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Chef Celestino Drago to feature ‘Throwback’ dishes to say goodbye to Drago Santa Monica
Drago Santa Monica to close at the end of January
After serving 21 years of authentic and modern Italian cuisine, Chef and Owner Celestino Drago will be closing Drago Santa Monica by the end of this month. In commemoration of Drago Santa Monica’s last 21 years, Chef Celestino is offering additional throwback menu items to the current menu featuring seven dishes from the original 1991 menu starting Monday, January 9th to the end of the month.
Although Drago Santa Monica will be missed, worry not, as you can still enjoy Chef Celestino’s other 3 restaurants Drago Centro in Downtown Los Angeles, Enoteca Drago and Il Pastaio in Beverly Hills. Chef Celestino also offers Drago Catering for private events at home as well as at Drago’s new event venue – Casa Bianca in Culver City. 2628 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90403. 310-828-1585. Read More
Prego Ristorante in Irvine, CA is hosting their first wine dinner of 2012 on Friday, January 27 at 7 PM. Executive Chef Ugo Allesina is featuring a five-course meal paired with wines from Italian winery Michele Chiarlo. “We want the first wine dinner of the year to set the tone for all future monthly events,” says chef Ugo. “Since our wine dinner menus are focused on seasonal ingredients, I will utilize the best produce available to me, and focus on winter comforts foods. This will be the first time we’ll be featuring Wild Boar at the restaurant, and I’m certain that guests will enjoy this stew.” Call 949-553-1333 for reservations. 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, CA 92612. Read More
Urban Masala has been soft opened since December and now is officially open on the touristy part of town serving up Indian dishes like: Chicken Tikka Masala bowl, Chana Masala (Indian chickpea stew with tomatoes) plates and Gulab Jamun (warm donuts floating in sweet syrup).
The fast casual restaurant will also serve beer and wine (waiting on liquor license) and lasis, masala tea and Indian sodas. Urban Masala will stay open late from Thursday to Saturday from 11 AM to 3 AM, and 11 AM to 11 PM from Sunday to Wednesday. 6554 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028.
Bistro 45′s Chef Steven Lona: Iron Chef inspirations
Reinvigorating classical French preparations
Chef Steven Lona a native of Southern California grew up watching old school Iron Chef episodes and spent years with his grandmother cooking in the kitchen before he decided to ultimately pursue the culinary trade. With schooling and years of working in the kitchen from Marche Moderne in Costa Mesa to Studio at the Montage in Laguna Beach, he’s landed himself at Bistro 45, a 21 year old French eatery in Pasadena, CA. We sat down with chef and discussed growing up in Southern California, his approach with food and advice to those thinking about making cooking a career. Read More
Golden Road Brewing officially launches pub with extended hours of operation
It's all coming together
Golden Road Brewing has had three goals since they opened, produce as much beer as possible, get the canning line up and running, and open up a pub. Well folks, the pub is here (since mid-December with limited hours and abbreviated menu) and the cans are right around the corner. The Pub will be featuring food items created by Chef Adam Levoe with 20 planned taps in the future (five taps to start). See examples of the menu and plans for the taps. Read More
dineLA Restaurant Week participants announced with over 300 restaurants
January 22 - 27 & January 29 - February 3
Join dineLA in its 5th year of Restaurant Week celebrating the growing prowess and diversity of the LA culinary scene with over 300 participating restaurants for two weeks from January 22 – 27 and January 29 – February 3. The extensive list of restaurants include dining experiences located from Manhattan Beach to Pasadena serving fixed menus for your casual lunches to fine dining dinners. Read More
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.’s ‘From the Barrel’ event: where beer meets port and bourbon
With a Prohibition theme
Paso Robles based and winner of 2011 Great American Beer Festival’s “Mid-Size Brewing Company and Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewer of the Year,” Firestone Walker Brewing Co., is throwing a party for beer fans eager to learn about ports and bourbons on March 30 from 7 PM – 10 PM at the Santa Margarita Ranch in Santa Margarita, CA (about 200 miles outside of Los Angeles). Read More
