March madness — Need some fuel for game night but don't want to fire up the fans? Check out the carryout deals at Lazybones Smokehouse. They have not just subs but party pans that have piles of Detroit-style rib tips, Texas beef brisket, Carolina pulled pork, Mississippi catfish and Cajun pork sausage. Whatever happens during the game, the barbecue will leave a winning smile. Lazybones Smokehouse is at 27475 Groesbeck Hwy., Roseville; 1-866-671-0221.
Dinner, show — Westland's Alexander the Great Restaurant, has served its hearty menu of broasted chicken, barbecued ribs and pasta (with homemade sauce) for 30 years. Now the barbecue is offering a movie meal deal: For $29.95, get two full dinners and two movie tickets to Emagine Theaters in Canton and Novi. To get in on the package deal, stop by at Alexander the Great, 34733 Warren Rd., Westland, or call 734-326-5410.
Chew and view — They have a new show of art up at Cass Cafe in Detroit. It's called Me and Jim, featuring paintings and silk screens by Jeremy E. Hansen and Jim Slack. Slack's sense of fun gives us some fun images with amusing titles, such as "Dylan, Manson and Moses at the Whitehorse Tavern" and "Flying Boy Tells Jesus That the Aliens Are Coming."
EAT THE PAGE
Patty Pinner, a homegrown Michigan writer, cook and expert in the human nature that guides relationships between men and women — especially when it comes to food — has written another primer on baking. In Sweety Pies: An Uncommon Collection of Womanish Observations, With Pie (Taunton Press $23), she chronicles the stories and pie recipes of her early life, including tales and pie recipes from family members, friends and neighbors. Chapter 1 is all about making the perfect pie crust, without which you can't have a great pie. The pie photos will call to mind the aromas of fruit, sugar, butter and spices.
A TASTY BEVERAGE
Kirschwasser, or more simply cherry brandy, is not to be confused with sweet liqueur. Of the few brands available in Michigan, we like the quality-to-price ratio of Hungarian Zwack Pecsetes Cseresznye Palinka. For $18 you get a 90-proof fifth of the clear liquid essence of cherries and their stones. No wonder the earliest distillers considered themselves alchemists. You can't get any closer to the soul of fruit than this. Drink a cold shot as digestif, as a cocktail with a German pilsener back, or use it to flavor chocolate desserts.
IT WORKS
What will they come up with next? The people who dream this stuff up are either very creative in a silly way or have too much time on their hands. The Octodog converts a hot dog into an octopus, guaranteed to thrill all kids who aren't afraid of it. Simply put a hot dog into the Octodog and press down. Voila: an edible treat that the kid in us will love. Figure out a way to give it a face or decorate a bun to look like a scavenging fish. What's next, a seahorse hamburger? At baronbob.com.
Do you know of any new places serving food and drink, special dinners or wine tastings, or any 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].
