Easy as pi — You may have heard pi described as an irrational number. Well, here's something that makes sense: In celebration of "Pi day," which celebrates the mathematical constant, Pi Restaurant & Lounge will have daylong specials on Sunday, March 14. Brunch (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) will have a mini-omelet station, mini-egg Benedict, French Toast, mini-crêpes and a fruit bowl, each for $3.14. Draft beers, house wines, well drinks and tapas will be $3.14 as well. Starting at 1:59 p.m., there'll be free mimosas. At night, expect live entertainment from DJ Emmitt, 7 p.m.-1 a.m. At 28875 Franklin Rd., Southfield; 248-208-7500; piofsouthfield.com.
Return to Troy — Just on the heels of the recent word that Detroit Restaurant Week is returning, we learned that Troy will bring back its restaurant week as well, March 21-26. For five days, 16 restaurants will offer three-course lunch specials for $15 per person, and three course dinner specials for $30 per person. Participating restaurants will include Benihana, Charley's Crab, Kona Grill, Morton's and more. See troyrestaurantweek.com for the latest word.
Brits too! — Champane's Wine Cellars won't just settle for a tasting of Irish beer this weekend, but will include all "Beers of the British Isles" as well. Tasting is 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 12; $15 per person; at 7007 Chicago Rd., Warren; 586-978-9463; champanes.com.
FOOD/THOUGHT
Real Mexican tacos, the kind served in taquerias, are a far cry from the fried bundles of tortillas and ground beef topped with mounds of melted cheese and lettuce and tomatoes found at gringo-ized joints that people call Mexican. Tacos (Ten Speed Press $21.99), by Mark Miller, chef-owner of Santa Fe's legendary Coyote Café, showcases tacos that'll change the way you think about them, including tacos filled with chipotle-braised lamb shanks, or huevos divorciados served on fresh corn tortillas.
BOTTOMS UP
When not opening brewpubs in Ann Arbor and Old Mission Peninsula, Jolly Pumpkin is brewing and bottling its unique, Old-World-with-a-twist beer. Maracaibo Especial is a 7.5 percent ABV Belgian-inspired brown ale brewed with real cacao and spiced with cinnamon and orange peel. The dense aromas are something like lemon curd on graham crackers in a room full of blooming flowers. Though big in alcohol, a sip finishes dry, and that signature Jolly Pumpkin tartness leaves a wash of autumn twigs and leaves in its wake.
THE WORKS
Spring is just around the corner. If Friday, April 9, means anything to you, we have the perfect kitchen gadget you can't live without — a Cole and Mason King pepper mill. The natural wood exterior hides the stainless steel grinding mechanism. It resembles a real bat. Perfect for picnics and barbecues, this 29-inch slugger will bring grins all around, especially from serious fans. In case you haven't guessed, April 9 is the date of the home opener for our beloved Tigers. Pick up a bat on Amazon for about $50.
