GREAT GARDEN — The people at Organic Gardening magazine are honoring one of Detroit's community gardens. The Gloryland Community Garden, an 11,000-square-foot neighborhood garden near Livernois and McNichols, will receive a system to harvest rainwater. That's going to be a big help, as the lack of a water source had gardeners hand-carrying water to the parcel for crops. Drop by and see what's greening, at 17180 Oak Dr., Detroit.
MORE PIZZA — As if we didn't have enough pizza choices in the Detroit area, the West Coast pie chain California Pizza Kitchen is opening its sixth location in metro Detroit this week. The newest location, at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, will open its doors Aug. 4. A fund-raiser on Aug. 12 will benefit the Farmington Family YMCA. Stop in for hearth-baked pizzas, made-to-order pastas and creative salads. Between Nordstrom's and Lord & Taylor at 27500 Novi Road, Novi; 248-449-3280.
EAT THE PAGE
According to Zagat and New York magazine, Rosa Mexicano is one of New York's best Mexican restaurants. And in Rosa's New Mexican Table (Artisan, $35), chef and author Roberto Santibanez has included 125 of the restaurants recipes, lighter and more accessible versions of the cuisine. Christopher Hirsheimer's photos make the recipes even more appealing. From Rosa's famous guacamole and salmon in mole to a dessert of chili-spiked chocolate cake, a new world of Mexican dishes beckons.
A TASTY BEVERAGE
Invest in pu-erh tea. Since the Eastern Han Dynasty the Chinese have been taking broad leaf tea from around the southwestern province of Yunnan, fermenting it and then compressing it into bricks or cakes. The finished product can be drunk immediately but if made well it can mature into a dark, mellow and unique tea fragrant with dried fruit, mushrooms, camphor and flowers. As with wine, only finely made and properly stored pu-erh teas will improve with age and increase in value. Goldfish Tea in Royal Oak can educate you on the subject.
IT WORKS
This isn't exactly a kitchen utensil, but it is made from a retro jar used for putting up foods. The Solar Sun Jar captures light during the day which powers the three LED bulbs that radiate through frosted glass, giving it a resemblance to candlelight at night. Operating without batteries, this "green" lamp is both kitschy and practical, providing illumination for up to five hours on a full charge. The diffused light automatically goes on when darkness appears, perfect for an outdoor dinner. Find it at tinyurl.com/5kguv4 for $35.95.
