arnold Palmer’s famous Lemonade and Ice Tea mixture — but this one had vodka as well. It was quite tasty. My friend ordered the classic Cosmopolitan and said it was “delish.” Both were $8.95.

Although there were a lot of tempting sounding choices, the roast pork was what I came for, so I stuck with that. The mountain of pork, big ear of corn, some amazing sweet cornbread, cole slaw and baked beans cost $19.95. It could easily have been three meals — I took home a healthy portion.

Seldom have I looked forward to leftovers like I did the next day. It was just as good the second day.

The regular menu at Watermark has a lot of delicious-sounding dishes. Starters like Edamame ($4.95) and Chef Eric’s Whitefish Dip ($7.95) might kick things off. Several wood fired pizza options are available at around $10. The Pomegranate Glazed Salmon ($17.95) is one of the stars of the seafood menu. There are chicken, pork and beef selections ranging from $15.95 to $18.95. The Adult Macaroni and Cheese ($13.95) sounds like a “to die for” item, featuring baked cavatappi with four cheeses, peas and smoked bacon with a gratin crust topping. If it’s a sandwich or salad you want, there are plenty of those too. A Sunday brunch is also available.

On this particular evening there could hardly have been a prettier place to dine. Perfect weather that allowed us to enjoy the patio overlooking the golf course and the lush plantings and all around opulent setting. The service was attentive and not the least bit harried or rushed, a tall order when 1 person is handlng a table of 12 people all ordering at their own pace.

I’ll look forward to my next visit to the Grille at Watermark and trying some of the other great sounding dishes.

The night I visited I was with a large group of people who had gathered for a private dinner. First we lingered outside, with a glass of wine and enjoyed playing a little bocce. There is a permanent bocce track right along 28th Street, and the beautiful outside dining area overlooking the area makes it easy to relax while you wait your turn to roll the ball.

I was undecided on what wine I wanted and the bartender was happy to pour me several small samples until I chose a wine that hit the spot.

With bocce and initial beverages behind us, we were seated in one of the private dining areas which is separated from the main dining area with glass doors that can be open or shut, so you can have complete privacy or feel like you are “part of” the rest of the diners. We opted to leave the doors open.

After listening to the features of the evening, I ordered an appetizer of Calamari Salati ($11). It arrived, hot, crispy and tasty. It is served with lemon, but I asked for a side of Mamma Noto’s ammoglio sauce, and that made it spectacular. For my entrée I chose the Pollo con Fontinella ($21) — a pan seared chicken breast with prosciutto and Fontinella over sautéed Cremini mushrooms, spinach and artichoke salad. It was delicious — a perfect blend of textures and flavors. The portion was generous and I was able to make a lunch of it the next day.

Many others at the table tried the feature of the evening, which was swordfish and scallops. Others sampled the Salmone al Pesto ($26), the Bistecca Scilianna ($28) and the Fettucine Bolognese ($16). Everyone said their food was hot, delicious and the presentations were beautiful.

The desserts were presented on lovely trays by a trio of servers, and hard to resist, but we were just too full. No one had saved room for dessert. I can attest from the past though, that I’ve never had better tiramisu.

With a mind to offer something to everyone, there is a smaller portion menu. They also have a number of glutten free and ways to modify recipes to make them glutten free for sensitive diners.

The service is attentive, professional, and a bitkey formal, but very efficient and responsive. The setting is intimate, with the feel of an Italian villa, featuring statues, greenery, textured walls and appropriate lighting to set the mood.

It should be noted that the restaurant also features one of the premier banquet spots in the city as well. The bar, adjacent to the restaurant is comfortable, and feels like a place for adults to come for a quiet drink. As we were leaving, a musical group was beginning their first set. A variety of acts frequent the lounge at Noto’s. Since the music can be heard in the dining room, it’s a sure bet that it’s “appropriate” entertainment for this setting.

The Noto family is a staple in the Grand Rapids restaurant scene and it’s easy to see why. They don’t miss a beat in providing a top-notch dining experience.

Located behind the 7-11 on the corner of Forest Hills Road and Cascade, the eatery was already filled with patrons when I walked in on a Friday morning around 11:30. Luckily, my guest had gotten there before me and had got us a table.

I was pleased to see the white linens on the table. So many bistros are going with the “paper” on the table — I personally do not like this look or feel.

The server immediately greeted me as I sat down and asked me for my drink order. She was pleasant but very business like. The lunch hour is rushed for most, so getting orders in and tables turned is a must.

The menu has a good variety of food — salads, sandwiches, seafood, pasta and pizza. My guest and I are trying to eat more healthy food, so we both ordered the salmon — one gluten-free for me and he ordered as offered on the menu. The server seemed to be confident in her knowledge of gluten-free items and advised me on what I could have.

The salmon came with a house salad that was nicely prepared — very colorful, full of veggies and cut into small bite-size pieces. Personally, I like the small pieces — no work required on my part. This salad was large enough for a meal.

Just before our main dish was served, the salad plates were removed. Water glasses were filled and a fresh soda was provided.

The salmon ($16) was served warm (not hot); however, it was a great presentation. Mine being gluten-free, I could not have the hoisin-soy glaze (instead broiled with salt and pepper — a little heavy on the salt for my taste).

My guest loved his salmon — I have to think it was the sauce that made it. However, they do not advertise gluten-free meals, so it is obvious that they just leave out what has gluten in it and add no additional flavors.

The service was on time, pleasant and moved quickly as you would hope for a lunch when needing to get back to work. I did enjoy my lunch, but it was missing the “wow” factor (the menu was pricey, too). However, Marco New American Bistro is a good place to take clients.

