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On Sunday, May 15th, the scenic hilltop garden of Barnsdall Art Park will be the site for Taste of the Eastside, an afternoon of food, drinks and music that showcases and celebrates the neighborhoods of Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, Atwater Village, Eagle Rock, and Highland Park. Proceeds from this inaugural community event will benefit a number of local charities: SEE-LA, Rose Scharlin Cooperative Nursery School, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and Barnsdall Art Park.

At Taste of the Eastside, guests can sample tasting-size portions of signature dishes from a variety of participating restaurants, including Auntie Em’s Kitchen, Gingergrass, The Kitchen, Little Dom’s, Yuca’s and more. Fuel will be provided by Intelligentsia Coffee, while samples of the adult beverage kind include beer, wine and tequila from Eagle Rock Brewery, Silverlake Wine and Malo, respectively.

Talmadge Lowe will be mixing Pharmacie cocktails for VIP ticketholders. | Photo: TOTE

General Admission tickets are $25, which includes 15 Taste Coupons. General Admission entry begins at 1pm. $65 VIP ticket entry begins at 12 noon, and includes 30 Taste Coupons as well as admission into the Pharmacie Cocktail Tasting with mixologist Talmadge Lowe of Heirloom LA. Additional Taste Coupons can be purchased at the event.

During the event, Taste Coupons will be used to purchase food and drink from participating restaurants and sponsors. Food samples will require 1, 2, or 3 Taste Coupons. Alcohol samples will be a minimum of 5 Taste Coupons. (Must be 21 or older to purchase VIP tickets and alcohol samples.)

Besides the food and drink, Taste of the Eastside (in partnership with Skylight Books) is hosting a local author signing event, featuring Randy Clemens (The Sriracha Cookbook), Lina Lecaro (Los Angeles’s Best Dive Bars), and Jimmy Williams and Susan Heeger (From Seed to Skillet). And the whole family can enjoy a free art workshop, presented by Barnsdall Arts Sundays from 2pm to 4pm.

KCRW’s Garth Trinidad will provide an afternoon soundtrack of world rhythm and beats.

Tickets are on sale now at Brown Paper Tickets. All proceeds benefit SEE-LA, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Rose Scharlin, and Barnsdall Art Park Foundation.

Taste of the Eastside 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
1pm–5pm
Tickets:

• $25 General Admission (15 Taste Coupons)
• $65 VIP tickets (30 Taste Coupons)
• $5 kids ages 2-12
• Ages 2 & under FREE

Featuring:

• Tastes of signature dishes by neighborhood restaurants
• Beer, wine & tequila samples (21+)
• VIP Pharmacie Cocktail Tasting with Talmadge Lowe (21+, 1-3pm)
• Free family art workshop (2-4pm)
• Music by KCRW’s Garth Trinidad (2-4pm)
• Local author book signing
• Silent auction

For more information, visit www.tasteoftheeastside.com.

Barnsdall Art Park
4800 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
www.barnsdallartpark.com

This weekend, Artisanal LA returns for the spring edition of its two-day showcase of the city’s finest local, sustainable and handmade edibles. Following on its Fall 2010 event (with an estimated 5,000 attendees), the community shopping, tasting, and learning experience heads to the Westside for the first time. The Artisanal LA Spring Show 2011 will take place on April 16th and 17th in a vacant department store off the Level 3 Dining Deck at Santa Monica Place, which will be transformed into a 50,000 square foot indoor venue with ocean views. With the new digs comes an expected attendance of 7,000 to 10,000 over the weekend.

Attendees will be able to shop from nearly one hundred local, artisanal and handmade food vendors, including dozens of new purveyors, with more participants added to the Spring Show roster every day. Besides the dizzying array of shopping options, Artisanal LA will also present a variety of demos, panels and hands-on workshops. Cocktail enthusiasts should block off some time on Saturday at 1pm, when Matt Biancaniello (Library Bar) presents his Market Fresh Cocktails demo. At noon on Sunday, Melkon Khosrovian (Greenbar Collective) will speak about The Importance of Organic & Sustainable Spirits. Then at 3pm, Eagle Rock Brewery and Nibble Bit Tabby Brewery will present a Local Craft Beer Panel. Non-boozy demos and panels include author Ani Phyo signing her book Ani’s Raw Food Asia and an Intelligentsia Coffee demo and tasting.

