Flavors of Kentucky

The Jax is Lexington’s newest downtown restaurant to join Short Street’s entertainment district.
Owner Aimee Lovitz said the name originated from fond childhood memories of playing jacks with her grandmother. “With jacks, anyplace can become your playground,” Lovitz said.
The restaurant, lounge, and late night and events venue will feature “globally inspired, locally infused cuisine, cocktails and culture,” Lovitz said. Her brother, Brad, is general manager and Natalie Blake, a season nine contestant on Fox Hell’s Kitchen, is executive chef. Aimee Lovitz consulted with Wild Thyme owner Allison Davis to create a menu of dishes sourced with fresh, local ingredients.
Jax is at 101 West Short Street, at the corner of North Limestone and Short Street. Hours are 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday. Call (859) 721-2339.

Announcements

■ Fresh asparagus from Greenwood Farm in Versailles is on the menu at Ramsey’s Diners. Locations are 496 East High Street, 4053 Tates Creek Centre, 3090 Helmsdale Drive, and 4391 Harrodsburg Road. Go to Ramseysdiners.com.
■ Gold Star Chili, 350 Foreman Avenue, has reopened and offers an expanded menu that includes gourmet burgers and chicken sandwiches. The store will celebrate its re-opening with Customer Appreciation Day on June 5, offering Gold Star Chili’s signature 3-ways for $3. Call (859) 317-9240. Go to Goldstarchili.com.
■ Construction workers are at Parkette Drive-In but they’re not there for the Poor Boys. The crew is building a cover for the back patio and installing six garage doors around it. “The decor is going to be a retro ‘50s garage,” co-owner Randy Kaplan said. “With the addition, we’ll add more than 90 seats.” The remodeling should be completed by the end of June. Parkette is at 1230 East New Circle Road. Call (859) 254-8723 or go to Theparkette.com.

 Events

■ The seventh annual Kentucky Ale Brew-Off will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company, 401 Cross Street. Home brewers will be brewing their craft on site as part of the Lexington Craft Beer Week celebration.
The winning brew will be scaled up to a single, commercial-sized batch by Alltech’s Lexington Brewing and sold on draft locally. The winner will also have his or her batch entered into the 2013 Pro-Am Competition at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.
■ Chef Chris Eliopoulos is preparing an Ionian menu for Saturday’s monthly Greek dinner at Panagia Pantovasilissa Greek Orthodox Church, 920 Tates Creek Road. The dinner, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., features a choice of chicken in orange glaze, tilapia in spinach, or pork loin. Cost is $12. Call (859) 266-1921 or go to GreekDinner.com.
■ Staxx BBQ, 11 Carson Place in Frankfort, is celebrating its second anniversary with specials on Friday. Guests can buy any sandwich combo and receive a sandwich combo free from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; buy a pound of pork and receive a pound of pork free from 2 to 5 p.m.; and buy two racks of ribs and receive a rack of ribs free from 5 to 9 p.m. Call (502) 352-2515 or go to Staxxbbq.com.

Farmers market report

■ Bluegrass Farmers’ Market will have spring greens, asparagus, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, baked goods, jams, herb seasoning, beer cheese, lamb, goat, veal, beef, pork, eggs, soaps, veggie plants on Saturday. The market is at 3450 Richmond Road, in the parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Go to Bluegrassfarmersmarket.org.
■ The farmers market at Azur Restaurant in Beaumont Centre is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Call (859) 296-1007 or go to Azurrestaurant.com.
■ Lexington Farmers Market vendors will have lettuce, spinach, asparagus, arugula, kale, collards, sweet potatoes, and green garlic. Go to Lexingtonfarmersmarket.com for locations.

Food Network celebrity Giada De Laurentiis’ recent trip to Thailand has inspired Nat Yuttayong to create some special dishes for this weekend at Nat’s Thai Restaurant.
Yuttayong, chef/owner of the restaurant at 111 South Upper Street, read about De Laurentiis’ trip in the May issue of Food Network Magazine.
“She discovered that authentic Thai food is nothing like American Thai food,” Yuttayong said. “The dinners are spicier, the sweets are sweeter. She was inspired by the bold flavors of the country’s signature ingredients: kaffir lime, ginger and Thai chiles.”
He is serving De Laurentiis’ recipes for shrimp and vegetable yellow curry; turkey larb, or lettuce wraps; and spicy mint beef. Call (859) 433-0197. Also, Nat’s patio is now open.

