September 2
Duke of Bourbon wine store joins Saddle Peak Lodge on Thursday, September 2, for a four-course wine dinner showcasing the wines of Qupé Wine Cellars and Verdad, beginning at 7 p.m. In attendance will be Bob Lindquist, Qupé's proprietor/winemaker, who is sometimes known as a "Rhône Ranger." He will pour some of his Central Coast wines, along with two Spanish varietals from Verdad, which are produced by his wife, Louisa Sawyer Lindquist. Saddle Peak Lodge chef Adam Horton will be offer "Pringles"-crusted white tuna with crème fraîche and chives, paired with a 2009 Verdad Albariño, followed by "popcorn shrimp" with buttered popcorn purée, rock shrimp and cocktail sauce consommé, accompanied by a 2009 Qupé Bien Nacido Cuvée. The third course will be veal cheeks and breast with tomato, fennel, saffron and polenta, offered with a 2007 Verdad Tempranillo. Dessert will consist of a selection of artisan cheeses and accompaniments, paired with a 2006 Qupé Syrah, Hillside Estate. The price is $95 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Saddle Peak Lodge, 419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas, CA 91302, 818-222-3888.
September 2-5
Taste of Beverly Hills brings together some of the finest chefs, culinary personalities, and winemakers from throughout Los Angeles and beyond. Guests can enjoy food, beer, wine, cocktail tastings, chef demos and live music throughout the four-day festival, held adjacent to the The Beverly Hilton hotel. Notable chef appearances will include culinary icon Wolfgang Puck (Spago Beverly Hills); Top Chef season six winner Michael Voltaggio; and Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo of Animal. Wine and spirits experts will also be on hand. Individual events will take place during the daytime and evening; Advance-purchase tickets cost $125 per person for a day session pass, or $150 for an evening session pass. $500 all-access weekend packages are also available. For a complete schedule and more information, visit thetasteofbeverlyhills.com.
September 5
The inaugural Los Angeles Times Celebration of Food & Wine will be held on the Paramount Pictures Studio back lot on September 5. Multiple outdoor stages will feature live cooking demonstrations from Suzanne Goin (A.O.C., Lucques, Tavern) and Mark Peel (Campanile, The Tar Pit) and attendees can sample offerings from more than 100 food and beverage exhibitors, including food trucks. Other participants include Ludo Lefebvre (LudoBites), Top Chef season 6 winner Michael Voltaggio, John Sedlar of Rivera, and Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo of Animal. The event will also offer microbrews, wine and cocktails, in addition to a specially-ticketed, intimate VIP area featuring artisanal tastings from more than 20 Southern California restaurants and vintners. General admission costs $55 in advance ($65 at the door), tickets to the VIP Tasting cost $125. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength and the Los Angeles Times Family Fund. For more information, visit latimes.com/celebrationfoodwine.
September 10
The 10th Annual Vintage Village Wine Walk will be held September 10 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. More than 45 Claremont Village merchants on Indian Hill, Yale and Harvard Avenues will be open, each serving wine (several are non-alcoholic), as well as all the food you can consume. In addition, 20 different musical groups will be stationed throughout the Village. Tickets are only $30 per person in advance (at various local merchants), or $35 on the day of the event. There are three check-in stations, opening at 4:45 p.m., and ticketholders can select up to 10 locations at which to taste wine (maps will be provided). See www.thevillageclaremont.com/winewalk for more details.
September 17
In celebration of California Wine Month, guests are invited to attend the first Temecula Valley Wine & Culinary Showcase during a tour featuring more than 30 new wineries, food samples from a dozen restaurants and more than 120 wines to taste. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., guests can participate in a Winemaker's Q&A and meet local winemakers. At 6:30 p.m. Thorton Winery will hold a champagne reception, followed by the showcase tour and tasting from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $65 per person. Packages for exploring Temecula wine country during September 1 through 30 are also available at www.temeculawines.org/events. For more information, please call 800-801-9463. Thorton Winery, 35820 Rancho California Rd., Temecula, CA 92591, 800-801-9463.
September 17 & 18
The general public will have the opportunity to stock up on imported wine and gourmet food products at Epicure Imports' open warehouse sale. Held from 1:30 p.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, and from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, the sale will offer a large selection of items like Champagne, French cheeses, truffle oils and chocolates at warehouse prices. Shoppers will also be able to taste a few samples along the way. Epicure Imports, 6900 Beck Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91605, 818-985-9800.
