
DATE: Thursday, September 18, 1997          TAG: 9709160158

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 02   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: ON THE TOWN 

SOURCE: Sam Martinette 

                                            LENGTH:   95 lines

ZOOTODO AND RIBFEST PROMISE LOTS OF GOOD FOOD FOR WEEKEND

Plenty to eat this weekend. ZooToDo '97, the annual fund-raiser and gala to benefit The Virginia Zoo, takes place Saturday on the Zoo grounds, and the 8th Annual Budweiser River Ribfest is set for Town Point Park.

ZooToDo features 36 restaurants, with 16 more participants providing coffee and desserts during the event, from 7 p.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Tickets are $50 per person for Zoo members ($60 for non-members) in advance, and $70 per person at the gate.

The theme is ``It's a Jungle in Here!'' and the main tent will be transformed into a tropical setting, with mist rolling in, waterfalls and all sorts of wildlife, not to mention Zoo animals, on hand to greet guests. Partygoers dress in everything from tuxedos and ``creative black tie'' to gold lame, and you'll likely see a few species unreported by science thus far. I've seen a 6-foot-tall parrot there, and that was early in the evening.

``All money raised for the event goes to the Virginia Zoological Society to help with general operating expenses,'' explained ZooToDo Chairman Judy Jewell, ``and much of it goes to conservation and research.''

This year's goal is to gross $100,000, Jewell said. ``We expect between 1,200 and 1,400 people,'' she said.

The ``Crowned Crane Casino,'' featuring gaming tables, is back with 16 tables this year, Jewell said. ``To play, bring your cash and we'll convert it to Zoo dollars, and at 11 p.m., you'll be able to bid your winnings during an auction for trips for two to anywhere in the U.S., jewelry, office furniture, and other items.

``We'll also have a brand new, upscale souvenir kiosk, and the ladies of `Kindred Spirits,' will do readings. And all proceeds go to the Zoo,'' Jewell said.

Music will be provided by Hotcakes, The Stingrays and Against All Odds, with plenty of room for dancing under the big top. Food, wine, and beer are included in the ticket price, with a cash bar for mixed beverages.

``The restaurants are really the draw, and I told myself I wanted to get more than ever,'' explained Kim Tamburino, restaurant chairman. ``We wanted it bigger and better than ever, and we've had more desserts donated than ever before. And we'll have a nicer selection of wines and some nice micro-brewery beers. ``

Participating restaurants will include (in no particular order): Ocean Boulevard; JP's Waterfront; Real Deal; Phantoms; Bienville Grill; No Frill Grill; Freemason Abbey; Virginia Expresso Sales Corp.; Chesapeake Room; Blue Point Bar & Grill; Honey Baked Ham Co.; Tradewinds; O'Sullivan's Wharf; Bazemore's Friendly Market; Toques Creative Catering; Gus' Mariner; Westside Wine Shop; Famous Uncle Al's Catering; Morgan's at Doubletree; Chick's Oyster Bar; and Nawab Indian Cuisine.

Also: Grate Steak; Steak & Ale; Swan Terrace; Cafe David; Reggie's; Brutti's; Fellini's; First Colony Coffee House; The 219; Smithfield Inn; Norfolk Airport Hilton; and in the VIP Tent, the Red Maple Inn.

On hand for dessert and coffee will be: La Galleria; The Dumbwaiter; Incredible Edibles; Ruby & Co.; La Boulangerie & Cafe; Creative Cakes & Desserts by Mayra; Lynnhaven Fish House; Du Chocolat/Chocolatier; My Dad's Country Bread Pudding; Sweet Temptations; North Beach Sea Grill; Catering by Mrs. B; Aldo's; Zazou; Timbuktu; the Navy Food Management Team; and Rowena's.

``There will be plenty to eat and drink,'' Tamburino said. ``And although we don't encourage overindulgence, Norfolk Checker Cab and Hoffman Beverage Co. are providing taxicabs for postparty rides.''

As for creative black tie, Kim Tamburino said,'' You'll see anything from sequins to sarongs. You must come dressed. How you dress is the creative part.''

For information on where to buy tickets for the ZooToDo, call the Virginia Zoo (3500 Granby St., 622-WILD).

As for the 8th Annual Budweiser River Ribfest, which kicks off at 5 p.m. on Friday, I'll have the honor of being a judge this Sunday. Hey, it's tough work, but I've got plenty of eating experience. Nine competitors, including 1996 champion Fred Fleming's Famous BBQ of St. Petersburg, Fla., will square off for honors. They and other food vendors will offer their wares to the public, as well.

The ribfest takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, with the bands Fighting Gravity and Everything; from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Saturday's headliners will be the '70s funk group, The Barkays, while on Sunday, country music will be provided by Brady Seals and Linda Smith. I'm told there will be plenty of barbecue, ribs and other eats all weekend long. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by SAM MARTINETTE

Kim Tamburino, left, and Gerry Tarhovicky, restaurant chairmen, and

Judy Jewell, chairman of the ZooToDo committee, do final planning at

the site of the fund-raiser.

Graphic

AT A GLANCE

ZooToDo '97, from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Saturday on the Virginia

Zoo grounds, 3500 Granby St. Tickets are $50 per person for Zoo

members ($60 for non-members) in advance, and $70 per person at the

gate. Call 622-WILD.

The 8th Annual Budweiser River Ribfest, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Town

Point Park.