Michele StuevenThe Nakamura.ke Mobile Kitchen dining experience showcasing high-end glow-in-the-dark food and cocktails comes to L.A., it’s Negroni Week and Stranger Things is taking over Wafflejack, plus Independence Day — here’s what’s popping up this week.
Saturday, June 29
Celebrate Negroni Week at INKO NITO downtown with a special Campari-fueled Aperitivo Hour on Saturday, June 29, 2019, from 3-6 p.m.
Enjoy classic and INKO variations on the Negroni complemented by small bites like prawn skewers with garlic and lemon sansho, or chirashi maki with salmon, yellowtail, chili and scallions.
Campari will also be bringing their Negroni fountain to complete the al fresco experience. The event will support Outside In charity — helping homeless youth and other marginalized people move toward health and self-sufficiency — with $1 for each Negroni sold throughout the week (June 23-30) going toward the charity.
(Courtesy of LA Food Fest)
LA Food Fest was born as the LA Street Food Fest in 2009 and has traveled from Los Angeles Center Studios in DTLA, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Exposition Park and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to its final destination Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, cementing the LA Food Fest as L.A.’s premier street food event. It will take its final bow this weekend.
The Nuevo Gastropub is where the LA Food Fest says adiós with an international lineup for the books. Guest chefs include the grill guru Dante Ferrero (Dante Brasa y Fuego, Mexico City) returning for his third year; Olivier Deboise (Aperi, San Miguel de Allende) with his eclectic approach on sustainable cuisine; the gastronomy of Sergio Meza (Villanos en Bermudas, Mexico City), co-owner of one of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, and one of the youngest executive chefs in the world, Rafael Covarrubias (Hexagon and 7 Enoteca, Ontario, Canada) and more.
The theme for this year’s Nuevo Gastropub is “parrilada” (BBQ), and will include dishes from Dante’s primal cuts grilled over coals on site, to organic vegan tacos as well as fusion desserts like grilled banana sandwich with avocado mousse, fresh goat cheese and honey, The Nuevo Gastropub will also feature an extensive top shelf tequila tasting and Mexican beers like Border X, Cabotella and Calidad.
A portion of the proceeds from the 10th Annual LA Food Fest will directly benefit Food Forward.
Eleven Wafflejack (Courtesy of Wafflejack)
Just in time for the season 3 premier of Stranger Things, the waffle experts at Wafflejack are launching two themed waffles for fans of the show. Exclusively at the Hollywood & Highland location, the Eleven waffle and Demogorgon Feast will be available starting Saturday, June 29 through Sunday, July 14.
Priced at $11, the Eleven waffle is piled high with 11 toppings, including vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, strawberry ice cream, strawberries, bananas, blackberries, raspberries, caramel drizzle, Nutella drizzle and rainbow sprinkles.
The Demogorgon Feast, priced at $8, is topped with Oreo cheesecake spread, fresh strawberries, Oreo cookie crumble, strawberry drizzle and Nutella drizzle.
Additionally, Wafflejack is trading in their iconic bearded packaging for an Eleven “nose bleed” box that both of the waffles come in. The offer runs through Sunday, July 14.
Wednesday, July 3
The Glow-in-the-Dark Ramen Shop is a mobile dining experience showcasing high-end luminescent food and cocktails created by award-winning chefs and designers. Unlike a typical bar or club, the Nakamura.ke (House of Nakamura) is a totally immersive dining experience including theatrics, storytelling, art and folklore, and this time it’s on the side of a mountain.
(Courtesy ofNakamura.ke Mobile Kitchen)
Ticket-holders will be presented with gourmet, glowing ramen and cocktails inside and outside a boutique and an immersive mobile kitchen made out of a shipping container as they engage with the Nakamura family members to learn the mystery behind the luminescence and the curse that keeps the family moving around the globe.
A pre-ticketed “Omotenashi” VIP dinner and chef experience for up to six at a time and “Tachigui” ramen exterior bar experience for up to nine at a time. Through July 21. Get tickets here: https://www.exploretock.com/nakamura-ke
Thursday, July 4
For the first time in 46 years, Miguels Jr will be open on Fourth of July and will celebrate the holiday by offering fans original (Since 1975) burritos for just $4. Made with a choice of slow-cooked and shredded chicken, shredded beef, or house favorite tender marinated chile verde pork, original burritos are rolled with Miguel’s Jr. refried beans, Spanish rice and Longhorn cheddar cheese.
Mary Vasquez, Miguel’s Jr. founder, developed the signature recipe with inspiration from her childhood in Central Mexico.
Flower Child Summer Plate (Courtesy of Flower Child)
In honor of good vibes and freedom, Flower Child is giving its guests 25 percent off their entire bill all day on the Fourth of July at all locations, including the newly open Newport Beach space. Independence Day will also be the last day that diners can get the special summer plate, which comes with BBQ chicken, quinoa corn, crunchy kale slaw and watermelon, before the menu changes for the season.
Whiskey Red’s Red, White & Boom Party takes place from 6:30-11 p.m. during the Marina del Rey fireworks display, with live music at 7 p.m. and eating contests throughout the evening. There will be an all-American buffet that includes pork BBQ ribs, BBQ brisket, mac n’ cheese and drink specials. Patio Seating: ADULTS $75 \ CHILDREN $35 | Window Seating: ADULTS $65 \ CHILDREN $30 | Inside Seating: ADULTS $55 \ CHILDREN $25
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