Openings

■ A new frozen yogurt store, Yogli Mogli, is open at 457 Keene Centre Drive in Nicholasville, near Copper River Grill. It offers 16 flavors that are fat-free, low-fat, or no-sugar-added. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Go to Yoglimogli.com.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations

Cinco de Mayo is Sunday. Area restaurants’ events include:
■ Durango’s, 2121 Richmond  Road, will serve special fajitas and margaritas on Sunday. Beef or chicken fajitas for two are $15.95. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call (859) 268-0723.
■ The Grey Goose will party in Mexico style at all locations on Sunday. The menus include Mexican pizza with a chipotle marinara base topped by mozzarella and steak. Locations are 133 East Main Street in Midway, (859) 846-9933; 170 Jefferson Street in Lexington, (859) 233-1500; and 509 Main Street in Paris, (859) 987-4700.
■ Good Foods Market & Café, 455 Southland Drive, will serve a buffet featuring authentic Mexican entrees on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The cost is $7.99 per pound. Call (859) 278-1813 or go to Goodfoods.coop.
■ Old Chicago Pizza, 1924 Pavilion Way, is having a Cinco de Mayo mini tour featuring eight Mexican beers. The special ends Sunday. Call (859) 977-4640 or go to Oldchicago.com.

New menus

■ Gluten-free menus, including sandwiches, are now available at all of Chef Ouita Michel’s restaurants.
“We’ve always accommodated dietary restrictions, including gluten-free requests, at Holly Hill Inn, our fine dining restaurant,” Michel said. “So to help our guests at Windy Corner Market, Wallace Station and our Midway School Bakery who ask about gluten-free options, we evaluated our menus and created special menus that list gluten-free entrees, side dishes and desserts.”
The breads are made at Midway School Bakery, which began the gluten-free menu project. Head pastry chef and manager Carrie Warmbier has created a gluten-free soft bread that’s particularly good in grilled sandwiches. The bakery is at 510 South Winter Street. Call (859) 846-4336 or go to Midwayschoolbakery.com.
Michels restaurants are Holly Hill Inn, 426 North Winter Street, Midway, (859) 846-4732, Hollyhillinn.com; Wallace Station, 3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles, (859) 846-5161, Wallacestation.com; and Windy Corner, 4595 Bryan Station Road, Lexington, (859) 294-9338, Windycornermarket.com.
■ Greentree Tearoom, 521 West Short Street, is featuring the flavors of spring on its May menu. Included are strawberry soup, cream scones, a luncheon hot Brown, cucumber dill and shrimp tea sandwiches, dark chocolate mousse, French wafers, and coconut cupcakes. Call (859) 455-9660 or go to Greentreetearoom.com.
■ Casanova Italian Restaurant, 855 South Broadway, has a new menu for spring. Featured are spaghetti pizzaiola, penne alla Siciliana and baccala (salted cod) napoletana. Call (859) -309-3313 or go to Casanovaky.com.
■ The weekend menu and entertainment at Natasha’s Bistro, 112 Esplanade, has a Cuban theme. The menu includes baked salmon served with hearts of palm. Peruvian singer Carlos Flores will perform. Call (859) 259-2754 or go to Beetnik.com.

Special event

■ Wines on Vine, 400 Old Vine Street, will have a German riesling wine tasting 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Call (859) 243-0017.

Farmers market report

■ Bluegrass Farmers’ Market will have spring greens, asparagus, lettuce, cucumbers, baked goods, jams, herb seasoning, lamb, goat, veal, beef, pork, eggs, soaps, and vegetable plants. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 3450 Richmond Road, in the parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs. Go to Bluegrassfarmersmarket.org.

■ Tommy Walters is back in business with another Furlongs.
Walters, a Louisiana native who is known for his great Cajun specialties, has been in and out, and round and about, the restaurant business since 1990. He began his career in Lexington at Laffite’s Rendezvous; opened The Hidden Cove and The Louisiana Café, and the original Furlongs in 1993 at Fayette Place. It closed in 1995, and reopened at 735 East Main Street a year later. It moved to the former Coach House location at 855 South Broadway, and later returned to East Main Street. The name changed after a dispute between Walters and his business partner in 2008. Walters also was a partner in the Riptide Restaurant on the Kentucky River, and most recently has been catering.
The new Furlongs is at 130 West Tiverton Way, in the former Corky’s BBQ spot. Hours are 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 3 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (859) 523-5500.

