>> Opici wine dinner: 12th Ave Grill in Kaimuki is offering a dining experience featuring Craig Richmond of Opici Wines, with five courses that include opah belly, pheasant, venison and more. The $105 dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. To reserve, call 732-9469.
>> Wine three ways at Vino: The Wine 101 classes at Vino were so popular that the restaurant is holding three Wine 201 classes next month. In Wine 201, students will be introduced into the pairing of wines with food, learning why combinations work. Participants will be served three glasses of white wines (1 1/2 ounces per glass) and discuss each one. Then a piece of shrimp prepared with garlic butter and fresh tarragon will be served and more discussion will ensue. The same procedure will be done with three red wines, salami and cheese. Classes begin at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 7, 21 and 28. Cost is $25. Reservations required; seating is limited.
If your knowledge of wine is beyond the beginner’s level, then you might want to participate in Vino’s wine tasting. “A Taste of Washington State Wines” will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday. The lineup includes 2011 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley, 2011 Force Majeure Collaboration VI, 2011 Gramercy Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley and 2012 Reynvaan Syrah The Contender. Cost is $39.
And, finally, wine drinkers who enjoy meeting winemakers may want to sign up for “A Dinner with Chad Melville,” 6 p.m. Feb. 3. Melville owns and operates a winery in Santa Barbara, Calif., and produces wines under the Samsara label. Participants will have a chance to taste Melville’s wines with chef Keith Endo’s dishes. The four-course meal with wine pairings costs $78.
To make a reservation for any of the events, call 524-8466 or email Ann at ataketa@dkrestaurants.com. Vino is located in Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana Blvd.
>> Making pupu pretty: Whole Foods Market at Kahala Mall is holding a “Secrets of a Food Stylist!” hands-on workshop, 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Participants will create a pupu platter with the help of the store’s catering team, and then take the platter home. Cost: $20. RSVP required. Go to wfmfoodstyle.eventbrite.com.
>> Craft beer-pairing dinner: Executive chef Ron de Guzman, pastry chef Cainan Sabey and craft beer specialist Andy Baker have created a special four-course meal, 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at Stage Restaurant, 1250 Kapiolani Blvd. Cost is $65; reservations can be made at 237-5429.
>> Indian street food adventure: Get a taste of India through Halekulani executive chef Vikram Garg’s dishes. Garg will prepare traditional foods — samosa, pork vindaloo, naan — and more at this benefit for the Hawaii Culinary Education Foundation. This Jan. 31 event that begins at 6 p.m. at the Halekulani hotel in Waikiki; cost is $185. To reserve, go to indianstreetfoodadventure.eventbrite.com.
>> Pearl is back: The Pearl, Leeward Community College’s award-winning fine dining restaurant, returns for its spring operations, offering fine-dining lunches at a low cost. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays through April 22. (The restaurant will be closed from March 2-16, March 23-25 and April 8.) Buffets will be available Feb. 17-19 and April 13-15. For a look at the menu, go to www.leeward.hawaii.edu/thepearl-menus. To reserve, call 455-0475.
>> Dine-and-stay offer in Waikiki: Wood & Bucket Tapas Bar & Grill turned one this month and to celebrate, the Waikiki Sand Villa Hotel is offering a special package this month. For $165 get a one-night stay, five-course tapas dinner with wine pairing at Wood & Bucket and a breakfast buffet. Neighbor islanders can also get a free round-trip shuttle for two from the airport. To reserve, go to sandvillahotel.com and click on Special Deals, or call 922-4744.
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Send restaurant news — restaurant opening and closings, new chefs, mixologists and menu changes — at least two weeks in advance to mramos@staradvertiser.com.
