In-store pick-up
Yes
The Local Epicurean in Grand Rapids
Categories
Location on the map
Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, US
Service options
In-store shopping
Yes
Takeaway
Yes
Delivery
No
Highlights
Fast service
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Dining options
Dessert
Yes
Amenities
Toilets
Yes
Planning
Quick visit
Yes
Phone: +1 616-206-5175
Site: http://www.thelocalepicurean.com/
Site: http://www.thelocalepicurean.com/
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:10AM–5PM
- Wednesday:10AM–7PM
- Thursday:10AM–7PM
- Friday:10AM–7PM
- Saturday:10AM–7PM
- Sunday:10AM–7PM
Comments (199)
We have had so much fun with the different classes we have tried! My husband and I love the energy of the employees and the food is absolutely INCREDIBLE!! Fumi , Jason, and Hope all made our experiences wonderful!!! 5 stars isn’t enough!
My partner and I took a cooking class here and had a wonderful time. Bianca, who was teaching us, did a wonderful job explaining what to do and was able to answer our questions. She was very personable and made us feel comfortable in the kitchen. Fantastic both for food and drinks. Great idea for a date night or for groups. Will definitely be back for a class or to get some pasta to take home!
I have been to many classes here and every experience has been grand. I went last night with a friend (her first time there) and it was so over the top delicious and fun I cannot imagine anything better. Chef Fumi was a delight. She met our energy, it was like cooking with a friend/family. She is so knowledgeable and kind. Chef Jasons cheesy food jokes kept us laughing as well.I was able to use a gift card we got pre-covid with ease. When I called in to book this, Steve was so helpful and patient explaining how the classes worked now and even offered a slight discount for adding on an additional person.Something else that I really hone in on, is when you are at a business and the employees boast about the owners/boss. This speaks volumes to me about the types of places I want to give my business to.You have a customer for life here!! We are already planning our next visit!
Couldnt suggest The Local Epicurean cooking classes more! Had an amazing experience last night making Chicken Parmesan with Fumi! She was incredibly fun and also gave us such fun experience. She heard it was my birthday and made things extra special and was such a joy to be around. We ended up with LOTS of leftovers and buying more classes because we cant wait to go back! Thank you so much for a wonderful birthday evening, we will be seeing you soon!
I highly recommend this unique and delicious cooking experience. Fumi was our chef guide and she was over the top AMAZING! The food she helped us prepare was delicious and we had so much fun! We cant wait to return for another cooking night with Fumi ❤️
4 of us took one of their very interactive classes with Bianca. We made salads, stepped out front to eat, then back into the kitchen for course #2, risotto, finished with gelato! (and a few Jason-crafted libations throughout!). Good education, good food, and great company. Pleasure to meet them both! Try it! Youll like it. 😉😀
This was such a wonderful experience to remember. The place is impeccably clean. The food we cooked was upper quality selection. The instructor was so knowledgeable and made the experience so much fun! The food was absolutely delicious, flavorful and we had take aways. We will be back.
I received a gift certificate last Christmas for a cooking class for 2. My wife and I scheduled for June15th. This was one of the worst experiences we have ever had. The instructor constantly corrected us like we were first graders. He was extremely rude and condescending. When you pay $200 for a cooking class you would expect it to be friendly yet professional. And it should be FUN. After 45 minutes we had had enough and confronted him on how he was treating us. We demanded a refund, and were provided one. I do not recommend this establishment at all.
Great shop with lots of hard to find and fresh items. Had a cooking class there and it was a great experience!
Had an amazing time last night with our instructor/chef, Fumi (sp?). She is warm, personable, and has a delightful sense of humor. The food we prepared was amazing! The food, the people, and the venue are worth every penny and time spent. Book your class now! If you can, ask for Fumi.
If I could give this 10 stars I would! My 16yr old daughter and I were in GR for a few days and decided to book a cooking class. Not sure entirely what to expect we were immediately put at ease walking in and talking with Jason. Fumi was our instructor and she made us feel so welcomed and comfortable. She was so knowledgeable and truly has a given talent for cooking and teaching others. We laughed so much and had such a wonderful time. By the time we left it felt like I had know Fumi for years. We were so blessed by her. Fumi and Jasons back and forth comments had us laughing so much!Jason made us the best lemonade and has the most infectious laugh. They truly love what they do and you can tell within the first 5 min. Would definitely recommend doing a class, we did the dinner in Venice, & the food was absolutely delicious. We hope to be back soon to take another one!
Soooo fun! Bianca is the best- felt like a friend was teaching me, rather than a professional. Bought this class as a belated Valentine’s Day gift, and it’s such a fun shared memory. Everything was so well thought out so that we could go at our own pace. And the food was delicious- we made chicken dumplings, seared ahi tuna, and matcha ice cream. We got to sit and eat our food while talking to the bartender, and watching the pasta cooking class :)
My wife is having 8 vein restoration procedures done and wont be up to doing one of their cooking classes for quite some time so she called and asked could she use the pre purchased certificate in the store instead, an employee supposedly checked with the manager and said yes, but when we arrived today the manager refused to honor the agreed upon request. Their loss long term, weve shopped and attended classes with family and friends for quite a few years, but my wife has mow decided to look for somewhere new.
Amazing afternoon at The Local Epicurean. Fumi was Amazing, I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to take a class. Jason and Fumi were very knowledgeable with the answers to our questions. Great staff all around! We will definitely be back for more classes.
We went here 3 years ago right after we got married and did a cooking class and it was abolutely amazing and fun, so much so that we went back again for our anniversary this year. On of the best wedding gifts we recieved and I reccomend this place to anyone that will listen!
