East Grand Rapids is a bedroom community of split-levels and pre-fab colonial homes with access to good schools. Having been raised in Grosse Pointe, I can say that EGR is populated with overly competitive, sports-obsessed middle-class people who wear a lot of North Face clothing. It's Rockford with trees. However, it does have sweet shopping and restaurants.
The Derby Station (2237 Wealthy St.) is where you go for something special. The large restaurant recalls an English pub, which reflects its roots with the Anglophile L&B Restaurant Portfolio that also includes Logan's Alley, Cambridge House and Graydon's Crossing. The room is airy with dark woods and solid furniture and the patio is spacious. The Michigan Micro Mania Sampler is awesome: Short's Spruce Pilsner, Vander Mill Whit Cider, New Holland Ichabod Ale, Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA and Vivant Farm Hand Ale. Compliment that beer with some excellent food. The extensive menu reflects a respect for local and sustainable farming. Trust Poppa Steve and begin with the Stumbling Nachos, which includes drunken chili, Arcadia Hopmouth cheese sauce and pickled jalapeno peppers. Then get a typical pub-style entree such as the Cottage Pie, with stewed ground beef and vegetables topped with garlic-mashed potatoes. Sit on the patio if it is nice.
Next, our culinary adventures take us to Osta's Lebanese Cuisine (2228 Wealthy St.). The restaurant opened in downtown Grand Rapids in 1993 and then moved to Gaslight Village to be closer to customers. The land of the Phoenicians, who were the Original Gangstas, Lebanon has been influenced by many cultures and their cuisine reflects that sophistication. The flavors are delicate and carefully balanced to thrill the palate. "This is the food you would find when you walk off the plane in Lebanon," said Co-Owner Diane Aouad. When this reporter asked for hot sauce she arched her brow. Her husband, the chef, does not want to cover up the flavors with heat. "The Lebanese in Detroit will put anything on the food," she added. Diane made a couple suggestions for me and my sister Lovely Lucy. She had the Fatoush Salad, which contrasts crisp fresh vegetables with crunchy toasted pita chips and the zing of the homemade vinaigrette dressing. I had the Kafta Kabob on a pita with creamy hummus and onions, which was delicious. As they say in Lebanese, Sahtein . . . to your good health.
Down the block, Crazy Charlie's (2184 Wealthy St.) focuses on one thing: hot dogs. In a town of ascots, Rolex watches and Bentley cars, sometimes you just want a good tube steak. My girl Little Lulu goes there once a week with her benevolent grandmother, who never seemed to spoil her only son in such a deliciously deleterious manner. Lulu calls it Good Time Charlie's and you don't have to be drunk to eat the hotdogs. Lourdie gets the Mom's Favorite, which has Coney sauce, pickles, onions and mustard. You can also get fries and shakes.
There are many more spots for adventuresome foodies in Gaslight Village. Ramona's Table (2232 Wealthy St.) is a boutique deli with its own pastries, prepared foods and take-away dinners. Get the Ramona, a spiced-rubbed steak covered in wild mixed greens, garlic aioli and fresh tomato bruschetta, served on a freshly baked French roll, my petal flower. Jersey Junction (652 Croswell Ave.) is a sweet tradition for generations of families. The bright red shop is known for its generous scoops of Hudsonville Ice Cream. Poppa Steve likes the Turtle Sundae while Qiqi the monkey girl always buys sour candy. Go across the street for some fantastic pizza at Big Bob's (661 Croswell Ave.). Set back from the street, the restaurant may be easy to miss. Nevertheless, don't pass up the legendary pizzas with the homemade crust. The Big Bob's Deluxe is always a winner with ham, pepperoni, mushroom, onions, green peppers and bacon. Order a microbrew and watch the game on one of the flat-screen televisions.
After all that eating, you need to pamper yourself. Smooch Beauty Boutique (2213 Wealthy St.) opened five years ago and recently expanded. Let the professional makeup artists help you explore high-end lines such as NARS, Stila, ID Minerals and Philosophy. Or, they can take you in back for manicures, spray tans, waxes and facials. Ask for manager Feme Marie Naigow, with her skin like liquid butterscotch, who will freshen your look and possibly suggest a raw/vegan recipe that will lighten your spirit. Seva Yoga (2213 Wealthy) has been one of the most popular yoga studios in town for years. Classes such as Breath, Meditation and Yin Yoga with Gretchen Biggs are appropriate for everybody. The bright, warm space also includes a full-service salon. Look for Raven Basset, who is masterful, or the smart Jessica Stone to style your locks, my pets. Almost every boy in East got his first haircut at Gas Light Village Barber Shop (2149 Wealthy). An old-time barbershop with fair prices, it offers clip jobs to bankers and slouching tweens. The barbers would prefer to give yer kid a proper crew cut, but they can do the Bieber Shag, the Zac Effron fauxhawk, the Taylor Lautner spike, the Nick Jonas bush, K-Pop feathering and the Mark Zuckerberg dead wombat.
Gaslight Village is also known as a shopping Mecca. Papers Plus (2213 Wealthy St.) is perfect for browsing for fine stationary, announcements and beautiful gifts including Vera Bradley. I was able to find the ingredients for a fragrant sachet for the serene Miss Carolita at 5 p.m. on a Friday. Have them print personalized thank you cards for you and be remembered in this heartless world of social media. Rosa's Closet (2141 Wealthy) is a fun place to update your wardrobe without breaking the bank. The boutique offers upscale women's resale clothing as well as brand new items, with new items every couple of months. Owner Rosa Piccione, who opened the shop four years ago, also co-owns Lia Rose in downtown Grand Rapids. The shop is cozy and her customers become friends. "Some come into just to chat and others are hunting for a unique piece that no one else has," Rosa said. Empty out that closet and update your wardrobe.
East Grand Rapids offers many family events to keep the hoi polloi entertained. The EGR Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held the evening of Nov. 25, the first Friday after Thanksgiving in Regatta Plaza. Hosted by WZZM 13's Val Lego, the ceremony includes a fire pit with s'mores, refreshments and trolley rides. Santa, Mrs. Clause and a reindeer will be available for free pictures all evening. The Fourth of July is an all-day community affair. The parade includes 7,000 people cheering 45 community groups and booing hapless Justin Amash. Everyone gathers in John Collins Park for music, inflatables and a water ski show by the famous Grand City Skiers on Reeds Lake. There is a twilight concert by the earnest Grand Rapids Federation of Musicians followed by fireworks that light up the nighttime sky with 1,000 exploding shells. Oooh and ahhhh.
The city's Parks and Recreation Department organizes soccer for boys and girls. The Coed Youth Soccer program teaches soccer fundamentals on smaller fields to K-5th graders. The Coed Fall Soccer League for Grades 6-8 is held at the Manhattan Park Recreation Area and includes three practices a week as well as weekly games against area middle schools. Finally, a Daddy Daughter Dance is held around Valentine's Day. The semi-formal event is for girls and their dads, uncles, granddads or those rascally stepdads. There is pizza, bruised toes, the Craziest Tie Contest and good memories. Poppa Steve would win every year.
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