The best restaurant and bar events in Los Angeles

Now one of L.A.'s most treasured summer traditions, Barnsdall Park’s wine tastings regularly attract sell-out crowds. Perched atop Olive Hill in the west lawn of historic Hollyhock House (which you can tour during the evening for $12), the Barnsdall Friday fundraisers include fine selections of boutique wines provided by Silverlake Wine with a spectacular sunset and 360-degree views of the city. Bring along a blanket and a picnic basket, or just nosh on the variety of food trucks parked up there. Though there used to be lots of kids running around, the event lawn is now 21-and-up—perfect for a date night. Proceeds support the park's art programs and historic renovations.

One of L.A.'s best bakeries kicks it up a notch each Sunday night, offering seasonal pizzas from 5 to 8pm. Ingredients range from balsamic and manchego to eggs and shaved fennel, but whatever winds up being on the menu, get there fast—slices run out quickly.

To celebrate the tradition of Sunday family dinners, Belcampo in Santa Monica has launched a weekly 3-course dinner series called Sunday Suppers. Each dinner will be prix-fixe and feature dishes that incorporate their sustainable and high-quality meat. Chef Brett Halfpap's weekly menus will be full of comforting dishes including market salads, French dip sandwiches, steak frites, Belcampo burgers, desserts and much more. 

Begin your workweek in Southern style while feasting on comfort food, sippin' on a cold one and listening to live blues at Baltaire's BBQ, Blues & Brews series every Monday night. Executive chef Travis Strickland presents a menu of finger-licking dishes like jalapeño cornbread with bourbon pecan butter, blue cheese fondue dip with housemade salt & vinegar chips, and the Southern burger with ramp aioli and smoked onion jam. Seating is first-come, first-serve and only available in the bar and lounge, so come early and plan on leaving with a Southern drawl.

Dine out without digging too deep into your wallet at Little Dom's Monday night supper, where a three-course meal goes for an affordable $18. Each week the menu changes—some weeks it might feature pasta, others it could highlight roast chicken—but the lineup always includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Drinks are discounted, too: snag a bottle of red or white for $18, or a Pabst Blue Ribbon for $3. Check Little Dom's website for the most updated Monday night menu.

Ever wondered what Chef Roy Choi ate growing up? Join Feastly Arts District and Mommy Choi as she cooks up a Korean family-style comfort food feast featuring her new line of Mommy Sauces. Enjoy dishes such as swai jeon (fish pancake) with zucchini; Korean galbi with kimchi Caesar salad; spicy chicken skewers with Korean glass noodles and more. In addition, you'll get the chance to pick up your choice from the line of sauces, which includes spicy bulgogi, kimchi and “magic sauce” for $5—all normally retailing for $12.95. Once you purchase your $45 ticket, you'll be given access to the event's top-secret location, and from there, it's nothing but a Korean feast with Feastly and Mommy Choi.

Looking for a go-to Wine Wednesday option? Downtown's Everson Royce Bar offers a killer deal every Wednesday off the week: $25 for a flight of three wines and one of chef Matt Molina's culinary creations. Each week brings something new so you'll never get bored—though, let's face it, you'll probably get drunk. Cheers!

Celebrate your love of Japanese culture (and, most importantly, gyozas!) at this epic showdown—in year's past the world's top ranked eater, Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, downed 384 dumplings. Watch in awe (or horror) as food-guzzling champs tackle the ten-minute challenge of who can eat the most dumplings. It's bound to make you hungry. Fear not: a food stand will be available for those who enjoy gyoza—and you don't even have to wolf them down like the pros. 

What better way to enjoy the last few weeks of summer than to enjoy a cold beer—or four—on the patio? Head over to Crafted Kitchen for a beer-and-pairing workshop led by Indie Brewing Co. co-founder Connor Forbes. Learn how to identify specific flavors, and how flavors translate into basic food pairings. Then sip on some of Indie Brewing's brews, from a light ale to a malty stout. And because beer is only better with food, enjoy a tasting menu tailored to the beer selection you'll be enjoying.

The Taste attracts foodies of all types to the Paramount back lot for a weekend to sample some of the best food and wine L.A. has to offer. "Opening Night" welcomes the LA Times' top-tier food staff and many of the weekend's featured chefs for a spattering of tastings (both edible and drinkable) from dozens of eateries around the city. Other highlights include a chat with Lukshon chef Sang Yoon and a dinner hosted by critic Jonathan Gold. The weekend rounds out with a "Sunday Block Party", followed by a colorful "Flavors of L.A." cooking event. In addition, various LA Times editors and writers will host daily panel discussions and demonstrations on topics from farm-to-table cuisine to how to mix the perfect cocktail. Your ticket allows you full nibbling privileges, as you soak up knowledge from the esteemed panelists. Find day passes as well as a weekend pass, with individual admission to the opening-night festivities ($150); "Field to Fork" on Saturday ($95); "Field to Fork" on Saturday with green room ($145); "Dinner with a Twist" on Saturday ($130); "Dinner with a Twist" on Saturday with green room ($180); "Sunday Block Party" ($95); "Sunday Block Party" with green room ($145); "Flavors of L.A." on Sunday ($130); and "Flavors of L.A." on Sunday with green room ($180).