Sweet hearts — The Pinwheel Bakery wants to tell local lovers about their "romance-infused" menu items, including mini-takeout cartons of assorted heart cookies, Valentine's Day cupcakes, decorated sugar cookies, desserts for two, homemade pink marshmallows and more. At 220 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-398-8018; pinwheelbakery.com.
Fish days — Scalawags Whitefish & Chips is offering a special deal to help you stay away from red meat during Lent. Beginning Feb. 6 and through March 21, Scalawags will offer their "Great Lakes whitefish and perch combo" with a small drink for $8.49 each day. Abide the fast by enjoying fresh, wild whitefish crisped in zero-trans fat oil amid Scalawags' antique fishing-themed decor. At 3290 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-299-3355; and at 5757 Whitmore Lake Rd., Suite 1000, Brighton; 810-229-1700.
Sip & chill — The organizers of downtown Detroit's Winter Blast (Feb. 8-10) have included an event for vinophiles. The "Winter Wine Tasting" will run through the festival at Enoteca Campo Marzi, where libation aficionados can compare and contrast wines from South America, Italy and Australia. Located in the First National Building, the 50-seat restaurant will be visited by Detroit wine aficionado Robert Bassett, a sommelier with 20-plus years of experience. Event runs 11 a.m.-midnight Friday, Feb. 8, noon-midnight Saturday, Feb. 9, and noon-9 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10. At 660 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-962-0919.
EAT THE PAGE
Does anyone claim to eat meat and potatoes anymore? Despite the legions of folks who say that they consume less meat, the proliferation of steakhouses and hamburger joints belies that myth. In New York City, the Lobel family is known as the best purveyor of meat and poultry. No wonder that brothers Stanley, Leon, Evan, Mark and David Lobel have collaborated, putting together many of their favorite recipes and suggesting wines to drink with them in Lobel's Meat and Wine: Great Recipes for Cooking and Pairing (Chronicle, $35).
A TASTY BEVERAGE
Coming soon to a beer store near you is Pandora's Box. It's Magic Hat Brewing Company's spring-mixed 12-pack of brew, including the latest in their line of "Odd Notion" one-offs: an Irish-style red ale spiced with cardamom. The floral and woody notes of the tropical spice unite with a deep and roasted malty base for a drink refreshingly different from the latest boozy extreme beer. Also in the box is their popular spring seasonal: "HI.P.A." is a potent yet balanced hop infusion fragrant with citrus, pine and a huge sack of sticky buds.
IT WORKS
Keeping bread fresh — especially French baguettes — can be a daunting task. Supposedly a true baguette will only hold for two or three hours due to its loss of moisture as it sits uneaten. A recent development in the reversal of this problem is the Bamboo Bag. The bag contains in its fibers an anti-fungal protein and produces a natural anti-bacterial substance called "bamboo kun." Unlike plastic, the bamboo fabric breathes yet retains moisture, creating an ideal environment for storing bread. The bags are available in two sizes at bamboo-bag.com.
Know of any new restaurants, special dinners or food-related events? Let us know. Send materials two weeks in advance to Food Stuff, Metro Times, 733 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48226 or e-mail [email protected].
