Ann Arbor food & drink calendar for the week of Nov. 8-15

Posted on Thu, Nov 8, 2012 : 8:32 a.m.

AnnArbor.com file photo | Peggy Lampman

Today
Thanksgiving Tutorial . 6-10 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Come and join us for an evening going through all of the 'ins and outs' of preparing a successful Thanksgiving dinner. We will discuss brining and all of its variations, timing, and how to make it all come together, as well as restaurant tips for keeping it all warm. We will roast a turkey, teach you how to carve a turkey, and prepare several side dishes. You will leave armed with a go-to recipe booklet - classic, tried and true. $75. www.annarborcooks.com.

Beer Tasting: Belgians. 7-9 p.m. Arbor Brewing Co., 114 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor. ABC beer tastings are the second Thursday of each month. Each tasting focuses on a specific style and features two dozen or so of the best examples available in the style of the month. Tickets include beer samples, an appetizer buffet, a complete event program with tasting notes, and entry in our door prize drawing. This is the mack daddy of all of our beer tasting events! We pull together 25 to 30 of the best Belgian and belgian-style ales across the category spectrum. From malty rich trappists to traditional sour lambics and flemish browns to aged and high gravity ales to crazy concoctions made with fruits and spice. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the event. 734-213-1393.

Seafood Appetizers and Platters for the Holidays. 6 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower, Ann Arbor. Part of a weekly series of cooking demos. Free. 734-997-7500.

Hard Cider and Cheese Tasting. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Zingerman's Events on Fourth, 415 N. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor. Nothing says fall in Michigan better than cider! Come explore some interesting cheese and hard cider pairings with Mike Beck from Uncle John's Cider Mill. During the tasting, you will get a chance to try several different ciders and many cheeses while having the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the rich history of fermented apples. $35. 734-663-3400.

Friday
Date Night. 6:30-10 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. Bring your special someone and have some fun in the kitchen cooking up this Fall Harvest Dinner menu. And please feel free to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal. Menu: Turnip, apple and potato bisque; bitter greens salad with almonds, goat cheese, and fig vinaigrette; seared sea scallops with lemon brown butter pan sauce; sage-celeriac puree; pear crisp with cranberry streusel. $150 per pair. Register online at www.annarborcooks.com.

VegMichigan and HSHV Potluck. 6-8 p.m. Humane Society of Huron Valley, 3100 Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor. The public is invited to a fun and educational vegan potluck. The Humane Society of Huron Valley and VegMichigan will co-host the event in an effort to help spread more compassion to animals. Free admission. annarborvegan@comcast.net.

Spaghetti dinner. 5-8 p.m. American Legion Post #419, 9807 Whitewood Road, Pinckney. $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for children 9 and under. 734-878-9522 or 734-341-4249.

Ann Arbor Student Food Co. (farm stand). 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Ingalls Mall, 915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor's only student-run food stand provides fresh, affordable produce to those working and studying on campus. Come by and pick up some fresh fruit and veggies. The stand is located at the North University entrance to Ingalls Mall, between Hill Auditorium and the Michigan League.

Saturday
Classic American Cakes with a New Twist . 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. This class is offered through Washtenaw Community College, but held at Ann Arbor Cooks. Come share certain favorites that have become American classics. You'll learn, from an accomplished pastry chef, the tips and tricks of old-school cakes made with a new-age twist. Menu: Old-fashioned banana cake with peanut butter filling and chocolate buttercream, classic spice cake with salted caramel frosting, Grandma Jo's orange-cardamom Bundt cake and seven-layer chocolate stout blackout cake. $65. www.wccnet.edu/lifelong-learning.

Knife Workshop with Matt Banks. 10 a.m.-noon. Downtown Home & Garden, 210 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor.Chef Matt Banks will demonstrate basic knife skills, including how to choose, hold, and use a knife safely and effectively. Be the hero at Thanksgiving. You can do this. This event is free and open to the public. 734-662-8122. Second Saturday Coffee Tasting. 11 a.m.-noon. Zingerman’s Coffee Co., 3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. One of Zingerman’s Coffee managing partners, Allen Leibowitz or Steve Mangigian, offers a free tour of the coffee company and talks about the intricate world of java. Free, but reservations are requested. 734-929-6060.

