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Mia and Grace is a contemporary restaurant and bakery that would easily fit in Chicago or New York’s dining scene. Instead, it operates in a building that stood vacant for 15 years, previously home to Big Bob’s, (“the omelet king”), in a relatively unimpressive area of Muskegon. Mia and Grace resides on Third Street sits next to Brown Bag Boutique and an empty for sale building. Its immediate success since opening in July of 2008 definitely contributes to the regentrification of downtown Muskegon. Once inside the shoebox-shaped structure, soothing acoustic music filled my ears and the sight of the large brown packing paper menu hanging on the peachy back wall soothed my eyes. It’s like seeing precious land from a ravaged boat. That may seem exaggerated but it’s true for the foodie types. But Mia and Grace is a place for anyone looking to indulge in quality, hand crafted, satisfying cuisine.

My server, Nikki, greeted me from the counter under the fluctuating menu — this establishment adheres to the ethos of farm-to table, seasonal food — in a friendly tone. Nikki informed me of popular dishes and allowed me to choose my table. I slyly selected a table in the nook of the room, next to the kitchen. The black swinging doors allowed a glimpse into where the magic happens.

To begin my food coma, I selected the creole onion soup ($3, $5 for bowl). The tastiness was presented in an elegant teacup along with a glass of refreshing water. Similar to French onion soup, soft thinly sliced onions in beef broth was topped with homemade croutons rather than the traditional cheese. The creole seasoning offered a nice bite to the already fulfilling flavor. My only wish was for more than two croutons. My house made hot dog came in a timely manner with a side of beautifully flushed apple-fennel coleslaw and three spheres of sweet pickles. The taste shot all other hot dogs to hell, but the outside texture was a bit rough and hard to bite. Table manners will go out the window when eating this, you need to rip and pull rather than bite. It was annoying. So ask for more napkins.

Mia and Grace makes everything in house, even soda. Per custom, I ordered the lavender vanilla bean cream soda in all its white cloud, creamy goodness. The fusion of flavor is both unique and likeable. Choose from others like root beer, ginger ale, and lemon thyme. These flavor provocateurs also make ice cream from root beer and Cajun butter pecan to candied bacon.

I deftly concentrated on my surroundings. Juxtaposed peach and periwinkle blue walls house local art. Behind the bakery counter displaying a variety of desserts and baked goods sit locally-crafted teapots and teacups. Mia and Grace operates as a truly hyper-local restaurant with numerous partnerships with Michigan farms and businesses. Local artist and Community College professor, Lee Ann Frame, is one of the featured artists whose piece “The Offering,” hung above my dark mahogany table. Sunlight streamed in from the large front windows casting light on the lightly baked wooden floors.

Owners and executive chefs, Jeremy and Jamie Pacquin found the perfect spot to bring their decadence to West Michigan after moving from Houston. Mia is the name of their two year old daughter and Grace is Jeremy’s grandmother and sister. This food gem features unique dishes imbued with intense flavor through a passion for cooking and compassion for building locally.