The Independence Launches Lunch Over Bowls of Pho
Chef Tom Block knows his way around a good Vietnamese noodle soup and is launching a lunch menu, which features a selection of starters, sandwiches, salads, and favorites from the dinner menu like the Smoked Whitefish Toast and Farro & Quinoa. The arrival of Pho comes from Block traveling extensively through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Japan with his mentor Tim Kelley. It was in Vietnam that he got his first true taste of authentic pho, and while he finds replicating the caliber of Vietnamese street vendors as an impossible level to reach, that’s where he is aiming. Block prefers to lean on herbs, thai chiles, and limes as accompaniments to a beef bone and trim broth that is simmered with aromatics and spices. The beef served in the finished broth is Raw Wagyu eye of round, seared hanger steak, braised brisket, and short rib. Cilantro, thai basil, fresh bean sprouts, lime, thai chilies, Sriracha, and hoisen round up the usual flavor suspects. Starting Monday, 12-5 pm; 205 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401; 310.458.2500
Munchery Launches
This company has chefs cook up fresh dinners that are delivered right to your door. Already serving San Francisco, Seattle, and New York, co-founders Tri Tran and Conrad Chu are looking forward to helping Angelenos reclaim dinnertime. Celebrity investors include Roy Choi, Jon Favreau, Jared Leto, and Edward Norton. They have local chefs from Patina, Blue Plate Oysterette, and Hatfield’s prepare individual entrées, salads, sides, and desserts, as well as healthy and tempting kids’ meals, at the local Munchery kitchen. Menus feature dishes like Char-Grilled Atlantic Salmon with horseradish crushed potatoes, and asparagus; Chicken Coconut Rice with steamed broccoli and shiitake mushrooms; Spring Pea Lasagnette; Posole Roja and Thai Shrimp Mango Salad. Meals are made with fresh with seasonal ingredients that are procured from local, organic sources as much as possible. Dishes are fully cooked, chilled for maximum freshness, and served in oven- and microwave-safe containers for easy heating in minutes.Prices start at $8 for entrees, about $4 for sides and salads, and from $2 for drinks and desserts. Kids’ meals are about $5. Order on the website or mobile app (available for iOS and Android) and choose either on-demand delivery, which arrives in about 30 minutes, or scheduled delivery for up to seven days in advance. A text notifies people a few minutes before their order arrives. There’s no order minimum or subscription commitment. Delivers, Monday-Friday, 4-9 pm
Basanti
This Mexico-based tea chain known for having over 50 aromatic, loose-leaf teas will mix them to find you the perfect tea.The husband and wife team travelled the world for nine years and wanted a way to share their travels. Why not with a cup of tea? 9465 S Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA
Industry Night at Birch
Industry night means you get specialty cocktails half off starting tonight. They are also launcing Sunday Suppers, with $35 three-course prix fixe menus and 50% off bottles of wine. Monday, 6 pm-12 am; 1634 N Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323.960.3369
Guisados Opens
West Hollywood get ready for fresh made tortillas, stews and braises that will have you making this taco place a regular stop. Grab a beer or glass of wine and spot on their patio to feast on WeHo’s newest (and best) taco spot. 8935 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA
Tuesday, May 19:
Du-par‘s Encino Celebrates New Opening with Old Prices
That means you can get a hamburger, pancake, slice of pie, and coffee, all for under a buck. They are heading back to 1938 and celebrating its grand opening with Du-pars’ original 1938 prices. Snag 20 cent hamburgers, 25 cent buttermilk pancakes, 15 cent pie slices, and five cent coffee. Encino Du-par’s joins other locations including Studio City, Pasadena, and, of course, the original Du-par’s Farmhouse at the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market, opened in 1938. Tuesday, 8 am-4 pm;
FusionFest at exhale
