NEWS
If it’s September, it must be Oktoberfest. (Don’t think about that too hard, just have another beer.) The annual homage to hops will be celebrated as usual in Fremont, Friday, Sept. 23–Sunday, Sept. 25, with music, kids’ activities, crafts, carnival rides, and (organizers promise) “beer, beer, and more beer.” But don’t get so blotto you miss the Texas Chainsaw Pumpkin Carving Contest, a perennial favorite. Fremont’s Solstice Plaza and the Adobe parking lot under the Aurora Bridge, 206-633-0422, www.fremontoktoberfest.com. FREMONT
Ever feel like your favorite deep-fried, ring-shaped baked goods are stalking you? If you’re a resident of Seattle’s North End, that feeling isn’t paranoia—it’s intuition. Top Pot, the beloved local doughnut maker whose Capitol Hill and downtown outposts have rabid followings, starts selling its wares in Wedgwood on Friday, Sept. 23. Drop by 6855 35th Ave. N.E. for doughnuts, or call 206-525-1966 for more information.
Many local restaurants are serving up aid to Gulf Coast hurricane victims in the month of September. For a complete list of benefit dinners and other food-related fund-raising efforts, see www.seattleweekly.com.
Food and/or beverage news? E-mail food@seattleweekly.com
Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most of the following events. Prices exclusive of tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.
ON THE PLATE
Now
The 5 Spot in Queen Anne is ushering in autumn with its At Home in America’s Heartland menu (through Nov. 29). Serving everything from Wisconsin cheese curds to Oktoberfest spare ribs and apple sauerkraut to blue-ribbon cherry cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Even the dining room will be decked out in fall and “Heartland” decor with maps, and a fake hunting lodge. 1502 Queen Anne Ave. N., 206-285-7768. QUEEN ANNE
All of September
The second annual Dinner at 8 celebrates 26 of Seattle’s restaurants with a special dinner menu featuring three courses—a selection of starters, entrées, and desserts—for $20 (doesn’t include drinks, tax, or gratuity). Many of the restaurants from last year like Ten Mercer, the Cellar Bistro, and Bick’s Broadview Grill returned, and other restaurants like Dulces Latin Bistro and Ibiza Dinner Club have been added for this year. For a full list of participating restaurants visit www.seattleweekly.com/dinnerat8.
Thursday, Sept. 22
Twenty-one of Seattle’s top chefs will congregate at Salty’s on Alki for Cooking With Class, organized by Providence Health System Senior and Community Services to benefit seniors at Providence ElderPlace and Heritage House at the market. The chefs will give away some cooking secrets before everyone dives into the food and wine. Nick Musser of Icon Grill, John Neumark of Serafina, and Josh Green of Ponti Seafood Grill are just a few of the chefs attending. $75/person. 6–9 p.m., 1936 Harbor Ave. S.W., 206-283-9067. WEST SEATTLE
Sunday, Sept. 25
The Sheraton Seattle Ballroom will host the Queen Anne Helpline’s 23rd annual festival of food & auction where you’ll enjoy wine, appetizers, and dinner, secure in the knowledge that all proceeds from the event go straight to the Queen Anne Helpline. $85/person. 5 p.m., 1400 Sixth Ave., 206-282-1540. DOWNTOWN
Monday, Sept. 26
A Sicilian-inspired, four-course Harvest and Winemaker Dinner might be just the way to kick off autumn, and the Pink Door is bringing you homemade Italian-American fare, Sicilian wines (Planeta winery), and guest speakers like Chris Zimmerman (wine expert) and Penny Murray. $60/person including wine. 6:30 p.m., 1919 Post Alley, 206-443-3241. PIKE PLACE MARKET
Tuesday, Sept. 27
Ray’s Boathouse welcomes Chef Susanna Foo (winner of two James Beard Awards and the Robert Mondavi Culinary Award of Excellence) and her latest cookbook Susanna Foo Fresh Inspiration: New Approaches to Chinese Cuisine. Ray’s executive chef Charles Ramseyer will create a five-course meal of Asian cuisine inspired by her book, and Foo will answer questions and autograph copies, included with dinner. $100/person. 6:30 p.m., 6049 Seaview Ave. N.W., 206-789-3770. BALLARD
Friday, Sept. 30–Sunday, Oct. 2
The St. Demetrios Greek Festival is coming up, so you better start preparing to indulge in a “Taste of Greece.” There will be gyros and souvlakia on the grill, baklava and other pastries, along with Greek dancing and traditional costumes. A lunch special (complete Greek-style chicken or fish lunch for $8) is available for those only able to briefly slip away from work. Enjoy a culture that knows how to eat, drink, and throw a party! 2100 Boyer Ave. E., 206-325-4347 or www.seattlegreekfestival.com. MONTLAKE
Wednesday, Oct. 5
