Erb Thai, 950 Wealthy St SE - 3/15/12

We have written up a few other Thai restaurants in Grand Rapids over the past couple of years but haven’t visited Erb Thai, until today.  On the corner of Wealthy and Diamond, the restaurant looks bigger than it is. 

Upon entry, you are greeted by the counter on your right, and small tables along the large windows on your left that continue along in an “L” shape past the counter. Although there were restaurant employees at the counter, no one greeted us and we were unsure if we were supposed to order at the counter or if we would be served at our table. We took a table at the bottom of the “L” and waited to find out. It felt a little like sitting in a long, abandoned hallway but we did have privacy. And a friendly server soon came along with a carafe of water for us.

The two-page menu was a very reasonable size for a Thai restaurant (dwarfed by Thai Express and Angel’s Thai Café, and larger than Rak Thai Bistro). 


There were plenty of choices for appetizers and we began with Veggie Fresh Rolls: lettuce, carrots, green onions, cucumbers, rice noodles, and cilantro wrapped in soft rice paper. The rolls were served with a sweet sauce topped with peanuts. It was lovely to behold and taste. They were indeed made fresh and the sweet sauce enhanced the flavor of the vegetables beautifully.

Unfortunately, the dish arrived without napkins, chopsticks, or silverware and we had to ask for them upon our server’s return. 

The Raa Naa noodles sounded irresistible so they became our first selection. Tofu, bean sprouts, pea pods, broccoli, mushrooms were sauteed over thick, rice noodles and served with a garlic, brown sauce. (The leftovers carried out subsequently leaked sauce all over my jeans and shoes but that’s another story.)

The noodles had a good consistency and were not over done; the dish is marked on the menu as being a customer favorite and we can understand why. 

Our next item was the Peanut Broccoli with Shrimp (Ram Long Song - the Thai name has a much better ring to it). The menu describes it as broccoli, string beans, and carrots stir-fried in creamy, sweet peanut sauce. The white rice was above par for an Asian restaurant, and the shrimp was fine as was the sauce. But the broccoli was a bit scarce considering the name of the dish.

The most important thing to know about this restaurant is that they will deliver the spice level for which you ask.  Instead of the far-ranging 10 spice levels found elsewhere, they offer six, beginning with mild (no spice).  Fresh peppers are used and the increments start with ½ tsp up to Erb Thai hot with 3 tablespoons. 

Out of the six levels, the Raa Naa noodles were ordered at three and the Peanut Broccoli at four. We were both happy with our spice levels and really appreciated receiving what we ordered.

So to sum up, the ambiance is not great but our food was fresh, nicely presented, and very well-prepared. The menu is excellent with a made-to-order spice level, and our server was friendly and polite. The small restaurant is a worthy addition to the Thai food scene of Grand Rapids. If you complain that your food was too “hot” then you didn’t read and believe the menu. 

Erb Thai is on Facebook and Twitter, and you can find their website at: www.erbthaigr.com 

Previously reviewed Thai Restaurants:

Angel's Thai Cafe - 1/7/10

Thai Express - 5/6/10

Thai Cuisine - 11/3/10 (closed)

Rak Thai Bistro - 12/22/10

Thai Chef - 4/13/11

Nu-Thai Bistro - 8/18/11

CitySen, 85 Monroe Center NW - 2/13/12

We first visited this restaurant, located in the City Flats Hotel, last December and were totally taken with the setting, the service, and the food. Today was almost as good.


In contrast to their restaurant CityVu in Holland, CitySen is on the first floor with a street view, obstructed by the window trim. What you see are headless bodies strolling by. In summer, with the windows open, it’s probably much better.


The setting is classy and modern. Two booths are available at the windows (with the aforementioned obstructed views), and high top tables and other tables for four and two lead up to the bar. Other small rounds wrap around beyond the bar. The menu is small, specific, and interesting.

In our earlier visit, we started with shrimp and sausage gumbo, which was good but the shrimp was nowhere to be found being over-powered by the sausage. Today we began with the Veggie Roll (sticky rice, avocado, and spicy kimchee).


Followed by the Spider Roll (tempura soft shall crab, cucumber, spicy mayo in sushi maki roll), we have to conclude that sushi is not their specialty. The rice consistency was mushy and tasted of cream cheese. The seaweed wrap was very, very fishy tasting and overpowered everything in its wake.

