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Retro-chic brasserie serving French classics & old-school cocktails in a historic, former lodging.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 35 Oakes St SW Suite 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Website: http://www.mertensgr.com/
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Reviews
My Grand Rapids Life My Grand Rapids Life
We had an amazing dinner at Mertens Prime this past Saturday and were honestly surprised by how calm it was when we arrived around 5:15 PM—only a few other tables were seated, which made the experience feel even more special.
We ordered the Hand-Cut Filet for Two and it did not disappoint. The 20oz steak was sliced tableside and cooked perfectly—tender, flavorful, and exactly how a steak should be. We paired it with the red wine steak sauce, which took everything to the next level. For sides, we chose the garlic mashed potatoes (a must) and the glazed Brussels sprouts. Both were incredibly delicious and complemented the steak so well.
I also started with an espresso martini, and wow—it was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. Smooth, well-balanced, and dangerously easy to drink.
We were seated in one of their cozy half-circle booths, which made the evening feel intimate and comfortable. Our server was friendly, attentive, and paced the meal perfectly.
Between the quality of the food, the drinks, and the overall atmosphere, this was a fantastic dining experience. I’ll absolutely be back for another steak dinner—and that espresso martini!
… moreWe ordered the Hand-Cut Filet for Two and it did not disappoint. The 20oz steak was sliced tableside and cooked perfectly—tender, flavorful, and exactly how a steak should be. We paired it with the red wine steak sauce, which took everything to the next level. For sides, we chose the garlic mashed potatoes (a must) and the glazed Brussels sprouts. Both were incredibly delicious and complemented the steak so well.
I also started with an espresso martini, and wow—it was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. Smooth, well-balanced, and dangerously easy to drink.
We were seated in one of their cozy half-circle booths, which made the evening feel intimate and comfortable. Our server was friendly, attentive, and paced the meal perfectly.
Between the quality of the food, the drinks, and the overall atmosphere, this was a fantastic dining experience. I’ll absolutely be back for another steak dinner—and that espresso martini!
Bobby Brown
MERTENS Prime really wants to feel like an upscale steakhouse, but the reality misses the mark.
The entire place was dark, the seating was uncomfortable and cheap, and details like missing candles and worn walls made it feel neglected rather than intentionally “historic.” Service hovered in a way that felt more judgmental than welcoming.
On top of that, almost everything was $2 more than the menu price (my tiny side salad listed at $7/14 came to $9), and our bill shows a “seat count” of 10 even though we were seven — probably why the automatic 18% gratuity hit. The food itself was mid at best; ironically, the highlight was a coffee mocktail.
… moreThe entire place was dark, the seating was uncomfortable and cheap, and details like missing candles and worn walls made it feel neglected rather than intentionally “historic.” Service hovered in a way that felt more judgmental than welcoming.
On top of that, almost everything was $2 more than the menu price (my tiny side salad listed at $7/14 came to $9), and our bill shows a “seat count” of 10 even though we were seven — probably why the automatic 18% gratuity hit. The food itself was mid at best; ironically, the highlight was a coffee mocktail.
Lexi Price
We had such a great experience with Cee as our waitress. She walked us through the menu and what Mertens was offering. We came during restaurant week so we had an amazing 3 course meal. The drinks were amazing the both Cee and the bartender went out of their way to make our drinks up to our liking. Great experience!
… moreAndrew Cheyne
I never thought I would be someone writing a review like this. I promise we are rational people with regular standards, both of us having worked or working in the food industry as of writing. But we are so disappointed with our experience last night. Set this reservation to celebrate Valentine’s Day early with my partner. From the menu, prices, and appearance of the restaurant I had high expectations for our experience. The best part of our arrival was the quick and easy bar service while we waited for our table. The moment we were sat everything went down hill. We were sat next to a giant high-school party of kids that were very loud, as well as gestured to a tiny, rickety table with two almost broken wooden chairs. Legs of our seats felt unstable and the wood was digging into our bodies. Looking around at the decorations they were secretly cheap compared to the prices on the menu. It was the illusion of fancy. The service on the menu was described as welcoming, I would describe it as dull, server only came when flagged down a gave no appearance to caring about service. The bread given tasted fine but was cold and tough. Caesar salad was tasty but nothing crazy. I ordered the $65 ribeye. It came with NO sides. I requested mashed potatoes but did not receive them. It was rather rare though I ordered medium. It was luke-warm like it was left under a heat lamp. My partner got the steak bite bowl. It was also cool, barely seasoned, and very underwhelming. It was a $45 messy Shepard pie basically. The food wasn’t hideous, but for the price it was extremely disappointing. We had been looking forward to our Valentine’s Day meal all day. We studied the menu and couldn’t wait to indulge in a meal to celebrate. We felt extremely dissatisfied as we left the restaurant. Overall would recommend going somewhere else that can uphold the standard they are projecting with their prices.
… moreTricia Majewski
Went to mertens with a couple friends before an event in Grand Rapids to celebrate a birthday. Arrived just as they opened. The service and atmosphere were great, and most importantly the food was wonderful. I had the duck wontons for an appetizer and the shrimp ravioli as my entree, both were delicious and would order again. We also had the dates in a blanket as a shared appetizer, after trying them, I didn’t want to share any longer, I wanted them all to myself.
My friends and I are sharers when it comes to meals so I was also able to try the bone marrow, calamari and Brussel sprouts and everything was delicious. One of the best dining experiences I have had in a long time and I can’t wait to get back to grand rapids to try it again (especially the dates).
