Finnriver Farm & Cidery Winter Showcase

What:   Indulge in an assortment of sweet winter beverages at this showcase of Finnriver Farm & Cidery’s ciders and fruit wines. Bushwhacker Cidery will dedicate all 8 taps to Finnriver ciders, and Finnriver’s own Jana Daisy-Ensign will be on hand to answer questions and offer samples. Smitten Artisan Truffles will offer custom chocolate cordial cups as an optional serving vessel for the port-style and apple brandy fruit wines, as well as experimental apple brandy fruit wine chocolate truffles.
When: Thursday, November 21 from 5 to 9 pm.
Where: 1212 D SE Powell St.
How Much: Free to attend and sample. Guests are encouraged to consider purchasing beverages or chocolates as holiday gifts.

Karen Brooks Interviews Pok Pok’s Andy Ricker

What: Listen as Portland Monthly’s own Karen Brooks speaks with Andy Ricker about his breakout hit cookbook, his revolutionary chicken wings, his passion for the culture and history of Thai food, and much more.
When: Thursday, November 21 at 7:30 pm.
Where: Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside
How Much:  Free to attend. Signed copies of Pok Pok available for purchase.

Saffron Fields Vineyard Grand Opening Dinner with Din Din Supper Club

What:  Be among the first to visit Saffron Fields Vineyard in Yamhill. The new vineyard prides itself on its trailblazing tasting room, which features a fine art collection, a Japanese garden, and expertly crafted wines. The grand opening dinner will be prepared by Chef Courtney Sproule and attended by winemaker Tony Rynders. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit charity: water.
When: Thursday, November 21 at 7 pm. 
Where: Saffron Fields Vineyard, 18748 NE Laughlin Rd, Yamhill
How Much: $50 per person. Call 503-662-5323 to reserve a spot.

Flight and Bite Trio of Nouveau Beverages

What:  Sip a trio of Nouveau-style beverages, including Cidre Nouveau, Oregon Gamay Nouveau, and a tradional French Beaujolais Nouveau, at St. Honore Boulangerie’s Beaujolais Nouveau Day celebration. Guests will sample the Alsatian specialties to be featured at the restaurant’s new SE Division location, which will open later this fall. French-style accordion player Todd Bayles will provide live music, and Virtue Cider’s Rob Merollis will be on hand to discuss and pour Cidre Nouveau.
When: Thursday, November 21 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.
Where: St. Honore Boulangerie, 2335 NW Thurman St.

Oregon Nouveau Block Party at St. Jack

What:  Party in the streets at the second annual Oregon Nouveau block party. Hosted by St. Jack and Division Winemaking, the fete will feature 2013 (Nouveau) releases of both local Oregon winemakers and celebrated French exports. Food from St. Jack, Nostrana, Ned Ludd, Clyde Comon, and Salt & Straw will be provided.
When: Thursday, November 21 from 6 to 10 pm.
Where: St. Jack NW, 1610 NW 23^rd Ave.
How Much: $25 includes food and four 3-oz pours. Additional pours available for $5. All profits will be donated to the Oregon Food Bank.

Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration at Bar Avignon

What: Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau day with a celebration of French classics, from escargots gratinee and salade lyonnaise to cassoulet and seared foie gras. Guests will also enjoy a free tasting at the back table from 5 to 6 pm, featuring Domain Dupeauble, Jean Foillard, and Bow & Arrow.
When: Thursday, November 21 from 5 to 10 pm.
Where: Bar Avignon, 2138 SE Division St.
How Much: Food available for purchase. Make reservations here.   

Beaujolais Nouveau Party at Multnomah Athletic Club

What:  Treat yourself to a sip from a cask of Duboeuf Nouveau Beaujolais 2013 in celebration of Beaujolais Nouveau Day. MAC executive chef Philippe Boulot will personally pick up a 24-hour roasted pig from Carlton Farms, and a variety of other scrumptious food (and Nouveau Beaujolais, of course) will also be available.
When: Thursday, November 21 at 6 pm.
Where: Multnomah Athletic Club, 1849 SW Salmon St.
How Much: $45 per person. Call 503-517-6601 to RSVP. Reservations are required.

Beaujolais Nouveau Festival at the Heathman

What:  Celebrate the release of Beaujolais Nouveau while sampling Hardy cognacs, Pernod absinthe, and European-style Virtue Cider at the Heathman Restaurant. Tastings will be complemented by a buffet featuring grass-fed beef, roast pig, lamb, cheese, and desserts. Live music, games, and raffles will also be featured. This event is presented by the French-American Chamber of Commerce and the Alliance Française of Portland.
When: Friday, November 22 at 6 pm.
Where: The Heathman Restaurant & Bar, 1001 SW Broadway St.
How Much: $70 per person. A limited number of $55 tickets are available for young (21-35 year old) professionals. Purchase tickets here.

The Original’s November Bake Sale

What: Support the Cascade AIDS Project by stocking up on sweet treats and seasonal favorites at the Original Dinerant’s monthly charity bake sale.  Mason jars of seasonal cocktail elixirs (think pumpkin spice, quince, and caramel apple) will be for sale alongside baked breads, bundt cake, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and quince jam. 
When: Friday, November 22 from 11 am to 2 pm.
Where: The Original, 503-546-2666
How Much:  Food and drink available for purchase. 100% of proceeds will benefit the Cascade AIDS project.

Any Port in the Storm: A Twilight Port Tasting

What: Warm your bones with an array of Edgefield Winery Ports and rare Portuguese varieties. Under a heated tent on the hidden Fir Grove at the Little Red Shed, guests will enjoy roasted chestnuts, tasty appetizers, a crackling fire, and live music from Kafe Metalyk. 
When: Friday, November 22 from 6 to 9 pm.
Where: The Little Red Shed courtyard, McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale
How Much: $40 includes hearty appetizers and samples of Ports. Purchase tickets here.

