VINTNER'S DINNER Winemaker Laurent Montalieu of the Willakenzie Estate Winery and Toulouse chef Jonathan Clarke will match each other drink for dish in a seasonal dinner. The five-course meal begins with wild mushrooms wrapped in phyllo dough and caramelized onions with chevre, to be followed by a veal blanquette with wild rice and pearl onions. Wines from the estate include a 1996 Pierre Leon pinot noir, a 1995 chardonnay and a late-harvest pinot gris. Toulouse Restaurant, 71 SW 2nd Ave., 241-4343. 6:30 pm Wednesday, Oct. 22. $59.50, reservations required. FALL CRUSH If thoughts of what autumn should include--apple picking on a clear, blustery day, vibrant foliage and flannel sheets--are being doused by steady rainfall, try a harvest dinner to rouse your idealistic spirit. Baked brie en croute and a hearty entree of red-meat trout with hazelnut crust, sun-dried cranberry brown butter, wild rice pilaf and seasonal veggies should have nearly the same effect as roasting chestnuts on an open fire. Five select wines, with a 1994 Fireside Port to close, round out the robust meal. Black Rabbit Restaurant at Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale, 669-8610. 7 pm Thursday, Oct. 23. $40, $139 per couple overnight package. STURGEON, SCALLOPS AND SQUAB Assuming that the entree of cherry-wood smoked squab with dew berries refers to an unfledged nesting pigeon and not a stout person or sofa cushion, this winemaker's dinner should be quite tasty. Archery Summit Winery of Dundee and Pine Ridge Winery of Napa Valley supply libations such as a 1996 chenin blanc and a 1995 Crimson Creek merlot. The menu tempts with tea-smoked sturgeon, Huitlacolce risotto with grilled prawns and pineapple, and black walnut tart with caramelized pear ice cream. Esplanade, 1510 SW Harbor Way, 295-6166. 6:30 pm Thursday, Oct. 23. $65, reservations recommended. tastings
STUCK IN THE MIDDLE Oregon gets caught in a crossfire between Washington and California as these two grape-growing states bring their cabernets to the table. Mount Tabor Fine Wines, 4316 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 235-4444. 4-7:30 pm Friday, Oct. 24. $12. BUBBLY BENEFICIARIES Start the weekend off right with free champagne and deli snacks. This week's featured libation is S. Anderson 1992 Brut from Napa. Shoppers can chill their white wine purchases in the Cooling Well while they shop. Zupan's Uptown, 2340 W Burnside St., 497-1088. 4-7 pm Friday, Oct. 24. Free. VIN DE VOUVRAY Vouvray may not be the first place you think of when dreaming about velvety French wine, but this small village produces some excellent elixirs. A selection from Gaston Huet will be available at this informal and informative gathering. The Cheshire Cat at Irvington Market, 1409 NE Weidler St., 284-5226. 5-8 pm Friday, Oct. 24. $10. reading
MOLLIE KATZEN Any vegetarian will recognize Katzen as the author who made vegetable-based meals exciting and accessible in the pioneering Moosewood Cookbook. The popularity of her ensuing cookbooks indicates that Katzen's chatty recipes likely appeal to carnivores, too. She will discuss her latest release, Vegetable Heaven. Powell's Books for Cooks & Gardeners, 3747 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 235-3802. 2 pm Wednesday, Oct. 22. Free. farmers markets PORTLAND FARMERS MARKET This is the last week to get fresh, Indian-summer bounty straight from the source. Fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread and flowers from local growers abound. Albers Mill, 1200 NW Front Ave., 705-2460. 8 am-1 pm Saturdays. Closes
Oct. 25. ALL-ORGANIC FARMERS MARKET Portland's only all-organic farmers market offers pesticide-free produce and information about organic gardening. Before the first frost, feast on melons,
eggplant, summer squash and cucumbers. People's Food Store, 3029 SE 21st Ave., 232-9051. 2-7 pm Wednesdays. |
