One of our favorite new restaurants about town–RN74–has announced the dates for its Spring winemaker dinners.

The popular (often sold-out) dinners begin on April 24 with Piedmontese vintner La Spinetta attended by none other than owner Giorgio Rivetti.

And more good news. This season’s wine events are highlighted by a new feature, Saturday with the Somms (as in sommeliers), kicking off on April 21.

This informative and fun series features guided and focused regional tastings lead by RN74 Seattle wine team Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen, Chris Tanghe, and Luke Wohlers.

Offered on three Saturdays (one in April, May, and June), these two-hour oenophilic excursions from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. take attendees on a tour of the wines of Burgundy and Champagne, paired with light, traditional appetizers along the lines of cheese and charcuterie. Saturdays with the Somms are $45 per class or $105 for all three.

RN74 is named after Route National 74, the major thoroughfare passing through the heart of France’s Burgundy region. With cellar access to more than 10,000 bottles, the restaurant’s wine list features international selections from Burgundy and throughout Europe to regional finds from the Pacific Northwest.

The wine bar and restaurant showcases roughly 80 wines on wall-mounted menu boards–the “Market Board” and the “Last Bottle Board”–which highlight special, limited wine offerings that change with each last bottle sold via Italian-made train station boards with plaques that flip over when a bottle is no longer available.

Here’s the complete list of upcoming RN74 Seattle Behind the Bottle Dinners: 

APRIL 24

La Spinetta with Owner Giorgio Rivetti – 7 PM at the Chef’s Table

MAY 3

Pierre De Benoist From A. Et P. Villaine &  Anne Charlotte Genet

From Domaine Charles Joguet – 7 PM at the Chef’s Table

JUNE 19

Nicholas Potel and the Wines of Domaine De Bellenen – 7 PM at the Chef’s Table

JULY WILL BE A MONTH TO CELEBRATE RIESLING

DINNER DATES AND VINTNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Here are upcoming Saturday with the Somms dates and details:

April 21 – COTE DE NUITS

Its Grand Cru Vineyards date to the 1100’s, its wines are the pinnacle expression of pinot noir. Stylistically the wines span the grapes tremendous range from the delicate Chambolle-Musigny, the sturdy wines of Gevrey-Chambertin, the rustic Nuit Saint Georges, and the power and grace of Vosne-Romanee. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary wines of the Cote de Nuits with Sommelier Chris Tanghe.

May 19 – COTE DE BEAUNE

Puligny-Montrachet is the greatest white wine-producing commune in the world. The wines of Pommard are earthy and minerally, Beaune shows pinot noirs purity and expresses the grapes’ elegance even in its youth, Volnay is the most charming and delightful commune in the Cote d’Or. The wines of Corton are explosive and bold. Smell, sip and swirl the intricate expressions of chardonnay and pinot noir from their homeland with Lead Sommelier Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen.

June 23 – CHAMPAGNE AND CHABLIS

Literally translated as ‘open landscape’, Champagne is not just any sparkling wine. It is a wine produced from three specific grape varieties: chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier using the ‘Champagne method’ from the province of the same name. Although sparkling wine is produced all over the world, it can only be called ‘Champagne’ in this heavily regulated wine district.  Explore Champagne and the wines of Chablis through the eyes of Sommelier Luke Wohlers.

Photo Courtesy of RN74

Volunteer Park Cafe on Capitol Hill offers Sunday suppers once a month

My latest article for The Seattle Times Pacific Northwest magazine, Family-Style Supper’s On at Seattle Restaurants,  featured my reflections on several Seattle-area restaurants that offer Sunday suppers around the communal table to their guests.

It makes me hungry just thinking about the good food and wine we had researching the article. Standouts include Tavolàta’s Roasted Chicken and Pear Bread Pudding during it’s Roman Feast in December and Volunteer Park Cafe’s flatbread with a luscious Lebanese roasted-red-pepper/walnut/pomegranate-molasses spread followed by Chicken Tagine.

The comments on this one were really interesting. . .lots of _itching and moaning about this form of dining being similar to a commune or cafeteria. Think they kind of missed the point!

