Weekend Docket: 1/27/12

Life? What life. This weekend is all about the food pour moi. Cloak & Dinner is back & better than ever (we hope.) With 2 seatings this time around, we've just doubled the amount of work, so expect to find me elbow deep in some delicious pork belly, edible artwork and... well I think I've already given away too much!

And Sunday. Just saying it. Bagel Sunday. Jeff. I'm there.

If I'm not completely burnt out at that point, I'd like to say I'd want to hit the LA Times Travel Show, but let's be realistic.  The rest of my day will most likely be snuggled with ZeroIsACat watching the boyfriend play video games.

What about you guys?  I want to hear all about your weekend plans too! Leave em in the comments below :).  And as always... if you want to connect, you can follow me on twitter @nicolemiizuka or find me on Facebook!

All Weekend

Los Angeles Times Travel Show
Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 5 pm
From safaris to scuba diving, wind surfing to wine tours, archeology excursions to relaxing on a pristine beach, here’s where you’ll discover amazing travel destinations, attractions, activities, resorts, products, luxury goods and services and so much more! This is the perfect time to make your travel plans for 2012, and if the allure of shiny & sexy destinations isn't enough to convince you to attend, I spy the lovely Alie & Georgia listed in the roster of speakers. And you all know that they are totally fabulous. The Travel Show will also feature activities designed to provide a mini-vacation in the heart of downtown L.A. And you will have the opportunity to hop on an exhilarating zip line presented by Ecuador Ministry of Tourism, "walk on water" inside bubble rollers, climb a rock wall and glide down a rappel tower. Entry $10 Los Angeles Convention Center 1201 South Figueroa Street http://events.latimes.com/travelshow/

Museums Free-For All
Saturday & Sunday
In a joint effort to present the arts and culture to the diverse and myriad communities in Southern California, the Museum Marketing Roundtable announces the seventh annual ‘Museums Free-For All’. The museums—presenting art, cultural heritage, natural history, and science—will open their doors wide and invite visitors free of charge. (May not apply to ticketed exhibitions). It’s a great opportunity to check out places like the Getty Center and Getty Villa, California Science Center, The Annenberg Space for Photography, Autry National Center, Pasadena Museum of California Art, and many more. Some museums are only offering the special on one day so make sure to check out the schedule at their web site. Various Locations http://www.museumsla.org/

Second Week

DineLA
Jan 22-27 || Jan 29-Feb 3
“This is an exciting time to be a chef in Los Angeles - not only are you blessed with great local product from the land and sea but so many talented people are coming to LA and opening restaurants. World class chefs like Michael Mina, Gordon Ramsay and others have decided to come here to do business, as well as tremendous local chefs like Suzanne Goin and Wolfgang Puck and others who continue to create amazing places to eat. dineLA Restaurant Week is the chance for diners to introduce themselves to these great new restaurants.” – José Andrés, The Bazaar by José Andrés. You know what to do. Start making those reservations! http://discoverlosangeles.com/restaurantweekv2/index.jsp

Friday, 1/27

L'Ermitage Wine Club hosts Vitalie Taittinger of Champagne Taittinger
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Bubbles & Beverly Hills? Why yes please! And throw in a handful of delicious edibles, including cheese, charcuterie and appetizers from Chef Joseph Elevado of the new Livello restro for kicks. This sounds like the perfect way to kick off your weekend. Once you meet Vitalie Taittinger, you'll understand why Beverly Hills and Champagne are a perfect pairing. As creative director and spokesperson for Champagne's only family owned and operated Grand Marque Champagne House, Vitalie will charm you, as will her champagnes, including Brut La Francaise NV, Cuvee Prestige Rose NV, Brut Millesime 2004 and Nocturne NV. $35 per person. L'Ermitage Beverly Hills Hotel 9291 Burton Way Beverly Hills, CA www.hollywoodandwine.net/news.php

Saturday, 1/28

Eagle Rock Brewery Turns 2
Noon to 4 p.m.
Come join us for our 2-year anniversary celebration at the brewery! We'll be celebrating another amazing year by featuring many of our special beers on tap in the taproom and an outdoor beer garden (Sorry, no pets or children permitted.). Grill Em' All and Mandoline Grill will be at the brewery to celebrate with us and serving up some of our favorite eats. Need more of a reason? It's only $12 for admission and all attendees get a commemorative taster glass to take home while supplies last. Verdugo Bar, 3408 Verdugo Rd., Eagle Rock www.eaglerockbrewery.com

