Flavors of Kentucky

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.

There’s no reason to whine about winter when you can enjoy the cold weather sipping wine in Winchester on Feb. 7.
At the annual Wine About Winter event, downtown ­merchants will serve appetizers and wines from local vineyards — Lover’s Leap, CCC Trail, Harkness ­Edwards, Rose Hill Farm, Generation Hill, ­Wildside, McIntyre’s, Acres of Land and First Vineyard.
Merchants along Main and Court streets are ­participating. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m.

Special events

■ Super Bowl fans can watch the game at Rossi’s Restaurant on Sunday and enjoy food and drink specials. The restaurant, at 1060 Chinoe Road, has three big-screen TVs in the bar, and there will be seating in the main dining room. Call (859) 335-8788 or go to
Rossis-restaurant.com.
■ Winchell’s, 348 Southland Drive, will serve San Francisco- and Baltimore-themed food specials Sunday for Super Bowl fans. Included are cioppino, crab cakes and soft-shell crab po’ boys. Call (859) 278-9424.
■ If you have dinner or drinks at Sabio at Dudley Square before University of Kentucky basketball games, you can park free and walk to Rupp Arena.
Sabio’s Detention Bar has some new things happening. On Sunday, it’s ­service industry night; Monday, ­bourbon night and all-you-can-eat chicken “lollipops”; Tuesday, half-price bottles of selected wines; Wednesday, half-price house martinis; and Thursday, $4 margaritas.
Sabio is at 380 South Mill Street. Call (859) 368-9901 or go to Sabiodudleysquare.com.

New menus

■ Addie’s at The Woodford Inn, 140 Park Street in Versailles, has a new mid-winter menu that includes pork chops with Dijon garlic sauce, barbecue bourbon burgers, shrimp and grits, and bourbon maple salmon. Call (859) 873-5600 or go to Thewoodfordinn.com.
■ The February menu for Greentree Tearoom reflects a Valentine’s Day theme. It includes mushroom soup with sherry, a white chocolate scone with cherry curd, French radish tea sandwiches, and ­Amaretto bread pudding. Greentree is at 521 West Short Street. Call (859) 455-9660 or go to Greentreetearoom.com.

Valentine’s Day dinners

■ The Dish, 438 South Ashland Avenue, will serve a four-course prix fixe menu for $50 on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. A wine flight paired with each course is an additional $24. On Feb. 15 and 16, a three-course dinner is $42, with an optional wine flight for $21. Call (859) 317-8438 or go to Thedishlex.com.
■ Georgia’s Kitchen, 900 North Broadway, serves only lunch during the winter but will open for dinner on Valentine’s Day. The menu, prepared by Chef Patrick Wilhoit, will be served 4 to 9 p.m. and will include duck a l’orange balsamico, pan-seared seabass and osso buco. Call (859) 252-6837 or go to Georgiaskitchen.com.
■ Jean Farris Winery & Bistro, 6825 Old Richmond Road, is accepting ­reservations for Valentine’s Day; tables are assigned when reservations are made. A prix fixe menu will be served Feb. 14 to 17. Jean Farris has a new winter menu that includes braised lamb, truffle-crusted cod, lobster, quail and oysters. Call (859) 263-9463 or go to Jeanfarris.com.
■ Woodford Reserve Distillery is ­offering a lantern tour with its Valentine’s dinner 5:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14 and 15. The cost is $50. Entree choices are pan-seared sea scallops, pork mole poblano, and Stonecross pork belly braised in mole sauce. The distillery is at 7855 McCracken Pike in Versailles. Call (859) 879-1953 or go to Woodfordreserve.com.

Nat Yuttayong has opened a new Thai restaurant downtown at 111 South Upper Street, next to McCarthy’s Irish Bar. Nat’s menu is small but has “authentic true taste of Thai.”
Yuttayong, who recently returned from a trip to Thailand, said, “I have rediscovered the true authentic Thai food again. After many years in the U.S., we all had forgot the real taste of Thai food.”
Yuttayong grew up working with his aunt at Siam Thai restaurant. In 1989, the family opened Bangkok House, and after it was sold, opened Taste of Thai. He most recently worked with his cousin at Mai Thai Restaurant on Tiverton Way.
Yuttayong said the menu will feature “the fresh pad Thai noodle just like back home.” Other menu items include spicy beef and pork salad,  shrimp herb and spice, and fried chicken wings with herb. Curry specials are served on Tuesday and Thursday. Hours are noon to midnight Monday through Thursday, and noon to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (859) 433-0197.

