by Nikki M. MascaliStaff Writer
SAME FACE, NEW PLACE
After the tragic loss of his business partner Mike Matosky in September, Dave Ciminelli will formally open AuRants (941 Main St., Duryea) Wednesday Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. Ciminelli, the former River Street Ale House chef known for eclectic fusion fare, is also partnered with Ted Kerpovich and Chris Arnone.
AuRants is a play on the word “restaurant,” and its slogan is “A separation from the REST.” Opening night — and every Wednesday — will feature Wheats and Wings, with half-price wheat drafts and 35-cent wings.
“It was our collective dream to own a restaurant one day,” Kerpovich told Dish last week.
The restaurant will have a wide selection of microbrews and imported beers. Williamsport’s Bullfrog Brewery will debut a new beer Friday, Oct. 16. Diners can expect Ciminelli’s unique game meats and some funky new dishes, like Asian haluski — as well as familiar ones.
“I’d say every single one of the Ale House favorites will be on our menu,” Kerpovich shared. “We wanted to create a place for food and beer lovers, by food and beer lovers.”
AuRants will be open Wednesday-Saturday from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday 5 p.m.-midnight and plans to open for lunch soon. For more info, call 570.451.1500 or visit aurants.com.
A PERFECT MIX
Leadership Lackawanna will present “Cocktails and Cuisine, a Cultural Experience” Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Electric City Trolley Museum (300 Cliff St., Scranton). This unique food-and-alcohol-paring event includes a silent auction, door prizes and music by Doug Smith Jazz Trio.
Tickets are $30 per person for Leadership Lackawanna Alumni Association members or $40 for non-members and are available at the door or in advance by contacting Karen Durkin at kdurkin@scrantonchamber.com.
TASTING THE SEASON
Fire and Ice on Toby Creek (Route 309, Trucksville) will hold an OctoberFest Beer Tasting Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy Chef Gary Edwards’ homemade foods while tasting five German and fall beers. Cost is $24.95 per person, plus tax and tip.
For more info, call 570.696.3580 or visit www.fireandiceontobycreek.com.
SIPS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Dionysus Downtown (244 Penn Ave, Scranton) will hold Wine Fest 2009 Saturday, Oct. 17. The event will feature wines from France, Italy, Argentina and the United States, plus live music, cheeses by iGourmet.com and more. Tickets are $50. For tickets and info, visit www.dionysusdowntown.com or call 344.3388.
TEACHING TAPAS
Chef Alice Cooking (4714 Ash Dr., Long Pond) will present the hands-on class Tapas: Small Plates of Spain Saturday, Oct. 17 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Register at www.chefalicecooking.com. Future classes include Big Taste, Small Waist: Asian (Oct. 27) and Big Taste, Small Waist: Divine Desserts. Both are also from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
EATING OUT & ABOUT
I had lunch last week at Lucky’s Sporthouse (110 Schecter Dr., Wilkes-Barre Twp.) and have to say that the grilled chicken panini was delicious. It featured chicken, spinach, tomatoes, provolone cheese and a basil aioli that was super-tasty. It came with a side of fresh fruit, which was a nice change from fries.
If you ever find yourself up Tunkhannock way, you must eat at Twigs Restaurant & Caf� (1 E. Tioga St.). Not only is the place absolutely darling, but the food is just fantastic. I had Athenian chicken — three saut�ed breasts with tomatoes, kalamata olives and basil in a delicate white wine/lemon sauce atop a bed of rice (which I chose over pasta). Topped with feta cheese and capers, it was heaven.
GOTH-WORTHY GOODIES
One thing I love almost as much as I love food is Halloween. In my Dean & DeLuca e-mail newsletter last week, I saw that the “purveyors of fine food, wine and kitchenware” have a fabulous selection of Halloween-themed goodies.
I’m smitten with Bond Street Chocolate’s handcrafted skulls. They’re made of 72-percent dark chocolate — and some are even gilded with edible silver. How cool is that? A set of two with six pieces each is $40.
I also adore pastry artist Rebecca Russell’s marzipan figurines. Russell molded these almond-paste delights into Pumpkinhead, Skullboy and my personal favorite, the vampire Nosferatu. The 3-piece set is $35.
While I’d never pay that much for either of these fantastic treats, I sure wouldn’t stop you from putting them in my trick-or-treat bag … hint, hint!
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