Los Angeles BBQ Festival
TODAY
New Zealand wine dinner at the Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa:
Take in the dark-wood refinement of this historic hotel’s Dining Room restaurant while indulging in a tasting menu featuring wines from New Zealand’s Craggy Range. If you’d like to plan a “staycation” around the dinner, you can book a room for tonight at a special rate. $150, 6:30 p.m., the Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa, 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, (626) 585-6218. pasadena.langhamhotels.com.
Wine, cheese and olive oil tasting with the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills:
Sample cheeses and wines from Tuscany and Umbria in conjunction with the Cheese Store’s annual olive oil tasting, which this year features olive oils from Spain, Italy and California. $60, 7 to 9 p.m., Sharky’s patio, 435 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 278-2855. www.cheesestorebh.com.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Los Angeles BBQ Festival Los Angeles BBQ Festival, this inaugural two-day celebration of all things meaty, slathered, spiced and grilled will have you reaching for your pocket Wet Naps. Pit masters from all corners of the country will gather to cook up massive servings of Kansas City ribs, Carolina pulled pork and Memphis baby back ribs, among others. Also, expect a raucous beer garden and live entertainment, with bands covering Johnny Cash and the Beatles.$10 admission, barbecue plates $10 each, at Ocean and Colorado avenues near the Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. www.labbqfest.com.
SUNDAY
Seventh annual Taste of Santa Monica:
If salt air makes you hungry, head to Santa Monica Pier for this fall-flavored food fair. Close to 40 restaurants from Santa Monica will cook all day while you eat all you want for the price of admission. New to the fair this year is a molecular ice cream lab hosted by the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of California. Expect ice cream recipes, contests, demos and workshops. $40 presale, $45 at the door, $10 for children 4 to 10 years old, $20 for students. 12 to 4 p.m., Santa Monica Pier off Ocean Avenue, (310) 393-9825. www.tasteofsantamonica.com
Kick-off party for Riverside’s inaugural Restaurant Week:
Attend the Overture, featuring music, visual art and loads of tasty food and wine. The event celebrates the coming week of $35 three-course dinners and $25 lunches that will be offered at eight Riverside restaurants including Ciao Bella Ristorante, Mission Inn and Mario’s Place. $50 presale, 5 to 8 p.m., Riverside Art Museum, 3425 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, (951) 680-1345. www.finediningriverside.com.
TUESDAY
Maynard Keenan of Tool signs bottles of his wine:
It turns out that Keenan, the frontman of brooding, prog-rock band Tool, is as serious about wine as he is about rock. He’ll be signing bottles from his Arizona Stronghold Vineyard on a mini-tour of Southern California and the Southwest. Beware eager groupies. 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Whole Foods, 465 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, (626) 204-2266.
Submit datebook items at least two weeks before publication date. Mail Food Section Datebook, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., CA 90012; or email fooddatebook@latimes.com
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