I was thrilled that the article was picked up by RestaurantSmartBrief, a daily email service that aggregates interesting articles for its nationwide audience.

Photo by Spencer Johnson

Oysters on the half shell from Shuckers in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel Seattle before. . .

Sad to say, but the arrival of the first wave of fresh halibut last week at Pike Place Market fish stands, signals that we are nearing the end of raw oyster season here in the Northwest.

Now I know oysters are available year-round, and that the age-old advice about eating them only in “r”months may no longer be true.

But I simply don’t feel like eating raw oysters on the half shell in the summer months. . .they seem more like a fall and winter food to me and my palate.

With that in mind, here are some last thoughts on oysters on the half shell and which wines pair well with them. This list thanks to a seminar that examined the ins and outs of pairing wines from across the world with raw, local oysters.

The afternoon session featured Lissa James of the Hama Hama Oyster Company and winemakers from Girard Napa Valley, the Crossings winery in New Zealand, and Barone Fini from Italy. And even though I was unable to attend the seminar and sample the wines and oysters personally, the organizers were nice enough to share the results, which I find fascinating.

And for additional suggestions on pairing Pacific Coast wines with raw oysters, here’s an article I wrote last year for Wine Press Northwest. The link takes you to an e-edition of the magazine which requires a few extra moments to download due to all the text and graphics, so be patient. You’ll find my article if you flip to page 10.

Featured wines, and their suggested oyster pairings:

1. Girard Sauvignon Blanc 2010 & Kumamoto Oyster
2. Barone Fini Valdadige Pinot Grigio 2010 & Olympia Oyster
3. The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc 2011 & Hama Hama Oyster
4. Girard Chardonnay 2009 & Point aux Pins Oyster
5. Barone Fini Alto Adige Pinot Grigio 2010 & Blue Pool Oyster
6. The Crossings Unoaked Chardonnay 2009 & Totten Inlet Pacific Oyster

Oysters on the half shell from Shuckers in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel Seattle after!

Photos by Braiden Rex-Johnson

Tulio Ristorante–one of our go-to restaurants in downtown Seattle and one of  our fair city’s most respected Italian restaurants–is turning 20 this year, which means a LOT of romantic memories have been made over the years at Tulio.

Now chef Walter Pisano and his crew want to hear your romantic memory of a first date, wedding reception, anniversary, and everything in between.

Enter “Your Tulio Love Story” Contest between now and April 30 to be eligible to win the following to share with your special someone:

Dinner for 2 at Tulio

Two tickets to the World Premiere production of First Date at the ACT Theatre

An overnight stay at Vintage Park Hotel

Visit Tulio’s Facebook page to enter and for more contest information. The lucky winner will be announced on May 1.

Now that we are living the low-carb/high-protein lifestyle, downtown Seattle’s Capital Grille has become one of our go-to places for a simply grilled piece of fish and a wedge salad.

The Grille is located in the venerable Cobb Building. It served as a medical/dental building for many years (our very own , now-retired dentist had an office there) before being converted into apartments. . .and home to The Capital Grille.

Here’s a gorgeous piece of ivory salmon I enjoyed a few weeks ago. Although a bit more cooked than I would have liked, the fish was flapping fresh and the simple tomato sauce and sautéed spinach didn’t overpower.

At a business appointment in the Grille’s bar earlier that afternoon, I enjoyed a glass of good-quality Sauvignon Blanc while Spencer had a California Pinot Noir. We didn’t have appetizers (knowing we were coming back for dinner in a few short hours) but watched in amazement as several of the tables around us partook of Miniature Lobster and Dungeness Crab Burgers, Pan-Fried Calamari, and Parmesan Truffle Fries.

Happy Hour is offered weekdays 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with all selections just six bucks apiece. Signature cocktails including the Stoli Doli (Cap Grille’s Signature Martini, infused with fresh pineapple!), Hemingway Daiquiri, or Adults Only Arnold Palmer, along with select wines by the glass are also available.

I’ll be back for such low-carb options as the Prawn Cocktail, while Spencer can enjoy red-meat options including the Miniature Tenderloin Sandwich or Miniature Signature Cheeseburger. Just hold the bread, please!

