LA Eats: Top Michelin Rated

The Michelin Guide has returned to L.A.! After almost a decade long hiatus from the city of stars, the premier list of fine dining by the worlds leading cuisine connoisseurs was unveiled this month. While Los Angeles did not snag any 3-Star accolades, it did rank in 2 and 1-star ratings. For those not familiar with the Michelin Guide ranking system, the list, that originated in Europe is what fine dining establishments view as a career milestone. Even 1-star is considered winning an Oscar to well-established chefs. So treat yourself this week to what the Michelin Guide considers the best restaurants throughout L.A!

One Star

Bistro Na’s

CUT

Dialogue

Kali

Hayato

Kato

Le Comptoir

Maude

Mori Sushi

Nozawa Bar

Orsa & Winston

Osteria Mozza

Rustic Canyon

Q Sushi

Shibumi

Shin Sushi

Shunji

Taco Maria

Trois Mec

Two Stars

n/naka

Providence

Somni

Sushi Ginza Onodera

Urasawa

Vespertine

Out & About: Father’s Day Edition

Father’s Day is nearly here! If you haven’t quite figured out where to take Dad, no fear!! We narrowed down and compiled together the best activities throughout town this Father’s Day so you don’t have to. From the outfields to classic cars down Rodeo Drive, there’s fun for all to enjoy! So read on for Out and About: Father’s Day Edition.

LA Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Father’s Day Game

When: June 16, 4:05 p.m.

Where: Dodger Stadium

The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are two of the most exciting teams in Major League Baseball, and it is always a pleasure when the two match up. Great pitching, some of the best sluggers in the game, and an energetic crowd: these are just a few things that make it so great when the Cubs and Dodgers go toe to toe. You can expect a great time at the park during Cubs vs. Dodgers games. All fathers in attendance for the nationally televised game this Sunday are encouraged to hang around the ballpark for a special Father’s Day catch on the field.

26th Annual Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance

When:  June 16th, 10 a.m.-4p.m.

Where: Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

A Father’s Day tradition for 26 years, the annual Rodeo Drive car show is free and open to the public. The coveted automobiles are displayed along iconic Rodeo Drive for auto-enthusiasts of all kinds to admire up close. This year, the event will celebrate 100 legendary years of British marque Bentley. See some of the rarest and most historic Bentley vehicles in the world, alongside some of the brand’s latest creations against the backdrop of the city’s most famous street. Named one of the “300 Unmissable Events & Festivals Around the World” by top travel publisher Frommer’s, the Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance is an event you won’t want to miss!

Tiki Father’s Day

When: June 16, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

Where: The Propagator, Venice

It’s a tiki party for DAD this Father’s Day as The Propagator host an outdoor celebration. Join them for tiki-inspired beers, tiki vendors and fun for the whole family! No tickets required, limited edition Mai Tai glassware available while supplies last. So grab your favorite aloha shirt and a lei because tiki-attire is highly encouraged(and your Dad likely has a collection)!

Pasadena Chalk Festival

When: June 15 and 16th, 10 am-7 p.m.

Where: The Paseo, Pasadena

The Paseo, together with the Light Bringer Project, will host the 27th annual Pasadena Chalk Festival. The 2019 event, which explores the history and impact of the centuries-old artistry of street painting, will feature the spectacular work of nearly 600 dedicated and talented chalk artists. FREE and open to the public, the event is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors as artists use more than 25,000 sticks of pastel chalk to create hundreds of life-sized murals.

Father’s Day Celebration

When: June 16, 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Where: Ronald Regan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum is pleased to offer the father in your family a day of fun-filled activities.  Enjoy a delicious barbeque buffet of tri-tip, charbroiled marinated chicken, old fashioned macaroni and cheese, barbeque beans, coleslaw, and garlic rolls.  Finish your lunch with old fashioned fudge brownies and oatmeal raisin cookies.  Spend the rest of the day touring the Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum grounds and their amazing Air Force One Pavilion. Check-in will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m.  A professional photographer will be available to take your picture to commemorate this Father’s Day.

