The Black Heron

This was our second time visiting. As always there was an impressive selection of local beers and liquors. I got the Chicken and orza, which was absolutely fantastic. Chicken was perfectly cooked and a decent portion size. My boyfriend got the brisket, which he said «was the best brisket he’s ever had in the North.» Great staff and modern atmosphere, will be back again!

4 of us went to The Black Heron on Saturday night and we were truly blown away! From Paul’s outstanding service, innovative cocktails, beyond incredible entrees and to top it off we were able to meet the Chef Trimmel Hawkins, who is masterful! We started with a different craft cocktail each and the Westside Poutine. The cocktails were very different and fun. The Westside Poutine was probably one of the best things I’ve had, every bite was better than the last and I cannot wait to have it again. Paul treated us to the asparagus soup, it was so different and delicious. For entrees we had Pierogi, Pork Belly, Chefs cut steak and the perch fry special. We all tried each other’s entrees and it was all perfection. The special was outstanding, I’ve never had fish cooked that well! All sides and sauces were perfect accompaniments and we wouldn’t have changed a thing, everything was brilliantly cooked and had beautiful presentation. I lived in Chicago for 4 years and have been to some of the best restaurants, as well as working in the industry with top executive chefs for many years. To be completely honest, this place offered one of the best dinners I have ever had! Every single aspect was beyond top notch. Everyone should try this out, it is a gem and something GR needed! We cannot wait to go back!

Advertising your Sunday brunch then only have one server on is not the smartest move. The food was a 5, the service was a 2. We wanted to have a few drinks and just have a good time, we were given water glasses with lipstick stains on ²⁄₄ and it took almost ten minutes for her to take the order for the rest of the drinks. She was rude and had no sense of customer service. We ended up having to order the rest of the drinks from the bar. Once the food came she never checked on us again until she dropped off a bill 30 minutes later without asking if we wanted anything else to eat or drink or even if our food tasted okay. I highly doubt that we will be returning.

Recommend chicken orzo! Fabulous! Sauce was great. Service was kinda slow but the food was worth it. 2^nd time here!

Weird experience at this place yesterday, on a Sunday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. First, they don’t have a kids menu, which is somewhat understandable given their location and targeted demographic. I can work around the lack of a kids menu by sharing, etc., but what I can’t live with is the lack of a menu whatsoever. We were seated and given lovely menus with a variety of choices. Ten minutes later, our server came over and said we couldn’t get any of that food, that it was during a «transition time» between 3:00 — 4:00 and all they were serving was poutine or a cheeseburger. Yup, that’s it. Couldn’t even get a small salad or soup, it was really odd. The burger at $ 12, plus $ 2 for the one and only cheese option, was decent, but nothing great for $ 14. At least it came with fries.
Nice draft beer selection, decent enough minimalist atmosphere, up and coming location, but they have work to do, like offering a selection to your guests. Come on, not even soup? They were cooking/​prepping EVERYTHING during that one hour? Can’t even toss a small salad? We went there specifically to try the chicken and waffles we’d heard friends rave about, but when we asked if we could just get one order of that, we were told no. Probably would have left had we not already ordered beer. Also, we were there well before 3pm, so much for a transition «hour.» If you can’t offer normal selection, don’t be open during that time. Every other restaurant in town manages to figure it out. $ 65 dollars for lunch for 4 people with no options was a little much. I didn’t even want a burger.

The Black Heron definitely won me over. The food was elegant and simply amazing. I came in on Super Bowl Sunday around 6 and they were not busy at all. The service was very friendly and fast. We ordered the pierogis to start, which were small portioned but delicious. For our meal we ordered the brisket and the chef’s steak. Both were delicious and an amazing flavor combination experience. Definitely give it a try!

Service: even though it was a weekday evening the service I received was lackluster. Upon entering this establishment I was seated by a server with lukewarm greeting and tepid attitude. The server offered suggestions only when asked a direct question, and provided roughly the same level of knowledge with regard to the menu that I would expect from a restaurant that charges half as much. There are several great restaurants in Grand Rapids with comparable prices and exceptional service provided by warm and friendly people.
Food: overall the food quality did not merit the price of the menu items I tried. I had the cheese plate that came with a paltry amount of bread, and a small variety of cheese — the server offered know knowledge of the dish. It was good for what it was, but a bit on the pricey side. I would not recommend that dish. For the entrée I was served beef brisket that tasted like the brisket I was served three times a week in an army chow hall in Afghanistan. It was unpleasant GFS quality meat that was dry save for the sauce (which was good). The macaroni in cheese was equally dry and flavorless starch.
Drinks: a wonderful saving grace, the cocktails were original and flavorful with prices comparable to other establishments with drinks that aren’t as good as Black Heron. I would go back and try more food, but I would actually be looking forward to the drinks.