Double Dragon 2nd Anniversary Party

What:  Put Double Dragon’s new bar through its paces with rum horchatas, signature cocktails, and more. The eatery will be showing off its extensive food & drink menu, including everything from burgers to pho to soy curl banh mi, as it celebrates two years in business. Best of all, Double Dragon is giving out birthday gifts: every (21+) attendee will receive a free rum horchata and a gift card for a future visit.
When: Friday, November 22 at 9 pm.
Where: Double Dragon, 1235 SE Division St.
How Much: Free to attend. Food and drink available for purchase.

Wine Tasting & Book Signing with Chef Gabriel Rucker

What:  Choose between a flight of Scott Paul Oregon Pinots and a flight of limited production grower Champagnes—our try them both—at an evening of food and wine with special guest Chef Gabriel Rucker. Chef Rucker will be sharing stories of his six years at Le Pigeon stemming from his recently published cookbook. “Nibbles” like foie gras mousse pate and smoked trout will be served along with the wine.
Where: Scott Paul Portland tasting room, 2537 NW Upshur St.
When: Friday, November 22 from 5 to 8 pm.
How Much: $10 for the flight of Oregon Pinots, or $25 for both the Champagne flight and the Oregon Pinot flight. 

5th Annual Olio Nuovo Festa

What: Commemorate the completion of the annual olive harvest by sampling and purchasing freshly-milled olive oils right at the source. Guests will also enjoy traditional Italian bruschetta and Durant Vineyards Pinot Noir.
When: Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24 from 10 am to 4 pm.
Where: Oregon Olive Mill, 5700 NE Breyman Orchards Rd, Dayton
How Much: Free and open to the public.  

Coquine Autunn Pop Up Dinner Series

What:  Catch another glimpse at the Coquine restaurant experience as they continue to pursue a brick and mortar. Sit at the chef’s counter for an extended prix fixe meal with view of the open kitchen, or enjoy a set menu from the dining room. Each week will feature a different menu and selection of wine pairings.
When: Sunday, November 24, December 1, and December 8
Where: KitchenCru, 337 NW Broadway St.
How Much: $60 per person at the chef’s counter plus $30 wine pairings, or $40 three course prix fixe meal plus $20 wine pairing. Email [email protected] to reserve a spot.

Mi Mero Cuba

What:  Dine on four favorite dishes carefully prepared by Mi Mero Mole’s Pablo Portilla and sons. For one night, Mi Mero Mole will become Mi Mero Cuba to celebrate Pablo’s culinary roots. The meal will include ajiaco, tostone sloppy joe, mojo pork, panatela borracha, and specialty cocktails.
When: Monday, November 25 at 7 pm.
Where: Mi Mero Mole, 5026 SE Division st.
How Much: $27.50 per person. Call 503-232-8226 to reserve a spot.

First Sundays at the Fireside

What:  Attend an animated presentation on the unbridled flavor of bitters wrapped around a three-course dinner complete with cocktail pairings. The Meadow’s Mark Bitterman and the Fierside’s Chef Henry Kibit tasted more than 200 cocktail bitters to create a menu that incorporates bitters into every aspect of every dish (think Sarsaparilla Bitters Brined Duck Breast with sour cherry bitters). A portion of proceeds will benefit the Oregon Food Bank.
When: Sunday, December 1 at 7 pm.
Where: The Fireside, 801 NW 23^rd Ave.
How Much: $65 includes three courses and cocktail pairings. Call 503-477-9505 to reserve a spot.

Imperial’s Holiday Cookbook Social

What:  Finish your holiday shopping early at Imperial’s second annual holiday cookbook social, featuring the area's most acclaimed cookbook authors. Over twenty local author-chefs, including the minds behind Toro Bravo, Le Pigeon, and The Paley's Place Cookbook, will be on hand to discuss and sign copies of their work. Imperial's Bar Manager Brandon Wise will be serving up cocktails, and several of the authors will prepare complimentary bites. 
When: Sunday, December 8 from 1 to 3 pm.
Where: Hotel Lucia, 400 SW Broadway
How Much: Free to attend. Cookbooks available for purchase. More information here. 

Bavarian-Style Holiday Dinner at Tabor Tavern

What:  Dig into delicious Bavarian-style bread dishes at this holiday dinner. This installment in Tabor Tavern’s guest dinner series features a comfort food-filled four-course meal featuring Fressen Artisan Bakery. Courses will be paired with a series of adult beverages. Featured dishes include pretzel dumplings, hazelnut bread pudding, braised venison, and fried Christmas bread.
When: Tuesday, December 10 at 7 pm.
Where: Tabor Tavern, 5325 E. Burnside St.
How Much: $50 per person.  Call 503-208-3544 to reserve a spot.

4th Annual Season’s Eatings

What:  Eat, drink, and shop for a cause at this holiday bazaar benefiting the Oregon Food Bank.  Local artisans will showcase the region’s finest chocolates, cheeses, spirits, and other treats. Participating vendors include PokPok, Tails and Trotters, Water Avenue Coffee, Portland Juice Press, Masala Pop, and Alma Chocolate. Guests will also be treated to specialty New Deal craft cocktails.
When: Saturday, December 14 from 12 to 6 pm.
Where: New Deal Distillery tasting room, 900 SE Salmon St.
How Much: Admission is one non-perishable food item per guest—additional donations are welcome. Proceeds will benefit the Oregon Food Bank. More information available here.

Know about a great event coming up that should be on our radar? Shoot me an email at [email protected] or give me a shout over on Twitter at @allisonejones. Now get out there and start eating!