Last night was the fundraiser to benefit Grand Rapids' East Hills Council of Neighbors held at the new restaurant Mangiamo! which is Italian for Let’s Eat.While it is not fair to review a restaurant in its first few days since things are hectic trying to break in a new staff, a few items are worth noting.
Lately service has totally fallen apart in this town. Not here at Mangiamo! From the moment one hits the steps to walk up to the door, a person has opened it and extends a hardy welcome. Next someone helps with your coat and finally after the host scans the reservation list, you are escorted to your table.
My party guests tonight included Artist Michael Pfleghaar, Realtor Vince & Kristin Salerno, Jon Bouck of Tributary Gallery and newly elected city commissioner Rosalynn Bliss.
Our table had a great view of the restaurant’s vast lawn now completely covered in a blanket of snow. As we settled in after being walked through the many tables found in the various rooms, one of my guest was concerned over our hard-to-find table but soon it was clear that this private little enclave would be the table to request for future dinner gatherings.
Throughout the night people like K.C. Caliendo of East Hills sporting her big white napkin tucked firmly in her cleavage would swing by to thank us for supporting her neighborhood. West Michigan green builder Guy Bazzani popped over as well. (FACT: One of Guy's earliest jobs was the remodel of this former residence into a restaurant back in the early 80’s.) Mark Rumsey fresh off his birthday karaoke tour of the westside bars stopped by as well. But alas no singing...yet.
Even former Grand Rapids Mayor John Logie with his artist wife Susie stopped by to say hello. It was nice since he shared an interesting bit of history of this building, which included his family once calling it home. The former restaurant, Gibson's, had a great patty melt sandwich named The Honorable John Logie but sadly it is missing on the new owner's menu. As I ranted a bit about how I will miss it, Susie made a joke about how the city’s medical health centers were rejoicing to see it disappear.
Even the restaurateur Greg Gilmore made stops at every table welcoming each guest and inviting feedback. Like I said I will not review the food since I feel this is not fair as they will be adjusting items during this preview week, but I will offer a few insights on the menu. (Our actual comments are reserved for his staff as we each filled out a comment card reflecting our responses to the many dishes we tasted throughout the night.)
So here are my very thoughts that I feel will not change even after the doors are opened to the public in the coming days.
First, you may order wine by the glass, bottle or a carafe. The carafe is a nice touch I have not experienced on this level outside my trip to Italy. Presented in a very stylish decanter it instantly brought a sense of warmth and charm to the table as we took turns pouring each other a glass. And the house and proprietor choices from red to white and everything in between were very diverse and good for the price. (If memory serves, White Zinfandel the trashy training bra of the wine family is MIA from the wine list.)
Secondly, the attention to fresh ingredients in the appetizers was outstanding. The many dishes served family style in generous portions included tasty offerings of prosciutto, olives, blue crab, artichokes, oven roasted red peppers and lots of fresh bread in various forms. (The homemade loaf actually took me back to my mother's bread she would prepare for our family dinner.)
Lastly, the menu spans a wide range of tastes and not one wet burrito. You may laugh but you would be amazed at this item popping up on more than one local Italian eatery’s menu. So whether you crave a pizza, pasta or a Chicken Marsala, Mangiamo! will be the place to land.
So as our meal came to an end the conversation turned to where to go next. As we made our way towards the coat check we heard the sound of the piano playing in the next room. As I got closer I could see and hear John Logie singing in the newly remodeled room. But there in the corner across from the bar was the piano and a reinvented (and oft seen at Gibson's) pianist. I really really liked how the piano has been given a premiere spot in the former Grapevine lounge. It is very classy and very New York.
But the class almost ended when the former mayor stopped singing and the pianist started the theme from Ice Castle’s. "Please, LET this moment end."
Drawing on all my power as a former drama student I enlisted the help of Mark Rumsey and his Icicle power pop band member wife Joleen and we began to churn out our own versions of popular holiday classics.
I am not sure what we were singing as dawn washes over these keys but burnt into my brain were lines that included Santa using email, drinking in a winter (or winner's) wonderland and finally something about Rudolph being gay. My red nose surely gave me away tonight.
In the end, Mangiamo! is the place to visit during the coming winter months. A place where friends may gather, have a meal and then if the mistress of the keyboards is present, retire to the lounge to sing a note or two.
As you exit the restaurant doors one will be hard pressed not to look back and with a slight grin blow an air kiss to the giant Mona Lisa by di Vinci who smiles eternal in her only special way above the door. Somehow even though her back is turned to the goings on inside, she is well aware of the warm glow of memories bold and bright being created just inside Mangiamo!’s door.
