Welcome to the weekend. You wouldn’t know it from the weather, but summer is right around the corner. So get out and enjoy the weekend despite this gloomy weather. This weekend is jam packed with fun stuff. Beer Belly debuts in Koreatown on Friday, as does the very adult Everything to do with Sex Show. Plus, or check out the films of the Character Project in Venice. If it’s scallywags and wenches you are into, head to the Pirate Festival, winos can sample the wines of Mailbu at the Viceroy, or grab the kids and head for the Silver Lake Jubilee. On Sunday pair wines with In-N-Out Burger at Wally’s, be a part of the Culinary Cause at NOBU, taste the decadent Flavors of Los Angeles, or enjoy a French picnic in the park. Begin weekend now…
Friday, May 20
Beer Belly
Koreatown (5pm)
Beer Belly, a craft beer bar opening up this Friday in Koreatown, is a 1,500-square-foot space designed by MAKE Architecture. Located not too far from the Wilshire/Western metro station, the bar will feature craft beers from So Cal and the world. This weekend they will focus on local beers from Eagle Rock Brewery and The Bruery. All draft beers are recession friendly at under ten bucks and will also include a selection of rare bottled beers. The kitchen will be kicking out a small menu of bites like skewered meatballs, fries with dipping sauces, Rockenwager pretzels and Grindhaus boar sausage.
Character Project Short Film Series
Venice (Fri-Sun 10am-10pm)
USA Network is bringing a unique fusion of indie film & contemporary art to Los Angeles with an exhibition of eight short films, celebrating the characters – from all walks of life – who make this country unique. You can view the Character Project Short Film Series all weekend long at The Brig in Venice. Plus, the digitally-skilled can win pretty cool prizes (like an Apple TV or a Canon EOS 7D Camera) by posting their Foursquare check-in to Twitter.
The Everything to do with Sex Show
Downtown Los Angeles
Sure, why not? We’re all adults here. The Everything to do with Sex Show is coming to LA from May 20-22. Look forward to new and exciting stage and fashion shows, as well as highly informative educational seminars presented by industry professionals. Plenty of vendors will be on hand offer the newest and greatest products to spice up your love life.
Saturday, May 21
The Big “Bu” at the Viceroy Santa Monica
Santa Monica (2-5pm)
Did you know there are 20+ wineries in Malibu? Learn About Wine wants to show you how great the wines have become! With over 50 growers, and a huge growth in brands, a Mediterranean climate, and amazing diurnal temperature range (difference between daytime and night time temperature) – Malibu is poised to be a top growing region in California. Wineries pouring at this event include Casa Dumetz, Church Estate, Cielo Malibu Estate Wineyards, Colcanyon Estate Wines, Malibu Consensio, Jim Palmer’s Malibu Vineyards, Malibu Solstice, Rosenthal, and more. Tickets are $59 or two for $100. Get your tickets and more info here.
Pirate Festival
West LA (1-5pm)
A celebration of Rum, Beer, Vodka, Tequila, Pirates and wenches with the best entertainment in Los Angeles. Taking place at the Olympic Collection in West LA with entrainment by the real pirates of the Caribbean Pirates for Hire and the #1 Band in southern California Adam’s Attic. The event benefits the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Tickets are $30, get em here.
Silver Lake Jubilee
Silver Lake (Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-9pm)
The festivities at this year’s Silver Lake Jubilee will include three music stages, literary performances, eco village featuring Children’s Grove and art projects, comedy, theater and other arts. Enjoy the festival and all it has to offer from microbrews to hiakus and maybe a fake mustache or two. Share the experience of this two day festival with friends and family. Sign up as a volunteer and enjoy a few hours of the festival from the other side to support local arts.
Sunday, May 22
2011 Margerum/ In N Out Tasting Event
West LA (1-4pm)
Quite possibly one of my favorite pairings is red wine and In N Out Burger. Wally’s is again throwing an afternoon summer kickoff party pairing the classic Double Double with a selection of wines from Central Coast superstar winemaker Doug Margerum. Join winemaker Doug Margerum as he pours his selection of twenty eleven wines including M5, Rose, Pinot Gris Klickitat, Sauvignon Blanc Sybarite, Syrah UBER, Happy Canyon Chukker and more. Get your tickets now as this event will sell out.
