The Wicked Rocky Horror Show
It’s your two favorite shows combined. The National Touring Company of Wicked takes a break from OZ and becomes Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Riff Raff, Columbia, Magenta, Rocky, Janet and Brad in a staged concert performance of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show. Proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. $60+; Monday; The Fonda Theater, 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, 888.929.7849
Steak & Whisky
Today, Chef/Partner Tin Vuong and Partner Jed Sanford of Blackhouse Hospitality debut their fifth original restaurant concept, Steak & Whisky, housed in a 1920s historic brick building in downtown Hermosa Beach. Serving contemporary twists on American classics, highlights of the restaurant include a locally sourced menu, handcrafted cocktails featuring tea and alcohol fusions with seasonally changing house made shrubs, wines served with the anti-oxidation technology of Coravin, and ten whiskey lockers for you to store your drink of choice. Tin Vuong and Executive Chef John Shaw (Tavern on the Green in NYC), apply a blend of cultural influences onto modern American steakhouse classics. Menu items include Steak Tartare; Smoked Ham Hock & Escarole Ravioli; Kurobuta Pork Short Rib; Lamb Pot Pie; Bone-in Rib-Eye; A5 Japanese Miyazaki Wagyu; Cauliflower Risotto; and Beef Tendon Gratin Dauphinoise Fine Herbs, Celery Root Chips. Grab a spot in the restaurant with a decor including Douglas Fir ceiling beams, sun bleached oak, dark walnut surfaces, and concrete blue & gray geometric tile, lacquer tables, walnut pulled leather chairs with linen, and black Pullman-style seating booths. 117 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254; 310.318.5555
Beach House Creamery
This new California-inspired has opened it’s brick and mortar (originally an ice cream truck). The all-natural, small batch ice cream and sorbets has flavors include Mint Chocolate Wave, Coconut Pipelime Sorbet, and Mandarin Sunset Sherbet. Get yours in a cup, regular cone or a gluten-free waffle cone, along with toppings like hot fudge, nut brittle caramel, and chocolate “ripcurls” (shaved chocolate curls). They will also have vegan dreamsicles, milkshakes, sundaes, and “High Tides” affogatos made with Sightglass Coffee. 2337 Roscomare Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90077
Alfred {Brentwood} Opens
This is my favorite Los Angeles coffee shop. I was sad to say “see ya soon” when I moved from West Hollywood to Venice. But, now I can rejoice! There’s a location (their third) coming closer to me! In addition to lattes, Stumptown Coffee, and nitro cold brew, the new space will also have kombucha tea on tap, along with treats by Pressed Juicery, Compartes chocolates, and Farmshop pastries, and for-sale aprons by Hedley & Bennett. 11908 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Winter Menu at The Venice Whaler
Executive Chef Nick Liberato is ready to introduce the new menu offerings, like the Grilled Rapini & Burrata, Roasted Beets with fresh-grated horseradish and crème fraiche, the Chicory Salad with walnuts, frisée, radicchio and Parmesan, and the Roasted Acorn Squash with reduced balsamic vinegar, pomegranate and ricotta salata cheese. There’s also Char-Grilled Oysters, the Hawaiian-style Tuna Poke Bowl, Southern country favorite Fried Pickles, Linguine with Clams, the signature Whaler Burger, made from a blend of short rib, chuck and brisket, and the Venice Burger which comes topped with arugula, caramelized onions and blue cheese. For dessert, order the Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie and the Double Crust Old Fashioned Apple Pie, which are both individually sized mini-pies. 10 W Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292; 310.821.8737
Tuesday, February 24:
Asa Meza Opens
Bringing Asian and Latin dishes to the heart of Hollywood, this new restaurant welcomes you to experience its unique flavors in the former home of Lexington Social House. The space has been transformed, creating a comforting and chic setting with an casual cafe, communal library room seating, two bars and a patio illuminated by Japanese lanterns. The menu ranges from luscious oysters and a raw bar to Asian & Latin dishes. Chef Joey Lopez and his team – including Crudo Chef Rui Mateo and Pastry Chef David Rodriguez – have turned up the heat in Hollywood, striving to bring dishes you, that you have never experienced before. Assistant General Manager and Head Mixologist Justin Kim’s signature craft cocktails and broad wine, beer and spirits selections offer you an opportunity to enjoy a variety of styles and flavors from Chile, Argentina, Mexico, California and Asia. During the morning, you can enjoy artisan coffee from Stumptown Coffee Roasters and tea from the Art of Tea. By noon, swing by try one of the sandwiches, salads and in-house soups. Equally important to Asa Meza has partnered with community organizations like Project Angel Food, which supplies meals to those with HIV/AIDS and other terminal illnesses in the local surroundings of Los Angeles. Monday-Sunday, 11 am-4 pm, happy hour, 3-6 pm, dinner 5 pm-midnight, Friday & Saturday, open til 2 am; 1718 Vine St., Hollywood, CA 90028
Der Wolfskopf
Get ready to sling back German beers and sober up with sausages, schnitzel, and kielbasa in Pasadena. Der Wolfskopf, which means “the wolf head,” is from the guys behind the Blind Donkey and the Surly Goat. The sleek spot has dark wood, circle chandeliers, communal tables, and a marble bar with 20 taps ready to fill your cup. There’s also a patio to enjoy out back. 72 N Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA; 626.219.6054
Learn to cook withRose Lawrence and Eric Greenspan
Rose Lawrence of Red Bread and Eric Greenspan are joining Salted Live, a live version of an online cooking class, for two nights. Greenspan and Lawrence will show you how to sear foie gras, make a foie gras grilled cheese, and make foie gras strawberry pop tarts. They all sound delicious to me. Greenspan will also show you how to grill a steak and Lawrence will teach how to make the perfect puff pastry. $100; Tuesday & Wednesday reserve a here.
