Zaccaro's Market Now Open in Brush Park

After hearing over two dozen people oooh and ahhh about the new Zaccaro's Market in Brush Park, I finally had a chance to check out Detroit's newest gourmet grocery store for myself a few weeks ago.

And gourmet it is.

Located at Woodward and Watson, in the bottom of the new Crystal Lofts, Zaccaro's is a fresh and airy specialty market featuring deli meats, cheeses, wine, prepared meals, seafood, spices, spreads, ethnic foods and more. As this Detroit News article states, the store also offers "an in-house bakery and pastry shop", as well as a coffee bar and a wine bar. In addition, Zaccaro's currently offers nine varieties of hot sandwiches/paninis ($7.95 each or $9.75 for the sandwich, chips and a drink) including 'The Green Acre' -- grilled eggplant, roasted peppers, artichoke spread, hummus and smoked mozzarella -- and 'The 313' -- corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese and 1000 Island on rye. There is also a small area at the back of the store featuring a table and chairs and a few arm chairs for you and a few friends to hang out if you so desire.

Though you will find some staples for your fridge and cupboards -- milk, yogurt, bread, fruit -- Zaccaro's prices are high and product selection is slim unless you're looking for artisan cheeses and gourmet coffee, so don't go giving up your regular grocery store just yet. (To give you an idea of pricing, a package of 6 Boca Burgers was $5.95; a pint of Soy Dream ice cream was $4.50; and the prepared lasagna bolognese my husband purchased was $8.95/pound.)

Zaccaro's reminded me a little bit of Trader Joe's -- I usually shop there for specialty foods like veggie burgers and Indian food -- with the nice part being that Zaccaro's is a lot closer to my house, and it is within city limits.

Bottom line: I am pleased that Detroiters have another food shopping option, and will definitely go back to Zaccaro's for health and ethnic food, and for items like artisan cheeses and pastries for entertaining.

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I scream, you scream ...

... we all scream for ice cream!

Loads of Detroiters will be doing just that this week when the Ben and Jerry's Partnershop in downtown Detroit hands out free 4 ounce cones as part of the ice cream chain's National Free Cone Day.

The free ice cream cones are available to anyone who enters the shop between noon and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29. The Partnershop is located at 1014 Woodward Avenue on the ground floor of the Compuware building.

Owned and operated by Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit, the Detroit Partnershop provides paid work experience for Southeast Michigan youth with barriers to employment, giving them an important opportunity to succeed. PartnerShop employees receive training in resume-building and personal skills development, helping them gain important skills to prepare for their future. For more information on this special shop, click here.

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Get to Know Eastern Market with Feet on the Street

Looking for something fun to do on a Saturday? Feet on the Street tours may have just what you're searching for: a walking and tasting tour of Detroit's historic Eastern Market.

Scheduled for Saturday, April 26 and Saturday, May 3, these two-hour tours aim to acquaint participants with the market's offerings, teach them about its history and show them why thousands of people flock to Eastern Market - the nation's largest historic public market district - each Saturday.

Tours run from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. on the aforementioned dates, and cost $20 per person.

Visit FeetontheStreet.com for more information.

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Best Traditional Pizza is right here in the D

Thanks to Frank Nemecek over at the Warrendale Blog for giving me the heads-up about Gracie See Pizza, which recently competed in and won second place in the Best Traditional Pizza category at the 25th Annual International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas.

An excerpt:

Since the first and third place winners in this competition were both from Italy, I think we can confidently say that the best traditional pizza in America is made right here in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood. (Take that NYC!)

Congrats to everyone over at Gracie See!

Click here for more.

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What's new in Southwest Detroit?

How is Southwest Detroit growing? What kinds of business opportunities exist in this colorful community? What are community leaders doing to attract new companies and residents to the neighborhood?

Those and a host of other questions will be answered at How Does Southwest Detroit Grow?, the next installment of Model D's ongoing and highly-successful Speaker Series. The event will take place at 5 p.m. on April 23 at the Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle.

Sponsored by Model D, the Detroit Yacht Club and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, next week's program will feature the following Southwest Detroit business and community leaders:

• Kathy Wendler, Southwest Detroit Business Association
• Jim Saucedo, State Farm Insurance
• Tim Thorland and John Van Camp, Southwest Solutions
• Vito Valdez, artist

Registration starts at 5 p.m. and the lecture starts at 5:30 p.m. Networking and light refreshments will follow. The event is free, but seats fill up fast and you must RSVP to attend. To do so, click here.

