For foodies and oenophiles, this week brings two opportunities to sample the goods:
On Sunday, January 20, gird your liver and get thyself to the Fess Parker’s Doubletree for the 2nd Annual Winter Wine Classic. More than 100 wines will be poured by a who’s-who of California winemakers that run the gamut from big-name producers to smaller-scale artisan favorites. Soak it up with food from area restaurants and caterers, and, for the truly wine-minded, check out the “Exploring Pinot Noir” Seminar and Tasting from 5-6 p.m. The Wine Classic runs from 6:30-9 p.m.; tickets are $85. The Seminar costs $40; combo tickets for $120. For info, visit californiawinefestival.com.
Then on Tuesday, January 22, Dishcrawl comes to Santa Barbara’s lower State Street. Dishcrawl, which holds events all over California, operates much like a pubcrawl, but replaces booze with food as the main event. Crawlers will hit four restaurants, where you’ll hang out for about 40 minutes, sample the goods, and meet the chefs and owners — as well as other grub-curious Santa Barbarians. Speaking of curiosity, the participating restaurants are kept secret — though the starting point has been revealed as Paradise Café — but Dishcrawl will drop hints about the others leading up to the event on twitter at @dishcrawlsanb. Tickets are $45 and include all food; drink specials at each stop. If you’re already hungry for more, the next S.B. Discrawl will be February 19 in the Funk Zone. Some words to the wise: Bring your appetite, and wear comfortable shoes! See dishcrawl.com/santabarbara.