MDRD

We celebrated our anniversary here and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We were greeted professionally and seated promptly. Our waitress was wonderful—she took the time to explain the menu in detail and was very accommodating throughout the evening. We started with a bottle of wine and Brussels sprouts, followed by scallops and filet for our main courses. We finished with a delightful chestnut dessert. The total came to $219 before tip, but it was well worth it for the exceptional experience.

The views might be spectacular, the setting is lovely, and our server Meghan was a delight. Their version of an old fashioned was right on. The salmon was plated beautifully but it was just ok. Same with the trumpet mushroom dish, and the omelet. The sprouts and the gazpacho were exceptional. The people at the next table were having similar conversations, they wished the food matched the setting.

I went for my birthday. Had a terrible time. First off the restaurant is on the other side of the parking garage so if you’re like me and wearing new heels, you’re going to want to throw them off by the time you get there. The restaurant itself is a vibe, great view of downtown GR. Service was terrible from the start, I wouldn’t have taken too much offense to that but the table next to me, which had the same server got great service. And the food was overpriced and mid af. I had the oxtail empanadas and for the price of oxtails and the way that tasted, y’all could’ve let that ox live. I ordered a few other tapas and nothing was amazing. Also a mocktail that 75% ice was $15. Which was the same price as a cocktail with actual liquor in it. Save your money and go to Ruth’s Chris which is in the same hotel

The view is spectacular, the service is superb. The food… is … underwhelming at best… everything tasted like it had one ingredient missing, or one that was overpowering and unnecessary. Drinks were even less impressive than the food… you are definitely paying for the ambiance… but there are much better food and drink options in the city in the same price range, or less, than what MDRD is currently offering.

Absolutely exceptional is how I would describe MDRD. The service and hospitality is top notch, no detail overlooked. The food and flavors are exquisite and the cocktails are awesome. I have dined here a few times and have never been disappointed. The views of the city and sunset from MDRD is a bonus when dining at the top of Grand Rapids.

This place is fabulous. Genuinely the only downside of this place was that some of the other patrons were inconsiderate with their phone lights and shining them at us unintentionally (which to be fair, the restaurant is very dark). Every piece of food we ate was delicious, our waitress was very helpful, even the books as decor were interesting. Sunset view was aamazing. Happy anniversary to me and my partner!

Great view. Friendly staff. Enjoyed my meal, delicious food. A tad dark in dining room, but liked the ambiance.

Tremendous experience. We booked at MDRD to celebrate our birthdays together. The service was fantastic - Tanya was especially attentive, helpful with describing the menu and wine selections. Food was fantastic, we got two tapas dishes and two entrees. Everything was great, some highlights were the beef tenderloins, potato fingerlings, and sweet potato purée. The strawberry rhubarb dessert was wonderful - perfect balance of sweetness. We walked out at about $130 per person and still felt like we got tremendous value. This will be a new go-to place for special occasions.

A Luxurious Night at MDRD Just had an unforgettable dining experience at MDRD, perched on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids. The panoramic views of the city and Grand River? Absolutely breathtaking. The food? Next-level. Our culinary journey featured: all incredible Ora King Salmon Crudo - Delicate salmon with carrot aguachile, preserved lemon, and micro cilantro. Smoked Salmon Croquettes - Crispy bites filled with jamón serrano, béchamel, and manchego, paired with herbed mustard salsa. Iberico Pork Belly - Pedro Ximénez-glazed pork belly atop kabocha squash purée, complemented by smoked apple and citrus foam. Empanadas de Rabo de Toro - Braised oxtail and caramelized onion pastries with chèvre and mustard pearls. Tomato & Jamón on Toast - A perfect balance of ripe tomato, jamón, and crispy bread. Mussels - Cooked to perfection, brimming with bold Spanish flavors. Crème Brûlée - A classic dessert executed flawlessly. Skip the potatas Bravas. They were ok. Heavy. Salty But wow. The service was impeccable, portions were just right, and the prices didn't break the bank for such a luxurious experience. If you're in Grand Rapids, MDRD is a must-visit. More info about us DestinationsWeknow.com

Great atmosphere, great food!!! If you're looking for a romantic place, or a classier place. Or great cocktails, this is your place. The Brussels sprout appetizer was fabulous.

We ordered octopus, oxtail empanadas, two drinks, venison shank and scallops. The only dish we would have ordered again was probably the scallops and it was an excellent dish. Outside of that the octopus was charred so black you could use a spoon to scrape off burned food and the venison shank was extremely tough on the outside with the beans lacking in seasoning. For the venison shank I think they were going for a crisp bark with a tender inside but it was poorly executed. The drinks were ok but lacked depth of flavor. Not including price I would have not scored the restaurant that favorably but I have had street food level pricing with better execution on the tapas. The best part of the restaurant is the views which you have to pay extra for. I wish I could say this experience was isolated but in general I found the food lacking. The scallops was the one dish that was a wonder if a perfect sear and like all the dishes sourced excellent food as a base. The service was about what I'd expect although the lack of options for a casual drinker.

What a beautiful way to spend a Wednesday evening! MDRD sits on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Hotel and features gorgeous sunsets and city views. Our server Jesse was so helpful in making recommendations and they were very serious about precautions for my seafood allergy. We started with cocktails. My hubby had a limited time drink called the El Abejorro that contained brown butter vodka and honey...amazing and I hope they add it to the menu. We ate Tapas and were stuffed at the end! The star of the show was the Pimento Rellenos stuffed with goat cheese, pistachios and all things goodness Each plate was timely and impeccably presented. The vine of the restaurant was very trendy-hip I felt like we could be in New York. Can't say enough about the views and service. Looking forward to adding this to our must go to for our monthly trips to Grand Rapids.

Views and service were awesome. The design of the drinks were cool, but overall the drinks were just okay. Same with the potatoes. Definitely recommend going for the views.

My family dine here for my husband's birthday celebration. First, I chose this restaurant because I thought, what could be more romantic than to have dinner watching the sunset with my man and two boys? Then the reviews and ratings convinced me even more. For a restaurant with paid seating ($100 for a table of four), I had a high expectation on the food taste and flavor. I was disappointed that it wasn't as good as I anticipated it would be. It was mediocre for its price. For a $500'sh meal plus $100 reservation, my tongue should be dancing in joy of the flavor. Olive Garden has better food than MDRD to be honest. The dessert on the other hand was better, presentation was impressive and unique and was about the only food that tasted good besides the empanadas. Our experience was not a complete disappointment because, Jeff our server was really patient, polite and knowledgeable about the food and beverages. If you are looking for a good service, nice ambience, romantic and have a sweet tooth, yes this might be a place for you. However, if you want to have some good flavor in your food, go at your own risk.

Whenever I'm in town, I make sure to make a reservation to MDRD. On the top floor of the Amway Grand, MDRD has a fantastic view of the city while serving some of the best eats around. I love tapas and they do not disappoint, but there are main dishes if your into a full meal. I kind of go all out and get a little too much food here. Tapas: Salmon con Trufa - cold-smoked salmon sitting on top of a puff pastry. A little truffle goes a long way. A refreshingly light dish. Costillas de Cordero - Perfectly cooked lamb chops with ajo verde and a sprinkle of finishing salt. The fat was rendered nicely and these chops were nothing but bone in the end. Patatas Bravas - I love potatoes. These are shaped into small bite sized squares that are piled high. Little beads of aioli and sitting on a bed of salsa bravas. Pulpo a la Gallega - my favorite of their tapas. A grilled octopus served with fingerling potatoes, pimenton oil, and a squid ink vinaigrette. Seriously, the best octopus I've ever had and also one the largest I've had on a plate. A wonderful dish that I'll order every visit. Platos Principales: Paella mixta - A deceptively small plate. Well seasoned rice with a variety of seafood. They said it's for one, but you should share it with your party. Pescado al Horno - Perfectly crisp skin on the black. More potatoes, but this time they're one of my favorites: smashed. Pollo con Mostaza - I know most people shy away from ordering chicken at restaurants. They would say something like I could make that at home. I could make a great roasted chicken, but somehow MDRD makes it better. Served with a creamy sauce, marble potatoes, and green beans. Pato - I've had dry aged meat before, but who dry ages duck? On the smaller side of a main course, but doesn't disappoint. A beautiful medium rare duck breast served with foie gras dirty rice, carmelized figs, and duck jus. Come on! I'm not a dessert person, but they're creative. Their drinks are well crafted, so you should order one.

