The Best Things To Do in Los Angeles 5/20/24 – 5/23/24
Monday
New Happy Hour Menu at Seafood and Steak Destination Ocean Prime Beverly Hills
Seafood and steak destination Ocean Prime Beverly Hills invites you to enjoy their new happy hour menu. Prepare to sink your teeth into Crab and Artichoke Dip with club crab, aged swiss, and crisp tortilla, Short Rib Sliders with sweet & sour slaw, provolone, horseradish aioli, and onion jus, and my favorite, the Spicy Salmon Tacos with avocado crema, pickled onion relish, wonton, and nori. These savory bites complement Ocean Prime’s lounge menu which features Parmesan Truffle Fries, Lamb Lollipops, Pork Belly Bao, Oysters on the Half Shell, sushi rolls and more – all $5 off during happy hour. You can also enjoy a variety of their signature cocktails, wines, and beers at some of the best prices in the neighborhood. $19+; Mondays – Fridays, 3 – 7:00 pm and Saturdays, 4 – 7:00 pm; 9595 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212; 310.859.4818
Waldorf Astoria’s Rooftop by JG Debuts New Spring All-Day Menu
One of my favorite rooftops in Los Angeles, the Rooftop by JG, welcomes you to dine al fresco with mouthwatering offerings from their new spring all-day menu. Highlights include the Burrata, Arugula, Asparagus & Manchego Salad, Spaghetti with Fava Beans & Pistachios, Grilled Lamb Chops, Seared King Salmon with Spring Peas, and my personal two favorites, the Warm Maine Lobster Roll and Grilled Octopus. And don’t forget to pair your meal with one of the bar’s delightful cocktails, like the Cool As a Cucumber or Ginger Margarita. $32+; Mondays – Fridays, 12 – 10:00 pm; Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills – 9850 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210; 310.860.6666
Sugar Palm Debuts New Dishes and Cocktails
Sugar Palm, the signature indoor-outdoor restaurant at iconic beachside hotel Viceroy Santa Monica has recently launched a new menu under the direction of Chef Johnny Marin. Marin previously served as sous chef at the restaurant starting in July 2021, seeing it through its opening in October 2021, and playing a large role in menu research, development, and execution over the last two and a half years prior to his appointment to executive chef. Since taking over the Sugar Palm kitchen, Chef Johnny has transitioned from daily Sunrise and Sunset menus, to daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus that celebrate the melting pot of cultures in Los Angeles, using the freshest seafood and produce from local purveyors. Every member of the kitchen contributed recipes inspired by their family, mentors, and experiences in the culinary industry. Menu highlights include Ahi Tuna Tacos, Salmon Poke, Green Papaya Salad, a Tomahawk Board featuring a 32 oz. Tomahawk steak and accoutrements, Blackened Salmon with couscous and harissa, and scratch made Chicken and Biscuits. $20+; Mondays – Sundays, 6:30 am – 10:00 pm; Viceroy – 1819 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401; 310.260.7511
Tuesday
Pearl Jam “Dark Matter World Tour” at the Kia Forum
Grunge icons Pearl Jam will ignite the Kia Forum this week for their epic “Dark Matter World Tour!” $176+; Tuesday – Wednesday, 7:30 pm; Kia Forum – 3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305; 310.862.6200
Talkville Presents An Evening of Smallville with Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum
Calling all Clark Kent and Lex Luthor fans! Smallville stars Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum reunite for a live event at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood. Relive your favorite moments with behind-the-scenes stories, hilarious podcast anecdotes, and an audience Q&A! $40+; Tuesday – Wednesday, 8:00 pm; The Bourbon Room – 6356 Hollywood Blvd, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90028; 213.667.4233
Wednesday
Birthday Freebies
Today is my birthday, and in honor of my born day, I’m sharing a secret with you… Many of our favorite restaurants, bake shops, and beauty stores offer birthday freebies in Los Angeles. So check out where I’ll be grabbing my birthday freebies all day, and take note for yourself so you can enjoy free things for your birthday too!
