Piled high — A spectacular local sandwich earned a brief mention in Esquire magazine. In response to a magazine's overview of notable American sandwiches, a Detroit reader wrote in to sing the praises of the "Ex-Wife," a massive Dagwood of turkey, Swiss cheese, corned beef, and lettuce served at Izzy's on the Avenue. A brave MT staffer ordered the foot-tall sammy and verified that it's big enough to feed four. Want to see for yourself? Izzy's is at 22315 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-773-4999.
Eat local — Papa Joes's Gourmetrion of Rochester Hills will host the Select Michigan Taste Festival on Saturday, June 7. The "celebration of home-grown and locally produced foods" offers a chance to meet the farmers who produce fresh food in our area, which also includes wines and beers. Expect live music, dance performances and children's activities. Runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at 6900 Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; 248-853-6263.
EAT THE PAGE
In Fish Without a Doubt: The Cook's Essential Companion (Houghton Mifflin, $35), Rick Moonen and Roy Finamore put to rest the notion that preparing fish need be a daunting task. With information on every aspect from buying fish with the knowledge that it's fresh to serving it, these experts teach us the techniques of fish cookery — poaching, grilling, sautéing, broiling and all — using some mouthwatering recipes. How about sautéed char with hoisin glaze and wasabi butter sauce? This book was the first selection of the new Gourmet Cookbook Club, not a bad recommendation.
A TASTY BEVERAGE
In 1876, Detroit entrepreneur Fred Sanders found the cream for his sweet cream sodas had gone sour. No problem. Substitute a scoop of ice cream and go down in history. One variation of this new sensation was a simple marriage of vanilla ice cream and Vernor's ginger ale for what has become the quintessential Detroit warm weather drink: the Boston Cooler. Since Sanders' shop was located downtown, and the Boston Cooler is virtually unknown in Massachusetts, the name probably derived from Boston Boulevard, the street where Sanders lived at the time.
IT WORKS
A minor dilemma in modern kitchens is keeping those stainless steel appliances gleaming and fingerprint-free. A solution is at hand: Bayes Stainless Steel Cleaner will not only clean, shine and protect surfaces, but it is "Green" to boot, that is, environmentally friendly, recently approved by the EPA. Interestingly, the only thing that had to be changed was the bottle. The cleaning solution is oil-based, nonhazardous, and nonabrasive. It works on grills too, though Bayes also makes a heat-resistant Stainless Steel Barbecue Cleaner. For details and availability, see bayescleaners.com.
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