This week and long weekend

Johnson & Wales University and the Rhode Island Department of Health host Eat Smart, a restaurant forum focusing on delicious healthy dining on Monday, Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn to buy local, watch a cook-off event, hear from University culinary experts and speakers from the national Restaurant Association. Participants will include 12 area restaurants, six mid-priced and six high-end. The emphasis will be on creating healthy menu items without sacrificing flavor and taste. Restaurants from each category will team up with a culinary nutrition student and prepare a menu item from a mystery basket they receive. Tastings will be offered to the audience upon completion of the meal preparation. The event is free and open to the public but requires reservations by calling Randi Belhumeur at (401) 222-7462 or e-mailing at Randi-Belhumeur@ health.ri.gov. Deadline to register is Thursday, Oct. 8.

The International Oktoberfest gets under way at the Newport Yachting Center, Commercial Wharf and America’s Cup Avenue, Newport, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. 10 through 12. Attendees celebrate the fall season and Columbus Day weekend with German food, music and culture. Food and drink are available for purchase. Event highlights include an International Biergarten, featuring specialty beers including Spaten, Leinenkugel’s, Samuel Adams, Hoegaarden, Leffe Brown, Beck’s and more; a touring grill and tailgate party serving up bundles of bratwursts at the Johnsonville Big Taste Grill; The Hofbrauhaus restaurant from West Springfield, Mass., serving authentic cuisine; a Kindergarten Tent featuring seasonal crafts and activities, and two stages of continuous live entertainment. Admission is $15 Saturday; $10 in advance, $12 at the gate Sunday and Monday; free for children 11 and younger if accompanied by a paying an adult. (401) 846-1600, ext. 210; newportwaterfrontevents.com.

Foxwoods Resort Casino, Route 2, Mashantucket, Conn., is serving up Celebrity Chef Sundays, a three-week series of cooking demonstrations in October with an opportunity for book signings, in the Fox Theater. Featured chefs are Tyler Florence, Oct. 11; Rocco DiSpirito, Oct. 18, and Pat and Gina Neely, Oct. 25, all at 2 p.m. Tickets range in price from $25 to $99. The special $99 Golden Gourmand tickets include preferred seating, an autographed cookbook and a gift. Tickets are available at (800) 200-2882, or at foxwoods.com

The Green Grocer, 934 East Main Rd., Portsmouth, (401) 683-0007, thegreengrocerri.com, is hosting an art workshop Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Christine McCoy to provide direction, offer tips and do some painting herself. Extra materials will be available for children who would like to take part. Artists of all skill levels are welcome. This workshop is free and works will be on display in The Green Grocer through December. Votes can be cast for Best in Show in two categories, beginner and intermediate. The winners will each receive a fifty dollar gift card.

The Luso American Gallery of Antiquities, Inc. (LAGOA) hosts a Kale Fest at Madeira Field, 50 Madeira Ave., New Bedford, Sunday, Oct. 11, noon to 4 p.m. features a regional kale soup competition by Portuguese and American chefs from South coast restaurants. The entrants compete for three prizes in two categories: sopa portuguesa and caldo verde. Twenty local restaurants compete: O Dinis, East Providence; Fall River Grill, Fall River; Sagres Restaurant, Fall River; Clipper Restaurant, Fall River; Tabacaria Açoreana, Fall River; Trio Restaurant, Fall River; Terra Nostra, Fall River; Water Street Café, Fall River; On the Rocks, New Bedford; Cotali Mar, New Bedford; Miguel’s Place, New Bedford; Fresca, New Bedford; The Inner Bay, New Bedford; The Roasted Pig, New Bedford; Knuckleheads, New Bedford; The Pasta House, Fairhaven; Jake’s Diner, Fairhaven; Naughty Dawgs, Fairhaven; Just Ray’s, Fairhaven; and The Captain’s Place, Acushnet. Advance tickets are $10 and are available at LAGOA gallery and participating restaurants. Children 10 and younger can attend for free. Judges include chef Valter Monteiro (St. Andrew’s School), chef Frank Terranova (Johnson & Wales University), Leonel Teixeira (Portuguese Consulate-Providence), Helena Marques (Immigrants Assistance Center) and New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang. Attendees can sample as much soup as they like and enjoy the musical and dance entertainment. (508) 673-6624, lagoagallery.org.

