Amway Grand Plaza Hotel’s MDRD Restaurant Finally Opens

For many years we knew it as Cygnus 27. It was the restuarant/bar on the 27th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids.

Cygnus closed in March 2019 as part of an $40 million facelift of the hotel. They are also in the process of putting new glass on the exterior of the Amway Grand Tower.

To replace Cygnus, a new restaurant named MDRD (pronounced “Madrid”) was originally scheduled to open last November. That opening was delayed due to restaurants being unable to offer dine-in service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that some of those restrictions have been lifted, MDRD will be open for business as of Tuesday, February 2nd.

According to AHC, the management company of the Amway Grand Plaza and MDRD, the full-service restaurant in the sky will serve up “modern Spanish cuisine, lavish libations, an energetic atmosphere and unobstructed river and city views".

George Aquino, the vice president and managing director of AHC Hospitality remarked:  “With the most coveted city views in Michigan, MDRD will be a fun and intimate spot for date nights, evenings out on the town and special events — for locals and visitors alike.”

According to the Amway Grand website, MDRD will serve "modern Spanish cuisine including expressive entrées, tantalizing tapas and shareables, along with decadent desserts and lavish libations."

Entrees will range in price from $30 to $55 and include roasted chicken breast, roasted pork belly, lightly salted cod, pan seared scallops, beef tenderloin steak, along with shrimp, chicken, and chorizo paella for one or two.

MDRD will be open for dinner from 4:30 pm to 10 pm Tuesday through Saturday. COVID-19 safety precautions will be place in accordance with state and local guidelines.

For additional information, and to make reservations, visit the official MDRD website.

The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel is located at 187 Monroe Ave. NW in downtown Grand Rapids.