Special events

■ Holly Hill Inn, 426 North Winter Street in Midway, is taking diners on a trip around the world at its Winter Dinner Club series. The dinner menus are inspired by Jules Verne’s novel, Around the World in 80 Days.
On Friday and Saturday, the culinary tour begins with a contemporary British menu, then for the next few weekends, the menu will reflect stops along adventurer Phileas Fogg’s travels. Specially paired wine flight and cocktail specials will be featured throughout the dinner series. Cost is $40. Call (859) 846-4732 or go to Hollyhillinn.com for other dates and menus.
Beginning Friday, Holly Hill’s winter hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
■ Midway Christian Church is celebrating the annual Feast of the Epiphany at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Piper Dining Hall on the Midway College campus. A medieval menu will be prepared by Ouita Michel and her staff at the Holly Hill Inn.
The feast will begin with the traditional parade of the boar’s head, led by bagpiper Malcolm McGregor. The buffet will feature the roast hog stuffed with sausages; saffron rice pilaf; carrot pudding with currants and dates; sweet-and-sour cabbage and lentils; salad of lettuces, fennel, mint, parsley, flowers and egg; king cake; and poached pears. Entertainment will be provided by Muzik, a medieval music group that plays authentic replicas of ancient instruments.
Cost is $30, $15 for ages 11 to 18, and children age 10 and under are admitted free. Call Midway Christian Church at (859) 846-4102 or go to Midwaychristian.org. Midway College is at 512 East Stephens Street in Midway.
■ Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill doesn’t let its activities falter during cold weather. The cozy Winter Kitchen is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner from 5 to 8:30 p.m. through Feb. 10. The winter kitchen is in the West Family Dwelling cellar and offers fireside dining.
Shaker Village is at 3501 Lexington Road, Harrodsburg. Call 1-800- 734-5611, Ext. 360, or go to Shakervillageky.org.

Etc.

■  Doodles Breakfast and Lunch, 262 North Limestone, will reopen on Saturday after its Christmas break. Weekend brunch hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (859) 317-8507 or go to Doodlesrestaurant.com.
■ Greentree Tearoom, 521 West Short Street, has planned a cozy tea menu for January. Included are corn chowder; orange scone with orange curd; quiche Lorraine; olive nut in celery sticks; chicken salad and carrot round tea sandwiches; dark hot chocolate; and Italian cream cupcakes. Luncheon tea is served at noon Wednesday through Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Saturday. Call (859) 455-9660 or go to Greentreetearoom.com.

When Sean Jackson of Richmond found out that the space where Opal’s Restaurant had been was for sale, he knew it would be an ideal spot for his own restaurant. After working for Outback Restaurant for 13 years, he has opened Jackson’s Restaurant at 203 South Third Street in Richmond.
He says he wanted to serve a homestyle menu, and the restaurant has a food bar of homey favorites that change daily. Offerings include country-fried steak, meatloaf, pork chops, catfish, fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, salmon patties, green beans, mashed potatoes, mixed greens, broccoli casserole, and macaroni and cheese. The cost for meat and three sides is $5.99.
The breakfast specialty, served all day, is the country breakfast, which includes eggs, pancakes, meat, potatoes, biscuit, gravy and apples, for $7.99. Burgers, sandwiches and salads also are on the menu. Desserts include chocolate, butterscotch and coconut cream pies, and homemade cakes.
Jackson’s is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call (859) 623-2090.

Panda Express drive-through
■ Chinese restaurants are noted for their fast, hot food, but what’s even quicker is one with a drive-through lane. Panda Express, 2433 Nicholasville Road, at Dennis Drive, offers indoor dining as well as drive-through with a full menu. Specialties include kung pao chicken, string bean chicken breast, Beijing beef, Shanghai Angus steak, honey walnut shrimp, and eggplant tofu. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. Call (859) 389-6761 or go to Pandaexpress.com.

