Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most events. Prices exclude tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.
ON THE PLATE
Friday and Saturday Nights
Yes, you’re right. It’s far too hard to get anything to eat around here after 11 p.m. So when someone does something about it, as Serafina’s John Neumark and Susan Kaufman have, it’s big news. Serafina’s Late Night Nibbles menu, offered from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m., features dishes like Melanzane alla Serafina (the restaurant’s signature eggplant entrée) and veal meatballs. Hell of a midnight snack, eh? 2043 Eastlake Ave. E., 206-323-0807. EASTLAKE
March 26
Not sure how to get those daily servings of fruits and vegetables in your diet? Confused about how to get fresh produce? Interested in getting locally grown produce delivered to your doorstep? Get schooled about Community Supported Agriculture and more at the Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center. Free. 1–3:30 p.m. 3801 W. Government Way, 206-386-4231. BALLARD
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 be appearing. 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
March 29
Didn’t make it out to Athens last summer? No problem. You only have to get as far as Anthony’s HomePort at Shilshole Bay to make up for it at the 16th Annual Anthony’s Oyster Olympics. Restaurant teams from as far away as Toronto and Chicago will be in town to compete with local oyster specialists in shucking contests and more (last year, Elliott’s Oyster House took the trophy). You? All you have to do is eat, drink, and love the bivalve. $85. 3–9 p.m. 6135 Seaview Ave. N.W., 206-297-7002. BALLARD
April 15
If you’re one who labors over which wines to serve with what entrées, you have probably been told to pair your fish with whites. At this special Flying Fish dinner, co-hosted with Beaux Frères winemaker Mike Eitzel, no one will tell you that this is wrong, but they’ll prove to you that it’s rather limiting. As you sip pinot noir while tasting the Thai curried sea scallops, you’ll come to understand why red wine goes great with seafood. $95. 6:30 p.m. 2234 First Ave., 206-728-8595. BELLTOWN
May 16
We figured you’d want the advance notice (it’s the only way you’ll have a meatball’s chance of getting in): N.Y.C. food celeb Mario Batali will be at his father’s restaurant (Salumi) signing copies of his new book, Molto Italiano, and facilitating wine and food tastings. $70. Seatings begin at 11 a.m. 309 Third Ave., 206-621-8772. PIONEER SQUARE
THE GRAPEVINE
March 25–26
The third annual Hops on Equinox beer festival celebrates seasonal, artisanal beers and the culture that has grown up alongside them. While you’re wandering around Fisher Pavilion in Seattle Center for two days, you’ll be sipping brews like Arrogant Bastard Ale, sampling the menu items of over a dozen local pubs, and listening to a Swedish singing group’s beer-drinking songs, the emo-pop of the Divorce, Memphis Radio Kings’ country-rock, and more. $20/$15. 5–11 p.m. Friday, 1–11 p.m. Saturday. Visit www.washingtonbrewfest.com for more information and a map. 206-633-0422. LOWER QUEEN ANNE
March 31
Enter a raffle to win the “Girls Just Want to Have Wine” package, which includes a stay at Hotel Vintage Park, at this Olympic Cellars wine hour. Benefiting Dress for Success, a nonprofit that helps low-income women enter the work force, the tasting will include pours of Olympic’s Working Girl wine series. $5 (goes directly to Dress of Success). 5–6 p.m. 1100 Fifth Ave., 206-624-8000. DOWNTOWN
Through April
Don’t be an April fool, sign up for Rover’s “Discovery Sessions” with sommelier Cyril Frechier. Every Tuesday, starting April 5, Frechier will lead participants through discoveries of the world’s top wine-producing regions. Burgundy starts things off; a class on Italy closes the month on April 26. $40 per session. 6–8 p.m. 2808 E. Madison St., 206-325-7442. MADISON PARK
April 4
We don’t like to brag, but we’ve tasted Brian Carter’s Solesce, and it’s wonderful. Try it for yourself at this Tasting Room tasting event. $12. 3–7 p.m. 1924 Post Alley, 206-770-WINE. PIKE PLACE MARKET
April 4
Especially because Hotel Vintage Park has recently rededicated and redecorated many of its guest rooms with a flair for Washington wineries and vineyards, it’s the perfect host for Chateau Ste. Michelle chef John Sarich. As you enjoy a selection of Washington wines, Sarich, joined by Tulio chef Walter Pisano, will prepare selections from Best of Taste, the companion cookbook to the internationally syndicated TV show, Best of Taste: Travels With John Sarich. $10. 5 p.m. 1100 Fifth Ave., 206-624-8000. DOWNTOWN
BACK TO SCHOOL
March 31
Everyone knows that Earth and Ocean’s pastry chef is top notch, but did you know that Sue McCown is self-taught? She is, and she’s willing to pass along her hard-earned knowledge at this Dish it Up! class, which covers foolproof pie dough and more. $65. 6–8:30 p.m. 2425 33rd Ave. W. Suite B, 206-281-7800. MAGNOLIA
April 7
As spring approaches, lighter fare is even more palatable than ever, and even rabid carnivores start thinking it might be OK to have salad as a main course. Culinary Communion’s course on vegetarian cuisine aims to exploit the riches of the coming seasons. You’ll learn about veggie stocks, veggie-centric cooking techniques, and more. $70 includes a full meal. 6–9 p.m. E-mail info@culinarycommunion or call 206-284-8687 for location.
April 13
Vietnamese food is a wonderful fusion of Asian and French cuisines. To learn more, consider this Cook’s World course taught by Green Papaya chef Thuy Hong and her mother, Suong Nguyen. $55. 6:30–9:30 p.m. 2900 N.E. Blakeley St., 206-528-8192. UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
April 19
Seastar sommeliers Erik Liedholm and Kara DeBill don’t want to bruise your brain. They say food-pairing shouldn’t cause headaches, and this course, resting on the principle that the size and weight of wine should match the richness and intensity of the dish it’s served with, aims to help you make food/wine matches without straining too much. $60. 6:30 p.m. 205-108th Ave. N.E., 425-456-0010. BELLEVUE.
April 27
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo the small way—the small plate way, that is. In honor of the Mexican merriment, RainCity Cooking School is teaching shrimp-filled jalapeños rellenos, crab quesadillas, and more. $60. 6:30 p.m. 1883 145th Place S.E., 425-644-4285. BELLEVUE
May 8
Mothers get brunch today. And flowers. And whatever else they want. That’s the way it goes. So unless you’re already a frittata specialist, you might consider Blue Ribbon Cooking School’s Mother’s Day brunch class, where you can show Mom what a quick study you are—then let someone else clean up. $55 for adults, $30 for kids. 9–11 a.m. 2501 Fairview Ave. E., 206-328-2442. EASTLAKE
