Tax season is in full swing and our friends at RN74 are celebrating everyone’s favorite day, April 17^th. Sip on a refreshing “Income Tax,” specially created in honor of the financially challenged, andthose with enough loopholes and deductions to celebrate.

This delicious citrus and gin libation is available during Happy Hours from 3 to 6 pm daily and 10:30 pm to close, now through Tuesday. At only $5, you can save enough green to sample the equally economical happy hour menu.

A Votre Santé!

Join the Sommelier’s at RN74 for Saturday with the Somms, an  informative and fun series kicking off on April 21 that features guided and focused regional tastings lead by RN74 Seattle wine team Chris Tanghe, Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen and Luke Wohlers.

Offered on three Saturdays from 2p to 4p (one in April, May and June), these two-hour oenophilic excursions take attendees on a tour of the wines of Burgundy, paired with light traditional appetizers along the lines of cheese and charcuterie.

Saturday with the Somms are $45 per class or $105 for all three.

April 21 – COTE DE NUITS
Its Grand Cru Vineyards date to the 1100’s, its wines are the pinnacle expression of pinot noir. Stylistically the wines span the grapes tremendous range from the delicate Chambolle-Musigny, the sturdy wines of Gevrey-Chambertin, the rustic Nuit Saint Georges, and the power and grace of Vosne-Romanee. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary wines of the Cote de Nuits with Sommelier Chris Tanghe.

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May 19 – COTE DE BEAUNE
Puligny-Montrachet is the greatest white wine-producing commune in the world. The wines of Pommard are earthy and minerally, Beaune shows pinot noirs purity and expresses the grapes’ elegance even in its youth, Volnay is the most charming and delightful commune in the Cote d’Or. The wines of Corton are explosive and bold. Smell, sip and swirl the intricate expressions of chardonnay and pinot noir from their homeland with Lead Sommelier Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen.

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June 23 – CHAMPAGNE AND CHABLIS
Literally translated as ‘open landscape’, Champagne is not just any sparkling wine. It is a wine produced from three specific grape varieties: chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier using the ‘Champagne method’ from the province of the same name. Although sparkling wine is produced all over the world, it can only be called ‘Champagne’ in this heavily regulated wine district.  Explore Champagne and the wines of Chablis through the eyes of Sommelier Luke Wohlers.

Call 206-456-7474to reserve your spot.

Opinionated About Dining’s Top Restaurant list is out and Cafe Juanita is listed as ninth in the nation for Italian cuisine.

“Though Italy is nearly 6,000 miles away, Holly Smith does such a good job of capturing the spirit of its cuisine that her restaurant might as well be located outside of Bologna. Smith utilizes the bounty of the Northwest in starters like Madhatcher squab breast with escarole, walnut oil and aged balsamico; maltagliati with Cattail Creek lamb sugo, minted green beans and honeyed ricotta; and rabbit braised in Arneis wine with a Ligurian chickpea crepe, pancetta and porcini. Beloved by a number of our reviewers, the place garnered comments like ‘super-high-quality ingredients and owners who really care’ and ‘the best Italian restaurant in the Seattle area; nothing else comes close.’”

Cafe Juanita was also listed as number five on the Top 25 Pacific Northwest list, alongside Spinasse who came in at number fifteen.

“Of all of Italy’s regional cuisines, Piemontese might be the least familiar to American diners. But don’t tell that to Jason Stratton, whose dedication to reproducing it as faithfully as possible results in a fully booked restaurant from the moment it opens until closing time. At the heart of Stratton’s cooking are his homemade pastas, and if you sit at the chef’s counter and order a tasting menu, it will likely include tortellini in broth, tagliatelle with pork shoulder that has been braised in milk and what one reviewer called “the best tajarin I’ve had outside of Italy,” lightly tossed with butter and sage. A ‘small and decent list’ of northern Italian wines and ‘friendly service’ make a visit here one of the most delightful evenings in the city.”

Great news for the lunch crowd: TRACE in the W Seattle is now offering their fresh, delicious and remarkably gorgeous sushi Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m as well as at dinner Monday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.

Just look at these mouthwatering sustainably sourced delights: