[Eat & Drink ArtPrize 2010] Grand Woods Lounge

If the weather for ArtPrize 2010 is as perfect as 2009 was, The Grand Woods Lounge will be a a Heartside ArtPrize hot spot. The Woods has an ample outdoor seating area, one of the few patios in the downtown area that isn't an afterthought. The fireplace on the patio provides ambiance when the weather is cool. Inside, the dining area might remind you of a ski lodge or really big Up North cabin.

Tucked between the 131 S curve, the old Michigan Hardware Building and Grand Rapids Community Foundation's building, the Woods is a nighttime hot spot and a pleasant place for lunch or dinner. The menu features the usual food suspects - with a punch. The chicken caesar is done Cajun style; the fishwich is a Cajun whitefish. There are at least three BBQ items on the menu. BBQ Black Bean Nachos, Pulled Pork BBQ sandwich and the heartstopper Rodeo Burger with BBQ sauce, cheddar chese, bacon and onion rings. The Southwestern Spring Rolls and General Tso's Chicken appetizers are recommended. The Woods has a chili on the stove everyday and one other soup as well. Vegetarian options are very limited here.

The Woods really rocks it out at night with all kinds of happy hour specials and live music or DJs and if you pick up a copy of Revue West Michigan magazine (free around town) you can tear out a coupon and save some money. In Grand Rapids we like that!

The ArtPrize Art You'll See

Grand Woods is hosting four artists:

Photographer Kristen Carlson from Wyoming, MI and her work Hold It Together.

Painter Jolene Rosser from Grand Rapids and her acrylic on canvas The Quiet Autumn.

Cartoonist/painter Kenn Vidro from Rockford, MI will show his playful painting titled Party Animals.

Photographer Rita Mercedes Long from Grand Rapids will show her intriuguing image of curling smoke titled, Do You See What I See? This is likely to be the only smoke you'll see around as Michigan bars and restaurants went smoke-free in May, 2010.