This weekend check out the most authentic Oktoberfest this side of the Dusseldorf at Alpine Village. Watch authentic German music and dance, enjoyed with bratwurst and beer. What could be better? Well, perhaps LA’s very first BBQ festival featuring copious amounts of BBQ’d beef, chicken and pork for as little as ten bucks! For a more civilized experience, check out the Taste of Santa Monica, go on a wine tour in Paso Robles for the weekend, or check out Restaurant Week in Riverside.
Sept 12 - Oktoberfest at Alpine Village
Torrance, CA
Taking place in Torrance for the last 40 years, the Oktoberfest at Alpine Village features a Bavarian Brass-Oom Pa Pa band from Germany, German dancers, contests, beer brewed at the Alpine Village and Authentic German food. Through October 19. Designated drivers are highly recommended, it’s like shooting drunks in a barrel for the CHP.
0
Sept 12 - Farmer’s Market Summer Concert; Saucy Monkey (7pm-9pm)
Farmer’s Market at 3rd and Fairfax
Enjoy the last night at the Farmer’s Market Summer Concert series with Saucy Monkey. It takes place on the west patio in front of the Gumbo Pot and E.B.’s. Saucy Monkey is a female-fronted, guitar alt-pop-rock band sure to entertain you, as you enjoy some of E.B.’s great selection of beer or wine and chow on shrimp jambalaya or a slice of pie and bid farewell to summertime.
Sept 13-14 – Los Angeles BBQ Festival (12pm – 6pm)
Santa Monica (adjacent to the pier)
The Los Angeles BBQ Festival will feature authentic BB’que from Texas, Kansas City, and Mississippi, in addition to the best BBQ masters from LA. Musical entertainment on Sat provided by honky-tonk band the Palominos, Johnny Cash tribute band Cash’d Out, and 80’s rockers Metal Shop. Then on Sunday enjoy the country stylings of Country Gone Awry and the Beatles tribute band Ticket to Ride. General admission is $10, VIP admission is $50.
Sep 14 - Taste of Santa Monica (12pm-4pm)
Santa Monica Pier
40 restarurants, 40 dollars, 4 hours. At Taste of Santa Monica savor Santa Monica’s top cuisines for one price. Enjoy samplings from Valentino, The Lobster, Whist, Bon Melange, and yes, Hooters. (I don’t think that’s what Zagat had in mind when they voted Santa Monica as the best dining experience destination, but, whatever.) Sip on wine, groove to beach music by Route 66, check out the Interactive Molecular Ice Cream Lab, and learn cooking techniques from hourly chef demonstrations. Tickets are $40 for general admission, $20 for students (w/ ID) and $15 for the wine garden only.
Sept 13-14 - Paso Robles Wine Tour (most wineries open from 11am-6pm)
Paso Robles, CA
You’ve read about Paso Robles here many times before. Olive festivals, wine festivals. But Paso Robles has so much to offer on it’s own without any special festivities. With over 170 different wineries in 25 square miles, 40 different grape varietals, specializing in Cabs, Syrahs, and Zins, it’s a red wine lovers wet dream. A beautiful 4 hour drive up the 101, start the day off at Willow Creek Olive Ranch then stay the night and eat at any one of the great local restaurants. Enjoy a wine flight at Villa Creek, indulge in warm Scharff en Berger chocolate brownies with homemade Guinness ice cream at Artisan, or enjoy a 4 course wine tasting at Bistro Laurent for only $54. Also featured this weekend is the Paso Robles Air Show on Saturday.
Sept 14 - Riverside Restaurant Week kick off party (5pm-8pm)
Riverside
Riverside kicks of Restuarant Week with “The Overture” a gala featuring music, visual art, food and wine. The event celebrates the coming week of $35 three-course dinners and $25 lunches that will be offered at eight Riverside restaurants including Ciao Bella Ristorante, Mission Inn and Mario’s Place. $50 presale, 5 to 8 p.m., Riverside Art Museum, 3425 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, (951) 680-1345.
Leave a Reply