September 21
As part of California Wine Month, guests are invited to attend to Napa Valley Vintners TweetUp where they can learn more about Napa Valley wines and meet the vintners behind them. This free event at BottleRock begins at 6 p.m. and includes hosted wine and appetizers. During the event, guests can read wine tasting notes and follow those of their friends on Twitterwall. Participating vineyards will include Beaulieu Vineyard, Miner Family Vineyards, Pahlmeyer, Saintsbury The Hess Collection and Truchard Vineyards. Following the event, guests can stay to enjoy happy hour. For more information, please call 707-968-4226. BottleRock, Met Lofts, 1050 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90015, 213-747-1100.
September 25
The American Wine & Food Festival features live musical performances, a silent auction and an epicurean feast, all to benefit the Los Angeles Chapters of Meals on Wheels. The Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation has put together a line-up of chefs including Thomas Keller (Bouchon), Paul Bartolotta (Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare), Tetsu Yahagi (Spago Beverly Hills), David McIntyre & Sally Camacho (WP24), Mark Peel (Campanile, The Tar Pit), Julian Serrano (Picasso), François Payard (Payard Patisserie & Bistro) and Paul Prudhomme (K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen). The event will be held on the back lot of Universal Studios starting at 6 p.m. At 5 p.m. there will be a Wolfgang Puck VIP cooking demonstration, only for those who have purchased VIP tickets. AWFF tickets are available through the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation for $300 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.awff.org. Universal Studios Backlot, 3900 Lankershim Blvd., Universal City, CA 91602, 310-574-3663.
September 25
The inaugural Los Angeles Craft Beer Crawl will offer 50 craft beers to sample across seven different bars and restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will feature some of the top craft and artisanal brewers in the country, with proceeds benefitting the Heal the Bay charity. 100 Early Bird Special tickets are available for $39. General admission tickets cost $49 and a V.I.P. pass, which includes a meet and greet with guest Jonathon Gold and drinks at The Varnish, costs $89. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.eventbrite.com.
September 26
Wolfgang Puck, Lee Hefter and Barbara Lazaroff with executive pastry chef Sherry Yard welcome guest chefs to prepare a six-course meal at the Annual Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner at Spago Beverly Hills. In this final event of the American Wine & Food Festival weekend, six celebrity chefs will each prepare one course for the gala dinner. These guest chefs include Dominique Ansel (Daniel), Paul Bartolotta (Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare), Nobu Matsuhisa (Matsuhisa), Charlie Palmer (Aureole), Santi Santamaria (Can Fabes) and Michael White (Marea). Chef Tetsu Yahagi (Spago Beverly Hills) will present hors d'oeuvres during the Champagne reception. There will also be a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences. The event begins at 6 p.m. Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner tickets are available for $750 per person or $7,000 per table of 10. For reservations, please contact Ellen Farentino at 310-385-0880. Seating is limited. Spago Beverly Hills, 176 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-385-0880.
October 2
The Wine and Food Festival Santa Monica will take place on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. For $40 per person, enjoy all-you-can-drink wine and a meal voucher. VIP tickets are also available for $65 each, which includes: estate wine tasting vouchers, upgraded meal vouchers, reserved seating and all-you-can-drink wine. The festival will also feature cooking and wine tasting classes, plus relaxing music. The location is: 2030 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90405. For tickets and more information, visit www.santamonicawinefest.com.
October 7
Mondavi Families will pair up with Morton's The Steakhouse to host a Virtual Wine Dinner. The event, which will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, will be broadcast live from Charles Krug Winery to the private dining rooms of 53 Morton's locations at 5 p.m. Guests in all locations will be served the exact same four-course meal, which will include Morton's brand new menu items and pairings of Mondavi wine. Guests will also be invited to bid in a silent auction for a three-pack of premium wines from Charles Krug Winery, Continuum Estate and Folio Fine Wine Partners, with proceeds to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Local participating restaurants include Morton's The Steakhouse in Beverly Hills, Morton's The Steakhouse in downtown Los Angeles and Morton's The Steakhouse in Woodland Hills. Tickets cost $175 per person and can be obtained by visiting www.mortons.com/celebratingthelegendaryblend.
