Monday:
No Mames Mondays at ERB
Love nacho? Margaritas? The Arts District bar has some great deals on margaritas and nachos that you probably don’t want to miss. Monday, 5 pm-close; 1936 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021; 213.335.6166
Ale Academy with Angel City Brewery
This is a special smokey edition of Ale Academy featuring the newest Warehouse Collection brew, Rauchbier. This beer is smoked! Angel City Rauchbier is a medium-bodied lager brewed with a unique blend of wood-smoked malts. This bright, copper-hued beer has a complex aroma and malty notes of dried fruit and caramel, balanced by wood and Lapsang Souchong tea flavors. The smoked flavors of Rauchbier with food pairings from local vendors, including smoked almonds, beef jerky, and BBQ. $5; Monday, 7-8 pm; 216 Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012; 213.622.1261
Culinary MC, Billy Harris’ Inaugural “Hanging with Harris” Guest Chef Dinner Series
Culinary MC and fundraising auctioneer Billy Harris announces his new dinner series Hanging with Harris, a lineup of eight intimate, multi-course dining events. Each Monday night dinner will begin with a cocktail reception hosted by a mixologist from the leading Scotch whisky distiller, William Grant & Sons, followed by a four-course seated dinner with wine pairings from each distinguished chef and a charity auction. A portion of ticket sales and all proceeds from the auction items will benefit four charities that are close to Harris’ heart: James Beard Foundation, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, No Kid Hungry, and PIGGY BANK. This week, check out Bruce Kalman at Union! Chef/Owner Bruce Kalman has gained recognition from James Beard, with a nomination for “Rising Star Chef,” and has appeared on the Food Network to earn a “Chopped” championship title as well as on Esquire Network to win “Knife Fight.” $125; Monday; 37 E Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
The Gathering
Kris Morningstar and Sevan Abdessian have partnered up to bring 24 diners a five-course pot-infused tasting menu. The dinner even comes with wine pairings and includes dishes like Aleppo pepper crusted hamachi with jalapeño, garden citrus supremes, micro greens, and pot ponzu; Hand rolled cavatelli verde with lamb ragout, olives, calabrian chiles, and pecorino; Roasted parsnips with beet-rose hip reduction, pomegranate molasses, zaatar, and smoked labneh; Dry aged duck breast with pistachio-sativa puree, tokyo turnips, herb-tangerine mostarda and pea tendrils; and Cream khadaif with brulee of banana, hazelnut whipped cream, and orange blossom syrup. $250; Monday; 5022 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042; reservations can be made at info@TheGatheringLA.com
Kaliboration Dinner at Michael’s Santa Monica
Chef Miles Thompson of Michael’s Santa Monica and chef Kevin Meehan of Kali restaurant team up at newly revamped Michael’s for a collaborative dinner celebrating California cuisine and ingredients. The four-course prix-fixe dinner features highlights from Kali’s and Michael’s menus such as Thompson’s Dungeness crab chawanmushi with uni, ginger sprout and Japanese sesame, and Meehan’s black barley “risotto” with black garlic and toasted cheese. $70; Monday, 5:30-9:30 pm; Michael’s Santa Monica, 1147 Third St, Santa Monica, CA
Tuesday:
The Ponte Opens
This contemporary Italian restaurant from celebrity chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author Scott Conant and Stephane Bombet of Bombet Hospitality Group officially opens today. With a romantic yet relaxed vibe from French-Italian designer Marc Ange of Bloom Room Studio, Conant’s menu will emphasize imaginative dishes including Wood Roasted Prawns with Calabrian chili butter and squid ink farro risotto; Braised Duck Agnolotti with foie gras emulsion; Boneless Osso Buco for Two with gnocchi alla romana and bone marrow gremolata; and Root Vegetables with agrodolce, crispy farro, and sage. From the airy dining room, lit up patio, and stylish bar and lounge, you can relax and enjoy a long evening with friends. In addition to a large collection of amaro and several varieties of house made limoncello, head bartender Ryan Wainwright celebrates California citrus and Italian herbs with aperitivo-inspired classics and house drinks. Cocktails include a Lemon drop with lemon-infused Grey Goose, Bordiga Bianco, Vermouth, Il Gusto di Amalfi Limoncello, house made Eureka lemon bitters, and a lemon oil-infused sugar rim; a Negroni Flight with Camparinete, White, and Mezcal variations; and Wainwright’s U.S. Bacardi Legacy-winning Playa Fortuna with Bacardi Superior, lime juice, coconut cordial, and tartaric acid; among others. 8265 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. 90048; 323.746.5130
Lukshon‘s New Tasting Menu
There’s a new tasting menu option at Culver City stalwart Lukshon. The option has five to seven courses with dishes like uni toast, XO crab rice, and more. $85; 3239 Helms Ave, Culver City, CA 90232; 310.202.6808
Wednesday:
Same Same‘s“Pretty Thai for a White Guy”
Silver Lake’s beloved Thai wine bar, Same Same, is hosting their second “Pretty Thai for a White Guy” event. The evening is in celebration of what made the Silver Lake watering hole special from the start – a partnership between two Thai Chefs and three “Farang” restaurateurs (aka Last Word Hospitality). Join Adam Weisblatt, of Last Word Hospitality, for an evening of Fried Chicken & Thai Street Corn plus $20 bottomless red & white wine. Fest on Fried Chicken & Thai Street Corn made with garlic marinated chicken, coriander root, white paper, fish sauce, soy sauce, and birds eye chili ($18). There will be a limited number of servings available so make sure to arrive earlier to ensure you get one! Wednesday, 6 pm; 2835 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026; 213.273.8424