This place is fantastic. My partner and I are from California and lived in Michigan for 3 years. This is our favorite restaurant in Michigan and we continue to come back to Grand Rapids only for MDRD. Our first and second time we sat at the bar. Seating is limited and if you'd like to reserve a table, I'd recommend booking ahead of time. The restaurant opens at 4 PM and it gets pretty busy right away. Our third time, we booked a table a month ahead of time and was seated upstairs away from the downstairs seating. Upstairs was quieter and easy to talk across the table with friends and family. Downstairs around the bar is pretty loud with conversations and drinks being made at the bar. The upstairs view was amazing. Staff: Everyone is pretty chill and nice. Alex the bartender was cool to chat with. He introduced us to a drink he's been working on that tasted like an orange creamsicle. During our third visit, we were waited by a sweet woman. She was very knowledgeable of the menu and checked in immediately with the cooks to accommodate any food allergies at our table. Food: Our favorite were the pulpo a la gallega and patatas bravas. My partner and I can be full with those two dishes and drinks at the bar. We've tried other dishes and they were all good! Nothing bad to say about any of them.

Located inside the Amway Grand. This restaurant is at the top. You walk past Wolfgang pucks restaurant and take the tower elevator on your left to the 27th floor where you are greeted by the hostess stand. We did not have reservations but they were very kind to find us seating. We chose to sit at the becuause it was a lovely view of the river and of watching the world go by through the large clean windows. We had the pleasure to be waited on by Jeremy and Erica. We met a local Grand Rapids resident Dennis, who wad kind enough to join us on our girls night out. We enjoyed muscles, salmon, scallops, wine, and desert. I love that the silverware was gold in color and they switched out our plates, napkins and silverware with every course so that we had clean silverware and napkins to enjoy the next meal with. We had so much fun! The food was brought out and presented in a beautiful display. Even when we didn't know what wine we wanted, we were able to test two different kinds before we bought a bottle. The staff was so fun to be with. The restaurant was clean, well lit and decorated. The restrooms were clean and well stocked. I like that push and pull were noted by the door handle. There was a beautiful Christmas tree to look at while you waited for th elevator. Hands down a very nice place to be. Expensive yes, elegant yes, a must see yes, yes, yes....

Had an amazing birthday dinner here and the steak was cooked to perfection. Beautiful view of downtown Grand Rapids with a very classy vibe. Check it out!

Where do I begin, this place was awesome! Ambience is so cool and you can't beat the view. I came with a coworker while in town for a business trip and we had a great experience. Our server was Terrence and he gave us his favorites, which helped us pick a few different dishes to share. I really liked the tapas style and the portions were still very generous. We shared the octopus, the pork belly and the potatoes. Terrence recommended getting a side of the salsa verde to dip the octopus in and that was great. It was perfectly cooked and the blend of sauces were quite tasty. The pork belly was also delicious. The potatoes could have been a bit crispier, but we really liked the aioli they were served with. Terrence brought us these delightful nougat squares which were so unique. Once we raved about them he even brought us more. Would definitely come back to MDRD if I find myself in GR again, this spot is a must!

I'm completely obsessed with MDRD's mocktails--they're not only incredibly cute but also absolutely delicious! The atmosphere is fantastic, and the view, especially in the evening, is breathtaking. The service is a 10/10, this will forever be my go to spot for drink with friends!

