Salazar
Opens May 26. The highly anticipated restaurant is fast becoming the focal point of the Frogtown dining scene with its mesquite grilled meats and expansive outdoor patio. Dine on Chef Esdras Ochoa’s (Mexicali Tacos) tacos, burritos and quesadillas made from carne asada, pollo as ado, vegetable and more. Mesquite grilled plate delicacies range from ribeye to pork chop and a catch of the day. Pair those with craft cocktails prepared in dynamic Mexican flavors served in stunning, hand-selected glassware. 2490 Fletcher Dr., L.A. Info.
Bouchon
May 26. Indulge in an exclusive three-course dinner at Bouchon featuring wine pairings from Frank Family Vineyards. The menu features dishes like smoked sturgeon rillettes, house pickles and pommes gaufrettes; Snake River Farms beef short ribs wrapped in freshly baked Bouchon Bakery brioche served with Yukon gold potatoes and Bordelaise; a vegan burger with 10-grain vegan chopped steak, spring mushrooms, fava beans, confit of tomatoes and sauce chasseur—all expertly paired with Frank Family varietals. $95/pp. Reservations from 6-9 p.m. 235 N Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310.271.9910. thomaskeller.com
1212
Opens May 27. The new expansive two-story dining destination on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica offers eclectic cuisine and farm-to-glass cocktails. Up-and-coming Chef Walter Greenwood helms the kitchen that offers a menu of small plates like duck confit and black truffle dumplings; shredded suckling pig tacos with pickled shallot and pineapple and cilantro relish; and scallop and sea urchin risotto. Their 24 Layer Crepe Cake with with peanut butter banana mousse, chocolate ganache, and cookie crumble with a side of coconut gelato is just one of the stars of the dessert menu. Signature cocktails feature a mix of fresh juices, seasonal produce, and housemade syrups and infusions, like the Wolfskill Old Fashioned with Pike Creek port barrel-aged bourbon, orange, maple syrup, black walnut bitters, and candied house bacon. Open daily for lunch and dinner and late-night Thurs.-Sat. 1212 West Third St., Santa Monica,310.579.9996. 1212santamonica.com
Wexler’s Deli Santa Monica
Opens May 27. Expanding their old school Jewish deli classics with a modern twist to the westside, Chef/Owner Micah Wexler and Partner Michael Kassar are opening Wexler’s Deli in Santa Monica. The Santa Monica location’s expanded menu features offerings that Wexler has brined, cured, smoked and crafted in-house. The full Wexler’s Deli menu, including favorites like The Big Poppa, The O.G. and Reuben, will still be available along with a few new smoked fish additions that will only be available in Santa Monica (think pastrami lox and smoked trout). Wexler will also debut his Matzah Ball Soup, based on his mother’s recipe and affectionately named “Dana’s Matzah Ball Soup,” which he says “will be the essence of simplicity.” 7 a.m.-7 p.m. 616 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. wexlersdeli.com
Tres by José Andrés
Through June 5. Inspired by the whimsy of Lewis Carroll’s classic novel and the latest film adaptation by director Tim Burton, Tres’ Adventurous Alice’s Afternoon Tea will offer a selection of teatime favorites alongside dishes created specially for the two-week event, including the Candy Cap Mushroom Macaron and Queen of Hearts Bon Bons. In celebration of the new Disney movie release, guests will have the chance to enjoy tea served in unique and colorful pots—inspired by Alice Through The Looking Glass—and have the opportunity to win tickets to advance screenings of the new movie, as well as Alice-related prizes. 3-5 p.m. 465 S La Cienega Blvd., L.A., 310.246.5551. slshotels.com
Miro
The new downtown restaurant offers a California-inspired menu with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influence, and an obsessiveness toward charcuterie and pasta. Housemade charcuterie includes selections like saucisson sec, chorizo, chicken liver mousse, country pâté, which can be paired with cheeses such as Brillat-Savarin, Monte Enebro, Challerhocker, or Mimolette. Other signature dishes include strozzapreti with morel mushroom and fava bean; garganelli with braised octopus; bacalao and potato croquetas with piri piri, house-made bresaola, among others. The bi-level space features an angled ceiling with a skylight that peeks out onto downtown LA’s skyscrapers. L Mon.-Fri., d Mon-Sat. 888 Wilshire Blvd., downtown, 213.988.8880. mirorestaurant.com
Beaming Superfood Organic Café
Porridge is all the rage these days and now you can build your own bowl at Beaming’s Superfood Porridge Bar. The bar is created in partnership with breakfast guru Ksenia Avdulova of Breakfast Criminals and Beaming founder Lisa Odenweller. Just start with a base like coconut chia pudding, matcha pudding or overnight oats and stack it with superfood toppings like matcha cashew cream, wild berry chia compote, cacao nibs and more. Available at Beaming locations in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, La Jolla and La Costa. See website for locations and hours. livebeaming.com
The Hudson
Get your grilled cheese fix at The Hudson. Every Thursday night they will be offers three special grilled cheese sandwiches like “ I’ll Be Havana Piece of That” with grilled ham, picked, mustard, pickled red onion and Muenster cheese, pressed between sourdough. 1114 N Crescent Heights Blvd., West Hollywood, 323.654.6686. thehudsonla.com
Crawfest 2016
May 29. Feast on 700 lbs. of crawfish straight from Louisiana. The crawfish boil features AYCE crawfish, andouille sausage, corn, potatoes and more. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $50 presale/$65 after May 26/door. 21+. 1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice. thebrig.com
Valley Greek Festival
May 28-30. Experience the best of Greece in L.A. Fill up on Greek cuisine and pastries like gyros, spanakopita, baklava, lamb chops, roasted chicken and more, including Greek wine, beer and coffee. Other highlights include dancing, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, gift items from Greece and more. Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge. valleygreekfestival.com
Viviane
May 30. Celebrate Memorial Day with an island-style, all-day, AYCE luau. Executive Chef Michael Hung will set up a poolside grill to sling Hawaiian-inspired BBQ dishes alongside refreshing tiki cocktails. Continuing the Summer Sundays Pool Party at Viviane, the Memorial Day event will also allow restaurant guests pool access—a treat usually reserved exclusively for those staying at the hotel—and the opportunity to dance to music from boutique DJ collective Dart DJs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The Avalon Hotel, 9400 West Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.407.7791. vivianerestaurant.com
Terrine
May 30. Kick off summer with the first in a series of all-day, all-you-can-eat Backyard BBQs on the restaurant’s iconic patio. As part of his new tradition, Chef/Owner Kris Morningstar will roll out his grill from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and dish up a never-ending spread of traditional, all-American fare (Texas-style smoked beef brisket, marinated swordfish brochettes, smoked pork ribs and more) prepared with Terrine’s French-California twist on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. $45+. 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. 8265 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 323.746.5130. terrinela.com
Playa Provisions
May 30. Celebrate the restaurant’s second anniversary with a parking lot beer garden featuring a variety of Stone Brewing’s craft beers on-tap, plus cocktails, grilled burgers and hot dogs. Also find DJ tunes and live music, children’s activities and more. playaprovisions.com