Birmingham, MI July 2023

BLOOMFIELD HILLS ROYAL OAK

ROYAL OAK

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The Summer Fun Issue

I hope this letter finds you laying by the pool or lake and soaking in some much-needed Vitamin D.

There's just something about summer that brings about a sense of excitement and adventure.

Sure, fall has some great flavors and scents, winter has its cozy charms and I can't deny the beauty of spring. But when summer rolls around, I’m more than ready for the long, languid days sitting by the pool or floating on a boat!

The pages in our Summer Fun issue will help you make the most of this season.  And even if summer doesn't mean three months of summer vacation anymore, we can still look forward to an adventure by crossing things off our ultimate summer bucket list (check the table of contents for ours!) and curling up with a new favorite beach read.

Just like this season has a way of bringing people together, we hope the pages inside this month’s issue will enrich and enliven your experience of Birmingham this summer!

July 2023

PUBLISHER

Ali Kramer | ali.kramer@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Lynne Konstantin | lynne.konstantin@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Rayna Southart | rayna.southart@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Lisa Gindi | lisa.gindi@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Stacy Conde

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Nev Muftari

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

ALI KRAMER, PUBLISHER @BIRMINGHAMCITYLIFESTYLE

Year after year, Meredith Colburn Real Estate is recognized as the #1 Top Producing Team at The Agency - Birmingham. Ranked in the top 1% of Realtors® nationwide, we continuously provide our clientele with extensive local expertise, personalized concierge service, cutting-edge technology and access to a vast global network.

Dundon

Caroline Johnson

Lauren Colburn

of Operations/Realtor®

For us, luxury real estate isn't about a price, it's about an experience.

Meredith Colburn Associate Broker/Team Leader

1242 Willow, Birmingham

Closed 2/28/23 - $3,850,000 - Buyers Agent

20060 Pemberly, Beverly Hills

Closed 2/25/23 - $2,550,000 - Listing Agent

3036 Morningview Terrace, Bloomfield Township

Closed 3/15/23 - $2,105,000 - Buyers Agent

962 Puritan, Birmingham

Pending - $1,750,000 - Listing Agent

1347 Washington, Birmingham

Pending - $1,599,000 - Listing Agent

2171 Klingensmith, Bloomfield Township

Available - $1,495,000 - Listing Agent

3233 Bradway, Bloomfield Township

Pending - $1,299,900 - Listing Agent

3675 Squirrel, Bloomfield Township

Closed 1/6/23 - $1,020,000 - Listing Agent

293 Berwyn, Birmingham

Closed 3/23/23 - $940,000 - Listing Agent & Buyers Agent

4108 Woodland, Royal Oak

Pending - $949,900 - Listing Agent

655 Madison, Birmingham

Available - $925,000 - Listing Agent

18184 Kinross, Beverly Hills

Closed 3/6/23 - $797,500 - Buyers Agent

909 Bennaville, Birmingham

Closed 3/24/23 - $740,000 - Listing Agent

20150 Village, Beverly Hills

Closed 2/8/23 - $587,400 - Listing Agent

171 N Worth, Birmingham Closed 1/6/23 - $560,000 - Listing Agent

6866 Spruce, Bloomfield Township Closed 3/8/23 - $448,800 - Buyers Agent

311 Pingree, Royal Oak Closed 3/10/23 - $405,000 - Listing Agent

Old Orchard (vacant land), Bingham Farms Closed 3/13/23 - $375,000 - Buyers Agent

19037 Saxon, Beverly Hills

Closed 3/15/23 - $375,000 - Buyers Agent

726 Colebrook, Troy

Available $339,900 - Listing Agent

1045 Timberlake Bloomfield Township

1370

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

1: At the Michigan Medicine’s Women’s Health Luncheon with speaker Kelly Ripa, May 5, Franklin Hills Country Club. Kelly Ripa and Nicole Eisenberg. 2: Rebekah Harahan, Cynthia Hauser Reynolds. 3: Alexandra Weitz, Christine Colman, Claire Trainor, Jessica Weisman, Emily Gorge, Katie Kantor. 4: Jodi Trivax, Sienna Trivax, Kelly Ripa, Valerie Trivax. 5: Pamela Applebaum, Karin Eisenberg, Molly Applebaum Wyett. 6: Lisa Daniels-Goldman. 7: Jamie Edmonds.

