Riva
For dineLA.com
Aug. 23: 5x5 Chefs Collaborative
It’s the penultimate 5x5 Chefs Collaborative of the year. This one takes place at Water Grill and unites the fabulous five once again for what promises to be a knockout dinner. Who is the fabulous five you ask? Water Grill chef David LeFevre as well as Neal Fraser, Josiah Citrin, Michael Cimarusti and Gino Angelini. Tonight’s guest chef is Curtis Duffy of Avenues in Chicago. $150 per person. $65 supplement for wine pairings. 213.891.0900.
Sept. 13: Italian Cooking Class at Restaurant Christine
Join chef Christine Brown this afternoon (1 p.m. to be exact) for an “Autumn Harvest in Italy” cooking class. Plenty of sampling included. $55 per person. 310.373.1952.
Sept. 15: “Endless Summer” Dinner at SonaTonight, David Myers is joined at his La Cienega restaurant Sona, by Australian chef Luke Mangan and chef Noriyuki Sugie. The trio will prepare a five course prix fixe menu with the theme, “Endless Summer,” since our summer is wrapping up but they’re just beginning theirs down under. Seafood will star. $95 per person. 310.659.7708.
Oct. 2: Taste of Downtown Burbank
Save the date valley-ites. The fifth annual Taste of Downtown Burbank takes place tonight along San Fernando Valley Boulevard. The event features a beer and wine garden and live entertainment. tasteofdowntownburbank.com
Oct. 3: 27th American Wine & Food Festival
We’re loathe to play favorites. But if you’re going to go to just one big foodie charity event this season, the American Wine & Food Festival, held at the Universal Studios Back Lot, is probably our pick. It is hosted by the Wolfgang Puck & Barbara Lazaroff Charitable Foundation. And it attracts some very big guns from all over the country who don’t skimp on what they serve. There’s always a great silent auction and live entertainment. But really it’s all about pacing yourself. Because you definitely don’t want to run out of room before you get to the warm lobster rolls (which we still remember fondly from years past) or whatever your weakness may be. awff.org.
Oct. 4: Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner
If last night’s festivities left you wanting more or you’re looking for something more exclusive (exclusive to the tune of $750 per person), tonight’s Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner, part of the American Wine & Food Festival, should fit the bill. Wolfgang Puck and his peeps are joined by the likes of Thomas Keller, Nobu Matsuhisa and Dean Fearing for a six course dinner at Spago. Contact Tracey Spillane at Spago: 310.385.0880.
Oct. 5: March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction
Andrew Kirschner of Wilshire, Akasha Richmond of Akasha Restaurant and Jorge Chicas of The Bazaar by Jose Andres at the SLS Hotel (which is playing host to this evening’s festivities), are among the chefs coming out for a good cause: raising money for the March of Dimes. In addition to lots of good food and vino from various wineries, the event will feature both silent and live auctions. For tickets or more information, contact Debbie Martin at 213.637.5041 or dmartin@marchofdimes.com.
