The Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events

Friday February 28, Frate’s in Darien will hold a complimentary in store wine tasting from 4-7.

Also on Friday, join Chef Tom Devine at Two Steps Downtown Grille in Danbury for a night of Mardi Gras!  The meal includes Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, Carpetbagger Filet Mignon, and Banana’s Foster Flambé.  Reserve by emailing  tom-twostepsrest@comcast.net or calling 203-794-0032. $55pp. 

On Saturday March 1, Set Sail with L’escale and the YMCA of Greenwich. The Havana-themed night will feature food from the restaurant, cocktails, wine, and more.  Tickets start at $275.Al’s Warehouse 3 will hold a free wine tasting in the Fairfield Store on Saturday March 1 from 4-8pm.

Another Saturday event: Join Larry McCulloch, winemaker for the Jones Family Farms Winery in Shelton, as he leads a class on making award winning fruit wines.  This seminar will also include a tasting of award winning wines made from apples, pears, blueberries, raspberries and black currants. $40.00 per person.  To register call 203-452-7332. 10am-1pm.

3/1-3/2 is the Maple Sugar Festival Weekend at Stamford Museum & Nature Center.  More Info and ticket purchase here. 

Tuesday March 4 is Fat Tuesday at The Spread in Norwalk! Join them for Mardis Gras inspired cocktails, food, and fun! http://www.thespreadsono.com/events.html 

Barcelona kicks off their “Passport through Rioja” series on Wednesday March 5. Each one hour class in the series (there are four total) will focus on a particular Spanish region, history behind the wines and the food that best accompanies them prepared by Chef Michael Lucente.  Wine Steward Jose Valverde will guide you along the way, with tips and tricks for successfully pairing your wines with local food. Greenwich location, 7pm. $35/week. http://www.barcelonawinebar.com/calendar.htm 

There will be Masi Amarone Wine Dinner With Raffaele Boscaini at Paci in Southport on March 6, 2014 (Thursdat) from 6:30 PM - 9:00 . $95pp. Call 203-259-9600 for information or to reserve.

Friday March 7, there will be complimentary a Charter Oak Beer Tasting from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Danbury Square Wine and Liquor. 15 Backus Ave, Danbury, CT.

Join Emcee Debbie Allen Wright, host of Better Springfield and Fashion Commentator of Better CT and the Damon Scott Show, and Gina Barreca, nationally known women's literary humorist and educator at "A Toast To Women-An Evening of Wine & Chocolate Delights." This celebration of National Women's Day on March 8th from 7:30-10 pm is presented by Soroptimist International of Farmington Valley and hosted by Avon Old Farms Hotel. Experience great new wines, bid on exciting auction items, and sample original chocolate creations by celebrated chefs.  Tickets are only $50/pp. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door on the night of the event. For more information please call Linda at 860-930-9298 or go to http://eventful.com/avon_ct/events/toast-womenan-evening-wine-chocolate-delights-/E0-001-066184076-5   Cost: $50/pp.

Looking Ahead…

Harry’s Wine is holding a new set of classes! On Wednesdays March 12  and March 19, try blind tasting!  The wines will be 4 pairs of different grapes that you will attempt to decide the difference between in each pair:  Pair 1: Old World/New World, 2: Expensive/Less Expensive, 3: Young Wine/Aged Wine, and 4: Blend/Single Varietal.  $70 for both weeks.