ON THE PLATE
April 16
Starting today, the Mitchelli Family Restaurants will serve a new spring menu focusing on the flavors of Southern Italy. Fettucine with artichoke-basil pesto ($10.75 lunch, $11.75 dinner), grilled chicken breast with Calabrese-style salsa ($12.95 lunch, $13.95 dinner), grilled salmon fillet on a spinach, grapefruit, and red onion salad ($13.95 dinner only), and fresh, hand-formed gnocchi (Tuesdays only; $11.50 lunch, $12.95 dinner) will share menu space with other seasonal dishes. Trattoria Mitchelli, 84 Yesler Wy., 206-623-3883, PIONEER SQUARE; Angelina’s Trattoria, 2311 California S.W., 206-932-7311, WEST SEATTLE; Stella’s Trattoria, Ninth Ave. N.E., 206-633-1100, UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
April 17
It’s Tango’s third birthday party! That means free birthday cake all night long. 5:3011 p.m. 1100 Pike St., 206-583-0382. CAPITOL HILL
Serafina’s John Neumark is the guest chef tonight at FareStart. The menu will include spinach and ricotta dumplings, house-cured roast chicken breast with bread salad, and strawberry lemon curd tarts. $16.95. 5:307:45 p.m. 1902 Second Ave., 206-443-1233 ext. 7500, www.farestart.org. BELLTOWN
April 19
Tune into channel 9 this afternoon to catch local chef Johnathan Sundstrom on the Chefs A’ Field national TV series. The program will follow earth & ocean’s Sundstrom and forager Anna Hoffer on an outdoor hunt for wild Northwest ingredients. 4 p.m. KCTS 9.
April 1920
Feeling crabby? Maybe it’s time to get out of town. Head to Westport (Grays Harbor County) this weekend for oceanside crab races, a crab-catching derby, and a crab feed with live music. Westport-Grayland Chamber of Commerce: 360-268-9422, www.westportgrayland-chamber.org
April 20May 15
The Pagliacci Spring Sausage Primo pizza is available now. Who could resist the mild lamb sausage, pesto, white onions, mozzarella, artichoke heart, roasted pepper, and feta combination? This is as springy as pizza gets. $14.99$19.99.
April 22
Dahlia Lounge cooks up a Jewish dinner tonight. Inspired by Joan Nathan’s Jewish Cooking in America, the menu includes Hungarian cucumber salad, chicken soup with loads of vegetables and meat-filled dumplings, paper-thin dressed up apple strudel, and more. $75. 6:30 p.m. 2001 Fourth Ave., 206-682-4142. DOWNTOWN
April 25
If you can’t be in Southwest France, you may as well pretend. Maximilien makes it easy tonight with a three-course Bordeaux dinner. Most are familiar with the region’s wines, but do you know what a Bordeaux-style dinner looks like? Hint: lots o’ seafood. Live classical guitar will accompany. $39. Seatings 66:30 p.m. and 88:30 p.m. 81A Pike St., 206-682-7270. PIKE PLACE MARKET
April 27
Are you the most skilled barbecue aficionado on your block? Put your talent to the test at the Washington Spring Training Light Barbecue Competition. Lamb sirloin will be provided. You bring the sausage, chicken, and pork ribs. Cash awards! Register by April 20. $35. Starts 6 a.m. HD Hot Spurs Parking Lot, 315 S. Washington, 253-854-5653. KENT
April 28
Gene’s Ristorante Italiano hosts a spring-themed wine dinner. The five courses include the likes of caramelized baby lamb chops and crisp potato gnocchi, carpaccios of tuna and striped bass, and desert crepes. Wines to match each course. $60. 6 p.m. 212 S. Third St., 425-271-7042. RENTON
THE GRAPEVINE
April 16
Taste the wines of New Zealand this evening at the Grape Choice. $10. 5:30 p.m. 220 Kirkland Ave. #6, 425-827-7551. KIRKLAND
Or head to Pike and Western Wine Shop to taste the wines of New Zealand’s neighbor, Australia. $15. 7 p.m. 1934 Pike Place, 206-441-1307. PIKE PLACE MARKET
April 17
Join Waterbrook Cellars founder/winemaker Eric Rindal for a five-course wine dinner at Kaspar’s. Walla Wallan Rindal has selected five of his wines to share: sauvignon blanc, voignier, cabernet sauvignon, meritage, and chardonnay. $65. 7 p.m. 19 W. Harrison St., 206-298-0123. LOWER QUEEN ANNE
Taste creamy, bold-flavored merlots from California’s Blackstone Winery tonight at Seattle Cellars. Free. 57 p.m. 2505 Second Ave., 206-256-0850. BELLTOWN
April 18
Lisa Dupar Catering presents Washington reds with a southern French dinner. Makers include Andrew Will, Andrake, Cadence, Reininger, Januik, and Mathews Cellars. $65. 79 p.m. 17825 N.E. 65th St., Suite A., REDMOND, 425-881-3250, www.lisaduparcatering.com.
