Food Notes

Fossett’s Restaurant prepares for taste of Italy

Italian wines will be in the spotlight when Fossett’s Restaurant at Keswick Hall presents “Riches of Italy” on Feb. 12, starting with a reception at 6:45 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.

Jim Hutton of VIAS Imports will be pairing Italian wines from the VIAS collection of wines from all regions of Italy selected by a committee of Italian sommeliers. Chef Craig Hartman will pair the wines with Italian foods.

Hors d’oeuvres will be served with Bisol Jeoi Prosecco NV.

Sweet rabbit sausage, tart of fennel and ricotta and green tomato sauce will be paired with Broglia Gavi di Gavi “Meirana” 2007.

Next will be agnalotti of braised lamb shoulder with broth of porcini and truffle and grilled treviso, paired with Damiliano Barbera 2007.

Licorice-glazed rack of Virginia venison will be served with Gorgonzola polenta, roasted winter vegetables and dried cherry syrup and accompanied by Argiano Non Confunditor (Super Tuscan) 2006 and Elvio Cogno Ravera Barolo 2003.

Chocolate spumoni, brachetto sorbetto and almond biscotti will wind up the meal alongside Marenco Brachetto d’Acqui 2007.

The meal is $89 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 979-3440.

Clifton’s cooking demo focuses on pasta

Dean Maupin, executive chef of Clifton, continues his new cooking demonstration series tonight, presenting “Handcrafted Pasta” at 6 this evening before dinner.

Each demonstration starts at 6 p.m. and includes a chance to sample the results. Diners are invited, but not required, to stay for dinner.

Coming up in the series will be “Slow-Braising Demo: Beef Shortrib, Lamb Shank and Duck Confit” on Feb. 11, “Great Steak: Marinades, Rubs and Butters” on Feb. 18, “Cheese Course: A Study in Fine American Artisan Cheese” on Feb. 25 and “Dessert Secrets with Pastry Goddess Erin Maupin” on March 4.

For details or reservations, call 971-1800. Find out more about Clifton at http://www.cliftoninn.net.

King Family hosts open house in North Gallery

King Family Vineyards will present a North Gallery Open House with photographers Rob Garland and Meg Runion from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the vineyard’s North Gallery.

There will be hors d’oeuvres, wine and photography.

For details, call 823-7800.

Baldacci on guest list for festival’s wine event

The Virginia Festival of the Book will present “Wine and Words with David Baldacci and Adriana Trigiani” at 4 p.m. March 19 at Enoteca.

There will be an assortment of Italian meats, cheeses, grapes, and olives, plus a glass of Italian wine.

Tickets for the event are $50. For details or tickets, visit http://www.vabook.org or call 924-6890.

Elkton plans a fundraiser with a chili supper

Elkton Area United Services will have its “Open Your Heart” Chili Supper and Silent Auction on Saturday at Elkton VFW Hall at 13958 Spotswood Trail.

The supper and auction will begin at 5 p.m., and the last bidding will end at 7 p.m. Chili, bread, desserts and drinks will be served. Children’s entertainment for ages 3 to 5 will be provided by Girl Scout Troop No. 938.

Donations are requested of $7 for adults and $4 for children ages 10 and younger. Proceeds will support EAUS programs providing housing, utilities, food, transportation, medications, education and senior citizens’ activities. EAUS is a partner agency of the United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

For information, call (540) 298-8685.

Williamsburg prepares for its winter markets

The Williamsburg Farmers Market will have its winter markets from 8:30 a.m. until noon Feb. 14, March 14, March 28 and April 11 in Colonial Williamsburg’s Merchants Square.

The Valentine’s Day market will feature chocolate, flowers, forced flowering branches and potted bulbs for gift giving. Look for eggs, root vegetables, hydroponic greens, cheese, mushrooms, soap, pasta, honey and chicken.

Visit http://www.williamsburgfarmersmarket.com.

Gray Ghost hosts its annual chocolate affair

Gray Ghost Vineyards presents “Irresistible Chocolates and Cabernet” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 14 and 15. The winery will be open until 5 p.m.

The event is $15 per person and includes unlimited desserts, tastings of gold-medal-winning red wines and an all-new Valentine’s glass.

Gray Ghost is at 14706 Lee Highway in Amissville. Contact the winery at (540) 937-4869.

There’s road trip in store for chocolate lovers

The Smithfield and Isle of Wight Tourism Bureau will combine the annual February Chocolate Lovers’ Event with smarts!, the monthly arts stroll, from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13 to present “Chocolate Lovers SmARTS! for SweethARTS.”

Each participating smARTS! Merchant will feature Culinary Art, an entry in the Chocolate Lovers contest. Attendees will sample chocolate entries and vote for their favorites for the people’s choice award. Each ballot is $1, with proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Association.

A guest chef will judge the entries for additional prizes.

To download an application form or learn more, visit http://www.VisitSmithfieldIsleofWight.com or call (757) 357-5182.

Mark your calendar for National Pancake Day

IHOP plans to serve millions of free pancakes on Feb. 24 in honor of National Pancake Day.

The celebration is designed to raise $1 million for Children’s Miracle Network and other causes.

This year’s event is the fourth, and nearly 1,400 restaurants across the country will participate. Guests can get a short stack of IHOP’s signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 to 10 a.m. and then donate what they would have paid for the pancakes to the local children’s hospital or another worthy cause. Miracle Balloons also will be sold for $1 each from Feb. 1 to 24.

National Pancake Day occurs on Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras. It looks back to the tradition of eating pancakes on the day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday to use up eggs, milk, butter and other products that were forbidden during Lent.

Since the start of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly $2 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. Get the details at

http://www.ihoppancakeday.com.

From staff reports