NEWS

Still on the beluga beat, The New York Times reported on Oct. 29 that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which recently put the kibosh on importing beluga caviar from the Caspian Sea, has updated the ban to include the Black Sea basin. The measure, which effectively limits beluga caviar consumption in America to what’s already in the country (and forbids U.S. sales after 18 months), is another step in the agency’s effort to conserve the endangered beluga sturgeon.

Let’s get ready to rumble! In this corner, Seattle culinary impresario Tom Douglas, whose restaurants and cookbooks have played a significant role in shaping Northwest cuisine; in the far corner, Masaharu Morimoto, the Hiroshima-born owner of Philadelphia’s Morimoto Restaurant, better known to Food Network viewers as the Japanese Iron Chef. The two kitchen titans will square off in a seafood-themed episode of Iron Chef America at 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6. The show will be repeated six times in the following week; visit www.foodnetwork.com for details.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, the Phinney Neighborhood Association is hosting a beer fiesta like no other with hundreds of microbrew lovers gathering at the 18th annual PNA Beer Taste at the Phinney Neighborhood Center. Guests will be able to choose 10 samples from up to 24 choices of Northwest microbrews. Some of the newest ales will be included, as will pub-style food, music, and a silent auction of everything from beer posters to beer steins. Just a few of the participating breweries are Baron Brewing, Druids Brewery, Hale’s, Maritime Pacific, Silver City, and Snoqualmie Falls. And if you’re worried about how to make it home after a happy and tipsy evening, 74th Street Ale House (who is sponsoring the event) will happily provide you with a “designated driver” ticket for $10. Advance tickets $20/PNA members, $25/nonmembers; at door $25/members, $30/nonmembers. 6532 Phinney Ave. N., 206-783-2244 or www.phinneycenter.org.

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 through Wednesday, Nov. 16

Lifelong AIDS Alliance is having a fund-raiser that promises to appeal to your stomach this holiday season. A Slice for Life is their latest effort to make a difference in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS this fall and winter. For a $25 donation to the Alliance, you receive a gourmet pie in a gift-quality box from local baker Sugar Bakery. On Nov. 22 or 23, pick up your fresh Washington Golden Delicious apple pie, cherry pie, or classic pumpkin pie at the South Lake Union Discovery Center at 101 Westlake Ave. N. and Denny Way. Eat sweets for a good cause, and help those affected by HIV/AIDS have a happy holiday. For more information call 206-957-1637 or visit www.llaa.org.

Wednesday, Nov. 2

Town Hall presents The Future of Food: A Conversation About Pleasure and Sustainability. Chef (and author) Michel Nischan, chef Christine Keff of Flying Fish, chef Kevin David of Oceanaire, master sommelier Shayn Bjornholm, and Michael Hebberoy of Portland’s Ripe Group restaurants are on the panel, hosted by Seattle Post-Intelligencer food writer Hsiao-Ching Chou. They will discuss what we in Washington grow and consume. $15/person. 7:30 p.m. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255, www.townhallseattle.org. DOWNTOWN

Thursday, Nov. 3

As part of the Cooks and Books series, Michel Nischan will be at Oceanaire Restaurant, where dinner will be prepared by Kevin Davis. The dishes are inspired by Nischan’s Homegrown, Pure and Simple cookbook. Dinner, wine, and an autographed copy of the book are included. $125/person. 7 p.m. 1700 Seventh Ave., 206-267-2277. DOWNTOWN

Sunday, Nov. 6

Crash Landing Pizza in Ballard hosts the release of Who Dat!, Seattle’s answer to traditional Southern cooking. With donated recipes for everything from traditional Cajun and Creole cuisine like gumbo and jambalaya to unique vegetarian Southern fare, this cookbook (pulled together by Louisiana native Bernadette Roberts) is a way of aiding the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Grab a cookbook for a $10 donation, or $25 when signed by the author and contributors. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross. 3–6 p.m. 702 N.W. 65th St., 206-706-1480. BALLARD

Monday, Nov. 7

Tulio Ristorante and Whitman Cellars are working together for an evening of Bordeaux- and Rhône-style wines from Whitman Cellar’s winemaker Steve Lassard, and a multicourse Italian meal prepared by the executive chef of Tulio’s, Walter Pisano. $85/person. 6:30 p.m. 1100 Fifth Ave., 206-624-5500. DOWNTOWN

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Third Place Books presents Giuliano Hazan, author of the straightforward guide to Italian cooking, appropriately titled How to Cook Italian. His previous book, The Classic Pasta Cookbook, also gave a clear, concise picture of cooking authentic Italian cuisine. 7 p.m. 17171 Bothell Wy. N.E., 206-366-3333 or www.thirdplacebooks.com. LAKE FOREST PARK

