Welcome to the weekend. Rock out under the stars this weekend with the animals at the LA Zoo, drink some wine, get some good deals on some sun glasses for those summer days, see a movie outdoors in Hollywood, or absorb some curlture at the Ubon Festival and Swiss Festival. Then finish off the weekend with an amazing dinner or dessert by some great chefs.
Friday, July 24
To Reign in Spain – Spanish Wine Tasting
Pasadena (6-7:30pm)
Join Sommelier Dean Medeiros at Mission Wine & Spirits in Pasadena. You will explore the wines that are classified as “king” of its region. You’ll be tasting Cava, Sherry, and the wines of Rioja, & Ribera Del Duero. Don’t miss the chance to taste the 1995 Vega Sicilia “Unico” rated a 97 by Robert Parker. The tasting is $45 per person and reservations are required. Seating is limited to 18 people.
Classic Rock Under The Stars
Griffith Park (6-9pm)
Classic Rock Night at the LA Zoo features cover bands of music by the Beatles, Eagles, Grateful Dead, Doors and Dylan (among others) who perform throughout the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens while guests view more than a few animals staying up past their bedtimes. Picnics are permitted, and an eclectic array of food and beverages offerings are available. Admission for non-members is $16.50 for adults and $10.50 for children ages 6 to 15.
Saturday, July 25
Summer Sessions with Oliver Peoples
Malibu (6-9pm)
At Summer Sessions with Oliver Peoples get shades usually priced between $300 and $500 for either $99 or $119 at the store in Malibu from 6-9pm. Plus, KCRW’s Garth Trinidad will be spinning, so you can get his opinion on those aviators between trips to the open bar. Oliver Peoples is at 3900 Cross Creek Road #8 in “the Bu”.
Hollywood Outdoor Cinema
Los Angeles (7pm)
Screening this Saturday, in the first of the Hollywood Outdoor Cinema screenings, is The Big Lebowski. Be a little achiever and get there early to secure a seat, bring a picnic and $10 per person. The Outdoor Cinema takes place in the old Circuit City parking lot at 4400 W Sunset Blvd.
West LA Buddhist Temple Obon Festival 2009
West LA (5pm-10pm)
O-bon or only Bon is a Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the departed spirits of one’s ancestors. Come celebrate with the Japanese-American community. Bring the family or your friends for a weekend of traditional Japanese dancing, games, and food. The West LA Buddhist Temple is located at 2003 Corinth Ave. more info on their web site.
Sunday, July 26
Whittier Swiss Festival at Swiss Park
Whittier (11am-7pm)
Get your Swiss on at the Whittier Swiss Festival. Swiss food like Zupfe, Bratwurst, Spatzli and Swiss beer. Plus Swedish music and dancing galore. Admission is $5. Swiss Park is at 1905 Workman Mill Rd in Whittier.
Annual Chefs Night Out
Santa Monica (4:30-8pm)
Angeleno magazine’s James Beard award-winning food critic Brad A. Johnson joins forces with The Tasting Panel’s James Beard award-winning editor Anthony Dias Blue to co-host the Annual Chefs Night Out and Restaurant Awards at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica. The event will honor L.A.’s top chefs and restaurateurs while celebrating the release of Angeleno’s annual restaurant issue where food is the celebrity. The event will also feature double gold award-winning wines and spirits from the San Francisco International Wine and World Spirits Competitions, the largest, most influential international wine and spirits competitions in America. Event tickets are $150 and VIP tickets are $250. Proceeds from Angeleno’s Annual Chefs Night Out event will benefit the Children’s Institute’s work with children and families. For ticket information, visit www.childrensinstitute.org.
Dessert Decadence
Hollywood (5-8pm)
The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel at Hollywood & Highland will host the third annual “Dessert Decadence” tasting event. It will feature more than 15 bakeries and restaurants, with desserts ranging from an assortment of creme brulees and gelato to fruit tarts and gourmet ice cream (think salted caramel or lavender honey). Participating businesses include Geisha House, Ketchup, The Kress, and Cafe Del Rey. Admission is $40 and includes samplings of desserts, Naja Tea, and coffee. The hotel will provide a cash bar of dessert wines and cocktails. Buy your tickets here.
Upcoming:
July 31 – The Taste of Dtown Culinary Festival will feature downtown restaurants Rock N’ Fish, Magnolia, Provecho, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Urth Caffe, Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant and more. Beverages include Rain Organics vodka and Peroni Nastro Azzurro beer. Held in the historic Brunswick studio loft complex, the food tasting will take place from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., followed by an afterparty from 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Food tasting $30 presale, $40 at the door; after-party $30 presale, $40 at the door.
August 1 – Top chefs, vintners, brewers and distillers gather at the California Science Center for Plate by Plate, a special tasting benefit for Project by Project’s Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program that aids low-income immigrants. Live entertainment and a silent auction accompany tastings from restaurants including BottleRock downtown, XIV, Cicada, Roy’s, Katsuya, FIG, Scoops, and Xooro. The main event runs 7 p.m to 10 p.m., with a VIP reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $150.
August 1-2 – 21st Annual Taste in San Pedro at Point Fermin Park showcases gourmet foods, beer & wine, live entertainment, children’s activities, craft boutiques, an artists pavilion and a tribute to our Military. Over 30 restaurants, wineries, breweries will be in attendance.
August 6 – The Celebrity Chef Tour Benefiting the James Beard Foundation, features Award-Winning Chefs and once in a lifetime dining experience with the worlds best chefs all in one location. The LA details have yet to be announced, but tickets will probably be around $175 each.
August 8-9 – Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive Ins and Dives hits the stage at the Celebrity Food Show. Taste gourmet foods, sample fine wines, and spend the weekend having a good time with family and friends. Tickets start at $35, additional info on the web site.
August 13 – Summer cooking classes at The Larchmont Larder, taught by owner Michael Beglinger, celebrate seasonal ingredients. “Just Tomatoes” is set for On August 13 at 7 p.m., and will teach how to put heirloom tomatoes in soups, salads, tarts and sauces. Classes are $75 each. Reservations are required. 323-962-9900
Fri, Jul 24, 2009
City Beat