Calendar: food and wine

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Apr 22, 2009 | by Anonymous

Events

Pleasant Hill Wine Merchants Blind Tasting -- Mueller Winery takes on under $25 Pinot Noir 5-8 p.m. April 24. $5-$10. Come and pick your favorites. 2685 Pleasant Hill Road, Suite D, Pleasant Hill. 925-939-9463.

-- National Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day -- 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. April 23. Free lunch entree and beverage to all children accompanied by their parents. Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto, 1919 Fourth St., Berkeley. 510-845-7771.

-- Second annual Food and Wine Event -- 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 26. More than 40 wineries, breweries and restaurants. Auction, music, cooking demonstration, cake walk and tree of abundance. With purchase of ticket you will receive a complimentary wine glass and plate. 2600 Mission Bell Drive, gymnasium building, San Pablo. $30 advance/$35 door. 510-235-7800, Ext. 4408, www.contracosta.edu; tickets: www.contracostabooks.com.

-- A Taste of Tamales by the Bay -- Noon-4:30 p.m. April 26. Sample many tamale styles from some of the finest tamale makers in Northern California, including up-and-coming food artists supported by La Cocina Community Kitchen. See how to make and serve tamales; learn about pairing tamales with wines from Reynoso Vineyards; sample Rancho Gordo's new world heirloom beans and Mrs. A's Famous Salsa Buena. Watch the Bay Area's hottest margarita gladiators battle to make the best margarita; share stories of your celebratory food traditions; and enter the Grand Raffle for exciting prizes -- all the while listening to Conjunto Jose Roberto's live Latin rhythms. Fort Mason Center, Conference Center, Buchanan @ Marina Blvd., S.F. $35 by April 18, $40 after. Children 6-12 $15, children younger than 6 free with adult admission. 415-695-9296, www.tamalesbythebay.org.

-- Third annual 31-cent scoop night -- 5-10 p.m. April 29. Ice cream lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy their favorite Baskin-Robbins flavor for only 31 cents while paying tribute to local fire heroes of all ages. Baskin-Robbins is partnering with the National Volunteer Fire Council. Participating Baskin-Robbins stores will help raise additional funds for local firehouses by inviting fire departments to the event to collect donations. www.baskinrobbins.com.

-- First Fusion Friday -- 5-7:30 p.m. May 1. Combine the healthful fresh creations of Scooters with the heart-friendly Red Fusion. Enjoy fun, country atmosphere with live music by Tapestry. Admission includes wine tasting, appetizers and souvenir wine glass. Borra Vineyards, 1301 E. Armstrong Road, Lodi. $10. 209-368-2446, www.borravineyards.com.

-- Five Star Night Benefit for Alameda County Meals on Wheels -- 6:30-9:30 p.m. May 1. Featuring a Champagne and fine wine reception, silent and live auctions, gala dinner and dancing with Salsamania. The three-course dinner and dessert buffet, under the guidance of Narsai David and Ellen Tussman, will be created by 15 of the Bay Areas finest chefs. 4700 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. $250. Reservations by April 29. 510-577-3580.

-- The Melting Pot San Mateo Mother's Day Celebration -- Noon-9 p.m. May 10. Enjoy fondue cuisine with a cool refreshment or a glass of wine. In addition to their Mother's Day specials, guests can choose from a number of house specials. $49 adults, $25 children 5- 12, $10 children younger than 5. 2 North B St., San Mateo. 650-342- 6358.

-- Cooking For Solutions 2009 -- May 15-16. Cooking for Solutions Gala, 7:30-10:30 p.m. May 15. $120-$150. Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations 8-11:30 a.m. May 16. $60-$75. Food and Wine Adventure, 9:30 a.m. May 16. $175-$225. Deluxe Adventure with Thomas Keller, Jim Fetzer and Julie Pacard, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 16. $675-$850. Sustainable Seafood Information Fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 16. Event packages available. 831-644-7561, www.cookingforsolutions.org.

-- Passport to Sonoma Valley -- 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 16-17. Tour one day or the entire weekend as more than 50 Sonoma Valley Wineries present more than 300 wine and food pairings. Your passport and commemorative wine glass give you unlimited tastings, discounts on wine purchases and entry to Sonoma Valley's wineries and hidden gems not normally open to the public. $50-$65. 707-935-0803, www.sonomavalleywine.com., www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com.

-- June Fusion Friday -- 5-7:30 p.m. June 5. Sunset in a sea of vines. Featuring complimentary appetizers from Shadow Oaks Steak House. Music by Stringin' Along. Borra Vineyards, 1301 E. Armstrong Road, Lodi. $10 admission includes wine tasting, appetizers and souvenir wine glass. 209-368-2446, www.borravineyards.com.

Dinners

One Fermented -- 6:30-9 p.m. April 23. The evening's prix fixe menu, prepared by Spenger's Executive Chef Devon Boisen, will consist of five courses each paired with California wines. The food focus will be fresh halibut, now in season. Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto, 1919 Fourth St., Berkeley. $69.95. 510-845-7771.

-- Duckhorn Wine Dinner -- 6:30 p.m. April 24. Join Alex Ryan, president of Duckhorn Wine Company, for a wine-paired dinner featuring Duckhorn Vineyards, Paraduxx and Goldeneye. Duck Club, 3287 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. $99 plus tax and gratuity. Reservations only. 925-283-7108.