ON THE PLATE You’ve tried Copper River salmon, but have you heard of Alaska’s Taku River king salmon? Try itgrilled in extra virgin olive oil and sea salt ($32.95)during May and June at the Oceanaire Seafood Room. 1700 Seventh Ave., 206-267-2277. DOWNTOWN
It’s shellfish month at Brasa. Get a bowl of bouillabaisse and a glass of Northern Spanish white wine for 20 bucks. 2107 Third Ave., 206-728-4220. BELLTOWN
MAY 21-25 Fandango is turning three and chef Christine Keff and company are celebrating with a multiday fiesta. Look for $3 Herradura margaritas and mojitos, special birthday cake, cocktails, and flamenco dancers on May 21 and 22, and a nightly $25 La Familia menua 10-course, family-style dinner. 2313 First Ave., 206-441-1188.
MAY 22 Leonard Rede of Sapphire Kitchen and Bar is the guest chef tonight at FareStart. On the menu: minted cucumber, tomato, and feta salad; Moroccan red chicken and couscous; citrus cake with strawberries and pomegranate cream; new wine releases from Syncline Wine Cellars. $16.95. 5:30-7:45 p.m. 1902 Second Ave., 206-443-1233 ext. 7500, www.farestart.org. BELLTOWN
MAY 24 Are you the barbecue king of your block? Put your skills to the real test at the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association’s season-opening competition. Grand champion wins $500 and a trophy. $35 entry fee. 6 a.m.-3 p.m. FACTORIA Mall parking lot, 4000 block of Factoria Boulevard. For information and registration: 206-364-5198.
Dine and drink to the Acorn Eatery and Bar tonight at its second birthday party. There’s no cover charge for a live DJ, a barbecue with Cascioppo Brothers sausage ($6), $4 Jack Daniels lemonades, $4 Southern Comfort hurricanes, and $2 Chinook Ale. 7 p.m.-close. 9041 Holman Rd. N.W., 206-297-0700. CROWN HILL
MAY 28 It’s the first “Big Night” dinner party at Calabria Ristorante Italiano, with magnums of Rosemont wines and huge plates of Caesar salad, pasta, pollo gorgonzola, and tiramisu passed around family-style. Live piano music and plenty of chaos are promised. $37. 7 p.m. 132 Lake St. S., 206-935-7776. KIRKLAND
MAY 29 Luigi Denunzio of Luigi’s Grotto is the guest chef tonight at FareStart. On the menu: sautéed Portobello, thyme, cinnamon and lemon herb crostinis; house smoked pork loin with creamy polenta and sweet and sour marsala; bananas foster; and more. $16.95. 5:30-7:45 p.m. 1902 Second Ave., 206-443-1233 ext. 7500, www.farestart.org. BELLTOWN
THE GRAPEVINE
MAY 21 Seattle Wine Brats and King Estate Wines challenge three chefs to create new dishes to pair with KE wines. Then they dare guests to taste the pairings. Includes a three-course dinner. $37 ($40 door). 6:30-8:30 p.m. Typhoon!, 1400 Western Ave., 877-545-4699, www.winebrats.org. DOWNTOWN
Meet Don Townshend of Townshend Cellars and taste his Washington wares. $20. 6:30-8 p.m. Fremont Red Apple Market and Wine Bar, 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-3663. FREMONT
MAY 22 Seastar’s semi-annual “Stars of Washington Wine” tasting event will showcase outstanding white wines tonight. The wines will be complemented by chef John Howie’s custom appetizers and appearances by star Washington vintners and the “Seattle Seven” sommeliers. $37.50. 6-7:30 p.m. 205 108th Ave. N.E., 425-456-0010, www.seastarrestaurant.com. BELLEVUE
Taste wines from down under tonight at Seattle Cellars. Free (with a $4.99 glass purchase). 5-7 p.m. 2505 Second Ave., 206-256-0850. BELLTOWN
MAY 24 Fremont Townshend t and Wine Bar’s Women in Wine series shines the spotlight on importer Katarina Brooks and her Australian Carlyle Wines. $5. 3-6 p.m. 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-3663. FREMONT
MAY 24-26 No plans for Memorial Day weekend? You might be interested to know that 65 wineries in Yamhill County, Ore., are holding public tastings between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. all weekend. Think about it . . . . Yamhill County Wineries Association: 503-646-2985, www.yamhillwine.com.