L’Assiette Steak Frites Hosts Cecile Delarue & the French Consulate
L’Assiette Steak Frites will host an evening celebrating the best of French cuisine and culture in collaboration with the French Consulate to honor French journalist and author, Cecile Delarue (TV-5 MONDE; FrenchandParfait.com) of the newly published The Everything Easy French Cookbook. The event will begin with passed hors d’oeuvres featuring recipes from Delarue’s cookbook, including pâté de campagne and gougères paired with Kir Royals. You will have an opportunity to mingle with Delarue during the cocktail reception as well as purchase a signed copy of her cookbook ($18). A two-course prix-fixe dinner will follow, featuring dishes such as: L’Assiette’s signature sous-vide Steak Frites with coulotte steak, beef tallow pommes frites, and served with their secret housemade sauce and Steak Rossini with coulotte steak, foie gras, shaved black truffles, beef tallow pommes frites, and served with their secret housemade sauce. $48-78; Tuesday, 7 – 9 pm; 7166 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323.274.2319
Greek Wine Tasting and Wild Game Pairing Menu at Bar & Garden
Enjoy a Greek wine pairing with Kir-Yianni Roditis Petra 2011 paired with a Lobster slider served on toasted brioche with yogurt sriracha sauce; Methymnaeos Chidiriotiko 2011 paired with Antelope Sausage served on a cheesy bun with Cabernet chutney; and Tetramythos Mavrokalavryta ‘Natural’ 2011 paired with Alligator tacos served on white corn tortilla with tangerine chutney and ginger aioli. $12 (wine tasting only with hand-selected cheese, bread, olives. Pairing menu sold separately); Tuesday, 5-8 pm; 6142 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232; RSVP here.
$2 Cocktails
The 2014 Eater Awards were awhile ago, but the The Corner Door is still celebrating that Beau du Bois won Bartender of the Year. The restaurant and bar is throwing a party to thank YOU for voting for du Bois, which means deals on booze. Get $2 cocktails, like the House French 75 with Bombay Sapphire East, Lillet Rose, Lemon, Sugar, Peach Bitters, and Prosecco; and the Bitter Guiseppe with Bourbon, Bruichladdich Islay Barley, Cynar, and Benedictine. Tuesday, 9-midnight; 12477 W Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066; 310.313.5810
Meet Charlotte Tilbury @ Nordstrom
Learn a makeup tricks from one of the best. Charlotte Tilbury, the makeup guru behind Sienna Miller and Amal Clooney’s Golden Globe looks, will be at The Grove after the Oscars. The entry fee is $50, which will be redeemable towards product purchases at the event.$50; Tuesday, 6-8 pm; Nordstrom at The Grove, 189 The Grove Dr.; 323.930.2230
Wednesday, February 25:
Regalo Night at The Bazaar
The Bazaar is hosting its first-ever “Regalo Night” shopping extravaganza. The retail space will welcome six haute fashion and lifestyle brands to showcase their works alongside the Regalo’s own collections. Browse jewelry, couture handbags, luxury eyewear, designer beauty products and other items while enjoying Andrés’ signature modern tapas from The Bazaar and cocktails from Bar Centro. Psychic readings will also be available throughout the evening. Thursday, 6-9 pm; 465 S La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA; RSVPs encouraged at sls.pr@luxurycollection.com
Joe’s Pizza
With the original location on Third Street in Santa Monica, they now have their DTLA location. The New York pizzeria is offering their signature pies by the slice and whole, in addition to chicken parm and meatball parm heroes, salads, pasta, and calzones filled with ricotta and Italian sausage. 613 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA
Continental
This elegant new Toluca Lake eatery, that was once an IHOP has been transformed into a mid-century spot from partners Jay Sadofsky and chef Jesse Genovese. Doug LaGambina is behind the wine list, while the fare is influenced by global cuisines and includes dishes like skirt steak tacos, cured salmon crostini, Moroccan chicken, Thai Seafood Bouillabaisse, Chickpea Cakes, Matzo Ball soup (my fav), and bucatini carbonara. 4301 W Riverside Dr., Burbank, CA 91505
Thursday, February 26:
Andaz West Hollywood has partnered up with photographer Natalie Escobedo for the upcoming exhibition and unveiling of “Wish You Were Here,” a series of photographs featuring legendary rock musicians and bands on the road and in their element. Subjects include Incubus, Taking Back Sunday, and Social Distortion. The works will be on display at Andaz West Hollywood for several months as part of the hotel’s rotating art program entitled ART SEEN @ ANDAZ. The unveiling reception is on Thursday, 7-9 pm on the Mezzanine level at Andaz West Hollywood. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served as well as a special live DJ performance. Free; Thursday, 7-9 pm; Andaz West Hollywood, 8401 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA
Outsider Dinners at The Strand House
These dinners, that are prix fixe and all-inclusive, will run once a quarter and feature on-site head chef Greg Hozinsky, who will be partnering with a selection of chefs. The first dinner will feature Alex Weiser of Weiser Family Farms. The night includes a welcome cocktail, wine with dinner (that looks over the water), tax, and tip. $100 (they’re first come, first served, and max is 20 people); Thursday;
