Black Ankle, Woodhall have food on the brain

Making note of a couple winery and food items. Black Ankle Winery has delayed its expected opening to sometime this month at the earliest. But if you want to beat the rest of the world to a taste of the Mr. Airy, Md., winery that's getting a lot of buzz, you can purchase a couple selections at Morgan's American Grill in New Market, Md.

Meanwhile, the folks at Woodhall Wine Cellars in Parkton, Md., reported in its August newsletter that on Sunday afternoons during this month they've arranged for live music, cheap (as in price, not quality) food, great wine and a recession busting wine sale. Donations for the music will benefit the national Arbor Day Foundation. The food will be provided by Patricia Della Casual Fine Dining. The wine is by Woodhall. And the wine sale will feature a different wine variety each week, including the following:
Tomorrow, Cajun Day
Aug. 10, Italian Day
Aug. 17, Tex Mex Day
Aug. 24, Provence Day
Aug. 31, Maryland Day

The winery also is planning to offer exclusive samplings of its new Vintner's Prestige series on Saturdays through the month. There will be a charge.

Finally, the Eat In Season Challenge committee of Slow Food Baltimore will continue its series in August with a special menu at Donna’s, Charles Village, 3101 St. Paul St., Baltimore. The challenge requires that the main ingredient of each course be sourced locally. The dates are Aug. 9 through Aug. 16. Some of the menu choices are expected to be: tomato consommé with local goat cheese, homemade fresh mozzarella and tomatoes with basil and olive oil, white corn flan, Maryland crab salad with cantaloupe and fresh mint, soft-shell crabs with farmers market succotash, sweet and sour fairy tale eggplants, Springfield Farm pork tenderloin with peach chutney, and roasted local capon with lemon. Expect to see some Woodhall wines there.