Grand Rapids, Day 3 April 21, 2012

So, lots of conference to start out the day. Not many pictures, but here is a partial view of the main room that I have been in – lots of mirrors and decorations. Very fancy, I’m sure.
 
Time for lunch. I looked up bagel places, and followed the directions to the closest one…
It’s in this building??
 
In the basement, down this lovely inviting hallway…
 
 
It’s not bad, but it’s too warm, so I take my bagel and go.
After more conference, I go for a nice long walk.
Lots of art to be seen…
 
 
 
 
Plenty of pink in town today…
 
 
 
 
More interesting buildings…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And a little bit of shopping…
 
 
 
 
 
A touch of dilapidation…
 
 
 
 
Time for dinner! Based on a number of outstanding reviews on Yelp, as well as the novelty factor, I went to an (all-vegan) Ethiopian restaurant.
 
 
 
I got the Alicha (potatos, cabbage, green beans, green pepper, ginger and garlic) and the Ferfer (onion, garlic, kale, tomato paste and cayenne pepper), as well as the house spiced tea. All very good! You eat by scooping the food onto a spongy crepe-like bread (fingerbowl included).

 
 
Interesting coincidence… The second best sale
 
And the second best brewery in the world (according to ratebeer.com or something…)
 
It was super busy and super loud. I had a beer on the cold patio (no room inside) and left. I did get a free bag, though!

I went for an evening coffee later, and I did not get photos of:
1) A trolley car (with wheels, not on tracks)
2) Through the window of an Italian restaurant, a man with a large moustache serenading a couple on the accordion.
3) A horse-drawn carriage.

Grand Rapids, day 2 April 20, 2012

Thursday, I didn’t have to be anywhere until noon, so I took another walk to find some breakfast.
I ended up at a Mediterranean place that served juice and smoothies for breakfast.
 
Enjoying my carrot juice at an outside table (Madcap Coffee across the street).
 
 
 
D’oh! Well, maybe I will go back to the hotel after all…
The food looked so good at the Mediterranean place that I went back for lunch.
 
Falafel wrap (with turnips on it) and a Greek salad (with beets on it)!
Then across the street for a cup of coffee.
 
 
Back to the hotel for some conference. They like chandeliers here…
 
 
 
After conference things, I went out to grab a quick bite for dinner. Saw some more cool things downtown.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Being unsuccessful in my search for food, I ended up back at Bartertown. I had the $2 tacos, with kidney beans, brown rice, turnips, beets, spinach, something else, and an asparagus-cilantro dressing. They were so good!
 
The opening reception was at the Ford Presidential museum.
 
 
 
 
It was way crowded, and I did not stay long… Across the river for some kung fu (lots of fun, but no pics).
After kung fu, I walked a few blocks to Stella’s, a place with good reviews for vegan food. Here are a few blurry shots…
 
 
On recommendation of the server, I had the vegan meat loaf, which was amazing! I did not finish it.

 
 
And here is what Grand Rapids looks like in the rain as you’re walking back to your hotel room…

Grand Rapids April 19, 2012

So, how is Grand Rapids so far?

Here’s some views from the hotel (8th floor)

 
 
 

I’m the flash in the window…

 

Yep, that’s a rooftop tennis/basketball court.

After I got checked in, I took a walk through downtown to find some dinner.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Delicious food? I think this looks like my stop!

 

Let’s look at the menu:

 

“All vegan, veggie or raw” 🙂

 

Wait a second… Does that say”Parsnip Ribwich”?

 

Why, yes. Yes it does.

 
 

A view across the street – peacocks instead of gargoyles!

 

Ok. Time to walk back to the hotel.

Wait! No dessert?

Oh, okay….

 

One is choc/choc, the other is van with streusel topping!

Grand Rapids has some cool murals:

 
 

And some nice architecture:

 
 
 

The river is nice, too:

 
 
 
Well, maybe I’ll stop for a single cup dripped pretty awesome cup of coffee before I head back to my room…