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Mod hits Metro Detroit

Art deco lovers rejoice! The Michigan Modernism Exposition is right around the corner -- the big event hits the Southfield Municipal Complex on April 19 and 20 -- and the Detroit Area Art Deco Society (DAADS) is kicking off the weekend with a special preview party on Friday, April 18.

Designed to give deco-junkies first dibs on amazing 20th century antiques and fine arts, the special evening includes a sneak-peak of the expo, along with the display of a '37 Cord Phaeton; a vintage accessory fashion show; a live performance from jazz-band, SG Ensemble; and wine and appetizers. DAADS is also launching its first collectible poster at this year's event. Created by Detroit residents Chris and Lisa Heine, the poster is a graphic of Detroit's well-known and loved skyscraper, the Penobscot.

Tickets to the preview party, which runs from 7 - 10 p.m., are $50 in advance ($65 at the door) and can be purchased online here, or in person at several metro Detroit retailers. Proceeds from the event benefit DAADS scholarship, restoration and preservation programs.

“The preview party is incredible because you can be the first to purchase 20th century antiques and fine arts from merchants that travel to Michigan from the US, Canada and Europe,” said Gary Spondike, DAADS president. “DAADS is thrilled to put on the preview party once again and are so thankful to those who are joining us in making this one of our best openings.”

Not familiar with the Michigan Modernism Exposition? Featuring 20th century antiques and fine art from dealers across the US, Canada and Europe, this annual event embraces a broad selection of mid-century design in furniture, jewelry, clothing, radios, photographs, art, glass, china, silver, clocks, paintings and textiles.

The 2008 Michigan Modernism Exposition runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 19 and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 20. General admission is $8. Please visit DAADS on the Web for more information.

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Get rewarded for shopping in Detroit!

The Ren Cen Shops are happy to announce the launch of a customer loyalty program called rencen rewards.

Set to launch April 14-18, the new program will honor customers with one point for each dollar spent at the GM Renaissance Center, River East Center and the Millender Center. Accumulated points can then be redeemed for rewards like dinners, manicures and spa services offered at the three locations.

Rhonda Savage, marketing coordinator for Hines Management, says she and her team are excited to launch the new program. "We hope that by rewarding our loyal customers, we will encourage other building tenants and Detroit residents to take full advantage of the many services, shops, restaurants and amenities available at all the centers.”

To become a rencen rewards member, customers must complete a membership application, which is available at all stores and at the Customer Service Desk located on level A in the GM Wintergarden in the Renaissance Center.

For more information on the Ren Cen Shops and rencen rewards, click here.

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New amentities coming to Detroit RiverWalk

A week and a half ago, I attended a free talk on the progress of the Detroit RiverWalk and wanted to share some of the exciting things I learned.

The first is that bike rentals are coming to the Rivard Plaza this spring! Soon enough, you'll be able to hit the RiverWalk, rent a bike and enjoy the beautiful Detroit riverfront on two wheels.

In addition to this cool amenity, Faye Nelson, president and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, announced that Rivard Plaza will also welcome concessions this spring. According to Nelson, individuals using the RiverWalk will have the opportunity to enjoy "breakfast, lunch and dinner along the Detroit Riverfront" as early as May.

Other items of note that I took away from the event included the announcement of the Red Bull Air Race -- this cool event runs May 31 - June 1 -- and the dates of the second annual River Days -- an awesome festival that drew 700,000 people last year -- which runs June 20 - 23.

For more Detroit RiverWalk news, click here.

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BINZ Run coming up

I don't know about you, but the return of the sun this week makes me want to be outside from dawn until dusk.

A great way to get outside and enjoy the sun in southeast Michigan later this month is by participating in Detroit Synergy's Spring Into Nature 5k Run/Walk. Now in its third year, this annual event benefits the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, a special hands-on site on Belle Isle dedicated to teaching kids about nature.

Spring Into Nature 2008 costs $20 in advance, $25 on the day of the event. All registered participants receive a free t-shirt. Visit Great Lakes Champion Chip to register, or for more information, click here.

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