epicure.sb

For the truly epicurious, the role of food doesn’t begin and end at the dinner table. We’re insatiable, and the Downtown Organization had us in mind when it conceived epicure.sb, a monthlong celebration of all things food and drink. Now in its fourth year, the powers-that-be have kicked the endeavor up the proverbial notch. In addition to prix fixe menus at participating restaurants (find a list at epicuresb.com, here’s the skinny (or the chubby, depending on how emphatically one partakes) for this week, Thursday, October 4-Thursday, October 11.

Thursday(s): The Maritime Museum goes deep (and shallow) with three ocean-to-plate Maritime Tasting events. Each will feature an area fisherman explaining how to source a particular fish, and a chef demystifying the ocean-dweller-into-dinner process. The prepared fish will be paired with a wine, and, just when you can’t stand it anymore, you’ll taste the combo. October 4 features black cod; October 11, look for abalone (and me, elbowing my way to the front of the line); lobster, October 25. 7 p.m.; $20-$30. (962-8404, sbmm.org)

Friday-Sunday: Carpinteria’s Annual Avocado Festival brings three days of food, music, fun, and a renewed commitment to going green. This year’s event aims to be zero waste, so eat all your guacamole. Fri., Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 6, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 7, 10 a.m-6 p.m. Free. (684-0038, avofest.com)

Friday(s): On Fridays in October, Paseo Nuevo serves up Foodie Movies, free outdoor screenings of flicks in which food has top billing. This week, grab your sweetie and some chairs and check out Julie & Julia. (Wine and food available for purchase.) 7 p.m. And CAF brings Crave to Hotel Indigo (turn the page for more on that).

Saturday: At Focus on the Funk Zone, food trucks will converge, Spare Parts Bistro’s guerrilla chefs will set up shop at The Loft; “Sparky the Dragon,” the wood burning oven, will toast up tasty bites; a wildman will roast turkeys outside J7; Metropulos will offer more cheese than you can shake a cracker at; artists will open their studios and create installations; and wineries will pour. Planners might opt to start off this marathon of a day at Events Unlimited for a little homebrewed kombucha to keep them energized — and those who manage to pace themselves might well wrap it all up right back at the same spot for one of Michael Glazer’s vegetarian pop-up dinners (6-9 p.m.). 10 a.m –2 a.m., locations vary. (funkzone.net)

Sunday: After nine big years in San Luis Obispo, the Family Care Network is bringing Taste of the Central Coast, its signature fundraising event, to Santa Barbara. And they’re going big: Bacara will play host to the afternoon affair, which will feature samples from an impressive selection of area vintners, breweries, and eateries. 3 p.m.; $125. (tasteofthecentralcoast.com)

Monday(s): Take to the Canary Hotel’s rooftop for views and wine tasting featuring Brewer-Clifton. Next week, all the wineries who’ve been a part of this summer-long series will be on hand to sign off in style. 5:30-8 p.m.; $25. (884-0300, canarysantabarbara.com)

Tuesday: At As Seen on TV at the Lobero Theatre, meet area chefs who’ve had their skills featured on the Food Network. See a Q&A with clips of their appearances, followed by a reception featuring their culinary creations in the Lobero’s courtyard. 6 p.m.; $15. (963-0761, lobero.com)