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Looks Tasty: There is a tall forest of bread pudding in Mandolin Café's dessert case for $5 a slab. Also, creamy chicken Dijon is the soup du jour.

Spring Festival: The Hub's Pray For Sun annual party goes down today beginning at 4 p.m. Myles Crew will perform live from 4-7 p.m. A DJ will spin beginning at 10 p.m. Food and drink specials, prizes and giveaways will spring up throughout the party.

Friday's Uncorked: The Bayview School of Cooking in Olympia will pour Oregon Pinot Noir for its Friday wine tasting from 5-7:30 p.m. The cost is $12. By the way, Bayview also offers a Vietnam Culinary Tour with Pranee Khruasanit Halvorsen and Nancy Hebb Monday, May 10 at 6 p.m. There are a few spots left in the class, which costs $50.

Get Them While You Can: The Wine Bank in University Place picked up the last few cases of McKinley Springs Winery's 2006 red blend from its distributor. This afternoon the wine shop will be pouring tastes, as well as selling the bottles at special prices.

Lucky Mothers: Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub in downtown Tacoma will allow moms to eat free on Mother's Day - breakfast, lunch or dinner - with the purchase of two or more entrees.

Future Things Are Coming: The dates - yes dates - have been set for the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival: Friday, Oct. 1 from 6-10 p.m. AND Saturday, Oct. 2 from noon to 8 p.m. That's right, it's now two days. Once again, it will be held at The Foss Waterway Seaport, but expect a different entrance and exit, as well as a separation of the smoking and food areas. Also, there will be more breweries in the house. This year the festival will benefit Pierce County's Emergency Food Network.

LINK: Wine and beer tastings, dinners and events

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

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