Beer Pairing at Higgins; Events at Smallwares, MORE

On this week's event-planning EaterWire:

DOWNTOWN— Chef Greg Higgins celebrates seasonally appropriate beers with three nights of mid-winter's brewer's dinners from January 28 to 30. The five-course menu, available in the Higgins dining room all three evenings, features five different local beers: a pork charcuterie plate is paired with Hair of the Dog's "Doggie Claws," while an applewood-smoked ham arrives to the table with a winter ale from Worthy Brewing. Proceeds from the $100 reservation benefit the upcoming James Beard Public Market; reservations are required and available by calling 503-222-9070.

ALAMEDA/BEAUMONT— Chinese New Year arrives on January 31, but Smallwares chef Johanna Ware will celebrate with a special new year's menu on Wednesday, February 5. The seven-course, family-style menu features dishes like a Dungeness crab salad, Chinese sausage with flowering chives, and steamed branzino with mu shu pancakes. Reservations are $45 (with an optional $30 wine pairing); Smallwares' regular a la carte menu will also be available that evening.

NW/ALPHABET DISTRICT— Chef Nate Hamilton has launched his monthly pop-up Flight Dessert Bar in NW's Bluebird Bakers space, offering an all-dessert tasting menu and beverage pairings every Saturday in February (and Valentine's Day, because obviously). The next installment takes place Saturday, February 1 featuring a "re-imagined favorites" theme: expect iterations of desserts like 50/50 bars, carrot cake, and bananas Foster. Tickets are $45 and available here.

CENTRAL EASTSIDE INDUSTRIAL— Longtime east side bar Produce Row will celebrate its just-launched new menu with a Base Camp Brewing pairing dinner tomorrow, January 29. The event starts with a "cocktail hour" highlighting Base Camp's pilsner, then continues with a three-course dinner (dessert includes a taste of whiskey as well, pairing a dried cherry bread pudding with a saison-style beer and Multnomah Whiskey Library's Henry McKenna selection). Reservations are $45 and available here.

SE HAWTHORNE— Belgian beer bar Bazi Bierbrasserie will offer a respite for gluten-free diners during a seminar and pairing dinner on Thursday, January 30. The three-course dinner will feature completely gluten-free courses with beer or cider pairings (think dishes like a chicken sausage and polenta, and sweet potato tortellini with sage cream). Reservations are $29 and available here.

Photo of Higgins courtesy Avila/EPDX