Top 5 Weekend Food Events: Michael Ruhlman, ColLAboration, Irregular Wine Tasting, Tonga Hut Reopening, Pig & Pints

Guzzle & Nosh

A pint of beer and a pig's head.

In addition to the Master Food Preserver fundraiser happening on Sunday afternoon at Homegirl Cafe, there are plenty of tasty events going on this weekend.

Michael Ruhlman Dinner & Book Signing
To celebrate the launch of his new book, Ruhlman's Twenty, Michael Ruhlman will step into the kitchen with Farmshop chef Jeff Cerciello to prepare a four-course, family-style meal.
WHEN: 5:30 - 9:30 p.m., Dec. 1
WHERE: Farmshop
COST: $75/person, includes meal and signed book. Reservations recommended.

ColLAboration Winterfest Beer Garden
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. Golden Road Brewing's Tony Yanow issued the following statement:

We are extremely upset that we have to postpone our Winter Fest, but the comfort and safety of our customers is of the utmost priority to us. We have yet to get our electricity back due to this week's fierce Santa Ana winds and we simply cannot take the chance that we will not have electricity tomorrow during our event. We look forward to re-scheduling ColLAb in early 2012 and hope to see everyone then. In the meantime, all advance payment through PayPal will be automatically reimbursed within seven days to all of our guests. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The mobile craft beer garden wraps up 2011 with a winter celebration at the recently opened Atwater Village brewery. The menu will feature a selection of winter and holiday brews including two special releases from Golden Road along with favorites from Eagle Rock Brewery, Cismontane, Hangar 24, Anchor Steam, Sierra Nevada, Eel River, TAPS, Bruery, Smog City and others. Food will be available on site.
WHEN: noon - 5 p.m., Dec. 3
WHERE: Golden Road Brewing
COST: Must buy a glass to enter. $15 for limited edition Winter Fest Steins. Those who purchased a $10 glass from previous events can use that as their admission. Most beers will cost $5-6.

Irregular Wine Tasting
This is one of the loosest, quirkiest but also most amusing wine tastings in Los Angeles. And the pours are very, very generous. This time, host Julian Davies pairs six West Coast wines with six Miracle Mile landmarks. Watch out. Trying to keep up with the patter is almost as dizzying as trying to keep up with the wine.
WHEN: 7 p.m., Dec. 3
WHERE: The Echoplex
COST: $20/person.

Tonga Hut Grand Reopening and Tiki Wonderland
Established in 1958, North Hollywood's most storied tiki bar celebrates its reopening with a craft fair/exhibit featuring tiki-inspired creations. Tunes will be supplied by the Glasgow
Tiki Shakers and drinks will be crafted by Kelly "HipHiPaHulA" Reilly.
WHEN: noon - 8 p.m., Dec. 3
WHERE: Tonga Hut
COST: Free except for the cost of drinks.

Pig & Pints
Local food blogger Josh Lurie of Food GPS has organized this celebration of beer, pork and ice cream. Food truck Neri's Curbside Cravings will provide a whole Filipino-style roast pig, Scoops will provide a special flavor of ice cream and Biergarten will provide the suds.
WHEN: 1-4 p.m., Dec. 4
WHERE: Biergarten
COST: $30 (buy tix here)