Los Angeles : Deals/News/Events

DineLA Warming Up for Winter

BuzzEditor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:03:00 GMT

What would a new season be without some restaurant-week action? DineLA has announced its winter dates, January 24–29 and January 31–February 5. While details haven't been finalized, expect a similar showing of more than 200 restaurants, most likely offering three tiers of three-course prix fixe meals. Check back here for more information soon.

Getting Into That Beaujolais Spirit

BuzzEditor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:10:00 GMT

Photo: courtesy of FI:AF

It's that time of year again. On Thursday, November 19, the latest crop of Beaujolais Nouveau begins pouring into wine glasses the world round. To try it, head to the Petersen Automotive Museum where $20 in advance ($30 at the door) buys you a glass of 2009 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau served in a souvenir wine glass, and $3–$5 buys you dishes to match prepared by chefs from the Club Culinaire of French Cuisine. To sweeten the deal, there will be free entertainment from 7 PM–midnight (6060 Wilshire Blvd.; 323-656-6083).

Celebrating Sona

BuzzEditor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:28:00 GMT

Sona

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

To celebrate the seventh anniversary of his New French flagship, Sona, chef David Myers is serving a special tasting menu Tuesdays–Thursdays throughout the month of November – seven courses for $77, including Maine lobster risotto with kaffir lime leaf, roasted duck with celery root–shiso salad and braised short ribs with cardamom-boniato purée. Feeling like there's not enough time to try it out? Though the restaurant is closed next week, good news: the offer has been extended through December (310-659-7708; reserve online).

Bld Shakes It With Booze

BuzzEditor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:05:00 GMT

bld

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

You know what brings the Buzz to anyone's yard? Alcoholic milkshakes. Which is why we're so happy that bld his throwing "Milkshake Madness Night" on the final Sunday of every month (albeit, this month it happens on November 22). Pastry chef Mariah Swan is appealing to your inner child with a menu of booze-laden shakes, offering flavors like Graham Cracker with Godiva liqueur, caramel and tequila, and oatmeal stout, chocolate and bourbon. And, no, kiddies shouldn't even sniff these remarkably potent refreshments.

Turkey Time: Thanksgiving '09

BuzzEditor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:08:00 GMT

Photo: Ion Sokhos

A Thanksgiving dinner where you don't have to clean up afterward is truly something to be thankful about. The following restaurants are offering meals for gobbling on November 26.

Akasha

9543 Culver Blvd., Culver City; 310-845-1700

This Culver City American is offering a prix fixe organic feast (including a pie buffet) with dishes like Weiser Farms winter squash soup, slow roasted turkey with sage and chestnut stuffing, herb and wild peppercorn tofu and a plethora of sides and pies. For the menu, click here (noon–7 PM; $55 for adults, $30 for children under 12; 310-845-1700).

Beacon

3280 Helms Ave., Culver City; 310-838-7500

Those hungry for a fusion alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving will find it at this Culver City Asian cafe, which is serving a three-course meal of everything from Windrose Farms squash and apple soup, to braised beef short rib with wasabi crème fraîche, with pumpkin cheesecake for dessert (3–7:30 PM, $46 for adults; $24 for children under 12; 310-838-7500).

Bistro Garden at Coldwater

12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; 818-501-0202

This upscale Studio City Continental is offering a three-course meal of duck confit ravioli; a choice of turkey, slow-braised short ribs or broiled white fish; and a dessert selection that includes the house signature soufflés, both chocolate and pumpkin (2–8 PM; $58 for adults, $38 for children).

BLT Steak

8720 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; 310-360-1950

Namesake chef Laurent Tourondel is whipping up a three-course prix fixe, including a celery root, chestnut and apple soup; wild mushroom risotto with mushroom cappuccino; and bacon-wrapped wild salmon with cabbage fondue (1–8 PM; $68 per person, $34 for children 12 and under; 310-360-1950).

Breeze

2025 Ave. of the Stars, Century City; 310-551-3334

All afternoon, this Californian inside the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza offers its annual "Turkey Tales" buffet featuring, among many other things, oven-roasted turkey, prime rib, pumpkin chutney, cheddar cream corn casserole, freshly shucked blue points and citrus-marinated shrimp. Champagne is included (noon–7 PM; $65 for adults, $25 for children four–12; free for children three and under).

Caché

3110 Main St., Santa Monica; 310-399-4800

Josiah Citrin's casual Santa Monica spin-off of his top-of-the-line Mélisse offers a three-course meal for the holiday, with numerous choices at each level, including seared foie gras with glazed apples, potato-crusted sea bass and a spiced pumpkin pie with caramel sauce (3–7:45 PM; $65 for adults, $25 for children under eight).

