Riverfront Café @ the Blue Bridge opened in 2008 and has specialized in coffee drinks. Upon new management, they have focused their efforts on developing gourmet sandwiches, delicious soups, and healthy salads. Recently they have begun catering to local businesses and downtown events. To learn more and to see a menu visit www.riverfrontcafegr.com

Art of the Table opened in October 2003 to brisk business and has been growing ever since. Art of the Table is a specialty retail shop full of gourmet foods like olive oils, cheese & chocolate, tabletop accessories like placemats, candles and serving pieces, and also cool, smaller batch wines, beers & liquors.  Art of the Table has become a trusted name nationally and locally in the giftware, food and beverage industry and is located at 606 Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids and at www.artofthetable.com

Customers can find the Riverfront Café and Art of the Table collaboration at 235 W. Fulton just behind FedEx Office, an easy walk from many downtown businesses.  Outside patio seating is available and ½ hour of free parking is always included.  Hours at this location are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A Grand Opening celebration will take place tonight from 5:30-8 p.m. and will feature free samples of favorite foods & beverages from Riverfront Cafe and Art of the Table.

I walked in and joined my friends at a booth. I decided to order a flight — three Brewery Vivant beers as well as a blueberry apple cider from Vander Mill in Spring Lake. Boy was I glad I did — the beers had a unique taste and went along great with my meal.

But when it came down to the actual food, the experience wasn’t as enjoyable. We all wanted to try “Yesterday’s Soup,” but sadly they were already out. So instead we just ordered our entrees.

We waited. And we waited. And waited. And again, waited. 45 minutes passed. Our server seemed to lose track of time, though was apologetic when we brought up the wait. Finally, our meals came out. So what did we order that took 45 minutes to prepare?

A sandwich and a salad. An easy meal like this should have taken about 20 minutes tops. Keep in mind that we were the only ones I saw eating at the time (it was 3 p.m. and not that busy). But I still had hope it was worth the wait.

My Monte Cristo sandwich ($11) was hot and contained the perfect amount of flavor. The ham, turkey, swiss cheese and grain mustard were paired with a cinnamon brioche bread topped with raspberry preserves. The otherwise simple ingredients came together perfectly in a gourmet wonderland. I would never expect to get such a sandwich at a microbrewery. It was sweet and savory — and was perfect on a Sunday afternoon.

Still, while the sandwich was good, it wasn’t the best I’ve ever had (though it’s up there). The serving size was too small for the price, and it just barely filled me up. If it weren’t for the beer and the side greens that came with it, I would’ve missed “Yesterday’s Soup” even more.

My friends split a house salad ($9), which seemed to be much bigger of a serving, but still a bit small for the price tag.

And when they do have soup, they only offer it in one size — a bowl for $7. What ever happened to a soup and sandwich combo for lunch?

So all in all, while I like Brewery Vivant, the price and service makes me want to think twice about visiting often. I’ve spoken with several other people who have had a similar experience. The food and beer taste great, but if they can wrap in better prices and more timely service, they’ll definitely have a winning combination.

The city of Grand Rapids restaurants are becoming more aware and accommodating of food allergies, and Erb Thai has taken it one step further.

Much to my surprise and enjoyment, there were five items on the appetizer menu alone that were gluten free. I chose the crispy roll bites. These crispy roll bites will be filling my deep-fried craving for years to come. They were served right out of the fryer, nice and hot. The ingredients seemed fresh and brought plenty of flavor. They were very crispy on the outside but juicy and tender on the inside, served with a side of chili sauce.

When it comes to gluten free food, the true test of flavor is to see if a person who eats gluten food enjoys it as well. My daughter who had ordered her own appetizer, but could not stop eating mine! She ordered the crab cheese, which were almost too pretty to eat. The star shaped crab cheese is also deep fried — however was very light and airy.

