Great food. Great atmosphere and great service. Def not cheap...but you get what you pay for.
Claire M.
Went for our anniversary last weekend. We didn't feel like dealing with the hustle and bustle of a Saturday night, so we booked for Sunday at 5pm. We absolutely did not need a reservation but it was really nice that we did because they were very ready for us. They had a lovely large booth set for us, including a personalized note congratulating us on our anniversary. I will start this by saying the server's name is escaping me, but he doubled as the bartender that evening. I want to say it was Jake? Either way, he was great! We got cocktails to start, whiskey julep and paper plane. My boyfriend didn't love the julep, he went out on a limb trying something new to him, but I really enjoyed the paper plane. Second, we ordered the bison meatballs and medjool dates as appetizers. The dates were fabulous, they reminded me of a super elevated PB&J. The meatballs weren't my favorite, as I found them a little dry, but my boyfriend loved them. I did notice that a TON of things on this menu feature nuts as garnish or contain a nut butter? This place would be pretty tough for someone with a peanut/tree nut allergy. Third, we actually both order the Delmonico steak - him the ribeye (medium) and myself the filet (med rare). Their special that night was Hamburger Helper and I was very, very close to getting it but the steak was calling me. All of our food came out very quickly - to be fair, I am almost positive that we were the only patrons at the time but that worked great for us! The steaks were both perfectly cooked to temperature. I had the Chalk Hill Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, CA) per the recommendation of our server, it paired super well! The delmonico potatoes were something I had to ask our server about because I had never heard of them. They were basically a block of cheesy potatoes and they were delicious! I couldn't finish my meal and our server boxed mine up for me... which I promptly forgot at the table as we left (sad). No dessert for us this time as we were stuffed but the Baked Alaska sounded awesome. We will be back!
Candace R.
I wanted to like this place but sadly it was underwhelming. The menu is very limited which includes a $20 hamburger and "Hamburger Helper". My family and I were seated in the basement at a very wide table with very low couches. The table was so wide I had to shout to converse with my son's. My steak was unremarkable and overpriced. This place is a "one and done". Take my word and just skip it.
Timothy Watts
My partner and I had reservations on Saturday night, and we had the pleasure of having Carlos as our server. He was very informed and made great suggestions on the food menu and wine pairings to match. We started with Sea Food Hushpuppies which were on special and they were fantastic. We were suggested the Salmon (which was cooked perfectly) and Bison Short Rib, don’t even get me started on little potato cake.I was not only very impressed by the service but the experience as a whole, the hostesses were so polite. One thing I always pay attention to when I’m dining is making sure my table is clear between courses and Carlos made sure everything was taken away and refreshed our settings. Waters were never even half way empty and everything was timed perfectly. I would highly recommend giving this spot a visit. If possible ask for Carlos, tell him Tim sent you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ora King Salmon, Bison Short Rib, The Wedge Salad
Josh Enrico
I like this place. I just have one complaint. The lights in the basement are way too bright. The bar has chandeliers that are on full bright. Last time I sat by the fireplace they have halogen bulbs at full bright shining right on your head same with the tables. The basement should be calm and moody. Not super bright! Please fix. At least put some dimmers in. For me it’s a dealbreaker. Thanks.
Eric Wynsma
Best filet in grand rapids and a hip upscale vibe, with great servers and sensible pricing. First rate experience every time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Kaiser
Laziest chef I've ever worked for. I'd tell you what happened to the crab cake that fell on the floor, but I don't want a libel lawsuit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Jessica G.
Can't believe what a transformation this place underwent! We sat on the bottom level (doesn't even resemble the old Gardellas basement). I thought it was nice and elegant/moody and stoic. If I'm not mistaken , there was a bar both on the main floor as well as the lower level - which was convenient. The food here - I've got to be honest, I was expecting Butchers Union flavor since it gave those vibes -- but it just wasn't quite there for me. Don't get me wrong - it was good but it just felt like the execution was missing an element in most if not all of the dishes we ordered. The hushpuppies and hamburger helper were both specials so unsure how long they will be around. The hushpuppies were good but the old bay sauce was too salty - it needed to be toned down a bit. The seafood inside was a bit stringy in some parts so it became hard to cut at times. The French onion dip was not my thing. For entrees - I ordered the chicken and it was underwhelming but decent. It felt a little dry and needed a richer sauce. The braised greens lacked flavor and needed a longer cook. The chicken skin was not crisp whatsoever. I tried both the hamburger helper and the Salisbury steak -- they were ok. Drinks were a little steep but not outside of the norm for GR. $14 each for a basic mezcal marg in a short glass. The dessert was really good and our server was kind enough to comp it for having us move to the lounge area because they had another table waiting for our space. The service was good and our waitstaff was incredibly accommodating. I'd go back but probably won't be back for awhile.
