Last week, I had a lumberjack for the first time. Too much information? Well, consider that the lumberjack in question was a crêpe the size of a vinyl record folded over slices of Vermont ham and cheddar, with the optional smattering of tart apple slices. Sitting in the kitchen of my friend’s mother’s house where the salty-sweet concoction was made, I devoured it and licked the last bits of cheese from my fingertips. Then she served us dessert — "Traditional Swiss with a Vermont Twist" she said, which incorporated Jarlsberg, Swiss Gruyere and Vermont Gruyere.

 

I have no idea if this is how folks from Vermont eat. If they do, I have no idea how they can live so long.

 

Scanning the “Evening in Vermont” menu William and Shannon Mueller will serve Sunday night at their Babblin’ Babs Bistro, I have no idea if it’s a true representation of Vermont. I do know it won’t kill you as I suspect my friend’s mom’s cooking can.

 

Wild sea scallops with maple apricot chipotle glaze, tomato white cheddar soup, maple pecan spinach salad, braised rabbit with artichokes, capers and lemon, and an apple-cranberry brown butter tart can be yours — severed over several hours with music — for $75. — Suzy Stump

[Babblin’ Babs Bistro, Sunday, Nov. 16, 4 p.m., $75, 2724 N. proctor, Tacoma, 253.761.9099]

I love cheese

I love cheese. I love it sliced really thin. I love big hunks of it that are chewy. I also love chocolate. That is why I love the Melting Pot — Tacoma’s house of Fondue.  And I equally love the Melting Pot’s half-off happy hours. Four different appetizer cheese combinations are offered: Cheddar, Traditional Swiss, Wisconsin and Fiesta. The Wisconsin blends creamy fontina, buttermilk bleu, butterkase, white wine, scallions and sherry, and is accompanied by chunks of soft bread, sliced green apple, baby carrots, celery pieces and cauliflower that all look like they came from a pre-cut Costco veggie grab bag. Dessert would be the ticket here with nine different choices of chocolate and sweets combinations. Amaretto Meltdown: white chocolate with amaretto swirled through was a dessert made in heaven. Flaming Turtle: caramel, milk chocolate and chopped pecans was only seconds away from becoming my all-time favorite. Burning my lip brought me back to my senses. — Jennifer Johnson

 

[Melting Pot, 2121 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.535.3939]

Food Matters

• The Sea Grill in Tacoma celebrates all that is lobster for the month of November.  Make it happen at 253.272.5656. 


• Salty’s at Redondo Beach has opened the Espresso Beach Buzz. Store that iPhone in your pocket and walk up to the outside window counter daily for espressos, pastries and snacks. Grab a buzz and fresh air at 28201 Redondo Beach Dr. S. in Des Moines.


• Uncle Sam’s American Bar and Grill will move into the Silver Dollar Tavern spot Nov. 21 at 16003 Pacific Ave. in Spanaway. It’s a “biker friendly bar” with live music Friday and Saturday nights for no cover, two tacos for a buck on Thursdays and free pool. 


• Wow’s Etc. on North 21st in Tacoma has closed.


• Bernardo Tuma has reopened his Aroma Café on the ground floor of the Wells Fargo Plaza at 12th and Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma.

Eat 101

• Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar in Olympia hosts a Wine Class every Saturday at 3 p.m. To register, call 360.956.1928.


• Chef McManus explores recipes for Thanksgiving and the December holidays, Nov. 22, at Primo Grill in Tacoma. 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, Nov. 13: Lange Estate Winery tasting, 5:30-8 p.m., $5, Pour At Four, 3814 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.761.8015.


• Thursday, Nov. 13: Walla Walla Waterbrook Winery Dinner, 7 p.m., $89.99, Salty’s at Redondo Beach, 28201 Redondo Beach Dr. S., Des Moines, 253.946.0636.


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


• Spanish Wines and Tapas Dinner, 6:30 p.m., $50, Affairs Café & Bakery, 2811 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.565.8604.


• Friday, Nov. 14: Tacoma French Club celebrates Beaujolais Nouveau, 7-9 p.m., $7, Mad Hat Tea Company, 1130 Commerce St., Tacoma, info@tacomafrenchclub.org.


• 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, Nov. 18: Bonterra Wine Dinner, 6 p.m., $80, Duke’s Chowder House, 3327 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.752.5444.


• Wednesday, Nov. 19: Wines For Your Thanksgiving Dinner tasting, 5:30-8 p.m., complimentary, Pour At Four, 3814 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.761.8015.