Great lounge style restaurant. Quality lunch or dinner spot highly recommend. Great service as well read more

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The food was very good and my husband enjoyed his drink however with a 5:15 reservation we were seated at a large table not suited for date night. I asked if we could move to a two top near the window that was empty but was told they were booked out and it would not be possible. After eating, paying our bill, and getting up to leave, the table I had requested to move to still sat empty. I asked if there was a way to request a two top when making reservations and was told no - so why couldn't we move to the empty table? Not a great experience! read more

This whole restaurant is a vibe! Since moving from Phoenix, I've had a hard time finding restaurants that have amazing food, friendly service, AND a beautiful ambiance to go with it, but Scholar has it all!! Walking in the door already gives off a cozy, moody feeling, but going down the stairs and enjoying cocktails & delicious food in a speakeasy type setting was next level. My Hecate cocktail (yay mezcal!) and risotto were incredible. There were several other items on the menu I'm looking forward to trying next time as well. My girlfriends ordered the salmon and specialty flatbread, and both finished their meals and agreed they were delicious! I can't wait to bring my husband back for a date night soon! read more

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So far so good!! To the head of the class! Scholar was great! Zach, the bartender took care of me... good drinks, menu selection recommendation.. The atmosphere was cool. Speak easy meats 20s upscale bar.. lots of wood and dim light but not dingy. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. Food was great!! Wedge salad, bison short ribs, old fashioned! Bam!! all were very tasty, well prepared and presented expertly. Should have taken more pics!! read more

Scholar - The bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Excellent!!! It was such a great experience. I was here for a work dinner with a colleague and it was a perfect spot. Walking distance from the Canopy by Hilton. Wonderful staff - friendly and professional. They take reservations - I would recommend making one for your visit. We sat downstairs in big comfy chairs. The ambience was pleasant upscale, but also casual. Business casual. We were able to have a pleasant conversation without being over powered by music or other conversations. The acoustics were great. The appetizer - Bison Meatballs - juicy and delicious!!! My salad was the "Blueberry" with greens, fresh blueberries, pickled rhubarb, golden raisins, toasted almond, goat cheese, and white balsamic vinaigrette ...$8 for half. I requested chicken with it. It was perfect. They have a nice selection of cocktails, and mocktails. I would definitely return. read more

A perfect place for a birthday celebration! Such a beautiful restaurant with great service and delicious food. The salmon was to die for and the steak was cooked perfectly. The cocktails were also very tasty. With a romantic feel, this is a perfect spot for a date night or a girls night out! read more

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I get the hype about this restaurant. The ambience is really great and we enjoyed sitting in the study (the basement area) with candles, a fireplace and beautiful bar. Service was friendly and prompt. My husband loved his old fashioned and glass of wine. The NA beverage menu left room to be desired, but no big deal. We absolutely loved the horseradish dip appetizer, it was actually our favorite part of the meal. I may have ordered wrong, but the harvest salad and mushroom soup were just okay, not my favorite. My husband liked his braised short rib but said it was pretty fatty. The potato pancake was amazing. Overall great spot downtown GR with vibes that go a very long way, we would just order differently next time. read more

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Amazing date night and atmosphere! Fun staff in bar area and amazing food. Location from hotel was easy and quick walk.

Great restaurant and bar spot in downtown Grand Rapids. Always enjoy the food and drinks here. Highly recommend if visiting the area. read more

Scholar - Calamari Appetizer - Wine Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

I came here for Father's day brunch for the first time. The main level feels like a lounge with big tables, high-backed velvet benches and a long bar. It was not exactly what I pictured for brunch, but it was the only level open midday. We got the French toast for the table and it comes with a delicious spiced cream cheese stuffing. It's sweet and crunchy. The perfect thing to share since it would've been too heavy to have just for your brunch. The table got steak and eggs, the vegetable bowl and the American breakfast. The servings are LARGE. I only ate half the serving. The steak portion comes with a butter sauce and lots of potatoes. The service was fine, not overly attentive but we got everything we needed and it was friendly enough. I'd like to come back soon to try out their dinner menu! read more