April 19
Owen-Sullivan maker Bill Owen will present his latest, M, a merlot-based blend of 100-percent Klipsun Vineyard grapes. Taste his cabernet-based Bordeaux-style blend, too. $5. 36 p.m. Fremont Red Apple Market and Wine Bar, 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-3663. FREMONT
It’s Carnival at Esquin Wine Merchants. Taste selections from South American wineries, including Graffigna, Montes, Santa Ema, and Arboleda. Free. 14 p.m. 2700 Fourth Ave. S., 206-682-7374. SODO
The Washington Wine Tours wagon is heading to the Yakima Valley for a day tour. Hop aboard and visit Hightower Cellars, Wineglass Cellars, Chinook Wines, and others. Imbibe as many glasses as you desireWWT is your designated driver. $89. 8 a.m.8 p.m. 206-794-0562, www.washingtonwinetours.com
This evening, Chateau Ste. Michelle chef Scott Harberts will treat guests to a spring dinner with CSM wines. Dine on lemon chicken ravioli with fennel jus, stuffed pork tenderloin, peppered Ellensburg lamb, and more. $99. 7 p.m. 14111 N.E. 145th St., 800-267-6793. WOODINVILLE
Like your wine tastings mellow and surrounded by water? Whidbey Island’s Wine at the Shoreline event promises both. Taste new vintages, new releases and premium wines from Washington, Oregon, and California. Dance to the evening sextet performance. All from the Penn Cove shoreline. You can even boat there, if that’s your thing. $22. 2:30 p.m. till sunset. 360-678-5434, www.centralwhidbeychamber.com
April 22
Join Northwest Wine Press‘ Andy Perdue as he presents 10 platinum-rated Northwest wines. $25 (includes one-year NWP subscription). Advance registration required. $25. 6:308 p.m. 2700 Fourth Ave. S., 206-682-7374. SODO
April 2324
Oregonian Lisa Shara Hall will be at the Tasting Room to sign copies of her book Wines of the Pacific Northwest: A Contemporary Guide to the Wines of Washington and Oregon. 58 p.m. April 23 and 123 p.m. April 24. 1924 Post Alley, 206-770-9463. PIKE PLACE MARKET
April 24
Master of Wine Bob Betz of Woodinville’s Betz Family Winery will share barrel samples of his cabernets. Advance registration required. $20. 5:308 p.m. Fremont Red Apple Market and Wine Bar, 3601 Fremont Ave. N., 206-633-3663. FREMONT
Enjoy pinot noir from Oregon’s Domaine Serene with dinner at Canlis this evening. $125. 6:30 p.m. 2576 Aurora Ave. N, 206-283-3313. QUEEN ANNE/AURORA
April 26
The Washington Wine Tours wagon is heading to the Yakima Valley for a spring barrel-tasting day tour. Hop aboard and visit Sagelands Vineyards, Bonair Winery, Yakima Cellars, and others. Imbibe as many glasses as you desireWWT is your designated driver. $69. 8 a.m.8 p.m. 206-794-0562, www.washingtonwinetours.com
April 27
Seattle wine lovers have got a bad case of Aussie madness this month, and things at Brasserie Margaux are no different. Give into the urge (everybody else is doing it) at this five-course Australian-themed wine dinner. $75. 7 p.m. 401 Lenora (in the Warwick Hotel), 206-777-1990. BELLTOWN
April 30
