SPECIAL EVENTS
July Fourth: Mattison’s Riverside, Mattison’s Riverside, 1200 First Ave. W., will celebrate Independence Day with its annual VIP Fireworks Party.
The first seating is from 5 to 7 p.m.; cost is $39.95. The second seating is from 7:30 p.m. to closing; cost is $59.95 (not including tax and gratuity). Prix fixe includes stations featuring appetizers, salads, entree, sides and dessert. Live music by The Arch will be offered from 6 to 10 p.m., and valet parking will be available. Attendance is limited, and reservations are required; call 748-8087.
CLASSES
Apron’s Cooking School: Publix at University Walk , 2875 University Parkway, will present the following classes:
June 24: International Croquettes, 6:30 p.m.
June 27: Kids’ and teens’ camps start.
Prices for classes vary. Students may register online at www.publix.com/aprons/schools/Sarasota/Home.do or by calling (941) 358-7829.
Casa Italia – Italian Market & Deli: 2080 Constitution Blvd., Sarasota, will host and Indian cooking class and dinner with Nita Mathurat at 3:30 p.m. June 26. The menu will include spicy chicken with coconut milk and bell peppers, Gobhi Aloo (cauliflower and potatoes stir fried with spices), basmati rice with whole spices and peas, and Kheer (Indian rice pudding with saffron and nuts). Cost: $50 a person; a copy of the recipes will be provided.
Reservations can be made by calling 924-1179.
Guys Grill ’n’ Chill Cooking Demo: Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee will hold a cooking demonstration at 5:30 p.m. June 30 at Renaissance on 9th, 1816 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. This will be an evening just for the guys on cooking meals at the grill from start to finish. Menu includes ribs with peach chipotle sauce, barbecued chicken wings, herbed veggie kabobs, peaches and cream dessert and more. Tickets are $25 and include the step-by-step demo, grilling guide, and hearty food samples. RSVP: 749-0100.
ON THE MENU
Prix fixe: Harry’s Continental Kitchens, 525 St. Jude’s Drive, Longboat Key, debuts a globally inspired three-course prix fixe menu with paired wines for $25 a person or $39 a person with premium wine pairings. The menu features arcobaleno salad with roast beets, orange, chevre cheese and baby spinach; Insalata el Mexico de frida of apples, toasted almonds and grapes on a bed of mixed greens; and ahi tuna tartare for the first course. The second course features grilled skirt steak chimichurri with fried yucca, sesame seed-crusted Atlantic salmon and chicken Saltimbocca. The meal ends with a dessert created by Harry’s own in-house pastry chef. Serving hours are 5-9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and reservations are recommended. Call 383-0777 or visit www.harryskitchen.com.
Culinary Calendar: E-mail information to jmorreale@bradenton.com.
