Absolutely wretched dining experience on Mother's Day 2007. It's been three years since we last had an awful dining experience there and thought things would improve. Overpriced, horrible food and dust everywhere!

I used to dine at Charley's Crab frequently during the mid-90's. I moved from the area and have since had to find different restaurants to fill my craving for the fresh fish and great desserts I had come to know while living in Grand Rapids. Recently, I retired and decided to go back to Grand rapids to be close to my family. I looked forward to being able to dine at my favorite restaurant after years of absence. I was severely disappointed. Now, I know separation makes the heart grow fonder and I probably remembered my dining experiences with a little bias while I was not in Grand Rapids. But the food and service were a true letdown. And when I asked my friends in Grand Rapids about the change in atmosphere,almost everyone of them told me they hadn't dined at Charley's for many years for that reason. My server was a mid-20's young woman that seemed to have never wiated tables for a day in her life. But based on the way she talked to all of the other staff while we were waiting for our drinks, I knew she had been working there for awhile. She must have just had a baby because she kept talking about it with her coworkers while we waited for our drinks which took a good ten minutes to deliver. And when the time came for our food to be delivered, we waited another 20 minutes or so just to get our bread and salads. I don't know much about how restaurants work but I know when I am paying $100 for a meal for my wife and I, that I expect a little more attention being paid to me and a little less attention being paid to baby pictures. Fortunately, the dessert was outstanding. But other than that, I would rather have spent my money in ther ways. Maybe, I'll go back after the symphony for a dessert one day. But I doubt I will ever find the urge to spend money on such a poor experience ever again. What a shame!!!

Try the Charley's Crab in Grand Rapids, MI
I haven't been there in a few years. However, I can tell you that, last I was there, everything was wonderful. Our server brought us a pâté with matzo for us to snack on while we waited for our appetizers. She was most helpful in our wine selection and was very friendly. I ordered the escargot which was placed in a flaky pastry and covered by a garlic-herb butter sauce. The escargot was fabulous. Tender and full of taste. For the main course I had the Shrimp Danielle. This was a bed of rice pilaf that covered the entire dinner plate with 10-14 garlic shrimp placed in a ring on top of the rice. For desert I had a crème brule which was made to perfection, exactly the correct consistency. Others in our party ordered pastas made to order from scratch and fresh catch of the day. There was not one single disappointment amongst us. Our drinks never ran dry. Our server was there when we needed her, and not over bearing. There was a very extensive bar selection. We felt very welcome and well taken care of. I had visited 'The Crab' many times a week for years. The ambience was lovely with wall to wall windows over looking the terrace and the river. Live light music from the piano by the foyer filled the restaurant. The valet parking was a very nice addition and at no extra cost to the guest.
Recommended: Pasta Pagliara, any Fresh Catch, and any of the above mentioned. It's diffictult to pick as the menu changes daily and all is wonderful that I have experienced.
Food: 10
Service: 10
Ambiance: 10
Overall: 10
- Milwaukee, WI