On the front burner

SWEET TEMPTATIONS

FOR WOMEN ONLY

Women With Moxie and Peterbrooke Chocolatier have planned a night of indulgence from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at 3800 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (Paradise Plaza). On the chocolate menu: pizza, truffles, dipped strawberries and martinis. Not so chocolate: seared ahi tuna appetizer and tenderloin crostini from Fleming’s steakhouse. $15. Information: sarasota@peterbrooke.com or 330-4302; reservations: www.womenwithmoxie.com/rsvp.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

July 28 is Peru’s Independence Day, and Javier’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, 6621 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, is offering a celebration dinner through July 31. Menu choices include: shrimp scampi in a Pisco brandy sauce, crabmeat-stuffed Peruvian quesadilla, mussels steamed with Peruvian herbs and white wine, beef picadillo with Peruvian potato pancakes and more. $22.95. Reservations: 349-1792.

BEER-PAIRING DINNER

AT CHEZ SYLVIE ET FILS

Chez Sylvie et Fils, at Merchants Pointe Plaza, Swift and Clark roads in Sarasota, is holding a beer-pairing dinner Aug. 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The menu will include: organic house salad, merguez pizza (whole-wheat crust topped with African lamb sausage), scallops flambé atop a bed of couscous and a fresh fruit salad. Each course will be accompanied by a beer to complement its flavors. Cost: $30. Reservations: 923-9020.

WINE AND DINE

AT POLO GRILL

The Polo Grill and Bar will debut its monthly wine dinner at 6:30 p.m. July 30. The evening will include a cocktail party, a three-course dinner with cooking demonstrations and wine tastings. On the menu: snapper gravlax, braised beef cheek ravioli and a tasting of coastal Maine rhubarb prepared three ways. 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. Cost is $49.95. Reservations: 782-0899.

SARDINIAN NIGHT

Chef Dino Carta and Cafe Americano, 1409 Main St., Sarasota, offers a six-course tasting menu of Sardinian dishes this evening: crab cake with fried mussels, baby octopus chowder with semolina pasta, squid ink risotto with sole filet, trout ravioli with clams and caviar, halibut au gratin over Sardinian vegetables paella and gelato with almond wafers. Cost is $55. Reservations: 365-1026.

SUMMER IN THE CITY

Bijou Café, 1287 First St., Sarasota, continues with its “Summer in the City” prix fixe menus. This week’s entrées include: spinach pasta stuffed with Italian mascarpone and artichokes, salmon pommery (grain mustard- and dill- encrusted filet with tomato tarragon sauce) or chicken paillard (thin slice of chicken breast seared with garlic and lemon). Cost: $32.95. Reservations: 366-8111.

RED, WHITE AND YOU

Cosimo’s Brick Oven, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, is celebrating America’s diverse cuisine with a buffet, wines from eight vineyards and nine beers, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. On the menu: Carved buffalo roast with rosemary jus; corn tamale cakes with avocado salsa verde and cumin sour cream; vegetarian Creole jambalaya; California broccoli salad; New England “lobsta” shooters; Reuben croquettes with spicy thousand island dressing; Southern-fried catfish; green bean casserole; barbecue pork with sweet potato hash; and for dessert, patriot cake and chocolate bread pudding with Jack Daniel’s sauce. Cost is $25. Reservations: 363-0211.

CAJUN-CREOLE COOKING

nDerek’s Culinary Casual, 514 Central Ave., Sarasota. When: Thursday.

More information: 366-6565 or www.dereks-sarasota.com.

COOKING CLASSES

ROY’S, 2001 Siesta Drive, Sarasota. 952-0109; www.roysrestaurant.com.

nSarasota Classics. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 30. Menu: Spicy crab rangoons with jalapeño tamarind cherry dipping sauce; shiitake- dusted grouper, sautéed spinach, fingerling potatoes and Pernod coconut cream sauce; Roy’s dessert sampler. $55.

APRON’S COOKING SCHOOL

Publix, 2875 University Parkway, Sarasota. 358-7829; www.publix.com/aprons.

nSeafood on the Grill. 6 p.m. Friday. Menu: chipotle shrimp and pineapple kebabs; grilled-chilled seafood and white bean salad; grilled oysters with fennel butter; citrus swordfish with citrus salsa; split grilled lobster tails with herb butter. $50.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, 1451 First St., Sarasota. 955-8500 or www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

nTop 10 Wine Pairing. 6 p.m. Thursday. A pairing of Whole Foods’ top 10 wines with cheeses. $5.

nKids in the Kitchen Cooking Class. 11 a.m. Sunday. For ages 6 to 12, accompanied by an adult. Free. Pre-registration is required.nPolo Grill Executive Chef Damon Vogell. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Menu: shooter Maine lobster bisque, parsley chive oil; Maine diver scallop paillard, mache salad and warm pancetta vinaigrette; tenderloin tataki, watercress, aged soy vinaigrette, balsamic ponzu; stuffed quail, caramelized onion jus, pommes frites and lemon aïoli; lemon mascarpone, blood orange syrup, almond tuile. $40.

nSummer BBQ, cheese, and wine. 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Menu: Summer Veggie Grille with toasted-nut goat cheese rounds; Key lime shrimp with alouette cilantro-lime sauce; new potato salad dijonnaise; grilled duck breast and charcuterie dish; goat cheese stuffed peaches grilled with honey. $45.

NEW PRODUCT

A LOAF OF BREAD, A BOTTLE OF WINE ...

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