This 5 course prix fixe menu showcases a variety of rustic dishes from Martino’s time with Chef Wexler’s personal twist. The menu includes the Sgombri con Zucchini e Finocchi – Mackerel, summer squash, wild fennel sauce, Zanzarelli con Fava e Zafferano – Bread soup, fava bean, and saffron, Tagliarini Genovese – fresh pasta, arugula, mozzarella, and parmigiano, Maialino de Latte Arrosto – Roasted suckling pig, garlic, herbs, and offal sauce, and the Crostata di Mandorle – Almond tart, date, coffee.

There are 2 limited seatings per night, 7:15PM & 9PM for this intimate dinner. Make your reservations. 852 Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Come and get it. 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, California, 91103

Opening Night Presented by Tequila Don Julio– Fri., Aug. 30^th, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. The Times Food team along with chefs and bartenders participating over the weekend will come together for a special opening night soirée with a focused collection of tastings, distinctive cocktail and wine offerings, and live entertainment.

Field to Fork –Sat., Aug. 31^st, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Russ Parsons, Times Food Editor, hosts a day inspired by fresh, local ingredients and the pleasure of cooking – and eating – seasonal dishes.

Flavors of L.A. –Sat., Aug. 31^st, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Jonathan Gold, Times Restaurant Critic, hosts an event full of authentic dishes from around the world via the best local restaurants.

Labor Day Block Party –Sun., Sept. 1^st, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Noelle Carter, Times Test Kitchen Director, hosts a celebration of the dishes that exemplify an end-of-summer bash with family and friends.

Cocktail Confidential –Sun., Sept. 1^st, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Betty Hallock, Times Deputy Food Editor, and Jessica Gelt, Food & Night Life Writer, host an evening dedicated to the culinary creations and libations that typify cocktail culture.

Paramount Studios 5555 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038.

Looking for something a little fancier? Donut Snob in Los Angeles, CA is a donut catering service that’ll bring the donuts to you! Call for details.

June 6

Marie Antoine Careme (1974-1833) – One of the most influential chefs to ever live, Careme’s genius was the spirit behind the movement of Grand Cuisine. Careme first made his name as a pastry chef in Paris. He is credited with inventing the first recipes for meringue, nougat, and croquantes. His pastry architectural pieces were the first of their kind in France, and he became the chef to France’s most elite politicians and members of high society. Careme became equally known for his influence in savory food as well.  He invented numerous French sauces, and was the first to categorize all sauces as derivatives of the four French “Mother Sauces.” He died at age 48 in Paris from inhaling too many fumes from the coals which he used to cook.

June 13

Maestro Martino (1430-1482) – Known as “The Prince of Cooks” Maestro Martino di Como is one of the great legendary chefs of Italy. His most famous work was a book he wrote with Platina, a well known 15th century philosopher from Lombardy. The book’s name is, De Honesta Voluptade et Valetudine, and it’s considered the most influential book in Italian cookery. Martino first made his name as a Chef in Milan, but then became famous once he moved to Rome to become the Chef in the Vatican in 1462. Martino’s cooking showed influence from Northern, Central, and Southern Italy. He was the first to specifically classify Italian dishes from their origin, such as tripa all romana and triofe alla Genovese amongst many others.

June 20

Santi Santamaria (1958-2011) – One of the first chefs to draw widespread culinary attention to Spain, Santi Santamaria was the first Catalan Chef to ever run a 3-Star Michelin Restaurant;Can Fabes. Santamaria is most well known for honoring the purity of the best local Spanish ingredients he could find, and treating them with the utmost respect and skill. In his later years Santamaria was famous for his criticism of Molecular Gastronomy, most notably of famed Spanish Chef Ferran Adria. Santamaria strongly felt that the use of chemicals have no place in the kitchen, as he clearly stated in his book La Cocina al Desunudo. He also owned restaurants in Madrid, Barcelona, Dubai, and Singapore. Santa Maria died of a heart attack in 2011 at his new restaurant Santi in Singapore.

