Monday, July 12, 2010

3D + Wheelhouse Detroit Brunch Bike Tour


What varieties of flavors can you savor at the largest historic public market district in the United States? Join Discover Detroit Dining as we partner with Wheelhouse Detroit on a brunchtime bike tour of bustling Eastern Market and discover for yourself a whole new world of imported flavors, artisanal treats, and Detroit classics!

Join us Saturday, July 31 and experience Eastern Market as you never have before. We’ll start our tour at Wheelhouse Detroit, located in the Rivard Plaza on the beautiful Detroit Riverwalk, at 1:00PM. From there we’ll bike through the Dequindre Cut Greenway, a non-motorized urban recreational path which connects the Riverwalk to Eastern Market and still retains much of the graffiti art the Cut was previously known for.

Once at the Market, we’ll have plenty of time to peruse the variety of shops and vendors and don’t worry – bikes will be equipped with baskets so you can take your favorites home!

Make sure you bring your appetite: we’ll start at Gabriel Import Co. for a taste of the Mediterranean: a huge selection of imported olives float in massive jars of brine, and we’ll get to sample those along with feta cheese and a variety of meat, cheese, & spinach pies as well as tabbouleh and hummus with pita bread, all made fresh daily.

From there we’ll stop by R. Hirt Jr. Co., the specialty foods market which feels like an old-fashioned general store. They boast more than 300 different varieties of cheeses, several of which we’ll be sampling along with crackers and salami. A cheese expert will also be on-hand to explain the different varieties and help you pick the cheese that’s right for you.

And no brunch would be complete without Bloody Marys! Last on our culinary bike tour we’ll head to Vivio’s, a Detroit staple for 40 years which serves Bloody Marys properly, with a beer shooter. You can even buy their famous mix! While we’re there we’ll dig into their buckets of mussels, sampling 5 different varieties: traditional steamed with white wine, garlic & butter; Jamaican Jerk; Spicy Cajun; Pub-Style with Italian sausage, beer & red onion; and Tomato Basil with diced tomato, white wine & pesto. There will be plenty to go around! (Note: one Bloody Mary per person; buckets of mussels are shared.)

This all-inclusive package includes all of the tastings listed above as well as the guided tour for only $40 per person ($50 with bike rental). Tickets are available here through Wheelhouse Detroit.*

*Additional items throughout the Market can be purchased on an individual basis; be sure to bring cash. The tour will last approximately 3 hours. Parking is available in several nearby lots and structures. Please wear appropriate attire for outdoor biking/walking (tennis shoes; loose, comfortable clothing). Because of the limited number of spots available, refunds will not be issued. We reserve the right to reschedule the tour in the event of inclement weather. Please visit http://www.discoverdetroitdining.com/ for our complete Terms of Service.