MAY 25 Tour Southern Italy from the dining table tonight with sommelier Arnie Millan and Brasserie Margaux chef Chris Zarkades. Includes five courses with wines to matchand a history lesson from Millan! $75. 7 p.m. 401 Lenora St., 206-777-1990, www.margauxseattle.com. BELLTOWN
MAY 26 Be nice to Brett Isenhower of Walla Walla’s Isenhower Cellars tonighthe’s sharing his wines with you over a five-course dinner. Includes his 2002 viognier/roussanne, 2000 red blend, 2001 syrah, and 2001 cabernet sauvignon. For dinner: chilled asparagus soup and smoked salmon; spiced carpaccio of Oregon country beef; cucumber sorbet; muscovy duck in two acts; and chocolate soufflé. $125. 6 p.m. Salish Lodge, 425-888-2556, www.salishlodge.com. SNOQUALMIE FALLS
MAY 27 Esquin Wine Merchants have their hands on some of Helen Turley’s cult California wines. Once called the “goddess of wine,” Turley’s known for labor-intensive, quality winemaking. Taste her wares this evening. Limited tickets available. $40 (prepay only), 6:30-8 p.m. 2700 Fourth Ave. S., 206-682-7374. SODO
MAY 28 Taste up to 12 unique French wines from various regions and varietals with a five-course dinner at Campagne. $85. 6 p.m. 86 Pine St., 206-728-2800. PIKE PLACE MARKET
MAY 29 Taste reds from the Rhone region of France. Free with $4.99 glass purchase. 5-7 p.m. Seattle Cellars, 2505 Second Ave., 206-256-0850. BELLTOWN
MAY 30 It’s champagneology. Seattle sommelier Arnie Millan teaches a lesson on the history and making of the beloved bubbly. And, of course, there will be plenty of tasting going on, as well as appetizers from Andaluca chef Wayne Johnson. $39. 6-7:30 p.m. Andaluca, 407 Olive Way (Mayflower Park Hotel), 206-382-6999. DOWNTOWN
JUNE 7 Taste, mix, and measure single vineyard merlots and cabernets under the tutelage of DiStefano Winery owner and winemaker Mark Newton. Experiment with the products of Sagemore, Ederling, Chandler’s Reach, Seven Hills, Rosa Hills, and Red Mountain vineyards. Then sit down in the candlelit cellar for a Lowell Hunt-catered dinner. 12280 Woodinville Drive N.E., 425-487-1648, www.distefanowinery.com. WOODINVILLE
ORGANI-CITY It’s that time; the farmers are invading our streets again this spring and we can’t get enough of it. Opening soon in King County: Columbia City Farmers Market (May 21) and University District Farmer’s Market (May 24).
BACK TO SCHOOL MAY 21 It’s “fun with filo.” Learn tricks and recipes for appetizers, main dishes, and desserts including baklava, spanakopita, walnut pâté pastries, and apple strudel. $40. 6:30-9 p.m. Lucky Palate Kitchen, 307 W. McGraw Ave., 206-352-2583, www.luckypalate.com. QUEEN ANNE
MAY 22 ¡Viva Cuba! Or Cuban cooking, at this class offered by Queen Anne’s Culinary Communion Cooking School. On the menu: roast pork, black beans and rice; tostones (twice-fried plantains); flan; and more. $35. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Mr. J’s Kitchen Gourmet, 10116 N.E. Eight Ave., BELLEVUE. Registration: 206-284-8687, www.culinarycommunion.com.
MAY 23 Tonight chef Jackie Madche teaches recipes from her native Colombia: shrimp ceviche, fresh Dungeness salad, tropical fruit salad. $20. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Whole Foods, 1026 N.E. 64th St., 206-985-1500. ROOSEVELT
MAY 27 Learn the in and outs of the Italian panini with Iole Aguero. On the menu: layered vegetable sandwich, grilled focaccia sandwich, Iole’s favorite panino, and espresso granite. $45. 6 p.m. Sur la Table, 90 Central Wy., 866-328-5412, www.surlatable.com. KIRKLAND
MAY 29 You can cook dinner in 15 minutes. Learn how. On the menu: pasta with watercress, cherry tomatoes, and fresh goat cheese; and a skirt steak, red onion, and bell pepper pita pocket with a seasonal salad. $20. 6-8:30 p.m. Whole Foods, 1026 N.E. 64th St., 206-985-1500. ROOSEVELT
MAY 30 Learn to cook Copper River salmon at home. It’s your ticket to popularity! On the menu: coddled salmon with warm potato and green bean salad; and broiled salmon with olive couscous and cucumber oil. $25. 6-8:30 p.m. Whole Foods, 1026 N.E. 64th St., 206-985-1500. ROOSEVELT
MAY 31 Chef Brian Scheehser of the Hunt Club at the Sorrento Hotel will show students how to pick the best fresh ingredients from a farmer’s market and how to prepare and present the ingredients at home. $45. 10 a.m. Sur la Table, 90 Central Way. 866-328-5412, www.surlatable.com. KIRKLAND
Roll your own sushi with chef Cameon Orel of the Yarrow Bay Café. On the menu: California rolls with crab and avocado; sushi rolls with tuna, pickled ginger, peppers, and onion; and seven spice albacore tuna with balsamic teriyaki and wasabi vinaigrette. Then dine on your lesson along with Stimson Lane wines. $39. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 1270 Carillon Point, 425-889-9052. KIRKLAND
Learn to prepare an English high tea party, including protocol and recipes. On the menu: chicken salad in pastry puffs, cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, scones with lemon curd, and éclairs. $40. 11 a.m. RainCity Cooking School, 425-644-4285, call for location. BELLEVUE
Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most events. Prices exclusive of tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.
