Three Food Events You Should Know About: Thursdays are for olives [Updated]

THURSDAY

Food for phones: It's not too late to volunteer to answer phones during KCRW's August pledge drive. If you do, you'll get the chance to nosh on food donated by Border Grill Taco Truck, Real Food Daily, Clementine, Tender Greens, La Grande Orange, Barbie's Q and more. Also, KCRW wants you to know that more than a few "romantic matches have been made in the pledge room," some resulting in marriage. Never underestimate the power of liberal guilt-driven volunteerism to make the sparks fly. Volunteers are being accepted through Aug. 17. To sign up, go to http://www.kcrw.com/join/drive-signup/volunteer

Fruit-tastic: The nonprofit California Rare Fruit Growers hosts its 2009 Festival of Fruit on Aug. 12-16. This year's theme is "Year of the Olive" and it features lots of food, fruit and, of course, olives, as well as seminars with Paul Vossen and Michael Phillips and olive, grape, persimmon, apple and pomegranate workshops. Santa Rosa Junior College, 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. For times and programs, call (707) 241-5821 or go to www.festivaloffruit.org.

The greenest act on Eearth: Yup, that's composting, according to Silver Lake Farms owner Tara Kolla. Kolla will be helming a series of urban gardening classes throughout the month of August. Her class on composting covers how to start a compost bin with yard trimmings, kitchen scraps, fallen leaves and more around-the-home materials. Compost also creates nature's best fertilizer. Silver Lake Farms, 6:30 to 8 p.m. $48. For address and additional information, call (323) 644-3700.

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

Updated: A previous draft of this post incorrectly spelled Paul Vossen's name as Vosson.

8 food events you should know about: Summer festival weekend edition

FRIDAY

Wines of the people Join James Beard award-winning wine importer Terry Theise for a tasting of boutique Champagnes made by farmers (he calls them "Farmer Fizz") as well as a selection of Rieslings from a single vineyard. Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar, 104 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. 5 to 8 p.m. $33 for a flight of three. (310) 393-7693. www.pourtal.com.

Eating downtown Celebrate the downtown renaissance with the "Taste of dtownLA" festival. A feast cooked by downtown restaurants Magnolia, Provecho, Remedy, Maria's Italian Kitchen, Urth Caffe, the Daily Grill, Takami, Rock 'n Fish, Gram and Papas and Wokano will help celebrate the launch of dtownLA.com, which dubs itself "the only online fashion and lifestyle publication catering to downtown residents." There will also be cocktails and a silent auction benefiting the Midnight Mission. Brunswick Studio, 843 S. Los Angeles St., L.A. Food tasting, 6 to 9:30 p.m., tickets $40. Launch party, 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. $40, alcohol included. www.dtownla.com.

SATURDAY

Deepak thoughts If you've wondered what kind of mystical calm Deepak Chopra lives in, you can find out at a dinner hosted at his 2-acre Palos Verdes estate, which is fashioned after a Tuscan villa. "Dancing With the Stars" dancer Jonathan Roberts will show off his moves and chef Enrico Glaudo of Frascati Ristorante in Rolling Hills Estates will prepare an Italian-themed menu of pizza, quiche, pork medallions, caprese salad and more. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Palos Verdes Art Center. Time and address provided with reservation. (310) 541-2479. www.pvartcenter.org.

Cajun fun It's time for the 16th-annual Long Beach Crawfish festival featuring dancing, live Cajun, Brazilian and Zydeco music as well as plenty of delicious crawfish, red baby potatoes, corn on the cob and remoulade dipping sauce. Rainbow Lagoon, 400-403 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach. Sat. noon to 11 p.m.; Sun. noon to 10 p.m. $13 in advance, $15 at the gate. www.longbeachcrawfishfestival.com.

