FYI-Food: April 18, 2012

Saying good-bye

Island Pub, 600 Neapoli­tan Way, Naples, is closing its doors April 28. The casu­al restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner until then.

Healthy cooking

Chef Alexander Bernard of Alexander’s Restaurant is offering a healthy ap­proach to cooking during his cooking lesson at noon on Saturday at 4077 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Dr. John Diaz will discuss nutrients and keeping the calorie count down. $55, includes lunch and wine. Reservations: 239-262- 4999

Supporting wildlife

Pick a three-course, prixfixe meal from local restaurants on select dates from Sunday through May 17 for $40, $60 or $80 per person and support the care and rehabilitation of animals at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Wildlife Clinic. Restaurants include Alexander’s, Barbatella, Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar, Bistro 821, Bleu Provence, Café-Lurcat, Campiello, Chez Boët, Ciao ristorante, HB’s on the Gulf at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, M Waterfront Grille, Pagelli’s Rustic Tuscan Grill, Pres­ton’s Steakhouse, Ridgway Bar & Grill, Sam Snead's Oak Grill & Tavern at Lely Resort, Sea Salt, Season’s 52, St. George & the Dragon, the Bay House Restaurant, the Dock at Crayton Cove, the Real Macaw Restau­rant, the Turtle Club and Vergina Restaurant. Go to www. conservancy. org/ dining to purchase a dining certificate. Information: 239-325-2666

Cupcakes for less

Simply Cupcakes of Na­ples is opening the Cupcake Bakery Outlet Store today at the ABC Liquor Plaza, 2757 U.S. 41 E., Naples. The facili­ty will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and will be sell­ing overruns from that day for $2.25 each (regularly $2.95); $13 for a half dozen (regularly $17); and $25 for a dozen (regularly $32). They are not outdated or irregular cupcakes. Information: 239-207-7270 or naplescupcakes.com and hit Outlet Store at the top.

Google Wallet

Pollo Tropical has started to accept payment for your order by Google Wallet. Reach for your phone and not wallet to pay for your lunch or din­ner. Download the app and use anywhere MasterCard PayPass is accepted. Lo­cal restaurants are at 3777 U.S. 41 E., East Naples, 239-417-2706, and 5065 Golden Gate Parkway, Gold­en Gate, 239-304-0629.

Spring menu

Brio Tuscan Grille has introduced its spring menu that will be avail­able through September at Waterside Shops, 5505 U.S. 41 N., Naples. New bar bits and $5 weekday drink spe­cials have also been added to the restaurant’s menu. Try the chilled tomato caprese brushchetta, Tuscan stuffed peppers or the tri-colored salad with grapes, roasted red peppers, diced Roma tomatoes and grilled aspar­agus. There are even new desserts and a new omelet served until 3 p.m. on Satur­days and Sundays. The res­taurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations: 239-593-5319

New place

Grace and Shelly Cup­cakes is now at Coconut Point. Get your favorite fla­vors at 23151 Village Shops Way, Estero. The store is behind the Blue Water Bis­tro and is the fourth location for the bakery. Coming soon for the company is its new­est location at the Mercato next to the Chipotle Mexi­can Grill, 9100 Strada Place, North Naples.

Going green

Learn about leafy spring greens and green vegeta­bles and different ways to cook them from 6 to 8 p.m. April 24 at Whole Foods Market, Registration is re­quired by going to www.wholefoodsmarket.com/naples and click on events calendar or by calling 239-552-5100. $10, per per­son.

Wine down Wednesday

Fred’s Food Fun & Spir­its and Johnson Brothers are hosting Wine Down Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. today at 2700 Immokalee Road, North Naples. The event features three wines from Le Grande Noir and Martin Co’dax and hors d’oeuvres. $10. Reservations: 239- 431-7928

Take your assistant to lunch

Capital Grille wants you to take your administrative assistant to lunch Monday through April 27 at 9005 Mercato Drive, North Na­ples.

The assistant will get a $50 certificate toward a future dinner visit and you’ll be named the best boss. Reservations: 239-254- 0640

Cooking and wine demonstration

Artichoke & Company is sponsoring a cooking and wine demonstration at 6:30 p.m. April 27 at 1410 Rail Head Blvd., North Naples. Enjoy BLT canapes, olive oil-braised sea bass, aspara­gus and blue crab and prime beef tenderloin each paired with wine. $42.95, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 239-263- 6979

Small plates and a big pour

Fleming's Prime Steak­house & Wine Bar is intro­ducing its small plates, big pours for $24.95 to enjoy at the bar. Small plates include sliced filet mignon, shrimp scampi skewers, petite lam chops, seared ahi tuna, New Bedford scallops, fi­let mignon skewers and lobster tempura. The res­taurant is at 8985 U.S. 41 N., North Naples Information: 239-598-2424

Knife skills

The Good Life of Naples is offering a class on knife skills from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 28 at 2355 Van­derbilt Beach Road, North Naples. Learn the basics on selecting and storing knives. $50. Reservations: 239-514- 4663

Wine tasters of Naples

The Wine Tasters of Naples Inc. is presenting Under the Napoli Moon from 6 to 10 p.m. April 28 at 8060 Grand Lely Drive, Na­ples. The event benefits the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, St. Matthew’s House and Youth Haven and includes a silent and live auction, live entertainment, wine and vodka cocktails from 6 to 7 p.m. and an Ital­ian buffet. $95. Information: 239-404-0254 or 239-2727-4494

Sip of Fifth

Fifth Avenue South will kick off the Naples CityFest from 6 to 10 p.m. May 4 with Sip of Fifth. The street fes­tival will feature six craft beer-tasting stations, six wine-tasting stations, live entertainment and a street dance and party. $55, includes a commemorative wine glass and charm. Tickets: www.FifthAvenueSouth.com

Mike and Ike

Mike and Ike, fictional candy characters from Just Born since 1940, are splitting up. The duo have been post­ing on Twitter and Facebook that they are going their sep­arate ways. Mike is going to pursue music, and Ike will dabble in art. The newest boxes will have one name or the other scratched out.

For your information

Did you know the waffle cone was invented at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis?

Deadline for FYI is 10 a.m. Thursday. Email to smesulam@naplesnews.com or mail to Sheila Mesulam, Naples Daily News, 1100 Immokalee Road, Naples, FL 34110. All briefs are printed on a space-available basis. Connect with Sheila Mesulam at www.naplesnews.com/staff/ sheila_mesulam