Wow.

 

To lazy and poor to try all the new additions, I asked Mark what his favorites are on his new menu.

 

“We excited with the new fall menu,” explains Merrill. “We feel that it has a great ‘Fall Feel’ as well as fits our small plate format and wine pairings.”

Here are the highlights he mention:

Tapas

• Bacon wrapped Scallops


• Duck Breast Carppaccio

Appetizers

• Marinated Prawns crostini


• Sauteed Sausage Platter

Small Plate entrees

• Maple glazed Pork Chop with bourbon spiked sweet potatoes


• Handmade Ravioli Medley — Pumpkin ravioli and mushroom ravioli in a truffle cream sauce


• New Orleans Catfish — Creole spiced catfish with remoulade sauce and Louisiana "Dirty Rice"


• Apricot and Balsamic glazed chicken breast.

“And we never put a ‘bad’ wine on the menu,” add Merrill.

Of course. — Ron Swarner

[Pour at Four, 3814 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.761.8015]

Food Matters

The Capital Playhouse has teamed up with Olympia restaurants Ramblin’ Jacks and Mercato to offer a $106 package deal for two. That’s a freakin’ steal folks. A diner for two and two seats to see Threepenny Opera for $106? Nice. And you only have to call one number to set it up — 360.943.2744.

• The Muse — an all-ages, live music and spoken word café — will have its grand opening Friday, Oct. 24 featuring Miles From Chicago. The venue in the old Rent-A-Center building at 2509 Sixth Avenue will serve sandwiches, soups, salads and dessert, but no alcohol. Give them a buzz at 253.212.3934.


• Stanley & Seaforts will donate $1 to the local Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate for every Cosmopolitan cocktail they serve. With the Sex and the City movie now on cable, that could be good news during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Go donate with a designated drive at 115 E. 34th St. in Tacoma.

Eat 101

• Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar in Olympia will host a Portugal Wine Class Saturday, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. To register, call 360.956.1928.


• The following cooking classes will be held at Primo Grill in Tacoma: Chef McManus explores Tuscany, Oct. 25; McManus explores Emilia Romagna, Nov. 8; Cooking for Thanksgiving and the December holidays, Nov. 22. Classes are 2-4 p.m. The $65 fee includes recipes and instruction, lunch with a glass of wine, tax and gratuity. To reserve your spot, call Jacqueline at 253.383.7000.

Sippin’ Out 

• Thursday, Oct. 23: Nicholas Cole Winemaker Dinner, 6:30 p.m., $100, Sea Grill, 1498 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.5656.


• 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. 


• Tuesday, Oct. 28: South African Wines tasting, 5:30-8 p.m., $5, Pour at Four, 3814 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.761.8015.


• Tuesday, Oct. 28: Tacoma Sawtooth and Six Prong Wine Dinner, 6 p.m., $70, Duke’s Chowder House, 3327 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 206.985.9466.