Dining Calendar: Residencies, new menus, and October events

Chef Eddie Vargas settles in at Frame: The next chef residency at Frame in Hazel Park is chef and cocktail expert Eddie Vargas. His Halloween and Dia de los Muertos themed menu started this week and runs through Nov. 5 with izquitl elote, guacamole with pork belly, chapulines or pomegranate, ceviche, tacos and more. There’s also a brunch on Oct. 15. Make a reservation or walk in and sit at the bar or on the patio. 23839 John R, Hazel Park. framehazelpark.com/experience/day-of-the-deadbar.

Adopt a pet, get Buddy's Pizza: Buddy’s Pizza and Michigan Humane have teamed up to offer pet adopters a special treat. Through the month of October, adopt a pet through one of the Michigan Humane shelters and get a coupon for a free, four-square Buddy’s Pizza. If you’re already at your pet limit, stop into any Buddy’s location this month and purchase an all-natural Buddy Bones dog biscuit made from multi-grain pizza dough; all proceeds benefit Michigan Humane. Buddyspizza.com for locations.

Frankfort Beer Week: A beer-themed art exhibit, special deals, doughnuts and other food are all on tap as part of Frankfort, Michigan’s Beer Week. Organized by Storm Cloud Brewing, the events take place in Frankfort and nearby Elberta through Saturday. Visit frankfortbeerweek.com for details.

Toasted Barrel Bourbon launch party at Detroit City Distillery: Always with a good reason to party, the Detroit City Distillery will celebrate the release of their latest creation, a limited-edition bourbon that’s aged in a “deeply charred white American oak cask” then aged again in a “freshly toasted, but not charred, oak cask using Michigan apple, cherry and maple woods.” The bottles go on sale at 8 a.m. Fri. online and the party is 4-11 p.m. Fri. $70 per bottle, free to attend the party. 2462 Riopelle, Detroit. Detroitcitydistillery.com/shop.

St. John Armenian Church Bazaar: A Festival of Culture: This annual community festival has raffles, vendors, visual arts, stuff for kids, a blood drive and a country store, but the main attraction is the food, including hot dinners and baked goods. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fri. and 1-8:30 p.m. Sat. (food service hours). Free admission and parking. 22001 Northwestern Highway, Southfield. (248) 569-3405. stjohnsarmenianchurch.org.

Tacos, Hops & Tequila in Downtown Wyandotte: Street tacos from area restaurants and food trucks are on deck for this riverfront party, along with plenty of drink. Beyond the beer and tequila, festival goers can expect ciders and seltzers, too. There will be a sombrero contest, Chihuahua race and cornhole games. 3-8 p.m. Sat. $25 admission includes 10 drink tickets. Parking Lot # 1 east of Biddle and south of Oak, downtown Wyandotte. 360eventproductions.com.

Royal Oak Brewery marks 28 years: Oakland County’s oldest brewpub, the Royal Oak Brewery will celebrate 28 years of serving the community this month with a party featuring special beers, a tiki party with a steel drum band, the Reefermen, food and more. All afternoon and evening Oct. 14. 215 E. Fourth, Royal Oak. Royaloakbrewery.com.

Désalpes Truffle Dinner at Alpino: A four-course dinner with wine pairings curated by executive chef Colin Campbell and beverage manager Andre Sykes. Course three, for example, is chateaubriand and potato gaufrette with a bordelaise sauce. 6 p.m. Oct. 18. $75 or $105 with shaved white truffles. 1426 Bagley, Detroit. alpinodetroit.com/desalpes.

Upright Cocktail Lounge celebrates first anniversary: Last fall Oak & Reel debuted its lower-level Upright cocktail lounge. In honor of the one-year milestone, the lounge and bar manager Jacob Feitler has debuted a new cocktail menu with seasonal flavors and new nonalcoholic cocktails. Consider the Fall of Eden with Buffalo Trace bourbon, Watershed apple brandy, honey syrup and bitters. 2921 E. Grand, Detroit. Oakandreel.com/the-upright.

8 Mile Vodka wins: Michigan-based 8 Mile Vodka won a masters medal in the “super premium” flight at the Vodka Masters in London, England. The win follows their honor of Best in Class at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. For more about the brand, visit 8milevodka.com.

New fall and happy hour menus at Pao Detroit: Refreshing things for the new season, this downtown hot spot has a new happy hour taking place 5-7 p.m. Tues.-Fri. with small bites for under $12. The new fall dinner menu includes lobster udon and confit Beijing Duck Wrap. Also worth noting, Pao has “Luxe Tuesdays” with special lobster items 5-10 p.m. and “Tasty Thursday” with a prix fixe dinner for $55 per person. 114 W. Adams, Detroit. (313) 816-0000. paodetroit.com.

New brunch launches at Mex: Spice up your weekend with brunch at this recently renovated restaurant. Mex’s new brunch menu has tres leche French toast, brown butter waffles, breakfast burritos, a fajita skillet and more, including the entire lunch menu and drinks. Brunch is served 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun. 6675 Telegraph, Bloomfield Hills. (248) 723-0800. Mex-restaurants.com.

Brunch is back at the Whitney: Gulf shrimp scramble, banana-baked French toast, crustless quiche, beef Wellington and more are on the returning brunch menu at this Midtown staple. Expect seasonal appetizers, fresh juices, mimosas and Bloody Marys, too. Entrees start at $19. Brunch is served 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fri. and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 4421 Woodward, Detroit. (313) 832-5700. Thewhitney.com.

Sunday brunch comes to Flavors of Jamaica: Add some Caribbean flavor to your Sunday brunch at this Pontiac restaurant. Wake up with jerk chicken hash, salmon croquettes, roasted cauliflower fritters, wings, waffles, chicken and more. No booze here, but nonalcoholic mimosas, beers, wines and cocktails are available. Reservations are suggested. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (final seating at 3 p.m.) Sundays starting Oct. 8. 406 N. Telegraph, Pontiac. (248) 445-1044. flavorsofjamaicarestaurant.com.

Detroit Wing Co. adds Brussels sprouts and “disco” tots: All locations of carryout favorite Detroit Wing Co. have added a few new menu items, including cheddar “disco” tots loaded with house-made gravy. Look for jalapeno creamed corn, fried cauliflower and fried Brussels sprouts with bleu cheese crumbles and DWC’s Carolina Gold sauce. Detroitwingco.com for locations.

Melody Baetens