Father’s Day 5k, 10k, 1k, Half Marathon

When: June 15(Long Beach) 7:30 a.m., June 16 (Van Nuys) 7:30 am

Where: 5400 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, 6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys

For all our health guru Dads that aren’t very keen on the indulgent brunch options, heres an activity for you! This low-key clock timed course is the perfect way to spend your morning and is open to the entire family!

Escape Room

Where: 120 E. 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014

If your dad likes a good mystery or horror movies, he’ll love Escape Room LA. Guests are offered a chance to experience living through a horror movie and find a way to escape!

Go-Kart World

Where:  21830 Recreation Rd., Carson, CA 90745

Satisfy dad’s need for speed this Father’s day at Go-Kart World. Race around the track competing to the finish line!

Alondra Park Lake

Where: 3850 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Lawndale, CA 90261

Connect with nature this Father’s day! Spend some time fishing by the lake with dad bonding over food and great conversation.

LA Eats: Fathers Day Edition

Father’s Day will be here before you know it! With that in mind, don’t wait until the last minute to book the best bites and brews for Dad. While most of our fathers will opt for a backyard BBQ as opposed to a seated dinner, we’re recommending ditching the DIY celebration. Elevate your Fathers Day on June 16 with our selection of dining choices that are almost certainly “Dad Approved”. 

Spago

Location: 176 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills

Surrounded by Ed Ruscha art and beneath the stars is a Beverly Hills Gem. No we’re not talking about the most recent celebrity abode listing. Spago has set the scene for what is sure to be an extraordinary evening this Fathers Day. Their BBQ and Blues set menu is all that it seems and more. With a 3-course line-up of savory flavors that only Wolfgang Puck could succeed at, is a “dinner with dad” no brainer. Enjoy a barrel aged cocktail bar while listening to the soulful tunes of the Gary Allegreto Band. We could go on but it’s best you click below before tickets run out for this fête of bbq and blues fun. Fathers Day at Spago will be nothing short of a ‘Good Time’.

View the menu here.

Click here to book.

The Queen Mary

Location: 1126 Queen HWY, Long Beach

On June 16th, bring the entire family aboard the World Famous Queen Mary and treat Dad to something special! A local favorite, the Queen Mary Royal Sunday Brunch always lands on our holiday list as they take you on a worldwide culinary adventure and features over 50 unique dishes from around the globe. And if brunch isn’t Dad’s thing, enjoy dinner at the award-winning Sir Winston’s Restaurant and Lounge or Chelsea Chowder House.

Click here for more info.

Faith & Flower

Location: 705 W. 9th, Los Angeles, CA 90015

This Californian rustic cuisine offers an International Rib Festival-themed menu for Father’s Day. Be sure to book your brunch or dinner reservation at Faith & Flower!

Click here for more info!

Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse

Location: 330 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, CA 90071

This restaurant features a Father’s Day special and cocktails at Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse.

Click here for more info!

Salt’s Cure

Location: 1155 N. Highland Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038

Enjoy a prix-fixe menu this Father’s Day at Salt’s Cure. Treat dad to fresh ingredients and custom-made deserts or cocktails!

Click here for more info!

Lucques

Location: 8474 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood 90069

Experience the cozy décor of brick and newly renovated garden at Lucques. This restaurant is offering a special Father’s Day dinner which highlights the best in season from the Farmer’s Market.

Click here for more info!

A.O.C.

Location: 8700 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048

On Father’s Day, A.O.C. offers weekend brunch served on their patio or vibrant dining room. Families can enjoy classic meal sharing plates with more than enough to go around!

Click here for more info!

La Dolce Vita

Location: 9758 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210

La Dolce Vita restaurant offers a Father’s Day experience you won’t want to miss! This Beverly Hills landmark offers classic dishes from 5-10pm.

Click here for more info

Toscana

Location: 11653 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

Indulge in Toscana’s Father’s Day specialties along with the restaurant’s a la carte menu. Choose from four different specials for dinner and pair your meal with a cocktail.

Click here for more info

Tavern

Location: 11648 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049

Tavern provides some of the finest California and Mediterranean dining and conversation! Bring dad to their Father’s Day brunch or dinner to enjoy their special menu.