MDRD has been a beautiful and classy addition to the Grand Rapids food scene. I have attached photos from my multiple visits over the past year, specifically for friend's birthdays. The staff always go above and beyond to make special occasions even more special! We always get an assortment of tapas, some of my favorites being the patatas bravas, the octopus, stuffed dates (was a last minute addition to our order, but ended up being one of our favorites on the menu!), and of course the lamb chops. My friend shared that the lamb chops "might have been the best thing he's eaten in his life" with our waiter. The only reason I took off one star is that I so wish they would bring back the paella options to the menu! We loved ordering a bunch of tapas and sharing a plate of paella to complete our meal.

Great views. Maybe the best views in Grand Rapids. Wonderful service. Just wished the food and drinks matched the views.

I don't think there's one thing that I can say I liked here. The apps, drinks and main dish were all unsatisfying. Was disappointing because it's so cute. Also, people were wearing pajamas in here like it was TJI Fridays

We celebrated our wedding anniversary at MDRD! It was a delightful evening with deliciously creative tapas and main plates! Our server, Terrance was knowledgeable, professional, and fun. And you can't beat the view of Grand Rapids from the top of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel!

MDRD is the home of my absolute favorite lemon dessert. Not too sweet, the perfect amount of sour, and beautifully crafted and presented, looking as though they went to their garden, snipped a small branch off their lemon tree, and brought it in for you to eat. Their cubed potatoes come in a pile of perfectly bite sized pieces; it's something we always order when we come! The texture is crispy yet airy. Lamb chops are meaty and don't carry a heavy gamey texture. Drinks are always on point! A great place for a girls night out or a date night!

In town for work. We were greeted by server Sophie; she was very knowledgeable about the menu. We ordered 2 cocktails: Fria fria and Claremente (pictured). Both were simple with creative touches. We ordered tapas for the night to share everything! We ordered the empanada, pork belly, and the pan con tomato (I would not recommend this dish; it was plain and lacked flavor). But the atmosphere was AMAZING. It was fancy and dark lit with a beautiful view of the city. I would definitely come here again to try the main entrees.

Wow great evening at MDRD! Exceptional food, wine and service! On top of that great views! We had such a good time! Get the lamb chops for sure- it was our favorite bite of the night!

We were in Grand Rapids for our anniversary and my wife of 28 years wanted to try something new and nice. We hadn't been to MDRD yet so we thought we'd check it out. What a lovely restaurant! The view is second to none. There are great views from every seat. We were seated at an elevated table by ourselves, so we had an amazing view to the south, looking down the Grand River. After looking at the wine list, our server recommended a bottle of Rose, which we thoroughly enjoyed. We started out with the Pulpo a la Gallega and Tortilla Espanola. Both were spectacular! The octopus was tender and flavorful. The potato pie was crispy on the outside and pillowy soft potatoes in the middle. Both were seasoned well and absolutely delicious. For our mains, we order the Iberico Chuletero and Pescado al Horno along with a side of asparagus. The pork was tender and cooked perfectly. The sauce was amazing and the vinaigrette on the salad perfectly complemented the dish. The cod was flakey and delicious, the asparagus grilled nicely and was the perfect accompaniment. Desert was quite amazing as well. We decided to try the Arbol de Caramelo. What a stunning presentation! The soufflé was amazing and when paired with the ice cream, even better. It was such a beautiful desert, we almost didn't want to eat it! We enjoyed a cup of coffee with our desert, which was also wonderful. MDRD was a real treat. The service was top notch, the food amazing and of course, best views in the city. I highly recommend MDRD. You will not be disappointed.

If you want to sit on the window view, you have to pay a $25/person "pre-pay reservation fee," and while our waiter told us we would get it back after fulfilling our reservation, we never got the reservation deposit back. We even called to ask about it and we're told it was not refundable even though it is considered a prepayment. We had 4 of us so it was an extra $100 we had to spend and while the food was good, it was not worth an additional $100 on top of already expensive prices.

We have been here multiple times and Friday night will be our last. Every time we have been here it is an extreme hassle to sit at the bar to have a drink. We purposely showed up 20min before our reservation to sit at the bar and they do everything possible to prevent you from doing this. You would think they would want you to spend $100 on drinks before sitting down for a really nice, expensive meal. It doesn't make any sense to me. If you want a good restaurant in town go to Scholar or Linear. Both great places and appreciate your business.

MDRD is the best place in downtown. Spanish tapas at their finest. Desserts are too pretty to eat, when you do take a bite after the initial ooh aah, they are scrumptious. As far as tapas, lamb chops are amazing, octopus is the best I have ever eaten in the whole world. Yes, the world. Recently we met Terrence-the coolest waiter. He takes good photos too should you need a few for memories.

Had dinner here while staying at the Amway Grand for a convention. Everything was very good, and service was outstanding. My daughter (a big foodie) is a little more adventurous than I am, so I let her order. I tried some new things, skipped one (marrow), even tried the salmon (which confirmed I still don't care for it), and overall loved the things we tried. Here's a quick list of all we drank and tasted: Solera Coctel (similar to a Manhattan), Kalamazoo Stout (my husband's a stout drinker), Red Catena (red wine), Casa Meriol Vermut Negre (sweet vermouth), Espresso Martini (my second drink, with dessert), Sherry En Amontillado (sherry), Granbazan Albarino (white wine), Tigres (mussels), Pulpo a la Gallega (octopus), Costillas de Cordero (lamp chops - delicious!), Vieras Al Ajillo (scallops - also delicious!), Tortilla Espanola (Spanish omelet), Tartar de Ternera (angus beef and marrow), Patatas Bravas (truly, this is the only thing we'd skip the next time - they were uninspired), Salmon Con Trufa (salmon), Iberico Chuletero (pork chops). We were comped a couple items during our meal, including at least one tapas dish, and some delightful chocolate truffles for dessert. Our server, Brandon, did a great job of making us feel valued (and well fed)! Thanks for a great experience!

This was the perfect place for a special occasion or even just a fun date night. My friend and I were out celebrating and this place did not disappoint! The view was fabulous from every seat in this restaurant. The food is top notch. I truly enjoyed every bite of food. Be sure and make a reservation. This place fills up quick. MDRD is quite the experience.

Went with my wife to celebrate my birthday. A bit pricy, but a nice place to go for a special occasion. It's on the 27th floor of the Amway Hotel. Views are spectacular of the city. Service was very professional, attentive, with adequate time between courses. Got a lovely desert for my birthday.

The food here is amazing, and the service was so quick and everyone was so kind. The entire restaurant was clean and beautiful, and the view was stunning.

I'm picky and a world traveler, and this is excellent all around. I'm thrilled to experience such a great restaurant in Grand Rapids! Food: Everything was phenomenal. From the cucumber salad (my favorite dish) to the largest octopus portion I've ever been served to the grilled dates to the asparagus, all the shareables were top notch. We also shared the trout wrapped in Serrano ham, and I appreciated that it was cut into smaller pieces to make sharing easy. Service: Anna was awesome! She was knowledgeable, friendly, patient, efficient, and very helpful for gluten free, dairy free dietary needs. My only complaint - if I had one - is that I needed more spacing between courses because I was stuffed with a soup, salad, 3 shared plates, 1 shared entree, and 1 shared dessert! Ambiance: Super cute. Great view outside. Visual captivating inside. A truly spectacular Mother's Day early dinner!

My sister got engaged at MDRD last night and everyone from the host to the manager did an exceptional job ensuring everything was memorable. Our server (Tanya) took all the anxious requests pre-proposal from our group with ease and made it feel like she cared about the moment as much as we all did. Post-proposal, her menu recommendations were spot on and we let her order for us all. It was such an amazing night because it felt like we were at home with family. Thank you team!

Incredible service and atmosphere. Our waitress made us feel like we were her only table, even though the restaurant was full. They no longer are serving the Spanish Paella, which was a small disappointment because it was so good last time we visited. Price was expensive and plates were a little small, but the vibes kept us feeling like it was worth it.

