October 6: Strategies for Building a Balanced Wine Collection The experts at the Italian Wine Merchants can show you how to build up your wine collection beyond those bottles that were left over from your last party. During the course of the afternoon, you'll taste eight Italian wines including vintage Barolo, Brunello, Super-Tuscans, and more while sampling assorted antipasti. $125 per person. Reservations required and can be made online or by calling 212-473-2323 x106. 1:00......

Bruni goes to Lidia Bastianich’s Felidia (last reviewed and three-starred by Ruth Reichl in 1995) and reaffirms the three-stars. He’s crazy about the risotto, and calls its food “surprisingly distinctive in a city infatuated with, and just about saturated by, various kinds of Italian cuisine.” Peter Meehan visits Sake Bar Hagi, a japanese pub near Times Square. It’s a great contrast to other after-work options in the neighborhood, he says, plus it’s cheap. “The sake-buzzed......

July 11 - 13: Chianina at at Maremma Join Tuscan native Chef Cesare Casella and his team at Maremma as they make special dishes featuring the traditional Tuscan beef -- Chianina (pronounced kee-a-nee-na). Chef Casella raises his herd of Chianina at Thanksgiving Farm in the Catskills regions of upstate New York. 228 West 10th Street, 212.645.0200. July 13: A Celebration of Simple Pleasures This panel discussion features Ruth Reichl, Anne Patchett, Jane and Michael Stern,......

Twentyaday weighs in with a look at some of the places covered in last weeks Subway Fare. We like that they refer the uniqueness of the fries for a fast food place. Please go to one of these restaurants on Sunday, April 30th to do your bit fighting the damage left by genocide in Darfur. Right now we are leaning toward Tia Pol or Cafe D'Alsace. A light and enjoyable post from the Mr. Asimov's......