Stems takes root in Hotel Deca; meet (and eat) Vietnamese cuisine

Stems, a new Seattle wine bar, has made Washington wines the stars of its wine lists. Hotel Deca (4507 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., 206-634-2000, hoteldeca.com) in the University District opened Stems as part of a recent renovation. The menu features wines including Badger Mountain Vineyards Organic Chardonnay, Sweet Pea Apple Wine and Desert Wind Vineyards Ruah Red Blend, and a small-plates menu of seasonal fruit and cheese trays.

Meet (and eat) Vietnamese cuisine

Monsoon (615 19th Ave. E. Seattle, monsoonseattle.com) co-owner Eric Bahn is back in Seattle after a yearlong sabbatical — consulting on a restaurant project in Edmonton, Alberta — and is gearing up for a series of special meals he hopes will introduce diners to a broader range of Vietnamese cuisine.

A 12:30 p.m. luncheon Aug. 14 will feature recipes from "Into the Vietnamese Kitchen," a James Beard book-award nominee by author Andrea Nguyen. A pair of dinners at 5 and 8:30 p.m. Aug. 22 will include a five-course family-style meal with more traditional flavors not typically found on the menu. Call 206-325-2111 for more information and reservations.

A dinner in honor of Julia Child

Speaking of chefs, Nell's (6804 E. Greenlake Way N. in Seattle, nellsrestaurant.com) honors the late cooking icon Julia Child Aug. 15 as part of its dinner series dedicated to the memories of famed chefs. The menu is inspired by many of Child's signature dishes from her cookbooks and PBS program "The French Chef," including Pan Seared Veal Loin with Fingerling Potatoes, Mushrooms and Cream, Cold Cucumber Soup with Dill and Crème Fraiche and Steak Tartare on Crostini. The event begins with a wine reception at 6:45 p.m. and costs $80 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Call 206-524-4044 for reservations.

Karen Gaudette, Seattle Times food staff 206-515-5618 or kgaudette@seattletimes.com