Food Stuff

Soup's on! — If you didn't think we had enough interesting food-centered events every week, here's another: Soup for Spaulding. It's a weekly soupfest at Spaulding Court, a vacant North Corktown apartment building. It was bought this February by the Friends of Spaulding Court, a rehab group led by Corktowner Jon Koller. The soups are created by talented soup chef Hannah Lewis (of Corktown Community Brunch fame), and have been all-vegan so far. Last week they served summer-style chili with tangy avocado cream, as well as a green salad with assorted heirloom tomatoes and Avalon bread. It's $5, you bring your own bowl (and spoon!) and it begins at 7 p.m. every Thursday. Plus, the event does more than raise funds for the apartment building; starting at 8 p.m., a handful of creative upstarts will deliver quick outlines of cool things they'd like to accomplish. At 8:30 p.m., participants vote on who deserves a share of the funds. How cool is that? Bring your bowl this Thursday, Sept. 2, to 2737 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit. See Soup at Spaulding's Facebook page for more information.

Two Way sweet! — One of Detroit's oldest bars, the Two Way Inn, is getting a boost from a younger crowd on the first Friday of each month. The bar, nestled in a depopulated neighborhood north of Hamtramck, resides in a building that dates back to the 1870s, and beer has been poured there at least that long. In recent years, the longtime tavern had been losing business, and owner-operator Mary Aganowski had considered selling the bar. But the nightspot has been winning converts, notably Hamtramck bartenders Anthony Ruacho and Aaron Krul, who normally man the taps at the Whiskey-in-the-Jar. The two have been inviting anybody interested in drinking in the history to come to a special First Fridays night, and the effort has drawn tipplers from all over town. Experience it yourself this Friday, Sept. 3, at 17897 Mount Elliott St., Detroit; 313-891-4925.

Dog fight — On the Travel Channel's Food Wars last week, two Detroit titans battled it out for culinary supremacy: American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island. And it ended in what many consider an upset: Lafayette lost to American. Rematch!

FOOD/THOUGHT

At this time in the growing season, local fruits and vegetables are at the peak of freshness and abundance. Everything is better fresh! With that in mind, we treasure recipes that kick up the punch of fresh produce without overpowering it. Chef, TV personality, restaurateur and author Emeril Lagasse helps home cooks do just that in Farm to Fork: Cooking Local, Cooking Fresh (William Morrow Cookbooks, $24.99). The cheesy Creole tomato pie with a savory pie crust will take advantage of sweet, ripe juicy heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes fresh off the vine. 

BOTTOMS UP

It's close to that time of year where hordes of partiers descend upon Munich, Germany, to consume massive amounts of food and beer. But you don't need to book a European vacation to drink the same quality suds that they're serving in the premier Oktoberfest tents. With satisfying aromas of baked bread and meadow grass, Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier is a mellow, drinkable beer that finishes slightly lemony and with a mild hop bite. A few large glasses will have you singing "Ein Prosit" like a native.

THE WORKS

In India, a tiffin is a hot, light meal or snack taken at any time during the day. The word is also the name given to the stylish, tiered containers used to tote foods — hot or cold — to the office or out on a picnic. Available in various-sized pots, they are stackable, keeping the tastes and textures of each course separate. A sturdy latching system allows you to carry one or more containers. They are reusable, thus a bit kinder to the environment. One has a fold-down handle and a lid that serves as a plate. It's just $24.95 at kitchenworksinc.com.