This week and weekend

Sportsman’s Game Dinner, at the Kelley Gazzero VFW Post, 1418 Plainfield St., Cranston, Sunday, 12:30 to 5 p.m., benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Warwick. The menu includes venison chili, game soup, venison meatballs and venison sausage, wild boar and peas, venison marsala rabbit and venison meatloaf with potato. Cost is $30. Call (401) 467-4385.

People’s Liquor Warehouse, 1350 Greenwich Ave., Warwick, hosts a Fine Wine & Chocolates Seminar tonight at 6. Jennifer’s Chocolates of Wakefield will participate. Reserve by calling the store at (401) 737-0900.

Planet Cakes offers a Valentine’s truffles class at La Salle Bakery, 685 Admiral St., Providence, today and tomorrow, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Chef Charles Armstrong demonstrates how to make gourmet truffles, including dark chocolate raspberry, milk chocolate hazelnut, Mexican spice and others. Bring home a heart-shaped box of sweets at the end. The cost is $75. To register, call Dave Ricci at (401) 323-9171, planetcakes@cox.net.

News

Nicks on Broadway, 500 Broadway, Providence, (401) 421-0286, nicksonbroadway.com, has been named one of the best breakfast spots in the country by Esquire magazine. The list of 59 breakfast spots will be featured in an article in the March issue on newsstands Tuesday.

Three Rivers Café in Warren has closed. Owner Nancy O’Connell has left a message for callers to the breakfast place’s voice mail that she had to close due to the loss of 20 seats in the restaurant.

The Nat Porter Inn, Warren, is up for immediate sale as it is in receivership.

Devlin Rice of New Harvest Coffee placed eighth in last weekend’s Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Northeast Regional Barista Competition in Pittsburgh.

Dining Out with Bruce Newbury is now on 790AM WPRV on Saturdays 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

For Valentine’s Day

Blaze East Side, 776 Hope St., Providence, (401) 277-2529, blazerestaurants@msn.com, offers a champagne toast and entrée choices of lobster ravioli with fresh lobster and sea scallops, surf and turf for two and a vegetarian option.

The Boat House, 227 Schooner Drive, Tiverton, (401) 624-6300, boathousetiverton.com, serves a three-course fixed-price menu in addition to its regular menu. Entrée choices include a seafood risotto with Maine lobster, Hereford beef filet mignon and pan-roasted Murray’s Organic Statler chicken breast with black pepper linguini. Cost is $55 per person and includes a glass of Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine.

Castle Hill Inn & Resort, 590 Ocean Drive, Newport, (401) 849-3800; castlehillinn.com, features five-course dinners Friday and Saturday. The cost is $95 and includes a champagne toast.

Chez Pascal, 960 Hope St., Providence, (401) 421-4422, chez-pascal.com, serves a three-course menu with choices within each course for $68 per person. Some choices include bay scallops; seared beef short rib; oyster and celery root chowder with potato and bacon cake, American paddlefish caviar and chive butter.

El Rancho Grande Restaurant, 311 Plainfield St., Providence, (401) 275-0808, ElRanchoGrandeRestaurant. com, has a three-course dinner that includes two glasses of Argentinian wine for $65 per couple. The menu includes bistek a pasilla (sirloin steak in pasilla salsa of tomatilla) and clemole castellano (duck breast simmered in a sauce of nuts).

Estia Restaurant, 28 Old Tower Hill Rd., Wakefield, (401) 782-8800, offers a Sweetheart Special for Two, which includes a choice of entrée (including roast lamb, shrimp and cod). The cost is $49.99 for two.

Everyman, 311 Iron Horse Way, Providence, (401) 751-3630, everymanri.com, serves a dinner special for two for $49.95. All dinners include a bottle of wine and a chocolate sweetheart cake. Entrée choices include swordfish, lobster ravioli and pork filet wrapped with bacon.

Garrison’s Valentines Chocolates are available at Farmstead, 186 Wayland Ave., Providence, (401) 274-7177, farmsteadinc.com. This year’s collection includes dark chocolate hearts and hand-crafted truffle selections.

Gianfranco’s Ristorante & Bar, 183 George Waterman Rd., Johnston, (401) 349-4838, has a special menu featuring stuffed veal chop, gorgonzola filet mignon, chicken Madeira, porchetta, and lobster ravioli with roasted pepper parmigiana cream sauce, as well as desserts for two, a champagne toast, and a strolling violinist.