Artisanal LA Spring Show 2011
Saturday, April 16: 11am-8pm
Sunday, April 17: 11am-7pm

Admission: $10 online presale, $15 day of event (cash only, entry based on capacity)
*Children 12 and under FREE with a paying adult
Partial proceeds benefit St. Vincent Meals on Wheels

Featuring:

• Nearly 100 local, artisanal and handmade food vendors
• Chef demos, expert panels, and speakers on organic spirits, craft beer, local honey and more
• Free hands-on workshops and activities
• Local Wine Tasting hosted by Venokado (21+)
• Hosted Apothecary Bar from VeeV (21+)
• Organic spirits tasting with Tru Organic Spirits / Green Bar Collective (21+)
• Hosted beverages from Honest Tea, DRY Soda, Function, Coba and POM
• A Preview of Santa Monica Place’s ‘The Market’ and its purveyors before next month’s Grand Opening
• Two café areas featuring Intelligentsia and a preview of downtown’s upcoming Daily Dose
• Complimentary Bike Valet & 3-Hour Car Valet (w/ Dining Deck validation, first come, first served)
• DJ Bryan Davidson
• Photo Booth
• Giveaways all weekend

Santa Monica Place
Dining Deck, Level 3
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401

For more info and updates, visit Artisanal LA online at the official website, Twitter, and Facebook Fan Page:

• http://artisanalLA.com
• @ArtisanalLA
• http://facebook.com/artisanalLA

Artillery of the Angels

Summer barely made an appearance this year, and now it’s suddenly time to welcome the fall. As announced in its Twitter feed, Drago Centro is celebrating the last day of summer on Tuesday, September 21st with cocktail and wine specials. All drinks on the Summer Cocktail Menu will be $8, and Beverage Director Michael Shearin will be “opening some cool wines” for $8 a glass to toast his passing the Court of Master Sommelier’s Advanced exam. Tuesday will also be your last chance to try Jeni Afuso’s Momo Rye Fizz, the winning entry in The People’s Cocktail competition held at Drago Centro back in July.

Drago Centro Summer Cocktail Menu
Nuovi Classici (“New Classics”)

• Arancia Meccanica (“A Clockwork Orange”): Sombra Mezcal, Red Bell Pepper, Cilantro, Agave Nectar, Fresh Lime, Smoked Salt
• Artillery of the Angels: 10 Cane Rum, Rittenhouse Rye, Merryvale Antigua, Sencha, Pineapple, Cherry, Orange
• Dark Passenger: Bols Genever, Amaro Montenegro, Aperol
• Diabolico (“Diabolical”): Partida Blanco Tequila, Maurin, Velvet Falernum, Fresh Lime, Hawaiian Red Sea Salt
• Il Monaco Orientale (“The Eastern Monk”): Rock Junmai Ginjo Saké, Green Chartreuse, Fresh Mint, Fresh Lime
• La Sabbia Bianca (“White Sand”): Casa Noble Reposado Tequila, Coconut Cream, Fresh Pineapple, Fresh Lime
• Serenity Now! Lamill Organic Jasmine Tea Infused Hangar One Vodka, Lemon Verbena, Tangerine
• Tutto Americano (“All-American”): Laird’s Applejack, Angostura Bitters, Fresh Watermelon, Pickled Watermelon Rind
• Vitamin A: Karlsson’s Vodka, St. Germain, Fresh Carrot Juice, Serrano Tincture, Fresh Ginger, Orange
• When in London: Bombay Sapphire Gin, Pimm’s No.1, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cucumber, Raspberries
• Momo Rye Fizz (The People’s Cocktail winner): Rittenhouse 100 Rye, fresh peach, simple syrup, lemon juice, club soda

Classici (“Classics”)

• Americano: Campari, Carpano Antica, Fever-Tree Club Soda
• Bellini: Principe Prosecco, Fresh Peach Purée
• Negroni: Tanqueray Gin, Campari, Carpano Antica

Last Day of Summer Celebration
September 21, 2010
Featuring:

• $8 cocktails
• $8 select wines by the glass

Drago Centro
525 S. Flower St., Suite 120
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 228-8998
www.dragocentro.com

Tonight, downtown Culver City heats up with the launch of its monthly Summer Block Parties, featuring discounts, activities, live music and more, at over 25 restaurants and businesses. The Summer Block Parties will take place from 5pm-9pm on every third Wednesday from June through October.

AKASHA offers 50% off all wines during the Summer Block Parties.

