On the Menu This Weekend, August 21 & 22

Image via Flickr user cstreet.usI don't rely on this easy opener very often on this site, but here it is: I HOPE YOU ARE HUNGRY. (And thirsty.)

This weekend, we have FREE!  fries, all-you-can-eat crayfish, Cuban food, lots of tomatoes, BBQ sauce, raw food, healthy food, pie-throwing, a pottery open house at Saké Nomi, TWO free tastings of Spanish wines, and an Incredible Feast! Chow down, everyone!

And please also check out the round-up of free events on Freeattle and outdoor & nature events on Seattle Natural Selection.  And hey, consider liking Fresh-Picked on Facebook; I will be announcing a giveaway next week and Facebook fans will hear it first!

Friday, August 20

• After Hours at Matthews Winery. "Join us for another fun After Hours event at Matthews Estate with complimentary appetizers, live music by Mikel Rollins and glass pours starting at $6.00/glass. Bring your friends, and connect with new ones! No RSVP necessary."  (Click here for more wine events.)
• 5-7pm: FREE!  Fries at Pike Street Fish Fry. $2 New Belgium Beer.
• 6pm: IKEA All You Can Eat Crayfish Party. "Tickets are on sale NOW in the Restaurant. $9.99 Adults $2.49 Children 12 and under Seating is limited for this event and you must purchase tickets in advance for this evening of food and fun." (Click here for more seafood events.)
• 6:30pm: Cooking Class: Date Night: Havana. $79.00 "Bring someone special and join us for a quiet summer night of great food and romance. **Please note: Class price is per person.** MENU Pressed Cuban Sandwiches - Spicy Mojo Chicken with Mango-Avocado Salsa - Grilled Corn on the Cob with Queso Blanco and Lime - Coconut Flan." (Click here for more date night ideas and here for more Latin flavors.)

Saturday, August 21

• 10am-4pm: Preserving Class: Tomatoes, Tomahtoes, Tomatoes. "Learn how to can tomatoes at the peak of flavor. Know the secrets of buying good tomatoes. Recipes and know-how for marinara, and real ragout. A little stock, a few veggies ,a jar of your home canned tomatoes and you’ve got soup that redefines the word. Freeze tomato soup base from the canning leftovers. This is fast food that won’t hurt you, in fact, you’ll never be able to eat soup from the little red and white cans again. Gather round for gazpacho to bring our day to a close. "$70 (Click here for more canning events.)
• 10:30am: FREE!  Culinary Herbs Talk at the Auburn Library.  (Click here for more gardening events.)
• 11am: FREE!  Store Tour: Healthy Eating on a Budget at Whole Foods Redmond. "Eating healthy, natural food doesn't have to mean spending your whole paycheck on groceries! Join us for this awesome store tour, and we'll show you all of our best deals, plus a ton of tips on how to save throughout the store and lots of easy meal ideas. No need to sign up for this event -- see you there!" (Click here for more healthy food events.)
• 1pm: Raw Food Class by Donation @ Manna Mills Natural Food Store. "Please RSVP to secure your taste samples and handout with recipes. Watch the recipe demonstration and sample these famous taste sensations…All recipes free of dairy, eggs, soy, corn, wheat, gluten, tap water, and flames! Class taught by Mia Dalene & David Hempseed…Please RSVP by calling, see original post for phone number."
• 2-6pm: FREE!  Spanish Wine Tastings in Ballard. From 2-6pm, taste Spanish whites at Portalis, and from 3-6pm, at Savour. (Click here for more free wine tastings.)

Sunday, August 22

• 12-2pm: FREE!  Marian Davis BBQ Sauce Tasting at Mrs. Cook's. "The sauce guy remembers growing up watching his Mom perfect her BBQ sauce. For years he made his mom’s sauce for parties and events before he started bottling it. Marian Davis BBQ sauce great on beef, pork, chicken or fish. Stop by for a taste." (Click here for more BBQ events.)
• 2-4pm: Akiko's Pottery Open House @ Saké Nomi. "The choice of drinking vessel definitely affects one's saké experience, and at home we have our own personal favorite cups that we use on a regular basis. While some saké are particularly suited to glassware, there's something undeniably satisfying about the tactile experience of drinking from handmade ceramic. We feel extremely fortunate to have partnered with Hokkaido native and long-time Seattle resident Akiko Graham of Akiko's Pottery to offer unique ceramic cups and sets for real sakénomi ('one who likes to drink'). Please join us on Sunday, August 22 from 2 p.m. for a chance to meet Akiko, see some of her work, and taste some of her favorite saké. (Click here for more Japanese events.)
• 3-4pm: Throw a Pie, Fight AIDS! at Whole Foods Westlake."Here's your chance to put a pie in the face of a Whole Foods Market Team Member! For a suggested donation of $5, you can have the opportunity to throw a messy & delicious cream pie at one of our fearless Team Members! You'll also be fighting AIDS as your donation will go to support the Seattle AIDS Walk!" (Click here for more charitable events.)
• 5pm: An Incredible Feast 2010 - Where the Farmers are the Stars! at University Heights Center for the Community. "Held outdoors in a farmers market setting, guests will enjoy over 30 gourmet dishes, enjoy excellent local wines and beers, and meet the chefs and farmers behind the food. The event also features country-fair-style games with fabulous prizes, live music and a dessert auction. All proceeds from the event support the Good Farmer Fund (emergency relief for local farmers in need) and the NFMA's educational programming. This year's Feast will again be held at the University District Market site under one enormous event tent, complete with chandeliers to light up the farmer and chef tables…NOTE: No one under 21 years old will be admitted." (Click here for more farm-related events.)