This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Wednesday, January 20
The are holding their third annual wine tasting and silent auction benefit this evening. The fundraiser will feature wines from the restaurant, and a silent auction. Proceeds will go to humanitarian and cultural support for Camaguey, a sister city to Madison since 1994. Cardinal Bar, 418 E. Wilson St., 5-8 p.m., $40. Call 238-9555 for more info.
. Located in the Barossa Valley of South Australia, but claiming roots in Madison, the winery's products can be found in highly-regarded products around the world. The menu prepared by Chef Eric Benedict begins with a saffron-scented scallop salad paired with Pristine Chardonnay, and is followed by a peppercorn-encrusted lamb paired with Black Sheep Shiraz, and a deep chocolate tart paired with Choc-a-Bloc Chocolate Port. Assistant winemaker Kirk Lambert will be present to discuss the wines served with the meal. Ocean Grill, 117 Martin Luther King Blvd., 6 p.m., $50. Call 285-2582 for reservations.
Thursday, January 21
Join Chef Sabi for Phabulous Phyllo, a cooking class devoted to the creation, handling, and baking of the oftentimes difficult-to-prepare paper-thin dough, an ingredient that is essential for the making of flaky pastries and pies central to several Mediterranean cuisines. The menu for the session features a trio of phyllo-based creations: B'stilla, a Moroccan dish of saffron chicken layered with almonds and cinnamon; Spanakotiropita, made with layers of spinach, feta cheese, onion, and walnuts; and, Warbat Katifa, a pastry filled with creamy pudding and served with a fruit topping. Willy Street Co-op, 1221 Williamson St., 6-8 p.m., $15 for owners and $25 for all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Friday, January 22
A north side church offers a little post-holiday shopping at its two-day rummage and bake sale annual fundraiser that opens this morning. Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church, 3705 N. Sherman Ave., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 244-3845 for more info.
Saturday, January 23
Fans of the Taste of the Market breakfast held at the winter Dane County Farmers' Market would be wise to arrive early this morning. This is one of the most highly-anticipated meals of the winter season, a feast of locally-sourced eats devised by Chef Tory Miller of L'Etoile and Café Soleil. The menu includes: handmade Green's Orchard and Ela Orchard apple pancakes with Cherokee Bison Farm maple syrup; Butter Mountain and Driftless Organics hash browns with Hook's cheddar; breakfast sausage; Snug Haven spinach salad with bacon dressing or Black Earth Farm smoked shiitake vinaigrette, Café Soleil pastries; organic fair trade coffee and tea, apple cider, and cranberry juice. The breakfast is also a fundraiser for Friends of the DCFM, with proceeds going to FoodShare and educational programs. The market will also feature music by Doug Brown and Friends. Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St., 8 a.m.-noon, $12.50 adults and $6.50 kids and senior citizens. Call 261-4000 for more info.
Mother and educator Karen Laing is giving a free lecture titled Nourish: Food, Wellness & Wisdom in the Childbearing Year this morning as an opening gathering for a new parents' group in Stoughton. The talk will focus on feeding one's family during pregnancy and following the birth of an infant. Yahara River Grocery Co-op, 229 E. Main St., Stoughton, 10-11:30 a.m., free. Call 608-877-0947 for more info.
Brave the winter chill at the 29th annual Freeze for Food, a 5K run/walk and 10K run benefit organized by the Vilas Park Shelter, 1400 Vilas Park Dr., 11:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $15. Call 554-0384 for more info.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 1-3 p.m., free. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Madison author Madeline Scherb is leading a discussion about her new book A Taste of Heaven, an exploration of the foods and drinks created by monks and nuns. Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd., 2 p.m., free. Call 266-6385 for more info.
Sunday, January 24
in this winter edition of the biannual promotion. The options for dinner include The Continental Fitchburg, Dayton Street Grille, Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Harvest, Kickshaw, L'Etoile, Lombardino's, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Sardine, The Blue Marlin, Brocach Irish Pub, Captain Bill's, Eldorado Grill, Fresco, La Brioche True Food, Mariner's Inn, Quivey's Grove Stone House, and Samba Brazilian Grill. Both dinner and a $15 three-course lunch option will be offered by Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, Bluphies Restaurant and Vodkatorium, The Cabana Room, Capitol Chophouse, Johnny Delmonico's, Ocean Grill, Quivey's Grove Stable Grill, Zander's Capitol Grill, Cafe Continental, The Dardanelles, Inka Heritage, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, Liliana's Restaurant, Osteria Papavero, and Tutto Pasta State Street. Drinks, taxes, and gratuity are not included in the fixed price. No tickets or coupons are necessary for these meals, but diners are encouraged to call in advance for reservations. Restaurant Week runs through Friday, January 29.