It’s almost summer (doesn’t feel like it right?), so time to get into bikini shape! What better way than with complimentary classes at exhale: in Santa Monica, join in Core Fusion Cardio Express (4:15 pm), Core Fusion Barre (5:10 pm), and Core Fusion Barre (7:30 pm). In Venice join in Core Fusion Barre Express (5:15 pm),Core Fusion Yoga (6:15 pm), Core Fusion Barre (7:30 pm). Tuesday
Butchers & Barbers
Enjoy their New American fare at a deal. Every Tuesday night, enjoy a three-course menu by chef Luke Reyes. Expect a spring pea salad with puffed quinoa, herb-rubbed porchetta with slow-cooked beans, and strawberry panna cotta with goat cheese cake. $25 (optional $15 wine pairing); Tuesday (every Tuesday night); 6531 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323.461.1464
Wednesday, May 20:
Royal Opens
This new spot is the reinvented ive0Four from Preux & Proper’s cabal. They are still kicking it with the Big Easy and serving up Southern style and live jazz. They space is airy with a New Orleans flare in the brick bar, lattice ceiling, Southern lighting, red fans, and even an old grand piano used as a table. They have a large menu of poboys including variations like Virgina Ham & Cheese; Spanish Chorizo with machego, tomatoes, and sweet peppers spread; Linguisa Dog with grilled onions, sweet peppers, pickles, hot sauce aioli; PBLT with crispy pork belly, mayo, and tomato; Smoked Salmon; Gulf Shrimp with marinated cucumber, carrot shreds, radishes, herbs, and hot sauce aioli. Wednesday, 6541 Hollywood Blvd., #102,Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323.960.0224
Pop Up Marketplace @ LA Live
POPUP Marketplace is back on! L.A. LIVE will transform into a night time craft fair showcasing over 60 of LA’s best and brightest indie makers, crafters and artists as well as live music and entertainment. Wednesday, 5-10 pm; L.A. LIVE, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., 90015
Filet & Flights
Savor a mouthwatering Petite Filet prepared with your choice of Fleming’s new steak rubs served with our new Truffle Mashed Potatoes. Each Petite Filet is paired with a Red Wine Flight of three varietals for $39.95. *Available on weekdays in the bar area only
Thursday, May 21:
Sweetgreen Opens
So, my best friend in Boston has been raving about this place for months. (Who know Boston was ahead of the curve)? This bright new spot is serving up bowls and salads on West 3rd Street. Seasonal dishes include the Mexican Corn “Elote” Bowl made with organic quinoa + farro, organic arugula, roasted corn and peppers, purslane, goat cheese, spicy sunflower seeds, cilantro, tomatoes, cabbage, lime cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette (you can see the trend…organic); and the Strawberries + Humboldt Fog made with organic baby spinach, arugula, strawberries, humboldt fog goat cheese, snap peas, basil, raw walnuts, balsamic vinaigrette. There’s also gazpacho, lentil soup, and salads like the West Roast with shredded kale + organic mesclun, roasted zucchini + radishes, basil, shredded carrots, parmesan crisp, roasted chicken, pesto vinaigrette and grains like the Hollywood Bowl made with organic wild rice + shredded kale, jicama, grapes, raisins, sprouted almonds, goat cheese, roasted chicken, balsamic vinaigrette. You can also create your own with a plethora of ingredients. Get creative. 8055 W 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048; 323.934.3404
Mr. C Beverly Hills’ Wine Dinners
They are welcoming celebrated wineries from around the world to join the Restaurant at Mr. C’s Executive Chef Giuseppe Manco in hosting a series of five-course dinners, featuring award-winning wines paired with signature Cipriani cuisine. The first dinner welcomes Antinori’s Alessia Botturi, a legendary Tuscan vineyard traces its roots back to 1385, and has grown into one of the largest and most influential wine companies in Italy. Botturi will share stories on the winery’s history, and offer giveaways like bottles of wine, truffle shavers, and a gift certificate for two people to enjoy a tour and tasting at Antica, Antinori’s winery in the Napa Valley. She’ll be pouring signature wines like Roero Arneis 2012 and Barolo Bussia 2007 to pair with dishes like Orzotto with creamed kale and crispy speck and Braised Short Ribs with soft polenta and caramelized shallots. $97; Thursday, 7-9 pm;1224 Beverwil Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90035; resys: 310.226.6245 or emailing restaurantbh@mrchotels.com
