Michele StuevenThe long-awaited opening of the Helms Bakery made its debut this week in Culver City. More of a market than just a bakery, it’s got everything from candlesticks and flowers to books, drinks, dried goods, and jams. In addition to the bakery, which offers brownies, slices of cakes like olive oil and pistachio buttercream, and a selection of cookies that includes chocolate chip, corn and caramel, oat and Medjool date, there’s also a deli for salads and sandwiches. The 14,000-square-foot space also houses a coffee bar with drinks and smoothies. Get there early, most items are sold out by noon, and don’t come feeling nostalgic. It’s a brand new bakery with no nods to the family-owned historic landmark that opened its doors in 1931 and baked the official bread of the Olympics or signature Helms items the traveling coaches were famous for, like cream puffs and pavlovas.
Helms Bakery Market (Michele Stueven)
This holiday season, the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, in Little Tokyo, presents Holiday Afternoon Tea: A Harmonious Blend of East and West in collaboration with Japanese and Korean American Chef Laura Ochikubo.
Ochikubo blends her classical training techniques acquired at The French Laundry, Providence, and Gusto Bread with the flavors and history of Japanese and British tea-time traditions. Offerings include Japanese tea sandos, kabocha squash scones, and shoyu caramel bonbons, in addition to delicacies like wagashi, confections found in traditional tea houses in Japan. Uji tea, the most premium tea leaf in Japan, served to the imperial family and used in tea ceremonies, is sourced directly from Kyoto for the experience. On exhibition is a special collection of antique Western-style teawares dating back to the Meiji era.
The JACCC Holiday Tea must be reserved online for $110 per person, which includes a complimentary glass of sparkling sake. There are two seatings across the first two weekends in December. Dates: Saturday, Dec. 7, Sunday, Dec. 8, Saturday, Dec. 14, and Sunday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.
Crudo e Nudo in Santa Monica welcomes autumn with a new trattoria menu. At an affordable $40 per person, the tasting menu is available seven days a week and includes the crudo of the day, bread, chicories or Caesar salad, and a choice of cioppino or gnocchi.
Holiday Afternoon Tea (Courtesy JACCC)
Starting Thursday, Nov. 14, Fairmont Century Plaza’s Swiss Chalet returns with a festive après-ski dining experience that brings the charm of the Alps to Los Angeles. Featuring cozy décor and a new prix-fixe menu priced at $115 per person, Alpine favorites include duck confit and wild mushroom risotto, along with seasonal beverages such as a warm glass of Glühwein. Additional enhancements to the menu include the cheese fondue combining Emmental, Gruyere, and white wine, served with gherkins, pearl onions, carrots, mushrooms, baby potatoes, and baguette. To end the meal on a sweet note there will be an interactive “Make Your Own Hot Chocolate” experience. With five chalets accommodating groups of two to eight, reservations open on Thursday, Nov. 14, and the Swiss Chalet experience will run through January 1, 2025.
Thursday, Nov. 14, is National Pickle Day, and to commemorate this sacred occasion, cult favorite Grillo’s Pickles is partnering with L.A. staple El Compadre to bring pickle lovers the ultimate pickle-inspired menu. Available for a limited time only from Thursday, Nov. 14 through Sunday, Nov. 17, dive into pickle-infused cheeseburger tacos, Chupacabra fries loaded with savory toppings and Grillo’s pickles and tangy Skinny pickle margaritas.
What’s Popping Up is a column in the L.A. Weekly that explores everything new in food and drink.