SkyCity at the Space Needle is spicing things up with a martini pairing dinner, where every course of the three-course meal is accompanied by a martini designed to complement it. $49.95/person. 6:30–9 p.m., 400 Broad St., 206-905-2100. SEATTLE CENTER
THE GRAPEVINE
Every Sunday, Sept. 11–Sept. 25
Learn about wines from all over Italy with Sommelier Arnie Millan. The first class will cover the southern region of Italy with wines from Sicily to Sardinia, the second class covers the central area from Tuscany to Abruzzi, and the third class will explore northern Italy with wines from Piedmont, Lombardy, and other regions. $49/person per class. 4–6 p.m., except Sept. 25, which is 1–3 p.m., Warwick Hotel, 401 Lenora St., 206-612-6547. DOWNTOWN
Thursday, Sept. 22
Remlinger Farms hosts the first Taste of the Farm wine festival where visitors can sip while enjoying music, hors d’oeuvres, and schmoozing with local vintners. Admission gets you a punch card for up to five samples of wines from four different Seattle-area winemakers. For every bottle sold of Meow wine (a locally made Merlot), a donation will be made to the Humane Society for Seattle/King County. $5/person. 5–8 p.m., 32610 N.E. 32nd St., 425-333-4135. CARNATION
Friday, Sept. 23
The Museum of History and Industry is hosting the Multifaith Works Second Annual wine tasting. Enjoy Apex, Barnard Griffin, Chandler Reach, Hightower, Hyatt, Walla Walla, Willis Hall, Pepper Bridge, Pleasant Hill, Seven Hills, and Waterbrook wines. Appetizers, a silent auction, and music will also be offered, and all proceeds will benefit Multifaith Works which provides services for people living with AIDS, MS, and other illnesses. $60/person. 7 p.m. McCurdy Park, 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-324-1520. MONTLAKE
Sunday, Sept. 25
Taste different pinot noirs from places all over the world including New Zealand, Burgundy, and even Oregon. Begin at Purple Cafe & Wine Bar with some light appetizers and wine, and then join the discussion with wine director Christine Larsen. Then enjoy a coursed dinner with wine (of course)! $75/person. 6:30–8:30 p.m., 323 Park Place, 425-485-9300. KIRKLAND
Tuesday, Oct. 11
Enjoy some wine from cellars like DeLille, Quilceda Creek, Hedges, Betz Family Wines, Mark Ryan Winery, and others in the Red Mountain vineyards. Taste some wines from the local wineries and vineyards, meet the people who actually grow the grapes, and even check out the very dirt and learn what makes this wine-growing region so special. $60/person. 6:30–8:30 p.m., 205-108th N.E., 425-456-0010. BELLEVUE
BACK TO SCHOOL
Fridays, Sept. 23, Oct. 7, Oct. 21
Learn about cuisine from the different regions of Mexico with three classes taught by chef Gabriel Claycamp at Culinary Communion. The first class covers Oaxaca, the second Yucatan, and the last discusses the cuisine of Frontera. The classes are fast-paced and include appetizers, Mexican dishes, and desserts that are made during the session. $210 for all three classes. 6–9 p.m. Private residence, call 206-284-8687 for directions and information. WEST SEATTLE
Monday, Sept. 26
Suzanne Hunter can show you how to roll that fish with Bon Vivant’s Hands-On Sushi for Everyone, where students can experiment with everything from Makisushi (rolls of vinegared rice, smoked salmon, and veggies in seaweed) to California Rolls with crab and avocado. Bon Vivant is located at 4925 N.E. 86th St., but the classes may be at various locations. Call 206-525-7537 or visit www.bon-vivant.com for more information and to register. LAKE CITY
Wednesday, Sept. 28
Do it like the Brits with the help of Dish It Up!’s class on Victorian and English Tea. Join Susan Springer and learn the history of tea time while sampling green, oolong, and black teas with sandwiches, scones, Devonshire cream tea breads and sweet tarts. $45/person. Magnolia Village, 2425 33rd Ave. W., 206-281-7800. MAGNOLIA
Thursday, Sept. 29
Learn how to throw a delectable paella party with chef Ernesto Pino! This cooking instructor and writer for Seattle magazine will show students how to make Paella Valenciana with seafood, white gazpacho with Malaga grapes, and even apple cakes, and also provide a tasting menu. $85/person. 6:30–8 p.m., 5130 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-784-7840. BALLARD
Tuesday, Oct. 4
Award-winning Salty’s Chef Dan Thiessen shares Seafood Made Easy through a class by Dish it up! Watch him make pan-seared salmon with onion marmalade, bronzed halibut with pineapple salsa, Dungeness crab cake with Fuji apple salsa, and poached salmon with fennel salad. $65/person. 6–8 p.m., Magnolia Village, 2425 33rd Ave., W., 206-281-7800.MAGNOLIA
