Grand Rapids' Finest Restaurants

Grand Rapids' finest restaurants have been invited to provide "small plate" samples of their prize cuisine.  

    Bistro Bella Vita - Mediterranean Country Cuisine

    Cygnus 27 - Globally Influenced American Cuisine

    Gills at the B.O.B. - Fine Dining Seafood Restaurant

    Leo's Restaurant - Fine Dining Restaurant

    Louis Benton Steak House - Fine Dining Steakhouse

    San Chez Bistro - Tapas Bistro

    The Huntington Club - Fine Dining Restaurant at the Van Andel Arena

    The Melting Pot - Fine Dining Fondue Restaurant    

    Tre Cugini - Authentic Italian Cuisine

    Wild Fire Grille - Fine Dining Restaurant Featuring Beef, Seafood & Pasta

Pairings

The Food & Wine Pairings were so popular last year that we've doubled their presence.  Three of the area's finest restaurants will prepare, present and serve exceptional multi-course meals with considered wines.  Chefs and winemakers will share their knowledge and insights about their selections all in an elegant, yet relaxed, sit down atmosphere.

Due to popular demand, this year we are introducing a Beer Pairing!  The J.W. Marriott's Six.One.Six. Restaurant will demonstrate just how a gourmet meal is enhanced by some of the finest beer in the world.

Pairings are $25 per person and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the Festival.

Menu

Seared Escolar with Béarnaise Emulsion, Sweet Peas and Chervil

Champagne, Duval-Leroy, N.V.

Colorado Lamb Loin "Sous Vide", Celeriac Puree

Root Vegetables and Sauce Perigeaux

Savigny-les Beaune 2006, Joseph Droughin

Gateau Paris-Brest

Eiswein Silvaner, Ewald Pfeiffer, Mosel, 2006 

Seating Times

Thursday, November 12:  5pm / 7pm

Friday, November 13:  4pm / 6pm / 8pm

Saturday, November 14:  1pm / 3pm / 5pm / 7pm

Riverfront Market

New this year is the Riverfront Market where you can sample and purchase items like condiments, breads, cheeses, oils, chocolates and produce from select vendors. 

Grand Rapids Sister Cities

Welcome our sister cities and sample their products in the Piazza - center court.  Sponsored by Grand Rapids Magazine.

Omihachiman, Japan - Our first Sister City signing took place in 1986 in Japan.  Located near the center of the Japan Islands on the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan.  Rice and beef are important agricultural products while tourism and history are a main focus.  The area produces fresh water pearls, bamboo products and the most prayer beads of any other district in Japan.

Bielsko-Biala, Poland - Adopted by Grand Rapids in 1991.  Located in the southern mountain region of Poland, it has a climate and population similar to Grand Rapids.  The major share in domestic production belongs to the electro-equipment, textile and chemical industries, food processing, and forestry.

Perugia, Italy - A large volunteer network supports this Sister City relationship, established in 1993.  Located in Umbria, a hilly region in the heartland of Italy, admired for its wineries and historic architecture.  Perugia is home to an important art school and two impressive universities.

Ga District, Ghana - They became a Sister City to Grand Rapids in 1994.  Part of what was once called the Gold Coast in the southern part of Ghana and includes a stretch of sandy beach along the Atlantic Ocean.  The district includes rural and urban areas adjacent to Ghana’s capital, Accra.  Pineapples, other fruits, textiles, and wood products are the principle exports.

Zapopan, Mexico - Our newest Sister City relationship that was welcomed in 2008.  Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, is located in central Mexico.  Zapopan boasts thirteen college and university campuses and is known for its growing biological sciences and technology industries.

Tin Foil Chef Cook-Off

Regent Broadcasting air personalities of WFGR-FM, WGRD-FM, WLHT-FM, WNWZ-AM and WTRV-FM will compete in the Tin Foil Chef Cook-Off at the Festival on Thursday at 6:30 pm!  Don't miss this fierce competition of culinary skills from our local radio hosts!

TEAMS

WTRV ~ Andy Rent & Chuck Latour

WLHT ~ Gerry Barnaby & John Gonzalez

WNWZ ~ Rosie del Valle & Juan Montanez

WGRD ~ Producer Joe & Hot Wings

WFGR ~ Jerry Noble & Mark Roberts

WAVE Awards

The Grand Rapids / Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Kent County Lodging Association  have teamed up to present the second annual WAVE Awards at the Festival on Thursday at 4pm.  The WAVE Awards were created to recognize excellence in hospitality in Grand Rapids and Kent County.  Every day, service providers create a positive experience for guests and residents, and it is the goal of the WAVE Awards that the hard work and dedication of those individuals is truly noticed.

For more info visit:  www.waveaward.com

Stella Artois Beer Garden & Music Stage

Stop by and relax at the Stella Artois Beer Garden to sample their selection of fantastic beer and listen to live music provided by some of our incredible local musicians.