Cochon555
Cochon555 is a culinary competition for a cause in support of safe, honest foodways and family farms producing heritage breed pigs. This year’s competing chefs include Chef Bruce Kalman of Union, Chef Kyle Johnson of Bourbon Steak Los Angeles, Chef Jonathan Granada of Otium, Chef Dakota Weiss of Estrella, and Chef David Féau of Wally’s Beverly Hills. One week before the event, five competing chefs receive a 200-pound heritage breed pig from a local farmer and they are each tasked to create and present a “Judge’s Plate” of six dishes scored on categories like utilization; cooking techniques; and overall flavor. The winner is crowned the “Prince of Porc,” and given a place at the national championship, Grand Cochon in Chicago in October 2017. This year, Chef Larry Monaco of Viceroy Santa Monica’s CAST Restaurant will lead the judging and you get to sample beef tartare with the wines of Antica Napa Valley; farmhouse cheeses; a pop-up bakery from La Brea; a Reserve Salami Snack Bar from Creminelli and Divina paired with wines from Nielson; a ramen noodle soup bar paired with wines from Wines of Germany; organic pâté from Les Trois Petit Cochons; a Luxury Butter Bar featuring Sabatino truffle butter, foie gras, and more; wines from Twomey and Silver Oak Cellars paired with bites by Chef Dominic Orsini and an innovative take on classic pastry presented by Perfect Puree of Napa Valley. Libations include Welcome Punches featuring Buffalo Trace and DRY Sparkling; Smoked Old Fashioneds with Breckenridge Bourbon; The Manhattan Project presented by Poached Jobs; the Tiki Bar featuring Angostura Rum; a Courvoisier Cognac ‘neat’ tasting and hand-crafted chocolates; and a Heritage Rum Cart. New pours incorporating the historic bitters and rums of Angostura will also be unveiled at the Swizzle Bar. An array of wines grouped under the “5 Winemakers” banner will feature Silver Oak Cellars, Scholium Project; Pax Wine Cellars; and more. Further tables include Wines of the World, Azzurro Wine Company, and a host of artisanal cider and beer offerings. $125; $200/VIP tickets (early admission + exclusive sommelier and cocktail competition tastings), $400/BESPOKE tickets (includes a multi-course charity dinner prepared by 3 celebrity chefs on Saturday night, super early admission + exclusive private tasting and tour of Somm-Selected wines and the Barkeep competition by a Cochon555 director on Sunday, and a donation to Piggy Bank charity); Sunday, 4 pm; Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
ACLU: People | Power | Action
ACLU it is the American Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit organization that defends and preserves the individual rights and liberties of every person. Join in for some good ole fashion community empowerment! You are welcome to purchase drinks or empanadas (pork, chicken, and artichoke), all proceeds will go towards ACLU. Saturday, 1:30 pm; 403 West 12th St, Los Angeles, 90015; RSVP here
The Sixth Annual Rock & Reilly’s Block Party has you getting ready for the main event…St. Patrick’s Day! This weekend, enjoy DJs, food, games, hundreds of kegs, and eight full bars. Saturday; 8911 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
AR Cucina‘s Brunch
Dine on an variety of Italian-inspired, house made seasonal brunch specialties at AR Cucina’s new brunch. Highlights include polenta cake and short rib ragu with poached eggs; porchetta hash with a fried egg; blueberry olive oil cake; and bruschetta with almond ricotta and strawberry-rhubarb jam. They also have daytime cocktails along with bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas. Sunday, 10:30 am-2:30 pm; 9531 Culver Blvd, Culver City, 310.558.8800
West Hollywood Hot Spot, Doheny Room is officially launching brunch. Enjoy a menu executed by Chef Danny Elmaleh. Highlights include: Kimchi Fried Rice with grilled bacon, fried egg, chili paste and scallions; Vegetable Shakshouka with soy chorizo, roasted vegetables, yogurt, cilantro pesto, egg and challah bread; Maple Challah French Toast with a cinnamon streusel, whipped cream, maple syrup; Shrimp & Grits with lobster gravy, Shimeji mushrooms, bacon, white cheddar; Proscuitto Cotto with grilled asparagus, basil, oven-dried tomato, and hollandaise; and Fried Chicken & Biscuit with herbed country gravy. To wash it down, try signature hand crafted cocktails, highlights including: Freddie Mercury made with Belvedere Orange, Aperol, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, agave syrup, Ruffino Prosecco, and a grapefruit garnish; There Will Be Bloody’s made with Grey Goose, tomato juice, house made chipotle worcestershire, lemon juice, and fresh horseradish; and Apple & Eve made with Avion Silver, apple butter, lime juice, apple juice, simple syrup and a nutmeg garnish. Sunday, 11 am-3 pm; 9077 California Route 2, West Hollywood, CA 90069; 424.777.0266
Jessica Largey’s Pop-Up
Before former Manresa chef Jessica Largey can open her DTLA restaurant, Simone, she’ll first be popping up with a vegetarian dinner at Plant Food & Wine in Venice. Enjoy a five course dinner with optional wine pairing. $85-$130; Sunday, 5-10 pm; Plant Food and Wine, 1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90291
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar’s Southern Hemisphere Wine Harvest
