Michigan Craft Distillers Festival in Monroe: The inaugural Michigan Craft Distillers Festival is three days of tastings, plus live entertainment, food and other programming. Several Michigan businesses will be involved, including Ann Arbor Distilling Co., Detroit City Distillery, Grand Traverse Distillery, Iron Fish Distillery, Mammoth Distilling, Two James Spirits and more. 6 p.m. Thurs., 4-8 p.m. Fri. and 3-8 p.m. Sat. $30 and up. Downtown Monroe. Michigancraftdistillersfestival.com.
Festa di San Gennaro at San Morello: Chefs Andrew Carmellini and Cory Barberio will welcome fellow chefs Jared Gadbaw of Oak & Reel, Anthony Lombardo of SheWolf, Dean Nole of Cafe CaNole, James Rigato of Mabel Gray and John Vermiglio and Joe Giacomino of Grey Ghost for an Italian food festival. The men will host stations of unlimited Italian-American favorites, such as sausage and peppers, spiedini, braciole, muffaletta, zeppole, cannoli and more, all made to order. The event also has live music, carnival games bocce and a street festival vibe. 2-9 p.m. Sat. $103.22 per person (early bird pricing). 1400 Woodward, Detroit. eventbrite.com/e/festa-di-san-gennaro-at-san-morello-tickets-1450551321049.
Ypsi Vegan Fest in Downtown Ypsilanti: More than 30 vendors representing restaurants, food trucks, caterers, nonprofits, wellness organizations and more will be part of this event celebrating plant-based diets. There will be stuff for kids to do, cooking demos, dietitians and animal adoptions. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. 301 W. Michigan, Ypsilanti. Vegmichigan.org.
Benstein Liquor and El Cristiano Tequila dinner at Aurora on the Lake: Enjoy a three-course short rib dinner with cocktail pairings featuring additive-free tequila, plus a welcome cocktail. Dinner includes a charcuterie board and tres leches for dessert. Guests will also take home a bottle of El Cristiano Silver. 6:30 p.m. Mon. $125 per person. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce Township. opentable.com/booking/experiences-availability?rid=278053&restref=278053&experienceId=530920.
Chef Gabriella Baldwin’s Supper Club at Testa Barra: You’ve seen her on the Food Network, now have chef Gabriella cook a four-course, seasonal tasting menu for you. The supper club is a subscription that includes one ticket per month for $70 each, plus wine pairings for an additional $30. The series kicks off Sept. 16 and runs through Feb. 17. 48824 Romeo Plank, Macomb Township. testabarra.com/supper-club.
Culinary Collective at Oak & Reel: As part of their ongoing collaboration series, Oak & Reel welcomes New York chef Jaime Young from the Dynamo Room to Detroit. The Long Island native will present a six-course meal with beverage pairings for one night only. 6 p.m. Sept. 18. $235 per person. 2921 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit. https://store40732110.company.site/2025-Culinary-Collective-Chef-Jaime-Young-p766058868.
History and Hops at Elmwood Cemetery: Historian and James Beard Award-nominated writer Mickey Lyons leads a walking tour of the cemetery’s beer, wine and spirits history. Afterward, enjoy a beer tasting at a scenic location on the grounds with beverages from Brewery Faisan and Grandeur Cru with snacks. 2 p.m. Sept. 20-21. $40. 1200 Elmwood, Detroit. eventbrite.com/e/history-and-hops-a-beverage-history-tour-and-beer-tasting-tickets-1549101236499.
Cork & Fork Festival at Grand Hotel: Julia Child protege Sara Moulton is the emcee of this esteemed food festival that features talented chefs from across the country, including Ann Arbor’s Ji Hye Kim of Miss Kim and Detroit’s Maryam Khan of Khana. It’s a weekend of curated wine tastings, multi-course dinners and seminars. Oct. 10-12. Pricing varies and packages are available. 286 Grand Avenue, Mackinac Island. grandhotel.com/packages/2025-cork-fork.
Fork n’ Film at Cambria Hotel: See the Disney Pixar classic “Ratatouille” and enjoy a multi-course meal with cocktails. Vegan and vegetarian options are available. 1:30 p.m. Oct. 11. $199 per person. 600 W. Lafayette, Detroit. detroit.forknfilm.com/event-details-registration/10-11-25-1-30pm-ratatouille-detroit.
Other food and drink news
Rose’s Fine Foods reopens: Two years after closing Rose’s Fine Foods and Wine, owner and co-founder Molly Mitchell has decided to reopen her flowery restaurant and garden on Detroit’s east side. The menu had homestyle Polish dishes, such as sour cream potatoes, smoked kielbasa, confit duck leg, koptyka, braised cabbage lasagna and Polish nachos, plus many farm-fresh dishes like sugared peaches, cucumber mizeria and local tomatoes. Hours are 4-10 p.m. Wed.-Sun. 10551 E. Jefferson, Detroit. instagram.com/roses_detroit.
Filippa’s turns 50: Congratulations to Filippa’s Italian Restaurant, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Fiore family opened the restaurant in 1975. Current owners Gianocarlo DeAngelis and Iris Male purchased it in 2019 and renovated, brought back much of the original menu and put an emphasis on steaks and ribs. “Our baby back ribs remain one of the most popular items with almost 100 slabs a week sold between dine-in and carry out. Our barbecue sauce is still made by Chef Gary who has been here for 36 years,” said Male in a press release. “Pollo Di Bacci is a dish created by Tom Fiore and it continues to sell very well, as does our fresh Lake Perch.” Filippa’s is open for lunch and dinner Tues.-Sun. 45125 Mound, Shelby Township. (586) 254-1311. filippas.com.
Bell’s Brewery launches Oberon Eclipse Raspberry Wheat Ale: A new tradition at Bell’s is to unveil a new flavor of Oberon Eclipse each fall. This year it’s Oberon Eclipse Raspberry Wheat Ale, an easy-drinking balanced beer clocking in at 5.8% ABV. It’s available nationwide on store shelves in a variety of sizes, including bottles and cans. Bellsbeer.com.
Melody Baetens
Dining and Cooking