Victory Smokehouse fires up in Warren
One thousand pounds of meat will be smoked this weekend at the November Smoke Harvest event at the Victory Inn Bar & Grill in Warren.
A benefit for the Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure, Smoke Harvest is fueled by Victory Smokehouse, a barbeque cart run by pitmaster Chris Callender outside of the Victory Inn, a popular casual watering hole and sports bar.
For the second annual Smoke Harvest, Callender has upgraded his outdoor facility to a custom three-ton pit.
In the next year, he says, the plan is to build a 5,000-square-foot restaurant off the east wall of the Victory Inn, which will house a permanent spot for Victory Smokehouse.
Callender, who says hetraveled the country doing research on barbeque before opening Victory Smokehouse, is planning on the restaurant having a casual barn look with Texas-style barbeque.
For now, though, his focus is on feeding the hundreds of people expected to attend Saturday’s Smoke Harvest, which runs noon-11 p.m. Besides a plethora of meat including ribs, brisket and pulled pork, the event will have a beer tent and bourbon tasting. The Victory Inn is at 28950 Mound in Warren.
Buddy’s Pizza opens in Fountain Walk
Acclaimed pizza chain Buddy’s opened its newest restaurant last week in Novi’s Fountain Walk. The Michigan-based business started in Detroit nearly 70 years ago. The Novi spot, 44224 12 Mile, is the 11th location.
The 8,000-square-foot restaurant can accommodate 200 diners and also has a bar, banquet room, carry-out station and an outdoor dining area.
Deliciously brief
■Detroit Vegan Soul, 8029 Agnes in Detroit, has expanded its all plant-based, organic menu to offer the Sunday breakfast sandwich as part of the regular menu, as well as sides like cornbread muffins, seitan peppersteak and smothered tempeh. The smoothie list now has add-ons like flax, maca, spirulina, hemp, bee pollen, vegan protein and ginger.
■Hard Rock Cafe rolled out a new, brightly-colored kids menu recently, with fun rock ’n’ roll characters and fun food names like Ain’t Nothing but a Hot Dog and Mac-Daddy Mac and Cheese. There are also healthier options like the Skiddley’s Not-So-Diddly Chicken Breast and sides like fresh fruit and vegetables. Detroit’s Hard Rock is at 45 Monroe.
■Melting Pot’s Novi location at 26425 Novi has closed. The fondue chain still has restaurants in Troy and Ann Arbor.
Food and beverage events
Black Wine Nights at Vinotecca: This blind wine tasting comes with eight wines and five courses of small plates. The wine glasses, food, decor and attire are all black. 7-9:30 p.m. Wed.-Thurs. $49. 417 S. Main, Royal Oak. (248) 544-6256.
Beer, Fire and Brimstone at Bird & the Bread’s ELM Room: Fall beer tasting event with local and imported products, plus Halloween games, beer trivia and more. 7-9 p.m. Thurs. $35, $30 with costume. 210 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham. (248) 203-6600.
Oakwood Healthcare Foundation’s Wine for the Spirit at Henry Ford Museum: Wine tasting with more than 80 products from around the world, plus food and access to the museum’s exhibits. 7:30 p.m. Sat. $175. 20900 Oakwood, Dearborn. (313) 586-4924.
Rubbed After Dark: Five-course dinner at Rubbed in Corktown, with cured meat, cheese, spinach bisque, salmon ceviche, lamb tartare and apple tartan. 6 and 9 p.m. Nov. 7-8. $40. 2015 Michigan, Detroit. (313) 265-3684.
Whiskey Business at Royal Oak Farmers Market: Sample Scotch, bourbon and rye whiskeys, along with whiskey-inspired appetizers. 8-11 p.m. Nov. 7. VIP entrance at 7 p.m. $50, $70, $15 designated driver. 316 E. 11 Mile, Royal Oak. www.whiskeybusinessmi.com
Motor City Brew Tours Brewery Bus Tour to Kalamazoo: Travel to three new Kalamazoo-area breweries: Arcadia Ales West, Tibbs Brewing Company and Rupert’s Brew House. Tickets include transportation, tours, food and beer samples. 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Nov. 8. $75. Pickups at 514 S. Lafayette in Royal Oak (9:30 a.m.) and at M-14/Miller Road Exit Park and Ride (10 a.m.). www.motorcitybrewtours.com
Detroit Lions Breakfast Buffet at TAP at MGM Grand Detroit: Before each Lions home game, get down on a buffet that has all the breakfast fixings, including an omelet station, French toast, bacon and more. 7-11 a.m. Nov. 9 and 27 and Dec. 7 and 14. $18, $10 children. 1777 Third, Detroit. (313) 465-1234.
Detroit Lions Game Day Brunch at Hard Rock Cafe: Pre-football brunch features omelet and waffle stations, fresh fruit, fried chicken, bacon, biscuits and gravy and more, including $5 Bloody Marys and mimosas. Take advantage of free parking and a shuttle to the game. 9 a.m. Nov. 9 and 27 and Dec. 7 and 14. $16, $9 younger than 11. 45 Monroe, Detroit. (313) 964-7625.
Sip Savor Stomp at Royal Oak Farmers Market: Sample from more than 150 wines from around the world, plus cheese, chocolate, coffee and wine-inspired cuisine from local restaurants. Proceeds benefit Aids Walk Detroit. 7:30-11 p.m. Nov. 15. VIP entrance at 6:30 p.m. $45, $65 VIP and $15 designated driver. 316 E. 11 Mile, Royal Oak. www.sipsavorstomp.com
Whiskey Experience at Barrister Garden Banquet Center: Hosted by Dave Harden, owner of the Butter Run Saloon in St. Clair Shores, this whiskey-tasting event benefits the Luella M. Harden Foundation and includes appetizers and an opportunity to meet with whiskey brand ambassadors. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 5. VIP entry at 5:30 p.m. $130, $160 VIP. 24225 Harper, St. Clair Shores. (586) 675-2115.
Melody Baetens