Café Pinot’s The Art of Charcuterie
This educational program taught by Executive Chef Joe Vasiloff utilizes the entire animal with a one-of-a-kind educational experience on charcuterie. With years of crafting and perfecting the art, Vasiloff shares his expertise and knowledge on the practice with detailed courses that delve into the time-honored method of curing and preserving meats. The new hands-on learning series, offered monthly, rotates theme and focus launching in February with a study on Duck Prosciutto and Duck Rillette. Join in learning about Summer Style Sausages: Rabbit & Chicken Liver, Beef Heart & Squab. During the two-hour intimate chef-guided lesson, taught in the prep kitchen, you will witness demos before personally undertaking the crafting of the highlighted theme. At the conclusion of the kitchen program, a celebratory reception will be presented with a sampling of the featured charcuterie, domestic cheese, and wine. $75; Saturday, 12– 2 pm, followed by a 45 minute reception; 700 W. 5th St., Los Angeles, CA 90071; 213.239.6500; Resys required: here and return to artofcharcuterie@patinagroup.com
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
Toast the season five premiere of Game of Thrones (yes!) this weekend over Plan Check’s Game of Thrones Burger Pack (inspired by hearty delicacies enjoyed in the halls of power at King’s Landing) that includes Ommegang Brewery’s Three-Eyed Raven Dark Saison Ale and a collector’s glass/beer stein; choice of signature Plan Check burger including the PCB, Chef’s Favorite, or Bleu Print Burger; beef tallow fries; and cruller donuts. Through Monday; 1800 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, 310.444.1411; 351 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 323.591.0094; 1111 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 213.403.1616
Toca Madera Opens
This dark and sexy new Mexican spot is opening tonight with a decor of skulls, dark lighting, flames, and pinups, Dia de los Muertos-style. To go with the fiery walls, order up flaming drinks with over 100 tequilas. They also have table side guacamole, along with shared plates like shrimp in tequila beurre blanc, Wagyu steak cooked over a hot stone, and churro ice cream sandwiches. Opens Friday; 8450 W 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048; 323.645.7800
Taco Madness
The winner of L.A. Taco’s 7th Annual Taco Madness Tournament will be crowned on Saturday at Villains Tavern during a party sponsored by Red Bull. The party marks the culmination of a two week March-Madness-inspired bracket competition between 16 of LA’s best-known and critically lauded taquerias. Readers are tasked with choosing LA’s favorite taco from the best asada, pork and mariscos taco purveyors in the city. The party includes nine confirmed taco trucks, live art, specialty cocktails and some of LA’s top DJs mixing tunes voters can eat and drink to. $10; Saturday, 2 pm; 1356 Palmetto St., Los Angeles, CA 90013; 213.613.0766
Good Girl Dinette Pop-Up at Bloom Café
Mid-City dwellers craving for some stellar Vietnamese cuisine, rejoice! Popular Highland Park restaurant Good Girl Dinette will be bringing its best hits to a pop-up at Bloom Café on Pico this month. Score chef/owner Diep Tran’s chicken pho, crispy imperial rolls, and oyster mushroom banh mi. Fingers crossed, more permanent digs will be on the horizon. Friday, 5-10 pm; 5544 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019; 323.934.6900
The Goonies Screening
Watch the classic flick in all its ’80s glory at this screening next weekend. This is one of the best, so get there! Saturday, 7:30 pm; Electric Dusk Drive-In, 1000 San Julian St.; 818.653.8591
King Harbor Brewing Co.’s One Year Anniversary Celebration
King Harbor Brewing Co. is blocking off the outside of the brewery and gathering over 300 beer lovers for a day of music, food, games, and of course, BEER! A portion of proceeds will benefit local non-profit, Richstone Family Center. Tickets include eight 12oz pours with access to all beer tents, cask beers procured by Cask Ale LA, commemorative anniversary mug, photo booth, dunk tank, live music, and all ticket holders will go home with a bottle of King Harbor Brewing Co. Anniversary Ale. The Anniversary Ale is an Imperial Brown Ale brewed with Graham Crackers and has been aging in Corsair Whiskey Barrels. $50 (includes eight 12oz pours); Saturday; 2907 182nd St. Redondo Beach, CA 90278.
