Michele StuevenThis April, Memphis Tourism and Elvis Presley’s Graceland are bringing a taste of Elvis to Los Angeles. In a continuation of the first-of-its-kind, experiential pop-up tour, “Love Me (Bar)Tender” will take over a popular Los Angeles bar with a replica of the iconic room in the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Memphis mansion.
The pop-up bar will have a limited two-night run from April 4 to April 5, at Truly L.A., Truly Hard Seltzer’s home of innovation, in the Downtown L.A. Arts District. The pop-up features a replica of Elvis’ famed den — with recreations of the tiki bar, faux-fur furniture and wood paneling found in the original Jungle Room at Graceland. Admission is free with registration.
Visitors to the Jungle Room pop-up can expect an immersive experience with retro vibes, social media-ready spaces and a themed food and Trulixir menu curated by Truly L.A. chefs and mixologists. To bring the activation to life, the pop-up bar also will feature music from Memphis artists.
The Jungle Room first made its debut in 1965 at Graceland, serving as a reminder of Elvis’ time in Hawaii, although Elvis and the Presleys simply knew and utilized the room as a den. Design highlights of the Jungle Room include a green shag carpet covering the floor and ceiling, a rock waterfall, a lacquered tiki bar and matching furniture throughout the room. The green carpet lent itself to the room’s excellent acoustics, allowing Elvis to record songs like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Moody Blue” at Graceland for what became known as The Jungle Room sessions.
Click here to sign up for more details on when registration opens for the Love Me (Bar) Tender experience coming to Los Angeles in April.
The original Jungle Room features green shag carpet on the floor and ceiling. (Elvis Presley’s Graceland)
Valerie Confections, founded 20 years ago by AAPI chef and entrepreneur Valerie Gordon, has relaunched weekly Saturday Afternoon Tea on the Glendale bakery’s outdoor patio, just in time for spring! Beginning this month, Valerie reintroduces the bakery’s modern take on the British ritual, and an ode to Valerie’s early love for tea, through a new menu, including::
- Assorted teas, Genmai Matcha, Early Grey, English Breakfast, Jasmine, Herbal Turmeric Ginger
- Creme Fraiche Scone, served with salted butter, blood orange curd and citrus marmalade
- Seasonal tea sandwiches, such as Deviled Tea Egg, Curried Chicken Sandwich and Smoked Salmon Tartine
- Rose Petal Petit Four
- Chocolate Tartlet
- Jasmine Panna Cotta
- Lavender Cookie
There are two seatings each Saturday, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations are available at valeriglendale.com, and cost $75pp.
Newport Beach’s five-star, five-diamond The Resort at Pelican Hill offers a weekend-long epicurean experience with the debut of the resort’s new Italian Culinary Masters Series: Act I. The series kicks off with Gucci Osteria Beverly Hills, helmed by chef Mattia Agazzi to create three dinners and two bubbly brunches for one weekend only: this Friday, March 22 through Sunday, March 24.
The multi-sensory dining experience includes a three-night, six-course dinner and Saturday and Sunday brunch tasting menu prepared by Agazzi and The Resort at Pelican Hill’s Director of Culinary Operations, Chef Kyung Soo Carroll. Cocktail and wine pairings will be curated by the Resort’s Beverage Manager & Sommelier Lorenzo Rocci. Tickets can be purchased via Pelicanhill.com.
Sip & Stroll at the LA Zoo (Jamie Pham)
The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association has added Sip & Stroll to its lineup of nighttime events. The adults-only tasting adventure, at the Los Angeles Zoo, takes place on Saturday, April 13, with an exclusive 21-and-over evening of fun in support of the zoo’s mission to save species, enrich communities, and create connections to nature. Building on the success of its Brew at the L.A. Zoo event, Sip & Stroll guests can wander through the zoo grounds while sampling specialty cocktails, craft beers and creative mocktails from more than 35 beverage partners. There will be food from L.A.’s top food trucks for an additional fee, along with a paint party, and live entertainment throughout the evening. Music includes DJ Johnny Hawkes, with his mix of hip-hop, dance and classic hits, and the AstroYachts, a local “yacht rock,” to the dance floor. Animal viewings are available until sundown and keeper talks, as well as a chance to explore the LAIR, the zoo’s reptile and amphibian house, until 8 p.m.
VIP ticket holders will have early entry into the event along with access to an exclusive lounge area with premium drinks. VIP and standard admission tickets are on sale now, with special pricing available for GLAZA members. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Almost 100 years after its founding, the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood will start serving Cantonese-style Chinese food, starting with a variety of dim sum which ticket holders can eat at their seats, along with popcorn and the usual candy snacks. Starting on Saturday, March 23 at 10:30 a.m. in the forecourt, dim sum master chef Tony He, who opened the legendary Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant in Rosemead 20 years ago will helm the menu.
What’s Popping Up is a weekly column in the L.A. Weekly that explores all that’s new in food and drink.
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