COLUMNS

Italian wine dinner, Cinco de Mayo events and more

Barbara M. Houle
bhoulefood@gmail.com
Joe Galdi, of Global Wines, left, and John Piccolo, owner of Piccolo’s Italian Restaurant, sample some wines that will be available during the five-course Italian Wine Dinner May 16 at the restaurant. Photo/Matthew Healey

Executive chef/owner John Piccolo of Piccolo’s Italian Restaurant in Worcester will host an Italian Wine Dinner Monday, May 16, in partnership with Global Wines.

The event, $69 per person (inclusive), will begin at 6 p.m. in the restaurant at 157 Shrewsbury St. Call the restaurant at (508) 754-1057 to reserve. Tickets may be purchased at the restaurant, or visit www.opentable.com.

Piccolo said the five-course dinner would be paired with “amazing” wines, selected by Joe Galdi of Global

Wines. An organic wine is included in the pairings, he said. “Guests have enjoyed past wine dinners, and I thought it was about time to schedule another,” said Piccolo. “It’s a fun evening for everyone.”

Think Mother’s Day gift!

The menu: First course: Artichoke and Pecorino Arancini, featuring carnaroli rice, artichokes, fresh herbs and Pecorino Romano; second course: Rollatini Con Melanzana, thinly sliced eggplant rolled with ricotta and spinach, baked and served with fresh basil marinara; third course: Ravioli Agnello, roasted lamb, spinach and goat cheese ravioli wrapped in fresh black pepper pasta; fourth course: “Vitello Bracciolatini,” fresh-cut veal stuffed with prosciutto, asparagus and caramelized onions over saffron risotto; fifth course: Torta Di Ananas Al Pepe Nero, a pineapple and black pepper cheesecake.

Piccolo’s is closed Sundays, but the restaurant will open for Mother’s Day, May 8. Hours will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Call for reservations. Visit www.piccolos157.com, or connect on Facebook.

Cheers!

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Get a $5 bonus card with every $25 gift card purchase at Noodles & Company.

The offer is good through June.

The local Noodles & Company is located at 50 Boston Turnpike, White City Shopping Center, Shrewsbury. Call (508) 860-2092 for more information.

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St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester has announced dates for its St. Spyridon Grecian Festival 2016.

Circle the calendar: 5 p.m. to midnight June 3; 11 a.m. to midnight, June 4; noon to 10 p.m. June 5.

The weekend includes food, live music, dancing, shopping, kids’ activities, church tours, art exhibits, live theater, etc.

I’ll dish with local restaurateurs participating in the event in a future column. Expect great food from the both the chefs and parishioners.

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First Congregational Church, 1070 Pleasant St., Worcester, will have a “Bring Your Cup to Tea” event at 2 p.m. May 14 at the church.

Advance tickets are $25 per person. Call (508) 832-6785 to reserve. Tables of four can be reserved when all four tickets are purchased together.

The church is celebrating its 300th anniversary year, tracing its history and past events. The traditional “Ladies Tea” dates back to 1940-'50s.

The May 14 event will include several highlights, beginning with a three-course early High Tea menu.

Gail’s Fabulous Finds and Boutique in Oxford will present a seasonal fashion show from “casual to dressy.” Several of the models will be parishioners from First Congregational Church. The store also has donated a gift basket to be raffled off.

A display of Wedding Memories will showcase wedding gowns and accessories from the early 1900s to the 1990s, in addition to photos.

Also, the Cornerstone Quilter’s Guild of Charlton has made a queen-size quilt for the Commemorative Quilt Raffle.

Raffle tickets are available through Oct. 23, the date the winner will be announced at the church’s Blessings Forward Banquet. Reservations are necessary for the banquet. Call (508) 832-6785.

July 17, First Congregational Church plans “Lemonade and Croquet” after Sunday services.

Join the celebration.

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News from Niche Hospitality Group restaurants:

A Cinco de Mayo event with beer and tequila promotions is scheduled from 8 p.m. to midnight May 5 at Mezcal Tequila Cantina in Worcester. Rain or shine! Enjoy guacamole and fresh-squeezed margaritas and music by The Flat Five.

Mezcal Leominster also will celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5 with the grand opening of its new bar. Visit www.mezcalcantina.com.

A Derby Party will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Rye & Thyme in Leominster. “Julep Bar, Party Snacks and Live Music from Zack Slik.” Prizes will be awarded for Best Hat and Best Dressed.

The Fix Burger Bar is scheduled to reopen at its new location at 108 Grove St., Worcester, in mid-June.

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The Pottery Invitational at Worcester Center for Crafts is scheduled May 13-15 in the center, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester. Potters Aysha Peltz and Todd Wahlstrom, who work in Whitingham, Vt., are guest curators who organized the Pottery Invitational. Nineteen artists will display ceramic works.

The show kicks off May 13 with a Benefit Preview celebration that features a “Whiskey Tasting.” A limited number of reservations for this benefit are available. For a $35 donation to the Crafts Center, guests will have an opportunity to schmooze with curators and artisans and enjoy handcrafted whiskeys selected and provided by Austin Liquors, with locations in Worcester and Shrewsbury.

New Street Glass Studio at the center will provide hand-blown whiskey tumblers for the tasting and to take home. Westfield Farms in Hubbardston will provide handcrafted cheeses, and Stewart’s Chocolates in Jefferson, chocolate specialties.

For reservations, call (508) 753-8183, ext. 301, or visit www.worcestercraftcenter.org.

The show on May 13 is free to the public from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

May 14, the show is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free to the public. Artists from the center will give demos in the Ceramics Studio at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. May 14 and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 15.

Sarah Ribeiro of the Worcester Garden Club will present a flower styling demo at 3 p.m. May 14, using handmade ceramic containers for the arrangements.

May 15 show hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free to the public. A special food styling demo by Elaine Pusateri-Cowan will be presented from 1 to 2 p.m. Learn how to use handmade ceramics for serving and entertaining.

Pusateri-Cowan is owner and chef de cuisine of UXLocale, an Uxbridge restaurant that is expected to open later this month.

The Pottery Invitational at Worcester Center for Crafts began in 2003 as a way to expose the community to the work of regional and national ceramic artists, and to assist artists in creating a new market for their work.

Great weekend planned.

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Local foodies were thrilled to hear news that author and Food Network star Alton Brown paid a visit to Birch Tree Bread Company and Acoustic Java, both in Worcester, before his appearance April 27 at Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester.

Check out the photo on Birch Tree’s Facebook page.

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The Idaho Potato Commission recently released new gluten-free recipes. Russian Beet, Idaho Potato Salad is one of them.

Russian Beet, Idaho Potato Salad: In a medium saucepan, add 4 medium Idaho Yukon Gold potatoes (about 1 pound total), peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes. Salt and add water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until just tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water.

In a large bowl, combine potatoes, 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (thawed) and 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion. In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup light mayonnaise, ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill and 1 teaspoon horseradish mustard. Add the potato mixture and gently combine.

Drain a five-ounce can of sliced beets. Quarter the slices. Place the beets on a paper towel and gently blot dry. Very gently fold beets into the potato mixture. Do not overmix. Makes six servings. Note: Be sure to blot beets before adding to mixture, or it will turn the salad pink.

If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to

bhoulefood@gmail.com.