Green Well Gastro Pub (924 Cherry St.) is the best restaurant in Grand Rapids. Whether it's the locally sourced ingredients, inventive chefs, creative entrees, local brews, or knowledgeable staff, a trip to the Green Well is always memorable. The restaurant calls itself a gastro pub, which refers to the gourmet selections offered in a casual and friendly pub-like atmosphere. Can't-miss options include Baked Local Goat Cheese as an appetizer, the Michigan Maple Whiskey Chicken over risotto and Vegetable-Quinoa Salad as entrees and French Toast á la mode for dessert. Pair that with an Organic Cucumber Cocktail and a cabernet by Black Star Farms and your belly will thank you. A little bird has told me that if you ask nicely, you may join the Green Well Cartel, which is a mysterious and exclusive group of foodies.

The Electric Cheetah (1015 Wealthy St.) brought foodies to Wealthy Street. Chef Cory DeMint's kitchen cooks traditional comfort food made with a twist. When asked about the fall menu, Mike the restaurant manager said it would feature heavier fare like Pot Roast with Root Vegetables and Chicken Pot Pie. The restaurant is also known for excellent sandwiches, such as the Cranberry Chicken Salad and the Pineapple Pulled Pork. Complement your meal with a frosty root beer — 20 varieties — and one of Jenna's homemade desserts. Full brunch menus are offered on Saturday and Sunday and by the end of 2010 it should have secured a liquor license.

Marie Catrib's (1001 Lake Dr.) serves food that is fun and healthy. Run by Marie and her son Fouad, this bright and friendly shop includes a lively restaurant, busy delicatessen, and thriving catering business. The food is influenced by Marie's Lebanese roots and is made with locally sourced ingredients. The lunch crowd is the Who's Who of Grand Rapids, so get there early. Order a selection of food and be sure to share. Try the Trio of Dips, hummous, baba ghanouj, and tzatziki sauce with pita chips, as an appetizer. Poppa Steve likes the Sweet 'N Sassy Ham Sandwich with caramelized onions. The mellow Miss Carolita orders the Salmon Surprise Sandwich, which is grilled with a maple-ginger-lime marinade. Don't forget to get a couple salads to go for a light dinner.

Explore your inner self at The Yoga Studio (955 Cherry St.), the oldest yoga establishment in Grand Rapids. Founded by Carolyn Heines in 1979, the studio has been located all over East Hills and Eastown. The studio is known for teaching hatha yoga, with an emphasis on proper alignment and the spiritual aspect of the practice. With five instructors certified in the rigorous Iyengar system, this is not "Sweatin' to the Oldies." Everyone is welcome, regardless of age or physical ability. "Just bring an open mind," said Carolyn. Classes are offered in eight-week sessions from Level 1 through Level 3 as well as Gentle Yoga. Sigh. On Jan. 29, the studio will celebrate Carolyn's transfer of ownership to long-time instructor Kat McKinney.

East Hills offers many other dining and drinking options that bear investigation. The Meanwhile Bar (1005 Wealthy St.) is the hipster Valhalla. Check out the ruby red interior, stuffed shark, up-to-the-second jukebox, and five pinball machines. On Wednesdays it has $2 wine specials and on Thursdays its 13 Michigan beers on tap are half off. The Wealthy Street Station Deli and Grill (1157 Wealthy St.) offers tasty American, Mexican, and Polish choices. Try the world-famous Station Burger, spicy with fried jalapenos, or the Polish Dinner with kielbasas made by Lewandoski's Market.

Cherry Deli & Catering (834 Cherry St.) boasts a 70-item menu of gourmet sandwiches and salads named after local streets as well as inventive soups. Try the East Hills Sandwich, turkey and apple smoked bacon on a Panini, and a bowl of the Banana Pumpkin Soup for a hearty lunch. Erb Thai (950 Wealthy St.) adds a little spice to the neighborhood. Owner Lisa Her opened six months ago and her simple storefront restaurant offers more than 200 authentic Thai meals, with several vegan options. The Peanut Curry Noodles and Lime Leaf Curry make a fragrant and flavorful meal. Brick Road Pizza (1017 Wealthy St.) is a rambling pizza shop with colorful murals and mosaic-covered tables. Get one of its authentic pizzas with a crisp-yet-chewy crust, the Margarita will do, and you will be happy. The menu also includes pastas, sandwiches, and soups. Vegans are also at home there thanks to the restaurant's many takes on comfort food like the infamous Vegan Garbage Plate.

Coat of Many Colors Vintage (1052 Wealthy St.) has kept the neighborhood classy for four years. Owner Matthew Fowler grew up wearing hand-me-downs, and then when he was old enough, he began buying vintage clothing. He was literally "too cool for school." The store offers stylish clothes, handmade jewelry, and art by local artists at very affordable prices. It's also home to friendly pups named Rikki Tikki Tavi and Lady Troopa. Matt showed us several classic pieces, like a 1920s navy worsted wool gabardine suit and a handsome grey and taupe double-breasted tweed coat with 1 1/2" buttons. This January, the shop will host a concert by hipster heartthrobs The Soil and the Sun, Jacob Bullard, and The Meadowlarks that will benefit a Ukrainian orphanage.

