Elina ShatkinWant to help the Japan earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in your own gluttonous way? If you don't have the skills to make a treat for LA Bakesale for Japan, the mega, citywide fundraiser set for April 2, here are 10 other food-centric ways you can contribute — while eating well.
[Update, March 25, 9:40 a.m.: Just added two more foodish fundraisers to the list: A dinner at Mo-Chica and donations from Eagle Rock Brewery. Details after the jump.]
1. Takami Sushi
March 14 – ???
The first, and still most generous, restaurant to step up to the plate for Japanese disaster relief, Takami is donating 100% of its profits to the Red Cross Japanese Relief Fund until whenever it decides to stop doing so.
2. Koi
March 21- April 22
Koi has debuted two new menu items at all three of its locations (Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas): The Rising Sun Roll, a California Roll wrapped in soy paper topped with seared tuna, tempura flakes and eel avocado cream sauce ($18), and the Koi Fusion Shot, a fruit-infused sake cocktail with pineapple, watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe ($4). During their first week, 100% of the proceeds from the sales of these two items will go to the American Red Cross' Japanese Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief efforts. For the next three weeks until April 22, 50% of the proceeds from the sales of these two items will be donated.
3. Xino
March 21 – 24
Xino will donate 10% of three-course, prix fixe lunch ($16) and dinner ($26) portions to Give2Asia to help aid relief efforts.
March 22-29
Cube will donate 100% of proceeds from sales of three red wines by the glass to the American Red Cross' disaster relief programs in Japan. Look for the “+” mark on Cube's wine list. Wines included in the fundraiser:
* 2006 Brigaldara Amarone ($18)
* 2008 Nicodemi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($10)
* 2009 Zuani Collio Bianco ($12)
5. La Seine
March 24, 6 p.m.
100% of La Seine's sales in their sushi bar and lounge will be donated to Japan through the American Red Cross. For this evening, chef Alex Reznik will offer new sushi creations to complement La Seine's current selection of rolls.
6. Drink Sake Tonight
March 25
Writer Blake Gray launched a campaign called Drink Sake Tonight scheduled for next Friday, March 25. Many well-known sake breweries were destroyed or damaged in the tsunami. Gray reasons: “With Japan facing reconstruction, premium sake will be a luxury that domestic buyers might forego. Buying Japanese sake will keep producers and exporters employed. Even one night of American wine lovers drinking sake for a change will help rescue at least one Japanese industry from this staggering blow.”
7. Typhoon
March 27, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport will host a 12-hour “Jazz for Japan” marathon in its new Pan Am Room. There will be music from nine different jazz and blues musicians, as well as a few 20-piece big bands. 100% of ticket sales will go to Japan via the Santa Monica offices of the American Red Cross.
March 29, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
El Tepeyac will donate all net proceeds from food sold on Tuesday, March 29 to UNICEF's Japan Relief effort.
9. Umami
March 29
On Tuesday, March 29, for every burger sold at any of their five locations, Umami Burger will donate one dollar to the American Red Cross to benefit the Japan Earthquake & Pacific Tsunami Fund.
10. American Tea Room
Through March 31
The American Tea Room will donate 10% of any online purchase made through March 31 to disaster relief efforts in Japan.
11. Eagle Rock Brewery
March 23 – 27
50% of proceeds from pints of Solidarity go to Japan relief. Drink up.
12. Mo-Chica
March 31, 6-10 p.m.
Chef Ricardo Zarate, who worked in Japanese restaurants for the past 13 years, is hosting a six-course dinner featuring live bossa nova music by the Cachaca Nova trio (led Bill Esparza of by Street Gourmet LA). The tasting menu costs $45 a person; $10 from each tasting will be donated the Japan relief effort.
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