Anne HamnerFrom Christmas and seafood pop-ups, comedy shows, National Chicken Wing Day, AltaMed’s Food and Wine Festival, new restaurant openings (like JOEY and Spoon & Pork) and tons of free food giveaways, here’s what’s popping up in L.A. this week.
Friday, July 26-Sunday, July 28
Miss Christmas already? Well now you don’t have to because DTLA’s Here and Now’s holiday-themed bar takeover, “Blitzen: Christmas in July” is back. For one week only, Here and Now’s space will transform into all things Christmas. We’re talking a snow machine, themed entertainment with drag queen bingo and, of course, holiday-themed cocktails. Try a “Gin-gle All the Way” (made with Fords Gin, Linie Aquavit, Licor 43, Pino Mugo, lime and tonic) or an “XMAS at K-mart” (made with Laird’s Apple Brandy, Old Forester Rye, apple cider, maple and Prosecco). Bar bites will also include empanadas, pan con pavo and sweet potato fritters with candied nuts and marshmallows. This holiday pop up ends on Sunday so don’t miss out on celebrating good ol’ Saint Nick a few months early!
Here & Now, 300 S Santa Fe Ave Ste N, downtown; Tue.-Sat., 4 p.m.-2 a.m. and Sun., 2 p.m..-mid.; hereandnowdtla.com.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Andrew Cooper)
Friday, July 26
We have some exciting news to share — Musso & Frank Grill made it to Hollywood again, and by Hollywood we mean into Quentin Tarantino’s latest and greatest film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. This iconic establishment was a fit for Tarantino’s newest film because unlike other establishments, it exists now exactly how it has always been. But this isn’t the first time this restaurants been featured on the big screen. Dating back to Cops in 1922, to Sex and the City in 2000, and to Mad Men from 2007-2010, Musso & Frank has had some serious star power. The film premieres today, so go check out a local favorite at your nearest theater or swing by Musso & Frank’s to celebrate and you too, can feel like you’ve had your big break.
Musso & Frank Grill, 6667 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sun., 4-9 p.m.; mussoandfrank.com
(Courtesy of AltaMed Food and Wine Festival)
Friday, July 26-Saturday, July 27
Another great food festival to keep on your radar this weekend. AltaMed’s Food and Wine Festival is happening with their 14th Annual “East LA Meets Napa” event on Friday from 7-10 p.m. and their 5th annual “OC Meets Napa” event on Saturday, also from 7-10 p.m.. What is AltaMed you may ask? It’s one of the nation’s largest community health centers here in L.A. and all proceeds from the event benefit their efforts to provide healthcare, dental care, and other health education programs and treatments to families not only in L.A. but also in Orange County. East LA Meets Napa will be celebrated at L.A. LIVE and will feature over 70 top L.A. restaurants and vintners, and tastings from numerous Latino-owned vineyards in California and Argentinian wines. OC Meets Napa will be held at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano from 7-10 p.m. and will feature live music, and over 50 top OC and San Diego restaurants and premium wines from California and Mexico. So come “Savor, Celebrate and Support AltaMed!”
Tickets for East LA Meets Napa start at $200, and tickets for OC Meets Napa start at $150. For more information and to purchase tickets visit squadup.com/events/ocmeetsnapa19.
Saturday, July 27
Who doesn’t love a good pop-up?The Last Word Hospitality team is giving Angelenos a sneak peek of their latest concept, Found Oyster (opening in this fall in East Hollywood), with its first pop-up at LA WINE in Chinatown. James Beard-nominated chef/partner Ari Kolender (Hayden, The Ordinary) is creating a menu inspired by his partner Adam Weisblatt’s Massachusetts roots, including oysters from general manager Joe Laraja’s family’s oyster farm in Orleans, Massachusetts. Menu items include Joe’s Oysters, scallop tostada with fennel, apple, chili and cilantro, and of course a lobster roll with Serrano chili.
LA WINE, 900 N Broadway, Suite 1070, Chinatown; Sat., July 27, 5 p.m. until sold out.
Saturday, July 27
Come have fun at a summer food festival for free. That’s right, free. This Saturday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., come celebrate with the Urban Foodie Experience. There will be 20+ food vendors, from Not Your Mama’s Kitchen to Grilled Fraiche and Churro Boss. There will also be a DJ, art, clothing pop-ups, free parking and most importantly, good vibes!
Carson Civic Center, 801 East Carson Street, Carson; for more information and for free tickets visit :https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-foodie-experience-la-tickets-59924164790?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
(Courtesy of Spoon & Pork)
Saturday, July 27
Silverlake just keeps getting better! Spoon & Pork, which started off as a popular food truck (and won Best Food Truck from L.A. Weekly), is opening up their first brick-and-mortar modern casual Filipino restaurant. Chefs/owners Ray Yaptinchay and Jay Tugas are “rebels” in the industry, so to speak, because they’ve never been professionally trained but they sure can cook. They’re approaching their restaurant with a playful attitude and spirit of “Kumain ka na ba?” which means “Have you eaten yet?” Their signature dishes include Adobo Belly Nigiri, a slow-cooked pork belly with adobo glaze and served over rice; Coco Jack, tender jackfruit cooked in coconut milk, ginger, garlic served with spicy fermented beans, onions and rice berries; and a Pork Belly Banh Mi Sandwich with twice-cooked pork belly tossed in tocino glaze served on french bread with pate, roasted peanuts, calamansi aioli, pickled carrots, jicama, cucumbers, jalapenos, chicharron and cilantro. Yum! The restaurant is celebrating with complimentary Pancit, a Filipino stir-fry noodles, all weekend with the purchase of any dish, so stop by and see what all the hype is about.
