Friday Quickies #55: Events for After Taxes Edition

Assorted cheeses served (and paired with vodka) at the Artisan Cheese Gallery

Whether you had to pony up or getting a refund, I'm sure we're all glad that another year's worth of taxes are filed are done with. Fortunately, this coming week has a trio of events that suits every budget.

On Monday, April 20 - Rustic Canyon Wine Bar is pairing up with Andrew Steiner from Andrew's Cheese Shop to do an artisan cheese dinner highlighting unique, craftsmen cheeses in a variety of familiar and eclectic dishes. The menu include crispy morels stuffed with Red Darla cheese from Washington, Purple Haze goat cheese ravioli with brown butter and hazelnuts and brown sugar creme fraiche trifle. The delectable five-course affair costs $55/person (wine pairings and an additional cheese course available for extra.) To RSVP call 310.393.7050

This Thursday, April 23, AMMO is kicking off Small-Batch Social highlighting top-notch distillers, winemakers and microbrewers. This month's event will highlight single-estate small-batch Tequila Ocho, with tastings of their 2008 Plato, Reposado and Anejo served sangrita-style (each tequila accompanied by a "shooter") along with passe hors d'oeuvres. $20/person - reserve at 323.467.3293

For those who are really pinching pennies, $5 will earn you admission (and a chance to judge) folks facing off at the 1st 7th Grilled Cheese Invitational in downtown LA, where you can taste and judge dozens of entries and deem who is the head cheese of them all. The three judged categories include the standard missionary (just bread/cheese/butter), the exotic kama sutra (with additional ingredients) or sultry honey pot (kama sutra with a sweet twist.) Arrive early, there's bound to be crowds and only 1,700 attendees can sign up to judge. If you're so inclined to show off your grilled cheese making skills, registration as a competitor is only $10 (plus the costs of your ingredients) and you get all sorts of GCI goodies to show for it too.