Flavors of Kentucky

If you don’t want to cook at home for Easter, Central Kentucky restaurants are serving some special dishes for the holiday.
■ Alfalfa Restaurant, 141 East Main Street, will have brunch 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The holiday menu includes country ham sliders with blackberry compote, shrimp and cheese grits, and banana granola griddle cakes. Call (859) 253-0014 or go to  Alfalfarestaurant.com.
■ Azur Restaurant, 3070 Lakecrest Circle, in Beaumont Centre, will serve an a la carte Easter brunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Call (859) 296-1007 or go to Azurrestaurant.com.
■ Bayou Bluegrass Catering is serving a lavish Easter buffet 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at The Red Mile, 1200 Red Mile Road. The cost is $29 for adults, $16 for ages 4 to 8. Call (859) 233-0814 or go to Bayoubluegrass.com.
■ Casanova Italian Restaurant, 855 South Broadway, will serve roasted lamb, along with Italian ragù, and pastiera Napoletana for dessert. Call (859) 309-3313 or go to Casanovaky.com.
■ Country Cookin’ by George, 1801 Alexandria Drive, offers a buffet 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Included are baked ham, roast beef, turkey and dressing, and barbecued ribs. The cost is $11.54. Call (859) 276-0001.
■ Jean Farris Winery & Bistro, 6825 Old Richmond Road, will offer its regular a la carte spring menu along with brunch specials 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. A three-course prix fixe menu is $55 with wine pairings. The annual Easter egg hunt will be at 1 p.m. Call (859) 263-9463 or go to Jeanfarris.com.
■ Le Deauville French Bistro, 199 North Limestone, is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday serving French breakfast specialties along with its regular dinner menu. During weekday happy hour, the restaurant offers a three-course prix fixe menu, for $24.50, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fresh oysters are on the happy hour menu. Call (859) 246-0999.
■ Portofino, 249 East Main Street, will serve Easter specials along with its dinner menu noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Call (859) 253-9300 or go to Portofinolexington.com.
■ Serafini, 243 West Broadway, in Frankfort, will open noon to 6 p.m. Sunday for Easter celebrations. Call (502) 875-5599 or go to Serafinifrankfort.com.
■ The Woodford Inn in Versailles will serve a Southern-style buffet 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $19.99. Included are glazed ham, shrimp pasta, salads, and deviled eggs. The inn is at 140 Park Street. Call (859) 873-5600 or go to Thewoodfordinn.com.
Special event
■ Wines on Vine, 400 Old Vine Street, will have a beer pairing event with Kentucky Eagle Distributors at 6:30 p.m. Monday. The cost is $35. Call (859) 243-0017.

Chefs are taking ­advantage of bountiful local produce to jazz up their summer menus.
The staff at Portofino is growing herbs in a small garden outside the restaurant’s kitchen at 249 East Main Street. The chefs are harvesting basil to make caprese salad with tomatoes from heirloom grower Roland McIntosh. The plot also contains thyme, chives, rosemary, oregano, lemon verbena, winter savory, mint, lavender and tarragon. Call (859) 253-9300 or go to Portofinolexington.com.
Portofino and its sister restaurant, Serafini in downtown Frankfort, recently received Awards of Excellence for 2012 from Wine Spectator. The magazine award recognizes outstanding wine lists and menu offerings. Serafini is at 243 West Broadway. Call (502) 875-5599 or go to Serafinifrankfort.com.
Billy’s Bar-B-Q, 101 Cochran Road, is serving locally grown tomatoes, with cucumber dressing, and sweet corn. Also new on the menu is a South Carolina-style mustard barbecue sauce. Call (859) 269-9593 or go to Billysbarbq.com.

