Wednesday, May 28
• The Four Seasons hosts a "Step Into Summer" benefit for the Greater Boston Food Bank from 6-9pm. Tickets are $75. [Greater Boston Food Bank]

Saturday, May 31
• The cutest thing (and possibly the most suitable thing, for the South End): Beehive hosts the "Bark Brunch" - brunch for you and your pooch! Treats provided by Polka Dog are paired with brunch for humans so that people really can eat brunch with their dogs! This event benefits the Companion Animal Protection Society. We want pictures! [Beehive]

Sunday, June 1
• Is it ever too soon to escape down the Cape? If you think so, guess again - the Cape Cod Life Food and Wine Festival runs from Sunday to Wednesday. Wine dinners and cultural happy hours abound. Depending on what you want to do, tickets range from $15 to $50. [Cape Cod Life]

Wednesday, May 21
• A little bird told us that tonight is Girls' Night Out at Masona Grill in West Roxbury. From 7-9, this event, which features food, fashion, prizes, and sangria, is $40 a head.

Tuesday, May 27
• Leave it to UpStairs on the Square to be adorable about asparagus. The Glory of Asparagus is a four-course dinner with wines for $75 at 6:30. [UpStairs on the Square]
• From 6-9, Vlora will be hosting a Mike's Hard Lemonade tasting, featuring Mike's drinks and Vlora's tasty comestibles. [Vlora]

Thursday, May 15
• Craving a nice rose? So are we, and what better place to taste a few than Meritage? The first in the Seasonal Sips series, the event will take place from 5:30-7:00. [Meritage]
• Excelsior cocktails for only $5? Why yes, of course we would be glad to celebrate their 5th anniversary. From 10pm to 2am. [Excelsior Restaurant]

Friday, May 16
• TGIF! Girls' night out, anyone? $19 a person gets you three sangria tickets and appetizers from 7-9pm. [Vlora Boston]

Tuesday, May 20
• Fan of Australian wines? Check out the Grateful Palate tasting in the Jewel Box at UpStairs on the Square. Four-course dinner with wine starts at 6:30pm and costs $65. [UpStairs on the Square]
• Lucky you! Another Spanish wine tasting at Tasca Spanish Tapas, this time with a very interesting theme. Wine-maker Jose Ignacio Bordeje hosts at 7pm. [Tasca]

Monday, May 12
• The owner of Petit Robert Bistro is teaching a master class at the French Library on Marlborough from 6:30=8:30pm. Tickets are $65 if you are a member of the Alliance Francaise, and $85 if you are not. The class will be conducted in both French and English. Formidable! [Alliance Francaise]

Tuesday, May 13
• A Tuesday Tasting at Legal Sea Foods sound like your kind of Tuesday? Head over to the Copley Place location, from 6-8pm. $19 in advance, $29 at the door. [Boston Event Guide]
• Meet the winemakers of Bordeaux's Left Bank at 6:30pm at UpStairs on the Square. It'll be in the Jewel Box for $95. [Upstairs On the Square]
• We plan to attend the World Cocktail Day at Green Street Grill (as it is our professional responsibility). $35 at 7pm - try five classic cocktails made by some rather famous bartenders! [Drink Boston]

Wednesday, May 14
• The night to be a fashionable philanthropist is surely Fashion Wednesday at Sel de la Terre. $25 a person between 12 and 2pm at the Natick location, this event benefits Dress for Success. [Sel de la Terre]

Wednesday, April 30
•Tonight, Tasca Spanish Tapas is having a Spanish wine dinner, featuring five wines paired with some of their signature tapas. At 7pm, the event costs $49. [Tasca]
•Umbria is also hosting a wine dinner, featuring wines from California's Coturri Vineyards, at 6:30pm, for $85. [Umbria Ristorante]

Friday, May 2
• Happy birthday, Cambridge Brewing Co! Why does it seem the celebration is for us? This free event is both Friday and Saturday, from 5pm to 1am. [Cambridge Brewing Co.]

Saturday, May 3
• Go to Vinalia for their Spring Wine Fest. The event lasts from 7:30pm to 2am, so plan accordingly! Tickets range from $79-95. [Vinalia]

Thursday, April 10
•Taste of the Nation, Share Our Strength's annual fundraising extravaganza, returns to Boston with a gala featuring more than eighty of our city's best restaurants. The fun starts at 6:30pm at Hynes Convention Center, and tickets, which cost $85, may be purchased online. [Share Our Strength]

Saturday, April 12
•Hopefully, Rialto's blind wine tasting won't leave you blind drunk. Wine Director Kelly Coggins will lead participants through tastings of four wines. Class runs from 1pm-2:30 pm. Call (617) 661-5050 to save your spot. [Rialto]

Sunday, April 13
•Beacon Hill Bistro kicks off its Sunday Market Menu dinner series with a $40 three course prix fixe focusing on early spring's bounty (fava beans, etc.). Call (617) 723-7575 to reserve. [Beacon Hill Bistro]
•Carolyn Johnson is the Chef de Cuisine at Rialto. Her boyfriend, Billy Flumerfelt, holds the same job at Icarus. This Sunday, the two will join forces to create a $40 three-course dinner at Rialto. Cute! Call (617) 661-5050 to feel the love. [Rialto]

Thursday, April 3
•UpStairs on the Square hosts the fine folks from California's Abundance Wineries for a four course dinner featuring treats like green garlic soup with a poached egg. Dinner costs $65 and you can save your place by calling (617) 864-1933. [UpStairs on the Square]

Monday, April 7
•South Africa produces some of our favorite wines, so we were quite excited to hear about Picco Pizza & Ice Cream's dinner focusing on the wines of the country. $40 gets you four courses. Call (617) 927-0066 to reserve. [Picco]

Wednesday, April 9
•Opening Day Opening Day Opening Day WOOOOOOOO! Um. We're a little excited. Celebrate Boston's greatest day at the Get Your Sox On party at the Greatest Bar. The fun happens from 6:30pm-10pm. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door and may be purchased online. [Boston Event Guide]

The inability to resist a pun will be Diner's Agenda's downfall.

Wednesday, March 26
•Just when you thought the dining experience at UpStairs on the Square couldn't get any more lovelier or more baroque, they introduce a whole new element: opera. Tonight at 6:30, students from the Longy School of Music will perform arias and duets to accompany a three-course meal. Reservations for the meal, which costs $50, are going like hotcakes, so call (617) 864-1933 to reserve ASAP! [UpStairs on the Square]
•Boston Uncorked is celebrating its third birthday (coming soon: temper tantrums and an awful refusal to take naps) with a party at Vox Populi at 7pm. $39 gets you hors d'oeuvre, wine, and general good times and tickets may be purchased online. [Boston Uncorked]

Thursday, March 27
•Lucca goes luxe(r than usual) with a five-course dinner highlighting the wines of Castello di Ama, north of Siena. The oyster chowder with truffles is, in and of itself, a reason to pony up $125. Call (617) 742-5522 to reserve. [Lucca]

Sunday, March 30
•The lovely ladies of LUPEC Boston are throwing a ladies night at Toro to raise money for Dana-Farber. Admission is free, but the price of the delicious cocktails will go towards the cause. The fun starts at 9pm and no reservations are necessary. [LUPEC Boston]

Tuesday, April 1
•Hampshire House is having a party for (wait for it) bird conservation. Apparently, the proceeds from the cash bar will benefit the Audubon Society, which is lovely. The fun starts at 6pm and admission is free. [Hampshire House]

Diner's Agenda is ready for spring.

Friday, March 21
•Remember back in December when the Milky Way Lounge & Lanes was almost shut down because they don't have a sprinkler? They can't go on like this forever, so here's where you come in: at 9pm, they'll be having a fundraising concert to help offset the $70,000 it's costing to install those sprinklers. Pressure Cooker, Iyeoka, and The Press Project will all perform. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $18 at the door and can be purchased online. [Milky Way]

Monday, March 24
•Make it a Sex and the City sort of night by taking in a Sara Campbell fashion show at UpStairs on the Square. For a mere $15, you can take in the trunk show between 6pm and 8pm and enjoy plenty of wine and nibbles. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal! Call (617) 864-1933 to reserve. [UpStairs on the Square]
•Are there three sweeter words in the English language than "Wisconsin cheese dinner?" We think not. KO Prime makes our week with a $90 six course cheese-based feast at 6:30pm. Each course will be cooked by a different local chef, including Colin Lynch of No. 9 Park. Call (617) 772-0202 to save your spot. [KO Prime]
•Picco Pizza & Ice Cream will be holding a five-course Italian wine dinner at 6:30, featuring delicacies such as braised short ribs and honey ice cream. Reservations, which cost $50, may be made by calling (617) 927-0066. [Picco]

Tuesday, March 25
•Newton's Union Street Restaurant will be holding a five course Sam Adams beer dinner at 7pm. Sounds pretty standard, right? Here's the twist. The dessert is fried Snickers bars. Fried Snickers bars!!!! Truly, that cannot be topped. Tickets are $50. Call (617) 964-6684 to reserve. [Union Street]

Diner's Agenda hates Daylight Savings Time, just a little bit.

Wednesday, March 12
•Legal Sea Foods, one of the most quintessentially Bostonian companies, brings our fair city a taste of Napa with their 6:30pm dinner featuring the wines of Caymus Vineyards. $125 gets you five courses with appropriate wine pairings. Call (617) 530-9397 to reserve. [Legal Sea Foods]

Thursday, March 13
•For a dining adventure, why not head out to Hingham for Tosca's J. Lohr Vineyards wine dinner at 6:30pm. Tickets are $80, which buys you five courses with pairings (we're especially intrigued by the duck ragu with whole wheat gnochhette). Call (781) 740-0080 to save your spot. [Tosca]

Sunday, March 16
•It's Lobster Sunday at Lineage! For a mere $45, you can feast on a three-course dinner featuring everyone's favorite crustacean. Really, why wouldn't you stop by? [Lineage]
•We recently learned the horrifying fact that the lack of clean drinking water is the second-biggest killer of children under five. Here's how you can help: head to any one of the dozens of Hub restaurants participating in the Tap Project between 3/16 and 3/22. You'll be charged for your usually-complimentary tap water and the proceeds from the water will go to UNICEF, which will use it to provide safe drinking water for children across the world. [The Tap Project]

Diner's Agenda can't believe The Wire is almost over.

Friday, March 7
•In a move reminiscent of nothing so much as Freaky Friday (which is, by the by, underrated as both a work of young adult literature and a Lindsay Lohan movie), chefs Ana Sortun of Oleana and Marc Orfaly of Pigalle will be trading places tonight: each will cook a five course meal in the other's restaurant. It should be a delicious adventure! Dinner costs $75 at Oleana and $95 at Pigalle and you may call either restaurant to reserve. [Boston Chefs]

Saturday, March 8
•Fireside chats are back at The Fireplace! Saturday's class deals with bourbon, one of our very favorite spirits. There will be tasting and chatting and general fun, starting at 3pm. Call (617) 975-1900 to save your place. [The Fireplace]

Sunday, March 9
•KO Prime keeps it old school with its Retro Sundays, an a la carte menu featuring, among other treats, all you can eat prime rib for $24.95. Not sold yet? There's also cherries jubilee! Call (617) 772-0202 to reserve. [KO Prime]

Diner's Agenda loves Cadbury Creme Eggs.

Wednesday, March 5
•UpStairs on the Square goes vegan with a four-course animal-product-free dinner at 6:30pm. There will even be vegan wine pairings, although, for the life of us, we can't figure out how wine isn't vegan already. Nevertheless! Tickets cost $55 and may be reserved by calling (617) 864-1933. [UpStairs on the Square]
•Sage celebrates women at 6:30 with a festa della nonna featuring six courses, each cooked by a top female chef, including Ana Sortun and Barbara Lynch. At $120, tickets are not cheap, but probably well worth it. Call (617) 248-8814 to reserve. [Sage]

Thursday, March 6
•Looking for a taste of almost all of the city's top restaurants? Head to Chefs Cooking For Hope, a fundraiser for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at 125 High Street at 6:30pm. More than 40 restaurants will be serving up their signature dishes. Tickets, which cost $100, may be purchased online. [Friends of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute]

Diner's Agenda finally feels better!

Tuesday, March 4
•No matter how many times we read the phrase "Smuttynose Beer Dinner" (and oh, we read it a lot, because man is that company fond of beer dinners), we can't help but giggle. At 7:30pm, Smuttynose will be partnering with Church for a five-course dinner with appropriate beer pairings. The dessert option (dark chocolate pot de creme with an imperial stout) sounds particularly appealing. Tickets, which cost $55, may be reserved by calling (617) 236-7600. [Church]
•It's time for the second annual North End Progressive Dinner. No, it won't be a bunch of North Enders reminiscing about how great Robert Reich's candidacy was, but instead consists of a four-course dinner taking place at four different restaurants. Here's how it works: diners will move between Prezza , Lucca, Tresca, and Taranta Cucina Meridonale and eat one course at each restaurant. It promises to be a unique dining experience! The fun starts at 6:30pm and tickets, which cost $50, may be purchased at Prezza or by calling (617) 227-1577. [Prezza]

Diner's Agenda wouldn't mind not having the flu anymore.

Friday, February 29
•So, apparently, today is, in addition to leap day, Sadie Hawkins Day, a day where girls are supposed to ask boys out. In celebration, UpStairs on the Square is holding a Sadie Hawkins Day dinner, complete with aphrodisical menu and free champagne. Tickets, which cost $75, may be reserved by calling (617) 864-1933. [UpStairs on the Square]
•Meanwhile, over at 75 Chestnut, Leap Day is a time to celebrate Audrey Hepburn. There will be special Audrey-themed cocktails and a raffle of a pearl necklace. The fun starts at 5pm, so be there! [75 Chestnut]

Saturday, March 1
•Verrill Farm out in Concord is offering a very nice deal: a pancake breakfast complete with pancakes, maple syrup, sausages, and bacon for only $6! Breakfast runs from 9am-12pm and no reservations are necessary. [Verrill Farm]
•Rialto will be offering a cooking class from 11am-2pm focusing on the cuisine of Italy's Alto Adige region. As always, class includes a sit down lunch. Call (617) 661-5050 to save your spot. [Rialto]

Diner's Agenda has felt better.

Thursday, February 28
•Alibi is hosting an exciting clothing sale from 11am-8pm on Thursday and 11am-4pm on Friday, featuring clothes from shops like Stil and Grettaluxe for an astonishing 50-70% off. Won't someone think of the food smells on the clothing?!? [Alibi]
•The Blue Room is going crazy for their Le Piane wine dinner at 6:30. Courses will include a whole roasted lamb. A whole roasted lamb! Tickets, which cost $75 may be reserved online or by calling (617) 494-9304. [The Blue Room]
•Slow Food BU is holding an extraordinarily useful lecture at 7:30 in room 101 of the Kenmore Classroom Building on how to be able to eat sustainably on the cheap. Admission is a mere $5, so even cheapskates like us can afford it. Awesome! [Slow Food BU

Diner's Agenda cannot believe last night's Wire.

Monday, February 25
•Sicilian food and wine guru Fabrizia Lanza comes to Rialto tonight for a four course wine dinner highlighting the region's cuisine. The fun starts at 6:30, and seats, which cost $100, may be reserved by calling (617) 661-5050. [Rialto]

Tuesday, February 26
•If the press releases we receive every day are to be believed, Boston just can't get enough of Spanish wine dinners. There's another one at Tasca at 7pm. $49 gets you five courses with wine pairings, including a delightful sounding herb crusted lamb chop over a white bean and duck casoulet. Call (617) 730-8002 to save your spot. [Tasca]
•Hey, service industry readers! Sel De La Terre is hosting a leap year party/service industry celebration from 11pm-2am. There will be food and drink aplenty, as well as live music. The best part? It's all free. [Sel De La Terre]
•We don't know if you've heard, but Starbucks nationwide will be closed from 5:30pm-8:30pm. We are of the mind that the world will not end (hint: you can patronize neighborhood coffee shops!), but Dunkin' Donuts apparently feels slightly differently. In order to capitalize on the Starbucks spillover, they'll be offering 99 cent lattes and cappucinos from 1pm-10pm. Hot. [Dunkin' Donuts]

Diner's Agenda is wondering when that global warming is going to hit Boston.

