Taste of the Island on Monday, Nov. 11, from 6-9 p.m., is an evening of food and libation featuring local establishments spotlighting their wide range of culinary delicacies and beverage specialties.
Now in its 19th year, it is Wilton Manors’ premier outdoor tasting event and tickets are going fast. This year features entertainment by the Synergy Twins. As usual it will be held in Richardson Historic Park and Nature Preserve, 1937 Wilton Dr. Pre-sale tickets are $65 for general admission, $140 for VIP, at the door the prices are $85 and $165, if available. VIP ticket holders are allowed early entry starting at 5:30 p.m., have access to air-conditioned seating, and get three comped drinks from the exclusive VIP bar.
As of our deadline these were the registered vendors, all offering generous portion samplings of their products; Another Perfect Party, Aroma Joe’s Coffee, Bagels & Company, Beans n Dough Cookie Company, Bravo Peruvian Cuisine, Cafe BVR, Cake Daddy’s, Camille’s Pizzeria & Ristorante, Captiva Spirits, Casa Monarca Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar, D’Liras, EATapas, El Bandido Tequila, El Guanaco Taqueria y Antojitos, Florida Blue, Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant, Gulf Stream Brewing, Heart A Love Creations, Huey Magoo’s, Hunters Wilton Manors, Java Joes, Kelly’s Landing, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nour Thai Kitchen, Papa Johns, Prospect Pizzeria, PRP Wine International, Pub on the Drive, Sardi Cafe Lounge, Thirsty’s On The Drive, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Union Kitchen & Bar, Wilton Discount Liquors, Wilton Wings, and Woof Gang Bakery Fort Lauderdale.
For more information, or to buy tickets go to tasteoftheisland.org.
Food Network’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SBWFF), Feb. 20-23, is a national, star-studded, four-day destination event displaying the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs, and culinary personalities. Now entering its 24th year, SBWFF began as a one-day festival known as the Florida Extravaganza held at FIU’s Biscayne Bay campus. In 2002, Lee Brian Schrager, then director of special events & media relations at Southern Wine & Spirits of America, took the reins of the one-day festival and brought his vision for it to life by relocating it to South Beach. The festival began its partnership with Food Network in 2006, during the planning stages of the 2007 festival. The resulting Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival took place February 22-25, 2007, and attracted 30,000 guests.
The festival offers several different ticket packages, each including a unique selection of events. Among some of the events are: Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray, A Taste of Italy hosted by Giada De Laurentiis, Alex vs Miami hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli and Eric Adjepong, Tournament of Champions hosted by Guy Fieri, Steak and Whiskey hosted by Michael Symon, FoodieCon, Masters of Fire hosted by Tyler Florence, The Cookout hosted by JJ Johnson, Tacos & Tequila hosted by Aarón Sánchez, Chicken Coupe: Fried Chicken and Champagne hosted by Kardea Brown, Noche Cubana hosted by Michelle Bernstein, David Martinez and Gio Gutierrez, Sunday Brunch hosted by The Cast of The Kitchen: Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro and Geoffrey Zakarian, Overtown EatUp! hosted by Marcus Samuelsson, and Asian Night Market hosted by Andrew Zimmern, Jet Tila and Aarti Sequeira. Ticket prices vary depending on the type of event. They range from $40-$550 per person and are available at sobewff.org.
Emily’s Garden has opened in the former space of O-B House, East of the Museum of Discovery and Science in Himmarshee Village. The perimeter of the outdoor space is lined with food stations. One is a burger station with grills. There’s a trailer offering gourmet coffee. The owners are the Mele brothers, the family behind the Pummarola Pizzeria Napoletana chain of boutique restaurants. In addition to the 120-seat outdoor area, inside, decorated in thrift-shop chic, there’s seating for 30 guests. There’s also a vintage Italian car out front that has been converted into a gelato stand. The idea is for diners to enjoy varied fare. To see for yourself go to Emily’s Garden, 327 SW 2nd St., Fort Lauderdale. For more information go to emilysgarden.us or call 954-955-9582.
