Despite an unfortunate acronym, the Chinatown Historic Alley Partnership (CHAP) is working hard to revitalize urban spaces in the ID. Today they host a picnic in Canton Alley, with live music, food from Chopstix, and the chance to “talk stories about Chinatown ID alleys.” No cover, $10 for one drink ticket, $20 for two drink tickets and one food item.
Fancy Dahlia Lounge “dresses down” for a four-course dinner of English pub classics with beer pairings from Seattle’s own Schooner Exact—an arguably good deal for 50 bucks. $50.
After seven years, the annual Guest Chef at the Waterfront moved inland to the Showbox Sodo. The lineup of more than 20 restaurants and 20 wineries/breweries includes Tulalip Resort & Casino, SkyCity at the Needle, and Duke’s Chowder House, but it does benefit FareStart, the local nonprofit that provides culinary training to disadvantaged individuals, so: recommended. $70 before May 1, $80 after, $125 VIP.
Celebrate Hot Cakes' first year with half-price molten chocolate cakes, $5 milkshakes, and more. Starred for the $6 “special boozy birthday cake shake,” which would be the best-ever show name for a fluffy white Pomeranian.
Learn how to make great foods with all-time-great chef Bruce Naftaly (of the late, great Le Gourmand, who is also really nice), with eating and drinking included. Chef shouts, via email: "FIVE COURSES! HOW TO DO IT! AND WINE WINE WINE!" $75.
Back in the day when most Copper River salmon was destined to be overcooked and encased in tin, local seafood hero John Rowley decided he could do better. Thirty years later, Kevin Davis makes a celebratory dinner. $65 plus tax and gratuity.
The Quilliascut Education Fund is dedicated to cultivating education for a sustainable future. Show your support while enjoying a lovely dinner at the Corson Building. You'll also hear how "Quilliascut" is properly pronounced. $200.
Among the simple delights of summer, a chilled glass of rosé ranks high. Rejoice in the sun’s return with live music from the Millionaires' Club, fresh-shucked oysters, and cheap glasses of wine. Starred for a lovely patio and ROSÉ! $3 tastes/$6 glasses of rosé, $2 oysters, food $5 and up.
Tavolàta's monthly Sunday Feast can be a good deal, with prices varying depending on the star ingredient/menu—though since they're served family-style at the 26-seat communal table, you might want to bring a bunch of friends to insulate you from people who use the word "foodie." Upcoming feasts: Northern Italian, Feb. 10; Strictly Seafood, March 10; Roasted Duck, April 21; Suckling Pig, May 19; Garden Vegetables and Wild Mushrooms, June 9. Price varies.
Celebrate Bastille Day at Le Pichet—this is the place to be if you cannot make it to France today.
“Seattle's second-best cocktail lounge” celebrates 6,000 consecutive days in business by offering all its food and drink items for a mere $6 (!). $6 food/drinks.
Seattle Greendrinks has been “convening and growing Seattle’s environmental community” through weekly get-togethers and special events for 10 years, and they’re celebrating in sustainable style with food, drinks, a thrift-shop-themed costume contest, and a “silent disco dance party.” BYOC (bring your own cup). $15/adv, $20/door.
Ethan Stowell, the man behind a bunch of restaurants (you know), hosts a charity cook-off in which you get to try 117-ish kinds of barbecue made by pro chefs and notable amateurs, plus lots of beer. Proceeds benefit the Fetal Health Foundation. $50.
Enjoy loads of rosé and white wines (plus snacks, too) from more than 30 Washington wineries in the gorgeous Sound-side setting of Ray's Boathouse at this fundraiser for Save Our Salmon. $35.
Join Jim Drohman (Le Pichet, Cafe Presse) for a cooking demonstration as part of the market's Summer Sundays Chef Demos. Chow editor Bethany Jean Clement says, "Jim Drohman is great, and we should all be lucky enough to learn to cook a thing from him. You can quote me on that." Attendees get to taste Drohman's dish after the demonstration. FREE.
Field trip! It's the Cascade Country Cook-Off, with championship competitions in the arenas of barbecue, chili, and dutch oven!
It's baaaaaack, for the sixth year in a row! Burning Beast—the world's funnest, most delicious, meatiest feast in a field, with whole beasts cooked over open flames by Seattle's best chefs—is set for Sunday, July 21. Burning Beast benefits and takes place at the very worthy, very lovely Smoke Farm, out in the country an hour north of Seattle. It will be hot and sunny (probably), and there is a river to swim in. Dear lord, speed us to the day of Burning Beast VI! TBA.
Seattle's quaint and WASPish sibling celebrates nothing in particular with lots of wine, food, and fun in Mariana Park. Expect live music, a grill-off, hands-on art exhibits, a "dog modeling contest," and a Tasting Garden filled with Washington wines. All proceeds benefit the Hope Heart Institute to help fight heart disease, so you can indulge your gluttony and work off bad karma at the same time. Starred for a good cause. $25 in advance, $30 at door (includes glass and 10 tasting tokens), $2 per additional token, $15 for non-tasting admission.
Zut alors! Café Presse vous invitons à parler la meilleure langue du monde tous les deux mercredis à Café Presse à la Table Française. Seattle Language Academy vous donnera un formateur pour chaque cours, et les étudiants de français de tous les niveaux sont invités à nous joindre. Songez à tous les beaux gens que vous y rencontrerez! Chouette! Et: C'est gratuit. Free.
Field trip! It's the Chehalis Garlic Fest, with "creative garlic cuisine, crafts, and antiques"! $5/adults, $4/over 65, $4/military w/ ID, kids 7 and under FREE.
Ethan Stowell, the man behind a bunch of restaurants (you know), hosts a charity cook-off in which you get to try 117-ish kinds of fried chicken made by pro chefs and notable amateurs, plus lots of beer. Proceeds benefit the Fetal Health Foundation. $50.
Head to the center of the universe (as proclaimed by Fremont) to celebrate Oktoberfest. General admission gets you five tasting tokens and a commemorative five-ounce tasting mug; grand-style gets you 10-tastes-plus-mug. For designated drivers and beer-eschewers, it's $15 for four water tickets and a sober perspective on the goings-on. $25-30 adv, $30-35 DOS; $15 non-tasting.
The Seattle Center celebrates Croatia in the Armory with food, music, dance, and tchotchkes. FREE.
Learn firsthand from dozens of Washington cheesemakers about their craft while sampling the fruit (dairy?) of their labors. Admission includes infinity cheese samples plus three beer/wine/hard cider tastes, as well as bites of locally made bread, crackers, honey, and jam. It all benefits the Cascade Harvest Coalition. CHEESE. $35 advance tickets, $40 at the door.
Tour Bastille's famed rooftop garden with garden-designer Colin McCrate of Seattle Urban Farm Co., with “rooftop-inspired cocktails,” too. Fun fact: Washington State senators once organized a special senators-only tour. $10.