Text: R. Collins
MDRD, pronounced “Madrid,” has officially opened its doors on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza, Curio Collection by Hilton in downtown Grand Rapids, as of Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. With its vibrant interior design, bright murals, Grand River and city skyline views, and a lavish menu bringing tapas, generous dinner dishes, and the newest, vibrant cocktail menu, MDRD delivers an inviting, upscale dining experience to downtown guests.
“With its upscale yet comfortable ambiance, MDRD will offer an exciting new dining concept in Grand Rapids’ Hotel District,” said George Aquino, vice president and managing director of AHC Hospitality, the management company behind Amway Grand Plaza and MDRD, in a press release. “With the most coveted city views in Michigan, MDRD will be a fun and intimate spot for date nights, evenings out on the town, and special events—for locals and visitors alike.”
MDRD Interior | AHC Hospitality 
MDRD, Bar | AHC Hospitality 
MDRD, Bar | AHC Hospitality 
MDRD Interior | AHC Hospitality 
MDRD, Bar | AHC Hospitality 
MDRD, Dining Area | AHC Hospitality 
MDRD, Host Stand | AHC Hospitality 
MDRD, Lounge | AHC Hospitality 
MDRD, Private Dining, La Latina | AHC Hospitality 
MDRD, Private Dining, Salamanca | AHC Hospitality 
MDRD, Private Dining, Puerta Del Sol | AHC Hospitality 
MDRD, Stadium | AHC Hospitality
MDRD’s dinner and event menus have been curated by Executive Chef Stephan VanHeulen, with sweet additions by Pasty Chef Doug Orr. Inventive yet approachable, the dinner menu offers classic tapas like Patatas Bravas and Gambas al Ajillo, alongside main dishes like a mixed paella with shrimp, chicken, chorizo, bomba rice, artichoke, piquillo, and espelette aioli; and fileta a la plancha, which includes beef tenderloin steak in a piquillo pepper and black garlic sauce, with by thumbelina carrot, wild mushroom, and confit potato in an anise reduction. Sweet treats to cap off a meal—or savor alone—include the Árbol de Carmelo, a gentle combination of dark chocolate soufflé, strawberry gelato, spun sugar, as well as Crema Catalana and El Limón.
MDRD will be open for dinner service Tuesday through Saturday—including Valentine’s Day—from 4:30 p.m. ET to 10:00 p.m. ET. Proper precautions, such as a 25 percent operational capacity, will be taken in accordance with state and local guidelines for COVID-19. For more information on Amway Grand Plaza and MDRD, visit www.amwaygrand.com/dining/mdrd.
Photography courtesy: AHC Hospitality | Quinn PR
Design: Gensler
Mural artist: Maddie Jackson
