The 2nd Annual Royal Feast Buffet dining extravaganza will take place featuring not only the King and Queen in full regalia, but the entire Royal Court and a crescendo performance by the Kaheena Belly Dancers. The chefs will provide a festive array of chicken and ribs with a variety of other specialties and desserts in an unlimited buffet.

Cast members from the Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire will be strolling about and dining in fabulous costumes, willing to strike a pose with guests for photographs. Queen Catherine and King Edward are members of “Have Court, Will Travel!” a professional troupe of more than a dozen re-enactors that portray a fictitious court in the historical time period of the 1550s. They are in Door County to celebrate the 2nd annual Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire that takes place in the magical woodlands of Carlsville on the weekends preceding and following the Royal Buffet.

Dining is from 5 – 8 pm, and will be capped off at 8 pm with a performance by Sarisha and Jessika, members of the Kaheena Belly Dance Troupe. They arrived at the festival in a gypsy wagon filled with dancers, who are also performing over both weekends in Carlsville.

Jesika

There may also be several Knights, members of Noble Cause Productions, a company performing at the Faire that specializes in jousting, stage combat instruction, fight choreography, and horse stunts.

The dining experience is intended to provide a taste of the color and pageantry of the renaissance time period. Each court member is a fully fleshed out character who can interact and improvise with patrons of all ages. Knighting and Lady selection ceremonies, merchant visits, and royal audiences are all a part of the Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire experience. Two weekends of historical adventure, entertainment, fun and festivities with a Royal Court Dinner in between make this year’s festival a highlight for families and individuals who love the days of olde.

Tickets for the dinner and entertainment are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Children 10 and under are $15 in advance and $17.50 at the door. Please RSVP to dcrff@att.net or call 920.973.8233 for more information or to make reservations.

The Door County Renaissance Fantasy Faire is open rain or shine for two weekends June 25 – 26 and July 2 – 3 from 10 am ’til 6 pm on Saturdays and from 10 am ’til 4 pm on Sundays. Making its home in a lyrical forest and meadow setting at 5226 Monument Point Road in Egg Harbor (just 1 mile north of Carlsville), with daily admission $12 for Adults (16+), $9 for children (ages 5-15) and Seniors (over 60). Children under 5 and military personnel, currently active or retired (with proper identification) are always admitted free. A $1 discount is available to all who donate a non-perishable food item for local food banks or who arrive dressed in period garb.

For more information contact the producer, Sandy Stetler (aka Lady Bliss) by phone at 920.746.6773, e-mail dcrff@att.net and visit DoorCoWIRenaissance.com, Join in the Facebook fun and conversation at facebook.com/RenaissanceFaire.

Jesika

T.Ashwell’s is recently celebrated the return of the restaurant’s popular Mediterranean weekend in January. All-you-can-eat buffet with two belly-dancing shows accompanied the meal.

The Ellison Bay restaurant opens its kitchen space to the public on these evenings, with the buffet being served by candlelight within the kitchen area. The fare consists of over 25 classic Mediterranean foodstuffs, including Moroccan-spiced crab cakes with cilantro dressing, tabbouleh, lamb kebabs, baklava, Persian lamb & rice meatballs, baba ghanoush, and hummus.

The themed entertainment for the evenings is led by Andrea Nikoupolis-Weliky and the Kaheena Belly Dance Troupe. The group is based out of Door, Brown, and Kewaunee counties, and will be performing a variety of dances with an emphasis on belly and sword dances.

Chef Tom Smith

Mediterranean Night marked its 10th year, and offers a way for locals and visitors to the peninsula get together for a great evening of food and entertainment during the winter. “Some of my customers tell me that this is the weekend they wait for all year,” says Tom Smith, chef and owner of T.Ashwell’s. “It’s also great way for the kitchen to show off its culinary skills.”

The price for Mediterranean Night is $29 per person, and does not include drinks or gratuity. Reservations are strongly encouraged as all three evenings fill up quickly.

T.Ashwell’s is located at 11976 Mink River Road in Ellison Bay. The restaurant’s menu changes frequently and concentrates on American/Ethnic cuisine, with an emphasis on using local and organic ingredients. T. Ashwell’s is open for dinner during the winter months Thursday through Saturday beginning at 5:30 pm. The restaurant will close for the season in late February. For more information or to make a reservation, please call 920.854.4306 or visit www.tashwells.com.