Click here for more info

LA Eats of The Week

Call it our catch phrase but with all the hustle and bustle throughout LA, narrowing down where to eat can be more stressful than traffic on the 405. With that in mind, spare yourself the hum drum of scrolling through yelp with our slimmed down list of the best spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Breakfast

Kitchen Mouse

Those with dietary restrictions will discover the many options Kitchen Mouse provides. Some of their meals include brown rice bowls, breakfast salads and snickerdoodle pancakes that are gluten-free, vegan, soy and nut-free.

Lincoln

This spot is popular amongst Instagrammer’s thanks to the exquisite décor and food that’s ‘pretty to look at.’ Many early riser’s love  Lincoln so much because of their 6:30 a.m. open times.

Lavender & Honey

Lavender & Honey is well-known for their avocado toast! This restaurant has a “toast bar” that features several toast specialties that are tasty and flavorful.

Lunch

Felix

This Italian cuisine located in Venice, CA is run by Evan Funke. Felix serves salads, superb focaccia and their main draws, handmade pastas.

MizLala

This Middle Eastern restaurant located in Sherman Oaks is ran by chef Danny and Justine Elmaleh. Mizlala serves reasonably priced dishes that display a wealth of flavor through their cooking techniques.

The Arthur J

The Arthur J provides a wide menu of grilled steaks, seafood and comfort food in a midcentury style restaurant. The crowded dining room is one of the most popular restaurants in South Bay!

Dinner

Pizzeria Mozza

Opened ten years ago by Nancy Silverton, this restaurant heralds an elevated yet casual atmosphere. Pizzeria Mozza has consistently served extraordinary desserts, salads and pizzas.

Luv2eat Thai Bistro

Luv2eat has become one of the most popular Thai spots in LA. This restaurant prepares plates of Southern and Northern specialties that complimented by mild to medium, intense spices.

Park’s Barbeque

Park’s Barbeque is arguably one of the world’s epicenters for Korean cuisine. With some of the best banchan found in Los Angeles, this restaurant provides many options to pair your meat selection with.

Weekend Events: May 31-June 2

The weekend is upon us, in what was already a short week for the majority of us. With the summer season drawing ever so near, the options for fun in L.A. are ramping up at full speed. And since most of our favorite binge worthy shows are also reaching their summer hiatus, you’ll need something more to do than Netflix and take-out. So ditch the usual routine and read on for our round-up of the city’s best activities happening this Friday through Sunday!!

Friday May 31
Friday Night Wine Tastings at Barnsdall park

Location: Barnsdall Art Park, Los Angeles

Join the Barnsdall Art Park as they kick off Friday Night Wine Tastings on the Hill this Friday May 31-September 6. The signature fundraising event, is considered one of L.A.’s most treasured summer traditions. Sip wine and picnic as you watch the sunset with 360-degree views.

Click here for more info.

Hola Mexico Film Festival

Location: The Montalban Theatre

The Hola Mexico Film festival will take place this Friday May 31 through June 8. The week long film festival starts off with an Opening Night Gala screening the LA premiere of LAS NINAS BIEN/THE GOOD GIRLS. The Gala will also include an opening night party with VIP ticket options available.

Click here for more info.

Late Night! Pride in Fashion

Location: Skirball Cultural Center

Kick off Pride Month at this late-night celebration of fashion. The Skirball Cultural Center will play host to two new exhibits, Fearless Fashion: Rudi Gernreich and Black is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite. Come during their after hours of 6:00-10:00pm and enjoy access to the galleries, a DJ set, food trucks, cash bar and much more. Just don’t forget to EXPRESS yourself in daringly appropriate attire!

Click here for more info.

Saturday June 1
Soundpedro

Location: Angels Gate Cultural Center, San Pedro

For the second year in a row Soundpedro returns to Angels Gate Cultural Center. This signature event featuring single and multi-media sound artists takes place atop Native American Land overlooking the Port of L.A. A sanctuary for the arts, the purpose of Soundpedro is the aural equivalent of cinema, painting, theater, sculpture and literature.