Cafe Del Rey

4451 Admiralty Wy., Marina del Rey; 310-823-6395

It’s a dockside Thanksgiving with live music at this Marina del Rey Cal-Med, which is offering a three-course menu of dishes ranging from red kuri squash soup to veal sweetbreads and housemade sausage to Maine diver scallops with parsnip purée. The meal also features a free-range turkey with wild rice stuffing. Don’t forget to also try the holiday drinks, like spiked hot apple cider ($8) and a “cornucopia” cocktail for $12 (1–7 PM; $55 per person; to look at the menu, click here [PDF]).

Craft

10100 Constellation Blvd., Century City; 310-279-4180

Tom Colicchio’s Century City New American will offer a three-course prix fixe served family-style, with options including a spiced pork terrine with poached pear, roasted Scottish salmon and pumpkin bread pudding (2–8 PM; $85 per person; $40 for children 11 and younger).

Fogo de Chão

133 N. Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills; 310-289-7755

This Beverly Hills Brazilian all-you-can-eat churrascaria is celebrating the holiday with its usual menu of beef, beef and more beef (lunch 11:30 AM–3 PM, $42.50 per person; dinner 4–9:30 PM, $56.50 per person; children six–10 are half the adult price).

Grace

7360 Beverly Blvd.; 323-934-4400

Neal Fraser's New American is offering to-go meals of deep-fried turkey ($145, feeds eight), mashed Yukon gold potatoes ($14 per quart), thyme and black truffle turkey gravy ($20 per quart) and more (order before November 25).

JAR

8225 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood; 323-655-6566

Once again, Suzanne Tracht's Beverly Boulevard New American is celebrating the holiday by offering a three-course meal of chestnut chickpea soup, oyster stew with Chinese celery and turkey with five trimmings served family-style (1–8 PM; $85 per adult; $40 per child).

JiRaffe

502 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica; 310-917-6671

Chef-owner Raphael Lunetta is offering a three-course Thanksgiving meal with fare like corn chowder with king crab, pancetta-wrapped scallops, butternut squash soup and a choice of turkey, osso buco or wild striped bass. His pumpkin pie comes with a honey mascarpone cream (2–8 PM; $68 per adult, $35 for children; 310-917-6671).

Joe's

1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; 310-399-5811

Chef-owner Joe Miller takes both a traditional and an alternative approach to Thanksgiving with a four-course meal that ranges from brined Shelton turkey to cod sous-vide to crisp pork belly and beans (1–9 PM; $55 per adult, $25 for children; 310-399-5811).

Lawry’s The Prime Rib

100 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills; 310-652-2827

If what you want for Thanksgiving is prime rib, head to this La Cienega Boulevard legend. But for those who can't bear to venture off the traditional path, there's also an option for a full turkey feast, priced at a reasonable $29 per person (1–8:30 PM; $32–$49 for prime rib; 310-652-2827).

Mélisse

1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; 310-395-0881

At Zagat's top-rated French, Josiah Citrin is offering a three-course repast that includes seared foie gras with allspice currant reduction, Maine lobster ravioli with shaved white truffles (for $48 extra) and a dry-aged prime rib with horseradish jus. All entrees are served with a choice of your three favorite Thanksgiving sides (3–7:30 PM; $89 adults, $42 children; 310-395-0881).

Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro

189 The Grove Dr.; 323-965-9595

The name may be Gallic, but for Thanksgiving, this Grove at the Farmers Market favorite goes pure American with both an upstairs and a downstairs option. Those dining in the casual downstairs bistro pay $24 for their plate of turkey with gravy and cranberry relish; those who opt for the more opulent upstairs steakhouse room get a three-course menu for $65 per person (11:30 AM–11 PM in the bistro; 4–11 PM in the steakhouse).

Nick & Stef's Steakhouse

330 S. Hope St.; 213-680-0330

For those who demand a taste of tradition, Joachim Splichal's Downtown beefery is putting the steaks aside for the day in favor of turkey with all the trimmings (3–9:30 PM; $32 for adults, $15.95 for children; 213-680-0330).

Original Pantry Cafe

877 S. Figueroa St.; 213-972-9279

This classic Downtown coffee shop is planning a complete turkey dinner with sides, priced at a reasonable "under $20 per person" (11 AM on; 213-972-9279).

