On the Menu This Weekend 3/5/10-3/7/10

Image via Flickr user Jules:StoneSoupNormally I am here to be your bacchanalian cheerleader, let’s eat it, drink it, merry it up!

But every once in a while, I have to bring out the Stern Lecture. And today is such a day. Today I must once again deliver the “Don’t wait until the last minute to make plans” lecture.

You might be wondering: what brought this on? It’s not Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve.  Why would a Stern Lecture be necessary during some random week in March? 

Here’s why: every week when assembling this round-up, I do a quick check to make sure that what I’ve picked for the weekend still has space available, etc. And guess what: a lot of the most awesome stuff is sold out! Almost like other people saw it, noticed it was awesome, and signed up like WAY in advance!

So I am just telling you this so that you can avoid your own heartbreak. Of course these weekend round-ups are handy, but here’s a tip. If you have a specific interest – maybe you want to learn about cake decorating or wild food or French food or cheesemaking – check ahead!  You can always look at one of the A La Carte pages to drill down on your area of interest.  Or if you have guests coming into town or some other special date coming up, check the Food Event Calendar in well advance. Your fellow Seattle food-lovers are speedy.

All right, the lecture is over, back to the funs! There’s frybread!!

Weekend Festivals

• Penn Cove Mussel Festival: Music, beer garden, mussel chowder tasting, cooking demos, boat rides to mussel farms, and more! March 6th and 7th in Coupeville.
• 6th Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival: “The Des Moines Rotary Club is proud to present the 6th Annual Poverty Bay Wine Festival, located once again in the historic and grand Landmark Event Center. Enjoy live jazz and great food in this beautiful setting while tasting wines from 25 Northwest wineries.  All proceeds from this event fund the charitable projects and activities of the Des Moines Rotary Club.  Tickets $20 in advance; $25 at the door.” March 6th and 7th in Des Moines.

Friday, March 5

• 6-8pm: Say! I Like Green Eggs and Ham. “Celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with green eggs and ham, crafts $1
• 7pm: 2010 Water 1st–Beer 2nd Fun(d)raiser. “Serving water 1st, beer (or root beer) 2nd! Enjoy food, beverages, and tasty beers from some of Seattle’s premier breweries, plus a Hawaii vacation raffle. After a short Water 1st presentation, hit the dance floor with live music provided by The ElecktraLytes.” $35

Saturday, March 6

• 11am: FREE! Fruits and Berries for the Northwest Backyard at Sky Nursery. “We in the Pacific Northwest are privileged to be able to grow a huge range of temperate fruits, berries, and nuts, from apples to goji berries to olives. Many can be grown in containers on patios or decks; many are beautiful as well as productive and can grace any ornamental planting.”
• 11am-5pm: Frybread for Justice at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center. $6 for Indian Taco & Drink, $2 for Frybread. “The Duwamish Tribe invites Seattle to a fundraiser to benefit the Duwamish Legal Fund to support its court case for tribal federal recognition. Frybread and tacos are available for sale, but admission to the Longhouse is FREE ADMISSION and includes exhibits & continuous showings of the film ‘Princess Angeline’ in exhibit area. This film chronicles the life of the daughter of Chief Seattle and is told through the members of the Duwamish tribe with the struggle of federal status as a theme.”
• 12pm: Healthy Eating on the Run Class. “Are you too busy to cook, but want to enjoy healthy meals that don’t come from a fast food restaurant or out of a box? This fun class will show you how to prepare healthy, delicious meals in less than 15 minutes. Several delicious recipes will be demonstrated. You will also discover creative ways to make healthy eating convenient, how to stock your pantry, as well as learn timesaving cooking and shopping tips.” General Public: $22 UW Students: $16
• 2pm: 2010 Irish Soda Bread Contest. “The Annual Irish Soda Bread Contest will be held at T.S. McHugh's, 1st and Mercer, Seattle. No charge for entries. For more information on the prizes, rules, ingredients, recipes, etc., call 425-582-8026 or visit www.irishclub.org/sodabread.htm.

Sunday, March 7

• 8am-1:30pm: Swedish Pancake Breakfast at Swedish Cultural Center. “Every first Sunday of the month we serve up authentic Swedish pancakes for our members and our friends in the community! The pancake breakfast is open to the public, so come and experience what is often imitated, but never quite done right. In addition to Swedish pancakes, there's music and folk dancing, good friends, and real Swedish coffee. Everyone is welcome! Price for Breakfast [includes pancakes with lingon or strawberries, ham, milk, coffee, orange juice, and seconds]: Adults: $8. SCC Members $6. Children 5–12: $4. Children under 5: FREE.
• 1-4pm: Riesling Refresh Class at Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Shop. “Please join us as we explore the diversity of Riesling. Class will include educational tastings and cheese to nibble on. All knowledge levels are invited and encouraged. Cost is $30 public/$25 club.” 5-7pm: Art for the Market Benefit. “Help our nonprofit market return to Crockett Street this summer while enjoying fabulous appetizers, drinks, and music. For a minimum $50 donation, enjoy the unveiling of the new 2010 market poster and get your own copy (signed by artist Elizabeth Mullaly if you wish), yummy appetizers created by Chef Seth Caswell (including his famous farro fries!) with produce courtesy of Full Circle Farms, Washington State wines courtesy of Ward Johnson Winery, live music by world-renowned "neo-flamenco" guitarist Andre Feriante…” and more. In advance: $50 one person, $80 couple Tickets at the door (if space available): $60 one person, $90 couple.