Nine Noteworthy Upcoming Los Angeles Food & Drink Events

Let me take this first post in almost one month to deliver some pertinent upcoming event news. It’s now summer and thus, event season, here in sunny Southern California. Now that I’ve somewhat psychologically recovered from a huge picture-data dump from spilling a homemade cocktail all over my non-backed-up laptop, I’m finally ready to move into this crazy part of the year.

So here’s a rebirth of sorts; it’s an intentional start to the summer by tallying up the essential food events continuing into the fall (L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade is in September). One focuses on cocktails. One focuses on tacos. One focuses on ribs. Three are on the same day; thus, yes – I do wish that these were spread out, more. But practically all of them feature world-class chefs. So without further adieu, here’s where you need to be this summer:

Thursday, June 26: Cliff’s Edge 10th Anniversary Dinner – Cliff’s Edge. $125 dinner. $60 wine pairing. Seatings: 6:30, 7, 7:30 and 8 PM.

You probably won’t see talent like this at one food event, much less a sit-down, coursed out dinner on one of the nicest patios in Los Angeles. The 10th anniversary of Cliff’s Edge will provide just that ocasion whereby you’ll enjoy dishes by guest chefs Jeremy Fox (Rustic Canyon), Walter Manzke (Republique), Nancy Silverton (Mozza), Lincoln Carson (Superba Food + Bread) and French San Franciscan Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn) along with resident executive chef, Vartan Abgaryan. Pastry chef Sherry Yard will be contributing dessert. Four snacks are followed by six courses. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Micheltorena Elementary School’s after-school programs and school garden. Tickets for four seatings will be available to purchase online starting at noon on Tuesday. Check @CliffsEdgeLA and Facebook.com/CliffsEdgeCafe for the link.

Saturday, June 28: Nancy Silverton and Suzanne Tracht in The Chandelier Room – Santa Anita Park. Daytime (1 – 6 PM): $75 (includes +1).

Nancy Silverton (Mozza) and Suzanne Tracht (Jar) are joining consulting chef Christian Page at the races all day on Saturday, June 28th. From 1 – 6 pm, the women are curating a small bites menu to pair with signature cocktails, live music and the final “The Gold Cup” stakes race. The cost of $75 includes a +1, the tray=passed bites and complimentary valet. Cocktails are available separately at the cash bar.

Saturday, June 28: Tacolandia by L.A. Weekly, curated by Bill Esparza – El Pueblo de Los Angeles. 3 – 7 PM. $30 til 6/22, $35 til 6/27, $40 door.

You’ll find over 40 vendors picked by Tacorazzo Bill Esparza hailing from L.A. and Mexico at El Pueblo de Los Angeles in the second installment of Tacolandia. Corazon y Miel, Coni’Seafood, FIG Restaurant, George’s at the Cove, Gish Bac Restaurante Oaxaqueño, Guerrilla Tacos, La Guerrerense of Ensenada, Mariscos Jalisco, Mexicali Taco, Petty Cash, Picca, SoHo Taco, Starry Kitchen, Tacos Kokopelli of Tijuana, Tacos Leo and Tamales Elena are all reasons to head down. Its new yet historic venue near Union Station will prove to be festive, as well.

Saturday, June 28: L.A. Street Food Fest – The Rose Bowl. 4 or 6 – 10 PM. $55 GA, $80 VIP (2 hrs early).

Gobble on bites by Badmaash, BEP Vietnamese Kitchen, Ceviche Project, Cliff’s Edge ft. Matt Biancaniello, Currywurst, El Condor, Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese, Grist & Toll, Guelaguetza, HomeState, La Monarca Bakery, Mariscos Jalisco, Mexicali Taco, Picnik, Short Order & Short Cake, Tacos Kokopelli, Trattoria Napolis and Urban Oven. Grab dessert from vendors like The Beignet Truck, Churro Borough, Fluff Ice, Quenelle, Ramekin and Salt & Straw. Drinks by “Caroline on Crack”-approved bars will be slung! Use code “FBfan14″ for $5 off your ticket, whether VIP (2 hour early entry) or GA.

Sunday, June 29: Art Beyond the Glass III – Sadie Kitchen & Lounge. 3 – 7 PM. $50.