Special events

■ Moveable Feast Lexington is having its annual “Cause for Pie” fund-raiser through Nov. 12. If you buy an apple, blueberry, cherry or pumpkin pie for the holidays ($20 frozen, $25 freshly baked), the proceeds will be used to deliver nutritious, home-cooked meals to critically ill people in Lexington. Pies can be picked up at the Moveable Feast office, 474 Silver Maple Way, on Nov. 20 and 21. Call (859) 252-2867.
■ Blue Grass Community Foundation and Smiley Pete Publishing are presenting the GoodGiving Guide Challenge, an online giving campaign to benefit 68 local non-profit groups. In conjunction with the program, West Sixth Brewing has created a special beer. “Pay it Forward Porter” will be offered during November at the brewery, 501 West Sixth Street. Call (859) 951-6006  or go to Goodgivingguide.net.

Announcements

■ Brontë Express coffee kiosk now is open at Joseph-Beth Booksellers at The Mall at Lexington Green. It offers freshly baked pastries, grab-and-go food and drink, and coffee and espresso drinks. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (859) 271-5330 or go to Josephbeth.com.
■ Winners of the first International Chef Showcase are Jeremy Ashby, co-owner and executive chef of Azur Restaurant and Patio in Lexington, and his international chef partner for the competition, Petr Elias, executive chef of Hotel Villa in the Czech Republic.
Eight chefs representing Ireland, Italy, Argentina, Spain, France, Peru, Brazil and the Czech Republic were paired with eight chefs from the Bluegrass for the challenge at eight local restaurants.
■ Georgia’s Kitchen, 900 North Broadway, opened in February and has already expanded its dining room to add an additional 40 seats. Stop by for a look on Friday and be entertained by The Swells starting at 7 p.m. Call (859) 252-6837 or go to Georgiaskitchencafe.com.
■ Greentree Tearoom, 521 West Short Street, is serving a hearty menu for November. Included are: lobster bisque, sweet potato scone, chicken croquettes with basil mashed potatoes, citrus spice panna cotta, and brown sugar cupcakes with caramel frosting. Luncheon tea is served at noon Wednesday through Saturday. Call (859) 455-9660 or go to Greentreetearoom.com.

New menus

■ Stone crabs from Florida have arrived at Lexington Seafood Co., 867 East High Street. “I have a great contact in Florida, and the stone crabs so far have been the best in a couple of years,” owner Mike Yessin said. Call (859) 266-8888 or go to Lexseafood.com.
■ Ted’s Montana Grill, 2304 Sir Barton Way, has a new seasonal dessert: apple berry crisp. Featuring Granny Smith apples and a blend of strawberries, red raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, the dessert is baked in a caramel sauce, topped with a crispy oatmeal pecan crust, and served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Call (859) 263-5228 or go to Tedsmontanagrill.com.

Farmers market report

■ Lexington Farmers Market will be open three days a week through November: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at South Broadway and Maxwell Street; and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at Fifth Third Bank Pavilion in Cheapside Park. Seasonal items include broccoli, cauliflower, rhubarb, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, radishes, winter squash, pie pumpkins, kale, honey, cheese, tomato sauces, beef, chicken, lamb and turkeys. Go to Lexingtonfarmersmarket.com.

■ 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.