Events

■ Evans Orchard will have its annual sweet corn festival from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Entertainment includes a corn-eating contest, pony rides and live music. The menu offers corn on the cob, pulled pork sandwiches and funnel cakes. The orchard is at 180 Stone Road in Georgetown.
■ Sondra Strunk will offer samples of her newest item from Sondra’s Wine Creations at Good Foods Market & Cafe on Saturday. She will have samples of red pepper-chocolate wine candy from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the market, 455 Southland Drive.
■ The next community table series at Oliva Bella, 400 Old Vine Street, begins Saturday. “Eat, Drink and Cook Italian” is “our version of a cooking class, which in reality will be more of an Italian cooking party,” owner Lea Ann Vessels said. The cost is $85 a session and includes an apron, a recipe book, food and beverages. Dates and ­topics for the classes, 2 to 3:30 p.m., are: Saturday, over-the-top summer antipasto platters; Aug. 4, rustic Italian summer lunches; Aug. 18, Italian summer pizzas; and Sept. 8, top five pasta sauces. Call (859) 983-3567 or go to Olivabella.com.
■ Sabio Restaurant & Bar, 380 South Mill Street, will have wine tastings, and chef Javier Lanza will teach food preparation classes 5:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays. This week, wines include Quinta do Portal Collheita Tinto 2009, Whiplash Redemption and Robertson Winery gerwurztraminer from South Africa. Sabio is at 380 South Mill Street, in the old Dudley’s space. Call (859) 368-9901 or go to Sabiodudleysquare.com.
■ Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant at Fayette Mall, 3395 Nicholasville Road, will celebrate National Tequila Day on Tuesday. Margaritas will be $5.95. Call (859) 971-0922 or go to Abuelos.com.
■ McAlister’s Deli, 836 Euclid ­Avenue, is having Free Tea Day on July 26. Guests who visit any McAlister’s Deli will get a free 32-ounce ­McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea. No coupon is required, and no purchase is necessary. Go to Mcalistersdeli.com or call (859) 368-9880.
■ The Dish, 438 South Ashland Avenue, is celebrating its fourth anniversary July 28. Happy-hour specials, 4 to 6 p.m., include $2 off appetizers and $7 original martinis and cocktails. The Baja Yetis will entertain from 7 to 10 p.m. Jalapeño and corn bread crab cakes are back on the menu for summer. New items include scallops in tomato yogurt sauce; vegetarian paella; ribeye with blackberry and red wine sauce; and a variety of gluten-free dishes. Seating is limited for the anniversary party. Call (859) 317-8438 or go to Thedishlex.com.

Farmers market reports

■ Azur Restaurant’s farmers bazaar is open 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 and berries. 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. July 27 in downtown Versailles. There will be kids’ activities, pony rides, food, live music talent show, and local crafts and artists.

When you head out to eat this weekend, try some of the winners from the 32nd annual Taste of the Bluegrass, which was last weekend at Keeneland.
Judges named McCarty’s medallions from Sal’s Chophouse as the best entree, Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano’s lump crab cake as best appetizer, and The Soup Kitchen’s brown bread as the best bread. The chefs at Sullivan University won best dessert for their local strawberry pavlova.
People’s Choice awards went to ­Louisiana Passion Catering, best ­appetizer/soup; Great Harvest Bread, best bread; Fresh Market, best salad; Sal’s, best ­entree; and Gigi’s Cupcakes, best dessert.
Proceeds from the event go to God’s Pantry Food Bank.

Special events

■ Alfalfa Restaurant, 141 East Main Street, will serve its popular holiday brunch on Monday, Memorial Day. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to the regular menu, there will be items from farmers markets including fresh peach pancakes and omelets made from Kentucky free-range chicken and cheese from Boone Creek Creamery. Call (859) 253-0014 or visit Alfalfarestaurant.com.
■ The 10th anniversary celebration continues at Ted’s Montana Grill with the second phase of its fund-raising efforts for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry. Ted’s also has new menu items including the special anniversary
“No. 10 Burger,” which is a take on Ted’s classic cheeseburger, served in beef or bison with a choice of cheese and house-made sweet and spicy pickles. Also new are a house-made veggie burger and a wild berry cheesecake.
Ted’s also has a new line of private label wines called Bison Ridge. Included are chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Ted’s Lexington location is at 2304 Sir Barton Way. Call (859) 263-5228 or go to Tedsmontanagrill.com.
■ Silver Oak, a prized California cabernet, will be the focus of a ­gourmet wine dinner at Portofino on June 6. There will be tastings from ­California’s Napa and Alexander Valleys, with ­vineyard ­representatives leading the ­tastings and commentary. The cost is $125. The reception begins at 7 p.m., followed by dinner at 8. Portofino is at 249 East Main Street. Call (859) 253-9300.
■ Smith-Berry Winery’s summer ­dinner/concert series kicks off Saturday with its 10th ­anniversary celebration. Nervous Melvin and the Mistakes will entertain. The buffet features Chuck’s famous barbecue, grilled chicken breasts, Roma green beans, cheese grits and vinaigrette cole slaw. Call (502) 845-7091 or go to Smithberrywinery.com. The winery us at 855 Drennon Road in New Castle.

