New Year Energizers

We know. The post-holiday malaise has set in. It's hard to get going. Yet there are so many great things to see and do in the new year! We'll give you a push with some great ideas below. Then it's up to you; we know you can do it.

DeLille Cellars Winemaker Dinner at Fireside Restaurant,

January 22, 2016

What a great pairing! Winemaker Chris Upchurch of DeLille Cellars has five wines to pair with seven courses from Fireside's Chef Dan Ratigan, known for sourcing locally from the Olympic Peninsula to create the freshest meals. Bison Albondigas, 2012 Doyenne AIX; Mushroom Hazelnut Tart, 2013 Doyenne Roussanne; Seared New Bedford Scallop, 2013 Chaleur Estate Blanc; an intermezzo of Pomegranate Granita; Veal with Dried Rainier Cherry De Glaze, 2011 Upchurch Cabernet Sauvignon; a refresher of Farm Greens; Violet Cheesecake, 2012 Doyenne Signature Syrah. Make it a night for two: dinner, overnight accommodation, breakfast. Another perfect pairing. Reserve your space now!

The Resort at Port Ludlow is on the Olympic Peninsula, just a few minutes past the Hood Canal Bridge, at One Heron Road in Port Ludlow. Dinner only is $95 per person, plus services fee and taxes. Tickets can be purchased for dinner only at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2463299. Package details: $425 per couple includes seven-course dinner with five wine pairings, one night's accommodation for two, and breakfast vouchers for two. Does not include resort fee, service fee, or taxes. Call 360-437-7412 to reserve your taste of heaven. portludlowresort.com

Valentine's Day, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Saturday/Sunday, February 13 and 14

Memorable, unique, and delicious: isn't that what you're after for a fantastic Valentine's Day? It all takes place in the Exhibition's awe-inspiring Glasshouse, and includes valet parking, a champagne toast and passed starters upon arrival, a delectable four-course dinner designed by Chef Thomas Kollasch of Collections Café, a bottle of wine selected by their Wine Director (guests receiving wine must be 21 or older), and live music by local jazz musician Jacqueline Tabor and her Band. After dinner, tour the galleries and garden, leaving with a keepsake commemorating your unforgettable evening. This is the final Valentine's Dinner in the Glasshouse, so don't miss this event; reserve early.

Valentine's Dinner offered both Saturday, February 13, and Sunday, February 14. Chihuly Garden and Glass is located on the Seattle Center Grounds at 305 Harrison Street. Valentine's Day extravaganza is $275 per couple, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are available beginning at 4:30 p.m. Please call 206-753-4927 for reservations. www.chihulygardenandglass.com/events/valentines-day

Seattle Wine & Food Experience Weekend, February 20-21

It's still the best tasting experience around. But only if you like seafood, caviar, lamb, beef, wine, beer, cider, and artisan products, with a little education thrown in. Otherwise, not for you. POP! Bubbles and Seafood kicks off the experience on Saturday with over 40 global sparkling wines, 16 chefs offering fresh and sustainable seafood bites, an oyster cookbook debut, Glass Vodka cocktails, and music. Sunday's Grand Tasting will showcase more than 190 leading wine brands, craft brewers, cider makers, distillers, and chefs. Specialty experiences will help you hone in on your interests. It's a great place to taste!

POP! Bubbles & Seafood, McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, at the Seattle Center, on Saturday, February 20, 2016, from 6-9 p.m. Tickets $75. Seattle Wine and Food Experience, Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 300 Mercer St, at the Seattle Center, on Sunday, February 21. General admission, 1-5 p.m., $60. VIP admission $75 includes early entrance at noon, custom tote bag, and VIP area. Do both for $140! Get tickets atww.swfe.boldtypetickets.com Find more info at www.seattlewineandfoodexperience.com

Neighborhood Grills

When you thought life couldn't get better, Neighborhood Grills brings back Sunday $5 Steak Night! It's a build-your-own-steak-dinner extravaganza, starting at $5 for a 4 oz pub steak and creamy mashers. From there you can add a salad or soup ($3.99-$4.50), make it a surf and turf (upgrade your steak, add shrimp scampi, coconut shrimp, salmon, or coco shrimp & salmon $3.50-$15.99), step up your sides (go veggie, sub varying types of fries, cauliflower fondue or load your mashers $1.00-$2.50), top your steak with amazing flavors ($1-$1.5), or add a steak rub (Cowboy Rub, Blackened, $1). Love Sunday dinner!

Act now, because $5 Sunday Steak Night is for a limited time only. 6 p.m.-to close ONLY. Not valid with other discounts, promotions, coupons, or happy hour. Neighborhood Grills has five locations: Greenlake Bar & Grill, Eastlake Bar & Grill, Lake Forest Bar & Grill, Bremerton Bar & Grill, Maple Valley Bar & Grill. Check them out online at www.neighborhoodgrills.com

Tray Kitchen

Start out the new year with something fun and different! Choose from the seasonal a la carte menu, delivered by tray to your table, and/or of-the-moment dishes from the dim sum cart right at your table. It's cart-to-table dining at its freshest, with produce grown on owner Heong Soon Park's half-acre farm in Woodinville, and ingredients from regional fishermen, farmers, and ranchers. Enjoy happy hour or a fun meal at the bar with behind-the-bar staff interaction. It's always fun to talk food! Great food and a fun time means you'll be heading back to Tray soon.

Tray Kitchen is located at 4012 Leary Way NW. Hours are Thursday-Sunday 5-10 p.m. 206-557-7059. www.traykitchen.com

Dine Out™ Vancouver Festival

Canada's largest food and drink festival dishes up unlimited ways to enjoy the best flavors of the city. Over 17 days, a delicious schedule of culinary events allows festivalgoers to enjoy unique culinary experiences. These include guided food tour adventures, brunch crawls, cocktail master classes, international guest chef collaborative dinners, wine and craft beer tastings, street food markets and more! Promotional hotel rates start at just $80 Canadian.

Whatever your craving is, the Dine Out™ Vancouver Festival satisfies! Celebrate Vancouver's amazing culinary scene during this most delicious time of the year! Tickets on sale December 1^st. www.dineoutvancouver.com

January 2016