Fig & Olive Melrose Place
Executive Chef Wilfrid Hocquet celebrates spring with a new menu at Fig & Olive Melrose Place.

Each week we spotlight top Los Angeles restaurants, dining and drinking experiences you need to try.

Edited by Christina Xenos

Roku
April 5. West Hollywood’s new Japanese restaurant, ROKU will host an interactive Teppanyaki Dinner in collaboration with Table8. In addition to high-end proteins such as filet Mignon and Nova Scotia lobster tail, the all-inclusive tickets will include a complimentary craft cocktail, an order of decadent lobster garlic noodles and traditional hibachi shrimp. Table8 members $60, non-members $65. 6 p.m. 9201 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Tickets.

Tour de France with Thomas Keller
April 6. For one night only, you can join Chef Thomas Keller at Bouchon in Beverly Hills and let your taste buds travel from the shores of Brittany and Saint Tropez to the vibrant metropolis of Lyon to the rolling hillsides of Alsace and Gascony. The three-course menu celebrates the world’s longest and most important bike race, and is composed of classic preparations from the gastronomic heritage of France, prepared by Chef Keller and Bouchon’s chef de cuisines from Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, New York and Yountville. Reservations available from 5-10 p.m. 235 N Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310.271.9910. thomaskeller.com

Fundamental LA
April 6. Fundamental LA and Garber & Co. presents Dinner with a Winemaker: Aurore from J. Mourat Wines. The  five-course menu features dishes like hamachi tostada; steak tartare; griddled romaine hearts; braised beef cheek; and marzipan donuts, each paired with varietals from the winery in Fiefs Vendeens (Loire, France). $95/pp. 6 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner. RSVP: alicia@fundamental-la.com. 1303 Westwood Blvd., L.A., 310.918.3942. fundamental-la.com

Fig & Olive
With a new season comes a new menu, celebrated by a new chef for Fig & Olive Melrose Place. Executive Chef Wilfrid Hocquet perfectly captures the season with a menu of new dishes that feature the best of the seasons ingredients like citrus, peas an asparagus. Highlights of the menu include dishes like crab salad with jumbo lump crab, celery, celeriac, snow peas, green apples, lime, cilantro, scallion, horseradish and pink pepper; primavera risotto with Arborio rice, asparagus, green peas, pea shoots, parmesan, garlic and shallots; sea scallops with seared scallop, carrot-orange purée, roasted orange segments and honey heirloom carrots with charmoula; filet Mignon marinated with rosemary, thyme, garlic, barley risotto with hedgehog mushroom, manchego, and mascarpone cheese with olive oil; and clementine vacherin with blood orange coulis, clementine sorbet, white chocolate mousse and meringue. 8490 Melrose Pl., West Hollywood, 310.360.9100. figandolive.com

Beverly Hills Culinary Week
April 4-8. Over 50 Beverly Hills restaurants, hotels, and retail stores will offer culinary experiences and food and beverage specials during Beverly Hills Culinary Week. Restaurants will offer unique culinary experiences and specials that range from cooking demonstrations, wine and spirit tastings, and chef tables, to prix fixe dinners, complimentary dishes and up to half off entire menus and bottles of wine. Participating retail stores will have special late hours for diners with culinary-related specials, displays, and special guests. Kick off is April 4 at 7 p.m. at Avec Nous, the new contemporary French bistro located adjacent to L’Ermitage Beverly Hills. See website for full list of participants and offerings. (photo DYLAN + JENI) BHCulinaryWeek.com

Palm Desert Food & Wine
April 8-10. Escape L.A. for the weekend for the three-day festival, held in the heart of Palm Desert’s famed El Paseo shopping district. The event features the return of the popular multi-course James Beard Luncheon, live cooking demonstrations from celebrity chef talent, cookbook signings, and tastings from over 40 restaurants and 60 premium wineries, breweries and spirits purveyors. Also enjoy “Pints & Plates” craft beer garden, offering expert-led beer pairing demos from local breweries; and the “Chill Zone,” a dedicated section of the festival featuring all things cooling, from frosty cocktails to artisanal ice cream treats and more. $100-$150. The Gardens on El Paseo, 73-545 El Paseo Palm Desert. palmdesertfoodandwine.com

Petty Cash Taqueria
The Beverly Blvd. taqueria launches lunch for the first time ever. Chef Walter Manzke and Chef de Cuisine Fabian Gallardo have created a special menu of highlights like TJ Style Chopped Salad; green burrito with Brussels sprouts, avocado, tomatillo salsa, jack cheese; and carne asada burrito, grilled ribeye, pinto beans, pico de gallo and guacamole; in addition to favorites like tacos, ceviche, and quesadillas. The restaurant also offers lunch on the weekend that includes chilaquiles, Mexican-style huevos and nachos with Mary’s organic grilled chicken adobo nacho, red sauce, cheese, soft egg and avocado. Weds.-Fri. noon-3 p.m., Sat.-Sun. noon-5 p.m. 7360 Beverly Blvd., 323.933.5300. pettycashtaqueria.com

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