8: At Project 2’s Burn Bright, Sister! Event to support women re-entering the workforce, May 11, Sylvan Lake. Victoria Ilitch, Brittany Ullrich. 9: Jordynn Waatti, Kelly Nelson. 10: Yoga led by Sam Arin Rodd. 11: Allison Kuhn, Jazley Trouser, Danielle Kovachevich. 12: Jennifer Levine, Jennifer Ballarin. 13: Katey Fumei, Sue Posiniak and Katie Mangin. 14: Sue Posuniak, Angela Thomas.

15: Keller Williams Domain Red Day of service with Hope Against Trafficking for survivors of human trafficking, May 11. Volunteers at work. 16: Brittany Fulton, Amber Gray, Cindy Juliano. 17: KW Domain volunteers. 18: Joy DiMaggio, Laith Alkhafaji, Bia Siminovich, Deborah Falzon. 19: Richard Perry, Raven Perry, Rich Perry, LaSonya Perry. 20: Monica Daly, Amy Osterbeck, Nadiya Grymalyuk. 21: Lauren Christie, Stefanie George, Patty Christie.

22: Famiglia Wealth’s “Get On the Healthy Wealthy Path” event, April 27, Bloomfield Hills. 1: Alyssa Spaw gives tips on health and wellness. 23: Faye Buchan, Robert Alati, Alex Buchan. 24: Jason Geisz (right) and the Famiglia Wealth team. Photography by Let’s Capture That. 25: Chiropractic Lifestyle Studio’s Ladies’ Night Pop-Up, May 18, Royal Oak. Monarch Coaching was among the vendor partners. 26: Guests shop and sip mocktails. 27: The CLS team with event vendors.

round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Zahra Opening

Shelly Huss, owner of Zahra in Birmingham, celebrated the boutique’s ribbon-cutting on May 10. From everyday natural living essentials to unique specialty products and gifts, Zahra has something for everyone. At the heart of Zahra is Zahra Naturals — an expansive collection of 100-percent natural, hand-crafted, small-batch products for Bath and Body, Baby Care, Skincare and Home Scents and Essentials. For more information, visit Zahrabirmingham.com

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/BirminghamMI

“I never imagined that my smile could light up an entire room” Kristi P. (Actual Patient)

Sugaring NYC Opening

Sugaring NYC celebrated its grand opening in Birmingham on May 4, when owner Solange Ferreira offi cially cut the ribbon. Sugaring NYC Birmingham is a 100-percent natural hair removal technique and offers more than 40 different organic treat ments and service combinations. Their estheticians use a paste made with organic sugar, purified water and lemon to remove hair from your body while also gently exfoliating the skin. For more information, visit Sugaringnyc.com

Patty & Press Smashburgers Opening

A new fast-casual burger concept just opened its doors in June at 42967 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Hills: Chef Goran Dimic and Brandon Gorgies of G&B Hospitality (Naked Burger, Berkley Common) opened their fourth location, Patty & Press Smashburgers. The 2,200 square foot space will seat up to 35 guests and serve grass-fed smash burg ers, hand-cut fries, milkshakes and more. For more information, visit Pattyandpress.com

• Construction-to-Permanent loan

• New home construction or renovation

• Borrow up to 90% of the home’s “to-be-completed” value

• Interest-only payments during the construction phase

• Single, one-time closing

Construction periods vary by project size. Program is available only to qualified borrowers in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio. Contact First Merchants Bank to learn more about the program benefits and the eligibility requirements. Program is subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit approval. Underwriting terms and conditions apply. Some restrictions may apply.

CLEAN & BRIGHT

A LOCAL DESIGNER UNIFIED SYMMETRY, FUNCTION — AND A BIT OF GLAMOUR — IN THIS BIRMINGHAM RENOVATION.

ARTICLE BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEV MUFTARI

Lots of people who are interested in design, when growing up, will change their bedrooms around — move their bed under a different window, maybe even pull up carpeting.

When Amarilda (Amy) Vucaj was struck with inspiration, she’d go a few steps further.

“My parents have these crazy stories of leaving for the weekend and coming home with a wall knocked down,” Vucaj says of her attempts to “open the space.”

