Exceptional Service for Our 13th Anniversary!My husband and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary at Mertens Prime, and it was an unforgettable experience, all thanks to the incredible service provided by Matt. From the moment we stepped in, Matt greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel incredibly welcomed. Not only was he our host, server, and bartender, but he also went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our dining experience was perfect.Matt's attention to detail was outstanding. He crafted delicious drinks with precision and care, and his knowledge of the menu was impressive. He took the time to explain each dish thoroughly and provided recommendations that suited our tastes perfectly.What truly stood out was Matt's genuine hospitality and his ability to make us feel like VIPs. Despite being busy, he made us feel as though we were his only patrons, attending to our every need with grace and professionalism. His friendly demeanor and engaging conversation added an extra layer of warmth to our evening.Thanks to Matt's exceptional service, Mertens Prime has become our new favorite dining spot. We are already looking forward to returning and experiencing more of the wonderful hospitality that Matt and the team provide. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience with impeccable service, look no further than Mertens Prime and ask for Matt—you won't be disappointed!
The service, drinks as well as the food here were all super disappointing. The building had character but that’s really the only positive aspect. The vegan bartender was helpful and seemed like the only one who knew what was going on or cared. I wouldn’t go back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Corey Finkler
Don't go. Just don't go.French onion soup is better prepared at Panera bread and far less expensive, not to mention I would rather use their plastic spoons opposed to the dirty one I first received. Appetizer was served cold and tasteless.For dinner, we chose the 12oz filet and the 8oz filet wrapped in bacon...under cooked bacon at that. Again, the filet was extremely boring and lacked flavor. At $142.00 for the two steaks, one would expect gorgeous presentation and cut with a fork tenderness. We received the opposite. Tough black outside, thrown on a plate with a clump of burnt garlic cloves. Yum.The waitress was fine, other than that the dinner was meh at best.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Anonymous
Such a great meal! The French food is excellent, as are the steaks. The service was pleasant and efficient. The ambiance is a real difference-maker. There's nothing like it in Grand Rapids that we know of. It has a very old-world, authentic feel.
Terrell Russell
What can I say staff is excellent! Drinks are top notch, and food is of quality. Love coming down here when I get the time. Good place to spend a Friday or Saturday night at before going out on the town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Escargot, Steak
MichaelL
We found ourselves incredibly disappointed after reading such great reviews. The pasta was under cooked, steak was under cooked & pork chop was over cooked. Service was slow and our appetizers & entrees came out warm to lukewarm warm. The only two redeeming qualities were the wonderful wine list & Matt's wine recommendation. We feel we overpaid for a sub par meal & experience.
Ginny
We had a reservation for four. We ordered drinks at the same time and two of the drinks took 20 minutes and the other two took 45 minutes to arrive. We ordered entrées and sides. They never brought out the sides and we finished the entire meal and did not have any sides. The garlic was not cooked and not able to be eaten. The chicken was dry and the steak was overcooked. It was a very disappointing experience and the manager did discount one round of drinks and the sides from the bill. 
christian topil
This place is amazing. It was insanely busy, Walk in only, booked to the gills with reservations. Matt p or Matt b made me feel like I was the only guest there the service was exceptional! You absolutely have to get the pork belly add the lobster tail. The clarified milk punch is to die for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Travis Bergy
Incredible service, impeccable food, and absolutely delicious drinks are why we’ll be coming here from now on instead of the other steak houses around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
Anonymous
One of our favorite restaurants in Grand Rapids! Lovely french onion soup and steak frites. we've had the cheesecake a few times now. It is incredible. Wonderful atmosphere too.
Lovely atmosphere. And cheaper than Chophouse or Bowides, but better menus and just better food overall. It just has a very home-made French feel. The bananas foster for dessert is excellent too.
Not sure what exactly it was but after my girlfriend and I each started with the French Onion soup we both instantly started having an issue with our stomach feelings upset and extremely bloated. We both only ate half of our steaks and side. We both went home and spent the first hour on the toilet before feeling better again. This was my second time here and extremely disappointed compared to the first time at Mertens at last year's Valentines. Not sure when I will be back.
Anonymous
Beautiful building with just the right lighting. Excellent menu. Part New York-ish feel and part-French feel to everything . I doubt the Leo's crowd would like it here ("Turn up the lights!" "Where's the baked potato with my steak?" they'd crow... sorry, rant against GR-diners over. This is an elegant, authentic trip back in time. Steaks are great, but French items are my preference here. Very homemade.
SheilaB
Both Matt and Elaine were amazing but that's about as far as it goes. The restaurant smelled it was dark I found it dingy lampshades were crooked seats were terribly uncomfortable regarding the food although my steak was delicious we were not told ahead of time that it was à la cart, and we assumed there would be some sort of side, we were shocked that bread at a French restaurant was not offered.
anoymous
We've been regulars for years. Another great evening. Some of the servers have been there forever too. It's just a beautiful space with good lighting and great food. A real Grand Rapids original compared to the quasi-chains.
