Cooking classes for lamb, ribs, beer soup

Published in Dallas Morning News
March 25, 2009

Hands-on class shows you the lay of the lamb

Spring brings lamb season. Just in time for Easter planning, this hands-on class offers instruction on different cuts of lamb and cooking techniques. The menu: lamb rib chops with a cherry pan sauce; grilled lamb and fig skewers with mint-pepper glaze; herb-crusted lamb chops with apricot relish; savory braised lamb shanks; and spicy Tunisian lamb sausage. 6:30 to 9 p.m. April 2; $60. Central Market, Lovers Lane at Greenville Avenue; 214-361-5754.

RIBS TO SPARE: Brian Olenjack, owner and chef of Olenjack's Grill in Arlington, will demonstrate how to flavor, grill and serve ribs. His lineup includes pork spareribs with Dr Pepper glaze; grilled short ribs with molasses sauce; flash-fried antelope ribs with jalapeño glaze; bacon-and-mustard potato salad; and jicama slaw with sherry mayonnaise. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday; $45. Market Street, 5605 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville; 817-577-5047.

GUYS' NIGHT OUT: Men only are invited to this hands-on class featuring manly favorites, such as cheddar, bacon and beer soup; honey-garlic wings with blue cheese dipping sauce; and Chicago deep-dish pizza. 6:30 p.m. April 3; $69. Sur La Table, 4527 Travis St.; 214-219-4479.

AFTERNOON TEA: Learn about traditional English tea during this class. The menu includes tea sandwiches; scones with lemon curd, jam and clotted cream; gingerbread; and Champagne. 1 to 4 p.m. April 26; $40. The Main Course, 6805 Thorncliff Trail, Plano; 214-207-2821.

Kate MacMurray in Dallas

Kate MacMurray, daughter of the late actor Fred MacMurray, comes to town for the AFI Dallas International Film Festival. But while she's here, she's also doing a free tasting and bottle-signing for MacMurray Ranch wines from 6 to 8 tonight at Vin Classic Wines, 5717 Legacy in Plano. Her father bought the ranch in the Russian River Valley in 1941, little knowing it was prime vineyard land. Today, Kate works fulltime with the wines that honor her father and family legacy. RSVP to attend this free event at 469-241-8800. Kate will also answer questions after the AFI screening of her father's classic Double Indemnity, Friday at 3 p.m. at AMC NorthPark 7; admission is $8.50. Go to www.afidallas.com for details.

Wine and beer

Imbibe close to home this week

Whether it's beer or wine, it's all about local this week:

• Jasper's hosts an Eastern European beer dinner with Fort Worth's Rahr & Sons Brewery reps Jason Lyon and Melissa Simmons, 6:30 p.m. Monday; $55 plus tax and gratuity. 7161 Bishop, Shops at Legacy, Plano; 972-673-0823.

• Tramontana's Go Texan dinner features Lubbock's Kim McPherson and McPherson Cellars wines, Mozzarella Co. cheeses and JuHa Ranch pastured pork, 7 p.m. April 1; $50. 8220 Westchester (at Luther in Preston Center); 214-368-4188.

• Peter Spann was a Dallas wine broker before heading to Sonoma, where he started his boutique Spann Vineyards. He's in town for two dinners. The first is at 7 p.m. April 1 at Bene Bene; $75 plus tax and gratuity. 4727 Frankford at Dallas North Tollway; 972-267-2363.

• Peter Spann dinner No. 2 is at 6:30 p.m. April 2 at Dalí Wine Bar and Restaurant downtown; $75 plus tax and gratuity. 1722 Routh; 214-646-1947.

MAURITSON WINES DINNER: Kozy Kitchen hosts cellar master Matthew Weese from Dry Creek and Alexander Valley estate, 7 p.m. Thursday; $65. 4433 McKinney; 214-219-5044.

BARNETT VINEYARDS: Nick & Sam's steakhouse pairs wines from this Napa Spring Mountain District producer, 7 p.m. Thursday; $135 plus tax and gratuity. 3008 Maple; 214-871-7444.

CORK TASTINGS: Cork hosts two tastings this week. 3636 McKinney Ave.; 214-780-0373

• Sonoma's Rodney Strong Vineyards, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday; $5.

• Sonoma's Hartford Court wines, 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday; $10.

PLUMPJACK DINNER: This Pappas Bros. Steakhouse dinner with lobster and Wagyu beef features wines from Napa's PlumpJack and Cade wineries, 7 p.m. Friday; $175 plus tax and gratuity. 10477 Lombardy; 214-366-2000.

ABSINTHE TASTING: Morton's The Steakhouse tasting features the legendary spirit, 6 p.m. Friday; $45 includes tax and gratuity. 501 Elm; 214-741-2277.

SPARKLERS: Calais Winery owner-winemaker Benjamin Calais leads the tasting, 7 p.m. Friday; $15. 3000 Commerce; 469-463-0866.

ZINFANDELS: Farpointe Cellar pours two five-wine flights, each $15: Friday 4 to 11 p.m. and Saturday 1 to 11 p.m. Southlake: 721 E. Southlake Blvd.; 817-416-7500. Frisco: Legacy at State Highway 121; 214-618-9886.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS BENEFIT: This year's North Texas Wine Opener is 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday; $125. Flower Mound Equestrian Center, 7950 Cross Timbers; 214-871-2222.

GRAPE DINNER: Fine-wine specialist Barry White leads casual, Central Coast dinner; seatings start at 5:30 p.m. Sunday; $45 plus tax and gratuity. 2808 Greenville; 214-828-1981.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON: Tastings, A Wine Experience tastes the grape around the world, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday; $15. 909 S. Main, Grapevine; 817-421-9463.