Greg Spaulding, manager of Puccini’s Smiling Teeth, and his U.S. teammates scored high marks at the 2012 World Championship of Pizza held in Salsomaggiore, Italy in April.
The U.S. Pizza Team was made up of expert pizza chefs and dough-spinning acrobatic performers from pizza restaurants across the United States. Team member Spaulding won the Best in the U.S. award in the classic pizza category. His colleague Tom Carfrae, owner of Tomaso’s Pizza in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, earned Best in the U.S. in the pan category, while Mike Amheiser, owner of Pizza Dock in Fredericktown, Ohio, took home the Best in the U.S. prize for his gluten-free pie. Go to Pizzatv.com or Worldpizzachampionship.com. The U.S. team was sponsored by PMQ Pizza Magazine. This week, Spaulding is competing in the Global Pizza Challenge in Sydney, Australia. Puccini’s locations are Chevy Chase Place, (859) 269-0404;Beaumont Centre, (859) 219-0101,and 3801 Dylan Place, (859) 223-1588.
Special events
■ Town Branch Market, 233 East Main Street, at the corner of Esplanade, is celebrating its first anniversary on Friday and Saturday. There will be breakfast and lunch specials, and samples of new items, including biscuits and gravy, jumbo cinnamon rolls, and fresh baked personal pizzas. Call (859) 280-2122.
■ Natasha’s Bistro & Bar, 112 Esplanade, is serving farmers market brunch on Sundays. Natasha’s Sunday chef will be shopping at farmers market to buy ingredients for the menu which is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Items include quiche, fruit plate, biscuits and sorghum, and scrambled eggs. Call (859) 259-2754 or go to Beetnik.com.
■ Jean Farris Winery, 6825 Old Richmond Road, is serving dinner, wine, and a movie in the vines this summer. On Friday, guests can watch The Help on the outdoor movie screen overlooking the estate vineyard. When making reservations for the outdoor movie event you must request a movie table. Call (859) 263-9463 or go to Jeanfarris.com.
■ June’s Greek Dinner Night at Panagia Pantovasilissa Greek Orthodox Church will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 16. The church, at 920Tates Creek Road, will have outside dining areas available, weather permitting. The featured vineyard is Chrisman Mill and the menu includes chicken in orange glaze, pork loin, and tilapia with spinach. Go to Greekdinner.com.
■ The patio is open at Addie’s at The Woodford Inn, 104 Park Street, Versailles, where you can enjoy live music. A fish fry will be held Friday, and the dinner special on Saturday is surf & turf. Call (859) 873-5600 or go to Addiesky.com.
■ Winchell’s, 348 Southland Drive, will hold its annual lobster boil from 4 to 9:30 p.m. June 13. Whole Maine lobsters will be served with corn on the cob and new potatoes, along with New England clam chowder, and fresh fruit cobbler. Call (859) 278-9424.

Tea menu for June
■ The June menu at Greentree Tearoom will help beat the summer heat. Included are chilled cucumber-avocado soup, tropical chicken salad, tomato aspic, and orange panacotta. Greentree is at 521 West Short Street. Call (859) 455-9660 or go to Greentreetearoom.com.

Farmers market report
■ The Bluegrass Farmers’ Market will celebrate the grand opening of the 2012 market season on Saturday and giving away Wildcat Blue market totes to the first 500 customers. 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.
■ The farmers bazaar at Azur Restaurant, 3070 Lakecrest Circle, is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays on the patio. The market features local farmers and artisans. Azur serves brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Call (859) 296-1007 or go to Azurrestaurant.com.
■ Winchester/Clark County Farmers Market  is open 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and 3 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 217 South Main Street.
■ Woodford County Farmers’ Market will have beef, eggs, honey, pork and fruit. It’s open 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays in downtown Versailles.
■ Lexington Farmers Market locations are Cheapside Park, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; Southland Drive, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday; Maxwell Street and South Broadway, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and the parking lot of the University of Kentucky’s Commonwealth Stadium, next to University Drive, 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Go to Lexingtonfarmersmarket.com.

Kentucky Crafted: The Market returns to the Lexington Convention Center this weekend and is open to the public Saturday and Sunday. In addition to fine art and crafts, the show features locally produced artisan foods. Kentucky Proud producers include Kentucky Specialty Sauces, Screamin Mimi’s Salsas,  Hillbilly Specialties, Shell-Bee’s Homemade Gourmet Sea Salts & Spices, The Sweet Shoppe, Mom Blakeman’s Candy, Ruth Hunt Candy, Elmwood Teas and Boone Creek Creamery. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. One-day tickets are $10, two-day, $15. Discount tickets are available online at 1.usa.gov/sn2Qou.

