CUISINE NEWS

Celebrate Black History Month

Pulice Celebrate Black History Month with the Lee County Black History Society's annual fund-raising banquet on Monday, Feb. 9, at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. "The Quest for Black Citizenship in America" event celebrates the NAACP's 100th anniversary.

The evening includes a performance of "Voices from Sanibel: A Black Experience," written by Tom Prather (Broadway Palm founder). Proceeds benefit the Lee County Black History Society, founded in 1994 to preserve and commemorate cultural and educational contributions by locally and nationally known African-Americans. The event starts with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.Tickets are $35. Purchase online at www.blackhistorysociety. com or call 210-7992.

Taste the love for Special Equestrians

Nine top Fort Myers chefs team up Sunday, Feb. 8, for Special Equestrians Taste of Love 6, a food-focused extravaganza to benefit the therapeutic riding program for mentally and physically challenged children and adults.

Wines selected by Frank Pulice, owner of Austin's Wine Cellar, will accompany

Powell food prepared by Shannon Yates of Bacchus, Reiner Drygala of Bistro 41, Andrea Weglarz-Houser of FLOUR Designer Cupcakes, Norbert Mess of Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club, Harold Balink of H2, Gloria Cabral-Jordan of La Trattoria Café Napoli, Ruth Cohen of Mad Takeout and John Innarelli and Russell Heintze of Sasse's. WINK-FM's Gina Birch and Jay Severson of Bonita Bay Group will host live and silent auctions. Cadence Wednesday will provide the music.

Tickets are $150. The event takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. at Contractor's Choice Supply a Raymond Company, 13830 Jetport Commerce Parkway, Fort Myers. Call 292-7031 or e-mail mlacroix@comcast.net for details and tickets.

Something fishy going on at the Shell Factory in N. Fort Myers

The Shell Factory will stage its first Seafood Fest on Sunday, Feb. 8, starting at 11 a.m. Area caterers and charities will offer seafood and fish dishes as well as grub for those who prefer land-bound dishes. Live country music and special children's activities round out the fun. Proceeds go toward new animal habitats in the attraction's nature park. Admission: $6 for adults, free for children 12 and younger. The Shell Factory is on U.S. 41 in North Fort Myers. Call 995-2141.

Estero Rotary holds artful fundraiser

Join the Rotary Club of Estero and Design Within Reach for a Meet the Artist soiree and fund-raiser from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13.

Artists from the third annual Coconut Point Art Show will be on hand for the event, which benefits Interfaith Caregivers of Estero, Our Mothers Home of Fort Myers/San Carlos Park and Slow Food Southwest Florida.

Savor delectable hors d'oeuvres pre- pared by artful chefs (and Slow Food members) Brian and Jayne Baker. Beer and wine will be served. Michael David will provide live acoustic music. The event takes place at Design Within Reach, a showroom specializing in licensed classic furnishings for outdoor living. It's at Coconut Point, U.S. 41, Estero. Tickets are $50 each. To reserve a spot, call 948-9154.

Famed winemaker comes to Fort Myers

David Powell, the founder and winemaker of Torbreck, will appear at a tasting of 10 of the stellar Australian winery's wines on the evening of Sunday, Feb. 8, at Bacchus. To accompany the wines, the restaurant will serve lamb chops, shrimp tapas, barramundi and cheese. It's $75 per person. Bacchus is at Bell Tower Shops, Fort Myers. Call 437-8676 for reservations.

Slow Food Southwest Florida plans Greenmarket Fe. 28

Some 30-plus purveyors of locally produced food, plants and other items will gather on Saturday, Feb. 28, for Slow Food Southwest Florida's Greenmarket. The market is the first of its kind in the area, offering fresh, sustainable or organic products such as produce, seafood, plants, cheeses, honey, breads and soaps. Local chefs will stage cooking demos and sell freshly made food and there will be live musical entertainment. The Greenmarket, set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will take place at Robb & Stucky, 13170 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. Slow Food is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and celebration of locally and sustainably produced foods. For details, visit www.slowfoodsouthwestflorida.com.

Cape Coral update

• Taste of New York 2 has opened at the corner of 47th Terrace and Vincennes Boulevard. Dine indoors, on the patio or take food home. Delivery and catering are available, too. Reservations accepted. Call 541-5366.

• Long-time local restaurateurs Peter and Teresa Salvatore (formerly of Capriccio's, Mange Bene and Sotto Voce) have opened Pete's Steakhouse Italian Grille at 728 Pine island Road, Cape Coral. The restaurant serves certified Black Angus beef, seafood, poultry, veal and pasta. Beer and wine served. Call 829-0741 or order for takeout at www.petesteak.com.

• River Wood Bistro, a promising little restaurant opened by Bill and Heather Mann recently on Del Prado Boulevard, is closed indefinitely due to an illness in the family. Let's hope everything turns out well and this charming newcomer reopens soon.

Sanibel Café now serves dinner

Long a popular breakfast and lunch destination, Sanibel Café now serves dinner, too. Island-style specialties and a full menu are available from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Breakfast continues to be served from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Homemade raspberry, blueberry and blackberry jams are available for purchase. The café is in Tahitian Gardens, 1975 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Call 472-5323.