I'll start with the positives. The octopus is wonderful! So is the lemon dessert! Usually the scallops are. We've been here 3 times. So we've given it a fair shake. We just think it's way overpriced and the food is just ok. We used to frequent it when it was the Cygnus so, to clarify it's not the expense, it's the value for the money, experience, atmosphere. For instance, the first two times we went we sat by the window free of charge. This time it was an $80 upcharge This particular time we had poor service. My Scallops were undercooked and cold so I did send them back. Everyone else was finished eating by the time I got my food back. When we saw the charge on our banking the waitress had change the amount we gave her for a tip. When my husband called the manager said he would check into it and get back to us. He never did. I'm sure there are plenty of people who love MDRD but we will not be going back.

Very good food and great location (views of Grand Rapids). We didn't like the aggressiveness of the waiter. We ordered a bottle of wine and then he brought another more expensive bottle along with the bottle we ordered and said to taste the difference so he could upsell. He did this several times making suggestions that seemed like he was trying to be helpful but clearly was his way of building a higher priced bill. This behavior was cheesy at best and should be kept on used car lots. Hence, 3 stars and only a 15% tip for having to thwart his pushiness. His name is the same as the blue jeans company we grew up with and starts with an "L". Buyer beware!

I'm resistant to place a review on this platform for this establishment because MDRD should be viewed as a food experience. My opinion should not cause anyone to hesitate on ordering whatever you choose to order. We tried several items including the octopus, pork chop, lamb chops, lions mane, and lemon and corn custard desserts. The only issue we had was tough octopus. Our waitress was excellent and provided the service we expect at this level. The view was lovely and the decor was chic and comfortable. We were there for over 2 hours but it went by quickly. The best pork chop I've ever eaten and I make really good ones myself. I will attempt to replicate this dish. We will definitely be back the next time we're in GR.

This place is so swanky and cool, I just love it. Hidden on top of the 27th Floor of the Grand Plaza hotel is this gorgeous Spanish restaurant with amazing views of the city and the river. You really can't beat the views. This place was clevlaverly designed with intimate booths and cozy double bench seats at the bar to cuddle your boo. We initially stopped in for just a cocktail but ended up having an appetizer and dessert for my husband's birthday. We enjoyed the special of the day, a 3 prawn appetizer over a garlicky puree. It was very good, but I just hate how much work and mess is involved with eating prawns. It's hard to be ladylike! We finished with sharing two desserts because the birthday boy couldn't decide. We had the El Limon and the Arbol de Caramelo. Holy moly were these the most unique and creative desserts we've ever had. The Arbol looks like the tree of life and tastes like heaven. The Limon was super refreshing and punchy with that yuzu. So good! Now, let's talk cocktails. These bartenders know their mixology and are very creative. I highly recommend the Sandalo which was not only delicious and unique but absolutely gorgeous.

This restaurant does NOT disappoint. I can confidently say that this is the first place I've dined at in a while that not only met, but far exceeded my expectations--it is worth all the hype you might have heard. We dined here to celebrate our anniversary & they made sure to incorporate that into our experience. The service was impeccable, the ambiance was fantastic, the views are amazing & the food was absolutely delicious. The server encouraged us to order all our courses at once, so she didn't have to interrupt us to get orders later on. We ordered 3 tapas & 2 entrees, all of which were phenomenal! Everything was fresh, flavorful & perfectly cooked. We also got dessert, which they made complimentary as we were waiting for around an hour for our entrees (we didn't even notice how long we had spent there, we loved being there so much.) The dessert was just as much a culinary experience as it was decadent & delicious. If there's one thing you HAVE to order here, it's this dessert! Few places in Grand Rapids get me as excited as this place does. For a comparable price as other more pricey options, you get much better service & overall experience. I will be back!

As always, the food, service, and view were spectacular. This is the best restaurant in Grand Rapids hands down. You just can't go wrong!

Sitting there overview of city and lights gorgeous. Food was good not over the top but solid. Our server tried hard and had a good personality.

