The Notester has the perfect thing to wash down that left-over turkey - some award-winning beers. Local beers.

At the Great International Beer Festival earlier this month in Providence, Buzzards Bay Brewing in Westford won a gold medal for its Harvest Bock, Cape Cod Brewing in Hyannis earned golds for its Cape Cod Red and its Cape Cod Dunkel Weizen, and Offshore on Marth'as Vineyard scored gold for its Hop Goddess.

Also, Mayflower Brewing in Plymouth received silver for its Mayflower Porter and bronze for its pale ale, Providence's Union Station got a bronze for its Friar Brown and Offshore also won a bronze for its Offshore IPA.

For the record, other local brewers with noteworthy suds include Cisco Brewers in Nantucket, Newport Storm in Portsmouth and Coddington Brewery in Newport.

It's a great corner of New England to live. Bottoms up. The local scene

The Notester had some pizza the other day from the new pub at North Bowl on Route 1 in North Attleboro, and The Notester pronounces it very noteworthy. They have a Pins & Pizza special at the newly renovated lanes that includes a large pizza, a pitcher of soft drink and two hours of bowling, including shoes. It's 40 bucks. (508.695.2695)

Smoked baby back ribs, Charlie Morgan's Ribeye and cedar plank salmon with scallops are on the menu at Bugaboo Creek on Route 6 in Seekonk, and you get 5 bucks off a meal of 15 bucks or more with the coupon in The Sun Chronicle. (508.336.2200)

The first annual New England Celebrities Tackle Cancer event is 6 to 10 on Monday at Christina's on Route 1 in Foxboro. Celebrities will be on hand and there will be auctions of sports memorabilia, vacations, gift baskets and a shot at playing pool with a celeb. Tickets are 125 bucks. (508.838.8198)

New items on the menu at Hearth 'n Kettle on Route 1 in South Attleboro include maple-glazed pork tenderloin, fisherman's stew and turkey croquettes. (hearthnkettle.com and 508.399.6677)

Next time you're at Benjamin's on Bay Street in Taunton for their Sunday sunrise specials, look for items like old fashioned apple pancakes, crab cake benedict and omelettes served with warm dijon potato salad.

You can get stuffed peppers for 7 bucks and beef stew in a bread bowl for 6 bucks with the coupons in The Sun Chronicle this week for Jenerations on East Street in Downtown North Attleboro. (508.8096585)

The Notester told you about the beaujolais nouveau the other week, and The Notester bets the Tasting Wine Bar & Bistro at Patriot Place in Foxboro goes has some left from its weekend-long celebration of the 2008 harvest. (508.203.9463)

Going North

Looking to satisfy that urge for King crab? Head to Boston's North End and Mare, where they serve them every night. They give them an Italian twist by steaming them in bullion with Sorrento lemons. (617.723.6273) Sel de la Terre at Long Wharf on State Street in Boston has a new wine and cheese menu that includes a three-course wine-and-cheese pairing in the bar and lounge. (617.720.1300)

three-course Sage in Boston has a Sunday night prix fixe menu for 22 bucks. You can get it from 5 to 10 Sunday. Look for salads, spaghetti carbonara with egg, pancetta and parmesan, ricotta ravioli and fried ricotta zeppole. (617.248.8814)

Going South

Braised ox-tail gnocchi, fresh pumpkin-filled ravioli with brown butter and sage and rigatoni Bolognese finished with fresh grated horseradish are on the expanded 16-item house-made pasta list at Zooma on Atwells Avenue in Providence, a Notester favorite.

Newport Restaurant Group sites The Mooring and 22 Bowen's Wine Bar & Grille, both in Newport, the Boat House in Tiverton, the Waterman Grille in Providence and Trio in Narragansett, offer a three-course fixed-price menu, Sunday to Wednesday for 20 bucks or 50 for two including a bottle of Beringer Stone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay.

Mario's on Haven Avenue in Cranston has three-course dinner specials Tuesday to Thursday, starting at 17 bucks. Look for Veal Valdostana, rabe portobello, Sirloin alla Mama and Caesar salad with grilled shrimp. (401.942.1009)

Walter's Ristorante d'Italia on Atwells Avenue in Providence offers bar bites on Tuesdays made during the cooking classes earlier in the day. (waltersonfederalhill.com and 401.273.2652)

They have Federal Hill Sundays with baked rigatoni, chicken, meatballs and pork sausage in a family setting, beginning at 11:45 at Spiga on Mayfield Avenue in Cranston. (spigatrattoria.com and 401.463.6075)

Gluten Free Dining Friends R.I. is off to the North End Cafe in N orth Providence for a holiday party Dec. 12. (401.926.9102)

Bon appetit. And if you go, let The Notester know.

HAVE A NOTE? E-mail it to notester@thesunchronicle.com or notester@silvercitybulletin.com. Or drop it in snail mail addressed to Restaurant Notes, The Sun Chronicle, Box 600, Attleboro, MA 02703.

