FYI-Food: March 14, 2012

Editor’s note: Please let us know if you will be open on Easter Sunday, April 8, and if you are having any specials. Send the name of your res­taurant, address, telephone number, time you will be open and specials to smesulam@naplesnews.com.

Wine tastings

■ Alexander’s Restaurant and Decanted is sponsoring a wine tasting of Spanish wines from Eric Solomon from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today at 4077 U.S. 41 N., Naples. The $10 cost includes hors d’oeuvres and will be de­ducted from a wine purchase or dinner at the restaurant that evening. Reservations: 239-262-4999

■ Tony’s Off Third will have a wine tasting of seven wines from Talley Vine­yards from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today at 1300 Third St. S., Naples. The cost is $20 and includes a $10 coupon to­ward the purchase of wines featured that evening. Infor­mation: 239-262-7999

Wine dinner

Artichoke and Company will have an Oregon pinot tasting at 6 p.m. Thursday with a sit-down dinner and wine pairing from the King Estate winery, Van Duzer Vineyards and Do­maine Drouhin Winery at 1410 Railhead Blvd., North Naples. $58. Reservations: 239-263- 6979

Fish fry

St. Elizabeth Seton Catho­lic School is sponsoring an “All You Can Eat Fish Fry” from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays during lent. The school is at 2730 53rd Terrace SW, Golden Gate. $10, adults; $5, children. Information: 239-455-2262

Beer tasting

Whole Foods Market is having a beer tasting from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at 9101 Stra­da Place, North Naples. The cost is $5 to enjoy at least 35 different beers including se­lect seasonal beers. Informa­tion: 239-552-5100

Cooking demonstration

Mark Van Schaick, the chef at Strip House Naples, will be doing a cooking demonstration of the res­taurant’s roasted bacon salad with baby arugula, grape tomatoes and Rus­sian dressing from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Williams-Sonoma, Waterside Shops, 5415 U.S. 41 N., Naples. The Strip House is at Waldorf Astoria Naples, 475 Seagate Drive, Naples.

Artist wine event

The Capital Grille Artist Series Wine Event will start Monday at 9005 Mercato Drive, North Naples. Diners at the restaurant will experi­ence a limited allocation of wine adorned with a unique piece of original artwork as its label. The event also sup­ports Share Our Strength with a mission to end child­hood hunger in America. The restaurant will donate $25 for every limited-edition bottle that is purchased. Reservations: 239-254-0640

Ravioli Day

Brio Tuscan Grille at Wa­terside Shops is celebrating National Ravioli Day with half-priced ravioli on Tues­day at 5505 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Raviolis include caprese, mushroom and lobster and shrimp. Information: 239-593-5319

Flavors of the Tropics

Planet Smoothie is of­fering three Sambazon açai smoothies and bowls starting Monday through June 10 as part of the chain’s “Flavors of the Tropics” campaign. Açai is a fruit that has antioxidants and health omegas and is found atop palm trees in the Ama­zon. The first offering is the Açai Gold Smoothie which is blended with pineapple, mango and orange juice, and the Crazy Carnival bowl will be blended with man­gos, raspberries and a splash of apple juice topped with sliced banana and granola. The Amazon Kick smoothie and Ipanema Beach bowl will be offered April 16 to May 15, and the Original Acai Smoothie and Rio Bowl will be offered from May 15 to June 10. Visit the North Naples stores at 6420 Naples Blvd. and 2400 Immokalee Road.

Gypsy night

Daniela’s Restaurant is featuring Gypsy Night from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at 13500 U.S. 41 N., North Naples. Inara will be entertaining by belly dancing, and Lesley and Alan Tett will read your tarot cards. Information: 239-514-4414

Chili cook-off

Gulf Coast Town Center is having the Public Safety Chili Cook-Off from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 24 at the Market Square, 9903 Gulf Coast Main St., Fort Myers. Taste the chili for $1 per sam­ple and vote for the People’s Choice winner. Information: 239-477-1222

Easter Bunny

■ Brio Tuscan Grille is fea­turing a breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 7, with activities, photo opportunities and a goody bag from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Waterside Shops, 5505 U.S. 41 N., Naples. $10.95, adults; $5.95, children. Reserva­tions: 239-593-5319