June 27

Gilbert Le Coze (1945-1994) – Born on the coast of Brittany France, Gilbert Le Coze first opened Le Bernardinin Paris in 1972. Before his New York rendition became one of the most celebrated restaurants in the world, Gilbert, along with his sister Maguy, opened their original with humble beginnings. Le Coze never had any formal French training of any kind, but always had an intense passion for the fresh fish he grew up eating in Brittany. While Le Coze didn’t know how to make traditional French sauces or classic preparations, he developed a style of cooking fish absolutely perfectly and treating every piece of fish differently. His food was about bringing out the best possible attribute in every fish, with extreme focus and simplicity. While Le Coze is no longer with us, his legacy lives through his 3-star Michelin Restaurant in New York, where legendary Chef Eric Ripert makes sure that Le Coze’s philosophy is behind every dish and “the fish is always the star of the plate.”

July 3

Bernard Loiseau (1951-2003) – Loiseau was born in the Auvergne region of France, and was known as being one of the hardest working and most meticulous French chefs to ever live.  In 1975, Loiseau and French restaurateur Claude Verger bought the restaurant La Cote d’ Or, and in 1991 the restaurant earned three Michelin
Stars. A fierce traditionalist, Loiseau was not a fan of the sweeping modernization of French cuisine during the late 1990’s, and many felt that he was becoming frustrated with the way it was evolving. By 2000 the chef was in serious debt and was clinically depressed. He shot himself in the head in February 2003, after his restaurant slipped from a 19/20 to a 17/20 in Gault Millau (a French restaurant guide) and rumors that Michelin was going to deduct a star from him.  To this day, however, Le Relais Bernard Loiseau is still the owner of three Michelin Stars.

July 11

Mansuke Nadaya (1801-1852) – Born in Osaka, Nadaya was the creator of the restaurant Naddaman, which is now a culinary empire boasting over 24 locations in Asia. The restaurant opened as a traditional Osakan restaurant with influences from Nagasaki and China in 1830. At this restaurant is where Kaiseki cuisine was popularized, serving multiple different dishes on one tray. Today not only does he live on through Naddaman restaurants, but his Kaiseki style dining is still one of the most popular styles of eating in Japan.

July 18

Jean Luis Palladin (1946-1993) – Jean-Louis Palladin was born in 1946 in the small southwestern French town of Condòm. In 1974, at 28 years old, Jean-Louis Palladin won two Michelin stars for his restaurant Tables Des Cordeliers in Gascony, France. At the time he was the youngest chef to have won two stars. Palladin came to America in 1979 to open Jean-Louis at the Watergate, in the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. Unsatisfied with the ingredients available to restaurant kitchens at the time, he learned about the special qualities of Chesapeake blue crab and rockfish, local tomatoes and corn, found farmers to grow fresh herbs and organic vegetables, and encouraged others to raise poultry and meats to his standards. Palladin was constantly on the search for the very best talent. He offered them his product resources, his time, and his friendship. He created a brotherhood among chefs, and truly raised the level of cuisine in America. He died in November 2001 at age 55 from lung cancer.

August 1

Sylvia Woods (1926-2012) – Born in South Carolina, Sylvia Woods and her husband moved to New York City in 1944. She was studying to become a beautician while working as a waitress at the popular Johnson’s Luncheonette in Harlem. In 1962, the owner of Johnson’s was looking to sell the restaurant for $20,000.00, and Sylvia had friends and family help her purchase it. Since 1962, Sylvia’s has become the most famous soul food restaurant in America. The Harlem landmark became a hangout for not only locals and families, but also the most famous celebrities and politicians in the world. Woods wrote two influential soul food cookbooks, and has a product line of her own sauces, seasonings, and cornbread mix. Sylvia died at her home in Mount Vernon, NY in 2012.

August 8

Chen Kenmin (1912-1990) – “The Father of Chinese Sichuan Cooking in Japan”, Chen Kenmin was a Japanese chef of Chinese origin and the father of Iron Chef Chinese, Chen Kenichi. He moved to Japan in 1952, originally his expertise being traditional Chinese imperial cuisine. In 1958, however, he opened restaurant Shisen Hanten, which specialized in Shanghai-style Sichuan cooking. He is the standard for which all other great Chinese chefs in Japan are compared to.