Friday, February 22
•North Enders rejoice! Prezza has free gnocchi bolognese and Barolo for all customers from 5pm-7pm. The catch, of course, is that you have to get to Prezza to eat it, but that's less of a problem if you live in the area. [Prezza]
•If you're based in Waltham, head to the Sam Adams beer dinner at Gordon's Fine Wine & Culinary Center. $50 gets you a four course dinner. The fun starts at 7pm and reservations may be made online. [Gordon's]

Saturday, February 23
•If you're the sort of person who enjoys this type of thing, you should know that there will be a free tasting at the Best Cellars in Brookline of vegan wine and "sheese", which is, apparently, a soy-based vegan "fake cheese." Sheesh. Anyways, it's free and it's happening from 2pm-5pm. [Boston Vegan Association]

Diner's Agenda is ready for lunch.

Wednesday, February 20
•In the middle of a long and dreary February, what could be better than a taste of the sun-dappled Mediterranean? Head to Vlora at 7pm for a wine social featuring seven international wines, including some available exclusively at Vlora, and a selection of Mediterranean appetizers. Tickets, which cost $40, may be reserved by calling (617) 638-9699. [Vlora]

Thursday, February 21
•The 7pm Brunello v. Vino Nobile wine tasting at Tomasso Trattoria is geared toward "wine novices and experts alike", so its perfect for you, the wine snob, and your vino-ignorant date (or vice versa!). $30 gets you up to nine wines to taste, as well as some Italian delicacies to further enrich the palate. Call (508) 481-8484 to save your spot. [Tomasso Trattoria]

Diner's Agenda is not impressed.

Monday, February 18
•Mansfield's Trattoria Della Nonna focuses on the cuisine of Calabria, a region in Southern Italy with a rich culinary tradition that was once known as "the land of wine", so its only proper that they'll be holding a dinner focusing on the wines of the region at 6pm. $85 gets you five courses with wine pairings, including a delectable-sounding dish of lamb slow-cooked with tomatoes and potatoes with Swiss chard. Call (508) 339-5432 to save your spot. [Trattoria Della Nonna]
•Ice wines are delicious dessert wines made from grapes that have frozen on the vines. At 6:30pm, Gordon's Fine Wine & Culinary Center will be holding a seminar on pairing the sweet wines with cheeses. We rather recommend going, as ice wine is nice wine. Tickets, which cost $35, may be purchased online. [Gordon's]

Diner's Agenda wishes it was a three-day weekend.

Saturday, February 16
•As Bostonians, we're experts on shellfish...or at least, the more typical shellfish like clams, mussels, and, of course, lobsters. Those aren't, however, the only shellfish in the sea. At 11am, Great Bay chef Adam Fuller will be teaching a class on the lesser-known shellfish like razor clams. $125 gets you class and lunch, which comes with wine pairings. Call (617) 532-5300 to save your spot. [Great Bay]
•Valentine's Day may be over now, leaving in its wake dramatically discounted conversation hearts, but UpStairs on the Square isn't quite done celebrating yet. From 3pm-5pm, they'll be hosting a Valentine Sweetheart Tea with special V-Day treats including Valrhona hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows. Tea costs $25 for adults and $14 for kiddies and reservations may be made by calling (617) 864-1933. [UpStairs on the Square]

Sunday, February 17
•Rocca throws another one of their excellent Sunday suppers from 4pm-9pm. As always, $22 gets you three courses. This week's menu included semolina gnocchi with sage pesto: yum. Call (617) 451-5151 to get in on the fun. [Rocca Boston]
•Meanwhile at The Metropolitan Club, Sunday supper will be inspired by New England and New Orleans, so look for lots of great seafood. Dinner runs from 5pm-8pm and you call (617) 731-0600 to reserve. [The Metropolitan Club]

Diner's Agenda sure wouldn't mind a sunny day.

Wednesday, February 13
•We may have been inaccurate when we said yesterday that candy was the true meaning of Valentine's Day. The meaning of Valentine's Day is actually sweets in general. Celebrate the reason for the season at tonight's Divine Chocolate and Wine Tasting Dinner at Panzano. There will be plenty of treats (including chocolate fondue!) and plenty of booze, all for free. [Panzano]
•The reservation situation for tomorrow night is ridic, so why not celebrate V-Day a night early? UpStairs on the Square will be hosting a fancypants wine dinner. $65 gets you four courses with wine pairings. Call (617) 864-1933 to save your spot. [UpStairs on the Square]

Diner's Agenda wouldn't mind more of that Florida weather.

Monday, February 11
•29 Newbury may not have made our list of the best Restaurant Week bets this morning, but it's definitely topping our bargain list now. From Sundays-Wednesdays now through March, the restaurant is offfering three courses for $29. Even more incredibly, those three courses include high-end options like grilled sirloin. Not too shabby! Call (617) 536-0290 to reserve. [29 Newbury]
•Grotto is also getting in on the prix fixe action. Throughout February, they'll be offering three courses for $35. We'd recommend the gnocchi and short ribs. Call (617) 227-3434 to save your spot. [Grotto]

Diner's Agenda is obsessed with this election cycle.

Wednesday, February 6
•As long time readers have doubtless noticed, we're rather fond of Community Servings, both for the dedication they show to Boston's homebound population and for their tasty, tasty pie. At 6pm, they'll be holding a fundraiser at Azure. The theme is blue, so blue clothes, blues-inspired hors d'oeuvres, and, of course, blue cocktails will be present and accounted for. Tickets, which cost $50, may be purchased online. [Community Servings]
•Awfully, we always associate Bob Marley with fratty stoner college boys, so it's generally a nice surprise when we remember that we actually enjoy his music. You know who else likes Bob Marley? The folks at East Coast Grill & Raw Bar. They like him so much, in fact, that they'll be hosting a special culinary tribute to the man tonight, featuring an a la carte menu full of Jamaican-inspired treats. Call (617) 491-6568 to reserve. [East Coast Grill]

