Easter, meester — Josephine Creperie & Bistro will be open on Easter Sunday for a brunch buffet. The meal will include such starters (fresh fruit, pasta primavera and more), hot items (roasted Atlantic salmon with shrimp Newburg sauce, country-style potatoes and more), and such sweets as profiteroles with vanilla custard crème and espresso brownies. Takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with three seatings, at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Reservations required; $21.95 adults, $9.95 kids under 10. At 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-399-1366.
Bunny time — Josephine won't be alone that Easter Sunday. April 4 will also see a special brunch at the Whitney in Detroit, complete with an Easter Bunny. A buffet with everything from goat cheese quiche to seared salmon with dill beurre blanc, as well as non-alcoholic beverages (and endless mimosas) goes for a measly $32 plus tax and tip, $12 for children 7-12, and free for kids 6 and younger. Reservations required at 313-832-5700.
FOOD/THOUGHT
The plump gyoza pictured on the cover of Andrea Nguyen's Dumplings: Mastering Gyoza, Spring Rolls, Samosas and More (Ten Speed Press, $30) are among the many delectable morsels found in this book. With the lowdown on the tools, ingredients and techniques needed to prepare and serve all manner of Asian dumplings — from Indian somosas to Chinese steamed buns filled with char siu pork to Malaysian sweet potato, shrimp and lemongrass dumplings.
BOTTOMS UP
Reed's makes soda the old-fashioned way. Crafted in individual batches in an actual brewery, fresh ginger, fruit juices, whole spices and sweeteners are brewed and aged in vats before being bottled and carbonated. The Original Ginger Brew is a Jamaican recipe for homemade ginger ale using ginger root, lemon, lime, honey, fructose, pineapple, herbs and spices. Like many artisanal goods produced with real ingredients, there will be slight variations from batch to batch. It's part of the appeal.
THE WORKS
The carnivores in the family prefer Lasagna Bolognese, but the vegetarians will not touch it, demanding spinach lasagna. But not everyone likes either of them. One way everyone can be accommodated at once is by using a Chicago Metallic Trio Lasagna Pan. This innovative utensil has three separate channels, allowing cooks to make three different varieties at once. A custom-fit spatula, deep enough to easily remove the first piece, is included, all for about $30. It's dishwasher-safe too!
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