Category Archives: Food

St. Patrick’s Day Round-Up of Round-Ups

I’ve been eyeing the St. Patrick’s Day specials going around Twitter all week and have finally decided on one – in Hollywood. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a ton of other options available. Whether you’re looking for a few special Irish menu items, a pub to knock back a couple ales, Irish music or happy hour [...]

Mendocino Farms Offers Irish Stew Lamb Sandwich This Week

Do you work downtown or will be in the area for lunchtime this week? Looking for a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this week without so much as touching a green beer? Now there’s another reason to stop by the notoriously delicious Mendocino Farms for your mid-day refueling. Chef and partner Betty Han has [...]

Garden Market Thursdays With A View at Yamashiro

Do you have a regular 9-5 that makes you unable to make it to the daytime weekday farmer’s market in the neighborhood? Looking for an outdoor rendezvous with a view that makes it possible to simultaneously support local growers and vendors? Never considered farmer’s markets especially romantic (well – why would you)?
The Thursday night Yamashiro Garden [...]

Hudson House Celebrates 1st Anniversary on Sunday

This weekend, Hudson House in Redondo Beach turns one. To toast the occasion, the also-owners of Beechwood in Venice will be welcoming all who wish to help celebrate with a complimentary Hudson Ale or a Blood Orange Chinaco Tequila Cocktail on Sunday. You can also expect complimentary bar bites to accompany your free drink. Win [...]

The Hungry Cat Is Older Than My Cat: Last Day of Half-Off Specials Today

The bad news is, I rarely blog on the weekends. The good news is, the second of two days of The Hungry Cat’s 5-year Anniversary Celebration is today, all day - therefore, there’s still time to take advantage.
The celebratory special isn’t shabby, either. How is 50% off specialty cocktails, draft beer and all bottles of wine?! [...]

Matt Biancaniello Specialty Cocktails at Oscar Viewing Party at The Roosevelt

Didn’t manage to fanagle your way into the Oscars? For all us commoners – or those who didn’t pass the background check – the next best thing is to corral friends together for a viewing party across the street. The Roosevelt Hotel will be setting up screens in the lobby, Dakota and 25 Degrees for [...]

Nobu Reinvents Tapas Menu With Omakase Option in Bar & Lounge

Perhaps you’re in the neighborhood but not in the mood to commit for the night. You want bites, not entrees – and were thinking something more elegant than bar food: The Nobu bar or lounge might be the perfect place to stop. They’ve recently made some additions to their already-popular menu – like Uni Dry [...]

Chicken Showdown: Ludo Lefebvre vs. Eric Greenspan at The Foundry

It was a special night at The Foundry on Melrose, and the occasion would be my long-delayed first visit to the restaurant. After all, this is where a lot of the LA comfort food scene originated – Chef Eric Greenspan (2008 Grilled Cheese Invitational winner and once-Iron Chef contestant) plans to open a grilled cheese-only [...]

Christophe Happillon Features West Coast Oysters at Joe’s Restaurant

It may have been another night out in the neighborhood for Chris when I met her and Ken at Joe’s on Abbot Kinney last friday. But it had been awhile since I had a drink from their bartender, S. Hector Bury – and he didn’t disappoint with a delicious cocktail made with bacon-infused bourbon.
But we [...]

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa’s Maravilla A Hidden Gem

I had occasion to visit Ojai Valley Inn & Spa not of my own accord, but on invitation to spend the night there after attending the Papabubble candy-making workshop one Saturday afternoon. That is, not before enjoying a special meal in the resort hotel’s main restaurant (of a total 4), Maravilla. The resort itself is [...]