The lobster spring rolls were another matter and very worth ordering, as are the risotto cakes (mushroom risotto cakes with ratatouille and parmesan crisp). All was fresh and crisp, with balanced flavors.

Both meat lovers and vegetarians have choices here and for the former, we can recommend the Cubano: black forest ham, crisp pork belly, gruyere, pickles, dijon, mayo, on a hoagie bun. And the tenderloin sliders that consist of three mini beef tenderloin sandwiches with steak butter will melt in your mouth. Add blue cheese if you wish.

Sauteed shrimp with brussels sprout leaves, pork belly and horseradish cream sauce was beautifully created and presented. 

All in all, this is a lovely dining experience. The service is consistently excellent with very knowledgeable and polite servers. In the summer, they offer an outdoor patio. It’s not a full dining experience, but if you stay away from the sushi you will enjoy the remaining small plates that are offered. If you’re a hotel guest, this is a wonderful on-site lounge/restaurant during your stay.
http://cityflatshotel.com/grandrapids/bistrobar/citysen/dinner/

Las Cazuelas, 411 Wilson NW - 1/5/12

Sometimes we just drive to see if we can spot a small restaurant we’ve never heard of, and today we found Las Cazuelas, just off Lake Michigan Drive. It’s a small restaurant holding seven booths and two tables. A man greeted us and we saw a woman through the window opening to the kitchen. Other than that, we had the place to ourselves.

Our host let us take our time with the four-page menu (one page for kids) and promptly brought us corn chips and mildly spicy, full-flavored salsa. We enjoyed them while we perused the menu and found we had to go right to the main dishes. 

Our first choice was #10, fajita las cazuelas with chicken. Grilled breast of chicken, bell peppers, and tomatoes, with the usual rice and beans, was an delicious dish with fantastic, homemade tortillas. The rice and beans were a step above the usual Mexican restaurant offerings.

Our second dish did not fare as well. The #6 choice was flank steak with one enchilada, accompanied by rice, beans, and tortillas. The cheese enchilada was amazingly delicious but the flank steak was a poor choice, probably more a customer error. It was tough and more like beef jerky with an unpleasant flavor, so lesson learned.

Overall, it reminded us of the wonderful Cafe San Juan, but a bit bigger, and with disconcerting wall noise.  We were seated in a booth against the adjoining wall of another business and kept hearing a scrambling sound. Mice? Rats? We finally asked and were informed that birds fly down into it from a roof vent and get trapped. Alrighty then.


Overall, the food is well-prepared and above par, along the lines of El Granjero and Maggie’s Kitchen. They’ve been in business since 2005 and can be found on twitter @LasCazuelasRest and on Facebook as a “friend,” not as a page to “like.” Take a drive out and support this small, local, and very worthy business. The cheese enchilada alone will make your trip worthwhile.

Cherie Inn, 969 Cherry St - 12/1/11

Anyone who has lived in Grand Rapids for any length of time knows this restaurant, and it’s a very cool little spot. You will find it where Cherry, Lake, and Diamond streets converge in the East Hills business district, and it’s open for breakfast and lunch (closing at 3pm, and closed on Mondays). 

Cherie Inn claims to be the oldest restaurant in Grand Rapids (opening in 1924) and it occupies a building that’s at least 100 years old. It’s divided into two long, narrow dining areas, and we love the eclectic setting, complete with tin ceilings, camouflaged restroom doors, and a small art gallery. 

Since there weren’t appetizers with which to start, we defaulted to the soup of the day and were happy we did. Tomato Florentine soup came with chunks of tomato, celery, carrots, pasta, and a nice dose of thyme.

We were here last March and remembered the Cherie burger as being amazing. Delivered once again medium rare as ordered, and on a pretzel roll with provolone cheese and kettle chips, this burger has to rank among the best in Grand Rapids. It’s topped with lettuce, tomato, french friend onions and cajun mayo. If you would like more fat and flavor, you may also add bacon.

Our second selection was a special of the day: a roast beef wrap served with wasabi mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and cheddar cheese. On the whole, we don’t go for “wraps,” and don’t even like the name. But this time it was a winner. The flavors were beautifully balanced and the sandwich was very wrap worthy. Wasabi mayonnaise was the magic ingredient.

Our server was wonderful - the perfect blend of good service and great personality. We have not visited the restaurant for breakfast but it seems to be a love or hate thing based on online reviews. 


