The Taste
Sept. 4-6. The Los Angeles Times’ annual food and wine fest offers a look at what’s hot in the city’s vibrant food and cocktail culture. Learn from key players in the L.A. dining scene at tastings and seminars like “Field to Fork” and “Flavors of L.A.”—co-hosted by famed Times food critic Jonathan Gold. Check website for schedule. $100-$175. Paramount Pictures Studios, 5555 Melrose Ave, L.A., 213.237.5000. events.latimes.com/taste
SAAM at The Bazaar by José Andrés
Sept. 1-2. The intimate 40-seat tasting room inside The Bazaar by José Andrés welcomes renowned winemaker, Carles Pastrana for a 20-course tasting menu of modern and traditional tapas, and Spanish wine pairings. Pastrana, who is widely considered the grandfather of the acclaimed Catalonian wine region Priorat, will curate a robust selection of wine pairings (including pours of his famed Clos de l’Obac and Miserere), which compliment the intricate multi-course tasting menu that makes references to The Bazaar’s eclectic range of classic and creative tapas. $125/pp. Reception 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. SAAM at The Bazaar by José Andrés, 465 South La Cienega Blvd., L.A. Tickets
Ultimate Barbecue at Hotel Bel-Air
Sept. 9. For the first time ever, renowned Chefs Wolfgang Puck, Francis Mallmann and Adam Perry Lang join forces to serve you some of the best barbecue you’ve ever eaten. Each chef will showcase his individual approach to barbecue preparation, allowing for a diverse sampling of tastes and styles. Celebrated for his commitment to utilizing the best in locally sourced ingredients, Wolfgang Puck will roast a whole Sonoma lamb alongside spiced lamb ribs, as well as a quinoa and cucumber salad and saffron raita. Chef Mallmann will combine the bold flavors of Argentine cuisine and his signature dramatic style of open-fire cooking by preparing whole ribeye on the bone and a Scottish salmon. Chef Adam Perry Lang will showcase his distinctive style of layering flavors by burning pecan wood with his 12-hour pit-roasted prime beef brisket and short ribs. The evening commences on the hotel’s front lawn where you’ll dine at communal tables while also enjoying wine pairings from Argentine winemaker Bodega Catena Zapata. 6:30-9:30 p.m. 701 Stone Canyon Rd., L.A., 310.909.1644. dorchestercollection.com
LAMILL Coffee
The Los Angeles coffee scene continues to explode, and while LAMILL has been a mainstay as a roaster since 1998—launching their Silverlake coffee boutique and restaurant in 2008—the chic spot recently unveiled a new menu developed by James Trees. You can dine all day at LAMILL on highlights like smoked salmon toast with house schmear or avocado toast with radish, pickled red onions and chili-almond gremolata (and yes, add on the poached egg); feast on a variety of egg dishes for breakfast or more indulgent options like fried chicken and scallion-sage waffles. Other mains include shrimp and grits, steak frites and the LAMILL Burger, a seven ounce Boulder Valley burger with roasted tomatoes, Hook’s cheddar, romaine slaw served on a brioche bun with French fries. Pair food with signature coffees like the creme brûlée cappuccino, salted caramel latte or a wide selection of house blends and single origin beans. Don’t leave without a sweet ending like warm maple-glazed brioche doughnuts or a variety of pastries, cupcakes and muffins. 1636 Silver Lake Blvd., L.A., 323.663.4441. lamillcoffee.com
The Strand House
With top cuisine and stellar views, it’s always a great time to dine at the Strand House in Manhattan Beach. And to add to the accolades, just last week the dining destination’s Sous Chef William Lansing along with Commis Rebecca Foley won second prize at the ment’or BKB Foundation Young Chef Competition Series, in addition to a $5,000 cash prize and opportunity to stagier at the restaurant of his choice anywhere in the world. The dream team snagged their prize with a dish of striped Bass with olive mousse, fish mousse line, leek fondue, potato lyonnaise, pistou, herb velouté and fish stock and were judged by William Bradley (Addison), Josiah Citrin (Melisse), Traci des Jardins (Jardinière), Timothy Hollingsworth (Otium/Barrel & Ashes) and Walter Manzke (République), Alan Wong (Alan Wong’s Honolulu) along with Bouchon’s Chef de Cuisine, David Hands on overall taste, presentation and kitchen organization. 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, 310.545.7470. thestrandhousemb.com
Culina
Tuesdays Sept. 8-28. Tuesdays this September just became infinitely more delicious at Culina at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. When you dine on Tuesday evenings you will receive 50% off the dinner menu and 50% off wine priced at $150 or less per bottle. To get the deal you must call the hostess and make a reservation for dinner service and mention the code T50. Excludes Crudo Hour menu. 300 S Doheny Dr., L.A., 310.860.4000. culinarestaurant.com
