Food Events Around Town


ON THE PLATE


THROUGH MARCH

An authentic cassoulet takes time and effort. The white bean stew contains ingredients not found in most refrigerators: lamb, pork, duck confit, and garlic sausage. Beginning today, Café Campagne takes the time and effort to make the dish so all you have to do is place an order, pick it up, and pay $32 for two or $64 for four. E-mail rbellavita@campagnerestaurant.com or call 206-448-7740. 1600 Post Alley, PIKE PLACE MARKET


THROUGH NOVEMBER 16

“Succumb to the lure of the clove” at the Lombardi’s restaurants as the Italian triad commences its annual garlic festival. Press materials report that during the course of the festival, “2,875 pounds of garlic will be enjoyed.” Look for garlic martinis and garlic tiramisu to break up the monotony of garlic Caesar salad and “40 clove chicken.” 2200 N.W. Market St., 206-783-0055, BALLARD; 1620 W. Marine View Dr., 425-252-1886, EVERETT; 695 N.W. Gilman Blvd., 425-391-9097, ISSAQUAH.


OCTOBER 24

Since 1995, Boomtown Cafe has been serving estimable chow to both “the general public and the disenfranchised.” Now the nonprofit downtown eatery is holding its second annual Fall Squash Ball. The sheer number of local culinary stars may blind you; when you blink the world back into focus, savor the work of chefs from Earth & Ocean, Brasserie Margaux, and other crème-de-la-crème Seattle dining locales. Then dance the night away to the swingin’ tunes of the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra. $75 in advance, $90 at the door. 7-11 p.m. 700 Third Ave. (Arctic Building), 206-625-2989. DOWNTOWN


OCTOBER 29

Mad about maguro? Don’t miss the Japanese American Chamber of Commerce’s Sushi and Sake Fest. Participants can taste sushi from nine local restaurants as well as premium sake, Japanese beer, green tea, and mochi ice cream. Proceeds will go to the Rare Donor Program of the Puget Sound Blood Center. $50-$100. 5-8:30 p.m. Grand Hyatt Hotel, 721 Pine St., 206-320-1010. DOWNTOWN


OCTOBER 30

If you’ve ever yearned to attend the grand opening of a supermarket, now’s your chance. Mayor Greg Nickels may not be there to cut a red ribbon with oversized, ceremonial scissors, but at Metropolitan Market’s Sand Point debut you can still “mix and mingle in the grocery aisles” or “move to live music on the mezzanine.” There will also be many opportunities to nosh yourself into oblivion, slurp down fine wines and ales, and then retire to the patio for a nice cigar. See? Grocery-store grand openings can be pretentious, too. $50 (benefits Ronald McDonald House). 5-8 p.m. 5240 40th Ave. N.E., 206-923-5390. SAND POINT


OCTOBER 31

Who says world-class restaurants must be stodgy? The Herbfarm buries that awful old stereotype once and for all with a Halloween theme dinner for the discriminating zombie palate. “Trumpet of Death Mushrooms,” “CaCoffiny of Vegetables,” and “Sturgeon Mummy” are but a few of the aptly named selections put together by chef Jerry Traunfeld; all you need to do is dress up (in a costume, that is) and chow down. Market priced. 7 p.m. 14590 N.E. 145th St., 425-485-5300. WOODINVILLE


NOVEMBER 1

Meet local oyster growers at Flying Fish’s oyster open house. Shaking hands is the least of the fun, because for $20 you can eat all the oysters your stomach can stomach. 1-4 p.m. 2234 First Ave. 206-728-8595. BELLTOWN

Eat even more oysters this evening at Matts’ Rotisserie & Oyster Lounge. At its first Shuckfest, the year-old Redmond seafood joint is charging guests $30 for unlimited shellfish consumption, plus “three scrip for beer or wine.” Because folks, after gobbling oysters at Flying Fish and doing the same at Matts’, the best thing for your belly is alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol. $30. 3-9 p.m. 16551 N.E. 74th St., 425-376-0909. REDMOND