The way this place has been transformed from what was Gardellas to Scholar is amazing! I'm blown away by this interior. It's just so beautiful and exquisite. We had the most perfect date night here recently and were seated upstairs. I was very happy with the fact that they had Non Alcoholic options and I went with the Lady Lavender. Which was nice with a floral but citrusy vibe. Went down so smooth and looked so pretty. For an appetizer we agreed on Deviled eggs because we both love a good deviled egg and these were fantastic. Loved the lardon pieces on top which was a nice salty element to the soft creamy bite. My boyfriend loved his entree which was the Cedar Plank Salmon and he let me try a piece of the salmon and it was cooked to perfection! I ordered the Char Grilled Steak. You have the choice to pick what cut of meat you'd like and that was either 6oz filet mignon or 14oz ribeye. I went with the ribeye and enjoyed it so much! The flavor was fantastic! Really loved the white cheddar fondue that was drizzled over the potatoes and asparagus that came with it For dessert we ordered the cheesecake which was lemon poppyseed with a fruit compote on top. I loved it! Hit the spot! Highly recommend this place for a nice night on the town or a date night! Try to make a reservation to ensure a table:) read more

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Sooo...i didn't take any photos while here. I was being a good guest as I was invited to dinner. The vibe here feels retro and interestingly enough, like it's for smart people lol. I first was seated at the bar while waiting on a table to open up. There is limited seating. The wine and the food were really tasty. I would recommend the salmon. read more

I really enjoyed the ambiance and environment! My wife and I had dinner at the bar and service was quick! Food was delicious, the Salisbury steak was amazing and nostalgic! One minor issue was my old fashion was served without demerara but I believed the person was in training because they kept asking for the "cheat-sheet" so good thing I enjoy bourbon! read more

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Snagged a reservation on a Friday night. This place is swanky and romantic. We sat in the lower level at a table with a brown leather couch - very comfortable! Large assortment of hand mixed cocktails - opted for the Aviator, delicious! Kinda like a sour candy, slightly sweet gin with a unique cherry lavender flavor. Started with the Pear & Wedge Salads. Delicious! Wedge was a little small for a half portion, next time we'll order a full. The Braised Rib is special - tender. My husband could have ordered two, liked it so much! I had the salmon and enjoyed the maple Dijon sauce, opted for crispy potatoes - great allergy substitutes. Our server, Claire, was attentive and charming. Spectacular experience! read more

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Came here on a Friday night after dinner as we were walking around downtown Grand Rapids and stumbled upon this place that looked pretty posh and chic. Walked in, immediately took a table because there was no one to greet you and no one to seat you Our group of six came really just for after dinner drinks and everybody ordered something whether a glass of wine or a cocktail. Our waiter informed us that the are generally locally sourced from either Grand Rapids or from Michigan overall. This is a little concerning because they have drinks that have tequila in them and tequila truly is from Mexico not Michigan. I feel the same way about Champaign being from France versus sparkling wine. Anyhow, the drinks were fantastic. The ambience was really cool and laid-back and very mature, which is great considering that this is a heavy college town. Would come back here as I did peruse the food menu a lot more grown up than our dinner earlier. read more

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Was not impressed with the service but the food was good alas overpriced Even with a reservation we were not seated immediately. read more

It pains me to only give 3 stars, since we were so excited to try Scholar. The ambience and atmosphere is incredible and you truly can't tell what used to be here. We made a reservation on our way downtown before a nearby comedy show but the place was practically empty on a Sunday. They seated us downstairs which is such a cool space and one bartender was taking care of everything. We started with the Buffalo Chicken Flatbread which wasn't anything special. The texture was soft/soggy/mushy which wasn't desirable. The flavors weren't horrible but we didn't taste much buffalo chicken. I ordered the filet which came with asparagus and potatoes. I thought it was delicious and perfectly cooked. The potatoes had the perfect amount of crisp to them and the asparagus was great. My wife on the other hand felt disappointed. She started with a soup and it was lukewarm on the verge of cold. She also had the crab cakes which she enjoyed. For dessert, we split the banana split. It was huge and delicious but we kept getting chunks of ice in our bites. We thought that maybe they wash the bowls and then put them in a freezer which causes the water droplets to freeze, but we aren't sure. Overall, the place is beautifully redone and you are truly transported to an old classic bar/fine dining restaurant. The staff was very friendly and the space was clean. For the price we paid, we felt disappointed in the appetizer, soup, and dessert, which is a bummer. I loved the steak though. read more