Specials

■ Weekend specials at The Julep Cup, 111 Woodland Avenue, include pan-seared corvina over coconut basmati rice topped with roasted ginger carrots, and sautéed veal scallopini with tomato and artichoke hearts. The Beth ­Mankel Group entertains Friday, and John ­Hedger is featured Saturday. Call (859) 226-0300.
■ Natasha’s Bistro & Bar, 112 ­Esplanade, will serve lamb moussaka as a special Friday and Saturday nights. A new summer dish is sesame peanut stir fry made with tofu or chicken and served over basmati rice. Call (859) 259-2754 or go to Beetnik.com.
■ Caramanda’s Bake Shoppe has a new cupcake flavor, black forest. A chocolate cupcake is filled with cherries, swirled with vanilla buttercream and topped with chocolate curls and a maraschino cherry. Locations are 332 Southland Drive, 3805 Dylan Place (off Boston Road) and a kiosk in Fayette Mall.

Farmers market reports

■ Azur Restaurant’s farmers bazaar is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays on the patio. The market features local farmers and artisans. Products include produce, eggs, cheese, meats, pasta, hand-dipped chocolates, flowers, plants, baked goods and crafts. Azur, 3070 Lakecrest Circle, serves brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Call (859) 296-1007 or go to Azurrestaurant.com.
■ Bluegrass Farmers’ Market is open 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. The farmers have ­strawberries, greens, potatoes, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, Swiss chard, bok choy, Napa and savoy cabbage, herb seasonings, and plants. The market is at 3450 Richmond Road, in the parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs. Go to Localharvest.org/blog/29529.
■ Clark County Extension family and consumer sciences agent Jennifer Howard will be at the Winchester/Clark County Farmers Market on Saturday. She will be sampling recipes and giving away kitchen gadgets to the first 50 people. Strawberries, green beans, peaches and corn will be available. The 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.

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.