Thursday, Nov. 10

On Thurs., Nov. 10, Serafina will celebrate the “Festa di St. Martino” with a winemaker’s dinner featuring Renato Vacca of Cantina del Pino in Barbaresco, Italy. St. Martin is the patron saint of winemakers, grape growers, and drunks, which, of course, makes him Serafina’s favorite saint! His feast day is a harvest celebration marking the end of the agricultural year. Executive chef John Neumark, just back from a food-and-wine pilgrimage to Italy, will prepare a five-course Piemontese menu to match Renato’s elegant nebbiolo-based wines. The event is a great way to warm up for Thanksgiving and the holiday season. The price for the dinner including wine is $95. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. 2043 Eastlake Ave. E., 206-323-0807 or e-mail your reservation request at www.serafinaseattle.com. EASTLAKE

Friday, Nov. 11

Listen and learn at Admiral Metropolitan Market as Mauro Golmarvi showcases his new book, Assaggio Ristorante Cookbook: Mauro’s Passion, which includes recipes for many of Assaggio’s popular dishes along with suggestions for what wines to pair with each meal. Free. 4–6 p.m. 2320 42nd Ave. S.W., 206-937-0551. WEST SEATTLE

THE GRAPEVINE

Thursday, Nov. 3

Esquin Wine Merchants will once again show off some wines from the land Down Under, some of them Australian favorites and others brand-new to the Northwest. Free. 5–6:30 p.m. 2700 Fourth Ave. S., 206-682-7374. SODO

Sunday, Nov. 6

Jacquelina Di Roberto of The Pink Door is taking her staff-only wine tastings public. This time around, Jerred Wolff will explore the cabernet wines from Italy and the United States, and discuss how they adapt to the lands on which they’re grown. $15/person (includes four tastes of four wines and bruschetta). 3–4 p.m. 1919 Post Alley, 206-443-3241. PIKE PLACE MARKET

Monday, Nov. 7

Portalis Wine Shop hosts an exclusive tasting for new releases from Australian winemakers Two Hands and Dutschke. Just a couple of featured wines from Two Hands include 2003 Gnarly Dudes, 2004 Lily’s Garden, and 2004 The Bad Impersonator (new release/very limited). And from Dutschke 2002 Willow Bend and NV Muscat will be among the many available for tasting. $15. 5:30–7 p.m. or 7:30–9 p.m. 5310 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-783-2007 or www.portaliswines.com. BALLARD

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Learn about Washington State wines at the Art Institute of Seattle by sampling varieties from all over the state. $65/person. 6–9 p.m. Portfolio Restaurant, 2600 Alaskan Wy., 206-249-2226. BELLTOWN

Tuesday, Nov. 15

Join the winter wine series at Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar with the wines of Bordeaux. Explore old and new wines from the region, discuss the history of Bordeaux, the classification, the evolution of the region, and the ways in which to evaluate this specific and special kind of wine. $60. 6:30–8:30 p.m. 205 108th N.E., 425-456-0010. BELLEVUE.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Wednesday, Nov. 2

Instead of ordering take-out, learn how to make your own Chinese food with Naomi Kakiuchi at Bellevue Uwajimaya. Make favorite dishes like egg drop soup, honey lemon chicken, shrimp in lobster sauce, and pea vines with garlic, while mastering Chinese-cooking techniques. $50/person. 6:30 p.m. 15555 N.E. 24th St., 425-747-9012, www.uwajimaya.com. BELLEVUE

Thursday, Nov. 3

Whether you want to fry it, bake it, or barbecue it, this course about cooking poultry will offer you some tips. Learn to make chicken potstickers with spicy soy dipping sauce, whole roasted chicken over wilted greens, and French marinated crispy oven fried chicken. $50/person. 6:30 p.m. 4201 S.W. Morgan St., 206-937-0245. WEST SEATTLE

Saturday, Nov. 12

Flying Fish celebrates the versatile oyster with an All Things Oyster cooking class where participants learn how to cook this shelled creature. A three-course lunch of locally harvested oysters will then be served along with wine and the chance to learn more recipes. $55/person. 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. 2234 First Ave., 206-728-8595. DOWNTOWN

Thierry Rautereau of Rover’s will teach a French cooking class at Cook’s World Cooking School. Learn French cuisine from an expert and get a signed copy of his newly released cookbook after class. $50. 10:30 a.m.–:30 p.m. 2900 Blakeley St., 206-528-8192 or www.cooksworld.net. UNIVERSITY VILLAGE

Wednesday, Nov. 16

Learn how to create nutritious, tasty meals while learning to handle food safely. Chef Michael Friedman hosts a free two-hour cooking class for adults (and children 6–12 years old) at Family Works Resource Center in Wallingford. 6:30–8:30 p.m. 1501 N. 45th St., 206-694-6727. WALLINGFORD