Welcome to the Bistro

And, another fine week it has been!  The beautiful sunshine is so invigorating. I’ve been spending as much time as possible out doors. On Tuesday I and sister-in-laws, Colleen, Joy and Joyce, did a guided walk of the Eastern Market.  
The 4.5 acre market has been around since 1891 and is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Many merchants and farmers have been here for 4 generations. It is located within walking distance of Ford Field and Comerica Park and you’re able to bike to the RiverWalk, Corktown, Downtown and Midtown. On Tuesdays, the day we went, only shed 2 is open but the variety of produce was incredible. Lots of pumpkins, peppers, corn and root veggies abounded. Additionally there were vendors selling their wares – soaps, pickles, pies and beautiful handmade scarves, hats and HOT-HOT-HOT this year, capes. We had tastings of Supino’s pizza and Germack’s house roasted coffee. My favorite was walking through the Gratiot Central Market. There were many childhood food memories brought to mind – oxtails: Aunt Betty’s oxtail soup; lamb shanks: my Mom made the best ever; duck eggs – dad loved them; beef liver – grandpa Smith’s favorite and big, big, short ribs… I could go on and on. I veered off the “beaten path” and found a great doggie and kitty store “3 dogs and 1 cat.” It was fun to browse the very expensive collars and leashes made by Shinola – I love my pups but hundreds of dollars for each of them is not in my budget. They’ll never know.   And, the murals, dozens of them through out the market are incredible. The talent is beyond belief…

The big boy Z and I had a great ride this morning. He was totally full of himself – egged on by the cold weather. It is so much fun to have that much power under your center of gravity. Move a little to the right, he moves, a little to the left, he moves, lean wrong – watch out. Nothing dangerous, just an off-course faux-pas. Sit tall, he collects, let your core relax a bit, he goes on. What a great teacher.  I’m looking forward to a winter of learning from the master. And the pups spent the afternoon in the yard nosing around as I start to ready the gardens and yard for the winter. Each week I mow I think it will be the last. It never is. And, the veggie garden is still giving bountifully. The tomatoes, cukes, jalapeños and herbs abound. The leaves are piling up. The birds eating like banshees fueling themselves for their long journey to warm weather.  Life is good!

We are celebrating Oktoberfest with some great Chalkboard Features. Oktoberfest originally was a celebration of the wedding of Prince Ludwig and his bride Therese in Munich, Germany in 1810. It spans for several weeks from the end of September until early October with 16 million people attending from around the world.  We’ve got a 10 oz. Bone-In Pork Chop smothered with Beer Gravy and Accompanied with German Style Potatoes and Sauerkraut; Sautéed Lake Superior Perch; Roasted Rainbow Trout served with a Butternut Squash and Kale Strata & Warm Bacon Vinaigrette; Pecan Cinnamon Bread Pudding and a Hot Crab Dip with Garlic Crostini. YUM!!
 
MAKE EVERY DAY A MILLION DOLLAR ONE!
 
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE BISTRO!!
 
XXOO, MARY