Italian Food Biggies Set to Appear at Central Market

Lidia Bastianich, restaurateur, wine maker, author, TV personality, and more and such and beyond, will be at Dallas’ Central Market on May 2 with her son, Joe Bastianich, who is also a restaurateur, wine maker, and author. The event? A boo and bottle signing. Plus, 50 winners (see details below) will be invited to an intimate Italian wine and cheese tasting with the dynamic Italian duo. Certainly you know Lidia as the chef/owner of four New York City restaurants – Felidia, Becco, Esca, and Del Posto, and her five best-selling cookbooks. Or maybe you watch her PBS series, Lidia’s Italy. Joe, who is cute as a pizza pie, has partnered with orange-clogged chef Mario Batali and has received the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional award. Joe is also featured frequently as a wine expert on NBC’s Today Show. Want to know more? Jump.

UPDATE: See below (more…)

Special Dinner at York Street

Sharon Hage is putting on one of her great wine dinners at York Street. Better call soon. On April 16^th, she has invited Dan Heim from Roessler Cellars in Sonoma to give a little talk about the wineries fine Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay. Each wine is crafted from a single vineyard in different regions of California. Expect a wide range of flavors from the bottle and the kitchen—there will be six courses paired with six wines. A bargain at $120 per person, plus tax and tip. The name you need to know? Fana, 214-826-0968. Dial. Now.

Dallas Farmers Market Cooking Classes Announced

It’s hard to believe that this spring marks the 17^th year of cooking classes at the Dallas Farmers Market, but that is the reality, folks. And you’d better sign up fast—the lineup for the program, sponsored by the Dallas Farmers Market Friends and the good ol’ AIWF, is stellar. Lead-off hitter will be Kent Rathbun, who is taking some time off now that Abacus is closed for remodeling. (Believe me when I say that “time off” to Kent is not like “time off” to us. This dude never stops.) Anywhoo, Kent cooks on April 26^th and is followed the following Saturday by Kevin Maxey from Craft. The classes are held every Saturday from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM. After Kevin, the classes include Jason Weaver (French Room), Tom Fleming (Central 214), and Scott Romano from Charlie Palmer at the Joule. For information, please call 214-653-8088. Ask about their special price packages. (Hey, this is a great Mother’s Day gift.)