So the saying goes, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." But what happens when Vegas is actually in Santa Monica's Barker Hangar?

A week from Saturday, Sin City invades the City of Angels via a food and wine gala that is slated to include food and wine tastings amdist more than forty casino-style gaming tables and the music of DJ Five Star. Close to 40 top local eateries and 80 wineries will be offering their wares:

Participating restaurants and vendors for this year include Violet, Angelini Osteria, Border Grill, La Terza, Literati II, Michael’s and Ciudad. Wineries include Bonny Doon, Chalone, Eberle Winery, Peju, St. Supery and Tablas Creek. The international wine bar, featuring 20 wines from around the world, is sponsored by BottleRock, Culver City’s newest wine shop and tasting bar.

The event is being hosted by CozmoCard, a membership discount program designed to enable locals to eat, drink, and play at local hot spots, including restaurants, retailers, and entertainment venues, in association with LA.com and the restaurant reservations website OpenTable. A portion of the evening's proceeds with benefit the national organization Step Up Women's Network, and the gamers will exchange their winnings for raffle tickets to win any of a host of prizes.

General admission to the event is $85 per person, which entitles you to $250 of playing money; a VIP package is available for $135, and not only does it get you in the doors an hour earlier, but also doubles your gaming money to $500, and includes complimentary valet parking and a gift bag. For more information about participating vendors, prizes, or for ticket purchase, visit the event's website.

Drink: Eat: Play--Vegas in LA
Saturday August 26th, 7-10 p.m. (6 p.m. VIP entry)
Barker Hangar
3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica