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Seattle’s Scandinavian heritage hasn’t really translated into a wide selection of Scandinavian restaurants, but there are still many ways to enjoy the cuisine of these Northern European countries right here in town. While there might not be many Scandinavian restaurants, several community organizations and resources provide venues for both enjoying the cuisine and learning how to make it at home. The Nordic Heritage Museum is, of course, a museum, but they also offer many education programs, including those focused on the cuisine of the Nordic countries. Events have included a multi-week cooking class series featuring the pancakes of different Scandinavian countries, Nordic beer tastings, concerts with smorgasbords and more. The Swedish Club has a monthly breakfast on the first Sunday featuring Swedish pancakes and traditional ligonberry jam. They also have a monthly Kafferep (coffee party) with homemade pastries. Keep an eye out for other special culinary events like their pea soup or meatball contests. One can enjoy their fantastic view of Lake Union every Friday at their happy hour featuring Swedish sandwiches and, of course, a selection of aquavit. The Sons of Norway in Poulsbo and Bothell schedules periodic public events, like lutefisk dinners and Julefest celebrations. The Bothell lodge also offers cooking classes often, on topics like making lefse and pickled herring. Most of these organizations have annual holiday bazaars that focus on crafts, but also frequently have tasty Scandinavian treats for sale. For those on the south side wiling to drive a bit, the Scandinavian Center at the Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma generally has Norwegian cooking classes in spring and fall, often for only $5. Seattle also has several options for stocking up on Scandinavian delicacies and ingredients for making a smorgasbord at home. Larsen’s Danish Bakery, Byen Bakeri and Nielsen’s Authentic Danish Pastry are spots for kringles and snitters, among other Scandinavian pastries.  For even more selection, including various licorices, crispbreads, condiments, cheeses, canned herring and more, a visit to Ballard’s Scandinavian Specialties or Poulsbo Marina Market is in order.

Seattle is abundant with local food events providing opportunities for the community to celebrate the area’s incredible dining options. These eight events, held throughout the year, are must try events for any food lover hungry to experience all of the amazing food, restaurants and culinary talent that the Seattle area has to offer. Seattle Food and Wine Experience For over six years this annual one-day fundraising event, typically held the last Sunday in February at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, has offered guests a way to sample and compare wines from different regions around the world. The event, produced by Peha Promotions, showcases new and interesting products from over 185 participating vendors while raising funds for a charitable cause.  “Every year the amount raised for charity increases along with consumer interest. Working with an organization like Les Dames d’Escoffier, the events charitable partner, brings in additional talent through its member base and gives the event a soul and worthy purpose; and that is good for everyone!” says Jamie Peha, event producer. Get your tickets early! This event, appropriate for the over 21 set, sells out each year. Dine Around Seattle For over 10 years this month-long event (held twice a year - in March and November) has been giving diners the opportunity to support local business while sampling some of Seattle’s finest restaurants at a great bargain. Dine out a participating restaurant during this event for just $30 and enjoy a 3 course prix-fixe menu which includes a starter, entrée and dessert (beverages, tax and gratuity are not included). Some venues also provide 3-course lunches for $15. The event runs each week from Sunday through Thursday for dinner, and Sunday through Friday for lunch. Dine Around Seattle is produced by the Seattle Good Business Network, a non-profit network of residents and local businesses whose mission it is to build a vibrant, self-reliant local economy. No tickets are required but reservations at individual restaurants are recommended. Edible Book Festival Many have been saddened by the demise of The Edible Book Festival held in Seattle for several years. But not to worry, this popular event has been reinvented by the Lake Forest Park-Shoreline Arts Council and now takes place annually in March just north of Seattle at Third Place Commons in Lake Forest Park.  This lively afternoon event allows for amateurs to be creative and to compete. Participants are invited to create an “edible book” (sweet OR savory) inspired by a book but made out of edible ingredients. “Books” are displayed, then judged and prizes are awarded in several categories including “Most PUNderful”, “Most Appetizing” and the “Peoples’ Choice” award that is voted on by all in attendance, then everyone shares in the celebration by eating the creations together. Anyone, at any age, can participate - there are three age groups: Grades K-6, Grades 7-12, and Adult. It is free to enter the competition as well as to attend. Taste Washington Taste Washington offers attendees, 21 and over, the opportunity to eat, drink and learn by featuring tastings, seminars, a chef’s stage and dozens of exhibitors at this annual two-day weekend event held at Century Link Field Event Center in late March. Over fifty local restaurants paired with wines from Washington area wineries are the highlight of this event that celebrates the food and wine