Easter dinner out

The following restaurants want to help you celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 8:

■ Alexander’s Restaurant will open at 3 p.m. with its regular menu and specials on Easter Sunday at 4077 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Reserva­tions: 239-262-4999

■ Flava, 849 Seventh Ave. S., Naples, will be open on Easter starting at noon with a special Easter menu and its regular dinner menu. Reser­vations: 239-331-7829

■ Fleming’s Prime Steak­house & Wine Bar is featur­ing a three-course Easter brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $34.95 per person and $16.95 for children. The a la carte menu will also be available, and Blood Orange Fizz, a new cocktail with cit­rus flavors, will be offered for $6.95. The restaurant is at 8985 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Reservations; 239-598-2424

■ Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is featuring its Easter brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 851 Gulf Shore Drive N., Naples. The brunch includes carving sta­tions, appetizers, breakfast items, side dishes and des­serts. There also is a chil­dren’s buffett that includes chicken tenders, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and macaroni and cheese. $55, adults; $18, children 6-12; free, children five and under. Reservations: 239-435-4347

Chuey's Tacos now open

Chuey’s Tacos has opened in the kiosk in front of the Hollywood Theater at Co­conut Point mall, 8021 Cin­ema Way, Estero. The food place is owned by John and Claudia Porter and features made-from-scratch tacos, burritos, tamales, nachos, taco salads and quesadillas. Diners also have a variety of salsas to add spice to their dishes. Visit from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Call ahead at 239-947-2572.

Cooking lessons and demonstrations

■ The Good Life of Naples is offering the following classes by Shelly Conors at 2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road, North Naples: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, St. Patrick’s Day classics, $60; 6 to 8 p.m. March 21, Italian boot camp, $50; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 24, French country soup and salad, $25; and 6 to 8 p.m. March 27, Greek cooking, $50. Reservations: 239-514-4663

■ Artisan chefs of Nor­man Love Confections will be giving the following cooking classes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 11380 Lind­bergh Blvd., Fort Myers for $95 each: March 28, Easter Egg; May 9, French maca­roons and Mary 23, molded chocolates. Registration: 239-561-7215

Hide and seek

Flava is a restaurant that is just two blocks from Fifth Avenue South at 849 Seventh Ave. S., Naples. The menu features European cuisine with a modern twist on tra­ditional dishes originating from Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy. All dishes are made from scratch with fresh ingredients by an ex­ecutive chef who has more than 30 years experience in European restaurants. The wine list has more than 100 varieties from Europe and America, and happy hour is celebrated from 4 to 6:30 p.m. daily with selected drinks and house wines two for one. A couple’s menu is featured from 5 to 6 p.m. that includes a house salad or cup of soup of the day, a choice of four entrees and a bottle of red or white wine for $40 for two. Visit from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays through Sat­urdays for lunch and start­ing at 4 p.m. for dinner. You have the choice of eating in­doors or out. Reservations: 239-441-7829

IHOP Club

Sign up for free to join the IHOP Club. Get a free meal when you join and another on your birthday and on the first year anniversary of when you signed up. Go to ihop.com to join the pancake revolution on the bottom right of the page. Restaurants are at 6631 Dudley Drive, Naples; 1921 Davis Blvd., Naples; 27240 Bay Landing Drive, Bonita Springs; and 12801 S. Cleveland Ave. (U.S. 41), Fort Myers.

Doritos Locos Tacos

Taco Bell has partnered with Frito-Lay to introduce Doritos Locos Tacos. The tacos have a shell made of Nacho Cheese Doritos chips on the outside with the taste of the Taco Bell crunchy taco on the inside. The new taco is $1.20 and is 170 calories with 9g total fat. A Doritos Locos Tacos Su­preme is $1.69 with 200 calo­ries and 11g total fat calories made with reduced-fat sour cream and diced tomatoes. Try them at 2424 Pine Ridge Road, Naples; 8835 Davis Blvd., Naples; and 28320 Trails Edge Blvd., Bonita Springs.

For your information

Did you know that gin was discovered by a Dutch medical professor when he was trying to invent a blood cleanser that could be sold in drug stores?

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