01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, March 30, 2005

This weekend

There will be a "Clam Boil for Wishes" with Wayne Nunes at the Holy Ghost Club, 171 Sodom Rd., Westport, Mass., on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. to benefit A Wish Come True. There will be live entertainment. Tickets cost $20. Call A Wish Come True at (401) 781-9199.

Venda Ravioli, 275 Atwells Ave., Providence, hosts a cooking demonstration by chef Russ Zito on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Cheese of the Month Club. April's selection is Pepato, a delicately spiced sheep's milk cheese made with whole black peppercorns. This Italian table cheese is best eaten young, and it is excellent with fresh bread or shredded over a plate of zucchini carpaccio.

The White Horse Tavern, 26 Marlborough St., Newport, will be host of two events. An Insider's Dinner will feature talk show host Bruce Newbury on Friday at 5:30 p.m. The five-course fixed-price dinner with wine pairing costs $57, plus tax and gratuity.

A Curator's Luncheon is set for Saturday at noon. Tavern historian Anita Rafael will tell a tale of Colonial Newport and speak on drinking customs and tavern history. The cost of the lunch is an all-inclusive $25. Call (401) 849-3600.

Smithfield YMCA and Greenville Public Library hold a "Passport to the World" food and wine tasting on Saturday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Imagine Fine Arts Gallery, 550 Douglas Pike, Smithfield. The menu will pair food from Italy, Spain, France and Greece with red and white wines from each country. There will be a silent and a live auction. Tickets cost $50 per couple or $30 per person, inclusive. To buy tickets, call Amy Simonini at (401) 949-2480, ext. 12 or Dorothy Swain at (401) 949-3630, ext. 116.

More Than Manischewitz: Passover Wine Selections for Your Seder Table s the topic at the Jewish Community Center of Rhode Island, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, tomorrow at 7 p.m. Free. (401) 331-0956.

There will be a Wine Tasting and silent auction at Wannamoisett Country Club, 96 Hoyt Ave., Rumford, Friday at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit charities of the Rumford Women's Club. The cost is $35, $60 for two. (401) 438-8997.

Coming up

Don Jose Tequilas, 351 Atwells Ave., Providence, will offer a free sampling buffet on the restaurant's fifth anniversary, April 5, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Chefs Maria Hernandez and Raquel Diaz will serve traditional cuisine. For information call (401) 454-8951.

On Sunday, April 10, the Williams-Sonoma store at Providence Place mall will host an event for brides to register for their weddings. The event is free and includes breakfast, but space is limited. Reservations required, (401) 243-0630.

On Monday, April 11, from noon to 1:15 p.m., the Union Trust Club at Federal Reserve, 60 Dorrance St., Providence, will hold a reception, luncheon, book signing and address by R.W. Apple Jr., associate editor of the New York Times. The cost is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers.

On Saturday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Venda Ravioli, 275 Atwells Ave., Providence, a book signing will feature Jean Restivo and Susan Rotella, co-authors of Il Pane Della Vita: An Italian Cookbook to Nourish the Soul. Free copies of the book will be given to the first 100 customers who spend at least $10 in the store. Call (401) 421-9105 or visit www.vendaravioli.com.

The Rhode Island Chapter of the Red Cross hosts a fundraiser at the Nordic Lodge in Charlestown on Thursday, April 14 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will be an all-you-can-eat buffet of lobster, shrimp, oysters, scallops, filet mignon, prime rib, gourmet desserts and more. Tickets at $65 are available online at www.riredcross.org or by calling (401) 831-7700.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island and the Smithfield Elks Lodge co-host two wild game dinners to benefit Make-A-Wish on Saturday, April 23, at 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 24, at 1 p.m. Moose and venison, among other meats, will be served in such forms as pastrami, filets, stews, and soups. Tickets cost $25 and must be purchased in advance. Call Jeanine Libucha at (401) 781-9474.

Sargent Rehabilitation Center's Spring Gala, French Quarter Revue: An Evening of Masquerade, Jazz & Impersonation, will be held Friday, April 29, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Roger Williams Park Casino. The evening includes dining, entertainment and an auction including an opportunity to meet Josh Schwartz, creator and executive producer for Fox's series The OC. The cost is $75. For more information and tickets, call (401) 886-6613.

A Chefs' & Vintners' Dinner on May 20 will feature chef Steve Raichlen, food, drinks and music at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank's new facility on Niantic Avenue in Providence. Proceeds benefit the Food Bank. For tickets and information call (401) 942-6325 ext. 270.

Stonington Vineyards will host the annual Spring Wine & Food Festival on Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. The wine tastings, offered throughout the day, include the entire line of Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Seaport White and Seaport Blush. Tours of the wine cellar are conducted at 12, 2 and 4 p.m.

