Review: The Saban Free Clinic's 13th Annual Extravanganza for the Senses Event

Last weekend Bryan and I attended the Saban Free Clinic's 13th Annual Extravaganza for the Senses event at Sunset Gower Studios. The cuisine of over 40 restaurants and wines from 80 California vintners were on display for the 1500 guests that attended the event. Luckily, we had a media pass so we were able to get in before the rush of the main crowds and take our time enjoying the food and chatting with chefs. Some of our favorites included a summer slaw from JAR, duck tacos from Momed, spicy tuna and blue crab rolls from Sushi Roku, goat cheese pops from the Sky Room, vegetable lasagna from Angelini Osteria, sausages from Brats Brothers, miniature chocolate trifles from Delphine and of course, rose petal petit fours and champagne truffles from Valerie Confections. While the days leading up to event had been unreasonably hot -- temperatures in the 90's and 100's around L.A. -- the evening of the event was just perfect. There was a slight breeze, and the glow from the lanterns and view of the Hollywood sign made for a magical evening. Here are some of our highlights.

Great view of the Hollywood sign from Sunset Gower Studios

Individual cocktail tables were situated between booths for guests to make temporary base camps

If you haven't seen these, I firmly believe everyone should have these plates for cocktail parties. It's not just a plate, not just a wine glass holder, it's an incredible yet simple invention that allows you to have one hand free to eat, shake people's hands, and try other snacks while holding your plate. Finally, your plate and wine glass are no longer your cocktail party ball and chain.

Plate + Wine Glass Holder = Free hand to take a photo

While I photographed food, Bryan planted himself at the Angel City Brewing Company's booth :)

Halfway throughout the evening, there was a cooking demo by JAR's Suzanne Tracht

Summer Slaw from JAR

Duck Taco & Garbanzo Salad from Momed (Modern Mediterranean)

Housemade Potato Chips from Ivan Cane's Cafe Was

Grape, Goat Cheese & Candied Pecans Pops from Long Beach's The Sky Room

Crunchy Salad from Susan Feniger's STREET

Vegetable Lasagna from Angelini Osteria

Beef Yakitori from Chaya Downtown L.A.

Ahi Tuna & Short Rib Tacos from Far Bar

Salmon in Crispy Potato Cups from Bon Appetit/Restaurant At The Getty

Hungarian & Black Forest Brats from Brats Brothers

Short Rib Sliders from BOA

Rose Petal Petit Four from Valerie Confections

Decadent Chocolate Trifles from Delphine at the W Hollywood

While all the food and wine were fantastic, after an hour-plus of grazing nothing sounded better than an ice cold bottle of water. Luckily, FIJI was there to save the day (or night).

Mark Your Calendar for July's Food & Wine Events: Keep The Gluttony Going!

For me, the past Fourth of July weekend can be described in one word: gluttonous. There were so many BBQs, picnics, pool parties and beach time filled with beer, wine, hamburgers, hot dogs, gourmet potato salads and flag cakes. Come this morning, I decided I need to log some serious gym (and detox!) time so I can aptly prep for my next round of fantastic foodie events. And ohhhh my goodness, are there some truly fabulous food and wine events coming up later this month. Personally, I'm

gearing up for three of my can't-miss favorites: The Saban Clinic's 13th Annual Extravaganza for the Senses (July 17), the 2nd LA Street Food Fest's Summer Tasting

Event (July 24) and Savor Los Angeles SWEETS! event (July 30). That means I've got eleven days to hit the gym

before heading out to sample incredible goods

(not to mention, some of my personal favorite dishes)

from LA's top restaurants, private chefs and food trucks.

Jar's Suzanne Tracht at the 2010 Gold Standard Event

Here's the thing about these events: it's one thing to see your favorite chefs creating magical dishes on TV – and really, when are they going to invent smell-o-vision?? – but it's another thing altogether when you're able to go straight up to them, separated by nothing but a table filled with plates of their masterful creations, and tell them how much you enjoy their cuisine. I've watched Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza) put the finishing touches on her famous ricotta crostini, watched Nobu Matsuhisa (Nobu) slice gorgeously jewel-toned tuna sashimi and even chatted up Paul Bartolotta (Bartolotta Restaurant Group) as he topped off an irresistible hand-torn pasta dish. You can have the same experience this month with some of LA's top culinary minds, but make sure to mark your calendars and buy your tickets soon because they're going fast. Get all the details – the what, when, how much and why you should go – below.

Hope to see you at all three events!

• When: Saturday, July 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Where: Sunset Gower Studios, 1438 North Gower Street, Hollywood, CA 90028.
• How Much $$$: General Admission is $100, VIP is $225 (get early entry, valet parking and access to the exclusive VIP Lounge). Tickets available here or by calling (323) 330-1670.
• Why You Should Go: Samples from over 100 wineries and 40+ LA restaurants including BOA, Jar, Angelini Osteria, Milk, Delphine, The Palm, Takami Sushi and Robata, Upstairs 2, Susan Feniger’s STREET and Dr. Bob’s Ice Cream, etc. Complimentary massages from El Leon and Bliss Spa (for VIP ticket holders). A live cooking demonstration by Top Chef Masters contestant Suzanne Tracht (Jar). Silent auction items including a trip to the Bahamas, luxury products and entertainment memorabilia. Music by DJ Scott Silva. All proceeds benefit the Saban Free Clinic, which provides free health care, dental and social services to the most vulnerable members of the LA Community.
• Follow @SabanFC

• When: Saturday, July 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (4 p.m. to 5 p.m. if you're VIP)
• Where: The Rose Bowl, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103.
• How Much $$$: General Admission is $45, VIP is $65 (4 p.m. entry plus access to a private VIP parking lot). Tickets available here.
• Why You Should Go: Attendance is capped at 5,000 - in a stadium that holds 90,000, no less - and all tickets will be pre-sold. You'll get samples from 60+ gourmet trucks, old-school stands, some of L.A.'s top restaurants and their chefs, including the Grilled Cheese Truck, Coolhaus Truck, Brian Hill's (of BRAVO's Private Chefs of Beverly Hills) Comfort Truck, street eats from Starry Kitchen, Scoops and Fred Eric, chef/owner of Tiara Café and Fred 52. There's also debut appearances from trucks not yet on the road like Whisk LA, The Fox Pizza Bus, The Mighty Boba Truck and The Creole Truck. Groove to live entertainment from Warpaint and The Deadly Syndrome. Check out the event's first Cook-Off Competition, judged by a panel of experts led by Top Chef Masters contestant, Susan Feniger (Border Grill, Ciudad, STREET).
• Follow @LAFoodFest

• When: Friday, July 30th from 7:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Where: Miauhaus Studios, 1201 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles 90019.
• How Much $$$: General Admission is $35, VIP is $55 (get VIP Giftbag, Access to VIP Lounge, VIP Open Bar, Entry via VIP Entrance). Tickets available here.
• Why You Should Go: If you've got a sweet tooth, this event is for you! Sample an assortment of desserts from participants including Babycakes NYC, Frosted Cupcakery, N’ice Cream, Plaisir, Popcakes, Sweets For The Soul, XT Patisserie. Each vendor was chosen because of their emphasis on organic ingredients, alternatives to high-fructose corn syrup, vegan offerings, innovative presentation & design, and of course, fabulous taste. The event also has free champagne and paired beverages, a complimentary cheese and fruit bar, raffles, music, a photobooth and gift bags.
• Follow @savorlosangeles