At least six times a month Urban Gourmet opens its back kitchen for normal people like you and me who like to pretend they can cook. Local chefs from all areas of culinary expertise don the white apron, roll up their sleeves, and pound out some recipes for basic instruction that anyone on any cooking level can follow. Themes such as “Handmade Ice Cream,” “Grillin’ Lite,” and “Italian Seafood Dinner” are just a few among their wide selection of creative cooking classes.



The classes have a history of feeding you more food than Michael Phelps’ daily diet and more wine than a bored housewives’ book club meeting; so don’t go thinking the $65 isn’t worth every penny. Bring your mom or bring a date, but you better hurry in to Urban Gourmet and reserve a spot for one of their upcoming classes — there are only 12 spots per class, and they fill up quicker than lager turns to piss. — Steph DeRosa



[Urban Gourmet, 2602 B Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.3111]

Food Matters

• The much anticipated reopening of Gari of Sushi might happen Friday, Aug. 22, if inspections go well. Take a look at 1209 S. 38th St., or give them a buzz at 253.475.3456.


• The Varsity Grill offers $3 steaks every Wednesday beginning at 4 p.m. Nice. Check it at 1444 Broadway in downtown Tacoma.


• Three Rivers Winery stops by the Sea Grill in downtown Tacoma to challenge the chefs to pair up their wines for a Sept. 11 dinner. The 6:30 p.m. dinner costs $100. Reserve your spot at 253.272.5656.


• The Crown Bar in Tacoma will give you their T-shirt on your birthday if you purchase an entrée. Win-win we say. Sing happy birthday at 2705 Sixth Ave. in Tacoma.

Eat 101

• Dockside Bistro offers weekend wine classes from 3-5 p.m. for $25 a person. Check it out at 501 Columbia St. N.W. in Olympia. Details at 360.956.1928.

The Mix

What we’ve been eating/drinking

• Oysters on the half shells and martinis at Maxwell’s Speakeasy in Tacoma.


• Chicken and goat cheese quesadillas at the Tempest lounge in Tacoma.


• Frito pie at The Red Hot in Tacoma

Sippin’ Out

• Thursdays: Wine tastings, 5-7 p.m., complimentary, Cork!, 3012 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.212.1492.


• Fridays: Wine tastings, 6-8 p.m., $7.50-$10, WineStyles Wine & Gifts, 2665 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, 253.756.1922.


• Saturdays: Wine tastings, 1-4 p.m., $5-$7, Swing Wine Bar, 825 Columbia St. S.E., Olympia, 360.357.9464.


• Saturdays: Wine tasting, 2-5 p.m., Wine Bank, 7017 27th St. W., University Place, 253.564.1101.


• Saturdays: Wine tasting, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Corky Cellars, 22511 Marine View Dr., Des Moines, 206.622.2010.


• Saturdays: Wine tasting, 1-6 p.m., Wildside Wine, 608A S. Oxford St., Tacoma, 253.565. 0811.


• Mondays: $5 Wine Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., $5 glass of wines, Rosewood Café, 3323 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.752.7999.


• Wednesday, Aug. 27: Italian Choices, 5:30-8:30 p.m., $5, Pour At Four, 3814 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.761.8015.