New England products that will be sampled and sold under the tent will include Giff's chutneys, Beltane Farms goat cheese, Bumpy Beer Mustard, Vicente's gourmet espresso, Ariston olive oil, Ashaway Apiary honey, farm-fresh, award-winning organic produce from Wayne's Organic Farm, and baked goods and membership information from Fiddleheads Food Coop.

Lunches will be sold by 84 High Street Cafe of Westerly, Voodoo Grill of Mystic and Captain Scott's Lobster Dock of New London. Normand LeClair will create dessert. Wine will be available with lunch by the glass or by the bottle. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome; tables and chairs are available.

Stonington Vineyards, 523 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, Conn., is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Call (806) 535-1222 or visit www.stoningtonvineyards.com for more information.

On the menu

Napa Valley Grille, Providence Place, Providence, offers a free cheese tasting of local artisan cheeses when a guest orders any one of the wine samplers including Pinot Envy, at the Winebar@Napa in April. Also, executive chef Jeffrey Carroll's spring menu will be introduced Tuesday, April 12. (401) 270-6272.

Octagon, 625 North Rd., Groton, offers an April specialty menu selection by chef de cuisine Chris Cohen. It is a stuffed brook trout from Idaho Clear Springs. In the coming months, specialties will include Grimaud Farms Muscovy Duck, Chesapeake Bay Soft Shell Crabs and River Farms American Kobe Beef, and Connecticut Creamery Brook Bison. Visit www.octagonsteakhouse.com or call (860) 326-0360.

Rossi's Cafe, 1785 Cranston St., Cranston, now serves Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The price is $17.95 for adults and half price for children ages 5-12. Children 4 and younger eat free. (401) 943-3196.

Pane e Vino, 365 Atwells Ave., Providence, has a new wine list. The all-Italian list has more than 130 selections listed by region. The entire wine list, glass and bottle, is offered at half price every Monday evening. (401) 223-2230.

Zooma Bar Ristorante, 245 Atwells Ave., is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Zooma now opens at 11:30 a.m., with a variety of house-made salads, wood-oven calzones and hot pressed panini sandwiches. Zooma serves dinner until 11 p.m., and has a late-night bar menu and Neapolitan wood-oven pizza until 1 a.m. (401) 383-2002.

What's new

The Chive Blossom Fine Foods & Catering, has opened at 2244 Plainfield Pike, Cranston. The new cafe has three tables and two chairs offering breakfast, lunch and dinner items to eat-in or to take-out. Chefs Lisa Pagano and Beth Peltier, formerly with Plantation Catering in Newport and both personal chefs, are featuring specialty sandwiches on artisan breads with house-roasted meats, salads such as Ahi Tuna Nicoise and New Cobb, and homemade soups. Breakfast items include New York H & H Bagels, homemade blueberry muffins, and fresh-baked croissants. Daily specials for dinner include roast beef tenderloin with horseradish cream, grilled wild salmon with cool cucumber dill sauce, jumbo stuffed pork chops, pasta puttanesca, grilled vegetables, stuffed portabella mushrooms, parmesan panko-crusted chicken breast stuffed with pesto and fresh mozzarella, and assorted gratins. The Cafe opens every day (except Sunday) at 8:30 a.m. and operates Monday to Thursday until 7 p.m., Friday to 5 p.m., and Saturday to 3 p.m. You can bring your own wine if eating at the cafe. (401) 946-5005.

LaLuna, 272 Thayer St., Providence, celebrates its grand opening on Tuesday, April 5, at 6 p.m. with free hors d'oeuvres and champagne cocktails. Designed by New York artist Kevork Mourad, the restaurant and bar is located one level up, overlooking the street. Simon Sarkasian and his family members blended the sophisticated tastes and artistic sensibilities. Chef Alan Lemire's menu includes an array of pasta dishes, grilled seafoods and meats, and appetizers. The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, from 11:30 a.m. to midnight. LaLuna also features a Sunday brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (401) 331-6297.

Patrick Bryan has joined the Post Office Cafe, East Greenwich, as general manager, the Pinelli-Marra Restaurant Group announced. He comes to the Post Office from 22 Bowen's in Newport. Previously, he spent 9 years at the Clarke Cooke House, including 5 years as general manager.

Wine dinners

3 Steeple Street Bistro and Bar, 125 Canal St., Providence, hosts a South African wine dinner on Sunday, April 10, at 5:30 p.m. featuring Robin Back discussing the wines and history of South Africa's Charles Back wine family. The multicourse dinner will feature the influences and flavors of South African cuisine interpreted by chef Sean McGee. The cost is $49 and includes tax. For information and reservations, call (401) 272-3620. Save the date: the next wine dinner, a taste of Mexico, is May 4.