My brother and I drove in from the metro Detroit area to participate in the Tuscan-themed cooking course.Our whole experience was one that well never forget. From the curbside, you view a clean and energetic storefront with lettering advertising their specialities which include truly artisan hand made pasta and handmade confectionaries.Walking into the store was like getting slapped in the face with a rustic, but very vibrant themed shop with old-world complements. The staff was very friendly, prompt to greet us and were more than willing to answer any questions we may have had regarding their products.Looking around, it is shocking to see how many different types of artisan pasta they carry which is hand made by staff in the basement. They truly have pasta for EVERYONES taste buds.Their handmade truffle showcase was nothing short of legendary. These people truly care about the product they provide and the staff complement the in-store experience perfectly with optimal enthusiasm.The cooking class then commenced with our group. Chef Jason was quick to acclimate us to our tasks and thats when the fun started. Under his instruction, we created ourselves an amazing three-course meal. Wine pairings were are also listed with each course for optimal dining pleasure.The food was delicious, full of flavor and easily one of the best things Ive ever cooked, but it doesnt end there. It gets better.My brother and I recently started eating a strict vegan diet. This was started after we had booked our reservation for the Tuscan cooking course. The chefs we able to adjust their menu to make the meal 100% vegan for my brother and I to enjoy. And as a meat lover trying to find delicious food not containing milk, egg or animal protein, eating an unbelievable meal without missing these things is really difficult to do, especially when 8 of the 10 people are eating chicken and cheese-stuffed right next to you. I can say with no hesitation that that was easily the best vegan meal Ive had since starting my journey trying to eat my way into a better lifestyle.Easily a five-star review for me and I would love to come back again when Im back in town with my wife or even for a double date. I have already shared my experience with a few friends who live locally and told them to support this amazing business.Thank you to The Local Epicurean for giving us an amazing experience, filling our bellies full of delicious, hand made VEGAN food and making us feel like weve been friends for years.You will not reget your decision to experience this business, the people and the products for yourself!PS: Grab a bottle of the 25 year aged balsamic vinegar on your way out. Youll thank me later.
Had an amazing time cooking with Ryan today at The Local Epicurean. My husband and I had never been to a cooking class and this was such a fun first experience. We will be going back again for sure. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a date night/day or girls night! Very cool atmosphere, hq ingredients and great staff!! Thanks for a wonderful time :)
Simply amazing place to have fun, learn some great cooking techniques, and make new friends. My brother and I were in town for a show, and a friend recommended we have dinner at The Local Epicurean. We were able to easily navigate their website and call to make a reservation. When we walked in for the first time, we were greated with a happy staff, full of smiles. The decor was great, and they even have awesome pictures on the ceiling that remind you of Italy, food, and fun! They specialize in pasta making, chocolate making, and craft cocktails/infused vodka. The display cases were full of authentic handmade pastas, truffles, chocolates, and other accoutrements which are staples in Italian cooking. The plethora of pasta available will leave you wanting to try them all.Touching on the dinner we prepared: We decided on the Tuscan dinner course because we both love marsala wine sauce, but we had some dietary restrictions that the staff was able to deliver flawlessly. Instead of chicken-stuffed cannelloni, we had a vegetable sautee, and instead of tiramisu, we received a vegan tort with candied pecans with a sugary reduction drizzled on. Our pasta was made with rice flour instead of the traditional egg noodles as well. Jason, the instructor for the course we took, was energetic, happy, and extremely knowledgeable about the food he was teaching us to cook with. Every ingredient had history behind it, which made cooking with everything that much more enjoyable. The food was fantastic, and we were stuffed when we left. The 25 year old balsamic vinegar to top the caprese salad was the singular best dressing I have ever had. It is imported from Italy, and I highly recommend stopping in to buy just that at the very least. The ginger lemon tea at the free standing water station was the best unsweeted tea Ive ever had.We will definitely be recommending this place to all those looking to have a great time in Grand Rapids. 5 stars hands down.
Cannot wait try these noodles and the black truffle Parmesan, which smells amazing. They have a large selection of noodles that they make and air dry right there! Very welcoming staff. They had a chocolate truffle making class going on and I wish I could have joined! It seemed as though the participants were really enjoying the experience! If I were a local, I would definitely be frequenting this shop! Also, the ceiling is unique and interesting to look at while browsing the store!
Such a neat place for cooking classes with friends, family, or for a date. Really great choices for lunch and dinner options all varying in how hands on they are. Would recommend any of the pasta classes, the chocolate lunch, or the Venice Dinner. Sara, the class instructor is so helpful and super knowledgeable. Loved doing these classes with my mom learning new skills and making memories!
Love this place! Have to stop by whenever I am in town and stock up on pasta and sauce to take home. Also have AMAZING soup mixes!
When you walk through the front door, your sense immediately tell you...welcome to Italy! So many options to choose from, with a large selection of pasta, bread and more. Gluten-free? No problem...pasta options available too!
A wonderful place for classes, picking up some dinner for the evening or catching up with friends! We did the chocolate brunch and it was great! Helpful staff, delicious treats and a fun atmosphere. I have also taken classes there and its always a fun and informal time! I highly recommend a visit.
We thoroughly enjoyed a cooking class with 9 family members. We started with a delightful young lady who directed us in making our own pasta. Then our instructor/entertainer Fumi did an incredible job helping us to make a fantastic chicken parmesan meal. Everyone in our family (ages 22-58) truly enjoyed the experience- fun, laughs, and food and asked that we do this again!!
Gift certificate bought 12/2018 and talked to employee and gave them my number to call back as the promotion changed and covid hit and still lost the value of what the promotion. Manager never called back as I called later after a few weeks and still only can use this for basically one person and would have to spend more to add the second person for the dinner for 2.
We came for the Totally Chocolate lunch and everything was delicious! We so enjoyed it! The waffles alone were worth the money 😍 Highly recommend for a date day or day out with friends!
The food was first--rate from start to finish. We had chocolate waffles slices, various types of cookies, truffles drizzled with caramel and various dried fruit to cleanse the palate. Service was excellent. Would definitely go back!
