TASTING | Una noche de salsa
Salsa Night at Oak Steakhouse
Fri. Sept. 21
10:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
Oak Steakhouse
17 Broad St.
(843) 722-4220
www.oaksteakhouserestaurant.com
Salsa dancing has taken the Holy City by storm in recent years, with the transformation of area restaurants into salsa clubs on selected nights, an increased demand for salsa lessons, and the birth of the official Charleston Salsa Club. If the popularity of the annual music-and-dance-based Festival Hispaño and the celebrity who is DJ Luigi are any indication, the trend is still going strong. Now Oak Steakhouse is getting in on the craze with their Salsa Night this Friday. Chef Brett McKee will dish up a salsa-themed menu instead of the restaurant’s usual fusion of steakhouse fare and Italian favorites. The Latin-themed dinner transitions into an evening of energetic and rhythm-heavy dancing as the quintet Havana Son turns up the temperatura and lures diners to the dance floor with their sultry tropical rhythms complete with timbales, congas, and flutes. Specialty cocktails like the hard-to-find Brazilian Caipirinha (named one of the 50 greatest drinks of all time) and the classic Mojito, along with on-hand dance instructors, give the hesitant and rhythm-challenged that extra confidence to start the hip-shaking, spinning, and dipping. Reservations recommended. ¡Qué calor! —Rachel Ward FRIDAY
Simple Seasonal Sustainable Seafood
Wed. Sept. 26
6:30 p.m.
$55
Charleston Cooks!
194 E. Bay St.
(843) 722-1212
www.charlestoncooks.com
TASTING | Lata busts out the seafood
Mike Lata, exectutive chef and co-owner of FIG, shares his passion for simplicity and commitment to freshness while demonstrating seafood recipes next Wednesday at Charleston Cooks!. Watch this supporter of the Slow Food movement at work and then indulge in the final product, which is still unnanounced in accordance with Lata’s custom of choosing the best catch of the day. Lata developed his respect for the seasons’ picking in his grandparents’ New England garden, and over the years that respect became his trademark. At FIG, Lata works hard to promote locally-grown vegetables and a respect for the changing harvest in Charleston. The stylish eatery’s menu changes with the season, and seafood highlights include delicacies like Olive Oil Poached Halibut and Fish Stew en Cocotte. —Rachel Ward NEXT WEDNESDAY
Charleston Tea Plantation Tours
America’s only tea plantation, now owned by R.C. Bigelow, is open to visitors. Take a narrated bus tour of the fields and see how tea is made, talk to tea experts, and sample American Classic Tea. Each Sun. 12-4 p.m. and Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Charleston Tea Plantation, 6617 Maybank Hwy. (843) 559-0383. www.bigelowtea.com/act
Thoroughbred Club Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea with all the trimmings; reservations strongly suggested. Each Mon.-Sat. 1-4 p.m. $22/Classic Charleston, $27/South of Broad. Thoroughbred Club, 205 Meeting St. Charleston Place Hotel. (843) 722-4900 x7689.
Foodie 101
A five-part series designed to introduce you to the wonderful world of food and wine pairing. Each class provides a casual lesson and tasting of different courses. Each Wed. 6 p.m. Through Oct. 11. $25/per class. Tristan, 55 South Market St. (843) 534-2155. www.tristandining.com
Beer Tasting
Sample no less than five high-gravity beers and enjoy specials on cheese plates. Ten percent discount during tasting. Each Thurs. 5-7 p.m. $5. O’Hara & Flynn, 1640 Palmetto Grande Dr. (843) 216-1916.
September Schmooze
This month’s event is a Tex Mex-themed affair with quesadillas, tacos, and prickly pear margaritas. Thurs. Sept. 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m. $25. Historic Rice Mill Building, 17 Lockwood Dr. (843) 723-7952.
Wholly Cow Coffee Cupping
Wholly Cow invites coffee lovers to this month’s Coffee Cupping, led by local coffee roaster Rob Kramer. Participants will examine variations in coffee profiles and gain an understanding of exotic coffees. Thurs. Sept. 20, 6 p.m. Free. Wholly Cow Ice Cream and Espresso Bar, 840-B Coleman Blvd. (843) 216-5991.
Coffee Roasters Tours & Tastings
Charleston Coffee Roasters opens its doors for monthly tours and tastings. Attendees will learn about exotic coffees from around the world and experience roasting first hand. Tours will be from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m. Fri. Sept. 21. Free. Charleston Coffee Roasters, 289 Huger St. (843) 266-7444. www.charlestoncoffeeroasters.com
Charleston Farmers Market
Every Saturday, the market features the finest local produce, plants, flowers, and herbs along with food, fine art and crafts, and live entertainment. Each Sat. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Through Dec. 16. Marion Square, Calhoun and King. (843) 724-3746.