Click here for more info.

LAWineFest 2019

Location: Pike Outlets, Long Beach

An event that needs very little explanation is the LA Wine Fest. The 14th annual festival brings wines and brews from around the world  as a ‘Celebration of All Things Wine’.  Besides adult beverages the event also features boutiques to browse, gourmet nibbles live music and artisan merchandise for sale.

Click here for more info.

Gilmore Heritage Auto Show

Location: The Original Farmers Market

Don’t miss the annual Gilmore Heritage Auto Show as it returns for its 25th anniversary. The cherished event is held annually on the first Saturday of June featuring more than 100 classic cars on display. Free to the public, the event is known for its up-close-and-personal access granted to spectators.

Click here for more info.

Sunday June 2
Charles Phoenix: Catalinaland

Location: Avalon Casino Theatre, Avalon

Presented by the Catalina Island Museum, Charles Phoenix will be taking guest on a time traveling storytelling show adventure. The show will take the stage at the iconic Casino’s spectacular 1929 Art Deco Movie Palace. There will also be an after show party as a true celebration of the island and its hidden gems.

Click here for more info.

17th Annual LA OC Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma

Location: La Mirada Community Regional Park

Be part of the tradition in bringing awareness and raising funds for the Scleroderma Foundations annual walk-a-thon. The event will also feature a health fair, mission booths, raffles live music and a kidzone. Bring the entire family and share your story as you help the foundations SoCal chapter take a STEP towards a CURE.

Click here for more info.

9th Annual Pedal on the Pier Spin-a-thon

Location: Santa Monica Pier

We Spin, Kids Win! Come join us for the 9th Annual Pedal on the Pier Spin – a – thon in benefit of the Harold Robinson Foundation. This fitness fundraiser transforms Santa Monica Pier into a high energy outdoor cycling studio to raise money for the foundation’s Camp Ubuntu, which provides LA’s underprivileged children with a unique camp experience. The 5-hour spin-a-thon features teams riding stationary spin bikes, live musical performances, DJs, spin instructors from Revolution Fitness Santa Monica, celebrities, athletes, food and drinks from local restaurants, influential brands and fun festivities in the sun.

Click here for more info.

Weekend Events: May 24-26

As the countdown to summer begins, the wait for our holiday weekend is over. With so many options to kick-off your Memorial Day festivities , allow us to cut away the activity clutter. Whether you prefer the usual day-off fun or something a bit more lavish, we have you covered. So read on with the list below of this Friday through Sundays round up of fun things to do(and check-out our Memorial Day blog for even more weekend fun)!

Friday, May 24

Pacific Visions

Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach

The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach has just completed a major expansion called Pacific Visions featuring stunning interactive exhibitions, a state-of-the-art immersive Honda Pacific Visions Theater, an art gallery designed to transport visitors under the ocean, and live animal exhibits. The new wing officially opens to the public this Friday.

Click here for more info.

RuPaul’s DragCon

Location: Los Angeles Convention Center

RuPaul’s DragCon comes to the Los Angeles Convention Center May 24 – 26 for three days of art, pop culture, and all things drag. The convention features panels, photo ops, meet and greets, shopping, and much more.

Click here for more info.

WE RISE

Location: 1262 Palmetto St., Los Angeles

A free 10 day pop-up festival (May 18-27) will honor Mental Health Awareness Month through artists presentations, creative programming, workshops, activism, panels and more – all focused on supporting a call to action for mental health as a civil right.

Click here for more information.

Saturday, May 25

 Fiesta Hermosa

Location: Hermosa Beach

This Hermosa Beach free annual party will feature local vendors, food, beer gardens, games and live music right in the heart of Downtown Hermosa Beach.

Click here for more info.

46th annual Topanga Days Country Fair

Location: Pine Tree Circle

The Topanga Country Fair returns for its iconic, bohemian fundraiser in the Santa Monica Mountains. This family-friendly three-day festival includes musical acts on two stages, old school contests and games, local artisans, craft vendors, food and an annual Memorial Day parade.

Click here for more info.

Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival

Location: Rancho Santa Susana Community Park

Simi Valley’s Cajun & Blues Festival is set to take over Rancho Santa Susana Community Park this Memorial Day weekend May 25-26. The event will have live music, Cajun-Creole food, a Mardi Gras Parade, kid friendly activities and more.

Click here for more info.

Sunday, May 26

2nd Annual Corgi Nationals

Location: Santa Anita Park

The 2nd Annual Corgi Nationals comes to Santa Anita Park for a corgi-centric, family-friendly day in the sun. Highlights include carnival rides, food, drinks, corgi races and more.

Click here for more info.

Heritage Fest

Location: Angel City Brewery

The Art Districts Angel City Brewery will be hosting their annual celebration of the brewery. The day includes food, live music, live mural painting, an art tour, educational tastings and tours of the brewery, a “museum of Old Angel City Stuff” and lots more.

Click here for more info.

MAINopoly

Location: Main Street, Santa Monica

A Monopoly themed neighborhood party with food samples and drink specials from participating restaurants will takeover Main street in Santa Monica.

Click here for more info.

Out and About: Memorial Day Edition

Looking for something to do this Memorial Day? Look no further. Read our list below for a round-up of free events to kick off summer and Memorial Day weekend! Here are the top 10 events this holiday weekend happening in and around the city of stars! Spend some time Out and About with our Memorial Day Edition!!

Social Sunday’s Day Party Brunch

Location: Table 301-The Promenade N. #1, Long Beach, CA 90802

Come check out this free event hosted by DJ Y-Not at The Table’s patio with tv’s, a bar and fire pit. You won’t want to miss out on their bottomless mimosas, dominoes and board games!

2nd Annual Memorial Day MindFullness Fest

Location: 4329 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008

Come experience the 2nd annual Wellness Fest in Leimert Park for a day of fun, mental wealth awareness, great vibes, food, and entertainment. Collaborating partners include; We Can Foundation, Transmedia 360, Let’s Be Whole, Leimert Park Village Merchants Association, Black Excellence, P.E.A.C.E., Womb Warrior, AHF, NCBW 100, Barbara, CORE CA, & the Kingdom Day Parade.

1 OAK LA Memorial Day Sunday

Location: 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

Enjoy this New York nightlife experience at 1 OAK LA this Memorial Day weekend. Come dress up, turn up and dance all night with your friends for free Sunday night.

Chocolate Sundaes Comedy Show

Location: 7065 ½ Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028

Chocolate Sundae’s is hosting a comedy show this Sunday and every Sunday at the infamous Laugh Factory in Hollywood. RSVP to their complimentary Guest List to ensure free entry to this event!

Memorial Day Weekend Party

Location: 225 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Join DJ Who’s next and MC Bryan D this Memorial Day weekend party hosted by Power106. Take advantage of their free admission all night, this will be an event you won’t want to miss!

Mimosa Mondays LA-Memorial Day Edition

Location: 555 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Celebrate this holiday with The Alumni Group this Monday with drinks, brunch and good vibes. Enjoy an hour and a half of bottomless mimosas for $20 with purchase of your brunch entrée.

Memorial Day Pool Party

Location: The W Hotel, 930 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024

Kick off the summer poolside at the W Los Angeles-Beverly Hills. Indulge in barbecue and bottomless mimosas while listening to the pulsating sounds from the DJ.

Memorial Day Cookout

Location: 151 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Join PRIMUS for a free camping cookout event this Sunday! Come prepared to eat tasty cooked camp meals, free drinks as well as surprises and promotions will be provided.

Memorial Day Party at Above SIXTY

Location: 9360 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Above Sixty is throwing a pool party this Monday hosted by some of the top DJ’s in around the world! This location has amazing rooftop views, food and drink specials and prizes and free giveaways!

ApreeFit Memorial Day Workout

Location:  6300 Hetzler Road, Culver City, CA 90232

Char Apree is hosting a small, beginner-friendly workout this Memorial Day! This event is free however, RSVP to ensure your spot before it fills up.

LA Eats of the Week

With so many news eateries popping up throughout the year in LA, it can cause a bit of restaurant whiplash. Thats why we decided to narrow down your options with our weekly pick of the best places in town, so you can spend time enjoying and less time reading Yelp reviews. Read on to see whose serving up the best cuisine in this edition of LA Eats of the week!

 

Dudley Market

Location: Venice, CA 90291

Conner Mitchell, who previous opened the first rendition of Dudley Market a few years ago with Jesse Barber, has taken over this space again with a seafood and wine-focused menu that caters to the beachside neighborhood. The menu is reasonably priced, expansive (there’s meat and veggies too), and a fantastic list of wines that span the globe. Think of this as Dudley Market 2.0 in all the best ways.

Visit Website

Teddy’s Red Tacos Venice

Location: Venice, CA 90291

This popular East LA birria de res eatery has expanded to a prime street location in Venice’s Boardwalk, which is amazing news for taco fans on the Westside. With freshly chopped, slow-cooked beef served in warm tortillas and covered in a red-tinted consomme broth, this Tijuana dish is quickly taking over every corner of Los Angeles — even the sunny enclave of Venice.

Visit Website

Yours Truly

Location: Venice, CA

71Above chef Vartan Abgaryan ventures over to the Westside to work a completely different kind of restaurant: an a la carte menu with a neighborhood vibe. The menu spans a lot of Californian seasonality with LA’s international flavors, but expect polished, cheeky dishes from one of the city’s most capable culinary minds. Think hot shrimp on toast, a seafood take on the Nashville classic.

Visit Website

Audrey at the Hammer


Location: Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 443-7037

The Hammer Museum’s new ground floor restaurant is a stylish, lovely place to enjoy a buttoned up meal from restaurateur Soa Davis Forrest and former Maison Premiere (Brooklyn) chef Lisa Giffen, who combine gorgeous seasonal produce with a suave, every day menu of American fare. The razor clams and pork porterhouse are two highlights, and are strong proof that Westwood has long needed a restaurant like this.

Visit Website

Alta


Location: Los Angeles, CA

Highly-regarded San Francisco chef Daniel Patterson brings his Alta restaurant to West Adams, installing Watts native Keith Corbin as the chef. The fare and vibe is spot-on for what the neighborhood needs, a well composed dining room that doesn’t feel fussy with some “California soul food” to match on the menu. Corbin takes comfortable classics like fried chicken, oxtails and rice, and collard greens and puts a bit of finesse on them.

Visit Website

Spoon By H


Location: Los Angeles, CA

This beloved neighborhood dessert cafe has now been discovered as one of LA’s most creative Korean restaurants. Yoonjin Hwang plates delicious, and gorgeous, plates of new school Korean comfort dishes. Everyone should order the drinks and desserts too, because they’re just begging to show up on Instagram.

Kass


Location: Los Angeles, CA 90036

Former Ortolan chef Christophe Eme is back cooking elegant wine-friendly French cuisine along La Brea Avenue in a sleek little dining room. Grown-up restaurants like this aren’t as common, so it’s great to come in, sip excellent wine, and take in a few beautifully plated courses of Eme’s fine dining-level food.

Auburn


Location: Los Angeles, CA 90038

Talented chef Eric Bost has put together one of LA’s most refined new restaurants in Auburn, into the totally remade former Hatfield’s space on Melrose. The dining room boasts a Nordic minimalist look with subtle birch-style wood, lightly plastered gray walls, an open ceiling. and ample greenery. The menu is clever and creative, with twelve courses — nine savory and three sweet — with diners picking a choice of any four, six, or nine. Meals start at $75 and go up to $150 depending on the number of courses, plus more for wine pairings, but one could see this elegant but relatively approachable experience is clearly reaching for Michelin status.

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The Arthur J


Location: Manhattan Beach, CA

For midcentury vibes and classic service, The Arthur J fits the bill in Manhattan Beach. Offering a wide menu of comfort food, grilled steaks, and fantastic seafood, the crowded dining room is one of the South Bay’s most popular restaurants. Don’t skip dessert either from talented pastry chef Uyen Nguyen, like the persimmon upside-down cake.