Patina

141 S. Grand Ave.; 213-972-3331

For those who want their Thanksgiving to exude gourmet elegance, Downtown's Patina offers a four-course menu of butternut squash ravioli, slowly cooked Chatham cod with roasted artichoke and barigoule jus, and, yes, a turkey with wild mushroom stuffing (noon–8 PM; $60 per adult, $30 children; 213-972-3331).

Saddle Peak Lodge

419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas; 818-222-3888

This rustic American high above the hills of Malibu will serve a four-course sit-down including free-range turkey prepared two ways (braised, roasted), pan-roasted Scottish salmon, New Zealand venison loin, grilled quail with bacon fricassee, roasted pumpkin agnolotti and more (noon–8 PM; $85 per adult, $45 for children; 818-222-3888).

Zucca Ristorante

801 S. Figueroa St.; 213-614-7800

If you can talk your family into breaking with tradition, the Italian-style Thanksgiving meal offered at Joachim Splichal's Downtown Tuscan is a reliable choice – think pumpkin tortelloni, homemade wild-boar ragu pappardelle and grilled beef tenderloin in Barolo wine (served from 2 PM on; $39 adults, $15.95 children; 213-614-7800).

Zagat To Go, Now On Android

BuzzEditor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:28:00 GMT

Finally, something that both the iPhone and the Droid does: Zagat To Go, our popular smartphone application for finding ratings and reviews of over 40,000 restaurants, hotels, nightlife and shopping worldwide, has come to Google's Android phone OS. And not only can you search for your favorite spots, the home-screen widget will offer you a randomly selected nearby restaurant for you to try. To get the app, which costs just $9.99, point your finger to the Android Marketplace.

Chefs Place Their Bets at the Borgata

BuzzEditor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:25:00 GMT

Photos: Hernan F. Rodriguez

Celeb chefs and 700 food fans gathered at The Water Club in Atlantic City this weekend for the second-annual Savor Borgata event. Wolfgang Puck worked his station for over four hours straight, serving up pad Thai, grilled shrimp, steak and scallop skewers, and Chinese chicken salad. When the Buzz asked the super chef if he was a gambling man, he responded that he used to be but since opening restaurants, he rarely gambles: “Opening a restaurant is a gamble in itself because of the investment of time and money. But unlike blackjack, if people sit at our table at least they get something for their money!” Puck also responded to rumors of opening an NYC spot, “It hasn’t happened yet, because I am very difficult, but it may finally happen.”

Bobby Flay took some time between assembling surf ‘n’ turf skewers to tell the Buzz about his recent visit to the White House to film an episode of Iron Chef America. “No matter what your politics are, I just found the Obamas so impressive as people. And the White House seemed to be a house in every sense of the word. The first lady can go from being as professional as she could possibly be as first lady, then spin on her heels and become mom two seconds later. The President made me feel so comfortable, he made me feel like I knew him 30 seconds into it.” When Olympic gold medalist Peggy Fleming came by to introduce herself, Flay was so awestruck he asked the Buzz to take a picture of him with the famous figure skater-turned-winemaker (her label Fleming-Jenkins provided wine for the event).

Geoffrey Zakarian, who is the culinary consultant for the hotel, served beef tartare with mostarda and pickled chanterelles. The chef said even though he’s not by nature a gambling man, his biggest gamble in life was leaving business school for cooking school. He confided to the Buzz about being a Chopped judge, saying, “There is certainly a lot of nonsense in reality TV because everyone wants to be a star, and everyone wants to think they are a chef. But in the real world, in a restaurant, we have to find competent people who understand what's on TV is not real. You can cook in 30 minutes but can you run a kitchen day after day? Can you make your money back to investors? The people who can't cut it get ground to the dust very quickly.” Zakarian also confirmed that his new NYC spot, The Lamb’s Club, his “luxury bar and grill” in Midtown’s Chatwal Hotel, is on target for a spring opening.

Other chefs in the house: Fornelletto's Stephen Kalt, who said that his recent opening in Atlantic City foreshadows a return to NYC; izakaya’s Michael Schulson; and SeaBlue’s Michael Mina.

– Kathleen Squires

Riding Waves at the Bazaar

BuzzEditor — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:24:00 GMT

Rojo y Blanca at The Bazaar by José Andrés

Photo: Natasha Bedu

During the month of November, José Andrés is offering a special menu at The Bazaar that consists of six "waves" of dishes meant to be shared, accompanied by four Spanish wines ($100 per person; served throughout the evening; 310-247-0400).

Weekend Menu: Phelps Wine, Speakeasy and Organic Charity

BuzzEditor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:39:00 GMT

Looking for a tipple and nibble this weekend? Try these.