Earth Fare’s Organic Harvest Celebration
Earth Fare celebrates 10 years in Charleston by offering organic and local treats direct from local farmers and vendors. Chefs from Charleston’s great restaurants hold cooking demonstrations, and face painting for kids. Sat. Sept. 22, 11 a.m. Free. (843) 769-4807. www.earthfare.com
Shih Tzu and Furbabies Rescue Benefit
WINEDINEWINE presents this fundrasier for Shih Tzu and Furbabies, a nonprofit organization devoted to the rescue of toy purebred and mixed breed dogs. Wine pairing featuring sparkling, red, and white wines paired with the finest selection of artisan cheeses, meats, and sweets. Wed. Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m. $35. Avondale Wine and Cheese, 813B Savannah Highway. (843)810-0088.
A Taste of France
Enjoy a five-course wine dinner exploring the culinary regions of France. Call for reservations. Last Mon. of every month. $40/individual, $70/couple. Coco’s Cafe, 863 Houston Northcutt Blvd. (843) 881-4949. www.cocoscafe.net
Wine Lover’s Happy Hour
Wine flights of five different wines of varying themes. Each Tues.-Sat. 5-7 p.m. $5 for 5 (2 oz. pours). Amuse, 1720 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. (843) 573-8778.
Summer Wine Strolls
Stroll America’s oldest landscaped gardens and sample a variety of summer wines. Stay for dinner and get a complimentary dessert. Wed. 5:30-7 p.m. $5. Middleton Place, 4300 Ashley River Rd. (843) 556-6020. www.middletonplace.org
Wine Tasting
Sample wines from local distributors twice a week. Call for details. Each Mon. Thurs. 5-7 p.m. $5. Avondale Wine and Cheese, 813B Savannah Highway. (843) 769-5444.
Around the World Wine Tasting
Sample wines from around the world. Each Fri. 5-7 p.m. $5. O’Hara & Flynn, 1640 Palmetto Grande Dr. (843) 216-1916. 160 E. Bay St. (843) 534-1916
In Good Tastings
Informal weekly wine event. Each Fri. 5-7 p.m. $1. In Good Taste, 1901 Ashley River Road. (843) 763-5597.
Flight Night
Sample varying flights of wine, focusing on Spanish flavors. Tues. $12-$25. Raval, 453 King St. (843) 853-8466.
Wines of Southern France
Chef Tamir Lehrman hosts a wine tasting. Sample at least four wines from Southern France and regional hors d’oeuvres. Tue., Sept. 25, 5:30-7 p.m. $10. J. Bistro, 819 Coleman Blvd. (843) 971-7778. www.jbistro.net
Master Mixology
Learn to make cocktails from a spirits industry expert. Through Sept. 20, 6:30-10 p.m. $149. Culinary Institute of Charleston, 7001 Rivers Ave. (843) 574-6152. www.tridenttech.edu/ce.htm
Learn How to Cook, Parts 1 & 2
Basic and advanced courses in cooking give novices confidence in the kitchen. Ongoing series. Each Thurs. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Through Nov. 29. $189 per class. Culinary Institute of Charleston, 7001 Rivers Ave. (843) 574-6152. www.tridenttech.edu/ce.htm
Pasta Workshop
Learn to prepare pasta dough from scratch. Thurs. Sept. 20, 6:30 p.m. $60. Charleston Cooks!, 194 E. Bay St. (843) 722-1212. www.charlestoncooks.com
Wine 101: Wines of Italy
Maverick Southern Kitchens Wine Director Patrick Emerson discusses the red and white wines of Italy. Light appetizers will be paired with the wines. Sat. Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. $30. Charleston Cooks!, 194 E. Bay St. (843) 722-1212. www.charlestoncooks.com
Asian Cuisine
Go beyond sushi and learn the secret to Japanese and Korean cuisine. Mon. Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m. $60. Charleston Cooks!, 194 E. Bay St. (843) 722-1212. www.charlestoncooks.com
Octoberfest Feast
Make a menu of German specialties. Tues., Sept. 25, 6:30 p.m. $60. Charleston Cooks!, 194 E. Bay St. (843) 722-1212. www.charlestoncooks.com
E-mail cuisine calendar items to editor@charlestoncitypaper.com or fax to 576-0380 by the Wed. before the week of the event.