This weekend’s Summer Solstice event at Sarah’s Vineyard will be about a lot more than wine.
Sure, the $10 cost — cash only — includes a glass and tickets for tastings of a variety of red and white wines from the vineyard on Steels Corners Road, across from Blossom Music Center, in Cuyahoga Falls.
But each year, the folks at Sarah’s work hard to line up food vendors who offer not-your-usual festival fare, as well as artists and bands. This is the 12th year for the three-day outdoor event, which will run 4 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
New this year, nearby Brunty Farms of Bath Township, which specializes in pasture-raised meats, will sell sausage and the Cafe Arnone Food Truck will serve Italian specialties, reports the vineyard’s general manager, Sarah Altieri.
Some favorite food vendors from last year will return, including the Ornery Goat Dairy of Edinburg Township, which will sell goat cheese and spreads.
Making its inaugural appearance is the Box of Squirrels, a band that says it “infuses folk, Americana, indie, blues and rock music, and Akron funk band Get On Up! is back.
Oh, yeah, the wine! The lineup includes Hampton Hills chardonnay, named for the nearby Hampton Hills Metro Park; Miserabile, a merlot blend that had been a big seller at earlier festivals; Sweet Elisa, a Concord and Niagara grape blend; and Painted Lady, a semi-sweet riesling.
The vineyard’s address is 1204 W. Steels Corners Road. For more information, go to the Facebook page for Sarah’s Vineyard Annual Summer Solstice or go to www.sarahsvineyardwinery.com. Call 330-929-8057.
Taste of Twinsburg
The inaugural Taste of Twinsburg, featuring eats from more than a dozen restaurants, will run from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday in Twinsburg Township Square, at state Route 91 and state Route 82. Church Street will be turned into “Restaurant Row,” and local groups will have informational tables.
There will be lots of activities for the kids, including a roaming magician, obstacle course, face painting, crafts and story times.
There’s no admission charge; patrons pay for samples.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the free or reduced-price lunch program at Wilcox Primary School. Participants include Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern, Brewsters Cafe, D’Angelo’s, Robesto’s Catering and the Hard Rock Rocksino at Northfield Park.
For information, go to www.tasteoftwinsburg.com.
Blue Door adds dinner
The Blue Door Cafe & Bakery in Cuyahoga Falls, which has gained a local following for its breakfast and lunch eats, began dinner service earlier this month under the leadership of Torsten Schulz.
Blue Door owner Michael Bruno, a retired Marine known for his baked goods, notes that Schulz is a Michelin-starred chef. Schulz is a former executive chef at DBA Dante Boccuzzi Akron.
At the Blue Door, dinner is being offered from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday only, and Bruno recommends that you call for reservations as seating is limited at the eatery at 1970 State Road. Call 330-926-9774.
Bruno is extending to dinner service his celebration of local, fresh, seasonal food and natural ingredients.
“We decided to keep the same concept that we have been using now for breakfast and lunch — i.e, a small, ever-changing menu that is based on ingredient availability, seasonality, and the creativity of our chefs,” Bruno says on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
The page is laden with pictures of dishes, such as one featuring Cape Cod pan-roasted scallops with heirloom carrots, carrot flan and chanterelle mushrooms, and shots of non-alcoholic drinks, including one called the Essence of Ohio Strawberry, boasting aged balsamic, Madagascar vanilla, fresh basil and local strawberries. (The Blue Door does not have a liquor license.)
Bruno opened the Blue Door in the former Golden Goose coffee shop and bakery in 2011. Bruno had baked at the Golden Goose after returning to the area when he left the Marine Corps.
Open Door in Hudson
Not to be confused with the Blue Door, the Open Door Coffee Co. has opened in the former Hattie’s Cafe at 164 N. Main St. in Hudson, across from the green in downtown Hudson. The shop is in the landmark brick Saywell building, which housed Saywell’s Drugs for more than 90 years.
The shop, offering baked goods, is owned by Charles and Deborah Pinnell. Call 330-653-5900 or go to www.opendoor-coffee.com.
Send local food news to Katie Byard at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.