Gregg’s Restaurants & Pubs are selling its Cake for the Cure for this breast cancer awareness month. It will also be available at the Flames of Hope WaterFire Saturday, Oct. 10. The four-layer, pink cake is filled and frosted with pink vanilla butter cream frosting and topped with a sprinkle of pink ribbon confetti. Also, available is Not your Average Cupcake done in the breast cancer theme. A portion of the sale proceeds benefit the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. Gregg’s pubs are at 1303 North Main St., Providence, (401) 831-5700; 1359 Post Rd., Warwick, (401) 467-5700; 1940 Pawtucket Ave., East Providence, (401) 438-5700; and 4120 Quaker Lane (Route 2), North Kingstown, (401) 294-5700. For more, greggsusa.com

News

Sakonnet Vineyard’s Petite White was awarded a Gold Medal with a rating of 92 and was designated one of the Top 10 White Wines $15 and under at the 2009 World Value Wine Challenge. Petite White was also the only white wine named Exceptional Value, $15 and under, by the Beverage Testing Institute. Earlier this summer, the Little Compton vineyard’s Petite White won Chairman’s Best of Class at the 2009 Long Beach Grand Cru, held in California, one of 50 wines out of the 1,600 entered to get the designation. Learn more about the wines at Sakonnetwine.com.

The Lighthouse Restaurant, 1665 Hartford Ave., Johnston, (401) 331-6445, has opened serving breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu includes $1.99 egg special, (two eggs, toast and home fries), stuffed French toast (fresh strawberries and cream cheese), omelets and Belgian waffles. Jazz music by Lonnie Gasperini will be provided on Sundays starting Oct. 11. >

Coming up

St. Michael’s Church, Hope and Church streets, Bristol, presents The Community Concert Series starting Saturday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. with a dinner concert package for $40 at Le Central, 483 Hope St., Bristol, (401) 396-9965, lecentralbristol.net, or $33 at Redlefsen’s Rotisserie & Grill, 444 Thames St., Bristol, (401) 254-1188, redlefsens.com. The package price includes a fixed-price dinner and concert ticket to a performance by the Providence String Quartet and Community MusicWorks Players. Package reservations should be made by calling the restaurant. Menus can be viewed on the Web sites.

The Fall Food Stroll is Wednesday, Oct. 14, 5:30 to 8 p.m. in New London’s waterfront district, with more than 24 eateries offering samples of their signature dishes. Boutiques and specialty shops provide snacks and special promotions and there will be a Culinary Excellence Competition. Buttons are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the stroll and include a free drink coupon. Student pricing is $20 in advance and $25 at the gate, and children 4 and younger are free. Visit Newlondonmainstreet.org for tickets.

Johnson & Wales University hosts murder mystery dinner shows presented by The Who Dunnit? Murder Mystery Theater at two properties. The schedule at The Johnson & Wales Inn, 213 Taunton Ave., Seekonk, is Win or Die Trying Murder Mystery Game Show Dinner, Saturday, Oct. 31; Murder in Hollywood, the Case of the Boa Constrictor, Friday, Dec. 4; and The Wrath of Ra — Murder in Cairo, Saturday, Feb. 13. The evenings begin with a cash bar at 6 p.m. and dinner and show at 7 p.m. The cost is $42. Reservations are required 10 days in advance. Call (508) 336-8700, (800) 232-1772. The Radisson Hotel Providence Airport, 2081 Post Road, Warwick’s schedule is Murder in Hollywood, the Case of the Boa Constrictor, Saturday, Dec. 19, and The Wrath of Ra — Murder in Cairo, Friday, Feb. 12. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a cash and dinner and show at 7 p.m. The cost is $45. Reservations are required three days in advance. Call (401) 739-3000, ext. 6102 or (800) 333-3333.

