Learn how to make glorious side dishes, including black barley with seasonal veggies and chicory salad with anchovy and walnut dressing at the Refugio Kitchen this Nov. 18. The class features Chef Clark Straub, of Full of Life Flatbread in Los Alamos, a rock star in the local farm-to-table world. After trying his amazing and creative wood-fired 'zas, I would really like to know what goes on in that man's head! (brigitbinns.com) ... Wild Horse Winery in Paso Robles is serving up five pinot noir tastings complete with cheese pairings for $15, which is a steal of a deal, if you ask me. Grab a plate and take in the gorgeous rural surroundings (wildhorsewinery.com).

Pop the cork

Harvest Fest is kicking off across SLO this Nov. 6 through 8, so grab a corkscrew and a fork and get out there for an array of events (slowine.com) ... There's nothing cooler than liking a winery before it was cool, right? Wine hipsters, now is your time to discover the best up-and-coming wines before they become household names. Explore dozens of small lot wineries producing fewer than 1,200 cases per year at the Garagiste Festival this Nov. 5 through 7 in Paso Robles (californiagaragistes.com) ... The Paderewski Festival is happening Nov. 5 through 8 across wine country. Not only did the Polish dignitary bring world-class music to the region, but he also planted the area's first zinfandel vines. Get in on a host of cultural and wine-centric events at paderewskifest.com.

Table scraps

Tap It Brewing Company recently unveiled a new stage for live bands! The brewery's large, open patio is complete with fire pit and room for 400 people ready to rock (675 Clarion Court; SLO) ... Templeton residents will have a new family style dining option shortly! Nino's Grill recently celebrated a soft opening at 509 Main St., so it's only a matter of time before it opens its doors to the public (along with Kitchenette, Templeton is getting a lot more delicious lately) ... What's the perfect afternoon, according to Chef Shaun Behrens of Luna Red? A leisurely stroll through The Los Osos/Baywood Farmers' Market, which runs every Monday from 2 to 4:30 p.m., then a stroll on the beach to watch the fishermen do their stuff. Doesn't that just sound dreamy?

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