Agenda: Date Night, Brooklyn Eats, a Day-A-Whey, and Audible Eating

FEATURED EVENT

Sweet Eats to Heady Drinks
The Culinary Historians of New York present Dates in "Medieval Baghdad: Sweet Eats to Heady Drinks." Discover how medieval Baghdadi cooks and wine makers exploited the date, from its versatility as a sweetener to its ability to produce highly intoxicating wines. The lecture will be led by native Iraqi Professor Nawal Nasrallah (author, Delights from the Garden of Eden: A Cookbook). The event will take place at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) on Monday, May 5th with check-in and reception at 7:30 p.m. followed by the lecture at 8:00 p.m. Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets. $40/non-members and guests, $25/members, $22/students and seniors.

EVENTS THIS WEEK (April 30 through May 6)

Brooklyn Eats Tasting Event
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce presents the 11th Annual BROOKLYN EATS food fest at Abigail Kirsch at Stage 6 Steiner Studios (Brooklyn Navy Yard). Sample tasting portions of signature dishes from over 34 Brooklyn restaurants, complete with international wines, micro-brews, coffee, and Brooklyn sodas. Winners of the sixth annual Brooklyn Eats Scholarships will also be announced. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 30th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. $95/advanced ticket, $115/at the door.

UNISG Information Session
The University of Gastronomic Sciences will be holding an information session for prospective students interested in learning more about the school's programs and application procedures. The school was founded in 2003 by international Slow Food and has two campuses in the Italian regions of Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna. UNISG's four programs include an Undergraduate Degree in Gastronomy, a Graduate Degree in Gastronomic Business Management, a Master in Gastronomic Sciences, and a Master in Food Culture and Communication. The session will take place on Thursday, May 1st, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Murray's Cheese (254 Bleecker Street). Last minute attendees are welcome. To attend the session, email your name and phone number to d.szanto@unisg.it.

Meaty Demonstration
The Broadway Panhandler's series "Demonstrations and Conversations" presents Cree LeFavour, author of The New Steak: Recipes for a Range of Cuts plus Savory Sides. Using fresh ingredients and various cooking methods, LeFavour will demonstrate how to transform overlooked steak cuts including skirt, iron and flank into new favorites accompanied by savory sides. The free event will take place at Broadway Panhandler (65 East 8th Street) on Saturday, May 3rd from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (212.966.3434)

Sausage and Maibock Festival
Usher in biergarten season at Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten's 5th Annual German Sausage and Maibock Bier Festival. The festival will feature a variety of German sausage platters paired with Maibock Beer. The event will take place on Saturday, May 3rd at Loreley Restaurant & Biergarten (7 Rivington Street) from 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Admission is free, but is strictly on a first come, first serve basis. Contact the restaurant for more information: 212.253.7077 or info@loreleynyc.com.

Day A-Whey
Saxelby Cheesemongers presents its first "Day-A-Whey" trip for the year. The day begins with a wine tasting and picnic at the Wolffer Vineyard followed by a tour of Mecox Bay Dairy. If the weather permits, there will also be a stop for a break at a local beach. The event will take place on Sunday May 4th, with the bus departing from Saxelby Cheesemongers (120 Essex Street) at 8:30 a.m. sharp. Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets. $110/person.

The Five Senses Dinner Series
Blue Hill at Stone Barns (630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, New York) is presenting the second event in a unique series of dinners, each of which focuses on one of the five senses: touch, taste, sight, smell, and hearing. The events are hosted by Executive Chef Dan Barber, along with special guests. Proceeds from the dinner series benefit the non-profit The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. The second dinner will focus on the sense of hearing featuring Grammy-winning violinist and composer Mark O'Connor, who will use American classical music to convey the sounds of nature. "Hearing" will take place on Sunday, May 4th, 6:00 p.m. Seating is extremely limited; to RSVP, call 914.366.6200, ext. 110. $200/person.

Image: iStockphoto.