ROKU
Opens Nov. 16. The exciting new restaurant from Innovative Dining Group takes traditional teppanyaki and sushi to the next level with and array of Japanese dishes. Go hot or cold with teppan chefs preparing everything from A-5 Japanese Wagyu, Matsuzaka beef and Santa Barbara spot prawns at interactive grill tables; while sushi chefs finesse fish and inventive Omakase offerings behind a live-edge walnut sushi bar. ROKU is also part R&D—serving as a test kitchen for the IDG culinary team to experiment and create new dishes for the global brand’s other Japanese concepts worldwide. Did we also mention it has one of the largest selections of Japanese whiskey in L.A.? 9201 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. innovativedining.com
The Hungry Cat
Today, $1 Oyster Mondays officially begin at The Hungry Cat locations in Hollywood and Santa Monica. The colder months of the year are always the best for the bivalves, and now you can slurp your way to heaven with a select oyster variety on special each week for only a buck. Get them all day long in Hollywood—lunch, happy hour and dinner—while in Santa Monica they will be available for happy hour and dinner only. But wait, there’s more! Oyster-friendly wine specials will rotate weekly and include Bortolotti Prosecco, Vallevo Trebbiano di Abruzzo, Sauvetage Grenache Santa Barbara, and Cabernet Sauvignon Las Vielles Pierres Bordeaux, priced from $8 to $10 a glass. The Hungry Cat Hollywood, 1535 N. Vine St., L.A, 323.462.2155; The Hungry Cat Santa Monica Canyon, 100 W. Channel Rd., Santa Monica, 310.459.3337. thehungrycat.com
Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee
Opens Nov. 17. The Los Angeles doughnut scene gets a little sweeter this week with the opening of Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee in Santa Monica. The shop slings made-from-scratch doughnuts with seasonal products. For November, they’re offering flavors like Pumpkin Fool, topped with housemade pumpkin and mascarpone mouse, whipped soured cream and gingersnap crumble; and Southern Gentleman Pecan Pie, topped with pecan pie “filling” made with Steens Cane Syrup & Buffalo Trace Bourbon, fresh whipped soured cream, brown butter pecans and their signature pie crust crumble. 631 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. sidecardoughnuts.com
Los Balcones
Nov. 18-22. Jorge, Walter and Eduardo Rodriguez, owners of Los Balcones Peruvian restaurant and Chavela in Hollywood, are collaborating with guest chefs Ricardo Zarate and San Francisco-based Danny Kou to serve a special Peruvian menu. Each guest chef will prepare two Peruvian dishes, which will be served with three dishes from Los Balcones and choice of dessert. Highlights of the menu include Ceviche de Pato, pan seared duck breast, aji amarillo ceviche sauce, quinoa salad, crispy duck skin crumble; Lomo Saltado, stir fry of tender loins, onions, tomatoes, garlic, soy sauce and vinegar marinade; Tiradito de Salmon, smoked aji amarillo leche de tigre, chalaquita salsa, rocoto julienne y micro cilantro, cancha; Eggplant Crostini, with eggplant aji panca stew, canario goat cheese mousse, botija aili. Dishes range in price from $10 to $18, and you can also on $8 sip pisco sour specials. Los Balcones will donate 50% of the profits from sales of the special menu to Fundación Pachacútec, a center in Peru dedicated to train prospective chefs that do not have the means to attend private culinary institutes. 1360 Vine St., L.A., 323.871.9600. losbalconesperu.com
Salted Live
Nov. 18. Salted Live is a monthly educational dinner series that brings together celebrated chefs to collaborate on a hybrid cooking class and dinner with a different ingredient theme each month. This week Chef Eric Greenspan (Mare, Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese, Iron Chef America), Pastry Chef Jane Soudah (Sweet Jane Bakeshop, Eveleigh) and mixologist Brynn Smith (Sotto Italian Restaurant) muse on pumpkins, squash and gourds. The chefs will teach you how to make—and then you will get to eat—dishes like kuri squash risotto with sea urchin and squash chips; mole-braised short ribs with pumpkin and blue cheese; pumpkin seed brittle; and more. 7-10 p.m. Suggested donation of $100/pp. Eastown LA Rooftop Kitchen, 6201 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. saltedlive.com/calendar