Thursday:
Double Take Opens
This West Los Angeles dining pot takes inspiration from a Hollywood backlot. Helmed by Executive Chef Bryan Podgorski, the modern bar and restaurant honors the Los Angeles culinary scene and captures the energy of the independent film industry with an unfinished design and connected bar, lounge and dining areas that allow you to transition between meals, work, meetings and fun. Known for his innovative approach to classic American comfort food, Chef Bryan has created a menu of small and large plates designed to share. Expect to find Deviled Eggs with Maine lobster & young celery leaf; Hass Avocado “Fries” with spiced-lime aioli; Beet “Reuben” with roasted beets, sauerkraut, Emmental cheese and thousand island dressing; Tuscan Black Kale with pink lady apple, shaved celery, pickled grapes, candied walnuts and Meyer lemon vinaigrette; and Pan-Roasted Salmon with squash, Tokyo turnips, collard greens and sauce soubise. In the mornings, Double Take has a display of freshly baked pastries and breads at the counter or enjoy a leisurely, sit-down breakfast. Grab-and-go snacks and salads are also available until 3 pm daily. Some breakfast items include House made Ricotta Toast on brioche with seasonal jam; Coconut Pancakes with lemon curd and ginger syrup; and a Grain Bowl with toasted barley, green harissa, forest mushrooms, pickled red onions, market greens and a soft-poached egg. Double Take’s beverage program, spearheaded by Lead Bartender Sarah LM Mengoni, specializes in straight forward cocktails utilizing local produce alongside a curated wine selection and local craft brews. The cocktails are inspired by cult films that were shot in Los Angeles. Examples include The Toymaker made with Maker’s Mark, Kronan Swedish Punsch, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, orange bitters, and cinnamon – named for a character in “Blade Runner” – and the Sparkle Motion with Bombay Gin, housemade tangerine syrup, angostura bitters, rosemary, and Prosecco – named for the dance troupe in “Donny Darko.” Opens Thursday; 10740 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024; 310.475.8711
Ravello Bar & Grill‘s Wine Dinner featuring Francis Ford Coppola
The new southern Italian restaurant located in Uptown Whittier, will be hosting the first of many future wine dinners featuring pairings from Francis Ford Coppola. In addition to the five-course menu accompanied by five different pairings, you will have the opportunity to purchase featured bottles that typically aren’t available at the retail level! After the reception with appetizers including crostini with blackened shrimp and roasted garlic aioli; and bruschetta with tomato, garlic, basil and balsamic paired with Sofia Blanc de Blanc Sparkling wine, enjoy dishes including Heirloom tomato and hot house cucumber salad with gorgonzola, avocado, and herb balsamic vinaigrette paired with Coppola directors cut Russian River Chardonnay 2014; Pan seared scallops on wild mushroom risotto with charbroiled asparagus paired with Coppola Directors Cut Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2014; Prosciutto wrapped lamb loin with fingerling potatoes and Archimedes Cabernet reduction paired with Coppola Archimedes Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013; and Cheese Cake and Raspberry Sorbet with Pistachio Cookie crumble and raspberry cooli paired with Coppola Pitagora Sonoma County Red Blend 2013. $79; Thursday, 7:30 pm; 6746 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90601; 562.945.8723
Pitchoun! Bakery’s Wine & Cheese
Taste three cheeses that will be paired alongside three French wines and the bakery will also be serving food from their happy hour menu, such as selected dry meats, salami, cheeses, homemade terrines and antipasti selections. There will also be live lounge music. Also, until February 29th, Pitchoun! Bakery is serving up beignets and bugnets in honor of Mardi Gras.Thursday, 5-8 pm; 545 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013; 213.689.3240; Reservations are required here.
Le Petit Paris‘ Wine Dinner Series
Le Petit Paris is launching their Wine Dinner Series. The first dinner of the series will feature wines from VGS Chateau Potelle Winery in Napa Valley. The dinner will include a presentation by Jean-Noël Fourmeaux du Sartel, owner of VGS Chateau Potelle and Bruno Laclotte, owner of Hillside Wine & Spirits LLC. In addition to a complimentary aperitif and amuse bouche, the four-course meal will include Salmon Gravlax with Blinis and Chive Cream; Roasted Maine Scallops with Jerusalem Artichoke Purée and Beef Jus; Filet Mignon served with Darphin Potatoes, Bacon Wrapped String Beans and Morel Mushroom Sauce; and a Caramelized Pear Tart with Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream for dessert. Each of the four courses will be paired with a wine. $109; Thursday, 7 pm (also March 23, Bordeaux Wine Dinner) April 27, TBD); 418 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Bludso’s Bar & Que Party
Bludso’s Bar & Que on La Brea is turning four years old, and to celebrate Kevin Bludso will be smoking up entire lamb legs and serving up cheap beers and punch like $3 Shiner Bock pints and massive lamb plates. Thursday; 609 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323.931.2583
