Book Signing Dinner at Lucques — 4/3
Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne celebrate the release of Davind Tanis’s new cookbook, One Good Dish, with a family-style dinner at Lucques. Goin, who worked for Tanis at restaurant Chez Panisse early in her career, considers the chef one of her biggest influences. For $95, guests will dine on five courses with wine and receive a signed copy of Tanis’s James Beard- nominated work. More information.
Board Beer Geek Tavern at Story Tavern in Burbank — 4/5
Beer geeks and board game junkies come together at Story Tavern this Saturday for a few hours of Euro-style board games, craft brews, and live music. For $23, players get an appetizer, a pint of beer, and three hours of board game competition. The games take place from 12 to 3 p.m. More information.
Food Truck and Beer Festival for Derby Day at Santa Anita Park — 4/5
Santa Anita’s 77th Annual Derby Day isn’t just about playing the ponies. While the races are run, there’s also a festival featuring more than 30 craft brews, local food trucks, and Neil Diamond cover band, Super Diamond. Twenty bucks gets you admission and goodies like a T-shirt, and two beer tickets. The VIP package is $80 and includes all-day happy hour discounts, four drink tickets, complimentary food from the Dog Haus truck, and access to a backstage lounge. The festival takes place from 12 to 5:30 p.m. More information.
Taco Madness 2014 — 4/5
L.A. Taco hosted its annual bracket-style popularity contest for L.A.’s favorite taco joint and now it’s down to the final four: Mariscos Jalisco, Yuca’s, Guerrilla Tacos, and El Coraloense. This Saturday the best of the best will be revealed at a free outdoor festival at Grand Park downtown, with live music, art, and of course tacos. The polls close April 3. More information.
Cooking Classes at Patina — 4/5
Learn how to cook a three-course meal like the French pros at Patina’s three-hour cooking class with chef Charles Olalia. Students will get a hands-on lesson about classical French cooking techniques and prepare rustic dishes like veal osso bucco with cornmeal dumplings. The classes are $95 each and include lunch. Can’t make it on April 5? Don’t worry, classes are offered until December. More information.
Ultimate Wine Festival at Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach — 4/6
Head over to Shade in Manhattan Beach and enjoy vintages from more than 50 renowned wineries while nibbling hors d’oeuvres and rubbing elbows with hundreds of other wineos. The event will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. and features wineries like Opus One, Silver Oak, Alpha Omega, and many more. Tickets cost $125 per person and include small bites, wine samples, and more. For an additional $75, drinkers can participate in a Reserve Magnum Tasting from 2 to 3 p.m. More information.
Special Uni Menu at Adoteca — 4/7
Executive chef Antonio Mure creates an exclusive four-course menu staring the prickly delicacy. Not hungry enough for the whole shebang? You can also order sea urchin dishes à la cart. The $75 prix-fixe meal will be offered for one night from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. More information.
Mohawk Bend Hosts an Authors Worth Celebrating Series — 4/8
Mohawk Bend’s executive chef Erick Simmons and Crossroads chef Tal Ronnen team up to serve a four-course vegetarian prix-fixe dinner in honor of Ronnen’s New York Times Bestseller, The Conscious Cook. For $35, you can enjoy the collaborative dinner followed by an intimate Q&A with Ronnen. Books will also be available for purchase. Space is limited and reservations are required. More information.
