Food Stuff

Lola's in downtown Detroit aims to provide a "welcoming environment" for harried Detroit professionals with their "Happiest Hour" event. Each Thursday, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., beginning March 16, the "sophisticated casual" Harmonie Park eatery will have live jazz and blues performances, starting off with an appearance by Detroit bluesman Johnny Bassett, as well as food and drink specials. Detroit pride plays into the menu here, with such selections as Faygo-flavored sorbets and desserts featuring such Detroit brands as Awrey's, Sanders and Vernor's. Can a Boston cooler be far behind? For the answer, call 313-952-0483.

Usually, the phrase "what's old is new again" is used figuratively. But in the case of Sala Thai's new space in the Lafayette Park shopping center, their spot is literally the one they vacated during the strip mall's extreme makeover. Now downtown denizens hoping to catch a taste of Sala Thai's fare needn't hike up to the restaurant's Eastern Market location. And the old spot has been given an attractive redesign. Tipplers take note: The alcohol license hasn't come through just yet, but the staff assured us that the wheels of bureaucracy are in motion.

Eat the Page

First published in 1992, New York Cookbook: From Pelham Bay to Park Avenue, Firehouses to Four-Star Restaurants (Workman Publishing Group, $17.95) by Molly O'Neill has more than 500 recipes for ... well, you name it. The variety of recipes reflects the ethnicities of New York itself. Restaurants, firemen, celebrities and regular folk we've never heard of have all contributed. The recipes are uncomplicated, user friendly. Chinese, Thai, Hungarian, Jamaican and soul food are among those found. If you used to have trouble trying to figure out what to make for dinner, you won't once you have this tome.

A Tasty Beverage

Bolthouse Farms philosophy is simple: Start with the best fruits, vegetables and other nutrients, 100 percent natural, nothing artificial and you'll end up with delicious, healthy drinks. Berry Boost is a blend of blackberries, boysenberries, red raspberries, strawberries and blueberries, blended with apple juice and banana puree. The Strawberry Banana Fruit Smoothie is just that, with apple juice added to make it drinkable. Bolthouse has been farming and distributing produce in the San Joaquin valley since 1915. Their 10 juice blends can be found at local supermarkets and produce markets all over town.

It Works

A food mill is something of a manual food processor. Put this device over a bowl or saucepan, fill it with fruits or vegetables you want to puree, crank the handle, and the resultant mash can be either perfectly smooth baby food, the base for mashed potatoes or a seedless, skinless tomato puree. Add roasted garlic and you've got pizza sauce. Several brands are available for about $25 including three plates, or blades; fine, medium or coarse, depending on how smooth you want your food.