SERVICE: 5 FOOD QUALITY: 5 DRINK QUALITY: 5 ORDER TIME: 5 AESTHETICS: 5 NOISE LEVEL: 5 MENU SELECTION: 5 OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 5 Me made reservations for my significant others birthday because we wanted something upscale with a view. They are known for an amazing city view, and wonderful Spanish wines. Our elevator ride up to the restaurant was a beautiful highlight for our reservation which heightened our anticipation for a wonderful birthday dinner. As we entered the doors the hostess was very professional and seated us immediately. We were very impressed by the beautiful decor and cleanliness of the restaurant. We got an amazing table with plenty of space, and they took the time to make a custom card that said happy birthday. They are a tapas restaurant, but everything is large enough to share for the most part. They also have a clever system to help choose enough food to satisfy you. We went with a ham and cheese board to share, and I got the pollo asado. The ham and cheese were spectacular and authentic from Spain. The chicken was so tender and cooked to perfection. Everything was superb. I went with a Spanish rose wine which was perfect pairing with my meal. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect meal. Overall, this restaurant was superb. It exceeded our expectations. We go to Spain to visit her family, and this place served an authentic Spanish experience. It had us reminiscing about Madrid and Barcelona and how we needed to go back soon. When you step into a restaurant and it transports you into another realm you know you have a successful business model. A must go if you want romance, good food, wine, cultural experience, or even a view.

Awesome restaurant for special occasions, or just because. They have some of the best creme brulee I've ever had. Great atmosphere and views of the city.

Fabulous Food Drinks View Staff It is all awesome It is a great place for a birthday or anniversary You will be taken care of

Our party of seven enjoyed a thrilling evening at MDRD - the kind of night that becomes a core memory and that we'll treasure forever. We basked in our private dining room with incredible views of downtown Grand Rapids. This room equipped us with volume control of the music in our room as well as lighting. It was perfect for the moments we wanted deep conversation, as well as the moments where we partook in twerking and fist pumping the air. We ordered a few menu must-haves, but then we let our incomparable server, Shirley, take the wheel and surprise us with other dishes. We sampled over half of the menu, and each dish was artfully plated and prepared with the most palate pleasing ingredients. Among our favorites were the scallops, salmon, and cucumber salad...but every single plate was just short of being licked clean. We loved our center turn table for sharing and tasting the dishes. There was nothing lazy about this Susan. She was a hardworking Susan with our group. The cocktails and bubbles flowed. The Gin Tonic was a table favorite, as well as the Taza de Melon and Espresso Martinis. Shirley was prompt to keep our glasses (and hearts) full. All of the staff we interacted with were kind, fun, and patient with the force we brought the Chueca private dining room. We really felt lucky to have Shirley guiding our group. By the end of the night, she became part of our chosen family, and was so gracious and armed in making this 40th birthday celebration one we'll never forget. Throughout the celebration, we crafted this story, pieced together one word at a time by each person around the table. It is an eloquent representation of our evening: "Seven friends enjoyed sensational scallops. They also laughed a lot. But Shirley at MDRD caught a sight to behold...because twerking happened. Everyone loved the marrow and patatas. Helicopters didn't descend...yet. Frankly, my cocktail tasted freaking delicious. As we all nibbled from the same delicious friendship bone, Shirley muttered, 'I'm glad you guys feel like you're at home.'"

What an unbelievable experience. The view is spectacular with a wonderful Michigan Sunset. Moreover, Brenna, the most amazing friend and server for us made us feel exceptionally welcome. Had nobodies she was the server... she should manage the place. THANKS BRENNA

This was a fantastic experience! From the ambiance to modern Spanish fair that was cooked to perfection and presented like in a Michelin star restaurant, which I suspect is their future! The service was outstanding from the host stand who were beyond accommodating to our knowledgeable and friendly waitress who made us feel like royalty. They have a very impressive wine list. Desserts were out of this world! To pot it all off -- the restaurant has an amazing view!

This was a really good work place dinner. We were able to walk over to the restaurant across the sky bridge and did not even need to venture out into the cold or rainy weather, that is such a nice feature of downtown Grand Rapids. This restaurant came highly recommended from a random person in our hotel and it did not disappoint. We had several appetizers or small plates, but my favorite wine was clearly the mushrooms. They were phenomenal. I also ordered the file which was a little bit small but quite tasty. I did not leave hungry and would be back again.