We came here for the chocolate lunch for two, and everything was delicious. The store itself is awesome but we were very impressed with the quality and portion of it all, would definitely try another one of the lunch/dinner dates.
Weve done a few cooking classes and its always a great experience. Well be returning
Outstanding dinner. Great fun making our chicken parmesan, pasta and gelato. Will definitely be back. Sarah (sp) was a great host and teacher.
Took our college age daughter here at Christmas time. She loved the cooking lesson. We made ravioli, it was great.
Surprised my best friend with the Dinner in Parma cooking class for her birthday and we had the best time! Our instructor was fantastic! The food and drinks were to die for! Highly recommend
Took a cooking class with family. It was a lot of fun. Mind you there was a discrepancy between the planned course and what we executed. In the end, the outing was fun and the result was an excellent family dinner with no clean up!
I am very frustrated over the conversation I just had with The Local Epicurean. My husband and I did a class in August of 2018. At the end of that class they offered a discounted gift card for a cooking dinner class for two. They emphasize when buying it that the gift certificate NEVER expires. We have 4 kids and are extremely busy people; so this was a big selling point for us. Also, on the gift card it does not have an expiration date or anything written on the front or back stating any caveats. My husband and I prior to Covid set up a class and it got cancelled due to Covid. I checked back a couple different times in regards to public classes opening back up with no luck, and I also asked about just using the value at their shop and they said no. I completely understand the time frame has been long, and COVID, but again they emphasized the gift card had no expiration date. When calling today to try to set up a class again they still do not offer public classes. The gentleman said that since the gift card is over 18 months old that it only is it’s value of what we paid for it and we no longer get the deal we were promised never expired. On top of that if we took a class it would have to be a private one and would cost more than double to do the same thing we paid for originally. He went on to talk about pricing differences from then and now. I just don’t understand why a business would not try to make this situation right for us? They left us in a situation where we did not get what we were promised, and a gift card that can’t be used for what we purchased it for. It stinks, because we did enjoy going there for our original class, and would have loved to do it again.
AMAZING!!! You must go take a cooking class. It was a lovely evening with Fumi making ravioli!!
This place is fantastic. Ready made soup mixes are excellent, but even better are their made to order pastas. The classes are super fun, informative and even provide a delicious meal too!
Worth every penny. The instructor was charming and knowledgeable, the food was delicious, the facility was clean and well decorated. 11/10 will be back.
Attended a group class prior to COVID 19. My g-daughter liked the experience, but it wasnt revolutionary cooking-wise. Bought the post-class 1/2-off offer for 4 to attend a future group class. With the virus (no group classes on their side) and other significant things on my side, after multiple attempts to contact them, my request for a refund was denied due to policy. I WAS offered the option to take a private class for 2 at extra $ OR purchase store products; which I had thoroughly considered both prior to my request. If I wanted those, I would have purchased those. Its like buying a train ticket to Chicago, being told they dont go there any longer, but I am welcome to travel to Port Huron for an added cost. its bad business with an attitude on their part. It feels like theyre not honorable people and that theyre stealing my money.
The Dinner in Parm class was so much fun. The food and drinks were delicious and the cook Ryan was fabulous (you can tell he really enjoys what he does). They send you home with the recipe for the meal you’ve just cooked and you can even buy the handmade pasta and wine in store. We will be back!
Looking for magical moments in relationship....On September 15th a friend struggled to find a restaurant that was open for lunch. We walked into the Local Epicurean and they shared that they like others were struggling to find help, so there would be no lunch today! This the second restaurant that turned us away we began our walk down the street in search of a cozy place to reconnect. I believe it was Ryan came running down the street and said I am in the process of cooking I would be happy to serve you perhaps a marinara spaghetti if you dont mind the limited menu. We seized the moment and their we were a beautiful caprese salad, freshly made marinara spaghetti and a surprise freshly made gelotto. This was a gift ,a magical moment Ryans heart to serve well is a rare find. I cant stop talking about it! Thank you to The Local Epicurean.
Just went last night with my husband for our second pasta making class. We love the instruction and the food... our instructors have been so fun and patient and knowledgeable!...we will definitely go back!. Our lesson and meal last night was Shrimp scampi salad, lobster cannelloni and tiramisu. We were stuffed eating our lesson..delicious!!
Absolutely great! We took the fettuccine alfredo class with Ryan and it was a blast. If I could, Id take a lot more of their classes. You can definitely learn a lot from them. Great place to go for small events, dates, or on your own. They have a small bar with some really good specialty sprinks.I havent eaten the pasta noodles we bought from them, but Im really looking forward to it!
Loved our time here! Our 3 course meal was amazing and so was the instructor!
Surprised my husband with a birthday celebration along with 30 family & friends for a Brunch buffet. The staff was phenomenal - extremely accommodating and attentive. Chef Sara did a great job in demonstrating how to make Truffles and guests enjoyed every bit of making their own truffles with an amazing choice of toppings & that they could take home! It was a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend for an event or a cooking class or better yet both!
Great experience for the chocolate lunch. Would have been overpriced if not for the Groupon, but we had a great time.
Unique date-night experience! We loved the shrimp tortellini and lobster-shrimp crab cakes that we made! The instructor-led group cooking was a lot of fun. Price was right with our Groupon deal. The only disappointment was no wine served but that can be overlooked. Highly recommend on a cold slow winter evening.
Attended a pasta making class. Made ravioli. Served a nice lunch prior to class. Class was nicely done and paced just right by our instructor. Had a great time. Would recommend this or one of many other classes. Nice selection of pastas and desserts available on the store.
What a fun night! The shop is so unique and wonderful! The food we made was delicious & it was fun to meet others. I learned a few things and overall really enjoyed the experience; so much so that we purchased another cooking class! A great experience for a date night, an anniversary gift, a girls night, even getting a few couple friends together! I would recommend The Local Epicurean cooking classes for sure!!
I loved this place! With an amazing variety in drinks and in pasta it is perfect to learn how to cook Italian cuisine! The instructor was funny and nice and very helpful! Would bring friends and family here. Not a good place for small children.
We went here for one of their 3 course dinner classes and it was such a positive experience! Not only does it give you the opportunity to meet new people but you learn some great cooking skills and how to make some dishes youd not normally make. My husband and I had a ton of fun and plan on going back for another class.
We hosted our Holiday party for 45 people doing a pasta making class at The Local Epicurean. It was fabulous. We did their holiday menu plus a few appetizers and beverages. The food and drinks were great, the instructors were super fun and helpful, the wait staff/bartenders were amazing, and the environment was wonderful. It took a little coordinating since they are in the middle of a move but worth it. Our staff had an amazing time and even stayed an hour later and they accommodated us. So much fun!
I purchased a class for my sister and her husband for Christmas last year and they had a great time, so we purchased another class for our parents...The class my parents were signed up for was cancelled last minute so they had to switch into another class. In this class, the only thing they really cooked was an Alfredo sauce. The instructors gave them conflicting instructions and/or no instruction until someone in the class asked since they were distracted most of the time. There were ingredients laid out (i.e. cream) that was never got used? They were supposed to get a dessert, which was forgotten about until someone asked as half of the class was walking out the door.My sister contacted the company and the person she spoke with was extremely rude. Apparently their lunch classes are different from their dinner classes and that it is up to the customer to know that?!? Especially since the cost is the same!?!?I guess its hit or miss on the experience you get, so try at your own risk. My family will save the money and frustration and stick to cookbooks...
We had a great time at the pasta 101 class! It was more fun than I expected and our teacher (Curt) was very energetic and made the entire group feel welcome. The pasta was so good and it is such a great skill to know. I am so thankful we checked this out and will be back! I relate to a lot of the negative reviews, initially when I called to schedule my class it was very difficult and I was expected to know the specific class and time though the times are not posted, I even explained that this was my first time and I wasnt sure how it worked and was left to call at a later time when I had it figured out. Dont let this discourage you, the class itself is great, and the store is a great find in Grand Rapids!
Ive taken multiple cooking classes at The Local Epicurian and Jason taught the class both times! He and all the other staff were fabulous. I couldnt have had a better time, and the food was absolutely delicious! I definitely will be returning!
Sara is a phenomenal instructor who really makes sure guests understand techniques to be able to replicate them at home. Food is always delicious with very generous portions.Once we have gong through all the classes we want to do to learn, new cooking techniques, my husband and I plan to take additional classes because its a fun date night activity.
Went to a risotto making class and it was an excellent experience! The class leader was very knowledgeable, funny and helpful! Such a fun date night and gift to give someone! We will definitely be going back again!
Had a great time making truffles! We are definitely coming back for another class!
We took a private ravioli class (with I believe Sara Anne was her name), and it was super fun! She was helpful and got along with our personalities well. Our meal was amazingggg and we will be back 😍😍😍
I attended a cooking class with my boyfriend here after purchasing on Groupon - what a great experience! The staff were so friendly and welcoming. Our other classmates were great, and the whole thing was just a lot of fun. We now have a delicious recipe we know how to make ourselves (the tuscan chicken). We will definitely come back at some point!
Went to a private ravioli making class last night! It was a lot of fun and something fun to do thats different! Sara was a good instructor. She was attentive and answered all questions. Would definitely go back for another class!
I came here for a team building event with work. We made noodles and Alfredo sauce from scratch. The instructor was informative, funny, and flexible with us and the food turned out amazing. They have a large selection of quality ingredients, noodles, chocolates, oils, vinegars, etc. They are on the expensive side, but everything is sourced from high quality places.
I bought some soup at a market and when I went to pour the seasoning packet, it was the wrong one! I contacted them about the mistake and they said they would send me another one, no problem. I received it in the mail just now and they actually sent me 2 packs and extra money for fresh veggies! It was way above and beyond what I expected- I appreciate the gesture! I cant wait to make it now- it looks amazing and delicious! Thanks Steve and team, I will definitely be visiting for more awesome products next time Im in town.
I took a class 2 years ago, and just went back yesterday with my husband for the pasta 102 class. Hope was AMAZING, and honestly everyone who works there is phenomenal. Had some great drinks as well!
This place was like stepping into a market off a side street in Rome! The smell of oil and garlic sauteéd in a pan came out the door like I was walking into Heaven. We got fresh pasta to order (three cheese ravioli to cook at home) and some pre-made to go (penne and rigatoni). Everything was delectable and I cannot wait to come back here, eventhough I dont live very close.
My wife and 2 children attended a dinner class. It was very we enjoyable. We made a three course meal and it was all excellent. Signed up immediately for another session. Highly recommend it.
Amazing experience! The food was incredible and it was so much fun to make everything ourselves from scratch. The instructor chef was fun and informative. We will definitely be back to enjoy another course!
We loved doing the cooking class here! We dod a Chicken parm one and it was the perfect double date idea!! Us 4 had a riot. The instructer was fun and informative and we all learned something too. There was a grandma and a kiddo in our class and they had fun too, it seemed. Highly recommended!!
My wife had to drag my here for a date, now I’m trying to line it up with close friends. I can’t iterate how delicious each course was, garlic bread was phenomenal! Portions are perfect, I didn’t feel hungry or stuffed after, and we took another meals worth of ravioli home. Sophia was 4 years removed from moving here from Italy and was so good! Definitely be back.
Took a class today with Chef Keefer, she was very knowledgeable and helpful. We made our own ravioli pasta and they had fresh food prepared for us when we arrived. Our ravioli after it was created, we took home with cooking instructions to cook later. Would recommend to anyone looking for a fun date idea or just wanting to learn.
