Central Kitchen + Bar: A pulse on downtown Detroit

Yes, Central Kitchen + Bar does offer a window into the cross-section of downtown Detroit’s present day. But also interesting is the history from which Central Kitchen + Bar got its name. Located across the street from Cadillac Square, the outdoor patio looks over the previous site of Detroit’s historic Central Market where, in the late 1800s, vendors sold goods such as furs and produce within. The building, which was torn down in 1889, overlooked what still remains – a site that continues to draw people from Detroit and beyond into the city center.

Cultural events of Campus Martius and Cadillac Square. Events like the annual Detroit Jazz Festival – the largest free jazz festival in the world; The Food & Wine Experience involving culinary experts from Detroit and across the country; and the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony where the city is set aglow with the start of the holiday season.

So what does Archer suggest as the perfect food pairing to watch these activities taking place right outside Central Kitchen + Bar’s doors? Two words: Steak Frites. The tenderness of the Creekstone Prime Filet, paired with what Archer considers the perfect French fries, along with the gently braised shallots and the savory red wine au jus, all make for the perfect dish.

But no matter which mouth-watering menu item you select, sitting down to enjoy a meal or a conversation at Central Kitchen + Bar will place you in the midst of more than just a dining experience. Because, although the view from the site of Central Bar + Kitchen has changed over the years, the recipe remains the same: the day-to-day of the people of Detroit; the pulse that drives the motor city.

This story is provided and presented by our sponsor Bedrock Detroit.