Jan Norris: Food and Florida

La Sirena, the top-rated Italian restaurant in West Palm Beach, is closed for the summer, but chef/owner Marcello can’t stay out of the kitchen.

Mark Spivak

On Thursday he’ll reopen for one night for a special wine dinner. Mark Spivak, our wine geek on this site, will be there talking about wines. The “classic La Sirena tasting menu” dinner with wines is $65 – plus tax and tip.

• What: Wine dinner at La Sirena
• Where: 6316 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach
• When: Thursday, July 23, 6:30 p.m.
• Cost: $65 per person, tax and tip extra.
• Reservations and information: (561) 585-3128

Slow food farm tour

Slow Foods Glades to Coast chapter is sponsoring this event. Get in on a chance to tour a local farm – and take the kids! We’re big on teaching youngsters where their food comes from, and this is a great opportunity to do so while learning about South Florida’s small farmers.

Erickson family

Along with a tour of Erickson Farm,  an old-Florida family-owned tropical-fruit farm – specializing in mangoes and avocadoes, you’ll hear a talk by Rosealie Weiss, who will share award-winning mango recipes and some info on tropical fruits.

The group meets at Wellington’s Whole Foods Market to caravan out there, and you’ll have a chance to pick up a lunch at the market before leaving.

• What: Erickson Farm Tour
• When: Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m. to noon (see meeting time below)
• Where: Meet at Whole Foods, 2635 S.R. 7, Wellington, at 9 a.m. for caravan to farm
• Cost: $5 per person.
• RSVP: 561-846-0212

Dough savings

From the useful web site, PalmBeachonthecheap.com, we learn that Publix is featuring Blue Bell ice cream at $5 for 4 pints through Wednesday. Since a half-gallon is $6.99 or more, it’s a savings. And, as the web site points out, you can try a variety of flavors and not get stuck with one you don’t like much. Or, buy a lot of the one you do. . .

We also heard about the free pastry at area Starbuck’s before 10  a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, July 21). Buy a cup of coffee and get a free scone or other item from their pastry case.