FOOD THOUGHT
Taste of Home Appetizers: 410 Party Favorites
By Catherine Cassidy
Readers Digest, $10.95, 256 pp.
With countless genres and recipes to choose from, the title isn’t deceiving at all. You’ll never need another appetizer book again. From chicken satay with peanut sauce to walnut toasts with goat cheese and fig, there are plenty of ways to satisfy even the pickiest eaters with mouthwatering starters. With its vast array of pictures, this cookbook is guaranteed to stir your taste buds.
(Jason Singer)
THE WORKS
Provence Hand-Painted Serving Platter
$79.95-$109.95, williams-sonoma.com
Jazz up your appetizers with a hand-painted folkloric depiction on crafted Portuguese pottery. Each platter is different — with variations in color and pattern — leaving you with an heirloom-quality piece that will bring you compliments at your next dinner party.
(Jason Singer)
SIDE DISH
Michigan’s Green — The Greening of Detroit’s annual Live Love Local event is returning next week to Detroit’s Eastern Market. Shed 5 will host area chefs sharing food samples, Michigan-made beer and wine, and Eastern Market tours. Tickets are $25 per person; children 6-10 are $5, and those younger than 5 are free. It happens noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24; for more information or to purchase tickets, call 313-237-8733 or see greeningofdetroit.com.
Where the Hip Sip — Vinology, Ann Arbor’s award-winning spot for wine and small plates will have something else on its menu next month: live music. Starting Sept. 10, expect sets 7-9 pm. Tuesdays from Nessa, featuring vocalist Kelly McDermott and acoustic bassist Rob Crozier. The month’s featured set will be 9-11 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, when the World Jazz Trio takes the stage. It’s a smaller version of bassist Dave Sharp’s larger ensemble, which just released a new CD titled Worlds. Drop in for a listen, or just for the excellent wines and knowledgeable service. Vinology is at 110 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-222-9841; vinologya2.com.
We Like Beer — With enthusiasm for quality beer growing year after year, it’s hardly surprising to see new beer-themed celebrations crop up. The newest is the inaugural Brew Detroit event, sponsored by 89X, 93.9 the River and the Fillmore. Participants can expect to choose among 60 brews from across the world, and can pair them with cuisine from Tap, D’Amato’s, Majestic Café and 24 Grille. It all happens 6-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Fillmore 2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-5451; tickets are $45 per person at the door and include 10 four-ounce beer samples per person and food samples.
A Dozen Deals — It’s restaurant week in downtown Rochester, which means you have two weeks to try a dozen dinner deals. Participating restaurants include the Hibachi House Bar & Grill and the Meeting House, both of which are focusing on dinner, and several other restaurants that will offer deals on lunches as well, including Blackbird Bistro, Kruse & Muer on Main, Mr. B’s Food & Spirits, O’Connor’s Public House, Penny Black Grill & Tap, Rochester Mills Beer Co. and Rojo Mexican Bistro. Lunch will be served daily until 4 p.m. and dinner will be served from 4 p.m. to close, Friday, Aug. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 1. For more information, see downtownrochestermi.com.
The Rum Also Rises — Yes, there’s a Hemingway-themed rum now on offer in Michigan. It’s called Papa’s Pilar, called a “super-premium rum inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s spirit of adventure.” Of course, anybody can claim to be inspired by Ernest Hemingway (we are, for instance), but if you want to hear the case they make for it, see papaspilar.com.
Know of any upcoming food happenings? Call 313-202-8043 or email [email protected].
