South Florida Food & Drink Events This Week: National Meatball Day, Naked Turtle Rum Tasting, and More
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 attend a naked rum tasting, sample some wine, or celebrate National Meatball Day, there's something for you to do in Broward and Palm Beach counties this week.
See also: The 2015 Hukilau Returns to Fort Lauderdale With Two New Events
Monday
Celebrate National Meatball Day in South Florida
When trying to find the "best" of any food, you need to set a standard -- and that can be pretty difficult when comparing meatballs to meatballs. For National Meatball Day on Monday, March 9, here are four of the best spots in South Florida to indulge. Big City Tavern (609 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) will be serving its Butcher Shop Meatball chicken parmigiana sandwich with San Marzano tomatoes, and pepperonata on an artisan baguette, or its Butcher Shop meatballs smothered in marinara and whipped ricotta. Its sister establishment, City Cellar Wine Bar & Grill (700 S. Rosemary Ave, West Palm Beach) will be serving up veal meatballs with whipped ricotta, basil, and focaccia bread. Casa D'Angelo (1201 N Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale) in both Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton will be serving their veal and prime beef meatball served over roasted eggplant and red peppers. And Angelo Elia Pizza, Bar & Tapas (4215 N Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale) with locations in Fort Laudredale, Weston, Delray Beach, and Coral Springs will have veal, turkey, and chicken meatballs served with tomato sauce or escarole and beans.
Seven Hills Wine Pairing Dinner at Del Frisco's Grille
Del Frisco's Grille Palm Beach will be hosting a wine dinner with Seven Hills Vineyard. The restaurant's executive chef Michael McLaurin will prepare a 5-course meal paired by the vineyard's founder, winemaker, and 4th generation farmer, Casey McClellan. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception featuring Seven Hills' 2014 Columbia Valley rose, followed by a seated pairing dinner featuring Blue Point oysters, seared ahi tuna, a dry-rubbed pork tenderloin, herb-roasted lamb chops, and an artisan cheese plate. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., and is $99 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Del Frisco's Grille is located at 340 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach. Call 561-557-2552.
Tuesday
Naked Turtle Rum Tasting
Get "naked" every Tuesday in March from 4-6 p.m. as Blondies Sports Bar in Fort Lauderdale welcomes the Naked Turtle girls and Naked Turtle Rum with free tastings, giveaways, and games. Throughout the two-hour event patrons can enjoy drink specials including 32-ounce Naked Turtle Buckets for $15, and drinks or cocktails for $5.75. The Naked Rum Company believes that rum, like life, is best enjoyed naked. That's why The Naked Turtle never touches the inside of an oak barrel. The rum is distilled five times using water from the Virgin Islands, and made with sugarcane molasses. Then it's bottled "naked" resulting in a rum that's seriously delicious. The event is free and open to the public. Blondies Sports Bar is located at 229 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-728-9801.
Wednesday
AFWC Wine Carnival and Consumer Challenge
This Wednesday, March 11, the American Fine Wine Competition (AFWC) will be hosting a special tasting event where South Florida winos will have the opportunity to sample more than 50 American-made wines -- each of which will be competing during the 8th Annual Fine Wine Competition coming in April. Event-goers will also have the opportunity to indulge in a number of food tastings provided by Publix Aprons and Smilin' Bob's Fish Dip. Also, find a wine-flavored popcorn from the Original Popcorn House, and special pairings with Flair For Fudge and Cabot cheese. During the event, 10 guests will have the chance to participate in the AFWC Consumer Challenge to see how much they really know about wine. The most wine-knowledgeable (or best guesser) will win two tickets to the AWFC Charity Wine Gala on April 24. Tickets are $45 per person if purchased online at winecarnival.eventbrite.com. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $60 per person. The event takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lakeside Terrace located at 7880 Glades Road, Boca Raton.
Thursday
Young Artist Music Series
This week, the finest young musical talent in South Florida will be performing at Bonnet House's in Fort Lauderdale as part of the Young Artist Music concert series. Concerts will take place at the historic Bonnet House Estate, an evening featuring wine, dessert, and coffee as part of your ticket price. The concert will take place on the veranda lawn, each piece played under a the starlit sky for a truly unique experience. The concert series takes place on select Thursday evenings through April, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This week enjoy the sounds of the University of Miami Frost Opera Theater. Tickets are priced $35 to $45, with an additional $5 fee for tickets sold the night of the concert. Series tickets are also available. Call 954-703-2614 for ticketing information, or visit the website. The Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale.
Wellington Food Truck Invasion
For the most part, invasions tend to have rather negative connotations. Have you ever heard of anyone being excited about a home invasion? Unlikely. On the other hand, we highly doubt anyone would be upset about being invaded by boatloads -- or truckloads -- of delicious food. Well, it's time to prepare your appetites, because the Food Truck Invasion is about to take over Wellington. On Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., the weekly event will feature numerous food trucks at the Wellington Amphitheatre. The roundup is free to attend, and food will be available for purchase from individual trucks. The Wellington Amphitheatre is located at 12150 Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. Visit foodtruckinvasion.com.
Pembroke Pines Farmers' Market
Every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. the Whole Foods Market in Pembroke Pines hosts its weekly farmers' market where more than 40 vendors set up shop at the west end of the parking lot, offering locally grown produce, homemade products, and other unique goodies not found at any grocery store. Guests are invited to come out and shop for some of the freshest products in town, while supporting their local vendors and farmers offering items such as hand crafted jams and jellies; local honey; exotic fruits; hand poured soy candles; plants, trees, and fresh herbs; freshly made guacamole, ceviche, and salsas; and much more. Whole Foods is located at 14956 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines. Call 954-392-3500.
