Maybe because people are coming back from vacation and there’s nothing else to do until Thanksgiving, our city is overflowing with events, from the fine arts to back-to-school sales. Lots of restaurant owners are wisely using this time to offer new menus, wine tastings and other events, and expand their customer bases.
The upcoming wine tasting festival at the Old Original Bookbinder’s in Church Hill is a benefit for the Association of Retarded Citizens. This is a wine sampling which includes many vintages, plus food by Bookbinder’s. It takes place Saturday, Sept. 8, at 5 p.m. The cost is $40 at the door, $35 in advance. Call 358-1874, ext. 3229 for more information.
The Gray Swamp Inn follows next Tuesday, Sept. 11, with a dinner and tasting with wines by Luca Peschina. The winemaker will be present to discuss each serving. This event is $80 per person and takes place at 7 p.m. call 754-3464 for reservations.
We mentioned an upcoming event at Lemaire, in this column last week. The introductory course on professional wine tasting will be presented by Lemaire sommelier Steve Fox Sept. 14. $135. 649-4644.
While some restaurants are celebrating the return of fall, and hence students, families and revenue, others bit the dust over the summer. Two new casualties, places where you won’t be dining any time soon, are Barrister’s Café (still open for catering) and the Big Easy Grille & Raw Bar.
Cabo’s is probably in no danger of closing, but they’re not taking any chances. The bistro is trying out a new late-summer menu in an attempt to squeeze some life out of these last few weeks of heat. Look for new lobster and crab dishes as well as exotic fresh fish on the new menu. 355-1144.
