100,000+ people jamming the a mile-long stretch of College Avenue, with booths and activities as far as the eye can see - it's Octoberfest, where Appleton really shines. And why do so many flock to our streets? Simple: Tiger Paws!

Fox Cinema in Menasha offers an interesting change of pace for movie-goers. This three-screen establishment at 400 Third Street in Menasha is a cinema cafe, with a variety of foods (pizza is the focus) that you and your family can take into the theater and eat on tables in front of you while you enjoy fairly recent movies at budget prices.

I dropped by with my family just to learn what they were about, and was invited to go into one of the theaters to see the set up. Spacious setting with tables for dining in front of every seat. Interesting.

On Oct. 18, a Saturday, they will have WAPL broadcast live from the Fox Cinema, 11 am to 1 pm, featuring their 1978 TransAm that was used in the filming of "Smokey and the Bandit." That movie will be shown on the big screen for free at 11:15, 11:45, and 12:30. First come, first serve.

I took my wife to Victoria's recently, the venerable Italian restaurant in the heart of Appleton on College Avenue, famous for good food and especially for large portions. I tried to talk her into something more adventurous, but she really wanted to try Victoria's. Turned out to be better than I remembered. I've run unto some bland dishes there in the past, but we were genuinely delighted and impressed this time. My wife's scallops were just perfect. Scallops are easily rubberized by some cooks, but these were tender and full of flavor. I tried the haddock and was surprised at how perfect it was. The rich, colorful, seasoned veggies with the fish added a lot of flavor as well. Both were hits. We also tried the soup of the day, a version of minestrone that was extremely flavorful with a great texture.

Our waiter told us that there had been some changes on the menu with the closing of Emiliano's and the addition of the Emiliano's chef to the staff. Whatever the changes have been made, I was quite happy with the food. One disappointment, though, is that the bread the bring is pretty dull: a plain semi-soft roll and a greasy piece of garlic bread. There was also no dipping oil and balsamic vinegar for the roll, just butter.

Service was excellent. The waiter took extra time to answer questions and give us an update about the restaurant.

Had a marvelous lunch with my wife at River Valley Food Company recently, near Koreana and Sai Ram's at 201 West Northland Avenue. Delicious, healthy food in a rustic setting made with recycled materials such as beautiful wooden floor planks actually taken from a Wisconsin barn (huge amount of work, according to the owner - but I'd say it was worth it) and table tops also made from wood taken from an old granary. The owners worked hard to create this eco-friendly interior, but even harder to create a hearty menu.

I had a delicious mushroom cheese lasagna dish and my had an "Italian Flag panini" with three inside from tomato, pesto, and mozzarella. Both were very tasty.

If you enjoyed the food at Bleier's or Trim B's (the successor to Rocky Bleier's restaurant), you'll enjoy the Friday night fish here since the owner's wife is Rocky's sister and is bringing the good ol' Bleier culinary know-how to River Valley Food. Bleier's ribs will be coming to the menu soon.

The current menu includes great salads, sandwiches such as paninis, a Reuben, a Rachel, hot pastrami, a variety of deli sandwiches, Italian dishes such Italian sausage lasagna, chicken cacciatore, cheese ravioli and other pasta dishes, chicken pesto, and lemon herb butter cod.

Phone (920) 380-0757. Tell them Jeff sent you.