Tasting notes: More palate teasers from Merchants, craft beer dinner, free sweet tea

Here’s a couple of food- and drink-tasting opportunities to be had this week in Lawrence.

Tonight

La Parrilla this week will play host to its second tasting event in the wine cellar beneath the restaurant’s new location, 724 Massachusetts St. A dinner featuring beer and food pairings is planned for 6:30 p.m. today. Leading the event is Steve Wilson of City Wine Market who has selected a lineup of American micro-brews and some European samplings. Cost is $48 per person, and reservations can be made by calling 841-1100. There were still spots available as of late Tuesday.

Thursday

McAlister’s Deli is celebrating its fifth-annual Free Tea Day on Thursday, and according to a press release from the restaurant’s corporate office, nationwide the chain expects to give away more than 320,000 32-ounce glasses of their “Famous Sweet Tea.” That’s a lot of free tea! The Lawrence McAlisters is located at 2108 W. 27th St. No purchase is necessary to get the free tea, but if you’re hungry the fast-casual restaurant is known for its sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts.

Friday

Merchants Pub and Plate, the new gastropub scheduled to open next month in the space formerly home to Tellers, will again serve samples from its menu at Final Fridays. Owners said they served more than 600 samples to Final Friday-goers at the Phoenix Gallery in June. This week, Merchants is setting up shop at 5 p.m. Friday at the Cider Gallery, located at 810 Pennsylvania St. in the Warehouse Arts District.

“We’re having a lot of fun sharing our concept and getting ready for the opening through these tasting events,” chef/owner TK Peterson said in an event announcement.

A note for those interested in more than just the food: This week’s Final Fridays reception at the Cider Gallery will feature large-scale photographic works by Lawrence artist Tim Forcade and indigenous-inspired paintings by Colombia native Majo.

Tips welcome!

Try something unusual or know of something interesting going on at a Lawrence restaurant? Send me an email at sshepherd@ljworld.com or contact me on Twitter @saramarieshep. For more local food and restaurant news, click here.