Pier Party

The “Pier Under the Stars” fund-raiser used to be held on Ventura’s venerable wooden landmark, but the chill of gusty winds coming off the ocean drove the event to the less exposed lot between the Holiday Inn parking structure and the pier.

That is where, come Oct. 2, fine foods, wine and dancing will attract a crowd of celebrants to pay $25 each for Pier Into the Future, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the maintenance and enhancement of the Ventura Pier.

The event, now in its sixth year, is an annual sellout; a limited number of tickets remain for the 1999 installment.

The gates will open at 5 p.m. to an impressive layout of gourmet foods prepared by area restaurateurs, bakers and specialty shops. There are about 25 participating food businesses.

After filling up their plates, some attendees might choose to head for the beachfront Promenade, where tables will be set up for sunset dining.

Among the participants will be the Anacapa Brewing Company--the brew pub and restaurant coming to downtown Ventura--which will introduce its pulled pork barbecue sandwiches, and the Anacapa Bread Co., which will offer some of its fine wares.

There will also be clam chowder from Andria’s Seafood; puttanesca and lasagna from La Trattoria; Szechwan and teriyaki dishes from Mandarin House; and other recipes from Banana Belt Cantina, City Bakery, Eric Ericsson’s, Nona’s Courtyard Cafe, Rosarito Beach, Tucks Point and Zoey’s Cafe.

71 Palm will serve vanilla and chocolate creme brulee, while Trufflehounds’ Fine Chocolates will tempt with assorted vices.

And don’t worry about wine. About 25 wineries will be represented, including Old Creek Ranch, Leeward, Daume, Laetita and Barnwood Vineyard.

Entertainment-wise, the Flying Lindy Hoppers will stage a dance exhibition at 5:30 p.m., and the Ashford Gordon Band will provide the righteous groove to entice dancers at 6 p.m.

A silent auction will offer a chance to bid on gift baskets and getaways.

DETAILS

The “Pier Under the Stars” fund-raiser will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 2 near the Holiday Inn parking structure and beachfront Promenade, Ventura. Cost: $25. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 654-7771.

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The caffeine wars just got a little more heated in Thousand Oaks, where a Seattle’s Best Coffee opened this week at the Center Oaks Plaza.

The nearly 1,500-square-foot cafe offers fresh brewed coffees and coffee drinks, including espresso, cappuccino and lattes. Specialty drinks, like their javanilla shake, plus teas and juices are also available.

The menu--there is inside and outside dining--consists of fresh pastries, salads, grilled panini sandwiches and desserts.

Whole bean coffees are generally priced at $8.50 for 12 ounces, and there is coffee-related merchandise galore.

To mark the store’s grand opening, complimentary latte is being offered from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. today and Sunday.

DETAILS

Seattle’s Best Coffee cafe is in the Center Oaks Plaza, 595 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Hours: Mon.-Thur., 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 6 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Call 379-5209.

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Hey, foodies, consider this from the Camarillo Health Care District: a floral hors d’oeuvres class.

The district’s cooking series will continue Wednesday with a session on how edible flowers can enhance the flavor and presentation of an array of savory delights.

Edible flower selections include butterblossom summer squashes, calendulas, carnations, dianthus, Johnny-jump-ups, marigolds, nasturtiums and sweet violets.

A pair of class leaders will demonstrate how to properly select edible flowers, offer handling tips and discuss how to incorporate blooms into recipes for primrose-stuffed mushrooms, rose lettuce bundles, avocado-stuffed crepe with curried rose sauce, and other dishes.

The class fee will include lunch, cooking demonstrations and recipes.

DETAILS

The Camarillo Health Care District will present a “Floral Hors d’oeuvres” cooking class from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. The class will be held at 3639 E. Las Posas Road. Cost: Camarillo and Somis residents, $22; others, $24. Prepayment is required. For more information or to register, call 388-1952, Ext. 117.

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The West Coast Supper Club will hold a “Single Gourmet” social gathering Wednesday at the vaulted heights of the Tower Club, overlooking the Oxnard Plain.

The event is an installment of the Single Gourmet Group Dinner series, evenings that attract upward of 60 participants. The 500-member social club for single professionals--who range in age from their 20s to early 60s--includes participants from Santa Barbara, Ventura County and the San Fernando Valley.

You do not have to be a club member to take part in dinner events. The Camarillo-based club organizes parties, dinners and recreational and sporting activities.

Club owner Sondra Sanders meets with prospective participants to discuss their interests and background before placing them in an activity.

For the Tower Club dinner, participants will choose soup or Caesar salad, followed by salmon layered with mushrooms, spinach fondue baked in puffed pastry or sauteed chicken breast in a mushroom sauce.

DETAILS

West Coast Supper Club will host a “Single Gourmet” dinner Wednesday at the Tower Club in Oxnard. Social hour, 6 p.m.; dinner, 7 p.m. Cost: $45. For more information, call Sondra Sanders at 388-5589.

Rodney Bosch writes about the restaurant scene in Ventura County and outlying points. He can be reached by calling 653-7572, faxing 653-7576 or e-mailing rodney.bosch@latimes.com.