My main dish was the Pad Thai. Stir fried rice noodles with bean sprouts and peanuts, served with a side of peanut sauce. I added the chicken at an additional charge, but the options seemed endless. You can include beef, pork, tofu, shrimp scallops or “imitation” crab meat.

My daughter’s main dish was the garlic noodles. When I asked if these were gluten free they were able to tell me why it was not. I was very impressed with their awareness of gluten free foods. You can order the basic dish or add meat, seafood, tofu or vegetables. I think of their rice noodle dishes as a palate waiting for you to create.

You can come back to this restaurant time and time again and order the same dish, but due to all the options never have the same plate sitting in front of you. You can order your food from no spice at all, to very spicy. (Just a little tip, if you order very spicy, know that they mean business — it will make you cry!)

For dessert we ordered the banana sticky rice cake and from the name and description I was expecting something very sweet — cake-like to fill my sweet tooth. This was not the case. Although the sticky part was correct, the sweet aspect wasn’t there; it had a very bitter taste. I think I’ll stick with the coconut ice cream or custard next time.

Erb Thai really did think of everything though. From creating it “your way” to having a kid’s menu along with accommodating food allergies and vegetarians! So I left with my mango bubble tea smoothie in hand, and a big smile on my face.

I first went to Mangiamo! during college, but had been wanting to try it again for quite a while. Restaurant Week seemed like the perfect opportunity to do this, offering me a three-course meal for $20.10. So, on the final night of Restaurant Week, two friends and I decided to check out Mangiamo!, one of Gilmore Collection’s many offerings.

While it was pretty busy, we were able to get in with a call-ahead without any problems. We were sat down next to a window in a skinny, hallway-like dining area.

I started out with the Roman Caesar salad, which is something I’ll usually order at an Italian restaurant. I wasn’t expecting anything amazing here, but Mangiamo! put its own little spin on the salad, offering a small portion with croutons, cheese and dressing. The lettuce was more colorful than I expected, offering hints of reds and purples, along with the standard green. It was crunchy and fresh. The only thing missing for me? I would’ve liked much more dressing; I could barely taste it.

My dining partners went with a different route, opting for the Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, which featured potatoes, smoked applewood bacon, onions, argula and gorgonzola. They were less impressed with their appetizer; it didn’t seem to be anything special and didn’t have much flavor.

The entree was what I was most excited about. Very rarely do I order something that is “stuffed,” but the Stuffed Pork Tenderloin was hard to resist. It featured a butternut squash hash, nose’ sauce and gooseberry chutney. The pork was cooked to perfection, and was moist and tender. The stuffings made it full of flavor, and the butternut squash hash was a nice side. In a type of restaurant where my first option is usually to order something like lasagna or spaghetti, the pork was definitely a nice change.

My friends went with the Grilled Sea Scallops. While they said it was good, it was nothing extraordinary. Like their appetizer, it was a little on the bland side. Both their appetizer and entree seemed to have great potential, but just wasn’t delivered.

Finally, we finished off our meal with a Mimosa Cake with fresh berry compote. It was a perfect ending to a great meal, and was light and fruity. Unlike most desserts, this wasn’t heavy at all, and was a nice conclusion to the experience.

While my food was great, there was thing we all agreed could use a bit of work — the service. The restaurant was busy, but not booked, and we had to wait quite a while before being able to order our drinks. I would have appreciated a quicker “first response” when we sat down, but it certainly didn’t ruin the experience for any of us.

I’d definitely go back, just for the stuffed pork alone. While things weren’t perfect, they were still very good. The food, coupled with the overall atmosphere, created a relaxed environment for all of us, and we were able to enjoy a great Sunday night meal.

If you had the chance to check out the Electric Eel, much of the decor hasn’t changed. There is a little extra seating, but the tiny shop is still catered towards take out. But that’s about all that’s left of the Electric Eel remnants. Instead, the service is fast, and the food is great. You can walk up to the kitchen counter and ask for a sample of their 12 soups of the day, or chat with the chefs about what they recommend as a tasty dessert.