smoke.oil.salt Tapas Hour
Starts Sept. 1. Stop by Melrose hotspot smoke.oil.salt, for a weekday tapas menu fresh from new consulting Executive Chef Ricardo Zarate. The menu includes selections like Pollo Frito (crispy chicken with serrano ham and brava sauce), Vieras (grilled scallops with pea puree, hazelnuts and lemon aioli), Pintxo de Iberico (Iberico ham, idiazabal cheese, toasted sourdough) and more. Tapas will be a la carte or select three for $19. Pair your tapas with sangria, cava, kalimotxo and select daily wines will also be offered, each for just $7. Mon.-Fri. 5:30-7 p.m. 7274 Melrose Ave, L.A., 323.930.7900. smokeoilsalt.com
Chavela Happy Hour
The plant-based Latin America-inspired restaurant from Jorge, Walter and Eduardo Rodriguez (Los Balcones) and Executive Chef Rachel Car kicks off a new weekday happy hour this week. Enjoy three signature cocktails and traditional Peruvian-style sangrias for $6, along with signature vegan fare like black bean tacos, mole verde enchilada, grilled organic corn on the cob and chicharron de hongo y coliflor (spicy battered fried mushrooms and cauliflower, tartar, salsa guera). Mon.-Fri., 5-7 p.m. 1358 Vine St., L.A., 323.871.8099. Chavela-LA.com
Collaborative Chefs Dinner at E.P. & L.P.
Sept. 7. L.A.’s new multi-level Asian eating house and rooftop, E.P. & L.P., and 30-year-old Executive Chef Louis Tikaram will team up with internationally recognized chefs and longtime Aussie mates, Dan Hong (Mr. Wong, Ms. G’s, Papi Chulo, El Loco in Sydney) and Jowett Yu (Ho Lee Fook in Hong Kong) for a one-night-only seven-course modern Asian dinner. Reuniting in the kitchen from over a decade ago since meeting early in their careers in Sydney, the three executive chefs—who are now based in three different continents—are joining forces to play off each other’s expertise in modern Asian cuisine. Featuring the flavors of Fiji/the South Pacific, Vietnam, Taiwan, and more, each chef will bring his unique background and style to the table. $125/pp. 603 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.855.9955. eplosangeles.com
Dante Fried Chicken at Cassell’s Hamburgers
Until now, Cassell’s Hamburgers has been all about the burger and coffee shop fare. That’s before Dante Gonzales conjured up a bar bites menu available at the eatery Tues.-Sat. from 4 p.m.-close. Look forward to devouring “Sock it to me Fried Chicken Dip Set,” DFC’s mascot chicken recipe is three generations old and has a ‘grip’ of herbs, whole grains, nuts, seeds, spices and crumbs to make a granola party style crust that is served with dip set of apricot crack sauce and house-made ranch garnished with Swedish cucumber. Other highlights include DFC Fire Wings, Bayou Ceviche, Chocolate Stout Smoked Brisket Tacos and more. 3600 W. 6th St., L.A., 213.387.5502. cassellshamburgers.com
New Kids Menu at Bouchon Beverly Hills
The Beverly Hills outpost of Bouchon from famed Chef Thomas Keller, offers “Keller classics done well, perfectly proportioned and beautifully presented on their new kids menu.” Little ones can dine on fare like croque monsieur, elbow macaroni with tomato sauce, sautéed salmon with wilted spinach, chicken Pillard with French fries and more. 5:30-10:30 p.m. 235 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, 310.271.9910. thomaskeller.com
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
New Mexico’s prized pepper, the hatch chile is now in peak season and Plan Check Executive Chef Ernesto Uchimura pays homage to the hatch chile with spicy menu variations ranging from burgers to hushpuppies. Uchimura will be featuring menu specials at all locations over the next few weeks with items such as the Hatch Diablo Burger with chilies five ways, spicy mayo, roasted green hatch chiles, jalapeno straws, house made fresh cayenne chiles, and hot sauce. 1800 Sawtelle Blvd., L.A; 351 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A.; 1111 Wilshire Blvd., downtown. plancheck.com
Relais de Paris
The renounced French brasserie has been quietly serving traditional French dishes in the heart of Beverly Hills on the corner of Wilshire and Carson. Modeled after a 19th century French restaurant, the spot offers simple traditional French cuisine using the best local and organic ingredients. Many on the dishes are centered around their speciality “Sauce Originale” which has been kept a secret since its creation in 1959. Other signatures include steak frites, moules frites, foie gras and Chateaubriand. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 8635 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, 310.289.8500. rdpbh.com