Amore Trattoria Italiana — Restaurant in Alpine Township

When you approach the restaurant location, you are expecting a grandiose building but actually see a turquoise colored one level building that looks like nothing that you’d expect. When you walk in however, the aesthetics change greatly as you walk down a short hall to the hostess stand to be seated. On either side of the walls are tons of photos of Chef and the people she’s met over her tenure as a chef. It adds warmth to the building and you honestly hope you are in for something special.

The interior in the main room has a hue of red and makes you feel very warm and relaxed. The main room offers tables only – some are regular tables and some are high-top tables. The settings on each table are basic and not overloaded with unnecessary crap. Basic salt and pepper grinders are there as well as a small jar of olive oil and some plates with napkins on them. These plates are for dipping your very fresh bread in oil, salt and pepper if you so desire.

There is staff just to keep up with basic removal of empty plates and bowls as well as keeping your water filled at all times. I’m dead serious about this. No one will want for any water.

The bar area is beautiful and well laid out. There is a piano player near the hostess stand and honestly it added positively to the ambiance. Please tip him.

There are 2 extra rooms that may be used for large parties or overflow of people if the main area fills up. You could never tell this just by looking at this place from the outside. Its an excellent use of the space.

We studied the menu beforehand but was happy to hear the specials and look over the special $65 per-person sample menu to be able to taste different things. We passed on that but chose one special for my husband and I ordered off the menu.

He had the Caesarina salad and the Beef Tenderloin with the Mushroom Risotto (from the specials menu). I had the Fragole salad from the menu and the Florentina which is served with potatoes and zucchini. Both were good. My husband loves everything about Risotto was thrilled about how it was prepared.

My only real complaint was that the chairs were very uncomfortable. It made it hard to enjoy the evening when you’re shifting and trying to be comfortable. Some places do this on purpose so you won’t linger for hours on end but seriously, they’re harsh.

There is also no dress code. We saw a man walk in wearing jorts and a lady who was dressed all the way up. I think this atmosphere just wants you to be comfortable. That’s fantastic, just get new chairs.

I wasn’t underwhelmed, I wasn’t overwhelmed, I was just whelmed. I wanted to try this place at least once and now we have. Oh yeah, the cannolis are amazing. Get them.

We did not order any alcohol because we wanted to taste everything as is. If we had, our bill would have been tons higher but people literally came in for a drink or two and left. That’s the laid back atmosphere that this...

Located just outside Grand Rapids, Amore Trattoria is truly a culinary oasis that redefines the Italian dining experience. On my most recent visit with friends, I was once again reminded of why this restaurant stands head and shoulders above the rest.

From the moment we stepped inside, the warm and inviting atmosphere enveloped us. The rustic decor, paired with attentive service, set the stage for an enjoyable evening. As we settled in, we couldn't resist diving into the appetizers—and I must say, the Arancini are a must-have! These golden, crispy rice balls, stuffed with creamy risotto and melted mozzarella, are paired with a rich marinara sauce that elevates them to another level. Each bite is an explosion of flavor, and they perfectly balance crunch and creaminess.

Equally impressive was the Gamberetti, a delightful shrimp appetizer that showcases the freshness of the seafood. Cooked to perfection, the shrimp were tender and succulent, beautifully complemented by a subtle and delicious spicy pink sauce. It's easy to see why these appetizers are a staple on the menu.

For our main courses, we indulged in the Lasagna, Lobster Ravioli, and Papparadelle. Each dish was presented beautifully and tasted even better than it looked. The Lasagna was rich and hearty, layered with perfectly seasoned meat, béchamel, and marinara sauce, delivering comfort food at its finest. The Lobster Ravioli, filled with fresh lobster meat and served in a delicate vodka cream sauce, was nothing short of heavenly. It’s a dish that makes you feel as if you’re dining on the Amalfi Coast. The Papparadelle, tossed in a robust sauce, showcased the expertly crafted pasta that Amore is known for; it was al dente and absorbed the sauce wonderfully.

Throughout the meal, we laughed, shared stories, and savored every delicious bite. The experience was not just about the food; it was about friendship and great conversations in an atmosphere that encourages relaxation and enjoyment.

Having visited Amore Trattoria multiple times, I can confidently say that this will not be my last visit. Each trip reveals new dishes to try and a consistent quality that keeps me coming back for more. If you're searching for fantastic Italian cuisine that truly stands out, make your way to Amore Trattoria. You won't be...

We wanted to love this place, as we recently moved to Grand Rapids and have been looking for a new favorite Italian spot. Now, I hardly ever write reviews for any place, even when we are disappointed…

We had a reservation last night for a party of 2 at 7:30, and we arrived at 7:25 to a packed hallway. The hosts said it wouldn’t be too long, so we decided to wait. 8:00 rolls around and we have no update. A party of 2 for a reservation at 7:45 gets seated before us. This is not against the hosts, the system of an excel spreadsheet and a written “waiting list” when the restaurant is only reservations is unacceptable. A couple of seats opened up at the bar and we decided to just do that, as it was now 8:15 (45 min past our reservation time). Now, I’ve worked in the restaurant industry. I can understand if you’re waiting on just one or two tables to leave. But if everyone waiting in the hallway is waiting on a table despite having a reservation, it is a flawed system.

We get our drinks and order food. The arancini is pretty good, so we are hopeful. The Caesar salad is inoffensive but doesn’t taste like Caesar dressing at all. Then our entrees come out (the lasagne and amatriciana) at 9:15, 1 hour and 45 minutes after our original reservation time. And they are… not great. The sauces tasted like they’re from a Prego jar, the meat in the lasagne could barely be classified as tasting like meat, and the cheese dusting the top tasted like the Parmesan from the shelf-stable, green bottle… we were disgusted. At that point we would not have wanted new entrees, because I’m sure they all would have been underwhelming, and it was already 9:30.

The bright spot in our experience was the bartender. He was great and did everything he could to help us out, despite a slow kitchen and a 45 minute wait to just sit down. This place came recommended to us by multiple people, so maybe it has gone downhill since then. But we will not be returning nor recommending this...