Nov. 29
VEGAN HOLIDAY FAVORITES
Traditional holiday dishes — gravy, turkey, ham, prime rib, desserts and even most veggie-based sides — are unfortunately packed full of vegan no-nos: butter, meat, eggs, cheese, milk and more. But ultra-conscious eaters don't have to resort to bringing their own special dinners along, or eating the one and only vegan-friendly side, when they gather with friends and family this time of year. As part of its holiday cooking series, My Fresh Basket is hosting a special session that shows how to take classic flavors and dishes from off limits to tasty and completely plant based, while also appetizing even the non-vegans at your holiday gatherings. Tickets to the class include samples, recipes and a discount to use in the store afterwards to pick up all the ingredients. My Fresh Basket, $44, 6-8 pm, myfreshspokane.com
Dec. 4
OLD WORLD WINTER FEAST
Gather around the table at Elliotts, an Urban Kitchen, a recent arrival to the North Monroe Business District, for an Old World-inspired holiday feast, complete with festive and historically inspired beer pairings from neighboring Bellwether Brewing Co. The family-owned restaurant's first beer-pairing dinner features a five-course menu and four seasonal, barrel-aged beers from Bellwether. To pay homage to Christmases and holiday feasts of the past, the menu is set to feature wild game including rabbit, venison, duck and wild boar, says chef Tony Elliott. Seating will be limited to only 40 guests, so don't wait to get tickets. Elliotts, an Urban Kitchen, $65, 6 pm, bit.ly/2Dnk36S
Dec. 13
CHRISTMAS FOODS OF THE WORLD
It's not all about turkey, honey-glazed ham, potatoes and pie. Sample holiday dishes enjoyed by cultures around the world during this special winter dining event showcasing a menu prepared by local chefs Adam Hegsted, Ian Wingate and Rory Allen. Though the dishes are inspired by winter foods from around the world, each is to be prepared using fresh, Northwest-grown ingredients. Beverage pairings for the evening include spiced wine and complementing craft beer from regional breweries. Reservations for the event are required by emailing or calling Eat Good Group's event coordinator, Ken Dupree, at [email protected] or 443-4410. The Wandering Table, $35, 6 pm, eatgoodgroup.com
Dec. 15
SANTACON SPOKANE
Santa's gotta take a break from all the holiday chaos at some point, too, and we imagine he prefers to take advantage of the chance to easily blend in with all the "imposters" filling bars in Spokane's Garland District during the annual SantaCon Spokane pub crawl. The evening of revelry is free, and no registration is required, but you do, however, need to don something close to the Big Man in Red's traditional suit and hat, and perhaps some form of snowy facial hair. This year's local version of the crawl, which takes place each weekend in December around the globe (see all events at santacon.info), begins at craft beer bar Beerocracy and continues on throughout the Garland area. Beerocracy, free, ages 21+, 6-9 pm, bit.ly/2OKnDu1
Dec. 17
CREATING CAKE EMBELLISHMENTS: FONDANT & CHOCOLATE
Just in time to plan for an edible holiday masterpiece, the Spokane County Library District's fall Creator in Residence series is hosting a session on making beautiful custom cakes. Taught by local baker and cake decorator Catee Ng, the class shares techniques for using modeling chocolate and marshmallow fondant at home to make flowers and other shapes to top off cakes, cupcakes and other baked goods. All supplies are provided, but the library recommends that attendees who preregister (required; session is for adults and teens only) have at least some baking or decorating experience. As part of her December-long residency, Ng is also hosting several open work sessions, and a basic cupcake decorating class on Dec. 10. North Spokane Library, free, 6:30-8 pm, scld.org
Dec. 21
DARK BEER DAY
The shortest day of year the doesn't have to be a depressing night of darkness, and that's the aim of this Winter Solstice event at Sandpoint's historic 219 Lounge, the oldest bar in town. To mark the occasion — and raise a toast to days getting longer from here on out — sip on a pint of barrel-aged, regionally brewed stout or porter. Ten featured brews will be on tap for the event; guests will also enjoy light snacks from Trinity at City Beach and music from Bozeman-based Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs. Look for updates on featured beers as the event approaches on the lounge's Facebook page. 219 Lounge, free, 3-9 pm, 219.bar ♦