Vucaj came to the United States from Albania with her parents when she was 15; her dad found work in construction, and Vucaj helped out most summers. “But I never really understood how much I enjoyed it,” she says. “And my parents,

The limestone of this Modern Farmhouse in Birmingham is repeated on the great room’s fireplace.

who were always very supportive of anything I did, were just too busy working to help me think about the future.”

After studying chemical engineering at Wayne State, Vucaj moved to Los Angeles, where she happened upon a job at renowned menswear shop Bijan on Rodeo Drive.

“It was my first introduction to the finer things in life,” Vucaj says. “It was the most expensive store in the world — the owner dressed presidents. I learned what luxury really means.”

Returning to Michigan armed with a bachelor’s of science in interior design, she worked for an interior designer before opening Amareaux Interior Design (amareaux.com ) in Birmingham in 2016.

“I didn’t really grasp my love for design until I was going to school, working in the industry, doing architectural drawings,” Vucaj says. “I had to nourish it and bring it to the surface.”

Amarilda (Amy) Vucaj

Before renovation.

Photo by Tara Turkington.

While working with clients on new builds and flipping homes, Vucaj and her husband began searching for a house of their own. Whether they moved in or sold it, Vucaj craved renovating an entire house, bottom to top, as an opportunity to stretch her muscles as a contractor, builder and architectural designer, with as much as possible completed in-house. They came across a house in Birmingham, built in the 1950s, that had never been updated — and they closed on it the day she went into labor with their first daughter (“I was signing the papers between contractions,” Vucaj says). Now, after a pandemic and another daughter born, her creation is complete and was listed to sell in May.

“Every home I’ve ever worked on, even flipping a house, I approach it as designing as if I’d be living in it,” Vucaj says. “I don’t cut corners, from finishes to things behind the walls that you’d never see — it’s about the integrity of the work.

“With this house, within the budget that I had, I tried to bring in everything that I would want in a home,” she says. “Because I was building it as my own house, I was able to do everything I wanted” — from the plumbing fixtures and finishes that shine like the home’s jewelry, to Circa lighting, Sub-Zero appliances and more.

“I like to work backwards in a new home — for example, the size of the bedrooms and baths, it has to make sense for the people who are living there, whether it’s empty nesters or a family with young children,” she says. “Even if there’s no client like this one, I try to make it make sense.”

The mid-century Colonial-turned-modern farmhouse opens to soaring ceilings with wainscoting crafted by Vucaj’s in-house carpenter, floors of Italian oak and a minimal custom sculptural wood and metal staircase railing by Weldwork in Royal Oak, who also

In the main-floor master bath, a porcelain tiled wall is shared by a curbless rain shower with Euro glass and floating bench stands and an oversized soaking tub

created the metal doors in the office. Beyond the foyer is a view of the two-story French limestone fireplace that anchors the great room’s 20-foot ceilings.

“I tried to keep the aesthetic simple,” Vucaj says. “I also love symmetry, so I wanted the home to have an organic flow to it, while letting everything have its own space. It has a clean, functional symmetry.”

This is especially evident in the kitchen, where an oversized island is framed by waterfall edges and a walk-in butler’s pantry — a full continuation of the kitchen — keeps messes out of view. Two full master suites, with one on the main floor including a stackable washer/dryer closet (“I envisioned my parents living with us,” Vucaj says) have his-and-hers walk-in closets, while four additional bedrooms upstairs include the second master suite and another easily transitioned into a second office space. The walls of the basement — originally a bomb shelter which Vucaj transformed into a wine and cigar room — are the only things original to the home. Also in the basement: a full gym, a bar and a full-shower bath.

“Having two daughters at home, it’s important for my husband and I to be role models. I want them to see the partnership between me and my husband, but also to empower them to be their own people,” Vucaj says. “Most builders CONTINUED

From the foyer, a two-story staircase with steel railing from Weldworks frames a view to the great room’s French limestone fireplace — the same stone is used on

In the expansive kitchen, a full-wall porcelain backsplash is echoed on the waterfall-edged oversized island. LED baseboard lighting elevates and warms.

are men, but most people who make decisions about a home, in my experience, are women — I like to be able to offer the option of having a female builder. I can understand exactly what they need.

