News

Valerie Szlatenyi of Wakefield is back from Napa Valley, Calif., and the 18th Annual Sutter Home Build a Better Burger National Recipe Contest and Cook-Off. While she didn’t win the $10,000 grand prize in the alternative (non-beef) category for her Ocean State Swordfish Burgers adorned with Tangy Apple Tartar Sauce, she did take home the “People’s Choice Award” of $2,500. Susan Scarborough of Fernandina Beach, Fla., won $10,000 for her Tidewater Boil Burger.

Kristine Snyder of Hawaii took home the $50,000 grand prize and the $2,500 People’s Choice Award in the beef category for her Hawaii Da Kine Burgers with Sweet Chili Glaze, Ginger Goat Cheese Spread and Hot Watercress Salad.

Some 9,000 recipes were submitted to the contest. The cook-off was held at Sutter Home Winery in St. Helena, Calif., on Sept. 27.

The finalists initially were judged on their recipes for grilled burgers that represent the flavors of their hometown region. Each finalist was given three hours to prepare and grill their burgers for the judges. For a complete list of the recipes go to buildabetterburger.com.

Better Homes and Gardens (September issue) featured the top winners of the magazine’s “American Pie” contest. Robin Haas of Cranston was one of nine bakers chosen from hundreds for her Maple-Nut Pie. The issue featured her winning recipe, photos and her inspiration behind the pie.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 1 West Exchange St., Providence, has name Jody Torres as restaurant manager and Bethany Eddy as private dining director.

Mike Tortolani, former co-owner of Tort’s in Seekonk, Mass., is now the general manager of the renovated Barrett’s Ale House, 4171 North Main St., Fall River, Mass., (508) 674-3600. The restaurant offers seafood specials such as Lobster Puttanessca, Honey Baked Scallops, Cedar Plank Salmon and Pan Seared Blackened Ahi Tuna. It also has steak tips, quesadillas and wings –– and 26 TVs. A dinner-for-two special on Wednesdays includes two entrees plus glass of wine or beer for $25.95.

The Market at Cutler Mills, 137 Child St., Warren, has closed.

This week and weekend

Ferns and Flowers Teahouse and Bistro, 1094 Centerville Rd., Warwick, (401) 821-1447, hosts Oktoberfest on Sunday from 5-8 p.m. with a five-course German dinner paired with five German Rieslings and Gewürztra-

miners and five German and American beers from The People’s Liquor Warehouse. The cost is $45 inclusive. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Ferns and Flowers Teahouse and Bistro or from the People’s Liquor Warehouse at (401) 737-0900.

Milano Restaurant, 569 Winthrop St. (Route 44), Rehoboth, Mass., (508) 336-7455, will feature a pasta tasting menu on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. The tasting will reflect regions of Italy along the Adriatic Coast, including Apulia, Abruzzi, The Marches and Fruili. The tasting cost is $19. Reservations accepted for this event.

Circus Vidbel, a one-ring, big top traveling circus performing at the Bank of America City Skating Center, Two Kennedy Plaza, Providence, today and tomorrow, requests those attending bring a non-perishable food item to the R.I. Community Food Bank booth.

On the menu

L’attitude Modern Eatery, 2190 Broad St., Cranston, (401) 780-8700, is now serving breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. and until noon on weekends.

Pearl Restaurant & Lounge, 393 Charles St., Providence, (401) 331-3000, offers reservations online at Pearlrestaurant.net.

Sonoma Grille, 7366 Post Rd., North Kingstown, (401) 295-0800, is serving Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On the menu is corned-beef hash, Texas cinnamon French toast, chicken of the day and pasta bolognaise. The cost is $13.99 for adults and $6.99 for children 6 to 12. The regular menu will be served in the fireplace dining room until 8 p.m.

From Soup To Nuts, 811 Atwood Ave., Cranston, (401) 943-2049, offers gourmet apples, Italian cookies trays, pastry, cheesecakes, lattes, soups, baskets. Also, small grinders for $2.95 and large grinders for $5.95 made of Italian, rabe and sausage, rabe and eggplant, meatballs and more.

Waterman Grille, 4 Richmond Square, Providence, (401) 521-9229, Watermangrille.com, has a new menu for fall by executive chef Michael Conetta that includes Crab Rösti, pan-fried crab cakes, shredded potatoes, corn and sweet pepper aioli; Duck Spring Rolls; Farmland Pork Rib Chop with local apple relish; Philly B’s Steak & Cheese, Hereford steak, mushrooms, bell peppers served open-faced on grilled ciabatta and Maine Lobster Mac ’n’ Cheese.

T’s Restaurant, 1059 Park Ave., Cranston, and 5600 Post Rd., East Greenwich, has a new fall menu full of flavor-filled seasonal specials such as Pumpkin Pancakes, Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast, Homemade Roasted Butternut Squash Soup and Cranberry Apple Crisp.

Coming up

Pier Liquors will hold an International Wine Tasting to benefit the National Hemophilia Foundation on Thursday, Oct. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Towers, 35 Ocean Rd., Narragansett. There will be over 80 wines featured, five different local beer brewers and light fare provided by Belmont Market, Pick Pockets, Lilliana’s and West Bay Gourmet. Tickets are $40 and are available at the door or in advance at the store at 29

Pier Market Place, Narra-

gansett.

