The Cannibal
The New York-based restaurant ha officially opened its West Coast butcher and sandwich shop and adjacent restaurant in Culver City’s Platform center. Similar to the NYC location, Executive Chef Francis Derby offers a meat-focused menu with an emphasis on housemade sausages and charcuterie. These are served alongside a strong vegetable selection and large format nose-to-tail dishes like spring lamb with peas, fava and vadouvan jus; General Tso pig’s head with broccoli salad and moo shoo pancake; and “The Ole 96’er,” a 96-oz 60-day dry aged ribeye served with chefs vegetables (must order in advance). Their extensive beverage program offers 500+ international beers, a carefully curated wine list with a heavy American influence and two whiskey-based cocktails on draft. 8850 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 310.838.2783. thecanniballa.com
Monkey Town LA
June 1-Oct. 1. Pair top eats with performances from artists, musicians and dancers in this unique dining experience. Following successful runs in Austin, Barcelona and Denver, Monkey Town founder Montgomery Knott brings the successful dinner, cinema and performance series to downtown LA. Once you grab a ticket, you’ll be one of up to 40 guests sitting inside of a giant, 27-foot cube, watching a video program from artists such as Takeshi Murata, Shana Moulton and Sarah Rara, with a live performance that changes weekly—including acts such as Noveller, Jeepneys, Mecca Andrews, White Magic and Opera on Tap. Chef Montgomery’s menu will be served in four or five courses throughout the two-hour program and paired with a selection of wines. Dishes include raw hamachi with kohlrabi, dashi and thai basil as well as cavatelli with chicken confit, cauliflower and hazelnut. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available for all seatings. Two seatings per night at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., Tues.-Sun. $50/Tues. (four-course meal), $65/Weds. (five-course meal), $80/Thurs.-Sun. (five-course meal). 111 West 21st St, downtown. monkeytownhq.com
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
With the unveiling of newly renovated Belvedere Restaurant, the launch of its Terrace patio and the hotel’s annual Rooftop BBQ there’s more than one reason to dine at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. To add another to the list, is The Belvedere’s new seafood-centric Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Sunday brunch. The luxurious buffet-style experience includes signatures like oysters on the half shell; lump crab on brioche; “action” stations where items such as Yukon Gold and tarragon waffles topped with lobster and béarnaise will be made to order and more, including endless Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne. $85/pp, $25/pp free flowing champagne. 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills 310.975.2855. beverlyhills.peninsula.com
El Gato en la Playa
Through Sept. 5. The Hungry Cat Santa Monica Canyon will be transformed into a summer long pop-up, inspired by summers on the Mexican Riviera Chef de Cuisine Kris Longley experienced in his youth. El Gato en la Playa will showcase the best in seafood that Chef David Lentz is known for. Enjoy selections like Peruvian scallops; crab & shrimp cocktail with avocado; tacos, tostadas and sopes; and larger dishes like grilled whole fish with yellow rice, mojo de ajo, grapefruit and lime; marinated hangar steak with charred onions and tortillas and more. Also find themed drinks like the Barrel-Aged Rosita with mezcal, tequila, Campari and sweet and dry vermouths. 100 West Channel Road, Santa Monica, 310.459.3337. thehungrycat.com
Upstairs at Ace DTLA
The rooftop restaurant and bar at Ace Hotel Los Angeles is where you’ll want to spend your endless summer days. They are rolling out “Don’t Call It Happy Hour,” an amazing afternoon of $1 oysters, $5 PBRs and wine spritzers weekdays from noon-5:30 p.m. Also find new transit-themed cocktails celebrating the Expo Line connecting downtown with Santa Monica. Sip on choices like Vermont & Beverly with blanco tequila, watermelon, lime, agave, rhubarb bitters, tajin and black sesame. Also find new food offerings as well like grilled cheese, tandoori lamb, pretzel dogs and shrimp tacos. 929 S. Broadway, downtown. acehotel.com
