Monday, February 8th:
LEONA Serves Lunch
Leona just began serving lunch and I am telling you…make time in you schedule to get there. Sit outside in the sun, by the ocean while eating fresh seafood, hearty sandwiches, bulgogi chicken wings and salads that won’t leave you in a midday food coma. Also, if you love 90s rap like me, listen closely, they play songs that 9os rap sampled on. (Genius).Tuesday-Friday, 11 am-2 pm; 123 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA; 310.822.5379
Spring Opens
Restaurateur Yassmin Sarmadi and Executive Chef Tony Esnault have opened Spring, located in the Douglas Building in DTLA. As the second collaboration from the husband and wife team behind Church & State, the restaurant’s cuisine was inspired by Southern France. In an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication with an expansive open kitchen, they are serving lunch today followed by dinner on February 19. The restaurant was designed by Sarmadi and Esnault, and brought to life by architect David Wick and interior designer Beth Thorne. It’s divided into two areas, with an intimate lounge with rich dark wood paneling and plush green tufted seating areas and has a large bar with turquoise walls and vintage artwork. The lounge opens to an atrium with tables and sage-colored chairs, two large pepper trees and a fountain in the center of the dining room. The open kitchen runs the length of the dining room is furnished with white subway tile and is visible from three sides. 257 S. Spring St, Los Angeles, CA; 213.372.5189
Pizza Romana’s Reverse Happy Hour
They are debuting a reverse happy hour with Roman-inspired late night special featuring $6 pours and bites. You can explore Palermo’s curated collection of regional Italian wines at this casual local pizzeria. Offerings will include a weekly rotating glass of both red and white wine like Montepulciano from Le Marche, Dolcetto from Piedmont, and Falanghina from Campania. The debut of the new late night offerings will coincide with the launch of new baked pastas entrees: A Timballo with ziti pasta, fried eggplant, San Marzano tomato, mozzarella di bufala, and Pecorino Romano and a Three Meat (Beef, Veal, Pork) Bolognese Lasagna with San Marzano tomato, béchamel, mozzarella, and Parmigiano Reggiano. 615 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323.939.1148 x10
Tuesday, February 9th:
Del Frisco’s Mardi Gras
Celebrate Mardi Gras at Del Frisco’s Grille Santa Monica with beads, masks and classic New Orleans-style dishes for a Fat Tuesday Feast! All day specials include $11 New Orleans style gumbo, $14 Creole shrimp cocktail, $15 fried shrimp po’boy, $5 310 draft beers, and $7 Hurricanes. Tuesday, 11 am-11 pm; 1551 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Little Dom‘s Celebrates Mardi Gras
They will also be hosting a Mardi Gras-themed Monday Night Supper. The three course dinner will include: Crawfish Fritters, Chicken Etouffee, and Caramel Cake with Salted Pecans. Plus, snag $15 Bottles of Dago Red/White Wine and $4 Pabst Blue Ribbon. $15; Monday; 2128 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027; 323.661.0055
Little Easy
Head to the Little Easy in DTLA for a Mardi Gras festival fit for a Rex (King of the Carnival). The New Orleans bar that brings the soul of the French Quarter to the heart of Downtown is pulling out all the stops for this traditional Southern Louisiana soiree, featuring food and drink specials, along with live music! They will have 3-2-1 Special, featuring $3 Hurricane Shots, $2 Abita Beers and $1 Wings all day long. Chef Travis will be serving up down-home Southern cooking from Cajun plates to spicy skillets like crisp-golden Hush Puppies served with a sweet honey dipping sauce; spiced Seafood Gumbo stewed with shrimp, crawfish, Andouille sausage and rice; and Bar Manager Ally DeVellisis serving up Bourbon-Street-style cocktails like the elegant French Quarter 75 crafted with vodka, St. Germaine, lavender syrup, lemon juice and Champagne; and Sazerac with JP Wiser’s rye, Pernod absinthe and bitters. Live Music is from Big Bill’s Medicine Show and Dixie band headliner, Critical Brass and the bar has beaded necklaces, doubloons, special t-shirts and more swanky swag giveaways. Tuesday, Noon-2 am; 216 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013; 213.628.3113; Photo Credit: acuna-hansen
Spare Tire Kitchen & Tavern
