Napa Valley Grille Cooking Class

Chef Joseph Gillard will lead two Thanksgiving culinary classes at the restaurant on Saturday November 6 and 13 from 2-4 p.m.  The workshop will provide step-by-step demonstrations of how to prepare a deconstructed turkey, while enjoying seasonal hors d’oeuvres and wine.  For $20, participants will take home this experience with recipes for a terrific Thanksgiving meal. Participants will receive a special discount on pre-ordered Thanksgiving meals through Napa Valley Grille. 1100 Glendon Ave. (310)824-3322. www.napavalleygrille.com.

Potato Week

There’s no denying that the potato is one of the most underappreciated foods. It feeds people on every continent on the planet, has been domesticated for over 10,000 years, and it is rich in many important nutrients from vitamin C to fiber, yet it is most often cast as Best Supporting Vegetable and never given a shot at a leading role.

Larchmont Grill on a mission to change the profile of this most versatile of vegetables by featuring a special “Potato Week” menu that stars many varieties of the King of Tubers, along with an abundance of the freshest flavors of fall. This special menu will be available at lunch and dinner along with the everyday menus, but only for one week – from November 8 to 14. The menu features items that demonstrate the potato’s versatility across all three courses – from appetizers to desserts.  It will include items such as sweet potato gnocchi with fried sage and shaved chestnuts, a sweet onion and purple potato tart, a grilled Caesar fingerling potato salad, sweet potato cheesecake, and spiced Dutch potato doughnuts. Reservations are highly recommended. 5750 Melrose Ave. (323)464- 4277.

Shop with a Chef

Saturday, November 13 from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., all foodies and Asian cuisine fans are invited to join Chef Mohan from RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen for a special shopping, cooking and dining event. A van will depart at 8:30 a.m. from RockSugar to take guests to the Los Angeles Fish Market for a walking tour with Chef Mohan to pick out the best fish for the day’s menu.  Then on to Ranch 99, one of the best Asian markets in Southern California to learn shopping and cooking tips on how to make a great meal. Afterwards, drive back to the restaurant for a cooking demonstration and lunch with a glass of wine.  The cost is $150 per person for this one-of-a-kind experience. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. (310)552-9988.

Los Angeles Taste of the World

Celebrate good food, music, dancing, and informational attractions at the Los Angeles Center Studios on November 5 to 7. Over 40 restaurants will be showcasing their food with plate tastes ranging from $1 to $7. There are five Pavilions featuring a Children’s World, Travel World, Healthy World, Green World and Technology World. Tickets start at $10 for general admission, plus the cost of food. Hours are 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. 1201 West 5th Street, (877)45-TASTE.

Sweet Gifts for the Holidays

Imagine the smile on your friend or family member’s face when they open an elegant holiday box wrapped with a red bow and find one dozen European style cookies made with sliced almonds, butter, sugar, honey and cream.  These delicious treats are baked to a golden brown brittle and dipped in Guittard chocolate.  Claire’s Florentines are available in three sizes, individual ($2), six for ($10) and a dozen ($20). They can be purchased online at www.clarinesflorentines.com or at the Thyme Café and Market in Santa Monica, 1630 Ocean Park Blvd. (310)399-8800.

Choose Your Own Prix Fixe

Every Monday during the month of November, choose any appetizer, entrée and dessert at any Roy’s restaurant for $35.95. Some of the autumn choices include Elaine’s Kabocha salad with cinnamon spiced pepitas and cranberry vinaigrette as an appetizer, artichoke and goat cheese crusted salmon with a sundried tomato sauce, and a pumpkin and ginger cheesecake with pumpkin anglaise. 800 South Figueroa, (213)488-4994.

Happiest Hour in Beverly Hills

Known for serving “Good food that’s good for you,” Mani’s on Maple launched a Happy Hour on Mondays through Fridays, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again from 9 to 11 p.m.  Custom organic cocktails, such as the Bees Knees and a classic Pimm’s cup, house red and white Borsao and Jean Bousquet wines, and tasty small plates are all $6. 345 N. Maple Drive, (310)247-0009.

Breadbar’s Festive Desserts

On Sunday, November 14, from 5 – 8 p.m., Breadbar, known for its artisanal breads and pastries, will present “Festive Desserts without Fear,” the next installation of the “In the Making” monthly workshop series, featuring simple yet stunning desserts created by Robert Wemischner. A pastry chef, culinary educator, Wemischner is well-known for his versatile and creative desserts. For $70 per person (not including tax and gratuity), this month’s “In the Making” workshop will teach participants how to create: pears in caramel with rich Tahitian vanilla ice cream; cranberry pistachio tart; and chocolate fantasy served with fruits of the season. Following the workshop, guests will be treated to a three-course prix-fixe dinner comprised of the desserts created during the class, in addition to fall spinach Salad with persimmons, goat cheese, walnuts, and pomegranate vinaigrette; and chicken rollatini stuffed with prosciutto and taleggio cheese, served with a side of Grilled polenta. Breadbar,  8718 W. 3rd St. (310)205-0124 www.breadbar.net