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I came for drinks, not food. The drinks were great and good service despite it being a busy Saturday. Below is what a pornstar martini looks like. Very delicious. read more

Scholar - Wine Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Had a fantastic meal at Scholar with excellent service. We dined downstairs in the cozy, romantic study. Highly recommend the dates or crab cakes to start, and the dirty martini was one of the best I've had in a while. Perfect spot for a date night in Grand Rapids! read more

Scholar - Wine Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

We were greeted by a nice hostess and seated right at 4pm for our reservation. They do accept walk ins but reservations are recommended. You can easily book reservations on their website. I really appreciated the mocktail menu. I have not been drinking alcohol and it is great when there is a fun mocktail menu! I had the Lady Lavender and it was stellar. My boyfriend had a glass of Johnny Walker. We had the deviled eggs as an appetizer. The best deviled eggs I've ever had for sure. Rich in flavor. We also had the clam chowder and butternut squash soup which both had great flavor. Our entrees - I had the Salisbury steak. The potatoes were phenomenal but I was disappointed with the steak. It was so burnt and the taste of burnt overpowered the meal. I am not sure if it was supposed to be like that or not. I ate my veggies and potatoes and passed the steak to my boyfriend and he also thought the same, that it was very burnt. (Picture below). I think more of a gravy would go well with that steak, because it just is like eating plain hamburger without a gravy. My boyfriend had the short ribs and loved them. I also tried it and everything on his plate was great. I would definitely order that next time. For dessert we had the fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream. In our opinion, considering how big the brownie is, there should be two scoops of ice cream to help balance out the heavy chocolate. But regardless it was heavenly! Audrey B. was a fantastic and very kind waitress. She was attentive and welcomed us for our first time visit. Overall a great spot downtown for a nice meal and I wish Scholar great success! read more

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Went to Scholar with the wife for a drink after Valentine's Day. Service was quick, the new space was done well, and the ambience was different on every floor. Still can't get the Gardella's vibes out of the head, and there seemed to be lingering smell of the basement, but overall, a great rehaul of the space. Drinks were good, made well, and would have to try it for dinner sometime. Nothing that wow'd me as a new spot, but nothing that was bad either. read more

Scholar - Wine Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Exciting new place to try when visiting downtown GR! The drinks were well crafted and the staff gave great recommendations. Crab cakes and calamari stole the show for appetizers and the portion size was respectable for 3 people. The NY strip was cooked to perfection and was well presented when served. Fun place to stop in and enjoy the ambiance. read more

I'd been watching Scholar's updates on social media and getting really excited for their opening. Located in the former Gardella's building on Ionia, they've really elevated the ambience and made it a cozy, swanky spot that's perfect for date night or a celebration. The menu is classic American cuisine with a twist. I wouldn't really recommend for vegetarians as the menu is pretty meat/seafood heavy, but they did have a stuffed squash dish when we visited in November 2023. I made reservations online (highly recommended) and we were seated right away in the lower level which they call the study. We had a table near the fireplace and sat in some super comfortable chairs that seemed quite short compared to the table at first but ended up working out well. Our server Travis was great; he went over the menu with us and gave great recommendations. He had some large parties but I thought he checked in on us the perfect amount. We started with some drinks - Nate got the white negroni and I had a glass of wine. They also have non-alcoholic options which is great. For food, we ordered the clams casino to start, seared scallops, ribeye, and chocolate fudge brownie for dessert. I'd never had clams casino, so that was fun to try! The dish was salty and savory with a generous amount of clams for the two of us, rich broth, delicious bacon, and breadcrumbs. The bread to soak up the broth was perfect. I'd get this every time! Our entrees were plated nicely and the steak was a delicious 14 oz ribeye with some amazing cheesy potatoes. I don't order steak that often when I go out, but I'd come back for this for a special occasion. Nate's scallops were perfectly cooked with a nice spiced crust. I was thinking the dish overall would be too sweet for my taste with the corn and carrots, but it was really balanced and tasty. We went all out with dessert and Travis said the chocolate brownie was his favorite. It was decadent and rich, with delicious whipped cream and chocolate ganache. It was the perfect ending to our meal! Prices are a bit higher than I might have expected, but it was worth it for a great experience. It's not a place I can go regularly, but I'm glad we got to enjoy a fun date night at Scholar and am looking forward to another special evening there. read more

