Posted by Not only do we love finding things to do in Los Angeles, but we’re constantly trying new places to eat as well.
That said, we’re putting together a weekly listing of some of the best new spots, special menus, great deals, and tasty happy hours that you just might want to keep on your radar as you continue a culinary exploration of the city of angels.
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This weeks picks includes speciality menus for a secret tequila menu at three top bars, southern fried chicken at BOA, Wildcraft’s new happy hour menu and a six course seasonal menu at Westside Tavern.
As always, hope this week’s rundown helps inspire to you try something new.
Bon appetit!
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The Best of This Week
1. Jon & Vinny’s
Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo of Animal, Son of a Gun and Trois Mec fame opened up a new eatery focused on update takes on classic Italian fare. The White Lightening Pizza topped with mozzarella, ricotta, garlic, onion, oregano and pickled jalapeño are already fan favorites and the meatball dish served with crispy garlic bread and a side of creamy ricotta is the perfect Italian style comfort food.
2. L’Assiette Steak Frites
A classic iteration of Steak Frites, Chef/Owner Jacques Fiorentino sticks to his Parisian roots with an emphasis on crispy, airy frites and tender, lean steak. Fiorentino recreates his favorite dish from home by preparing Coulotte steak sous-vide and pan-seared to order. The steak is served with 24-hour beef tallow pommes frites that go through an eight step process and is blanketed in a secret house-made sauce similar to a béarnaise. The dish is served in two courses, to ensure that the steak frites remain hot throughout the meal.
3. Howlin’ Ray’s Hot Chicken Food Truck
Chef Johnny Zone is taking Los Angeles by storm with his food truck Howlin’ Rays Hot Chicken. This is a brand new truck that specializes in Nashville style “hot chicken” a juicy fried chicken smothered in their signature hot sauce. It’s finger licking good and addictive! Be sure to order their slaw with a side of pickles to complete your meal. This is easily one of my top picks for food trucks these days. Even the folks at r/LosAngeles can’t stop singing Howlin Ray’s praises.
4. #NextLevelOrder With DeLeón Tequila
To celebrate National Tequila Day (July 24th) DeLeón Tequila introduces its newest initiative, the #NextLevelOrder program featuring secret “off-the-menu” cocktails made with DeLeón Platinum. Partnering with nationally renowned mixologists starting in NYC, LA, and Miami, exclusive cocktail creations inspired by this magical spirit will be available to those “in the know” now through August. See the three bars below!
Karen Grill of Sassafras Saloon – La Caifana (DeLeon Platinum, La Nina Primario, pineapple chili shrub, lime juice and shaved cinnamon)
Aidan Demarest of BarToni’s– Summer of Love (DeLeon Platinum, Smith and Cross rum, sherry, velvet falernum, lime juice and passion fruit syrup)
Juan Martinez of Toca Madera– Agave Por Vida (DeLeon Platinum, fresh watermelon, watermelon mint shrub, sweetened ginger juice, lime juice and tamarind candy)
5. Maradentro
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Jesse Gomez, and Chef Partner Jose Acevedo’s Mexican seafood concept Maradentro is getting quite a buzz since it opened. Their guacamole de langosta made with fresh hass avocados, serranos, red onion, cilantro, lobster and nueske bacon is an instant hit and the tostadas de ceviche is fresh and the portions are generous. The Maradentro Margarita a turquoise colored cocktail accompanied with black salt is the perfect summer drink.
6. Simbal
This modern Southeast-Asian restaurant situated in Little Tokyo is Chef Shawn Pham’s ode to his Vietnamese heritage. Trained at several Michelin-starred kitchens and even some food stalls in Vietnam, Pham’s knowledge of using Asian spices and ingredients produce an umami type sensation to dishes like the banh mi salad and a mussels dish with chili jam, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime served with Chinese doughnuts. Beat the crowd and try this place out before it becomes the “it” place to be in Little Tokyo.
7. Barton G
July is National Grilling Month and over at Barton G they have something called “Bucket of Bones” a BBQ and meat overs dream that consist of 12 hour barbecued baby back ribs, beef rib bones, lamb chop lollipops, chicken drumstick, house made pickles, BBQ kettle chips and a honey gorgonzola dipping sauce AND thats just the appetizer. Other highlights include The Great American Steak and an over the top dessert called Marie Antoinette’s Head a giant cotton candy creation surrounded by petit cakes.
8. Fried Chicken at BOA Steakhouse
Every Thursday, BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood is offering a new Southern Fried Chicken lunch special, complete with coleslaw, potato salad, and hot sauce for $17.
9. Odys + Penelope
The winning combo of Quinn and Karen Hatfield the folks behind The Sycamore Kitchen and the now shuttered and sorely missed Hatfield’s is back with Odys + Penelope. The eatery uses elements of wood fire in the kitchen serving up churrasco and stand out grilled dishes like the oak grilled branzino with cherry tomato, spring onion, asparagus and fried pea tendrils. Karen Hatfield’s desserts are definitely a must order, highlights include the cornmeal ricotta fritters, salted with local honey butter but you really can’t go wrong with anything Karen whips up.
10. Westside Tavern & George Levkoff Of George Wine Company Seasonal Prix Fixe
Westside Tavern is partnering with George Levkoff of George Wine Company to offer a six course seasonal menu this Friday, July 24, 2015 at 7:00 pm. Available for $65 per person (plus tax and gratuity), Executive Chef Ben Cohn created a prix fixe menu to perfectly pair with Pinot Noirs from California’s Sonoma County. Highlights include house made spaghetti accompanied by Australian truffles, roasted duck breast with poached plums, spinach and natural jus. Seats are limited for this special event, reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (310) 470-1539 or emailing GM Kevin Brady at [email protected].
11. Careless Whisper 80’s Brunch
Join The Whisper Restaurant & Lounge this weekend for the launch of Careless Whisper a new bottomless brunch program named after my personal favorite WHAM! song. Taking it’s inspiration from the decade, the affair is a 1980’s blowout with guests encouraged to dress in 80’s theme, complete with musical stylings, decorations and more by the restaurant. Guests can enjoy endless drinks for $20 that include Papa Don’t Peach and dishes such as I Ain’t ‘Fraid Of No Toast and Bamamarama Peanut Butter French Toast.
12. The Arthur J
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David LeFevre’s new steakhouse concept is a midcentury modern fan’s dream, it makes you feel like you’ve stepped into an episode of Mad Men. The sleek interior nicely compliments the top notch aged beef selections prepared on a wood-fired grill. This is a modern steak spot and toppings like black truffle butter, buttered blue crab and foie gras are just a few of the options here. Bring some friends and split the tomahawk rib eye a decadent piece of meat with a bone so long it protrudes off your plate by several inches! Don’t forget to order some savory sides like the potato gratin and bone marrow on toast to complete your meal.
13. Katana’s Red Sun BBQ
Every Sunday through Labor Day (September 7), this 13th annual summer series features a three-course menu for $45 including Yakiniku tableside grilling over charcoal, rotating guest DJs, cocktails and more. The three course meal will include a Chef’s appetizer trio and several items from filet mignon to Pacific shrimp which guests can grill table side over charcoal.
Deals + Discounts
14. Día de Campo
Hermosa Beach’s modern Mexican surf lodge, Día de Campo, will celebrate National Tequila Day this Friday with a fiesta featuring food and drink specials, live music, and more! The fine folks over at Casamigos and Casa Noble tequila will be offering complimentary tastings to guests from 2:00pm to 4:00pm with an encore at 5:00pm to 7:00pm!
15. Ink.sack
Sandos run from $5 to $8 which is a steal considering it’s designed by Top Chef winner Micheal Voltaggio. Order the cold fried chicken sando ($5) it a big hit! If you have another $2 bucks do yourself a big favor and grab a Mexican chocolate cookie.
16. Best Fish Taco In Ensenada
Best Fish Taco In Ensenada serves up giant fish, shrimp and potato tacos all under $3. The salsa bar is stalked full of amazing salsas, cabbage, pickled good and so much more you might mistake it as a salad bar. Don’t forget to check in on Yelp to receive a free drink!
Happy Hour Picks
17. Wildcraft
This modern Italian tavern in Culver City launches a new happy hour menu from Chef/Partner Tin Vuong and Executive Chef Bryant Wigger. New items include $5 tendon chips accompanied by sea salt and “magic”, $7 smoked salmon crostini with shaved fennel, pickled mustard and goat cheese, and for dessert $10 pie of the moment made with a 30-year-old sourdough starter, which undergoes a three-day fermentation and proofing process, and is baked in a 900 degree oven, FANCY STUFF! Happy hour drinks include select $5 craft beers, $6 wine and $7 seasonal cocktails which aim to reduce waste by incorporating scraps from the kitchen, highlight drinks include: Riptide (Correlejo tequila, cilantro, pineapple, Fresno chili and muddled Fresno chili tops) and the Sweet Pea (sugar snap pea vodka, lemon, mint, egg whites and vodka infused with discarded pea shells.) Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday 4:00pm to 7:00pm and on the weekend 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
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18. Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar offers a happy hour Monday through Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm where you can munch on a unique selection of modern American comfort food on the cheap. The downtown location is the only Plan Check with a food happy hour menu that includes special dishes like baked oyster rockefeller with katsuobushi and beast fries with schmaltz onions, bacon spread, and americanized dashi cheese. $4 house wines, $6 Slow & Low Old Fashioned, $2 off all draft beers and a $6 Tropical Daisy made with jalapeño infused tequila and your choice of blood orange or mango are all a part of the happy hour.
19. Sushi Roku
Sushi Roku offer happy hours at all three of their locations from 5:00pm to 6:30pm Monday through Friday. With a weekend happy hour at 4:00pm to 6:30pm, where you can try signature dishes for less than $10, including Hanabi for $4, albacore tacos “roku style” for $6, fried chicken “kara age” for $5, sushi rolls for $5 and more.
20. Madera Kitchen
Madera Kitchen’s happy hour has a $7 food menu with highlights like fried Mary’s chicken skewer and tasty pulled pork sliders with green cabbage, pickled onions and feta cheese on a brioche bun. Specialty cocktails are $7 – try the Sippy Cup! Wine is $5, draft beer is $4 and all bottled beers are $2 off. Happens daily from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.
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Know of a new restaurant, menu, or happy hour we should try? Drop us a line at [email protected].
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