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The annual Los Angeles Food and Wine Fest enters its sixth year this weekend, with numerous tasting events occurring August 25—28. Much of the action takes place in downtown Los Angeles, where a red carpet will be unfurled along Grand Avenue in front of the Walt Disney Concert Hall for guests to stroll as they eat and imbibe to what is likely beyond their heart's content. The event is full of enough celebrity chefs to delight any Food Network fan, and while pricy, it is a chance to experience plenty of incredible food (and booze) in one place. There will be several large tasting events, similar to any major food fest, but also smaller, more intimate lunches at various restaurants around town. Here's what they have coming up:
Tastings
Eat the World with Emeril Lagasse takes place on Thursday, August 25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in front of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The name is derived from Lagasse's Amazon Original Series Eat the World. As the name implies, there will be lots of global food, plus wine, beer and cocktails. Tickets are $115, or $160 for VIP.
Night Market takes place on Friday, August 26 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. Expect night market-style street food, plus craft cocktails, sake, beer and wine. The event is hosted by chef Jet Tila (Dallas’ Pakpao Thai) and Brian Malarkey (Herringbone). Tickets are $125, or $175 for VIP.
If molecular gastronomy isn't your thing, but you would like a hearty plate of comfort food, perhaps try Modern Diner Dinner on Friday, August 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Nikel Diner in downtown Los Angeles. This menu will consist of all our childhood classics from chefs Bruce Kalman (Union), Duff Goldman (Charm City Cakes), Monica May (Nickel Diner), and Nick Shipp (Upper West). Plus wine, of course. Tickets are $175.
Sunset Grill ’n Chill happens poolside at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica on Saturday, August 27 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The chefs here will be using the grill to complete their works, and it won’t just be your standard burgers and hot dogs. Chefs include Rick Bayless (Red O), John Tesar (of Dallas’ the Knife), Sax Baxer (Connie and Ted’s), Yousef Ghalaini (Fig), Nick Shipp (Upper West), and Ben Ford (Ford’s Filling Station). Wine comes via Napa Valley's Copper Cane. Tickets are $125.
Live on Grand takes place on Saturday, August 27 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Grand Ave. in downtown Los Angeles, in front of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. You can walk about and taste food from 30 chefs, and wine from over 50 wineries. Chefs include Francis Derby (The Cannibal), Genevieve Gergis (Bestia), Rory Herrmann (Barrel & Ashes), Dakota Weiss (Estrella), Fernando Darin (Ray’s and Stark Bar) and several more. There will be a performance from De La Soul and the whole event is hosted by The Great Food Truck Race host Tyler Florence (San Francisco’s Wayfare Tavern). Tickets are $175, or VIP for $250.
The Lexus Grand Tasting occurs at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Sunday, August 28 from noon to 3 p.m. You can sample from over 200 wines (we'd recommend narrowing that down), and food from 25 different chefs. As with the events on Grand, this too is a strolling event, meaning you can move from station to station and maybe get a slight bit of exercise in between all the eating and drinking. Football fans will also be able to get a slider adorned with their preferred team's logo at the NFL Homegating’s Slider Zone, which is, yes, a real thing.Tickets are $125, or $175 if you want to get in a half hour early.
Power Lunches
LAFW's Power Lunch series happens on Friday. Each venue will offer a robust meal consisting of several courses prepared by acclaimed chefs. The lunch at 71 Above sold out, but some other good spots remain. See the schedule and get tickets here. (Menus subject to change.)
Otium with Timothy Hollingsworth, Jon Shook & Jeremy Fox: Tickets include admission to The Broad's Cindy Sherman exhibit. 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. $125
Dine with the Ladies: Featuring Lexus Culinary Master Stephanie Izard and Chef Antonia Lofaso at Scopa Italian Roots in Venice. Noon to 2:30 p.m. $125
Hinoki & The Bird with Brandon Kida & Kevin Meehan: The menu includes includes pickled mussels, black garlic barley risotto, sea bass, meringue gelato and more. Noon to 2:30 p.m. $125
Rose Café Lunch with Jason Neroni, Evan Funke, Francis Derby & Nyesha Arrington. Noon to 2:30 p.m. $125
Hinoki & The Bird with Brandon Kida & Kevin Meehan: The menu includes includes pickled mussels, black garlic barley risotto, sea bass, meringue gelato and more. Noon to 2:30 p.m. $125
Simbal with Shawn Pham & Jessica Largey: Guests will get a Southeast Asian-inspired four-course meal including corn Fritters, basil cured hamachi, grilled duck breast, coconut flan and more. Noon to 2:30 p.m. $125
Paley with Chef Greg Bernhardt & Hugh Acheson: Dishes include foie gras mousse, spot pawn chopped salad, braised brisket, brownie crunch bars, and more. Noon to 2:30 p.m. $125
The Arthur J with David LeFevre & Alex Seidel: Melon gazpach, thai spiced hamachi, wood-fired octopus, boneless pork ribeye and more. $125
The Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival takes place at various locations around Los Angeles August 25—28. Tickets can be ordered online and picked up at each event's individual will call, which can be found here.
