Venue 45 - THREE RIVERS

I was excited to hear about a new restaurant in Three Rivers, set in a beautifully restored Victorian era building where the Portage, Rocky, and St. Joseph Rivers meet. Originally starting as an event space in 2018, Venue 45 quickly transformed into a cocktail bar in 2019 due to popular demand. With the addition of Chef Ralph Humes, the restaurant expanded into a full-service dining experience in mid-2019. The menu at Venue 45, curated by Chef Humes, features entrees and sides with a southern influence. The restaurant also offers a variety of craft cocktails, craft beers, and other drinks made with locally sourced ingredients. The Lakeside cocktail, crafted with house-made blueberry liqueur, honey syrup, whiskey, and lemon, was a delightful choice. The elegant ambiance of the space added to the dining experience, giving off a fine dining vibe reminiscent of downtown Chicago. The Roasted Brussels with parmesan and balsamic glaze and Crab Cakes with potatoes, peppers, remoulade, and shrimp were visually stunning and delicious. The house-made key lime pie was so good that I would have licked the plate if I was alone! With exceptional food, drinks, and ambiance, Venue 45 gets a five-star rating from me.

I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant. The atmosphere was lovely and the food was fantastic. The Blackened Walleye was especially delicious and I look forward to having it again in the future.

We absolutely enjoyed our first visit to Venue 45 and will definitely be returning! Situated on the main street in Three Rivers, this restaurant is a hidden gem. The food was delicious; the portions were just right, not too big but still satisfying. We usually like to have a drink at the bar, but unfortunately, there are only two stools available, so it's best to make a reservation if you want to sit there. We were pleasantly surprised by the live music on the night we visited (they mentioned it's on the first Thursday of every month, but hopefully, they'll have it more often). We started with the candied bacon and special risotto balls, which were both amazing! I ordered the short rib dish, which was absolutely divine. The vegetables in the dish were cooked perfectly. My husband tried the beef stroganoff, which he had never ordered at a restaurant before, and he finished every bite. The service was attentive, the wine selection was excellent (although a bit pricey for bottles), and they had a wide variety of Michigan draft beers. The menu is on the smaller side, which we appreciate as it ensures the food is fresh and seasonal. The only downside was that our server wore heavily scented hand lotion, which made the glasses and plates smell the same, not ideal while eating and drinking.

Although I have not had the opportunity to view the main menu, the desserts and cocktails at this restaurant are incredible experiences. It is the perfect spot for a date night or simply to unwind after dining at other establishments in Three Rivers. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the mixologist is very talented and creative, enhancing the overall dining experience.

This restaurant quickly became one of our favorites in the area. They specialize in small plates, but the portions are just right. Ordering an appetizer and a dish leaves you satisfied, not stuffed. We used to think we had to go to Kalamazoo to find this quality of food, so we are thrilled to have it right here in Three Rivers. We will definitely be coming back!