ON THE PLATE
Mortons Steakhouse debuts a new bar menu this month featuring Northwest tastes, such as smoked Pacific salmon, alongside dishes like shrimp Alexander and broiled sea scallops wrapped in bacon with apricot chutney, all sized for sharing and priced at $11.95 and under. 1511 Sixth Ave., 206-223-0550. DOWNTOWN
Every Sunday in March, Earth and Oceans offering a special three-course, prix-fixe wine dinner. This Sunday, the menu includes a mushroom bisque with duck confit and rosemary oil and a king salmon with creamy French lentils and tomato chutney, among other dishes. Wines include Tamarack Cellars, Hogue Cellars, Eola Hills, and Domaine Ste. Michelle vintages. $25 (wine not included). 510 p.m., 1112 Fourth Ave., 206-264-6060. DOWNTOWN
First an out-of-town chain staked a claim with Krispy Kreme in Issaquah, and now theres another way to get your calories on the Eastside: the first Puget Soundarea Marble Slab Creamery opened in REDMOND last month. Choose from over 40 flavors of ice cream, then watch as your choice is slapped down on a marble slab and treated with mixins (nuts, candy, and fruit). 8916 161st Ave. N.E. (Bella Bottega Shopping Center), 425-885-3068.
The ever-popular Frontier Room continues to ply Belltown with barbeque and Southern treats. Chef Paul Michael has added new items to menu, including hushpuppies, mini-barbeque sandwiches (get a plate of chicken, pork, and beef with coleslaw for $7.50), and bacon wrapped shrimp. Hitch up the horses an git yourself down there. 2203 First Ave., 206-956-7427. BELLTOWN
March 516
Il Fornaios monthly special menu offers a culinary tour of Liguria, the sea-beaten Italian coastal province nearest France, under the experienced tutelage of chef Umberto Pala. Expect lots of seafood items, and surprisingly, basil, which grows here as nowhere else. 600 Pine St. (Pacific Place), 206-264-0994. DOWNTOWN
March 6
Amy McCray of Eva whips up this weeks special menu to benefit the culinary training program at FareStart: Butternut soup with a cashew sambal, chicken and chickpea stew Punjab-style and a caramel-drizzled fudge brownie, with viognier and syrah wines from Syncline Cellars. $16.95. 5:308 p.m. at 1902 Second Ave., 206-443-1233 ext. 17. DOWNTOWN
French Country dishes like artichoke and roast pepper salad, roast venison, and double-chocolate Bavarian cream set off fine wines of the Rh� $75. 7 p.m. Brasserie Margaux, 401 Lenora St. (in the Warwick Hotel), 206-777-1990. DOWNTOWN
March 13
Chef Mike Davis of the Salish Lodge and Spa takes the reins tonight as guest chef at FareStart. $16.95. 5:308 p.m. 1902 Second Ave., 206-443-1233 ext. 17. DOWNTOWN
Rays Boathouse hosts a wine dinner with winemaker John Bigelow of JM Cellars. $75. 6:30 p.m. Northwest Room, 6049 Seaview Ave. N.W., 206-789-6309.
March 15
Lisa Dupar Catering hosts a wine dinner with DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate winemaker Christian Upchurch. On the table: monkfish with white truffle and snap peas; pheasant with juniper and cardoons. In the glass: 2000 DeLille Cellars D-2, 2001 Chaleur Estate Blanc, 2000 Harrison Hill, and more. $100. 79 p.m. 17825 N.E. 65th St., 425-881-3250. REDMOND
Chateau Ste. Michelle chef Laurel Davis and Canoe Ridge vineyard manager Mimi Nye join forces to highlight terrific terroirs with a multicourse chef dinner. $99. 7 p.m. Chateau Manor House, 14111 N.E. 145th, 800-267-6793. WOODINVILLE
March 15April 15
Love cheese pizza but bored with the same old tomato saucemozzarella variety? Pagliacci offers its Pizza Bianca starting midmonth. Atop a roasted garlic and cream sauce are four cheeses: ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and romano. Eccellente. All Pagliacci locations.
