Designation Detr@it Dining Around The D Historic, Hip And Hearty T Claim a seat and savor the flavors at Eastern Market's Russell Street Deli. t's easy — al- most inevi- table — to get Contributing friendly with Writer other diners at Russell Street Deli, where guests plop down wherever a seat can be found at banquet-length tables. The Downtown Detroit deli's calling card is certainly not its decor — not with those dingy white walls and well- worn tiled floor. Yet, you can't help but appreciate the hipness of dining in this historic place. The red-brick mid-block storefront from the 1890s is situated across from Eastern Mar- ket's public market square. Opened in 1891, Eastern Market is immediately north of 1-75 (take Exit 52) and Gratiot. It's an authentic, ur- ban district with some 250 indepen- dent vendors and merchants involved with the processing, wholesaling and retailing of food. Detroit natives Jason Murphy and Benjamin Hall purchased the deli where they worked in August 2007. Esther Aliweiss Ingber It opened in 1989. The deli works with farmers to ensure locally grown produce and quality meat are avail- able year-round. From 7-10:30 a.m. weekdays (opening at 8 Saturdays), the menu features made-from-scratch hotcakes and other griddle items, breakfast sides and eggs, omelets and scram- bles. The "signature omelets and scrambles" include Roasted Vegetable with Chevre (goat cheese), a corn- bination of Portabella mushrooms, zucchini, roasted red peppers and caramelized onions. It's all good! I recommend starting with one of the kitchen's almost 100 soups, the standout attraction of the deli for me — including vegan, meatless and classic house-made choices. I've late- ly tried red lentil soup thickly pureed with onions and spices, and chunky, dill-flavored New England clam chow- der. The deli's soup is also available at Avalon Bakery and the Detroit Film Theatre's cafe, both in Midtown. Fresh, tender Sy Ginsberg's corned beef and pastrami headline the meat, poultry and tuna list of sandwiches. Vegetarians get nine choices, including the TLT (Tofu, Lettuce, Tomato), a popular vegan sandwich featuring grilled tofu. Seven salads are available and also house-made dress- ings. Add chicken or avoca- do, $2 each, to the Mediterra- nean-style House Salad. Recently, my dining com- panion ordered her favorite Russell Street Deli is housed in an 1890s-era building. sandwich — Braunschweiger liverwurst, accompanied by brown mustard; for her, it Russell Street Deli didn't disappoint. I chose the 2465 Russell St., Detroit, MI 48207 daily special Popeye Sandwich (spe- (313) 567-2900 cials get posted on the deli's website). www.russellstreetdeli.com My onion roll had a generous portion $$ ($6.50-$8.75) out of $$$$ of sliced smoked turkey breast, Provo- lone and spinach leaves, enhanced by a tasty garlic-mayo spread. ing, are Michigan-made. Choices in- Russell Street Deli caters and will clude Red Haven peach preserve, wild deliver Downtown Detroit orders of black raspberry and gooseberry sour $75 or more. Something new is its cherry; they're 8 ounces for $12 or line of organic jams. The chunky $1.50 to order with toast. Purchase at fruit, and even the jars and packag- the deli or through the website. ''Ask us about these additional services: Business Valuation Forensic Accounting Litigation Support i rm j For Business and Tax advice that is always on target. Talk to Mellen, Smith and Pivoz. Celebrating 40 years. MELLEN, SMITH & PIVOZ PLC Certified Public Accountants Robert E. Mellen, CPA Michael A. Pivoz, CPA Mark L. Smith, CPA Jeffry A. Campeau, CPA Peijin Wu Harrison, CPA Frank J. Alcini, JR., CPA Daniel L. Halverson, CFE Gerald A. Kirschner, CPA Eric L. Lambert, CPA Lynne E. McKelvey, CPA Elizabeth M. Pietrangelo, CPA, CFE Jason L. Pivoz, CPA, MST Dennis A. Reef, CPA Dayong (David) Tang, CPA Kevin S. Terry, CPA Serving our community for 40 years 30600 Telegraph Rd. I Suite 1131 Bingham Farms, MI 48025-4531 (248) 642-2803 1635050 28 February 16 • 2012 SPONSORED SECTION BY: QuickenLoans Engineered to Amaze"