Il Piccolo Ristorante, 1450 Atwood Ave., Johnston, (401) 421-9843, offers a free Sambuca with each order of espresso coffee. Dinner specials include Filet with a Lobster Cream sauce, Pork or Chicken Napoleon, Pasta Bolognese and Salmon Pinwheels.

Julio’s Family Restaurant, 1488 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence, (401) 353-1250, has a special dinner menu for $29.99 that includes a glass of house wine or beer. The regular menu will also be served.

La Salle Bakery, 993 Smith St., (401) 831-9563, and 685 Admiral St., (401) 288-0081, both in Providence, offers a variety Valentine’s Day goodies including heart-shaped cakes and cookies, Red Velvet cakes and cupcakes, and strawberries dipped in chocolate and rolled in an assortment of toppings.

Laurel Lane Country Club, 309 Laurel Lane, South Kingstown, (401) 783-3844, laurellanecountryclub.com, offers a wine dinner inspired by Mario Batali and his latest cookbook, Spain. The dinner is at 6:30 and is $50 plus gratuity (tax included). By reservation only. Call Aggie Clifford at (401) 965-8388 or e-mail aggie@laurellanecountryclub. com. A Wine, Dine and Stay at the Holiday Inn South Kingstown is offered at a special rate of $69 plus tax and includes optional shuttle/car service from hotel. Call (401) 789-1051.

Laurel Vals Handcrafted Chocolates are available in boxed collections. The option of composing your own assortment is available through laurentvalschocolates.com. Chocolates may also be purchased at retail locations. In Newport: Papers on Bellevue Avenue, Spring Street Spirits, and Only In Rhode Island; in Middletown and Portsmouth: Newport Specialty Foods, The Green Grocer and Sweet Berry Farm when open, and in Jamestown, at Grapes and Gourmet. To order, call (401) 8 46-1388. Local delivery is free.

Le Central Restaurant, 438 Hope St., Bristol, (401) 396-9965, lecentralbristol.net; offers a fixed-price dinner/concert package Saturday for $40. The Inflections of Love concert by the Aurea Ensemble at St. Michael’s Church, Hope and Church streets, Bristol, is at 8 p.m. and includes a post-concert reception with the artists, champagne and chocolate. Check the Web site for the evening’s menu and call for reservations.

Local 121, 121 Washington St., Providence, (401) 274-2121, local121.com, has a four-course dinner priced at $65 per person with choices for each course including baked Matunuck oysters, potato fondue, American sturgeon caviar; New Hampshire venison carpaccio, truffled potato gnocchi and Vermont ribeye.

Mohegan Sun, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. (exit 79A off Route 395), Uncasville, Conn. (888) 226-7711, mohegansun.com, offers Valentine’s Day dishes including steak Diane, bourbon pan-roasted lobster tail, baked stuffed shrimp with seafood stuffing and veal porterhouse and a selection of desserts located throughout the property. Participating restaurants include Pompeii & Caesar, The Longhouse, Todd English’s Tuscany, Bamboo, Birches Bar & Grill and Fidelia’s. Also offering Valentine specials are Big Bubba’s BBQ, Geno’s Pub and the Sol Toro Tequila Grill.

The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, Sayer’s Wharf, Newport, (401) 846-2260, mooringrestaurant.com, offers the regular menu and a three-course fixed-price menu for $69 per couple. Entrée selections include pan-roasted blue cod or sirloin au poivre with sherry cream sauce, watercress pistou and an asiago baton.

Octagon, , 625 North Rd., Groton, Conn. (860) 326-03360, offers dishes featuring surf and turf, a 16-ounce bone-in filet of beef and jumbo blue prawns.

Pane e Vino, 365 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 223-2230, www.panevino.net, offers a special menu along with its regular dinner menu. Specials include a pappardelle pasta with a braised pork green olive and citrus onion sauce, a shelled lobster in “beggars pouch” lobster cream sauce.

Patriot Place, Gillette Stadium, One Patriots Place, Foxboro, Mass., patriot-place.com, has several restaurants that feature specials Saturday. CBS Scene’s menu includes items such as Love Potion #9 (spicy lobster soup) and Cupid Arrows (asparagus and wild mushrooms); Davio’s and Skipjacks offers special fixed-price menus and Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro offers entrée samples and a fixed-price menu.

