The 616 Ten: Ten Question, One Guest, All Grand Rapids

Episode 8  of  The 616 Ten  features  Raphael Jones , chef and co-owner of Garden District in downtown Grand Rapids. Michael sits down with Raphael to talk about food as memory, the influence of family and New Orleans roots, and what it means to cook with intention. From gumbo and red beans to open kitchens and hospitality, this conversation goes beyond the plate and into legacy, culture, and comm...

This week, Michael sits down with  Faith from @faithsfoodblog , one of GR’s favorite local food accounts, to run through the official 616 Ten – ten rapid-fire questions about the best eats in and around the city. Faith shares how a grainy iPod Touch and childhood food pics turned into a full-blown Grand Rapids food blog, growing up in Rockford, and why exploring local spots after college made her...

The 616 Ten steps beyond food this week. Host Michael shares his personal story living with Ebstein’s anomaly and welcomes  Julie Neuhaus  and  Remi Monaghan  from the  American Heart Association (AHA) – Michigan  to spotlight  10 heart-healthy activities  you can do around Grand Rapids as the temps drop—think ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle, snowshoeing and XC at Indian Trails, pickleball, sledd...

We’re live with a very special guest — Janelle from  @GrandRapidsGourmet . If you’ve seen her page, you know she makes every bite look irresistible. From smash burgers at Little Bird to Detroit-style pizza at Corinos, to hidden gems like Rumi’s Garden Afghan food truck — Janelle takes us deep into GR’s foodie scene with passion, humor, and insider knowledge. 💡 What you’ll hear in this episode: Wh...

n Episode 4 of  The 616 Ten , host Michael Vicinelly welcomes a very special guest, Emily Joyce, known across social media as  Emily in Grand Rapids . Emily has built a following by digging beneath the surface of Grand Rapids and uncovering the restaurants, coffee shops, cocktail bars, and hidden gems that make the city unique. She is more than just a “bad influence” as she jokingly calls herself—...

Chef Jenna Arcidiacono ( Archie-dee-AHH-koh-noh ) has spent her career blending authentic Italian cuisine with a deep commitment to community. From her early days slinging chili dogs at Cook’s Drive-In to learning the art of casalinga cooking in Milan, Jenna’s journey led her to open  Amore Trattoria Italiana , one of West Michigan’s most celebrated restaurants. In this conversation, we talk about...

🎧 Episode 2 – Matt Muscat: Burgers, Billionaires & Baked Alaska Welcome back to  The 616 Ten  — your Grand Rapids cheat code for all things local food, drink, and community vibes. And today? We’ve got a big one. Marketing mastermind, mortgage man-about-town, and resident local expert  Matt Muscat  joins us in the studio for a whirlwind tour through the best eats, drinks, and hidden gems in Gr...

Welcome to the very first episode of  The 6 1 6 Ten Podcast —I’m your host, Michael Elli. Now, if you’re tuning in, odds are you’re either a Grand Rapidian yourself or at least Grand Rapids curious. Either way, you’re in the right spot. This show started from a simple question:  Where should we eat tonight?  My family and I moved to Grand Rapids not too long ago, and like anyone new to the area, w...

The 616 Ten  is the podcast that puts Grand Rapids on the record — one plate, pint, and pour at a time. Each week, we ask a new local guest ten carefully crafted questions about the food, drink, and flavor that define life in the 616. From longtime residents to fresh faces, chefs to creatives, entrepreneurs to everyday enthusiasts — if you’ve got taste buds and an opinion, you’re in the right plac...