While other restaurants hold monthly wine tastings, Stephen Starr's Steak 954 offers something a bit different: a wine battle, where you'll be the judge.

Hosting a new monthly Wine Wars Dinner series ($85 per person) starting at 6 p.m. May 24, Chef Jason Landon Smith will create a five-course meal paired with two different pinot noirs, one old world and one new.

Your challenge? Deciding which wine pairs the best with each course. More >>

Courtesy photo

Chef Anthony "Radar" Risoli.

SoLita Italian Restaurant and the Parlor Lounge locations in Delray Beach and Fort Lauderdale will host a chef wine series this week, with a dinner Tuesday night in Delray and Wednesday night in Fort Lauderdale. The restaurants each will host a similar event in June.

The menu, created and prepared by executive chef Anthony "Radar" Risoli, is a four-course meal with passed starters (including a mix of bruschetta). The appetizer is a cioppino with crispy calamari. A pasta course will include tortellini with pancetta, mushrooms, cream, Peccarino, and truffle oil. The entree is grilled pork chop with Marsala wine and mushrooms. There will be a dessert course and each course is paired with a wine.

The cost is $65 per person, plus tax and tip. Send an RSVP to privateevents@solitaitalian.com. If you have any food allergies or special dietary restrictions, be sure to mention that in your reservation. Each dinner is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

---

Follow Clean Plate Charlie on Facebook and on Twitter: @CleanPlateBPB.
More >>

He's ready to kick it up a notch.

The American Fine Wine Competition's fifth year comes to a close with Thursday night's gala dinner at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Chef Emeril Lagasse is a featured guest, as he will be preparing the main course for the four-course dinner. Superfans have a chance to sit onstage at "Emeril's table." A predinner lottery will select a handful of guests to sit ringside as the champion of "Bam!" prepares the entrée for the evening: roasted filet mignon with brown-butter Gulf blue crabmeat, a fondue of local mushrooms with spring field peas, and a black truffle sauce.

The rest of the meal -- which will not be prepared by Lagasse -- includes a first course of shrimp and ricotta ravioli with roasted tomato, cioppino shellfish broth, and a sourdough rouille crisp; a second course of baby arugula with Zinfandel poached pear with sugared walnuts and blue cheese with grain mustard vinaigrette; and a "tribute to Florida Key lime" dessert with a black-bottom spiky Key lime pie with crystallized candied Key lime and chocolate Key lime truffles. Passed hors d'oeuvres and, of course, lots of American wine -- as in, more than 600 varietals -- also will be served at the event, which runs 6 to 11 p.m. Tickets cost $300 per person.

---

Follow Clean Plate Charlie on Facebook and on Twitter: @CleanPlateBPB.
More >>

Courtesy photo

Paul Castronovo (left) with Katie Woodbury, and restauranteur Dennis Max.

​Paul Castronovo is a talker. That's probably a given, considering he's made his living as a radio personality, known throughout South Florida as half of the "The Paul and Young Ron Morning Show." But this famous voice also loves to chat wine and food. His wine label, Castronovo Vineyards, is a favorite topic of conversation, particularly as since his experience as a purveyor of Italian wine has led to an opportunity to travel throughout Italy and interact with wine experts from around the world.

When Clean Plate Charlie reached Castronovo on Wednesday afternoon, he had just finished up talking travel details with American Express. He's currently putting the finishing touches on plans for his annual pilgrimage to Italy to check in with the vineyard and winery where he is a partner. He'll head out on June 8 with friends and family -- ten people in all -- and spend time in Rome, Sicily, and Abruzzo, where the vineyard is located.    

"What a great excuse to go to Italy," he said.

More >>

A bucket full of the good stuff.

​ More >>

Denise Cross via Flickr Creative Commons

This is the message you're gunning for on February 14.

​Need to butter up your amore on Valentine's Day? One option is an evening of wine and sexy sax at Love in the Park at Huizenga Plaza in downtown Fort Lauderdale. More >>

Timpano in Fort Lauderdale is expanding its wine menu.

​Timpano Italian Chophouse has updated and expanded its wine list to include more by-the-glass selections, featuring high-end wines.

All in all, Timpano will feature more than 50 wines by the glass, including some from boutique vineyards like David Ramey, who's Cabernet Sauvignon will be available by the glass ($18) or bottle ($67). 
More >>

Toast to a good time at The Best Cellar Wine Bar

​If you've always wanted to know more about wine and are looking for something to do this evening, look no more.

The Best Cellar in Wilton Manors is hosting an educational winetasting tonight, January 14, from 8 to 10 p.m. 

For $15 (about the price of a movie and a small popcorn), you'll have the opportunity to taste and learn about almost a dozen wines including: 
More >>

Through My Eyes via Flickr Creative Commons

This puppy is ready to party.

​Enjoy a reasonably priced night out and help totally adorable pets in need of forever homes at the Whiskers and Wine event benefiting Warm Hearts Pet Rescue and Good Karma Pet Rescue.

The wine mixer includes appetizers, and there is limited space available, so organizers suggest an early RSVP.

More >>

The Wine Dive/Facebook

The Wine Dive's interior will feature wineglass art.

​Clematis Street is expanding again, this time with a much-welcomed addition of a full-service wine bar and restaurant.

The Wine Dive is set to open on Clematis Street just in time for Christmas shoppers to take a break for a little liquid courage before heading back to the shops for one last round of gift purchasing.


More >>