Try These Taste Sensations This Weekend

Just can't resist the buffet line? Here's one you can really dive into.

Restaurants and food vendors will line up Saturday for the third annual Taste of Town Center on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the central courtyard next to the Elephant Fountain.

Samplings include everything from sweet potato fries, cookies, ice tea and chili, pizza and brownie bites, gelatos and ice cream, assorted cheeses, bruschetta al pomodoro, taquitos, Baja shrimp and ceviche, spring rolls and salads, energy performance snacks, and a new Frappuccino blended beverage.

Activities for children include free face painting by Tatyana, an appearance by professional entertainer and clown Marti Cate who will make animal balloons with the kids. With so many enjoyable activities for all ages, you can’t go wrong.

Restaurants and food merchants participating in Taste of Town Center include A.G. Ferrari, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, Barnes & Noble Cafe, California Pizza Kitchen, Champagne French Bakery and Cafe, Ciao Bella Gelato, The Counter Custom Burgers, Il Fornaio, La Maison de la Reine, Pacific Catch, PF Chang’s China Bistro, REI, Starbucks, Sur La Table, World Wrapps and Blue Barn Gourmet.

If that doesn't satisfy you, here are some other chances for fun and food this weekend:

• What happens here, stays here. The Lions' Club is bringing all the fun of Vegas to Corte Madera, but don't worry about losing your shirt during Saturday's Casino Night. The gala, 7 p.m. to midnight, is a fundraiser for the development of the Town Park Plaza public/private project adjacent to the Center that will beautify our downtown and provide a pleasant stopping and meeting place next to the new Cafe Verde.

Live music, dancing, fabulous food and drink, gaming tables, big hair and skinny ties optional. Tickets available at the door to the Corte Madera Community Center are $45 per person. Call 891-8406 for details.

• Expect the unexpected with Actors Without Lines. AWOL, the resident improv theater group at College of Marin, takes the stage Friday at 8 p.m. for Theatresports — a fast-paced, entertaining and unpredictable production.

• A regular rotation of food trucks will offer an international menu at the Larkspur Ferry terminal Monday through Friday, from 4 p.m. On days with greater ferry ridership for major events at AT&T Park, there could be more trucks. If you can't get enough of the exotic and mobile tastes, go Off The Grid at Marin Country Mart every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Oh, yes, it's strawberry season. Time for strawberry shortcake, strawberries and cream, strawberries and, well, whatever. Check out the fresh baskets of berries at the Marin Country Mart farmers market every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. But don't let those red gems go to waste if you happen to buy too many. Strawberry jam, anyone? That way you'll have something for the winter.