Bell's Brewery new dining room open this week

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by gratefulbeerhead, Jul 10, 2015.

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  1. gratefulbeerhead

    gratefulbeerhead Initiate (0) Dec 7, 2009 Indiana

    Just returned from the soft opening. Bell's never stops amazing me - Larry with all of those ideas in his head. The whole culture at the Eccentric Cafe is changed now-no longer will you order at the bar or have lines. There are tons of servers to take your beer and/or food order. I had pan seared brussel sprouts that were perfect and green curry. My buddy had bacon lollipops - pork belly on a toothpick in a great house BBQ and steak frites. He's the foodie and was really impressed. I was happy to have Le Brettuer and Uranus with a great meal! The attention to detail using local wood and tile is really cool with a funky yet classy look and service was great. For all of those who complained about the lack of service in the past, you no longer have any need to complain. Now looking forward to Larry's next big idea.
     
    #1 gratefulbeerhead, Jul 10, 2015
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  2. apendecto

    apendecto Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2009 Michigan

    Thank God. That was the shittiest part of going to bells. Lines for beer integrated with food. Terrible.
     
    #2 apendecto, Jul 11, 2015
  3. archiebunkerjr

    archiebunkerjr Pundit (910) Oct 25, 2010 Michigan
    Trader

    My visits to the Eccentric Café just increased. I hated those long lines at the bar.

    op, can you guess how much more seating there is indoors with this expansion?
     
    #3 archiebunkerjr, Jul 11, 2015
  4. croush

    croush Pooh-Bah (2,407) Mar 20, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm not sure I'd call this change amazing (although perhaps menu changes will make me think otherwise)...more like catching up with what should've been done already for a brewery their size. Not trying to be Debbie Downer - it just perplexed me why they had the setup they did for so long.
     
    #4 croush, Jul 11, 2015
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  5. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    It is in the area of 120 added seats.
     
    #5 hopfenunmaltz, Jul 12, 2015
  6. Jaycase

    Jaycase Grand Pooh-Bah (3,858) Jan 13, 2007 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    When the heck is the sports bar opening? :slight_smile:
     
    #6 Jaycase, Jul 12, 2015
  7. Hrodebert

    Hrodebert Savant (1,024) Sep 2, 2013 Michigan
    Trader

    Now they should work on growler fills.
     
    #7 Hrodebert, Jul 12, 2015
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  8. ColonelHopslam

    ColonelHopslam Savant (1,037) Jan 22, 2014 Michigan


    I asked Laura that last year and she laughed.
     
    #8 ColonelHopslam, Jul 12, 2015
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  9. Runninmixz

    Runninmixz Initiate (0) Sep 22, 2012 Michigan

    This is great news. I'm very happy!
     
    #9 Runninmixz, Jul 12, 2015
  10. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I just had lunch there today. the official opening day. I had no idea that there was so much space behind that wall in the old cafe before the remodeling. It's a nice dining area, great menu, etc. Mostly, it was nice to have a server and not have to stand in line. Great job, Bell's!!
     
    #10 PapaGoose03, Jul 13, 2015
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  11. Dcv

    Dcv Initiate (0) Nov 12, 2009 Michigan

    Almost everything on the new menu is overpriced.Yes I know I don't have to eat there, and I probably will not be eating there. I can get comparable food in Kalamazoo for less money. Or the same money in a much nicer restaurant.
     
    #11 Dcv, Jul 14, 2015
  12. core42

    core42 Pooh-Bah (1,862) May 5, 2010 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't necessarily disagree but it's not uncommon for breweries with good/fancy food so I wasn't too shocked by the prices.

    I think this will work better for dinner than it did for lunch, at least for someone on a lunch hour. It was busier today than I'm used to seeing so that probably added to it but it took way too long to get a beer. I prefer the old lunchtime routine of go to the bar waiting behind, maybe, 1 person then ordering food & beer at the same time, cashing out & not needing to worry about the time
     
    #12 core42, Jul 14, 2015
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  13. PaulyB83

    PaulyB83 Maven (1,399) Sep 1, 2013 Michigan

    Agreed that it's too pricey but as far as the burger is concerned ($14) it says it's grassfed beef and I think that would explain the extra couple of bucks in price, but 8 bucks for guacamole is pretty crazy. There are a few other places in town I can think of that are worse for overpricing though.
     
    #13 PaulyB83, Jul 14, 2015
  14. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    Now there are better food options, but it is too expensive? Wow.

    The menu price looks ok, if the food has the quality. For comparison, my local place (there are cheaper places in town, and more expensive).

    http://www.palateofmilford.com/MENU.pdf
     
    #14 hopfenunmaltz, Jul 14, 2015
  15. spike8382

    spike8382 Initiate (0) Jan 14, 2015 Indiana

    Here for lunch now. The place isn't busy at all. The service is terrible. Incredibly slow. Getting a beer was faster when there was a line at the bar and no servers. Nice job on the expansion, but not a good first experience. Hopefully things will improve with time.
     
    #15 spike8382, Jul 18, 2015
  16. scud

    scud Zealot (570) Sep 22, 2010 Indiana
    Trader

    Will be up there on Wednesday, looking forward to some Oracle on tap and the new options of the food menu. Thanks for the update Eric!
     
    #16 scud, Jul 19, 2015
  17. Hrodebert

    Hrodebert Savant (1,024) Sep 2, 2013 Michigan
    Trader

    It would definitely explain a couple bucks more in price, but certainly not nearly double the price.
     
    #17 Hrodebert, Jul 19, 2015
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