Tuesday, May 26:
Little Next Door
L.A.’s Parisian Brasserie welcome Chef Kevin Luzande, formerly of Acabar, for a summer residency. He’s adding some Mediterranean flair to the French forward menu with dishes will range from $8 -26. Enjoy Mediterranean inspired classics like: Country Crouton with caramelized apples, brillat-savarin cheese, pumpkin seed, and calvados; Caramelized Cauliflower Duo with pickled peppers, currants, dill, and za’atar; Skewered Spicy Prawns with harissa, dates, labneh yogurt, and pistachio; Prime 18oz Côte de Cauliflower served with garlic flatbread, stewed chickpeas, and mint yogurt; and Duo of Baba Ganoush and Olives. To continue with what’s new at LND, the “Happy Nights” series will continue through the summer with all wines by the glass offered half-off, and now featuring a Little French theme with happy hour bites offered in “le petit” including the Country Crouton, Duo of Baba Ganoush and Olives, and Skewered Spicy Prawns ($6 – 12). Happy Nights is offered Monday through Friday, from 4 – 7 pm. Tuesday; 8142 W 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048
Gusto Opens for Lunch
Chef Vic Casanova’s Italian restaurant is now open for weekday lunch. Get ready for lunch-sized portions of its signature dishes alongside Chef’s award-winning, hand-made pastas. Dishes include Yellowfin Tuna Tartare ; Crispy Pigs Head “Milanese”; Sicilian Tuna Salad; Meatball Parm Sandwich; Tonnarelli; and Calabrese Panino. Monday-Friday, 11 am-3 pm; 8432 W 3rd S.t, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 323.782.1778
Tam O’Shanter Trivia Nights
Bring your competitive spirit and enjoy craft beers, unique cocktails, and pub fare during Tam’s Tuesday Trivia Nights. Trivia Tuesday—hosted by King Trivia is easy and fun. Participants just need to: 1) assemble a team and go to the Tam (or try to join a team once you’re there); 2) pick up answer sheets from the quizmaster; and 3) grab a drink and some mouthwatering food and get ready to compete! Tuesday, 7-9 pm; 2980 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039; 323.664.0228
Wednesday, May 27:
Sāmbār Opens
The former Ford’s Filling Station is now a bright, clean spot with a skylight, blond wood tables, and an open kitchen with a tandoori oven. Akasha Richmond has created a menu full of Indian dishes like Sevpuri Chaat, Gunpowder Smashed Potatoes, Truck Stop Goat Curry, Mississippi Masala Wings, Cheese Thali, or Black Quinoa Uttapam–a small fermented pancake. Lighter options include Pigeon Pea Fritters, Goan Chicken Xacuti, or Lemon Rice, as well as Curries and Vegetables including a Backwater Shrimp Stir-Fry and Punjabi Mama Greens. Cocktails come from Clare Ward who is the lead mixologist at AKASHA, Richmond’s landmark Culver City neighborhood eatery. Spice driven cocktails, house made bitters, and rare and interesting spirits will be found on the drinks menu including Last Train to Goa, a punch made with Arrack and rose syrup, or East Indian Pimms made with fresh curry leaves. Weekdays, 5:30-9:30 pm; 9531 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA
The Walker Inn
This cocktail lounge has a program by Alex Day, Dave Kaplan, and Devon Tarby of Proprietors, LLC, inside the Hotel Normandie. FYI, you’ll need a reservation to get in, to enjoy the omakase drinking. The lower $45 one comes with two drinks and a refreshing amuse cocktail. The most extensive tasting runs $115, which should get you pretty toasty. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 9 pm-2 am; 3612 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA
This sister spot to The Fat Dog-Hollywood, which opened four years ago, comes from owners Susann and Richard Mandeville, and partner, chef/owner John Gladish. The menu is pretty much the same as the Fairfax location, and they are serving up a spruced up cocktail list, courtesy of Matthew Biancaniello. In the main dining room, you will find a huge zinc bar, with windows that open to the street at one end, along with booths, a communal table that can seat up to 16 people, and a smaller separate bar, at the rear of the building, that overlooks the patio, with big glass French doors that open up for a great indoor-outdoor feel. The decor features a custom printed dog-breed chart wallpaper, that was made from a vintage poster found in a veterinary surgeon’s office, 4 TVs for all your sports and the patio features tables as well as custom built couch seating. 11050 Magnolia Blvd., N. Hollywood, CA 91601
Top Leaf
Westwood has welcomed this small spot that has pork buns, dumplings, and lots of noodles. There’s a full menu of fried rice dishes, noodles, combo plates, and teas. You can also hit them up for breakfast as well. Start your day with tea eggs and porridge. Open 9 am-3 pm, 4:30-9 pm; 952 Gayley Ave., Westwood, CA
Vernetti Opens
Steve Vernetti has changed up Girasole on Larchmont into Vernetti, which is serving Italian-American cuisine from breakfast through dinner, plus weekend brunch. Expect dishes like linguine vongole, grilled veal chop, branzino, baked ricotta with chestnut honey, and a 40 oz. dry-aged porterhouse from Marconda’s Meats. 225 N. Larchmont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004
Warwick Reinvents Itself (Again)
Like an Hollywood star, Warwick reinvents its image frequently. It’s having a complete interior design overhaul, influenced by the island of Capri. Warwick’s new staging evokes a sultry Mediterranean summer mood with shades of blue, yellow, and fresh pink florals. The space also has patterned canopies and lanterns, all evoking a casual, yet luxe coastal aesthetic. Of fourse this means new cocktails, including the Cocchi Sangria made with Cocchi Americano, strawberry, vanilla, lemon, and soda; Raspberry Poloma with tequila, raspberry, grapefruit, lime, vanilla sea salt, soda, and agave; and Limoncello Slushy to lighten the palate with Capri’s staple liqueur. 6507 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323.460.6667
Thursday, May 28:
Raquel Allegra Sample Sale
It’s time for her major sample sale, this time at her DTLA studio. All pre-spring 2015 clothing will be marked at 50-75% off retail. Cash-only. Thursday, 10 am-3 pm, Friday, 10 am-1 pm; 834 S Broadway, 4th fl, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Barrel Down Opens
With a minimal design of wooden tables, communal tables and a large counter, you can choose between 40 taps. I prefer to have a glass of wine while I work, so why not beer? They have built-in USB and power outlets, so no worries on losing power. All that work (and booze) will get your appetite going. They have wings, fish tacos, dry-aged sirloin burgers, and sweets like bourbon bread pudding to keep you plowing through. Thursday; 525 W 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.232.8657
Cassell’s Hamburgers
The legendary burger joint has been serving up juicy burgers its new digs and Proprietor Christian Page is geared up to triple-down for National Burger Month this May. On National Hamburger Day, Cassell’s Hamburgers will host a Total Steer Grind. After the butchery by Page and Co., the yield grinds in at around 500 lbs. of chuck, brisket, tenderloin, loin, sirloin, sirloin tip, and ribeye. These prime patties will sandwiched between Parker House buns and will be prepared Juicy Lucy upon request (a patty broiled with cheese inside). You can also fill up on Beef Fat Fries and Bloody Bulls (bloody Marys with beef bone broth). Thursday; Hotel Normandie, 3600 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90020; 213.387.5022
Umami Burger Celebrates National Hamburger Day
Umami Burger is celebrating with a Get A Burger, Give a Burger campaign, where all guests who dine with Umami on the 28th will be able to donate the cost of a burger to a food bank, or receive a coupon for a free burger to be redeemed in the month of June. Find the Umami Burger closest to you here. Thursday