A TASTE OF ITALIA It's hard to imagine a local event that pays more attention to ethnic foods than Youth in Arts' Italian Street Painting Festival. This weekend in downtown San Rafael (June 13 and 14, 9am to 7pm) will offer choices from restaurants and producers ranging from street foods to sophisticated dishes with wine, beer, soft drinks and a special cocktail, all authentic enough to seduce those who come to see the gifted artists working in a summery Italian atmosphere. The signature dish for the occasion has been created by chef Rick Cunningham of San Rafael's Vin Antico restaurant. He will be there, grilling prawns for his insalata gamberetti e granturco--a salad of shellfish with corn relish on a bed of arugula with citrus vinaigrette, topped with grana padano cheese. Other dishes from Marin restaurants will include penne in a tomato cream sauce (chef David Haydon, Il Davide, San Rafael), Caesar salad (Frantoio Ristorante, Mill Valley) and grilled sausages with peppers and onions (San Rafael Joe's). A signature Bellini (made from champagne and fresh peach puree) is sure to be a big seller, along with wines from Coppola, craft beers and Italian sodas. Other snacks and children's treats will be available as well. Admission to the festival is free; proceeds from refreshment sales will go to Youth in Arts for work with children from preschool through high school. Information: www.youthinarts.org.

SOUTH ASIA MOVES NORTH With the opening of Anokha Cuisine of India last week, Novato added another dining place to its growing roster of new restaurants. It is also the only Indian spot north of San Rafael, a family-owned establishment specializing in home-style cuisine, much of it prepared from local, organic ingredients cooked with healthful canola and olive oils. Chef Hardip Singh has created a large menu with familiar restaurant dishes and some choices obviously tailored to the demographic--10 vegetarian curries (half of which are vegan), nine freshly made breads, organic wines on an unusually interesting wine list and a vegetarian choice among the tandoori dishes: pesto paneer kabab made with cheese in a basil-spice marinade. Efforts are made to prepare foods for special orders (i.e., gluten-free or mildly spiced). Novato resident Surinder "Pal" Sroa is the owner (he also owns award-winning Lotus Cuisine in San Rafael, Café Lotus in Fairfax and the Golden Egg Omelet House in Novato). Buffet lunch is served Monday to Saturday, 11:30am-2pm; dinner, 5 to 9:30pm. Sunday lunch is at noon; dinner, 5 to 9pm. Information: anokharestaurant.com (online takeout ordering is available) or 415/892-3440.

OH, DAD, POOR DAD It's sadly true that much less attention is paid to the parent honored on Father's Day. We're inundated with suggestions for brunches, lunches and dinners for Mother's Day each year and retailers from florists to appliance stores try to guilt us into buying gifts, while this month leaves us hunting for ideas on our own. At the time of this writing, there are two June 21 events worth investigating for dining out with papas. One is a brunch at Rickey's Restaurant & Bar in Novato (11am to 2pm)--"back by popular demand," according to the management. This is a casual outdoor happening that includes activities for all ages (swimming, croquet, horseshoes, badminton, live music) and a barbecue buffet. The spread will have everything from breakfast items (including smoked salmon, pancakes, huevos rancheros and more) to grilled foods (chicken, ribs and roast pork). Cost is $28.50 for adults and $25.50 for seniors (with complimentary beverage), $14.95 for those 5 to 12, free for those under 5. Reservations: 415/883-9477...Out in the wilds of West Marin, Rancho Nicasio will celebrate fathers with a BBQ on the Lawn, one of a series of summer frolics that feature live music and ample foods. Pablo Cruise will be playing at 4pm; gates open at 3. This is a time for chowing down on everything from oysters and salmon to grilled meats and sausages, classic burgers and side dishes (with burgers and dogs for kids). Tickets are $32 in advance, $35 at the gate. Reserve at 415/662-2219; details are at www.ranchonicasio.com.

WARM WEATHER WARES Recent food discoveries are great for summer entertaining and would work just fine as gifts for a dad who likes the kitchen. Vella Cheese of Sonoma kicks things up a notch with habanero Jack, spicier than regular pepper Jack and useful in countless ways...Black olive spread, often nothing more than muddy mush in a jar, shines in Kalamata Olive Tapenade from B.R. Cohn Olive Oil Co. (Glen Ellen). It's made from top ingredients that include champagne vinegar and chardonnay.

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