Spring fire — Did you know that May is National Barbecue Month? Did you know there was a National Barbecue Month? It's just one more reason to get out the grill and cook outdoors. Or, if you'd rather have your cooking done for you, Lazybones Smokehouse is celebrating with a May special: Get one full slab of ready-to-grill spare ribs and 10 jumbo wings for $20. Lazybones is at 27475 Groesbeck Hwy., Roseville; 586-775-7427.
'Cued up — Speaking of barbecue, which seems to be the latest craze sweeping the area, the owners of Detroit Beer Co. are slated to open a new barbecue restaurant called Lockhart's BBQ in Royal Oak later this month. After an $800,000 renovation, the 5,000-square-foot eatery will have a large smoker that can handle 800 pounds of meat at a time. Keep an eye on 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak.
Mayo mayor — Missed out on Cinco de Mayo? It runs all month at Royal Oak's Café Habana, with specials on drinks and food, including chicken flautas, tenderloin steak salad, spiced pork loin, and mojitos, Cuervo margaritas and a blond cerveza. Drop in at 419 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-544-6255.
FOOD/THOUGHT
Author James Villas' Pig: King of the Southern Table (Wiley, $34.95) illustrates the adage that the only part of the pig that isn't consumed is the squeal. From head to tail, there's nothing wasted. Pig covers it all, from the customary ribs and chops to the soups and stews, from ham and sausage and bacon and, of course, barbecue and ribs to the variety meats — chitlins and pigs' feet — and breads and desserts. The introduction includes an anonymous quotation that calls pork the "Sustainer of the South." The truth was never more delicious.
BOTTOMS UP
Now in your local good beer store: Magic Hat's quarterly variety 12 pack. Besides the seasonal beet-juice colored Wacko and always easy-to-drink #9 there are two more beers to slake your warm-weather thirst. The Summer Odd Notion one-off is a pale, golden refreshing Belgian-style ale with a spicy nose and balanced finish hinting at the addition of fresh Jamaican ginger. For something a bit hoppier, Blind Faith was resurrected from Magic Hat's original lineup. It's neither over-the-top nor docile. In other words — poundable.
THE WORKS
For less than $10, you can score this kinda cutesy (but useful) Norpro Pig Bacon Press. Its major mission is to keep bacon from curling, thus cooking all over, and not missing the wavy parts. Made of heavy cast iron with a heat-resistant wooden handle, its weight will not only flatten bacon, but it's perfect for grilled sandwiches, quesadillas or any meats that tend to curl, such as fat-rimmed pork chops. It also helps keep the heat in the meat. We found this one at amazon.com.
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