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is take a ride out into the countryside and do some serious leaf peeping, which Michigan is so aptly known for. On one recent Saturday, after enjoying a nice drive and gorgeous scenery, my husband and I ended up at The Victory Club, near the junction of Fulton, Pettis, and Vergennes in Ada. Old timers will remember that this location was formerly the beloved Lena Lou’s.

We walked in around 8 p.m. and were seated immediately. The place is huge, and is divided into three different and distinct areas. The dining side has many tables and comfy booths as well as a fireplace for added ambience. The large room is divided by a U-shaped bar, and on the other side is a sport-bar type seating area with several screens showing various games in play. I believe this is the only sports bar in the area (the closest being 28th Street) and is a great addition to the neighborhood. An additional room off the back of the sports area holds pool tables and shuffle board.

Given the relaxed atmosphere and sport-bar vibe, I fully expected to see the usual “pub” style menu with burgers, dogs, and the like but I was pleasantly surprised. Menu items included crusted Ahi tuna appetizers, lobster mac and cheese, steaks and chops. The restaurant offers pizza as well, using crusts provided by a local bakery, a touch that I really appreciated.

I decided to take advantage of the Ahi appetizer and ordered it up. It was presented beautifully, served with wasabi and soy based dipping sauce. I loved it, and it was a generous portion, enough for me when paired with a salad. My husband decided to try their pizza and we were pleasantly surprised at how good the crust was – on the thin side, good texture, and a great flavor. The leftover pizza was even better the following day! Our meals were delivered promptly and we had excellent service. I would definitely consider coming here again to enjoy a sporting event with a large group, or just drop in dining for two. Highly recommended!

As we walked in, we were immediately caught off guard by the fact that Schnitz is now nearly half the size it once was. Apparently Ada Bike Shop wanted more space, and Schnitz gave in. The change reduces quite a bit of seating, and all of those antique murals on the wall are no longer present. Nevertheless, it was 2 p.m., so we had no trouble finding an open booth along the window.

I had always made my own turkey sandwich during past visits, but this time I decided to go with the #23 — Mary’s Dilemma. The sandwich ($6.00/$5.00) featured smoked turkey breast, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo, all served on rye bread. My two dining partners chose the Brooklyn Reuben ($7.75/$6.75, with pastrami, swiss, sauerkraut and 1000 island dressing on grilled pumpernickel), and then a make-your-own turkey sandwich that was put together similarly to mine.

With the first bite, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of flavor that the sandwich encompassed. The ingredients were fresh, and the sandwich was packed full of turkey. What’s more, the half order was just the right amount of food for lunch. The Brooklyn Reuben seemed to be a great alternative to your standard reuben sandwich.

Schnitz’s lunch menu definitely passed the test. Full of options, you’re bound to find something you like. For the picky at heart, you can make your own sandwich as well. The deli also offers fresh sides, including pasta salad, cole slaw and redskin potato salad.

While the environment at Schnitz might not be as authentic as it once was, the staff is still very friendly and prompt with their service. But I would challenge Schnitz to regain some of its old look by adding new murals to the somewhat bare walls.

I would definitely eat at Schnitz again — for lunch. While I’ve tried their breakfast/brunch a few times, I’ve never actually enjoyed it. But they’ve definitely got the sandwich part of the restaurant nailed.

This morning, I’ve just finished my first attempt of the Sunrise BLT which includes the crucial BLT ingredients on a Cheddar Herb bagel with sundried tomato cream cheese rather than mayo (with a medium coffee, about $6.50). Overall, the sandwich is good, but it did nothing to ease my skepticism towards fast food bacon — the texture is just a bit too creepy for me. However, the rest of the sandwich is quality between the chewy, savory bagel and their sun-dried cream cheese, which has become a bit of a fanatical obsession amongst my roommates. Without the bacon, I would’ve really enjoyed this sandwich.

Last week, my breakfast sandwich experience was stellar when I indulged in the Breakfast Duo, a plain bagel with bacon (none for me), sausage, scrambled egg, Chedder and Monterey Jack cheeses. Talk about a departure from McDonald’s. In contrast to the corporate giant, this sandwich had a surprising lack of grease. While the sandwich was extremely large, as all of their sandwiches are, I was not left with that vague “I should not have eaten that” feeling.

Generally, a bagel and a coffee are more than enough to kickstart my morning. The bagel menu boasts 15 distinct bagel flavors as well as six cream cheese varieties. All of the cream cheeses are available in a lite version as well. A Bagel Beanery Bagel Bundle ($13.99 for one dozen with two tubs of cream cheese) is the favorite at my house on a Saturday morning after a long and boisterous Friday night.

Two bagels must make it home — the Asiago Cheese and the Apple Crunch. Savory and sweet lovers are passionate about these two, respectively, and I have to agree they’re two of the top bagels on the menu. On a given trip to Bagel Beanery, I am likely to get the Asiago Cheese bagel with sundried tomato cream cheese — a little salty, with a subtle bite of sharpness from the Asiago cheese. The Apple Crunch, on the other hand, maintains the necessary bagel chewiness but is sprinkled with crunchy cinnamon bits.

I’m a medium roast kind of girl, but Bagel Beanery also offers a variety of specialty coffee and smoothy drinks. To add to its nearly overwhelming variety, it also has a comprehensive lunch menu.

I have only dined in at Bagel Beanery once. It’s a bit frenzied for me. Then again, so is Panera Bread and Starbucks. Therefore, I feel compelled to mention how good the service is at the drive-thru window. Not only is the service quick, it has always been outrageously friendly and enthusiastic. Talk about starting your day on the right foot — between a smiling face and quick, satisfying foods, Bagel Beanery is a dark horse breakfast gem.