Open on Saturday
■ Della’s Diner, 124 North Upper Street, is opening at 7:30 a.m. Saturdays to serve breakfast and lunch to farmers market shoppers. Call (859) 281-1141.
New menus
■ Sabio, 380 South Mill Street, has a new menu for spring. Lunch items include roasted lamb sandwich and fried green tomato salad. For dinner, there’s chicken marsala, fresh ahi tuna, crispy duck breast, and shrimp gnocchi. Call (859) 368-9901 or go to Sabiodudleysquare.com.
■ Bd’s Mongolian Grill, 2309 Sir Barton Way, has joined the National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell program, an initiative designed to help parents make healthful choices for their children when dining out. The Kids LiveWell menu options include teriyaki chicken and a vegetarian item. Other participating restaurants are at Healthydiningfinder.com. Call (859) 264-0686 or go to Gomongo.com.
Events
■ Bluegrass Pride will host an Earth Day event from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday at Good Foods Market & Café and Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Southland Drive. The Good Foods grill out, 4 to 8 p.m., will feature hamburgers, hot dogs, vegan burgers. Call (859) 266-1572 or go to Bgpride.org or Goodfoods.coop.
■ Wines On Vine, 400 Old Vine Street, is having a French rosé tasting from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Call (859) 243-0017.
■ The Greek Orthodox Church, 920 Tates Creek Road, will hold  its monthly dinner from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Chefs Jim Scalos and Chris Eliopoulos will prepare pasta with a choice of garlic-walnut sauce; artichoke, lemon and olive oil; red sauce with mushrooms, and marinara. Cost is $10. Go to Greekdinner.com.
Specials
■ The weekend specials at Grey Goose, 170 Jefferson Street, include pizza (chili con queso-grilled chicken, roasted poblanos, cilantro, red onion, pico de gallo and fried tortilla strips) and red wine braised lamb shanks. Call (859) 233-1500.
Farmers market report
■ Bluegrass Farmers Market will have spring greens, eggs, sweet potatoes, squash, honey, baked goods, jams, herb seasoning, lamb and goat meats, soaps, and bean soup mix. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 3450 Richmond Road, in the parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs. Go to Bluegrassfarmersmarket.org.

If koshari and kebda aren’t familiar foods, you can discover them this weekend at the Egyptian Festival.
Koshari is a traditional Egyptian dish made with cooked lentils, rice and pasta, and served with a spicy tomato sauce. Kebda is a liver sandwich.
The festival menu also features roasted lamb, grilled chicken, falafel and baklava.
Entertainment includes camel rides, a zip-line course, a petting zoo and “Euro bungee.”
The event, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, will be at The Red Mile, 1200 Red Mile Road. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (859) 243-0768 or go to Egyptianfestivallex.com.

Special events

■ Jean Farris Winery & Bistro, 6825 Old Richmond Road, is having a Beast and Barrel lamb roast Saturday. The winery is celebrating the close of the 2012 harvest season by roasting two whole Kentucky lambs over old Jean ­Farris wine barrels on the lawn. The lamb will be offered as the dinner entrée special. Call (859) 263-9463 or go to Jeanfarris.com.
■ Minton’s at 760 is hosting a ­Halloween party Wednesday. Chef/owner Ashley Minton will greet guests as Mrs. Lovett, the character from Sweeney Todd known for her “meat pies” of ­questionable origin, as part a theme based on the Broadway musical. “We will be serving all sorts of pies,” Minton said. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Minton’s is at 760 North Limestone. Call (859) 948-1874 or go to Mintons760.com.
■ Georgia’s Kitchen Café, 900 North Broadway, is having a Halloween party at 7 p.m. Saturday. The cost is $30, and there will be live music and ­dancing. Prizes will be awarded for best ­costumes. Call (859) 252-6837  or go to Georgiaskitchencafe.com.
■ Wine + Market, 486 West Second Street, has two events planned for November. A class on pairing wines and holiday foods will be 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12. Apiary catering will provide appetizers. The cost is $25. A holiday beer tasting will be 5 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14. Five holiday brews will be available for tasting. Cost is $10. Call (859) 255-0577.

Announcements

■ Alfalfa Restaurant, 141 East Main Street, is helping Friends of The ­Kentucky Theatre raise money to ­renovate the downtown Lexington icon. On Wednesdays until Nov. 21, 20 percent of dinner sales will go to the theater. Dinner hours are 5:30 to 9 p.m. Also, Alfalfa now serves French-press coffee that’s locally roasted by Caffe Marco, and mimosas, wine nd beer at Sunday brunch starting at 11 a.m. Brunch hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (859) 253-0014.
■ Two Lexington restaurants, ­Bourbon n’ Toulouse and Sahara ­Mediterranean Cuisine, have been ­included on UrbanSpoon’s list of ­“America’s most popular cheap eats.” According to the user review-based Web site for restaurants, “these are the ones that received the most coverage in the past year, via blogger reviews, food ­critics and diner votes.” Bourbon n’ Toulouse is at 829 Euclid Avenue, (859) 335-0300, and Sahara is at 3061 Fieldstone Way in Beaumont Centre, (859) 224-1138. The Herald-Leader and LexGo.com contribute their restaurant reviews to UrbanSpoon.

