Go downtown for a taste of Burbank

Fun for the whole family is first item on the menu Thursday at the

city’s Taste of Downtown Burbank.

The city will block off traffic on San Fernando Boulevard between

Magnolia Boulevard and Orange Grove Avenue from 5 to 10 p.m. on

Thursday so restaurants from Downtown Burbank can set up booths,

offering ticket holders samples of their cuisine.

More than 30 restaurants are participating, including California

Pizza Kitchen, Ben & Jerry’s, the Burbank Bar & Grill, Sushi Zawa and

the Picanha Brazilian Grill.

“What’s exciting is we feel like we have a wide variety for all

tastes,” said Gail Stewart, the downtown manager for the city of

Burbank.

The event will also feature a Beer and Wine Garden on the AMC

Walkway, with Gordon Biersch Brewery serving five kinds of beer and

Market City Caffe providing wine.

Participating in the event is not only enjoyable but a chance to

help the community, Market City Caffe general manger Stacy Lomprey

said.

“It’s a big thing for us,” Lomprey said. “We are participating in

as many city events as we can, so we can kind of give something

back.”

The money from the tickets goes to fund YMCA scholarships.

“It’s for a good cause,” Stewart said. “It goes to people that

normally wouldn’t be able to participate in YMCA programs.”

It also gives downtown restaurants a chance to attract more

customers.

“It’s exposure for the restaurants,” Stewart said. “Hopefully

people will enjoy the samples and come back for a regular sit-down

meal.”

This year’s event will also have the KidZone, which will feature

kid-friendly food and activities like balloons, hula-hooping and

temporary tattoos.

There will be live music provided by the bands Cold Duck and local

favorite Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries.

“It’s a great time to bring the family out and it’s a great time

to sample food,” Stewart said. “Families can be together, listen to

music and enjoy themselves.”

Tickets for adults are $25 a person in advance and $30 at the

event.

Tickets for food plus the Wine and Beer Garden are $35 in advance

and $40 at the event.

Tickets for the KidZone are $10 in advance and $15 at the event.

Tickets can be purchased at the Burbank Community YMCA or the

Burbank Chamber of Commerce, or ordered online at

www.tasteofdowntownburbank.com.