Bill and Hiroko’s, sits on a strip of auto repair shops in Van Nuys, CA and has been serving burgers before any of our staff were born. Established in the mid 60′s, this burger stand serves simple and affordable traditional American eats from grilled cheese to tuna melts. The Double Cheese Burger is made of two beef patties, lettuce, tomatoes, diced onions, and cheese. Now onto the rest of the food porn. Read More
Win two tickets to the 7th Annual Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show
Contest ends January 10 at 1 PM PST
We have two tickets for you to the 7th Annual Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show held at the Long Beach Convention Center on January 14 or 15. Expect to see Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern, Samantha Brown and more speaking at the event. Learn more about it here and enter to win after the jump. It’s easy! Read More
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Didn’t like our first list of places to go for New Year’s Eve? How about another one? Here’s a few more spots for you to welcome 2012 across Los Angeles. Read More
‘International Fiery Foods Challenge’ at the 7th Annual Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show
For the traveling foodies
More details are out for the 7th Annual Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show this January 14 – 15 at the Long Beach Convention Center for the “International Fiery Foods Challenge.” Offering a variety of tasty dishes to sample from around the world, interactive cooking demonstrations on the Culinary Stage, a cooking class, and learn helpful tips for foodies from your favorite travel personalities. Read More
The Surly Goat, a craft beer centered bar in West Hollywood is hosting a New Year’s Eve party with special pours of hard to get beers like: Firestone 15, Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA, Lost Abbey Red Poppy and more. Happy hour starts from 6 PM to 8 PM with (selected) $4 drinks. Entrance is free before 8 PM and $20 at the door after, which includes two selected taps and/or well cocktails. Music provided by resident DJs Hey Mesa & Bad Knews. No RSVP required. 7929 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046.
German style restaurant and bar, Bru Haus on Wilshire in L.A. is having a “New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball” on Saturday, December 31 from 8 PM to 2 PM. The event features all-you-can drink well drinks and selected beers plus appetizers and dessert (chocolate covered strawberries). Champagne to be provided moments before 2012. $80 pre-sale and $100 at the door. Next morning (if you can get up), the “New Year’s Day Jammy Jam Brunch” will feature items like: brioche French toast and German potato pancakes. Guests dressed in their pajamas (onesies and lingerie) will receive a free shot. 11831 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025. 310-473-2337.
Kick off the New Year with M.B. Post in Manhattan Beach as they kick off their brunch menu on Monday, January 2 from 10 AM to 1:30 PM. Serving up small plates such as pecan sticky buns; truffle honey laced organic fried chicken; ricotta-stuffed French toast, and the M.B. Post Benedict – an organic egg, La Quercia Prosciutto, rocket greens, bacon cheddar buttermilk biscuit and hollandaise. Regularly scheduled brunch will begin January 7th, opened Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 1:30 PM. 1142 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. 310-545-5405.
Join Rush Street in Culver City for their Super Sports Sunday on January 1st to enjoy all New Year’s Day games at once while you load your empty belly with the Red Zone Brunch offering build-your-own omelets, breakfast burritos and tater tots, as well as a bottomless bloody Mary bar and bottomless mimosas. As an added treat, you can enjoy brunch Monday, January 2 from 10 AM to 3:30 PM for the “Overtime/Bonus Brunch.” 9546 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. 310-837-9546.
El Carmen, tequila & mescal bar wants you to celebrate your ‘last year on earth’
On Saturday, December 31 from 7 PM to 2 PM
El Carmen on 3rd in Los Angeles is celebrating New Year’s Eve with a “Last Year on Earth Party”, a tribute to the end of the Mayan calendar. The Saturday event will have no cover and comes with a Champagne toast at midnight plus music by Indie 103.1’s DJ José Galván. El Carmen currently houses more than 400 tequilas and mescals. For reservations call 323-852-1552. 8138 West 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Shore Hotel in Santa Monica has a New Year’s Resolution package from January 1 – 31, 2012. They have partnered with Pressed Juicery, ASICS America, and Tikkun Spa to create a healthy package to start 2012. Rates start at $435 based on single occupancy. Read More
