Anyone who follows my reviews knows I love the Gilmore Restaurants. Tonight we decided to try the Flat River Grille in Lowell, MI. I was glad to see they were busy because it means they are doing well. Ordered a Rodeo burger (Haystack onions, mushrooms and cheese). My wife ordered the special Corned Beef dinner with cabbage and potatoes because it was St. Patrick's Day. Our order came out and my wife tried her dinner and said, "This tastes great, too bad it isn't even hot". I felt her cabbage and potato and they weren't even lukewarm. I went to the expediter and asked for the manager because there was a problem. Our waiter came to the table and I explained that the meal wasn't even hot. He apologized and offered to "Nuke it". It was brought back to the table a minute and a half later and my wife deemed it "Great". I lifted the top of my burger and the bun had very light grill marks but was cold. In fact, the top of my bun was still frozen. I got up and asked for the manager to come to my table. When she arrived I told her my wife's plate of food wasn't served hot and my bun was still frozen! She reached over, felt the bun and quickly apologized. I was mad. This is NOT how a Gilmore Restaurant should be operated. She brought me my plate back and my burger was WAY--- overdone but the bun was warmed. Very disappointed. This is not typical of the quality I have grown accustomed to when I chose a Gilmore restaurant. Was offered a free dessert by the manager but no break in my lousy burger. Full Price. I will gladly try the Flat River Grille again but it may be a while. They have some work to do. Trust. read more

Fun place to go after a visit to the Lowell Arts Center. Great burgers and fun options. GF is accommodated1

I wish there were a place like this in downtown Grand Rapids. Nice ambiance without being pretentious. Very friendly staff. The porch with the sunlight and views of the river made a day in March feel like a vacation in the tropics. We had margaritas all around... on a Wednesday night. Why not? It just felt so good to be there with the sun pouring in! Drink specials were great ($5 margarita and half priced wine) and the food moderately priced. I would love to return! Of note... this is an amazing place for sunset dinners on the water. Porch faces westward! Appetizer, entree, and margarita for $26. Not bad. read more

This is easily the classiest restaurant in Lowell, and the quality of food and attractive decor make it worth a drive in from Grand Rapids. Walking distance from the Main Street Inn, with a pleasing view of the river and Main Street, I'm a fan. The selections involving "wood-fired" as an adjective are the best entrees, my Chief of Staff really enjoyed her steak. My first time I made the mistake of ordering a reuben, this is not a deli, and I've had better. The squash soup was excellent, so was the bulgur salad. I really regret not taking the waiter's suggestion of the fresh catch special, I saw it go by and it looked excellent. I supposed everyone has that brother-in-law with no class, but it was my brother-in-law with no class who said "I don't like it, but you probably would," referring to this restaurant. He's not very articulate so I'm not sure exactly what he was basing this assessment on, but I think he might have been referring to the way the servers act like well trained waiters, or he may have just been trying to be insulting. At any rate, it was the best recommendation I've gotten outside of YELP in years. The wait-service is quite good. I ordered a top shelf whiskey (literally top shelf, the Black Label is perched 11 or 12 feet up, I didn't see how he got it down), got a very generous pour with no upcharge (and I hate that I can't assume this common bar order decency any more) for either ice or top shelf. read more

Flat River Grill - Easily the fanciest dinner spot in Lowell. Also the only kitchen open past 9 pm. - New American Near Me - Lowell, Michigan

One of my favorite of the Gilmore restaurants. Its location is perfect along the river and the staff is friendly. Best wood fired pizzas!