March 18
The Dahlia Lounge takes inspiration from Joyce Goldsteins Saffron Shores: Jewish Cooking of the Southern Mediterranean and creates a menu featuring poisson chermoula (grilled fish kebabs) with Moroccan orange salad; Mechoui (roast lamb with Moroccan spices) with harissa, lemons, and couscous; and almond cigars with orange blossom honey. Three wines will accompany. $75. 6:30 p.m. at Dahlia Lounge, 2001 Fourth Ave., 206-682-4142. DOWNTOWN
March 19
Tonight, in Italian tradition, Serafina hosts a four-course St. Josephs Feast. The menu includes baked Alaskan halibut with Ligurian fishermans sauce and cous cous garnished with Taggiasca olive vinaigrette; roasted lamb loin with mushroom bread pudding and porcini-thyme glaze; cocoa cannoli; and more. It features wines of Chinook Winery. $75. 7 p.m. 2043 EASTLAKE Ave. E., 206-323-0807.
THE GRAPEVINE
For a guide to Washington Wine Month tastings and dinner events, visit the Washington Wine Commissions Web site at www.washingtonwine.org.
March 6
Washington Wine Month continues with a tasting featuring Yakima Valley varieties. Sip and schmooze with winemakers from Thurston Wolfe Winery, Hogue Cellars, Kestrel Vitners, and others. Free. 57 p.m. Esquin Wine Merchants, 2700 Fourth Ave. S., 206-682-7374. SODO
March 7
Sample the marvelous reds and whites of master independent winemaker Mike Januik. Free. 36 p.m. at Pike & Western Wine Shop, 1934 Pike Place, 206-441-1307. PIKE PLACE MARKET
March 8
Learn the key elements of winemaking from start to finish with viticulturist Clay Mackey and winemaker Kay Simon. Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, merlot, and others from Chinook Wines will be paired with a five-course menu from Lisa Dupar Catering. The menu will focus on spring in the Northwest. $80. 79 p.m. 17825 N.E. 65th St., Suite A-140, 425-881-3250. REDMOND
March 10
At long last it seems the great wines of Germany are coming back into fashion stateside. Get ahead of the curve, find out the difference between Mosel, Pfalz, and Rheingau, and learn to let the word Trockenbeerenauslese trip from your tongue. $75. 6:308:30 p.m. at Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar, 205 108th Ave. N.E., 425-456-0010. BELLEVUE
March 1125
Learn your way around wine from bottles produced right here in the great state of Washington. Dieter Schafer will guide you through all five Washington viticultural areas in this three-class series. $80. 69 p.m. Tuesdays at South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., 206-764-5339. WEST SEATTLE
March 12
Ten Mercer and Stonestreet Winery host a dinner and wine tasting. Stonestreet winemaker Mike Westrick will pair a 2000 Sonoma Chardonnay and Stonestreet Legacy 96 and 97 to a house salad, cabernet smoked New York steak, and artisan cheeses, among other pairings. $65. 6:30 p.m. at Ten Mercer, 206-691-3723. LOWER QUEEN ANNE
Taste any of McCreas latest single-vineyard syrahs, including some that have yet to be released, at the Fremont Red Apple Market and Wine Bar. Its rumored that McCreas first late harvest viognier may even be uncorked. Food will be served. $20. 6:308 p.m., 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-3663. FREMONT
Pike and Western Wine Shop believes the southern Rh�s string of above average vintages ends with the 2002 vintage. They say its time to stock up on the good stuff, so theyre hosting a tasting of some of their favorites. $15. 7 p.m. 1934 Pike Place, 206-441-1307. PIKE PLACE MARKET
March 14
Let French professor and wine connoisseur Paul Milan take you to France and back again as you compare wines from Burgundy to their Northwest counterparts. Consume hearty hors doeuvres while you bid on wine and youll be promoting more cultural exchanges: The proceeds from the auction benefit international studies scholarships. Donation $15. 6:308:30 p.m. LeRoux Room, Seattle University Student Center, 900 Broadway. FIRST HILL
March 15
Been curious about wines over in eastern Eastern Washington? Meet Spokane-area winemakers and sip their wares. Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, Latah Creek Winery, Knipprath Cellars, and others will be featured. Free. 14 p.m. Esquin Wine Merchants, 2700 Fourth Ave. S., 206-682-7374. SODO
In honor of cherry blossom season, the Fremont Red Apple Market and Wine Bar hosts a sake tasting. Chefs Mimi and Mike will whip up some food to match. $5. 36 p.m. 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-3663. FREMONT
March 16
Snoqualmie, a Chateau Ste. Michelle sister winery, opens in April. In celebration, Snoqualmie winemaker Joy Anderson will uncork a few bottles for the public. $30. 13 p.m. 14111 N.E. 145th St., 425-415-3300. WOODINVILLE.
