Couples: Tacos & Tequila

Step down from the barstool — and go behind the bar instead! This Mixology 101 class teaches the foundational cocktail-making skills and techniques used by professional bartenders. (Much like “knife skills” is the first course taken by aspiring culinarians, Mixology 101 is the first building block toward more comprehensive cocktail knowledge.) In this class, you will learn about and make: Shaken Drinks; Stirred Drinks; Highballs & Spritzes; and Apéritifs & Digestifs.

Take a page from one of the world's most romantic countries (and cuisines) as you and your partner produce flavor-packed French favorites and gain new culinary knowledge. We'll make a complete meal that highlights the best ingredients and preparations France has to offer, including: tuna niçoise tartine; butter lettuce salad with radish and avocado in a creamy lemon-dijon dressing; coq au vin and pommes aligot.

Japanese cuisine is a sophisticated affair, where the aesthetics of the final dish are as important as its taste. Sushi, tempura and shabu-shabu are among its most common exports, but only offer a small glimpse at the richness and variety of dishes found throughout the country. This class will offer you an overview of the foods of Japan, along with a discussion of ingredients and equipment. You will make dashi broth and miso soup; beef negimaki; pork katsudon with rice; and shrimp and vegetable tempura.

This tasting examines time-honored Old World wine styles, shoulder to shoulder with New World interpretations of the same grape or blends. This lively discussion will highlight some selected matchups in a fun and relaxed blind-tasting format. ICE's resident sommelier, Richard Vayda, will lead the tour of classic Old World and modern New World wines (both cork and screw cap), as we discuss, taste and rate our favorites. Is it a Bordeaux or a California cabernet blend? A South Australia or German riesling? Cheese and other nibbles for pairing will be offered in between.