NEWS

Food and/or beverage news? E-mail food@seattleweekly.com.

If you happen to be at Bellevue’s Crossroads Mall on a Tuesday, stop by the new farmers market. The Crossroads Farmers Market,which opened May 23, is in the parking lot just south of Circuit City. Sponsored by Hopelink, it’s open 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesdays through October 10. Crossroads Mall, Northeast Eighth Street and 156th Avenue Northeast, 425-644-1111.

Just too many hamburgers, too many fries. Dick’s Drive-In is getting super-sized. The flagship store on Wallingford’s 45th Avenue is expanding, with a remodel that includes a 50 percent increase in space. But don’t worry, Dick’s will be open during renovation.

In August, Tom Douglas will expand his restaurant empire (Etta’s, Palace Kitchen, the Dahlia Lounge, and Lola) with Serious Pie.The pizza place will be around the corner from the Dahlia.

Advance registration or reservations are recommended for most of the following events. Prices exclusive of tax and gratuity unless otherwise noted.

FARM FRESH

This week’s crop includes the first local strawberries! Also available are asparagus, bamboo shoots, stinging nettles, and cardoon stalks: the stems of the artichoke thistle, said to be good steamed. For complete listings of market locations and days of operation visit http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/farms/farmers_markets.htm.

ON THE PLATE

Thursday, May 25

Flying Fish throws a five-course Salmon Celebration Dinner with such seafood temptations as Olympia oysters on the half shell (for starters), Copper River salmon with bacon and sorrel cream, and Quinault razor clams with watercress, morel and goat cheese. For dessert, strawberry rhubarb crisp. $100. 6:30 p.m. Flying Fish, 2234 First Ave., 206-728-8595. DOWNTOWN

Monday, May 29

Eat out today and 5 percent of your tab will help fund the humanitarian efforts of Doctors Without Borders in Darfur, Sudan. Participating restaurants are: Trabant Chai Lounge, 1309 N.E. 45th St. (U DISTRICT), the Bagel Deli, 340 15th Ave. E. (CAPITOL HILL), and Omar Al-Khyam, 354 Sunset Blvd. N. (RENTON). Sponsored by the Save Darfur Coalition at UW and UW Hillel. www.eatfordarfur.org.

Through May 31

We know spring has come: Cafe Campagne has opened its lovely outdoor dining area. During May, the restaurant offers a three-course, prix-fixe menu of salmon gravlax, fennel, and horseradish cream; roasted chicken; and chocolate mousse, paired with a Right Bank Bordeaux. $30. 1600 Post Alley, 206-728-2233. DOWNTOWN

DRINK UP

Wednesday, May 24

A wine tasting at the zoo? Yep. Set against the backdrop of the jaguar exhibit, this unusual after-hours event will find you sampling South American wines and hors d’oeuvres. The menu features an Argentinean Malbec, a Chilean Carmenere, scallop ceviche, empanadas, and yucca frites. While you sip and snack, an expert will tell you about the big cats. $30. 7–9 p.m. Woodland Park Zoo’s Jaguar Cove exhibit, near the West entrance at North 55th Street and Phinney Avenue North, 206-684-4825. PHINNEY

Friday, May 26–Monday, May 29

Eleven wineries on the Olympic Peninsula are participating in the Spring Barrel Tasting Tour. Visitors will learn to distinguish the flavors imparted by different types of oaks during the wine-aging process. Participating wineries are on Whidbey Island, in Port Angeles, Sequim, and Port Townsend. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $20 includes a commemorative wine glass and tastings at all wineries. 800-785-5495, www.northsoundwineries.org. OLYMPIC PENINSULA

BACK TO SCHOOL

Saturday, May 27

The American Heart Association recently reported that a daily dose of dark chocolate might reduce blood pressure. Want to learn more? Enroll in this chocolate education class and learn about the myths of chocolate, try your hand at tempering chocolate, and taste a range of the good stuff, from dark to white chocolate. $45. 6–8 p.m. Oh! Chocolate, 3131 E. Madison St. 206-329-8777, www.ohchocolate.com. MADISON PARK

A two-part Burgundy-tasting class with sommelier Arnie Millan offers a great introduction to understanding the flavors and history of Burgundy’s wines. During each class, you will sample six wines and learn about the “cru” system—a method for classifying the manifold growths, varieties, and qualities of Burgundy and Beaujolais. Focusing on Northern Burgundy, the first class will sample Côte de Nuits and Marsannay. The second class will sample Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, and the Mâconnais. One class $65, both $125. 4–6 p.m. Warwick Hotel, 401 Lenora St., 206-612-6547. DOWNTOWN