Since 2014. Located in the former space of Arie's London Grill. This place has a very Michigan theme. Starting with the name The Lost Raven to honor the lost days when the Raven was common in lower Michigan and is now relegated mostly to the U.P. and the tip of the lower peninsula. The ingredients are mostly from Michigan including the beers, wines and spirits. I started with a "Michigan" mule using Michigan vodka along with their house made ginger beer. My wife had a special cocktail using Michigan made gin and fresh blueberries. For my meal I had a sandwich called the peachy pig made using peachy pulled pork, bacon, onion peach jam and arugula on a nice locally made bun. Very good! My wife had the crispy whitefish with tomato, greens and pesto mayo on brewers bread. I had a taste of that as well and it was also very good. They offer some very original items. Appetizers include pub poutine with nettle-leek gravy, truffle crème fraiche and Michigan cheddar curds. Also, try the great lakes fish cakes made with house smoked Lake Superior whitefish and arugula pesto. Soups include roasted lily using seasonal lilies, herbs, bread crisp and white cheddar. Nice selection of salads like pulled pork or steak and blue cheese. Other sandwiches are offered including veggie or burgers. Pasta dishes looked good with offerings like marinara and primavera as well as chicken and pork belly alfredo. After 4pm the menu broadens to include cassoulet, 1/2 chicken, tomato and fennel whitefish, lamb shank and top sirloin. This is a true Michigan farm to table place with a very nice atmosphere and very good food made in an open kitchen by people who care. A must visit place for our area!

This place has caught on quickly and is well deserving of the great reviews. The Four Roses Café in Plainwell is locally owned and operated by people with great pride in what they offer. Steaks and fish dominate the menu, however they are changed frequently on a paper and chalkboard menu. Very creative offerings like whitefish Grenoble, maple mustard ribs or Guinness beef. They do offer chicken or pork options as well, all of which are very unique. The appetizer list is long and features things like calamari. One of the most impressive things to me was the approximately 20 desserts offered. They actually have a pastry chef. I have not seen a dessert list like this since R. Stanley closed in Kalamazoo. Try the sticky toffee pudding. They have sandwiches and are open for lunch. Full bar and nice wine list as well as a nice selection of craft beers. I was able to get plead the fifth from Darkhorse Brewery here. Look for their frequent menu changes on their facebook page. Be prepared to wait for a seat, this place is popular. Check out the guide for more details.

Good Mexican fast food

New location in 2012, original opened in 1967. Because I really liked the first two locations of this Mexican fast food place, I was very happy to see Taco Boy open in Plainwell. In 1985 while doing contract work in Mt. Pleasant, a former CMU student introduced me to this family owned place. Later we discovered the "original" location on Plainfield Avenue in Grand Rapids. I have been stopping by there for years on our way "up north". I like the green meat and bean burrito(super). They now have 7 locations still run by the family. Their claim to fame is the fresh homemade quality ingredients. Refried beans are hand sorted and made fresh from scratch everyday at each location. The beef has chunks of beef in it and the spicy pork is chunked as well. Great hot sauce and generous portions. They are good hearted people that treat their employees well and do not waver on quality ingredients. This new location has some grand opening jitters, but give it a chance and I am sure it will be up to par soon. Check the guide for more details.

Dean's Ice Cream re-opens!

Great news! Dean's Ice Cream in Plainwell has reopened after the total loss arson fire last September. This place was opened as a dairy by Al Dean in 1916. This 95 year old landmark makes their own ice cream and offers 36 flavors including blue moon. They are known for the "monster" which is a 44oz. shake and giant banana splits. This place has great ice cream and is located on the river on the edge of a park with a Veteran's Memorial. Nice setting to get your ice cream and roam around or let the kids play. The building is new, but the location and tradition remain the same. Check out the guide for more details.