Farmers’ markets

The Coastal Growers’ Market will hold its first Wintertime Farmers’ Market at the Lafayette Mill beginning Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a special Thanksgiving Market. The Winter Market will be open every Saturday through March 2010 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lafayette Mill is located at 650 Ted Rod Rd, (Route 102) in North Kingstown. The Winter Market will feature Ledge Ends Produce, Barden Family Orchard, Pat’s Pastured Meats, Robin Hollow Farm, Seven Stars Bakery, Olga’s Cup and Saucer, Farmstead Cheese, Matunuck Oysters and Zephyr Farm. The vendors offer a variety of locally produced goods, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, cheeses, meats, jams, bakery items, flowers, crafts and gifts. Learn more coastalmarket.org

The Farm Fresh RI Wintertime Farmers’ Market resumes in November and be held every Saturday (except Dec. 26), through May, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket. More than 40 vendors will offer greens, root vegetables, eggs, apples, meat, honey, cheese, bread and more. Customers may use cash, checks, debit/credit cards and EBT/Food Stamps. For more information visit farmfreshri.org.

This week

Gallery Z, 259 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 454-8844 partners with Healing Ribbons for this month’s Art, Food & Wine Creating Awarness for a Cause event at the gallery Thursday, Oct. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. Geppetto’s Pizzeria will be offered as will wine from Gasbarro’s Wines, Providence. Wine-themed still lives by Anthony Tomaselli will be featured.

Royal Gallery, 298 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 831-8831, royalgalleryri.com, partners with Temple Restaurant to offer hors d’oeuvres and a variety of wines at “A Royal Taste of Art” Thursday, Oct. 29, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The free monthly program includes tours of the gallery.

Blessed Trinity Parish, 1340 Plymouth Ave. (corner of Winthrop Street), Fall River will hold its Harvest Festival Friday, Oct. 30 from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Polish and American foods will be available for dine-in or take-out and Polish pastries and handmade crafts will be featured.

El Rancho Grande, 311 Plainfield Ave., Providence, (401) 275-0808, commemorates the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on Sunday, Nov. 1. The tradition of placing ofrendas (special offerings) on an elaborately arranged altar containing pictures, favorite foods, flowers, candles and personal items in honor and memory of deceased loved ones began 2500-3000 years ago. Patrons can add items to the restaurant’s altar now through Sunday. Non-perishable items can be picked up after Nov. 2.Cafe de Olla, a coffee drink made with chocolate and cloves, will be offered free of charge during the seven-day celebration.

Classes

Laurent Vals, chocolatier, conducts introductory chocolate making classes at Newport Chocolates, 82 Williams St., Newport every Thursday through the holidays from 6 to 8 p.m. The fee of $35 per class includes all supplies; special rates are available for groups up to six. Each participant leaves with a box of handmade chocolates they have prepared and a recipe. Reservations are required by calling (401) 841-8975.

Chef Deb Miller will create vegetarian-inspired dishes at a cooking class at Eastside Marketplace, 165 Pitman St., Providence, Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 6 to 7 p.m. The fee for the class, limited to 25 people, is $10, $5 for college students with a valid ID. Registration is required by calling (401) 831-7771.

Narragansett Creamery will hold a cheesemaking class Sunday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Blackstone Caterers, 224 John Clarke Rd., Middletown. The class will cover the basics of milk chemistry, cheese making and affinage, cheese identification and wine and cheese pairings. A gourmet lunch, cheeses to take home and a cheesemaking kit are included. The fee for the class, limited to 15 participants, is $165. To register call the creamery at 272-4944 or e-mail info@richeeses.com.

Wine and beer events

Sakonnet Vineyards, 162 West Main Rd., Little Compton, (800) 998-8486, sakonnetwine.com will hold its Harvest Open House to celebrate the newly released Holiday Spice and Port wines Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Desserts by Gerry Dupont will be available.

St. Pius V School in Providence is celebrating its 80th anniversary with an Around the World Wine Tasting featuring wines selected by Mark Gasbarro of Gasbarro’s Wines, Providence, on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at La Salle Academy. Tickets, $30 each or $50 per couple, and more information can be obtained by calling the school at (401) 421-9750.

