All-Star Chef Classic
March 8-11. This four-day culinary experience showcases some of the world’s best chefs, including Curtis Stone (Maude, Gwen), Ray Garcia (Broken Spanish, B.S. Taqueria) and Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo and Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Petit Trois and Trois Familia). See them cook in the venue’s Restaurant Stadium, then taste the delicious results in the Chefs’ Tasting Arena. See website for event information and ticket prices. L.A. Live Event Deck, 1005 W. Chick Hearn Court, downtown. allstarchefclassic.com
Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air
March 8. The signature restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air aligns with House of Suntory for an exclusive Japanese whisky tasting class. This onetime event will showcase the brand’s premium selections and highlight the following whiskies: Toki, Hibiki Harmony, Hakushu 12 and Yamazaki 12. 6:30-8 p.m. $85/pp. Private Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air, 701 Stone Canyon Rd., L.A., 310.909.1644. dorchestercollection.com
Cochon 555
March 12. The nose-to-tail competition returns to the Viceroy Santa Monica showcasing the talents of chefs Kyle Johnson (Bourbon Steak Los Angeles), Jonathan Granada (Otium) and Dakota Weiss (Estrella), Bruce Kalman (Union) and Larry Monaco of CAST Restaurant & Lounge, along with winemakers, sommeliers and barkeeps. The five chefs will cook five whole, heritage breed pics with innovative techniques and bold flavors. Spectators will feast on everything from beef tartare and organic pate to farmhouse cheeses and ramen, while enjoying wines from Antica Napa Valley. $125-$400. 4 p.m. VIP/5 p.m. GA. 1819 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica. cochon555.com
Bäcoshop
Opens March 9. Chef Josef Centeno pays homage to his signature sandwich with his new Culver City restaurant. Bäcoshop offers a variety of flatbread-based bäcos and bäcorritos and a daily rotation of seasonal salads and vegetables. Dine on everything from the grilled steak bäco with coffee rub, mild red chile, almonds, hummus, charred scallion crema; to the roasted eggplant bäco with fava hummus, spicy chili, red cabbage and cilantro. You can also get a bäco bowl with grains and a filling of your choice. 9552 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 424.258.6301. baco-shop.com
Tower 12
Opens March 9. Hermosa Beach’s newest restaurant overlooking the pier offers chef Brendan Collins’ California-inspired American fare, a wraparound balcony and throwback vibe. Highlights of the menu include wood-fired garlic blue shrimp, cheese steak poppers, 12-hour braised short ribs with brown butter mashed potatoes and a house-smoked pastrami sandwich. The restaurant also offers two bars with 30 local beers on tap along with craft cocktails and wine. 53 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, 310.379.6400. tower12hb.com
Irish Coffee Master Class
March 12. St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching and downtown restaurant and bar, Westbound wants to make sure you’re prepared. Acclaimed drinksmith and Westbound bar manager Niklas Morris will be leading the class, guiding you through the history of the Irish Coffee, how to make your own and most other things Irish Whiskey. 3-5 p.m. $25/pp. 300 South Santa Fe Ave., downtown. Tickets.
SOCA
Short for “Sherman Oaks California”, veteran restaurateur and executive chef Aaron Robins offers globally inspired steak and seafood at the new Valley dining destination. The best place to start is at the raw bar, which features a variety of oysters and seafood towers. Highlights of the rest of the menu include Beef Tongue Salad with Basque-style pickled beef tongue; Butt, Belly & Bone, trio of char siu prepared Berkshire pork belly, butt, and chop, shishito peppers, for the table; as well as chili de arbol-spiced panna cotta. Cocktails lean to the light and aromatic end of the spectrum and include selections like Flowers in Florence with Bols Barrel-Aged Genever, lavender infused Aperol and Bonal Gentiane Quina. 14015 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818.301.4300. soca-la.com
Crossroads
The sought-after vegan dining destination offers a new late-night menu. Satisfy your late-night cravings with plant-based dishes like Impossible Burger sliders, buffalo maitake mushrooms, spicy meatball pizzas and other rotating dishes perfect for after-hours cocktailing. Speaking of drinks, expect $10 well cocktails made from vegan-based spirits alone with tap beers for $5. 10 p.m.-close. 284 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.782.9245. crossroadskitchen.com
Nerano
The new Beverly Hills Italian restaurant welcome guest chef Nicola Conte, a native of Puglia, Italy during March. Conte, executive chef of chic Dock 101, showcases his point of view through a variety of specials offered throughout the month. Stand-out dishes include Pettole al Rosmarino, a savory Pugliese doughnut with bocconcini mozzarella and prosciutto San Daniele; Cavatelli alla Tarantina with PEI mussels, tomato polpa, peperoncino, parsley and vino bianco locorotondo; and Agnello Arrosto con Crema di Carciofi, a roasted lamb chop with artichoke crema, potato al forno and vin cotto. 9960 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.405.0155. facebook.com/neranobh
Heavy Cream x Stumptown LA
Indulge in Gemma Matsuyama’s Heavy Cream goodies at Stumptown’s LA flagship in the Arts District. The new partnership gives you the opportunity to eat her signature cream puff with quirky flavors like pink lemonade or peanutella, and an addictive kimchi cheddar biscuit made with her grandmother’s kimchi recipe. 806 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown, 855.711.3385. picohouse.com
AR Cucina
Dine on an variety of Italian-inspired, housemade seasonal brunch specialties at AR Cucina’s new Sunday brunch. Highlights of the menu include everything from polenta cake and short rib ragu with poached eggs, to porchetta hash with a fried egg. The restaurant also offers baked goods like blueberry olive oil cake and bruschetta with almond ricotta and strawberry-rhubarb jam. Also enjoy daytime cocktails along with bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 9531 Culver Blvd., Culver City, 310.558.8800. arcucina.com
Doheny Room
The West Hollywood hotspot rolls out their new Sunday brunch this weekend. Dine on a selections of offerings that include kimchi fried rice; vegetable shakshouka; and shrimp and grits with lobster gravy. The menu is accompanied by signature cocktails that includes the Freddie Mercury with Belvedere Orange vodka, Aperol, grapefruit and lemon juices, agave and prosecco. 9077 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 424.777.0266. sbe.com