Two for the world
Restaurant dining makes many cuisines available, but doesn’t tell you much about the people behind the food. The South Bay has two festivals that bring you in contact with their cuisines in a more personal way. The Be Romanian For A Day festival (Ernie Howlett Park, Rolling Hills Estates. Sat., Sun., May 26-7) and St. Katherine’s Greek Festival (St. Katherine’s Church, Redondo Beach. Fri. — Sun., July 13-15). Both feature hospitality more like what you would find in a home than a restaurant. You can meet the people, enjoy their music, learn a dance or two, and sample their culture as you enjoy their cuisine. You only get one chance a year at these, so put them on your calendar now.
Farm and Vine Dinner Series
Mar’sel at Terranea Resort
Thursday, May 17
Five courses by Chef Andrew Vaughan using produce from Murray Family Farms of Bakersfield and wines from Napa’s Daniel Vu of Heitz Cellars. 6 p.m. The farmer and winemaker will be present. $217. 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes.
Store.terranea.com
Savage/ Alchemy chef’s whiskey dinner
R6 Distillery
Friday, May 18, 6:30 p.m.
Noted chef Justin Disbrow of Savage/Alchemy presents four courses paired with spirits and cocktails made by R6 Distillery in their Sleepy Hollow speakeasy. $70 includes pre-dinner tour of the distillery. 909 E. El Segundo Blvd., El Segundo
r6distillery.com
South Bay Beer & Wine Festival
Ernie Howlett Park
Sunday, May 20
The fifth annual event offers tastings from over 80 exhibitors who set up tents on the grass at Ernie Howlett Park. 1-5 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club. $75. A $39 upgrade gets you VIP access, preferred parking, and early admission. 25851 Hawthorne Blvd, Rolling Hills Estates.
Eventbrite.com
Paul Hobbs Wine Dinner
Sea Change (Chez Melange)
Monday, May 21
Paul Hobbs, of Paul Hobbs Winery, visits from Sonoma to preside over a five course dinner that includes braised lottefish, smoked salmon salad, and Provençale 6 hour leg of lamb with rosemary sauce. 7 p.m. $95. 1611 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach
Reserve at (310) 540-1222
Oregon Pinot Noir
Second City Bistro
Monday, May 21
Tastes from 20 Oregon wineries with appetizers for only $25. 6 p.m. 223 Richmond St, El Segundo.
Reserve at (310) 322-6085
Umbrian Regional Dinner
Gaetano’s Restaurant
Wednesday, May 23
Enjoy three courses of the cuisine of Central Italy for only $36. Try crostini with English peas and pancetta, handmade pasta with artichokes and truffle oil, and eight-hour baby back ribs with polenta fritters and escarole. Wine and dessert are extra. 2731 Pacific Coast Hwy, Torrance
Reserve at 310-326-3354
Be Romanian For A Day
Ernie Howlett Park
Saturday-Sunday, May 26- 27
Try Romanian hospitality at a two-day festival featuring music, dance, songs, and storytelling, plus traditional Romanian wines, beers, and food. , 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Admission $10. 25851 Hawthorne Blvd, Rolling Hills Estates
Eventbrite.com
BBQ, Beer, Bourbon and Blues
Shade Manhattan Beach
Saturday, June 2
Sip a selection of bourbons and beers while enjoying live music and feasting on stylish versions of Southern comfort food. $55 includes barbecue feast, one cocktail or beer (cash bar available for subsequent drinks), and dancing to live music. 2 to 7 p.m. 1221 N Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach
Eventbrite.com
Triple B Romp and Stomp
The Depot
Sunday, June 3
Enjoy tastes of 14 Bourbons, offerings from local microbreweries, wine, all-you-can-eat BBQ, and great blues music from three bands. $75. 1 to 5 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Torrance Del Amo Rotary Scholarship Fund and City of Hope. 1250 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance.
Reservations at (310) 787-7501
Manhattan Beach Wine Auction
Manhattan Country Club
Saturday, June 9
Sample food from 40 restaurants, beverages from 80 wineries, distilleries, and breweries, and bid in both live and silent auctions. Live music and dancing under the stars will follow. 4:30 – 11 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation. General admission $300. 1330 Parkview Ave, Manhattan Beach
Manhattanwineauction.com
L.A. Beer Week Kickoff
Brewport, El Segundo
Thursday, June 14
Stone Brewing Co. will take over all 48 beer taps, offering many special and limited releases not yet to be poured in Los Angeles. Charity raffle will feature limited edition merchandise. Special food menu to pair with beer selections on hand. 4 p.m to midnight. Free. 204 Main St, El Segundo.
BrewportTapHouse.com
LA Beer Week
June 16-24
Various South Bay breweries, restaurants and bars.
LABeerweek.org
Chef’s Table Summer Solstice
Mar’sel at Terranea
Thursday, June 21
An intimate dining experience featuring Central Coast wines from Brewer-Clifton, chosen by Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel. 6 p.m. Proceeds benefit LA Waterkeeper. $297 includes a room at hotel for two. 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes
Reserve at (310) 265-2805
Patz and Hall Wine Dinner
Chez Melange
Monday, June 25
Five course dinner (menu TBA) hosted by winemaker Anne Moses. $95 pus tax and service. 7 p.n. 1611 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach
Reserve at (310) 540-1222
Hess Winery Dinner
Second City Bistro
Thursday, July 1
The five course dinner will include tastings of eight premium Napa Valley wines from Hess Cellars. 6 p.m. (menu TBA) $75. 223 Richmond St, El Segundo.