Norwood Baptist Church will hold a turkey supper on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 5 and 7 p.m. at the church, 48 Budlong Ave., Warwick. Tickets are $8 for adults and $3.50 for children 5 to 12. Children 5 and under are free. For tickets, call the church at (401) 941-7040.

The Savory Grape Wine Shop will hold its Charity Fall Wine Tasting Festival on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Varnum Memorial Armory, 6 Main St., East Greenwich. Guests will taste wines from around the world including rare vintages. Food will be donated by the Pinelli-Marra Restaurant Group and there will be live music and a silent auction. All profits go to the R.I. Community Action Association. Non-refundable tickets are $50. Call (401) 886-9463 or e-mail jessica@thesavorygrape.com.

Smith Appleby House Museum, 220 Stillwater Rd., Smithfield, will hold its President’s Table, a colonial dinner, on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8, at 6:30 p.m. The menu is from favorite recipes from former presidents. Costumed volunteers serve dishes including a soup favorite of Thomas Jefferson and salad, entree and coffee and dessert, favorites of Abigail and John Adams. The cost is $25. To reserve, call (401) 231-7363.

Sts. Vartanantz Church will hold its Armenian Festival on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 1 to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 9, from noon to 8 p.m. at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston. The festival features chicken, losh and shish kebabs, kufta dinners, Armenian delicacies, dancing to live music, arts and crafts, a flea market, gift baskets, country store, jewelry, silent auction, hourly raffles, an Armenian cultural exhibit and grand prizes worth $2,000. An Armenian children’s dance group will perform on Saturday at 5 and on Sunday at 4. Free admission and parking. For information, call (401) 831-6399.

The Taste of Newport will be held Sunday, Nov. 9, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Newport, Goat Island. Caterers, restaurants, bakeries and chefs will showcase their culinary talents. Tickets are $100 and benefit Newport Child & Family Services.

On radio

Dining Out with Bruce Newbury will broadcast on Saturday from Rhode Island Day at Clements’ Marketplace in Portsmouth. Clements’ carries over 40 items made in Rhode Island. The show is on Fridays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at noon on 920 WHJJ-AM Providence, 920WHJJ.com and 104.7 WXLM-FM in Connecticut.

Dining out events

New Rivers, 7 Steeple St., Providence, (401) 751-0350, will host the last Meet the Farmers, a supper series, on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 5:30 p.m. Meet the farmers while eating their produce. Westport Vineyards and Buzzards Bay Brewers, Eva’s Garden in South Dartmouth, and ’Round the Bend Farm in Dartmouth will be featured. Dinner is $75. Call (401) 751-0350 to reserve and specify Farmers Supper.

Sardella’s Restaurant, 30 Memorial Blvd., Newport, (401) 849-6312, www.sardellas.com, has several events on tap. The first one is Oct. 9 in the heated courtyard. It’s a wine reception with Vickers’ Liquors from 6 -8 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres. The cost is $20 and tickets must be purchased in advance by calling (401) 847-6881 or (401) 849-7087.

On Monday, Oct. 13, Sardella’s will host a buffet after the parade and monument ceremony (which end about 1 p.m.). Tickets are available at the door and the cost is $12.50 for adults and $5 for children.

On Friday, Oct. 17, Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Williams will be guest chef with proceeds donated to the Potter League for Animals in Middletown. He will prepare a special appetizer, entrée and dessert for the evening from 5-10 p.m. The regular dinner menu will also be available.

The restaurant has opened a catering division under the direction of executive chef Kevin Fitzgerald.

Sogno Ristorante & Bar, 961 Dyer Ave., Cranston, (401) 946-3335, presents A Night with Sinatra with Anthony Del Signore, a dinner show with dancing, on Monday, Oct. 13 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Cost is $55.

The American Celiac Support Group has scheduled a dine-out on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at Uno Chicago Grill and Sunday, Oct. 19, at the North End Cafe, 1058 Charles St., North Providence. Reserve with the support group at (401) 568-6110 or visit www.celiacsupportgroup.com.

Trio, 15 Kingstown Rd. in Narragansett, (401) 792-4333, www.trio-ri.com, hosts a wine dinner on Thursday, Oct. 9, with Antinori wines. Aldo Rafanelli will discuss the wine as paired with chef Maria Evans’ four-course dinner. Reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7:30 p.m. The entrée of Aquidneck Farm’s Beef Short Ribs with porcini mushroom pappardelle and fava, kidney and cannellini bean stew will be paired with 2003 Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Reserva. The cost is $69. Reservations required.

Il Piccolo Ristorante, 1450 Atwood Ave., Johnston, (401) 421-9843, and Trinchero Wines host a fall wine dinner on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m. Courses include Kentucky Bourbon marinated Wild Turkey Breast with whipped cauliflower paired with Pinot Noir and Parpardelle Pasta with rabe, Parmesan and Fontina Alfredo paired with Montevina Barbera. Braised Lamb Shank “Morocco” with roasted yellow peppers, coriander, cumin and turmeric with a white wine and vegetable consumé will be served with True Earth Red. The cost is $70.

gciampa@projo.com