Florida Today from Cocoa, Florida • Page 57

FLORIDA TODAY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2005 3G TRENDS Restaurant show predicts future of dining out Dine for America The Florida Restaurant Association, in coordination with the National Restaurant Association, is planning a "Dine for America" Day on Oct. 5. Participating restaurants will donate profits to help the American Red Cross assist present and future hurricane victims. Cold as ice Fill 'N Chill Party Table r' The company researches restaurants and adds them to the Web site only after the establishment meets its family-friendly criteria, which includes a changing table in at least one restroom, high chairs and kids' menus. Info: www.familiafriendly.com Happening hot dog Picture a hot dog made of ice cream.

That's Cool Dog, the ice cream and cake sundae. The bun is made from sponge cake and the "dog" is either vanilla or chocolate. Your restaurant can top it with your choice of sundae toppings. Because it is nestled in its own cardboard sleeve, the Cool Dog eliminates the need for bowls and spoons and probably reduces spills. Restaurants love it because they don't need to buy ice cream equipment.

Info: www.CoolDogInc.com serve dry apple pie when these scrumptious minicakes and tarte-lettes are available from California direct to your plate. The marble chocolate shell of the Patisserie's Pyramid Noisette encloses chocolate ganache and hazelnut mousseline. The Choco-pear features chocolate genoise, chocolate mousse, pear mousse, diced" poached pear and chocolate flakes, all neatly wrapped in dark and white chocolate. Yummy, but available only to the food service industry. Info: www.frenchpatisserie.

comor(800)300-CAKE. Good deal Familia Friendly is a South Florida company that offers parents a free Web service to find family-friendly eateries. The Web site allows families to search by Florida county or city for restaurants that cater to their needs. Clams Crab Meat Dolphin Flounder Grouper King Crab Shrimp Live Crabs Lobster hi 'H it'll vt7 il fi ry v'y xy flNg- mi I Chillin' Products Inc. And if Junior is happy, the family can eat happily.

Info: www.wikkistix.com or (800) 869-4554. Good and cold Lovers of big parties should consider these tables. The 73-inch-by 31 -inch folding table is 3 'A inches deep to accommodate 75 to 1 00 pounds of ice. Add food and beverage and you're ready to fiesta. The stuff stays cold and the table won't sweat.

Neither will you. For those pesky Florida flies, get the Chillin' Kwik Cover, a disposable, one-time use plastic cover designed to protect food andbeverages. Info: www.chillinproducts. comor(866)93CHILL. Tres bon When it comes to sweet stuff, the French dish up a heavenly fare.

The patisserie comes to you with Frank and Marta Spasic's aptly named French Patisserie pastries, a much better exchange rate than if you traveled to Paris. Restaurants have no excuse to FUTURE, from 1G Ix)cal exposure For vendor Joe Twombly, the show was a chance to reacquaint his furniture business with previous customers, as well as to make new connections. This is the sixth year the Cocoa Beach-based manufacturer of resin furniture stopped show crowds with his colorful seashell-embedded tables. "We get to re-introduce ourselves to people all over Florida," he said. "We get a lot of inquiries." The event also attracts buyers from Mexico, South America, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Last year's show, for example, helped Twombly nab a contract to design tables for Caf Bahama, a Bahamian restaurant chain. "It is definitely worth it for the exposure," said Twombly. Hall of Fame surfer Twombly has always loved the ocean, a fact that is apparent in his product, seen anywhere from the Disney Magic cruise ship to restaurants and private homes around the world. Customers who enjoy Two-mbly's hard-wearing, good-looking furniture at their local restaurants can order some for their homes (www.TwomblysNautical Furniture.com or 783-8610). Unfortunately, unlike Two-mbly's, many of the products were not available retail.

Nevertheless, here's a look at some of the food and accessories you may soon meet at your restaurant of choice. Good soup Goodbye, chicken noodle soup. There's no excuse for insipid restaurant soup, thanks to Kettle Cuisine's 60 varieties of high-quality soups ready to eat. Kale with Linguica Sausage, Gazpa-cho, Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini and Caribbean Mango Soup give you an idea of the range of tastes. Locally, BJ's and Wild Oats carry some of the varieties for re- tclil Sell 6 BJ's Wholesale Club, 1155 Palm Bay Road, Palm Bay, 956-8660; 415 E.

Merritt Merritt Island, 453-1255 Wild Oats Community Market, 1135 W. New Haven Melbourne, 674-5002 Info: www.kettlecuisine.com or(800)969-SOUP. Good doggie In July of this year, Gov. Jeb Bush signed into effect the Mer-lot-to-go law that allows restaurant patrons to take home their opened bottles of wine. No longer do customers need to guzzle that expensive vino or leave it half-consumed at the table.

Instead, they can ask their server to slip the bottle into a wine doggy bag for consumption at home. The Florida law requires the patron consume a portion of the wine with the purchase of a full meal and the bottle be placed in a tamper-proof bag that makes it apparent if the bag has been opened. Californian Bob Beck invented WineDoggyBag.com to meet that requirement. Beck recently partnered with the Florida Restaurant Association to market his bagchild. will offer Florida restaurants the option of ordering customized to-go bags for their wine, allowing their customers to take the unfinished bottle of wine home with them, provided it is ordered in conjunction with a full-course meal, re-corked and sealed in the tamper-proof bag," said association president Carol Dover.

