Labor Day Weekend

The Taste
The Los Angeles Times‘ annual festival celebrating Southern California’s culinary scene is back. The Taste will transform the Paramount Pictures Studios backlot into the ultimate epicurean pop-up and block party over Labor Day weekend. Each of the five events includes unlimited tastings from the city’s best kitchens and a variety of wine, spirits and seasonal cocktails: Opening Night is Friday from 7:30-10:30 pm and it focuses on a collection of tastings, cocktail and wine offerings, and a chance to party with all of The Times hosts and many of the festival’s participating chefs and bartenders. Restaurants include Badmaash, Little Pine, Love & Salt, Manhattan Beach Post, Son of a Gun and Sweetfin Poke. On Saturday from 11 am-2 pm, join in Field to Fork, hosted by Amy Scattergood, Times Food Editor, and Michael Cimarusti, Chef/Owner of Providence and Chef/Partner of Connie and Ted’s. Scattergood will lead a conversation on the new artisan grain movement with Nan Kohler (Grist and Toll), Alex Weiser (Weiser Farms) and Roxana Jullapat (Friends and Family). Cimarusti will share his socially-conscious kitchen secrets during a live demo. Madcapra’s masters of falafel, Sarah Hymanson and Sara Kramer, will team up for a vegetarian cooking how-to. Restaurants include Aqui es Texcoco, Doomie’s Home Cookin’, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Kye’s Montana, L.A. Chapter and Salazar. Dinner with a Twist is hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, Jenn Harris, Times Deputy Food Editor, and Ray Garcia and Michael Lay, Chef/Owner and Beverage Director of Broken Spanish and B.S. Taqueria. Dinner is Saturday, 7:30-10:30 pm and restaurants include Church & State, HACHÉ LA, LEONA, Public School, The Bellwether and The Raymond 1886. The Sunday Block Party is hosted by Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, and Mary Sue Milliken, Co-Chef/Owner, Border Grill and is from 11 am-2 pm. Duff Goldman (Charm City Cakes West/“Cake Masters”) will perform a live demo. Milliken will serve up modern Mexican fare while Ramiro Arvizu and Jaime Martin del Campo (La Casita Mexicana/Mexicano) will demonstrate authentic dishes from south of the border. Carter will host a discussion on resourceful ways to maximize ingredients with Bruce Kalman (Union/Knead & Co. Pasta Bar), Chris Cormier (L.A. Mission) and Michael Flood (L.A. Regional Food Bank). Restaurants include Chichén Itzá, Donut Farm, Hinoki & the Bird, Mainland Poke, Simbal and The Guild. After the party, head to the Flavors of L.A., hosted by Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, and Kris Yenbamroong, Chef/Owner, NIGHT + MARKET, from 7:30-10:30 pm. Gold will explore new Filipino cuisine in a roundtable with three acclaimed chefs: Charles Olalia (Rice Bar), Gary Menes (le comptoir) and Alvin Cailan (EggSlut/UNIT120/AMBOY). L.A. native Yenbamroong, Food & Wine magazine’s current Best New Chef, will demo his classic Thai cooking. Nyesha Arrington (LEONA), will share a seasonal recipe. Baroo’s Kwang Uh will provide a glimpse into the future with his freestyle Korean food. And Tricia Carr (The Concoctologist) will lead a cocktail demo with aperitifs, bitter liqueurs and rosé wines. Restaurants include Guisados, Herringbone, Knead & Co. Pasta Bar, Oh Man! Ramen, The Little Jewel of New Orleans and WOLF. $150/Friday, $100-$125/Saturday & Sunday events ($25 discount on individual tickets available to LA Times subscribers).

L’Ami Santa Monica, Labor Day Special Menu
L’Ami is going to be celebrating Labor Day Weekend with a prix fixe menu served during dinner and brunch. Located on the border of Santa Monica and Brentwood, L’Ami Restaurant has a unique charm and a romantic atmosphere with high-quality French-Mediterranean cuisine. Grab a spot on the open-air terraces under the arched passageways, and blue painted ceilings. The menus are a combo of Marc-Antoine’s childhood culinary experience and the influence of French-born chef Francis Bey, leader of the culinary team. $39/three courses, $25/egg dish and bottomless bellinis or mimosas; Friday-Sunday, brunch: 10 am-2 pm, dinner: 5:30-10 pm; 246 26th St Santa Monica, CA 90402; 310.310.8064

