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FOOD & DRINK

Liz Biro's Foodie Action: Northside restaurant deals

Liz Biro
liz.biro@indystar.com

Wine Connoisseurs gather at Historic Union Station for Ice Miller Indy Wine Fest.

How to eat local

Ivy Tech Community College chef Thomas England has eaten around the world and cooked in New York City. At home in Indianapolis, he goes for the 100-mile diet. England uses food available within a 100-mile radius of the city. What does he find to eat? Hear about his experience at the "Food within Reach: How to Eat Local" discussion from 6:30 to 9 p.m. March 5 at Conner Prairie.

England, an Ivy Tech hospitality and culinary arts program coordinator, shares how he finds homegrown foods and how he uses them throughout the year. Also on the panel are Todd Jameson of Balanced Harvest Farms, Chris Baggot of Tyner Pond Farm and Husk Foods; and Maria Smietana of Farm to Fork Market and Valentine Hill Farm. Central Indiana farmers and food producers will talk local food markets, too. A "snacks and food showcase" begins at 6:30 p.m.; the panel discussion starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are free but reservations are required.

13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers; (317) 776-6000, www.connerprairie.org

Fine wine fest

International and Indiana wines flow at the 16th annual Ice Miller Wine Fest 6 to 9 p.m. March 6 at Historic Union Station at Crowne Plaza in Downtown Indianapolis. Connoisseur Area tickets ($120) get you not specialty wines and gourmet nibbles. Plenty of sips are poured for Main Tasting Floor ticket holders ($60). You may order wines that you taste at the event. Raffles for various prizes happen throughout the evening. Online tickets are sold out, but at last look, a few tickets were available at Kahn's Fine Wines & Spirits, 5341 North Keystone Ave. Event proceeds benefit WFYI Public Media's programs and lifelong learning services.

123 West Louisiana St., (317) 251-9463, www.wfyi.org

The North End Barbecue & Moonshine, 1250 E. 86th St., is participating in the Northside Nights restaurant event.


Northside restaurant deals

Some of my favorite Indy restaurants are among 32 spots offering meal deals during Northside Nights March 9-22. Treat yourself to three-course, value-priced meals at places such as Late Harvest Kitchen, The North End Barbecue & Moonshine, Oakley's Bistro, Georgia Reese's, Harry & Izzy's, Pizzology and Cobblestone Grill. Menus cost $30 per person or $30 for two people. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available at some places. Review menus at the Northside Nights website.

www.northsidenightsindy.com

Did General Tso eat chicken?

Indy Film Fest's Film to Fork series pairs food-driven movies with related menus. The third season begins with "The Search for General Tso" 7 p.m. March 12 at The Alexander hotel restaurant Market Table. The flick takes viewers from Shanghai to the American Midwest to discover the origins General Tso's Chicken, a popular dish at many Chinese restaurants in America. It's not on the evening's menu, but who cares? Bo ssam is. The slow-roasted pork shoulder is served lettuce wrap style with accompaniments such as kimchi, assorted pickled vegetables, sticky rice and sauces. The first course is miso soup. The film starts immediately following dessert, lychee ginger sorbet. Tickets cost $50 and include dinner, a glass of wine and admission to the show. You must purchase tickets for this show by March 6. No worries if you miss it. Three more events are planned, one in March, two in April.

333 S. Delaware St., (317) 560-4433, www.indyfilmfest.org

Call Liz Biro at (317) 444-6264. Follow her on Twitter @lizbiro, Instagram @lizbirodish and Facebook. Email her at liz.biro@indystar.com.