The third installation of Daniel Djang and Zahra Bates’ collaborative community cocktail event, Art Beyond the Glass, will return to Sadie Kitchen and Lounge. Top bartenders from all over Los Angeles will again pool their talents to deliver amazing cocktails and their out-from-behind-the-bar talents such as music and magic while raising money for the Mural Conservancy. Funds will help restore Luchas del Mundo (Struggles of the World), a landmark mural created for the 1984 Olympics by famed artist, Willie Herrón III. Dan Dunn, The Imbiber, will be hosting this showcase of multi-talented bartenders. Sadie’s executive chef Jonathan Moulton as well as Guelaguetza will be providing bites to accompany the cocktails. Items on auction are provided by sponsors, including Pernod Ricard, Morrison Bowmore, Ace Beer Distributors, Anchor Distilling, Aviation Gin, Bacardi, Congenial Spirits, Giffard, La Niña Del Mezcal, Leblon Cachaça, Pisco Portón, Amandula, Art in the Age and Miracle Mile Bitters. Tickets are $50 each and unavailable at the door.

Sunday, July 13: Food GPS Ribs Festival – Chinatown Central Plaza. 4 -7 PM. GA: $65 (door $75), VIP: $90.

When Josh Lurie of Food GPS has a food festival, it’s an epic one for sure, and his inaugural Ribs Festival will be no exception. Gnaw on ribs and nosh on sides mash by Los Angeles’ to pchefs, imbibe on a variety of craft beer and cocktails by Jason Bran and Damian Windsor and top it all off with desserts from CAke Monkey Bakery, Salt & Straw and Sugarbloom Bakery. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Pablove Foundation to fund pediatric cancer research, treatment, education and quality of life for children affected by cancer through play, music and arts programs. Chefs: Chad Colby (Chi SPACCA), Vartan Abgaryan (Cliff’s Edge), Eduardo Ruiz (Corazon y Miel/Picnik), Dave Danhi (The Grilled Cheese Truck), Matt Poley (Heirloom LA), Chris Oh (Houston Hospitality/Seoul Sausage/Escala), Erwin Tjahyadi (Komodo Food), Esdras Ochoa & Javier Fregoso (Mexicali Taco & Co.), Johneric Concordia (The Park’s Finest), Freddy Vargas (Scarpetta), Bryant Ng (The Spice Table), Jason Neroni (Superba Snack Bar).

Thursday-Sunday, August 21-24: L.A. Food & Wine – Various locations all over L.A.

This annual event has moved its event headquarters from Nokia at L.A. Live to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as well as Grand Avenue, but events, such as lunches at Republique, Mozza, Faith and Flower and Scarpetta, are happening at restaurants all over the city – probably my preferred way of experiencing L.A. Food & Wine. Grand tasting events by Lexus are back, as is the Asian Night Market.

And take note – the various cooking demos are available to VIP ticket holders for evening events, so be sure to hop on those if you’re a big ticket holder.

Friday-Sunday, August 29-31: L.A. Times’ The Taste – Paramount Pictures. $100 – $150.

Back on Labor Day Weekend is the L.A. Times’ annual food event, The Taste. Held on the New York lot at Paramount Studios, these 5 events cover an opening night bash, “Field to Fork,” “Dinner With a Twist,” “Sunday Brunch” and “Flavors of L.A.” It’s notable that there is no cocktail event this year as in years past, but is combined with “Dinner With a Twist” on Saturday night. Jonathan Gold hosts the “Flavors of L.A.” event.

L.A. Times members get $25 off the ticket price on Saturday and Sunday events, a sizeable discount.

Saturday, September 20: L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade – UCLA Wilson Plaza. 12 – 4 PM. GA: $195. Premier: $1,200.

One of my top food events of the year, L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade fights childhood cancer while bringing in world-class chefs from all over the country. Back again for this 5th installment are Chris Bianco, Giada De Laurentiis, Maria Hines, Donald Link, Mary Sue Milliken, Russell Moore, Nancy Oakes, Zach Pollack, Michael Voltaggio, and new participating chefs Roy Choi, Tom Colicchio, Scott Conant, Michael Fiorelli, Benjamin Ford, Ray Garcia, Barbara Lynch, Mette Williams, and Jason Winters. Mixologists include Eric Alperin, Neal Bodenheimer, Aidan Demarest, Greg Lindgren, Christiaan Rollich, Marcos Tello, and Mari Tuttle. I also love that it’s moved to my alma mater, UCLA.