This weekend it’s all about celebrating horses, mothers and University of Kentucky graduates.
Restaurants are offering special menus and pricing for Derby Day and UK’s commencement on Saturday and Mother’s Day on Sunday, but you’ll miss out if you don’t make reservations right away. Here are some choices.
Casanova, 855 South Broadway, (859) 309-3313. Mother’s Day specials include three new lasagnas (mushroom-spinach-mozzarella; asparagus-zucchini; and meatball-provolone) and raviolis (chicken and lobster).
The Crossroad on Southland, 286 Southland Drive, (859) 309-3904. Derby Day specials are mint juleps for $5; spinach salad with warm bacon vinaigrette, hot Brown with house-smoked turkey and ham, and chocolate-nut pie with minted cream and bourbon caramel. A Derby hat competition offers $75 gift cards for best traditional hat and most bizarre. Entertainment by G. Busy Blues Revue begins at 9 p.m.
The Dish, 438 South Ashland Avenue, (859) 317-8438.  Hours for Mother’s Day and UK graduation parties are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Dish has a new spring menu.
Greentree Tearoom, 521 West Short Street, (859) 455-9660. Tea is served for Derby guests and mothers at noon Friday and Saturday, or by appointment. The May menu features chilled fruit soup, asparagus crepe, and chocolate pots de crème.
Hilton Suites, 245 Lexington Green Circle, in The Mall at Lexington Green, (859) 271-4000. Mother’s Day brunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entrees include carved turkey and roast beef, baked fish, shrimp and grits. The price is $35 for adults.
The Julep Cup, 111 Woodland Avenue, in The Woodlands. Call (859) 226-0300. Derby specials on Friday and Saturday include burgoo, prime rib and bourbon bread pudding. On Mother’s Day, the Julep Cup will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. serving roasted spring vegetable and heirloom tomato lasagna, phyllo-wrapped Alaskan halibut, and sauteed veal scallopini.
Lovers Leap Winery, 1180 Lanes Mill Road, Lawrenceburg, (502) 839-1299. Celebrate the Derby quietly at the winery. Take a picnic and watch the races on the banquet room’s big screen TV. Reserve your own table with first beverage included for $5 a person.
Natasha’s Bistro and Bar, 112 Esplanade, (859) 259-2754. A Mother’s Day festival of food banquet will be followed by a matinee performance of the play Adventures in Mating, an interactive romantic comedy inspired by the choose your own adventure novels. Lunch is at 11:30 a.m., show time is 2:15 p.m. The cost is $25 for both, or $19 for lunch.
Onizim’s, 735 East Main Street, (859) 266-9000. Derby party, 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, is $35 a person. The seafood, steak and chicken buffet includes barbecued chicken, boiled shrimp and grilled steak.
Portofino, 249 East Main Street, (859) 253-9300. Sunday hours have been extended for Mother’s Day and UK commencement. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Large parties can be accommodated.
Serafini, 243 West Broadway, Frankfort, (502) 875-5599. Mother’s Day dinner will be served noon to 6 p.m. with full cocktail service plus its Wine Spectator award-winning wine list.
Three Suns Bistro, 298 East Brannon Road, Nicholasville, (859) 245-0048. The Mother’s Day brunch buffet, 11:30 to 3 p.m., features prime rib, braised pork chops, tilapia and crab Napoleon, and pecan-fried chicken. The price is $26.95 for adults.
Triangle Grille, 369 West Vine Street, in the Hilton Lexington/Downtown hotel, (859) 281-3773. Mother’s Day brunch buffet, noon to 3 p.m. features omelet and pasta stations, carved prime rib, breakfast items. Adults, $29.95.

New location

Brown’s Bakery has a new, and smaller, location. James Brown closed the spot on West Main Street, in Meadowthorpe, and now is at 1226 Versailles Road. “We’re scaling down and not making any more yeast products,” he said. “No more doughnuts.” Brown now will specialize in cakes, cupcakes and individual desserts. Call (859) 948-2352.

Farmers market report

■ Botanica garden center, 6327 Old Richmond Road, is having an open house 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Pick up vegetable plants, herb baskets, and spring wreaths. Bring a canned food item for Lighthouse Ministry and get 10 percent off purchases. Call (859) 806-9424.
■ Bluegrass Farmers’ Market will have asparagus, Derby mint, lettuce, greens, rhubarb, carrots, onions, herb seasoning, jams, baked goods, honey and plants. The market is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3450 Richmond Road. Visit Localharvest.org/blog/29529.

Josie’s Grab & Go now is simply Josie’s.
Owners Bobby and Jennifer Murray have turned the former gourmet carry-out store into a breakfast and lunch spot.
“We took out the cases and put in booths, tables and an old-fashioned counter,” Jennifer Murray said.
Eggs Benedict, quiches, and biscuits and gravy are served for breakfast, and the lunch menu features burgers, salads and soups.
“We still have one small ‘grab and go’ case which has Mamoo’s chicken salad, pimento cheese, ham dip, artichoke dip, and some sweets,” she said.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Josie’s is at 821 Chevy Chase Place. Call (859) 523-8328.

Whiskey battle at Portofino’s

It’s Kentucky bourbon versus Tennessee whiskey at The Great Barrel Debate on Tuesday at Portofino, 249 East Main Street. The event, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., features appetizers and a tasting of Woodford Reserve and Old Forester bourbons along with Gentleman Jack and Jack Daniel’s single-barrel whiskey. It’s $19.99 in advance, or $24.99 at the door. Call (859) 253-9300  or go to www.portofinolexington.com.

