SIDE DISH
Corktown Uncorks! — Corktown’s new Italian restaurant and bar, Ottava Via, has opened for the dinner and bar crowd for the last several weeks. The joint, whose name is Italian for “Eighth Street,” occupies the old Dime Savings Bank branch, and sports a brand-new 50-car parking lot in the rear and has two bocce courts under construction. The restaurant’s menu includes Neapolitan pizzas and other dishes ranging from $12 to $16. Co-owner David Steinke says the restaurant is “just like those casual little places in Italy, where you can get a bite of this and a bite of that.” Said bites are at 1400 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-5500.
Ten and change — Keego Harbor’s Jeremy Restaurant & Bar marks 10 years in business with a new menu. Chef Jeremy Grandon’s new bill of fare has plenty of flair and lower prices, even though they make almost everything from scratch and use as many locally grown ingredients as possible. Soups and salads start at $4, appetizers average $9, sides range from $4 to $5, and entrées start at $16, including ricotta ravoli, lemon chicken and buttermilk fried chicken. Desserts are $5 and up and include a brownie sundae, a crème fraîche ice cream tart and strawberry-and-peach shortcake. Jeremy Restaurant & Bar is at 1978 Cass Lake Rd., Keego Harbor; 248-681-2124; jeremyrestaurantandbar.com.
More beer? — Ashley’s two locations (Ann Arbor and Westland) are synonymous with big, big beer selections, in bottles or on tap. But beer just keeps getting bigger each year, and this weekend they’re opening up a new beer garden to accommodate that growing appreciation at their Westland spot. The beer garden is to be inaugurated with four days of beer-themed revelry, Aug. 1-4, including special beers from Kuhnhenn Brewing and Founders Brewing, live music, DJs, a mayoral ribbon-cutting and more. Call for a schedule of events. Ashley’s Westland is at 7525 N. Wayne Rd., Westland; 734-525-1667; ashleys.com.
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag — We’d like to take a moment to wish a happy birthday to the Dakota Inn Rathskeller. This week, the old-fashioned German beer hall marks 80 years of food, drink and mirth in the same location on John R Street. To see why the place endures so stubbornly, drop on in, at 17324 John R St., Detroit; 313-867-9722; dakota-inn.com.
Superior Sammies — This year, another venerable business marks a decennial birthday — Westborn Market. In 1963, Westborn opened as a small corner shop, but has grown into a local grocery mini-empire with large locations in Dearborn, Berkley and Livonia. How did they get so successful? By always expanding their offerings. This year, they offer a new twist: In what seems like a bid for the cost-conscious lunch crowd, they are offering “fully dressed” sandwiches for between $6 and $8. To find a location near you, see westbornmarket.com. mt
Know of any cool upcoming events? Let us know! Call 313-202-8043 or email [email protected].
FOOD THOUGHT
The Bacon Cookbook
By James Villas
$31.50, parkandmain.com
Internationally famous food writer James Villas has found 168 unique ways to capture and savor the essence of that smoky, salty, irresistible delicacy known as bacon. From classic and easy techniques for making simple, crispy strips to carbonara to even an exotic egg and bacon pudding, Villas has gathered recipes from around the globe to satisfy your heart attack death wish. Page after page, you’ll find creative ways to stimulate bacon lovers’ taste buds, with mixes of flavors you might not have thought possible — especially in desserts with chocolate. —Jason Singer
THE WORKS
Mak’n Bacon Microwave Bacon Cooker
$12.81, overstock.com
For you bacon connoisseurs sick of grease burns and messy cleanup, this nifty gadget will solve your problems, helping satiate your taste buds. With a built-in rack for draping bacon slices and a tray that catches the grease, sliced piggy never tasted so healthy. It also has a handle so you don’t burn yourself. Drape it, place it, press START and in minutes you will find yourself gorging on a vegetarian’s kryptonite. —Jason Singer
