GRDine

Looks like The Green Well is going to be launching a brand spanking new menu.  Thanks to Jennifer Luth over at Clark Communications I was able to get the inside scoop.  I look forward to checking it out.  Here is the release:

For Immediate Release

December 22, 2009

Contact: Craig Clark (616) 550-2736 or craig@clarkcommunication.com

The Green Well Gastro Pub launches revamped menu with culinary creations new and renewed

23 new or tweaked menu items offer a taste of The Green Well’s passion for innovative cuisine

(GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.) Locally-minded gastro pub, The Green Well (www.thegreenwell.com), has offered a unique menu since they opened their doors just over two years ago at 924 Cherry Street in the East Hills district of Grand Rapids. This month, they have released a completely reconstructed menu that offers different variety and selection that upholds their mission to be ever-changing.

“When we say, ‘new menu’ we really mean it,” said Rob Tamburello, General Manager of The Green Well Gastro Pub. “We have completely revamped the format as well as changed or added 23 new menu items.”

A few of the new and unique menu items include: a new vegetarian section, Kobe sirloin, free range chicken and the pork and goat cheese crepe.

“At the Green Well we are always striving to be on the cutting edge of the Grand Rapids/West Michigan food scene,” said, Rob Tamburello. “So we thought that change was in order.”

The Green Well has also updated their website for easy browsing through full menus for lunch and dinner, drink options, gift cards, events and even Twitter updates.

More on The Green Well Gastro Pub:

The Green Well Gastro Pub, an Essence Restaurant Group establishment, serves honest fayre with local flair in a LEED®-certified green building located in East Hills. The menu features a global range of eclectic flavors prepared with ingredients from local farmers, and a wide array of local craft brews and wines.

When I first discovered Graydon’s Crossing on Plainfield Ave, I was extremely excited.  This was the first time I had experienced a great Gastropub experience.  The food was amazing and the beer selection blew my mind.  Traditional British pub fare with an Indian flare…very interesting.  So you can imagine how excited I was when Graydon’s Crossing: The Derby Station opened in Gaslight.  Unfortunately, I was greatly disappointed in the direction they have taken their food.

When The Derby Station first opened they had a menu that mirrored their location on Plainfield, but had a fantastic new location.  The Derby had the same great beer selections (including their Cast brews) and the same diverse menu that separated this establishment from any other pub in the city.  Since their opening, they have completed “jumped the shark” when it comes to food.  The menu is entirely generic bar food that brings absolutely nothing new to the pub food scene.  They attempted to keep some of their uniqueness with the Fish and Chips and a few other selections, but 95% of the menu can be found at any bar/pub in town…very disappointing.  It is rumored that the previous menu wasn’t as popular with the local customers… I guess you have to give people what they want.

Despite not having some of the uniqueness as it’s brother on Plainfield, The Derby has a very cool atmosphere, and the drink selections are superb.   Just this week they have Bell’s Two Hearted Ale Cask style (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cask_ale ).

The Derby is a very cool establishment in a fantastic location with some of the best beer selections in town.  I would be a fool not to return.  I would only urge them to consider bringing some originality back into their menu.

-Jon