Visit Website

Somni


Location: Los Angeles, CA

LA’s having a bit of a fine dining moment, and Somni is certainly up there with one of the most ambitious tasting menus. Aitor Zabala brings experience from José Andrés’s restaurants as well as the famed El Bulli to put together a Spanish and globally-inspired journey through some of LA’s top avant-garde cooking. The price is high, but the experience is special enough to make it worth it.

Visit Website

Out and About: Cinco De Mayo Edition

Here in Los Angeles we know how to celebrate when it comes to International holidays. For Cinco de Mayo this is no different. And since the odds are in our favor of May 5th falling on the weekend, there’s no excuse not to partake in city-wide revelry.

Food and Drink Deals

The Morrison

Atwater Village
Unlike other bars and restaurants that celebrate Cinco with specials for one, two, or even three days, The Morrison’s celebrating from RIGHT NOW WHENEVER YOU’RE READING THIS until the end of the big day, with offers like the $12 Mi Chimichanga and $7 Tres Leches Cake and drinks like $5 Corona and Modelo.

Petty Cash x Sari Sari Store

DTLA
Mid-city’s Petty Cash Taqueria is taking over the counter at Sari Sari Store in Grand Central Market on Cinco Proper, serving up guac, chips, tacos, and flan at the normally Filipino stand.

Petty Cash

Mid-city
As part of the LA Times Food Bowl series of events, Petty Cash proper’s going to be dropping a one-day-only brunch on May 5, from 9am to 3pm. Said brunch will include mushroom sopes with jack cheese, black beans, avocado, and a fried egg, and steak and eggs with poblano rice; walk-ins are welcome, but you’d probably do well to get yourself a reservation.

Te’Kila

Sherman Oaks
The Valley’s ultra-casual Mexican spot is gonna have an all-day happy hour on Sunday, with $6 shots of Patron Silver, margs for $6, and bacon-wrapped street dogs for $6, among a ton of other specials.

Pikoh

Culver City
Ricardo Zarate’s newest Peruvian-meets-Angeleno restaurant is going big for Cinco. They’ll be serving a $28 massive carafe of margarita that can serve up to six people. If you prefer your specials on a smaller scale, they’re also doing the Peru-inspired Chica Morada Margarita (with purple corn, apple, pineapple, lemon, tequila, and spices) for only $7.

Events and Parties

Cinco de Mayo at the Coliseum

Sunday, May 5
Exposition Park
The Coliseum’s hosting a totally-free shindig on Cinco proper — the festivities kick off at noon, including live traditional music, a beer garden, food trucks, and games with prizes. There’ll even be a pepper-eating contest, in case you’re looking for a non-hangover medical excuse to call out sick on Monday.

Taco Madness Live 2019

Saturday, May 4
La Plaza De Cultural Y Artes (Downtown)
It’s actually happening on cuatro de mayo, but this tortilla-wrapped food festival/taco-domination tournament is back for its 10th year. Celebrate the decade by feasting on a total smorgasbord of tacos, including offerings from the top four bracket picks: SonoratownBierriea Gonzalez, Tacos La Unica, and Macheen.

Cinco De Mayan at Lucha VaVoom
Mexican wrestlers, or luchadores, compete during the ‘Lucha VaVoom Cinco de Mayan’ at The Mayan Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The event is a colorful show of costumed luchadores intertwined with sexy burlesque dancers.

Friday, May 3 – Sunday, May 5
The Mayan Theater (Downtown)
It’s hard to picture Cinco de Mayo in LA without Lucha VaVoom, and thankfully you don’t have to. Lucha’s running its tenth annual Cinco spectacular over three days this year, which means three days of chicken-cloaked dwarf wrestling — and that’s not even the best stuff. In other words, buy tickets now.

Don Julio’s Cinco De Mayo Celebration

Saturday, May 4
Rolling Greens (Downtown)
The tequila band’s throwing its sombrero into the Cinco celebration with this RSVP-necessary party, which actually happens on the 4th. Not only will there be free beverages, but you’ll also get food from Tacos Delta. See a performance from an all-female mariachi band — just make sure to note that guests must be 21+ to attend.

Information courtesy of Thrillist