Online event pairs Lundy's food with Scottish whiskey, Maker's Mark | Lexington Herald Leader

Jonathan Lundy, chef/owner of Jonathan at Gratz Park, will pair foods with scotch and bourbon on a live Webcast on Friday. Laphroaig Islay single malt scotch will join Maker's Mark for the Distillery Live broadcast from Maker's Mark distillery in Loretto.

Laphroaig distillery manager John Campbell, Maker's Mark master distiller Kevin Smith and Malt Advocate magazine editor John Hansell will conduct the online tasting at 8 p.m. at www.distillerylive.us.com.

The show is an evolution of Laphroaig Live, the annual online interactive tasting launched in 2007. Laphroaig uses former Maker's Mark barrels for its maturation process.

Now that's hot stuff

Mai Thai's menu just got hotter. Chef/owner Nat Yuttayong said the restaurant now offers bhut jolokia, a chili pepper that in February 2007 was certified the world's hottest by Guinness World Records.

It has a Scoville rating of 1,001,304. By comparison, the habanero chili and Scotch bonnet pepper are in the range of 100,000 to 350,000 on the Scoville scale.

Mai Thai is at 130 West Tiverton Way. Call (859) 231-0366.

McConnell Springs celebration

Cruisin' the Springs is a night of dancing to the music of Sassafras and a buffet dinner to celebrate the 233rd anniversary of the founding of McConnell Springs, the birthplace of Lexington.

The menu includes roast top round of beef, apricot-glazed grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, country corn pudding, rosemary roasted new potatoes, fruit salad, spinach salad with hot bacon dressing, bread pudding with bourbon sauce and assorted tarts.

Tickets to the party, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, are $50. McConnell Springs is at 416 Rebmann Lane, off Old Frankfort Pike. Call (859) 225-4073.

An Oktoberfest menu

Marikka's Restaurant is celebrating Oktoberfest through Oct. 10. Dinner specials include rouladen with green beans and spaetzle, and schweinehaxen with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. The cost is $14.95.

Marikka's serves pizza until 2 a.m. The house pizza is bratwurst and sauerkraut, $9.99, and a 12-inch works is $15. The restaurant is at 411 Southland Drive. Call (859) 275-1925.

Cooking on The Big Green Egg

Housewarmings, 2312 Palumbo Drive, is having its second annual Mega Grill-Off on Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food will be grilled on The Big Green Egg. Call (859) 231-0005.

New at Olive Garden

The Olive Garden, 3385 Nicholasville Road, has added menu items. Included are pork Milanese, zeppoli and a children's cheese ravioli dish. If you would like to learn traditional Italian cooking techniques, go to www.olivegardennewfavorites.com. Call (859) 272-8334.

Music and belly dancing

Petra Mediterranean Bar and Grill is having live music and belly dancers at 9 p.m. Saturday. Petra is at 116 Marketplace Drive. Call (859) 272-0044 or go to www.petrainlex.com.

Julep Cup open on Mondays

The Julep Cup, 111 Woodland Avenue, now is open Mondays. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch, and 5 to 9 p.m. for dinner. "All other days, except Sunday, we are open until 10 and do not close in the afternoon," chef Lindsay Brooks said. Call (859) 226-0300 or go to www.thejulepcup.com.

Pre-show dining on campus

The Singletary Center for the Arts at the University of Kentucky has partnered with the Hilary J. Boone Center to offer patrons a convenient place to have dinner before curtain time. The Boone Center is at the Rose Street and Columbia Avenue, a block from Singletary.

Those attending Bettye LaVette's performance Saturday will receive a 10 percent discount with their concert ticket.

Call (859)257-1133 to make reservations for the pre-show buffet, which features ribs and fried chicken. The cost is $25.

In-store special: Danville winemaker

Dominique Brousseau, winemaker at Chateau du Vieux Corbeau Winery in Danville, will discuss her wines and offer samples this weekend at Liquor Barn stores.

She will be at the Hamburg store from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and at the Beaumont Centre store from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Call the winery at (859) 236-1808.

Farmers market reports

Here's what's available at farmers markets.

■ The Bluegrass Farmers Market will have apples, watermelon, raspberries, winter and summer squash, sweet potatoes, green peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, green beans, herb seasoning, beer cheese, beef, jams and jellies, soaps, fodder shocks and pumpkins. The market is at 3450 Richmond Road in the Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet parking lot. Hours are 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Go to www.localharvest.org/blog/29529.

■ Honest Farm Market in Midway will have tomatoes, organic kale and rainbow chard, organic beets, butternut squash and Candy onions, banana peppers, jalapeños, bell peppers, Indian corn swags, pumpkins, baby pumpkins and gourds, peach and nectarine jam, local honey, potatoes and Mutzu golden delicious apples.

The market is at Midway Christian Church, 123 Bruen Street, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Call (859) 533-6976.