Cheapside is a quarter-century old

Cheapside Bar and Grill, 131 Cheapside, is celebrating its 25th anniversary Saturday through Wednesday. The bar served its first drink and appetizer in 1985, just before the NCAA finals at Rupp Arena. The patio and bar open for the season Saturday. Call (859) 254-0046 or go to www.cheapsidebarandgrill.com.

Brain drained? Head to Holly Hill

Food for the brain is the theme for Holly Hill Inn’s March menu. Chef/owner Ouita Michel said it was inspired by her father, Dr. Raymond Papka.
“Dad retired last year after more than 40 years of research on the nervous system and 30 years of teaching medical students about the brain. Feeding our brains with stimulating and healthy food is my culinary salute to Dad,” Michel said.
The items on the menu are low in fat, high in fiber and rich in dark, leafy greens, omega-3 fatty acids, dark and richly colored fruits and vegetables, with plenty of seeds and nuts and vitamin C — all to help your brain.
Holly Hill is at 426 North Winter Street in Midway. Call (859) 846-4732 or go to www.hollyhillinn.com.

Time for the mobile smoker

Dave McCauley and his Big Blue Q mobile smoker are ready for the outdoor party season to begin. McCauley’s barbecue specialties include shaved pork loin, chopped pulled pork, smoked turkey breast, and grilled steaks. Call (859) 229-7927  or e-mail McCauley at bigblueq@gmail.com.

Julep Cup hosts vagabond weekend

The Julep Cup, 111 Woodland Avenue, is having a vagabond weekend on Friday and Saturday. Featured are pan-seared Atlantic salmon, beef tenderloin medallions in a wild mushroom red wine cream sauce, and marscapone and cherry blintzes with vanilla bean ice cream. Entertainment is Bob and Ben Lacy on Friday and Brice Farrar on Saturday. Call (859) 226-0300 or go to www.thejulepcup.com.

Saturday night at Campbell’s

The Saturday night buffet at Campbell’s in Paris features fried chicken and shrimp Creole. Sides include fresh kale greens, roasted root vegetables, and a variety of salads. Cost is $15.95. On Friday nights, the all-you-can-eat catfish dinner is $14.95. Campbell’s is at 519 Main Street. Call (859) 987-5164.

