Man of Steele Presides at John Dominis

Jed Steele, owner and winemaker at Lake County-based Steele Wines, will attend a five-course dinner featuring his wines at John Dominis restaurant on Wednesday. He’ll also comment on the pairing of those wines with dishes created for the occasion by the restaurant’s chef, Lasse Sorensen.

How, you might wonder, did they hit on Steele’s 1992 California Chardonnay to go with sauteed Hawaiian onaga crusted with Italian parsley and served on a bed of fried lemon linguine with mango-vanilla bean beurre blanc? Or his “Catfish” Zinfandel to complement Colorado rack of lamb stuffed with apples, cherries and Sonoma fois gras, roasted with fresh herbs and topped with a fresh cherry glaze?

You can find out for $60 per person, including tax and gratuity. Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 7 p.m., with Steele’s 1993 Nacido Vineyard Pinot Blanc Bien.

2901 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. (714) 650-5112.

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Why wait until October? Why not Augustfest? A beer-tasting dinner at the Hobbit on Sunday will feature five styles from Fullerton Hofbrau brewmaster Andreas Moerle and as many courses from Hobbit chef Michael Philippi.

Weizer and Pilsner-type beers will accompany a selection of more than a dozen different hors d’oeuvres; lager pairs with beer-steamed shellfish (cockles, shrimp, mussels and clams); ale accompanies ale-braised duck leg, and dark bock goes with the leg of lamb with garlic and pastina. It’s your choice for the chocolate almond ganache, but we’d say sweets for the sweet, stick with the bock.

The evening begins at 6. Cost of $42 is inclusive; it even covers a commemorative glass and favors.

2932 E. Chapman Ave., Orange. (714) 997-1972.

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If five beers just whets your whistle, you can sample 21--three flights of seven reds, wheats and pales--at a Micro-Brew Fest at Sfuzzi bistro on Aug. 25.

The tasting is hosted by Hi-Time Cellars. The reds are not only visually more colorful, but check out the names: Red Fox Ale, Red Tail Ale, Jamaica Red Ale, Rogue Red Ale, Red Seal, Red Roost and Old Red Eye. Why, the wheat beers and other ales pale by comparison.

The event begins at 7 p.m. and costs $30 per person. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

1870A Harbor Blvd., Triangle Square, Costa Mesa. (714) 650-8463.