Outstanding service and experience! We had an group of 18 for a Tuscan cooking class for our 30th Wedding Anniversary and we could not have planned a better evening. Ryan and Sarah were outstanding! Steve, Ryan and Sarah were all very attentive to every detail. The created a meat and cheese tray on very short notice and it was also well done and delicious. Ryan was very engaging and did an outstanding job with the instruction and keeping everyone on task and having a good time. Sarah was also very polite, respectful and engaging! Thank you to the Local Epicurean for a great evening! We have already recommended you to others!
Ive been on some pretty fun dates but this is one of the most fun and memorable experiences Ive had. The other couples were fun, the host was entertaining to just the right degree, and the food was incredible. I ate the first salad of my life and I didnt even make The Face (wine helped with this), and Im nearly 50 years old.
Oh my goodness so much fun! Sarah was our teacher and she was EXCELLENT an absolute delight. The food was amazing, I tried things I didnt think I would like but I loved them! I cannot wait to book my second lesson!
My husband and I took a chocolate truffle making class here and it was such a fun date! We went home with 24 handmade truffles and a recipe to make them at home! Our instructor was very engaging and we learned a lot about the whole process. The Local Epicurian offers tons of classes and we hope to go back for a pasta making one sometime! The store front is totally charming and the freshly made pasta everywhere made the whole experience fascinating. It is a little pricey but we found a deal on Groupon which made it doable!
Ordered a $25 lasagna and I figured since they held noodle making classes there was no way they would forget the main ingredient in a lasagna, NOODLES!! not a single noodle in the entire thing. Just cheese and sauce. Dont get me wrong....it was delicious !! But it doesnt take much to make melted cheese delicious. The guy we complained to was incredibly rude and didnt believe me and my wife. He gave us a refund but with a huge attitude. We really just wanted another properly made lasagna because we ordered it 3 days in advance and had to wait. I hope they read this and offer us a properly made lasagna like they should have done in the first place. Not mad that they forgot the noodles. More mad at the guys attitude.
My wife and I took a class here with Ryan, and it was simply delightful. The interior of the building is warm, quant, and comforting. The class was educational and fun. The prices are very reasonable, and they offer HUGE discounts after attending a workshop or class. If you like pasta or asian noodles and live in Grand Rapids, this is a must!
I have been to a couple different classes and they are amazing! The food is always very high quality and delicious. The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. After you attend your class, you have the option to buy a certificate for another class 50% off which is a great deal!!
For my birthday my sisters, mom and I enjoyed their chocolate lovers meal. It was just the right amount of sweet. The atmosphere was quaint and cosey. Our server was excellent. I cant wait to go again.
My wife and I enjoyed a fabulous gelato class that Chef Ryan taught last weekend! Ryan was engaging as he shared of his experience and wisdom with everyone in class. We finished the class with more than a quart of gelato we had made ourselves as well as a Christmas gift to ourselves in the form of reservations for a dinner cooking class for two. (And thanks to the delightful lunch that was prepared for us as part of the class, all of the gelato made it home, to boot!)
I did chocolate lunch for 2. They gave us some waffles, dried fruit, chocolate coffee, choco dipped strawberries, cookies, cheese and bread and of course water. Lovely service. We got a deal through groupon and only paid 30 bucks total. Delicious snacks not exactly a meal. But absolutely delicious nevertheless. Not a cooking class
We learned how to make gelato and it was amazing. Chef Allen was amazing!!!
We took part in the Tuscan dinner class. Whatever class you pick (theres a lot) you will not be disappointed. They use fresh ingredients and make everything from scratch. They take you along each step in the process of making an awesome meal. In our case, we made a caprese salad, a three cheese and chicken cannelloni, and finished with a coffee & rum tiramisu. The classes are expensive but youll never pay full price if you get a Groupon for your first class because at the end of the class you can get 50% off of any future classes. Make sure to bring your phone or a camera if you want to take pictures of your amazing food!!
Thoroughly enjoyed learning to make chocolate truffles with my 40 coworkers this afternoon! The staff at The Local Epicurean were so gracious and food we had while making our truffles was awesome. I highly recommend TLE for corporate events like we had today and think it would be a lovely place to have a date-night / night out with friends :)
Went with my family to the ravioli making class. Very fun and informative. My only complaint was that it was pretty rushed. Right when everyone got their plate of brunch to eat we had to dive into making the dough.
Ordered for the holidays...drive 45 min to get the best ham and gnocchi. OMG, the ham is the best.....gnocchi made to order. The pasta choices are amazing. Yes, it is a must.
My girlfriend and I have been here three times, for a chocolate lunch and for two cooking classes. All of these were fun time with excellent food and some delicious recipes we were able to take home. Im looking forward to going back!
Such a cool and unique experience. Cant wait to take my daughter to a chocolate class.
We had such a fun time today with the Epicurean Toast class. It was delicious fresh ingredients and a very good teacher! The whole experience was well worth it.
This is a cute place, most everything is very nice, but...They are very nice in person, phone skills leave much to be desired. The groupon they offer says they have classes during the week. After checking our availability and picking a class we could attend we bought the Groupon, only to find that they have no weekday classes. 3 months after I pointed out the problem to them, nothing has changed.Bought one of their prepackaged soups. Corn Chowder to be exact. Upon making it I found about a dozen kernels of corn in the whole thing. Following the instructions I found that the vegetable seasoning package is labeled Epicurean Cheese Blend. That the total cooking time of 7-10 minutes left the dried vegetables hard as rocks and the herbs rather sawdusty and whichever is the needle-y one sharp enough to poke a gum. The noodles were broken lasagna noodle too large to get onto a spoon so I was left having to cut my soup with a knife to eat the noodles. A new experience for me. In short, a fun and eclectic place, but in this very competitive food world they need to step up their game.
Took a pasta making class here, which was AWESOME. So much so that we went back for a gelato making class- WHICH WAS HORRIBLE. The instructor was very rude. Highly recommend making pasta, but our second experience was a 180 degree difference.