of our unique region. Seattle Restaurant Week This event, produced by The Seattle Times and operated by Seattle Restaurant Cooperative, was originally created by local restaurateurs coming together to thank diners for their support of Seattle’s restaurant community. The ten day promotion, held twice annually in April and October, highlights over 160 restaurants throughout King County. For $28 per person a 3-course prix fixe dinner menu at each participating restaurant features an appetizer, entrée and dessert, with at least three options under each course (does not include drinks, tax or tips.) Many venues also offer a three-course lunch for $15. Seattle Restaurant Week menus are not available on Fridays and Saturdays and advance reservations can be made by contacting the restaurants directly. Bite of Seattle One cannot speak of food events in Seattle without the mention of the largest and longest running food centric event in town. Sponsored by Groupon, the Bite of Seattle takes over the Seattle Center for three days each third weekend in July. The Bite of Seattle was created in 1982, during a recession, to encourage the community to continue dining out. This event showcases over 60 Seattle area restaurants, 30+ food product companies, features beer and wine gardens, Seattle-area celebrity chefs performing live cooking demonstrations, entertainment stages, family activities, a craft beer tasting, a Washington wine tasting and much more, all while supporting local charities. Entry to the event is free but individual rates apply at each booth for food samples. Burning Beast More adventurous food lovers are encouraged to get back to nature for this annual one day summer-time event set among 360-acres of forest and glade at Smoke Farm, a retired dairy in Snohomish County, situated along the Stillaguamish River. Burning Beast is a meat eater’s dream featuring the talents of more than a dozen Seattle chefs preparing sustainably raised meats and fish using the most basic tool available to man – fire! Proceeds from Burning Beast benefit the educational, environmental and cultural projects at Smoke Farm, a project of the Rubicon Foundation.  Act fast when these tickets go on sale though - this event sells out within a matter of hours! Foodportunity This intimate event provides an opportunity to get up close and personal with, ask questions of and get inspiration from local restaurants, chefs, food purveyors and cookbook authors. Foodportunity also features an abundance of food samples from the highlighted businesses all in one evening at Tom Douglas’ Palace Ballroom in Downtown Seattle. It was started in July 2009 by founder Keren Brown, author of Food Lover's Guide to Seattle, as a quarterly networking event for food lovers and people in the food industry. “I started it because I felt a need to hang out with more people who have a passion for food. It started off as a small food blogger event and blossomed into Foodportunity.” says Keren. This event typically sells out quickly, so be sure to follow Foodportunity on social media or sign up on their website to receive notifications about upcoming dates. Can't make it to these events? Explore the Seattle food scene with our restaurant deals.

When the weather in Seattle is good, it’s the best. But for nine months out of the year, we really make the most out of our Goretex. But a true Seattlite knows that bad weather has a glorious upside - there’s no better time to cozy up with a stiff drink than when it’s raining outside. Here are some of the best spots in the city to warm up on a cold winters’ night. El Gaucho -  Seattle’s swankiest steakhouse is so dimly lit that they give you a flashlight just to read the menu. But the lighting (along with the copious amounts of red velvet decorating the place) does more than add to the feeling that you stepped back in time when you step through El Gaucho’s doors. It makes it the perfect place to cozy up with a stiff drink or big glass of red wine when you need to escape the rain. Bonus: El Gaucho has one of the best happy hours in town. Dinner may be a major splurge, but if you go during happy hour, house wine is just $6 a glass and their Steak Sandwich (which includes their luscious duck fat fries) is only $14. It’s a real steal. Golden Beetle - Maria Hines’ Ballard outpost serves inspired Mediterranean fare with hyper-local Pacific Northwest ingredients. If the house-made harissa (a Moroccan hot sauce that lights up everything you put it on) doesn’t warm your belly, the killer cocktails, made with an amazing variety of house bitters, definitely will. Bonus: sit at the bar and you can enjoy happy hour prices all night long. Oh, and the beef fat fries are not to be missed. Von Trapps - It’s hard to exercise when it’s so cold outside, so rainy weather is the perfect time to turn your attention to winter sports, like bocce ball. Von Trapps is the perfect spot to practice this skill with a beer in hand. (And really, is there any better way to exercise?)  Burn some calories and take some in simultaneously, and don’t forget to say “Prost!” Rumba - Sometimes, denial is the best way to deal with the cold, and Rumba is the place to go if you want to forget that it’s winter. Get some friends and a couple of rum punches while you snack on Caribbean treats like plantain chips, or try a tasting flight of gourmet rums and discover a whole world outside of Malibu. Bathtub Gin - Finding the hidden entrance to Bathtub Gin may be a bit of challenge in the middle of a rainstorm, but the craft cocktails inside are worth it. Grab a comfy, cushy chair and sip on the best hot toddy in town. After a few of those, you won’t even remember that it’s raining outside.