Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Head to Pasadena to feast on Fleming’s signature steaks and wine selections—100 by the glass—in an expansive location. Fleming’s is known for serving USDA prime and certified Angus beef—aged a minimum of 21 days; they also offer small plates like braised short ribs and lobster tempura, as well as a variety of sides (think drool-worthy chipotle cheddar macaroni & cheese and Fleming’s potatoes with cream, jalapeños and cheddar cheese). The new location is also one of the only outposts of the Newport Beach-based restaurant chain to serve lunch. Find the weekday menu filled with lighter fare like sandwiches, flatbreads and entree selections in addition to a three-course prix-fixe. Also find a bar menu and twice-nightly happy hour specials. 179 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, 626.639.0490. flemingssteakhouse.com
Salt & Straw
Opens Oct. 13. Downtown’s Arts District is about to get a lot sweeter—iconic Portland-based, family-run ice cream purveyor Salt & Straw opens the doors to their fourth LA location this week. Indulge in an artisanal, chef-driven ice cream with signature scoops like Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons and Stumptown Coffee & Compartes Love Nuts. Their seasonal Halloween-themed “Spooktacular” series features flavors like Jack O’ Lantern Pumpkin Sherbet, The Great Candycopia (butterscotch ice cream with homemade Snickers, Whoppers, Heath Bars and peanut butter cups) and a spicy creamy Dracula’s Blood Pudding that even has a hint of chicken liver (for real). The location will also serve as a community gathering space, featuring pop-ups and community events like a series of spotlights on area artisans with whom Salt & Straw collaborates on seasonal flavors. 829 E. 3rd St., downtown, 213.988.7070. saltandstraw.com
Shake Shack
Opens Oct. 12. The modern day “roadside” burger stand is taking LA by storm with the opening of their third SoCal outpost in Hollywood. Find it just off Hollywood & Vine in the Eastown complex, boasting their menu of classic burgers, Vienna beef hot dogs, spun-fresh frozen custard, crinkle cut fries, craft beer, wine and more. This location features the LA-only Roadside Double, a double Swiss cheeseburger topped with Dijon mustard and onions simmered in bacon and beer. Also find a selection of local frozen custard concretes, including the Tinseltown Toffee (chocolate custard, peanut butter sauce, chocolate toffee and Compartes dark chocolate chunks) and LA Pie Oh My (vanilla custard and slice of Rucker’s Pie seasonal pie). Spun exclusively at the Hollywood Shack is the Sunset Grind (vanilla custard, Stumptown coffee, marshmallow sauce and Cofax spiced crumb donut). Apropos to the neighborhood, the Hollywood Shack will also be serving the Traffic JAM Shake—vanilla custard blended with Sqirl raspberries and cardamom jam. 6201 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. shakeshack.com
Dinner With Friends at Feastly
Oct. 13-15, 19. The Arts District pop-up social dining experience continues to provide food lovers with a new and interesting ways to dine. This month with a dinner series from chefs Becky Reams and Jean Valcarcel. They’ve partnered with InHouse Theatre to give diners the chance to enjoy a theatrical experience centered on food and exploration. The multi-course menus will include dishes inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Dinner With Friends, that include Kabocha squash tartine with red miso jam, beet and mustard green; black cod with chili crab broth and blistered haricot vert; and lemon almond butter cake with sweet corn-infused cream . Dinner will be served as the performance continues around the diners. $85. Address offered with ticket purchase. eatfeastly.com
Da Kikokiko
Opens Oct. 14. Get a taste of Hawaii on the shores of LA. The culinary team of Top Chef alum Brooke Williamson and Nick Roberts celebrate their favorite foods from Hawaii at their new fast-casual restaurant in Playa Vista. The menu features modern takes on poke, shaved ice and musubi—the traditional SPAM version and unique variations with different proteins and vegetables. Find it in the new Runway Playa Vista shopping and dining destination. 12760 Millennium Dr., Playa Vista, 424.835.4192. dakikokiko.com
L&E Oyster Bar
The revered Silver Lake restaurant and oyster bar fronted by chef Spencer Bezaire quietly continues to woo Eastside eaters with its impeccable oyster selection and market-fresh menu. Find a seafood selection of your dreams in a variety of preparations teamed with seasonal salads and plates like pan-seared Niman Ranch pork chop with crispy sunchoke, apple fennel salad, pork jus, fig mostarda. The weekends are perfect for brunching and people watching on the patio over dishes like smoked trout deviled eggs; popover with a farm egg, gruyere, beech mushrooms and asparagus with an herb salad; and the L&E egg sandwich, a fried egg, pork sausage, gribiche, frisee, cheddar cheese, peach hot sauce all on a housemade biscuit. 1637 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake, 323.660.2255. leoysterbar.com
