Dining out: Free pancakes at IHOP, Empty Bowls fund-raiser, beer dinner at Firebird Tavern

On Tuesday, IHOP is celebrating National Pancake Day with free pancakes. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at locations in southeast Michigan, guests can get a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. In return, IHOP is asking asking patrons for a voluntary donation to Children's Miracle Network at Beaumont Children's Hospital.

Beer pairing dinner

Firebird Tavern in Detroit’s Greektown is kicking off a dinner series featuring ROAK Brewing Co. of Royal Oak on Saturday. Happy hour begins at 5 p.m., and a four-course dinner paired with ROAK craft brews follows. Brewmaster Brandon MacClaren will be on hand. Menu items include duck breast, spicy seared shrimp and a mixed-greens salad with shaved fennel, blood orange, chevre and pistachio. Dessert will be chocolate pot de cremé. Dinner is $60. For information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2118318291568130/

Empty Bowls benefits hunger relief

Fund-raising event Empty Bowls is 5-10 p.m. Friday in Shed 5 at Eastern Market. The annual event brings together area restaurants that serve up their signature soups. Two dozen are expected participate in the event, which benefits Cass Community Social Serves — a Detroit-based nonprofit that provides nearly 1 million meals annually to those in need. Restaurants providing soup include Grey Ghost, Selden Standard and SheWolf. (Full disclosure: I will be a server at the event.) Soup is served in cups, but everyone who attends takes home a hand-painted clay bowl that has been fired with a clear glaze. The bowls are meant to serve as a reminder that someone's bowl is always empty. Along with soup, local businesses have donated bread, cheese, dessert, beer and wine. Tickets are $50 plus a service fee. The event is for ages 21 and older. For information: www.emptybowlsdetroit.com.

BESA now serving lunch

BESA Detroit at 600 Woodward is now serving lunch. The restaurant will be open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday with a lunch menu that includes a selection of salads, soups and entrees. Menu highlights include Rice Flour and Coconut Udon ($18), Wild Ahi Crudo ($16), Steak Frites ($25) and a fried chicken sandwich ($16) served with green papaya slaw and pickled fresnos. Other prices range from $10 for green curry soup to $12-$24 for salads. BESA Detroit opened in December 2018. For more informationm go to www.besadetroit.com or call 313-315-3000.

Contact food writer Susan Selasky at sselasky@freepress.com or 313-222-6872. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.