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Nov. 18. It’s now easier than ever to get caffeinated in Culver City. Southern California’s iconic specialty coffee and tea retailer celebrates the grand opening of their newest drive-thru store. The inaugural ribbon cutting celebration will feature officials from the company and city, caffeinated mascot, Mr. Ice Blended®; and more, including samples and giveaways, $5 gift cards, T-shirts, tumblers, retail coffee and tea, and more (until supplies last). Noon-4 p.m. 9829 Venice Blvd., L.A. coffeebean.com
Little Pine
Opens Nov. 19. The highly anticipated vegan bistro, from singer-songwriter Moby, is ready to start serving Mediterranean-inspired California cuisine featuring 100% organic plant-based produce and ingredients in Silver Lake. Drop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner for dishes like panzanella salad with toasted bread, market vegetables and avocado; trio of stuffed shells with olive oil and pesto, roasted artichoke with herbed cream and spinach and ricotta in a marinara sauce; and meatballs and polenta with fried polenta and blistered tomatoes in a marinara sauce. The space is settled in an art-deco building and Moby worked closely with prominent Interior Designer Tatum Kendrick of Studio Hus to create the sophisticated, mountain-lodge vibe. The front of the bistro is a retail space featuring eclectic home accessories and gifts from Moby’s favorite artisans, artists and authors. 7:30 a.m.-midnight. 2870 Rowena Ave., L.A., 323.741.8148. littlepinerestaurant.com
Sushi Roku
Through Nov. 19. The go-to sushi spot at One Colorado celebrates its 15th anniversary with half off all food during dinner hours. Signature dishes over the last 15 years include: Yellowtail Diced Chilies with olive oil and garlic ponzu; “Hanabi” spicy tuna on crispy rice; Salmon Sashimi Carpaccio with soy truffle olive oil; and Seared Albacore Sashimi with fried onions and garlic ponzu. All you have to do is mention the anniversary promotion to receive the discount. 33 Miller Alley, Pasadena, 626.683.3000. innovativedining.com
Culina
Nov. 20. Celebrate white truffle season with a decadent five-course dinner at the modern Italian restaurant inside Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Chef Mette Williams has captured the season through dishes topped with truffles like the antipasti of diver scallop, sweet potato gratin and scallop tartar with celery root and parmesan crisps; braised-rabbit agnolotti with leeks and jus; roasted rack of veal served atop black truffle risotto with braised cardoons; and more. Prosecco reception in the lounge at 7 p.m., dinner 7:30 p.m. $115/pp. 300 S. Doheny Dr., L.A., 310.860.4000. culinarestaurant.com
The Strand House
Fall is in the air and on the plate at the seaside Manhattan Beach dining destination. Reserve a table on the only outdoor patio with perfect views of the Manhattan Beach Pier, and order seasonal dishes from Executive Chef Greg Hozinsky like “cacao e pepe” with toasted bucatini with a farm egg, pecorino romano and Burgundy truffles; Maine lobster topping ravioli nero with burrata, peas, beurre monte and olive oil; Maple leaf duck, a seared duck breast and confit leg served with fire roasted parsnip, huckleberry gastrique, farro, black currants and walnuts. 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, 310.545.7470. thestrandhousemb.com
Rose Cafe – Restaurant
The new Venice restaurant and cafe from restaurateur Bill Chait (Sprout LA) and Chef Jason Neroni (Superba, Catch & Release) opens its doors for breakfast, lunch and quick service. Dine in the heart of Venice on local Southern California cuisine that is influenced by Neroni’s travels. This translates to pumpkin pancakes with chocolate chips and bacon crumble; the Lower Eastside breakfast complete with beet-cured salmon, orange marmalade, farmers’ cheese and arugula; lamb shwarma pizza; and ricotta gnocchi with sopressata-fennel ragu and pickled Calabrian chilies. The expansive space—designed by local Art District company Studio UNLTD—includes indoor and outdoor dining with a beer garden, full market and bakery, Verve Coffee bar and 40-foot bar with cocktails by Julian Cox and Nick Meyer. Expect dinner to start the first week in December. Open now: Sun.-Wed. 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat 7 a.m.-7 p.m. (photo Pascal Shirley) 220 Rose Ave., Venice. rosecafevenice.com