The iconic Beverly Wilshire has converted their cobblestone driveway into an outdoor pop-up restaurant. For a limited time beginning Wednesday, March 3, THEBlvd Privé will be an extension of the hotel’s THEBlvd Restaurant. The romantic outdoor hidden patio is enclosed by green hedges and will offer a California-inspired menu that includes a roasted acorn squash winter salad with locally grown kale, quinoa and cranberry dressing as well as Snake River Farm beef filet with truffled gnocchi, roasted greens and peppercorn sauce. Gas lamps have been imported from a castle in Edinburgh to help set the intimate mood.

On Thursday, February 18, Ono Hawaiian BBQ is set to open its newest ground-up location in Monterey Park. The restaurant will offer take-out and drive-thru service only. Ono will celebrate by hosting $50 gift card giveaways on their social media platforms and providing special coupons and vouchers for customers that come on opening day. The newly built, freestanding drive-thru location is located at the Monterey Park Marketplace and will feature a hand painted mural by Ono’s Senior Creative Designer, Susanna Negrete. 

lanea

Socaliente (Courtesy Lanea)

In celebration of National Margarita Day on Monday, February 22, Lanea has created the SOCALiente Margarita, made with Cazadores Reposado, Thai chili, serrano, habanero honey, pineapple and citrus and is billed as their spiciest concoction yet. Open for takeout and outdoor dining, Lanea is challenging anyone who thinks they can handle the heat to try the new beverage during National Margarita Day Weekend (February 19 – February 22). If you can manage to finish it without a cooling chaser, they’ll reward you with two free tacos.  

Springtime dineL.A. Restaurant Week takes place Monday, March 1 – Sunday, March 14, including weekends. During the event, in addition to on-site dining, they’ve added menu options for take-out and delivery. Lunch deals run at $15, $20, $25, $30, $35 and dinner options are $25, $35, $45, $55, $65+.  

First-time participants include ADRIFT Burger Bar in Venice, which is offering a dineL.A. lunch menu at $15, featuring the signature ADRIFT Burger and housemade Truffle Chips. All fresco dining is available in the newly opened patio, which is decorated with art from Venice-based blind contour artist, Sophie Kipner, and live plants for sale from BOZU Los Angeles.

What’s Popping Up is a weekly column in the LA Weekly that explores all that’s new in food and drink

 

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.