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What luxurious experience in the heart of Grand Rapids' entertainment district. My wife and I stopped for a few cocktails the week after they had opened and were thoroughly impressed. Gorgeous interior, fabulous and friendly staff, and delicious cocktails! We plan to go again soon and try their food. Nice work Scholar! read more

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The food was great! Seth did a great job with service making sure we had everything we needed! The crème brule was the best I've ever had! The basement in front of the fireplace was delightful! read more

I happen to stumble by Scholar a few months ago and ever since, I've been looking forward to Scholar opening. I was pleasantly surprised to see they opened the past week and started taking reservations! I could make reservations online through Open Table and given we tried for a weekend, we landed a 8:30pm reservation. Overall, they've only been open for like a week and it was such a great experience! This is definitely being added to my list of go-to places in GR. The moment you walk up, you see these gas flame lanterns outside, and walking in, the vibessssss!! They're just so good. Each floor has a different feel but definitely library/cozy bar vibes. It feels so classy and just a different feel than any place I've been in GR. The reservation got you on the upper level, and the host was super friendly, letting us sit at the bar to order a drink while they finalized our tables. Before I even put my things down, the host came up and said our table was ready, and we were in this side room, tucked away from the bustle of the bar (which was a little disappointing because I love to people watch) but it was a very intimate and romantic setting. Absolutely stunning! We were also pleasantly surprised that our favorite server ended up coming over to this spot and recognized us! Kennedy is probably the most kind and honest servers, always giving recommendations, and making sure that we had drinks and food throughout the evening. We ordered the deviled eggs, scallops, lamb and cheesecake. Everything was WONDERFUL! The deviled eggs were delicious, very simple and quite good. However, why is it that they always give an odd number? Obviously you need 3 eggs to get 5 pieces... but why not give 6? The scallops were honestly my favorite item though. Perfectly seared and cooked, on top of a cream corn with pork belly. Perfect mix of sweet and savory. The lamb was also delicious, perfectly cooked and tender. The cheesecake was good but honestly, nothing exciting at this time. We gave a little feedback but it was still good. I cannot wait to come back and try more items! read more

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Great food, steak was amazing. Great atmosphere. If you can sit down stairs in one of the round booths. Excellent service and drinks. Nicely done scholar read more

We finally got to swing by Scholar! It was dark, moody, and everything we needed on a chilly night. We were seated upstairs, which was a little calmer than the bustling main floor. I loved the decor, and the whole dark academia atmosphere. The drink menu was extensive, with some pretty creative concoctions. The food menu was a little more limited, but between the entrees, salads, and appetizers, I'm sure there was something for everyone. Drinks- I got the Secret Garden (one of their very own creations!) It had white wine, vodka, mozzarella pearl and tomato basil garnish. I'm a sucker for any drink served with mozzarella. 10/10. Derek got the Suffering Bastard (he said "That's how so feel because of how hungry I am"). He says it was good, but could've been stronger. Food- We started with the deviled eggs (a must). I thought they were amazing, but I've never met a deviled egg I didn't fall in love with. For entrees, I ordered a salisbury steak, and Derek got the bison short rib. Both of the meats were cooked to perfection, and I feel the flavor combination of the veggies, mashed potatoes, and sauce on my salisbury was unmatched. I can't think of anywhere else in GR that compares food wise, with this type of cuisine. read more