leigha kenny
Picture this - it's a Saturday night (Valentine’s weekend, but also your birthday) and you spontaneously get a sitter last minute, and every reservation in town is filled. You walk into a buzzing restaurant just in time to grab two seats at the bar. You glance over the menu and decide to try the crab cakes. As soon as they arrive, you take a bite and savor the creamy and delicious flavor. It's so good, you consider having it as your main course! The overall vibe of the place is cool and adds to the whole experience. What a great night!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jimmy Fraser
My wife and I had an incredible experience at Scholar. It was our first time and our expectations were far exceeded. Our server, Kyle, was amazing and super knowledgeable and professional. We will definitely be going back!
I recently attended a private event at the Scholar and had a great time. The atmosphere was lively, and they even had a private back room reserved for us. Their drink menu was impressive, and our server provided excellent service. However, I was disappointed with the food options. The menu was limited, and the quality of the food was not worth the high price. If you're in the mood for drinks and a good time with friends, this is a great spot to visit. However, I wouldn't recommend ordering any food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Sam A.
Went to Scholar with the wife for a drink after Valentine's Day. Service was quick, the new space was done well, and the ambience was different on every floor. Still can't get the Gardella's vibes out of the head, and there seemed to be lingering smell of the basement, but overall, a great rehaul of the space. Drinks were good, made well, and would have to try it for dinner sometime. Nothing that wow'd me as a new spot, but nothing that was bad either.
Carlos Santiago
I stopped into scholar today and after taking a peek around I decided to sit at the upstairs bar with Claire. She was so charismatic and informative. Not only were the cocktails delicious (ostara blossom, and bartenders choice) but the food was amazing too. I had started with the calamari feature then I had the burger, but I will be coming back because I have my eye on that bison short rib.If you stop in ask for Claire she makes amazing off the cuff cocktails and has an amazing sense of humor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ben Myslenski
One of the best places I’ve been. Best old fashioned in Grand Rapids at this point. Steak was perfectly cooked, green beans were fantastic, and service was
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Manheimer
The lamb chops were ok but not the quality you would expect. Great atmosphere and service. A bit too pricey for what is offered. They were out of clams, so I was also disappointed in that. Not a go-to for us.
Great food. Great atmosphere and great service. Def not cheap...but you get what you pay for.
Went for our anniversary last weekend. We didn't feel like dealing with the hustle and bustle of a Saturday night, so we booked for Sunday at 5pm. We absolutely did not need a reservation but it was really nice that we did because they were very ready for us. They had a lovely large booth set for us, including a personalized note congratulating us on our anniversary. I will start this by saying the server's name is escaping me, but he doubled as the bartender that evening. I want to say it was Jake? Either way, he was great! We got cocktails to start, whiskey julep and paper plane. My boyfriend didn't love the julep, he went out on a limb trying something new to him, but I really enjoyed the paper plane. Second, we ordered the bison meatballs and medjool dates as appetizers. The dates were fabulous, they reminded me of a super elevated PB&J. The meatballs weren't my favorite, as I found them a little dry, but my boyfriend loved them. I did notice that a TON of things on this menu feature nuts as garnish or contain a nut butter? This place would be pretty tough for someone with a peanut/tree nut allergy. Third, we actually both order the Delmonico steak - him the ribeye (medium) and myself the filet (med rare). Their special that night was Hamburger Helper and I was very, very close to getting it but the steak was calling me. All of our food came out very quickly - to be fair, I am almost positive that we were the only patrons at the time but that worked great for us! The steaks were both perfectly cooked to temperature. I had the Chalk Hill Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, CA) per the recommendation of our server, it paired super well! The delmonico potatoes were something I had to ask our server about because I had never heard of them. They were basically a block of cheesy potatoes and they were delicious! I couldn't finish my meal and our server boxed mine up for me... which I promptly forgot at the table as we left (sad). No dessert for us this time as we were stuffed but the Baked Alaska sounded awesome. We will be back!
I wanted to like this place but sadly it was underwhelming. The menu is very limited which includes a $20 hamburger and "Hamburger Helper". My family and I were seated in the basement at a very wide table with very low couches. The table was so wide I had to shout to converse with my son's. My steak was unremarkable and overpriced. This place is a "one and done". Take my word and just skip it.