Culinary Cause at NOBU
Los Angeles (6:30pm)
Culinary Cause at NOBU is the third in a series of exclusive, Pop-up Gourmet events to benefit St. Vincent Meals On Wheels. This event will feature Chef Becker’s innovative Omakase menu including Kumamoto Oysters, White Fish Tiradito, Salmon New Style, King Crab Amazu Ponzu, Mixed Sushi, Beef Ribeye Anticucho?and, Chocolate Bento for dessert. Each course will be paired with wine or sake. The cost is $150 a person. To make a reservation call (213) 484-7128 or email patriciabarrett@dochs.org.
Flavors of Los Angeles
Santa Monica (5pm)
The fifth annual Flavors of Los Angeles event spotlights premier chefs and restaurants to raise funds for the American Liver Foundation. Flavors guests will experience a five course culinary extravaganza prepared tableside with wine pairings prepared by the top ten restaurants and chefs in Los Angeles, including: Host Chef and Executive Chef, Shigefumi Tachibe, Chaya Downtown; Chef Chef John Sedlar, Rivera and Playa; Executive Chef Kevin Meehan, Café Pinot; Executive Chef Jean Froncois Meiteigner, La Cachette Bistro; Executive Chef Mirko Paderno, Oliverio at the Avalon. A limited number of individual seats ($275) are available for Flavors of Los Angeles by contacting the Greater Los Angeles Division of the American Liver Foundation at (310) 670-4624.
The 31st Annual Picnic Des Chefs
Agoura Hills (10:30am-4:30pm)
The 31st Annual Picnic Des Chefs is a wonderful day for the whole family under the trees surrounded by mountains and nature. LA’s top chefs will treat you to a culinary discovery tour without leaving the city. The party will start at 11:30 am with apéritifs and lunch followed by a raffle at 3:30 PM. Heated pool with giant water slide, drawing contest, games, volley ball, soccer, petanque competition, dress-up photo ops by Star Photo Party and a moon bounce land. French DJ and Live Music. Bring sunscreen, hats, beach chairs, picnic blankets. Plenty of free parking. Adults are $50, kids 10-21 are $25, and kids 3-10 are $10.More info and menu here.
Continuing:
Dominick’s Crawfish Boil
Los Angeles (12-4pm)
From LA to L.A., Dominick’s Restaurant brings you their annual Crawfish Boil. Chef Brandon Boudet is drawing on his New Orleans heritage every Saturday in May to boil 300 lbs. of Louisiana crawfish in a large pot with seasonings such as salt, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Diners can also enjoy a selection of Boudet’s New Orleans specialties such as Po’ Boys, Crawfish Boiled Artichokes with Remoulade and Dominick’s Dago Red and White Wines ($12) by the bottle.
Sunday Supper at Potato Chips
Los Angeles (5:30 & 7:30pm)
Every Sunday, Potato Chips, the cheery Beverly Blvd sandwich shop by Steven Arroyo will be serving up a Sunday Supper. The four course menu will include items like Sweet Onion Parmesan Velout?, Au Gratin Spring Squash with Herbed Bread Crumbs, and Braised Beef Brisket with Crispy Shallots and Garlic, followed by a house-made dessert. The price is $25 per person, tax and gratuity not included. The first seating of the Sunday Supper will be at 5:30 pm and the second seating at 7:30 pm. Call (323) 931-0911 for reservations.
Flemings 5 for 6 ’till 7
Various locations
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar renews its popular “5 for 6 ‘til 7” bar menu. 5 cocktails, 5 wines, and 5 apps for just $6. Also included in the deal is one of our favorite burgers, the Fleming’s Prime Burger and a Guinness Draught. New items include a Roasted Mushroom Ravioli and the 99 calorie Tickled Pink cocktail.
Rock & Roll Brunch
Hollywood (11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
What better way to soak up the booze from Saturday night than a tasty brunch with rock music the next morning? Kelly Cole and Ian Cripps presents Rock & Roll Brunch at Magnolia in Hollywood. Hair of the dog specials include four dollar Mimosas, Bloody Marys, and Screwdrivers, or order a bottle of bubbly for the table (w/mixers) for $22. Valet parking available for $5, or find a meter on the street.
Fried Chicken & Keg Beer @ Eva
Los Angeles (6 p.m.)
Eva Restaurant offers Fried Chicken & Keg Beer on Tuesday nights with all-you-can-drink beer and fried chicken for $25. The beer is a North County Pilsner from Eureka. The á la carte menu will not be available on this night, as it’s only fried chicken and beer starting from 6 p.m.-closing. Call 323-634-0700 for more info.
Weekend Flights at Rosso Wine Shop
Glendale (5-8 p.m.)
A new wine theme each week. Whether it is their Old World favorites or Pinot Noir from Russian River, they mix it up and keep the price reasonable. Visit www.rossowineshop.com for more details. They also have wines by the glass available at the bar, along with some select beer picks by the bottle, if the wine flight doesn’t work for you. Cost is around $10.
