On the front burner: Octoberfest fun

As part of J. Ryans on the Grill’s international offerings, the restaurant, at 8389 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, has scheduled a week of Octoberfest lunches and dinners, Oct. 12-19. Along with Spaten Octoberfest pilsner beer and Bluefish Riesling wine, diners will be offered such robust fare as cream of potato soup or a Schnick Schnack platter to be followed by a choice of sausage, veal schnitzel and roast pork; sausage, bratwurst weisswurst and knackwurst; sauerbraten; veal prepared three ways and accompaniments of mashed potatoes, red cabbage and Bavarian sauerkraut. And, of course, there’s authentic apple strudel for dessert. For further information, call J. Ryans at 923-3200.

— Lee McCall

FOR MORE ACTIVITIES, SEE THURSDAY’S TICKET.

HOT SPOT

Lan, 1568 Main St., Sarasota, is a restaurant just starting to gain a lot of local buzz. Billed as “modern American cuisine with an Asian flair,” the restaurant’s owners admit they don’t know what to call it — sort of basic French with Asian ingredients in a fusion-style cuisine. Co-owners Brad Coburn and Lan Bradeen (a young chef who spent several years at the Summerhouse and a stint at Island Time Grill) have created a modern setting with an aubergine and fuchsia color scheme and contemporary art by Pablo Rojas. The restaurant appeals to seniors as well as the younger crowd, with a late-night menu from 10 p.m. until closing. During regular hours, patrons may select from dishes including tomato bisque with grilled goat cheese focaccia or pear and arugula foie gras; for an entrée, Kobe strip loin or quail with apricot and Fuji apple chutney; and for dessert, vanilla lavender crème brulee. According to Coburn, the proprietors have recently added a Thursday night chef’s tasting menu, featuring six courses for $50. For information, call 953-7111.

— Lee McCall

FARM TO FORK

Proprietor/chef Tommy Klauber, in his passion to support local growers, reports that his Polo Grill, 10640 Boardwalk Loop in Lakewood Ranch, is hosting a “farm-to-fork” event on Nov. 16 to kick off our region’s first harvest. This innovative party will be followed by farm tours, cooking demonstrations, tips on growing your own produce and other special events to be announced, culminating in Polo Grill’s first “Backyard Harvest Festival” in May. “Local gardeners will be able to show off their backyard bounty, win prizes and, most important, earn bragging rights,” said Klauber. For further information, call 762-0899.

— Lee McCall

NEW PARTY SPACE

There is a new place to hold a catered affair and it’s at Mattison’s Forty One, 7275 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Owner/chef Paul Mattison recently added The Galleria to the already thriving dining room and bar at the property. The Galleria, which has architectural references to elegant buildings in Milan, seats from 20 to 100 guests for a sit-down event and can accommodate up to 150 for a cocktail party. The venue features a state-of-the-art sound system, wine cellar entrance, skylights, a koi pond, waterfall and an opulent silver-leaf treatment on the walls. There is a dance floor, private bar and the outdoor terrace is landscaped to resemble an Italian garden. Mattison has also built a separate catering kitchen for The Galleria that operates independently from the one which services the bar and restaurant at Mattison’s Forty One. For more information on the area’s newest place to party, call 921-3400.

— Marsha Fottler

IT’S A MIGHTY LEAF

Available at Whole Foods Markets, Mighty Leaf Tea is introducing a new line of organic tea blends including Organic African Nectar, Organic Green Dragon and Organic Detox Infusion. Each tea pouch is larger, silk, hand-stitched, biodegradable and uses the entire tea leaf without breaking down the tea ingredients. A box contains 15 pouches and retails for $8.95.

PAJAMA PARTY

On Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon, children 12 years old and younger and invited to wear their pajamas to the Sweet Tomatoes Pajama Party, where they will receive a free meal with the purchase of an adult meal. Sweet Tomatoes, 4994 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, are encouraging children to come in their favorite sleepwear and enjoy breakfast as part of National Pajama Month. For more information, call 922-4908.

SOUTH AMERICAN DINNER

Michael’s Wine Cellar, 1283 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, will be hosting a South American-themed wine dinner on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. Special guests will include representatives from four South American wineries. Wines to be served will include: Pascual Toso Brut Sparkling, Bodega Norton Torrontes, Santa Ema Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ema Amplus One, Bodega Norton Privada, Montes Alpha Syrah, Pascual Toso Reserve Malbec and Montes Late Harvest Gewurztraminer. For information, call 366-0007 or visit www.bestfood.com.

A TASTE OF HYPNOSIS

Tastings, 1528 Main St., Sarasota, will be featuring hypnotist Mark Patterson on Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. The cost is $10 per person, which includes a glass of house wine or draft beer. Reservations are requested. Call 366-0107.

REAPING THE HARVEST

Dine at the Columbia Restaurant, 411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, in September, and you will be making a donation to a local charity through the restaurant’s 11th annual Community Harvest program. The Columbia donates 5 percent of all lunch and dinner checks to charitable organizations chosen by customers. Over the past 10 years, Community Harvest has donated more than $820,000 to more than 100 nonprofit organizations throughout Florida. For more information, call 388-3987.

PRIX FIXE DINNERS

AND SUMMER MENUS

Bijou Cafe, 1287 First St., Sarasota; 366-8111; www.bijoucafe.net.

Cafe L’Europe, 431 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota; 388-4415; www.cafeleurope.net.