This was my second visit to this establishment. The first was for Mother's Day brunch. On Mother's Day the restaurant had a special menu just for that day. Selections ranged from breakfast entrees to lunch/dinner entrees. All were described in detail allowing one to imagine a nicely prepared and presented meal no matter what you chose. All four of us ordered something different and we were not disappointed. Each selection was prepared just as described on the menu and presented in a very appealing display. My second visit was a little more spontaneous. My husband and I arrived without a reservation on a Saturday evening and were pleasantly surprised that we could be seated immediately inside and had the choice of waiting 20 minutes for a patio table. We chose to be seated inside as the temperature outside was quite warm. We were greeted by waitstaff immediately upon being seated and offered a selection of beverage specials. My choice of the Mango Mojita was wonderfully refreshing. Unfortunately, the soda offerings were Pepsi products only. This is always a disapointment for my husband who is a Coke person. We were presented with a menu of very nice entree specials being offered that evening. Waitstaff explained each one thoroughly and offered us the option of selecting an appetizer to start with. We settled on the gazpacho soup and the white bean chili. Both excellent selections as it turns out. The gazpacho had just enough kick to warm the palate, but remain flavorful. My husband enjoyed the chili also. After reading through the entree descriptions and trying to decide what to try, we chose the Chicken Michael. We decided to share this and were very pleased with the choice. It arrived with a pleasant presentation of chicken breast topped with sauteed shrimp and bernaise sauce, along with steamed snow peas and golden, garlic mashed potatoes. The chicken was very tender and flavorful, the peas were steamed to perfection and lightly seasoned. The potatoes were creamy and flavorful also. Everything arrived exceptionally warm which I appreciate immensely! Overall, we had a very enjoyable second experience and look forward to bringing some friends along on our next visit here. read more

I am one of the few that has my favorite restaurant in my home town. If you are traveling around Lowell this is a must stop! If you come in the summer they have an amazing patio, which is great for enjoying a nice glass of wine! They are well known for there wood fired pizzas( which are amazing) but they have a great menu!! Whether you want a nice steak or you would rather have a delicate fish, flat river will serve you well! The staff are always swift and friendly. One of the best things is how inviting everyone is, they make you feel like you're part of the family. It's great as they change the menu with the seasons, as well as their drink specials. Again if you are anywhere close to Lowell this is a must stop!! You certainly won't be disappointed! read more

Flat River Grill - New American Near Me - Lowell, Michigan

Nice server, cozy environment, TERIBLE food! My son and I were from out of town wanting to enjoy a nice lunch together, however, the food was so terrible and over priced. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich for $10. What I received was an extremely small chicken breast that was barely breaded and had absolutely no taste. It was placed on a huge overly dry and falling apart ciabatta bun, again no taste. The housemade chips had SO much salt and pepper they were hard to enjoy. My son's $12 Angus burger was literally a store bought performed burger, I know this because I asked our server to verify my suspicions. Also, I paid $2.50 more for a small handfu hul of french fries that definitely there was not enough for any sharing. We also ordered two hot chocolates $3 each. One would think for that price you could at just get one refill, nope not here. Again so over priced! We both were so hoping for a nice lunch, but walked away paying $36 for two people, receiving terrible food and wishing we would've gone some place else. So disappointed!!! read more

Flat River Grill - Look at all the bun piled up on the side of my plate. - New American Near Me - Lowell, Michigan

Just can't quit ordering the Beef Brisket! Oh, so good. Always some to take home for breakfast the next day. My first choice for great food and service! read more