Maxwell DeMille’s Cicada Club
Downtown Los Angeles (6-11 p.m.)
Travel back in time to the glamorous days of Hollywood’s golden age of nightclubs every Sunday at the Cicada Club in Downtown. Featuring the finest vintage dance orchestras and entertainment, Maxwell DeMille’s Cicada Club is unlike any night on the town you have ever experienced. Vintage or evening attire encouraged. A dinner reservation will guarantee your table for the entire evening. To see who’s playing each week and for more info check out their web site.
palate food + wine Sunday Session and Supper
Glendale (12-5 p.m. & 5-9 p.m.)
Every Sunday at palate food + wine try the featured “Single Dish” at Sunday Session for $12. Or do the full Sunday supper for $35 which includes an appetizer, a main course, and dessert. Wine flights available for $12.
Little Dom’s Monday Night Supper
Los Feliz (6 p.m.-11 p.m.)
On Monday nights Little Dom’s if offering a $15 prix-fixe supper featuring seasonal dishes like Shrimp & Whitebean Brushetta, Grilled Albacore w/ Roasted Peppers & Oregano,
Cranberry & Chocolate Chunk Rice Pudding. Bottles of Dago Red or White are $10, and Peroni beer is $2. Sounds like the perfect recession buster to us.
Wine Pairing Wednesday at Upstairs2
West LA (7:30 p.m.)
Upstairs 2, located above the massive Wine House, offers a four-course dinner prepared by chef Todd Barrie every Wednesday, paired with four wines from around the world selected by sommelier Marilyn Snee. Each week will showcase a different wine region, and there will be a brief discussion of each wine and its pairing. The cost is only $55 per person. Make your rezzy here.
Upcoming:
May 27-28 – Live music nights returns to Malibu Family Wines for the Summer. Every Friday and Saturday evening enjoy live music under the stars. Buy a bottle of wine, and bring a picnic and enjoy surf rock, indie rock, tribute bands and more, every weekend throughout the summer. One bottle of wine purchase per group is required. No outside alcohol allowed on the premises and you must be 21 to attend. Full line-up available online.
May 28-30 – The 38th Annual Topanga Days Country Fair is sure to be fun for the whole family. Topanga Days is a three day fair and fundraiser celebrating music, the arts and the work of local artisans. Fair goers will find everything from clothing and jewelry to a variety of environmentally conscious products and services, as well as enjoying wines, beers, and other culinary delicacies. And it’s not just Topangans who enjoy the festival. People from all walks of life, from bohemians to families from all over California, drop by for one of the most fun, relaxing and festive weekends of the year. General admission is $20, children between 6-12 and seniors are $10. More info and tickets here.
May 28 – Celebrate National Hamburger Day at Islands with a special menu. Through June 12, for each item ordered from the special “Miracle Menu”, a percentage of the meal price will be donated to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The “Miracle Menu” consists of the popular Spinach & Artichoke Dip, the signature Big Wave with Cheese (and fries!) and the decadent Kona Pie. Islands has partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network to raise $100,000 for local children’s hospitals in communities in which Islands serves. In Los Angeles, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
May 28 – The greatest outdoor cinema/food truck fest returns to a public park near you this Summer. The first of the series on May 28th will be at the LA State Historic Park, just north of DTLA. On the big screen(s) Something About Mary. If it’s anything like last year, expect about a half dozen food trucks or so. Other upcoming movies include Unforgiven, Good Fellas, Old School, The Inseminator (Uh… I mean Terminator), The Matrix, and more. Full list and tickets for $10 here.
June 2 – Savor Los Angeles, by PARALLEL LINES, will be presenting PAIRINGS! (or as they like to call it, BFFs – Best Friend Foods!); the next event in the Savor Los Angeles tasting series showcasing an exclusive set of LA’s best-of-best purveyors of foods made for each other, fusion, nostalgic specialties and unexpected flavor combinations. Think: Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup, Caramelized Bacon trail mix, contrasting incorporations of the aromatic Pandan leaf and more. The soiree will take place at Siren Studios Orange, a one of a kind 8,500+ sq. foot playground featuring elegant high ceilings, multiple rooms and a loft with separate dining, lounge and bar areas. The intimate gathering will boast an assortment of tasty fare from Bangers & Smashed, Cast Iron Gourmet, The Farm of Beverly Hills, Malo/Mas Malo Restaurant, The Oaks Gourmet, Pure Cheesecakes (Savory Cheesecakes), Reservoir, Starry Kitchen and more to be announced. Tickets are $55 or VIP access for $85. Get em here.