Amazing cocktails, educated tap list, beautiful environment, stellar food. I simply can’t get enough of this place.
The environment is upscale and classy but also inviting enough to where you don’t feel out of place enjoying a cheap domestic at their bar after work.
The poutine is to die for, as is there special ground burger. Brunch on Sunday’s is a must. The chef steak is amazing, and I would eat it everyday if my budget allowed.
The music they play is exceptional. I find myself wishing we could move some tables and have a little dance party more times than not, but I usually settle for chair dancing.
Extremely inviting and knowledgeable staff who always serve with a smile and sincerity.
Great at fine dining but understand different groups of people want different types of service. Their execution is top notch.
The sign on the sidewalk cracks me up every time I read it as it is full of quips and humor while at the same time educating passerbys on the daily offerings.
5 star food
5 star cocktails
5 star tap list
5 star staff

Very delicious dinner on a Saturday. Arrived at 6pm and the place was dead, completely filled-​up by 6:30.
Very reasonably priced dinner, portions large enough to get you full.

I went here for dinner with my boyfriend and it was phenomenal. The brussel sprouts small plate is delish. My boyfriend got the scallops entrée which was seared to perfection. I had the root vegetable dish which was exactly what I wanted that night since I was feeling like I needed a bit of the Asian persuasion. Our server Paul was professional but also made it special. One of the owners, Seth, I believe his name is stopped by our table to check on our meal which I thought was over and above what is required of an owner and really reminds me of the need to support our small business owners. There will definitely be a future date night planned here. Thank you Black Heron.

Delicious, incredible food and drink — made from scratch and with such love! Ask for your wait staff’s recommendations: you will absolutely not be disappointed.

Amazing– we were driving though the area looking for somewhere new to eat and stopped in. The flavors were complex and inspired. I had the Chicken and Waffles my wife had the con carne poutine. We fought over them. The spicy sauces were very layered and delicious. Stupid good.
Steve was excellent behind the bar and the manager even stopped by to converse. A+ experience, we’ll be back soon.

First off, hats off to Black Heron for taking a chance and bringing something fresh and different to the West Side. Hopefully with a little time and guidance on menu options, portion size, and price points, this will evolve into what the West Side needs. That said, my experience with the food left me wanting more and my wallet was considerably lighter.
My husband and I stopped in for a weekend brunch and while we knew this wasn’t Denny’s or Perkins, we did expect larger portions than what our shrimp and grits were. Six small dollops of cheesy grits and 6 small grilled shrimps dotted the plate for brunch. Was it beautifully arranged? yes. Was it the portion size of a fancy appetizer? Yes. Did it have the price tag of a Chicago restaurant? YES. Was I still hungry at the end of it– YES. I. WAS! Was our two drinks and two small meals over $ 40? — Help me not throw my plate of empty food, dear baby Jesus — It was over $ 40 for next to nothing portion size (my husband got the same thing as I did), a shot and a pop (my drink), and a smallish sized cocktail (my husbands)***
Can you tell I’m hangy?!
When we came in, we were told that they do not have a lunch menu, only a limited brunch menu on the weekends. The brunch menu we were handed didn’t have any prices on it and very little information on the portion size. Had I known what the price of this option I would’ve passed (I see now that their online menu has prices listed. Consult that before stopping in just in case their menus don’t list prices).
As for atmosphere– they are on point there. The décor will hopefully challenge other neighborhood restaurants to step up their game. A very chill, cool, upscale feel with floor to ceiling windows and modern yet casual seating. The bar is gorgeous– something out of a magazine– very well coordinated.
I trust in time they iron out the new business kinks and I am totally willing to try them out again in a few months to see an improvement. In the meantime, I will probably stick to my favorite spots in Eastown or on Wealthy St. for brunch.
*** My husband never writes Unilocal,but he’d like me to mention that his specialty cocktail was small but still good. He says it was worth the price (and the price was listed on the drink menu) He thinks it was appropriate to sell it at said price, despite what I think. ***

