St. Joseph’s Day is not until March 19, but the feasting has already begun!

If you want to create your own table, The Saint Joseph Table Cookbook by Buffalo chef Mary Ann Giordano has you covered. This unique book explains the traditions, shows you how set up the altar, and provides more than 100 easy to follow, well-tested recipes to choose from.

If you want Chef Giordano to do the cooking for you, go to Gigi’s Cucina Povera (981 Kenmore Ave.) where the Table will include a fennel, orange and olive salad, breads by Gino’s Italian Bakery, lentil soup, roasted cod, marinated mussels, calamari salad, vegetable dishes, sfinge and assorted Italian cookies. The meal is buffet-style with seatings on the hour from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. daily through March 18. Cost is $23 for adults, $10 for children 6-12, and children under 6 are free. Reservations are essential. Proceeds will benefit Ken-Ton Meals on Wheels. 

While the majority of St. Joseph's Day Tables used to be hosted by area churches primarily for their parishioners -- indeed I attended a lovely feast at Corpus Christi last Sunday -- the celebration seems to moving into restaurants of late. Here are six more St. Joseph's Day Tables taking place this week at area eateries:

*Tappo Restaurant (338 Ellicott St.) is also setting up a buffet-style Table on March 20. Chef Phil Limina is preparing baccala (salted cod), fennel, olive and orange salad, traditional bread, lentil soup, pasta con sarde, calamari salad, dandelion greens, marinated eggplant and smelts, assorted “froggia” (asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli and cardoon) and desserts including sfinge. Seatings are at 2:00pm, 4:30pm and 6:30 p.m. Cost is $25.00 per person with a portion donated to charity. Reservations recommended.

*Ilio DiPaolo’s (3785 South Park Ave., Blasdell) will host a Table from 1:00pm to 9:00pm on March 20. Look for Tuscan-style bean soup or minestrone, followed by a pasta course of linguine with clam sauce or pasta con sarde (scampi-style sardines with linguini), a platter with eggplant parmesan, marinated shrimp and calamari sautéed with spinach, tomatoes and cannellini beans over fettuccine alfredo and mixed vegetables. An olive salad, bread and mini cannoli and sfinge are also part of the meal. Cost is $23.95 per person. Reservations recommended.

*La Nova (371 W. Ferry St.) will host its annual traditional complimentary table for the neighborhood from 11:00am-2:00pm on March 18, with donations going to charity. 

*The Italian Village (6354 Transit Road, Depew) will host a buffet from 1:00 to 4:00pm on March 20.  Traditional items like lentil soup, cardoons, artichokes, pasta con sarde, caponata and haddock will be featured. Cost is $20 per person. Reservations required.

*The Como Restaurant (2220 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls) will celebrate St. Joseph's Day on March 18 at lunch (11:30am-3:00pm) and at dinner (4:00-9:00pm). Lunch is $15.95 and offers a choice of pasta con sarde or marinara and a platter with stuffed artichoke, cardoons, baccala, calamari marinara, battered broccoli and cauliflower, bread and a pastry table. Dinner is $19.95 and includes lentil soup, shrimp cocktail, choice of pasta and the St. Joseph's Day platter, plus bread and pastries. Reservations required.

*Sinatra’s Restaurant (938 Kenmore Ave.) will host its annual feast at 5:00pm on March 21 with a prix fixe meal that includes lentil soup, frittata con sarde, sfinge and a glass of wine. Donations to charity. No reservations.

Vive San Giuseppe!