The coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Tuesday, June 9
Madison chef and food writer Terese Allen will read from her book The Flavor of Wisconsin. Allen looks at our cuisine, from cranberries to specialty cheese, Cornish pasties to Hmong egg rolls, fish boil to a double with the works. 7 p.m., Barnes and Noble West.
Bike to Work Week continues with free coffee and bakery items at Isthmus, 101 King St., from 7-9 a.m.
Wednesday, June 10
Nothing says biking like bacon, right? Right! Hence, it's the third annual "Bacon on the Bike Path" from Planet Bike in honor of Bike to Work Week. It runs from 7-10 a.m. on the bike path between Monona Terrace and Broom Street.
There's a wine and cheese tasting at Cafe Montmartre, 127 E. Mifflin St., from 5-7 p.m.; free.
Friday, June 12
The upscale Lake Vista Cafe atop of Monona Terrace opens today, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (if the weather is good). Here's the menu (PDF).
Saturday, June 13
Today it's Dane County Breakfast on the Farm. Everyone's welcome at this yearly Dairy Month event, held at a different local farm every year. On the menu: Cheesy scrambled eggs, sausage, more cheese, coffee cake, coffee, strawberry ice cream sundaes (what, for breakfast?) and of course, milk. 7-11 a.m., at Hinchley's Farm, 2844 Hwy 73, Cambridge, with music by The Soggy Prairie Boys. $6 ($4 ages 2-11). For more info, see the opening of the new Hilltop Brewery at the New Glarus Brewing Company will mean even more beers from one of Wisconsin's most loved brewers. Free tours of the new facility from 10 am-5 pm, with free samples of freshly brewed beer. Blues and R & B music by The Jimmys after 1 p.m. Hwy. W at Hwy. 69, New Glarus. 608-527-5850.
Cesar Luis makes traditional Oaxacan rope cheese, stretched by hand at the Roelli Cheese factory in Shullsberg, Wis. Luis will visit Fromagination for a cooking demonstration and samples
"The Greener Wiener" is the theme of the a cookout out front at the Willy Street Co-op. Hot dogs will be by Black Earth Meats, veggie dogs by Yves. The buns are from Clasen's in Middleton. The root beer is from Sprecher's. Plus, locally made Powerkraut and Hawkwind mustard. $5 with proceeds going to PrairieFire BioFuels. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 1221 Williamson St.
Sunday, June 14
The varied taste of tofu is the subject of the Tofu Takedown tasting challenge, with voting as to which tastes best and prizes too (for the guests, not the tofu). We kid you not. 1-2 p.m., Whole Foods, 3313 University Ave., 608-233-9566.
A Madison Hours Pancake Breakfast will be griddling up organic vegan cakes, plain or with nuts and/or fruits; oven-roasted potatos; organic fair trade coffee; orange juice and more from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St. $8.50 or 1/2 Madison Hour accepted; kids free. 608-259-9050.
Bravo TV's Top Chef Season 4 winner Stephanie Izard will show off her cooking skills at The Madison Club's "Dining for a Difference" fundraiser for scholarships at Madison Area Technical College. Hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction begin at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100 and RSVP required, 608-255-4861.