August 15

Julia Child (1912-2004) – Born is Pasadena, California, it can be argued that Julia Child is the most important person to ever pickup a pan in America. She is largely responsible for the popularization of French Cuisine in the US with her many television series including: The French Chef, Julia Child and Company, and Cooking with a Master Chef (amongst many others). She was the first television-cooking star in America, and she paved way for TV personalities such as Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, Jacques Pepin, and everybody who has followed. In addition to being such a vibrant television personality, she is equally respected for her skill and technique. Her cookbooks Mastering the Art of French Cooking Volumes 1 and 2, and The Way to Cook, are considered bibles in any home kitchen, or a reference for any chef.

Beer list:

Beach House Amber
24th St. Pale
Atticus IPA
White Sand Imperial IPA
Bahgeera East India Pale Ale (3rd Anniversary Beer) last keg in LA
Ito-Weisse
Cherry Ito-Weisse
Musashi Black IPA

Competing for the title of Prince of Pork were Jet Tila of The Charleston with pork sliders and khao soi, Sean Dent of House of Blues/Event Host with pork egg rolls, Gavin Lansdale of Ford’s Filling Station with an array of pork dishes from the delectable bacon toffee to pig skin ramen, Ray Garcia of FIG with a spin on classic mexican dishes like pork butt tamales, posole, and pork infused Lucas, and Joshua Whigham of The Bazaar with a variety of dishes from pig head croquettas to chicharrones bravas. Once guests completed the round of tastings and perhaps an additional round if they managed to squeeze through the crowd, they were each given a token to vote for their favorite chef. With much anticipation and after the official count, sporting a festive luchador ensemble, Chef Ray Garcia was dubbed the Prince of Pork and is advancing to the Grand Cochon in Aspen.

In addition to the pork tastings, guests pillaged through a craft American cheese bar, oysters, Michael Mina’s pop-up tartare bar, and experienced a butcher demo of a Guniea Hog from Lindy and Grundy. To wash that pork fat down our throats were 5 wineries – Paul Mathew, Elk Cove, Simi, Robert Kacher, and Vibrant Rioja; 5 American Whiskeys – Four Roses, Templeton Rye, Breckenridge Distillery, High West Whiskey, and Buffalo Trace; as well as aperitifs from Fernet Blanca, Ilegal Mezcal, Cripin Hard Ciders, and Anchor Brewing.

Monday, May 20^th, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
West Hollywood, 8539 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

Tuesday, May 21^st, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Beverly Hills, 281 S. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Wednesday, May 22^nd, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Santa Monica, 213 Arizona Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90401

NATIONAL BURGER DAY, Tuesday, May 28^th, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Del Mar, 2720 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014

Restrictions: Cannot be combined with other offers. Only valid at the participating stores at the specific time. Good for dine in only. One free burger per purchase, no cash value.

Rivabella – West Hollywood, CA : Join Rivabella for a Mother’s Day brunch buffet ($44/person) of traditional Italian dishes like the Porchetta, whole salmon cooked in the restaurant’s wood burning oven, customizable egg dishes, and an extensive charcuterie and cheese spread. Mommy’s can enjoy brunch cocktails like the “Brunch” Bellini – Aqua di Cedro, Peach Puree, a hint of fresh lemon, and topped off with Champagne; or the Sunday Summer Cocktail - Atlantico Reserva Rum, fresh lime juice, Shisho, and Champagne.  Mothers will also receive a special Mother’s Day gift. 9201 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Willie Jane – Venice, CA : Join Executive Chef Govind Armstrong for Mother’s day prix fixe brunch($42) at his new restaurant Willie Jane, a seasonal California restaurant focusing on cuisine of the low country and coastal cuisine of the Southern states. Guests choose from selections that include Grapefruit Brulee with minted seasonal berries and Roasted Asparagus with farm egg and bottarga, and entrees like Smoked Trout Benedict with biscuit, braised collards, poached egg, and mustard hollandaise or Buttermilk Waffles with bourbon glazed bananas and spiced pecan butter. For an additional $15, guest can enjoy bottomless mimosas. Brunch is offered from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 1031 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA

WP24 – Downtown Los Angeles, CA :  Spend Mother’s Day with afternoon tea at WP24′s “Tea at the Top” where guests enjoy  housemade pastries, innovative tea blends from Art of Tea, and a small gift from The Ritz-Carlton, Spa Los Angeles for mom for $65 per adult, $20 per child excluding tax and gratuity. Seatings are at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2 p.m. 900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Le Ka – Downtown, Los Angeles : Looking for an early brunch to squeeze in the maximal amount of Mother’s Day activities?  Le Ka will be kicking off their Sunday Brunch at 10:30AM.  800 W 6th St  Los Angeles, CA 90017