Events

■ Addie’s Restaurant & Bar at The Woodford Inn, 140 Park Street in Versailles, will have a fish fry at 5 p.m. Friday. The menu includes lobster bites, jumbo shrimp, fish fillet, clams, coleslaw, and hush puppies. The cost is $13 for choice of two, $15 for a platter. Call (859) 873-5600 or visit Thewoodfordinn.com.

■ Alfalfa Restaurant will have its second annual Casimir Pulaski dinner 5:30 to 9 p.m. March 9. Pulaski, after whom Pulaski County is named, was a Polish army officer who fought and died in the Revolutionary War. Alfalfa chef Paul Nowaki will prepare specials including Marksbury Farm Kentucky-made kielbasa, sauerkraut and house-made potato cheddar pierogies, stuffed cabbage and chicken Kiev. Polish beer will be served. Alfalfa is at 141 East Main Street. Call (859) 253-0014.

■ The Bleu Plate Confidential’s next tour will be March 10. The location, chef, food and all aspects of the dinner are kept a secret until two days before the event. The location is an unconventional spot and is never a restaurant or typical dining spot. “A local chef preparing a four-course meal in a location without a kitchen is quite a feat in itself,” said Bleu Plate Tours owner Laura Mize. “I strive to locate interesting places, and guests not knowing where they are going is a large part of the fun.”

Guests are sent an address, along with passwords that each guest is required to reveal for entry. Tickets are $85. Call (859) 893-1011 or visit Bleuplatetours.com.

■ WineStyles, 2535 Nicholasville Road, will host Pere Gomes from the Agricola Falset Marca winery in the Catalonia area of Spain on Friday. Gomes will have selections from the Priorat region of Spain and will discuss the wines from 5 to 8 p.m. The cost is $8. Call (859) 278-9463.

Specials

■ Weekend specials at The Julep Cup include osso bucco with fresh gremolata and risotto Milanese, and sole Milanese served with potato croquettes and roasted asparagus and bell peppers. John Hedger entertains on Friday and Bruce Lewis on Saturday. Call (859) 226-0300.

■ Rossi’s Restaurant, 1060 Chinoe Road, has nightly dinner specials and happy hour at the bar 5 to 7 p.m., and all day on Sunday. A glass of chardonnay or cabernet for $3, or any well liquor for $2.50. The Tuesday special is half-price bottles of wine. Call (859) 335-8788 or visit Rossis-restaurant.com.

New menus

■ Heirloom Restaurant in Midway has a spring menu that includes coconut yogurt mousse, eggs Heirloom, mache salad, sautéed chicken livers, crabcakes, beef tenderloin, pan-seared Chilean sea bass and duck. The Mary burger is named for chef/owner Mark Womble’s grandmother. Heirloom serves maple-bacon scones for breakfast 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. On Wednesdays, the feature is half-price wines, and there’s live entertainment on Thursdays. Call (859) 846-5565 or visit Heirloommidway.com.

■ The menu is going green at Greentree Tearoom, 521West Short Street, for March. The menu features potato leek soup; Irish oatmeal scone; hot brownette; salmon mousse, Benedictine and pesto chicken tea sandwiches; pistachio cupcakes; and grasshopper creams. Luncheon tea is served at noon Wednesday through Saturday. Call (859) 455-9660 or visit Greentreetearoom.com.

If you’re looking for a romantic place, or a neighborhood hangout, to take your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day, you have plenty of choices. Here are some places that are offering dinner specials on Feb. 14, unless otherwise noted.

■ Alfalfa Restaurant, 141 East Main Street, will serve Valentine dinners on Feb. 11 and Feb. 14. Hours are 5:30 to 9 p.m. Call (859) 253-0014. Menu items are seared half rack of lamb with ginger cherry sauce and roasted asparagus, and lobster and spinach crepes with sun dried tomato white wine cream, topped with Boone Creek Asiago cheese.

■ Brown’s Bakery, 1226 Versailles Road, is taking orders for Valentine goodies. Included are chocolate dipped strawberries, chocolate truffles, mini cheesecake, chocolate heart brownies, and assorted Valentine-themed cupcakes. Call (859) 225-8400  or visit Brownbakery.com.