Rhode Island for Community and Justice hosts its Community and Justice Awards at the Rhode Island Convention Center Rotunda, Providence, Thursday, Oct. 15, at 5 p.m. Honorees include Howard Sutton, publisher, president and chief executive officer of the Providence Journal Company, for diversity-related special reporting and commitment to charitable giving in the Rhode Island Community; and John Hazen White Jr., president and chief executive officer of Taco, Inc., for his commitment to ethnical government, community philanthropy and educational access for all his employees, including immigrant and non-English speakers through the Taco Learning Center. Guests will sample fare representing Rhode Island’s diverse restaurant community, including Eleven Forty Nine, Amoriggi Seafood, Jeanton’s Southern Cuisine, Las Arepas, Pakarang Thai, Red Stripe, Taste of India and Ten Prime Steak and Sushi. Tickets are $100, with proceeds benefiting RICJ’s youth and adult leadership in diversity programs, Camp RESPECT and Leadership for a Future. For ticket information call (401) 467-1717, ext. 101.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 10 Memorial Blvd., Providence, host a Keep the Fires Burning Fundraising Event Tuesday, Oct. 20, to benefit WaterFire Providence. The evening includes a variety of heavy hors d’oeuvres; wine; beer; non-alcoholic beverages; a WaterFire cocktail featuring Hammer + Sickle Vodka; a WaterFire lighting in the Basin for guests; a live auction and gondola rides. Keep the Fires Burning takes place outdoors on the heated terrace. The cost is $150. (401) 273-1155, ext. 140 or e-mail sierra@waterfire.org .

Wine events

East Side Prescription Center, 632 Hope St., Providence, hosts a Wine Tasting Thursday, Oct. 15, 5 to 7 p.m.

Chris Gasbarro’s Fine Wine and Spirits, 98 Highland Ave., (Route 6), Seekonk, (401) 331-9463; chrisgasbarro.com, hosts An Evening with New Zealand’s Greg Crone, owner of Croney Estates in new Zealand, Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 to 8:30 p.m. The cost for the class presentation with food is $25. Guests must be 21 or older and reservations are required. A 10 percent discount will be given on featured wines purchased at the tasting event.

Castle Hill Inn & Resort, 590 Ocean Drive, Newport, (401) 849-3800, castlehillinn.com, hosts Dennis Cakebread, senior vice president of sales and marketing, and Cakebread Cellars for an intimate wine weekend Nov. 6 through 8. The wine weekend package includes two nights luxury accommodations; a Friday evening reception with Dennis Cakebread, Castle Hill general manager Natalie Ward and executive chef Jonathan Cambra; an interactive Saturday morning wine seminar followed by lunch; a five-course wine dinner; breakfast each morning; and afternoon tea. The weekend’s dinner is also available a la carte for $175 per person plus tax and gratuity. For more information or to make a reservation, call (401) 849-3982 or visit castlehillinn.com.

Siena, 5600 Post Rd., East Greenwich, hosts a Wine Dinner with The Savory Grape on Tuesday, Oct. 13. It’s a five-course dinner with pairings. The event begins with a reception at 6:45 p.m. and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Seats are limited. Reserve with Siena East Greenwich, (401) 885-8850, or The Savory Grape (401) 886-9463.

On the menu

Costantino’s Ristorante, 265 Atwells Ave., DePasquale Plaza, Providence, (401) 528-1100, offers its monthly Passport to Italy fixed-price dinner menu reflecting the cuisine of Calabria. Its remoteness has allowed the people to maintain their culinary traditions with simple pasta dishes with many using tomato sauces and chile peppers, as in penne all’arrabiata. The Calabrese are also sausage makers and famous for their soppressata and capocollo. The best-known cheeses include ca ciocavallo, provolone, mozzarella, and scamorza. The three-course menu costs $25 per person and includes a choice of appetizer, entrée, dessert and a glass of wine from the region. It’s offered Sunday through Friday nights in addition to the regular menu.

Le Central, 483 Hope St., Bristol, (401) 396-9965, lecentralbristol.net, offers a $20.09 menu on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. by reservation only. The three-course meals include two three-ounce wine pairings. Oct. 7’s menu includes celery root remoulade, pork confit and polenta cakes and lemon meringue tarts; Oct. 14, butternut and apple soup, chicken bisteeya and pineapple cakes; Oct. 21, warm chicory and bacon salad, shortrib and concord grape tart; and Oct. 28, fish stew and banana bread pudding.