Tasting San Pedro Another festival is upon us: the 21st-annual Taste in San Pedro, which features food and drink from many of the area's favorite restaurants as well as live music, dancing, fireworks, face painting, photo booths and a Ferris wheel with gorgeous ocean views. Point Fermin Park at Gaffey and Paseo del Mar, San Pedro. Sat. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. $10, adults; $7 seniors; $5 children 6 to 17. (310) 832-7272. www.tasteinsanpedro.com.

Sharpest knife in the drawer Get your knives, scissors and garden tools professionally sharpened while you shop at Red Carpet Wine & Spirits Merchants. They'll have a pro on hand in the parking lot and during that time you'll also get 10% off your purchases. Red Carpet Wine & Spirit Merchants, 400 E. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Knives $5, scissors $8, gardening tools $6 to $9. (818) 247-5544.

Cooking at the market Join JoAnn Cianciulli, the author of "L.A.'s Original Farmers Market Cookbook," for a showcase of her summer grilling recipes. She'll heat up the grill to make grilled barbecue chicken pizza, skirt steak tacos and avocado-corn salsa. Samples will go out to the crowd and she'll sign copies of her new book "Barbecues Galore." Farmers Market Plaza, 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A. 5 to 7 p.m. Free.

SUNDAY

Brunch for singles If you're looking for Mr. or Ms. Right, you may enjoy the "Stylish & Single in the City" brunch at Catherine Malandrino Cafe. Celebrity stylist Marcella Reynolds will be there to dish out advice on appearance so wear or bring a photo of your favorite outfit for dates, and "dating expert" Evan Marc Katz will provide mini-consultations to the first 15 RSVPs. A complimentary 100-calorie TY KU cocktail will be served with brunch, so you can get boozy and watch your figure all at once. Catherine Malandrino Cafe, 651-653 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $30. (310) 652-0078.

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo: A pile of shellfish rubble sits on the table where seafood lovers spend the evening shucking crawfish, crab and shrimp at the Boiling Crab, a popular Little Saigon eatery. Credit: Los Angeles Times  

Four Food Events You Should Know About: You've finally met your matcha

THURSDAY

Michael Voltaggio The former Bazaar chef is taking his highly anticipated turn guest-cheffing at Breadbar's hatachi series. The weekly series features eight small plates created by the guest chef, each priced at $8. Voltaggio's chosen theme is "An experience of texture and flavor, an artistic series of small plates." David Haskell, formerly of BIN 8945, will do the wine pairings and work the front of the house. Breadbar Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. 6 to 10 p.m. Guests must order a minimum of three dishes. (310) 277-3770. www.breadbar.net.

Cooking Korean Join cookbook author and Food section contributor Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee as she talks about her new book, "Quick and Easy Korean Cooking: More than 70 Everyday Recipes." Her book includes recipes for appetizers, snacks, soups, hot pots, rice noodles and entrees. It also devotes an entire chapter to kim chi. Lee is a first-generation Korean American and has written about food for The Times, Eating Well and Korean Culture. Korean snacksand drinks will be provided. Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 7:30 p.m. Program included in museum admission, $9 general, $7 students and seniors. (626) 449-2742, ext. 20. www.pacificasiamuseum.org.

Matcha maker If you're a fan of the delicious powdered ceremonial Japanese teacalled matcha, then you'll want to make a reservation to attend a special matcha-themed night at Le Palais Gourmet. Chef and owner of Jin Patisserie, Kristy Choo, will make matcha-infused desserts including cakes, chocolate and creme brulee. Hot and cold matcha drinks will also be served. So, hurry up and find out why the Buddhists have been drinking the super-healthy beverage for more than 800 years (and why it retails for $50 per 30 grams). Le Palais Gourmet, 401 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills. 6:30 p.m. $40. RSVP required, (310) 271-7922. www.lepalaisgourmet.com.

Getting rummy in the O.C. Enjoy cigars and rum under the Southern California stars as the nearly 40-year-old Cellar restaurant hosts a decadent four-course dinner paired with Appleton sipping rum and Royal Jamaica cigars. The Cellar, 305 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. 6:30 p.m. $69.95. (714) 525-5682. www.cellardining.com.

