Food Notes

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: October 28, 2008

North Garden prepares for Apple Harvest fest

Vintage Virginia Apples will present its eighth annual Apple Harvest Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Rural Ridge Farm in North Garden. The event is co-sponsored by the Cove Garden Ruritan Club.

Rare apple varieties will be available for tasting and purchase. Artisanal cider fresh from the press also will be available. There will be apple butter kept on a slow fire, foods from local chefs and the Ruritans’ popular Brunswick stew.

Local vendors will offer fresh produce, herbs, meats, cheeses, crafts and gift ideas.

There will be hayrides, craft demonstrations, tastings and music.

Admission is free. For details, visit http://www.vintagevirginia

apples.com or call 297-2326.

Save the Music with a Cheeseburger T-shirt

Cheeseburger in Paradise is selling T-shirts through Nov. 15 to benefit VH1 Save the Music Foundation.

All 38 locations in 18 states across the country will sell the T-shirts.

The shirts are $12 for adult sizes and $10 for children’s sizes. All profits from the shirt sales will help fund a teaching salary and musical instruments. Fans ages 14 and older can enter online to try to win a guitar autographed by Jimmy Buffett. To enter, visit at http://www.CheeseburgerinParadise.com.

Sons of Bill will perform at DelFosse Vineyards

DelFosse Vineyards and Winery has a Fall Foliage Concert with Sons of Bill at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Food will be available for purchase. The menu by Genevieve DelFosse includes a choice of boeuf Bourguignon, mashed potatoes and French baguette for $10, or cheese plates with assortments of French and American cheeses and French baguettes that will serve two people for $10 or four for $15.

Sons of Bill will start performing at 6 p.m. DelFosse wines will be served, and there will be a 10 percent discount on wines purchased at the event.

Admission is $15, $10 in advance, and reservations are requested. For information, call 263-6100.

Dinner in the Dark: It’s new thing at Fellini’s

Fellini’s No. 9 will present Dinner in the Dark as its monthly wine dinner at 7 tonight.

The event was a favorite last year. The six-course meal with wine pairings by Bravo Wine Cellars and In Vito Veritas offers some innovative food combinations. Eating in the dark allows diners to smell each aroma, taste each spice and not pre-judge a dish’s taste based on its presentation.

Diners will experience some different foods, but the restaurant promises not to serve bugs, spiders and other scary items. Reservations are limited to 24 people, so call soon to save a seat. The dinner is $125 per couple or $65 per person, including tax and gratuity. Call 979-4279.

Sample the Taste of Nelson at Rodes Farm Stables

Rodes Farm Stables Foundation will present “A Taste of Nelson” from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Lake Monocan Clubhouse and Park at 239 Camping Ridge Lane in Nellysford.

There will be selections from Vito’s, D’Ambola’s, Lovinston Cafe, Thai-Mex, Dogwood Restaurant and Wintergreen Catering. Beer, wine and soft drinks will be available. There will be horseshoe pitching, hayrides, moon bounce and craft activities for kids.

Admission is free. Proceeds from food, beverage and activity sales will benefit Rodes Farm Stables Foundation, a non-profit entity with a mission of preserving equestrian facilities and activities for Nelson County residents.

For information, visit RFSFoundation.org or call 361-1130.

Barboursville wines featured at Skyland tasting

Skyland Resort in Shenandoah National Park will have a wine tasting at 3 p.m. Thursday featuring the wines of Barboursville Vineyards.

A minimal charge of $10 per person includes assorted cheeses and a handcrafted glass to take home.

Guests must be 21 to attend. Skyland is at mile 41.7 on Skyline Drive. Call (800) 999-4714, Opt. 1, for reservations.

Virginia Beach turns its attention to the farm

Through Thursday, the Virginia Beach area is presenting its first Farm to Feast Week, which puts local, seasonal menus and fresh foods in the spotlight.

One of the highlights is a three-course menu created by local chefs from seasonal offerings available for $30 at participating restaurants. The special meal will be offered tonight at Stove in Port Norfolk, located in Portsmouth, and Thursday at Vintage Kitchen in Norfolk.

For reservations, call (757) 397-0900 or Vintage Kitchen at (757) 625-3370. For information, call (757) 515-6944.

Vegetarian harvest fare is the talk of the class

“Vegetarian Harvest Dinner” with Marisa Catalano will be 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday for $65 at Charlottesville Cooking School.

The class will make a salad of frisee, butter lettuce, arugula, watercress and walnuts with a sherry vinaigrette and Camembert toasts, plus cassoulet of leeks and white beans with parsley, garlic crumbs, brown and wild rice cakes and apple cranberry clafouti for dessert.

Sign up at 963-COOK.

From staff reports