While 2017 included logistics challenges given increased work travel, 2018 presented more personal demands on my time. Nevertheless, I attempt to maintain my commitment to balanza by evaluating my relationships, prioritizing the life-giving ones, and investing again and again the time and energy into the ones that deserve it. I am passionate about trying new places, and I enjoy even more trying them with my loved ones. Fortunately, I was able to try New Hotel Mertens twice within a couple of weeks, and both experiences were consistently excellent.
New Hotel Mertens is a French-themed restaurant located in Grand Rapids, Michigan that offers cocktails, small plates, and entrees. What sold me about this restaurant is their cart featuring several different cheeses from around the world to experiment.
Cheese plate featuring four cheeses: brie, gouda, blue cheese, and cheese made from cow's milk.
New Hotel Mertens offers not only a unique dining experience but also a slice of Grand Rapids' history. The space used to be an old hotel in the early 1900s. Throughout the mid-1900s, the hotel enjoyed success; however, in the 1960s its success slowed. In the last few years, new owners have restored it to its glory while featuring some of its old relics such as certain items of internal decor and the style of its antiquated menu. These characteristics -- among others -- add to the restaurant's charm.
Debudante cocktail
My favorite part about this restaurant is its hospitality. The management and wait staff are accommodating from reservations to explaining about the menu. Another favorite is the drink selection, which is quite extensive given the restaurant's recent rebirth. My least favorite part about this restaurant is its limited capacity. If you're looking to bring a party larger than eight to 10 people to the restaurant, it might be a challenge to sit all together. And while the menu's focus seems to be on seafood, there are several different options to explore and share.
Steak and frites
New Hotel Mertens is a win for a date night, outing with a small group of friends, or happy hour. The food is great; the service is better; and the ambiance is charming -- definitely worth a try!
© 2018 Melanie Glover. All rights reserved.
All opinions are my own, and I received no compensation for expressing them.