12 Food & Drink Events to Catch this April

After Easter and Passover, Angelenos will still need something to do this month. Here now, a list of our favorite events happening beyond this weekend. Of course, they are focused on food and beverage. To add a bit of flair, also find events that may appeal to all of the senses. Food, drink, music, film and art often go quite well together.

Meat 101 at NICK & STEF'S
When: Friday, April 20
Where: NICK & STEF'S; 330 S Hope St. Los Angeles, CA 90071
What: Chef Megan Logan has been hosting these events at NICK & STEF'S for the past few months. This month's class will teach attendees the difference between a New York steak and a Rib-eye. The $40 per person class includes various tastings of the subject matter along with tips on how to prepare the cuts at home.
How: Reservations are required. (213) 680-0330

Deschutes Brewery Reserve Beer & Cheese Tasting
When: Wednesday, April 11 6 – 9 PM
Where: A.O.C. ; 8022 West 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90048
What: Goin and Styne play with Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery and artisan cheeses – Caveman Blue, Delice Triple Cream and Timanoix. Taste hard-to-find Reserve Series beers: Black Butte XXIII, The Abyss and The Stoic. Listen to a talk from Deschutes brewer, Robin Johnson. $15 per person.
How: Reservations are required (323) 653-6359.

The 24th Annual Vintage Bouquet
When: Sunday, April 29, Noon – 4 PM
Where: Greystone Mansion; 905 Loma Vista Drive Beverly Hills, CA 90210
What: Benefiting the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation’s pro bono legal services, this year's Vintage Bouquet will feature tastes from Lawry’s The Prime Rib; Lady Chocolatier; Lexington Social House; Momed; Napa Valley Grille; Palomino Restaurant; STK Los Angeles; Taberna Mexicana; Wood & Vine and more. Wine will be free flowing throughout the event. Tickets are $125 per person if purchased in advance; $150 per person on the day of the event.
How: Call for tickets: (818) 610-0300

The Art of Cooking at Royal/T
When: Show starts Friday, April 27; Opening reception from 8 PM - 10 PM
Where: Royal/T; 8910 Washington Boulevard Culver City, CA 90232
What: Hanne Mugaas (Guggenheim Museum) has curated Royal/T's newest food-focused art exhibit. The Art of Cooking showcases artists -- including Takeshi Murata, Amy Yao, Viktor Kopp, and (everyone's favorite) Wayne Thiebaud -- who use food in their art, "as obsession, exploration or celebration – and often with a big dash of humor." Mugaas' brother, Petter Mugaas Joakimsen, is a chef who's creating concept dishes at the opening reception. Free and open to the public.
How: Reservations at the cafe are recommended. (310) 559 6300

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
When: Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22
Where: University of Southern California; University Park Campus, Los Angeles, California, 90089
What: Just a reminder about this annual event, happening later this month. As previously reported, the culinary stages will be full of local talent, including Nancy Silverton, Michael Voltaggio and Josiah Citrin.
How: General admission is free.

4th Annual LA Beer Festival
When: Saturday, April 7, Noon – 8 PM
Where: Paramount Studios; 5555 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038
What: As in past years, expect plenty of international and domestic beers, a wide variety of food trucks, and live music. This year's event has two sessions, noon to 3pm and 5pm to 8pm. Tickets are $40 per person.
How: Purchase tickets online. There will be no ticket sales at the door.

THE LQ & SK 4.20 HERB Dinner
When: Friday, April 20, 7-8 PM
Where: "SECRET!" (ticket-holders will be notified)
What: It should be obvious by now, but these crazy food people have been infusing a number of different dishes with some mind-altering herbs and fans can't get enough. LQ+SK 4EVR. Tickets are $100 per person.
How: Purchase tickets online.

The Art of Tequila at Mas Malo
When: Saturday, April 28, 7 – 10 PM
Where: Mas Malo; 515 W 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014
What: Their Tequila Vault has hosted many a rowdy event. Now, Mas Malo is opening it up to the public for a tasting of some fine tequila. The event includes a multi-course dinner as well as tastings in the vault. Tickets are $125 per person.
How: Purchase tickets online.

Spring Melt: Food Forward Fundraiser
When: Saturday, April 14, 7 – 11 PM
Where: Elysian; 2806 Clearwater St. Los Angeles, CA 90039
What: To celebrate the grilled cheese sandwich, Clementine and friends are presenting a full menu of gourmet grilled cheeses (in addition to other bites), an open bar with beer from New Belgium Brewery and wine pours from Jordan Winery. The event benefits Food Forward to harvest food, fight hunger & build community. Tickets are $75 each.
How: Purchase tickets online.

Foie for All
When: Nightly until July 1
Where: Mélisse ; 1104 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401
What: Imagine a menu that starts out with Foie Gras Cromesquis followed by an Amuse of Foie Gras Flan, Blood Orange Gelée, Toasted Hazelnut Foam... that menu continues on with five additional courses, including dessert, all featuring foie gras. Chef Josiah Citrin is essentially giving the bird to the foie gras ban. $185 per person.
How: Reservations are encouraged (310) 395-0881.

National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day at The Churchill
When: Thursday, April 12
Where: The Churchill ; 8384 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048
What: Grilled cheese events always take over in April, but the sandwiches from The Churchill's kitchen sound especially good. Consider: Bacon, Avocado, Oven Roasted Tomato, Gouda ($13); Shredded Beef Cheeks, Caramelized Onions, Blue Cheese ($14); Wild Mushrooms, Ementhaller, Humbolt Fog ($15) and Brandy Glazed Onions, Swiss Cheese, Parmesan, Mozzarella ($13)
How: Reservations are always recommended (323) 655-8384.

5-Second Films Festival at Mohawk Bend
When: April 10, 17, & 24; 6 PM - 9:00 PM each evening
Where: Mohawk Bend ; 2141 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
What: 5-Second Films will be screened on the bar's television sets while patrons can taste the drink that takes five seconds to make and (supposedly) five seconds to drink. It's made from CA-sourced Cismontane’s Blacks Dawn coffee stout and Fog’s End Monterey Rye whiskey and can only be ordered during this event.
How: Reserve on Facebook.