Farmers market report

■ Saturday is Bluegrass Farmers Market’s last day for the season. Items include tomatoes, winter squash, peppers, lamb, honey, lettuce, baked goods, soup bean mix, greens, sweet potatoes, eggs, herb seasoning, jams and pumpkins. The market is at 3450 Richmond Road in the parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Go to Localharvest.org/blog/29529.

The late George Ouraniou served Greek specialties at community events.

The late George ­Ouraniou left his mark on Lexington by providing authentic Greek dishes to Central Kentuckians at a time when there were few ethnic restaurants in town. Ouraniou served his Greek specialties at many community events, and now his nephew Ilias Pappas is carrying on tradition by taking over Ouraniou’s mobile food-vendor business, the Athenian Grille.
The food truck will be at these ­locations through Oct. 26: 3454 ­Richmond Road, next to Glenn Auto Mall, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; and West Sixth Brewery, 501 West Sixth Street, 5 to 10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The menu includes spinach pie, moussaka, Greek salad, hummus, baklava and gyros. Call (859) 351-1605  or go to Facebook.com/AthenianGrilllex.

Events

■ Julian Van Winkle III, president of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery in ­Frankfort, will join chef Jonathan Lundy for a special dinner Thursday at ­Jonathan at Gratz Park for the third year in a row. The restaurant, 120 West Second Street, will be closed for normal service, and there are limited ­reservations available for the dinner.
The five-course menu will ­complement whiskeys that will not ­arrive in retail stores until later this year. Included are Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year 107 Proof and Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20 year. Cocktails start at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner seating at 7. The cost is $120. Call (859) 252-4949.
■ The menu for Saturday’s Dinner Night at the Greek Orthodox Church will feature specialties from Romania. Vlad Radulescu, a Lexington physician, will prepare the dinner, and wines will be provided by River Bend Winery. Hours are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The menu includes roasted pork, sauerkraut rolls and Romanian beef sausages. The church is at 920 Tates Creek Road. Go to Greekdinner.com.
■ Lover’s Leap Vineyards & Winery, 1180 Lanes Mill Road, Lawrenceburg, will hold its first fall fling from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. There will be live music from 1 to 3 p.m., and food will be  provided by Talk of the Town in ­Lawrenceburg. Proceeds go to the Anderson Humane Society. Call (502) 839-1299 or go to Loversleapwine.com.
■ The South Limestone Association of Merchants is having a Rally Time block party Friday for the University of ­Kentucky homecoming. Businesses along the street will have special deals. Kennedy Book Store will hand out free UK ­basketball calendars until 6 p.m. and Pazzo’s Pizza Pub will have half-price ­appetizers from 4 to 7 p.m. Tin Roof, Local Taco and Two Keys also are participating.

Announcements

■ Holiday flavors have returned to Graeter’s. The ice cream shop at 836 Euclid Avenue is scooping cinnamon, pumpkin, eggnog and peppermint stick through December.  Call (859) 253-6741 or go to Graeters.com.
■ Ted’s Montana Grill has given its Web site, Tedsmontanagrill.com, a new look that includes several new features, including direct e-gift card purchase. Go to ­Facebook.com/tedsmontanagrill
for a chance to win gift cards for ­complimentary menu items through Dec. 31. Ted’s is at 2304 Sir Barton Way. Call (859) 263-5228.
■ Old Chicago, 1924 Pavilion Way, is having a Halloween mini tour ­featuring eight seasonal beers, ­including ­Woodchuck seasonal cider, Blue Moon harvest pumpkin ale, Widmer ­Brothers Pitch Black IPA and New Castle ­Werewolf. Call (859) 977-4640  or go to Oldchicago.com/lexington.
■ Saul Good Restaurant & Pub and founder Rob Perez have received ­national recognition in the trade ­publication Nation’s Restaurant News. You can read how the sports-bar concept appeals to female consumers at Nrn.com/article/growth-chains-saul-good-restaurant-pub.

Farmers market report

■ Myka Smith-Jackson, a winner of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge sponsored by Epicurious and Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, will be at Lexington Farmers Market on Saturday. She will partner with Alex Jenkins, chef at Good Foods Market and Café, to use fresh market ingredients to prepare her winning recipe for perfect curry chicken wraps. The wraps may be sampled from 9 to 11 a.m. at Fifth Third Bank Pavilion in Cheapside Park. Go to
Lexingtonfarmersmarket.com.
■ Bluegrass Farmers  Market will have tomatoes, winter squash, eggplant, peppers, beer cheese, baked goods, soup bean mix, greens, sweet potatoes, eggs, herb seasoning, jams and pumpkins. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at 3450 Richmond Road, in the parking lot  of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs. Go to
Localharvest.org/blog/29529.

