Chocolate Dinner Benefits Audubon Center

For those who don't want to wait for dessert to have their chocolate, and have the perfect solution -- the annual Chocolate Dinner.
 
This year’s dinner, which features chocolate in every course, will take place Saturday, March 3, at the .

Tickets are $85 per person and can be purchased at the Brown Paper Tickets website or at New Morning Market. Proceeds benefit the Audubon Center at Bent of the River, which features 660 acres of outdoor sanctuary space and 15 miles of public walking trails in Southbury.
 
This year’s menu by New Morning Chef Carol Byer-Alcorace is inspired by the winter home of the birds that spend the rest of the year near the Audubon Center.

The Mexican menu will include:

• Mole Chicken
• Chocolate, Spinach and Cheese Quesadillas
• Coconut and Shrimp Civeche
• Chocolate Chili Cake

In addition, Woodbury’s own will provide a spicy, sweet chocolate brownie dessert.

 And the event isn’t just about chocolate. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and a half, where guests can mingle, visit the live Birds of Prey exhibit, enjoy appetizers and taste wines from the following local vineyards: Hopkins Vineyard, and White Silo Farm and Winery.

During the dinner hour, Laura Volpintesta, originally from Mexico City, and the Sol Shine Band will perform live. Latin dance demonstrations and lessons will be provided by Fred Astaire Studios.