Beautiful. The exterior is beautiful, with a classic brick setting right beside the river. The interior is modern-industrial, with warm lighting and comfortable booths. My husband and I don't normally frequent such high-end places, but we were fortunate enough to be given a gift card for the Gilmore Collection and sought after this restaurant with much enthusiasm. It was a cold early-January afternoon, and the warmth of the atmosphere within the Flat River Grill immediately soaked through us. Though it was lunch hour, the restaurant was only about 10% full, and we were asked where we would like to sit, to which we went with our usual; a booth. We were seated immediately and were both given menus and a few minutes to look over beverage options. The man went for a Blue Moon and I branched out to try a Fuze blackberry soda (I think that's what they're called..?). It was very refreshing; not too sweet and perfectly bubbly. It didn't take us long to order; we had already looked over the menu online before coming over. My husband ordered the New York Strip entree, and I the chicken fettuccine. We also partook in the fried Brussels sprouts appetizer, which arrived only a few minutes later. Talk about swift! On top of that, we were left with some delicious homemade bread and Parmesan-olive oil dip. Very delicious. The Brussels sprouts were the perfect start to a fantastic experience. I feel that perhaps "fried" was a little heavy, as these sprouts could easily be baked to reduce the amount of oil left over. However, I realize that would take more time, and as well as that, the leftover oil helped to keep the sprouts from drying out, as well as added additional left over flavor. Some people may be turned off by how "greasy" this appetizer is, but the flavor is full, robust, and lasting. The sprouts are tossed together with garlic, almonds, Parmesan, and truffle oil. It a bit heavy, but almost certainly a piece of heaven to the palate. Our entrees were as fast as our appetizer, as it only took about five or so minutes to see it after ordering. The plates were hot, everything was cooked to perfection, with such incredible detail and care. The chicken fettuccini here is the best I've ever had in all my life. The creamy garlic Parmesan sauce still haunts my cravings, and the month hasn't even finished yet. Accompanied with chicken is bacon and a personal fan-favorite: mushrooms! Not many places add mushrooms to their Alfredo/fettuccini, or at least, I've never experienced it. The dish honestly reminded me of the time my mother and I made homemade chicken fettuccini, with mushrooms, fresh basil and oregano. This dish was like that, but 100 times better. They absolutely know what they're doing here. My husband's steak was also... Well, it was to die for. A perfect medium-rare with a herby, buttery garlic drizzle. This was a prime cut of beef, indeed, and I can only hope that one day, I can make a steak that good, myself. In addition to the steak, his plate also came with Gouda-infused sweet potatoes and steamed asparagus, neither of which I can personally attest to. But based on his eyes rolling into the back of his head and the "mmmm... ohh yeaah", I'd say it was pretty freakin' outstanding. Though the carnivore claims that the steak took the show. No doubt about that. This restaurant is higher-end. If you've got money like that to throw around, lucky you. But for the common folk, this is a dream that we may be lucky to afford on special occasions. But doesn't that make it all the more exciting? Isn't the allure in the fact that you can look forward to it? I know I think so, and it's with that thought in mind that I can say with certainty that we WILL be back, and we will be looking forward to trying new things. (Like the baked mac and cheese, oh my does that sound good!) read more

I feel like a paid operative for the Gilmore Collection, but I'm not. (Once you read my last paragraph, you'll know I'm not). I just love every restaurant they run. While each has a different mood, the common denominator is excellent food with creative approaches. I live walking distance from the Bostwick Lake Inn, which is nice and right on the lake and I'm not far from the more formal Blue Water Grill, but I like the Flat River Grill best. This is why: 1) I like old, historic buildings. This one is challenging from a space standpoint, especially the bathroom layout, but it has gritty, yet quaint character. 2) The aroma of the wood smoke is fantastic and is omnipresent throughout the restaurant and sets the tone. Who doesn't love subtle wafts of woodsmoke? 3) Several members of the waitstaff have been there for the five years I've been coming here, so there's plenty of experience on the floor. At Rose's in East Grand Rapids or the Blue Water Grill, I feel the need to dress up one notch, but this place has the great food without the slightly more formal atmosphere. The only oddity about this place is the men's room. The sit down toilet is right there out in the open across from the urinal and next to the sink with no partition. I figure if I go there 50 times, by the law of averages, if someone doesn't lock the door, I'm likely to stumble on something I don't want to see and might even need shock treatments to forget. I think that's largely to do with not wanting to modify a historic building, but that's still strange in 2016. A small, cramped partition is better than none! I still think this my favorite restaurant on an all-around basis in the Grand Rapids area. Did I mention they also do excellent breakfast food for brunch? read more

