Gratiot Avenue Provisions Will Bring Cured Meats and Wine to Eastern Market Next Year

Dave Kwiatkowski of the Detroit Optimist Society hospitality group is opening a charcuterie-centered restaurant called Gratiot Avenue Provisions and a line of cured meats operating under the same name in Eastern Market in 2018, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The restaurant will be located inside the former Detroit Candy building at 1528 Gratiot Avenue, which was most recently used as residential lofts, but sold last year. Kwiatkowski — who operates a number of restaurants and bars in the area including The Sugar House, The Peterboro, and Wright & Co. — is partnering with the building’s new owners Jessica Woll and Don Stewart on the project.

The 3,800-square-foot establishment is expected to seat roughly 75 diners inside with an additional 25 to 30 seats in a basement wine cellar and an additional 50 seats on the rooftop patio. The owners have recruited an as-of-yet unnamed chef and butcher to helm the restaurant and cured meats line. The eatery is aiming to offer dinner and brunch as well as grab-and-go lunch options. Unlike other Detroit Optimist Society spots, Gratiot Avenue Provisions bar will be placing a greater emphasis on wine over cocktails.

Brenna Houck

A small amount of the charcuterie will be prepared and aged on-site, but the larger Gratiot Avenue Provisions brand of meats will be produced in a different, thus far unspecified location. The meats will also be offered at other Detroit Optimist Society restaurants and bars as well as for retail at the market.

The Gratiot Avenue Provisions meats will begin appearing at bars and restaurants around town in early 2018 with the restaurant is tentatively scheduled to arrive by mid-spring 2018.

This is the latest Detroit restaurant to combine a butcher shop operation with a restaurant. While not specifically designed for retail, high-end steakhouse Prime + Proper has hired a head butcher to develop an interactive meat program. Likewise, a restaurant-butcher shop combo called Marrow is on track to open along Kercheval Avenue in West Village soon.

• Former Detroit Candy Headquarters to Become Charcuterie Restaurant [Freep]
• All Detroit Optimist Society Coverage [ED]
• All Coming Attractions Coverage [ED]