Area Restaurants "Cook up" a Savory September During the Third Annual Restaurant Month

Contests and Events Kick Off Culinary Celebration in August

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. October 14, 2008

FT LAUDERDALE, FL, July 26, 2005. There's a lot to savor in Greater Fort Lauderdale but none so sweet as the third annual SAVOR Greater Fort Lauderdale September Restaurant Month, presented by Florida Travel and Life Magazine. Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to dine at long time area favorites and chic new hot spots when they present special three-course menus for lunch and dinner priced from $10.05 -$30.05.

The line-up of more than 40 of the area's finest, dishing up the culinary celebration of the year include:

15th Street Fisheries, 3030 Ocean, Bin 595, Bistro Mezzaluna, Black Orchid Cafe, Bravo Ristorante, Boulevard Cafe, Cafe Del Mar, Carltons Restaurant, Chez Andree, Conca D'Oro, Eduardo de San Angel, Frankie's Pier 5, Giorgios Grill, Indigo at the Riverside Hotel, Johnny V, KM at the Grapevine, La Barraca, Las Palmas, Latitudes, Le Bistro, Louie Louie, Mama Mia, Mancini's Ristorante, Mangos, Mark's Las Olas, Marola's Restaurant, Marola's Trattoria, Michael's Kitchen, Nikki Marina, Primavera Restaurant, Rino's Ristorante, Rino's Tuscan Grill, Shirttail Charlies, Spazio, Sushi Room: A Sake Lounge, Tara Steak and Lobster House, Taverna Opa, Thai Pepper, Trina Restaurant, Tropical Acres and Window's at Irelands.

To get curious epicures in the mood to munch, SAVOR is offering a chance to win the "Ultimate SAVOR Greater Fort Lauderdale Experience" - Dinner for two at each of the participating restaurants. Between August 1 - 25 residents and visitors can register online at www.savorfl.com. Not to be overshadowed, sponsors have also offered up a bevy of prizes for runners up, including weekend retreats to Marriott Hotels and Resorts, a case - a - month for a year from San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, movie passes and group parties at Sunrise Cinemas, and a host of others.

More than just an offer to sample the unique flair of these talented chefs, SAVOR extends the epicurean adventure with a kick-off weekend celebration to highlight the community's cultural diversity and support local charities during three days of gustatory bliss, August 26 - 28, with an array of signature wine tastings, dinners and cooking demonstrations.

Leading the lineup of events during the kickoff weekend is the highly anticipated SAVOR Grand Tasting at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame on Friday, August 26 from 7-10 pm. Co-sponsored by Best Rental, Concept Bait, Premier Beverage, Southern Wine and Spirits, and Sunrise Cinemas, guests will succumb to sensory overload while dining on signature specialties from participating restaurants and nearly 100 wines and spirits in a most unique setting, to benefit Deliver the Dream.

Saturday, August 27 gives way to the SAVOR Connoisseurs Classic, a day long journey into the educational aspect of food and wine, with a series of wine tastings and cooking classes by day and the first annual winemakers dinner by night all to benefit the Florida Restaurant Association Educational Foundation ProStart(R) program. Hosted by Marriott hotels and resorts and co-sponsored by Acqua Panna, Camus Cognac, Geyser Peak Winery, Palm Beach Coffee Roasters, Riedel Crystal, Trinchero Family of Wines, San Pellegrino, Southern Wine and Spirits, Viking, and Wild Horse Vineyards, three wine tastings and three cooking classes will be presented simultaneously from 12-4 pm at the Renaissance Plantation hotel. Guest chefs include Rino Balzano from Rino's Tuscan Grill, Giacomo Dresseno from Primavera, and Gary Wood from Mancini's Ristorante.

The "grand daddy" of all dinners takes place Saturday evening at 7 pm during the BR Cohn Winemakers Dinner and Auction at 3030 Ocean, located in the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa. Co-sponsored by Premier Beverage and BR Cohn Winery, the evening will begin with a reception featuring hors d'oeuvres prepared by Kevin McCarthy of KM at the Grapevine paired with a delicate BR Cohn Rose, flown in from the winery especially for the dinner. Once guests take their seat, the five course dinner will consist of appetizers prepared by Chef Mark Militello of Mark's Las Olas, salad by Chef Michael Blum of Michael's Kitchen, fish course by Chef Dean James Max of 3030 Ocean, meat course by Chef Johnny Vinczencz of Johnny V, and dessert Chef Andy Trousdale of Le Bistro, along with commentary from Dan Cohn of BR Cohn Winery.

Family fun, food and entertainment take center stage when SAVOR pays salute to Viva Broward(R) Hispanic Heritage month with the presentation of the VIVA SAVOR Tasting Tent at Bank of America's Fiesta Fort Lauderdale sponsored by the Department of Agriculture's "Fresh from Florida" program. Enjoy free live entertainment Sunday, August 28 from 11 am-6 pm on the banks of the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale and $10 admission to the VIVA SAVOR Tasting Tent. Indulgences include Fresh From Florida Juice and Smoothie bar, Fresh from the Farm bar, paella, and other gourmet goodies with a Latin twist. Children can participate in the Fresh From Florida Coloring contest and view an edible centerpiece contest between high school culinary students with the chance to take home gifts and prizes.

For the second year in a row those traveling to attend SAVOR Greater Fort Lauderdale events can enjoy saving on their lodging at participating Courtyard, Renaissance and Marriott hotels and resorts, the official hotel group of SAVOR. Special rates, via an online reservation code, are available exclusively on www.SAVORFL.com, in addition to special offers that will be made available throughout the calendar year.

Beyond the culinary celebration, which occurs each September, residents and visitors will find the newly formatted www.SAVORFL.com E-magazine the perfect insiders guide on ways to savor Greater Fort Lauderdale all year round.The new E-Magazine format will feature enhanced member restaurant listings with monthly updated specials, food and wine event calendar and online recipe search in addition to shopping, entertainment and nightlife guides focusing on the art scene and community events.