Marelle at Sandbourne Santa Monica welcomes back The Guest List, a special chef collaboration series celebrating friendship, community, and the stories behind some of Southern California’s most beloved culinary voices.

On Saturday, Aug. 15, Marelle Executive Chef Raphael Lunetta welcomes his lifelong friend, fellow Santa Monica local and two-Michelin-starred Chef Josiah Citrin, for a one-night-only dinner celebrating more than 45 years of friendship, food, and memories. The two chefs first met in elementary school, grew up surfing the same beaches, cooked together abroad, lived together in Venice, and have helped shape Santa Monica’s culinary landscape.

Inspired by the backyard gatherings and summer celebrations they shared throughout the years, the chefs will reunite around the grill for a family-style Basque BBQ on Marelle’s ocean-inspired patio. The menu of coastal California favorites includes sliced ahi tuna with finger lime and white soy, grilled New Caledonian blue prawns, côte de boeuf,  summer vegetables, and more.

They even shop together. We ran into them at the Santa Monica Farmers Market loading up on eggplants and scallions, shopping together for the collab before heading into the nearby Marelle kitchen.

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Chefs from left, Josiah Citrin and Raphael Lunetta at the Santa Monica Farmers Market (Michele Stueven)

Celebrating 80 years, on Wednesday, Aug. 26, Irv’s Burgers will ring up its signature Roadside Burger at just 80 cents all day long, open to close, at every location. Plus, anyone who’s hit 80, same as Irv’s, gets a Roadside Burger on the house; Rewards members and day-of sign-ups can win one of 80 prizes per store, from free burgers for a Year to $80 gift cards; and limited-edition 80th anniversary hats, tees, and pins on sale, with free stickers while they last. For every full-size combo sold, Irv’s donates 80 cents to Three Square and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

Irv’s story started in 1946 as a Route 66 stand called Queen’s Burgers, drawing travelers with a sign that read “No Lobster, Just Burgers.” Eighty years later, the fresh, never-frozen burgers are still the main event — and the City of West Hollywood has designated the brand a cultural resource.

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Rendering of Skywalker Grill (Courtesy of Rockwell Group)

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Los Angeles will welcome an exciting new dining destination with the debut of Skywalker Grill, the signature full-service restaurant atop the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Designed by Rockwell Group and operated by Rhubarb Events & Hospitality Collection, part of Oak View Group, Skywalker Grill draws inspiration from the welcoming spirit of George Lucas’ legendary Skywalker Ranch, pairing classic American cuisine with warm hospitality and sweeping views overlooking Los Angeles.

Open to both museum visitors and the public, Skywalker Grill welcomes guests for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, remaining open beyond museum hours for diehard Star Wars fans.

Skywalker Grill offers a menu that includes shareable favorites like Dungeness crab cakes and lobster corn dogs, and signature entrées like crispy chicken Milanese, honey miso glazed salmon, and the Skywalker Ranch Wagyu burger. House-made pastas, fresh seasonal salads, and shareable starters round out the menu.

What’s Popping Up is a column in the L.A. Weekly that explores everything new in food and drink