Several Triangle restaurants are celebrating heirloom tomato season with special dinners. Here are three that might interest you:
At 7 p.m. Thursday, July 8, Foster's Market in Chapel Hill is offering one of its farm dinners, which happen every other Thursday at that location. The family-style meal will feature heirloom tomatoes from Peregrine Farm in Alamance County. It costs $15 for adults, $7 for children. (Owner Sara Foster encourages parents to bring their children and noted that accomodations will be made for children who don't like the tomato-centric menu.) The menu includes a tomato plate with three different heirloom varieties, shrimp and pasta al fresca with focaccia and melon ambrosia. Walk-ins are welcome. Reservations are encouraged: 967-3663. The store is located at 750 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Raleigh's Zely & Ritz restaurant has made a tradition of heirloom tomato dinners. Last year, demand was so high that they ended up hosting seven such events. So far, they three dates chosen: July 20 and 28 and Aug. 3. Call 828-0018 for details and reservations.
Raleigh's 18 Seaboard is hosting heirloom tomato wine dinners at 7 p.m. July 26 and 27. It costs $45 per person plus tax and tip. The menu includes a sampling of heirloom tomatoes and cheese, bibb salad with green zebra tomatoes and sprite melons, grilled filet mignon with tomato terrine, corn, potatoes and a warm heirloom tomato gazpacho and an upside-down sungold tomato and pineapple cake with honey-basil ice cream. Call 861-4318 for a reservation.