--Jessica Gelt

Photo:Trio of pots de creme with matcha, dark chocolate (bottom left) milk chocolate (right) and white chocolate (rear). Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

Four food events you should know about: Boozier than ever (weekend edition)

FRIDAY

National tequila day: Mexico Restaurante y Barra is teaming with Casa Noble Tequila to present a spicy, three-course fiesta dinner featuring a special margarita and dishes made with tequila, including watermelon and verdolaga salad with cotija-tequila vinaigrette; shrimp sautéed in tequila and a tequila ice cream sundae. The menu is available through the weekend. Mexico Restaurante y Barra, 8512 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Food, $25. Margarita, $12 after 7 p.m., $5 during happy hour. (310) 289-0088. www.gogomexico.com.

SATURDAY

A cure is brewing: Drink delicious beer for a cause as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation hosts its second annual "Brew Haw Haw," featuring beer from Angel City Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Mad River Brewing Co. and many more along with catering by Stonefire Grill, Bon Appetit at the Getty Center and co-host BJ's Restaurant. All proceeds benefit the foundation. Autry National Center, Pine Meadows Lawn, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. 3 to 7 p.m. Ticket prices vary, beginning at $50, and tickets will not be sold on the day of the event. (323) 655-8525. losangeles.cff.org

Eastern cooking: Join chef Mohan Ismail of RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen for his cooking class series, "Flavors of Southeast Asia." This one is called "Street Foods of Singapore." Ismail, a native of Singapore, is delighted to share his recipes and tips. The class menu includes Singapore chile shrimp, baked Chilean sea bass and teh tarik (pulled milk tea). RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen, Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. 9 a.m. to noon. $75. (310) 552-9988. www.rocksugarpanasiankitchen.com.

SUNDAY

La dolce vita: Forget your summer diet and join more than 15 bakeries and a variety of local restaurants, including the Geisha House, Milk and the Kress, for the third annual "Dessert Decadence." Mingle with other sweet tooths and sample crème brûlée, gelato, fruit tarts, dessert bars, gourmet ice cream and more. A cash bar will be available for those in need of dessert wine or cocktails. Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, 1755 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. 5 to 8 p.m. $40. (310) 709-3969. www.drinkeatplay.com.

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo: Mexico Restaurante y Barra specializes in tequila drinks including, from left, the Cadillac Eldorado, Jump on a Horse, the Ruby and the Silverrano. Credit: Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times

Five food events you should know about: Now with extra cheese

TODAY

Charity in the kitchen Join Orange County chefs Art Gonzalez, Adam Navidi, David Slay and Paul Squicciarini for a dinner in support of Culinary Action Direct, Miracles for Kids and Share Our Selves. Soak up cooking demonstrations and enjoy a menu of specialties from around the world. Orange County Wine & Food Center, 1570 Scenic Ave., Costa Mesa. 6:30 p.m. $65. (714) 960-0534. (714) 641-9922, www.great-taste.net.

THURSDAY

Summer wines There are few places as ideal as Descanso Gardens to sip wine at sunset. Fortunately, the Patina Group's themed wine-tasting series is back, featuring wines paired with a variety of tasty appetizers. This time the event is called "Mediterranean Musings" in the Rose Pavilion. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. 6 to 8:30 p.m. $54. (818) 790-3663. www.descansogardens.org.

Affordable elegance Grab a seat at Il Tiramisù Ristorante & Bar for a wine dinner featuring Maloy O'Neill Vineyards from Paso Robles. Winemaker Shannon O'Neill will be on hand to dish on the varietals. The four-course menu includes summer salad with arugula, shrimp, sea bass and Dijon mustard dressing; prime New York steak braised with apple cider vinegar and peach panna cotta. Il Tiramisù Ristorante & Bar, 13705 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. 7 p.m. $50. (818) 986-2640. www.il-tiramisu.com.