Pearl Restaurant and Lounge, 393 Charles St., Providence, (401) 331-3000, has two dinner seatings at 6:30 or 9 p.m. The menu features entrées of seared sea scallops with pomegranate and sage reduction, farfalle vegetable medley and surf and turf for two.

Persimmon, 31 State St., Bristol, (401) 254-7474, persimmonbristol.com, will offer a special, three-course dinner (with a treat or two thrown in along the way). Choices will be offered within each course and there will be three seatings. The cost is $65, excluding tax, gratuity or beverages.

Redlefsen’s Rotisserie and Grill, 444 Thames St., Bristol, (401) 254-1188, will feature appetizers for two (mixed seafood platter with marinated grilled shrimp, fried oysters and clams casino) and entrées including lobster served with scallops and shrimp stuffed with crabmeat; mixed grill; four cheese ravioli with crabmeat, ragout of diced red pepper and green peas. Dessert choices include a strawberry and orange cream crepe garnished with chocolate -covered strawberries.

Ri Ra the Irish Pub & Restaurant, 50 Exchange Terrace, Providence, (401) 272-1953, rira.com, suggests hot baked brie, passion salad, smoked-bacon-wrapped bistro steak with whisky glaze, roasted Parmesan-crusted salmon and Dijon and herb crusted pork chops, as well as Cupid’s chocolate cake and baked apple love. Guinness stew and traditional lamb stew ($5.95) are available at lunchtime.

Sardella’s Restaurant, 30 Memorial Blvd. West, Newport, (401) 849-6312, sardellas.com, offers special entrees including frutti de mare, shrimp, calamari, sea scallops and mussels, in a shallot saffron cream, served in a pastry shell; beef tenderloin, wrapped in applewood-smoked bacon, placed over a Cippoline onion, balsamic vinegar sauce; and pork osso bucco.

Seraphim Tea and More …, 193 Central Ave., Seekonk, (508) 941-4832, has a dinner available, noon-8 p.m., for $45. The menu includes shrimp spooned in a saffron broth or a selection of fine cheeses for an appetizer; pan-roasted duck breast bathed in a mole sauce or pepper-crusted Wolfe’s Neck beef tenderloin, both served with grilled baby white asparagus are the entrée choices, and for dessert, flourless chocolate torte dusted with cocoa, candied rose petals or fresh fruits dipped in white and semi-sweet chocolates. Beer and wine is available. By reservation only.

Sidebar and Grille, 127 Dorrance St., Providence, (401) 421-7200, offers a three-course dinner for $60 per couple including a choice of poached pear salad, steamed mussels, or smoked salmon. Entrées include pistachio and goat cheese pork tenderloin, pan-roasted cod provencal or chicken paillard.

Spumoni’s Restaurant, 1537 Newport Ave., Pawtucket. (401) 726-4449, offers Valentine’s weekend specials Friday through Sunday. Entrée choices, all $12.95, include chicken marsala, veal parmigiana and fruite del mare and are all served with soup or salad and potato or pasta. The full menu is also available. Call-ahead seating is available; reservations for parties of seven or more.

Trattoria DiFiore located in Vecchia Roma, 310 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 331-8620, celebrates with a surf-and-turf special that includes a complimentary glass of champagne and house-made chocolate truffles for its dinner guests.

22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, 22 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, (401) 841-8884, 22bowens.com., has a dinner for two in addition to its regular menu. The fixed-price menu is $110 per couple and begins with a trio of soups and includes entrees of a 12-ounce sliced prime sirloin with forest mushroom risotto and seared scallops.

Vintage, 4 South Main St., Woonsocket, (401) 765-1234, has a special both Friday and Saturday of a three-course dinner and glass of champagne for $38 per person.

Waterman Grille, 4 Richmond Square, Providence, (401) 521-9229, watermangrille.com, kicks off the holiday with a French Connection Wine Dinner on Friday at 6:30 p.m. with selections from three French vineyards paired with a four-course menu. Guests include Nicolas Potel of Burgundy, Stéphane Aviron of Potel-Aviron in Beaujolais, and Antoine Vincent from Chateau Fuissé and JJ Vincent in Burgundy.The cost is $89. On Valentine’s Day, a five-course dinner begins with shared appetizers of crab rosti, Szechwan-beef skewers and Asian spring roll. Entrée choice includes lobster crepe, chicken roulade and beef duet. The cost is $59.95 for two.

