Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most events. Prices exclude tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.

ON THE PLATE

Through Sept. 20

Vincent Van Gogh left the world hungry for more art; now his legacy is (literally) feeding art lovers. In honor of the Seattle Art Museum’s “Van Gogh to Mondrian” exhibit, Ponti Seafood Grill is offering a special menu titled “Van Gogh’s Table,” an array of dishes inspired by the cafés of France and paired with French wines. Let pan-seared foie gras and Ruilly white burgundy transport you back to the heyday of Impressionism. Menu prices vary. 3014 Third Ave. N., 206-284-3000. DOWNTOWN SEATTLE

July 20

Ever dream of being served dinner by a famous chef, al fresco, in the countryside? This month’s “Guest Chef Under the Stars” evening, a FareStart benefit at Columbia Winery, includes a multicourse meal, with each course prepared by a different Seattle chef and paired with a Columbia wine. $150. 6–9 p.m. 14030 N.E. 145th St., 206-267-6224. WOODINVILLE

Tonight at Troiani: a special summer feast featuring foods from Ritrovo Italian Imports. $85. 6:30 p.m. 1001 Third Ave., 206-624-4060. DOWNTOWN SEATTLE

JULY 25

Don’t have the time or resources for an Italian vacation? No worries: Il Bistro is bringing an evening in Tuscany to you. Feast on marinated calamari, pasta with slow-roasted boar, polenta with grilled quail, and pound cake—all paired with wines from small Italian vineyards. $45 for dinner, $20 more for wine pairings. Seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. 93A Pike St., 206-682-3049. DOWNTOWN SEATTLE

July 29

Waterfront Seafood Grill hosts a five-course meal prepared by executive chef Steve Cain. Each course will be paired with a Woodward Canyon wine. $85. 6:30 p.m. 2801 Alaskan Way, 206-956-9171. WATERFRONT

THE GRAPEVINE

JULY 19

Be one of the first in the country to try David Ramey’s new wines at a six-course meal at Nell’s. Tonight’s menu includes Alaskan halibut with green beans and duck confit with crushed fingerling potatoes. Reception at 6:30 p.m.; seating at 7 p.m. $75. 6804 E. Green Lake Way N., 206-524-4044. GREEN LAKE

JULY 21

Steve Tanzer’s bimonthly journal, International Wine Cellar, has earned him worldwide recognition. This evening he’ll appear at Tulio to discuss the differences between California and Washington boutique wines over bass, tenderloin beef, and assorted cheeses. $100. 6:30 p.m. 1100 Fifth Ave., 206-623-1066. DOWNTOWN SEATTLE

July 29

Stop for a glass of wine before you shop at a Fremont PCC wine tasting. Wines to be sampled hail from Mark Ryan, Page Cellars, Woodinville Wine Company, K Vinters, DiStefano, and McCrea. $10. 6:30–8:30 p.m. 600 N. 34th St., 206-547-1222 ext. 191. FREMONT

If you’re feeling spendy, don’t miss tonight’s Turley Wine Cellars dinner at Canlis. Larry Turley, whose zinfandel has earned high praise in the enological community, will be in attendance. $150. 6:30 p.m. 2576 Aurora Ave. N., 206-298-9550. QUEEN ANNE

BACK TO SCHOOL

JULY 17

Jessica Campbell of Yarrow Bay Grill will help you battle the summer heat with her class on all things ice cream. With Campbell’s guidance, whip up frozen berry terrine, chocolate-peanut butter parfaits, and chocolate-chip-cookie ice-cream sandwiches. $39. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. 1270 Carillon Pt., 425-803-2941. KIRKLAND

JULY 20

Lavender is a renaissance herb—a fragrant, soothing ingredient in everything from soaps to syrups. At tonight’s Bon Vivant class, join chef Hope Sandler in baking lavender desserts, preparing lavender teas and syrups, and making lavender toiletries. $39. 7–10 p.m. 4925 86th St., 206-525-7537. BELLEVUE

JULY 21

Masterfully prepared vegetables can soothe even a staunch carnivore—temporarily, anyway. Chef Laura Dewell of Dish It Up! teaches you how to play meatless missionary at a hands-on class devoted to summer veggies. $65. 6–9 p.m. 2425 33rd Ave., 206-281-7800. CENTRAL DISTRICT

JULY 27

“My soup is cold!” Not a problem, says chef Laura Dewell, whose course on chilled soups covers curried tomato soup, Spanish “white” gazpacho, and perhaps, if you’re lucky, a little vichyssoise. $55. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Dish It Up!, 2425 33rd Ave., 206-281-7800. CENTRAL DISTRICT

JULY 28

Sip sophisticatedly, with help from Hotel Vintage Park concierge Greg Fredrick and Tulio manager Michael DeGano. They’ll be tutoring you on wine etiquette, including what to look for in a wine list and how to behave when ordering wine in a restaurant. $10. 6:15–7 p.m. 1100 Fifth Ave., 206-624-8000. DOWNTOWN SEATTLE

Laziness—sorry, leisure—becomes you, so sit back and enjoy a glass of wine while you learn the basics of Italian cooking at Luigi DeNunzio’s Brindisi. Class includes vino and a full supper, and recipes can be e-mailed to you after class so you don’t even have to take notes. 7–9 p.m. $35. 106 James St., 206-223-0042. PIONEER SQUARE