During my visit I had the chance to sample three soups. The first, a Roasted Red Pepper Asiago, had a substantial amount of flavor and a bit of a peppery kick. The second, the Safron Tomato Bisque, was perfectly seasoned and very filling. Finally, I tried the Lobster Bisque, which had just a hint of lobster flavor and plenty of herbs and spices to finish it off. Today, the Safron Tomato Bisque hit the mark for me, but I would’ve been happy with the other two as well (even the Lobster Bisque, and I’m not a fish person). The rustic feel, along with the seasoning and amount of flavor, just blew me away, and I figured it was as good a choice as any for a cold fall day.

I also went ahead and ordered half a grilled cheese. Now, this isn’t the typical grilled cheese that your mom used to make for you to dip in a bowl of Campbell’s. Instead, it’s a rich, cheesy dish that went great with the soup I ordered. You can choose from several bread options, but it was recommended I go with the Three Cheese bread. And what a recommendation it was. I was a bit nervous to have that much cheese in a sandwich, but it was paired perfectly. The cheese was gooey and the bread was thin enough that it didn’t take away from the amazing flavor that it was holding together. They usually have a daily special sandwich option as well.

Finally, I had to try a dessert. While there were plenty of cookies, espresso brownies and even ice cream to choose from, I couldn’t help but immediately be drawn to the pumpkin cupcake. In what could have been one of the best cupcakes I’ve had, the pumpkin and spice was just enough to provide a rich, fall flavor. And the cream cheese frosting, while a little sweet, countered the spices in the cake like I had never experienced before. I would go back again — if not to just get another cupcake.

It seems like the “Cheetah family” has produced another winner. It blows the Electric Eel out of the water, and in my opinion is a little better (and more unique) than its Electric counterpart down the street. The staff is friendly and full of ideas. In our discussions with them, they mentioned that a “soup flight” is being considered down the road, which would allow various samples of soups. And they’re definitely not short on knowledge, and in my experience, know exactly what to recommend.

Like the Electric Cheetah, all of the ingredients come from local farms too, making it all the more worthwhile. My only question is how they’ll attract diners in the summer months, when soup is on less people’s minds than it is during the cold months. If they keep the success up, by possibly introducing cold or iced soups and additional menu options, Uncle Cheetah’s could quickly become a staple of Wealthy Street.

Usually I stick with a turkey sandwich — specifically the #7 Hollister — which is packed full of fresh turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, white cheddar cheese and roasted tomato mayo on an Italian Sourdough bread. Paired with chips and a drink, I have a hard time even eating the “Half” portion of the sandwich (half the amount of stuffings). I’ve tried the “Full” before…let’s just say it was a bad idea. Cherry Deli goes big with their stuffings in every way imaginable.

One of the greatest things about Cherry Deli, though, is the variety of options. The menu features over 50 sandwich options, on top of the restaurant’s soup and salad offerings. So, on my most recent visit, I decided to switch it up a bit. While I’m the furthest thing away from a vegetarian, I decided to get a #18 Luton. Featuring marinated tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, a fresh spring mix and olive oil, the sandwich is a little plain-sounding. It’s basically a dinner salad. But the marinated tomatoes are so fresh and full of flavor that it just completely brings the sandwich into a whole different element. The tomato basil focaccia bread isn’t bad neither; though it does start to get a bit messy to eat with.

While there’s nothing special about the restaurant’s decor, it does make you feel somewhat at home. The outdoor patio in front of the  restaurant is perfect on a summer day, and the restaurant does a good job of making sure to cater to people’s needs outside just as much as they do inside.

Something I would like to see is some updates to the menu, which hasn’t changed in years. Maybe bring on some new trial sandwiches to burst energy in the deli. Other than that, Cherry Deli has a recipe for success that can’t be broken. And with its recent opening of 4th Street Deli, the restaurant group now has two places that offer the same amount of quality and deliciousness.