Sorry I didn’t get any pictures but I left my phone out in the car by mistake. I visited here during restaurant week and so the menu was rather limited since I didn’t partake of the restaurant week offering. I ordered their Westside portine which didn’t have much pork belly. I must admit the pork belly was fried nicely so there was not a lot fat on it.
I enjoyed the ambiance of the place and the crowd that was in attendance. It’s a new restaurant on the modern side but very cozy feeling to it
I’ll be sure to give them another try and try something else on the menu

This is a local, neighborhood place for me and its opening was much anticipated. I always get very excited about restaurants that are within easy walking distance. This also might make me hyper-​critical. The Black Heron is a bit of a mixed bag for me – there were a few things I absolutely loved, but a few things I didn’t love. We tried the pierogis, west side poutine, s’more dessert. We also each ordered a beer (Oberon and Summertime).
First, I love the bar. It looks great. It makes me want to sit there, order cocktails, and chat up the bartenders all night. I also like the selection of craft beers on tap (a well-​deserved point of pride for The Black Heron). I also enjoyed the food – it tasted great and was well prepared.
But there was something missing. I feel like The Black Heron has a bit of an identity crisis. Much of this could be chalked up to «new place, still finding itself.» The price point for the entrees is on the higher side, which isn’t necessarily a problem for me. Although, that will move the place into a different «class» for comparison. The atmosphere and service were not what I’d expect for a place with $ 30 entrees. (This is not to say it wasn’t good – just not at the level of other places in town at that price point).
All of that said, I’m happy to come back for more drinks and appetizers. And looking forward to watching The Black Heron grow into itself.

Great food and cocktails. Haven’t been to the west side in years and this is a welcome change.
I ordered the poutine at the bar — I’ve had a lot of poutine before (French fries and cheese and gravy) but this is by far the best poutine in the city. Probably the best south of Canada.
Our bartender was fantastic — I didn’t catch his name but other people were calling him Dee. He made us a cocktail called the Riverside — basically just a sazerac but with barrel aged gin. It was fantastic.
Would definitely return here.

It’s a fairy modern place in the area, helping revamp the economy. But I should not have to pay 7 $ for a soft parade… a half bottle of soft parade… Ambience is cool, Very forward in their design and Chicago like but. I still can’t get over these drink prices, 11 $ for a cocktail??? Very irregular drink prices compared to the local competition.

Excellent new addition to the WestSide. Likely to become the «WestSide’s GreenWell. Great design that is equal parts classy and comfortable.
Limited craft cocktail menu, but it’s a blend of heritage drinks with a modern twist. Impressive draft list that features a great balance between MI craft favorites and some upstarts still elbowing into the industry. Well done.
Food wise, appetizer perogies were awesome, as was the pork chop. Highlight was their preparation of grits that came with the pork — presented as a hokey puck of pan seared creaminess. Vege bride had the cauliflower steak and was happy with it. Expanded vegetarian options are the only critique we’d like to see.
Good luck to this new joint — we’ll be back again and again for sure.

2^nd visit in 3 days. Even better than the 1^st time. The burger was by far the best I’ve had in recent memory. The La Grand Vitesse drink was superb (tequila, raspberry shrub, simple syrup, and prosecco). And for dessert was homemade strawberry ice cream with roasted orange zest and pecan and honey butter. O. M. G.
Posting pictures this time, which I should’ve die the first time. So these well also include the amazing Westside Poutine I had on my first visit.

My boyfriend and I went to the Black Heron tonight for a soft opening. We had the Westside Poutine, the burger and the pork chop. The poutine was ok. the fries were stale and the gravy was very salty. I know that poutine is a pretty salty dish anyway, but this was overly salty. The burger was excellent, it was cooked to medium and it is made out of ground sirloin. Our server didn’t ask how we wanted it cooked but it was prepared well and not overdone. The pork chop was interesting. It comes with three dots of frozen duck confit on top. They melt as you eat the pork chop… I thought it was a bit much, the pork chop eventually gets soaked in a pool of duck fat. Kind of over the top for an already rich cut of meat. It came with a cake of smoked grits, which was actually my favorite part of the whole meal!
The ambiance is similar to that of Donkey Taqueria, light and bright and metal details. It is very noisy as there is nothing to absorb sound.
Service was actually not as slow as I had predicted since they are probably still working things out. Our server had to go back and ask a few things a couple of times but that’s to be expected at a soft opening. Overall I would say I will definitely try it again, but would get other menu items next time. I would also like to try their brunch!