Dining news and upcoming events in Metro Detroit

Dining calendar

Melon Festival in Howell: This longstanding community event includes live music, food, the Melon Run, a kids’ melon patch and other melon-related fun. Fri.-Sun. 200 E. Grand River, Howell. howellmelonfestival.com.

Gleaners Community Food Bank Iron Chef Competition at Bordine’s Nursery: Chef Craig Myrand of Adam Merkel Restaurants will defend his title against chef Ryan Louwaert of Bourbons restaurant, and the attendees of this event get to taste and judge for themselves. A panel of experts and past winners will make the final call. Detroit News columnist Neal Rubin serves as color commentator. 6 p.m. Sun. $50. 6347 Grand River, Brighton. ironchefevent.org.

Detroit Black Restaurant Week: To highlight black restaurant owners and chefs in our area, around two dozen participating businesses will participate in this annual promotion, offering multicourse menus. Mon.-Aug. 26. BlackMetroEats.com.

Detroit Sushi Festival at Eastern Market: Food from local sushi restaurants and vendors of Japanese culture. Aug. 24. $27, $54 VIP. Shed 5, 2934 Russell, Detroit. detroitsushifest.com.

Mad Men Dinner Party and Cocktail Experience at Frame: A menu straight out of the 1950s and ’60s with canapes, fondue, fish timbale, lamb Wellington and baked Alaska. 6 and 9 p.m. Aug. 25. $65, $50 additional for classic cocktail pairings. Inside Joebar, 23839 John R, Hazel Park. framehazelpark.com.

Michigan Jewish Food Festival at Eastern Market: Vendors, caterers, speakers, live music, chef demos and more will celebrate Jewish food. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 26. Sheds 5 and 6, Eastern Market, 2934 Russell, Detroit. hazon.org/detroit.

Coney Dog Eating Challenge at American Coney Island: Hungry competitors battle to see who can eat the most coney dogs and win the glory and a year of free meals at the downtown Detroit restaurant. Before the main event, the Detroit Police, Detroit Fire/EMT and Windsor Fire Departments will challenge each other. Registration fees, admission and a portion of that day’s sales will benefit the Detroit Police Fund and Detroit Firemen’s Benevolent Fund. 5:30 p.m. Aug. 30. $10 to register to compete in advance; $15 day of. $5 suggested donation to attend. 114 W. Lafayette, Detroit. (586) 219-0995.

Blind Wine Tasting at Rattlesnake Club: Guess what wine is in front of you during this five-course “blind” wine tasting with small plates. 6 p.m. Aug. 30. $65 online, $75 at the door (plus tax and tip). 300 River Place, Detroit. (313) 567-4400, ext. 6226.

Taste of Southfield: Sample food from restaurants and banquet facilities in the Southfield area at this 15th annual event. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Friends of Southfield Police nonprofit. 5-8 p.m. Sept. 11. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 26555 Telegraph, Southfield. tinyurl.com/TasteOfSouthfield2018.

Great American Lobster Fest at Hart Plaza: Lobster will be flown in from the East Coast for this crustacean celebration. Lobster meals can be purchased in advance. General admission is free and includes live entertainment. Noon-10 p .m. Fri.-Sun. $5 suggested donation for general admission, $34 lobster meal experience, $89 VIP. Jefferson at Woodward, Detroit. americanlobsterfest.com.

Dining, food news

McClure’s and Valentine team up: Detroit-based McClure’s pickle company has teamed up with Ferndale’s Valentine Vodka to launch a Bloody Mary tailgating kit. The package includes a fifth of Valentine vodka, McClure’s Bloody Mary mix and two glasses for $29.99. Look for it at Meijer, Kroger, Walmart, Costco and other stores in mid-to-late September.

Lady of the House now open Tuesdays: Popular Corktown restaurant Lady of the House is now open Tuesday evenings. Chef Kate Williams’ hot spot has also launched a happy hour 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri. in the bar area only with select $6 cocktails and wines and a beer-and-a-shot special.

GreenSpace Cafe now open Mondays: Vegan restaurant GreenSpace Cafe, 215 W. Nine Mile in Ferndale, has expanded its hours to include Monday service. The plant-based restaurant will celebrate with a Slider Fest 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday with your choice of three meatless sliders for $7 each or three for $15.

Hudsonville Ice Cream partners with Sweetie-licious Bakery: For its second Michigan Artisan Collection flavor, Holland-based Husdonville Ice Cream has teamed up with National Pie Championships winner Sweetie-licious Bakery of DeWitt for a new flavor called Sweetie-licious Pie Suprise, made with chocolate ice cream and filling from the bakery’s favorite pies. The limited-edition flavor will be available in select stores Friday. Find it locally at Mootown Ice Cream & Dessert Shoppe, 2461 Russell in Detroit.

Buddy’s named fifth-best: The gluten-free pie at Detroit’s Buddy’s Pizza has been named the fifth-best gluten-free pizza in the country by USA Today.

Melody Baetens