On the menu

Chez Pascal, 960 Hope St., Providence, (401) 421-4422, chez-pascal.com, has a bistro menu that features three courses for $30 (tax, gratuity, beverages not included) Tuesday through Thursday. The bistro menu changes every Tuesday.

Costantino’s Ristorante, 265 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 528-1100, features the food of the Piedmont region this month as part of its Passport to Italy dinner menu. The entrees include risotto with roasted onions and truffle butter, gnocchi in a Gorgonzola cream sauce, porcini mushroom agnolotti with a roast beef au jus and brown butter, chicken breast finished in a white wine sauce with prosciutto and fontina cheese, oven-roasted salted cod, and grilled veal tenderloins with a Barolo wine reduction. The wines being offered are Vitiano Falesco Red, a Meritage of Cabernet, Merlot and Sangiovese, and Princepessa Gavi. The Passport to Italy fixed-price three-course menu costs $25 and is offered Sunday through Friday nights.

Benders Caffe, 129 Weybosset St., Providence, (401) 751-1260, benderscaffe.com, brews decaf all day. It is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Dunkin’ Donuts now offers a waffle breakfast sandwich with cherrywood-smoked bacon, scrambled eggs and American cheese between two maple-infused waffles. The sandwich costs $2.99 and is available through March 17.

Gianfranco’s Ristorante & Bar, 183 George Waterman Rd., Johnston, (401) 349-4838, features dinner for two for $29.95 Tuesday and Wednesday evening, offering a choice of six house-selected specials, soup or salad and vegetable or pasta and complimentary bottle of house wine. Trio Thursdays includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert for $19.95.

Julio’s Family Restaurant, 1488 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence, (401) 353-1250, is offering a dinner for two special Tuesday through Thursday. Patrons may choose between chicken Parmesan or baked scrod served with choice of potato or pasta, soup or salad and coffee or a soft drink for $19.95.

Coming Up

International House of R.I., 8 Stimson Ave., Providence, (401) 421-7181, hosts a North African Dinner — Libyan Style Friday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. The dinner is prepared and sponsored by Libyan graduate student Amjad Shagroun and wife, Enas. Libyan food is a mixture between the North African and Mediterranean traditions. Reserve by Tuesday, Feb. 17. The cost is $12 for students; $20 for members and $25 for others.

Gracie’s, 194 Washington St., Providence, (401) 272-7811, graciesprov.com, hosts a five-course game dinner Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m. Connecticut partridge, New Hampshire venison and real feral boar from the Texas hill country are some of the game dishes sourced and selected by La Laiterie chef Matt Jennings and Gracie’s Joe Hafner. The courses will be paired with local craft beer, wines and aperitifs. The cost is $75.

Pinelli’s Café at Night, 701 Quaker Lane, West Warwick, (401) 821-8828, is holding an old-fashioned clambake March 2 at 6 p.m. Reservations only. The “taste of summer in the middle of winter” clambake includes all the traditional fixings. The price is $34.95. BYO beer and wine.

Classes

Winter Wine Seminar, Farmstead Inc., 186 Wayland Ave., Providence, (401) 274-7177; farmsteadinc.com, Sunday. Presented by La Laiterie dining room manager Eric Taylor, the focus will be on “complex, fatty and robust whites and reds that go with snow, fireplaces and heavier foods.” To top off the evening, Taylor will feature some real winter wine, some dessert wines and ice wines, produced from vine-frozen grapes. The cost is $35, reserve.

Newport Winter Festival

Newport Winter Festival 2009 begins tomorrow and continues through Feb. 22. Winter Festival buttons, $8, provide free admission or discounts to all festival events and are available at the Newport Gateway Center, 23 America’s Cup Ave., (401) 845-9130.They can also be purchased at NewportWinterFestival.com. For more information, call (401) 847-7666.

Contests

The Newport Winter Festival’s Chili Cook-Off, is 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina, 49 America’s Cup Ave. Restaurants from around the state will compete for the title of Best Overall Chili. Participants include One Pelham East, Jonathan’s Ocean Coffee Roasters, el Parque Mexican Restaurant, Newport Grand Slots, Ocean Breeze Café, Newport Fire Department, Pier 49 Seafood & Spirits, Atria Senior Living and Cornucopia Café & Catering. Admission $8, children 6-12 $3; $6, $2 with a festival button. To enter, call (401) 847-7666.