The Royce Wood-Fired Steakhouse – Pasadena, CA :  Experience an interactive Market Brunch at the revamped The Royce with a mimosa station in the White Wine Room, displays of fresh breakfast pastries, and live-action stations. 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. / $95 per person ($35 for children 4-12). 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106

Esterel at the Sofitel  – Los Angeles, CA : Dive into Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch menu from 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at Esterel at the Sofitel. A wide selection of options are available from the fresh baked pastries to the organic baby beet salad with herb low fat fromage blanc, roasted squash local spring mixed greens, sweet tomato, shaved fennel, and cucumber to a carving station with pepper crusted tenderloin served with horseradish cream and mushroom demi glace sauce and much more. $68 for all Moms and adults (14+) including “Bottomless Mimosas”  and $29/child. 8555 Beverly Blvd  Los Angeles, CA 90048 

Public Kitchen & Bar – Hollywood, CA : Delight mom with the lavish Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and Public Kitchen & Bar’s Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet($45/person). Patrons will enjoy Chef Tim Goodell’s Kale Salad with currants, pine nuts, pancetta breadcrumbs, and garlic dressing and Smoked Salmon Blinis with dill and yoghurt, as well as a customizable Frittata and carving station serving Prime Rib. Brunch will be offered from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 7000 Hollywood Blvd Hollywood, CA

M Café – Los Angeles, CA : Bring mom a macrobiotic and delicious breakfast in bed with M Caf’es Breakfast in Bed Package. This nifty kit includes a choice of: Famous Vegan Benedict or Scottish Smoked Salmon Benedict, fresh squeezed orange, grapefruit or carrot juice; a heart-shaped Strawberry Shortcake (free of any refined sugars, eggs, or dairy) and a flower just for Mom! The package is available for $22.99 (Vegan Benedict) or $24.99 (Smoked Salmon Benedict) but be sure to place orders for delivery by 5 pm on Saturday, May 11^th. *Free Delivery will be offered within a 2-mile radius on all pre-paid orders. Dine-in guests have the option to enjoy the regular breakfast menu with a special M-is-for-MOM Breakfast Slam, which includes M Café’s signature Tofu Scramble with one housemade multigrain pancake, and smokey tempeh bacon for $9.95. All moms will also receive a fresh cut flower (while supplies last). 7119 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Chaya – Downtown Los Angeles, Venice, & Beverly Hills : Celebrate Mother’s Day at each of the CHAYA locations with a 3-course brunch menu priced at $39 per person. Dishes offered include Cured Salmon Salad with Frisee, Aparagus, Market Radish, Candied Walnut and Blood Orange Vinaigrette (CHAYA Brasserie Beverly Hills), or the Yellowtail Crudo with Tonburi, Oro Blanco, Micro Cilantro, and Blue Corn Tortilla (CHAYA Downtown) for starters  while entrée options include Smoked Salmon Benedict,  or  Pappardelle with Kobe Beef Bolognese with Maitake Mushrooms, Poached Egg, and Truffle Oil. Desert options include classics like Warm Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding with Caramel Ice Cream, or Flourless Chocolate Cake.

CAFE del REY – Marina del Rey, CA : Cafe del Rey presents a three-course prix fixe brunch which also includes bottomless mimosa’s, sparkling wine, or sparkling cider for $45/person in celebration of Mother’s Day andthe Loyola Marymount University Graduation. The Mediterranean spring brunch menu will include a variety of dishes from the Dungeness Crab Cakes to the Tuna Tartar to the Short Rib Hash and the Linguini with Clams. Brunch will be available from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. 4451 Admiralty Way in Marina Del Rey, CA.

The Backyard Restaurant – Westwood, CA : Indulge in Mother’s Day brunch specials from Executive Chef Dakota Weiss from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM like the Mom’s oatmeal raisin cookie stuffed french toast with Cinnamon swirl brioche, vanilla cream cheese or “The kids are in bed” Late night grilled cheese sandwich with Bourbon glazed apples, thick cut bacon, gruyere, toasted walnut bread. Regularly scheduled Sunday brunch items are also available. W Hotel, 930 Hilgard Ave., Westwood, CA 90024.