Friday, February 8
•We know we're not the only person who regularly eats a dinner of samples at Whole Foods. From 3pm-6pm, the Brighton location will be upping the ante with Chocolate Fest, which, as far as we can tell, is just a whole whole lot of chocolately samples. Niiiiice. [Whole Foods]

Saturday, February 9
•Valentine's Day is fast approaching and we always think that a fine feast is a nice way to show your special someone just how special they are. Rialto will be offering a class at 11am on how to make an exquisite Valentine's Day dinner. Class costs $125. Call (617) 661-5050 to save your spot. [Rialto]
•We sort of love the colonial events at The Fireplace. At 3pm, they'll be celebrating Valentine's Day with (what else?) a reading of John & Abigail Adams' love letters. Dishes prepared from Abigail's recipes will be served. Delightful! The event costs $30 and reservations may be made by calling (617) 975-1900. [The Fireplace]

Sunday, February 10
•The fine folks at Slow Food Boston will be having a screening of King Corn at 4pm at the Theodore Parker Church in West Roxbury. Tickets are a mere $5, which is certainly a lot less than most movies and may be purchased at the door. [Slow Food Boston]

Diner's Agenda knows that even though the Giants won, the Pats are still the better team.

Monday, February 4
•What's up with all the Spanish wine dinners lately? We feel like we get word of a new one every other week. We love Spanish wine, don't get us wrong, but seriously. This is a little excessive. Anyways! If you've missed the last several options, there will be another one at 6:30pm at Tasca Spanish Tapas hosted by Boston Uncorked. $65 gets you five courses with wine pairings and reservations may be made online. [Boston Uncorked]
•Bargain alert! To celebrate the leap year, Union Bar & Grille will be offering a three-course menu for $29 every day of February except the 14-16. Not too shabby! [Union Bar & Grille]

Tuesday, February 5
•It's time for another Celebrate Seafood dinner at the Aquarium. Sure, it might be a little perverse to chow down on seafood at the home of thousands of fish, but when Rebecca Newell of Beehive is serving up yummy treats, who cares? As always, dinner starts at 7pm and tickets, which cost $65 for Aquarium members and $75 for non-members, are available online. [New England Aquarium]

Diner's Agenda would like a coffee drip IV, please.

Friday, February 1
•We don't mean to brag or anything, but we're really super awesome at trivia. Trust us, you don't want to go up against us at Trivial Pursuit. We would, however probably not be any good at tonight's Wine Trivia competition at Gordon's. If you are a bigger wine nerd than we are, however (and really, who isn't?) you might want to check it out. It's at 7pm and it's free! [Gordon's Fine Wine & Culinary Center]
•The Hello Stiletto Shoe Club and Hampshire House team up with the Accelerated Cure Project to present the Glow and Behold Ball at 8pm. It basically sounds like the best ever excuse to get dressed up, dance and eat a delicious selection of hors d'oeuvres. Tickets, which cost $65, may be purchased online. [Accelerated Cure Project]

Saturday, February 2
•Love the brunch at the Oak Room? Want to learn how to make it for yourself? Then check out this week's installment of the Celebrity Chef series at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, which will feature Arwi Odense, the Oak Room's chef. As always, the fun starts at 1pm, and your $60 reservation may be made online. [Boston Center for Adult Education]
•The French Library hosts Roland Mesnier, White House Pastry Chef, for a book signing and reception (complete with delicious desserts, naturally). Mesnier has been in the White House for a whopping 25 years, so we're betting he has some pretty excellent stories. The event starts at 2pm, and tickets, which cost $35 for members and $45 for the general public, may be reserved by calling (617) 912-0400. [The French Library of Boston]

Diner's Agenda has too many books out from the library.

Wednesday, January 30
•It's so warm out today! What's up with that? Celebrate the temperate weather with a trip up to Portsmouth for the French Catalonia wine dinner at Black Trumpet Bistro. France's Catalonia region is, as the name implies, bordering Spain, so the region's cuisine combines the most delicious aspects of both French and Spanish foods. Dinner starts at 6:30pm and tickets, which cost $90, may be reserved by calling (603) 431-0887. [Black Trumpet Bistro]

Thursday, January 31
•We must confess to some startling ignorance: until last week, we thought that barleywine was just some sort of hippy-dippy wine. It turns out it's actually really strong beer. Much better! Cambridge Brewing Co will be paying tribute to the genre from 5pm-10pm by offering a selection of barleywines (including the hilariously-named Blunderbuss Barleywine) and some fine tapas. Reservations, which are only being taken for parties of eight or more, may be made by calling (617) 494-1994. [Cambridge Brewing Company]

Diner's Agenda covets America Ferrera's dress from last night's SAG Awards.

Monday, January 28
•We are far, far, far too wimpy to check out Hell Night at East Coast Grill & Raw Bar, but folks with hardier constitutions seem to love it. This time around, Hell Night is stretching out over three nights, giving you three chances to totally destroy your tastebuds. Call (617) 491-6568 to save your spot(s). [East Coast Grill]

Tuesday, January 29
•At 7pm, Icarus will host Michael Honig of Honig Wineries for a five course dinner with wine pairings. The cost is $75, which is actually a pretty good deal as Excelsior charged $150 for their similar event in July. Call (617) 426-1790 to reserve. [Icarus]
•Get ready for the Pats' win on Sunday by basking in the glow of Boston's last big win when the 2007 World Series trophy makes a stop at Cheers at 7pm. There's a $5 suggested donation at the door, and all proceeds will go to "Cheers for Children", an organization that raises money for several children's charities. [Cheers]

Diner's Agenda can't believe it's already Friday. Awesome!

