Top 5 Weekend Food Events: Naples vs. Venice, Australian Wine, Andrew Zimmern Pop-Up, Bock Fest, Foraging Foodies

A bock poster at Surly Goat (left); Andrew Zimmern (right)

Naples vs. Venice
Regional Italians cuisine goes head-to-head as two mammas, Napoli native Maria Marino and Venetian chef Luciana Ongaro, take over the kitchen at Marino Ristorante to cook dishes in the styles of their Italian hometowns. In one course, paccheri di gragnano al ragu imperiale (rigatoni stuffed with veal, beef and pork from Naples) squares off against bigoli all' anatra (spaghetti with pulled duck from Venice).
WHEN: Jan. 12
WHERE: Marino Ristorante
COST: $65/person (includes a glass of Prosecco); $35 optional wine pairing. Reservations recommended.

Around Australia in 80 Sips
Learn about, sniff and sip over 80 wines from 20 Australian wine regions while exclaiming "crikey and" g'day" in your best Paul Hogan impression. Click here for list of wines.
WHEN: 8 - 10 p.m., Jan. 12
WHERE: Pacific Design Center
COST: $75, general; $125, VIP

Andrew Zimmern Pop-Up
To support the L.A. Regional Food Bank, Bizarre Foods personality Andrew Zimmern will host California Dreaming, a one-night pop-up featuring his off-center take on California cuisine. The "collaborative" five-course dinner menu includes sea urchin, tomato aspic, veal tongue tartare, goat chuchules and more.
WHEN: 6 - 9:30 p.m., Jan. 13
WHERE: Royal/T
COST: $150 per person with a donation to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Reservations required.

Bock Fest
The return of this beer festival features a curated selection of German bocks and winter brews from around the world. There's a winter beer championship, and the ladies from Playboy will be on hand with their jugs... errr, mugs.
WHEN: 1 - 5 p.m., Jan. 14
WHERE: The Vanguard
COST: $25 (buy tix here)

Foraging Foodies
After a light foraging walk to identify acorns, toyon berries, nettles, chickweed and mallow, learn how to transform them into gourmet dishes at a cooking demonstration. Bring hiking shoes, sunscreen, bottled water and a foraging bag. Long sleeves and pants are recommended.
WHEN: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Jan. 14
WHERE: Hahamongna WatershedPark (More info here)
COST: $65

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Elina Shatkin is a staff writer at LA Weekly. Follow her at @elinashatkin or contact her at eshatkin@laweekly.com.