Halibut at the Market

ON THE PLATE

Saltys is greeting spring with new menu items at both Seattle-area locations. Saltys on Alki chef Byron Shultz is preparing his warm white asparagus salad with an Oregon truffle vinaigrette ($11.95). At Saltys on Redondo, chef Gabriel Cabreras composing seared Alaskan halibut over mashed potatoes and a garlic-, thyme-, and olive oil-grilled Portobello mushroom ($16.95$22.95). 1936 Harbor Ave. S.W., 206-937-1600, WEST SEATTLE; 28201 Redondo Beach Dr. S., (253) 272-0607, FEDERAL WAY

Thanks to an early season, fresh Alaskan halibut has arrived at the Pike Place Market ($5.99$12.99 per pound). Halibut keeps well in the freezer, so head down to Pure Food Fish, Pike Place Fish, City Fish, or Jacks Fish Spot now and get your spring fish-buying urges out of your system. PIKE PLACE MARKET

Atlas new Texas menu gets down n dirty with little vittles such as the Lone Star Tostadas ($7.50) with smoked chicken, roasted poblanos, cotija cheese, cilantro, and pico de gallo; and big bites like the Hill Country Honky Tonk Brisket Bar-B-Q ($13.50) with Texas caviar, southern slaw, and ranch-hand fries. Good eatin! Available through mid-May. 2820 NE University Village, 206-522-6025. UNIVERSITY DISTRICT

Mardi Gras over, but the Coastal Kitchens southern party is just gettin down to bizness. Now through May 1, the ber-popular Capitol Hill restaurants serving up New Orleansinspired fare like Beauregard Parish bronzed catfish ($13.75) and Big Daddys Bowl of Gumbo ($6.25). Even the kitchens popular brunch is getting the Bourbon Street treatment with specials like bananas Foster French toast ($7.75) and, for the brave, a crawfish poboy breakfast sandwich ($8.75). 429 15th Ave. E., 206-322-1145. CAPITOL HILL

March 19

The Boomtown Caf钳 March dinner, donated and prepared by Chef Shah Kahn of Cucina Mama Mia, with wines from Click Imports, includes baked chicken marsala and an Italian trifle with mascarpone. $20 donation for dinner, $7 donation for wine tasting. 5:307:30 p.m. Boomtown Caf鬠513 3rd Ave., 206-625-2989, www.boomtowncafe.org. DOWNTOWN

March 21

Maximilien in the Market aims to bring French coastal cuisine to the table tonight. Try seafood dishes from the Atlantic Coast and the Riviera. The three-course meal is accompanied by live musicyou might end up feeling like youre at the seaside in Cannes. $39. 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (two seatings). 81 A Pike St., 206-682-7270. PIKE PLACE MARKET

March 22

Havent heard of Slow Food yet? Its an international organization pushing for the recognition of local, artisanal, and traditional foodsthe anti-McDonalds, in short. The Seattle chapter is hosting a tasting focusing on Washington wines and a local-cheese-centric buffet (Quillasascut goat cheese bruschetta, roast chicken and Sammish Bay herbed gouda). Youll help keep the wheels turning in favor of quality food: The proceeds go toward a student scholarship to Quillasascut Farms culinary school. $50. 10 a.m.2 p.m. LeRoux Room, 1000 E. James St. (Seattle University), 206-525-2288. FIRST HILL

March 22-23

Thinking about the way of the vegetarian? Dont even think about leaving hungry this weekend at Vegfest 2003, presented by Vegetarians of Washington. Watch a cooking demonstration; listen to nutritionists; shop at the greatly expanded cookbook store; and sample food from more than 70 companiesthat translates to 120,000 free samples, from Italian baked tofu to garbanzo bean curry! $5, kids 12 and under free. 10 a.m.6 p.m. SEATTLE CENTER Fisher Pavilion. 206-706-2635 or www.vegofwa.org/vegfest/.

March 25

Get those screwdrivers out of hiding: its Anthonys 14th annual Oyster Olympics. This unabashed bivalve boosting features restaurant contests, fashion judging, oyster art, a living oyster contest for growers, auctions, celebrity oyster slurps, live entertainment, and more. And, of course, all the tasty little mollusks your heart desires. $75 (advance purchase only). 39 p.m. Anthonys HomePort, 6135 Seaview N.W., 206-297-7002. BALLARD

March 27

Chef Vicky McCaffree of the Yarrow Bay Grill is in control of the kitchen at FareStart tonight. The menu, with romaine salad and cojita cheese; pan-seared salmon with poblano polenta; and mango rum tapioca, brings sunny south-of-the-border tastes to the table. $16.95. 5:307:45 p.m. 1902 Second Ave., 206-443-1233. DOWNTOWN

THE GRAPEVINE

March 19

Tonight Serafina hosts a four-course St. Josephs Feast. The menu includes baked Alaskan halibut with Ligurian fishermans sauce and couscous, roasted lamb loin with mushroom bread pudding, cocoa cannoli, and the wines of Chinook Winery. $75. 7 p.m. 2043 EASTLAKE Ave. E., 206-323-0807.

David LeClaire, Library Bistro sommelier, brings together syrahs from all over the state as part of Washington Wine Month. Light appetizers will accompany. Think about securing a designated driverthere are over 50 varieties. $20. 47 p.m. 82 Madison St. (Alexis Hotel), 206-624-3646. DOWNTOWN

Sakes not the only match for Asian food. Tonight, Dragonfish Asian Caf頩ntends to prove it with a four-course dinner and pairings from Washingtons LEcole winery. Wines include a 2001 LEcole No. 41 barrel-fermented semillon and a 2000 cabernet sauvignon. Dishes include an amazing-sounding pepper-crusted prime beef topped with plum wine demi, accompanied by Vietnamese white corn cakes and sesame-grilled asparagus. $50. 6 p.m. 722 Pine St., 206-467-7777. DOWNTOWN

March 20

Esquin Wine Merchants have wines from Red Mountain vintners Andrew Will, McCrea, Hedges, Kiona, Terra Blanca, and Sandhill. Taste them tonight. Free. 56:30 p.m. 2700 Fourth Ave. S., 206-682-7374. SODO

Canlis hosts Cayuse Vineyards Christophe Baron for its March wine dinner. Meet Baron and taste his wines over a Canlis dinner. $125. 6:30 p.m. 2576 Aurora Ave. N, 206-283-3313. QUEEN ANNE./AURORA