Event Menu

• If you were wild about the cute guys assembled for this season of the reality TV series The Bachelorette, here's your chance to see them in the flesh! Winemaker Jesse Kovacs, musicians Wes Hayden (of Austin) and Mike Stagliano, and foot lover Tanner Pope will be featured guests at a party at Ranch 616 (616 Nueces, 479-7616) this week. Kovacs Brothers wine and cocktails will be for sale; admission, appetizers, and live music are free. Monday, Aug. 10, 6-8pm.

• Central Market Westgate (4477 S. Lamar, 899-4300) is hosting a weekly Bock, Barbeque & the Blues series. Enjoy $2 Shiner Bock pints, barbecue specials from the cafe, and a blues lineup that includes Texas Eastside Kings and Mike Milligan & the Altar Boys. Wednesdays through September, 6:30-9pm.

• Sagra (1610 San Antonio, 535-5988, www.sagrarestaurant.net) chef/owner Gabriel Pellegrini celebrates lavender at the first in a quarterly series of sagre – Italian seasonal festivals – with a menu featuring both the savory and sweet aspects of the fragrant herb. The restaurant will serve the multicourse, family-style lavender meal free of charge on a first come, first served basis. The regular dinner menu and wine list will be available to diners who do not choose the lavender option. Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 4pm until food runs out.

• Salsa aficionados can consider this event the warm-up for the upcoming Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival on Aug. 30. Faraday's Kitchen Store (1501-A RR 620 N., 266-5666) has added a salsa contest to the lineup of its fourth annual Foodie-Palooza next weekend. Contestants can enter red, green, or specialty sauces in hopes of winning the grand prize, a $500 value Vita-Mix Professional Series Blender. For complete contest details and entry forms, go to www.faradayskitchenstore.com. Sunday, Aug. 16, noon-5pm.