Food News for March 22-29
Published 7:00 am Monday, October 9, 2006
News
If you drink enough vodka that you oughta be getting paid for it, apply to be the new Smirnoff Cocktail Consultant. The winning candidate (25 years or older) should have a knowledge of mixology and culinary arts and a passion for entertaining; s/he will travel the country to identify new trends in cocktail-making and consumption with a $100,000 salary and expense budget. Call 888-217-4454. Applications due Saturday, April 1.
The Empty Space Theatre and Lark restaurant have partnered for the 2006 season: Lark will provide catering for receptions and special events at the theatre in its new performance home, the Jeanne Marie and Rhoady Lee Jr. Center for the Arts, 12th Avenue and East Marion Street. www.emptyspace.org.
The International Association of Culinary Professionals hosts the 28th Annual International Conference in Seattle Wednesday, March 29–Saturday, April 1. The theme is “Inspiration and Creativity Innovation,” and topics include hot new food trends, pairing food with poetry, personalized nutrition, and more. Events include tours and day trips, exploration of distinctive Northwest cuisine, workshops, and an awards gala and dinner. www.iacp.com/conference.
The onset of spring brings the Great American Meatout: a chance to clean up your eating habits by “kicking the meat habit.” Free vegetarian starter kits with recipes and advice are available by visiting www.meatout.org or calling 800-MEATOUT.
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
Friday, March 24
Salty’s on Alki throws a party to celebrate the first anniversary of headlining singer/pianist Victor Janusz and his quartet. Special guests include singers Elizabeth Carpenter and Kerry Rose and violinist Tyler Reilly. Don’t miss out on the free white chocolate mousse cake made by executive pastry chef Jane Gibson. No cover. 8 p.m. 1936 Harbor Ave. S.W., 206-937-1600, www.saltys.com. WEST SEATTLE
Friday, March 24–Saturday, March 25
Pub food samples? 50 handcrafted Washington microbrews? Scotch tasting? Music? Proceeds benefiting Northwest Folk Life? How can you resist the Hops on Equinox Spring Beer Festival? 21 and over. $20/$15 in advance (includes souvenir cup and six tastes). 5–11 p.m. Friday, 1–11 p.m. Saturday. Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion, 305 Harrison St., 206-633-0422, www.washingtonbrewfest.com. UPTOWN
Saturday, March 25
America now knows French women don’t get fat—so apply the French philosophy to improve your family’s eating habits. Learn easy tips in an interactive workshop taught by Yolande Hoisington, registered health consultant. $39/person. 10122 62nd St., Kirkland, 425-827-3505, www.harmoniecooking.com. KIRKLAND
Sunday, March 26
Eat enchiladas and salsa dance to benefit the Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition, a nonprofit, grassroots membership group that empowers low-income parents to make positive changes in their communities and lives. The Latin salsa group Trombanga will play standards like “Night and Day,” “Bomba de Corazon,” and “Devil Moon.” 6–9 p.m. Yes Yes Club, 320 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360-352-9716, www.wroc.org. OLYMPIA
Tuesday, March 28
Eats Market Cafe hosts a five-course dinner paired with wine from Cline Vineyards. $75. 6 p.m. 2600 S.W. Barton St., 206-933-1200, www.eatsmarket.com. WEST SEATTLE
Thursday, March 30
The French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest presents a lavish Alsace country dinner prepared by chef Jacques Boiroux featuring the region’s flagship dish, choucroute garnie. The food will be paired with wines such as sylvaners and gewürztraminers, with information about Alsace’s history, landscapes, customs, and tourist opportunities. $30. Immaculate Conception Church, 820 18th Ave., 206-443-4703, www.ccife.org/usa/seattle/. SQUIRE PARK
Saturday, April 1