The amazing mussels appetizer from Steelhead Diner, one of the participants in Dine Around Seattle® 

March may bring the dreaded Ides, but also ushers in the ever-popular Dine Around Seattle®, Seattle’s original dining deal.

Now in its 11th year, Dine Around Seattle® will satisfy the fine food cravings of diners throughout the region with three-course, prix-fixe dinners for $30 and lunches for $15 at some of Seattle’s most delicious establishments.

New participants include Betty, Volterra, Local 360, Bako, The Scotch and Vine, Carmelita Vegetarian Restaurant & Bar, Assaggio, and BOKA Kitchen + Bar. (Prices do not include beverage, tax, or gratuity.)

Each restaurant will offer its Dine Around Seattle® menu Sunday through Thursday, from now until through March 29. Diners interested in making reservations can do so via the OpenTable reservations widget on the website and at the Dine Around Facebook page.

Dine Around’s blog features a lively play-by-play from participating restaurants. Diners are encouraged to check in during their dining experiences via Facebook, Twitter (@dinearoundsea), FourSquare, and Instagram.

The complete list of participating restaurants includes:

35th Street Bistro, Andaluca, ART Restaurant & Lounge, Assaggio Ristorante, Bako, Barking Frog, Barolo Ristorante, Barrio Mexican Kitchen and Bar, Betty Restaurant, Bin on the Lake, Blueacre Seafood, BOKA Kitchen + Bar, Carmelita Vegetarian Restaurant & Bar, Chandlers Crabhouse, Chez Shea, Chiso Sushi, Eva Restaurant, Fresh Bistro, Hunt Club, Le Grand Bistro Americain, Lecosho, Local 360, Lot No. 3, Mamma Melina Ristorante & Pizzeria, Monsoon East, Monsoon Seattle, Nishino, Palomino- Bellevue, Palomino-Seattle, Palisade Waterfront Restaurant, Peso’s Kitchen and Lounge, Ponti Seafood Grill, Preservation Kitchen, Purple Café and Wine Bar – Bellevue, Purple Café and Wine Bar – Kirkland, Purple Café and Wine Bar – Woodinville, Ray’s Boathouse, Shuckers, Spazzo Italian Grill & Wine Bar, Steelhead Diner, SZMANIA’S Steakhouse, Tango Restaurant, The Scotch and Vine, Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge, Urbane, and Volterra.

While many people who read Northwest Notes regularly might not believe it, Spencer and I are aficionados of The Cheesecake Factory in downtown Seattle and often enjoy Saturday or Sunday lunches there while we are downtown running errands or going to the nearby Meridian or Pacific Place movie theaters.

A few Saturdays ago, we were pleased to discover the popular chain restaurant now offers a Skinnylicious menu, described as “a collection of fresh and delicious menu options with lower calories and signature rich taste. Skinnylicious redefines low-calorie flavor in The Cheesecake Factory tradition.”

Intrigued, especially since we have recently adopted “la vida low-carb” (the low-carb lifestyle), we were pleased to find not only Skinnylicious Small Plates & Appetizers (all under 490 calories), Salads (590), Specialties (590), Fresh-Baked Flatbreads (490), and even Skinny Cocktails (150 calories or less).

Here is the Beets with Goat Cheese small plate I enjoyed, although I turned it into a main-dish salad by adding a piece of grilled salmon.

Spencer adored his B.B.Q. Chicken–charbroiled chicken breast (three of them pounded thinly) served with green beans and corn succotash. (While the corn succotash is probably not the most low-carb item, a guy has to splurge every now and then!)

We’ll be back to try the Chicken Lettuce Wrap Tacos (butter lettuce leaves filled with grilled chicken and your choice of Asian, Mexican, or Mediterranean accompaniments) or the Skinnylicious Asian Chicken or Herb-Crusted Salmon Salads, perhaps even accompanied by a Skinny Margarita or Red Sangria.

Now, if they could just figure out how to make the cheesecakes and tortes Skinnylicious, too!

We’ve long been fans of Vito’s restaurant on Seattle’s First Hill (Ninth and Madison) and I’ve blogged about it several times. It’s our go-to dinner place when we have concerts or lectures at nearby Town Hall or St. James Cathedral.