Reserve at (310) 322-6085
July 4 Block Party BBQ
Brewport
Wednesday, July 4
Outdoor celebration on Brewport’s adjacent parking lot. 3pm to 7pm. Special beer selections, live music. 204 Main St, El Segundo
Dine LA Week
Friday – Sunday, July 13 – 15
Various South Bay venues.
discoverlosangeles.com
South Bay Greek Festival
St. Katherine’s Church
Friday – Sunday, July 13 – 15
Homestyle Greek food prepared by the congregation, with Greek wines and beers. Live music and traditional dance, plus a Greek marketplace. $2 at the door. 722 Knob Hill Ave, Redondo Beach
SBgreekfestival.com
Bastille Day
Dominique’s Kitchen
Saturday, July 14
Celebrate the French Revolution with complimentary kir royale and special menu of French country dishes. All evening. 522 S Pacific Coast Hwy.
Reserve (at) 424-247-9054
Chefs and Cellars
Catalina View Gardens
July 15
Benefit for the Palos Verdes Art Center, hosted on a working farm and winery on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. 4 to 7 p.m. Come for an elegant dinner by local restaurants and caterers in the midst of fruits and vegetables ready for harvest, and drink wine made from grapevines you can see. 6001 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes.
CelebrateChefs.com
Farm and Vine Dinner
Terranea Resort
Thursday, July 19
Five courses by Chef Andrew Vaughan using produce from Regier Family Farms of Bakersfield and wines Sonoma’s Flowers Winery. 6 p.m. The farmer and winemaker will be present to explain their products. $217. 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes
Reserve at store.terranea.com
Walk With Sally
Sunday, July 28
12th Annual White Light White Night, with Food from 25 Los Angeles area restaurants, wine and craft cocktails, live music. 6 p.m. Plaza at Continental Park, 870 S. Nash Street, El Segundo
Tickets at walkwithsally.org
Chef’s Table Dinner
Terranea Resort
Thursday, August 9
“Tribute to Queen Bee” is the theme of an intimate dining experience for only 20 people, featuring wines from Grgich Estate. 6 p.m. Profits benefit Vistas For Children. $297 includes room night at hotel per two. 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes.
For reservations call (310) 265-2805
Bite at the Beach
MBS Campus
Saturday, August 11
Come to the New York City movie set at MBS Studios to enjoy beer from 30 craft breweries, nibbles from 30 restaurants, live music and Vox DJ’s. , 2 to 6 p.m. $45. $60 VIP. 1600 Rosecrans Ave, Manhattan Beach,
ManhattanBeachChamber.com
Summerfest at the Depot, Torrance
Sunday, August 12
Drinks will flow at the martini, wine and beer bars and there will be live and silent auctions. The Depot will provide their summer BBQ dinner buffet, live music, and fun, fun, fun. 4 to 8 p.m. Benefits Torrance Chamber of Commerce.
(310) 212-5009 or email debby@torrancechamber.com
Evening Under The Stars
American Honda
Saturday, August 25
This benefit for the Torrance Memorial Medical Center is the South Bay’s largest annual celebration of food and wine. Over 80 wineries contribute their best, with food from as many as 50 restaurants, plus a performance by saxophonist Kenny G, silent auctions, and more. 4 p.m.. Price not available as of publication. 1919 Torrance Blvd, Torrance.
TorranceMemorial.org
Celebration of Food and Wine
Terranea Resort
Fri. to Sun., September 7-9
Terranea Resort’s annual Celebration of Food & Wine includes seminars about food and drink plus meals with seasonally themed menus prepared by Terranea Resort’s award-winning chefs. The locally and sustainably grown and foraged ingredients draws connoisseurs from around the state as well as locals. Event prices and schedule not available at press time. 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes
Store.terranea.com
Farm to your kitchen
If you are determined to make a caprese salad in February, you should go to a supermarket. The tomatoes won’t be good, but they will be there. However, if you’re keeping the season in mind or are flexible about the menu, farmer’s markets offer produce picked at its peak. If you’re planning a party, do what restaurant chefs do: ask growers what will be available next week. You will be able to plan a meal using perfect produce, and your skill in the kitchen will complement their skill in the fields.
Farmers markets featuring farm fresh fruit and vegetables and a wide range of hot meals can be found somewhere in the South Bay every day, except Mondays.
South Bay Farmers Markets
Tuesdays
Manhattan Beach Farmers Market: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At 13th St. and Morningside Dr., behind City Hall.
DownTownManhattanbeach.com.
Torrance Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd.
Torranceca.gov.
Wednesdays
Hermosa Beach Farmers Market: 1 p.m to 6p.m. on Pier Plaza.
HBchamber.net.
El Segundo Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In front of the Whole Foods at 760 Sepulveda Blvd.
ElSegundo.org.
Thursdays
Redondo Beach Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In front of Veteran’s Park, just south of the pier.
Redondo.org.
El Segundo Farmers Market: 3 to 7 p.m.
Downtown, at Main St. and Grand. Ave.
ElSegundo.org.
Fridays
Hermosa Beach Farmers Market: Noon to 4 p.m.
At 11 St., and Valley Dr., next to Clark Field.
HermosaBeachFarmersMarket.org.
Saturdays
Torrance Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd.
Torranceca.gov
Sundays
Palos Verdes Farmer’s Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Peninsula High School parking lot, 27118 Silver Spur Rd, Rolling Hills Estates