The IHOP Family Restaurant, 159 West Main Rd., Middletown, hosts a Pancake Eating Competition Feb. 21 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Spectators and participants are welcome. To compete call (401) 847-7666 or go to NewportWinterFestival.com.

The Best Drinks in Newport Contests. All events are free admission. Attendees must be 21 or older. To enter, call (401) 847-7666.

Tropical Drink Contest, The Gas Lamp Grille, Feb. 15, 9 p.m.

Margarita Contest, Perro Salado, Feb. 16, 8 p.m.

Martinis, Manhattans & More Martini Contest, Newport Grand Slots, Feb. 18, 9:30 p.m.

Best Hot Drink in Newport, The Red Parrot, Feb. 19 at 9 p.m.

Restaurant specials

Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant, 140 Thames St. Sample nachos Tuesday through Friday, 2 to 4 p.m. Free with button. (401) 849-6334.

22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, 22 Bowen’s Wharf. Complimentary crème brûlée during lunch Saturday and Sunday and during weeknight dinner. Free with button. (401) 841-8884.

Corner Café, 110 Broadway. Free hot chocolate with the purchase of any menu item during lunch and dinner Thursday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. until closing. Free with button. (401) 846-0606.

Fathom’s at the Newport Marriott, 25 America’s Cup Ave. 20 percent off breakfast, lunch and dinner with button. Daily. (401) 849-7788.

Fluke Wine, Bar & Kitchen, 41 Bowen’s Wharf. Complimentary snacks at the bar with button and purchase of a beverage. Snacks include tempura green beans, bacon wrapped dates, deviled eggs, cheese toast. 15 percent off purchase of all wine with button. Feb. 13-15, 19-22. (401) 849-7778.

Gas Lamp Grille, 206 Thames St.. 10 percent off food items from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Excludes Friday through Sunday. (401) 845-9300.

Griswold’s Tavern, 103 Bellevue Ave. 15 percent off dinner specials with button. Free chips and salsa daily with button. (401) 846-4660.

Lucia Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, 186B-190B Thames St. 15 percent discount with button. Not valid on Saturday evenings. Reservations suggested. (401) 849-4477.

Newport Grand Slots Grand Grille and Newport Grand Slots Sungarden Coffee Shop, 150 Admiral Kalbfus Rd. 10 percent off food and non-alcoholic beverages with button. (401) 849-5000.

Ocean Breeze Café, 580 Thames St. Daily discount with button. Free children’s breakfast or lunch with the purchase of an adult breakfast or lunch (limit two meals). Bakery takeout: free 12-ounce coffee or hot chocolate with the purchase of a muffin (limit two drinks). 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (401) 849-1750.

Pour Judgment, 32 Broadway. Free cup of chowder or dessert with purchase of any sandwich or entrée with button. (401) 619-2115.

The Rhino Bar & Grille, 337 Thames St. 20-percent discount off food bill with button. Kids eat for half price with button on Fridays. Free appetizer with button and purchase of entrée Sundays. Two-for-one entrees with button Feb. 19. Not to be combined with any other discount promotion or offer. (401) 846-0707.

Salas’, 345 Thames St. 15 percent off food bill with button. (401) 846-8772.

Salas’ Down Under, 341 Thames St., first floor. Free hot chocolate with purchase of lunch with button. (401) 330-0447.

Tickets Bar & Grille, 15 Aquidneck Ave. 10 percent off with button. (401) 847-7678.

The Wharf Pub & Restaurant, 37 Bowen’s Wharf. 15 percent off all food menu items with button. (401) 846-9223.

White Horse Tavern, 26 Marlborough St. Choice of three entrees for $16.73, February 13, 15, 17-22, 5:30 p.m. until closing. (401) 849-3600.

Winward Hyatt Regency, 1 Goat Island. Complimentary dessert with button and purchase of an entrée. (401) 851-3325.

On TV

Cooking with Class features chef Frank Terranova, an associate instructor at Johnson & Wales University, cooking Presidents’ Day recipes next week during the noon and 5 p.m. newscasts on Channel 10.

Cooking Fresh with chef Walter Potenza features him preparing grana cheese salad tomorrow during Channel 6’s 4 p.m. news and again Friday during the 6 to 7 and 7 to 8 p.m. newscasts.

gciampa@projo.com