I’m going to be honest, it’s too hot to cook this weekend. Now, more than ever, we’ve got to give thanks to those brave men and women who stand over hot stoves to make us hot meals, even in the middle of a heat wave (well, a PDX heat wave, at least). So throw on something skimpy and get out of your un-air conditioned abode this weekend with some special events, summer style.

Spice up your night with Nuevo Latino cuisine
The Heathman Restaurant and Bar is hosting James Beard semifinalist Chef Anthony Lamas of Seviche in Lousville, Kentucky this Saturday, September 10 for a night of Latin dishes and drinks. Lamas is blending Northwest ingredients with his signature spice, with dishes like Dungeness crab ceviche, foie gras and blackberries with tawny port, scallops with black orzo, and passionfruit habenero mousse paired with wine and cocktails that are sure to heat up your night.
Where: The Heathman Restaurant and Bar 1001 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon 97205
When: Saturday, September 10 at 6:30pm
How much: $65 (including wine and cocktail pairings); For reservations call 503-790-7752.

Beat the heat with beer and brats and more beer
It’s that time of year again, wherein we battle head-to-head with the late summer sun with a full afternoon and evening of beer gardening. Head to the seventh annual Widmer Oktoberfest at the "Widmer Brothers Brewery"http://widmerbrothers.com/ for a taste of mini-Munich: think German food, hop-heavy brews, and roving accordion players.
Where: Widmer Brothers Brewery, 929 N. Russell St.
When: Saturday, September 10th, 3-11:30 p.m. Widmer Brothers Brewery, 929 N. Russell St.
How much: Free admission, souvenir stein required to drink beer: $6 or bring a previous year’s stein, beer/food tokens $1 each.

Grab a slice after a night of MFNW
How do you make a hot weekend even hotter? Cram into a concert venue with hundreds of hip kids and dance your face off, that’s how. And what better way to top off a night of sweaty music consumption than with some pizza consumption? Sizzle Pie is offering a MusicFestNW themed late-night menu, with pizza options inspired by some of their favorite bands. Grab a slice of Iron and Wine (a veggie pizza with spinach and Pinot Noir red sauce), Sebadoh (a vegan pie with "Not a Ricotta", vegan Italian sausage, and green onions), or a "split release" of *E*Rock/DJ Beyonda* (half meatball, ricotta, pepperocinis/half olive oil, meatball, garlic, oregano, and Parmesan).
Where: Sizzle Pie; 624 E Burnside St
When: All weekend, September 8th to 10th.
How Much: Cut $1.75, Slice $3.50, Regular Pie $16, Large Pie $24