■ CastlePost, 230 Pisgah Pike in Woodford County, is having a semi-formal dinner which begins at 6:30 p.m. with a complimentary champagne reception. Dinner is at 7 p.m., followed by dancing. Entrée choices are Carmel Valley quail stuffed with Swiss chard, goat cheese and foie gras; and sea bass with beurre rouge served with brown butter gnocchi. Dinner for two is $250. Call (502) 553-7852 or visit Thecastlepost.com. Roses for the ladies will be provided by The Best of Flowers.

■ Greentree Tearoom, 521 West Short Street, normally is closed on Tuesdays, but will be serving tea on Valentine’s Day. Here’s the menu for February: French onion soup; poppy seed scone with cherry curd; Low Country shrimp and grits; corn salsa in phyllo cups; white pimento cheese and red radish ribbon tea sandwiches; strawberry cupcakes; and chocolate pots de crème. Call (859) 455-9660 or visit Greentreetearoom.com.

■ Jean Farris Winery & Bistro, 6825 Old Richmond Road, will serve a prix fixe Valentine’s dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 10-14. Cost is $75 a person. The menu features lobster bisque, poached pear salad, sea bass or beef Wellington, and red velvet soufflé. Call (859) 263-9463 or visit Jeanfarris.com.

■ The Julep Cup, 111 Woodland Avenue, will have live music and dinner specials include lobster mac and cheese, beef tenderloin with truffles, and sole in phyllo. Call (859) 226-0300.

■ Thai Orchid Café, 1030 South Broadway, will serve a four-course dinner for two for $49. Entrees include caramel chicken with cashews, chicken curry, and ginger chicken supreme. Call (859) 288-2170.

■ W.C.Wieners, 289 South Limestone, is offering a “Double Dose” special now through Feb. 14. The sweetheart special is classic Polishes, chips, and sodas for two for $6.99. Call (859) 255-0055.

Specials

■ Winchell’s, 348 Southland Drive, is offering menu specials for Super Bowl Sunday. Included are New England clam chowder, steamed mussels, New York strip steak, pastrami sandwich, New York style cheese cake. Call (859) 278-9424.

■ Bourbon n’ Toulouse, 829 Euclid Avenue, is serving alligator etouffee in honor of the University of Kentucky-University of Florida game on Tuesday. Alligator will be on the menu on Monday and game day. Call (859) 335-0300 or visit Bntlex.com.

Accolades

■ Cardinal Hill Hospital, 2050 Versailles Road, held its annual Wild Game Dinner & Sport Auction on Jan. 27. Chefs competed for awards and here are the winners. Seth Russell, chef at The Hilary J. Boone Center at the University of Kentucky, won the people’s choice award for fried rabbit and waffles with hazelnut butter, brown sugar bacon, lavender infused maple syrup, and quail egg. The chef’s choice award went to Cardinal Hill chef Cornelious Cunningham for bison and mushroom stroganoff.

At the new W.C. ­Wieners, W.C. stands for Windy City, or Wildcats maybe, but no matter, the locally owned restaurant serves authentic Vienna Beef hot dogs from Chicago and Polish sausages in a variety of ways.
The menu includes cowboy ­doggies, fiery Fido and rural Rover. Homemade chili dogs are a specialty and are on the menu occasionally.
The restaurant, at 289 South ­Limestone (at Maxwell Street), opened Dec. 31. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (859) 255-0055.

