Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most events. Prices exclude tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.
ON THE PLATE
Through January
Earth and Ocean’s January Winemaker Dinner series features two boutique wineries from our own backyard, Mark Ryan Winery and Stevens Winery. Executive chef Maria Hines and pastry chef Sue McCown have prepared a multicourse menu to pair with a sampling of these Washington wines. Monday through Saturday. $65 for dinner and wine. 1112 Fourth Ave., 206-264-6060. DOWNTOWN
Through January
Relax, Salty’s on Redondo Beach’s You Crack Me Up promotion doesn’t have anything to do with stand-up comedians—they’re referring to Dungeness crab. Every Sunday night in January, you’re invited to eat all the crab you can handle, and enjoy limitless salads, too. $28.95. 4:30–9 p.m. 28201 Redondo Beach Drive S., 253-946-0636. DES MOINES
Through January
Bring your post-holiday increased appetite and decreased pocketbook to Yarrow Bay Grill & Beach Cafe for its special three-course dinner, which stars a one-pound porterhouse steak. $24.99. 1270 Carillon Point, 425-803-2941. KIRKLAND
Jan. 22
Aw, the ’70s. Hippies, Yippies, and Bicentennial fever. Oh, and there was wine, too. Sommelier Arnie Millan has teamed up with Brasserie Margaux chef Chris Zarkades to present a dinner paired with rare wines from the era. This exclusive event will take place in a 19th-floor suite in the Warwick Hotel. We bet they’ll find an open room for you if you need to crash out afterward—although there’s very little chance that you’ll be able to sleep underneath a vintage Farrah Fawcett poster. $195. 7 p.m. 401 Lenora St., 206-612-6547. DOWNTOWN
Jan. 31
Il Fornaio will donate 10 percent of today’s food sales to the American Red Cross. 600 Pine St., 206-264-0994. DOWNTOWN
Feb. 2
If you’ve ever wondered about the namesake behind Green Lake’s foremost upscale neighborhood restaurant, tonight’s a great time to find out—and contribute to a worthy local cause at the same time. Nell’s owner and chef Philip Mihalski and his wife, Nell, are hosting a five-course dinner with wine pairings to benefit Childhaven, a nonprofit dedicated to ending the cycle of child abuse. $225. 6:30 p.m. 6804 E. Green Lake Way N., 206-524-4044. GREENLAKE
THE GRAPEVINE
Jan. 21
Oh la la. The ultra-exclusive Columbia Tower Club is tossing out the rules (except for the dress code, of course) and allowing the general public in for their Platinum Wine Dinner. The event celebrates the 12 winners of Wine Press Northwest‘s Platinum award; CTC chefs will prepare appetizers and a five-course dinner to go along with the winning wines—and the most fabulous bathrooms in town. $130. 6:30 p.m. 701 Fifth Ave., 206-622-2010. DOWNTOWN
Jan. 26
Be on the lookout for Muskrat Susie and Muskrat Sam doing the jitterbug at Shoreline Community College’s “Muscat Love,” an exploration of the sweet and floral Muscat grape. $35. 7–9 p.m. 16101 Greenwood Ave N., 206-533-6700. SHORELINE
Jan. 27
The Fremont PCC is suggesting that you get “zinful” with friends this winter; in order to facilitate, they’re pouring several zinfandels for your perusal. Free. 6:30–8 p.m. 600 N. 34th St., 206-547-1222 ext. 191. FREMONT
Jan. 27
You may not be familiar with them, but South Africa has been producing plenty of very fine wines for quite some time. At this Seattle Cellars tasting, you can sip them and see. 5–7 p.m. Free. 2505 Second Ave., Suite 102, 206-256-0850. DOWNTOWN
Jan. 27
No, not the Lone Ranger, the Rhone Rangers; they’re a nonprofit organization aimed at advancing American-grown Rhone varietals, and they’ll be pouring tonight at the Tasting Room. Join Brian Carter of Apex Cellars, Robert Goodfriend of Harlequin Wine Cellars, and Paul Beveridge of Wilridge Winery for syrah talk and tasting. $32. 6–9 p.m. 1924 Post Alley, 206-770-WINE. PIKE PLACE MARKET
Feb. 2
Don’t miss this chance to meet the man behind Harlequin Wine Cellars. Robert Goodfriend will be at the Tasting Room all day to talk you through a fine assortment of his great wines. Free. Noon to 8 p.m. 1924 Post Alley, 206-770-9463. PIKE PLACE MARKET
BACK TO SCHOOL
Jan. 21
Seattle Magazine writer Ernie Pino and the folks at Kathy Casey Food Studios claim you can throw together an easy paella party, and with their Dish D’Lish brand cocktail mixer, the sangria, at least, should be a snap. $65. 6:30–8 p.m. 5130 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-784-7840. BALLARD
Jan. 24
Part history lesson, part cooking class, and part celebration of women who love to eat well, this Dish It Up! class focuses on Eugenia Van Vliet’s Dinners With Famous Women and the recipes inside. What fabulous female enjoyed Venetian rice with raisins and stewed prawns? Only Van Vliet can tell you. $55. 6–9 p.m. 2425 33rd Ave. W. Suite B, 206-281-7800. MAGNOLIA
Jan. 26
Enjoy a glass of wine as you study Italian cuisine and learn to prepare a four-course meal at Luigi’s Grotto. $40. 7–9 p.m., 102 Cherry St., 206-343-9517. PIONEER SQUARE
Jan. 29
Join Tamara Murphy in the kitchen where you’ll learn to prepare Mediterranean appetizers—with that beloved Brasa twist. $65. 10:30 a.m. 2107 Third Ave., 206-728-4220. DOWNTOWN
Feb. 2
That’s right, after the new year is ushered through the door, you’ve got to start thinking about how to surprise your sweetie on Valentine’s Day. Ray’s Boathouse suggests you start by taking their chocolate course, which is taught by pastry chef Marcia Sisley-Berger. $30. 3–4:30 p.m. 6049 Seaview Ave. N.W., 206-789-3770. BALLARD
Feb. 2
The thing about going out to dinner for a special date is that your favorite restaurant is always a little too far from the bedroom. Take this RainCity cooking class and learn how to create the perfect at-home dinner date. The menu includes stuffed chicken breasts and a trio of luscious crème brulées. $60. 11 a.m. 1883 145th Place S.E., 425-644-4285. BELLEVUE
Feb. 2
Looking for a nosh? Join Peter Glick in the kitchen at the Stroum Jewish Community Center and learn to make traditional Jewish specialties like pierogi, latkes, and blintzes. Glick’s even bringing bagels, lox, and cream cheese! Free. 11 a.m. 3801 E. Mercer Way, 206-232-7115 ext. 269. MERCER ISLAND
