Your Daily Dose of Food + Drink News, Events and Must-Read Miscellany

1. Ballard Annex Oyster House’s sailor-inspired watering hole GROG opens its doors tonight at 9:00 pm. In addition to an ever-changing list of six to eight small plates and nautically named cocktails, the drink list for the bar at the back of BAOH includes rotating hot and cold punch bowls, or “grog.” Tonight’s grog: the hot “Ben Nevis,” (floral sonnet, fleur, lemon juice, honey) and the cold “Sea Legs” (pineapple rum, fleur, maraschino, lemon and simple syrup.) Hours are Thursday through Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to close. The space keeps a separate entrance on Market St. and can be booked for parties and events Monday through Wednesday.

2. In Ballard opening news that includes the pint-sized set, Parfait Organic Artisan Ice Cream launched its brick-and-mortar store next door to Skillet Diner on the Greenfire Campus. If you have room for an ice cream sammy or Parisian hot chocolate after downing, say, a Skillet burger and poutine, you now know where to go. Hours are noon until 11:00 pm daily.

3. Ethan Stowell’s Charity Cook-Off for November stars mac and cheese. For $50 a head you’ll be able to nosh on mac & cheese and a big salad and wash it down with beer. Home cooks will compete against heavy hitters like Brian Artiaco and Harley Shepherd from Castagna in Portland and Kurt Dammier from Beecher’s Cheese. All proceeds benefit the Fetal Health Foundation. The Sunday, November 24 event starts at 6pm at Tavolata in Belltown. Call 206-838-8008 for reservations.

4. If you’re more into eating than cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year, you’ve got some options. Cafe Flora serves its 22nd annual vegetarian Thanksgiving, including vegan and gluten-free options for all four courses and a special menu for kids. Turkey Day hours are 1:30-6:45 p.m. Call 206-325-9100 to reserve a table. And Ballard’s Golden Beetle is offering a Thanksgiving Day meal featuring the usual suspects with a twist. Menu items like sweet potato tart and wood-fired turkey breast will be served from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. Call 206-706-2977 for reservations.