We learned from an online video that the owner (since 1997) pronounces the name Cherie with the accent on the second syllable, and not “cherry.” Now you know.
Video


The restaurant is very interactive on Facebook, where you can also see their specials. Otherwise check out their website at www.cherieinn.com

Rush Creek Bistro, 624 Port Sheldon Rd, Grandville - 11/8/11

What used to be open to club members only is now open to the public. The bistro is located in the Sunnybrook Country Club and if you use your GPS, it won’t be hard to find, even in the rain.

The entrance brings you into a large dining room with booths along one wall and tables elsewhere. We walked in and seated ourselves in a booth; there were several other tables occupied. A waiter came up to us and said we should seat ourselves in the bar area.  Hmmm - was it the clothes? The non-golfer look? Whatever it was, it was the most unwelcome greeting ever.


We moved into a booth in the bar area, which is a good-sized L-shaped room adjoining the dining area. The decor everywhere is tasteful and subdued, and the windows everywhere overlook the golf course. Our server here was much friendlier and told us that the dining room was closing, which explained the bum’s rush.

The menu is large and looks like it is trying to be all things to all people: a couple of interesting appetizers, pizza, pasta, seafood, chicken dishes, an enchilada, meatloaf, pork tenderloin, steak, and shepherd’s pie. That’s pretty diverse for one kitchen but maybe it’s due to catering to the country club set and their families.


We picked the crab-stuffed mushrooms for our appetizer and did not go wrong. The crimini mushroom caps were filled with Alaskan crab stuffing, fresh lemon and herbs, and topped with Chablis cream sauce. The crab and mushroom flavors were enhanced by the lemon but remained distinct and not overwhelmed by the sauce. A perfect pick.

Our first entree was the chicken cavatappi: grilled chicken on a bed of pasta with spinach, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms, and topped with a light Alfredo sauce and parmesan cheese. Pasta was al dente and the dish was a taste delight.

Shepherd’s Pie on a menu is usually irresistible and today was no exception. It was a beautiful thing to behold, and to consume. The hearty stew consisted of ground lamb, beef, carrots, spanish onion, garlic, and a house blend of fresh herbs and spices. It was wonderfully topped with creamy whipped potatoes.

Both dishes were served with garlic toast and an efficient and informative server. When the bar dining area was invaded by very loud, obnoxious golfers fresh off the course, our server semi-apologized for them and explained that they think they own the club (they are members) and were not used to sharing it with the public. That’s too bad as we didn’t enjoy listening to them shouting about who won and what the losers owed. 


The food was good, the ambiance is pleasant, the golfers indoors were unpleasant, so take your chances. Watermark Properties owns this and two other country clubs, each of which offers a restaurant open to the public. (We had a taste of Fire Rock Grille at the recent Wine Beer & Food Festival). 
Wine, Beer, Food Festival

http://www.sunnybrookcc.com
You can also find them on facebook.

Wild Chef Japanese Steakhouse, 3303 Alpine, Walker - 10/25/11

This restaurant is well-established in Holland, and the owners recently took over the very large, old Bennigans building for their second location. You will see some Bennigans layout remaining but teppanyaki grill tables now fill most of the space, a large dining area floor has been raised to the main floor level, and the bar is now also a sushi bar. The renovations and the real estate had to be pricey, and I hope they make it. 

The teppanyaki-style restaurant originated in Japan in the 1940s and it was discovered, not surprisingly, that foreigners were more interested in an elaborate chef show than were the Japanese. One thing led to another, and in 1964, a wrestler named Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki opened the first Benihana in New York City.

You know the style, you know the show, and here in Grand Rapids it could/can be experienced at the Shangai Garden (now gone) and at Ichiban, both of which feature(d) a Chinese wing and a Japanese wing.

Wild Chef is purely Japanese. We opted out from a teppanyaki table (sometimes called hibachis and many would claim to differ) and took a booth, a few of which are grouped together to one side of the bar.

Service was friendly, prompt, and informative and we finally decided to start with Yakotori: Japanese-style chicken kabob brushed with teriyaki sauce. Very flavorful and beautifully presented, it comes highly recommended and we would have gladly eaten more.

An annoying rap-rock soundtrack was playing loudly (an owner’s iPod, as we discovered) and before we said anything, we heard our server ask her to change it (shades of Shiraz). The younger one of us may have mentioned that the older one of us is just getting too old, but as the older one, I’m sticking to my point that restaurant music should enhance the dining experience, not distract from it.