Ravello Bar & Grill
Italian cuisine may not be the first thing you think about when someone mentions Uptown Whittier, but that will soon change. Ravello Bar & Grill opened this Monday with a market-driven Italian dining experience. The menu hits all the marks from antipasti, homemade pastas and Neapolitan-style brick oven-baked pizzas, to grilled meats, seafood and desserts. Menu highlights—made from sustainably grown produce from local farms and, eventually, the restaurant’s own rooftop garden—include linguini alla vongole with littleneck clams, fresh herbs and shallots and an aromatic seafood broth with chardonnay butter; ravioli of the day, which will feature ingredients from the Uptown Whittier farmers market; and grilled ribeye steak topped with a stripe of brandied Kalamata olives and garlic capers. Also find a wine list full of Italian and Californian varietals and classic cocktails. L, D, daily. 6746 Greenleaf Ave., Whittier, 562.945.8723. ravellobarandgrill.com
Overtime Power Hour
From Oct. 14. Head to Nest at WP24 at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles for specially-priced drinks and dishes available after every Kings, Clippers and Lakers home game at the Staples Center until close. Overtime Power Hour kicks off on Oct. 14—the LA Kings’ first home game of the season. Small bites start at $6 and include signature items such as the Maine lobster spring rolls with prawns, ginger and 10 spice honey; baby pork belly “bao buns” with Chinese honey-garlic glaze; and sushi; along with a special selection of off-menu items available only during the power hour. Classic and Far East-inspired cocktails start at $9 and include selections like the lychee martini made with Ultimat Vodka, lychee, and lime; also find house-made Sangria with red wine, prosecco and fresh fruit. 900 W Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.743.8824. ritzcarlton.com
Pasadena Octoberfest
Oct. 15. Raise a stein for the inaugural Pasadena Octoberfest at the Rose Bowl. The craft beer, culinary and music festival features restaurants and food trucks creating craft beer-inspired and infused culinary creations; over 50 top craft breweries including 30 rare styles of beer from Sam Adams alone; live entertainment and silent disco and more. 2-6:30 p.m. $35-$75. 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena. pasadenaoctoberfest.com
Vegan Oktoberfest
Oct. 15. Those who steer clear of animal products but don’t want to miss out on the month’s Bavarian boozy fun, raise a stein to this vegan event. Find entertainment; German-themed food from such vendors as Grilled Cheese Truck, Dogtown Dogs and Donut Friend; and unlimited sampling of beer and cider from the likes of Angel City Brewery, the Dudes’ Brewing Co. and Honest Abe Cider. 1-5:30 p.m. (VIP admission at noon). Alcohol served until 4:30 p.m. $45-$50; nondrinking $20-$25; VIP $65-$75. Tickets only available online. L.A. Center Studios, 450 S. Bixel St., downtown. veganoktoberfest.com
The Social List Block Party
Oct. 15. The Social List in Long Beach is kicking off fall with their seasonal block party featuring Artists Marco Saiz and Hely Omar Gonzales who will be showcasing their art in the restaurant. The block party is also taking place in conjunction with 4 on 4th Beer & Wine Festival which takes place that weekend. The Social List’s neighbor, Artistic Edge, will also be participating and bringing in a curated selection of artists. 6-10 p.m. 2105 E 4th St, Long Beach, 562.433.5478. thesociallistlb.com
Artsy Tartsy
Oct. 15. Head to the Farmer’s Daughter Hotel for a soiree benefiting LA youth organizations. Enjoy food and drinks from TART restaurant, as well as DJs—including special guests Raul Campos from KCRW and DJ Garth (WICKED, SF)—art display and an artwork raffle. Each raffle ticket holder has the chance to go home with original pieces of artwork, some valued at $3,000 or more. $50-$1,500. 115 South Fairfax Ave., L.A. artsytartsy.co
DTLA Breweries United Fest
Oct. 16. DTLA Breweries United is gathering the best of the beer-hood for a brew-filled block party bash featuring the seven Downtown LA breweries that make up the craft coalition: Angel City Brewery, Iron Triangle Brewing, Indie Brewing Co., Dry River Brewing, Arts District Brewing Co., Boomtown Brewery, and Mumford Brewing. Angelenos can expect a beverage bounty as spirit distillers, fresh pressed juicers, and kombucha cultivators will be pouring alongside their Downtown LA brewing neighbors with Downtown Taco serving up classic LA street style fare. $45. Triangle Lot, 224 Rose St., downtown. eventbrite.com