I would give this review zero stars if I could based on my recent experience. A few years ago our two daughters purchased a $50 gift certificate over the phone. They were told at that time that no physical gift card was necessary and to just have us call the store, they would have our information on file. It was sometime later that we attempted to use the gift card, and were told that a physical gift card or number (also not given) was required. They were not able to track our purchase in their database and refused to even offer a partial credit (I wouldnt offer you ANYTHING). Myself and my daughter called multiple times, speaking to the owner. He refused to budge, refused to acknowledge that possibly a mistake was made on the part of his staff and was extremely rude, talking to me about business policy as if I were a five-year-old.We have lived in West Michigan for 25 years and I have never been treated so rudely by a business owner. In the end he hung up on me after telling me to never call his store again. Poor, poor business practice!
The cooking classes are fun and delicious. I would recommend attending one that is more hands-on. We did the cheese and butter making class. Delicious, but there was little hands on activity.
Incredibly rude and condescending! My fiancée and I enjoyed a nice date day at the local epicurean with a chocolate lunch and decided to return for a pasta class- we had a groupon. We had a family emergency and ended up needing to cancel on the day of the pasta class. When we called to cancel and reschedule, The man who answered the phone was so incredibly rude and condescending. FYI to him - I should not have to explain to you why I cant make it to your pasta class. However highly you may think of your establishment, that is absolutely no way to treat your customers. Needless to say, we will never be returning! And you can bet we have been telling all of our friends the same. My advice to future patrons - spend your precious time and your money at a business that treats their customers with respect. That would NOT be this company!!!
Beautiful store and the ramp butter is amazing. Dont let the simple set up decieve you. The product is top notch and you can tell the quality. The dinner classes are a worthwhile experience.
My friend and I came here to shop, but stayed to split a lobster roll and piece of strawberry tiramisu for lunch. We really enjoyed the food and the experience. We were left alone while we shopped, up until we got to the cheese and cured meat section, at which point a very helpful and enthusiastic young man came over and gave us samples of the items that interested us as well as making suggestions and telling us about classes.The only thing I didnt like, and I really didnt like it, was that our total bill for all our shopping and lunch was on the ipad as a total rather than itemized so I was not able to tip based on the lunch only, but had to tip on the total, including the shopping items. While this certainly benefitted the delightful young lady who waited on us, it irked me. I didnt want to tip $11.00 for a sandwich and a slice of cake, but we were having such a good time that I didnt want to ruin it by objecting. My friend wasnt aware of the issue and if I made a fuss about it, it might have put a stain on an otherwise perfect afternoon. If the business owner reads these reviews, then I hope this one complaint is duly noted. :)
A wide selection of homemade pastas . Friendly, accommodating, and over the top service. We rode our motorcycle and they offered to ship our products to our home so we could purchase more !
Went to the Ravioli cooking experience and we had a great time! Learned a lot and the food turned out great! Our teacher made the event very enjoyable!
Took the pasta making class and it was amazing. Very well priced, and the lunch provided was awesome. The instructor was very funny and informative. Would definitely do again.
NEVER go here if you want good customer service. The owners are incredibly rude to customers. I was hung up on and I called back and was told that there was something mentally wrong with me. They scanned my Groupon that I never used and wouldnt refund me or do anything to make up for it. They cancelled a class I signed up for and never called to tell me so we showed up and they just said oh...sorry. They also close early randomly so if you ever try to go within the last house of them being open...good luck. Most unprofessional and rude business Ive ever encountered.
Took a private class and it was so fun! The food was some of the most delicious I have ever tasted! Its expensive but worth it if you can afford it. Its definitely a special occasion for us!
The class was great, and the food was delicious!!! Had a very good time :)
We did the French Toast class with friends and it was a blast. Delicious food, drinks, and the instructor was both informative and laid back.
Hands on, informative, and delucioys!!! We had so much fun! Local, fresh, quality ingredients. There definitely be more classes in our future. Our instructor was full of energy.
Addendum: The stores owners spoke with the store manager and called me back to apologize. They honored the refund the store manager promised and offered me two free spots in a class.Rudest store owners Ive ever dealt with. Unfortunately, the people were very difficult to work with. I missed one of the cooking classes and the store manager told me I would be able to get a refund, however when I called during regular business hours the stores two owners refused my refund and treated me very poorly. They were unwilling to acknowledge the refund their store manager offered me and simply wouldnt discuss the issue at all with me to work something out. I would not recommend this institution to anyone, the customer service was horrible and frankly demeaning.
We made a reservation a month in advanced, for the Chocolate Lunch from groupon. It took us over twenty minutes to get any water, over thirty to get our meal. There was a class being taught in the back, but we were the only sit-down customers. We wouldve walked out, if we hadnt prepaid.The chocolate lunch wasnt much of a lunch, just a platter of sweets and chocolate. It all came from pre-made desserts available behind the counter. There is no reason why it took so long to be served, and it wasnt much of a lunch. Honestly, it made me feel sick.
Fun classes! Ive learned how to make ravioli and chocolate truffles. Delicious unique pasta sold. Friendly staff and it always smells great inside!
This place is amazing! We took the Ravioli and lunch class. It was so fun, the lunch was a amazing and our teacher was so sweet and informative. We will continue to come back again and again!
We made ravioli with Ryan today and had a terrific time! It was fun and entertaining and the ravioli was superb. I bought a pasta maker so I can make pasta at home.Thank you Ryan!
Risotto cooking class was a blast! The food and instruction were both great. The chocolate truffles are excellent.
Second time taking a class as a date night. Awesome classes and you get to learn to make the delicious food. Very informed teachers who obviously love their job!
I have to agree about the phone service. I have been trying to schedule a class ever since I bought the groupon, but the process has been arduous, and the man who answers the phone makes it especially difficult. He is short with customers, and condescending. It would make the process much simpler--on both sides-- if the schedule of classes was posted on the website, so that customers could check availability against their own calendar to have a better idea before calling. It is intimidating to call and be spoken to in such a way, and then to have the pressure of trying to schedule in such a way. Im likely going to lose money in this deal.
