On the Plate: Upcoming Food and Wine Events

April 27th: Celebrate the Joy of Cooking at City Opera Thrift Shop
Okay, so it's not really a food event, but it's food related, and where else can you get kitchen items and vintage cookbooks while being a benefactor of the arts? 222 East 23rd Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

April 27th: Sherry & Soup Tasting
Women for WineSense, a nonprofit wine educational organization, presents a sherry and soup tasting with Joanna Pruess, author of Soup for Every Body: Low Carb, High Protein, Vegetarian and More, and restaurant critic Bob Lape. Reception from 6:30 to 7:00 PM, sit-down tasting and book signing from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Tickets are $45 Members, $55 Non-Members, and you can RSVP to WWineSenseNY(at)mac.com, or pay by credit card online. Pulse, 45 Rockefeller Center Plaza.

April 28th: Northern Italy Wine Class -- Friuli
Join wine director David Weitzenhoffer as he presents vine varietals from the Friuli region, including international varieties like sauvignon blanc and merlot to indeginous varietals like ribolla gialla and refosco. Tickets are $55. Call 212-758-1479 or visit the Felidia website for more information or reservations. Becco, 355 W. 46th street, 8:15 pm,

April 29th: An Italian Wine Dinner Featuring Italian Wines
Sounds like a logical match to us. The Oak Room Restaurant and Supper Club hosts this four course meal, and will be pairing each course with wine. Have some light, crisp Pinot Grigio with your antipasti, a rich, flavorful Barolo to balance your filet mignon, and some bubbly Prosecco to wash down the dark chocolate tiramisu. Visit their website for the full menu. Dinner is $85.00, which includes tip and tax. For reservations, call (718) 788-0400. Oak Room, Grand Prospect Hall, 263 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn.

April 30th: Free Sake Tasting at Acker Merrall & Condit
Free sake -- what more can we say? Go to Acker Merrall & Condit this Saturday from 2 - 5 PM, and not only can you taste a variety of sakes, but you might actually learn something! 160 W. 72nd Street at Amsterdam, 212-787-1700.