I have looked high and low, wherever I travel, for a restaurant I like as much as the Grill, but I haven't found one. 5 stars for ambience 5 stars for delicious new-American style menu; wild mushroom bruschetta, the pizzas, and two-o-one salad being my favorites, but everything is really good. The soup and dessert selections are usually prime. 5 stars for drink selection with a good blend of local brews and old favorites plus a well picked wine list. 4.5 stars for service. Occasionally a bit slow, but overwhelmingly a great service staff, just gives a little extra time to sip that delicious drink and catch up with family or friends. I always make this a stop when I go home, and if you like new American style and you are in the area it is by far the most phenomenal choice outside of GR. read more

This place is lovely! Rarely a long wait, and always the option to eat outside! We love their goat cheese dip and wood fired pizzas. Great for families with kids, too! read more

Despite the rain, my friend and I trekked out to the Fallasburg Fall Festival this past weekend. The harvest feeling was in the air and hot apple cider sounded amazing. Sadly the venders didn't offer it so we headed to Flat River Grill in hopes they had some. Flat River Grill is owned/operated by The Gilmore Collection of Restaurants, a grouping of eateries throughout West Michigan. Flat River Grill welcomed us with earthly colors, an open kitchen, and classic decor. Siding into a booth, my friend and I ordered coffees, and a soup and salad combo for a late lunch. My ' Two 0 One' salad was the perfect lunch size, topped with blue cheese, walnuts, apples and chardonnay dressing. The cup of White Chicken Chili was the real treat: my friend and I devoured it in seconds. So while there was no cider offered, the chicken chili turned out to be an even better option to warm up with. read more

Visited the Flat River Grill on a Wednesday evening for a business meeting. Didn't take reservations and ended up having to wait half an hour. The wait was fine, but would have liked to been acknowledged by the bar tender while we sat at the bar. She finally came over to take our order just before we were seated, so we waited for our waitress instead. She was pleasant and quick. The wild mushroom bruschetta was a fabulous choice of an appetizer. For dinner I had the Redstone Retreat Salmon ("blueberry balsamic glazed salmon, cranberry-arugula bulgur"). The salmon was wonderful, but the bulgar was not very good... would have loved to have some steamed or grilled veggies instead, maybe they will substitute. The overall ambiance of the restaurant was quite enjoyable, other than how busy it was, but shows that it's popular. Next time I'll try the outdoor seating, which is right on the river. read more

Staff is always nice and pleasant. Very nice environment/atmosphere on the inside or outside. Great menu - many options to choose from. The bread...delicious! The cookie dessert......also delicious! Flat River is a a good one; you won't be disappointed. read more

Wonderful spot to dine in Lowell. On my recent trip to Michigan we stayed in Lowell and had two lunches here at the Flat River Grill. Both times we were treated like old friends and I could not be more pleased with either meal. If you're in the area, treat yourself! read more

I love Gillmore Group restaurants. This was the first time I was here. Great selection of appitizers. Casual dress. We sat on the patio overlooking the river. I am so happy to have a nice place to get some good food and drinks without the need to go to Grand Rapids. read more

Flat River Grill - New American Near Me - Lowell, Michigan

Great place for a quality meal and consistent service. I have always had a good experience. The French dip is awesome!! So are the pizzas. Make sure you ask for bread. read more

Amazing food and very caring and kind staff!! Unique menu!! Our small town had many restaurants but this one is amazing.

Stopped here for happy hour to take advantage of the half off appetizers. We decided on the calamari, fried goat cheese and mushroom crustini, all if which were excellent! Our server was polite and attentive, and our food cane out quickly. Over all, we had a good experience and definitely will be back. read more

Fabulous food and service!!! Highly recommend! The pizza, steak salad and salmon were delicious! Our server Janelle was fantastic considering we had a huge party! From Missouri, otherwise this place would be a regular for us!!! read more

Great food and service. Had the New York strip and it was delicious. Definitely coming back!

