Monday, February 1:
La Dolce Vita Celebrates its 50th Anniversary
The restaurant kicks off the milestone with a nightly prix-fixe featuring signature dishes from the original menu. Founded in 1966 by former Villa Capri waiters, Jimmy Ullo and George Smith—alongside original investors Frank Sinatra and George Raft—La Dolce Vita began as hang out for New York transplants in search of Italian cuisine reminiscent of NYC. Uzielli, a vintage lover, who especially loved historic automobiles and fine art photography, found the restaurant in 2003 and immediately jumped at the opportunity to preserve the time-honored establishment. Today, La Dolce Vita has plush leather booths and is an escape from the public eye. The 50th Anniversary Menu includes a Caesar Salad, Spaghetti Bolognese, and Tiramisu. $50 (Includes a glass of Chianti0); 9785 Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210; 310.278.1845
Hinoki & the Bird Welcomes Ricardo Zarate for Pop-Up
Zarate teams up with Hinoki & the Bird executive chef Brandon Kida to offer an exclusive 5-course tasting menu, available for one night only. The menu will draw inspiration from Hinoki & the Bird’s travel-inspired ethos and Zarate’s award-wining Peruvian cuisine: Amuse of Tuna Ceviche Salad with Bachi Maguro, Wasabi Tamari Leche D’Tigre, Truffle Pickles, Farmers Market Roasted & Pickled Vegetables Salad; Buckwheat Soba with American Caviar, Lemon Confit, Uni Emulsion; Roasted Pacific Halibut with Broccoli Leaf, Nuka Kohlrabi, Onion Dashi; Peruvian Duck on Rice-Duck “Two Ways”, Black Beer Panca Cilantro Rice, Huancaina Yogurt, Assortment of Mushrooms; and Illaka Chocolate with Black Garlic, Rhubarb. You will also have the choice to enjoy wine pairings with the menu or a new signature cocktail, the “Shiso Fine” (Shiso infused Pisco, Blood Orange Curacao, Orgeat, Lime – $15), created specifically for this event by Hinoki & the Bird’s bar manager, Feisser Stone. $48; Monday, 6–9:30 pm; 10 Century Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90067; Reservations required: 310.552.1200
New Spa Treatments at Sea Wellness Spa inside Hotel Casa del Mar
Relax with a new line of facials and add-ons from Intraceuticals Oxygen. This new collection of facial treatments offers the latest in skincare solutions with the use of Hyaluronic Acid. Facials include the Intraceuticals Opulence Facial, which combines botanical brighteners and highly concentrated Vitamin C to brighten and balance dull, uneven skin tone. Pigmentation is minimized, leaving skin luminous, toned and more radiant ($230/$345 for 60/90 minutes); the Intraceuticals Ultimate Oxygen Facial gives renewed luminosity and an immediate lift to your skin with a pampering massage, customized exfoliation and the addition of Atoxelene, which is a non-surgical alternative to a more invasive procedure and targets expression lines to refine the forehead, softens the eye contour and plumps your skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles ($415 for 90 minutes); the Intraceuticals Rejuvenate Facial provides the ultimate in intense hydration and contains vitamins and antioxidants that remarkably lift tone and hydrate the skin ($230/$345 for 60/90 minutes); the Intraceuticals Booster Facial enhances rejuvenation with a personally prescribed Booster+ treatment, including: Collagen, Vitamin C+3 – 3, Vitamin A, and Antioxidants ($265/$375 for 60/90 minutes); and the Intraceuticals Atoxelene Add on ($90 for 15 minutes). 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405; 310.581.7767
Tuesday, February 2:
Eating Out Loud
Lucky Peach presents an event that will consist of two parts: readings from Lucky Peach at the Million Dollar Theatre by David Chang, Roy Choi, Kim Gordon, Jonathan Gold, Amelia Gray, and Eric Wareheim. And then, head to the adjacent Grand Central Market to eat and drink. Expect one-of-a-kind food pairings that bring together some of their favorite chefs, including Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (Animal), Kris Yenbamroong (Night+Market), Jessica Koslow (Sqirl), and Brooks Headley (Superiority Burger). Tuesday, 7-11 pm; 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Wednesday, February 3:
“Tasting Series” Beer Dinner Featuring Regional Progress Brewing
In celebration of Los Angeles’ booming craft beer industry and Taste on Melrose’s longtime tradition of hosting Wednesday Farmers’ Market dinners, the Melrose Avenue restaurant launches an interactive “Tasting Series” that combines comforting, seasonal small bites with local beer pairings. The first in a yearlong slate of events, “Tasting Series” also incorporates other eateries within the EG Hospitality family, including tequila samplings at Tortilla Republic West Hollywood and cocktail mixers at Taste at the Palisades. Taste welcomes South El Monte-based Progress Brewing to its new Atrium bar for the inaugural ”Tasting Series”, with Co-Founder Dr. Diego Benitez pouring his favorite beers and walking you through the brewing process. Executive Chef Brian Sheard is crafting an array of small plates to pair with the beers identifying key flavors that enhance both food and drink. Pairings include a Swordfish Ceviche with grapefruit, jalapeno, ginger, green onion, cucumber and avocado paired with the Progress Blonde and Caramelized Cumin Spiced Pork Loin with oven-roasted tomato, pine nuts, fingerling potatoes, and roasted asparagus paired with the Progress Xbalanque Grand Cru. Wednesday, 6:30 pm; $40, $45 at the door; 8454 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069; 323.852.6888