I came here because of all the great photos I saw online, but when I went to take my own I was told no photos were allowed. Then I left before purchasing the things I wanted because he kept staring at me and it just felt awkward. It looks like there are good things here, but it wasnt the most inviting space for me.
Terrible customer service from Steve. 1st contact via email to set up apt for class. made apt. steve said he never had any email history of our conversation so I forwarded him all of our emails including our scheduled date for a class. still had to reschedule so I gave them benefit of the doubt and understood mistakes happen.called to confirm apt, again steve said I was not in schedule after I spoke with him on the phone one month prior and scheduled apt for class. He stated that this was not his fault as it would be impossible for him to make this mistake. said it was my fault for both times. I told him he had very poor customer service on the phone and his voice raised and continued to forcefully state it was my fault and yell on the phone at me.I was really looking forward to visiting this business as I have seen and heard great reviews. However, after this poor and demeaning phone call I will never go here. very disappointed.
Gelato class was a great disappointed. Teacher starts off by saying they call it a Gelato class because it sounds cool, but really its an ice cream class. He said that after a lot of research the only difference was the ratio of milk/cream - baloney. My biggest concern was the lack of hand washing and cross use of utensils between stirring pesto and then the same spoon going into the attempt to make the Gelato base on the portable burner.
Attended a class to learn how to make gelato. Sarah is a great teacher. Class included a pizza lunch and strewberries dipped in chocolate. Will be eating the gelato we made for a few days. Fantastic!!
The man that answered the phone for the Local Epicurean was SO rude when I attempted to schedule a class using my groupon. He was really short with me and not accommodating. When you call and ask questions he acts like you are wasting his time and has a very irate manner about him :/ I would advise anyone to think twice before ordering a groupon from the Local Epicurean - scheduling is a nightmare and very, very rude customer service! There are so many other friendly small businesses in GR to support that are actually happy to have your business and treat you with the respect a customer deserves.
My husband and I attended the risotto cooking class a couple weekends ago, and it was a blast. The food was phenomenal, the instruction was great and fun, and we loved every minute.
Bought a groupon for this place though it was a really good girls day out idea.. One of the girls had a dead fly in her coffee and the chocolate lunch tasted like it had been sitting out all day. When we left we had to go somewhere else to eat cause it was just not good!!
I love their pasta ever since I picked it up at Kingmas, as a customer at there main location I was ignored, when I did check out the man waiting on me was polite, but not interested in finding out that there was a market for larger variety of gluten free pasta. I probably wont make a special trip again, but by their pasta from retailers that sell it.
Awesome experience! Looking forward to another opportunity to learn from Ryan. My wife had a great time with our brunch experience today.
My wife and I did the lobster dinner class and we made a Tiramisu as well as a shrimp scampi salad and everything was phenomenal the staff was very helpful and knowledgeable and the experience was so fun great for a first date or trying to rekindle the fire with something outside of the box for a change in the normal date nights.
Great teachers! We had a lot of fun making everything from scratch.
I had an issue with a damaged delivery that was sent across the state but the manager was very apologetic and was able to resupply me. Everything that Ive purchased here has been delicious!
Classes are very well done in a smaller, intimate group setting. The 25 year old balsamic is the best vinegar Ive ever tasted.
Love this place. So many great option for pasta and wine and great service. Walked in first time there and the staff was soooo knowledgeable we will defently be back
Awesome! Jayson was fun, knowledgeable, and made our first pasta making experience memorable. Thank you!
My wife and I took an hour long pasta making class. It was really just informative and taught the basics of pasta making. It included a delicious lunch also.
Wonderful pasta class and lunch. Lots of fun, and nice staff. Bought pasta from their store. Will be taking their gelato class too.
So cute and amazing food! The chocolate lunch was awesome!
The classes are a lot of fun I signed up ahead of time for the changing seasonal classes! The instructors are very knowledgeable.
The take-n-bake chicken alfredo lasagna is phenomenal, and it comes in a large portion size that you can freeze or eat from throughout the week.
Dont ever work for Ryan or Perry or hope for that matter ...I was going to be running their farmers market for them on Rockford Mich.I was told 3 different thing a from everyone of them .then the owner Ryan calls me... after texting with him and tells me Im The owner what everyone tells you is wrong...its commission ...but you get 70$ no matter what ...lol the market manger says its 40$ no matter what with 1$ commission..them hope ...Idk who that is says its 2$ commission...then once Ryan an I are talking he gets pissed off at me because Ive been told way to many things and says you know what dont worry about it and hangs up the phone on me ... Real good owner !!
Excellent atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, great cocktails - thanks again!
Great selection of home made pastas in several unique flavors. They also offer nice cooking classes.
This is one of the best couples evenings you can do. Its fun, you get to eat stuff, can have wine and you take whatever you learned to make.
We had an incredible time here tonight, thank you so much for making my team feel welcome, loved and spoiled!!! Definitely would recommend :)
The pasta is amazing! Highly recommend taking their classes oh so fun and delicious.
We love The Local Epicurian! This was our third time and we WILL be back! Thanks Ryan for a great time and good food
Super fun! Meet new people, learn to cook, then eat!! The instructors were so funny!
Great class on mozzarella making. Very informative and fun. Thanks Ryan for the great learning experience.
We really enjoyed our class along with the meal we made to take home. Very fun.
We did the Dinner in Rome cooking class - as before, the experience was top-notch!
Had not been in for awhile.... great changes
Wife and I have done several classes now, always a great evening!!
Had a great time taking a cooking class.Nice selection of pasta and other items.
Great place to get handmade pasta and food. Highly recommend as a foodie destination.
The cooking classes are so fun! Def a good date night
Very good cheeses and wine! Will definitely be bringing some friends back.
