Welcome to the 805 Living Dining Blog where our Dining Editor, Angela Pettera, keeps you up to date on restaurant happenings in the 805. To send her your tips and comments, email angela@805living.com. Happy eating!

Starry Night at Four Seasons Santa Barbara

Wednesday, July 14th, 8:15 p.m.

The Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is bringing in members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit for a night of educational stargazing.  Telescopes will be set up on the Monte Vista lawn for viewing the moon, planets, and constellations.  Appetizers, beer and wine will also be on hand.  The price is $25 for adults.  Children are free with a paying adult.  Call 805-565-8291 for reservations.

Bastille Day at Cafe Provencal

Wednesday, July 14th, 4:30-10 p.m.

A special menu in honor of Bastille Day will be served all evening on the illustrious holiday at Cafe Provencal in Thousand Oaks.  The menu includes a petite Nicoise tower, sauced sole, mushroom soup, herb-crusted lamb with Bordelaise sauce, and creme brulee.  The price is a mere $35.  After dark, the dancing begins to music from the 70’s and 80’s.  Let freedom ring! (Or, as the French say, Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite!)

Bastille Day Celebration at 71 Palm

Wednesday, July 14th, 5-9 p.m.

Celebrate the storming of the French prison, Bastille, at 71 Palm in Ventura.  A special three-course dinner menu will give you a taste of France with dishes like French onion soup and steak au poivre.  An accordion player will provide entertainment.  The price tag of $33 includes a glass of wine.

4th of July Bash at Canary Hotel

Sunday, July 4th, 5:30-10:30 p.m.

Watch the city of Santa Barbara fireworks show from the rooftop of the Canary Hotel on Sunday night.  They’re throwing a barbecue in honor of our nation’s independence from England complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad and beer.  A DJ will spin tunes to help with the festive mood.  The price is $40.  For tickets call 877-548-3237.

Street Eatz at The Commons

Thursday, July 1, 5-8 p.m.

In the spirit of a Twitter feed I’m publishing this blog post to tell you to go to The Commons at Calabasas right now for a food truck feeding frenzy.  For the next three hours folks will be lined up at food trucks parked in the mall’s lot.  On site: The Grilled Cheese Truck, Komodo, World Fare Bustaurant, Dumpling Station, Crep’n Around and The Sweets Truck.

Wild West BBQ Bash

Saturday, June 26th, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Family Care Network is hosting its second annual Wild West BBQ Bash at Preisker Park in Santa Maria. Dozens of barbecue teams compete to win the Wild West crown in six categories (chicken, beef brisket, pork ribs, pork shoulder, tri-tip, and People’s Choice). Expect plenty of Santa Maria-style barbecue goodness. Admission is free and includes family-friendly entertainment. Tickets for tastes of barbecue from entrants can be purchased for $2 each. Proceeds benefit foster and high-needs children. To learn more about the Santa Maria way of cooking rubbed tri-tip and pinquito beans, visit santamariavalleybbq.com.

Return to Sideways Food & Wine Dinner

Thursday, June 24th, 7 p.m.

Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas has teamed up with Frank Ostini of The Hitching Post in Buellton to put together a tribute to the movie Sideways.  This five-course dinner is paired with five Hitching Post wines for $125.  Call 818-222-3888 for reservations.

Cooking with Beer Class

Friday, June 18th, 6-9 p.m.

Main Course California in Ventura teaches how to make five different dishes (a whole menu, really) using beer as an ingredient.  For instance, there’s a chicken brined in Sam Smith Stout, a salad dressing made with bleu cheese and Red Ale, and a flan with caramel made with a touch of Black Bavarian beer.  Might be a good gift for a dad who likes to cook.  The price is $85.  Reserve a spot with a credit card number by calling 805-658-8900 or emailing info@maincourseca.com.

Guinness & Gouda Bread

Thursday, June 17th, 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. & Saturday, June 19th, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Great Harvest Bread Company in Thousand Oaks is making a round whole-wheat loaf of Guinness & Gouda bread this month.  The loaf studded with smoked Gouda cheese and enriched with Guinness Stout will be on sale for two days only, so plan accordingly.

Craft Beer & Food Festival

Saturday, June 19th, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (VIP tickets), 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (General Admission)

Ojai Beverage Company and Thirty-Three Productions are sponsoring Salute! A Festival to Celebrate Finely Crafted Beer & Food.  The festival features craft and national breweries (Anacapa Brewing Co., Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Ladyface Ale Companie, Red Hook Liquid Goodness, Samuel Adams, Strongbow Cider) alongside restaurants (Brophy Bros., Smokey’s House of BBQ, Soup Kitchen, Vesta, McConnell’s Ice Cream) to raise funds for FOOD Share food bank.  The festival takes place at San Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura.  Tickets ($135 for VIP tickets, $60 for general admission) can be purchased at the Salute! website.

California Wine Dinner

Thursday, June 17th, 7:30 p.m.

Bernard’s Wine Gallery is putting on a dinner celebrating wines from Napa and Sonoma.  In particular, wines from ‘94, ‘97, and ‘05 which are considered classic vintages.  The dinner takes place at Calabasas Country Club where chef Tom O’Brien will put forth hors d’oeuvres and five courses of food.  Dishes include a tempura soft-shell crab with a 2005 Forman Napa Valley Chardonnay, and braised veel cheeks paired with the 1994 Opus One Napa Valley Red Wine.  The price is $99. Call Calabasas Country Club at 818-222-8111 ext. 773 to reserve a spot.

Make Your Own Wine with Margerum

Sunday, June 13th, 3 p.m. - about 7 p.m.

Doug Margerum of Margerum Wine Company is offering wine enthusiasts a chance to blend their own wines using the same Rhone varietal grapes crushed for his M5 Rhone-style blend.  He’ll give participants a beaker, mixing glasses, and notepads so they can find just the right balance for their tastebuds.  Following will be a Sunday supper on the crush pad.  The price is $100 per person.  Seems like a great Father’s Day gift from the family.  Bottling takes place on August 25th, when participants can bring their own labels to slap on.  To reserve a spot call 805-686-8500 or email brooks@margerumwines.com.

Home-Brewing Workshop

from noon Saturday, June 5th to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 6th

The Orella Stewardship Institute has partnered with Loa Tree eco-lifestyle company to put on a beer brewing workshop the first weekend in June.  The workshop takes place at Orella Ranch in Gaviota where participants can camp overnight (but you must bring your own tent and sleeping bag).

The brewing workshop teaches how to build a home-brewing system and how to brew beer in it.  All meals and snacks are included during the weekend.  The price is $200 per person.

For more details on the workshop, visit the Facebook Page about it.  To reserve a spot, email roots@loatree.com or call David Fortson at Loa Tree, 805-450-2357.

The Plug Nickel honors service men and women

Sunday, May 30th, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

In honor of Memorial Day, all active-duty or veteran service men and women eat free at The Plug Nickel restaurant by Catering Celebrations on Sunday for brunch.   Offer is limited to one service member per paying customer.   Proof of military service is needed and can include an I.D. card or a picture of the vet in uniform.

Taste & Buy at Jonathan’s

Thursday, May 27th, 6-9 p.m.

There’s a tasting party at Jonathan’s in Ventura tonight.  For $10 you can taste wines from the cellar and buy  bottles at wholesale prices.

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