RESTAURANT ROUNDUP:

Steve Ebol, the wine director for Antonello Ristorante in South Coast Plaza, plans to host a series of events in October boasting some of the finest wine in the world.

But if only the connoisseurs show up, he’ll be disappointed.

In October, the mall will host “Italy at South Coast Plaza,” a monthlong series of events spotlighting Italian culture, fashion, cinema and plenty of food.

Antonello is joining the festivities by holding special wine dinners Oct. 5, 19 and 26. The menu features food and wine from Southern Italy, Northern Italy and Tuscany, respectively.

To get a broad audience, Ebol said, the restaurant scheduled each dinner for a Friday night.

“We decided, even though I do my wine-making dinners during the week, let’s make these attractive to date night, or husbands and wives,” he said.

“Sometimes when I do a Thursday dinner, I get the die-hard wine lovers, but the husbands and wives don’t come out because they have to work the next day.”

The wine dinners at Antonello will be among many culinary festivities at Italy at South Coast Plaza, in which the Quattro Caffe and Nello Cucina will also put on events spotlighting wine, gelato and other regional favorites.

Mother’s Market and Kitchen expands menu

Mother’s Market and Kitchen in Costa Mesa will expand the menu at its popular juice bar Monday, adding new shakes, smoothies and blends made from organic ingredients.

Mother’s specializes in vegan and other natural foods.

The new additions to the menu include an almond amaretto shake with espresso and chocolate, a creamy mango smoothie and a “liver cleanse” juice blend consisting of apple, beet, carrot, parsley and ginger.

Call (949) 631-4741 for info.

— Michael Miller