All-you-can-eat Ecuadorian pig roast, Calabrian wines, Thai food fest

Pork, potatoes and more: Never been to an Ecuadorian pig roast? Well, here’s your chance. Gastrobus chef-owner Antonio Medina will cook up a fritada en bucay -- a traditional meal that would take place in a public square in Medina’s home country of Ecuador. This fritada takes place at Villains Tavern in downtown L.A. on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. The menu includes fritada de chancho traditional roasted pork, chorizo ecuatoriano, corn and tomato salad, crispy potatoes con salsa de ajo, llapingachos potato hash with peanut and leek sauce, roasted sweet plantains and pickled onion salsa. A fritada en bucay “was my absolute favorite stop on the way to the mountains and I always hoped my parents would stop as we drove by the stands. On recent trips to Ecuador I’ve tried to find the best one, and also learned how they make it.� All-you-can-eat for $35 in advance ($45 at the door on a space available basis) and special beers and cocktail punches. 21 and older only. 1356 Palmetto St., Los Angeles. Buy tickets online.

Wines of Calabria: Sotto restaurant hosts its monthly patio wine tasting with wine captain Rory Harrington on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.: “Wild Frontier of Wine -- Calabria.� Calabria, the southernmost region of Italy, or “the toe� of the Italian peninsula along the Mediterranean basin, produces Italy’s Ciro wine, made from thick-skinned red Galioppo grapes. “While deceptively light to the eye, it is both muscular and powerful in taste,� says an announcement from the restaurant. “Come taste the ‘unbearable lightness’ [as our wine director, Jeremy Parzen, likes to call it] that sets the great wines apart from the mediocre.� $40 per person. Call for reservations. 9575 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 277-0210, www.sottorestaurant.com.

Celebrating Thailand: The inaugural Thai Food Festival will unfold on Sept. 29 at Paramount Studios, hosted by chef Jet Tila. There will be food and drink tastings along with discussion panels and demonstrations with Evan Kleiman (KCRW’s “Good Food�), Andy Ricker (Pok Pok), Susan Feniger (Street), Sang Yoon (Lukshon, Father’s Office), David LeFevre (MB Post, Fishing with Dynamite) and Kris Yenbamroong (Night + Market). Street food vendors and Thai restaurants at the event include: Jitlada, Ruen Pair, Pa Ord, Thai Society, Thai Nakorn, Bhan Kanom Thai, Lum Ka Naad, Sapp Coffee Shop, Siam Sunset and more. Muay Thai martial arts demonstrations, classical and folk dancing, umbrella painting and Thai fruit carving will be among the performances and presentations. 3:30 to 6 p.m. General admission ($50) includes access to panels and demonstrations, food and drink tastings and live entertainment. VIP tickets are $75 and include early access at 3 p.m. 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. Buy tickets online.

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