Pinot Days Southern California
1 to 5 p.m.
Saturday's Grand Tasting will showcase over 80 phenomenal producers of pinot noir. Consumers will be able to sample up to 300 pinots from every important pinot noir region, from the Russian River Valley to the Santa Rita Hills, Oregon to the Anderson Valley, Burgundy to New Zealand to the Sonoma Coast. Come to the Barker Hangar to taste these highly acclaimed wines, meet the gifted and charming winemakers who create them, and experience the passion and romance that the pinot noir industry continues to embody. Discover and celebrate pinot noir in its many diverse styles, ranging from modern to earthy to elegant. Explore new producers, find wines you love, and become a pinot devotee if you are not one already. We call it Serious Fun. Come see for yourself. Plus there will be food from Le Pain Quotidien. All-inclusive event tickets cost $60 Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica www.pinotdays.com

113th Annual Golden Dragon Parade
1pm Start Time
Thousands of people will flock to the streets of Chinatown for the The 113th Annual Golden Dragon Parade. This colorful celebration along North Broadway in Chinatown has become the premiere cultural event in the Southern California Asian-American Community. The Golden Dragon Parade has expanded to include almost two dozen floats, multiple marching bands, government officials, various dignitaries, entertainers, local business leaders and cultural groups. The parade’s theme emphasizes ethnic diversity, Chinese Culture and exposure to Chinese-American businesses. The parade continues to be a rich and diverse experience for Angelenos of all ages and ethnicities. Chinatown, Downtown LA http://www.lagoldendragonparade.com/

Drink Eat Play International Wine Festival
5:00pm - 8:00pm
The Drink Eat Play International Wine Festival will feature dozen of wines hand picked by K&L Wine Merchants. Including wine from Italy, Germany, Brazil, South Africa, Brazil, Australia, France, New Zealand and more. A selection of spreads, cheeses, and bread will be available to nosh and pair with the unique wines from around the world. The event takes place from 5-8pm a the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel, leaving you just enough time to hit the blvd and all the excellent bars and restaurants in the area. Admission is just $60. Hollywood and Highland Renaissance Hotel 1755 N Highland Ave www.drinkeatplay.com

Sunday, 1/29

Japanese Food & Sake Festival
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A simply elegant and delicious pairing, who doesn't love a little sushi or yakitori with sake? Why not learn some culinary tricks from three of the city's finest sushi chefs this weekend, just in time to impress your Valentine's date. Chefs Nobu Matsuhisha, Katsuya Uechi and Hitoshi Sigiura will demonstrate some of their most popular dishes, including Matsuhisha's famed sashimi salad. You can also taste your way through Japan at the various food vendors, and participate in a sake-tasting contest to test your skills. There are even Taiko Drum Performances. Sierra Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel, 555 Universal Hollywood Dr., Universal City japanesefoodsakefestival.com

Vintage Clothing & Textile Show
9am - 3pm
The Vintage Clothing & Textile Show in it’s 29th year, features 65 exhibitors selling and displaying a wide selection of antique textiles, vintage clothing and much more! Beyond the high fashion vintage and gently worn designer clothing, you will find an extensive array of other material from nostalgic eras including vintage table linens, bed linens, Victorian lace, draperies and cushions, a variety of wearable decorative trims, perfume bottles, jewelry boxes, buttons, shoes, handbags, jewelry, shawls, ethnic textiles and the list goes on. The show has attracted a very loyal and enthusiastic following. In recent shows, designer resale has been a noticeably strong trend. Participating dealers are known to save their best and most unusual items for this event and their audience knows it. There is always something for everyone, from the most discerning collector to the college student on a limited budget! The Pickwick Gardens 1001 Riverside Drive Burbank http://www.caskeylees.com/Vintage/Vintage.html

Welcome Inn Time Machine
4pm - 10pm
As part of Pacific Standard Time’s ongoing art exhibition in Los Angeles, the performance and public arts festival is wrapping up this weekend. Included in the unique events is the Welcome Inn Time Machine in Eagle Rock. The Society for the Activation of Social Space through Art and Sound transforms Eagle Rock’s Welcome Inn into a venue for live performances. With a six hour event featuring experimental music originating in Southern California between 1949 and 1977. Welcome Inn 1840 W. Colorado Blvd. http://www.sassas.org/