“This is where I flourish, taking a design from beginning to end, designing and furnishing it to turnkey,” she says. “I always knew I was capable of doing this, but I wanted the chance to see it all the way through, without a man telling me how to do it.

“I had two pregnancies and two babies while building this house,” Vucaj says. “This house is my third baby. The project grew over time — we weren’t sure how far to take this renovation. But I feel like this is the house it was meant to be.”

Beyond the Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances is a view into the butler’s pantry, a full continuation of the kitchen.

“I always knew I was capable of doing this, but I wanted the chance to see it all the way through, without a man telling me how to do it.”

We regularly resolve cases within the following fields:

Escape to a historic hidden gem in plain sight.

A WEEKEND

getaway

ARTICLE BY STACY CONDE

Kids still at camp? Grab your partner and experience a weekend of historic luxury.

Just 30 miles north of Chicago, Deer Path Inn (thedeerpathinn.com) has all the charm and hospitality of a stay in the English countryside without having to use your passport. Nestled in the sleepy suburb of Lake Forest, Ill., Deer Path Inn has been serving up English innkeeping traditions for nearly a century.

The Inn is certainly known to the locals who sell out their Afternoon Tea service or gather in the Bar for craft cocktails and expertly prepared comfort foods like cottage pie, fish ’n’ chips and steak frites, but it’s mostly a tucked-away secret.

There’s no mistaking the Inn upon arrival. The Tudor-style stucco and half-timbered structure was modeled after a 15th-century manor house in one of England’s oldest villages. The inviting lobby, with its flagstone floor, wood-beamed ceiling, and fire burning in the hearth, felt like a warm embrace.

“The Inn has been the backdrop for generations of family memories and special occasions,” says George Cook, director of guest services. “Additionally, many of our employees have worked here for decades and are the fabric of the Inn. The culture is one of caring-based service and putting others first.”

In contrast to the darker, cozy, cocoon-like feeling of the common areas of the property, the Inn’s 57 rooms are decorated in a fresh, neutral palette with traditional wood accents. Every detail is of superb quality, from the Frette linens to a marble-tiled bathroom with Jacuzzi soaking tub and fluffy oversized bath towels.

The level of comfort that the Inn provides is such that there is no need to leave the premises. You could start your day with a full English breakfast in the Inn’s glass atrium overlooking the patio courtyard. If you find you crave some fresh air, take

a mile and a half walk or bike ride to the shores of Lake Michigan and then tuck into a hearty lunch in the White Hart Pub with a steaming hot bowl of French onion soup while listening to the pub’s playlist including the perfect UK rock mix of Queen and Elton John. Relax by the fire with a book in the Hearth Room before dinner.

Meals feel like an event at the Inn, complete with such an authentic setting, the only thing missing are the English accents. The White Hart Pub, in the Inn’s lower level, is all wood-paneled and tartan-cushioned with vintage Toby mugs peering down at you from the shelves. The Bar is packed with locals and visitors on a Saturday night, offering a convivial atmosphere in the wood-paneled space with leather banquettes and paintings of hunting dogs on the walls.

When it comes to cuisine, Deer Path Inn offers an interesting option: sushi. Unexpected, but absolutely legit, it’s been a staple at the Inn for many years. Although it’s a deviation from the Brit theme, it’s so popular that it endures.

Chief Spirit Officer Jorge Centeno develops the extensive cocktail list for the Inn. His recipes are personal and wildly inventive. “I am inspired by everything: the seasons, holidays, places I have visited, scents and flavors I’ve enjoyed,” he says. “Sometimes I start with a spirit and build from there and sometimes I start with a vision in my head and then bring it to life.” The Inn’s signature Old Fashioned is made with a special spice-infused simple syrup made in-house. Local honey from the Inn’s sushi chef is incorporated into some of the cocktails.

The Inn is infused with a feeling of family — it’s built into the wood beams and stucco walls and is exuded by the staff. Deer Path Inn doesn’t feel like a parody of an English inn. It is an English inn — it just happens to be in a Chicago suburb.

Deer Path Inn has all the charm and hospitality of a stay in the English countryside — without having to use your passport.

Decked Out

ARTICLE BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN

MAKE THE MOST OF SUMMERTIME WEATHER WITH A WELL-MAINTAINED DECK.

One of our favorite summertime activities: Sipping an ice-cold lemonade from the great outdoors — a civilized pleinair extension of our home. The deck.

Decks and pavers, however, withstand constant exposure to the elements, in addition to wear and tear, so knowledgeable care is important to keep them healthy and looking good. Mike Bonadeo, Jr., had been working for the family-owned OPW Decks (opwrestoration.com) for 15 years before purchasing the company in 2018. Bringing on his father, brother, brother-in-law and cousin, Bonadeo works daily to perpetuate the importance of family and quality. Successfully restoring more than four million-square-feet of wood, decks, homes, concrete and brick pavers, OPW Decks offers low pressure house cleaning, cement and concrete cleaning and more — at fair pricing, quality products and one-onone service.

Here, Bonadeo tells his tips for keeping your deck healthy and maintained.

• Firstly, it’s crucial to seal and wash decks and pavers “to protect your investment,” Bonadeo says. “Unprotected wood will break down from the moisture and UV rays. Brick pavers need maintenance for weeds, moss and algae to prevent movement. Sealing protects them longer.” It’s time to restore when you see wear of stain, grayness, mold, mildew and algae.

• The best time of year to restore/ pressure is when the temperature is between 55-90 degrees for washing and 60-80 degrees for staining.

“Summer is good because it’s warmer and the stain dries/cures quicker; late summer/fall isn’t a bad time because the deck is ready to go for the next spring/summer, and you don’t have to wait,” Bonadeo says.

• Clean your deck every one to two years; stain your deck every two to three years, depending on the age of wood, sun exposure, usage; clean your siding every five to 10 years or longer depending on sun exposure.

• -how do you choose a stain for a wood deck? is one choice better than others? “It’s very important to choose the correct stain for a wood deck,” Bonadeo says. “Oil-based stains and some waterbased stains are ideal for Michigan weather. Solid stains and paint have their place, but the excessive moisture in this climate will make the finish peel. Not all stains are created equal. Oil-based stains penetrate into the wood without leaving a film, so there’s no peeling and it wears off naturally.” Not all oil-based stains are the same, he adds — it’s important that a company is knowledgeable about products. “That’s half the battle,” Bonadeo says.

“I have clients with decks that are 20to 30-years-old and are in great shape and look beautiful because they’ve been well-maintained,” Bonadeo says. General cleaning helps: blowing debris and light pressure washing. To save on long-term costs, “some clients will apply a maintenance coat to the horizontals (top of railings/flooring) one to two years after our full-deck staining to extend the life of our work,” he says. “The vertical surfaces hold stain much longer than the horizontal surfaces. You have to clean the wood properly and use the same stain — I’m always willing to teach my clients how to care for their decks themselves, when possible.”

“I’m always willing to teach my clients how to care for their decks themselves, when possible.”

Before After

Tree Care Tips

ARTICLE BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN

Trees can enhance your property with beauty, shade, tranquility, even home value. Because of this, it’s important to understand the dos and don’ts of tree maintenance.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR TREES HEALTHY: ADVICE FROM THE PROS.

With more than 17 years of experience and expertise, Amezola Tree Service (amezolatreeservice.com), led by the Amezola family, understands tree health. Using commercial machinery like cranes, bucket trucks and chainsaws, Amezola offers removals, pruning, trimming, land clearing, stump removal and more.  We asked Roberto Amezola for a hitlist of what’s most important in maintaining the health of your property’s trees. Here’s what he told us.

• In anticipation of summer rain storms, Amezola says, “it’s best to trim and remove any heavy limbs — especially those close to house, roof, garage, driveways or any other structure to prevent them from breaking and causing damage.”

• If a tree is dead, it should be cut down as soon as possible. “These trees could be rotting from the interior and hollow. Dead trees are highly dangerous and pose a liability,” he says.

• Trimming is essential to having healthy trees and shrubs, Amezola says, to prevent diseases, pests and other ailments.

• The following are not recommended to be trimmed this time of year, and should be saved for the winter: American elm, oak and white birch, to prevent getting plague.

• Pruning is helpful in removing dying branches.

• “Trees need to be cleaned-up to allow air circulation,” Amezola says, “as they are living organisms.”

