The place to go for good food and good art is the eighth annual Taste for Art this weekend.
This year's event will be held at The Torpedo Factory, October 17, from 7-10 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Torpedo Factory.
"The money that we raise will support the operating expenses of the Friends of the Torpedo Factory and will go directly into the $1,000 Patron's Choice award," said Melanie Decola, the administrative coordinator for the Friends of the Torpedo Factory. "All ticketholders will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite artist and the top three winners will share the $1,000 prize."
Artists will display their works in a variety of media, including sculpture, watercolor, ceramics and oils. "We have a lot of photographs this year," Decola said. "We even have some digital prints."
WHILE ATTENDEES browse, they can sample food and drink from 15 Alexandria restaurants. Hard Times Café, Mango Mike's and the Bombay Curry Company have been involved in The Taste for a long time.
"This is just another way for us to get involved and support a worthy cause," said Fred Parker of Hard Times.
In addition to the mainstays, new restaurants are participating this year. Vermilion, a recent addition to King Street, will bring samplings from its diverse menu and Starbucks will provide coffee and other tasty treats. Founders' Restaurant, another new sponsor, will provide not only food but beer from its own brewmaster.
Tickets can be purchased in advance for $65 or at the door for $75. For those who are adventurous in the kitchen, chefs from Mango Mike's and Vermilion have provided these recipes. Try them at home and then come to the Taste for Art to see if the finished product was anywhere close to the dish that the real chefs make.
Participating Restaurants
Ben & Jerry's
Blue Point Grill
Bombay Curry Company
Evening Star Café
Founders' Restaurant & Brewery
Gadsby's Tavern
Geranio
Hard Times Café
La Bergerie
Landini Brothers
Mango Mike's
Starbucks
Stardust Restaurant & Lounge
The Chart House
The Majestic Café
Vermilion
Vineyard/Winery
Chateau Morrisette, Glen Allen, Va.
Farfelu Vineyards, Flint Hill, Va.
Tarara Vineyard & Winery, Leesburg, Va.
The Williamsburg Winery, Ltd., Williamsburg, Va.