Modern Afro-Caribbean restaurant Lucia, from restaurateur Sam Jordan and  James Beard Award finalist Chef Cleophus “Ophus” Hethington, is launching two new recurring programming series, bringing more music, culture, and community to one of LA’s hottest dining destinations.

Live at Lucia- Every Wednesday evening, Lucia will be hosting entertainers for intimate performances over dinner and cocktails. The weekly series has kicked off with vocalist and pianist Matthew Grant, bringing soulful music to the restaurant’s glamorous dining room.  Hethington’s puts his twist on Caribbean cuisine with dishes like the wagyu beef patty served with mango calypso, a jerk lamb shank with whipped sweet potato, brown butter, goat cheese, and salsa criolla, and the  Plantain Expressions with maduros, plantain mole, and plantain chips.

Sobremesa- Every Thursday evening starting today, Lucia will feature the sounds of salsa, bachata,  merengue, and plenty of late-night energy.  In addition to the á la carte menu, a $50 entrée and side prix-fixe menu is available that includes options like a burger Cubano sando, a tagliatelle and mushroom picadillo, and a tamarind Caesar salad. The prix fix also includes one mojito martini with a choice of classic, passionfruit, or tropical fruit blend.  Reservations HERE.  

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Lucia Crab Callaloo (Khai Nguyen)

Fan-favorite instant ramen brand  Maruchan is teaming up with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba to bring two Japanese brands together for a fully immersive, MaruMart interactive experience at this year’s Interactive Zone at Petco Park for San Diego Comic-Con. 

Inspired by the vibrant energy of Japanese convenience stores and the world of Demon Slayer, the activation celebrates anime, ramen, and Japanese culture through an immersive, fan-first experience. Inside, attendees can explore:

  • Complimentary Maruchan Yakisoba samples inspired by fan-favorite Demon Slayer characters, including Tanjiro’s Beef Yakisoba, Zenitsu’s Chicken Yakisoba, and Inosuke’s Spicy Chicken Yakisoba, served in exclusive collaboration packaging
  • Limited-edition Maruchan x Demon Slayer merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, and keychains, is available only at the activation
  • Interactive experiences, including claw machines, character displays featuring Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and all nine Hashira
  • Exclusive giveaways and plenty of photo-worthy moments throughout the space
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MaruMart (Courtesy Maruchan)

MaruMart: Demon Slayer Konbini will be open in the San Diego Comic-Con Interactive Zone:

  • Thursday, July 23 through Saturday, July 25: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 26: 10 a.m.–4  p.m.

Get out of the heat and into the kitchen.  FIG Restaurant at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows is offering  Kids’ Pizza-Making Classes every Saturday from 3:30 p.m.  – 4:30 p.m. in the Potting Shed. 

The engaging, hands-on experience complete with chef’s hat and apron includes stretching fresh dough, spreading San Marzano tomato sauce or Nutella, and customizing a sweet or savory pizza from scratch with a variety of toppings from mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, bell peppers, olives, and wild mushrooms to strawberries, bananas, crushed Oreos, mini marshmallows, gummy bears, coconut flakes,  alongside a classic root beer float. 

TICKETS: $66 per child; reservations can be made via OpenTable.

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

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Pizza making at Fairmont Miramar (Thais Aquino Photography)