THE DISH: Calling the spirits at Tiki-Ko

Oct. 14—Always one for a good theme, Tiki-Ko is guts deep into the Halloween season with specialty cocktails.

The K Street bar has partnered with its downtown neighbor Ovation Theatre for the Deadite. Named for the parasitic demonic spirits of the "Evil Dead" film franchise — which inspired the musical playing now at Ovation — the libation features "a recipe straight from the Necronomicon" — a blend of 151 proof Demerara, dark Jamaican and gold Puerto Rican rums, cold-pressed apple cider, lime juice and cinnamon syrup. It's served with a glowing cube to be extra creepy.

For every Deadite ($15) sold, Tiki-Ko will donate $1 to the theater that is currently raising funds to replace its stage.

(Catch "Evil Dead: The Musical" at the theater now through Oct. 31. Visit theovationtheatre.com for tickets.)

Also new is the Pumpkin Escobar, made with blended Bermudan rum, overproof dark rum, pumpkin syrup, condensed milk, maple syrup and cinnamon. It is topped with bourbon vanilla whipped cream, pumpkin spice and crushed graham crackers and served in a Jack Skellington mug, which is available for sale.

Another Halloween drink is Once Bitter, Twice Rye, a cocktail of rye whiskey, maple syrup, Grand Marnier, vanilla and orange bitters.

This week, Tiki-Ko will debut its latest seasonal cocktail: Ecto Cooler ($25), an adult version of the late '80s Hi-C tangerine and orange drink. The bar's take will feature Crystal Head vodka, tangerine and lime juices, lemonade and Tang, served with a green light-up cube in a Crystal Head skull mug that you can take home.

And prepare to get "Transylvaniafied" during the Tiki-Ko Takeover of the Fox Theater for the Oct. 28 screening of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

Do the Time Warp again and enjoy special limited-edition Tiki-Ko drinks that will only be available at the midnight showing.

Tiki-Ko is located at 1919 K St. Keep up with the latest news at @tikikobakersfield on Instagram.

Winner, winner, special dinners

San Rucci Winery is holding its first winemaker's dinner on Oct. 21 at its location in southwest Bakersfield.

As they did in 2021 for a winemaker's dinner held at The Kitchen, San Rucci winemakers Anthony and Bill Merz will invite attendees to share in the family tradition of polenta alla spiantora (polenta on the board).

Popular in Northern Italy, the very casual family-style meal traditionally involves a large portion of hot porridge that diners section off into areas with their forks.

For this dinner, there will be individual portions topped with San Rucci red sauce and served in a way that still honors the custom.

"While we won't be serving it on a communal board we promise, it will still be a fun experience," according to the winery's website. "And we'll be sharing our favorite wine."

This four-course dinner will also include an antipasti appetizer, salad and an Italian dessert, Anthony Merz shared in a text.

The cost is $95, $85.50 for wine club members. Visit sanrucci.com to purchase tickets.

The winery is located at 6201 Schirra Court, Suite 7.

On Oct. 26, Black Angus Steakhouse will host its Fall Bourbon Experience.

The three-course, curated bourbon cocktail dinner will feature the highest-quality 21-day-aged steaks complemented by barrel-aged bourbon cocktails.

Courses consist of a lobster and potato fritter paired with a Makers Mark Bourbon Gold Rush cocktail, a fire-grilled top sirloin entree paired with a Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned made with Woodford Reserve, and a dessert of chocolate pot de crème complemented with a Chocolate Manhattan.

The dinner will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 at the steakhouse, 3601 Rosedale Highway. The cost is $51.99 per person.

Make reservations at blackangus.com/bourbon-experience.

On Monday, BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse will hold a five-course Spooky Beer Dinner.

After a welcome beer of Stone Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager, guests will enjoy chips with housemade guacamole and salsa with a Stone Delicious Citrus IPA.

Next up is the EnLIGHTened Asian chopped salad with Stone Hazy IPA.

The third course is the gourmet five meat deep dish pizza paired with Fear Movie Lions IPA.

Baby back pork ribs will be served with mashed potatoes and Stone Enjoy by 10.31.23 followed by a "palate cleanser" of Lemon Shark Double IPA.

The final course will consist of a salted caramel Pizookie with BJ's Pumpkin Ale.

Dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at BJ's, 10750 Stockdale Highway

For those who prepay in advance, the cost is $45 (plus tax and gratuity). Day of the event cost will be $50.

Designated drivers can purchase a beer-free dinner for $30.

Head to bjsrestaurants.com/marketing-pages/beer-dinner to reserve your spot.

Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on Twitter at @realstefanidias.