Ebenezer Open House, The BridgePort Ale House, 3632 SE Hawthorne, Mon Dec 12, 6-9 pm, free
‘Tis the season of giving and the BridgePort Ale House is extending an invitation to join them for their special holiday party, The Ebenezer Open House. This hoedown will include a complimentary buffet with plenty of taste-bud pleasers plus live acoustic bluegrass music by Sneakin’ Out. Food and music is totally free (not booze), but a donation of two canned goods or a new, unwrapped toy for the Giving Tree would be greatly appreciated. CSB
Grand Opening, Balvo, 529 NW 23rd, opening benefit party Sat Dec 10, 6-9 pm, $100
Balvo, an authentic, modern trattoria, is having a grand opening party this Saturday. With Bluehour’s Kenny Giambalvo as the executive chef, it features Italian fare seven days a week, 7 am to midnight, and promises an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. Mornings will feature pastries and espresso drinks using Stumptown coffee. Lunchtime offers up paninis, soups, and salads, while dinner includes a fantastic spread of pastas, entrees, and desserts. If you’re looking to splurge, come down opening night for a special benefit, where $90 (!!) of your $100 meal ticket will go to the Oregon Children’s Museum. CSB
The Olive Oil Celebration, Fratelli, 1230 NW Hoyt, 241-8800, Mon Dec 12, 6:30 pm, $59
To celebrate the 2005 vintage Italian olive oil, Fratelli is preparing a special five-course dinner with Olio Verde from Sicily’s 2005 harvest and extra virgin olive oil from the Pacific Sun Company in Northern California. Three guest chefs will be joining Fratelli chef Paul Klitsie to prepare a decadent feast at a relatively reasonable price. Be sure to call for reservations. CSB