SIGN UP NOW: AL FORNO 2015 COOKING CLASSES

Instructors for winter 2015 classes at Al Forno (577 South Main, Providence  401-273-9760) are Chefs David Reynoso, Phil Niosi and Neil Temkin. Classes are all on Saturdays, noon to 3:00 p.m. and include a multi-course meal. $75.

January 17: Winter Braises
January 24: Secrets to Success with Hand-Formed Pizza
January 31: Italian Frying
February 14: Decadent Desserts
February 28: Simple Techniques and Recipes for Preparing Chicken
March 7: Antipasto Abbondanza
March 14: What to do with Less Common Types of Meat
March 21: Pasta Three Ways

Call Suzette or Rob: 401-273-9767
www.alforno.com

NEW YEAR'S WISH: MACARON CLASSES AT ELLIE'S BAKERY

The demise of French pastry classes at The French Tarte in Pawtucket (actually, the demise of the whole business) caused me to look around and see who else is cooking in Rhode Island. Cooks know the Al Forno site for classes so enough about them. Some other offerings you hear about are tough to assess - chefs/bakers are unknown or restaurants not impressive - but if you spend anytime downtown or at Gracie's (graciesprovidence.com) you will know about Ellie's Bakery (61 Washington Street, Providence  401-228-8118).

bryan ochalla

Here's your opportunity to work hands-on with Melissa Denmark and Allison Hertz, discovering how to create macarons or, if you are experienced, how to hone your skill with decorating techniques and more exotic flavors. Not obsessed with macarons? Learn to make pâte à choux and go on an éclair binge. Or learn basic cake-decorating, bread-baking, pie-making, and more.

Classes are mostly $85 a session except for Macaron classes which are $100. Some are two hours long, most are three.

Check out Ellie's website  and make  plans now for 2015. elliesbakery.com

CHEFS COLLABORATIVE BARBEQUE AT SCHARTNER FARMS 10/19

Here's a barbeque where you relax and let Jake Rojas, (Tallulah on Thames), Derek Wagner (Nicks on Broadway), David Reynoso (Al Forno), Matt Gennuso (Chez Pascal), Champe Speidel (Persimmon) and a big etc. of chegs do the cooking. Of course, there will be ample Rhode Island wine, beer, cocktails and soda (if you need tea and juices bring them along). Lots of music provided by: Smith & Weeden, Haunt the House, Honkytonk Nights and kitchen band, Turn for the Wurst.

All on the pond at Schartner Farms (www.schartnerfarms.com) in Exeter

Come with chairs and/or blankets

Saturday   October 19  4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Adults $68    Youth 11-17 $25     Little kids free

BIRCH HOSTS DEL POSTO CHEF: SEPTEMBER 29

The formerly Teeny, tiny Birch (200 Washington Street, Providence  401-272-3105), which has its own fine chef (Benjamin Sukle), gives over to Mark Ladner (www.markladner.com) of Del Posto (www.delposto.com) in NYC for a dinner on Monday, September 29  between 5:00 and 9:00 p.m. It's a tasting menu at $150 including tax and tip. Optional beverage pairing is $65. Portions of the proceeds go to the Rhode Island Food Bank. Selling out fast!

Monday   September 29    Reserve at birch-delposto.eventbrite.com

AL FORNO COOKING CLASSES: SIGN UP FAST

Al Forno (577 South Main, Providence 401-273-9760) cooking classes are limited to 15 persons; they sell out in a flash. The cost is $75 and for that you learn technique from Al Forno's own chefs (as well as guests), then feast on the results. Classes are held on Saturdays from noon to 3:00 p.m.

Dates and featured farms are:

September 13 - Viva Mexico! Poblano Farm with Al Forno chef David Reynosa with his sister, Olivia

September 20 - White Barn Farm of Wrentham, MA

October 4 - Allen Farms , Westport, MA

October 11 -  Walker Farm of Little Compton, RI

Nov. 8 - Dame Farm, Johnston, RI

Nov. 15 - Getting Ducky with D'Artagnan

Nov. 22 - Ferolbink Farm, Tiverton, RI


Call Rob White to register:  401-273-9760

www.alforno.com

AUGUST 11, 2014: BRUCE TILLINGHAST AT GRACIE'S

Most everybody knows that Gracie's in downtown Providence (194 Washington Street  401-272-7811) runs the Star Chef Series. In the last couple of years some pretty notable chefs have created dinners there. On August 11, a very local and well known chef, Bruce Tillinghast, beloved former owner of New Rivers (newriversrestaurant.com) will be the star in charge. Good news!

$125 per person before tax & tip

Call Gracie's to reserve (401) 272-7811   graciesprovidence.com

WARREN WATERFRONT: TRAFFORD

When Trafford (285 Warren Street, Warren  401-289-2265) first opened it seemed cavernous to me, and under-designed. Our first dinners weren't notable - disappointing because Warren needs this literal lift (the restaurant is two stories) to its dining scene and Trafford has excellent views of water, boats and pretty homes, winter and summer. Everyone wants to get close to the water and seats by the windows go fast but the whole place, upstairs and down, gives you a seaside feeling. Anyone who has ever dined on the water in Warren knows that it's especially fun on race nights when, if you're really early, you can watch boats set out or, later, watch them sail in with the setting sun. The waterway is narrow here, near enough to almost touch.

There have been decorating tweaks since those first visits and though Trafford doesn't deliver any culinary knock-outs (it's not a place where the waitstaff tells you the origin of every dish, e.g., where your clams were 24 hours ago) but it consistently serves good enough fare at non-outrageous prices. It's a menu to put you in a summer mood - lots of chowder, mussels, lobsters and salads, stuffies too. Of course, burgers and steaks. Gluten-free options too. No pressure to order big. And the drinks are good, with a couple of silly but fun martini-type drinks that aren't yucky sweet. They are totally agreeable about altering the drinks to suit you.

Maybe the best news is that Trafford is open for lunch everyday and for breakfast (8:00 a.m.) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

traffordrestaurant.com