Eat, drink and be merry

The good old Bradenton Herald has come up trumps again with a calendar of culinary events going on near us on Anna Maria this coming next few weeks.

Here it is in full, but feel free to follow this link to the Herald site.

Prix fixe: Harry’s Continental Kitchens on Longboat Key, is reopening from summer vacation on Oct. 9, and to celebrate will debut a Fall-inspired Prix Fixe menu. The four-course dinner offers a choice of vichyssoise or gazpacho, then a roasted Golden Beet salad with Chevre cheese, an ahi tuna carpaccio topped with a three-olive tapenade or steamed Prince Edward Island mussels in a poblano pepper-coconut milk. The third course is Salmon a la Orange on a bed of toasted orzo or a grilled filet mignon topped with smoky corn and tomato salsa that is served alongside a crispy butternut squash and Yukon Gold potato croquette, third choice is baked jumbo shrimp De Jong with mozzarella, croutons and a lemon garlic butter sauce. Last is Harry’s dessert of the day. The prix fixe menu is offered5-9 p.m. and is $29 per person or $43 per person with chosen premium wine pairings. Reservations are strongly recommended. Information: 383-0777 or www.harryskitchen.com.

Casa Italia cooking classes/events: Casa Italia, 2080 Constitution Blvd, Sarasota, will hold the following cooking classes:
1. Spanish Cooking Class and Lunch with Fatima Soriano, 11 a.m. Oct. 9. Menu includes gaspacho Andaluz, garlic shrimp, green beans and peas with serrano ham and Canary Islands roasted bananas. Cost: $40. A copy of the recipes will be provided.

2. Indian Cooking Class and Dinner with Nita & Raj Mathur featuring vegetarian Indian dishes, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Cost: $75. A copy of the recipes will be provided.
Reservations can be made by calling (941) 924-1179. Gift certificates are available.

3. Giuliano Hazan has a new cook book out, his fourth, titled “Thirty Minute Pasta,” containing 100 recipes that can be prepared in half an hour or less. Hazan will be signing copies of the book at Casa Italia from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17.

Wine events
Weekly wine tasting: Harry’s Continental Kitchens, 525 St. Jude’s Drive, Longboat Key, will hold wine tasting events 5-7 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Oct. 15. Cost: $10 , proceeds to benefit the Longboat Key/Lido Key/St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce. The wine tasting is located at Harry’s Gourmet Deli and Take-Out. There will be small appetizers offered along with a large wine selection to taste. Information: 383-0777 or www.harryskitchen.com.

Free tasting: WineStyles Lakewood Ranch, 8225 Nature’s Way, San Marco Plaza, is offering a free wine tasting presented by Rhianna Brandt of Winebow Brands International, 5-7 p.m. Oct. 9. Call 306-5804 or visit www.winestyles.net/lakewoodranch.

Mattison’s Riverside: 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton, hosts Tuesday Tasting 5-7 p.m., offering the opportunity to sample a variety of wines from a featured vineyard, varietals or regional. This is a free event with light appetizers offered. For reservations, call 748-8087 or visit www.mattisons.com.

Wine tastings: The Waterfront Restaurant, 111 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria. holds wine tastings from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays. Cost: $10. Information: 778-1515.