• It’s recommended that pear trees and arborvitaes be topped to prevent breakage.

• Finally, if you suspect a tree is declining in health, have it evaluated by a reputable professional to see if it can be saved.

The Amezola Tree Service team

chelsea baugher

Chelsea is a Bay City Native, and moved to Metro Detroit in 2013. In July of 2021, she took the leap to open Detroit Sweat. As a former collegiate athlete and business major, this is exactly where she belongs. She is known for her energetic and motivating coaching style, along with keeping you on your toes at all times.

Chelsea resides in Birmingham with her husband, Tim Her #1 goal is to challenge, inspire, and make sure you are looking forward to your next session!

CITY LIFESTYLE

Summer Bucket List

Welcome, summer! As a hyper-local publication, we thrive on helping our readers make connections with the cities they live in, the businesses that make up their communities and the inspiring individuals making a positive mark. Are you ready for your most adventurous, fun summer? Here are summer bucket list ideas for you to accomplish this year. We hope you’ll explore a new neighborhood, spend a lazy Saturday afternoon at a new winery or taste the flavors at a local ice cream shop. Let us know what you discover and enjoy! We’d love to hear.

KIDS

Make the most of this Summer! Check off these activities on our Kids Summer Bucket List as you complete them throughout the summer. P.S. You might need an adult’s help with some of these! Make

Explore a New Local Park Go

Do a Random Act of Kindness for a Stranger

Write a Kind Note to a Friend

Ride a Rollercoaster

Visit a Carnival

Summer is finally here. Take advantage of the season with our Adult Summer Bucket List. Check off these activities as you complete them with your family and friends and congratulate yourself on a Summer well-spent!

EXPLORE A NEW AREA OF YOUR CITY

Fabulous Flatbread

This dish is from Chef Evon Profitt, the director of culinary operations for all of Westside Concepts in Arizona. This flatbread with grilled peaches, house-made rosemary paneer cheese, soppressata, fresh mint, and pistachios with a balsamic drizzle is to die for.

Grilled Peach Flatbread with House-Made Rosemary Paneer Cheese

Yield: 4 flatbreads

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 peaches cut into 8 pieces each

• 12 slices soppressata or any salami

• Fresh mint

• 1 tbsp. olive oil

• ¼ cup pistachios, chopped

• Balsamic reduction

• 4 baked naan bread

FOR

THE PANEER CHEESE:

• 6 cups whole milk

• 2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar

• ½ tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tsp. kosher salt

HOW TO MAKE PANEER CHEESE:

Paneer cheese is made by curdling milk using an acidic additive such as lemon juice or vinegar. Paneer cheese does not use any kind of rennet, nor fermentation or aging.

In a pot, bring 6 cups of whole milk to 200 degrees. Once milk has reached temp., stir in the 2 tbsp. of vinegar and turn off heat; milk will begin to separate. Allow milk to curd for 5 minutes, strain whey and curds into a cheesecloth-lined colander. Transfer curds to a mixing bowl and add chopped rosemary and 1 tsp. kosher salt, mix ingredients together, reserve the cheesecloth for the next step. Place the curds back into the cheesecloth, pull the corners of the cloth together, ring out excess whey from the curds, and hang for 30 minutes to continue draining. Once the curds have drained, place cheesecloth-wrapped curds back into the colander and place a heavy item on top, in order to press the curds into shape and press more of the whey from the cheese, for 3-4 hours. Use cheese fresh or keep refrigerated up to 4 days.

FLATBREAD:

Brush olive oil onto both sides of naan flatbread, and place in oven on rack for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, or grill for 2 minutes each side. Grill peach slices for 2 minutes each side, or place in oiled sauté pan till each side begins to caramelize. On a cutting board, lay flatbread down, and place grilled peach slices around flatbread. Take small pieces of Paneer cheese and place throughout over the peaches. Be creative and find place for the soppressata or salami of your choice. Garnish with crushed pistachios and torn fresh mint. Cut flatbread, transfer to serving plates, and drizzle with balsamic reduction.

“I love the use of fresh, locally sourced peaches, and giving people the chance to make an easy, versatile cheese at home with ingredients that many already have in their refrigerators and pantries.”