The food and wine of the Piedmont region of Italy will be offered at a dinner at Costantino's Ristorante, DePasquale Plaza, Providence, on Tuesday, April 12. Each dinner course will be paired with a wine by Gaja. The Gaja Barbaresco will be served with the main course. The evening will begin at 6:30 with cocktails, followed by dinner at 7. The cost is $100, inclusive. Call (401) 528-1100 for reservations. Free valet parking.

The Blue Grotto Restaurant, 210 Atwells Ave., Providence, will host its first wine and cuisine pairing featuring a sampler of Italian wines on Wednesday, April 6, in the Grand Lounge at 6:30 p.m. The menu will include an appetizer paired with Marchesi DiBarolo Dolcetta D'Alba Cru Madonna 2003; two entree choices including braised American lamb shank over mirepoix-spiked polenta, grilled fennel confit with Antinori Santa Cristina Toscana 2002; and dessert of Valpolicello-infused warm ganache fondue with fruits and pastry paired with Masi Amarone Classico 2000. The cost is $75 (not including tax and gratuity). Reservations are limited and required. (401) 272-9030.

Il Piccolo, 1450 Atwood Ave., Johnston, hosts a Spring into Spring Wine Dinner on Thursday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m. The five-course meal features classic Italian wine and food pairings. Here are two courses from the menu: marinated grilled vegetables with eight-year-old balsamic syrup accompanied by Argiolas Costamolino, and roasted veal leg with glace and baby green beans served with Tasca De Amerita Regaliai Rosso. The cost is $72. Early reservations recommended. (401) 421-9843.

Classes

Eastside Marketplace Chef's Club offers cooking demonstrations from Rhode Island chefs on selected Mondays from 3 to 4 p.m. On April 4, chef Steven Davenport of Parkside Rotisserie & Bar will prepare one of his favorite dishes. On May 2, Mooring chef Kevin DiLibero will prepare crab cakes with a chipolte mayo and a roasted corn salsa. On May 16, Romanza and Il Piccolo chef Wayne Clark will prepare salmon au poivre and Madeleines sponge cakes. Classes cost $10 each and registration is required. (401) 831-7771 ext. 227.

The New England Wine School will begin its spring classes April 5 at the White Horse Tavern, 26 Marlborough St., Newport. Classes, from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, include tastings of six to eight wines paired with tapas-style foods from chef Chris Ferrell. The schedule includes: April 5, light whites with no oak; April 12, full-bodied whites, oak aged; April 19, roses and light reds; April 26, full-bodied New World reds; May 3, Old World full-bodied reds; May 10, sparkling wines; May 17, ports, sherries and dessert wines. The series of seven classes costs $280. Individual classes are $50. Intermediate classes (25 total) covering a specific region or country begin May 24. For reservations call the White Horse Tavern at (401) 849-3600. For information call Steve Krohn at (401) 848-5161 ext. 7.

Williams-Sonoma, Providence Place mall, will host a cooking class with Margaret Lederer demonstrating pies and tarts on Tuesday, April 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Space is limited and must be reserved, though the class is free. (401) 243-0630.

Learning Connection Cooking Workshops in Providence are scheduled for April and May. Full details and descriptions are posted on Learning Connection's Web site, www.learnconnect.com. Cooking classes meet on Providence's East Side or in the instructor's home kitchen. Class prices range between $29 to $45. Register at (800) 432-5520 or online. Highlights include:

April 13 -- Italian Antipasti, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

April 20 -- Pairing Food with Wine, hosted by Ferns & Flowers and Bob Goulet, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

April 25 -- How to Host a Brunch, 6-9 p.m.

May 7 -- Shopping Federal Hill with Cindy Salvato, 9 a.m.-noon.

May 11 -- Comparative Wine Tasting, 7-9 p.m.

May 14 -- Calzones with Jean Restivo, 1-3 p.m.

May 18 -- White Wines for Summer, 7-9 p.m.

May 21 -- Homemade Pasta with Jean Restivo, 1-3 p.m.

May 25 -- Pizza, Pizza, Pizza, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

May 25 -- Wines of Italy, 7-9 p.m.

Newport Learning Connection programs can be found at www.newportlearningconnection.com. Reservation is available online or by calling (800) 432-5520. Cooking programs are held at Sturm's Appliance, Aquidneck Ave., Middletown. Highlights of upcoming classes:

April 18 -- Syrah/Shiraz and Malbec: Wine tasting with Len Panaggio, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

May 2 -- Pinot Noir tasting at Castle Hill, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

May 12 -- Sensational Soy with Chris Brown, 6:30-9 p.m.

May 16 -- Wines to Complement Seafood, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

-- GAIL CIAMPA

Items for Food Notes are best e-mailed to gciampa [at] projo.com. They may also be faxed to (401) 277-8175 or mailed in care of the Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902. The deadline for Wednesday publication is the previous Friday.