Thursday
Classic Cat Thursdays Bring Your Favorite Celebs to the Sunset Strip
Thirsty Thursdays are for the Classic Cat supper club. The West Hollywood hot spot is known for its craft cocktails, elevated cuisine, and celeb spottings (Lebron James and Jack Harlow have been known to stop by). Dress to impress. Various prices; Thursdays, 6:00 pm – 12:00 am; 8830 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069; 424.417.2948
On Sale Now
On Sale Now (5/24 – 5/26): Memorial Day Weekend Getaway: Newport Beach Wine Festival
This Memorial Day Weekend, Balboa Bay Resort proudly kicks off the summer season with the return of the Newport Beach Wine Festival. Set against the waterfront backdrop of the luxury resort, the 19th Annual Newport Beach Wine Festival will offer an impressive lineup of premium wineries and distributors, Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brunch, Justin Winery Limited Release Wine Dinner, world-class cuisine, live music, and so much more over the three-day event. Guests reserving a room for the Wine Festival over Memorial Day Weekend will enjoy a 10% discount on guest room rates and a 10% discount on festival tickets. Balboa Bay Resort has partnered with luxury electric vehicle brand Lucid Motors to offer complimentary chauffeur rides from its Fashion Island studio. Due to limited parking, guests are encouraged to utilize this service as well as ride-sharing services. Balboa Bay Resort – 1221 West Coast Highway Newport Beach, CA 92663
- 5/24 JUSTIN Winery Limited Release Wine Dinner: The ticketed event commences on 5/24 with a JUSTIN Winery Limited Release Wine Dinner, an exquisite four-course dinner hosted by Balboa Bay Resort’s Executive Chef Prabeen Prathapan and Master Sommelier Joseph Spellman. At this seated event, JUSTIN will reveal for the first time its new wines from outside of Paso Robles—Sonoma County Chardonnay and Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Guests are in for a treat at this seated event within the resort’s Lighthouse Room, which offers sweeping views of Newport Harbor. $310.98
- 5/25 Newport Beach Wine & Spirits Festival: The Newport Beach Wine & Spirits Festival will showcase a Grand Tasting of over 40 of the resort’s favorite wine and spirits vendors, complemented by live music, bountiful buffet stations, and breathtaking bay views. Participating vendors include DAOU, Whispering Angel, Flecha Azul, Macallan, and more. The festival runs from 1 -5:00 pm and will unfold in the Lighthouse Room, extending onto the boardwalk and Bayfront Lawn overlooking the marina, yachts, and Lido Island. $150+
- 5/26 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brunch: The Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brunch will conclude the weekend events. Held in the Lighthouse Room, the extravagant buffet will feature fresh seafood and caviar along with traditional brunch favorites, a carving station, an omelet station, and live music while Veuve Clicquot champagne flows. $145+
On Sale Now (6/2): Visionary Women Hosts “GenV Summit” With Leaders From APL, Forma Pilates + more!
Los Angeles’ premier social impact non-profit organization for women, Visionary Women, will host their annual “GenV Summit” open to the public to join on Sunday, 6/2 in Santa Monica. The event will include a panel discussion highlighting female founders and executives with a focus on how to start and grow a business and the role of women in philanthropy. This event will provide a space for trailblazing women in Southern California to gather for an empowering morning while learning from and networking with each other over breakfast and coffee. GenV, the younger cohort of Visionary Women, focuses on cultivating the next wave of female visionaries. Members gain access to unique social events, Visionary Women’s mentorship program, group volunteer events to better the organization’s LA community, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded women to progress personal & professional networks. Featured speakers on the panel include: Danielle Robay, Liana Levi (Forma Pilates), Natasha Moor (Natasha Moor Cosmetics), NJ Falk (APL), and Nyakio Grieco (Thirteen Lune & Relevant). Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. $125; 6/2, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm; Santa Monica Proper Hotel – 700 Wilshire Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90401; 310.620.9990
On Sale Now (6/9): Sip, Savor & Celebrate The 50th Annual AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival!
AbilityFirst proudly announces the 50th Annual AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival, coming up on Sunday, 6/9, and in celebration of this milestone, the event will take place at a new and enchanting location: The Urquhart Residence in South Pasadena! Some of this year’s AbilityFirst Food & Wine Festival restaurants and desserts include Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery, Alexander’s Steakhouse, Beard Papa’s, Bone Kettle, El Cholo Café, Gale’s Restaurant, Kensington Caterers, Lord Empanada, Marina, Mi Piace, Nothing Bundt Cake, Pocha LA, Porto’s Bakery, Stems: Cheese, Charcuterie & Catering, Tam O’Shanter, The George, We Olive & Wine Bar, and more. Beverages featured include cocktails and spirit tastings from 1886 at The Raymond, Dulce Vida Tequila, Empress 1908 Gin, Gerlach’s, Knox & Dobson, and Old Hillside Bourbon Company; craft beer from Golden Road Brewing, San Gabriel’s Ogopogo Brewing, along with specially curated wines from Caymus Vineyards, Navarro Vineyards, and Riboli Family of San Antonio Winery. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided by Celsius, and PepsiCo. For 98 years, AbilityFirst has been at the forefront of providing person-centered programs to empower individuals with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. These programs guide individuals through each life transition, fostering social connections, independence, and providing essential employment preparation, training, and experience. $250+; 6/9, 5 – 8:00 pm; The Urquhart Residence – address to be disclosed upon purchase of ticket; 626.243.4852
