ON THE PLATE Ciao Bella Ristorante, the Italian bistro that suffered a fire last fall, is open again in the same locationa little house near UNIVERSITY VILLAGE. 5133 25th Ave. N.E., 206-524-6989.
APRIL 25
If you can’t be in Southwest France, you may as well pretend. Maximilien makes it easy tonight with a three-course Bordeaux dinner. Most are familiar with the region’s wines, but do you know what a Bordeaux-style dinner looks like? Hint: lots o’ seafood. Live classical guitar will accompany. $39. Seatings 6-6:30 p.m. and 8-8:30 p.m. 81A Pike St., 206-682-7270. PIKE PLACE MARKET
APRIL 27
Tonight, Il Banchetto: A Bite of Italian Life. Celebrate the food and wines of southern Italy at this Sicilian spring banquet. $75. 6 p.m. Salvatore Ristorante Italiano, 6100 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-527-9301. UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
APRIL 28
Gene’s Ristorante Italiano hosts a spring-themed wine dinner. The five courses include the likes of caramelized baby lamb chops and crisp potato gnocchi, carpaccios of tuna and striped bass, and desert crepes. Wines to match each course. $60. 6 p.m. 212 S. Third St., 425-271-7042. RENTON
MAY 3-4
Didn’t get enough slurping in at the Anthony’s Oyster Olympics in March? It’s not too late. Head north to Blaine, Wash., for the second annual Shuckin’ on the Spit Festival (800-770-7992, www.shuckinonthespit.com) or west to Hoodsport, Wash., for the Hood Canal Oyster Bite (www.hoodsportwa.com).
MAY 4
Fed up with “freedom fries”? So’s Brad Inserra; so much so that he’s decided to throw a special all-French evening at his Swingside Italian restaurant. A $75 ducat to “Cab Calloway’s Cabernet Cabaret” gets you antipasti with champagne, lobster bisque, roast spring lamb, Roquefort salad, and cr譥 brl饬 all accompanied by suitable French wines and the vocal stylings of the cabaret quartet Rouge. 6 p.m. 4212 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-4057. FREMONT
It’s haute cuisine for the Hutch. Local celebrity chefs will prepare a six-course dinner with local wine pairings. Proceeds from the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center Premier Chef’s Dinner and a live auction will benefit the Center. $200-$250. 5 p.m. Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers, 1400 Sixth Ave., 206-621-9000. DOWNTOWN
THE GRAPEVINE
APRIL 23
Taste the extraordinary 2001 vintage German wines at Grape Choice. $5. 5:30 p.m. 220 Kirkland Ave. #6, 425-827-7551. KIRKLAND
APRIL 23-24
Oregonian Lisa Shara Hall will be at the Tasting Room to sign copies of her latest book, Wines of the Pacific Northwest: A Contemporary Guide to the Wines of Washington and Oregon. 5-8 p.m. April 23 and noon-3 p.m. April 24. 1924 Post Alley, 206-770-9463. PIKE PLACE MARKET
APRIL 24
Master of Wine Bob Betz of Woodinville’s Betz Family Winery will share barrel samples of his cabernets. Advance registration required. $20. 5:30-8 p.m. Fremont Red Apple Market and Wine Bar, 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-3663. FREMONT
Enjoy pinot noir from Oregon’s Domaine Serene with dinner at Canlis this evening. $125. 6:30 p.m. 2576 Aurora Ave. N, 206-283-3313. QUEEN ANNE/AURORA
Sample wines of Spain tonight at Esquin Wine Merchants. Free. 5-6:30 p.m. 2700 Fourth Ave. S., 206-682-7374. SODO
APRIL 26-27
The Washington Wine Tours wagon is heading to the Yakima Valley for a spring barrel-tasting day tour. Hop aboard and visit Sagelands Vineyards, Bonair Winery, Yakima Cellars, and others. Imbibe as many glasses as you desireWWT is your designated driver. $69 per day. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 206-794-0562, www.washingtonwinetours.com
Taste the wines of Woodward Canyon and second label Nelms Road today at Fremont Red Apple Market and Wine Bar. $5. 3-6 p.m. 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-3663. FREMONT
APRIL 27
Seattle wine lovers have got a bad case of Aussie madness this month, and things at Brasserie Margaux are no different. Give into the urge (everybody else is doing it) at this five-course Australian-themed wine dinner. $75. 7 p.m. 401 Lenora (in the Warwick Hotel), 206-777-1990. BELLTOWN
Taste wines from Harlequin Wine Cellars, the little, autonomous, Maple Valley winery. Free. 2-8 p.m. The Tasting Room, 1924 Post Alley, 206-770-9463. PIKE PLACE MARKET
APRIL 30
Join Paul Beveridge (what an apt name) of Madrona’s Wilridge Winery for a seven-course wine dinner at Lynnwood’s Cinnamons Grill. See how his reds pair with Cinnamons’ Indian cuisine. $65. 6 p.m. 4926 196th St. N.W., 425-670-1000. LYNNWOOD
Meet L’Aventure Winery maker Stephan Asseo and taste the wines he brought with him from Paso Robles, Calif. $10. 5:30 p.m. Grape Choice, 220 Kirkland Ave. #6, 425-827-7551. KIRKLAND
MAY 1
Meet John Bookwalter of the Tri-Cities’ Bookwalter Winery and taste his wares. Free. 5-7 p.m. Seattle Cellars, 2505 Second Ave., 206-256-0850. BELLTOWN
MAY 2
Lisa Dupar Catering hosts a wine dinner with Sonoma wines and a menu based on northern California artisan cheeses. $65. 7-9 p.m. 17825 N.E. 65th St., Suite A-140, 425-881-3250. REDMOND