3131 W Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; Tue.-Thu., noon-8 p.m., Fri-Sat, noon-9 p.m. and Sun. noon-8 p.m. You can also catch their food truck at Smorgasburg LA every Sunday. For more information, check out spoonandpork.com.
Sunday, July 29
Yardies Caribbean Smokehouse food truck is launching and is celebrating with free jerk wings. Come enjoy Caribbean infused flavors with a street food twist. Happening from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; 7769 Melrose Ave., Fairfax; for more information visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-jerk-wings-yardies-caribbean-smokehouse-tickets-58605584882?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.
Sunday, July 28
Did you know that Peruvians in LA comprise the second largest population in the U.S. after Miami? There is no better way to celebrate the culture, color and flavors of Peru on Peruvian Independence Day than with the Peruvian Fest happening this Sunday. This year’s festival will highlight music, art, dancing, delicious foods and specialty drinks bringing the Peruvian community together but also introducing locals to the rich and exciting heritage of Peru. Vendors attending will be El Pollo on the Road, Lonzo’s Restaurant, and Halado’s Pop to name a few. There will be free parking and tickets start at only $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP. This event is for 21+, so don’t bring the kiddo’s but do bring your dance moves.
Doors open at 11am, and performances and activities end at 8:30pm. Plaza de LA Raza, 3540 N. Mission Road, Lincoln Heights. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to tickeri.com/events/5c06be4c6162970004341eae/peruvian-fest-los-angeles-2019–100–peruvian-talent-
(Courtesy of Buffalo Spot)
Monday, July 29
Happy National Chicken Wing Day! To celebrate, check out Buffalo Spot restaurants. Since opening in Long Beach in 2013, they’ve now expanded to restaurants across L.A., San Diego and even Arizona and Texas. Their chicken’s always fresh, never frozen and is cut in store to preserve the tenderness of the chicken. From 3-5 p.m. customers can receive a free small five-piece traditional wings with sauce of choice while supplies last. There’s no purchase necessary, so go get ‘em while they’re hot!
For hours, locations and more information check out thebuffalospot.com.
Monday, July 29
Need more reason to celebrate National Chicken Wing Day? Look no further than Wing Fest happening at the iconic Mel’s Drive-In in West Hollywood. Created by Lawrence Longo who is known for his popular ‘Off The Menu Club’ app this is an event for Angelenos who want to celebrate L.A.’s best wings. Vendors participating are favorite’s like 40 Love, Banh Oui, Button Mash, Chef Kang Food Rehab, Greyhound and Pizzeria Mozza. Vegan options will be also provided by Crossroads Kitchen and Mr. Chow. Available exclusively for VIP guests will be featuring a limited edition duck confit wing. If that wasn’t enough, special food guest Anchor Bar, the famed birthplace of the Buffalo chicken wing, will be making the trip to L.A. from Buffalo, New York, to serve up their East-Coast classic. This sounds finger lickin’ good!
Wing Fest will be held at Mel’s Drive-In West Hollywood 8585 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, and will be open on Monday, July 29, from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets available from $45-$135. Visit offthemenuco.com. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/off-the-menu-presents-wing-fest-tickets-61443488127?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
(Courtesy of Pikoh)
Wednesday, July 31
Pikoh is my newest local westside hangout because they are always doing something… well, unique. This Wednesday, join them for a Pikoh-Boo dinner where guests can not only have fun with their food, but they can get a $50 Pikoh gift card if they guess all of the main proteins correctly. Think of this like a Mystery Meat Dinner but something you’ll actually enjoy with four delicious courses and a great atmosphere. Tickets are only $35 per person and reservations for this experience can be made at resy.com.
Pikoh, 11940 W Pico Blvd., Sawtelle; event will be held on the July 31 from 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31
JOEY Restaurants is opening its doors on July 31 to its newest restaurant, JOEY DTLA. If you’re not familiar with the restaurant group, it’s probably because its based out of Canada. Now, they’ve expanded to a location in Westlake Village and are opening their DTLA location. JOEY’s restaurants are known for having globally-inspired dishes and their latest location is sure to have Los Angeles-inspired goodies. Think Cauliflower Bowls, Lobster Grilled Cheese, Steak & Lobster Ravioli and the “Mezcal Drink.”
JOEY DTLA, 700 West 7th Street, Unit S430, downtown; Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.- 1 a.m., Sun., 11 a.m.-mid; joeyrestaurants.com.
Thursday, August 1
Who doesn’t love laugh for free? Ace Hotel in DTLA’s rooftop bar, Upstairs, is offering a new free comedy series starting this Thursday at 8 p.m. Every first Thursday, they will be featuring a surprise roster of top comedians ranging from SNL cast members to familiar faces from your favorite Netflix specials and late night shows. Previously, this show has brought in big names like SNL’s Sasheer Zamata and Netflix’s Maria Bamford. The comedy show will be around two hours and will feature four to five different comedians. Enjoy a full drink and bar menu with dishes like Wild Shrimp Tacos’ ($5) and Cubano Sandwiches ($14) to wash down with a craft brew ($7-9). Seats are available on a first come basis. Come visit your new favorite comedy hang out!
Ace Hotel, 929 S Broadway, downtown; (213) 623-3233. For more information, visit their website at acehotel.com/losangeles/food-and-drink/upstairs.
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