Rouge Ales has created the perfect way to enjoy beer and chili at the same time, all while supporting Eastside nonprofits: a beer-chili cook-off, of course. Judging takes place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., with live music and beer drinking until 9 p.m. $6 charitable donation in the form of three voting tokens. 35 Sunset Way, 425-557-1911. ISSAQUAH

Pan-Latino powerhouse Gitano does its thing with Día de los Muertos, offering a $45 six-course prix fixe along with live music and a variety of “fun parting gifts.” The devilish menu will include pork tamales, seafood posole, beef enchiladas, and chicken in a pumpkin-sesame sauce. $45. 5:30-8:30 p.m. 2805 E. Madison St., 206-709-8324. MADISON VALLEY


NOVEMBER 1-2

If you’re Polish and you know it, lick your lips. Capitol Hill’s 39th annual Polish Holiday Bazaar will feature the tongue-tingling tastes of dill-pickle soup, beet soup, stuffed cabbage, cheese crepes, Polish sausage, sauerkraut… and pierogi, the undisputed masterwork of Polish cuisine. For the kiddies, arts ‘n’ crafts booths will beckon and Christmas decorations will glisten. Free. Noon-7 p.m. 1714 18th Ave., 206-523-4873. CAPITOL HILL


NOVEMBER 2

The only thing better than watching Iron Chef on TV today would be to go to an “Iron Chef-style competition.” Tamara Murphy, chef/owner of Brasa and Christine Keff, chef/owner of Flying Fish and Fandango are going fork-to-fork at the Viking Showroom. Adding to the upper-class sportlike atmosphere will be alcohol: over 60 Washington wines, along with samples of cheese, sausage and seafood. $35. 2-5 p.m. 19204 68th Ave., register by Oct. 31 at www.washingtonwine.org or 206-667-9463 ext. 216. KENT


THE GRAPEVINE


OCTOBER 26

The mighty red wine called amarone is featured at a dinner crafted just to show off its incredible power and fragrance. The main dish is something you don’t find on the average restaurant menu: the famed bollito misto of the Veneto and Emilia-Romagna, a sumptuous stew of chicken, veal, beef, and sausage all served in their own fragrant broth. $70. 6:30 p.m. at il Capretto d’Oro, 14471 Woodinville-Redmond Rd., 425-483-6791. WOODINVILLE. (Dinner will be repeated Nov. 3.)


ON TAP


OCTOBER 25

Head over to the Alki Room at the Seattle Center to sample unique beer at the 2003 Washington Cask Beer Festival. Cask-conditioned beers from 36 regional breweries are available at two tastings. $30 in advance (www.washingtonbrewfest.com) or $35 at the door. Noon-4 p.m. and 6-10 p.m., Alki Room. SEATTLE CENTER


BACK TO SCHOOL


OCTOBER 25

Why are apples eaten in all 50 states and 40 countries? Adults might not care, but Canlis hopes kids know the answer. Chef Aaron Wright and cookbook author Sharon Kramis will lecture kids ages 6-10 about apples and then help them make apple cider and apple crepes. $35. 10 a.m.-noon. Canlis, 2576 Aurora Ave. N., 206-283-3313. QUEEN ANNE

Go from fast food to fantastic food in five weeks with Cook’s World’s “basics of cooking” class. The first class deals with pesky poultry. Upcoming lessons include: meats, seafood, eggs, and desserts. $185. Every Saturday through Nov. 22. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Cook’s World, 2900 N.E. Blakeley St., 206-528-8192. UNIVERSITY VILLAGE

Spice up your life with Fandango’s tamale class. Lunch and a selection of Spanish wines will be offered along with tamale-making tips. $55. 10:30 a.m. 2313 First Ave., 206-443-3308. BELLTOWN


NOVEMBER 1

Having a rough time with your better half? RainCity Cooking School can heal your relationship through the magical power of chocolate. Take RainCity’s Chocolate Gifts from your Kitchen classwhich covers truffles, filled bonbons, and dipped fruitand live to date another day. $50. 11 a.m. 1883 145th Pl. S.E., 425-644-4285. BELLEVUE


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