Melty, cheesy goodness. (Pictured sammich not available at event)
Just got the tentative schedule for today’s 2nd 8th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational! Yup! There’s more going on than eating grilled cheese sandwiches and indulging in the beer and wine garden!
All the judging tickets are sold out but you can still enjoy the following events today.
Happy Earth Day weekend, people! What good deed are you going to do this weekend to help save the planet? You can do something easy like purchase special Earth Day cupcakes from Magnolia and Sprinkles or be a bit more giving and volunteer; you can find find a volunteer opportunity here.
Thursday, April 21
3rd Annual IPA Festival at Naja’s Place
You likes da hoppy beer? At what is officially the biggest IPA festival in SoCal, you can choose from 70 of the best West Coast IPAs — Alesmith IPA, Stone Ruination, Ladyface Alehouse IPA and Pliny the Elder, to name but a few. See partial list here. There will be exclusive festival beers and casks, too.
Free Tacos by Border Grill Truck
Border Grill Truck will be giving out free Black Thai Grilled Alaska Cod Tacos to the first 100 customers to give them the password “Alaska Seafood.”
11:30am-2pm. California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park, Los Angeles (map).
The Nature Conservancy’s Earth Day Picnic Los Angeles
You love food, you love our planet. Celebrate both with a picnic! Either pick a picnic in LA via the Nature Conservancy meetup or organize your own! The green organization will be giving out free reusable shopping bags at the Original Farmer’s Market where you can then score Earth Day special by flashing your bag.
Saturday, April 23
Grilled Cheese Invitational 2011
The judging tickets may be sold out but that doesn’t mean you can’t still join in the fun. Taste free samples, vote on your favorite grilled cheese at the event, witness something called the “Cheese calling event” and enjoy all the cheese-focused entertainment and demos. My friends and cocktailers Alie & Georgia will be demo’ing their Bloody Bacon & Cheese cocktail which includes a grilled cheese sandwich garnish!
11am-6pm. $12 online, $15 door. Los Angeles Center Studios, 1201 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles (map).
Free Tequila at Spaphile’s Relax After Taxes at Pink Taco
Yup, free tequila at this pamper-yourself event, but it’s only the first two hours so get there early and then partake of the free mini spa treatments, snacks and drinks. Admission is $5 but it goes toward charity Livestrong.
3-7pm. $5. Pink Taco, 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). RSVP: events [at] spaphile.com.
Thirsty Crow’s 1st Anniversary Featuring $5 Cocktail
The Silver Lake bar is celebrating its first birthday with $5 Thirsty Crow cocktails — rye, bitters, ginger beer — (from 7-10pm) along with pie from All Jarred Up. Food truck Willoughby Road will be on hand selling its Southern-inspired cuisine.
7pm. Thirsty Crow, 2939 W Sunset Boulevard, Silver Lake (map). (323) 661-6007.
Monday, April 25
2nd Annual Belgian Beer Fest at Library Alehouse
For 10 days, this Santa Monica pub will go through 40-plus Belgian beers with 12 rotating handles. The $15 taster glass will get you discounts off refills. Monday is the kickoff party featuring Duvel beers including the special release collaboration by Ommegang and La Chouffe. Don’t forget to buy your spot at the Belgian beer dinner on May 6th which will have five courses paired with Belgian beers.
April 25 to May 5. Library Alehouse, 2911 Main Street, Santa Monica (map). (310) 314-4855.
SO many fun things to do this weekend. I hope it doesn’t rain!
Friday, April 23
$1 Cocktails at Bigfoot Lodge West
One of my fave Westside bars is debuting two new cocktails on its happy hour menu and we all benefit. From 8 to 10pm, the new drinks — Moscow Mule and the Honeycomb — will be specially priced at only $1 each! Only thing that makes me go “Wuuut?” is that their Moscow Mule is made with rum but it’s only a buck so why complain?
8-10pm. Bigfoot Lodge West, 10939 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (310) 287-2200.
Thirsty Crow Bar’s Grand Opening
Last night I had a chance to check out this wonderful, new bar which happens to be owned by the same cool folks who own Bigfoot West, Bigfoot Lodge and Saints & Sinners. And if you consider yourself a serious bourbon fan, you’ve gotta check it out. And yes, the skunk butts are thankfully gone, now replaced by some antique-y lights. Order up a Sazerac or a Manhattan. Or even a Pappy Van Winkle with an ice ball. And then grab a cozy table in the back room.
Thirsty Crow, 2939 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). (323) 661-6007.
Saturday, April 24
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Before Kindle and the iPad, there were books. Remember them? Well, now’s your chance to stroll down Memory Lane and peruse novels, short stories collections, cookbooks. Smell them, get a paper cut and perhaps converse with actual booksellers. You can also check out author panels and seminars while there.
Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm. UCLA, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles (map).
2nd Annual Unique LA Spring Show
Shop 300 hand-selected designers and artists and their wares. You’ll find unique clothing, housewares, artwork, gourmet edibles, etc. at this huuge two-day shopping event. It’s only $10 to get in and then it’s unlimited re-entry for the weekend. Admission also includes free drinks, hosted bar with Unique cocktails and a tote bag.
Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm. $10. California Market Center’s Penthouse, 110 E. 9th Street, Los Angeles (map).
1st 8th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational
Yes, Mom’s comfort food has got its own event in L.A. that’s the favorite of every Angeleno foodie. Tillamook Cheese is the official cheese sponsor of this much anticipated cooking contest and will be handing out tons of sample of its cheese as well as grilled cheese sandwiches. And even the cute Loaf Love Tour mini bus will be on hand. Attendees will get to witness the amateur and pro grilling competitions, partake of a beer garden as well as feast on the food sold by the multiple food vendors.
12-6pm. $10 online, $15 at event. Los Angeles Center Studios, 1201 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles (map).
Beer Class With the Beer Chicks at Rustic Canyon
Before I make you fall in love with this event, know that I’m not sure if tickets are still available. Yesterday Beer Chick Christina Perozzi said there were only 4 tickets left. Anyhoo, at this very informative, tasty school, you’ll get to go on a Beer Journey exploring the styles and flavors of craft beer. You can only buy tickets for this event online; they won’t be sold at the event.
12-2pm. Tickets online: $40. Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen, 1119 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica (map).
2nd Annual Santa Barbara Wine Fest
Taste over 150 wines from 48 Central Coast wineries, all handpicked by the Wine House buyers. Small production lots, single vineyard labels and more. That will be over $5,000 worth of Santa Barbara Wine you’re tasting for just $55 a ticket. And if you purchase any of the wines the day of the event you get $10 off!
2-4pm. $55 general, $68 VIP with early admission and parking. The Olympic Collection Banquet and Conference Center, 11301 Olympic Blvd. #204, Los Angeles (map).
Opening Reception Party for Poketo x Kitsune Noir presents “Los Angeles, I’m Yours”
Browse the living art market at the Space 15Twenty Gallery while enjoying Scoops ice cream and a DJ set by Aquarium Drunkard at this opening reception. Participating artists will include actor/musician Jason Schwartzman, film director Neil LaBute and over 30 L.A. artists. The market will run til May 15.
7-10pm. Space 15Twenty Gallery, 1520 N. Cahuenga Avenue, Los Angeles (map).