March 18
The first annual Washington Arriving Vintners Event (WAVE) will showcase up to 15 new Washington wineries. New contenders will stake their claims while you wander and sample their wares. $35. EMP, 325 5th Ave. N., 206-624-5757. SEATTLE CENTER
March 19
David LeClaire, Library Bistro sommelier, brings together syrahs from all over the state as part of Washington Wine Month. Light appetizers will accompany. Think about securing a designated driverthere are over 50 varieties. $20. 47 p.m. 82 Madison St. (Alexis Hotel), 206-624-3646. DOWNTOWN
If youre enthusiastic about wine, youre probably matched by Hotel Vintage Parktheyve dedicated each of their 126 rooms to Washington wineries. Tonight, Tulio wine director Michael DeGano will teach a class all about Washington selections: tasting, etiquette, and pours. Get a taste from each region as well as your very own etched wine glass. $10 (free for hotel guests). 6:157 p.m. 1100 Fifth Ave, 206-624-8000. DOWNTOWN
ON TAP
March 14
In 1952, Allied Arts was founded under the name the Beer and Culture Society. Beer and conversation have gone hand-in-hand since, well, just about forever. These days, on Allied Arts Beer and Culture Nights, smart, energetic and public-spirited citizens come together around beer and snack food for uninhibited discussion. Tonight the hot topic is the waterfront boulevard option for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct. All are welcome. $25 suggested donation ($15 members). 7:3010 p.m.526 First Ave. S., #521, 206-624-0432. SODO
DEAL MEALS
For a second year, 25 local restaurants are offering a month of specially priced three-course meals through March: $25 at dinner, $12.50 at lunch. Available dates and deals vary, so check the lineup at www.northwestsource.com/dinearoundseattle.
All this month, 15 Indian restaurants around the Sound are offering three courses for just $15, with one dollar of that slim tab to go to UNICEF (The U.N.s childrens fund). Check out the list of participants at www.seattledining.com/Indian.
BACK TO SCHOOL
March 9
Clueless about what to serve at your Academy Awards party? Chateau Ste. Michelle has a class for you. Taste and discuss wine and hors doeuvres pairings with house culinary and wine staff. Go home with recipes and ideas in hand. $45. 13 p.m. 14111 N.E. 145th St., 425-415-3300. WOODINVILLE
March 11 & March 18
Tequila! Learn about the history of this spirit distilled from the juice of the prickly agave. Plus, learn what foods go best with tequila at ZTejas instructional tequila dinner. $45. 69 p.m. at ZTejas, N.E. 8th and BELLEVUE Way N.E. (Bellevue Square), 425-467-5911.
March 14
Its mid-March and its still cold and wet. Whole Foods cooking class on Spanish soups should warm you up. Learn to prepare three regional specialties, including garlic with poached egg and chilies; light cream of lobster; and clam with Borlotti bean. $20. 68:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Salud Kitchen, 1026 N.E. 64th (Roosevelt Square), 206-985-1500. ROOSEVELT
March 15
Try your hand at creating a seafood chowder appetizer, rack of lamb, and a seasonal fruit crisp dessert under the tutelage of Palisades executive chef Mike Bryan. Then have it for lunch with a wine pairing for each course. Attendees go home with recipes and a surprise gift. $75. 2601 W. Marina Pl. (Elliot Bay Marina), 206-285-1000. MAGNOLIA
March 29
Chef Cameron Orel, of the Yarrow Beach Caf鬠and her students will have spring on their minds when she demonstrates how to prepare baby field greens, caramelized Vidalia onions, three-pepper relish, and toast points; Alaskan halibut with bay shrimp Brie stuffing, wild rice souffl鬠and grilled asparagus; and double chocolate bread pudding with brandy custard sauce. $39. 11 a.m.1 p.m. at the Yarrow Bay Grill & Beach Caf鬠1270 Carillon Point, 425-803-2941. KIRKLAND