On a recent Saturday-night visit (Miss Ruby Bishop was at the piano and the place was hoppin!) I found out that Chef Michael Bruno and company are now offering a special Two-Martini Lunch the first Friday of every month from 11:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Menu items include a Gin or Vodka Martini for $7, Caesar Salad (($8), Bruno’s Grinder ($9), Cannelloni ($10), and even Braised Lamb Shank ($15).

We all know that a box of chocolates or a bouquet of roses are de rigueur gifts for Valentine’s Day. But let’s be honest. . .they aren’t very creative.

So why not offer up a much more inspiring and inspired gift for your sweetie this year?: a Waterways brunch or dinner cruise of Lake Washington?

Last summer, Spencer and I thoroughly enjoyed sailing from Waterways Cruise’s HomePort on the south shore of Lake Union, through the Montlake Cut, past Hunt’s Point, and back around the lake during one of the company’s Sunset Dinner Cruises.

The newlywed couple who sat next to use had opted for a Special Occasion package, so their tabletop was festooned with fresh red rose petals. Talk about impressing your sweetie!

We set off after a Champagne toast and welcome from the captain as musician Ryan Shea Smith regaled us with live music on vocals, guitar, and keyboard.

Our generously portioned amuse bouche comprised super-tasty slices of the freshest Yellow-Fin Tuna, Mustard-Soy Ginger Aïoli, Seaweed Salad, and Microgreens. A lusciously fresh seasonal salad followed.

My subtly-spiced wild salmon came encased in a banana leaf and accompanied by a cascade of pineapple salsa and a blanket of aromatic coconut jasmine rice.

Dessert was the perfect light and airy sweet bite: Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Coulis and Cinnamon Whipped Cream.

Wines included offerings from Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia, and other leading Northwest wineries.

All of this gustatory goodness, not to mention picture-postcard views of Seattle and Bellevue, will make for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day for any lucky loved one.

Here’s the Valentine’s Day menu:

First Course

Crab Cake Nouvelle

Pacific lump ginger scallion crab cake, atop mango aioli with dragon fruit and crisp rice noodle nest

Second Course

Farmers’ Market Salad

Herbed Laura Chenel goat cheese, Prosciutto di Parma, Ciliengini mozzarella, teardrop tomatoes, candied pistachios, and petite greens, with a spring herb vinaigrette

Third Course:

Your choice of Entrée:

Filet “Oscar”

A beautiful pan seared filet mignon medallion, cut in half and stuffed with Pacific crab, asparagus and sauce béarnaise, set on a cloud of whipped potatoes with sheep’s milk cheese, in a pond of rich Port wine demi-glace

-or-

Salmon Bonne Femme

Sautéed local salmon with toasted almonds, roasted vegetable and sheep’s milk cheese risotto, accented with a vanilla bean beurre rouge, passion fruit, and microgreens

-or-

Chef’s Capelli D’Angelo

Foraged mushrooms and truffle essence, angel hair pasta, organic baby spinach, tomato rose, and grilled vegetables in creamy Chardonnay-tarragon sauce

Fourth Course

Chocolate Amaretto Cheesecake

With fresh-berry compote, salted caramel, and passion-fruit whipped cream

For several months now, Spencer (and to a lesser extent, yours truly) have been trying to survive on a medically supervised low-carb, low-fat, very high protein diet.

Right out of the gate, my significant other lost six pounds, and has continued to lose slowly even in spite of the holidays and nine days in California.

I lost an inch or two around my middle, which was a good thing, as my waistbands had lately gotten more than a little snug.

It’s been “interesting” figuring out what restaurants are low-carb friendly.

Here’s the way we navigated the menu at Chinook’s, a wonderful seafood restaurant we frequent when we are out and about in the car. It’s part of the Anthony’s Homeport family on Fisherman’s Terminal, just a few miles outside of downtown Seattle.

Chinook’s Manhattan Clam Chowder is always spot-on, and the Oregon Bay Shrimp Cocktails had lots of the small, but tasty, shrimp and chopped celery paired with a spicy cocktail sauce.

In addition to good food, there are gorgeous marina views that I enjoy snapping with my Hipstamatic app.