Located right next to The Winchester on Wealthy Street, Jonny B’z gives you a classic diner environment, full of shiny red booths and checkered flooring, along with some great food. Obviously its specialty is the hot dog, but it’s got several other items to soothe your craving.

Being a huge fan of Yesterdog, I knew I had to try the All Beef Dog to see how it would compare with the Cheddardog. The chili is a bit meatier, and is a little more filling. That, paired with some gouda cheese (there were several selections), made for a great combination. The hot dog itself seemed to be a bit fresher too. But the buns are what makes it a Jonny B’z. Soft and toasted, the bun actually adds quite a bit of flavor instead of taking it away. These certainly aren’t your typical hot dog buns you can pick up at Meijer, and they definitely helps calm the mess you’d usually get at Yesterdog.

I was a bit disappointed to see that the All Beef Dog was really the only heart-killing hot dog on the menu. While Jonny B’z lets you literally put anything on your hot dog, I would’ve liked to see a few recommendations. I expected to see at least a few different recommended options on their menu board.

Other than hot dogs, Jonny B’z makes a mad beef brisket. While the portion size was a bit sparse, it had great flavor. The sandwich seemed like it was slow-baked for ages, and the grilled bun was cooked to the perfect crisp.

We were pretty impressed with the service too. Everyone was friendly and seemed to answer our questions pretty well. When we wanted more fries, they gave us an absolute ton of them without a fuss. Everything was delivered straight to our table. While something has to be said of Yesterdog’s “in your face” service and how unique it is, sometimes it’s nice to know that there’s a joint a few minutes away that doesn’t yell at you if you don’t know what you want to drink.

In conclusion, while Jonny B’z still has a little ways to go to catch the likes of the hot dog geniuses in the area, it’s definitely on its way to success. Next time you’re around Wealthy Street and just want a quick bite to eat, Jonny B’z is definitely a good bet.

On my first visit with my roommate, I was shocked at how small the place was. Just a few indoor and outdoor tables, and then a small kitchen right behind the counter. But it was pleasant and it definitely fit the look they were going after. Being a former gas station, the restaurant stuck to its motor roots with tin signs and an “old school” look to things.

We went ahead and ordered at the counter and enjoyed our food outside. I had two of the featured specials of the day, the turkey and swiss and some sweet potato fries. While I honestly wasn’t expecting greatness from a former gas station, the hot sandwich was served on a large pretzel bun, and was as fresh a sandwich I’ve had. It was definitely a pleasant surprise, to say the least.

And while the sweet potato fries weren’t “out of this world amazing,” they were tasty and cooked well. They could’ve used a bit more seasoning and a sauce other than ketchup. The combo of sweet potato fries and my sandwich was a bit too much for me to eat at once, but served as a great leftover lunch the next day.

My roommate went with the Chicken Station sandwich, a regular on the menu. Like my turkey and swiss, the sandwich was built upon a pretzel bun and was filled with fried chicken. He agreed that the sandwich was hot, fresh, and quite tasty.

Both of our meals were surprisingly cheap too; both of our meals were right around $7 total, including drinks.

While Wealthy Street Station might not have the most appealing store front, the food is certainly worthwhile to check out. It’s great if you’re in a hurry — they have take-out boxes well prepared — or if you’re just looking for a place to grab a bite to eat with the family. In addition to the sandwiches, Wealthy Street Station also offers Flavor Burst soft serve ice cream for the kids.

In addition to the sandwiches we tried, Wealthy Street Station also serves up burgers and fish sandwiches, as well as a few Polish and Mexican items. Overall, Wealthy Street Station is a great place to check out for your next lunch out.

Wealthy Street Station (Rating: ★★★ 1/2)
Where: 1157 Wealthy Street
Hours: Mon. to Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Closed Sunday.
Ambiance: “Old school” gas station feel
How much will it cost you: A typical combo meal averages around $7
Credit cards: All major
Alcohol: Yes
Reservations: No
Wireless Internet: No
Contact: (616) 451-0238

Two of my friends and I visited Cherie Inn after we had done a bit of moving. We were greeted by a somewhat loud but friendly waiter, and were promptly seated at a table. I dove right into the lunch menu and ordered the Pastrami and Swiss sandwich, with a side of redskin potato salad. Julie and Katherine opted for breakfast; both of them ordering omelettes.

