PORTLAND

Winter market to debut at Irish Heritage Center

The Portland Winter Farmers Market sets up for the first time this season on Saturday at the Irish Heritage Center. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through April.

Fifteen farmers will offer a range of products, including winter greens, root vegetables, cheese, yogurt, kefir, hard salami, pork, beef, chicken, lamb, rabbit, tempeh, bread, eggs, apples and flower bulbs.

Unlike other markets, the Portland Winter Farmers Market won’t include artisans and crafters, but it will feature a different musical act each week and a kids’ table.

The center, at 34 Gray St., has 45 off-street parking spots.

For more information about the market, visit www.portlandmainewintermarket.com or search for Portland Maine Winter Market on Facebook.

Wine Revolution meeting tonight for tasting at Grace

The Wine Revolution at Grace, 15 Chestnut St., meets at 6 tonight.

The monthly wine club will be tasting selections from Italy, Washington, Argentina and California, with guidance from Barney Schneider of Optimus Imports.

The event will be held in the upstairs lounge, and costs $10.

Rwandan cooking class, dinner will be held Friday

Another Rwandan cooking class and dinner will be held Friday at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a traditional Rwandan meal.

The cost is $15 per person. Purchase tickets at the St. Pius X business office or call Mary Gordon at 797-7026, ext. 211, to register.

Portland Harbor Hotel having its annual ice bar

The Portland Harbor Hotel will have its annual ice bar Jan. 27-29.

This year tickets will be limited and sold online, in advance, through www.brownpapertickets.com. No tickets will be available at the door.

The ice bar, carved outside in the hotel’s courtyard, will include two martini bars, with specialty cocktails from Swedish Rokk Vodka. Shipyard Brewery beer will also be available.

Indoors, there will be a full bar, music provided by a DJ, and food from The Front Room, The Grill Room, The Corner Room, Havana South and DennyMike’s ’Cue Stuff.

Tickets are $15-$21 per person. For more information, call 775-9090.

‘Signature Event’ to kick off restaurant week on March 1

Maine Restaurant Week will be held March 1-12 this year, and will kick off with “The Signature Event.”

The Feb. 28 opening party will begin at 6 p.m. and feature 12 bartenders and their signature cocktails.

Among the bartenders already signed up to participate are Tom Laslavic from Natalie’s in Camden, last year’s winner; John Meyers from The Grill Room, last year’s runner-up; Patrick Morang from David’s; and Dave Thompson from Sonny’s.

The event will also include a dessert competition. Pastry chefs’ entries will be judged on presentation, creativity and taste. Categories include pastry, cupcake, cookie and confection.

Tickets are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com and are $30 per person in advance, or $35 after Feb. 1.

For more information, go to www.mainerestaurantweek.com and join the e-mail group, or call 775-2126.

– Compiled by Avery Yale Kamila and Meredith Goad