Taste of Italy

Tired of traveling to Portland or the North End for authentic Italian groceries? Now, you don’t have to. Giacomo’s Groceria has opened at the corner of Hammond and Central streets in Bangor. Owned by Milva Smith, whose family hails from the Abruzzo region of Italy, the market features high-quality pastas and sauces, pasta making supplies and focaccia, along with Italian beers and soft drinks. A full-service deli is in the works. For information, visit Smith’s blog, Italian Universe, at www.italianuniverse.com.

Divine wines

What better way to break out of a winter funk than a trip to the Boston Wine Festival? The ever-expanding event takes place at the Boston Harbor Hotel through the beginning of April. Among this year’s highlights are a Champagne Dinner on Valentine’s Day, delicious food and wine pairings and a focus on rising stars of the wine world. For information or a full schedule of events, visit www.bostonwinefestival.net or call (888) 660-WINE.

Heart’s content

If the way to one’s heart is through the stomach, then cheesecake is like an express train. Make your intentions perfectly clear with these miniature springform pans – perfect for individual cheesecakes – from Crate & Barrel ($4.95, crateandbarrel.com).

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.