Hanjip
Afternoons just got a lot happier at Hanjip, Culver City’s Korean BBQ go-to from Chef Chris Oh and restaurateur Stephane Bombet. Enjoy specials on food like pork buns, beef poutine, crispy shrimp and hot wings, accompanied by $2 soju shots, $9 large beers, $8 wine by the glass and more. Daily 4-6 p.m. 3829 Main St., Culver City, 323.720.8804. hanjip.com
Imagine Tea
June 5. This special children’s event at the Langham Huntington, Pasadena pairs all the delicacies of high tea with a touch of magic. The experience features junior magicians from the Academy of Magical Arts performing close-up magic, while children dine on a specialty menu of magically decorated cookies, ham, turkey and PB&J sandwiches and whimsical desserts, all accompanied by pink lemonade, milk and a selection of fruit-infused, caffeine-free teas. Young tea guests will also have the opportunity to make their own magic during the tea, as they are invited to attend dressed as whichever character, person or animal most appeals to their imagination. Also happens Jun. 7, Sept. 13. $48/adults, $36/children 12 and under. Seatings at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Also scheduled Sept. 18. Reservations required. 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, 626.585.6218. pasadena.langhamhotels.com
Hotel Bel-Air 2016 Visiting Guest Chef Series
June 1. Wolfgang Puck and Executive Chef Hugo Bolanos welcome esteemed chefs Jose Meza from the St. Regis Punt Mita in Mexico, and Kenji Takeda, Chef and Owner of Tokyo’s Liberte a Table a TAKEDA as part of the 2016 visiting chef series at Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air. Enjoy a multi-course menu with dishes prepared by each participating chef. Call for reservations. $135/pp. 701 Stone Canyon Rd., L.A., 310.909.1644. wolfgangpuck.com
CUT by Wolfgang Puck 10-Year Anniversary
June 3. Chef Wolfgang Puck will celebrate 10 years of his first steak restaurant, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, located in the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, in Beverly Hills with a a collaborative, one-night-only five-course dinner. In addition to Wolfgang and Head Chef Ari Rosenson, the lineup of chefs cooking that evening include: The LocoL Watts team with Daniel Patterson (partner in LocoL, Alta Ca, Aster, Coi, PB, Haven), Evan Funke (of the soon-to-debut Felix), David LeFevre (M.B. Post, Fishing with Dynamite, The Arthur J) and Della Gossett, executive pastry chef of Spago Beverly Hills. Proceeds benefit Chefs to End Hunger and Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition. $145/pp. Wine pairings also available. Call for reservations. 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, 310.276.8500. wolfgangpuck.com
Chicas Tacos
The new modern Mexican fast-casual dining spot in downtown is inspired by the Valle de Guadelupe region of Mexico and offers made-to-order tacos, salsas, agua frescas and more. Menu highlights include the Chicas Chicken Taco with marinated chicken, creamy feta, “Baja-Med” salsa and cilantro; Chicas fish taco with beer-battered fish, smoky morita salsa; Chicas veggie taco with cauliflower chorizo, marinated mushrooms, panel cheese, avocado sauce and chile toreado. 728 S. Olive St., downtown, 213.896.0373. chicastacos.com
Katana’s Red Sun BBQ
Through Sept. 4. Spend Sunday summer nights dining on a special menu from the Sunset Strip restaurant paired with speciality cocktails and DJ tunes. This year the dining destination offers an exclusive Yakiniku (Japanese-style grilled meats over bincho-tan charcoals) menu with selections like shrimp with chimichurri, king crab leg with uni butter, American Kobe beef with black pepper, lamb chops with soy garlic, and supplemental items like shrimp and chips and tako ceviche. Also find boozy popsicles and Katana’s signature Red Sun BBQ cocktail, the Tropical Fusion with vodka, watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe and cranberry juice. 6-11 p.m. 8439 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.650.8585. innovativedining.com