Here I am trying to lose weight and everything and a majority of the events going on this weekend have to do with food and drinking. Ah well. Enjoy!
Thursday, April 29
Pourtal’s One-Year Anniversary Wine & BBQ
Can’t believe that it’s already been a year since Santa Monica?s Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar first opened. And they aim to celebrate Year One with wine and barbecue; only $4.29 for either a glass of wine or a plate of BBQ! They’ll grill dry rub babyback ribs along with grilled artichokes on a grill set up on the outdoor patio. And to complement that saucy meal, some of the featured wines are Oreano Pinot Noir and Carma Chardonnay.
- 6-10pm. Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar, 104 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica (map). (310) 393-7693.
Saturday, May 1
Kentucky Derby at Coast Beach Cafe & Bar at Shutters on the Beach
Enjoy Derby Day beachside in Santa Monica’s Shutters with classic cocktails like the Kentucky Mint Julep, Lynchburg Lemonade and Kir Royal, which range in price from $10-$12. A race day brunch menu will feature the likes of Southern-style grits with shrimp or crawfish ($16), lemon ricotta pancakes ($15) and pulled pork on ciabatta ($14). And ladies who dine and sport the “best hats” will get a prize! Copies of the Daily Racing Forum will be provided.
- 11am-5pm. Coast Beach Cafe & Bar at Shutters on the Beach, 1 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica (map). (310) 587-1707.
Slow Dance Saturday at 1642 Bar in Echo Park
Pull your loved one close to you at the first Slow Dance Saturday of Echo Park/HiFi?s newest bar, 1642. Get liquored up on craft beers and boutique wines while swaying to the dulcet tunes of soul, rock, country and folk spun by Gypsy Tailwind and friends.
- 9pm. 1642 Bar, 1642 Temple Street, Los Angeles (map).
Sunday, May 2
Vertical Wine Bistro’s Experiential French Wine Tasting
Attention, all winos and wine newbies: French wine tasting led by Vertical Wine Bistro’s general manager Manuel Mesta and French wine consultant Pierrick Bouquet will feature four varietals from the Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Loire Valley and Rhone Valley regions. You’ll learn such things like the nuances of major grape varieies and how to read a French label. Small plates like gorgonzola-stuffed dates wrapped in Serrano ham and oxtail terrine will complement the wines.
- 4pm. $40. Vertical Wine Bistro, 70 N. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena (map). Reservations: (626) 795-3999.
Savor Sundays at Whist
The Santa Monica restaurant is kicking off Savor Sundays where you can enjoy family-style classics on a $27/person prix fixe menu. This Sunday’s menu includes buttermilk fried chicken with bacon cheddar biscuits and a pecan pie with whisky caramel over vanilla ice cream. Savor Sundays goes off every week through June 2 and will feature a different regional theme every time.
- 5:30-9pm. $27/person. Whist at the Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica (map). Reservations: (310) 260-7511.