Loved my experience here. The atmosphere was great and the patio was comfortable and shaded, I loved that it was right by the river. Our waiter, Alex, was knowledgable about the menu and had great suggestions. Our drinks, a gimlet and a mojito were awesome, fresh basil and mint, super refreshing. We had two different salads that were both ridiculously delicious. I would definitely go back! read more

Flat River Grill - Salads! So good! - New American Near Me - Lowell, Michigan

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Better than average menu top stop for the area bartender could be one of the best for miles read more

Flat River Grill - New American Near Me - Lowell, Michigan

Drink menu is always changing and well thought out. Food is typical for Gilmore chain. Pizza is great!

We just had an impromptu anniversary dinner there and probably had the best meal all year. Jim, our server, was very knowledgeable and recommended the brisket, which comes on a bed of potatoes, corn, and bacon, the entree topped with aioli sauce. The drinks, appetizers, and the outdoor seating with a gorgeous river setting was absolutely perfect. They took such good care of us, making it a wonderful anniversary. What a discovery! read more

Found this place during a quick drive though tour of Lowell after leaving a family event in Rockford. Very charming exterior and interior - exposed brick, high ceiling. We were able to enjoy a quick dinner on the patio right next to the Flat River. I had the Margarita wood-fired pizza (delicious!!), my hubby enjoyed his Chicken Alfredo, but also 'stole" several pieces of my pizza. Service was excellent (and I am a tough grader) - never had to ask for drink refills, server was friendly and attentive. Looking forward to a (planned this time) future visit. read more

Flat River Grill - View from our patio table - New American Near Me - Lowell, Michigan

Delicious! Awesome staff! Worth the slightly higher price! Got me in fairly quick for not having a reservation... on homecoming night!

Great food and Jeff n John ROCK! Ģreat service! I love tornadoes Oscar n my man gets a pie with sweet potatoes, BBQ sauce, sausage n cheese. It's yummy! read more

Love the food here!! Just don't be fooled- their outdoor seating that they claim is warm is ALWAYS cold. Seems like last time we were there they turned off the heat halfway through our meal. Also seems like the waitress I've had the last few times is very unenthusiastic about her work. Would like to see nicer wait staff. read more

James M sensational service. Excellent food and a delightful night. Drinks filled without asking. Great recommendations from the waiter.

Visiting from out-of-state so our friends brought us to the grill and it was as excellent as they promised. Tempted by numerous items on the menu which were not standard fare. Eating out often means you see the same old thing on menus. But the grill is offering creative food that tastes delicious. Our server, Bray, was sweet and attentive though working a very busy festival weekend. read more

Always fantastic. Our server, Malcolm was attentive and made sure everything was to our liking. Flat is our favorite Lowell dining spot.

I love this place! Such a wide variety of menu items and the staff is always helpful when I am looking to try something new. The ahi tuna is fantastic. My hubby loves the chicken chili and the pizzas. read more

I live right around the corner and come here all the time. You could call me a flat river fanatic. A triple F...... The younger servers tend to be the most outgoing giving me the best service, particularly the young fellow named Devin. He was so polite and punctual, and out did any server I had there. 10/10 love it. read more

Great "big city" restaurant in the small town of Lowell. Wonderful hint of smoke from the grill greets you, a harbinger of the flavorful meats they serve. Corned beef was perfectly prepared, and the thousand island dressing is made in house. Awesome. Attentive but non obtrusive service, friendly staff and warm ambiance. read more

I come to Flat River Grill at least 4 times a week and I have to say every time is not a disappointment. The service here is always so lovely and I never have a bad night talking to the servers because all of them are very friendly and I love everyone at this restaurant. The beef brisket the the honey and black pepper beef brisket is absolutely delicious in all caps read more

Me and my friends came here for a nice meal before we started college and Malcolm was our server and he catered to our needs very well.

This evening we took our family to FRB&G as appreciation for holiday hosting. The service was OK, although when asked about the honey spice toddy, we were told he knew all about food, but not drinks. The food was slow to arrive and substandard compared to previous meals we have had here. We were quite disappointed. Maybe the chef was off for the holiday. Heard the GM was helping in the kitchen. read more