Around and around we go; today is the start to yet another lovely workweek. Hopefully, you have a bit of a spring in your step from some indulgent weekend activities. If not, don't fret; there are still plenty of events to keep you busy through your working days. Whether you're looking to participate in a beer pairing dinner, attend a wine tasting during Ladies Night at Wine Scene, or want to sample some takes on the classic negroni during National Negroni Week, there's plenty of food and drink events taking place in Broward and Palm Beach counties this week.
Monday
Free Food at Boston's on the Beach
During the month of June, Boston’s on the Beach salutes students whose hard work and dedication have earned them high marks in the classroom. Students 12 years old and younger will get a free meal from the children’s menu at Boston’s just for bringing in their report cards. For scoring straight A's, there is a free meal and a custom T-shirt reward. Celebrate your children’s achievements at Boston’s without breaking the piggy bank. The special children’s menu features tasty, nutritious selections for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, starting at 7 a.m., with patio or indoor seating. The report card reward offer is good Monday through Friday, for up to two kids per adult entrée, in the month of June 2015. Complimentary valet parking is available Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrate National Negroni Week
This week is National Negroni Week, also a global fundraising event that celebrates the classic cocktail through participating retailers, bars, and restaurants that donate $1 from every Negroni, bottle of Campari, or Negroni-related item sold to charities of their choice. This is the time to celebrate the classic apéritif cocktail that combines one part gin, one part vermouth, and one part Campari — garnished with orange peel. At Cafe Boulud you can sample a barrel-aged take featuring St. George rye gin, sweet vermouth and Campari aged for six months. At The Cooper when the restaurant will pay homage to one of the world's greatest cocktails with a choice of two slightly bitter (and unabashedly boozy) negroni sippers (one barrel-aged and one non-barrel-aged), with a portion of the drink proceeds benefitting Loggerhead Marine Life Center in Juno Beach. In Delray Beach, bars including 3rd & 3rd and Brûlée Bistro will be taking part, as well. Or drink to a good cause with the Subculture Group at places like Dada, Kapow!, and the Dubliner. All this week, each restaurant will be making a $1 donation to Healthy Bellies, founded by our Dada executive chef Bruce Feingold and his wife Amanda. Another great deal includes Yappy Hour at Angelo Elia and D'Angelo's, where a special sales of negroni will benefit the Humane Society Of Broward County. All four-legged friends are VIPs for the night and will be able to enjoy special seating on the patio, where their human friends can enjoy a complimentary Negroni cocktail, half-priced wine or beer, and appetizers from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., available on outside patio.
Wednesday
Funky Buddha Dinner Pairing at Rebel House
Boca Raton's Rebel House will be offering a five-course pairing dinner featuring dishes matched with five Funky Buddha brews. The cost is $63 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at EventBrite.com.
Thursday Funky Fun Run
The Westin Beach Resort and Running Wild present the Funky Fun Run every Thursday night starting at the Running Wild store at 6:30pm and ending at the Westin Beach Resort for a free pool side reception with music and craft beer courtesy of Funky Buddha. A free shuttle back to Running Wild is available after the event. 5k Fun Run / Walk Poolside Reception Craft Beer Music. Call 954-565-9400.
Ladies Night at Wine Scene
Join Deanna Caniff of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates on a tour of the world at the Wine Scene in West Palm Beach. Tastings will include Col de Salici Spumante Rose (Valdobbiadene, Italy); Torres Cordillera Chardonnay (Limari Valley, Chile); and Jean Leon Merlot, Palau Vineyard (Penedes, Spain). Cost is $20 per person and includes a pairing plate of bites. Attendees get access to the wines tasted at 50 percent off all night. After, listen to live music by Whiskey Wasps, an acoustic duet. Even if you can't make the structured tasting, feel free to drop by for the regular ladies night, when the venue extends a 25 percent discount on its entire menu. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP email [email protected], or text 561-502-8869.
Thursday
GMO Free Florida Monthly Meeting
You've heard the adage, "It takes only one person to create change." Well, it takes actually a lot of one persons to make a difference; it takes a group, a protest, a parade's worth of people. And to rally that type of support, it takes a cause. That's what it comes down to, simply having a reason. When the people have a reason, they will rally around it. And suddenly, everyone matters. The cause we are talking about is anti-GMO, and the local organization creating a movement is GMO Free Florida. If you have been living under a giant corn kernel, "GMO" means "genetically modified organism." GMO Free Florida comes together every month to work for labeling and consumer awareness, and to plan upcoming events. Meetings start at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month. Admission is free. Meetings are at the Atrium Centre Property Management Co., located at 4801 S. University Drive in Davie. Visit gmofreeflorida.org.
Due South Beer Dinner at Suri Tapas
This Thursday, Suri Tapas in downtown Lake Worth will host a special pairing dinner with Due South Brewing. The restaurant, which specializes in alternative American tapas, will create a six-course pairing menu to serve with a different Due South brew. The dinner costs $50 per person. Tickets can be purchased at Suri Tapas Bar located at 707 Lake Ave., Lake Worth. Call 561-249-7436.
Tinder Thursday at America's Backyard
Join America's Backyard in Fort Lauderdale every Thursday for Tinder Thursdays. Find "love" here at America's Backyard. Download the tinder app and swipe right to all the cuties that conveniently surround you. Remember to set your discovery preferences to one mile. Drink specials all night, and $10 gets you access to unlimited beer pong. Oh, and if you show us you're a match, you get a free condom. Doors open at 10 p.m.
Flaunt Thursdays at Respectable Street
Folks looking longingly at their $1 PBR tallboys is a recurring theme of the night at Flaunt Thursdays. The endless stream of skinny jeans and dresses lead you to a dance floor where 20-something bodies are grinding, shaking, and gyrating. People are dancing on the couch cushions. It gets as hot as the music gets loud. Inside, music is provided by resident Flaunt DJs Marvelous Kendall, JJ Contramus, Ozwaldus, and Danxiety. Live bands — both local and national acts — perform on the patio. No matter what Thursday you check out, this indie staple is Respectable Street's busiest night of the week.
Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.