Former Union Grill to become new Das Steinhaus Market

The owners of Das Steinhaus are less than two months away from opening Steinhaus Market, the second restaurant in their expanding Marquette-area food empire. Modeled after an old-world Metzgerei, or traditional German butcher shop, Steinhaus Market will occupy the former Union Grill property on U.S. 41, just south of downtown Marquette.

"Terry [Doyle, former Union Grill owner and current Vierling owner] approached us about the space," says Alex Kofsky, Steinhaus marketing director and co-owner. "It turned out to be a perfect fit….The kitchen is more spacious and allows us more latitude to be creative and improve our cuisine."

That expanded kitchen will be responsible for pumping out an impressive range of traditional German fare. "We will be retailing house-made sausages, pates, charcuterie, and prime cuts of local, sustainably raised meat, as well as European cheeses, schnitzels (fried cutlets), breakfast sandwiches, soups, salads" and an ever-changing dinner special, says Justin Fairbanks, Steinhaus head chef and co-owner. The in-house menu is also likely to include kielbasa, dry-cured bacon, smoked duck breast and duck confit as seasonality and inventory allow, he adds.

Steinhaus Market patrons can look forward to a full beer and wine menu, likely replete with brews from Upper and Lower Michigan. There won't be any cocktails, at least to start, though Dancing Crane Farm--which Das Steinhaus purchased last fall--will supply all the fresh-roasted coffee the new restaurant could possibly need.

Although crews are still putting the finishing touches on the new space, Steinhaus Market's design and decor is largely finalized: "a white, charcoal and wood" color scheme with prominent retail displays for items marked for carry-out sale, including packaged meats, cheeses, cooking oil, vinegar and more, says Fairbanks. An outdoor seating area will feature "hanging gardens," adding a splash of color in the warm season.

The co-owners will officially debut the concept at an open-to-the-public "pig-roast fundraiser" for Peter White Public Library June 6. Steinhaus Market's official opening date isn't set in stone, but Kofsky says it'll open "shortly after" the fundraiser, with a grand opening celebration planned for sometime in early summer.

Once the place is in full swing, says Kofsky, Steinhaus Market will debut a catering department. Kofsky wants the shop, as well as newly purchased Dancing Crane Farm, to be a top local choice for catered events--"weddings, corporate meetings, charitable events, educational events, you name it."

"We are excited to finally have these three locations vertically integrated from the farm, to our kitchen, to your table," adds Kofsky. "This cross section of facilities is allowing us to maintain the roots of our current concept, while opening the doors for more."

No matter how you slice it, the launch of Steinhaus Market marks a major milestone for Das Steinhaus's ambitious young owners. But they still have work to do on achieving their ultimate goal: transforming Marquette's restaurant scene, placing the central U.P. on the national culinary map, and making the region an even better place to live and visit.

"We are constantly thinking of new ways to improve our products and continuously enhancing our customers' experience. We love food, we love drink, and we love where we live," says Kofsky. "So we entertain any avenue that contributes to Marquette's culture and economy."

Brian Martucci writes about business, finance, food, drink and anything else that catches his fancy. You can find him on Twitter @Brian_Martucci