Join Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar on a journey across the Southern Hemisphere during the region’s annual wine harvest. To celebrate, Fleming’s is showcasing the bold, regional flavors of food and wine during a National Wine Dinner at all Fleming’s locations. Sip and savor your way across the Southern Hemisphere with a wine-paired, three-course menu, including: Ora King Salmon with panko mushroom truffle crust, sautéed beech mushrooms, garlic butter sauce paired with Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand; New Zealand Rack Of Lamb served over crispy leeks and truffle-parsley mashed potatoes paired with Yalumba, Shiraz Barossa Patchwork Australia; and Filet and Flavor Flight featuring a main filet mignon served with a flavor flight, including mole and cabernet butter sauces, chimichurri and black lava salts paired with Catena, Malbec Mendoza Vista Flores Argentina. $79; Friday (through May 1st); reservations here
Select Beer’s Five Year Party
Select Beer Store is turning five, and to celebrate the Redondo Beach bottle shop and taproom is hosting an all-day party. Expect a back patio beer garden, food, rare taps, and more. Saturday, noon; 1613 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Irish Coffee Master Class
St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching and Westbound wants to make sure you’re prepared. Westbound bar manager, Niklas Morris, will be leading the class, guiding you through the history of the Irish Coffee, how to make your own and most other things Irish Whiskey. $25; Sunday, 3-5 pm; 300 South Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Natural Products Expo West
This year at Natural Products Expo West, Royal Basmati Rice is teaming up with Chef Maneet Chauhan, best known for her Indian-fusion food. Royal Basmati Rice is America’s #1 Basmati Rice under the flagship brand, ROYAL®, offering a variety of other specialty grains, including Jasmine Rice, Arborio Rice, Couscous, Quinoa and Sona Masoori Rice. Chef Maneet Chauhanis the executive chef and co-owner of Chauhan Ale & Masala House and co-owner of Mantra Artisan Ales in Nashville. Chef Chauhan is a recipient of the 2012 James Beard Foundation Broadcast Media Award for her role as a judge on Food Network’s “Chopped,” and sits on the show’s permanent panel of judges. She has also written her own cookbook, Flavors of My World. This weekend, enjoy welcome drinks of Rose cardamom Horchata (Mexican inspired rice drink flavored with cardamom and rose), along with dishes including Bolinhos De Royal Arroz Tikki (Brazilian inspired rice balls with Indian spices, royal basmati raita, mango mint chutney); Saffron Royal Basmati stuffed chicken roulade (tandoori flavored, creamy tikka sauce); and Steamed banana wrapped Royal Basmati Rice Parcels (mango, banana, roasted sesame seeds, whipped royal basmati cream). Located at booth #3073, Royal Basmati Rice Bar will be open on Sunday, 11 am-5 pm. Expo: Friday-Sunday, 9 am-6 pm; Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802
43rd Annual Festival of the Kite in Redondo Beach
The Redondo Beach Pier Association invites you to participate in its 43rd Annual Festival of the Kite. The event will commence with the traditional launch of the city’s giant 25 by 14 foot kite and then continue with a group kite flight. The festival will also include several contests and activities throughout the day including a hot dog eating contest, live music, martial art demos and dance performances. Free; Sunday, 12-5 pm; Redondo Beach Pier, 100 Fisherman’s Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
ArtNnight Pasadena
During this evening of art, music and entertainment, travel between 17 of Pasadena’s top cultural venues via shuttle. Free; Friday; all shuttle bus routes here.
Remote L.A.
In celebration of the Center Theatre Group’s 50th anniversary season, this guided audio tour reveals a “secret Los Angeles” as you travel through the city in a group of 50 people. Headphones provide a soundtrack to the streets, sights and rooftops of L.A. $39; Sunday through April 2; 213.628.2772
Red Line Tours is planning its first annual Hike for the Homeless to the Hollywood Sign, aimed at benefiting The Center in Hollywood. Anyone can walk Hollywood Blvd, but Hollywood Behind-the-Scenes is more than just a walk, its an exploration of Hollywood’s secrets. Visit movie locations that stared A-List Celebrities, visit legendary movie palaces, find your favorite Celebrity’s star as we walk the Walk of Fame, view the Hollywood Sign, and visit celebrities’ favorite hidden hideaways. Go inside places normally closed to the public. Place your feet onto your favorite celebrity’s footprints at the Chinese theater. Walk the footsteps of the Movie Stars when you visit Awards Walk, home to the Academy Awards. This tour changes Hollywood from ordinary to extra-ordinary! Saturday; more info here.
Spend your Saturday honoring the poetry of Emily Dickinson and enjoying performances by Cut Chemist + Hymnal, David Prather, and Mayda Del Valle. Plus, try your hand at bookmaking, take photos in a Victorian-style photo booth, and add your own eloquent prose to 826LA’s longest story in the world. Saturday, 12-5 pm; Grand Park Olive Court, 200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
One Year Anniversary Party at Corrective Skincare
Get 20% off all products, check out the debut of new Rx: Collagen Peptide Cream and Anti-Aging Serum, and join in the huge raffle where 100% of proceeds benefit KarmaRescue, to help the animals ($5 per raffle ticket or 5 for $20). Saturday, 11 am-3 pm; 1828 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA; 424.280.4591
