Road Trip: Grand Rapids, Michigan

After being cooped up, it was time to hit the road again for a regional road trip.
I won't show all the photos I took at IKEA and Trade Joe's when
friend Kate and I hit there on a gloomy first day of spring.
You've probably seen the catalogue!
But I will share a little of my road trip the following day to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where I discovered something new!

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market and Heather Lane Pottery
(in nearby Ada -- next post) are a perfect day out for those of
you who live in Michigan or are vacationing in the
Grand Rapids area. We'll start with the market, located in the city.
 It's filled with vendors who work largely local and make wonderful
artisan delicacies. Upstairs, they have a greenhouse and
there is also a demonstration kitchen for classes.

We started by going around the perimeter -- glancing at the
 Sweetie-licious Pie Pantry and Bakery, knowing we'd be back before we left!

Then it was on to Thornburg & Company, which sold fabulous jam.
The cherry I bought (and there are samples!) had grappa in it.
 Wonderful combinations added herbs and spices like lavender,
hibiscus, rosehips and more to the traditional fruit.

I don't have a photo of the chocolate shop (where I did NOT indulge!)
but beside it was a deli that included fabulous take out meals.
My friend Pat took care of her evening's dinner there!

Field and Fire is the bread store and it was fabulous!
In addition to rustic loaves and baguettes, they had a nice selection of pastries
 including and herbed gougere that was perfect to tide me over till our late lunch to come.

There was a splendid meat counter and fishmonger as well. Another time!

 

But oh! At Aperatif, the cheese store, I succumbed to the fabulous camembert
and a Spanish blue, along with some wonderful tasty sweet appetizer peppers.
My favorite spot, I think.

Although, my very-close-to-that favorite was the Spice Market.
I've never seen so many spices and the fragrance was great!
You can buy pre-packaged by the ounce or in larger quantities.
I found a couple of spices I haven't been able to find here, so home they came!

We could watch them making ice cream at the ice cream shop
 (the roasted strawberry and balsamic sorbet was a good choice!).
Across from them we could taste olive oils and vinegars.
I didn't buy any but the ginger vinegar may be something I fiddle around with making.

 

After our visit, we headed to the restaurant Marie Catrib's,
 not far from downtown, where the food was delicious!
I will remember the Trenton sandwich and big bowl of spice potatoes!

Then we were off to Ada and a visit to Heather Lane. Stay tuned for glorious, colorful pottery!