The prettiest clothing in town can be found at Pink Blvd (974 Cherry St.). Owners Kirsten McLin and Debbie Otten are real firecrackers. They fill the shop with their electric personalities as well as an amazing selection of women's clothing, gifts, and accessories perfect for women from 16-60. Pink Blvd is a fun and affordable boutique with beautiful items by designers from around the country and the world. Let the friendly owners fuss over you as while updating your style to reflect your inner vixen. The Miss Me Denim jeans look great but are not over the top. The VFish dresses are fun and flirty. And the colorful Desigual tops will add a touch of Barcelona glamour to your wardrobe. See you on the boulevard!

Wealthy at Charles (738 Wealthy St.) is a Chicago-style urban home and garden store owned by partners Lenn Beardsley and Michael Schimpf. The owners foster a sophisticated nature-friendly vibe in the store, which is inspired by their travels. The shop, which includes the fanciful garden next store, offers an eclectic selection of garden elements, gifts, artwork, and home accessories. You will find beautiful glassware and pottery, like Oscuro Cookware, that looks like it was plucked from the ocean. "We also offer flowers, because they pull all of the elements together," said Lenn. A cocktail table on display was a sleek and low counterpoint to the more organic pieces. Friendly and talented, Lenn and Mike enjoy helping people turn a house into a home with just the right piece. Look for a special Garden Party this winter, when Mike and Lenn thank their customers for five years of success by bringing spring and summer indoors.

Every neighborhood needs a bookstore to be great. Literary Life Bookstore and More (758 Wealthy St.) is the home for bibliophiles in East Hills. Housed in a former bank branch on the corner of Eastern and Wealthy, the neoclassical gem has huge windows, gourmet tea, and a fireplace cozy browsing. This bookshop has just the right number of books for successful gift buying. Look for excellent selections in world literature, medical novels, cookbooks, memoirs, Michigania, and travel literature. The children's section is outstanding with nary a corporate movie tie-in. Buying a gift? Do as this reporter does. Run in at the last second. Give a brief description of the recipient. Let the staff pick out the ideal book and wrap it. Get hailed as the best son in the world!

Shop-a-holics will be thrilled by the window-shopping in East Hills. Yours Truly (959 Cherry St.) is a charming little card and gift shop with items ranging from sterling silver bracelets to the Elvis Presley Cookbook. The shop has a second-to-none card selection, from funny to fine art. Owner Susan Walborn works with local artists to help them develop their own card lines, keeping the shop fresh. Walk to the rear of the store and you will be in David & Bathsheba (958 Lake Dr.). The charming bath and body boutique offers fashionable clothing made from bamboo as well as jewelry and small gifts. It also sells a range of apothecary skincare products from companies like Jardin de L'Olivier and Noodle & Boo.

Rowster New American Coffee (632 Wealthy St.) has been a maniacally high-quality coffee roaster for three years. Owner Kurt Stauffer recently landed in a storefront, where he roasts small batches of coffee to create signature flavors like the Matrix Blend and the Milky Way. Pull up a stool and sample the coffee as you browse the gleaming coffee-making equipment on display. Art of the Table (606 Wealthy St.) is where you go when you love to make good food. Owner Amy Ruis' specialty shop is chock full of kitchen gadgets, spices and sauces, a walk-in beer cooler, dozens of olive oils, and a dreamy knife display. The wine display is comprehensive but not confusing. Before attending a party, stop in for a nice cheese and a hostess gift if you want to get more invitations.

Wealthy Theatre (1130 Wealthy St.) is the heart of the East Hills. It was built in 1911 as the Pastime Vaudette to stage vaudeville shows and then became movie house. It was a warehouse during World War I, screened foreign films in the 1960s, and then stood empty for 25 years. A neighborhood group saved it from demolition and re-opened it in 1998. The late Dirk Koning got the Community Media Center to take control of the theatre in 2005, but it took off when the brilliant Erin Wilson was made director. Wealthy Theatre hosts Halloween shows for neighborhood kids and screens Wizard of Oz sing-a-longs in sign language for deaf children. It also knows how to party by staging national acts as well as local artists like Karisa Wilson and the Dance in the Annex troupe. CMC members can enjoy bar privileges during shows. The selection is heavy on the Michigan brews, so come thirsty.

Proud of your neighborhood? Send me a invite to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and maybe I'll hang out in your little burgh.

Photos, from top to bottom: Green Well, Electric Cheetah, Brick Road Pizza, Coat of Many Colors, and Art of the Table. Green Well photo courtesy of the Green Well, all others by Steven de Polo.