Kwame Onwuachi at Scratch | Bar & Kitchen
Chef Phillip Frankland Lee welcomes Kwame Onwuachi of The Shaw Bijou in Washington, D.C. to his recently-opened Scratch|Bar & Kitchen for a collaborative 8-course meal, plus dessert by Margarita Lee. Enjoy signature dishes from these two young, accomplished chefs with the following menu: Pork Belly and Raw Oyster by Phillip Frankland Lee; Chicken and Lamb Over Rice by Kwame Onwuachi; Puffed Smelt by Phillip Frankland Lee; Beet Cured Hamachi by Kwame Onwuachi; Roasted Yet Raw Prawns by Phillip Frankland Lee; Foie Gras with Shrimp & Pork by Kwame Onwuachi; Pork & Squash by Phillip Frankland Lee; Steak & Eggs by Kwame Onwuachi; and Ice Cream Cone by Margarita Lee. Dietary restrictions will be honored and must be noted when making the reservation. Menu is subject to change without notice. $120; Wednesday, 5-10 pm; 16101 Ventura Blvd, Ste 255, Encino, CA; Reservations: 818.646.6085 and a credit card must be used to hold the reservation. A 48-hour notice is required to cancel. No-shows will be charged 50% of the price.
Whole Animal Dinner at Nick + Stef’s
Nick + Stef’s in DTLA is doing a whole animal roast as part of a new dinner series intended to show off chef Andreas Roller’s skills. This first in the series will focus on goat, with three meat courses and two using other elements of the goat, like milk and prepared cheese. The spit-fire roasted goat meal is five courses and Roller will serve various preparations of leg, shoulder, and saddle, and use the milk for a panna cotta finish. Other whole animal dinners will include a wild boar option, as well as lamb and several iterations using sustainable fish. $69, $20/optional wine pairings; Wednesday;
Thursday, February 4:
Persephone’s Plant Shop features Sculptural Objects by Ben Medansky
Eastown is dedicated to building a community of creative thinkers, makers and doers. Its live-work lofts are on in a private avenue, and offer a blank canvas that can be transformed to fit the needs of any artist or small business. These spaces are a hybrid of an industrial downtown loft and an art gallery in their feel. Inspired by the versatility of these spaces, We Came in Peace has converted their loft into Persephone’s, a wandering botanical shop that will be popping up the first week of February through Valentine’s Day. In honor of the opening, ceramics artist Ben Medansky has partnered with We Came in Peace on nine plant arrangements that will live inside his sculptural work. Thursday, 6-9 pm; 6201 Hollywood Blvd, Loft 3016 (Enter off Argyle at Niederlander)
“GRAMMY’S MusiCares: A Look Back.”
Andaz West Hollywood will unveil a limited-time photography exhibition and music benefit titled “GRAMMY’S MusiCares: A Look Back.” Honoring MusiCares’ 2016 Person of the Year, Lionel Richie, and as well as past honorees, the public reception will kick off the 58th annual GRAMMY celebrations and gives you an intimate look back at MusiCares’ most rocking Persons of the Year including Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, and more. Each photograph has been curated by the renowned Mr Musichead Gallery and showcases iconic portraits and images of music’s biggest stars. Proceeds from sales of the gallery pieces and limited edition prints, available at the unveiling reception, will benefit MusiCares’ programs including financial, health, and welfare services for musicians nationwide. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served as well as a special live DJ set. Free; Thursday, 7 pm; 8401 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA
Hotel Casa del Mar Partners with Grand Hotel Quisisana for a Collaborative Dinner
Hotel Casa del Mar partners with Capri’s Grand Hotel Quisisana, a fellow Leading Hotels of the World, to offer an exclusive Capri-inspired dinner menu, celebratingItaly’s coastal cuisine. The à la carte dinner menu will feature seasonal dishes from Hotel Casa del Mar’s Executive Chef Alberico Nunziata and Grand Hotel Quisisana’s Executive Chef Stefano Mazzone. The collaborative menu will feature dishes such as a Mediterranean octopus salad, risotto with tomatoes, capers, and olives, and roasted scallops with artichokes, parsley, and a lightly smoked anchovy sauce, ranging in price from $14-45. Thursday-February 10, 5:30-10 pm; 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405; 310.581.5533