Saturday, January 26
•The Greater Boston Food Bank's Super Hunger Month continues with the justly legendary Super Hunger Brunch. Over twenty of the Hub's best restaurants will be offering prix fixe brunches from 11am-2pm on Saturday and Sunday at prices ranging from $25-50 per person. Call the restaurant of your choice to reserve. [Greater Boston Food Bank]
•This weekend's installment of the Fairmont Copley Plaza/Boston Center for Adult Education sponsored Celebrity Chefs series sticks very close to home for its teacher. Laurent Poulain, executive chef at the Fairmont, will be holding court from 1pm-3pm. As always, tickets, which are $60, may be reserved online. [BCAE]
•Hey, we're not sure you've heard or anything, but it turns out there's kind of a big football game next weekend and it seems like a New England team is playing. Might be a fun thing to check out! In the meantime, Gordon's is offering a class called Soup-er Bowls. Maybe the two things are related? The Gordon's class runs from 1pm-3:30pm and tickets, which cost $50, may be reserved online. [Gordon's Fine Wine & Culinary Center]

Sunday, January 27
•We're still tackling the conversion of all our foods to organic stuff. We haven't even started thinking about wine yet (do they even sell organic three buck Chuck?). If you're a little more advanced than we are, you might want to check out the organic and biodynamic wine dinner at Rialto at 6pm. $60 gets you a fine meal with eco-conscious wine pairings. Call (617) 661-5050 to reserve. [Rialto]

Diner's Agenda is excited by Moosewood frozen meals.

Wednesday, January 23
•Slow Food Boston turns their attention to cheese with a special dinner at Haley House Bakery celebrating the terroir of Westport and the making of cheese. $30 gets you a fine meal full of goodies like risotto and fried green tomatoes. The fun begins at 6pm and reservations may be made online. [Slow Food Boston]

Thursday, January 24
•Free cheese! Free cheese! Free cheese at Panzano Provviste e Vino! Stop by any time between 6pm-8pm to sample a variety of Italian wines and cheeses. A bargain at twice the price! [Panzano]
•The weather outside is only mildly frightful, but that will make an evening of skating and supper with the Beacon Hill Civic Association even more delightful. The merriment starts at 6pm with skating on Frog Pond and continues with an 8pm dinner at Hampshire House. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and may be purchased online. [Beacon Hill Civic Association]
•January is Super Hunger Month. Throughout the month, the Greater Boston Food Bank will be holding a series of excellent fundraisers. At 6pm, the Four Seasons will host the Super Hunger Chef Challenge where Rialto's Jody Adams and Pigalle's Marc Orfaly will fight to see, as they say, "whose cuisine reigns supreme." Tickets are a steep $250, but it's for a good cause and we're sure it will be a great meal. As seems to be the trend this week, they may be purchased online. [Greater Boston Food Bank]

Diner's Agenda is pumped for the three-day weekend.

Friday, January 18
•We enjoyed the 2005 movie Sideways, but we didn't exactly understand why every critic was hailing it like the damn second coming (unless it's just because many film critics are middle-aged men). Nevertheless, we enjoyed the movie and Thomas Hayden Church's role sticks with us and the viewing party (complete with wine tasting!) at Gordon's will probably be pretty fun. The party starts at 8pm, and tickets, which cost $35, may be purchased online. [Gordon's]

Saturday, January 19
•Rabbit is one of our favorite meats to order in restaurants, but we're scared to death of cooking it at home. Fortunately, Radius is offering a cooking class that seems to be targeted specifically at us. The 11am-2pm class will focus on cooking game meats. $125 gets you a demonstration and a tasty lunch. Call (617) 426-1234 to save your spot. [Radius]
•The Celebrity Chefs series at the Fairmont Copley Plaza continues with a lesson from Chris Douglass of Icarus. As always, class runs from 1pm-3pm and tickets, which cost $60, can be purchased online. [Boston Center for Adult Education]

Monday, January 21
•Andy Husbands and Ed Doyle of Tremont 647 are planning a culinary trip to Puglia, Italy and, in celebration, they've invited La Morra chef Josh Ziskin over to collaborate on an Italian feast. $39 gets you a glass of Prosecco, appetizers, and a four-course meal. The fun begins at 6:30. Call (617) 266-4600 to reserve. [Tremont 647]

Tuesday, January 22
•Boston Event Guide is hosting a very promising Spanish wine dinner at 7pm at Tasca. $79 gets you five courses with appropriate wine pairings, including a first course described as a "feast of traditional Spanish tapas." Make your reservation online. [Boston Event Guide]

Diner's Agenda has the flu.

Wednesday, January 16
•Yeah, you've only been back from your holiday vacation for a few weeks, and yeah, you've got a three-day weekend coming up, but it's still a pretty good time for some R&R. 75 Chestnut will be offering just that at their Relax and Rejuvenate night tonight from 5pm-11pm. In addition to their regular menu, there will be an oxygen bar, organic juices, and free massages! Sounds like a pretty good deal to us. [75 Chestnut]
•Perhaps you'd prefer to relax over some gourmet pizzas, wine, and shopping? If that's the case, Gordon's Fine Wine & Culinary Center has you covered. You can chow down, drink up, and shop for free, but all proceeds from the clothing go to the MS Cure Fund, because what's more relaxing that doing good? The party runs from 6pm-8pm and reservations may be made online. [MS Cure Fund]
•You know what else is relaxing? Bourbon. Head to Tomasso Trattoria to taste a whopping five bourbons and snacks aplenty. The fun gets started at 7pm and tickets, which cost $50, may be reserved by calling (508) 481-8484. [Tomasso Trattoria]

Thursday, January 17
•Interested in wine? Have $150 to spare? Why not check out the 7pm Drouhin Wine Dinner at Top of the Hub? The ticket price may seem high, but it gets you six high-end courses (think Chablis and saffron poached lobster) with excellent wine pairings and, of course, that view! Call (617) 536-1775 to save your place. [Top of the Hub]

Diner's Agenda is snowed out.

