Mondays have always been the one day of the week that I dread. Mondays represent the day in which I have to get back into the swing of going to class. However, this Monday was different. The weather was about 43 degrees outside and the weather ball was blinking red, which means warmer weather ahead. Alyson and I found ourselves stuck in a Monday with our typical groggy, cold weather feelings, so we headed to a small restaurant that’s exploding with color. Orange and purple paint created the outer appearance on the Brandywine Restaurant in Eastown. We drove to an American cuisine restaurant ironically named Brandywine, where you cannot actually purchase wine.

After walking into this small oddly colored building we were greeted by a sign that read: “College students discount, all GVSU, GRCC, and Aquinas students with ID get a discount.” So we thought there might be hope for low-cost dining. This restaurant is small and only has 10 booths and seven tables. We parked behind the building in one of the roughly eight parking spots. Brandywine is not your typical old-time restaurant. It may seem like that from the food, seating and basic atmosphere, but the art is exquisite. We seated ourselves in a booth and marveled at the artwork which surrounded us. A lively mural wrapped along the wall and oodles of pictures containing smiley customers and employees hung from another wall. We were greeted by a friendly waitress who handed us the classic plastic, glossy menus.

After looking at the breakfast menu which is served at all hours, I ordered the parmesan cusabi wrap which came with chips and a pickle, and Alyson ordered the southwestern Quesada. Our hot food came fast on big white plates. Not only does Brandywine have breakfast, wraps, and Quesadas, they also have burritos, chicken, salads and sandwiches. Our food was so beautifully presented that we felt like we were two food critics and the cooks were trying to impress us. My wrap was precisely cut in half and strategically placed on the clean white plate, leaving plenty of room for the chips and dill pickle. Alyson’s Quesada was made so that none of the cheese or meat on the inside was hanging out the sides, with lettuce placed in the center, and sour crème and salsa in little cups on the outside. It was so beautiful that we couldn’t wait to dig in.

This restaurant has a very casual ambiance and could be the very place you stop to get a bottomless cup of coffee. They are family oriented with booster seats and play music for everyone’s preference. The lighting comes from stained glass lamp shades, casting colored rays of light throughout the room. There is also another Brandy Wine on the Beltline near 3 Mile Road only six minutes away. The Brandywine on Lake Drive is actually seven minutes away.

Alyson and I talked, ate and even played the game MASH (which stands for: Mansion, Apartment, Shack, or House) – the game you probably played in middle school. To refresh your memory, MASH is a game that determines your future: residency, spouse, number of kids, vehicle, pet or anything you choose. When we finally determined our future and were completely stuffed, we packed up our leftovers and headed to the register to pay. Our total came to $17. Sadly, we did not get a discount, but maybe that’s because they aren’t use to seeing Cornerstone students. So Get Out and show your face at Brandywine, and maybe your future will look less expensive than ours.

Quick Facts

LOCATION:  In Eastown on Lake, next to Domino’s pizza

ADDRESS: 1345 Lake Dr SE or 2844 E Beltline Ave NE

HOURS:  Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

PHONE: 616-774-8641

Oberlin’s Top 3

3. The friendly atmosphere

2. The authentic mural

1.  Beautifully presented food