Cindy Salvato is now leading culinary tours to Italy which will include cooking classes, wine tasting and accommodations in the Tuscan cities of Florence and Siena. The size of each tour group is limited. Her first group will spend five nights in Siena and two nights in Florence. Details are available at www.RIMarketTours.com or call (401) 658-3688.

The Artists' Exchange presents its annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest and Artisan Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 50 Rolfe Square, Cranston.Make a graham cracker construction into a work of art, either as individuals or as a group. Call Christina Mealey at (401) 490-9475 to participate.

Mohegan Sun Begins Construction On 24-Foot Gingerbread House

WHAT:

Construction begins on a life-size gingerbread house, which will stand 24 feet tall and be located in The Shops at Mohegan Sun. The walk-through gingerbread house is part of Mohegan Sun's annual Holiday Marvels and is a creation of Mohegan Sun's culinary team led by Executive Pastry Chef Lynn Mansel.

WHEN:

November 12, 2008 through November 26, 2008

MoheganSu n

Uncasville, Connecticut

The Shops at Mohegan Sun

IN DETAIL:

Construction has begun on Mohegan Sun's 24-foot gingerbread house located in The Shops at Mohegan Sun. The gingerbread house is part of Mohegan Sun's annual Holiday Marvels celebration. Photo opportunities will be available upon request beginning November 12th through November 26th.

Mohegan Sun's culinary team will begin decorating the gingerbread house on Sunday, November 23rd. On Monday, November 24th and Tuesday, November 25th, school children from the towns of Montville and Oakdale will help Mohegan Sun's culinary team decorate the house with personalized gingerbread bricks from 9:30am to 11:30am. Mohegan Sun chefs wrap up construction on the gingerbread house on November 26 t h.

Photos and interviews with Mohegan Sun's culinary staff and photos of the school children decorating the house are available on request.

Mohegan Sun's 24-foot gingerbread house will be coated with 4,500 pounds of icing, 150 pounds of white chocolate, 40 pounds of dark chocolate and four seven-foot life-size soldiers made up of 120 pounds of chocolate.

(zoomari.net and 401.383.2002) Zooma's "Prezzo Fisso" menu has returned, featuring a four-course dinner for two, coffee, dessert and a bottle of wine for $39. It's available Sunday through Thursday until 7 p.m.Cafe Paragon on Thayer Street in Providence has a fixed price, three-course menu Monday to Thursday for 20 bucks, and the brunch buffet is now be offered Saturdays and Sundays., (paragonandviva.com and 401.331.6200)

Plan your Peruvian escape with the North End's premier Italian-Peruvian culinary master - this spring chef Jose Duarte of Taranta is heading up a trip to his homeland. Sign on for the nine day excursion, and from the moment you set foot in Lima you'll be off on a gastronomic tour with pit stops in Machu Pichu, Cusco and Maras. Tour local markets, get a lesson in Pisco sour-making and enjoy hands-on cooking classes that'll give you a whole new insight into Peruvian fare. You'll also eat at some of the best restaurants around. See what else Duarte has in store for his charges - here's the itinerary (complete with pricing info and a few more details). If a trip isn't in the cards, you can always get your fix locally - just scoot down to Hanover Street for a bite to eat in Taranta's cozy, brick-walled dining room - just make reservations first - call 617.720.0052.

This week and weekend

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, 417 Hixbridge Rd., Westport, Mass., will hold a Holiday Open House on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This annual event is for the entire family and is an opportunity to sample local flavors and festivities with live entertainment. Admission is free but there is a charge for wine tasting. The nearby Buzzards Bay Brewing, 98 Horseneck Rd., Westport, Mass., hosts their Holiday Lager Cafe from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Ponderosa Steakhouse, 562 Washington St., South Attleboro, (508) 399-7250, offers special deals this Black Friday but only with a shopping receipt dated 11/28. Lunch buffet is $5 and dinner grillside buffet is $8.

News

XO Steakhouse, the first restaurant in Rick and Cheryl Bready's and John Elkhay's Chow Fun Food Group, has closed as it becomes the new Cafe Noir, a brasserie and bar. It will reopen on Dec. 1. The restaurant will not undergo a major renovation, but guests will contribute to dining room by inscribing their wine corks with messages before the corks are incorporated into the decor. XO's Executive Chef, Ben Lloyd, will continue to lead the culinary team. Hors d'oeuvres, priced under $8, will feature classic French Onion Soup Gratinee; Chicken Liver & Foie Gras Mousse; and Moules Mariniere. Sandwiches will feature Le Hamburger and Toasted Ham & Gruyere Cheese, priced under $10. Main dishes of Pork Tenderloin with herbs de Provence and eggplant gratin; Lamb Shank with mushroom Bolognese; and Bar Steak will cost less than $20. Cafe Noir, 125 North Main St., Providence, (401) 273-9090, www.cafenoirri.com, will be open Sunday to Thursday 5-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday till 11.

