The culinary scene in downtown Grand Rapids recently expanded once again with the opening of a new eatery near Van Andel Arena.
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On June 1, the owners of Twisted Rooster and Crooked Goose cut the ribbon on The Wheelhouse, a ‘New American’-themed bistro located on the ground floor of the $45 million Arena Place development project.
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The nearly 300-seat restaurant features patio seating, a semi-private dining room with sophisticated video presentation capability, and a bar with 24 taps. “The atmosphere is urban, fitting of a downtown destination restaurant which suits our rapidly expanding city,” said Brittany Wakefield, the Casual Dining Brand Manager for the restaurant group.
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Diners can choose from a menu that The Wheelhouse describes as a ‘chef-focused culinary adventure on the plate’. It emphasizes seasonal selections that highlights bold and fresh ingredients from local Michigan vendors. Specialties consist of a unique variety of open-faced sandwiches called tartines, like the Three Little Pigs (prosciutto mousse, candied bacon and pork cracklings), along with updated and reimagined shareables like Belgian-style mussels.
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The menu was developed by Chef Andrew Alcid, whose favorite items include a unique take on a caprese salad called the Burrata Fireball, and the CB & J Sandwich (cashew butter, fig jam, goat cheese and candied bacon). Traditional items like steak & frites, Diver scallops and spaghetti carbonara are also available, in addition to comfort foods like the buttermilk battered hot chicken sandwich.
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On the artisan cocktail side, featured drinks like The Pinto utilize local ingredients like vodka from Long Road Distillers and Two James absinthe from Detroit. The Motor City Mule boasts D-Town’s Valentin vodka mixed with lime juice and ginger beer. Seventeen Michigan craft beers are also available on tap at any one time.
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The Wheelhouse is open for dinner daily and lunch Mondays through Fridays. The restaurant’s website also lists more than 60 Michigan vendors and suppliers that it utilizes on a regular basis.
