On the Plate: Upcoming Food and Wine Events

July 3-4: Prix Fixe Menue at Barmarché
They'll be donating a portion of the proceeds to City Harvest. Gotta love doing good while you eat. 14 Spring Street (at Elizabeth), call 212-219-2399 for reservations and more information.

July 4: Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest
Check out what is "believed to be the 90th installment" of this Fourth of July favorite at Coney Island watch four-time world champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan defend his title. Nathan's Famous, Coney Island.

July 4: Water Taxi Beach Party
Featuring food from Schnäck, including all-you-can-eat burgers, RC Cola ribs, corn on the cob, grilled tuna, beer shakes, and a full bar, See the fireworks with the Manhattan skyline in the background, and ride over on the NY Water Taxi. $110, includes water-taxi transportation, from 11 A.M., at the NY Water Taxi Hunters Point Ferry stop. Call 718-624-2527 for more information or buy tickets online.

July 4-14: Les Halles Liberty Festival
This 11 day festival starts on Independence Day and continues through Bastille Day -- two holidays in one! Starting July 4th they'll be serving a special menu, and on July 14th they'll be hosting an outdoor festival including several Bastille Races (Waiter’s-Waitress' Race, Chef's Race, Children’s Race & Customer's Race), and plenty of food. For more information and a schedule of events, call 212-571-2100 ext. 13.

July 5: Pinot Noir From Around the World
Yes, we've all seen Sideways. Now you can actually find out what they were talking about. Learn about this grape by sampling Pinot Noirs from across the globe. $30. Camaje, 6:30 to 8:30, 85 MacDougal Street, Call 212-673-8184 for more details.

July 6: Rising Stars: Grüner Veltliners
As Gothamist has noted, this stuff is everywhere lately. If you’re not familiar with Austria’s celebrated Grüner Veltliner grape, you should be. Come taste why. Join wine columnist Anthony Giglio for a night of laughs, sips and word-play as he translates the language of wine---by way of the crisp, refreshing Grüner Veltliner---into words that can help you better understand what you’re tasting. $65 at the Institute of Culinary Education, 50 West 23rd Street, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Register online.