10 Years of Bookies; Seven Courses for Julia Child

DOWNTOWN — After a decade of vaguely-card and sports-themed bar action and adventure, Bookies Bar & Grille is ready to celebrate their birthday with a big bash next weekend. The bar, whose name made more sense when they were on the first floor of the Book Tower and not in a squat box in the middle of the Ilitch Empire's parking fields, wants to celebrate 10 years of "wedding proposals, special events like the Super Bowl, final four, Detroit Tigers opening days, and so much more." (Who got engaged at Bookies? Asking for a friend.) The bar is trying out a brunch menu, and they want your attendance next week for the decennial celebration. [MetroTimes]

GREEKTOWN — A repeat hiring notice for the soon-to-open Firebird Tavern (plus a note on our tipline suggesting the interior is something to see) suggests that the Monroe Street eatery is getting closer to completion. There are no firm dates available yet, but the bar, which promises "40+ beers" and a shuttle to and from all downtown sporting events, could snag a lot of local love as they continue their progress toward opening this fall. [Facebook]

DOWNTOWN — The other restaurant in the Westin Book-Cadillac Hotel, the 24Grille, is getting gussied up for the 101st birthday of legendary cooking icon Julia Child. Child may be gone, but her love of cuisine is very much alive in the "Julia Child 101" seven-course dinner planned for Thursday evening. The cost per-person starts at $100 (no cute "101 for $101, alas), and includes cocktails and a heady menu of French-inspired cuisine. [DetNews]

DETROIT — We're not sure how seriously we should take the news that Detroit features the "most extreme" takeout menus in the country according to those survey-weilding carryout gurus, GrubHub, but bear in mind that Lansing is number two on this latest list. It may well be that we Michiganders do menus with a lot of emphasis and excitement, or that GrubHub has an outsize market presence in the Metro Detroit region. Whatever the case, congrats everyone. We're the most extreme. [-ED-]