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I was disappointed by my experience at Scholar. The decor and ambience is very nice and classy. However, a number of the food items were underwhelming. The date appetizer is very good. It has a great balance of sweet and heat. The shrimp cocktail was not worth ordering. There was nothing special about it, so I didn't see the value there. The steak dish utilized a rather tough cut, so my dining mates didn't love it. $62 is pricey for a Denver steak (derived from chuck). I was excited to try the Salisbury steak for some comforty goodness. The dish has a lot of potential as an elevated comfort food dish, but mine was entirely too salty. Everything on the plate was salty, so there was no relief. Our server never bothered to ask at any point whether we enjoyed our meal. read more

I was very excited to try this place. The menu was elegant, yet accessible, but in the end I was mildly disappointed. I started with the house old fashioned, it was very good, but I'm not sure it was worth $15. I've had better old fashions for a little bit less, but you could do worse. Then we got the deviled eggs and the crab cakes. The deviled eggs were excellent, they had great flavor with just the right tang. The crab cakes left a lot to be desired. I'm not sure they used fresh crab meat and it was definitely not lump crab. For the price I would skip these. I ordered the Salisbury steak for my entree and my buddy prefer the bison short ribs. The Salisbury steak was a huge disappointment. It was under seasoned and over cooked. It tasted like a bland, dry hamburger. And the worst part was that it was burnt. And not just a little burnt, half of it was completely charred. I didn't realize it until I had given my buddy half and he almost finished his portion so I didn't want to say anything. The bison short rib on the other hand was outstanding. It was the highlight of the meal along with the deviled eggs. Would recommend the short rib for sure. We finished with a lemon thyme crème brûlée. The dessert had a great flavor, just a light lemon flavor to start and finished with mild thyme, but the sugar shell was way too thick and really detracted from the dessert. read more

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My wife and I had an amazing time here. Drinks and food were amazing, upstairs feels very intimate (great date night seating). Lucas was our server and he nailed it with recommendations. The BLT flatbread (I think it's seasonal but wish it was a permanent menu item) was superb. The bison short rib and Amish chicken were cooked beautifully. My only regret is the mashed potatoe cake that comes with the short rib was to small ( I swear it takes the spotlight from the rest of the dish. Id go back just for that.) read more

I'm writing this with genuine disappointment, as this has been my favorite local spot for years. As a neighbor who lives right next door, I have always been a proud and frequent supporter of this establishment. Unfortunately, the standard of service here has fallen dramatically. About a month ago on a quiet night after waiting patiently for over ten minutes while a new bartender was deep in a personal conversation with his friends at another table, I politely asked if we could get a drink before last call. In response, he and his friends just stared and snickered before he begrudgingly came over to serve us. The most shocking part, however, was when he dropped off the bill. He looked me in the eye and lectured me, saying something to the effect of, "Never interrupt me when I'm talking to my customers. It's poor restaurant etiquette." I was speechless. It was easily the most unprofessional and hostile encounter I have ever had in any establishment. But the real reason for this 1-star review is the management's complete failure to address it. I believe in handling things privately first, so over the past three weeks, I have tried to contact them multiple times through multiple channels: I sent a message via their website, sent a follow-up, and even sent a direct message to the owner on Instagram. I have been met with absolute silence. No acknowledgment, no apology, nothing. A hostile employee is one thing, but management that completely ignores a serious complaint from a loyal, local customer for weeks is a sign of a much bigger problem. It shows a fundamental lack of respect for the people who support their business. It's a shame, but I can no longer spend my money here or recommend a place that treats its neighbors and regulars with such disregard. read more

The food was excellent! We got the steak & the salmon. I loved both entrees. But the service was quite honestly terrible. Our waitress said "she forgot about us." When we were done with our appetizer, she never cleared our table, and then we were sitting there with our entrees finished, waiting for the checks, for probably 30 minutes. We went here for our anniversary too and they did nothing for the occasion. We made the best of it but we won't be coming back and we won't be recommending this place to anyone. read more

