By the time you read this, Harmony Brewing Company (1551 Lake Dr. SE) will finally have opened its doors in Eastown. "It's got to be open by then," sighed co-owner Heather Van Dyke. Transforming the abandoned Jack's Liquor Store into a neighborhood brewpub has been an ordeal, even for the experienced hands at Bear Manor Properties. Brew master Jackson Van Dyke has been busy crafting drinkable, clever brews that will be appreciated by hop heads and newbies alike. There will be six brews on tap, such as the Brownson Pinchot, Fiddlestix IPA and Black Squirrel Peaty Porter.
The brewpub will have a light cafe feeling that will be kid friendly. Look for a menu that features garden-inspired foods, breads and cheeses, as well as wood-fired pizzas. You will also be able to choose from beer cocktails, wine by the glass and specialty cocktails. With live music an impossibility due to the genteel neighborhood, Harmony plans to host beer-fueled talks by the professors, teachers, authors, experts, kooks, rabble-rousers, know-it-alls, mystics, cranks and blowhards who make Grand Rapids insufferable. Free Market can't wait to heckle.
Eastown went gourmet, finally, with the opening of the Local Epicurean (1436 Wealthy St. SE). Owners Steve Bowyer and Ryan Reardon spent a month fumigating the patchouli and scraping the cannabis resin left by the previous tenants of the old Windmill Building. Free Market was thrilled by the 32 different kinds of organic hand-cut pasta made with local eggs and flour from Harvest Health. The classy Miss Carolita enjoyed the Garlic Basil Pappardelle pasta. Other delicacies include handmade chocolate truffles, all natural infused sea salts, three different kinds of raw organic tomato sauces and 19 types of raviolis. Steve admitted they ate ravioli every day for a month while testing the recipes. Look for the pasta at Grand Central Market in Grand Rapids, Poindexter's Specialty Marketplace in Rockford, and Ninth Bridge Market in Ada.
Striders (1551 Wealthy St. SE) recently opened in the heart of the Grand Rapids running community. The popular Grandville store was able to add a second location in Eastown when Blockbuster realized that robots can rent DVDs, as well as liberal arts majors. "We want to encourage people to explore an active lifestyle," said owner Ben Pickel, as Free Market dipped his deep-fried Twinkie into gravy. These aren't the K-Mart ankle-breakers that we remember from the 1970s. Striders is the only store locally to offer the ASICS Gel Excel 33 that promote the natural motion of barefoot running. And they are red, which is cool. Ben has worked in running shops since high school, even repping for New Balance, and he has put together a staff that matches his passion for health and fitness. Let them use mysterious video and bio-mechanical techniques to help you find the right shoes for your feet and running style. It almost makes Free Market want to start running. Almost.
The Green Restaurant (2289 E. Beltline Ave.) recently opened with an emphasis on organic and locally sourced ingredients. Owner Mike Meyer has worked in restaurants his whole life and you can see the dedication and attention to detail in the space, which is warm and inviting. The ostrich and elk burgers are must tries. Free Market and little Miss Lourdie had the daddy and daughter burgers - beef because we are scaredy cats - with hand-cut fries. The patties were perfectly grilled and served on a fresh bun. The fries were crunchy and salty. Perfect. We can't wait to tackle the rest of the menu.
Freebies
Butch's Restaurant in Holland features pasta and wine specials every Wednesday night throughout the winter. Don't forget to check out Butch's new winter menu too, which Chef Adam keeps fresh with seasonal goodness.
Free Market heard whispers that the Acton Institute, West Michigan's own think tank, is once again planning to leave their comfy digs in the Waters Building. We can't wait to learn where Acton's piously prickly pastor Rev. Robert A Sirico lands.
P.F. Chang's China Bistro opened at Knapp's Crossing after Kent County squared away its dire drainage drama. The parking lot is packed every night. Do they stuff $20 bills into their sickly sweet Dynamite Shrimp? Free Market prefers Ning Ye (6747 Fulton St. E) for home-cooked Chinese fare.
Rockford's Old World Olive Press staked its claim to downtown Grand Rapids with a new shop at Ottawa Avenue and Monroe Center. While we miss the free sandwiches at Blake's Turkey Shop, Free Market can't wait to sample the olive oils and balsamic vinegars.
Skaters will enjoy the Outdoor Ice Rink in downtown Muskegon. Located at Jefferson and West Western, the rink will offer affordable skate rental on the weekends through February.
Free Market welcomes Juan Magallan as the new owner of Gregordog in Holland. This hole-in-the-wall serves the tastiest tube steaks in town.
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Pictured: Top — Handmade pasta from Local Epicurean; Above — Shoe selection at Striders. Photos by Steven de Polo.