Me and my finance took a cooking class here best date night we have done in a while
The pasta making class was a ton of fun, not to mention delicious. Well be back!
Class was really fun, and the food was great. Perfect Portions too
Delicious food! Amazing classes and super fun and insightful instructors.
Food is interesting fun place to check out, nice guys behind the deli counter let me sample items
Took a ravioli making class, which was a lot of fun. Great atmosphere.
They are always very helpful and friendly and well make fresh pasta for you on the spot
Beautiful place very rustic, pleasing , comfortable if youre in the area go you wont be sorry...
Fun lunch and dinner classes, great Italian dishes to go!
Took a pasta making class... Loved it! Cant bring alcohol only downfall.
Absolutely amazing shop! So many intriguing pastas made in house.
Cooking class was fabulous! So fun and delicious!
What a fun class!! Going back again and taking more friends. Food was yummy!!!!
Thoroughly enjoyed our class and took advantage of their offer for another.
Pick up the gluten free pasta. Its amazing. So are their truffles.
Loved my gelato experience and so did my family!
Owners are disrespectful and unprofessional. They are a local business owner, but are out to ruin other local businesses for their own profit.
Chef Allen is the best!
Jason was awesome! Class was lots of fun
Awesome cooking experience. We will be going back for more!
Awesome. Very fun cooking experience and great date night
Love to see the different kinds of gourmet pasta they have!
We went the butter/cheese making presentation. It was amazing!!!
Quick pace, interactive questions and instruction, and delicious food. We will be back soon!
Love the selections here. Great classes are offered
Took advantage of a group for
Cooking class are fun, affordable and delicious. I plan to frequent here.
Fun office outing learning to cook and then eating what we made.
Please take one of their classes. You wont regret it!
Amazing classes and a delectable selection. Highly recommend!
The cookies are amazing just like the rest of the food!
Great choices of terrific pasta.
Cooking classes are entertaining and a great date night
Took a pasta mailing class. It was a good time.
Took the Tuscan cooking class, it was great!
Try the roasted tomato/pesto sauce!
Cooking class was so much fun!
Thanks ravioli class was so fun!!
Great staff and amazing cookies 🍪
Funnest and tastiest Saturday evening!
Excellent class in Tuscan cooking
Wonderful fun truffle class!
Total reviews rating 4.6
199 Reviews for The Local Epicurean 2023:
Review №1
2022-04-16The pasta here is pretty good but the customer service leaves much to be desired. My husband and I went in to get some pasta for Easter and were looking around. They had tables set by the cash register and brunch menus on them that said Now Taking Reservations so I leaned over to look at one. I saw the price of $99 for 3 courses and decided it wasnt for us so I walked away. We then gathered the pasta we wanted and walked to the register and I hear someone behind us talk to my husband and say Do you want this? You should just take it. I turned around to see what he was being offered and it was a menu. So I thought, Oh thats nice, theyre promoting their brunch. and then the guy says, Were having a private party and we cant have things that have been touched so you should just take it. I may have touched it...I dont really remember, but Im pretty sure I just leaned over. I certainly didnt pick it up. BUT, it was sitting out there advertising their brunch, asking for reservations with the phone number on it. It was not a private party menu. There was nothing indicating that they did not want people to interact with it. If it really couldnt be used once they thought it had been touched, they should have muttered things about me behind my back, quietly replaced it and figured out a better way to prevent it from happening again. There was no need for them to go out of their way to be rude about it.
Review №2
2022-06-30My wife and I did the Wild Foraged Morel Mushroom Dinner for our anniversary, it was fantastic! It was so much fun and the dinner we made was delicious. Thank you to our chef Bianca. She was great.We had a wonderful time.
Review №3
2022-07-18I am so impressed with the cooking class we took here. The facilities were wonderful, but I am most impressed with the staff and our instructor who took us on a Day in Italy. Simply delicious. We look forward to coming back.
Review №4
2022-04-04We had so much fun at The local Epicurean. Fumi was the best host and made us feel so welcome. The food that we prepared was absolutely phenomenal! This is a must go to place for anyone looking to have a fun experience. We highly recommend this place and ask for Fumi as your host.
Review №5
2022-04-08Had an AMAZING experience with my family (wife & 3 kids ages 14,13, & 10). Ryan was very attentive and made sure that my kids were engaged and involved, they definitely had way more fun than they thought that they were. Try the pasta it’s all handmade in-house, highly recommend!!!
Review №6
2022-05-22Wowowow this place is AMAZING!!! We absolutely loved the experience, the food was incredible And the workers were so kind! I definitely recommend trying out their cooking classes. We will 100% be back!
Review №7
2022-07-08Highly recommend this delicious and amazing experience to everyone! Fumi and the entire staff were amazing, we learned so much and had tons of fun and laughs. Do yourself a favor and sign up for a cooking class...you wont regret it and your stomach will thank you too 😋 5+ Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review №8
2021-12-10I had the opportunity to attend a cooking class yesterday evening with my coworkers and our significant others. Our instructor, Fumi, was a BLAST and the meal turned out amazing. They have so many great drink options and the bartender, Jason, is a ton of fun. Even if youre not attending a class, be sure to look through the store and check out all of their unique products, or just hang out at the bar. 10/10 recommend this class to anyone for a date night or a fun night out with friends.
Review №9
2022-01-26Absolutely Amazing Time! Jason and Fume(Sorry if I’ve spelled it wrong) we’re ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Great customer service and so enjoyable! We literally had the best time with them. Can’t wait to go back! I literally had to buy my gift certificate that night because I just knew I would be coming back to see those two! They both were extremely knowledgeable and their personalities were shining the whole night!
Review №10
2021-11-21AMAZING EXPERIENCE! Fumi (sp?) was so much fun to cook with! Jason was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. This class was fun and well paced. It was a wonderful experience that we can’t wait to do again! Thank you Local Epicurean, 10/10 recommend!