Welcome to the weekend. You suddenly have too much to do. Live it up in Hollywood with a lavish wine pouring, take advantage of the dineLA specials, hit up Oktoberfest or a fancy cocktail party in Downtown, or head out to Santa Anita for some pony races. On Sunday chow down in Venice, sample divine chocolate, or Savor the Season with some great chefs.
Don’t forget to check out our Halloween Guide. It’s filled with spooktacular events throughout the month of October!
Friday, Oct 9
Vintage Cult Wine Tasting
Hollywood (6:30-9pm)
The rooftop of the The Lofts Hollywood @ Vine will serve as the reception location (first hour only) hosted by Champagne Henriot and generous appetizers by Matthew Poley of Heirloom Catering. At 7:30, head downstairs into the iconic building with a view of the city. Ten of California’s most collectable wines will be carefully decanted, pre-poured and lavishly displayed. LearnAboutWine Host and Certified Napa Valley Educational Ambassador, Ian Blackburn will take you through the incredible tasting of wines like Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Scarecrow, Opus One, Silveroak, and more. Tickets are a stiff $250, but if you can afford it, it’s worth it.
Dine LA Restaurant Week
All over Los Angeles
Taking place over two consecutive weeks(Oct 4-9 & 11-16), dineLA Restaurant Week offers diners the opportunity to indulge in three-course menus at $16 for lunch and $26 for dinner; Premier Dining is $22 for lunch and $34 for dinner, and Fine Dining is $28 for lunch and $44 for dinner. In addition, many of the participating restaurants will be offering wine pairings for an additional charge.
Saturday, Oct 10
LA Oktoberfest
Los Angeles (1-6pm)
Put on your Lederhosen and get your stein ready for the first ever LA Oktoberfest at the L.A. Mart. Sample traditional German Foods, Beers, Wines, Spirits, the hottest buxom beer maidens serving Bavarian brews; Bavarian bands playing lively tunes and leading sing-along’s of old time drinking songs. You’re $15 ticket includes a souvenir stein, or for $75 get the all inclusive deal, which includes all-you-can eat and drink. Discount tickets available at Goldstar.
Jonathan Gold’s Union Station Cocktail Party
Los Angeles (7pm)
Zócalo is hosting their first ever fundraiser. Jonathan Gold’s Union Station Cocktail Party takes place at the historical Union Station in Downtown LA. Enjoy tastings of signature dishes of Los Angeles’ finest restaurants and custom-made paired cocktails by Eric Alperin courtesy of L.A. nightlife king Cedd Moses. An amazing night of in an elegant Art Deco landmark. Tickets are $500 for two people and $300 for one person. Proceeds benefit the Zócalo Public Square series.
Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park
Arcardia (1pm)
The first 20,000 fans in attendance to Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park on Saturday will take home the all-new Breeders’ Cup Challenge Stadium Blanket (while supplies last) and a free Boogie Knights concert with admission to the park. K-Earth 101′s own morning man Gary Bryan will be the host for the post race concert. Admission is only $5, but why not go first class and hit up the less crowded Club House, with box seating available for $7.50.
Sunday, Oct 11
Taste of Abbot Kinney
Venice (1-7pm)
Enjoy the tantalizing treasures of Abbot Kinney on this first ever walking – eating – shopping tour of the Venice’s most celebrated hotspot. At the Taste of Abbot Kinney, sample food and beverage from Joe’s, Intelligentsia, Primitivo, Lemonade, The Tasting Kitchen and more. Tickets are $60 and include all food and spirits. Get em here.
Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
Pasadena (11am-5pm)
The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon returns for the 3rd year and is bigger and better than ever. 16,000 square feet of chocolate, with over 35 chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans. Taking place at the newly renovated Pasadena Center, attendees will get to sample chocolate from all over the world, view demonstrations, chef and author talks, and sample some great wine to go with the delicious chocolate confections. All this is included with your measly entry fee of $20 ($25 at the door).
Savor the Season
West Hollywood (6-9pm)
Engage your senses in an adventure of tastes, sights and sounds at Break the Cycle’s SAVOR the SEASON. LA’s hottest chefs and tasting experts will present their unique culinary creations at this food and wine extravaganza benefiting Break the Cycle. Chef’s include Gloria Felix from Reservoir, André Guerrero from BoHo, Stefan Richter from Stefan’s at L.A. Farm, David Lefevre from Water Grill and more. Admission is $100, buy your tickets here.
Continuing:
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.
Oktoberfest at Alpine Village
Torrance (Fri 6:30pm-1am, Sat 6pm-1am, Sun 12pm-8pm)
Oktoberfest needs no explanation. The celebration at Alpine Village is largest and longest Oktoberfest in So Cal. Starting Sat at 6pm, then taking place on Fri, Sat, Sun through October 25, the event features lots of beer, Omm Pa Pa music, sausages, and dancing. Compete in wood sawing, stein holding, and cow milking contests. Unfortunately local beer maker Angel City Brewing has been replaced this year by the German Beer Spaten. Admission on Fri and Sat is $8, the family friendly Sunday events are $5.
Upcoming:
October 24 – Play With Your Food, How to Get Kids to Eat Their Vegetables. Good Food host Evan Kleiman turns kids into chemists by teaching them how to make their own salad dressing, adjusted exactly to their likings. Then she’ll show them how farm fresh produce tastes when dipped in their concoctions. Takes place at the Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks from 3-5pm. This event is free
November 5 – At the Stars of Cabernet, taking place at the Peninsula Hotel and hosted by LearnAboutWine, enjoy fine cabs from wineries like Cakebread, Frog’s Leap, Paul Hobbs, Rudd, Fisher and more. A silent auction taking place will benefit TJ Martell Foundation and Cancer Research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Food will be provided by The Peninsula Hotel. Buy your tickets before Oct. 1 for $75, otherwise its $79, or $100 at the door. Only $69 for LearnAboutWine members.
November 13-15 – The 5th Annual Tamale Festival makes a move from MacArthur Park to the Los Angeles State Historic Park. It’s gonna be bigger and better than ever with a Tamale Cook-off, Art & Crafts Booths, Best Commercial Tamale Contest & Best Homemade Tamale Contest (anyone can enter), Tamale Eating Contest, and a Tamale Making Demo. Bring your canned food items for the House of Ruth Food Pantrie and The River Food Pantrie.
November 14 – Since the beginning of summer, Evan Kleiman has been baking a pie a day. Join Evan at the KCRW Good Food Pie Bakeoff at the Westfield shopping center in Topanga Canyon. At the event from 2-4pm, home cooks and pastry chefs will compete at the first ever pie bake-off. Hosted by Good Food’s Evan Kleiman and judged by a panel of celebrity chefs and foodies. Registration begins on October 1st.
November 21 – Bring your picky eater along to The World’s Pickiest Eater and dare us to find food they will love. Parents will participate with their pint-sized gourmand in a food tasting of select foods prepared by Good Food host and chef Evan Kleiman. Takes place at the Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks from 3-5pm. This event is free
8. October 2009 at 2:23 pm
Also – you can get Taste of Abbot Kinney tickets at a discount for $36 + $5 charge = $41 at Goldstar.
http://www.goldstar.com/events/los-angeles-ca/a-taste-of-abbot-kinney.html