Block party Cool off with a block party hosted by Hugo's Tacos, which will be holding an ice cream social featuring low-cost sundaes, cups, cones and root beer floats. Venues along Glendale Boulevard will also throw their doors open. Expect DJs, art exhibits, dancing and more. Hugo's Tacos, 3300 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village. 6 to 10 p.m. (323) 664-9400. www.hugostacos.com.

Cheesy fun The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills invites you to get cheesy with three summer-centric French Pinots paired with French cheeses. Sharkey's patio, 435 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. 7 to 9 p.m. $50. (310) 278-2855. www.cheesestorebh.com.

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo: Owner Norbert Wabnig at the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills. Credit: Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times

Two last-minute food events you should know about: Winemaker's dinner at Dominick's, Rush Street anniversary party

TONIGHT

Spur of the moment Just in case you're sniffing around the Internet this afternoon, stomach growling, looking for something good to eat and drink tonight, I offer you this: Dominick's in West Hollywood is hosting a six-course winemaker's dinner featuring the wine of Topanga Vineyards. Winemaker Sandy Garber will be on hand to pour and talk about the pairings.

The menu includes oysters on the half shell, crudo with white peaches and basil, grilled pork cheeks with lemon-thyme reduction and creme fraiche panna cotta with nectarines and raspberry caramel. Dominick's, 8715 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. reception, 7:45 p.m. dinner. $65. (310) 652-2335. www.dominicksrestaurant.com.

TUESDAY

Fun for all Rush Street, arguably Culver City's most fun-obsessed bar and restaurant, is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a cocktail party benefiting Culver Palms YMCA. Guests will be welcomed into the upstairs lounge and patio when they give a $20 donation. In exchange they'll receive free appetizers, two free drinks tickets, a gift card and dancing. Rush Street, 9546 Washington Blvd., Culver City. 5 to 7 p.m. (310) 837-9546. www.rushstreetculvercity.com.

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo: Dominick's restaurant. Credit: Beatrice de Gea / Los Angeles Times

Four Food Events You Should Know About: Weekend edition

SATURDAY

Tamales and wine If you've never been to Mama's Hot Tamales Cafe in MacArthur Park, you're really missing out. Not only does the restaurant make fantastic tamales, it also tutors the community in how to make and sell tamales. And it fosters new businesses in the area. Now it hosts wine tastings featuring fresh tamales and wines provided by San Antonio Winery. All for a worthy cause, furthering the good work that Mama and the restaurant already do. Live music will be performed by Laberinto! Mama's Hot Tamales Cafe, 2122 W. 7th St., L.A. 6 to 9 p.m. $25 per person, $45 per couple, so bring that guy you've been meaning to ask out. (213) 487-7474. www.mamashottamales.com.

A sensory treat Join the Saban Free Clinic for its 12th annual "Extravaganza for the Senses" food and wine festival. You can sample sweet and savory bites from more than 40 local restaurants, including La Boheme, Milk, Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop and Locanda del Lago, as well as wine from more than 100 wineries. You can also participate in some spirited bidding when more than 200 luxury services and products are put on the block. Best of all, net proceeds benefit the clinic, which provides free medical, dental and social services to the homeless, uninsured, working poor and runaway and high-risk youth. 20th Century Fox Studios, 10201 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A. 7 to 10 p.m. $100. (323) 330-1670. www.thesabanfreeclinic.com.

Support the arts with food Get classy with the Associates, a support group of the nonprofit Palos Verdes Art Center, as it hosts its fifth annual "Celebrate Chefs" gourmet dining festival. Today's event is called "the Great Gatsby" and it takes place in the "five-acre Rolling Hills gardens and vineyards of Carole and Norman LaCaze." You are encouraged to dress up in your summer whites for this 1920s-inspired lawn party. Get ready to nosh on lobster, filet mignon, wild salmon and creme caramel prepared by Christine Brown, the chef and owner of Christine in Torrance. Also on the menu: mint juleps, classic cars, live jazz and croquet.  Address and time provided upon receipt of reservation. $135. (310) 375-6917.