My wife and I have been meaning to get here since they reopened as MDRD. Celebrating her birthday, reservations were quite easy to get. So cool being on the 27th floor, even during a snow storm and just after sunset the view was really cool. Service was top-notch, without being over our shoulders all the time. I liked the slow pace of dinner, they weren't in a rush to turn the table over like so many restaurants seem to be. Cocktails were unique, great selection of Spanish wines, and the food was simply amazing! Topped off the meal with their deconstructed lemon meringue pie - that looked like a lemon! Delish! Such a relaxing night, I never took my phone out once for a photo. As Arnold Schwarzenegger says, "Get to the Chopper! " :) Hi Katy!

Subjective: Long overdue for a date night, we decided to go big on a random Tuesday and hit up MDRD on the top floor of Amway Hotel. From our hostess guiding us to the elevators to our attentive waiter, hospitality was one point! We started off the night with some signature cocktails, of which our favorite was the Sandalo- light and crisp, not too sweet and a smooth finish. Of our tapas, our favorite were the salmon con trufa and the pulpo a la gallega. Everything else was solid as well. My only nitpick would be that I'm pretty sure the chips that came with the tartar de tarnera were terra chips from costco (lol). Objective: Date of visit: 8/23/22 Previous visits: None Takes reservations/call aheads? Yes Parking: Structure parking, restaurant validates 50% so bring your ticket Perceived capacity: Large, seems like lots of areas to accommodate large private parties Perceived atmosphere: Modern, hip Wait time to seating: None (had reservations) What I/we got: Drinks- Sandalo and Flamenco real no 2; Tapas- Pulpo a la gallega, Tartar de tarnera, Costillas de cordero, Fechas rellenas, Arbol de caramelo, Salmon con trufa cost: $~170 Assessment: 4.5 stars Plan: Will definitely return and bring others! Can't wait to have a whole order of the salmon con trufa to myself next time!

DON'T GO TO MDRD unless you are a name. They treat ordinary people like shit. Would give zero stars if I could. We had out of town guest and wanted to share with them what we thought was the best GR had to offer. Sadly mistaken. Mgmt was rude and condescending. After informing us that our table wasn't ready when we arrived we came back 10 mins later to be seated at a lounge table that had been empty at the time we arrived. Obviously the table we had "reserved" went to someone the mgr liked better. Or worse wanted to suck up to. We asked for better table and were told that we be moved in a couple of minutes. 45 minutes later nothing happened Never ever going there or to any restaurant or service related to the Amway Grand. Instead of the best we experienced the worst.

Highly impressed and highly reccomend! MDRD is the most authentic Spanish restaurant in GR(in my opinion). I love how carefully thought out the details and ingredients are for each dish. They offer such a nice, upscale dining experience that is just refreshing! We arrived on Wednesday, late afternoon to see if we can snag seats at the bar. We got so lucky because with the convention going on at the hotel, we thought our plans were foiled! We were seated after a short 20 mins wait. Once seated, I had a little pregnancy need...a glass of milk lol. Heartburn was settling in and I WAS NOT going to let that stop me from enjoying this night out. The bartender Justin(super nice guy and knowledgeable about every dish.) said they did not have any. That's fine, I'll down a tums later no biggie. Well, I guess the manger overheard and went down to Wolfgang's to grab me a glass of milk. How nice is that! 5 stars just for that thoughtfulness ! My husband and I have tried a few dishes, we're trying to work our way through the menu. The show stopper for me was the Raya Al Limon. Wow! For you adventurous eaters, this skate wing was cooked perfectly. The lemon butter sauce was creamy and rich but not overpowering. It went well with the giant capers and clams. Everything just paired so nicely. We also tried El Limon as our postre. Delicioso!! Tart and sweet and the merengue was perfection!! A work of art honestly. We will be back soon to get through the rest of the menu and enjoy the views !

Pulpo a La Gallega (octopus) and the Salmón Con Trufa (salmon puffs) were our favorites. Staff and ambiance were exceptional. The views from the 27th floor is beautiful. The decor was simple yet tasteful. We will be back!