Eastern Market Gobbling

Imagine a kinder, gentler Thanksgiving. No number-taking in the meat department. No shopping-cart bullies lording over the cheese cooler. No fist-fighting other pie lovers for the last pumpkin filling on the shelf. This year, take back Thanksgiving and vow to have fun while you shop. Detroit’s Eastern Market has everything you need to do up your holiday right.

Pre-Shopping Warm-up
The first rule of Eastern Market: Never shop on an empty stomach. If the line is too long at Russell Street for some sit-down, pre-shopping sustenance, grab a coffee to go and then pop next door to Flat Planet Pizza for some homemade beignets and tarts. Not only will your stomach thank you, the sugar intake from just a couple of these tiny pastries is just the kick in the pants you’ll need to tackle Turkey Day Eastern Market style.

Item 1: Poultry
Now, on to the first item on your list: Turkey. Chug the rest of your coffee and make a beeline for Capital Poultry on Gratiot. These folks assure that you’ll have absolutely no trouble finding a live bird between 13 and 25 lbs up ‘til two days before Thanksgiving. And if it’s fresh chickens you’re after, well, they’ve got a bunch of those, too. Just beware that this store is not for lightweights. In order to get your fresh feast, there’s that little matter of how to get that gorgeous bird of your dreams to go night-night. Well, fear not. Capital’s totally got your back on that one.

And while you’re there, be sure to say “Hi” to the Clyde the rooster: He’s all the rage with the ladies.

Item 2: Beef  
What’s toasty warm on a cold day and has cuts of meat that could double as small homes? Well, Gratiot Central Market, of course. So if the next item on your list reads “red meat,” pop in to this meat-lover’s paradise on Gratiot and take a look around.

Gratiot Central Market offers customers 10 stands of fresh meats, including steak, ham, ribs, and even Kosher corned beef and Amish Chicken. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, flag down owner of the market, Donald Ross. Not only will you get a market history lesson, he’ll point you to where you need to be to check item number deux off your list.

Item 3: Vino
Check your watch. Check your list. Is it time for booze yet? Yes, you say? Well, stroll on over to the Cost Plus Wine at 2448 Market St., right next to the market, and meet Tim McCarthy and his little wine shop that could.

McCarthy (of County Cork, thank you very much), has Thanksgiving adult beverage selection down to a science. His top choice for wine is a white with a tinge of sweetness like a Vouvray, which he says does well to combat the slow drying out of the turkey during the course of dinner. He also suggests a light-bodied, fruity red like Beaujolais Nouveau or even a German Spatlese Riesling.

For after dinner, Tim suggests a nice Portuguese Tawny Port, to go along with blue cheese, baguettes and fresh fruit.

If you’re looking for another wine imbibe at your table, well, Tim will give you his honest opinion, and even if you’re not Irish, probably a couple of hugs, too.

Item 4: Fromage
Next item up on your list: Cheese? Step outside, turn right and go you’re right in front of R. Hirt Jr. Co. At this point, your pre-game snack will be wearing off and it’ll be just about time to revive with a couple slices from Hirt’s severely kick-ass cheese selection.

Hirt’s owner, David DeVries, will let you sample almost any cheese he’s got before you buy it. For Thanksgiving, he suggests a mature Scottish cheddar for the table, something like McLelland's. He’s been schooled, of course, by next-door neighbor McCarthy, who preaches that the cheese should never overpower the taste of wine. So rest assured, DeVries’ offering is the perfect choice for all the cheeseheads at your table.

But remember, Hirt’s is no place to lollygag around. It’s a finely-oiled machine of a shop. Order. Wrap. Pay. So to all you cheese novices out there: Fake it until you make it or risk throwing off the whole magical chi at Hirt’s.

Items 5-6: Spices and Coffee
Brush the cheese crumbs off your list and check the next item: spice, perhaps? A few doors down from Russell Street Deli is Rafal Spice Co., potentially the best smelling four walls on the planet.

Whether you’re doing traditional Thanksgiving or something more eclectic, there is no possible way Rafal could not have the spice you need. Grab from jars of olive leaves, sassafras, saffron and turkey favorites like parsley, sage, rosemary, and er … um … thyme.

And get this. Rafal also carries Great Lakes brand Fair Trade coffee beans. So, with a nice Holiday Blend coming in at a mere $10.49 a pound, your guests will thank you for the great cuppa, and for the politically correct blendage.

Items 7-8: Fruits and Veggies
The main stalls at Eastern Market are no joke and on a lively Saturday, appearing more like a Turkish bazaar than outdoor market. Vendors and their veggies compete for your attention at every corner, but in true Detroit fashion, you get much, much more than just the freshest produce around.

Take, for instance, the chestnut growers from Saginaw. Hawking their Michigan-grown yummies, they refuse to have their chestnuts ignored. Expect: a lecture on how to properly peel chestnuts, the ingredients for Chestnut Apple Stuffing and enough chestnuts roasting to rival a Bing Crosby get-together.

Also out to entertain customers is Ridley Orchards with their fine apple selection and spiced mulled cider. Stop by, sample some Michigan apple cider and get advice from Donald Ridley himself about the best apples to use for your pie.

Item 9-10: Bread and Sweets
Apparently, there’s just those two items left on your list: bread and dessert. In Eastern Market, there’s only one spot to get your baked goods on and give yourself a little treat for having just shopped your rear off: Milano’s Bakery.

Located on the corner of Russell and Mack, Milano’s is just the perfect place to pick up the pumpkin or sweet potato pie for your holiday soiree. While there, you can also pick up your bread supply for the big day. Milano’s suggests a nice pumpernickel for your meal, but also gives props to old standards, French and Italian.

But, no need to commit so readily to just one dessert choice. It’s probably a good idea to sample the blueberry English pies, cupcakes and sprinkle cookies before you make your final decisions. Seriously, your guests are relying on you to satisfy their sweet teeth. So, don't fumble this one. You’re in the home stretch now. 3 … 2 …1 …

Happy Thanksgiving!

For more information, go to:
http://www.easternmarket.org
http://www.rafalspicecompany.com/

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all photos copyright Dave Krieger