Welcome to the weekend. Another winetastic weekend for you and some great opportunities to help lend a hand in Haiti. Taste and donate to CARE at the Wine Crush Bar or head over to the TLofts for some food truck madness and donate to the Red Cross. Learn Mixology or taste the wines of Napa at The Wine House, or taste wines from around the world in Hollywood. And finally, dineLA is back and kicks off on Sunday. Lots of great dining deals over the next two weeks.
Friday, Jan 22
Haiti Relief Wine Tasting at Wine Crush Bar
Long Beach (4-8pm)
Wine Crush Bar in Long Beach will be donating 10% of everything sold this night to CARE. CARE plans to start food distributions using stocks of high-protein biscuits from CARE warehouses in Haiti. Tonight’s featured tasting for $20 will feature Bordeaux wines. With centuries of making wine, it’s no wonder that Bordeaux has figured out the recipe to produce amazing wines.
Mixology 101 @ The Wine House
Los Angeles (7:30-9:30)
Join host Mark Schwarz for this lively hands-on class where you’ll mix it up and party down to the tune of what’s new and fun in the world of mixed drinks. Delve into new ingredients and seasonal beverages. Sipping is encouraged. Just as the world of spirited beverages continues to grow in popularity, they’ll continue to unveil even more quality ingredients in the ongoing quest to help you deliver the perfect drink. Cost is $55. The Wine House is at 2311 Cotner Ave. 310-479-3731
Saturday, Jan 23
International Wine Festival
Hollywood (5-8pm)
At the DrinkEatPlay International Wine Festival, sample dozens of wines from around the world, without the jet lag, layovers and lost luggage. This event will feature wines from Italy, Germany, Brazil, South Africa, Spain, Australia, Israel, France and New Zealand, plus more. The Renaissance Hotel will also provide an assortment of cheese and bread to enjoy with the wine and complete the experience. Tickets are $60.
Food Trucks, TLofts and Red Cross For Haiti Relief
West LA (11am-4pm)
Chow at one of the largest gatherings of food trucks ever at the TLofts this Saturday. All of the trucks are giving a portion of the day’s proceeds to the Red Cross International Response Fund relief efforts for Haiti, with TLofts, CityView and the principals of Lee Homes also pledging financial help. Red Cross representatives will be on hand to accept donations if you feel like giving a little extra. TLofts are at 11500 Tennessee Avenue in West LA.
Go Green Expo
Downtown Los Angeles
One of the nation’s most invigorating & diverse eco-friendly events, Go Green Expo will be at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday. Sponsored by CBS Television, The Los Angeles Business Journal, Natural Health Magazine, The Sierra Club and over 25 other organizations. Go Green Expo is sure to have outstanding exposure and reach in its efforts to educate and enlighten business owners & consumers on the latest eco-friendly brands. Don’t forget to check out the organic food and wine pavilion. Details here, use promo code LOCALWINE for 50% off ticket price of only $10 for the entire weekend!
Sunday, Jan 24
dineLA Restaurant Week
Los Angeles
From January 24-29 and January 31-February 5, dineLA Restaurant Week offers diners the opportunity to indulge in specially priced three-course menus from a variety of LA restaurants. Meals are priced at $16, $22 and $28 for lunch, then $26, $34, and $44 for dinner. Some deals are better than others, so make sure you check out the menu for the best options. Click here for a full listing of restaurants.
Napa Valley tasting @ The Wine House
Los Angeles (1-3:30PM)
The Wine House and the Napa Valley Vintners Association present an exceptional day with the winemakers, winery representatives, and/or winery owners for an exclusive and educational event. The best of the Napa Valley wine makers are in town to showcase their new releases and show you what makes the Napa Valley so special! There will be 30 different wineries and around 75 different wines will be poured. Tickets are $59. Upstairs 2 Restaurant will provide passed hor d’oeurves throughout the afternoon. The Wine House is at 2311 Cotner Ave. 310-479-3731
Continuing:
Chill at the W Hotel
Westwood
The outdoor pool at the W has been transformed into a winter wonderland and covered with a synthetic hybrid ice. Sip on hot cocoa or specialty winter cocktails, admire the skaters go ’round or take a spin yourself on Chill. Indulge at their Snowy Snack Bar, where Executive Chef Monique King offers winter bites and warm comfort foods that will satisfy your taste buds.
palate food + wine Sunday Session and Supper
Glendale (12-5pm & 5-9pm)
This 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 (6pm-11pm)
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 (7:30pm)
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.
Friday Night Sessions @ California Plaza
Downtown Los Angeles (7pm)
Free concerts return to California Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles on the 2nd Friday of every month. The program includes performances by local emerging indie bands. The Friday Night Sessions concert series is a collaborative effort by lafreebee, Isgoodmusic, SideCho Records, Heart Music Group, Casa Downtown, Grand Performances and the artists themselves. This Friday’s performers include Under the Asbury, Garland, Lady Katherine, and Bright Million.
Upcoming:
January 27 – Taste more than 100 Bordeaux at Wally’s Wine and Spirits Union Des Grand Crus Bordeaux Tasting in Hollywood. Taste a hundreds of Bordeaux for just 49 bucks, less than a bottle alone. Takes place at The Annex at Hollywood & Highland and the event runs from 7-9pm. For more info check out this link.
January 30 – The Pechanga Wine Festival takes place at the Pechanga Resort and Casino from 1-5 pm. Come sample over 100 different wines from Napa, Sonoma, Temecula Valley and beyond. In addition, the award winning chefs of Pechanga will be preparing tastes from our fine dining restaurants.
January 31 – At the Loyola Marymount University Wine Classic enjoy more than 150 wines from 46 boutique California wineries. A Silent auction that includes specialty wines and products. Tickets are $90 ($80 if purchased by January 15). Proceeds benefit LMU student scholarships.
February 6 – Fight From Above returns to the Troubadour for the must see show of the year. The song Between the Curves has been a favorite here at Dig Lounge for a while now. Their on stage energy and power pop rock are infectious. Not in a “rash” sort of way, but in a “can’t get that song out of your head” sort of way. Tickets are only $12 and the show starts at 8pm.
Fri, Jan 22, 2010
City Beat, Weekend Guide