Fusion Dish, 400 E Division St NE, Rockford ~ 5/12/17

This is not the easiest place to find or it may just be the fault of failing GPS. Either way, the restaurant is located in a strip mall just off Wolverine Blvd (M-44) and the signage is small.

We finally honed in on the location and were happy we persisted.

We thought it might be counter service when we first entered but there was a server working the small room. There were four tables for 2-4 along each side wall and a table for 8 filling the center of the room. A 7-page menu greeted us, with the last page containing the lunch specials. There were two pages of appetizers/soups, one with dinner selections, one with noodle selections, one for fusion cuisine, and one listing beverages with a brief kid's menu.

They have an interesting way of updating their menu :-)

As is our way, we had to start with hot and sour soup. It came in an interesting bowl and was more than adequate but lacked the requisite tang that makes the hot and sour soup from Wei Wei Palace & Beijing Kitchen the best you will find in Grand Rapids.

The dumplings (Gyoza, Hong Kong pork dumplings) were typical, not extraordinary, but nothing to complain about.

The lettuce wraps, however, were extraordinary. Very flavorful and we could easily have consumed two orders.

Our first main dish was Thai Sweet Chili with Pork, spice level 6 (1-10). Fresh and spicy!

Next was Thai Fried Noodles, spice level 4, and this photo says it all. It was delectable.

Last up was Peanut Noodle. The 'crazy good peanut sauce' ended up being sweeter than expected due to the coconut milk (not listed in the ingredients) but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

Finding the restroom is quite an adventure. Walk down the hall, follow the homemade signs, and end up in their kitchen, in the one male/female restroom in the place. It was an interesting journey.

There might be an issue with some of their electrical work. This was found on both sides of the restaurant. But maybe that's totally kosher.

The place does a big to-go business and has been here for several years, according to our server. Decor is mostly tasteful, the food and service are good, and the atmosphere/set-up is a little strange. But the large menu has plenty to choose from so it's worth a trip, if you can find it.

 

Rosie’s Diner - RIP, for now

Beginning life in 1946 as the Silver Dollar Diner in New Jersey, the diner came to national attention as the set of a series of commercials for Bounty paper towels featuring Nancy Walker as the waitress, Rosie. The commercials began in 1970 and sometime during that decade, the diner was renamed in honor of its most famous waitress.

Purchased in 1991 by a Michigan artist, the diner was brought to Rockford and opened for business. Two additional diner cars eventually joined Rosie’s, and a new owner took over all of them in 2006.  One car was converted into a sports bar, and later closed.  The other car was turned into a seasonal ice cream shop in September 2010.

Last July, we had a fun lunch at the charming diner and enjoyed the 1950s decor, spicy cheeseburger soup, a sourdough melt, a cheeseburger, and well-prepared onion rings.

 

On October 2, a temporary closing for renovations turned permanent when the owner closed the doors. Employees were left without notice and without their last paychecks. The business is in a poor location, and with 30 full and part-time employees it was probably over-staffed but the new owner gave it a go. Before she bought it, the property was seconds away from the auction block after a default by an earlier buyer, so it’s a difficult proposition at best. 

So cheers to Rosie’s Diner and its new life, somewhere down the road, maybe near you.
The quicker picker upper :)

4/27/12 Update:  The diners were sold at auction yesterday.


5/7/12 Update: Here's a link to the latest news.

Grill One Eleven, 111 Courtland, Rockford - 6/15/11

We missed it on our first drive-by but found it on the back end off the parking lot. Look for Marinades Pizza on Courtland and you might see the Grill sign as well. But no matter; they share ownership and entrances.

We spotted the second floor outdoor patio from the parking lot. When we entered the restaurant the hostess asked us to seat ourselves, indicating the first floor. We inquired about upstairs but she informed us that it was “pretty full up there.” As she spoke, a couple descended the stairs and we mentioned that fact.

She then said it may take a few minutes to clean up and she headed upstairs. A short while later she reluctantly led us up where we found two tables occupied inside, and one outside on the patio. It was almost empty! With her subterfuge exposed, she did not reappear.  

The restaurant is not big but both floors are nicely appointed, warm and comfortable. The first floor features an attractive bar and the second story has sofas along with table seating and the patio. Our server made up for the hostess as he was very personable  and friendly.

The menu is seasonal and includes a comprehensive martini and wine list. Beer is available as well but is not on the menu, printed or on-line.

We started with the Three Happiness Spring Rolls: marinated chicken, roasted portabella, onions, bell peppers, and savoy cabbage neatly wrapped in crispy wontons. They were beautifully presented and were well balanced and delicious. Of the two sauces, we preferred the soy plum peanut sauce over the spicy mustard but concluded that if the plum sauce wasn’t there, we would have been perfectly satisfied with the mustard sauce.

We bypassed the sandwiches and wraps because the list of main entrees was irresistible. The chef’s creative take on chicken wellington was our first item. Fresh mozzarella, roasted portabella and baby spinach were layered around the chicken breast, and a bacon wrapped pastry enclosed it all. The pastry was light and flaky and the tasty red pepper hollandaise sauce was a flavorful and necessary accompaniment; the dish would have been slightly dry without it.

The orange-glazed salmon was grilled to order, medium rare, and retained moisture and flavor but still easily broke apart. A lovely, fresh citrus salad topped it off for a perfectly balanced dish. We were both very satisfied with our selections and everything was finely presented.  

Our server disappeared for a while after our appetizer was delivered but was otherwise very helpful and knowledgeable. The menu is interesting and innovative, the setting is very pleasant, and it's just a 20-minute drive from Grand Rapids, and well worth your time. Find them on Facebook and Twitter.

www.grilloneeleven.com