SUNDAY

For the children Join Club Culinaire of French Cuisine for a very special dinner and fundraiser for baby Sebastien Daniel, who is fighting leukemia. A four-course meal paired with wine will be prepared by chefs including Josiah Citrin, Walter Manzke and Josie Le Balch. On the menu: foie gras terrine, seared Alaskan halibut, roasted lamb chop and more. La Cachette, 10506 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. $115. (949) 295-0506. www.clubculinaire.us.

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo: Sandra Romero of Mama's Hot Tamales Cafe. Credit: Stefano Paltera / For The Times

Four food events you should know about: Now with a good cause

TODAY

Dine out for a cure Who can argue with that logic? Especially when the cure in question is for breast cancer and the dining involves 17 restaurants including Ford's Filling Station, Rush Street, the Madison, Blvd. 16, Le Grande Orange and Cezanne at Le Merigot Hotel. Participating restaurants will serve you delicious food and then give 10% of the profits to the L.A. County affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For a full list of participating restaurants go to www.komenlacounty.org.

Dinner in Venice (without leaving town)Tonight All' Angelo is hosting the first in what will become a monthly Venetian dinner series. The dinners are inspired by a book of 5th century Venetian recipes that owner Stefano Ongaro's father recently acquired at an auction. Ergo, the monthly program is called "5th Century Venetian Tastings." For tonight's event, dinner will be paired with wines from a winery near Venice called Vignalta. On the menu: Venetian-style codfish and grilled radicchio, squid-ink-infused bigoli with clams, and pork ribs and homemade sausage with braised cabbage. All' Angelo, 7166 Melrose Ave., L.A. 7 p.m. $45, $28 optional wine pairing. (323) 933-9540. www.allangelo.com.

Mojito dinner and the L.A. Sparks Enjoy a four-course dinner with three minty mojitos on Ciudad's patio this evening. As an added bonus you'll also get a snifter of Zaya Gran Reserva 12-year-old rum to sip on. The menu includes Dungeness crab verrine, watermelon salad, Zaya braised beef and flan in caramel coconut rum sauce. Also of note: On Thursday evening Ciudad will have members of the L.A. Sparks basketball team on hand to serve dinners. The fabulous ladies will then donate all their tips to the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center and Women's Care Cottage. Ciudad, 445 S. Figueroa St., L.A. 7 p.m. $45. (213) 486-5171. www.ciudad-la.com.

THURSDAY

Get Victorian Heritage Square, one of L.A.’s most underrated museums, is hosting a series of mini-festivals beginning tonight and continuing every Thursday evening for the rest of the month. The final event takes place Aug. 9. The museum lawn, which houses eight pristinely preserved Victorian structures, will become a stage for musical performances, including the Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas, who perform this evening. Local food vendors, including Papa Pollo and Edible Arrangements, will also be on hand, along with costumed docents. Heritage Square Museum, 3800 Homer St., L.A. Free. 5 p.m. (323) 225-2700. www.heritagesquare.org.

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo: Heritage Square Museum at sunset. Credit: Ken J. Johnson, courtesy of the Cultural Heritage Foundation of Southern California

Four food events you should know about: Now with more Bastille Day

TUESDAY

You say it's your birthday The Original Farmers Market celebrates its 75th birthday with a week's worth of activities and an evening's worth of fun called "Taste of Farmers Market," which includes food samples and discounts from dozens of vendors, book signings and live music. The Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets $20. (323) 933-9211. www.farmersmarketla.com.

It's beer time Akasha restaurant hosts a New Belgium beer dinner featuring summer dishes made with local farmers market ingredients and prepared by Akasha Richmond, paired with beers crafted by Eric and Lauren Salazar of New Belgium Brewery. On the menu: Carlsbad Aqua Farm oysters, beer-battered calamari and okra, Niman Ranch beer-braised pork shoulder and flourless black ale chocolate torte. A vegetarian menu is available upon request. Akasha restaurant, 9543 Culver Blvd., Culver City. 7:30 p.m. $45 for dinner and drinks. (Wow!) Reservations required. (310) 845-1700.

