Mardi
Dine on rustic, European-inspired fare from Executive Chef Kris Tominaga (The Hart and the Hunter), in an al fresco garden party atmosphere at the new restaurant inside Palihouse West Hollywood. Tominaga creates a menu of hot, cold and fried dishes teamed with large format platters meant to be shared by the whole table. Highlights of the menu include halibut ceviche with avocado, sea beans, hazelnuts and honey quinoa; razor clams with tarragon butter, watercress and bread crumbs; and platters of slow-roasted pork neck with charred brassica and chili vinaigrette. The menu is rounded out with housemade cocktails, wine list curated by Wally’s Wine and craft beer. Also find a more casual all-day menu with breakfast and lunch selections and weekend brunch. Palihouse, 8465 Holloway Dr., West Hollywood, 323.656.4020. mardirestaurant.com
Simbal
The eclectic Southeast Asian restaurant in Little Tokyo turns one this month, and Chef Shawn Pham celebrates with new family-style additions to the menu. Choose from large format dishes like crispy smoked pork belly with spicy bean sprouts and Chinese chives for $32, or a communal tasting menu experience of choices from the a la carte menu like prime beef hangar steak tartare; banh mi salad; wild shrimp with congee and roasted bone marrow for $40/pp). 120 S. San Pedro St., downtown, 213.626.0244. simbalrestaurant.com
Tavern Low County Boil
June 26. Dive into coastal cuisine from the Carolinas, inspired by Tavern’s Chef de Cuisine Amy Deaderick’s childhood in South Carolina. The one-pot seafood celebration includes crawfish, crab legs, andouille sausage, potatoes and sweet corn—all served on newspaper at the center of the table. Charleston band Josh Roberts and the Hinges performs their South Carolina tunes throughout the evening. $65/pp. 5-9 p.m. Tavern, 11648 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, 310.806.6464. tavernla.com
Art Beyond the Glass V
June 26. More than 20 of LA’s top bartenders mix cocktails and showcase their artwork—from paining to photography—at the fifth annual event. Sip cocktails, enjoy art and nosh on bar bites from acclaimed chefs. Participating bartenders include Aaron Melendrez (Salazar), Alex Barbatsis (BarToni’s), Alyson Iwamoto (The Varnish) and many more. Also find a pop-up store from Bar Keeper. 2-7 p.m. Resident, 428 S. Hewitt St., downtown. Tickets.
Ocean Prime
Summer Fridays take on new meaning at the expansive Beverly Hills dining destination. Enjoy $1 oysters, $10 sushi rolls, $10 cocktail special and $10 glasses of Veuve Cliquot and Moet Imperial Rose from 2-10 p.m. This is in addition to the restaurant’s week night happy hour menu that offers $5 off small plates, sushi and raw bar offerings in the lounges, cocktail, beer and wine specials, Mondays-Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. 9595 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.859.4818. ocean-prime.com
Kali
Celebrate summer over Riesling wines at Kali. Drew Langley created the list to pay homage to his love of the versatile varietal, and the worldwide “Summer of Riesling” movement, which aims to dispel the notion that all Rieslings are all super sweet (and encourages wine drinkers to experiment with more than rosé during the hot months). Taste your way through by-the-glass pours that will be available for the rest of the summer. 5722 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.871.4160. kalirestaurant.com
Charcoal
The grill-centric neighborhood restaurant from Michelin-starred Chef Josiah Citrin now offers weekend brunch. Sweet and savory highlights include blueberry Dutch boy; Nabal avocado toast; steak and eggs with crispy smoked potatoes and grilled tomatoes; grilled vegetable hash with a fried egg, Yukon potato and seasonal market vegetables and more. Also find a selection of drinks that uncle the “Golden” Thai bloody mary and Charcoal cold brew cocktail. Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 425 Washington Blvd., Venice, 310.751.6794. charcoalvenice.com
Picca
Celebrate the 5th anniversary of the modern Peruvian restaurant on June 25. Everyone who dines at the restaurant that night will receive a glass of complementary bubbly and sweet bites on the house. Chef Tomas Espinoza has also created a special family-style menu, which will be available to order in addition to the regular Picca menu from June 25-30 for $55/pp. 9575 W Pico Blvd., 310).277.0133. piccaperu.com
Faith & Flower
The chic downtown restaurant eases into summer with a new seasonal brunch menu. Devour your weekend with sweet, savory and raw bar selections like smoked trout Benedict with poached eggs, housemade English muffin, trout caviar and hollandaise; bourbon pancakes with stewed cherries, pecan crumble and maple syrup; and eggs Benedict pizza topped with smoked bacon, spinach and hollandaise sauce. Day drinking takes center stage with options like the Parade Route with sparkling rosé, Rittenhouse Rye, lemon and Peychaud’s bitters; and the Shiso Easy with tequila blanco, Contratto Bianco, shiso, cucumber, lime and salt Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 705 W. 9th St., downtown, 213.239.0642. faithandflowerla.com
Umami Burger
Santa Monica is the newest destination for the burger franchise. The new 3,000 square-foot Santa Monica restaurant is the premiere of the new global brand standards and design for all future restaurants, and it will also introduce a new, expanded Umami Burger menu. Dine on all the core burgers with additions like the Throwback and K-BBQ burgers. Umami Burger has also added a new selection of starters and sides like Gochujang short rib sliders, Japanese-style wings (Tebaski) and a broad selection of vegetable based small plates and salads. 525 Broadway, Santa Monica. umamiburger.com