TAPS Fish House & Brewery Turns 17
Brea’s TAPS Fish House & Brewery is turning 17! To celebrate they’re doing parties and specials all month long, but will also have a burger deal every Friday this month. You can get a burger for just $1.99 as long as you purchase a drink. $1.99; Friday, 11 am-3 pm; 101 E. Imperial Hwy, Brea, CA 92821; 714.257.0101

Mama Loves Brunch
Join in a Boozy Brunch atop Mama Shelter Hollywood’s new rooftop. Just in time for Fall and launching this weekend Mama’s new Boozy Brunch will feature some of Chef Gerard Sampson’s crowd favorites including breakfast pizzas, eggs Benedict, avocado toast, oyster station and more. $39 (includes coffee and orange juice); Sunday, 11 am-4 pm; 6500 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA; 323.785.6666

Labor Day Block Party at Playa Provisions
Owned by “Top Chef” alum Brooke Williamson and her husband/co-chef Nick Roberts, invite you to come celebrate the end of the season with great food, friends, and family, along the California coast. The four-in-one culinary concept will be hosting a Labor Day Block Party with a beer garden with The Stone Hop Wagon, featuring a variety of Stone Brewing’s craft beers on-tap, plus cocktails, grilled burgers, and hot dogs. Adding to the festivities, a DJ will be spinning contemporary beats and an inflatable obstacle course will be available for the kids. Tickets available at the door; Sunday, 12-5 pm; 119 Culver Blvd, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293; 310.683.5019

Terrine Labor Day BBQ
Continuing the success of his Memorial Day and Fourth of July “Backyard BBQs,” Chef/Owner Kris Morningstar will roll out his grill to celebrate Labor Day Weekend. the all-American fare will feature Terrine BBQ favorites including Morningstar’s much-acclaimed Texas-Style Brisket with chimichurri; Pickle Brine Fried Chicken; Marinated Swordfish Brochettes; Crispy Potato & Hatch Chile Tacos; in addition to several new sides and sweets. $40; Monday, 11 am-9:30 pm; 8265 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 323.746.5130

Viviane’s Labor Day BBQ
To kick off the Labor Day festivities, Viviane’s Executive Chef Michael Hung will set up a poolside spit and host a special AYCE Filipino cookout featuring a backyard pig roast alongside delicious, specialty cocktails from Bar Director Ryan Wainwright. Lay by Avalon Hotel’s pool as the holiday feast will coincide with Viviane’s Summer Sundays Pool Party series. Hung will be roasting whole pigs poolside and setting up the all-you-can-eat spread with dishes like Lechon Cebuano; Classic Chicken Adobo; Bistek Tagalog; Summer Squash Guisado; and Leche Flan. $34; Sunday, 11 am-10 pm; 9400 West Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212; 844.328.2566

Three Day Rule‘s The Last Pool Party of Summer
Hello singles! Get to this DJ-fueled pool party with 500+ singles at Santa Monica’s sexiest hotel. Pool attire encouraged. $10-$20; Monday, 1-5 pm, Viceroy Santa Monica, at the pool, 1819 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA

Shade Hotel Labor Day Weekend Pool Party
Send summer off at Shade Hotel’s Labor Day weekend party. Enjoy specialty bites created by zinc@shade’s executive chef Ashley Oates. These perfect pool side bites include mini ahi tacos and Manhattan Beach sushi rolls along with handcrafted cocktails. While you lounge poolside on Shade’s SkyDeck, you can also listening to DJ tunes. Free; Sunday; 1221 N. Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach, CA; 310.469.3466

LA County Fair
Just in case you didn’t get enough fried food at the OC Fair, you can keep indulging at the LA County Fair. They have everything you can thnk of, deep-fried, on-a-stick, barbequed, dipped in chocolate and just plain delicous. With more than 300 choices, wear your eatin’ pants. There’s also yogurt, fresh fruit, smoothies and salads, too. There are also rides, interactive sports, The Igloo, where you can skate and go sledding, Jurassic Park, and the Our Body exhibit. $20+; Through September 25; Pomona Fairplex, 1101 West McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA

626 Night Market
This is the last event of the summer for the 626 Night Market and they’ll be open ’til 1am. You can check out a hundreds of unique vendors and attractions at the original and largest Asian-themed night market in the United States. There’s food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music, and entertainment one jam-packed weekend of festivities. Friday-Sunday, 4 pm-1 am; 285 W Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007 (Enter through Gates 3 & 5 on Huntington Dr or Gate 8 on Baldwin Ave.)

