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How to make a “famous Gossip Girl grilled cheese sandwich,” normally $50, at home.
Wow, what a jampacked weekend! And not as hot as last weekend. Umm, where to begin?
Thursday, April 23
Nike Fashion Show and Freebies at Road Runner Sports in Torrance
If you’re in need of some new athletic wear to gear up for your springtime workout (summer’s just around the corner!) stop by this Nike event at the Torrance Road Runner store. You’ll also score a free gift bag, foot massages (mmm!), appetizers and drinks.
- 6-8pm. Road Runner Sports, 25355 Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance (map). (310) 326-8530.
Small Batch Social Tequila Tasting at Ammo
Ammo in Hollywood is kicking off a special series of small batch tequila tastings, starting with Scott Haro’s Tequila Ocho. Samples of the 2008 collection of Plato, Anejo and Reposado tequilas are accompanied by a freebie sangrita “shooter” for you to take home. Don’t worry, there are plenty of passed appetizers here, too. And amazingly there are still spots available.
- 5:30-7:30pm. $20. Ammo, 1155 N. Highland Avenue, Hollywood (map). Reservations: (323) 467-3293.
Friday, April 24
Bokisch Wine Event at Corkbar
Enjoy tastings of five Spanish varietal wines for $15. Winemaker Markus Bokisch of Lodi, California’s Bokisch Vineyards will be leading the tasting featuring his wines: Garnacha, 2006; Tempranillo, 2006; Albarino, 2007; Graciano, 2006; and Garnacha Blanca, 2008. No RSVP necessary, just show up early to guarantee a spot.
- 5pm. $15. Corkbar, 403 W. 12th Street, Downtown (map). (213) 746-0050.
LA Weekly LA Weekend Now Free!
This is so cool but remember how before LA Weekly was charging $30 to get into its chockfull-of-culture event this weekend, April 24 and 25? Well, thanks to good ol’ Nike, it’s now FREE! All you have to do is RSVP at rsvp [at] laweekly.com and specify whether you want to go on Friday, Saturday or both. And don’t worry. If you already paid for your ticket, LA Weekly will give you a refund. Huzzah!
- Friday 7-11pm, Saturday 12-11pm. Ricardo Montalban Theatre, 1615 Vine Street, Los Angeles (map).
Saturday, April 25
1,000-Cupcake Giveaway at Crumbs in Malibu
Yup, yet another Crumbs store opening up. This one in the new Malibu Lumber Yard. Lah dee dah! And of course that means that the first 1,000 cupcake fiends get a free cupcake. I wonder if celebs who live in Malibu will line up for this thing.
- 9am. Crumbs at The Malibu Lumber Yard, 3939 Cross Creek Road, Suite 120, Malibu (map). (310) 456-3700.
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2009
Aw, this book fest will always hold a special place in my heart, especially because I don’t have to work it for Book Soup anymore. Now I, too, can troll all those author panels and book signings and peruse the many bookstore stalls. I’d check out “Writing From Different Angles” with moderator Michael Silverblatt and catch cooking goddess Giada de Laurentis getting interviewed by Bon Appetit‘s editor in chief, Barbara Fairchild. Just for starters.
- Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-5pm. UCLA Campus, 405 N. Hilgard Avenue, Westwood (map).
1st 7th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational
How can you resist the gooey creaminess of a grilled cheese sammich? And there will be all kinds at this grassroots-turned-regional competition of the best cheesy sandwiches for you to consider in categories like Missionary, Kama Sutra and Honey Pot. If you want to judge the event, get there early enough to be one of the first 1,700 attendees who sign up! Good luck with that as this is a huuuge yummy event.
- 12-6pm. $5 at the door. Not a Cornfield, 1245 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles (map).
Risi e Bisi Night at Dominick’s and Little Dom’s
Celebrate springtime with a lil Risi e Bisi ($15) at Dominick’s and Little Dom’s. For one night only, the Italian restaurants will prepare the traditional Venetian dish Risi e Bisi, a creamy risotto with fresh peas from the Hollywood Farmers Market. Pair it with a glass of 2006 Sirch Tocai Fruilano ($10) or Laila Verdichio Marche ($9). Can’t make it to the event? Here‘s Chef Brandon Boudet’s recipe if you want to make it at home.
- 6pm-12am. Dominick’s, 8715 Beverly Boulevard, West Hollywood (map). (310) 652-2335. Little Dom’s, 2128 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Feliz (map). (323) 661-0055
Monday, April 27
El Cholo’s Green Tamales Kickoff Party
Apparently green corn tamales went away and now they’re back because El Cholo is celebrating their return with a full dinner and mariachis. And yes, of course there’s a demo on how to make ’em. But more importantly, a tequila tasting!