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Frownie debuts, while Smiley goes purple

Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Kings Family Restaurants is sending in the "frowns" with its new dessert item called the Frownie.

The fudge brownie iced with a frowning face isn't meant to be a downer, says Hartley King, the restaurant chain's founder. "Our customers have told us for years we make a mean dessert. ... Frownie's a dessert ambassador, a spokesbrownie with an attitude."

The brownie can be purchased with another Kings dessert for 59 cents, a la carte for 99 cents, or in a six-pack to go for $4.99. A Frownie Sundae is $2.99.

Meanwhile, the public has chosen purple as the next color for Smiley, the cookie mascot of Eat'n Park Restaurants. It is the first new permanent hue for Smiley since 1986, according to Kevin O'Connell, senior vice president of marketing. It joins longtime colors blue, green, yellow, red and orange.

The decision to add a color was prompted by the popularity of special edition Smiley cookies, including heart-shaped ones for Valentine's Day and fish-shaped for summer. Runner-up colors in the contest were teal and lime green.

One dozen Smiley cookies cost $5.99 at the restaurants; they can be ordered from the Web site with an extra charge for shipping and handling.

Details: www.kingsfamily.com; www.eatnpark.com

Polish council honors cookbook authors

Cookbook authors Hanka Sawka and Hanna Maria Sawka will be honored at a "literary/culinary feast" sponsored by the Polish Cultural Council at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Trimont Plaza, 1305 Grandview Ave., Mt. Washington.

The women will be discussing and signing their Polish cookbook-autobiography, "At Hanka's Table" (Lake Isle Press Inc., $21.95), and sharing stories and traditions from their native country. The evening features Polish appetizers -- including herring with vodka and roasted meats -- a choice of salads and desserts.

Tickets are $20 each for council members, $25 for the general public and $10 for students.

Details: 412-871-3347

Country harvest cooking set for Meadowcroft

Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum of Rural Life is sponsoring several food-related events for the public this fall.

  • "Country Harvest Supper," from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 23, involves guests in butter churning and helping to prepare an 1830s meal on the open hearth. The cost is $45 per person.

  • "Taffy Pulling Parties" take place in one of the villages log homes. Guests will sing carols, take part in a holiday program in the one-room schoolhouse and make an ornament to take home. The cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children. The parties are on Nov. 19 and 20 and Dec. 3 and 4, by appointment.

    • Reservations are required for all the activities.

    Details: 724-587-3412, www.meadowcroftmuseum.org

    Herb book editor in spotlight at fundraiser

    "Herbes de Pittsburgh" is the theme of the Western Pennsylvania Unit of the Herb Society of America's Fourth Annual Luncheon on Oct. 8 at the Longue Vue Club along Lincoln Road between Nadine and Verona road in Penn Hills. The keynote speaker is Shirley Kerins, editor of "A Celebration of Herbs: Recipes from the Huntington Herb Garden" (Huntington Library Press, $29.95). The book was named the national winner of the 2003 Tabasco Community Cookbook Awards.

    A gourmet luncheon -- a major fundraiser for the group -- will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The afternoon features an herbal market, and guests can bid on gift baskets.

    Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are $50 a person.

    Details: Pat Leiphart, 724-266-5989

    Shadyside wine tastings focus on Italy

    Enrico's Ristorante-Shadyside is sponsoring "Second Tuesday Night Wine Tastings" to explore different wine-producing regions in Italy. Three wines will be paired with antipasti for $20 a person. The tastings are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 (Abruzzo), Nov. 8 and Dec. 13.

    The cost is $20 a person.

    Details: 412-661-1050, www.enricos-shadyside.com

    Great Race Expo offers nutrition, health booklets

    "Eating for Energy" is the title of a booklet published for runners and walkers in the 28th running of The Great Race, a 10K event on Sept. 25 beginning at Frick Park and ending at Point State Park. The public also is invited to pick up a copy to learn how to choose the proper foods to fuel their bodies every day, as well as on a race day.

    The 28-page booklet is offered by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, presenter of the race, on Sept. 23 and 24 at the Great Race Expo, IBEW Local No. 5 Conference Center, 5 Hot Metal St., South Side. Highmark also is pairing with two restaurants -- Claddagh Irish Pub and Hot Metal Grille, both in the Southside Works -- for cooking demonstrations.

    The booklet features general nutrition tips, as well as recipes for breakfast, appetizers, salads, main dishes, side dishes and desserts. Race participants will receive a copy in their registration packet.

    The expo is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 23 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 24.

    Details: 412-255-2493, www.RunGreatRace.com


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