The Hot Sheet

NEW IN TOWN

Vivanda Ristorante The latest restaurant action in Pike Place promises "Mediterranean seafood with an Italian soul." Owner Kamyar Koshdel (former manager of Isabella Ristorante on Third) has installed Jason Wilson (late of the late Stars) in the kitchen. Master mixologist Erik Brisbin is behind the bar. Lunch and dinner daily, with a bar-only menu until 2 a.m. 95 Pine, 442-1121.

ON THE PLATE

Cafe Juanita Chef Holly Smith has moved into her spring menu featuring herbs from Juanita's own garden. Celebrate the season with an appetizer of Yakima asparagus with soft-cooked egg in white truffle oil and Parmesan ($11) before your main course of rabbit served with Ligurian chickpea cake, pancetta, and morels ($22), or saddle of lamb with Jerusalem artichokes and olives in a bagna cauda sauce ($24). Finish with the chocolate truffle cake with roast banana and malt gelato ($8). 10641 S.E. 25th, Kirkland, 425-451-4387.

IN THE GLASS

If Sex and the City's Sara Jessica Parker is your role model, here's a chance to emulate your ideal: Go to 727 Pine and drink champagne through a straw. Pops (from Pommery) and Pipers (from Piper Heidsieck) are teensy bottles of bubbly (invented, legend has it, to stop predatory dates from slipping drugs into a lady's drink) and, at $15 a whack, conspicuous consumption indeed. Drinkers less victimized by fashion will be more interested in 727's new line of infused vodkas: a Finlandia base flavored with organic Washington apple, Meyer lemon and rosemary, passion fruit, pear—seven in all.

AT THE MARKET

Starting this weekend, the Pike Place Market hosts Organic Farmer Days every Wednesday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through October. Sundays are particularly great because Pike Place is closed to cars, and the street's turned over to chef demos and educational booths as well as produce growers.

THIS WEEK

Give Dad what he really wants this weekend: a hangover! The third annual Summer Microbrew Festival features over 50 artisanal Northwest beers. Bring a picnic or buy snacks on-site. The kids can get a head start on adult life at the root beer garden. Tickets are $15, which includes a six-ounce sampling glass and five samples (extra sips $1 each). 11 a.m.-8 p.m. both days. St. Edward State Park, 14445 Juanita Drive N.E. in Kenmore. Information: washingtonbrewfest.com.

COMING UP

June 23 DeLille Cellars kicks off its 2002 series of winemaker dinners at the Woodinville chⴥau with a dinner catered by Oceanaire's Kevin Davis and wines by Cadence's Ben Smith. $155. Information and reservations: 425-489-0544.

Food and/or beverage news? E-mail the Hot Sheet at food@seattleweekly.com.