Thursday and Friday, November 5–6: The Belvedere at the Peninsula Beverly Hills offers a four-course meal from chef James Overbaugh paired with four Joseph Phelps wines – including their 2006 "Insignia," which retails for $199 a bottle – for $98 per person (6–10:30 PM; 310-788-2306).

Saturday, November 7: At Speakeasy, the relentlessly creative Dan Silberstein of www.drinkeatplay.com turns the ballroom at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel into a jazz lounge and bar with mixologists from all over town gathering to pour samples of gin, bourbon and scotch, along with fruits and cheeses. For those who opt for the VIP option, there is also a champagne bar (8–11 PM, 7 PM for VIP; $75 for general admission, $150 for VIPs; for more info, click here).

Sunday, November 8: CBS Studio Center hosts the 23rd annual "Go Green, Go Organic" benefit for the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California. At the culinary dine-around from noon to 3:30 PM, expect sustainable, organic dishes served by more than 30 restaurants, including Akasha, BLT Steak, Cecconi's, Loteria! Grill, Grace and XIV ($150 per person; click here for tickets).

Craft-ing a Cal-Italian Dinner

BuzzEditor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:52:00 GMT

Craft

photo: Alen Lin

On Wednesday, November 11, get a Craft-y taste of Italy when chef de cuisine Anthony Zappola and pastry chef Shannon Swindle prepare a five-course California/Boot dinner – think braised Maine lobster with smoked bacon, porcini and watercress and venison saddle with Tuscan kale – paired with wines from Palmina winery. For a look at the full menu, click past the jump (7 PM; $125 per person; call 424-204-7485 or e-mail tcancino@craftlosangeles.com for reservations).

California Meets Italy wine dinner:

Wednesday, November 11th at 7pm
$125.00 per person (including wine pairings)

Menu:

Hors d'Oeuvres
Tocai Friulano, Honea Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley, 2008

---

Fluke Crudo with Citrus & Wild Fennel
Malvasia Bianca, Larner Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley, 2008

---

Braised Maine Lobster with Smoked Bacon, Porcini & Watercress
Barbera, Santa Barbara County, 2007

---

Roasted California Squab with Leg Ravioli, Chestnuts & Sage
Nebbiolo, Santa Barbara County, 2007

---

Venison Saddle with Tuscan Kale & Cippolini
Undici, 2006

---

Almond Praline Panna Cotta with Roasted Warren Pear
Santita, 2006

Cooking With Coco

BuzzEditor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:14:00 GMT

David Chang's pork neck with succotash

Photo and recipe: courtesy of Phaidon Press

For its latest cookbook, Coco, Phaidon Press turned to 10 world-leading chefs – Ferran Adrià, Mario Batali, Shannon Bennett, Alain Ducasse, Fergus Henderson, Yoshihiro Murata, Gordon Ramsay, René Redzepi, Alice Waters and Jacky Yu – to each pick 10 contemporary chefs from around the world. In turn, each of those chefs then wrote a menu and recipes for the book. The final product is more than 400 pages of gorgeous photographs, mouthwatering recipes and interesting tidbits from kitchens around the world. Want a taste? After the jump, get the recipe for pork neck with succotash from New York chef David Chang (of the Momofuku empire).

Pork Neck with Succotash
Serves 4
Recipe by David Chang

For the pork neck
300 g kosher salt
270 g sugar
6 liters hot water
2 bay leaves
25 g black peppercorns
6 liters cold water
10 g pink salt
1 pork neck

Mix the salt, sugar, hot water, bay leaves, and black peppercorns.
Mix the cold water with the pink salt.
Add the pork neck and confit 5 hours at 300°F (150°C) covered.
When tender, press between 2 sheet trays. Portion into serving size pieces.
Crisp on a griddle or pan to heat through.

For the succotash
100 g ground (minced) smoked, think-cut pork belly
12 g chanterelle mushrooms
250 g lima (butter) beans
175 g corn (sweetcorn) kernels
Butter for sautéing
1 tbsp tarragon, chopped
4 ml buttermilk
120 g butter
130 g arugula (rocket)

Sauté the pork belly, chanterelles, lima beans, and corn in a pan.
Finish with a pinch of salt and pepper, chopped tarragon, buttermilk, butter, and arugula.