Culver City Summer Block Parties
5pm-9pm
Beginning Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Every 3rd Wednesday from June – October

Summer Block Party specials include:

• AKASHA: 1/2 off all wines
• Bottlerock: $4 food, wine, & beer specials; Twenty Wines for $20/bottle (dine-in only)
• The Culver Hotel: Extended Happy Hour until 8pm, free appetizers & outdoor live entertainment
• Fraiche: Free glass of Fraiche sangria at the bar
• Gyenari: All night happy hour with $2 off specialty cocktails, $3 wells, house red & white wines, $2 Hite drafts, $4-$7 appetizers
• Lunch: $2 beers and mini-sandwiches
• M Café: Complimentary wine tasting with tapas and apps on the patio
• Rush Street: All night prix fixe menu for $21, free pole-dancing lessons (!) starting at 9pm
• Ugo Wine Bar: Complimentary wine samplings and appetizers at the bar

For more information, including a complete list of participating businesses, visit www.downtownculvercity.com.

VIP guests sample the 2010 award winners at a preview event in Century City.

After tasting through thousands of wines and spirits from around the globe, judges have announced the winners of the 2010 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition. Shortly after the repeal of Prohibition, the LA County Fair began awarding medals to the best of California wines. The competition began attracting wines from North and South America, Italy, and in 2002, expanded its entries to wines from around the world. The Extra Virgin Olive Oil competition was introduced in 2000, and the Spirits Category was added in 2007, including acclaimed entries such as this year’s Best of Show, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve (15 Years Old). 2008 saw the premiere of the Wine World of Sports, featuring sports dignitaries-turned-winemakers such as Tommy Lasorda, who was awarded Best of Show with his Chianti Classico DOCG (2007).

The public will get its first opportunity to taste the medal winners this Saturday, June 19, at Wine & Cars Under the Stars, a fundraiser that benefits The Learning Centers at Fairplex. The wines will also be available for tasting at the annual L.A. County Fair, taking place Sep. 4 – Oct. 3, 2010.

For the full list of winners, visit lawinecomp.com/2010winners.

Up close and personal with Pappy Van Winkle 15-Year, the Spirits Best of Show.

Spirits Best of Show: Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve KSBW (15 Years Old)

Spirits Best of Division

• 100% Blue Agave Tequila, Mexico: Batraspirits, Fat Ass Tequila Reposado
• Vodka: Winery Exchange, Esme
• Whiskey/Whisky: Buffalo Trace Distillery, Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve KSBW 15 years old
• Brandy: W. J. Deutsch & Sons, LTD., Landy XO
• Liqueurs: Frederick Wildman and Sons, LTD., Chartreuse Green
• Mixers: Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasoning, Demitri’s Bloody Mary Seasoning- Extra Horseradish

OXLEY Classic English Dry Gin, the Spirits Packaging Design Best of Show.

Spirits Packaging Design: OXLEY Classic English Dry Gin

• Overall Package: Gold, Best of Show
• Container: Gold, Best of Show
• Special Jury Award for Unique Packaging: Gold, Best of Show

Wines – Best of Show

• LIMITED PRODUCTION: Kiona Vineyards & Winery, Ice Wine – Chenin Blanc, Red Mountain, 2008
• WINE WORLD OF SPORTS: Lasorda, Chianti Classico, Tuscany DOCG, 2007
• BORDEAUX COMPETITION: Château Montet, Bordeaux Rouge AOC France, 2008
• BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR COMPETITION: Château Marac, Pourquoi Pas Moi, Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge AOC France, 2005
• RED ($14.99 AND UNDER): Villa San Juliette, Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, 2008
• RED ($15.00 – $29.99): Armida Winery, Zinfandel, Poizin, Sonoma County, California, 2008
• RED ($30.00 AND UP): Prime Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, Midoriya Hills Vineyard, Napa Valley, 2007
• WHITE ($14.99 AND UNDER): Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery, Pinot Blanc, Birch Canoe, Okanagan Valley VQA, 2008
• WHITE ($15.00 – $29.99): James Arthur Vineyards, Edelweiss, Nebraska, 2009
• WHITE ($30.00 AND UP): Dutcher Crossing Winery, Chardonnay, Stuhlmuller Vineyard, Alexander Valley, 2008

For additional news and information from the Competition, follow @LAWineComp on Twitter or Like the Facebook fan page.

Photos courtesy LA Wine & Spirits Competition.

Now in its 71st year, the prestigious Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition sees nearly 4,000 wines and spirits from around the globe come through its doors. The competition also serves as the foundation for a wine education program available to visitors of the annual LA County Fair, taking place Sep. 4 – Oct. 3, 2010.

Shortly after the repeal of Prohibition, the LA County Fair began awarding medals to the best of California wines. The competition began attracting wines from North and South America, Italy, and in 2002, expanded its entries to wines from around the world. The Extra Virgin Olive Oil competition was introduced in 2000, with California and Spain emerging as last year’s big winners.

The 2009 Spirits award winners, including Glenmorangie, named Best of Show.