New Orleans soul comes to life at mid-city hotspot Spare Tire Kitchen & Tavern this Mardi Gras for a special Fat Tuesday Bourbon Street Festival. Fill up on Southern soul-food specials and classic French Quarter cocktails while taking in Live Music from a brassy jazz Dixie Band, along with Carnival-clad Stilt Walkers and charming (and charmed)Magicians. Indulge in a feast of down-home Louisiana style cooking, including Cat Fish Po’boy Sliders, Cajun Crawfish, Jambalaya and Gumbo, and Gator Meatballs. Nibble on Southern Bayou Snacks like Collard Greens, Oysters on the half shell, Fried Okra and Fried Pickles, Red Peas & Rice and a classic French Quarter, doughy Beignets dusted powdered sugar. Dishes on the Mardi Gras Menu are the only plates that will be available from 4 pm to Close and the regular menu will not be on offer during this special event. Next, sip on a few hearty “Big Easy” libations from Bar Manager Melissa Taimanglo, who is pouring out happy hour specials from 4-7 pm, featuring $5 select beer, wine and well drinks. Spare Tire Kitchen & Tavern offers an extensive list of over 120 different kinds of Whisky including Breckenridge Bourbon from Colorado and Templeton Small Batch Rye, along with single malt scotches like the beloved 18 year old Laphroiag, the coveted Bruichladdich and The Laddie Ten Year Old to name a few. In addition, colorful beads, party favors and fun costume accessories will be handed out, while the black-and-white classic film, A Streetcar Named Desire will be playing in the background. Tuesday, 11:30 am-11 pm; 5370 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323.525.2618;
The Beignet Truck
They will be posting up in front of Royal to join in the celebration and will have a crawfish boil going on for $15 per pound and it comes with all the fixins (roasted potatoes and corn). For $30 per person, get bottomless crawfish. Drink specials include $5 Hurricanes, Hand Grenades, & Cyclones and Abita Purple Haze. Plus, they will have beads, masks as well as music by DJ Mojoe! Tuesday, 4 pm; 6541 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90028
Preux & Proper
They are serving frozen daiquiris specials including Pina Coloda, Mint Julep, Rocket Fuel, Call a Cab, Mango Margarita, Rum Runner, along with a selection of traditional cajun dishes with a twist include Po’Boys, Gumbo, Crawfish Mac n’ Cheese and Pate a Choux Beignets! Tuesday, 4 pm; 840 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.896.0090
Sassafras
Receive a complimentary Mandarin Napoleon French 75 (from 5-6 pm) upon arrival. During happy hour you can sample new cocktails for $8 and nosh on customary Crawfish Boils. Live entertainment is provided by Mudbug Brass Band and burlesque dancers and NOLA’s Abita Brewery is poised for an all-night tap takeover. The reimagined cocktail menu, curated by Sassafras managers Chris Whelan and Kalani Ben, explores southern tradition and features house-made accoutrements. For instance, Rutte of All Evil (Rute Celery Gin, lime juice, celery-apple shrub, Miracle Mile Bergamot Bitters) and Country Lovin’ (pepper butter-washed white whiskey, honey-corn syrup, Peychauds Bitters, and whole egg) are unexpected and have refreshing flavors commonly found in bayou dishes. There are also reinvented riffs on Bourbon Street “go-cup” slushies like the Sweeten the Deal (Bacardi Rum, Midori, Crème de Banane, pineapple juice, coconut cream) and the Tootsie Roll (Crème de Noyaux, Crème de Cacao, Jameson Black Barrel, malted milk). Tuesday, 5 pm-2 am; 1233 Vine St, Hollywood, 90038; 323.467.2800
Messhall
New Orleans native and Messhall Executive Chef Shane Pritchett brings the party to Los Angeles with his Mardi Gras feast: an authentic Shrimp Boil (with corn, sausages + mushrooms) served on newspaper in a tin can lid and for dessert, enjoy his signature Cinnamon Raisin Bread pudding with praline sauce. And since it’s (Fat) Tuesday, oysters and tacos are just $1 all night long with $5 drafts. The Mardi Gras drink of the night is our not-so-traditional Hurricane (aka El Nino / $10 umbrella included). $36 for the feast; Tuesday, 5 pm; 4500 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027; 323.660.6377
Topshop & Topman Vday Event
Shop their exclusive Valentine’s Day collection and receive 15% off all night long. Plus, get styling types from Fashionlaine and Anthony Ramos from Access Hollywood, ladies get Manis from Enamel Diction and lashes from D’Lashes. Guys get Bryd Barber styling and both get H2Rose cocktails, Sprinkles cupcakes, and eos chocolates while you check out the Valentine’s Day flower station from The Flower Chef and enjoy tunes from DJ Jaimeson Hill. Tuesday, 6-9 pm; Topshop Topman, personal shopping suite upstairs, the Grove, 189 Grove Dr, Los Angeles; RSVP: Juston@Brand-Allies.com
WP24 in The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles Rings in the Chinese New Year
This one-night-only event is featuring a “Night Market” display of food stations (with options like Alaskan King Crab Lo Mai, Whole Roasted Peking Duckling, Crispy Skin Pork Belly, Chinese New Year Dumplings and Spicy Szechuan Skewers) and lion dancers, followed by a sit-down, three-course menu. The event marks the start of the restaurant’s celebration of the Lunar New Year. Curated by chef de cuisine John Lechleidner, the three course menu begins with options like Whole Santa Barbara Spot Prawns and General Tso Glazed Wolfe Ranch Quail. The second course, representing the five blessings of the New Year – longevity, riches, peace, wisdom and virtue – includes 5 Spice Marinated Colorado Lamb Champs and Szechuan Peppercorn Crusted American Wagyu Rib Eye with oxtail Shanghai noodles. The final course features the Tangerine Creamsicle with citrus semi-freddo, coconut, and crispy tangerines. $110, $35/optional wine pairing; Tuesday, 6:30 pm/Night Market, 7:30 pm/Dinner; 24th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, 900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213.743.8824