Easter Sunday is a big family day for restaurants and an opportunity to add a little springtime to their menus. Here are places that are offering something special for the holiday, on Sunday.
■ Breaking Bread Café with Jazz, 17 Wainscott Street, in Winchester will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Choice of one meat, three vegetables and dessert is $8.99. The restaurant is in the People Helping People building. Call (859) 771-6108 or (859) 745 6813.
■ The Julep Cup, 111 Woodland Avenue, will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., serving brunch and dinner. The menu includes roasted leg of lamb, salmon croquettes and eggs Benedict. Call (859) 226-0300.
■ Stonefence Bistro, 730 Main Street in Paris, is normally closed on Sundays but will open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Easter brunch. The menu features half rack of lamb, honey-orange glazed ham and chocolate French toast. Items are priced under $13. Call (859) 402-2009.
■ Three Suns Bistro, 298 East Brannon Road, in Brannon Crossing, Jessamine County, will serve brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu includes leg of lamb with mint sauce, turkey breast with sage dressing, and pecan fried chicken. Cost is $25. Call (859) 245-0048 or go to www.threesunsbistro.com.
■ Varden’s, 509 Main Street, in Paris will serve an Easter buffet 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Included are pork tenderloin, hot Brown, and filet of sole, Cost is $24.95. Call (859) 987-4700 or go to www.vardens.com.
■ Wayne Masterman’s group of restaurants will have specials along with their regular dinner menus. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Portofino, 249 East Main Street, (859) 253-9300, and at Summit, 1097 Duval Street, (859) 271-1400. Frankfort’s Serafini, 243 West Broadway, is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; call (502) 875-5599.
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Let the cooks at the Greek Orthodox Church make something special for your Easter feast at home. Stop by the church’s annual pastry sale for spanakopita, baklava, and ravani cake. The bake sale is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the church, 920 Tates Creek Road. Call (859) 245-4057 or (859) 223-6267.
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Wine in Wonderland at Heard It Through the Grapevine features cuisine from 35 restaurant and caterers. The party will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Crowne Plaza Campbell House, 1375 South Broadway. Tickets are $85. Call (859) 257-3221 or go to www.wuky.org.
One of the vendors at Heard it Through the Grapevine will be Dad’s Favorites. Guests can sample four cheese spreads: Swiss cheese, smokey pimento cheese, chipotle cheddar and asiago sun dried tomato. The product now is available at Jungle Jim’s in Cincinnati. Call (859) 276-0001.
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Thai Orchid Café, 1030 South Broadway, is celebrating Songkran, the Thai New Year. Five special noodle dishes will be served Monday through April 18.
“In Thai and Chinese cultures, noodles represent happiness and long life,” chef Toa Veerasethakul Green said.
Included are spaghetti noodles stir-fried with ground beef in a spicy basil sauce, and egg noodles with topped with shrimp, scallops and calamari in a spicy seafood broth. Call (859) 288-2170 or go to www.thaiorchidcafe.net.
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Lexington Farmers Market opens at 7 a.m. Saturday at its new location, in Cheapside Park. Vendors will be selling spring greens and lettuces, hydroponic tomatoes, organic and natural meats, honey, eggs, cheeses, breads, herbs and spices, chocolates, sorghum, plants, flowers and wool products.
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Woodford Reserve’s Picnic on the Porch will feature sandwiches, salads and desserts handmade by Wallace Station. The lunches will be served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through October on the terrace at the Visitor Center. The distillery is at 7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles. Call (859) 879-1812.
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Cold Stone Creamery has a new line of frozen and iced coffee treats. The drinks will be priced at $1.99 through June 2. The iced and blended coffees come in five flavors, including sweet cream latte and raspberry truffle mocha latte. They’re also available in a light versions. The Lexington store is at 2337 Sir Barton Way. Call (859) 243-0694.

This cake was created by Martine's for last year's H'Artful of Fun.

The Living Arts & Science Center’s 19th annual H’Artful of Fun celebrates the center’s 40 years of creativity with homage to John Lennon and the Beatles.
The party will be from 7 to 11 a.m. Jan. 24 at Big Ass Fans’ new research facility, 2201 Jaggie Fox Way. Tickets are $50 in advance, $75 at the door. Call (859) 252-5222 or go to www.LASCLEX.org. Tickets also are available at any Fifth Third Bank location in Lexington, or at Joseph Beth Booksellers.
Participating restaurants and caterers include Jonathan’s at Gratz Park, Portofino, Summit, Martine’s, DaRae and Friends, Holly Hill Inn, and Wallace Station. Eight Days a Week, a Beatles tribute band, will entertain. Auction items include an original work of art, jewelry and trips.

Farmers offer Valentine package
Three farmers’ market vendors are teaming up to create a Valentine package for your sweetheart.
The gift package includes lilies from Three Toads Farm in Winchester; a box of six truffles, date nut bread, and a strawberry/chocolate tart for two from Viburnum Valley, and heart-shaped Bluegrass Chevre from Susan Miller. Items are presented in a fruit crate and can be picked up at the Lexington Farmers Market at Victorian Square on Feb. 14. Cost is $80. Call (859) 312-1157 or go to www.vvfconfections.com.

Cooking class at Varden’s in Paris
Varden’s in Paris, is having a cooking class at 6 p.m. Saturday. Steve Walton will teach a class on soups and stews including basic chicken broth, slow cooker burgoo, leek soup, beer potato soup, and sausage and shrimp soup. Cost is $20 a person, or $30 for two. Call (859) 987-4700 or go to www.vardens.com.

