Winter  Dine LA Restaurant Week the  15-day event celebrating the diverse culinary offerings across LA County returns on Friday, Jan.  24 through Friday, Feb.  7.  One of the largest restaurant weeks in the country, it will include a lineup of nearly 400 participating restaurants across 82 neighborhoods and 30 global cuisines.  As of August 2024, LA County has almost 200 Michelin-recognized restaurants, 32 of which are participating in Dine LA Restaurant Week

 City Cruises Marina del Rey will offer its brunch and dinner menus during the restaurant showcase. Take in the best waterfront views in the city, starting at $81.49 for brunch and $94.99 for dinner.   Brunch staples include  French toast,  birria-style chicken and a selection of salads. City Cruises offers a kid station with chicken tenders and fries for the little ones onboard. For dinner cruises, sail under the California night sky while enjoying seasonal Californian fare with a signature dessert station. This weekend Santa Monica Proper will offer a curated holiday market at Siete from Friday, Dec. 20 through Sunday, Dec. 22, featuring a selection of goods and delicacies from neighborhood partners including, Jumbo Time Wines, Ghia, Bucatini, and more.

Holiday

Courtesy City Experiences

The pop-up will feature bites from one of the world’s most accomplished French pastry chefs, François Daubinet, whose resume includes Paris’s Hôtel de Crillon, three-Michelin-starred Plaza Athénee, two-Michelin-starred Le Taillevent, and famed patisserie Fauchon. In partnership with Guillaume Guedj, founder of the acclaimed restaurant Mr T, Daubinet’s acclaimed pastries have made their way to Los Angeles. Mr. T x François Daubinet pastries will be available for purchase in addition to seasonal coffee, teas, and beverages, inviting shoppers to eat and sip while shopping. The market will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with vendors varying by day. Walk-ins are welcome. 

Here’s the schedule:  

  • Friday, Dec. 20: Jumbo Time Wines, Ghia, Bucatini, Siesta Co, Isa Isa, The New Bar, Now Serving, Masa Memory
  • Saturday, Dec. 21: Jumbo Time Wines, Ghia, Bucatini, Siesta Co, Isa Isa, Doladira, Sophie Monet
  • Sunday, Dec. 22: Jumbo Time Wines, Ghia, Bucatini, Siesta Co., Isa Isa
Holiday

Courtesy Santa Monica Place

A Holiday Celebration takes place at Long Beach Towne Center on Saturday, Dec. 21,  from noon to 2 p.m. with photos with Santa, kids’ crafts, face painting, balloon twisters and a magical snowfall experience.

Unidos Market: Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) Edition takes place at  2ND & PCH in  Long Beach on  Sunday, Dec.  22 from  2:00 p.m. to   8:00 p.m.Celebrate Latinx holiday traditions at the vibrant market featuring seasonal crafts, cultural performances and festive photo opportunities. Coastal snowfall will be hitting the market for two magical hours starting at 5:00 p.m..

The Gourmandise School Holiday Classes at Santa Monica Place will offer classic holiday cookies and the 13th annual Yule log bake and take on  Sunday, Dec. 22. Sharpen your culinary skills with festive classes, from cookie decorating to crafting the ultimate Yule Log. Register  at thegourmandiseschool.com.

Beach Belles will perform at Santa Monica Place from Friday, Dec.  20 through  Tuesday, Dec.  24 from  3:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Get into the holiday spirit with the high-energy, seasonally inspired dance performances in front of the grand Christmas tree and presents decor next to Santa’s House.

Babybelves Holiday Village will pop up on Friday, Dec. 20 at Santa Monica Place with a festive gift-wrapping station,  hot chocolate, and complimentary samples of their iconic cheeses

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