October 9
The 5th Annual Sierra Madre Wine & Jazz Walk, benefitting nearby City of Hope's Cancer Research and Treatment, will be held in downtown Sierra Madre, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Sponsored by San Antonio Winery and the merchants of Sierra Madre, the event will feature live jazz, a silent auction and an exotic automobile show, while showcasing local businesses. Wines and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Tickets are $40 in advance, or $50 if purchased the day of the event. All-inclusive tickets---which include a VIP Wine Garden after-party hosted by San Antonio Winery from 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m.---are $75 and $90, respectively. Last year, the event was attended by more than 1,200 people, raising in excess of $84,000 for the City of Hope. Tickets are available at all participating businesses in Sierra Madre or online at www.SierraMadreWineandJazz.com.
Through December 31
Downtown's perennial seafood favorite, the Water Grill, is waiving its corkage fee---formerly $20---until the end of the year. Water Grill, 544 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213-891-0900.
Ongoing
Sleek art-deco inspired The Tar Pit features the "Guilded Hour," a daily happy hour from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Select specialty cocktails, including the Bees Knees, Brown Derby, Tennessee Trilogy and a rotating special are available for $6, along with beer and wine. Discounted appetizers run between $2.50-$5 and feature pickled deviled eggs, fries with spicy lemon salt, calamari and mini mac n' cheese. The Tar Pit, 609 N. La Brea, Los Angeles, CA 90036, 323-965-1300.
Ongoing
Luxe Lounge at the Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard is offering affordable wines at the new "Take Flight Off the 405 Happy Hour" Monday-Friday, 4 p.m. To 7 p.m., with wine flights and a menu of light bites created by executive chef Olivier Rousselle. Two to three-ounce pours are offered for $6, with a rotating selection of wines including the New World flight (Pinot Noir from New Zealand, Shiraz from Australia, Malbec from Argentina) and the Old World flight (Syrah from France, Tempranillo from Spain, Sangiovese from Italy). For more information and reservations call the Luxe Lounge at 310-691-7584. Luxe Lounge, Luxe Hotel Sunset Boulevard, 11461 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049, 310-691-7584.
Ongoing
Il Fornaio crafts monthly “Festa Regionale” menus showcasing different regions of Italy, with special attention paid to the food, bread and wine of that area. Available on the 2nd and 20th of each month, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
Il Fornaio, 1551 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-451-7800.
Ongoing
Silverlake Wine now offers “Blue Monday” wine tastings to take the edge off the beginning of the week. The new establishment from George Cossette and Randy Clement (both of Campanile), and April Langford (of the Park Hyatt Los Angeles in Century City) offers a selection of interesting wines accompanied by cheeses from the nearby Cheese Store of Silver Lake. Price is $12 per person. The tastings run from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. each Monday evening.
Silverlake Wine, 2395 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039, 323-662-9024.
Monday through Friday
Bar Bouchon at Bouchon is offering a new happy hour weekdays from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Drinks include a cocktail du jour ($7), draft beer ($4), and house red or white wine ($5). Bar food is priced between $4-$7, including a grilled cheese sandwich, burrata canapé, truffled popcorn, deviled eggs with crispy bacon; oysters are $2 a pop. Bouchon, Garden Building, 235 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310-271-9910.
Mondays
Every Monday night, Lou on Vine offers a wine pairing dinner consisting of three or four courses plus complementary wines for $55. It is served from 6 p.m.-11 p.m. and no reservations are required. Lou, 724 Vine St., Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323-962-6369.
Mondays
In Santa Monica, Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen presents its Monday night "Flight Club"---a select flight of wines from various regions around the globe, paired with a special dish from chef Evan Funke to highlight the wines and the regions they represent. It's available in the bar only on Monday nights, from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. The flights, dishes and prices will change weekly, but will be announced via Twitter @RusticandHuck. Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen, 1119 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-393-7050.
Mondays
On Monday nights, every bottle of wine on Wilshire Restaurant's wine list is half price. For reservations, please call 310-586-1707. Wilshire Restaurant, 2454 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403, 310-586-1707.
Mondays
Providence restaurant now offers "no corkage" every Monday evening. Enjoy chef Michael Cimarusti’s cuisine and bring a bottle of wine from your own cellar at no charge. Providence, 5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, 323-460-4170.
