Grand Rapids Magazine names best restaurants

Grand Rapids Magazine names best restaurants

Grove restaurant serves “earth-to-table” fare in Grand Rapids’ East Hills neighborhood. Photo via fb.com

For the second year in a row, the staff of Grand Rapids Magazine have crowned the same restaurant their favorite place to eat.

Grand Rapids Magazine announced yesterday the eight winners of its 34th annual Grand Rapids Magazine Dining Awards.

The winner of Restaurant of the Year for 2013 is Grove, which is located in Grand Rapids' East Hills neighborhood, at 919 Cherry St. SE.

Grove, which won the award last year, “wows the palette,” said Marty Primeau, managing editor of Grand Rapids Magazine, a sister publication of Grand Rapids Business Journal.

Primeau added that Grove keeps winning, because it keeps offering innovative cuisine with locally sourced ingredients.

Farm-to-fork dishes

This year’s winners reveal that Midwestern fare is coming on strong, and chefs are taking classic favorites and incorporating ethnic twists, Primeau said.

“The farm-to-fork trend continues to dominate the restaurant scene in West Michigan,” Primeau said. “Local chefs are building creative menus around farm produce, ethically raised animals and artisan breads and cheese.

“Chefs also are making their own ingredients, from butter to charcuterie. Menus are getting healthier, and more restaurants are adding vegan and vegetarian dishes. More people are demanding gluten-free foods, so restaurants are providing plenty of options, including ancient grains.”

The winners were selected by the magazine staff, based on nominations from the community.

All eight winners will be featured in Grand Rapids Magazine’s March issue.

Grand Rapids Magazine Dining Awards

Restaurant of the Year: GROVE

Best New Restaurant: TRATTORIA DI’ STAGIONE

Best Mexican/Latin American/Caribbean Restaurant: EL ARRIERO

Best Middle Eastern/Mediterranean Restaurant: ZEYTIN

Best Asian Restaurant: MARU SUSHI & GRILL

Best European Restaurant: SAN CHEZ BISTRO & CAFÉ

Best Classic American Restaurant: LEO’S

Best New American Restaurant: TERRA GR