More peppers Good news for lovers of Chipotle Mexican Grill in Southfield. They'll be opening a second Southfield location this week. Starting Oct. 27, it's to occupy 28644 Telegraph Rd.; 248-415-4301; open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily;
Smash hit Speaking of new restaurants, West Bloomfield will soon get metro Detroit's first Smashburger, featuring the chain's juicy burgers, tempting sides and shakes. It opens Sunday, Oct. 30, at 6919 Orchard Lake Rd.; open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
Hail to the chef Downtown Detroit's stylish Atlas Global Bistro has a new chef heading up the kitchen. Christian Houston takes charge starting this week, no doubt offering some tweaks to one of the best seasonal menus in town. Drop in at 3111 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-831-2241; atlasglobalbistro.com.
Lower Mongolia Metro Detroit locations of BD's Mongolian Grill will be featuring lunch and dinner specials. For lunch, with the purchase of a drink, guests can create their own stir-fry bowls for $6.99. And with BD's two-for-$30 value dinner, guests can indulge in a hearty five-course dinner for two, which includes unlimited soup and salad, an "appeteaser," two create-your-own stir-fry bowls and two mini-desserts. Available at BD's in Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Canton, Dearborn, Novi, Roseville, Royal Oak and Sterling Heights for a limited time only; see gomongo.com for area locations.
We all scream! Western Michigan's 85-year-old Hudsonville Ice Cream company has announced some tasty fall flavors, including country apple pie, pumpkin, cinnamon cocoa and chocolate milk. Originally a farmers' cooperative, the company uses Michigan ingredients whenever possible. For more information and products, see hudsonvilleicecream.com.
Horror in the Corridor We've heard people imply that Detroit's Cass Corridor is scary, but this is just a bit of Halloween fun: Traffic Jam is offering hayrides through the neighborhood as part of an evening of festivity celebrating the joint's new ice cream and beer. It's called "Festi-Fall, Corridor-Style," marking the release of Traffic Jam's fall brew, the Hibernator Doppelbock, and tastings of its new "Cider Mill" ice cream. There will be donuts, apples, pop-up performances from the Detroit Fire Guild, and those hayrides through Cass "Horrordor" — at $3 a pop. It all happens from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27, at 511 W. Canfield St.; 313-831-9470; trafficjamdetroit.com.
Know of any upcoming food events? Let us know! Call 313-202-8043 or e-mail [email protected].
food/thought
Vegan Diner: Classic Comfort Food for the Body and Soul
Julie Hasson Running Press, $19.95
No one should have to miss out on the pleasures of comfort food, reminiscent of the satisfying dishes served at small-town diners on Formica countertops. Julie Hasson's Vegan Diner: Classic Comfort Food for the Body and Soul (Running Press, $19.95) shows how folks who eschew animal products in favor of plant-based diets can enjoy them too. Mushroom burgers, brown rice hazelnut burgers and quinoa burgers are healthy substitutions for ground beef. Vegetarian sausages seasoned with plenty of smoked paprika and Creole seasoning help round out a pot of jambalaya. The book's double-chocolate strawberry pie will satisfy even a critter-eater.
the works One of the chores that every baker dreads is cleaning up. The simple and inexpensive solution to the problem is parchment paper, which creates a nonstick surface on any baking pan. A single sheet can be used for several batches of cookies, brownies, cakes, even sticky buns. It will withstand temperatures as high as 500 degrees, perfect for cooking pizza, eliminating the difficulty of moving it from the counter to the oven. It's also used for cooking "en papillote," sealing in a piece of fish with aromatics and vegetables to be baked or microwaved. It's available at kingarthurflour.com or any better market.