Tuesdays
Left Coast Wine Bar & Gallery offers Tuesday Tastings at 7 p.m. Guests can partake in a flight of four wines for $15 per person. No advance reservations are needed. The evenings also include live jazz music. For more information, please visit www.leftcoastgalleries.com/lc_winebar. Left Coast Wine Bar & Gallery, 117 E. Harvard St., Glendale, CA 91205, 818-507-7011.
Tuesdays
Tony's Darts Away in Burbank presents Tuesdays at Tony's, where each week guests will experience something special including Flight Nights, Beer Education Nights and Brewery Nights. The first Tuesdays at Tonys kicks off on July 27, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m., with a Brewery Night highlighting Ballast Point and Green Flash Breweries. For $10, guests can sample a flight of four beers from either one of these breweries while representatives and brew masters are on-hand to answer any questions about the beers. For more information, visit www.tonysburbank.com. Tony's Darts Away, 1710 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506, 818-253-1710.
Third Tuesdays
Tengu in Westwood hosts a monthly unlimited Sake tasting on the third Tuesday of each month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to unlimited Sake, enjoy small bites of fresh sushi and background tunes by a live DJ. The cost is $20 for unlimited tastings, or $12 with dinner reservations. For more information, call 310-209-0071. Tengu, 10853 Lindbrook Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90024, 310-209-0071.
Tuesdays
With the purchase of at least two entrées, diners at The Bistro Garden at Coldwater can order any bottle of wine (750ml) for 50% off on Tuesdays. The Bistro Garden at Coldwater, 12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604, 818-501-0202.
Tuesdays
Mission Wines in South Pasadena offers up savings every Tuesday as part of its Tax-Free Tuesdays. The wine shop pays the sales tax on all in-store purchases, and the ten-percent case discount adds up to even more savings. Find deals such as a case of 2005 Chateau Puy-Arnaud Maureze Bordeaux at less than $10 per bottle. For more deals and information, visit www.missionwines.com. Mission Wines, 1114 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030, 626-403-9463.
Tuesdays
West L.A.’s Il Moro continues its wine tastings, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring a selection of wines, accompanied by a generous offering of Italian finger foods (5 p.m.-7 p.m.). Price is $15 per person. Call for more information on featured wines. Il Moro, 11400 Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064, 310-575-3530.
Tuesdays
Dominick's is hosting Tuesday Flight Night, where Wine Director Susan Brink offers a trio of three-ounce pours that aren’t on the regular wine list. Selections change weekly and focus on themes like Old World Italian varietals or Brink’s favorite vinos del giorno. A recent $18 Sangiovese tasting featured pours of 2001 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico, 2001 Riserva Angelini TreRose Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and 2005 Ortman Sangiovese from Paso Robles. The cost typically ranges from $12-20 per person. Dominick's, 8715 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048, 310-652-2335.
Wednesdays
On Wednesday nights at The Mercantile in Hollywood, choose any three half-glasses of wine for $16. The Mercantile, 6600 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-962-8202.
Wednesdays
The Standard downtown and Silver Lake Wine are partnering to host weekly wine tastings every Wednesday in the hotel lobby from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Guests can enjoy a three-glass flight of boutique wines from around the globe, along with snacks and live DJ performances, for $20 per person. The Standard, 550 South Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213-892-8080.
Thursdays
Breadbar and chef Noriyuki Sugie of Ironori Concepts host a monthly "Hatchi Mix" guest mixologist series at the restaurant's Century City location. Starting May 6, on the first Thursday of every month from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., expert bartenders and mixologists will show off their skills and create special libations ($8 each) from a one-night-only menu. The "Hatchi Mix" events will also occasionally feature guest chefs, invited by the presenting mixologist, to prepare small plates to complement the evening's cocktail selections. For more information, call 310-277-3770. Breadbar, Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067, 310-277-3770.
Thursdays through Saturdays
Pasadena’s Le Petit Vendôme wine store offers tastings every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m.-8 p.m., featuring 10-15 high quality wines. The price of each tasting varies. Call the store for pre-registration. Le Petit Vendôme, 906 Granite Dr., Pasadena, CA 91101, 626-396-9234.
Saturdays
BottleRock in Culver City hosts Saturday wine tastings from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. for $15-20 to taste four to five wines. Participants receive a discount on any purchase of a bottle of wine to-go. Tasting fees may vary on special occasions. No reservations required. BottleRock, 3847 Main St., Culver City, CA 90232, 310-836-9463.
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