Monday:
Free Yogurtland
The froyo franchise is sweetening up your Monday with a free frozen yogurt cup with toppings! They have two new flavors made with Hershey’s® ingredients — peanut butter cup and chocolate milkshake, so all locations will be serving up free swirls in honor of International Frozen Yogurt Day. Monday, 4-7 pm
For Your Consideration Date Night at The Grove
See the season’s awards nominated films while you enjoy dinner and valet parking with a new package from The Grove. Pick a nominated movie and enjoy a three-course menu from on-site restaurants like Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, La Piazza, The Whisper Restaurant and Lounge and more. Arrange reservations with The Grove’s concierge. Through February 26th; 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA; 323.900.8080
Valentine’s Day at Il Fornaio Woodland Hills
They are offering a couple of menu specials below throughout the month of February. Dishes include Cuore di Raviolo con Rancetto, heart-shaped butternut squash ravioli filled with guinea fowl, carrots, celery and herbs served in a crispy pancetta sauce with tomato coulis and Grana Padano; and Fondente ai Tre Cuori, heart-shaped flourless dark chocolate cake with white chocolate and mixed-berry gelee hearts. $89; Through February 26th; Westfield Topanga, 6320 Topanga Canyon Blvd #400, Woodland Hills, CA 91367; 818.297.1700
Wednesday:
LUCHA VAVOOM
The beloved, insane Mexican-wrestling-meets-burlesque (with some comedy) show returns for their annual Valentine’s-themed shows: Expect insane wrestling and amazing above-the-audience performances. $40+; Wednesday & Thursday, 8 pm; The Mayan; 1038 South Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213.746.4674
Celebrating 27 years of transforming lives through the culinary arts, Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) announces the Winter Harvest feast and auction, hosted by the James Republic Restaurant chefs at Courtyard by Marriott in Long Beach with acclaimed chef Amar Santana, sponsored in part bySoCalGas and Legends Hospitality. C-CAP is a national non-profit organization that promotes and provides foodservice career opportunities for at-risk youth through culinary arts education and employment. The Winter Harvest dinner will feature a “Farm to Table” menu by Chef Amar Santana – C-CAP alum, Top Chef Season 13’s second place winner, and Executive Chef/Partner of Broadway by Amar Santana (Laguna Beach, CA) and Vaca (Costa Mesa, CA), named “Number One” on the Orange County Register’s “Top 10 New Restaurants in Orange County” in 2016 – along with Executive Chef David MacLennan, and James Beard Award nominated Chef-Restaurateur Dean James Max, both of James Republic Restaurant. You will enjoy a multi-course dinner that will showcase responsibly sourced ingredients and products donated by partners, including: Rocker Bros. Meat and Provisions, Inc.; Melissa’s Produce; Wine Exchange; Hitching Post Wines; SoCal Restaurant Show; El Segundo Brewing Company; Brouwerij West; and Guittard Chocolate Company. Proceeds from the event will benefit C-CAP’s efforts in the greater Los Angeles area. $195-$10,000; Wednesday, cocktail hour: 5:30 pm, dinner: 6:30 pm; 500 E First St, Long Beach, CA 90802
Espresso Cielo expands the coffee scene in Santa Monica with the grand opening of their second location on Second Street, and the reopening of the newly remodeled Main Street location. In celebration of the opening, both locations will be offering free coffee drinks (limit one per person). Serving coffee, espresso, teas, pastries and signature lunch items, Espresso Cielo takes it’s inspiration from European café life, and offers a refined space to relax and recharge. Both Espresso Cielo locations exclusively feature coffee and espresso roasted by 49th Parallel from Vancouver, BC. They are one of the few shops in Los Angeles serving these authentic beans sourced from all over the world. 49th Parallel Coffee ensures roasting perfection and consistent flavor profiling in every batch of coffee. Espresso Cielo also serves a selection of organically-grown teas from Art of Tea, fresh squeezed orange juice, pastries delivered fresh daily from local artisans and other brunch items. Breakfast and lunch options include Avocado Toast, Fried Egg Toast, Kale Salad and seasonal soups. Wednesday; 1431C Second Street and 3101 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA
Tam O’Shanter Hosts Wine Dinner with Trefethen Winery
Tam O’Shanter, a member of the Lawry’s family of restaurants and one of Los Angeles’ oldest eating establishments, will host a very special four course wine pairing dinner featuring award-winning Trefethen Winery. The evening’s lineup will feature an incredible selection of wine pairings including 2015 Trefethen Dry Riesling, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley (paired with salmon with ginger lime tiger’s milk starter); 2015 Trefethen Chardonnay, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley (paired with a Fine Herb Salad with Walnut Dressing); 2014 Trefethen Dragon’s Tooth, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley (paired with a New York Steak entrée with Fried Rice and Red Wine Reduction); and 2013 Trefethen Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley (paired with a Raspberry and Chocolate Torte for dessert). Kazia Schulhof, Southwest Regional Manager of Trefethen Family Vineyards and the Tam’s in-house wine expert, Brien McNally, will guide guests through each tasting. $85; Wednesday, 6:30 pm; 2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039; 323.664.0228
Thursday:
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Opens
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams opens a scoop shop in Venice Beach, its second brick-and-mortar location in Los Angeles. Situated on a corner of Rose Avenue, the bright shop features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a Venice-inspired seafoam green chalkboard menu and an original cow mural. Based in Columbus, Ohio, with access to Midwest milk & cream from grass-pastured cows and bounty from trade with area farms, Jeni’s was founded in 2002 by James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Jeni Britton Bauer. She uses carefully sourced whole ingredients instead of synthetic flavorings. To celebrate, Jeni Britton Bauer will be hosting an ice cream party at the shop. Enjoy a free scoop (in a cup or cone) and the first 50 folks in line will also receive a Jeni’s swag bag. Thursday, opens: 11 am, party: 7 pm; 540 Rose Ave, Venice Beach, CA 90291; 310.314.2024
NHMLA Partners with Angel City Brewery for Spring Discussion Series “Citizen Science + Suds”
Can citizen science make Los Angeles better? Make California a better? Can it help us save the world? Or at least craft the best community-sourced suds? The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLA) investigates the effects of community participation in civic projects in a new discussion series: Citizen Science + Suds. In partnership with Angel City Brewery, NHMLA presents panelists who will share stories, data, and the real-world impacts that happen when harnessing the power of the people. The three-event series will demonstrate this fresh perspective on where and how science can happen — not just in a lab, but in our everyday lives. Each month will feature projects that rely on community involvement for success. In the spirit of citizen science, NHMLA and Angel City are creating L.A.’s first-ever crowd-sourced beer. Cast your vote for both the beer’s ingredients and name by attending the events, or by participating on social media, via@NatureinLA (deadline for ingredients: February 9th, deadline for a name for the beer: March 9th, taste the beer at the series finale: April 13). Free; Thursday, Suds hour (Cash bar + food trucks): 6 pm, Panel discussion: 6:30 pm; Angel City Brewery, 216 Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; RSVP at nhm.org/lectures