MAY 3
Prosser maker Ray Sandidge (of Kestral Vintners) will pour samples of his own label, C.R. Sandidge, today at Fremont Red Apple Market and Wine Bar. $5. 3-6 p.m. 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-3663. FREMONT ORGANI-CITY
APRIL 27
Tour the Essential Bakery with head baker George Depasquale. Then meet beyond-organic chicken farmer Joel Huesby of Thundering Hooves Ranch and hear his story. Hosted by the Chefs Collaborative Seattle chapter. $10 includes snacks. 4-6 p.m. 1604 N. 34th St., 206-284-8687. WALLINGFORD
MAY 1
The Snohomish Farmer’s Market opens its 12th season today. Look for certified organic produce, in-season fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, baked goods, crafts, plants, and flowers. Thursdays 5 p.m.-sunset through September. On First Avenue two blocks west of the Avenue D Bridge. SNOHOMISH BACK TO SCHOOL
APRIL 26
Learn a thing or two about preparing spring brunch at this class on puffed, oven-baked egg pancakes with strawberries, roasted herb potatoes, double chocolate chip muffins with raspberry butter, and brunch cocktails. $40. 11 a.m. RainCity Cooking School, 425-644-4285. BELLEVUE
APRIL 27
Tonight’s installment of the Whole Foods Basic Cooking Series will focus on rockfish; how to pick it, store it, and cook it. Learn deep-fry techniques and homemade mayonnaise tricks. Students will make and eat an herb-breaded rockfish fillet with homemade tartar sauce, slaw, and French fries. $20. 4:30-7 p.m. 1026 N.E. 64th St., 206-985-1500. ROOSEVELT
APRIL 29
Learn while you party at Lisa Dupar Catering’ s Southwest-style Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Take the recipes home and throw your own Cinco de Mayo celebration. 17825 N.E. 65th St., Suite A-140, 425-881-3250, www.lisaduparcatering.com, REDMOND
Learn all about buying, cutting, and cooking one of Seattle’s most illustrious exportsseafood. Recipes include Thai curry sea scallops, fennel-cured steelhead, and kazu-marinated black cod. Lunch and wine pairings will be served. $55. 10:30 a.m. Flying Fish, 2234 First Ave., 206-728-8595. BELLTOWN
APRIL 30
Learn to prepare an Italian family dinner with homemade pasta. Chef Iole Aquero will take students through a menu of lasagna with meat sauce, eggplant Parmesan, butter leaf salad, and tiramisu. $45. 6-9 p.m. SCCC Seattle Culinary Academy, 1701 Broadway Ave., 206-587-5424. CAPITOL HILL
MAY 1
Learn recipes and techniques for quick summer pastas. On the menu: linguine with olive oil, chives, and lemons; fettuccine with roasted peppers, basil, pine nuts, and olives; vegetarian, egg-free, dairy-free pasta; homemade pesto. $30 ($25 PCC members). 6:30-9 p.m. PCC Green Lake, 7504 Aurora Ave. N., 206-547-1222. GREEN LAKE/AURORA
MAY 3
Meet and talk with others who love food as much as you do at the Cascadia Culinary Arts Conference on Whidbey Island. Chefs, cookbook authors, journalists, food experts, and novice food lovers will mingle for a day to discuss Northwest cuisine, simple and natural cooking, menu planning and food/wine pairing, sustainable agriculture, and new trends. $75. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., Langley, 425-445-0200, www.cascadiaculinaryarts.com. WHIDBEY ISLAND
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, Bellevue’s RainCity Cooking School dedicates a class to Mexican cooking. On the menu: Red chili chicken tamale; pork chili verde tamale; fresh salsas; margaritas; oranges in triple sec for dessert. $40. 11 a.m. Information: 425-644-4285.
MAY 5
Sur La Table Kirkland hosts a class on two favorite spring vegetables: artichokes and asparagus. On the menu: scallops with asparagus butter sauce; asparagus soup; chilled artichokes with Bavarian tartar sauce; artichokes Italian-style with prosciutto and mushrooms; and more. $50. 6 p.m. 90 Central Way, 866-328-5412. KIRKLAND
Learn secrets to preparing “fresh and easy” one-dish Thai dinners, including sweet-and-sour rice noodle soup with shrimp; curried somen noodles with beef, tofu, and cilantro; “drunken noodles” stir-fried with chicken, vegetables, chiles, and garlic; and melon in sweet coconut cream. $30 ($25 PCC members). 6:30-9 p.m. PCC Green Lake, 7504 Aurora Ave. N., 206-547-1222. GREEN LAKE/AURORA
MAY 6
For men onlyDads, give Mom a break on Mother’s Day. Learn a thing or two about preparing spring brunch at this class on puffed, oven-baked egg pancakes with strawberries, roasted herb potatoes, double chocolate chip muffins with raspberry butter, and brunch cocktails. $40. 6:30 p.m. RainCity Cooking School, 425-644-4285. BELLEVUE
MAY 7
Learn to cook with seasonal, fresh, spring vegetables at this class from West Seattle Thriftway’s NuCulinary School. On the menu: fresh asparagus on garlic toast; pan-seared duck breast with saut饤 wild mushrooms; spring pea risotto in a radicchio cup; trio of mixed berry granita with cr譥 fraiche and chocolate sauce. $50. 6:30 p.m. 6523 California Ave. S.W., 206-932-3855. WEST SEATTLE Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most events. Prices exclusive of tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.
