“Los Angeles Times And Food & Wine’s The Taste” Launches “Check In To The Taste” Happy Hour Events August 17-25, 2011

LOS ANGELES —In anticipation of THE TASTE's Labor Day culinary extravaganza, epicureans are invited to indulge, imbibe and "Check In to THE TASTE" via a weeklong happy hour promotion that begins with a celebratory event to be held at Montage Beverly Hills on August 17th. Participating TASTE restaurants across Los Angeles are welcoming diners to take advantage of a special TASTE ticket promotion through August 25, 2011. Full details are now available online and include:

THE TASTE Sunset Hour - Held at Montage Beverly Hills' rooftop poolside lounge on Wednesday, August 17th from 5-8 p.m., guests will enjoy specially priced cocktails, courtesy of ABSOLUT® ORIENT APPLE and complimentary small bites (served 6-8 p.m.) from the Montage culinary team, including participating TASTE chef, winner of Food Network's "Last Cake Standing," and Scarpetta Executive Pastry Chef Richard Ruskell. The party is designed to offer attendees a chance to sample specialty dishes and cocktails that will be featured at THE TASTE, and a 20% discount code will be offered for THE TASTE tickets.

NOTE: There is no charge to attend THE TASTE Sunset Hour. However, RSVPs are required (email TASTEMONTAGEBH@wagstaffworldwide.com), and admittance will be based on lounge capacity.

Check In to THE TASTE - Guests who "check in" (via Foursquare or Facebook Places) to one or more participating restaurants* during their regular happy hours August 17-25th and post "I'm checking in to THE TASTE Happy Hour" in the optional message box will receive a 20% discount on tickets for THE TASTE. Proof of check-in is required (screenshots of users' Foursquare history pages or Facebook profile pages displaying the check-in are accepted) and must be sent to taste@wagstaffworldwide.com by 12 a.m. on August 26, 2011. Eligible participants will receive a promotional code via email, which can be applied online at https://lattast.eventbrite.com and must be redeemed before 12 a.m. on September 2, 2011. Participating restaurants include Scarpetta, Delphine, BOA Steakhouse, Sushi Roku, Napa Valley Grille, Lexington Social House, Public Kitchen & Bar, M Street Kitchen, Stella Rossa Pizza Bar, Street, STK, Corkbar, Palate Food + Wine, Wood & Vine, RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen, Moko, Joe's Restaurant, Akasha and more.
*A full list is available at Facebook.com/TheTasteLA, in the "Notes" section.

A portion of the ticket sales from THE TASTE will benefit Share Our Strength, Beverly Hills Education Fund, Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona, Los Angeles Times Family Fund's Summer Camp Campaign, and Los Angeles Conservancy.

Press Credential Application: To apply for press credentials to attend THE TASTE, please fill out the online application form available at: https://events.latimes.com/taste/media/.

For updates on all of the weekend's activities, please visit www.latimes.com/THETASTE, Facebook.com/THETASTELA or follow THE TASTE on Twitter: @THETASTELA.

Contacts:

Vanessa Kanegai| WAGSTAFF WORLDWIDE| 323.871.1151 | vanessa@wagstaffworldwide.com

Kelsey Beniasch| WAGSTAFF WORLDWIDE| 323.871.1151 | kelsey@wagstaffworldwide.com

Nancy Sullivan| Los Angeles Times | 213.237.6160 |nancy.sullivan@latimes.com

Cathy Williams| Los Angeles Times | 213.237.5058 |cathy.williams@latimes.com