Cheese and wine tasting at Foundry on Melrose

TODAY

Cheese and wine tasting:

Andrew Steiner of Andrew’s Cheese Shop hosts; the Foundry on Melrose’s Julie Christen suggests pairings with wines. 7 p.m., the Foundry on Melrose, 7465 Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 651-0915, reservations recommended. www.thefoundryonmelrose.com. $25.

FRIDAY

American Food & Wine Kickoff:

Dubbed “Red Hot @ Red Seven,” this Wolfgang Puck-Barbara Lazaroff party features A-list restaurants such as Cut and Craft, a salt tasting, wine stations and live music. Benefits go to Meals on Wheels. 7 to 11 p.m., Pacific Design Center, 700 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 574-3663. www.awff.org. $150.

Irvine Taste of Greece festival:

Celebrate Greek food, wine, music and dance with carnival rides, a raffle and boutique shops. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, 4949 Alton Parkway, Irvine, (949) 733-3102. www.stpaulsirvine.org. $3, children under 10 free.

Redondo Beach Lobster Festival:

Live music, lobster meals, fashion shows and wake-boarding demonstrations make for a festive weekend. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, (800) 282-0333. www.lobsterfestival.com. $12, children 3 to 12 are $5.

SATURDAY

Santa Monica Fall Festival:

A community festival featuring international food booths, live music, beer and wine, games, clowns and face painting. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, St. Monica Catholic High School, 725 California Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 566-1550. www.stmonica.net. $5; children 7 to 17, $3.

SUNDAY

Grape-stomping festival:

Get messy at a grape-stomping competition or just enjoy the seasonal buffet, wine bar, music and dancing. Ponte Winery, 35053 Rancho California Road, Temecula, (951) 694-8855. www.pontewinery.com. $95, $50 for children 12 and younger, 4 to 9 p.m.

Submit datebook items at least two weeks before publication date. Mail to Food Section Datebook, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; or e-mail to [email protected]