Weekend

Baltaire introduces “Slow Cooked Sundays
It’s time for some comfort food. With all this rain and chilly temps, get to this spot to enjoy a braised dinner. This relaxing, Sunday supper from Executive Chef Travis Strickland will feature a new, three-course, family-style menu highlighting a slow-cooked protein, alongside seasonal sides and house made desserts. To kick-off the dinner series, Chef Travis is serving up Lentil Soup, lentils du puy, tomato, and extra virgin olive oil; Braised Lamb Shank with polenta, pepper stew, and gremolata; and Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting and heirloom carrots. $48; Sunday (every Sunday until the end of spring); 11647 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049; reservations: 424.273.1660 or email hello@baltaire.com

The Venue
Koreatown’s newest destination features a menu by executive chef Kayson Chong and cocktails by mixologist Devon Espinosa. You can enjoy both of their creations in 13 private karaoke rooms. Highlights of Chong’s menu include yellowtail crudo; bone-in short rib and appetizers like fried mac ’n’ cheese, spicy wings and fried calamari. Espinosa’s cocktail menu includes selections like the Seana with Absolut Elyx made with yellow chartreuse, eucalyptus, lemon, passion fruit and bitters, served in an icy copper pineapple. 3470 Wilshire Blvd #B1, Los Angeles, CA; 213.221.1251

Farida Opens
From the Arabic word translating to “incomparable” and named after George Abou-Daoud’s grandmother, Farida will draw heavy inspiration from the type of food Abou-Daoud grew up eating at home, utilizing centuries-old preparation techniques. Step into an inviting atmosphere with bright traditional Mideast and North African geometric prints, and a collection of posters from the Golden Age of Egyptian Cinema. The menu is inspired by the regional cuisine of the Middle East – including Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Morocco, Palestine and Israel – and includes dishes that are rooted in methods of traditional preparation and ones that are also modern. The sharable plates menu includes Mountain Prep Lamb Awarma, which follows a traditional mountain-side preparation process and is served with hummus bi tahini, a nut and fig medley, lamb cracklins and a soft egg; Spicy Lamb Riblets, with pomegranate, kishek porridge and harissa; and Stuffed Squash, a whole gourd filled with basmati rice and le puy lentils with pistachio butter. Slightly smaller yet still sharable plates include Olive Oil Cured Eggplant Makdous and Lavender Baghrir Crepes with honey brown butter and sel gris. Desserts include Muhallebi with hazelnut halawa, mahleb, chervil syrup and pine nuts, and the Basbousa, made with semolina, fenugreek syrup, almonds and rosewater yogurt. Complementing the distinctive menu will be a selection of cocktails focusing on the sweeter aspects of Mideast flavors with rosewater, mint, orange blossom, pomegranate, and fig.  Highlights include the Arak Sazerac and the Fig Bourbon Fizz. 6266 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

Introducing Birds & Bees: DTLA’s New 50s Inspired Hidden Cocktail Den
From Co-Owner Dev Desai and Co-Owner Ankur Desai and Marcos Tello of Template Consulting, Birds & Bees was born. Tello brought on two of Template Consulting’s finest talents to be at the forefront of Birds & Bees; General Manager Nikki Sunseri and Bar Manager Bethany Ham. With that keen aesthetic, ten cocktails were created to crank up the Golden Era. First up are five Seasonal Classics, inspired by musicians of the 50s. Sip on the Ella Fitzgerald, a dirty martini with Gin, Dry Vermouth, pickle juice, and Fino Sherry; the Pat Boone, made of Almond Infused Rye, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, and Absinthe; the Korla Pandit, features Butternut Squash-infused Rum, Masala-infused Cognac, lemon, and Orange Liqueur; the Desi Arnaz made with Rum, lime, pineapple, Chinese 5 Spice Cordial, and Crème de Peche; and the Doris Day features Bourbon, honey, lemon, and is topped with Matcha Tea foam. Forgotten Classics are an ode to cocktails originally created in the 50s, and forgotten over time. The Chocolate Soldier, is made of Cognac, Dry Vermouth, Cynar, Crème de Cacao, and bitters; the Cloak & Dagger, made with Blackstrap Rum, Aged Rum, Overproof Rum, lime and Falernum; the El Diablo is made with Mezcal, lemon, ginger, and B&B Cassis; the Royal Hawaiian, featuring Gin, Cognac, Spanish Vanilla Liqueur, Orgeat, lime, and pineapple; and the Smuggler’s Eye Opener, with Genever, Pistachio Cordial, Plum Brandy, Cream Sherry, egg white and lemon. So, head to this basement of a Downtown high-rise and sip on cocktails in a reimagined mid-century “living room.” Designed by David Poffenberger and Ryan Turner of Raveled Studio, Birds & Bees brings together a touch of the suburbs and the comfort of the 1950s to an urban setting in the heart of DTLA. 207 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012; 213.537.0510

