SIDE DISH
Cruise Control — The Dream Cruise arrives this weekend, and the good folks at O’Mara’s Restaurant in Berkley wanted to remind everybody that they’re going to help get the revelry in gear with Cruisefest, starting on Friday, Aug. 16. Berkley, which has a Classic Car Parade the Friday before the Woodward Dream Cruise, makes O’Mara’s a fitting destination for dining that day. There will be a special menu (available for perusal at O’Mara’s website) and indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations required. And don’t forget to drop in after car parade for honky-tonk favorites John Holk & the Sequins, performing at 9:30 p.m. It all happens at O’Mara’s Restaurant, 2555 W. 12 Mile Rd., Berkley; 248-399-6750; omaras.net.
Mark Your Calendar — in Green — The Greening of Detroit’s annual Live Love Local event is returning next week to Detroit’s Eastern Market. Live Love Local celebrates sustainability and ecology, but at the center of it all will be food and fun. In Shed 5, 25 area chefs will strut their stuff, share samples of their favorite creations, and help showcase our local food movement. The Greening’s 2.5-acre market garden will also be open for interactive tours. The event will also include farm-to-fork discussions, food tastings, Michigan-made beer and wine, and Eastern Market tours throughout the day. Featured restaurants will include everybody from Avalon to Zingerman’s. Tickets are $25 per person; children 6-10 are $5, and those younger than 5 are free. The shindig takes place noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24; for more information or to purchase tickets, call 313-237-8733 or see greeningofdetroit.com.
Pick it Open — The latest spot to hop on the Prohibition-era nightclub bandwagon is Lock and Key, scheduled to open behind Royal Oak’s Oxford Inn on Aug. 15. Tell them Lefty sent you, at 1214 S. Main St., behind the Oxford Inn.
Speaking of Speaks — Congratulations to Shane McGrath of the Oakland Art Novelty Company. McGrath has been chosen as the Detroit finalist in Bombay Sapphire’s Search for the Most Imaginative Bartender; he’ll head to Las Vegas in September to vie for the ultimate title, competing against 51 top mixologists from across the country. In a competition last month, McGrath won the honor with his imaginative Gin Tiki cocktail. See the recipe and whip one up yourself! Good luck, Shane!
Gin Tiki
1-1/2 ounces Bombay Sapphire
3/4 ounce lemon
3/4 ounce pineapple
1/2 ounce orgeat
1/2 ounce cinnamon syrup
1 egg white
Mix all ingredients in a shaker tin.
Dry shake then add crushed ice and shake vigorously.
Strain into Collins glass.
Know of any upcoming events? Let us know! Call 313-202-8043 or email [email protected]
FOOD THOUGHT
The Ultimate Ice Cream Book: Over 500 Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, Drinks and More
By Bruce Weinstein
William Morrow, $12.09, 256 pp.
Ice cream is not just a summertime indulgence, and author Weinstein has compiled a concoction of mind-blowing recipes and drinks (with or without booze) to sweeten your stressful day — with a little buzz (alcohol!). The milk maverick has come up with some pretty bizarre offerings, such as rhubarb, Earl Grey, vanilla rose and apple chardonnay.
(Jason Singer)
THE WORKS
Cuisinart Stainless Steel Ice Cream Maker
$89.95, williams-sonoma.com
Need to get your Italian on and Macomb County isn’t cutting it? Imagine yourself on a canal in Venice while enjoying some delicious gelato … with this stainless steel ice cream maker. Toss in the ingredients and 25 minutes later — ciao bella!
(Jason Singer)