Cafe Paragon, 234 Thayer St., Providence, (401) 331-6200, www.paragonandviva.com, has a new executive chef. He is Michael Baccari, most recently of Bravo Brasserie. He will be introducing a new menu in the next couple of weeks. In other news, the brunch buffet will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays.

The National Restaurant Association has appointed Brian Casey to its Board of Directors to represent Rhode Island during the 2008-2014 term. He is the owner of the Company Picnic Company, a catering business, and the Oak Hill Tavern restaurant, both in North Kingstown. He is a graduate of Rhode Island College and currently resides in North Kingstown.

On the menu

Cucina Mista, 455 Main St., East Greenwich, (401) 398-2900, is now open for lunch Monday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. serving grilled pizza, gourmet burgers, salads, wraps and luncheon entrees.

Zooma Bar-Ristorante, 245 Atwells Ave., Providence, (401) 383-2002, www.zoomari.net, now offers its fixed-price menu Sunday through Thursday until 7 p.m. A four-course dinner for two with coffee, dessert and a bottle of wine costs $39.

Uno Chicago Grill now offers a gluten-free pizza, currently testing the new menu item in its Northeastern region restaurants including New England.

Turtle Soup, 113 Ocean Rd., Narragansett, (401) 792-8683, is slashing prices on menu items every Monday through Thursday to stimulate taste buds and wallets.

Holiday news

Narragansett Creamery offers ocean-themed gift boxes containing their locally handcrafted cheeses. Depending on size, the cost is $35 or $45, plus shipping. They can be ordered at www.richeeses.com or by calling (401) 272-4944.

Zooma Bar-Ristorante, 245 Atwells Ave, Providence, (401) 383-2002, will serve La Vigilia, the seven-fish Christmas dinner, from Dec. 17-24.

Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown is hosting holiday parties for groups from 8 to 80; they are planned for Dec. 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18. Dinner includes live entertainment for an all-inclusive cost of $44. Visit www.quidnessett.com or call (401) 884-1100 for further information.

Wayland Square merchants in Providence will offer Wine & Cheese Tuesdays in December beginning next week. Merchants and salons will be open until 8 p.m. and there will be free wine and cheese and other goodies in the stores, in addition to discounts on purchases. On Dec. 2, Whole Foods will set up stands on street corners in the square and will offer free hot chocolate and hot cider, as well as an assortment of munchies. The merchants have also begun a Have Lunch On Us program. Anyone who spends $150 in Wayland Square, either at one merchant or at a combination of merchants, will get a $10 coupon for lunch at any of the restaurants in the square through Dec. 31.

Hemenway's Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar, 121 South Main St., Providence, (401) 351-8570, will be offering its signature dessert, White Chocolate Mousse, for the month of December.

Castle Hill Inn & Resort, 590 Ocean Drive, Newport, (401) 849-3800, www.castlehillinn.com, has two dining offers for the season, including a Two Course Lunch for $19 per person and Champagne and Oysters for $10.

Thanksgiving

Riviera Restaurant, 580 N. Broadway, East Providence, (401) 431-9231, opens noon to 6 p.m. serving turkey dinners, Portuguese cuisine, desserts and specialty martinis.

Coming up

Chez Pascal, 960 Hope St., Providence, (401) 421-4422, hosts a Champagne Dinner on Monday, Dec. 8, with Eno Fine Wines. Addiss, of Wine Traditions, with be the host as Champagne and sparkling wines are paired with a three-course menu. The cost is $75, inclusive, and includes an hors d'oeuvre reception at 6 p.m. Reserve.

Al Forno Restaurant, 577 South Main St., Providence, hosts a Taste of Sicily with Fabrizia Lanza and will feature wines and olive oil from the Regaleali, the Lanza family estate. The cost is $90. Reserve by calling (401) 273-9760, ext. 102.

Cooking classes

Ferns and Flowers Teahouse and Bistro, 1094 Centerville Rd. in Warwick, will be hosting cooking classes on Mondays in December (1, 8 and 15) from 6-9 p.m. for Gifts From the Kitchen. It will include a class on Truffles and Confections, Gift Baskets of Delectable Treats, and Yule Logs and Holiday Desserts. Led by Monica Gerard and Charlene Oliver; no experience is necessary. The cost is $75 for each class or all three for $180, materials included. Reserve.

On TV

TV Maitre D' with Joe Zito, seen Sundays at 11 a.m. on Ch. 64 and at 11:30 a.m. on Ch.12, currently features holiday dining options, holiday wines and cooking segments with chefs John Granata and Andrea Soave of Camille's and Sai Viswanath of DeWolf Tavern.

gciampa@projo.com

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