Specials

■ Alfalfa Restaurant, 141 East Main Street, will serve its popular Martin Luther King Jr. Day brunch on ­Monday. Included are apple pie pancakes and ­omeletes made with Boone Creek Asiago cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and bacon. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (859) 253-0014.
■ The Night Hawk special is back at Columbia Steak House. The 8-ounce tenderloin, cooked in garlic butter, is served with a baked potato and a Diego salad for $12.99 for a ­limited time. ­Locations are 201 North ­Limestone, (859) 253-3135, and 2750 Richmond Road, (859) 268-1666. Go to ­Columbiassteakhouse.com. ­Columbia Steak Express is at 125 Southland Drive. Call (859) 313-5300 or go to Columbiassteakexpress.com.
■ The January menu for Greentree Tearoom features corn chowder and pasta de’Medici. Also on the menu are white chocolate and cranberry scones; mini club, caper egg salad, and ­jeweled pepper tea sandwiches; dark hot ­chocolate; and Italian cream cake. Greentree is at 521 West Short Street. Call (859) 455-9660 or go to ­Greentreetearoom.com.
■ Gloria and Marcos Moreno, ­owners of La Marquesa Mexican ­Restaurant, 165 East Reynolds Road, are making dessert tamales. The pineapple and cinnamon-raisin tamales will be free 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Call (859) 225-4840.
■ The Julep Cup, 111 Woodland Avenue, is featuring foie gras brulée and roasted quail this weekend. Also on the menu are fresh cod in a Kentucky Ale beer batter, Napa slaw, roast pork with Brazilian hoppin’ John, and fried bananas. Call (859) 226-0300.

Special events

■ After an absence of three months, TAI on Rye, the pop-up deli at Temple Adath Israel, will be back from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday. Its New York-style offerings include corned beef, pastrami and turkey sandwiches, and homemade chopped liver. Sunday’s special is ­bourbon bread pudding. The full menu is at Lextai.org/tai_on_rye. The temple is at 124 North Ashland Avenue.
■ Kanya and Jonathan Weiss, ­owners of Baan Isaan Thai Gourmet, will celebrate the grand opening of their ­restaurant, at 115 North Locust Hill Drive, Jan. 26 to 29. Tickets are $39.99 for adults, $9.99 for ages 6 to 12, and free for ages 5 and younger. Hours are 5 p.m. to midnight Jan. 26, and 11 a.m. to midnight Jan. 27-29. The four-day party includes Thai music and dancers and all-you-can-eat table service, which is a sampling of the entire menu. The reservations deadline is Jan. 25. Call (859) 309-0534.
■ Addie’s Restaurant at The ­Woodford Inn in Versailles and the Woodford Humane Society are teaming for Dine Out to Donate on Friday. Ten percent of guests’ checks will go to the humane society. Dinner specials include surf and turf for $18.99. Woodford Inn is at 140 Park Street. Call (859) 873-5600 or go to Thewoodfordinn.com.

New menus

■ Thai Orchid Café, 1030 South Broadway, has added some lighter items to its menu. Included are fresh Thai rolls, grilled salmon salad, soupy noodle bowl, and steak salad. Call (859) 288-2170 or go to Thaiorchidcafe.net.

Farmers market report

■ The Lexington Farmers Market in Victorian Square will have beef and chicken, eggs, kale, collards, winter squash, beets, turnips, dried beans, ­garlic, onions, fresh milk, hot sauce, sweet and sourdough breads, ­coffee, jams, jellies, relishes, sauces and ­mustards. The market is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Famous pitmasters from five states will be at the Kentucky State BBQ Festival in Danville on Saturday and Sunday. They’ll be cooking various styles of Southern barbecue including pork shoulder, ribs, brisket and chicken. The pitmasters are:
■ Melissa Cookston of Yazoo’s Delta Q in Nesbit, Miss. She won the ­Memphis in May World BBQ ­Championship, ­making her the only female world champion.
■ Moe Cason Ponderosa BBQ Team of Des Moines, Iowa. He was a finalist on last year’s BBQ Pitmasters show on TLC.
■ Craig Kimmel of Firehouse BBQ in Orange City, Fla. He has won 12 grand championships and more than 200 awards for his barbecue.
■ Shelly Hunt of Desperados ­Barbecue and Catering in Angola, N.Y. She is a member of the Kansas City ­Barbecue Society and a certified barbecue judge, and she is on the board of directors of the National Barbecue Association in Louisville.
■ Carey Bringle of Peg Leg Porker in Nashville. He is the creator of Peg Leg Porker Memphis wet sauce, which was named the No. 2 barbecue sauce in the country by Bon Appetit magazine.
The festival will be at Second Street and Constitution Square. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Go to Kentuckybbqfestival.com.