My partner and I had reservations on Saturday night, and we had the pleasure of having Carlos as our server. He was very informed and made great suggestions on the food menu and wine pairings to match. We started with Sea Food Hushpuppies which were on special and they were fantastic. We were suggested the Salmon (which was cooked perfectly) and Bison Short Rib, don’t even get me started on little potato cake.I was not only very impressed by the service but the experience as a whole, the hostesses were so polite. One thing I always pay attention to when I’m dining is making sure my table is clear between courses and Carlos made sure everything was taken away and refreshed our settings. Waters were never even half way empty and everything was timed perfectly. I would highly recommend giving this spot a visit. If possible ask for Carlos, tell him Tim sent you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ora King Salmon, Bison Short Rib, The Wedge Salad
I like this place. I just have one complaint. The lights in the basement are way too bright. The bar has chandeliers that are on full bright. Last time I sat by the fireplace they have halogen bulbs at full bright shining right on your head same with the tables. The basement should be calm and moody. Not super bright! Please fix. At least put some dimmers in. For me it’s a dealbreaker. Thanks.
Best filet in grand rapids and a hip upscale vibe, with great servers and sensible pricing. First rate experience every time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laziest chef I've ever worked for. I'd tell you what happened to the crab cake that fell on the floor, but I don't want a libel lawsuit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Can't believe what a transformation this place underwent! We sat on the bottom level (doesn't even resemble the old Gardellas basement). I thought it was nice and elegant/moody and stoic. If I'm not mistaken , there was a bar both on the main floor as well as the lower level - which was convenient. The food here - I've got to be honest, I was expecting Butchers Union flavor since it gave those vibes -- but it just wasn't quite there for me. Don't get me wrong - it was good but it just felt like the execution was missing an element in most if not all of the dishes we ordered. The hushpuppies and hamburger helper were both specials so unsure how long they will be around. The hushpuppies were good but the old bay sauce was too salty - it needed to be toned down a bit. The seafood inside was a bit stringy in some parts so it became hard to cut at times. The French onion dip was not my thing. For entrees - I ordered the chicken and it was underwhelming but decent. It felt a little dry and needed a richer sauce. The braised greens lacked flavor and needed a longer cook. The chicken skin was not crisp whatsoever. I tried both the hamburger helper and the Salisbury steak -- they were ok. Drinks were a little steep but not outside of the norm for GR. $14 each for a basic mezcal marg in a short glass. The dessert was really good and our server was kind enough to comp it for having us move to the lounge area because they had another table waiting for our space. The service was good and our waitstaff was incredibly accommodating. I'd go back but probably won't be back for awhile.
Picture this - it's a Saturday night (Valentine’s weekend, but also your birthday) and you spontaneously get a sitter last minute, and every reservation in town is filled. You walk into a buzzing restaurant just in time to grab two seats at the bar. You glance over the menu and decide to try the crab cakes. As soon as they arrive, you take a bite and savor the creamy and delicious flavor. It's so good, you consider having it as your main course! The overall vibe of the place is cool and adds to the whole experience. What a great night!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
My wife and I had an incredible experience at Scholar. It was our first time and our expectations were far exceeded. Our server, Kyle, was amazing and super knowledgeable and professional. We will definitely be going back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I recently attended a private event at the Scholar and had a great time. The atmosphere was lively, and they even had a private back room reserved for us. Their drink menu was impressive, and our server provided excellent service. However, I was disappointed with the food options. The menu was limited, and the quality of the food was not worth the high price. If you're in the mood for drinks and a good time with friends, this is a great spot to visit. However, I wouldn't recommend ordering any food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Went to Scholar with the wife for a drink after Valentine's Day. Service was quick, the new space was done well, and the ambience was different on every floor. Still can't get the Gardella's vibes out of the head, and there seemed to be lingering smell of the basement, but overall, a great rehaul of the space. Drinks were good, made well, and would have to try it for dinner sometime. Nothing that wow'd me as a new spot, but nothing that was bad either.
I stopped into scholar today and after taking a peek around I decided to sit at the upstairs bar with Claire. She was so charismatic and informative. Not only were the cocktails delicious (ostara blossom, and bartenders choice) but the food was amazing too. I had started with the calamari feature then I had the burger, but I will be coming back because I have my eye on that bison short rib.If you stop in ask for Claire she makes amazing off the cuff cocktails and has an amazing sense of humor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best places I’ve been. Best old fashioned in Grand Rapids at this point. Steak was perfectly cooked, green beans were fantastic, and service was
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The lamb chops were ok but not the quality you would expect. Great atmosphere and service. A bit too pricey for what is offered. They were out of clams, so I was also disappointed in that. Not a go-to for us.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4