I’m all about supporting local business, and Motu Viget Spirits is one of my personal favorites in town.
My husband and I randomly had a free night last night, so out we went!
The collaboration was at Social House, in the Arena District of Grand Rapids. I always recommend taking an Uber to any alocohol related event, because chances are you’ll drink more than you plan. The parking in this area of town can also be a bear. So, it was a win/win.
Below are some highlights from the night!
I saw a post this week on Hopcat’s Instagram, that they are now serving brunch, and of course I had to go right away.
My husband had plans for the day, so I made it a solo trip. I have also never been to their Knapp’s Corner location, and despise trying to find parking downtown, so I headed to the Beltline.
This Hopcat location is in a spot that has struggled in the past. It’s been through many restaurants, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that they invested in the look of the place, in order to make it uniquely Hopcat.
I sat at the bar and almost started drooling as I saw the beautiful beer-cap mural covering the back wall. It was gorgeous and shiny, and everything a drink photographer ever dreamed of.
I love Hopcat, and it was definitely past noon, but I challenged myself to stay on the “Brunch Menu” while ordering.
I started with a French Spritz and got to work showing off that perfect backdrop. The drink itself was well balanced. I was surprised that it had grapefruit without that abrasive sour after-taste that grapefruit drinks tend to have. Definitely something I would choose over a mimosa any day.
French Spritz - $9: St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Aperol, grapefruit juice & soda water. Served over ice.
For brunch I ordered the “Egg in the Hole” and it was delicious, but I was wishing my husband had come with, because then I would have gotten to sample something else. It wasn’t as “breakfast-y” as I wanted it to be. It felt a little bit more like a burger with an egg on top then a decadent brunch dish. I think it would have been greatly enhanced if they turned it into a fork and knife dish with some delicious hollandaise or béchamel. BUT it was delicious, and probably more of an ordering mistake than a bad option.
I also befriended one of the nice bartenders and asked her to make me something pretty. As a result, I got this beautiful Raspberry Mojito (pictured below). It wasn’t too sweet and gave me a chance to show off the reflective bar.
Egg in the Hole - $10: Fresh custom blend beef patty, rye bread, egg, hickory-smoked bacon, garlic aioli, stout caramelized onions & Swiss. Served with breakfast potatoes & arugula salad.
Raspberry Mojito - About $9 (Not on the Menu)
The staff was the perfect amount of attentive and friendly for someone dining alone, and I appreciate it so much. The employees were great about reminding everyone that Hopcat has a rewards app, and you get a free appetizer the first time you sign up. You also get points for every time you eat there, just give the code to your server!
Overall I will visit this specific location again. For a Sunday afternoon it wasn't;t overwhelmingly busy, and it still has that downtown Hopcat feel. Next time I will try a more “brunch-y” meal, but Hopcat never disappoints in the drink department.
Where should we go for brunch next?
If I make this a regular thing would you read it?
Just putting some feelers out there!
Last night we celebrated a friend’s birthday and got to check out Craft Beer Cellar for the first time. It’s like your favorite craft beer and wine store combined with an interactive and relaxed bar. It’s the kind of bar that feels like home, and we had so much fun. It was also full but not over-crowded on a Friday night, which is a plus in downtown GR.
This is the kind of place where I could see myself being a regular. The staff was friendly and knowledgable, and they had board games!
