Michele StuevenNational Espresso Martini Day is Saturday, March 15, and Bar Next Door on the Sunset Strip will feature three riffs crafted by Mixologist Brynn Smith. The drinks include a Peanut Butter Banana Espresso Martini, a Classic Espresso Martini and a Tequila Cream Float with Kahlua.
The Godfrey Hotel will also celebrate with cocktail and spirits guru Paul Zahn at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood’s signature restaurant, ALK (About Last Knife). Variations of the martini include a Cinnamon Infused Absolut Espresso Martini, mixed with cinnamon infused ABSOLUT vodka, Kahlua and espresso, garnished with three coffee beans; a Spiked Skrewball Peanut Butter Whisky Affogato crafted with Skrewball whiskey and shaken espresso poured on vanilla ice cream, garnished with shaved chocolate; and a C-Squared Reposado Espresso Martini shaken with Codigo Reposado Tequila, cinnamon, espresso and Kahlua, garnished with cinnamon.
Match any of ALK’s special Saturday Brunch bites including avocado toast with a soft boiled egg, a hearty short rib benedict, a truffle hollandaise and jumbo shrimp cocktail..
National Espresso Martini Day is Saturday, March 15
Gastro Garage’s Full Throttle Experience returns to LA at Agora Records in DTLA on Friday, March 28, Saturday, March 29, Friday, April 11, Saturday, April 12, Friday, May 9, Saturday, May 10, Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24.
The unique intersection of gourmet cooking and blowtorch-wielding food pirates will feature an eight-course meal showcasing their signature dishes, like Gastro burgers made of Wagyu beef, pizza, maple-glazed carrot pops, and Princess Buttercups made with Reese’s Peanut Buttercups.
The “Mechanics Menu” will be paired with live rock music from the Gastro Band and DJ, a welcome shot, and one signature cocktail for each attendee (21+). Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available with advance notice. There are two seatings per night, and tickets are $100 per person on Fever. Reservations are mandatory, as seating is limited.
Warby Parker is offering complimentary treats at four of its stores on Saturday, March 15, and a look at the new Spring 2025 frames. No purchase necessary. Tartine Bakery croissants will be at the Silver Lake store, Artisanal Goods croissants at the Pasadena store, Cotton Candy from Bon Puf on Abbot Kinney in Venice, and Belle Bakery croissants in Studio City.
Full Throttle With Gastro Garage
Slice for a Cause, the grand opening party for Pizza Girl’s new location on the Sunset Strip at Hotel Ziggy, takes place on Saturday, March 22. There will be endless pizza, live music, surprise guests, dancing, and a chance to give back. 100% of ticket sales will go directly to Home Bank LA, an organization helping Angelenos who have lost their homes in the LA wildfires. Tickets can be purchased through a donation here ($25 suggested).
The Nice Guy is teaming up with Susumu Kakinuma’s Seirinkan Pizza for an exclusive Pizza pop-up experience on Sunday, March 16. For one night only, the visionaries behind Tokyo’s first Napoli-Style pizzeria will be popping up at the West Hollywood hot spot. From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Chef Kakinuma will take over The Nice Guy kitchen, bringing his famous slices to LA alongside The Nice Guy signature offerings. The a la carte menu will feature three hand-tossed pie variations: Margherita, Bianca, and Mariana.
Ladyhawk in West Hollywood is expanding its Middle Eastern flavors with a new Turkish coffee stop located near the entrance of the restaurant, prepared using finely ground Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi that is brewed using two traditional methods: an Arzum Turkish coffee kettle and a copper pot (“cezve”) over hot sand.
Courtesy Ladyhawk
The Whisky Hotel opened this week in Hollywood, where connoisseurs can indulge in an extensive collection of rare and vintage whiskies.
The adults-only property was conceived and designed from the ground up by restaurateur and hotelier Adolfo Suaya, the founder of the LA institution Gaucho Grill. Every element within the hotel has been hand-sourced by Suaya, from the collection of European artwork on the walls, to Parisian bistro stools at the rooftop bar, to the vintage rotary phones in each room. The hotel’s elegant rooftop offers nearly 360-degree views of Hollywood’s skyline for both daytime and late-night retreats. The Whisky Hotel also offers a full breakfast, inclusive for guests, and access to a private, personal training gym and the lobby has a curated whisky selection.
What’s Popping Up is a column in the L.A. Weekly that explores everything new in food and drink.