Canvas Cafe, 239 S. Links Ave., Sarasota; 366-2233; www.canvascafesrq.com.

Chez Sylvie et Fils, Merchants Pointe Plaza, Swift and Clark roads, Sarasota; 923-9020.

Clayton’s Siesta Grille, 1256 Old Stickney Point Road, Sarasota; www.claytons siestagrille.com; 349-2800.

Crow’s Nest, 1968 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice; 484-9551; crowsnest-venice.com.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 2001 Siesta Drive, Sarasota; 358-9463; www.flemingssteakhouse.com.

Harry’s Continental Kitchens, 525 St. Judes Drive, Longboat Key; 383-0777; www.harryskitchen.com.

Mattison’s, all locations; www.mattisons.com.

Michael’s On East, 1212 S. East Ave., Sarasota; www.bestfood.com.

Morel Restaurant, 3809 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota; 927-8716.

Roy’s Sarasota, 2001 Siesta Drive, Sarasota; 952-0109; www.roysrestaurant.com.

NEW PRODUCT

SWEET CANDIDATES

Just in time for a presidential debate or election gathering, Mrs. Beasley’s bakery is offering butter shortbread cookies or vanilla cupcakes with John McCain and Barack Obama logos or pictures (printed on edible rice paper). Six cookies are available for $21.95 plus $10.95 for shipping; six cupcakes for $25.95 plus $11.95 to $31.95 for shipping. Order online at www.mrsbeasleys.com/obama

mccain.cfm or call (800) 710-7742.

— Los Angeles Daily News

APRON’S COOKING SCHOOL

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

Hemingway’s Hideout. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. On the menu: Key West conch chowder; fruity spinach salad; candied sweet potatoes, shrimp with roasted garlic; roasted pork with prune sauce and mango chutney. $40.

Sushi 101. 6 p.m. Friday. Learn the ancient art of sushi, including rice cooking and ingredient selection. $50.

Picnic at the Beach. 11 a.m. Saturday. On the menu: grilled corn and lima bean salad; roasted vegetable pasta salad; lemon-herb roasted chicken; turkey rolls with raspberry chipotle cream cheese; drunken fruit. $35.

ROY’S

2001 Siesta Drive, Sarasota. 952-0109 or www.roysrestaurant.com.

Roy’s Cooking Class. 6:30 p.m. Monday. Menu: torched tuna and hamachi with Aloha ponzu sauce; herb-seared U-10 day boat scallops with a kaffir lime tzatziki and panzanella salad; Kona coffee brulee. $55; includes one glass of wine per person.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET

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

Fifth Annual Brews Fest. 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, $10.

C’EST CHEESE

4114 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 924-3374; www.cestcheese.net.

A Cheese and Dessert Wine Tasting.

7 p.m. Friday. This informative tasting explores the world of blue cheeses, paired with delicious dessert wines. $18 per person.

RENAISSANCE ON 9th

1816 9th St. W., Bradenton. 749-0100; renaissanceon9th.org.

Holiday Entertaining & Festive Presentations. 6 p.m. Nov. 22. Get in the holiday spirit with Renaissance on 9th executive chef Joe Stoddard. $25 per person.

THE CANCER PROJECT

H2U Cortez Center, Blake Hospital Medical Center, 6670 Cortez Road W., Bradenton.

Cancer Prevention and Survival Cooking Class. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday. A class focusing on the importance of adding antioxidants phytochemicals to your diet. $20 per person.

EXPLORING THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Cork, 29 N. Boulevard of Presidents, Sarasota, will host its September “A Time to Taste,” wine tasting on Friday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The theme of the tasting will be “Up and Down the Pacific Northwest,” and will showcase some of the newest and brightest offerings from Washington and Oregon. For more information, call 388-CORK.

WINE TASTING

South Trail Liquors, 7310 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, will host a wine tasting from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Featured wines will include 2006 San Angelo Pinot Grigio, Italy; 2006 Liberty School Chardonnay, Central Coast; 2006 Michele Picard Dry Rosé, France; 2006 Mark West Pinot Noir, California; and 2005 Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. Call 927-9463.

LIBATIONS

THINK PINK

On Oct. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m., VINO 100 Bradenton, 5222 State Road 64 E., in the Bennett Plaza Shopping Center, is hosting “Think Pink,” a fundraiser to honor local residents Greg and Mary Harris as they participate in this year’s Breast Cancer three-day walk in Tampa. The event benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Mary Harris is a breast cancer survivor, and her husband, Greg, who works for SeaBreeze Wines, is her biggest supporter. They will walk 60 miles on Oct. 31-Nov. 2, raising funds for the foundation. For more information, call 747-8466.

On Oct. 11, VINO 100 Bradenton will host a free wine tasting featuring northern California wine-country artist Deborah Haeffele, who will showcase her images of vineyards and wineries in her native state as well as in Italy and France. The tasting will be held from 1 to 5 p.m.

CONNOISSEUR CLUB OFFERS FRENCH RIVER CRUISE

The Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club, the loyalty program for the Klauber/ Moulton/Mancini family of restaurants, resorts and shops, is setting sail aboard the Avalon Scenery from Aug. 25 to Sept. 1, 2009, through Burgundy, the Rhone Valley and Provence. Hosted by Michael and Tommy Klauber, the tour will include a stay in Paris (in a pre-cruise event), a visit to France’s wine country just before harvest, a ride on the “fast” train to Beaune, and a seven-day river barge cruise. Visit www.florida-hospitality.com.