Gather Bringing Wood-Fired American Comfort Food to Eastern Market

Eastern Market continues to gain steam among restaurant start-ups. A new concept, Gather, is setting up shop on Gratiot Avenue near Trinosophes and Antietam. The American eatery will feature a wood-fired grill and seats for between 30 to 40 people, co-owner Kyle Hunt tells Eater.

Kyle Hunt, alongside wife Lea Hunt (manager at Café Con Leche in New Center), and chef Nate Vogeli recently leased the two-story Eastern Market space with help from The Loft Warehouse. Plans call for communal seating, a small four to five-seat bar, and an open kitchen where diners have view of the action. The partners have also collected a variety of reclaimed items from old Detroit high schools, such as chairs and tables, which will be incorporated into the space. Gather has tapped MertzDesign in Grosse Pointe to develop a cohesive look for the venue.

Courtesy of Gather

Gather will take over a two-story brick building on Gratiot near Trinosophes and Antietam. [Photo: Courtesy of Gather]

Kyle describes Gather as "gritty fine dining" with a rustic American comfort food slant. Like the restaurant, chef Vogeli's menu is still very much under-development but teases items like crispy pork belly with "black" squid ink noodles, seasoned bison burgers, and a strong vegetable section with sweet potato steaks and loaded scalloped potatoes. Ingredients, including those for the bar, will be sourced locally and from Eastern Market. Michigan made beer and wine will be served at the bar as well as signature cocktails with "no added sugar and fresh squeezed juices." The restaurant will also offer a slushies and an old-school soft serve machine.

Interior renderings for Gather [Images: Courtesy of Gather]

Last weekend Gather launched a $20,000 Kickstarter campaign to help fund its build-out and equipment including a wood fire grill, ventilation, and refrigeration. At the time of publication, the group had met nearly a quarter of its goal. Beginning in April, on the first Sunday of every month Gather will host a 5-course pop-up dinner at 8 Degrees Plato Detroit. The restaurant is estimated to open in late-summer or early fall barring any of the typical restaurant build-out delays.

Watch Gather's Kickstarter video below: