Friday Quickies #52: Food Events Frenzy

Cupcakes and other treats from Vanilla Bakeshop at Dining by Design '08

Not a whole lot of food-related thoughts this week, but did get quite a few releases and advisories on interesting events - so here ya go:

In case you're wondering why the lights suddenly went out when you're dining Saturday, rest assured it's not a blackout (though it's never too early to conserve energy) -- LA Times ran a nice piece that over 40 restaurants will be participating in Earth Hour from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., turning off all possible electric lights to make a symbolic statement on concern for climate change. I'm all for environmental awareness, but hopefully I can still read the menu and not be caught in the middle of an accident with people stumbling about.

Sunday March 29 seems to have a bevy of food-related events. Asides from the previously mentioned Cupcake Challenge and the Shojin Matsuri party (both of which I plan to attend),Cafe del Rey is holding an a pre-Passover wine tasting event, with a variety of kosher wines available to try as well as kosher hors d'oeuvres and petit desserts prepared by the kitchen to prepare the annual holiday which begins on April 8. The event costs $45 advanced and $55 at door. For more information, call Kehillat Ma'arav Synagogue at (310) 829-0566.

For wine and classic fine dining lovers, on March 31st Morton's at Beverly Hills will be hosting a five-course dinner and reception with wine uber-celebrity Peter Mondavi, Jr. as guest of honor. Signature dishes such as jumbo lump crab cakes with mustard-mayonnaise, tuna tartare with avocado, tomato, Thai cream and balsamic glaze and filet mignon with bernaise sauce will be served alongside vintage wines from Charles Krug winery. $150/person all-inclusive. Reserve at (310) 246-1501 or jason_forst@mortons.com.

On April 2 at 7:30 p.m., Border Grill will be doing an UN-Margarita dinner to showcase tequilas in forms other than that ubiquitous limey drink. The four-course paired menu include ono ginger napoleon with a ginger collins cocktail, duck confit tamale with a red velvet martini and dulce de leche churros with an organic espresso cocktail with housemade coffee liqueur. Like the Ciudad wine party event I noted earlier, this one sounds like it'll sell out so make your rezzies fast.