Eat locally — Papa Joe's will be hosting an Organic Taste Festival, celebrating an expanded selection of organic products at the Birmingham market. Throughout the festival, organic foods and beverages will be offered for sample and purchase, and local and regional growers will be present to chat one-on-one with patrons about how they grow plants and rear animals without the use of pesticides, antibiotics, artificial fertilizers, sewage sludge or genetically modified organisms. Meanwhile, Papa Joe's chefs will also be busy preparing great new fall dishes with the best of the 2006 harvest, including roasted organic chicken breast with honey chili, organic double-baked potatoes and organic pasta chicken salad. Saturday through Sunday, Oct. 7-15, at 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-723-9400.
Detroit's Breakfast House & Grill has announced "rise and shine" breakfast specials on five of the restaurant's most popular dishes. From 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, the specials are $4.95 each, with complimentary valet parking during that period. Specials include the Merchants Row (two eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns and toast) or an order of Breakfast House Pancakes. All specials come with your choice of coffee or tea. Chances are you'll blow the savings on such tasty champagne-based breakfast cocktails as bellinis or mimosas. At 1241Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-961-1115.
Eat the Page
The Bon Appétit Cookbook by Barbara Fairchild ($34.95, Wiley) has 32 pages of food photos — far less than we'd like to see in an 816-page cookbook — but it does have 1,200 "approachable" recipes for home cooks. These recipes have been culled from decades of monthly issues of Bon Appetit magazine. If you need culinary inspiration, these recipes and cooking tips should get you cooking, with their exiting explorations of many international cuisines. Such a book is a worthy addition to any collection.
A Tasty Beverage
Leelanau Cellars just announced the release of the winery's Great Lakes Red, a delicious wine full of ripe fruit flavors. To keep the lakes great, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Michigan Environmental Council, a statewide nonprofit organization that serves as a collective voice for the environment at the local, state and federal levels. Great Lakes Red is available at Meijer stores and other retailers throughout Michigan, and can also be purchased through the Leelanau Cellars Web site: leelanaucellars.com. We were also advised to check out their Michigan Merlot.
It Works
Amid the wide array of wine tools, there are dozens from which to choose. The most important aspect is functionality, but design, ease of use and, certainly, portability are important too. This good-looking OXO Steel Waiter's Corkscrew has a soft, comfortable body and a smooth, nonstick worm. Along with the sharp foil-cutting blade, this corkscrew will open any bottle with ease. The brushed stainless steel is durable and stylish. The corkscrew is machine washable. With a price of less than $15, you can put the savings toward a better bottle of wine.
Know of any new restaurants, special dinners or food-related events? Let us know. Send materials two weeks in advance to [email protected].