Taboo Tales
This comedy night invites stand ups and storytellers to share their deep, dark, secrets. Their motto: “The more we all talk about how fucked up we are, the more normal we all feel.” Check out seasoned performers and newbies while they take the stage to cleanse their awkwardness, make you laugh and share in the oddities. Tuesday; Groundlings, 7307 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323.934.4747
Katsuya’s New Pop-Up: K Ramen. Burger. Beer
sbe has opened, pop-up, K Ramen. Burger. Beer. (K Ramen), situated in the second floor of Katsuya Glendale at The Americana at Brand. An extension of Katsuya, K Ramen offers striking design and skillfully executed Japanese dishes, sushi, and sashimi. K Ramen has a vibrant and fresh vibe with a refined menu that is approachable in both concept and price point (nothing over $15). K Ramen’s menu includes a variety of ramen dishes like Lobster Ramen, with golden chives, green onion and marinated egg; the half-pound burger with secret spicy mayo, caramelized onion and tomato; and an extensive selection of Japanese brews. There’s also a selection of pokes served over aonori sesame rice, including the Spicy Creamy Tuna “K Poke” and Snapper & Kale in Yuzu Ginger Sauce; and small bites including Calamari with Wasabi Cocktail Sauce and Tater Tots with Duck Fat Drizzle. For sweet treats, K Ramen serves up Coolhaus™ Ice Cream by the pint. You can enjoy it all on K Ramen’s sweeping patio overlooks the fountains, with Japanese lanterns and anime art. 702 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210; 818.741.2701
Wednesday, February 10th:
Live at The Library
The Library @ The Redbury kicks off the first show of 2016 in its ongoing music series, “Live At The Library,” with a free performance by award-winning singer-songwriter Josh Stevens. This music series features one of today’s up-and-coming pop/indie-rock artists at the property’s chic, laid back venue. Whether grabbing a drink in the book-lined lounge, or socializing outside under the stars in the courtyard, The Library is the perfect location to enjoy an evening of live music. Free; Wednesday, 8 pm; 1717 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323.962.1717
Year of the Fire Monkey Tasting Menu and Wishing Tree
To celebrate the “Year of the Fire Monkey,” WP24 by Wolfgang Puck invites you to enjoy a fiery eight- or six-course tasting menu. The festive Chinese New Year meal incorporates elements of heat throughout, featuring dishes like a Red Chili Braised Kurobuta Pork Shank with spicy Szechuan peppercorns, Chinese chives, and garlic noodles (symbolic of longevity); and “Szechuan Style” American Wagyu Rib Eye with toasted red chilies, garlic, and cilantro. In addition, WP24 continues its tradition of finishing the Chinese New Year meal with its classic “Wishing Tree” adorned with red envelopes. At the end of the meal, you may select an envelope which holds a proverb, message, or special gift such as a complimentary spa treatment at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles or a specialty cocktail from WP24. $120; Tuesday through February 19th; Located on the 24th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, 900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213.743.8824
Thursday, February 11th:
The Witch at the Vista Theatre
A24 and Cinespia invite you to catch the Sundance Film Festival smash hit and critically acclaimed film at the historic Vista theatre with the director and stars in-person. The Witch is the return to the intelligent horror film. An English farmer leaves his plantation, relocating his wife and five children to a remote plot of land on the edge of an ominous forest – within which lurks an unknown evil. Robert Eggers won the Best Director award at Sundance for the film. Free; Thursday, 7 pm/doors, 7:30/show; 4473 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Puppy Love is in the Air
Just ahead of Valentine’s Day, single pet owners and their pups can meet for love and drinks at Healthy Spot’s Must Love Dogs singles meet-up, a pre-valentine’s Day event at Art’s Table for dog lovers looking for love! Single dog parents are invited to bring their pets and mingle with like-minded folk over food, drinks – for humans and dogs –at the dog-friendly neighborhood spot. Ice breaker games will be played if Fido isn’t helping with introductions! Free; Thursday, 6-8 pm; Art’s Table, 1002 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Lucha VaVoom
This is one of Los Angeles’ most celebrated variety shows since 2002 where mind-blowing Mexican masked wrestling, burlesque, aerialists and comedy come together. Catch their popular annual two-night Valentine’s Day shows, titled“Crazy in Love.” $40+; Wednesday & Thursday, doors: 7 pm, Show: 8:15 pm; The Mayan, 1038 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213.746.4674