Exceptional Service for Our 13th Anniversary!My husband and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary at Mertens Prime, and it was an unforgettable experience, all thanks to the incredible service provided by Matt. From the moment we stepped in, Matt greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel incredibly welcomed. Not only was he our host, server, and bartender, but he also went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our dining experience was perfect.Matt's attention to detail was outstanding. He crafted delicious drinks with precision and care, and his knowledge of the menu was impressive. He took the time to explain each dish thoroughly and provided recommendations that suited our tastes perfectly.What truly stood out was Matt's genuine hospitality and his ability to make us feel like VIPs. Despite being busy, he made us feel as though we were his only patrons, attending to our every need with grace and professionalism. His friendly demeanor and engaging conversation added an extra layer of warmth to our evening.Thanks to Matt's exceptional service, Mertens Prime has become our new favorite dining spot. We are already looking forward to returning and experiencing more of the wonderful hospitality that Matt and the team provide. If you're looking for a memorable dining experience with impeccable service, look no further than Mertens Prime and ask for Matt—you won't be disappointed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak, Brussels Sprouts, Salad
The service, drinks as well as the food here were all super disappointing. The building had character but that’s really the only positive aspect. The vegan bartender was helpful and seemed like the only one who knew what was going on or cared. I wouldn’t go back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Don't go. Just don't go.French onion soup is better prepared at Panera bread and far less expensive, not to mention I would rather use their plastic spoons opposed to the dirty one I first received. Appetizer was served cold and tasteless.For dinner, we chose the 12oz filet and the 8oz filet wrapped in bacon...under cooked bacon at that. Again, the filet was extremely boring and lacked flavor. At $142.00 for the two steaks, one would expect gorgeous presentation and cut with a fork tenderness. We received the opposite. Tough black outside, thrown on a plate with a clump of burnt garlic cloves. Yum.The waitress was fine, other than that the dinner was meh at best.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Such a great meal! The French food is excellent, as are the steaks. The service was pleasant and efficient. The ambiance is a real difference-maker. There's nothing like it in Grand Rapids that we know of. It has a very old-world, authentic feel.
What can I say staff is excellent! Drinks are top notch, and food is of quality. Love coming down here when I get the time. Good place to spend a Friday or Saturday night at before going out on the town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Escargot, Steak
We found ourselves incredibly disappointed after reading such great reviews. The pasta was under cooked, steak was under cooked & pork chop was over cooked. Service was slow and our appetizers & entrees came out warm to lukewarm warm. The only two redeeming qualities were the wonderful wine list & Matt's wine recommendation. We feel we overpaid for a sub par meal & experience.
We had a reservation for four. We ordered drinks at the same time and two of the drinks took 20 minutes and the other two took 45 minutes to arrive. We ordered entrées and sides. They never brought out the sides and we finished the entire meal and did not have any sides. The garlic was not cooked and not able to be eaten. The chicken was dry and the steak was overcooked. It was a very disappointing experience and the manager did discount one round of drinks and the sides from the bill. 
This place is amazing. It was insanely busy, Walk in only, booked to the gills with reservations. Matt p or Matt b made me feel like I was the only guest there the service was exceptional! You absolutely have to get the pork belly add the lobster tail. The clarified milk punch is to die for.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Incredible service, impeccable food, and absolutely delicious drinks are why we’ll be coming here from now on instead of the other steak houses around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak
One of our favorite restaurants in Grand Rapids! Lovely french onion soup and steak frites. we've had the cheesecake a few times now. It is incredible. Wonderful atmosphere too.
Restaurantji Recommends
Lovely atmosphere. And cheaper than Chophouse or Bowides, but better menus and just better food overall. It just has a very home-made French feel. The bananas foster for dessert is excellent too.
Not sure what exactly it was but after my girlfriend and I each started with the French Onion soup we both instantly started having an issue with our stomach feelings upset and extremely bloated. We both only ate half of our steaks and side. We both went home and spent the first hour on the toilet before feeling better again. This was my second time here and extremely disappointed compared to the first time at Mertens at last year's Valentines. Not sure when I will be back.
Beautiful building with just the right lighting. Excellent menu. Part New York-ish feel and part-French feel to everything . I doubt the Leo's crowd would like it here ("Turn up the lights!" "Where's the baked potato with my steak?" they'd crow... sorry, rant against GR-diners over. This is an elegant, authentic trip back in time. Steaks are great, but French items are my preference here. Very homemade.
Both Matt and Elaine were amazing but that's about as far as it goes. The restaurant smelled it was dark I found it dingy lampshades were crooked seats were terribly uncomfortable regarding the food although my steak was delicious we were not told ahead of time that it was à la cart, and we assumed there would be some sort of side, we were shocked that bread at a French restaurant was not offered.
We've been regulars for years. Another great evening. Some of the servers have been there forever too. It's just a beautiful space with good lighting and great food. A real Grand Rapids original compared to the quasi-chains.