June 5 – Paul Hobbs, one of the first California winemakers to focus on single-vineyard wines, has been called a pioneer, trailblazer, trendsetter, and prospector. His wines are exciting and structured, are rooted in classic old world techniques and, at the same time, are distinctly Californian in their expression. Join Palate Food + Wine for an exciting afternoon tasting and intimate winemaker dinner. The $35 afternoon tasting from 2-4pm will feature his Chardonnay, Pinot, Malbec, and Cabernet (8 wines total), along with bites like chinese steamed buns, duck leg confit, pork belly and shortrib. The $150 all-inclusive dinner includes wines paired with courses like yellowtail crudo, monk fish, duck breast, and veal cheeks. Make reservations by calling 818.662.9463.
June 12-13 – KCET, the nation’s largest independent public media company serving Southern and Central California, presents KCET UNCORKED!, a celebration of fine dining with the award-winning American Chef Thomas Keller at his acclaimed Bouchon Bistro in Beverly Hills. The unique benefit includes two exclusive culinary events June 12 and 13. On Sunday, Jorian Hill’s rich, elegant wine will flow freely as guests savor culinary specialties, and relish traditional French fare at various food stations crafted by Chef de Cuisine Rory Herrmann: Pâté de Campagne, Charcuterie & Artisanal Cheeses, Bœuf Bourgignon, BLT’s (Bacon, Arugula & Truffle sandwiches), Cod Brandade Beignets, Miniature Lemon Tarts, Mignardises & Bouchons (their signature Valrhona chocolate brownies). Tickets for this event are $250. And for a hefty donation of $2,500, join Keller on Monday night for a six-course Chef’s tasting menu, paired with wines from Rusack Vineyards. The Monday event is limited to 60 people. Get your tickets here.
June 18 – Salute! is a lifestyle event for those who appreciate fine craft beer and food. Your $60 all inclusive ticket provides each guest with a wristband, a 4 oz. tasting glass to enjoy unlimited tastings of finely crafted beers from around the the world. Pair the beer with unlimited tastings of food by some of the finest local restaurants in Southern California. The event takes place at San Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura. For a full list of beers and participating restaurants click here.
June 18 – The first-ever IE Food Truck Fest, featuring gourmet mobile eateries, launches at Citizens Business Bank Arena. Spotlighting the gourmet food truck movement that has exploded over this past year, the festival is celebrating this new style of street food to the untapped community of the Inland Empire. Food trucks are prohibited to roam the streets in the Inland Empire area. The one-day festival is a solution to provide an experience many people have only heard about. With a diverse mix of 50 gourmet food trucks gathered at the Citizens Business Bank Arena, the community can experience several epicurean delights all at one location. Tickets prices are $25 for VIP Early Admission, which is only available for the first 500 people, at 10 a.m. before the festival is officially open. Presale tickets are $8 and will go up to $10 a week before the fest. Children age 6 and under are free. Parking is free. Tickets may be purchased at Ticketmaster (a convenience fee will apply) or at Citizens Business Bank Arena box office.
July 16-17 – Eat Real combines a state fair, a street-food festival, and a block party to create a celebration of good food. At the Eat Real Festival, participants learn where food comes from, who grows and makes it, and how they make it. Eat Real Festival attendance is 100% free of charge, all food at the festival costs $5 and less, and all food incorporates regionally-sourced, fabulous, and sustainably-produced ingredients. More details available soon at their web site.
September 2-5 – The Los Angeles Times and Food & Wine are combining forces to create the ultimate food and wine event for Southern California. THE TASTE will feature the nation’s foremost culinary talent, a carefully curated list of L.A.’s best restaurants, and notable personalities, all converging for a festival expected to attract more than 20,000 guests throughout the course of Labor Day weekend, September 2-5, 2011. The four-day schedule will ensure an exciting and inspiring lineup of star-studded events from day until late into the evening. “Burgers & Beer” and “Secrets from the Kitchen & Cellar” will be held in Beverly Hills and kick off the weekend’s signature events. Celebrity guests and top music artists will also be on hand along with appearances by Giada De Laurentiis, Scott Conant, Art Smith, Ludo Lefebvre, Michael Voltaggio, Claire Robinson, Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos. Stay updated on events at their web site.
Got an event you want featured in the weekend guide? Send us your special event for listing consideration.
Matt,
This is super. I am so very impressed. Now I feel like I have too many options for this weekend. Prior to reading this I felt like I had nothing to do. I will be using this guide all the time.