Higgins' Giant Paella in Hillsdale; Two Pearl Wine Events

On today's lunchtime EaterWire, possible future dining/drinking planz:

HILLSDALE: Higgins Restaurant's Greg Higgins will cook up what's being dubbed "the largest paella dinner in Oregon" on Saturday, September 10, as part of a benefit for Hillsdale Main Street and Neighborhood House. Higgins teams with Hillsdale chef Ted Coonfield and guest chef Chris Biard (of Sonoma, California's Auberge du Soleil) to create the gigantic, five-foot-round platter of paella; Baker & Spice will handle bread and dessert. Tickets to the outdoor fest are $75 and available here.

PEARL DISTRICT: More than 100 Willamette Valley wineries gather in the Pearl for Pinot in the City, an annual celebration that brings the valley's best wines downtown (eliminating the need to fight over who has to DD from wine country). This year's event fetes on September 10 and 11 at the corner of NW 9th & Marshall, and in addition to pours, will include bites from wine country restaurants like Dundee Bistro, La Rambla, and Eric Bechard's casual spot Community Plate. Tickets are $60 for one-day entrance ($90 for two-day); more information here.

PEARL DISTRICT: The Yamhill-Carlton Valley brings it to the Pearl's Gerding Theater on Monday, August 29, with more than 20 wineries — including Anne Amie, Seven of Hearts, Big Table Farm, and Penner-Ash — pouring during a one-night-only tasting event. And, of course, valley-area restaurants are on board: Expect nosh from Cuvee, La Rambla, Joel Palmer House, Nick's, and The Horse Radish. Tickets are $30 and available here.

Image of Greg Higgins courtesy Zester Daily