Minton’s 760, now open at 760 North Limestone, features a menu that owner Ashley Minton calls “Southern with a twist.” Minton, who also owns Nova Gourmets Personal Chef & Events, said Minton’s will serve many recipes that are “my family’s favorites that I have adapted/changed up,” she said.
Breakfast and lunch are served from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and dinner is served from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
“For dinner we will be doing seasonal dishes. They will change every week and be based on what is in season and what we can get from our farmers. We are using as many local products and foods as we possibly can, and will be making many items from scratch, such as sausage and apple butter,” she said.
Breakfast includes French toast, morning hot Brown, potato omelet, and biscuits and gravy. For lunch, there’s tomato pie, Carolina pulled pork, chicken pot pie, fried green tomatoes with ham salad, and chicken and dumplings. Call (859) 948-1874.

Events

■ Kentucky Mudworks and Bourbon n’ Toulouse’s annual Empty Bowls event on Saturday will benefit Moveable Feast Lexington.  Starting at 11 a.m., customers can donate $15 and choose a handmade bowl and receive a free bowl of Cajun food.
The ceramic bowls were made by local artists at Mudworks. Moveable Feast delivers hot, freshly cooked meals to people living with AIDS/HIV-related illnesses as well as individuals who are patients of Hospice of the Bluegrass. Bourbon n’ Toulouse is at 829 Euclid Avenue. Call (859) 335-0300.
■ The Bourbon Review magazine’s second annual Bourbon Under the Stars will celebrate Bourbon National Heritage Month. The party will be from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Fasig-Tipton, 2400 Newtown Pike. Tickets are $135 at the door. Call (502) 333-0086.
There will be a buffet of bourbons and special guests will be Bill Samuels Jr. of Maker’s Mark, and master distiller Jim Rutledge of Four Roses. Jonathan Lundy, chef/owner of Jonathan at Gratz Park, and Jeremy Ashby, chef at Azur, will prepare special dishes.
■ Alfalfa Restaurant, 141 East Main Street, is honoring author Ruth Reichl with special dinners on Friday and Saturday. Reichl is the keynote speaker at the University of Kentucky Women’s Writers Conference this weekend. Alfalfa will feature recipes from Reichl’s memoir Comfort Me with Apples. Chef Evan Gray will prepare Channing Way shrimp curry, made with fresh local vegetables simmered in a creamy coconut lime curry sauce, and served over brown rice with fresh fruit chutney on side. Hours are 5:30 to 9 p.m. Call (859) 253-0014 or go to Alfalfarestaurant.com.
■ Thai Orchid Cafe will host a celebration of local food and sustainable culture on Saturday. Harvest Fest will benefit Seedleaf, a non-profit organization that aims to increase the availability of fresh, wholesome food to people at risk of hunger in Central Kentucky. There will be live music, and food and beverage tastings from Thai Orchid, Good Foods Market & Café, The Wholesome Chef, West Sixth Brewing, and Elmwood Stock Farm. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. at Thai Orchid, 1030 South Broadway. Tickets are $40. Call (859) 288-2170.
■ Marikka’s Oktoberfest begins Friday and runs through Oct. 13. German Music Trio will play on Friday and Saturday nights. The menu features smoked pork knuckle cooked in sauerkraut and served with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes; Munich reuben, made with rye bread, bajuval cheese, sauerkraut, and bratwursts; and seasoned ground beef, mustard, and pickle wrapped in a thin strip of steak then covered with brown gravy. Call (859) 275-1925 or go to Marikkas.com. Marikkas is at 411 Southland Drive.
■ Horseshoe Bend Winery is holding its second Dinner in the Vineyard from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday. Dustin Staggers, chef at 60 West Bistro in St. Matthews in Louisville, will prepare the menu. The five-course meal with wine pairings is $75. The winery is at 1187 Lawson Lane in Willisburg. Call (859) 375-0296.
■ During September, The Ketch Seafood Grill will feature a Maine lobster clambake, including a 1 ¼-pound freshly steamed lobster, steamed clams, corn on the cob, red skin potatoes, and drawn butter. Call (859) 277-5919 or go to Ketchseafoodgrill.com. The Ketch is at 2012 Regency Road.
■ Grimes Mill Winery, 6707 Grimes Mill Road, is celebrating its first anniversary from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday. There will be live music from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring harmonica and guitar blues. Call (859) 543-9691or go to Grimesmillwinery.com.
■ Chuck’s famous BBQ and old-fashioned cheese grits are on the menu Saturday at Smith-Berry Winery’s dinner/concert. Nervous Melvin and the Mistakes will entertain from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The winery is at 855 Drennon Road in New Castle. Call 1-888-845-7091 or (502) 845-7091 or go to Smithberrywinery.com.