The Rooster Truck Turns One
The Rooster Truck is turning one, and to celebrate the breakfast favorite is doing a party in front of Blue Bottle Coffee on Abbot Kinney. Grab $1 tots all day and a giveaway worth $200. Sunday, 7:30 am-2:30 pm; 1103 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291; 510.653.3394

Beverly Hills’ Celebrates the Chinese New Year
In its sixth consecutive year, Beverly Hills is celebrating Chinese New Year, which celebrates the Year of the Rooster. The event is sponsored by Delta Air Lines, STEFANO RICCI and Two Rodeo Drive. To further enhance the festivities around town, participating Beverly Hills hotels, including The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, Montage Beverly Hills and The Peninsula Beverly Hills, are offering packages to welcome the Year of the Rooster. The unique experiences include in-room treats such as custom slippers and lush bathrobes; Chinese newspapers and hot water kettles; as well as VIP shopping trips with personal luxury advisors; and exclusive access and chauffeured transportation to the city’s attractions. A number of boutiques are also celebrating by featuring rooster-themed products or red accents. Through February 15; Beverly Hills

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Culina at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
In celebration of Lunar New Year, Culina will serve Chinese menu exclusives during the team’s Sunday brunch. In addition to its recurring weekend fare of donut and quesadilla stations, seafood, sushi, and a bloody Mary bar, you can enjoy the celebratory Chinese menu. Visit the Four Seasons’ Wishing Tree to enclose your deepest hopes/dreams in red envelopes and hang them from a statuesque cherry blossom tree in the main lobby. $85; Sunday; 300 S Doheny Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 310.273.2222

E.P. & L.P.‘s Chinese New Year
This Chinese New Year, West Hollywood’s modern Asian dining destination rings in the Year of the Rooster with red lanterns adorning the E.P. Restaurant, and signature dishes from Aussie-Fijian-Chinese Executive Chef Louis Tikaram. Taking inspiration from his own heritage and extensive travels across South East Asia, his festive and auspicious dishes for Lunar New Year include highlighting poultry as well as essential Chinese ingredients—such as chili peppers, black Vinegar, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns—alongside Lou Dogg’s Crispy Skin Chicken (½ Mary’s Farm chicken, black vinegar, and chili), Dan Dan Noodles (hand-cut pork neck, Szechuan peppercorns, chili, sesame, and green onion), and Chengdu Churros (churros, star anise sugar, and Sichuan chocolate). 603 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069; 310.855.9955

Museums Free-for-All
Over 30 SoCal museums (art, cultural heritage, natural history and science) will open their doors and invite you to attend free of charge. Visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Broad, Petersen Automotive Museum, Museum of Tolerance, California African American Museum, Autry Museum of the American West and many others all free of charge! Free; Sunday

Art Los Angeles Contemporary
The “International Contemporary Art Fair of the West Coast,” returns in its eighth iteration at the Barker Hangar. This year’s fair lists newcomers including 313 Art Project (Seoul, South Korea) and Henrique Faria (Buenos Aires, Argentina/New York), as well as repeat performers such as 1301PE (L.A.) and Peres Projects (Berlin). There are also talks, lectures, site-specific collaborations of local artists’ works and a new issue of the biannual Art Los Angeles Reader, which gathers prominent local writers and critics to consider the cultural and curatorial issues shaping L.A. $25/One-day pass, $30/three-day; Through Sunday; Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, CA; 323.851.7530

Sanctuary Fitness’s Grand Opening + Pop-Up Shop
Sanctuary Fitness is DTLA’s newest group fitness studio, offering indoor cycling & strength focused HIIT classes located in the Arts District. Tour the studio, take free classes, browse the popup shops, samples goodies, and enjoy some food & beer. Free, rsvp here; Saturday, 8-2 pm, Sunday, 8 am-12:30 pm; 718 Jackson St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Emotional Wellness Retreat at The Ritz-Carlton Spa
Cleanse your mind, body and spirit with a wellness retreat led by Clio Manuelian. The healing experience begins on the morning of the new moon with poolside yoga on the hotel’s rooftop. A nutritious bento box lunch prepared by WP24 by Wolfgang Puck follows, and the day continues with a half-hour guided meditation to balance mind and body. The mental and physical recharge is complete with a choice of a 50-minute spa service, relaxation treatment, or holistic therapy. $295; Sunday, 9:30 am-4 pm; The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles, 900 West Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA; 213.763.4400

Yoga With a View at Andaz West Hollywood
Personal trainer and yoga instructor Jake Feree pops-up at the Andaz West Hollywood for his monthly hour-long yoga class in the rooftop Panorama Lounge. Experience a fun, flowing, inspirational workout with extraordinary views of the LA skyline. Also enjoy shopping at pop-ups from Brothee broth company and Havok Nation activewear, along with complimentary Zico Coconut Water beverages and 20% off of brunch at the hotel’s restaurant, Riot House Restaurant. $20; Sunday, 9:30-10:30 am; 8401 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA