Monday, January 12:
Lunasia Opens
Previously wine bar Vol. 94, this dim sum spot opened their doors on Sunday. The two-story eatery is serving up steamed dishes like jumbo pork and shrimp siu mai; spare ribs; BBQ pork buns; shrimp rice noodle rolls; sticky rice leaf wrap; vegetable dumplings; and minced chicken buns. Baked and deep fried dishes include pan fried pork dumplings; deep fried salted pork dumplings; shrimp egg rolls; veggie bean curd rolls; deep fried almond crusted fish balls; and crispy vermicelli shrimp rolls. Open daily at 10 am; 239 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA; 626.793.8822
PIFLabs
Have you wanted to be on Shark Tank for a brilliant idea? Well, this networking event is your chance to pitch your idea that will change the world. They’ve got angel investors and VCs coming who are ready to network, and booths you can set up to pitch your startup. Monday, 6-10 pm; Basement Tavern, 2640 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405
Game on at Del Frisco’s Grille
As College Football Championships get underway, head to Del Frisco’s to watch on their flat screen TVs while enjoying drink and food specials available in the bar. Sandwiches and flatbreads are $10, cocktails are $8 cocktail and $2 off any draft beer. Order the Grille’s Prime Cheeseburger ($18.50) thats two patties made with a blend of chuck, brisket and short ribs, then grilled and topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and sloppy sauce and served on a brioche bun. You can enjoy a choice of fries, including the Grille’s Original Fries, Sea Salt and Parmesan Fries, or Sweet Potato Frites paired with a pint of craft beer. Monday, 5 pm; Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618; 949.341.0376
Foie Gras Returns
In honor of the ban being lifted in California many restaurants are celebrating the delicacy. Terrine plans an all foie gras dinner on Monday; Hot’s Kitchen in Hermosa Beach never stopped serving the treat and spearheaded the litigation to bring down the ban; also look for it on the menu at Melisse, Monsieur Marcel and more as many others as L.A. chefs get in on the action. GC Marketplace also has a foie gras burger starting Monday, with sauteed foie gras and vin santo gastrique served open face on house-baked challah bread.
Chop Daddy’s tm Opens in Culver City
AdVantage Restaurant Partners announced plans to open the second Chop Daddy’s tm in Culver City. This is the second location of Chop Daddy’s as part of AdVantage Restaurant Partners’ expansion plan for the fast-casual barbecue concept, which has its first location in Venice. Chop Daddy’s Culver City will begin a limited lunch service on Monday, 11 am– 2 pm at their “lunch window”. Chop Daddy’s anticipates a summer opening for the full restaurant once renovations of the existing dining room are complete. The space will feature 50 seats as well as beer and wine. 9552 Washington Blvd., Culver City
Tuesday, January 13:
Farmer’s Market at Grand Park
Every Tuesday, make your way to DTLA for their weekly farmer’s market. Fresh flowers, locally grown produce, and prepared food vendors are all available. Tuesday, 10 am- 2 pm; Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles 90012
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® debuts Mexican Chocolate
Indulge in any small (12 oz.) Mexican Chocolate beverage for only $2. (Offer valid at all participating The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® stores.) Handcrafted in hot, cold, and caffeine-free varieties, the Mexican Chocolate Latte, Ice Blended® drink, and Mexican Hot Chocolate beverages combine chocolate with notes of warm cinnamon and mocha shavings for a sweet, smooth, and creamy take on the traditional cultural favorite. Pair the new Mexican Chocolate beverages with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®’s new Churro Toast ($2.50). The wheat loaf is baked with cinnamon chips and topped with crunchy cinnamon sugar. For an added treat, order a side of Maple Almond Butter to spread atop the warm Churro Toast. Tuesday, 2 – 6 pm
Wednesday, January 14:
National Pastrami Day
Brix at The Shore, which is known for its authentic NYC-style pastrami sandwiches is celebrating National Pastrami Day by offering a buy one, get one free proposition. Nosh on The Fuhgeddaboudit featuring thinly-sliced pastrami piled high between two pieces of rye-bread with coleslaw and special sauce. Wednesday, 11 am-10 pm; 5362 E. Second St., Belmont Shore, CA; 562.343.5998
Cheese 101
In their Cheese 101 course, Andrew teaches the history, origin and the basics about cheese. They also have many of the most famous cheeses available to sample! $30; Wednesday; Andrew’s Cheese Shop, 728 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA
LA Art Show Opening Night Party
Start the LA Art Show off right with the opening reception party at the LA Convention Center. Be the first to preview art from top galleries and enjoy culinary delight and specialty beverages. Ticket proceeds support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Wednesday, 8-11 pm; LA Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles 90015
Hutchinson’s Cocktails & Grill‘s New Menu
Los Angeles’ only Indonesian Steakhouse is unveiling its updated menu tonight, which includes a new late night dining menu beginning at 10 pm. The updated menu includes the addition of: Kabocha Squash Soup with red curry coconut cream and toasted pepitas; Tomahawk Ribeye; and Green Mango & Papaya Salad with basil poached prawns, kafir lime and nuac mam. The Late Night Menu, includes a 8 oz. dry-aged brisket; a burger served on a Pain au Lait bun with smoked gouda, buttermilk fried shallot rings, onion sriracha ketchup and garlic aioli; Grilled Pork Ribs with ginger-pineapple glaze, cabbage apple slaw; and Green Curry Fried Chicken Sandwich with pain au lait, cabbage slaw, served with hand-cut fries. 826 N La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069; 310.360.0884
Thursday, January 15:
Rocco’s Opens in Pasadena
The new restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena and has a “Happy Hour” 11 am – 7 pm (3 – 7 pm on the weekends). The spot features a huge garage style entrance with inviting seating along with original wooden ceiling beams and industrial style sky lights. The kitchen features Rocco’s traditional Italian menu and signature pizzas. Thursday; 44 West Green St., Pasadena, CA
Paella Thursdays
Malibu Pier Restaurant & Bar is hibernating this winter and will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but will be open Wednesday-Sunday and moving their paella nights to Thursdays. Feast on Chef Jason Fullilove’s paella with bomba rice, saffron, Spanish chorizo, jidori chicken thighs, clams, mussels and head on prawns. $25; Thursdays; 23000 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
Tar on the Boulevard: Mr. Hancock’s Ranch and the Future of the La Brea Tar Pits
Doug Suisman, author of the classic Los Angeles Boulevard: Eight X-Rays of the Body Public, is lecturing as he looks at the La Brea Tar Pits in the context of Los Angeles’s urban history and the development of its boulevards, especially Wilshire. He’ll trace the development of the La Brea Tar Pits from tar pools to private rancho to asphalt mine to excavation site to public park to world-renowned paleontological site museum. And he’ll look at the future of the Tar Pits, as new development projects — subway line, high-rises, and LACMA expansion — promise to change the urban context of Hancock’s ranch once again. L.A. Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne will introduce the evening, and a Q&A will follow the lecture.Copies of the 25th anniversary edition of Los Angeles Boulevard will be available for purchase at the Museum Store. Free; Thursday, 6:30 – 9 pm
photo la
The international photographic art exposition photo la returns for its 24th year. The 2015 edition of photo la will expand its diverse showcase of photographic art, ranging from 19th Century works to contemporary and innovative photography-based art. Alongside galleries, dealers, museums, and nonprofit organizations, photo la will also expand its acclaimed programming to include more lectures, roundtable discussions, special installations, and docent tours with distinguished members of the photographic/arts community. This year, photo la is pleased to honor Catherine Opie, and the fair’s exclusive VIP opening gala will celebrate her lifelong contributions to the arts. Additionally, all proceeds from the opening gala will go towards photo la 2015 beneficiary The United Way of Greater Los Angeles and The Painted Brain. Thursday-Sunday; The REEF/LA Mart, 1933 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90007