FYI ... food

Here is this week's FYI ... food column:

Fleming’s Steakhouse

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has partnered with local Naples law enforcement and safety agencies for a safety awareness day from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 8985 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Grilled burgers and hot dogs will be offered; the K9 Unit, mounted patrol, Boy Scouts, Army, Navy and Marine recruitment, safety demonstration and local bands will be stationed outside the restaurant.

Wine tastings and dinner

* Bruce Nichols, author of “A Nichol’s Worth of Wine,” and Peter Figge, owner of Figge Cellars, will pour and talk about fine wine from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Sea Salt, 1186 Third St. S., Naples. Admission is free, but 20 percent of bar sales during the talk will benefit Opera Naples’ Opening Act. If participants stay for dinner they will get 50 percent off Figge Cellars wines. Reservations: 434-7258

* Artichoke & Company will have a five-course wine dinner paired with wines from Caymus Vineyards at 6 p.m. March 24. The restaurant is at the Village on Venetian Bay, 4370 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples. $54. Reservations: 263-6979

* Tony’s off Third will have a wine tasting of the Hess Collection with James MacPhail of Sequana Vineyards from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 25 at 1300 Third St. S., Naples. $5. Reservations: 262-7999

* Haskell’s will sponsor a wine tasting aboard the Naples Princess at 8:30 p.m. March 25 at 550 Port O Call Way, Naples. $50. Reservations are required. Reservations: 254-1120

March Madness

March Madness frenzy is mounting at Shula’s Steak House. The restaurant offers televised games, so you can catch the fever and enjoy steaks while watching your team. It also books its private dining room for those who want to watch only with their friends at the Hilton Naples & Towers, 5111 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Reservations: 430-4900

Easter dining

* Brio Tuscan Grille will be open at 10 a.m. on April 4 at the Waterside Shops, 5505 U.S. 41 N., Naples, and will offer a Tuscany-influenced Easter brunch menu with prices ranging from $10.75 to $13.95 all day. Reservations: 593-5319

* Flemings’ Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers a three-course Easter Sunday brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 4 for $29.95. Visit at 8985 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Reservations: 598-2424

* Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club will have a buffet Easter brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 4 at 851 Gulf Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples. Adults are $52 and children 6 to 12 are $18. Reservations: 435-4347

* Roy’s Restaurant is giving you a $20 gift card for another visit when you order the three-course brunch on April 4. The restaurant is at 475 Bayfront Place, Naples, 261-1416 or 26831 S. Bay Drive, Bonita Springs, 498-7697

* Shula’s Steak House will offer a three-course Easter menu for $49.95 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 4 at the Hilton Naples & Towers, 5111 U.S. 41 N., Naples. Reservations: 430-4900

Cooking lessons and demonstrations

* Whole Foods has a introduction to Indian foods at 6 p.m. Monday, and sauce basics at 6 p.m. March 24 at 9101 Strada Place, Naples. Both are $10 and registration is required at www.acteva.com/Go/LifestyleCenter.

* Bobbie Thompson will give a free demonstration on how to make a coffee cake from noon to 12:30 p.m. March 27, and Shelly Connors will cook an Easter lamb dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. March 30 ($50) at the Good Life, 2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples. Information: 514-4663

Cupcakes and more

Simply Cupcakes now has Ciao Bella gelato and sorbet in single servings for $2.50. The store is also offering a jelly donut cupcake to go perfectly with your morning coffee. It is a donut batter filled with raspberry jam and topped with sugar. Warm it for 10 seconds in the microwave oven. Get one (or more) at 2757 U.S. 41 E., Naples. Information: 530-1100

New chef

Scott D. Sopher has been appointed the executive chef at Naples Bay Resort and its signature restaurant Olio on Naples Bay at 1500 Fifth Ave. S., Naples.

Easter treats

Sugar-coated, brightly colored Peeps marshmallow candy is the ultimate Easter treat. This year they also come covered in either milk or dark chocolate at Publix Supermarkets.

Starbucks

Take a coffee journey at Starbucks through May 3 get a pound free. Every week, the stores will brew a new, different flavor. Try one new brew for $1.50 a cup and decide which you like best. Get a “Journey” card with your first cup, and have it marked at each week’s tasting. After you taste all eight, exchange your card for a free pound of your favorite to enjoy at home.

Deadline for FYI is 10 a.m. Thursday. E-mail to snmesulam@naplesnews.com or mail to Sheila Mesulam, Naples Daily News, 1100 Immokalee Road, Naples, FL 34110. All briefs are printed on a space-available basis. Connect with Sheila Mesulam at www.naplesnews.com/staff/sheila_mesulam

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