Special events

■ Sutton’s Restaurant, 110 North Locust Hill Road, will have a benefit for the Catholic Action Center at 9 p.m. ­Friday. Proceeds will help Community Inn provide shelter and services during the holidays and winter. Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door. Included are appetizers, desserts, live music and bourbon tastings. Call (859) 268-2068.
■ Chef Jeff Mayer of Saul Good Restaurant & Pub will host “Cooking for a Cause: Secrets to Good Cooking” on Monday at Sullivan University. The international cooking demonstration and dinner will benefit Sweet Blessings, an ­organization that gives customized ­birthday cakes to underprivileged or seriously ill children. The event will be at Sullivan’s Lexington campus, 2355 ­Harrodsburg Road. Tickets are $50 for the six-course meal. Email Ashley Boyd Gann at Ashley@sweetblessingscakes.org.
■ Wines on Vine, 400 Old Vine Street, is having a wine tasting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Featured are new selections that will pair great with your Thanksgiving meal. Call (859) 243.0017.
■ Chateau du Vieux Corbeau Winery in Danville will have an open house from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Winemaker Dominique Brousseau will offer guided cellar tours at 1 and 4 p.m. In the Tasting Room, several Kentucky Proud producers will offer samples and sell their products. The winery is at 471 Stanford Avenue. Call (859) 236-1775 or (859) 236-1808.
■ Tables are still available for Holly Hill Inn’s Classic Cassoulet Dinner at 6 p.m. Sunday. Chef Ouita Michel’s ­traditional cassoulet uses white beans, confit of goose, fresh-cured local pork, local lamb and garlic sausage. Guest chef Clay McClure will help make the dinner, which requires more than two weeks of preparation. Clay apprenticed under French master chef Jean-Robert de Cavel at the Maisonette in Cincinnati. French wines from the Languedoc region will be offered by the glass and bottle, and a special wine flight will be available. The cost is $40. Call (859) 846-4732 or go to Hollyhillinn.com. Holly Hill is at 426 North Winter Street in Midway.

Announcements

■ The Parkette Drive-In, 1230 East New Circle, will celebrate its 60th ­anniversary Nov. 11. From Monday through Nov. 12, the restaurant is ­offering french fries and Pepsi products for 60 cents each. Call (859) 254-8723 or go to Theparkette.com.
■ Portofino, 249 East Main Street, will offer Sunday evening jazz during November and December. On Sunday, at 7 p.m., Jessie Laine Powell will entertain. Call (859) 253-9300.
■ It’s stone crab season, and ­Lexington Seafood is having crab delivered daily from the Gulf. “We will crack them for you and prepare them as a lunch or ­dinner or as an appetizer to go along with any of our fresh fish,” co-owner Michael Yessin said. Call (859) 266-8888.
■ The menu for Greentree Tearoom this month features hearty fall ­favorites. ­Included are lobster bisque, sweet ­potato scone, chicken croquettes, ­curried egg ­salad, citrus spice panna cotta and ­candied ginger cake. Luncheon tea is served at noon Wednesday through ­Saturday. The tearoom, 521 West Short Street, is accepting reservations for ­private parties for the holidays. Call (859) 455-9660 or go to Greentreetearoom.com.

Specials

■ Hanna’s on Lime, 214 South Limestone, will have its annual pre-Thanksgiving turkey and dressing special Wednesday. It’s served with fresh cranberries and a side dish of your choice, for $7.95. Call (859) 252-6264.
■ Iron Chef, 3090 Old Todds Road, is offering specials for the weekend. For $15, you may choose an appetizer (crab Rangoon or fried won ton) and two combination meals (General Tso’s chicken, sesame chicken, sweet and sour chicken, beef with broccoli). Call (859) 264-0155.

Farmers market report

■ Lexington Farmers Market has turnips, carrots, beets, radishes, ­collards, kale, spinach, lettuces, green and ripe tomatoes, rhubarb, potatoes, sweet ­potatoes, garlic, cheeses, sugar pumpkins, winter squash, baked goods, hot sauces, relishes and meats. Vendors are taking orders for Thanksgiving turkeys.
The Southland Drive market has closed for the season. The Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday markets will be open through November.