… moreMy friends and I are sharers when it comes to meals so I was also able to try the bone marrow, calamari and Brussel sprouts and everything was delicious. One of the best dining experiences I have had in a long time and I can’t wait to get back to grand rapids to try it again (especially the dates).
Lisa Novakowski
Was a sad experience this evening. I was really looking forward to a great birthday dinner but was sorely disappointed. The onion soup was pretty good as a starter, but the $125 we spent on a chateaubriand should have been better. The cut itself was from a big box packer maybe? It just was not of the caliber we were expecting. Then the cook maybe left it under the broiler and got distracted because it was char broiled on the outside, more that it should be. The “potato puree” tasted like instant potatoes. The seasoning on all of it was off. The it was sliced down the center and two hunks were put on a plate w a dollop of roasted garlic and herb butter. Presentation was horrid. All in all the atmosphere was good and I absolutely love old buildings and history, but the food was really lacking.
… moreNoah Crawford
Food was not good, you should go cook yourself a steak at home. Took my family for a nice dinner on NYE and left EXTREMELY disappointed and spent way too much money on below average food. Ordered medium rare and got my food still breathing. They took 1.5 hours to get our order and another 30 to give us our food.
… moreSteve Meadows
The Ghost of Mertens Prime
Mertens Prime isn’t just different; it’s unrecognizable.
This used to be a standout in a sea of local mediocrity—a brasserie that could actually hold its own in a real city. Apparently, those days are dead. What remains is a generic American gastropub wearing the skin of its predecessor.
The Bar & Starters:
If you’re the type who finds a two-component drink like a Whiskey Coke “adventurous,” you’ll be fine. If you enjoy a balanced classic cocktail, prepare for a bitter mess. I had to send my first drink back—a rare feat for me. We transitioned to the marrow bones, usually my favorite, but these were a joke. There was barely enough marrow to coat two pieces of toast, let alone justify the price.
The Main Event (Or Lack Thereof):
The kitchen seems to view steak temperatures as a “vibe” rather than a metric. Across our table’s steak bowls, the meat was rubbery and the cook was inconsistent, served over potatoes that tasted suspiciously like they were birthed from a bag or an instant-mix box. For $36, that’s an insult.
I opted for the $50 Sirloin and Frites. Requested medium-rare; received a rare steak that was stone-cold in the center. It was a flavorless, low-quality cut of beef that even the chimichurri couldn’t save—mostly because the sauce tasted like salty lawn clippings steeped in oil. The “French frites” were actually just hot steak fries. They were the only edible thing on the plate, but let’s be real: calling a steak fry a “frite” is just lying to yourself.
The Final Indignity:
I don’t usually critique the plumbing, but Mertens used to pride itself on the details. To find the soap dispensers empty and replaced by a bottle of dollar-store Dial soap like you’d find at mee-maw’s house was the final nail in the coffin.
If I wanted a “gastropub” experience with Mee-maw’s toiletries, I’d have stayed home.
… moreMertens Prime isn’t just different; it’s unrecognizable.
This used to be a standout in a sea of local mediocrity—a brasserie that could actually hold its own in a real city. Apparently, those days are dead. What remains is a generic American gastropub wearing the skin of its predecessor.
The Bar & Starters:
If you’re the type who finds a two-component drink like a Whiskey Coke “adventurous,” you’ll be fine. If you enjoy a balanced classic cocktail, prepare for a bitter mess. I had to send my first drink back—a rare feat for me. We transitioned to the marrow bones, usually my favorite, but these were a joke. There was barely enough marrow to coat two pieces of toast, let alone justify the price.
The Main Event (Or Lack Thereof):
The kitchen seems to view steak temperatures as a “vibe” rather than a metric. Across our table’s steak bowls, the meat was rubbery and the cook was inconsistent, served over potatoes that tasted suspiciously like they were birthed from a bag or an instant-mix box. For $36, that’s an insult.
I opted for the $50 Sirloin and Frites. Requested medium-rare; received a rare steak that was stone-cold in the center. It was a flavorless, low-quality cut of beef that even the chimichurri couldn’t save—mostly because the sauce tasted like salty lawn clippings steeped in oil. The “French frites” were actually just hot steak fries. They were the only edible thing on the plate, but let’s be real: calling a steak fry a “frite” is just lying to yourself.
The Final Indignity:
I don’t usually critique the plumbing, but Mertens used to pride itself on the details. To find the soap dispensers empty and replaced by a bottle of dollar-store Dial soap like you’d find at mee-maw’s house was the final nail in the coffin.
If I wanted a “gastropub” experience with Mee-maw’s toiletries, I’d have stayed home.
josh lewis
Waitress nice and helpful. Not managed good at all. Can not run a higher end steak house and have signs in the bathroom asking for “patience with staff shortages and thank you for being a journey with us.” At this level you have to preform. Waited 60 minutes for our food, air temperature was mid 60’s at best. Food rating: On par with Applebees. Interesting building and history. Not being negative, being real.
… moreAlison Passino
I really wanted to love this place. Made a reservation about a month in advance for Valentine’s Day. The woman hostess didn’t smile, say hello or even wish us a happy Valentine’s Day. She seemed like we were bothering her. OK, shown to our table; lots of other couples, this showed promise! Sat for easily 15 minutes before our waitress took our drink order. Probably another 15 or 20 before we received them. The whole night went like this. Our waitress was friendly when we saw her, which wasn’t often. The poutine was excellent. Our cocktails were excellent. My husband ordered a steak rare and it came out well done. Overall I was extremely disappointed for what’s supposed to be a higher end restaurant in Grand Rapids. Would I go back? I’d probably give them another try, but not for dinner.
… more