Dog-gone shame — After 56 years on the block, Genie's Weinies is closing. Patrons of the store, Hamtramck's unforgettably monikered coney stand, will mourn its passing. Owned for three generations by the Cieslak family, sources say the store is likely to be reincarnated around Groesbeck and 14 Mile roads. Come for one last dog, or to buy some of their signature chili, before they close on Sept. 3. At 11608 Conant St., Hamtramck; 892-7422.
Food for thought — It's no secret that many students in our area have trouble getting school supplies. The Southern Hospitality Restaurant Group is helping raise funds for a program giving school supplies to students in need. Through Sept. 15, the group will donate a portion of the sales from its restaurants — Seldom Blues, Sweet Georgia Brown, Detroit's Breakfast House & Grill, Grand City Grille and the Woodward — to the program.
Dinner and a show — Those looking to liven up their Wednesday nights may want to consider an evening at Zingerman's Roadhouse. The Ann Arbor eatery, part of the sprawling Zingerman's food empire, has a Wednesday night music series on its patio, where "really good American food meets amazing local talent." Come see Jamie Sue Seal and the Radiotown Flyers on Sept. 6. At 2501 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-663-3663.
Eat the Page
Joanne Weir has written numerous cookbooks, none better than her first, the recently revised and reissued From Tapas to Meze: First Courses from the Mediterranean Shores of Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa ($24.95, Ten Speed Press). These first-course recipes were gathered from home cooks and restaurant chefs during her travels around the Mediterranean. Soups, salads and sauces, all incorporating ingredients indigenous to the region, will tempt you and challenge you to treat your taste buds.
A Tasty Beverage
For some of us, the breakfast of champions may be Wheaties, but for others it is the Bloody Mary, the spicy tomato-based way to get a morning blast of vitamins along with a kick-off-the-day buzz. But with Aquavit, the Scandinavian caraway-flavored, distilled liquor, you can turn your Bloody Mary into a Bloody Dane. Merely add Aquavit, instead of vodka, to tomato juice or V-8, and a shake or two of Tabasco and Worcestershire, salt and pepper, a little horseradish and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Stir with a stalk of celery or a slice of dill pickle, you'll be ready to take on the day.
It Works
Unless you have really sharp knives, you need this tomato slicer right now, when tomatoes are at their peak. When we say that tomatoes are good in the winter, we're rationalizing; wishful thinking. Get 'em while you can. Try tomato salad with cukes, onions, peppers, olives, artichokes and sweet onions, tossed with some balsamic vinegar, fruity olive oil and salt and pepper, just enough to bring out the flavor and the juices of the tomatoes. The slicer has serrated blades that provide you with uniform slices perfect for sandwiches or frittatas.
Know of any new restaurants, special dinners or food-related events? Let us know. Send materials to [email protected].