Oki’s Japanese Restaurant, 1270 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence, (401) 728-7970, is giving away free coupons. Those who shop at Dave’s Market receive a “buy two dinners, get one free of equal or lesser value” coupon which is good for five visits through the end of 2010. Guests just bring in the coupon when they dine and Oki’s makes the deduction.

Parkside Rotisserie & Bar, 76 South Main St., Providence, (401) 331-0003, has re-opened on Sundays for dinner starting at 4 p.m.

Sakonnet Vineyards’ Coop Café, 162 West Main Rd, Little Compton, is now featuring Gerry Dupont of Sweet Creations by Gerry. The Cafe is open Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and features light fare, comfort style foods and decadent desserts. For a complete menu, visit the Web site, sakonnetwine.com, or call (401) 635-8486, ext. 114 for more information.

Whole Foods Market, University Heights, 601 North Main St., Providence, (401-621-5990) is offering fresh, made-to-order sandwiches in its Prepared Foods department. The menu features hot and cold sandwiches, including vegan and vegetarian options, and range in price from $5.99 to $6.99 each. All are served on locally baked bread from Buono’s Italian Bakery of Providence. The sandwich bar is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Stone House, 122 Sakonnet Point Rd., Little Compton, (401) 635-2222, stonehouse1854.com, hosts the first in a series of solo exhibitions to celebrate the local artists whose works are on display throughout the property. The exhibition opens with a reception Saturday, Oct. 10, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event features the wines of Sakonnet Vineyards and a four-course dinner prepared by Stone House executive chef Paul Jonathan Wade. The dinner is by reservation and costs $125. The debut artist is Andrea Bonfils.

Sardella’s Italian Restaurant, 30 Memorial Blvd. West, Newport, (401) 849-6312, sardellas.com, offers a discount for Christmas Parties of 20 or more guests for parties booked by Oct. 31. Also, Richard Sardella, owner of Sardella’s Italian Restaurant, announced the restaurant has partnered with tablehound.com for the reservation process and more.

T’s Restaurant, tsrestaurantri.com, is now on Facebook, Myspace and Twitter to post food photos and note What’s Cookin’ at T’s to update customers on specials and information. T’s also sends out $5 discount birthday breakfast postcards to those on its e-mail list.

Fluke Wine, Bar & Kitchen, 41 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, (401) 849-7778, flukewinebar.com, hosts a benefit dinner Wednesday, Oct., 7, to support Water For Cambodia, dedicated to health, clean water and literacy in Cambodia. Guests enjoy an Asian-inspired cocktail and three-course meal $45, $20 donated directly to waterforcambodia.org. The menu includes a Kalamansi cocktail, mango vegetable summer rolls, choice of chicken satays over jasmine rice or spiced shrimp over Thai noodles, and green tea and cardamom crème brûlée for dessert. Reservations are required.

Contest

Ted’s Montana Grill, 2 Chapel View Blvd., Cranston, (401) 275-5070, tedsmontanagrill.com, is taking fans of its Eat Great for $8 lunch menu on a virtual road trip across America to find Ted’s 8 Wonders (off-the-beaten-track roadside attractions) and a chance to win a free Eat Great for $8 entrée at any Ted’s Montana Grill restaurant. To play, visit the Web site through Oct. 25 for clues. Clues for two wonders will be posted each week (Tuesdays and Fridays). Guess the correct answer and win a free Eat Great for $8 lunch entrée from Ted’s. Contestants can only play one time per clue. For every correct guess, participants receive an e-mail within seven to 10 business days good for their free entrée. Fans can visit the site each week for chances to win, and if their winning streak lasts all four weeks, they’ll be eligible for a trip for two to visit one of Ted’s 8 Wonders.

Classes

Williams-Sonoma offers free culinary demonstrations at its stores, including Knife Skills, Sunday, Oct. 11; Fall Baking, Sunday, Oct. 18; and Thanksgiving Hors d’oeuvres, Sunday and Monday, Oct. 25 and 26. Call your local store to register.

gciampa@projo.com