Sometimes, unplanned events are the ones that turn out the best – you know, the impromptu gatherings that are organized by sheer will and pulled together at the last moment. Such is the case of finding myself in a small establishment in Grand Rapids Michigan one recent night. This wine bar and restaurant overflows with innate charm, style, vibe, and intimacy and serves up a really great combination of fine wine and food. For me, it’s always in that order.

Generally one would not think of Grand Rapids Michigan as an epicenter for wine and food although there are a surprising number of both well-heeled and younger well-heeled-to-be patrons supporting fine dining in this city. And so it is with this very cool place near downtown on Cherry Street known simply as Corez. This very fine wine bar is eclipsed only by the owners and staff who were not only gracious enough to show me around, but actually spend time with me talking about food, wine and even people we knew in common. I know of little corners of the world that we wouldn’t ordinarily expect to exist as they do. These are the places that embrace people who are passionate about wine and food, and I have to say that the people at Corez created one of the best corners of the world that I have been to. 

Business owners, Mike and Corey are very excellent hosts and  actually know what they’re doing. Mike is a sommelier that seeks out small production beauties that shine beyond the mainstream wine aisle and wow - he’s really talented at this! And I enjoyed the words that poured out too, which usually was, “this isn’t going to change your world, but it’s a really nice wine”. He was right about perhaps ‘not changing my world’ but I would say a bit conservative about a ‘really nice wine’. Everything he poured was spot on and until there’s a wine bar that’s willing to serve up Latour, Lafite and DRC by the glass, this is as good as anyone would ever be likely to find. Corey handles the business end of owning such a great property; no easy task in this economy, but he didn’t ask for easy. Just excellent. By any measure I have to say, “mission accomplished”.

And the food coming out of the kitchen by impresario Executive Chef Chad and his stellar staff is exactly what you wish you could cook at home but don’t because it isn’t home cooking, but something much more. In fact I consider it to be a non-stuffy but very delicious version of haute cuisine. The server staff is also superb and made me feel welcome and almost like I was in on a great secret with them. Behind the bar, fresh and innovative handcrafted cocktails are made and I found myself wishing I had more capacity than I do these days.

This hip, young and fresh appeal in GR’s very cool East Hills district is brilliantly presented by the team at Corez, all of whom are completely engaged in what they do - anytime you can run into this combination of “ingredients” you know you’re going to be very pleased with the results. My only complaint, if I am allowed, is that there is not a Corez close by with exactly the same people. Oh well. I’ll just have to go back there to revisit this very special place in one of the best corners of the world.

Find them at www.corezwinebar.com, check them out on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFTddvVHvtU), or just get down to 919 Cherry Street and plan on spending a great evening with really great people, fine wine and food. For me, it’s always in that order.

David Boyer

Photo: Sommelier and Co-Owner Mike Dombrowski at Corez Wine Bar and Restaurant, Grand Rapids Michigan