For the past year, New Yorkers have been taking part in a new program called Zagat Presents, and now California gets to join in the action. The concept is simple: Zagat Survey teams up with local restaurants to present readers with sneak-peek dinners at just-opened hot spots, specially designed prix fixe menus and informative evenings hosted by knowledgeable chefs, sommeliers and food personalities. The events are open to anyone, but ZAGAT.com subscribers find out first by signing up to receive e-mails (by changing their e-mail preferences in their account to accept periodic promotions) – which is helpful given that dinners have sold out in under an hour. The Golden State’s first Zagat Presents event takes place in Los Angeles at Josie on December 2nd. For the night, chef Josie Le Balch’s eponymous restaurant will be all about pears. The four-course dinner will explore pears from Bosc to Bartlett showcased ripe in a pear salad, distilled as a sorbet intermezzo and roasted alongside a Maple Leaf Farm duck breast. And, of course, there will be a pear dessert. Plus, a pear cocktail will be paired with each course. If you’re interested, reserve quickly ($65 for four courses with cocktails; call 310-581-9888 and mention Zagat Presents). A few days later, the first San Francisco Zagat Presents event takes place at Bar Bambino on December 7th. The evening will focus on Italian fall flavors as executive chef Lizzie Binder and chef de cuisine Christian Hermsdorf celebrate the changing of the seasons with a special four-course menu drawn from regional Italian festivals. Wine pairings and a cheese plate are also available. If you’re interested, reserve quickly ($55 for four courses; $85 includes wine and cheese; call 415-701-8466 and mention Zagat Presents).
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