Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most events. Prices exclude tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.
ON THE PLATE
Through March
Do this now: Start a special piggy bank for $20 and $5 bills. It’s 25 for $25 time again. Throughout March, Sunday through Thursday, some of Seattle’s most beloved restaurants will offer prix-fixe dinners for $25 in addition to their regular menus. Participating restaurants include the Barking Frog, Andaluca, Serafina, Wild Ginger, Ponti Seafood Grill, Restaurant Zoë, and Nishino. A complete list of participating restaurants can be found at www.nwsource.com/25for25
Through March
The view from the Space Needle Observation Deck really is remarkable, and every Thursday in March you’re offered a really good opportunity for basking in it while learning about wine pairing and sampling the food prepared by SkyCity’s chefs. For the price of an Observation Deck ticket, you’ll get hints on matching wine to food, and all the view you can drink. $13. 5:30 p.m. 400 Broad St., 206-905-2100. DOWNTOWN
March 11 and 12
Help raise funds for the Center for French Language and Culture while enjoying a dinner concert tribute to Jacques Brel given by venerated Belgian singer Eddy Barsky at the Crepe de Paris Restaurant. $75. 7 p.m. 1333 Fifth Ave., 206-623-4111. DOWNTOWN
March 21
Word on the street is that Madison Park Cafe owner Karen Binder brought back some lovely truffles from a recent trip to France, and they’ll be in the ravioli at this winemaker dinner, which features truffle-worthy Apex Wines. Winemaker Brian Carter will be on hand, as will some of his limited-production wines. $75. 6:30 p.m. 1807 42nd Ave. E., 206-324-2626. MADISON PARK
March 28
Disciples of French Laundry in San Francisco won’t want to miss this Cooks & Books event at Union, where Thomas Keller and his Bouchon partner Jeff Cerciello will appear. Union chef Ethan Stowell will prepare a dinner inspired by the recipes in the new Bouchon. $200. Call for time. 1400 First Ave., 206-838-8000. DOWNTOWN
THE GRAPEVINE
March 6
Celebrate Washington Wine month with one of the state’s premier wineries, Delille Cellars, and the Warwick Hotel’s Brasserie Margaux. Tonight’s special five-course menu will feature Delille’s handcrafted specialties. $75. 7 p.m. 401 Lenora St., 206-777-1990. DOWNTOWN
March 8
“The Chef in the Hat” (Thierry Rautureau) and Matthew Loso (we’re not sure if the winemaker has a cute, quotation-mark-necessitating nickname) of Matthews Cellars are teaming up for this four-course wine-pairing dinner at Rover’s—and they’re right on time for Washington Wine Month. $100. 6:30 p.m. 2808 E. Madison St., 206-325-7442. MADISON PARK
March 16
Ah, if you knew then what you know now! The Art Institute of Seattle is opening its doors to the public for a four-course French meal and specially chosen Washington wines. With faculty chef instructor David Wynne, wine educator Dieter Schafer, and winemaker Paul Beveridge from Wilridge Winery, it’ll be just like revisiting your college years—only totally different and way better. $110. 6 p.m. 2600 Alaskan Way, Portfolio Dining Room, fifth floor, 206-239-2226. BELLTOWN
March 16
Wines of the Loire Valley will be poured at Pike and Western tonight, so come prepared for some fabulous sauvignon blancs, cabernet francs, and more. $15. 7 p.m. 1934 Pike Place, 206-441-1307. PIKE PLACE MARKET
March 17
Sure, you can drink green beer if you want to, but should your tastes be a bit more refined, consider visiting Napa-in-Seattle at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Principals and representatives from more than 50 Napa wineries will be on hand pouring their wares, shaking hands, fielding compliments, and answering questions. No word on whether or not they’ll be pinching the greenless. This event benefits Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Centers. $75. 6:30–8:30 p.m. 721 Pine St., Leonesa Ballroom, 206-461-6935 ext. 160. DOWNTOWN
March 17
Dunham Cellars’ Walla Walla wines meet pistachio-crusted lamb chops and a chocolate tart with mint crème (and more) at this Waterfront Seafood Grill wine-pairing dinner. $85. 6:30 p.m. 2801 Alaskan Way, Pier 70, 206-956-9171. DOWNTOWN
March 17-20
You do the math: For $5 and the price of an elevator ride to the Observation Deck, you get a free souvenir glass, a sampling of wines from Washington’s L’Ecole Cellars, and a 360-degree view of the city. $18 total. 4:30–8 p.m. 400 Broad St., 206-905-2100. DOWNTOWN
March 21
Should you feel like getting out of Seattle’s city limits, and should you feel like visiting Italy—metaphorically, of course—you should take note of Girardi’s Umbrian-themed six-course dinner and Italian wine tasting. $60. Call for times. 504 Fifth Ave. S., 425-673-5278. EDMONDS
April 2-3
Get your designated driver on retainer now. Woodinville Wine Country is hosting its fourth annual Passport to Woodinville Weekend. Seventeen wineries will host open houses; for some of the smaller wineries, this is one of the few times during the year that they’re able to do so. $40 for the weekend. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Visit www.woodinvillewinecountry.com for more information. WOODINVILLE
BACK TO SCHOOL
March 9
We can’t be sure what Shoreline Community College has in store for a seminar titled the Vino of Pinot, but we’re guessing it’ll have something to do with pinot gris and pinot noir at the very least. $35. 7–9 p.m. 16101 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-533-6700. SHORELINE
March 10
Pink things aren’t always taken seriously but this Salud! Cooking School class will have you thinking differently. Learn about rosé wines and the foods that go with them; tonight’s menu features pink wines paired with dishes like Penn Cove mussels that have been steamed with ginger, cherry tomatoes, and purple basil. Sounds psychedelic. $40. 6–9 p.m. 888 116th Ave. N.E., 425-462-1400. BELLEVUE
March 14
Still not sure which fork is which or what kind of wine to bring to your boss’ retirement party? It’s never too late for finishing school and this fine-dining and wine etiquette seminar, hosted by Geneva Restaurant, aims to polish all your table manners and make a civilized citizen out of you. $70. 6:30 p.m. 1106 Eighth Ave., 206-624-2222. DOWNTOWN
March 15
Pork, beef, and potatoes: this Dish it Up! course says if you can work your way around these ubiquitous ingredients, you’re well on your way to becoming a better cook. $65. 6–9 p.m. 2425 33rd Ave. W. Suite B, 206-281-7800. MAGNOLIA
March 18
Halibut season starts March 15, so by the time this Salud! Cooking School class rolls around, you’ll be ready to ramp up on some new recipes. Theirs include halibut carpaccio and baked halibut stuffed with Dungeness crab and tarragon. $30. 6–9 p.m. 888 116th Ave. N.E., 425-462-1400. BELLEVUE
March 23
While preparing sumac-crusted Ahi tuna, steamed mussels, and other interesting things from the sea, you’ll learn the basics of working with fish and shellfish at this Seattle Culinary Academy primer. $45. 6–9 p.m. 1701 Broadway, Demonstration Kitchen/Room BE2119, 206-587-5424. CAPITOL HILL
March 30
Dinner’s always fun when it’s found inside a crust. This Cook’s World course teaches pastry-enclosed main dishes like chicken pot pie and Mexican corn bread casserole. $46. 6:30–9:30 p.m. 2900 N.E. Blakeley St., 206-528-8192. UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
