The Pines Restaurant — Restaurant in Grand Rapids

We made a reservation at The Pines when we were in town for a local event. Party of 7 that came in ahead of a scheduled reservation and meandered to the basement for some cocktails and a sip of atmosphere. Lovely time. Headed upstairs for dinner once our table was ready.

We were met with Katie as our server, who passionately offered her translation of the menu in the kind of detail that left us agreeing we had to try it all. When she was called to help at the bar, Chris stepped in seamlessly, sharing the same infectious enthusiasm for Chef Kyle's creations. They don't just describe the dishes; they speak of them with a romance and deeper knowledge that shows this restaurant is a true labor of love for the entire team.

We ended up with 5 shareables and an entree for each of us, which felt like a touch of insanity after Katie recommended 2 shareables. The insanity was in the dishes what arrived at our table.

I tasted over 14 different offerings on Chef Kyle's menu tonight (perks of sharing with a large party), and each one had a delicately balanced flavor profile different from the last. No two were the same, yet they all worked together in unison and harmony. The flavors were layered. Some flavors subtle, some flavors forward, some bright, some muted. Sweet, acidic, smoky, salty, rich, peppery, and more and more. Every bite was an experience.

I hate cauliflower and I ate a serving when it came as a starter and a second when we had it with our Chateaubriand. The pork belly was divine, a blend of silky fat and tender meat that melted in your mouth. The wild rice risotto healed something inside my soul with its delicate warmth. The peach mole with the pork chop invigorated my senses. The twice fried potatoes held such an incredible crust while still being delicate inside, and the aioli and dill brought it home. The Chateaubriand was the pinnacle of the meal, served with complex sauces and wonderful sides.

Let me say I am no chef, but I do love to cook. Preparing a meal for others is one of life's most base offerings of love and kindness. I am no stranger to slaving away in the kitchen fussing at details no one else is likely to notice. The meal at The Pines stunned me over and over again with the subtle notes of flavor, the pairing of ingredients to invoke a feeling, the technique shown in the preparation. It's inspired me to think with more intent on the delicate layering flavors in my own cooking.

This meticulous level of detail and attempted perfection in every dish speaks volumes to the Chef's love for what he and his team are doing in the kitchen.

To the entire team at The Pines: Thank you. The staff, especially Katie and Chris, made us feel like family, friends, loved ones. When the days grind on, please remember that you gave a group of seven patrons an unforgettable evening, and I can't imagine we hold an exclusive license in that regard. A core memory formed by your dishes, your atmosphere, and your...

Originally from the area (class of ’86), and now living in Kansas City, I still visit Grand Rapids, MN to see my parents, every chance I get. On my recent visit, I had the opportunity to meet up with my High School bestie and her husband. It had been awhile since seeing each other, so we wanted to go somewhere special to mark the occasion. We chose The Pines for a special night out.

When she and I walked into The Pines Restaurant, it was like stepping into an epicurean dream. We were greeted by a lovely hostess who told us the rest of our party were in the downstairs bar enjoying a cocktail and that we were welcome to join them and they’d hold our table. We went from a beautiful natural light-filled dining room, to a sexy low lit speakeasy style bar where our spouses were already enjoying cocktails Every space, (restrooms included), the finishes, lighting, music, all done with an easy elegance and a touch of drama.

After a bit, we were directed upstairs to our table. With expert guidance from our affable server, Maxwell, we all decided to go wild and order our heart’s desires and share. We ordered the Popovers, Gem Salad, Walleye, Pork Belly, Scallops, Chicken, Salmon, Chateaubriand, wine (The Prisoner Red Blend), and Green Chartreuse with dessert, Chocolate Cake, and Lemon Tart. Everything single thing was phenomenal, from beginning to end, 10/10.

Maxwell was even kind enough to put our leftovers to-go so my 88 year old mother (foodie at heart) could try everything, which she sampled the moment we got home that evening.

Now one week from my dining experience at The Pines Restaurant, I am still thinking about how magical it was. I’ve dined at James Beard and Michelin starred restuarants, and The Pines Restaurant is of that caliber experience. Despite the high-end ambiance and culinary excellence, The Pines is refreshingly unpretentious - welcoming, warm and grounded in genuine hospitality. My hope is that every person in the area has opportunity to try this standout dining experience. You will...

We went for our anniversary and did the 4 course and shared an ‘all table’ for our first time dining there. Our server Nicole was great, friendly and told us about what we were going to experience. ‘Snack’ was 6 shaved radishes and something else in a light sauce, which was good and I don’t like radishes. And this was for 2 people to share… First course was yellow tuna which I didn’t realize was going to be raw, and we got the walleye, which was AMAZING! Second course was grilled prawns and scallops, these both were very good. Shared table meal was the wild rice risotto and crispy mushrooms. Which was good for never eating it before. Fourth course was steak and the salmon. Steak wasn’t hot, but warm and the taste was good. Veggies for steak meal weren’t hot either. Salmon wasn’t hot but warm and the veggies under it were cold and the broth was cold. Which I believe is why the salmon wasn’t hot. But the salmon was very good. Desserts were chocolate cake with coffee ice cream and lemon tart which were very good. We had reservations for 5:30 and left at 8:30. Server kept coming back to tell us our steak and salmon were coming numerous times and we waited over 45 minutes for those. Yes they were busy, and it was extremely loud and the music they had playing in the beginning was loud upon entering the place. Servers were quick to pick empty plates and top off water, which was not cool, but room temperature. For our table for two, I couldn’t even hear the conversation we were trying to have. The bathroom was a room with one toilet and sick and maybe they should have had a few stalls for more people to use at the same time. I had to wait in the hall next to food coming out and wait staff bringing back dirty dishes. I was told there was a bathroom upstairs and one downstairs. I am unable to use a flight of stairs due to a medical issue. Was it worth the almost $300 for 2 people? Not a chance. Would we be going back? NOPE!👎 Would I recommend...