I would not recommend this restaurant. One, the food was slow with long waits for the appetizer and then for dinner itself. I'm usually fairly forgiving of this but when our dinner was served they gave the wrong meal to one of us and forgot another's meal entirely. It then took another 15-20 minutes to get the two guests their meals. At one point during this we asked about the timing of their food because we had been at the restaurant for 2 hours. To this our server rudely told us that the kitchen was a disaster. He essentially yelled at one of us who said "I used to be a server and I get it" by saying "then as a former server you know this isn't my fault but now it's my problem". We were never checked on again or even spoken to for the rest of the night. I would have given this restaurant 3.5 stars for ambience and quality of food, however, the service made this a 1 star. My meal was $75 and I've been treated better by teenagers at a fast food restaurant. read more

Great atmosphere. Corn chowder was to die for! Chicken was also quite good. Only complaint is the bar chairs are a bit too short for the bar! Next time I'll get a table. read more

Scholar - Chicken - Wine Bars Near Me - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Amazing food, and the customer service was too notch. Nice mood and music so smooth.. will definitely be back.

Such a great brunch experience. The featured menu was fantastic. The bagels are so fresh and the whipped cream cheese was light, fluffy and delicious. The brunch is almost as good as the dinner selection!!! read more

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Really enjoyed my first visit to Scholar. Quiet, elegant ambiance but not over the top, just a nice experience for a quiet dinner or business meal. Service, I would rate at above average for this level of restaurant, from seating to delivery, the staff was hospitable and knowledgeable in detailing dishes and wine pairings. Quality of the dishes was of highest quality in presentation and taste. I selected the short rib and it was excellent. I look forward to my next visit! read more

Can't believe what a transformation this place underwent! We sat on the bottom level (doesn't even resemble the old Gardellas basement). I thought it was nice and elegant/moody and stoic. If I'm not mistaken , there was a bar both on the main floor as well as the lower level - which was convenient. The food here - I've got to be honest, I was expecting Butchers Union flavor since it gave those vibes -- but it just wasn't quite there for me. Don't get me wrong - it was good but it just felt like the execution was missing an element in most if not all of the dishes we ordered. The hushpuppies and hamburger helper were both specials so unsure how long they will be around. The hushpuppies were good but the old bay sauce was too salty - it needed to be toned down a bit. The seafood inside was a bit stringy in some parts so it became hard to cut at times. The French onion dip was not my thing. For entrees - I ordered the chicken and it was underwhelming but decent. It felt a little dry and needed a richer sauce. The braised greens lacked flavor and needed a longer cook. The chicken skin was not crisp whatsoever. I tried both the hamburger helper and the Salisbury steak -- they were ok. Drinks were a little steep but not outside of the norm for GR. $14 each for a basic mezcal marg in a short glass. The dessert was really good and our server was kind enough to comp it for having us move to the lounge area because they had another table waiting for our space. The service was good and our waitstaff was incredibly accommodating. I'd go back but probably won't be back for awhile. read more

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I have had a chance to dine at Scholar twice now, and I will definitely be back. First, I am beyond impressed with the phenomenal job they did updating this space! It's almost impossible to remember what it used to look like! Even the bathrooms are stunning! As a general review of these two times: Reservations - make a reservation! Ambiance - more on the romantic side, a little darker, more moody. Tall ceilings on the second floor that make if feel more open and airy. Parking - you are going to want to find a close ramp or if you are lucky score street parking. Good luck if you go on an evening with an event or game at Van Andel! Groups - I have seen larger groups accommodated, but I'd say not more than 10-12. I'm not sure if there were areas that could accommodate larger, I have not seen them. Drinks - The have a small drink list in my opinion. However, I'm sure their bartenders can make up whatever you want. I also find their wine list on the smaller side. I'm a chard girl, and there was only two options. I had expected a little larger wine list, to be honest, but I found one I liked so I was happy. I will say the second time I was here, the drinks took forever. At one point our waitress had forgotten mine. It was a busier night, so I wasn't mad. Food - Menu is also smaller, but each item is SO good.. Everything I have tried thus far was outstanding. Everyone I have dinned with has loved their meal, as well. I have noticed that it has changed a few times already, and I love to see an evolving and changing menu - keeps things fresh! Overall, I think Scholar is an awesome addition to the nicer end of dining options in Grand Rapids. Great spot for dinner before a concert or after an event. Close walking distance to lots of other bars, restaurants, and hotels. Hope they stay busy and around for a long time! read more

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