Select restaurants around Shelter Island will be offering signature selections and samples in this year’s installment of “A Taste of Shelter Island,” scheduled for Tuesday, April 20 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. This year marks the 21st annual event, orchestrated by the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce as a fundraiser to benefit chamber programs such as scholarships for Point Loma High School students. For most of the event’s history, the gastronomic delight has gone by “The Chamber Chomp” as its slogan. According to Matt Kalla, president of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, this year’s slogan “A Taste of Shelter Island” is intended to bring out a bit more elegance and refinement in the event. “I’m looking forward to the event and the opportunity for Shelter Island restaurants to showcase their culinary talent and for the local community to both discover and reconnect with Shelter Island and the eateries there,” Kalla said. According to Kalla, “A Taste of Shelter Island” is an excellent opportunity for restaurants to gain new exposure and for the local residents to support local businesses and enjoy quality food not just passed through a fast-food window. Giving back to local establishments is key when merchants are still on the road to economic recovery, Kalla said. For $15, participants will have finger foods and samples available to them from 12 different restaurants. Participating restaurants along Shelter Island Drive and the vicinity this year: • The Brigantine • Pomodoro • Old Venice • Red Sails Inn • Blue Wave Bar & Grill • Point Break • The Living Room • Stars & Stripes Mart • The Wine Pub • Gus’s Subs & Pizza • Kona Kai Café • The Bay Club Bar & Grill Some samplings The Wine Pub, 2907 Shelter Island Drive, is a new name in the list of regulars in this year’s “Taste.” Owner Sandy Hanshaw said she is excited to be participating for the first time. “On our relaxed patio heated with a fire pit, we will be serving up our signature clients’ favorite appetizer bruschetta. There will be a fresh mozzarella with tomato and basil bruschetta and an artichoke spread with grilled red pepper bruschetta. Also, we will be keeping happy hour prices all night, with $4 select glasses of wine.” A staple merchant in the “Taste” is the Brigantine, a restaurant known for its seafood. “We will be serving our calamari strips, which are cut from calamari steak and coated with a layer of Italian bread crumbs. We will also be providing portions of our clam chowder,” said Brigantine manager Ann Kendall. The Point Break Café, a Point Loma breakfast favorite, will also be doing a bruschetta creation, only this one will include sautéed mushroom and roasted red bell pepper in balsamic vinaigrette. To add some distinction, the café will also be serving sweet potato chips with a parmesan garlic cheese topping with a chipotle aioli dipping sauce, said owner Kevin Lewis. There will be a free shuttle traveling between restaurants, giving people with physical challenges the means to experience as much as possible. The price of admission for the event does not include beverages. Advance tickets can be purchased at: Seaport Realtors, Stars & Stripes Mart, Matt Kalla of State Farm Insurance, Union Bank, Rosecrans Automotive, Sunrise Community Bank. On the night of the event tickets may still be purchased in the Brigantine parking lot from 5:30 to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.peninsulachamber.com.
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