Flip for Fox

Local Denny’s are at the following locations: 1440 W. Genesee St.;
6591 Thompson Road; 3414 Erie Blvd. E., DeWitt; 5300 W. Genesee St.,
Camillus; 7006 Interstate Island Road; and 7873 Brewerton Road, North
Syracuse. 

Spice of Life

In the never-ending quest to cook and eat something other than broiled chicken, spice meister McCormick has devised Recipe Inspirations,
individually packaged and pre-measured spice combinations, along with a
recipe card. The packages cost $1.99. The varieties include: apple and
sage pork chops, rosemary roasted chicken with potatoes, quesadilla
casserole, Spanish chicken skillet, shrimp and pasta primavera and
garlic lime chicken fajitas.

The environmentalists among us could complain about the six little
plastic cubes in which each spice is packaged, but there are two
advantages to the McCormick system. You’re not buying bottled spices
that will most likely go bad before you use them up. And these
combinations are perfect for novice chefs, who might otherwise get in
the car to eat out than create a meal at home.

Spring Ahead

Time to venture forth and celebrate a new year of new wines along
the shores of the Finger Lakes. On Saturday, April 17, and Sunday,
April 18, give Around the World in Eight Wineries a go, as the Keuka Lake Wine Trail
shows off the diversity of wines and culinary traditions. Each winery
will present a dish from a different country or region, and will pair
it with wine. Tickets cost $19 to $25 (less for designated drivers) and
can be purchased at www.keukawinetrail.com. Hours are Saturday, 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

King Ferry Winery: Among the Cayuga Lake venues participating in the Wine & Herb Festival, April 24-25. MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

• Along the Cayuga Wine Trail, it’s time to think spring as you visit the Wine & Herb Festival,
Friday, April 23, through Sunday, April 25. Sample herb-prepared
goodies paired with fine wines. Early-bird specials are available at
select wineries on Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, starting at 9 a.m.
Otherwise, hours are Friday, 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Advance-sale tickets cost $35 for singles, $50 per couple; at
the door, those prices respectively morph to $40 and $55. Designated
drivers pay $30 and $35. To reserve your starting point and purchase
tickets, go to www.cayugawinetrail.com.

• Finally, the Seneca Wine Trail welcomes back the warmth Friday, April 23, through Sunday, April 25, with Spring Wine & Cheese Weekend.
The classic tastes of wine and cheese are melded into one tasty
weekend, where visitors can check out more than 30 wineries. Pick up
your gift item and recipe book at your assigned starting winery and
sample your first wine, paired with cheese-enhanced foods. Tickets are
limited and cost $30, $18 for designated drivers. The event takes place
Friday, 1 to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For
more information, visit www.senecalakewinetrail.com.

Green Scene Seven

The kid-focused menu at Friendly’s has often left a lot to be
desired for adults. But the national ice cream chain has come to
realize that grownups want to eat better, and has devised new salads to
help them do so. Here are details about three of them.

Southwest Chipotle Chicken Salad offers a medley of salad
greens, grilled chicken, corn and black bean salsa, red onions and
green peppers, served in a tortilla bowl.

Bleu Moon Sirloin Salad, with grilled sirloin steak tips atop salad greens, green peppers, grape tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese and onion straws.

Apple Harvest Chicken Salad blends grilled chicken, apples, chopped walnuts and crumbled bleu cheese over a bed of mixed salad greens. 

“Our guests will love the new salad greens; we now have a vibrant
mix of romaine, endive, radicchio and carrots,” says executive chef
Andre Fuehr. “As for the new flavors, I believe we will surprise many
guests with our quality, flavor and variety.”

Area Friendly’s can be found at: 3701 James St.; 3275 Erie Blvd. E.,
DeWitt; 7560 Oswego Road, Liverpool; 5407 W. Genesee St., Camillus; 501
E. Genesee St., Fayetteville; and inside Great Northern Mall, Route 31,
Clay.