Farmers market report

■ Saturday is the last day for the Bluegrass Farmers Market Willow Oak location, 730 Millpond Road, in the parking lot for the Willow Oak Pool. The main location at 3450 Richmond Road, in the Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs parking lot, will be open for a few more weeks from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday. Farmers have tomatoes, squash, eggplant, peppers, raspberries, watermelons, bok choy, eggs, herb seasoning, and pumpkins. Go to Localharvest.org/blog/29529.

Lexington has plenty of places to grab lunch, but when it comes to breakfast, there aren’t as many choices. First Watch, a breakfast, brunch, and lunch café, now is open at 3071 Richmond Road, in the Kroger shopping plaza.
The menu offers pancakes, omelets, salads, and sandwiches, and specialties include Chickichanga healthy turkey omelet, and fresh fruit crepes. The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Call (859) 899-3447 or go to Firstwatch.com.

Events

■ The annual Moon Festival Celebration will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the Moondance Amphitheater in the Beaumont Centre Circle. The event, sponsored by the Kentucky Chinese American Association and the Beaumont Centre Family YMCA, will feature live entertainment and a “Best fresh moon cakes” contest. At 2 p.m., there will be children’s activities at the Beaumont YMCA, including lantern making. Go to KYCAA.org for a schedule.
■ Ted’s Montana Grill, 2304 Sir Barton Way, is continuing its 10th anniversary celebration and raising funds to support Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. Guests who donate $5 or more while dining Sunday through Sept. 22, will receive a certificate good for $5 off a future purchase of $20 or more. Call (859) 263-5228 or go to Tedsmontanagrill.com.

■ Jonathan at Gratz Park, 120 West Second Street, is having a Grgich Hills wine dinner on Wednesday. The five-course dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $75. Call (859) 252-4949. Seating is limited for this event.
■ Stella’s Kentucky Deli, 143 Jefferson Street, continues its Dining for a Cause events on Thursdays. Each week a different non-profit organization receives the proceeds. Here’s the line-up: Broke Spoke, Thursday; Maxwell Legal Clinic, Sept. 27; Community Farm Alliance, Oct. 4; and Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Oct. 11. Call (859) 255-3354 or go to Stellaskentuckydeli.com.
■ Wilson Farms will harvest shrimp at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sept. 22. Ponds are in Lancaster on Ky. 1150. Look for signs. The cost is $8 a pound. Bring ice and a cooler to transport the fresh shrimp. Call (859) 339-1802 or (859) 792-1443.
■ Midway School Bakery, 510 South Winter Street in Midway, is preparing a traditional honey cake in honor of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Honey cakes are made with local honey from Midway, Weisenberger Mill flours, and spiced with cinnamon and applesauce. Cakes will be available Saturday through Sept. 25, the beginning of Yom Kippur. Cost is $8.95. Call (859) 846-4336.
The bakery will have caramel apple funnel cakes, and apple cider glazed cake donuts during Midway’s Fall Festival on Saturday and Sunday.

New menus

■ Leonardo Capezzuto, owner of Casanova Italian Restaurant, 855 South Broadway, has returned from a summer trip to Italy with new recipes for his menu. Included are manicotti Bolognese, penne with ricotta pesto, and lamb osso buco in ragu’ sauce. Call (859) 309-3313.
■ Nick Ryan’s Saloon, 157 Jefferson Street, has added new items to its Saturday brunch menu. Included are lemon ricotta pancakes and breakfast bread pudding. Call (859) 233-7900 or go to Nickryans.com.
■ Detroit Coney Island, 1301 Winchester Road, in Eastland Shopping Center, has added three Greek sandwiches to its menu. The restaurant has changed its hours and now is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (859) 280-9138.

Farmers market report

■ Bluegrass Farmers’ Market will have green beans, tomatoes, squash, eggplant, peppers, raspberries, watermelons, bok choy, nappa cabbage, kale, and pumpkins.
Locations and hours are: 3450 Richmond Road, in the Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs parking lot, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday; and 730 Millpond Road, in the parking lot of the Willow Oak Pool, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Go to Localharvest.org/blog/29529.

Smith-Berry Vineyard and Winery in New Castle will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Saturday. The “Winearitaville” dinner/concert will have a Key West theme, and Lunar Beach House will entertain with Jimmy Buffet tunes. The menu features Smith-Berry farm-raised beef burgers, and vendors will offer samples of their Kentucky-made specialties. Producers include Rattlesnack Hill Farm, Flying Leap Farm, Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese, Mr. G’s Kettle Corn, and Primo Oils & Vinegars. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Cost is $22.95 in advance, or $27.95 at the door.  Call (888) 845-7091 or (502) 845-7091 or go to Smithberrywinery.com.

