Tonight: Tapas, wine and art at the Botanic Gardens and Cherry Creek North hosts Grapes & Galleries

A Flickr photo.

It's the perfect time of year for a picnic, and the Denver Botanic Gardens will prove it frmo 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, when the venue at 1005 York Street hosts a Tapas Picnic. You bring the place setting, and then fill it with easy and delicious small bites -- shrimp and chorizo, marinated olives, spiced nuts, Sicilian bruschetta, artichoke pate and goat cheese tapenade, pesto and roasted red pepper torta. The feast, which also includes a ginger/lavender lemon fizz and dessert, costs $46. For more delicious details, call 720-865-3500 or go to www.botanicgardens.org.

Meanwhile, from 5 to 10 p.m., Cherry Creek North hosts Grapes & Galleries, nine stops at distinctive stores and galleries for wine tastings and food samples. Tickets are $75; for info, call 303-551-6721 or go to www.grapesandgalleries.org.

For information on dozens of culinary events around town, visit our online Food & Drink listings.