You don’t have to fly to Buenos Aires to experience Latin passion. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in the Fort Myers River District will feature An Evening of Tango Saturday with fine food and performances by New York City Ballet dancers Tom Gold and Abi Stafford, violinist Kurt Nikkanen and pianist Maria Asteriadou.

 

The Champagne Reception starts at 6 p.m., and items in the silent auction fundraiser will include restaurant dinners, special wine bottles and a wide variety of art. At 7 p.m., Chef Chris Evans of Jamie and Jacob Catering will create gourmet Argentinean cuisine including passed hors d’oeuvres with arepas (sweet corn cakes), empanadas and edible spoons with black beans and corn salsa.
 

Spanish paella from Jamie and Jacob catering.
 

After a samba salad, the plated entrée will feature succulent roast pork, Spanish paella and grilled asparagus. The dramatic tango performance is at 8 p.m., followed by Argentinean desserts—including a Latin-style crème brûlée—coffee and wine bar.
 

Era of Art Dinner Chefs Carlo Rao, Eric Truglas, Chris Evans, Jeffrey Lucas.
 

It’s the first in the series of four elegant Era of Art Dinners with Berne Davis. An Evening of Opera follows on Dec. 1 with Carlo Rao’s Italian cuisine and Julliard musicians; Chef Eric Truglas brings a French touch to Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14; and Chef Jeffrey Lucas holds court May 7 with An Evening of Jazz, New Orleans-style.

 

Tickets for Saturday’s dinner are $175, and seats are going fast. I’ve got mine. How about you?

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St., Fort Myers, 333-1933 for reservations, www.sbdac.com.

 

 

 

Whole Foods Market is having a free, family event on Saturday from noon to 6:30 p.m. featuring samples of all-natural and organic foods throughout the store along with musical and circus-inspired entertainment.

 

This is worth an afternoon visit, as you may taste foods you’ve never tried before. Talk with local farmers, whose produce comprises 20 percent of Whole Foods’ shelves. Learn about organic agriculture, sustainable seafood, eco-friendly initiatives and other Florida producers. Taste on-site prepared foods before you buy. Bring the kids to enjoy free face painting, balloon animals and even a unicycle rider.

Whole Foods will then feature a cooking demonstration of Roy’s Hawaiian Cuisine from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 12. Chef Eric Delano’s classes are fun, his recipes are easy, and the food is delicious. It’s a great evening for only $10. On the menu: butternut squash bisque, spiced apple fritter, braised beef short ribs with caramelized fall veggies and signature chocolate soufflé. Pre-registration is required.

 

Whole Foods, 9101 Strada Place, Naples,  552-5100, www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

 

 

The newly expanded Patric’s is the place for delicious small plates and relaxing live music in a casual setting.The lighting is romantically low, the seating cushy and comfortable, and the wide variety of delicious tapas are less than $10. This is an ideal date night spot.

Patric's newly expanded interior.
 

Try chicken satay, grilled rib eye steak, seared duck breast, cedar-planked salmon, ginger-marinated shrimp and roasted beet carpaccio. The bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin is a must.

I was there Wednesday and enjoyed Bob Zottola & the Expandable Jazz Band. Acoustic guitarists and other musicians perform Thursday through Sunday (call for details). Naples has few spots to enjoy top musicians in a setting as wonderful as this.

 

Patric’s, 1485 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, 304-9754.    

Norman Love Confections will open its first Naples satellite store in December, next to USS Nemo Seafood Restaurant, at 3747 Tamiami Trail N. The 1,250-square-foot store has plenty of room for a full assortment of delicious chocolates, pastries and breakfast items. The coffee shop will also offer lattes, Italian gelato and smoothies. Sit at the counter, indoor tables or relax outside. Until opening, you can get your NLC fix at Naples’ Sea Salt, at 1186 Third Street S., Naples, 434-7258.

Vincenzo’s on the Bay in Bonita Springs just closed unexpectedly. Phone calls are met with: “The number you called is not a working number.” A former staffer indicated it was not due to the economy or the oil spill.