Beer fest Putting it right up front, don't forget the Third Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival, happening this Saturday, Oct. 22, at Eastern Market. It's a cooperative effort between the Michigan Brewers Guild and Metro Times, and it's a great chance to sample beers from Michigan's craft brewers, with nearly 200 different beers available to sample. It happens 1-6 p.m. at Eastern Market, Detroit; $35 in advance (see mbgmash.org for availability at retail outlets), $40 at the gate — if tickets are still available; must be at least 21 years of age; designated drivers tickets are $5 each, but no drinks for you!
Our mug runneth over The Eastern Market shindig isn't the only beer event in town this week. There will be beer events happening Wednesday through Sunday, at such venues as Slows Bar-B-Q, Motor City Wine, Foran's Grand Trunk Pub, Andiamo Dearborn, RUB BBQ Pub, the Rattlesnake Club, Nancy Whiskey, Portfino, Park Bar, Atwater Block Brewery, Third Street Bar and more. Want to find out more? Have a look at detbeerweek.com/events.html.
The Dakota way They're also celebrating at Detroit's oldest beer garden, the Dakota Inn. This weekend, entertainment will include Tommy Schober & the Sounds of Sorgenbrecher and the Jagerettes. At 17324 John R. St., Detroit; 313-867-9722; dakota-inn.com.
More beer? Yes, don't forget that the closing weekend of the Tashmoo Beer Garden is this Sunday too. From noon-9 p.m., Oct. 23, on Van Dyke between Agnes and Coe, Detroit.
King vs. Prince The folks at MotorCity Wine have come up with a fun Halloween event: the Prince vs. Michael Battle Royale. The "cage match to the death" will be hosted by a live band including drummer Brandon Williams and bassist Demon Damon Warmack. They'll play unique arrangements of the hits of Prince and Michael Jackson — B-sides too. Best Prince- or Michael-somehow related costume wins a bottle of wine. It starts at 10 p.m. Oct. 29, at 608 Woodward Ave., Second Floor, Detroit; $10 with any costume, $15 without, limited capacity, call or message for table reservations of four or more; 313-483-7283.
Season's plenty Downtown Detroit's Opus One has announced this year's Michigan Harvest Dinner. Expect such entrée choices as char-grilled filet mignon, rib-eye or New York strip, with wine pairings with each of five courses. At 6:30 p.m., Oct. 25, at Opus One, 565 E. Larned St., Detroit; 313-961-7766; opus-one.com; $75 per person.
Know of any upcoming food or drink events? Let us know! Call 313-202-8043 or e-mail [email protected].
food/thought
Not a fan of The Real Housewives of New Jersey? The show's Teresa Giudice has a cookbook, Fabulicious!: Teresa's Italian Family Cookbook (Running Press, $18.95), that just might convince you to take her, if not the show, seriously. Hearty dishes that remind us of Mama toiling in the kitchen, red sauce in the pot, meatballs on the a tray waiting to be cooked — in this case baked, not fried — and a mound of flour filled with eggs, about to become fresh noodles. Add a simple arugula salad and round out the meal with a "Happy to See Me Chocolate Salami." Only in New Jersey!
the works
Any cook worth his salt will tell you that freshly cracked pepper, like freshly ground cheese, imparts much more flavor than the pulverized packaged stuff. Often you don't want to stop stirring the pot, wash your dirty hands and take the time to open the jar. The best solution that we have found is the Cole & Mason Emperor mill. Merely squeeze the easy-grip ergonomic handle to grind whole peppercorns to your preferred coarseness while stirring with the other hand. The acrylic body lets you see when it needs to be refilled. The steel grinding mechanism is durable and long-lasting.
