CarrieDaway

Our destination was Gratiot. Gratiot Avenue is one of Detroit’s thoroughfares – the signature of the Eastside.  It cuts through Eastern Market and Lafayette Park but is doesn’t attract the attention or development of other areas.  This has bothered me for years because there are beautiful storefronts that were obviously popular at some point.  I’ve been waiting for things to happen on this block and it looks like the time is now.

I’ll start by saying the block isn’t void of activity, Trinoscope (a cafe/gallery/music venue) opened in 2013 and it looks like there is some life behind other closed doors.  As luck would have it not all the doors were closed, we came across an open one and saw a couple gentlemen sitting at a vintage bar.  I couldn’t help but pop inside to find out what they were up to.  Turns out they’re opening a restaurant in a few weeks!

In true Detroit fashion our unexpected visit was welcomed.  We were invited to look around and take pictures.  The restaurant, Antietam, is scheduled to open in a few weeks.  I checked out the menu online and it looks as unique as the building. Oysters, zucchini vichyssoise, bone marrow, Moroccan steak and, my favorite, cheese beignets – to name a few items.

*Figuratively speaking ofcourse, Michigan is notorious for its bad roads.
** For a point of reference, this block is a 5 minute walk from Eastern Market and a 20 minute walk from Campus Martius.