The mini-burger goes high-class! Cascadia Restaurant presents a nine-course wine dinner featuring the mini-burger with an assortment of first-growth Bordeaux vintages. The menu includes a confit-of-mallard-duck burger with seared foie gras, a pancetta-crusted Maine lobster burger, and a sautéed lamb burger. Reservations required. $250. 2328 First Ave. 206-448-8884, www.cascadiarestaurant.com. BELLTOWN
The Grapevine
Thursday, March 23
Washington wine goes Italian when—over a five-course meal—Diane Symms, owner of Lombardi’s, talks about her stellar cellar and how to pair wine with Italian cuisine in celebration of Washington Wine Month. $49. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Lombardi’s in Ballard, 2200 N.W. Market St., 206-783-0055, www.lombardisitalian.com. BALLARD
Thursday, March 23
Shoppers are invited to try new releases and recent finds from PCC’s favorite Washington wineries. $5. 6:30–8 p.m. Fremont store, 600 N. 34th St., 206-632-6811; also at the West Seattle store, 2749 California Ave. S.W., 206-937-8481, www.pccnaturalmarkets.com. FREMONT and WEST SEATTLE
Saturday, March 25
Winemaker Randy Finley from Mount Baker Vineyards helps celebrate Washington cuisine and wine with a five-course dinner, to include hedgehog mushroom risotto, orange rosemary–infused duckling confit, and a pear tart. $74. 7 p.m. Warwick Hotel, 401 Lenora St., 206-612-6547, www.margauxseattle.com. DOWNTOWN
Sunday, March 26
Sommelier Arnie Millan presents a seven-course Introduction to Wine class that includes wine tasting of at least six wines each Sunday and covers how to taste and describe wine, grape varietals, the history of wine, wine flaws, and trends in wine. Consecutive Sundays beginning March 26. $39/class, $250/series. 4–6 p.m. Warwick Hotel, 401 Lenora St., 206-612-6547. DOWNTOWN
Thursday, March 30
Wine never looked so good. Libation, fashion, and charity combine as Hotel Monaco and Hotel Vintage Park host events to benefit Dress for Success Seattle, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income women enter the workforce. Hotel Monaco hosts a fashion show featuring the designs of Betsey Johnson with wine, beer, and a signature cocktail. 5–7 p.m. 1101 Fourth Ave. Hotel Vintage Park sponsors a special wine hour with Preston Cellars, a women-owned and operated winery. $15 admission (includes wine and parking), 5–6 p.m., 1100 Fifth Ave. www.dressforsuccess.org. DOWNTOWN
Thursday, March 30
Wine boot camp! Sip and savor with wine experts Genevieve Carlson and chef David Plude while learning how to pair food with the right wines and select the right glass. $70. 6–9 p.m. Dish It Up!, 2425 33rd Ave. W., 206-281-7800. MAGNOLIA
Back to School
Wednesday, March 22
The Essential Baking Company’s George De Pasquale teaches how to make mix rustic bread dough and form loaves by hand. The menu includes baguettes, batards, boules, and ciabatta. $65. 5 p.m. Dish It Up!, 2425 33rd Ave. W., 206-281-7800. MAGNOLIA
Monday, March 27
It’s beginning to look and taste like spring. Chef Becky Selengut, creator of the Seasonal Cornucopia Web site, discusses Tastes of Early Spring: seasonality, the importance of buying local, and the farmers/cheesemakers/foragers whose food participants will use during the class to make a meal (morel and Gruyère tarts, sweet potato cakes with smoked black cod, spiced duck breast . . . ). $70. 6–9 p.m. West Seattle Culinary Communion House, near California Avenue and Thistle Street, 206-284-8687, www.culinarycommunion.com. WEST SEATTLE
Wednesday, March 29
Instructor Cynthia Lair shows how to make rice bowls for the whole family. With a grain like rice, quinoa, or soba, topped with vegetables and a protein and garnished with a mango salsa or cucumber raita, families can create a one-meal dish everyone enjoys. $35. 6:30–9 p.m. Greenlake PCC, 7504 Aurora Ave. N., 206-525-3586, www.pcccooks.com. GREENLAKE
Thursday, March 30
Author Ruth Reichl, editor-in-chief of Gourmet, reads and signs her book Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise, in which she tells how she managed to remain incognito during her years as a food critic. $50 includes a copy of the book and refreshments. Tickets available at University of Washington Book Stores. 7 p.m. Palace Ballroom, 2100 Fifth Ave. DOWNTOWN