Beef Cook-Off searching for a winner
California wine country will be the site of the 28th National Beef Cook-Off in September. This year’s competition features three new recipe categories for home cooks.
Categories, featuring a “Sonoma-Style” theme, are:
■ Live well with fast and convenient grilled beef recipes. (Healthy and easy dishes for busy families.)
■ Teens cooking with beef. (Teen’s favorite family beef recipe that they prepare themselves at home.)
■ Lean beef in nutrient-rich one-dish meals. (Home cooks pair lean beef cuts with other nutrient-rich ingredients.)
Fifteen home cook finalists will be selected to compete for prizes totaling $70,000 on Sept. 23. One grand prize winner will receive $25,000, three category winners will each receive $10,000 and three runner-up winners will each receive $5,000 in cash prizes.
You can enter the cook-off online at www.beefcookoff.org or by postal mail to: National Beef Cook-Off Entries, ANCW, P.O. Box 3881, Englewood, Colo. 80155 by March 31. Mailed entries must be postmarked no later than March 31, and received on or before midnight April 7.

Interactive online game for children
The National Mango Board has an interactive online game that teaches children about mangos and the countries from which they originate. The new Jango geography game takes children on a journey through the Amazon, across oceans and up lush mountains as each activity imparts a bit of mango-inspired culture.
They’ll encounter Salvador the snake in Brazil, Peru Pete, Gail the Galapagos turtle; Haiti Hal, and Miguel the monkey. To play the Jango geography game visit www.mango.org/geography.

Several top restaurants and caterers are putting out their best dishes at the ­Makenna Foundations’ 2008 Art of ­Making Miracles on Friday at Re/Max Creative Realty.

Participating restaurants include: a la ­lucie, Atomic Café, Bella Notte, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Cheddar’s ­Casual Café, Columbia’s Steak House, Corky’s Ribs & BBQ, DaRae & Friends Catering, Furlongs, Hall’s on the River, ­Malone’s, O’Charley’s, Panera Bread, ­Portofino, Rossi’s, and Turf Catering.
The party, from 6 to 11 p.m., will be at Palumbo Drive and Man o’ War Boulevard. Tickets are $60. Call (859) 422-2010 or go to www.makennafoundation.org.

Country dinner at Jimmy D’s
Jimmy D’s East Coast Cafe, 1395 Leestown Road, is serving an old-fashioned country Sunday dinner to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Overseeing the preparation will be Liz Mims, former owner of The Saratoga.

The dinner, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, will have fried chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, and banana pudding for $20 a person. You can order to go. Call (859) 268-0747 or (859) 361-7528.

Gone tailgatin’
Forget serving burgers and chili at your next tailgating party. Try a clam bake or crab boil from ­Lexington Seafood Market, 867 East High Street, in Chevy Chase.
Call (859) 266-8888 to place an order to pick up on your way to the stadium. The market steams shrimp and lobsters, and on Wednesdays has soft shell and blue crabs.

Peaches ’n’ pastries
Sandra Hammock, pastry chef at Summit Restaurant, is creating summertime ­desserts using fresh peaches from John Moore’s Colorado ranch.
Moore, a dentist in Midway, grows ­peaches, cherries and apricots in ­Colorado, and delivered 25 cases of peaches to ­Hammock. She’s making deep dish peach pie, peach cheesecake with white ­chocolate, cobblers, crisps, and sliced peaches on pound cake with whipped cream for ­Summit and for its sister restaurants Portofino in downtown Lexington and Serafini in ­Frankfort. Summit is at 1097 Duval Street. Call (859) 271-1400.

Farmers market report
This week Blue Grass Farmers Market will have grass-fed beef, Amish cheese (baby Swiss, white Cheddar, Colby, ­jalapeño Jack), apples, peaches, ­raspberries, ­rhubarb, melons, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, ­onions, greens, green beans, okra, peppers (sweet and hot), potatoes, summer squash, ­tomatoes, cut herbs, and cut flowers. The market is on Richmond Road in the ­parking lot of Pedal the Planet Bike Shop and ­FastSigns. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ­Saturday and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.