Tuesday, January 15
•Way back in November, Erwin Ramos and Ivan Torres of Ole Mexican Grill were invited to the James Beard House in New York to throw a Day of The Dead celebration. Now, two months later, they're finally bringing the party back to Cambridge with a seven course dinner featuring traditional dishes from Veracruz and Oaxaca. Call (617) 492-4495 to save your place. [Ole Mexican Grill]
•There's something very appealing about throwing a tapas party, since it hasn't been done to death. Unfortunately, however, we have no idea how to make interesting tapas that are not just pieces of jamón serrano and Manchego laid out on plates. Enter Gordon's Fine Wine & Culinary Center, which is offering a 6:30pm class on Spanish tapas and wine taught by Gerald Lopez of the Elephant Walk. The $60 class will teach students how to make four different tapas, which is more than enough to throw a party. Reservations may be made online. [Gordon's]
•Between that upcoming raw foods restaurant and the new Veggiest feature on Bostonist, Boston vegans are sort of having a moment, no? Their reign of terror/glory continues with a vegan dinner at Chez Henri. $50 gets you five courses, including a "Mexican 'Chocolate' Banana Tart with Celtic salted 'caramel'." Call (617) 354-8980 to get in on the meat and dairy free goodness. [Chez Henri]
•You know what we love? The BBC. No, not the British Broadcasting Corporation (oh, who are we kidding? We love that, too.), but the Berkshire Beer Company. Church will be hosting the brewers for a five-course dinner with beer pairings at 7:30. The courses seem fairly luxurious for $45, so we strongly encourage you to call (617) 236-7600 to save your spot. [Church]

Diner's Agenda is transfixed by Barack Obama's dancing.

Saturday, January 12
•Not to be too early 90s standup comic about it, but what's up with cupcakes? Everywhere we go, we see cupcake shops. We love cupcakes, but it just seems a bit much. Anyways, most of the cupcake bakeries are overpriced, so it's probably not a bad idea to learn how to make your own and, lucky you, the BCAE is offering a class on just that subject from 10am-1pm. The class costs $37 for members and $40 for non-members and will teach students how to make a variety of treats, including the much-coveted (by us) red velvet cupcake. Reservations may be made online. [Boston Center for Adult Education]
•Is there any more romantic word than "Tuscany?" We suspect not, so with Valentine's Day not too terribly far away, why not brush up on some regional cooking basics? Rialto will be offering a class on just that from 11am-2pm. Call (617) 661-5050 to save your spot. [Rialto]
•Once again it's time for the tremendously popular Celebrity Chefs Culinary Program hosted by the BCAE and the Fairmont Copley Plaza. This first installment takes place from 1pm-3pm at the Fairmont and features sushi expert Hiroko Shimbo. The class, which costs $60, is perfect for those who, like us, would love to make sushi at home but are totally terrified of doing it wrong and somehow giving everyone food poisoning. Reservations may be made online. [BCAE]
•So, the Boston French Center is having a traditional Fête des Rois to celebrate Epiphany. Apparently, there will be a Galette des Rois served, which led us to Google the term, which has led to us staring at this for the past twenty minutes. We strongly suggest going to the French Center's event, which runs from 2pm-5pm. It costs no more than $12 and you get to eat a pastry filled with two kinds of cream! Call (617) 912-0400 to save your sweets. [The Boston French Center]
•At 8:00, it'll be time to ensconce yourself somewhere cozy and watch the Pats trounce the Jaguars. Chef Paul O'Connell is representing the Patriots in an NFL Super Bowl cookoff and he'll be trying out his smoked cod and lobster chowder at Chez Henri during the game. Call (617) 354-8980 to reserve. [Chez Henri]
•If free food is more your speed for the playoffs, make a reservation at Croma, which will be offering Pats-inspired cocktails throughout the game and free pizza at halftime! Call (617) 247-3200 to save your spot. [Croma]

Diner's Agenda is loving the weather.

Wednesday, January 9
•We bet that Boston Uncorked is kicking itself for scheduling their Winter Warm Up event for a day when the high is going to reach damn near sixty, but it will probably still be a pretty good time. The party starts at 7pm at The Living Room. $45 gets you plenty of wine and nibbles and tickets may be purchased online. [Tix]

Thursday, January 10
•Jacob Wirth's Beer Club is back! Tonight's featured brews will come from Erdinger and, as usual, there will be munchies aplenty and drawings for prizes. Beer Club starts at 6pm and it's free as a bird, so just go already! [Jacob Wirth]

Diner's Agenda thought the season premiere of The Wire was great, but doesn't much care for the new theme song.

Monday, January 7
•Om is celebrating its second anniversary by offering a $33 three-course prix fixe dinner until January 23. How sweet of them to give us a present! The menu includes goodies like tuna carpaccio and short rib. Not too shabby! Call (617) 576-2800 to reserve. [Om]
•It's another one of those super-rare weeks where it's possible to make a same-day reservation for L'Espalier's Wine Mondays. Tonight's theme is "New World Wines for a New Year". Hmm, why does that sound familiar? As always, the party starts at 7pm and $55 gets you four courses with wine. Call (617) 262-3023 to save your place. [L'Espalier]
•Speaking of miraculous same-day reservations, there seems to still be space for one lucky MP: Boston reader to take class at Stir tonight. Jennifer Pieters of B&G Oysters will be teaching a class on Chenin Blanc, which is, apparently, the ultimate in winter whites. $105 gets you several samples of wine paired with French fare. Call (617) 423-7817 to nab the last spot. [Stir]

Diner's Agenda needs to stop going to bed so late.