The Spirits Category was added in 2007, including renowned entries such as last year’s Best of Show, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban (Whisk[e]y Single Malt Scotch 11-20 years old). 2008 saw the premiere of the Wine World of Sports, featuring sports dignitaries-turned-winemakers such as Tommy Lasorda, Mario Andretti and Greg Norman. And last year was the debut of Music Uncorked, a special category for musicians-turned-winemakers.

The public will have its first opportunity to taste the award-winners at Wine & Cars Under the Stars, a summer gala that benefits the educational programs of the The Learning Centers at Fairplex.

A complete list of all the winners will be available at the official competition website.

WIN A GIFT BAG FEATURING THIS YEAR’S SPIRITS AND EVOO ENTRIES!

(CONTEST IS CLOSED)

Before they are announced publicly on June 19th, the winners of the 2010 Los Angeles Wine & Spirits Competition will be previewed on Thursday, June 10 at an exclusive tasting event. Attendees will receive a gift bag featuring samples of some of the spirits and olive oil entries. Last year’s goodies included Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Hendrick’s Gin, and 360 Vodka.

Now, thanks to the generous folks at the competition, one of you lucky readers can win a gift bag and sample some of the world-class competition entries! And they’re even throwing in shipping, so you don’t have to go somewhere to claim the prize, the prize comes to you. How cool is that?

Here’s what the winner will get:

• A variety of spirits and olive oil samples from this year’s competition
• A pair of tickets to the upcoming LA County Fair
• Vouchers to the wine-tasting seminars at this year’s Fair

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment with your favorite thing about the LA County Fair. It can be anything: the food, the beer garden, the rides, the pig races; it’s up to you! And if you’ve never been, then tell me what you’re really looking forward to seeing at the LA County Fair if you win.

Contest rules:

• Must be a Southern California resident, 21 or over to enter.
• Only one comment/entry per person.
• Comment must be submitted by 5pm on Thursday, June 10.

Once all the entries are in, the Randomizer will pick a name and I’ll announce the winner on Friday, June 11.

That’s it, so get those comments in and good luck!

UPDATE 6/11: The contest is now closed! Congratulations to our winner, Lisa Starks! Thanks to everyone for entering and leaving your comments. Stay tuned for the list of winners from the Wine & Spirits Competition.

UPDATE 6/17: Since our winner never claimed her prize, the gift bag goes to our runner-up, Hemang!

The exclusive wine tasting tour will feature a flight of ten wines crafted solely from grapes grown in the Malibu AVA. Pourtal’s high-tech Enomatic machines will be busy dispensing tastes through the month of January. Each wine is priced per 1 oz. pour, and guests are welcome to sample at their own pace. Two additional Malibu wines will be available from Pourtal’s by-the-glass list.

Made in Malibu featured wines include:

• 2006 Hoyt Family Vineyards Chardonnay
• 2008 Republic of Malibu Pink Lady Rosé
• 2007 Cielo Malibu Rouge
• 2001 Semler Cabernet Sauvignon Library Release
• 2005 Semler Syrah
• 2005 Rosenthal Malibu Newton Canyon Merlot
• 2004 Rosenthal Surfrider Red
• 2007 Griffin Family Vineyard Malbec
• 2007 Malibu Vineyards “Vortex” Sangiovese
• 2008 Malibu Sanity Pinot Noir, Schetter Malibu Vineyard

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Made in Malibu debuts on Wednesday, January 6 with a launch party honoring the winemakers. Representatives from each of the featured wineries will discuss their wines as well as hand-pour an additional wine. Pourtal will provide hosted appetizers for guests. Admission to the launch party is free. The hand-poured tastings are free with the purchase of a $15 Pourtal tasting card, which may be used for pours from the Enomatic machines at any time.

Throughout the month, Pourtal will also host select Malibu wineries for a special series of hand-poured tasting events. Each winemaker will present several off-the-list wines to taste, as well as have a few bottles available for purchase. The tastings are free to guests with the purchase of a $15 Pourtal tasting card.

NOTE: Dates and times for the special tastings are subject to change. For the full schedule of tasting events, please visit Pourtal’s website.

Made in Malibu
Wine Tour and Tasting Series
Jan. 6-31, 2010
Available any time during regular business hours.

Launch Party: Wednesday, January 6th, from 7-10pm.

Pourtal
104 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 393-7693
www.pourtal.com

Update 1/19: Tonight, you can support the Haiti earthquake relief effort by drinking wine. From 7pm to closing, Pourtal will donate 25% off all tasting sales on Tuesday night to the Santa Monica chapter of the Red Cross specifically for the earthquake relief in Haiti.