FYI-Food: May 16, 2012

Music and food

Visit Sweet Caroline’s at 11121 Health Park Blvd. (off Immokalee Road, next to NCH North Naples Hos­pital), North Naples, to win prizes from 101.9 Ga­tor Country from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. If you men­tion you read this you’ll get $1 off on a sandwich and drink. Information: 239-592-1111

Stone crabs

Today is the last day of stone crab season. The next season opens Oct. 15. Learn more by visiting MyFWC.com/ Fishing and clicking on “Saltwater” and either “Recreational Regula­tions” or “Commercial.”

Sangria party

Dolce & Salato, an Ital­ian food boutique, will have a sangria and wine party with music at 6 p.m. Saturday at 300 Fifth Ave. S. (behind Bice), Naples: prosecco millesimato, white sangria, red sangria and Montepulciano Stella with a buffet for $30. Does not include tax or gra­tuity. Music is by tenor Livio Ferrai. Information: 239-300- 0444

Food trucks

Visit Seminole Ca­sino Immokalee for the food truck rally from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at 506 S. First St., Immokalee. Among the trucks: seafood from Cucina Al Mare, snacks from the NoshTruck, des­serts from Dolce Gourmet Cupcakes, treats from Mi­ami Spice Grill, Colombian cuisine from Mobile Culi­nary Kitchen, Cuban food from Nananina’s, Brazilian goodies from Rio Samba Grill and Italian food from Roka Panini. Admission is free and food items range from $5 to $10 each. The trucks will visit again on June 17.

May is wine month

Brio Tuscan Grille is celebrating wine month with half-off bottles of Darcie Kent and Travolo Matto on Mondays dur­ing May. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Waterside Shops, 5505 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Reservations: 239-593-5319

Dinner specials

Charlie Chiang’s, 12200 U.S. 41 N., North Naples, will offer early-bird spe­cials from 3 to 6 p.m. daily and a four-course dinner for two for $35.99 daily from 6 p.m. to close. Mon­days and Wednesdays, sushi is half-price from 6 p.m. to close; kids eat free 6 p.m. to close on Tuesdays with an adult entree. Peking duck and signature seafood dishes are $22.99 from 6 p.m. to close on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations: 239-593- 6688

Closing for the season

Alexander’s Restaurant will close for the season af­ter dinner on May 26. The restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays at 4077 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Reservations: 239-262- 4999

Dinner for two

■ AZN Azian Cuizine in Mercato, 9118 Strada Place, North Naples, has a $30-per-couple and a $50-per-couple menu from 4 to 10 p.m. Sun­days through Thursday for a limited time. Happy hour has been extended to 3 to 7 p.m. daily at the bar and patio, 9 to 10 p.m. Sun­days through Thursdays and 10 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the bar only. Reservations: 239-593-8818

■ Ciao Ristorante, 839 Fourth Ave. S., Naples, of­fers soup or salad, a bottle of wine and a chef’s special entree, daily, for $39.95 for two people. Reservations: 239-263-3889.

Early-bird specials

GreekElicious, 975 Im­perial Golf Course Blvd., North Naples. is serving an early-bird special of salad, entree and iced tea from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tues­days through Thursdays for $9.99. Reservations: 239-325- 8531

Sunset dinner and wine tasting

Caffe dell’Amore, 1400 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Na­ples, offers a three-course dinner with salad, entree and dessert for $30 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. daily. An Italian wine tasting from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday for $10 per person; stay for din­ner that night and $10 will be deducted from the bill. Reservations: 239-261-1389

Cooking lessons

■ Whole Foods Mar­ket is offering a cooking demonstration on clas­sic plated desserts from 6 to 8 p.m. May 23 at 9101 Strada Place, Naples. $10. Registration is required at www.wholefoodsmar­ket. com/naples; click on Events Calender, scroll to the class and click on www. acteva. com/go/ LifestyleCenter, or call 239-552-5100.

■ Alexander’s, 4077 U.S. 41 N., Naples, will offer its last class of the season, on outdoor grilling, includ­ing salsas and chutneys, at noon May 26; the class includes lunch. $55. Reser­vations: 239-262- 4999

■ Norman Love Con­fections will give a cook­ing lesson on truffles from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. June 6 and on breakfast pastries from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. June 20 at 11390 Lindbergh Blvd., Fort Myers. $95. Reservations: 239-561-7215

The best of the best

Tastebuds Custom Ca­tering, owned by chef Greg Shapiro, has been named the Best of the Best for de­cor and food by Gulfshore Life Magazine. Informa­tion: 239- 637- 4874

Burger month

Celebrate National Hamburger Month by hav­ing a burger at one of your favorite places. Brick Tops at Waterside, Naples, of­fers one with blue cheese; Fleming’s at 8985 U.S. 41 N., Naples, has a prime cheese and bacon burger at the bar for $6 from 5 to 7 p.m.; Shula’s at the Hilton Naples, has a black Angus beef hamburger serviced with fries; Capital Grille at Mercato has a chopped sir­loin burger blended with sweet onions, smoked ba­con and Havarti cheese served on an onion roll; Turtle Club serves theirs with cheese, lettuce, toma­to and fries and of course there is always Five Guys, McDonald’s, Burger King or Wendy’s to help you celebrate. For something different, visit Elevation Burger at Gulf Coast Town Center, 9903 Gulf Coast Main St., Fort Myers, to try its newest burger top­ping of organic hardwood smoked uncured bacon.

Seasonal fruits

McDonald’s has intro­duced two new summer flavors to its menu. Mc-Café Cherry Berry Chill­er smoothie is available through Sept. 3 starting at $1.69. Blueberry Banana Nut Oatmeal will also be offered, through Aug. 3 for $ 2.49.

New place

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt has opened at Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. Information: 239-949-7960

Cuban sandwich festival

The Cuban sandwich festival will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 26 in Centennial Park. 1800 E. Eighth St., Ybor City, Tampa. The event features a contest for the best Cuban sandwich, musical and dance performances, clowns, face painting and Latino food, art and cultural exhibits. Free admission.

Old World appetizer

Try this easy appetizer from Old World Market, 2800 Davis Blvd., East Naples, to impress your guests:

STUFFED DATES

INGREDIENTS

24 Medjool dates

½ cup crumbled Feta cheese

½ cup walnuts

2 tablespoons fresh mint Pepper to taste

PREPARATION

1 Remove the pits from the dates

2 Place the mint, cheese and walnuts in a food processor and chop until very fine and well mixed.

3 With a small spoon, stuff each date with about a teaspoon of the mixture and close.

4 Season with pepper to taste.

5 As an alternative, take out the pit of the date and replace with an almond to have as a treat with coffee or tea.

Best restaurants

San Pellegrino has listed Noma, Rene Redzepl’s Copenhagen restaurant, as the best restaurant in the world for the third year in a row. Per Se, Thomas Keller’s New York restaurant, moved up to No. 6 from 10 last year and Alinea, the Grant Achatz restaurant in Chicago, is No. 7.

FYI

Did you know that an average American will eat about 10 to 12 pounds of chocolate a year?

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