Sunday
Veterans Day breakfast. 8:30-10:30 a.m. American Legion Post #419, 9807 Whitewood Road, Pinckney. A free breakfast for veterans includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. Immediately afterward, at 11 a.m., is a Veterans Day ceremony at the township square. Breakfast is free to veterans; $4 to all others. 734-878-9522 or 734-341-4249.

Glee Cake & Pastry anniversary celebration, with cake tasting. Noon-3 p.m. Glee Cake & Pastry, 117 S. Main St., Chelsea. As part of its one-year anniversary celebration, Glee will host a Wedding Cake Tasting for prospective brides and grooms, and their guests. The tasting on features a sampling a cakes, gourmet cupcakes and other desserts for brides, grooms (no charge) and their guests ($5). Couples that book a wedding that day will receive a free anniversary cake certificate. Reservations are required by calling 734-475-3000 or stopping by in person.

Family Dining III.. 2:30-5:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Cooks, 5060 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. This is our attempt to get you to slow down a little and gather around the table to enjoy a meal with your junior chef! It's easy: Drop your child off at our kitchen to prepare a delicious meal; then come back for the last 30 minutes of class to enjoy the meal that your child has prepared for you. Your child will learn to make recipes from scratch, plate and enjoy the fruits of their labor (we might even throw in some table etiquette!). These classes are for children ages 10 and up and are three hours long, with the last half hour designated for eating. Menu: Classic fall dinner of roasted chicken; apple salsa salad; Swiss chard with garlic; carrot cake. Skill focus: roasting, knife work, sauteing, and baking. $75 for one child participant and up to two family members. Register online at www.annarborcooks.com.

Brewing Methods. 1-3 p.m. Zingerman's Coffee Co., 3723 Plaza Drive, Ann Arbor. Learn the keys to successful coffee brewing using a wide variety of brewing methods from filter drip to syphon pot. We will take a single coffee and brew it six to eight different ways, each producing a unique taste. We’ll learn the proper proportions and technique for each and discuss the merits and differences of each style. $10. 734-929-6060.

Monday
Cocktail Class - Better with Bubbles. 7:30 p.m. Live/The Last Word, 102 S. First St., Ann Arbor. The only thing better for the holiday season than a glass of champagne is a cocktail made with champagne. Get ready for Thanksgiving and beyond by learning to make a variety of cocktails that will take your holiday entertaining to the next level! Class is hands on, with lots of tasting opportunities. Class is hosted by Tammy's Tastings. $35 in advance, $45 at the door. http://www.tammystastings.com/shop or 734-276-3215.

Milan Senior Nutrition Program. 11:45 a.m. Milan Senior & Community Activity Center, 45 Neckel Court, Milan. In partnership with the Washtenaw County Senior Nutrition Program, they offer a nutritionally balanced meal three afternoons a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. There is a suggested donation of $2.50 for anyone who is 60 years or older and a fee of $5 for anyone under the age of 60. They do ask for 48 hour advanced reservations. Call or stop by the office.

Tuesday
Vegetarian Cooking 101 with VegMichigan: A Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner . 7-8:15 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower, Ann Arbor. VegMichigan is the state’s largest vegetarian organization, and we are thrilled to host them in our Lifestyle Center. This month, join Russ and Dana as they demonstrate vegan recipes for a complete Thanksgiving meal. $5. For information about VegMichigan, visit http://vegmichigan.org/index.html To register, call 7340-997-7500 or stop by the customer service desk.

Traditional Beefsteak Dinner. 7 p.m. Zingerman's Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor. Beginning in the 1860s, butchers would sneak choice cuts of meat into the kitchens of nearby saloons, grill them over coals and feast on them during Saturday nights-on-the-town. This New York City tradition became known as a "Beefsteak" - a simple, masculine feast of beef, lamb chops, kidneys and beer - with simple etiquette rules: knives, forks, napkins, tablecloths - even plates - were entirely optional. The Beefsteak became to New York, what a barbecue is to the South, or crab feast is to Maryland; a place to gather a community, often around a political cause or fundraiser. Chef Alex will revive an almost-lost 19th century American tradition, crafting a meal using all Cornman Farms’ meats. Jan Longone, the Curator of the American Culinary History at the William Clements Library at the University of Michigan and the proprietor of the Wine and Food Library, will join Chef Alex and share the history of the Beefsteak. $55. 734-663-3663.

