Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant — Restaurant in Kentwood

I would like to begin by stating that the food was good overall.

However, what we found quite disappointing was our overall experience. Initially our server was kind, energetic, and attentive. However, several things occurred that evening that compelled me to write this review.

To begin with, we were greeted with a sample of delicious wine as we entered the establishment. This was a lovely surprise and unexpected. I can only imagine this is to entice people to try what you offer and encourage them to purchase more of it, which is undoubtedly a successful endeavor. However…upon ordering our meals, we asked the server for the name and type of wine (so we could order a glass) and were told he was unsure what it was. After quite some time (partway through our meal) he was able to notify us of the name. He then was unsure if it was part of the happy hour offerings when we inquired. He then said he would get us another sample, but never really gave us the opportunity to order a full glass or bottle of anything. Towards the end of our meal he returned and politely stated he was sorry but the bar was too busy and backed up with an estimated time of 20 minutes to obtain the samples. He then returned later during our meal stating that they were still backed up and he had thus cancelled our order. We were astonished and truly did not know how to respond to this as we were so surprised by the response. He came back as we concluded our meal stating he had made it up to us, and brought us the initial sample of wine he had offered at the beginning of our visit. (It was a different flavor than the first one which we also found strange, but it too was delicious). To be quite clear, throughout our visit at your venue (where you advertise you are a restaurant and WINERY), we were not served any wine other than two samples (the second of which we did not even ask for). As we were leaving, we heard the table behind us comped for their drinks for a similar situation with a delay in being served. We should also point out that the table on either side of us was seated well after we were and both received multiple glasses of varying drinks during this experience. We found this all to be quite strange and not at all what we would have expected.

Our appetizer order was initially served to a nearby table who returned it to the kitchen noticing the error. After quite a delay, this resulted in all of our food (several appetizers, soup, salad, and meals being brought out simultaneously to the table). As stated above, the food was great but it really changed the pace we were able to enjoy all of the varying flavors, not to mention the question of how it was handled as it was brought back and forth across the restaurant. While this also delayed our food being brought to us (it took us over an hour before all of our food was brought and consumed), we were not offered any additional bread service or accommodation and it wasn’t until we saw the other surrounding tables being offered additional bread that we inquired as to the possibility for us as well.

Following our meal, we were not offered or encouraged to try dessert. After we asked about this, we were brought a dessert menu and had some of our questions asked. Having worked in this industry I know that a good deal of revenue is generated through drinks and desserts. Again as the customer, it felt like we had to work a bit harder than would be expected to have this service provided especially as we debated making the decision.

We also learned of a program (Wine Club) as we heard our neighboring table being notified by their waiter of what was being offered. We heard nothing about this from our own server and felt a bit odd eavesdropping to obtain this information.

The winery and tasting room included in the bar was a fun and unexpected surprise as we have not visited a similar venue before. However, the overall experience left something to be desired and for being a “special night out” we left feeling less than satisfied with...

From the moment we walked in the door the service was impeccable, the atmosphere welcoming and upscale without being stuffy.

First, we did wine tasting from Cooper's own supply...the wine steward was extremely knowledgeable and accommodating as there are certainly more wines than one should really try in one sitting 😀

Secondly, we started with the Brussel sprouts and egg rolls. Personally, I despise Brussel sprouts but I had heard theirs were good so we tried...very palable, I can't imagine you could get me to eat a bs any other way however, I preferred the amazing egg rolls. They came with 3 delicious sauces that just kept my joy of trying new things on high alert.

The meal was delicious the bourbon BBQ sauce is FULL of flavor, the salmon was some of the best I've ever tasted with delicious sauce and the flaky texture with slight crunch on it so you knew it was perfectly cooked not mushy fish. The filet medallions again had 3 different toppings to keep the flavor excitement going with such tender steak to smooth it out.

The lemon butter cake was the perfect dessert. Just when you thought you could not eat another bite the lemon cake with zest settled the overly full feeling and the homemade whipping cream with blueberries slid between the cracks of my stuffed belly pretty easily.

The best part of all...our server! I can honestly say I don't ever remember having such an on point server before in my life. Andrea went well above and beyond explaining various dishes with clarity and knowledge, knowing just exactly when to stop by the table and when to let us enjoy our meal and company. Never did we want for anything for even a second. Andrea was always right there with it before we even asked. She even boxed us up truffles for our anniversary, and had the manager stop by with an outstanding value on some take home wine. My new favorite dining option in GR! Well done Cooper's Hawk!! I can't wait to try more of the deliciousness you offer...I hope to have the pleasure of Andrea's amazing service and humor...

A disappointing, sub-standard performance from the Cooper’s Hawk team.

My wife and I have always considered Cooper’s Hawk to be something of a special occasion restaurant. So it was a no-brainer to reserve a table for this year’s wedding anniversary. Based on how the evening went, that was not a great decision.

It probably should have been foreshadowing that—ten minutes after being seated—it required another server to inform our server (Regan) that we were at the table. Once she showed up, we immediately gave Regan our order for drinks, starters and entrees. After that, the marathon began.

It took 30 minutes to receive our starters (a simple salad and potstickers). After starters were delivered, we then were in a holding pattern for over an hour waiting for entrees. Tables around us that had been seated long after us were receiving their orders and being attended to by a very attentive server. We commented several times that we wished we had been placed in that server’s section. Regan, while sweet, seemed slow and inattentive throughout our dining experience. When our entrees hadn’t been delivered after 90 minutes, the manager finally intervened. But it was still another 15 minutes before we received our meals with claims that “the kitchen was really behind”.

We’re not opposed to a long, leisurely dining experience. Especially if there are multiple courses involved. However, that was not the case here. Our two+ hour dining experience (or, one might say torment) was not that. This was meant to be a simple celebration dinner that was soured by the inattentive staff and, seemingly, poorly performing kitchen staff of the Kentwood Cooper’s Hawk location.

As mentioned, in the past we’ve given first consideration to Cooper’s Hawk as a great spot to celebrate a special occasion. I don’t know that we’ll be doing any dining or celebrating at Cooper’s Hawk at any point in time in the future,...