Weekly Nibble: Upcoming Food News & Events

Monday April 28, Napa & Co of Stamford presents FAVORITE WINES OF SPAIN.  Explore the dusty, dirty and sultry wines of this HOT region from Priorat, Campo de Borja and Rioja. There will be 6 wines to experience. $50/person (exclusive of tax and gratuity). 

Also on Monday the 28^th, Barcelona West Hartford presents “Paella 101.” Join Chef Eric in this class dedicated to the Spanish classic – Paella! Learn how to make this delicious dish and a popular Barcelona favorite. For reservations please call the restaurant at 860.218.2100. $29 per person, plus tax and gratuity. 7pm.

Golden View Firenze Ristorante and Continental Fine Wine & Spirits will team up for a 5 course Tuscan Wine Dinner of Tuesday April 29.  5 dishes will be paired with 5 different Italian wines.  $70pp plus tax and gratuity.  Call 203-869-0865 to reserve.

Tuesday April 29, New Canaan Wine Merchants invites you to raid their reserve room!  Between 7 and 8:30pm, guests can select 3 high end wines to open, talk about, and taste.  Free event.

April 29 is also the 6th Annual Glenlivet/Cigar Dinner @ Max Fish in Glastonbury.  It features cigars from "The Tobacco Shop" on Pratt Street  in Hartford, CT, food, and Glenlivet pairings. $125 per person, not including tax & gratuity. Space is limited, so call for reservations today. 860.652.3474. 6-9pm.

VNA Community Healthcare will be host a Taste of Spring Fundraiser on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the New Haven Country Club in Hamden.  The event, sponsored by AT&T will feature seasonal wine and beer tastings, courtesy of Amity Wine & Spirits, plus a wonderful variety of foods (including a grilled cheese station!).  Cost is $45 per person or $80 for 2 people.  Register online or call 203.458.4277.  All proceeds from Taste of Spring will support the VNA Community Healthcare's vital services; from home healthcare, to community wellness programs, and their Family Caregiver Support Network.

Jones Family Winery presents “Sip and Savor- America the Beautiful: Charleston, South Carolina” on April 30, 2014 (Wed) from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Sip & Savors offer guests a light-hearted yet knowledgeable discussion on the pairing of foods and wines. Inspired by Charleston, South Carolina, this week’s menu will feature she-crab soup (deconstructed), cider-glazed pork, cheddar-cheese grit cakes and braised greens, and a pecan tart. $65pp. 

At Taco Loco in Bridgeport, Cinco de Mayo festivities begin on Thursday May 1 and go through Monday May 5. Details here. 

May 1 is “A Taste of Westport.” It is a special evening of tastings and samples from fine restaurants and distributors to benefit CLASP, a local not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide homes and opportunities for people with autism and other developmental disabilities.  It will take place at The Westport Inn from 6-9pm.  More info here.

Also on the 1^st, world-renowned chef Jacques Pepin appears in conversation with WNPR’s Faith Middleton, host of The Food Schmooze at the JCC of Woodbridge, CT. Prior to the lecture, participants will enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres based on Pepin’s classic recipes. Contact: DeDe Jacobs-Komisar, 203-387-2JCC, dedek@jccnh.org. Cost: $25 for JCC Members, $30 for nonmembers. 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Thursday, May 1st from 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM is a storewide tasting at the Whole Foods in West Hartford. This week's theme is Health Starts Here! Free event.

Friday, May 2^nd is the Official Grand Opening of Johnny Utah’s in South Norwalk.  Join them from 5pm - 7pm for a LIVE broadcast with Dan Hopkins from your favorite country music station, Kicks 105.5.   You can also pull on your boots or slip into your heels for line dancing from 8pm - 9pm led by Connecticut's own Alan Kohn.  Don't forget about the main attraction… there is FREE mechanical bull riding all night long with our very own rodeo clowns to keep it (even more) interesting.

After last year's success Brew On9 returns to New Haven, Friday, May 2 from 6-8PM. It's an opportunity to spend an evening tasting a variety of craft beer and home brews while strolling through the 9th Square neighborhood. Visit over a dozen businesses and restaurants with your signature beer mug, and sample a range of beers from around the region. Cost: 15.00. Details here. 

Fat Cat Pie Co is thrilled to have Jim Anderson, winemaker and partner at Patricia Green Cellars and longtime friend to Fat Cat & Fountainhead for a special Sunday version of the Sunday Supper Club. With supper set to music by Fat Cat Jazzers, Matthew DeTroy (piano) and Rich Zurkowski (bass), this could be the sweetest "Patty Party" of all. 4 courses with pairings. $95 per person including tax & gratuity. Sunday May 4, 2014, 5:30 pm. Fat Cat Pie Co./Wine Room. For reservations: info@fountainheadwineshop.com or 203.293.5309.