The Great International Beer Festival will hold two sessions Saturday, Nov. 14, the first from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and the second from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin St., Providence. Over 275 micro and macro brews from around the world along with live music will be featured. Tickets, on sale on site, are $36 per event. For information see beerfestamerica.com.

The French-American School of Rhode Island’s annual Beaujolais Festival will be held Friday, Nov. 20, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston. The event features French hors d’oeuvres, wines from around the world, live music and auctions. Tickets, $65, may be obtained by calling (401) 274-3325 or going to www.beaufestri.com.

Alliance Française and Eno Fine Wines present a Beaujolais Festival and wine tasting Saturday, Nov. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Grand Atrium of the old Peerless Building, 225 Westminster St., Providence. Jazz music will be provided by Dan Moretti. Tickets are $25 for AF members and $30 for non-members and must be reserved by Nov. 16 by calling (401) 272-6243 or e-mail to afprovidence@cox.net.

The Ponaganset Education Foundation will host a wine tasting on Sunday, Nov. 1, at Chester’s Restaurant, 102 Putnam Pike, Glocester, from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets, $35, can be obtained by calling (401) 949-1786.

Newport Wine Cellar, 24 Bellevue Ave., Newport, and Laurent Vals Handcrafted Chocolates offer a free wine and chocolates tasting Friday, Oct. 30, from 4 to 7 p.m. Call (401) 619-3966 for details.

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, 417 Hixbridge Rd., Westport, Mass. will hold a four-course Long Acre House wine dinner featuring Champagne-style sparkling wines Saturday, Nov. 7. A brief vineyard tour by co-owner and winemaker Bill Russell will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner immediately follows. Farm casual dress is suggested. Tickets, $85, must be obtained by advance by calling the winery at (508) 636-3423, ext. 2.

News

Howard Lukoff, formerly of the Gatehouse Restaurant, is the new chef at Tranquil Waters, 1479 Fall River Ave., Seekonk, Mass. (508) 336-6676.

Top This! Pizza Crusts are now available in pre-grilled whole wheat variety. Roger Dwyer, owner of the company said health-conscious chefs, restaurateurs and home cooks requested the product. It’s available at Brigido’s Fresh Markets, Dave’s Marketplace, Eastside Marketplace, McQuade’s, Shore’s Food Market, Venda Ravioli, Whole Foods and other stores listed at Topthispizzacrusts.com. For more information, call (401) 849-5362.

Coming up

David Burke Prime at Foxwoods and the World Poker Tour are hosting a cocktail party with poker stars including Howard Lederer, two-time World Series champ, and Andy Bloch of MIT and “21” fame Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets, $125 are available by calling (860) 312-8753 or at the door; a portion of the proceeds benefit the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

Phenix Baptist Church, 2 Fairview Ave., West Warwick, holds the annual Deacons’ Fund Ham and Bean Dinner to help needy families during the holiday season on Saturday, Nov. 7. Reservations for reserved seating, every half hour between 5 and 7 p.m., must be made by Nov. 4 by calling the church office at (401) 821-1618. Tickets are $8, $4 for children 4 through 12, and free for children under 3.

The Philoptochos Society of the Annunciation Greek Church, 175 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston, (401) 942-4188 will hold its annual bazaar Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8, from noon to 4 p.m. An extensive menu of Greek dishes, including stuffed grape leaves, gyros and marinated pork on skewers, along with various Greek pastries will be available.

The Rhode Island Raised Livestock Association (RIRLA) will hold a Farm Supper on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. at the West Greenwich Fire Station, 83 Nooseneck Hill Rd. Call Nonie O’Farrell at (401) 241-0680 ( nofarrell@cox.net) or Kim Ziegelmayer at (401) 575-3348 ( director-rirla@cox.net) to purchase tickets ($20), sponsor or donate silent auction items.

Seekonk Congregational Church, 600 Fall River Ave., Seekonk, will hold a Harvest Supper Saturday, Nov. 7, with seatings at 5 and 6:45 p.m. The menu includes baked ham, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, beets, onions, coleslaw, rolls and butter, apple crisp and beverage. Tickets are $12, $4 for children 5 to 12; take-out is available. Reservations are required. For tickets or information call Christina Greene at (508) 336-8807 or the church office at (508) 336-9355.

Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter will hold a pasta dinner on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Norwood Baptist Church, 48 Budlong Ave., Warwick. The menu includes pasta, salad, meatballs, Italian bread and dessert. Tickets are $7 and $3 for children under six. To purchase tickets in advance or donate a prize call (401) 467-2692.

Smith-Appleby House Museum, 220 Stillwater Rd., Smithfield, will hold a Colonial dinner Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14, at 6:30 p.m. Costumed volunteers will serve corn bread, soup, an entrée, coffee and dessert. Reservations for tickets, $25, must be made by calling (401) 231-7363.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church, 70 Jefferson St., Providence, (401) 272-7712, holds the annual Food Festival and Bazaar Friday through Sunday, Nov. 13 to 15. Friday’s family-night program opens at 5 p.m. with a dinner choice of Kheyma or Losh Kebob and a kids’ menu. Lunch will be served on Saturday from 11:30 to 3:30 and dinner from 4 to 9. Sunday dinner will be served from noon until early evening.

On the menu

Olneyville New York System is offering a Hot Wiener Special at its three locations: 18 Plainfield St. in Providence, 1012 Reservoir Ave., Cranston and 1744 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence. Two wieners, a small order of fries and a small soda cost $6.49 plus tax.

T’s Restaurant, 1059 Park Ave., Cranston, and 5600 Post Rd., East Greenwich, will have a photographer to take photos of children in Halloween costumes on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to noon

Pearl Restaurant and Lounge, 393 Charles St., Providence, (401) 331-3000 offers three-course fixed-price dinner specials with a glass of house wine or domestic beer for $29.95 Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant at Twin River Casino, 100 Twin River Rd., Lincoln, (877) 827-4837, offers November specials. An all-you-can-eat Sunday Brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and an all-you-can-eat Grand Steamship Buffet from 3 to 8 p.m., every Sunday in the month. The brunch, $12.95 plus tax and gratuity, is half price for kids 7 to 12 and free for youngsters under six when accompanied by an adult and includes steak and eggs, French toast, Irish bacon and home fries, Galway Bay mussels and Shepherd’s pie. The buffet is priced at $12.95 for all and features a bread display, salad, potato leek soup, chef’s seasonal vegetable, steamed mussels in a white wine sauce, carved steamship of beef and dessert. Reservations are accepted.

Edgewood Café, 1864 Broad St., Cranston, (401) 383-5550 now has a catering menu, which may be obtained at the café or online at edgewoodcafe.com

Ten Steak & Sushi, 55 Pine St., Providence, (401) 453-2663, tenprimesteakandsushi.com, has a new fall/winter menu from corporate chef Nick Rabar and executive chef David Jackson. Dishes include king crab, seaweed salad, hamachi and avocado with wasabi pea crunch. Other offerings include prime beef sliders with onion strings and chipotle mayonnaise and Kobe Beef hot rocks cooked tableside and served with ginger soy sauce and wasabi aioli. An all-natural Wagyu flat iron steak with Strube Ranch, Tex. has been added to the Designer Steak menu, and fish entrees include pan-seared salmon and giant maple bacon-wrapped diver scallops.

Ribs & Company, 1383 Atwood Ave., Johnston, (401) 944-5432, yourribsandcompany.com, has weekly specials and a new menu featuring barbecue baby back ribs, beef ribs, steaks, veal, chicken, entrée salads and more.Sunday is All-You- Can-Eat Chicken. Monday and Tuesday is All-You-Can-Eat Beef Ribs. Thursday is Chili Night for Lounge customers. Visit the Web site for full menu.

Correction

Bacaro Restaurant, 262 South Water St., Providence, features A Tuscan Harvest Tasting of wine and food prepared by chef/owner Brian Kingsford to benefit the Helen L. Legendre Fund, which provides scholarships for graduates of The Met Center. It will be held Sunday, Nov. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. Silent auction items will be featured. Tickets, $75, may be obtained by contacting Loriana De Crescenzo at (401) 752-2663 or Ldecrescenzo@metmail.org. The e-mail address was incorrect in last week’s column.

Calling all restaurants: Send us the details if you’re open on Thanksgiving Day.

GAIL CIAMPA

gciampa@projo.com