Restaurant Week GR — 7 Monks Taproom

It’s August! That means it’s time for Restaurant Week GR!

This year Restaurant Week GR will run from Wednesday, August 7th through Sunday, August 18th. Over 70 Grand Rapids area restaurants will be participating in the 10th annual event.

How does it work? Each participating restaurant will create a special menu highlighting fresh, local ingredients.

There are three dining options:
Option 1: Two courses for $15 per person (lunch or dinner)
Option 2: Two courses for $25 per person (dinner)
Option 3: Chef’s Choice for $25+ per person (dinner)

A list of participating restaurants and their specialty menus are available at restaurantweekgr.com.

I had an opportunity to check out the menu offered up by 7 Monks Taproom, located at 740 Michigan St., NE, in Grand Rapids.

I have enjoyed the menus they have put together in the past for Restaurant Week...and this year's offering was just as good!

7 Monks is offering up the Option 2 dining option -- two courses for $25 per person.

The First Course choices were: Fried Soba Noodles with Chicken, Deep Fried Soba Noodles, Cabbage, Bean Sprouts, Green Onion, and Dark Sauce. OR… Summer Salad with Berries, Roasted Fennel, Candied Walnuts, Chevre, and a Lemon Poppy Vinaigrette.

I went with a friend who was willing to share their food, so we ordered one of each -- that way we could sample both offerings!

Course Two featured a Short Rib that included a Braised Short Rib, Blue Cheese Grit Souffle, Baby Carrots, Haricot Verts, Shropshire Blue Cheese and Demi. The other choice was Salmon featuring Grilled Salmon, Farro Salad, Picked Blueberries, and Tarragon Beurre Blanc.

Once again we ordered one of each and sampled both. I really liked the pickled blueberries! A very interesting taste.

As an added bonus, 7 Monks is also offering a Bonus Desert Course at no extra charge. This includes either a Brownie Sundae Jar OR a Mixed Berry Cobbler Jar. The Brownie Sundae Jar was made up of a Marshmallow Chocolate Brownie, Hopped Ice Cream, Bourbon Caramel, and Whipped Cream. The Mixed Berry Cobbler was Mixed Berries, Hopped Ice Cream, Cinnamon Crumble, and Whipped Cream.

All the choices were very good. I would order each one of these offerings again in a heart beat!

As in the past, 7 Monks hit a home run with their offerings for Restaurant Week GR. If you get a chance, check them out! Or visit one of the other 70+ restaurants taking part this year.

Plus, Restaurant Week GR supports culinary students through an endowed scholarship fund at the Grand Rapids Community College Secchia Institute for Culinary Education. Participating locations donate $1 for every Restaurant Week meal sold!