E Hula Mau
The 22nd annual E Hula Mau® (Hula Lives) Hula & Chant Competition is a celebration of Hawaiian culture and hosts Southern California’s only Hula and Chant Competition, presented by Nā Mamo® (The Cherished Offspring), a non-profit organization. E Hula Mau® will feature live performances, arts and crafts, interactive workshops, and the flavor of island foods. $25; Friday-Sunday; Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA; 619.991.6266

FLUX Hawaii General Store To Pop Up on Abbot Kinney Blvd
The FLUX Hawaii General Store, presented by Hawaiian Airlines, will pop up on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice with a line-up of 70 Hawaii artisans and brands. Store items will span fashion, accessories, beauty and skincare, homewares, pet supplies and food and drink. Expect fashion + accessories from Fighting Eel, Big Bad Wolf, Fitted, Jams World, Language of the Birds, Of One Sea, OluKai, Reyn Spooner, Sig Zane, S.Tory Standards, Vizume, With Love From Paradise, Amelia Samari, ByChari, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Blue, Island Fin, Jana Lam, Leimano, Lesportsac, Mori by Art + Flea, MiNei Designs, Martin & MacArthur, Mini Meems, Myte, Rolling Death Maui, Slowtide, The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, Yknot. Artists and designers include AJ Feducia, Greenroom, John Hook, Mark Cunningham, Wayne Levin, Steven Kean, Ho‘okani Music Company, Island Penman, Liliko‘i Creative, Mau-House, Mistprint, Mōno, Seeds and Stone, Wood HI. Beauty and skincare companies include Malie Organics, KH Apothecary, North Shore Soap, along with pet companies, The Public Pet, Mimi by Reise Kochi, Maipup. Plus, enjoy food and drink from Big Island Candies, Hawaiian Host, Hawaiian Ola, Kōloa Rum, Kona Brewing Company, Kona Coffee Purveyors, Monkeypod Jam, SPAM, Shaka Tea.Programming, workshops and live music will also be part of the weekend long event. Friday-Monday, 11 am – 7 pm; BAM! Space, 1306 Abbott Kinney Blvd., Venice, Los Angeles

John Williams: Maestro of the Movies
Composer John Williams is at the Hollywood Bowl to conduct music from hit movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens, along with other favorite themes. Bowl movie night maestro David Newman conducts the first half of film score classics, including a selection of clips shown on the big screen. Friday-Sunday; 2301 N. Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Hitchcock’s The Birds at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Tippi Hedren is a rich and wild socialite, who chases Rod Taylor back up to his small hometown, but ends up fighting for her life when birds organize and attack the humans. Hitchcock’s thriller is the most original of his own films. There will also be themed photo booth! $12+ ; Saturday, doors: 6:45 pm, movie: 8 pm; 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

True Romance at Hollywood Cemetery
Director Tony Scott delivers a true love story, when outlaw lovers Alabama and Clarence are on the run to Hollywood after they accidentally steal a suitcase from the mob. Patricia Arquette is compelling, adorable and fierce. The script by Quentin Tarantino made him a household name, along with a cast of fantastic stars including: Brad Pitt, Val Kilmer, Samuel Jackson, Gary Oldman, James Gandolphini, Mike Rappaport, and Christian Slater bring down the house. $12+; Sunday, doors: 6:45 pm, movie: 8 pm; 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Cinefamily & Barnsdall’s Wine & a Movie Fundraising Series
The fall season of movies will take place on the West Lawn of Frank Lloyd Wright’s famed Hollyhock House,  debuting with Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Other feature films include Jules et Jim, Black Orpheus and Fellini Satyricon. Movies beginning at sundown—shown on a high-resolution outdoor screen with superior surround sound—atop scenic Olive Hill. The Cinefamily is a nonprofit organization of movie lovers presenting weird and wonderful films and “Cinefamily Everywhere” is their new program devoted to bringing world-class, innovative programming to patrons all over Los Angeles. Every show will have DJs and pre-show entertainment, and screenings will be introduced by different hosts and surprise guests! You can enjoy a curated selection of wines, courtesy of San Antonio Winery, as well as some of LA’s finest food trucks. $25; Sundays, 5:30 pm (Through October 2nd); 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027