The Perfect Steak

ARTICLE BY CASEY WEBER, TALL GRASS MEAT COMPANY

Nothing describes summer better than a good cookout! And what is a cookout without a good, quality steak and the perfect grilling recipe?

1. Thaw and acclimate the steak. For searing to occur, the proteins in steak need to be heated to at least 310°F. Tossing cold meat onto a hot grill lowers the temperature and can prevent a crust from forming, so it’s important that any frozen steaks are thawed completely before cooking.

2. Salt your steak 30-45 minutes before grilling. This causes the salt to draw moisture from within the steak up to the surface, where it dissolves the salt and creates a brine that gets reabsorbed into the steak where it breaks down tough connective tissues.

3. Oil the grate on the grill, not the steak. Use tongs and a paper towel dipped in vegetable oil to lube your grates.

4. Manage your heat well. Remember that your grill needs to be hot for your steak to get a good sear. But if it’s hot enough to cause your oil to smoke, it’s too hot.

5. Use the 60/40 rule. The best-tasting steaks are seared on both sides and cooked evenly in the middle. The simplest way to do that is to only flip your steak once. The 60/40 rule suggests that 60% of your cook time should be spent on one side, and 40% on the other.

6. Keep the lid closed. It may be tempting to peek, but trust the experts and keep it shut! Opening the lid makes your grill lose heat, which makes steaks cook unevenly.

7. Check for doneness. A meat thermometer will give you the most accurate temperature reading:

• Rare: 120°F

• Medium Rare: 130°F

• Medium: 140°F

• Medium Well: 150°F

• Well: 160°F

8. Let your steak rest. Pull your steaks from the grill once they’re cooked to 5-10 degrees below your target temperature and rest for 10-15 minutes.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

ALL SUMMER LONG!

Summer Kids Movie Series

EMAGINE THEATERS

It began on June 9 and will run through mid-August, Emagine Entertainment will be hosting its annual Summer Kids Movie Series where tickets are only $3.00 per person! This year, the series is a throwback to the past giving you a chance to see some of your childhood favorite films. Please visit emagine-entertainment.com/summer-kids-series/ for a complete list of locations and films.

EVERY SUNDAY IN JULY!

Birmingham

Farmers Market

PUBLIC PARKING LOT 6 AT 660 NORTH OLD WOODWARD AVENUE

Nestled in the heart of downtown Birmingham, the Birmingham Farmers Market is an outdoor market open every Sunday featuring Michigan-grown produce, meat and dairy, floral arrangements, plants, artisan goods and more. Visitors of all ages can enjoy live music, food trucks, kids activities and special events. Nearby parks, eateries and shopping make it the perfect place to spend a Sunday!

EVERY WEDNESDAY IN JULY!

In the Park Summer Concert Series

SHAIN PARK

Enjoy live music in downtown Birmingham's Shain Park during the free In the Park Summer Concert Series, on Wednesday evenings* all summer long. For the latest concert information and line-up, visit  www. bhamgov.org/summerconcerts.

*The series includes some lunchtime concerts on select Wednesdays throughout the series. Check the line-up for details.

JULY 13TH - 16TH

Detroit Symphony Orchestra's  Neighborhood Series

VARIOUS LOCATIONS

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Neighborhood Series continues July 13 to 16 with James Blachly conducting powerful works by historically underrepresented composers including Julia Perry, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, and Ethel Smyth, plus a performance of Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 featuring soprano Laquita Mitchell. Visit dso.org to purchase tickets and for more information on times and locations,

JULY 14TH

Birmingham Outdoor Movie Nights: Christmas in July

BOOTH PARK

It's show time! Head to Booth Park for an outdoor movie night featuring The Grinch! As always, the event is FREE. Pre-show entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m.; movie at 7:30 p.m. *In the event of inclement weather, Movie Nights will be held the following evening (Saturday). Visit  allinbirmingham.com/calendar for more information.

JULY 29TH

Day on the Town

DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM

Visit downtown Birmingham on Saturday, July 29 for the biggest retail event of the year! Browse unique and discounted high-end merchandise in stores and on the streets and sidewalks throughout downtown Birmingham. There's something for everyone at this lively event. Visit  allinbirmingham. com/visitors/dayonthetown for more information.

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