Friday, January 4
•After the holiday party season, your fancy clothes have probably been put away and your wallet may well be seriously hurting, but there's no shame in wanting to treat yourself to a little lovely something. Enter Aujourd'hui's Friday night Bubbly Bar. Mosey along to the bar between 5:30pm-7pm for $10 glasses of champagne and free hors d'oeuvres. Finally, a luxurious indulgence that won't break the (rather strained) bank! [Aujourd'hui]
•It's cold out and really, all we want to do is settle somewhere cozy with a glass (or several) of wine and some nice toast. What better place to do (essentially) just that than Rialto, which will be serving up $7 glasses of wine and complimentary bruschetta? What a lovely and cozy way to kick off the weekend. [Rialto]

Sunday, January 6
•This month, The Metropolitan Club's Sunday Suppers are taking a trip to the Southwest with a Mexican-inspired feast. $30 gets you three courses, including a dessert of churros! Call (617) 731-0600 to save your spot. [The Metropolitan Club]

Diner's Agenda is still recovering from the holidays.

Wednesday, January 2
•Even though this is only a three day workweek for most of us, the first day back at work after a vacation is always a little bit stressful. Unwind at Sel De La Terre's Wine Wednesday. Tonight's topic? "New World Wines for the New Year." As always, four wines will be paired with four courses (tonight's menu includes osso bucco with truffle whipped potatoes and piperade). Dinner starts at 7pm and will run you $45 and you can call (617) 720-1300 to save your spot. [Sel De La Terre]

Thursday, January 3
•It's going to be disgustingly cold on Thursday (highs of 17!). You know what will warm you right up? A glass of sangria and some hot tapas. Tasca will be accompanying the aforementioned items with the classical Spanish guitar stylings of Eric Anthony from 7pm-10pm. All in all, it sounds much nicer than shivering your way to the grocery store and making your own dinner. [Tasca]

Diner's Agenda is going to hibernate like a bear for the next week and a half.

Friday, December 21
•Back in our collegiate days, a seminar was just a class with an extra-long paper at the end. At Gordon's, on the other hand, one make take a "seminar" that is simply tasting Gosset Champagnes. We think we like their version much, much better. The fun starts at 6:30 and tickets, which cost $30, may be purchased online. [Gordon's Fine Wine & Culinary Center]

Monday, December 24 & Tuesday, December 25
•Why not check out our guide to Christmas Eve and Day events for some activity ideas?

Thursday, December 27
•We adore the idea of getting all dressed up in our holiday finest and heading down to UpStairs on the Square for a dinner dance. The Winniker Orchestra will be playing, the dance floor will be hopping, and, best of all, the event is free to diners (non-diners will have to cough up twenty bucks). [UpStairs on the Square]

Monday, December 31 & Tuesday, January 1
•We've got you covered for New Year's Eve and Day!

Diner's Agenda is strep-free!

Wednesday, December 19
•Are you ready for the classiest event we've ever told you about? Okay. Tonight at 7pm, Gordon's Fine Wine & Culinary Center is hosting a Kahlua tasting. There will be three varieties of Kahlua (!!) and hints on how to mix the liqueur into festive holiday cocktails. A lesson from our ignominious holiday past: said "festive cocktails" should probably not include Kahlua milkshakes as those will do nothing but make your tummy sad. The Gordon's tasting is free, but online registration is required. [Gordon's Fine Wine & Culinary Center]
•Feast on comfort food at The Fireplace while listening to jazz as the restaurant hosts Jef Charland and the Last Monday Band from 9:30pm-12am. What a pleasant way to conclude Hump Day! There is no additional charge and reservations are not necessary. [The Fireplace]

Thursday, December 20
•It's a pretty exciting week over at Gordon's. The peculiar schedule of wine means that it's possible to conduct a December year-in-review that focuses on the wines of two years ago. In this case, attendees will be examining the Burgundies and ports of 2005. The fun kicks off at 6pm and tickets, which cost $30, may be purchased online. [Gordon's Fine Wine & Culinary Center]

Diner's Agenda is rocking around the Christmas tree.

Friday, December 14
•The North End is trying something new this year. Tonight from 7pm-11pm, they'll be holding Buon Natale, a shopping stroll. Stores will be open late, carolers will be roaming the streets, and cookies and cider will be widely available. [North End, Boston]

Saturday, December 15
•Continue your shopping in the French style as the French Library hosts Le Marché du Nöel from 10am-5pm. There will be a variety of vendors, including food from Sel De La Terre. The cost? A mere $2 for members and $5 for non-members. [The Boston French Center]
•Generally, the word "science" makes us want to run screaming, but we're still pretty damn intrigued by the Science of Pizza lecture at Harvard, which promises to answer questions from "why does pizza crust have holes" to "how does cheese form from milk?" (Our answer to both? Magic!) The lecture will run twice, once from 10am-11am and once from 1pm-2pm. Tickets, which are free, may be reserved online. [Harvard]

Sunday, December 16
•We suspect that Rialto is having their class on how to throw a sparkling wine party a little bit late in the game, but we suppose it's never too early to start planning for next year's holiday party season. Delightfully, the class (which will include tastings of four sparkling wines) is taking place from 11am-2pm. Tickets, which cost $125, may be reserved by calling (617) 661-5050. [Rialto]

Diner's Agenda is glad for the short respite from wintry mix.

Wednesday, December 12
•The only sin going down at Downtown Bistro's 6pm Harpoon Beer dinner will be gluttony, as diners feast on dishes such as ale-simmered cassoulet and beer-braised stuffed chicken wings. Harpoon's Ray Dobbins will be on hand to answer questions about the brews. All