Happy birthday, Tin Pot
Town & Country Village ice creamery Tin Pot is celebrating its first birthday throughout the week of June 23, with daily sundae specials (mini versions of popular sundaes featured daily at special prices) and a new special-edition flavor (birthday cake, you guessed it). And all day on Saturday, June 28, customers who purchase ice cream will be entered into a raffle for prize baskets filled with Tin Pot ice cream and baked goods. Follow Tin Pot on Instagram for critical sundae updates.
Info: Tin Pot Creamery, 855 El Camino Real #121, Palo Alto; 650-327-1715. tinpotcreamery.com
520 Pop-Up Bar
Need after-work plans on Friday? The Garden Court Hotel in downtown Palo Alto has quietly started hosting a weekly pop-up in the hotel courtyard with cocktails, ping pong and small plates. Recent drinks have included a "Palo Alto Mule" (bourbon, ginger beer, fresh lime) and "Lavender Bee's Knees" (gin, lavender-honey syrup and lemon juice). Cocktail prices range from $9 to $13. Snacks come in the form of spicy edamame ($8), pretzel bites ($9), pulled-pork sliders ($13 for three) and a jack-cheese-and-brie panini with tomato chutney ($12), among other options. Happy hour is 5:30 to 7 p.m. ($5 wine, discounted beer and $5 small plates); the pop-up stays open until 11 p.m. No cover charge. Ping pong tables are indoors and are available on a first come, first serve basis. The pop-up will run weekly on Fridays until Aug. 29.
Info: Garden Court Hotel, 520 Cowper St., Palo Alto; 650-322-9000. gardencourt.com
520 Chef's Table
The Garden Court is also continuing to host a monthly special prix fixe chef's dinner on Thursday, July 17. Attendance is capped at 30 people for an intimate, communal dining experience. Chef Clive Berkman attends to talk about each course, which is also paired with a wine. A specialty cocktail is served at the beginning of the evening. The dinners are held on the third Thursday of every month through December. Cost is $155 per person ($119 plus 20 percent service fee plus 8.75 percent state tax). To purchase tickets, go to eventbrite.com.
Info: Garden Court Hotel, 520 Cowper St., Palo Alto; 650-322-9000. gardencourt.com
Annual Chili Cook-Off and Ice Cream Taste-Off
Palo Alto's annual chili cook-off is rapidly approaching, and will be different this year with the addition of an ice cream taste-off featuring local scoops. The event is Friday, July 4, noon to 5 p.m. at Mitchell Park, 600 East Meadow Drive. Admission is free; tasting kits are $5.
Hidden Villa chicken workshop
Experience first hand how Hidden Villa processes chickens by doing it yourself. In this adults-only class, participants can butcher their own organic, locally raised chickens, prep them for cooking and take it home to eat. The class is Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: $80 per person. Register here.
Info: Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills; 650-949-8650
35th Annual Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival
Get your fill of art and wine at this annual festival in downtown Los Altos Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival features select vintages by the glass from local wineries, microbrews and a variety of food from Thai and Chinese to Mexican, sausages, hot links and roasted corn, sweets of all kinds and more, according to the event website.
Info: Main and State Streets, Los Altos; downtownlosaltos.org/events
Connoisseurs' Marketplace
The Connoisseurs Marketplace returns to downtown Menlo Park Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Expect the usual food, drink, art and music plus a chef's demo tent with local chefs, including Kelsey Casavan of Menlo's LB Steak, William Roberts of Mayfield Bakery & Café in Palo Alto and Patrick Kelly of Lure + Till in Palo Alto.
Silicon Valley Beer Week
Silicon Valley Beer Week kicks off July 25 and runs through Aug. 2 with events in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View and beyond. Check out the list of events here.
