Continuing on our trip to Michigan this past July, we spent one lovely afternoon and evening in Grand Rapids to help break up the driving time to Wisconsin. After a delicious but unfortunately quick dinner at Grove we decided that the night was still too young to be packed in so we checked out Reserve, a lovely wine bar in the heart of down town. We were very pleasantly surprised to end the evening off so well.
I don’t know about you, but JT and I check reviews and sometimes we get lucky and choose a good place on a good night and sometimes it’s an epic fail. This little spot, we got lucky! We sat at the bar and chatted to Cory the Mixologist who turned out to be a fantastic spokes-person and historian for his humble city. When he wasn’t attending to other customers, Cory spoke very highly of Reserve’s dining experience (that we’ll have to return to try!). With just over 100 wines by the glass, there isn’t a shortage of libations to choose from, priced from a sampler size to a full 9oz glass these folks have everything your heart desires. They have a very sophisticated system of storing and serving the wines (the system extracts the oxygen and seals each bottle after use) and they are said to keep for 30 days, although I wouldn’t think they’d need to as the place was hopping! There were a variety of prices and non of them seem exorbitant.
Reserve is located in the down town area of Grand Rapids, by the Grand River. It’s cool, contemporary décor is a perfect stage for the trendy business crowd. It’s not a huge place and where we were sitting the noise level wasn’t too bad. Lighting was a bit harsh particularly beneath the centre area but at the bar it was very flattering. If the quality of service could be gauged by Cory’s level of attention and friendliness, I would say it’s excellent! Definitely deserves a return visit.
Reserve
201 Monroe Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-855-9463
Hours
Monday – Thursday 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Saturday 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Sunday Closed
Overall rating of Reserve, Grand Rapids (in my opinion): Decor 3.5/5, service 4/5, food n/a, Value 3/5, Noise: 3/5 (1 being very noisy, and 5 being very quiet).
Disclaimer: We purchased our meals for full price and my opinions just that, my opinions.
100 wines by the glass??? You needn’t say more! I’m packing and going to this bar! I have heard about this storage method. More and more bars practice it to encourage clients to taste more expensive wines they wouldn’t probably afford to buy as a bottle (not to mention the fact that sometimes people want to taste several different wines and if they are only two, it might be difficult!).
PS I’m so sorry for being late with commenting. I was on holidays in Japan and it was so busy and exhausting, I hardly had any time to go on internet.
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“Mixologist”… gee, I didn’t even know that was a thing… guess that shows how often I go to places like this! (Hint: it’s never! :p). 100 wines by the glass… that’s crazy… so many places I go to, you’re lucky to see 3 or 4!! Good thing they’ve got such a fancy-pants storage method for the wine… even with a very busy place, I would imagine there must be a few less popular wines which aren’t necessarily drunk that often.
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Hi Charles, yes, they have a new word for bartender. I remember the first time I heard logistics specialist which really referred to truck driver! Go figure!
The storage is indeed interesting but you are probably correct that they will have spoilage; didn’t think to ask how much they have, but it would be interesting to know.
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Sounds so lovely! If we’re ever up that way, I’ll be sure to make a stop in. Glad you had a great time and shared your experience, Eva!
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Thank you for your lovely words Georgia, there are a few very interesting things to do in Grand Rapids, hope you can check it out some day.
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when can I make my reservation! LOL! What an awesome thing to have someone to serve you and fill you in on the city!
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It totally was a treat Jessica, it’s not often you find someone so enthused.
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Now that is some serious wine storage! Sounds just lovely, Eva!
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Thanks so much SM, it certainly does create a lot of selection particularly when you are dining in a large group and don’t necessarily like what everyone else does!
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What an incredible coincidence! From our opposite sides of the world, we have both blogged about wine bars! This one does seem to be a very good find. I would love to visit Grand Rapids – and share a vino or two with you of course! xx
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Hi Charlie, it certainly is considering we were in Grand Rapids in late July! I would love to share a glass of vino with you on either side of the world, or even in between!
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i guess we’re so lucky living in internet ere, simply googling before eating out is a very good trick..
i’m glad u’ve enjoyed yours my friend…
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Absolutely Dedy, the Internet has certainly made the world a lot smaller and much more accessible for sure.
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Wow, you get the best gigs!
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Hi Lizzy, I wish they were ‘gigs’ because that would mean I’m making a living from them, sadly it’s just fun.
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I look at reviews too but sometimes you have to read through the lines when one says it’s fantastic and the other says it’s crap. 🙂
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Very true indeed Maureen; often just the language used is enough to let you know whether the review is to be taken seriously or not! Some folks just like to complain.
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Isn’t it a pleasant surprise to find a place like this in a small town? I’m usually happy to get just a decent meal before bedding down the the night. To find a nice place for a good glass of wine is so, well, civilized and really perfect when you’ve been traveling all day. If the food is as good as you think it might be, you’ve really discovered a gem, Eva. It’s definitely worth a return visit.
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Thank you John, it was a very pleasant surprise for sure.
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Sounds like a place Mike and I would love!! And what a perfect place to end an evening (or start an evening!).
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Thanks Kristy, we’ll try to meet up there when the snow melts next spring!
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You generally seem to be lucky in your restaurant/wine bar finds, Eva.
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Hi Maria, it’s calculated luck, but thank you!
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I too appreciate when things work out that way — it’s always a bit of hit and miss as you say — and a great relief when it does. What a fun way to end off your evening. We love visiting wine bars and will certainly keep Reserve in mind should life bring us in that direction. Thanks Eva.
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Hi Kelly, it was indeed a very pleasant surprise and I’m sure we’ll be back on another occassion of driving through Grand Rapids,
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Glad that you have enjoyed the place and the food.
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Thank you kindly Angie.
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Guess you will be checking out the food also on your next trip.
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What a lovely night out! Sounds like it was another great trip.
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I’m sure you were pleasantly surprised with your find.
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Thanks Karen, we were indeed.
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A selection of over 100 wines? I’m in! 🙂
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Thanks Angie.
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