Events

■ Bourbon n’ Toulouse will serve its famous shrimp boil during the Chevy Chase block party on Saturday. The dish features shrimp, corn, Cajun sausage, and potatoes. Also on the menu are atomic fire hotdogs made from the restaurant’s spicy boil recipe. West Sixth Brewing will have a beer trailer in front of the restaurant at 829 Euclid Avenue. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Call (859) 335-0300 or go to Bntlex.com.
■ On Friday, Horseshoe Bend Vineyards is having a Burgers and Banjos party. Sue Massek from Reel World String Band will entertain. Cost is $10 and the menu features burgers and dessert. Hours are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The winery is at 1187 Lawson Lane in Willisburg. Call (859) 375-0296 or go to Horseshoebend-ky.com.
■ Caramanda’s Bake Shoppe is asking customers to choose six new cupcakes to go on its fall/winter menu. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, you can stop by Caramanda’s two locations at 332 Southland Drive and 3805 Dylan Place, to taste three different cupcakes each day. The six cupcakes with the most votes will be added to the menu.

 Specials

■ Nick Ryan’s Saloon, 157 Jefferson Street, has $15 specials every Monday night. Each entree comes with soup or salad, and a small carafe of a boutique wine that changes weekly. The restaurant has added a new dish to its menu: a spicy Asian-style chicken crafted by one of the chefs. Call (859) 233-7900 or go to Nickryans.com.
■ Rossi’s Restaurant is featuring $15 dinner specials for the remainder of August. Rossi’s is at 1060 Chinoe Road. Call (859) 335-8788 or go to Rossis-restaurant.com for menu selections.

Farmers market report

■ John and Becky Moore of Midway have harvested their Colorado peach orchard and will be offering the fruit for sale on Saturday. The peach sale will be in front of their home, 113 North Winter Street, beginning at 8 a.m. until the crates are all sold.
■ Some of the merchants near the Southland Drive location of the Lexington Farmers Market are normally closed on Sundays. But they are opening from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and having a sidewalk sale as a thank you and to recognize the market vendors, said Mark Marcum of Hallmark Trophies.
Participating merchants are The Soup Kitchen, Ladybug Landing, Geno’s Formal Affair, Gem Source, Aerus Electroux, and Hallmark. The Soup Kitchen will have samples of Mexican corn bread, which won awards at the Taste of the Bluegrass.
■ The Willow Oak location of the Bluegrass Farmers Market will no longer be open on Thursday, but will continue on Saturdays throughout the growing season. Farmers at both locations will have green beans, tomatoes, squash, eggplant, eggs, herb seasoning, rabbit, and beef. Locations and hours are: 3450 Richmond Road, in the Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs parking lot, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday; and 730 Millpond Road, in the parking lot of the Willow Oak Pool, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Go to Localharvest.org/blog/29529.

Heirloom Restaurant ­owner Henry Wombles and chef/owner Mark Wombles are ­honoring Pine ­Mountain Settlement School on ­Thursday at their Midway eatery.
The second annual fund-raising ­dinner for the 99-year-old ­Harlan ­County school, which offers ­environmental education and ­educational support for local students, will have two seatings, at 5 and 7:30 p.m. The cost is $50; wine and cocktails are not included in the price. Call the restaurant at (859) 846-5565 to make ­reservations
or go to ­Heirloommidway.com or
Pinemountainsettlementschool.com for more information. Heirloom is at 125 Main Street.

Announcement

■ Purple Toad Winery of Paducah won two Concordance gold ­medals at the 2012 Kentucky State Fair ­commercial wine competition Aug. 11. Judges awarded 101 medals to Kentucky wineries in the competition.
Wight-Meyer Vineyard & Winery of Shepherdsville received a Concordance gold medal for its Moore’s Diamond wine. Forest Edge Winery of ­Shepherdsville, MillaNova Winery of Mount Washington and Talon Winery of Lexington each earned gold medals.
Wight-Meyer claimed 15 medals, the most in the 2012 competition. ­MillaNova received 14, Forest Edge and Purple Toad each took home 12, and Brooks Hill Winery of Brooks was awarded 11. For a full list of winners, go to Kentuckywine.com.