If your favorite restaurant Gestae. Must present coupon. Offer expires 9605 1643 Cypress Ave. Christina Stuart, FLORIDA TODAY Resln-atlng with diners. Joe Twombly, who creates sea creature tables at his shop, Twombly Nautical Furniture, in Cocoa Beach, said going to the Florida Restaurant Show is great exposure.

Last year's show, for example, helped Twombly nab a contract to design tables for Cafe Bahama, a Bahamian restaurant chain. i i i i i i MAKE THE SMART MOVE Good burger Move over, soy burgers. A St. Petersburg company with the vaguely forbidding name of Dom-inex markets the Eggplant Burger as an alternative to soy. The burger comes fully cooked and is all-natural and completely meatless.

Varieties include Parmigiana Italian and Fiesta Mexican. The product is available retail at Publix, am's and Wal-Mart. Info: www.DominexEgg plant.com Vf.or Oysters Scallops Shark Shrimp Swordfish Trout Tuna Fresh Cut Steaks, Chicken More Tlfr II KevWest Must present coupon. Offer expires 9605 Melbourne 242-2243 ALFTOWATK. Alfl CONDmONIKri I WHEEL DISC SRAKFs TIRF PRESSURE MONITORING, FRONT SI0E AIAIAGS.

PWR WINDOWS LOCKS.CRUISE CONTROL. REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY 117988 mil.C0 UUUU IMMU I fit UAI UF KUBLICA1 ION ONLY. OPEN MONDAY -THURSDAY MOAM TO FRIDAY SATURDAY TO SUNDAY NOON lSUZUKH STK 8952 Bill Unfortunately, these tasty tidbits are only available to the food service industry. Info: www.mccainlatin latitudes.com or (800) 767-7377. Good kids That grungy cup of crayons designed to keep your heirs happy while you enjoy a restaurant meal now has stiff competition.

WikM Stix are these twistable, stickable, buildable thingies that should intrigue even the most jaded of little squirmballs. The wax-covered yarn is nontoxic and sticks to any smooth surface with the pressure from tiny fingers. Restaurant Magazine called the product a "new twist on keeping kids happy." It won the Parent's Choice Award four times. It should keep parents and restaurant managers happy, too, since the stuff doesn't leave any marks. The Stix come in self-contained units, each with a themed playsheet that plays into the restaurant's cuisine.

The Italian playsheet, for example, features a map of Italy, an Italian chef and a dancing tomato. The Asian sheet has a dragon, a pagoda and a panda. The Stix are available retail at Education Station, 892 S. U.S. 1, Rockledge; 631-0458.

The product can keep kids happy during dinnertime (or car or plane trips for that matter). tape explaining why he or she should be Food Network's newest on-air talent. Applications and contest rules can be downloaded from www.FoodNetwork.com. Food Network judges will choose seven finalists. Viewers will choose an eighth by online vote.

The winner, picked by viewers, will win a six-episode show to premiere in September 2006. STK 18964 doesn't yet carry the bags, you can purchase your very own bags via the Web. No pinot noir need go unfinished. Info: www.WineDoggy Bag.com or (800) 401-9014. Que bueno! The Florida Restaurant Show brimmed with Latin tastes, proof that Latin cuisine has gone mainstream cuisine as the population becomes more ethnically diverse.

"As the state sees a higher percentage of Hispanic population, you'll be seeing more and more in Latin-inspired food choices," said Underill of Squid Lips. "Our menu reflects it." Latin cuisine is second only to Mexican in a recent consumer study conducted by the Restaurants and Institutions Database. At the Orlando show, representatives from McCain Foods were doing a brisk job handing out samples of their Latin Latitudes line of food. The attitude was Latin with an Asian twist. The Caribbean Style Adobo Beef Spring Roll, for ex--ample, offered the bold flavor of shredded beef, roasted corn, pob-lano, jalapeno and sweet red bell peppers inside a crunchy roll.

The classic Cuban sandwich was miniaturized in Latitudes' Cuban Style Pork Spring Roll, with roasted pork and ham combined with mild white cheese and brown mustard. CONTEST own show on Food Network. What are the qualifications? "A great personality, unique style and a strong knowledge of food and cooking," says Kathleen Finch, senior vice president for prime-time programming. Everyone from professionals to amateurs is encouraged to apply. Applicants have until Oct.

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bri Spends! Jack's tNOT ALL BUYERS OR LESSEES WILL QUALIFY FOR THE LOWEST APR OR LEASE PAYMENT AND MAY VARY ACCORDING TO CREDITWORTHINESS CONTACT DEALER TO SEE IF YOU QUA! I FY TO DETERMINE YOUR ACTUAL PRICE. APR. AND MONTHLY PAYMENT DEALER PARTICIPATION MAY AFFECT SAVINGS: RESIDENCY AND OTHER MILEAGE RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY flfFFRS CANNOT BE COMBINED. PICTURES FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. DEALER NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS MUST PRESENT THIS AD TO RECEIVE THFSF OFFFnsk nncc inr iun line wmD DimruACCc ai i DDircc mri nnc nuuuED i nvAiTV fi Arrive mi itadv lurciiTmr nmrr Z.Ht IF J.n"c unxno nn lULOKUl inJLil rniun runrvjw.

olu i Sunday i-l pm nappy toendyurdag Bar Seafood Grille 1477 Pineapple Ave Riverfront Olde Eau Gallie 321-253-3131 www.abacojacks.com Lunch Dinner 4-10 7 days a ween.