dineLA Restaurant Week Wednesday, September 28, 2011

I can't even begin to explain how awesome dineLA Restaurant Week is. When else can you get appetizer, entree and dessert at some of L.A.'s top restaurants at rock-bottom prices? Lunch for $22 at downtown's Water Grill: Are you kidding me? Lunch at Santa Monica's Border Grill for $16: Shut up! So what's on the menu? Three words: Blue Crab Hushpuppies (First & Hope, dinner $34). Or: Short Rib Agnolotti (Scarpetta, dinner $44). And even: Tres Tacos Chicos (Casa Vega, lunch $16). Hundreds of other restaurants are in on the deal, including Wolfgang Puck's 1980s stalwart Chinois on Main, David Myers' brasserie sensation Comme Ca, and Susan Feniger's Street, whose dineLA entrees can all go vegan. Here's the one to blow your mind: West Hollywood's uber-expensive sushi bar Nobu serves up a three-course prix-fixe dinner for $44. Tofu toban-yaki, anyone? Various restaurants around L.A.; Oct. 2-7 & 9-14; lunch $16, $22 or $28; dinner $26, $34 or $44. Menus at dinela.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, September 30, 2011.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 1:13 AM, ,

L.A. Luxury Chocolate Salon Sunday, September 25, 2011

When you're offered unlimited samplings of gourmet chocolates, as happens at the Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon, you may feel the impulse to devour as much chocolate as you can in as little time as possible, but that's a recipe for a massive tummy ache. So pace yourself: There's so much to taste here, you don't want to miss a bite. This year's chocolatiers include Marti Chocolatt, Choclatique, Chocoveda, Sterling Confections, David Bacco, Ciel, Droga Confections and CocoTutti, with wine tastings by Hearthstone Vineyard and Winery, Buena Vista Winery, Quady Winery. You can break up the nibbling and drinking with author talks by Lucy Lean (Made in America: Our Best Chefs Reinvent Comfort Food), Ed Engoron (Choclatique) and A.K. Crump (Chocolate French: Recipes, Language, and Directions to Francais au Chocolat), plus a panel discussion with Top Chef: Just Desserts' Danielle Keene. Pasadena Center, the Ballroom, 300 Green St., Pasadena; Sun., Sept. 25, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; $30, $24 in advance, $10 kids 6-12, 6 & under free. lachocolatesalon.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, September 23, 2011.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 11:46 AM, ,

NoHo Taco Cook-off Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Twenty amateur cooks will go taco a taco at the NoHo Taco Cook-off Festival, an afternoon fund-raiser out to proclaim the best taco in L.A. The judges are food truck chefs (Dosa Truck's Leena, No Tomatoes!'s Kim, OG Tempura's Jae, and Baby's Badass Burgers' Lori and Erica), and a portion of the proceeds benefits dog-rescue organization the Forgotten Dog Foundation. Other food trucks on scene: Komodo, Truck Norris, Mossie Lee's Southern Cuisine, Jose O'Malley's, King Kone, the Poutine Truck, the Greasy Wiener, and Me So Hungry. As well as arts and crafts vendors, the nonstop entertainment includes music by the Rock Nation Band, the Heights, the K.J. Walker Band and Allan Arambula; dance by the Center Stage Dancers and the Patsy Metgzer/Debbie Reynolds Dancers; and aerialists, belly dancers and hula hoopers. Adoptable dogs, too! Sears parking lot, 12121 Victory Blvd., N. Hlywd.; Sat., Sept. 24, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; $5, $4 in advance online. nohofoodtruckfest.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, September 23, 2011.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 3:17 AM, ,

A Slice of Pie Monday, September 12, 2011

Whether your favorite is pecan, apple, lemon meringue or rhubarb, LACMA's "A Slice of Pie" is sure to satisfy. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art's affaire de la tarte centers around KCRW's third annual Good Food pie contest ($10 to submit yours), a judging of sweet and savory alike by a panel of local chefs and food writers. The afternoon also includes gallery tours of fancy European plates and tea cups, non-edible pie art-making for kids, and an "Apron Walk-off," where donning an apron grants you free admission and a chance to channel your inner Ann B. Davis. Finalists serve their pies to the public at 3. LACMA, North Piazza, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; Sun., Sept. 18, 12:30-4 p.m.; $15 museum admission (free in apron). (323) 857-6010, lacma.org. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, September 16, 2011.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 3:52 PM, ,

Fashion's Night Out Saturday, September 3, 2011

Ready, set, shop! That's the essence of Fashion's Night Out Los Angeles, a one-night-only retail event promoting L.A.'s style industry with fashion shows, DJs, freebies and discounts. More than 100 locations citywide are setting up an evening of tempting in-store perks, including boutiques on Melrose Avenue, West Third Street, Robertson Boulevard and Abbot Kinney, and just about the entire Beverly Center, Westfield Century City and The Grove at Farmers Market. Snow cones and cotton candy are to be had at alice + olivia; free barbecue and an open bar are provided by Beach Bunny Swimwear; signature cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a free monogram with purchase are the deal at BedHead Pajamas; cast members from the upcoming America's Next Top Model: All-Stars are on hand for a photo op at the Beverly Center's Express; and much more, including the opening ceremony at the Beverly Center with mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Two days prior to the official event, The Bazaar by José Andrés at the SLS Hotel hosts a $200 "Taste Fashion" prix-fixe dinner and fashion show to whet your appetite. Various locations; see website for complete schedule; Thurs., Sept. 8, 6-11 p.m.; free. fashionsnightout.com. (Originally published in L.A. Weekly, September 2, 2011.)

posted by Derek Thomas @ 2:23 AM, ,