Las Primas' 2nd Anniversary; Crab Month at Departure

On this week's event-planning EaterWire:

N. WILLIAMS— Casual Peruvian spot Las Primas celebrates its second year on N. Williams with an anniversary party this Saturday, January 11, from 6-9p.m. In addition to live music by Martin Zarzar, the fete features $3 drink specials (for Inca Borrachos and Perú Libres), $2 Peruvian beers, and $5 pan con asado all night. More information here.

DOWNTOWN— Throughout the month of January, chef Gregory Gourdet will toast Dungeness Crab season with a five-course, all-crab prix fixe menu at Departure: The $65 tasting menu features dishes like crab soup with shiitake mushrooms and kuri squash; Dungeness Crab dumplings with sticky rice; and Dungeness fried rice with pork belly. Reservations not required by suggested by calling 503-802-5370.

ALAMEDA/BEAUMONT— Johanna Wares' Smallwares has announced the launch of a weekly Tuesday Flight Night, featuring a rotating flight of three three-ounce pours for $14. Each week, Ware will pair the flight with an optional pairing menu of three small plates; the first of the series (starting January 14) features wines from the Jura region of France alongside dishes like vadouvan-cured scallop and parsnip mussel veloute.

DOWNTOWN— Like its upstairs neighbor Departure, Urban Farmer will also offer a special Dungeness crab menu for the month of January: The $75, five-course tasting menu features courses like crab bisque with truffle, Dungeness crab risotto, and a main course of dry-aged New York strip with a crab hollandaise. Reservations are available by calling 503-222-4900.

ON THE COLUMBIA— The resurrected Salty's On the Columbia will offer its annual three-course dinner special through January, offering three courses for $30, with a trio of options within each course (for entrees, decide between grilled prawn skewers, blackened salmon Caesar, and chicken marsala).

Photo of Las Primas courtesy Avila/EPDX