I freak for France Finally, a true Bastille Day celebration can be had, at Maison 140, where the hotel's Parisian-style Bar Noir is teaming up with Club Culinaire of French Cuisine to present a party worthy of this town's most committed Francophiles. A DJ will spin French tunes while guests sip on French wine and Champagne and nibble on French cheese and fruit. The party is co-hosted by Sophie Gayot of Gayot.com and the hotel is offering a special overnight rate of $75 for revelers who'd rather not drive home. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Hope Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Maison 140, 140 S. Lasky Drive, Beverly Hills. 6 to 11 p.m. $85. (310) 281-4000. www.maison140beverlyhills.com.

A decade of the tasty Melisse restaurant is turning 10 years old, and to celebrate it's throwing a birthday dinner party on Bastille Day. Chef Josiah Citrin will put together a special four-course menu to be served for $100 that evening. Then, for the remainder of July, the restaurant will offer a 10-course menu featuring Citrin's favorite dishes from the last 10 years, priced at $150 per person and accompanied by the option of a $10 corkage fee. House specialties include Mandarin tomato soup, egg caviar with cauliflower mousseline and lemon-chive creme fraiche. Melisse, 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 395-0881. www. melisse.com

-- Jessica Gelt

Photo: Absinthe is prepared at Bar Noir in Maison 140. Credit: Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times.

Four food events you should know about: Weekend edition

FRIDAY

Latin love You'll find plenty of it at the fourth-annual East L.A. Meets Napa celebration at Union Station. The event, which is sponsored by AltaMed Health Services, features 40 wine and food-tasting stations, live music and an auction. The hook is that the event showcases the wine of Latino-owned or operated Napa wineries, paired with Latin food from local restaurants. Begone margaritas, it's wine time. Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., L.A. 6 to 9 p.m. $125. (323) 889-7886.

It's a block party Yes it is, and for a good cause, no less. It's the Concern Foundation's 35th Annual Block Party to raise money for cancer research. More than 2,500 foodies are expected to chow down on tasty morsels from more than 57 restaurants, including Ammo, Brooks, Chaya Brasserie, Pink's and Rustic Canyon. Billy Vera and the Beaters will play, there will be casino-style gaming and a bunch of tempting silent auction offerings, including vacation packages and spa treatments. (OMG, I need a spa treatment!) The New York back lot at Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose Ave., L.A. 6 to 11 p.m. $350. (323) 852-9844.

Walk this way We've got another do-good event for your radar. It's for the local non-profit Walk With Sally, which helps mentor kids whose lives have been shaken up due to the cancer of a parent or a sibling. Its yearly fundraiser is called "White Light, White Night." Sponsored by South Bay BMW, the evening features a performance by Gavin Rossdale, a silent auction (with more awesome vacation packages) and a variety of food stations as well as wine and beer from local restaurants and bars. Best of all? If you can make a basket from half-court, you may win a BMW convertible 128i. Yeow! Southbay BMW, 18800 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance. 6 p.m. $100 presale, $150 at the door. www.walkwithsally.org.

SUNDAY

Pour me a Pinot Noir Palate Food + Wine, the restaurant that put Glendale's car-lot row on the map, hosts winemaker Hank Skewis for a special afternoon of wine tasting and an extravagant winemaker dinner. Skewis will pour and discuss his delectable Pinot Noirs before settling down with guests to consume a wine-paired meal featuring dishes such as local sea bass with pork belly cracklings, roasted beets and violet mustard; grilled Sonoma lamb with forbidden rice; and artisan cheese with roasted grapes. I'm freaking out because it sounds so good. Palate Food + Wine, 933 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Afternoon tasting 1 to 4 p.m., $12; reception and winemaker dinner 5:30 p.m., $125. (818) 662-9463. www.palatefoodwine.com.

--Jessica Gelt

Photo: Gavin Rossdale and his wife, Gwen Stefani. Credit: Getty Images