Cobblestone Farm farmer's market. 4-7 p.m. Located at the historic Cobblestone Farm, this market will feature local, organically grown produce every Tuesday evening beginning June 19. No admission charge; price of purchases. www.cobblestonefarmmarket.com.

Lunch is Served. Noon-1 p.m. Turner Senior Resource Center, 2401 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor. Repeats every Tuesday and Friday. Reservations are required with two days prior notice. Suggested donation for those over 60 years of age is $2.50, for all others, $5. Call 734-998-9353 for reservations.

Wednesday
Slow Cooker Soups and Stews . 6-7 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower, Ann Arbor .It’s called slow cooking, but standing by the stove isn’t necessary. These one-pot wonders cook unattended all day long, yet taste like you’ve put in a lot of work. We’ll share some of our favorite low cooker recipes and share tips and strategies the devising your own slow cooker meals. Recipes and samples are included. $10. To register, call 734-997-7500 or stop by the customer service desk.

Wednesday Evening Farmers Market. 4:30-8:30 p.m. Ann Arbor Farmers Market, 315 Detroit St., Ann Arbor. At the Wednesday Evening Farmers Market, you'll find local produce and food from some of your favorite farmers and vendors from the Saturday and Wednesday markets, plus many innovative new vendors. There will be live music, food carts, and throughout the season a non-profit sponsored beer and wine garden, as well as educational food demos and more. Free admission. Visit www.a2gov.org/market for more information.

Wednesday Wine Tasting. 6 p.m. Paesano's Italian Restaurant, 3411 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor. This informal wine tasting allows patrons to sample five up and coming wines from Italy. Joined by one of Paesano's knowledgeable wine purveyors, the staff creates tasty appetizers to accompany the bold flavors. $25. www.paesanosannarbor.com.

Thursday, Nov. 15
Ann Arbor's Pack 5 Cub Scouts - 60th Annual Pancake Supper. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Eberwhite Elementary, 800 Soule Blvd., Ann Arbor. The public is invited to join Ann Arbor's Pack 5 Cub Scouts for its 60th Annual Pancake Supper. An "all-you-care-to-eat" supper of pancakes, ham, applesauce, and beverages will be served. Pack 5 is comprised of boys attending Bach and Eberwhite Elementary Schools. All proceeds go directly to the Pack to support local activities. $5 for children, $8 for adults or $25 per family. 734-649-5024.

Ninth annual Ann Arbor Wine Cellar. 6:30 p.m. Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor, 2275 Platt Road, Ann Arbor. The event, which includes a wine tasting, raffle and silent auction will benefit the HIV/AIDS Resource Center (HARC). $50 in advance or $60 at the door. Raffle tickets are $10. www.hivaidsresource.org or 734-572-9355.

Thursday Night Rush Hour Relief at the Wine Bar. 5-8:30 p.m. Cranbrook Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, at the wine bar. Each Thursday evening, experts lead an exploration of wine, cheese and appetizers. This week’s topic: Beaujolais Nouveau and wines for the Thanksgiving table. 734-997-7500. International Neighbors: A Taste of Thanksgiving. 1-2:30 p.m. Westminster Presbyterian Church social hall, 1500 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor. All area women are invited for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Turkey, beverages and table settings will be provided; attendees should bring a side dish to share. Nursery care will be provided for preschoolers. Free. http://international-neighbors.org or 734-995-1645.

Coney Dog and Root Beer Float Night. 5-8 p.m. American Legion Post #419, 9807 Whitewood Road, Pinckney. $1.25 per Coney dog. For more information call 734- 878-9522 or 734-341-4249.

The Monthly Slurps. 5-7 p.m. Spotted Dog Winery, 108 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. Stop in for an after-hours wine and food event on the third Thursday of each month. Price: TBD. www.spotteddogwinery.com.

To submit events for this calendar, e-mail calendar@annarbor.com.

Tags: food & drink calendar