Just In

A 20-year veteran of the restaurant business, Ruben Molina is earning a reputation for his own smoked salmon and custom-marinated fish at his Key Largo Seafood in Symmes Township (11430 Montgomery Road). During the fall and winter, the shop is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. 469-9300.

They should do this for grown-ups, too. The Greater Cincinnati Nutrition Council has produced a series of kid-friendly recipes, heavy on healthy fruit and vegetables. Look for the recipes in the in-store circulars at Bigg's stores through the end of the year.

William Rubel, author of Magic of Fire: Hearth Cooking (Ten Speed; $40) and an expert on antique knives and kitchen utensils, speaks at a meeting of the Culinary Collectors Society beginning at 7 p.m. Monday at Pomodori's Pizzeria in Montgomery. The meeting and dinner is open to non-members for $20. Information: 793-2292.

Market Scan

Many cooks consider the mild flavor of savoy cabbage better than its more assertive, green cabbage cousin. Common in European dishes, savoy cabbage has loose, crinkled leaves ranging from dark to pale green. Choose a head that's heavy for its size, with crisp leaves and no signs of browning. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to one week.

Sip It

Hop Ottin' IPA ($8.50/six-pack): Another gem from northern California's Anderson Valley, this really big, really hoppy India Pale ale is so full of hop flavor it has become sort of a cult classic among hopheads. It makes me think of the original IPA at the start of its journey, but there's plenty of malt to back up the hops. Not for the faint-hearted, but hugely rewarding if you enjoy hops.

Ed Westemeier

Hot Date

BarrelHouse Brewing Company in Over-the-Rhine hosts the fifth annual MicroBrewery Festival from 1 p.m.-midnight Saturday. Microbreweries will offer more than 60 specialty brews during three afternoon and evening tasting sessions. BarrelHouse will provide food and entertainment. $25 admission. Reservations: 421-2337.