While we waited for our meals, I couldn’t help but notice the decor. It reminded me somewhat of my grandmother’s house. It was homey, but improvements could definitely be made. However, with the modern look and feel taking over new Grand Rapids restaurants, this didn’t bother me too much. We did seem a bit young for the restaurant, so maybe it was just me — we happened to be the youngest diners in the restaurant.

The wait for our food was a little longer than I would have liked, but it was well worth it. My sandwich was cooked perfectly, and the pastrami had a strong flavor that blended with the swiss cheese extremely well. And the homemade potato salad? Definitely the way to go.

The girls’ omelettes were equally delicious. Katherine’s spinach omelette featured a plethora of vegetables paired with a side of toast. Julie’s ham, artichoke and brie omelette was stuffed full of artichoke.

As I said, I had never heard of Cherie Inn. I drive by it several times a week and have never even seen the sign. It’s a pleasant surprise to a neighborhood that’s blooming with new restaurants. The food is fresh, and while I would’ve liked to see a few more items on the lunch menu, several things sounded very good to me.

Overall, Cherie Inn is definitely worth the visit. If you go, be sure to enter on Lake Drive — there’s a sign as soon as you walk in to the Cherry Street entrance telling you you’re coming in the wrong way. It’s a perfect, relaxing place for breakfast or lunch, or to enjoy some quality time with your grandmother. Seriously though, the food is great, and although the service and atmosphere could be a tad better, I’d definitely go back.

Sandmann’s is primarily a takeout, though there are a couple of small tables inside and a few picnic tables outside. Unfortunately parking is a problem for them. There are a few spaces in the mini-lot in front of the building, but be prepared to hunt down on-street parking and hike in. There is a private parking lot across Wealthy from them which looked like you might be able to sneak in for a few minutes.

Stephanie ordered the Rib Tips basket ($8.75) which comes with a half pound of crinkle-cut fries. Sandee and I each opted for the Rib Tips dinner ($9.75) which comes with two sides, or “siders” as they call them, and bread. All of their “siders” are homemade based on family recipes.

An old friend once offered that Grand Rapids must have an ordinance mandating dining out on Friday nights. That ordinance was being observed with religious fervor when we were at Sandmann’s, so I wasn’t surprised that we had about a 15 minute wait for our to-go meals. Also, noise is a big part of the Sandmann’s experience, marrying together the conversations of the assembled crowd, the standard kitchen commotion, and what sounded like the hammering in an auto body shop coming from somewhere behind the kitchen. (Sandee explained that preparing ribs is rarely a quiet procedure.)

Our meals were well worth the long trek home. The rib tips tasted every bit as good as they smelled, and the folks at Sandmann’s don’t scrimp on portion sizes. A couple of my tips were a bit on the tough side, but the sauce, oh Mama, the sauce more than made up for it. I didn’t mind a few extra chews just to suck up more of its heavenly homemade goodness. Stephanie ordered the basket just so she could dip her fries in it. I had to power wash my beard later, but it was a small price to pay just to savor the tips and sauce.

The “siders” were just as good as advertized. Sandee and I both had their luscious potato salad made with just enough mustard. I helped Sandee with her baked beans after inhaling my creamy cole slaw. We never missed the bread that they forgot to include until the end of our meals, but by then we were too full and contented to really care.

Sandmann’s was a wonderful experience that calls for repeat performances. Check out the menu on their website. I think you’ll be surprised at the varied options, from Polish sausage to the many entrees of their Soul Food Sundays menu. You might want to consider them to cater your next event. In the mean time, cruise by the corner of Wealthy and Fuller, roll down the windows, and just see if you can resist the magnetic aroma.