Special events

■ Winchell’s, 348 Southland Drive, will have a lobster boil from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Whole Maine lobsters will be served with corn on the cob and new potatoes. New England clam chowder and fruit cobbler also are on the menu. Call (859) 278-9424.
■ McConnell Springs is having an ice cream social Saturday. Activities for children include a scavenger hunt and fossil dig. Hours are 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the park, 416 Rebmann Lane, off Old Frankfort Pike. Call (859) 225-4073.
■ Thai Orchid Café, 1030 South Broadway, will present Noodle Fest at West Sixth Brewing Co., 501 West Sixth Street, at 6 p.m. Saturday. Thai fare will be paired with local craft beers. Noodle bowls include basil beef, coconut noodle, and tofu and veggies. Call (859) 288-2170 or go to Thaiorchidcafe.net.
■ Woodford Reserve Distillery ­celebrates its 200th anniversary this month with a dinner and specialty tours.
Guests will get behind-the-scenes access to the birthplace of bourbon, including many historical relics on the property. The 200-year-old Pepper House, an original spring house, will be open. Tours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 27 to 30.
A bourbon feast, 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 25, will be prepared by chef-in-residence Ouita Michel and her culinary team. Included are carved rack of lamb, ­Woodford Reserve smoked prime rib, Stonecross pork roast with bourbon ­barbecue sauce, bourbon-marinated quail stuffed with fresh figs, corn ­pudding, heirloom tomato salad with fresh basil, pickled okra and cucumber, green beans with bacon, corn pones and butter ­biscuits with tomato jam. The cost is $150. The distillery is at 7855 ­McCracken Pike in Versailles. Call (859) 879-1812 or go to Woodfordreserve.com.

Farmers market report

■ Hughes Farm is the newest ­member of Bluegrass Farmers Market. The farm, which raises rabbits and beef cattle, also sells baked goods at the market. Saturday is Customer ­Appreciation Day, and a limited number of  Bluegrass/Wildcat blue market totes will be given away. Locations and hours are: 3450 ­Richmond Road, in the Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs parking lot, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday; and 730 Millpond Road, in the parking lot of the Willow Oak Pool, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Go to Localharvest.org/blog/29529.
■ Lexington Farmers Market’s ­annual Taste of the Farm dinner will be Aug. 25 in Cheapside Park. Go to ­Lexingtonfarmersmarket.com. Fresh at the markets are blackberries, grapes, sweet corn, summer squash, heirloom tomatoes, onions, garlic, potatoes, ­assorted cheeses, wine, honey, prepared foods and cut flowers.

■ The chefs at Greentree Tearoom have planned their August menu around what’s available at farmers markets. Here’s the menu: chilled cantaloupe soup, asiago scone with herbed cream cheese and green tomato chutney, baked pear with blue cheese, ­poppyseed egg salad and French ­radish tea sandwiches, ginger chocolate truffles, strawberry cupcakes and Key lime ­custards. ­Greentree is at 521 West Short Street. Call (859) 455-9660 or go to ­Greentreetearoom.com.
■ Ramsey’s Diners’ owner Rob Ramsey says that despite the ­national drought, “our local corn from ­Shelbyville is as good of quality as we have had in years. Tomatoes are ­excellent as well.” Ramsey’s serves fresh produce specials throughout the season. Go to Ramseysdiners.com for restaurant locations.
■ Rossi’s Restaurant, 1060 Chinoe Road, has added items to its ­dinner menu: Dijon-crusted lamb chops, ­chicken minis, and po’boys. You can enjoy the new items on Rossi’s patio, which has plenty of shade. Call (859) 335-8788 or go to Rossis-restaurant.com.
■ City Barbeque, 3292 Richmond Road, is celebrating all things pork Aug. 6 to 12 with discounted menu items. Specials include a half-pound pulled pork sandwich, $4.99; pulled pork lunch sandwich, $3.50; 1 pound of pork, $9.99; and a bone-in whole pork ­shoulder, $7.99 a pound. Call (859) 317-4430 or go to Citybbq.com.
■ Red Robin Gourmet Burgers has added one of the world’s hottest ­peppers to its menu. The ghost pepper, or Bhut Jolokia, is 300 times as hot as the ­jalapeño and will be served on two burgers. The fiery ghost is a burger topped with ghost pepper sauce, fried jalapeños, and pepper Jack cheese; and the cry baby is topped with onion straws tossed in Sriracha dry seasoning, with more onions sautéed in ­Cholula hot sauce, pepper jack cheese and ghost pepper ketchup. Red Robin is in Brannon Crossing at 101 East Brannon Road, Nicholasville. Call (859) 971-1991 or go to Redrobin.com.
Farmers market reports
■ Azur Restaurant’s farmers bazaar is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays on the patio. The market features local farmers and artisans. Azur is at 3070 Lakecrest Circle. Call (859) 296-1007 or go to Azurrestaurant.com.
■ Bluegrass Farmers Market has corn, melons, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers. Locations and hours are: 3450 ­Richmond Road, in the Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs parking lot, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday; and 730 Millpond Road, in the parking lot of the Willow Oak Pool, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Go to Localharvest.org/blog/29529.
■ Woodford County Farmers ­Market will have its 12th annual Twilight Festival from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday in downtown Versailles.