LA Weekly | The Essentials 2016

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On Saturday, February 20th, 2016 at the California Market Center, LA Weekly presents The Essentials, a food and wine event featuring tastings from the magazine’s 99 Essentials issue on their top restaurant picks in L.A., which will hit shelves the same week.

The Essentials, which is curated by LA Weekly‘s award winning food critic Besha Rodell showcases signature bites from restaurants featured in The 99 Essentials special issue, plus top shelf wineries and cocktail samples from our liquor partners. But since there will be libations, the event is 21+.

TICKETS

General Admission ticket includes:

  • Entry into the event
  • Unlimited food samples from over 40 Essentials restaurants
  • Beer, wine or cocktail samples
  • Access to our artisanal vendor village with 20+ vendors

Presale Pricing: $60 (November 17th @10am – November 22nd @10pm)

Super Advance Pricing: $60 (November 23rd @10am – January 3rd @11:59pm)

Advance Pricing: $65 (January 4th @12am – January 31st @ 11:59pm)

General Admission Pricing: $70 (February 1st @12am – February 19th at 5pm)

Door Pricing: $75*

VIP Admission ticket includes:

  • 1 hour early entry into the event
  • Unlimited food samples from over 40 Essentials restaurants
  • Beer, wine or cocktail samples
  • Access to our artisanal vendor village with 20+ vendors
  • Special VIP Gift Bag

Presale Pricing: $95 (November 17th @10am – November 22nd @10pm)

Super Advance Pricing: $95 (November 23rd @10am – January 3rd @11:59pm)

Advance Pricing: $100 (January 4th @12am – January 31st @ 11:59pm)

VIP Pricing: $105 (February 1st @12am – February 19th at 5pm)

Door Pricing: $110*

Participating restaurants include Terrine LA, BestiaConnie and Ted’s , Maude, Jon & Vinny’s,  AnimalInk, RepubliqueRedbird LA ,and more. See all of the participating restaurants here.

The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. VIP hour is from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cali UNCORKED

Join me this Saturday, November 14 at Cali Uncorked presented by Harrah’s Resort of Southern California.

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Unlimited craft beer, wine, and food. Cali UNCORKED will also feature a comedy stage, presented by one of the most influential comedy and lifestyle websites, Funny Or Die.Tickets are still available so grab one now and meet me there! 🍻🍷🍔🌮😂🎼

📍 5305 Santiago Canyon Rd. Silverado 92676

1PM-7PM 💲50 GA or 💲65 VIP

BALBOA PAVILION GRAND WINE TASTING

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Join us for this iconic new vintage waterfront celebration bringing the best of the wine & culinary worlds together – Where everyone is a connoisseur!

The Balboa Pavilion Grand Wine Tasting takes place this fall bringing together locals & visitors alike to a vintage waterfront celebration at the historic Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach. Taste world-class wine & enjoy spectacular views of Newport Harbor while indulging in samples of scrumptious cuisine provided by Harborside – the most iconic Newport Beach waterfront restaurant located inside the historic building built in 1906.

Attendees will receive a commemorative wine glass with a who’s-who list of over 20+ wineries & boutique vintners pouring amazing fine wines. Wine connoisseurs will join “snobs in training” to indulge their passion & palate. As guests sip & mingle they will be surrounded with dynamic picturesque views of beautiful Newport Harbor, wine country ambiance, upbeat entertainment & savor delicious fresh fare paired just for them featuring the innovative talent of the award-winning Harborside restaurant culinary team. Guests are encouraged to walk, bike, carpool, cab or UBER to event. Please don’t drink and drive. There is limited valet parking available & ample street, beachside parking available in the municipal parking lot one block away.

Get your ticket HERE

$10 OFF when you purchase your pre-sale tickets online prior to the event!

WHEN: Sunday, November 15, 2015 from 2pm-6pm

*Exclusive Launch Party Thursday, November 12th from 5pm-8pm!

Here’s a list of featured wines:
*Partial List Only
Ascension Cellars
Banfi Vitners
Carucci Wine
Cholame Vineyard
Constellation Brands
Daily Wine Dispatch
Hamilton Oaks Vineyard & Winery
Hug “O” Sparkling Wine
Navarro Vineyards
Orange Coast Winery
Regal Wine Company Brands
La Crema Winery
Miraval Rose
Stonestreet Estate Vineyards
Robert Hall Winery
Rolf’s Wine Shop
Angeline Vineyards
Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery
San Pellegrino Sparkling Water – Mixology Station
Southern Wine & Spirits Brands
Vina Sympatica Sparkling Wines
Vinemark Cellars
+More To Be Announced!

Tacos Tu Madre

Thanks to Damoneats I was invited to attend the soft opening of Tacos Tu Madre in Westwood. They are a fast casual taco shack that serves delicious fusion tacos including vegan ones too!

We got to sample a number of tacos

  • Duck molé
  • Carnitas
  • Chorizo & Egg
  • Vegan Banh Mi 
  • KBBQ

   
    
    
 All were very tasty! To my surprise the vegan taco tasted best! The tofu was firm and had a nice char. And the pickled veggies were so fresh and had a perfect crunch to them.

Be sure to get the frozen horchata. It’s SO good! Oh, and you can’t end your meal without getting those warm red velvet churros with cream cheese. Yum! 

Tacos Tu Madre is open to the public on Novemeber 1st. Check them out! 

Tacos Tu Madre is located on 1945 1/2 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 654-0664.