Join Paul Beveridge (what an apt name) of Madrona’s Wilridge Winery for a seven-course wine dinner at Lynnwood’s Cinnamons Grill. See how his reds pair with Cinnamons’ Indian cuisine. $65. 6 p.m. 4926 196th St. N.W., 425-670-1000. LYNNWOOD
BACK TO SCHOOL
April 16
Learn to make stocks and sauces without breaking a sweat. An SCCC Seattle Culinary Academy chef will lead you through four basic stocks as well as a braised leek and rosemary soup, a shallot-citrus chicken jus, a stone-ground mustard-currant sauce, and a rosemary caramel sauce. $45. 69 p.m. SCCC, 1701 Broadway Ave., 206-587-5424. CAPITOL HILL
April 17
FoodCircle Chef David Lee’s vegetarian cooking classes focus on community. Tonight, students will prepare a Thai meal and dine together by candlelight. $15. 69:30 p.m. 1026 N.E. 64th St., 206-985-1500. ROOSEVELT
Learn to cook as they do in Northern Italy. Culinary Communion, a Queen Annebased cooking school, hosts this class aimed at presenting authentic cuisine while celebrating sustainable agriculture. $35. 10 a.m.1 p.m. Mr. J’s Kitchen Gourmet, 10116 N.E. Eight Ave., 206-284-8687, www.culinarycommunion.com. BELLEVUE
April 18
Here’s your chance to learn from Seattle culinary biggie Tom Douglas. He’ll lead students through recipes from his book, Tom Douglas’ Seattle Kitchen. $150 ($75 is a donation to IslandWood outdoor center). 3:305 p.m. IslandWood, 4450 Blakely Ave. N.E., 206-855-4307, www.islandwood.org. BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
April 20
Chef Scott Staples of Restaurant Zo렫nows risotto. You can, too, after he shares his secret recipes for classic mushroom risotto, beet risotto, and a cabernet, poached pear, and gorgonzola risotto. $65. 13 p.m. 2137 Second Ave., 206-256-2060. BELLTOWN
April 22
It’s Oodles of Noodles, an Asian noodles primer by SCCC Seattle Culinary Academy instructor and author Seppo Farrey. $45. 69 p.m. SCCC, 1701 Broadway Ave., 206-587-5424. CAPITOL HILL
April 22, April 29, and May 6
Learn all about wine basics at this three-session, nine-hour class from wine guru Dieter Schafer. $80. 69 p.m. Tuesdays April 22, April 29, and May 6. South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave. S.W., 206-764-5339. WEST SEATTLE
April 26
Learn a thing or two about preparing spring brunch at this class on puffed, oven-baked egg pancakes with strawberries, roasted herb potatoes, double chocolate chip muffins with raspberry butter, and brunch cocktails. $40. 11 a.m. RainCity Cooking School, 1883 145th Pl. SE, 425-644-4285. BELLEVUE
April 29
Learn while you party at Lisa Dupar Catering’ s Southwest-style Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Take the recipes home and throw your own Cinco de Mayo celebration. 17825 N.E. 65th St., Suite A-140, 425-881-3250, www.lisaduparcatering.com, REDMOND
Learn all about buying, cutting, and cooking one of Seattle’s most illustrious exportsseafood. Recipes include Thai curry sea scallops, fennel cured steelhead, and kazu-marinated black cod. Lunch and wine pairings will be served. $55. 10:30 a.m. Flying Fish, 2234 First Ave., 206-728-8595. BELLTOWN