Sweet Rose Creamery  – Santa Monica, CA : If your mom loves ice cream more than she enjoys dining, Sweet Rose Creamery is offering a limited edition Mother’s Day package, available for pre-sale through May 12. For $25, ice cream connoseurs enjoy 4 – 8 oz. packages of ice cream like the rose geranium with salty pistachio, candied mandarinquats with vanilla wafer, Valrhona chocolate sorbet, and the buttermilk sherbet with strawberry ripple. 225 26th St #51  Santa Monica, CA 90402

Join Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks, CA on Sunday, May 5^th from 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM in celebration of Cinco de Mayo with George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman’s  Casamigos Tequila. Casamigo cocktails served up include Mi Casa es Su Casa, made with Casamigos Blanco tequila, basil, lime, agave nectar and grapefruit soda  and the Casamigos Margarita. A variety of fun dishes are available as well as a photo booth onsite. 13301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Tortilla Republic in West Hollywood, CA will be hosting its first Grande Cinco de Mayo Block Party from 2-7PM on Sunday benefitting Project Angel Food – a non-profit organization that provides free and nutritious meals to those affect byHIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Partnered with the City of West Hollywood, Bacaradi, Cazadores, Corona and much more, the event features mariachi, DJs Dan Knapp and Aaron Elvis, VIP area, piñata pit, beer and cocktails from festival partners and food from Tortilla Republic for a donation of$10 for general admission and $20 VIP. 616 N. Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069  

The Mixing Room at JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE celebrates Cinco De Mayo through the weekend starting at 3:00-PM with Mexican street food, Avion Tequila drink specials, and a lively mariachi band. 900 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015.

Honor Cinco de Mayo with pork at COCHON555 on Sunday, May 5^th at 4:00PM at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, CA. Enjoy an exciting culinary competition in search of the Prince of Pork with 5 of LA’s top chefs. Focused on nose-to-tail cooking and sustainable farming of heritage breed pigs, this lavish pork feast is accompanied by tastings from a number of wineries and distilleries, including 5 additional bourbons. VIP guests receive early access and special offerings ($200; 4PM entry) while general admission goes for ($125; 5PM entry). Cinco de Mayo after party to follow. 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA.

Want to enjoy Cinco de Mayo at home? Bootleggers Brewery in Orange County, CA  is bringing back Chongo, their annual Cinco de Mayo lager.

Photo credit – Nico Marques.

Here are a couple places to celebrate the holiday with hollandaise!

The Mercantile in Hollywood, CA – Enjoy eggs benedict from former Top Chef contestant CJ Jacobson with the Mercantile Eggs Benedict with Pinot Noir Hollandaise with Ham on an English Muffin. [Available during the weekend brunch only].

 Muddy Leek in Culver City, CA serves up their eggs benedict served on a Housemade English Muffin, Chicken Apple Sausage, Hollandaise, & Avocado.

  Little Dom’s in Los Feliz, CA offers Eggs Fungi Poached with Roasted Mushrooms, Grilled Bread, Fennel Pollen Hollandaise.

Executive Chef Atsushi Kenjo will be offering an array of dishes highlight cherries and cherry blossoms in their Hanami Bento ($22 for 3 items; $28 for 4 items) for dinner only.

Mix and match options such as:

• Kale Salad with Apple, Hazelnut, and Ginger-Ranch Dressing

• Japanese Eggplant Baba Ganoush with Yuzu Pepper, Lemon Oil and Pita

• Coffee BBQ Mini Pork Shank with Chipotle Miso

• Duck Confit Spring Rolls with Sweet Miso Glaze

• Pan-Roasted Petrol Sole with Spinach, Mushroom and Sakura Vin Blanc

Adult beverages featuring cherries offered are the Cherry Bellini with cherry sorbet ($8), Sakuratini ($8), and a variety of rare boutique Japanese sake flights. 525 S. Flower Street, Los Angeles (City National Plaza; cross street Fifth).

Photography by Natalie Woyshner.

Written by Terese Sy; Photo courtesy of Ryan Tanaka.