La Cachette Lunch Deal

BuzzEditor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:11:00 GMT

Chef Jean Francois Meteigner is now serving a $15 prix fixe lunch at La Cachette Bistro from noon–2:30 PM, Monday–Friday, beginning with a choice of soup du jour or mixed green salad; then moving into entrees like a baked brioche filled with ham and Swiss cheese; and concluding with dessert choices such as macaroons or bread pudding. Expect the menu to change every few days (310-470-4992; reserve online).

ZAGAT.mobi, Now With Your Tweets

BuzzEditor — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:32:00 GMT

Read the latest Twitter entries on ZAGAT.mobi

ZAGAT.mobi just got Twitter-fied. Now when you look up restaurants on our award-winning mobile website, not only can you access our trusted ratings and reviews, you can also read up-to-the-minute comments about the restaurant on Twitter. You don't have to download or install anything to get in on the fun – simply visit ZAGAT.mobi on any web-enabled phone, be it an iPhone, a BlackBerry or a Pre, and see what people are saying about your favorite spot. Now that's something to tweet about.

All Hallows' Eats

BuzzEditor — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Photo: Hanna Horwarth

In a city built on fantasy and illusion, it's not surprising that Halloween is a big deal. And at the heart of it is the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, which will close Santa Monica Boulevard (and much of West Hollywood) to traffic all day this Saturday, with the parade itself beginning at 6 PM and running late into the evening. A crowd estimated at close to half a million lines the sidewalks to watch participants of innumerable sexual persuasions strut their stuff. If you want to eat at one of WeHo's many popular restaurants – Asia de Cuba, Baby Blues, Chaya Brasserie, Boa, Lucques, Madeo, Nobu LA, The Palm, Sona and Wa – it's a good idea to book early.

But should you want to do the creepy thing a distance from the maddening crowd, you might also consider some of these options:

For the week of October 31–November 31, Santa Monica's Locanda del Lago will be celebrating "Hal-Lago-Ween" with dishes like "Soup From the After-Life," "Bats Stomach and Intestine Pasta," "Black Snake With Dragon Eyes" and "Wolf Filet With Rabid Dog Canines" served both à la carte and in a pair of "Spooky Specials" (three courses for $45, four courses for $56; regular menu also available; 310-451-3525; reserve online).

Come October 31, Five Crowns – the Lawry's sib in Corona del Mar – has asked its servers to dress up for a costume competition, and there will be a watching for the restaurant's fabled ghosts, who haunt the wine room, the Hurley and Brighton Rooms, and the upstairs ladies' room (949-760-0331; reserve online).

In Fullerton, the venerable Cellar is hosting its annual "Trick or Eat Halloween Dinner Party" on October 30 and 31, with help from the Maverick Theater Troup. An evening of Halloween high jinks for grown-ups, the dinner includes a four-course fixed-price meal of dishes like "Slimy Slugs in a Coffin" and "Veal Guts With Fungus Among Us" (begins at 6:30 PM on Friday and 5:30 PM on Saturday; $49.95 per person; 714-525-5682; reserve online).

Meanwhile, in always-costume-laden Venice, at Joe's "Voodoo Lounge," à la carte dishes include "Pickled Babies and Candied Corn" (made with baby octopus and corn brittle), "Witch's Stew" (baby pumpkins filled with sweetbread, lobster, gizzards and bone marrow) and "Vampire's Light" (seared scallops with 'bull's blood' beets). Scared yet? Wash away your fears with tipples like the "Obituary Cocktail" and the "Devil's Brew" (310-399-5811; reserve online).

Finally, to the north on the restored Malibu Pier, The Beachcomber Malibu is serving special Halloween cocktails – think "The Witches' Cauldron" (a flaming brew made with 151 rum, banana rum, orange juice, pineapple and mango), the "Cat's Eye" (lemon vodka, apple pucker and lemonade) and the Zombie (vodka and lime juice with a gummy worm) – for $9 each (310-456-9800; reserve online).

Early-Bird Happy Hours

BuzzEditor — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:35:00 GMT

Cecconi's

Photo: Amy Murrell

The ultratrendy, celeb-heavy Cecconi's in West Hollywood has started to offer a Sunday–Thursday "Pizzette on the Patio" happy hour from 4–6 PM, with options including of a glass of prosecco and a mini-pizza for $12 – along with a commanding view of early-bird supermodels arriving before a long night on the town (310-432-2000).

In Paris, businesspersons pause before heading home with a nibble and a libation, a ritual that's being replicated from 4–6 PM, Monday–Friday, at West Hollywood French brasserie Comme Ça. Guests can enjoy $7 small plates, $2 oysters and $7 aphrodisiac-themed cocktails with names like "Live to Love." For a full look at the menu, find the PDF here (323-782-1104).