Felix
Opens April 7. Chef Evan Funke channels Italian cuisine at his highly anticipated new restaurant. In addition to an open kitchen, wood-fired pizza oven and Tuscan grill, the location boasts a glass-enclosed, temperature-controlled pasta laboratorio centrally located in the restaurant where you can see Funke’s signature pastas—there will eventually be 18-20 of them offered—being made. Funke also pays meticulous attention to his pizzas and makes them by hand mixing the dough in a custom dough trough allowing them to pump out more than 100 every night. Also find a predominantly Italian wine list and cocktails featuring artisan spirits. Photo by by Alan Gastelum. 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 424.387.8622. felixla.com
TAO Los Angeles
The TAO Group continues to take Los Angeles by storm with the opening of their namesake Asian bistro in Hollywood’s Dream Hotel complex. This comes on the heels of the launch of Beauty & Essex in the same location last week. Expect a two-level space that boasts four private dining rooms and a large bar. Taking inspiration from TAO New York, the outpost also features a 20-foot tall Quan Yin statue that stands atop a koi pond. Chef/partner Ralph Scamardella serves a menu of Asian-inspired specialties, focusing on Chinese, Japanese and Thai techniques and ingredients. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/TAO.) 6421 Selma Ave., L.A., 323.593.7888. taolosangeles.com
Burger Merger
April 7-9. Badmaash teams up with Burgerlords for the latest installment of the series that will feature a God-Sauce Burger (heavy schmear of God sauce, tomato and red onion) and a Vegan Burger (Indian vegetarian croquette, tamarind chutney, paprika veganaise, lettuce and red onion). 943 N Broadway #102, downtown. burgerlords.com
The Art of Brunch by Chef David LeFevre
April 8. At M.B. Post and Fishing with Dynamite, chef David LeFevre believes that brunch dishes should be as dynamic and thoughtful as his dinner menus. In this class he’ll teach the art of brunch entertaining. Learn when to start your prep, what to make ahead and how to bring your dishes to the table hot. LeFevre will demo dishes like potato, leek and emmental cheese frittata, pecan bourbon bread pudding, bacon with rosemary and brown sugar and couscous salad with FwD shrimp. Enjoy bites along the way and take home tips and recipes. $100/pp. 10:30 a.m. Please call M.B. Post for reservations, 310.545.5405. The Arthur J, 903 Manhattan Ave. Manhattan Beach.
Mamacita
Chef Ricardo Zarate’s newest fore into the LA dining scene is going strong at Hollywood & Highland. The fast-casual Peruvian cantina was originally the test kitchen for his upcoming concept Rosaliné. It now offers casual grab-and-go Peruvian fare like a variety of grain bowls, ceviches and more. 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. mamacitacantina.com
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
The DC mainstay now served its iconic fried chicken and doughnuts in LA. Expect an evolving array of seasonal doughnuts, creative takes on fried chicken, unique side dishes and specialty doughnut sandwiches—as well as some exclusive, locally-inspired flavors and menu items. Fried chicken lovers will have a choice of bone-in fried chicken, chicken fingers, fried chicken sandwiches and wings available by the half dozen or larger party packs. 516 W. 6th St., downtown. astrodoughnuts.com
Union Restaurant Pasadena
April 10. Celebrate the beloved Pasadena restaurant’s third anniversary with a special three-course dinner from chef/co-owner Bruce Kalman. Kalman will be joined by a few of his friends including Michael Voltaggio (ink), Duff Goldman (Ace of Cakes), Brooke Williamson (Playa Provisions) and Nick Shipp (Upper West). 37 E Union St, Pasadena, 626.795.5841. unionpasadena.com
Bombay Palace
The modern Indian restaurant in Beverly Hills launches a new Samosas & Mimosas Sunday brunch. Choose from a selection of appetizers and entrees pairs with either mimosas or a lassi for $25. 8690 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, 310.659.9944. bombaypalace.com
CREAM
The beloved national ice cream sandwich shop (it stands for Cookies Rule Everything Around Me) is now sweetening the deal in North Hollywood. The shop is widely known for unique, handcrafted and warm ice cream sandwich combinations, prepared with super-premium proprietary flavored ice cream placed between warm, freshly baked cookies or other inventive confections such as brownies, waffles or do’sants. 11135 Magnolia Blvd, Suite 170, North Hollywood. creamnation.com
Umami Burger Artist Series: Cindy Crawford
Through May 12. Sink your teeth into Umami Burger’s latest creation within its artist series—Cindy’s Casa Burger. Created by supermodel Cindy Crawford, the burger is slightly spicy with jalapeno beef patties, miso mustard and tortilla chips tossed in a chilaquiles-style salsa brava and dusted with queso fresco. The burger is then topped with American cheese, caramelized onions, avocado spread, tomato and butter lettuce. Pair it with her husband Rande Gerber’s spicy margarita, also made exclusively for Umami Burger.The cocktail combines Casamigos Blanco, muddled serrano peppers, fresh lime juice, orange juice, housemade simple syrup and a PAMA infusion topped with Xicaru Mezcal,Cointreau foam and thinly sliced Serrano pepper. See website for locations. umamiburger.com