Michele StuevenCrudo e Nudo’s Brian Bornemann is heading south for a chef’s dinner at the 28-acre Ecology Center, a Regenerative certified organic farm and education center in San Juan Capistrano, on Saturday, Oct. 11. It kicks off the 28-acre farm’s community fall series with a farm-driven menu highlighting sustainable seafood and seasonal produce. Learn more about Evan Marks and his vision of the Ecology Center’s future here.
Hollywood is gearing up for a fall season of shows like Les Misérables, Moulin Rouge, and Suffs taking the stage at the historic Pantages Theatre. The Hollywood Partnership (THP) is offering its “Park, Dine, and Enjoy the Show!” program, where theatergoers can easily indulge in Hollywood’s dining scene before the show.
Launched by THP, the nonprofit organization that manages the Hollywood Business Improvement District, this initiative alleviates the stress of date-night dilemmas, such as parking. Instead of circling the block for multiple spots or paying twice, guests can leave their cars with participating restaurant valets for the entire evening at a single flat rate.
Participating restaurants (See full list here) range from upscale dining at Gwen and Kateen to Italian classics at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. For a pre-show cocktail or post-performance nightcap, local favorites like Bar Lis and Saint Felix are participating as well.
Drinks after the show at Musso’s (Michele Stueven)
Fairmont Breakers Long Beach is holding a Spirited Tea for Women Who Whiskey in Long Beach. On Thursday, Oct. 16, locals can expect a night of themed whiskey and tea pairings at Alter Ego, the historic hotel’s lobby-level bar and lounge, alongside storytelling from leading spirit brand Macallan. The evening will include three tea-inspired cocktails paired with a tower of light bites, and each cocktail will be introduced with a component highlighting its unique creation. Tickets are $125 per person and will be sold by table groupings.. Capacity is limited to 30 guests; reservations are encouraged.
This fall, Melvyn’s at The Ingleside Estate celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special Dining Through the Decades series. The iconic Palm Springs restaurant, once a hideaway for stars like Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and Elizabeth Taylor, puts a California twist on classic American fare and cocktails.
From now through Friday, Nov. 7, Melvyn’s will showcase a rotating prix fixe menu inspired by the favorites and tableside traditions that defined each era:
- 1985–1995 | October 13–19
- The bold flavors of the ‘80s return with lobster bisque with sherry and Chicken Kiev served with parmesan broccolini, and a showstopping Baked Alaska for dessert.
- 1995–2005 | October 20–26
- A new era of adventurous dining arrives with sesame-crusted Ahi tuna, seared duck breast with sundried tomato polenta, and a decadent molten lava cake.
- 2005–2015 | October 27–November 2
- Modern classics take center stage like crispy pork belly with apple purée, veal osso bucco with smoked paprika jus, and a wild berry Neapolitan to finish.
- 2015–2025 | November 3–7
- Celebrate the last decade of decadence with contemporary favorites like tuna tartare with avocado and yuzu, roasted bone marrow with oxtail jam, and seared halibut in acqua pazza. Reservations can be made HERE.
What’s Popping Up is a column in the L.A. Weekly that explores everything new in food and drink.
Tableside Steak Diane at Melvyn’s (Michele Stueven)