National Pet Day
Pamper and play with your four legged friends at Healthy Spot. In honor of National Pet Day, Healthy Spot will be celebrating all weekend with fun and free events for you and your pet! There will be in-store scavenger hunt (Saturday & Sunday, 12-4 pm), where you will receive a Healthy Spot Bully Stick and 10% off your purchase, plus you’ll be automatically entered to win a deluxe spa day for your pet. One spa day winner will be selected from each store. On Sunday, Healthy spot will be holding in store pet adoptions at select stores. Want to pamper the pet you already have? Bring your pup in for in-store demos from some of Healthy Spots favorite product vendors and stay for play dates from 4-6 pm. Locations: Santa Monica, Costa Mesa, Studio City, West Hollywood, Marina Del Rey and Long Beach
Mental Head Circus
This twisted, wildly intoxicating, audevillian aerial circus features aerialists, dancers, crazy antics, and all sorts of shenanigans. $40; Saturday, 6-9 pm; 6555 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Catfe
The second iteration of the Catfe is here. First hitting Chinatown last fall, the Catfe is where you can buy drinks, snacks, and pet cats. Founded by Carlos Wong, the Catfe has been so popular that $30 skip-the-line donations became the only way to get inside, after thousands of people showed up. Get in by being one of the first 100 to share your favorite cat photos through the Catfe Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Tumblr. Friday; undisclosed location in Los Angeles.
NHM First Fridays Rocks Out in April
Today, with technology, social media, crowdsourcing and the resurgence of the DIY movement, a general public of science enthusiasts — anybody with a passion for adventure and inquiry — can participate in the journey of discovery. This season, join in as NHM hears from the makers, doers and dreamers who are creating tomorrow’s scientific community today. Music tonight is from local favorites White Fence and Cherry Glazerr, and the KCRW DJ Lounge with Raul Campos and Anthony Valadez. This season is a new ticketing structure. No longer will there be a separate ticket for concert admission. General Admission, will provide access to all that First Fridays has to offer. $18, Museum Members: Free; Fridaay, 5-10 pm; 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90007.
Eastside Handmade
Expect another great roster of local designers this weekend at Shopclass. Over 50 vendors are offering handmade clothing, accoutrements, home goods, art, and more. Shop geometric gems from Twenty Two Hours, edgy-cool jewelry from Monica Squitieri, LA-inspired accessories from L. Makai,hand-dyed textiles from Juniper & Fir, colorful pottery from Pauline Wolstencroft, modern furniture and lighting from Spade Studio, stationery from Cactus Club Paper, and many other local talents; peep the full lineup here. Saturday, 11 am-5 pm; 5215 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042
Kinfolks Soul Food Festival
Soul food cuisine has its roots in the American south and describes a selection of foods that are traditional to the taste buds of African-Americans. Kinfolks Foundation, Inc./Destine to Succeed fuses together the tradition of good times, good music and good food with an opportunity for an average of 10,000 consumers per market to engage with brand ambassadors and non-profit organizations dispensing invaluable free information. Launched in 2007, the Kinfolks Soul Food Festival will have Salt-N-Pepa, Bobby Brown, Stephanie Mills, and many others. Saturday, doors: 4 pm; $35+; 700 Exposition Park Dr., Los Angeles, CA, 90037
Aaron Franklin and Adam Perry Lang Holding Secret Downtown Pop-Up
Adam Perry Lang and Aaron Franklin have a secret barbecue pop-up dinner this weekend. Meals include brisket, pork shoulder, linguine sausage and a bunch of sides. They are cooking enough to feed 8 people, so get there fast! $50 (cash only); Friday, 6 pm; DTLA; follow @AdamPerryLang for details on the day.
Sales:
A+R Venice
Snag deep discounts on the modern home furnishing shop’s colorful decor, kitchenware, and more during its grand exiting sale. Through April 26; 1121 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291
A.sweeT.Boutique
Get brands like Torn by Ronny Kobo, Zimmermann, Harylyn, and more for up to 70% off during the boutique’s closing sale. Through Friday April 17; 253 S Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212; 310.860.9265
Line & Dot
Get up to 70% off the contemporary LA label’s tops, dresses, bottoms, and more during the brand’s cash-only sample sale in Vernon. Saturday; 2807 S Santa Fe Ave., Vernon, CA 90058
Ludwig Boutique
Snap up vintage clothing, footwear, and accessories from $20-100 during the boutique’s closing sale. Friday; 9909 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Flamingo Vintage
Take 50-70% off the essential vintage boutique’s kaleidoscopic clothing and accessories during its closing sale. Through April 22; 548 S Spring St., Ste 113, Los Angeles, CA 90013; 310.595.0624