Sushi is half off Sunday - Thursday, and the younger went for it with spicy tuna and spider rolls. Spider rolls with the fried soft shell crab filling were a huge hit, and the tuna rolls came in second as not being very spicy. Sushi fans should check out this restaurant and we think you will be favorably impressed.

Our second entree was Yakiniku, marinated sirloin in garlic, ginger, and Japanese spices. The thinly sliced meat was tender and a taste treat, particularly if you love garlic and ginger, which I do. It was accompanied by crisp vegetables, well-prepared rice with its own delicious white sauce, and ginger sauce for the meat and vegetables. 

Arriving before this was onion soup and a green salad with a house dressing. We are big fans of their house-made dressings and sauces, and the way all of the food was prepared and presented.

We’ll have to go back for the show sometime, and for you rowdy groups, there is a private party room that seats 20 around the grills (the converted Bennigan pop station). But it seemed a little tight.

Instead, opt for tables in the dining rooms. If you don’t like the show, you will enjoy the food. 

You may like them on Facebook (with “steakhouse” as one word). (The paper menu uses two words and their website uses one. On Urbanspoon, the Holland location uses two, and the Grand Rapids, one. But now we’re just being picayune.) Regardless of how you spell steakhouse, you will find this restaurant worthy of your time and money.  


www.wildchefrestaurant.com

Shiraz Grille, 2739 Breton Road, SE - 10/13/11

Shiraz: it’s a wine, an ancient city in Iran, and a wonderful restaurant in Grand Rapids. The owner is Iranian (Persian) and the food is as unique to Grand Rapids as is the ambiance. 

The exterior will not grab your attention but the interior certainly will. It’s lovely with dark wood and carpeting, some Iranian decor (faux and real), a small bar, a separate banquet room, and a small outdoor patio. 

There is a lunch (petite) menu available until 2:30 but luckily for us, our server brought us the full menu by mistake. All of the items were available for lunch, which we wouldn’t have known.


We chose Persian Shrimp Cocktail for an appetizer. Grilled and chilled, the jumbo shrimp were pomegranate-glazed and came with a delicious mint, yogurt sauce. Pomegranates, mint, and yogurt are staples of Iranian cooking and this was a fine starter.

Ordering from the dinner menu, everything was ala carte. Our server ably and expertly suggested soup and salad and we couldn’t resist. The soup offering is seasonal only and therefore not described on the menu; we loved the seasonality and the soup. It was  a wonderful mung bean based soup that included kidney beans, mint, and onion. 

All of the salads sounded interesting but we decided to share a Shirazi. Chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and parsley came marinated in olive oil, lime juice, and mint, and it was an exquisite limey, minty treat.

From the entrees, one of us ordered Barg and the other ordered Sultani, and here are the menu descriptions:
Barg: (filet mignon Persian-style) $20.00
A juicy skewer of marinated tenderloin, charbroiled to perfection.
Koubideh: (seasoned ground kabob) $14.00
Two juicy strips of our house-blended beef and lamb.
Sultani: (Barg and one Koubideh) $22.00
Combination of charbroiled filet mignon and a strip of seasoned ground beef/lamb.
We assumed that the Sultani would be smaller portions of the previous two menu items but to our surprise, the Sultani was a replica of the Barg but with the addition of a strip of beef/lamb described in Koubideh. For two dollars more, please order the Sultani.


Both meat strips were tender and delicious. Persian food is flavorful but not spicy or hot and these dishes were beautifully prepared and mouth-watering delectable. Both were accompanied by saffron-topped basmati rice, grilled tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and a huge chunk of garlic.

We’re both fans of garlic but not straight up. We mashed a little up to stir into the rice but otherwise left it alone. The other vegetables were a perfect accompaniment but we were a little skeptical about the saffron. It’s incredibly expensive and frequently imitated but a staff member assured us it was the real deal, imported from Iran. 

The single thing we objected to most about our dining experience was the restaurant music. It played from someone’s iPod that held cheesy love-songs, and repeated. It was in sharp contrast to the tasteful decor and upscale atmosphere. On a previous visit for dinner, a classical guitarist was playing, and on their website, there is gorgeous music by an Iranian violinist, Bijan Mortazavi. A change-up for lunch would be wonderful. 

The lunch menu is much more reasonably priced - you just have to endure the music. So don’t let the aforementioned prices scare you off. Experience delightful Persian cuisine in this unique setting. You may "like" them on Facebook. Ba’adan mibinamet!


www.shirazgrille.com