THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 11, 1995 TAG: 9505100052
SECTION: FLAVOR PAGE: F5 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: A La Carte
SOURCE: Donna Reiss
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
HERE'S A summer school to sink your teeth into.
Chef John Zinitz of Town Point Club in Norfolk and wine expert R.L. Williams have planned a tantalizing series of food and wine marriages from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays in June.
The first night, for example, will feature oven-warmed brie and brandy-soaked pears with a 1991 Hugel pinot blanc; miniature cheese calzones and citrus chicken breast with a 1989 Chateau Montcontour Vouvray; and a cooking session featuring pan-seared shrimp and scallops with roasted garlic and fresh herbs plus a 1990 Joseph Phelps Sauvignon Blanc.
The June 15 meeting, in conjunction with the Town Point Wien Club, includes a five-course dinner with selected wines.
Williams is a professor of biochemistry at Old Dominion University and director of the Enological Research Facility, which conducts research into the relationship between wine and health. He and his wife, Sherry, teach continuing education courses in wine appreciation.
Fortunately, there are five Thursdays in June to enjoy the $210 program and earn a continuing education credit as well.
For more information, call 683-5101. To register, call 683-4247; to register by phone with a credit card, use course number CN48321.
Isle resurfaces
The resurfaced Isle of Capri Italian restaurant offers an exceptional ocean view in a comfortable setting of seafoam and beige on the sixth floor of the refurbished Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, 39th Street and Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach. Elevated sections assure every diner at least a glimpse of the sea.
A Laskin Road landmark since 1951, this family operation closed in 1994. Now, Pascal Arcese, son of the founder and chef at the old location since 1981, is preparing veal specialties, shrimp fra diavolo, chicken florentine and a moderately priced selection of pastas. He'll also make favorites from the old menu, upon request.
Isle of Capri is open for dinner nightly, with appetizers averaging $5 and dinners averaging $13. Manager T.J. Rovira, formerly at Le Chambord, has stocked the custom wine cabinet with a dozen Italian wines and another dozen American vintages with prices from $14 to $42. A half-dozen wines are available by the glass. Call 428-2411 for information and reservations.
The French connection
Forget haute couture. ``The hottest thing in Paris right now is scallop carpaccio, says Joe Hoggard, owner of the Ships Cabin in Norfolk, after a trip to France. Half-dollar-size scallops are sliced thin and served in oils scented with such flavorings as truffles, spices from Martinique and fresh green herbs, Hoggard said.
The globe-trotting restaurateur took along his executive chef, Bobby Huber.
Huber said he was surprised by the lightness, freshness and imagination of the dishes.
Dinner specials at Hoggard's Norfolk restaurant, 4110 E. Ocean View Ave. (362-5749), will show some of the French influences. Huber will be larding salmon with thin strips of Surry bacon and serving it with lentil salad and a beet-onion-red wine reduction, for example.
He'll offer fresh crab and shrimp with a touch of sesame oil vinaigrette and South African spices.
Sevens up
California Cafe calls its May 22 wine dinner ``7 Courses, 7 Wines at 7 p.m.''
But it'll cost you more than $7 - $50 including gratuities, in fact - for a feast that begins with seafood consomme with oyster and spinach pillows accompanied by Beringer Fume Blanc 1992. Also served will be wild boar with wild mushroom confit with Estate Guenoc Red Meritage 1991 and a chocolate tower with cappuccino mousse and fresh raspberries with Kenwood Merlot 1992.
To join the festivities at 313 Laskin Road, call the California Cafe at 422-5588.
Two-for-one dining
The International Dining Club, a Richmond-based restaurant program, has initiated a coupon series for South Hampton Roads.
Memberships of $40 bring two-entrees-for-the-price-of-one coupons for 12 visits each to local restaurants such as the Lucky Star and Cafe Society in Virginia Beach, Monroe's and Elliott's in Norfolk, Amory's Wharf in Portsmouth and the Spirit of Norfolk.
Special gourmet dinner deals are included at Le Chambord in Virginia Beach and Antiquities in Norfolk. Two dozen restaurants are participating.
For information and memberships, call toll-free (800) 849-4432. by CNB