Michele StuevenIt’s peak season for avocados and fried avocado is having a moment. Habit Burger & Grill has added a crispy-meets-creamy indulgence to the menu, tempura avocado wedges. The golden, tempura-fried avocado with a light, crunchy batter is infused with serrano and cilantro, giving way to a warm, buttery inside. They’re served with Habit’s signature house-made ranch.
Heads up cookie lovers, Levain Bakery will celebrate its Venice grand opening with a team ribbon cutting on Friday, April 4. The first 100 people in line will score a custom Levain Bakery Venice tote bag filled with fun bakery swag. To mark the occasion, Levain Bakery is bringing back its popular Black & White Chocolate Chip cookie exclusively at this location for a limited time. The cookie is a nod to Levain’s New York roots and is their take on the quintessential NYC delicatessen treat, made with extra dark cocoa, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chunks. A third LA area store will also soon be opening in Beverly Hills
Black and White Cookie Stack (Courtesy Levain)
Following the opening of their Woodland Hills location, Saint & Second’s latest launch, Tastings by Design has launched a wine-tasting program exclusive to the guests of the new location.
From 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month, Saint & Second offers a preset tasting of four wines from varying regions around the world for $39, paired with chef-selected small bites in the California-coastal indoor/outdoor space, See the Calendar of Tastings HERE.
Every Sunday beginning March 23, Fanny’s at the Academy Museum will feature a rotating selection of Korean specials inspired by and in conjunction with Director’s Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho, the Academy Museum’s first exhibition honoring the Oscar-winning filmmaker. In addition to the restaurant’s regular menu, expect to find a rotating selection of traditional Korean dishes like ssam junsik, bibimbap, and galbi jjim, created by Executive Chef Jun Bum Oh, who draws on his native Korean heritage for inspiration. The special menu is complemented by cinema-inspired craft cocktails. Reservations: can be made via OpenTable or Resy.
The 22nd Annual LAFD/LAPD St. Baldrick’s Pancake Breakfast and Fundraiser returns to The Vineyards at Porter Ranch on Saturday, March 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event brings together the Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department, and the community to raise funds for childhood cancer research. With more than $1.3 million raised to date, the event features first responders and community members shaving their heads in solidarity with children battling cancer, a pancake breakfast sponsored by Gus’s BBQ, special guest appearances, and family-friendly entertainment – including live music, magicians from the Magic Castle, Star Wars characters, photo ops with LAPD motorcycles, K9 officers, and more.
Chef Jun Bum Oh (Stan Lee)
Barbara Lazaroff, co-founder and owner of the Spago Beverly Hills restaurant, is holding the 41st Annual charity interfaith Passover Seder on Sunday, April 13.
The event will once again benefit MAZON, The Jewish Response to Hunger, which is a national nonprofit working to end hunger among all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. This Seder will raise funds to support families in Los Angeles. Dinner is $300.00 per adult and $150 for ages 10 & under. (plus 9.5% tax & 22% Service) and tickets are available at SevenRooms.
Executive Chef Ari Rosenson, Chef de Cuisine Chef Areg Avanessian, and Executive Pastry Chef Della Gossett will prepare a menu of holiday specials including homemade gefilte fish, chicken, and vegetable matzo ball soup, roasted wild Alaskan King Salmon, braised Beef Short Rib “Flanken”, Vegetable Ratatouille & roasted Moroccan Carrots. Chef Della’s gorgeous sweets include Matzo Toffee, Fromage Blanc Cheesecake, Passover Puffs with Caramel Sauce, sorbet, a variety of fresh fruit, and more. Wine Director Matt Dulle will offer Kosher wine pairings. Each guest also receives Spago’s oven-baked Matzoh and Macaroons packaged to-go.
The service features Rabbi Arnold Rachlis, and Cantor Ruti Braier both of the University Synagogue plus the West Los Angeles Children’s Choir, the lively Kings of Klezmer, and Craig Taubman will perform. Michael Libow with singing Hatikvah.
Blockified Characters and Collectibles (Courtesy McDonald’s)
For the first time, McDonald’s is dropping a new limited edition meal AND Happy Meal together A Minecraft Movie Meal and Happy Meal. Inspired by the new film in theatres on Friday, April 4, the deal will be available starting Tuesday, April 1 and feature:
- A Minecraft Movie Meal
o One of six collectibles derived from McDonald’s favorite characters, menu items, and popular Minecraft treasures like Big Mac® Crystal, Birdie Wings, Fry Helmet, Grimace Egg, Soda Potion, and Zombie Hamburglar
o Matching collectibles card that features a code to access additional in-game experiences
o Your choice of a Big Mac or 10-pc. Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, and a drink with special pixelated packaging in the Minecraft theme
o Nether Flame Sauce – a limited-edition hot sauce inspired by The Nether is available as part of the 10-piece Chicken McNuggets meal or for purchase with your favorite McDonald’s item
o Plus, special pixelated packaging in the Minecraft theme
- A Minecraft Movie Happy Meal
o One of 12 exclusive toys derived from the most iconic Minecraft Blockheads and Block Worlds
o Scannable code to access an exclusive virtual gaming experience made just for kids at www.happymeal.com
o Plus, a choice of signature McDonald’s menu items enclosed in special film-inspired packaging
What’s Popping Up is a column in the L.A. Weekly that explores everything new in food and drink.